Manila Standard - 2026 June 23 - Tuesday

dead in rare school shooting

TWO students opened fire yesterday inside a school in Tacloban City, a rare campus shooting that killed three teens and wounded 13 others, police said. The two alleged shooters, aged 15 and 14, were in custody after

House prosecution team seeks 62 trial dates for VP impeachment

By Maricel V. Cruz and Joel E. Zurbano

THE House prosecution panel asked the Senate impeachment court to allocate 62 trial dates for the presentation of its evidence and witnesses in the impeachment case against Vice President

By Maricel V. Cruz and Vince Lopez

NO ARREST warrant has been issued by the Sandiganbayan against Senator Rodante Marcoleta, the Manila Standard learned yesterday. The anti-graft court has issued a precautionary hold departure order against Marcoleta and three other respondents in the plunder and indirect bribery charges filed by the Ombudsman in connection with an alleged P75 million in undisclosed campaign

Sara Duterte, more than double the 30 trial dates requested by the defense.

House prosecution legal spokesperson Benjamin Tolosa Jr. said the prosecution’s request is based on the number of witnesses and evidence identified in its pretrial brief.

Tolosa clarified the request does not necessarily mean the trial will last 62 days, say-

ing the schedule could be shortened if the impeachment court allows more than one witness to be presented per trial day.

Common witnesses, common exhibits

He noted the defense listed 97 witnesses in its pretrial brief, including many

witnesses also identified by the prosecution, despite asking for only 30 trial dates.

“So it’s a question of how come they listed 97 witnesses, but they only asked for 30 trial dates,” Tolosa said.

“Maybe it is an indication that there’s really no intention to produce all of

By Charles Dantes

AFTER a series of false starts, Washington and Tehran finally signed a memorandum of understanding towards ending the conflict that included a provision to end fighting in Lebanon between Israel and Hezbollah. Technical talks will continue for the rest of the week at the Swiss resort of Burgenstock.

“Tireless Pakistani and Qatari mediation has delivered major progress to end Lebanon War,” Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi wrote on X after the talks in Switzerland.

“Oil and petrochem exports are waived, blockade lifted, some frozen assets released, and major reconstruction & development plan launched for

US, Iran sign MOU on ending Middle East war PAGASA says

‘Francisco’ could be supertyphoon

TYPHOON “Francisco” has intensified while moving west northwestward over the Philippine Sea, with the possibility of developing into a super typhoon, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA). The weather bureau said Francisco could reach its peak intensity of 175 kilometers per hour, just below the super typhoon threshold, by Tuesday, but is not expected to make landfall over any part of the country.

By Ronald Reyes, Charles Dantes, Vince Lopez, Pot Chavez, Ram Superable, Maricel Cruz, Joel Zurbano, Gabriel Oliva

REHAB PROJECT. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. inspects the rehabilitated Segment 3A of the Metro Cebu Expressway yesterday in Naga City, Cebu, which is now nearing completion. The project includes slope stabilization, drainage improvements, and creek rehabilitation to ensure safer and more climate-resilient infrastructure. PCO

DEADLY RAMPAGE. Police check out one of the victims, top left photo, shot dead in the deadly rampage yesterday by two high school students in a public school in Tacloban City. In the right photo, an unidentified man carries an unconscious female student away to safety after the incident. Bottom left photo shows the two suspects with the guns they used in the shooting. Bureau of Fire Protection–Tacloban City Fire Station, Kagawad Kaloy, RMN Tacloban Facebook page

sustained injuries after being stabbed by a fellow Grade 11 student in a public school also in Cavite.

Guns used traced to policewoman, security agency

A Glock 9mm pistol used in the shooting was registered to a female cop in the region, Philippine National Police spokesman Allen Rae Co told a media briefing, adding that she was taken into custody.

Co also revealed the other weapon used in the shooting, a .38 caliber pistol, was registered to a security agency in Cebu City.

“The subject policewoman is now under investigation and placed under the custody of the regional police office while the caliber .38 revolver is registered to a security agency in Cebu City,” Co said.

Jennelyn Badoria, mother of a slain 15-year-old student, said she believed whoever had given the shooters access to guns must be held accountable.

“I’m asking that the gun owners be charged, because the guns wouldn’t have ended up in the children’s hands if it weren’t for them,” she said in an interview outside the school.

Irvin Nogar, a 52-year-old social studies teacher, said he was in the middle of a class at the school when he heard several “loud gunshots.”

“I saw a shooter walking towards our area, so I told the students to be calm and hide under their desks, and I locked the door... They were crying and in panic.”

Education Secretary Sonny Angara said the first two fatalities were inside a Grade 9 classroom, while the third fatality was hit when the suspects fired through the windows of a locked Grade 10 classroom.

Be sensitive, avoid triggering copycats

Angara urged the media to be sensitive when reporting the incident as it might trigger “copycat killings.”

“When you glorify violence, some impressionable youth might copy the act,” the Education chief said.

Diaz said they had heard “bullying was the motive” of the shooting, but noted that the two alleged assailants were still being questioned.

“They are still in the police station undergoing questioning in the presence of their parents because they are minors,” she said.

Co added: “We are still verifying exactly the targets were in the classroom but as I have said earlier this could be connected to a bullying incident. Upon verification of the social media accounts of one of the suspects, we found some posted violent videos pertaining to guns, a video of firing a gun so it is very obvious there are plans. If the school authorities or anybody was able to monitor these red flags, this could have been prevented.”

A 2022 Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development report found over half of Filipino boys and 43 percent of girls reported being bullied “at least a few times a month” – more than double the rate of OECD countries.

PBBM orders thorough probe

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the deadly shooting and directed authorities to strengthen security in schools and other public places nationwide.

“The President is saddened by the incident. Anyone, especially the parents of the victims, would feel sadness and fear,” Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said.

“A thorough investigation into this has been ordered, and the protection and safety of all places, offices, establishments, especially schools, is being ensured,” she added.

Department of Justice spokesperson Polo Martinez said the case is currently under investigation by the Tacloban City Police Office, with coordination from the Office of the City Prosecutor of Tacloban.

“At present, authorities are gathering all material details, including the identities of the victims, those injured, and the persons allegedly involved, as well as the circumstances and possible motive behind the incident,” Martinez said.

Romualdez, Tingog vow timely assistance

Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez also expressed sadness over the incident and offered to assist the affected families.

“I have directed my office to coordinate with local authorities and relevant government agencies to determine what assistance can immediately be provided to the affected families,” he said in a statement.

“As we mourn, we must also reflect on what more can be done to ensure the safety and well-being of our students. We owe it to our children, our teachers, and every Filipino family to make our schools places where young people can learn without fear.”

“At the same time, I call on law enforcement authorities to conduct a thorough and swift investigation so that all those responsible are held fully accountable under the law,” Romualdez added.

The Tingog party-list also pledged assistance to the victims and their families, including hospitalization, medicines, laboratory requirements, follow-up treatment, transportation, and other immediate medical expenses.

Tingog also emphasized the need for psychosocial support for bereaved families, injured students, classmates, teachers, school personnel, and the wider San Jose community.

“We will work with the Department

from erupting again, they said.

of Social Welfare and Development, the Department of Education, health professionals, guidance counselors, faith communities, and local government partners to provide grief counseling, trauma debriefing, crisis intervention, and continuing mental-health support,” the group said in a statement.

Senators seek legislative reforms

Lawmakers called for immediate action and legislative reforms following the deadly campus shooting in Tacloban City and separate school stabbings in Cavite.

“The successive acts of violence occurring inside schools are deeply alarming and infuriating. Our schools should serve as safe spaces, which is why immediate action is needed to hold those involved accountable and to achieve justice,” said Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian.

Gatchalian urged the Department of Education to implement strict security protocols and deploy immediate psychosocial interventions for the affected students, teachers, and school personnel.

Senator Robin Padilla urged his colleagues to support his measure seeking to amend the country’s juvenile justice law, lowering the minimum age of criminal responsibility from 15 to 10 years old for heinous offenses.

Senator Bam Aquino added: “Unlike in other countries where school shootings are common, this is not acceptable to happen in our country. We also need to know how the weapons, knives, and guns managed to get inside. Those should not be able to enter our schools.”

The same call was raised by Senator JV Ejercito: “It must be clarified how these youths, who have no legal authority to possess guns or any weapons, gained access to firearms. We must look into and review existing laws related to gun ownership, and intensify the campaign against loose firearms in the country.” With AFP

the deaths of four of its soldiers in combat there.

donations during his senatorial bid. Meanwhile, PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said he has not issued any order to arrest Marcoleta. He made the statement following claims by Marcoleta that an arrest warrant may soon be issued against him over plunder and indirect bribery complaints.

“The Philippine National Police has not issued any special operational directive concerning Senator Marcoleta, and we do not act on rumors or unverified information,” Nartatez said.

Earlier, Marcoleta said he had received information about a possible arrest warrant in connection with complaints stemming from the alleged non-disclosure of ₱75 million in campaign donations during the previous elections.

Nartatez emphasized that discussions regarding the existence or non-existence of warrants are matters that properly belong before the courts.

“The Philippine National Police remains a professional and apolitical organization, and all our actions are based on legal orders of competent courts, the rule of law, and the maintenance of peace and order,” Nartatez said.

The PNP chief also assured the public that the organization will continue to perform its mandate fairly and impartially while respecting the constitutional rights of all individuals and the authority of the courts.

reliable water supply to 530 hectares of farmlands ,and benefit over 700 farmers, as the government steps up efforts to improve agricultural productivity and strengthen food security.

Speaking after inspecting the rehabilitation of the Mananga River in Barangay San Isidro, Talisay City, the President said the government had returned to assess the progress of works following the severe flooding that previously affected the area.

The Chief Executive recalled visiting the site after the floods, when river waters rose significantly high and remained inundated for an extended period.

“ We came back because, if you remember, we visited this area after the floods. We saw how high the water had risen and how long it took for it to recede,” Mr. Marcos said.

He said the government responded by upgrading flood control infrastructure and installing improved drainage systems to allow floodwaters to drain more efficiently after heavy rains.

“That is why we implemented corrective measures and improved the flood control structures here,” he added. He also said drainage facilities were incorporated into the project to prevent water from being trapped behind flood control structures for weeks after heavy rainfalls.

The President also said the government has continued relocating residents living within designated nobuild zones along the river in coordination with local government units.

“ This has long been a no-build zone, so together with the local governments we have been relocating our fellow Filipinos living here. That effort will continue because they remain at risk if they stay in this area,” Marcos noted.

Although rehabilitation has significantly improved conditions along the river, Marcos said the project remained ongoing.

“There has been a huge improvement. It is already clean, but we will continue the work. We will keep going because this project is not yet finished,” Marcos said.

“We will still continue to repair and to redesign the flood control here,” he added.

Mananga river dam

Looking ahead, Marcos announced plans to construct a 70-meter dam upstream along the Mananga River to regulate water flow before it reaches low-lying communities.

Iran. 1st real test: Lebanon deconfliction cell,” he wrote.

The development came after a shaky start to the negotiations, with the Islamic Republic’s delegation walking out in response to US President Donald Trump’s threats to strike Iran over its support for Hezbollah Sunday.

There had been repeated clashes in Lebanon, which prompted Iran to say it would again shutter the crucial oil and gas trade route, having opened it as part of the deal.

Communication lines set up Iran and the United States agreed Monday to set up communications lines to keep the vital Strait of Hormuz open and end fighting in Lebanon, mediators said, after their first round of talks in Switzerland towards ending the war in the Middle East.

The teams led by US Vice President JD Vance and Iran’s Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf opened talks Sunday, starting a two-month negotiating period set out under a preliminary deal agreed last week.

Mediators Pakistan and Qatar said the talks took place in “a positive and constructive atmosphere.”

“Encouraging progress has been made including the creation of a mechanism for further technical talks,” they said, detailing a contact channel set up to “avoid incidents and miscommunication” at the Strait of Hormuz.”

A “de-confliction cell,” between the parties and the Lebanese authorities has also been set up to prevent fighting

Tehran had effectively closed key waterway Strait of Hormuz in retaliation against the joint attacks by Israel and the United States on February 28 that torched off the war in the Middle East.

Lebanon had been pitched into the conflict as Iran-allied Hezbollah attacked Israel over the war on Iran, prompting the Israelis’ bombardment of the neighboring country.

Proxies

Trump had threatened to strike Iran if it did not “immediately stop their highly paid PROXIES in Lebanon from causing trouble.”

Iran hit back with a warning of its own.

“They would do better to be careful with their statements; our armed forces are ready to respond to them in a different manner. No matter what they say, we are the ones who act,” Iran’s chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meanwhile said troops would remain in south Lebanon “as long as necessary” and vowed that he would “not allow Iran to acquire nuclear weapons.”

By Sunday evening, there had been no reports of Israeli strikes or continued fighting, with some residents of southern Lebanon cautiously trickling back to their homes.

The fighting between Israel and Hezbollah has repeatedly threatened to derail peace efforts.

On Friday, planned US-Iranian talks were postponed after Israel launched deadly strikes in Lebanon following

that will be allocated to each party,” Tolosa said.

those witnesses, but of course, we don’t want to preempt what actions they would want to do,” he added.

According to the prosecution’s spokesperson, there are 51 common witnesses between the two sides, composed of 16 named witnesses and 35 unnamed witnesses.

“For the exhibits, we have 248 common exhibits, meaning 248 out of the 276 exhibits of the prosecution were basically copied also in their pretrial brief or listed also as their evidence,” he said.

“We will see in the (Senate impeachment court) pretrial order, once it’s issued, the actual number of dates

‘No to Escudero as presiding officer’

As this developed, Senator Robin Padilla opposed the proposal to appoint Senator Francis Escudero as presiding officer for the impeachment trial.

Padilla said Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian should preside over the impeachment proceedings in line with constitutional provisions.

“The majority should encourage SP Win. In my opinion, it (the appointment of Escudero) degrades the individual (Gatchalian),” Padilla said.

Senator Panfilo Lacson earlier said in addition to selecting a presiding officer, the impeachment court may also appoint an impeachment manag-

Israel’s military chief visited troops in south Lebanon on Sunday, where he said Hezbollah was in a “very difficult position.”

“Hezbollah has suffered a severe and significant blow, and we are committed to remaining prepared to continue operating and prevent its rebuilding,”

Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir said.

The overall death toll from the fighting in Lebanon has now surpassed 4,100, the health ministry said.

‘New leaf’

US Vice President JD Vance had earlier hailed “a historic meeting” in Switzerland.

Flanked by US negotiators Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, Vance added: “The question before us now is how much more can we accomplish together?

“Can we turn over a new leaf? Can we change relations in the Middle East permanently?

“Or do we go back to doing things the old way, which is not our preference, but it’s certainly very much something that can happen.”

Lebanon aside, there has been no indication that Iran’s support for armed groups across the region, which has long drawn the ire of the US and Israel, will be addressed in the negotiations.

Speaking on Sunday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran would not relinquish its right to enrich uranium, though he repeated Iran’s denial that it wants nuclear weapons.

“We can also state in writing that we have no intention of building a bomb,” he said. AFP

er to facilitate the orderly conduct of the proceedings.

“We are studying appointing an Impeachment manager to quarterback the proceedings especially if the presiding officer is overwhelmed. The impeachment manager’s role would be similar to that of the Majority Leader,” he said. Lacson said that while the majority bloc is eyeing Escudero as presiding officer, it is also considering Senator Francis Pangilinan as impeachment manager. Both Escudero and Pangilinan are lawyers, he noted.

‘Presiding officer a secondary issue’

But for House lead prosecutor Rep. Gerville Luistro, the prosecution panel has full confidence in the Senate im-

However, PAGASA said it could recurve or make a turn near the Batanes-Babuyan area from Tuesday through Thursday.

“On Wednesday, we can see it slowing down. This is also its closest approach at 275 kilometers east of Batanes,” PAGASA forecaster Charmain Varilla said.

Meanwhile, Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 was raised in Batanes, the northeastern portion of Cagayan (Gonzaga, Santa Ana) including the eastern portion of Babuyan Islands (Babuyan Is., Didicas Is., Camiguin Is.).

“Francisco” is expected to bring strong to gale-force gusts over coastal and upland areas exposed to winds in Luzon, the Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Surigao del Norte, Dinagat Islands, Davao Occidental, and Davao Oriental on Tuesday; and most of Luzon, the Visayas, Misamis Occidental, Lanao del Norte, Camiguin, Dinagat Islands, Davao Occidental, and Davao Oriental on Wednesday.

Francisco” will move generally northwestward until Tuesday before turning north northeastward towards the Ryukyu Islands in southern Japan. On the track forecast, it will exit the Philippine area of responsibility on Friday.

“Francisco” will remain far from the Philippine landmass, PAGASA said. However, a slight westward shift in the track forecast is still possible..

The center of the eye of typhoon was estimated at 620 km East of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan.

It was moving west northwestward at 15 km/h with maximum sustained winds of 155 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 190 km/h.

peachment court regardless of who ultimately presides over the trial.

“For us, we are aware that this is a constitutional duty. This is not a question of who is the presiding officer,” Luistro said during a press briefing at the Senate.

The chairperson of the House Committee on Justice said the impeachment proceedings are governed by the Constitution and the Senate’s rules, making the identity of the presiding officer secondary to the Senate’s institutional role as an impeachment court.

“So regardless of whether it is SP Win Gatchalian or Sen. Chiz Escudero who will be presiding over the impeachment trial, the prosecution is expressing utmost faith and confidence in the impeachment court,” Luistro said.

IN BRIEF

PNP lauds resolution of South Korean’s murder

THE Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday reported the swift resolution of a high-profile killing case involving a South Korean national in Pampanga, following coordinated intelligence and investigative operations that led to the identification and arrest of individuals linked to the incident within days.

Police Regional Office-3 chief Brig. Gen. Jess Mendez said the 37-year-old Korean national was engaged in the distribution of Korean beauty products in the Philippines and had been residing in the country for nearly two years. He was reported missing in mid-June 2026 after failing to return from a scheduled meeting in the Clark Freeport Zone area. Vince Lopez

Manila receives mobile hub for digital learning

THE city government of Manila on Monday received a mobile learning center from Junior Chamber International Manila (JCI Manila) to promote digital learning.

Mayor Francisco Moreno Domagoso said the center would greatly help young people who need access to computers for education. He thanked JCI Manila for establishing a facility that could be made available to youth in different barangays across the city.

The mobile learning center will be managed by the Manila City Library Office and deployed to two barangays per week among the capital city’s 896 barangays.

Pot Chavez Nartatez condemns killing of cop in mosque

PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. on Monday directed a comprehensive investigation and intensified manhunt following the fatal shooting of a police officer inside a mosque in Madamba, Lanao del Sur.

Police Chief Master Sergeant Alioden M. Sarangani of the Madamba Municipal Police Station was killed on June 20, inside a mosque in Barangay Uyaan Proper at around 7:42 p.m. Initial reports showed that an unidentified gunman entered the mosque while the officer was praying and shot him in the head.

The suspect immediately fled the area and remains at large as police continue pursuit operations. “The Philippine National Police strongly condemns this brutal attack on one of our personnel, especially in a place of worship,” Nartatez said. Vince Lopez

‘China

By Rex Espiritu

VICTIMS.

DSWD to release nearly P800m cash for earthquake-hit families

By Maricel V. Cruz

THE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is set to begin the rollout of its Emergency Cash Transfer (ECT) program on June 23 to aid families affected by the magnitude 7.8 earthquake in Davao Occidental, Sarangani, and General Santos City.

“On Tuesday, Secretary Rex Gatchalian will again visit the areas that were severely affected by the earthquake. Some of these areas are the municipalities of Glan and Malapatan in Sarangani; General

Santos City; and Balut Island and Jose Abad Santos in Davao Occidental. We will be distributing emergency cash transfers to our countrymen,” DSWD Disaster Response Management Bureau (DRMB) Director Maria Isabel

HOT PURSUIT. The Philippine Coast Guard deploys BRP Malabrigo (MRRV-4402) to challenge a Chinese Coast Guard vessel operating within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone off western Luzon. The vessel has ignored repeated radio calls from Philippine authorities since June 20, according to the PCG.

sanctions vs.

THE sanctions imposed by China against Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and his immediate family are being viewed as evidence of his effectiveness as defense chief, citing the Philippines’ growing number of successful security partnerships with like-minded states under his leadership at the Department of National Defense, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said.

“These sanctions are merely in-

Lanada said on Monday.

According to the DRMB chief, the distribution of ECT is part of the early recovery phase to help affected families rebuild their damaged houses and purchase other necessities, in addition to the food and nonfood items initially distributed by the DSWD.

“You heard Secretary Rex Gatchalian. His directive to us is to conduct emergency cash transfers because we have already distributed family food packs and non-food items. As reflected in our data, there are 84,580 totally and partially damaged houses,”

Gibo a sign of his effectiveness’

tended to intimidate him. We know that he is a very effective defense secretary. He is leading our defense diplomacy, and under his term, we have signed many agreements that have further enhanced our defense relations with other countries,” AFP spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, retired Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, told DZBB. Teodoro and his family were prohibited by the Chinese government from entering its territories, while Chinese nationals were barred from

doing business with them.

“It only shows that what he is doing is right. As members of the AFP, we express our total support for our defense secretary,” Trinidad said.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has deployed BRP Malabrigo (MRRV-4402) to challenge and drive away a Chinese Coast Guard vessel operating within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ) off the western coast of Luzon. According to PCG spokesperson

for the West Philippine Sea Rear Admiral Jay Tarriela, BRP Malabrigo has been conducting radio challenges against China Coast Guard vessel 5304 since June 20, but the Chinese vessel has reportedly ignored repeated calls from Philippine authorities.

A maritime domain awareness flight conducted by a PCG BrittenNorman Islander aircraft on Saturday monitored CCG-5304 approximately 45.5 nautical miles west of Iba, Zambales.

VP Sara touts deeds amid ‘challenges’

By Katrina Manubay

VICE

President

Sara Duterte on Monday highlighted the accomplishments of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) in disaster response, livelihood assistance, education, and social services.

She emphasized her office’s commitment to public service despite what she described as sustained criticism and challenges over the past year.

In a video statement, Duterte presented the OVP’s Accomplishment Report, outlining the agency’s efforts to deliver government services to communities across the country.

“Despite the challenges posed by baseless criticisms and systematic attacks, our programs remained re -

silient. These issues have never deterred us from our goal of serving the Filipino people and honoring the trust they have placed in us,” she said.

“Every life we uplift is the fruit of your unwavering belief in the OVP’s core mission. With every helping hand we extend, we bring comfort to families, revitalize communities, nurture dreams, and build a stronger Philippines,” she added.

Duterte also expressed gratitude to stakeholders, government agencies, private-sector partners, and civil society organizations, saying their support has been vital to the success of the OVP’s programs and initiatives.

According to the report, the OVP provided medical assistance to 271,631 individuals and burial assistance to 64,234 beneficiaries.

Lanada said.

The DSWD’s ECT program is an adaptive strategy that aims to bridge the gap between immediate disaster relief, humanitarian response, and early recovery support by providing unconditional cash assistance to disaster-affected families that require intervention.

Based on initial data, more than 139,000 affected families from the Davao Region and Soccsksargen are expected to receive ECT cash aid, with an estimated budget allocation of more than P799.59 million starting this week.

First Lady leads rice distribution for QC families

By Charles Dantes

FIRST Lady Louise AranetaMarcos on Monday led the distribution of rice assistance to 1,200 vulnerable families in Quezon City’s Fourth District as part of a government-backed food subsidy program aimed at easing the burden of rising household expenses while supporting local farmers. The distribution, held at the D4 Amphitheater in Barangay Doña Imelda, formed part of the “Mula sa Puso Para sa Pamilya” initiative, which seeks to provide immediate food assistance to underserved communities across Metro Manila.

Addressing beneficiaries, Araneta-Marcos said the program reflects the government’s commitment to helping families meet their basic needs.

“I am here as a mother because I know, as a mother, how important it is to have food on our tables. Even if this is only a small form of assistance, I hope it goes a long way and helps you for the next few days,” she said. Each beneficiary received a 10-kilogram sack of rice valued at P550.

Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte said the rice distribution is funded through the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF), a national government financial assistance program released by the Office of the President to local government units for priority programs, infrastructure projects, and public services.

Belmonte said the Office of the President allocated P462.9 million to Quezon City’s rice subsidy program, which also aims to strengthen the local agricultural sector by purchasing rice directly from Filipino farmers. She said the city government utilized the Sagip Saka Act to negotiate directly with farmer cooperatives, allowing locally produced rice to be sourced for the program.

AID FOR EARTHQUAKE

The Department of Social Welfare and Development distributes food boxes, family food packs, sleeping kits, and hygiene kits to residents of Barangay Gomtago, Sarangani, Davao Occidental, following the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck Mindanao on June 20. DSWD/Facebook.

OPINION

Honor Blanco Cabie

Shareholder signal vs. spectator static

THE ongoing debate surrounding the partnership between First Gen and Prime Infrastructure has generated no shortage of headlines. Allegations of hidden premiums, governance concerns, and so-called poison pills have dominated discussions in recent weeks. Yet amid the noise, a more fundamental question risks being overlooked: will the transaction create value for shareholders? For investors, that should be the starting point--and ultimately the ending point--of the conversation. Recent criticism has centered on claims that First Gen overpaid for its stake in Prime Hydropower Energy Corp., the company behind the Wawa and Pakil pumped-storage projects.

However, First Gen has since publicly explained the basis of the transaction, noting that the valuation reflected years of project development, permitting, financing, contract negotiations, and risk assumption undertaken by Prime Infrastructure before First Gen entered the picture. In other words, First Gen was not investing in a concept on paper. It was investing in projects that had already cleared many of the hurdles that typically derail large-scale infrastructure developments.

This distinction matters, as infrastructure assets do not derive their value solely from construction costs. They derive value from progress achieved, risks reduced, financing secured, and execution milestones completed. By the time First Gen entered the projects, Prime Infrastructure had already spent years advancing them toward commercial viability. That is how value is created in infrastructure development. As uncertainty declines, value rises.

The criticism also revives concerns about socalled “poison pill” provisions linked to leadership continuity. Yet these discussions often ignore an important reality of large-scale project finance. Lenders, investors, and strategic partners place significant weight on management continuity, especially in transactions involving billions of pesos and long investment horizons.

Understandably, no one wants to be left holding the bag after a leadership change derails a high-value investment.

Whether one agrees with such provisions or not, their existence reflects the confidence and trust that counterparties place in specific management teams and their ability to execute.

In this case, First Gen has acknowledged provisions tied to leadership continuity, while emphasizing their role in protecting financing arrangements and project stability. But even this debate risks missing the larger issue.

The most important metric for shareholders is not the amount of drama or controversy it reaps, but whether it generates returns.

According to disclosures and statements made during First Gen’s Annual Shareholders’ Meeting, the partnership is projected to contribute approximately P16 billion in annual earnings to the company.

If realized, that contribution would represent a significant addition to First Gen’s earnings base and strengthen its position in the country’s evolving energy landscape.

That projection deserves as much attention as the allegations currently dominating public discussion.

After all, investors place their trust on management that can identify opportunities, allocate capital wisely, and create value over time.

—“—

Investors must decide which matters more: the noise surrounding a transaction or the value it is expected to create

Corporate disagreements may generate headlines, but earnings are what generate shareholder returns.

This is particularly important in the energy sector, where projects are measured not in quarters but in decades. Developing, financing, and operating critical energy infrastructure requires capital, expertise, continuity, and investor confidence.

Public controversies may attract attention, but they do not build power facilities, secure permits, negotiate financing, or expand generating capacity.

The country’s growing energy requirements will ultimately be met not by accusations, but by execution.

The true test of management is value creation.

A partnership expected to generate billions of pesos in recurring earnings should be evaluated on its economics, strategic value, and long-term benefits to shareholders, and not on the volume of accusations surrounding it.

At some point, investors must decide which matters more: the noise surrounding a transaction or the value it is expected to create.

MTM: The insider who could make or break the golden node

IN THE rolling plains of Tarlac, where sugarcane fields still stretch toward the horizon, the Philippine government has staked its claim to the future.

A 1,619-hectare site inside New Clark City has been designated as the country’s first “AInative” industrial hub under the United Statesled Pax Silica initiative.

Officials speak of it as a turning point — a chance for the Philippines to move from low-value assembly work into semiconductors, critical minerals processing, and advanced manufacturing. The promise is seductive: high-paying jobs, technology transfer, and a place in the global supply chains that will shape the coming decades. Yet the project carries the weight of old patterns. For all the polished language about transformation, the official pitch leaves critical questions unanswered. There is no clear roadmap for securing the massive amounts of reliable power that AI data centers and semiconductor plants require. There are no binding commitments on technology transfer or requirements that a meaningful share of technical and managerial positions go to Filipinos. The fiscal costs of tax incentives and lease concessions are presented as necessary investments, but without transparent projections of what the country can realistically expect in return. These are not minor details. They are the difference between building national capability and simply hosting another enclave where the highest-value work remains elsewhere.

The Philippines has seen this story before. Special economic zones and major industrial projects have repeatedly produced uneven results. Foreign capital tends to control design, intellectual property, and strategic decisions, while domestic participation stays concentrated in lower and middle segments of the value chain. The country’s English-speaking workforce and strategic location have long been assets, but they have not been enough to overcome chronic weaknesses in infrastructure, skills development, and regulatory consistency. Meanwhile, neighbors have moved ahead. Thailand built a competitive automotive supply chain over decades. Malaysia shifted parts of its electronics sector into higher-value activities. Vietnam attracted major semiconductor investments through more reliable execution. In-

donesia forced greater domestic processing of its nickel resources.

The Philippines has the talent and resources to match or exceed these outcomes, but it has yet to demonstrate the institutional discipline required to do so.

This is where Michael Ted Macapagal stands out.

A former corporate executive in the United States who later served as chairman of the Philippine National Railways, Macapagal brings an unusual combination of experience.

He understands the expectations of international capital — contractual certainty, predictable rules, and functioning infrastructure. At the same time, his years working within the Clark and Subic frameworks give him intimate knowledge of Philippine legal and political realities.

—“—

Technology transfer and local content requirements must be written into agreements with clear milestones and consequences for noncompliance

In a landscape where many officials speak primarily in the language of political positioning, Macapagal is one of the few who can credibly translate between Wall Street’s demand for stability and Manila’s need to protect sovereignty and deliver broad-based benefits.

His presence does not guarantee success, but it raises the possibility that this project might be handled with greater seriousness than previous efforts.

Even so, success cannot be measured only by investment figures or groundbreaking ceremonies.

The deeper question is whether the hub will create genuine upward mobility for Filipinos or simply reproduce familiar imbalances.

Will young engineers from Tarlac and neighboring provinces move into meaningful technical and leadership roles, or will they remain in supporting positions while critical decisions are made elsewhere?

Front lines of a warming world

excessive caffeine or alcohol.

THE rains have arrived in the Philippines, as early as June 4, accelerated by five consecutive days of occasional to frequent rainfall from the Southwest Monsoon or Habagat across the western sections of Luzon and the Visayas.

Today, Southeast Asia, including the Philippines, is wrestling with intense heatwaves aggravated by the grip of the “Godzilla” El Niño phenomenon, with the region’s 705 million people seeing persistently soaring temperatures and dangerous heat indices that frequently trigger severe health warnings and weather alerts.

Weather experts say unprecedented heat has been baking several countries like Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines, pushing actual air temperatures into the upper 30s (°C) and “feels-like” heat indices well into dangerous territory.

The Geneva-based UN’s World Meteorological Organization has been tracking the emergence of extreme El Niño conditions, bringing hotter and drier weather anomalies across the Pacific.

In the Philippines, where 118 million people live in dry and wet seasons, extreme heat indices have become highly persistent, impacting daily routines, causing localized power strains, and threatening the suspension of in-person classes during extreme peak days in the academic year which began this month.

In the national capital region, where 13 million people live, daily highs are generally hovering in the 32°C to 35°C range.

Stay hydrated; brief showers trap moisture in the air, creating stifling, suffocating and sweltering heat

The humidity pushes the actual heat index higher. Even when the region sees rain or localized thunderstorms every now and then, the persistent humidity means the sweltering heat remains a daily threat, putting the archipelago on the front lines of a warming world. Under these circumstances, health authorities have advised people to stay hydrated, drink plenty of water and avoid

By Rommel Banlaoi

REPORTS of alleged “United Front operations” in the Philippines have raised concerns that cultural associations, business networks, and educational initiatives may be channels of Beijing’s influence.

While there is no doubt that vigilance is essential to safeguarding sovereignty, framing the issue through such a flawed narrative risks oversimplifying complex realities and undermining opportunities for constructive engagement between Filipino and Chinese communities.

Limits of the “United Front” Lens

Treating Chinese-Filipino groups and associations merely as extensions of Beijing undermines their independence and disregards the meaningful contributions they make to the Philippines.

Many of these organizations prioritize local concerns such as community welfare, education, and cultural preservation.

To view them solely through the lens of “United Front” operations is to deny their organizational and individual autonomy, while diminishing the genuine social capital they provide to Philippine society.

Chinese diaspora communities in the Philippines are far from monolithic. They are richly diverse, dynamically adaptive, and deeply rooted in the local contexts in which they live.

Economic Pragmatism Over Paranoia

The Philippines is actually benefiting significantly from the Chinese through investment, tourism, and trade.

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority indicate that the People’s Republic of China (PRC) was the country’s largest supplier of imported goods valued at USD 3.92 billion or 29.7 % of the country’s total imports in April 2026.

Though exports to the United States comprised the highest export value amounting to $1.30 billion or a share of 18.0 percent to the country’s total exports in April 2026, China ranked second valued at $926.66 million representing 12.9 percent.

Tourism contributed 8.1 percent of GDP in 2025, amounting to ₱2.27 trillion, while inbound tourism expenditure totaled ₱698.46 billion, with China still among the top sources of foreign visitors.

Chinese investment continues to rank among the top five sources of approved Foreign Direct Investment, supporting manufacturing,

Will surrounding communities see improvements in power, water, and skills training, or will they bear the costs of land conversion and resource strain while benefits flow elsewhere?

Economic transformation without broad participation risks becoming another form of extraction, more sophisticated in presentation but similar in effect.

To avoid that outcome, several concrete steps are necessary. Technology transfer and local content requirements must be written into agreements with clear milestones and consequences for noncompliance. Local hiring and training commitments

If they need to be outdoors, particularly in the gruesome traffic of Metro Manila or nearby towns, they must use umbrellas and wear lightweight, light-colored clothing.

Cannot the intermittent rains caused by the Southwest Monsoon and active localized thunderstorms diminish the heat?

Meteorologists say even though the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration has declared the onset of the rainy season, the heat remains intense for a few key rea-

Rizal, the urban heat island effect combined with trapped humidity keeps temperatures elevated. Listen to the experts: stay hydrated; brief showers trap moisture in the air, creating stifling, suffocating and sweltering heat.

‘United Front Operations’ and Chinese diaspora in PH

energy, and infrastructure.

These figures highlight the vital contribution of Chinese communities to Philippine economic growth.

However, casting suspicion on Chinese diaspora business networks risks disrupting legitimate flows of trade, tourism, and investment that benefit the country.

—“—

The Philippine government should strategically leverage economic partnerships with the Chinese to advance national development while ensuring the preservation of sovereignty

To maximize these opportunities, the Philippine government should adopt a coherent policy that harnesses the economic potential of these networks while maintaining clear regulatory safeguards against undue political or security influence. Constructive engagement rather than alienation must inform public policy.

The Chinese-Filipino business community has long been a pillar of Philippine commerce, contributing jobs, taxes, and philanthropy. To cast suspicion on them under the guise of “foreign influence” undermines their legitimate contributions and weakens a vital pillar of Philippine economy. Cultural Exchange as Soft Power, Not Subversion Reports warn that cultural programs and language initiatives may serve as tools of indoctrination. Yet cultural diplomacy is not unique to China. Every country, including the Philippines, promotes its language and heritage abroad.

Filipinos who study Mandarin or participate in cultural exchanges are not surrendering sovereignty.

should be binding, supported by partnerships between locators, state universities, and technical education agencies. Full environmental and social impact assessments, including cumulative effects on water and power, must be completed and made public before major land-use changes proceed. Fiscal incentives should be transparent and subject to regular performance reviews with clawback provisions. Most importantly, oversight must include independent voices from civil society and local government, not only from national agencies and investors. The Philippines has been given a genuine

On the contrary, they are acquiring necessary skills that can strengthen their competitiveness in a globalized economy where China is one of the major players.

Security Concerns Require Due Diligence Indeed, foreign influence operations exist. But securitizing Chinese diaspora communities wholesale endorses stigmatization and perpetuates xenophobia. The Philippines must, therefore, distinguish between imminent national security threats and normal transnational community activity. Blanket suspicion erodes trust and undermines integration. Due diligence, therefore, is essential.

It requires intelligence-driven monitoring of specific risks, rather than broad-brush suspicion directed at entire communities. National security should be advanced and strengthened without sacrificing social cohesion.

Conclusion Rather than viewing diaspora engagement through a zero-sum lens, the Philippines should pursue public policies strengthening regulations to ensure transparency in funding and political activity. Policies should also encourage inclusive dialogue between diaspora groups and local communities.

The Philippine government should strategically leverage economic partnerships with the Chinese to advance national development while ensuring the preservation of sovereignty. At the same time, fostering cultural literacy must be treated as a core policy objective, as it equips citizens with the resilience needed to counter deliberate manipulation and external influence.

Chinese diaspora engagement should not be hastily dismissed as a sinister plot. It is actually a natural consequence of globalization.

Carelessly framing it as a conspiracy is reductionism, indolently collapsing complex transnational ties into dangerous paranoia. The Philippines can gain nothing from indulging in reflexive anti-Chinese suspicion. Instead, the nation can benefit more from cultivating balanced, transparent, and mutually respectful relations with Chinese communities both at home and abroad.

(The writer, holder of a PhD, the Director of Philippines-China Studies Center at Diliman College and President of the Philippine Society for International Security Studies, is the Chairman of

opening. Global shifts in technology supply chains have created leverage that earlier generations did not possess. Whether this moment produces lasting national gains or another round of uneven development will depend on whether those in positions of authority treat execution with the same seriousness they have given to announcements. The site in Tarlac can become a platform for real capability-building, or it can join the long list of projects that looked transformative on paper and delivered far less in practice. The difference will be determined not by geography or resources, but by choices made in the coming months and years.

TUESDAY, JUNE 23, 2026

UK’s Starmer resigns as prime minister

LONDON – UK leader Keir Starmer announced his resignation on Monday following months of pressure, kickstarting a process that will see Britain get its seventh prime minister in a decade.

In a speech outside 10 Downing Street, Starmer -- in office since July 2024 -conceded he had lost the support of his Labor party MPs.

He said he had informed King Charles III of his decision to resign so that a new Labour leader, and therefore prime minister, could be elected.

“I will remain in post as prime min-

ister until the contest is complete, and I will do everything I can to ensure an orderly handover of power,” he said.

Starmer’s authority has been waning since Labor endured a drubbing in local and regional elections in May.

He was unable to withstand the pressure any further following confirmation last week that his rival Andy Burnham

was returning to parliament, clearing the path for an anticipated leadership challenge.

Burnham, a veteran Labor politician, is due to take up his seat in the House of Commons later on Monday after winning a parliamentary by-election in Makerfield, northwest England, on Thursday.

“The question my party is asking now is whether I am best placed to lead us into the next general election,” Starmer said, as senior ministerial colleagues looked on.

“I have heard the answer of my parliamentary party to that question, and I accept that answer with good grace.

“Every decision I have taken has been

about putting the country I love first.

That is why I will resign as leader of the Labor Party,” he added, choking up in an emotional speech. Starmer said he had asked Labor’s National Executive Committee to set out a timetable for his replacement, with nominations due to open on 9 July.

“This will ensure that a new leader is in place before parliament returns in September” after the summer recess, he explained. Attention now turns to whether Burnham will become leader without a contest, as

RECURRING HEATWAVE. A woman cools off in a fountain in Ronda, southern Spain, during the first heatwave of the summer, on Sunday. Spain’s first official heatwave of this summer begins today and will last until at least June 24, 2026. The State Meteorological Agency, the body responsible for declaring these types of episodes when they meet specific criteria regarding intensity, duration, and territorial extension, activated a special weather warning two days ago. AFP

South Korea jails ex-justice minister for 25 years over martial law disaster

SEOUL – A South Korean court sentenced a former justice minister to 25 years in prison on Monday for his role in ex-president Yoon Suk Yeol’s brief and disastrous declaration of martial law in 2024.

Park Sung-jae was found guilty of involvement in “insurrection” by the Seoul Central District Court, according to a recording of the verdict shared online.

Yoon’s late-night martial law declaration in December 2024 lasted only about six hours as lawmakers raced to the assembly building and voted it down in an emergency session.

He has since been convicted of leading an insurrection and is in detention while appealing against a life sentence.

Yoon was also given a 30-year jail term this month for sending drones to North Korea to “manufacture a national crisis” to justify his martial law declaration.

Park held a meeting of justice ministry officials in the early hours after the martial law declaration and checked on prison capacity should the authorities arrest anti-government figures, prosecutors said.

“Due to the actions of the defendant, the country nearly faced a situation in which the people’s fundamental rights and the basic order of liberal democracy could have been violated,” presiding judge Lee Jin-gwan said on Monday.

As justice minister, Park “ignored the various opinions that had been raised at the meeting regarding the illegality of the Dec 3 insurrection,” Lee said.

Prosecutors had sought a 20-year sentence for Park, arguing that he had “reduced the law to a tool of insurrection in his abuse of power and posed a challenge to the rule of law”.

Park, who had been standing trial without detention, was taken into custody following the ruling.

Yoon’s shock late-night national televised address plunged South Korea into an unprecedented political crisis.

It triggered protests, sent the stock market plunging and caught key allies such as the United States off guard. A circle of Yoon subordinates has been given hefty sentences.

Former prime minister Han Duck-soo, who once toyed with a presidential run, is serving a 15-year prison sentence, and former interior minister Lee Sang-min was jailed for nine years.

Former defense minister Kim Yong-hyun was sentenced to three years in prison last week for revealing classified military information in furtherance of the insurrection.

Yoon’s wife, Kim Keon Hee is also serving a four-year term for stock manipulation and bribery unrelated to the martial law fiasco. AFP

Qatar gas plant blast shoots flames, injures 54 people, 18 remain missing

DOHA, Qatar – A huge blast at a Qatar gas hub that sent flames shooting into the night sky has injured 54 people, authorities said Monday as they searched for 18 others missing.

A “technical incident” caused the explosion late on Sunday in the Gulf emirate’s Ras Laffan industrial zone, the interior ministry said.

The blast took place at a unit supplying gas to local firms and reverberated across the capital Doha.

An AFP journalist 20 kilometers away saw bright orange flames and a plume of smoke rising from the area, home to the world’s largest liquefied natural gas hub.

Qatar’s state-owned energy company said the blast occurred “during the start-up of operations at Ras Laffan Industrial City, which resulted in an explosion and fire at Barzan local gas supply facility”.

Late Sunday, QatarEnergy said the fire had been brought under control after emergency response teams were deployed.

Ras Laffan had already been badly damaged

in the US-Iran war as Iranian strikes targeted Gulf energy infrastructure and forced Qatar to halt gas production.

The interior ministry described Sunday’s incident as an “internal explosion”, adding in a later statement that a “technical malfunction” was to blame.

At the time of the explosion, AFP journalists in the Qatari capital heard the blast at the facility on the country’s northern coast, 64 kilometers to the north.

“A total of 54 people were injured in the incident,” the ministry posted on X on Monday, adding that authorities were searching for 18 missing people.

According to QatarEnergy, the Barzan facility could previously provide 1.4 billion standard cubic feet of sales gas per day to local power generation and water desalination plants as well as local industries.

In addition, Barzan has the production capacity to supply ethane, condensate, LPG and sulphur for local markets and export. AFP

Australia sells advanced radar to Canada

SYDNEY – Australia signed a record

Aus$2.5 billion ($1.8 billion) deal Monday to export a sophisticated over-the-horizon radar defence system to Canada.

It was the first international sale of Australia’s advanced radar technology, which offers long-range surveillance to improve defences and provide early warning, the government said.

“It is far and away the largest defence export that we have ever done,” Defence Minister Richard Marles told a news conference.

“Australia and Canada have always been the very best of friends, but really, with what we have signed today, there is now a very significant strategic dimension to the relationship.”

Over-the-horizon radar technology refracts high-frequency electromagnetic waves off the ionosphere to detect far-off objects that would otherwise be invisible because of the curvature of the Earth.

BAE Systems Australia is set to commence delivery of the system on July 1 this year, marking the first stage of a broader Australia-Canada collaboration on development of the long-range radar system.

Australia’s radar system is the “backbone” of its long-range northern surveillance, and the most advanced in the world, Marles said. AFP

Russian strike on cargo ship kills 1

KYIV – Russian drones set fire to a cargo vessel en route to Ukraine and killed one of its crew, Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba said on Monday. Moscow and Kyiv have escalated attacks on each other in recent weeks, as US-led talks on ending Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War II remain effectively frozen.

“A drone strike set fire to a vessel sailing under the Panama flag. A crew member was killed -- a 58-year-old cook, a citizen of Egypt,” Kuleba wrote on Telegram.

He said that eight sailors, including citizens of Turkey and India, fled the attack on a life raft, and that the vessel “sustained significant damage and lost seaworthiness”.

The Ukrainian navy said that a “largescale fire” broke out on the Turkish cargo vessel Victress, which was Panamaflagged, following the drone strike.

“This incident once again demonstrates that the Russian Federation continues to violate the norms of international maritime law and to pose threats to civilian shipping,” the navy said in a Telegram post.

Russians also attacked vessels sailing under the flags of Palau and Belize, with no casualties, according to Kuleba. AFP

Malaysia vows to up workers’ rights

PUTRAJAYA, Malaysia – Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim pledged stronger protections for Bangladeshi migrant workers on Monday, after a series of labour abuses affecting the Southeast Asian nation’s largest foreign workforce.

Around 800,000 Bangladeshis work in Malaysia, making up a third of the country’s migrant workforce, who have faced unpaid wages and recruitment scams that left many job seekers stranded after paying hefty recruitment fees.

Speaking at a joint press conference with Bangladeshi Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, Anwar described “human resources cooperation, particularly the workers” as “critical for our survival”.

“This continued use of workers being exploited, ill-treated... purely for personal or company gains cannot be tolerated,” Anwar said.

Rahman, who is on his first foreign trip since he was elected Bangladesh’s prime minister in February, urged that recruitment be made “transparent, fair and affordable” with a reduction in the number of intermediaries.

Late last year, UN human rights experts warned of “continued exploitation, deception, and deepening debt bondage” facing Bangladeshi migrant workers in Malaysia. AFP

IN BRIEF

Phivolcs says Mayon keeps spewing lava

EFFUSIVE eruption of Mayon Volcano in Albay continued for the 167th consecutive day, generating incandescent lava flows, pyroclastic density currents (PDCs) or “uson” and rockfalls on Sunday night.

Sped-up camera footage showed lava effusion with collapse-fed PDCs at 07:35 p.m. to 7:40 p.m. on June 21. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology shared the video clips of Mayon Volcano’s activity on its social media accounts.

Alert Level 3 remains in effect over the volcano, and entry into the six-kilometer permanent danger zone remained strictly prohibited. Rio N. Araja

Soldiers kill two Reds in Bukidnon clashes

TWO suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA), one of them believed to be a ranking leader, were reported killed in separate clashes with Army soldiers on Sunday in Bukidnon.

The military said the encounters occurred in Sitio Tagiptip, Barangay Iba in Cabanglasan town and Sitio Nalumosan, Barangay Silae in Malaybalay City pursuant to ongoing operations against the NPA’S North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC).. Troops from the 1st Special Forces Battalion first engaged fleeing rebels during nighttime operations, resulting in the death of Edward Pantandon, also known as “Wando,” and the recovery of an M16 rifle.

A few hours later., soldiers from the 8th Infantry Battalion encountered the same armed group, leading to the death of Romeo Manpinsahan, alias “Kakoy,” identified by the military as the commanding officer of Headquarters Force NEO under the NCMRC. Rex Espiritu

General Trias City wants ‘basaan’ fest just for fun

IN CONJUNCTION with the celebration of the Feast of San Juan, the General Trias City government is implementing a policy of regulated “Basaan” festival to ensure that the traditional drenching revelry is conducted safely, properly, and with respect for other people’s dignity. Under the ordinance, dousing is only allowed from 8 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. to fully celebrate the festival, dubbed as Karakol ni San Juan, particularly in Barangays San Juan 1 and 2.

“In the celebration of the Feast of San Juan, let’s celebrate together to keep the annual tradition that has become a part of the culture in the city and the entire province of Cavite happy and safe.” Mayor Luis Ferrer IV said in a social media post

“Be careful, respect others, and cooperate in maintaining order to ensure that the celebration in General Trias City is safe and fun,” he said. Dennis Abrina The use of dirty water, water bombs, bottles, and any type that can cause harm, forcibly opening a vehicle to water, intimidation or assault, climbing or hanging on vehicles, water inside vehicles, use of pressure water spray (except fire trucks), carrying and drinking alcohol while in the car, asking for money or begging are the rules in the said annual water festival and celebration guide. Dennis Abrina

DSWD, drug firm resume tie-up for wider public access to drugs

By Maricel V. Cruz

STARTING yesterday, beneficiaries of the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program may once again use their Guarantee Letters (GLs) at 262 participating Mercury Drug branches across the country, making it easier to access medicines and other essential medical supplies.

The resumption of the partnership between the DSWD and Mercury Drug aims to expand public access to muchneeded medicines and medical assistance while ensuring faster and more

convenient utilization of assistance provided under the AICS program.

DSWD Asst. Secretary and spokesperson Irene Dumlao said the resumption of GLs in Mercury Drug

outlets forms part of the department’s continuing efforts to strengthen the implementation of AICS and improve the delivery of medical assistance to Filipinos in need.

“This is good news for our countrymen who need immediate medical assistance. Starting June 22, 262 selected branches of Mercury Drug will once again receive a Guarantee Letter from the AICS of the DSWD. This will make it easier for our beneficiaries to purchase necessary medicines and other medical supplies,” Dumlao said. She also noted that the DSWD continues to strengthen its partnerships with private institutions to make so-

cial protection services more accessible, efficient, and responsive to the needs of vulnerable sectors.

“We continue to strengthen our relationships with our partner establishments to bring DSWD services closer to our countrymen. In this way, we are not only able to expedite their access to assistance, but we are also able to alleviate their suffering during times of illness or other crises,” she said. She added that the initiative is in line with a directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to make government assistance more accessible and responsive to the immediate needs of Filipinos.

Carrying other people’s parcel risky in Brunei — PH Embassy

By Katrina Manubay

THE Philippine Embassy in Brunei has warned Filipinos against carrying packages or “pasabuy” items for other people if they are unaware or cannot verify the contents, citing strict Customs regulations in the sultanate. In an advisory on Friday, the embassy urged Filipino travelers not to carry

parcels, bags, boxes, or other items as a favor for other people unless they have personally inspected the packages.

“Do not accept a shipment or “pool orders” if you have not personally inspected the contents of the shipment, especially if you are instructed not to open, inspect, or declare it to Customs,” the advisory read.

The warning came amid Brunei

By Rex Espiritu

THE Office of the Ombudsman on Monday formally charged suspended Minglanilla, Cebu Mayor Rajiv Enad, Vice Mayor Elanito Peña, 10 Sangguniang Bayan members and the municipal administrator for graft before the Regional Trial Court in Naga, Cebu.

The Ombudsman found probable cause to charge the town officials with violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act following the questionable denial of the rehabilitation plan in an area in Sitio Napo, Barangay Guindarohan, Minglanilla. Charged with Enad and Peña are

ANTI-

SMUGGLING

HAUL. The Philippine Navy’s The Western Mindanao Naval Command (WMNC) intercepts nearly P94 million worth of smuggled cigarettes during two separate maritime interdictions in Sulu waters of Sulu on June 18. Navy photo

vs. Minglanilla execs

councilors and Sangguniang Bayan members Oscar Cañares Dela Calzada Jr., Samuel Gordsin Adlawan Jr., Jesus Denoyo Velez, Jeremias Llanos Cañares, Jaime Secretarya Caumeran, Jenifer Dejan Lariosa, Proserfina Laput Fajutrao, Jenny Zafra Young, Petronilo Entera Traya and Rick Ryan Zafra. Minglanilla municipal administrator Junrie Casquejo Bragat was also cited as a respondent.

The suits stemmed from the local government’s repeated refusal to approve the rehabilitation plan submitted by complainants Jomara Konstruct Corp. and Jomara Agri Foods and Supply Corp. Following reports of ground cracks

on top of a quarry in December 2021, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) conducted a geohazard assessment, prompting the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) to subsequently issue a cease-anddesist order (CDO). In response to the safety concerns, the complainants developed the rehabilitation plan. Despite receiving support and technical recommendations from the MGB, the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), and the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO), the municipal officials consistently rejected the plan.

Darussalam’s strict customs rules, which require travelers and importers to properly declare certain goods and obtain permits for restricted items.

The embassy also cautioned that violation of Customs rules could result in confiscation, fines, imprisonment, or other legal penalties under Brunei law.

“Make sure to follow the required Customs procedures. Declaration is

important to know if there are any fees to pay, if any permits or documents are required, and if it is prohibited from being brought into Brunei Darussalam,” the advisory added. Under Brunei regulations, restricted and controlled items are subject to Customs inspection, and travelers may face penalties if they carry undeclared or prohibited items.

Dy cites need to enact measure on National Nutrition Program

SPEAKER Faustino Dy III on Monday said latest government data showing a rise in child stunting across the country highlights the urgent need to enact the Houseapproved National Nutrition Program, a priority reform that seeks to expand nutrition interventions for Filipino children, mothers, and vulnerable sectors.

Dy said the findings of the Department of Science and Technology-Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI), which showed that child stunting increased to 25.3 percent in 2025, validated the House of Representatives’ decision to prioritize House Bill No. 9466.

“The House prioritized this measure because we recognized that hunger and malnutrition are not only health

issues—they are education issues, economic issues, and ultimately nationbuilding issues,” said Dy, one of the principal authors of the measure.

“Malnutrition doesn’t just stunt a child’s growth—it also stunts their ability to learn, dream, and succeed. So with every step we take against malnutrition, we give more children the opportunity to reach their full potential and a brighter future,” Dy said in Filipino.

The Speaker noted that the House approved HB 9466 on third and final reading before adjourning the First Regular Session, recognizing that nutritional deprivation during a child’s formative years can have a lifelong impact on learning, development, and productivity. Maricel V. Cruz

MOVE OVER, INDIANA JONES. School children routinely cross this hanging bridge across a mountain village in Kapangan, Benguet which, at rst blush, looks like a pickup from one of Harrison Ford’s death-defying stunts in his blockbuster Indiana Jones franchise. Dave Leprozo

TUESDAY, JUNE 23, 2026

RIERA

Spain’s forward Lamine Yamal celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the 2026 World Cup Group H football match between Spain and Saudi Arabia at the Atlanta Stadium in Atlanta. AFP

PH soft netters win gold in Korea, boost Asiad bid

By Randy M. Caluag

THE PHILIPPINE Soft Tennis National Team defeated Thailand in the finals to capture the Mixed Team Event gold medal in the 2026 NH Bank Korea Cup International Soft Tennis Tournament held recently in Incheon, South Korea.

The victory serves as a major morale booster for the Filipinos as they intensify preparations for the 20th Asian Games set in Nagoya, Japan.

Bannered by Joseph Arcilla, Samuel Nuguit, Sherwin Nuguit, Bien Zoleta, Princess Catindig, and Christy Sañosa, the team showcased composure and depth to secure the top podium finish in the prestigious international meet.

“This journey is not ours alone,” the team shared on its social media page, expressing gratitude to the Philippine Sports Commission, led by Chairman Patrick Gregorio, along with its com-

Sporting legends

GM Torre, Coo to grace PSA Forum

TWO sporting legends will grace Tuesday’s session (June 23) of the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum at the Philippine Sports Commission media room. Asia’s first ever Grandmaster Eugene Torre and bowling great and sports commissioner Bong Coo will be in the public sports program to talk about two upcoming sports events.

Torre will be with Mapua FilChi Alumni Association official Nelson Salazar to discuss the Eugene Torre Rapid Chess Cup set this weekend at Mapua.

The 74-year-old chess icon is a proud product of Mapua. Coo, the most decorated Filipino athlete of all time, on the other hand, will detail the plans and preparations being undertaken by the PSC for the hosting of this year’s Batang Pinoy set in Bacolod City by the end of the year.

PSC chairman Patrick Gregorio and Bacolod City Mayor Greg Gasataya are going to share the podium with Coo along with a representative each from the Department of Education and the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

The session is set at 10:30 a.m. and presented by San Miguel Corporation, PSC, Philippine Olympic Committee, MILO, and the country’s 24/7 sports app ArenaPlus.

Livestreamed over the PSA Facebook page fb.com/PhilippineSportswritersAssociation, the Forum is aired on a

missioners and the PSC-MSAS Unit, for their continued support in helping the athletes perform at their highest level and recover properly.

“This victory is a shared success. Maraming salamat po,” the team said, as it continues its buildup toward Nagoya.

The squad also thanked Philippine Olympic Committee chairman Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino and Philippine Soft Tennis Association president Lt. Col. Robert Joseph “Bobby” Moran for their unwavering backing.

Guided by head coach Josephine Paguyo and supported by coaches

Clark

Yamal kickstarts Spain’s World Cup bid as Cape Verde stuns Uruguay

LOS ANGELES—Spain got their World Cup campaign back on track with a 4-0 thrashing of Saudi Arabia on Sunday as debutants Cape Verde conjured another memorable performance to snatch a draw with Uruguay.

European champions Spain had been determined to bounce back after a shock 0-0 draw with lowly Cape Verde in their opening game last week, when their muchvaunted attack drew a blank.

But with teenaged starlet Lamine Yamal making his first start in two months since recovering from a hamstring problem, Spain launched an early onslaught that left the Saudis reeling.

Yamal opened the scoring before Mikel Oyarzabal scored a quickfire brace to leave Spain 3-0 up after just 24 minutes.

Spain bagged their fourth goal on 49 minutes, when Marc Cucurella’s shot was saved by Saudi goalkeeper Mohammed al-Owais only to bounce off defender Hassan al-Tambakti into the net.

Spain coach Luis De la Fuente said his squad had been fuelled by criticism of their opening performance.

“When someone questions your work, it is only human that anyone with courage and pride reacts to prove people wrong,” said De la Fuente.

The win leaves Spain top of Group H with four points after two matches. Cape Verde thwarts Uruguay Cape Verde meanwhile followed up their draw with Spain by grabbing another point in an entertaining 2-2 draw with Uruguay in Miami.

Cape Verde coach Bubista had promised before the game that his team would play “without fear” against the South Americans.

And the men from the tiny Atlantic Ocean archipelago proved as good as their word, taking the lead with a brilliant Kevin Pina free-kick after 21 minutes.

Maxi Araujo and Agustin Canobbio looked to have dug Uruguay out of a hole after scoring in the final minutes of the first half to make it 2-1 to the two-time World Cup-winners.

But a determined Cape Verde refused to surrender and grabbed an equaliser in the 61st minute from Helio Varela when Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera came racing off his line and was caught in no man’s land. AFP

wins despite hecklers, hopes not to be ‘heel of PGA’

SOUTHAMPTON—Wyndham

Clark found his measure of redemption for smashing a locker at last year’s US Open by winning this year’s edition, but after merciless heckling he fears becoming the PGA Tour’s villain.

Clark, the 2023 US Open champion, withstood taunts from New York fans to fire a three-over par 73 and grab a one-stroke victory over fellow American Sam Burns at Shinnecock Hills for a second major title.

“The first one was amazing and this one seems even better,” Clark said. “Especially after such a sour taste last year in this championship, to have some redemption and win this again is almost surreal.”

Clark has repeatedly apologized for damaging the locker at Oakmont after missing the cut last year.

“I sure hope it closes the door on it,” Clark said. “I’ll probably always

get (hecklers), but I hope I don’t become the heel of the PGA.”

Clark recalled the aftermath the incident as his darkest time, never dreaming he would win the US Open a year after.

“After what happened at Oakmont was obviously the lowest point,”

Clark said. “It was a really tough two, three days for me. I was in a dark place, didn’t really go outside much.

“I just felt a lot of my career, world ranking, reputation, everything just dwindling. That’s a terrible feeling.

“In that moment I definitely didn’t think I’d be here this year doing this.”

While some joked about what Clark might do to his locker had he squandered a six-stroke lead in the last round, Clark said he has much better control of his anger.

“I’m not as angry as I used to be,” Clark said. “I think I get frustrated.

Top PH bet Sy joins 11th Asia-Oceania Sambo

WITH her father, sambo chief Paolo Tancontian back in harness, top local bet Sydney Sy assured her stint in the 11th Asia-Oceania Sambo Championships presented by the Philippine Sports Commission starting on Friday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

“Thank God, my father’s health has greatly improved and is now addressing the details of the tournament so I can now focus on taking part in the competition,” said Sy, referring to the Pilipinas Sambo Federation president, who is now up and about. Ranked no. 1 in world in the women’s +80-kilogram sport sambo division, the grappler’s anticipated participation is a great addition to the country’s medal drive in the continental showcase held under aegis of the National Sports Tourism Inter-Agency Committee (NST-IAC).

Sy is the defending champion in the heavyweight class, beating Mongolian Buyanzaya Ser-Ochir for the gold in the 2025 10th edition held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

The 27-year-old pride of Davao City was one of Pinoy grapplers who won a gold medal in the previous tournament, the other being Aislynn Yap in the grueling women’s

My anger has kind of gone away, which is a huge blessing.

“It’s a combination of things off the course being great,” he said. “My game feels like it’s in a good position. I’m just happier where I’m at in life.

“Last year I got too caught up in things that really didn’t matter.” It didn’t help being bypassed for last year’s Ryder Cup team.

“That was also another just jab to the stomach that I didn’t make that,” he said. “I’m just happy I’m here on the other side of things.” That helped him handle hecklers, and a gallery that greeted his great shots with silence while cheering his errors.

“They definitely didn’t want me to win,” Clark said. “It’s pretty rare in a major to have fans kind of boo against your shots or cheer for bad shots. That was tough. But sometimes being the underdog is nice. AFP

meet

“I have already seen the draw in my weight class and, with the help of the hometown crowd, we believe have a strong chance of becoming the champion once again,” Tancontian, who heads the International Sambo Federation Athletes’ Commission, said. The elder Tancontian was likewise optimistic about his daughter’s bid in the blue-ribbon tournament that is expected to draw over 500 athletes from 31 member countries from the Sambo Union of Asia and Oceania.

“Malaking bagay na makakalaro ang aking anak na si Sydney sa Asia-Oceania Sambo Championships. Malaking inspirasyon siya sa national team at sa bayan. Kapag nandiyan siya, iba talaga ang kumpiyansa ng atleta natin,” he stressed.

Tancontian this was why the ticket prices for the four-day competition were affordably priced at P100 each and will be available at the

-80kg combat class.

Wyndham Clark of the United States holds his championship the trophy following the nal round of the 126th U.S. OPEN at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, New York. AFP

The Philippine soft tennis team Soft Tennis Pilipinas

QUICK ASSISTANCE.

Companies and foundations associated with businessman Enrique Razon Jr. responds to calls for assistance following the June 8 magnitude 7.8 earthquake, supporting government-led relief efforts and affected communities across southern Mindanao.

Drawing on each company’s capabilities and resources, relief operations centered on Sarangani and General Santos.

BSP grants relief to help banks manage paper losses

By Darwin G. Amojelar

THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas is granting regulatory relief to local banks to help them manage mounting paper losses triggered by the conflict in the Middle East.

Vitro targets to raise P24.2b from REIT IPO

By Jenniffer B. Austria and Darwin G. Amojelar

PLDT Inc. said Monday its data center subsidiary VITRO Inc. filed a registration statement and real estate investment trust (REIT) plan with the Securities and Exchange Commission for an initial public offering that could raise up to P24.2 billion.

REIT reinvestment plan.

As of end-March , PLDT’s consolidated gross debt amounted to P297.3 billion, while its net debt was P282.3 billion.

Vitro’s target IPO

P24.2 billion 1.913 billion shares P11 IPO plan of Vitro REIT

Vitro’s initial IPO price

The offering marks the first digital infrastructure and data center-focused REIT in the Philippines.

PLDT said its unit plans to sell up to 1.913 billion secondary shares, with an over-allotment option of nearly 287 million shares, at an offer price of up to P11 per share. ePLDT, which wholly owns VITRO Inc., is a subsidiary of PLDT. Assuming full exercise of the over-allotment option, the offer expects to generate gross proceeds of up to P24.2 billion. It said the shares on offer represent about 48.95 percent of the outstanding capital stock of VITRO REIT Inc. following the IPO. VITRO Inc. is changing its corporate name to VITRO REIT Inc., subject to regulatory approval.

The initial portfolio of VITRO REIT consists of eight stabilized and income-generating data center assets with a combined IT-ready capacity of about 24 megawatts. These facilities across the country serve enterprise, hyperscale, cloud and other customers requiring secure and resilient digital infrastructure.

PLDT said unit ePLDT will use the net proceeds from the offer shares for debt repayment, alongside other legally permissible uses outlined in its

“Today’s filing marks an important step in our efforts to unlock value from PLDT Group’s digital infrastructure portfolio while supporting the continued expansion of VITRO REIT’s data center platform,” ePLDT and VITRO REIT president and chief executive Victor Genuino said.

Through Monetary Board Resolution Nos. 495 and 534 dated June 4 and June 18, 2026, respectively, the BSP approved a measure addressing net unrealized losses on peso government securities held under fair value through other comprehensive income (FVOCI) portfolios. The decision came in response to the severe impact the geopolitical conflict has had on global market yields and local asset valuations. Under the new guidelines, banks and quasi-banks will not be required to deduct the cumulative unrealized losses incurred on these specific government securities after the start of the conflict when computing their capital adequacy ratio (CAR) and common equity tier 1 (CET1) ratio.

Financial institutions that already recorded net unrealized losses on their FVOCI peso government securities as of Feb. 28, 2026, will be permitted to exclude any cumulative losses exceeding that baseline amount during the relief period.

Meanwhile, institutions that held net unrealized gains as of that same February date will be allowed to completely omit any subsequent unrealized losses from their CET1 capital calculations for the duration of the window.

The most disturbing aspect of the Senate mess

Manila Standard TODAY

THERE are many aspects of the ongoing Senate mess that most Filipinos find disturbing. But the aspect of the mess that they find most disturbing relates to the prospects of a near-term return by Congress’ upper chamber to its former stature. Most Filipinos are asking themselves what it will take for the Senate to once again deserve being called an august institution.

The answer to the question is a single word: elections. Every three years, the voters of this country elect 12 men and women to the Senate. “All the members” of the present Senate — the language of the Constitution — were elected by Filipino voters in the elections of 2022 and 2025. The 13 senators who comprise the current majority and the 11 senators who make up the current minority were voted into office for six-year terms by the very same people who are now cursing the Senate and badmouthing its members for placing partisan and personal interests over Constitutional responsibility. They appear to have forgotten the Biblical truth that one reaps/what one sows. Who did the Filipino people vote into office in the last two Senatorial elections?

Among the 24 men and women whom they rewarded with Senate seats were five movie and media personalities. One of these Senators has had a previous brush with the law on corruption issues and now wears a PDL (person deprived of liberty) uniform.

Is the backand-forth in the Senate leadership a temporary phenomenon, or is it here to stay?

They also elected two men who were very close associates of former President Rodrigo Duterte. Both were named by the International Criminal Court (ICC) as coconspirators in Mr. Duterte’s war on illegal drugs, which the ICC has determined to be a crime against humanity. To avoid being served an ICC warrant of arrest, one of the Senators has gone into hiding. The other is awaiting his own ICC warrant of arrest.

The Filipino people also elected to the Senate two pairs of siblings who are prime examples of the system of political dynasties in this country. All four Senators are avowed allies of the Duterte family. The corporations of one of the pairs of siblings have a record of alleged unsound business practice and are currently facing charges before a regulatory agency.

They also elected to the Senate a man who was accused, on the basis of strong evidence, of having committed fraud in a previous Senatorial election against a fellow- candidate. The voters likewise elected to the Senate a person who is known to enjoy the support of one of the politically active religious sects in this country and faithfully protects the sect’s political interests.

They also gave a Senate seat to a man not known for having political scruples, as evidenced by the charge that he is now facing before the authorities for a violation of the Omnibus Election Act.

In addition, they elected an individual who has a record of espousing headlinegrabbing causes and raising issues of a controversial nature.

These men and women comprise the majority of the senators who the Filipino people chose in 2022 and 2025 elections. When they cast their ballots for Senators in those elections, the voters did so on the basis of sufficient information. Even before the start of the 90-day campaign period they were already well informed about the candidates of the major parties — their backgrounds, their qualifications, their achievements, their flaws and their affiliations. The voters knew all of these things about the Senatorial candidates and they chose the 24 men and women who comprise today’s messy Senate. Because they filled up their 2022 and 2025 ballots with their eyes wide open, the current cursing and hand-wringing of this country’s voters are suggestive of an inability to discern the connection between the choices one makes and the consequences of those actions. A voter must know what kind of Senate he will get when he casts his vote for men and women who have problems with the law, know little about governance and public administration, have a record of rabid partisanship or don’t have a high regard for public service. Put together 24 of such men and women and you get a Senate like the Senate of today. This brings us back to the title of this column. The current Senate mess has many disturbing aspects, but one disturbing aspect stands out above all the others. That aspect relates to the life-span of the current Senate turmoil. Is the current instability a glitch in the life of Congress’ upper chamber, or is the Senate loomed to have an unstable future? Is the back-and-forth in the Senate leadership a temporary phenomenon, or is it here to stay? Unless there are far-reaching changes in this country’s political/electoral structure — the party system, the demographics and the capability to enforce laws related to the qualifications of candidates and financing of electoral campaigns — the answers to these questions are, sadly, negative.

(llagasjessa@yahoo.com)

Geopolitical uncertainty drags down local shares by 100 points

By Jenniffer B. Austria

LOCAL

shares dropped by more than 100 points Monday but managed to stay above the 6,000 level due to uncertainty surrounding US-Iran peace negotiations.

The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange Index declined 100.33 points, or 1.63 percent, to close at 6,035.02, while the broader all shares index fell 39.69 points, or 1.17 percent, to 3,341.08.

The peso slid to 61.123 versus the US dollar on Monday from 60.775 on June 19, 2026.

Iran reported that it has closed the Strait of Hormuz again, citing a failure by the U.S. to prevent Israel from attacking Lebanon. Following

“PSEi underperformed regional peers and closed near session lows of 6,018 as uncertainty over U.S.Iran negotiations and as a fourth day of peso weakness to P61.1 weighed on sentiment,” AB Capital Securities said.

the closure, US President Donald Trump threatened military action against Iran. Among the sectors, only holding firms ended in positive territory, rising 0.58 percent. The rest declined, led by services, which shed 3.91 percent, followed by industrials, which slipped 1.98 percent. Both the mining and oil and the financials sectors fell 0.68 percent, while property dipped 0.35 percent. Trading was active, with value turnover reaching P8.42 billion, PLDT Inc. was the day’s top index gainer, climbing 4.46 percent to P1,148 after its data center unit filed for a P24.2 billion initial public offering. With AFP

By Othel V. Campos

THE Philippine Fisheries Development Authority approved $1.6 billion worth of infrastructure projects to modernize fisheries facilities, strengthen food distribution and support the government’s food security agenda.

Agriculture Secretary and PFDA board chairman Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. approved the initiatives, which include upgrading the Navotas Fish Port Complex and constructing a modern fish port in San Vicente, Palawan. The projects also cover the rehabilitation and upgrading of

market halls 1 and 2 under phase 3 of the modernization program and phase 2 of the shipyard development project.

PFDA acting general-manager Glen Pangapalan said the upgrades will expand the Navotas complex by nearly 25 hectares, directly benefiting

IN BRIEF

DA supports shift to 5% coco-diesel

(DOE) after the Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries–National Sectoral Committee on Coconut approved Resolution No. 03, Series of 2026. Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) administrator Dexter Buted gave the measure full backing, noting that it could provide a significant boost to the coconut industry, which supports millions of Filipino livelihoods.

The expanded biodiesel blend is expected to increase farm-gate prices and raise incomes for an estimated 2.5 million to 3.5 million coconut farmers. Higher demand for coconut methyl ester (CME) will also create jobs, maximize existing production capacity and generate greater value for the coconut sector.

“This is more than a step toward meeting international standards. It is an investment in the future of millions of Filipino farmers, workers, and families who depend on the coconut industry,” Tiu Laurel said. Othel V. Campos

DITO launches silent authentication service

DITO Telecommunity Corp. has rolled out a new carrier-native user verification service developed with global authentication infrastructure provider Shush Inc. to combat rising digital fraud. The launch establishes DITO as the first telecommunications operator in the Philippines to offer a commercially available, unified solution for mobile identity verification.

Dubbed DITO Verified, the service confirms a user’s identity within 1 to 4 seconds when they open a digital platform using DITO mobile data.

By Darwin G. Amojelar

DIGITAL payment transactions processed through Philippine clearing houses PESONet and InstaPay surged 44.4 percent to P13.2 trillion in the first five months of 2026, led by an exponential rise in transfer volumes, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) data showed. Total transactions reached P9.13 trillion in the same January-to-May period last year, according to the latest figures. Combined transaction volumes climbed to 3.48 billion transfers from 1.21 billion a year earlier. The sharp increase reflects accelerating digital adoption in the country, split across two distinct electronic fund transfer frameworks regulated by the BSP. InstaPay facilitates real-time

The system executes a silent cryptographic exchange directly between DITO’s network and the device’s SIM card. Because the network transmits no passcode or SMS, fraudsters cannot intercept, steal, or exploit data through social engineering.

DITO chief commercial officer Adel Tamano said the technology targets vulnerabilities in older security protocols.

“Fraudsters today exploit weaknesses in legacy authentication methods. With DITO Verified, verification happens directly through the DITO mobile network—there is nothing for a scammer to steal,” Tamano said.

“This is our commitment: to make the DITO SIM the most secure mobile identity in Philippine digital banking,” he said. Darwin G. Amojelar

Asiabest infuses $1.2m into construction unit

ASIABEST Group International Inc. approved an additional capital infusion of $1.2 million for wholly owned subsidiary ABG Modular Development Corp. to fund its expansion and tap growing demand for modular building in the Philippines.

The investment raises ABG Modular’s total subscribed capital to P71.3 million.

The Asiabest board also approved plans to increase the subsidiary’s authorized capital stock to P264.7 million from P86.5 million to support future growth.

The subsidiary designs, manufactures and deploys prefabricated concrete modular structures for education, housing, tourism and community development projects. It will use the fresh capital to purchase production equipment, adopt automation technologies, set up housing demonstration projects and fund working capital requirements.

ABG Modular works closely with precast concrete manufacturer Concrete Stone Corp.

“ABG Modular represents a major step in ABG’s transformation into a vertically integrated supply, logistics and manufacturing platform,” Asiabest investor relations officer Jan Michael Lim said. Othel V. Campos

consumer payments for lower amounts, while PESONet processes batch payments designed for higher-value or scheduled business transactions.

InstaPay transactions led the growth in value, jumping 61.5 percent to P6.56 trillion from P4.06 trillion the previous year. The platform’s transaction volume nearly tripled, climbing to 3.43 billion from 1.16 billion in 2025.

PESONet transaction values rose 30.7 percent to P6.62 trillion from P5.06 trillion in 2025. Its volume grew 12.6 percent to 52.5 million from 46.7 million transfers a year ago. For May alone, combined fund transfers reached P2.79 trillion, up 41 percent from P1.98 trillion in May last year. Monthly volume more than doubled to 761.4 million from 369 million.

30,000 to 50,000 individuals during peak operations.

“Millions more in Metro Manila depend on the reliable supply of fresh fish from this 50-year-old fish port,” Pangapalan said.

The Navotas fish port shipyard project is due for completion in December, while phase 3 of the modernization program is targeted for completion in June next year.

Tiu Laurel said the Navotas complex could also evolve into a trading hub for agricultural products.

“We already have the buyers here. If producers from places like Lubang can bring their products directly to Navotas, we can shorten the supply chain, reduce logistics costs, and

improve returns for producers,” Tiu Laurel said.

To further expand the site, Tiu Laurel called for the upgrading of Navotas fish port market halls 3 to 7, improvements to roads and parking facilities and the construction of a welcome center.

Scheduled for completion in 2028, the San Vicente fish port will improve fish handling, trading and postharvest operations in Palawan.

The port is expected to directly benefit more than 2,000 people and indirectly support over 20,000 others across the fisheries value chain, particularly municipal fisherfolk in northern and western Palawan and the West Philippine Sea.

By Alena Mae S. Flores

during week 21 but peaked at only 2,775 MW. Despite the lower-than-expected consumption, Marasigan said the Visayas grid remains under a yellow alert because of the outage of large power plants. Yellow alerts indicate thin power reserves.

“We are still waiting for the return of three more big plants. This is Therma Visayas Incorporated Units 1 and 2 and PEDC Unit 3. The KEPCO Project Unit 3 of 100 megawatts returned the other day,” Marasigan said.

DoubleDragon set to open 519-room Davao hotel in July

By Jenniffer B. Austria

DOUBLEDRAGON Corp. will open Hotel101-Davao on July 30 a 519-room property that will become the largest hotel in Mindanao as the listed property developer expands its hospitality business.

The company said in a disclosure to the stock exchange the hotel sits on a 5,384-square-meter site along Eco West Drive in Davao City, near SM City Davao. The property will feature an all-day dining restaurant, fitness gym, swimming pool, function and conference rooms and a helipad.

The launch aligns with a broader push to expand the Hotel101 brand, which the company identifies as a primary source of recurring revenues alongside its community malls, industrial warehouses and office leasing assets.

DoubleDragon expects to open a total of 2,229 hotel rooms across four Hotel101 properties this year. The portfolio includes the recently opened 680-room Hotel101-Madrid in Spain, the 519-room Hotel101-Davao, the 548-room Hotel101-Cebu and the 482room Hotel101-Niseko in Hokkaido, Japan, which will open in December. Hotel101-Madrid, the brand’s first overseas venture, began generating recurring revenues when it opened in March.

DoubleDragon noted that the European location recently recorded full occupancy and generated more than 100,000 euros in revenue in

A UNIT of Mitsubishi Power has signed a long-term parts and services agreement for the 1,200-megawatt Ilijan combined-cycle power plant in Batangas province. Under the agreement, Mitsubishi Power’s Philippine after-sales arm, MHI Power (Philippines) Plant Services Corp. (MHI-PSC), will provide critical parts and services to the plant’s M501G gas turbines. The contract covers hot parts and spare parts supply, repair works and technical advisory services to ensure operational reliability for the facility.

The Ilijan facility is operated by South Premiere Power Corp. (SPPC), a corporate unit of LNGPH. LNGPH is an integrated liquefied natural gas import and regasification terminal and gas-to-power complex with a total installed capacity of 2.5 gigawatts,

supporting the Luzon grid.

LNGPH represents the joint investments of San Miguel Global Power Holdings Corp and Chromite Gas Holdings Inc, which is a joint venture between Meralco PowerGen Corp. and Aboitiz-owned Therma Natgas Power Inc. The contract marks the latest milestone for Mitsubishi Power at Ilijan, having originally supplied the gas turbines to the power plant in 2002. Mitsubishi Power currently supplies more than 25 percent of the total installed capacity in the Philippines.

“Over the past two decades, the SPPC facility, with the steadfast support of Mitsubishi Power, has been a key source of reliable power for the Luzon grid,” LNGPH president and chief executive Yari Miralao said. Alena Mae S. Flores

SUPPORT FOR OFWS. The Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) teams up with GCash, the country’s leading finance super app and largest cashless ecosystem,

to strengthen support for overseas Filipinos and returning migrants, particularly those who come home without a steady source of income. Shown during the signing of the agreement are (from left) GCash head of international transfers Julie Anne Abalos, chief regulatory officer Cef Sison, GCash International general manager Arjun Varma, Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) chairperson Dante Ang II, executive director V Arlene Borja and supervising emigrant services officer Janet Ramos.

HOSPITALITY PROFESSIONALS. Newport World Resorts continues to strengthen pathways to employment for aspiring hospitality professionals through its education arm, the Academy for Leisure & Tourism (ALT). The academy marked another milestone with the graduation of its fourth batch of Food and Beverage Service students and the pilot batch of the enhanced work immersion program.

ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABILITY

QUEZON City’s real-time calamity monitoring and disaster resilience platform IRISE UP won the Frontline Protection Award at the Planet Aqua City Awards during the Venice Climate Week in Italy.

Mayor Joy Belmonte said the award places Quezon City among a select group of cities worldwide recognized for initiating programs that protect vulnerable communities from the growing impacts of climate change.

“This award reflects the hard work of the city government and our partners in developing innovative solutions that place the safety and welfare of our people at the center of climate action,” she said in a statement last week.

The IRISE UP (Intelligent, Resilient, and Integrated Systems for the Urban Population) project is a technology-driven platform that uses

3 climate threats affect nearly half the world’s children—UN

Drought, extreme heat and heatwaves are the most prevalent trio of hazards endangering millions of children globally, warned a newly released climate report by the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

About 1.1 billion children now face at least three overlapping climate hazards, threatening their health, education and survival, according to the Children’s Climate Risk Report 2026. “The lives of children continue to be upended by the impact of heatwaves, wildfires, droughts and floods,” said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell. “Half of the world’s children are now living with

at least three overlapping climate threats shaping their daily lives.”

Overlapping threats

For the first time, the report revealed exactly where and how intense, multiple and overlapping climate threats are affecting children and the essential social services they rely on and how governments can take concrete actions to respond. Almost every child in the world

faces at least one climate hazard while more than four million could face as many as six overlapping threats, warned the report, which used the latest available data to map children’s exposure to the eight most frequent climate threats, including coastal floods, droughts, extreme heat, fires, heatwaves, riverine floods and sand, dust and tropical storms.

More than 296 million children are living in areas exposed to all three conditions, according to the findings. The second most common combination―drought, extreme heat and tropical storms―leaves more than 115

million children worldwide exposed to these overlapping threats.

Air pollution affects nearly every child globally

In addition to the eight most frequent climate hazards, the report analyzed children’s exposure to air pollution and malaria, which are two risks highly sensitive to the effects of climate change. Data showed that air pollution affects nearly every child globally, while one billion children are exposed to malaria, adding another layer of danger for children already facing multiple climate hazards. UN News

artificial intelligence, real-time monitoring systems and environmental data to help communities prepare for and respond to climate-related hazards.

It was developed through the QC Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (QCDRRMO), integrating a vast network of automated weather stations, flood sensors and the institutionalized reporting system in the communities.

“The platform transforms meteorological and environmental data into localized, impact-based alerts across the city’s 142 barangays, enabling authorities to implement targeted preparedness measures and preemptive evacuations before disasters occur,” the city government said.

QCDRRMO head Ma. Bianca Diamante received the award on behalf of the city government.

Marita Moaje/PNA

BPI Director BanKo Inc. (BanKo), the micro-finance arm of the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), and Jollibee Group Foundation (JGF), the social development arm of the Jollibee Group, continue to strengthen their partnership to support Filipino onion farmers through accessible and sustainable financing under the Foundation’s Farmers Entrepreneurship Program (FEP). The collaboration aims to help improve farmers’ productivity, increase their income, and create long-term growth opportunities for local farming communities.

Under BanKo’s Farmer Financing Program, eligible borrowers must be Filipino farmers aged 23 to 67 upon loan maturity, own a mobile phone, and have no adverse credit bureau record.

Applicants must also be members of a cooperative or association that has served as a supplier of Jollibee Group for at least two consecutive years.

Farmers supported by JGF’s FEP can access financing solutions tailored to the unique needs of smallholder farmers, enabling them to purchase seeds, fertilizers, equipment and other essential farm inputs, as well as support land preparation and harvesting activities.

Philippines successfully released 146 sea turtle hatchlings into open waters recently, bringing the total number of turtles nurtured through the program to 4,261 over the years.

Each release represents a meaningful step toward supporting the growth of the species in Batangas and maintaining balance within the local marine ecosystem.

This milestone is part of Caltex’s sustained commitment to environmental stewardship, anchored in nearly two decades of coastal cleanup initiatives along its Batangas terminal.

Two of Three parts

“THE good news is that as renewable energy prices fall, clean energy is making more and more financial sense,” says Hongpeng Lei, Chief of the Climate Mitigation Branch of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP). “Solar and wind power are now the cheapest sources of new electricity generation—we’re reaching a positive tipping point and the clean energy revolution is now irreversible.”

As the government of Azerbaijan has made clear, the country’s renewables push is about diversifying its energy production, not pivoting away from fossil fuels.

But while there are no plans to stop exploiting Azerbaijan’s still-rich oil and gas reserves, renewable energy is an increasingly important part of the country’s energy strategy.

“In our general national energy security policy, renewables are an important factor,” says Mammadov. “Implementing this project is not weakening our energy policy—it’s advantageous for Azerbaijan and for our climate goals.”

One of the country’s largest renewable energy players is SOCAR. Through its subsidiary, SOCAR Green, the company has partnered with foreign companies to build and operate several solar power plants and wind farms.

“I think it will be extremely beneficial to diversify our core activities,” explains Abdullayev, the firm’s deputy vice president. “Our direction is to become an energy company, rather than an oil and gas company, and part of that vision is to increase the portion of our activities that are renewable.”

By maintaining cleaner, more protected coastal environments, Caltex continues to support conditions where marine life can thrive.

Caltex’s annual coastal cleanup program reflects its broader approach to sustainability and responsible operations.

Beyond its role as an energy provider, the company remains committed to initiatives that advance environmental protection while contributing to the long-term well-being of host communities across the Philippines.

There is one key reason for that, he says. “It’s in the name. Renewables are the future. Sooner or later fossil fuels will be decreasing but with renewables it’s another story.”

Spinning turbines and gleaming panels

The government of Azerbaijan is offering a raft of incentives to develop renewable energy projects in the country. Those include tax breaks for projects valued at up to 30 million manat (around US$17.7 million) and renewable energy facilities with installed capacity of over 100 megawatts. Over the past several years these efforts have been paying off, with some of the region’s most significant renewable energy installations already installed near the

By combining market access opportunities with timely financial support, the partnership helps farmers expand production, meet quality standards, improve yields and access stable markets such as the Jollibee Group.

“Through this initiative with Jollibee Group Foundation, we continue to strengthen our commitment to supporting Filipino farmers by providing accessible and sustainable financing solutions tailored to their needs,” said BanKo president Rod Mabiasen Jr.

To date, the collaboration has already supported over 200 farmers, with aggregate loan releases amounting to P24.8 million across key agricultural areas such as San Jose, Nueva Ecija, Tagudin, Ilocos Sur, and Candon, Ilocos Sur.

Children in Thailand are enduring extremely hot temperatures and drought. UNICEF/Sukhum Preechapanich

Children play football in southern Bangladesh in an area devastated by cyclones. UNICEF/Vlad Sokhin

CALTEX

Olive Ridley sea turtle hatchlings emerge at the Caltex Batangas Terminal.

These efforts have helped transform sections of the shoreline into safer nesting grounds for Olive Ridley sea turtles—a species increasingly threatened by illegal trade and plastic pollution.

TUESDAY, JUNE 23, 2026 lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com NICKIE WANG,

Angelica Panganiban

ABS-CBN Studios and Prime Video’s mystery-thriller series The Silent Noise won Best Asian Content at the Global OTT Awards 2026 held in South Korea on June 20.

The 10-episode limited series beat entries from Thailand, Japan, China, and Taiwan, marking the Philippines’ first win in the Best Asian Content category.

Director Onat Diaz accepted the award on behalf of the production and thanked the award-giving body and the team behind the series.

“Winning this award will be very meaningful and encouraging for our team in the Philippines because it reaffirms our belief of fearlessly telling our stories with much passion, and create genuine interactions with our audiences that will cut across borders in different territories,” Diaz said in his acceptance speech.

Lead actress Angelica Panganiban was also nominated in the Best Lead Actor (Female) category, alongside nominees from China, Japan, and South Korea.

The Global OTT Awards honors streaming platforms, creators, and programs across drama, variety, and music, with 14 competitive categories and five invitational categories.

The Silent Noise, a collaboration between ABSCBN Studios and Prime Video, also stars Zanjoe Marudo, Mylene Dizon, Zaijian Jaranilla, Mutya Orquia, and child actor KD Omalin

The series posted strong viewership following its March release and is available on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories.

SHOWBIZ

Angeli Khang returns with live show after months on hiatus

By Jasper Valdez

AFTER months of keeping a lower profile, Angeli Khang is stepping back into the scene with a live show that leans into the daring image that made her one of VMX’s most recognizable stars.

The actress, dubbed the “VMX Queen,” is set to headline All In: An Angeli Khang Exclusive on June 24 at Viva Café, where she is expected to perform before fans and supporters.

“Parang bago ulit,” she said, adding that she felt “calm” and “happy” as

prepared for the event.

For the show, Angeli steps out of her usual screen work to perform live onstage, joined by Yasmin Alba, Sahara Bernales, Sandra dela Cruz, and Raya Llorin

Asked about her preparations, Angeli said the show would include “singing” and “dancing.”

The actress said the show gives her a chance to try something outside the work people usually associate with her.

“Doing all of this is part of me. Learning new things,” she said.

Angeli, whose last project was Mandirigma, also reflected on what she learned during her time away from the limelight. She said the break gave her space to understand herself better.

“It’s a journey. I think until now, I’m still learning,” she said.

At 24, Angeli said she does not see herself as someone who has already figured everything out.

“I can say right now, I’m still 24. Still a lot to learn,” she said.

The actress also said she became “a more empathetic person” and is now focused on improving herself instead of paying attention to issues around her. When asked about rumors that surfaced during her short departure from showbiz, Angeli kept her answer brief.

“It’s not worth my time,” she said. She added that she would rather focus on herself, her family, her growth, and her values.

“I have a lot of things to figure out. I want to be the best version of myself,” she said.

For now, Angeli said her focus is on doing the work and improving as she returns before an audience.

“Enjoy pa rin. Enjoy lagi,” she said. “I will try my best to learn more and give it my best.”

Angeli Khang steps back into the spotlight with a stage show that lets her move beyond her usual screen roles

DISNEY’S Toy Story 5 romped to the best opening weekend of the year, raking in $160 million in North America, industry estimates showed Sunday, a record for the much-loved Pixar franchise.

The sequel, which debuted over Father’s Day weekend, features Woody the cowboy, Buzz Lightyear, and their gang of toys fighting for survival against competition from technology, particularly a tablet.

Toy Story 5 , which returns with Tom Hanks , Tim Allen , and Joan Cusack voicing key characters, opened on 4,425 screens across the United States and Canada over the weekend, Exhibitor Relations’ estimates showed.

Runner-up in the weekend box office take was the Steven Spielberg-directed sci-fi thriller Disclosure Day , which debuted the previous weekend.

With an ensemble cast led by Emily Blunt and Josh O’Connor, the action-packed Universal film follows an effort to reveal a decades-long cover-up of extraterrestrial

visitations.

It brought in an estimated $17 million, lifting its total to $78.2 million, according to estimates.

In third place was Focus Features’ indie horror hit Obsession , which took in another $14 million in its sixth week out for a total domestic haul of $215.8 million, data showed.

A24’s horror film Backrooms remained in fourth place with $7.3 million, taking its domestic total to $175 million in its fourth week out.

Coming in fifth was Paramount’s Scary Movie , a reboot of the parody franchise, earning $6.7 million in its third week out.

Rounding out the top 10 were Masters of the Universe with $5.6 million, followed by Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu with $3.9 million. Debuting in eighth place was Leviticus with $2.7 million, while The Death of Robin Hood opened with $2.6 million. Completing the list was Michael , which earned $2.2 million. AFP

ALTERNATIVE pop-rock trio Let Gravity has released a new single, “Kay Bilis ng Panahon,” which reflects on the passage of time and family bonds.

The band is composed of Donne Santos (bass, vocals), Jad Delavega (guitars), and Miguel “Ige” Torres (drums). Since forming, it has focused on emotionally driven songwriting based on personal experiences.

Let Gravity said its earlier releases explored themes of hope, resilience and everyday life struggles. Its previous single, “Kwento ng Buhay,” was received for its relatable storytelling and message of encouragement.

The new track, released under Flamingo Music, centers on memories from childhood to adulthood and the role of parents in shaping life experiences. It highlights themes of gratitude, guidance, and family

support, including reflections on fathers and their sacrifices.

The song also explores the experience of children growing up and the emotions tied to memory and time spent with family.

Musically, “Kay Bilis ng Panahon” draws influence from OPM acts such as After Image and Neocolors, blending nostalgic elements with alternative pop-rock.

The band said the release reflects its continued development as a group, balancing storytelling with a three-piece arrangement. Let Gravity plans to release more music and continue live performances, with a fulllength album in development.

It will hold a single launch event, “Kumusta na? Kaya Pa,” on June 30 at Unknown 13 Pub in Katipunan, with performances from EL Rona, Better Days, and Walking With Genesis

Jessie, Buzz Lightyear, and Woody return in ‘Toy Story 5’

From left: Yasmin Alba, Sahara Bernales, Angeli Khang, Raya Llorin, and Sandra dela Cruz come together for a live performance built around music, movement, and fan connection on hiatus.

Star City’s STARtista Gallery gets mixed reactions from netizens

By Nickie Wang

STAR City has unveiled a new attraction featuring a gallery of resin statues of Filipino personalities, drawing mixed reactions online from visitors, content creators, and members of the art community.

The STARtista Gallery of Filipino Personalities opened to the public on Friday, showcasing what the park described as hyperrealistic resin statues of Filipino icons designed to offer an interactive, photo-friendly experience.

Photos of the exhibit quickly circulated online, with some social media users questioning the likeness and finish of several figures. Others compared the display to wax figure attractions such as Madame Tussauds, while some used “expectations vs. reality” memes to highlight perceived differences between the statues and their real-life counterparts.

Some commenters said the figures resembled statues commonly seen in amusement parks and resorts, while others noted that certain works appeared less detailed than expected.

Members of the art community also weighed in. Some suggested the execution could be improved, while others defended the project, saying budget constraints often affect large-scale installations and final output.

The gallery was opened by Lisa MacujaElizalde, wife of Star City founder Fred J. Elizalde, who was also present at the launch. Macuja-Elizalde is among the featured figures in the exhibit and is positioned near the entrance.

“This project began as the vision of my husband Fred. He wanted to create a space where guests could celebrate Filipino talent in a fresh, engaging, and highly shareable

way,” she said.

“It is important for young people to have role models and to be inspired by their accomplishments. I think it is really nice to see three-dimensional statues. It can motivate and inspire young people,” she added.

Actress Ara Mina also expressed support for the exhibit, saying, “At least yung mga Filipino na walang way na pumunta sa ibang bansa, merong tayong ganito na pwede nilang bisitahin ,” she said while standing beside her statue.

The opening event was attended by celebrities, including Maui Taylor and Gladys Reyes , who gladly had their photos taken beside their statues, and Bayani Agbayani , who is set to have his own statue added to the gallery.

Figures currently on display include Manila Mayor Isko Moreno , couple Richard Gomez and Lucy Torres-Gomez,

Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz, billiards champion Efren “Bata” Reyes

comedian Michael V. , and actresses Angel Aquino, Rhian Ramos, Rica Peralejo, Diana Zubiri , and Rufa Gutierrez

Younger personalities featured include Wilbert Ross, Bea Binene, and Ashtine Olvig a. Also included are Pops Fernandez, Paolo Contis, Django Bustamante, and Michael Flores

A Star City official said additional statues, including one of the late King of Comedy Dolphy , are planned for future installation.

FILIPINO craftsmanship and innovation were on display at the Department of Trade and Industry’s Tatak Pinoy Expo 2026 held at the SMX Convention Center Manila, where leading local brands showcased a wide range of Philippine-made products and services aimed at strengthening the country’s global competitiveness.

Among the participating companies was Tanduay, which showcased its Filipino heritage, craftsmanship, and premium rum portfolio as part of the government-led push to promote locally made products on the global stage.

“As a brand that represents 172 years of history, our participation in the Tatak Pinoy Expo 2026 reflects our Filipino pride,” said Tanduay special projects

head

the event to present its

brand rooted in Philippine heritage.

“It was also an opportunity to align ourselves with the national push to put Filipino industries on the global map,” Pamfilo said. The Tatak Pinoy Expo supports the goals of the Tatak Pinoy Act, enacted in 2024, which seeks to improve the productivity and global competitiveness of Philippine industries, expand the production of higher-value products, and move up the global value chain. DTI Assistant Secretary for the Competitiveness and Innovation Group Nylah Rizza Bautista said the initiative highlights Filipino capability on a global scale.

“This expo is proof that Filipino excellence is already here in this room. Together, let us continue building industries

that are proudly Filipino, globally competitive, and built to create a better future for every Filipino. Tatak Pinoy: Built for the World,” she said.

Pamfilo said the expo aligns with Tanduay’s 2026 growth and international expansion plans.

“This year is a significant year for Tanduay in terms of international expansion. We have been building momentum through global competitions, most recently winning at the Proof Awards 2025 and the International Spirits Competition by Enthusiast Report Magazine,” she said.

She added that participation in government-led initiatives reinforces the brand’s global positioning.

“We are not just exporting products, but exporting Filipino excellence,” she said.

Tanduay also mounted an interactive booth featuring Filipino-inspired cocktails prepared by guest bartenders Amor De Guzman and Jesus Emmanuel Pardillo of AKA day/night drinks, alongside house bartender Jake Alano. Visitors also took part in games and activities, including claw machines with prizes.

The brand highlighted its premium rums, including Tanduay Reserve Rum 10 Years, Tanduay Overproof, Tanduay Double Rum, Especia Spiced Rum, and Tanduay Asian Rum Gold and Silver.

“These products represent the full range of what Tanduay can do, from aged sipping rums to bold overproof expressions,” Pamfilo said.

Tanduay, named World’s No. 1 Rum by Drinks International for eight consecutive years, said it continues to focus on craftsmanship, quality, and international expansion.

Pamfilo said the brand’s 170-year heritage remains central to its identity as it expands its global presence.

Tanduay traces its

Lucy Torres (left) and Richard Gomez

Rufa Gutierrez Maui Taylor joins the launch of a new celebrity statue attraction that invites guests to interact with Filipino personalities’ likeness

Pops Fernandez

Ara Mina joins the launch of the celebrity statue attraction, highlighting a homegrown experience where guests can pose with lifelike figures of Filipino personalities

Gladys Reyes joins fellow celebrities at the opening of STARtista Gallery, a new photofriendly attraction that has become a talking point online

Olympic medalist Hidilyn Diaz is also featured in the gallery of stars

Django Bustamante (left) and Efren ‘Bata’ Reyes’

Michael Flores appears among the Filipino entertainers featured in the gallery as the park expands its lineup of local celebrity figures

Lisa Macuja-Elizalde

TUESDAY, JUNE 23, 2026

C4 LIFE

lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com

NICKIE WANG, Editor

ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer

JASPER VALDEZ, Writer

Why the Philippines is becoming the world’s top retirement choice for Americans

By Jasper Valdez

THE Department of Tourism is pushing Filipinos to explore more of the country with its new campaign, “Discover More to Love.”

Tourism Secretary Dita AngaraMathay said the campaign will focus first on domestic travel, with curated and discounted travelrelated packages from local tourism stakeholders, including hotels across the Philippines.

The campaign will not replace the DOT’s main branding, “Love the Philippines,” but will instead complement it by allowing tourists to shape their trips in their “own personal way.”

“(The thrust is) local muna , but hopefully, we will expand that to international,” Angara-Mathay said.

She added that young travelers, especially Gen Z, are part of the campaign’s target audience.

“Filipinos love to travel, especially Gen Z and others. It’s an adventure for them, and we want them to be a sounding board on what else we can do to improve,” she said.

Domestic travel remains a major force in Philippine tourism, generating at least P3.26 trillion in tourist spending last year, up 3 percent from P3.16 trillion in 2024.

The DOT is also working on new tour bundles to make travel to the Philippines more affordable and predictable.

By Nickie Wang

THE Philippines has been ranked the No. 1 retirement destination in the world in the Retirement Abroad Index 2026 by Expatriate Group, as more Americans and other foreign retirees look for lowercost living and long-term residency options abroad.

In a recent ranking by Expatriate Group, an international insurance provider, the Philippines ranked first for affordability, accessibility, visa conditions, and retiree-friendly lifestyle. The result comes as overseas retirement gains traction among Americans facing higher living costs at home.

The New York Post, in an article titled “Wanna get away — for good? Best country to retire abroad revealed — where the cost of living is more than 50% less than the US,” also named the Philippines as the top retirement destination for Americans. It said retirees are increasingly finding it difficult to afford retirement in the United States as inflation and living costs continue to rise, prompting more people to look overseas for more sustainable options.

“This recognition further strengthens the Philippines’ standing as a premier retirement destination,” said the

SM Hotels’ Lanson Place Mall of Asia wins

SM Hotels and Conventions Corp. (SMHCC) said its newest property by the bay, Lanson Place Mall of Asia, has won the Gold Award for Outstanding Architecture – Hotels/ Resorts (Project Outside of Hong Kong) at the Build4Asia 2026 Awards.

The awards program is among Asia’s platforms recognizing achievements in architecture, engineering, and construction innovation. SMHCC said the recognition underscores the hotel’s architectural design by Arquitectonica, which integrates form, function, environmental considerations, and guest experience.

The property features bronze metallic curtain wall panels and wave-like fins inspired by the movement of Manila Bay, creating a coastal design motif within the Mall of Asia complex in Pasay City.

“The award reflects our commitment to building hospitality destinations that are purposeful, future-ready, and centered on the evolving needs of our

and Conventions Corp.

Philippine Retirement Authority, headed by CEO and general manager Bob Zozobrado

The agency has been actively promoting the country as a retirement hub, focusing on its low cost of living, tropical climate, and hospitality, which it says offer foreign retirees a mix of cultural experiences and natural scenery.

A key part of that push is the Special Resident Retiree’s Visa, or SRRV, a special non-immigrant visa that allows eligible foreigners to enter and stay in the Philippines indefinitely, with multiple-entry privileges. The ranking comes as financial pressure continues