Manila Standard - 2026 July 6 - Monday

PBBM: I unmasked corrupt scheme; Diokno: President partly to blame

By Katrina Manubay and Jimbo Gulle

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. rejected claims linking him to anomalous flood control projects, noting that he practically blew the whistle on the

corruption schemes. “Did you see any past presidents do something like this? Did they imprison anyone? Did they freeze any accounts? Did they conduct any investigations? None,” he said in a press conference before leaving Canada.

1st day toward the truth: Impeachment trial begins

Prosecution, defense teams expect evidence-based verdict

By Maricel Cruz, Ram Superable, Katrina Manubay and Vince Lopez

THE start of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial today (Monday) is considered by many as the “first day toward the truth,” House prosecution panel spokesman and adviser Robert Ace Barbers said.

AND SO IT

30 for defense

Eala relishes opportunity to inspire others with victories Next page

senator-judges will “give their verdict based on the evidence.”

“Political noise has its limits. July 6 is the first day toward the truth. It is the beginning of the public hearing for truth and accountability. Let the process proceed,” Barbers said.

“We are confident with our own case, with our own defense…We also want to give judges the benefit of the doubt that their sworn oath is to be

politically neutral and to give their verdict based on the evidence,” said Duterte’s Defense spokesman Michael Poa.

‘Focus on the impeachment trial’ For his part, Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian expressed confidence that both majority and minority senators will participate to fulfill their duties as senator-judges with the start of the impeachment trial today.

By Jeremiah Sevilla

ALEXANDRA "Alex" Eala is relishing the rare opportunity to serve as an inspiration with her career-defining run in the Wimbledon Championships 2026. The Filipina tennis star showed

By Ram Superable and Maricel Cruz

• From July 6 to July 27: 2 p.m. on Mondays, • Tuesdays and Wednesdays

• After the SONA: 3 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays

• 17 common witnesses Trial Period:

Witnesses to be presented:

• 57 for the prosecution

• 45 for defense

Marcos open to banning more violent online games

By Katrina Manubay and Ram Superable

PRESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Saturday (Canada time) said his administration is open to banning more violent online games if evidence showed they contribute to

encouraging children to commit vio-

ada, Mr. Marcos disclosed that his administration is reviewing measures to address crimes involving minors.

“The problem is that I'm sure all of you have seen these games and how

Atin Ito marks WPS arbitral ruling win

By Rex Espiritu

SUBIC, Zambales—The Atin Ito Coalition and hundreds of fisherfolk from Zambales on Sunday launched a symbolic sea action to kick off the commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the Philippines’ landmark 2016 Arbitral

BEGINS. The Senate convenes today as an impeachment court to begin the trial of Vice President Sara Duterte. Lino

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Atty. Sheila Sison

Atty. Michael T. Poa

Rep. Leila De Lima

Rep. Gerville Luistro

MONDAY, JULY 6, 2026 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

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The trial will begin with opening statements and procedural rulings under an initial schedule of Mondays through Wednesdays at 2:00 p.m. until July 27, before shifting to Tuesdays through Thursdays at 3:00 p.m. after the State of the Nation Address within a capped 92-day evidentiary timeline.

Gatchalian said the proceedings must focus exclusively on the impeachment and not serve as a platform for separate legislative disputes or other political issues.

On the opening day, the impeachment court is expected to immediately address the status of a sealed Bureau of Internal Revenue green box containing the tax documents of Duterte and her husband, Manases Carpio. Senator Panfilo Lacson earlier said the “BIR Green Box” should be returned to the House prosecution team since the impeachment court cannot keep something that has yet to be admitted as evidence.

He added that under Sec. 71 of the National Internal Revenue Code,

Who’s...

From A1 through Wednesdays at 2:00 PM until July 27, before shifting to Tuesdays through Thursdays at 3:00 PM after the State of the Nation Address within a capped 92-day evidentiary timeline.

The House prosecution panel enters the impeachment trial prepared, steady and focused on presenting evidence before the Impeachment Court this week, trial spokespersons Robert Ace Barbers, Renee Co, and Zia Alonto Adiong said on the eve of the proceedings.

There are 26 members in the prosecution panel, 11 of whom are House prosecutors and 15 are private prosecutors.

At the helm of the prosecution side is Gerville Luistro of the Batangas 2nd District. Luistro, the lead prosecutor, is also the chairperson of the

Eala...

From A1 be able to inspire others," Eala said in a presser after clinching the historic victory that made her the first Filipino to reach the Round of 16 at Wimbledon.

"I try to be as authentic as I can, you know, I believe in being genuine. I believe in my values. So this exposure or platform that I have has really allowed me to self-reflect and become the best version of myself because I know that a lot of people look up to me," added the 21-year-old ace.

Indeed, Eala has been playing her best tennis so far at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, stringing together one remarkable win after another.

After taking down Mexico's Renata Zarazua (6-1, 6-2) and Australia's Maya Joint (3-6, 6-2, 6-0), the lefthanded Pinay pulled off the stunner over the six-time Polish Grand Slam winner Swiatek on the prestigious Center Court to mark her deepest run in a major yet.

Eala stressed the work she's putting in with her team and her family day in and day out has enabled her to come up with inspiring results.

"I think that day-to-day work and that work ethic is really what keeps me grounded and keeps me locked

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they're played, it desensitizes killing and violence. So it desensitizes the killing because it is just a game. You can kill as many as 50 people, it does not matter because they will eventually be revived. It desensitizes the kids that it's not really that big a deal to shoot somebody. And that's really for me the problem,” he said.

The President added that authorities are also studying the broader effects of social media and online content on children’s behavior, seeking expert input before deciding on proposals to lower the age of criminal responsibility.

“I'm not sure how that will work. We have to study it further. Our child psychologists, the surveys that are being done about the mental health of

opening the box containing the Vice President's tax records will need written authority from the President, upon the recommendation of the Bureau of Internal Revenue and Department of Finance.

VP Sara’s attendance

For his part, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Duterte's personal appearance at her impeachment trial would make it "much easier" to clarify the issues.

In a press briefing before leaving Canada, Mr. Marcos emphasized the decision ultimately rests with the accused and her legal team.

“It's really up to the accused whether or not they feel the need to appear. I guess the lawyers on the defense side will give their advice. It's not for me to say one way or the other,” he said.

“But of course, it would be much easier to get to the bottom of everything if you can speak to the accused directly,” he added.

Mr. Marcos said if he were in a similar situation, he would likely insist on appearing to respond to the accusations, even if advised against it by his legal team.

“I would probably myself, if it was

House Committee on Justice, which heard and decided on the impeachment complaints against Duterte.

The House prosecution panel includes Reps. Terry Ridon, Rodge Gutierrez, Ysabel Zamora, Lorenz Defensor, Chel Diokno, Leila de Lima, Arlene Bag-ao, Jonathan Keith Flores, Lordan Suan and Joel Chua.

They are backed by private lawyers from three law firms –PECABAR Law; Kapunan and Castillo Law Offices; and SALiGAL Law.

Among those joining the prosecution team is Marforth Fua, managing partner of PECABAR Law and former assistant presidential legal counsel under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.; veteran trial lawyer Lorna Kapunan, founder and senior partner of Kapunan and Castillo Law Offices and one of the country’s most recognized litigators; and Cebu-based lawyer Amando Virgil Ligutan, managing partner of SALiGAL Law and senior lecturer at the

in. I guess the responsibility or the effects or the impact that I have on other people and the inspiration that I can bring is a result of that work ethic," she said.

The world No. 32 and 29th seed Eala pointed out that while she wants to motivate the younger generation of athletes, she urges them to pave their own paths.

"But then again, I think the main message here is that I don't want them to look at me and say, 'I want to be the next Alex Eala.' I want them to look at me and say, 'Wow, I want to be the first me, and you know, I want to make my own path,'" she said.

Eala will aim to continue her dream run at Wimbledon when she takes on No. 17 Paolini for a breakthrough quarterfinal berth on Monday.

The Filipina sensation looks to stay locked in as she seeks to replicate her 6-1, 7-6 (7-5) victory against the Italian in the second round of the Dubai Tennis Championships last February.

"I think she (Paolini) is a great player. She is a great fighter especially. It was not an easy match in Dubai for me and it will not be an easy match here either," Eala said.

"Every match is a different story. So, I'm gonna do my best to prepare for that one and you know, focus all my energy on trying to improve and do better."

children, we have to study them,” he added.

“When it becomes clear that a certain game, or a category of games, is responsible for desensitizing our children to violence, then yes, I believe we should ban them. And we will ban them,” the President stated.

Regarding the proposals to lower the age of criminal liability, Mr. Marcos mentioned that the administration is carefully examining the issue.

He noted that any policy change should be based on expert assessments of whether children's behavior and judgment have been influenced by increased exposure to social media and online content.

The Chief Executive acknowledged that today's children may be influenced differently due to changes in their environment, including greater exposure to social media, although he emphasized that this has yet to be

me being accused, I would almost insist over the advice of lawyers, if they advise me not to appear, I would insist on appearing. Because I know I can answer, so let’s answer,” the President said.

Duterte, who earlier threatened there will be a "bloodbath" during her impeachment trial, will “attend, if necessary,” according to Poa.

Ahead of today’s trial, the Vice President posted on social media that she recently visited a church in Bogo City, Cebu last week.

She said she included in her prayers the return of former President Rodrigo Duterte to the Philippines and for the safety of all Filipinos, including those working and living abroad.

Witnesses: From Piattos to Xiaomi

The prosecution will present a total of 57 witnesses while 45 will be presented by the defense panel. Between both teams, there will be 17 common witnesses.

Among the witnesses for the defense are former senator Antonio Trillanes IV and Ramil Madriaga, who both accused the Vice President of misusing public funds and amassing unexplained wealth.

The defense said the hostile wit-

University of the Philippines College of Law.

Also joining the prosecution effort are PECABAR partners Erwin Matib and Justine Anne Lamarca and senior associate James Bryan Ibrahim Alih; Kapunan and Castillo senior partner Sonya Margarita Benemerito Castillo, junior partner Deanne Melissa Lorenzo-Singian, co-managing partner Bettina Zamora, and lawyer Lino Chris Kapunan.

A 16-member team of lawyers will represent Vice President Sara Duterte. Duterte’s legal team consists entirely of private practitioners, mostly coming from Fortun, Narvasa & Salazar Law Office.

Leading the defense is Atty. Sheila Sison, a veteran litigator who has been practicing law for 12 years. Among the members of the legal team, Attys. Gregorio Narvasa II and Philip Sigfrid Fortun who each have more than four decades of legal experience.

Other members of the Vice Presi-

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Ruling, forming the colors of the Philippine flag and the words “WPS, ATIN ITO!” using nearly 80 fishing boats.

Joined by around 250 fisherfolk, the activity also renewed calls for the government to declare July 12 as National West Philippine Sea Victory Day.

Organized in partnership with the New Masinloc Fishermen Association, the Subic Commercial Fishers Association and the Samahan ng Cabangaan-3 Fishermen’s Unity, the movement celebrated the country’s historic 2016 Arbitral Ruling victory while reaffirming their peaceful but resolute stand against the continuing harassment and aggression of China in their traditional fishing grounds.

“While we celebrate the 10th anniversary of this historic triumph, let us reaffirm our commitment for our beloved West Philippine Sea. Our victory in the Arbitral Ruling is important, but the fight is not yet over. While the encroachment and intervention of China in our waters persisted, we will sustain our stand and fight for our rights,” said Leonardo Cuaresma, president of the New Masinloc Fishermen Association.

Atin Ito co-convenor Rafaela David called on President Ferdinand Marcos

conclusively established.

Earlier, the Philippine National Police (PNP) expressed support for lowering the age of criminal responsibility following a deadly shooting at a public high school in Tacloban City that resulted in three students being killed and 20 others injured.

Malacañang Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro stated that the government is exploring amendments to Republic Act No. 9344, also known as the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006, to address the increase in violent crimes involving minors.

During a Senate panel hearing on the role of online gaming platforms in exposing minors to violent content and harmful online communities, Senator Risa Hontiveros stated that she has identified a potential “adult groomer” of student-gunmen in connection with the deadly shooting in-

nesses will "disprove the Articles of Impeachment, show that the allegations are legal conclusions, identify relevant documents, and clarify related issues."

On the other hand, witnesses for the prosecution include “Mary Grace Piattos,” who was linked to investigations into alleged misuse of confidential funds, whom the Philippine Statistics Authority said is not in their record.

Other witnesses listed include Xiaomi Ocho, Kokoy Villamin, and Milky Secuya.

The Articles of Impeachment allege that Duterte misused P612.5 million in confidential funds during her tenure as Vice President and Education Secretary, amassed billions of pesos in unexplained wealth, bribed Department of Education personnel, and publicly threatened the President, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.

The House impeached Duterte on May 11 after 257 lawmakers endorsed the verified complaint accusing her of betrayal of public trust, culpable violation of the Constitution, graft and corruption, and other high crimes.

dent’s defense team are lawyers Kristine Ferrer, Carlo Joaquin Narvasa, Justin Nicol Gular, David Ronell Golla VII, Lindon Miguel Bacquel, Karol Grace Oroceo, Clarlaine Radoc, Francesca Marie Flores, Miguel Carlos Fernandez, Mark Vinluan, Ralph Bodota, and Roberto Batungbacal.

In May, Duterte’s defense spokesperson, Atty. Michael Poa, told Bilyonaryo News Channel that a key part of their defense is making their arguments clear and understandable to the public, highlighting the importance of public comprehension alongside legal proceedings.

He stressed that a large part of their strategy is presenting arguments in a way that the public can easily understand.

Poa emphasized the need to shape public perception of the vice president, noting that beyond the legal issues, she also needs to win in the “court of public opinion.”

Jr. to issue an order declaring July 12 of every year as National West Philippine Sea Victory Day, saying the country must institutionalize the commemoration of one of its greatest diplomatic victories while honoring the fisherfolk and frontliners who continue to defend the nation’s maritime rights.

“July 12 is more than a date in our history, it is a reminder that truth, international law, and the courage of the Filipino people prevailed. Declaring it as National West Philippine Sea Victory Day will help preserve this victory in our national memory, strengthen public awareness and education, and ensure that future generations are equipped to reject disinformation and defend what is rightfully ours,” said David, who is also president of Akbayan Party.

