By Katrina Manubay
US-Iran talks fail; region hopes fragile truce holds
IRAN and the United States failed to strike a deal Sunday to end the war in the Middle East, but there was no immediate return to hostilities, and the region clung to hope that a fragile truce would hold.
US Vice President JD Vance left Pakistan after the talks—the highestlevel meeting between the two sides since the 1979 Islamic revolution —and warned that Washington had made Tehran its "final and best offer" for a deal.
"We leave here with a very simple proposal," he said. "We'll see if the Iranians accept it."
A member of the US negotiating team, Steve Witkoff, was reported to have told US President Donald Trump that Iran "did not want a diplo matic solution."
"I have no doubt that we ex hausted all on behalf of a peaceful resolution as you directed. Jerald and I both agree that the Iranians were there to buy time until a weak er President arrived," he said in the report.
Iran's parliamentary speaker Mo hammad Bagher Ghalibaf said his negotiating team "put forward con structive initiatives but ultimately the other side was unable to gain the trust of the Iranian delegation in this round of negotiations".
By Rio N. Araja
THE Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development through the Pag-IBIG Fund has exempted overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from the monthly salary cap and included them among the priority beneficiaries, granting access to affordable housing through a subsidized three percent interest rate.
Meanwhile, House of Representatives leaders moved to institutionalize a national protection system that cushions the impact of the escalating Middle East crisis on Filipinos who are forced to grapple with inflation wrought by runaway fuel prices.
“The directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., we will make housing more affordable, faster and more accessible to every Filipino, including the modern-day heroes, the OFWs,” DHSUD Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling said.
The Expanded Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino Program (4PH) continues to roll out housing developments across the country, ensuring that more Filipinos, including OFWs, can access safe, decent, and affordable homes.
In a statement, the DHSUD said many OFWs have thanked the agency’s Expanded 4PH.
Aliling emphasized that the government remains committed to making homeownership more attainable for every Filipino.
Speaker Faustino Dy III, along with Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander Marcos of Ilocos Norte filed House Bill No. 8834 or the KALINGA Act designed to guarantee fast, targeted, and automatic government response when fuel price shocks begin driving up the cost of living.
More than an emergency assistance measure, the KALINGA Act establishes a national protection framework that allows government to act early,
By Katrina Manubay and Rio N. Araja
By Joel E. Zurbano
By Rio N. Araja
LEYTE Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, along with three other lawmakers, is seeking to institutionalize a National Oral Health Program aimed at integrating dental care into the country’s primary health system and expanding access to essential services, especially for underserved Filipinos. House Bill No. 4691, authored by Romualdez and Tingog party-list Reps. Yedda Marie Romualdez, Andrew Julian Romualdez, and Jude Acidre, underscores the need to treat
By Katrina Manubay
PRESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. posted photos of his quiet dinner with First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos over the weekend, countering relentless online speculations about his health.
Meanwhile,the Malacañang Press Corps (MPC) denied allegations that its members are being paid or used to hide President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.'s health status, em-
ALL IS WELL. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (right)
Marcos
DAVAO City Mayor Sebastian Duterte, the youngest son of former President Rodrigo Duterte, has been designated as the new president of the Partido Demokratiko
(PDP) political party.
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The failure of the talks will raise concerns that a return to fighting could drive world energy prices higher and further damage shipping and oil and gas facilities in the Gulf.
But Saudi Arabia's energy ministry said Sunday its key east-west oil pipeline was back in service after it was damaged in earlier strikes, and Qatar's transport ministry said it was lifting some restrictions on Gulf shipping.
Pakistan, which hosted the talks and whose leadership had ushered the rival sides to the table, said it would keep facilitating dialogue and urged both countries to continue respecting the temporary truce.
"It is imperative that the parties continue to uphold their commitment to ceasefire," Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said.
UK health minister Wes Streeting, speaking for the British government, told Sky News that the failure of the talks was disappointing but "that doesn't mean there isn't merit in continuing to try."
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong urged a continuation of the Middle East ceasefire.
"The priority now must be to continue the ceasefire and return to negotiations," Wong said in a statement, adding it was "disappointing that the Islamabad talks between the United States and Iran have ended without
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decisively, and in a coordinated manner before rising fuel costs spiral into widespread increases in fares, food prices, electricity, and other daily expenses.
“One movement in the oil prices triggers the spike in fare, food and electricity. Congress and the government are finding solutions to address the situation,” Marcos
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oral health as a core component of overall well-being.
“Dental health should not be considered separately. It is part of the overall health of every Filipino. With this measure, we will ensure that dental services are affordable, accessible, and not a privilege but a right, especially for children, pregnant women, and senior citizens,” he said.
“When oral health is neglected, the family’s expenses and problems increase. This bill aims to make dental care part of the basic health service to reduce costs and improve the quality of life of every Filipino,” he added.
The proposed Oral Healthcare Act recognizes that “oral diseases are major public health problems and oral health is integral to general health and essential for the well-being of every people,” mandating the State to adopt “an integrated and comprehensive approach to health development.”
“A simple dental problem, when neglected, becomes a huge burden on the family. With this measure, we are ensuring that more Filipinos will have access to proper dental services,” Acidre said.
The bill further emphasizes the need for stronger public investment and preventive care, stating that the government must “adopt responsive and efficient policies in oral disease prevention and promotion by scaling up essential programs and increasing investments to make oral health treatment and care more equitable and af-
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the Senator said that the Council deliberated on significant issues concerning the party's future and underscored their unity and dedication to serving the Filipino people.
Duterte’s appointment as president of PDP has sparked speculation about his possible run for the vice presidency, potentially in tandem with his sister, Sara, in the 2028 presidential elections.
The 38-year old Sebastian, also known as Baste, began his political career in 2019 when he ran unopposed for the position of vice mayor. He later substituted for his sister Sara, who was then the mayor of Davao and had run for vice president, and won in the elections.
In 2025, Sebastian ran as his father's running mate when his father
agreement".
At the Vatican, Pope Leo lashed out against warmongers on Saturday while calling on billions of people around the globe to embrace peace and "believe once again in love, moderation and good politics."
In one of his most passionate entreaties yet to end the raging conflict in the Middle East, the American pope said faith was needed "in order to face this dramatic hour in history together."
"Enough of the idolatry of self and money! Enough of the display of power! Enough of war! True strength is shown in serving life," Pope Leo implored in an address during a prayer vigil for peace at St. Peter's Basilica.
In Geneva, United Nations agency chiefs on Saturday demanded an end to impunity for widespread international law violations in the Middle East, as casualties pile up six weeks into the war unleashed by US-Israeli strikes on Iran.
In a joint statement, the heads of multiple UN agencies said they were "alarmed by the sustained violations of the rules of war and international humanitarian law" in the region.
"Even wars have rules, and these rules must be respected," the statement from the UN Inter-Agency Standing Committee said.
Uranium stockpile
US news website Axios quoted an unnamed source briefed on the negotiations as saying that disagreements included "Iran's demand to control the
said. “Under the KALINGA Act, there will be a clear system, there are trigger, action and assistance,” he added.
At the core of the proposal is the KALINGA Program, a whole-ofgovernment response system that is automatically activated once critical warning signs appear, such as sharp increases in fuel prices, extraordinary inflation, low fuel supply levels, or the declaration of a national energy emergency.
“This is not only ‘ayuda’ This is
fordable for all, especially for the underprivileged, poor, and marginalized Filipinos.”
Under the measure, a National Oral Health Program would be established to improve oral health outcomes, expand access to basic dental services, and reduce the prevalence of dental caries and periodontal diseases.
The program would integrate oral health promotion into existing public health initiatives, including the implementation of Republic Act No. 11223, or the Universal Health Care Act, and Republic Act No. 11148, or the Kalusugan at Nutrisyon ng Mag-Nanay Act, alongside programs on nutrition, maternal and child health, and other priority sectors.
The measure mandates the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. to expand its benefit packages to cover a wider range of oral health services for both adults and children, and provides that the development and expansion of these benefits shall undergo a proper, transparent, and standardized prioritization process in accordance with relevant provisions of the UHC Act.
It also seeks to “provide timely access to quality basic oral health care and treatment,” “control risks to oral health, especially of the younger population,” and “make oral health treatment and care more affordable and accessible.”
The bill defines basic oral healthcare as services that include “oral examination, toothbrushing drills, scaling or oral prophylaxis, filling of restorable cavities, and extraction of unsavable teeth, including referral and check-up of dental clinical cases.”
sought a return to the mayoralty, and together they won the election. However, his father's detention at The Hague prevented him from taking the oath of office, leading the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to appoint Sebastian as the acting mayor.
He officially assumed the role of permanent mayor on January 23, 2026.
In 2016, Rodrigo Duterte, then the mayor of Davao City and a presidential candidate, took over the PDP Party’s chairmanship just before his proclamation rally in Tondo, Manila.
The original PDP-Laban was a coalition formed between the Lakas ng Bayan party, established by the late former Senator Benigno Aquino, Jr. in 1978, and the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino (PDP), founded in 1982 by the late former Senator Aquilino "Nene" Pimentel, Jr.
Strait of Hormuz and refusal to give up on its enriched uranium stockpile".
The United States and Israel attacked Iran on February 28, sparking retaliation from Tehran that has plunged the Middle East into conflict and shaken the global economy.
Iran and the US had entered the talks mediated by Pakistan with maximalist positions, with Washington piling pressure by saying it had sent minesweeping ships through the vital Strait of Hormuz maritime route.
Signs of strain in the negotiations appeared when Iranian media accused the United States of making "excessive demands" over the strait, through which one-fifth of the world's oil transited before its effective closure by Iran during the war.
Iran's state broadcaster IRIB said negotiations stalled over "unreasonable demands of the American side", though the country's foreign ministry spokesman later noted that "no one" could have expected that after 40 days of war, they would reach an agreement within one session.
US President Donald Trump had also insisted several hours into the talks on Saturday that the United States had already triumphed on the battlefield by killing Iranian leaders and destroying key military infrastructure.
"Whether we make a deal or not makes no difference to me. The reason is because we've won," Trump said. Leverage
The high-stakes 21-hour meeting
protection,” Marcos said.
The KALINGA Program shall include the components of fuel price stabilization; energy supply, security and inventory management; targeted assistance component; essential goods and logistics stabilization; micro, small and medium enterprises energy relief and business continuity; energy conservation and demand reduction, and flexible fiscal and regulatory measures. The vulnerable sectors or beneficiaries include but are not limited to: low-
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to face the ongoing impeachment proceedings at the House and answer the allegations against her instead of continuing to rely on procedural objections and petitions before the Supreme Court.
In a related development, the Justice committee was unfazed by petitions filed at the Supreme Court seeking to stall the impeachment proceedings, House Deputy Speaker Paolo Ortega V of La Union said.
In a virtual press briefing, Duterte’s legal counsel, Paolo Panelo, dismissed the allegations, saying the issues can be addressed in the proper forum.
He pointed out that the complaint and supporting evidence are already with the House Committee on Justice.
“And yet when they talk about Ramil Madriaga, they talk about him like he's the smoking gun, he's the missing link to all of this, when really, we think he's the weakest link. So we're not going to, as counsel for the perjury case, we're not going to stop them from self-destructing their case by inviting Madriaga to testify,” Panelo said.
The response came on the heels of a Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) decision that granted the House Committee on Justice’s request to allow Madriaga to testify in the impeach-
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Along the way, we met a mother and daughter who came over for a quick hello and a short chat. Nice reminder of why the work we do matters,” he wrote on his status update.
Mrs. Marcos also posted a photo from the same night, saying they enjoyed each other’s company.
“Sometimes it’s just nice to slow down and enjoy each other’s company. No noise. Just us,” she said.
The First Lady followed up this post with another lunch photo on Sunday with their youngest son, Vinny, and his friends who came over to visit them at Bahay Pangulo.
“Good food, easy laughter and the kind of moments you wish could last a little longer,” Mrs. Marcos wrote in the caption with a red heart emoji.
These social media posts come amid circulating online posts questioning the President’s health status, with some detractors going as far as
had unfolded in Islamabad with both sides exhibiting intense mistrust.
Iran was in the middle of negotiations in February with Trump's realestate friend Steve Witkoff and sonin-law Jared Kushner when the US and Israel attacked. Both Kushner and Witkoff were part of Vance's team in Pakistan.
The first salvos of the war killed Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei.
Iranian demands for any agreement to end the war include unfreezing sanctioned Iranian assets and ending Israel's war against Hezbollah in Lebanon. The opening of the Strait of Hormuz has also presented a friction point.
Iran throughout the war exercised global economic leverage by asserting control of the maritime route, sending oil prices soaring and piling political pressure on Trump as US fuel costs rose.
The US military said Saturday that two Navy warships transited through the strait to begin clearing it of mines and ensure it is a "safe pathway" for tankers.
The Iranian military denied that any American warships had entered the waterway and threatened to respond if they do so.
The Revolutionary Guards' Naval Command said Iranian promises of safe passage during a two-week ceasefire applied only to "civilian vessels under specific conditions".
Lebanon violence
A complicating factor has been Is-
income households, disadvantaged and underemployed workers, public transport drivers, farmers, fisherfolk, micro, small and medium enterprises, overseas Filipino workers, and other sectors as may be identified by the KALINGA Inter Agency Task Force based on data driven assessment of vulnerability.
The proposed measure outlines a comprehensive response framework composed of several key components aimed at addressing fuel-driven inflation and ensuring supply stability.
ment proceedings against Duterte. In December 2025, Madriaga stated in a sworn statement that he transported cash for Duterte, claiming he delivered the money in duffel bags and vehicles to various locations on orders allegedly linked to Duterte’s camp.
