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By Charles Dantes, Vito Barcelo, Maricel V. Cruz,
By Alena Mae S. Flores, Maricel V. Cruz, and Joel E. Zurbano
DIESEL prices are rapidly climbing and could move closer to the P200-per-liter mark as intensifying hostilities in the Middle East continue to disrupt global oil supply, raising concerns over the Philippines’ vulnerability to external shocks, officials said Monday.
Industry estimates indicate that diesel could reach as high as P170.10 per liter by today (Tuesday) following a fresh round of price hikes, including an increase of nearly P20 per liter by some oil companies.
The surge reflects the sharp passthrough of international crude price movements to local pump prices, a recurring feature of the country’s deregulated oil market.
Gasoline prices are also set to rise, with projections indicating an increase of P5.90 per liter, bringing pump prices to as much as P119.90 per liter. Current gasoline prices range from P81 to P114 per liter.
Kerosene, commonly used by lower-income households for cooking and lighting, is likewise expected to spike.
By Charles Dantes
MALACAÑANG on Monday said the public release of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) final report will depend on the Department of Justice and the Office of the Ombudsman as pressure mounts from lawmakers for full transparency.
Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said the Palace will not intervene in the handling or disclosure of the report, noting it has already been turned over to the proper investigative authorities.
"That's already within their (DOJ, Ombudsman) discretion," Castro said
By Rolando Ng III and Jimbo Gulle
THE Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines (PHAP) on Monday called for the urgent adoption of pooled procurement to secure a long-term supply of essential medicines for the country.
In a statement, PHAP warned that the ongoing conflict in the Middle East could disrupt global supply chains and eventually affect the availability and pricing of needed drugs.
The 80-year-old group said its member companies are currently absorbing higher costs “driven by higher logistics expenses, freight constraints, and other global market factors to help ensure continued patient access to life-saving medicines.”
However, PHAP stressed that such measures are only temporary and underscored the need for sustainable, long-term strategies to ensure uninterrupted access to medicines, particularly through stronger public-private collaboration.
dependent constitutional body, cannot be directed by the President, while decisions on what information may be released by the DOJ also fall under its discretion.
Castro's statement follows Senator Imee Marcos' call for the full release of the ICI report, saying transparency is needed to address long-standing issues in flood control and infrastructure projects.
Castro, however, pushed back against the criticism, saying calls for accountability should not be selective.
"If someone is truly against corruption, I hope they’ll be consistent in their criticism and in calling it out— not only during President Marcos Jr.’s term, but also in the previous admin-
By Kyodo News
JAPANESE Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi is arranging a visit to the Philippines in early May to advance talks with his counterpart Gilberto Teodoro on Japan's export of decommissioned Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyers, sources familiar with the matter said Sunday.
Japan is considering providing some used Abukuma-class vessels, with senior Philippine Navy officials showing interest in securing
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Prices could reach P178 per liter following a projected P9.10 increase, up from the current range of P149.89 to P168.90 per liter.
The impact is not limited to liquid fuels. Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), widely used for household cooking, has also seen steep price increases.
The Republic Gas Corp. (Regasco) announced a final staggered increase of P16 per kilogram for LPG effective April 6, bringing the total hike to P176 for an 11-kilogram tank. As a result, the suggested retail price for LPG in Luzon now ranges from P1,488 to P1,600 per 11-kg tank.
An industry source told Manila Standard it would be difficult to speculate how domestic pump prices will move, as it would depend on the developments in the Middle East.
“If the conflict continues to escalate, diesel MOPS (Mean of Platts Singapore) will most likely rise further,
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The group highlighted pooled procurement as a key mechanism, describing it as a system that consolidates medicine requirements across government and private sectors to strengthen supply security and improve pricing efficiency.
This was among the 10 possible solutions the group offered on Sunday as it warned that the country’s medicine supply remains vulnerable to global disruptions.
It also pushed a six-month na-
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including the premium which will also increase because of the continuing tightness in supply,” the source said.
The source added that in the last trading on April 2, diesel MOPS reached more than $290 a barrel. In Monday’s trading, the projection was already near $300 a barrel.
“The P200 per liter diesel price can happen, but not soon though. However, if the tensions continue to rise and (with) no signals of de-escalation in sight, it will cause MOPS to increase further,” the source said.
Diesel prices have nearly tripled since Feb. 28, when the United States and Israel began their operations against Iran that has thrown the Middle East into disarray.
Regular diesel prices were averaging a little over P60 a liter for the week of Feb. 24 to March 2, Department of Energy (DOE) monitoring data showed.
Asked whether diesel could hit P200 per liter if the geopolitical crisis worsens, Petron Corp. chairman Ramon Ang responded cautiously: “I
tional inventory buffer of medicines to be adopted, among other solutions.
“We emphasize the pressing need to strengthen public-private collaboration, particularly in adopting supply chain practices that are already available and aligned with the Universal Health Care framework. One such mechanism is pooled procurement."
Citing lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic, the group noted that countries with accurate demand forecasts and firm procurement commitments were prioritized in global supply allocation.
PHAP said pooled procurement can enhance supply stability, lower costs
She noted that alleged irregularities, including so-called “ghost projects,” date back to as early as 2020, but said it was only in 2025 that the current administration initiated a formal investigation.
Last week, Castro said the DOJ and the Ombudsman are “overwhelmed” by the volume of cases referred by the ICI, clarifying that the panel’s role was limited to fact-finding.
“The ICI is only a fact-finding committee. The filing of cases rests with the Ombudsman and DOJ,” Castro said in a radio interview.
She noted that the commission has already submitted its findings to proper authorities, including referrals involving dozens of individuals linked to questionable infrastructure projects.
During its six-month investigation, the ICI endorsed cases implicating at least 65 individuals, including lawmakers and contractors.
Castro said the volume of referrals has placed pressure on investigating bodies, which are now conducting preliminary investigations.
“Because of the sheer volume of referrals, the Ombudsman and DOJ appear to be overwhelmed,” she said.
At the same time, the panel directed the House sergeant-at-arms to enforce heightened security measures for a detained witness tagged as “material and indispensable” in the impeachment proceedings against Duterte.
In a “subpoena testificandum et duces tecum,” the panel directed Remulla to attend the hearing on April 14, 2026 at the House of Representatives in Quezon City.
“You are hereby directed to appear before the Committee on Justice on April 14, 2026, 10:00 A.M., at the 2nd Floor of the People Center, House of Representatives, and to submit the following documents,” the subpoena stated.
It required the submission of certified true copies of Duterte’s SALNs for the years 2022 – 2025 inclusive, 2007 – 2013 inclusive, and 2016 – 2022 inclusive.”
According to the panel, the documents were needed for the purpose of appraising the assets, liabilities and net worth declared by Duterte from the time she entered public service up to the present.
The directive was issued in connection with the verified impeachment complaints filed by Fr. Joel Saballa and others, endorsed by Mamamayang Lib-
three vessels as part of efforts to respond to China's assertiveness in the South China Sea, where Manila and Beijing remain locked in territorial disputes.
Japan, for its part, has seen Chinese vessels repeatedly entering its waters around the China-claimed Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea.
The Philippines is also considering introducing the SDF's Type-03 Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missiles.
hope not.”
The latest DOE data, for the week of March 31 to April 6, showed diesel prices in the National Capital Region ranging from P110 to P150.30 per liter prior to the latest adjustments.
The projected increases would push prices well beyond recent historical highs, placing significant pressure on transport operators, businesses, and households, industry officials warned.
Major oil firms have begun implementing adjustments. Petron announced a one-time increase of P18.80 per liter for diesel, P4.90 for gasoline, and P8.10 for kerosene.
Jetti Petroleum, meanwhile, opted to delay its price hike—P18.60 per liter for diesel and P5.40 for kerosene— until April 10 in a bid to cushion the immediate impact on consumers.
The DOE had not responded to requests for comment as of press time.
The upward trajectory in fuel prices comes amid heightened instability in the Middle East, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint through which roughly 20 per-
through bulk purchasing, and reduce the risk of stockouts, but emphasized that its success depends on coordinated national planning.
The group also called for an interagency approach to support pooled procurement, stressing the need for streamlined and responsive regulatory processes to ensure the timely availability of medicines and vaccines.
“To secure medicine supply and enable successful pooled procurement, an inter-agency approach is essential where regulatory processes support the timely availability of medicines and vaccines,” PHAP said.
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last week to assess the economic impact of rising fuel prices and evaluate possible interventions, including adjustments to fuel excise taxes, Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said Monday.
The DBCC, composed of key economic agencies, plays a central role in shaping fiscal policy and crafting responses to external shocks such as global oil price fluctuations.
“We will assess the implications of rising global oil prices and evaluate possible policy responses, including measures on fuel excise taxes,” Castro said during a press briefing yesterday, noting that discussions were held during the recent Holy Week period.
eral (ML) party-list Rep. Leila de Lima, as well as a separate complaint by lawyer Nathaniel Cabrera as endorsed by Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr. and Deputy Speaker Paolo Ortega V of La Union.
The subpoena was issued on March 31, 2026 and bore the authority of House Committee on Justice chairperson, Rep. Gerville Luistro of Batangas and Speaker Faustino Dy III, with attestation from Secretary General Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil.
The Justice committee also tasked sergeant-at-arms Ferdinand Melchor Dela Cruz to ensure the protection of Ramil Madriaga, who is currently detained at the Camp Bagong Diwa jail in Taguig City.
The directive stemmed from a by Akbayan Rep. Chel Diokno seeking legislative protection for Madriaga.
The committee underscored Madriaga’s role in the case, stating that he “has been determined to be a material and indispensable witness in the ongoing impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Z. Duterte.”
“After due evaluation, the Committee finds that the Petition is impressed with merit,” the order stated.
“In view of the credible threats to the life of Mr. Madriaga arising from his participation in these proceedings, the Committee hereby granted the Petition,” it added.
Exports of highly lethal weapons, including destroyers, are restricted under Japan's principles on the overseas transfer of defense equipment and technology.
But the Japanese government aims to ease these restrictions later this month, paving the way for overseas sales of weapons, including those with lethal capability, to like-minded partners.
Japan and the Philippines, both
cent of global oil and gas supplies pass.
In Tehran, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards announced they were completing preparations to enforce new operating conditions in the strait, which has been largely restricted since the outbreak of hostilities involving the United States and Israel entering its sixth week.
“The IRGC naval force is completing operational preparations for the Iranian authorities’ declared plan for the new Persian Gulf order,” the Guards’ naval forces said in a statement posted on social media. They warned that conditions in the strait “will never return to its former status, especially for the US and Israel.”
The statement followed renewed threats from US President Donald Trump to strike Iranian infrastructure, including power plants and bridges, if the vital shipping route is not reopened.
Since the conflict began, Iran has allowed only limited maritime traffic through the waterway, significantly disrupting global energy flows. With AFP
Amid the risk of prolonged disruptions, PHAP recommended maintaining a buffer stock of up to six months to strengthen the country’s pharmaceutical security. “Action must be taken now while global supply remains accessible, trade routes are still open, and pricing conditions have not yet further escalated,” it said.
PHAP said it is prepared to work closely with the government and other stakeholders to improve forecasting, implement pooled procurement, and ensure the continuous availability of safe, effective, and quality medicines for Filipinos.
as it amounts to only P50 a day. We appeal to our colleagues in the House and our counterparts in the Senate to convene a special session and allocate a portion of contingency and calamity funds,” Mendoza said.
He warned that diesel prices, which could reach as high as P170 per liter this week, are already straining workers and businesses.
“Congress is the last resort as our people are counting on us to immediately deliver a sufficient wage subsidy and pass a substantial legislated wage hike,” he added.
To provide immediate relief, the Department of Social Welfare and Development will begin distributing cash assistance to more than 328,000 tricycle drivers outside the National Capital Region starting April 8, DSWD spokesperson Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao said.
She said the DBCC has finalized its recommendations and is scheduled to meet with the President on Tuesday to submit them for approval. She declined to disclose details, saying these would be made public after the meeting.
Asked whether the President may seek emergency powers, Castro said the recommendations would first need to be reviewed.
“It’s likely that, once he sees that the recommendation is correct and aligned for the good of our country, it will be quickly approved by the President,” she said in Filipino.
The review comes as lawmakers and cause-oriented groups push for both immediate relief and longer-term measures to cushion the impact of rising fuel costs on workers, transport operators, and food producers.
The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) called on Congress to convene a special session to approve a P5,000 monthly wage subsidy for minimum wage earners and pass a legislated P200 daily wage increase.
In a statement, TUCP Party-list Rep. and Deputy Speaker Raymond Democrito C. Mendoza said the proposed P1,500 monthly subsidy under discussion is insufficient.
“The proposed P1,500 monthly subsidy is unfortunately inadequate
U.S. allies, have been deepening security cooperation recently. Japan has supplied the Philippines with air and coastal surveillance radar units. Prior to his visit to the Philippines, Koizumi is expected to visit Indonesia to meet with his Indonesian counterpart Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin. Indonesia has also expressed interest in acquiring some of the MSDF's decommissioned destroyers and submarines.
President ‘in good condition’—Palace
By Charles Dantes
MALACAÑANG on Monday dis-
missed speculation about the health of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., assuring the public that the President is in "good condition" despite skipping a scheduled event earlier in the day.
Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said Mr. Marcos remains fit and is expected to attend another official engagement later.
"Maayos po siya (He's fine)," Castro said in a press briefing when asked about the President’s condition.
President Marcos was earlier slated to attend an event with returning overseas Filipino workers, but scrapped it, fueling speculation online about his health.
Castro downplayed the absence, noting that the President has other scheduled activities, including an oath-taking ceremony with vice mayors later in the day.
"There will be an oath-taking ceremony later with the vice mayors, so there will be an event,” Castro told reporters.
The Palace official also pushed back against claims circulating on social media suggesting the President is ill, urging the public to rely on verified information from established news organizations.
"We also have mainstream media. I think mainstream media should be more dominant than social media, which has no basis,” she added.
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spokesperson for Romualdez, said that their camp will fully cooperate with the Office of the Ombudsman should formal proceedings be initiated.
“We respect the processes of the Office of the Ombudsman and will fully cooperate if and when a formal proceeding is initiated,” Fajardo said.
Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla yesterday said his office was “zealously preparing a case of plunder” against Romualdez and former Senate President Francis Escudero in May, which is related to questionable flood control projects.
“This is in accordance with the order of our President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to ensure that assistance is provided to our countrymen who are currently struggling to make a living due to the high price of gasoline,” she added.
Under the program, each beneficiary will receive P5,000 through the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program.
Dumlao said beneficiary lists submitted by local government units are undergoing a de-duplication process to ensure accuracy.
Schedules and payout locations are still being finalized in coordination with local governments.
Beyond immediate aid, lawmakers are advancing proposals to expand executive authority and funding to address the energy crisis.
Senator Loren Legarda filed Senate Bill No. 2020, or the proposed “Bayanihan 3” measure, which would grant the President temporary emergency powers to respond to rising fuel and energy costs.
The bill proposes an initial P230 billion funding pool sourced from unused funds, current appropriations, and the Malampaya Fund.
“The current crisis demands a specific delegation of authority that goes beyond the standard administrative functions of the Executive,” Legarda said.
Romualdez and Escudero have both denied involvement in alleged irregularities.
Escudero, however, has yet to comment on the Ombudsman’s announcement.
“We have taken note of news reports regarding the alleged preparation of a complaint involving Rep. Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez,” Fajardo said.
“To be clear, this refers only to a reported preparation of a complaint— there is no filed case, no finding of probable cause, and no determination of liability at this time,” Fajardo said.
Fajardo added they trust the Ombudsman to adhere to established legal standards in evaluating cases.
“We trust that the Ombudsman will fully adhere to the circular that he instituted and signed as then Secretary of the Department of Justice, that DOJ prosecutors should only pursue cases with ‘reasonable certainty of conviction,’” he said.
The camp also maintained that there is, at present, no evidence linking Romualdez to the allegations tied to flood control projects.
“We want to emphasize that, to date, there is no evidence linking Rep. Romualdez to any ghost and substandard projects pertaining to the flood control issue,” Fajardo said.
“We remain confident that these matters will be resolved based on evidence and due process—not politics or speculation,” Fajardo added.
By Ma. Katrina Mikaela Manubay
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte posted declines in their approval and trust ratings in the latest PUBLiCUS Asia Inc. survey.
The Pahayag poll showed Marcos’ approval dropping to 19% (from 22% in Q4 2025) and trust falling to 13% (from 15%). The decline was most pronounced in the National Capital Region (19%, from 30%), as well as among middle-income households (18%, from 23%), private sector workers (17%, from 24%), and college-educated individuals (19%, from 23%).
PUBLiCUS attributed the drop to the perceived failure to hold a “big fish” accountable in the flood control controversy (23%), backlash over the transfer of former President Rodrigo Duterte to The Hague (16%), and dissatisfaction with rising fuel prices (16%).
Mr. Marcos was most associated with concern for Filipinos (17%), followed by love for country and eloquence (15% each), suggesting a leadership image lacking a dominant attribute.
Vice President Duterte posted sharper declines, with approval falling to 28% (from 34%) and trust to 26% (from 31%), though she remained the highest-rated among top officials. The decline was linked to four impeachment complaints (33%), developments in Rodrigo Duterte’s ICC case (15%), and her regret over supporting Marcos in 2022 (15%).
Despite the drop, Duterte remained strongly associated with bravery (42%), far ahead of concern for Filipinos and love for country (26% each).
GUANYIN CELEBRATION.
Devotees gather at Seng Guan Temple in Tondo, Manila to celebrate the Guanyin Bodhisattva Birthday Dharma Assembly, a key Buddhist observance honoring the Goddess of Compassion. The ceremony features chanting, sutra recitations, and offerings, with prayers for peace, wisdom, and blessings. Richmond Chi
By Vince Lopez and Maricel V. Cruz
PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. on Monday, April 6, reaffirmed the PNP’s commitmen t to support the national government in fighting energy-related disinformation amid a series of oil price hikes in recent weeks.
Nartatez said the PNP is intensifying efforts to curb fake news, including reports allegedly meant to mislead the public on the Middle East conflict’s impact on oil supply and the economy, which could trigger unwarranted panic.
“The situation in the Middle East is a serious matter, and any attempt to exploit it to trigger unwarranted panic among our countrymen must be addressed. We will not allow this,” Nartatez said.
By Rex Espiritu and Ram Superable
THE Stratbase Institute has rejected proposals for joint energy exploration between the Philippines and China in the West Philippine Sea, citing concerns over sovereignty and Beijing’s track record in the disputed waters.
In a statement, the think tank said China has shown it is “neither a reliable partner nor a responsible actor,” pointing to incidents involving damage to Philippine assets and risks to Filipino personnel and civilians.
The group stressed that any energy-related discussions must be anchored in international law, particularly the 2016 Arbitral Award, which affirms the Philippines’ exclusive sovereign rights to explore and exploit resources within its exclusive economic zone.
“These rights are non-negotiable. All resources must remain under full Philippine ownership, control, and supervision,” the institute said, warning that any agreement creating ambiguity could undermine national interests. It also raised concerns over China’s refusal
By Vince Lopez
STRICTER enforcement of local ordinances against public drinking, noise violations, and indecent behavior will be implemented, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) warned Monday.
Interior Secretary Juanito Victor Remulla said individuals drinking in public, going half-naked outside their homes, or using videoke machines beyond 10 p.m. may face fines or arrest.
“Drinking on the streets is no longer allowed. Putting chairs and tables on the streets and drinking is no longer allowed,” Remulla said, adding that drinking inside homes remains permitted.
He also stressed standards of public decency, saying people must be properly dressed outside their homes.
He added that misinformation about energy security, supply, and pricing can mislead communities and erode public confidence. The PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group has been tasked to intensify monitoring of pages and accounts used for disinformation campaigns.
Nartatez said criminal charges will be filed against those responsible for spreading harmful disinformation.
Local police units have also been directed to use their social media accounts to counter false reports and prevent their spread online, while the public was urged to be responsible in sharing information.
COPE
THUNDER. Philippine and US air force officers, led by US Brig. Gen. Phillip Mallory (3rd right), Pacific Air Forces head of delegation, and Philippine Maj. Gen. Dennis Estrella (4th right), commander of the Air Logistics Command, join hands during the opening ceremony of the COPE Thunder exercise at Clark Air Base in Angeles City, Pampanga, on April 6, 2026. AFP
to recognize the arbitral ruling, saying this calls into question its credibility in any potential partnership.
The group urged the government to pursue energy development through partnerships with “like-minded states” and credible local private sector players, stressing that engaging actors that have acted in bad faith is detrimental to long-term national interest.
A joint oil exploration project with China could still succeed under the current administration, Senate President Vicente Sotto III said Monday.
A House leader on Monday backed Malacañang’s warning, saying the deliberate spread of disinformation during the energy emergency poses a direct threat to national stability and must be met with swift legal action.
Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong, chair of the House Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms, issued the statement following the PCO’s announcement that charges would be filed against individuals spreading false information on energy supply, pricing, and security.
Manila resumes ‘libreng sakay’ program in the city
THE city government of Manila on Monday resumed its free jeepney ride program to assist commuters and drivers amid rising fuel costs.
Mayor Francisco Moreno Domagoso said the city would continue the program for at least five days, possibly up to one week, to ease the burden on commuters. He noted that private sector participation is crucial during crises, stressing the importance of a whole-ofnation approach.
Domagoso said about 365,000 commuters benefited in two days last week at a cost of less than P8 million, or roughly P25 per passenger. He also thanked 22 Jeepney Operators and Drivers Associations (JODAs) that joined the program.
Before the Holy Week break, the program served 308,738 passengers, with an additional 41,279 commuters recorded as of 10 a.m. Monday using 970 active jeepneys under Executive Order No. 14, series of 2026. Pot Chavez
THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) will hold two plebiscites in Davao del Norte on April 11, 2026, to vote on renaming the municipality of San Isidro to Sawata and Barangay Sawata to Barangay Poblacion.
Voting will take place from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., based on Republic Act No. 11814, which lapsed into law in June 2022. The proposed changes aim to reflect local identity and improve administrative clarity in the area.
To ensure smooth conduct of the plebiscites, voter registration in San Isidro will be suspended from April 10 to 11, 2026.
The move forms part of ongoing efforts to strengthen local governance by allowing residents to directly decide on the naming and organization of their communities. Vito Barcelo
THE Catholic Church has taken a significant step toward declaring Bishop Cesar Maria Guerrero a saint, with the Vatican issuing a “nihil obstat” for his cause of beatification and canonization.
Guerrero, born in Manila in 1885, served as bishop of two dioceses and was known for his holiness of life, founding a diocesan seminary and promoting pastoral formation. If a miracle attributed to his intercession is confirmed, Guerrero could be beatified and eventually canonized. He would join the Philippines’ two canonized saints, Lorenzo Ruiz and Pedro Calungsod. Archbishop Socrates Villegas of Lingayen-Dagupan initiated the cause, saying the process will now examine whether Guerrero lived a life of heroic virtue before Vatican review. Vito Barcelo
By Maricel V. Cruz
HOUSE Senior Deputy Minority Leader Leila de Lima has filed a measure calling for full reparations for the Malaya Lolas — Filipino survivors of sexual slavery perpetrated by the Imperial Japanese military in the Philippines during World War II.
Through her proposed House Resolution (HR) 912, De Lima of the Mamamayang Liberal (ML) partylist is urging the Executive Department and all other appropriate government agencies to provide adequate, prompt, and effective reparations to the surviv-
THE Commission on Audit (COA)
has been appointed as the new external auditor of the World Trade Organization, reflecting its credibility and strong reputation in international auditing and growing influence in advancing good governance around the world.
The Philippines’ audit body, an independent constitutional commission, succeeds France’s supreme audit institution, the Cour des Comptes, and will serve a non-renewable term of six years.
COA will oversee the audit of the WTO’s financial statements, pension plan, and operations in line with the Organization’s financial regulations.
COA was selected by the WTO General Council on the recommendation of its Committee on Budget, Finance and Administration (CBFA). The committee cited how COA’s proven track record in auditing international organizations will help strengthen financial accountability and reinforce trust in the WTO’s governance framework.
“COA’s appointment as the WTO’s new external auditor demonstrates how the world views our capabilities as an independent audit body– reliable, trustworthy, and world-class. We are committed to upholding the highest standards of independence and professionalism in our work with the WTO, continuing our mission to promote transparency and accountability in international institutions,” said COA chairman Gamaliel A. Cordoba.
ing members of the Malaya Lolas and, where appropriate, to the families and successors-in-interest of deceased survivors in accordance with international and domestic laws.
According to De Lima, these concrete steps should be implemented swiftly and
seriously, as they are consistent with the country’s obligations under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). This matter is also aligned with the Views adopted by the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women on March 8, 2023.
“Consistent with its constitutional duty to uphold human dignity, human rights, equality, and the rule of law, the State must act decisively to address this longstanding injustice to Malaya Lolas and provide an effective remedy for the continuing consequences of wartime sexual violence and the State’s failure to afford timely, adequate and effective
redress,” said De Lima, a former chairperson Commission on Human Rights (CHR).
“Only a few members of the Malaya Lolas remain alive — several of whom are already bedridden and of failing health,” she added.
The Philippines is a State Party to CEDAW, which was ratified in August 1981, and is thereby obligated to eliminate discrimination against women in all its forms and to ensure the full realization of their human rights.
Under CEDAW and its relevant General Recommendations, States are required to exercise due diligence and to provide effective remedies, including
Solon hits exorbitant fuel prices in Baguio BAGUIO City Rep. Mauricio Domogan has slammed potential profiteering by gasoline traders here as he noted that pump prices in the city are inexplicably much higher compared to neighboring localities including those in the hinterlands. Domogan said oil industry players and the Department of Energy were unable to explain the price difference ranging up to P10 a liter compared to the prevailing rates in Rosario, La Union which is about 34 kilometers away, even in Buguias, Benguet which is 90 kilometers farther away from the city.
“We believe that fuel pump prices in Baguio are exorbitant because no one among the oil industry payers and the energy department are able to profound justifiable reasons to convince us why oil prices in the city are P10 more than those in nearby lowland areas,” Domogan said.