The movement marked the opening of Atin Ito’s week-long commemoration of the ruling’s 10th anniversary, culminating on July 12.

On July 10, Atin Ito will join diplomats, legal luminaries, government leaders, and journalists in a forum organized by the Stratbase Institute.

On July 12, Atin Ito leaders will participate in a West Philippine Sea parade in Puerto Princesa alongside the provincial government of Palawan and the people of the municipality of Kalayaan.

The week, the coalition will also recognize local government units that have passed resolutions declaring July 12 as West Philippine Sea Victory Day.

cident at the Tacloban school on June 22, although she clarified that her findings are still preliminary.

Gatchalian’s push coincides with the celebration of National Schools Safety Month and aims to stop groups from using social media and gaming applications to target youth.

"We want to cooperate with the DOJ, through the Senate Committee on Women, to draft that specific law because the problem could still get worse," he said.. Earlier this year, authorities thwarted a planned school attack in Laguna involving seven minors linked to the mobile game Roblox while recently a violent sandbox game called GoreBox influenced two minors involved in a school shooting in Tacloban.

"There is a need to create a specific law against NVE, against the online grooming of children, and against the brainwashing that pushes them to

PBBM:...

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“This is the only time it (filing of cases) has happened during my watch, and yet they claim I am responsible. If it were truly a racket of mine, why would I destroy my own operation?” the President added.

But for former Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno, Mr. Marcos had an opportunity to stop the flood control project scandal from erupting but did not exercise his line-item veto power to remove the graftridden infrastructure proposals from the 2026 budget.

“That thing could not have happened without his participation, because on the budget, the President has what is called lineitem veto power,” Diokno said in an exclusive interview with One News.

“The President prepares the budget. Congress authorizes the budget. That’s the power structure now. Now, he (Mr. Marcos) allowed that, he didn’t exercise his line-item veto power, okay? So, he’s partly to blame for that mess,” he added.

Diokno, currently a member of the Monetary Board of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), said he expects Mr. Marcos’ fifth State of the Nation Address this month will be a “moment of truth.”

“Remember last year, his ‘mahiya naman’ kayo speech? I think people will be asking, what have you done? And he (Mr. Marcos) should be ready to give an answer,” Diokno said. In Canada, Mr. Marcos brushed aside allegations that his administration's anti-corruption campaign is an example of "selective justice,” saying it made “absolutely no sense.” He noted that an independent commission has been established to pursue these cases, emphasizing that authorities will follow the evidence, regardless of who is involved.

“From the time that we formed the independent commission, I said we'll just follow the evidence and we'll continue to do that,” he said.

The President also acknowledged his administration is “not done yet” in holding accountable all those involved in the flood control scandal.

“I cannot say that we have done enough because we are not done yet. Unfortunately, the more we look, the more we find. And it is already going back beyond my administration, beyond my term,” he said.

“You know this is a deepseated system of corruption that requires not only structural changes in the way the government is run, in the way the budget is written, but also a change in attitude,” he added.

In September 2025, Mr. Marcos issued Executive Order 94, which created the now-defunct Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) tasked with investigating questionable flood control projects.

The commission has made nine referrals to the Office of the Ombudsman, coordinated the transfer of 66 individuals to the Department of Justice, and contributed to the freezing of 6,692 bank accounts, amounting to an estimated P24.7 billion.

commit violent acts," said Gatchalian.

During a recent Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality hearing, Justice Undersecretary Nicholas Ty admitted that the country's current legal framework is insufficient to prevent children from being recruited into violent extremism.

The Department of Justice also acknowledged that passing legislation against nihilistic violent extremism will be difficult.

While other nations treat this form of extremism as terrorism, Ty noted that the Philippines still lacks a comprehensive law against it. Senator Risa Hontiveros earlier revealed that the deadly June 22 Tacloban City school shooting may be linked to an online extremist network known as "764," which is believed to be a group that lures children into violence and pornography.

‘Bavi seen comparable to Yolanda’

By Rio N. Araja

SUPER TYPHOON “Bavi,” currently outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), can be compared to Super Typhoon “Haiyan” or “Yolanda,” which devastated Eastern Visayas on Nov. 8, 2013, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).

“In terms of intensity, ‘Bavi’ is strong because it will cover a wide area of the sea,” weather specialist Daniel James Villamil said. “It is comparable to ‘Yolanda,’” he added.

The US National Weather Service described “Bavi” as a very dangerous super typhoon and warned of tropical storm-force winds beginning Sunday afternoon or evening, with catastrophic

damage possible near the storm’s center.

About 70,000 Filipinos in Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands are bracing for its impact.

Although “Bavi” has yet to enter the PAR, Pagasa said tropical cyclone wind signals will be raised in advance to allow affected areas time to prepare. The storm’s large circulation may prompt the agency to raise wind signals over northern and eastern Northern Luzon as early as Tuesday evening or Wednesday morning.

Villamil said wind signals due to “Bavi” could reach Signal Nos. 2 or 3, but Signal No. 4 remains possible in Batanes. Signal No. 4 corresponds to winds of 118 to 184 kph that pose a significant to severe threat to life and property.

“Bavi” is forecast to bring strong

winds and scattered rains beginning Tuesday. Pagasa said the cyclone is expected to enter the PAR on Wednesday as a super typhoon and will be given the local name “Inday.”

Villamil said the storm is less likely to make landfall in the Philippines but could pass near Extreme Northern Luzon or Batanes before heading toward Taiwan, which lies within the PAR. The super typhoon is also expected to enhance the southwest monsoon, bringing heavy rains over the northern and western parts of the country by Thursday. As of the latest advisory, “Bavi” was located 2,645 kilometers east of Eastern Visayas, outside the PAR. It was moving westward at 10 kph with maximum sustained winds of 195 kph and gusts of up to 240 kph.

PH secures $2.5b investment pledges from Canada

By Othel V. Campos

THE Philippines secured $2.5 billion in investment commitments from Canadian companies, further strengthening its strategic partnership with Canada following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s official visit to Vancouver.

The President said the visit ushered in a new phase of cooperation in security, trade, energy, technology, and investment.

Mr. Marcos said meetings with Canadian business leaders yielded $2.5 billion in investment commitments covering mining, critical minerals, energy,

information technology-business process management (IT-BPM), and the digital economy.

Among the companies he met were B2Gold Corp., OceanaGold Corp., TELUS Corp., and NQX to discuss their investment plans in the Philippines.

The President said discussions with IT-BPM firms also explored establishing artificial intelligence hubs and learning centers to develop AI skills for the global workforce.

Marcos said the investment commitments underscore the importance of concluding the ongoing Philippines-

Quezon City LGU reports 146 COVID-19 cases in 2026

By Rio N. Araja

THE Quezon City government has reported 146 COVID-19 cases from May 21 to July 1. According to the Quezon City Epidemiology and Surveillance Division (QCESD), COVID-19 cases increased by 265.22 percent over the past three weeks. From 23 confirmed cases recorded between May 21 and June 10, infections rose to 74 cases from June 11 to July 1, bringing the city’s total to 146 cases this year. District 4 accounted for 32.71 percent of cases, followed by District 1 with 22.43 percent. Barangay Imelda recorded the highest number of cases with 11, followed by Culiat, Salvacion, Santa Teresita, Santo Cristo, Sauyo, Socorro, and Tandang Sora with four cases each. Patients ranged from one month to 92 years old. Children aged 14 and below accounted for about 30 percent of cases,

while adults aged 25 to 29 and senior citizens aged 60 and above each comprised about 15 percent.

More cases were recorded among females (66 cases, 62 percent) than males (41 cases, 38 percent). Healthcare workers accounted for 3.74 percent of infections.

The QCESD said COVID-19 cases have continued to rise over the past six weeks and that it will continue monitoring the trend.

The Philippines recorded its first COVID-19 case on Jan. 30, 2020, involving a 38-year-old Chinese woman admitted to San Lazaro Hospital in Manila. A state of public health emergency was declared on March 9, 2020.

COVID-19 cases began declining nationwide in February 2022, and by May 2022 the Department of Health classified the country as being at minimal risk. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. lifted the state of public health emergency on July 22, 2023.

Canada free trade agreement, which he said would further strengthen economic cooperation.

He also welcomed Canada’s participation in the Luzon Economic Corridor, noting that Ottawa committed an initial C$2 million to support infrastructure, supply chain, and clean energy projects.

During the visit, Marcos and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney witnessed the signing of a Joint Declaration of Intent on Energy and Natural Resources Cooperation to strengthen collaboration on energy security, sustainable economic growth, and resilient

supply chains. The two countries also agreed to deepen defense and security cooperation through existing agreements, including the Status of Visiting Forces Agreement and the Mutual Logistics Support Arrangement.

Nearly one million Filipinos live in Canada, making it one of the Philippines’ strongest people-to-people partnerships. Marcos said the upgraded relationship is expected to expand cooperation in economic, security, and strategic areas while creating more opportunities for Filipinos.

IN BRIEF

were lawfully crossing.

The LTO ordered the registered owner and rider to appear before its Intelligence and Investigation Division, submit sworn statements and supporting documents, and explain why the rider should not face charges for reckless driving and failure to yield to pedestrians, as well as the possible suspension or revocation of his driver’s license. Rio N. Araja

community and reaffirms the values

Gov’t launches largest-ever estero cleanup

TO reduce flooding in communities and major roads in Metro Manila, the government has mobilized 10,000 TUPAD workers for the largest-ever Expanded Bayanihan sa Estero Program, which began on July 1, 2026.

The intensified operation follows President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to strengthen measures protecting communities frequently affected by heavy rains and flooding.

Led by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA)

in partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), beneficiaries of the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) will clean, remove mud and garbage, and conduct regular maintenance of major esteros and canals across Metro Manila.

“We know the hardships our countrymen face whenever heavy rains fall. That’s why we expanded this program so we can clear blockages in esteros and waterways more quickly and reduce flooding. This will continue

throughout the year,” Executive Secretary Ralph G. Recto said.

“While we pursue long-term solutions, this is an immediate step that will help our communities,” he added. The expanded program began after Recto led a meeting with the Department of Transportation, Department of Public Works and Highways, MMDA, and DOLE to accelerate the government’s rainy season preparations and strengthen inter-agency efforts to combat flooding in Metro Manila.

PRIDE CELEBRATION. A member of the LGBTQIA+ community joins the Pride Parade and the annual Bb. Bahaghari Awards at the Villar Foundation Complex in Las Piñas on July 4. The event honors outstanding LGBTQIA+ members for their contributions to the

of love, respect, equality, and inclusion beyond Pride Month. Norman Cruz

COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS. Former Ombudsman and retired Supreme Court Associate Justice Conchita Carpio-Morales delivers the commencement address during the 115th General Commencement Exercises of the University of the Philippines at UP Diliman in Quezon City on July 5, where more than 5,000 graduates receive their degrees. Edd Castro

‘LEDAC bills aim to boost PH growth’

Group urges stronger defense posture on WPS

By Maricel V. Cruz

THE country’s economic growth can be protected and strengthened if pending Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) priority measures, mostly of them already passed by the House of Representatives, are acted upon and moved toward final approval.

This was according to Novel Bangsal, executive director of the think tank House of Representatives Congressional Policy and Budget Research Department (CPBRD).

Under the leadership of Speaker Faustino Dy III and House Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander Marcos, Congress has already approved 26 of the 52 LEDAC priority measures, while several of the remaining bills are already in the advanced stages of deliberation. Bangsal cited the LEDAC agenda as a “legislative track that can help sustain the country’s economic momentum,” especially after the Philippines reached upper-middle income country status and posted continued gains in growth and revenue performance.

“The ball is actually in the Senate’s court now, so that hopefully, the necessary laws can be addressed,” Bangsal said.

Bamgsal, an economist, identified measures amending the Anti-Money Laundering Act and the Bank Secrecy Law as among the bills that may be acted upon quickly, describing them as attainable reforms that could still move within the year if given priority.

For him, the next stage of legislative work will depend heavily on how fast pending LEDAC measures can move in the Senate, where several Houseapproved bills are pending.

PNP Region VI bags two awards for competency

THE Western Visayas police on Sunday was conferred two awards during the 2026 Joint Operations Family Conference and 4th regular meeting of the National Oversight Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs (NOC-AID) and Enhanced Managing Police Operations (EMPO) held Sunday, recognizing the region’s outstanding accomplishments in law enforcement.

Philippine National Police Region 6 chief Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño said they received a special award on campaign against loose firearms for having logged the highest number of confiscated and recovered firearms, beating all regional police commands with a total of 1,923 firearms.

The region was likewise conferred a special award on campaign against illegal fishing for posting the highest value of confiscated illegal fishing paraphernalia and related items estimated at ₱125.6 million.

Tuaño welcomed the recognition, emphasizing that the achievement reflects the collective commitment of police personnel and the strong support of partner stakeholders across Western Visayas. Vince Lopez

BOC overshoots 2026 tax collection targets

THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) has overshot its revenue target for June 2026, collecting ₱86.073 billion to surpass its target of P83.220 billion by P2.853 billion. . For the first semester of 2026, the BOC also exceeded its P480.270-billion target by P11.478 billion for a total collection of ₱491.748 billion. The agency said it chalked up 11.7 percent increase in June collections compared to the ₱77.035 billion collected in June last year, representing a growth of ₱9.037 billion. For the first half of 2026, collections rose by 7.2 percent or ₱32.977 billion from the ₱458.771 billion collected during the same period last year. Vito Barcelo

A DECADE after the Philippines secured a landmark legal victory against China in an international arbitration case, a policy think tank is urging the government to accelerate the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) so it could better respond to the evolving threats in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

The Stratbase Institute issued the call ahead of a high-level meeting on July 10 marking the 10th anniversary of the 2016 arbitral award, which invalidated Beijing’s sweeping claims in the South China Sea.

The forum will examine how the Philippines can build on its landmark legal

victory by strengthening credible deterrence and enhancing national security amid growing geopolitical challenges.

The discussions will be anchored on the Stratbase Institute’s June 2026 SPARK publication, “10 Years After the Arbitral Award: From Legal Triumph to Credible Deterrence Through Multidomain Modernization,” which argues that the Philippines must translate its legal victory into strategic capability.

