Manila Standard - 2026 April 21 - Tuesday

he directed the Department of Justice and the Department of Foreign Affairs to coordinate with Czech authorities on Co’s repatriation to the

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Gov’t caps oil price hike, rollback

By Alena Mae S. Flores and Katrina Manubay

THE government is setting a limit to price adjustments implemented by oil firms to prevent profiteering under the declared energy emergency, Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said yesterday.

“We are not capping the price, but we are capping the adjustments,” Garin said.

“Under that issuance, the DOE is now prescribing the price increase limitation. We have a limit, a minimum rollback and a maximum price increase,” she said.

Effective today (Tuesday), the government mandated a P24.94 per liter rollback for diesel, P3.41 per liter for gasoline and P2 per liter for kerosene – the second consecutive week of oil price cuts following a shaky ceasefire deal between the United States and Iran. Oil prices, however, surged Monday on a re-escalation of hostilities in the Middle East war after Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz during the weekend, just a day after reopening it, citing the United States’ continued blockade of its ports.

The blockade of Iranian ports has been a significant sticking point in negotiations between the two countries.

Iran says no peace talks with US for now

IRAN insisted it has no plan to attend a new round of negotiations with the United States on Monday, as uncertainty grows over a push to stop the Middle East war from resuming.

US President Donald Trump said he was sending negotiators to Pakistan for talks on ending the war that engulfed the region and rattled global markets, while repeating threats to attack Iran’s energy infrastructure if it did not make a deal.

After initial talks ended without a deal in Islamabad earlier this month, both sides have traded accusations of ceasefire violations, including the US seizure of an Iranian cargo ship early Monday that Trump said was trying to evade a US blockade of the country’s ports. Iran says the US blockade and attack breached the two-week truce set to end overnight Tuesday and threatened to retaliate, while Trump says Tehran has breached the ceasefire in the crucial Strait of Hormuz, which it

Sotto meets with majority senators to prep for impeachment trial

By Ram Superable

SENATE President Vicente Sotto III on Monday disclosed he met with multiple majority bloc senators while Congress was on break to discuss preparations for a possible impeachment trial against

By Maricel V. Cruz

VICE President Sara Duterte and key officials of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) may be directed to return to the government a total of ₱448 million, based on

By Katrina Manubay

PRESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. posted gains in trust

million, representing three separate cash advances of ₱125 million each for confidential expenses incurred between February and September 2023. This comes on top of the earlier ₱73-million disallowance involving 2022 confidential funds, bringing

Vice President Sara Duterte.

“It’s best that

Senator Joseph Victor Ejercito confirmed the meeting, saying Senate leaders must be ready for all possible scenarios related to the impeachment trial.

The impeachment complaint against

Duterte continues to gain traction in the House, being spearheaded by the Committee on Justice.

Sotto remains a likely presiding officer of the impeachment court, with Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo

THOUSANDS of American and Philippine troops, joined for the first time by a significant contingent of Japanese forces, began annual military exercises Monday set against the backdrop of the Middle East war.

The war games will feature live-fire exercises in the north of the Philippines facing the Taiwan Strait, as well as a province off the disputed South China Sea, where Philippine and Chinese forces have engaged in repeated confrontations.

In one drill, the Japanese military, which is contributing about 1,400 personnel, will use a Type 88 cruise missile to sink a World War II-era minesweeper off the coast of northern Luzon island. More than 17,000 soldiers, airmen and sailors are taking part in the 19-day Balikatan, or “Shoulder to Shoulder,” exercises—about

Program (SCP) on April 20, 2026. Presidential Communications Office

20 killed in Negros Occ. clashes

By Rex Espiritu and Edwin Ombion

THE military yesterday confirmed that 20 alleged communist-led New People’s Army members, including a top commander and four women, died in a series of encounters with government troops in Toboso, Negros Occidental.

Brig. Gen. Ted Dumusmog of the 30rd Brigaide said that Roger Fabillar aka Jong Fabillar, Arnel Tapang, believed to be the new commander of the Northern Front Guerilla force of the CPP-NPA and also a member of the Regional Unit of the NPA

was killed in the operations. These clashes involved troops from the 79th Infantry (Masaligan) Battalion under the 303rd Infantry (Brown Eagle) Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division (3ID), who engaged alleged remnants of the Northern

Negros Front, Komiteng Rehiyon-Negros (NNF, KR-N) in Brgy. Salamanca around 3:58 a.m. on April 19.

“The CPP (Communist Party of the Philippines)-NPA in northern Negros sustains heavy losses as government troops delivered a decisive blow following a series of six encounters at Brgy. Salamanca, Toboso, Negros Occidental,” the Philippine Army said in a statement.

Fabillar was responsible for the deaths of several civilians in Escalante City and Toboso, acts that spread fear and terror among local communities.

calculations, which factor in foreign exchange, premiums, insurance and transportation costs.

“He had a bounty amounting to P1 million, and his neutralization marks a significant victory in the government’s campaign to sustain peace and stability in Negros Island,” the PA said. Around 366 residents were displaced by the clashes, according to Toboso Mayor Richard Jaojoco. Army chief LtGen. Antonio Nafarrete has since extended condolences to the families of the casualties.

“Every life lured into the communist terrorist armed insurgency represents a tragedy for the Filipino nation,” Nafarrete said.

Lacson noting that retains the support of the majority bloc.

Meanwhile, Sotto also rejected claims by former presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo that certain senators including Lacson, Risa Hontiveros, Francis Pangilinan and himself had already decided to convict Duterte, calling the allegations baseless.

“I resent that allegation. The impeachment court must be based on proven facts and their correspondence with the elements of the laws violated,” he said.

Lacson also dismissed Panelo’s remarks as unfounded and inappropriate, adding that no one can speak on behalf of the senators regarding their votes in a potential impeachment trial.

In the latest Tugon ng Masa (TNM) survey, results showed that the majority of Filipino adults (54%) expressed trust in President Marcos, a six-percentage point increase from the 48% recorded in the previous quarter.

Across major areas, trust to President Marcos is more pronounced in Balance Luzon (59%), followed by Visayas (54%) and the National Capital Region (51%), while Mindanao registered the lowest (45%).

Meanwhile, 30% of adult Filipinos expressed distrust toward the President. Distrust peaked in Mindanao at 45% and was lowest in Balance Luzon at 22%.

In contrast, ambivalence toward the President’s trustworthiness remained relatively limited at 16%. Across major areas, ambivalence ranged from 10% in Mindanao to 22% in NCR.

The survey also revealed that most Filipino adults (55%) said they are satisfied with the president’s performance, marking a 4-percentage point increase from the 51% recorded in the fourth quarter of 2025.

Across major areas, the president’s performance rating is more pronounced in Balance Luzon (57%), followed closely by Visayas (56%), while NCR and Mindanao registered the lowest at 53% and 51% respectively.

OCTA noted that these results may indicate a modest but broad-based improvement in public evaluation of Mr. Marcos’s performance, reflected in rising satisfaction levels alongside slight declines in dissatisfaction and ambivalence.

The observed increases across several major regions—particularly in NCR and Mindanao—may suggest a strengthening alignment between public expectations and perceived government performance during the period.

OCTA also found that over half of respondents (55%) trust Vice President Sara Duterte, remaining statistically unchanged, as the observed 2-percentage point increase from the 53% recorded in the fourth quarter of 2025. Across major areas, trust ratings of Duterte peaked in Mindanao at 83%, while her lowest trust ratings were observed in NCR and Balance Luzon at 40%.

In contrast, 26% of adult Filipinos expressed distrust toward Duterte, showing her highest distrust ratings were recorded in NCR at 42% and in Balance Luzon at 39%, compared to 15% in Visayas and 0% in Mindanao. Meanwhile, ambivalence towards her trustworthiness declined by 2 percentage points overall.

In Manila, Garin said under Executive Order 110 signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the Department of Energy was given greater oversight of the industry.

“The rollback is now mandated by government. They can add more, but they cannot roll back less than the prescribed number. It could be more than P24.94 depending on the company,” she said.

“What we are more focused on is the price. Is it a form of price control in some sense? Yes, but it’s not an arbitrary price control. We don’t want our oil companies to close down because we’re controlling the price. It’s a control on the adjustments more than the price itself,” Garin added.

Garin warned of penalties for noncompliance, saying companies must justify any refusal to follow the DOE’s

Failure to comply could lead the DOE to revisit a company’s permit, she said.

As this developed, President Marcos yesterday said the government is implementing various measures to help alleviate the impact of fluctuating oil prices on Filipinos, while also exploring additional steps as the situation evolves.

In a chance interview during an inspection of the Department of Transportation’s (DOTr) Service Contracting Program (SCP), Mr. Marcos highlighted the rapidly changing circumstances in the Middle East that are affecting oil prices.

He emphasized that the government is actively rolling out measures and seeking additional solutions to ease the burden on the public.

“The difficult thing about our situation today is that it changes every day. The situation in the Middle East chang-

es—if there is a war, if there is no war, if the Strait of Hormuz is closed, if it is not, the price of oil—everything changes every day,” he said.

“We have a lot of different initiatives.

And while this goes on, we’re still thinking, we’re still looking for what else can be done,” Mr. Marcos added.

The SCP, in particular, is a government initiative where the DOTr and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board compensate public utility vehicle operators and drivers based on kilometers traveled, regardless of the number of passengers.

This program is part of the broader Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program, which aims to enhance the safety, efficiency, and reliability of public transport.

It also seeks to provide stable income for drivers, ensure consistent transport availability, offer a 20 percent fare discount to commuters, and support the sector amid economic challenges.

“Why does he think he knows better than us? No one can speak on my behalf. I’ve already said that we will always be guided by the evidence. We’re not even there yet, so why is he getting ahead of it?” Lacson said. He also reminded his colleagues that commenting prematurely on the merits of the case could undermine their role as impartial judges in the impeachment process.

the same number as last year’s edition, including contingents from Australia, New Zealand, France and Canada. Balikatan comes as Iran and the United States, along with Israel, edge towards the end of the two-week ceasefire that halted the Middle East war, ignited by surprise US-Israeli strikes on the Islamic republic.

has all but shut.

“We have no plans for the next round of negotiation, and no decision has been made in this regard,” said foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei.

“While claiming diplomacy and readiness for negotiations, the US is carrying out behaviours that do not in any way indicate seriousness in pursuing a diplomatic process,” he added, calling the US blockade and cargo ship seizure “clear violations of the ceasefire”.

The counter-claims have thrown into fresh doubt the bid to end the war that began with US-Israeli strikes on Iran the morning of February 28, killing the country’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei.

“We’re offering a very fair and rea-

the potential total exposure to ₱448 million, if sustained through the full COA process.

Meanwhile, Tingog Party-list Rep. Jude Acidre gave assurance that the House Committee on Justice conducts the impeachment proceedings strictly in accordance with constitutional requirements and Supreme Court guidance on due process.

This as House Committee on Public Accounts chairman Terry Ridon of Bicol Saro Party-list surmised that an apparent coordinated effort might be behind the misuse of confidential funds linked to Duterte based on the testimony of her self-confessed “bagman” Ramil Madriaga, COA’s Intelligence and Confidential Funds Audit Office established that the expenditures failed to meet the requirements for valid confidential fund use

under Joint Circular No. 2015-01, citing multiple and recurring violations. Among the key findings were improper handling of cash advances with funds released to individuals who were not authorized accountable officers, in violation of rules prohibiting the transfer of cash advances, and failure to prove success of confidential operations.

COA also ruled that payments amounting to at least ₱62 million in “rewards” were disallowed due to the absence of documents demonstrating the success of intelligence or surveillance activities.

Other possible violations included unsupported procurement expenses amounting to nearly ₱199 million in purchases of supplies with ineligible supporting documents, instead of official receipts or invoices required for validation.

COA also noted that some disbursements were made prior to the grant of cash advances, indicating reimbursement malpractices barred under the rules.

process, which will follow established legal procedures between countries.

would face the charges against him upon his return.

“We will bring Zaldy Co home, and we will do so in accordance with the law. He will answer to the Filipino people,” the President said.

Mr. Marcos said the high-level coordination team will oversee the repatriation

sonable DEAL, and I hope they take it,”

Trump said in a social media post.

Oil prices jumped sharply on Monday over fears hostilities could resume in the weeks-long war, after Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz again over the weekend following its brief reopening on Friday in recognition of a ceasefire in Lebanon.

Security tight

In spite of the uncertainty surrounding the talks in Pakistan, security has been visibly stepped up in the capital, Islamabad. Authorities announced road closures and traffic restrictions across the city, as well as in neighbouring Rawalpindi.

The US president said his negotiators, whom he did not name, would arrive in Islamabad on Monday evening.

A White House official said Vice President JD Vance would lead the

“Ang ganitong mga proseso ay may sinusunod na mga legal na hakbang… kaya’t nangangailangan ng sapat na panahon upang maisagawa nang tama,” Mr. Marcos said.

(These processes follow legal steps and therefore require sufficient time to be carried out properly.)

Co is among 16 individuals facing graft and malversation charges over

delegation after Trump said he would not, citing security concerns. He would be joined by Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, the official said.

Trump has been under pressure to find an off-ramp since Tehran moved to choke off the Strait of Hormuz.

But the cargo ship attack and naval blockade to cut off Iran’s oil revenues drew renewed threats from Tehran instead of immediately bringing them back to the negotiating table.

On Sunday, Trump announced that a massive Iranian-flagged cargo ship “tried to get past our Naval Blockade, and it did not go well for them,” adding that a US destroyer blew “a hole in the engine room” before US Marines seized the vessel.

The ISNA news agency later cited a spokesperson for Iran’s central command centre as warning that the military “will

COA emphasized that confidential funds must be used strictly for legitimate intelligence activities and must be supported by adequate documentation, even when certain details remain confidential.

Crucially, the audit does not assign liability to the OVP as an institution alone. Apart from Duterte, COA also held OVP special disbursing officer Gina Acosta, chief accountant Julieta Villadelrey, and security head Col. Raymund Dante Lachica as potentially liable. Under COA rules, all persons found responsible are required to return the full amount, underscoring that the obligation is personal—not institutional.

COA has directed the concerned officials to settle the ₱375 million immediately, warning that failure to appeal within six months will render the disallowance final and executory under Presidential Decree No. 1445. This latest disallowance is not an isolated finding, COA said.

an alleged substandard P289-million flood control project in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro, undertaken by Sunwest Corporation, a firm owned by his immediate family. The Anti-Money Laundering Council alleged that Co received P802 million through check deposits drawn from Sunwest accounts from 2019 to 2025, during his tenure as a lawmaker. Public officials are prohibited from holding business interests.

soon respond and retaliate against this armed piracy and the US military”.

Tasnim news agency reported Tehran had sent drones in the direction of US military ships after Touska was seized and “attacked”.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards for their part warned that any attempt to pass through the strait without permission “will be considered cooperation with the enemy, and the offending vessel will be targeted”.

Sticking points

Iran’s foreign ministry said delays in implementing a ceasefire in Lebanon, where Israel has been fighting militant group Hezbollah, was also a violation of the ceasefire.

A separate truce agreed between Israel and Lebanon took effect on Friday, which included Hezbollah, whose rocket fire in support of Iran drew Lebanon

“Regardless of the challenges elsewhere in the world, the United States’ focus on the Indo-Pacific and our ironclad commitment to the Philippines remains unwavering,” US Lieutenant General Christian Wortman said at Monday’s opening ceremony. Without providing precise numbers, Wortman, commander of the Marine Expeditionary Force, later told reporters that approximately 10,000 US personnel would take part in the exercises.

