Manila Standard - 2026 June 20 - Saturday

By Vince Lopez and Ratziel San Juan

PBBM: Senate back to normal under Win

By Charles Dantes, Maricel V. Cruz, Pot Chavez, Joel Zurbano, Ram Superable and Vince Lopez

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. expressed hope the election of Senator Sherwin Gatchalian as Senate President would restore stability in the chamber and allow lawmakers to resume work on priority measures after weeks of legislative disruption.

serving as the pre-

Vice President Sara Duterte.

"That (stability) is exactly what we have been all hoping for, that things become more orderly, for the Senate to run normally again,” Mr. Marcos said.

He said the Senate must immediately take up priority bills that have already been approved by the House of Representatives and are awaiting action from the Upper Chamber.

drafted more recently to address the economic impact of rising global oil prices stemming from the conflict in the Middle East.

"These are different measures but all are needed. Our countrymen need all of these measures passed,” the President said.

By Alena Mae Flores

siding officer for the impeachment trial of

Mr. Marcos said many of the measures were identified months earlier by the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) as priority legislation, while others were

He said senators should now "take care of the business of government, the business of legislation.”

‘No doubt in Chiz’s ability’

Mr. Marcos likewise expressed confidence in the legal expertise and

Marcos nixes Cabinet revamp talk, says he wants Abalos in ‘active role’

By Charles Dantes

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday dismissed renewed speculation of a Cabinet reshuffle, saying his administration is focused on maintaining stability in government and that current Cabinet members are performing their duties effectively.

Speaking to reporters during a media briefing in Kazan, Russia, Mr. Marcos said he sees no reason to reorganize his Cabinet despite persistent reports that several senior officials, including Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa and Interior Secretary Jonvic

GLOBAL oil prices rose Friday after Switzerland said planned talks following up on the United States-Iran peace agreement had been postponed, dealing a blow to the week-long rally. Equities had been on a tear since the two rivals announced last weekend that they would end their threemonth conflict and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, fueling global relief as economies have been hit by energy shortages and surging inflation. In Manila, oil industry sources said consumers can expect significant price rollbacks next week of up to P9.50 per liter following the signing of the peace deal. A source told Manila Standard that diesel prices are expected to drop by P7.50 to P9.50 per liter, and gasoline by P3 to P5 per liter.

By Jeremiah Sevilla

Remulla, could be replaced.

"You keep talking about that. I don't know why," Mr. Marcos said when asked about reports of an impending Cabinet shake-up.

The President said most of what he hears about a possible reshuffle comes from the media rather than from within the government.

"The most I hear about it is from you guys, not from within the government," he said.

Mr. Marcos also addressed speculation about the possible return of former Interior secretary Benhur Abalos

BACK IN MANILA.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. thanks the pilots as he steps out of the plane upon his arrival in Manila following his two-day visit in Kazan for the ASEANRussia Summit. PCO

ATENEO de Manila University students walked out of their classes on Friday afternoon in solidarity with a call for “truth, justice, and accountability” over the deaths of student-athletes Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili.

PBBM:...

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experience of Escudero, who has been endorsed by the Senate majority bloc as presiding officer for the impeachment trial of the Vice President.

“As a matter of fact, the rules that were adopted by the Senate were the rules that Senator Chiz wrote during last year's impeachment, when they were handling the last year's impeachment complaint,” the President said.

“So, in terms of his ability to be able to run the trial, I don't think that's in doubt,” he added.

Mr. Marcos downplayed concerns over the capability of Escudero, a lawyer who previously presided over the Senate impeachment court in 2025 when he was Senate President, overseeing the first impeachment trial of Duterte.

“Those are opinions. I don't think that reflects in any way on how he will do. If you remember, the reason that the impeachment trial last year came to a stop was because of the Supreme Court decision. And that had nothing to do with Senator Chiz,” he said.

The formal election for a new presiding officer will be held when the Senate convenes as an impeachment court on July 6.

‘Moot and academic’

As this developed, retired Supreme

World...

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The source said the computation is based on the movement of the Mean of Platts Singapore and the foreign exchange average from June 15-18 compared to the previous week.

The peace agreement has been signed separately by US President Donald Trump and his Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian and approved by Iran's supreme leader.

That was meant to signal the beginning of 60 days of talks on wider issues, including Tehran's nuclear programme.

But Swiss officials said they would not start on Friday as expected, hours after US Vice President JD Vance's departure for the country was cancelled, with a spokesperson saying the "logistics of these negotiations have never been simple or predictable".

The deal was also meant to halt the fighting in Lebanon, but Israel's military announced new strikes against Hezbollah targets in the nation's south. Lebanon has been a major sticking point in reaching a US-Iran deal.

"The planned talks between the US, Iran, Qatar and Pakistan have been postponed," the Swiss foreign ministry said in a message to AFP.

"Switzerland remains ready to facilitate these talks. The relevant preparatory work at Burgenstock is continuing," it said, without providing a new date for the talks.

Iran's Tasnim news agency had said "nothing has been confirmed" about the Tehran delegation's trip to Switzerland.

West Texas oil climbs, 25 ships cross Hormuz Oil prices, which have tanked around 10 percent this week, climbed with West Texas Intermediate up around 1.8 percent.

"With the deal signed, that geopolitical cloud is lifting, but markets have learned more than once that a resolu-

Eala...

From A1 player while exacting revenge against the Kazakh superstar, who won their first duel 6-4, 6-3 during the Italian Open third round last May.

A main draw wildcard in the WTA 500 Berlin tourney, Eala needed to dig deep in both sets as she stormed back from a 1-4 deficit in the opener—where Rybakina fired six of her 13 aces—before foiling the second seed's attempt to force a decider.

"I'm still shaking, and I was shaking on match point, too. But I'm really happy with today," said the Birmingham Open titlist, who earned her eighth win against a lone defeat to highlight her impressive grass court season so far.

"It could have gone either way. I think there were really tight moments in both sets, and she's an amazing player. She's the one to beat, so I'm happy to have been able to share the court with her again," Eala added.

The massive shocker should serve as a morale-booster for Eala when she takes on another top 10 netter in No. 8 and sixth seed Elina Svitolina of Ukraine in the quar-

Court Associate Justice Adolfo Azcuna expressed belief that the petition from the Senate minority questioning the legality of the June 3 session is considered moot and academic.

Azcuna said the newly elected Senate President, Gatchalian, has already achieved the necessary 13 votes, which constitutes the majority for his election.

“It is now moot and academic because Senate President Gatchalian has been elected by a majority of 13, which even Senator (Alan Peter) Cayetano concedes is the number required to elect a Senate President. The court would probably dismiss the petition for being moot and academic,” said Azcuna in an interview on ANC’s Headstart.

In an 87-page petition, the Senate minority led by Cayetano asked the Supreme Court to declare null and void the June 3 election of Gatchalian as Senate President Pro Tempore. Legal luminaries argue that the required votes to impeach Vice President Sara Duterte is now down to 15 considering the recent developments in the Senate.

15 may be the new magic number

As for the conviction threshold in the impeachment trial, former SC Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio told Manila Standard the requirement of two-thirds vote now translates to 15 votes with the preventive suspension

tion can unravel quickly," Josh Gilbert, at eToro, said.

"The hard work starts now, and investors will likely be cautious until we've got an air-tight deal and traffic genuinely flowing in full through the strait again."

American forces lifted their naval blockade of Iranian ports on Thursday, which had prevented ships from sailing to or from the Islamic republic, the US military said, noting that its warships "will remain in the general area".

A total of 25 commercial vessels crossed the newly reopened Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, the highest number since mid-April, according to data from maritime tracking firm AXSMarine published on Friday.

The spike came after Iran and the United States agreed to reopen the crucial route under an agreement to end the war, but before the cancellation of talks between the sides in Switzerland that had been planned under that deal.

Observers have pointed out that while the waterway -- through which about a fifth of crude passes -- has reopened, it could take some time before supplies are back up to pre-war levels.

‘Replacement flows’ help ease PH prices

In Manila, the Standard source added: “Reinforcing the easing of diesel and middle distillate prices is the availability of replacement flows that helped reduce immediate market tightness as Asian refiners managed to secure alternative crude feedstock.”

This allowed refiners “to support higher refined product output despite ongoing disruptions linked to the loss of Middle Eastern supply,” the source added.

The source added that the return of refineries from planned turnarounds and some Asian refiners managing to source alternative crude supplies from outside the Middle East have helped plug gasoline supply gaps and soften prices.

This is despite global markets remaining broadly supported due to

terfinals scheduled Friday at 11:30 p.m. (Manila time).

The Rafa Nadal Academy graduate is hoping to sustain her fiery run in her first encounter with Svitolina as she aims to enter the top 32 and secure a main draw slot in the grass swing Grand Slam that is the prestigious Wimbledon before the seeding cutoff on June 22.

"Elina is a very consistent player. She is obviously a huge fighter with her background and her experience. She is aggressive when she needs to be. So, I'm expecting a really good match, and I hope to bring out the best and showcase my tennis," Eala said. Against Rybakina who was smashing aces in the opening set, Eala found herself in an early 1-4 hole. But the Filipina rallied back by holding her serve twice and breaking the Kazakh in the grueling seventh game to forge a 4-4 tie.

Eala then capitalized on Rybakina's consecutive errors to string together three straight games from a 4-5 disadvantage and snatch the opening set win.

Carrying the momentum, the Rafa Nadal Academy graduate kept her solid returning to zoom to a 3-1 lead before moving into match point, 5-3, with a blazing crosscourt forehand winner.

of Senator Jinggoy Estrada.

"My opinion is it is down to 15 because Jinggoy is suspended from office by operation of law. Thus, there are only 23 voting senators," he said.

The 1987 Constitution requires the concurrence of two-thirds of all the members of the Senate to convict an impeachable officer.

Estrada is under preventive suspension, while Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa is in hiding amid a standing arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court.

Carpio said Dela Rosa’s vote may still be counted because he has not been placed under preventive detention.

Azcuna, however, said Dela Rosa may be exempted from the count if he is treated as a fugitive.

“Because being a fugitive entails running away from the legal system. And if one runs away from the legal system, he relinquishes own membership in that system and therefore he may be considered as having a resigned, constructive resignation,” said Azcuna, who is a member of the Constitutional Commission.

In a separate interview with Manila Standard, constitutional law book author Jennifer Reyes said it would be more prudent for the Senate to follow the 16-vote requirement of the Constitution.

"For purposes of this particular im-

strong demand and still-low inventories. A stronger Philippine peso against the US dollar also helped soften this week’s prices, the source said.

On Monday, the Department of Energy announced a mandated oil price rollback of P3.71 to P5.71 per liter, while kerosene will drop by P0.50 to P2.50 per liter. Meanwhile, gasoline will see either a rollback of P0.32 per liter or an increase of P1.68 per liter.

Energy Secretary Sharon Garin welcomed the peace deal, noting that the Philippines imports most of its oil and is “acutely sensitive to global energy prices.”

Garin added that the government will study whether to lift the current energy emergency crisis declaration in light of the peace deal.

“The emergency that served as the basis of the president's Energy Emergency Declaration started with an oil problem," Garin said.

"It started with oil, but right now, it's not just an oil problem. It's an inflation problem. It's the capacity of our people to spend, and it affects our agriculture and our commodities.”

“So, the effect of this is not just on the price or on the supply. It's already there on how much a kilo of rice costs, how much a massage is now, and whether our drivers are earning,” she said.

“So, I think we will have to meet and reassess if the emergency is still needed, because the oil industry might have less need for emergency powers, but our other sectors might still need them because they are still affected,” Garin added.

DOE Undersecretary Alessandro Sales said pump prices are not expected to immediately go down to pre-war levels.

“Not immediately, probably. We need another six to 12 months," Sales said. He said this is "just an issue of restarting the supply that was disrupted by the war. Because the return of supply is not instantaneous. So that's the

Ateneans...

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As this developed, the Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) announced its appointment of Fr. Raymund Benedict “RB” Hizon, SJ, as university spokesperson effective the same date, following approval of its board of trustees.

The university spokesperson is the official representative authorized to communicate institutional positions, policies, programs, and responses to matters of public concern.

Among Hizon's responsibilities are issuing official statements on behalf of the university, handling crisis and emergency communications, and facilitating media interviews and press conferences.

Meanwhile, officials of the Ateneo Blue Eagles basketball team led by coach Tab Baldwin showed up at the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) office in Camp Crame to present their side of the story.

The students gathered at Zen Garden of the campus and spoke about the two basketball players who reportedly drowned while on a team-building activity in Aurora province. Protect student-athletes, community

A unity statement released by the Sanggunian ng mga Mag-aaral ng mga Paaralang Loyola ng Ateneo de Manila demanded protection of student-athletes and the community.

peachment, it would be more prudent if the Senate will follow the 16- vote threshold to convict or the 24- membership basis," she said. She acknowledged though that the threshold can be lowered to the actual senators who are actually present and who can participate in the trial.

Security preparations start

The Philippine National Police, for its part, said it is finalizing all the necessary security preparations ahead of the start of the impeachment trial.

Aside from the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said several units may be tapped to maximize the implementation of peace and order measures outside the Senate to ensure sufficient manpower for the regular security rotations.

“We in the PNP are aware that this could be an emotionally-charged situation from both sides of the political fence. Our goal is to ensure that this will not lead to an incident that threatens not only their safety but also the peace and order,” Nartatez said.

“Your PNP has done this before and the security measures implemented before will be useful in mapping out plans to secure everybody. We will continue finetuning our security measures that include regular and real-time adjustments so that our personnel will always be prepared for all worst-case scenarios,” he added.

outlook." Mediators to discuss peace deal Mediators in the conflict—including Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey —were due to gather for talks in the Egyptian city of Alamein on Sunday to discuss the deal, Cairo and Islamabad said. Preparations had been made to host Iranian and US delegations at the Swiss resort of Burgenstock, overlooking Lake Lucerne, to begin negotiations on implementing the deal signed this week by President Donald Trump and his Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian.

Iran's top negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf warned that Tehran would deliver a "decisive response" in the event of "breach of contract" or "excessive demands".

"They were once slapped during the war; if they wish to head on that path again, they will get an even harder slap," he wrote on X.

The deal was also meant to halt the fighting in Lebanon, but Israel's military announced new strikes against Hezbollah targets on Friday, with 18 people killed, according to the Lebanese health ministry. Israel also said that four of its soldiers were killed in southern Lebanon, the first since the deal was signed.

The soldiers' deaths prompted a furious reaction from far-right Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, who demanded that "all of Lebanon must burn".

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei said Thursday that he had approved the accord, despite holding a "different view".

"But I issued my permission due to the commitment" made by officials including Pezheshkian to "protect the rights of the Iranian nation".

Khamenei—who has yet to be seen in public since succeeding his father, who was killed in US-Israeli strikes —said Trump had "used all kinds of levers" to secure the deal "out of desperation". With AFP

“There is a clear misalignment: routine activities require parental notification forms and declaration & undertaking documents, while programmed team-building activities are conducted without clear approval from the Office of College Athletics. This must be resolved by ensuring that the same safeguards are consistently and proactively applied to all activities involving student-athletes,” the statement read.

The students also asked school administrators to reveal the members of the independent fact-finding committee to manifest transparency.

The statement likewise called for reevaluation and renewal of institutional leadership.

“A thorough reevaluation of the operations of the university administration is necessary. From the Board of Trustees to the University’s administrators and directors, and extending to every member of the community who exercises voice and agency, all must embody the discerning and compassionate leadership expected of a Filipino, Jesuit Higher Education Institution,” the statement added.

Placards bearing messages such as “protect & uplift our student athletes” and “Ateneo, huwag maging negosyo” were flaunted by the protesters.

Members of the Ateneo Seniors' Alliance were also present during the event.

Secretary Jonvic Remulla said the CIDG has launched an intensive investigation into the deaths of Baterbonia and Adili.

Marcos...

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Jr. to government service, admitting that he wants Abalos to play a bigger role in his administration.

“I’ll be very candid. I’ll be very frank with you. Of course, I want Benhur to play a more active role in government,” the President said.

Mr. Marcos noted that Abalos has continued to assist the administration even after stepping down as Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) secretary in 2024 to run for senator in the 2025 midterm elections.

“Of course, he has been there, and he has been helping us in many ways, informally, privately. I wouldn’t mind finding a way for him to help us in an official capacity,” he added.

However, Mr. Marcos stressed that bringing Abalos back into government would not necessarily require replacing any current Cabinet member.

“Just because we want him to join, to play a more active part in government, doesn’t necessarily mean that someone else has to be... It’s not a zero-sum thing in the Cabinet that you have to remove somebody to gain somebody else,” he said.