“The Arbitral Award gave the Philippines legal standing; the next decade must deliver strategic strength,” Stratbase Institute president and SPARK lead author Victor Andres Manhit wrote in the publication.

As the country marks the 10th anniversary of the arbitral award, public support for defending the West Philippine Sea remains overwhelming. A Stratbase-commissioned survey conducted this May found that 86 percent of Filipinos support the government’s efforts to defend the West Philippine Sea alongside like-minded nations in accordance with the ruling.

“The survey results show that Filipinos understand that defending the West Philippine Sea requires more than legal arguments and diplomatic statements,” Manhit said. “It requires credible deterrence, stronger partnerships, and national resilience.”

As of June 3, the House reported that the 52 LEDAC priority measures were at different stages of legislative action, with one measure already enacted into law, one with a ratified conference committee report, three under conference committee, 21 approved on third reading, one under the Calendar of Business, one for filing of committee report, nine approved at the committee level pending action by the Committee on Appropriations and 15 still under TWG or committee deliberation. The LEDAC priority measure that has already been enacted into law involved the resetting of the first regular elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

By Rio N. Araja

ACT Teachers party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio on Sunday denounced the United States-led Pax Silica at the July 4th rally before the American Embassy in Manila, warning that the initiative transforms the Philippines into a production hub for American military supply chains.

“Pax Silica is war production by another name. The United States is not offering the Philippines economic development. It is offering us the role of supply chain outpost for the US war machine,” Tinio said.

Pax Silica and the US-Philippines critical minerals framework formed an integrated pipeline designed to secure American strategic interests in semiconductor and advanced electronics production for military applications, he noted.

“Pax Silica will develop Artificial Intelligence (AI) for use in US imperialist wars, such as in Iran, where it was used for targeting civilian infrastructure, including the all-girls school in Minab that killed 235 school children,” he said.

“As if there is war… The foundation is being erected for critical minerals. The production for Pax Silica is being pushed. This is not neutral industrial development. It is a deliberate strategy positioning the Philippines as a critical node in American military-industrial production,” Tinio added.

He warned that semiconductors and electronics are vital inputs for missiles, drones, surveillance systems and other war materiel.

IN BRIEF Nartatez hails arrest of BIFF leader in Maguindanao Norte

On the other hand, the LEDAC bill currently under the Calendar of Business is the proposed Cybersecurity Act. Meanwhile, the LEDAC bills awaiting the filing of committee report cover the disqualification of officials’ relatives within the 4th degree in government contracts.

Holdup suspect falls, thanks to viral video

THE Taguig City police on Sunday reported the arrest of a holdup suspect who was identified through an online viral video showing him while committing the alleged in Brgy. North Signal, Taguig City. In an exclusive text message to Manila Standard, Taguig police chief Col. Julius Añonuevo said the suspect was detained as criminal charges were being readied against the investigators.. During the investigation, the victim positively identified the suspect as the same person who robbed him at gunpoint during an online meet-up transaction. Añonuevo said follow-up operations were underway to get the suspects accomplices, if any. Vince Lopez

By Vince Lopez

PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez, Jr., lauded the operation that

sustain the gains of what have been so far achieved in terms of finally bringing genuine peace and development to our brothers and sisters in BARMM,” Nartatez said. Joint police operatives from the PROBangsamoro Autonomous Region and PNPSpecial Action Force and the Armed Forces of the Philippines from the 601st Brigade swooped down on a safe house in the area after confirming intelligence reports that Abubakar was holed out there. Abubakar, chairman of the BIFF-BF, is facing multiple arrest warrants for various crimes including two counts of murder and multiple frustrated

Dave Leprozo

SYMBOLIC KEY. Cavite Gov. Gabriel Remulla and councilor Juan Ysmael Gandia turn over a symbolic key to 10 ambulances being donated to the local government units of Noveleta and Kawit in simple ceremony held Friday at the new capitol complex. Dennis Abrina

NAVY CLEANS THE COASTS. Personnel of the Philippine Navy’s Naval Forces Central, immerse in a vigorous coastal cleanup drive spearheaded by Cebu City Bantay Dagat Commission in, Barangay Pasil, Cebu City. Navy photo

OPINION

Reverse-engineering a case: Witnesses over evidence

(First of two parts)

A SERIOUS prosecution should begin with hard evidence, not with a desperate search for people willing to support a predetermined story.

Reason why the Ombudsman’s reported reliance on former Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan and the so-called “18 kargadors” raises serious questions about the strength of the case being built against former Speaker Martin Romualdez.

When an investigative body pivots to cutting deals with an official who is deeply entangled in the very same scandal, it suggests an alarming admission: they do not have the primary evidence required to secure an airtight conviction.

Turning a lead respondent into a star witness—or pinning the narrative on the unverified testimonies of alleged couriers—is a textbook hallmark of a fishing expedition.

Instead of presenting unquestionable documents or verifiable financial trails, the prosecution is attempting to piece together a mosaic of convenience.

This strategy turns the justice system on its head, allowing the government to mold its target’s guilt by retroactively fitting uncorroborated, self-serving statements into a pre-engineered script.

A legal system that tolerates prosecutorial convenience over constitutional rigor sets a dangerous precedent. If the Ombudsman can selectively grant immunity to central figures while leaning on the theatrical claims of bagmen to target a high-profile political opponent, the institution itself becomes suspect.

True accountability demands a foundation of indisputable facts, not a politically expedient spectacle built on the testimonies of questionable witnesses.

After more than a year of public accusations, investigations, press statements, and political noise, the public is entitled to ask one simple question: Where is the solid evidence?

Not rumors. Not shifting stories. Not affidavits from questionable witnesses. Not recycled allegations. Just real evidence.

Because if the case against Congressman Martin Romualdez were truly strong, why would the prosecution need to lean on witnesses whose credibility is already under serious public doubt?

The reported use of Secretary Bonoan as a possible state witness is especially troubling. If the issue involves flood control

projects, implementation, procurement, inspection, payment, and project delivery, then the executive agencies handled those functions—not Congress.

The DPWH was the implementing agency. It had the engineers, regional offices, bidding committees, inspectors, project managers, and disbursing authority.

True accountability demands a foundation of indisputable facts, not a politically expedient spectacle built on the testimonies of questionable witnesses

So if something went wrong in implementation, the first question should be: who actually had operational control?

That question does not point to a former Speaker. It points to the officials and agencies that planned, bid out, implemented, inspected, and paid for the projects.

That is why the public deserves clarity. Is Secretary Bonoan being presented because he has direct, documentary, first-hand evidence against Congressman Romualdez? Or is he being used to fill a gap that documents could not fill?

A state witness is supposed to help uncover the truth. But the public has every right to be concerned when a person closer to actual implementation is positioned to testify against someone who had no direct legal role in procurement, inspection, or disbursement.

Then there are the so-called “18 kargadors.”

Their stories have been lobbed against doubts and challenges. Their narratives have reportedly shifted over time. Names they once mentioned later disappeared. Other names appeared later. Public officials were dragged in, then removed, then others were added depending on the political moment.

That is not the mark of a stable, reliable account.

That is the mark of a story still looking for its final version.

The rights we won, the future we must secure

WHEN the late Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario (ADR) stood before the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague in July 2015, he was defending a nation’s future.

He was giving voice to Filipino fishermen driven from waters that had sustained their families for generations.

He was speaking for coastal communities confronting growing intimidation at sea and defending a nation whose rights were being challenged within its own exclusive economic zone.

After exhausting every peaceful avenue available under international law, the Philippines turned to arbitration to uphold the rights of the State and the Filipino people.

The Philippines did so because China’s actions were increasingly infringing upon the country’s sovereign rights, disrupting lawful activities within our maritime zones, and imposing real costs on communities whose livelihoods and futures depended on the sea.

Filipino fishermen were being blocked from traditional fishing grounds. Philippine vessels faced persistent interference, while resource exploration activities were subjected to pressure and intimidation. Resources that should have contributed to national development were becoming increasingly difficult to access.

The arbitration case emerged from the convergence of national interests and human realities. It reflected the experiences of fishermen being pushed away from our own waters, the country’s inability to fully exercise its rights within its exclusive economic zone, and the challenge of protecting resources vital to national development.

Allowing these pressures to continue

unchecked would have meant accepting the erosion of our rights recognized under international law.

This is why the 2016 Arbitral Award should never be viewed merely as a legal victory. It is a victory for all Filipinos.

The Award is about livelihood, food security, energy security, dignity, and the sovereign right of a nation to benefit from the resources found within its own maritime domain.

The 2016 Arbitral Award should never be viewed merely as a legal victory. It is a victory for all Filipinos

Yet the years that followed revealed the painful distance between legal victory and lived reality.

Only months after the ruling was issued, reports showed that Filipino fishermen were still being bullied to leave Scarborough Shoal by Chinese personnel. In the years that followed, accounts of harassment persisted, including persisting incidents of confrontations with the Philippine Coast Guard.

The ruling was historic, but the coercion persisted.

The stakes extend far beyond marine resources. The West Philippine Sea is one of the most strategically important economic assets of the Philippines.

ADay One

FTER numerous and lengthy road blocks, the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte will begin today at the Senate. Members of the Upper Chamber will sit as senatorjudges of the impeachment court. Ninety-two trial days have been approved.

Ms. Duterte was impeached on four counts:

First, on the alleged misuse of P612.5 million in confidential funds from the Office of the Vice President, or P500 million, and the Department of Education, or DepEd, amounting to P112.5 million; Second, alleged unexplained wealth, failure to truthfully disclose assets in Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth, or SALNs, from 2022 to 2024, and failure to divest and willful continued business interests;

Third, alleged bribery and procurement irregularities involving DepEd officials; and Fourth, alleged assassination threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., first lady Liza AranetaMarcos and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.

This is the second time she is impeached after the first effort last year was not acted upon forthwith by the

Senate, and because the Supreme Court later on ruled that it was unconstitutional.

A vote by two-thirds of all senatorjudges is needed to convict Duterte. She will be removed from office and be perpetually barred from seeking public office if she is found guilty.

Neither a spectacle nor a bloodbath, we hope

All the statements above sound as though the case were open-and-shut. The House proceedings leading to the Senate transmittal also gave the public a preview of the quality of the evidence that. It could be tempting to believe that the merits of the case would trump all other considerations once they are brought to light. But that might just be wishful

TWO promises stood out in the campaign of Bongbong Marcos in 2022: Unity, the mantra which would be the only response his campaign spokesperson Atty. Vic Rodriguez would mouth each time a valid issue was leveled against his principal.

The other is rice at 20 pesos per kilo.

Rodriguez was fired, sacrificed to “save the king” on account of the scandal over the importation of 300,000 metric tons of sugar which the president himself ordered.

Unwilling to dispense of the services of his loyal aide who stood by him even after he lost in his 2016 vice-presidential quest, the president appointed Rodriguez as Malacanang chief of staff. But the First Lady would have none of it, so “off with his head.”

Unity within the palace itself was shafted, given short shrift. Then came a former chief justice, who for more than two years nimbly straddled the corridors of power, the “his and hers” of Byzantine-style intrigue.

But then, the flood control scandal began to unravel, starting with the “brilliant” optics of “mahiya naman kayo.”

With end game still a puzzlement to this day, the second executive secretary had to be shown the door, reportedly at the prodding of the richest man in the Philippines who wanted to “save the king”, but of course.

Shafted twice were the keepers of the key in the highest corridors of power. One short enough that he had not even warmed his seat; the other long enough to know so much more but keeps these in the woodwork.

When will the third last? Ah! But he is a hardboiled politician, more familiar with the game of survival.

There have been five presidential communications officers, once labeled press

Within our exclusive economic zone lie marine, energy, and mineral resources that are critical to national development. International law affirms the Philippines’ sovereign rights to explore, develop, and benefit from these resources.

For a country that has long grappled with high energy costs and dependence on imported fuel, these rights carry profound economic significance.

Every Filipino feels the burden of expensive energy through higher household costs, transportation expenses, and food prices.

When resource development is delayed or obstructed by coercive actions, the consequences directly affect the country’s ability to strengthen energy security, attract investment, and support growth.

The West Philippine Sea is not merely a security issue. It is equally a development, energy, and economic issue.

Ten years after the Arbitral Award, the challenge is no longer proving that the Phil-

thinking. Knowing our politicians’ propensity for theatrics, and for making public issues about themselves, we do not underestimate their capacity to turn the trial into another spectacle – one where they play the victims with the starring role. Don’t forget – it’s their numbers that would decide the outcome of this constitutional process.

The Vice President long ago stated that her trial was going to be a bloodbath – a threat that turned out to be a dud because her team and their allies mustered all its legal prowess to prevent the trial at all costs. At any rate, the public does not want a bloodbath. We only want a trial conducted in broad daylight, where the evidence from documents and testimonies from credible witnesses would point to Duterte’s guilt or innocence.

While it will be Duterte’s trial, the senator-judges will also be put under scrutiny for how they conduct themselves as judges. At the end of the day – or 92 days – as well, Filipinos will be tested for their tolerance for drama and their capacity to think critically based on what is in front of them, instead of parroting narratives fed them by those who stand to profit from the status quo. We will watch, and watch keenly. This is our trial, too.

Short shrift

secretaries. The first was an activist lady lawyer with Bulakena origins, followed by another lady lawyer from Pura in Tarlac, then a veteran broadcast journalist from San Jose in the Partido district of Camarines Sur, then another broadcast journalist from a town in Ilocos Norte, and now, someone who has yet to be confirmed despite a year “acting” in office, one with a print background who moved to corporate public relations in a cigarette manufacturing giant. Four were given short shrifts, though the lady from Pura is now the secretary-general of the HoR, after a stint in Taiwan.

But let’s not rain on PBbM’s parade, and allow him his few hours to preen

Not necessarily the shortest shrift but one that totally shattered the promise of unity, was a bond hammered out in Cebu between a lady mayor who would have won had she decided to run for the top post in 2022, and the son of the dictator who wanted, allegedly, to “redeem the family honor.”

As it is turning out, winning the top prize was all, and redeeming the tarnished family name was not as important as recovering the wealth that had been lost since people power sent father and son packing to Hawaii. Not redemption but recovery, er…recovering. Now to the unbelievable promise of 20 peso per kilo rice. Only fools believed it was possible.

ippines was right. The tribunal settled that question in 2016. The challenge now is ensuring that the rights affirmed by the ruling can be enforced in practice. That requires continued modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine Coast Guard, stronger maritime awareness, support for fisherfolk, deeper cooperation with like-minded nations, and continued exposure of coercive activities at sea. It also requires a wholeof-society commitment to protecting Philippine interests and upholding the rulesbased international order.

