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‘Case vs. former Speaker violated PBBM’s follow the evidence call’ THE Ombudsman’s case against former Speaker and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez appears to have preceded the evidence, going against President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s call to "follow the evidence," former Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) president and law school dean Atty. Jose Roy III said.
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In an interview over radio DZMM, Roy said accusations against Romualdez amid the government's investigation of the flood control scandal had continued even before a formal complaint was filed, arguing that investigators "pointed to the Speaker first" instead of letting the evidence lead the investigation. Next page
VOL. XL • NO. 175 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 •SATURDAY, AUGUST 8, 2026 •
4 ‘Maleta Boys’ recant flood control allegations
Blue Ribbon hands Admit they were promised financial aid for untrue testimony flood control probe to Ombudsman By Rex Espiritu and Ram Superable SEN. Erwin Tulfo on Friday said the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee will defer to the Office of the Ombudsman in investigating alleged corruption in flood control projects to avoid disrupting ongoing cases. Tulfo said the decision was reached during a closed-door meeting with Ombudsman Jesus Crispin "Boying" Remulla and Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian. "It was a coordination meeting with Next page
Court to decide on Quiboloy’s extradition—DOJ
• Ex-Speaker: Recantation shows accusations false, fabricated • Lacson flags numerous flip-flopping of ex-bodyguards
By Pot Chavez and Katrina Manubay THE Department of Justice (DOJ) on Thursday said it is ultimately up to the courts to determine whether an extradition request complies with Philippine law and treaty obligations. Justice spokesperson Atty. Polo Martinez made the clarification when asked about the extradition process following the Department of Foreign Affairs' (DFA) confirmation that it
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RECANTATION. Four of the 18 so-called ‘Maleta Boys’ (top photo) recanted their affidavits during an interview with GMA News yesterday. The lower photo shows Ombudsman Boying Remulla meeting with Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian and Blue Ribbon chair Sen. Erwin Tulfo wherein they decided to let the Office of the Ombudsman handle the ongoing investigations into the flood control anomalies. GMA video grab/ Office of Sen. Erwin Tulfo
Sen. Legarda, Rep. Leviste leave PH, says NBI
By Rex Espiritu, Maricel Cruz, Katrina Manubay Ram Superable and Joel Zurbano OUR men who identified themselves as former bodyguards of ex-Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co have withdrawn their earlier sworn statements that implicated President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., former Speaker Martin Romualdez, Co, and other personalities in alleged kickbacks from flood control projects.
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In a report They said aired on GMA's we can af"24 Oras," the ford not to four said their work for two previous alyears. Then legations were there would NEWS / A3 untrue and be security that they were for our famipromised finanlies," one of them said. cial assistance in exchange for their Asked what they were allegedly testimony against the President, Ropromised in return, he replied: "In exmualdez, and Co, among others. change for the joint affidavit." "There was a promise made. For financial assistance, for instance. Next page
10 ‘Maleta Boys’ arrested for failing to pay bail
By Ram Superable and Pot Chavez
Sen. Loren Legarda
NATIONAL Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag confirmed on Friday that Sen. Loren Legarda and her son Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Leviste have left the country. Legarda, who was absent from Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment trial and routine legislative sessions from August 3 to 5, departed for France while Leviste flew to Hong Kong on a separate flight the same day. Next page
Rep. Leandro Leviste
Palace, DFA hit anti-China caskets dropped in Metro By Rex Espiritu, Vince Lopez and Katrina Manubay
ANTI-CHINA. Unidentified persons leave five empty anti-China caskets in several places in Metro Manila. The caskets featured distorted images of Chinese leaders and anti-Chinese messages. PNP
MALACAÑANG on Friday deplored the surreptitious display by unidentified persons of anti-China caskets in parts of Metro Manila, urging the public to cooperate with authorities and report relevant information while the Philippine National Police continues its investigation into the incident. Five caskets featuring distorted images of Chinese President Xi Jinping, Next page
MARK OF TESDA. President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. checks out the products made by TESDA graduates during a visit to Ilocos Norte. The exhibit showcased products from 23 TESDA-accredited institutions. PCO
DOE expects big-time rollback next week By Alena Mae S. Flores and Darwin G. Amojelar CONSUMERS can expect a rollback of as much as P5 per liter next week due to the softening world oil prices on renewed hopes of a diplomatic breakthrough in the US-Iran conflict easing
the geopolitical risk premium. Several transport groups called off their planned strike next week after the Department of Transportation (DOTr) announced a package of financial assistance and incentives to help public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers and operators cope with rising fuel prices. Next page
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"We just want to recant. We're taking back our previous statement. We just want to live quietly. We are facing cases and threats to our lives," another added. The four declined to show their faces on camera, saying they feared for their safety. They presented separate notarized affidavits recanting their earlier statements and provided GMA with videos showing the notarization of the documents. No intimidation, no financial aid offer—Baligod Lawyer Levito Baligod, counsel of the former bodyguards, said he understood the situation of the four, but said he should not be accused of promising them financial aid. “Don’t let them say that I am making money from them or that we have a scam that we want to carry out. That this is why they made this affidavit, or that they were forced or intimidated, or that I promised them a lot of money,” Baligod said. He said he and the rest of the former bodyguards will hold a press conference today. “You will hear from the other 14 when they hold a press conference (Saturday),” he said. In February, the group of 18 men collectively called “Maleta Boys” surfaced publicly and executed affidavits alleging they had delivered suitcases of cash to Mr. Marcos, the former Speaker, Co, and other personalities. Of the eight who signed affidavits that were submitted to the Office of
the Ombudsman, three were among those who recanted and were interviewed by GMA. ‘False, trumped-up accusations’ For his part, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla accused Romualdez of having a hand in the recantation of the four former bodyguards, but made no mention of President Marcos. “Who else will benefit from their recantation?” Remulla said. Romualdez, however, squarely rejected the Ombudsman’s accusation. “The Ombudsman’s accusation that I am behind the recantations of the former Marines is absolutely not true. This shows how extremely prejudiced he is against me,” he said. Romualdez said the recantations supported his position that the allegations leveled against him were fabricated. “The recantations prove what I had been saying all along that the accusations against me are false and trumped up…This is not how a fair search for the truth is conducted,” he said. “I will not be intimidated. I will face every accusation against me, defend myself with the facts, the evidence, and the truth,” the former Speaker added. Palace flags paid destab attempt Malacañang on Friday accused supporters of Vice President Sara Duterte of orchestrating efforts to pay people to make false allegations against the President. She said the recanted affidavits of the four “Maleta Boys” pointed to an attempt to destabilize the government. In a video statement, Palace Press
Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said: “We can see the tactics of Duterte supporters—specifically how they hire people to fabricate stories against the President in exchange for large sums of money. Many perceive this as part of a destabilization plot orchestrated by Mike Defensor and his associates.” As for the earlier accusations of the “Maleta Boys” against the former Speaker, Castro said it is already within the Ombudsman's jurisdiction. She urged the public not to be fooled by such acts, noting that they can ruin innocent lives. Senator Panfilo Lacson, for his part, urged authorities to identify and hold accountable the orchestrators behind the "Maleta Boys.” "Because of their numerous flipflopping statements in various forums and venues, we no longer know what is true and what is not in what they are saying, and who among them is telling the truth and who is not," Lacson said. "The authorities must also track down and make accountable to the law those behind the 'Maleta Boys' and the confusion they created. I hope the authorities will track and make them answerable as well," he added. Lacson previously challenged the physical possibility and basic mathematics behind the alleged P805 billion cash-delivery scheme. He pointed out the immense logistical challenge of transporting 805 metric tons of paper currency along with 53.6 metric tons of empty suitcases required to store the cash, in addition to the immense processing
time needed prior to delivery. "While every imputation of a crime warrants our attention, none deserves our blind deference. In the same manner that everyone has a right to be heard, it is not a license to mislead. Hence, while I reserve judgment on the merits of the testimonies, I am duty-bound to raise questions of logic and at the very least, basic mathematics," he said in an earlier privilege speech in the Senate. Tulfo: Recantation was to be expected Senator Erwin Tulfo, meanwhile, said the recantation did not come as a surprise, noting the legal complaints filed against some members of the group. “I am not surprised. They probably would not be facing cases left and right if what they were saying was true. But thank God they have seen the light,” Tulfo said. Tulfo had earlier filed a grave oral defamation complaint against three of the “Maleta Boys” – Rosebert Waupan, Bernard Gumban and Benny Bulontate – over allegations they made against him involving supposed cash deliveries. Former congressman Robert Ace Barbers urged those who recanted to name those behind the alleged “smear campaign.” Barbers, who was among those implicated by the “Maleta Boys,” also filed a case against them and Baligod for libel and cyber libel. “The truth is coming out. They themselves admitted somebody made them execute the affidavit, that somebody told them what to put in their joint affidavit. That is why we are appealing to the four who recant-
ed to be braver and name who these people were,” he said. Trillanes to withdraw cyber libel cases Former senator Antonio Trillanes IV, for his part, said he would withdraw the cyber libel and other legal cases he filed against the four exbodyguards after they recanted their earlier allegations. "I have already told my lawyer to withdraw the cases I filed against the four of them," Trillanes said. Trillanes, a former military officer, said he sympathized with the four men, saying they had been taken advantage of because of their financial circumstances. "They were exploited by people with dark political intentions. I hope they have learned a hard lesson from these experiences. I also hope that other former soldiers who are still being deceived will also be enlightened," he said. Two months ago, Trillanes filed a cyber libel complaint with the Department of Justice against Senators Alan Peter Cayetano and Rodante Marcoleta, along with the 18 “Maleta Boys.” The complaint stemmed from allegations made during a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on June 4 where the “Maleta Bous” claimed Trillanes received and delivered cash to investigators of the International Criminal Court. In March, Trillanes filed a separate cyber libel complaint against the 18 ex-bodyguards following a press conference in which they claimed that suitcases filled with cash had been delivered to him and other personalities, including Mamamayang Liberal Rep. Leila de Lima.
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had received the United States' request to extradite detained televangelist Apollo Quiboloy. "The DFA is the first point of contact. Under Philippine law, the DFA determines whether the extradition request complies with the RP-US Extradition Treaty and applicable Philippine laws. If compliant, the DFA forwards the request to the DOJ, which files the appropriate petition before the court," Martinez said. "Ultimately, it is the court that determines whether the legal requirements for extradition have been met," he added. Meanwhile. Philippine Ambassador to the United States, Jose Manuel "Babe" Romualdez, said on Friday that detained televangelist Apollo Quiboloy would likely be turned over to the U.S. Marshals if his extradition to the United States is approved. In a radio interview, Romualdez explained that the process would follow formal government-to-government procedures before he is taken to the Los Angeles where the alleged crimes occurred. Martinez said Article 11 of the RPUS Extradition Treaty provides the Philippine government with two options while Quiboloy's local cases remain pending. One option is to defer the extradition proceedings until the resolution of his cases in the Philippines, subject to applicable procedural rules. The other is to temporarily surrender Quiboloy to the United States for trial, subject to terms and conditions agreed upon by both governments. The DFA earlier confirmed receiving the US government's extradition request for Quiboloy. Quiboloy's lawyers declined to comment, saying they had not yet been officially informed of the request. International law expert Evecar Cruz-Ferrer said the extradition request is processed by the DOJ after being received through diplomatic channels by the DFA. "Technically, the DFA is the primary contact of a State. It is the diplomatic channel, but the processing of the extradition request will be with the DOJ," she told Manila Standard. "Under Section 5 of the Philippine Extradition Law, the DFA will receive the request, and it will be forwarded to the DOJ for processing," she added. Cruz-Ferrer said that if an extradition request is pursued, the Philippine government may postpone its implementation to give priority to the criminal cases pending before local courts. "The Philippines will honor its commitment, as long as the extradition request falls within the parameters set forth in the treaty. However, it will just delay the granting of the request," she said.
the Ombudsman and the Senate President. We discussed future coordination not only on flood control but also on other corruption cases that may be brought before the Senate," Tulfo told reporters. He said the Ombudsman would take the lead on flood control cases because multiple complaints and investigations are already pending before the anti-graft body. "Everything that has to do with flood control, they will handle because there are already many ongoing cases," he said.
Tulfo said the committee would instead focus on other corruption cases brought before the Senate while the Ombudsman pursues the flood control investigations. He also emphasized that the Blue Ribbon Committee's role is to conduct inquiries in aid of legislation, not criminal prosecution. "The Blue Ribbon is for legislation. We are not there to prosecute. This is fact-finding for legislation," he said. Tulfo said the committee's flood control hearings have already resulted in six or seven proposed measures aimed at preventing similar anomalies in the future.
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Tulfo said the Blue Ribbon Committee does not want its inquiry to interfere with the Ombudsman's work. "If we still interfere, we might jeopardize those cases, and we don't want to do that," he said. The senator said the committee has begun turning over documents related to its flood control inquiry to the Ombudsman. Any additional transfer of records, he added, would require the approval of the committee's members. "We will meet with the entire membership to discuss it. If the majority, if not all, agree, then we will approve it," he said.
ing the evidence, they pointed to the Speaker first and made the evidence follow afterward," he added. The lawyer noted that the complaint was filed only last week and is now under preliminary investigation, adding that it appeared to have been rushed before the President's State of the Nation Address on July 27. The Office of the Ombudsman has filed complaints against Romualdez and several co-respondents over the alleged diversion
of funds intended for flood control projects. The charges include plunder, graft, direct and indirect bribery, and money laundering. The Ombudsman has ordered Romualdez to submit his answer within 15 days. Romualdez has denied the allegations, accusing the Ombudsman of relying on discredited witnesses. A precautionary hold departure order has also been issued against him while the investigation is ongoing.
downward pressure on domestic prices. “Despite the recent pullback in prices, fundamentals remain relatively firm due to strong demand amid tightening supply as the continuing disruption to Middle East exports through the Strait of Hormuz and from Saudi Red Sea ports limit the availability of feedstock for Asian refiners,” he said. He said further downside in prices is capped due to concerns over tightening global supply pool as Russian product outflows continue to decline. “Continued supply disruptions and conflicting political statements from the US and Iran are keeping prices volatile, with increasing upside risk,” he said. On Aug. 3, the oil firms cut pump
prices by P0.73 per liter for gasoline, P0.60 per liter for diesel and P2.09 per liter for kerosene, The assistance package for players in the mass transport sector includes fuel discounts, cash aid, toll fee waivers, and additional subsidies under the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP). Representatives of the Alliance of Concerned Transport Organizations (ACTO), the Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (FEJODAP), and Pasang Masda said Thursday they would no longer push through with the transport holiday scheduled for Aug. 10 to 12 following the government's announcement.
According to Sen. Erwin Tulfo, Legarda formally requested a medical leave of absence covering those dates through a notification to Senate President Sherwin "Win" Gatchalian. "There's a leave of absence from Sen. Loren, in fairness to her, it's a medical leave. That's why she wasn't there at the hearing. She's absent. Hopefully, she'll be back," Tulfo said. In a statement, Legarda asked the public "not to draw unwarranted conclusions from my travel or link it to the recent false and baseless allegations, which undeservedly besmirch a reputation that I have built over decades of public service." The senator's travel coincided with the Office of the Ombudsman launching a preliminary investigation into graft and plunder complaints against her and her son involving over P10 billion in solar power projects. "I don’t have any information about her foreign trip. We haven't talked about her trip yet. If it's a personal trip, a travel authority from the Senate is no longer required," Gatchalian said. Meanwhile, beyond the financial corruption probe, Leviste faces separate scrutiny from the NBI regarding his alleged role in a plot to fabricate a sex scandal targeting Executive Secretary Ralph Recto. Matibag confirmed Legarda and Leviste's departure to Manila Standard after Leviste failed to comply with the bureau's subpoena on Thursday in connection with its investigation into his alleged involvement in a "honey trap" plot targeting Recto. Earlier this week, the NBI chief noted that Leviste and former lawmaker Jing Paras are being called to clarify matters after arrested individuals mentioned them. Matibag reiterated that while attending the scheduled meeting remains their prerogative, he is urging them to see the evidence themselves. Both Leviste and Paras previously denied involvement in the alleged plot.
ing they can notify the police or call the Unified 911 hotline. Meanwhile, police arrested one of the drivers who delivered the caskets. The driver said they were paid ₱8.000.00 while the helpers who unloaded the caskets received ₱1,000.00 each. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) condemned these actions, reiterating that it does not support acts or threats of violence against any individual, including foreign nationals. Chinese embassy spokesperson Ji Lingpeng deplored the incident as a "blatant act of political provocation, personal attack and intimidation and
threat, of a most egregious nature." "The Chinese embassy strongly condemns this despicable and shameless act" and urged the government to bring the "perpetrators to justice." It also asked that all necessary measures be taken to effectively "safeguard the security and legitimate rights and interests of Chinese diplomatic and consular missions, institutions amd personnel" in the country. Palace Press Office Undersecretary Claire Castro reminded Filipinos that freedom of expression should not lead to fear, anxiety, or confusion. "To those engaging in such activities, your freedom of expression is not
being curtailed. However, these actions do not help our country," she said. “If you are patriotic, please cooperate with our government to address your issues. Do not be a source of fear, intimidation, or unrest," Castro added. No list of pro-China backers, but has "traitors criteria' Meanwhile, Rear Adm. Jay Tarriela, Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea (WPS), on Friday outlined actions that could constitute betrayal of the country's interests amid the exchange between Vice President Sara Duterte and Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. over the government's WPS policy.
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"The President said, 'Let's follow the evidence.' That was the theme of his remarks—that they followed the evidence wherever it led,” Roy said in Filipino “But if you review what happened, the accusations against former Speaker Romualdez continued even before a case was filed. Instead of follow-
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This is despite the lingering uncertainty and persistent risks to Red Sea shipping, an industry source said Friday. Based on this week’s Mean of Platts Singapore and foreign exchange averages for the first four days, diesel will have a rollback of P4.50 toto P5 per liter and gasoline to P4.50 to P5.00 per liter. “Fuel products declined in line with crude, with Asian diesel and gasoline falling sharply as easing geopolitical risks reduced the recent supply premium,” the source said. He said the stronger peso this week against the US dollar helped put more
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Foreign Minister Wang Yi, and Ambassador Jing Quan, along with hateful messages inside, were discovered across the National Capital Region. Initial investigations indicated that the five caskets were intentionally left in Sta. Cruz, Manila; Brgy. 54, Caloocan City; Brgy. South Triangle, Quezon City; Brgy. Sta. Teresita, Quezon City; and Gil Puyat, Makati City. Presidential spokesperson Claire Castro encouraged the public to report these incidents to authorities, suggest-
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2 SDOs to testify at impeachment By Maricel V. Cruz
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PECIAL Disbursing Officers (SDOs) Gina Acosta and Edward Fajarda are expected to testify before the Senate Impeachment Court on the handling of confidential funds after encashing government checks and turning the cash over to security officers, House lead prosecutor Gerville Luistro said. Luistro said their testimony would be significant because both officials had previously testified under oath before the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability. Acosta, the Office of the Vice President’s SDO, earlier testified that she turned over encashed confidential funds to Col. Raymund Dante Lachica of the Vice President’s Security and Protection Group.
According to news reports on the House proceedings, Acosta said the turnover was made with the approval of Vice President Sara Duterte. Luistro also recalled that Fajarda, the former Department of Education SDO, testified that he handed the cash he withdrew to security officer Col. Dennis Nolasco. According to Luistro, Fajarda admitted he did not personally know the reported
recipients and that Nolasco knew them. She noted, however, that those statements were made during a legislative inquiry and must now be presented and validated before the Senate Impeachment Court. “Let’s wait and see what they will say during the trial when it is their turn to testify,” Luistro said during a press briefing. The appearance of Acosta and Fajarda is expected after the prosecution completes the testimony of incumbent Commission on Audit–Intelligence and Confidential Funds Audit Office (COAICFAO) auditor Xylene Mae Del Campo and the presentation of House legislative records. “We hope they will be consistent with their narratives because I will not understand if, after their clear narration of what happened during the hearing of the Committee on Good Government, they suddenly change their story,” Luistro said. She said the prosecution expects Acos-
ta and Fajarda to be unwilling or hostile witnesses because of their involvement in the transactions under scrutiny. “All we need is for them to tell the truth about what really happened when these confidential funds were disbursed and liquidated,” Luistro said. Asked what would happen if the witnesses disowned or failed to recall their earlier statements, Luistro said both their previous testimony and any testimony before the Senate would be given under oath. “Lying is prohibited because they are under oath, and they have to explain why what they are saying now contradicts their prior declarations,” she said. Luistro cautioned against assuming that either witness would change their testimony. Private prosecutor Amando Virgil Ligutan said the two SDOs differ from earlier prosecution witnesses because they are expected to testify as unwilling or hostile witnesses.
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IN BRIEF DepEd extends loan repayment to 7 years THE Department of Education (DepEd) has lengthened from five to seven years the maximum loan repayment period under the Automatic Payroll Deduction System (APDS) for its personnel including teachers. Following Bangko Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Circular No. 1239 which extends consumption loans of government employees from three to seven years, Education DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara updated the agency’s loan repayment policy. According to Angara, the extension is in response to feedback from teachers, school heads, and nonteaching personnel for financial relief. Under the new guidelines, only loans with a term not exceeding seven years will be accommodated under APDS. Gabriel Oliva
BI nabs six aliens found working without permits THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) has arrested six foreigners for working without government permit at commercial establishments in Binondo, Manila. Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said the crackdown was conducted at a popular shopping mall in Binondo, where BI operatives apprehended the six aliens during an enforcement operation targeting illegal foreign workers. The foreigners were allegedly engaged in retail activities in violation of the conditions of their stay and the Retail Trade Act. Authorities are verifying the identities and citizenship of two in the group who claimed to be Filipino citizens. Vito Barcelo
‘Use 911 hotline for any crisis response’ VIETNAM CULTURE IN MANILA. The Vietnam National Puppetry Theater performs at Centro de Intramuros in Manila in celebration of Viet Nam Cultural Days, showcasing their country’s rich cultural heritage through traditional water puppet performance. Richmond Chi
PNP rounds up 10 of ‘Maleta Boys’ over perjury raps By Joel E. Zurbano and Vince Lopez THE Philippine National Police (PNP) on Friday said they have arrested the 10 of the so-called “Maleta Boys” who claimed to have delivered kickback money to various political and private individuals involved in the flood control scandal. The arrests were made as a Las Piñas City trial court judge issued arrest war-
rants for 18 individuals who identified themselves as former staffers and bodyguards of resigned congressman Zaldy Co in connection with four counts of perjury filed against them. The PNP said 10 of the former Marines or bodyguards of Co were arrested following their failure to post bail for their four counts of perjury. Consequently, they were taken to the Las Piñas City Jail, where they will remain
in custody until they have posted bail. Radio dzBB reported that Judge Kathryn Sabado has issued the arrest warrants for the 18 respondents collectively referred to as “Maleta Boys.” The 18 have implicated various highprofile personalities in the flood control scandal, with many of them denying the allegations and subsequently filing perjury charges in response. The arrest warrants stemmed from
charges lodged by Mamamayang Liberal Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima, former Senator Sonny Trillanes IV, former National Security Adviser Eduardo Año, and Bureau of Corrections director general Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. Lawyer Levito Baligod clarified that he is currently representing only 14 of the 18 former bodyguards facing charges, noting that the remaining four have retracted their statements.
PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. enjoins the public to maximize the use of the Unified 911 hotline during disasters and calamities to ensure faster emergency response and enhance public safety. “This hotline was not created solely to address crimes, but also to respond to the needs of all our kababayan during natural calamities, including typhoons,” Nartatez said. “Whether for preemptive evacuation, search and rescue operations, or other emergencies, this hotline is a lifeline for everybody,” he added. The Unified 911 Hotline enables callers to access the police, fire, medical, and rescue services through a single emergency number. Vince Lopez
PH, Australia expected to forge defense cooperation agreement By Rex Espiritu THE Philippines and Australia are expected to sign an enhanced Defense Cooperation Arrangement (DCA) later this year. Following their 3rd Defense Ministers’ Meeting in Darwin, Australia on Friday, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said the two nations reviewed the substantial progress in their defense cooperation and identified areas where the partnership can further expand. “The exercise of our discussions today was twofold. Number one is to review the progress we’ve made, which I can say without exaggeration has been substantial, and to map out areas of potential convergence to make sure that what we are doing is sustainable and can be increased more,” Teodoro said in a press conference in Darwin. Teodoro said the Philippines and Aus-
tralia were also working on an information-sharing and secrecy agreement that would allow the two countries to cooperate more closely in the cyber domain. “[It] is all important and which we hope to derive best practices, lessons and experiences from a mature system that Australia has,” he said. According to the Defense chief, the DCA would help bridge Manila and Canberra’s existing defense activities with more institutionalized arrangements. “The process comes from down the activities, then it’s flexed through these mechanisms into more institutional arrangements. So, that provides the bridge between the policy side and the application side,” Teodoro said. Australian Deputy Prime Minister and concurrent Defence Minister Richard Marles, meanwhile, said the two countries have made “really good progress” on the DCA.
STRUGGLE FOR LIVING WAGE MARCHES ON. The labor group called Unity for Wage Increase Now stages a protest in front of the Department of Labor and Employment to denounce the agency’s failure to ensure the implementation of a regional wage hike, and present a manifesto to Labor chief Francis Tolentino demanding accountability. Norman Cruz
Tarlac legislator faces nine counts of graft charges
DISASTER ALERT. Benguet police set in motion Oplan Tangguyob in the vicinities of Ambalanga River, Población, and Camp 1 Acupan, in Barangay Virac, Itogon in anticipation of continuous rainfall that could potentially trigger flash floods, soil erosion, swollen rivers, and landslides. Residents are advised to stay vigilant and move to safer ground. Benguet Police photo
TARLAC Third District Rep. Noel Rivera is facing nine counts of graft charges over conflict of interest in infrastructure projects before the Sandiganbayan. The cases were filed on Friday and were raffled off to six anti-graft court divisions, namely, the first, second, fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh court divisions. “Yes, conflict of interest, with accompanying flood control.” Ombuds-
man Jesus Crispin Remulla said when asked for confirmation about the suits,. Rivera and his wife, Concepcion Vice Mayor Evelyn Rivera. reportedly owned Tarlac 3-G Construction & Development Corp. The Office of the Ombudsman earlier said it was also pursuing cases against Rivera. “These are companies that have won a lot of the contracts, companies
that are believed to be theirs, or at least they have beneficial ownership over,” Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano has said. Rivera previously denied any involvement in corruption, and said he is ready to face the allegations against him. “I vehemently deny that I am involved in any form of corruption. My conscience is clear,” he said. Rex Espiritu
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Big LGU role under GIDA Act stressed
BRIDGE WORK.
Construction of the Loing-Mangitayag Bridge in Piddig, Ilocos Norte has made significant progress five months after Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon (right) first inspected the site, when only the foundations and columns were in place. On Friday, Dizon and House Majority Leader and Ilocos Norte 1st District Rep. Sandro Marcos (left) inspected the project, which is expected to be completed before yearend and improve travel between Barangays Loing, Bimmanga, Mangitayag, and Tonoton. DPWH Photo
By Maricel V. Cruz
Campus Wi-Fi bill OK on 2nd read By Maricel V. Cruz
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HE House of Representatives on Friday approved on second reading a bill that seeks to provide students and faculty in public and private higher education institutions with free access to digital textbooks, academic materials, and high-speed campus Wi-Fi.
House Bill 9532, or the “Universal Access to Digital Academic Learning Resources Act,” was principally authored by Reps. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, Yedda Marie Romualdez, Andrew Julian Romualdez, and Jude Acidre. Acidre, chairperson of the House Committee on Higher and Technical
Education, sponsored the measure in plenary, saying expanded access to higher education must be matched by adequate learning resources. “Entering the classroom is only the beginning. Students also need access to quality learning materials that allow them to succeed, deepen their
IN BRIEF Sadural named 50th head of Jungle Fighters MAJ. Gen. Arsenio Sadural has assumed command of the Philippine Army’s 2nd Infantry “Jungle Fighter” Division (2ID), becoming the unit’s 50th commander. Sadural formally took over from Maj. Gen. Ramon Zagala during a change of command and retirement ceremony presided over by Philippine Army chief Lt. Gen. Donald Gumiran at Camp Capinpin in Tanay, Rizal, on Aug. 6. Gumiran expressed confidence in Sadural’s leadership, citing his extensive operational experience and background in education and training. “Within your area of responsibility lie the critical infrastructures that define our national identity and serve as the lifelines that keep our nation moving,” Gumiran said. A member of the Philippine Military Academy “Maalab” Class of 1993, Sadural most recently served as deputy chief of staff for education and training (J8) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Rex Espiritu
Itogon hits dumping of ASF-infected pigs ITOGON, Benguet — Mayor Bernard S. Waclin has condemned the illegal dumping of carcasses of pigs infected with African Swine Fever (ASF) in several ravines in the municipality, saying the act appears to be the work of unscrupulous traders who failed to sell the infected animals. Waclin said authorities have identified several persons of interest allegedly involved in attempting to sell ASFinfected pigs to buyers in Itogon. The transactions reportedly failed after the hogs emitted a foul odor while being transported from the lowlands to their intended markets. He said personnel of the Itogon Municipal Police Station are conducting follow-up operations to identify and arrest those responsible for dumping the carcasses over the past two weeks. Dexter A. See
understanding, and complete their education,” Acidre said in his sponsorship speech. The measure proposes the creation of a National Academic Content Repository, a government-supported digital platform that would provide textbooks, lecture videos, syllabi, research papers, instructional materials, and open educational resources across various academic disciplines. The repository would be supervised by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) in partnership with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and public and private higher education institutions.
Students and faculty nationwide would receive free online access to quality-assured, accessible, inclusive, and culturally relevant academic content. Acidre said the repository would build on the existing PHL CHED Connect platform instead of creating a separate system, allowing the government to maximize existing investments, avoid duplication, and strengthen a platform already familiar to the higher education sector. The bill also requires higher education institutions to provide free, secure, campus-wide high-speed Wi-Fi for students and faculty, with rural and underresourced campuses prioritized during the initial implementation.
ROCKET DEBRIS.
Members of the Philippine Coast Guard secure an object believed to be rocket debris found along the shoreline of Barangay Babuyan Claro, Calayan, Cagayan, on Thursday (August 6). The object was first recovered by Philippine Navy CAFGU personnel after a resident found it in Sitio Naydi. PCG Photo
5 Dawlah Islamiyah members die in Cotabato firefight By Rex Espiritu FIVE alleged members of the Dawlah Islamiyah-Hassan Group, including a suspected sub-leader, were killed in a joint military and police operation in Barangay Inug-ug, Pikit, Cotabato, on Thursday afternoon. Lt. Col. Erwin Dumaghan, commander of the Philippine Army’s 48th Infantry Battalion,
identified the fatalities as Marhum Esmael, also known as “Marhom,” the group’s alleged subleader; Ameer Hassan; Asnawi Sansawi Usman, alias “Ali”; and one unidentified individual. Authorities said Marhom was facing criminal charges, including murder, frustrated murder, and robbery with violence. According to the military, government forces encountered armed members of the group
during an operation launched based on intelligence reports. The firefight resulted in the deaths of the five suspected militants. Security forces recovered two M16A1 5.56mm rifles and three short magazines from the scene. Clearing operations and further investigation are ongoing, the Army said.
Coast patrols boosted amid smuggling tries
CAAP, BulSU forge aviation education partnership THE Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) has signed a partnership agreement with Bulacan State University (BulSU) to strengthen collaboration in aviation education and expand specialized training opportunities. The agreement was formalized on Aug. 6 at the Civil Aviation Training Center (CATC), marking a step toward enhancing aviation training through joint initiatives. The memorandum of agreement was signed by CAAP Director General Raul del Rosario, CATC Chief Gina Marie Lazo, and BulSU President Dr. Teody C. San Andres. “CAAP is committed to advancing the aviation sector, while Bulacan State University is dedicated to developing the next generation of aviation professionals. Our missions naturally complement one another, and we are confident that this partnership will be both meaningful and successful,” Del Rosario said. Joel E. Zurbano
LOCAL government units (LGUs) will play a bigger role in building and supporting public schools in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs) under a new law signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., according to Reps. Luigi Villafuerte and Migz Villafuerte. The lawmakers said Republic Act No. 12321, or the “Last Mile and GIDA Schools Act,” aims to expand access to basic education by institutionalizing government support for the construction of schools and the provision of facilities and essential learning resources in GIDAs, underserved and conflictaffected areas, and indigenous peoples (IP) communities. The Villafuertes, who co-authored the law, said it requires the Department of Education (DepEd) to prepare and publish within one year of its effectivity a National Last Mile and GIDA Schools Map to guide planning, resource allocation, and program implementation for schools in remote areas. The law also directs DepEd to work closely with LGUs, other national government agencies, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders to ensure broader access to education in these communities, the former Camarines Sur governors added. In addition, RA 12321 requires DepEd to adopt a national school accessibility standard to ensure, whenever feasible, that learners have access to basic education schools within a three-kilometer walking distance from their homes.
By Vince Lopez
50TH COMMANDER. Army Maj. Gen. Arsenio Sadural (third from left) salutes the troops as he assumes command of the Philippine Army’s 2nd Infantry “Jungle Fighter” Division, becoming its 50th commander. He formally took over from Maj. Gen. Ramon Zagala during a change of command and retirement ceremony presided over by Army chief Lt. Gen. Donald Gumiran at Camp Capinpin in Tanay, Rizal, on Thursday (August 6). Army Photo
PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. on Friday ordered all police units with coastal jurisdictions to intensify maritime and coastal patrols following the seizure of P6.5 million worth of suspected smuggled cigarettes off Zamboanga City. The directive came after personnel of the 2nd Zamboanga City Mobile Force Company (ZCMFC) Seaborne Unit intercepted a motorized boat carrying about 2,182 reams of suspected smuggled cigarettes in the waters off Layag-Layag Island in Barangay Talon-Talon on Thursday. Two suspects, both residents of Barangay Rio Hondo, were arrested after allegedly failing to present shipping or transport documents for the cargo. Nartatez said the seizure highlights the need for sustained maritime enforcement and intelligence operations against smuggling syndicates to strengthen border security and curb the illegal trade.
OPINION
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SATURDAY, AUGUST 8, 2026
mst.daydesk@gmail.com
EDITORIAL Honor Blanco Cabie
Still dancing at midnight COLORADO SPRINGS -- We pause from counting marbles, other stones, watching clouds and writing sonnets in between and take this space to reminisce that day 58 years ago when we met Rose, and that Monday evening 55 years back when we exchanged the marital vow in a Catholic church in Manila. It’s been 58 years since we locked eyes -- she was an 18-year-old college junior in an exclusive girls school and we were then a young assistant for programming of the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines, concurrently the managing editor of the CEAP News. It’s been 55 years since August 9 when we sealed the deal in a simple evening ceremony at the altar of the Our Lady of Loreto Church in Manila’s Sampaloc district, officiated by Monsignor Jesus Tizon -- and we continue to write the textbook on enduring devotion. Rose has since retired as a high school guidance counselor who spent years steering other people’s children through the storms of youth when not playing the piano. For decades, we were an international news agency and broadcast newshound; we are now a print newsroom editor still searching for the real story, chasing facts for a living, after years in university classrooms in the metropolis, helping mold aspiring journalists. Rose spent her prime years as an elementary school teacher as well as high school teacher and guidance counselor while cooking pinakbet and steamed saluyot leaves in between for lunch or dinner when not managing our school bus. But time changes the headlines. Today, our greatest headline is the life we built. Fifty-eight years of knowing each other’s contours, flaws and silent language. We are surrounded by the tangible echoes of our minted love: three thriving children Army, Mian and Andy Lord; three cherished children-in-law Chris, Gerry and Lui; and four grandsons Aaron Maximilian, Mikhail Bernard VIII, Mirko Sean Alexander, and Milek Andrey who look at us and see the gold standard of partnership. Yet, long after the nursery rhymes faded, the romance, which began 58 years ago, refuses to dim. On a turbulent flight above the islands of the Philippine archipelago, the Pacific Ocean, across states of the United States or across the US-Canada border, or bumping along TPLEx and MacArthur
Highway when we go up to the Ilocos, our home region, we find our hands locked tight, defying gravity and miles alike. The same scene is a sight on the highspeed interstate highways in the US of A and in Canada. And then there is the midnight magic. When we are trying to soothe our minds after closing two pages and gone dateline hopping and the wall clock inches toward midnight and music flirts with the evening breeze, we don’t just reminisce, we dance.
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In a world addicted to the temporary, unapologetically we are an archival treasure. We hear the lilting crackle of a Ray Anthony, an Acker Bilk or a Billy Vaughn which immediately changes the atmosphere. There is no exhaustion here, only rhythm -- even after we have beaten the newsroom deadline. In a world addicted to the temporary, unapologetically we are an archival treasure. We spin into a sudden living room dance, joined unhesitatingly by our youngest grandson Milek, as from the time he was three years old to now that he is 10, learning by osmosis that love is not a static monument -- a moving, breathtaking, waltzing thing -- when not dancing to the beat of Perez Prado or Glenn Miller or James Last or Bert Kaempfert. And we see once more an eight-yearold Mirko dancing with his grandma the swing beat when we were invited to be the guest of honor and crowning speaker during the town fiesta in our hometown Pinili in northern Philippines in 2018. Fifty-five years of marriage is an emerald milestone, polished by patience and brightened by daily choice. We have edited a magnificent life together, counseling each other through every chapter. We are unabashedly persuaded that we have proven that an unassuming but determined newsman and a sympathetic counselor don’t just report or advise on life -- we dance through it. May the Lord bless us and may the music, in whatever key or clef, never stop playing.
UPCAT musings ON a rainy Sunday morning in September, 34 years ago, I took the UPCAT. I left Valenzuela City at dawn, feeling special, like my life lay ahead of me. I was convinced that I would spend the next four years of my life in a place beautifully lined by trees and steeped in academic tradition. I was assigned to a room in Melchor Hall. I must have brought a snack but I don’t remember eating it. Midway through the test, there was a downpour and I could hear nothing else except my thoughts. What if I didn’t get in, or did not get student financial assistance here? My grandmother could not afford to send me anywhere else. The rain was as brief as it was torrential. After the test, I was supposed to meet a boy in front of Vinzons Hall. I did not want to keep my date waiting, and since I was fresh from reviewing that the closest distance between two points was a straight line, I decided against walking along the oval and crossed the sunken garden instead. Our plan was to get out of UP, grab a buy-on-take-one burger along the way, and then head to the hospital where my mother was confined getting cancer treatment. But my flats got muddied in the oval -- I realized that the ground had been softened by the
rain only when I stepped on it. In my 16-year-old brain, these details seemed of equal hierarchy to me. The UPCAT is still a big deal. Thousands of high school students all over the country aspire to become an Iskolar ng Bayan. In 2025, some 135,236 students took the admission test, with just 17,996 or 13% qualifying. Admission to and an education in UP remains a dream for many Filipino households, whether it is a family that would be sending a child to college for the first time, or one composed of generations of distinguished graduates.
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It’s not your school color that defines you. Despite being demonized by some sectors as a breeding ground for activists (and what’s wrong with being passionate about what is going on in society?), and despite being accused as encouraging its students to criticize the government (is it not our duty to hold our officials accountable?), UP remains the top university in the Philippines, as shown by various regional and global
T
Shadows on the witness stand
HE decision of the Sandiganbayan to let former Senator Bong Revilla post a P1-million cash bond while leaving his co-accused engineers and personnel behind bars feels like a heavy slap to ordinary citizens. People watch as powerful figures walk out of jail on technicalities, claiming the evidence of direct state fund plunder lacks absolute ironclad strength at the preliminary stage. Meanwhile, low-level clerks and local engineers who only followed orders or processed routine paperwork rot behind bars. This stark contrast breeds deep distrust in a legal system that often bends for the mighty and breaks the weak. Now here comes former Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan (2022-2025 after a brief stint as acting secretary in 2007) who will take the witness stand on Aug. 12.
ManilaStandard
ONLINE
By Ed Rosales Dural FEW betrayals of public trust are more troubling than the use of public office to advance private family interests. If the allegations now under investigation by the Office of the Ombudsman are ultimately proven in court, the controversy involving Senator Loren Legarda, her son, Batangas Rep. Leandro Leviste, and former Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi would stand as a stark example of political power serving family rather than the nation. Public office is not a family enterprise. Filipinos elect senators to legislate, provide oversight, and safeguard the national interest—not to create opportunities that allegedly benefit their own relatives. The higher the office, the greater the obligation to avoid not only conflicts of interest but even the appearance of one. That responsibility is especially critical when immediate family members stand to gain from government action. The complaints under preliminary investigation allege that Senator Legarda used her influence to advance her son’s renewable energy interests. Former Deputy Speaker Lito Atienza has claimed she lobbied lawmakers to support her son’s congressional franchise and even offered government funding after he refused to back the measure. Senator Legarda has categorically denied these allegations, and they remain unproven. Their truth must be established—or disproved—in the proper legal forum. If substantiated, however, the implirankings. But as one recent graduate (now an ardent jobseeker) from another university asked me: How much weight is assigned by employers to the school from which one finished a course? Is success determined by one’s school, or one course? It would be difficult to provide an empirical answer to this query. Foremost, success is defined in different ways. Some would say financial stability, even affluence, is the measure of success. Or a feeling of meaning and fulfillment on the job. Or stature in the community or field. Or a mix of these. I could not also claim to know what employers deem important: being “good on paper,” connections, laudes, interview performance? While I passed the UPCAT, getting into my first choice in both program (Journalism) and campus (Diliman), I did not end up studying in UP. At least
PPI
Philippine Press Institute The National Association of Philippine Newspapers
The evidence presented must pierce the armory of political privilege. Filipinos demand nothing less than the unvarnished truth about discretionary lump-sum budgets and backroom project insertions. Bonoan sits at the epicenter of the
cations would extend far beyond a single franchise or company. They would suggest that the influence of public office was used not to serve the Filipino people but to secure extraordinary advantages for one’s own family, undermining the trust on which democratic governance rests. The controversy also carries broader consequences for the country’s energy sector. The Department of Energy has terminated several renewable energy service contracts involving companies linked to Rep. Leviste and has cited roughly ₱24 billion in penalties and contractual obligations for alleged failure to meet commitments.
Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla has described the matter as involving “ghost electricity,” warning that unrealized projects may have cost the country hundreds of billions of pesos in lost economic opportunities. If political influence helped secure government privileges for projects that failed to deliver their promised benefits, the public would have every reason to demand accountability. Renewable energy is central to the country’s energy security and economic future. Every delayed or abandoned project means electricity that never reached consumers, investments that never materialized, jobs that were never created, and growth that was deferred.
If more qualified developers were sidelined while favored projects failed to deliver, ordinary Filipinos ultimately paid the price. Equally troubling is the precedent such conduct would set if left unanswered. It would reinforce the belief that political connections matter more than competence, that influence outweighs merit, and that public office can be used to advance family fortunes rather than the public good. That is why this investigation matters. The rule of law, however, requires fairness. Senator Legarda, Rep. Leviste, and former Secretary Cusi are entitled to the presumption of innocence. Allegations are not evidence. Any criminal case must rest on credible documents, testimony, financial records, and proof that meets the standard required by law. But the seriousness of the allegations also demands public scrutiny. Filipinos deserve to know whether the powers entrusted to elected officials were exercised solely for the national interest or were used to benefit those closest to them. If the allegations are disproven, those accused deserve full vindication. If they are proven, however, the case will represent more than a legal violation. It will expose a deeper failure of public ethics—one that reminds us that the greatest threat to public service is not simply corruption, but the willingness to place family privilege above the welfare of the nation. (Ed Rosales Dural is a radio host and digital creator who studied law at the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Pasay. He is a native of Catanauan, Quezon.)
not for my undergraduate degree. I earned a scholarship somewhere else, somewhere my grandmother deemed more...becoming. I have no regrets taking my roundabout path, believing it has made my life richer and more interesting. But life these days has been about coming full circle. A call for applications shared by a Facebook friend led me back to UP, in the same program, in the same building where I had initially envisioned myself. I may not have studied there, but I teach now. Two years ago, I served as UPCAT examiner. For two full days I read instructions to and watched over senior high school students taking a shot at the future they wanted. More than once I found myself musing, as I observed them and remembered myself fidgeting on my seat wondering what the future held for me. How would the majority who would not make the cut feel? Do
they realize they still had a fair shot? And those who would make it, would the pride eventually get to their head and make them smug? It’s akin to the feeling I get during college recognition rites, when I’m on the stage with other professors, looking out to the graduates seated in rows. They have ticked a major box in their lives, but now what? How would they respond to the call of their country? How would they carry themselves as graduates of the premier university? They have passed their academic tests but they will still be tested in other ways, just as generations of UP graduates have been tested over the years. Will they fall short of expectations, just as many have? Will they stay true to their calling? And then it becomes clear: it’s not your school color that defines you. It’s the big and small decisions you take every day that do. adellechua@gmail.com
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Public office is not a family enterprise.