The President said his current Cabinet is functioning well and that continuity is important for effective governance, particularly as the administration seeks to maintain stability and investor confidence.

“I think we have a really good group of people in the Cabinet right now. And we are working well together,” he said.

“What you are trying to promote in government is stability and the steadiness of work. And that's an important part of governance,” Marcos added.

“If you keep moving people around, they have to start learning their job again. We just don't have time for that.”

Abalos was appointed DILG secretary in 2022 and was later replaced by incumbent Interior chief Jonvic Remulla after he resigned to run for senator.

A former mayor and congressman of Mandaluyong City, Abalos was included in the administration's senatorial slate in the 2025 elections but finished 16th and failed to secure a seat. Last month, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said there had been no discussions regarding speculation that Remulla would be removed from office and replaced by either Abalos or former senator Antonio Trillanes IV.

‘White...

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Peso March to protest political dynasties and massive corruption in the bureaucracy.

He said the protest rally is "faithbased" and that religious leaders are calling for it after "communal discernment" by the Inter-Religious Leaders Council for National Transformation.

The prelate also said it is meant to remind government that Filipinos deserve a better future through "better" politics.

‘Politics that serve the people's interest, protects human dignity, and is guided by justice rather than greed,” Bagaforo told reporters.

He said the protest march will start at noon and participants expect to be at the EDSA People Power Monument by 1:30 p.m.

Bagaforo said everyone is invited to join said march against corruption but clarified the “White Ribbon March” is neutral and without any political color.

He said no politician will be allowed on stage to speak.

“Everybody is invited…but on the point whether or not our political leaders will be on the stage or will be given a chance to speak…the answer is negative,” he said. Bishop Efraim Tendero, global ambassador for the World Evangelical Alliance, said the protest is named "white ribbon" because it is not about partisan politics.

Bagaforo expressed belief that the rallies will help ensure that the voice of the people will be heard and will eventually end corruption.

“When corruption becomes normalized, the nation’s moral compass is damaged and the weak are burdened when the powerful escape accountability. Corruption is not only a crime, it is a betrayal of trust,” Bagaforo said.

IRLCNT and WRM said 950 organizations have already joined their cause to fight corruption in government. Also present during the press conference were lawyer Luke Espiritu, co-convenor of Artikulo Onse; lawyer Aaron Pedrosa of progressive group SANLAKAS; Bishop Joseph Agpaoa of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP); and Imam Aleem Naguib Tater.

Envoy says PH seeking ‘new balance’ in ties with China

IN BRIEF

“This is what becomes possible when communities, local governments, and national agencies work together to recover and care for our waterways,” DENR Secretary Juan Miguel Cuna said.

“We begin to restore not only the ecological function of our rivers, but also their place in the everyday life of the people who live beside them,” he added.

In Balanga City, Bataan, the river easement between Barangays Bagumbayan and Talisay now stretches into a 290-meter linear park, where bamboo and native trees line walkways that were once largely unused and previously occupied by informal settlements along the river easement, the DENR said. Rio N. Araja

THE University of the Philippines (UP) Manila climbs to 447th place in the latest U.S. News & World Report Best Global Universities Rankings, becoming the only Philippine school of higher education to join the global top 500 among 2,250 institutions evaluated worldwide.

The university improved from its previous ranking of 479th in 2025, a development that coincides with the celebration of the University of the Philippines’s 118th foundation week. UP Manila attributed its continued rise to its emphasis on academic excellence, internationalization, and partnerships with local government units, state universities and colleges, and private higher education institutions.

A key component of the university’s strategy is its AGILE framework—Academe-Government-Industry Leadership Engagement. Rex Espiritu

PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) chief

Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., on Friday ordered the conduct of dismissal proceedings against a police medical doctor arrested in an entrapment operation for allegedly demanding P50,000 from a police applicant in exchange for passing the medical phase of recruitment.

Nartatez instructed the Police Regional Office in Bicol Region (PRO-5) to relieve the 40-year-old officer, a police major assigned to the Regional Medical Unit 5 (RMU-5), from his post and file appropriate criminal and administrative charges. The directive also sought to strengthen accountability in police service, eliminate corruption, and ensure that only qualified and deserving applicants are accepted into the PNP.

“I am deeply infuriated that a highranking officer and medical professional would blatantly compromise the integrity of our recruitment system, and I have ordered an immediate investigation to determine if this extortion extends into a wider syndicate,” Nartatez said. Vince Lopez

By Katrina Manubay

PHILIPPINE Ambassador to China Jaime FlorCruz said Manila is striving for a “new equilibrium” in its relationship with Beijing, aiming to manage enduring differences while increasing dialogue, trade, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges.

In a press statement on Friday, FlorCruz emphasized that the Philippines remains resolute on issues of sovereignty and maritime rights, even as it works to strengthen engagement and foster closer ties between the two countries.

“Through our history books, we have learned of Filipino bravery and valor in upholding our freedom and sovereignty.

The envoy likewise highlighted the vital role of the Filipino diaspora across China in maintaining strong connections.

“You yourselves are that real bridge. In your work and in your daily lives, you are the ones who strengthen the true connection and understanding between the two countries,” he added.

Senate fiasco far from over, barbs continue to fly

By Ram Superable

SENATOR Panfilo Lacson slammed former Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano for allegedly trying to deflect blame over P700 million in public funds that were reportedly wasted during Cayetano’s 28-day leadership. Lacson’s remarks came after Cayetano asserted in a lengthy Facebook Live broadcast on Thursday afternoon that the upper chamber would still spend approximately P25 million daily regardless of who holds the Senate presidency.

“That is correct. ‘Whoever was SP then, the expenses would be the same...’ But, output is what we are talking about: work in the plenary, not boycotts;

ing laws, not livestreaming on

book. And if they do not want to

just do not cause trouble. That is exactly why the money was wasted, because there was

output,” Lacson asserted. According to estimates by current Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian, the chamber spends about P25 million a day on salaries, allowances, and maintenance under the 2026 General Appropriations Act, totaling P700 million across Cayetano’s 28 days of inactivity. Earlier, Lacson criticized Cayetano for wasting the P700 million in public funds due to a series of controversies and operational failures that marked the latter’s brief tenure as Senate President. He said these issues included a shooting incident inside the Senate building two days after Cayetano assumed office, the escape of Senator Ronald dela Rosa while under legislative protective custody, session boycotts by Cayetano’s bloc, a failed destabilization attempt, and bogus committee hearings. The leadership crisis ended on June 3 when Senator Francis Escudero joined the 11-member minority bloc to establish a quorum and elect Gatchalian as acting Senate President, a prelude to Gatchalian’s formally election as Senate President during a special session on June 17.

We follow the same ideals of standards in the Philippines relations with China, specifically on maritime concerns. In these discussions, we maintain our course and position,” FlorCruz said in his remarks during the observance of Philippine Independence Day on June 14.

The event included a weekend consular operation whereby the embassy provided essential services such as passport renewal, civil registration, notarial services, and overseas voting registration.

FlorCruz stressed that both sides are working to enhance engagement through more dialogue, stronger people-to-people connections, expanded trade and tourism, and additional direct flights. He expressed hopes for a more stable and balanced bilateral relationship and further deepening of ties.

Additionally, the program featured briefings for the Filipino community on the Embassy’s role as the Philippine Government’s official representative in China, the history and current state of Philippine-China relations, and economic opportunities in the Philippines.

The Philippines and China celebrated their 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2025.

By Rio N. Araja

A TROPICAL depression was spotted outside the Philippine area of responsibility on Friday, maintaining its strength while moving slowly southward.

The center of the depression was logged at 1,330 km. east of Northeastern Mindanao, still outside the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR), according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Admin-

istration..

The weather system had an intensity of maximum sustained winds of 45 km per hour (kph) near the center, gustiness of up to 55 kph, and central pressure of 1,004 hPa.

It was moving southward slowly with strong winds extending outwards up to 380 km from the center.

It was expected to enter the country between Saturday night and Sunday morning, and will be named “Francisco.”

Risa denies coverup in

Senate inquiry on flood control scandal

By Ram Superable

SENATOR Risa Hontiveros on Friday dismissed allegations of a cover-up regarding the Senate probe into the flood control scandal, asserting that the investigation initiated by the majority bloc remained on track.

Speaking at a media interview at Southwestern University PHINMA, Hontiveros defended the integrity of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee under the leadership of its current chairperson, Senator Erwin Tulfo.

“I don’t know what cover-up Senator Alan is talking about. When the Blue Ribbon Committee under Chair Erwin met the other week, we actually found out that the 18 ex-bodyguards were also there in the Senate building, just upstairs in the office of Senator Robin. And Chair Erwin repeatedly invited them to come down to the Blue Ribbon Committee meeting, but they did not grant the request,” Hontiveros said. She pointed out that the full-blown investigation into the flood control scandal actually began through a privilege speech by Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, who also led numerous hearings on the issue as the panel’s previous chairman.

“In the continuation of the Blue Ribbon hearings, Chair Erwin also said that they will be invited again. And by that time, they will be obligated to appear and honor the invitation so that the Blue Ribbon Committee will no longer need to issue a subpoena and, after a showcause order, have them arrested,” she said.

FIGHTING FOR DEAR LIFE. A firefighter performs CPR to a rescued dog during a fire at a residential building along Tomas Mapua Street, Manila on Friday, June 19, 2026. Despite the rescue efforts, the dog did not

Corruption fuels illicit tobacco trade

By Othel Campos

CORRUPTION is the biggest enabler of the country’s illicit tobacco trade, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said, warning that the P141-billion revenue leak from illegal cigarettes and vapes will not be solved by seizures alone unless authorities go after the syndicates and the officials who protect them.

Remulla made the remarks during the Third International Tobacco Summit organized by the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the National Tobacco Administration (NTA). “Corruption is number one. All of this illicit trade is only possible because corruption is endemic,” he said.

IN BRIEF

3,125 Itogon families get 40-kilogram rice subsidy

ITOGON, Benguet—Over 3,000 indigent families from the town’s nine barangays recently received their 40kilogram each rice subsidy from the municipal government to allow them to cope with the current challenges of the global fuel crisis.

Mayor Bernard S. Waclin said the recipients of the rice subsidy were determined based on the results of the community-based monitoring survey (CBMS) that had been previously undertaken.

“We decided to give the rice subsidy to the recipients in bulk instead of the proposed monthly distribution to save on time, resources and effort and to allow them to maximize the said supply for their daily subsistence. We deemed it necessary to distribute the rice supply the soonest so that our constituents will be able to already benefit from it considering the enormous effect of the current global fuel crisis to their economic activities and sources of livelihood,” Waclin said.

Earlier, the local government was able to access some P10 million from the national government’s Local government Support Fund (LGSF) where P5 million will be used for the grant of the rice subsidy to indigent families while the other P5 million will be used for the identified priority development project in the municipality. Dexter A. See

UAE extends aid for quake victims in southern Mindanao

THE United Arab Emirates extended humanitarian assistance to families affected by the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck Mindanao, distributing food parcels and drinking water as part of its ongoing emergency response efforts.

In a statement, the UAE Embassy in the Philippines said UAE Ambassador to the Philippines Mohamed Obaid Salem Al Qatam Alzaabi, together with a response team, delivered about 700 food parcels and 500 gallons of potable water to affected residents in Sarangani province.

The embassy said the UAE remains committed to supporting communities impacted by the earthquake through urgent humanitarian assistance.

It also outlined plans to distribute more than 20,000 food parcels and 20,000 gallons of drinking water to other affected areas in the coming weeks. Katrina Manubay

CIDG arrests 2 posing as DPWH ‘chair, vice-chair’

TWO individuals who allegedly posed as the “chairman” and “vice chairman” of the Department of Public Works and Highways were arrested by operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group for usurpation of authority and falsification of public documents.

Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon said the suspects falsely claimed to have authority over agency funds while conducting inspections of government projects in Davao City, allegedly presenting fabricated documents and misrepresenting themselves as high-ranking DPWH officials to gain credibility.

The CIDG launched an investigation after receiving reports about their unauthorized activities, which raised concerns among local officials and project contractors. Vito Barcelo

rep. Perci Cendaña and San Juan City Mayor and League of Cities of the Philippines National President Francis Zamora on Friday, June 19, 2026. Manny Palmero

He said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered him and law enforcement agencies to pursue offenders.

“The President has given very clear instructions: no compromises, no bribes, prosecute to the fullest extent of the law,” Remulla said.

“You have to remember that our president is an Ilocano, and every day, every week that he goes home to the province, he sees how his constituents whom he has been serving for the longest time are being affected.”

The DILG chief said enforcement efforts should be “pro-poor,” targeting major op-

erators rather than small-scale sellers.

“I’d rather hit the rich, the foreigners, and the big syndicates than the small people who will be punished,” he said, adding that arresting small vendors does little to dismantle the larger criminal networks involved in illicit trade.

Remulla led government officials, law enforcement agencies and private sector stakeholders who gathered at the Summit in pledging to move beyond product seizures and intensify efforts to secure convictions against the syndicates behind the country’s multibillionpeso illicit tobacco trade.

Infra damage from quake rises to P1.36 billion

By Rex Espiritu

INFRASTRUCTURE

damage caused by the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck southern Mindanao has climbed to P1.356 billion, up from the P1.29 billion reported on June 17, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC). In its latest situational report released Friday, the NDRRMC said the damage was recorded across Regions 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula), 11 (Davao Region), 12 (Soccsksargen), and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). Authorities have documented damage to 799 infrastructure facilities in the affected regions.

The number of damaged houses also increased to 74,810, including 61,119 partially damaged homes and 13,691 that were totally destroyed. The affected houses were reported in Regions 9, 11, 12, and BARMM. The death toll remained at 76, while 1,339 individuals were reported injured and 32 others remain missing. The casualties were concentrated in Regions 11 and 12. All figures remain subject to validation.

Meanwhile, amid ongoing recovery efforts, the Office of Civil Defense conducted the Second Quarter Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED) to strengthen preparedness for major earthquakes and other seismic hazards.

The drill began at the OCD Central Office in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, where key disaster management and government officials led the ceremonial activation of the drill.

Diokno files bill expanding paternity leave to 105 days

By Maricel V. Cruz

RECOGNIZING the irreplaceable role of fathers in raising children and strengthening families, Akbayan Rep. Chel Diokno has filed a proposed measure seeking to expand paternity leave benefits for fathers from the current seven days to a total of 105 days.

House Bill 9891, or the proposed Paternity and Parental Leave Act (PAPA Leave Bill), aims to promote responsible parenthood, strengthen family bonds, and improve child

development outcomes by enabling fathers and caregivers to be more present during the critical early stages of a child’s life.

Diokno said the proposed measure would increase paid paternity leave from the current seven days to 90 continuous days for live childbirth and 60 continuous days in cases of miscarriage or emergency termination of pregnancy. The measure also introduces an additional 15 days of paid parental leave that may be availed of within one year from childbirth, either continuously or on separate occasions, bringing the total leave benefit to 105 days and aligning it with the 105-day maternity leave law championed by the Akbayan party-list and Sen. Risa Hontiveros.

BOC

“By investing in shared parenting, this measure advances gender equality, improves child and family wellbeing, and strengthens labor force participation. It affirms that childcare is not solely the responsibility of women, but a shared parental duty that must be actively supported by the State,” Diokno said.

By Pot Chavez

THE Bureau of Customs filed criminal complaints on Friday before the Department of Justice against five cargo forwarding firms for fraudulent balikbayan box operations.

Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno said they remain committed to pursuing all individuals and entities found responsible for violations of customs and other relevant laws.

“This second batch of cases shows our determination to hold violators accountable,” he said.

Last month, the bureau filed the first batch of criminal complaints against Makati Express Cargo, Inc., with cases initiated by the Ports of Cebu and Davao, and the Manila International Container Port.

OPINION

Honor Blanco Cabie

Safeguarding unique cultural identities

EVERY so often, we have discussions with academics and language scholars on preserving marginalized epics in a multiethnic country, like the Philippines, which has 110 distinct ethnolinguistic groups and 175 living indigenous languages.

There is unanimity of thought that preserving these epics is vital because these oral traditions and texts safeguard unique cultural identities, foster national empathy, and challenge historical erasure.

Some of them raise the argument that these epics provide a window into indigenous knowledge systems, cosmologies, and social values that mainstream histories often overlook.

Interestingly, the Philippines, scholars and linguists say, is highly diverse, home to an estimated 14 to 17 million Indigenous Peoples who are divided into 110 distinct ethnolinguistic groups.