These issues will take center stage at the Stratbase Institute’s July 10 forum marking the tenth anniversary of the Arbitral Award – a passionate advocacy that was launched under the inspired leadership of its former chair, Amb. Albert del Rosario.

The annual celebration will bring together Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr., ambassadors from like-minded

Then again, how easy is it to fool most of the people many times over in this benighted land? How many lucky senior citizens can buy after lining up for hours in the ersatz Kadiwa outlets?

Well, in 2022, the average wet market retail price of edible rice, whether local or imported, was about 40 to 45 pesos per kilo. These days, four years later, it is in the vicinity of 55 to 65 pesos per kilo.

Twenty per kilo? Or twenty pesos MORE per kilo? And worse to come. But just as the Iglesia ni Cristo wound up its protest rallies after denouncing loud and clear that bending the law is unacceptable, the World Bank announced that after four decades of being stuck in lower middle-income status, we had graduated, “pasang awa” to upper middle-income status.

Truth is, thanks to PNoy and PRRD, we would have graduated earlier had it not been for COVID 19. But let’s not rain on PBbM’s parade, and allow him his few hours to preen. Still, it’s difficult to close our eyes to the reality that 52 percent of Filipinos rate themselves poor, and middle-class Filipinos who pay taxes out of meager earnings have decelerated to the ranks of the new poor. All the World Bank did was divide the gross national income (GNI) which includes our life-saving OFW remittances, by our present population to arrive at their self-designed metric. Government of course basked in the short shrift of good optics, though even our DepDev secretary, Arsenio Balisacan, had difficulty basking in the afterglow because he knew deep inside that this useless announcement spun as accolade would really amount to nothing and in fact bury us more in debt.

countries, and representatives from civil society, academia, business, and faith communities including Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David.

A gathering of thought leaders united by a whole-of-society commitment to defend Philippine interests in the West Philippine Sea.

But anniversaries should not merely celebrate. They should remind us of what remains to be done.

The true promise of the Arbitral Award will be fulfilled when the rights it affirmed translate into secure livelihoods, stronger energy security, responsible resource development, and a future in which Filipinos can fully benefit from the wealth and opportunities within their own maritime domain.

What is ultimately at stake is not only the future of the Filipino people, but the credibility of a rules-based order that safeguards peace, stability, and economic prosperity across the Indo-Pacific.

Honor Blanco Cabie

‘Very dangerous’ super typhoon nears Guam, northern Marianas

UNITED STATES—People in Guam and the Northern Marianas moved to emergency evacuation centers and made last-minute preparations on Sunday, hours before a “super typhoon” was projected to bulldoze through the US Pacific territories.

Super Typhoon Bavi was forecast to roar westwards over the area from early Monday with winds of 260 kilometers per hour (160 miles per hour)—equivalent to a category 5 hurricane—and gusts of up to 315 kph.

The National Weather Service called the typhoon “very dangerous,” warning of “tropical storm force” winds from Sunday afternoon or evening and “catastrophic” damage near the system’s center later.

“Significant flooding from torrential rains, and coastal inundation are

IN BRIEF

North Korea’s Kim oversees latest tests

SEOUL—North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversaw weapons tests this week of the 5,000-tonne destroyer Kang Kon, including cruise missile launches and “electronic warfare means”, state media reported Sunday.

The naval vessel was notably the one that tipped over last year during its launch ceremony, but later repaired.

The tests took place on Friday, the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said, less than two weeks after another 5,000-tonne destroyer, the Choe Hyon entered military service.

During that commissioning ceremony, Kim vowed to equip his navy with nuclear weapons and develop new 10,000-tonne warships.

After the weapons test on Friday, Kim

“gave an instruction to complete the trial process of the destroyer in a responsible manner and commission it for the Navy within two months,” KCNA said.

A photo released by KCNA shows Kim, wearing a yellow hat, watching a weapons test from a coastal observation point, flanked by officials.

Another photo shows Kang Kon firing a missile at sea, with a plume of smoke rising from the launch. AFP

Putin, Zelenskyy speak to Trump

MOSCOW—US President Donald Trump spoke with his Russian and Ukrainian counterparts Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy during the weekend to discuss the conflict in Ukraine ahead of a NATO summit in Ankara, the Kremlin and Zelenskyy said. The calls were both to mark the 250th birthday of the United States, both sides said.

“The presidents naturally addressed the issue of a settlement in Ukraine, taking into account, in particular, Donald Trump’s upcoming participation in the NATO summit in Turkey on July 7 and 8,” said Yuri Ushakov, the Kremlin’s foreign policy aide, according to the RIA Novosti news agency.

He said the two leaders also discussed issues including Iran and the Middle East during the 85-minute call.

Earlier Saturday, Zelenskyy said he and Trump had also discussed the more than four years of war in his country, calling it a “very good phone call”.

“President Trump and I discussed the current situation on the frontline as well as our diplomatic efforts. There is a real prospect to put an end to this war, and America’s resolve is decisive. We have agreed to continue these discussions during the NATO Summit in Ankara,” he wrote on X. Heads of state and delegations from 32 countries, including Trump, are expected to arrive in Ankara starting Tuesday for the summit.

Putin “outlined the actual situation on the battlefield (in Ukraine), where Russian armed forces are advancing confidently,” stated Ushakov. AFP

expected,” the NWS said, with projected waves of up to 35 feet—the height of a 10-story building—creating “extremely dangerous” conditions at sea.

Pinky Cubacub, 55, said as she boarded up the windows of her eatery in Guam that she had lined up early on Saturday morning to buy $500 worth of plywood at a lumber store.

“I cannot afford to lose so many days. It hurts,” she told AFP. “Because I just started, whatever we’re making right now is just for rent, utilities, and my people, and supplies. I don’t even pay myself yet.”

Call centre employee Arabella Paulino, 48, said: “My girls were saying to me it’s scary. But it will be okay.”

“My house is concrete, so the worst that can happen is a window could blow in,” she told AFP. AFP

Trump hails US, blasts domestic ‘communists’ in 250th speech

WASHINGTON, DC—US President Donald Trump hailed America on its 250th birthday Saturday (Sunday, Manila time) as the “crowning achievement” of human history, even as he used the event to renew his attack on domestic opponents he branded communists.

In a speech delayed by several hours when storms forced the temporary evacuation of crowds in Washington, Trump claimed that under his presidency the United States was “prouder than ever before.”

While Trump had promised a huge political rally to stamp his brand on the national celebrations, the 80-year-

THOUSANDS

STILL MISSING.

A displaced woman sorts through personal belongings at night outside temporary shelters in Caraballeda, La Guaira state, Venezuela, on Sunday, Manila time, after twin earthquakes. Venezuela’s devastating twin earthquakes have killed nearly 3,000, official figures showed on July 4, as international rescue teams began winding down search operations for survivors in the rubble. AFP

old Republican largely stuck to a more traditionally patriotic script.

“For two and a half centuries, our American republic has stood as the crowning achievement of human history,” Trump told tens of thousands of people on the National Mall.

On stage, he hailed also veterans from World War II and the Korean

and Vietnam wars. But he then hailed the latter two as examples of the battle against “communists”—reprising his message from his speech on Friday night at the iconic Mount Rushmore monument.

“Our warriors did not fight communism on battlefields across the word, only to have that menace rear its ugly head right back here in America. We’re not going to let it happen,” he said.

Trump has repeatedly hammered home the theme recently ahead of November’s US midterm elections, after the anti-establishment left of the Democratic Party won a string of US primary victories.

“It’s like a cancer, you’ve got to cut

KYIV—Ukraine denied Saturday Moscow’s announcement that Russian forces had captured the strategic Ukrainian city of Kostyantynivka, a stronghold for Kyiv’s troops in the eastern Donetsk region and a key target for the Kremlin.

A Ukrainian army spokesman told AFP the city remained under its control, while President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismissed Moscow’s announcement as “a lie”, with the duelling claims coming after Russia also said Ukrainian drones had struck its second city, St Petersburg.

Crime wave beleaguers Israel’s Arab youth

JISR AL-ZARQA, Israel—In the four years since her father was fatally stabbed near the entrance of their home in northern Israel, 10-year-old Shireen has carried the burden of grief on her tiny shoulders.

“I loved him so much, I felt safe with him,” Shireen, whose name has been changed, told AFP in the seaside town of Jisr al-Zarqa.

“When I found out that I lost him, I was very sad because he was a part of me. It was very difficult for me,” the eldest of four siblings said. Shireen is one of scores of young people grappling with the devastating impact of spiralling violent crime in Israel’s Arab minority community—driven predominantly by criminal gangs,

family feuds, easy access to firearms and what the community decries as a lack of police enforcement.

So far this year, more than 140 Arab citizens of Israel have been killed in such violence according to the Abraham Initiatives coexistence organisation—a 12 percent rise over the same period last year.

If that rate continues, the community will surpass the unprecedented 252 killings recorded in 2025. The assailant who killed Shireen’s father in what the family described as a drunken random attack was a minor and not previously known to them. He was arrested and sentenced to prison.

For young people, the consequences of losing a parent are profound and long-lasting. AFP

“The situation remains difficult,” Ukrainian army spokesman Andriy Kovalyov told AFP, but Kostyantynivka “is under the control of the Ukrainian Defense Forces”.

On Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin, wearing a military uniform, had thanked troops for seizing Kostyantynivka, a town with a prewar population of 78,000 that Moscow has been trying to take control over for months.

The army has been sending in small groups of soldiers to infiltrate and secure positions, a method previously

used to capture the Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk in late 2025.

Kostyantynivka is one of the final obstacles on the route to the major Ukrainian-held cities of Kramatorsk and Sloviansk; capturing them is the Kremlin’s ultimate goal in the Donbas.

Kovalyov said Saturday that “Ukrainian defenders continue to hold their positions along the designated defensive lines.”

He admitted that small groups of Russian troops have been infiltrating the town but insisted that fighting was

UNENDING WAR

A French volunteer member from the Revanche Tactical Group, which operates under the International Legion of the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine, takes part in a military training at an undisclosed location, in the Zaporizhzhia region, during the weekend, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. On Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin, wearing a military uniform, had thanked troops for seizing Kostyantynivka, a town with a pre-war population of 78,000 that Moscow has been trying to take control over for months.AFP

it out,” he added.

The US leader also used the speech to boast of the recent military campaigns against Iran and Venezuela, saying Washington had “wiped out” Tehran’s military.

But the speech was short by Trump’s standards, at around 45 minutes long.

“We love Trump, we loved his speech,” said Richard Sullivan, 70, who came from Virginia with his wife Nancy and was wearing a Freedom 250 T-shirt.

“He went through our great history and had a word for the veterans that were here. He makes us proud to be American.” AFP

Venezuela quake death toll rises to nearly 3,000

CARACAS—Venezuela’s devastating twin earthquakes killed nearly 3,000, updated official figures showed on Saturday, as international rescue teams began winding down search operations for survivors in the rubble of the disaster.

Fatalities jumped by more than 300 from Friday to 2,954, following the June 24 disaster that has left thousands homeless in the streets and sheltering in camps.

Tens of thousands more are still reported missing. The government has not given any estimates, but the United Nations has estimated as many as 50,000 are unaccounted for following the 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude shocks.

One of Latin America’s worst earthquake disasters hit hardest in the coastal La Guaira area north of the capital Caracas, where scores of residential complexes were flattened.

Ten days after the double shocks, which came just 38 seconds apart, rescue teams are starting to wrap up searches for survivors while families still try to recover bodies of loved ones from the wreckage.

The critical window for rescues in disasters like earthquakes usually ends after 72 hours, though a few people have been found alive this week.

In an apparent sign that rescue missions were closing up, interim President Delcy Rodriquez held a ceremony to hand out medals to international teams, including their rescue dogs.

Venezuela is experiencing “a profound grief gripping our people, where families still hold out hope of finding loved ones alive, people who have lost everything,” Rodriquez said.

International disaster teams, including some US squads, and some South American teams were starting to finish up rescue operations, their members said on Saturday.

The Los Angeles County fire department rescue team is ending operations after its latest searches showed no signs of life, and teams from Florida and Virginia were packing up to leave this weekend, they said. AFP

RAIN, LIGHTNING, CHAOS. People evacuate due to thunderstorms in the area during the ‘Salute to America’ Independence

Day celebration on the National Mall in Washington, DC, on Sunday, Manila time. B-2 bombers and fighter jets continued demonstrations overhead, prompting further refusals and chants for a crowd keen on the airshow -- and the promised Trump show. Thousands slow-walked toward exits,

with security forces.

England, Mexico to take limelight in Azteca faceoff

LOS ANGELES—England face Mexico in a World Cup blockbuster at the Estadio Azteca on Sunday while Erling Haaland and Norway bid to ambush Brazil as the battle for quarter-final places heats up.

A day after France and Morocco sealed their places in the last eight of the tournament, two more spots are up for grabs in round-of-16 duels in Mexico City and New Jersey.

England’s encounter with Mexico has been one of the most anticipated matches of the tournament, with the Three Lions returning to the Azteca 40 years after their iconic ‘Hand of God’ game against Argentina at the 1986 World Cup.

Thomas Tuchel’s side have stumbled into the last 16, needing a late double from captain Harry Kane to secure a 2-1 victory over the Democratic Republic of Congo to advance to Sunday’s game.

England entered the World Cup with dreams of ending the country’s 60-year wait for a major title.

But the English have failed to live up to their billing so far, struggling through the group phase before squeezing past DR Congo.

England will also need to overcome the challenge of altitude, with the Azteca sitting some 2,240 metres (7,350 feet) above sea level.

“The altitude will be, of course, a big disadvantage because we cannot physically adapt to it in four days. It’s just impossible,” England boss Tuchel said before the team’s departure for Mexico City.

After visiting the Azteca on Saturday, Tuchel said at his pre-match press conference: “It just catches you straight away once you get in here and see the excitement and see the emotions.

“I felt straight away that this will be a proper World Cup match for tomorrow.