Philippine military chief General Romeo Brawner added that US Indo-Pacific Command chief Admiral Samuel Paparo had assured him at the war’s outbreak that this year’s Balikatan would be “the biggest ever.” Among the high-end weapons expected to be used is a US Typhon missile system that has been in the archipelago since visiting US forces left it there in 2024, provoking outrage from Beijing.

“We anticipate that it will be incorporated at some level during the course of the exercise,” Wortman said.

‘Playing with fire’

While both militaries insisted that no exercises would take place “near Taiwan,” coastal defense drills are set fewer than 200 kilometers (120 miles) from the island’s southern coast.

Beijing has ramped up military pressure around self-ruled Taiwan, which it considers part of its territory and has threatened to use force to seize.

China slammed the joint exercises on Monday, saying the United States, Japan and the Philippines were “playing with fire.”

“What the Asia-Pacific region needs most is peace and tranquility, and what it needs least is the introduction of external forces to sow division and confrontation,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun told a news briefing. AFP with Rex Espiritu

into the war.

Israel’s military on Monday warned Lebanese civilians against returning to dozens of villages in southern Lebanon, claiming Hezbollah’s activities in the area were violating that agreement. Thousands of displaced residents have begun making their way back to southern Lebanon since the truce began.

Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz said Sunday that the military would use “full force” against any threats in Lebanon, even during the ceasefire.

He also vowed to level homes allegedly used by Hezbollah, with Lebanese state media reporting that demolitions were underway.

Another major issue in the US-Iran negotiations has been Tehran’s stockpile of enriched uranium.

Trump said on Friday that Iran had agreed to hand over its roughly 440 kilograms (970 pounds) of enriched uranium. AFP

NEW SECURITY ADVISER.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos

Jr. swears in Gen. Eduardo Oban Jr. (Ret.) as National Security Adviser at Malacañang on Monday.

Oban replaces Gen. Eduardo Año (Ret.), who retires from public service due to health reasons.

IN BRIEF

BOC turns over

P30.7m

drugs to PDEA

THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) officially turnednover P30.780 million worth of ketamine to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), reinforcing the government’s intensified campaign against illegal drugs and cross-border smuggling.

The turnover highlights continued coordination between enforcement agencies in intercepting illegal substances entering the country. Authorities say the seized ketamine forms part of broader anti-drug operations.

As of April 2026, the BOC reported total illegal drug seizures reaching P2.531 billion. The agency said the confiscations result from strengthened border monitoring and intelligence operations.

The Bureau also pursued legal action against individuals involved in drug smuggling. Authorities noted that several cases are now moving through the justice system.

From January 2025 to April 2026, the BOC successfully filed six criminal cases related to dangerous drugs before the Department of Justice. Officials said efforts continue to curb cross-border trafficking. Vito Barcelo

Cops relieved over alleged kickbacks

THE Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday, April 20, announced that it relieved six members of the PNP-Training Service (TS) over alleged involvement in a barracks rental kickback scheme. During a press conference, PNP-TS Director Police Brigadier General Rolindo Suguilon said the six personnel are placed under administrative relief following a viral social media post on April 19 detailing the alleged irregularities.

The post claimed a kickback scheme is being implemented in Regional Special Training Units during the immersion phase of the six-month Field Training Program for police trainees. Some personnel allegedly inflate rental rates or collect a monthly fee of Pt00 for accommodation. Suguilon said trainees undergoing on-the-job training are endorsed to local chiefs of police, who serve as field training coordinators and assist in billeting arrangements when stations cannot accommodate trainees.

He said an investigation is ongoing to verify the claims and determine accountability, stressing the PNP’s zerotolerance policy for irregularities and commitment to maintaining integrity in police training. Vince Lopez

Two men die after hammer attack

TWO men died after reportedly hammering each other during an altercation along the hallway of the eighth floor of Building 2, Urban Deca Homes on Velasquez Street in Tondo, Manila. Victim Diosdado II Menor, 39, of Unit 871, Building 2, was found half-naked and wounded in different parts of the body. The suspect, identified as Jovanie Alsa, 27, a J&T employee and resident of Building 5, later died while receiving treatment at Tondo Medical Center.

The Manila Police District Homicide Section said the incident occurs at about 9:12 p.m. Witnesses report hearing shouting before discovering Menor already dead while Alsa remains inside the unit. Instead of assisting the victim, witnesses said the wounded suspect seeks help from a security guard. He is later brought to Tondo Medical Center but died despite medical efforts.

Police recovered a hammer at the scene and note no signs of forcible entry, indicating the two may have known each other. Authorities continue to investigate the incident. Itchie G. Cabayan

‘Cyber libel prescribes 1 year from discovery’

By Pot Chavez

THE Supreme Court (SC) on Monday announced that it has affirmed its previous ruling that cyber libel prescribes one year from the time it is discovered.

In its resolution, the SC En Banc explained there is no law that excludes cyber libel from the one-year prescriptive period under the Revised Penal Code (RPC).

It reiterated that cyber libel is not a separate crime, but rather li-

bel committed through a computer system.

The High Tribunal also affirmed that prescription begins upon discovery of the offense, not upon publication.

It noted that the law clearly

states that prescription runs from the time the crime is discovered by the offended party or the authorities.

In his concurring opinion, Senior Associate Justice Marvic M.V.F. Leonen argued that the one-year prescription period should apply only to libel cases against private individuals.

Meanwhile, Associate Justice Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa stressed that the prescriptive period for libel has always been fixed at one or two years, never at 10 or more years.

Filipinos told: Avail voluntary repatriation

By Ma. Katrina Manubay

THE Philippine Embassy in Lebanon issued an advisory on Monday urging Filipinos to take advantage of a 10-day window for voluntary repatriation due to a temporary ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel.

In its advisory, the embassy emphasized the importance of leaving while routes remain open, advising Filipinos to stay vigilant and exercise caution, as the situation in the region remains uncertain.

The embassy also encouraged the public to monitor reliable news sources and official embassy announcements, while ensuring mobile phones and other communication devices are fully charged.

Additionally, the embassy recommended preparing at least three days’ worth of basic supplies, including water, food, clothing, and medicines, and keeping passports and other important documents readily accessible.

The announcement follows U.S. President Donald Trump’s declaration that both Lebanon and Israel have agreed to an initial 10-day ceasefire, which the United States indicated may be extended.

Earlier this month, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) expressed concern over the escalating conflict in Lebanon, urging all parties to adhere to the ceasefire and prioritize the protection of civilians.

According to DFA records, approximately 14,000 Filipinos reside in Lebanon.

Piston seeks P10 fare hike, eyeing strike

TRANSPORT group Piston on Monday filed a petition before the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) seeking a P10 increase in the minimum public utility jeepney fare, from P13 to P23, citing continued financial losses among drivers and operators.

In a statement, the group said the fare adjustment is needed to offset rising operating costs and what it described as the government’s failure to systematically address the fuel crisis.

The group is also set to stage another nationwide transport strike on April 21, Tuesday, as part of a broader protest calling for immediate relief measures and long-term structural reforms to address the fuel crisis.

The petition comes days after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced a P23-per-liter diesel price rollback effective April 14. Piston argued that the reduction does not justify withholding fare relief.

Even after the rollback, diesel prices in Metro Manila remain around P123.40 per liter, about 86 percent higher than the P66.40 per liter recorded in October 2023, when the current fare was last set, Piston said.

“At an average consumption of 30 liters per day, fuel expenses alone reach about P3,700 per driver. Including boundary fees, maintenance, and other costs, total daily expenses are estimated at P5,600, against gross revenues ranging from P2,600 to P3,900. This leaves drivers with daily losses of roughly P1,700 to P3,000,” the group said. Another diesel price rollback of P24.94 per liter is set to take effect Tuesday, April 21.

‘Balikatan

signals PH’s firm line in WPS’

ON the eve of the Philippines’ largest-ever Balikatan exercises, an international think tank urged Manila to anchor its West Philippine Sea strategy on expanded military cooperation with allies, as tensions with China continue to rise.

In a statement, Stratbase Institute president and CEO Victor Andres “Dindo” Manhit voiced “unequivocal support” for the 2026 Balikatan exercises, which will bring together more than 17,000 troops from the Philippines and partner nations, including the United States, Australia, Japan, Canada, France, and New Zealand. For Manhit, the Balikatan exercises “represent the correct path forward” in how the Philippines must handle the ongoing tensions in the West Philippine Sea.

He called it a “clear and unambiguous message… that the Philippines and its partners are prepared to defend the rulesbased international order against coercion, intimidation, and unlawful claims.”

“It affirms that we are not isolated, and that our national security is anchored in strong alliances with nations that uphold international law and share our commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific,” he added. Manhit’s comments follow China’s increasingly illegal, coercive, aggressive, and deceptive actions in the West Philippine Sea as it continues to ignore the 2016 arbitral ruling—which will mark its 10th anniversary this July—that invalidated its sweeping claims over the South China Sea.

TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 2026 MST.DAYDESK@GMAIL.COM

IN BRIEF

PNP chief tells cops: Always follow SOP

PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) chief

Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. on Monday warned all police personnel across the country to strictly observe standard operating procedures (SOP) following the relief of a police officer who allegedly assaulted a tricycle driver in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan.

Nartatez Jr. condemned the incident, stressing that misconduct in uniform will not be tolerated within the organization.

“We do not tolerate hoodlums in uniform. The immediate relief of the officer involved shows that our internal cleansing is in place. We won’t allow anyone to sully the integrity of the whole organization. We are investigating this thoroughly to ensure justice for the victim,” he said. The affected police officer is facing investigation for alleged manhandling of the tricycle driver who had been involved in a road accident. Vince Lopez

BuCor breaks ground for P470-m jail in NE

THE Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) today broke ground for a P470-million facility on a 60-hectare lot in Palayan City, donated by the provincial government of Nueva Ecija.

BuCor chief Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. underscored the importance of the project, development, citing a mandate of the law mandating that inmates should be assured of humane safekeeping and effective reformation.

Catapang noted that the last regional prison facility was constructed 53 years ago in Leyte during the administration of former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr.

The forthcoming state-of-the-art facility was designed to accommodate up to 7,500 prisoners and will include key components such as maximum, medium, and minimum security camps; a reception and diagnostic center; a drug treatment and rehabilitation center; a correctional institution for women; vocational and livelihood hubs; agricultural production areas; in-facility courtrooms; and a housing facility.

PN-CTU tie-up to boost monitoring of PH waters

THE Philippine Navy has forged a partnership with Cebu Technological University to develop the Hybrid Marine-Air Vehicle (HMAV) and the Maritime Autonomous Surface Ship (MASS) meant to significantly enhance the country’s “maritime domain awareness.”

Navy spokesperson Capt. Marissa Martinez told Manila Standard that the projects, being undertaken through the Naval Sea Systems Command and the Naval Research and Technology Development Center, form part of the command’s broader research and development efforts under the Self-Reliant Defense Posture Program, with support from the Department of Science and Technology.

Once operational, the HMAV and MASS are seen to improve real-time monitoring and situational awareness across the country’s maritime domain, while also supporting humanitarian assistance and disaster response, as well as logistics operations. Rex Espiritu

DPWH tears down QC pump station

By Vito Barcelo

THE Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) on Monday began dismantling portions of the nearly P97-million Matalahib Creek pumping station in Quezon City, a project widely criticized for allegedly exacerbating flooding in the area.

The facility, built by the Discaya-owned St. Timothy Construction, had been blamed for aggravating flooding problems in Barangay Talayan after it was constructed directly over the creek, obstructing the natural flow of water toward the San Juan River.

Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon said the removal of key structures, including upstream and downstream gates, aims to restore the creek’s natural flow.

“This is part of the solution—removing these gates so water can move faster and more continuously,” Dizon said.

Dizon led the dismantling along with Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, University of the Philippines hazard expert Mahar Lagmay, and San Miguel Corp. River Cleanup Program vice president and project manager Jimmy Lu.

Belmonte welcomed the move, saying the city government had opposed the project right from the start.

“The city did not grant any permit, coordination certificate, or authorization. In fact, we issued a statement opposing its construction because we knew it would obstruct water flow and not help reduce flooding. Yet it still pushed through,” she said.

Officials said additional flood mitigation measures are underway, including continuous dredging of the creek leading to the San Juan River in partnership with San Miguel Corp., as well as the deployment of mobile water pumps.

Preparations are also underway to construct water detention basins in four strategic locations.

Dizon clarified that the interventions are not expected to eliminate flooding entirely but are intended to reduce its impact.

“We are not promising that flooding will disappear, but we hope these efforts will somehow lessen the burden on residents, reduce flood levels, and allow water to subside more quickly,” he said.

According to the DPWH, earlier recommendations by Korean consultants proposed building a pumping station along the side of the creek—an approach the agency plans to pursue once funding becomes available in 2027.

Dizon also acknowledged shortcomings in past infrastructure projects.

“In the past, DPWH projects were left unfinished and ended up causing harm instead of helping. We need to fix them, but we must do it properly,” he said.

Dizon added that accountability measures are underway, with the case already referred to the Office of the Ombudsman for preliminary investigation.

The district engineer previously in charge of the project, Arturo Gonzales Jr. of the Quezon City First District Engineering Office, has been relieved and placed on floating status.

TWG lays groundwork for smooth transition of Sulu province

By Vince Lopez

THE Technical Working Group (TWG) on the Sulu Transition reported on Monday that it convened on April 8 to accelerate key measures that will ensure a smooth, orderly, and well-coordinated transition of the province of Sulu as ordered by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr..

The meeting, held at the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU), was co-chaired by Department of Budget and Management (DBM) acting Assistant Secretary Gerald Janda, representing acting Secretary Rolando Toledo,

and Deputy Minister Eddie Alih of the Ministry of the Interior and Local Government (MILG) of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

The TWG joined by Sulu Vice Governor Sakur Tan and representatives from key national government agencies and Bangsamoro ministries.

Discussions focused on addressing critical budgetary gaps, safeguarding the welfare of affected government personnel, and ensuring the uninterrupted delivery of essential services, particularly in health and education throughout the transition period.

A key agenda item was the funding of

priority programs, activities, and projects for Sulu province during fiscal year 2026.

The TWG took note of the recent communication from the Office of the President authorizing the Bangsamoro Government to allocate funds and implement projects for Sulu in 2026, subject to existing budgeting, accounting, and auditing laws, rules, and regulations.

To further strengthen the transition framework, the TWG resolved to revisit select provisions of EO No. 9 to ensure greater policy clarity and operational readiness.

Reaffirming its commitment to protect the rights and welfare of affected personnel, the TWG also set a clear timeline for

the finalization of the Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) between the DBM and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG). The JMC will establish the policy framework and guidelines governing personnel movements arising from the transition of Sulu from BARMM to Region IX.

The DBM and DILG, together with concerned national agencies and the Bangsamoro government, will conduct further consultations with the Civil Service Commission within the month to ensure that personnel are protected and that public service delivery remains seamless.

PCUP flags eviction of poor families

in

Taguig,

Los Baños PAF deploys Black Hawk chopper to help fight blaze

By Rex Espiritu

Monday. PAF spokesperson Col. Ma. Christina Basco said the aircraft, operating in terrain difficult for ground respond-

ers to reach, was equipped with a helibucket system to conduct precision water drops over the blaze.

As of the latest reports, the helicopter has completed nine sorties, significantly aiding suppression efforts on the ground.

The mission is being carried out in coordination with the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council Region 8, the Office of Civil Defense 8, the Bureau of Fire

Protection Eastern Samar, and local government units to ensure a unified response.

“Despite sustained operations, the fire has not yet been declared ‘fire out,’ with responders continuing suppression efforts on the ground and from the air,” Basco said.

“The PAF, alongside partner agencies and LGUs, remains actively engaged in efforts to contain and fully extinguish the blaze,” she added.