Board Member & Chief Legal Adviser
Emil P. Jurado+ Chairman Emeritus, Editorial Board
ROLANDO G. ESTABILLO Publisher
can be accessed at: manilastandard.net
MEMBER
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A mother’s power, a nation’s loss?
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
Filipinos look to Bonoan not merely as an ordinary witness but as a central figure who held command over the infrastructure purse strings.
alleged kickback networks and his insider knowledge must expose how public funds were funneled into ghost infrastructure. The public does not want evasive answers or convenient memory lapses.They expect a clear confession of how high-ranking elected and appointed officials coordinated with the bureaucracy to pocket funds. Bonoan’s testimony must serve as a turning point rather than another theatrical exercise in futility. If the scales of justice are to balance, the evidence presented must pierce the armory of political privilege. Accountability means that provisional freedom for prominent names cannot translate into permanent impunity. The Aug. 12 hearing is more than a procedural step in an ongoing trial; it is a litmus test for the country’s judiciary.
Mario R. Policarpio Jr. Head - Finance
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Head - Ad Solutions
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Opinion Editor
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Head - Suppplements
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WORLD
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SATURYDAY, AUGUST 8, 2025
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Indonesia traps monkey to end rampage that wounded 18 JAKARTA – Animal trappers have cut short the two-week rampage of a monkey that randomly attacked 18 people on Indonesia’s Sumatra island, prompting dozens of schools to close in fear. The animal, an adult long-tailed macaque, wounded 18 residents of the town of Tembilahan, biting and clawing at its victims – most of whom it targeted when they were alone. Those hurt included children and elderly people. “As of today, there were 19 attacks, with 18 victims. One victim was attacked twice,” Tembilahan fire and rescue service head Junaidy Ismail said Friday. Some required more than a dozen stitches and a rabies shot. The monkey was caught on Thursday in a trap set in town, and the rescue service issued a video on Friday showing it alive, seemingly stressed, in a cage. Town official Ari Syuria urged residents to remain cautious because the monkey could have operated as part of a gang. “The concern is that there may be other monkeys attacking people,” Ari said in an Instagram post. Forty schools remained closed on Friday, with three days of online learning ordered for hundreds of Tembilahan pupils. Doors will reopen next Monday if it is deemed safe, the local government said in a statement. AFP
IN BRIEF Sri Lanka deploys troops to contain prison unrest COLOMBO – Sri Lanka deployed troops to its main maximum-security prison in Colombo and two other jails on Friday, following unsuccessful breakout attempts in which three inmates were killed and 23 wounded, a government minister said. Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala said an inmate was killed and 10 others wounded after guards thwarted an attempt by about 40 convicts to escape from Colombo’s maximum-security Welikada Prison on Thursday night. Sri Lankan jails have been hit by a spate of unrest in recent weeks, with 10 guards and 23 inmates killed in two separate riots at two other prisons outside Colombo since last month. Officials have attributed the growing unrest to acute overcrowding. Sri Lanka’s prisons hold about four times their intended capacity. Wijepala told parliament that the situation at the Welikada jail had been brought under control, but similar unrest was reported at another prison in Kuruwita, about 80 kilometers (50 miles) southeast of Colombo. AFP
Ukraine hits online retail Wildberries’ warehouse MOSCOW – Ukrainian drones hit a warehouse belonging to Russian e-commerce giant Wildberries hundreds of miles from the frontline on Friday, the latest in a series of attacks on its facilities. “Firefighters have been deployed to the company’s logistics center in Yekaterinburg... where a fire broke out as a result of an attack,” Wildberries said in a statement, adding that all staff had been moved to safety. Regional governor Denis Pasler said three drones crashed into the roof of the warehouse early on Friday without causing any casualties in the city, more than 2,000 kilometers (1,250 miles) from the border with Ukraine. Since mid-July, Ukraine has struck around 20 sites belonging to Wildberries, an online retail platform often described as Russia’s Amazon. AFP
Sokor recovers landmines washed away from North SEOUL – South Korean authorities have collected 15 landmines believed to have washed over into their coastal territory from the inter-Korean border on monsoon deluges, officials said Friday. The Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), splitting the Koreas since their 1950-53 war ended with an armistice, is one of the most heavily mined places on Earth. Some 800,000 are estimated to be buried around the area, according to military data cited by the Yonhap news agency, many from the war -- but mine-laying has continued in recent years. Choi Young-ran, head of civil defense for South Korea’s northwestern border country of Gwangwha, said 15 “suspected North Korean landmines” were “discovered along coastal areas”. She told AFP the mines “believed to have been washed away during the monsoon season and recent torrential rains” had been found between July 23 and August 3. AFP
DEADLY INCIDENT. A school shooting victim is transported on a stretcher into Bang Yai hospital in Nonthaburi province, north of Thailand’s capital Bangkok, on August 7, 2026. AFP
8 dead in Thailand school shooting B ANGKOK – A teenage suspect killed his grandparents before shooting dead at least six more people at a school near Bangkok Friday, police said. First, he shot dead his grandparents, using his grandfather’s handgun, then went to a secondary school north of Bangkok and killed three teachers and three students, national police said in a statement. Dozens of police and emergency responders gathered outside the Debsirin Nonthaburi School in Nonthaburi province on Friday, while parents raced to pick up their children and tearful students and staff comforted each other outside. “I was afraid that I would die, and I was scared that I wouldn’t be able to pursue my dreams,” said Pawarisa Maylissa,
a Grade 12 student who hopes to attend medical school. “I heard many gunshots very loudly because it seemed the suspect was on the floor directly above us. I could even hear bullets hitting the floor.” Fifteen injured students were not struck by gunfire but hurt as they were trying to flee, deputy interior minister Polapee Suwunchwee told local broadcaster Thai PBS. The shooter was identified as a teenage student of the school and also reported dead, according to local media reports citing authorities.
Some reports said police officers had shot and killed the suspect, while others said he had died by suicide. “It’s such a terrible incident. It should never have happened. How could this happen in our country?” Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul told reporters at Bangkok’s Government House. Photos published by local media show the suspect wearing a purple school uniform and carrying a black cross-body bag, with several bullet casings visible on the ground. An AFP journalist saw a dozen mental health workers arrive at the school, where traffic was nearly at a standstill. Thailand has one of the highest rates of gun ownership in the region, with around 10 million firearms estimated to be in circulation – one for every seven inhabitants.
Past promises of tightening gun laws have not prevented repeated shootings. Thai police shot and arrested a teenager who opened fire at a school in the south of the country in February, killing the principal and wounding two students. The teen had used a police officer’s weapon in the shooting. A local police chief said at the time that the suspect was hospitalized for psychiatric treatment in December and had been discharged. The teen stabbed a police officer with a knife and stole his weapon – a 9mm pistol – just before the incident, and then used it to carry out the attack. In 2022, an ex-policeman armed with a gun and a knife stormed into a nursery in the country’s north and murdered 24 children and 12 adults, one of Thailand’s deadliest massacres. AFP
Pacific nations fail to agree on China missile statement SUVA, Fiji – Pacific diplomats gathered in Fiji failed on Friday to agree on a joint statement condemning China’s recent test of a nuclear-capable missile in the region, with New Zealand’s foreign minister accusing them of appeasing “outsiders.” Beijing gave only a handful of nations short notice before test-firing an intercontinental ballistic missile last month, flexing its military might in a region where it has long sought to expand its reach. The rocket appeared to land in a patch of ocean somewhere between Solomon Islands, Nauru and Tuvalu, monitors have said. It sparked condemnation from multiple Pacific leaders, but the 18-member Pacific Islands Forum is yet to issue a formal response to the test. New Zealand’s outspoken Foreign Minister Winston Peters said following an hours-long meeting the group had failed to agree on a joint statement condemning the launch. He did not name the two member states that had blocked the statement, but China-friendly nations Kiribati and Nauru are understood to have had little interest in formally criticizing one of their major partners. “They didn’t actually lay out any reasons apart from their disagreement,” Peters told journalists. He accused them of appeasing “outside partners’ wishes, rather than those that belong to the Pacific Islands Forum.” AFP
BEATING THE HEAT. A man stands in front of a misting fan during a heatwave in Rome at the Colosseum. AFP
US firm takes on mosquitoes — with 600,000 male mosquitoes
BIOLOGICAL CONTROL. Todd Montgomery, owner of Bee Safe Mosquito Control, disperses Aedes Albopictus mosquitos in Silver Spring, Maryland. AFP
SILVER SPRING, United States – Todd Montgomery pops the lid off a small tube and taps out hundreds of mosquitoes into the backyard of a suburban home outside Washington. He’s not up to mischief: these are males that don’t bite, and they carry a gut bacteria called Wolbachia, which means when they mate with uninfected females, the eggs won’t hatch. It is the first initiative of its kind aimed at residential customers in the United States, with 600,000 tiger mosquitoes (Aedes albopictus) set to be released across the region by the end of summer. “With climate change, we’re sitting on a ticking time bomb,” the 32-year-old founder of Bee Safe Mosquito Control
tells AFP. Rising temperatures have added more warm, humid days to the calendar in much of the US, lengthening the season in which the disease-carrying insects thrive. The treatment, sold as “ZAP Males,” affects only tiger mosquitoes, which are not native to the region but are vectors for pathogens including dengue – a growing concern after northern Virginia reported the state’s first locally acquired case this week. A former electrical engineer who moved from his native Kentucky to take a defense job, Montgomery founded the company in 2023 with an eye toward getting pesticide sprays out of suburban yards. AFP
SPORTS
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SATURDAY, AUGUST 1, 2026
Aryna Sabalenka serves to Shuai Zhang of China during Day 5 of the National Bank Open Presented by Rogers at Sobeys Stadium in Toronto, Ontario. AFP
No.1 Sabalenka, Pegula advance at Toronto meet T ORONTO—Top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka advanced to the fourth round of the WTA Toronto Masters on Thursday by defeating China’s Zhang Shuai 6-3, 6-4. The 28-year-old reigning US Open champion from Belarus, a four-time Grand Slam winner, dropped only seven points on her
first serve to advance in 76 minutes. Sabalenka, with a 38-6 record and three titles this year, struggled to find a rhythm in her return games early.
“I was trying to step in and then I would step back and nothing really clicked,” she said. “In the end I finally started moving a little bit better and finding my rhythm so I’m really happy at the end it really clicked.” Sabalenka said she enjoys being atop the rankings, a spot she has held for more than 100 weeks in her career.
“I love it. It just means I’m ahead and they have to come up with something crazy to play such tennis and I’m only getting better from that,” Sabalenka said. “I enjoy being the one being chased. It’s really fun. It’s tough challenges but I love to go through it and it makes me stronger.” Sabalenka next plays against Russian 16th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova, who eliminated Australian Talia Gibson 5-7, 6-1, 6-3. Sabalenka leads their personal rivalry 5-4 thanks to a victory this year on Berlin grass, but Alexandrova won their most recent hardcourt match in a third-set tie-breaker last year at Doha. “Great player. Super aggressive. Fast game. Always have to stay low,” Sabalenka said. “It’s always great battles and a lot of things to work on.” American third seed Jessica Pegula advanced to the round of 16 by defeating Uzbekistan’s Kamilla Rakhimova 6-4, 6-0 in 68 minutes. Pegula will play for a quarter-final berth against Russian 15th seed Diana Shnaider, who eliminated compatriot Anna Kalinskaya 6-3, 6-3, in 77 minutes. Polish seventh seed Iga Swiatek advanced with a 6-2, 6-1 romp over Swiss Viktorija Golubic in 66 minutes, landing 18 winners and losing only 14 points on her serve. “For sure it was a good day and I’m really happy with the way I played,” Swiatek said. Swiatek countered Golubic’s versatile shots by forcing the match tempo. “I played back her slice pretty well so the change of rhythm didn’t bother me that much,” Swiatek said. “I tried to pick the right balls to attack because I was controlling the pace. It was just about the decision making.” She next faces 10th seed Marta Kostyuk, who dispatched US 19th seed Madison Keys 6-3, 6-1 in 72 minutes. AFP
Record IRONKIDS field ignites IRONMAN Lapu-Lapu weekend LAPU-LAPU City—Before the world’s elite battle for IRONMAN 70.3 Lapu-Lapu glory on Sunday here, the spotlight first belongs to the sport’s youngest stars. A record-breaking 657 participants will converge at the Beachfront of Dusit Thani Mactan on Saturday (Aug. 8), making RLC Residences IRONKIDS Lapu-Lapu the largest IRONKIDS event ever staged in the Philippines. The historic turnout not only sets a new benchmark for the country’s premier youth triathlon series but also underscores the rapid growth of grassroots multisport development and the increasing enthusiasm of Filipino children to embrace the sport. The milestone event officially opens the IRONMAN 70.3 Lapu-Lapu race weekend, transforming Mactan into a celebration of triathlon that spans every generation – from aspiring sixyear-olds taking their first race steps to world-class professionals chasing championship honors. Young athletes aged six to 15 will compete in both the aquathlon (swim-run) and kids run races, with
The future of triathlon takes center stage ahead of the pros and age group campaigners in the IRONMAN 70.3 Lapu-Lapu.
participants coming from LapuLapu City and neighboring cities and provinces. The record field reflects IRONKIDS’ continuing success as a platform where beginners experience the thrill of racing while more
seasoned youngsters sharpen their competitive edge. Among the biggest stories behind the stellar IRONKIDS field is the strong presence of Sidlak Bagani, Lapu-Lapu City’s flagship youth tri-
athlon development program, which will field 65 young athletes – one of the largest organized contingents in the race. A collaborative effort involving the Lapu-Lapu City government, Sunrise Events, Inc., IRONKIDS and local sports stakeholders, Sidlak Bagani offers free triathlon training to children aged six to 15. The program is designed not only to develop athletic talent but also to instill discipline, resilience, confidence and healthy lifestyles. Meanwhile, the swim-run races offer age-appropriate distances. Competitors aged 6-8 will tackle a 150-meter swim followed by a 1km run. The 9-10 division will cover a 150m swim and 1.5km run, while the 11-12 category takes on a 250m swim and 1.5km run. The oldest division, ages 13-15, will face a 250m swim and a challenging 2km run. Relay races will also be contested, with the 11-15 category covering a 250m swim and 1.5km run, while the 6-10 division races over a 150m swim and 1km run.
Scottie Thompson, Scotty Pippen Jr. unite at vivo x NBA event TWO accomplished point guards from different sides of the basketball world came together as special guests at the vivo x NBA Meet & Greet, where PBA star Scottie Thompson joined Memphis Grizzlies guard Scotty Pippen Jr. on July 30 at vivo Concept Store, SM Megamall, sharing insights on leadership, perseverance, and life on and off the court. The event carried special personal significance for Thompson, who revealed that he was named after Pippen Jr.’s father, six-time NBA champion Scottie Pippen, because of his own father’s admiration for the Chicago Bualls legend. “It’s truly an honor to meet Scotty. I’m sure my dad would be very proud,” Thompson shared during his onstage conversation with host KC Montero, describing the encounter as a full-circle moment. The admiration was mutual. When asked about meeting Thompson during his visit to the Philippines, Pippen Jr. said he was equally amazed by the story behind the PBA star’s name. “Definitely cool. He’s a cool dude and a super accomplished player. Just hearing all the accolades he’s achieved is surreal. It’s also crazy that he was named after my dad and now, years later, we’re both here together.
It’s really cool to meet someone like that,” Pippen Jr. shared. The exclusive gathering, held at the vivo Concept Store in SM Megamall on July 30, gave fans a rare opportunity to interact with two elite point guards whose basketball journeys have inspired countless athletes in their respective leagues. Two point guards, one passion Throughout the afternoon, Thompson and Pippen Jr. reflected on the experiences that shaped their careers and the values that continue to guide them as leaders on the court. Pippen Jr. looked back on the perseverance that helped him reach the NBA, beginning with Vanderbilt University before joining the Los Angeles Lakers in 2022 as a twoway player then working his way through the NBA G League and eventually earning a spot with the Memphis Grizzlies. “The main thing for me is confidence. In college, I was the best player on my team, but when I got to the NBA, you kind of start at the bottom. Just working hard every day, instilling confidence in yourself, knowing you belong, and believing you should be there really helped me,” Pippen Jr. shared. Thompson, meanwhile, shared how years of hard work transformed
Scotty Pippen Jr. using the vivo X300 Ultra during the group photo
him from a collegiate standout into a PBA Most Valuable Player, multipletime champion, and one of the country’s premier floor generals. “For me, I just keep pushing myself every single day. I keep working hard. It shows in my game because what I do in practice is the same thing I bring onto the court,” Thompson said. Although their journeys unfolded in different leagues and basketball cultures, both stars shared the same mes-
sage: success comes from hard work, perseverance, discipline, and putting the team above yourself. The conversation also gave fans a glimpse into what it takes to become an elite point guard. While their paths have been different, both emphasized that leadership, making the right decisions under pressure, and helping teammates succeed are qualities that transcend any league or level of competition.
‘Maymay’ forces cancellation of On Tour Santiago doubleheader THE Premier Volleyball League (PVL) has cancelled its On Tour Showdown scheduled for Saturday (Aug. 8) at the Santiago Sports Arena in Isabela due to the adverse effects of Tropical Depression Maymay (Kujira). The league said the decision was made to ensure the safety of fans, athletes, team personnel, officials and everyone involved in the event. The cancelled doubleheader was set to feature ZUS Coffee against PLDT Home Fiber in the opening match, followed by Capital1-Creamline showdown. Travel disruptions also factored into the decision, as flights to Isabela had been cancelled since Thursday due to the tropical depression. PVL president Ricky Palou expressed his regret over the cancellation but emphasized that public safety remains the league’s top priority. “We sincerely apologize to our fans in Santiago City and the rest of Isabela who were looking forward to the matches,” said Palou. “While we share everyone’s disappointment, the safety of our fans, players, coaches, officials, and staff must always come first. We appreciate everyone’s understanding and support during this time.” Palou also assured volleyball fans in the province that the league remains committed to bringing top-level PVL action to the city. “We made a promise to bring the PVL to Santiago City, and we intend to keep that promise. Although we were forced to cancel this weekend’s games because of circumstances beyond our control, we look forward to returning to Santiago during the upcoming PVL All-Filipino Conference,” he said. The league also announced that all tickets purchased for the cancelled matches will be refunded. Additional details regarding the refund process will be announced through Ticketmax’s official channels. The On Tour Showdown has drawn tremendous support throughout its first four legs in Ilagan City, Isabela; Batangas City; Vigan, Ilocos Sur; and Polomolok, South Cotabato. The overwhelming turnout at the latest stop in Polomolok saw spectators spilling into the town plaza, where a giant screen was set up to ensure everyone could still watch the games.
Clark, Wilson lead USA team for World Cup LOS ANGELES—Three-point sharpshooter Caitlin Clark and Women’s NBA scoring leader A’ja Wilson were among 12 women named on Wednesday to the United States team for next month’s Women’s Basketball World Cup. American women, who have captured eight consecutive Olympic gold medals without losing a game, will seek their fifth consecutive World Cup crown in Berlin from September 4-13, having taken the past four without dropping a game. The US roster includes WNBA star guard Clark and her Indiana Fever teammate Aliyah Bostona, Dallas star Paige Bueckers, Minnesota’s Napheesa Collier, Phoenix’s Kahleah Copper and Kelsey Plum, Atlanta’s Angel Reese and Rhyne Howard, New York’s Breanna Stewart and Wilson, Chelsea Gray and Jackie Young from the Las Vegas Aces, who last year won their third WNBA crown in four seasons. “This is an incredibly talented group that has earned the opportunity to compete in Berlin,” said USA Basketball women’s national team managing director Sue Bird, who played in a US record five World Cups. “Wearing a USA jersey is a privilege and I know these 12 players will embrace that responsibility as we go after another gold medal. I can’t wait to see what this team accomplishes together.” US women have won 11 Women’s World Cup titles. Returning players have won 14 Olympic and nine World Cup gold medals. Boston, Bueckers, Clark, Collier, Howard, Reese and Young will make their World Cup debuts while Copper, Gray, Plum, Stewart and Wilson try to repeat after playing for the 2022 champions, Wilson taking Most Valuable Player honors in the tournament. Boston, Bueckers, Clark and Reese will make their US major international event debuts. “It’s great to have a team and to have a roster,” US coach Kara Lawson said. “These 12 have earned it through their play and their consistency. I couldn’t be more excited about working with each of them.” AFP
SPORTS
A8
SATURDAY, AUGUST 8, 2026
RIERA U. MALLARI, Editor RANDY M. CALUAG, Asst. Editor
UAAP slaps lifetime ban on Baldwin, Ateneo staff
The national arnis team displays the Philippine flag
PH arnis team tops world tournament with 19 golds By Randy M. Caluag
D
EMONSTRATING mastery of the country’s national martial art, the eight-member Philippine team showed the way at the World Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation (WEKAF) World Championships, hauling a total of 19 golds, 4 silvers, and a bronze medal.
The tournament, held in New Delhi, India, saw the lean Filipino contingent outclass competitors from 11 rival nations, including Australia, the United States, China, the Netherlands, Germany, Great Britain, Thai-
land, Réunion Island, and host country India. Accompanied by three national coaches, the eight athletes maximized their podium chances across multiple forms and sparring disci-
Abra thwarts Bataan by 3 THE Abra Solid North Weavers got tested before besting the Bataan Risers, 74-71, on Thursday and extending their hot run in the SportsPlus MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) 2026 Season at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City. Dave Ildefonso again bailed out the Weavers, scoring seven of their last nine points, including two charities with 11.5 seconds left, that secured the defending champions’ 16th straight win and 18-1 record in the round-robin elimination phase of the two-division, 26-team tournament. Bataan had a chance to force overtime, but Migs Corteza missed his long corner jumper with 6.6 seconds left, and Abra’s Mike Ayonayon snared the rebound to preserve the Weavers’ lead in the North division over Caloocan Batang Kankaloo (17-2) and the San Juan Knights (17-2). Showing why he’s the reigning MVP, Ildefonso finished with 29 points, 7 assists, 4 rebounds and 4 steals to garner his fourth straight SportsPlus best player honors. “I always strive to stay in shape, stay ready,” said Ildefonso, who only got a 44-second respite for the game as DJ Fenner and Tucker Molina were both unavailable. “Hats off to Bataan. They gave us a run for our money.” Ayonayon also shone with 15 points, including 9 straight that pushed Abra to its biggest spread, 58-44, after the third quarter. Raven Gonzales supported with 8 points, 11 rebounds and 2 blocks, followed by Shaun Ildefonso with 45 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals.