“We knew it before. We are in an iconic place, an iconic stadium,” Tuchel added.

Tuchel is also grappling with the issue of how to shore up England’s porous defence, which has looked vulnerable to pace, especially down the problematic right flank.

France turns back Paraguay to reach World Cup quarters

PHILADELPHIA—France needed a second-half Kylian Mbappe penalty to break down a stubborn Paraguay side on Saturday, winning a niggly World Cup last-16 clash 1-0 to set up a quarter-final showdown with Morocco.

Paraguay’s efforts to get under the skin of France’s superstars worked for three quarters of a game played in front of 68,324 fans in Philadelphia in heatwave conditions.

However, the quality in the French ranks eventually shone through, with Mbappe converting from the spot on 70 minutes after Desire Doue was brought down.

This was not an attacking masterclass by the French like they had produced in their previous games, but Paraguay did not allow them to play

It was very much a mismatch, though, with Les Bleus having almost all of the ball and Paraguay not

managing a shot on target until the 90th minute.

Mbappe’s brilliant World Cup on a personal level continued as he rejoined Lionel Messi as the tournament’s joint-top scorer with seven goals.

The Real Madrid striker now has 19 World Cup goals in total -- from 19 appearances -- meaning he is just one behind Messi’s overall record of 20.

Didier Deschamps’ team will now return to their Boston base to prepare for a last-eight clash in nearby Foxborough next Thursday against the Moroccans, who beat Canada 3-0 earlier.

It was a sweltering day in Philadelphia, with temperatures of 38 degrees Celsius (100 Fahrenheit) and extreme weather warnings in place in

Burgos eyes PH Islands Series’ double at 5150 Bohol Triathlon

ERIKA Burgos returns to familiar and winning ground next Sunday (July 12), aiming to make history as the first two-leg champion of the inaugural 5150 Triathlon Islands of the Philippines Series while leading a star-studded international field in the Sun Life 5150 Bohol.

The national triathlete and Southeast Asian Games gold medalist heads back to the beachfront of The Bellevue Resort in Panglao, Bohol where she has enjoyed multiple victories, drawing confidence from past success as she prepares for another demanding test over the Olympicdistance course featuring a 1.5-km swim, 40-km bike ride and 10-km run. With Bohol’s rolling terrain, tropical heat and deep field of competitors, the race is expected to demand equal measures of endurance, speed and tactical execution.

More than another championship opportunity in the Elite Category, Burgos is chasing a milestone in the landmark 10th staging of the event. After dominating the inaugural Guimaras leg last March, she now seeks to become the first athlete to capture two victories in this year’s island-hopping series, which was created not only to showcase world-class Olympic-distance racing but also to highlight the Philippines’ premier island destinations as global sports tourism hubs.

Burgos, who won this event back-to-back from 2023, shared top honors with Joshua Ramos of Baguio City in Guimaras before skipping the Camiguin stop, where fel-

Cauayan to host regional center for rowing

CAUAYAN CITY—On the quiet banks of Cauayan’s Marabulig River, Joe Rodriguez was serving his community as a barangay councilor when destiny called. The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), in partnership with the city of Cauayan and the Philippine Rowing Association (PRA), had chosen the city to host a regional training center for rowing.

For the 55-year-old Rodriguez, a five-time SEA Games gold medalist and former national team standout, the call was a chance to give back to the sport that transformed his life.

Rodriguez didn’t hesitate. He immediately began laying the groundwork for the initiative, answering PSC Chairman Patrick Gregorio’s challenge: form an eight-man rowing team and entries for quad events, disciplines where the Philippines has yet to regularly

field competitors internationally.

“By planting the seeds of this training center in Cauayan, we are investing in a generation that will row not only for medals but for the pride of the nation. This is how grassroots sports become the backbone of international success,” said Gregorio.

With only three countries contesting the eight-man event in the SEA Games, the opportunity for a medal is within reach.

The PSC delivered world-class equipment— four-seater and eight-seater boats—during the recent Cagayan Valley Sports and Youth Summit hosted by Cauayan City Mayor Cesar Dy and brought in decorated coaches who had themselves won medals for the country, including 2000 Sydney Olympian Benjie Tolentino.

case of storms.

France’s last visit to Lincoln Financial Field, during the group phase, was affected by storms, as rain and thunder led to a two-hour delay during their 3-0 win over Iraq.

July 4 celebrations

This time there were no interruptions to a game played on the 250th anniversary of US independence, and in the city where the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776.

A pre-match concert on the pitch featured a rendition of the US national anthem by the actress Idina Menzel, a performance by hip-hop band The Roots, and a US Air Force flyover.

A fireworks display in the city to mark July 4 was not due to take place until later, and the anticipated French pyrotechnics on the pitch were contained for long spells by the Paraguayans.

low multi-titled triathlete Bea Quiambao ruled the women’s race and Kenneth Bonda emerged victorious in the men’s division.

Organized by Sunrise Events, Inc., the Sun Life 5150 Bohol has drawn competitors from 23 countries, setting the stage for another highlevel showdown among Under-23 standouts and seasoned age-group athletes determined to shine across the various age-group divisions.

The race, however, represents far more than the penultimate stop of the series. Celebrating its historic 10th edition, the event underscores Bohol’s enduring reputation as one of the country’s premier triathlon destinations, built on a decade of competitive racing, strong community support and an atmosphere that blends elite sport with the warmth of island hospitality.

At the heart of the 5150 Islands of the Philippines Series is a vision of promoting the country’s breathtaking islands as premier venues for international endurance sports. Each stop offers athletes not only a challenging race but also an opportunity to experience the unique culture, natural beauty and tourism attractions that make every host island distinct.

Bohol perfectly embodies that vision. Beyond race day, competitors and visitors can explore the iconic Chocolate Hills, pristine white-sand beaches, centuries-old churches, lush forests and vibrant marine sanctuaries, transforming the event into a complete sports tourism experience that extends well beyond the finish line.

THE Quezon Huskers rode a closing 10-point cluster to topple the Caloocan Batang Kankaloo, 72-67, on Saturday in the SportsPlus MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) 2026 Season at the Caloocan Sports Complex. Trailing, 62-67, the Huskers found saviors in Judel Fuentes and Jolo Manansala to tally their 10th win in 12 starts and move closer to the Gensan Warriors (14-2) and the Batangas City Tanduay Athletics (12-2) in the South standings of the two-division, 27-team tournament. After Manansala soared for a drive, Fuentes buried a triple and cut through the lane, followed by another Manansala drive to regain control for the Huskers, 71-67.

Joshua Yerro pinned Caloocan its second loss in 16 outings by making his first free throw with 8.5 seconds left. Kean Baclaan canned a one-handed jumper, followed by a drive to put Caloocan up by five with 6 minutes and 14 seconds to go. Caloocan went silent the rest of the way, however, as Eric Camson missed two free throws and a short stab, and the Batang Kankaloo’s guns misfired. Cedric Manzano, Quezon’s center of power, posted 20 points, 8 rebounds and 2 steals to clinch the SportsPlus best player honors over Fuentes, with 14 points and 6 assists, and Cyrus Tabi, with 11 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists.

Erika Burgos

Cedric Manzano of Quezon

``The rowers will be in good hands. With Joe Rodriguez guiding them, they will see a success story firsthand. With time, dedication, and hard work, they can reach the podium,” said Dy.

France’s forward Kylian Mbappe and teammates celebrate after winning the 2026 World Cup round of 16 football match between Paraguay and France at the Philadelphia Stadium in Philadelphia. AFP

Cauayan as Philippine rowing hub

MONDAY, JULY 6, 2026

RIERA U. MALLARI, Editor

RANDY M. CALUAG, Asst. Editor

Eala tries to repeat Dubai win vs. Paolini in Wimby 4th round

ALEXANDRA Eala’s incredible run in Wimbledon has already made history for Philippine tennis but the Filipina sensation is not done yet.

Coming off the biggest win of her career, Eala now looks forward to another tough assignment against Italy’s Jasmine Paolini in the fourth round of the Wimbledon Championships on Monday (Philippine time) with a coveted Grand Slam quarterfinal berth on the line.

The 21-year-old comes into the showdown full of confidence after a statement victory over defending champion Iga Swiatek 7-6 (9), 6-2 that has established her as one of the tournament’s breakout stars.

Car’s lack of power frustrates Verstappen

SILVERSTONE—Max Verstappen

vented his frustrations after being out-paced by his Red Bull teammate Isack Hadjar in Saturday’s qualifying for the British Grand Prix while George Russell and Lando Norris were both baffled by their lack of pace.

Championship leader Kimi Antonelli took pole ahead of the two Ferraris of Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton with his Mercedes teammate Russell back in fourth.

Four-time world champion Verstappen, who qualified two places behind Hadjar in seventh, complained about his car’s lack of power and outright speed and questioned whether there was any point in taking part in Sunday’s race.

“It’s just not going forward,” said the Dutchman.

“It’s just not pulling the same as it was. On a track like this, where that is key, you want as much power as you can so it’s extra painful.

“I’ve tried a lot of things in qualifying, but it was just always the same.

“So, there is a clear problem with the engine that we can’t find and that worries me for tomorrow because there is actually no point to race like this.”

He added that on Friday he was slow on the straights.

“Just down on power on my side of the garage, from the first lap, and no improvement,” he added.

“I lose a lot on the straights plus the car had a bad balance so it was just very poor.

“We were getting destroyed too in the high-speed corners in the sprint race. There’s a clear disconnect with the car.”

Paolini’s way is 17th ranked Eala, who has proveN herself a contender on the sport’s biggest stages.

The Italian reached the Wimbledon final in 2024 and was also runner-up at the French Open that year. Paolini, a three-time WTA singles titlist, captured gold in women’s doubles at the 2024 Paris Olympics and advanced to this year’s Round of 16 after defeating Robin Montgomery and Viktorija Golubic.

Paolini has an impressive resume, but in their emerging rivalry, Eala has

the mental edge. The Filipina had beaten Paolini 6-1, 7-6 (5) in the Round of 32 of the Dubai Open earlier this season, their only previous encounter. Another victory will send Eala to her first-ever Grand Slam quarterfinals and the first Filipino in the Open Era to do so.

The lone Filipino to reach the last eight of a major tournament was the late Felicisimo Ampon at the 1953 French Championships.

The significance of Eala’s run in Wimbledon has also been amplified by her continued ascent in the world rankings.

Her win over Swiatek moved her to a career-high No. 28 in the WTA live rankings, up four spots from her offi-

cial ranking of No. 32. Eala’s ranking points rose to 1,666 from 1,556 after her historic thirdround win. Anastasia Potapova, who is tied with her on points and is in the live No. 27 position according to the tour’s tiebreak procedures, is just six points behind both players from world No. 26 Emma Navarro. The rankings could get even better. If Eala beats Paolini and advances to the Wimbledon quarterfinals, she is expected to jump to No. 23 in the live rankings. In the last eight, the winner of the Eala-Paolini game will face either Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk or American Ashlyn Krueger.

Go chases ranking boost, eyes ICTSI Pradera title

LLOYD Go heads to the ICTSI Pradera Verde Championship riding the confidence of a dominant victory, but the Cebuano ace knows an even bigger prize is at stake than another trophy.

Fresh from a commanding triumph at the Pinewoods Challenge, Go is determined to build on his recent form to strengthen his position in the Philippine Golf Tour Order of Merit, regain his place among the Top 30 and set the stage for the resumption of his overseas campaign.

That mission continues Tuesday (July 7) when the fourth leg of this year’s PGT unfolds at Pradera Verde in Lubao, Pampanga, where Go enters as the player to beat after producing one of the most convincing victories in recent Tour memory.

Expected to be a tightly contested event on Pinewoods’ demanding mountain layout, the previous tournament instead turned into a one-man show. Go seized control in the third round before cruising through the final day for a 12-shot victory over Jeffren Lumbo.

But beyond bagging the crown and the P441,500 champion’s purse, Go said the victory came at a crucial stage of his season.

“I need to play well at Pinewoods and Pradera Verde so I can keep my card,” said the former national standout, who remains driven by the disappointment of missing last year’s The Country Club Invitational, the PGT’s flagship tournament.

“Last year I wasn’t able to play at TCC because I

wasn’t in the Top 30, and that hurt me. So my goal is to get back (into the Top 30),” he said, referring to his absence after failing to qualify through the OOM because of overseas commitments.

With renewed confidence following his Pinewoods win, Go hopes another strong finish – or even a second straight title – will further solidify his standing before turning his attention once again to competing overseas.

Standing in his way, however, is another elite field eager to halt his momentum.

Leading the challengers is Angelo Que, the defending Pradera Verde champion who used last year’s victory as a springboard to his first OOM crown.

The three-time Asian Tour winner has already launched another OOM bid this season after edging Tony Lascuña by one stroke at Caliraya Springs last month. Although he struggled at Pinewoods and settled for a share of 15th place, Que is expected to thrive on the more familiar terrain of Pradera Verde as he bids to reclaim the crown and strengthen his OOM campaign.

Among those also looking to bounce back are Clyde Mondilla, Keanu Jahns, Zanieboy Gialon, Guido van der Valk, Rupert Zaragosa and Dino Villanueva.

Lumbo, meanwhile, hopes to build on his runner-up finish at Pinewoods as he pursues a second PGT title, while Carl Corpus and Reymon Jaraula return to the circuit eager to contend in the fourth stop of the 10-leg tour organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.

Cone to bank on rising stars as Gilas PH faces Australia

GILAS Pilipinas aims to avoid a winless campaign when it goes up against powerhouse Australia in the third window of the 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers on Monday at the Perth Arena.

Hoping to carry the positives from a heartbreaking loss to New Zealand, the Nationals take on the unbeaten Boomers at 6:30 p.m. to close out their Group A run in the first round of the qualifiers.

Young guns Juan Gomez de Liaño, Kevin Quiambao, and Carl Tamayo led the charge as Gilas battled toe-to-toe with the Tall Blacks and even got winning chances only to fall short, 102-106, in double overtime last Friday.

National team head coach Tim Cone is looking to draw stellar performances again from his young core, whom he believes are rapidly evolving into the key cogs of the squad.

“Our young guys have been developing over the last year and a half, two years, and every time they’ve come into a window they’ve gotten better,” Cone said.