Based on data gathered by Domogan’s office in its inquiry on the questionable fuel price hikes, the delivery cost from San Fernando City, La Union is less than P1 a liter, not enough to justify the P10-price increase in Baguio City. Dexter A. See
QC gov’t doubles down on anti-rabies campaign
THE Quezon City government is stepping up its campaign to eliminate rabies, aligning with the global goal of zero human rabies deaths by 2030. “Rabies is preventable. Every vaccinated pet protects a family and a community,” Mayor Joy Belmonte said.
She said to make services faster and more accessible, the city has launched the QC Vet e-pet registration system via the QC eServices app. Pet owners can now register pets, book vaccinations, and access services, such as deworming, consultations, microchipping, and spay/ neuter online. Rio N. Araja
Cebu convention aims to meet biz challenges
CEBU City—Some 120 representatives from key sectors across the national economy gathered here for the “Cebu Convergence Meeting on Transport, Logistics, Fuel, and Supply Chain” on March 30 to address fuel and supply chain pressures amid the ongoing Middle East crisis.
The delegates represented national and local government units, local chambers, industry groups, logistics providers, shipping operators, retailers, hotels and resorts, and the broader business community.
“The next one to two weeks are critical. What we do now will shape the flow of goods, the stability of supply, and the cost of living for every Cebuano family,” said Regan King, president of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), in his opening statement. Minerva Newman
BOC overshoots Q1 revenue target by record-setting P2.994b
By Vito Barcelo
THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) has attained its highest-ever first-quarter revenue collection, generating ₱239.054 billion from January to March 2026, Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno announced Monday.
Preliminary data showed the agency exceeding its ₱236.060-billion target by ₱2.994 billion, or 1.3 percent,
while collections rose by ₱7.677 billion, or 3.3 percent higher than the same period in 2025.
The first-quarter performance ranks among the BOC’s strongest, second only to its record collections from July to September 2025, reflecting sustained gains under ongoing reforms and strengthened governance measures.
“Our highest first-quarter collection of ₱239.054 billion, with a surplus of ₱2.994 billion, shows that integrity, accountability, and modernization are not barriers to performance—they are the reasons we are achieving it,” he said.
The BOC attributed the strong results to the efforts of its ports and subports nationwide, along with key initiatives such as public auctions of forfeited goods, including smuggled high-end vehicles, and strengthened post-clearance audit operations to ensure compliance with customs laws. The agency’s Integrity, Accountability, and Modernization (IAM) Program was also cited as a key driver of reforms, promoting transparency, professionalism, and improved operational efficiency. With its record first-quarter collection, the BOC said it remains on track to support government programs and national development through sustained revenue growth.
WHEN this piece will be visible online, the first crewed Artemis II mission will be preparing for its historic lunar flyby, with the Orion spacecraft reaching its closest point, about 6,550 kms (4,070 miles) above the lunar surface.
The flyby will be around 7:02pm EDT April 6—or 7:02am Manila time April 7—when the crew will briefly lose communication as they pass behind the moon. in a journey beyond low Earth orbit and travel around the moon since 1972.
Low Earth orbit is a path around Earth with an altitude extending from approximately 160 kilometers (99 miles) to 2,000 kilometers (1,200 miles) above the Earth’s surface, according to the Washington, DC-headquartered National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
The four astronauts on NASA’s Artemis 2 mission prepared Monday, Manila time, to enter the Moon’s “sphere of influence,” having already taking in sights of the lunar surface never before seen by human eyes.
The lunar mission highlights that space exploration is for all of humanity
The Moon’s gravitational sphere of influence is at an altitude of about 66.000 kms (40,000 miles) from the Moon’s center. At this boundary, the Moon’s gravity becomes the dominant force governing the spacecraft’s motion, rather than Earth’s.
Earlier, in the wee hours of Monday, Manila time, the US space agency published an image taken by the Artemis crew, showing a distant Moon with the Orientale basin visible.
“This mission marks the first time the entire basin has been seen with human eyes,” NASA said. The massive crater, which resembles a bullseye, had been photographed before by orbiting cameras.
While LEO covers this broad range, most artificial satellites and the International Space Station operate within the lower end of this region, typically between 300 km and 800 km Sputnik 1, launched by the Soviet Union on Oct. 4, 1957, orbited the Earth in an elliptical Low Earth Orbit, with a height that varied between approximately 215 km (134 miles) at its lowest point (perigee) and 939 km (583 miles) at its highest point (apogee).
Many may ask if the Artemis II mission is significant for the world ,including the Philippines.
We must take into account that the Philippines, in 2025, signed the Artemis Accords, a US-led pact for responsible and peaceful space exploration, which means the Philippines is committed to international standards for lunar
exploration and shares in the scientific benefits.
Through the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA),the Philippines is expanding its bilateral space cooperation with the US, which includes leveraging space technology for national interests like agricultural planning, weather forecasting, disaster management, and maritime domain awareness.
Some, speaking on condition of anonymity, say the success of Artemis II brings global attention back to the Moon and is expected to inspire Filipino students and professionals to pursue science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields, nurturing a future workforce for the local space program.
On a wider scale, we see its global significance.
There is this historic “first.” It is a “multigenerational return” to deep space, with half the world’s population having been born after the last Apollo mission.
There is diversity in space in that the crew includes the first woman (Christina Koch), the first person of color (Victor Glover), and the first non-American (Jeremy Hansen from Canada) to fly on a lunar mission, highlighting that space exploration is for all of humanity.
The mission serves as a critical test for the Orion capsule’s life-support systems (air, water, and food management) for 10 days, paving the way for a 2028 landing on the Moon’s South Pole – with scientists looking at the path to Mars.
Artemis II is part of a larger, long-term strategy to establish a sustainable base on the Moon, which will serve as a launching point for future crewed missions to Mars, NASA has said.
We are certain China and Russia have their eyes on the Artemis II mission, given its geopolitical legitimacy in that successfully placing astronauts on the moon is seen as a tangible demonstration of China’s superior technological capability and national development.
It marks a profound technological “leap” and cements China’s status as a top-tier space power, rivaling the US.
By aiming for lunar landings, China is seen by scientists as seeking to “write the rules of the road” for lunar resources, future space exploration, and to secure prime real estate on the lunar surface.
For Russia, the significance lies in the formed strategic alliance with China on the International Lunar Research Station, which allows Russia to remain relevant in deep space exploration despite economic sanctions and reduced independent capacity.
With its technology, Russia brings valuable expertise in nuclear power for space, planning to build a nuclear reactor on the moon.
Scientists see Russia collaboration with China as a counterweight to US-led alliances, ensuring Russia plays a leading role in setting future lunar operational rules.
BUDAPEST—Hungary’s Viktor Orban has used disinformation to make Ukraine the scapegoat of his election campaign, analysts said, with some suggesting he is receiving covert help from Russia against an unprecedented challenge to his 16year rule. The nationalist premier—Moscow’s closest ally in the European Union—has used AI-generated images to help whip up sentiment against Ukraine, which is fighting off a Russian invasion. Analysts argue Russia is aiding him in shifting the conversation away from the bread-and-butter issues that have propelled opposition leader Peter Magyar’s party to the top of the polls ahead of Hungary’s April 12 vote.
“The campaign’s rhetoric is deliberately binary—peace versus war—portraying Ukraine as a risk and the incumbent Hungarian government as seeking stability and rationality,” Csilla Fedinec, a historian from ELTE University’s Centre for Social Sciences, told AFP. The two neighbors have been at loggerheads after Orban accused Ukraine of stalling the reopening of a pipeline carrying Russian oil to landlocked Hungary, with Kyiv saying the pipe was damaged by Russian airstrikes in January. Hungary, a member of the European Union, has also been holding up a 90-billion-euro ($103-billion) EU loan to war-torn Ukraine and a new round of sanctions on Russia over its invasion. Russian disinformation Last month, Hungarian counter-terror
forces temporarily detained Ukrainian bank employees, seizing valuables passing through the country.
Tabloids affiliated with Orban’s Fidesz party published pictures generated by artificial intelligence that exaggerated the amount of cash and gold involved.
Posts involving the images garnered unusually high engagement on Facebook, with many accounts having non-Hungarian names, lacking public information or profile photos -- typical signs of fake profiles used in coordinated bot campaigns.
Weeks earlier, fake images began circulating online purportedly showing a Hungarian memorial in Transcarpathia —home to Ukraine’s ethnic Hungarian minority—defaced with anti-Hungarian and anti-Orban slogans, as well as Ukrainian nationalist symbols and a swastika.
While the monument has been vandalised several times in the past, the images were found to have been made by AI.
Even so, their publication prompted some social media users to demand retaliation.
Experts argue there is also evidence of ongoing Russian attempts to influence Hungarian voters in the run-up to the election, including through the use of deepfakes and disinformation presented as genuine news reports.
“There is constantly detectable disinformation campaign to influence the Hungarian election, much like it was during the Moldovan and Romanian elections,” Ferenc Fresz, the former head
THE government has our hand in allowing more than 2,000 repatriated Overseas Filipino Workers from the strife-ridden Middle East to prematurely withdraw up to 100 percent of their PagIBIG savings and receive housing loan relief.
Qualified repatriated OFWs can withdraw 100 percent of their total Pag-IBIG Regular Savings— including employee share, employer share, and dividends – before the standard 20-year maturity.
This properly symbolizes the Philippine government’s commitment to “social justice and swift, empathetic support” for workers in distress.
It acts as a safety net that protects OFWs from severe financial crisis, offering immediate reintegration support and affirming their savings are easily accessible in emergencies, rather than just long-term investments.
Technically, all Filipinos, including Overseas Filipino Workers, are considered members of PhilHealth under the Universal Health Care Act. However, in practice, membership and premium payments for OFWs have transitioned to being voluntary or not strictly required for the issuance of an Overseas Employment Certificate, despite regulations.
PhilHealth, a government-owned corporation in the Philippines that manages the National Health
Insurance Program, provides essential, affordable healthcare coverage for Filipinos, including inpatientand outpatient benefits, reducing financial strain during medical emergencies.
We have high hopes the qualified OFWs will form the line
OFWs, some 2.19 million worldwide, are classified as “direct contributors” under the UHC Act. While the law mandates membership, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration previously stopped making PhilHealth payments a requirement for OEC issuance, allowing many to leave without active membership.
Active PhilHealth members and their dependents can access benefits even while the worker is abroad. Today OFWs are required to enroll
THERE are collapses that make noise, and there are collapses that reveal truth.
The one that happened on Good Friday at —a ceiling panel giving way, seven people injured, operations briskly declared “normal”—belongs to the second kind. It is not the falling debris that should alarm us most. It is what the debris quietly exposes.
Because in the Philippines, infrastructure does not simply fail. It speaks. And what it is saying now is uncomfortable: that the country’s most visible gateway to the world is held together not just by bolts and beams, but by a political culture that treats safety as negotiable and accountability as optional.
The official response followed a familiar script. assured the public that the injured were stable, the area was secured, and the rest of the terminal remained safe. The Department of Transportation promised an investigation.
The machinery of reassurance spun into motion.
But listen closely, and you can hear the subtext: contain the incident, manage the narrative, move on. That instinct—to minimize, to normalize—is the real scandal.
For years, has been a symbol of something Filipinos know too well: a system that ages faster than it is repaired, patched more often than it is rebuilt, and governed by contracts that are easier to sign than to enforce.
Terminal 1, in particular, has long carried the quiet reputation of a relic— functional, yes, but fragile in ways that never quite make it into official reports.
What happened on Good Friday was not a random failure. It was a predictable one.
In countries where infrastructure is treated as a public trust, ceilings do not collapse in international airports— not because engineers are infallible, but because systems are built to catch failure before it happens. Inspections are
The nationalist premier has used AI-generated images to help whip up sentiment against Ukraine, which is fighting off a Russian invasion
of Hungary’s Cyber Defence Service, told AFP. The messages Russian groups convey are “mostly identical with Hungarian pro-government propaganda, so they
rigorous. Accountability is real. Warnings are not ignored. Here, the incentives are different.
Public-private partnerships, like the one involving , promise efficiency and modernization. And sometimes they deliver.
But they also create a quiet tension: the pressure to cut costs versus the obligation to protect lives. When oversight is weak—and in the Philippines, it often is—that tension does not resolve in favor of safety. It resolves in favor of expediency.
The ceiling that fell on Good Friday did not just injure seven people. It punctured a narrative
The political story behind this collapse is not about one company or one ceiling panel. It is about a system where responsibility is so diffuse that accountability evaporates. Was it the contractor? The maintenance team? The regulator? The agency that signed off on inspections? The officials who approved budgets? The answer, too often, is everyone—and therefore no one. This is how public risk becomes privatized inconvenience.
Seven people were injured. They will receive medical care, perhaps compensation. The incident will be logged, investigated, filed away. And unless something changes, the system that
reinforce each other”, Fresz said, adding that he finds the lack of declassified official communication on the matter
“problematic”.
Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto and other ruling party officials have however called claims of Russian interference “fake news”.
‘False flag operation’
For his part, Orban has sought to portray his chief rival Magyar as the “puppet” of the EU and Ukraine.
“We have to choose who will form the government—me or (Ukrainian President Volodymyr) Zelenskyy,” Orban told a rally in Budapest in mid-March.
Hours later, at an opposition march, a large Ukrainian flag was unfurled, with photos of the incidents swiftly shared by government politicians and pro-Fidesz outlets on social media.
their lives at home. We have high hopes the qualified OFWs will form the line.
allowed it will continue largely intact—waiting for the next failure that is just serious enough to make headlines, but not serious enough to force reform. There is a word for this kind of governance: normalization of deviance. It is what happens when small lapses—missed inspections, deferred maintenance, overlooked warnings— accumulate until they become routine. Nothing seems urgent, until suddenly something collapses. And then, just as quickly, the urgency fades again. What would accountability look like here?
It would mean more than a report. It would mean naming names—identifying not just what failed, but who allowed it to fail. It would mean independent audits, not internal assurances.
It would mean regulators willing to impose penalties that hurt, not just warnings that can be ignored.
It would mean treating an airport not as a revenue stream or a political trophy, but as what it is: critical infrastructure where failure is measured in human lives. It would also mean confronting a deeper truth: that the Philippines does not suffer from a lack of laws or standards. It suffers from a lack of enforcement. The ceiling that fell on Good Friday did not just injure seven people. It punctured a narrative—the comforting illusion that things are “good enough,” that visible normalcy equals actual safety. It doesn’t.
The danger is not that the ceiling collapsed. The danger is that we will accept the explanation that it was just one of those things.
Because if we do, the next collapse— whether in an airport, a bridge, or a flood control system—will not be an accident either. It will be a continuation. And by then, the cost of looking away will be far higher than seven injuries on a holiday morning.
But within a day, the individuals holding the flag were identified as people linked to the youth wing of Orban’s party.
“We said there would be false flag operations, but this is not what we had in mind,” Magyar quipped at a campaign event.
The opposition leader had already been targeted with similar techniques last year, when pro-Fidesz content creators posted an AI-manipulated image that made it appear as though he was holding a Ukrainian flag.
Billboards—often paid for with Hungarian taxpayers’ money—casting Zelenskyy in a negative light have also sprung up around the country over the past year, including one depicting Magyar flushing cash down a golden toilet alongside the Ukrainian leader. AFP
HOUSTON—The Artemis astronauts entered the final phase of their run-up to a lunar loop on Monday, a tipping point of sorts that means the Moon’s gravity is now having a stronger pull on the spacecraft than Earth’s.
The Orion capsule will now whip around the Moon, setting the crew up to travel farther from our home planet than any human before.
The astronauts entered what NASA calls the lunar sphere of influence about 0442 GMT Monday and will soon record the first lunar flyby since 1972.
As they entered the Moon’s gravitational influence, the crew was about 39,000 miles (63,000 kilometers) from the Moon and about 232,000 miles from Earth, a NASA official said on the agency’s livestream of the event.
The historic occasion comes alongside a constellation of firsts for the crew of three Americans and one Canadian. Victor Glover will go down in the books as the first person of color to ever fly around the Moon, and Christina Koch will be the first woman.
Canadian Jeremy Hansen, meanwhile, will become the first nonAmerican to accomplish the feat.
Those three, along with mission commander Reid Wiseman, will spend much of their lunar flyby documenting the Moon.
The astronauts have already started seeing features of the celestial body never before viewed with a naked human eye.
In the wee hours of Sunday, NASA published an image taken by the Artemis crew that showed a distant Moon with the Orientale basin visible.
“This mission marks the first time the entire basin has been seen with human eyes,” the US space agency said.
The massive crater, which resembles a bullseye, had been photographed before by orbiting cameras.
Koch, speaking to Canadian children live from space, said the crew was most excited to see the basin – sometimes known as the Moon’s “Grand Canyon.”
“It’s very distinctive and no human eyes previously had seen this crater until today, really, when we were privileged enough to see it,” Koch said during the question-and-answer session hosted by the Canadian Space Agency. AFP
S. Korea president Lee regrets ‘reckless’ drones sent to North
SEOUL—South Korean President Lee Jae Myung expressed regret to Pyongyang Monday over drones sent into North Korea earlier this year, actions he called “irresponsible”.
Seoul initially denied any official role in the January drone incursion -- with authorities suggesting it was the work of civilians -- but Lee said a probe had revealed government officials had been involved.
The North warned in February of a “terrible response” if it detects more drones crossing the border from the South, prompting Seoul to investigate the claims.
Pyongyang said it downed a drone carrying “surveillance equipment” in early January.
Photos released by state media showed the wreckage of a winged craft scattered across the ground alongside grey and blue
components that allegedly included cameras.
“It has been confirmed that a National Intelligence Service official and an active-duty soldier were involved,” Lee told a cabinet meeting.
“We express regret to the North over the unnecessary military tensions caused by the irresponsible and reckless actions of some individuals.”
He added that South Korea’s constitution bans private individuals from conducting acts that could “provoke the North”.
“Such actions, even when deemed necessary for national strategy, must be approached with extreme caution,” he said. Lee has sought to repair ties with North Korea since taking office last year, criticising his predecessor for allegedly sending drones to scatter propaganda over Pyongyang. AFP
BUDAPEST—EU member Hungary will hold a closely watched general election on Sunday, the first since nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s return to power in 2010 where he is not considered the clear favourite.
Surveys from independent pollsters suggest that opposition leader Peter Magyar’s conservative TISZA party could be heading for a landslide victory. Pro-government institutions however forecast a win for Orban’s Fidesz-KDNP coalition.
Analysts expect a record turnout of around 75-80 percent.
In the lead up to the April 12 vote, there has been a flurry of accusations and counter-accusations.
Domestic intelligence was accused of trying to sabotage TISZA, leaked phone conversations caused alarm about the foreign minister’s close relations with Moscow, and Orban ramped up his rhetoric against Ukraine. Allegations of Russian interference and mass vote buying efforts have also surfaced.
On Sunday, after Orban called an emergency meeting following Serbia’s announcement they had found explosives near a gas pipeline to Hungary, Magyar suggested it might be a “false flag” operation. AFP
TUESDAY, APRIL 7, 2026
RIERA U. MALLARI, Editor
RANDY M. CALUAG, Asst. Editor
Magsayo stops rival, bags $50K
By Randy M. Caluag
FILIPINO contender Mark Magsayo announced his arrival on the Zuffa Boxing stage in emphatic fashion, stopping Ireland’s Feargal McCrory and earning Performance of the Night honors that went with a $50,000 bonus.
The statement victory underscored Magsayo’s resurgence in the junior lightweight division, strengthening his position among the emerging contenders at 130 pounds.
The former World Boxing Council featherweight champion set the tone early, blending speed with controlled aggression to break down McCrory before the Irishman’s corner halted the bout 21 seconds into the fifth round at the Meta Apex in Las Vegas. Magsayo, 30, improved to 29-2 with 19 knockouts, extending his winning run since moving up in weight—a shift that continues to rejuvenate his career following defeats to Rey Vargas and Brandon Figueroa.
Looking sharper and more composed, the Filipino delivered a wellrounded performance, mixing precise counters with sustained body work that gradually eroded McCrory’s resistance.
McCrory, who dropped to 17-2, pressed forward but struggled to breach Magsayo’s defense, taking clean shots in nearly every exchange.
A crushing right hand late in the fourth round left McCrory visibly hurt, highlighting the growing disparity between the two fighters. Recognizing the danger, his corner stepped in early in the fifth to prevent further punishment.
The bout also served as a strong showcase for Zuffa Boxing, the new promotion spearheaded by Dana White, which is aiming to carve out a foothold in professional boxing by building cards around established names and rising talents.
THE prospects of undefeated bantamweight Carl James Martin and the coming special program by the Philippine Sports Commission in partnership with Sports Vision will be tackled in the resumption of the weekly Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum on Tuesday (April 7) at the PSC media room. Martin, who sports a perfect 27-0 record (20 KOs), will be coming along with his trainer and father Abel Martin in the public sports program as they discuss what’s in store for the 26-yearold native of Lagawe, Ifugao for 2026. The other half of the session, on the other hand, focuses on the ‘Sight On The Goal’ program presented by the PSC and Sports Vision headed by Dra. Tess Yambao, slated April 9 to 11, and to be graced by speakers from the US led by Dr. Vittorio Mena Jr. and Dr. Elizabeth Nace, respectively. The Forum starts at 10:30 a.m. and is presented by San Miguel Corporation, PSC, Philippine Olympic Committee, MILO, and ArenaPlus, the country’s 24/7 sports app.
ADAMSON University moved to within a win of securing a 13th consecutive UAAP Softball championship after a decisive 5–0 victory over rival University of the Philippines in Game 1 of the Season 88 Finals on Monday at Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium in Malate, Manila.
Glory Alonzo shook off an early first-inning threat and delivered a steady performance in the circle, leading the Lady Falcons’ charge.
Adamson’s offense backed her up with eight hits, breaking through the typically reliable Fighting Maroons defense.
The Lady Falcons built control of the game early, scoring three runs across the second and third innings— more than enough cushion for Alonzo, who kept UP’s bats in check the rest of the way.
With the win, the San Marcelino-based squad moved to the brink of extending its league-record title streak.
Adamson will try to close out the series on Friday at 9 a.m. at the same Malate venue.
“Siyempre, malaking bagay talaga na nanalo ka sa Game 1, pero it doesn’t mean na tapos na. Kailangan pa
naming magtrabaho pa rin, work harder, and kung ano pa ‘yung mga miscue namin, kailangan pa naming pag-aralan at i-analyze,” said long-time head coach Ana Santiago.
The Fighting Maroons threatened early, with Angel Pascual and Danica Aquino reaching base via a hit-by-pitch and a single, respectively. Two consecutive passed balls from Alonzo and catcher Victoria Magbanua created a dangerous situation, but the defense recovered in time, catching Pascual at home. With runners on the corners, Alonzo settled down and delivered two quick outs, striking out Martine Francisco before helping retire Generose Torremocha at first to end the inning.
“Medyo hindi naging maganda ‘yung simula namin kanina, pero buti na lang, presence of mind and ‘yung heart nila nandoon. Kasi in that situation tapos batting order pa sila with no outs, parang impossible pa na mahold namin sila that time. Pero naging possible siya kasi naniniwala sila na kailangan nilang makabalik, and I think, ‘yun ang pinakita nila,” the national team coach added.
Alonzo, the reigning Best Pitcher, tossed a complete-
game three-hit shutout while benefiting from an errorfree defense. The Master of Arts in Physical Education major also struck out six UP batters.
Riding that momentum, Adamson’s offense came alive in the second and third innings, tallying four hits that led to three crucial runs.
Reyae Villamin sparked the attack with a leadoff single in the second inning, which MJ Libaton later converted into the game’s first run. In the third, Neomay Mahinay doubled to drive in Roma Mae Cruz before eventually scoring herself off a solid hit from team captain Mae Langga. Villamin, a rookie out of Governor Felicisimo T. San Luis Integrated Senior High School, led the Lady Falcons with two hits and two RBIs, coming from a sacrifice fly in the third and a double in the fifth. Langga and Libaton also chipped in two hits apiece.
UP threatened once more in the sixth inning after Pascual singled and Nickole dela Cruz drew an intentional walk. However, two fly balls caught by shortstop Mea Tubongbanua ended the inning and effectively sealed the Game 1 victory for Adamson.
The Fighting Maroons were limited to just three hits in the contest, a stark contrast to their usual offensive output, including their 6–3 win in the first round.
KC Valino took the loss after surrendering three earned runs in the second and third innings, as UP heads back to the drawing board for Game 2.
WATCH the highly anticipated showdown between unbeaten Rain or Shine and San Miguel in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup for free.
In celebration of Asia’s first ever play-for-pay league’s 51st anniversary, tickets for Wednesday’s doubleheader bannered by the Elasto PaintersBeermen clash at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium will be given for free.
PBA fans can avail of the special promo on a first-come, first-served basis.
Aside from free tickets, live audience will also have a chance to receive basketball, t-shirts and other freebies courtesy of league sponsors.
The PBA played its first official games on April 9, 1975 at the Araneta Coliseum, giving birth to the oldest cage league in the Asian region.
LIPA City—Lisa Sarines appeared on track to build a commanding lead in the premier girls’ 15-18 division, but a late meltdown turned the tournament into a gripping sibling duel. The rising standout struggled down the stretch, limping home with a 79 after a costly closing run. What had once been a sizable advantage was reduced to a two-shot lead in the ICTSI Mount Malarayat Junior PGT Championship in Batangas here on Monday. Fresh off a dominant run in the 11-14 category last year, Sarines appeared firmly in control, standing on the par-4 16th with a comfortable five-shot cushion over twin sister Mona Sarines. But the momentum suddenly shifted. She stumbled with a double bogey on No. 16, then dropped two more shots on the next hole as the rising
heat, gusty winds and increasingly firm greens took their toll. The late collapse resulted in a shaky 36-43 card, turning a once-safe lead into a precarious edge.
Sensing an opportunity, Mona stayed within striking distance, closing with a par-bogey-par finish for an 81 to keep the pressure on heading into the next round of the 54-hole tournament, which kicks off the Luzon series of the Junior Philippine Golf Tour.
“It was a decent round, but 7-over isn’t the score I wanted,” said Lisa. “I missed a lot of opportunities and wasn’t hitting the ball well.”
She cited the hot, windy conditions as a factor, adding she struggled to judge her shots properly.
Still, she remained upbeat, saying: “The key is to stay focused, stay
positive, and just have fun.”
Meanwhile, Alexie Gabi struggled to an 86, Kendra Garingalao carded an 89, and Rafa Anciano fell back with a 90, effectively narrowing the title race to a two-player showdown.
In the boys’ 11-14 division, Chan Ahn shot a 78 to lead by one over Jacob Casuga and Ryuji Suzuki, who both shot 79, while a tightly packed group followed, including Race Manhit (81), Ryuichi Tao (82), Vito Sarines (83), and Miguel Orbita (85), setting up a tense final round in the 36-hole tournament.
“The round was on and off, but I’m glad I managed my game and kept my composure,” said Ahn. “I just need to focus on my tempo and mental game.”
He added that despite the heat, he was able to handle the conditions well.
During its golden anniversary last season, the league had a similar free admission offer for fans born on the year the PBA was founded (1975) at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum. The 4-0 Elasto Painters tangle with the surging Beermen (3-2) in a match up pitting two of the conference’s title contenders set at 7:30 p.m. Rain or Shine is coming off a league and franchise record 151-95 win over Blackwater in its last outing, while san Miguel is on currenrly on a two-game surge, capped by an 8582 come-from-behind victory over Barangay Ginebra last Sunday. In the curtain raiser, Blackwater Bossing and Titan Ultra Giant Risers, both tied at 1-3, part ways as they meet at 5:15 p.m.
3.9% 5.3%
By Thony Rose Lesaca and Othel V. Campos
THE ASEAN+3
Macroeconomic Research Office (AMRO) raised its 2026 inflation forecast for the Philippines to 3.9 percent from 3.2 percent as a persistent oil supply shock linked to Middle East conflict pressures consumer prices.
The regional surveillance body said in its annual flagship report that while price pressures are rising, the Philippines is expected to maintain a growth forecast of 5.3 percent for 2026. This resilience is attributed to strong domestic demand momentum established before the recent escalation of geopolitical tensions.
The ASEAN+3 Regional Economic Outlook 2026 indicates that the Philippines and Thailand will likely see subdued domestic demand next year due to external headwinds and local labor market disruptions caused
The Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office 8 (DA RFO8), in collaboration with the provincial government of Leyte, holds the expanded launch of the ‘Benteng Bigas Meron Na’ program in Palo, Leyte, on March 27, 2026. This program provided affordable rice to 5,000 local beneficiaries.
TRAVEL time between Tarlac and Cabanatuan City dropped to 20 minutes from 90 minutes following the opening of the Central Luzon Link Expressway (CLLEX) Contract Package 4, according to a report by News Core, a member of Philippine Press Institute’s (PPI) News Common.
The newly-opened segment connects the expressway to the Tarlac–Pangasinan–La Union Expressway, providing a more efficient route for about 11,500 daily motorists.
Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon said the project is a vital response to rising fuel prices.
“By reducing travel time for our countrymen, we lower the consumption of gasoline and diesel, thereby reducing their overall costs. Furthermore, it allows them to return home to their families more quickly,” Dizon said.
Department of Transportation acting Secretary Giovanni Lopez said the infrastructure will help stabilize the prices of goods by easing the movement of commodities and reducing traffic on alternate roads.
“One of the things Secretary Vince and I are discussing is how we can at least help with the trade of our goods, which will also contribute to stabilizing the prices of commodities,” Lopez said.
The P10-billion CLLEX Phase 1 project was funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency. President
by weather disturbances.
The revised inflation outlook has prompted a cautious approach from monetary authorities. AMRO chief economist Dong He said the current supply shock places the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas in a “wait-and-see” stance regarding interest rate adjustments.
“We don’t see space for cutting rates at the moment because we see upside risks to inflation in the Philippines. This is a supply shock, so the policy advice is really to probably wait and see, and see how long the shock would last,” He said.
He said the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas might be forced to react if the shock persists longer than expected and inflationary pressures continue to build.
AMRO Group head and lead economist Allen Ng highlighted the specific vulnerability of the Philippines to energy disruptions, noting that 98 percent of the country’s foreign gas imports originate from the Middle East.
“And so, we are expecting, in our baseline, for inflation to trend upwards. Inflation is to rise to 3.9 percent in 2026, not double digit,” Ng said.
Despite the inflationary pressure, household consumption is expected to remain a primary anchor for Philippine growth, supported by improving consumer sentiment. The report also pointed to technology-driven sectors, specifically semiconductors and electronics linked to artificial intelligence, as continued drivers of export activity.
Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced during the opening that the segment will remain toll-free until December to help decongest MacArthur Highway.
Motorist Mark Jaybert Nolasco, who travels the route to source livestock for a lechon business, said the shorter travel time will directly reduce his operational expenses and help keep food prices stable for his customers.
The 29.2-kilometer expressway is part of a broader government strategy to strengthen the transport network in Luzon by creating east-west corridors that complement existing north-south highways.
THE Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) clarified on Monday that income from cross-border services is not automatically subject to local income tax, issuing new guidelines to prevent the overextension of previous tax rulings.
Revenue Memorandum Circular (RMC) 24-2026 provides guidance on the application of the Supreme Court ruling in Aces Philippines Cellular Satellite Corporation v. Commissioner of Internal Revenue. While the high court allows for taxation based on where service benefits are enjoyed or where economic activity occurs, the BIR said that taxability should be determined by the specific facts of each case rather than through a blanket application.
Revenue officers are now directed to assess service agreements in their entirety and are cautioned against isolating single activities as the sole basis for taxation. The circular stipulates that any tax assessment must clearly state its legal and factual basis to comply with Section 228 of the Tax Code. This move aims to address stakeholder concerns that recent interpretations were being applied beyond their intended scope.
In a separate issuance, the agency released RMC 23-2026 to streamline the process for private sector partners to avail of tax incentives for educational programs.
The circular clarifies Revenue Regulations 13-2025 by prescribing simpler rules for documentary submissions, accreditation, and reporting processes. These incentives cover initiatives under the Adopt-a-School Act of 1998 and the Enterprise-Based Education and Training Framework Act.
The BIR said the new educationrelated guidelines are designed to reduce administrative burdens and encourage industry participation in workforce development.
By Jenniffer B. Austria
PHILIPPINE stocks opened the trading week in the red on thin volume as investors navigated geopolitical tensions and rising fuel prices.
The bellwether Philippine Stock Exchange Index slipped 50.35 points, or 0.84 percent, to close at 5,948.33. The broader all shares index declined 16.61 points, or 0.50 percent, to 3,336.99.
The peso remained at the 60-level against the US dollar, closing at 60.05 on Monday.
Michael Ricafort, chief economist at Rizal Commercial Banking Corp., said the PSEi ended lower as a new ultimatum from US President Donald Trump against Iran
draws near. Global crude prices jumped to more than $110 per barrel as Trump vowed to hit Iran’s power plants if the country does not reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
“Trump’s recent threats could lead to additional attacks on oil, energy, electricity, and other infrastructure in Iran and other Middle Eastern countries that could further reduce supplies,” Ricafort said.
The property index was the only sector to close with gains, up 0.02 percent. All other sectors declined, with mining and oil dropping the most at 2.99 percent.
Decliners edged out advancers 125 to 70, while 70 stocks closed unchanged. Value turnover was thin at P4.35 billion. Foreign investors were net sellers, with outflows totaling P1.05 billion.
Manila Electric Corp. was the day’s top index gainer, advancing 1.82 percent to P615. SM Investments Corp. was the biggest loser, declining 3.63 percent to P610.
Oil prices pared gains Monday after a
spike following fresh threats in the war in the Middle East, while Tokyo and Seoul shares closed higher.
Many markets in Asia and Europe were closed for holidays on Easter Monday, which coincides with China’s Qingming Festival.
Crude oil contracts had surged at the week’s market opening after US President Donald Trump made an expletive-laced threat to destroy Iran’s civilian infrastructure, demanding Tehran bow to his demands for a deal to reopen the Gulf to shipping.
But they fluctuated during the day, and by late afternoon US benchmark West Texas Intermediate had lost 0.7 percent at $110.75 a barrel, while North Sea Brent was up 0.2 percent to $109.20.
Analysts said a report by Axios that said the United States and Iran were discussing terms with regional mediators for a potential 45-day ceasefire had calmed sentiment among investors. With AFP
EACH of the departments and department level entities that comprise the Cabinet was established to deal with one of the responsibilities that a government has to fulfill. Undoubtedly, one of the key components of the Cabinet is the Department of Energy (DOE). The demand for and the use of, energy encompass virtually the entire operation of an economy, covering as they do power generation, transportation and all forms of productive activity.
The DOE is by no means the only key component of the Cabinet structure. There are other key departments – the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the Department of Finance (DOF), the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Department of National Defense (DND) The Department of Transportation (DOTr), the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DepDev).
These are the Cabinet’s key components. They are the sine qua non entities without which the government cannot operate properly. Because they are key departments, they need to be led well, and leading well means being possessed of gravitas of both the professional/ performance kind and the personal kind.
In normal times – given the state of the world, ‘normal times’ is becoming increasingly difficult to define – the government’s key Cabinet departments must not be run by Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts or by what in serious-minded circles are referred to as lightweight. In abnormal times, such as the present, with very tough governance and developmental problems confronting
his administration, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. cannot afford to have lightweights running the departments of his Cabinet.
The DOE is a case in point. Today the No. 1 problem facing the Philippine economy is this country’s supply of oil. The role that oil plays in the life of a country is best exemplified by what is happening to Cuba. With the cessation of oil-producing Venezuela’s support for Cuba and U.S. interdiction of inbound oil shipment, life in Cuba is slowly grinding to a halt. Electricity generation, transportation, production, social services and hospital operation – everything is at or close to stoppage point.
Today, when the Philippines is considered a minor player in world oil trade, it would be most useful to have an individual with Geronimo Velasco’s management credentials. Key Cabinet departments must be headed by heavyweights
The same situation faces this country. With approximately 90 percent of Philippine oil imports normally passing through the State of Hormuz, and with many more weeks of U.S. Iran hostilities a realistic probability, the Philippine economy could pretty soon be running out of most of its oil imports. President Marcos has stated that this country has enough oil to last until June 30. That’s is a frightful statement. The impact of a no-more-oil-beyond-June 30 scenario
on production, employment, prices, income and government finances – on economic growth, in sum-would be horrendous.
This brings me back to my point about the need to have the government’s key Cabinet department led by people with professional and personal gravitas.
In this regard I am reminded by the late Geronimo Z. Velasco, who was the Ministers of Energy in the martiallaw regime of President Ferdinand E. Marcos. At the time that Mr. Velasco accepted President Marcos’s offer of the energy portfolio, he was an acclaimed executive who headed this country’s largest glass manufacturing company, Republic Glass Co. The Management Association of the Philippines selected him as a Management Man of the year. Truly, Geronimo Z. Velasco was a person with gravitas.
But what made Mr. Velasco a professional heavyweight were his connections in the world of not only domestic but also international business. The Minister of Energy was known to be a good friend of the Minister of Energy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Sheikh Yamani and other leading figures in the world of Middle - East oil. Today, when the Philippines is considered a minor player in world oil trade, it would be most useful to have an individual with Mr. Velasco’s management credentials leading the effort to keep the Philippines economy adequately supplied with oil.
As he approaches the end of his term, with his gaze increasingly fixed on his legacy, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. would do well to conduct a hard review of the membership of his Cabinet and begin to replace those members who, objectively, are Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts in Cabinet secretaries’ clothing. (llagasjessa@yahoo.com).
By Othel V. Campos
TRADING centers in the Ilocos Region have begun accepting previously rejected Virginia tobacco leaves following intervention by the National Tobacco Administration, easing concerns among farmers as the trading season opens.
NTA administrator and chief executive Belinda Sanchez said branch offices were directed to immediately facilitate dialogue between farmers’ groups and tobacco buyers to resolve issues, particularly regarding grading and pricing.
In La Union, NTA Branch Manager Giovanni Palabay reported that a dispute in Balaoan was settled through dialogue, with the trading center agreeing to accept earlier rejected leaves provided they are properly classified.
Sanchez acknowledged reports of grading concerns in parts of the Ilocos Region, noting these were promptly addressed by NTA field offices. Trading centers operated by Universal Leaf Philippines Inc., Trans-Manila Inc., Continental Leaf and accredited field canvassers across the Ilocos provinces remain open.
Sanchez said she will meet in the coming weeks with local government units producing Virginia tobacco, trading center operators and farmer leaders as concerns mount over oversupply and weakening demand.
Some tobacco-producing LGUs encouraged increased output among farmers without formal marketing agreements with traders.
At present, only about 10,000 of the country’s 45,000 registered tobacco farmers are enrolled in the NTA’s Tobacco Contract Growing System, which provides a stable market for contracted growers.
EIGHT institutional buyers have expressed interest in sourcing onions from Mindoro following a virtual market matching organized by the Department of Agriculture on March 31.
Participating buyers include Walter Mart Supermarket, Robinsons Supermarket, NutriAsia, Vikings Group, Blue Macay Food Manufacturing, Agro-Digital PH, Bernabe Market and the New Las Piñas Market.
The buyers proposed a combined monthly demand of 5 to 16 metric tons of red onions, creating an opportunity for Mindoro farmers to directly access institutional markets. Under the agreements, farmer cooperatives and associations will set farmgate and delivery prices to ensure fair pricing and higher incomes.
Deliveries are targeted for Cavite and the National Capital Region, with Kadiwa trucks providing logistical support to reduce transport costs. Market access was further strengthened after the New Las Piñas Market committed to allocating priority selling spaces for direct farmer sales.
The engagement also opened opportunities beyond onions, with buyers expressing interest in crops such as garlic, bell peppers, ginger and calamansi.
Participants from Mindoro included municipal agriculture offices from Magsaysay, Sablayan, Paluan and Bulalacao, along with several cooperatives and farmers’ associations.
Rustom Gonzaga, a market specialist at the DA Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD) MIMAROPA, said the initiative aims to link farmers directly to markets to build long-term partnerships. Christopher Bañas, DA MIMAROPA regional executive director, said the agency will continue to support farmers to ensure agreements are fulfilled.
Othel V. Campos
THE Baguio City Council has issued a resolution opposing the establishment of a P500-million sports complex in the Camp John Hay Reservation, citing three decades of unfulfilled obligations by the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), according to Baguio Chronicle, a member of Philippine Press Institute’s (PPI) News Common.
The resolution, signed by all council members, declares “strong” opposition to the current plan between the Philippine Sports Commission and the BCDA. Local officials pointed to a 31-year failure by the BCDA to meet specific conditions and noted recent alleged violations within the reservation.
According to the resolution, the city refuses
TODAY NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS WITH AGENDA Notice is hereby given that CONCREAT HOLDINGS PHILIPPINES, INC. (the “Corporation”) will hold its Annual Stockholders’ Meeting (“ASM”)
to support the project because the BCDA has failed to comply with legally mandated conditions affirmed by the Supreme Court.
The council also alleged that the BCDA refused to submit a master development plan for city review and cut down trees within the reservation without necessary permission.
The council recommended sending
the resolution to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources as the PSC and BCDA seek an environmental compliance certificate. In an official statement, the PSC confirmed it signed a memorandum of agreement with the BCDA to construct the facility. The commission said the center would include spaces for multiple sports, such as futsal, floorball, mixed martial arts, netball and handball. The BCDA said the complex is estimated to cost P500 million and is expected to generate 1,000 jobs. The project represents the latest investment in Cordilleran sports by the PSC, which previously funded the oval track at Teachers’ Camp and other local athletic facilities.
2026
8. Increase in Per Diem for Attendance in Committee Meetings of Independent Directors 9. Other Matters 10. Adjournment
The Board of Directors of the Corporation approved during its regular meeting held on February 27, 2026 to hold a virtual annual meeting of stockholders, to conduct the same
stockholders as of the Record Date, or their respective proxies, who intend to attend or participate in the meeting should register for the meeting by notifying the Corporation by email at chp.corporatesec@chp.com.ph on or before April 24, 2026 (05:00pm). The deadline for submission of proxies or instruments authorizing attorneys-in-fact to act for and on behalf of a stockholder is April 24, 2026 (05:00pm).
VOTES MAY BE CAST (a) THROUGH THE SUBMISSION OF VOTING BALLOTS/VOTING PROXIES ON OR BEFORE 05:00 P.M. on April 24, 2026; or (b) THROUGH THE ONLINE VOTING PORTAL ON OR BEFORE 10:00 A.M. on MAY 4, 2026. Stockholders as of the Record Date, or their respective proxies, who desire to vote on any of the matters to be presented for stockholders’ approval during the meeting must submit their voting proxies on or before April 24, 2026 (at 05:00pm), or must register to participate in the meeting by sending an e-mail to chp.corporatesec@chp.com.ph on or before April 24, 2026 (at 05:00 pm). For your convenience, a sample Voting Ballot/Voting Proxy will be attached to the Information Statement (SEC Form 20IS) for the ASM. Stockholders whose shareholdings are lodged with the Philippine Central Depository are reminded to secure a certification of your shareholdings from your respective stockbrokers.
FOR THE PURPOSE OF DETERMINATION OF THE MEETING QUORUM, only Eligible Stockholders who have either registered for the meeting on or before April 24, 2026 (05:00pm) or submitted their voting ballot on or before April 24, 2026 (05:00pm) will be considered in the computation of stockholders’ attendance.
The Procedure for Participating in the Meeting Through Remote Communication and Voting are set forth in Appendix 1 of this Notice. An explanation of agenda items for stockholders’ approval is provided in Appendix 2 of this Notice.
WE ARE NOT SOLICITING YOUR PROXY.
By registering to participate in the ASM, a stockholder or a proxy or representation of the stockholder agrees that the Company and its service providers will process their sensitive personal information necessary to verify their identity and authority. Makati City, Philippines.
NOEL A. LAMAN Corporate Secretary
For more information regarding the Annual Meeting of Stockholders, please contact the Corporation’s Investor Relations Director, Mr. Pierre Co, at chp.ir@chp.com.ph. APPENDIX 1 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
PROCEDURE FOR PARTICIPATING IN THE MEETING THROUGH REMOTE COMMUNICATION AND VOTING
The conduct of the annual stockholders’ meeting will be streamed live, and stockholders may attend, and participate at the annual meeting by remote communication by following the instructions below:
1. Starting April 13, 2026 stockholders who intend to participate remotely should notify the Corporation by sending an email to chp.corporatesec@chp.com.ph.
2. An email confirmation and further instructions for the registration and voting will be provided to the stockholders. Last day of registration is 05:00 pm on April 24, 2026.
3. A link will be sent by email to stockholders who will indicate their intention to participate at the annual meeting through remote communication. The stockholders should access the link provided by the company in order to register their attendance at the annual stockholders’ meeting. Once the registration of the stockholders is validated by the company, the company shall send an email to the stockholders which shall contain the link for the May 4, 2026
LAST-MILE CONNECTIVITY. With internet connectivity provided by Aurora PH, residents of Sitio Bugsok in Cagayan de Oro City participate in a landmark birth registration event with the Philippine Statistics Authority, securing their first formal step toward lifelong civic identity and support Aboitiz Foundation, in partnership with Union Bank of the Philippines and the City Education and Development Office (CEDO) of Cagayan De Oro, brought power and connectivity to the remote upland community, energizing two last-mile schools while unlocking broader access to essential services.
By Thony Rose Lesaca
THE World Bank said Monday it approved $600 million in funding for the Philippines’ Project for Learning Upgrade Support and Decentralization (PLUS-D) to improve learning outcomes for primary and lower secondary students.
The initiative, implemented through the Department of Education (DepEd), aims to benefit 21 million learners from kindergarten to Grade 10 and 777,000 teachers. The program will finance grants for 10 selected DepEd regional offices and more than 11,100 schools to support
learning recovery under a decentralized framework.
PLUS-D focuses on combating learning poverty by improving foundational literacy and numeracy. It seeks to provide teachers with evidence-based training and expanded access to inclusive teaching materials while also offering capacity-building programs for 59,000 school leaders and 300 DepEd personnel.
World Bank senior education specialist and project leader Janssen Teixeira said the project is about equipping teachers and promoting school autonomy to help Filipino learners become independent readers.
“PLUS-D is about combating learn-
Kairos taps PowerChina for P13-b Iloilo wind farm
KAIROS Renewables has signed an engineering, procurement and construction agreement with PowerChina for the P13.31-billion Guimbal Wind Project in Iloilo province.
The 200-megawatt project will be structured in two 100-megawatt phases across the municipalities of Guimbal, Igbaras, Tubungan and Tigbauan. Kairos Renewables through Guimbal Wind Energy Corp. (GWEC) is developing the site, which is scheduled to be ready for construction by the third quarter of this year. “For us, this is more than a contract signing. It is the transition from years of disciplined development work into executable infrastructure,” Kairos Renewables chief executive Aaron Danies said.
“In Southeast Asia, bankable utilityscale renewables are increasingly defined by who can move from origination to construction readiness with speed, rigor and the right partners,” he said. Danies said PowerChina brings global delivery capability at scale and the partnership strengthens the path to construction for one of the most important onshore wind projects in the Philippines.
“As power demand accelerates across the region, especially from digital infrastructure and industrial growth, projects that can convert development into real megawatts will define the next decade of energy leadership,” Danies said. Alena Mae S. Flores
PCC: Vertical integration hampers RES competition
PHILIPPINE Competition Commission
(PCC) said structural advantages held by retail electricity suppliers (RES) affiliated with power generators and barriers to customer switching are limiting competition in the retail electricity market.
A market study by the PCC revealed that affiliates of power generators can prioritize supply through bilateral contracts, the Wholesale Electricity Spot
Market and retail supply agreements. This leaves independent retailers with only residual electricity, according to the regulator.
The study found that vertical integration between generation and retail supply may be constraining market entry and competition.
Although the Electric Power Industry Reform Act allows eligible customers to source electricity from different suppliers, the PCC cited significant hurdles for those seeking to switch.
These obstacles include limited awareness of the process, technical and documentary requirements and delays in installing retail metering systems. The commission also noted that “affiliate switching,” where customers move between suppliers under the same corporate group, suggests current activity may not reflect true competition. Othel V. Campos
PhilWeb, Travellers team up for NWRPlay online gaming
PHILWEB Corp, has entered into an agreement with Andrew Tan-led Travellers International Hotel Group Inc. to support the online gaming operations of Newport World Resorts, the company said in a disclosure Monday.
The partnership covers platform technology, system support, gaming content integration, and marketing and operational services for the online gaming platform branded as NWRPlay. PhilWeb will serve as a gaming system administrator accredited by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp, pending regulatory approvals.
The move is part of PhilWeb’s strategy to expand its footprint in the regulated online gaming sector. The company has previously secured similar arrangements with other major integrated resorts, including Nustar Resort and Casino and Okada Manila.
Travellers International is the hotel and gaming arm of Alliance Global Group Inc. Its flagship property, Newport World Resorts, was the first integrated resort development in the Philippines. Located in Pasay City, the complex features gaming facilities, the Newport Mall, and the 1710seat Newport Performing Arts Theater. Jenniffer B. Austria
By Jenniffer B. Austria
THE Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) said it is strengthening its accreditation framework for auditing firms and external auditors while expanding oversight to government contractors to protect investors and prevent corruption.
assets over P10 million and lending companies with assets over P5 million.
PAG-IBIG Fund said it approved a specialized benefits package for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) repatriated due to the conflict in the Middle East, following a directive from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to provide immediate financial aid. Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling, who also chairs the Pag-IBIG Fund board of trustees, said the package allows affected workers to access their savings early and receive temporary relief on housing loan payments to help them rebuild their lives in the Philippines. Under the new guidelines, qualified OFWs can withdraw up to 100 percent of their Pag-IBIG Regular Savings, including employee and employer contributions and dividends, before the standard 20-year maturity period.
Members may also withdraw 100 percent of their Modified Pag-IBIG II (MP2) Savings, including earned returns, prior to its 5-year maturity.
The agency is also offering a threemonth moratorium on housing loan payments, which will be free from interest and penalties, while extending the loan term by three months.
“In adherence to the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., Pag-IBIG Fund stands ready to extend practical and immediate assistance to our OFWs affected by the situation in the Middle East,” Aliling said.
“Through this benefits package, qualified members may access their Pag-IBIG savings and receive temporary relief on housing loan payments, giving them more room to provide for their families and meet urgent needs during this difficult time,” he said.
ing poverty nationwide by equipping teachers with evidence-based support, promoting school autonomy and accountability, and helping Filipino learners become independent, confident readers. We have seen this work in countries around the world, and the Philippines will be no exception. Help is on the way,” Teixeira said. The project addresses learning losses nationwide and includes students enrolled under the Alternative Learning System. By empowering local school boards and regional offices, the World Bank expects the decentralized approach to enhance the quality of education at both the elementary and lower secondary levels.
The commission said the proposed guidelines seek to tighten the accreditation framework and protect the public interest by expanding oversight for government contractors, elevating qualification standards and providing a more rigorous evaluation process.
Under the proposed rules, corporations awarded a single government contract of at least P100 million, or combined government contracts totaling at least P150 million, will be required to engage an SEC-accredited external auditor under the Group A category. The SEC classifies auditors into three categories for quality assurance reviews. Group A covers listed companies and public entities with assets of at least P50 million and 200 or more holders.
Group B includes investment houses, brokers and dealers of securities, and universal banks registered as underwriters. Group C comprises financing companies with
To ensure only auditors with sufficient experience handle regulated entities, the regulator is proposing to increase the track record threshold across all groups.
For Group A, applicants must have at least 5 corporate clients with total assets of at least P100 million each, up from the current P50 million requirement.
Group B applicants must now have 5 corporate clients with assets of at least P50 million each, an increase from the current standard of 3 clients with total assets of at least P20 million. Applicants for Group C accreditation must have at least 5 corporate clients with assets of at least P5 million each, replacing the current requirement of 3 clients.
The proposed amendments also introduce more rigorous evaluation standards by providing more grounds for the outright denial of accreditation.
MAJORITY shareholders of Lopez Inc. have demanded answers from Federico Lopez over a series of transactions involving the group’s energy assets.
The Lopez majority bloc, in a statement, questioned the decision of Lopez to relinquish control of its gas assets while acquiring a minority stake in hydropower business.
“Why did he give up control of our gas assets, our crown jewels? Why not 33 percent plus one share to retain that veto?” the group said.
Lopez Inc. majority family lawyer Ronald Ventura said in a statement that Federico Lopez, often referred to as Piki, acts like a king without accountability.
“In reality, he is a salaried corporate officer equivalent to a professional manager with 1 qualifying share who is in power by the majority’s tolerance,” the statement read.
The majority shareholders, representing three of the four Lopez families, voted last month to oust Lopez as Lopez Inc. president. Lopez Inc. is the private and ultimate holding company of the listed firm Lopez Holdings Inc.
The majority accused Lopez of bypassing transparency mechanisms by placing the matter under “other matters” in board discussions before calling for an executive session.
While a Mandaluyong Regional Trial Court has issued a temporary restraining order stopping efforts to remove Lopez from his position, the majority Lopez family bloc vowed to fight to remove him from his post. Jenniffer B. Austria
By Othel V. Campos
CLARK Development Corp. (CDC) said Monday it suspended the collection of its P1-per-liter fuel royalty fee for two months to cushion businesses and ensure a stable supply amid ongoing global uncertainties.
CDC president and chief executive Agnes Devanadera said the agency board unanimously approved the suspension effective April 1, 2026. She described the charge as a regulatory royalty imposed under the authority of CDC.
“We are suspending the collection of the one peso per liter royalty fee immediately upon approval of the resolution for a period of two months,” Devanadera said in a briefing Monday.
The agency met with industry players during a town hall meeting Monday morning to secure adequate fuel
supply for locators and the broader Clark community, particularly as geopolitical tensions affect global energy markets.
Devanadera said CDC reached out to Petron Corp. to ensure continuous and sufficient fuel supply for industrial, commercial and support operations within the Freeport.
“Our locators need fuel for their machinery, for factories, and for delivering their core businesses, including tourism-related assets such as hotels,” she said.
CDC is conducting a survey to determine the total fuel requirements of its locators to serve as a basis for supply planning and prioritization. To mitigate future supply risks, the agency is accelerating the rollout of renewable energy initiatives, including the installation of solar rooftop panels across facilities in Clark.
AHEAD of the International Day of Zero Waste last Monday, 20 cities worldwide have been named the inaugural 20 Cities Towards Zero Waste, an initiative led by the UN Secretary-General’s Advisory Board on Zero Waste, with support from UNHabitat and the UN Environment Program (UNEP).
The initiative highlights cities demonstrating ambitious and innovative approaches to reducing waste, advancing circular economy solutions, and building more sustainable, resilient, and inclusive urban systems.
The selected cities are:
Accra (Ghana), Bologna (Italy), Chefchaouen (Morocco), Dar es Salaam (Tanzania), Dehiwala City (Sri Lanka), Florianópolis (Brazil), Gaziantep (Türkiye), George Town (Malaysia), Hangzhou City (China), Iloilo City (Philippines), Kisumu (Kenya), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), Lilongwe (Malawi), San Fernando, Pampanga (Philippines), San Francisco (United States), Sanya City (China), Suzhou City (China), Varkala (India), City of Yokohama (Japan) and Zapopan (Mexico).
Humanity generates more than 2.1 billion tons of municipal solid waste annually, making cities a vital part of global efforts to tackle the waste crisis and its impacts on climate, biodiversity, public health and livelihoods.
The 20 Cities Towards Zero Waste initiative aims to:
• Recognize city leadership and innovation; Promote exchange of good practices and lessons learned;
• Inspire other cities to accelerate their transition toward zero
7 ways to cut your food waste and support the planet
1st of 2 parts
WE throw away more than 1 billion tons of food per year.
Not only is this a tremendous waste of the resources that go into food production, processing and transportation, it also means that every day consumers discard 1.3 meals for each person in the world impacted by hunger.
This a human tragedy on a colossal scale. It is also a major driver of climate change–up to 10 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions come from food that is ultimately squandered.
Solving this problem demands collaboration across the entire food system, connecting public policy to agri-business and retail practices. (A land area larger than China is used every year to produce food that will be lost along food supply chains.)
But there is plenty we as individuals can do to ensure that our food ends up in our bellies and
waste; and
• Support implementation of circular economy approaches at the local level.
While still facing waste challenges, selected cities are implementing a wide range of solutions, including food waste prevention, organic waste management, reuse and refill systems, inclusive recycling models supporting informal workers, policies to reduce single-use products, and community engagement initiatives to drive behavior change.
José Manuel Moller, Deputy Chair of the UN Secretary-General’s Advisory Board on Zero Waste, said:
“These 20 cities matter, not because they have the best roadmaps on paper, but because they are turning ambition into action.”
“What sets them apart is their willingness to implement real solutions, from source segregation and composting to reuse systems, informal sector inclusion, and citizen engagement,” said Moller.
“They are showing that zero waste is not a distant vision or a communications exercise. It is practical, local and achievable when cities lead by example. At a time when many are still planning, these cities are proving that implementation is the real test of leadership.” UNEP News
THE Climate Change Commission (CCC) presented its science-based climate action and priority areas for collaboration to the Metro Manila Council (MMC) and Regional Development Council (RDC).
The initiative aims to strengthen regional coordination and accelerate climate action across the National Capital Region (NCR).
The presentation outlined the national climate scenario, key policies and a partnership strategy that brings climate science into urban systems and decision-making, with direct implications for the region’s local government units (LGUs).
At the core of the CCC’s message is the need to move from fragmented responses to a systems-based approach, integrating climate risk data, projections and policy frameworks into critical sectors such as flood management, transport, solid waste and land use planning.
The approach enables LGUs to better anticipate risks, reduce asset loss
Compost. Sandie Clarke/Unsplash
not in the bin. Here are seven tips. Shop mindfully
Roughly 60 percent of all food waste comes from households–more than 1 billion meals being wasted every day. Often, this starts with the choices we make with our wallets–buying food we never get the chance to eat or getting lured into impulse purchases by marketing strategies and sales. Plan your meals before heading to the store, and stick to your shopping list―that way you’re more likely to buy only the food you know you’ll
use. Check your fridge ahead of time to avoid buying more than you need or doubling up on what you already have. Cook smart Cooking more than you can eat can lead to food waste, as many leftovers eventually get thrown away. Unless you’re batch cooking, measure portion sizes of rice and other staples as you cook to ensure you prepare only as much as you–or the group you’re cooking for–are likely eat in a single sitting.
And if you do have leftovers, don’t let them go to waste. Let them replace an upcoming meal you would have otherwise bought, or incorporate leftover ingredients into a new recipe. Store wisely
Understanding the storage requirements of different types of food is essential to minimizing food spoilage and waste. Store dry foods in airtight containers, fresh meats in the freezer or chill compartment of the fridge, and onions and potatoes in a cool, dark place. Keep fresh fruits and vegetables in your fridge’s vegetables drawer, and make sure any previously opened packaging is tightly sealed. For anything perishable, be sure to maintain a system of “first in, first out” to keep food from going bad.
(To be continued) UNEP
and protect communities from compounding climate impacts.
“It’s critically important that we provide support for the planning ahead. We are encouraged by the vision of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., which emphasizes a systemsbased approach to the issue of climate change and addressing its impact,” CCC vice chairperson and executive director Robert E.A. Borje said. “We
underscore that climate change does not arrive as a single-footed event.”
In the presentation, the CCC highlighted the section of the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) that tackles the Climate Impact Drivers (CIDs) exposure level of LGUs in the NCR. This included sea level rise, extreme sea levels, increased temperature and droughts, fluvial flooding and extreme weather. CCC News
CCC forms advisory body to push gender equality in climate actions
By Marita Moaje
THE Climate Change Commission (CCC) is strengthening efforts to integrate gender equality into the country’s climate agenda by rolling out the implementation phase of the Nationally Determined Contribution Gender Action Plan (NDCGAP) 2024–2030.
The CCC said last week that at the core of the rollout is the establishment of a Gender and Climate Change Advisory Group (GCAG), a multisectoral body tasked to lead the implementation.
It will finalize membership and guidelines, conduct stakeholder mapping and roll out capacity-building sessions for Gender and Development (GAD) focal points across agencies.
The GCAG will be co-chaired by CCC Commissioner Rachel Anne Herrera, Department of Environment and Natural Resources Undersecretary Analiza RebueltaTeh and Philippine Commission on Women Deputy Executive Director Anita Baleda. “The implementation of the NDC-GAP marks an important step for the Philippines. It moves us from mere recognition that climate change is not gender neutral, to concrete action, by putting gender and social inclusion squarely into how we plan, implement, monitor and improve
The NDC-GAP 2024–2030 serves as the country’s framework for integrating gender and social inclusion into climate mitigation and adaptation efforts, ensuring that policies and investments actively reduce inequalities and empower vulnerable sectors. It stresses mainstreaming gender across all stages of climate governance, from planning and implementation to monitoring and evaluation, while strengthening accountability systems and coordination among agencies. GCAG members committed to a unified implementation strategy for the six-year plan, clarified member roles and responsibilities, and identified immediate priority actions to sustain momentum across all government levels, noting the importance of coordinated action across government agencies. Officials said the plan marks a shift from recognizing that climate change is not gender-neutral to institutionalizing inclusive, genderresponsive climate governance, aligned with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s goal of a climate-resilient Philippines.PNA
TUESDAY, APRIL 7, 2026
lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com
NICKIE WANG, Editor
ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer
JASPER VALDEZ, Writer
Pepsi and Diageo withdraw sponsorship from the Wireless Festival in London, where Kanye West is set to perform
PEPSI and Diageo have withdrawn from sponsoring the Wireless Festival in London, where US rapper Kanye West, now known as Ye, is set to perform three nights in July. Both companies cited concerns but gave no detailed reasons. West, 48, has a history of antisemitic remarks, including a controversial song released in May 2025. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called his booking “deeply concerning,” and campaigners urged the government to bar West from entering the UK. Festival organizers have yet to comment, while Jewish groups and London Mayor Sadiq Khan criticized the announcement. West’s European tour has also faced backlash, with Marseille’s mayor saying he is “not welcome” there in June. AFP
‘Mario’
THE Super Mario Galaxy Movie , based on the wildly popular Nintendo video game, crushed the competition at the North American box office in its opening weekend with $130.9 million in ticket sales, industry estimates showed Sunday.
The animated sequel from Universal and Illumination Studios tracks the adventures of Mario, Luigi, and friends in outer space, where they must save Princess Rosalina. It features the voices of Jack Black, Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Brie Larson
Dropping to second place in its third week in theaters is another space adventure flick, Project Hail Mary , which earned $30.7 million over the three-day Easter weekend in the United States and Canada, Exhibitor Relations reported.
The Amazon MGM film stars Ryan Gosling as a teacherturned-astronaut who awakes on a spaceship with a mission to save Earth from a sun-dimming phenomenon.
Debuting in third place was The Drama , a romantic comedy starring Zendaya and Robert Pattinson about a couple unraveling just before their wedding. The A24 film earned $14.4 million. Dropping to fourth place, with $5.8 million, was Disney/ Pixar animated hit Hoppers , the story of a young animal lover who uses technology to transfer her consciousness into a robotic beaver so she can better communicate with and protect wildlife.
Fifth place went to Universal’s romance film Reminders of Him , with $2.2 million. The movie, the latest adaptation of a novel by Colleen Hoover, stars Maika Monroe and Tyriq Withers
Rounding out the top ten are They Will Kill You , which earned $1.9 million, followed by Dhurandhar: The Revenge with $1.82 million, Ready or Not 2: Here I Come with $1.8 million, Scream 7 with $915,000, and GOAT with $800,000. AFP
Very Wang Nickie Wang
THERE is life after Pinoy Big Brother, and for Kapuso Big Winner Caprice Cayetano , it begins with the kind of connection she was able to build with her fellow housemates.
“I can truly say that we housemates became a family,” she told Manila Standard Entertainment . “Even after PBB , we still hang out. We have dinners. I’m very happy that I gained another family.”
It is a sentiment that reframes what winning means. While many contestants aim for the top prize, Caprice had a different goal in mind.
“Of course, everyone wants to be the Big Winner, but my ultimate goal was to gain friends and enjoy the experience,” she said in the vernacular. “I believe I accomplished that, as we continue to maintain our close relationship even outside.”
If anything, the win now feels secondary.
“Being the Big Winner is just a bonus, considering the wonderful memories I collected inside,” she added.
After her ‘PBB’ win, Kapuso Big Winner Caprice Cayetano is preparing for upcoming and brand partnerships
at a press conference after their ‘PBB’
That perspective arrives at a time when opportunities are lining up. Caprice leads a new wave of Kapuso talents emerging from Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab Edition 2.0, alongside Heath Jornales, Ashley Sarmiento, and Princess Aliyah. The group has been booked for a series of interviews, guest appearances, and network events.