Dave Ildefonso of Abra
plines. Leading the dominant campaign were triple-gold medalists Ross Ashley Monville, Dexler Bolambao, Junebert Bacor, and Nawawie Pamaloy. Monville swept the 64-75kg division by winning gold in Padded Point, Knife Point, and Single Stick. Bolambao dominated the 50.1-53kg class with golds in Single Livestick, Double Livestick, and Bangkaw. Bacor claimed his three golds in the 65-68kg category across Padded Point, Knife Point, and Bangkaw, while Pamaloy conquered the upper weight ranks by taking top honors in Padded Point (68-77kg), Knife Point (68-77kg), and Single Livestick (73-77kg). The team’s female powerhouses
and lighter weight specialists further expanded the massive tally. Mary Allin Aldeguer (under 58kg) earned golds in Non-traditional Double Weapon and Knife Point, alongside a silver in Padded Point. Crisamuel Delfin (under 53kg) secured golds in Padded Point and Knife Point, plus a silver in Non-traditional Single Weapon. Ma. Crystal Jane Sapio (under 58kg) captured golds in Traditional Single Weapon and Padded Point, along with a silver in Bangkaw. Completing the stellar sweep, Bryze Danielle Manaytay (under 58kg) claimed gold in Traditional Double Weapon, silver in Knife Point, and bronze in Padded Point.
THE University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Board of Directors has imposed a lifetime ban on former Ateneo Blue Eagles coach Tab Baldwin while allowing the men’s basketball team to compete in the upcoming Season 89. The decision was announced Friday following the league’s review of the deaths of student-athletes Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili during the tragic team-building activity inside a beach resort in Dipaculao, Aurora last June 8, 2026. In its official statement, the UAAP said Baldwin is “perpetually banned” from all UAAP competitions and related activities in any capacity. The American-Kiwi mentor is also prohibited from entering any venue, with the league adding that the sanction “is final and shall not be appealable.” Along with Baldwin, Ateneo team manager Christopher John “Epok” Quimpo and members of the coaching and support staff were suspended from participation in all UAAP activities until further determination by the board. Those suspended with Quimpo are assistant coaches Dean Caesar Castaño, Sandro Nicholas Romero Soriano, Reynaldo Jacinto Jr., Hernan Ameer Domingo, Caesar Vincent Javellana Elumba, and Grant Dearns, as well as physical therapist John Eric Rueca. Meanwhile, the Blue Eagles will remain eligible to compete in the UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball tournament, which will kick off on September 12 at the Mall of Asia Arena. The league board said it considered the findings of Ateneo’s internal investigation as well as its review of the reports from the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI). “In its administrative review, the Board noted the findings of the investigative government agencies, which did not make any recommendation to hold liable the student-athletes present at the incident. With this, the Board also recognizes that the Ateneo men’s basketball student-athletes are themselves victims of this tragedy,” it said. Jeremiah Sevilla
Eala eyes 7th straight win, but McNally no pushover ALEXANDRA “Alex” Eala has carried the momentum of her historic Washington triumph all the way to Toronto, Canada. But if the Filipina tennis star wants to keep her winning streak alive and make a deeper run in the WTA 1000 National Bank Open, she will have to get past an American opponent who has already shown she can bring down a Wimbledon champion. Eala takes on Caty McNally in the Round of 32 on Saturday, Aug. 8 (Philippine time), at Sobeys Stadium Centre Court, with the match scheduled no earlier than 8:10 a.m. The 21-year-old Eala, now ranked a career-high No. 20 in the world, enters the showdown seeking her seventh consecutive victory after capturing her maiden WTA Tour title at the Mubadala DC Open last Sunday. Yet McNally is hardly the kind of unseeded player Eala can afford to overlook. Ranked No. 70 in the world, the 24-year-old American arrived in the third round after producing one of the tournament’s biggest upsets, stunning seventh-seeded Linda Noskova, 7-6 (7-5), 6-1.
Alexandra Eala
Noskova is no ordinary scalp. The Czech is the reigning Wimbledon champion and one of the rising stars of the women’s game. McNally’s victory denied Eala a much-anticipated rematch with Noskova, who had defeated the Filipina twice earlier this season, in the semifinals
of the Berlin Open and in the fourth round of Indian Wells. Instead, Eala gets another American test after surviving Alycia Parks, 6-1, 4-6, 6-2, in the second round. Eala received a first-round bye as the tournament’s No. 25 seed, but Parks showed just how demanding the North American hard-court swing can be by forcing the Filipina into a three-set battle. McNally is best known for her doubles prowess, having won nine WTA doubles titles and reached a career-high No. 11 in the doubles rankings. Three of those titles came alongside compatriot Coco Gauff, highlighting her pedigree at the net. In singles, McNally has climbed as high as No. 50 and remains particularly dangerous because of her aggressive net game, deft volleys and ability to change the rhythm of a match. That could make for an intriguing contrast against Eala, whose left-handed game has been built around taking the ball early, attacking from the baseline and using her dangerous return game to put opponents under immediate pressure.
PH bets add silver, bronze medal to cap Aero Gymnastics Asian stint TAGAYTAY—The Philippines capped its successful campaign at the close of the 10th Aero Gymnastics Asian Championships presented by the Philippine Sports Commission Friday with a silver in the team senior aero dance and bronze in the senior mixed pair events at the Tagaytay CT Velodrome here. Performing to the lively music from a collage of Filipino ethnic dances to the famous “Budots” beat, the Filipino campaigners sprang a pleasant surprise in their international debut in scoring 16.60 points in securing the silver medal. Seasoned national veterans Arcanio Cadlos and Charmaine Dolar led the squad also composed of Enrico Ostia, James Dominick Yray, Jhon Jeoffrey Cañones, siblings Dorothy Grace and Danielle Asuncion and Princess Johanna Pama behind powerhouse Vietnam (17.250). The PH squad edged the Mongolian squad by .250 of a point in taking the bronze with a tally of 16.475 points in the competition backed by the Philippine Olympic Committee and the Philippine Amusement Gaming Corp. Cadlos and Dolar, 33rd Thailand South-
east Asian Games silver medalists last year, returned to floor and secured their second medal in the meet with a bronze in their pet event with a tally of 18.30 points behind the 1-2 finish of the Vietnamese. In overnight results, the country bagged another bronze in the youth aero dance event with a score of 16.700 points in the tournament also backed by the Tagaytay City government led by Mayor Brent Tolentino. Enoch Ryan, Jan Basmayor, Mikhaela Ladaran, Sean Emmanuel, Leona Shendrach, Jane Hallel Ramos, Anne Miguel Martin, Casey Meniano, Nathalya Facultad and Anne Haizzah Meniano composed the PH team. “Super happy kami kasi lahat ng sacrifices namin naging sulit. Super unexpected kasi last entry po kami pagkatapos nag-silver po,” said Pama in savoring her first gold medal in international play. In all, hosts delivered one gold, one silver and three bronze medals in two-day meet organized by the Gymnastics Association of the Philippines and sanctioned by the Asian Gymnastics Union.
The Philippine aero senior dance squad wows ‘em on the way to the silver medal in the 10th Aero Gymnastics Asian Championships at the Tagaytay CT Velodrome in Tagaytay City.
BUSINESS
B1
SATURDAY, AUGUST 8, 2026
extrastory2000@gmail.com RODERICK T. DELA CRUZ, Editor ALENA MAE S. FLORES, Asst. Editor
SUSTAINABLE RATTAN.
A member of the Woodstock Forest Stewards Association plants a rattan seedling during a training organized by the Department of Environment and Natural ResourcesEcosystems Research and Development Bureau (DENR-ERDB) at the Malaybalay Experimental Forest in Bukidnon. The initiative promotes sustainable rattan plantations while creating livelihood opportunities for local communities. DENR Secretary Juan Miguel Cuna says the agency is strengthening the decades-old Rattan Gene Bank in Bukidnon to help secure a sustainable supply of quality planting materials for the country’s rattan industry.
WHAT’S INSIDE?
DMCI Holdings’ income jumps 61%
Recovery seen after weak GDP growth in Q2 2.3% second-quarter growth 2.6% 2.3%
By Thony Rose Lesaca and Othel V. Campos
GDP growth in first half
2.2% GNI growth in Q2
BSP: Foreign reserves fell to $103.4b in July
T
HE Philippine economy grew 2.3 percent year-onyear in the second quarter of 2026, its slowest pace in five years, the Philippine Statistics Authority said Friday. The reading missed the 2.8 percent growth recorded in the first quarter and marked the weakest expansion since the economy contracted 3.8 percent in the first quarter of 2021. First-half growth stood at 2.6 percent. “Against the backdrop of continuing global and domestic challenges, the Philippine economy, as we have heard, grew by 2.3 percent year-onyear in the second quarter of 2026, bringing first-semester growth to 2.6 percent,” Department of Economy,
Planning and Development Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said. The Makati Business Club said the government’s reform agenda should be implemented consistently to revive investor confidence after the economy posted weaker-than-expected secondquarter growth. MBC executive-director Julia Abad said the commitments outlined in President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s fifth State of the Nation Address, including workforce development, agricultural
modernization, energy security, digital transformation and ease of doing business, could help address structural constraints if backed by coherent and coordinated policies. “By advancing reforms that enhance competitiveness, encourage private sector investment, and create quality employment opportunities, the Philippines can better navigate current challenges and sustain a more inclusive and resilient economic growth trajectory,” Abad said. To meet the government’s full-year growth target of 3.5 to 4.5 percent, the economy needs to expand at least 4.4 percent in the second half, Balisacan said. “This will be demanding, but the target remains within reach if we act with urgency, discipline and close coordination across government,” he said.
By Thony Rose Lesaca THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said Friday its gross international reserves (GIR) fell to $103.4 billion as of end-July from $104.7 billion the previous month. Preliminary data showed the foreign reserves also dropped 1.93 percent from $105.42 billion a year ago. The figure remains adequate to cover the country’s import needs, service external debt and cushion the economy against outside shocks, the BSP said in a statement. It said the reserves level can cover 6.7 months’ worth of imports of goods and payments of services and primary income. It can also cover about 3.6 times the country’s short-term external debt based on residual maturity. Jonathan Ravelas, senior adviser at Reyes Tacandong & Co., agreed that the foreign reserve level remains comfortable, but said the trend warrants close monitoring. “The key to rebuilding GIR is not intervention or borrowing, but stronger exports, higher investments, more tourism receipts and sustained remittance growth,” he said in a Viber message. The decline in reserves was due mainly to the BSP’s net foreign exchange operations, the national government’s drawdowns on its foreign currency deposits with the central bank for external debt service and the national government’s net foreign currency withdrawals from its BSP deposits. Those declines were partly offset by upward valuation adjustments in the BSP’s gold holdings, reflecting higher gold prices in the international market, along with the central bank’s net income from its investments abroad.
RETAIL CONFAB. The 32nd National Retail Conference and Expo (NRCE) 2026, back to back with Retail Solutions Asia 2026, opens at the SMX Convention Center Manila with the theme ‘New. Next. Forward’. The NRCE 2026, which ran from Aug. 6 to 7, is organized by the Philippine Retailers Association. Shown are the PRA leaders, conference organizers and event sponsors.
BCDA expects Pax Silica hub to produce $200-b exports By Othel V. Campos THE planned Pax Silica semiconductor hub in New Clark City could generate $200 billion in exports and attract $70 billion in investments over the next three decades, the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) said Friday. BCDA president and chief executive Joshua Bingcang said the projections are based on the full development of the 1,600-hectare industrial estate, which will be rolled out in three phases. “We’re talking about a 30-year plan. By full development, we’re
looking at $200 billion in exports,” he told reporters during a briefing in New Clark City, Tarlac. The first 500-hectare phase has entered the design stage and is expected to host 10 to 20 semiconductor and technology companies, Bingcang said. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2028. “We expect construction to start in 2028. Within five years, about onethird of the locators should already be on site. We expect the majority of locators to be semiconductor companies,” he said. BCDA estimates the project will attract $70 billion in investments over its 30-year development period, with
Pag-IBIG, P.A. Alvarez team up to build homes PAG-IBIG Fund has signed an investment partnership with P.A. Alvarez Properties and Development Corp. (PAAPDC) to accelerate the construction of more than 7,300 affordable homes across 10 housing developments in Batangas, Laguna and Pampanga under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s Expanded Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (Expanded 4PH) Program. To finance the developments, Pag-IBIG Fund will subscribe to preferred shares issued by PAAPDC worth P2.9 billion, payable in tranches. The investment will earn a fixed annual return of 9 percent over the next three years. The developments will consist of 80 percent socialized and 20 percent economic housing units, expanding the supply of affordable homes in key growth areas across South and Central Luzon and meeting the housing needs of Filipino workers and their families.
Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling, who also chairs the Pag-IBIG Fund Board of Trustees, said the partnership reflects the administration’s continuing efforts to accelerate housing delivery through stronger collaboration with the private sector. “As we continue to heed the directives of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., we are strengthening our partnerships with the private sector to accelerate the delivery of affordable homes for Filipino families. Through this partnership, we are bringing together government financing and private-sector capability to increase housing supply, help more Filipino workers achieve the dream of homeownership, create jobs, support industries and drive inclusive economic growth,” Aliling said.
infrastructure and utilities to be built alongside locator facilities. Pax Silica is expected to create up to 190,000 direct jobs and another 500,000 to 800,000 indirect and induced jobs, based on the initial project brief. The project also has the potential to generate P68 billion to P75 billion in annual tax revenues and about P60 billion in lease income in the first 25 years. Bingcang said the project’s rollout would be gradual, as investors typically spend years planning and building fabrication plants while utilities and other supporting infrastructure are completed.
B2
Visayas power on red alert
B3
Cebu Pacific unveils more int’l flights
B4 MAP urges reforms to cut power costs THE Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) on Friday urged the government to pursue reforms that would sustainably reduce electricity costs while preserving the reliability and financial stability of the power sector. It said in a statement the group supports President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s objective of lowering electricity prices and offered recommendations as policymakers review regulations on system loss charges. The business group said reforms should focus on major components of electricity bills, including generation costs and system loss, noting that high power rates continue to weaken the country’s competitiveness, discourage investments and increase the burden on households and businesses. The MAP urged the Department of Energy and the Energy Regulatory Commission to base any changes to system loss caps on technical analysis, empirical evidence and international best practices. It said regulators should distinguish between unavoidable technical losses in power transmission and distribution and preventable losses caused by power theft, metering inaccuracies and operational deficiencies. “Consumers should not shoulder costs arising from operational inefficiencies, weak governance or preventable non-technical losses,” MAP said. Othel V. Campos
FINTECH LEADER.
Homegrown fintech leader Mynt Inc., parent company of GCash, is named one of the World’s Top Fintech Companies 2026 by CNBC (Consumer News and Business Channel) and German data platform Statista, making it the sole Philippine firm to join the international list of payment innovators. Listed under the payments category, Mynt stands out as the only Philippine fintech company to make it to the prestigious international ranking.
BUSINESS
B2
SATURDAY, AUGUST 8, 2026 extrastory2000@gmail.com
DMCI Holdings’ 2nd quarter income jumped 61% to P6.5b
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Ab e otoana e speak, pea ead and wwrite e fluently uen n bo h Japanese apane e and Eng h - - Technical in in Writing and listening skills. Sem rara M n ng and Power Corp con r bu ed P2 7 b on n Technical Writing and listening skills. Te hn aJapanese n W ngLanguage and eninterpretation ng - - Manage and translation skills and expectation. Manage Japanese Languageninterpretation and translation and Manage apaneand e Language e p e abetween on and an ora more on skills and eexpectation. pe a on - - Provide accurate fluid interpretation two languages during meetings, conferences, interviews, second-quar er earn ngs up 17 percen from P2 3 b on a year Provide accurate and fluid interpretation between two or more languages during meetings, conferences, interviews, P oother de aevents. u a e and u d n e p e a on be ween wo o mo e anguage du ng mee ng on e en e n e ew and andoother and hewritten eevents. en documents, such as contracts, reports, and correspondence, from one language to another and - - Translate ago as record performance from s power bus ness offse weaker Translate written documents, such as contracts, reports,and and correspondence, from oneanguage languageotoano another and T an a e w en do umen u h a on a epo o e ponden e om one he and maintaining thethe original meaning and tone. maintaining original meaning and tone. ma n a nanother ng he orelated g na task. mean ng and one - - Perform coa opera ons Power accoun ed for 96 percen of he company’s Perform another Pe o m ano he erelated a ed atask. Qualification (Education, Experience, Professional License, Skills Certification, Specialized Training): earn ngs dur ng he quar er wh e coa con r bu ed he rema n ng 4 Qualification (Education, Experience, Professional License, Skills Certification, Specialized Training): Qua on Degree Educainon Expe ence P o ess ona L cense Sk s Ce fica on Spec a ed T a n ng - - fica Bachelor any field is is preferred. Bachelor Degree any field preferred. Ba he o Deg ee ninan e d in pat eleast e edtwo languages. - - Japanese Native-level fluency percen Japanese Native-level fluency in at least two languages. apane e Na eand e verbal e uencommunication n a ea wo anguage - - Excellent written skills. and verbal communication EExcellent e en wwritten en and e ba ommun a on skills.between languages. - - Understanding ofof cultural nuances and differences DMCI M n ng Corp de vered a record P1 3 b on n ne nUnderstanding cultural nuances and differences between languages. Unde and ng o u u a nuan e and d e en e be ween anguage - - Previous experience in in translation oror interpretation is is beneficial. beneficial. PPrevious e ou eexperience pe en e n translation an a on o ninterpretation e p e a on bene a come or near y four mes he P344 m on pos ed n he same Applications may bebe sent to:to: Applications may sent App a on ma be en o Name ofof Company HR: Luz C.C. Bundoc per od as year as sh pmen vo umes reached an a - me h gh fo Name Company HR: Luz Bundoc Name o address: Compan HR Lu C Bundo Email hr@aaa-ph.com Emailadd address: Ema e hhr@aaa-ph.com @aaa ph om ow ng he fu -quar er con r bu on of s Long Po n m ne The Company/ Name ofof foreign national intending toto apply Company/Employer Employer Name foreign national apply Company Emp oye Name o o e gn na ona nintending end ng o app y for the YELLOW s ar of commerc a CYAN opera ons a Long Po n ra sedBLACK he company’s for theposition position CYANMAGENTA MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK o he pos on CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Name: Hideaki Miura Company Name: Advance Ability Assistance Training Name: Hideaki Miura Company Name: Advance Ability Assistance Training ac ve m nes o hree from wo Name H dea M u a Company Name Ad an e Ab A an e T a n ng Center Inc., Center Cen e nInc., Address: Zadia Tower 22 11th floor Unit 3333 Address: Zadia Tower 11th Unit DMCI Homes booked P1 b on n ne ncome up 49 percen Add e Zad a Towe 2 11 h floor ooJose, Un 33 Crosstown Mall, City,United Blvd, Don Santa Complete address: : Unit 215, 2 2 Flr, Mall, Greenfield Don Jose, Santa Complete address: :Un Unit 215, CCrosstown o own Ma GGreenfield eenLaguna e d CCity,United Un ed BBlvd, d Don o e San a Comp e e add ess City 215 2 FFlr,Laguna Brgy. Pulong Sta.Cruz of Sta.Rosa Rosa, Pulong Laguna Rosa, Laguna from P705 m on on h gher res den a revenues ower cance aBBrgy. g Pu ong SSta.Cruz a C u CCityoofSSta.Rosa a Ro a Laguna Ro a Laguna Nature of business: Japanese Language Training Nationality: Japanese Nature business: Language Nationality: Japanese on reversa s and mproved opera ng marg ns Na u e oofbus ness Japanese apane e Language TTraining a n ng Na ona apane e Center Center Cen e Intended period of employment: One (1)(1) year period employment: One DMCI Power pos ed P406 m on up 9 percen on record quarnIntended ended pe od oofemp oymen One 1 year ea Company declares that foreign national is isable, willing, and totoperform Companyhereby hereby declares thatthe theabove-named above-named national able, andqualified qualified perform Company he ebjobde a e ha he abo e named oforeign e gn na ona ab e wwilling, ng and qua ed o pe om er y energy sa es fo ow ng capac y add ons n Masba e and Anthe services and description for this position. The company has the intention to employ the said foreign the services and ob jobde description position. The company has he the nintention employ the said he e and e apply and p on Employment ofor hthispo on The ompan ha enofon otoemp o he a d oforeign e gn national ananAlien Permit with the Labor national andapp applyfor Employment Permit theDepartment Department Laborand andEmployment Employment na ona and oforan AAlien en Emp o men Pe m wwith h he Depa men oofLabo and Emp oymen que Regional Office Regional Office Reg onalocated Office No. IV-A at 3rd and 4th Floor, Andenson Bldg. II,II, Brgy. Parian, Calamba City, Laguna. No. IV-A and Andenson Parian, Calamba Laguna. No V A olocated a ed aat33rd d and 44th h FFloor, oo Anden on BBldg. dg BBrgy. g Pa an Ca amba CCity,Laguna D M Consun Inc recorded a P195-m on con r bu on comAny Filipino jobseeker who is is competent, able and willing toto perform the services forfor which the foreign national Any Filipino jobseeker who competent, able and willing perform the services which the national F p no ob ee e for, who ompe en ab e and w ngRegional o pe o mOffice he e No. e IVo Awh h he oforeign e gnand na ona isAn intended to be hired may file an objection at DOLE located at 3rd 4th pared w h P18 m on as year isnintended behhired may file anob objection DOLEReg RegionalOOffice No. V IV-AA olocated 3rd and44th ended otobe ed ofor,II, ma e an e on aatDOLE e No a edthis aat3publication. d and h Floor, Andenson Bldg. Brgy. Parian, Calamba City, ona Laguna 3030 days after Andenson Parian, Calamba Lagunawithin days publication. FFloor, oo Anden on BBldg. dg II, BBrgy. g Pa an Ca amba CCity, Laguna wwithin h n 30 da aafter e hthispub a on Concrea Ho d ngs Ph pp nes near y broke even r mm ng s Please inform DOLE Office No.IVA if you have any information onon criminal offenses committed DOLERegional Regional No.IVhave any criminal PPlease ea eforeign ninform o m nationals. DOLE Reg ona OOffice e No V AA if you ou ha e an ninformation o ma on on m na ooffenses en e committed omm ed by the a r bu ab e ne oss o P4 m on from P682 m on a year ear er the nationals. bby he oforeign e gn na ona ed by h gher cemen sa es vo umes and se ng pr ces as we as Manila Manila Manila con nued opera ona mprovemen s Standard Standard Standard Mayn ad’s a r bu ab e ncome o DMCI TODAY Certified true copy of ACR or 1-Card Certificate/s of petitioner’s child/ TODAY TODAY true copy ofACR ACRoor 1-Card of petitioner’s child/ SCN children CCertified C d CCertificate/s fi SCNFORM FORMNO. NO.111 SCN FORM NO children(issued (issuedbybyBI); BI); Ho d ngs amoun ed o P810 m on down (R.A. NO. 9139) B (R.A. NO.9139 9139) R A NO Certified true copy of NBCR/s ofof petitioner’s child/children (issued also byby BT); 17 percen from P974 m on ma n y due NBCR/s child/children (issued also BT); CCertified true copy ofNBCR o ppetitioner’s on BT Duty notarized Affidavit Capacity of of thethe petitioner, oror Affidavit of of o he reduc on n DMCI Ho d ngs’ effecAffidavitofofFinancial petitioner, Affidavit Support DDuty notarized FFinancial CCapacity p Affi from theAffi person financially supporting petitioner, if petitioner is is either Support from person financially supporting petitioner, if petitioner either Sstudent, m the a a new graduate, spouse or war cities without income or a candidate ve ownersh p fo ow ng he wa er comREPUBLIC a student, a new graduate, spouse orwwar citieswwithout income or a candidate wlicensure REPUBLICOF OFTHE THEPHILIPPINES PHILIPPINES REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES forfor a government exam, who has nono own income. Inm addition, submit: a government licensure exam, who has own income. In addition, submit: SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON NATURALIZATION m m w w m m pany’s n a pub c offer ng SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON NATURALIZATION (1)* Bank Certifications (two are required: [1] said bank certifications must SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON NATURALIZATION (1)*BBankCCertifications (two w are required: [1] said bank certificationsmmust
By Jenniffer B. Austria
D
Manila
Manila Man a Standard Standard Standard TODAY
nd
TODAY TODAY
Career Opportunity in DSV AirAir & Sea, Inc. DSV CCareerOOpportunity inDSV A &&SSea, Inc. Position Title: Operational Key Account Manager Title: Operational PPosition KKeyAAccountMManager (Asia Business ODevelopment) A(AsiaBBusinessDDevelopment) m Job Description: Job DDescription: • • Responsible forformanaging, developing, and and RResponsible mmanaging, ofdeveloping, growing ananexisting growing existingportfolio portfolio ofScandinavian w SScandinavian clients significant operations and business clientswith with significant operations and business wacross Asia. activities activities acrossAAsia. • • Acts Actsasasthetheon-the-ground on-the-groundextension extensionof ofkey key A clients in in thethe region, enabling close collaboration clients region, enabling close collaboration with their local offices and ensuring with their local offices and ensuringstrong strong w ffi operational performance. operational performance. m • • The Thefocus focusis isononstrengthening strengtheningrelationships, relationships, increasing and identifying increasingshare shareof ofwallet, identifying wwallet, andacross opportunities opportunitiesto toexpand expandservices services acrossthethe clients’ Asian footprint. clients’ Asian footprint. A • • Focus value creation Focusononlong-term long-term creationforforthethe m value through assigned assigned client client portfolio portfolio through active active engagement with customers across and engagement acrossAsia m wwith customers m AAsia and Scandinavia. Scandinavia. S • • Collaborate closely closelywith withoperational operationalteams, teams, CCollaborate m Account Managers, w and and other other internal internal AAccount MManagers, stakeholders to to design and deliver competitive, stakeholders design and deliver competitive, m tailored logistics solutions. tailored logistics solutions.