Panelo stressed that the perjury complaint is separate from the House impeachment process, and was not expected to be resolved before any trial, adding it was not filed to influence the outcome of the impeachment.
Duterte filed last month a perjury complaint against Madriaga, accusing him of falsely claiming to be a campaign supporter before later becoming a witness in her impeachment case.
Her 340-page complaint, including affidavits from her security team and campaign organizers, strongly denies Madriaga's allegations and emphasizes she has no personal ties to the detained former military agent.
The impeachment proceedings now underway shall provide the Vice President the very forum she has repeatedly claimed to seek, the opportunity to be heard and to defend herself against the charges, Ridon pointed out.
He emphasized that the proceedings before the House are not yet a trial, but a constitutional preliminary investigation to determine whether sufficient grounds exist to elevate the matter to the Senate for trial.
claiming that his recent public appearances were generated by artificial intelligence.
Malacañang strongly rejected these allegations and are taking legal actions to hold the fake news peddlers accountable.
The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) called on tech giant Meta to take immediate action against “false, misleading, and panicinducing” content on social media.
In a joint letter dated April 10, PCO acting Secretary Dave Gomez and DICT Secretary Henry Aguda urged Meta chief executive officer Mark Zuckerberg to implement strict measures aimed at countering false information on pressing issues, such as oil prices, economic disruptions, and government actions.
Gomez and Aguda said the rapid spread of misinformation and disinformation on Meta’s platforms “poses a direct and escalating threat to public order, economic confidence, and national security.“
rael's assertion that the ceasefire does not affect Lebanon, where the Israeli military has launched strikes and a ground invasion in response to rocket fire from Hezbollah, the Iranianbacked movement.
Lebanese authorities said Israeli strikes on the country's south on Saturday killed 18 people, bringing the death toll from Israel's operations since the war broke out past 2,000. Israel and Lebanon will hold their own talks next week in Washington. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Saturday that he wanted a peace deal with Lebanon that "will last for generations".
But Israel has ruled out a ceasefire with Hezbollah, signaling it will instead seek to pressure the historically weak central government in Beirut.
Uttered in measured tones, as is customary for the soft-spoken head of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics, the comments by the 70-year-old Pope Leo nevertheless marked some of the most pointed criticism yet of the wave of conflicts inflaming the globe. "Dear brothers and sisters, there are certainly binding responsibilities that fall to the leaders of nations. To them we cry out: Stop! It is time for peace! Sit at the table of dialogue and mediation, not at the table where rearmament is planned and deadly actions are decided!"
As he has done in the past, the Chicago native did not cite politicians by name, and did not call out specific countries. AFP
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“Hindi pa ito sapat. Kaya tuloy-tuloy ang ginagawa ng pamahalaan para maibsan ang epekto nito sa inyong pang-araw-araw na buhay,” the President said.
(This is not enough. That’s why the government is continuously working to alleviate its impact on your daily life.)
“Hindi po tayo titigil hangga’t hindi natin napapababa ang gastos sa biyahe, sa pagkain, at sa kabuuang pamumuhay ng ating mga kababayan,” he added.
(We will not stop until we reduce the cost of travel, food, and the overall cost of living of our countrymen.)
The announcement mirrored a similar revelation earlier in the day from Energy Secretary Sharon Garin, who nonetheless said fuel prices would not go back to levels before February 28 when the United States and Israel began their attacks on Iran, in particular diesel going back to P60 a liter.
Mr. Marcos said additional government interventions and assistance measures are expected to be announced in the coming days as part of a broader effort to cushion the impact of volatile global oil prices.
“Hindi natin hahayaang mapabayaan ang bawat Pilipino sa gitna ng mga hamong ito,” he said.
(We will not let any Filipino be left behind amid these challenges.)
Garin earlier said fuel prices would post a significant rollback after weeks of increases driven by tensions in the Middle East.
The energy chief said diesel prices could fall by as much as P20.89 per liter, marking one of the steepest single-week reductions in recent months. Gasoline and kerosene are likewise expected to decline by P4.43 and P8.50 per liter, respectively.
“It’s based on the average of the last five days' international prices and comparing that to the average of the previous week,” Garin said, explaining the Department of Energy’s pricing methodology.
She noted that actual adjustments at the pump may vary depending on oil companies’ pricing policies but stressed that the DOE figures should be treated as the minimum expected rollback.
The department’s projections are significantly higher than earlier industry estimates, which placed the diesel rollback at only P8.80 to P10.80 per liter and gasoline at up to P1.50 per liter.
An industry source declined to explain the discrepancy but cited easing global oil prices as a key factor behind the larger-than-expected reduction.
The source told Manila Standard the Mean of Platts Singapore (MOPS), the benchmark for refined petroleum products in the region, declined following improved market sentiment amid a ceasefire in the Middle East and expectations of a gradual recovery in supply.
The sharp drop in pump prices is expected to provide immediate relief to consumers and transport operators, particularly as diesel costs have driven increases in freight, public transportation, and food prices in recent weeks.
DENR maps areas a ected by Navotas landfill fire
By Rio N. Araja
THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environmental Management Bureau in the National Capital Region is conducting a rapid on-site validation and aerial assessment via drone to identify areas affected by toxic fumes arising from the fire at the Navotas Sanitary Landfill.
“While full mapping of the affected barangays is underway, we are issuing this initial advisory to ensure the safety of residents in the immediate vicinity and those situated downwind,” it said in a statement.
The DENR deployed its Ambient Air Unit to identify the affected areas and the direction of the plume, perform ambient air sampling to determine air quality, and coordinate with Region 3 authorities for monitoring in areas where the wind carried the emissions.
The EMB in Metro Manila said it would release a list of affected localities.
Thick smoke from the landfill’s fire spread across parts of Metro Manila last April 11. The fire broke out on April 10 at around 8 p.m.
Earlier reports said the affected areas included Navotas City, Valenzuela City, Malabon City, Caloocan City, Quezon City, Mandaluyong City, Pasig City, Makati City, City of Manila, San Juan City and Obando, Bulacan.
PH reaffirms rights in any explo deal
By Ma. Katrina Mikaela Manubay
THE Philippines reaffi rmed its sovereign rights over its natural resources, emphasizing that any cooperation with China or other countries on oil and gas development will fully comply with the Constitution, national laws, and energy security priorities, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Sunday.
In a statement, the DFA acknowledged recent public comments from various sectors regarding the potential resumption of discussions with China on oil and gas cooperation.
“The Philippines possesses sovereign rights over the natural resources
within its Exclusive Economic Zone and continental shelf, including any oil and gas deposits that may be found therein,” it said.
“It is an exercise of this sovereignty that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., amid global energy uncertainties
and consistent with the declaration of a National Energy Emergency, has underscored the need for the country to explore all lawful and viable options to attain energy security and ensure affordable and stable energy supply for the national economy and the Filipino people,” it added.
The statement responded to concerns raised by lawmakers, legal and security experts, and civil society leaders about the Philippines’ renewed interest in joint oil and gas exploration with China, emphasizing that such agreements must not jeopardize sovereignty, transparency, or longterm interests.
On Thursday, Akbayan party-list Rep. Chel Diokno called for trans-
parency in negotiations with China, criticizing closed-door talks for fostering suspicion and undermining public trust.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines also warned government negotiators to exercise caution, noting that Beijing has not proven to be a reliable partner despite ongoing cooperation discussions.
Retired Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio stressed that any joint exploration in the West Philippine Sea must strictly adhere to Philippine law.
The DFA reiterated that any oil and gas agreements with China or other nations will strictly follow the Constitution, laws, and jurisprudence, safeguarding Philippine sovereignty.
Pinay hired for alleged surrogacy held at NAIA
By Vito Barcelo
THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) in-
tercepted a female passenger at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 who was promised nearly P500,000 for an alleged illegal surrogacy scheme overseas.
The 31-year-old woman was scheduled to depart for Hong Kong on a Philippine Airlines flight. She initially told authorities she was a returning overseas Filipino worker bound for employment as a domestic helper.
However, further checks showed she was set to transit through Hong Kong before continuing to Beijing and eventually to Tbilisi, Georgia.
The BI referred the case to the InterAgency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) for assistance and further investigation, in line with anti-trafficking protocols.
BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said traffickers are exploiting illegal surrogacy arrangements to target vulnerable individuals.
“Our officers remain vigilant in detecting suspicious departures linked to trafficking,” Viado said, noting continued coordination with partner agencies to safeguard Filipino travelers and pursue those behind such schemes.
During questioning, the passenger disclosed that she had been recruited through Facebook Messenger by a female contact who promised a payment of ₱490,000 following childbirth. Authorities said documents presented by the passenger included correspondence from a Georgian-German surrogacy facility indicating she would undergo advanced in vitro fertilization procedures.
PEDAL FOR RIVERS. Around 200 participants join Pedal for Rivers 5
to mark the 42nd Cordillera Day. The activity honors Macli-ing Dulag and other Cordillera heroes, highlighting ongoing e orts to protect ancestral lands and the environment. Edd Castro
61k local violations in 5 days — PNP
IN BRIEF
Firearms handed over in gun-free drive in Sulu
THE campaign for Rido-Free, Gun-Free, and Peace-Centered Communities (RFGFPCC) in Sulu gained momentum after five firearms were voluntarily handed over in coordinated activities from April 8 to 11, 2026. The 1102nd Infantry Brigade of the 11th Infantry “Alakdan” Division said the handovers were facilitated through close coordination among Army units, the Philippine National Police, and local government units, highlighting growing community trust.
Lt. Col. Ronald Borras, commander of the 21st Infantry Battalion, said two firearms, a 40mm M79 grenade launcher and an Armscor caliber .38 revolver, were surrendered in Barangay Tubig Jatih, Panamao, on April 8. Two more firearms, a shotgun and a caliber .45 pistol, were turned over in separate barangays the following day. Meanwhile, troops of the 104th Infantry Battalion facilitated the handover of a caliber .30 M1 Garand rifle in Barangay Saimbangon, Pata, on April 11, with the firearm presented by the barangay chairman. Vince Lopez
AFP chief emphasizes ASEAN unity at confab
ARMED Forces of the Philippines (AFP)
Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. participated in the Maritime Security Symposium 2026 on April 10 under the theme “Maritime Security in Southeast Asia: Navigating Continuity and Change Through ASEAN.” Brawner emphasized the importance of unity among Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) members in addressing evolving maritime challenges and maintaining regional stability.
“ASEAN has always drawn its strength from unity of purpose. That unity must continue to guide us not only in preserving what we have built — but in shaping what comes next,” Brawner said. He also highlighted the symposium as a platform for collaboration and collective action among regional partners to ensure a stable maritime environment. Vince Lopez
Inatata Festival focuses on unity, cultural pride
SANTO TOMAS, Isabela — The Inatata Festival concluded its five-day run from March 15 to 19, 2026, celebrating unity, culture, and community pride in this progressive town. Mayor Leandro Antonio “LA” Talaue described the festival as a testament to the strength and unity of the Tomasino community, emphasizing teamwork and cooperation in building a prosperous future.
Vice Mayor Antonio Talaue echoed the sentiment, saying the festival symbolizes the town’s deep love and strong bond among residents.
The celebration opened with a Thanksgiving Mass and the Inatata Run led by SK Federation President Ma. Caryl Angela Talaue, followed by community activities promoting wellness and camaraderie.
Festival highlights included mural painting, a Kasalang Bayan for 63 couples, street dancing, float parade, and the “Makan ken Mainum” inatata-making competition, where 20 groups showcased traditional and innovative dishes. Jessica M. Bacud
NBI nabs 22 in e-sabong in Agusan del Norte
By Joel E. Zurbano
GOVERNMENT agents arrested 22 individuals involved in the operation of illegal online cockfighting, commonly known as e-sabong, in Agusan del Norte.
The operation initiated by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)–Caraga Office was prompted by information regarding an alleged e-sabong operation scheduled for various dates in April, specifically at a cockpit arena in Tubay.
In response to the intelligence report on the illegal gambling activities, the NBI initiated prompt surveillance and verification operations, which confirmed the authenticity of the informa-
tion received.
The investigation revealed that the target venue, known for hosting cockfighting events, routinely conducted such activities on Mondays and Tuesdays. An analysis of social media accounts associated with the venue further substantiated the allegations of illegal gambling.
On April 6, the NBI, in collaboration with the local police, executed an entrapment operation at the cockpit arena, leading to the dismantling of the illicit gambling establishment and the arrest of 22 individuals.
Those arrested included key personnel such as the cockpit operator, supervisor, system provider manager, game
BI arrests two Japanese wanted for fraud
By Joel E. Zurbano
THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Saturday reported the arrest of two Japanese nationals wanted for fraud during a recent operation in Lian, Batangas.
Agents of the BI’s Fugitive Search Unit apprehended Takahashi Yuta, 45, and Sugita Yuki, 39, in Sitio Ilaya, Barangay Matabungkay, on Wednesday afternoon.
According to the BI, the arrests stemmed from a request made by Japanese authorities, who reported that both individuals are subjects of arrest warrants issued by the Omiya Summary Court in 2024 for fraud under Japan’s penal code.
The foreign nationals entered the Philippines on Jan. 4, 2024 as temporary visitors but have since overstayed, with their authorized stay lapsing in August and November of that year.
The two were also flagged in the BI’s system as undesirable aliens and fugitives from justice.
The operation was conducted in coordination with Japanese authorities, the Philippine National Police–Intelligence Group, and the Regional Intelligence Division of the Calabarzon regional police.
Both will remain at the BI Warden’s Facility while facing deportation proceedings.
master, announcer, sweeper, gaffer, kristo, largador, handler, several bet takers, and two bettors. The operation also resulted in the confiscation of various gambling tools and bet money, which will serve as crucial evidence for the prosecution of those arrested, further underscoring the NBI’s commitment to combat illegal gambling activities in the region.
The arrested individuals were brought to the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office of Agusan del Norte for inquest proceedings, facing charges related to the Cockfighting Law and the Cybercrime Prevention Act. An information was later filed against the accused in the Municipal Trial Court in Tubay.
By Vince Lopez
The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Sunday reported sustained gains in the initial implementation of the Safer Metro Manila Plan, with a total of 61,549 cases addressed from April 6 to April 11 as police units intensified visibility operations in coordination with local government units (LGUs) and barangay officials across the National Capital Region.
Most cases involved drinking and smoking in public places, with 18,904 incidents, followed by roaming without shirts at 5,894, minors violating curfew hours at 5,232, and karaoke beyond allowed hours at 1,276, while other ordinance violations accounted for 30,243 cases. In terms of case disposition, 39,205 individuals were warned or released, 21,317 were fined, and 1,027 cases were filed in court, reflecting a combination of strict enforcement and on-the-spot discretion depending on circumstances.
On April 11 alone, a total of 8,256 violators were recorded across Metro Manila. The Southern Police District (SPD) logged 2,041, followed by the Northern Police District (NPD) with 2,155, the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) with 1,602, the Eastern Police District (EPD) with 1,189, and the Manila Police District (MPD) with 1,269. For violations during the same day, cases were led by drinking and smoking in public places with 2,290, followed by roaming without shirts at 526, minors violating curfew hours at 586, and karaoke beyond allowed hours at 70, while other ordinance violations reached 4,784. For case disposition on April 11, a total of 3,800 individuals were fined, 145 were charged, and 4,311 were warned or released.
PNP Chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the results highlight the importance of sustained police visibility and close coordination with communities and local government units. “It is clear that when police presence is continuous and coordination with LGUs and barangays is good, the situation in the community improves,” he said.
Gokongwei foundation backs young innovators
THE Gokongwei Brothers Foundation Inc. (GBF) reaffirmed its commitment to science education as it supported the recently concluded National Science and Technology Fair (NSTF), held in partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd) from March 10 to 13 at the Great Eastern Hotel in Quezon City. Since 2018, GBF has worked alongside DepEd to strengthen
the courage to keep going despite challenges,” said Grace Colet, executive director of GBF, in her opening message to delegates, drawing inspiration from the legacy of John Gokongwei Jr. “The ideas these young scientists are developing today have the potential to create meaningful solutions for their communities and help shape the future of our country.”
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WOMEN POWER. Female trainees of the Philippine Coast Guard’s Coast Guard Non-Officers’ Course Class 121-2026, composed of 243 participants, convene at the Coast Guard Regional Training Center in La Union on April 10, 2026. Coast Guard Education, Training and Doctrine Command Deputy Commander Commodore Glenda Pereyra led the event and reminded trainees that duty comes first despite personal sacrifices.
YOUNG SCIENTISTS. GBF Young Scientist awardees from Quezon City Science High School are recognized during the National Science and Technology Fair supported by the Gokongwei Brothers Foundation Inc. in partnership with the Department of Education at the Great Eastern Hotel.
INATATA FESTIVAL. Traditional dishes are displayed during the Inatata Festival in Santo Tomas, Isabela. Vice Mayor Antonio Talaue says the celebration highlights unity, culture, and community pride among Tomasinos.
OPINION
Yorme’s malasakit
IT WAS a populist move. But in times like these, even free market economists concede that what Isko Moreno Domagoso of Manila did with his Libreng Sakay program was a right move.
It was not flat-out “ayuda,” that shotgun prescription of the national government for all sorts of calamities, real or politically contrived.
It was targeted, and it served an urgent need of the working class who use public transport, at a time when public utility drivers and operators could not cope with weekly increases in the price of fuel.
Was it sustainable? No, not if it would come entirely from LGU coffers, which in the case of Manila, were depleted in the previous three years, leaving Yorme with a mountain of liabilities.
But it was a shining example of what “malasakit” truly means --- that a government must act to immediately ease the negative impact of what hopefully would be a short-term problem.
Hungry stomachs cannot wait. People whose lives depend on day-to-day marginal incomes have no fallback other than government.
Quezon, Pasig, Taguig, Makati and other cities have far greater wherewithal relative to the populations they serve than the city of Manila. Quezon City has some 15 billion in savings, Makati has 10 billion, and Pasig, even more, reserved for its 9 billion “smart” City Hall (now definitely more expensive), which will rival the Senate’s 32 billion and still unfinished “iconic” headquarters.
Yet in the National Capital Region, only Manila responded to instant crisis with immediate response, creatively at that.
But last Friday, Malacanang announced a raft of measures which included their version of Isko Moreno’s service contracting template. Thank heavens for the national government’s tender mercies.
Manila’s “bilis kilos” crisis response may be over. Its government cannot squeeze blood from stone, but it showed the way for both LGU’s and the national government to put even scarce money where their mouths (and allegedly bleeding hearts) are.
“Maitawid man lang sa hirap ang mga utaw (tao)”, Isko Moreno keeps saying. After all, the national government is collecting billions upon billions from the incremental VAT revenues they are raking in, as explained in our previous columns.
Right after the Middle East conflict broke out, Moreno contracted a thousand and more jeepneys for 3, then 3.5, then finally 4 thousand pesos per day. Those amounts, increased as pump prices went up by the week, gave jeepney operators and drivers assured incomes while making public transport in the city available and free.
Now let us juxtapose Yorme’s “pantawid-buhay” to our previous columns regarding the VAT on consumption, just to give flesh to the numbers.
My friend and former MECO administrator Gerry de Belen who previously worked for math-adept Ping Lacson did the numbers:
“Philippines consumes 960 million liters of diesel per month and 690 million liters of gasoline. On diesel alone, about 10.4 billion pesos constitutes the monthly additional revenue from VAT”.
“If Yorme’s experiment cost an average of 3.5 million, served more than a million passengers, what would 10.4 billion a month amount to?”
We can alleviate the public suffering, if only our leaders do not steal so much
“2,972 days”! And that’s diesel alone. Meanwhile, PBbM’s UPLIFT has come up with so many complicated band-aid formulae to help the public transport sector, while our legislators are still conducting hearings “in aid of legislation” when the easier “Gordian Knot” solution stares them in the face, as banker-economist Macasaet and businessman Toby Tiangco, their own colleagues, have been saying all along.
Egay Erice of Kalookan, has a proposal that can shore up our revenues, and it makes perfect sense. Assuming his information from leaders in the federation of Chinoy businessmen are right, Erice proposes a one-shot instant naturalization of those who have been doing business here for decades yet have “illegal” status.
At 5 million each, 20,000 such illegals doing business all over the country would amount to one trillion pesos in additional revenues, Egay computes.
These “illegals” doing legitimate business in the country who may even have Filipino partners and offspring by now, would pay legal money rather than be perennially fleeced by “bwisit” agents of the law.
Stop likewise the hate syndrome against China and the Chinese, simply because we trust America with its insane, war-mongering leaders.
Now to drive home our point further:
In Japan, as I write, diesel at the pump goes for 150 yen per liter, or 59 pesos.
They do not impose taxes on oil, which is a basic commodity.
In Taiwan, diesel at the pump costs 58.80 in Philippine pesos.
Both countries produce neither oil nor gas.
I am not suggesting that poor Philippines should likewise not tax oil products like rich Japan and Taiwan, but surely, we can alleviate the public suffering, if only our leaders do not steal so much, and have some true “malasakit.”
One wrong digit: The responsibility behind every tap
A RECENT viral post about a “wrong send” transaction has struck a nerve among e-payment users. The reaction is understandable.
No one wants to lose money over a simple mistake, especially in a system designed to be fast, convenient, and trusted. The online discussion that followed reflects a familiar consumer anxiety: that one mistaken transfer can quickly become a stressful and confusing ordeal. It also reveals a gap in understanding how digital transactions actually work. To be fair, in the case that sparked the conversation, the issue was acknowledged on the same day and resolved within the week through standard verification and coordination procedures. I’ve made the same mistake myself— entering one wrong digit that led to a valid but incorrect account.
In my haste, I skipped checking the masked name and confirmed the transfer. It was only when the intended recipient said they hadn’t received the payment that I realized the error. I corrected it immediately, this time verifying both number and name. This experience underscores a key point: wrong-send transactions are not
system errors. They are user-authorized transactions.
In digital transactions, one wrong digit either make the transaction invalid or in the “wrong send” case, point to a completely different account. That is why platforms require confirmation prompts and verification steps. These safeguards are there to prevent these human errors. This is where responsibility comes in.
The most effective protection is not after the mistake—it is before it happens
The speed of digital transactions removes the check points in manual payments that helped prevent errors. Consumers must adopt a “defensive” mindset: double-check, even triplecheck, before pressing send. In a system that executes at the speed of light, vigilance is the first line of protection. Still, when mistakes happen, consum-
AEDITORIAL
EDITORIAL
Shirtless men
T THIS time of great hardship and uncertainty, with the Middle East war endangering the safety and job security of our people, and with sharp rises in fuel prices driving the cost of everything else, the Philippine National Police thought it of monumental urgency to implement its Safer Cities Initiative in high-density and high-risk areas.
According to a press release, the initiative focuses on “addressing common ordinance violations through coordinated enforcement with local government units and barangays, reinforcing discipline and community order.”
The PNP reported that for the latest period, some 9,810 individuals had been rounded up for violations of ordinances across Metro Manila. For the latest period, 5,708 were warned and later released, 4,011 were fined, and 91 were charged.
Meanwhile, some 53,293 violators have been recorded since the initiative’s implementation on April 6.
Some of the offenses: drinking and smoking in public places, roaming without shirts, violating curfews for minors, and using karaoke beyond the allowed time.
But even if we assume that the PNP
means well in identifying these violators, we cannot shake off the feeling that these latest moves reek too much of Duterte-era apprehensions during the pandemic.
—“—
The Safer Cities Initiative reeks too much of pandemicera restrictions
We remember well what those dark days were like, especially for those who, because of their appearance and the communities they lived in, were more vulnerable to presumptions of wrongdoing or ill intent. Specifically, there is a lot to be said about apprehending shirtless men.
Sure, some people will find shirtlessness offensive. It could be seen as impolite, inappropriate in most occasions, even indicative of lack of discipline.
But is there anything inherently wrong with not donning a shirt, especially when performing manual labor, living in cramped quarters, or surviving scorching weather without access to air conditioning devices?
The figures are not something to crow about. Peace and order is more than ensuring that people stay indoors, or stay quiet, or are properly clothed. In case it escapes our authorities, far greater crimes have been committed by men and women impeccably dressed. They still are being committed by the sartorially endowed, who most likely go around in expensive vehicles with fuel paid for by taxpayers’ money.
We do not differ with the police when they say that our cities need to be safe. But tagging certain groups of people as likelier to commit crimes than others does not bode well for a nation still grappling with human rights issues, the selective implementation of laws, and the glaring inequality between the haves-and the have-nots.
‘Stop hiring humans’? Silicon Valley confronts AI job panic
SAN FRANCISCO – AI industry insiders want workers to code smarter, think harder and lean into their humanity -but still dodge the question of how many jobs artificial intelligence will destroy.
The reassurance rang out across HumanX, a four-day conference drawing some 6,500 investors, entrepreneurs and tech executives, even as a blunt advertisement at the entrance set the tone: “Stop hiring humans.”
On the main stage, May Habib, chief executive of an AI platform called Writer, told the audience that Fortune 500 bosses are having a “collective panic attack” on the subject.
The anxiety is well-founded. More and more companies are directly citing AI in announcing job cuts.
High-profile examples are on the rise: Salesforce laid off 4,000 customer support workers, saying AI now handles 50 percent of its work.
Block chief Jack Dorsey announced plans to cut the company’s headcount nearly in half, citing “intelligence tools” that have fundamentally changed how companies operate.
Not all claims have gone uncontested -- some economists say firms are pointing to AI to rationalize layoffs that are really about past overhiring or costcutting ahead of massive infrastructure investments.
OpenAI’s Sam Altman has spoken of “AI-washing,” and most speakers at the San Francisco event similarly dismissed the invocation of AI as a false pretext for job cuts -- even as they freely predicted disruption was just around the corner.
AI is going to “transform every single company, every single job, every single way that we do work,” said Matt Garman, chief executive of cloud computing giant Amazon Web Services.
ers are not without recourse.
Article 2154 of the Civil Code explains the principle of solutio indebiti: if something is received by mistake, the obligation to return it arises. In simple terms, anyone who receives money not meant for them is legally required to return it.
At the same time, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas requires banks and e-wallet providers to maintain effective customer redress mechanisms.
These ensure that complaints are handled fairly, consistently, and with proper verification. There are established pathways for consumers to report and seek assistance in wrong-send cases.
In practice, recovery follows a structured process.
The sender should first attempt to contact the recipient. If that fails, the transaction must be reported immediately through e-payment platform’s customer support. The financial institution will then verify the details and coordinate with the receiving party.
If the recipient refuses to return the funds, the matter may be escalated through formal complaints, including law enforcement if necessary.
‘Pretty unsettling’
The debate remains heated. Two years ago, Nvidia chief Jensen Huang declared that the ultimate goal was to make it so “nobody has to program” or code.
“We will look back on that as some of the worst career advice ever given,” Andrew Ng, founder of training platform DeepLearning.AI, shot back on Tuesday. In his view, coding is not an obsolete skill -- AI has simply made it available to more people.
Another argument has taken hold in Silicon Valley: interpersonal skills will become more valuable than ever, with some voices going so far as to tout a humanities education as sound tech career preparation.
The anxiety is wellfounded. More and more companies are directly citing AI in announcing job cuts
“As AI can do more of a job, the things that will distinguish and differentiate a given employee are going to be the human skills -- critical thinking, communication, teamwork,” said Greg Hart, chief executive of training platform Coursera, which has seen enrollment in its critical thinking courses triple over the past year.
Florian Douetteau, chief executive of Dataiku, a French company specializing in enterprise AI, agreed. The real human added value, he told
This process is not instant, and will vary from case to case. Resolution depends on several factors: whether the funds are still in the account, whether they have been withdrawn or transferred, and most of all, whether the recipient cooperates. In some cases, delays are not due to inaction, but to the need to verify identities, secure consent, and ensure that the correct parties are involved before any movement of funds is attempted. It is also important to correct a misconception. E-wallets do not charge fees for requesting assistance in reversing a wrong-send transaction. The challenge is not cost, but the need for proper verification and coordination to protect all parties. Fairness cannot be compromised for speed. A system without due process would risk abuse and create new disputes. While financial institutions continue to improve systems and support channels, consumer awareness remains critical. Understanding the obligation to return mistakenly received funds can help reduce delays and discourage non-
AFP, is the “capacity for judgment.” He described a world in which an AI agent works through the night, its human counterpart reviews the results in the morning, and then the agent resumes working autonomously during the lunch break.
But the entrepreneur nevertheless expressed unease.
“We are going to have a generation of people who will never have written anything from start to finish in their entire lives,” he said. “That’s pretty unsettling.”
‘Mistake was not preparing’ All of this advice risks ringing hollow for a generation already struggling to land a first job.
AI has automated entry-level tasks that once served as on-the-job training. Hiring of candidates with less than one year of experience fell 50 percent between 2019 and 2024 among America’s major tech companies, according to a study by investment fund SignalFire.
“We should be preparing for the loss of knowledge work jobs in a number of categories,” warned former US vice president Al Gore.
As the week’s lone genuinely dissenting voice, Gore called for a real action plan to map threatened jobs and prepare workers for career transitions, so as not to repeat the mistakes of the globalization era.
“The mistake was not globalization. The mistake was in not preparing for the consequences of globalization,” he said, drawing a parallel with the deindustrialization that followed the offshoring wave of the 2000s.
“Maybe we don’t want to talk about it,” he added, “because it may slow down the enthusiasm for the technology.” AFP
cooperation.
More importantly, many of these situations are preventable. Simple habits— verifying recipient details, using QR codes, or sending a small test amount— can make a significant difference. E-payment technologies have empowered a more inclusive and borderless ecosystem of opportunities in the expanding global digital economy, but it has also changed the nature of responsibility. In the past, errors could be caught and corrected before money moved. Today, transactions happen instantly, and mistakes carry immediate consequences. That is why protection in the digital space is not just about systems or regulations. It is also about behavior. The safeguards are already there. The legal remedies exist. But they only work as intended when users engage with them carefully and responsibly. Because in the end, the most effective protection is not after the mistake—it is before it happens.
A final note. If you suddenly receive an unexpected amount of money, expect a call soon and be kind enough to rectify an unfortunate mistake as soon as possible.
IN BRIEF
WASHINGTON, DC – Democrats are growing bullish about a possible “blue wave” in November’s US midterm elections, buoyed by eye-catching local votes that suggest a backlash against President Donald Trump may be spreading beyond the party’s usual strongholds.
From a staunchly conservative congressional district in Georgia to a mayoral contest in Wisconsin and state legislative races across the South, Democrats have consistently beaten recent benchmarks -often by double digits.
Analysts caution that special elections and off year contests are imperfect predictors, yet the breadth and consistency of the swings have sharpened Republican anxieties and revived memories of the 2006 and 2018 wave elections.
“It certainly looks like a blue wave is not only possible, but probable. Democrats continue to overperform and expand their margins,” said political analyst Andrew Koneschusky, a former Democratic Senate aide. AFP
war!’
VATICAN CITY – Pope Leo lashed out against warmongers on Saturday while calling on billions of people around the globe to embrace peace and “believe once again in love, moderation and good politics”. In one of his most passionate entreaties yet to end the raging conflict in the Middle East, the American pope said faith was needed “in order to face this dramatic hour in history together.”
“Enough of the idolatry of self and money! Enough of the display of power! Enough of war! True strength is shown in serving life,” Pope Leo implored in an address during a prayer vigil for peace at St Peter’s Basilica.
Uttered in measured tones, as is customary for the soft-spoken head of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics, the comments by the 70-year-old Leo nevertheless marked some of the most pointed criticism yet of the wave of conflicts inflaming the globe.
“Dear brothers and sisters, there are certainly binding responsibilities that fall to the leaders of nations. To them we cry out: Stop! It is time for peace! Sit at the table of dialogue and mediation, not at the table where rearmament is planned and deadly actions are decided!” AFP
LONDON – Police in London said they had arrested more than 500 pro-Palestinian protesters at a demonstration in support of the banned group Palestine Action on Saturday.
Officers carried away activists to cheers and clapping from other demonstrators who gathered for the sit-down demonstration in the capital’s Trafalgar Square.
The protesters held placards in support of the banned group Palestine Action, making them liable for arrest.
London’s Metropolitan Police said on social media platform X just before midnight that they had arrested 523 people aged between 18 and 87.
Palestine Action was proscribed as a terrorist organisation in July, making it a criminal offence to belong to or support the group, punishable by up to 14 years in prison.
The High Court in London upheld a challenge to the ban in mid-February, saying it had interfered with the right to freedom of speech.
The government has been granted leave to appeal against the decision.
London’s Metropolitan Police paused arrests in the wake of the High Court ruling before announcing in late March that they would resume. AFP
China says to boost Taiwan exchanges as Cheng ends visit
BEIJING – China will implement a series of measures to enhance exchanges with Taiwan, Beijing said on Sunday on the final day of a rare visit by an opposition party delegation from the self-ruled island.
Kuomintang (KMT) chairwoman Cheng Li-wun is the party’s first leader to visit China in a decade, although she has faced criticism in
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Beijing released a list of 10 measures to “promote the peaceful development of cross-strait relations and enhance the well-being of compatriots”, state news agency Xinhua said, hours before Cheng’s scheduled return to Taipei on Sunday afternoon. Among the policies authorised by Beijing’s Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) is an effort to “promote the resumption of the pilot programme for individual travel” to Taiwan’s main island for residents of Shanghai and Fujian province, Xinhua said. In a potential further boost
Artemis 4 crewmen urge unity on‘lifeboat’ Earth after lunar flyby
HOUSTON – Artemis II astronauts expressed awe on Saturday (Sunday, Manila time) over their rec-ord-setting lunar flyby mission, urging unity on Earth after witnessing the planet’s isolation like a “lifeboat” in space.
The crew spoke at a news conference as NASA took a victory lap following the success of the mission. The astronauts did the first slingshot around the Moon in more than 50 years and traveled deeper into space than any humans before -- culminating in a smooth splashdown Friday off the coast of Cal-ifornia.
Flanked on stage by mission commander Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover and Jeremy Hansen, astronaut Christina Koch called for people on Earth to embrace their
shared humanity.
“What struck me wasn’t necessarily just Earth, it was all the blackness around it. Earth was just this lifeboat hanging undisturbingly in the universe,” said Koch.
“There’s one new thing I know and that is: Planet Earth -- you are a crew.”
Hansen called on fans of the Artemis mission to see themselves in the crew of four, who marked a series of milestones: Glover was the first person of color to fly around the Moon, Koch was the first
KHARKIV, Ukraine – Ukraine’s military command accused Russia of repeatedly violating a truce to mark the Orthodox Easter Saturday with nearly 470 incidents ranging from air strikes and drone attacks to shelling.
Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the ceasefire on Thursday, more than a week after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy first made the proposal.
Both sides had agreed to observe it.
The ceasefire had been due to last for 32 hours, from 4:00 pm on Saturday until the end of the day on Sunday, according to the Kremlin.
Yet by late Saturday, Ukraine’s military said in a Facebook post that “469 ceasefire violations were recorded, namely: 22 enemy assault actions, 153 shelling attacks, 19 strikes by attack drones... and 275 strikes by FPV drones.”
In total, the Ukrainian military said Saturday had seen Russia carry out 57 air strikes and drop 182 guided aerial bombs, along with deploying 3,928 drones and conducting 2,454 shelling attacks “on populated areas and positions of our troops”.
In Russia’s Kursk region, which borders Ukraine, Governor Alexander Khinshtein also accused Kyiv of breaking the truce by attacking a gas station in the town of Lgov with a drone, injuring three people, including a baby.
In his evening address on Saturday, Zelenskyy called for a longer ceasefire.
“We have put this proposal to Russia, and if Russia again chooses war instead of peace, this will once again demonstrate to the world, and to the United States, who really wants what.” AFP
woman, and Canadian Hansen the first non-American.
“I would suggest to you that when you look up here, you’re not looking at us. We are a mirror reflect-ing you,” Hansen said.
“And if you like what you see, then just look a little deeper. This is you.”
While hurtling through deep space and zipping around the Moon, the Artemis astronauts took thou-sands of photographs, amassing a stunning portfolio of images.
They also witnessed a solar eclipse along with extraordinary meteorite strikes on the lunar surface.
“Artemis II will always be remembered. It was the moment we all saw the moon again, where child-hood dreams became missions. You helped the world start believing again, and this is something no one’s ever going to forget,” NASA admin-
istrator Jared Isaacman said.
Artemis II was the inaugural crewed mission of NASA’s program aiming to install a sustained pres-ence on the Moon, including the eventual construction of a base that could be used for further exploration including to Mars. NASA is hoping it can put boots on the lunar surface as soon as 2028. Meanwhile, with Artemis II successfully completing its historic lunar mission on Friday, NASA is bank-ing on billionaires Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk for the next step: landing astronauts on the Moon. The Apollo program -- which sent the first and only humans to the Moon’s surface between 1969 and 1972 -- was designed so that only two astronauts could land on the lunar surface for a maximum of a few days. AFP
that of Orban. Both camps have made allegations of foreign interference during the campaign in the central European country of 9.5 million people. US Vice President JD Vance visited Budapest earlier this week to rally with Orban. Vance attacked the alleged interference in Hungary of “Brussels bureau-
crats,” and Trump has promised to bring US “economic might” to Hungary if the party of Orban, a “truly strong and powerful leader,” secures victory. Orban, 62, who is seeking a fifth straight term, has transformed his country into a model of illiberal democracy, following Trump in casting migration and “woke” values as a “civilizational” threat.
Former government insider Magyar, 45, burst into the scene just two years ago, amassing support against the backdrop of economic stagnation, despite an electoral system skewed in favor of Orban’s Fidesz party.
“This is a pivotal election. If Fidesz wins now, that will clearly mean... a shift towards authoritarianism,” Andrea Szabo, a senior research fellow at ELTE University’s Centre for Social Sciences, told AFP.
“This is the last moment in which this process can be halted, and the pendulum can swing back in a democratic direction,” she added. AFP
SERVICE ON WHEELS. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) rolls out its ‘Permitting on Wheels’ initiative designed to bring its services closer to its clients.
Quoting President Marcos, DENR Secretary Juan Miguel Cuna says ‘the government must reach the people, delivering visible action that brings real, measurable relief to our communities.’
Lawmakers mull replacing half of gov’t service fleet to e-vehicles
By Rio N. Araja
AHOUSE committee is looking at a proposal to replace half of the government’s service fleets to electric vehicles amid the worsening energy crisis to reduce expenses on fuel.
Marikina City Rep. Miro Quimbo, chairperson of the Committee on Ways and Means, said the suggestion was among the “quickest and most practical steps” the government can take to move away from petroleum-based transport, adding that the government itself must lead the transition.
The proposal emerged during the first hearing of the multi-committee Legislative Energy Action
Development Council formed under the direction of Speaker Faustino Dy III. Quimbo said the proposal forms part of a broader long-term strategy to make the economy more resilient against recurring oil price shocks.
“The objective of the mega-committee is to determine how we can insulate or make the economy more resilient if there is another oil price shock anew because we know that this
Nartatez underscores power of ‘unified law enforcement’
By Vince Lopez
THE Philippine National Police (PNP) on Sunday emphasized the power of unified law enforcement following back-to-back raids that yielded nearly P2 billion in smuggled and counterfeit products.
PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. commended the Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO-7) for the seizure of P1.1 billion worth of counterfeit cigarettes and equipment in Lapu-Lapu City, and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) for the confiscation of P700 million worth of imported perfumes in Valenzuela City recently. The twin operations were held in coordination with other government agencies such as the Bureau of Customs (BOC), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), among others.
“Our whole-of-government approach is very important. The PNP cannot do this alone. These operations are a testament to what we can achieve when we pool our intelligence and resources. Smugglers have no escape when our agencies are united,” the PNP chief said.
He said both operations were part of a wider campaign against smuggling and counterfeit distribution that affects government revenue and consumer safety.
He also noted that the success of the operations depended on shared intelligence and joint enforcement actions across agencies.
“I salute our personnel for their integrity and dedication. This success is proof of your faithful service to the nation. Keep up the good work. We will ensure that your efforts are recognized, but let this also be a reminder: we must not let our guard down. We must remain relentless in protecting our local industries,” Nartatez stressed.
would happen again,” he said.
While the Philippines is relatively insulated in power generation with only a small share relying on diesel, the transport sector remains heavily dependent on oil, he noted.
Quimbo stressed the need to accelerate the shift to non-petroleum energy sources, both in power generation and transport. He pointed out that the government must also put in place the right incentives to attract investments in emerging industries such as renewable energy, solar and battery production. He said the long-term measures are critical to protecting the economy and consumers from future fuel price shocks.
DENR’s ‘Permitting on Wheels’ brings services closer to clients
FILIPINOS managing small or me-
dium-scale businesses or projects no longer have to travel far — just to file their environmental requirements, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said in a press statement.
“Starting this week, it is the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) who will go out and bring their permitting services to cities and municipalities once a month to assist applicants,” the statement read.
“For years, securing environmental
permits and clearances meant that entrepreneurs, facility and project proponents had to take days off work and spend heavily on transportation to reach distant regional government offices. Often, incomplete requirements led to multiple costly trips back and forth,” according to DENR
Secretary Juan Miguel Cuna.
“President Bongbong Marcos Jr.’s directive is clear: the Government must reach the people, delivering visible action that brings real, measurable relief to our communities,” Cuna said.
“Today, instead of them going to the
DENR regional offices, the agency’s permitting services are going directly to the citizens, once a month, from one LGU to another,” he added.
Starting April 14 to 15, 2026, the DENR will simultaneously deploy its personnel and mobile hubs to priority sites nationwide, with the national launch to be held at the City of Manila, alongside local officials led by Mayor Isko Moreno.
Simultaneous rollouts of the DENR Permitting on Wheels will also be done in key cities and municipalities nationwide.
Libanan eyes new PNOC oil storage depots
THE national government’s annual earnings from the Malampaya Deep Water Gasto-Power Project could be utilized to enable the state-owned Philippine National Oil Co. (PNOC) to develop new critical coastal petroleum storage facilities, House Minority Leader Marcelino Libanan said on Sunday.
“Following the successful drilling of two new gas wells by the Malampaya consortium, we have very high hopes that the government will continue to generate billions of pesos in annual royalties from the project in the years ahead,” Libanan said.
“These royalties are intended for the government’s energy resource development projects and programs, so the funds can be tapped to support PNOC’s coastal fuel storage facilities,” he added.
Citing data from the Budget of Expenditures and Sources of Financing (BESF), Libanan noted that the government collected a total of ₱200 billion in Malampaya royalties from 2014 to 2024, averaging ₱18.2 billion annually.
The government has yet to report the royalties collected for 2025.
The government receives 60 percent of the net proceeds from the Malampaya project, which are reported in the BESF as “Malampaya royalties.”
Libanan earlier urged PNOC to invest in a strategic buffer stock of key petroleum products—mainly diesel, gasoline, and aviation fuel—to help shield the country from sudden global oil supply disruptions and price shocks.
He said the petroleum reserves could be stored in new coastal infrastructure to be established by PNOC, particularly in the Visayas and Mindanao, and released into the market during times of crisis or emergency.
“In addition to Malampaya royalties, Malacañang may allow PNOC to retain a larger portion of its annual net income so that it can fund the development of the coastal fuel storage facilities,” Libanan said.
IN BRIEF
Vida pledges to pursue people-centered justice
JUSTICE Secretary Fredderick Vida has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to delivering faster and more people-centered justice system as he addressed prosecutors from across the country during a national gathering. Speaking at the recent plenary session of the 35th National Convention of the Prosecutors League of the Philippines (PLP), Vida emphasized the Department of Justice’s push to strengthen public trust through more efficient and responsive legal services. The convention, held in Iloilo City, gathered around 1,300 prosecutors under the theme “Drumbeats of Justice: Building Bridges of Faith and Confidence in the Rule of Law.” Vida highlighted the growing ranks of the prosecution service, noting that the number of prosecutors has increased from 2,883 in July 2022 to 3,968 at present—an expansion he said reflects efforts to improve case handling and access to justice. Rex Espiritu
17 engineers complete Aboitiz training course
A SECOND batch of 17 engineers completed their basic operations and maintenance training course under the Global Technical Center of Excellence being spearheaded by the AboitizPower and Jera Co. Inc. The program aims to help bridge the gap between textbook and industrial reality, transitioning engineers from “steady-state” academic models to the “non-linear”, highresponsibility environment of actual power plant operations.
“In school, we solve for neatly defined conditions, but in the plant, the system is nonlinear,” valedictorian Nathalie Abdon said.
Personnel from the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) shall be onsite to guide and assist the entrepreneurs on permitting requirements for air quality management, chemicals management, environmental impact assessment and management, hazardous waste management, and water quality management. Entrepreneurs will also be able to file on the spot applications for a tree cutting permit, chainsaw permit to import, certificate of transshipment, wildlife importation permit or a wildlife local transport permit.
“I learned that I had to move from learning for understanding to learning with responsibility. Real-world decisions have real consequences, and that shift made me more intentional and accountables,” she added. Butch Gunio
De Lima seeks probe on mining in Aroroy
HOUSE Senior Deputy Minority Leader and Mamamayang Liberal (ML) party-list Rep. Leila de Lima has called for a legislative inquiry into the reported environmental, health, and livelihood risks, as well as possible regulatory and enforcement gaps related to the mining operations in Aroroy, Masbate. De Lima filed House Resolution (HR) No. 927 underscored the need to investigate the alleged environmental and social impacts of mining activities by Filminera Resources Corp., B2Gold, and Philippine Gold Processing and Refining Corp. (PGPRC), to determine accountability among government officials and corporations, strengthen existing policies, and protect the welfare of affected communities.
“While mining operations in the Municipality of Aroroy, Masbate have contributed to employment, skills development, and have maintained a recognized safety record, they have likewise been the subject of recurring complaints from residents, particularly regarding blasting incidents, noxious emissions, and damage to crops and structures,” the Resolution read.
FUN RUN. Runners in the three-kilometer and five-kilometer runs from Megadike in barangay Dampalit to the Hulong Duhat Oval wait for the starting signal, watched by Mayor Jeannie Sandoval and Philippine Red Cross-Malabon City chapter chairman Ricky Sandova, among others. Andrew Rabulan
MONDAY, APRIL 13, 2026
RIERA U. MALLARI, Editor
RANDY M. CALUAG, Asst. Editor
Eala takes on Fil-Canadian Fernandez in Stuttgart meet
FILIPINA tennis standout
Alexandra Eala is set to face another left-hander in the opening round of the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart.
Eala will take on FilipinoCanadian Leylah Fernandez in the first round on Monday, with the time of the match yet to be determined.
This meeting marks the first career showdown between Eala and Fernandez on the WTA Tour.
Fernandez currently holds the No. 25 spot in the WTA rankings, after reaching a career-high No. 13 in August 2022. She rose to global prominence with her runner-up finish at the US Open and has since captured five WTA titles, most recently at the Japan Women’s Open in October 2025.
Eala heads into the tournament following a round-of-16 loss to former Grand Slam champion Jeļena Ostapenko at the Linz Open.
Looking ahead, Eala could be on track for a rematch with Jasmine Paolini, and possibly a quarterfinal encounter with world No. 2 Elena Rybakina at the WTA 500 event in Germany.
Currently ranked No. 46, Eala last faced the No. 8 Paolini at the Dubai Tennis Championships in February, where she pulled off a stunning 6-1, 7-6(5) upset in the round of 32.
A rematch with Paolini could materialize if Eala overcomes Fernandez in their Monday roundof-32 clash and Paolini wins her own opener against a qualifier.
Should Eala get past Paolini again, she would advance to the quarterfinals for a potential first-ever meeting with Rybakina.
The top-seeded Kazakh, however, must first get through either Tamara Korpatsch or Diana Shnaider in the round of 16. Rybakina, the reigning Australian Open champion, received a first-round bye.
Lady Bulldogs nail Final 4 spot, eye spoiler role vs. Lady Spikers
DEFENDING champion
National University Lady Bulldogs booked the second Final Four ticket in the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Women’s Volleyball Tournament after a dominant 25-19, 25-14, 25-14 sweep of the University of the East Lady Warriors on Sunday at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
Riding a three-game winning streak, the Lady Bulldogs secured a postseason berth for the fifth straight season since Season 84 (2022)—a stretch that has already yielded three championships and one runner-up finish. The victory also cemented NU in solo second place with a 9-3 record, keeping them in position to potentially play spoiler against the De La Salle
University Lady Spikers, who are chasing an eliminationround sweep and an outright Finals berth. The two teams are set to collide on Sunday, April 19, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. NU likewise preserved a two-game cushion over joint third placers Adamson University Lady Falcons and the University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses, who both hold identical 7-5 records with two preliminary games remaining.
“We’re very grateful [and] thankful na we are here. Pinaghihirapan talaga namin lahat ng games. Hindi talaga sobrang dali ng lahat. ‘Yung hard work always pays off. Hopefully, it does not end just in the top four, hopefully, we get to be up there. We want that twice-tobeat advantage, and we want to play in the championship games,” NU head coach Regine Diego said.
The Lady Bulldogs brushed off a slow start in the third set, where the Lady Warriors briefly took an 11-9 advantage. Behind Sam Cantada, Vange Alinsug,
Panique, and Alexa
responded with a
run to pull away and put
in a 18-11
From there, NU stayed firmly in control, with two Panique points, a Keshia Famulagan attack error, and a game-winning block from Chamy Maaya on Sam Taylan, sealing the Lady Bulldogs’ sweep in just 84 minutes. NU raced to an early 13-4 lead in the second set and never looked back, with a Taylan net touch, a Lams Lamina block on Khy Cepada, and a Sam Cantada crosscourt hit building a commanding two-set advantage.
“For me, happy ako kasi nakuha na namin ‘yung Final Four, pero hindi pa ‘yon ‘yung goal namin. I think na pagttrabahuan pa talaga namin. Alam ko rin naman, especially ‘yung teammates ko, na hindi pa kami tapos sa goal namin mismo,” Alinsug said, who finished with 11 points on 10 attacks and one ace on top of 11 excellent receptions and three excellent digs.
Tamayo, Saban join hunt as JPGT Alta Vista unfolds
CEBU City—South Cotabato’s Brittany Tamayo and Jared Saban return to the Junior Philippine Golf Tour brimming with confidence as they lead the title chase in the 11-14 division of the ICTSI Alta Vista Junior PGT Championship, which begins Monday (April 13) at Alta Vista Golf and Country Club here.
Both reigning as dominant winners in last year’s series, Tamayo and Saban loom as immediate threats despite skipping the Mactan leg due to prior commitments. Their proven winning form, combined with experience honed in high-level competition, makes them players to watch as they launch their campaigns in the Visayas-Mindanao swing. But their return comes with a stern test.
The Alta Vista layout presents a markedly different challenge from last week’s venue in Mactan. Known for its tight fairways, hazardladen holes and small greens, the par-72 course demands precision, discipline and sharp course management – further complicated by the heat and unpredictable winds that could dictate scoring in the 36-hole tournament.
Tamayo, in particular, faces a stacked field in the
THERE is a dangerous comfort in being labeled as a fighter with potential. It flatters, it protects, and more often than not, it delays accountability. In combat sports, however, potential can quietly become a ceiling instead of a foundation. Hero Manguray has just been forced to confront that reality. At the iconic Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, last April 10, the 24-year-old from Davao City absorbed the first loss of his professional career, falling to Kota Abe via third-round knockout on the supporting card of ONE Friday Fights 150. It was a composed and calculated performance from Abe, who stayed patient, identified his moment, and capitalized with precision to score a rousing knockout victory in the third round.
For Manguray, it was a sobering end to what had been a pristine start.
girls’ 11-14 division. Mactan leg champion Marqaela Dy is determined to extend her winning run, while a deep roster that includes Zuri Bagaloyos, Margaux Espina, Anezka Golez, Aria Montelibano, Andrea Borromeo and Veneece Dumalaog is equally eager to challenge the returning standout.
Eliana Mendoza also seeks a stronger showing after placing eighth in her debut in the higher age category, following a dominant stint in the 7-10 division last season.
In the boys’ side, Saban braces for a fierce battle against a talented cast bannered by Miko Woo, Tobias Tiongko, Laurence Saban and Daven Dy, along with rising contenders Shaqeeq Tanog, Kvan Alburo and James Rolida.
Over in Luzon, the second leg of the JPGT series unfolds Tuesday (April 14) at the Summit Point Golf and Country Club in Lipa City, Batangas, drawing another strong field eager to gain early ground in the season-long race.
At stake in the JPGT regional series, organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc., are crucial ranking points, with each leg forming part of a
Manguray is now free from that constraint.
The eldest son of Filipino MMA pioneer Angelto Mangruay entered the bout undefeated and left the legendary venue with a 4-1 record. That single loss, while disappointing on the surface, may ultimately prove more valuable than all his previous victories combined. An unblemished record often creates an invisible pressure. Fighters begin to prioritize preservation over progression. They become careful instead of creative, measured instead of evolving. The fear of losing the zero can be more limiting than the loss itself.
This defeat provides clarity in a way that victories rarely do. It exposes the exact level he must reach and the specific areas that demand refinement. It reveals the consequences of small lapses in timing, defense, and decisionmaking under pressure. These are lessons that cannot be fully learned in comfortable wins.
This is why the moment matters. Potential is only meaningful if it is realized. Otherwise, it becomes a convenient label that delays growth. Manguray can no longer rely on the idea of what he might become. He must now take deliberate steps toward becoming it.
That process is neither easy nor immediate. It requires honesty, discipline, and the willingness to confront uncomfortable truths about one’s limitations. It requires a shift from expectation to execution.
This is where real fighters are formed.
The early phase of a career often
builds confidence, but adversity builds substance. Manguray now stands at that intersection. He can either remain attached to the narrative of promise or begin constructing a more durable identity rooted in experience and adaptation. The distinction will define his trajectory.
Andrew Bernstein once wrote, “A hero has faced it all. He need not be undefeated, but he must be undaunted.”
The quote captures the essence of what lies ahead for Manguray. He has now faced adversity. What matters is how he responds to it. If he embraces the lessons that come with this defeat, then this moment will not be remembered as a setback. It will be recognized as a necessary step forward, one that moves him beyond the safety of potential and into the demanding, unforgiving process of becoming a complete fighter.
(For comments or questions, reach the author at nissi.icasiano@gmail. com or visit his Facebook page at www.facebook.com/nissi.icasiano.)
KATHLYN Bugna returns to the court refreshed and more determined than ever, setting the stage for another dominant campaign as she headlines the girls’ division of the Verde Aces Juniors Age Group Tennis Championships in Bacolod City. Coming off a brief rest, the 15-yearold standout from Batang Onay Tennis Club in La Carlota is widely considered the player to beat in both the 16- and 18-and-under categories of the Philtasanctioned Group 2 tournament, which got underway over the weekend at the Verde Aces and NOTA courts.
Bugna’s confidence is riding high after a three-title sweep at the Gov. Edwin Jubahib juniors tournament in Davao del Norte last month. She also dominated this same event last year with twin victories, further solidifying her reputation as one of the brightest young stars in the circuit. But this year’s field promises a sterner test.
In the 16-and-U division, Bugna faces a deep roster of challengers, including Besper Zapatos, Isobel Alipo-on, Andrica Javellana, Mikaela Chavez, Janine Chua, Keona Arguelles, Arissa Macapendeg and sibling Kathyrine Bugna – all eager to derail her title bid. The competition toughens up in the premier 18-and-U class, where Tori Deocampo leads the contenders, alongside Zapatos, Saze Nillama and Alipo-on, in the five-day tournament, part of the nationwide talent-search backed by Palawan Pawnshop through president and CEO Bobby Castro.
On the boys’ side, Matthew Morris seeks to sustain his top form following a two-title sweep in his hometown of Dumaguete City. However, he braces for a tougher challenge from a formidable cast that includes Andrian Rodriguez, Rizzjun Labindao, Raza To-Ong, Ciaran Alipo-on, Kent Largavista, Tyronne Caro and Rafa Callao in the 16-and-U division.
NU’s Alexa Mata and Myrtle Escanlar foil UE’s Van Bangayan in a UAAP volleyball game won by the Lady Bulldogs.
Arah
Mata, NU
9-0
UE
hole.
In The Red Corner Nissi Icasiano
Hero Manguray’s necessary reckoning
six-stage circuit. The top four players in each division will earn spots on the North and South teams for the Elite Grand Finals set on Sept. 15-18, where the North squad will defend its title.
Brittany Tamayo
Q1 ecozone investments fell 22.8%
By Othel V. Campos
Ecozone investments in Q1 of 2026
P45.5 billion P58.94 billion 78
Ecozone investments in Q1 of 2025 Investment projects in Q1 of 2026
TANAUAN BUSINESS LEADERS. Lawyer Cristine Collantes (fourth from left), president of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) chapter in Tanauan City and vice president Marcial Goguanco Jr. (third from left) meet with First Philippine Industrial Park (FPIP) manager Dinno Datu (second from right) and other FPIP employees following the election of new PCCI officers. FPIP, through representative Ricky Carandang, was elected external vice president of the PCCI-Tanauan City Chapter during its first official meeting on March 26, 2026 at Tanauan City Hall. Carandang is vice president and head for marketing, external affairs and communications of FPIP. The PCCITanauan chapter serves as a platform for the private sector to engage with the local government on business concerns, local economic policies, and investment-related matters.
By Thony Rose Lesaca
THE Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) said it approved P45.525 billion in investments in the first quarter of 2026, down 22.8 percent from P58.94 billion it registered in the same period last year as global uncertainties slowed capital inflows.
Despite the P13.415-billion drop in total value, the agency reported robust activity with 78 new and expansion projects approved from January to March.
This represents an 18.18-percent increase from the 66 projects cleared in the first quarter of 2025.
The agency said the figures indicate a steady pipeline of investments at a more measured pace. While the total sits far below the P300-billion investment target for 2026, PEZA director-general Tereso Panga said the agency remains confident it will hit the goal.
“I’m still confident that we will be able to meet our targets for this year based on our current assessment,” Panga said.
He said global developments, including tensions in the Middle East, could influence investment decisions but are already being factored in by long-term investors.
Panga said PEZA continues to attract firms that plan ahead despite global risks, particularly those adjusting supply chains and production strategies.
The approved projects are expected to generate $10.865 billion in exports and create 8,496 direct jobs. This indicates a shift toward higher-value, export-oriented investments even as overall capital inflows slowed year on year.
Manufacturing accounted for the largest share of the activity with 30 projects. The agency also approved 16
ecozone developments, 11 IT-BPM projects, 10 facilities, six logistics, two tourism and one utilities project.
Most investments were concentrated in Luzon, which hosted 67 projects, while the Visayas and Mindanao accounted for nine and two projects respectively.
Ten big-ticket projects worth more than P36 billion drove a significant portion of the total investments, underscoring continued interest in large-scale ventures aligned with global supply chain requirements.
The board approved 26 projects amounting to P10.159 billion in March. While project volume remained steady year on year, investment value rose sharply monthon0month, indicating a shift toward more capital-intensive activities.
Four major projects accounted for P6.683 billion of the March approvals. These covered ecozone development in Naga, solar cell manufacturing in Batangas, aircraft maintenance in Pasay and facilities services in Cavite.
Region IV-A led in project count during the month, followed by the National Capital Region and Central Visayas.
issuances, Bureau of the Treasury data showed. Total borrowings rose from P339.55 billion in the same month last year as the state continued to prioritize local funding sources over foreign debt. Gross domestic borrowings climbed to P468.24 billion in February, more than triple the P140.8 billion recorded a year earlier. This also surpassed the P216.1 billion raised in January.
Data showed that of the local borrowings, the government raised P412.94 billion from fixed-rate Treasury bonds and P55.3 billion from Treasury bills. Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. chief economist Michael Ricafort said the sharp increase in domestic debt stemmed from a 10-year Treasury note issuance during the month.
Gross external borrowings fell to P10.52 billion in February from P198.75 billion a year ago and P192.13 billion in January. Foreign financing for the month consisted of P7.99 billion in project loans and P2.53 billion in program loans.
Ricafort attributed the drop in foreign debt to the frontloading of a global bond issuance in January.
“[This was] largely due to [the] frontloading of large NG borrowings, [including the] $2.75 billion global bonds in January 2026 and the P398 billion 10year Treasury notes in February 2026, despite narrower trade deficits as of February 2026 [versus] year ago levels,” Ricafort said. The government’s overall financing dropped to P97.05 billion from P335.84 billion a year earlier after accounting for heavy amortization payments. Debt repayments reached P378.51 billion for local borrowings and P3.2 billion for foreign debt.
BPO group supports 90% remote work
THE IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) welcomed the approval of expanded 90-percent work-fromhome flexibility for registered business enterprises under Fiscal Incentives Review Board (FIRB) Resolution No. 005-2026.
IBPAP originally proposed the measure to the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) to address rising fuel and transportation costs while supporting business continuity for the sector and its workforce. The group designed the proposal to ease commuting disruptions and protect employee productivity for workers relying on daily travel.
IBPAP president and chief executive Jack Madrid said the approval underscores the importance of coordination between the industry and government to address sectoral challenges.
“This reflects how strong industry-government collaboration can translate into practical solutions for the IT-BPM sector’s evolving operational needs,” Madrid said. The group said the expanded remote work arrangement provides immediate relief to companies and employees by easing cost pressures. The policy allows firms to remain agile and continue meeting global client requirements despite shifting operating conditions.
IBPAP commended PEZA for its responsiveness to industry recommendations and recognized the FIRB for the prompt approval. The association described the resolution as a timely policy response to operational challenges facing the industry. Othel V. Campos
5 firms join Semirara coal site visit
By Alena Mae S. Flores
FIVE companies visited Semirara Island on April 8 as part of the Philippine Conventional Energy Contracting Program for coal, according to the Department of Energy.
The participating firms included Limay Power Inc., Malita Power Inc., DESCO Inc., Sta. Clara International Corp. and San Miguel Global Power Holdings Corp., with Semirara Mining and Power Corp. serving as the host company.
SMPC is also participating in the bidding, which includes 10 coal blocks covering 10,000 hectares on Semirara Island in Caluya, Antique. In its advisory, the DOE said additional geotechnical and geohazard data for PDA-DP-01, or Semirara
Island, are now available to interested parties as part of the official data package. Access to the data is subject to DOE data access, confidentiality and data-sharing procedures.
The DOE also announced it will hold a second pre-submission conference April 15 for the predetermined areas for coal.
Attendees of the first pre-bid conference held March 19 included SMPC—the current contract holder of the Semirara coal blocks—and San Miguel Corp. units Sual Power Inc.
IN BRIEF
efficiency.Jenniffer B. Austria
PAL expands with new Palau, Saipan routes
PHILIPPINE Airlines has expanded its network to include Palau, a Pacific island nation in Micronesia known for its world-class marine attractions and dive sites. According to PAL president Stanley Ng, the new route bolsters Manila’s status as a pivotal regional transit hub and solidifies its reputation as a premier gateway for medical tourism.
“It also underscores PAL’s role as a reliable bridge connecting Pacific communities with the broader Asia-Pacific region,” Ng said. “Passengers will experience the flag carrier’s heartfelt service as they fly between two island destinations— the Philippines and Palau.”
Complementing the launch of the Manila-Palau flights is the resumption of the carrier’s Manila-Saipan service, re-establishing PAL’s presence in the Northern Mariana Islands.
The Manila-Palau and Manila-Saipan routes reinforce Manila’s status as a major gateway to the Pacific islands, providing vital connectivity to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Travelers on both Pacific routes will fly on Airbus A321ceo aircraft, configured with 12 business class and 187 economy class seats and equipped with wireless inflight entertainment. These routes further expand PAL’s cargo offering, positioning Manila as a key hub for shipments bound for the Pacific and beyond across the airline’s broader network. Darwin G. Amojelar
VinFast launches EV rental program for drivers
VINFAST has added a rental option to its electric vehicle access model for ridehailing and transport service drivers in Indonesia and the Philippines.
The program is designed to help drivers switch to electric vehicles, support the shift toward greener transport and reinforce VinFast’s commitment to reducing emissions across Southeast Asia.
“Expanding access to electric vehicles in Indonesia and the Philippines represents VinFast’s next logical step in advancing the green transition of the commercial transport sector,”
and San Miguel Global Power. Also present were GNPower Ltd. Co. and mining firm Vintage-21 Coal Mining Corp. Other attendees included Trans Pacific Energy Resources Inc., DAT Law Offices, TSR Law, Delta Earthmoving Inc., DESCO Inc. and PNOC Exploration Corp.
The coal auction round offers qualified companies the opportunity to undertake resource development through new coal operating contracts, or COCs, subject to legal, technical and financial evaluation.
“The government’s role is to ensure that any activity involving our energy resources is undertaken transparently, competitively, and with full accountability,” Energy Undersecretary Alessandro Sales said earlier. Sales added that proponents must demonstrate sound technical capability and a credible plan that prioritizes safety, envi-
ronmental protection and progressive rehabilitation. Under the bid round, the DOE is offering three PDAs comprising 18 coal blocks across three locations, covering a combined 18,000 hectares. Other PDAs include three coal blocks in Amulung and Iguig, Cagayan, covering 3,000 hectares, and five coal blocks in Benito Soliven, Naguilian and Cauayan, Isabela, covering 5,000 hectares. The DOE said the areas align with expiring or expired COCs. The Semirara blocks are currently covered by COC No. 5, held by SMPC, with a 50-year term set to expire in July 2027. The Isabela blocks, previously held by PNOC Exploration Corp. under COC No. 122, expired in December 2022. The Cagayan blocks, previously held by DM Wenceslao & Associates Inc. under COC Nos. 116 and 123, expired in June 2024.
IT HAS been a few years since the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) released its final recommendations in 2023. The TNFD was created to address the exclusion of biodiversity in corporate strategy, providing a framework for businesses to disclose nature-related dependencies, impacts, risks, and opportunities.
As of today, the TNFD consists of 40 senior executives from financial institutions, corporates, and market service providers that together hold a market capitalization of USD 2.3 trillion. Key sectors represented include extractives and minerals processing, agriculture, and infrastructure, among others.
The TNFD acts as a “sister framework” to the Taskforce on Climaterelated Financial Disclosures or TCFD. Together, the two frameworks aim to help businesses integrate biodiversity and climate issues into investment and financial decisions.
In the Philippines, some businesses have already begun piloting the TNFD recommendations. As of early 2025, adoption is at its early stages, led primarily by conglomerates and energy companies looking to align their disclosures with international standards.
It is worth noting that the Philippine economy immensely benefits from its rich natural resources. A 2024 technical brief from The Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN) states that more than 56% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product comes from sectors dependent on the flow of goods and services from nature (e.g., food, raw materials, water, and climate regulations).
This begs the question: While initial work has been done, in the long-term how ready are Philippine businesses to integrate biodiversity issues into their corporate strategy and financial decisions?
A 2021 study by the auditing company Sycip, Gorres, and Velayo showed
PH stocks may trade sideways this week on US-Iran talks
By Jenniffer B. Austria
THE Philippine stock market may trade sideways this week as investors await fresh cues from ongoing peace talks between the United States and Iran.
“Progressing negotiations and signs that a deal would be reached is expected to lift the market further,” Philstocks Financial Inc. research head Japhet Tantiangco said. “If the situation regresses, however, the market is expected to decline.”
In its report, FirstMetroSec said participants will also closely monitor the release of U.S. producer price index data on April 14, along with Philippine cash remittance data due April 15, to gauge the market’s next direction.
Over the near term, the market could remain range-bound, with the benchmark index expected to find support between 5,850 and 5,960.
The Philippine Stock Exchange index ended last week at 6,098.21, up 1.66 percent, as sentiment improved following easing geopolitical tensions and optimism over global economic conditions. Investor appetite was partly lifted by a temporary ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran, which helped temper concerns over surging oil prices.
“To continue its ascent, the market must scale the 6,180 and 6,270 ramparts that currently guard the path of higher ground,” FirstMetroSec said.
Average value turnover for the week dropped to P6.65 billion from the previous week’s average of P8.69 billion. Foreign investors remained net sellers with weekly outflows of P2.47 billion
—“—
The hope is that businesses start or continue disclosing their nature and climate-related risks based on existing standards and frameworks.
that while publicly listed companies have a high compliance rate with the Securities and Exchange Commission’s sustainability reporting guidelines, little disclosure was found on material topics such as nature and climate change risks. Despite the emergence of standards including the Philippine Financial Reporting Standards, sustainability reports still fall short of investors’ expectations on greater reliability and transparency when it comes to environmental issues.
For companies scrambling to figure out their environmental disclosures, some ‘low-hanging fruits’ had been identified, including Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ Circular No. 1128. Under the circular, banks are required to conduct environmental and social (E&S) due diligence on borrower companies and aim to develop a comprehensive E&S and creditworthiness profile of such companies. The E&S due diligence also includes third-party certifications and environmental permits, particularly for companies heavily involved in natural resource extraction. Such a circular is relevant not just from the perspective of banks, but also for companies that need to effectively disclose their E&S performance and thereby improve their creditworthiness.
Another low-hanging fruit is the use of existing asset geolocation data. According to TNFD, assessing nature-related risks would be easier for companies that are already familiar with climate risk assessment. Some local banks, for example, make use of HazardHunterPH, a “one-stop shop” for hazard assessment where institutions can identify locations prone to seismic, volcanic, or hydrometeorological hazards, as well as generate hazard assessment reports. Such platforms are starting points for creating E&S profiles of companies.
To implement low-hanging fruits such as these, training and capacity building
initiatives will be necessary to equip companies with the right knowledge and skillset to understand nature and climaterelated risks. It is worth mentioning that, based on several studies, the Philippines is one of the countries that are most vulnerable to environmental disasters, most especially climate change. Beyond just a business proposal, addressing these risks is already a matter of survival for a company’s operations. Today, however, sustainable action is still primarily siloed within sustainability departments or ESG committees, instead of being integrated into the overall corporate strategy. Due to this, we are essentially caught in a vicious storm: Time is running out fast, but at the same time, we still have a long way to go. As UN Secretary-General António Guterres said in March 2026, “The state of the global climate is in a state of emergency. Planet Earth is being pushed beyond its limits. Every key climate indicator is flashing red.”
The hope is that businesses start or continue disclosing their nature and climate-related risks based on existing standards and frameworks. Beyond just publishing a marketable sustainability report, it should be treated as part of an overarching sustainability agenda. At the end of the day, transparency can make or break a company’s sustainability commitments and actions.
Ian Benedict R. Mia is a parttime lecturer at the Department of Management and Organization of De La Salle University (DLSU). He works full-time as a Sustainability Researcher at one of the top ESG Ratings firms globally. He can be reached at ianbrmia@gmail.com.
The views expressed above are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official position of DLSU, its faculty, and its administrators.
BLOOD DRIVE. Employees from tenant companies at PNB Makati Center participate in the Lifesaver Blood Donation Drive on World Health Day, in partnership with the Philippine Red Cross. Now in its third year, the activity is part of the company’s broader health and wellness agenda, which includes initiatives for employees and the communities it serves.
REAL ESTATE
RHR eyes Indian market to drive inbound tourism growth
AS GLOBAL travel patterns continue to shift, Robinsons Hotels and Resorts (RHR) is stepping up efforts to position the Philippines as a key destination for Indian travelers, banking on improved connectivity and evolving market demand.
RHR, the hospitality arm of Robinsons Land Corp. is placing the Indian market as one of the key components of its international strategy for 2026, citing a mix of accessibility, opportunity, and changing traveler preferences.
“The potential is immense,” said Barun Jolly, senior vice president and business unit general manager of RHR. He pointed to recent developments such as daily direct flights and visa-free access, which have reduced travel barriers and made Manila a more viable option for Indian tourists.
At roughly a seven-hour journey, the Philippines is increasingly seen as an alternative destination for Indian travelers seeking new experiences. Indian travelers are curious and are constantly seeking vibrant destinations. The Philippines is a natural fit—we offer everything from the stunning white sand beaches to world-class diving and coral reefs to premium shopping across our 7,000 islands,” Jolly said.
To establish a foothold, RHR began engaging the Indian travel sector ahead of its regional peers. In 2025, the group mounted what it described as the first extensive sales blitz by a Philippine hotel group in India, connecting directly with travel wholesalers and MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions) operators.
The initiative focused on presenting the Philippines as a wellrounded destination, anchored on accessibility, service, and diversity of experiences. According to Jolly,
these early engagements are meant to build long-term partnerships and encourage group travel, events, and corporate bookings.
RHR’s portfolio—spanning 30 hotels across 20 locations— positions it to capture a wide range of travelers. Its properties are located in key destinations such as Metro Manila, Cebu, and Tagaytay, offering options from luxury to value-driven stays.
Part of the group’s approach involves tailoring its offerings to better suit Indian guests. Select properties, including Fili Hotel NUSTAR Cebu, Dusit Thani Mactan Cebu, and The Westin Manila, now have Indian culinary experts on board.
These chefs are leading training programs across the group’s portfolio, with plans to introduce Indian food festivals across Summit Hotels nationwide.
Beyond dining, RHR has also developed a dedicated Indian wedding package at Dusit Thani Mactan Cebu, designed to accommodate large, multi-day celebrations. Cultural sensitivity training has likewise been rolled out for frontline staff to better understand guest preferences and traditions.
“As Robinsons Hotels and Resorts continues to grow, this strategic pivot toward the Indian market remains a top priority,” Jolly said.
SM Prime transforms Susana Heights
Thoughtful upgrades aim to elevate everyday living
THE relaunch of Susana Heights by SM Prime Holdings Inc. (SMPH), coupled with broader transformation of the estate, has renewed interest in the long-established enclave in southern Metro Manila.
Susana Heights Village, now under the Signature Series line of SMPH, has seen strong buyer response since November 2025. Much of this interest is driven by its offering of lotonly properties ranging from 500 to 900 square meters—an increasingly limited option in suburban Metro Manila.
For many buyers, the strong interest lies in the opportunity to build within an existing, lowdensity community. Unlike newer developments that come with predesigned homes, these lots allow for more flexibility while still benefiting from an established neighborhood setting. The combination of space and location continues to resonate with families looking to move away from more congested areas without disconnecting from the city.
At the same time, the relaunch signals a renewed focus on upgrading the overall living environment. Planned enhancements are not only aimed at modernizing facilities but also at strengthening the sense of community that has long defined the village.
“We are seeing strong affirmation from buyers who recognize the value of entering at this stage,”
and head of Signature Series. “The fundamentals are already in place, and as the broader vision for the estate continues to take shape, buyers understand the long-term value of early participation.”
Community core
A key part of the transformation involves the enhancement of shared spaces within the village. The main clubhouse is scheduled for renovation, with new facilities set to be introduced, including covered tennis courts, an indoor airconditioned basketball court, a fitness gym, a social hall, and a chapel. These additions are designed to support both active and everyday lifestyles, providing residents with more options for recreation and social interaction within the community. The intent is to complement the village’s established character while updating its amenities to meet present-day needs.
Beyond the village, improvements are also underway across the 284-hectare Susana Heights estate.
Among the planned developments is an 8,000-square-meter neighborhood retail complex at the northern end of the property. Envisioned as a pedestrian-friendly area, it will bring
residents and visitors.
Early components of this retail hub are expected to roll out in phases, beginning with an anchor supermarket, a specialty restaurant, a café, and a multi-purpose park. Meanwhile, ongoing upgrades, such as new guardhouses along the five-kilometer Susana Avenue and enhanced landscaping, are already visible across the estate.
Long-term growth
Accessibility remains one of the estate’s key strengths. With direct links to major thoroughfares like the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) and the Muntinlupa-Cavite Expressway (MCX), residents can conveniently access business districts and commercial centers within and south of Metro Manila. Improvements to traffic circulation near the SLEX Susana interchange are also being implemented to further ease entry into the estate.
Further developments are being prepared within the estate by SM Residences through its Signature Series. Plans include a new residential community offering larger lots ranging from 700 to 1,100 square meters, with a lower density of about 6.5 lots per hectare. The upcoming development will also feature a five-kilometer greenway loop and country-clubstyle amenities, adding another layer to the estate’s residential offering. As these plans move forward, they are expected to support property values within Susana Heights Village and reinforce its appeal as a long-term
Affordable housing segment shows strength, lifting residential market
THE Philippine residential market is beginning to recover in 2026, with the strongest momentum coming from the affordable housing segment, particularly low middle-income units supported by government programs.
This segment, typically priced below P2.5 million, has emerged as the market’s bright spot, posting a sharp increase in sales in the first quarter based on data from Leechiu Property Consultants (LPC).
LPC director Roy Golez in a recent presentation said transactions have tripled year on year, signaling a surge in demand from end-users who are finally gaining access to homeownership.
Golez said turnaround could largely attributed to the government’s 4PH housing program, which is lowering the barriers to entry for Filipino
buyers. With down payments as low as P10,000, monthly amortizations comparable to rent, and subsidized interest rates, the program is unlocking a segment of demand that had long been constrained by affordability.
Unlike previous cycles driven by investors, the current recovery is being led by buyers purchasing homes for personal use.
Overall residential demand rose to around 7,700 units in the first quarter, up 19 percent from a year ago. Despite stronger demand, the market is still weighed down by a large inventory of unsold units.
About 81,000 condominium units remain on the market, equivalent to 31 months of supply, indicating a continued imbalance between supply and demand.
As inventory remains high, Golez said developers have kept new project
launches limited. Instead they are focusing on moving existing inventory by offering flexible payment terms such as rent-to-own schemes and extended down payment periods.
LPC said offering promos and flexible payment terms could be the norm over the next few years amid amid renewed economic uncertainty due to geopolitical tensions. It said rising fuel prices are driving up transportation, electricity, and food costs, will squeeze household budgets. The potential disruptions to overseas Filipino workers in the Middle East could affect remittance flows, which is a key source of housing demand.
These pressures could dampen buyer sentiment in the coming months, particularly for higher-priced properties.
MONDAY, APRIL 13, 2026
lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com
NICKIE WANG, Editor
ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer
JASPER VALDEZ, Writer
FVery Wang
Nickie Wang
EW genres carry the easy sway of bossa nova —a blend of jazz, samba, and soft rhythms that leans more into intimacy. In the Philippines, the sound has long found a steady following, often heard in late-night playlists and stripped-down live sets.
Over the years, one name has become closely associated with it: Sitti . From café circuits to mainstream airwaves, her recordings and live performances helped bring the genre into wider local consciousness, making her a familiar reference point whenever bossa nova enters the conversation.
Sitti is returning to the concert stage with a solo show tied to 20 years since the release of her debut album Café Bossa and the lasting popularity of her breakout song “Para Sa Akin.” “It really just feels like those 20 years went by so fast. But within that time, so much has happened—so much growth, so many experiences, and so many people I’ve met along the way. Even the song itself has evolved. It’s no longer just something you sing while courting some -
one,” Sitti told Manila Standard Entertainment in an interview.
T he concert, titled Sittiscape: The City of Bossa , is set for May 17 at the Newport Performing Arts Theater and is designed as an immersive experience built around the idea of a musical “city.”
The concept for the show came from Liza Diño-Seguerra, who proposed a “City of Bossa,” with different “streets” representing chapters of Sitti’s career and the evolution of her music. The concert is set to move beyond performance, with the singer opening up more personally to audiences.
“I’ll be baring more of my heart,” she noted, describing a deeper level of engagement for the show.“It’s the kind of show where you don’t just
Justin Bieber fans flood Coachella festival
“BELIEBERS” gathered Saturday ahead of pop star Justin Bieber’s return to major stages with a headlining set on day two of Coachella.
The “Sorry” singer is performing in Indio as the U.S. festival season begins. Bieber has not played a crowd this size since 2022, when he appeared at Rock in Rio before canceling his tour due to Ramsay Hunt syndrome, which can cause facial paralysis.
He has since returned gradually. In 2025, he released the album Swag and performed the single “Yukon” at the Grammys. A follow-up, Swag II, marked his eighth studio album. Though he has played smaller shows, Coachella is expected to signal a full-scale comeback.
“ We will be singing at the top of our lungs,” Bieber wrote on Instagram. Also performing
Sitti’s upcoming concert imagines her music as a place audiences can step into, with each segment reflecting a different point in her journey
Sitti in the city
‘Sittiscape’ sets stage
listen, you feel. We want audiences to leave with a sense of having been somewhere beautiful, even if just for one night.”
The production is led by Ice Seguerra as stage director, with Diño-Seguerra as creative director and Bobby Velasco handling musical direction.
Alongside the celebration, Sitti also addressed the growing presence of artificial intelligence in music, now widely visible across social media platforms. While acknowledging its utility, particularly for businesses needing quick, low-cost material, she drew a line between convenience and connection.
She believes songs shaped by genuine emotion continue to resonate more deeply, with human experience remaining central to meaningful music. AI-generated tracks may serve as light, accessible content, but her experiments revealed a lack of emotional connection.
“There’s a disconnect,” she added, noting that music rooted in real feeling still holds a distinct place.
Despite shifts in the industry, Sitti expressed gratitude for the lasting appeal of her early work and its continued connection with audiences.
Tickets for Sittiscape are available via TicketWorld, with tiers ranging from P1,500 to P6,500, including a meet-and-greet option.
Justin Bieber returns to one of music’s biggest stages, Coachella—the annual California event known for bringing together global superstars
winds.
Coachella runs this and next weekend with a similar lineup and is streamed on YouTube. AFP
Miguel Tanfelix takes on first solo hosting gig
ACTOR Miguel Tanfelix is set to make his first solo hosting appearance in Planet XP, a five-part magazine infotainment program premiering May 2 on GMA Network. The show is produced in partnership with the National Council for Children’s Television as part of the 2024 National Endowment Fund for Children’s Television. Planet XP draws its title from the gaming term “experience points,” reflecting the program’s focus on learning through exploration. Tanfelix travels across the Philippines, taking part in outdoor activities such as mountain climbing, sailing, and navigating harsh weather conditions while engaging with local communities.
Among those featured are the Dumagat community in Norzagaray, Bulacan; women weavers in Cavinti, Laguna; Ayta-Mag-Indi farmers in Floridablanca, Pampanga; mountaineers in San Jose, Tarlac; and grassroots windsurfers in Mabini, Batangas.
The program also introduces an animated character, Tammy Tamaraw, who guides viewers through stories about Philippine wildlife and environmental awareness.
Addison Rae, PinkPantheress, Taemin, and David Byrne The Strokes also returns after a hiatus.
The festival opened Friday with Sabrina Carpenter, Moby, and Devo , alongside appearances by
Lizzo and David Lee Roth . Ital -
ian DJ Anyma canceled due to strong
Miguel Tanfelix explores life beyond the city in a new travel-outdoor program ‘Planet XP’
Two decades after ‘Café Bossa,’ Sitti returns to the stage with a major solo concert that looks back on 20 years of her music
Mercury Rising
Bob Zozobrado
MY PREVIOUS
visit to the Netherlands
several decades ago was for a three-day airline training seminar in Amsterdam, and it did not give me enough time to go around the city, much less to the other parts of the country.
So, when this opportunity for a business trip to Utrecht and Den Haag (The Hague) came along, I couldn’t be happier.
Utrecht is the Netherlands’ fourthlargest city and is located in the heart of the country. It is a very popular destination for history and culture and is also known as a university city because it is home to Utrecht University, the largest in the Netherlands. It has two popular museums—the Museum Speelklok, where historical musical instruments are displayed, and the Museum Catharijneconvent, which holds valuable religious art.
A three-day Second Home Fair at Jaarbeurs brought me and my Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA) team to Utrecht. This yearly event attracts more than 35,000 moneyed and high-value Dutch citizens who are looking for a second home to invest in, with most of them already looking for their third…or fourth… or fifth…and so on.
Since the Expo attendees are mostly seniors who have the wherewithal to invest in their future, we thought it best to offer them retirement in the Philippines so that they, who are from a cold country, can enjoy the sunny and fun side of life.
The Jaarbeurs is a 29-year-old, 100,000-square-meter convention and exhibition center right in the heart of
Savoring a quick Dutch treat
the city. It is the main venue for large MICE events and even for music festivals. As there were 175 exhibitors from 25 countries in this year’s edition of the Second Home Fair, we made sure we would put up a very attractive booth that would immediately pique the interest of the event’s attendees. With the help of two interpreters, we did just that, with retirement visa applications in the offing coming from several dozen leads we got from the event.
The city’s main tourist attraction is very near the Expo site so, one day, after the Expo closed at 5 PM, we just walked towards it. The Dom Tower is a 112-meter structure, the tallest in the city, and is considered the symbol of Utrecht. It was part of St. Martin’s Cathedral, built in 1321, but was never finished for one reason or another.
Some parts of the church eventually collapsed due to natural calamities, but the part that remains still looks very beautiful from inside. The freestanding Dom Tower is believed to be at the exact site where the city of Utrecht began to develop about 2,000 years ago.
A few blocks away is the Conservatorium, a conservatory of music that is part of the Utrecht School of the Arts. This 151-yearold structure is one of the oldest professional musical education institutes in the Netherlands. Right beside it is the school’s Arts and Science Building, which used to be the concert hall for students of the Conservatorium and was built 30 years ahead of the Conservatorium as a hospital. Everything in this section of the city has so much history in it. Even the nearby water fountain
was built in 1844. To me, this is what makes any country in Europe a very interesting destination.
After our business at Utrecht’s Second Home Fair came to a close, we traveled to Den Haag, which we Filipinos know better as The Hague. The one-hour drive from Utrecht took us through beautiful countryside farms and even a wind turbine farm, which, from afar, looked like a modern version of Dutch windmills.
Chatting with our taxi driver the day before, I realized that not all locals are familiar with “The Hague.” He didn’t know where it was until I pointed out to him a roadside sign that said “Den Haag.” That’s when he realized which city I was talking about, and he pronounced it “Den Hakh,” with particular stress on the “H” sound at the end.
Our foray into Den Haag was for an official courtesy call on our Philippine Ambassador Jose Eduardo Malaya. The Ambassador and I, with my PRA team, had a very productive
By Jasper Valdez
TGI Friday’s is updating its all-day dining offer with new additions to its “All Yours All Day” menu, building on a format that lets diners mix and match a full meal at a fixed starting price.
Launched on April 8, the latest iteration, Season 4, keeps the P375 base offer, where guests can choose an appetizer, an entrée, and a drink in one set.
This time, the lineup leans on both familiar items and a few new inclusions. Among the starters are Sweet Potato Crisps, House Salad, and the newly introduced Rancho Tostada, alongside add-on options like Potato Croquette and Loaded Chicken Cheese Bites.
For mains, the selection ranges from Fiery Baked Rigatoni and 6 Spice Chicken to Crispy Pork Hock and Smokey Riblets, with some dishes available for an added cost.
The update also brings in a few items outside the standard set menu.
The brand’s Signature Burger is now served on a sizzling plate with queso fundido, shifting the presentation while keeping the core flavors intact. There is also a new line of Fizzy Pop drinks, sodas mixed with fruit flavors, that adds a lighter, sweeter option to the usual beverage choices.
The menu is designed to work across different times of day, whether it is a quick lunch, a mid-afternoon break, or a late-night meal. The mix-and-match format allows for smaller or heavier combinations, depending on the occasion.
For TGI Friday’s, the update keeps the structure familiar to its regular customers while adding enough variation to keep the experience from feeling repetitive.
The “All Yours All Day” menu is now available across TGI Friday’s branches.
By Angelica Villanueva
Utrecht, Netherlands is a charming historic city known for its medieval canals and wharf-side cafés, lined with centuries-old buildings, including the 151-year-old
Conservatorium (right) at Utrecht’s School of the Arts
NICKIE WANG, Editor
ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer
JASPER VALDEZ, Writer
Rediscover the Philippines through unique regional flavors
By Angelica Villanueva
FOR has sold itself to travelers through its beaches, islands, and postcard-ready views. Now, the dining table is starting to carry more of that story.
As tourism looks for new ways to bring visitors in and give them reasons to stay longer, food has begun to move closer to the center of the conversation. That shift gained fresh momentum with the ar rival of the Michelin Guide in the Phil ippines in 2025, culminating in the inaugural 2026 selec tion, which recognized 108 estab lishments across Ma nila, its en virons, and Cebu.
Palm Grill in Diliman was among the Bib Gourmand awar dees, a distinction given to restaurants noted for quality cooking at a more ac cessible price point.
In an exclusive interview with Manila Standard , owner of Palm Grill, said the recognition did more than raise the restaurant’s profile. It gave wider visibility to the regional food he has spent years trying to introduce to more diners.
“For eight years, I’ve been quietly running the business and struggling to get people in the business to try the food and to discover it,” Moreno said, describing what it took to build a restaurant centered on Southern Mindanaoan and Tausug cuisine.
He said the Michelin nod served as validation not only for Palm Grill, but for regional Filipino cuisines that often sit outside the usual national food conversation. In his view, Filipino food should not be reduced to a short list of familiar dishes.
“For me, Filipino cuisine is regional cuisine. Because we’re broken down into major islands with a lot of regions. And each and every island has specific specialties from specific areas and regions of the country. When you put that all together on a table, when you present it to the world, that is Filipino cuisine,” he explained. That idea sits at the heart of what many diners now appear to be looking
for: meals with a stronger sense of place, identity, and story. Moreno said customers today are becoming more intentional about where they eat and what they order. They want to understand the dish in front of them, where it came from, and the people behind it.
In that sense, the appeal goes beyond taste. Regional cuisine offers context. It carries history, technique, and culture into the dining room.
Moreno has seen that change firsthand in the way guests interact with the food. At Palm Grill, he said, tables have become more animated. Diners ask questions, explain dishes to one another, and share discoveries across the table.
In an era when restaurant meals are often filtered through phone screens first, he said it has been satisfying to watch guests become fully engaged in the experience.
He believes this kind of curiosity is crucial if Filipino cuisine is to grow its standing internationally. The food, he said, has long been ready. What still needs strengthening is the way Filipinos themselves talk about it, support it, and present it to the world.
Moreno argues that local cuisine is too often boxed into stereotypes or internal comparisons. Instead of treating dishes as regional rivalries or novelty items, he said the country would benefit from presenting its food with more confidence and a clearer sense of identity.
“There’s always that debate that, no, our adobo
SMX Convention Center Clark extends awards streak at Central Luzon tourism rites
SMX Convention Center Clark continued its winning run after securing top honors at the Department of Tourism (DOT) Region 3’s Tourism Recognition for Enterprises and Stakeholders (TRES) Awards 2025. The venue was named grand winner in the Tourism Quality Awards for MICE event venue and MICE meet-
ing room, reinforcing its standing in the meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) sector. It also received a special citation for MICE exhibition venue.
The TRES Awards recognize enterprises and stakeholders that raise standards in tourism and hospitality across Central Luzon. The latest rec-
ognition marks the third straight year that SMX Convention Center Clark has been cited by DOT Region 3, underscoring its continued performance since opening in 2022.
The facility has drawn local and international organizers, backed by its event spaces and services designed for large-scale gatherings.
Walid Wafik, senior vice president for operations of SM Hotels and Conventions Corporation (SMHCC), said Central Luzon continues to position itself as a hub for business events, with SMX Convention Center Clark playing a key role in hosting such activities.
“As Central Luzon strengthens its position as a key hub for business events, SMX Convention Center Clark stands at the forefront, committed to providing world-class spaces and curated experiences that fuel progress and foster purposeful connections,” the executive said.
is better than that adobo. Our kare-kare is better than that kare-kare. So this kind of thinking, perceptions, and attitude actually do not help the gastronomy of the country as a whole,” he shared.
“Tayo kasi, the problem is, there’s always that toxic trait of gatekeeping, comparison. And there’s always that thinking of, no, mine is better than yours. Why can’t it simply be just adobo? Regardless of how you cook it,” the chef continued. That includes making room for lesser-known traditions, particularly from Mindanao, whose foodways were shaped by trade, spice routes, and pre-colonial cooking practices that differ from those more familiar in Luzon and the Visayas. The market appears to be responding. Moreno said Palm Grill’s sales rose sharply after the Michelin recognition, and customers now travel from areas as far as Cavite, Laguna, and Pampanga to dine at the restaurant. The guide’s arrival in the Philippines has also been linked by tourism officials to broader gains for food tourism and restaurant employment. For the chef, that kind of growth matters because it ripples outward, from restaurant staff to suppliers and the communities behind the cuisine.
If Philippine tourism is serious about rebuilding through hospitality, food may prove to be one of its strongest arguments—not as a side attraction, but as a reason to come, sit down, and understand the country more deeply, one region at a time. Images by Jasper Valdez
Palm Grill’s Dulang, a Tausug specialty tray from the Sulu Archipelago featuring Zambasulta cuisine, underscores Chef Miggy’s (right) showcase of Filipino culinary diversity and its drive to bring it to the global stage
SMX Convention Center Clark wins the grand prize for MICE event and meeting room at the DOT Region 3 TRES Awards 2025
The SMX Clark team celebrates multiple wins at the TRES Awards, reinforcing its leadership in the MICE industry Palm Grill owner
Palm Grill gains wider attention following its Bib Gourmand recognition in the Michelin Guide Philippines 2026 selection