By Rio N. Araja

THE Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP) on Monday raised serious concerns over a recent series of demolitions and evictions affecting poor communities in Taguig City and Los Baños, Laguna.

PCUP chairperson and chief executive officer Michelle Ann Gonzales is pushing for stronger safeguards for displaced residents and calling for urgent legislative reforms.

In a statement, the PCUP chief urged for critical legislative amendments of the Urban Development and Housing Act of 1992 or Republic Act 7279

While she pointed out that while the PCUP recognizes the necessity of implementing court orders and projects for urban progress, it cannot come at the expense of the dignity and legal rights of the most vulnerable sectors.

She cited the current gaps in the law often leave the informal settler families in precarious situations during transitions.

“We cannot allow our urban poor to be treated as mere obstacles to development. A demolition without a clear, sustainable

relocation plan is not progress; it is a humanitarian crisis,” she said.

“Our push for legislative amendments in Congress is rooted in the belief that every Filipino deserves a transition that respects their humanity and secures their future,” she added.

Among the robust set of safeguards to ensure transparency and accountability included the mandatory relocation and financial aid, the return of the clearinghouse role and strengthening a pre-demolition conference as a non-negotiable step, the prohibition of “constructive eviction” or the fencing off or blocking of access to the communities of the displaced residents, and the provision of a livelihood-centric resettlement.

“Justice should not result in homelessness. We are pushing for mandatory assistance to ensure that legal orders do not strip families of their right to shelter,” Gonzales pointed out.

She underscored the need to align Philippine policy with international standards, particularly the Kampala Convention, to prevent arbitrary internal displacement by enacting the Internally Displaced Persons Act.

BEST SELLER OF SUMMER. Fresh coconut juice draws a steady stream of pedestrains looking for affordable thirst quenchers amid the scorching heat of the summer sun. Edd Castro

POETRY IN MOTION. Candidates of the Miss Teen World Philippines 2026 put their best foot forward on the ramp during the Filipiniana phase dubbed “Kasuotang Filipino” competition held at Café La Manila in Escolta, Manila. Richmond Chi

OPINION

A world on edge and Filipinos paying the price

LAST Friday, the world was told that the Strait of Hormuz , the narrow passage where a huge portion of the world’s oil passes, was reopening.

Oil prices dipped, markets calmed and for a brief moment there was hope that maybe the worst was over. But as quickly as it opened, it closed again. Iran once again shut down the Strait of Hormuz, accusing the United States of bad faith. Then Iranian gunboats reportedly fired on a passing oil tanker in the area. Think about that.

One day, ships were told they may pass. The next day, they are being fired upon. To make matters worse, United States President Donald Trump has now warned that if no agreement is reached by Wednesday, America may “start dropping bombs again.” Santa Banana, that leaves the rest of the world in limbo.

For countries like the Philippines this is not just a distant war -- it is a daily burden. We are not an oil-producing nation. We have to import what we consume, my gulay. Every time the Strait of Hormuz closes, global supply tightens and prices spike. And we ordinary Filipinos feel it, my gulay. Fuel prices surged, transport fares followed, food prices crept up. What happens next? Will oil prices shoot up more, will shipping halt completely, will prices go even higher?

This is no longer a crisis. It is a pattern of instability. And instability, Santa Banana, is worse than high prices. When prices rise today, fall tomorrow and spike again the next day, how can anyone plan.

How does a small business survive?

How does a family budget its expenses?

We are now living day to day, not because we want to, but because the world leaves us no choice. Meanwhile, back home it is politics as

usual. The impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte continues to drag on, consuming time, attention and resources. Allies and enemies are lining up, not to solve problems, but to position themselves.

At the same time, the political jockeying for 2028 has begun and loyalties are being tested and names are being floated.

Everyone seems to be preparing for the next election, Santa Banana!

Who is preparing for the next oil shock, for the next price surge, for the possibility that bombs may fall again in the Middle East?

Zaldy Co, former Ako Bicol Representative, a fugitive linked to the flood control scandal was arrested in the Czech Republic and the Philippine government is working with the Czech authorities to return Co to the Philippines.

But who is preparing for the next oil shock, for the next price surge, for the possibility that bombs may fall again in the Middle East?

My gulay, these are realities that will determine whether Filipinos can afford to eat, to commute and live with dignity.

We have seen this movie before -- open, close, threaten, attack. And in the end, it is always the same people who suffer.

Not the leaders, not the powerful, but the ordinary Filipino who wakes up each day wondering not about geopolitics, but about something very basic: “Magkano na naman and gasolina bukas?” That is how it is.

When political rhetoric flirts with violence

THERE are moments in politics when a single phrase reveals more about a nation’s trajectory than a hundred policy papers.

In the Philippines today, that phrase is as blunt as it is unsettling: “Isang ulo lang ang kailangan namin.” One head is all we need.

When Sebastian Duterte uttered those words about Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the immediate question was legal: Is this a threat?

The deeper question is moral: What kind of political culture now treats the language of violence as just another rhetorical flourish?

The National Bureau of Investigation says it is reviewing the remarks and may issue a subpoena. That is, on its face, what a state should do when the safety of its head of government is invoked—even metaphorically.

But this is not happening in a vacuum. It unfolds against a bitter and widening rift between the Marcos administration and the Duterte family, a feud that has turned governance into something closer to trench warfare. And so the investigation, however justified in principle, risks being read as something else entirely: a political instrument dressed in legal clothing.

This is the dilemma of our time. Democracies are expected to tolerate sharp, even offensive speech. The Philippine Constitution protects it.

But democracies are also expected to recognize when speech edges into something more dangerous—when metaphor becomes menace, when performance becomes provocation.

The Duterte camp insists that such statements are rhetorical, taken out of context, stripped of their intended meaning. We have heard this before.

In 2024, Sara Duterte made her own incendiary remark about having someone kill the president if a plot against her succeeded. She later described it as misun-

derstood, misquoted, misframed.

Perhaps. But patterns matter.

When language invoking the death of a political opponent is repeated—not once, but across actors and moments—it stops sounding like metaphor and starts sounding like normalization.

And normalization is how democracies erode: not through a single dramatic collapse, but through the slow dulling of what once shocked us.

Yet there is a danger on the other side as well.

If the state begins to investigate every harsh or exaggerated political statement as a criminal threat, it risks weaponizing the law against dissent.

—“—

What kind of political culture now treats the language of violence as just another rhetorical flourish?

The line between protecting public order and suppressing opposition is notoriously thin—and easily crossed. History offers too many examples of governments that justified repression in the name of stability.

So where does that leave the Philippines?

Somewhere uncomfortable, but clarifying.

The NBI must tread carefully. Its mandate includes protecting the president, yes—but also upholding the rule of law without fear or favor.

An investigation that is seen as selective, or timed to coincide with the impeachment pressures facing the vice president, will deepen public cynicism. It will confirm the suspicion that insti-

Phasing out fossil fuels

HOPES are high the six-day First Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels in Colombia starting this weekend, Manila time, will be able to achieve major goals and provide direct input into the formal UN Climate Change Conference COP31 next November in Turkey.

The conference, co-hosted by Colombia and the Netherlands in Santa Marta, is expected to bring together a “coalition of the willing” to map concrete, actionable pathways for phasing out oil, gas, and coal, serving as a direct response to stalled fossil fuel negotiations at COP30.

The conference seeks to move beyond abstract goals and deliver practical, “just transition” strategies that address economic dependence, supply management, and international cooperation.

We are glad the Philippines is listed as among more than 50 countries participating, given that this country is heavily confronted by a fossil fuel crisis due to high dependence on volatile imported fuels, contributing to high electricity costs and climate vulnerability.

To address this, the country has enforced a 2020 coal moratorium, updated its Energy Plan – which halted new greenfield coal power plants – aiming to reduce reliance on coal and fossil gas.

The government is collaborating

with the Asian Development Bank on a mechanism to accelerate the retirement of coal plants.

—“—

The Colombia conference seeks to move beyond abstract goals and deliver practical, ‘just transition’ strategies

The world will be watching how the participants will move in their efforts to break the deadlock and bypass the stalled progress in traditional climate summits, like the Conference of Parties, and create a solutions-focused forum aimed at creating concrete plans to end the era of fossil fuel extraction. One crucial objective is to gain political support and establish the groundwork for a new international legal framework – a Fossil Fuel Non-

By Juan ‘Yuan’ T. Santos

IT FEELS like just yesterday we were talking about cautious optimism for 2026, but wow, things have taken a turn, haven’t they?

It’s April now, and the Philippines isn’t just dealing with a few separate problems; it’s like a perfect storm of everything hitting us at once.

They’re calling it a “polycrisis,” and honestly, that feels about right. Geopolitical drama, a shaky economy, and the environment all seem to be ganging up on us, pushing us into a corner where we’re just trying to survive rather than thrive.

The most obvious punch to the gut is at the gas station. You know how the Middle East has been in the news?

Well, that conflict has messed with the Strait of Hormuz, which is apparently super important for oil.

And guess what? We rely on imports for almost all our fuel.

So, when diesel prices hit ₱130 a liter, it’s not just about inflation being annoying; it’s a huge red flag about how fragile our system is.

Everything is getting more expensive to move around, and it’s hitting every single business.

It’s no surprise the government declared a State of National Energy Emergency. It’s like admitting that our economy is basically on a string, and someone else is pulling it.

Even the Asian Development Bank had to lower its growth forecast for us. That’s not just numbers on a spreadsheet; it means fewer jobs, projects getting stalled, and more stress for families just trying to make ends meet.

And it’s not just about fuel, is it?

It’s hitting our dinner plates too. That 4.1 percent inflation rate in March? A lot of it is because of things getting pricier from outside.

tutions are not referees, but players. At the same time, the Duterte camp must reckon with the consequences of its own rhetoric.

Words are not harmless simply because they are convenient. In a country with a history of political violence, invoking the “head” of a president is not clever—it is corrosive.

It feeds a political imagination in which power is contested not through ideas, but through elimination. What we are witnessing is not just a legal controversy. It is a test of restraint—on both sides.

Proliferation Treaty – to regulate and phase out production.

Officials have said they will also try to create “Just Transition” Pathways to produce a report identifying concrete, equitable, and manageable transition pathways for developing countries, like the Philippines, focusing on overcoming economic dependence, labor conversion, and securing alternative energy financing.

The participating countries are also expected to advance action-oriented collaboration between highambition producer and consumer countries, aligning national strategies with science-led goals (1.5°C) and the recent International Court of Justice advisory opinion on climate protection.

Good development that social voices will be integrated through a parallel “People’s Summit” and “Assembly of the People” (April 24-27), to ensure that frontline communities, Indigenous groups, and workers have a strong voice in determining how the energy transition is implemented.

Given geopolitical instability –instance, conflicts in the Middle East – the meeting focuses on increasing energy security through local clean power, rather than reliance on volatile fossil fuel markets.

We join others in holding hopes the conference will result in a report that will provide direct input into the formal UN Climate Change Conference COP31.

The Philippines’ polycrisis

Our farmers are struggling with higher fertilizer costs and shipping prices, which means our food is getting more expensive.

For so many families, just buying the basics is becoming a struggle. Inflation isn’t some far-off economic concept anymore; it’s a daily reality.

I must give credit where it’s due, though.

The government is talking about making us more self-sufficient in food and even looking at the Maharlika Investment Fund to help farmers.

—“—

Diversifying our energy sources can’t be a maybe anymore; it needs to be urgent

These are good, long-term ideas, but they won’t fix the immediate crisis. And the “Protective Pivot” to find new oil sources?

It feels a bit like closing the barn door after the horse has bolted. It just highlights that maybe we should have been thinking about this diversification stuff years ago.

Then there’s the quieter crisis happening at home.

I heard about Baguio having water rationing, with some areas only getting water a couple of days a week. This isn’t just a minor inconvenience; it’s a glimpse into what could happen as our cities grow and climate change hits harder.

Apparently, natural disasters already cost us a huge chunk of our GDP every year, and that’s a constant drag on our economy, especially when we’re trying to grow in areas like IT and outsourcing.

Moreover, the money markets are getting shaky. When investors get nerv-

Will the government resist the temptation to turn a questionable statement into a prosecutable offense for political gain?

Will opposition figures resist the temptation to inflame their base with language that courts danger while hiding behind ambiguity?

The answers will shape more than this moment. They will define the boundaries of political speech for years to come. Because ultimately, the issue is not whether a single remark violates the Revised Penal Code. It is whether a democracy can survive

ous, they tend to put their money in safer places, and that’s making our Peso weaker against the US Dollar. It’s a nasty cycle: a weaker Peso means our imports (like fuel and food) get even more expensive, which pushes up inflation and makes our money worth less.

This is what they mean by a “polycrisis,” I guess.

All these problems feed into each other. No energy security means more inflation; inflation weakens our currency; a weaker currency makes us more dependent on imports; and all of this is happening while our environment is under strain.

The hard truth is, we’re not just dealing with a temporary blip. We’re facing the consequences of problems that have been around for a long time.

Relying too much on imports, not investing enough in our own energy, and putting off climate action – it’s all catching up with us now.

But maybe, just maybe, this tough time can be a turning point. We need more than just quick fixes; we need real, deep changes.

Diversifying our energy sources can’t be a maybe anymore; it needs to be urgent. Making sure we can feed ourselves should be a matter of national security. And we absolutely cannot keep delaying climate action.

The Philippines might be in a defensive stance right now, but whether we come out of this stronger or stay stuck in this difficult position will depend on how seriously we take this “polycrisis” and use it as a chance to make some fundamental reforms.

(The writer, former territory manager and sales representative at a business newspaper in the Philippines, is a parttime university instructor while pursuing MA in Public Administration at Rizal Technological University.)

when its leaders speak as if violence is an acceptable metaphor for change—and when its institutions respond as if law is an acceptable weapon for power.

In healthier political systems, such a remark would trigger swift condemnation from all sides, followed by a collective reaffirmation of norms. Here, it has triggered something else: calculation. That may be the most troubling signal of all.

When outrage becomes optional and accountability becomes strategic, democracy does not collapse overnight. It simply becomes harder to recognize.

Tsunami warning as 7.4-magnitude quake hits Japan

– A 7.4-magnitude earthquake

TOKYO

struck northern Japan Monday, Japan’s Meteorological Agency (JMA) said, issuing a tsunami warning for waves up to three metres (10 feet).

The quake, which hit at 4:53 pm (0753 GMT) in Pacific waters off northern Iwate prefecture, was strong enough to shake large buildings as far as Tokyo, hundreds of kilometres away.

Around 40 minutes later, an 80-centimetre (31-inch) tsunami wave hit a port in Kuji in Iwate, according to the JMA.

“Evacuate immediately from coastal regions and riverside areas to a safer place such as high ground or an evacuation building,” it said, warning that damage due to tsunami waves was expected.

“Tsunami waves are expected to hit repeatedly. Do not leave safe ground until the warning is lifted,” it said.

Footage from national broadcaster NHK did not show any immediate visible damage around several ports in Iwate.

A JMA official warned in a televised press briefing that more quakes could strike the area.

The prime minister’s office said it had set up a crisis management team.

“For those of you who live in areas for which the warnings have been issued, please evacuate to higher, safer places such as higher ground,” Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi told reporters, adding that the government was trying to confirm whether there were any casualties or property damage. AFP

IN BRIEF

8 children dead in US shooting

SHREVERPORT, Louisiana – A man shot dead eight children -- seven of them his own -- early Sunday (Monday, Manila time) in the southern US state of Louisiana in an incident of domestic violence that spanned three locations, police said.

The early morning massacre at a gray house in the city of Shreveport was the deadliest mass shooting in the United States in more than two years, according to data from the Gun Violence Archive.

Two women were shot and seriously injured, including the mother of some of the slain children.