“That was the vision from the very beginning when we put this team together, that they, at one point, would be the main guys. They may be coming a little more quickly than we thought. They are certainly stepping up and playing at a much-higher level than they were when they were first on team,” the veteran tactician added.

Naturalized forward Justin Brownlee, who was hounded by New Zealand’s pesky defense all game long, is expected to bounce back from a five-point effort as the Philippines tries to finally score an upset against Australia.

The Boomers are still hot from setting the biggest winning margin in World Cup qualifiers history at 72 points after drubbing the hapless Guam, 124-52. Jeremiah Sevilla

PSC chief Gregorio pushes for a pioneering PH Sports University

PHILIPPINE Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Patrick C. Gregorio has unveiled a bold proposal to establish the country’s first Sports University under the University of the Philippines (UP) system, a pioneering initiative that seeks to transform Philippine sports from a pastime into a national industry of pride, education, and enterprise.

Speaking before the graduating class of the UP College of Human Kinetics at the Varsity Training Center, Gregorio challenged the nation’s premier university to lead in shaping the future of sports not merely as an academic discipline, but as a force for nation-building.

“My dream for Philippine sports is to build a proud nation. To this end, my dream for UP is to build a Sports University. A university that produces not only champions, but the coaches, scientists, educators, entrepreneurs, administrators, and innovators who make those champions possible,” said Gregorio.

For decades, sports in the Philippines were often dismissed as katuwaan—mere entertainment, secondary to

“serious” pursuits. But recent triumphs by athletes like Hidilyn Diaz, the country’s first Olympic gold medalist, and gymnast Carlos Yulo have redefined sports as a catalyst for education, tourism, economic growth, and national pride. Gregorio emphasized that the proposed Sports University would institutionalize this momentum, producing a new generation of athletes, coaches, and leaders who embody discipline, integrity, and vision. It would also professionalize sports education, ensuring that Filipino athletes are supported by world-class systems in science, training, and management. There are several global models of success to speak of, sports universities that have flourished worldwide by serving as engines of athletic excellence and innovation. Among them are Germany’s Deutsche Sporthochschule Köln (German Sport University Cologne), China’s Beijing Sport University, Russia’s Lesgaft National State University of Physical Education, Sport and Health, and Japan’s Nippon Sport Science University (NSSU).

PSC chairman Patrick C. Gregorio

The Philippines’ Alexandra Eala dives to the ground as she returns to Poland’s Iga Swiatek during their women’s singles third round tennis match on the sixth day of the 2026 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon, southwest London. AFP

Lloyd Go

PSE capital-raising seen reaching P204b in 2026

By Jenniffer B. Austria

CAPITAL-RAISING activities on the local stock market could reach about P204 billion this year, Philippine Stock Exchange president and chief executive Ramon Monzon said.

Monzon, in an online news briefing over the weekend, projected that fundraising would hit P204 billion based on applications already received by the exchange.

“In short, our projected capital raising for 2026, as of this date, based on the applications that we have received, is about P204 billion,” Monzon said.

The projected amount exceeds the P170-billion target Monzon set earlier this year despite a challenging market

environment and is significantly higher than the P142 billion in capital raised through the exchange in 2024.

The exchange raised P39.4 billion as of end-June through two private placements and follow-on offerings of preferred shares.

The remaining pipeline consists of a P24.2-billion application for the proposed Vitro REIT initial public offering (IPO), a P92.3-billion application for the planned IPO of Mynt, the operator of GCash, including

an over-allotment option and a P30billion preferred share follow-on offering by San Miguel Corp.

The exchange is also processing the listing of about P9 billion worth of preferred shares by a company whose common shares are not listed on the PSE.

On the timing of the Mynt and Vitro REIT IPOs, Monzon said it would be preferable if the two large offerings are scheduled separately to allow investors to recycle funds from one listing into the next rather than having overlapping subscription periods.

Looking ahead, Monzon said potential fund-raising from the reported merger of the toll road businesses of San Miguel Corp. and Metro Pacific Investments Corp. could further boost capital market activity in 2027.

DTI, Canadian firm hold nuclear energy talks

By Othel V. Campos

THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) met with Canadian engineering and nuclear technology firm AtkinsRéalis on July 2, 2026 to explore cooperation in civil nuclear energy, engineering services and long-term project development as the Philippines pursues energy security and a clean energy transition.

The meeting took place on the sidelines of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s official working visit to Canada. Trade Secretary Cristina A. Roque and Finance Secretary Frederick D. Go led the Philippine delegation.

Montréal-based AtkinsRéalis, which employs more than 40,000 professionals worldwide, presented its CANDU EC6 nuclear reactor technology as a potential option for the Philippines’ emerging civil nuclear energy program. The discussions focused on evaluating safe, reliable and commercially viable nuclear technologies to support the country’s long-term energy strategy.

“Reliable and affordable energy is essential to industrial growth. As the Philippines studies nuclear energy as part of its long-term energy mix, we welcome AtkinsRéalis’ interest in sharing its proven engineering and nuclear technology expertise with the country,” Roque said.

Go said the company’s global experience could help the Philippines strengthen its regulatory and institutional framework for nuclear energy development.

AtkinsRéalis, through its subsidiary Candu Energy Inc., provides nuclear engineering, technology licensing, project planning, financing support, supply chain localization, workforce development and major project execution services.

Bistro Group investing P1b to open 40 stores

By Othel V. Campos

THE Bistro Group is investing about P1 billion to open 40 new restaurants in 2026, accelerating its nationwide expansion and strengthening its international and homegrown brands.

The expansion will bring the restaurant operator’s network to more than 250 stores by the end of the year, up from its current 222 outlets, according to Bistro Group president Jean Paul Manuud.

“We’re building 40 stores across all our brands,” Manuud said, adding that the rollout includes the company’s newest international partner, British restaurant chain Wagamama, which will make its Philippine debut this year under an exclusive licensing agreement.

The investment will fund new branches across the

group’s portfolio of about 30 brands, including established international names and locally developed concepts such as Siklab+, Krazy Garlik, Las Flores and La Lola.

Manuud said the first Wagamama branch is in the pre-opening stage, though he declined to disclose its location.

Aside from expanding in shopping malls, The Bistro Group is introducing freestanding restaurant formats to capture growing demand in emerging commercial districts.

“We’re building a new model where we’re building freestanding stores,” Manuud said. “You can park and then go to the restaurant. It’s no longer within the mall.”

The company said it remains focused on scaling its existing portfolio rather than aggressively adding new franchise brands, while remaining open to future opportunities.

“We have a lot of brands right now in our portfolio that we have to grow and scale, including our own homegrown brands,” Manuud said.

The Bistro Group also expects to sustain double-digit business growth this year, with sales projected to increase by 20 percent to 32 percent across its portfolio.

NHMFC CHAIRMANSHIP. The National Home Mortgage Finance Corp. (NHMFC) is unanimously elected chair of the Asian Secondary Mortgage Market Association (ASMMA) for 2027 during the organization’s annual meeting on June 9 in Mongolia. The election marks a milestone, reinforcing the Philippines’ role in advancing sustainable housing finance and regional cooperation across Asia.

three-member delegation is led by acting executive vice president Victor Allan Ilano.

L. Almonares

ON JUNE 18, the Department of Energy (DOE) announced the creation of the Task Force on Energy Carbon Credits (TFECC).

The announcement is the latest step in the government’s efforts to prepare the country for participation in international carbon markets. While carbon credits have become a familiar term in discussions on climate change, their role in the Philippine energy sector is only beginning to take shape.

The creation of the task force follows the issuance of Department Circular No. DC2025-09-0018, titled “Providing General Guidelines for the Generation, Management, and Monitoring of Carbon Credits in the Energy Sector,” in September 2025. The Circular establishes the DOE’s policy framework for developing carbon credits from energy projects. It aims to mobilize investments in clean

6,300 level as June inflation expected to cool

By Jenniffer B. Austria

THE Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) is expected to maintain its upward momentum this week on easing inflation.

Analysts said the benchmark index could test the 6,200 to 6,300 range as investor sentiment improves on expectations that inflation will soften due to a decline in global oil prices.

Bank of the Philippine Islands lead economist Emilio Neri Jr. said headline inflation likely eased further to 6.5 percent in June from 6.8 percent in May as the bulk of the April–May fuel rollbacks continues to work through the transport component.

“We expect inflationary pressures to remain elevated in the coming months despite June’s likely moderation, with risks still tilted to the upside,” Neri said.

Neri noted that upside risks remain because of the potential impact of El Niño on agricultural products, the wage hike in the National Capital Region and geopolitical tensions. Together, these factors suggest the recent disinflation is likely temporary rather than the start of a sustained easing trend.

Last week, the PSEi jumped 1.91 percent to close at 6,188.03, while the broader all shares index climbed 1.22 percent to 3,370.94. Value turnover declined to P5.3 billion compared with the previous week’s average of P8.8 billion. Foreign selling slowed, with outflows at P171.1 million.

Carbon credits should not be viewed merely as another source of financing. They also represent a commitment to environmental integrity, sound governance, and long-term climate ambition.

energy, prepare the sector for future carbon market mechanisms, and ensure that carbon credits represent real, measurable, and verifiable emission reductions while safeguarding against double counting.

The DOE’s leadership on this initiative is unsurprising. According to the Philippines’ 2025 Biennial Transparency Report submitted under the Paris Agreement, the energy sector was the country’s largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in 2020, accounting for over one-fifth of total emissions. As the country’s largest emitting sector, it presents one of the greatest opportunities for generating emission reductions that may be traded in international carbon markets.

Unlike Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam, which have made progress in developing domestic carbon market mechanisms, the Philippines does not yet have a domestic carbon market. The DOE framework provides the institutional foundation for participating in international carbon markets through carbon credits generated from the energy sector. This creates opportunities to attract climate finance, support investments in clean energy, and position the country as a supplier of carbon credits. Success, however, will depend not on how many carbon credits the Philippines can generate, but on whether it can establish itself as a credible and competitive source of high-integrity carbon credits.

One important consideration is the integrity of the carbon credits that the Philippines generates. International carbon markets ultimately trade on credibility. Buyers need confidence that every carbon credit represents a real, additional, measurable, and independently verified reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. While the Philippines has previous experience with carbon credit projects under the Kyoto Protocol’s Clean Development Mechanism, today’s carbon market places much greater emphasis on environmental integrity. Credits that fail to meet these standards can undermine the credibility not only of individual projects but also of the country’s broader carbon market.

Beyond credibility, the Philippines must also recognize that carbon credits are traded in a competitive international marketplace. Countries offering carbon credits are, in effect, competing for the attention of the same pool of buyers. Price is only one consideration. Increasingly, buyers also look for projects that generate broader environmental and social benefits, such as biodiversity conservation,

improved livelihoods, or enhanced community resilience. The Philippine energy sector possesses considerable potential, but project developers must also demonstrate the broader environmental and social value their projects create if Philippine carbon credits are to remain competitive.

Finally, the country must ensure that today’s carbon credit transactions do not compromise tomorrow’s climate ambitions. Under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, carbon credits authorized for international transfer may require corresponding adjustments to prevent double counting. As a result, the associated emission reductions may no longer be counted toward the Philippines’ future climate targets. Although the Philippines has yet to adopt a net-zero target, demand for stronger climate commitments will likely grow over time. Developing appropriate safeguards today will help ensure that carbon finance complements, rather than constrains, the country’s long-term decarbonization pathway.

The DOE’s policy framework for carbon credits in the energy sector, established through Department Circular No. DC2025-09-0018, marks an important step in preparing the Philippines for greater participation in international carbon markets. However, carbon credits should not be viewed merely as another source of financing. They also represent a commitment to environmental integrity, sound governance, and long-term climate ambition. If the country can build a credible carbon market ecosystem founded on these principles, carbon credits can become more than a climate policy instrument. They can help mobilize investments, accelerate the energy transition, and contribute to a more sustainable and competitive Philippine economy.

Ray Anthony L. Almonares is a full-time faculty member of the Department of Financial Management of the Ramon V. del Rosario College of Business (RVRCOB) at De La Salle University (DLSU). Prior to joining DLSU, he served as a Principal Consultant on climate finance and policy projects in Thailand, with work spanning carbon markets, climate finance, and climate policy. His research focuses on climate finance, sustainable finance, and corporate finance. He can be reached at ray.almonares@dlsu.edu.ph.

The views expressed above are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official position of DLSU, its faculty, and its administrators.

NHMFC’s

By Othel V. Campos

TInvestments lift PH income status

HE Department of Trade and Industry’s attributed the Philippines upgrade to upper middle-income country (UMIC) status to record investment approvals, strong export growth and expanded market access under the Marcos administration’s trade agenda.

“This significant milestone is proof of the strong leadership of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in pushing for economic reforms that enhance the country’s global competitiveness

and resilience,” DTI Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque said. Roque said the administration’s pursuit of 23 free trade agreements (FTAs) and improvements in the ease

of doing business helped boost exports, attract investments and expand market access for Philippine products.

“Under the Marcos Jr. administration, our focus on our 23 FTAs and improving the ease of doing business has unlocked record investment inflows and trade volumes. Serving as the ASEAN Chair for 2026 gives the Philippines a premier stage to showcase this economic progress, attract high-value capital and ensure that our economic growth translates into sustainable, high-quality jobs for all Filipinos,” she said.

DTI cited strong trade and investment performance in 2025 as the foundation for the country’s new income classification.

The Board of Investments approved P1.56 trillion worth of projects in 2025, the second-highest investment approvals recorded in the agency’s 58-year history.

The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) exceeded its annual target by approving P260.89 billion in investments across 314 new and expansion projects, up 21.91 percent from 2024 and marking its strongest

SUMMIT. In conjunction with ASEAN Dengue Day 2026, regional leaders,

policymakers, scientists, public health partners and advocacy groups gather in Singapore at the Asia Dengue Summit to advance cross-border collaboration on dengue and other Aedes-borne diseases, with contributions from Philippine experts Dr. Rose Capeding and Dr. Lulu Bravo, who highlighted the Philippines Medical Associations leadership in dengue advocacy, research and scientific exchange. The meeting brought together scientists, clinicians, dengue experts, local leaders and stakeholders from the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and other partner countries to support a regional platform for on-going dialogue, knowledge exchange and policy coordination.

Bitstar Telecom launches internet service

By Darwin G. Amojelar

BITSTAR Telecom Inc. has launched its enterprise internet service in the Philippine telecommunications market as the industry opens to greater competition under the Konektadong Pinoy Act.

The company is now serving businesses across the National Capital Region and plans to expand coverage nationwide as it grows its network and customer base.

Bitstar Telecom is positioning itself as a digital-first internet service provider, offering high-speed fiber connectivity for enterprises at competitive prices. The company said it aims to digitize the entire service journey, from inquiry and onboarding to installation, account management and after-sales support.

“Digital customer experience ought to be

BATELEC II board approves bidding for partnerships

By Alena Mae S. Flores

more common for service companies, which is an opportunity for Bitstar to cater to the evolving needs of the modern internet users,”

Bitstar Telecom president and chief executive Miguel Bitanga said.

“We use apps for everything else in our lives; our internet should not be any different,” he said.

The company is also positioning affordability as a key selling point in the enterprise broadband market.

“Affordability is also important for Bitstar customers because fiber internet is a relative commodity in other countries, but still a luxury for many businesses here,” Bitanga said.

He said the company aims to make reliable high-speed internet more accessible to enterprises through competitively priced service plans.

BATANGAS II Electric Cooperative, Inc.

(BATELEC II) has approved a competitive selection process (CSP), or public bidding, that will serve as the governance framework for evaluating private sector participation (PSP) proposals in its distribution utility business, the cooperative’s board of directors said.

The board’s resolution also instructs BATELEC II’s technical working group (TWG) to draft the terms of reference (TOR) that will govern the CSP. The board said it adopted the process to promote transparency, fairness, competitiveness and equal opportunity among prospective bidders.

The TWG should finalize the TOR in line with Presidential Decree No. 269, as amended, National Electrification Administration Board Resolution No. 88, Series of 2002 and other applicable laws, rules and regulations, the board said.

By setting the governance rules before drafting the TOR, the board established the framework that will guide the process before any proposals are submitted or evaluated.

The framework also states that any partnership involving cooperative assets, property or franchise rights will still require approval from member-consumer-owners (MCOs) through a referendum whenever required by law.

Electric cooperatives across the Philippines have increasingly pursued strategic partnerships to strengthen operations and improve service quality. Industry observers said governance structures are becoming more important in ensuring such partnerships remain objective, transparent and legally sound.

BATELEC II’s approach combines strategic planning, competitive selection, regulatory compliance and member-consumer participation into a single governance system. Rather than selecting a private partner first, the cooperative built the policy framework, legal safeguards and evaluation criteria that will apply to any future deal.

investment growth since 2016. Exports reached a record annual growth of 15.2 percent in 2025. The momentum continued this year, with exports expanding 7.9 percent in January, 8 percent in February, 20.4 percent in March, 6.3 percent in April and 7.6 percent in May.

The DTI said the country’s elevation to upper middle-income status is expected to strengthen its credit profile, reinforce investor confidence and enhance its attractiveness as a destination for manufacturing, innovation and regional expansion.

By Thony Rose Lesaca

Miguel Chanco and Bank of the Philippine Islands lead economist Emilio Neri Jr. both estimated a 6.5-percent inflation print. Chanco said the softer print could largely reflect a more pronounced deceleration in food prices and further cooling in transport inflation, adding that risks are probably tilted to the downside. Neri attributed his forecast to a decline in pump prices as the bulk of fuel rollbacks in April and May continued working through the transport component of the consumer price index basket. He noted, however, that the pace of disinflation is decelerating sharply as the outsized pump price rollback in May narrowed the following month.

cuts InstaPay transfer fee to P10

to P10 from P15 beginning July 6, as the digital bank seeks to make digital money transfers more affordable for customers. The lower fee applies to real-time transfers made through InstaPay to other banks and participating financial institutions. The updated charge will automatically be reflected in the Maya app starting July 6. Maya said it will continue to offer free transfers between Maya accounts, while bank transfers through PESONet will also remain free, subject to the network’s standard processing schedule. Maya said the latest adjustment forms part of its efforts to make digital financial services more accessible and affordable for Filipinos by providing a

Federal Land taps ACEN to power Met Park

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

DENGUE

REAL ESTATE

LIMA Estate in Lipa-Malvar, Batangas, which has long been known as one of the country’s largest industrial estates, continues to grow into an integrated township where work, business and everyday life come together.

New golf range drives LIMA township living

The estate continuous change is marked by the recent opening of The Golf Range at LIMA Estate, the newest recreational facility within Biz Hub at LIMA Estate. Developed by Partners and Properties Inc., the more

than one-hectare facility features 24 driving bays, a café and professional coaching services, catering to both beginners and experienced golfers. Future expansion plans include a second-level commercial component

and an 18-hole golf course.

“Our decision to invest in LIMA Estate reflects our confidence in the platform that Aboitiz Group has built,” said Arnulfo Delos Reyes, president of Partners and Properties Inc. “It provides a stable and credible environment where developments like the Golf Range can take shape with a clear view of long-term demand.”

Complete community

The Golf Range is the latest addition to Biz Hub at LIMA Estate, the estate’s central business district that has grown alongside its industrial ecosystem. Home to more than 200 locators and around 75,000 employees, LIMA Estate has expanded to include residential, commercial, educational and hospitality developments that support a growing community.

Residential enclaves such as The Villages at LIMA Estate, Campo Verde and Summer Hills offer

New Makati gallery gives homebuyers an early look at Arthaland’s Sondris

BOUTIQUE property developer

Arthaland is taking a more experiential approach to selling premium residential developments with the opening of its new gallery in Legazpi Village, Makati, where prospective buyers can explore its upcoming project Sondris long before it rises along the city skyline.

The space is designed less as a traditional showroom and more as a walkthrough of the development itself. The gallery features two fully furnished model units, a 46 square meter one-bedroom and a 116 square meter two-bedroom residence, that give visitors a tangible sense of space, layout and finish quality.

A separate studio presents the different interior schemes available for homeowners, while an immersive viewing room offers a virtual tour of the 37-storey project.

Sondris, developed in partnership with Mitsui Fudosan (Asia), will feature 252 residences ranging from one- to three-bedroom units and garden homes. Designed by global architecture firm AEDAS, the development draws from Japanese principles of simplicity and balance, with an emphasis on natural light, ventilation and flexible living spaces suited to urban living in Makati.

“The Arthaland Gallery was created to give clients a more meaningful and engaging way to

experience our developments,” said Pamela Go, head of marketing at Arthaland. “We wanted a space where people can explore not just the homes themselves, but also the lifestyle, design philosophy and attention to detail that define every project.”

Beyond the model units, the gallery highlights how the project is intended to be lived in. Finishes, materials and spatial planning are presented in detail, allowing buyers to compare design options and better understand how each unit can be customized to different preferences.

Sustainability remains central to the development. Sondris is targeting multiple international green certifications, including LEED, WELL, EDGE and BERDE, and is being designed with long-term operational efficiency in mind, including plans for Net Zero performance once completed.

The Makati location also places the gallery within walking distance of the city’s commercial core, mirroring the development’s positioning in Legazpi Village— an established residential enclave that sits alongside offices, dining and cultural destinations in the Makati central business district.

Construction of Sondris is ongoing following its groundbreaking, with turnover targeted for 2030.

homes close to employment centers, while Batangas State University–LIMA Campus and Edustria provide industry-focused education and workforce development. Office spaces at LIMA Tower One and accommodations at Holiday Inn & Suites Batangas Limapark further strengthen the estate’s live-work environment.

Retail and leisure destinations have likewise become part of everyday life within the township. The Outlets at LIMA Estate, LIMA Exchange and Aboitiz Pitch serve employees, residents and visitors, while the Red Link Hub electric transport network and the LIMA Gateway exit to the STAR Tollway improve accessibility across the estate and beyond.

Shaped by growth

For Aboitiz Economic Estates, the expansion of Biz Hub at LIMA Estate reflects changing demands as industrial estates become more than

centers of production.

“Biz Hub at LIMA Estate reflects a growing market demand for destinations where industry and everyday life intersect,” said Rafael Fernandez de Mesa, president and chief executive of Aboitiz Economic Estates and Aboitiz Land. “Its growth is being shaped by the strength of an existing economic ecosystem, creating opportunities for new investments across retail, hospitality, services, recreation and enterprise.”

The opening of The Golf Range features this continuing transformation. More than a recreational facility, it represents how LIMA Estate is evolving into a destination where industry supports not only economic growth but also a more complete way of living—one that combines employment, housing, education, recreation and commerce within a single, integrated community. Jenniffer B. Austria

Dusit Thani Mactan Cebu Resort earns spot among Asia-Pacific’s top beach resorts

THE Philippines continues to strengthen its reputation as a leisure destination in the AsiaPacific region, with one of Cebu’s luxury resorts earning recognition from travelers across the region.

Dusit Thani Mactan Cebu Resort, part of the Robinsons Hotels and Resorts (RHR) portfolio of Robinsons Land Corp., placed third in the Beach, Island and Upcountry Resorts category of the Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2026. The ranking also made it the highest-placed resort in Cebu in this year’s list, highlighting the island’s enduring appeal as one of the country’s premier tourism destinations.

Organized by Travel + Leisure Southeast Asia, Hong Kong & Macau, the Luxury Awards Asia Pacific recognize leading hotels, resorts, spas, pools, airlines, cruises, travel agencies, and other travel experiences across the region. Nominees are selected by the publication’s editors and expert contributors, with winners determined through reader voting.

“We are honored by this recognition from Travel + Leisure’s readers, whose support reflects the care and consistency our teams bring to every guest stay,” said Barun Jolly, senior vice president and business unit general manager of RHR. Located on the northern tip

of Punta Engaño in Mactan, the resort overlooks Magellan Bay and offers convenient access to Cebu’s beaches, diving sites and cultural attractions. Since opening, it has positioned itself as a destination that blends Thai-inspired hospitality with the warmth of Filipino service, catering to both leisure travelers and business guests. The property features 272 guest rooms and suites, a 100-meter infinity pool, a beachfront, wellness facilities, dining outlets and function spaces, including the Dusit Ballroom, which hosts conferences, weddings and other events. These amenities have enabled the resort to serve not only tourists but also the growing meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) market in Cebu. The latest accolade follows the resort’s Michelin Key recognition in 2025, further strengthening its profile among international travelers. As tourism continues to recover and visitor expectations evolve, distinctions such as these have become increasingly important in helping destinations like Cebu remain competitive in the regional hospitality market.

The Golf Range at LIMA Estate features 24 driving bays, a café and professional coaching services across a facility spanning more than one hectare. Future phases include a second-

Complementing Biz Hub at LIMA Estate’s mission, the lifestyle anchor addresses the recreational needs of a growing estate population, grounding LIMA Estate’s identity as an integrated developer and placemaker in the communities taking root alongside its industries.

Barun Jolly, senior vice president and business unit general manager of RHR

MONDAY, JULY 6, 2026

lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com

NICKIE WANG, Editor

ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer

JASPER VALDEZ, Writer

By Nickie Wang

THE famed White Party Manila returned on June 26, drawing thousands of partygoers to the World Trade Center in Pasay City for its first staging in 12 years.

Guests arrived all dressed in the event’s signature white attire, filling a venue transformed with white installations, photo walls, and red carpet walkways leading to the main hall. The comeback edition, dubbed White Party Manila: Reignite, opened with drag performer Marina Summers lipsyncing to Unstoppable, kicking off an evening of live music, fashion, and Pride celebration.

The entertainment lineup moved briskly from one act to another, with Gloc-9 delivering a high-energy set before folk-pop band Ben&Ben slowed the pace with crowd favorites that had thousands singing along.

A fashion show by Bang Pineda followed, featuring Vice Ganda, Janella Salvador, Chie Filomeno, Kelvin Miranda, Mimiyuuuh, Kirk Bondad, Oliver Kretz, Ron Angeles, TJ Marquez and Alex Diaz. The spectacle gave way to performances by the SexBomb Girls led by Rochelle Pangilinan along with drag queens and other performers who kept the energy high throughout the night.

Other artists who appeared included Maki and Maxie Anderson

Painting the town white

The crowd also included several public fi gures and allies, among them Manila Mayor Isko Moreno,

and wife

The event paired entertainment with advocacy as organizer Mentorque Productions donated P1 million to LoveYourself Philippines. Vice Ganda presented the ceremonial check to representatives of the nonprofit, which promotes HIV awareness, testing, care, and community support.

“Having Vice as the face of this year’s comeback feels more meaningful, especially as we reignite the spirit of Pride through celebration, community, and purpose while delivering a Pride night to remember,” Mentorque Productions President and CEO Bryan Dy said. The return brought back one of the country’s best-known LGBTQ+ gatherings. White Party Manila, which began in the early 2000s in Malate, became known for combining music, nightlife, and advocacy under its signature all-white dress code.

‘Nurse the Dead’ earns global praise for Filipino stories

SUPERNATURAL comedy series Nurse the Dead has drawn praise for its portrayal of overseas Filipino nurses while posting strong viewership growth on iWant among audiences abroad.

Juslyn Manalo, former mayor and current council member of Daly City, California, commended the series for depicting the sacrifices of Filipino nurses working overseas and highlighting Filipino culture.

“It is long overdue to have more representation on the screen. With Filipino nurses at the forefront of healthcare, Nurse the Dead centers the narrative around our unsung heroes and heroines. With Daly City having one of the highest concentrations of Filipinos, it gives us pride to premiere this in Northern California,” Manalo said.

According to iWant, the series recorded the highest viewership growth among the platform’s original titles in the United States, Canada, and Australia in June. Nurse the Dead is the first Filipino studio-produced series filmed in Hollywood. It is directed by Filipino American filmmaker and screenwriter Mark Labella

The cast includes Filipino American actress and host Jelynn Sophia Malone, Anthony Jennings, Princess Punzalan, Ruby Rodriguez, Gigette Reyes, and Tootsie Guevara New episodes of Nurse the Dead stream every Friday on iWant.

By Jasper Valdez

Vern Kaye, Ashley Lopez reject stereotypes about daring actors

VERN Kaye and Ashley Lopez know what some viewers think about actors who do VMX projects, but both said their onscreen image should not be mistaken for who they are in real life.

During the official press conference for VMX’s upcoming special Kainan, Manila Standard Entertainment asked the two about the biggest misconception surrounding actors who appear in the platform’s daring projects.