• • Ensure high satisfaction highlevels levelsof ofcustomer customer satisfactionthrough through EEnsure communication m proactive with clients, regular follow-ups, proactive communication with clients, regular follow-ups, mm w w expert advisory support, and timely issue resolution. expert advisory support, and timely issue resolution. m • • Support continuous improvement byby identifying identifying SSupport continuous mimprovement m performance gaps performance gapsand anddriving drivingcorrective correctiveactions actionsin in m collaboration with operations teams. collaboration with operations teams. w m Qualification (Education, Experience, Professional (Education, QQualification ECertification, EExperience, PProfessional License, Skills Specialized Training): License, SSkillsCCertification,SSpecialized Training): • • Strong project management and coordination abilities Strong project management and coordination abilities S m m • • Excellent communication and andstakeholder stakeholdermanagement EExcellent communication mm mmanagement m skills skills • • Ability to towork across acrossdifferent differentcountries countriesand andmanage AAbility projects wworksimultaneously mmanage multiple mmultiple projects simultaneously m Applications may be sent to: AApplicationsmmay be sent to: Florabel Pajanostan <florabel.pajanostan@dsv.com> Florabel PPajanostan <florabel.pajanostan@dsv.com> @ m
Name ofof foreign national intending foreign national intending NName mto apply forfor thethe position to apply position
Company/ Employer Employer CCompany/ m Em
Name: Gustaf Fredrik Adlercreutz Company Name: DSV AirAir && Sea, Inc. Fredrik DSV NName: m GGustaf AAdlercreutz CCompany m NName: m DSV A West & SSea, Inc.8912 Asean Makati City Complete Address: 6th6Flr. th Makati Address: Flr.WWestTower Tower 8912AAsean Address: AAddress:MSwedish CCity CComplete mBldg. Acor. w Parañaque Nationality: Ave. N. Abueva St., Aseana, Swedish Ave.BBldg. cor.NN.AAbuevaSSt.,AAseana,PParañaque NNationality:Sw A Intended Period of Employment: Three (3)(3) Years City Intended Employment: Three PPeriod ofEm m YYears CCity Of Business: International freight forwarding Nature OfBBusiness: International freight forwarding NNature Oair, w by land, and sea by land, air, and sea Company hereby foreign and the services herebydeclares declaresthat thatthetheabove-named above-named foreignnational nationalis isable, able,willing, andqualified qualifiedto toperform perform CCompany m m wwilling,the m the services and has andjobjobdescription descriptionforforthis thisposition. position.The Thecompany company hasthetheintention intentionto toemploy employ thesaid saidforeign foreignnational nationaland andapply apply m of Local m forforananAlien Employment Permit with the Bureau Employment (BLE) located at 6th Floor, Banco AlienEm Employment Permit with theBBureau of LocalEm Employment (BLE) located at 6th Floor,BBancoFilipino Filipino A m P m w m B E Condominium, Solana Street, Intramuros, Manila. Condominium, Solana Street, Intramuros, Manila. C m m S S m M
Career Opportunities ininCOLAS PHILIPPINES, INC. Opportunities COLASRAIL RAIL PHILIPPINES, INC. CCareerOppo un n COLAS RA L PH L PP NES NC Construction Manager Construction Con u on MManager n g JOB DESCRIPTION JOB DESCRIPTION OB DESCR P ON ● ● Responsible for coordinating, and overseeing all aspects of railway track construction and maintenance projects RResponsible for coordinating, and overseeing all aspects of railway w track construction andmmaintenance projects This resources, ensuring safety compliance, maintaining quality standards, and Thisrole roleinvolves involvesmanaging mmanaging resources, ensuring safety compliance, m mmaintaining quality standards, and collaborating with various stakeholders to ensure the successful completion ofofprojects. collaboratingwwith various stakeholders to ensure the successful completion projects. m QUALIFICATION: QUALIFICATION: QUA CA ON • • Bachelor degree in engineering, construction management, transportation transportationorora related a relatedfi eld. fi eld. BBachelor degree in engineering, constructionmmanagement, m • • 3–5 years operations, construction, training development, orora related 3–5 yearsof ofexperience experiencein inrailway railway a relatedrole. role. w operations, construction, training development, m • • Strong knowledge of ofproject coordination, documentation, and compliance procedures. Strong knowledge project coordination, documentation, and compliance procedures. S w m m Application may be sent to AApplicationmmay be sent to colasrail.philippines@colasrail.com colasrail.philippines@colasrail.com @ m Company/ Employer Company/ Employer Comp n Emp o
Name of foreign national intending NName m oof oforeign gn nnational on nintending nd ng totoapply for the position position o apply pp ofor hthepo on Name: Mustapha Mimoune Mustapha NName: m Mu ph MMimoune moun Address: Makati City AAddress:MMakatiCCity Nationality: French NNationality:FFrench n h Intended of Employment: Three IntendedPeriod Employment: Three(3)(3)Years PPeriod ofEm m Th YYears
Company Name: Colas Philippines, Inc. ColasRail Philippines, CCompany m NName: m Co RRailPh pp n nInc. Complete Address: Level 6 Ayala Triangle Gardens CComplete m AAddress: LLevel 6 AAyala TTriangle ng GGardens dn Tower 2, Paseo De Roxas cor. Makati Avenue Bel-Air Tower 2,PPaseo Roxas cor. Tow o DDeRo o MMakatiAAvenue nu BBel-Air A 1209 City of Makati NCR, Fourth District Philippines 1209CCityoofMMakatiNCR NCR,Fou Fourth Philippines h DDistrictPh pp n Nature OfOf Business: Construction ofof roads, Nature Business: Construction roads, N O B Con u on o o d highways, bridges and railways. hhighways, ghw bbridges dg and nd railways. w COLAS RAIL PHILIPPINES, INC. hereby declares that the above-named foreign national isisable, COLASRA RAIL PHILIPPINES, INC.hhereby able, COLAS L PH L PP NES NC b ddeclares hthat hthe above-named bo n m d oforeign gn nnational on b willing and qualifi ed totoperform the services and job for this position. The qualifi jobdescription position. Thecompany company wwilling ng and nd qu fi ed d o pperform o m hthe services and nd ob ddescription p on ofor hthispo on Th omp n has the intention to employ the said foreign national and apply for an Alien Employment Permit with Employment hhas hthe nintention n on oto employ mp o hthe said d oforeign gn nnational on and nd apply pp ofor an n AAlien n Emp o m n PPermit m wwith h the Department ofofLabor and Employment – Department ofofLabor and Employment (DOLE) Employment Employment (DOLE)Building, Building, htheDDepartment p m n o LLabor bo and nd Emp o m n –DDepartment p m n o LLabor bo and nd Emp o m n DOLE Bu d ng Muralla Wing cor. General Luna St., Intramuros, Manila, 1002, Philippines. Muralla Wing cor. General Luna St., Intramuros, Manila, 1002, Philippines. Mu W ng o G n Lun S n mu o M n Ph pp n Any Filipino jobseeker who is competent, able to perform thetheservices the foreign ableand andwilling servicesforforwhich AAnyFFilipino jobseekerwwho is competent, m wwilling to perform m wwhich the foreign national is intended to be hired for, may fi le an objection at Department ofofLabor –– national is intended to be hired for,mmay fi le an objection atDDepartment Laborand andEmployment Employment m Em m Department ofofLabor (DOLE) Building, Muralla Wing cor. General Luna St., Intramuros, Laborand andEmployment Employment (DOLE) DDepartment m Em m DO E BBuilding,MMurallaWWing cor.GGeneral LunaSSt., Intramuros, m Manila, 1002, Philippines after this publication. Please inform thetheDepartment ofofLabor –– Laborand andEmployment Employment MManila, 1002,PPhilippines after this publication.PPlease inform m DDepartment m Em m NCR, ononcriminal offoffenses bybythetheforeign NCR,if you if youhave haveany anyinformation information criminal ensescommitted committed foreignnational. national. NCR m m mm Career Opportunities in COLAS PHILIPPINES, INC. Career Opportunities COLASRAIL RAIL PHILIPPINES, INC. Ca ee Oppo un es ninCOLAS RA L PH L PP NES NC Design Manager-Trackworks Design Manager-Trackworks Des gn Manage T ackwo ks JOB DESCRIPTION JOB DESCRIPTION OB DESCR P ON ● ● Leads track systems, ensuring safe, cost eff ective, and compliant trackwork solutions. Leadsthetherailway railway trackwork solutions.Coordinates w track systems, m ensuring safe, cost eff ff ective, and compliant m w CCoordinates with clients, project teams, and stakeholders to deliver track designs on schedule while managing technical wwith clients, project teams, m and stakeholders to deliver track designs on schedulewwhilemmanaging technical quality, quality,standards, standards,and andproject projectrequirements. requirements. m QUALIFICATION: QUALIFICATION: QUA CA ON • • Bachelor degree in engineering, construction management, transportation transportationorora related a relatedfi eld. fi eld. BBachelor degree in engineering, constructionmmanagement, m • • 3–5 years operations, construction, training development, orora related 3–5 yearsof ofexperience experiencein inrailway railway a relatedrole. role. w operations, construction, training development, m • • Strong knowledge of project coordination, documentation, and compliance procedures of project coordination, documentation, and compliance procedures SStrong knowledge w m m Application may be sent to AApplicationmmay be sent to colasrail.philippines@colasrail.com colasrail.philippines@colasrail.com @ m Name national intending Nameofoofforeign national Company/ Name oforeign e gn na ona nintending end ng Company/Employer Employer totoapply for the Company Emp oye apply theposition position o app y ofor he pos on Company Rail Inc. Name: Peter CompanyName: Name:Colas Colas RailPhilippines, Philippines, Inc. Name:Scott, Scott,Benjamin Benjamin Peter Compan Name Co as Ra Ph pp nes nc Name Sco Ben am n Pe e Complete Address: Level Triangle Gardens Address: Makati Complete Address: Level666Ayala Ayala Gardens Address: MakatiCity Comp e e Add e Leve Aya a TTriangle ang e Ga dens Add e Maka CCity y Tower 2,2,Paseo DeDeRoxas cor. Makati Avenue Bel-Air Nationality: British Tower Paseo Roxas cor. Makati Avenue Bel-Air Nationality: British Towe 2 Paseo De Roxas co Maka Avenue Be A Na ona B sh 1209 City of Makati NCR, Fourth District Philippines Intended Period of Employment: Three (3) Years 1209 Makati NCR, Fourth Philippines Period Employment: Three Years 1209 CCity y oofMaka NCR Fou h DDistrict s c Ph pp nes nIntended ended Pe od oofEmp o men Th ee 3(3)Yea s Nature Of Business: Construction of roads, Nature Business: Construction roads, Na u e OOf Bu ne Cons uc on oof oads highways, bridges and railways. and arailways. hhighways, ghways bbridges dges and ways COLAS PHILIPPINES, INC. declares that foreign national is able, COLASRAIL RAIL PHILIPPINES, INC.hereby hereby declares thatthe theabove-named above-named national able, COLAS RA L PH L PP NES NC he eby dec a es ha he above named oforeign e gn na ona sisab e willing and ededtotoperform the and for this position. The andqualifi qualifi perform theservices services andjob jobdescription description position. Thecompany company wwilling ng and qua fi ed o pe o m he se v ces and ob desc p on ofor hthis s pos on The company has to employ the foreign national and for ananAlien Employment Permit with hasthe theintention employ thesaid said national andapply apply Employment Permit has he nintention en on otoemp oy he sa d oforeign e gn na ona and app y oforan AAlien en Emp oymen Pe m wwith h the of Labor – Department of Labor (DOLE) theDepartment Department Laborand andEmployment Employment Department Laborand andEmployment Employment (DOLE)Building, Building, he Depa men oofLabo and Emp oymen ––Depa men oofLabo and Emp oymen DOLE Bu d ng Muralla Wing cor. General Luna St., Intramuros, Manila, 1002, Philippines. Muralla cor.Gene General LunaSSt., nIntramuros, Manila, 1002,Ph Philippines. Mu a a WWing ng co a Luna amu os Man a 1002 pp nes Any jobseeker who able and to perform thetheservices for which thetheforeign AnyFilipino jobseeker whois iscompetent, competent, able andwilling perform services which An FFilipino p no ob ee e who ompe en ab e and wwilling ng otope o m he e e oforwh h he oforeign e gn national is intended totobebehired for, may at Department of Labor – national mayfi fileelean anobjection objection Department Laborand andEmployment Employment na ona is nintended ended o be hhired ed ofor,ma an ob e on aatDepa men oofLabo and Emp o men –– Department ofofLabor and Employment (DOLE) Building, Muralla Wing cor. General Luna St., Intramuros, Department Labor and Employment (DOLE) Building, Muralla Wing cor. General Luna St., Intramuros, Depa men o Labo and Emp o men DOLE Bu d ng Mu a a W ng o Gene a Luna S n amu o Manila, 1002, Philippines after this publication. Please inform the Department of Labor and Employment – Manila, 1002,Ph Philippines publication. theDepa Department Laborand andEmp Employment Man a 1002 pp ne aafter e hthispub a on PPlease ea e ninform o m he men oofLabo o men –– NCR, have any ononcriminal off enses committed bybythetheforeign national. NCR,if you if you have anyinformation criminal enses national. NCR ou ha e an ninformation o ma on on m na ooffen e committed omm ed b he oforeign e gn na ona
nd
ININTHE THEMATTER MATTEROF OFTHE THEPETITION PETITIONOF OF IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION OF SIDDARTH SIDDARTHPARWANI PARWANI PARWANI toSIDDARTH be naturalized as Filipino tobe benaturalized naturalizedas asFilipino Filipinocitizen citizen to citizen pursuant pursuanttototoRepublic RepublicAct ActNo. No.9139. 9139. pursuant Republic Act No. 9139. SCN SCNCASE CASENO. NO.000968 000968 SCN CASE NO. 000968 x -x -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --- --- --- --- -- -- -- -- -- -x x x - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - -- - - - - - - x PETITION PETITION PETITION Pursuant to to thethe provisions of of Republic ActAct No. 9139, petitioner hereby submits Pursuant provisions Republic No. 9139, petitioner hereby submits Pursuant to the provisions of Republic Act No. 9139, petitioner hereby submits a petition petitionfor fornaturalization naturalizationtototobecome becomeaacitizen acitizen citizenofofofthe theRepublic Republicofofofthe thePhilippines Philippines aapetition for naturalization become the Republic the Philippines and respectfully declares: andrespectfully respectfullydeclares: declares: and
1. 1.MyMyfullfullname nameisisisSIDDARTH SIDDARTHPARWANI PARWANI, ,but ,but butI Ihave Ihave havealso alsobeen beenknown known 1. My full name SIDDARTH PARWANI also been known since SID sincechildhood childhoodas SID orororI Ihave Ihave havebeen beenjudicially judiciallyauthorized authorizedtototouse usethe thealias alias since childhood asas been judicially authorized use the alias name(s) N/A . . SID name(s) N/A name(s) N/A . 2. 2.MyMypresent presentplace placeofofofresidence residenceisisis22HOMONHON 2HOMONHON HOMONHONST., ST.,MAGALLANES MAGALLANESVILLAGE VILLAGE 2. My present place residence ST., MAGALLANES VILLAGE Municipality of ofMAKATI of of METRO MANILA allall mymy former places of of Municipality MAKATIProvince Province METRO MANILA and and former places Municipality of(please MAKATI Province ofof residence) METRO MANILA and all my former places of residence are indicate periods residenceare are(please (pleaseindicate indicateperiods periodsofofresidence) residence) residence 1515 ST.ST. MARTIN STREET, MAGALLANES VILLAGE, MAKATI CITY MARTIN STREET, MAGALLANES VILLAGE, MAKATI CITY 15 ST. MARTIN STREET, MAGALLANES VILLAGE, MAKATI CITY
indicate past six indicatethethepresent presentbalance balanceand and[2][2]average averagedaily dailybalance balanceforoforthe htheppast six months); (2)* Certificate of of Employment if employed or Proof of of Registration months); (2)* Employment if employed h CCertificate Em mbusiness, m please or PProofalso RRegistration ofmon Company if doing business (if doing submit the latest ofCCompany if doing business (if doing business, please submit also the latest m GIS (General Information Sheet) which submitted to tothem Information whichwas theSecurities Securitiesand and GGIS S G(General m (SEC) SSheet) w wwas submitted m Sthe Exchange Commission and the financial statements of company, ExchangeCCommission (SEC) and thefin financial statements of the company, E mm SEC nd h n m n m which was submitted to tothetheBIR/appropriate government agency]; (3)*Proof which was submitted BIR/appropriate government agency]; (3)*Proof w m B R such as condominium, m etc.; and if owner P ofwofOwnership Property/ies Ownershipof ofReal such as condominium, Ow RRealPofProperty/ies m Proof m etc.; and if owner w of ofmotor vehicle, of ofthethesame (4) vehicle,proof proof ofownership ownership same Proofof ofOwnership Ownershipof of mmotor w m (4)Petc. Ow other property/ies, such as shares of stock, insurance, other property/ies, such as shares of stock, insurance, etc. Note: If petitioner another person, the said person If petitioneris isrelying relyingononsupport supportfrom from NNote: m another person, the said person must also submit the above-mentioned documents. submit above-mentioned documents. mmustIf also m isthe mgraduate but m Note: petitioner already a unemployed, submit a notarized is already a graduate but unemployed, NNote: Ifofpetitioner m with. submit m a notarized affidavit what petitioner is iscurrently preoccupied affidavit of what petitioner currently preoccupied ffi w wwith. Latest Income Tax Returns (ITR) and Tax Documents (must the Returns Documents (mustshow show receiving LLatest nIncome om ofTTax n (ITR) TR of and nd TTaxRevenue)] Do um n for m w the theRBIRu (Bureau Internal thethepast receivingstamp stamp pastthree three m of theBBIR R B(Bureau of Internal RRevenue)] forwith (3)(3)years Proof of yearsof ofthethepetitioner petitionerororof ofthetheperson personsupporting supportinghim/her, him/her, with Proof m w P oo oof Payment of said taxes (such receipts, (suchasasofficial official receipts,alphalist, alphalist,etc.) etc.) PPayment mIf petitioner n of saidis taxes ffi Note: employed in a family-owned company, the company’s ITR If petitioner is employed in a family-owned company, company’s ITR NNote: m of Payment mof Taxes w malso be the m TR and Proof submitted, aside andthethecompany’s company’s ofPPayment ofTTaxesmust m PofProof m mmust also be submitted, m Proofaside from thethesubmission ITR and from submission ofpetitioner’s petitioner’sown own ITRand andtaxtaxdocuments documents andPProofof of m m w TR m Payment of ofTaxes. The company’s latest (General Information Taxes.Note: company’s latestGIS Information PPayment m which Twas NNote:TThe m Securities GGIS S G(General m Sheet), submitted to tothe Commission theSSecuritiesand andExchange SSheet), wwhich wwas submitted m EExchange CCommission mmto the (SEC) and thethe financial statements of of thethe company, which was submitted (SEC) and financial statements company, which was submitted to the SEC m m be submitted. w w m BIR/appropriate government agency, must also government agency, BBIR/appropriate R m mmust also be submitted. m
3. 3.I was born onon OCTOBER 8, 8, 2003, MAKATI CITY I have been was born OCTOBER 2003,ininin MAKATI CITYPhilippines. Philippines. have been Duly notarized Affidavits of at least two (2) credible and disinterested 3. I Iwas born on OCTOBER 8,birth. 2003, MAKATI CITY Philippines. I Ihave been a resident of of the Philippines since AtAt present, I am a citizen oror subject of ofINDIA Affidavitsoof at least wo two (2) credible DDuly notarized Affid d b and nd ddisinterested n d resident the Philippines since birth. present, I am citizen subject INDIA witnesses aaresident of the Philippines since birth. At present, I am aacitizen or subject of INDIA who must bebeFilipino citizens (preferably witnesses (preferablynatural-born natural-borncitizens citizens n Philippines), wwho mmust FFilipinoin citizens ofwofthe of ofgood repute their community, and have nonocriminal 4. 4.MyMy father's name is RAMESH PARWANI and he was born on SEPTEMBER the Philippines), good repute in their community, and have criminal P mm m father'sname nameisisRAMESH RAMESHPARWANI PARWANIand andhehewas wasborn bornononSEPTEMBER SEPTEMBER 4. Myinfather's record National Bureau 23,23, 1974 LUKNOW, INDIA. is aiscitizen oror subject of of INDIA. mother's name record(Note: (Note:submit submit Bureauof ofInvestigation Investigation(NBI) (NBI)clearance clearanceof of No malsoNNational NB 1974inin LUKNOW, INDIA.He He citizen subject INDIA.My My mother's name 1974 LUKNOW, INDIA. He isborn aacitizen or subject of INDIA. My mother's name character aBcopy thethe character is23, MANJU PARWANI she was onon SEPTEMBER 2, 2, 1978, CASTRIES, characterwitnesses; alsosubmit submit a copyof ofthetheIDDIDwhich characterwitness wwitnesses; maffidavit) wwhich witness wwitness is MANJU PARWANIand and she was born SEPTEMBER 1978,ininin CASTRIES, is MANJU PARWANI and she was born on SEPTEMBER 2, 1978, CASTRIES, used in the notarization of the [Note: character must SAINT LUCIA. is is a citizen oror subject of of SAINT LUCIA. used in the notarization of the affidavit) [Note: characterwwitnessmmustattest attest ffi knownNo SAINT LUCIA.She She citizen subject SAINT LUCIA. SAINT LUCIA. She is aacitizen or subject of SAINT LUCIA. in inthetheaffidavit: (a)(a)that he/she has petitioner forforat atleast 1010years affidavit: that he/she has known petitioner least yearsoror ffi w more he/she 5. 