Sandigan finds evidence weak, grants Revilla bail
THE Sandiganbayan Third Division on Friday granted the bail petition of former Sen. Ramon ‘Bong’ Revilla, Jr. for his malversation case over the alleged ghost flood control project in Pandi, Bulacan. The anti-graft court ordered Revilla
Labor chief: Workers not required to return additional pay
By Vito Barcelo, Othel Campos and Pot Chavez
THE labor department said it will challenge a Pasig court order temporarily halting the implementation of the P85 daily minimum wage increase in Metro Manila, while assuring workers they do not have to return wage adjustments already received.
The first tranche at P60 of the wage hike – the largest increase in Metro Manila to date that benefits more than 1.1 million minimum wage workers –took effect on July 25. The additional P25 increase is scheduled to take effect on Jan. 20, 2027.
The department, through the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) and the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board–National Capital Region (RTWPB-NCR), is coordinating with the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) which will serve as legal counsel for the agencies in court proceedings, Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino said.
The DOLE chief added that workers who have already received their wage adjustments are not required to return the additional amount.
"Workers have already acquired a vested right to those amounts. They should not be required to return them
By Rex Espiritu and Joel Zurbano
THE Office of the Ombudsman on Friday said it filed criminal charges arising from its investigation into alleged solar energy network abuse by Sen. Loren Legarda and her son
By Maricel V. Cruz
THE Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) extended the PHP10 per liter fuel subsidy for passenger jeepneys and UV Express units for another month, while it studies whether to expand the program to cover buses or grant them a fare hike instead.
In a radio interview on Friday, LTFRB Chair Vigor Mendoza II said the fuel discount set to expire on July 31 will continue through August. "Ipagpapatuloy po ang fuel subsidy, yung PHP10 bawat litro sa mga jeepney at saka UV Express for another month (The fuel subsidy of PHP10 per liter for jeepneys and UV Express will continue for another month)," Mendoza said. He said the extension was decided while the LTFRB works toward a final resolution on pending fare hike petitions. Mendoza said buses currently do not benefit from the fuel discount, leaving two options for the sector: a
Leviste. Ombudsman investigators allegedly found that Legarda, Leviste and former Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi conspired to secure exclusive government rights over the country’s solar energy resources through legislative and regulatory actions. Charges filed include alleged vio-
lations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (Republic Act 3019), the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees (Republic Act 6713) and the Plunder Law (Republic Act 7080).
Investigators also found that numerous exclusive solar energy service
P-pop powerhouse SB19 makes history as first Pinoy act to perform at Lollapalooza
By Angelica Villanueva
P-POP powerhouse SB19 made history as the first Filipino act to perform at Lollapalooza, taking the stage at the annual music festival in Chicago.
On Friday, July 31, the five-member group took the Allianz Stage and was greeted by loud cheers from the crowd as it kicked off its set with the hit track “DAM.” The opening was followed by an equally electrifying performance of “GENTO.”
The group then introduced themselves before launching into a set that featured their latest single, “Lawless,” performed live for the first time. SB19 also treated festivalgoers to performances of “Emoji,” “MAPA,” “Wakas,” “VISA,” and “Dungka.” The quintet also gave a glimpse of “Mga Kababayan,” its rendition of the Francis M. classic recorded for DreamWorks Animation’s upcoming film “Forgotten Island.”
National Bureau of Investigation Director Melvin Matibag said the agency is investigating a plot to frame Executive Secretary Ralph Recto involving drugs and sexual
use of witnesses whom “he himself and now the Department of Justice (DOJ) have already publicly discredited.”
AUGUST 1, 2026
By Charles Dantes and Katrina Manubay
THE Marcos administration is shifting gears from treating illness to preventing disease, with expanded government healthcare benefits complemented by a new fiveyear Philippines-United States health partnership worth up to P42 billion to strengthen the country's fight against infectious diseases.
Acting Health Secretary Jose Pujalte Jr. said Friday the government's Universal Health Care (UHC) pro-
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because, at the time the increases were paid and received, there was no order suspending the wage adjustment,” he said.
DOLE-NCR Regional Director Sarah Buena Mirasol, who also chairs the RTWPB-NCR, noted the wage board followed the procedures under the Wage Rationalization Act, with representatives from labor, employers and government given the opportunity to present their positions before the board reached its decision.
"We are coordinating with the Office of the Solicitor General to argue
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to be released from detention after posting a cash bond worth P1 million for “failure of the prosecution to establish that the evidence of his guilt is strong.”
Acting on this order, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) said it has released the former senator from prison at 6:14 p.m. on July 31, 2026, according to reports.
Meanwhile, the court denied the bail petitions of Revilla’s co-accused—former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Bulacan First District Engineers Brice Hernandez, Jaypee Mendoza, Emelita Juat, Arjay Domasig—accountant Juanito Mendoza and cashier Christina Pineda “on account of the strong evidence of their guilt as to the charge of malversation.”
Revilla has been in detention for six months at the Quezon City Jail Male Dormitory since January with his co-accused after they were arrested at the height of the flood control
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Romualdez also pointed out that the same individuals are now facing cyberlibel and perjury complaints.
“But the Ombudsman is using witnesses he himself and now the DOJ have already publicly discredited –and who are now facing cyberlibel and perjury charges,” he said.
Questioning the fairness of the investigation, Romualdez asked: “Ito ba ang patas na imbestigasyon?”
(Is this a fair investigation?)
He added that the witnesses had already been rejected and later charged, yet were still being used against him.
“Mga testigong ibinasura na, kinasuhan pa ng cyberlibel at perjury — gagamitin pa rin para lang ituro ako at ako lamang,” he said.
(Witnesses who have been dismissed, even charged with cyberlibel and perjury — will still be used to point to me and me alone)
Despite his objections, Romualdez said he would continue to face the proceedings.
“Hindi ako uurong sa laban na ito. Hindi ako matitinag. Gawin natin ang tama,” he said.
From A1 contracts were awarded to corporations within the alleged network, but many of the projects were never developed as promised. In effect, Leviste created a virtual monopoly of solar energy projects. The investigation also found that some service contracts were transferred to affiliated corporations that allegedly existed only on paper and had not commenced operations, indicating they had no intention to fulfill
gram is expanding free diagnostic tests, medicines and hospital services while encouraging Filipinos to adopt
that the wage order is valid because we complied with the prescribed process," Mirasol said.
In a social media post, Akbayan Rep. Chel Diokno noted that courts are prohibited from halting the implementation of wage orders under Article 126 of the Labor Code.
Health workers from UST Hospital staged a flash mob and noise barrage along Lacson Ave. in Sampaloc, Manila yesterday to protest the suspension of the minimum wage increase.
“The Pasig RTC erred in issuing a temporary restraining order against the implementation of the PHP85 wage hike here in the NCR. Aside from violating the Labor Code, the move is also baseless,” Renato Magtubo of Partido Manggagawa said in a
corruption scandal. In response to this development, the Office of the Ombudsman said it will exhaust all available legal remedies following the anti-graft court’s decision authorizing Revilla’s temporary freedom.
Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said they respect the orders and decisions of the Sandiganbayan but will stand by its own investigation and work.
"The Office of the Ombudsman, while it respects the orders and decisions of the Sandiganbayan, must stand by its own investigation and work,” Clavano said in a statement.
"We will exhaust all remedies to highlight the basis for which we can say that evidence of guilt is indeed strong against former Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla,” he added.
Malacañang, meanwhile, said it will not interfere in judicial proceedings and will respect whatever decision is rendered by the courts following the Sandiganbayan's order granting Revilla bail in one of the remaining cases linked to the multibillion-peso scam.
(I will not back down from this fight. I will not be moved. Let's do the right thing)
The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Wednesday said criminal complaints for perjury and cyber libel against the 18 former bodyguards of fugitive former lawmaker Zaldy Co and their lawyer have been filed in four Regional Trial Courts (RTCs) in Metro Manila.
DOJ spokesperson Polo Martinez said all Informations were filed on Tuesday before the RTCs of the cities of Caloocan, Las Piñas, Muntinlupa, and San Juan.
The cases arose from several complaints involving the execution and dissemination of a joint sworn statement, related press conferences and interviews, social media posts and other online publications.
The so-called 18 “maleta boys” were charged in 10 separate Informations for six counts of cyber libel under Section 4(c)(4) of Republic Act (RA) 10175, otherwise known as the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, and four counts of perjury.
Lawyer Levito Baligod is charged as a co-accused with the socalled “18 maleta boys” in certain Informations.
contracts they secured.
The terminated contracts resulted in more than P10.44 billion in unpaid financial obligations to the government, with the failure to develop the contracted renewable energy projects depriving the country of additional power generation capacity and contributing to higher electricity costs ultimately borne by Filipino consumers.
“The case underscores the Ombudsman’s commitment to investigating alleged abuse of public office, conflict of interest, and schemes that result in significant losses to the government and the Filipino people,”
healthier lifestyles to reduce the burden on the healthcare system.
Speaking during the televised program “Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon,” Pujalte said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s health agenda combines broader public healthcare benefits with stronger preventive care.
"The Universal Health Care program cannot move forward if we cannot cover our patients' medical bills," Pujalte said.
He said the government has strengthened its Zero Balance Billing policy to ensure patients admitted to
separate statement.
The BPO Industry Employees Network (BIEN) also hit the suspension:
“This legal maneuver is nothing more than another attempt by big business to deny workers even the smallest relief from the worsening cost of living…Prices of food, transportation, housing, electricity, fuel, and other basic necessities continue to rise while wages remain trapped at poverty levels. Yet instead of recognizing the sacrifices of workers who create their profits every day, these employers want to take away even this measly increase.”
The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, for its part, said efforts to tame inflation and reduce the cost of essential goods should take
Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said the executive branch would not comment on the merits of the antigraft court's ruling, emphasizing that the judiciary has the sole authority to decide such matters.
"Nasa sa kamay ng Sandiganbayan ang pagpapasya sa mga ganyang usapin (The decision on matters like that rests with the Sandiganbayan)," Castro said in a video statement. Castro emphasized that the Marcos administration respects the independence of the judiciary and its decisions. She added that the next legal steps, if any, would be up to the Office of the Special Prosecutor, which represents the government before the anti-graft court.
"It is also up to the prosecutors to determine the proper action or legal remedy regarding the Sandiganbayan's order or resolution,” she said.
Castro said prosecutors are in the best position to determine whether to seek reconsideration or pursue other remedies allowed under the Rules of Court. “The law and due process should always prevail,” she added.
The Palace declined to comment
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SB19 closed its Lollapalooza debut with “Crimzone,” drawing cheers from the crowd as the performance capped another milestone in the group’s international career.
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an entrapment operation at a five-star hotel in Manila after the suspect allegedly accepted ₱500,000 in marked money.
It added that the suspect allegedly told investigators that former Negros congressman Jacinto “Jing” Paras had contacted the suspect to carry out the purported scheme.
In a chance interview, Matibag told reporters that the suspect named former Congressman Jacinto "Jing" Paras and Rep. Leandro Leviste in the alleged scheme.
“Siguro maiuugnay na namin ‘to sa destabilization. We will investigate this. Ipapatawag natin si dating congressman Jing Paras at Congressman Leandro Leviste dahil ayon sa mga
Ombudsman Jesus Crispin "Boying" Remulla said.
Baseless and totally undeserved Senator Legarda, however, called the charges "baseless" and "totally undeserved".
She said they have yet to receive any communication from the Office of the Ombudsman regarding the reported preliminary investigation.
"I can categorically state that the reported accusations are utterly false and baseless. No public funds were involved. We are prepared to bring out the truth," Legarda said.
"We urge the public to be discern-
ward accommodations in Department of Health (DOH) hospitals and participating local government hospitals no longer pay hospital bills, helping reduce out-of-pocket health expenses.
Pujalte also cited the expansion of PhilHealth's preventive healthcare programs, particularly the YAKAP package and the Guaranteed and Accessible Medications for Outpatient Treatment (GAMOT) program.
Under GAMOT, qualified members may receive up to P20,000 worth of medicines annually, while the list of covered drugs has been expanded
priority over wage increases.
PCCI president Perry Ferrer said employers are struggling with rising operating costs even as they understand the financial pressures facing workers as inflation continues to erode their purchasing power.
"Business owners certainly are feeling the continuous cost being added to operating their establishments. On the other hand, the owners also feel the challenges of employees when their wages continue to buy less products and services due to rising costs," Ferrer said.
"The answer is really how to bring down and lower the price of essential goods and services so all Filipinos throughout the country will benefit," he added.
further on the merits of the Sandiganbayan's order, maintaining that judicial proceedings should be allowed to run their course without interference from the executive branch.
Revilla's bail petition stemmed from a malversation through falsification of public documents case involving an alleged P92.8-million ghost flood control project in Pandi, Bulacan. The anti-graft court stressed, however, that its ruling was limited to the issue of bail and did not determine Revilla's guilt or innocence, with the criminal case set to proceed to trial.
Revilla has been in detention for six months at the Quezon City Jail Male Dormitory since January with his co-accused.
The prosecution said Revilla and his co-respondents allegedly connived to divert at least P76 million for the construction of the project in Purok V, Barangay Bunsuran in Pandi, Bulacan, which turned out to be a ghost project.
The trial for Revilla’s malversation case is set on August 4. Maricel V. Cruz, Rex Espiritu, and Charles Dantes
The appearance came after the group’s U.S. promotional activities, including a performance at the Grammy Museum and Josh Cullen’s ceremonial first pitch before the Chicago White Sox-New York Yankees game.
Following the performance, #SB19PALOOZA became one of the top trending topics on X, formerly Twitter.
statement na ‘to ang mag popondo dahil malaking amount ‘yung ibibigay ay si Congressman Leviste,” he said.
(We can likely link this to destabilization. We will investigate this. We will summon former Congressman Jing Paras and Congressman Leandro Leviste, because according to these statements, Congressman Leviste is the one who will provide the funding—a substantial amount.)
“Base sa kwento nung inimbestigahan, sasabihin daw na si Executive Secretary kumukuha doon sa bugaw na ‘to. At pipilitin silang mag drugs, tapos pipilitin din sila mag sexual activies,” he added.
(Based on the account of the person investigated, the Executive Secretary allegedly sourced individuals from this pimp. They were forced to use drugs and compelled to engage in sexual activities.)
ing, especially in light of the timing and nature of these allegations. We remain confident that once the facts are laid bare, we will be vindicated and our names cleared," she added. Gardiola faces graft and malversation raps Meanwhile, the Office of the Ombudsman's special panel of investigators recommended filing graft and nonbailable malversation charges against Construction Workers Solidarity party-list Rep. Tirso Edwin Gardiola and several others regarding allegedly anomalous flood control projects in Bulacan.
to 75 essential medicines for illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension and bacterial infections.
Beginning next year, PhilHealth will add laboratory examinations under the YAKAP package, including tests for kidney, liver and thyroid diseases, as well as Hepatitis B. The outpatient package already covers free consultations, laboratory tests, X-rays and mammography.
"Many diseases affecting Filipinos can be treated earlier if they are identified through laboratory testing," Pujalte said.
Dutertes bow to court ruling, will resort to legal remedies
By Katrina Manubay LAWYER Manases
"Mans" Carpio on Friday said legal issues surrounding the release of his and Vice President Sara Duterte's income tax records should be resolved through the proper judicial process, even as they continue to comply with orders of the Senate impeachment court.
In a statement, Carpio said he and Duterte respect the authority of the Senate impeachment court and will continue to comply with lawful processes.
But he maintained that important constitutional and legal questions remain regarding the authorization for the release of their tax records.
According to Carpio, the authorization should be evaluated under the constitutional and statutory framework governing taxpayer information and the exercise of executive authority. His legal team argued that there is no indication the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has issued any tax assessment or determination of tax deficiency against either him or Duterte.
Carpio also questioned whether the procedural requirements and recommendations required under the applicable legal framework were satisfied before the authorization to release the records was issued.
He said these issues should be resolved through the proper constitutional and judicial processes rather than through public debate.
"The submission of documents to the Senate Impeachment Court is a procedural step. The legal significance, admissibility, and evidentiary value of those documents are matters for the Court to determine in accordance with the Constitution, applicable law, and the Rules of the Senate Impeachment Court," Carpio said.
LTFRB... From A1 fare hike or expanded fuel discount coverage.
"Naiintindihan naman natin yung sitwasyon ng mga bus, kasi hindi naman sila kasama sa fuel discount for now. So, there are really two options there — iakyat ang pamasahe sa mga bus or pangalawa, yung fuel discount na karapat-dapat sa bus (We understand the situation of buses, because they are not included in the fuel discount for now. So there are really two options — raise the fare for buses or give them the fuel discount they deserve)," he said.
He noted, however, that extending the fuel discount to buses would have significant budgetary implications given the sector's size.
"Kung isasama ang bus sa fuel discount, malaking kabawasan sa funds ng ating gobyerno. Makakatipid din tayo, so we might as well bite the bullet now (If buses are included in the fuel discount, it would be a large reduction in government funds. We can also save, so we might as well bite the bullet now)," Mendoza said.
He said the LTFRB is scheduled to meet with Executive Secretary Ralph Recto and Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez to discuss a final decision on the bus sector's concerns. No decision has been made yet on proposals to increase the fuel discount to PHP15 or PHP20 per liter; Mendoza said the status quo will be maintained until a final decision is reached.
Myanmar ruler sued for war crimes in PH
WAR-crime survivors from northwestern Chin State in Myanmar filed on Friday their second “motion to resolve” before the Department of Justice (DOJ) as part of a global initiative to hold dictators accountable.
Lawyer Gilbert Andres, one of the counsels for the Chin complainants, explained that the Philippines exercises universal jurisdiction over international crimes, citing R.A. No. 9851.
“We filed it in the Philippines because the Philippines has a law, it is called the IHL Act which actually has universal jurisdiction so the Philippines has universal jurisdiction over any international crimes such as war crimes,” Andres said.
“It is the same Section 17 of the IHL Act that was invoked when Mr. [Rodrigo] Duterte to the ICC, the same Section 17 of the IHL Act that was invoked by the DOJ and other law enforcement agencies to implement the ICC arrest warrant against Senator Bato [Dela Rosa],” he added. Pot Chavez
Groups sue PNP at CHR for violent, illegal arrests
HUMAN rights and people’s organizations on Friday the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) to conduct an independent investigation into the Philippine National Police’s attacks on peaceful protests, particularly on the violent and illegal arrests during the People’s SONA on July 27.
Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) secretary general Raymond Palatino said they submitted a letter to the CHR, documenting a pattern of police violence, arbitrary arrests, harassment and intimidation of protesters and journalists during the July 6 and July 22 protests in Pasay City as well as the anti-corruption protests since September 2025.
“The Philippine National Police’s escalating attacks on peaceful assemblies, including the violent and illegal arrests during the People’s SONA on July 27, warrant an independent investigation by the CHR,” Palatino said. Rio N. Araja
DepEd, UNICEF vet skills of 313 students
MORE than 300 students in Misamis
Oriental under the Alternative Learning System (ALS) have received micro-certifications from the Department of Education and UNICEF Philippines for demonstrating key life skills under DepEd’s pilot ALS Micro-Certification initiative on July 31.
As part of the ALS Micro-Certification for Life Skills initiative, the 313 ALS learners underwent a 360-degree assessment that includes self-evaluations alongside input from teachers and community members, measuring life skills they exhibit in real-world contexts. The program is aligned with Republic Act No. 11510 or the ALS Act and the Philippine Qualifications Framework which aims to formally support efforts beyond literacy and numeracy. Gabriel Oliva
By Katrina Manubay
THE United States and the Philippines have signed a five-year Health Strategic Objective Agreement providing up to P42 billion ($685 million) in joint funding to strengthen the country’s fight against HIV and tuberculosis while boosting its capacity to respond to emerging public health threats.
In a statement released Friday, the US Embassy in Manila said the agreement, signed on July 22, marks a new phase of bilateral health cooperation, with the Philippine government committing more
than P30 billion ($492 million) to its health system over the next five years.
“For over 60 years, the United States has provided health assistance in the Philippines, which has saved lives and
improved the Filipino health system,” the embassy said.
The agreement aims to strengthen the country’s ability to detect, treat and prevent HIV and tuberculosis while improving global health security through coordinated investments by both governments. According to the embassy, the program will enhance disease surveillance, detection and outbreak response, integrate health service delivery across disease programs, and strengthen the country’s capacity to finance and manage its health sector.
“The Agreement recognizes the significant co-investment from the Government of the Philippines, which has committed to investing more than P30 billion ($492 million) in their health systems
over the next five years,” the embassy said.
The embassy added that the initiative is expected to save lives in both the Philippines and the United States by improving the resilience of the Philippine health system and promoting innovations to slow the spread of infectious diseases. The agreement was signed during the visit of new US Ambassador to the Philippines Lee Lipton and coincided with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s trip to Manila for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) meetings. The embassy said the agreement also marks a milestone under the Trump administration’s America First Global Health Strategy, which seeks to strengthen bilateral partnerships through foreign assistance and global health cooperation.
By Joel E. Zurbano
SENATOR Panfilo Lacson said the evidence he has gathered on flood control projects in Taguig City indicates former Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano exercises near-total control over the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) activities in his hometown. Lacson said district engineers cannot operate or maintain their positions without Cayetano’s approval, as he is fully aware of all operations within the DPWH in Taguig.
“DPWH operations in Taguig are virtually controlled by one person. No one can move without Cayetano’s knowledge. That’s the way it works,” the senator said in a radio interview.
Lacson said some of the contractors involved in Taguig’s projects include those owned by the Discayas; Topnotch Catalyst Builders owned by Eumir Villanueva; Core Check; Tuchar and Dahl, among others.
The senator said he and his team’s investigation uncovered an “ecosystem” in Taguig where projects are prearranged for favored contractors, with district en-
By Ram Superable
dential Complaint Center claiming that he frequents casinos and engages in illegal gambling under false aliases. Addressing the accusations, Pujalte dismissed the complaint as a fabrication intended to derail his work at the agency. The complaint alleges that the health chief used the aliases “Louis Santos”
region. According to the complaint, Pujalte’s alleged casino visits violate Presidential Decree No. 1869, which prohibits government officials and employees from gambling or staying inside casinos. The filing further accuses Pujalte of violating Republic Act No. 6713, Civil Service Commission Memorandum Circular No. 06, series of 2016, the Anti-
Alias Law, Article 178 of the Revised Penal Code, and Know-Your-Customer rules under the Anti-Money Laundering Act. The anonymous complainants urged Malacañang to initiate an immediate investigation through oversight agencies and subpoena CCTV footage, registration logs, and facial recognition records from PAGCOR and the involved hotels. They also requested the preventive suspension and eventual removal of Pujalte from his post as health secretary to protect the integrity of the department.
gineers expected to follow the dictates of Cayetano’s trusted men. He said with the help of informants, they have pieced together the money trail, identified the flow of infrastructure project kickbacks, and have started turning over the evidence to the Ombudsman.
“Many district engineers were replaced when they did not follow Cayetano’s orders. One was reportedly told he has no say in the projects in Taguig. If he does not follow, he would be removed. One district engineer was told that his predecessor was removed because he did not know how to follow orders,” Lacson said. “Cayetano claims there is no flood control anomaly or ghost project in Taguig. It’s up to him. That’s what he says, but records and documents say otherwise,” he added. He said the evidence gathered by his team shows a possible 33-percent kickback structure in Taguig infrastructure projects, including: 10% for the “principal,” 2% for the “boys,” and 6% for the Bids and Awards Committee, including 3% for BAC members and 3% for contractors who join the bidding.
By Ram Superable
SENATOR Francis Escudero on Friday introduced a measure seeking a nationwide ban on gambling advertisements and sponsorships to address excessive gaming behavior and shield vulnerable groups.
Senate Bill 2347 targets marketing campaigns across all forms of media, including endorsements by celebrities and social media influencers. According to Escudero, his bill mirrors restrictions placed on the tobacco indus-
CEBU’S DIVING GEM.
Known for its sardine run and resident sea turtle population, Moalboal attracts thousands of divers and snorkelers each year.
DENR-7 said preserving these marine resources is essential to sustaining the town’s tourism industry and coastal livelihoods. DENR-7
By Minerva Newman M
OALBOAL, Cebu—The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)Region 7 is strengthening partnerships with dive operators in Moalboal to help protect the town’s worldrenowned marine ecosystem as tourism continues to grow.
Known for its sardine run and resident sea turtle population, Moalboal attracts thousands of divers and snorkelers each year. DENR-7 said preserving these marine resources is essential to
sustaining the town’s tourism industry and coastal livelihoods.
Through its Coastal and Marine Management Unit under the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office
DENR secures three endangered crocodiles
THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has secured three critically endangered saltwater crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus) during a coordinated wildlife extraction operation in San Felipe, Zambales. The operation involved the San Felipe local government, El Samba Resort, the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) in Olongapo City, and wildlife specialists from Zoobic Safari to ensure the safe extraction, handling, and transfer of the animals.
CENRO Olongapo City chief Edward Sernadilla said the crocodiles were safely turned over to Zoobic Safari after the operation.
“Following the extraction, the crocodiles were turned over to Zoobic Safari, where they will undergo comprehensive veterinary assessment, receive specialized medical care, and be placed under long-term management in a secure facility designed for large reptiles,” Sernadilla said.
DENR Regional Executive Director Ralph Pablo emphasized the importance of cooperation in protecting threatened wildlife while ensuring compliance with environmental laws. Butch Gunio
THE Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) seized 75 kilograms of suspected shabu worth an estimated P510 million during a joint operation at Batangas Port in Batangas City on July 30. PCG spokesperson Commodore Noemie Cayabyab said authorities intercepted and searched a white van, recovering 75 foil packs containing a white crystalline substance believed to be shabu. The seized drugs are subject to laboratory examination.
The operation led to the arrest of two men and one woman, all residents of Barangay Talon-Talon, Zamboanga City.
The suspects are facing charges for alleged violation of Section 5, Article II of Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. Vince Lopez
THE Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will replace the aging drainage system along a section of Taft Avenue in Malate, Manila to permanently address chronic flooding that has long disrupted traffic and stranded students and commuters during heavy rains.
Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon said funding for the continuation of the drainage improvement project in front of De La Salle University (DLSU) has been allocated for 2027.
He said the project is part of the government’s broader flood mitigation program aimed at speeding up the recession of floodwaters, improving traffic flow, and reducing disruptions during the rainy season.
The rehabilitation project will replace old drainage lines with larger-capacity pipes and include other flood control improvements. Vito Barcelo
(CENRO) Argao, DENR-7 conducted a Green Fins implementation, reorientation, and feedback session on July 27 and 28 at Panagsa Beach in Barangay Basdiot.
The activity focused on accredited dive operators MB Ocean Blue and Lion Dive Resort, two major stakeholders in Moalboal’s dive tourism sector.
Led by DENR-7 Green Fins assessors Carlo Babiera and Eduardo Fidel, the sessions covered marine biodiversity conservation, waste management, and measures to reduce the impact of diving activities on coral reefs and other sensitive marine habitats.
Dive operators, guides, and assessors also discussed challenges encountered in the field and explored practical ways to comply with international Green Fins environmental standards.
DENR-7 said responsible diving practices are vital not only to protecting coral reefs and marine wildlife but also to sustaining the tourism industry that supports the local economy.
The program also strengthened cooperation among the DENR, the Moalboal local government, and private dive operators under the municipality’s Green Fins pilot program.
By Rex Espiritu
GOVERNMENT troops killed three alleged members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in a series of armed encounters in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro, on Wednesday, the Philippine Army said.
The Army’s 203rd Infantry (Bantay Kapayapaan) Brigade said troops launched a combat operation after receiving information from residents of Barangay Del Pilar about the presence of armed men in the area.
The operation resulted in two consecutive firefights that, according to the Army, led to the deaths of three suspected NPA members.
Troops recovered a Bushmaster rifle, an M4 rifle, an M16 rifle, three bandoliers, 11 magazines, an ICOM radio, a commercial radio, improvised explosive device components, four backpacks containing personal belongings, and what the Army described as subversive documents abandoned by fleeing rebels.
“Pursuit operations are still ongoing against the fleeing members of the armed group,” the Army said.
Brig. Gen. Melencio Ragudo, commander of the 203rd Infantry Brigade, said the operation underscored the importance of cooperation among the military, local government units, and communities.
“This operation shows the importance of the Army’s strong partnership with local government units and the communities we serve,” he said.
“What happened here in Naujan demonstrates that when the local government, security forces, and residents work together, armed groups are given less space to move, intimidate communities, and disrupt the peace,” Ragudo said.
By Maricel V. Cruz
A DEPARTMENT of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) official on Friday highlighted the importance of providing responsive social protection for families raising children with disabilities through the agency’s Project Aruga.
“As parents, it’s very difficult for them to raise children, isn’t it? I’m sure it’s doubly difficult to raise children with disabilities because they do have special needs,” said Undersecretary Adonis Sulit of the DSWD’s Policy and Plans Group.
To help address these challenges, the DSWD’s Social Technology Bureau developed Project Aruga, a community-based intervention model that
provides disability-inclusive social protection for children with disabilities and their families.
“The technical term used by the DSWD is that before implementing a program for a vulnerable sector, it must first develop a model of intervention. In this case, it is called Project Aruga—a community-based intervention that provides disability-inclusive social protection to children with disabilities and their families,” Sulit said.
Project Aruga delivers comprehensive social and health services that are family-focused, client-centered, and community-oriented to address the unmet needs of children with disabilities and their caregivers.
Sulit said the program includes a disability
support allowance for parents or recognized caregivers to help offset the cost of caring for children with disabilities.
The project also seeks to improve families’ access to health care, education, skills development, livelihood, employment, and social insurance by strengthening partnerships with government agencies and the private sector.
As of July 2026, the DSWD has enrolled 1,140 families across nine pilot sites: Caloocan City; Laoag City, Ilocos Norte; Ilagan City, Isabela; Lubao, Pampanga; Biñan City, Laguna; Puerto Princesa, Palawan; Sorsogon City, Sorsogon; San Jose de Buenavista, Antique; and Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur.
A BILL has been filed in the House of Representatives seeking to strengthen protections for borrowers against abusive practices by online lending platforms.
Akbayan Party-list Reps. Chel Diokno, Perci Cendaña, and Dadah Ismula, together with Dinagat Islands Rep. Kaka Bagao, filed House Bill No. 10366 to curb harassment, excessive charges, and other predatory practices by online lenders. The proposed measure seeks to prohibit harassment, public shaming, unauthorized use of personal information, hidden charges, excessive interest rates, and deceptive debt collection practices.
Diokno said
By Rommel C. Banlaoi
RECENT controversies such as allegations that a university involved in Chinese language teacher training made claims about Batanes belonging to China have reignited anti- China narratives in Philippine public discourse.
Reports, commentaries and social media posts increasingly portray Filipino scholars and institutions engaged in dialogue with China as “traitors” and mere instruments of foreign propaganda and influence operations.
Such portrayals are malicious. They delegitimize independent academic inquiry and revive Cold War–style paranoia, breeding suspicion and division within the scholarly community.
Worse, they undermine the credibility of Philippine academic institutions in the global arena, weakening their ability to contribute to balanced policy discourse.
Filipino scholars and research institutions engaged in China Studies and Chinese language instructions are not “borrowed mouths” of external powers. They are pro -Filipino voices dedicated to advancing national interests, safeguarding sovereignty, and contributing to regional stability.
To stigmatize them as agents of foreign influence is to suppress legitimate debate and erode the academic freedom that underpins Philippine democracy.
Although no comprehensive registry exists, available data suggest that the number of Filipino students and scholars in China continues to rise despite persistent China-bashing.
Historically, the Philippines has sent fewer students to China compared to other Southeast Asian countries. Today, however, hundreds pursue studies and research there through exchange initiatives and scholarship programs. To reduce these engagements to “influence operations” oversimplifies their academic and cultural dimensions.
Suspicion toward institutions engaged in China Studies and Chinese language education illustrates how quickly academic initiatives can be politicized. Yet similar programs with other countries do not attract the same hostility. This double standard reveals that the issue is not academic engagement itself, but the politicization of China-related initiatives.
China’s growing influence in the Indo -Pacific, its actions in the South China Sea, and its economic statecraft deserve rigorous and fair scholarly investigation. Demonizing those who study China is not analysis but paralysis. Genuine dialogue fosters mutual understanding, while objective scholarship should inform policy choices with evidence and balance.
The Philippines faces the enormous challenge of navigating between Washington and Beijing. National interest lies in constructive relations with both powers while maintaining strategic independence. Filipino scholars contribute to this balancing act by offering varied perspectives—some critical of China, others advocating engagement, still others emphasizing the enduring value of the U.S. alliance. All are part of a healthy intellectual ecosystem that strengthens democracy and promotes academic excellence.
IN RECENT weeks, the Philippines saw some rivers overflowing their banks and floodwater rising south of the capital. Some see this as a chapter of the powerful El Nino phenomenon which has tightened its grip in the Pacific, the ripple effects extending far beyond traditional temperate wildfire zones. —“—
Tropical archipelagoes and humid ecosystems -- which historically did not co-evolve with fire -- now face severe vulnerability.
In the Philippines, forecasts from the state weather bureau indicate a high probability of below normal rainfall, prolonged dry spells, and intense localized droughts.
What is most troubling in anti- China narratives is their effort to institutionalize suspicion toward scholars. By casting academic engagement as subversion, they erode trust, constrict avenues for public diplomacy, and risk locking the Philippines into confrontational frameworks that weaken its capacity for independent action.
The way forward lies not in malicious accusations but in reasoned debate, balanced dialogue, and candid conversations grounded in respect and intellectual humility. Filipino scholars stand ready to contribute as independent voices committed to advancing Philippine national interest amidst great power competition. Their participation ensures that policy choices are informed by evidence rather than allegation, guided by the scientific mind rather than prejudice.
Both the United States and China remain indispensable partners. Filipinos must never be reduced to pawns in a great power rivalry. Truth demands dialogue, not disruption; only disciplined exchange can overcome prejudice and build genuine understanding.
Respectful debate rejects anti- China narratives rooted in fear and fosters balanced engagement.
The Philippines must view China not merely as a threat, for economic ties and regional stability depend on friendship and mutual understanding guided by reason, academic freedom, and the pursuit of objective scholarship.
(The writer, holder of a PhD, is Director of the Philippines‑China Studies Center at Diliman College, Chairman of the Board of Advisers of the China Studies Center at New Era University, and former Presi dent of the Philippine Association for Chinese Studies.)
The way forward lies not in malicious accusations but in reasoned debate, balanced dialogue, and candid conversations. —“—
A nation moving forward, a nation that does not yield
By Dr. Jose Antonio Goitia
Jr.’s fifth State of the Nation Address was as much about our collective direction as it was about our
shared accomplishments. Beyond the policy updates and legislative programs, it reflected an administration steadfastly intent on sustaining economic growth, strengthening public institutions, and
When prolonged agricultural drought hits the Philippines, the danger is twofold: One, driedout undergrowth and stressed agricultural lands elevate the risk of sudden brush and forest fires in regions unaccustomed
to management burns. Two, crop yields for staple goods like rice and corn face devastating declines, threatening food security for millions of farming families.
Climate change is acting as a force multiplier.
The convergence of dry spells, diminished reservoir levels, and higher temperatures turns lush landscapes into vul-
nerable fuel.
Beyond doubt, wildfires have become a global crisis, driven by extreme heat, severe droughts, and developing El Nino patterns. They have threatened ecosystems, economies and vulnerable nations like the Philippines.
Indeed, the planet is facing an unprecedented transformation in how wildland fires behave.
Climate change is acting as a force multiplier.
Rising atmospheric dryness, prolonged heatwaves and evaporating soil moisture transfoirm carbon-rich canopies into ticking time bombs. This is no longer an isolated regional problem for North America, or Mediterranean Europe, or even Southeast Asia including the Philippines. It has become a synchronized global emergency.
FIFTEEN elephants found dead over the past month in one of Kenya’s best-known wildlife parks were likely poisoned by cyanide, possibly from pesticides used on nearby farms, wildlife officials said this week.
The deaths occurred in Amboseli National Park near the Tanzanian border, home to some of Africa’s most famous elephant herds.
A preliminary investigation found the animals had ingested cyanide, “a toxic substance... which is very lethal, very poisonous,” Kenya Wildlife Service spokesman Duncan Juma Wanyama told AFP.
“And whenever the elephant consumed it, it affects their lung and the liver,” he added.
Investigators suspect the elephants ate tomatoes contaminated with “very strong pesticides”, Wanyama said.
Tomatoes were found in the stomachs of several elephants from the same herd, which may have been
defending Philippine sovereignty on the world stage.
To my mind, leadership is never measured by lofty promises; it is measured purely by performance.
In his address, President Marcos presented concrete gains in governance, public services, and accountability. The tangible strides in infrastructure, agriculture, healthcare, education, and foreign investment—paired with tax relief for our workers and small businesses, lower electricity costs, and a renewed campaign against corruption—are not just figures on a page. They are the essential foundations of a stronger, more resilient Republic.
President Marcos presented concrete gains in governance, public services, and accountability
Yet, for me, the speech found its true defining moment when the President turned his attention to the West Philippine Sea. He firmly reaffirmed our rights under the 2016 Arbitral Award and pledged to defend them through peaceful, law-
attracted to unripe plants growing on nearby farms, he added.
The investigation was still under way and it was not yet clear whether the poisoning was accidental or deliberate.
At least one elephant died on the farm where the tomatoes were growing. Others staggered towards a water source before dying days later, despite treatment by vets.
Pesticides from farms were tagged as possible culprits.
Nine female elephants and their calves, along with an adult male, had shown similar symptoms, including partial paralysis that left them unable to stand.
The remaining five carcasses were too decomposed or had been scavenged, so investigators were
ful, and uncompromising means.
Paying tribute to the brave men and women of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine Coast Guard, and the courageous Filipino fishermen who safeguard our waters every single day, the President delivered what I believe is the most defining rallying cry of his presidency:
“We are not greedy. We are not racists. We are not liars. We are Filipinos, and we do not yield.”
These words struck a deep chord within me. They reflect a foreign policy that remains firm in defending our territorial integrity while staying deeply anchored in international law. The 2016 Arbitral Award remains one of our nation’s greatest victories on the global stage. No amount of foreign propaganda or intimidation can erase what international law has already affirmed. President Marcos has clearly demonstrated that sovereignty is defended not by empty bluster, but through principled diplomacy, capable institutions, and an unshakable resolve to stand firm for every single Filipino.
As this administration enters its final years, I see a shift in our national imperative. The primary challenge is no longer merely launching reforms, but ensuring that those reforms endure. Econom-
unable to determine the cause of death.
Wildlife officials are now checking whether other farmers in the area use the same chemicals.
The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) charity called the loss “a major setback for one of Africa’s key elephant populations and highlights the devastating impact toxic substances can have on wildlife, livestock, people and ecosystems”.
“Those responsible must be held fully accountable under the law,” said IFAW Kenya director Ben Wandago.
“This tragedy also underscores the urgent need for the strict control and responsible handling of highly toxic substances to prevent them from entering the natural environment.”
Amboseli is world-renowned for its herds of elephants and its savannah landscapes, with Mount Kilimanjaro visible across the border in Tanzania. AFP
ic growth creates opportunity, and good governance earns public trust. A nation that governs well at home inherently stands stronger when it must stand its ground abroad. This fifth SONA made one fundamental truth unmistakable to me: national development and sovereign defense go hand in hand. Building a stronger economy, enforcing accountable governance, and defending our lawful rights are all interconnected parts of a single national mission.
The President’s closing words were far more than a memorable finish. They distilled the very spirit of his address and reminded us of the immense responsibility that comes with true nation-building. Every gain we make is worth protecting, and every Filipino holds a personal stake in defending our dignity, our rights, and our sovereignty. We are Filipinos, and we do not yield.
(Jose Antonio Goitia, Juris Doc tor, PhD, is Chairman Emeritus of Alyansa ng Bantay sa Kapa yapaan at Demokrasya (ABKD), People’s Alliance for Democracy and Reforms (PADER), Liga In dependencia Pilipinas (LIPI), and the Filipinos Do Not Yield Move ment (FDNY). He holds advanced degrees including an MNSA, MPA, and MBA, among others.)
SATURYDAY, AUGUST 1, 2025
Malaysian pilot risks death penalty for drug smuggling
JAKARTA – A Malaysian pilot who tested positive for meth, MDMA, and cocaine after flying a passenger plane to Indonesia risks the death penalty for allegedly smuggling more than 70,000 ecstasy tablets in his suitcase, officials said Friday.
The 39-year-old pilot, identified only by his initials, MSO, was arrested Wednesday at Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta international airport shortly after arriving from Kuala Lumpur.
The airport customs office did not say which carrier the pilot worked for, but the flight number indicated it was a Malaysia Airlines plane.
“The results of his urine test came back positive for meth, MDMA, and cocaine. So, at the time of the flight, he was under the influence,” Hengky Tomuan Parlindungan Aritonang, an official at the airport customs office, told reporters in the Indonesian capital. AFP
‘Trump not sure about Ukraine building Patriot’
WASHINGTON – US President Donald Trump said he was “not sure” whether Washington will allow Ukraine to build Patriot surface-to-air interceptor missiles, the Financial Times reported on Thursday. The issue, considered a top priority for Kyiv, was discussed when Trump met Ukraine’s leader Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House this week.
Trump told FT in a phone interview that he was “not sure” about the issue, adding that “we’re looking into it.”
“It’s a very extraordinary weapon, and…we have to be a little bit careful of who we license it to. We don’t really license equipment,” the Republican president was quoted as saying.
Russia has stepped up its ballistic missile strikes on Ukraine, and only the American Patriot systems are capable of shooting them down. AFP
Taiwan monitors ‘drifting’ China coast guard ships
TAIPEI – Taiwan said Friday it has deployed vessels to monitor two China Coast Guard ships east of the island, as Beijing asserts authority over an area of the Western Pacific. China claims Taiwan is part of its territory and also insists that waters around the island democracy come under its jurisdiction, which Taipei rejects. Chinese ships began last month to patrol an area of the Western Pacific near Taiwan’s east coast, which Taipei branded as “provocative” and “expansionism in disguise.”
On Friday, Chinese state media reported that the China Coast Guard (CCG) had carried out a “routine law enforcement patrol in the waters east of China’s Taiwan Island.”
“The CCG will continue to strengthen law enforcement patrols in waters under China’s jurisdiction and resolutely safeguard national territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests,” CCG spokesperson Jiang Lue was quoted as saying. AFP
SKARDU, Pakistan
– Renowned Nepali
mountaineer Nirmal Purja is among 10 people missing after an avalanche in northern Pakistan where he was leading a climbing expedition, the country’s alpine club said.
“The Alpine Club of Pakistan (ACP) has received deeply concerning reports of an avalanche that struck a team of climbers on Broad Peak (8,047m) in the Karakoram mountain range,” the club said late Thursday.
It said the expedition comprises 10 people – including five Nepalese, a Pakistani, an Omani, an American, a climber from China, and one other foreigner.
“The entire team has reportedly been out of communication since the avalanche,” the club said.
Purja, 43, who served with Britain’s Brigade of Gurkhas before joining the Special Boat Squadron of the Royal Marines, has broken multiple climbing records since becoming a full-time mountaineer and tour guide.
He climbed all 14 “eight-thousanders” (peaks above 8,000 meters, or 26,000 feet) in six months and six days between April and October 2019 – then a record.
In 2021, Purja completed the first winter ascent of K2 along with a team of nine other Nepalese climbers.
China’s foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said they were “urgently working to verify and understand the situation” and said Beijing was willing to provide assistance to Pakistan. AFP
GAZA CITY – Hamas said Friday it had agreed to a deal announced by US President Donald Trump to end the war with Israel, that includes handing over its weapons to a Palestinian governing committee and the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.
Israel did not immediately comment on the announcement, but shortly beforehand an Israeli political source had told AFP the proposed agreement did not “satisfactorily” address Israeli demands for the full demilitarization of the Gaza Strip. The source also said that “the issue of Gaza did not come up at all” in this week’s meeting between Israeli Prime
Minister Netanyahu and Trump in Washington. The Palestinian Islamist group’s weapons have been one of the key sticking points in implementing a ceasefire deal in place since October, but Trump announced late Thursday an agreement for Hamas’s “complete disarmament,” calling it a critical step toward a new Palestinian government in Gaza.
Hamas officials told AFP that a committee established by Trump’s Board of Peace to govern Gaza would oversee the process of storing the Islamist movement’s weapons.
The group said it expected mediators and the Board of Peace to ensure Israel complied with the deal’s terms, which include Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza.
Ghazi Hamad, a member of the group’s negotiating team, said the movement was making “concessions for the sake of our people in the Gaza Strip, to save them from killing and displacement.”
“Israel will not intervene in the issue of disarmament. The National Committee is the body that will undertake this task,” he said, referring to the National Committee for Administration of Gaza (NCAG).
Despite the October ceasefire, violence has continued in Gaza, with Israeli strikes killing at least four people, including two children, on Thursday, according to health officials.
The Board of Peace confirmed in a post on X that Hamas had “agreed to a detailed Roadmap for implementing the next phases of the Gaza ceasefire”.
“Our focus now turns to implementation,” the organization wrote, adding the NCAG will “soon begin a phased transition toward full authority.” Trump, in an earlier social media post, said that once Hamas is disarmed “Israeli forces will withdraw, and the International Stabilization Force will work with a new Palestinian police force to take responsibility for Gaza being safe for its residents and its neighbors.” AFP
victims at the Tiergarten park in Berlin days after a car ramming attack that killed one person and injured 29 near the Christopher Street Day (CSD) parade. AFP
New intelligence body meets in ‘spy paradise’ country Japan
TOKYO – Japan’s National Intelligence Bureau held its first meeting Friday, a body aimed at centralizing information-gathering and addressing accusations that the country is a “spy paradise.” Under a bill enacted in May, Japan has upgraded an existing intelligence body to serve as the central command for collecting and analyzing information related to security and public safety. The new entity will collate information gathered by different bodies like the police and the defense ministry and report to the National Intelligence Council, also newly created and headed by Prime Minister
MUMBAI – At a bustling factory in western India, technicians work around the clock to turn glass into hair-thin fiber-optic strands destined for data centers powering the global artificial intelligence boom.
Indian manufacturers are cashing in on the AI infrastructure buildout by supplying cables, power systems and cooling equipment – even as investors worry the country is falling behind in the race to develop the technology. Analysts at Nomura describe it as a classic “picks and shovels” trade, a riff on how selling tools during a gold rush can earn people more than searching for the precious metal.
For Ankit Agarwal, managing director of Sterlite Technologies, serving the world’s biggest tech companies is a dramatic shift for his firm, once known mainly as a supplier to telecoms networks.
“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity,” Agarwal told AFP in Mumbai. “This is a kind of entire new network.” India has enthusiastically adopted AI but has yet to produce globally competitive models and remains dependent on imported advanced semiconductors.
Investors also fear that generative AI could disrupt the country’s $315-billion IT services industry by automating tasks long outsourced to India, such as customer service and app maintenance.
These worries have weighed on markets, with the benchmark Nifty 50 down around seven percent this year and foreign investors pulling over $27 billion from Indian equities.
The data center boom is generating windfall gains for companies largely overlooked by investors, offering a bright spot in a market rattled by concerns over AI’s impact on India’s export-oriented tech sector.
“India doesn’t need to make the chip or train the model to benefit,” Prateek Nigudkar, a fund manager at Shriram AMC, told AFP.
“Every data center needs switchgear, transformers, cables, cooling systems and grid connectivity, and Indian manufacturers are already in that supply chain.” Fiber-optic cable producers have been among the biggest beneficiaries. Strong demand for networks linking data centers has helped manufacturers secure contracts once considered out of reach.
Sterlite earlier this year announced a $1.1-billion multi-year order from a US hyperscaler – a term meaning a largescale cloud service provider – helping drive its shares up 400 percent this year. Telecom equipment maker HFCL reported its strongest-ever April-June quarter, with revenue more than doubling on AI demand. AFP
TUBOD, Lanao del Norte—In the heart of Mindanao, a province once synonymous with conflict is now carving out a new identity, one built on competition, camaraderie, and the transformative power of sports.
As Lanao del Norte prepares to host the first-ever Mindanao Youth Games from March 17–21, 2027 with the Philippine Sports Commission, the stage is set for a bold reimagining of its future from an overlooked province to a premier sports destination.
At the heart of this ambition lies the Mindanao Civic Center Sports Complex, a sprawling 66-hectare facility in Tubod.
It boasts a FIFA-certified football pitch, a World Athletics-standard track and field oval, an Olympic-size swimming pool, a 5,000-seater gymnasium, and venues for archery, tennis, combat sports, and weightlifting.
Soon, a baseball/softball diamond will rise with support from the Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Amateur Baseball Association.
“I think you have the best sports facilities in the country. Maybe you don’t realize it, but it is really world-class,’’ said PSC Chairman Patrick Gregorio, highlighting the potential of the province.
This complex is no stranger to history. In 2003, it hosted the Palarong Pambansa, cementing its reputation as a venue capable of staging national events. Now, with upgraded facilities, it is poised to welcome competitions of even greater scale, including the Batang Pinoy in 2028 and, potentially, another Palarong Pambansa.
``People will realize that we don’t only host events in Manila. We go outside of Metro Manila, we go to the Visayas, we go to Mindanao. The focus also is to develop regional training centers. When you upgrade facilities in the provinces, it’s an opportunity to host as well,” said Gregorio. The Mindanao Youth Games will bring together the best young athletes aged 18 and younger from the six regions of Mindanao to compete in at least 12 sports disciplines.
THE Quezon Huskers slowed down the San Juan Knights’ high-octane offense and prevailed, 78-71, on Thursday to keep the top spot in the SportsPlus MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) 2025 Season South division at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
Quezon’s Christian Pagaran and Mon Abundo sandwiched a drive by San Juan’s Gerry Abadiano for the game’s biggest lead, 71-61, with 4 minutes and 4 seconds left that paved the way for the Huskers’ sixth straight victory and a 13-2 slate in the round-robin elimination phase of the two-division, 26-team tournament.
The Knights narrowed the gap following a triple by Orlan Wamar and two charities by Mon Abundo, but Cyrus Tabi countered with two free throws and Christian Pagaran split his two charities to send the pro-San Juan crowd to the exits, 76-68, with 44.3 seconds left. Quezon’s Cedrick Manzano, a member of the gold-medal clinching Gilas Pilipinas to the 33rd Southeast Asian Games, posted 14 points and 12 rebounds to clinch the SportsPlus best player honors over Michael Canete, who had 10 points and 10 rebounds.
“We did not give up and gave our best,” said Manzano. “We followed the game plan and we were able to do it well.” They were supported by Judel Fuentes with 9 points and 3 rebounds, and Tabi with 6 points, 11 assists and 2 rebounds, and Pagaran with 8 points plus 4 rebounds.
“This hosting is a dream that will become a reality for our province,” said Lanao Del Norte First District Congresswoman Imelda ``Angging’’ Quibranza-Dimaporo. “I hope our countrymen will consider and put our province in their bucket list. This is the land of beauty and bounty where you will find peace, and where the people are warm and hospitable.”
The Games are envisioned not only as a showcase of talent but also as a catalyst for economic growth, sports
tourism, and youth development. For Lanao del Norte, it is the beginning of a big dream to become the center of sports tourism in Mindanao.
For Governor Muhammad Khalid Dimaporo and Congresswoman Dimaporo, investing in sports is more than infrastructure. It is a strategy for peace and development. By turning conflict into competition, they are reshaping the province’s narrative and opening doors to tourism and international recognition.
The transformation is already un-
derway. The PSC has identified the Mindanao Civic Center as a future regional training hub for football and baseball, ensuring sustained activity beyond the Games.
Meanwhile, the Lanao del Norte Sports and Youth Summit held last July 28-29 brought together experts in coaching, psychology, marketing, and media promotion, a sign that the province is not only building facilities but also cultivating knowledge and best practices.
PARIS—World football’s governing body FIFA vowed on Friday to press ahead with an “open and democratic” consultation on a proposed private investment plan despite widespread opposition to the proposal.
That opposition included a pledge by Europe’s governing body UEFA to boycott the World Cup if FIFA went ahead with its private investor plan.
FIFA said in a statement all of its member associations should have a chance to consider the plan.
“Nobody is selling football,” it said.
“This is not something FIFA would ever entertain.”
It also said it had heard feedback from UEFA and CONCACAF, the governing body for football in North and Central America, which said all 41 of its member associations had rejected FIFA’s proposal to sell a stake in the business operations of the World Cup.
The world body also said its planned consultation process had been “disrupted by incorrect media reports”.
“We respect the feedback and concern aired in public and reaffirm our commitment to an open and democratic consultation,” FIFA’s statement said.
“We will proceed with this consultation process to ensure that each (member association) has the ability to express its vote based on facts,” it said.
FIFA has said the plan it announced on Tuesday could raise up to $4.2 billion based on a valuation of $20 billion for the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), the commercial subsidiary it proposed to run events such as the World Cup and Club World Cup.
If approved, the project could provide each of FIFA’s 211 member associations with a one-off payment of $20 million in early 2027 and increase their funding allocation for the 20272030 cycle from $8.0 million to $20 million. Private investors would be allowed under the proposal to acquire stakes in the company but would remain minority shareholders. AFP
A NEW era of volleyball in the Visayas begins on Saturday, August 1, with the launch of the V-League Visayas: Panay-Negros.
Six schools will compete in the men’s division, while four teams will battle in the women’s tournament.
The University of St. La Salle, University of San Agustin, University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos, and Central Philippine University will field teams in both divisions.
Passi City College and Aklan Catholic College will also compete in the men’s tournament.
“We are excited to launch the VLeague Visayas 2026 in Panay and Negros. Through the years, this region has been a powerhouse, producing many of our best athletes for the commercial, professional, and national team levels,” said V-League Visayas commissioner Ken Ucang.
“It is our pride and an inspiration that
we can finally give them the spotlight they deserve.”
All games will be held at the Passi City Arena. The opening day will be-
gin with the men’s match between Passi City College and Central Philippine University at 9 a.m., followed by the University of St. La Salle taking on
the University of San Agustin. In the women’s division, Central Philippine University will face University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos.
An opening ceremony will be held at 3 p.m., after which the afternoon session will feature University of St. La Salle against University of San Agustin in the men’s division. The nightcap will see Aklan Catholic College take on University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos. The preliminary round will follow a single-round robin format, with the top four teams advancing to the knockout semifinals. Both the championship and bronze medal matches will be winnertake-all contests.
The men’s champion from the PanayNegros leg will face the Cebu champion, University of Cebu, while the women’s champion will take on Cebu titlist University of San Jose-Recoletos to determine the overall V-League Visayas champions.
By Jeremiah Sevilla
GROWING up as a son of an NBA legend could have come with immense pressure, but Scotty Pippen Jr. sees it the other way around.
The Memphis Grizzlies point guard said he has never viewed his father Scottie Pippen’s legendary career as a source of pressure. Rather, he uses it as a motivation to make his own path in the NBA.
“I don’t really see it as pressure. I use my dad as a resource,” the 25-year-old Pippen Jr. said during a media event at the NBA Store in SM Megamall in Mandaluyong on Thursday.
“I think people look at it as pressure. I just kind of use that as an advantage, and just knowing that I have someone that can help me get to where I need to be and push me,” added the second-generation cager, who visited the country as part of NBA’s effort to engage with Filipino fans.
The son of the NBA Hall of Famer and six-time champion carved his own route to the league.
Undrafted in 2022, Pippen Jr. spent one season with the Los Angeles Lakers before playing two years with the South Bay Lakers in the NBA G League. He eventually found his spot with the Memphis Grizzlies in 2024.
Now in the regular Memphis rotation, the 6-foot-2 guard continues to lean on the biggest lesson his father taught him.
“I think my dad’s biggest motivation in me was
just talking about my work ethic, you know, just keep working,” Pippen Jr. said. “A lot of guys have these big contracts and stuff like that. He just tells me to just put my head down and just keep working.”
“Even when I was a kid and I was getting overlooked, he always told me, ‘Just keep working. Your time will come.’ So I think that’s the main advice he’s given me,” he added.
That time for Pippen Jr. has begun to arrive, as star guard Ja Morant was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers for Jerami Grant and Kris Murray last month.
“It was definitely tough to see him (Morant) leave, but I think it gives more opportunities for the rest of us there, especially for myself,” he said.
“I think of it as stepping into a bigger role, and this summer I’m getting prepared for that so I’ll be ready to get the season started.”
Despite skepticism surrounding Memphis heading into the upcoming NBA season, Pippen Jr. remains confident that the Grizzlies can exceed expectations.
“I think we’re going to surprise a lot of people. We have a lot of young players, a lot of players that have worked on their games,” he said.
“I know we’ve lost most of our team since last season and the year before, but we have a lot of young guys with potential. I think we’re a super hungry team that’s going to shock a lot of people.”
SATURDAY, AUGUST 1, 2026
RIERA U. MALLARI, Editor
RANDY M. CALUAG, Asst. Editor
De Minaur clips teen Hewitt in all-Australian Washington duel
WASHINGTON—Defending champion
Alex de Minaur powered into the Washington Open quarter-finals with a clinical 6-2, 6-3 victory over fellow Australian Cruz Hewitt. Men’s second seed Ben Shelton also advanced, as did women’s top seed Jessica Pegula and No. 2 Elina Svitolina.
Top-seeded De Minaur was always likely to prove too much for 17-year-old qualifier Hewitt -- son of Aussie great Lleyton Hewitt -- who had only captured his first ATP victory in Tuesday’s first round.
The first set threatened to become a demolition as De Minaur raced to a 5-0 lead. But Hewitt found his feet, breaking back in the sixth game and holding serve before succumbing 6-2. Cheered on by a crowd that included his famous father, Hewitt started the second set brightly.
But he was broken again on his second service game and could not reel in De Minaur, who warmly embraced the youngster at the net after taking the match.
It was the first head-to-head ATP Tour match between the two, who have known each other for years.
“It was definitely weird,” said De Minaur.
“I knew I was going to play him on the tour someday, but I didn’t actually expect it to be this week.
“It was an amazing feeling. Even all the lead up, seeing all the incredible pictures that we have together and how we’ve both grown up.
“I’m glad I managed to get through, but I’m sure we’re going to have many battles in the years to come.”
De Minaur next faces American Brandon Nakashima, who upset Czech seventh seed Jakub Mensik 7-6 (7/5), 3-6, 6-4.
US home hope Shelton advanced with a gritty 6-7 (3/7), 6-3, 6-4, victory over France’s Ugo Humbert. After handing Humbert the first set with a double fault on set point, Shelton dominated the second.
But the third set was a tense affair and after seizing a break for a 5-4 lead Shelton had to fend off a break point before polishing off the match with a sharply angled serve that Humbert smacked into the net.
“For me, it was all about heart tonight,” Shelton said after lining up a meeting with Chile’s Alejandro Tabile, a 6-3, 7-6 (8/6) winner over France’s Terence Atmane. AFP
FILIPINA tennis star Alexandra “Alex” Eala seeks to hack out another stunner over Elina Svitolina of Ukraine when they clash in the quarterfinals of the 2026 Mubadala DC Open at the FitzGerald Tennis Center in Washington, D.C., United States on Saturday morning (Philippine time).
Colliding for the second time on the tour, the world No. 28 Eala and No. 10 Svitolina tangle at 6:30 a.m. for a semifinal spot in the WTA 500 hard-court tournament.
While the 31-year-old Svitolina is seeded second in the tourney, the 21-year-old Eala is poised to emerge victorious anew after winning their first encounter convincingly, 6-3, 6-4, in the last eight of the Berlin Tennis Open grass tilt over a month ago.
Eala is also riding the momentum of a 6-2, 7-6(1) victory against defending champion Leylah Fernandez of Canada in the second round where she made a furious comeback from 1-5 down in the second set.
Another sensational triumph will give Eala a chance to arrange an Asian showdown with No. 13 Naomi Osaka of Japan for the first time. Osaka battles No. 71 Elisabetta Cocciaretto of Italy in the quarters.
The Pinay lefty ace, who enters the rematch versus her Ukrainian rival with a full day of rest, knows well that she can’t let her guard down in the Washington Open.
“Every single player here is a fighter. All of us here are fighters. Whether it’s my opponent today, yesterday, tomorrow, you can never count anybody out,” Eala said in an interview with Tennis Channel.
After receiving a first-round bye,
By Randy M. Caluag
LA Union native Jomarie Ebueza bagged a bronze medal in the 2026 Lexus US Open of Surfing held south of the Huntington Beach Pier in California, USA.
The 24-year-old surfer secured the podium spot in the men’s longboard event—the opening stop of the World Surf League (WSL) International Longboard Tour—after bowing to event wildcard and eventual champion Tommy Coleman of the United States in the semifinals.
Ebueza posted a two-wave combination score of 7.26 points in the semifinals, falling short against Coleman’s 10.60.
Coleman went on to claim the title over Australia’s Declan Wyton.
Prior to his semifinal exit, the San Juan local turned heads in the quarterfinals by dominating American competitor Kevin Skvarna with a commanding 13.40 to 10.33 victory to lock up his podium spot.
“I’ve worked so hard and prayed for this moment over the years,” Ebueza shared on social media following his campaign.
Along with his first international podium finish of the season, Ebueza pocketed $2,000 (approx. ₱117,000) in prize money and collected 6,085 vital WSL ranking points.
Fellow La Union local
Rogelio “Jay-R” Esquivel Jr., the Philippines’ top-ranked longboarder, also delivered a strong showing in Southern California by finishing ninth overall, giving the country two surfers in the tournament’s top 10.
Esquivel expressed gratitude for the experience, stating that the high-level competition offered valuable lessons that will make him stronger in future tour stops.
The Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles commended the pair’s double top-10 performance, highlighting the feat as a major milestone for Philippine surfing on the world circuit.
JET Hernandez will successfully defend his men’s title in the NGAP’s National Strokeplay Championship after shooting an eagle-aided 69 to take an incredible 18shot lead into the final round on Saturday, when young Lisa Sarines announces her coming as a force by taking her victory march in ladies’ play.
The duo sustained the trend it established in the first two rounds--breaking away--as both have been untouched this week with the 14-year-old Sarines also shooting a 69 to lead Tashanah Balangauan by an astounding 15 shots for the chance to polish off the biggest title in her young career on Saturday.
With a 199 aggregate, Hernandez is within another good round of establishing the most lopsided victory in this tournament, win it for the second time in the last three years and put himself in position towards a double when the Match Play Championship gets going at Luisita next week.
“I’m not hiding the fact that I really am looking to win both,” the 21-year-old Hernandez said when asked about next week. “But I still have to take care of business (in the final round). I still have to go out there and play well.”
Rolando Bregente’s struggles again cropped up in the third round and the 24-year-old PH Team main-
stay turned in a 75 for the second time this week for 217, with Jacob Rolida shooting a 69 to catch Jed Dy, who matched par, at 219 and make the battle for second place super interesting.
Chris Remata is four shots out of second spot after a 74.
“I didn’t think that anyone would be at 17-under after three rounds in this course,” Hernandez said as the Pinatubo layout of Pradera Verde showed its teeth with only two sub-par cards in the third round and just three other players submitting even 72s.
“This is the toughest round I played (this week), as most of my pars were grind out pars,” the incoming psychology senior at University of Denver said. “The putter saved me again.”
Sarines gunned down seven birdies in her best round of the week that left the ladies field gasping, as she takes a 211 aggregate into the final 18 holes.
Balangauan and Precious Zaragosa both shot 77s, with Balangauan signing for two double bogeys and the 15-year-old Zaragosa a double and four double bogeys that further highlighted her struggles to pick up shots.
Zaragosa, one of the favorites heading into the event, has just three birdies for the week--one for each round that came on the par-5 ninth--while Balangauan was slowed down by a back nine 40.
For
however, the biggest takeaway from the victory was not just the result but the way his team played.
“I honestly think we really enjoyed playing,” said Guidetti. “Despite a few interruptions because of the format, we reacted very well every time. I was happy that everybody got the chance to play because all of my players are capable. What pleased me the most was our defense. It was outstanding, and I think the crowd also appreciated how hard we fought for every ball.”
The convincing victory further fueled expectations for a talent-laden Nxled squad eager to make a
5.6% to 6.6% 6.4% 6.4%
BSP’s inflation forecast for July
Actual inflation in June Inflation forecast for 2026
PAL prices $50m in new senior notes to fund fleet expansion
By Darwin G. Amojelar
PHILIPPINE Airlines Inc., through its wholly owned subsidiary Primero Agila Limited, priced an additional $50 million of 7.75 percent senior notes due 2031 on July 31, raising fresh capital to finance its fleet modernization program and international network expansion.
The Lucio Tan-led carrier’s tap issuance will be consolidated with and form a single series with the $300 million in 7.75 percent senior notes due 2031 originally issued on July 16, bringing the total outstanding size of the notes to $350 million. The additional notes were priced at 99.000, plus accrued interest from July 16, excluding the issue date, resulting in a reopening yield of 7.997 percent. The notes carry a fixed annual coupon of 7.750 percent. Settlement is scheduled for August 6 on a T+4 basis.
Philippine Airlines Inc. and Air Philippines Corp. will unconditionally and irrevocably guarantee the notes, providing additional credit support for investors. The consolidated notes will be listed on the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Ltd. The tap issuance follows PAL’s initial $300 million offering completed earlier in July and is expected to strengthen the airline’s funding position further while broadening investor participation in its outstanding debt securities.
PAL earlier announced it will order 15 Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners, with options for five additional aircraft, and nine more Airbus A350-1000s, also with options for five more. Deliveries are scheduled from 2031 to 2036, ensuring steady renewal and expansion of PAL’s long-haul fleet.
By Thony Rose Lesaca
PHILIPPINE inflation likely settled between 5.6 percent and 6.6 percent in July as lower food prices helped offset upward price pressures, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said Friday.
Elevated domestic petroleum pump prices, higher electricity rates, increased fish prices and peso depreciation could push consumer prices upward, the central bank said. Lower prices of key food commodities such as rice, meat, vegetables and fruits are expected to offset these pressures, it said.
Headline inflation eased to 6.4 percent in June from 6.8 percent in May on slower increases in transport and food costs.
The BSP said it will remain vigilant and guided by incoming data as it continues to monitor developments in the Middle East, particularly their impact on inflation and economic activity.
The Philippine Statistics Authority is scheduled to release July inflation data on Aug. 5.
The central bank in June raised its inflation forecasts for the next
two years, signaling readiness for further monetary tightening. The BSP adjusted its average inflation forecast for 2026 to 6.4 percent from 6.3 percent and for 2027 to 4.5 percent from 4.3 percent. Both projections sit above the bank’s target band of 2 percent to 4 percent. The bank projects inflation will cool to 3.1 percent by 2028, pulling price growth back within the official tolerance range.
The BSP on June 18 raised its key benchmark rate by 25 basis points to 4.75 percent, its second straight hike to anchor inflation expectations and mitigate second-round effects. The policy action also brought interest rates on the overnight deposit and lending facilities to 4.25 percent and 5.25 percent, respectively.
P60-b EV incentive program to boost PH investments
By Othel V. Campos
THE Department of Trade and Industry said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s Executive Order No. 121 which establishes the P60-billion Electric Vehicle Incentive Strategy (EVIS) Program will position the Philippines as a more competitive destination for electric vehicle manufacturing investments.
The program provides time-bound, performance-based fiscal incentives for manufacturers of electric vehicles and EV parts and components, and is intended to accelerate the development of a domestic EV supply chain, the DTI said.
The department said the program
fulfills the mandate of the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (EVIDA) to create an incentive framework that will accelerate the country’s shift to electric mobility while strengthening local manufacturing capabilities.
“The EVIS Program is designed not only to support the growth of the EV market, but more importantly, to create a strong local manufacturing ecosystem that generates quality jobs, attracts technology and investments, and deepens the participation of Philippine industry in regional and global value chains,” the department said.
The agency said the executive order sends a strong signal to global
Bank lending growth eased to 9.8% in June
PHILIPPINE bank lending growth slowed to 9.8 percent in June from 12.1 percent in May, as businesses turned more cautious in their borrowing and consumer demand softened, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said Friday. Outstanding bank loans reached P14.88 trillion at the end of June, the BSP said. Business loans grew 9.2 percent to P12.54 trillion as of end-June, slowing from an 11.7-percent expansion in May. The BSP said the increase in business lending was supported by continued credit to key sectors, including real estate activities; electricity, gas, steam and air-conditioning supply; wholesale and retail trade and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles; manufacturing; transportation and storage; and agriculture, forestry and fishing. This was offset by weaker loan growth in construction, education and other service activities. Consumer loan growth also eased to 17.8 percent in June from 19.0 percent in May as credit card and motor vehicle loan expansion softened, bringing outstanding consumer loans to P2.05 trillion. Domestic liquidity, or the amount of money circulating in the economy, climbed 10.6 percent to P20.51 trillion in June, weaker than the 12.8-percent expansion in May due to slower credit growth. Thony Rose Lesaca
and domestic investors that the Philippines is ready to compete for high-value manufacturing projects in the rapidly expanding electric vehicle industry. Under the program, qualified manufacturers will receive incentives based on actual investments and production performance, a mechanism intended to ensure government support results in greater local production, technology transfer, supply chain development and employment generation.
The DTI said it will work with the Board of Investments and other implementing agencies to finalize the program’s guidelines and ensure its timely rollout.
By Alena Mae S. Flores
NATIONAL Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) placed the Visayas grid on yellow alert from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, citing continued thin power reserves in the region, the grid operator said. NGCP said available capacity reached 2,564 megawatts against peak demand of 2,321 megawatts. Five power plants have been on forced outage since July 2026, three since June, seven since May, one since March, three since 2025, two since 2024, two since 2023 and one since 2021, while 14 plants are running at derated capacities, NGCP said. The outages and derating left a total of 969 megawatts unavailable to the grid. NGCP said the factors that contributed to the yellow alert
By Thony Rose Lesaca
RIZAL Commercial Banking Corp.
(RCBC) reported a 22.45-percent drop in net income to P4.11 billion in the first half of 2026 from P5.3 billion a year ago as higher credit impairment provisions weighed on the bank’s overall profit.
RCBC president and chief executive Reginaldo Cariaso said the bank was navigating a difficult operating environment while reinforcing its financial position.
“We are navigating a complex and shifting macroeconomic landscape. However, we have been building up our defenses, strengthening our balance sheet, and pursuing measured portfolio growth to protect, scale, and elevate the strong franchise that is RCBC,” Cariaso said.
Gross income climbed 11.6 percent to P33.91 billion as of endJune, led by an 18.2-percent rise in net interest income as strategic loan expansion and improved funding efficiency pushed the net interest margin to 5.1 percent.
Total customer loans grew 9.0 percent to P806.0 billion, while total assets reached P1.41 trillion.
The bank said its total capital stood at P150.84 billion in the first six months of the year, translating to a capital adequacy ratio of 13.4 percent. Total bank deposits reached P1.06 trillion during the period.
RCBC said it continues to maintain prudent capital and liquidity levels amid market volatility.
By Jenniffer B. Austria
ETROPOLITAN Bank & Trust Co.
(Metrobank) reported a net income of P24.9 billion in the first half of 2026, as steady earnings from its core businesses offset a difficult operating environment for the banking industry, the bank said.
The bank declared profit of P24.8 billion in the first half of 2025.
Continued loan growth, stable margins and modest fee income supported the bank’s performance despite challenging conditions, Metrobank said.
“The operating environment remained challenging in the first half, requiring us to stay disciplined and focused. Our results reflect the strength
of Metrobank’s core businesses, the continued trust of our clients, and our prudent approach to balancing growth and risk. We will continue to support our clients while pursuing sustainable growth in an uncertain environment,” Metrobank president Fabian Dee said.
Net interest income rose 12.8 percent to P67.7 billion, while net interest margin held stable at 3.7 percent.
Gross loans grew 12.4 percent yearon-year. Corporate and commercial loans increased 12.8 percent year-on-year, led by higher investment spending and working capital needs among customers. Consumer loans climbed 11.1 percent, supported by growth in credit cards and mortgage loans.
Total deposits increased 10.4 percent to P2.6 trillion. Low-cost current and savings accounts (CASA) rose 6.4 percent year-on-year and accounted for 60.5 percent of total deposits. The loan-to-deposit ratio edged up to 81.1 percent, leaving the bank sufficient capacity to continue expanding lending activities.
Fee and trust income grew 9.3 percent to P10.0 billion, partly offsetting the impact of volatile financial mar-
kets on trading income.
Operating costs increased 10.1 percent to P42.4 billion, driven mainly by transaction volume-related taxes and technology expenses as the bank continued investing in digital capabilities. The cost-to-income ratio stood at 52.4 percent. Metrobank’s portfolio quality remained solid, with a non-performing
conditions. Restructured loans remained minimal at 0.3 percent of total loans, compared with 2.0 percent for the industry.
By Alena Mae S. Flores
ACEN Corp. is exploring opportunities to develop renewable energy projects to supply power to locators at the proposed Pax Silica initiative, a planned data center hub in New Clark City in Tarlac province, company president Eric Francia said. Francia said the company is keen on talking with Pax Silica locators about their power supply needs once their projects reach a more advanced stage.
“We’ve had preliminary discus-
“By adopting Green Network and AIdriven energy efficiency technologies, Globe is proving that resource efficiency and environmental sustainability go hand in hand,” Globe Telecom vice-president for risk and property management Raymond Aguilar said.
“Our commitment to sustainability-related innovations isn’t just about upgrading networks; it’s about empowering cities and enterprises to build cleaner and more liveable cities,” he said. Artificial intelligence has become a key driver of Globe’s energy efficiency efforts. The company uses AI to automatically adjust the power consumption of cell sites based on network traffic, while AI-enabled cooling systems optimize electricity use in office buildings and network facilities.
Darwin G. Amojelar
EastWest earned P3.4b in first half
the possible resolution of the Middle East conflict and improved domestic and international economic conditions.
The three-month-ahead employment outlook fell sharply to 1.8 percent from 11.9 percent, while the twelve-month-ahead index slipped slightly to 20.2 percent from 20.4 percent. Despite the near-term decline, companies still intend to hire more workers over the next 12 months. Thony Rose Lesaca
Globe saved over P510m in energy costs in 2025
GLOBE Telecom Inc. said it generated more than P510 million in energy savings in 2025 through investments in energy-efficient network infrastructure and artificial intelligence-powered technologies. The savings came as Globe accelerated the rollout of its Green Network program, deploying 20,800 new energy-efficient technologies across its network and facilities last year to reduce electricity consumption. Globe said the energy-saving initiatives
EAST West Banking Corp. (EastWest) said Friday it posted a 17-percent decline in net income to P3.4 billion in the first half of 2026 from P4.1 billion a year ago, as higher provisions for probable losses offset strong growth in lending and revenues.
The Gotianun-led lender said it set aside P10.1 billion in provisions during the January-to-June period as it adopted a more prudent approach to managing credit risk.
Despite the higher provisioning, net revenues climbed 19 percent to P28.4 billion from P23.8 billion
sions before, but nothing too advanced. But locators, once they get to a certain stage, we’ll talk to various energy players,” Francia said.
Francia said infrastructure, including a transmission connection, needs to be in place for the Pax Silica initiative to succeed.
“We just have to make sure the grid connects to the AI data center hub because there is limited [capacity] going into Clark. That needs to be planned out well so that the locators there will be able to draw power from it,” he said.
He said developers are looking for
cheaper land for their projects before connecting to a transmission line.
Francia said it could be challenging to locate solar, wind and battery projects to support a massive facility.
He said that in other countries such as Australia and Singapore, developers can only build a data center if they demonstrate that they are enabling a new power plant, presumably a renewable energy facility.
“I don’t know if there is a policy that the government will adopt, because then the risk there is simply connecting to the grid without en-
abling new capacity could lead to shortages or price increases,” he said. “So it’s a very delicate balance. You want to enable that in the sector, but also want to ensure that energy security and affordability do not get compromised,” he said.
ACEN is developing nearly 1 gigawatt of solar and battery storage projects in Zambales, transforming the area into one of the Philippines’ largest renewable energy hubs. The projects aim to strengthen national energy security while creating economic opportunities for local communities.
By Darwin G. Amojelar
THE Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) have filed 105 expropriation cases for the NorthSouth Commuter Railway (NSCR), the highest number of expropriation cases ever initiated for a single infrastructure project by the agency.
DOTr Secretary Banoy Lopez said the milestone reflects the agency’s strong commitment to delivering the project on time.
“Our President has ordered the expedited completion of important projects such as the North South Commuter Railway. So we will ensure that the timeline is followed when it is used by passengers because it will certainly be a great benefit for our commuters. We’re very thankful to the Office of the Solicitor General
for this partnership,” Lopez said. The cases were addressed and taken up during a 3-day “Write Workshop on Expropriation Cases” held in Clark, Pampanga, where both agencies jointly reviewed the status of each case, addressed legal bottlenecks and mapped out the necessary steps to expedite their resolution. Through close coordination, the DOTr and OSG were able to expedite the endorsement and raffling process, ensuring expropriation cases proceed without delay and affected infrastructure projects remain on schedule. DOTr assistant secretary for rightof-way and site acquisition (ROWSA) IC Calaguas, who spearheaded the workshop, cited the importance of resolving expropriation cases swiftly to keep infrastructure projects on track.
services and operating expenses, totaled P5.53 billion. Administrative loading stood at 2.55 percent, well below the 12 percent statutory ceiling and consistent with the GSIS record of single-digit administrative loading over the past several years. Of every peso the GSIS spent in the first half of the year, 94 centavos went directly to claims and benefits for members, pensioners and their dependents.
“What is the use of higher net income if we have not improved the lives of government workers and retirees?” said GSIS president and general-manager Jose Arnulfo Veloso.
“Numbers on the income statement mean nothing until they become pensions paid on time, claims released without delay, or financial assistance a family can actually use. That is the social dividend. That is the only reason these numbers matter,” he said. The GSIS delivers the social dividend partly through its Ginhawa Loan programs, including measures introduced in response to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s declaration of a national energy emergency under Executive Order No. 110.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 1 , 2026
rumallari@thestandard.com.ph
rieramallari@yahoo.com
RIERA U. MALLARI, Editor
EDGARD HILARIO, Asst. Editor
ASURVEY report entitled “The AI Business Application Readiness and Accessibility Survey” commissioned by Alibaba Cloud, a leading global provider of AI infrastructure and the intelligence backbone of Alibaba Group, reveals near-u niversal enthusiasm for AI among Asian enterprises. Among respondents, 90% describe their organization as optimistic about adopting AI.
Philippine enterprises are among the region’s AI optimists: 91% hold a positive attitude toward AI adoption, including 57% who are “very positive,” actively exploring or implementing AI. This ambition rests on a solid cloud foundation, with 74% having migrated all or most of their IT infrastructure to the cloud. Reflecting a growth-first mentality, local businesses treat AI as a growth engine rather than a cost-cutting tool: driving innovation and new business opportunities (68%) leads their strategic objectives — ahead of cost savings and efficiency (54%), customer experience improvement (51%), competitive advantage (50%) and revenue growth potential (39%). Data privacy and security is the top local barrier to broader adoption (51%), ahead of high implementation costs (41%).
Dr. Feifei Li, Chief Technology Officer and President of International Business, Alibaba Cloud Intelligence Group, said: “The research findings reinforce Alibaba Cloud’s belief that AI, delivered on top of scalable, secure cloud infrastructure and models, will be the defining technology platform for the next decade. As we enter the agentic AI era, our focus is shifting from producing efficient tokens to enabling actionable outcomes. By building a comprehensive agentic cloud, we provide the critical infrastructure — such as runtime sandboxes and orchestration — that empowers enterprises to build the agentnative products of tomorrow seamlessly.”
This sentiment is translating into concrete spending plans: 95% of surveyed companies intend to increase investment in AI products, with more than half planning to raise budgets by over 20% across infrastructure (IaaS), platform tools (PaaS) and model services (MaaS). As AI continues to be the focus of conversations within and beyond boardrooms, 58% have indicated plans for more than 20% growth in
MaaS spending, a relatively new concept compared to the highest planned investment in foundational infrastructure, such as compute, storage and networking, with 69% indicating more than 20% growth in IaaS spending, followed by 61% planning similar growth in PaaS spending.
Top Five Strategic Objectives of AI Adoption
AI is already moving from the pilot stage to production for a significant share of respondents. Around 75% Asian companies say AI has become indispensable to their business operations. Across the stack, approximately 90% of companies report they have started adopting AI development tools (PaaS) and models (MaaS). Notably, only 1% of all respondents say AI is not a priority.
Moving beyond simply achieving cost savings and efficiency (63%), the top strategic objectives reported for AI adoption include driving innovation and new business opportunities (64%), followed by unlocking revenue growth potential (48%). Gaining competitive advantage (45%) and improving customer experience (43%) are also among the top five objectives.
Functionally, enterprises are prioritizing data analysis and decision-making (66%), customer service tools such as chatbots (64%), marketing and content creation (58%), product development including coding (55%), and HR operations (38%).
The Need for A Full-Stack Agentic Cloud
The study underscores strong demand for integrated AI and Cloud solutions delivered via a single, coherent stack. When selecting AI solution providers, 45% of respondents prefer fully integrated AI + Cloud offerings, compared with 34% who favor hybrid flexibility with models deployable across multiple clouds, and only 16% who
GoTyme Bank makes account opening easier, faster with PhilSys
GOTYME Bank has announced a partnership with the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), becoming one of the first banks in the Philippines to integrate directly with the National ID Authentication Services (NIDAS) at a system-level. This development fundamentally changes how Filipinos access banking services by allowing customers to open an account without the traditional requirement of scanning or uploading physical identity documents. It marks another step in GoTyme Bank’s mission to simplify and democratize banking by removing unnecessary barriers and making financial services easier to access for every Filipino. While various financial institutions across the country accept the PhilSys card as a valid form of identification, GoTyme Bank is among the first to achieve direct, system-level integration. This integration completely removes the dependency on document capture during the digital account opening process. Instead, individuals can verify their identity using three flexible options: the QR code on their physical, digital, or paper PhilSys ID, their PhilSys Card Number (PCN), or a simple name and date of birth entry. By giving customers more ways to verify their identity, GoTyme Bank helps them complete account opening in as little as five minutes, with even fewer verification steps for those using PhilSys. Breaking down barriers to financial inclusion
According to data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), approximately half of Filipino adults remain unbanked or underbanked, with the lack of a verifiable ID cited as a primary barrier to formal bank account owner-
Direct integration with PhiilSys enables Filipinos to open a GoTyme Bank account in as little as five minutes.
ship. While over 94 million Filipinos have registered with PhilSys, digital account opening friction—specifically the document capture step—often causes potential users to abandon the process out of uncertainty regarding document validity.
By removing this friction at its source, GoTyme Bank’s account opening process provides immediate utility to the millions who hold a PhilSys record, particularly benefiting unbanked individuals, Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), and residents in areas with limited access to physical bank branches— all while helping customers continue opening an account in as little as five minutes through a simpler verification experience.
Philippine enterprises bet on AI for growth, with 91% optimistic and 74% cloud-ready for IT infrastructure; 99% of respondents claim AI is a priority and investment in AI products is increasing.
prefer standalone AI models without bundled cloud infrastructure.
Integrated AI + Cloud architectures often appeal because they centralize management and security for data and models, simplify deployment, and give enterprises clearer control over cost via pay-as-you-go models. Respondents highlight that integrated stacks help them standardize data pipelines, apply consistent governance and security policies, and accelerate time-to-value for AI initiatives.
Barriers: Privacy, Cost and Skills Gaps
Despite strong enthusiasm and investment, organizations face material barriers to scaling AI. Respondents rate data privacy and security concerns as the top challenge, cited by 48% as a leading obstacle to broader adoption. High implementation costs followed (42%), while 37% point to a lack of internal expertise as a major constraint.
SAN FRANCISCO—Anthropic’s artificial intelligence (AI) models “gained unauthorized access” to three outside organizations during testing that was supposed to keep them away from “real-world” systems, the company said on Thursday.
The announcement comes just days after rival OpenAI first revealed that its models improperly accessed the internet and went rogue during security testing.
Anthropic evaluated more than 141,000 “evaluation runs” and found that three different versions of its model, known as Claude, improperly accessed the systems of three unnamed organizations.
Unlike the incident involving OpenAI’s technology, Anthropic’s models had access to the internet “due to a misunderstanding between us and our evaluation partner,” called Irregular, Anthropic said in a blog post. Nonetheless, Claude used “basic techniques, such as exploiting weak passwords and unauthenticated endpoints,” the blog continued.
The models involved included one of its most powerful ones known as Mythos 5, which has only been released to a limited number of approved partners.
Anthropic is working with Irregular to assess the situation, it said, and the company has contacted or attempted to contact all three impacted organizations.
Rogue agents
OpenAI and Anthropic have both released their most powerful models this year, known as Sol and Mythos, respectively, boosting concerns across the industry about safety and security. Those concerns also revolve around so-called AI agents, which are software products that are designed to perform tasks autonomously. AFP
The phone that keeps up: Why the OPPO A6s 5G fits every passion
FOR many Filipinos, a smartphone does it all. It’s the classroom, the office, the creative studio, and the gaming hub all rolled into one. From juggling online classes and growing side hustles to creating content and winding down with your favorite games, every day demands a phone that can keep pace.
That’s exactly what the OPPO A6s 5G is built for. Engineered for an always-on lifestyle, it delivers lasting performance with AI-powered productivity, reliable 5G connectivity, and durable hardware that stays smooth and dependable no matter what’s next. Built to stay smooth through years of everyday use
A great smartphone shouldn’t slow down after a few months of use.
That’s why the OPPO A6s 5G is designed with 60 Months Fluency, helping it stay responsive with smooth app launches, seamless multitasking, and reliable day-to-day performance over the long haul. Backed by ColorOS 16 optimizations, it has also passed OPPO’s 60-month touch smoothness assessment, giving users added confidence that it can keep up with changing routines long after day one.
For added reliability, the OPPO A6s 5G promotes smarter everyday productivity thanks to Google Gemini. Built into the experience, it can help summarize lecture notes, brainstorm ideas for a side hustle, organize your schedule, or draft content without the need to constantly switch between apps. Capture content that’s ready to share
Creating content shouldn’t mean spending more time editing than enjoying the moment. The OPPO A6s 5G’s AI Camera combines intelligent photography features that help produce cleaner, sharper, and more polished photos straight from the camera, making it easier to share memories with confidence. Intelligent tools quietly work together to fix common photography
Engineered for an always-on lifestyle, the OPPO A6s 5G delivers lasting performance with AI-powered productivity, reliable 5G connectivity, and durable hardware.
frustrations like blurry images, distracting reflections, awkward framing, and unwanted objects. The result is less time fine-tuning photos and more time creating your next post.
Stay competitive even during long gaming sessions
A good gaming phone should deliver stable connections and consistent performance wherever you play. The OPPO A6s 5G does exactly that with AI LinkBoost 3.0, which intelligently optimizes network selection, strengthens signal stability, and prioritizes gaming traffic to reduce latency even in crowded areas or places with weaker reception. Long matches can also push a phone to its limits, which is why the device features the SuperCool VC System. Its large vapor chamber and expanded cooling structure efficiently dissipate heat to help maintain smoother gameplay while keeping the phone more comfortable to hold during extended gaming sessions. Ready to keep going from morning until night Your phone should spend more
time helping you get things done than sitting beside an outlet. Equipped with a 7000mAh Large Battery, the OPPO A6s 5G is built for long hours of streaming, studying, gaming, and scrolling without constantly reaching for a charger. OPPO’s testing shows up to 29.73 hours of YouTube playback, 10.57 hours of WhatsApp video calls, and 24.36 hours of voice calls on a full charge. The OPPO A6s 5G is built to go the distance, starting with its battery. Even after 1,800 charging cycles, it still keeps most of its battery life so you won’t have to worry about it wearing down too quickly over the years. Built to handle life’s unexpected moments Life doesn’t always go according to plan, and neither should your phone. With IP69 Water and Dust Resistance, the OPPO A6s 5G is built to handle everything from unexpected downpours and accidental spills to outdoor adventures with added peace of mind.
SAN FRANCISCO—Apple beat market expectations in its latest results on Thursday, capping Tim Cook’s final earnings report as CEO with a strong showing, although the outlook for the current quarter disappointed investors.
The Cupertino-based tech giant’s results were powered by robust iPhone demand, a sharp rebound in China and double-digit growth in every region where it operates.
Sales rose 16 percent to $109.4 billion in the April-through-June period, while profit climbed 27 percent to $29.8 billion.
The company’s performance was boosted by refunds of tariffs imposed last year by Donald Trump and overturned by the US Supreme Court in February.
Its iPhone sales jumped 22 percent to $54.3 billion as customers kept upgrading to the latest models, while Mac revenue climbed 29 percent, with higher prices doing little to dampen demand.
Apple’s services business -which spans the App Store, iCloud, Apple Music and advertising -grew 12 percent to $30.7 billion, slightly below analyst expectations.
Souring the picture, Apple forecast revenue growth of between nine and 11 percent in the current quarter, below estimates, citing supply constraints.
Cook told analysts the constraints stemmed from unexpectedly strong demand for the iPhone and Mac.
The guidance sent Apple shares down by as much as eight percent in after-hours trading.
“Today, Apple is proud to report our strongest June quarter ever, with double-digit revenue growth across iPhone, Mac and Services, and in every geographic segment,” Cook said in a statement.
The earnings announcement was expected to be the last for Cook as chief executive.
CEO change
John Ternus, who attended the post earnings analysts call with Cook, will take over as Apple chief executive on September 1, with Cook becoming executive chairman of the iPhone maker’s board.
Cook has led the company since 2011, taking over shortly before the death of co-founder Steve Jobs.
Long criticized for falling behind in the AI race, Apple is now being rewarded by Wall Street for resisting the vast investments its big tech rivals have poured into chips and data centers.
Apple touched a $5 trillion market value this week, while some rivals have seen their shares punished as investors question the profitability of their huge AI bets.
Meta’s shares sank about nine percent Thursday after this week’s results stoked alarm over its spending.
Microsoft, by contrast, rose sharply after signaling its AI bets were starting to pay off. AFP
PARIS —A Singapore-based organization
announced Thursday it will develop an Ebola vaccine dubbed the “most promising” to fight back against a deadly outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Nearly 1,500 people have died in the conflict-wracked African country from the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, for which there are no vaccines or treatments.
But there are several different efforts racing to develop a vaccine for the previously rare strain in the hope of stemming the escalating outbreak.
World Health Organization experts have said a single-dose shot based on the rVSV platform is the “most promising” candidate.
This is because it uses the same platform as the only officially licenced Ebola vaccine Ervebo, which targets a different strain called Zaire.
The Singapore-based Hilleman Laboratories announced on Thursday it would advance the rVSV Bundibugyo jab so it can be tested on humans during clinical trials.
The organisation is a joint venture between the US pharma giant MSD -- known as Merck in North America -- and the British charity Wellcome Trust.
“We’re racing to develop a Bundibugyo vaccine and make doses for clinical trials,” Hilleman Laboratories CEO
Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), which has pledged funds to the rVSV shot and other Ebola vaccine efforts.
If early trials are successful and the vaccine is authorised, CEPI and Hilleman said they hoped to “ensure rapid, affordable supply of doses in outbreak-affected countries and lowand middle-income settings”.
The Ervebo vaccine needs to be stored at ultra-low temperatures, however the new Bundibugyo jab is hoped to last for months in normal refrigerators, making it cheaper and easier to deploy to remote areas.
In May, WHO experts cautioned it would likely take seven to nine months before the rVSV vaccine is ready to be assessed in a clinical trial.
The vaccine uses a modified version of the vesicular stomatitis virus, an animal virus, as a vector to deliver a protein from the Bundibugyo ebolavirus to the human immune system, triggering an immune response.
The announcement comes a week after the first dose of a different Bundibugyo vaccine being developed by Oxford University was injected into a volunteer during a rapidly launched clinical trial.
The epidemic in DR Congo is now the third-largest Ebola outbreak on record.
There have been 3,360 confirmed cases, including 1,487 deaths since May, with the outbreak heavily centred on the northeastern Ituri province. Uganda, which borders Ituri, has seen 20 confirmed cases, including two confirmed deaths.
A viral haemorrhagic fever, Ebola spreads through close contact and infected bodily fluids.
POWER Mac Center (PMC) formally opened its Robinsons Antique branch, the first store in the province, and the only Apple Authorized presence serving customers in the capital, San Jose de Buenavista, and neighboring towns.
The store, which is located at Level 2 at the Expansion Mall of Robinsons Antique, features hands-on displays and consultation spaces, allowing customers to get expert recommendations to match their device and accessories needs.
“Customers today expect more than shelves of products, they want trusted advice, seamless service, and aftersales support that’s easily accessible when they need it most. By opening in emerging urban centers, Power Mac Center broadens access to experiencing Apple technology firsthand and gives customers the confidence to build with it,” said PMC Director for Marketing and Product Management Joey Alvarez.
Antique-based workers who telecommute, families keeping in touch, students on a hybrid learning model, and creators needing actual product testing have a new tech playground to commune in. Branches like this one in Robinsons Antique are dedicated channels
that have beginner-friendly services such as device setup assistance, trade-in support, and warranty guidance.
Loyalty program for Apple purchases
1 Infinite is PMC’s premium loyalty program that rewards customers for purchasing PMC products. They can redeem said points for Apple devices, accessories, select services and training courses, and other fees at a regular conversion of 1 point = P1, or P2 on special promotion days.
AS AI unlocks new ways to build apps, websites, games, and interactive experiences, many existing coding tools still feel too technical for everyday creators. With the rollout of Canva Code 2.0 in the Philippines, Canva is making AI-powered coding more accessible, empowering Filipinos to turn their ideas into interactive experiences with ease.
A decade ago, Canva transformed design with its intuitive drag-and-drop editor, making creativity accessible to everyone. Today, Canva is doing the same for coding. One of AI’s most exciting capabilities is vibe coding— the practice of turning plain-language prompts into working apps or websites. As AI tools become more accessible, vibe coding has quickly evolved from a specialized developer tool into a creative medium for everyone.
Since its introduction last year, Canva Code has enabled users around the world to build everything from classroom hubs and interactive lessons to real estate listings
and learning games. The tool is now faster than ever: average code generation time has been reduced by 75% to just 45 seconds, while the median time to publish a site has decreased by 30%. With active users jumping 25% since its recent update, the momentum signals growing demand for AI coding tools that go beyond generating code to helping people build polished, personalized interactive experiences. Today, Canva Code 2.0 is available to over a quarter of a billion people designing with Canva every month— including millions of creative users in the Philippines. Whether starting from a simple prompt, one of more than 50 ready-made templates, or existing HTML from another AI tool, users can now build directly within Canva projects such as presentations, whiteboards, and other designs, without starting from scratch.
Make Interactive Designs Yours, Effortlessly Interactive experiences transform
passive viewers into active participants, creating more engaging and memorable digital experiences. As more people embrace AI coding tools, the challenge is no longer generating code, it’s creating experiences that truly reflect their vision.
Most vibe coding tools stop at functionality, producing outputs that often look and feel the same. While users can generate a working prototype, making it look uniquely their own often requires separate design software, developer support, or repeated prompting.
Canva Code bridges that gap by bringing AI-powered coding directly into Canva’s familiar editor. Once an experience is generated, users can edit it just like any Canva design—updating text, fonts, colors, and layouts, swapping in images from Canva’s extensive media library or their own uploads, or refining specific elements using conversational AI. Users can also import HTML from other AI assis -
To become a member and start earning, simply download the 1 Infinite app in the App Store <http://bit. ly/4hljdr2> or Google Play <https://bit. ly/42ovsyK> and sign up or log in using your registered email address. Customers earn both from in-store purchases or online checkouts in the Web Store <powermaccenter.com>.
Connected/Lunar/Stellar tier members earn one (1) point for every P200 spent, while upper tier members (Astra/Cosmos) earn faster at one (1) point for
every P100 spent. Apart from redeemable rewards, 1 Infinite members are entitled to up to 50% discount on Apple training courses and other exclusive perks from Basecamp and Mobile Care, PMC’s official training and service arms. Full mechanics may be found here <https://powermaccenter. com/pages/1-infinite>.
Where to buy Apple devices PMC Robinsons Antique is open from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM, Mondays to Sundays. Within the Panay region, Power Mac Center can also be found in Aklan (Station X, Gaisano Grand Mall Kalibo), Capiz (SM City Roxas), and Iloilo (SM City Iloilo, Festive Walk Iloilo, Robinsons Iloilo). There is also a Mobile Care Service Center at Festive Walk Iloilo. Established in 1994, Power Mac Center has been the Philippines’ reliable provider of Apple technology and services. It runs an omnichannel experience that combines brick-and-mortar with e-commerce presence, extending services such as click-and-collect, appointment-based consultations, and a wide range of payment options. This is on top of attached essential pillars: Service and Training, for the complete Apple experience.
By Angelica Vilanueva
LECCA Adarna spent years building businesses before finally listening to people who kept telling her she belonged in front of the camera.
The Cebuana newcomer, who studied business management, said she had long been encouraged to enter show business but initially chose a different path.
“Everyone in my life has been telling me, ‘Why don’t you become an actress?’ So now, I finally decided to focus on that because I’ve already built my businesses,” Alecca said during a recent media conference.
She previously ventured into the food industry and later moved into wellness and fitness, where she is preparing to open a new business in September.
Acting is only one of the creative pursuits she is exploring. Alecca described herself as someone who prefers keeping several interests in motion.
“I have a lot of things on my plate. I enjoy life to the maximum,” she said.
However, her transition into acting was not immediate. She shared that it took about one to two years of conversations and encouragement before she agreed to take on a more daring screen image.
“I hesitated for about a year, or maybe two years. They’d been telling me already. So, I only took a bite of the apple now. And so far, so good,” Alecca explained.
The sexy actress previously worked on projects under Viva One, but she said her latest project, Todo Kayod 2 , offered a different experience. What she expected to be difficult instead became a setting where she felt comfortable and supported.
“At first, I thought it would be difficult, but it really wasn’t. It was a piece of cake. I had a great time, great energy with everyone. I’m totally being honest,” Alecca shared.
She credited director Roman Perez Jr. and the production team for helping her adjust, particularly when she felt unsure about performing.
“They kept telling me, ‘Be confident. You know, gravitate toward your character. Be confident.’ Sometimes, you really just need that push,” she continued.
The filmmaker, who has directed several projects for the platform, described Alecca as intelligent, passionate, and distinct from other newcomers he has handled. He also believes she has room to work beyond one genre.
“Maybe she’s a future star. Hindi lang sa VMX,” he said.
Alecca said she is open to continuing acting after finding the work less restrictive than she had expected.
“It was carefree, a feeling of freedom and passion, and everyone was just so
GMA News drew the largest television and online audience for its special coverage of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 27, outperforming rival networks across multiple platforms, according to Nielsen TV Audience Measurement data and YouTube view counts.
Anchored by Pia Arcangel SONA 2026: A GMA News Special Coverage aired on GMA and was simulcast on GTV, delivering live reports, analysis, and updates throughout the day.
Based on Nielsen overnight data, the combined GMA and GTV broadcast posted a 5.6 percent people rating, equivalent to an estimated 2.45 million viewers in National Urban Philippines. GMA recorded a 4.7 percent people rating, or about 2.1 million viewers, while GTV added 0.9 percent, or about 381,000 viewers.
OPM hitmaker Maki has teamed up with singer-actor James Reid for the first time in the new single “luck,” a track that explores the uncertainty and risks of falling in love.
Mixing alternative and indiepop influences, “luck” compares romance to placing a bet, where there are no guarantees but the possibility that taking the chance could be worth it.
Maki co-wrote the song with international songwriters and producers Gaby Ramirez, Pontus Kalm, Greg Shilling, and
ALTERNATIVE indie-pop artist yung kai will return to Asia this fall with his stay with the ocean, i’ll find you: Asia 2026 tour following a successful North American run. The nine-date tour will kick off on Oct. 30 in his hometown of Shanghai and conclude on Nov. 19 in Tokyo. It will include stops in Bangkok, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Taipei, Hong Kong, Seoul, and Tokyo. yung kai will perform in Manila on Nov. 9 at the New Frontier Theater, where fans can expect live performances of his popular tracks, including “blue” and “teach me how to dance.”
“Asia don’t you worry... yung kai is back!!!!!” the artist said as he announced his return to the region. The tour follows his sold-out Asia shows in 2025, further expanding his growing fan base across the continent.
The Manila leg will open artist presale on Aug. 6 from 12:00 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. through the official yung kai Discord channel. Mastercard cardholders may access presale tickets from Aug. 7 at 10:00 a.m. local time until Aug. 8 at 10:00 a.m. through Mastercard’s music platform.
The combined audience surpassed TV5, RPTV, and One PH’s FIFTH SONA: State of the Nation Address, which registered a 1.2 percent people rating, and the ABS-CBN News special coverage aired on ALLTV, A2Z, and Kapamilya Channel, which posted a 0.7 percent people rating.
Online, the GMA News livestream on YouTube reached 1.19 million views as of 8:30 a.m. on July 29, ahead of ANC’s 1.18 million views and ABS-CBN News’ 762,601 views.
The network’s coverage aired live on GMA and GTV and streamed simultaneously on GMA News’ YouTube channel and Facebook page. Reporting also ran across GMA News Online, radio stations led by Super Radyo DZBB, regional newscasts, and international channels GMA Pinoy TV and GMA News TV. The coverage aired on GMA and GTV and was streamed on YouTube and Facebook
Shintaro Yasuda , whose previous collaborations include global artists such as Ariana Grande, BTS, LE SSERAFIM, aespa, and BINI Released under Tarsier Records, “luck” continues Maki’s “pink era,” which began with his previous single “habangbuhay pansamantala.” The era expands the emotional and colorful universe he has been building through his music.
The release follows Maki’s recent KOLORCOASTER tour stops in Indonesia and Singapore, where he performed fan favorites
including “Dilaw,” “Namumula” and “kahel na langit.” During his Indonesia visit, he also appeared on the comedy program “Lapor Pak!” James Reid, meanwhile, continues to explore his alternative pop and R&B influences while shaping his evolving sound as an artist. He recently released the single “Richest Man Alive” and currently stars in the ABSCBN primetime series “Someone, Someday.” “luck” is now available on digital streaming platforms.
Live Nation Philippines members may purchase tickets during the exclusive presale on Aug. 8 from 12:00 p.m. to 11:59 p.m., while public ticket sales begin on Aug. 9 at 12:00 p.m. through TicketNet. yung kai, a Canadian alternative indie-pop artist, gained international recognition with his viral 2024 hit “blue,” which has earned more than 2 billion streams and received gold certification in the United States and Canada.
Known for his dreamy and emotional sound influenced by artists such as keshi and Wave to Earth , yung kai draws from his Chinese and Canadian background, blending Eastern and Western influences in his music. He released his debut album, stay with the ocean, i’ll find you , last year during his first headlining tour, which sold out. Earlier this year, he received a nomination for Breakthrough Artist of the Year at the JUNO Awards.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 1, 2026
lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com
NICKIE WANG, Editor
ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer
Writer
JASPER VALDEZ,
The upcoming Niseko property is designed around Mount Yotei views, natural textures, and year-round travel in one of Japan’s best-known mountain destinations
FOR decades, Niseko has whispered a siren song to the world’s most discerning travelers. Its legendary champagne powder, dry, light, and seemingly endless, has turned this Hokkaido enclave into a pilgrimage site for skiers and snowboarders.
But until now, the region’s luxury landscape has been a mosaic of boutique chalets and stylish lodges, missing the grand, full-service anchor that a world-class destination deserves. That changes in early 2028.
Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, the iconic brand behind The Plaza in New York and The Savoy in London, has officially announced its second Japanese property: Fairmont Niseko. In partnership with J-Will Partners Co., Ltd., this 165-key resort isn’t just another hotel opening. It is a declaration that Niseko has evolved from a seasonal ski town into a year-round sanctuary for global luxury.
The setting is nothing short of cinematic. Nestled within nine acres of pristine forest, the resort sits in the quiet embrace of Mount Yotei and Mount Annupuri. Think of it as a front-row seat to Hokkaido’s most photographed volcano. Every room will frame unobstructed, panoramic views
EMIRATES has expanded its Travel Rehearsal program to Clark International Airport, giving neurodiverse children and their families the chance to experience the airport journey before taking an actual flight.
The event marked the airline’s second Travel Rehearsal in the Philippines after its first in Cebu in June, part of Emirates’ efforts to make air travel more accessible.
The three-hour program brought together 22 students, their parents or guardians, and eight teachers from Hand Prints School of Progressive Education and Beyond Play Learning Center. Participants were guided through key stages of the airport experience, including check-in, immigration, security screening, the departure concourse, and a simulated boarding process.
Emirates personnel and airport partners explained each step, answered questions from families, and introduced participants to airport teams they would typically encounter while traveling. For many neurodiverse children, unfamiliar airport environments and routines can be overwhelming. The rehearsal aims to help children become more comfortable with the process while giving parents and caregivers a better understanding of what to expect. The program was conducted in partnership with Clark International Airport, customer service teams, border control, the Office for Transportation Security, and Emirates’ ground handling partner.
offer spa, onsen, dining, ski, golf, and summer trail access as Niseko expands its luxury travel market
of Yotei’s iconic cone, a backdrop that shifts from snow-capped majesty in winter to lush greenery in summer. Imagined by architect Daiken Sekkei, Inc., with interiors by the acclaimed Steve Leung Design Group, the design philosophy is rooted in harmony. It promises a seamless blend of modern sophistication and the region’s profound natural tranquility,
where timber, stone, and vast glass walls invite the outdoors in.
But Fairmont Niseko is about more than aesthetics. It’s about access. The resort’s location offers unparalleled proximity to both Niseko Village and Hirafu, giving guests direct access to world-class ski runs, championship golf courses, and a burgeoning culinary scene that has
quietly become a draw in its own right.
After a day carving through powder or hiking summer trails, you’ll return to a sanctuary-like spa, an authentic onsen experience that honors Japan’s centuries-old bathing culture, and two exquisite restaurants that will likely become destinations unto themselves.
For Omer Acar , CEO of Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, this is a pivotal moment. “Niseko’s international renown for its exceptional powder snow makes it one of the world’s premier luxury ski destinations,” he noted.
“Fairmont Niseko will be an exciting new landmark, marking our second property in Japan following Fairmont Tokyo last year,” he added.
It is a testament to Accor’s growing presence in Asia, but also to Fairmont’s deep heritage of operating premium ski and golf resorts, from the Canadian Rockies to Lake Tahoe. Niseko now joins that elite club.
The timing is strategic. By 2038, the Hokkaido Shinkansen extension will connect Kutchan Station to Sapporo in just 25 minutes, while international flight capacity at New Chitose Airport continues to surge. This isn’t just a resort. It’s a future-proof investment in a region poised for global prominence.
For the discerning traveler who seeks powder, peace, and perfection, Fairmont Niseko isn’t just another option. It is the option. And come 2028, the mountain will have a new address for unforgettable moments. I just hope my passport is ready when I am.
and Dubai, with Clark joining a growing list of participating destinations.
By Earla Joy Nicol