Ashley said one common assumption is that performers are the same as the characters they play.

“Some viewers think that who we are in the movies is also who we are in real life. That’s really not the case. It’s far from who we are,” Ashley said.

She added that her roles are far from how she usually presents herself off-screen.

“What you see in my movies is already daring for me. In real life, I’m very covered up. You can see me here. I’m all covered up, or I’m usually in a large T-shirt,” she said.

For Ashley, the work should be seen within the context of the story and character.

“Whatever you see in my movies, that’s just the character and the story itself,” she said.

Vern had a more relaxed take on the issue, saying she has grown used to people forming their own ideas about VMX performers.

“Misconception? I’m already so used to that word,” Vern said. “No matter how much I explain myself to people, if that’s what they choose to believe, then it’s okay.”

She also said being misunderstood can sometimes mean the audience believed the performance.

“It’s true, we do take our clothes off. But when it comes to my personal life, only the people close to me or my friends

to him, intimate scenes require more than simply asking actors to do what is written on the page. The scenes need context, trust and proper direction.

“It’s not as simple as saying, ‘Just do this.’ There has to be a reason behind it,” he said. Ray said making these films gave him a deeper respect for actors who take on daring roles, especially now that performances can remain online for years.

“That’s when my respect grew for actors who do sexy films. It’s not easy,” he said. “For me, it’s difficult work, and it’s honorable work.”

According to Ray, Kainan was built as a special that connects food, sensuality and the idea of hunger. The project features highlights from a variety of VMX titles, with Vern and Ashley serving as hosts who guide viewers through the featured scenes. Ray said their role goes beyond the usual hosting setup, as the two also take part in the special’s sensual, food-driven presentation.

“It’s not just hosting, where you introduce spiels. You have to do something more sensual, something different,” Ray said. He added that the special uses food and sensuality to explore different forms of hunger.

“That hunger is not just about food,” he said. “Most of the time, it is also about connection with other people. It could be intimacy, it could be friendship.” Kainan streams on VMX beginning July 7.

Ice Seguerra

Liza Diño, John Lapus, Joey Mead-King, Martin del Rosario and Yayo Aguila

Vice Ganda headlines ‘White Party Manila: Reignite’ as the iconic Pride celebration makes its long-awaited return after a 12-year hiatus

The comedian also gives the audience an energetic performance

Vice Ganda presents the P1million donation to LoveYourself Philippines in support of HIV awareness, testing, care, and community programs

Marina Summers delivers a performance at White Party Manila: Reignite at the World Trade Center in Pasay City

White Party draws thousands to the World Trade Center for a night of music, fashion, and Pride celebration

Sexbomb Girls joins the Pride celebration at White Party Manila

Vern Kaye (left)

personas

character portrayal

‘Nurse the Dead’ follows Filipino healthcare workers through a supernatural comedy that blends humor with stories inspired by the overseas nursing community

The cast of ‘Nurse the Dead,’ the rst Filipino studio-produced series lmed in Hollywood

LIFE & SHOWBIZ

World’s retirement haven

BWhy more retirees are calling the Philippines home

By Nickie Wang

EACHFRONT mornings in Calatagan, sunsets in Nasugbu, and a relaxed coastal lifestyle in Laiya. Through the Philippine Lifestyle Visa, these experiences can become part of everyday life.

Imagine waking up to the sound of waves, stepping onto a balcony overlooking the sea, and spending your days at an unhurried pace. For a growing number of retirees and digital nomads, the Philippines is becoming more than a vacation

destination. It is becoming home. The Philippines was named the world’s No. 1 retirement destination for 2026 by the Expatriate Group, adding to its recognition as the Best Retirement Destination in Asia at the 2025 TripZilla Excellence Awards. The Department of Tourism welcomed the recognition, citing the country’s warm hospitality, affordable cost of living, quality services, and longstay programs supported by the Philippine Retirement Authority’s Special Resident Retiree’s Visa (SRRV). PRA general manager and CEO Bob Zozobrado said the recognition reinforces the country’s growing appeal among retirees seeking a comfortable lifestyle abroad.

Janine Huang, Head of Brand Experience & Hospitality Commercial at Landco Lifestyle Ventures

(LLV), said the accolades highlight the country’s appeal as a place to live well and stay longer. She said Landco’s Philippine Lifestyle Visa (PLV) allows global residents to experience the company’s coastal communities, including The Spinnaker at Club Laiya, The Nautilus at CaSoBe, and The Residences at Terrazas de Punta Fuego, which showcase its “Life on

Vacation” concept. The Philippine Lifestyle Visa offers a pathway to the Philippine Retirement Authority’s SRRV while providing access to LLV’s resort communities. Through LLV’s partnership with the PRA, visa holders receive guidance toward government-supported long-

DISNEY’S reliance on its back catalog of characters and franchises will be underlined again next

the release of a live-action version of Moana, a remake of the Polynesian-themed animation hit

is only

decade old. The original Moana from 2016 follows a young Polynesian girl who sets off on an adventure across

ocean, accompanied by the demigod Maui, to save her people and their atoll. A sequel came out in 2024, and a third animated installment is in the works, while the new live-action version starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson will hit screens worldwide from Wednesday.

It is a shot-for-shot rehash of the original, with the same songs and similar dialogue, directed by Thomas Kail of Hamilton fame.

“The way that the movie breathes is so different than animation the way that you fill a frame is quite different and I think there’s an opportunity to access emotion in a distinct way,” he told AFP

With a budget estimated at 200-250 million dollars, the film is banking on spectacular special effects to draw in crowds at a time when animated sequels Toy Story 5 and Minions & Monsters are riding high at the box office.

Remakes and franchises have become a cornerstone of modern Hollywood production, despite criticism that they are a sign of declining creativity and risktaking by the industry’s big beasts.

Concepts and characters that are already familiar to viewers are seen as bankable profit-makers by underpressure studios, while offering attractive merchandising, games, and other spin-off possibilities.

Disney’s appetite for live-action remakes of its animated hits was whetted by the huge success of 2010’s Alice in Wonderland by Tim Burton, which grossed more than a billion dollars worldwide.

Aladdin

term residency while enjoying the amenities and lifestyle offered by the company’s developments.

“Landco brings ‘Life on Vacation’ into everyday living by creating communities where nature, wellness, leisure, and relaxation become part of daily life,” said Joyce L. Benigay, Sales Director of Landco Lifestyle Ventures. The program was recently presented during a luncheon hosted by the Business and Professional Women Ayala Makati Chapter, attended by members of the diplomatic corps, business leaders, and professionals. As more retirees and remote workers seek destinations that offer quality of life, wellness, affordability, and long-term

and

TRIP.COM will hold its four-day 7.7 Mega Sale from July 7 to 10, with discounted domestic and international flights, hotel stays, and promotional vouchers for travelers.

The online travel platform’s one-way domestic flights will start at P77 during flash sales on July 7, while selected international routes, including Tokyo, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Taipei, Hanoi, and Bangkok, will be available from P999 through participating airlines.

The sale will feature scheduled fare drops throughout the day, including P77 fares for Manila to Cebu and Manila to Boracay (Caticlan), as well as buy-one-get-one roundtrip offers on selected Philippine Airlines domestic routes later in the evening.

Trip.com will also release P1,000 flight promo codes throughout July 7 for bookings with a minimum spend of P8,000. Surprise vouchers worth P1,500 off for higher-value bookings will also be available in limited quantities. Select users booking eligible Manila to Hong Kong flights may also receive a P2,000 hotel voucher for bookings with a minimum spend of P11,000, subject to availability.

From July 8 to 10, travelers can receive an additional 8 percent discount on flight bookings, with a maximum discount of P1,500.

The hotel sale will include selected stays starting at P77 in the Philippines, while participating properties nationwide, as well as hotels in Vietnam and Thailand, will offer rates from P499 and P999.

Hotel promo codes worth P1,000 off for bookings with a minimum spend of P6,000 will also be released at scheduled times on July 7.

Surprise P1,500 discount vouchers for qualifying bookings will be offered in limited quantities.

Travelers who miss the flash deals can still receive up to 10 percent off hotel bookings from July 8 to 10, with discounts capped at P1,500. Trip.com said the offers will be available for a limited time and

The Residences at Terrazas de Punta Fuego o ers

The Nautilus at CaSoBe in Calatagan highlights the beachfront communities featured

The Spinnaker at Club Laiya

Beauty and the Beast, and Lilo & Stitch have each broken the billiondollar level at the box office since. Reid said. AFP, Antoine Guy

Disney’s live-action adaptation of ‘Moana’ brings the beloved ocean adventure back to the big screen as the studio continues expanding its lineup of remade animated classics

C4 LIFE

MONDAY, JULY 6, 2026

lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com

NICKIE WANG, Editor

ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer

JASPER VALDEZ, Writer

By Nickie Wang

AFTER months of relentless heat, humid afternoons, and sudden downpours, the lure of cool mornings and fresh harbor air becomes hard to ignore. And Sydney offers that change, with its winter season bringing scenic waterfronts, cozy cafés, walkable neighborhoods, and iconic attractions that invite travelers to slow down.

As Australia’s largest city settles into its cooler months, visitors can enjoy crisp temperatures, waterfront attractions, cultural sites, and nearby nature destinations that offer a different travel experience from the Philippines’ tropical climate.

Among the top attractions is Circular Quay, where visitors can enjoy views of the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge while strolling along the waterfront lined with cafés and public spaces.

Sydney’s café culture is another draw, particularly in neighborhoods such as Surry Hills, Newtown, and The Rocks, which are known for specialty coffee, fresh pastries, and relaxed settings.

A ferry ride across Sydney Harbour provides another way to see the city’s skyline and famous landmarks, with winter’s clear skies offering favorable sightseeing conditions.

For those looking to venture outside the city, the Blue Mountains offer cooler weather, dramatic landscapes, and a peaceful setting just a short journey from Sydney.

Seasonal winter markets also add to the city’s appeal, featuring food stalls, local crafts, entertainment, and illuminated displays.

Indoor attractions include Sydney’s museums and galleries, where visitors can explore Australian history, contemporary art, and cultural exhibitions.

Sydney beckons with cool winter charm

Bondi Beach remains a popular destination during winter, offering coastal scenery and a quieter atmosphere than during the summer months.

The cooler season also gives Filipino travelers a chance to embrace winter fashion, with coats, boots, and layered clothing becoming part of the travel experience.

Visitors can also explore neighborhoods such as Paddington, Balmain, Newtown, and Surry Hills, known for independent bookstores, boutiques, cafés, and local character. Winter in Sydney is also marked by Vivid Sydney, an annual festival featuring large-scale light installations, music performances, and immersive art displays around the harbor.

And with daily flights to Sydney via Philippine Airlines, that “coolest summer ever” might be closer than you think.

Mercury Rising Bob Zozobrado

A COUPLE of weeks ago, my team from the Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA) was in Tarlac for a meeting with Provincial Governor Christian Tell Yap and the signing of our Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), indicating PRA’s partnership with the province. Such collaboration is designed to facilitate the social and cultural integration of our foreign retirees who have chosen the province as their new home. Tarlac is right in the heart of Central Luzon, at the cultural crossroads of the various Tagalog communities, the Kapampangan, Ilocano, and Pangasinense societies. Because of its unique location as the melting pot of several provincial cultures, Tarlac has diverse and rich culinary offerings. There are 370 foreign retirees who have chosen to settle down in Tarlac, coming from 32 countries. Our MOA with the provincial government gives the lives of these foreign retirees an added lift as they will now also be in the caring hands of the local government unit (LGU). In case of any emergency, they know where they can run to, and when the province celebrates festivals and other cultural events, they will be invited to be a part of these happy celebrations. Social integration of our retirees is the bottom line of our MOA signing with various LGUs all over the country.

I have heard that there is so much for our retirees to like and enjoy in Tarlac because

Discovering the melting pot of Central Luzon

it has an interesting mix of history, religion, and adventure. Since I haven’t really seen much of the province, I decided to visit and learn more about some of the attractions.

Only about 40 minutes from Tarlac City, the Capas National Shrine stands as a proud monument dedicated to the thousands of brave men and women who fought against the Japanese during World War II, those who died during the tragic Death March, and those who died while in prison. The site of this memorial was a former Japanese concentration camp for American and Filipino prisoners.

The Monasterio de Tarlac beautifully adorns the summit of Mount Resurrection, which is part of the Zambales Mountain Range in San Jose. This famous religious pilgrimage site houses a relic of the True Cross of Jesus Christ and a large statue of His Resurrection. This eco-park is an easy 30-minute ride from the province’s capital city. For those who go for adventure, there is the Mount Pinatubo crater. Thrill-seekers enjoy this world-famous destination because, after a rough ride in a 4x4 vehicle and an arduous trek, they are greeted by the splendor of its moon-like landscape and the volcano’s crater, which is now an awesome turquoise lagoon. The beauty that nature now provides tourists at this destination no longer reflects the deadly fury that the volcano exhibited during its 1991 eruption. Of course, no sightseeing tour is ever complete without a food component. I enjoyed the Isdaan Floating Restaurant in Gerona, a large Thai-themed culinary

YOUR MONDAY CHUCKLE

The blonde lady failed her driving test because, when the instructor asked, “What do you do at a red light?” she replied, “I check my email and see what people are up to on Facebook!”

Bondi Beach remains part of Sydney’s winter draw, o ering a quieter coastal stop for travelers seeking cool weather, open views, and a slower seaside pace Circular Quay gives

The Rocks adds a touch of history for visitors looking beyond the usual leisure stops

Isdaan Floating Restaurant in Gerona gives visitors a playful food stop in Tarlac, with its ‘Tacsiyapo’ Wall adding a stressrelease twist to the dining experience

Lawrence Munnick (right) and his Filipina wife share how life in Tarlac has become part of the province’s growing appeal among foreign retirees

Mount Pinatubo’s crater remains one of Tarlac’s major adventure draws

Governor Christian Tell Yap joins the province’s partnership with the PRA to help foreign retirees settle into Tarlac’s local communities

Monasterio de Tarlac in San Jose highlights the province’s religious heritage through its pilgrimage site on Mount Resurrection

Capas National Shrine honors the Filipino and American prisoners of war who died during the Death March and in the former concentration camp