5.MyMytrade, business, profession ororlawful occupation is isSTUDENT and more(must (mustalso alsoindicate indicatehow how he/shegotgotacquainted acquaintedwith withthethepetitioner); petitioner); m m w w trade, business, profession lawful occupation STUDENT and 5. My trade, business, profession or lawful occupation is STUDENT and (b)(b)thethegood character he/she mingles with from average goodmoral characterof ofthethepetitioner petitioner(and (andhow how mmoral w he/shemmingles wwith fromwhich whichI Iderive Iderive derivean averageannual annualincome incomeofofof N/A, N/A,inclusive inclusiveofofofbonuses, bonuses, from which ananaverage annual income N/A, inclusive bonuses, Filipinos and the commissions thesociety); society);(c)(c)that thatin inhis/her his/herown ownopinion, opinion,petitioner petitionerhas hasallallthethe FFilipinos andnecessary commissionsand andallowances. allowances.My Mywife's/husband's wife's/husband'strade, trade,business, business,profession profession and allowances. My wife's/husband's trade, business, profession qualifications to tobecome a citizen ofwofthethePhilippines and none of ofthethe orcommissions lawful occupation is N/A and from which she derives an average annual qualifications necessary become a citizen Philippines and none m P lawfuloccupation occupationisis N/A N/Aand andfrom fromwhich whichshe shederives derivesananaverage averageannual annual ororlawful disqualifications provided forfor byby law); income disqualifications provided law); w incomeofofofN/A. N/A. income N/A. Medical Certificate from a government hospital stating that (Where from government hospital thatpetitioner petitioner d CCertificate fi m ago nm n ho p of stating (Wherethe theabove abovedoes doesnot notapply): apply):I Iam Iam amexempt exemptfrom fromthe therequirement requirementofofof isMMedical (Where the above does not apply): exempt from the requirement mental lucrative isnotnotsuffering sufferingfrom from mentalalienation, alienation,orora auser user ofprohibited prohibiteddrugs drugsoror m m lucrativetrade tradeorororoccupation occupationand andfrom fromsubmitting submittingincome incometax taxreturns returnsfor forthe thepast past lucrative trade occupation and from submitting income tax returns for the past otherwise a adrug dependent, and that he/she is isnotnotafflicted with acquired three (3) years because I am a college degree holder [please state (1) degree otherwise drug dependent, and that he/she afflicted with acquired w ffl w three(3) (3)years yearsbecause becauseI Iam amaacollege collegedegree degreeholder holder[please [pleasestate state(1) (1)degree degree three immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) or any incurable contagious disease obtained: BACHELOR OFOF SCIENCE ININ PSYCHOLOGY (2)(2) name of of school: DEDE immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) any incurable contagious disease mm m Ato DSthe orcertificate: obtained: BACHELOR SCIENCE PSYCHOLOGY name school: obtained: BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN(3) PSYCHOLOGY (2) name ofwho school: DE [please attach thethefollowing (1)(1)Neuro-Psychiatric LA SALLE UNIVERSITY-MANILA and years graduated: N/A ] cannot [please attach following to the certificate: Neuro-Psychiatric N is aP medical LASALLE SALLEUNIVERSITY-MANILA UNIVERSITY-MANILAand and(3) (3)years yearsgraduated: graduated:N/A N/A] ]who whocannot cannot LA Evaluation Report (from awaduly practice dulylicensed licensedpsychiatrist psychiatrist(who a mmedical EEvaluation RReport (from m w(who is Test practicemy myprofession profession(the (thepractice practiceofofofwhich whichrequires requiresaaagovernment governmentlicensure licensure practice my profession (the practice which requires government licensure doctor), Results and examination) reason doctor),notnota apsychologist); psychologist);(2)(2)Laboratory LaboratoryTest ResultsforforDrugs and TTest Rlaboratory DDrugs TTest examination)by reasonofofofmy mycitizenship. citizenship. examination) bybyreason my citizenship. HIV Teat, and, (3) other laboratory test’s (Note: all HIV Teat, and, (3) other laboratory test’s N(Note: all laboratorytests testsmust mustalso also H V T m conducted from a government hospital)]; 6. 6.MyMy civil status is Single, I was married on N/A in N/A. My wife's/husband's conducted from a government hospital)]; m for naturalization m civilstatus statusisisSingle, Single,I Iwas wasmarried marriedononN/A N/Ainin N/A. N/A.My Mywife's/husband's wife's/husband's 6. isMyN/A civil Note: Petitioners name and she/he was born onon in N/A N/A She/he is is a citizen oror subject naturalizationarearerequired requiredto tohave havetheir theirmedical NNote: PPetitioners for procedures mmedical name N/A and she/he was born N/Aininin N/A She/he citizen subject isisN/A and she/he was born on ininN/A N/A She/he is aacitizen or subject examination/diagnostic conducted hospital ofname N/A and examination/diagnostic conductedin ina agovernment government hospital m and not merely procedures m N/A andpresently presentlyresides residesN/A. N/A. ofofN/A and presently resides N/A. ororfacility, hospitals or facilities which are accredited facility, and notmmerely hospitals or facilitieswwhich are accreditedbybythethe government. The hospital 7. 7.I am legally separated from mymyspouse; mymymarriage was annulled, perper government. Themere merefact factthat thatthethegovernment government hospitalororfacility facilityis isnotnotnear near m T m m I am legally separated from spouse; marriage was annulled, 7. Iofam legally separated from my spouse; my marriage was annulled, per thetheresidence of petitioner is isnotnota avalid decree legal separation/annulment dated N/A granted byby N/A. (please indicate residenceororplace placeof ofwork validreason reasonforforpetitioner petitioner wwork of petitioner decree legal separation/annulment dated N/A granted N/A. (please indicate decree ofoflegal separation/annulment dated N/A by N/A. (please indicate notnotto tohave orordiagnostic the particular court which granted thethe same). I granted am a awidower/widow and mymy havesaid saidmedical medicalexamination examination diagnosticprocedure procedureconducted conductedin ina a m m the particular court which granted same). I am widower/widow and the particular court which granted the same). I am a widower/widow and my government hospital It must certificate spouse N/A government hospitalororfacility. facility.Note: Itmmustbebeclear clearin inthethemedical certificate m NNote: mmedical medical spousedied diedon N/AinininN/A. N/A. spouse died ononN/A N/A. and andthethediagnostic/laboratory diagnostic/laboratorytest testresults resultsthat thatthethesubject subjectof ofsaid said mmedical examination oror diagnostic/laboratory test is is thethe petitioner. 8. 8.I have N/A child/children, whose names, dates and places of birth and examination diagnostic/laboratory test petitioner. m have N/A N/A child/children, child/children,whose whosenames, names,dates datesand andplaces placesofofbirth birthand and 8. I Ihave residences follows: residencesare areas follows: residences are asasfollows: Certified true school and Transcript of Records of truecopy copywith schoolseal sealof ofthetheDiploma the CCertified wwith DDiploma p om and nd TTranscript n p ooffrom RRecords oindthe of Name Date of Birth Place of Birth Residence petitioner the school’s Name DateofofBirth Birth Place PlaceofofBirth Birth Residence the petitionerfrom from school’sheheor orshesheattended attendedto toand/or and/orgraduated graduated from Name Date Residence m theHigh m in the Philippines (Elementary, School and College) N/A N/A N/A N/A andCCollege) N/A N/A N/A N/A PPhilippines E(Elementary, m HHighSSchool N/A N/A N/A N/A Note: If Ifpetitioner a Certification from thetheschool petitioneris isstillstilla astudent, student,please pleasesubmit submit Certification school NNote:he/she m aClevel, fi on from m where where he/sheis iscurrently currentlyattending, attending,stating statinghis/her his/heryear year level,thatthathe/she he/sheis iscurrently currently 9. 9.I received my primary and secondary education from the following public w enrolled therein, and please attach proof of of petitioner’s enrollment therein and submit a Ireceived receivedmy myprimary primaryand andsecondary secondaryeducation educationfrom fromthe thefollowing followingpublic public 9. I enrolled therein, and please attach proof petitioner’s enrollment therein and submit schools thetheDepartment m fees paid (suchmas a certification asas to to thethe amount of of tuition feefee and other required school schoolsorororprivate privateeducational educationalinstitutions institutionsduly dulyrecognized recognizedby Departmentofofof schools private educational institutions duly recognized bybythe Department certification amount tuition and other required school fees paid (such as Education, m of matriculation, official receipt/s, certificate etc.) Education,Culture Cultureand andSports Sports(DECS), (DECS),where wherePhilippine Philippinehistory, history,government government Education, Culture and Sports (DECS), where Philippine history, government official receipt/s, certificate of matriculation, etc.) and part ffi if petitioner has no ownmincome and is relying on another person for support, Note: andcivics civicsare aretaught taughtand andprescribed prescribedas partofofofthe theschool schoolcurriculum curriculumand andwhere where and civics are taught and prescribed asaspart the school curriculum and where if petitioner has no own relying on another person for support, enrollment NNote: w income m and ismust the certifications asasto tothethe enrollmentisisisnot notlimited limitedtototoany anyrace raceororornationality: nationality: enrollment not limited any race nationality: theperson personfinancially financiallysupporting supportingpetitioner petitionermmustsubmit submit m certifications amount of oftuition and other required school fees Name of School Place of School Dates of Study Highest Grade Completed amount tuition and other required school feespaid paidbybysaid saidperson personforforthethe m NameofofSchool School PlaceofofSchool School DatesofofStudy Study Highest HighestGrade GradeCompleted Completed education of his/her other dependents (example: the tuition Name Place Dates education of his/her other dependents (example: the tuitionand andother otherrequired required m supporting CHILD LEARNING CENTER INC. MAKATI CITY 2007-2009 KINDER 1 school fees of the children of the person financially petitioner). CHILDLEARNING LEARNINGCENTER CENTERINC. INC. MAKATICITY CITY 2007-2009 KINDER1 1 school fees of the children of the person financially supporting petitioner). CHILD MAKATI 2007-2009 KINDER COLEGIO SANSAN AGUSTIN MAKATI CITYCITY 2009-2019 GRADE 10 10 COLEGIO AGUSTIN MAKATI 2009-2019 GRADE COLEGIO SAN AGUSTIN MAKATI CITY 2009-2019 GRADE 10 Certified true copy with school seal of ofthetheDiploma, Transcript ofofRecords, or Records, Certification CCertified true(if copy wwith school seal DDiploma, p om TTranscript n p o Renrolled o d oor DE DE LA SALLE UNIVERSITY MANILA 2019-2025 BACHELOR DEGREE applicable) the school’s SALLE UNIVERSITY MANILA 2019-2025 BACHELOR DEGREE DE LALASALLE UNIVERSITY MANILA 2019-2025 BACHELOR DEGREE applicable)from from school’sattended attendedby,by,currently currently enrolledin,in, CCertification figraduated on (if from m thechild and/or bybypetitioner’s children [the school’s must either bebe UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS MANILA 2025-PRESENT UNDERGOING DOCTORATE and/or graduated from petitioner’s child children [the school’s must either m m UNIVERSITYOFOFSANTO SANTOTOMAS TOMAS MANILA 2025-PRESENT UNDERGOING UNDERGOINGDOCTORATE DOCTORATE UNIVERSITY MANILA 2025-PRESENT public publicschools schoolsororprivate privateeducational educationalinstitutions institutionsduly dulyrecognized recognizedbybythetheDEPED DEPED DEPED (Department of ofEducation), where history, and 10.10.I am wherePhilippine history,government government andcivics civicsareare amable abletototoread, read,write writeand andspeak speakFilipino Filipinoand/or and/orany anyofofofthe thefollowing following D(Department m prescribed EEducation), w PPhilippine m enrollment 10. IofIam able read, write and speak Filipino and/or any the following taught and as part of the school curriculum and where is is notnot dialects the Philippines: TAGALOG AND ENGLISH. taught and prescribed as part of the school curriculum andwwhere enrollment dialectsofofthe thePhilippines: Philippines:TAGALOG TAGALOGAND ANDENGLISH. ENGLISH. m m dialects limited to to any race oror nationality); limited any race nationality); m (Note: please submit a Certification from the school where said child/children is/is/ 11.11.I have enrolled my minor children of school age in the following public please submit from the schoolwwhere said child/children haveenrolled enrolledmy myminor minorchildren childrenofofschool schoolage ageininthe thefollowing followingpublic public N(Note: m astating CCertification fi his/her on year m level, 11. I Ihave are currently attending, that he/she is is currently enrolled schools are currently attending, stating his/her year level, that he/she currently enrolled schoolsorororprivate privateeducational educationalinstitutions institutionsduly dulyrecognized recognizedby bythe theDepartment Department schools private educational institutions duly recognized by the Department therein, therein of ofEducation, therein,and andplease pleaseattach attachproof proofof ofsaid saidchild/children’s child/children’senrollment enrollment thereinand and Education,Culture Cultureand andSports Sports(DECS), (DECS),where wherePhilipine PhilipineHistory, History,government government m of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS), where Philipine History, government submit a certification of oftuition and submit a certificationasasto tothetheamount amount tuitionfeefeeand andother otherrequired requiredschool school andcivics civicsare aretaught taughtand andprescribed prescribedas aspart partofofofthe theschool schoolcurriculum curriculumand andwhere where m mcertificate and civics and prescribed part the school curriculum and where fees paid (such asas official receipt’s, of of matriculation, etc.) forfor said child enrollment isare nottaught limited to to any race oras nationality: fees paid (such official receipt’s, certificate matriculation, etc.) said child enrollment is not limited any race or nationality: ffiin said school. m enrollment is not limited to any race or nationality: children’s enrollment children’s enrollment in said school. m Name Name NameofofofChild Child Nameand andPlace PlaceofofofSchool School Date DateofofofEnrollment Enrollment Name Child Name and Place School Date Enrollment Clearances NBI Clearance; Barangay Clearance of ofthethebarangay N/A N/A N/A NBICClearance; Clearance barangaywhere N/A N/A N/A petitioner CClearances n NB n BBarangay ng Cbe n wwhere N/A N/A N/A petitioneris iscurrently currentlyresiding residing(It(Itshould should bea abarangay barangayclearance, clearance,notnota a residence certification); Police Clearance from the Police Station 12.12.I shall never be a public charge. I am of good moral character. I believe in residence certification); PPolice CClearance from the PPolice SStationPolice Police Ishall shallnever neverbebeaapublic publiccharge. charge.I Iam amofofgood goodmoral moralcharacter. character.I Ibelieve believeinin m P 12. I Office petitioner thetheprinciples Officehaving havingjurisdiction jurisdictionof ofthetheplace placewhere petitioneris iscurrently currentlyresiding: residing: principlesunderlying underlyingthe thePhilippine PhilippineConstitution. Constitution.I Ihave Ihave haveconducted conductedmyself myselfininin Offi wwhere principles underlying the Philippine Constitution. conducted myself RTC thetheRTC athe proper RTCClearance Clearance(Regional (RegionalTrial TrialCourt), Court),from from RTCwhich whichhas hasjurisdiction jurisdiction aproper properand andirreproachable irreproachablemanner mannerduring duringthe theentire entireperiod periodofofofmy myresidence residenceininin RTC C R T C m RTC w a and irreproachable manner during the entire period my residence over petitioner thethe Philippines in in mymy relations with thethe constituted government asas well asas with thethe overthetheplace placewhere petitioneris iscurrently currentlyresiding; residing;MeTC/MTCC/MTC/ Philippines relations with constituted government well with wwhere MMeTC/MTCC/MTC/ TC MTCC MTC the Philippines in my relations with the constituted government as well asevinced with the MCTC (Metropolitan Court/Municipal Trial in inCities/ community in in which I am living. I mingled socially with Filipinos and have MCTCClearance (MetropolitanTrial TrialCourt community which am living. mingled socially with Filipinos and have evinced MCTC CClearance n M TTrialTrial CCourt/Municipal M as theTcase CCourtbe) CCities/ in which I Iam living. I Imingled socially with Filipinos and have evinced Municipal Trial Court/Municipal Circuit Court, acommunity sincere desire to learn and embrace the customs, traditions and ideals of the MunicipalTTrialCCourt/Municipal CircuitTTrialCCourt, as the casemay may be)from from asincere sinceredesire desiretotolearn learnand andembrace embracethe thecustoms, customs,traditions traditionsand andideals idealsofofthe the M M C m m a thetheMeTC/MTCC/MTC/MCTC which has Filipino people. I have allall thethe qualifications and none of of thethe disqualifications under hasjurisdiction jurisdictionover overthetheplace placewhere Filipino people. I have qualifications and none disqualifications under MMeTC/MTCC/MTC/MCTC TC MTCC MTC MCTC wwhich wwhere Filipino people. I have all the qualifications and none of the disqualifications under petitioner Republic ActActNo. petitioneris iscurrently currentlyresiding); residing);and andOffice Officeof ofthetheProsecutor ProsecutorClearance, Clearance,from from Republic No.9139. 9139. Offi P C m Republic Act No. 9139. thethe Office of of thethe Prosecutor of of thethe place where petitioner is is currently residing. Office place petitioner currently residing. Offi PProsecutor wwherenot Note: AllAllclearances I am Note: clearancesmust mustbebecurrent currentand andmust must notbebeexpired. expired. Iam amnot notopposed opposedtototoorganized organizedgovernment governmentorororaffiliated affiliatedwith withany anyassociation association N A m m I not opposed organized government affiliated with any association ororgroup organized groupofofofpersons personswho whouphold upholdand andteach teachdoctrines doctrinesopposing opposingall organized or group persons who uphold and teach doctrines opposing allallorganized documents submitted byby thethe petitioner in in support of of his/her petition: governments. submitted petitioner support his/her petition: governments.I I am Iam amnot notdefending defendingorororteaching teachingthe thenecessity necessityorororpropriety proprietyofofof 16.16.Other OOther documents m m governments. not defending teaching the necessity propriety N/A_____________________________________________________________ violence, personal assault or assassination for the success and predominance N/A_____________________________________________________________ violence,personal personalassault assaultororassassination assassinationfor forthe thesuccess successand andpredominance predominance N A violence, ofof one's ideas. I am notnot a polygamist nornor a believer in in thethe practice ofof polygamy. I I __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ one's ideas. I am a polygamist a believer practice polygamy. of one's ideas.convicted I am not aofpolygamist nor a believer inturpitude. the practice ofnot polygamy. I have notnot been any crime involving moral I am suffering have beenconvicted convictedofof any crime involving moral turpitude. am not suffering have not been any crime involving moral turpitude. I Iam not suffering PRAYER from PRAYER frommental mentalalienation alienationorororfrom fromany anyincurable incurablecontagious contagiousdisease. disease.The Thecountry country PRAYER mental alienation from any incurable contagious disease. The country offrom which I am a citizen or subject is not at war with the Philippines and grants to whichI Iam amaacitizen citizenororsubject subjectisisnot notatatwar warwith withthe thePhilippines Philippinesand andgrants grantstoto ofofwhich WHEREFORE, it isit is respectfully prayed that petitioner bebe conferred Philippine Filipinos thetheright totobebenaturalized citizens ororsubjects thereof. WHEREFORE, respectfully prayed that petitioner conferred Filipinos right naturalized citizens subjects thereof. WHEREFORE to the provisions of Republic PPhilippine Filipinos the right to be naturalized citizens or subjects thereof. citizenship ActActNo, 9139. citizenshippursuant pursuant to the provisions ofRRepublic A NNo, 9139. 