Caprice, in particular, wasted little time. Even before leaving the house, she had already been named Anak TV Net Female Makabata Star 2025 and Kapuso Female Teen Star of the Year. Since then, she has secured an endorsement with a popular fast food chain and made a visit to the Little Ark Foundation, her chosen charity.
Around her, her fellow housemates are also busy with their individual assignments. Heath has appeared in GMA’s action series Never Say Die and is preparing for his fan event in Quezon City. Ashley continues a steady run of guestings, while Aliyah balances appearances with plans for an upcoming show.
Caprice, for her part, is not getting carried away by the hype. For someone who entered the house without much expectation, the path ahead appears unusually clear.
“I’m getting ready for upcoming projects and brands,” she said, adding that preparation, for now, means slowing down. “I’m relaxing and practicing self-love so I can be ready for everything and everyone I will meet, and so I can spread positivity.”
There is also a sense of looking back while moving forward.
Among those she hopes to work with again is Heart Evangelista, with whom she shared scenes in Mulawin vs. Ravena years ago.
“She was my mom there,” Caprice recalled. “That was the last time we worked together. Hopefully, we can again.”
By Angelica Villanueva
YEARS later, OPM singer Jace Roque has found himself back inside a recording studio, now ready to release new music as he continues to navigate a period of loss that left both his personal life and career at a standstill.
In 2019, the death of his uncle, former action star Boy Roque, marked a turning point for him. He described his uncle as a father figure and a constant guide, someone who helped shape not just his career, but his sense of discipline and purpose. In a one-on-one interview with Manila Standard Entertainment, Jace opened up about that period in his life.
“When he passed away, both my personal and professional life collapsed. I didn’t know how to move forward,” Jace recalled.
At the time, he turned to writing as a way to cope, putting into words emotions he could not yet fully process. The result was an early version of what would become “Pagbangon.” But the song, heavy with grief, was eventually set aside.
“Back then, I wasn’t really processing my emotions, so I was just writing everything I was feeling that I couldn’t say. After I finished the song, I archived it because I really didn’t want to deal with the pain. I never thought it would be published one day,” he shared. It would take several years and a series of personal and professional challenges before Roque felt ready to return to the material. Now
Jace
Julia Barretto, Maris Racal bring humor to everyday financial realities
JULIA Barretto and Maris Racal have recently teamed up in a video that is getting everyone talking. The clip, released by Maya, features the two playfully slapping each other with money, depicting how quickly users can access digital loans through the app.
The video centers on a reality familiar to many Filipinos: when cash is needed, it often has to be available fast. Maya offers lending products such as Maya Easy Credit, a revolving credit line of up to P30,000 with instant approval, and Maya Personal Loan, which provides loans of up to P250,000 with repayment terms of up to 24 months. Both are fully digital, require no collateral or paperwork, and are designed for fast approval and disbursement.
Maya encourages responsible borrowing by offering improved loan terms and easier access to funds for users who consistently repay on time. The video uses playful, visual storytelling to make the lending process relatable and accessible.
The app combines savings, payments, credit, and loans to help users manage finances, whether for everyday needs or larger plans. The service is regulated by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, and loan approvals are subject to credit evaluation.
For assistance, users can visit the Help Center in the app or call +632 8845-7788 from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. daily. More information is available on maya.ph and mayabank.ph, with updates on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok under @mayaiseverything.
34, he describes himself as more grounded, shaped by the obstacles he has had to confront along the way.
“All of those experiences deepened my perspective. I had to go through them to become who I am now,” said Jace.
That sense of growth anchors “Pagbangon,” his upcoming single set for release on April
10 under ABSCBN Music. Originally written in English, the track was later translated into Filipino with the help of his friend and singer-songwriter
Hazel Faith, allowing him to reconnect with the song in a new way.
Revisiting it, he said, became part of his healing.
“Even just performing it, especially in the recording studio, felt therapeutic for me. Performing a track that I had archived for a very long time allowed me to finally express it through singing. Even if it’s not through live shows yet, just recording it let me release the emotions I needed to express,” the singer shared.
PAOLO Contis and Polo Ravales are back on primetime TV and couldn’t be happier. Both actors are part of GMA’s upcoming action series, Master Cutter , led by Dingdong Dantes
“Finally,” Paolo said in a recent interview. “We’ve rested for so long in primetime. For the past year and a half, I’ve been doing movies. When I was offered the chance to work with Dong, I grabbed it immediately. With his stature as the Kapuso Primetime King, it’s a huge honor to be part of this project.”
Paolo will play Dingdong’s main nemesis. “I missed playing villain on screen,” he said. “For a long time, I played ‘contravida’ to Dong in shows like Ang Babaeng Hinugot sa Aking Tadyang and Alyas Robin Hood . We already know each other’s work style. During training, we joked about why we’re still doing this when we’re old already. But seriously, I’m confident we’ll never get angry if something happens on set.”
Polo Ravales also welcomed the opportunity to work with Dingdong again. “It’s great because we’re friends. We go back to our Viva Teen Barkadas days. It’s awesome that we can still work together after all these years.”
Polo added that the series is supported by a strong ensemble: Rio Locsin, Tonton Gutierrez, Max Collins, Jo Berry, Max Eigenmann, Ketchup Eusebio, Shuvee Etrata, Anthony Constantino, Prince Carlos, Charlie Fleming, and child star Sienna Steves
Ashley Ortega hopes Mavy Legaspi is her last
ASHLEY Ortega recently shared that she’s hoping Mavy Legaspi will be her last boyfriend.
“Of course, I would want him to be my last,” she said. “Before
By Angelica Villanueva
CINEMALAYA
2025 entry
Open Endings is set for a series of international screenings, beginning with its premiere in the United States.
Directed by Nigel Santos and written by Keavy Vicente, the film will make its international debut on April 6 at the Wicked Queer Festival in Boston. In a social media post, the filmmakers said the project began as “a small film about love, friendship, and messy queer lives” and has since reached a wider audience overseas. The film is scheduled for another screening on May 23 at the Queer East Film Festival, where it will be shown alongside Filipino titles
For him, the release also signals a shift in his sound. Known for his EDM roots, Jace is now exploring a more urban pop direction, a transition shaped in part by his collaboration with producer Jonathan Manalo
“Sir Jonathan really pushed me to step out of my comfort zone. With ‘Pagbangon,’ he challenged me to deliver fuller vocals and explore a different vocal style. He’s very particular about what he wants in a song, and he really pushes me to become better,” Jace said.
While the song began as a tribute to his late uncle, its meaning has since expanded. Jace now sees “Pagbangon,” which translates to “recover” or “getting back up,” as a reflection of resilience—not just for himself but for listeners facing their own struggles.
“Healing takes time. Whatever you’re going through, you really have to go through the process; you can’t skip it. It’s not something you can rush. You go step by step until you get through it,” he stated.
we even started dating, I told him the guy I start dating should be the last one. But anything can happen, so we’ll see. I really hope and pray it’s him.”
Ashley said their relationship has grown deeper over the past year. “It feels like we’ve been together for four or five years already. We’ve passed the honeymoon stage. I let Mavy focus on his work without constant updates like before.”
She added that Mavy, who is younger than her, changed her perspective on love. “He’s consistent and always shows up. That effort is what made me fall in love with him.”
including Flower Girl and Macho Dancer Festival organizers described the film as “a confident, self-aware film about loyalty, solidarity, and the liberating power of nonnormative lifestyles,” noting the performances of its four leads.
Starring Janella Salvador, Jasmine Curtis-Smith, Klea Pineda, and Leanne Mamonong, the film follows four queer women whose past relationships shape a close friendship that is tested by a major decision. “Festival after festival,”
wrote on her Instagram story. The film
Cinemalaya’s box office and received a special citation for Best Ensemble Performance.
TUESDAY, APRIL 7, 2026
NICKIE WANG, Editor
ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer
JASPER
Writer
By Rolando Ng III
to Charles Plumley, general manager of Great Place to Work Philippines, Filipinos continue to practice long-cherished values in building relationships with people. Employees continue to utilize their skills and talents in meeting the necessary workload and the corresponding circumstances. To him, camaraderie is a crucial factor in why he sees the country as a nation where, despite growing changes in workplace culture, trust has been built.
Filipinos continue to value relationships and camaraderie in the workplace, leading to a high trust index score of 86%
among the Top 20 workplaces, sharing the spotlight with Globe Telecom and Bank of the Philippine Islands.
For Jayzle Ravelo, the central bank’s managing director for Human Resources, this award was a testament to the practices it has implemented within its offices, including its printing plants.
“What we do see is that it’s driven primarily by camaraderie. Despite everything you’re hearing and what’s going on in the world, it’s fantastic to see that trust has actually improved,” Plumley said, adding that the Philippines can boast a trust index score of 86% compared to other countries within the ASEAN region.
On March 19, industry leaders and company visionaries gathered at the Conrad Hotel to celebrate this year’s Best Workplaces by Great Place to Work Philippines. We honored executives from various firms, spanning commerce, technology, and hospitality, for their efforts in fostering today’s workplace culture. Putting the experiences of employees front and center was the highlight in shaping businesses away from traditional practices.
Fast-food chain extends Earth Hour into month-long lights-off campaign
MCDONALD’S Philippines is extending its participation in Earth Hour into a month-long initiative, switching off non-essential lights across its stores for four additional Saturdays in April.
From 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on March 28, more than 850 stores nationwide turned off pylon lights, canopy lights, and lighting in unused areas, joining millions of Filipinos in the annual energy conservation effort led by the World Wide Fund for Nature.
The company said it will continue the lights-off activity on April 4, 11, 18, and 25, encouraging customers and communities to adopt small, everyday actions that support energy conservation.
“At McDonald’s, we are taking concrete steps to support responsible energy use across our operations,” said Margot Torres. “By
extending Earth Hour across more days, we move beyond a one-hour gesture and into sustained action.”
The initiative forms part of the company’s Green & Good program, which promotes environment-friendly practices across its stores.
Selected locations under the program are equipped with solar rooftops, rainwater harvesting systems, and solar lampposts to help reduce electricity and water consumption. These stores also support active mobility through bike-friendly facilities such as Bike and Dine areas and repair stations.
The company said it is also working to cut plastic waste and reduce reliance on single-use materials through more sustainable packaging and disposal practices.
McDonald’s Philippines said the expanded campaign reflects its continued focus on responsible energy use and more sustainable operations.
“More companies are actually becoming more interested in getting certified with us because they see the value. What gives us a lot of pride is we actually now have more Filipino companies on the list,” Plumley later noted, adding that the government sector has also taken part in the firm’s workplace survey.
One of the night’s highlights was the inclusion of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, the country’s authority in financial matters. BSP was ranked
Ravelo acknowledged the longstanding bureaucratic norms of government work, such as palakasan and acting too slowly on complaints. Yet, in setting the agency’s professional agenda, she discussed the shifts in how the central bank veered away from stereotypes of ineptitude. Moving toward a pace of excellence and integrity is the priority in turning the Bangko Sentral into an active player in the new workplace culture.
“Our workplace culture is an outcome of intentional, sustained effort to embed our integrity and excellence into how we hire, how we develop, how we reward and recognize, and how we hold our people accountable for their actions,” she shared in her speech.
Amid the shift, Ravelo noted how more young graduates and private sector professionals have chosen to work and hone their resumes at the Bangko Sentral. The agency, in turn, equips them with new learning skills and lessons that may surpass what other government offices can offer.
In the end, this year’s Best Workplaces in the Large, Medium, and Small categories were topped by the Philippine branches of Synchrony Financial and Hilton, along with Pangasinan-based BPO company Interconnected Business Process Inc.
values his parents held throughout their lives.
“My parents believed deeply in the power of education and in the responsibility of lawyers to serve society with integrity and purpose. Through these endowments, our family hopes to honor their legacy while helping nurture future generations of legal scholars and practitioners,” said Dr. Espiritu.
By Angelica Villanueva
A LEGACY rooted in legal scholarship and public service is being carried forward in Manila as a family establishes a P2 million endowment at Manuel L. Quezon University (MLQU), aimed at strengthening legal education and honoring the academic contributions of two Harvardtrained Filipino lawyers.
The initiative is being led by BGen. Dr. Benjamin I. Espiritu, AFP (Res), PhD, MNSA, in honor of his late parents, Erlinda Arce Espiritu and Benjamin A. Espiritu Sr., both of whom built distinguished careers grounded in law, teaching, and public service.
The Espiritu couple, both graduates of Harvard Law School, were known for their shared dedication to legal scholarship. Erlinda Arce Espiritu also made history as the first Filipino woman to earn a degree from Harvard Law School, a milestone that became an important moment in
Dr. Espiritu said the endowment reflects the
components: the Benjamin A. Espiritu Sr. Endowment Fund for International Law, which supports teaching and research in the field, and a Professorial Chair in Civil Law and Innovation, previously established in honor of Erlinda Arce Espiritu.
University officials said the funds are expected to support faculty development, research initiatives, and academic efforts such as the revival of the MLQU Law Journal as a platform for legal scholarship.
Erlinda Arce Espiritu is remembered for her achievement at Harvard Law School, while Benjamin A. Espiritu Sr. later served as an international law professor at MLQU and contributed to the university’s academic work. MLQU said the endowment reinforces its commitment to strengthening legal education and sustaining its tradition of scholarship and public service.