Three boys and five girls aged between three and 11 were shot and killed, the Caddo Parish Coroner’s Office said. Seven of the children were siblings, and one was a cousin.

Police identified the gunman as Shamar Elkins, 31. He had escaped the scene of the shootings in a carjacked vehicle and was chased by police, who then shot him dead. AFP

Peruvians protest over election, delays

LIMA – At least 3,000 Peruvians demonstrated in Lima on Sunday (Monday, Manila time) to demand their votes be counted in Peru’s presidential elections, AFP observed.

Backers of ultraconservative candidate Rafael Lopez Aliaga and members of civic groups demanded their votes be respected following serious accusations of fraud against the National Office of Electoral Processes (ONPE) over irregularities in the organization and logistics of the race.

Shouting “no to fraud, respect the vote,” demonstrators carried flags and signs near ONPE headquarters.

“These elections are already a fraud, but they don’t want to admit it. We are going to fight for our votes,” 64-year-old Edith Valverde told AFP. Results from the first round of Peru’s presidential election will not be released until mid-May, an official said Saturday, after a chaotic vote leading to what appeared to be a tight race. AFP

Bulgaria’s ex-president tops parliamentary vote

SOFIA – Bulgarian ex-president Rumen Radev -- an EU critic who has called for renewing ties with Russia -- hailed a “victory of hope” after his coalition topped the eighth parliamentary elections in five years on Monday. More than 60 percent (60.79) of the vote has been counted according to the Central Electoral Commission official results website, putting Radev’s Progressive Bulgaria (PB) in the lead with some 45 percent (44.58) of the votes -- an absolute majority of at least 132 seats in the 240seat parliament.

The European Union’s poorest member has seen successive governments since 2021, when anti-graft rallies brought down the conservative administration of pro-European leader Boyko Borissov. Radev, 62, who resigned earlier this year after nine years as president, ran on a pledge to fight corruption.

PB came in well ahead of the liberal PP-DB coalition, which stood at 15 percent (14.26), and Borissov’s GERB party, which had 13 percent (13.01), according to the electoral commission. AFP

‘Save humanity’: 4 figures battling it out to lead UN

UNITED NATIONS, New York – Four contenders are squaring up to succeed Antonio Guterres as leader of the United Nations, which faces unprecedented global instability, wars and its own crushing budget crisis.

Chile’s Michelle Bachelet, Argentina’s Rafael Grossi, Costa Rican Rebeca Grynspan, and Senegal’s Macky Sall

will each face grillings by 193 member states and NGOs for three hours on Tuesday and Wednesday. It is only the second time the UN has held a public Q&A, a format created in 2016 to boost transparency. Ultimately the five permanent members of the UN’s top body, the Security Council, hold the power, wielding vetoes

over who leads the global organization as its secretary-general. A Chilean socialist brutally tortured by the regime of Augusto Pinochet, Bachelet became her country’s first woman president in 2006. She went on to be the UN rights chief, a sensitive role in which she alienated some countries, especially China, which

mauled her for reporting on alleged abuses of the Uyghur people.

The 65-year-old Grossi, a career diplomat, has led the International Atomic Energy Agency since 2019, propelling him into the middle of the battle over Iran’s nuclear program as well as the Russian occupation of Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant. AFP

NoKor uses cluster bombs in ballistic missile tests S

France summons billionaire Elon Musk over X

PARIS – Billionaire Elon Musk has been summoned for a voluntary interview in Paris on Monday as part of a French probe into his social media platform X, though it remains unclear if he will appear. French authorities issued a summons for Musk in February as part of an investigation, launched in January 2025, into allegations that X’s algorithm was used to interfere in French politics.

The probe was later expanded to include an investigation into X’s AI chatbot Grok’s dissemination of Holocaust denials and sexual deepfakes. In early February, French prosecutors

searched the Paris offices of X, in what the social media giant -- which has denied any wrongdoing -- slammed as “politicized” raids and an “abusive judicial act”. At the time, Paris prosecutors also summoned Musk and then-CEO Linda Yaccarino for voluntary interviews as the “de facto and de jure managers of the X platform at the time of the events”, a move Musk called a “political attack”.

Yaccarino resigned as CEO of X in July last year after two years at the helm of the company. In February, Paris prosecutor Laure

Leo XIV draws 100,000 to Angola Mass, hits corruption ‘scourge’

MUXIMA, Angola – Pope Leo XIV spoke out against the “scourge of corruption” at a giant open-air Mass attended by 100,000 worshippers near Angola’s capital Sunday, before visiting a venerated historic shrine in the country scarred by poverty and inequality.

Leo arrived in resource-rich Angola on Saturday on the third leg of a whirlwind four-nation African tour on which he condemned the plunder of the continent’s resources -- and had a high-profile spat with US President Donald Trump.

Authorities said 100,000 people turned out for the Mass at Kilamba, around 30 kilometres (19 miles) from the capital, some sleeping on the ground overnight in anticipation.

After pushing through the crowds in his popemobile, Leo delivered a message of hope for the country still marked by a 27-year civil war that ended in 2002.

“We too can and want to build a country where old divisions will definitively be overcome, where hatred and violence will disappear, where the scourge of cor-

ruption will be healed by a new culture of justice and sharing,” he said.

On arriving Saturday from Cameroon, Leo went straight into an event with Angolan President Joao Lourenco and other officials where he spoke out against the “suffering” caused by poverty and the rampant exploitation of natural resources.

Angola is one of Africa’s top oil and diamond producers but around a third of the population of 36.6 million people live in poverty, according to the World Bank.

“We are very rich in natural resources but there is a glaring inequality between those who live well and the others,” said Patricio Musanga, 32, before the Kilamba Mass.

“The pope must call our leaders to account. I believe that at least he will be listened to by the authorities,” he told journalists.

Father Pedro Chingandu, a Catholic priest who had come from the eastern province of Moxico, told AFP: “We need real democracy and the redistribution of wealth and justice.” AFP

Beccuau said X employees had also been summoned to appear between April 20 and 24 “to be heard as witnesses”. But whether or not those invited for voluntary questioning appear would not be “an obstacle to the continuation of the investigation,” the Paris prosecutor’s office said on Saturday. Officials have not offered any details on the location or time of Musk’s scheduled interview.

The French investigation focuses on several suspected criminal offences including complicity in possessing child sexual abuse material and denial of crimes against humanity. AFP

EOUL – North Korea fired multiple shortrange ballistic missiles that tested the power of its cluster munitions, its government news agency said on Monday, confirming the latest in a flurry of launches by the nuclear-armed state.

The Sunday launches, which were supervised by leader Kim Jong Un, aimed to “verify the characteristics and power of cluster bomb warhead and fragmentation mine warhead applied to the tactical ballistic missile”, the Korean Central News Agency reported.

They followed other tests in recent weeks of weaponry, including ballistic missiles, anti-warship cruise missiles and cluster munitions.

Neither Korea has signed the 2008 Oslo convention against cluster bombs. South Korea condemned the launches and called on the North to cease “provocations”.

KCNA said the manoeuvre tested the warhead of the Hwasongpho-11 Ra surface-to-surface tactical ballistic missile.

Five projectiles were fired towards a target area around an island about 136 kilometres (85 miles) from the launch site, it said.

They struck an area of 12.5 to 13 hectares with “very high density, fully displaying their combat might”.

Kim “expressed great satisfaction over the test results” and noted that the development of cluster bomb warheads “can... boost the high-density striking capability to quell a specific target area as well as the high-precision striking capability”, KCNA said.

Hong Min, a senior research fellow at the Korea Institute for National Unification, said the reported range would put Seoul and key US military installations within Pyongyang’s reach.

“This system appears designed to fill the gap between multiple rocket launchers and short-range ballistic missiles,” he said.

Yang Moo-jin, a professor at Seoul’s University of North Korean Studies, noted that frontline corps commanders observed the test, in contrast to the weapons researchers who watched previous ones. AFP

Residents return to ravaged homes months after major Hong Kong fire

HONG KONG – Hong Kong residents who lost their homes in a massive fire at an apartment complex last year began returning on Monday for the first time to collect what is left of their belongings. The city’s deadliest fire in decades killed 168 people when it ripped through seven of the eight apartment blocks at the Wang Fuk Court complex in November. For the first time since then, around 6,000 residents are being given threehour windows to enter their homes from Monday and get their belongings. With 1,700 flats to pick through, authorities hope the process will be completed by early May. An AFP reporter saw residents stepping out from government-organized shuttle buses as they arrived at the estate. Officials have advised residents to prepare mentally, with the fire department

warning that more than 920 homes had been damaged and some completely destroyed by the blaze. Images released by government officials show the ceilings and walls of some flats have collapsed or

UAAP

unveils

new taekwondo kyorugi format, adds poomsae

Gilgeous-Alexander, Jokic, Weby finalists for NBA MVP

LOS ANGELES

—Reigning NBA

THE UAAP Taekwondo Championships

will unveil a new competition format for the kyorugi events and introduce new categories in the poomsae discipline when Season 88 action kicks off today (Tuesday) at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

The league is shifting its kyorugi competitions from a team match format to individual events to align with international standards used in tournaments such as the Asian Championships, World Championships, and multi-sport events like the Southeast Asian Games, Asian Games, and the Olympics.

Despite the format change, UAAP kyorugi will still feature seven weight classes in both the collegiate men’s and women’s divisions, along with five categories in the high school boys division. The tournament is being held in partnership with the Philippine Sports Commission.

High school girls’ kyorugi will debut this season as a demonstration event, also featuring five weight classes.

The poomsae competition will open the four-day event alongside the preliminary matches of the High School Boys’ kyorugi. Freestyle poomsae will also make its debut as a demonstration event in the collegiate division.

For the first time in league history, high school poomsae practitioners will also take center stage as they compete in their own demonstration event.

Overall team standings across all divisions in both disciplines—poomsae and kyorugi— will be determined by medal tally, with the school that wins the most gold medals crowned as overall champion.

Most Valuable Player Shai GilgeousAlexander headlines the finalists announced Sunday for this year’s award alongside San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama and Denver’s three-time MVP Nikola Jokic.

Gilgeous-Alexander, who beat out Jokic and Giannis Antetokounmpo in the voting last year and was also named NBA Finals MVP as the Thunder beat Indiana for the trophy, averaged more than 30 points per game this season. He led Oklahoma City to the Western Conference top seed and the best record in the league at 64-18.

Wembanyama, 22, has been the driving force of San Antonio’s first run to the playoffs since 2019, averaging a career-high 25 points per game and a league-best 3.1 blocks.

Jokic averaged a triple-double and became the first player in NBA history to lead the league in both rebounds and assists in the same season. He averaged 27.9 points, 12.8 rebounds and 10.8 assists per game.

Wembanyama also headlines the finalists for Defensive Player of the Year, with Oklahoma City center Chet Holmgren and Ausar

NU, La Salle batters clash in winner-take-all Game 3

NATIONAL University attempts to secure a third straight UAAP Collegiate Men’s Baseball championship as it goes for a reverse sweep against De La Salle University in the winner-take-all Game 3 today (Tuesday) at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium.

The Bulldogs are chasing their first three-peat in league history following a massive turnaround in Game 2, where they secured a 9–3 victory over the Green Batters. This came after a narrow 1–2 loss in Game 1. First pitch is set at 8 a.m. at the historic Malate venue, with the tournament held in partnership with the Philippine Sports Commission.

In what is expected to be the final game of both the season and the stadium before it undergoes a major renovation, NU looks to build on the lessons from its Game 1 defeat and the momentum gained from its Game 2 triumph.

“After Game 1, una, in-accept talaga namin na talo kami dahil sobrang ganda ng nilaro ng La Salle, especially ‘yung

pitcher nila, si Liam De Vera. Tinanggap muna namin sa sarili namin na may kulang pa, and from there, do’n kami nagsimula ng adjustments para sa team, in preparation sa Game Two,” said thirdyear head coach Romar Landicho.

The Maulit twins, Kenneth and Kevin, aim to cap their collegiate careers as the winningest Bulldogs in baseball history as they look to replicate the heroics they displayed throughout the season, particularly in the must-win Game 2 last Friday.

Their offensive surge, combined with the stellar outing of Hilario Espina III on the mound, powered the reigning backto-back champions and extended their title hopes for at least four more days.

“‘Yung hitting namin kasi isa na lang na-score namin from [Game 1], so ‘yun

Thompson of the Detroit Pistons also on the ballot.

Gilgeous-Alexander is also up for Clutch Player of the Year. He scored 175 points in clutch time, defined as the final five minutes of regulation or overtime when the score is within five points.

Los Angeles Lakers star Luka

Doncic and Detroit’s Cade Cunningham, who were both ruled eligible for awards races despite not meeting the 65-game minimum, both failed to make the final MVP ballot.

Anthony Edwards, who was ruled out of the MVP race when his request for an “extraordinary circumstances” exemption from the 65-game rule was denied, is nevertheless among the Clutch Player finalists, which isn’t covered by the regulation. The awards, which are voted on by a panel of sports media members, will be announced over the course of the playoffs.

The NU Bulldogs celebrate their Game 2 win. lang pinagtuunan namin ng pansin, and, of course, ‘yung motivation na hindi pa naman tapos ‘yung laban ‘eh; kumbaga may Game 2 pa, magfocus tayo sa Game Two, and then, ‘pag nakuha natin ‘to at saka natin problemahin ‘yung Game 3.” Now just one win away from a historic three-peat, Landicho hopes his

squad can deliver when it matters most.

“Dadalhin namin ‘yung run, tapos ‘yung roll namin ngayon. We’re coming from a win. So, ‘yun din ‘yung magiging motivation namin going to Game Three. At talagang paghahandaan namin; alam naman namin kung sinong pupukol, paghahandaan namin,” he said.

MILO, PSC strengthen ties to build stronger grassroots sports development

FOR decades, MILO® Philippines and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) have stood behind the journeys of Filipino champions.

On April 14, 2026, these two pillars of sports renewed their commitment through a landmark partnership aimed at strengthening support systems and building a more inclusive sports culture across the country. The collaboration aligns with the PSC’s “Grassroots to Gold, Gold to Greatness” campaign, which emphasizes that excellence is built early and consistently with the right support. Present during the signing at the Nestlé Hub in Rockwell were PSC Chairman John Patrick “Pato” Gregorio, Veronica “Caron” Cruz, Senior Vice President of MILO® Philippines and Business Executive Officer at Nestlé Philippines, and Carlo Sampan, Head of MILO® Sports.

A shared vision for a stronger nation. PSC Chairman Gregorio joins MILO® Philippines’ Veronica Cruz and Carlo Sampan to officially renew their longstanding partnership. The collaboration reinforces a joint commitment to athlete welfare and the “Grassroots to Gold” mission, ensuring every Filipino athlete is empowered

from their first step to the podium. Nurturing Champions in Life

The core of this renewed partnership is a shared focus on expanding grassroots reach to ensure inclusivity across the archipelago. By leveraging platforms like MILO® Active Pilipinas, Batang Pinoy, Women in Sports, and community-

based sports programs, the collaboration aims to provide every child, regardless of background, the space to discover their potential.

“At MILO, our purpose is to build champions in sport and in life,” said Cruz. “Developing sport, especially at the grassroots, cannot be done by one institution alone. It

takes committed partnerships that bring together a shared purpose and a long-term view of impact. We are inspired by the PSC’s direction and are honored to stand with them.”

A Sustainable Legacy of Sport

This vision is further reflected in MILO® Philippines’ ongoing efforts to champion active lifestyles nationwide. Earlier this year, the brand marked the 50th year of the MILO Marathon, a milestone that highlights its longstanding role in grassroots sports.