13.13.It is my true and honest intention to become a citizen of the Philippines mytrue trueand andhonest honestintention intentiontotobecome becomeaacitizen citizenofofthe thePhilippines Philippines 13. ItItisismy Dated at Parañaque City, Metro Manila, this 30th thday of March, 2026. and allegiance andtototorenounce renounceabsolutely absolutelyand andforever foreverall allegianceand andfidelity fidelitytototoany anyforeign foreign DDated atPParañaqueCCity,MMetroMManila, this 30 day of MMarch, 2026. and renounce absolutely and forever allallallegiance and fidelity any foreign prince, prince,potentate, potentate,state stateorororsovereignty, sovereignty,and, and,particularly, particularly,tototoINDIA INDIAofofofwhich whichatatat prince, potentate, state sovereignty, and, particularly, INDIA which this thistime timeI Iam Iam amaaacitizen citizenorororsubject. subject.I Iwill Iwill willreside residecontinuously continuouslyinininthe thePhilippines Philippines this time citizen subject. reside continuously the Philippines from SIDDARTH PARWANI fromthe thedate dateofofofthe thefiling filingofofofthis thispetition petitionup uptototothe thetime timeofofofmy myadmission admissiontototo SIDDARTH PARWANI from the date the filing this petition up the time my admission Sand DDARTH PARWAN Philippine citizenship. Name Signature ofofPetitioner Philippine citizenship. Philippine citizenship. NName m and SSignature PPetitioner Telephone Number: Telephone Number:09054675635 09054675635 T phon Numb 14.14. MyMy character witnesses areare CYNTHIA FRANCESCA ESTANIEL and HAYEN Email Address: sid.parwani@gmail.com character witnesses CYNTHIA FRANCESCA ESTANIEL and HAYEN Email Address: sid.parwani@gmail.com 14. My character witnesses are CYNTHIA FRANCESCA ESTANIEL and HAYEN Em Add d p w n @gm om RODA RODAGRACE GRACEMARCELINO MARCELINOboth bothFilipino Filipinocitizens, citizens,ofofoflegal legalage, age,and andresiding residingatatat RODA GRACE MARCELINO both Filipino citizens, legal age, and residing UNIT MUNTINLUPA CITY and UNIT MUNTINLUPA CITY andPASAY PASAYCITY CITYrespectively, respectively,who whohave haveexecuted executedsworn sworn UNIT MUNTINLUPA CITY and PASAY CITY respectively, who have executed sworn statements attached hereto in support of my instant petition, together with: (a) brief statementsattached attachedhereto heretoininsupport supportofofmy myinstant instantpetition, petition,together togetherwith: with:(a) (a)brief brief statements biographical data about themselves; (b)(b) detailed statements onon thethe dates they first came biographical data about themselves; detailed statements dates they first came data about themselves; (b)initial detailed statements on the the reasons dates they first came tobiographical know me, the circumstances of of ourour acquaintance and and extent to know me, the circumstances initial acquaintance andthe thereasons reasons and extent to know me, the circumstances of our initial acquaintance and and extent of of ourour continuing familiarity; and (c)(c) thethe number of of times they have acted asas character continuing familiarity; and number times they have acted character of our continuing familiarity; (c) the number of times they have acted as character witnesses in in other petitions forand naturalization. REPUBLIC OFOFTHE witnesses other petitions naturalization. REPUBLIC THEPHILIPPINES) PHILIPPINES) witnesses in other petitions forfornaturalization. REPUB C OF THE PH PPOFNES CITY/MUNICIPALITY OF CITY MAKATI S.S. CITY/MUNICIPALITY OF CITY OF MAKATI S.S. 15.15.Attached hereto asasannexes and made part ofofthis petition arearethethe C TY MUN C PA TY OF C TY OF MAKAT S S Attached hereto annexes and made part this petition 15. Attoriginals or certified photocopies m of the following documents duplicate I, SIDDARTH PARWANI of legal age duplicateooriginals or certified photocopies of the following documents I,SSIDDARTH PARWANI of legal ageand anda aresident residentofof2 HOMONHON 2HOMONHON HOMONHON dup g n o fi d pho o op w m DDARTH PARWAN (please ST., MAGALLANES VILLAGE, MAKATI CITY after depose (pleasecheck checkthetheappropriate appropriatebox): box): ST., MAGALLANES MAKATI afterbeing beingduly dulysworn, sworn, deposeand and ST MAGALLANES VVILLAGE, LLAGEherein, MAKAT CCITY TY w say that I am the petitioner that I have read the say that I am the petitioner herein, that I have read theforegoing foregoingpetition petitionand and m Authenticated copy of Birth Certificate of petitioner [issued by PSA (Philippine know the foregoing petition and known the contents thereof, and that thethe same copy ofBBirthCCertificate of petitioner [issued byPSA PSAP(Philippine know the foregoing petition and known the contents thereof, and that same Statistics AAuthenticated w w m Authority)] is istrue own knowledge. trueofofmy SStatisticsAAuthority)] mmy own w knowledge. w Certified true Certificate ofofRegistration (ACR) truecopy copyofofpetitioner’s petitioner’sAlien Alien Certificate Registration (ACR) orCCertified A n C fi o R g on ACR I-Card Certificate [issued of Immigration)]; SIDDARTH PARWANI [issuedbybyBIBBI(Bureau Immigration)]; PARWANI oor I-Card C d CCertificate fi B(Bureau of mm SSIDDARTH DDARTH PARWAN Name and Signature of Petitioner NName m andSSignature ofPPetitioner Certified true copy of petitioner’s Native-Born Certificate of Residence true copy of petitioner’sNNative-Born Certificate ofRResidence (NBCR), CCertifiedif available Bo n C fi o d n rd (issued also bybyBI); SUBCRIBED AND SWORN to before me at CITY OF MAKATI rd (NBCR), if available (issued also BI); day SUBCRIBED ANDSWORN SWORN to beforemme atCCITY OF MAKATIthis this0303day NBCR B SUBCR BED2025. AND TY OF MAKAT ofofNOVEMBER NOVEMBER 2025. NOVEMBER Authenticated copy of of petitioner’s Marriage Certificate, if petitioner is is married Authenticated copy petitioner’s Marriage Certificate, if petitioner married (issued A M g C fi m by PSA); (issued byPSA PSA); Authenticated copy Certificate ofofhis/her copyofofDeath his/herspouse spouseif ifpetitioner petitioneris is widowed, AAuthenticated DDeath h CCertificate fi ororofofhis/her widowed, his/herparent’s parent’sif petitioner if petitioneris isa astudent studentororcandidate candidateforfora a w w government licensure government licensureexam; exam; m m Certified true copy ofofCourt Judgment annulling/nullifying ofof Certified true copy CourtDecree Judgment petitioner’s C Cou DDecree udgm n annulling/nullifying marriage or granting the fact; petitioner’smmarriage or grantinglegal legalseparation, separation,if such if suchwas wwas the fact; Authenticated Birth Certificate/s of of petitioner’s child/children (issued byby PSA); petitioner’s child/children (issued PSA); AAuthenticatedBBirth h CCertificate/s fi PSA
PSEi rebounds despite weak Q2 growth PHILIPPINE shares snapped an ear y dec ne o end h gher Fr day as nves ors shrugged off weaker- han-expec ed second-quar er econom c grow h and p cked up proper y and m n ng s ocks The benchmark Ph pp ne S ock Exchange ndex or PSE c mbed 12 40 po n s or 0 20 percen o c ose a 6 290 35 wh e he broader a shares ndex rose 4 95 po n s or 0 14 percen o 3 418 40 F rs Me ro Secur es sa d he marke n a y raded ower af er da a showed he Ph pp ne economy expanded by us 2 3 percen n he second quar er s ower han he 2 8 percen grow h n he firs quar er and be ow marke expec a ons However equ es s aged a a e-sess on recovery w h Aya a Land Inc surg ng 6 14 percen o f he ma n ndex n o pos ve err ory Inves ors a so we comed s rong second-quar er earn ngs repor s from consumer-re a ed firms nc ud ng Un versa Rob na Corp and Cen ury Pac fic Food Inc The proper y ndex surged 0 99 percen fo owed by m n ng and o wh ch advanced 0 98 percen Ho d ng firms rose 0 44 percen wh e serv ces ga ned 0 22 percen F nanc a s dec ned 0 54 percen and ndus r a s s pped 0 14 percen Marke urnover rema ned modera e w h rad ng va ue reach ng P6 08 b on Overa marke bread h rema ned defens ve w h 90 dec ners ou number ng 86 ga ners Fore gn nves ors were ne se ers w h ne ou flows a P339 35 m on The peso deprec a ed s gh y aga ns he U S do ar Fr day c os ng a 60 90 o $1 down from 60 81 on Thursday O pr ces ex ended ga ns and mos s ocks fe fur her on Fr day am d fad ng op m sm over a dea o reopen he S ra of Hormuz as repor s sa d Iran was p ann ng o b ock US and Israe sh ps from he wa erway as par of a dea w h Oman Marke s had en oyed a hea hy run-up a he s ar of he week as US Pres den Dona d Trump ca ed off s r kes on he Is am c repub c and sa d an agreemen was c ose even hough Tehran den ed a ks had aken p ace A he same me Iran sa d was c ose o a pac w h Musca on manag ng he key wa erway—wh ch has been choked off for CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACKha he CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK mos of he M dd e Eas war—bu Un ed S a es wou d need o end s own nava b ockade of Iran an por s Crude pr ces had begun edg ng up on Wednesday and ra ed as much as four percen on Thursday as he Fars news agency sa d Iran wou d ook o preven US and Israe vesse s from us ng he s ra n any dea w h Oman Tha dampened hopes for a fu reopenng of he wa erway— hrough wh ch abou a fif h of g oba o and LNG passes —and rev ved fears of a fresh sp ke n nfla on and pu n eres ra e h kes back n he p cure Jenn ffer B Austr a w th AFP
BUSINESS
B3 SATURDAY, AUGUST 8, 2026 extrastory2000@gmail.com
FPA files criminal rap vs. chemical firm over sub-standard fertilizer deal By Othel V. Campos
SKILLS TRAINING. Tarlaqueños complete an industry-relevant training program through a partnership among
Aboitiz Economic Estates, the local government, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, and Aboitiz Construction. The inaugural training focused on masonry, a priority skill identified to support workforce demand.
THE Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority has filed a criminal complaint against DO’s Asia Chemical Trading Corp. and its president, Viflor M. Dosado, over alleged violations of fertilizer regulations tied to a P25.67 million Department of Agriculture procurement project in Caraga. The complaint, filed before the Office of the City Prosecutor in Butuan, accuses the company of violating provisions of Presidential Decree No. 1144, which regulates the manufacture, distribution, sale and registration of fertilizers and pesticides. The FPA alleged that DO’s Asia op-
Visayas power on red, yellow alerts By Alena Mae S. Flores
T
HE National Grid Corp. of the Philippines placed the Visayas grid on red alert Friday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. due to the unavailability of major power plants. However, NGCP lifted the red alert at 1 p.m., avoiding the need to implement rotating brownouts, following an increase in power imports from Mindanao and a drop in forecasted system demand. The grid operator still placed the Visayas on yellow
alert from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. NGCP forecasted available capacity for the region at 2,360 megawatts against a peak demand of 2,348 MW. A total of 1,116.1 MW remains unavailable to the grid. Seven
plants went on forced outage this month, three have been off since July, three since June, seven since May, one since March, three since 2025, two since 2024, two since 2023 and one since 2021. An additional 12 plants are running at derated capacities. NGCP said factors contributing to the alert declarations include the unavailability of major Visayas coal plants — TVI 1, TVI 2, KSPC 1, CEDC 1 and TPC Coal — alongside limited power imports from Mindanao due to the extended outage of SEC
Lite Ferries launches largest ship for Boracay LITE Ferries—”Ang Barkong Bolanon” on Friday launched its largest and newest roll-on/roll-off vessel, the M/V Lite Ferry Twenty in Caticlan, after the Maritime Industry Authority granted the ship “pioneering status” for upgraded service on the Batangas-Caticlan route. The 90-meter, 3,923-ton vessel can carry 578 passengers, 30 ten-wheeler trucks and four cars per trip, according to Lite Ferries. The ship is the company’s 36th vessel and expands its network to 36 destinations across 17 provinces. “We’re bridging islands and connecting lives,” Lite Ferries said in a statement. The vessel was built in China to RINA-Italy standards and completed in January 2026. Lite Ferries said the ship features wider passenger halls, upgraded safety systems and touristclass amenities that exceed MARINA’s minimum requirements. Lite Ferries began operating the vessel on the Batangas-Caticlan route on Friday. The ferry departs Caticlan for Batangas on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 6 p.m. and on Sundays at 9 a.m. It departs Caticlanbound from Batangas on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 6 p.m. and on Sundays at midnight. Aklan Governor Jose Enrique Miraflores and Rep. Florencio Miraflores led the vessel’s blessing at 11 a.m. on Friday, alongside officials from MARINA, the Philippine Coast Guard and the Philippine Ports Authority. Lite Ferries said the new vessel is intended to speed the movement of goods and tourists between Luzon and Western Visayas, citing increased cargo capacity for trade between Batangas and Aklan and easier access for tourists traveling to Boracay. Minerva Newman
2 and a planned outage at STEAG 2. A red alert is issued when power supply is insufficient to meet consumer demand and the transmission grid’s regulating requirement. A yellow alert is declared when the operating margin is insufficient to meet contingency requirements. Despite supply strains, average spot prices in the Visayas dropped 21.2% in July to 11.29 pesos per kilowatt-hour, down from 14.32 pesos per kWh in June. Demand fell 4% to 2,080 MW, while supply rose 3.5% to 2,260 MW. Lite Ferries has launched its largest roll-on/rolloff vessel, M/V Lite Ferry Twenty, on the BatangasCaticlan route after receiving pioneering status from the Maritime Industry Authority. The ship boosts cargo and passenger capacity between Luzon and Boracay.
erated as a fertilizer dealer in Caraga without the required authority, used the prohibited “Spinning Palanggana” fertilizer production method, and supplied a fertilizer product registered under another manufacturer without securing authorization. Laboratory tests on samples of “Carlly Grow 14-14-14” allegedly found nutrient levels significantly below those declared on the product label, prompting a wider investigation. The case arose from a 2025 DA Regional Field Office XIII procurement involving more than P182 million worth of inorganic fertilizers, in which DO’s Asia was the lone bidder for a P25.67 million lot intended for farmers in Surigao del Norte.
Global Pacific unveils cost-saving solutions at WOFEX By Minerva Newman PHILIPPINE food businesses are caught between rising import costs and cautious consumers, a challenge highlighted by supplier Global Pacific at the WOFEX 2026 trade show from July 29 to Aug. 1 at SMX Convention Center Manila. The company used the country’s largest food show to launch an “ecosystem approach” to inflation: a mix of new product innovations, global brands and back-end support designed to help bakeries, restaurants, hotels and cafes protect margins without sacrificing quality. With imported butter prices soaring, Global Pacific launched Bravo Butter Equivalent, billed as the country’s first butter alternative made for professional baking. The product is designed to perform like real butter in pastries and breads with better cost efficiency. “With the skyrocketing cost of imported European butters, bakers are stuck,” said Buddy Trinidad, president of the Pastry Alliance of the Philippines. “Global Pacific stepped up with true innovation. Same performance, better profitability.” For restaurants, chef Bruce Lim demonstrated how to use Teys premium Australian beef and Sunny Farms ingredients to create two versions of the same dish — one with ribeye and one with oyster blade. “When margins are tight, you can’t compromise on flavor,” Lim said. “You need smart alternatives. This gives operators flexibility to manage cost while keeping quality consistent.” Global Pacific’s WOFEX booth featured more than 20 brands, including Arla Pro, Kraft Heinz, Master Martini, Prochiz, Beryl’s, Banquet d’Or and Teys. The company also highlighted its nationwide logistics, centralized ordering and technical chefs who assist with menu development and waste reduction.
CREC, PELCO I break ground on 41-MW embedded solar-battery facility CITICORE Renewable Energy Corp. and Pampanga 1 Electric Cooperative have broken ground on their first embedded 41-megawatt peak solar power project in Magalang, Pampanga. The solar facility is equipped with a 53-megawatt-hour battery energy storage system, making it the country’s first embedded solar plant with an Integrated Renewable Energy and Energy Storage System. “Citicore’s long-standing partnership with PELCO I since 2024 is really about creating tailor-fit energy solutions meant to ease the burden of soaring electricity costs to the coop-
erative’s member-consumer-owners,” said Jerard Garcia, president of Citicore Energy Solutions Inc. “We remain steadfast in strengthening our relationship as we bring clean and sustainable power for Kapampangans.” Embedded solar plants connect directly to an electric cooperative, such as PELCO I, which helps reduce system losses and lower electricity costs for end users while helping the cooperative meet renewable energy sourcing requirements under the government’s Renewable Portfolio Standards.
Once complete in the second half of 2027, the facility will supply power to consumers in the PELCO I franchise area. “This marks a monumental milestone in the history of PELCO I. We are witnessing the realization of a long-term dream,” PELCO I general manager Allan David said. “We extend our deepest gratitude to Citicore for sharing our vision of clean energy progress.” CREC and Land Bank of the Philippines signed a P4.05 billionproject finance loan facility agreement in July to develop two embedded solar
projects, including the Magalang facility. This is CREC’s third project in Pampanga, following the 115-MWp Arayat-Mexico Solar Farm energized in 2022 and the 42-MWp Citicore Solar Pampanga 1 energized in 2025. The groundbreaking ceremony on Aug. 5 was attended by Garcia, David, Magalang Mayor Maria Lourdes Paras-Lacson, Municipal Administrator Norman Lacson, PELCO I board president Emmanuel Manalo, and officials from the Magalang local government unit, CREC and PELCO I. Alena Mae S. Flores
Top Line H1 profit up 61.6% to P123m By Jenniffer B. Austria
SUPPLY AGREEMENT. FAST Logistics Group and the Chiongbian Group partner with Jin Navitas Electric Corp. to supply cleaner, cost-efficient electricity to their facilities under the government’s Retail Aggregation Program. Attending the agreement signing are Fast Autocore chief operating officer Maxwell Quilat, FAST Logistics assistant vice president for customer revenue strategy and digital transformation Anton Rafael Chiongbian, FAST Logistics chief executive Manuel Onrejas Jr., JNEC president and CEO Jose Alfonso Miras, SOLARIS chief operating officer Jacinto Ray Ng III and JNEC retail operations head Neo Jade de Guzman.
LISTED fuel distributor and retailer Top Line Business Development Corp. posted a 61.6 percent increase in first-half net income to P123.21 million, exceeding its full-year 2025 profit of P120.3 million. The company attributed the performance to significant growth in its commercial and retail fuel businesses, which drove higher revenues and sales volumes. Consolidated revenues surged 94.2 percent to P3.84 billion from P1.97 billion in the same period last year. “This is the first time that TOP has surpassed the previous year’s fullyear net income within the first half alone, reflecting our ability to deliver profitable growth at scale,” Top Line
chairman, president and chief executive Eugene Erik Lim said Friday in a stock exchange disclosure. Commercial fuel trading remained the company’s largest revenue source, contributing P3.47 billion, or 90.4 percent of total first-half revenues — up 81.4 percent from a year ago. Commercial fuel volumes climbed 31.6 percent to 56.71 million liters. The retail fuel business grew at a faster pace as the company expanded its Light Fuels service station network across the Visayas. Retail revenues jumped 474 percent to P369.24 million, accounting for 9.6 percent of total revenues, up from 3.3 percent a year earlier. Retail fuel volumes nearly quadrupled to 5.30 million liters from 1.34 million liters.
BUSINESS
B4
SATURDAY, AUGUST 8, 2026 extrastory2000@gmail.com RODERICK T. DELA CRUZ, Editor ALENA MAE S. FLORES, Asst. Editor
Cebu Pacific to launch more flights Manila Water’s income rose 6% C in first semester By Darwin G. Amojelar
MANILA Water Company Inc. said Friday its consolidated revenues grew 11 percent to P22.2 billion in the first half of 2026, lifted by approved tariff adjustments and steady customer demand, the company said. The water utility firm’s EBITDA rose 13 percent to P16.4 billion, pushing its earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) margin to 74 percent as cost discipline and efficiency initiatives took hold. Net income increased 6 percent to P8.5 billion despite higher depreciation and interest expenses tied to the company’s ongoing investment cycle. “Our first-half results show that even in uncertain times, our company can still deliver strong performance, provide reliable service and create lasting value for our stakeholders,” Manila Water president and chief executive Roberto Locsin said. “While geopolitical concerns and El Niño present real challenges for our sector, we are confident in our ability to navigate these conditions by improving the way we operate, optimizing resources, and strengthening service delivery. In doing so, we can translate operational gains into meaningful financial results, while continuing to provide reliable and essential water service to our customers,” Locsin said. Manila Water’s east zone concession, its core business, posted a 12-percent revenue increase to P17.9 billion on steady demand and tariff adjustments. EBITDA for the segment climbed 13 percent to P13.7 billion, while net income grew 9 percent to P7.8 billion, even as depreciation and interest costs rose on infrastructure spending. Outside the zone, the company’s non-east zone Philippines (NEZ PH) business units posted revenue growth of 2 percent and EBITDA growth of 7 percent, driven largely by tariff adjustments in Clark, South Luzon and Boracay. Higher supervision fees from the company’s Laguna Water and Estate Water projects also contributed to the segment’s performance.
EBU Pacific said Friday it will launch or resume five direct international routes to China, Vietnam and Japan starting late October through November as it ramps up connectivity from Cebu, Clark and Manila ahead of the holiday travel season.
The budget carrier said it is running a seat sale from Aug. 7 to 11, 2026, offering one-way base fares starting at P1, exclusive of fees and surcharges, for travel between Oct. 26, 2026, and March 31, 2027. Cebu Pacific will restore direct flights between Cebu and Ho Chi Minh City starting Oct. 26, operating three times weekly every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The airline will launch direct Cebu-
Shanghai flights on Nov. 17, with thrice-weekly service every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Return flights from Shanghai to Cebu will begin Nov. 18, operating every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Cebu Pacific said it will be the only Philippine carrier operating nonstop flights between Cebu and Shanghai. Cebu Pacific will also introduce four weekly direct flights between Cebu and Nagoya starting Nov. 19, operating ev-
ery Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. Nagoya will become the airline’s third direct destination from Cebu to Japan, after Tokyo-Narita and Osaka. The carrier said it will also be the only airline offering nonstop flights between Cebu and Nagoya. The airline will relaunch direct service between Clark and Hanoi on Nov. 19, with three weekly flights every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Return flights from Hanoi to Clark will start Nov. 20, operating every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Cebu Pacific said it remains the only carrier operating direct flights between Clark and Vietnam, giving travelers from Central Luzon an alternative to flying through Manila. Cebu Pacific said it will resume direct flights between Manila and Xiamen on Nov. 23, with twice-weekly service every Monday and Friday,
expanding its presence in the Chinese market. The airline currently operates direct flights from Manila to Shanghai and Guangzhou. “At Cebu Pacific, we continue to strengthen our network to give every Juan a better opportunity to explore more destinations across Asia,” Cebu Pacific president and chief commercial officer Xander Lao said. “The launch of additional direct flights to China, Vietnam, and Japan not only provides travelers from all over the Philippines with more convenient access to these vibrant cities but also encourages more international travelers to visit and explore our country. As we continue to expand our international network, we remain committed to making travel more accessible and affordable for our passengers,” he said.
QR-READY.
Victoria town in Tarlac province starts implementing the Paleng-QR Ph Plus program which aims to expand the use of QR Ph for sending and receiving payments in markets, stores, public transport and other businesses. Participating financial service providers conducted account onboarding activities to help residents and business owners gain access to digital financial services. The event also featured a Piso Caravan, where the public could exchange torn or dirty bills for new or clean ones.
SMX Convention Centers posted 18% increase in first-half visitors to 4.3m By Jenniffer B. Austria SM Prime Holdings Inc. said Friday its conferences and exhibitions arm, SMX Convention Centers, welcomed 4.3 million visitors in the first half of 2026, up 18 percent from 3.6 million a year ago, as strong demand for meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) events drove higher bookings. SMX said it hosted 807 booked events nationwide in the six-month
IN BRIEF
period. SMX Convention Center Manila accounted for the largest share after attracting more than 2.5 million visitors. “Our locations within SM Prime’s larger mixed-use developments give event organizers and attendees direct access to dining, accommodation and transportation options, making events more convenient and attractive,” SM Hotels and Conventions executive vice-president Peggy Angeles said in a statement. Regional venues including SMX Convention Center Davao, SMX
Convention Center Bacolod and SMX Convention Center Clark also posted healthy growth in visitor traffic during the period. Major events hosted in the first half included WORLDBEX 2026, International Travel Expo, Philippine Pet Expo 2026, ALT Philippines, Interior Design Manila, BeautyCon 2026 and the Franchise Asia Philippines International Franchise Expo. SM Prime said the strong first-half performance supports its expansion plans, with two new venues set to expand SMX’s portfolio over the next year.
DOTr, Villar Group to finalize land donation deal
India, ADB study Maynilad’s program THE government of India and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) are considering adopting elements of the Maynilad Water Academy’s (MWA) training programs after studying Maynilad Water Services Inc.’s non-revenue water (NRW) management and leak detection practices. A delegation led by Department of Economic Affairs deputy secretary Saurabh Singh, along with representatives from ADB’s India Resident Mission and ADB headquarters, took part in technical sessions and field demonstrations organized by the Maynilad Water Academy. The ADB said Maynilad’s approach to reducing non-revenue water offers a practical model for capacity-building initiatives, citing the company’s integration of field operations, centralized monitoring, workforce training and operational accountability. The delegation observed Maynilad’s field-based acoustic leak detection techniques, operations, workforce development and performance management systems. The group also visited field sites to see the utility’s water loss reduction programs in action. The visit opened discussions on technical exchanges, peer learning initiatives and the possible adoption of elements of the Maynilad Water Academy’s training programs by utilities in India and other ADB member countries. Othel V. Campos
More Filipinos prioritize financial independence MORE Filipinos are placing greater importance on staying financially and physically independent as they age, according to the Manulife Asia Care Survey 2026. The survey covered more than 9,000 respondents across Asia, including 1,000 in the Philippines. It found that 88 percent of respondents said independence and financial freedom are the legacy they want to leave their families. Among respondents who want independence as their legacy, 56 percent identified their own health and quality of life as a priority while 53 percent cited concern over unexpected expenses later in life. “For many Filipinos, legacy has always been deeply connected to family. What we are seeing is that people increasingly view legacy not only as what they leave behind, but also as the choices they make to stay healthy, independent and able to enjoy life for longer,” Manulife Philippines president and chief executive Rahul Hora said. Health also emerged as a key factor in maintaining independence, with 92 percent of respondents agreeing that preventive care and healthy habits help extend years of self-reliance. Spending time with family and friends, maintaining a balanced diet and exercising regularly were the most common self-care practices cited, although only 26 percent said they undergo preventive health screenings. Jenniffer B. Austria
BCDA, PEZA tap P&A Grant Thornton THE Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) and the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) have signed separate memoranda of understanding (MOUs) with P&A Grant Thornton to strengthen investment promotion, business facilitation and enterprise capability-building. PEZA signed its agreement on July 30, naming P&A Grant Thornton as a knowledge partner of the PEZA Academy. The professional services firm will provide training on accounting, auditing, taxation, compliance, advisory and other business topics for PEZA employees and Registered Business Enterprises (RBEs). PEZA director-general Tereso Panga said the partnership would help build a more capable workforce and better-informed enterprises, reinforcing the country’s position as a preferred investment destination. P&A Grant Thornton chairman and managing-partner Romualdo Murcia III said the firm hopes to strengthen the competitiveness of PEZA locators through practical knowledgesharing. The BCDA also tapped P&A Grant Thornton to develop the “Doing Business with BCDA Investment Playbook,” a guide designed to help local and foreign investors better navigate the regulatory, tax and business landscape across BCDA economic zones. BCDA president and chief executive Joshua Bingcang and Murcia signed the agreement. Othel V. Campos
SMX Convention Center Seaside Cebu is scheduled to open in the fourth quarter of 2026 and will become the country’s largest convention center. The facility, located beside the newly opened SM Arena Seaside Cebu, will be connected to SM Seaside City Cebu through a link bridge, forming part of an integrated MICE, entertainment and retail destination in the Visayas. SMXCITE in Pasay City is slated to open in early 2027 and has already started booking negotiations with event organizers.
JOURNALIST PROTECTION. Recognizing the vital role women in media play in keeping Filipinos informed, often while facing gender-based harassment, online abuse, and safety risks, the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFOMS), in partnership with the European Union, International Media Support (IMS), PLDT Inc. and Smart, equips more than 30 women journalists in Cebu with practical skills to strengthen their safety, resilience and well-being. The initiative seeks to address the evolving challenges faced by women in media and to strengthen gender-responsive mechanisms for media protection.
IBPAP launches first AI-powered ESG platform for outsourcing sector By Othel V. Campos THE IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) launched the country’s first artificial intelligence-powered environmental, social and governance (ESG) platform built specifically for the information technology and business process management (IT-BPM) industry. IBPAP developed the platform, called benchmark PH: IT-BPM ESG Pulse Navigator, with sustainability technology firm SusTek.ai to help ITBPM companies measure, benchmark and improve their ESG performance through AI-driven assessments. The interactive platform replaces traditional survey-based reporting, aligns with global ESG standards and generates customized ESG reports for participating companies. IBPAP chief operating officer and
ESG chairperson Celeste Ilagan said the initiative reflects the industry’s growing focus on sustainability as global clients, regulators and investors increasingly evaluate companies based on their ESG performance. Ilagan said the Philippine IT-BPM sector generates $40 billion in revenue and employs 1.9 million Filipinos, making it one of the country’s most consequential economic engines. Built on a privacy-by-design framework, benchmark PH enables companies to assess performance across 13 ESG topics without requiring dedicated sustainability teams, regardless of their sustainability maturity. SusTek.ai founder and chief executive Danny Condecido said the platform uses AI to simplify ESG reporting while addressing the industry’s unique operational and workforce characteristics.
THE Department of Transportation (DOTr) said Friday it expects to finalize an agreement this month with the Villar Group of Companies for the donation of two mortgaged parcels of land needed to build the Las Piñas station of the LRT-1 Cavite Extension Project. Villar Group of Companies representatives agreed to DOTr’s three non-negotiable terms for the land donation during a meeting with Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez on Friday, the departtment said. It said the terms include the granting of an unconditional permit to enter, the waiver of subrogation against the government and the cancellation of the mortgage on the property to be donated. “This development is good for DOTr, LRMC [Light Rail Manila Corporation], LRTA [Light Rail Transit Authority] and the Villar Group, but best for the commuting public,” Lopez said. The Villar Group is set to donate six parcels of land, two of which are mortgaged. The company said it will process the cancellation of the mortgaged properties within the next six months and has already identified replacement properties for the two mortgaged parcels to facilitate the release of the land to be donated. The company expressed confidence that the necessary agreements for the land donation, including the memorandum of agreement, the right-ofway acquisition agreement and the deed of donation, will be signed within the month, paving the way for construction to begin as early as next year. Darwin G. Amojelar
TECH
C1 SATURDAY, AUGUST 8, 2026 rumallari@thestandard.com.ph rieramallari@yahoo.com
Change in climate driving butterflies to new habitats P ARIS—Climate change is driving shifts in where butterflies are found globally, a major study said Wednesday, with many species moving into new areas while others are retreating from traditional habitats.
The study in Nature Ecology & Evolution is one of the most comprehensive to date on how butterfly distributions are changing, assessing more than 1,700 species across 105 countries and territories. Researchers found that nearly 80 percent of the reported shifts in the geographic ranges where butterflies were associated with climate change and extreme weather events. Other factors were also driven by human activity: changes in land use, intensive agriculture, urbanization, habitat fragmentation and the introduction of invasive species. Butterflies are considered important indicators of ecosystem health because they are highly sensitive to temperature changes, have short life cycles and depend on specific host plants. As the planet warms -- primarily because of the burning of coal, oil and gas -- some butterfly species are relocating northwards or seeking out higher elevations in search of cooler conditions. However, just 22 percent of species showed a shift in elevation. Overall, 80 percent of species expanded their range while 27 percent experienced range contractions, with some showing different patterns in different regions, underscoring the complexity of responses to climate change. “This is rather good news as it proves that butterfly species are capable of migrating and shifting their range to adapt to changes,” study co-author Jonathan Lenoir, an ecologist from
A speckled wood butterfly, a flying insect, is on a fallen leaf at the Parc Floral in eastern Paris. Climate change is disrupting the global distribution of butterflies: while a large majority are expanding their range, a significant number are also seeing their territory shrink, which could ultimately threaten their survival, a major study revealed on August 5, 2026.
France’s national scientific research centre (CNRS), told AFP. ‘Trapped’ Lenoir cautioned that range expansions were easier to detect than contractions because it was simpler to confirm a species has colonised a new area than prove it has vanished entirely from another. Many observations, including those made by citizen scientists, were concentrated in lowland areas and near urban centres, potentially skewing the findings. But butterflies could only adapt so far, Lenoir said. It was possible that beyond a certain warming threshold more but-
terflies would contract their range, causing “much more rapid and sudden upheavals” among certain species and “potential extinctions”. A 2024 study in Global Ecology and Biogeography found that 84 per cent of roughly 270 butterfly species studied in Europe would reduce their range by 2080 if global temperatures keep rising. “Some butterfly species will not necessarily be able to migrate further north in latitude, or higher up in the mountains, in response to the global rise in temperatures,” said Lenoir. Species endemic to mountain regions on islands could become “trapped” as their habitat is reduced
“to almost nothing” with limited options to shift elsewhere, he added. The authors advocated for stronger conservation policies, the protection and restoration of butterfly habitats, ecological corridors and microclimatic refuges, and improving biodiversity monitoring particularly through citizen science. Underlining it all, they emphasised the urgent need to limit global warming to lower levels. Knowledge gaps, too, must be addressed: just one in 10 butterfly species has documented data on how its range is changing and tropical regions remain largely understudied, the authors added. AFP
Globe helps parents guide children’s digital journey with GPlan Junior DESIGNED for dependents aged 7 to 20, GPlan Junior helps families stay connected through a parent-managed postpaid experience As children spend more time online for learning, communication, entertainment, and everyday activities, many parents are looking for ways to support their growing digital needs while maintaining appropriate guidance and oversight. To help families navigate this stage, Globe has introduced GPlan Junior, a dedicated postpaid line designed for dependents aged 7 to 20 years old. Available as an additional line under an existing Globe Postpaid Plan 999 and above, the offering provides reliable connectivity for children and students while allowing parents and legal guardians to manage the account under their supervision. The initiative reflects Globe’s commitment to strengthening family connectivity by helping parents support their children’s digital experiences during the years when independence is growing but
As children spend more time online for learning, communication, entertainment, and everyday activities, many parents are looking for ways to support their growing digital needs.
adult guidance remains important. For P499 per month, GPlan Junior comes with unlimited calls and texts, 100-minutes of landline calls, 10GB of all-access data, free access to Messenger Kids and Mobile Legends, and unlimited access to three selected apps across video, social, and gaming categories. Families may choose one app from
each category: Video: YouTube Kids, Netflix, Disney+, or Viu Social: Viber or WhatsApp Play: PUBG, Call of Duty, Discord, or Roblox By linking a dependent’s mobile line to a parent’s Globe Postpaid account, GPlan Junior addresses the need for
frequent reloads and monitoring expiring prepaid promos. This allows families to enjoy a more seamless connectivity experience while helping ensure that children remain connected when they need to be. The plan’s 10GB-swappable data and with roll-over feature open access data and unlimited access to selected apps support the online activities that many children and students engage in daily, from messaging and video streaming to gaming and communication. At the same time, families benefit from more predictable monthly connectivity spending and reduced concerns about unexpected usage. Parents can also monitor their child’s data usage through the GlobeOne app, allowing them to track consumption, view remaining allocations, and select Unli Apps, and the preferred Data Swap option. This gives families greater visibility and control while helping children develop more mindful and responsible digital activities and behaviors.
RIERA U. MALLARI, Editor EDGARD HILARIO, Asst. Editor
GoTyme brings Apple Pay to debit card PH customers GOTYME Bank brings Apple Pay to its debit card customers in the Philippines. Apple Pay is an easy, secure, and private way to pay instore, in-app, and online. To pay in-store, customers simply double-click the side button, authenticate, and hold their iPhone or Apple Watch near a payment terminal to make a contactless payment. Every Apple Pay purchase is secure because it is authenticated with Face ID, Touch ID, or device passcode, as well as a one-time unique dynamic security code. Apple Pay is accepted in grocery stores, pharmacies, restaurants, coffee shops, retail stores, and many more places that accept contactless payments. ”At GoTyme Bank, we’re constantly looking for ways to make banking more seamless for our customers. Bringing Apple Pay to GoTyme Bank customers in the Philippines gives them an easy and secure way to pay wherever they shop,” said Nate Clarke, CEO of GoTyme Bank. This news marks another milestone in GoTyme Bank’s mission towards bringing the best global banking experiences to Filipinos. Through continuous innovation and a strong focus on customer experience, GoTyme Bank continues to create more convenient and rewarding ways for customers to pay. Customers can also use Apple Pay on iPhone, iPad, and Mac to make faster and more convenient purchases in apps or on the web without having to create accounts or repeatedly type in contact information, card details, or shipping and billing information. Security and privacy are at the core of Apple Pay. When customers use a credit or debit card with Apple Pay, the actual card numbers are not stored on the device, nor on Apple servers. Instead, a unique Device Account Number is assigned, encrypted, and securely stored in the Secure Element, an industry-standard, certified chip designed to store the payment information safely on the device. Apple Pay is easy to set up. On iPhone, simply open the Wallet app, tap the ‘+’, and follow the steps to add GoTyme Bank debit card. Once a customer adds a card to iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad, and Mac, they can start using Apple Pay on that device right away. Customers will continue to receive all of the benefits offered by GoTyme Bank cards. For more information on Apple Pay, visit: https://www.apple.com/ ph/apple-pay/
An easier and more secure way to pay with iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad, and Mac
Capture, share your vision with 5G-Powered ‘King of Imaging’ HUAWEI Pura 90s Series HUAWEI has once again raised the bar for flagship smartphones with the new “King of Imaging,” the HUAWEI Pura 90s Series, available starting at P54,999, and now open for pre-order in the Philippines. Bringing together trendsetting aesthetics, next-generation imaging, reliable 5G connectivity, and advanced AI-powered features, the HUAWEI Pura 90s Series ushers a new era of intelligent mobile experiences. HUAWEI XMAGE Awards Starting 8:00 p.m. on August 7 until 12:00 noon on August 20, you can avail vouchers worth P4,000 exclusively through the HUAWEI Online Store. Vouchers worth P2,000 will be available from August 7 on Shopee, Lazada, TikTok. Vouchers are limited only, so get yours fast. Capture your best moments and show the world your vision by joining the HUAWEI XMAGE Awards 2026. Interested participants may submit their entries through the official HUAWEI XMAGE Awards website: https://
consumer.huawei.com/en/campaign/ xmage/ for a chance to win the Grand Prize worth US10,000. Submissions are open until August 16, 2026. To learn more, visit your nearest HUAWEI Experience Store or check out HUAWEI’s official social media pages (Facebook | Instagram). King of Imaging Brings Your Vision to Focus The HUAWEI Pura Series is renowned for seamlessly blending groundbreaking
imaging innovation with fashion-forward design, empowering users to capture life’s beauty while expressing their individuality through a device that is as remarkable as the moments it preserves. Reinforcing its position as the “King of Imaging,” the HUAWEI Pura 90s Series introduces a new range of imaging innovation to take the mobile photography experience to greater heights, enabling users to preserve their best moments exactly how they experienced it.
Built to be an absolute Zoom Beast, the HUAWEI Pura 90s Series lets users capture extraordinary detail from near or far. The HUAWEI Pura 90s Pro Max redefines flagship smartphone imaging with its industry-leading 200MP Ultra Large Sensor Telephoto Camera with a 1/1.28-inch sensor and the first-ever 200MP RYYB Sensor. The advanced Telephoto Camera system enables users to capture details with stunning clarity, bringing distant subjects into
sharp focus with exceptional clarity. Its powerful Telephoto Zoom brings users closer to every unforgettable moment, whether it’s a live performance of their favorite artists, elusive wildlife in their natural habitat, or intricate, microscopic details. Combined with the industryleading image stabilization of CIPA 7.0, the HUAWEI Pura 90s Pro Max keeps handheld zoom shots sharp and steady, ensuring every distant scene is preserved with impressive clarity.
Bringing together trendsetting aesthetics, next-generation imaging, reliable 5G connectivity, and advanced AI-powered features, the HUAWEI Pura 90s Series ushers a new era of intelligent mobile experiences.
TECH
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SATURDAY, AUGUST 8, 2026
The Xiaomi 17T Series and Xiaomi 17 Series help preserve authentic moments through three storytelling habits -- keeping your distance, giving the moment time, and preserving the atmosphere that makes it memorable.
XIAOMI 17 SERIES, 17T SERIES
Why most memorable photos are usually taken from far away M OST people reach for a smartphone’s telephoto camera to pull a faraway subject closer. Concerts, stages, the moon. That instinct is correct, but it misses the more useful half of what a long lens does, especially for anyone learning to tell stories with their phone rather than simply take pictures.
Many of today’s strongest visual storytellers, from veteran photographers to creators just building their following online, share one discipline: They understand that a camera changes the moment it points at the subject. Announce “Picture!” and the room rearranges itself—the scene that made you reach for your phone in the first place gives way to a performance staged for it. Here is how the Xiaomi 17T Series and Xiaomi 17 Series help preserve authentic moments through three storytelling habits: keeping your distance, giving
the moment time, and preserving the atmosphere that makes it memorable. 1. Framing and distance: let the lens do the approaching Composition guides where the eye goes, and the single biggest composition decision most people never think about is where they stand. Step toward a candid moment and you break it. Stay put and let the telephoto cross the room instead of your feet, and the moment survives intact. This is the real argument for the Xiaomi 17T Series’ Leica 5x Tele-
CrowdStrike: AI now embedded across modern adversary actions AUSTIN, Texas—CrowdStrike (NASDAQ: CRWD) today released the 2026 Threat Hunting Report, revealing that AI is now embedded across modern adversary operations. China-nexus adversaries exploited critical vulnerabilities within 24 hours of public proof-of-concept (PoC) release, while DPRK-nexus adversaries poisoned 131 trusted AI framework packages, demonstrating how AI has become both an operational capability and a high-value target. AI is now a tool, target, and force multiplier for adversaries. As enterprises embed AI across their business, adversaries are exploiting AI infrastructure, compromising software supply chains, abusing enterprise LLMs, and following AI workloads into the cloud. The result is a new operational reality: attacks move faster, scale more efficiently, and increasingly target the AI systems enterprises depend on. CrowdStrike Threat Hunting Report Highlights: Based on frontline intelligence from CrowdStrike’s elite threat hunters and intelligence analysts tracking more than 290 named adversaries, the report reveals: ● AI Is a Tool, Target, and Force Multiplier for Adversaries: Threat actors used AI to generate payloads and shell commands, exploit AI infrastructure, and abuse enterprise LLMs – including one campaign that sent nearly 200,000 AI model requests in two minutes. CrowdStrike OverWatch also observed AI agent-triggered detection leads grew at 2.5x the rate of human-triggered leads, showing how AI is accelerating the volume and velocity of activity security teams must investigate. ● The AI Ecosystem Is the Next Supply Chain Battleground: DPRK-nexus STARDUST CHOLLIMA injected a malicious npm package into 131 trusted Mastra AI frameworks. During 1H 2026, 87% of identified software registry threats involved malicious npm packages. eCrime actor ALTERED SPIDER compromised more than 300 software dependencies in a single day to harvest credentials and pivot into cloud environments. ● Exploitation Windows Collapse to Hours: In 1H 2026, 88% of CrowdStrike-observed exploitation of vulnerabilities with a PoC occurred within 48 hours of release. China-nexus actors VAULT PANDA and GENESIS PANDA moved even faster, launching deliberate attacks within 24 hours of disclosure. ● Adversaries Follow AI into the Cloud: Cloudconscious eCrime activity surged 171% as adversaries executed credential theft, cryptomining, LLM abuse, and digital financial asset theft. ● Trusted Authentication Becomes an Attack Path: Vishing intrusions increased by 2x in 1H 2026. eCrime groups CORDIAL SPIDER and SNARKY SPIDER compromised single sign-on (SSO) integrated SaaS applications for data exfiltration. In one incident, SNARKY SPIDER moved from account takeover to data theft in under five minutes. Monthly device code phishing attempts increased 15x in 1H 2026, reflecting growing abuse of trusted authentication workflows.
photo camera, which offers the reach of a classic 115mm lens with optical stabilization. From the hallway, your subject stays absorbed in what they are doing. From across a barangay court, a game keeps its scale and its honesty. The lens does the approaching so that you never have to. There is another reason telephoto photos often feel more intentional. Their longer focal lengths naturally simplify busy backgrounds, so a single face separates cleanly from the tarpaulins and string lights behind it, letting the people and the story stand out. That subject-isolation look is a large part of what reads as “professional.” