Manila Standard - 2026 August 7 - Friday by Manila Standard

manilastandard.net

@ManilaStandardPH

@mnlstandardph

@manilastandard

@ManilaStandardYT

Missed your copy of Manila Standard? Call or text our Circulation Hotline at 0917-8848655 or email: circulation@manilastandard.net . For advertisement: email: advertise@manilastandard.net •09173382170 / 85646229

Palace confirms standing order to arrest Bato, probe fake news By Katrina Manubay and Vince Lopez MALACAÑANG has ordered its Anti-Fake News Desk to investigate those behind false reports claiming fugitive Senator Bato dela Rosa had

been arrested, even as it reiterated that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has issued a standing arrest order against him. At a Palace briefing, Undersecretary Claire Castro said PCO Secretary Dave Gomez directed the Anti-Fake

VOL. XL • NO. 174 • 3 SECTIONS 18 PAGES • P20 •FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2026 •

US asks PH to extradite Quiboloy on sex crimes Formal request received by DFA, transmitted to DOJ

4 die in earthslides in Benguet, Rizal in Maymay’s wake By Rio N. Araja and Rex Espiritu AT LEAST four people died in landslide and rockslide incidents in Benguet and Rizal provinces due to the combined impacts of typhoons “Luis” and “Maymay,” aggravated by the southwest monsoon (habagat), the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said Next page yesterday.

By Katrina Manubay, Pot Chavez and Joel Zurbano

HE United States has formally requested the extradition of Filipino televangelist Apollo Quiboloy to face multiple charges, including child sex trafficking, engaging in sex with minors, fraud, and money laundering, the country’s ambassador to Washington said on Thursday.

Quiboloy, a self-proclaimed "Appointed Son of God" and ally of former president Rodrigo Duterte, was arrested in 2024 after a two-week standoff at the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) compound in Davao City. Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez confirmed Washington has formally asked for the pastor to be handed over.

DEATH BY EARTH SLIDES. Storm Maymay’s rains trigger

separate land and rock slides killing four people yesterday in Benguet, upper photo, and Rizal, bottom left photo. While Maymay is moving away from Luzon, at right, it continues to enhance the southwest monsoon. Manny Palmero, PNP-PIO, PAGASA

Palace hits senator-judges for grilling witnesses By Maricel V. Cruz FEELING THE LOVE.

Alexandra Eala of the Philippines celebrates her win against Alycia Parks of the United States during day four of the National Bank Open Presented by Rogers at Sobeys Stadium on August 05, 2026, in Toronto, Ontario. Story on A8 (AFP)

MALACAÑANG on Thursday criticized some senator-judges in Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment trial, saying they seemed to be "crossexamining" witnesses rather than sticking to clarificatory questions as the rules require. Meanwhile, the House prosecution panel said the Supreme Court’s (SC) dismissal of petitions questioning the House impeachment proceedings re-

VP Sara dares Gibo to name China backers By Rex Espiritu VICE President Sara Duterte on Thursday challenged Defense Secretary Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. to identify the public officials he was referring to as “defending China” in the West Philippine Sea dispute. In a chance interview, Duterte said Teodoro should clarify the officials' identities for the Filipino people. “You cannot make statements like that if you're not going to identify the officials you're referring to,” she said.

moved the requested restraint against a process they had already completed, leaving the Senate Impeachment Court to hear and decide the charges. In a press briefing, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro emphasized that senator-judges should stay impartial and base their decisions solely on law and evidence, without attempting to obscure the truth or engage in witness debates. She, however, did not specify which senator-judges she was referring to..

According to the PCO, many of those involved in the impeachment proceedings are acting like lawyers— which they shouldn't be doing as senator-judges are required to remain impartial and unbiased. “It is not their mandate to sweep away the truth; so, they shouldn't be bringing a broom into the Senate,” Castro said. She added that hearings reveal a misrepresentation of procedures, with some Next page

OMB calls out Sandiganbayan for disregarding evidence vs. Revilla By Rex Espiritu THE Office of the Ombudsman asserted that the Sandiganbayan disregarded the prosecution's evidence linking former senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. to the alleged illegal disbursement of public funds for the purported “ghost” P92.8-million flood control project in Pandi, Bulacan. The Ombudsman made the assertion in its motion for reconsideration of the Sandiganbayan's resolution granting bail to Revilla, who is facing a malversation case in connection with the Pandi project. “With all due respect, the resolu-

tion being assailed is tainted with serious error when it failed to consider prosecution evidence showing accused Revilla's active participation in the conspiracy that resulted in the illegal disbursement and diversion of public funds,” the Ombudsman's appeal read. “In the present case, accused Revilla's act of requesting a list of DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) projects for funding and demanding a corresponding ‘commitment’ indubitably demonstrated that he was not only an active participant in the conspiracy, but also a beneficiary in the diversion of public funds, with Next page

NEWS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2026

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

PRIORITY BILLS.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. convenes the 4th LEDAC Council Meeting to ensure the passage of the administration's priority measures in Congress. PCO

ing and human trafficking. That’s why we really have to be able to work with the international community on how to resolve this request for extradition,” Romualdez added. The ambassador said Washington has also sought the extradition of Quiboloy’s alleged co-conspirators. “I'm told that there are co-conspirators that are also being requested. I'm not quite sure exactly how many or how many they are. But there are coconspirators or co-indicted people who are in the United States already being tried right now,” he said. The US Embassy in Manila did not reply immediately to requests for comment. The counsels for Quiboloy refused to comment, noting that they have not been officially informed about the matter. But for Senator Risa Hontiveros, the time has come for Quiboloy to be extradited to the US. “He trafficked women and girls

from around the world. Justice demands that he answer for these crimes in the very places he committed them,” she said. As Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality, Hontiveros expressed relief that not one but two jurisdictions want to hold the pastor to account for his crimes against women and girls. “His continued presence in this country still emboldens his followers to harass the very survivors who found the courage to speak against him,” she added. Quiboloy is currently detained at the Pasig City Jail, where he faces several charges including qualified human trafficking—a nonbailable offense— and sexual abuse. A US grand jury had indicted Quiboloy three years earlier for conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion, sex trafficking of children, and bulk cash smuggling.

The 2021 US indictment alleges girls and women between the ages of 12 and 25 were recruited as personal assistants for Quiboloy to prepare his meals, clean his residence, give him massages, and have sex with him. Police said following his arrest that Quiboloy's alleged victims were told they were having sex with the "Spirit of God" and were threatened not to tell anyone on pain of being hunted down by "angels of death." The Philippines signed an extradition treaty with the United States in November 1994. Under Article 11, it allows the requested state to “temporarily surrender” the person in question if he/she is “being prosecuted or is serving a sentence” in the country. If the extradition pushes through, Quiboloy would be kept in custody in the US and “shall be returned” to the Philippines after the conclusion of the proceedings against him, based on the treaty. With AFP

disturbances. It said other incidents were still undergoing validation to determine whether they were directly related to the typhoons and the southwest monsoon. As such, the deaths have not yet been included in the agency’s official situation reports. Benguet police chief Col. Dionisio Bonoy said the retaining wall could no longer withstand the weight of the soil loosened after days of heavy rainfall, even though the slope was not considered steep. Maymay was moving east-southeast at 35 km/h with maximum sustained winds of 45 km/h near the center and gusts up to 60 km/h, the weather agency said. It is expected to move generally southeastward until it merges into the larger circulation of Tropical Cyclone “DOLPHIN,” which is located outside the Philippine area of responsibility. In its latest situational report, the OCD said 80,633 individuals, or 23,946 families, were affected across the Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Lu-

zon, Bicol Region, Zamboanga Peninsula, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), and the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR). Of the total, 6,929 individuals, or 2,215 families, were staying in 39 evacuation centers. The government allocated P1.38 million in assistance to affected residents. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) meanwhile raised a full alert status due to the effects of “Maymay” and the southwest monsoon, Malacañang said. Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said this was in response to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to ensure the government’s preparedness and immediate response amid the inclement weather. Classes suspended in some areas Classes have been suspended today in several areas due to inclement weather caused by Maymay and the southwest monsoon (habagat). These are the following: Bugallon, Pangasinan—no face-to-

face classes, all levels, public and private Dagupan City, Pangasinan—no face-to-face, all levels San Carlos, Pangasinan—no faceto-face, all levels, public and private schools Mangaldan, Pangasinan—no faceto-face, all levels, public and private schools Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University—shift asynchronous classes La Trinidad, Benguet—all levels, public and private San Fernando, Pampanga - no faceto-face classes, all levels, public and private Benguet—no face-to-face, all levels, public and private schools Naic, Cavite—no face-to-face, all levels, public and private schools Cavite—no classes, all levels, public and private schools Laguna—no classes, all levels, public and private schools Santa Cruz, Occidental Mindoro — no classes, all levels, public and private schools

VP...

judges shifting interpretations and not allowing witnesses to complete their answers. "The judges are asking questions for clarification; they are posing clarificatory questions, not conducting a crossexamination. They should not debate the witness, because their mandate is to uncover the truth for the public— not to sweep aside the law or suppress what the people ought to know merely to cover up the alleged wrongdoing of others," she pointed out. On the 13th day, tension rose when Senator-judge Imee Marcos argued that accountability for confidential funds lies with special disbursing officers, not Duterte. State auditor Roderick Wamil responded that agency heads also share responsibility. Castro said that it was concerning to hear assertions that only the Special Disbursing Officer (SDO) should be accountable, arguing that this view ignores the responsibility of the agen-

cy head. Lead prosecutor and Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro said the Supreme Court decision dismissing the petition questioning the House impeachment proceedings removes any legal doubt about the process. She said the petitions raised constitutional objections to the House Committee on Justice proceedings, including claims that the committee conducted a “mini-trial” or “fishing expedition” and prejudged the complaints before the clarificatory hearing. Luistro added that the petitions also questioned compliance with the one-year bar on initiating impeachment proceedings and the validity of the plenary referral of the complaints to the Justice Committee. The SC dismissed the petitions for mootness after the House approved the Articles of Impeachment and transmitted them to the Senate. A dismissal on that ground means intervening events had overtaken the relief requested; it is not a ruling on Duterte’s guilt or on the merits of the four Articles.

Her remarks came after Teodoro said public officials are bound by their oath to uphold the country's policies on its territorial waters. He clarified that his call for public officials to resign is based on their official responsibilities, not their personal beliefs. Malacañang backed Teodoro's statement, saying the issue is not about loyalty to any individual or political group but about every Filipino's constitutional duty to defend the country. Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo “Pulong” Duterte urged restraint and warned against “demonizing” China while reiterating that his position does not mean abandoning the Philippines' claims in the contested waters. The Vice President also said even President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. could be considered a “suspect” because Teodoro did not identify the officials he was referring to. “Of course. Even our president is a suspect because there is no list of names,” she said. During his fifth State of the Nation

Address on July 28, President Marcos stressed the importance of upholding the 2016 arbitral ruling on the disputed waters. “Let me remind our friends and our detractors: Filipinos are a noble, kind, gracious, and great race,” the President said. The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), meanwhile, expressed full support for Teodoro's call for public officials to uphold the country's position on the West Philippine Sea, saying defending Philippine sovereignty and sovereign rights is a constitutional duty. AFP spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad said the military “fully aligns with and strongly backs” Teodoro's position that supporting the country's stance in the WPS is a solemn obligation. “All public servants take an oath to uphold the Constitution, national sovereignty, and sovereign rights,” Trinidad said. He said defending the country's national interests, anchored on international law, is not a matter of political alignment but a constitutional responsibility.

liberty from detention at the Quezon City Jail Male Dormitory in Payatas on July 31 after posting P1 million in bail. The Sandiganbayan Third Division, however, said Thursday that it was guided by law and the evidence presented when it granted Revilla's petition for bail.

In its appeal, the Office of the Ombudsman said its evidence clearly showed that Revilla was the proponent of the flood control project, citing state witness Henry Alcantara's testimony that the Pandi undertaking was included in the list of projects he submitted to another state witness, then-Public Works undersecretary

Roberto Bernardo. The project was eventually included in the Department of Public Works and Highways' (DPWH) errata and allocated funding under the General Appropriations Act. “Engr. Alcantara also testified that accused [Brice] Hernandez [of the DPWH Bulacan First District Engi-

neering Office] advanced the commissions as the ‘in-house’ contractor for the said project. Furthermore, witnesses Bernardo, Vergel Niño Garcia, and Francisco Dela Fuente Jr. delivered the ‘commitment’ received from Engrs. Alcantara and [Gerard] Opulencia to accused Revilla,” the Ombudsman said.

Palace...

US...

From A1

News Desk to identify those responsible for spreading the false reports and determine whether they acted with malicious intent. “We spoke directly with Secretary Dave Gomez, who instructed the Presidential Communications Office's AntiFake News Desk to investigate those responsible for spreading fake news, including the false reports about the supposed arrest of Senator Bato dela Rosa. We will also determine whether the dissemination of the misinformation was done with malicious intent,” Castro said. She said the PCO would first examine how the misinformation spread, the content of the posts, and their context before deciding whether charges should be filed. “But the government will not let this pass without action. The Presidential Communications Office is closely monitoring all cases of fake news,” Castro said in Filipino. She reiterated her earlier statement that allies of Vice President Sara Duterte circulated unverified claims about Dela Rosa's supposed arrest as a "diversionary tactic" to draw public attention away from the Commission on Audit's findings on the Office of the Vice President's confidential funds. She noted that lawyer Jimmy Bondoc had posted on Facebook that "bad news" was coming before later deleting the post. Castro also reiterated the "standing order" from the President to implement the arrest warrant against Dela Rosa, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) as an alleged co-conspirator in the crimes against humanity case linked to former president Rodrigo Duterte's anti-illegal drug campaign. The senator has been in hiding since May 14 after leaving the Senate premises. Philippine National Police chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said authorities continue to receive and validate intelligence on Dela Rosa's whereabouts and believe he is still in the country. "We are looking at the different places at the supposed whereabouts of friends, relatives as well as whomever he normally goes with. Most probably, he's here in the Philippines," Nartatez told reporters at Camp Crame. “We continuously receive information on a daily basis. We process that information so that it can be developed into intelligence,” he added. Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla likewise reiterated that Dela Rosa has not been arrested. He said the DILG and the Department of Justice remain in coordination with law enforcement agencies, adding that authorities continue to pursue the senator and that tracker teams indicate he is still somewhere in Mindanao. Remulla also assured the public that authorities would promptly inform the media once Dela Rosa is arrested. On Wednesday, Malacañang, the PNP, DOJ, and the National Bureau of Investigation all denied reports that Dela Rosa had been arrested, urging the public to rely on verified information from official sources and mainstream media.

"The formal request has been transmitted to the Department of Justice," he said via text message, without providing further details. The DFA confirmed it has already received the request and endorsed the same to the DOJ. In a separate interview with ABSCBN News, Romualdez said any decision on the US request would take into account the complainants who filed cases against him here in the Philippines. “These are things that really, you know, in the legal parlance, they're the worst of all crimes as far as people are concerned. And that's why this is something very serious that the Philippines should also be very cooperative about,” he said. “We have many victims in our country that are victims of sex traffick-

OMB... From A1

knowledge that the projects would serve only as vehicles for the disbursement of public funds,” the Ombudsman added. Revilla was granted provisional

4 die... From A1

Meanwhile, more than 80,000 people were affected by the combined effects of Tropical Cyclones Luis and Maymay and the enhanced habagat, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said. "Maymay" was tracked over the Philippine Sea on Thursday afternoon. Its center was estimated 150 kilometers east northeast of Echague, Isabela. "Maymay" is forecast to continue weakening and may be downgraded into a remnant low Thursday night or Friday early morning. The two fatalities in La Trinidad, Benguet were staff members of a meat shop hit by a landslide at about 9 a.m. Another person was injured in the incident. The two other fatalities were siblings buried alive in a rockslide that hit their home in Rodriguez, Rizal at about 12 p.m. on Wednesday, the OCD said. As of its latest report, the OCD had not recorded any deaths, injuries, or missing persons related to the weather

Palace... From A1

From A1

NEWS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2026

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

IN BRIEF Dizon sacks Camarines engineer over road crash PUBLIC Works Secretary Vince Dizon has removed the district engineer of the DPWH Camarines Sur 1st District Engineering Office following a road crash in Barangay Magais, Del Gallego, Camarines Sur. The official was relieved due to the lack of adequate road safety warning signs and traffic safety devices at an ongoing road construction site where the accident occurred. The action follows President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to hold accountable DPWH officials and contractors found negligent in implementing road projects. Dizon also ordered an investigation to determine whether other officials or contractors should be held liable for the incident. He reminded DPWH personnel and contractors to ensure all road projects comply with safety standards to protect motorists, commuters, and other road users. Vito Barcelo

PMA transfers venue for Iloilo entrance tests THE Philippine Military Academy (PMA) has announced a new testing venue for the Iloilo City leg of the 2026 Philippine Military Academy Entrance Examination (PMAEE) on Aug. 8 and 9. All registered and walk-in applicants assigned to the Iloilo City testing center should report to Fort San Pedro National High School along Sto. Rosario Street. Applicants are advised to verify their testing venue and bring the required documents. Online and mail applicants must present their examination permit, one recent 2x2 ID photo, two No. 2 pencils, and a valid ID. Walk-in applicants must also submit their application form, PSA birth certificate, academic records, and other required documents. Applicants are required to wear a white T-shirt, pants, and rubber shoes. Registration starts at 7 a.m., while the examination begins at 11 a.m. Rex Espiritu

PNP closes in on Makati hotel shooting suspect THE Philippine National Police (PNP) on Thursday said investigators are closing in on the motive, identities, and whereabouts of the suspects behind the Aug. 2 shooting outside a hotel in Makati City. PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said he ordered the National Capital Region Police Office to pursue all leads, including the suspects’ motives and the firearms used. Police are looking into the possibility that the attack was carried out by a hired gun while also examining the victim’s line of work. Nartatez said the surviving victim, a beauty pageant winner from Mindanao who moved to Manila for work, remains a key witness in the investigation. Vince Lopez

AI TASK FORCE. Officials meet during the Private Sector Advisory Council meeting at Malacañang, where members push key recommendations to accelerate artificial intelligence adoption, expand workforce upskilling, strengthen industry partnerships, and create more quality jobs through closer public-private collaboration. PCO

PH gets P11.54b loan for health care T By Katrina Manubay

HE Philippines and Japan on Monday, Aug. 4, signed a ¥30-billion (P11.54 billion) loan agreement to support the third phase of the country’s Build Universal Health Care Program and strengthen the implementation of universal health care.

In an X post, Foreign Affairs Secretary Theresa Lazaro said the signing signifies both countries’ commitment to ensuring quality, accessible, and equitable health care for Filipinos.

“Today, I am pleased to sign the Diplomatic Notes in support of the Build Universal Health Care Program (Subprogram 3) under the Philippine-Japan development cooperation framework,”

her post read. “To advancing our Philippine-Japan Comprehensive Strategic Partnership through our shared dedication to building a stronger, healthier nation,” she added. In a statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the loan aims to address key reform areas in sustainable financing and strategic purchasing for universal health care (UHC), integrated delivery of quality health services, and information management and performance accountability for UHC. “The BUHC 3 aims to improve equi-

AFP: Let legal processes run in Nafarrete case

AFFORDABLE RICE. Residents

queue at the Kadiwa ng Pangulo outlet at the Bureau of Plant Industry in Malate, Manila, to buy rice at P20 per kilo despite heavy rains from Typhoon Maymay and the southwest monsoon, as government offices and classes across Metro Manila remain suspended. Norman Cruz

By Rex Espiritu

House bill seeks P12,000 annual aid for minimum wage earners By Maricel V. Cruz A BILL filed in the House of Representatives seeks to provide qualified minimum wage-earning families with P12,000 in annual assistance while directing the subsidy toward local micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). House Bill 10648, or the proposed

BAYWALK CLEANUP.

Personnel of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority’s Metro Parkways Clearing Group continue cleanup operations at the Manila Baywalk Dolomite Beach despite the inclement weather.

Pambansang Agapay sa Pamilya at Maliliit na Negosyo (PAMANA) Act, would grant eligible families P1,000 a month through a digital wallet linked to the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys). The measure was authored by Tingog Party-list Rep. Jude Acidre, Lanao del Sur Rep. Ziaur-Rahman Adiong, Manila Rep. Joel Chua, Iloilo Rep. Jan-

table access to quality health services that are also responsive to gender-specific health concerns and the health impacts of climate change,” the DFA said. The program follows the achievements of Subprogram 1, implemented from January 2019 to May 2021, and Subprogram 2, implemented from July 2021 to September 2023. The agreement was signed by Lazaro and Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Endo Kazuya. The project is being implemented and co-financed by the Asian Development Bank.

nette Garin, Zambales Rep. Jefferson Khonghun, Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro, La Union Rep. Francisco Paolo Ortega, Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon, 1Rider Party-list Rep. Ramon Rodrigo Gutierrez, Quezon Rep. David Suarez, and San Juan Rep. Ysabel Maria Zamora. The lawmakers said the proposal aims to fill a gap in the country’s social

protection system by extending assistance to minimum wage earners who remain vulnerable to rising living costs but are generally not covered by conditional cash transfer programs. “Many minimum wage earners report for work every day but still struggle to meet the cost of food, transportation, utilities, medicine, and other basic needs,” Acidre said.

THE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Thursday called on the public to allow the legal process to proceed and avoid making premature conclusions following the Supreme Court’s issuance of a Temporary Protection Order (TPO). AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said the military has yet to receive the official notice and copy of the TPO from the high court. “At present, the Armed Forces of the Philippines have yet to receive the official notice and copy of the Temporary Protection Order from the Supreme Court,” Padilla said. The Supreme Court on Wednesday announced it had issued writs of amparo and habeas data against AFP Chief Gen. Antonio Nafarrete and other military and law enforcement officers. It directed the respondents “not to go within one kilometer of the petitioners and their immediate family members.” The petitioners include Atty. Rey A. Gorgonio, Joselito B. Macapobre, Analyn S. Mirano, and Ma. Anabelle Ilustrisimo.

PSAC urges action to prepare for AI era THE Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) has recommended the creation of a National AI Implementation Taskforce to help the Philippines move faster in preparing workers, businesses, and government for the challenges and opportunities brought about by artificial intelligence (AI). The recommendation was presented during the fifth meeting of the PSAC Education and Jobs Sector Group, held jointly with the PSAC Digital Infrastructure Sector Group at Malacañang Palace. The meeting focused on turning the country’s AI plans into concrete actions that will improve education and upskilling at scale, create better jobs, and strengthen the country’s global competitiveness. PSAC Strategic Convenor and Aboitiz Group President and CEO Sabin Aboitiz said the Philippines already has the National AI Strategy (NAIS PH). The next challenge is ensuring it is carried

out effectively through close collaboration between government and the private sector using a well-coordinated whole-of-nation approach. “Artificial intelligence is no longer a technology of the future—it is already changing the way people work, learn, and do business today. Our priority is to make sure every Filipino has the opportunity to benefit from AI by creating better jobs, developing new skills, and strengthening industries that will drive long-term economic growth,” Aboitiz said. PSAC noted that while several national AI strategies have already been developed, implementation remains fragmented because responsibilities are spread across different agencies without a single coordinating body. The proposed National AI Implementation Taskforce aims to bring government agencies, industry groups, academe, and other stakeholders together under one implementation framework.

NEWS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2026

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

IN BRIEF Tuguegarao to observe annual Pavvurulun fest

FOREBODING DISASTER.

The water level at Bolo Creek in La Trinidad, Benguet is about overflow its banks due to heavy rains brought about by tropical storm ‘Maymay.’ Local farmers are anxious over the likelihood of losing their crops on account of the looming weather disturbance. PIA Benguet

Hopes run high in gov’t-MILF talks By Rex Espiritu

NDEPENDENT peace monitors have expressed optimism after the five-month hiatus in talks between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) ended, with both parties set to hold a special meeting on Sept. 25 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The government and the MILF peace panels resumed talks on Tuesday, resulting in the signing of the “Declaration of Continuity of the Partnership between the government and the MILF in the Implementation of the Compre-

hensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB)” in Davao City. Presidential peace adviser Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento and his MILF counterpart, Mohagher Iqbal, reaffirmed their commitment for the faith-

underscores that while the political transition is reaching a significant milestone, the full implementation of the normalization track remains essential to achieving a just and lasting peace,” the group said. It reiterated its readiness to continue working with both parties and other stakeholders to ensure the faithful implementation of the peace accord “for the benefit of the Bangsamoro people and the entire Philippines.” The TPMT noted that under the normalization track “much work remains on the full range of commitments that require continued focus and attention.”

The normalization aspect includes the decommissioning of MILF fighters and their weapons (along with socioeconomic package) and the transformation of government-recognized MILF camps into productive economic zones, among others. TPMT, the body mandated by both the government and the MILF to monitor, review and assess the implementation of the CAB, reiterated its readiness to continue working with both parties and other stakeholders to ensure the faithful implementation of the peace accord “for the benefit of the Bangsamoro people and the entire Philippines.”

Manila taxpayer gets back P1 overpayment THE Manila city government has refunded P1 in overpayment to a beneficiary of its Land for the Landless Program, underscoring its commitment to accountability in public transactions. Mayor Francisco Moreno Domagoso personally handed the refund check to beneficiary Flordeliza Torres during a ceremony on Tuesday. “This would be nice to frame. The good thing about this is the principle behind it. The check may even cost more than the amount it represents,” Domagoso told Torres. She thanked the city government for returning the excess payment despite the puny amount. Pot Chavez

Theft of seized items means dismissal—BOC

Escudero bill aims to reset BSKE to 2028 By Ram Superable A SENATE bill seeking to reset the upcoming barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE) this year to 2028, as well as extending the term of office for barangay officials from four years to five years, was filed on Thursday by Senator Francis Escudero. Under Senate Bill No. 2387, the next regular barangay and youth council elections would be rescheduled from November 2026 to the first Monday of November 2028. The measure aims to amend Republic Act No. 12232 to foster greater political stability, reduce frequent campaign disruptions, and allow frontline leaders to concentrate on community development initiatives rather than brief electoral cycles. “Barangay governments play critical roles in implementing government programs, maintaining peace and order, resolving disputes, responding to disasters and calamities, and delivering basic services at the community level... The success in implementing these essential public services depends significantly on the stability and capacity of barangay governments and its officials,” Escudero said.

TUGUEGARAO City—With the theme “Heritage and Unity, Celebrating Our Vibrant Community,” the Pavvurulun Afi Festival 2026 is set to unfold on Aug. 8 to 17 with a simpler yet more meaningful aimed at putting this city in the national spotlight. “Let us show the world what we can do, will do, and who we are, and how we celebrate unity and love via Pavvurulun Festival 2026,” Mayor Maila Ting-Que said during a press briefing on the forthcoming festivities. The city allotted ₱11,235,750 for this year’s celebration. In line with government austerity measures. The mayor said although the number of activities was scaled down, new features were added to make the events more exciting. Jessica M. Bacud

WHAT INDUSTRY LOOKS LIKE. With hostile weather barring them from going out to fish in the high seas, fishermen in Barangay Julugan, Tanza, Cavite would rather spend their time mending the nets and tying up some loose ends in the boats. Norman Cruz

BUREAU of Customs (BOC) Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno on Thursday warned of immediate dismissal for any personnel involved in theft or unauthorized removal of confiscated smuggled cigarettes. Nepomuceno issued the warning as he ordered tighter security measures in all ports nationwide. In a memorandum, Nepomuceno directed all district commanders of the Enforcement and Security Service (ESS) and chiefs of the Auction and Cargo Disposal Division (ACDD) to strengthen monitoring and security protocols over confiscated illicit cigarettes following reports of attempted theft of seized goods under Customs custody.. The memorandum requires stricter control of storage facilities, regulated and documented access to confiscated goods, and the immediate reporting of any suspicious activity, attempted breach, loss, or inventory discrepancy to the Office of the Commissioner. Vito Barcelo

SC affirms CA decision on questioned Cebu airport land donation By Pot Chavez THE Supreme Court (SC) has affirmed a Court of Appeals decision declaring a deed of donation of a land occupied by the Mactan-Cebu International Airport in favor of Lapu-Lapu City, citing no substantial breach of condition. In its 10-page decision made pub-

lic July 30, the SC First Division declared the city as the lawful owner of a parcel of land, affirming the Court of Appeals (CA). “Without a valid revocation of the donation, no right of reversion accrued to the heirs. Consequently, petitioner could not derive any right from the Extrajudicial Settlement

DepEd launches online platform on ARAL

By Gabriel Oliva

THE Department of Education (DepEd) on Thursday launched TutorKo, a web-based platform designed to support the implementation of the Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) Program. The platform was unveiled during a ceremony at the Putatan Elementary School in Muntinlupa City. According to DepEd, TutorKo streamlines tutor recruitment, screening, onboarding, deployment, attendance monitoring, lesson management, learner grouping, scheduling, daily time record submission, and report generation to support the entire tutoring cycle under the ARAL Program.

“The platform will help streamline tutor recruitment, screening, onboarding, lesson management, learner grouping, scheduling, attendance tracking, Daily Time Record submission, and report generation,” the DepEd said. TutorKo also provides role-based access for administrators, coordinators, school heads, tutors, learners, and education officials at various governance levels through dedicated dashboards and monitoring tools. The ARAL Program was established in 2024 under Republic Act No. 12028, or the ARAL Program Act of 2024, to provide free and effective learning interventions for students. The program aims to help struggling learners from Grades 1 to 10 improve their competencies in reading, mathematics, and science.

and Sale they executed,” the High Court ruled. “The CA thus committed no reversible error in upholding the continued validity of the Deed of Donation and respondent’s ownership over the property,” it added. Petitioner Mactan-Cebu International Airport maintained that the donation

became ineffective due to the city’s failure to comply with the express condition that the property be used exclusively for school purposes. It pointed out that since the school’s demolition in 1991, it has never been rebuilt, warranting the revocation of the donation and the reversion of ownership.

REAL TIME EVACUATION. Some 150 villagers in Santa, Ilocos Sur are evacuated ahead of the potential onslaught of tropical storm ‘Maymay’ which threatens to blow over the region. PCG photo

OPINION

FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2026

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

EDITORIAL

The price of saying no ONE of the rarest commodities in politics is not power. It is the courage to say no. Former House Deputy Speaker Lito Atienza recently recounted a story that, if true, offers a remarkable glimpse into what public service is supposed to look like. According to Atienza, years ago he was invited by Senator Loren Legarda to meet at the Manila Polo Club while Congress was deliberating on the proposed franchise of Solar Para sa Bayan, the company owned by her son, Leandro Leviste. During that meeting, Atienza claimed Legarda asked for his support for the franchise and told him that, as Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, she could help secure funding for projects in his congressional district. Atienza said he immediately stood up and walked away. Whether that account will eventually be corroborated or challenged through formal proceedings remains to be seen. Legarda has denied allegations against her in connection with the broader controversy. But Atienza’s version of events deserves attention because of the principle it represents. He said no. Not because opposing renewable energy was popular. Not because it was politically convenient. He said no because he questioned whether the company possessed the financial capability to fulfill the enormous public responsibility it was seeking to assume. According to Atienza, the company initially had only ₱1 million in paid-up capital before later increasing its capitalization to around ₱1 billion. Even then, he maintained that such capitalization was inadequate for a nationwide undertaking involving the electrification of remote communities and the development of major energy infrastructure. Whether one agrees with his financial assessment or not, the point is that he asked the question many others apparently did not: Can this company actually deliver what it is promising? That is exactly the kind of question legislators are elected to ask. A congressional franchise is not an ordinary business permit. It is a privilege granted by the State because Congress believes the recipient is capable of delivering a public service. Every franchise creates opportunities that others do not receive. Every franchise carries public trust. The responsibility of lawmakers is therefore not merely to approve proposals that sound visionary. Their responsibility is to determine whether those proposals are supported by sufficient financial resources, technical competence, and operational capacity. Sometimes the most patriotic vote is not “yes.” Sometimes it is “not yet.” Recent events have made Atienza’s warnings impossible to ignore. The Department of Energy terminated dozens of renewable energy service contracts associated with Leviste’s companies after the projects failed to meet contractual com-

mitments. The Office of the Ombudsman is now conducting a preliminary investigation into allegations involving those projects, while Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla has described the controversy as involving “ghost electricity.” These remain allegations that will ultimately have to be tested through evidence and due process. But whether those cases prosper or fail, one fact stands out: Atienza’s concerns were raised years before these controversies emerged. That is why courage in public office matters. Integrity is not measured after investigations begin. It is measured at the moment when compromise appears easiest, when political favors become tempting, and when saying yes promises immediate rewards while saying no invites isolation.

—“—

A congressional franchise is not an ordinary business permit. Public service has never lacked intelligent people. It has often lacked independent people. History has repeatedly shown that many national controversies did not begin with a grand conspiracy. They began because enough people chose convenience over conviction. Someone looked away. Someone remained silent. Someone decided that raising difficult questions was simply not worth the political cost. According to Atienza, he chose otherwise. If his account is accurate, he rejected an offer that could have benefited his district because he believed protecting the integrity of congressional action was more important than securing political favors. That is not merely an act of political independence. It is an affirmation that some principles should never be negotiable. Every generation of public officials eventually faces a defining moment. Most are never remembered for the speeches they delivered or the resolutions they sponsored. They are remembered for the moments when they could have compromised—and refused. Whether the allegations surrounding the solar controversy are ultimately sustained or dismissed in court is for investigators and the judicial process to determine. But if Atienza’s account is true, then he has already demonstrated something equally important. He reminded the nation that public office is not measured by the favors one can obtain, but by the favors one is willing to refuse. In a political culture where influence is often treated as currency, saying no may be the most valuable public service of all.

Leadership learned by a father’s side THIS is a book review of Lead Like My Father, authored by my Ateneo de Manila classmate Tony Galvez. In this time of what I consider a leadership crisis in the Philippines, this book helps us move forward. Lead Like My Father inspires from its first page. Galvez frames leadership through family and lived values. His anecdotes turn a father’s wisdom into practical guidance. The book’s storytelling stands as its greatest strength. Each anecdote illustrates one clear leadership lesson. The father teaches integrity, humility, and accountability. He also models perseverance, compassion, and respect for others. Everyday situations show these principles in living practice. The writing feels warm, conversational, and easy to follow. Personal stories build a real emotional connection. The lessons read as authentic rather than instructional. Character and relationships anchor Galvez’s view of leadership. One theme returns often across the book. Leadership begins with the work of leading oneself. True leaders earn trust through consistency and service. Galvez roots that trust in something deeper still. The father teaches honesty over authority or position. He shows service as the mark of a leader. Position alone never commands genuine respect. Consist-

ent character is what wins people over. This lens widens the book’s likely audience. Executives and managers will find clear value here. Students, parents, and educators can gain as well. Community leaders may see their own work reflected. Some readers may want academic frameworks and models. The book stays simple by deliberate choice. That simplicity becomes one of its strengths.

—“—

I recommend this book to anyone who values character and cares about the future of our country. The lessons apply at once in real settings. They work at home and in the office. Filipino culture gives the book its deepest resonance. Galvez honors values through his father’s quiet example. He shows leadership as something lived, not lectured. Pagpupugay means honoring the contributions of others. Pakikitungo is thoughtful, respectful engagement with people. Pagbibigay-puwang gives others room to grow and speak.

Should system loss charges be done away with?

HY pay for electricity you never consumed?

That appears to be the question uppermost in the mind of President Marcos Jr. when he proposed in his last State of the Nation Address to abolish system loss charges, which was greeted with resounding applause from the assembled crowd. And why not? Why should households and businesses carry the burden of power that disappears before it even reaches them? The issue, however, is more complicated than a single line item on the monthly bill of consumers. We’re told that system loss comes in two forms. Technical losses are inevitable since electricity dissipates as it travels through transmission lines and transformers, even in the most advanced grids. Non-technical losses, however, are preventable. They include theft, illegal connections, faulty meters, and billing inefficiencies, often the result of weak enforcement or poor utility management. Consumers understandably bristle at paying for these failures. Advocates of abolition argue that re-

ManilaStandard

ONLINE

PPI

Philippine Press Institute The National Association of Philippine Newspapers

The solution should reshape the power sector into one that is efficient, accountable, and consumerfocused. Utilities counter, however, that technical losses are recognized worldwide as unavoidable costs of delivering electricity. In the Philippines, companies can recover only up to legally defined ceilings, with excess losses absorbed by the firms themselves. Scrapping recovery altogether, they warn, could undermine revenues needed to maintain infrastructure,

SOME scandals are about a single crime. This one is about a constitutional resurrection. The dead pork barrel system, supposedly interred by the Supreme Court in its landmark 2013 Belgica v. Ochoa ruling, has clawed its way out of the grave. The unholy ground is the Department of Public Works and Highways. The ritual is a simple, verbal request. The price tag is P10 billion. And the man holding the map to it all, former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo, has just given the anti-graft court a guided tour. The corrupt genius of this post-PDAF scheme, laid bare in Bernardo’s August 4 testimony before the Sandiganbayan, is its legally surgical design. The Supreme Court said legislators could not direct the execution of the budget. So the architects of the new pork simply shifted the process backwards, into a P10-billion discretionary fund under DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan for the National Expenditure Program. Senators would simply verbally request their favored projects. No letters. No paper trail. Just “boka-boka.” As Associate Justice Ronald Moreno helpfully drew out, the mere asking is not a crime. The crime—the kickback, the balato, the 15 or 20 percent delivered in cardboard boxes—arrives later, separately, and with exquisite plausible deniability. It is a masterclass in structural impunity, a vast, silent conspiracy to make a mockery of the constitutional separation of powers. And at the heart of this machine sits the state’s star witness, a man whose penance is a transaction as brazen as any he describes. Bernardo is the operational nexus who now confesses, “I did not earn from Revilla. I earned from other transactions.” Let the dark satirical poetry of that statement sink in. It is a plea for selective immunity, a masterpiece of compartmentalized guilt designed to satisfy the Wit-

ness Protection Program while leaving his full culpability conveniently vague. He returns P500 million and pledges another billion, and in exchange, the “most guilty” party becomes the state’s avenging angel. The ultimate “boka-boka” deal, it turns out, isn’t between a senator and a secretary—it’s between a confessed bagman and the justice system.

From this ethical abyss, a single, unwavering figure emerges spotless. Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson is the “conspicuous exception,” the lone senator who, by Bernardo’s own admission, did not request a centavo. This is not luck. This is the vindication of a decades-long public record of refusing to feast at the pork barrel, of flagging post-ratification budget insertions, of proving that the “everyone does it” defense is a lie told by the guilty to comfort themselves. Lacson’s clean hands are the inescapable indictment of his chamber. And what an indictment it is. The scramble of “almost all” senators to deny the undeniable is a pitiful spectacle. Former Senator Mark Villar, who once led the very DPWH now at the scandal’s center, calls it a “malaking kasinungalingan.” Then-Senator Nancy Binay, her name linked through an aide to a 12-percent commitment and a P500-million allocation, pleads “wala po akong kinalaman.” Senator Chiz Escudero, tagged with P1.4 billion in projects and deliveries to an associate’s building, dismisses it all as “speculation.”

And then there is the prime character in this tragicomedy, former Senator Bong Revilla, whose alleged P500-million kickback wasn’t delivered via some sophisticated financial instrument but in 15 cardboard boxes. The cinema of the absurd is complete: a man once acquitted of plunder by a “forged signature” now faces a sequel written not in ink, but in the sheer physics of moving half a billion pesos in cash. This was, as the Sandiganbayan heard in living color, explicitly “pang-eleksyon” money—proof that the political class no longer bothers to hide the fact that they’ve turned the treasury into their re-election piggy bank, shredding RA 6713’s Code of Conduct and the constitutional tenet that a public office is a public trust. The only legally coherent response is a laddered, merciless prosecution that sheds the weak malversation theory in favor of the hammer of Plunder under RA 7080. The systematic percentages Bernardo described form the very pattern of criminal acts the law requires. But prosecution is a mop, not a cure. The disease is the verbal, undocumented “ask.” The reform must therefore be its annihilation. We must legislate the death of “boka-boka” by mandating that every single project allocation request from a legislator to any agency be made in writing and published in a realtime, publicly accessible online registry. Sunlight is the only disinfectant strong enough for this particular rot. This is no longer just about one witness or one disgraced politician. It is a battle for the very soul of our democratic institutions and the future we will leave the Filipino youth. We must demand genuine pro-people governance, relentless accountability, and a simple, radical truth: the rule of law must no longer be a ghost we pretend to bury, but a living reality we finally choose to resurrect.

Integridad holds integrity at the very core. Paninindigan means conviction and standing by one’s principles. These values appear through ordinary household routines. Chores and family talk carried the real teaching. The father shaped character through consistent daily action. His example became his son’s moral compass. Those values guided the author’s own path. They shaped his decisions and his conflicts. They shaped how he treated every colleague. Here the book speaks to our nation today. The Philippines wrestles openly with questions of trust. Corruption headlines fill our papers each morning. Public funds and their honest use dominate debate. Citizens are asking who truly deserves their faith. Consider the impeachment trial of Vice

President Sara Duterte. The Senate court is now hearing the case. Prosecutors question the use of confidential public funds. The proceedings remain ongoing as evidence unfolds. Whatever the verdict, the moment teaches a lesson. Accountability is the beating heart of public leadership. Integridad cannot be optional for those who serve. Galvez’s father understood this simple truth early. He tied leadership to conscience, not to power. His teaching feels urgent for our present hour. Paninindigan asks leaders to stand by their principles. Pagpupugay asks them to honor the public trust. Pagbibigay-puwang asks them to listen before they act. Our institutions need exactly these habits now. A nation heals when its leaders

lead themselves first. The book offers no partisan verdict on anyone. It simply reminds us what leadership should mean. Character outlasts every title a person holds. That message reaches far beyond any single office. Ordinary Filipinos lead in homes and barangays daily. Teachers, parents, and workers shape their communities. Each small act of integrity strengthens the whole. Galvez deserves real praise for this timely work. He weaves leadership with enduring Filipino values. His father’s voice carries a lasting national message. Lead Like My Father is a meaningful contribution. It will inspire readers for many generations ahead. I recommend it to anyone who values character and cares about the future of our country. Facebook: tonylavs Website: tonylavina. com

—“—

The rule of law must no longer be a ghost we pretend to bury.

Board Member & Chief Legal Adviser

Emil P. Jurado+ Chairman Emeritus, Editorial Board

ROLANDO G. ESTABILLO Publisher

can be accessed at: manilastandard.net

MEMBER

—“—

expand service, and invest in new equipment. The unintended consequence might be higher distribution charges, slower modernization, or reduced capacity to serve underserved areas, or costs that would still land on consumers, just in another form. The real challenge lies, however, in separating what’s unavoidable from what’s preventable. A blanket abolition risks destabilizing utilities without necessarily delivering lasting relief to consumers. Perhaps a smarter path would be reform: allow recovery of technical losses within internationally accepted standards, but make utilities shoulder a greater share of losses caused by inefficiency, negligence, or unchecked theft. Regulators could also tighten oversight and demand transparency so consumers know exactly what they are paying for. Electricity costs weigh heavily on Filipino families, and any proposal that promises relief deserves serious consideration. But the solution should not be reduced to erasing a single charge. It should be about reshaping the power sector into one that is efficient, accountable, and consumer-focused. Consumers should not pay for waste that could have been prevented, and utilities must still have the resources to keep the grid reliable and modern. Striking that delicate balance may be what would benefit the public.

The P10-billion ‘boka-boka’ pork revival and the one senator who said no

Former Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno

Published Monday to Sunday by Philippine Manila Standard Publishing Inc. at 6/F Universal Re Building, 106 Paseo de Roxas, corner Perea St., Legaspi Village, Makati City. Telephone numbers 8-5646225 and 8-5646229 (connecting all departments), (Editorial) 832-5554, (Advertising) 832-5550. P.O. Box 2933, Manila Central Post Office, Manila. Website: www.manilastandard.net

moving the charge would not only ease monthly bills but also force utilities to modernize, tighten operations, and crack down on theft. They point out that power distributors are businesses earning regulated returns. Like any company, they should absorb operational losses instead of automatically passing them on to customers. The current system, critics say, dulls the incentive to reduce inefficiency because utilities can still recover a portion of their losses through rates.

Mario R. Policarpio Jr. Head - Finance

Baldwin R. Felipe

Head - Ad Solutions

Joyce Pangco Pañares Managing Editor

Honor Blanco Cabie

Opinion Editor

Feliciano T. Buscas Jr. Head - IT-MIS

Paula A. Reynoso

Head - Suppplements

Virgilio DC Galvez

Aytch dela Cruz

Online Editor

Edgar M. Valmorida Circulation Manager

News Editor

(On leave)

Lino M. Santos Chief Photographer

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

WORLD

A6 Manila

Standard

TODAY

FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2026

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Myanmar ex-junta chief on first Thailand trip as civilian leader BANGKOK – Myanmar’s ex-junta chief Min Aung Hlaing met with Thailand’s prime minister in Bangkok on Thursday, his first visit to the neighboring nation as civilian leader, as he seeks a return to the diplomatic fold for his pariah state. As a general, Min Aung Hlaing led a 2021 military coup that ousted democratic leader Aung San Suu Kyi, triggering a civil war estimated to have killed more than 100,000 people on all sides. He was installed as Myanmar’s president in April following stage-managed elections that democracy watchdogs and Western nations called a sham intended to launder the junta’s image. Thailand has since been leading an effort

NOTICE

to normalize relations with Myanmar, both bilaterally and through the 11-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said his discussion with Min Aung Hlaing at Bangkok’s Government House on Thursday was an opportunity to “push cooperation.” “Both Thailand and Myanmar are members of the ASEAN family, and Thailand fully supports Myanmar’s participation in ASEAN,” Anutin said, sitting with Thai officials at a long table across from Min Aung Hlaing and his delegation. The Myanmar leader said he hoped to have frank discussions about socioeconomic relations. He said his new government was working towards democracy and stability in Myanmar, as well as “prioritizing the restoration of normal relations with ASEAN.” AFP

Notice is hereby given that CUMBERLAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION with office address at 2nd Floor, Centromall Cabuyao, Barangay Pulo, Cabuyao, Laguna, is applying for registration with the Board of Investments (BOI ) as a New Developer of Economic Housing Project (TERESA PARK PLACE) with a capacity of 875 H&L units, under Tier I (Modern Basic Needs - Infrastructure and Logistics - Housing) of the 2026 Strategic Investment Priority Plan (SIPP) pursuant to RA No. 11534 (CREATE Act), as amended by RA No. 12066, with project site located at Sitio Abuyod, Brgy. Dalig , Teresa, Rizal. Any person with valid objection/s on the abovementioned project may file his/her objection in writing, under oath, with the BOI within three (3) days from the date of this publication. (SGD.) MARY ANN E. RAGANIT Director Infrastructure and Services Industries Service

NOTICE Notice IS hereby given that ISLAND ENTERTAINMENT HOLDINGS, INC. with office address at 24 Nevada St., Northeast Greenhills, Brgy. Greenhills, San Juan City, is applying for registration with the Board of Investments (BOI) as a New Operator of Accommodation Facility (Tara Hostel), with a capacity of 36 rooms under Tier I [Special Laws - Tourism Act (RA No. 9593)] of the 2026 SIPP pursuant to RA No. 11534 (CREATE Act), as amended by RA No. 12066, with project site located at Lio Estate, EI Nido, Palawan. Any person with valid objection/s on the abovementioned project may file his/her objection in writing, under oath, with the BOI within three (3) days from the date of this publication . (SGD.) MARY ANN E. RAGAN IT Director Infrastructure and Services Industries Service

NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION Notice is hereby given that CITYLAND FOR SOCIAL PROGRESS FOUNDATION, INC., has shortened the term of its existence to February 28, 2025, thereby dissolving the said Foundation on said date after having been approved and adopted Manila by majority of its Board of Trustees and at least 2/3 of the members. TODAY

Standard

All persons having claims against the said Foundation are requested to present the same at its office address located at Room 301, 3/F Cityland Condominium 10, Tower II, 154 H.V. Dela Costa St., Makati City. This announcement serves as notice to all concerned of the legal dissolution of the aforesaid Foundation. This notice has been published in compliance with Securities and Exchange Commission Memorandum Circular No. 05, Series of 2022. (SGD.)ATTY. EMMA G. JULARBAL President (MS-JULY 31/AUG. 7/14, 2026)

BIONIC PET. Children play with the robot Pangda at the Hangzhou Robot school in eastern China’s Zhejiang province. AFP

Trump denies munitions shortages

HE Republican leader lashed out on his Truth Social platform at media reports about the dwindling weapons stockpile, saying that the United States has “massive amounts of ‘munitions’ especially of certain types,” without giving further detail.

“Additionally, large amounts are being manufactured and shipped to the U.S. as needed. Defense companies are building the largest number of plants and factories in our country’s history,” he said.

Trump told Hegseth that he thought the munitions issue “had been fixed,” the Post reported, citing two unidentified sources familiar with the exchange. Trump railed against the media reports, threatening on Thursday that “the ‘leakers’ of these treasonous statements are being hunted down” and “Long term jail sentences will be sought!” CNN also reported that shortages of long-range guided missiles and air-defense interceptors had affected Trump’s strategy in the conflict with Iran, with the US military having “nearly exhausted 80%” of its stock of THAAD interceptors. The Post also said that the short-

The Washington Post reported that Trump demanded answers about the munitions shortages from Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth last Friday, when they attended a cabinet meeting at the Camp David presidential retreat.

ages led Trump to call off fresh strikes against Iran, despite having threatened to hit the Islamic republic “very hard.” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt branded coverage of the exchange with Hegseth “FAKE NEWS!” “I was at Camp David with President Trump and Secretary Hegseth. This literally never happened,” she wrote on X. Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said the reports about Trump’s clash with Hegseth and the weapons shortages were “equally fictional.” Iran’s foreign ministry has denied there are any negotiations underway with Washington, even as Trump said Tehran was keen for a deal. AFP

India court convicts ex-top editor in rape case CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

NOTICE Notice is hereby given that THE NEW APEC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION with office address at 2nd Floor, Centromall Cabuyao, Barangay Pulo, Cabuyao City, Laguna is applying for registration with the Board of Investments (BOI) New Developer of Economic Housing Project (TARRAGONA PLACE PHASES 1A AND 1B) with a capacity of 1,227 H&L units, under Tier I (Modern Basic Needs - Infrastructure and Logistics - Housirig) of the 2026 SIPP pursuant to RA No. 11534 (CREATE Act), as amended by RA No. 12066, with project site located at Barangay Biwas and Julugan II, Tanza Cavite. Any person with valid objection/s on the abovementioned project may file his/her objection in writing, under oath, with the BOI within three (3) days from the date of this publication. (SGD.) MARY ANN E. RAGANIT Director Infrastructure and Services Industries Service

NOTICE Notice is hereby given that CUMBERLAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION with office address at 2nd Floor, Centromall Cabuyao, Barangay Pulo, Cabuyao, Laguna, is applying for registration with the Board of Investments (BOI) as a New Developer of Economic Housing Project (CITRUS HEIGHTS PHASES 1A AND 1 B) with a capacity of 1,082 H&L units, under Tier I (Modern Basic Needs - Infrastructure and Logistics - Mass Housing) of the 2026 Strategic Investment Priority Plan (SIPP) pursuant to RA No. 11534 (CREATE Act), as amended by RA No. 12066, with project site located at Brgy. Sampaloc-Sto. Cristo, Sariaya, Quezon. Any person with valid objection/s on the abovementioned project may file his/her objection in writing, under oath, with the BOI within three (3) days from the date of this publication. (SGD.) MARY ANN E. RAGANIT Director Infrastructure and Services Industries Service

MUMBAI – An Indian court on Thursday convicted the former editor Manila of an investigative news magazine of Standard raping a junior colleague, overturning TODAY his acquittal in a case that drew nationwide attention. Tarun Tejpal, 63, founder and former editor of Tehelka magazine, was accused of raping the journalist in the lift of a five-star hotel in the western coastal state of Goa during

an event in November 2013. He was arrested and spent seven months in jail until the Supreme Court granted him bail. In 2021, a trial court in Goa acquitted Tejpal of charges including rape, sexual harassment and wrongful restraint. The acquittal was challenged by the Goa government before the Bombay High Court, which set aside the

Career Opportunity in Jellyfish Education Philippines Inc. Nihongo Instructor (1 Vacancy) Job Description: • Teach Japanese language classes to beginners and/or advanced learners. • Develop lesson plans and teaching materials. • Assess student progress and provide feedback. • Conduct classroom activities that promote language learning and cultural understanding. • Support students in preparing for language proficiency tests (e.g., JLPT).

Graduated from university and fall under any of the following: o Completed a major/minor in Japanese language education at a University o Passed the Japanese Language Teaching Competition Test o Completed 420 hours of Japanese language teacher training course accepted by the Agency for Cultural Affairs Person or prospective graduate Japanese native level, English daily conversation level Can work for a long time Applications may be sent to: Marie Joy Alejo humanresource.jec@gmail.com

• •

Company/ Employer Company Name: Jellyfish Education Philippines Inc. Complete address: Unit 902A East Tower, Tektite Towers, Ortigas Pasig City Nature of business: Education/Consultancy

Name of foreign national intending to apply for the position Name: Masashi Nakano Address: Unit 1028 Shine Residences Brgy. Ugong Pasig City Nationality: Japanese Intended period of employment: Two (2) years

Company hereby declares that the above-named foreign national is able, willing, and qualified to perform the services and job description for this position. The company has the intention to employ the said foreign national and apply for an Alien Employment Permit with the Department of Labor and Employment - National Capital Region located at 967 Maligaya Street, Malate, Manila.

Career Opportunity in TOP DRAW ANIMATION, INC.

NOTICE Notice is hereby given that AMANA LAND CORPORATION with office address at 2nd Floor, Centro mall Cabuyao, Barangay Pulo, Cabuyao, Laguna, is applying for registration with the Board of Investments (BOI) as a New Developer of Economic Housing Project (QUEENSBOROUGH PHASE-1A) with a capacity of 600 House & Lot units, under Tier 1 (Preferred Activities - Mass Housing) of the 2026 Strategic Investment Priority Plan (SIPP) of RA No. 11534 (CREATE Act), as amended by RA No. 12066, with project site located at Sitio Pantay, Brgy. Dalig, Teresa, Rizal. Any person with valid objection/s on the abovementioned project may file his/her objection in writing, under oath, with the BOI within three (3) days from the date of this publication. (SGD.) MARY ANN E. RAGANIT Director Infrastructure and Services Industries Service

Position title: VICE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER (1 Vacancy) Job Description: • Diagnose, analyze internal operations, and identify areas for production process enhancement. • Implement business strategies and plans that align with the short- and long-term objectives developed in tandem with the executive leadership team. • Oversee studio operations and partner with the executive leadership team in sales management so that sufficient investment capital can be budgeted for near-term growth Jellyfish Education Philippines Inc. targets. Nihongo Instructor • Collaborate with the CEO and the EVP to secure new animation clientele for Top Draw Animation, Inc. Masashi Nakano • Manage investments and expenses aggressively to ensure that TDA achieves 3x10 pdfcapital for approval investor targets for growth and profitability. • Monitor studio production performance and take corrective measures when necessary and prepare detailed updates and forecasts. • Build and maintain trusting relationships with clients, partners, and key stakeholders. • Review internal animation production processes and procedures to identify and implement adjustments that achieve operational efficiencies and best practices that support production deliveries that are on-time, on quality and establish healthy, well-balanced, successful relationships with production partners and clients, solidifying TDA as studio partner of choice. • Build a culture of quality, productivity, and efficiency. • Partner with the Chief People Officer in building TDA as the Employer of Choice in Animation in the Philippines. • Identify and prepare a successor. Assess, develop, replace and/or terminate (if necessary) incumbent talents to build the critical capabilities to deliver and sustain the business. •

Qualification (Education, Experience, Professional License, Skills Certification, Specialized Training): • • •

NOTICE Notice is hereby given that CUMBERLAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION with office address at 2nd Floor, Centromall Cabuyao, Barangay Pulo, Cabuyao, Laguna, is applying for registration with the Board of Investments (BOI) as a New Developer of Economic Housing Project (PONTEDERA RESIDENCES) with a capacity of 1,492 H&L units, under Tier I (Modern Basic Needs - Infrastructure and Logistics - Housing) of the 2026 Strategic Investment Priority Plan (SIPP) pursuant to RA No. 11534 (CREATE Act), as amended by RA No. 12066, with project site located at Brgy. San Bartolome, San Pablo City, Laguna. Any person with valid objection/s on the abovementioned project may file his/her objection in writing, under oath, with the BOI within three (3) days from the date of this publication. (SGD.) MARY ANN E. RAGANIT Director Infrastructure and Services Industries Service

• • •

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Commerce, or a related field required 12-15+ years of progressive leadership experience Excellent communication and operation strategic roles in Animation, media and creative industries. Extensive experience in operational leadership roles, preferably at executive level With Proven track record of successful strategic planning and execution; Have strong financial acumen and experience in budgeting and financial record.

Place of Assignment: Unit 601, 6th Floor West Tower, Tektite Towers Exchange Road Ortigas Center, San Antonio, Pasig City Applications may be sent to: Marianne Sambilay matets@topdrawanimation.com Company/ Employer Company Name: Top Draw Animation, Inc. Complete address: Unit 601, 6th Floor West Tower, Tektite Towers Exchange Road Ortigas Center, San Antonio, Pasig City Nature of business: Exporter/Manufacturer

Name of foreign national intending to apply for the position Name: Cyrus Keki Mistry Address: Unit 1705 Discovery Suites Manila, 25 ADB Ave, Ortigas Center, Pasig City Nationality: Indian Intended period of employment: One (1) year

TOP DRAW ANIMATION, INC. hereby declares that the above-named foreign national is able, willing, and qualified to perform the services and job description for this position. The company has the intention to employ the said foreign national and apply for an Alien Employment Permit with the Department of Labor and Employment – Bureau of Local Employment (BLE) located at Intramuros, Manila. If there are any objections or inquiries, please contact the concerned DOLE Regional Office. Email: aep_applications@ble.dole.gov.ph Contact Number: 8528-0087 | 8528 -0108

IN BRIEF

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Qualification (Education, Experience, Professional License, Skills Certification, Specialized Training): •

trial court’s verdict and convicted Tejpal on Thursday. “The accused has been convicted,” Goa Police investigator Sunita Sawant, who led the probe, told reporters after the verdict. “This is a sentence where a girl has stood up for her rights... so this judgement is very important for women who are working in any sector.” AFP

Russian strikes kill 3 in Ukraine’s Kharkiv KYIV – Russian strikes killed three people in Ukraine’s northeastern Kharkiv region, its governor said on Thursday. The strikes on a residential area killed two women and a man, said Vitalii Karabanov, head of the military administration in Balakliya, a frontline city in the Kharkiv region. In Sumy, also in the northeast, regional official Sergiy Kryvosheenko said a Russian guided bomb attack wounded 13 people. Two people were wounded in a separate Russian attack in the Dnipropetrovsk region, according to Oleksandr Ganzha, the head of the regional military administration. AFP

Ukraine hits Russian refineries as Moscow MOSCOW – Ukraine struck two Russian oil refineries hundreds of kilometers from the border in an overnight attack, President Volodymyr Zelensky said Thursday, as Russia hit a train station and commercial ship in Ukraine. Both sides have been intensifying their long-range attacks in recent months, leading to a jump in civilian deaths. Kyiv has been firing record numbers of drones at Russia, while Moscow has been launching all-time high missile attacks. Zelensky said Ukraine had hit oil refineries in the Bashkortostan and Yaroslavl regions – about 1,300 (800 miles) and 700 kilometers from the front. The attacks were “strengthening the prospects for diplomacy,” Zelensky said. “Russia must choose peace,” he added, posting a video from Russian social media of black smoke rising above an oil facility. Russia’s defense ministry said earlier it had downed 605 Ukrainian drones in the night. The governor of the Yaroslavl region – north of Moscow, where Zelensky said a refinery had been hit – said 92 drones had been downed there in what he called the “most massive” attack on the region of the war. AFP CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

SPORTS NLEX tries to inch closer to playoffs By Jeremiah Sevilla RIDING high on its unbeaten streak, NLEX seeks to move closer to a playoff berth as it goes for a seventh straight win against Terrafirma in the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup on Friday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila. The Road Warriors (6-0) aim to strengthen their hold on a top four spot in Group A when they clash against the Dyip (2-4) in the opening game at 5:15 p.m. Meanwhile, Magnolia (2-3) and Meralco (2-4) duke it out in a crucial Group B collision at 7:30 p.m. NLEX stayed unscathed after completing a first-round sweep with an 88-83 victory over defending champion TNT last Tuesday. Head coach Jimmy Alapag wants the Road Warriors to remain grounded as they look to build on their strong start and eventually grab a quarterfinal spot in the season-ending conference. “I want us to try our best to not think about the record so much, just because there’s still so much conference left to play,” Alapag stressed. Import DeQuan Jones, who led NLEX with 27 points including crucial baskets in the close win over TNT, shared the same mindset. “We’re literally focused and homed in. We’re putting all of our energy into the next accomplishment because we know what we want to achieve and we want to do it brick by brick,” Jones said. Terrafirma, however, is eager to get a payback after a heartbreaking 101-100 loss to NLEX in their first meeting on July 12.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2026

Gregorio hails Ormoc as model partner in PH grassroots sports

Ormoc City Mayor Lucy Torres-Gomez, Leyte Fourth District Rep. Richard Gomez, Vice Mayor Toto Locsin Jr., and Philippine Sports Commission chairman John Patrick Gregorio lead the groundbreaking ceremony for a wall-climbing facility at the Dominador Tan Ruins in Barangay Cogon on Wednesday. The facility will serve as a dedicated venue for training and competitions as Ormoc strengthens its grassroots sports program.

HILIPPINE Sports Commission chairman John Patrick “Pato” Gregorio hailed Ormoc City as an exemplary local government partner in grassroots development as the city positions itself as Eastern Visayas’ emerging sports hub.

NLEX import DeQuan Jones shoots over Terrafirma’s Justin Strings. PBA

Gregorio expressed admiration for Ormoc’s ambitious infrastructure program following a three-day visit that showcased its expanding

network of competition venues and training facilities. “Fantastic vision. Admirable passion. Shine, Ormoc Sports,” Grego-

rio said after joining city officials led by Mayor Lucy Torres-Gomez, Leyte Fourth District Rep. Richard Gomez and Vice Mayor Carmelo Locsin Jr, in the turnover rites. Gregorio, accompanied by PSC commissioners Fritz Gaston and Wawit Torres, also led the turnover of a newly installed boxing ring at the Ormoc City Sports Complex. Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines president Marcus Manalo and Karate

Pilipinas president Richard Lim attended the ceremony. The PSC chief assured city officials of the agency’s full support for Ormoc’s sports program. “Thank you endlessly for the wonderful support from the PSC,” TorresGomez said. “We all do what we can for each other in God’s garden. You are nurturing the seeds we have sown through the years. God bless all our efforts.” Among the city’s flagship projects are national training facilities for sporting clays and modern pentathlon, along with air-conditioned dormitories for athletes and coaches. A P110-million track-and-field facility at the Ormoc City Sports Complex in Barangay Juaton is expected to be completed in the latter part of 2027. Additional venues are being developed for tennis, padel, BMX racing, badminton, pickleball, sport climbing and combat sports as part of the city’s continuing effort to establish itself as the region’s leading sports destination. The growing infrastructure has prompted the PSC to consider Ormoc as host of the 2028 Batang Pinoy National Championships, the country’s premier grassroots sports competition. Gregorio presented the proposal to Torres-Gomez and Rep. Gomez during the Eastern Visayas Sports and Youth Summit, saying the PSC was prepared to provide financial assistance should Ormoc secure the hosting rights. “We want more national competitions to be held in the provinces so young athletes can compete at a high level without always traveling to Metro Manila,” Gregorio said. He noted that many of the country’s leading athletes come from the provinces, underscoring the importance of sustained investments in grassroots programs and regional sports development. Torres-Gomez welcomed the possibility of hosting Batang Pinoy and said Ormoc was ready to take on the challenge.

PH bets bag gold, bronze in Aero Gymnastics Asian tilt PH U-16 youth grapplers strike TAGAYTAY - From virtually out of nowhere, two rookie PH duos struck with a gold and bronze medal, respectively, in the youth mixed pairs event of the 10th Aerobic Gymnastics Asian Championships presented by the Philippine Sports Commission early Thursday morning here. Both Palarong Pambansa standouts in the last edition held in Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur, Rhimel Daniel Cabides and Antonette Amante pranced and danced with both dynamism and elegance in securing the gold medal with a score of 17.80 points at the modified Tagaytay CT Velodrome. General Santos natives Rhys Enoch Balmayor and John Mikaela Ladaran gave the country’s second medal in securing third place (17.150) in the meet backed by the Philippine Olympic Committee and Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. Both pairs made the most of their international debuts in the competition organized by the Gymnastics Association of the Philippines and sanctioned by the Asian Gymnastics Union. “Napatunayan namin maari kaming makapasabayan internationally,” said Amante, a triple Palaro gold medalist, who, like Cabides, is 14 and a Grade 8 Teodoro Alonzo High School student. “Maganda na mapakinggan yung national anthem ng Pilipinas,” added the petite athlete while her beaming

5 golds in world jiu-jitsu tourney By Randy M. Caluag

Filipino duo Rhimel Daniel Cabides (right) and Antonette Amante show their winning form.

teammate and classmate was beside her. “This is all too surreal. We really did not expect it. It was only a dream,” said Ladaran, 11, in sharing the podium with the Manila-based athletes.

Tell me who your friends are

THERE were two major events that took place in the past few days that highlight the great divide between two sports in the country. Last Tuesday, the Philippine National Men’s Football Team (PNMFT) dropped a 1-0 loss to Thailand at New Clark City in the ongoing ASEAN Hyundai Cup 2026. The team, formerly known as the Azkals, was coming from a moraleboosting 4-1 away game against Laos last Saturday and it was natural to entertain at least a good game against the perennial powerhouse. The score was close; Patrick Deyto was outstanding between the posts until that unfortunate header by an unmarked Waris Choolthong in the 84th minute. If not for Deyto’s earlier saves, the final score would have been bigger. But then again, Thailand was not to be denied the full three points. Which was quite ironic considering that the win was made after Coach Carles Cuadrat

inserted defenders in the game. The loss, the team’s second in the tournament, kept the Pinoy side winless at home in the tournament. With just a game left, the PNMFT must win big, at least five goals or more, against Malaysia and pray that Myanmar would lose against the War Elephants in their final match in Group B. The Philippines and Malaysia will face each other tomorrow night, 9 p.m., at the Kuala Lumpur Football Stadium. The other match, Thailand versus Myanmar, will also kick off at 9 p.m. at the Rajamangala National Stadium. A draw between the two sides will mean elimination for the Philippines. To say that the loss against Myanmar on the opening day was costly is an understatement. Not only because it is always bad to start a campaign on the wrong foot, but also the 4-1 score has put the country in jeopardy when it comes to tie-breakers using goal difference in head-to-head matches. Well, that is expected from a three-day preparation before a big tournament. The second one was, of course, Alex Eala winning her first-ever WTA title in the 2026 Mubadala DC Open, coming from a set behind to stop Jessica Pegula’s

bid for a back-to-back title, 4-6, 6-4, 6-0. The win was not only Alex’s first singles title, but it was also the first ever title won by a Filipina in a WTA 500 tournament. It also boosted her careerbest ranking in the WTA pecking order to 20th. As of yesterday, Eala has already booked her place in the third round of the National Bank Open in Toronto, Canada after beating Alycia Parks in three sets, 6-1, 4-6, 6–2. Incidentally, the win was Eala’s payback against the American who eliminated her in the first round of the Australian Open early this year. Hoping that Eala’s wonderful form and preparation will give her a deep run in the US Open, the last grand slam event of the season. While football is struggling to survive in the country, tennis is having its renaissance. Thanks to Alex, the sport’s popularity is at its all-time high. Alex deserved all of the accolades, the fan support, and of course, the endorsements that have formed a beeline to her corner. She showed that in a very demanding sport, there are no shortcuts. You have to go through the grind. It took years and more, but she is there finally reaping what she sowed, what she prepared for and what she fought for. Football is a team sport, which is so obvious. But I can’t help comparing the paths our PNMFT and Alex took.

THE Philippine youth jiu-jitsu team showcased solid performances on the mats, collecting five gold medals and seven podium finishes in the Under-16 competitions of the 2026 JuJitsu International Federation World Championships at the Mubadala Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Amaris Gabrielle Villanueva, Megan Louise Cabreros, Ysabelle Anne Tambunting, Zion Amir Regudo and Eavan Marcus Chang led the Filipino charge by ruling their respective weight divisions. Villanueva captured the U16 female over-63-kilogram crown, while Cabreros emerged triumphant in the female under-36kg category. Tambunting added another championship in the female underWhich brings us to the Philippine Football Federation’s later press release supporting Gianni Infantino’s FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE). “We respect the views of UEFA, CONCACAF, the AFC, and fellow Member Associations that proposals of significant structural and financial impact—such as the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE)—must be discussed openly and democratically. Broad consultation across all confederations and Member Associations protects transparency and helps everyone reach a shared, well-informed decision,” the PFF said. The FFE was proposed by Infantino “to manage the commercial and operational rights of FIFA competitions, including the FIFA World Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup. Under the proposal, FIFA would retain majority control of the entity, while allowing private investors to acquire minority stakes, to increase funding for football development through its member associations.” Pardon the long quote; I just want to be sure about the proposal and what it meant. FIFA has since abandoned the FFE following massive threats of boycott by leading football associations around the world. Fans also expressed disgust against it, collectively saying that football is not for sale. Except here in the Philippines, or to be more specific, the PFF. The timing is so impeccable. I’m just

48kg division as the Filipina grapplers established a strong presence in the women’s side of the competition. Regudo and Chang completed the Philippines’ five-gold haul after topping the U16 male under-44kg and under-48kg events, respectively. Christopher Matthew Cruz contributed a silver medal in the male under-62kg class, while Aleina Bella Salamillas secured the bronze in the female under-44kg division. The young Filipinos finished the day with five golds, one silver and one bronze, highlighting the country’s growing depth in the sport and its ability to develop world-class talent at the grassroots level. The Philippines’ medal campaign is far from over, with members of the U18 squad scheduled to take their turn on the mats. sarcastic, to be clear. “Nakakatawa lang, galit halos lahat. Tapos tayo kampi!” said a long-time observer of football to The Designated Kit Man. So instead of worrying, among other things, about the game against Malaysia, the PFF is supporting Infantino’s attempt to make more money on the beautiful sport “to support smaller football associations”? Cabo Verde, with a population of more or less 530,000, made it to the World Cup and even managed to barge in the knockout stage without the FFE. Instead of supporting Infantino, the PFF should consider linking up with the Cabo Verdean Football Association to learn how a small country, made up of tiny islands, made it to the biggest football tournament in the world. So what is the real reason behind this move? Some say 40 million reasons. Nevertheless, the association should find ways to gain support here in the Philippines first before putting its faith in Infantino. On a personal note, Happiest Birthday, Wolvie! Inar-aro mi kan maong. Stay safe. Stay happy peeps! For comments or questions, you can reach The Designated Kit Man at erel_cabatbat@yahoo.com or follow his account at X (formerly Twitter): @ erelcabatbat

SPORTS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2026

RIERA U. MALLARI, Editor RANDY M. CALUAG, Asst. Editor

Eala pairs with Venus vs. Kato, Samsonova NEWLY crowned Mubadala DC Open champion Alexandra Eala is set for double duty at the 2026 National Bank Open in Toronto, where she will reunite with tennis legend Venus Williams in doubles before turning her attention back to singles against American Caty McNally. Eala and Williams are scheduled to take the court early Friday morning (Philippine time) at Sobeys Stadium, facing Japan’s Miyu Kato and Russia’s Liudmila Samsonova in the first round of the WTA 1000 doubles competition. The reunion gives Eala another opportunity to showcase a side of her game that has received less attention amid her remarkable singles breakthrough this season. The 21-year-old Filipina and Williams first teamed up at the Bad Homburg Open in June, where they advanced to the quarterfinals in their debut as partners. Now, with Eala riding a six-match winning streak after capturing her maiden WTA Tour singles title in Washington, the pair will attempt to make another deep run, this time on one of the biggest stages of the North American hard-court swing. The Eala-Williams tandem received the final main-draw wildcard in Toronto, adding another intriguing chapter to their partnership. Williams is a seven-time Grand Slam singles champion and a multiple Grand Slam doubles winner, while Eala is the rapidly rising Filipina who has just broken through for her first WTA 500 singles crown. Eala opened her Toronto singles bid by taking down American Alycia Parks, 6-1, 4-6, 6-2, avenging her Australian Open defeat to the powerful American and extending her winning streak to six matches. Waiting for her in the next round is another American, McNally, who produced one of the tournament’s early upsets by defeating Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova, 7-6 (7-5), 6-1. The victory over the world No. 7 Noskova earned McNally a showdown with Eala. The singles meeting is another test for Eala after her breakthrough week in Washington, where she defeated a succession of established opponents before stunning world No. 3 and top seed Jessica Pegula in the final to claim her first Tour-level title.

Alexandra Eala of the Philippines celebrates her win against Alycia Parks of the United States during day four of the National Bank Open Presented by Rogers at Sobeys Stadium in Toronto, Ontario. AFP

Obiena sustains stellar form, th wins 7 pole vault gold in ‘26 By Jeremiah Sevilla

ILIPINO pole vault star Ernest John “EJ” Obiena sustained his stellar form in the outdoor season as he reigned supreme in the 30. Internationales Stabhochsprung-Meeting at the Stadion in Jockgrim, Germany early Thursday morning (Philippine time).

The world-ranked No. 14 Obiena cleared the bar at 5.83 meters to capture his seventh gold medal in 2026 and fourth in his outdoor campaign. Obiena also notched back-to-back victories in Germany after ruling the Halberstädter Höhenflug - 1. Internationales Stabhochsprung-Meeting auf dem Domplatz with a 5.76m jump over the weekend. “5.83m for the gold in front of a packed J-Town! (It) was far from smooth competition and some struggles during warm-up and earlier

BEST Center sets Ateneo, Inspire Academy sports clinics YOUNG basketball and volleyball hopefuls begin their sports journeys at the Ateneo and Inspire Sports courts this month when the multi-awarded and pioneering BEST Center starts its clinics on August on Saturday. New students are also still being welcomed for the cage and volley clinics at the Ateneo College Covered Courts in Katipunan, Quezon City. Classes backed by Milo in cooperation with Chris Sports will be held every Saturday from 8;30 a.m. to 12 noon from Auguet 8 to September 19. Sunday sessions, meanwhile, are to be held at the Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba Laguna from August 16 to September 20. The Basketball Efficiency and Scientific Training Center, founded in 1978 by the late national coach Nicanor “Nic” Jorge, is a recipient of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) Olympism Award and is a Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Hall-ofFame awardee, among others.

EJ Obiena soars to the gold

bars, but happy to scrape an 80 bar,” the reigning Asian Games champion wrote on social media. “We continue to work and now a few trainings in before we go again,” the Tokyo and Paris Olympics veteran added. Qatar’s Seifeldin Abdelsalam took the silver with a similar 5.83m leap but lost to Obiena on countback, while Turkey’s Ersu Sasma picked up the bronze with 5.77m. Obiena went for 5.93m in a bid to eclipse his season-best mark of 5.85m but failed to do so in all

three attempts. The two-time World Championships medalist is expected to continue his campaign in the international cir-

cuit as he gears up for his title defense in the 2026 Asian Games in AichiNagoya, Japan, slated from September 19 to October 4.

Alas Girls begin bid in FIVB U17 Worlds against China

Alas Girls (from left) Caera Celis, Nadeth Faye Herbon, Sharina Rhyza Lleses and Xyz Rayco

SAN FELIPE, Chile—There will be no easing into the FIVB Volleyball Girls U17 World Championship for Alas Pilipinas as it opens its campaign on Thursday here against defending champion and world No. 1 China. All 24 teams are in action on opening day of the 11-day tournament with world No. 2 Japan taking on 27th-ranked Spain in Santiago. No. 3 Italy battles 21st-ranked Algeria in Los Andes and No. 4 Chinese Taipei plays 16th-ranked Dominican Republic, also in Santiago. In San Felipe, the world No. 25 Alas Pilipinas girls brace for a stern opening test at 8 p.m. on Thursday (Friday morning in Manila). Setter Irish May Mahinay and skipper Megan Yesha Hernandez would have preferred more time to acclimatize, study the team system, and build chemistry with teammates, but said they embrace all the challenges. “We’re doing our best to execute our plays properly,” Mahinay said, acknowledging that players still feel a bit stiff after the long trip and the unusual conditions —

daytime highs reach just 17 degrees Celsius, while early mornings dip to 5°. “It’s tough to adjust right away,” Hernandez said. “It’s not just the trip, it’s the weather, the team cohesion.” Although yet to hit top form, the team—supported by the Philippine Olympic Committee, Philippine Sports Commission and Asics—which also features Xyz Rayco, Sharina Rhyza Lleses, Madele Gale, Caera Celis, Resty Jane Olaguir and Jhenica Sadia is determined to settle in quickly. Less than a day after arrival, the Alas Pilipinas Girls were already on schedule, posing for the official photoshoot before hitting the gym and holding their first practice at Liceo Mixto in the evening. The Philippines, which also parades Taj Arkhea Teves, Nadeth Faye Herbon, Jello Andrea Mauricio, Jhaynna Love Bulandres, Princess Khaira Manzano and Frances Dianne Ramos, takes on Mexico on Friday and Tunisia on Saturday before the tournament takes a break on Sunday. Alas Pilipinas returns to action against Peru on Monday, then battles Venezuela on Wednesday.

Deep women’s cast promises thrilling IRONMAN 70.3 Lapu-Lapu duel THE battle for the women’s professional crown at the IRONMAN 70.3 Lapu-Lapu presented by Megaworld on Sunday (Aug. 9) in Cebu City is shaping up to be every bit as compelling as the stellar men’s race, with Olympian Natalie Van Coevorden spearheading a formidable Australian challenge in what promises to be one of the deepest elite fields in the event’s history. From decorated Olympians and established IRONMAN campaigners to rising young stars eager for a breakthrough, the women’s competition features an impressive blend of experience, speed and endurance. But with every contender eyeing the coveted title over the grueling 1.9-km swim, 90-km bike and 21-km run, only the athlete capable of mastering Lapu-Lapu’s demanding championship course will emerge victorious.

Van Coevorden headlines the stellar cast. Ranked No. 1 in Oceania and No. 24 in the World Triathlon Series, the 33-year-old from Campbelltown, New South Wales brings elite credentials that include a stint at the Paris Olympic Games. She is no stranger to Philippine racing either, having captured the women’s elite title at the 2011 Subic Bay ITU Triathlon Asian Cup. Now transitioning her world-class shortcourse pedigree into long-distance racing, Van Coevorden arrives in Cebu determined to add a major victory to her growing resume. Australia’s strength, however, extends well beyond its top-ranked star. Out to foil her bid are Sarah Thomas, Cassandra Heaslip, Paige Cranage, Charlotte McShane and Emily Donker, among others. Meanwhile, ushering in an action-

packed IRONMAN 70.3 race weekend is the Reyna Bulakna Run on Friday (Aug. 7), presented by 2GO and Sun Life. More than 1,000 participants are expected to gather at 5 p.m. at the Liberty Shrine in Mactan for the 5K fun run, which celebrates empowerment, resilience, and joy. Inspired by the legendary local heroine Reyna Bulakna, the event honors the courage and spirit of a woman whose legacy helped shape the course of history. The spotlight then shifts to the RLC Residences IRONKIDS on Saturday (Aug. 8), where the country’s next generation of triathlon stars will take center stage. The event features the signature swim-run race, along with the Kids Run for participants aged 6 to 15. Race distances range from one to two kilometers, depending

on the competitors’ age group, offering young athletes a fun and inspiring introduction to endurance sports. Also scheduled on Sunday is the Sunrise Sprint, a beginner-friendly triathlon held alongside the IRONMAN 70.3 Lapu-Lapu. Designed for first-time multisport athletes, the race consists of a 750-meter swim, 25km bike ride, and 5km run, providing an ideal opportunity for newcomers to experience the excitement and challenge of triathlon competition. Meanwhile, thousands of athletes from 48 countries will compete across numerous age-group categories, including the Filipino Elite division, turning the 12th staging of the event into another grand celebration of endurance sports organized by Sunrise Events, Inc.

Natalie Van Coevorden Getty Images

BUSINESS IN BRIEF Lufthansa Technik starts Clark facility

MACROASIA Corp. and Germany’s Lufthansa Technik AG broke ground on a new aircraft base maintenance facility at Clark International Airport through their joint venture, expanding aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) operations in the Philippines. The facility will sit on a 157,000-squaremeter site and is scheduled to begin operations in 2028. It will serve as Lufthansa Technik Philippines’ (LTP) second major maintenance hub in the country, complementing its long-standing base at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), where the company has provided comprehensive MRO services for more than 25 years. The Clark facility is designed to handle widebody aircraft and will feature aircraft maintenance hangars, a paint shop and nondestructive testing workshops. It will initially support Airbus and Boeing widebody aircraft, with plans to expand capabilities to include the Airbus A350 and Boeing 787. LTP provides a full range of MRO services to airline customers worldwide and is one of 30 affiliates and subsidiaries under the Lufthansa Technik Group, a global leader in aircraft maintenance and engineering. The company specializes in base maintenance checks for Airbus A320, A330, A340, A380 and Boeing 777 aircraft types, including major structural modifications, cabin reconfiguration or retrofit programs and lease-return inspections. LTP’s main base facility is located within an economic zone at NAIA, with additional line maintenance stations in Cebu, Clark, Davao and Kalibo. As of March 2026, LTP employed 3,125 personnel, composed of highly skilled, English-speaking mechanics, engineers and support staff. Darwin G. Amojelar

Unemployment rate climbed to 4.9% in June T By Thony Rose Lesaca

HE unemployment rate in the Philippines rose to 4.9 percent in June 2026 from 4.8 percent in May, as the number of jobless Filipinos increased to 2.59 million, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said Thursday. The June rate was also sharply higher than the 3.7 percent recorded a year ago when 1.95 million Filipinos were unemployed. The labor force participation rate stood at 65.1 percent in June, lower than the 65.7 percent posted in June 2025 but higher than the 63.8 percent recorded in May 2026. This translated to 53.25 million Filipinos aged 15 and above in the labor force, up from 52.42 million a year earlier and 52.13 million the

previous month. Data from the PSA showed the underemployment rate also rose to 12.1 percent in June from 11.4 percent recorded a year earlier but lower than the 12.2 percent posted in May. Some 6.11 million of the 50.66 million employed Filipinos said they wanted additional work hours or a new job with longer hours. The PSA said of total underemployed workers, 51.9 percent worked less than 40 hours a week,

while 48.1 percent worked 40 hours or more. Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. chief economist Michael Ricafort said the rise in unemployment rate could be attributed to the adverse effects of the Middle East conflict that led to higher global oil prices, inflation and interest rates as well as slower economic growth. He said these factors could have likely weighed on jobs amid costcutting measures in terms of slower consumer and business spending. Government underspending due to the crackdown on anomalous flood control projects could have also reduced job creation, he said. Ricafort said risks of a strong El Niño drought from September or October this year to early 2027 could affect agricultural and other related jobs in the coming months.

China Bank Savings earned P1.19b in first half

CHINA Bank Savings (CBS) posted a net income of P1.19 billion in the first half of 2026, matching its performance from 1 year earlier as core lending expansion offset broader geopolitical uncertainty. The bank said strong growth in its lending business drove revenues during the 6-month period. Net interest income increased 16 percent year-on-year to P5.49 billion, boosted by expansion in salary and business loans. Gross loans, excluding interbank loans, rose 8 percent to P158.80 billion. Total assets reached P225.58 billion, while deposits grew 10 percent to P199.42 billion. CBS nearly doubled its loan-loss reserves to cover NPLs, reflecting its prudent credit risk management and conservative provisioning policy during challenging conditions. CBS said its non-performing loan ratio stood at about 2.90 percent, reflecting stable asset quality. “Our disciplined approach to lending has kept our portfolio sound and strong amid prevailing global geopolitical uncertainties and their impact on Philippine economic growth, inflation, and other factors. We will continue to grow our lending business in a prudential manner,” CBS president James Christian Dee said. Thony Rose Lesaca

4.9% Unemployment rate in June

2.59 million

Jobless Filipinos in June

50.66 million Employed Filipinos in June

Agriculture grew 2.9% in second quarter, says PSA

Century Pacific Food’s first-half income up 6%

CENTURY Pacific Food Inc. (CNPF) posted a 6-percent increase in first-half net income to P4.1 billion, as the double-digit revenue growth offset higher financing costs, the expiration of tax incentives and losses from the June earthquake in General Santos City. Consolidated revenues climbed 15 percent year-on-year to P45.8 billion in the first six months of 2026 on sustained growth in both the company’s branded business and original equipment manufacturer (OEM) export segment, Century Pacific Food said Thursday in a disclosure to the stock exchange. Excluding one-off provisions related to earthquake damage that remain subject to insurance claims, core net income rose 10 percent year-on-year, while core operating income increased 18 percent. The branded business, which accounts for the bulk of the company’s sales, grew 13 percent in the first half as demand remained resilient across its portfolio of products. OEM exports expanded 26 percent in the first half on the back of improving tuna export markets and strong global demand for coconut products. Second-quarter growth declined 21 percent, however, after the June earthquake disrupted operations at key manufacturing facilities in General Santos. “Our operating conditions in the first half were far from smooth. Fuel prices soared, squeezing our consumers while adding pressure to our operating costs,” Century Pacific Food chief financial officer Chad Manapat said. Manapat said the company tightened spending and implemented measured price increases that remained below inflation to balance rising costs with affordability for consumers. Jenniffer B. Austria

FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2026 extrastory2000@gmail.com RODERICK T. DELA CRUZ, Editor ALENA MAE S. FLORES, Asst. Editor

By Othel V. Campos

TOPPED-OFF. PH1 World Developers tops-off Tower 1 of Avesta Residences on Aug. 4, 2026 in Imus City, Cavite. Attending the event are (standing, from left) Megawide Construction assistant vice president for operations Jules Ronquillo, PH1WD president Gigi Alcantara; Imus City Mayor Alex Advincula; Pag-IBIG CEO Marilene Acosta, Megawide Construction chairman and CEO Edgar Saavedra; Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling, Undersecretary Ed Robles and Megawide chief operating officer Frederick Tan.

Spot power prices eased 12.9% in July on lower demand By Alena Mae S. Flores THE system-wide average spot price in the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) fell 12.9 percent to P8.31 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) in July from P9.54 per kWh in June, as demand eased and renewable energy generation increased. The Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines (IEMOP), which operates the WESM, said average system demand contracted 3.4 percent month-on-month to 14,936 megawatts (MW) from 15,454

MW in June. Average available supply decreased 2.6 percent to 20,587 MW from 21,133 MW, maintaining a reserve margin of 3,590 MW across the national grid. System peak demand for the period reached 18,537 MW on July 7. IEMOP vice president for trading operations Isidro Cacho Jr. said price cuts occurred across all three major island grids, with Visayas and Mindanao posting the steepest declines. “Wholesale electricity prices declined during the July billing period,

particularly in the Visayas. Consistent with seasonal demand patterns during rainy months, we are observing a decline in the system demand, while generation availability improved in parts of the Visayas, contributing to lower market prices. If current supply, demand and transmission conditions continue, market prices may remain relatively moderate. However, actual market outcomes will continue to depend on generation availability, electricity demand and overall system conditions,” Cacho said.

THE Philippine agriculture and fisheries sector grew 2.9 percent yearon-year in the second quarter of 2026, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said Thursday, with gains recorded across crops, livestock, poultry and fisheries. The value of production in agriculture and fisheries reached P452.22 billion at constant 2018 prices, the PSA said. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the latest figures demonstrate that sustained public investments in agriculture are beginning to yield tangible results while strengthening the sector ahead of the expected effects of El Niño later this year. “This strong second-quarter performance shows the Marcos administration’s farm modernization agenda is delivering results where they matter most—on our farms and in rural communities,” Tiu Laurel said. “Higher productivity is translating into better incomes for farmers and fisherfolk while strengthening a sector that provides livelihoods to nearly four in 10 Filipinos and powers growth across the countryside,” he said. He said the improved performance also gives the sector greater resilience against the projected production slowdown in the fourth quarter.

50 richest Filipinos’ wealth shrinks By Jenniffer B. Austria

UNDER A BILLION. STI Education Systems Holdings Inc. (STI Holdings), owner of one of the largest networks of private schools in the Philippines, makes Forbes Asia’s 2026 ‘Best Under A Billion’ list, one of seven Philippine firms cited for strong revenue and net income growth. The STI network includes STI Education Services Group (STI ESG), STI West Negros University (STI WNU), iACADEMY and the Philippine School of Business Administration (PSBA).

THE combined wealth of the Philippines’ 50 richest people fell to $79 billion from $86 billion a year ago as the economy expanded just 2.8 percent in the first quarter of 2026, its slowest quarterly pace since the pandemic, according to Forbes. “The energy shock from the Iran conflict took its toll, stoking inflation while the peso fell. As a result, the collective wealth of the country’s 50 richest tycoons dropped to $79 billion from $86 billion last year,” Forbes said. Only 14 of the 50 billionaires saw their fortunes increase from a year ago, while the wealth of 33 tycoons on the list declined.

Ports and infrastructure tycoon Enrique Razon Jr. led the list for the first time after his net worth surged by $10.3 billion to a record $21.8 billion. Forbes attributed the gain to the continued global expansion of his listed International Container Terminal Services Inc., whose rising share price boosted his fortune despite geopolitical tensions. The Sy siblings, heirs to the SM Group founded by the late retail magnate Henry Sy Sr., slipped to second place after their combined fortune declined by $2.6 billion to $9.2 billion. Forbes said shares of SM Prime Holdings Inc. fell 18 percent over the past year amid weakness in the domestic residential property market.

CYAN CYANMAGENTA MAGENTAYELLOW YELLOWBLACK BLACK

BUSINESS

Manila Manila

Standard Standard

TODAY TODAY

FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2026 extrastory2000@gmail.com

PH stocks down for third straight day ahead of Q2 economic data PHILIPPINE shares edged lower for a third straight trading day Thursday as investors awaited the release of second-quarter gross domestic product data. The peso closed lower against the US dollar Thursday at 60.815 compared with 60.751 on Wednesday. The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange Index slipped 8.36 points, or 0.13 percent, to 6,277.95, while the broader Manila Manila all shares index inched Standard Standard up 0.63 point, or 0.02 percent, to TODAY 3,413.45.TODAY “The local market declined as investors brace for the Philippines’ upcoming GDP data,” Philstocks Financial Inc. said.

“Lingering uncertainties between the U.S. and Iran, as the latter denied that talks between the two were ongoing, also added to the pessimism,” the brokerage added. The industrial and mining and oil sectors bucked the broader market’s weakness, advancing 0.97 percent and 0.59 percent, respectively. Financials fell 0.33 percent, holding firms declined 0.38 percent, services dropped 0.44 percent, and the property index eased 0.07 percent. Total value turnover reached P5.64 billion. Foreign investors were net sellers, with net outflows reaching P323.68 million. Jenniffer B. Austria

Republic Republicofofthe thePhilippines Philippines

ÊDepartment ÊDepartmentofofEnvironment Ê Ê Environmentand andNatural NaturalResources Resources ÊENVIRONMENTAL ÊENVIRONMENTALMANAGEMENT MANAGEMENTBUREAU BUREAU

NOTICE NOTICEOF OFPUBLIC PUBLICHEARING HEARING On Onthe theENVIRONMENTAL ENVIRONMENTALIMPACT IMPACTSTATEMENT STATEMENTofofthe theproposed proposed131.789 131.789MWP MWPCABUYAO CABUYAO1 1 FLOATING FLOATINGPV PVPOWER POWERPLANT PLANT(BLOCK (BLOCK2)2)ofofNORTESOL NORTESOLIIIICORP. CORP.located locatedininBARANGAYS BARANGAYS BIGAA BIGAAAND ANDBUTONG, BUTONG,CABUYAO CABUYAOCITY, CITY,LAGUNA. LAGUNA. Notice Noticeisishereby herebygiven giventotoallallparties partieswho whowish wishtotogive givetheir theiropinion opinionregarding regardingthe theimplementation implementation ofofthe theproposed proposed131.789 131.789MWP MWPCABUYAO CABUYAO1 1FLOATING FLOATINGPV PVPOWER POWERPLANT PLANT(BLOCK (BLOCK2)2)totoattend attend the thePublic PublicHearing Hearingon: on: Date Date Time Time Venue Venue Participants Participants 1414August August2026 2026 08:00 08:00AM AM Barangay BarangayButong Butong– – Residents Residentsand andLGU LGU (Friday) (Friday) (Registration (Registrationstarts startsatat Basketball BasketballCourt, Court,Cabuyao Cabuyao Officials OfficialsofofCabuyao Cabuyao 07:30 07:30 AM) AM) City, City,Laguna Laguna City, City,Laguna Laguna The The Public Public Hearing Hearing isis being being conducted conducted inin connection connection with with the the review review ofof the the Environmental EnvironmentalImpact Impact Statement Statement(EIS) (EIS)ofofthe theaforementioned aforementionedproject projectbybythe theEnvironmental EnvironmentalManagement ManagementBureau Bureau(EMB) (EMB) ofofthe theDepartment DepartmentofofEnvironment Environmentand andNatural NaturalResources Resources(DENR). (DENR).The Theprimary primaryobjective objectiveofofthe the public public hearing hearingisistotoengage engagethe thepublic public ininproviding providingfeedback, feedback,concerns, concerns,and andsuggestions suggestions regarding regarding environmental environmental aspects aspects ofof the the projects, projects, ensuring ensuring that that allall potential potential impacts impacts are are carefully carefully considered. considered. The Thefollowing followingisisthe theproject projectinformation: information: Project ProjectName Name 131.789 131.789MWp MWpCabuyao Cabuyao1 1Floating FloatingPV PVPower PowerPlant Plant(Block (Block2)2) Project ProjectLocation Location Barangays BarangaysBigaa Bigaaand andButong, Butong,Cabuyao CabuyaoCity, City,Laguna Laguna Project ProjectType Type Renewable RenewableEnergy Energy– –Floating FloatingPhotovoltaic Photovoltaic Project ProjectArea Area 117.5 117.5hectares hectares Project ProjectCapacity Capacity 131.789 131.789MWp MWp Project ProjectRationale Rationale The Theproject projectaims aimstotoexpand expanditsitsrenewable renewableenergy energycapacity, capacity,offering offeringecoecofriendly friendlyenergy energyatata alower lowercost costthan thanfossil fossilfuels. fuels.AsAsthe thePhilippines Philippines prepares preparestotoachieve achieveananambitious ambitioustarget targetofof4646GW GWofofsolar solarenergy energy installations installationsbyby2040, 2040,there thereisisa astrong strongincentive incentivetotopursue pursuefloating floatingsolar solar projects, projects,which whichcan cansimultaneously simultaneouslybolster bolsterthe thecountry's country'selectricity electricity supply. supply.This Thisproject projectcontributes contributestotothe thePEP4, PEP4,which whichsupports supportsthe theGlobal Global Renewables Renewablesand andEnergy EnergyEfficiency EfficiencyPledge Pledgetototriple triplerenewable renewableenergy energy capacity capacitytotoatatleast least11,000 11,000byby2030 2030and andtotodouble doublethe theglobal globalaverage average annual annualrate rateofofenergy energyefficiency efficiencyimprovements improvementsfrom from2% 2%totoover over4% 4%every every year yearuntil until2030. 2030. Project Project Major MajorComponents Components Components Components Floating FloatingPhotovoltaic Photovoltaic(FPV) (FPV) Solar SolarPanel Panel Floater Floater Anchoring Anchoringand andMooring MooringSystem System Wave WaveBreakers Breakers Submarine SubmarineWires Wiresand andCables Cables Safety SafetyFence Fence Connection ConnectionComponents ComponentsofofFPV FPV Medium Medium Voltage Voltage Power Power Station Station until untilPlant PlantSubstation Substation (MVPS) (MVPS)– –Inverter, Inverter,Ring RingMain MainUnit Unit (RMU), (RMU), and and Transformer Transformer Ê Ê Offshore OffshoreMedium MediumVoltage VoltageCable Cable Ê Ê Plant PlantSubstation Substation Ê Ê Nortesol NortesolIIIIInc. Inc. Ê Proponent Ê Proponent

CYAN CYANMAGENTA MAGENTAYELLOW YELLOWBLACK BLACK

SM PRIME’S AWARDS. Joaquin San Agustin, executive vice president for marketing of SM Supermalls (third from left), Junias Eusebio, vice president for mall operations of SM Supermalls (second from left), and other representatives accept SM Prime Holdings Inc.’s top honors at the 31st Apolinario Mabini Awards. SM Prime earned 14 distinctions, building on the 10 honors it received in the previous cycle for advancing accessibility and inclusion across its malls and office developments.

URC’s Q2 profit hit P3b on strong branded foods F By Jenniffer B. Austria

NNOOTTIICCEE

Notice Notice isis hereby hereby given given that that BAGUIO BAGUIO ASIN ASIN HYDROPOWER HYDROPOWERCORPORATION CORPORATIONisisapplying applyingfor for registration registrationwith withthe theBoard BoardofofInvestments Investments(BOI) (BOI) as asaaRenewable RenewableEnergy EnergyDeveloper DeveloperofofHydropower Hydropower Resources Resources (4.000 (4.000 MW MW Asin Asin 11 Hydroelectric Hydroelectric Power PowerProject) Project)ininBarangay BarangayTadiangan, Tadiangan,Tuba, Tuba, Benguet Benguettotoavail availofofthe theincentives incentivesunder underR.A. R.A.No. No. 9513, 9513,otherwise otherwiseknown knownas asthe theRenewable RenewableEnergy Energy Act Actofof2008. 2008. Any Anyperson personwith withvalid validobjection/s objection/son onthe theaboveabovementioned mentioned project project may may file file his/her his/her objection objection inin writing, writing,under underoath, oath,with withthe theBOI BOIwithin withinthree three(3) (3) days daysfrom fromthe thedate dateofofthis thispublication publication. . (SGD.) (SGD.)ARRIANNE ARRIANNEADA ADAZ.Z.ANTONI ANTONI Officer-in-Charge Officer-in-Charge Resource-Based Resource-BasedIndustries IndustriesService Service

Ê Ê

AllAllinterested interestedparties partieswho whowish wishtotoattend attendororparticipate participateininthese thesePublic PublicHearings Hearingsshould shouldpreferably preferably confirm confirm their their attendance/participation attendance/participation and and may may give give their their opinion(s) opinion(s) in in aa concise concise position position paper paper toto PageÊ|Ê1ÊÊ PageÊ|Ê1ÊÊ the theENVIRONMENTAL ENVIRONMENTALIMPACT IMPACTASSESSMENT ASSESSMENTAND ANDMANAGEMENT MANAGEMENTDIVISION DIVISION(EIAMD) (EIAMD)ofofthis this Office Officethrough throughmail mailororemail emailatateia@emb.gov.ph, eia@emb.gov.ph,atatleast leastthree three(3)(3)days daysbefore beforethe thePublic PublicHearing Hearing schedule. schedule.Those Thosewho whowill willnot notbebeable abletotoregister registerororsubmit submitwritten writtenpositions positionsmay maybebegiven giventhe the opportunity opportunitytotoshare sharetheir theirissues issuesononthe theday dayofofthe thehearing hearingitself. itself. The Theproject’s project’sEnvironmental EnvironmentalImpact ImpactStatement Statementand andExecutive ExecutiveSummary Summaryfor forthe thePublic Publicare are downloadable downloadableatatour ourwebsite: website:www.eia.emb.gov.ph www.eia.emb.gov.ph(kindly (kindlyaccess accessthe theNotice NoticeofofPublic PublicHearing/ Hearing/ Consultation Consultation link link found found onon our our website), website), while while copies copies will will bebe available availableininthe thefollowing followingoffices: offices: 1.Ê1.ÊEMB EMBCALABARZON CALABARZON 4th4th floor, floor, THE THE OFFIX OFFIX 2,2, Parañaque Parañaque Integrated Integrated Terminal Terminal Exchange Exchange (PITX), (PITX), 11 Kennedy Kennedy Road, Road, Brgy. Brgy.Tambo, Tambo,Parañaque ParañaqueCity, City,1701, 1701,Metro MetroManila Manila 2.Ê2.ÊLAGUNA LAGUNALAKE LAKEDEVELOPMENT DEVELOPMENTAUTHORITY AUTHORITY National NationalEcology EcologyCenter, Center,East EastAvenue, Avenue,Diliman, Diliman,Quezon QuezonCity City 3.Ê3.ÊLGU LGU– –CABUYAO CABUYAOCITY CITY F.B. F.B.Bailon BailonSt., St.,Cabuyao CabuyaoCity, City,4205, 4205,Laguna Laguna 4.Ê4.ÊBARANGAY BARANGAYBIGAA BIGAAHALL HALL Brgy. Brgy.Bigaa, Bigaa,City CityofofCabuyao, Cabuyao,Laguna Laguna

NNOOTTIICCEE Notice Notice isis hereby hereby given given that that BAGUIO BAGUIO ASIN ASIN HYDROPOWER HYDROPOWERCORPORATION CORPORATIONisisapplying applyingfor for registration registrationwith withthe theBoard BoardofofInvestments Investments(BOI) (BOI) as asaaRenewable RenewableEnergy EnergyDeveloper DeveloperofofHydropower Hydropower Resources Resources ((4.000 ((4.000 MW MW Asin Asin 22 Hydroelectric Hydroelectric Power PowerProject) Project)ininBarangay BarangayNangalisan, Nangalisan,Tuba, Tuba, Benguet Benguettotoavail availofofthe theincentives incentivesunder underR.A. R.A.No. No. 9513, 9513,otherwise otherwiseknown knownas asthe theRenewable RenewableEnergy Energy Act Actofof2008. 2008. Any Anyperson personwith withvalid validobjection/s objection/son onthe theaboveabovementioned mentioned project project may may file file his/her his/her objection objection inin writing, writing,under underoath, oath,with withthe theBOI BOIwithin withinthree three(3) (3) days daysfrom fromthe thedate dateofofthis thispublication publication. .

5.Ê5.ÊBARANGAY BARANGAYBUTONG BUTONGHALL HALL Brgy. Brgy.Butong, Butong,City CityofofCabuyao, Cabuyao,Laguna Laguna

OOD manufacturer Universal Robina Corp. posted a 25-percent increase in second-quarter net income from continuing operations to P3 billion, as growth in its branded food business offset higher oil-related costs tied to the Middle East conflict. In a regulatory disclosure Thursday, the Gokongwei-led company said secondquarter sales rose 2 percent to P41.5 billion, bringing first-half revenue growth to 4 percent. Core net income attributable to equity holders climbed 10 percent to P2.9 billion in the second quarter, supported by disciplined financing cost management. Operating income also increased 2 percent despite rising fuel expenses and lower earnings from the sugar business. “Our second-quarter performance demonstrates the strength and balance of our portfolio,” URC president and chief executive Irwin Lee said. “While geopolitical tensions and inflationary pressures remain risks going forward, our strong brands, distribution and customer partnerships, together with disciplined operational execution, provide us with the flexibility to adapt and sustain our competitive advan-

tage in a volatile environment.” The company’s branded consumer foods segment generated P29.4 billion in secondquarter sales, up 4 percent from a year ago. Domestic branded food sales rose 3 percent to P20.1 billion, driven mainly by its bakery and powdered beverage businesses. The beverage segment benefited from price increases implemented last year and lower input costs. International branded food sales increased 8 percent in peso terms but declined 2 percent in constant currency. Strong performances in Vietnam and Malaysia were offset by weaker sales in Thailand and business disruptions in Cambodia. Meanwhile, the agro-industrial and commodities business posted P12.1 billion in second-quarter sales, down 3 percent as gains from animal nutrition and flour were offset by the weaker sugar business. CYAN CYANMAGENTA MAGENTAYELLOW YELLOWBLACK BLACK

Manila Manila For Formore moredetails, details,please pleasecontact contactthe theEIAM EIAMDivision Divisionatatthis thisOffice Officeatattelephone telephonenumber number(02) (02)85398539-

Standard Standard

4378 4378loc. loc.116 116through throughthe theproject projectcase casehandlers, handlers,Engr. Engr.Jose JosePaolo PaoloAragoncillo Aragoncilloand andEngr. Engr.Ivan Ivan Jaire JaireNicdao Nicdao

TODAY TODAY

(SGD.) (SGD.)ARRIANNE ARRIANNEADA ADAZ.Z.ANTONI ANTONI Officer-in-Charge Officer-in-Charge Resource-Based Resource-BasedIndustries IndustriesService Service

CO-2026-027201 CO-2026-027201

NNOOTTIICCEE

Republic Republicofofthe thePhilippines Philippines

ÊDepartment ÊDepartmentofofEnvironment Ê Ê Environmentand andNatural NaturalResources Resources ÊENVIRONMENTAL ÊENVIRONMENTALMANAGEMENT MANAGEMENTBUREAU BUREAU

Venue Venue Barangay BarangayAplaya Aplaya– – Evacuation EvacuationCenter, Center,Sta. Sta. Rosa RosaCity, City,Laguna Laguna

Participants Participants Residents Residentsand andLGU LGU Officials OfficialsofofSta. Sta.Rosa Rosa City, City,Laguna Laguna

The The Public Public Hearing Hearing isis being being conducted conducted inin connection connection with with the the review review ofof the the Environmental EnvironmentalImpact Impact Statement Statement(EIS) (EIS)ofofthe theaforementioned aforementionedproject projectbybythe theEnvironmental EnvironmentalManagement ManagementBureau Bureau(EMB) (EMB) ofofthe theDepartment DepartmentofofEnvironment Environmentand andNatural NaturalResources Resources(DENR). (DENR).The Theprimary primaryobjective objectiveofofthe the public public hearing hearingisistoto engage engagethe thepublic public ininproviding providingfeedback, feedback, concerns, concerns, and andsuggestions suggestions regarding regarding environmental environmental aspects aspects ofof the the projects, projects, ensuring ensuring that that allall potential potential impacts impacts are are carefully carefully considered. considered. The Thefollowing followingisisthe theproject projectinformation: information: Project ProjectName Name 131.789 131.789MWp MWpSta. Sta.Rosa RosaFloating FloatingPV PVPower PowerPlant Plant(Block (Block1)1) Project ProjectLocation Location Barangays BarangaysAplaya Aplayaand andCaingin, Caingin,Sta. Sta.Rosa RosaCity, City,Laguna Laguna Project ProjectType Type Renewable RenewableEnergy Energy– –Floating FloatingPhotovoltaic Photovoltaic Project ProjectArea Area 117.5 117.5hectares hectares Project ProjectCapacity Capacity 131.789 131.789MWp MWp Project ProjectRationale Rationale The Theproject projectaims aimstotoexpand expanditsitsrenewable renewableenergy energycapacity, capacity,offering offeringecoecofriendly friendlyenergy energyatata alower lowercost costthan thanfossil fossilfuels. fuels.AsAsthe thePhilippines Philippines prepares preparestotoachieve achieveananambitious ambitioustarget targetofof4646GW GWofofsolar solarenergy energy installations installationsbyby2040, 2040,there thereisisa astrong strongincentive incentivetotopursue pursuefloating floatingsolar solar projects, projects,which whichcan cansimultaneously simultaneouslybolster bolsterthe thecountry's country'selectricity electricity supply. supply.This Thisproject projectcontributes contributestotothe thePEP4, PEP4,which whichsupports supportsthe theGlobal Global Renewables Renewablesand andEnergy EnergyEfficiency EfficiencyPledge Pledgetototriple triplerenewable renewableenergy energy capacity capacitytotoatatleast least11,000 11,000byby2030 2030and andtotodouble doublethe theglobal globalaverage average annual annualrate rateofofenergy energyefficiency efficiencyimprovements improvementsfrom from2% 2%totoover over4% 4%every every year yearuntil until2030. 2030. Project Project Major MajorComponents Components Components Components Floating FloatingPhotovoltaic Photovoltaic(FPV) (FPV) Solar SolarPanel Panel Floater Floater Anchoring Anchoringand andMooring MooringSystem System Wave WaveBreakers Breakers Submarine SubmarineWires Wiresand andCables Cables Safety SafetyFence Fence Connection ConnectionComponents ComponentsofofFPV FPV Medium Medium Voltage Voltage Power Power Station Station until untilPlant PlantSubstation Substation (MVPS) (MVPS)– –Inverter, Inverter,Ring RingMain MainUnit Unit (RMU), (RMU),and andTransformer Transformer Offshore OffshoreMedium MediumVoltage VoltageCable Cable Plant PlantSubstation Substation Ê Ê NewAsia NewAsiaPower PowerEnergy EnergyIIIICorp. Corp. Ê Proponent Ê Proponent

Ê Ê

AllAllinterested interestedparties parties who whowish wishtotoattend attendoror participate participateininthese thesePublic PublicHearings Hearingsshould shouldpreferably preferably confirm confirm their their attendance/participation attendance/participation and and may may give give their their opinion(s) opinion(s) in in aa concise concise position position paper paper toto PageÊ|Ê1ÊÊ PageÊ|Ê1ÊÊ the theENVIRONMENTAL ENVIRONMENTALIMPACT IMPACTASSESSMENT ASSESSMENTAND ANDMANAGEMENT MANAGEMENTDIVISION DIVISION(EIAMD) (EIAMD)ofofthis this Office Officethrough throughmail mailororemail emailatateia@emb.gov.ph, eia@emb.gov.ph,atatleast leastthree three(3)(3)days daysbefore beforethe thePublic PublicHearing Hearing schedule. schedule.Those Thosewho whowill willnot notbebeable abletotoregister registerororsubmit submitwritten writtenpositions positionsmay maybebegiven giventhe the opportunity opportunitytotoshare sharetheir theirissues issuesononthe theday dayofofthe thehearing hearingitself. itself. The Theproject’s project’sEnvironmental EnvironmentalImpact ImpactStatement Statementand andExecutive ExecutiveSummary Summaryfor forthe thePublic Publicare are downloadable downloadableatatour ourwebsite: website:www.eia.emb.gov.ph www.eia.emb.gov.ph(kindly (kindlyaccess accessthe theNotice NoticeofofPublic PublicHearing/ Hearing/ Consultation Consultation link link found found onon our our website), website), while while copies copies will will bebe available availableininthe thefollowing followingoffices: offices: 1.Ê1.ÊEMB EMBCALABARZON CALABARZON 4th4th floor, floor, THE THE OFFIX OFFIX 2,2, Parañaque Parañaque Integrated Integrated Terminal Terminal Exchange Exchange (PITX), (PITX), 11 Kennedy Kennedy Road, Road, Brgy. Brgy.Tambo, Tambo,Parañaque ParañaqueCity, City,1701, 1701,Metro MetroManila Manila 2.Ê2.ÊLAGUNA LAGUNALAKE LAKEDEVELOPMENT DEVELOPMENTAUTHORITY AUTHORITY National NationalEcology EcologyCenter, Center,East EastAvenue, Avenue,Diliman, Diliman,Quezon QuezonCity City 3.Ê3.ÊLGU LGU– –STA. STA.ROSA ROSACITY CITY J.J.P PRizal, Rizal,City CityGovernment GovernmentCenter, Center,City CityofofSanta SantaRosa, Rosa,Laguna Laguna 4.Ê4.ÊBARANGAY BARANGAYAPLAYA APLAYAHALL HALL Purok Purok2,2,Barangay BarangayAplaya, Aplaya,Santa SantaRosa RosaCity, City,Laguna Laguna 5.Ê5.ÊBARANGAY BARANGAYCAINGIN CAINGINHALL HALL Purok Purok6 6Street, Street,Santa Santa Rosa RosaCity, City,Laguna Laguna For Formore moredetails, details,please pleasecontact contactthe theEIAM EIAMDivision Divisionatatthis thisOffice Officeatattelephone telephonenumber number(02) (02)853985394378 4378loc. loc.116 116through throughthe theproject projectcase casehandlers, handlers,Engr. Engr.Ivan IvanJaire JaireNicdao Nicdaoand andEngr. Engr.Jose JosePaolo Paolo Aragoncillo. Aragoncillo.

CO-2026-027044 CO-2026-027044

Notice Notice isis hereby hereby given given that that BAGUIO BAGUIO ASIN ASIN HYDROPOWER HYDROPOWERCORPORATION CORPORATIONisisapplying applyingfor for registration registrationwith withthe theBoard BoardofofInvestments Investments(BOI) (BOI) as asaaRenewable RenewableEnergy EnergyDeveloper DeveloperofofHydropower Hydropower Resources Resources ((4.000 ((4.000 MW MW Asin Asin 33 Hydroelectric Hydroelectric Power PowerProject) Project)ininBarangay BarangayNangalisan, Nangalisan,Tuba, Tuba, Benguet Benguettotoavail availofofthe theincentives incentivesunder underR.A. R.A.No. No. 9513, 9513,otherwise otherwiseknown knownas asthe theRenewable RenewableEnergy Energy Act Actofof2008. 2008. Any Anyperson personwith withvalid validobjection/s objection/son onthe theaboveabovementioned mentioned project project may may file file his/her his/her objection objection inin writing, writing,under underoath, oath,with withthe theBOI BOIwithin withinthree three(3) (3) days daysfrom fromthe thedate dateofofthis thispublication publication. .

Manila Manila

(SGD.) (SGD.)ARRIANNE ARRIANNEADA ADAZ.Z.ANTONI ANTONI Officer-in-Charge Officer-in-Charge Resource-Based Resource-BasedIndustries IndustriesService Service

Standard Standard

TODAY TODAY

OKADA DONATION. Okada Foundation Inc. is helping strengthen Naga City’s public health system through a P135 million healthcare donation that supports hospitals, health centers, and community services across the city. The donation includes medical equipment for the Naga City General Hospital, City Health Offices I and II, and Our Lady of Lourdes Infirmary, along with a customized mobile clinic and a garbage truck compactor to support healthcare delivery and sanitation.

Cebu Pacific incurred P5.9-b loss in first half By Darwin G. Amojelar CEBU Pacific swung to a net loss of P5.9 billion in the first half of the year from an P8.9 billion net profit in the same period last year, driven by soaring fuel prices and foreign exchange losses. For the second quarter, the airline posted a net loss of P5.5 billion, reversing an P8.5 billion net profit a year earlier, after fuel expenses more than doubled year over year. The carrier also reported an operating loss of P2.7 billion for the quarter. Chief executive Michael Szucs described the second quarter as one of the airline’s most difficult operating periods since the pandemic. “The second quarter was one of the most challenging operating environments we have faced post-pandemic, driven by an unprecedented spike in fuel prices,” Szucs said. First-half revenue rose 8 percent to P68.6 billion from the same period last year, driven by sustained demand for air travel. Passenger revenue increased 7 percent to P47.2 billion, while ancillary revenue and

cargo revenue grew 11 percent and 13 percent, respectively. The carrier flew nearly 14.5 million passengers during the six-month period, up 4 percent from a year earlier. Domestic passenger traffic increased 5 percent, while international passenger traffic rose 2 percent. Second-quarter revenue climbed 7 percent to P35.2 billion, supported by resilient travel demand and calibrated fare adjustments. Passenger revenue reached P24.7 billion, while ancillary revenue increased 4 percent and cargo revenue grew 18 percent. Despite cost pressures, Szucs said demand for affordable air travel remained strong, enabling the airline to expand its market position. Based on internal estimates, Cebu Pacific’s domestic market share increased to 60 percent in the second quarter from 55 percent a year earlier. The airline also improved its operational performance, posting an 84.2 percent on-time performance rate, which it said ranked it among the Asia-Pacific region’s most punctual carriers. CYAN CYANMAGENTA MAGENTAYELLOW YELLOWBLACK BLACK

Manila

Standard

FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2026

TODAY REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION REGIONAL TRIAL COURT MANDALUYONG CITY BRANCH 279 E-mail: rtc1mdI279@iudiciary.gov.ph Tel. No. (02) 72383904/ (02) 8532-5001 Ioc. 894 Mobile No. 0917-317-5049

14.3. After due proceedings, the Rehabilitation Court found that the Borrower’s financial rehabilitation was no longer feasible. Consequently, on 28 July 2021, Rehabilitation Court issued a Liquidation Order, converting the proceedings into corporate liquidation. 14.4. Pursuant to the provisions of the Credit Agreement, the filing of a Petition for Rehabilitation and the subsequent declaration of insolvency and liquidation, as well as the failure to pay when due, both constitute separate and distinct Events of Default. Consequently, all unpaid loan obligations of the Borrower have become immediately due and payable. Thus:

PHILIPPINE BANK OF COMMUNICATIONS, Plaintiff, CIVIL CASE NO. R-MND-25-01369-CV -versus- For: Collection of Sum of Money and Damages with Prayer for Issuance of Writ of Preliminary Attachment SPOUSES ALLAN PIERRE D.CHUA and GEMMA L. CHUA, Defendants. x---------------------------------------------------x SUMMONS BY PUBLICATION ALLAN PIERRE D. CHUA No. 10 North Polytech, University Hills Subdivision, Malabon City

TO:

10. Events of Default. The Borrower shall be considered without need of any other or further act or deed in case any of the following events (“ Event of Default”) shall occur: 10.1 . The Borrower shall fail to pay when due any amount payable hereunder; xxx 10.5. The Borrower or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates shall become insolvent or unable to pay its debt as they mature, shall commit an act of bankruptcy or insolvency, or shall file any petition for dissolution, suspension of payments or any action for relief under any bankruptcy, reorganization, rehabilitation, insolvency, moratorium, or other laws for the relief of debtors, or any dissolution, insolvency or bankruptcy petition or proceeding shall be commenced or filed against the Borrower or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates under such laws, or any judgment or order is entered by a court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a receiver, trustee or the like to take charge of all or substantially all of the assets of the Borrower, its subsidiaries or affiliates; x x x 11. Consequences of Default. If any Event of Default occurs: 11.1 PBCOM may, at its sole discretion, treat the whole obligation, its principal and accrued interest and other charges, penalties, if any, as immediately due, payable and defaulted, without the necessity of demand, presentment or notice by PBCOM to the Borrower, all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Borrower and its guarantors and sureties, if any. Where applicable, PBCOM shall declare the Credit Facility under this Agreement terminated and the obligation of PBCOM to maintain the Credit Facility shall terminate; x x x

GEMMA L. CHUA No. 10 North Polytech, University Hills Subdivision, Malabon City GREETINGS: You are hereby required, within sixty (60) days after the last publication of this Summons, to file with this court and to serve to the plaintiff your answer, together with its annexes, if any, to the complaint. You are reminded to observe restraint in filing a Motion to Dismiss, and instead allege the grounds thereof as defenses in the answer pursuant to IBP-OCA Memorandum on Policy Guidelines dated March 12, 2002. WITNESS my hand under the seal of the Court, this 15th day of June 2026, Mandaluyong City. (Sgd.) ATTY. RAYSON M. MAYOR Branch Clerk of Court

RTC279 / ARMM/ egh

40. In this case, the grave and irreparable injury necessary to justify the issuance of the writ of preliminary attachment arises from the Sureties’ actions which constitute a pattern of fraud, bad faith, and malicious evasion that far exceeds a simple inability to pay. 41. As will be further explained below, the sequence of events surrounding the execution and performance of the obligation herein conclusively established the foregoing fraudulent scheme of the Sureties, focusing on the malicious roleof the Defendants, particularly MR. CHUA’s calculated involvement in each stage of evasion. 42. First, it must be stressed that MR. CHUA served as both the President and Chairman of the Board of ONE WORLD. He is likewise the single majority shareholder, the ultimate beneficial owner, the authorized representative of the Borrower, and the single individual who executed the Credit Agreement, the Domestic Bills Purchase Line Agreement, the various Promissory Notes, and all other key loan documents of the Borrower, for and on behalf of ONE WORLD. Consequently, this places full knowledge and control over the Borrower directly on him. 43. During the negotiations for the application of its credit facilities, ONE WORLD, through MR. CHUA, made commitments to the Plaintiff that its outstanding loan obligations will be paid as they fall due or mature. 44. The Plaintiff approved the application of the credit facilities of ONE WORLD based on its representations, warranties, and covenants that it has good business, sufficient cash flow and resources, and generally more than adequate ability to repay its debts. 45. These representations, warranties and covenants made by ONE WORLD, through MR. CHUA, are constantly acknowledged in the loan and other related documents it executed in favor of the Plaintiff. 45.1. Under the Credit Agreement, ONE WORLD, through MR. CHUA, made the following representations, warranties, and covenants with respect to its existing credit facilities with the Plaintiff: 6. Representation and Warranties. The Borrower represents and warrants that: xxx 6.10. The maintenance of the Credit Facility is premised on the Borrower’s continued ability to service its obligation to its creditors. Accordingly, the Borrower hereby warrants that while any of the Credit Obligations remain unpaid, the Borrower shall at all times have sufficient liquid assets to meet operating requirements and pay all its/his debts as they fall due. Failure of the Borrower to pay any maturing interest, principal or other charges under the Credit Facility shall be conclusive evidence of violation of this warranty. 6.11 PBCOM’s approval and release of the borrowed funds is by reason of the Borrower’s representation and warranties, and the purpose for which the loan is approved. The Borrower affirms that a violation of its representations and warranties, including the purpose for which the loan is approved is tantamount to fraud or false pretense, punishable under Philippine penal laws. xxx

16. Considering that the Borrower had already defaulted and all its loan obligations became immediately due and payable, the Defendants, pursuant to the Continuing Surety Agreement they executed, shall also be jointly and severally liable upon notice of said default. 16.1. In their Continuing Surety Agreement with the Plaintiff, the Defendants bound themselves jointly and severally liable with ONE WORLD to unconditionally and irrevocably guarantee the full and complete payment when due of any and all credit accommodations that have been granted or may be granted, renewed and/or extended by the Plaintiff to ONE WORLD, to wit:

Republic of the Philippines National Capital Judic ial Region REGIONAL TRIAL COURT Mandaluyong City, Branch___ PHILIPPINE BANK OF COMMUNICATIONS,

14.5. In the same manner, the Promissory Notes provide that in case of failure to pay when due any amount payable to the Plaintiff, the whole sum remaining unpaid shall become immediately due and payable:

demonstrable physically; it must of necessity be proved in many cases by inferences from circumstances shown to have been involved in the transaction in question.” (Emphasis and underscoring supplied)

7. Affirmative Covenants. The Borrower covenants and agrees that during the term of the Credit Facility and until full payment of the full amount due hereunder, unless PBCOM shall otherwise consent in writing, the Borrower shall: xxx 7.5. Pay promptly when due, any and all sums becoming due under this Agreement before the same shall become in default; (Emphasis and underscoring supplied)

“l . LIABILITIES OF SURETIES 1.1 The SURETIES, jointly and severally with the PRINCIPAL, hereby unconditionally and irrevocably guarantee the full and complete payment when due, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration, or otherwise, of any and all Credit Accommodations that have been granted or may be granted, renewed and/or extended by the BANK to the PRINCIPAL.

Plaintiff, Civil Case No. R-MND-25-01369-CV For: Collection of Sum of Money and Damages with Prayer for Issuance of Writ of Preliminary Attachment

-versus- SPOUSES ALLAN PIERRE D. CHUA AND GEMMA L. CHUA, Defendants. x-----------------------------------------------------x

xxx 1.5 The liability of the SURETIES shall be direct and immediate and not contingent upon the pursuit by the BANK of whatever remedies it may have against the PRINCIPAL or the securities or liens it or they may possess, and the SURETIES will, at any time on demand, whether due or not due, jointly and severally pay to the BANK any obligations of the PRINCIPAL.

COMPLAINT

Plaintiff Philippine Bank of Communications (“PBCOM” or “Bank”), by counsel, and unto this Honorable Court, most respectfully states: Nature of the Complaint 1 . This is a Complaint for Collection of Sum of Money and damages based on the Defendants’ breach of a contract of suretyship, which guaranteed the full and complete payment of the loan obligations extended by the Plaintiff to ONE WORLD MUSIC AND SPORTS INC. (“ONE WORLD” or “Borrower”). 2. This action seeks to enforce the primary obligation of the Sureties, with prayer for the provisional remedy of a Writ of Preliminary Attachment based on the fraud employed by the Sureties herein who are the authorized officers of the Borrower, in order to prevent the Defendants from evading their lawful obligation. The Parties 3. Plaintiff is a universal banking corporation duly organized and existing under Philippine laws with principal office address at PBCOM Tower, 6795 Ayala Avenue corner Rufino Street, Makati City 1226. 3.1 . Plaintiff is represented herein by ATTY. GIRLIE ISABEL D. UMALI-REQUIZO, Head of PBCOM’s Remedial Management Division (“RMD”), as evidenced by a Special Power of Attorney and a Secretary’s Certificate. 1 Plaintiff may be served with notices, orders, and other court processes at the address and/ or e-mail addresses of the undersigned counsel. 4. Defendants ALLAN PIERRE D. CHUA (“MR. CHUA”) and GEMMA L. CHUA (‘Mrs. Chua”) (hereinafter collectively referred to as “Sureties”) are both of legal age, married, Filipinos, with postal and/or residential address at 10 Northern Polytech University Hills Subdivision, Malabon City, where they may be served with summons, notices, orders, writs, and other court processes. 5. The defendant spouses, ALLAN PIERRE D. CHUA AND GEMMA L. CHUA, are being sued jointly in accordance with Rule 3, Section 4 of the Revised Rules of Court, which provides that “husband and wife shall sue or be sued jointly, except as provided by law.” Venue of Action 6. The instant complaint is filed before the Regional Trial Court of Mandaluyong City pursuant to the Plaintiff’s exercise of its sole option and discretion in choosing the venue of suit under pertinent provisions of Surety Agreement, to wit:2

xxx

3.1. If the BANK shall declare the obligations of the PRINCIPAL to be due and payable because of the happening of any of the events of default as defined in the instruments evidencing said obligations, the SURETIES, upon receipt of written notice from the BANK, shall forthwith pay to the BANK the full amount of said obligations, without need of demand, protest or notice of any kind, other than the notice provided herein, all of which are likewise expressly waived by the SURETIES.” (Emphasis and underscoring supplied) 17. Accordingly, the Plaintiff sent a Final Demand Letter to the Defendants as Sureties of ONE WORLD on 29 October 2025, demanding the payment of the outstanding loan obligations of ONE WORLD as a matter of course,13 18. The letter was served at the Defendants’ address on record at 10 Northern Polytech University Hills Subdivision, Malabon City, and was duly effected through the following modes: a. Via Private Courier: Receipt was duly acknowledged by one Meriam Lopez, who identified herself as a housemaid at the residence stated above. As proof thereto, the Affidavit of Service executed by Mr. Mario E. Cabungcal, Jr. dated 11 November 2025,14 the LBC Track and Trace, and the LBC Receipt No.: 81216650128 dated 30 October 2025,15 are all attached hereto as part of the annexes; b. Via Personal Service: The letter was served to one Nancy Anne Lopez who identified herself as a house caretaker at the address above-stated. As proof thereto, the Affidavit of Service executed by Mr. Mario E. Cabungcal, Jr. dated 30 October 2025 and the receiving copy of the letter are likewise attached hereto as part of the annexes. 16 19. Despite formal written demand, however, the Defendants failed and refused, and continue to fail and refuse to settle ONE WORLD’s outstanding loan obligations to the Plaintiff. 20. Thus, by reason of the Defendants’ continued failure and unjustified refusal to pay the outstanding loan obligations of ONE WORLD, the Plaintiff was constrained to file the instant action with prayer for issuance of writ of preliminary attachment. First Cause of Action (Sum of Money)

xxx

statement of Facts 7. ONE WORLD MUSIC AND SPORTS INC. is one of the clients of the Plaintiff. The company is engaged in the business of buying and selling of general merchandise including but not limited to sports equipment, music instruments, accessories and other related products.3 8. Based on its 2019 General Information Sheet,4 the ownership and management structure of ONE WORLD is as follows:

Name

Plaintiff hereby pleads and incorporates by reference the foregoing allegations and further states:

Ma. Cristina M. Ong

23%

2,875

Member

24. The pertinent provisions of the Civil Code of the Philippines allow for the recovery of attorney’s fees where the defendant’s act or omission compelled the plaintiff to litigate or incur expenses to protect their interest, or where the defendant acted in gross and evident bad faith in refusing to satisfy the plaintiff’s plain valid, just, and demandable claim.

Patricia Anne C. Mateo

625

Member

25. In the instant case, the unjust refusal and failure of the Defendants to comply with their clear obligations, despite formal demands from the Plaintiff clearly and indispensably compelled PBCOM to file the present action.

Ryan C. Garganta

250

Member

Gisella Andrea L. Chua

20%

2,500

Member

26. The conduct of the Defendants constitutes an unwarranted and arbitrary disregard of the Plaintiff ‘s rights, necessitating the expenditure of considerable time, effort, and expense to secure judicial relief. Such actions fall squarely within the exceptions of Article 2208 of the Civil Code.

Promissory Note Date (month/day/ year)

Maturity Date

Original Loan Amount

1. LD1919243957

07/11/19

01/07/20

P 2,573,000.00

2. LD1931040507

11/05/19

04/28/20

P 2,427,000.00

3. LD1932420001

11/20/19

04/28/20

P 1,079,367.30

TOTAL

P 6,079,367.30

11 . As an indispensable condition for the grant of the loan facility, the Bank required a solidary guarantee to secure the obligations of ONE WORLD. Thus, a Continuing Surety Agreement11 was likewise executed by MR. CHUA in his personal capacity. The same was duly notarized on 05 November 2018 and signed with marital conformity of MR. CHUA’s wife, Gemma L. Chua (“MRS. CHUA” ). 12. By virtue of the surety agreement, the Defendants Spouses CHUA bound themselves solidarily and jointly liable with the Borrower for the prompt payment of the entire loan, including all interests, penalties, and charges. Thus: “ 1. LIABILITIES OF SURETIES 1.1 The SURETIES, jointly and severally with the PRINCIPAL, hereby unconditionally and irrevocably guarantee the full and complete payment when due, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration, or otherwise, of any and all Credit Accommodations that have been granted or may be granted, renewed and/or extended by the BANK to the PRINCIPAL. xxx 1.5 The liability of the SURETIES shall be direct and immediate and not contingent upon the pursuit by the BANK of whatever remedies it may have against the PRINCIPAL or the securities or liens it or they may possess, and the SURETIES will, at any time on demand, whether due or not due, jointly and severally pay to the BANK any obligations of the PRINCIPAL. 13. Ultimately, the Plaintiff subsequently approved the application of the credit facilities of ONE WORLD based on the following considerations: 13.1 ONE WORLD, through MR. CHUA as its President and Chairman, made representations, warranties and covenants during the negotiations for the application of its credit facilities that it has good business, sufficient cash flow and resources, and generally more than adequate ability to repay its debts. 13.2 The Continuing Surety Agreement executed by MR. CHUA in his personal capacity, with marital conformity of Mrs. Chua, provided an absolute and unconditional guarantee for the full and complete payment of the entire obligation of the Borrower. 14. Subsequently, however, ONE WORLD, defaulted on the loan obligations, as follows: 14.1. After the availment of its last credit facility on 20 November 2019, the Borrower started incurring past due obligations, failing to meet the scheduled principal and interest payments beginning January 2020. 14.2. Worse, on 14 December 2020, the Borrower filed a Petition for Rehabilitation with the Regional Trial Court of Valenzuela City, docketed as SP Proc. No. 19-V-20.

53. The further conclusive proof of the Defendants’ bad faith lies in the finding of the Rehabilitation Court itself. The said court, after reviewing the facts and the proposed plan, subsequently determined and ruled that the Borrower’s rehabilitation was no longer viable. This clearly demonstrates that the initial filing was a sham, made with the primary intent to use the protective shield of the law to delay rather than to rehabilitate, thus manifesting malice and fraud on the part of ONE WORLD and its Sureties. 54. Most importantly, the filing of the Petition for Rehabilitation, regardless of its ultimate goal, confirms the Sureties’ bad faith in dealing with the Plaintiff. Assuming arguendo that the intent to rehabilitate was genuine, this necessarily means that the Sureties, particularly MR. CHUA, in his leadership role, was fully aware of the Borrower’s bad financial status and imminent insolvency at the time the debt was incurred.

58. Clearly, the circumstances surrounding the Borrower’s rapid default and the judicial finding that rehabilitation was no longer feasible, lead to the inescapable conclusion that the Defendants, particularly MR. CHUA, the President, Chairman, and majority shareholder of ONE WORLD, guaranteed the financial capacity of ONE WORLD with fraudulent intent.

Plaintiff hereby pleads and incorporates by reference the foregoing allegations and further states:

Promissory Note No.

52. It bears emphasis at this point that the filing of the said Petition for Rehabilitation, as calculated by the Defendants, immediately resulted in the issuance of a Stay Order, which placed a moratorium on all legal proceedings against the Borrower, thereby unjustly frustrating the Plaintiff’s attempt to collect its legitimate debt.

Second Cause of Action (Attorney’s Fees, Exemplary Damages and Costs of Suit)

Chairman

c. Various Promissory Notes,10 showing the outstanding availments under the Loan Line, with the following details:

51 . Subsequently, MR. CHUA personally verified the Petition for Rehabilitation20 as the authorized representative of ONE WORLD in December 2020. As will be further discussed below, the timing of this petition which is one year after receiving the credit and just months after defaulting, provides conclusive proof that the Borrower and MR. CHUA himself employed fraudulent schemes to evade payment to its creditors.

57. It thus bears emphasis that this is not a simple case of non-payment. To reiterate, all the Promissory Notes were availed from the months of July to November 2019. The Borrower started incurring overdue on January 2020, barely two (2) months after the last two (2) Promissory Notes were availed of Less than a year later after the said default, the Borrower filed a Petition for Rehabilitation.

6,250

b. Domestic Bills Purchase Line Agreement9 duly notarized on 05 November 2018 for the acceptance of the bills purchase line extended by Plaintiff to ONE WORLD;

50. Second, the fraudulent scheme became more apparent when at the time that MR. CHUA was still the Chairman of the Board, a Board Resolution of ONE WORLD was issued to file for corporate rehabilitation,19 essentially admitting the company’s financial inability to meet its obligations.

23. Hence, the Defendants must be ordered to pay the Plaintiff, jointly and severally, the sum total of the outstanding loan obligations due to the Plaintiff amounting to THREE MILLION EIGHT HUNDRED FIFTY-ONE THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED PESOS (Php 3,851,200.00), representing the unpaid principal amount, inclusive of partial interests as of 29 October 2025.

50%

a. Credit Agreement8 duly notarized on 13 November 2018 for the short-term credit accommodations extended by Plaintiff to ONE WORLD;

49. Unfortunately, the records readily reveal that this representation was fraudulent, as the Borrower began incurring overdue accounts and default just two (2) months after the final availment. This swift failure, occurring almost immediately after securing the funds, shows that the Borrower either lacked the capacity to pay from the outset or that they had no genuine intention to make good of its obligations as they fall due. What is clear in both instances, however, is that MR. CHUA, as the President and Chairman of ONE WORLD, misrepresented that they had the power to perform the obligations under the Credit Agreement and Promissory Notes, which is tantamount to deceit, fraud or false pretenses.

56. Even more telling is the subsequent finding of the Rehabilitation Court that the Borrower’s rehabilitation is no longer possible further confirmed the Borrower’s legal and factual inability to satisfy its obligations.

Allan Pierre D. Chua

10.2. The following loan and other related documents were executed by ONE WORLD, all of which were signed by MR. CHUA, under the approved credit facilities:

48. To emphasize and at the risk of being repetitive, when the Borrower, through MR. CHUA, availed the credit facilities in July and November 2019, the Borrower represented, among others, that (1) it possessed the financial capacity and solvency necessary to honor these substantial obligations; and (2) its outstanding loan obligations will be paid as they fall due or mature.

22. Similarly, the Sureties, who bound themselves jointly and severally liable with ONE WORLD, must be held answerable to pay the whole amount of the Borrower’s outstanding loan obligations with the Plaintiff.

Board

10.1. The said approval was contained in a Letter Approval Advice6 dated 17 October 2018 which was duly conformed, accepted and signed by ONE WORLD, through MR. CHUA, amounting to a total of Seven Million Pesos (Php 7,000,000.00). The approved credit facility consisted of a Loan Line in the amount of Five Million Pesos (Php 5,000,000.00) and a Domestic Bills Purchase Line amounting to Two Million Pesos (Php 2,000,000.00).7

47. From the foregoing, it is clear that the Plaintiff would not have approved and granted the credit facilities of ONE WORLD if not for the foregoing warranties, representations and covenants. The Plaintiff evidently relied in ONE WORLD’s representations that it would comply with its obligations in good faith.

55. Proceeding from this theory, the filing which came less than one year after the Borrower defaulted in its obligations supports the finding that the Borrower lacked the capacity to pay from the very moment the credit facility was availed of, rendering the initial representations of solvency and capacity fraudulent and misleading.

S h a r e s Subscribed

10. Sometime in 2018, ONE WORLD, through its President and Chairman, MR. CHUA, applied for the establishment of a credit facility with PBCOM to support its short-term working capital requirements, particularly inventory purchases. On 17 October 2018, PBCOM approved the credit facilities for One World.

46. Article 1159 of the Civil Code provides that “obligations arising from contracts have the force of law between the contracting parties and should be complied with in good faith.”

21 . Since the Borrower, ONE WORLD, defaulted in the payment of its loan obligations starting 14 December 2020, the entire amount of its loan obligations to the Plaintiff had already become immediately due and demandable.

Ownership

9. Defendant Allan Pierre D. Chua (“MR. CHUA”) is the single majority controlling stockholder and ultimate beneficial owner of ONE WORLD. In addition to being the controlling stockholder of the Borrower, MR. CHUA is the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the President of the Corporation, as well as the duly authorized representative of Corporation in the loan transaction with PBCOM.5

The Bank’s approval and release of the borrowed funds is by reason of the Borrower’s representation and warranties, and the purpose for which the loan is approved. The Borrower affirms that a violation of its representation and warranties, including the purpose for which the loan is approved is tantamount to fraud or false pretense, punishable under our penal laws. (Emphasis and underscoring supplied)

3. DEFAULT

9. GOVERNING LAW AND VENUE

9.2. Any action or suit under this Agreement or any other document related thereto shall be instituted in the proper courts of Makati City or any venue at the sole option of the BANK. (Emphasis and underscoring supplied)

45.2. In the same manner, ONE WORLD likewise acknowledged in the Promissory Notes it executed in favor of the Plaintiff that the latter’s approval and release of the borrowed funds is by reason of borrower’s representation and warranties, and that a violation of the same is tantamount to fraud or false pretense, to wit:

27. In view of the foregoing, PBCOM has been constrained to incur and will continue to incur expenses for legal services and costs of litigation, for which the Defendants must be held liable. The Plaintiff is, therefore, entitled to recover reasonable attorney’s fees in the amount of TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND PESOS (Php 200,000.00). 28. Moreover, Article 2232 of the Civil Code provides that ”[i]n contracts and quasi-contracts, the court may award exemplary damages if the defendant acted in wanton, fraudulent, reckless, oppressive, or malevolent manner.” 29. As will be extensively discussed in the allegations in support of the prayer for preliminary attachment, it will be shown that the Defendants acted in a fraudulent manner in contracting the obligation and in the performance thereof. 30. Thus, to serve as an example for the public good, and to deter the Defendants from committing the same fraudulent acts and misrepresentations, they shall also be adjudged liable to pay the Plaintiff exemplary damages in the amount of FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND PESOS (Php 500,000.00). Allegations in Support of the Prayer for Issuance of Writ of Preliminary Attachment Plaintiff hereby pleads and incorporates by reference the foregoing allegations and further states: 31. In Davao Light & Power Co., Inc. v. The Court of Appeals et al.,17 the Supreme Court laid down the requirements for the issuance of a writ of preliminary attachment: “The only pre-requisite is that the Court be satisfied, upon consideration of “the affidavit of the applicant or of some other person who personally knows the facts, that a sufficient cause of action exists, that the case is one of those mentioned in Section 1 ... (Rule 57), that there is no other sufficient security for the claim sought to be enforced by the action, and that the amount due to the applicant, or the value of the property the possession of which he is entitled to recover, is as much as the sum for which the order (of attachment) is granted above all legal counter claims.” (Emphasis and underscoring supplied) 32. The aforementioned requirements are present in the instant case. A sufficient cause of action exists against the Defendants 33. By virtue of the Continuing Surety Agreement, the Defendants had the corresponding obligation to answer for the payment of the loan obligations of ONE WORLD in case it defaulted in the payment thereof. 34. When ONE WORLD defaulted in the payment of its loan obligations to the Plaintiff starting January 2020, it became liable to the Plaintiff to pay the whole amount of its outstanding loan obligations which all became immediately due and payable. 35. In the same manner, upon default of the Borrower and upon notice of said default, the Sureties became liable jointly and severally with ONE WORLD for the payment of the whole amount of the outstanding loan obligations due to the Plaintiff. 36. Notwithstanding the formal demand for payment made to the Defendants as Sureties of ONE WORLD, however, they failed and refused, and continue to fail and refuse to settle the Plaintiff’s just and valid claim. 37. Hence, due to the Defendants ‘ unjustified refusal to honor its loan obligations, the Plaintiff has sufficient cause of action to proceed against the Sureties since they had irrevocably guaranteed the performance of ONE WORLD’s obligation for the payment of its loan obligations to the Plaintiff. The instant case falls under Section 1 (d) of Rule 57 of the Rules of Court - the Defendants committed fraud in contracting the obligation and in the performance thereof. 38. Under Section 1 (d) of the Rules of Court, a Plaintiff may have the property of the adverse party attached as security for the satisfaction of any judgment that may be recovered in an action against a party who has been guilty of fraud in contracting the debt or incurring the obligation: “Section 1. Grounds upon which attachment may issue. - At the commencement of the action or at any time before entry of judgment, a Plaintiff or any proper party may have the property of the adverse party attached as security for the satisfaction of any Judgment that may be recovered in the following cases: xxx (d) In an action against a party who has been guilty of a fraud in contracting the debt or incurring the obligation upon which the action is brought, or in the performance thereof; x x x” (Emphasis and underscoring supplied) 39. In the case of Republic of the Philippines v. Mega Pacific eSolutions, Inc. et al. 18, the Supreme Court explained the term fraud in relation to the above-mentioned provision, to wit: “Fraud may be characterized as the voluntary execution of a wrongful act or a wilful omission, while knowing and intending the effects that naturally and necessarily arise from that act or omission. In its general sense, fraud is deemed to comprise anything calculated to deceive-including all acts and omission and concealment involving a breach of legal or equitable duty, trust, or confidence justly reposed resulting in damage to or in undue advantage over another. Fraud is also described as embracing all multifarious means that human ingenuity can device, and is resorted to for the purpose of securing an advantage over another false suggestion or by suppression of truth: and it includes all surprise, trick, cunning, dissembling, and any other unfair way by which another is cheated. While fraud cannot be presumed, it need not be proved by direct evidence and can well be inferred from attendant circumstances. Fraud by its nature is not a thing susceptible of ocular observation or readily

59. Third, even the Borrower’s own audited financial statements belie its representations and warranties that it will make good of its obligations as it fall due. 60. Based on the records of ONE WORLD’s Petition for Rehabilitation, the Borrower’s 2019 Audited Financial Statement21 reflected the amount of P1,472,022.67 in its 2019 Retained Earnings. On the other hand, its interim Financial statement22 reflects a substantial increase in ONE WORLD’s corporate equity, reporting approximately P26,012,058 in Retained Earnings in the year the Petition for Rehabilitation was filed and the period immediately succeeding the loan availment. 61. The existence of these substantial retained earnings shows that the Borrower could have had the financial means to fulfill its obligation to the Plaintiff before the Petition for Rehabilitation was filed. Despite this, MR. CHUA, who directs the corporate funds as the President, Chairman, and ultimate beneficiary of ONE WORLD, maliciously chose to withhold payment and instead directed the corporation to file for rehabilitation. 62. Instead of directing the readily available retained funds toward honoring a legitimate short-term loan, MR. CHUA authorized the transfer or reclassification of that equity into nonoperational purposes. By reclassifying the foregoing corporate assets into retained earnings, MR. CHUA abused his position as President and Chairman to ensure that when the Petition for Rehabilitation was filed, the Borrower’s assets were legally siphoned off, making ONE WORLD appear insolvent while preserving his control over the converted value. 63. This reclassification effectively hollowed out the Borrower, ensuring that while the financial statements might still reflect large paper assets, ONE WORLD was deliberately stripped of the cash necessary to satisfy its creditors. 64. Verily then, the fact that MR. CHUA, the individual who executed the loan documents, is also the same person who had the corporate authority to direct the funds and signed the Verified Petition for Rehabilitation, confirms the malicious and calculated intent behind this fraudulent scheme, which severely prejudiced the Plaintiff’s ability to recover its debt. 65. Fourth and finally, the Sureties’ guarantee of full and complete payment was likewise a false representation made to the Plaintiff in order to assist ONE WORLD in securing the credit facilities. In fact, the Sureties themselves had no true intention of honoring their commitments and obligations under the surety agreement, which constitutes fraud in the contracting the obligation and in the performance thereof. 66. To emphasize and at the risk of being repetitive, MR. CHUA was the President, Chairman, and majority shareholder of ONE WORLD. It is clear that he had full knowledge and information of the transactions pertaining to the application of ONE WORLD’s credit facilities, as well as the supposed imminent risk of the Borrower’s insolvency. 67 . Despite this, the Sureties still made guarantees to the Plaintiff in its Continuing Surety Agreement that the loans will be paid in full when due. The pertinent provision of which states: The SURETIES, jointly and severally with the PRINCIPAL, hereby unconditionally and irrevocably guarantee the full and complete payment when due, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration, or otherwise, of any and all Credit Accommodations that have been granted or may be granted, renewed and/ or extended by the BANK to the PRINCIPAL. (Emphasis and underscoring supplied). 68. As it turned out, MR. CHUA already had a preconceived intention of not honoring ONE WORLD’s outstanding loan obligations with the Plaintiff. When ONE WORLD started to default shortly after the Promissory Notes were availed of, and subsequently filed a Petition for Rehabilitation less than a year after the said default, it became clear and unmistakable that the foregoing warranties, representations, covenants of MR. CHUA in his personal capacity and as a representative of ONE WORLD were all untrue. 69. Moreover, the records show that from the time the account of ONE WORLD defaulted in January 2020 up to the present and, notwithstanding the Bank’s demand to pay in the Letters dated 29 October 2025, not a single payment was received by the Bank from the Sureties, and there was no concrete proposal at all from the Sureties on how they intend to settle the loans, evincing an intentional evasion of the normal fulfillment of their obligations. 70. Clearly, MR. CHUA not only consented to the foregoing fraudulent inducement, he himself employed the same in his personal capacity and as the representative of ONE WORLD. In other words, his involvement is direct and personal. 71. With the foregoing, it is indubitable that the conduct of the Defendants, particularly MR. CHUA, established a fraudulent design or scheme to Induce PBCOM to approve the credit facilities of ONE WORLD. 72. Verily then, the combined effect of the Sureties’ own acts and personal control over the Borrower clearly demonstrates the imminent risk that the Sureties will render a final judgment in favor of the Plaintiff illusory and ineffectual. Absent the protective writ, the Surety is highly likely to continue in its fraudulent acts, causing the Plaintiff an injury that cannot be remedied by mere monetary compensation. There is no other sufficient security for the claim sought to be enforced by the action against the Defendants. 73. ONE WORLD’s outstanding loan obligations with the Plaintiff were only secured by a Continuing Surety Agreement23 dated 05 November 2018 executed by the Defendants. 74. On the other hand, as of 29 October 2025, the total outstanding loan obligations of ONE WORLD amounted to THREE MILLION EIGHT HUNDRED FIFTY-ONE THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED PESOS (Php 3,851,200.00), representing the unpaid principal amount, inclusive of partial interests, as shown by the Plaintiff’s Statements of Account on even date. 75. While the contract of suretyship is a valid and binding contractual instrument, it is merely a paper promise or a contractual right. In the context of the present action, this security is rendered utterly insufficient because the Defendants are in active breach of their obligation. 76. The purpose of the suretyship was to guarantee the payment of the principal loan. The Defendants’ continued refusal to pay upon demand converts the security instrument itself into the claim sought to be enforced, meaning the Plaintiff is suing on the security rather than relying on the security to cover the claim. 77. Given that the Borrower is judicially declared insolvent and in liquidation, and the Sureties as the remaining obligors are deliberately refusing to honor their absolute commitment, the Bank has no property, chattel, or monetary deposit that can be foreclosed or applied to the debt. 78. Thus, even if a favorable judgment is obtained by the Plaintiff against the Defendants, there will be no sufficient security for the enforcement of its claim since there is a huge disparity between the claim of the Plaintiff and the existing security. 79. The only recourse left to the Plaintiff to ensure that the eventual money judgment is not illusory is the

Manila

Standard B4 FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2026 TODAY

immediate application for the writ of preliminary attachment against the Sureties’ tangible properties. The writ of preliminary attachment is thus mandatory to secure the satisfaction of the judgment and prevent the total loss of the Bank’s recovery. The amount due to the Plaintiff, or the value of the property the possession of which it is entitled to recover, is as much as the sum for which the order is granted above all legal counterclaims. 80. The amount due to the Plaintiff is sufficient to warrant the issuance of the writ of preliminary attachment, consistent with the requirement of Rule 57 of the Rules of Court that the sum granted must be above all legal counterclaims. 81 . The Plaintiff’s cause of action is based on a demandable obligation arising from the executed Promissory Notes by the Borrower and guaranteed by the Surety. The amount due is fixed as detailed in the preceding paragraphs and supported by the annexed documents. 82. As previously pointed out, as of 29 October 2025,24 the outstanding loan obligations of ONE WORLD amounted to THREE MILLION EIGHT HUNDRED FIFTY -ONE THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED PESOS (Php 3,851,200.00), representing the unpaid principal amount, inclusive of partial interests, as shown in the Plaintiff’s Statement of Account on even date. 83. The foregoing amount, plus the estimated amount for Attorney’s Fees and Exemplary Damages as herein prayed for can be secured by the issuance of a writ of preliminary attachment over the above-stated properties in case an order be issued granting the same. 84. Furthermore, the Defendants’ obligation cannot be denied, being evidenced by the fully executed loan documents as exhaustively discussed above. Crucially, the fraudulent scheme orchestrated by the Sureties is designed purely to evade payment. Allowing a defense or counterclaim based on these malicious acts would reward the Defendants’ fraud and violate the principles of equity. 85. Accordingly, the Plaintiff’s total claim should stand above all valid legal counterclaims and is consequently entitled to the issuance of a writ of preliminary attachment. 86. Based on the foregoing, all the requisites for the issuance of a writ of preliminary attachment are present. The overall conduct of the Defendants showed the commission of fraud both in contracting the obligation and in the performance thereof, which warrants the issuance of a writ of preliminary attachment against them. 87. The Plaintiff identifies herein properties of the Sureties which may be subjected to a writ of preliminary attachment:

Title Number CCT No. 004- 202000326225 CCT No. 004-202000260226

Location

Registry of Deeds

Parking Slot 226 Podium Level 2, Grass Residence Tower 4, Quezon City

Quezon City

Unit 2337 Fern @ Grass Residence

Quezon City

88. The Plaintiff is ready and willing to post a bond in the amount determined by the Honorable Court in its order upon the granting of the writ of preliminary attachment executed in favor the Defendants, conditioned that it will pay all the costs which may be adjudged to them, and all damages which they may sustain by reason of attachment, if the Honorable Court shall finally adjudge that the Plaintiff was not entitled thereto.

92. The Plaintiff will present the following documentary and object evidence in support of the Complaint:

ANNEX

DOCUMENT

Special Power of Attorney

Secretary Certificate

Gisella Chua

Articles of Incorporation

2018 General Information Sheet

Secretary’s Certificate of One World Music and Sports, Inc. duly notarized on 05 November 2018

Letter Approval Advice

Credit Agreement Domestic Bills Purchase Line Agreement

Promissory Note No. PN LD 1919243957

Promissory Note No. PN LD 1931040507

Promissory Note No. LD 1932420001

Continuing Surety Agreement

Statement of Account as of 29 October 2025

Final Demand to Pay doted 29 October 2025

Affidavit of Service duly notarized on 11 November 2025

LBC Track and Trace

P-1

LBC Receipt No.: 81216650128 dated 30 October 2025

Affidavit of Service duly notarized on 30 October 2025

Q-1

Receiving copy of the Final Demand to Pay

Secretary’s Certificate of One World Music and Sports, Inc. duly notarized on 07 December 2020

Verification and Certification for the Petition for Rehabilitation duly notarized on 07 December 2020

2019 Audited Financial Statement of One World Music & Sports, Inc.

Interim Financial statement of One World Music & Sports, Inc. duly notarized on 07 December 2020

Affidavit of Merit executed by ATTY. GIRLIE ISABEL D. UMALI-REQUIZO

Judicial Affidavit of Girlie Isabel D. Umali-Requizo

3. To prove that ONE WORLD executed in favor of PBCOM a Credit Agreement, a Domestic Bills Purchase Line Agreement and various Promissory Notes under the approved credit facilities evidencing its loan obligations with PBCOM; 4. To prove that the existing loan obligations of ONE WORLD were secured by a Continuing Surety Agreement executed by Defendant Mr. Chua which was duly notarized on 05 November 2018, and signed with marital conformity of Mr. Chua’s wife, Mrs. Gemma L. Chua (“Mrs. Chua”) (collectively, Mr. and Mrs. Chua will be referred to as “Sureties”) ;

9. To prove that ONE WORLD filed a Petition for Rehabilitation with the Regional Trial Court of Valenzuela City, docketed as SP Proc. No. 19-V-20. 10. To prove that after due proceedings, the Rehabilitation Court found that the Borrower’s financial rehabilitation was no longer feasible. After which, Rehabilitation Court issued a Liquidation Order, converting the proceedings into corporate liquidation. 11. To prove that as of 29 October 2025, the outstanding loan obligations of ONE WORLD amounted to THREE MILLION EIGHT HUNDRED FIFTY-ONE THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED PESOS (Php 3,851,200.00), representing the unpaid principal amount, inclusive of partial interests, as shown in the Plaintiff’s Statement of Account on even date. 12. To prove that the Sureties shall be jointly and severally liable upon notice of the default; 13. To prove that PBCOM sent a final demand to pay to the Sureties demanding the payment of the outstanding loan obligations of ONE WORLD; 1 4. To prove that despite written formal demand, the Sureties, failed and refused, and continue to fail and refuse to settle ONE WORLD’s outstanding loan obligations; 15. To prove that by reason of Defendants continued failure and unjustified refusal to pay the outstanding loan obligations of ONE WORLD, PBCOM was constrained to initiate a legal action against the Defendants; 16. To prove the veracity and due execution of the Affidavit of Merit executed relative to PBCOM’s application for issuance of writ of preliminary attachment; 17. To prove that PBCOM is entitled to the issuance of a writ of preliminary attachment; 18. To prove that: (i) PBCOM has sufficient cause of action against the Defendants when the Sureties unjustifiably refused to pay the obligations of One World; (ii) the Defendants committed fraud in contracting their obligation and in the performance thereof; (iii) there is no other sufficient security for the Plaintiff’s claim; and (iv) the amount due to the Plaintiff is as much as the sum for which the order may be granted above all legal counterclaims. 19. To prove that the Defendants employed acts constituting fraud in the course of ensuring that ONE WORLD would be able to secure the approved credit facilities; 20. To prove that PBCOM is entitled to claim for Attorney’s Fees and Exemplary Damages. 21. To identify documents relevant to the above captioned case including her judicial affidavit; and 22. To prove all other related matters, facts, and circumstances relevant and material to the Complaint.

20%

2,500

Member

7. Sometime in 2018, ONE WORLD, through its President and Chairman, MR. CHUA, applied for the establishment of a credit facility with PBCOM to support its short-term working capital requirements, particularly inventory purchases. On 17 October 2018, PBCOM approved the credit facilities for One World.

Promissory Note. Date (month/day /year)

MaturityDate

Original Loan Amount

1. LD1919243957

07/11/19

01/07/20

P 2,573,000.00

2. LD1931 040507

11/05/19

04/28/20

P 2,427,000.00

3. LD1932420001

11/20/19

04/28/20

P 1,079,367.30

TOTAL

6,079,367.30

8. As an indispensable condition for the grant of the loan facility, the Bank required a solidary guarantee to secure the obligations of ONE WORLD. Thus, a Continuing Surety Agreement was likewise executed by MR. CHUA in his personal capacity. The same was duly notarized on 05 November 2018 and signed with marital conformity of MR. CHUA’s wife, Gemma L. Chua (“MRS. CHUA”). 9. By virtue of the surety agreement, the Defendants Spouses CHUA bound themselves solidarily and jointly liable with the Borrower for the prompt payment of the entire loan, including all interests, penalties, and charges. Thus:

1.1 The SURETIES, jointly and severally with the PRINCIPAL, hereby unconditionally and irrevocably guarantee the full and complete payment when due, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, of any and all Credit Accommodations that have been granted or may be granted, renewed and/or extended by the BANK to the PRINCIPAL. xxx 1.5 The liability of the SURETIES shall be direct and Immediate and not contingent upon the pursuit by the BANK of whatever remedies it may have against the PRINCIPAL or the securities or liens it or they may possess, and the SURETIES will, at any time on demand, whether due or not due, jointly and severally pay to the BANK any obligations of the PRINCIPAL. 10. Ultimately, the Plaintiff subsequently approved the application of the credit facilities of ONE WORLD based on the following considerations:

PRAYER WHEREFORE, premises considered, it is respectfully prayed that the Honorable Court: 1. Immediately upon filing of the instant Complaint with the attached Affidavit of Merit, and the posting and approval of the requisite bond, ISSUE a WRIT OF PRELIMINARY ATTACHMENT against the properties, real or personal, including the garnishment of bank deposits of Defendants Mr. Allan Pierre D. Chua and Mrs. Gemma L. Chua; and 2. After trial on the merits, render judgment in favor of Plaintiff PBCOM, and against Defendants Mr. Allan Pierre D. Chua and Mrs. Gemma L. Chua ordering them to pay jointly and severally as follows:

10.1. ONE WORLD, through MR. CHUA as its President and Chairman, made representations, warranties and covenants during the negotiations for the application of its credit facilities that it has good business, sufficient cash flow and resources, and generally more than adequate ability to repay its debts. 10.2. The Continuing Surety Agreement executed by MR. CHUA in his personal capacity, with marital conformity of Mrs. Chua, provided an absolute and unconditional guarantee for the full and complete payment of the entire obligation of the Borrower. 11. Subsequently, however, ONE WORLD, defaulted on the loan obligations, as follows:

2.1. The total of the outstanding loan obligations amounting to THREE MILLION EIGHT HUNDRED FIFTY –ONE THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED PESOS (Php 3,851,200.00), representing the unpaid principal amount. inclusive of partial interests as of 29 October 2025.

11.1 After the availment of its last credit facility on 20 November 2019, the Borrower started incurring past due obligations, failing to meet the scheduled principal and Interest payments beginning January 2020.

2.2. The amount of TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND PESOS (Php 200,000.00) as attorney’s fees;

11.2. Worse, on 14 December 2020, the Borrower filed Petition for Rehabilitation with the Regional Trial Court of Valenzuela City, docketed as SP Proc. No. 19-V-20.

2.3. The amount of FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND PESOS (Php 500,000.00) as Exemplary Damages;

11.3. After due proceedings, the Rehabilitation Court found that the Borrower’s financial rehabilitation was no longer feasible. Consequently, on 28 July 2021, Rehabilitation Court issued a liquidation Order, converting the proceedings into corporate liquidation.

2.4. Interests on th e obligation until fully paid; and

11.4. Pursuant to the provisions of the Credit Agreement, the filing of a Petition for Rehabilitation and the subsequent declaration of insolvency and liquidation, as well as the failure to pay when due, both constitute separate and distinct Events of Default. Consequently, all unpaid loan obligations of the Borrower have become immediately due and payable. Thus:

2.5. The c osts of suit. Other reliefs just and equitable under the premises are likewise prayed for. Makati City for Mandaluyong City, ___________________

10. Events of Default. The Borrower shall be considered without need of any other or further act or deed in case any of the following events (“Event of Default”) shall occur:

REFUERZO AGNES AND ASSOCIATES Counsel for Philippine Bank of Communications 2nd Floor PBCOM Tower 6795 Ayala Avenue corner V.A. Rufino Street, Makati City 1226 Tel. No.: 8830-7000 litigationdivision@pbcom.com.ph

6. To prove that PBCOM likewise approved the application of ONE WORLD’s credit facilities based on its representations, warranties, and covenants during the negotiations for the application of its credit facilities that it has good business. sufficient cash flow and resources, and generally more than adequate ability to repay its debts which were constantly acknowledged by ONE WORLD, through its President and Chairman, Mr. Chua, in the various representations, warranties and covenants it declared in the loan and other related documents it executed with PBCOM;

8. To prove that shortly after the availment of the Promissory Notes, ONE WORLD defaulted in the payment of its loan obligations starting around January 2020;

Member

“1. LIABILITIES OF SURETIES

93. The Plaintiff respectfully reserves the right to present additional documents and other related evidence, with leave of court, as shall become necessary and desirable in the course of the trial, Further, Plaintiff reserves the right to mark and adopt, as its own, documents which the Defendants may present that are not available to the Plaintiff or are currently only in the possession of Defendants.

5. To prove that PBCOM allowed the approval of the credit facilities of ONE WORLD conditioned upon its commitment to payoff the due, maturing and demandable loan obligations;

7. To prove that in addition to the representations made by ONE WORLD through Mr. Chua, PBCOM approved the application of the credit facility pursuant to the security made by the Sureties themselves which provided an absolute and unconditional guarantee for the full and complete payment of the entire obligation of ONE WORLD.

250

6. Defendant Allan Pierre D. Chua ( “MR. CHUA” ) is the single majority controlling stockholder and ultimate beneficial owner of ONE WORLD. In addition to being the controlling stockholder of the Borrower, MR. CHUA is the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the President of the Corporation, as well as the duly authorized representative of Corporation in the loan transaction with PBCOM.

Promissory Note No.

Witness to be Presented and Summary of Intended Testimony

2. To prove that the approval of the application of the credit facilities of ONE WORLD was contained in the Letter Approval Advice dated 1 7 October 2018 which was duly conformed, accepted, and signed by ONE WORLD, through its President and Chairman, Defendant Allan Pierre D. Chua (“Mr. Chua”) amounting to a total of SEVEN MILLION PESOS (Php 7,000,000.00);

c. Various Promissory Notes, showing the outstanding availments under the Loan Line, with the following details:

CCT No. CCT No. 004-2020002602

1. To prove that on 17 October 2018, Philippine Bank of Communications (“ PBCOM”) approved the application of the credit facilities for ONE WORLD MUSIC AND SPORTS INC. (“ONE WORLD”);

Member

b Domestic Bills Purchase Line Agreement duly notarized on 05 November 2018 for the acceptance of the bills purchase line extended by Plaintiff to ONE WORLD;

ATTY. GIRLIE ISABEL D. UMALI-REQUIZO, 28 Division Head of PBCOM RMD.

625

a. Credit Agreement duly notarize on 13 November 2018 for the short-term credit accommodations extended by Plaintiff to ONE WORLD;

CCT No. 004-2020003262

SUMMARY OF INTENDED TESTIMONY

Andrea

7.2. The following loan and other related documents were executed by ONE WORLD, all of which were signed by MR. CHUA, under the approved credit facilities:

NAME OF WITNESS

7.1. The said approval was contained in a Letter Approval Advice dated 17 October 2018 which was duly conformed, accepted and signed by ONE WORLD, through MR. CHUA, amounting to a total of Seven Million Pesos (Php 7,000,000.00). The approved credit facility consisted of a Loan Line in the amount of Five Million Pesos (Php 5,000,000.00) and a Domestic Bills Purchase Line amounting to Two Million Pesos (Php 2,000,000.00).

89. In further support of the application for the issuance of a writ of preliminary attachment, Plaintiff submits the Affidavit of Merit executed by Atty. Girlie Isabel D. Umali-Requizo, Division Head of PBCOM-Remedial Management Division. 27

90. The Plaintiff will present:

Anne

Ryan C. Garganta

Patricia Mateo

10.1. The Borrower shall fail to pay when due any amount payable hereunder; xxx 10.5. The Borrower or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates shall become insolvent or unable to pay its debt as they mature, shall commit an act of bankruptcy or insolvency, or shall file any petition for dissolution, suspension of payments or any action for relief under any bankruptcy, reorganization, rehabilitation, insolvency, moratorium, or other laws for the relief of debtors, or any dissolution, insolvency or bankruptcy petition or proceeding shall be commenced or filed against the Borrower or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates under such laws. or any judgment or order is entered by a court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a receiver, trustee or the like to take charge of all or substantially all of the assets of the Borrower, its subsidiaries or affiliates; x x x

By: JOHN PAUL M. REFUERZO Roll of Attorneys No. 50514 IBP No. 508758/PPLM Chapter/01-15-2025 PTR No.1 0476025/ Makati City/1-08-2025 MCLE Compliance No. VIII-0036263/05-27-25 Email: JPMRefuerzo@pbcom.com.ph

11. Consequences of Default. If any Event of Default occurs: 11.1 PBCOM may, at its sole discretion, treat the whole obligation, its principal and accrued interest and other charges, penalties, if any, as immediately due, payable and defaulted, without the necessity of demand, presentment or notice by PBCOM to the Borrower, all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Borrower and its guarantors and sureties, if any. Where applicable, PBCOM shall declare the Credit Facility under this Agreement terminated and the obligation of PBCOM to maintain the Credit Facility shall terminate; x x x

(Sgd.) JERRY P. AGNES JR. Roll of Attorneys No. 58709 IBP No. 487415/PPLM Chapter/12-26-2024 PTR No. MKTl 0476021/ Makati City/1-08-2025 MCLE Compliance No. VIII-0021 056/02-04-2025 Email: JPAgnesjr@pbcom.com.ph

11.5. In the same manner, the Promissory Notes provide that in case of failure to pay when due any amount payable to the Plaintiff, the whole sum remaining unpaid shall become immediately due and payable:

(Sgd.) MERCEDITA Q. GALVEZ Roll of Attorneys No. 85789 IBP No. 516658 / Bulacan Chapter /01-15-2025 PTR No. 7705037 / Quezon City / 06-03-2025 MCLE Compliance No. VIII-0036722/05-28-2025 Email: MQGalvez@pbcom.com.ph ---------------------------------------------------------------------------1 Machine copies of the Special Power of Attorney and Secretary Certificate are attached hereto and made an integral part hereof as Annexes “A” and “B”, respectively. 2 As evinced in the Continuing Surety Agreement duly notarized on 05 November 2018 attached hereto as Annex “L”, 3 As evinced in the machine copy of the Articles of Incorporation of One World Music and Sports, Inc. which is attached hereto and made an integral part hereof as Annex “C”. 4 A machine copy of the 2019 General Information Sheet of One World Music and Sports, Inc. is attached hereto and made an integral part hereof as Annex “D”. 5 A machine copy of the Secretary’s Certificate of One World Music and Sports, Inc. duly notarized on 05 November 2018 is attached hereto and made an integral part hereof as Annex “E”. 6 A machine copy of the Letter Approval Advice dated 17 October 2018 is attached hereto and made an integral part hereof as Annex “F”. 7 As evinced in the Letter Approval Advice dated 17 October 2018, herein attached as Annex “F”. 8 A machine copy of the Credit Agreement duly notarized on 13 November 2018 is attached hereto and made an integral part hereof as Annex “G”. 9 A machine copy of the Domestic Bills Purchase Line Agreement duly notarized on 05 November 2018 is attached hereto and made an integral part hereof as Annex “H”. 10 Machine copies of the Promissory Notes are attached hereto and made an integral part hereof as Annexes “I”, “J”, and “K” , respectively. 11 A machine copy of the Continuing Surety Agreement duly notarized on 05 November 2018 is attached hereto and made an integral part hereof as Annex “L”. 12 A machine copy of the Statement of Account as of 29 October 2025 is attached hereto and made an integral part hereof as Annex “M”, 13 A machine copy of the Final Demand to Pay dated 29 October 2025 is attached hereto and made an integral part hereof as Annex “N”, , 14 A machine copy of the Affidavit of Service duly notarized on 11 November 2025 is attached hereto and made an integral part hereof as Annex “O”. 15 Machine copies of the LBC Track and Trace and the LBC Receipt No.: 81216650128 dated 30 October 2025 are attached hereto and made an Integral parl hereof as Annexes “P” and “P-1”, respectively. 16 Machine copies of the Affidavit or Service duly notarized on 30 October 2025 and the receiving copy of the letter are attached hereto and made an integral part hereof as Annexes “Q” and “Q- 1”, respectively. 17 G.R. No. 93262. December 29, 1991. 18 G.R. No. 184666. June 27, 2016. 19 A machine copy of the Secretary’s Certificate of One World Music and Sports, Inc. duly notarized on 07 December 2020 is attached hereto and made on Integral part hereof as Annex “R”, 20 A machine copy of the Verification and Certification for the Petition for Rehabilitation duly notarized on 07 December 2020 is attached hereto and made an integral part hereof as Annex “S”, 21 A machine copy of the Interim Financial Statement of One World Music and Sports. Inc. duly notarized on 07 December 2020 is attached hereto and made an integral part hereof as Annex “T”. 22 A machine copy of the Interim Financial Statement of One World Music and Sports. Inc. duly notarized on 07 December 2020 is attached hereto and made an integral part hereof as Annex “U”. 23 As evinced In the Continuing Surety Agreement herein attached as Annex “L”. 24 A machine copy of the Statement of Account as of 29 October 2025 is attached hereto and made an Integral part hereof as Annex “M”. 25 A machine copy of CCT No. 004•2020003262 is atlached hereto and made an integral part hereof as Annex “V”. 26 A machine copy of CCT No. CCl No. 004-2020002602 is altached hereto and made an integral part hereof as Annex “W”. 27 The Affldavlt of Merlt executed by Any. GIRLIE ISABEL D. UMALI-REQUIZO is attached hereto and mode on integral part hereof as Annex “X”. 28 The Judicial Affidavit of Girlie Isabel D. Umali-Requizo is attached hereto and made an integral part hereof as Annex “Y”. ANNEX “X”

Republic of the Philippines } Makati City } S.S.

AFFIDAVIT OF MERIT (In Support of the Application for Issuance of Writ of Preliminary Attachment) I, ATTY. GIRLIE ISABEL D. UMALI-REQUIZO, of legal age, with . office address at 2nd Floor PBCOM Tower, 6795 Ayala Avenue corner V.A. Rufino St., Makati City 1226, after having been duly sworn to in accordance with law, hereby depose and state: 1 . I am the Head of the Philippine Bank of Communications (“PBCOM”) Remedial Management Division Corporate and Commercial Banking Group, and have handled and monitored the account of ONE WORLD MUSIC AND SPORTS, INC. (“ONE WORLD” and/or “Borrower” ) with PBCOM; 2. I am the responsible officer who monitored and supervised the collection efforts for the account of One World. I was likewise the one who assessed the possible remedial measures which PBCOM may resort to regarding this account; 3. On behalf of PBCOM, I was authorized to file a Complaint for Collection of Sum of Money and Damages with Prayer for Issuance of Writ of Preliminary Attachment against the Sureties of ONE WORLD, Sps. Allan Pierre D. Chua and Gemma L. Chua, for their default in the payment of the ONE WORLD’s loan obligations; 4. ONE WORLD MUSIC AND SPORTS INC. is one of the clients of the Plaintiff. The company is engaged in the business of buying and selling of general merchandise including but not limited to sports equipment, music instruments, accessories and other related products. 5. Based on its 2019 General Information Sheet, the ownership and management structure of ONE WORLD is as follows:

Name

Ownership

Shares Subscribed

Board

91. The Plaintiff respectfully reserves the right to present additional witnesses, with leave of court, as shall become necessary and desirable in the course of the trial.

Allan Pierre D. Chua

50%

6,250

Chairman

Documentary and Object Evidence in Support of the Complaint

Ma. Cristina M. Ong

23%

2,875

Member

“Upon the happening of any of the following Events of Default, the whole sum remaining unpaid under this Note shall become immediately due and payable without demand or notice: a. The Borrower shall fail to pay when due any amount payable hereunder; x x x” (Emphasis and underscoring supplied) 12. As of 29 October 2025, the outstanding loan obligations of ONE WORLD amounted to THREE MILLION EIGHT HUNDRED FIFTY-ONE THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED PESOS (Php 3,851,200.00), representing the unpaid principal amount, inclusive of partial interests, as shown in the Plaintiff’s Statement of Account on even date. 13. Considering that the Borrower had already defaulted and all its loan obligations became immediately due and payable, the Defendants, pursuant to the Continuing Surety Agreement they executed, shall also be jointly and severally liable upon notice of said default. 13.1. In their Continuing Surety Agreement with the Plaintiff, the Defendants bound themselves jointly and severally liable with ONE WORLD to unconditionally and irrevocably guarantee the full and complete payment when due of any and all credit accommodations that have been granted or may be granted, renewed and/or extended by 1he Plaintiff to ONE WORLD, to wit: “1. LIABILITIES OF SURETIES 1.1 The SURETIES, jointly and severally with the PRINCIPAL, hereby unconditionally and irrevocably guarantee the full and complete payment when due, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration, or otherwise of any and all Credit Accommodations that have been granted or may be granted, renewed and/or extended by the BANK to the PRINCIPAL. xxx 1 .5 The liability of the SURETIES shall be direct and immediate and not contingent upon the pursuit by the BANK of whatever remedies it may have against the PRINCIPAL or the securities or liens it or they may possess, and the SURETIES will, at any time on demand, whether due or not due, jointly and severally pay to the BANK any obligations of the PRINCIPAL. xxx 3. DEFAULT 3.1. If the BANK shall declare the obligations of the PRINCIPAL to be due and payable because of the happening of any of the events of default as defined in the instrument evidencing said obligations, the SURETIES, upon receipt of written notice from the BANK, shall forthwith pay to the BANK the full amount of sold obligation, without need of demand, protest or notice of any kind, other than the notice provided herein, all of which are likewise expressly waived the SURETIES.” (Emphasis and underscoring supplied) 14. Accordingly, the Plaintiff sent a Final Demand Letter to the Defendants as Sureties of ONE WORLD on 29 October 2025, demanding the payment of the outstanding loan obligations of ONE WORLD as a matter of course. 15. The letter was served at the Defendants’ address on record at 10 Northern Polytech University Hills Subdivision, Malabon City and was duly effected through the following modes: a. Via Private Courier: Receipt was duly acknowledged by one Meriam Lopez, who identified herself as a housemaid of the residence stated above. As proof thereto, the Affidavit of Service executed by Mr. Mario E. Cabungcal, Jr. dated 11 November 2025, the LBC Track and Trace, and the LBC Receipt No.: 81216650128 dated 30 October 2025, are all attached hereto as part of the annexes; b. Via Personal Service: The letter was served to one Nancy Anne Lopez who identified herself as a house caretaker at the address above-stated. As proof thereto, the Affidavit of Service executed by Mr. Mario E. Cabungcal, Jr. dated 30 October 2025 and the receiving copy of the letter are likewise attached hereto as part of the annexes. 16. Despite formal written demand, however, the Defendants failed and refused, and continue to fail and refuse to settle ONE WORLD’s outstanding loan obligations to the Plaintiff. 17. Thus, by reason of the Defendants’ continued failure and unjustified refusal to pay the outstanding loan obligations of ONE WORLD, the Plaintiff was constrained to file the instant action with prayer for issuance of writ of preliminary attachment. 18. PBCOM has a sufficient and valid cause of action against the defendants. There is no other sufficient security for the claim sought to be enforced by the plaintiff, and that the amount due to the latter, or the value of the properly the possession of which it is entitled to recover, is as much as the sum for which the order of writ is granted above all legal counterclaims; 19 As advised, Section 1 (d), Rule 57 of the Rules of Court provides, as follows: “Section 1. Grounds upon which attachment may issue - At the commencement of the action or at any time before entry of judgment, a plaintiff or any proper party may have the property of the adverse party attached as security for the satisfaction of any judgment that may be recovered in the following cases: xxx (d) In an action against a party who has been guilty of a fraud in contracting the debt or incurring the obligation upon which the action is brought, or in the performance thereof;’” 20. This case is one of those mentioned in Rule 57, Section of the Rules of Court when a writ of preliminary attachment may issue. The present action is against a party who has been guilty of fraud both in contracting the debt or incurring the obligation upon which the action is brought, and in the performance thereof; 21. In this case, the grave and irreparable injury necessary to justify the issuance of the writ of preliminary attachment arises from the Sureties’ actions which constitute a pattern of fraud, bad faith and maIicious evasion that far exceeds a simple inability to pay. 22. As will be further explained below, the sequence of events surrounding the execution and performance of the obligation herein conclusively established the foregoing fraudulent scheme of the Sureties, focusing on the malicious role of the Defendants, particularly MR. CHUA’s calculated involvement in each stage of evasion. 23. First, it must be stressed that MR. CHUA served as both the President and Chairman of the Board of ONE WORLD. He is likewise the single majority shareholder, the ultimate beneficial owner, the authorized representative of the Borrower, and the single individual who executed the Credit Agreement, the Domestic Bills

Manila

Standard

FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2026

TODAY

Purchase Line Agreement, the various Promissory Notes, and all other key loan documents of the Borrower, for and on behalf of ONE WORLD. Consequently, this places full knowledge and control over the Borrower directly on him. 24. During the negotiations for the application of its credit facilities, ONE WORLD through MR. CHUA, made commitments to the Plaintiff that its outstanding loan obligations will be paid as they fall due or mature. 25. The Plaintiff approved the application of the credit facilities of ONE WORLD based on its representations, warranties, and covenants that it has good business, sufficient cash flow and resources, and generally more than adequate ability to repay its debts.

in case an order be issued granting the same. 65. Furthermore, the Defendants’ obligation cannot be denied, being evidenced by the fully executed loan documents as exhaustively discussed above. Crucially, the fraudulent scheme orchestrated by the Sureties is designed purely to evade payment. Allowing a defense or counterclaim based on these malicious acts would reward the Defendants’ fraud and violate the principles of equity. 66. Accordingly, the Plaintiff’s total claim should stand above all valid legal counterclaims and is consequently entitled to the issuance of a writ of preliminary attachment.

26. These representations, warranties and covenants made by ONE WORLD, through MR. CHUA, are constantly acknowledged in the loan and other related documents it executed in favor of the Plaintiff.

67. Based on the foregoing, all the requisites for the issuance of a Writ of preliminary attachment are present. The overall conduct of the Defendants showed the commission of fraud both In contracting the obligation and in the performance thereof, which warrants the issuance of a writ of preliminary attachment against them.

26.1. Under the Credit Agreement, ONE WORLD, through MR. CHUA, made the following representations, warranties, and covenants with respect to its existing credit facilities with the Plaintiff:

68. The Plaintiff identifies herein properties of the Sureties which may be subjected to a writ of preliminary attachment:

6. Representation and Warranties. The Borrower represents and warrants that: xxx 6.10. The maintenance of the Credit Facility is premised on the Borrower’s continued ability to service its obligation to its creditors. Accordingly, the Borrower hereby warrants that while any of the Credit Obligations remain unpaid, the Borrower shall at all times have sufficient liquid assets to meet operating requirements and pay all its/his debts as they fall due. Failure of the Borrower to pay any maturing interest, principal or other charges under the Credit Facility shall be conclusive evidence of violation of this warranty. 6.11 PBCOM’s approval and release of the borrowed funds is by reason of the Borrower’s representation and warranties, and the purpose for which the loan is approved. The Borrower affirms that a violation of its representations and warranties, including the purpose for which the loan is approved is tantamount to fraud or false pretense, punishable under Philippine penal laws. xxx 7. Affirmative Covenants. The Borrower covenants and agrees that during the term of the Credit Facility and until full payment of the full amount due hereunder, unless PBCOM shall otherwise consent in writing, the Borrower shall: xxx

7.5. Pay promptly when due, any and all sums becoming due under this Agreement before the same shall become in default; (Emphasis and underscoring supplied)

26.2. In the same manner, ONE WORLD likewise acknowledged in the Promissory Notes it executed in favor of the Plaintiff that the latter’s approval and release of the borrowed funds is by reason of borrower’s representation and warranties, and that a violation of the same is tantamount to fraud or false pretense, to wit: The Bank’s approval and release of the borrowed funds is by reason of the Borrower’s representation and warranties, and the purpose for which the loan is approved. The Borrower affirms that a violation of Its representation and warranties, including the purpose for which the loan is approved is tantamount to fraud or false pretense, punishable under our penal laws. (Emphasis and underscoring supplied) 27. Article 1159 of the Civil Code provides that "obligations arising from contracts have the force of law between the contracting parties and should be complied with in good faith.”

Title Number

Location

Considering that the defendants are sureties to One World’s obligations to the plaintiff as per the Continuing Surety Agreement, the Court deems it judicious to attach defendants’ properties so much as may be sufficient to satisfy plaintiffs demands ACCORDINGLY, the Application for the Issuance of Writ of Preliminary Attachment is hereby GRANTED. Plaintiff PHILIPPINE BANK OF COMMUNICATIONS is DIRECTED, within ten (10) days from receipt of this Order, to post an attachment bond in the amount of Three Million Eight Hundred FiftyOne Thousand and Two Hundred Pesos (P3,851,200.00) executed in favor of defendants-spouses ALLAN PIERRE D. CHUA and GEMMA L. CHUA, subject to the following conditions: (1) That the plaintiff will pay all costs which may be adjudged to the defendants; and

Registry of Deeds

CCT No. 004-2020003262

Parking Slot 226 Podium Level 2, Grass Residence Tower 4, Quezon City

Quezon City

(2) That the plaintiff will pay all damages which the defendants may sustain by reason of attachment, if the court shall finally adjudge that the plaintiff was not entitled thereto.

CCT No. 004-2020002602

Unit 2337 Fern @ Grass Residence

Quezon City

Set this case for Monitoring Hearing on the Posting of Attachment Bond on 07 April 2026 at 8 :30 o’clock in the morning.

69. The Plaintiff is ready and willing to post a bond in the amount determined by the Honorable Court in its order upon the granting of the writ of preliminary attachment executed in favor the Defendants, conditioned that it will pay all the costs which may be adjudged to them, and all damages which they rnay sustain by reason of attachment, if the Honorable Court shall finally adjudge that the Plaintiff was not entitled thereto. 70. I am executing this Affidavit to attest to the truth or the foregoing and to support PBCOM’s application (or issuance of a writ of preliminary attachment against the Defendants.

SO ORDERED, Mandaluyong City, 24 March 2026 (Sgd.) GLORIA MONICA S. LOPEZ Presiding Judge

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 27 NOV 25 in Makati City.

RTC279/GMSL/egh (Sgd.) ATTY. GIRLlE ISABEL D. UMALI-REQUIZO Affiant

Copy furnished: PHILIPPINE BANK OF COMMUNICATIONS - Plaintiff PBCOM Tower 6795 Ayala Avenue corner V.A. Rufino Street, Makati City

SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me this 27 NOV 2025 in MAKATI CITY affiant exhibiting to me her Driver’s License No. N02-01-444492 valid until June 17, 2033, as competent evidence of identity, in accordance With the prevailing and applicable provisions of the Notarial Law, as amended.

REFUERZO AGNES AND ASSOCIATES – Counsel for the Plaintiff 2nd Floor PBCOM Tower 6795 Ayala Avenue comer V.A. Rufino Street, Makati City E-mail litigationdivision@pbcom.com.ph SPOUSES ALLAN PIERRE D. CHUA AND GEMMA L. CHUA - Defendants (1) No 10 North Polytech, University Hills Subdivision, Malabon City

Doc. No. 310; Page No. 63; Book No. I; Series of 2025.

Record, pp. 1 -34 Id at pp 275-293 See Exhibit C” and series, Certificate of Incorporation of One World Music and Sports, lnc , Id. at pp. 413-431. 4 See Exhibit “D” and series Letter of Approval dated 17 October 2018, Id at pp. 223-228 5 Record pp. 239-246 6 Id at pp 247-248 7 See Exhibits “H” . “I” and “J”. Promissory Notes with PN Nos. LD19-192-43957. LD 19-310-40507. and LD 19-324- 200001; Id al pp 249-260 8 Record, pp. 261-264 9 See Exhibit “U”, Verification and Certification for Petition for Rehabilitation Record, pp 29 -299 10 See Exhibit “L”, Statement of Account (As of 29 October 2025) Id at p 265 11 See Exhibit “P”, receiving copy of Demand Letter dated 29 October 2025; Id at pp. 346-347. 12 See Exhibit “Y”, Condominium Certificate of Title No 004-2020002602, Id .at pp 325-328 13 See Exhibit X” Condominium Certificate of Title No 004-2020003262, ld at pp 322-324 14 See Exhibit•”Z” Judicial Affidavit of Atty Girlie Isabel D. Umali-Requizo, Id at pp. 167-198 15 See Exhibit “DD”, Judicial Affidavit of Mario E. Cabungcal, Jr., Id a pp, 35 16 See UEM Mara Philippines Corporation v Alejandro Ng Wee, GR. No. 206563 (14 October 2020). 17 G R No 219345 (30 January 2017) 18 See Security Bank Corporation v. Great Wall Commercial Press Company, Inc et al, G.R. No. 219345 (30 January 2017). 2 3

28. From the foregoing, it is clear that the Plaintiff would not have approved and granted the credit facilities of ONE WORLD if not for the foregoing warranties, representations and covenants. The Plaintiff evidently relied in ONE WORLD’s representations that it would comply with its obligations in good faith. 29. To emphasize and at the risk of being repetitive, when the Borrower, through MR. CHUA, availed the credit facilities in July and November 2019, the Borrower represented, among others, that (1) it possessed the financial capacity and solvency necessary to honor these substantial obligations; and (2) its outstanding loan obligations will be paid as they fall due or mature. 30. Unfortunately, the records readily reveal that this representation was fraudulent, as the Borrower began incurring overdue accounts and default just two (2) months after the final availment. This swift failure, occurring almost immediately after securing the funds, shows that the Borrower either lacked the capacity to pay from the outset or that they had no genuine intention to make good of its obligations as they fall due. What is clear in both instances, however, is that MR. CHUA, as the President and Chairman of ONE WORLD, misrepresented that they had the power to perform the obligations under the Credit Agreement and Promissory Notes, which is tantamount to deceit, fraud or false pretenses. 31. Second, the fraudulent scheme became more apparent when at the time that MR. CHUA was still the Chairman of the Board, a Board Resolution of ONE WORLD was issued to file for corporate rehabilitation, essentially admitting the company’s financial inability to meet its obligations. 32. Subsequently, MR. CHUA personally verified the Petition for Rehabilitation as the authorized representative of ONE WORLD in December 2020. As will be further discussed below, the timing of this petition which is one year after receiving the credit and just months after defaulting, provides conclusive proof that the Borrower and MR. CHUA himself employed fraudulent schemes to evade payment to its creditors.

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION REGIONAL TRIAL COURT MANDALUYONG CITY BRANCH 279 E-mail: rtc1mdl279@judiciary.gov.ph Tel. No. (02) 72383904

33. It bears emphasis at this point that the filing of the said Petition for Rehabilitation, as calculated by the Defendants, immediately resulted in the issuance of a Stay Order, which placed a moratorium on all legal proceedings against the Borrower, thereby unjustly frustrating the Plaintiff’s attempt to collect its legitimate debt.

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION REGIONAL TRIAL COURT MANDALUYONG CITY BRANCH 279 E-mail: rtc1mdl279@judiciary.gov.ph Tel. No. (02) 72383904

34. The further conclusive proof of the Defendants’ bad faith lies in the finding of the Rehabilitation Court itself. The said court, after reviewing the facts and the proposed plan, subsequently determined and ruled that the Borrower’s rehabilitation was no longer viable. This clearly demonstrates that the initial filing was a sham, made with the primary intent to use the protective shield of the law to delay rather than to rehabilitate, thus manifesting malice and fraud on the part of ONE WORLD and Its Sureties. 35. Most importantly, the filing of the Petition for Rehabilitation, regardless of its ultimate goal, confirms the Sureties’ bad faith in dealing with the Plaintiff. Assuming arguendo that the intent to rehabilitate was genuine, this, necessarily means that the Sureties, particularly MR. CHUA, in his leadership role, was fully aware of the Borrower’s bad financial status and imminent insolvency at the time the debt was incurred. 36. Proceeding from this theory, the filing which came less than one year after the Borrower defaulted in its obligations supports the finding that the Borrower lacked the capacity to pay from the very moment the credit facility was availed of, rendering the initial representations of solvency and capacity fraudulent and misleading. 37. Even more telling is the subsequent finding of the Rehabilitation Court hat the Borrower’s rehabilitation is no longer possible further confirmed the Borrower’s legal and factual inability to satisfy Its obligations. 38. It thus bears emphasis that this is not a simple case of non-payment. To reiterate, all the Promissory Notes were availed from the months of July to November 2019. The Borrower started incurring overdue on January 2020, barely two (2) months after the last two (2) Promissory Notes were availed of. less than a year later after the said default, the Borrower filed a Petition for Rehabilitation. 39. Clearly, the circumstances surrounding the Borrower’s rapid default and the judicial finding that rehabilitation was no longer feasible, lead to the inescapable conclusion that the Defendants, particularly MR. CHUA, the President, Chairman, and majority shareholder of ONE WORLD, guaranteed the financial capacity of ONE WORLD with fraudulent intent. 40. Third, even the Borrower’s own audited financial statements belie its representations and warranties that it will make good of its obligations as it fall due. 41. Based on the records of ONE WORLD’s Petition for Rehabilitation, the Borrower’s 2019 Audited Financial statement reflected the amount of P 1,472,022.67 in its 2019 Retained Earnings. On the other hand, its Interim Financial Statement reflects a substantial increase in ONE WORLD’s corporate equity, reporting approximately P26,012,058 in Retained Earnings in the year the Petition for Rehabilitation was filed and the period Immediately succeeding the loan availment. 42. The existence of these substantial retained earnings shows that the Borrower could have had the financial means to fulfill its obligation to the Plaintiff before the Petition for Rehabilitation was filed. Despite this, MR CHUA, who directs the corporate funds as the President, Chairman, and ultimate beneficiary of ONE WORLD, maliciously chose to withhold payment and instead directed the corporation to file for rehabilitation. 43. Instead of directing the readily available retained funds toward honoring a legitimate short-term loan, MR. CHUA authorized the transfer or reclassification of that equity into nonoperational purposes. By reclassifying the foregoing corporate assets into retained earnings, MR. CHUA abused his position as President and Chairman to ensure that when the Petition for Rehabilitation was filed, the Borrower’s assets were legally siphoned off, making ONE WORLD appear insolvent while preserving his control over the converted value. 44. This reclassification effectively hollowed out the Borrower, ensuring that while the financial statements might still reflect large paper assets, ONE WORLD was deliberately stripped of the cash necessary to satisfy its creditors. 45. Verily then, the fact that MR. CHUA, the individual who executed the loan documents, is also the same person who had the corporate authority to direct the funds and signed the Verified Petition for Rehabilitation, confirms the malicious and calculated intent behind this fraudulent scheme, which severely prejudiced the Plaintiff’s ability to recover its debt. 46. Fourth and finally, the Sureties’ guarantee of full and complete payment was likewise a false representation made to the Plaintiff in order to assist ONE WORLD in securing the credit facilities. In fact, the Sureties themselves had no true intention of honoring their commitments and obligations under the surety agreement, which constitutes fraud in the contracting the obligation and in the performance thereof. 47. To emphasize and at the risk of being repetitive, MR. CHUA was the President, Chairman, and majority shareholder of ONE WORLD. It is clear that he had full knowledge and information of the transactions pertaining to the application of ONE WORLD’s credit facilities, as well as the supposed imminent risk of the Borrower’s insolvency. 48. Despite this, the Sureties still made guarantees to the Plaintiff in its Continuing Surety Agreement that the loans will be paid in full when due. The pertinent provision of which states: The SURETIES, jointly and severally with the PRINCIPAL, hereby unconditionally and irrevocably guarantee the full and complete payment when due, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration, or otherwise, of any and all Credit Accommodations that have been granted or may be granted, renewed and/or extended by the BANK to the PRINCIPAL. (Emphasis and underscoring supplied). 49. As it turned out, MR. CHUA already had a preconceived intention of not honoring ONE WORLD’s outstanding loan obligations with the Plaintiff. When ONE WORLD started to default shortly after the Promissory Notes were availed of, and subsequently filed a Petition for Rehabilitation less than a year after the said default, it became clear and unmistakable that the foregoing warranties, representations, covenants of MR. CHUA in his personal capacity and as a representative of ONE WORLD were all untrue. 50. Moreover, the records show that from the time the account of ONE WORLD defaulted in January 2020 up to the present and, notwithstanding the Bank’s demand to pay in the letters dated 29 October 2025, not a single payment was received by the Bank from the Sureties, and there was no concrete proposal at all from the Sureties on how they intend to settle the loans, evincing an intentional evasion of the normal fulfillment of their obligations. 51. Clearly, MR. CHUA not only consented to the foregoing, fraudulent inducement, he himself employed the same in his personal capacity and as the representative of ONE WORLD. In other words, his involvement is direct and personal. 52. With the foregoing, it is indubitable that the conduct of the Defendants, particularly MR. CHUA. established a fraudulent design or scheme to induce PBCOM to approve the credit facilities of ONE WORLD

a Petition for Rehabilitation before the RTC of Valenzuela City, which admits One World’s financial incapacity to fulfill its loan obligations.

PHILIPPINE BANK OF COMMUNICATIONS, Plaintiff, -versus- SPOUSES ALLAN PIERRE D. CHUA nd GEMMA L. CHUA, Defendants. x----------------------------------------------------x

CIVIL CASE NO. R-MND-25-01369-CV For: Collection of Sum of Money and Damages with Prayer for Issuance of Writ of Preliminary Attachment

PHILIPPINE BANK OF COMMUNICATIONS, Plaintiff, SPOUSES ALLAN PIERRE D. CHUA and GEMMA L. CHUA, Defendants. x------------------------------------------------------x

CIVIL CASE NO. R-MND-25-01369-CV For: Collection of Sum of Money and Damages with Prayer for Issuance of Writ of Preliminary Attachment.

ORDER

Before this Court is the attachment bond posted by plaintiff Philippine Bank of Communications in the amount of Three Million Eight Hundred Fifty One Thousand Two Hundred Pesos (P3,851,200.00), as evidenced by Bond No. JCL (4) 13-079, for the plaintiff’s application for the issuance of a writ of preliminary attachment. Finding the said attachment bond to be in order, the same is hereby APPROVED.

ORDER

For resolution of this Court is the Application for the Issuance of Writ of Preliminary Attachment (Application) which forms part of the Complaint1 dated 27 November 2025 filed by plaintiff Philippine Bank of Communications (plaintiff) against defendants-spouses Allan Pierre D. Chua (Allan) and Gemma L. Chua (Gemma) (collectively, defendants). In its Application, the plaintiff seeks the attachment of defendants’ properties equivalent to their outstanding obligations to the former. Without necessarily giving due course to the main action, the court proceeded to hear ex-parte the evidence of plaintiff to support its Application. In the Affidavit of Merit2 attached to the Complaint, the plaintiff contends that in 2018, One World Music and Sports, Inc. (One World), a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the Republic of the Philippines3 , secured credit facilities from plaintiff4 . Consequently, Allan, being the President and Chairman of the Board of Directors, signed in behalf of One World several documents such as the Credit Agreement5, Domestic Bills Purchase Line Agreement6, and Promissory Notes7. Allan, with conformity from his wife, Gemma, also executed a Continuing Surety Agreement8 with plaintiff whereby the defendants, as sureties, would bound themselves to be jointly and severally liable with One World’s obligations to plaintiff. Eventually One World’s application for credit facilities was granted by plaintiff taking into account that One World, through its President and Chairman, Allan, made representations, warranties and covenant during its application for credit facilities that it has a good business standing, has sufficient assets and cash flow, and is able to pay its debts to plaintiff, and that the Continuing Surety Agreement executed by the defendants guaranteed One World’s obligation to pay its debts to the plaintiff. In January 2020, One World has failed to tender payment of its principal debt and the corresponding interest to the plaintiff even if the same is already due. Worse, In December 2020, One World even filed a Petition for Rehabilitation before the Regional Trial Court of Valenzuela City (RTC of Valenzuela City}.9 Thus, One World has been in default of its obligation pursuant to paragraphs 10.1 and 10.5 of the Credit Agreement. As a result, all of One World’s unpaid loan obligations to the plaintiff have become due and payable, and that the defendants, as sureties, are jointly and severally liable for One World’s loan obligations.

The said attachment bond shall answer for the costs and damages which the defendants may sustain by reason of the issuance of the writ of preliminary attachment if the court shall finally adjudge that the plaintiff-applicant is not entitled thereto. ACCORDINGLY, let a Writ of Preliminary Attachment be issued in favor of plaintiff PHILIPPINE BANK OF COMMINICATIONS. The Branch Clerk of Court is likewise DIRECTED to issue the corresponding Summons. Set this case for Monitoring Hearing on the Service of Summons and Implementation of the Writ of Preliminary Attachment on 23 June 2026 at 8:30 o’clock in the morning. SO ORDERED, Mandaluyong City, 08 April 2026. RTC279/GMSL/egh Copy furnished: PHILIPPINE BANK OF COMMUNICATIONS – Plaintiff PBCOM Tower 6795 Ayala Avenue corner V.A. Rufino Street, Makati City REFUERZO AGNES AND ASSOCIATES - Counsel for the Plaintiff 2nd Floor PBCOM Tower 6795 Ayala Avenue corner V.A. Rufino Street, Makati City E-mail: litigationdivision@pbcom.com ph SPOUSES ALLAN PIERRE D. CHUA AND GEMMA L. CHUA - Defendants No 10 North Polytech University Hills Subdivision, Malabon City

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION REGIONAL TRIAL COURT MANDALUYONG CITY BRANCH 279 E-mail: rtcmdl279@Judiciary.gov.ph Tel No (02) 72383904

As of 29 October 2025, One World’s outstanding loan obligations has amounted to Three Million Eight Hundred Fifty-One Thousand and Two Hundred Pesos (P3,851,200.00), constituting the unpaid principal debt and partial interests. 10 In due course, a letters were sent by plaintiff to the defendants demanding the payment of the outstanding loan.11 Notwithstanding this, plaintiffs demands fell to deaf ears. Hence, plaintiff was constrained to pursue this suit praying, among others, that a writ of preliminary attachment be issued in its favor. Plaintiff now invokes Section 1 (d), Rule 57 of the Rules of Court as a ground to attach defendants’ real properties in Quezon CIty, particularly a condominium unit12 and parking slot13 in their name. To bolster its asseverations in its Application, plaintiff presented the testimonies of Atty. Girlie Isabel D. Umali-Requizo14 (Atty. Umali-Requizo), the head of the Remedial Management Division-Corporate and Commercial Banking Group (RMD-CCBG) of plaintiff and Mario E. Cabungcal, Jr. 15 (Cabungcal), a remedial officer of plaintiff. Atty. Umali-Requizo testified as to the execution and authenticity of the pieces of evidence submitted by plaintiff. On the other hand, Cabungcal was presented as plaintiffs witness to prove that he caused the service of the demand letters to the defendants and that he conducted an asset search, inquiring as to the existence of defendants’ properties. The Court now resolves. A writ of preliminary attachment is a provisional remedy issued upon order of the court where an action is pending to be levied upon the property or properties of the defendant therein, the same to be held thereafter by the Sheriff as security for the satisfaction of whatever judgment might be secured in said action by the attaching creditor against the defendant. It is governed by Rule 57 of the Rules of Court.16 Section 1, Rule 57 of tile Rules of Court enumerates the grounds for the issuance of a writ of preliminary attach ment , viz: “Section 1 Grounds upon which attachment may issue. - At the commencement of the action or at any time before entry of judgment, a plaintiff or any proper party may have the property of the adverse party attached as security for the satisfaction of any judgment that may be recovered in tile following cases:

(Sgd.) GLORIA MONICA S. LOPEZ Presiding Judge

PHILIPPINE BANK OF COMMUNICATIONS, Plaintiff, CIVIL CASE NO. R-MND-25-01369 CV -versus- For: Collection of Sum of Money and Damages with Prayer for Issuance of Writ of Preliminary Attachment SPOUSES ALLAN PIERRE D. CHUA and GEMMA L. CHUA, Defendants. x----------------------------------------------------x WRIT OF PRELIMINARY ATTACHMENT TO:

JONATHAN B. BAYUN Sheriff IV Regional Trial Court, Branch 279, Mandaluyong City

GREETINGS: WHEREAS, plaintiff Philippine Bank of Communications filed a Complaint for Collection of Sum of Money and Damages with Prayer for the Issuance of Writ of Preliminary Attachment against defendants-spouses Allan Pierre D Chua and Gemma L. Chua, duly supported by an Affidavit of Merit as required by the Rules, praying for the issuance of a Writ of Attachment against the defendants, WHEREAS, on 24 March 2026, the Court granted the plaintiffs application for the Issuance of a writ of preliminary attachment;

(a) In an action for the recovery of a specified amount of money or damages, other than moral and exemplary, on a cause of action arising from law, contract, quasi-contract, delict or quasi delict against a party who is about to depart from the Philippines with intent to defraud his creditors;

WHEREAS, on 06 April 2026, the plaintiff posted an attachment bond in the amount of Three Million Eight Hundred Fifty One Thousand Two Hundred Pesos (P3,851,200.00) as evidenced by Bond No. JCL (4) 13-079 issued by the Milestone Guaranty and Assurance Corporation;

(b) In an action for money or property embezzled or fraudulently misapplied or converted to his own use by a public officer, or an officer of a corporation or an attorney, factor, broker agent, or clerk, in the course of his employment as such, or by any other person in a fiduciary capacity, or for a willful violation of duty;

WHEREAS, on 08 April 2026, the Court approved the attachment bond posted by the plaintiff.

54. ONE WORLD’s outstanding loan obligations with the Plaintiff were only secured by a Continuing Surety Agreement dated 05 November 2018 executed by the Defendants. 55. On the other hand, as of 29 October 2025, the total outstanding loan obligations of ONE WORLD amounted to THREE MILLION EIGHT HUNDRED FIFTY-ONE THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED PESOS (Php 3,851,200.00), representing the unpaid principal amount, inclusive of partial interests, as shown by the Plaintiff’s Statements of Account on even date.

(c) In an action to recover the possession of property unjustly or fraudulently taken, detained or converted, when the property, or any part thereof, has been concealed, removed, or disposed of to prevent its being found or taken by the applicant or an authorized person;

53. Verily then, the combined effect of the Sureties’ own acts and personal control over the Borrower clearly demonstrates the imminent risk that the Sureties will render a final judgment in favor of the Plaintiff illusory and ineffectual. Absent the protective writ, the Surety is highly likely to continue in its fraudulent acts, causing the Plaintiff an injury that cannot be remedied by mere monetary compensation.

56. While the contract of suretyship is a valid and binding contractual instrument, it is merely a paper promise or a contractual right. In the context of the present action, this security is rendered utterly insufficient because the Defendants are in active breach of their obligation. 57. The purpose of the suretyship was to guarantee the payment of the principal loan. The Defendants’ continued refusal to pay upon demand converts the security instrument itself into the claim sought to be enforced, meaning the Plaintiff is suing on the security rather than relying on the security to cover the claim. 58. Given that the Borrower is judicially declared insolvent and liquidation, and the Sureties as the remaining obligors are deliberately refusing to honor their absolute commitment, the Bank has no property, chattel, or monetary deposit that can be foreclosed or applied to the debt. 59. Thus, even if a favorable judgment is obtained by the Plaintiff against the Defendants, there will be no sufficient security for the enforcement of its claim since there is a huge disparity between the claim of the Plaintiff and the existing security. 60. The only recourse left to the Plaintiff to ensure that the eventual money judgment is not illusory is the immediate application for the writ of preliminary attachment against the Sureties’ tangible properties. The writ of preliminary attachment is thus mandatory to secure the satisfaction of the judgment and prevent the total loss of the Bank’s recovery. 61 . The amount due to the Plaintiff is sufficient to warrant the issuance of the writ of preliminary attachment, consistent with the requirement of Rule 57 of the Rules of Court that the sum granted must be above all legal counterclaims. 62. The Plaintiff’s cause of action is based on a demandable obligation arising from the executed Promissory Notes by the Borrower and guaranteed by the Surety. The amount due is fixed as detailed in the preceding paragraphs and supported by the annexed documents. 63. As previously pointed out, as of 29 October 2025, the outstanding loan obligations of ONE WORLD amounted to THREE MILLION EIGHT HUNDRED FIFTY-ONE THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED PESOS (Php 3,851,200.00), representing the unpaid principal amount, inclusive of partial interests, as shown in the Plaintiff’s Statement of Account on even date. 64. The foregoing amount, plus the estimated amount for Attorney’s Fees and Exemplary Damages as herein prayed for can be secured by the issuance of a writ of preliminary attachment over the above-stated properties

(d ) In an action against a party who has been guilty of a fraud in contracting the debt or incurring the obligation upon which the action is brought, or in the performance thereof, (e) In an action against a party who has removed or disposed of his property, or is about to do so, with intent to defraud his creditors; or (f) In an action against a party who does not reside and is not found in the Philippines, or on whom summons may be served by publication.” (Emphasis and underscoring supplied) In Security Bank Corporation v. Great Wall Commercial Press Company, Inc., et al. 17, the Supreme Court elucidated that for a writ of preliminary attachment to issue under Section 1(d), Rule 57 of the Rules of Court, the applicant must sufficiently show the factual circumstances of the alleged fraud, whether committed in contracting an obligation (dolo causante) or committed in the performance of the obligation (dolo incldente). Fraudulent intent cannot be inferred from the debtor’s mere nonpayment of the debt or failure to comply with his obligation. While fraud cannot be presumed, it need not be proved by direct evidence and can well be inferred from attendant circumstances. Fraud by its nature is not a thing susceptible of ocular observation or readily demonstrable physically; it must of necessity be proved in many cases by inferences from circumstances shown to have been Involved in the transaction in question.18 A perusal of the Application and the evidence adduced by the plaintiff would reveal that defendants’ actions fraudulently induced the plaintiff. Plaintiff approved One World’s applicatIon for credit facilities considering that the latter presented to the former that it is in good business standing. One World through its President and Chairman, Allan, entered into a Credit Agreement wherein it assured that One World has sufficient liquid assets to meet its operating requirements and that it shall pay its debts as they fall due. Because One World represents and warrants that it will be able to pay its loan obligations in good faith, plaintiff granted the credit facilities that One World needs for its operations. Clearly, the plaintiff would not have granted these credit facilities to One World if not for the latter’s r presentations, warranties, and covenants as stated in the Credit Agreement and promissory notes. One World even affirmed that a Violation of its representation and warranties constitutes fraud or false pretense.

NOW, THEREFORE, pursuant to Section 5, Rule 57 of the Rules of Court, you are hereby ORDERED to attach only so much of the property in the Philippines of the defendants, not exempt from execution, as may be sufficient to satisfy the plaintiffs demand, corresponding to the value of the principal claim that may be adjudged against the defendants, unless the defendants make a deposit with this Court or gives a counter-bond exe plaintiff in an amount equal to the bond fixed by the Court in the order of attachment or to the value of the property to be attached, exclusive of costs. No levy or attachment shall be enforced unless it is preceded or contemporaneously accompanied by service of summons together with the copy of the Complaint and its annexes, the application for attachment, plaintiff’s Affidavit of Merit and attachment bond, the Order granting the application for preliminary attachment, and the Writ of Preliminary Attachment, pursuant to Section 5, Rule 57 of the Rules of Court. After enforcing the writ, you must likewise, without delay, make a return thereon to this Court with a full statement of your proceedings under the writ and a complete inventory of the property attached, together with any counter-bond given by the defendant, and serve copies thereof on the plaintiff pursuant to Section 6, Rule 57 of the Rules of Court. SO ORDERED, Mandaluyong City, 08 April 2026.

(Sgd.) GLORIA MONICA S. LOPEZ Presiding Judge

RTC279/GMSL/egh Copy furnished: PHILIPPINE BANK OF COMMUNICATIONS – Plaintiff PBCOM Tower 6795 Ayala Avenue corner V.A. Rufino Street, Makati City REFUERZO AGNES AND ASSOCIATES - Counsel for the Plaintiff 2nd Floor PBCOM Tower 6795 Ayala Avenue corner V.A. Rufino Street, Makati City E-mail: litigationdivision@pbcom.com ph SPOUSES ALLAN PIERRE D. CHUA AND GEMMA L. CHUA - Defendants No 10 North Polytech University Hills Subdivision, Malabon City

Defendants’ bad faith became more apparent when One World, through its President, Allan, filed (MStandard - Aug. 7 & 14, 2026)

TRANSPORT

FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2026

extrastory2000@gmail.com Darwin G. Amojelar, Issue Editor

PH maritime workforce expands on strong demand

HE Philippines’ maritime workforce continued to expand in the first half of 2026, with the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) recording the highest number of applications for Seafarer’s Identity Documents (SID) and Seafarer’s Record Books (SRB) in the past five years. MARINA said applications for the two essential seafarer documents reached 162,770 from January to June 2026, a 61.49-percent increase from the 100,791 applications recorded during the same period last year. The latest figure also exceeded the 89,058 applications logged in the first half of 2024, 86,814 in 2023, and 61,097 in 2022, reflecting sustained growth in the country’s maritime workforce and strong demand for employment in the shipping industry. Data from MARINA showed that March recorded the highest number of applications at 30,943, followed by June with 28,769, February with 27,114, May with 26,461, April with

MARINA Administrator Sonia B. Malaluan

Rain or shine, public service continues at the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) Central Office today, August 6, 2026. Despite adverse weather conditions brought by Tropical Storm Maymay and the Southwest Monsoon, personnel from the Manpower Development Service (MDS) remain on duty to process Seafarer’s Identity Document (SID) and Seafarer’s Record Book (SRB) applications, ensuring essential services for Filipino seafarers proceed without interruption. Maritime Industry Authority Facebook page

24,925, and January with 24,558. MARINA Administrator Sonia B. Malaluan attributed the increase partly to the agency’s continuing efforts to streamline the processing of seafarer documents and improve access to its services. “We encourage our seafarers to continue scheduling their appointments using the eGovPH App via MARINA’s Online Appointment System (OAS). There are still many

DPWH uses new technology to fast-track EDSA rehab

THE Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has begun using computer-guided paving technology in the rehabilitation of EDSA to accelerate the project while ensuring higher construction quality and minimizing disruption to the public. The rehabilitation covers the stretch of EDSA from Orense in Makati City to Monumento in Caloocan City, one of the country’s busiest transport corridors. Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon said the project is utilizing modern, computer-guided paving machines that replace the conventional manual process of asphalt laying. The equipment uses laser-guided technology to produce a smoother, more even, and more durable road surface while significantly speeding up construction. “We are utilizing technologies that speed up the process while ensuring the work is done properly. The paving is computer-guided to guarantee an even surface; it uses lasers. President Marcos Jr.’s strict instruction is for us to fulfill our promise of accelerating the work while, at the same time,

minimizing disruptions,” Dizon said. According to the DPWH, the adoption of advanced paving technology is expected to improve the precision and consistency of asphalt installation, reducing the need for rework and extending the lifespan of the rehabilitated roadway. President Marcos earlier instructed the DPWH to complete the rehabilitation as quickly as possible without compromising quality, emphasizing the need to reduce inconvenience for motorists, commuters and pedestrians who rely on EDSA daily. Dizon earlier said that he expects to complete the ongoing rehabilitation of EDSA by next year, with Phase 2 of the project now underway covering Guadalupe-Orense to Monumento stretch. Following a December 2025 overhaul that cut costs from P17 billion to P6 billion, the DPWH prioritized key areas and upgraded to longer-lasting Stone Mastic Asphalt. The new strategy paid off early when Phase 1 (Roxas Boulevard to Orense) finished in April, more than two months ahead of schedule.

available appointment slots at various MARINA offices nationwide,” she said. “We are continuously improving our services to ensure you can obtain your SID and SRB more quickly and smoothly,” Malaluan added. The agency said more than 13,000 appointment slots for SID and SRB applications remain available at MARINA offices across the country for August and September, allowing

DOTr, DENR sign agreements to advance transport initiatives THE Department of Transportation (DOTr) has signed an agreement with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ (DENR) Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau (ERDB) that advance aviation and maritime infrastructure development, while promoting environmental protection. Under the agreements, the DOTr and DENR-ERDB will partner for the implementation and monitoring of the project “Development of Science-based Procedure for Earth-balling of Mangroves” in Leyte. This includes the relocation of mangroves that will be affected by the construction of the shore protection and perimeter road in the vicinity of Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport. Transportation Undersecretary for Aviation and Airports Jim Sydiongco said that the relocation of mangroves within the vicinity of Tacloban Airport will be crucial to prevent bird strikes.

tunity to familiarize themselves with the airport experience before taking an actual flight. The activity marks the airline’s second travel rehearsal in the Philippines, following a similar initiative held in Cebu in June, as part of Emirates’ efforts to make air travel more accessible and inclusive. The program brought together 22 students, their parents and guardians, and eight teachers from Hand Prints School of Progressive Education and Beyond Play Learning Center for a guided walkthrough of airport procedures. During the three-hour rehearsal, participants experienced the different stages of the airport journey, including

“Balancing airport capacity with environmental sustainability requires inter-agency cooperation, which is why we coordinated with the DENR on how we can proceed with the expansion without sacrificing the environment. With careful planning and investment, we can complement airport development with environmental sustainability,” Sydiongco said. The two agencies will likewise jointly develop further studies related to both conservation of mangroves and enhancement of operational capacity of the New Cebu International Container Port. Transportation Assistant Secretary for Maritime Villamor Plan said that the DOTr has partnered with the DENRERDB to ensure that the mangroves affected by the construction of the New Cebu International Container Port will be relocated to coastal areas where they can thrive. “This is a significant step to

balance infrastructure development with environmental protection. The mangrove earth balling activity for the New Cebu International Container Port Project demonstrates our shared responsibility to protect our coastal and marine ecosystems, while pursuing the development of vital infrastructure for our country,” Plan said. Meanwhile, DENR-ERDB Director Lormelyn Claudio said infrastructure development and protecting the environment require a whole-of-nation approach by balancing the pressing need for capacity expansion with the equally important goal of environmental sustainability. “Under this administration, wholeof-nation approach ang gusto natin so we need to work now. The best thing that we should do is earth balling, which is the right procedure and is allowed by law. But there has to be a right way to do it [for both the economy and environment],” Claudio said.

BPIA celebrates Sandugo Festival with first airport bazaar

BPIA joins the celebration of the 2026 Sandugo Festival, elevating airport experience with culture and heritage activities

Emirates expands autism-friendly travel program to Clark Airport EMIRATES has expanded its Travel Rehearsal program to Clark International Airport, giving neurodiverse children and their families an oppor-

seafarers to secure appointments without long waiting times. The SID serves as an internationally recognized identification document for Filipino seafarers, while the SRB functions as an official record of a seafarer’s qualifications, sea service, and employment history, making both documents essential for deployment aboard domestic and international vessels. MARINA said the sustained

increase in applications underscores the continued strength of the Philippine maritime sector, which remains one of the country’s major sources of overseas employment and foreign exchange earnings. The agency also cited the latest report of the Baltic and International Maritime Council (BIMCO), which identified the Philippines as the world’s leading supplier of seafarers, with an estimated 1.6 million Filipino mariners serving on ships worldwide. With demand for Filipino seafarers remaining robust, MARINA said it will continue enhancing its digital services and expanding appointment availability to ensure faster, more efficient, and more accessible processing of documents for the country’s maritime workforce. Darwin G. Amojelar

check-in, immigration, security screening, the departure concourse, and a simulated boarding process at the departure gate. Emirates personnel and airport partners guided the families throughout the exercise, explaining each step of the travel process, answering questions, and introducing participants to the airport personnel they would typically encounter during an actual trip. For many neurodiverse children, unfamiliar environments such as airports—with their crowds, sounds, and routines—can be overwhelming. By experiencing the journey in advance, children become more familiar with the environment while parents and caregivers gain a better understanding of what to expect when traveling together.

BOHOL-PANGLAO International Airport (BPIA), operated by Aboitiz InfraCapital Bohol Airport Corporation (ABAC), joined this year’s Sandugo Festival celebrations by hosting its first-ever Sandugo Airport Bazaar and cultural performances, reinforcing its role as a gateway that promotes both tourism and local heritage. Held from July 24 to 26, 2026, the Sandugo Airport Bazaar transformed the Airport Public Concourse into a vibrant marketplace featuring local farmers, artisans, tourism stakeholders, and entrepreneurs. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., the event welcomed travelers, destination shoppers, airport employees, and the general public free of charge. The three-day bazaar showcased 20 curated booths offering a diverse selection of locally made products, food and beverage offerings, handicrafts, hotels, and travel services. Visitors were also treated to live cultural performances and drumbeating exhibitions that brought the festive spirit of the Sandugo Festival into the airport terminal. The initiative was designed to celebrate Boholano heritage while providing local producers and businesses with greater market exposure. By creating a platform within the province’s main air gateway, the airport highlighted the importance of supporting homegrown enterprises and strengthening the local economy through tourism. The Sandugo Festival commemorates the historic 1565 blood compact, or Sandugo, between Spanish explorer Miguel López de Legazpi and Boholano chieftain Datu Sikatuna. Widely regarded as one

of the earliest international treaties of friendship, the event remains one of Bohol’s most significant cultural celebrations. “As the primary gateway to the province, Bohol-Panglao International Airport plays a critical role in the region’s tourism and economic ecosystem,” said Aldwin Uy, General Manager of Aboitiz InfraCapital Bohol Airport Corporation. “Our participation in the 2026 Sandugo Festival acknowledges its responsibility in championing local heritage and driving inclusive economic growth in the community we serve.” Beyond the airport festivities, ABAC also participated in the festival’s street celebrations and motorcade on July 26, further demonstrating its commitment to supporting Bohol’s cultural traditions and community engagement. Bohol-Panglao International Airport serves as the main gateway to the island province of Bohol and has been in operation since November 2018, replacing the former Tagbilaran Airport for both domestic and international flights. Recognized as the Philippines’ first eco-airport, the facility incorporates sustainable and energy-efficient features, including extensive natural lighting and ventilation. Operated by Aboitiz InfraCapital Bohol Airport Corporation, the airport continues to expand connectivity between Bohol and major domestic destinations such as Manila, Clark, Cebu, and Davao, while also serving international routes, including South Korea, supporting the province’s growing tourism industry.

C2 FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2026

lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com NICKIE WANG, Editor ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer JASPER VALDEZ, Writer

Pageant Concept Eton Concepcion

Mrs. Universe PH to wear a story woven in hope NEWLY crowned Mrs. Universe Philippines 2026 Fatima Figueroa Alvarez was honored at the recent Philippine Faces of Success 2026 held at Camelot Hotel in Quezon City. The 58-year-old married businesswoman from Pampanga was recognized for her achievements in entrepreneurship, cultural advocacy, and community service. In her victory press conference held by the Mrs. Universe Philippines Organization, she fielded questions from members of the media regarding her platform and preparation for the Mrs. Universe 2026 pageant to be held in Colombo, Sri Lanka, in October. Preparing for the international competition, Alvarez aims to focus on her platform for sustainable fashion and promoting cultural pride in support of the House of Musa, where she serves as an ambassador. Founded in 2020, House of Musa, an ASEAN Business Forum 2025 awardee and recipient of the Presidential Award 2025, is a social enterprise that focuses on fabric weaving using banana (Musa) fiber, mainly created by women weavers deprived of liberty at three penal colonies in Davao del Norte. “Through my journey as a model, advocate, and ambassador of the House of Musa, I have witnessed how fashion can become something far more meaningful. The fabric I wear carries stories, carefully woven and handcrafted by women deprived of liberty and the Kagan tribe in Davao City, who continue to create with dignity despite their circumstances,” said the Musa fabric ambassadress. Alvarez, who works as the human resources director at her own travel agency, is also a volunteer at the Foundation for Philippine Medical Missions, a nonprofit, all-volunteer grassroots organization that provides free medical care to poor communities in the Philippines. “I have been blessed with the opportunity to reach out to individuals and families who lack access to basic healthcare, to listen and extend help, and simply to be present,” Alvarez said. “The very first time I met Fatima, I already saw in her the potential of a Mrs. Universe winner. She is living proof that success is achieved through hard work, determination, commitment, and perseverance,” said Mrs. Universe Philippines national director Maria Charo Calalo. The event was hosted by Supermodel Universe 2025 grand winner Yna Angela Uy. Fatima Figueroa Alvarez carries her advocacy for sustainable fashion, cultural pride, and community service into her Mrs. Universe 2026 campaign

SHOWBIZ Alden Richards uncovers PH learning crisis in new education special Alden Richards visits classrooms and learners across the country as a new GMA Public Affairs special looks into reading gaps and poor school conditions Alden Richards meets students and educators as the program follows how classroom shortages and limited resources affect daily learning

LDEN Richards travels across the country to examine the state of Philippine education in Rebuilding Broken Rooms: A GMA Public Affairs Education Special, airing Aug. 8 on GMA.

In Tondo, Manila, Rosauro Almario Elementary School faces a similar challenge, The documentary explores the struggles with seven out of 10 students faced by Filipino learners amid the struggling with reading country’s continuing learning crisis. A 2022 comprehension. Among World Bank report showed that 91 percent them is Grade 2 student of 10-year-old Filipino children struggle to Jannah Will, who continues read and comprehend, raising concerns over to work on reading complete declining literacy levels among students. sentences while sometimes The issue holds personal significance for missing classes due to Alden, who left school at a young age to help transportation costs. support his family. His experience shaped The special also features his commitment to education, leading him schools forced to create to support nearly 50 scholars and help build Teachers and students take part in discussions on basic education issues as the special examines why many temporary classrooms, schools in underserved communities. children continue to fall behind including Ciudad Nuevo “Gusto kong magamit ‘yung boses na Elementary School in Naic, meron ako para maipalaganap ‘yung Cavite, and Calubcob Elementary School, where students study mensahe na kailangan marinig ng sambayanan. Gusto ko maging in converted spaces affected by heat, noise and limited facilities. part nung advocacy para mamulat natin ‘yung mga tao sa kung As Alden meets learners and educators, he finds one of the most ano ba talaga ‘yung sitwasyon ngayon (I want to use the voice troubling realities: many children have accepted these conditions that I have to spread the message that the public needs to hear. as part of their education journey. I want to be part of the advocacy that will help open people’s “Paano natin naiparanas sa kanila na okay na ‘to? Hindi siya eyes to what the current situation really is),” Alden shared. okay. Hindi natin dapat ipa-realize sa mga kabataan na ito ‘yung The documentary begins at Tinungkaan Elementary normal na way to be educated. Kasi hindi ‘to deserve ng mga School in Alabel, Sarangani, identified by EDCOM II batang gustong matuto (How did we make them believe that this is as having the highest percentage of struggling readers okay? It is not okay. We should not make young people think that in the country. There, all students are classified as this is the normal way to be educated. Children who want to learn low-emerging readers despite their efforts to attend do not deserve this.),” he said. classes in makeshift learning spaces after traveling Rebuilding Broken Rooms airs Aug. 8 at 9:30 p.m. on GMA. through difficult terrain.

Advocacy film ‘I’mPerfect’ takes Filipino cinema to Italy’s Lucania fest

The ‘I’mPerfect’ team brings its advocacy-driven story to an international audience through screenings and festival discussions in Italy

The documentary reveals the literacy problem facing many Filipino learners in underserved communities

THE award-winning Filipino independent film I’mPerfect is representing the Philippines at the 27th Lucania Film Festival in Italy, where it is included in the festival’s official international program. The cast and creative team of the film have arrived in the Basilicata region of southern Italy to participate in the annual event, which gathers filmmakers, producers, and artists from around the world to showcase independent cinema. The selection adds another international milestone for I’mPerfect, following its successful festival run in Manila in December 2025. According to its producers, I’mPerfect is the first Filipino feature film to receive an official invitation to the Lucania Film Festival, giving Philippine independent cinema a presence at one of Europe’s recognized platforms for emerging filmmakers. Members of the delegation are joining screenings, discussions, and festival activities alongside industry professionals from Europe, Asia, and other regions. Producer Ria Atayde-Marudo of Nathan Studios said the recognition honors the work of the film’s cast and crew while providing an opportunity to share Filipino storytelling with a global audience. The Lucania Film Festival, now on its 27th edition, continues to promote independent filmmaking and cultural exchange through cinema, featuring works and participants from various countries.

So, you want to see Maroon 5 live? VISA and Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC) are offering exclusive presale access to Maroon 5’s 2027 Manila concert for eligible RCBC Visa credit cardholders after Visa was named the official payment partner of the Maroon 5 Asia 2027 Tour. RCBC Visa Infinite cardholders will receive priority access before the presale opens to other RCBC Visa credit cardholders. Visa and RCBC will also offer fans a chance to win concert tickets and signed Maroon 5 merchandise. The Maroon 5 Asia 2027 Tour will visit seven Asia-Pacific markets, starting in Taiwan on Jan. 24 before arriving in the Philippines on Feb. 7. The concert will be the Grammy Award-winning band’s fifth performance in the country. Jeffrey Navarro, Visa Philippines country manager, said the partnership aims to give Filipino cardholders early access to live music events through Visa’s payment platform. RCBC Credit Cards president and CEO Arniel Vincent B. Ong said the collaboration follows the bank’s earlier partnership with Visa for Laufey’s Manila concerts and is part of its efforts to offer cardholders exclusive entertainment experiences. According to Visa’s Global Travel Intentions 2026 study, 65.7 percent of respondents said they intend to travel for international concert tours, with payment cards remaining the preferred method for purchases. Maroon 5 has won three Grammy Awards, scored multiple Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 singles and amassed more than 35 billion Spotify streams. Maroon 5’s 2027 Manila stop gives Filipino fans early ticket access through a new concert presale partnership

LIFE

FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2026 The new SM Seaside Cebu Arena elevates the Visayas entertainment scene as a world-class venue capable of hosting up to 25,000 guests

NOW & NEXT

Reshaping the Filipino mall experience How ‘My SM’ keeps pace with the ever-evolving Filipino lifestyle By Nickie Wang EVERY Filipino has an SM story. A weekend family trip, a first movie date, a favorite food discovery, or a simple afternoon spent with friends, malls have long been woven into everyday Filipino life. Now, as lifestyles shift toward wellness, experiences, and personal connections, SM Supermalls is reshaping its spaces to create a more personalized mall experience through “My SM.” The mall operator of SM Prime Holdings Inc. reported sustained foot traffic and positive business performance in the first half of 2026, driven by Filipinos’ continued search for spaces where they can celebrate, connect, explore passions, and create memories. “Filipinos kept showing up for family, passions, and the moments that matter,” SM Supermalls president Steven Tan said. “SM remained a trusted constant, creating more ways to celebrate, connect, play, and discover, while evolving alongside how Filipinos now live.” One of the biggest transformations has been the rise of active lifestyle spaces. SM Supermalls has expanded its pickleball network to 86 courts across 29 malls, making it the country’s largest mall-based pickleball destination. Through SM Active Hub, the company also hosted community events such as the inaugural SM Active Hub

Geeks and anime enthusiasts live out their passions with exclusive interactive pop-ups at Animazing North’s 6th edition

Pickleball Trio Challenge. Entertainment has also expanded with the opening of the SM Seaside Cebu Arena, a world-class venue that accommodates up to 25,000 guests. The Visayan region’s newest entertainment destination was inaugurated with a performance from Filipino pop group BINI. SM Cinemas also continues to attract moviegoers with immersive experiences such as ScreenX, which featured major releases including Zootopia 2, Avatar: Fire and Ash, and Spider-Man: BrandNew Day. The mall experience has also expanded into more inclusive and sustainable spaces. SM introduced

Pickleball dominates the sports landscape as SM Supermalls rapidly expands its nationwide courts to meet booming consumer demand

the country’s first SM Sensory Lab in partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the National Council on Disability Affairs, providing a supportive environment for visitors with sensory processing challenges. Meanwhile, its electric vehicle charging stations now cover all 90 SM malls nationwide. Food and retail offerings have evolved alongside changing consumer tastes. SM Food Halls continue to feature local culinary concepts and regional specialties, while global brands such as Abercrombie & Fitch and Hollister

Food lovers can enjoy unique culinary concepts and elevated dining spaces at SM Aura’s newly reimagined Food Hall

Co. have expanded options for Filipino shoppers. New dining destinations, including San Ginés Chocolatería at SM Podium, Super Matcha at SM Megamall, and Candid Coffee at SM Mall of Asia, have also tapped into the growing café and dessert culture among Filipinos. Beyond shopping, SM has become a platform for communities and interests. Its “Gala to the Max”

Runners take over EDSA for the Galaxy Manila Marathon, one of SM Active Hub’s major fitness events

campaign encouraged mallgoers to share their own experiences, generating millions of views online. Pop culture events such as the Pokémon Center pop-up at SM Mall of Asia and Animazing North’s sixth edition brought fans together through interactive experiences. SM Mall of Asia also hosted the National Historical Commission of the Philippines’ HistoEx 2026, featuring exhibits, lectures, and installations celebrating Filipino maritime heritage. Fitness communities likewise found a home through SM Active Hub events, including the Galaxy Manila Marathon on EDSA and the SM2SM race in Cebu, which drew thousands of participants. The expansion continues with the opening of SM Zamboanga in the first quarter of 2026 and the upcoming launch of its upscale mall in Nuvali, Sta. Rosa before the end of the year. Through “My SM,” the mall is evolving from a shopping destination into a space shaped by the people who visit it, where every Filipino can find a place for their interests, communities, and everyday moments.

Filipinos can now use Apple Pay for mobile load, bill payments APPLE Pay is now in the Philippines. Filipino users can now make faster and more secure transactions through their Apple devices, with mobile services provider Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) among the first partners to support the digital payment service. On Aug. 4, Smart subscribers gained access to Apple Pay, allowing them to purchase Smart Prepaid and TNT load or pay their Smart Postpaid and Smart Infinity bills through Smart Stores DINGDONG Dantes has always projected the image of a family man who plans ahead. This time, that mindset extends to how he powers his home while encouraging Filipinos to invest in technology that helps keep homes powered, connected, and prepared for everyday needs. The actor, television host, and entrepreneur has signed on as the first brand ambassador of Marstek Philippines, a company that provides smart energy storage and AI-powered solar solutions for households and businesses. According to the 46-yearold actor, the partnership aligns with the choices he makes as a husband, father, and homeowner. With electricity powering remote work, online learning, security systems, and everyday appliances, reliable backup power has become an important investment for many

nationwide and the Smart Online Store. The new payment option allows customers to complete mobile transactions using supported Apple devices, including iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad, Mac, and Apple Vision Pro. Users can add a supported credit or debit card to their Apple Wallet to make purchases. Apple Pay uses security features built into Apple devices, including Face ID, Touch ID, and passcode authentication. Card numbers are not stored on the device or Apple

servers and are not shared with merchants during payments. “Smart has always been at the forefront of bringing world-class and life-changing innovations to Filipinos, and we’re proud to be among the first partners to welcome Apple Pay in the Philippines,” Smart FVP and co-OIC Lloyd R. Manaloto said. The launch gives Smart and TNT subscribers another convenient way to manage their mobile services, from topping up prepaid accounts to settling monthly bills.

Apple Pay rolls out in the Philippines as mobile users gain another way to buy prepaid load and settle postpaid bills through supported devices

Dingdong Dantes powers up home with smart energy choice

Dingdong Dantes backs household energy storage as more Filipino families look for reliable power options amid outages and rising electricity costs

Filipino families. Rising electricity rates and recurring power interruptions have also fueled growing interest in solar panels, home batteries, and energy storage systems. Dantes has embraced that shift by installing a Marstek Mars 1 three-phase energy storage system in his home. The system is designed to provide backup power while helping manage household energy use more efficiently. “I look forward to experiencing the system firsthand and sharing how it can help Filipino families prepare for unexpected power interruptions,” he said in a statement.

Marstek Philippines chose Dantes to represent the brand because of his credibility, integrity, leadership, and the trust he has earned from the public, according to company CEO Dr. Mary C. Cruz. The company offers products such as the Marstek Venus E, an all-in-one plug-andplay energy storage system that integrates with solar panels and uses AI to optimize how electricity is stored and consumed. The company also continues to expand its nationwide network of authorized distributors, giving customers greater access to product consultation, installation, and technical support.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2026

lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com NICKIE WANG, Editor ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer JASPER VALDEZ, Writer

Random Talk

LIFE

Five lessons from

Alex Eala’s historic win

Kate Adajar

ET me be honest. I am not a tennis fan.

My entire education in the sport came from PE classes back in the day, where I learned that “love” means zero and other rules of the game. Sadly, though, I have forgotten a lot of the terms. I run to Google to seek help at times. But over the past few weeks, something changed. My feed filled up with Alex Eala. Friends started randomly sending match clips, even ones from the US and Kazakhstan. Group chats I never knew were interested in tennis suddenly had opinions about it. Even my editor here is invested in Alex’s matches. All of a sudden, I found myself watching a 21-year-old Filipina compete on courts halfway around the world, understanding Eala’s journey from a young athlete to a history-making champion gives aspiring players another reason to believe in long-term goals

The Filipina tennis player shows that personal style and competitive strength can have a place on the same court

only part of what was happening and still feeling my heart race every time. Then Alex made history, becoming the first Filipino to win a WTA Tour singles title. I still don’t completely understand tennis. But I understood that win and what it meant to Alex and the entire Philippines. Here are five lessons I learned from watching Alex Eala and the

lessons I hope every young girl carries with her. 1. Nobody succeeds alone. Before the world knew Alex, there was her grandpa, Roberto “Lolo Bob” Maniego, who patiently coached her when she was a little girl. There were her parents, who lovingly supported her dream, and her brother Miko, who also played the sport and shared his love for it with her. After her breakthrough Wimbledon victory over Iga Świątek, Alex fought back tears as she remembered those early days. “I went to train with my brother and my grandfather every day after school, with my ruffled socks and light-up shoes and chubby cheeks,” she recalled. Success is not built alone. Behind every record-breaking person is someone who believed before the rest of the world did. Find your Lolo Bob. And someday, be someone’s Lolo Bob.

Alex Eala’s rise reflects years of training, family support, and steady work behind every career milestone

2. You can be feminine and still be a fighter. One thing about Alex: her nails are always beautifully done. She wears them in different colors of nail polish or sports cool nail art. Alex “nails it” every single game. It sounds like a small thing, but I love that detail about her because girls are often told to choose between being taken seriously or being fun and embracing our femininity. Alex proves that strength does not require giving up softness. Think Elle in Legally Blonde. You can love beautiful things, be beautiful yourself, and still compete with (and beat!) the best in the world. There is always room for both. 3. Great things come from small beginnings. I was reminded by this sticky message from a decades-old brand campaign of a chocolate drink. At 13, Alex left Manila for the Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca, Spain. Most of us at that age were worrying about homework or obsessed with boy bands, Hello Kitty, and sticker collections. She was already building a career. Success, Alex reminds us, is not an overnight decision. It is a thousand (or more!) ordinary ones repeated every day, especially when nobody is watching.

The championship we celebrated was built through years of unseen hard work. 4. Falling behind is not the end. Alex lost the first set in the DC Open final. Earlier in the tournament, she also trailed behind in a set before fighting back to win. That reality is powerful. A bad interview is not a failed career. A failed launch is not a failed business. One challenge is not the end of the story. As positive psychology would have it, grit is not about never falling behind. It is about refusing to stay there and moving forward. 5. Believe the impossible is possible. For years, a Filipino winning a WTA singles title felt impossible. But Alex proved it was not. Somewhere today, another young Filipino is picking up a racket, a paintbrush, a stethoscope, a camera, or a microphone because he or she saw someone from the Philippines make history. I suppose that is how change begins. One person goes first. Another decides, “Maybe I can, too.” I still can’t explain tennis scoring. But I know that you don’t need to understand every rule of the game to recognize when someone has mastered it. Maybe the dream in front of you feels impossible today. Remember what Nelson Mandela said: “It always seems impossible until it’s done.” We join in celebrating Alex and her contribution to Philippine sports and our nation’s pride. For your random thoughts, e-mail the author at randomrepublika@ gmail.com.