“At MILO®, we believe in a holistic approach to sports development: one that goes beyond physical training to include values formation, proper nutrition, and access to meaningful opportunities,” said Carlo Sampan, Head of MILO® Sports. “This partnership with the PSC allows us to further strengthen that commitment by creating a more complete support system for young athletes, from grassroots to elite levels,” Sampan added.

Through the #MyMILOStory campaign, the brand celebrates generations of stories, from a child’s first sports clinic to a national athlete’s podium finish, demonstrating how sports build confidence and values long before medals are won.

Cool Smashers, Super Spikers duel for PVL title

THIS is no ordinary finals – it’s a collision of legacy and longing, a war of attrition where past dominance and present hunger are stripped of meaning the moment the first serve is struck.

Creamline enters the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Finals as a battle-tested dynasty, making its 15th championship appearance. Across the net, Cignal stands on unfamiliar ground – its first finals – but armed with a quiet, dangerous truth: it has beaten Creamline twice this conference.

History suggests experience prevails. Reality warns that hunger can be just as ruthless.

All of that fades when Game

One begins Tuesday at 5 p.m. at the Araneta Coliseum, where the best-ofthree series opens with everything on the line and nothing guaranteed.

Creamline leans on pedigree, appearing in its ninth All-Filipino finals, carrying the weight – and confidence – of a team that knows how to win on the biggest stage.

Cignal counters with urgency. For the Super Spikers, this is not just a finals appearance – it is the culmination of years of waiting, building and believing.

“We know each other well, but the break gave us time to improve,” said Creamline coach Sherwin Meneses in Filipino. “The job isn’t finished.” The Cool Smashers’ motivation runs deeper than tradition. After a rare title-less campaign following their Grand Slam season, the hunger has returned with force.

“We went through a lot to get here,” added Meneses. “But we stayed together. That trust brought us back.” That resilience was forged in survival – Creamline battled through multiple do-or-die matches just to reach the finals, sharpening both its edge and identity.

“We gave everything in those knockout games,” said Creamline top hitter Bernadette Pons. “Now that we’re back, we have to finish the job.” For Alyssa Valdez, this finals is less about legacy and more about rediscovery.

“This conference helped us understand each other more deeply,” she said. “After all the struggles, we just want to show who we truly are as a team.”

At the center of it all is playmaker Jia de Guzman, orchestrating a system built not on stars, but on shared responsibility.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder dribbles the ball during the game against the Phoenix Suns against the Phoenix Suns during Game 1 of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. AFP

Present during the signing at the Nestlé Hub in Rockwell were PSC chairman John Patrick ‘Pato’ Gregorio (center), Veronica ‘Caron’ Cruz (left), Senior Vice President of MILO® Philippines and Business Executive Officer at Nestlé Philippines, and Carlo Sampan, Head of MILO® Sports.

TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 2026

RIERA U. MALLARI, Editor

RANDY M. CALUAG, Asst. Editor

Hotshots’ coach Tenorio demands playo mindset from his players

WITH Magnolia situated in the middle of the packed standings, Hotshots’ head coach LA Tenorio has made it clear to his players that every game is now a playoff game as they go into the closing stretch of eliminations in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup.

And the Hotshots immediately responded to Tenorio’s urgent call, clamping down on fellow postseason hopeful Converge to score a 106-94 victory on Sunday night at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

“I challenged my players to play defense and basically I told them that this is a playoff game for us. It’s either them (Converge) or us, kasi our team standings dikit-dikit masyado. Every game really counts in this conference right now,” Tenorio said.

The Hotshots buckled down to work on the defensive end, limiting the talent-ladent FiberXers to just 15 points in the first quarter and then holding them scoreless for more than three minutes at the start of the fourth period to build an insurmountable 20-point lead they never gave up.

While Magnolia breached the century mark with Clint Chapman (22 points, 17 rebounds) and Zavier Lucero (17 points, 14 rebounds) leading the charge, Tenorio pointed to the team’s defense as the true difference-maker.

“I want to give credit to all my players that they really locked in defensively. Although we scored 106, what I really liked is our defense from start to finish,” said Tenorio, as Magnolia stayed on a deadlock at No. 7 with San Miguel on an identical 4-4 record while sending Converge down to 2-6 at No. 11.

“’Yun ang in-emphasize ko talaga. Hopefully, we can see this game as a blueprint moving forward, especially playing a lot of big teams and playoff teams that are above us.”

Magnolia still has five days to rest before resuming its postseason bid, but Tenorio is already looking ahead to what could be an even tougher test.

The Hotshots next face the league-leading Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, who are currently holding an immaculate record in seven games.

“Iniisip ko na,” said Tenorio, referring to their crucial clash versus RoS on April 25 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila. Jeremiah Sevilla

PSA Forum to discuss volleyball, basketball

THE World Cup-bound Gilas Pilipinas women’s 3x3 team joins key personnel and players of the National Grassroots Volleyball League in Tuesday’s session (April 21) of the weekly Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum at the Philippine Sports Commission media room.

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas Executive Director Erika Dy will be with the members of the national 3x3 team that recently clinched a berth in the FIBA World Cup set in Warsaw, Poland this June.

In attendance are players Afril Bernardino, Kacey Dela Rosa, Mikka Cacho, Reynalyn Ferrer, and Cheska Apag, together with coach Anton Altamirano and SBP 3x3 program director Ryan Gregorio. Meanwhile, the first part of the 10:30 a.m. public sports program presented by San Miguel Corporation, PSC, Philippine Olympic Committee, MILO, and the country’s 24/7 sports app ArenaPlus, will feature the coming NGVL National Finals slated May 3-7 at the FilOil Arena.

Discussing the tournament are NGVL president Yvette KatigbakAmbrocio, NGVL operations head and president of Lighthouse Group Froi Ambrocio, UST girls coach Kungfu Reyes, Immaculate Concepcion Academy star player April Saquilayan, De La Salle Zobel’s Zeianne Laborte, and Ghen Zharren Carreon of the Filspikerz Volleyball Club of New Zealand.

Eala eyes possible rematch vs. Mertens in Madrid Open

By Jeremiah Sevilla

THE Philippines’ Alex Eala will aim to arrange a rematch with world No. 1 doubles’ player Elise Mertens of Belgium as she takes on a qualifier to start her campaign in the Mutua Madrid Open 2026 firing off on April 21 in Spain.

Eala, who climbed a notch to No. 44 in the latest Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) singles rankings, finds herself on a collision course with Mertens following the tournament draw on Monday morning. The 20-year-old Eala will first clash against a qualifier in the round of 128 no earlier than Wednesday. A win in that opening tiff will then set Eala up for a rematch against the 30-year-old Mertens in the round of 64.

Mertens, ranked No. 19 in the singles rankings, received a first-round bye as one of the top 32 players seeded in the WTA 1000 Madrid tourney.

Eala and Mertens’ previous meeting took place in the Jasmin Open 2023 in Tunisia, where the Belgian rallied past the Filipina, 7-5, 6-0, before going on to capture the title.

Should the rematch materialize this year in Madrid, Eala is expected to put up a better fight, as she has since reached a careerbest ranking of No. 29 after her Round of 16 finish in the Indian Wells Open last March.

Eala will also be eager to bounce back from early exits in her last two clay events.

Eala lost to Latvia’s Jelena Ostapenko, 4-6, 5-7, in the second of the Linz Open in Austria, then bowed down to Canada’s Leylah Fernandez, 1-6, 4-6, in the opening round of Stuttgart Open in Germany last week.

Phillips secures pro license, joins San Juan Knights

By Randy M. Caluag

MICHAEL “Motor Mike” Phillips, the powerhouse forward who captained the De La Salle University Green Archers to a 2025 UAAP championship, has officially closed the chapter on his collegiate career.

Phillips visited the Games and Amusements Board

(GAB) Central Office on Monday to formalize his transition into the professional ranks.

By acquiring his professional athlete’s license, the reigning UAAP Finals MVP is now eligible to compete in professional leagues, beginning with his highly anticipated stint with the San Juan Knights in the ongoing Maharlika Pilipinas

Basketball League (MPBL) regular season.

Phillips was received by GAB chairman Atty. Francisco J. Rivera, who personally oversaw the licensing process.

Rivera expressed his admiration for the young star’s trademark energy—the very trait that earned him the “Motor Mike” moniker—as well as his grounded personality.

Rivera noted that he was deeply impressed by Michael’s dedication, perseverance, and faith, stating that these are the qualities that brought him success in the UAAP and will continue to serve him well as he navigates the professional landscape.

Beyond the administrative paperwork, Rivera took the opportunity to mentor Phillips on the responsibilities that come with a professional license. He emphasized that the Code of Ethics and Conduct for Professional Athletes is a shield, not just a set of restrictions.

“It’s not actually for society, it’s for your protection,” Rivera told Phillips. “So as a professional player, you should take those rules seriously because they’re designed for your protection.”

The transition marks a significant milestone for the MPBL, as one of the most dominant rebounding forces in Philippine amateur basketball joins the San Juan roster.

Lady Bullpups roll to a winning start in Rising Stars Cup

POWEHOUSE National University-Nazareth School flexed its firepower in a 25-16, 25-14, crushing of King’s Montessori High School for a rousing start in its title-retention bid in the Shakey’s Girls Volleyball Invitational League (SGVIL) Rising Stars Cup Division 1 campaign on Monday at the La Salle Green Hills Gym. Alas Pilipinas Girls star Xyz Rayco led the way for the Lady Bullpups with 10 points on six aces and four attacks. Jaila Adrao added nine points, Jhaynna Bulandres scored eight while Raine Alonzo finished with seven points for the reigning UAAP champion, which only needed 46 minutes to bag the victory.

Kriska Gendap and Sharina Lleses led King’s Montessori with six and five points, respectively.

On the other hand, University of Santo Tomas clawed its way back from a set down to repulse De La Salle-Zobel, 24-26, 25-20, 15-19, in Pool D. Nicole Pelaez and Ryzel Laag anchored the Junior Tigresses’ decisive 11-3 rally in the deciding frame to snatch the victory in Pool D in 73 minutes.

Pelaez finished with 10 points, including the match-clinching kill, Laag scored four of her eight points in the third set while Eliz Mechavez added eight markers for UST.

The Junior Tigresses trailed the Junior Lady Spikers, 4-6, before sparking a 10-1 rally capped by back-to-back aces by Laag as UST reached match point, 14-7. La Salle-Zobel saved two match points off the Junior Tigresses’ errors before Pelaez’s clincher.

Jeleanne Laborte had 10 points while Alyanna Valdez and Kylie Celada chipped in eight points each in a losing cause for the Junior Lady Spikers. In other Division 1 matches, Immaculada Conception College blasted Canossa Academy, 25-12, 26-24, in Pool B while St. John’s Institute overpowered De La Salle-Lipa, 26-24, 25-13, in Pool C to begin their respective run in the country’s biggest grassroots volleyball league, backed by Shakey’s Pizza Parlor, Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, Potato Corner and R and B Milk Tea, on a positive note.

Magnolia’s Clint Chapman collars the rebound in a PBA game won by the Hotshots, 106-94, over the Converge FiberXers on Sunday.

Alexandra Eala

Mike Phillips gets pointers from GAB chairman Francisco Rivera. GAB

NUNS’ Diza Marie Berayo scores against King’s Montessori’s Aiana Jumawan. Roman Prospero

HOSPITAL

EXPANSION.

St. Luke’s Medical Center-Quezon City completes the vertical construction of its North Hospital Building with a topping-off ceremony. Attending the ceremony on April 20, 2026 are (front row, from left) Prime Bishop Nelson Poltic; SLMC board member Lenora Cabili, SLMC first vicechairman Cirilo Noel, DMCI president Jorge Consunji, SLMC senior vice-poresident and medical director Dr. Deborah Ona, principal architect John Ryan Santos, SLMC director Jose Ma. Montinola and SLMC board member Edison Yap. Joseph Muego

Car sales slide 9.8% amid EV shift

105,642 units

Vehicle sales in Q1 2026

117,074 units

Vehicle sales in Q1 2025

11,800 units

Electrified vehicle sales in Q1

By Othel V. Campos

PHILIPPINE vehicle sales fell 9.8 percent in the first three months of 2026 from a year ago, but a surge in electrified vehicle demand offered a bright spot amid a broader market slowdown, industry data showed on Monday.

The Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. (CAMPI) and the Truck Manufacturers Association (TMA) reported joint sales of 105,642 units in the first quarter, down from 117,074 units in the same period last year. Including estimates from nonmember brands, total industry volume likely reached 112,500 units for the quarter.

March sales for CAMPI-TMA members totaled 36,104 units, up 0.7 percent from February but a 10.4 percent decline from March 2025. Passenger car sales dragged the overall performance with a 17.2-percent drop to 20,151 units, while commercial vehicles declined 7.8 percent to 85,491 units. The electrified vehicle (xEV)

Finance Secretary Frederick Go (left) welcomes onsemi president and chief executive Hassane El-Khoury’s expansion strategy in the Philippines.

segment bucked the downtrend as sales jumped 36.2 percent to 11,800 units in the first quarter.

This growth pushed the market share of electrified models to 11.17 percent from 7.4 percent a year ago. Battery electric vehicles more than doubled to 2,289 units, while plugin hybrids surged 924.6 percent to 1,250 units. Hybrid electric vehicles remained the largest subsegment with 8,261 units sold.

CAMPI president Jose Maria Atienza said the shift toward electrified mobility is becoming more pronounced, particularly following the declaration of a national energy emergency in late March.

“This continues the rising trend we have been observing over the past few years. xEV adoption is mainly driven

by users’ growing understanding and acceptance of electrified technologies. We expect this to grow further because of the country’s need for various energy-efficient vehicles,” Atienza said.

Rising fuel costs are expected to sustain interest in alternative powertrains and smaller, fuel-efficient engines.

“This will not only accelerate the preference for electrified vehicles but may also highlight the practicality of energy-efficient vehicles like smaller and lowerdisplacement cars. The auto industry will evolve based on the market’s requirements,” Atienza said.

Within the commercial segment, light commercial vehicles fell 10.5 percent to 62,228 units. Heavy-duty trucks and buses saw the sharpest contraction, plunging 48.4 percent to 131 units. Conversely, light-duty trucks and buses grew 5 percent to 1,761 units.

Toyota Motor Philippines Corp. maintained its market leadership in March with 17,622 units sold, accounting for a 49 percent market share.

PH

incurred $2.6-b BOP deficit in March

By Thony Rose Lesaca

THE Philippines posted a balance of payments deficit of $2.6 billion in March 2026, bringing the total gap in the first quarter of 2026 to $5.3 billion, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said Monday.

Data also showed the country’s gross international reserves (GIR) settled at $106.6 billion at the end of March, down from previous levels. Despite the drop, the BSP said the reserves represented an “adequate external liquidity buffer.”

The GIR level is equivalent to 7.0 months’ worth of imports of goods and payments of services and primary income. It also covers about 3.9 times the country’s short-term external debt based on residual maturity, which includes debt due within one year and upcoming principal payments on longer-term loans.

The BOP tracks all economic transactions between the Philippines and the rest of the world. The BSP manages the GIR, which consists of foreign-denominated securities, foreign exchange and gold, to ensure dollar liquidity and shield the economy against external shocks and currency volatility.

Union Bank of the Philippines chief economist Ruben Carlo Asuncion said the BOP deficit suggests that the higher uncertainty and risk-off sentiment seen early in the year continue to weigh on short-term capital flows.

“The wider balance of payments deficit in March reflects elevated import demand—particularly for energy and capital goods—alongside softer export receipts and portfolio outflows amid volatile global financial conditions,” he said.

“Looking ahead, external pressures are likely to persist in the near term, keeping the full-year BOP in deficit,” said Asuncion.

US technology firm onsemi vows to expand PH manufacturing sites

AMERICAN intelligent power and image sensing firm ON Semiconductor Corporation (onsemi) will deepen its presence in the Philippines through a brownfield expansion strategy to scale operations at its existing manufacturing sites. The company, which has operated in the Philippines for more than 30 years and employs over 6,000 Filipinos, said its local facilities are critical to meeting global demand for power chips used in hyperscale data centers, artificial intelligence infrastructure and advanced storage systems.

“Virtually every technology that requires the conversion of electricity for data processing or storage relies on onsemi chips,” onsemi president and chief executive Hassane El-Khoury said in a meeting with a government delegation on April 14.

El-Khoury said Philippine operations are also integral to producing sensing and power solutions for aerospace, defense, security and advanced automotive applications, such as vision systems for electric

and autonomous vehicles.

The brownfield approach aims to strengthen existing sites rather than building new ones. El-Khoury noted the company appreciates the Philippine government’s support in advancing these long-term plans.

“The continued support of the Philippine government has enabled onsemi to establish a strong presence in the Philippines as an integral part of our global manufacturing network,” El-Khoury said.

Finance Secretary Frederick Go welcomed the expansion strategy, stating the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. remains committed to supporting reinvestment by existing investors to strengthen high-value manufacturing.

“The Marcos Jr. administration remains committed to creating an enabling environment where businesses can expand efficiently and competitively. My office stands ready to assist businesses in accelerating their expansion plans in the Philippines,” Go said. Othel V. Campos

BUSINESS

PH stocks edge higher as peso slides below 60

By Jenniffer B. Austria

PHILIPPINE stocks posted modest gains Monday on bargain hunting following last week’s decline, while the peso slipped closer to the 60-level against the US dollar.

The peso closed at 59.97 to the dollar, weakening from Friday’s finish of 60.035.

The benchmark 30-company Philippine Stock Exchange index rose by as much as 1.3 percent during intraday trading before paring gains to close at 6,016.03, up 16.90 points, or 0.28 percent. The broader all shares index ended at 3,382.44, up 7.66 points, or 0.23 percent.

“The index trimmed intraday gains of 1.3 percent to close up 0.3 percent, holding above 6,000 as markets shrugged off volatile U.S.-Iran headlines,” AB Capital Securities said. “Regional peers also advanced despite weaker U.S. futures and elevated oil.”

Analysts noted that while regional markets moved higher, investors maintained a cautious stance as they continued to monitor developments between the US and Iran.

Sentiment was also weighed down by a potential interest rate hike by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas during its policy meeting later this week.

Sector performance was mixed. Holding firms led the gainers, rising 0.87 percent, while the industrial sector was the biggest decliner, falling 0.34 percent. Property and banking stocks also ended lower due to pressure ahead of the BSP meeting.

citing the United States’ blockade of its ports.

However, lingering hopes for a deal to end the seven-week crisis continued to support Asian equities, even as Tehran said it was not currently planning to attend peace talks.

Crude plunged Friday while US stocks rallied after the Islamic republic said it would again allow ships to pass through the waterway—through which a fifth of global oil and LNG gas usually passes —citing the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon.

US President Donald Trump told AFP that “we’re very close to having a deal”, adding that there were “no sticking points at all” left with Tehran, though Iran quickly pushed back, saying its stockpile of enriched uranium would not be transferred “anywhere”.

Decliners slightly outnumbered advancers, 105 to 101. Universal Robina Corp. was the top index gainer, climbing 2.46 percent to P62.50. Monde Nissin Corp. was the worst performer, declining 2.18 percent to P6.74.

Oil prices surged Monday on a re-escalation of hostilities in the Middle East war after Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz at the weekend, just a day after reopening it,

US benchmark West Texas Intermediate dived more than 11 percent and Brent shed nine percent.

But both contracts jumped sharply Monday, days before the end of a two-week ceasefire, owing to the ongoing US blockade and after an American destroyer fired on and seized an Iranian ship that tried to evade it. Tehran warned it would retaliate.

The blockade of Iranian ports has been a significant sticking point in negotiations between the two countries, and state broadcaster IRIB cited Iranian sources as saying “there are currently no plans to participate in the next round of Iran-US talks” in Pakistan. The Fars and Tasnim news agencies had earlier cited anonymous sources as saying “the overall atmosphere cannot be assessed as very positive”, adding that lifting the US blockade was a precondition for negotiations. WTI jumped more than seven percent at one point, while Brent piled on more than six percent. There has so far been only a single, 21-hour negotiating session held in Islamabad on April 11 that ended inconclusively, though groundwork for fresh talks continued afterwards. “We’re offering a very fair and reasonable DEAL, and I hope they take it,” Trump said in a social media post Sunday, while also renewing his threats against Iran’s infrastructure if a deal is not made. With AFP

First robot-assisted cataract surgery achieved in PH

A HISTORIC milestone in ophthalmology was reached as surgeons successfully completed the world’s first fully robot-assisted cataract surgery on a human patient. The procedure positions the Philippines and the Asian Eye Institute as leaders in the future of global eye care.

The surgery utilized the Jasper Platform, a proprietary system developed by ForSight Robotics. ForSight Robotics lead surgeon Dr. Alexey Rapoport performed the procedure, while Asian Eye Institute head of cornea and refractive surgery Dr. Robert Edward Ang served as the principal investigator.

“This technological breakthrough presents a shift in how we think about performing eye surgery,” Ang said.

“Robotic-assisted systems like the Jasper Platform have the potential to improve surgical precision, reduce variability and ultimately make high-quality cataract surgery more accessible to patients who need it most,” he said.

The study reinforces the Asian Eye Institute’s role as a primary center for clinical research in Asia. Over the last

25 years, the institute has contributed to advancements in femtosecond lasers, intraocular lenses, glaucoma treatments and retinal disease therapies.

Asian Eye Institute medical director Dr. Juan Ma. Pablo Nañagas said the milestone reflects a commitment to bringing global innovation into local practice. He noted that clinical research is the mechanism through which patient care evolves.

Ang said the research aims to bridge the gap between medical demand and delivery. He noted that more efficient procedures can reach more patients in regions where access to eye care remains a challenge.

The institute continues to conduct research on presbyopia laser treatments, drug delivery systems for glaucoma and retinal macular degeneration drugs.

Ang is a senior consultant who trained at the Philippine General Hospital and completed fellowships at Harvard Medical School. He was named to The Ophthalmologist’s Power List 100 in 2018 and 2024.

Unexciting prospects for PH economy in 2028

AS THIS stage in the life of their country—two years before a scheduled presidential election—thoughtful Filipinos should be starting to experience feelings of excitement and elation over the prospect of a positive change in the nation’s leadership. This is not the case this time, and as the fourth year of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s term draws to a close, the nation’s mood is an admixture of melancholy, malaise and anxiety.

It is easy to understand why thoughtful Filipinos are feeling that way about the prospects of this country’s economy in 2028. All that one has to do is (1) look at the state of the Philippine economy and (2) consider the individuals who are likely to make a run for the Presidency of this country two years hence.

The Philippine economy is not in the best of shapes. Even before last year’s unfolding of the worst corruption drama in the history of the Philippine government, Philippine economic growth had been exhibiting sign of slowing down. Annual 6-percent-and above- gross domestic product (GDP) growth rates were becoming harder to achieve. And the long-touted sound macro-economic fundamentals’ were beginning to be subjected to pressure. This is particularly true of the debt-toGDP ratio and the deficit-to-GDP ratio. Philippines agriculture, especially the rice industry, needs a large infusion of efficiency. Not nearly enough foreign direct investment (FDI) has been flowing into this country. Philippine external trade has been perennially in deficit. This country’s educational system continues to get low rating from the international educational achievement rating systems. And the rest of the nation’s social services (healthcare, housing, classroom etc.) remain underfunded and inadequate.

The Filipino people find solace in the hope that one of the likely candidates for President in the 2028 election will bring Philippine society—in particular the Philippine economy—out of darkness and stagnation and into rectitude and progress. And what does the menu of likely 2028 Presidential candidates look like?

Thus far only Vice-President Sara Duterte has publicly declared an intention to run for President in the 2028

election. The nation’s No. 2 official is facing impeachment by the House of Representatives, and it looks likely that the Articles of Impeachment will find their way to the Senate, which hears impeachment cases. The Articles contain charges of such seriousness that they raise the question of her fitness to be a candidate for the highest office in the land. That Sara Duterte could be acquitted by the Senate—and go on to win the Presidency—is a thought that most Filipinos consider not just an unexciting prospect but a sleeplessnessinducing possibility. But if the Senate convicts her, Sara Duterte will be out of Presidential contention in 2028.

The Philippine economy is not in the best of shapes.

The other individuals who are casting a moist eye on the presidency – mostly legislators—either are themselves facing legal challenges or are clearly not ready for the immense responsibilities of the Presidency.

The character blemishes and patent professional unpreparedness of the undeclared aspirants are the things that are making the 2028 presidential prospects unexciting for most Filipinos. From the 2028 presidential election, they want an individual to emerge who will be untainted, knowledgeable and hardworking—in that order. They think that the declared and undeclared presidential aspirants represents more of the same. That’s why they are not excited.

But there are two years still to the 2028 election. The situation can change in the meantime. An individual – a man or a woman – could come along who will display a potential to steer this country in a serious, focused and zero-tolerancefor-corruption direction.

Until that man or woman comes along, the Filipino people will be unexcited about the Philippine economy’s prospects in 2028. (llagasjessa@yahoo.com)

DOE considers lifting coal ban amid ME tensions

By Alena Mae S. Flores

THE Department of Energy is studying whether to lift a moratorium on new coal-fired power plants to protect the country’s electricity supply from the impact of the Middle East crisis.

Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said teams are evaluating the move and remain open to coal provided it involves cleaner technology and a clear transition plan toward renewable energy.

The agency originally issued the moratorium on Dec. 22, 2020, to halt applications for greenfield coal projects, but it issued a clarification in October 2025 regarding self-generating facilities and new capacities in on-grid and off-grid areas.

“There is already an existing suspension as far as some cases are allowed that you can build a coal power plant,” Garin said.

“Because there is a moratorium, you cannot build a new one,” he said.

Garin said a department advisory issued last year allows for specific exemptions during energy crises or other justifying circumstances. The agency said that construction of new on-grid coal plants may proceed during a declared or imminent power crisis or when electricity shortages threaten severe regional impacts.

“In times of crisis, coal still remains one of the cheapest options we have for power generation,” Garin said.

“We are studying the expansion of that exception, but we need to study it properly. The problem is diesel, and diesel is not really a major factor in terms of power generation in the Philippines — it’s more on the transportation side,” she said.

While the government considers increasing coal use to offset diesel, officials are also weighing options

including natural gas, nuclear power and renewable energy. Under the Philippine Energy Plan, the government aims to increase the share of renewable energy in the power generation mix to 35 percent by 2030 and 50 percent by 2040. The Philippines reached a renewable energy share of 25 percent in its power generation mix as of 2025, up from 22.2 percent over the previous 4 years. Latest Department of Energy data showed coal dominated the generation mix last year at 56.6 percent, representing a decrease from 62.52 percent two years ago.

Dr. Robert Ang (left), serving as the study principal investigator, performs a post-op patient exam at the Asian Eye Institute. Source: ForSight Robotics

Energy Secretary Sharon Garin

The Philippines and the US announce a landmark partnership to build the first AInative industrial acceleration hub, spanning 4,000 acres in Clark and located within the Luzon Economic Corridor. Attending the ceremony are (from left) Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez, Bases Conversion and Development Authority president and chief executive Joshua Bingcang, Trade Undersecretary and Board of Investments managing head Ceferino Rodolfo, United States Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy and the Environment Jacob Helberg, United States Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Allison Hooker and United States Under Secretary of State for Management Jason Evans.

US eyes 4,000-acre AI industrial hub in New Clark City

By Othel V. Campos

THE Department of Trade and Industry

(DTI) is positioning the planned AI-native industrial acceleration hub as a strategic leap for the Philippines, shifting the country from a resource-based supplier to a high-value manufacturing and technology hub in the global supply chains.

The Philippines and the United States announced a landmark partnership to develop the 4,000-acre facility in New Clark City in Tarlac within the Luzon Economic Corridor. The site will host industrial operations spanning critical minerals processing,

semiconductors, advanced manufacturing and artificial intelligence (AI).

Trade Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque said the initiative directly advances the Philippine Semiconductor and Electronics Industry Roadmap by reinforcing upstream supply security while accelerating expansion into higher-value downstream activities.

“The AI-native industrial acceleration hub reinforces our semiconductor and electronics industry roadmap by linking our critical minerals advantage with our established strengths and by opening pathways toward higher value and advanced manufac-

IN BRIEF

DOE expects 500 MW from Terra Solar by May

THE Department of Energy (DOE) expects the Terra Solar Philippines Inc, solar project to begin delivering 500 megawatts of capacity by May 2026, boosting the country’s generation capacity as the government fast-tracks renewable energy initiatives.

DOE assistant secretary Mario Marasigan said Terra Solar is injecting 250 MW into the grid. The agency is working with the

“We

said.

Meralco PowerGen Corp, affiliate MTerra Solar is developing the facility, which is slated to be the largest solar plant in the country. At full capacity, the project is expected to generate 3,500 MWp of solar power supported by a 4,500 MWh battery energy

Group-wide cost-cutting measures brought consolidated operating expenses down 18 percent to P20.48 billion. The cable TV and broadband business improved on a recurring basis, narrowing its net loss by 17 percent to P1.34 billion. Including one-time items, that segment reported its net loss fell 82 percent to P776 million, aided by P3.04 billion in cost reductions.

The content production and distribution business grew revenue 5 percent to P12.59 billion in 2025, while its recurring net loss narrowed by 11 percent to P2.54 billion. Darwin G. Amojelar

Pascua appointed new IPOPHL chief

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has appointed Teodoro Pascua as the new director-general of the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL).

Pascua served as the agency’s deputy director general for policy and management services from 2018 to 2022. He replaces outgoing acting director-general Nathaniel Arevalo, who will resume his permanent role as deputy director-general.

The agency expects Pascua to leverage his institutional knowledge to strengthen enforcement and promote innovation at a time when digital and creative economies are expanding. During his previous tenure at IPOPHL, Pascua oversaw the IP Academy, the enforcement office and the policy and international affairs division.

turing,” Roque said.

She said the project is expected to expand Philippine exports not only in volume but in sophistication, value and strategic relevance, strengthening the country’s role in the global electronics and semiconductor value chain.

Anchored in the Pax Silica initiative, the partnership promotes a network of trusted partners that supports transparent governance for secure and resilient silicon supply chains.

It also builds on the Philippines–US memorandum of understanding on cooperation in critical minerals development, aligning with government efforts to deepen industrial capabilities and boost export competitiveness.

BPI cautious despite higher Q1 net income

By Jenniffer B. Austria

BANK of the Philippine Islands (BPI) adopted a cautious stance for 2026 even as it reported steady earnings in the first quarter, warning that geopolitical tensions in the Middle East could dampen consumer spending and economic growth.

BPI said Monday first-quarter net income rose 1.7 percent to P16.9 billion, supported by growth in both interest and non-interest income streams.

Total revenues in the first quarter reached P50.9 billion, up 13.9 percent from the previous year, as net interest income climbed 13.7 percent. Non-interest income rose 14.5 percent to P11.8 billion. Higher credit card fees, foreign exchange and trading gains and stronger deal activity fueled the growth.

BPI president and chief executive Jose Teodoro Limcaoco said the bank will tighten lending standards across segments to guard against potential deterioration in asset quality.

Higher oil prices could ripple through the Philippine economy via inflation and weaker household purchasing power.

“The bank would tighten lending standards across segments, especially

in its growing consumer portfolio,” Limcaoco said. He said non-performing loans could increase if economic conditions weaken. As a proactive measure, the bank recorded provisions of P5.5 billion for the first quarter.

BPI head of consumer banking Maria Cristina Go said the bank is strengthening credit evaluation processes, placing greater emphasis on borrowers’ repayment capacity and limiting exposure to riskier accounts. The lender is also enhancing collection efforts and offering restructuring options to clients facing financial strain.

In its retail segment, the bank is tightening approvals for credit cards and personal loans while rolling out payment programs to help existing borrowers manage obligations. Despite the current risks, BPI sees growth pockets emerging in sectors tied to energy transition.

REFORMS. The Securities and Exchange Commission steps up reforms to make the Philippine capital market more accessible, transparent and responsive to long-term growth, with measures that lower compliance costs, streamline processes, and widen participation. At the 3rd MAP Summit on

a steep decline in its cable and broadband segment. The Lopez-led media firm posted a net loss of P4.72 billion last year, an improvement from the P6.09 billion loss recorded in 2024. Consolidated revenue fell 9 percent to P15.85 billion as a 39-percent drop in cable TV and broadband revenue to P3.27 billion offset gains in content production.

“I am honored to return to IPOPHL and work alongside the dedicated men and women advancing innovation and creativity in the country,” Pascua said.

“We do so at a critical time, when products of the mind are increasingly shaping our economy. We will build on the agency’s strong foundation to ensure that IP remains responsive, inclusive, and supportive of the Filipino dream,” he said. Othel V. Campos

FPH defers 2026 meeting amid Lopez dispute

FIRST Philippine Holdings Corp. (FPH) has postponed its 2026 annual stockholders meeting as its top leadership remains embroiled in a legal dispute involving the Lopez family.

The FPH board of directors approved the deferral of the meeting originally scheduled for May 28, the company said. FPH, which holds investments in power generation, real estate and construction, said the meeting would be delayed until issues between FPH chairman and chief executive Federico Lopez and Lopez Inc. are resolved.

The rift within the influential Lopez family emerged last month over management questions regarding ABSCBN Broadcasting Corp, and First Gen Corp. In February, the board of Lopez Inc, voted 5-2 to fire Lopez as president and chief executive for alleged cause and loss of trust. While

company bylaws allow the majority to remove any corporate officer at will, Lopez obtained a court order to block his ouster indefinitely.

Shareholders representing the majority of Lope Inc. accused Federico Lopez of installing secret “poison pill” provisions that could cost the company P24 billion if he is removed from his position.

The provisions would allow the sale of First Gen’s gas and hydropower businesses at a 25 percent discount. The Lopez majority said in a statement the company only disclosed these terms to the Philippine Stock Exchange months late and only after the family majority exposed the deal.

The majority shareholders labeled the move as a self-serving tactic to ensure the chairman remains in power at the expense of other investors. Jenniffer B. Austria

By Thony Rose Lesaca

SALMON Group said Monday it secured $100 million in a financing round to accelerate its growth in the Philippines.

The capital injection includes $60 million in new equity led by US-based venture investors and a $40-million public bond offering. The company, which operates through a Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas-licensed lender and a financing firm, said the transaction was oversubscribed.

Salmon Group said it plans to use the equity proceeds to expand its product line, broaden its distribution network across the Philippines and increase the capitalization of Salmon Bank.

The round was led by Spice Expeditions and included participation from Washington University Investment Management Company, Moore Strategic Ventures, FJ Labs and existing investors.

The Philippine consumer finance market remains a primary target for the firm due to a large underbanked population and rising digital adoption. Within three years of starting operations, the company has positioned itself as a challenger to legacy banks by focusing on mobile-first services and high uptime.

“This round is validation of what we have been building – an always-on bank and financial services super-app for every Filipino, run with discipline and a long-term mindset,” Salmon Group co-founder Pavel Fedorov said.

PROPERTY developer Ayala Land Inc. (ALI) said Monday it temporarily suspended sales for its Laurean Residences development in Makati City, its latest ultra-luxury residential project, citing rising cost pressures and global instability.

The company described the move as a prudent decision driven by evolving global conditions and tensions in the Middle East. These factors have reduced the company’s ability to ensure predictable delivery schedules and project execution.

“In the light of evolving global conditions, including the situation in the Middle East, we have made the

prudent decision to strategically place sales of Laurean Residences on pause, as the current environment presents increasing pressures on costs and reduced predictability in delivery timelines, affecting our ability to execute with the level of certainty we commit to our customers,” the company said. Launched in March 2025, Laurean Residences has generated P10.4 billion in sales. This represents more than one-third of the total P28-billion sales value for the project. The 65-story development occupies a 1.3-hectare lot at the corner of Paseo de Roxas and Dela Rosa Street and broke ground in February. Jenniffer B. Austria

ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABILITY

Metro Pacific Group allotting new funds to protect Tubbataha Reefs

METRO Pacific Investments

Foundation (MPIF) signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) to provide P12 million in funding, equivalent to ₱3 million annually for four years, to support the protection of the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park (TRNP).

The agreement includes research initiatives, protection activities and community-based efforts, in partnership with the Tubbataha Protected Area Management Board (TPAMB) and Friends of Tubbataha Inc. (FOT).

The deal builds on the collaboration established in 2022 under the “Shore It Up! Tubbataha” program through the MPIF, the corporate social responsibility arm of Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC).

The MPIF provided P8 million in support from 2022 to 2025.

The initiative focuses on environmental protection, scientific research, capacity building and community

engagement to help safeguard one of the country’s most important marine ecosystems.

Located in the heart of the Sulu Sea, Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park is a 97,030-hectare marine protected area within the Coral Triangle, the global center of marine biodiversity.

It is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a Wetland of International importance under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, signifying its exceptional ecological value not only to the Philippines but to the world.

Home to over 360 coral species and hundreds of fish species, the park provides critical habitat for threatened marine life, including sharks, sea turtles and seabirds.

Its remote location, however, presents continuing challenges in enforcement, monitoring and protection–making a sustained partnership essential.

Urban heat risks escalating—CCC

By Marita Moaje

DENSELY populated urban centers are the most vulnerable to extreme heat, which poses serious health risks and strains power and water systems.

The Climate Change Commission raised the alarm over escalating urban heat risks and urged local government units (LGUs) to speed up climate actions to better protect communities.

CCC officials said extreme heat is no longer a future threat but a present danger, especially in densely populated cities. The agency issued

SM Supermalls leads activities to clean up PH coastal areas

SM SUPERMALLS, through its corporate social responsibility arm, SM Cares, organized coastal cleanup activities across six locations with seven participating malls across nationwide in celebration of World Water Day. The initiatives reinforced the longterm commitment of SM Supermalls to environmental stewardship and sustainable waste management in its most-loved malls.

This year’s coastal cleanup emphasized enhanced waste segregation education to deepen understanding among volunteers and communities on proper sorting, recycling and disposal of collected waste.

It also underscored that everyday actions―from responsible waste disposal to recycling―play a critical role in protecting marine ecosystems.

The coastal cleanup activities took place across SM City La Union, SM City Urdaneta Central, SM City Tanza, SM City Daet, SM City Consolacion, SM Seaside City Cebu and SM J Mall, bringing together communities in a shared effort to protect local coastal environments and divert waste away from the ocean.

During the cleanups, collected waste was carefully sorted and categorized, allowing participants to see firsthand the types of materials commonly found in coastal areas―from plastic packaging and beverage containers to other discarded items that threaten marine life and coastal habitats.

By focusing on waste analysis and segregation, they raised awareness on the impact of improperly managed waste and encouraged Filipinos to adopt more responsible environmental practices in their daily lives.

These coastal cleanup activities form part of SM Supermalls’ broader environmental sustainability programs, aligned with the SM Green Movement and the company’s Waste-Free Future campaign.

“Protecting our coastal and marine environments requires a more proactive, end-to-end approach with the cleanups starting with education, deepening awareness, and sustaining collective action,” said Liza Silerio, vice president for corporate compliance and program director for environment and sustainability of SM Supermalls.

the warning last week during the Urban Heat and Drought Summit 2026 organized by the Quezon City government and CityNet.

Based on records, in Quezon City alone, the heat index levels reached as high as 46°C in 2024 and 2025, disrupting daily activities.

“This dry season, we continue

to experience intense heat, which highlights the need for urgent and coordinated action. Through NAP (National Adaptation Plan 2023–2050) localization, we provide a science-based roadmap that will guide the country in addressing heat risks while protecting key sectors and human health,” said CCC vice chairperson and executive director Robert E.A. Borje.

He said localizing the NAP provides a “science-based roadmap” that enables LGUs to directly address heat risks and safeguard vulnerable sectors.

“The NAP is a tailored-fit adaptation strategy for each locality, ensuring that interventions respond directly to their unique climate risks

and conditions,” he said.

The CCC said the effectiveness of the national plan hinges on its implementation at the community level, where climate impacts are most acutely felt.

Arnold Grant Belver of the CCC’s Policy Research and Development Division stressed the need for stronger coordination between national and local governments to ensure that the NAP translates into concrete, inclusive and climate-resilient actions for every community.

QC Mayor Joy Belmonte, meanwhile, said climate change impacts are most visible at the local level, where communities directly experience rising temperatures. CCC News, PNA

Humanity’s space presence expanding, along with environmental challenges

First of 2 parts

NASA’s Artemis II crew–fresh off a record-breaking orbit of the Moon – splashed down in the Pacific Ocean on April 10.

But before they did, the four astronauts and their Orion spacecraft passed through a band of the upper atmosphere that is rife with litter.

How much junk is up there? Well, a recent issues note from the United Nations says there are 130 million pieces of debris orbiting the Earth, from satellite fragments to abandoned spacecraft. Some hurtle around the planet at up to 15 km per second, 10 times the speed of a bullet, says NASA.

Litter is just one of several environmental challenges linked to humanity’s rapidly expanding presence in outer space, found the UN issues note.

To mark the return of the Artemis crew, and celebrate the International Day of Human Space Flight, let’s answer six key questions about space-related pollution.

1. Do rockets cause pollution?

Yes, they do. Every rocket launch releases soot, aluminum particles, chemical compounds and gases into the atmosphere.

These emissions can influence atmospheric chemistry, increase air pollution and damage the ozone layer.

But it is not just launches that pack an environmental punch. As spacecraft re-enter the atmosphere, they leave behind a chemical trail of oxides and metals. These pollutants can deplete ozone and potentially affect how much sunlight gets reflected back into space, found the UN issues note, a joint production of the UN Environment Program (UNEP) and UN

Office for Outer Space Affairs.

2. Why is space litter dangerous?

There’s the growing cloud of debris forming around our planet. Old satellites and fragments from collisions are accumulating, heightening the risk of impacts that create more space debris. If these items stay in space, they can crash into the satellites we rely on. If they survive re-entry, they can fall back to Earth, posing risks for communities and ecosystems.

Large satellite constellations and orbital debris are also making the night sky brighter and noisier, interfering with astronomy and our ability to study the universe.

3. How can the world reduce the environmental footprint of space-faring?

First, we need to close knowledge gaps. More research is needed to understand the full environmental impact of space activities on the atmosphere, the climate, ecosystems and people.

Second, monitoring and data-sharing must improve. Better data, especially on emissions launches and re-entry, will help track risks, predict impacts and bolster responses.

Third, spacecraft need to be designed in ways that lessen their environmental impact throughout their life cycles.

This includes building crafts that can avoid collisions, safely de-orbit and run on cleaner fuels. (To be continued) Written by Alyona Synenko, UNEP and scientifically reviewed by Andrea Hinwood UNEP; Jason

Baguio bats for circular tourism to reduce waste

BAGUIO CITY―At a time of increasing global uncertainty, Baguio City is taking a decisive step toward a more resilient and sustainable future through the Baguio Circular Tourism Summit.

Tourism remains a cornerstone of Baguio’s economy and identity. Yet, it also contributes significantly to growing waste volumes and resource pressures, underscoring the urgency of building systems that are more resource-efficient, locally anchored, and less vulnerable to external shocks.

Themed “Baguio Weave: Weaving a Circular Tourism Ecosystem,” the two-day summit brought together government, businesses, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), development partners and communities to accelerate the transition toward a circular tourism economy.

Led by the Baguio City government, the summit was supported by the United Nations Development Program through the Global Plastics Innovation Program (GPIP-II) and the EU-PH Green Economy Partnership, with support from Japan and the European Union, respectively.

“This event comes at a critical time when destinations around the world are rethinking how tourism can grow without compromising the environment that sustains it. Circular tourism offers us clear and hopeful path forward. These conversations are important as they allow us to learn from each other, challenge old systems, create solutions that are practical and sustainable,” said Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong.

Circular tourism provides a practical approach to transition from a linear “take-make-waste” model to one that prioritizes resource efficiency, reuse, local value creation and responsible consumption.

This enables the sector to lower costs, reduce environmental impact and strengthen resilience to energy and economic shocks, while supporting better management of visitor flows and aligning tourism with the city’s capacity.

Baguio’s circular transition is anchored on Pansa-nopen Tayo, a framework integrating indigenous wisdom with modern governance, embedding circularity across sectors and aligning local action with national sustainability goals.

UNDP Philippines News

Jabbour, UNEP; Jennifer Dev, UNOOSA; Nathalie Ricard, UNOOSA. UNEP News

The Climate Change Commission joins the Urban Heat and Drought Summit organized by the Quezon City government to advance climate action against urban heat. CCC photo

United in the common goal of protecting the environment and diverting waste away from the oceans, Coastal Cleanups are organized by SM City La Union, SM City Urdaneta Central, SM City Tanza, SM City Daet, SM City Consolacion, SM Seaside City Cebu and SMJ Mall.

Participants in the Baguio Circular Tourism Summit explore circular solutions, including plastic-free products, compostable packaging and incentivebased waste recovery systems.

The Artemis II lunar mission–the first crewed journey to the moon in more than 50 years–lifts off earlier this month. AFP/Jim Watson

TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 2026

lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com

NICKIE WANG, Editor

ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer

JASPER VALDEZ, Writer

Marian Rivera lends a hand and a smile to dental care mission

SHOWBIZ

Docufilm’s story finds second voice in music

By Jasper Valdez

ACTRESS Marian Rivera joined a dental outreach program in Manila this week, backing an initiative aimed at giving underserved children access to oral healthcare and improving confidence through treatment.

The program, CADSMILE (Specialized, Mindful, Inclusive, Life-Enhancing Care), was launched on April 15 by the Center for Advanced Dentistry (CAD) at its Greenhills facility. It offers free consultations, cleaning, and restorative dental procedures for children who may not otherwise be able to access care.

“A smile is often a child’s first expression of confidence,” said Dr. Nelda Valencia-Eufemio, who led the initiative. “Through CADSMILE, we aim to restore not just oral health, but also a sense of self-worth and happiness.” Marian, who has been involved in child-focused and health-related causes, partnered with CAD and Smile Train for the program.

“You can really see the difference—they’re more confident now, no longer shy, and they’re engaging more with each other,” Marian said. “Our goal is to give them the courage they need to thrive. Oral hygiene is essential, but with everything going on, it’s often taken for granted.”

She added that awareness of basic dental care remains important, particularly in communities with limited access to regular check-ups.

As part of its broader outreach efforts, CAD said the program is designed not only to provide treatment but also to address long-term social and emotional impacts linked to oral health.

THE story behind Sa Likod ng Tsapa took on a new form on April 11 with the launch of its official music video, which extends the reach of the award-winning docufilm.

Held at Camp Vicente Lim in Calamba, Laguna, the event unveiled the video for the film’s theme song, also titled “Sa Likod ng Tsapa” and performed by Jerry Angga

Directed and produced by Editha Caduaya, the docufilm traces the experiences of Police Brigadier General Hansel Marantan while also reflecting on the wider realities faced by officers and their families. For Caduaya, the move into music was meant to carry that message further.

“The point is really to leave behind a song that people can learn from, especially those entering the Philippine National Police,” she said, adding that the goal was to leave something meaningful for listeners. The project itself grew beyond its original scope. What started as a

Super Mario Galaxy Movie, based on Nintendo’s popular video game franchise, topped North America’s box office for the third week in a row, industry estimates showed Sunday.

The animated sequel from Universal Pictures and Illumination, tracking the adventures of Mario, Luigi, and friends in outer space, raked in another $35 million, Exhibitor Relations Co. reported.

That puts the worldwide box office total of the film, which features the voices of Jack Black, Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Brie , at nearly $750 million.

Holding its own in second place is another space adventure, Amazon

MGM Studios’ smash hit Project Hail Mary, which earned $20.4 million over the weekend in the United States and Canada.

The film, which stars Ryan Gosling as a teacherturned-astronaut who awakes on a spaceship with a mission to save Earth from a dimming sun, has earned more than $570 million worldwide, and its run in movie theaters has been extended.

Debuting in third place is Lee Cronin’s The Mummy, an original horror flick from Warner Bros., which earned $13.5 million. The film is not related to Universal’s adventure films starring Brendan Fraser In the fourth spot, at $4.8 million, was The Drama A24’s romantic comedy with a dark twist starring Zendaya Robert Pattinson about a couple unraveling just before their wedding.

And finishing in fifth, at $3.8 million, was another rom-com, Universal’s You, Me & Tuscany, starring actress-singer Halle Regé-Jean Page of Bridgerton fame.

Rounding out the top 10: Hoppers ($2.9 million), Normal ($2.7 ($1.6 million), Bhooth Bangla ($1 million), and Exit 8

short documentary developed into a full-length feature that has since been screened internationally, earning the Outstanding Excellence Award at the Documentaries Without Borders International Film Festival in March and a Special Mention Award at the 24th Dhaka International Film Festival in January.

“We did not expect this to become a full film. The original plan was a 15-minute documentary produced in the Philippines. It kept growing until it reached international festivals,” Caduaya said.

For Marantan, the music video offers another way to present a side of the story that is often overlooked.

“My intention is to educate and inform the people that it’s not only about me. It’s the story of all officers who tried to build a peaceful society and sacrificed their lives,” he said.

He also pointed to the importance of speaking out amid public scrutiny. “If I keep my silence, then the truth will be buried forever,” he added.

According to Caduaya, families of police officers have connected with the song, particularly those who have experienced similar challenges.

The team continues to bring the film to communities through screenings, with proceeds supporting initiatives for vulnerable sectors, including survivors of abuse.

The official music video can be streamed here: https://youtu.be/ rQ2uVHexo7A

ACTRESS and fashion icon

Heart Evangelista became emotional during a recent television guesting after learning that comedian and impersonator Ate Gay had publicly expressed gratitude for financial assistance he received during his battle with Stage 4 cancer.

“I was surprised that he mentioned it since we haven’t really met and we’ve never talked,” Heart said, referring to Ate Gay’s public acknowledgment. She added that the comedian had relayed his thanks through her assistant without knowing the source of the support.

“What he said was trivia that he talked to me and my assistant and that he just wanted to express his gratitude, though he didn’t know that it was me. For me, it’s sad, but I haven’t given so much thought about it,” she said. Heart said public life often comes with scrutiny.

“You know, there’s always going to be color in whatever we do as public figures. But my points in Heaven are far more important,” she said. “Life is too short. So, I was really surprised when he talked about it.”

Despite initial discomfort over Ate Gay’s revelation, Heart expressed appreciation for the gesture.

“I realized it’s a nice feeling to hear someone thanking you for the good you’ve done,” she said. “Most of the time, people don’t really know it’s me, so I really appreciate it,” the actress shared.

She added that her actions are guided by a broader sense of purpose.

“To be honest, I was touched because I work hard not just for me but for a purpose,” she said. “I do what I do is because I have my own goals in life… that only when you passed people might be able to read.”

* * *

RISING actor Dustin Yu discussed how his friendship with Bianca De Vera developed after they worked together on a music video following his reality show stint.

“After I came out from Bahay ni Kuya, she was the first one whom I got to work with,” Dustin shared. “From there, we did consecutive projects together. Outside work, our friendship gradually deepened because of our constant togetherness.”

On their working relationship, he noted, “It’s good! Bianca’s very nice

The program provides free dental care to underserved children, aiming to improve their oral health and

Docufilm ‘Sa Likod Ng Tsapa’ traces the experiences and life story of Police Brigadier General Hansel Marantan

SHOWBIZ

Alden Richards cherry-picks projects, focuses on mindful choices

MULTIMEDIA star Alden Richards is slowing down the tempo of a 15-year career that has largely been defined by constant motion. He now steps away from the “grind, grind, grind” phase in favor of a more intentional approach to work, health, and creativity.

Very Wang Nickie Wang

The 34-year-old actor said he now prefers to be more selective with projects, cherry-picking work that aligns with his energy and allows room for balance.

“At this point, I’ve realized how fulfilling it is to still do the things I love, but to be more intentional in choosing projects, especially those that aren’t too taxing,” he said during an event over the weekend where he was introduced as the new face of Fruitas, one of the country’s largest food and beverage chains with more than 850 stores nationwide.

Alden described a shift that extends beyond career pacing. His routine now includes sports, structured training, and a more disciplined approach to food and lifestyle choices. He has embraced a more active lifestyle, engaging in cycling and triathlon training while maintaining a more conscious approach to diet and wellness. With these adjustments, he noted a stronger sense of clarity and calm.

“Because I believe that whatever is happening within you eventually manifests outward. So right now, I’m just in a phase where I’m more relaxed and at peace with everything I’m doing,” he expressed.

His approach to endorsements has also evolved. He now takes a more hands-on role in selecting partnerships and shaping campaign direction.

Maki

He and his team assess whether a brand’s vision aligns with his personal image. He wanted to ensure that each collaboration fits a broader, more cohesive identity. “I also work more closely with brands on creative development rather than simply following set concepts. I want to be part of the creative production,” Alden noted. Gone is the practice of simply executing instructions without input. He now contributes ideas on marketing direction, drawing from years of experience in understanding audience behavior and shifting trends.

As part of this direction, Fruitas Holdings Inc. launched its new campaign, “Fruitas For Real: Real Fruits, Real Fresh, Real Pinoy,” with Alden as its newest endorser. “Alden represents everything Fruitas stands for, he is real, relatable, and proudly Pinoy. His active lifestyle and authenticity make him the perfect partner for our brand,” Lester Yu, founder and chief executive officer of Fruitas Holdings Inc., noted.

draws Jakarta crowd at exclusive listening event

MAKI ’S music is connecting cultures, with Jakarta emerging as a potential second base for the Filipino alt-pop singer as Indonesian fans gathered for an exclusive listening event featuring his songs.

The event, held at Rumah Kenangan Senopati in partnership with Kopi Kenangan, drew Gen Z creators, social media personalities, and members of the artist’s fan base, known as “Zushis.”

Organizers played Maki’s songs alongside music videos with Bahasa Indonesia subtitles, allowing attendees to engage more closely with the lyrics. Several of his tracks, including “Kailan,” “Dilaw,” “Turning Green,” “Indigo (with u)” and “Kahel na Langit,” have gained traction among Indonesian listeners.

Maki made a surprise appearance via video call and spoke with fans about his music and reacted to their responses during the event.

The gathering highlighted the cross-border appeal of Filipino pop music, with artists such as Maki finding audiences beyond the Philippines, particularly among younger listeners in the region.

A NEW Michael Jackson biopic will shortly arrive in cinemas telling the story of the King of Pop’s early career, but it’s a tightly controlled story that avoids any reference to the child sex abuse allegations that dogged his later life.

Titled Michael and delayed by production and legal issues, the film spans his childhood in Gary, Indiana, and ends with his performance in London during the Bad World Tour. Distributor Lionsgate is targeting $700 million in global revenue against a $200 million budget, nearing the $910 million earned by Bohemian Rhapsody Produced by Graham King, the film stars Jackson’s nephew Jaafar Jackson, who said he was “thrown in the deep end” and guided by his uncle’s choreographers.

Jaafar delivers a solid portrayal, with concert scenes highlighting hits from “Thriller” and “Bad.” At the Berlin premiere on April 10, Jackson’s sons Prince and Bigi attended with Jermaine Jackson, Jaafar’s father.

All surviving Jackson siblings served as executive producers, giving them approval over the film. Their involvement has drawn criticism that it softens the image of a star long linked to abuse allegations before his death in 2009 at age 50. His daughter Paris Jackson, who was not involved, criticized the film, saying it caters to fans and contains inaccuracies.

About a third of the original cut addressing allegations was removed after lawyers cited a settlement clause barring mention of accuser . Jackson was never convicted, though lawsuits

By Angelica Villanueva

ON-SCREEN partners Wilbert Ross and Binene are set to headline the Philippine adaptation of the 2013 Thai horror-comedy film Pee Mak On Saturday, April 18, Viva announced the news during The Next Fan

Viva has yet to announce a release date for the adaptation.

The film, initially set for April 2025, was delayed by a year. Past Living with Michael Leaving Neverland examined his relationships with Duke University professor said a fuller portrayal would be more human but noted Hollywood rarely handles celebrities that

The release is expected to further boost the Jackson brand, alongside stage productions MJ: The and the long-running Michael Jackson ONE in

Health and lifestyle now play a bigger role in how Alden Richards chooses the brands he represents

Maki builds momentum outside the local scene as his music finds a wider audience across Southeast Asia

Indonesian fans turn out for Maki’s Jakarta listening event The horrorcomedy adaptation is Wilbert Ross (right) and Bea Binene’s first movie together after their series pairing takes on the role of Michael Jackson retelling focused on the pop icon’s

By Jasper Valdez

MAKATI’S

Legazpi Active Park turned into a hub for Thai culture over the weekend, as the Thai Festival Manila 2026 drew visitors into a mix of food, performances, and hands-on activities set in the middle of the city.

Held on April 18 and 19, the festival was organized by the City Government of Makati and the Royal Thai Embassy in Manila, along with partners from the tourism and private sectors. The two-day event was open to the public, with more than 40 booths offering Thai dishes, products, and cultural displays.

Makati City Mayor Nancy Binay said the setting shows the city’s role as a shared space for different communities.

“Makati has always been a home to diverse

Thai culture takes over Makati park in weekend festival

try Thai dishes or explore products brought in by vendors from Thailand.

A section of the festival also highlighted Chut Thai, or traditional Thai dress, with a photo area where guests could try on the attire.

Her Excellency Makawadee Sumitmor , Ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand to the Republic of the Philippines, said the event is part of a wider cultures and traditions,” she said. “Through events like this, we continue to strengthen connections between nations, not only at the level of governments, but more importantly, among our people.”

Throughout the park, visitors moved between food stalls, craft displays, and performance areas, with many stopping to

Singapore’s hawker flavors find home in the Philippines

By Nickie Wang

TIONG Bahru Singapore Flavours has been serving Singapore-inspired dishes in the Philippines since 2019, positioning itself as a bridge between Filipino diners and Singapore’s hawker center cuisine.

Named after Singapore’s Tiong Bahru district, which is known for one of the country’s most popular hawker centers, the brand has become associated in the Philippines with a range of Singaporean dishes. It has since expanded under the name Tiong Bahru Singapore Flavours and describes its menu as featuring traditional Singaporean classics, making it a dining option for those seeking Singapore-style cuisine locally.

Among its signature dishes is Hainanese chicken rice, served with poached chicken, seasoned rice, and sauces made from ginger, chili, and soy. The restaurant also offers a roasted chicken variant with browned skin and a texture that combines crispness and tenderness.

The menu also includes bak kut teh, a pork rib soup served in a savory broth with pork slices, and laksa, a noodle dish served in a spiced, red broth with a mix of ingredients and textures.

The company said its offerings are intended to reflect the diversity of Singaporean cuisine rather than focus on a single signature dish. It added that each dish is prepared to reflect what it describes as “hawker-style cooking,” aiming to give customers a dining experience similar to Singapore’s street food centers.

The restaurant chain said its kitchens are guided by a focus on authenticity in bringing Singaporean flavors to the Philippine market. It added that its dishes are designed to evoke the experience of Singapore’s hawker centers, where a wide range of food options are available in one place.

Tiong Bahru Singapore Flavours said its approach highlights the cultural role of food in connecting different countries. It also uses the line, “A true taste of Singapore, just like home,” to describe its culinary concept.

effort to bring Thai culture closer to Filipinos while marking a milestone in bilateral ties.

“The Thai Festival Manila 2026 is now in its second iteration, and with this event, we also celebrate the 77th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Thailand and the Philippines,” she said.

This year’s festival centered on Songkran, the Thai New Year, which is known for its water-based celebrations. At Legazpi Active Park, it was adapted into interactive activities that drew crowds, especially in the afternoon.

“Songkran is Thailand’s most vibrant celebration and holds significant meaning in Thai society and culture,” Sumitmor said.

The open layout allowed people to move freely between booths and performances, turning the festival into a casual weekend stop for office workers, families, and passersby in the Makati central business district.

Organizers said they hope the event continues to serve as a platform for cultural exchange.

PARK INN by Radisson Bacolod, a property of SM Hotels and Conventions Corporation (SMHCC), is expanding sustainability initiatives through waste-to-energy and community programs as part of its circular economy efforts.

The hotel’s biodiesel project, launched in 2024, converts used cooking oil into fuel and has grown through partnerships with local stakeholders and government offices.

In its latest turnover, the hotel, together with the Congressional Office of Representative Albee Benitez, donated 200 liters of biodiesel to residents of Barangay Singcang. SMHCC said total donations from the project have reached 2,600 liters since it started.

“Let this festival serve as a bridge of friendship,” Sumitmor said, “and a bridge for us to immerse ourselves in the sights, sounds, and flavors of Thailand.”

The hotel estimated the volume could support around 16 tons of collective catch for local fisherfolk, citing its internal conversion assumptions. The fuel is also intended to provide an alternative energy source for community use.

The project is implemented with technical support from Green Solutions, led by chief executive officer Engr. Ian Fred Solas, which processes used cooking oil into biodiesel for reuse rather than disposal.

“Sustainability is no longer a choice but a necessity, especially as we navigate the

SMHCC

“At

and

we see sustainability as a shared responsibility that extends beyond our properties and into the communities we serve,” said Leah Magallanes, vice president for quality and sustainability at SMHCC.

She said the programs show how circular economy practices can be integrated into daily hotel operations to support environmental and community outcomes.

SMHCC said it continues to expand sustainability programs across its properties as part of efforts to reduce waste and improve resource efficiency.

Laksa adds a bolder note to the menu, reflecting the chain’s push to showcase the layered spice and range that define Singaporean food

Congressman Albee Benitez (leftmost), Bacolod Councilor Al Espino, Green Solutions CEO Eng. Ian Fred Solas, and Park Inn by Radisson Bacolod director of people & culture and sustainability champion Reljun Oloroso discuss the activity

Park Inn by Radisson Bacolod continues to widen its community and sustainability efforts through programs that connect hotel operations with local environmental needs

Hainanese chicken rice remains one of the restaurant’s signature dishes, a familiar staple tied to Singapore-style everyday dining

The hotel’s circular economy initiatives are presented at the Panaad sa

A festive sand pagoda centerpiece greets visitors at the weekend festival

A Chut Thai display allows guests a closer look at Thailand’s traditional ensemble

The Thai Festival Manila also celebrates the 77th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Thailand and the Philippines

Legazpi Active Park fills with visitors moving between food stalls and craft booths during the two-day celebration in Makati