Linguistically, the country boasts over 175 living indigenous languages, virtually all of which belong to the Malayo-Polynesian branch of the Austronesian language family, with the diverse tribal and linguistic groups predominantly concentrated in the mountainous areas and southern regions of this archipelago of 7,641 islands.. While there are over a hundred groups, they are typically categorized into major clusters based on geographic and cultural similarities:

• The Igorot: A collective term for the various indigenous upland tribes in the mountainous Cordillera region of Northern Luzon. It includes major tribes like the Kalinga, Ifugao (famous for the Banaue Rice Terraces), Bontoc, and Kankanaey.

• The Lumad: A collective term for the non-Muslim indigenous groups in Mindanao. This cluster comprises around 13 to 15 tribes, including the Manobo, T’boli, Subanen, and Talaandig.

• The Mangyan: The indigenous peoples found primarily on the island of Mindoro, consisting of eight distinct tribes (e.g., Hanunoo and Alangan).

• The Moro: The collective name for the Muslim ethnolinguistic communities, primarily in the Bangsamoro region of Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago. The major tribes include the Tausug, Maranao, and Maguindanao.

• Negrito Groups: The earliest known inhabitants of the Philippines, scattered in small, isolated groups across the archipelago. They are known by various names such as the Aeta, Agta, and Dumagat.

• Palawan Tribes: Several unique groups inhabiting the island of Palawan, including the Tagbanwa and Pala’wan. Although there are over 175 living tongues, the linguistic landscape is domi-

nated by a few major regional languages that account for the native speech of over 90 percent of the 118 million population, which ranks it the 14th most populous nation, making up about 1.47 percent of the total world population.

There are 11 major languages: Tagalog; Cebuano (Bisaya); Ilokano; Hiligaynon; Bikolano; Waray-Waray; Kapampangan; Pangasinan; Tausug; Maguindanao; and Maranao.

Preserving the epics safeguards rare vocabularies, syntax, and oral performance techniques that would otherwise go extinct

Discussants raise core reasons why this preservation of epics is essential:

• Cultural Continuity and Identity: Epics anchor marginalized communities to their roots, reinforcing a sense of belonging and self-worth in the face of globalization and cultural homogenization.

• Historical Counter-Narratives: Marginalized epics often preserve histories from the perspectives of the colonized, the indigenous, or the minority, correcting historical biases and offering a more complete picture of a nation’s past.

• Social Cohesion and Empathy: Sharing these stories across different ethnic groups builds mutual respect and allows the majority to understand the struggles, worldviews, and triumphs of minority communities, weaving a richer, more inclusive national fabric.

• Linguistic Preservation: Epics are frequently chanted or sung in endangered indigenous dialects. Preserving them safeguards rare vocabularies, syntax, and oral performance techniques that would otherwise go extinct.

• Environmental & Ethical Wisdom: Many indigenous epics contain profound ecological knowledge and sustainable living practices that are highly relevant to modern conversations about nature and ethics.

In the Philippines, the documentation and study of epics like the Hinilawod of Panay and the Darangen of the Maranao (recognized by UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage) ensure that the voices and ancestral heritage of these ethnolinguistic groups remain vibrant and respected parts of the national identity.

Never say die: The Ginebra way, the Filipino way

By Melandrew T. Velasco

FOLLOWING a three-year drought, the championship has been settled. The echoes of another Barangay Ginebra championship continue to reverberate across the country.

For millions of Filipinos, Ginebra’s latest triumph over TNT is more than a basketball championship. It is a celebration of a culture, a mindset, and a way of life that generations of fans have embraced as their own.

As a young boy growing up in an island village in Dagupan City, I vividly remember playing basketball on a rough and dingy barangay court. The rims were often bent, the concrete uneven, and the lines barely visible. But none of that mattered. What mattered most was that we played with heart and passion. And if there was one team we all wanted to emulate, it was Ginebra. Long before championships became part of the franchise’s legacy, the Gin Kings had already captured the imagination of ordinary Filipinos through a simple but powerful mantra: Never Say Die (NSD). It was not merely a slogan. It became a creed and formed part of the Ginebra DNA. The philosophy was personified by the legendary Robert Jaworski, whose leadership transcended basketball. Jaworski was more than a player-coach. He was a symbol of resilience.

Fans saw in him a warrior who refused to surrender regardless of the odds. Whether Ginebra was down by 10, 15 or 20 points, the game was never over.

It’s the same story book charted by the new NBA champions, New York Knicks which miraculously recovered from a 29-point deficit to win by a point in the pivotal Game 4 at the Madison Square Garden.

All told, the Ginebra fighting spirit created one of the most passionate fan bases in Philippine sports history.

Over the years, players came and went, but those who truly embraced the Ginebra culture became legends themselves.

Ginebra’s latest triumph over TNT is...a celebration of a culture, a mindset, and a way of life that generations of fans have embraced as their own

They understood that wearing the Ginebra jersey meant carrying the hopes of millions who saw their own struggles reflected on the basketball court. Today, that culture remains alive.

Much of the credit belongs to San Miguel Corporation Chairman and CEO Ramon S. Ang, whose steadfast support has ensured the franchise remains one of the crown jewels of Philippine sports. RSA understands that Ginebra is more than a basketball team.

It is a national institution. Under his stewardship, the franchise has continued to thrive while remaining connected to the

Busting ghosts and fixing flaws

THE call by DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon this week on the public to actively report stalled, defective, or neglected government infrastructure projects connects with the people all too familiar with flood control ghost projects.

It is, in other words, a call for a “clean sweep” and strict accountability which deeply resonates with Filipinos because it directly addresses the systemic corruption and stalled infrastructure that have historically plagued public works.

His assurance that concerns raised to the agency will be acted upon promptly brings positive energy, 11 months after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. blew the lid off flood control ghost projects during his State of the Nation address in July.

Official government estimates and Senate inquiries have disclosed that an estimated ₱118.5 billion to over ₱180 billion in public funds have been lost to corruption, bid-rigging, and ghost flood control projects.

The government, through the Office of the Ombudsman, is actively filing cases in the courts, cutting budget allocations for local flood works to redirect funds to social services, and auditing infrastructure spending.

Dizon’s appeal followed a viral video showing a submerged portion of Arzadon Road in Barangay Mayombo, Dagupan City, which was brought to the attention of the DPWH and subjected to assessment.

Citizen reporting shifts the fight against infrastructure corruption from the top down, forcing accountability onto defective and stalled local projects

Interestingly, it cannot be overstated that Filipinos, tired of empty promises, appreciate Dizon’s direct, on-site in-

spections and, at one point, personally confronted contractors regarding the delayed ₱679.08-million rehabilitation at the UP-PGH in Manila, ensuring that taxpayer funds actually yield tangible results.

Following the President’s directive to scrap massive locally funded flood control allocations, Dizon’s focus shifted toward auditing past anomalies and bringing in top flood experts to design highly efficient, climate-resilient infrastructure.

We see that he is actively building public trust by rolling out transparent monitoring systems, like the DPWH Facebook Page Integrity Chain, to keep the private sector and local contractors accountable.

For the public, his approach represents a much-desired shift away from business-as-usual, proving that the government is willing to dismantle entrenched corruption and prioritize the genuine welfare of the Filipino people. With his call for public vigilance, Dizon has empowered citizens to act as the government’s eyes and ears.

Following President Marcos’ crackdown on systemic “ghost projects,” citizen reporting shifts the fight against infrastructure corruption from the top down, forcing accountability onto defective and stalled local projects.

US faces tough path to new Iran nuclear deal

WASHINGTON, DC – The United States is about to embark on difficult negotiations with the Iranian government, whose survival of a massive US-Israeli military assault has undercut American leverage while bolstering the Islamic republic.

US President Donald Trump tore up the last nuclear deal with Tehran and now faces the key test of whether his administration can come up with a better one -- or any at all -- in talks that are set to start soon and last for an initial 60 days.

But things are significantly different than when Washington and Tehran reached an agreement during Barack Obama’s presidency more than a decade ago -- an effort that took years.

“It’s a much worse situation strategically for the US now than it was back in the 2010 to 2015 time period,” said Alan Eyre, distinguished diplomatic fellow at the Middle East Institute.

“The Iranian nuclear program is a lot more advanced now” -- though its nuclear facilities and enrichment ability were set back by US strikes last year -- and “there’s a lot less bilateral trust,” said Eyre, one of the negotiators of the 2015 deal.

After Trump withdrew from that deal in 2018, Iran began rolling back its commitments, with the International Atomic Energy Agency saying Tehran was enriching uranium to 60 percent purity -- far above the previous 3.67 percent cap.

Missiles and proxies

By attacking Iran, Washington has already played what would have been a major card: the threat of military force.

“We used it, and they’re still standing. So what are we going to threaten them with?”

masses who have supported it through generations.

Equally instrumental has been San Miguel Corporation Sports Director Al Francis Chua.

Often working behind the scenes, Chua has played a pivotal role in building championship-caliber teams and preserving the culture that defines Ginebra.

His eye for talent, ability to motivate players, and commitment to excellence have helped shape the franchise into a perennial contender. Then there is Coach Tim Cone.

What more can be said about a coach whose championship rings now number an astounding 27?

Cone has mastered the delicate balance between discipline and inspiration. More importantly, he has successfully adapted the Never Say Die culture to a new generation of players while maintaining the values that made Ginebra beloved in the first place.

His system wins games. His leadership builds champions. And then there is Justin Brownlee.

At 38 years old and after a decade of wearing the Ginebra colors, Brownlee continues to defy Father Time.

Many imports have come to the PBA and left memorable performances.

Few have left a legacy and Brownlee has become part of Philippine basketball folk-

Eyre said. “We have failed strategically, despite our military preeminence. Iran succeeded in that Iran’s goal in this war was to survive.”

The US and Israel launched their war against Iran on February 28 -- a massive air campaign that lasted until a ceasefire took effect on April 8 -- while sporadic violence continued until the announcement of a memorandum of understanding last weekend.

Things are significantly different than when Washington and Tehran reached an agreement during Barack Obama’s presidency more than a decade ago

At the beginning of the war, Trump stated that US goals included destroying Tehran’s missile capabilities and navy, preventing it from acquiring a nuclear weapon and stopping Iran from funding its proxy forces across the Middle East.

The memorandum of understanding -- signed by Trump and his Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian on Wednesday -- says Iran “reaffirms that it shall not procure or develop nuclear weapons,” but provides no mechanism for that to be verified or enforced.

lore. His clutch shots, quiet confidence, teamfirst mentality, and remarkable consistency have endeared him to Filipino fans. He has become not just Ginebra’s import but Ginebra’s adopted son.

Even after ten years, he remains a force to reckon with—a testament to professionalism, preparation, and an unwavering commitment to winning. Yet perhaps the greatest reason behind Ginebra’s enduring popularity lies beyond championships. The Never Say Die spirit resonates because it mirrors the daily lives of ordinary Filipinos.

Every day, millions of our countrymen wake up before dawn to face uncertain futures.

Workers endure long commutes. Farmers battle unpredictable weather. Small entrepreneurs navigate economic challenges. Parents sacrifice for their children’s education. Overseas Filipino workers spend years away from their families. Many are fighting battles nobody sees. And yet they keep moving forward. Like Ginebra, they refuse to quit. Like Jaworski’s teams of old, they continue fighting despite adversity. Like Brownlee driving through a wall of defenders, they find a way.

The document makes no mention of missiles, proxies or the navy, though the latter has been largely destroyed by US strikes. ‘Be so lucky’ It also provides for the establishment of a $300 billion reconstruction fund for Iran, the lifting of a US naval blockade of Iran’s ports, and sanctions waivers allowing Tehran to export oil, among other steps. Richard Haas, president emeritus of the Council on Foreign Relations, said the emerging deal seems set to be a “massive victory” for the Iranian government.

“The regime will receive a financial windfall that will strengthen its hold on the country and help it rearm itself and its proxies,” Haas wrote in a newsletter, noting that Tehran’s government now also “has the prestige of having successfully stood up” to the US.

Trump and his administration have defended the agreement, with the US president deriding its detractors as “fools” and “jealous, bad people,” while Vice President JD Vance described it as a “win-win situation for the United States.”

For Eyre, the prospects of Washington reaching a more favorable deal than the one Trump scrapped are slim.

“The US should be so lucky as to get as good a deal as Obama, and I’m not saying that because I was part of it,” he said.

“Trump and his people pride themselves on being good deal makers, but you know, the more you ask for, the more you have to give,” Eyre said.

“If we’re trying to get Iran to walk back its nuclear program to where it was in 2018 when we pulled out, that is, I think, a bridge too far.” AFP

Like Tim Cone drawing up another play, they adjust and persevere. That is why every Ginebra championship feels personal. The victories belong not only to the players but also to the jeepney driver, the office worker, the street vendor, the teacher, the construction worker, and the OFW watching from thousands of miles away. In many ways, Barangay Ginebra remains the people’s team because its story is the people’s story. The scoreboard may say basketball. But the lesson is about life. Fall behind if you must. Get knocked down if you must. Face impossible odds if you must. Just don’t give up and never quit. Because in basketball, as in life, the greatest victories often belong to those who simply refuse to surrender.

That is the Ginebra way. That is the Filipino way. And that is why the Never Say Die spirit continues to inspire a nation. And to borrow the famous line of former President Fidel V. Ramos, “Kaya Natin Ito!!!”

(The writer, president/chief executive officer of Media Touchstone Ventures, Inc. and president/executive director of the Million Trees Foundation Inc., a non-government outfit advocating tree-planting and environmental protection, is the official biographer of President Fidel V. Ramos.)

SATURDAY, JUNE 20, 2026

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Minister says ‘Lebanon must burn’

JERUSALEM

– Far-right Israeli National Security

Minister Itamar Ben Gvir said Friday that “all of Lebanon must burn” after Israel’s military announced the deaths of four soldiers there.

The Israeli losses were the first to be announced since a US-Iran deal was signed to end the Middle East war.

The agreement was also supposed to halt the fighting between Israel and Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah in Lebanon, and Washington has expressed frustration at Israel’s ongoing campaign there.

“With all due respect to the Americans, Israel must make it clear to the entire world that the blood of our sons and the security of our citizens are not up for bargaining. All of Lebanon must burn,”

Ben Gvir said in a statement.

“For every tear shed by an Israeli mother, a thousand Lebanese mothers must weep,” he added.

“In the Near East, you don’t win with measured responses and restraint.”

Far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said Israel must “go wild. Eradicate. Defeat terrorism.”

“We must let fire speak... and open the gates of hell,” he added, without explicitly mentioning Lebanon.

The US-Iran agreement has been widely perceived in Israel as detrimen-

tal to its interests, signalling a failure by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to force US President Donald Trump to take account of Israeli security demands.

Netanyahu is under pressure ahead of elections due to be held by the end of October.

According to a poll published Friday by the newspaper Maariv, 63 percent of Israelis are “worried” about the future of Israel following the deal.

Avigdor Lieberman, head of the nationalist Yisrael Beiteinu opposition party, called on Friday for a “heavy price” to be exacted in Lebanon “from which the other side will never recover”.

If Beirut’s southern suburbs, a Hezbollah stronghold, “are still standing, this is a direct failure of the prime minister and the defence minister”, he wrote on X.

Meanwhile, gravediggers in a southern Lebanon village prepare tombs for the dead in Israeli strikes during the latest Israel-Hezbollah war, near those killed in the previous conflicts between the foes.

In front of recent graves bearing three huge portraits in Deir Qanun al-Nahr, Shourouk Hariri, 32, wept for her twin brother and volunteer rescuer Ahmad, one of his colleagues, and her uncle, a local civilian.

“We arrived in the village yesterday and went straight to the place where Ahmad was killed, before coming here to the cemetery,” said Hariri, dressed in black like her 10-year-old daughter by her side.

“We came here to understand what happened... we still can’t believe he’s gone,” she told AFP. AFP

remain in the general area.’ AFP

100 Colombian rebels disarm in deal with leftist gov’t

VALLE DEL GUAMUEZ, Colombia

– About 100 guerrillas laid down their weapons Thursday in a jungle area of southern Colombia under a deal with leftist President Gustavo Petro, who has sought peace with armed rebels, AFP journalists witnessed.

Some 99 rebels from the National Coordinating Committee of the Bolivarian Army surrendered their arms in the southern department of Putumayo, three days before a runoff election that will determine the country’s next president.

It represents the most significant success of Petro’s “total peace” plan, after his failed attempts to reach agreements with the country’s armed groups.

Wearing camouflage, the rebels left their rifles in a giant container bearing the slogan: “I bet on life, I fulfill my commitment to peace.”

The gesture is a first step for them to seek agreements with the government on disarmament and their legal status.

“I’m overjoyed, I can’t contain my happiness knowing we won’t be far away from our families,” a rebel, who requested anonymity, told AFP.

The military transported them by helicopter from remote areas to a region in the Guamuez Valley, where they will be based for the next 10 months. They received hygiene kits and have been housed in solar-powered homes.

The guerrillas broke away from the FARC group which laid down arms in 2016 after half a century of war with the government. AFP

Vance postpones trip to Switzerland for Iran talks

WASHINGTON, DC – US Vice Presi-

dent JD Vance postponed a trip to Switzerland for talks that were originally slated for Friday to discuss next steps with the US-Iran agreement on ending the war in the Middle East, according to the White House.

Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei said Thursday that he had approved the agreement despite reservations, even as the United States lifted a blockade of Iranian ports.

The signing of the deal on Wednesday by Trump and Iranian President Masoud

Pezeshkian set in motion a 60-day period for talks on wider issues between the two foes, including the Iranian nuclear program.

But there was uncertainty over the next steps, and it appeared unlikely that the two sides, who have had no diplomatic relations since soon after the 1979 Islamic revolution, would hold a signing ceremony and talks in Switzerland on Friday as previously announced.

“The logistics of these negotiations have never been simple or predictable. As of now the Vice President is not departing tonight,” a White House spokesper-

son said late Thursday. “We look forward to beginning technical talks as soon as possible.” In Iran, the Tasnim agency said “nothing has been confirmed” about the Iranian delegation’s trip to Switzerland. Mojtaba Khamenei, who became supreme leader after his father and longstanding Iran ruler Ali Khamenei was killed in an airstrike on the first day of the war on February 28, said in a written statement that he had approved the deal despite having a “different view”, without elaborating. AFP

Lee says he told Trump sanctions ‘ineffective’

SEOUL – Closer ties between Moscow and Pyongyang have rendered sanctions imposed on North Korea over its nuclear program “ineffective”, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said on Friday.

Lee said he told US counterpart Donald Trump the sanctions were not working when the two leaders met at a G7 summit in France this week and discussed the long-running standoff between South Korea and its nuclear-armed northern neighbor.

“I told him sanctions and pressure (against the North) are ineffective,” Lee told reporters in Seoul.

“The effectiveness of sanctions has diminished due to military cooperation between North Korea and Russia stemming from the war in Ukraine.

“Even a small amount of assistance from Russia is of great help to North Korea,” Lee said.

The two Koreas remain technically at war because their 1950-53 conflict ended in an armistice, not a peace treaty, and are separated by a demilitarized zone through which the border runs.

Trump signed a deal while he was in France aimed at ending the war in the Middle East and speculation has been rife that his administration will next shift its focus to North Korea.

On Sunday, Trump posted an uncaptioned photo of him and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un taken at a meeting in Singapore in 2018. Lee said Trump had told him in the French town of Evian that “the time had come to pay attention to the North Korea issue.”

Kim has recently sought to enhance his standing with his allies, sending troops and munitions to aid Russia’s war against Ukraine. AFP

‘Last ride’: US says ‘bye to Air Force One

WASHINGTON, DC – Is it goodbye Air Force One, hello Qatar Force One? White House officials bade farewell on Thursday to one of the two jets that have been used to transport US presidents for more than 30 years.

The goodbye messages fueled speculation that a Boeing 747 controversially gifted to President Donald Trump by the Gulf emirate of Qatar is now due to enter service.

“’Well done, good and faithful servant. ‘The Last Ride,’” Trump’s communications director Steven Cheung said in a post on X with a picture of the iconic white and blue jet after returning from the G7 summit in France.

US Chief of Protocol Monica Crowley also posted a photograph of the same plane on the tarmac at Joint Base Andrews near Washington.

“I was honored to be aboard Air Force One last night on its final flight,” Crowley said on X. AFP

Mexican mayor accused of faking her kidnap

MEXICO CITY – A Mexican mayor allegedly faked her own kidnapping to embezzle $2 million worth of government funds disguised as ransom, local authorities said Thursday. Nancy Napoles, the municipal president of Tenancingo, several hours outside Mexico City, has proclaimed her innocence, calling the accusations “politicized.” Napoles belongs to the ruling Morena party of President Claudia Sheinbaum, who has made combating corruption one of the pillars of her administration. Prosecutors said they requested Napoles give testimony on July 9 for the “simulation of a kidnapping.” There are no arrest warrants against her, unlike her husband and brother-in-law, who are on the run.

Armed men forced Napoles out of her car at gunpoint, according to the prosecutors office, basing the case on the testimony of three now-arrested “kidnappers.” AFP

UN aid chief demands ‘dignity’ for Gazans

Colombia investigates ex-leader over paramilitary massacres

BOGOTA, Colombia – The Colombian prosecutor’s office said Thursday it had launched a probe into influential former president Alvaro Uribe over his alleged links to massacres by paramilitary groups during the worst years of the country’s armed conflict. More than a quarter of a million people were killed during Colombia’s six decades of fighting between left-wing guerrillas, right-wing paramilitaries, drug traffickers and the military. Uribe, who ordered an offensive against guerrilla groups during his presidency between 2002 and 2010, has always denied

links to paramilitaries. The right-wing hardliner was sentenced last year to 12 years of house arrest for bribing imprisoned paramilitaries to lie about their alleged links to him. But a Bogota court later overturned the conviction, and the Supreme Court is currently handling the case. The prosecutor’s office said in a statement Thursday it would summon Uribe regarding “events related to the formation of a paramilitary group” in Antioquia in Colombia’s northwest during his time as governor there from 1995 to 1997. AFP

UNITED NATIONS, New York – People living in Gaza deserve to regain their “dignity” rather than merely survive, the UN aid chief said Thursday, as he criticized Israeli obstructions to the distribution of humanitarian assistance. Tom Fletcher, addressing the United Nations Security Council, acknowledged the flow of aid has improved since a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas took effect on October 10 -- with an average of 100 deliveries entering the Palestinian territory each day.

But, he said, “these fragile gains are the bare minimum of what Palestinians need and what we can provide -- and what international law demands.”

“We cannot allow the summit of our ambition and our will to be a world where children have sufficient calories to survive and are spared constant bombing, yet remain hungry, bitten by rats, homeless and out of school,” Fletcher added. AFP

ONGOING CLASHES. This photograph taken from the southern Lebanese city of Nabatieh shows smoke rising from the site of Israeli artillery shelling that targeted the forest area of Ali Al-Taher near Nabatieh on June 18, 2026.

The Israeli military said it will continue operating in southern Lebanon and ‘remove threats’ beyond its so-called security zone, after the US and Iran signed an agreement to end the Middle East war, including in Lebanon. AFP

BLOCKADE LIFTED? In this picture obtained from Iran’s ISNA news agency on June 18, 2026, vessels are seen anchored in Bandar Abbas along the Strait of Hormuz. Oil prices tumbled after Trump and his Iranian counterpart separately signed their accord to end the Middle East war, with the Strait of Hormuz to reopen but two months of negotiations lying ahead. American forces on Friday lifted their naval blockade of Iranian ports that had prevented ships from sailing to or from the Islamic republic, the US military said, noting that American warships ‘will

Mexico into World Cup last 32; Canada celebrates historic win

LOS ANGELES—Mexico became the first team to reach the knockout round of the World Cup on Thursday after a 1-0 victory over South Korea while Canada edged closer to the last 32 after thrashing Qatar.

A howler from South Korea goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu gifted a goal to Mexico’s Luis Romo and proved decisive as ‘El Tri’ hung on to win a tense battle in Guadalajara.

The victory means Mexico are guaranteed to finish in top spot in Group A with a game to spare following South Africa’s 1-1 draw with the Czech Republic earlier Thursday.

Finishing top keeps Mexico at home in the last 32 with a game against a third-placed team in Mexico City.

South Korea are second on three points, with the Czech Republic and South Africa also still alive on one.

In other games on Thursday, Canada

Quezon extends MPBL win streak

THE Quezon Huskers battered the Marikina Shoemasters, 93-67, on Thursday to extend their hot run in the SportsPlus MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) 2026 Season at the Batangas City Coliseum. Dominant underneath and sharper from afar, the Huskers pulled away, 7539, late in the third quarter en route to their ninth straight win in the round-robin elimination phase of the two-division, 28-team tournament. San Juan trounced Pasig, 114-79, in the opener, while Batangas dumped Sarangani, 111-64, in the second game to keep in step with Quezon, the only unscathed squad left nearing the halfway mark of the playoff race.

With Michael Canete, Cedric Manzano and Cyrus Tabi snagging 7 rebounds each, the Huskers posted a big 54-39 edge in rebounds, which they exploited to score more points in the paint, 58-26.

Canete added 15 points, 5 steals and 3 assists to clinch the SportsPlus best player over Manzano, who also had 13 points, 2 assists and 2 steals, and Jolo Manansala, who tallied 11 points plus 3 rebounds for the back-to-back South division champions.

Marikina, which skidded to 5-9, got 14 points and 3 rebounds from Jeepy Faundo, 11 points and 3 rebounds from Jason Strait, and 11 points plus 4 rebounds from RR Casajeros.

moved to the brink of the last 32 after overwhelming nine-man Qatar 6-0 to secure their first ever World Cup victory in Group B. Switzerland, also in Group B, reignited their campaign with a resounding defeat of BosniaHerzegovina in Los Angeles. Injury horror Tournament co-hosts Canada had lost all six of their previous matches at the World Cup, at the 1986 and 2022 finals, but brought that run of losses to a halt in spectacular fashion at Vancouver’s BC Place stadium.

With Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney -- wearing a replica

Canada shirt -- among a fired-up crowd, Jesse Marsch’s side ran riot to secure a win that leaves them needing only a point against Switzerland to finish top of Group B.

A hat-trick from Juventus striker Jonathan David, one goal apiece from Cyle Larin and Nathan Saliba, and a Mohammad Manai own goal sealed Canada’s win.

The victory was marred though by a serious left leg injury to midfielder Ismael Kone, who was stretchered off after being clumsily upended by Qatar’s Assim Madibo in the 51st minute.

Madibo was initially shown a yellow card for the challenge which was subsequently upgraded to red. The stricken Kone was given oxygen as he was carried off the field, waving to fans.

Canada coach Jesse Marsch revealed afterwards Kone was being treated in hospital for a suspected

broken leg, adding that his staff had understood the severity of the injury immediately.

“It was right in front of us, and everyone could hear the bone snap,” Marsch said. “I haven’t spoken to Ismael yet, but he’s at the hospital. He will prepare for a surgery.

“Everybody’s a little shaken by the whole experience because of the nature of the injury, and also because Ismael is a big part of the heart of our team. It will be a big loss for us.” Switzerland on track Earlier, Switzerland got their campaign back on track with a 4-1 drubbing of Bosnia-Herzegovina at the SoFi Stadium.

Johan Manzambi scored twice while Ruben Vargas and Granit Xhaka were on target in a late flurry of goals for the Swiss, who are dreaming of advancing beyond the last 16 for the first time at this World Cup. AFP

UAAP bars Ateneo sta involved in Aurora incident

THE University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) has barred all members of the Ateneo de Manila University coaching staff, who were present during the fatal team-building incident in Dipaculao, Aurora, from participating in any league-related activities, while multiple investigations into the tragedy are ongoing.

In a statement release d Friday, the UAAP Board of Trustees said it approved the recommendation of the Board of Managing Directors to impose the preventive measure, which takes effect immediately and will remain in force until the completion of investigations by government authorities, Ateneo’s independent fact-finding body, and the league itself.

The suspension prohibits the concerned coaching staff from taking part in any UAAP activities “in any capacity.”

The league said the move is intended to protect the integrity of the investigative process rather than serve as a disciplinary sanction.

“This preemptive measure, adopted even prior to the UAAP season, is intended to preserve the integrity of the ongoing inquiry and to ensure full transparency and due process as facts surrounding the incident are being carefully examined,” the UAAP said. UAAP also directed Ateneo to submit the official findings of its internal investigation no later than July 15, 2026.

The decision comes more than a week after the deaths of Blue Eagles players Divine Adili and Rene Baterbonia, who drowned during a team-building activity in Aurora. The incident remains under investigation by several government agencies, including the National Bureau of Investigation, while questions surrounding accountability continue to mount.

The UAAP emphasized that it will allow the investigative process to run its course before determining any sanctions under league rules.

NY’s Anunoby 1st player to win NBA title in Skechers

NEW York’s historic NBA playoff run and Finals victory had fans around the world celebrating the outstanding performance of Knicks star forward OG Anunoby. Backed by the brand’s signature Comfort That Performs®, OG also made history as the first player to ever wear Skechers Basketball footwear on the NBA Finals court.

“Skechers has been an exceptional partner on this journey,” said OG Anunoby, now a two-time NBA champion. “I feel like I’m part of the family after only a year together. They truly put care into building footwear that meets my needs. They know I often switch things up mid-game, so having a consistent flow of options helps keep me comfortable and confident on the court.

Most meaningful was the ‘NYC Blue’ PE I wore during Game 4 that was a nod to the City, my team, and most importantly, the best fans anyone could ask for.”

4

games that push the Infinix

GT 50 Pro to its 144FPS limits

MOBILE gaming has evolved into a fully competitive space where frame rate, responsiveness, and sustained performance define the experience. The Infinix GT 50 Pro is engineered for this new standard, delivering a certified native 144FPS gaming experience alongside a complete Immersive Pro Gaming Ecosystem designed for longsession stability and esports-level control.

From MOBAs to FPS titles, here are four games that push the GT 50 Pro to its 144FPS limits and showcase what next-gen mobile gaming feels like in realworld gameplay.

Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) Fast-Paced Team Fights at Peak Smoothness

In MLBB, milliseconds matter. Team fights can shift in an instant, and visual clarity becomes critical when multiple skills, effects, and movements overlap on screen.

With 144FPS support, the GT 50 Pro delivers smoother animations and faster frame transitions, allowing players to track enemy movement more clearly and react with greater precision during highpressure clashes.

The experience is further enhanced

by the Pressure-Sense GT Trigger, which enables intuitive control inputs such as quick press combos and instant skill execution. This reduces reliance on complex multi-finger movements and helps players perform high-level mechanics more consistently.

Call of Duty: Mobile (CODM) Ultra-Smooth Competitive FPS Gameplay

Call of Duty: Mobile is one of the strongest demonstrations of the GT 50 Pro’s performance ceiling. Built for fast reactions and precision aiming, CODM benefits directly from certified native 144FPS gameplay, delivering smoother motion tracking and improved responsiveness in both multiplayer and battle royale modes. For players prioritizing visual quality, the Ultra Frame (MFRC) feature elevates gameplay beyond standard limitations— boosting select modes from 60FPS up to 120FPS, even at higher graphics settings. This ensures a balance between visual fidelity and competitive smoothness. Standoff 2 Precision Gunfights With Maximum Responsiveness

“Skechers Basketball has been on the court for three seasons with a roster of players in the league – including superstar OG Anunoby,” said Michael Greenberg, president of Skechers. “A force to be reckoned with in the regular season, through the playoffs, and especially that heroic Game 4 finisher and key fourth quarter points, OG has driven awareness and excitement for Skechers Basketball and our position in this sport. Delivering a game that continues to surprise, OG embodies the spirit of not only Skechers Performance but the entire philosophy of Skechers as The Comfort Technology Company. It’s too early to share specific details, but we do have a signature shoe in the works. Anyone, anywhere who wants to play like OG knows they need Comfort that Performs.” Throughout the playoffs and Finals, OG had fans talking about the Skechers Basketball exclusive Player Edition (PE) styles he wore on the court. Pairs that went

Standoff 2 thrives on precision aiming and fast reaction timing—making it a perfect showcase for high-frame-rate performance. At 144FPS, gameplay feels significantly more fluid, especially during rapid flick shots, recoil control, and close-range engagements. Higher frame stability improves visual tracking, allowing players to maintain accuracy even in chaotic firefights.

The GT 50 Pro’s low-latency input system enhances responsiveness further, ensuring that every swipe and tap is translated instantly on screen. . Free Fire Fast Survival Matches With Instant Reaction Advantage

viral included the SKX Nexus “Euro” PE that led to a social media exchange and eventual gifting of a signed pair to Knicks fan and Skechers ambassador Martha Stewart. OG also showed off an SKX Reign “Foreman” PE during warmups that honored his repeated Defensive Player of the Game honors, and in his legendary Game 4 performance he wore a SKX Nexus “NYC Blue” PE in bold blue and orange, an homage to his team’s monumental playoff run. The two high-performance Skechers Basketball shoes worn by Anunoby reflect his dynamic playing style—strong, versatile, and always in control. The SKX Nexus™ is a low-top court shoe designed for speed, stability and support, offering exceptional comfort and responsiveness. Meanwhile, the SKX Reign™ focuses on promoting elevation and intense traction, helping Anunoby stay quick and locked in on both ends of the court.

Free Fire is built around fast decisionmaking and quick survival gameplay, where every encounter can decide the outcome of a match. With high-frame-rate optimization, the GT 50 Pro ensures smoother motion rendering during fast rotations, aiming, and close-range combat. This reduces visual stutter and helps maintain clarity during rapid movement sequences. The GT Trigger system adds another layer of competitive control, allowing players to assign pressure-based inputs for faster aiming, shooting, and tactical actions. This enables quicker reactions in high-pressure encounters where timing is everything.

Michael Canete of Quezon

OG Anunoby holds the Larry O’Brien trophy

RIERA

RANDY M.

Serbians stop bleeding as Dominicans grope for form

SERBIA steadied the ship as the Dominican Republic’s search for a breakthrough continues in the Women’s Volleyball Nations League on Friday at the Philsports Arena.

Explosive 21-year-old star Anja Zubic took charge as Serbia routed the Dominican Republic, 25-19, 25-23, 25-18, in the event presented by the Philippine Sports Commission.

It was a breezy afternoon outing for the Serbs, who had two consecutive late-night five-set finishes, both ending in losses — to world No. 5 Japan and top-ranked Italy.

Zubic had 15 points on 12 attacks, two blocks and a serve, while Nina Cajic scored 12 on 10 attacks and two blocks as world no. 10 Serbia notched its second victory in seven matches, moving them closer to midtable in the elite 18-nation meet.

The top eight after the three-week nine-leg preliminary stage advance to the final in Macau.

World No. 2 Brazil, currently playing in the Ankara (Turkiye) leg, has six wins in as many matches. Japan, one of six nations in the Pasig City leg, is the only other unbeaten team at 5-0.

No. 12 Dominican Republic, meanwhile, continues to grope for form in the FIVB’s premier annual international tournament, falling to 0-7.

Geraldine Sthefany Gonzalez had five of the Dominicans’ eight blocks, and led the team in scoring with 11, six on attacks.

after scoring a point against the Dominican Republic.

Malaysia’s Green ties course record of 64 to lead by a shot

By Jeremiah Sevilla

TARLAC CITY—Malaysia’s Galven Green hit a course record-tying eight-under-par 64 to grab a one-stroke lead and emerge as a strong title contender after the penultimate round of the BingoPlus Philippine ADT Open on Friday at the Luisita Golf and Country Club here.

Jineiry Matinez had 10 points on eight attacks and two blocks. Green rolled in an eagle with two mini driver shots on hole No. 9--the same feat he did on the opening day-and buried six birdies to cap his magical bogey-free third round en route to replicating Thomas Plumb’s record 64 just two days ago.

Arreglado captures long

jump

silver at World Para Athletics

By Randy M. Caluag

ARVIE John Arreglado secured a silver medal in the men’s T47 long jump, delivering a leap of 6.16 meters on late Thursday night at the 2026 World Para Athletics Grand Prix in Tunis, Tunisia.

Egypt’s Youssef Gamal Abdelsalam Mohamed took gold with a personal-best jump of 6.64m, while Cameroon’s Bouba Ibrahim Bouba claimed bronze at 6.09m.

Fellow Filipino Joshua Santos narrowly missed the podium, finishing fourth with a personal-best effort of 6.05m.

Arreglado, the reigning ASEAN Para Games champion, delivered a consistent series to secure second place in a tightly contested field.

The Tunis meet forms part of the Philippine para athletics team’s buildup for the Asian Para Games 2026, scheduled in October in AichiNagoya, Japan.

The Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Paralympic Committee, and PHILSPADA back the national squad’s campaign.

The former Malaysian national team standout tallied a total of 14-under 202 after carding identical 69s in the first two rounds to surge seven spots to the top of the 54-player leaderboard.

“I just really went out there and played golf. I didn’t do anything special. I was just finding fairways, hitting greens, and fortunately making some putts,” said Green, who is currently at

No. 34 in the Asian Development Tour Order of Merit.

With his flawless performance, Green placed himself in a good position to win his maiden ADT title. But for the 26-year-old pro, the final day of the $100,000 tournament is just another round to bring out his best swings.

“It’s a new day and it’s a long golf to be played still. I’m just gonna go out there and play the best I can do,” he said.

Italy’s Michele Ortalani also made his move as he rattled home eight birdies against a bogey to score 65 for 203 at solo second, while England’s Plumb fired an eagle on 12th on top of

four birdies to recover from a lackluster second round with 66 for 204 at third.

Overnight leader Franco Scorzato of Argentina shot 71 and Su ChingHung of Chinese Taipei had 70 as they

dropped to joint fourth with 205 each. Meanwhile, Filipino stalwart Sean Ramos remained firmly in title contention after sinking six birdies against a lone bogey to post his best round so far with 67 for 206, just four shots behind Green.

The 22-year-old Ramos said he is ready for a dogfight for the crown in the final round on Saturday after competing in a three-man playoff in the ADT Players Championship in Selangor, Malaysia last month.

“I feel a little bit more experienced now being in contention in these events. So I’m just more excited and very happy to be contending (for the title).”

Three-time Asian Tour champion Angelo Que carded 69 for 209 to stay as the second-best Filipino player in the tournament, boosting his bid to secure a slot in the 2026 BingoPlus International Series Philippine Open. The two best Filipino finishers in the inaugural ADT Philippine Open are set to join reigning champion Miguel Tabuena in the International Series tourney slated November 12 to 15.

Clark seizes 4-stroke edge at darkness-halted US Open

SOUTHAMPTON—Wyndham

Clark made an eagle and two birdies in three holes to seize a four-stroke lead when darkness halted Thursday’s first round of the 126th US Open at blustery Shinnecock.

The 32-year-old American started on the back nine and answered a bogey at the par-three second hole with back-toback birdies at three and four, the latter from 22 feet, and sank a three-foot eagle putt at the par-five fifth to reach six-under par.

Clark, the 2023 US Open champion who says he’s seeking redemption after smashing a locker at Oakmont after missing the cut at last year’s championship, parred six after a 61-foot chip to within inches of the hole then parred

the seventh before play was halted.

“It was a nice start for sure,” Clark said. “It was a tough day. It was tough for everybody, I think. Biggest thing for me, I stayed patient. Didn’t have my best stuff, but I made a lot of putts and saved myself to keep the momentum going.

“Happy with where I’m at for sure.”

Not since 1933 has a player led the US Open by four strokes after 18 holes, which Clark can achieve when he plays the eighth and ninth holes

Wyndham Clark of the United States plays a shot on the sixth hole during the first round of the 126th U.S. OPEN at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, New York. AFP

when the round resumes at 6:35 a.m. (1035 GMT) Friday.

The lowest 18-hole score for a US Open at Shinnecock is four-under 66. Sharing second on two-under par 68 in the clubhouse were amateur Ryder Cowan and fellow Americans Sam Stevens and Max McGreevy.

Four major winners were still on the course at two-under -- Spain’s Jon Rahm after 13 holes, Americans Dustin Johnson and Gary Woodland after 15 holes and England’s Matt Fitzpatrick after 16 holes.

Johnson, a back-nine starter, had reeled off four consecutive birdies through the fourth hole but fell back with a three-putt double bogey at the sixth. AFP

Taruc caps improbable JPGT Finals run; Anciano triumphs

GEN. TRIAS, Cavite – Jakob Taruc pulled off a stirring Junior Philippine Golf Tour turnaround, sweeping the final two legs of the Luzon Series – including the ICTSI Eagle Ridge JPGT Championship here on Friday – to punch his ticket to the Elite Finals and anchor a powerhouse North boys’ 15-18 squad.

Rafa Anciano, on the other hand, locked out Levonne Talion to top the girls’ premier division. With the victory, Anciano officially clinched her spot in the Finals alongside early qualifiers Lisa and Mona Sarines, while Kendra Garingalao also advanced. Riding the wave of a brilliant second-round surge, Taruc displayed nerves of steel on the Aoki course of the sprawling Eagle Ridge Golf and Country Club. As dark skies threatened rain and cast a dramatic gloom, Taruc masterfully handled the shifting conditions.

He shot three birdies against two bogeys on the front nine, before adding two more birdies against another bogey in the last nine holes to close with a 70. It was his finest round of the tournament, securing a three-over 219 total and a dominant 11-stroke victory over Harry Sales.

Sales, the first-round leader who faltered with a 79 on Thursday to hand Taruc the advantage, showed flashes of a comeback early, birdying the par-5 No. 3 for the third consecutive day. But his rhythm crumbled midway through as he wavered,

stumbling to a 77 to finish with a 230 total. Lujo Gomez carded a 76 to claim third place at 231 at the close of the six-leg, three-month, coursehopping regional series organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc., setting the stage for a high-stakes Finals showdown from Aug. 17-20 at the Pueblo de Oro Country Club in Cagayan de Oro.

“Reaching the finals wasn’t originally part of

“After two rounds at Beverly, my confidence started to return. By the time I arrived at Eagle Ridge, I felt good about my game because my swing was locked in and everything was just working perfectly,” he added. The top four finishers from the Luzon and VisayasMindanao series are headed for a thrilling, Ryder Cup-style collision. Three age divisions (7-10, 11-14 and 15-18) will face off as the North looks to defend the title it won at The Country Club last year, while a battle-tested South squad hunts for revenge.

Serbia players jubilate

Arvie Arreglado

Galven Green Jun Sepe

Jakob Taruc (right) and Rafa Anciano display their medals. Manny Marcelo

IMF MISSION.

Department of Finance

Secretary Frederick Go (left) welcomes the International Monetary Fund (IMF) staff team, led by mission Chief Andrea Pescatori, which laid out an agenda covering the country’s response to the global energy situation, the medium-term economic outlook, regional priorities under ASEAN and areas for technical cooperation. Go assured the team of the country’s steady path on its medium-term fiscal consolidation program, alongside the government’s continued focus on strengthening revenue collection, including the broader thrust toward digitalization to make tax administration more efficient.

4.75% 6.4% 4.5%

Overnight borrowing rate

Inflation forecast for 2026

Inflation forecast for 2027

PH seeks ASEAN support for key rail projects

By Darwin G. Amojelar

THE Philippines asked fellow Southeast Asian nations, global investors and development institutions to support its massive railway expansion to help sustain economic growth and improve daily commutes.

Speaking at the ASEAN RailCon 2026 at the Asian Development Bank (ADB) headquarters, Department of Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez said regional collaboration could speed up the construction of several multi-billion dollar railway projects. These key infrastructure developments include the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR), the Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP), and the MRT-7.

“With these game-changing projects, we can transform the entire landscape of the Philippine Transportation. To achieve this, we would need help and collaboration from our partners and friends from ASEAN countries,” Lopez said.

The transportation chief said Manila remains committed to working with regional partners and financial institutions to build an efficient, expansive and well-integrated rail network.

The government is backing these infrastructure plans with a push for specialized domestic training. Lopez nored the role of the Philippine Railways Institute (PRI) in developing competent, safety-driven, and future-ready professionals to run the upcoming networks.

Regional officials backed the infrastructure push, noting that modern rail systems align with broader economic goals.

ASEAN Economic Community deputy secretary-general Satvinder Singh named sustainability, digital transformation, safety standards, longterm funding and human resource training as top regional priorities.

“Rail transport offers a kind of strategic path towards sustainable growth while at the same time enhancing connectivity and also providing us a much more better inclusive future,” Singh said.

BSP on course for more interest rate hikes—Citi

By Thony Rose Lesaca

THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) will likely continue raising interest rates to curb persistent inflation despite a recent dip in consumer prices, Wall Street bank Citi said in a report.

The BSP increased its overnight borrowing rate by 25 basis points to 4.75 percent on June 18, 2026. Citi expects two more identical hikes, which would push the benchmark terminal rate to 5.25 percent by October 2026.

Monetary Board officials raised the key rate because core inflation, which strips out volatile food and energy items, remains high and could stay above 4 percent through the year.

The BSP adjusted its average inflation forecast for 2026 to 6.4

percent from 6.3 percent, and for 2027 to 4.5 percent from 4.3 percent.

Both projections sit above the bank’s target band of 2 percent to 4 percent. However, the bank projects inflation will cool to 3.1 percent by 2028, pulling price growth back within the official tolerance range.

“What is relevant here for monetary policy is essentially the next two to three-year horizon. We are already halfway through 2026 and monetary policy works with a lag. But as we

can see in the forecast, it will be about 24 months, about two years, 2026 and 2027, that the average inflation could be beyond the tolerance range,” BSP Deputy Governor Zeno Ronald Abenoja said during a media briefing.

“BSP hiked rates as expected and still gave hawkish forward guidance.

Policymakers’ focus remains on managing second-round effects, thus will be beneath the forthcoming headline inflation movements,” Citi said.

Economic growth in the Philippines remains uneven, with recent data showing a weakening labor market and soft consumer purchasing power. If global energy prices drop faster than anticipated, businesses might lower prices, potentially prompting the central bank to pause its tightening cycle after its August meeting.

TRAVEL FAIR.

The Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines generates P176.8 million in sales leads and facilitates 2,120 business-to-business (B2B) appointments during the 17th Regional Travel Fair (RTF), from May 15 to 17, 2026 at the Baguio Convention and Cultural Center in Baguio City. The threeday event marked a 41.90-percent increase in both sales leads and B2B appointments compared to the previous RTF held in 2025.

NGCP reviewing new rules on third-party transmission

By Alena Mae S. Flores

THE National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) said Friday it is evaluating newly-issued Energy Regulatory Commission rules on third-party involvement in transmission projects.

The ERC designed the new rules to accelerate the completion of critical transmission facilities needed to connect new power plants to the national grid and deliver electricity to consumers more quickly and reliably.

The framework addresses delays in transmission infrastructure that often prevent new power plants, including renewable energy projects, from delivering their full

capacity to the grid.

Under the new framework, entities other than NGCP will be allowed to finance and construct projects identified by the Department of Energy (DOE) as associated transmission projects (ATPs) or priority projects.

These projects include new transmission lines, substations, switchyards and other facilities necessary to accommodate additional power generation capacity and strengthen the network.

Qualified generation companies may finance and construct ATPs. Meanwhile, the state-owned National Transmission Corp. (TransCo) may undertake priority projects or engage other government agencies,

BPI flags possible rice mislabeling scheme

By Othel V. Campos

THE Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) has flagged possible rice mislabeling in major urban markets, raising concerns that traders are passing off lower-cost imported rice as higher-priced local varieties. In a June 11 report submitted to the Department of Agriculture (DA) Inspectorate and Enforcement and Legal Service units, the BPI Plant Product Safety Services Division revealed inconsistencies between declared origins and classification results. The agency said the findings suggest misrepresentation in retail labeling to exploit price gaps. It said of six samples tested, three matched their declared local origin.

However, a sample labeled as locally sourced showed characteristics aligning more closely with imported rice under the classification model, pointing to potential substitution or relabeling in the supply chain.

The report noted a widening gap in quality and pricing dynamics. Lowercost imported rice may be repackaged or mislabeled as local produce to command higher retail prices, taking advantage of consumer preference for domestic varieties.

BPI officials said the results show the need for stricter enforcement of labeling rules, stronger traceability systems and tighter market surveillance to protect consumers from deceptive trade practices.

government-owned or -controlled corporations or private entities to construct such projects on its behalf, pursuant to a DOE circular issued earlier this year.

“We are presently evaluating the newly issued rules in light of our rights, obligations and responsibilities under the concession agreement, Republic Act No. 9511, and other applicable laws,” NGCP said.

“We will take the appropriate steps to ensure that the integrity of the national transmission framework is preserved,” the company said, noting that it recognizes the importance of timely transmission development to support the country’s energy security objectives.

B2

B3

B4

THE Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) said Friday it launched the first phase of the Mindanao Integrated Government Network, a project under the National Fiber Backbone initiative designed to accelerate digital transformation across the southern Philippines. The network interconnects about 500 government agencies and facilities across key Mindanao hubs, including Cagayan de Oro, Butuan, Davao City, Koronadal and Pagadian. By linking regional government offices into a single integrated ecosystem, the project establishes a secure, high-speed digital highway to streamline public operations.

DICT Secretary Henry Aguda emphasized the critical nature of the project for the region.

“Connectivity is not just convenience, it is a lifeline. It is coordination, safety, and faster response when every second matters,” Aguda said.

“This is the real promise: not just better technology, but better service. Not just faster internet, but faster response to people’s needs,” he said.

The project will benefit about 5.3 million Filipinos by providing faster, more reliable and more responsive public services. Darwin G. Amojelar

BUSINESS

By Othel V. Campos

THE Department of Agriculture has ordered the destruction of an abandoned shipment of imported onions worth about P86.7 million after laboratory tests found the cargo unfit for human consumption.

The shipment, stored at the Manila International Container Port, consists of 26 20-foot containers carrying about 650 metric tons of red onions from China. The volume is equivalent to roughly one day of national consumption.

The Bureau of Plant Industry recommended the disposal after a joint inspection with the Bureau of Customs found the onions in an advanced state of decay.

The 72,215 bags of onions arrived between December 2025 and January 2026 but were later abandoned by the importer for undetermined reasons.

According to the BPI, prolonged

storage led to extensive spoilage, including sprouting, rotting, fungal infestation, discoloration and a foul odor. Laboratory tests confirmed the shipment poses health risks and is no longer fit for consumption.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the findings leave authorities with no choice but to destroy the entire consignment.

“The results of the laboratory analysis clearly show that the shipment poses serious health risks and is no longer fit for human consumption,” Tiu Laurel said. “We cannot allow these to enter the market.”

He noted that the shipment also incurred P9.7 million in unpaid duties and taxes.

NOVVA to acquire Bukidnon solar plant

By Alena Mae S. Flores

THE NOVVA Group has signed a definitive agreement to acquire 100 percent of the San Jose Solar Power Plant, a utility-scale solar project in Bukidnon, Mindanao, from Mabuhay Power Holdings Corp.

The acquisition marks Novva’s first investment in the Philippines and a critical milestone in its strategy to build a scalable, bankable power platform across Southeast Asia. NOVVA Group is a global energy

transition platform headquartered in Hong Kong and incorporated in Singapore.

The San Jose plant is a 120-megawattpeak greenfield solar project located in Barangay San Jose, in the municipality of Quezon, Bukidnon. Once operational, it is expected to generate over 200 gigawatthours of clean electricity per year. Construction is scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2027, with commercial operation targeted for 2028.

The transaction comes amid an unprecedented surge in Asian power demand, driven by the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence, cloud computing and digital infrastructure. With energy availability emerging as the primary constraint on sustained economic growth, resilient power infrastructure has become vital.

The project also advances the Philippines’ goal of achieving a 35 percent re-

APECO pitches 4-pillar blue economy plan

THE Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority is positioning Aurora as a leading blue economy hub, with plans to develop the province’s fisheries, tourism, renewable energy and maritime industries to generate jobs and attract investments. During the Blue Economy and Sustainable Seas Transformation Roadshow on Friday, APECO president and chief executive Gil Taway IV said the agency’s strategy rests on four pillars: food security, tourism development, energy security and maritime security.

newable energy share by 2030, channeling clean capacity into one of Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing digital economies.

“Power availability has become one of the defining constraints on future growth,” Steven Liu, founder and chief executive of Novva, said. “With the San Jose plant, we are securing the strategic infrastructure needed to support the next wave of industrial and digital development. By combining disciplined execution with long-term partnerships, Novva is building a reliable clean energy foundation to power the future of Southeast Asia.”

The plant will integrate directly into Novva’s regional platform, which combines renewable generation, flexible power solutions, energy storage, grid connectivity and infrastructure financing capabilities. Novva remains committed to scaling clean energy capacity to sustain the next generation of hyperscale data centers and digital economies.

The BPI said the spoiled onions have become a logistical and biosecurity issue, occupying valuable port space while increasing the risk of contamination and pest infestation. REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIONAL TRIAL COURT NATIONAL

“Aurora does not sit at the margins of the nation’s marine wealth,” Taway said. “Aurora sits at its doorstep. With the Philippine Rise just off our coast and the vast resources of the Pacific before us, our challenge is no longer finding opportunities but building the infrastructure, industries and investments needed to convert those resources into jobs, food security and lasting prosperity for our people.” The plan seeks to transform Aurora into the “Fishing Capital of the Pacific,” leveraging its long Pacific coastline, rich fishing grounds and proximity to the Philippine Rise, one of the country’s most productive tuna fishing areas.

Taway cited Philippine Statistics Authority data showing Aurora’s fisheries production grew by nearly 14 percent in the first quarter of this year, while the value of output increased by more than 16 percent year-on-year. Othel V. Campos

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

By Alena Mae S. Flores

THE Department of Energy said Friday it increased its installation target for thermal combustion wasteto-energy projects to 400 megawatts from 230 MW.

The adjustment aims to accelerate the deployment of waste-to-energy technologies while supporting the clean energy transition and solid waste management objectives of the country, officials said.

The department plans to hold a special auction round for these projects under its Green Energy Auction Program to foster broader participation and advance sustainable energy development.

To enhance investor confidence and accommodate development timelines, the department revised key project milestones. Officials extended the mechanical completion deadline to December 2028 and pushed the delivery commencement date to December 2029.

This follows an earlier announcement where the department indefinitely suspended the special auction round for waste-to-energy projects that it originally scheduled for August.

“In line with these adjustments, interested participants will be given more time to comply with auction requirements, as the registration period for qualified suppliers will be extended until 31 July 2026,” the DOE said in a statement.

To broaden the field of participants, the department declared that registrants awarded with a waste-to-energy operating contract or a biomass energy operating contract on or before the end of the registration period may join the auction.

The agency said it will issue an amendment to Department Circular No. DC 2026-04-00111 and supplemental terms of reference to officially reflect the revised capacity, extended timelines and updated auction parameters.

Semirara

BSP extends salary loan terms

By Thony Rose Lesaca

THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has extended the maximum repayment period for salary-based generalpurpose consumption loans to seven years from three years to give borrowers more flexibility in managing their debts.

Under Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Circular No. 1239, the maximum tenor for these unsecured

The BSP said the longer repayment period would give borrowers greater flexibility in managing their financial obligations, while the seven-year limit serves as a safeguard against excessive borrowing.

The BSP said the seven-year limit is only the maximum allowable tenor and not a fixed loan term. Banks and other BSP-supervised financial institutions will continue to determine the actual repayment terms based on a borrower’s repayment capacity.

Lenders are expected to assess the borrower’s income sources, employment status, credit history, and the purpose and nature of the loan in setting the appropriate repayment terms.

These unsecured consumption loans are used to finance immediate to short-term needs such

expenses. Repayments are usually made through salary deductions, pension or other stable sources of cash flow.

The BSP said borrowers may consider other financing options, including housing, motor vehicle or credit card loans for longer-term or non-consumption needs. These loans fall outside the scope of salary-based general-purpose consumption loans and are not covered by the seven-year maximum limit.

“The BSP continues to work with the Department of Education and partner financial institutions to promote financial literacy and responsible borrowing. Part of this effort is ensuring borrowers retain enough takehome pay after loan repayments,” it said.

The BSP said borrowers may also explore refinancing options available through facilities offered by the Government Service Insurance System and Social Security System.

BOI, Mindanao agency sign deal to boost investments, develop economic hub

By Othel V. Campos

THE Board of Investments and the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) signed a strategic partnership agreement on June 17, 2026 to accelerate investment promotion and strengthen the southern Philippine region as a key economic hub.

The memorandum of agreement, signed by BOI managing-head Ceferino Rodolfo and MinDA chairman Leo Tereso Magno, aims

IN BRIEF

gated the final estimates by species and fishing gear in compliance with WCPFC reporting standards.

Skipjack tuna remained the dominant catch at over 58 percent, followed by yellowfin tuna at about 39 percent, bigeye tuna at around 3 percent and albacore tuna at less than 1 percent. By gear type, purse seine fisheries accounted for more than 46 percent of total production, retaining their lead as the country’s top contributor. Region 12 recorded the highest tuna landings nationwide. Othel V. Campos

EastWest launches digital PERA products

EASTWEST Banking Corp. has launched Personal Equity and Retirement Account (PERA) products to provide Filipinos with digital access to voluntary retirement savings.

The launch aims to make retirement investing accessible to first-time savers and long-term investors, offering a P2,000 minimum initial investment and access to central bank-approved investment outlets.

of Energy had granted the company a tax exemption under Presidential Decree 972 in May 2013 for the importation of 36 million liters of diesoline for its own consumption. Alena Mae S. Flores

PH logged 230,347 tons of tuna catch in 2025

THE Philippines reported an annual tuna catch of 230,347 metric tons in 2025 as the country prepares to submit the data to the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) for regional tuna stock assessment and fisheries management efforts.

The Department of Agriculture–National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (DA-NFRDI), through the Western Pacific East Asia–Sustainable Pacific Fisheries (WPEA-SPF) Project, confirmed the estimate during the 18th PTUNASTAT Annual Catch Estimates Review Workshop held recently in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan. Following cross-validation of datasets and methodologies, officials disaggre-

Backed by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, PERA is a voluntary retirement savings program designed to complement benefits from the Social Security System, the Government Service Insurance System and employer-sponsored retirement plans. Contributors gain access to tax advantages, including a 5 percent tax credit subject to applicable rules.

Overseas Filipino workers are also eligible to invest in PERA and have an annual investment limit of up to P400,000 per person, allowing them to build retirement savings while working abroad.

To support the customer experience, EastWest teamed up with digital PERA administrators accredited by the central bank and supervised by the Securities and Exchange Commission, including DragonFi Securities Inc. The partnerships allow clients to complete guided onboarding, access educational tools and manage their PERA accounts online.

“Too many Filipinos put off retirement planning because it can seem complicated or out of reach,” EastWest chief executive Jerry Ngo said.

to convert the region’s economic potential into bankable investment projects.

Under the agreement, both agencies will implement a joint work program covering investment promotion, investor facilitation, aftercare services, information sharing and investment-readiness efforts.

The program will also develop investment location profiles, project teasers, investment missions and forums, and streamlined coordination mechanisms to support investors and

accelerate project implementation.

Rodolfo said his agency considers MinDA as a partner in advancing regional development, noting that its regional offices in Cagayan de Oro and Davao will work closely with the agency to support priority investments.

Rodolfo cited the Strategic Investment Priority Plan as a framework for attracting investments in sectors such as mining and mineral processing, renewable energy and fisheries.

Magno said the partnership creates

MOBILE BANKING. Security Bank Corp. receives the Best Payment Technology Initiative in Asia Pacific and Best Mobile Banking Technology Initiative in Asia Pacific at The Asian Banker Global Financial Technology Innovation Awards 2026 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for strengthening both its digital banking experience and payments infrastructure. Receiving the award is Ranna Feliciano (fourth from left), first vice president and deposits product management and payments channel head. With Feliciano are (from left) Neeti Aggarwal, senior research and consulting manager, TAB Global; Matthew Grech, vice president and head of services- Asia Pacific, ACI Worldwide; Ong Chee Cheng, vice president and head of ASEAN, ACI Worldwide; and Mark Walker, international resource director, TAB Global.

Building constructions fell 6.8%, but total value increased in April

PHILIPPINE building constructions fell 6.8 percent in April compared with the previous year, although the total value of projects increased, government data showed on Thursday.

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported that total building constructions dropped to 13,677 from 14,676 in April 2025. Despite fewer projects, the overall value of construction jumped 11.3 percent to P47.42 billion from P42.58 billion in the same month last year.

Residential buildings drove the bulk of the construction activity, accounting for 8,630 projects, even as the segment fell 10.5 percent from the 9,643 buildings recorded a year earlier.

Single-type houses comprised the majority at 7,224, followed by 1,124 apartments or accessorias and 238 duplexes or quadruplexes.

Non-residential building constructions dipped 3.2 percent to 2,973 projects from 3,071 in April 2025. The sector consisted mostly of 2,003 commercial buildings, 512 institutional buildings and 292 industrial buildings. Approved permits for additions to existing buildings decreased 4.2 percent to 501, while alterations and repairs fell 1.6 percent to 1,057. Other types of construction grew 41.4 percent with 516 approved permits. While residential building volume remained high, non-residential buildings commanded the highest total value at P22.34 billion, followed by residential projects at P19.28 billion. Alterations and repairs reached P4.06 billion, additions stood at P1.21 billion and other constructions generated P51 million. Thony Rose Lesaca

a shared goal of positioning the region as a premier investment destination, stressing the need for stronger collaboration with national agencies and development partners.

Established in 2010, MinDA serves as the lead agency for the region’s investment promotion and socioeconomic development.

The authority also represents the Philippines in the Brunei DarussalamIndonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area regional cooperation framework.

By Jenniffer B. Austria

THE Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approved a rental pool program for DMCI Project Developers Inc., allowing the company to register 2,138 certificates of participation in pool-sharing agreements. The approval, granted under the regulator’s new non-traditional securities framework, clears the way for DMCI Project Developers to offer investment contracts to the public for its upcoming resort and condominium projects.

Rental pool agreements act as investment contracts where developers sell units in projects like condominiums, hotels or resorts to the public. Buyers then pool these properties to run as a unified hospitality business.

The real estate firm will charge a one-time joining fee of P50,000 per participant. This translates to an aggregate collection of about P106.9 million across the program.

The investment pool covers condotel units in two DMCI Project Developers developments: the Solmera Coast project in Batangas and the Moncello Crest project in Benguet.

The developer targets completion dates of February 2028 for the Batangas project and August 2029 for the Benguet property.

Under the approved terms, unit owners should execute a 10-year management contract with an operator to market, manage and operate the units. This contract automatically renews unless the parties agree otherwise.

Participating owners will earn income from room revenues based on a prescribed allocation formula after the operator subtracts deductions for taxes, fees and other charges.

Department of Trade and Industry Undersecretary and Board of Investments managing-head Ceferino Rodolfo (left) and Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) chair Secretary Leo Tereso Magno shake hands during the memorandum of agreement signing ceremony at the BOI Main Office in Makati City on June 17, 2026. The agreement marks a decisive step toward unlocking Mindanao’s vast investment potential and positioning it as the Philippines’ next major growth hub.

Acer ushers in ‘The Next 50’ at COMPUTEX 2026

AS Acer marks its landmark 50th anniversary, the technology giant is officially charting the course for its next half-century of innovation.

At COMPUTEX 2026, Acer unveiled “The Next 50”—a sweeping, AI-driven evolution of its iconic product lines. Across the refreshed Swift, Aspire, TravelMate, and Predator series, Acer is proving that it doesn’t just adapt to the changing environment—it actively engineers the tools that will power the next generation of global creators, professionals, and gamers.

Consumer laptops

The Acer Swift Air 14 is designed for on-the-go living. Whether you’re going to class, meeting a client, or traveling, this laptop will make life easier for you. At 1.25kg and 12.9mm thin, it’s slim and light enough for comfortable allday carrying in a backpack or tote bag. Powered by new Intel Core Series 3 processors, the laptop delivers up to 40 platform TOPS and a dedicated NPU that delivers up to 17 TOPS. Plus, the Swift Air 14’s fast-charging battery offers up to 19 hours of battery life and can be charged to 50 percent in just 30 minutes. Available in sage green, frost blue, blossom pink, or lilac purple, the laptop features a stylish all-aluminum chassis, making it lightweight yet durable. The 180-degree hinges allow it to lay flat as it vibrantly highlights images, entertainment, and work and school programs on its 14-inch WUXGA display with a 120 Hz refresh rate and accurate 100-percent sRGB color reproduction. The visuals are complemented by powerful quad speakers that deliver immersive 3D spatial audio with DTS:X Ultra.

The Acer Swift Spin 14 AI is a convertible laptop powered by the Snapdragon X2 Elite or Snapdragon X2 Plus processor, delivering up to 80 TOPS for ultimate AI performance. Its thin-and-light design offers militarygrade durability and comes with an Acer Active Stylus 420 (Wacom AES 2.0 Protocol) for intuitive control on its touchscreen display.

As a Copilot+ PC, it offers unique

experiences on Windows 11, complemented with a full suite of Acer’s AI tools for enhanced productivity, creativity, and utility. The Acer Aspire 18 AI laptop, designed for home users, students, and digital content creators, is a Copilot+ PC powered by Intel Core Ultra Series 3 processors with up to 100 platform TOPS to support everyday productivity, learning, and content creation. Paired with up to 22 hours of battery life, it delivers a balance of performance and portability for everyday productivity.

Commercial laptops Acer’s new TravelMate models bring the same AI focus to enterprises and SMBs. The TravelMate P6 14 AI is an ultra-light (under 1 kg) Copilot+ PC with an Intel Core Ultra Series 3 processor and Intel vPro, designed for

security and remote manageability. It promises up to 30 hours of battery life, WiFi 7, Thunderbolt 4, and a 14inch display with options up to 2.8K OLED Security is important for enterprise deployments, and the TravelMate P6 14 AI delivers a comprehensive multi-layered protec tion stack. The Intel vPro platform provides a robust foundation for Windows 11 security, offer ing dedicated hardware that ena bles machine learningbased threat detection to identify stealth attacks in real time without burdening the CPU. Every Windows 11 Copilot+ PC is a Secured-core PC, offer ing the highest level of protection

across hardware, firmware, and the operating system.

For additional protection, Acer solutions include Acer ProShieldPlus encryption for data security, an optional Chassis Intrusion Alarm that notifies users if the device casing is opened without authorization, and a built-in camera shutter for physical privacy. Gaming laptops and handhelds Acer unleashed its next-generation gaming lineup, pushing the limits of power and mobile play with powerful laptops and handhelds.

The Predator Helios 18 AI, Acer’s flagship gaming laptop for 2026, comes with up to an Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus processor, up to an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop GPU, up to 256GB of DDR5 memory, and up to 6TB of storage. It also features an 18-inch Mini LED WQUXGA display with up to 1000 nits brightness, 100% DCI-P3 coverage, and a dual-mode display that can switch between 4K at 120Hz and Full HD at 240Hz.

The Predator Atlas 8 expertly bridges the gap between high-performance desktop gaming and on-the-go mobility by fusing Acer’s signature Predator design language with the raw power of the new Intel Arc G-Series processors. Engineered for ultimate user agency, every facet of the handheld is intentionally curated to maximize portable control. This includes the integration of the advanced Predator AeroBlade cooling system to sustain peak hardware performance, the intuitive Preda-

torSense software for seamless system customization, and highly responsive adaptive trigger controls that ensure tactical precision—giving gamers a true desktop-caliber experience wherever they choose to play.

Acer is innovating to create a novel category of mobile gaming experiences with the Acer Nitro Blaze Link, a streaming-first handheld and companion device that extends the capabilities and reach of an existing PC gaming setup, without the hardware overhead of local processing. Optimized for real-time control accuracy, the device pairs seamlessly with Acer devices like the Predator Helios 18 AI and Acer Nitro 16 to stream a user’s gaming library, making it ideal for gamers who want more flexibility in their current PC setup and for households with multiple users who need to share a single system simultaneously.

The Acer Nitro Blaze Link delivers high-quality streaming with the speed and stability of Wi-Fi 6, while a 7-inch WUXGA touchscreen renders ultrasmooth gameplay. The ultra-lightweight device weighs just 464 grams and features ergonomic grips and balanced weight distribution for comfortable use around the house. Dual 2-watt speakers ensure immersive audio, with tuning that prioritizes dialogue clarity and in-game sound cues.

Fifty years of breaking barriers has brought Acer to this definitive moment, proving that the company’s greatest innovations are still ahead.

“The Next 50” has officially begun— and with this powerful, fully refreshed portfolio, Acer is ready to empower the world to play harder, live smarter, and work faster than ever before.

Momentum continues as HONOR 600 Pro sells out

THE excitement surrounding the newly launched HONOR 600 Series shows no signs of slowing down as the HONOR 600 Pro has officially sold out, while the HONOR 600 continues hot-selling momentum nationwide.

Following a highly successful first-day sale that drew long lines and enthusiastic crowds nationwide, HONOR Philippines has once again proven its growing dominance in the local smartphone market. The overwhelming response from Filipino consumers reflects the increasing demand for AI-powered smartphones that combine flagship-level innovation with exceptional value.

“The strong consumer response from both loyal HONOR fans and firsttime buyers underscores growing confidence in the HONOR brand. We are truly grateful to every customer who entrusted and invested their loyalty to us, and we remain committed to delivering innovation that creates real value in their everyday lives,” said Stephen Cheng, Vice President of HONOR Philippines. “The sold-out status of

the HONOR 600 Pro and the continued strong sales of the HONOR 600 reaffirm our commitment to bringing cutting-edge technology that resonates with the needs of Filipinos.” Packed with industry-leading HONOR AI capabilities, like the AI Image-To-

Video 2.0, impressive camera systems, and long-lasting battery performance, the HONOR 600 Series has captured the attention of tech enthusiasts, content creators, and everyday users seeking a smarter mobile experience.

The flagship HONOR 600 Pro,

known for its premium features and powerful performance, quickly became one of the brand’s fastest-selling devices, with stocks selling out shortly after its nationwide availability. Meanwhile, the HONOR 600 continues to enjoy strong market demand, cementing its status as one of the hottest smartphone releases of the year. Designed to suit different needs and budgets, the HONOR 600 5G is offered at P28,999 (8GB+256GB), P32,999 (12GB+256GB), and P37,999 (12GB+512GB), while the flagship HONOR 600 Pro 5G with 12GB+512GB storage retails for P49,999. Run to any HONOR Experience and Partner Store or online via Lazada (https://bit.ly/Laz_H600_PR), Shopee (https://bit.ly/Shop_X9d_Media) or TikTok Shop (https://bit.ly/TikTok_H600_PR). For more exciting announcements, visit HONOR’s website www.hihonor. com, and follow HONOR Philippines on Facebook (Facebook.com/HonorPhilippines), Instagram (Instagram.com/honorph/) and TikTok: (Tiktok.com/@honorphilippines).

Maya joins THINKaMuna Pilipinas to combat financial scams

AS online scams become increasingly sophisticated and widespread, MediaQuest’s THINKaMuna Pilipinas advocacy is expanding its efforts on digital safety with the participation of Maya, bringing together media literacy and financial education to help Filipinos become more informed, discerning and resilient digital citizens. Through the collaboration, MediaQuest and Maya will develop educational content and community-based programs focused on scam awareness, fraud prevention and responsible digital engagement. The effort comes at a time when more Filipinos are embracing digital financial services, making digital literacy and online safety more important than ever.

Launched by MediaQuest in 2024, THINKaMuna Pilipinas promotes media and information literacy by encouraging Filipinos to pause, verify and think critically before acting online. With Maya joining the advocacy, the initiative

is broadening its focus to include greater awareness of financial scams and safer digital financial habits. Ricky Vargas, President and CEO of MediaQuest, highlighted the evolution of the advocacy: “Media literacy is no longer just about distinguishing real news from fake news; it is our critical shield for everyday survival. Partnering with Maya allows us to extend the THINKaMuna philosophy directly to millions of Filipinos who need to be protected from financial scams. Before you click, share, or transact online, we want every Filipino to pause, verify, and protect themselves from these predators.”

Orlando Vea, CEO and Founder of Maya and Co-Founder of Maya Bank, said: “Digital finance creates greater opportunities for more Filipinos, but trust and safety must grow alongside adoption. Financial education today goes hand in hand with media and information literacy.”

Gambit

GAMBIT Cyber, a Netherlandsheadquartered cybersecurity company specialising in AI-native, riskcentric Continuous Threat Exposure Management (CTEM), today announced a strategic partnership with BitCyber, appointing it as Regional Distributor for its flagship KnightGuard platform across Singapore, ASEAN and Hong Kong. BitCyber will lead enterprise sales, channel development and go-to-market execution across the region, with an initial focus on financial services, healthcare, critical infrastructure and technology sectors, expanding through 2026. Cybersecurity’s New Operating Model Enterprises are entering an era of AI-vs-AI security operations, where attack surfaces and threat velocity are outpacing traditional, human-led defences. The pressure on security leaders is clear: simplify operations, reduce real exposure, and demonstrate measurable resilience - not more alerts, not more dashboards.

This partnership is built to meet that need. Gambit Cyber and BitCyber will help enterprises shift from reactive, alert-heavy security operations to automated, threat-informed, and outcomedriven defence leverages a coordinated network of autonomous agentic skills in the KnightGuard platform to continuously monitor threats, analyse security data, orchestrate workflows, and deliver actionable insights across the enterprise.

Acer is proving that it doesn’t just adapt to the changing environment—it actively engineers the tools that will power the next generation of global creators, professionals, and gamers.

THINKaMuna Pilipinas is a collaboration among MVP Group companies, including MediaQuest, TV5, Cignal, The Philippine Star, Businessworld, PLDT, Smart and Maya. Standing, from left: Red Redrico, Media5 Head of Integrated Creatives; Charmaine Briones, Media5 Production Coordinator–Integrated Creatives; Princess Daquigan, MQ Digital Marketing Manager; DJ San Jose, Media5 Associate Creative Director–Integrated Creatives; Nick Wilwayco, Maya Head of Corporate Communications and Public Relations; Jackielyn Diola, Maya ESG Officer; Mon Isberto, MediaQuest Corporate Communications Consultant; Steff Salac, MediaQuest Corporate Affairs and Communications Manager; Kimmie Llanes, MediaQuest Corporate Affairs and Communications Supervisor. Seated, from left: Charles Lejano, MediaQuest Corporate Affairs and Communications Head; Christopher Lizo, MediaQuest Chief Financial Officer; Ricky Vargas, MediaQuest President and Chief Executive Officer;

Don’t

Acer Aspire 18

Real-life security upgrade at Smart Yale Home Pop-up

THE future of home security continues its journey at Wilcon Depot Balintawak as Yale Philippines brings the second leg of its Smart Yale Home Pop-up Booth experiential showcase to one of the country’s key destinations for builders, designers, and homeowners. Wilcon Depot Balintawak serves as the premier venue for this stop, celebrating progress toward future-ready living alongside brand ambassador Iza Calzado. With over 100 branches nationwide, Wilcon Depot continues to champion “Building Big Ideas” by bringing together home improvement and smart security to meet the growing demand for homes that are not only well-designed and functional but also safe, convenient, and ready for modern lifestyles.

Running until the end of June, the immersive experience brings to life the theme “Unlock Real Life Security. Upgrade to a Smart Yale Home,” inviting smart living enthusiasts to discover how connected security solutions can seamlessly fit into modern Filipino lifestyles, bringing greater convenience, confidence, and peace of mind to everyday living. Opening the program, Mr. Jonathan Kwong, ASSA ABLOY Philippines Director and General Manager, highlight-

ed the stellar momentum of the Smart Yale Home Pop-up Booth. “Fresh from a successful campaign kick-off in May, we’re pleased to continue building momentum for our Smart Yale Home Pop-up booth through partnerships like this,” Jonathan shared, noting the growing enthusiasm among Filipino homeowners for connected, lifestyle-driven home solutions. “The strong response we received reaffirmed the growing interest in smarter, more connected home security solutions, and we’re excited to

GARMIN unveiled Approach® Z10, a compact laser rangefinder that provides precise measurements1 to the pin of up to 350 yards with six times magnification. Weighing less than 7 ounces, the rangefinder is smaller and lighter than most smartphones and offers powerful attributes, including Garmin’s Range Relay feature which sends ranged distances to a compatible smartwatch, handheld or the Garmin Golf™ smartphone app. Once the target has been locked in, players can see a laser range arc on their paired devices that reveals everything in play as well as distances to the front and back of the green to quickly understand where the pin is located2.

“For players that use a Garmin smartwatch or golf handheld on the course, the Approach Z10 can supercharge their devices, making them extremely precise with measurements to the pin, the front and back of the green and everything else in play. We understand the importance of having accurate distances when you’re deciding which club to use and how you approach each shot.”

–Susan Lyman, Garmin Vice President of Consumer Sales and Marketing Ready for the round

● Quickly range distance to the pin: View distance to the pin and the front and back of the green, with vibrational feedback to know when the rangefinder is locked in on its target.

● Dynamic distance: Ranged distances synced to a compatible Garmin device stay dynamic, automatically

continue that conversation.” He added that with Yale Smart Locks now accessible in all Wilcon Depot stores nationwide, the brand looks forward to helping more Filipinos discover the benefits of smarter and more secure living.

Rosemarie Bosch Ong, Wilcon Depot Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, expressed Wilcon Depot’s excitement in supporting Yale and its latest smart home innovations, showcasing how these solutions align with the evolving

needs of modern Filipino families. She noted that lifestyle priorities are shifting, with homeowners now looking far beyond durability and design alone. “They are also prioritizing convenience, connectivity, and security,” Rose emphasized. “Smart home solutions like Yale’s latest innovations reflect this shift—offering protection that is intuitive, reliable, and seamlessly integrated into everyday life.”

The Experiential “Unlocking the Door” Booth Opening The centerpiece of the event was the highly experiential, ceremonial opening of the Smart Yale Home Pop-up Booth, led by Aya Castillo, Product Marketing Manager of ASSA ABLOY Philippines, alongside the afternoon’s charismatic host, MYX VJ Ozzie Llige. Instead of a traditional ribbon-cutting, the event unfolded like an interactive home visit. Standing at the booth’s main entrance, Aya demonstrated the advanced FaceScan feature on the flagship Yale Luna Elite+ smart lock, seamlessly unlocking the door with just a glance before she and Ozzie entered the smart home living room area. Moments later, the Yale Luna Elite+ integrated built-in doorbell chimed as the event’s first “visitors”—Jonathan Kwong, Rosemarie Bosch Ong, and Carl Lim, President, Chief Executive Officer, and Chief Operating Officer of Limson Marketing Inc.—rang the bell and were warmly welcomed inside. Stepping through the front door and into the cozy living space, they symbolically “unlocked the door” to a more connected lifestyle.

Samsung Vision AI TVs empower you to Play Your Way

SAMSUNG showcased how its latest Vision AI TVs are redefining the home entertainment experience, demonstrating how breakthrough display technology and intelligent AI features can elevate the passions that matter most to everyone.

Recently at BSK in Mandaluyong, Samsung unveiled its newest Vision AI TV lineup and highlighted how today’s televisions have evolved beyond traditional viewing devices into versatile companions for gaming, fitness, sports, movies, music, and everyday living.

With Filipinos increasingly using their TVs for more than just watching content, Samsung designed its latest innovations to effortlessly support diverse interests through advanced display technology and the remarkable intelligence of Vision AI Companion.

“Today’s consumers expect their TVs to do more than simply display content,” Samsung Head of VD Business Chris Almazan

Using

during the

“They want experiences that

simplify

their

tasks, and make entertainment more immersive. Vision AI

built to deliver exactly that.” Play Your Way with Vision

The

AI, biometrics, real-time data to boost nationwide border security

THE Philippines needs a fully integrated, nationwide border security system that goes beyond NAIA — one that uses artificial intelligence, biometrics, and realtime data sorting to catch human traffickers, terrorists, and other criminals before they cross the country’s gates. According to the Bureau of Immigration, the proposed Civil Aviation and Immigration Security Services (CAISS) project offers exactly that, without costing the government a single peso. In a recent interview, BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval laid out the compelling case for the P10.74-billion unsolicited proposal for a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) project now under interagency review, emphasizing its end-to-end capabilities and its potential to leapfrog the Philippines’ technology forward.

“Ang kagandahan po nitong proyektong ito ay end-to-end. So mula frontline, data processing, data collection, data assessment, pino-provide po nitong entire system na ito,” Sandoval said. “At hindi po ito centralized lang in NAIA.”

She specified the project’s nationwide reach: “All international airports — so there are 11 international airports na functioning po na nakalagay dito, as well as isang international seaport which is in Zamboanga and 6 border crossing stations. So, lahat po yan ay

magpo-provide ng end-to-end, meaning yung mga electronic gates and the data processing, the AI processing, the biometrics capturing.” Targeting criminals with precision Beyond faster processing, Sandoval stressed that CAISS would give authorities a powerful new tool to screen passengers intelligently.

“Meron din tayong puwedeng maglagay ng parameters para ma-sort yung mga data or information, and it would be able — puwede nating gamitin yun para sa target approach natin when it comes to moni-

sion AI TV. The display’s vibrant colors, deep contrast, and fast refresh rate showcased how Samsung OLED technology delivers immersive gameplay that keeps up with every fast-paced moment. Fitness enthusiasts explored the “Break a Sweat” zone, featuring the Samsung Neo QLED Vision AI TV. Here, guests experienced the seamless connection between a Galaxy Watch and Samsung TV through SmartThings, demonstrating how Samsung’s connected ecosystem helps users monitor workouts and follow fitness routines from the comfort of their homes. Movie and television fans gathered at the “Fill in the Blanks” zone, powered by the newest Samsung Mini LED Vision AI TV. Through a game featuring iconic movie and television quotes, participants experienced cinematic picture quality that brought scenes to life with remarkable brightness, detail, and realism.

toring certain passengers,” she explained.

“So napakaganda po nung system, that’s why it’s being considered by the agency — it will boost us up technology-wise, ihahabol niya tayo doon sa ibang mga bansa.” Technology refreshed every 4 years

Sandoval highlighted a key feature of the proposal: a guaranteed four-year refresh cycle that keeps BI at the cutting edge without additional public spending.

“Merong 4-year refresh cycle ng technology, so ginagarantiya nito na yung BI uses the latest technology without added burden to the government,” she said. She also underscored the project’s innovative financing model, which relies entirely on user fees from those who actually use the system.

“Kasi ito ay magkakaroon ng zero financial burden to the government dahil ang gagamit lang. Kung sino lang ‘yung gagamit, ‘yun lang po ang magbabayad nu’ng serbisyo na iyon,” Sandoval said. “‘Yung mga kababayan po natin na hindi naman gagamit ng serbisyong ’yon will not be burdened financially by this service.” Swiss challenge completed, no counter offers

The proposal from the proponent has already undergone a Swiss challenge — a competitive process that invites other companies to submit better or cheaper offers.

“Nagkaroon din po ng Swiss challenge. Binuksan po ito sa lahat ng mga tao na maaaring may counter-offer, counter-proposal, a better proposal for the Philippine government,” Sandoval said. “The agency went as far as sending out letters to inform yung mga kumpanya na gumagawa po ng mga ganitong technologies na baka meron silang other offers — at wala pong iba na nagbigay ng counter-offer.”

Shown here are (from left) Aya Castillo, Product Marketing Manager, ASSA ABLOY Philippines Inc.; Rosemarie Bosch Ong, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating O cer, Wilcon Depot;

Manager,

Iza Calzado tries the ngerprint unlocking feature of the Yale YDL325C

Samsung OLED Vision AI TV

The CAISS project includes advanced passenger information systems, automated border control with contactless face pass, biometric kiosks, criminal record search engines, and deception detection tools.

SHOWBIZ

Dingdong Dantes finds new meaning in fatherhood

FATHER’S Day is a yearly reminder to honor the men who helped shape our lives, but for Dingdong Dantes , the meaning of the occasion has changed significantly since starting a family of his own.

Asked what comes to mind whenever Father’s Day is celebrated, Dantes shared that becoming a parent changed how he views the occasion. He pointed to his experience watching his wife go through pregnancy and raise their children, which led to a deeper appreciation for mothers.

“Honestly, after witnessing what my wife went through, carrying our children for nine months and taking care of them, I appreciated mothers even more,” he noted.

Watching his wife raise their children also brought his attention back to his own mother, who raised five children. He acknowledged that, because of this, he sometimes feels fathers do not necessarily need a dedicated celebration in the same way mothers do.

“It’s okay for me if there is no Father’s Day, honestly, because I personally believe that mothers are really more important,” he noted. “But when that day comes, you realize there is also something meaningful about it.”

The meaning of the day, for him, comes from unexpected gratitude. Recognition is not something many fathers actively pursue, which is why

By Jasper Valdez

AFTER months away from making movies, Jenn Rosa returns to VMX with Helena, a title role that pushes her into one of her boldest performances yet.

At the film’s June 9 press conference, Jenn said her time away from the limelight was a deliberate decision. She rested, studied, and gave herself time away from the set.

“I took a break to study HRM. Also, I needed to rest for myself—to love myself first,” Jenn said.

When asked how long she had been away, Jenn said it was “around eight months, nine months,” adding that she became more selective with the projects she would accept after her time away.

“It was almost a year. And I really chose a movie that I liked and one I could relate to,” she said. “I’m coming back again. I’m back.” In Helena, Jenn plays the title character, a healer who treats both women and men in her community. The role, she said, required preparation beyond the film’s daring material.

“I really read the script and studied it,” Jenn said, adding that she repeatedly studied how to approach the character as a healer.

To build the character, Jenn said she looked into babaylan and healing practices online.

“I researched on YouTube because I play a babaylan, a healer, here,” she said. “I really worked on it. I put it in my heart.” The film also gave Jenn what she called a first in her career, a scene with Allen’s character, Nanding, that required a level of exposure she had not done before.

“There’s something I did in this movie that I had never done before,” she said. “It was my scene with Nanding where I removed my towel in front of him, as in I had no plaster. I really went all out.”

She said she was able to do the scene because she trusted the people she was working with.

“No. Because all the actors I worked with were professional. And of course, Direk Omar Deroca was very easy to work with,” Jenn said when asked if she had second thoughts about doing it.

Van Allen, for his part, said he treated the scene strictly as work.

“I just stayed focused because I didn’t want to get distracted,” he said. “It’s a matter of staying focused and being at work. Just being professional.”

Deroca said Helena was not the film’s original form. It began as Hilot, a concept submitted to the VMX Festival, where it reached the Top 20 before being around Jenn’s character.

appreciation

“It

to think that maybe you are doing something right as a father.” That quiet sense of responsibility anchors Dantes’ latest feature with men’s magazine Esquire, where he appears in a stripped-down cover story described as a portrait of a modern Filipino gentleman.

“We decided to focus on Father’s Day. One name kept popping up, Dingdong’s name,” PJ Cana, Esquire’s editor-in-chief, noted. “We know him as an actor and entertainer, but he is also a father.”

The cover shoot mirrored that restraint, and Dantes described the session as intentionally simple, built around natural light and a relaxed atmosphere rather than elaborate production.

“There were no lights, it was just the ambiance,” he said. “It was very relaxed. The photographer was also very cool. We just worked with whatever elements were available there and enjoyed the process.”

That simplicity allowed something more honest to surface, because being a modern gentleman, Dantes believes, is not solely defined by image.

“Someone who is respectful, is of integrity, retains his character even when nobody is looking, and treats everyone equally with dignity regardless of stature,” he noted.

Those values trace back to his father, Sixto “Jigg” Dantes Jr., whose influence continues to shape his outlook.

In an interview with Esquire Philippines, Dantes talked about legacy, including the family tradition of passing down the name Sixto to his son.

“There have been four generations of Sixto in our family. It started from my grandfather,” he shared. “More than passing on the name, it is also the family values that we are passing on through generations,” he noted. “My father has been very influential in my life because he instilled discipline and values in me as a person.”

“She became Helena, a healer in a town where the people believed she was a healer, until halfway through, she becomes seen as a witch, and by the end, a killer,” the director said.

The film also stars Lea Bernabe, who plays Melba, one of Helena’s patients. Lea said her character becomes part of the conflict when her husband develops feelings for Helena

“I’m also one of Helena’s patients,” Lea said. “But the plot twist is that my husband falls for Helena.”

Lea said the story helped convince the cast to give their all to the project.

“The story of Helena is beautiful. All of us, in a way, went all out. We said, ‘Let’s go for it,’” she said. For Jenn, the project became memorable not only because of its daring scenes but also because of the emotional moments required of her. She singled out the crying scenes as among the parts that stayed

“The crying scenes, really. The crying scenes we had here were intense,”

Deroca said he pushed Jenn to connect the character’s pain with something personal, which helped bring out a more natural performance.

“When she started crying, her tears became real. So that was what we used in the editing,” he said.

Helena will be available for streaming on VMX on

REGAL Studio Presents offers an emotional Father’s Day episode centered on a father-daughter relationship and the possibility of redemption, airing Sunday, June 21.

The episode titled “Instant Daughter” stars Ahron Villena and Jane Mounter as Colin and Janine.

Colin is portrayed as a wealthy, carefree bachelor who lives a fastpaced lifestyle, avoids commitment, and enjoys a life of constant parties. His lifestyle comes to a halt after a cancer diagnosis forces him to reassess his choices.

His world shifts further when a teenager named Janine arrives at his doorstep, claiming to be his long-lost daughter. Colin initially rejects her claim and refuses to believe her story.

Janine’s revelation about her late mother eventually forces Colin to confront memories of the only woman he ever truly loved, pushing him to reconsider his past decisions.

As reality sets in, Colin begins to find a renewed sense of purpose and a desire to start over. However, his second chance comes with a painful realization that time may no longer be on his side.

The story asks whether Colin will be able to spend meaningful time with his daughter or lose the opportunity to step into the

of a father.

Jane Mounter (left) and Ahron Villena star in ‘Instant Daughter’

From left: Director Omar Deroca with the cast

Dingdong Dantes, Marian Rivera, and their children form the center of his view of fatherhood

Dingdong Dantes links Father’s Day to gratitude, discipline, and the family values passed down by his father, Sixto ‘Jigg’ Dantes Jr.

Luke Edward Hall, The Dorchester reimagines Oliver Messel’s vision

IN a city where heritage often walks a careful line between preservation and stagnation, The Dorchester has consistently proven that true luxury is not static. It breathes, evolves, and, when the alchemy is right, finds new ways to surprise.

DIGITAL safety and responsibility are increasingly viewed as part of modern Filipino freedom as online life continues to shape how people connect, work, and participate in society.

The internet is now embedded in daily life in the Philippines, from messaging groups and online classes to digital wallets and small businesses. As dependence grows, so do risks, including misinformation, phishing scams, identity theft, and online fraud.

As the country observes Independence Day, advocates say freedom now extends beyond access to technology. It also includes the ability to engage online without fear of deception or exploitation, supported by awareness, security, and responsible behavior.

A key concept in online safety efforts is digital bayanihan, a modern extension of the Filipino tradition of communal unity and mutual support.

It refers to shared responsibility among internet users in building safer online communities. Advocates say individual actions can quickly spread across digital spaces, where unverified posts can fuel misinformation and scam links can cause financial harm.

They emphasize habits such as verifying information before sharing, using strong passwords and two-factor authentication, avoiding sharing one-time passwords or personal data, helping older relatives spot scams, and reporting fake or harmful content.

They say safer online spaces depend on both platform safeguards and collective user responsibility.

Young Filipinos are being encouraged to take a leading role in promoting responsible internet use due to their familiarity with digital platforms and influence online.

Students and young professionals play a key role in shaping online culture and how communities respond to digital risks.

One initiative supporting this is Online AlerTour, an educational campaign led by PLDT Home in partnership with the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG). It conducts campus sessions that help students identify cyber threats, misinformation, and unsafe online behavior.

The program has reached campuses including Far Eastern University, Universidad de Manila, and the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, encouraging students to become active digital safety advocates.

Advocates say independence today includes the ability to live, learn, work, and communicate online without fear of fraud, harassment, or data misuse.

Online safety efforts are supported through education and awareness campaigns, including Online Alerto, an initiative under PLDT Home that promotes digital safety and responsible internet use through an online community and outreach programs.

The initiative continues to focus on misinformation awareness, account security, and responsible digital participation. With internet use expanding, stakeholders are calling for stronger cooperation among users, institutions, and organizations to address online risks.

They say technology has increased access to information and services but also requires greater caution to prevent harm.

To learn more, visit the Online Alerto Facebook Community.

The latest proof arrives today with the completion of the Oliver Messel Suite’s restoration: a newly curated terrace by acclaimed English artist and designer Luke Edward Hall

Perched high above the gentle roar of Park Lane, this intimate outdoor space completes a meticulous restoration of one of London’s most storied hotel suites. But more than a simple renovation, the terrace offers a rare lesson in design continuity: a seamless dialogue between mid-century theatricality and contemporary romance.

For those who know Oliver Messel’s legacy, the significance of this project is clear.

In 1953, the celebrated stage designer brought his signature “art of illusion” to The Dorchester, crafting spaces defined by expressive color, layered textures, and an almost playful decorative confidence. The suite remains one of the most complete expressions of his interior vision. Restoring it demanded a deep sense of responsibility. Extending it onto a terrace required a singular touch.

Hall, whose work with Burberry, Lanvin, the Royal Ballet, and the Royal Academy has marked him as one of Britain’s most distinctive creative voices, proved an inspired choice. A longtime admirer of Messel, he recently reimagined the designer’s 1950s and 1960s Glyndebourne motifs for a 2025 exhibition. That deep familiarity shows. Rather than imposing his own signature, Hall has acted as a sensitive curator, letting Messel remain the star.

The terrace’s palette lifts directly from the suite’s interiors: soft peachy pinks, dusky blues, gentle greens, and warm yellows, drawn from carpets, artworks, and upholstery. These tones flow across furniture, fabrics, and detailing, ensuring that stepping outside feels not like leaving the room, but like expanding it. Rattan and bamboo echo materials found within, while a recreation of Messel’s original rose fabric, used for cushions and soft furnishings, establishes an unbroken historical thread.

By Nickie Wang

AS another school year opens across the Philippines, classrooms once again fill with the sound of new beginnings and the hopes of children determined to learn despite difficult circumstances. For many students, however, education does not begin with comfort or certainty but with determination formed by limited resources and the aftermath of natural disasters. The GMA Kapuso Foundation is expanding its education programs to support Filipino schoolchildren in underserved and disaster-affected communities by providing school supplies and building resilient classrooms.

As classes resume, many students continue to

face challenges such as limited access to school materials, inadequate facilities, and disruptions caused by natural disasters.

Through its education programs, Unang Hakbang sa Kinabukasan and the Kapuso School Development Project, the foundation aims to address these gaps by improving access to learning materials and safer school spaces. Under Unang Hakbang sa Kinabukasan, the foundation is distributing 60,000 customized school bags with complete school supplies to incoming kindergarten and Grade 1 students in public elementary schools nationwide. Each package includes a backpack with a built-in pencil case containing notebooks, pad paper, pencils, a sharpener, an eraser, and crayons.

Hall has mingled antique and contemporary pieces with care. A mid-20th-century Italian patio set sits beside French painted and gilded stools. Parasols from Italian maker Guido Toschi Marazzani Visconti share space with rattan loungers crafted by The Houghton Collection, based on 1920s originals still in use at Houghton Hall in Norfolk. Textiles from Hall’s own Rubelli collection, inspired by historic garden motifs, add another layer of narrative. The result is not a showpiece but a refuge. Available exclusively to suite guests, the terrace offers sweeping views across Hyde Park, a vista that changes from morning coffee at Messel’s original table to afternoons on loungers to evenings when London’s lights begin to flicker on. Thoughtful planting enhances the sense of seclusion, creating a hidden world above one of the city’s busiest thoroughfares.

“I want the transition from suite to terrace to feel seamless,” Hall notes. “A surprise. A refuge of calm and beauty.” Luca Virgilio, general manager of The Dorchester, describes it as a natural extension of the hotel’s wider transformation, the most significant in more than 30 years, encompassing all guest rooms, The Promenade, Vesper Bar, Artists’ Bar, The Grill, and the Cake & Flowers boutique. “Working with Luke has allowed us to extend Messel’s story in a way that feels both respectful and creative.”

On a quiet terrace above London, that story continues, not as a museum piece, but as a living, breathing space where heritage and imagination finally sit down together.

Creating safe spaces for learning through school aid initiatives

incoming

In 2026, the foundation launched the program in Aurora, which was placed under a state of calamity following the destruction caused by Typhoon Uwan in November 2025. A total of 3,000 students from 64 public schools in Dilasag, Dinalungan, Dingalan, and Casiguran received school bags and supplies. The program also reached nearly 15,000 schoolchildren in communities affected by recent typhoons, including Pangasinan, Iligan, and Negros.

The foundation is also continuing classroom construction through the Kapuso School Development Project, which builds classrooms with restrooms in vulnerable communities. Following a magnitude 6.9 earthquake in September 2025 and Typhoon Tino in November, the foundation helped rebuild school facilities in northern Cebu. Students at Talisay Integrated School in Daanbantayan now have classrooms designed to withstand earthquakes up to magnitude 8 and winds of up to 280 kilometers per hour. Support was also extended to Dakit Elementary School in Bogo, where new classrooms, a hygiene facility, and a foot bath for Muslim students were built to improve sanitation and inclusion. Plans are also underway to build resilient classrooms at Panugnawan Elementary School in Medellin, Cebu. In Camarines Sur, one of the areas affected by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine in 2024, the foundation turned over its first two-story floodresistant Kapuso school building at Malitbog Elementary School in 2026. The structure includes three classrooms, each with its own comfort room, and is designed to withstand a magnitude 8 earthquake. To date, the program has turned over 457 classrooms in communities nationwide. The foundation said its education initiatives are supported through partnerships, donors, and private contributions, helping communities recover while allowing students to continue their studies in safer learning environments. The foundation also runs humanitarian programs focused on disaster response, health services, and community outreach.

The GMA Kapuso Foundation’s Kapuso School Development Project is set to build new, resilient, functional, and safe classrooms for the schoolchildren of Dakit Elementary School in Bogo City, Cebu

GMA Kapuso Foundation’s ‘Unang Hakbang sa Kinabukasan’ provides

Filipino schoolchildren at the Kindergarten and Grade 1 levels with a waterproof school bag and a complete set of school supplies

The Dorchester’s newly unveiled terrace extends the suite’s layered interiors into the open air

The new collection creates a space that feels less like an addition and more like an expansion

English artist and designer Luke Edward Hall is known for his expressive use of colour and pattern in designing his pieces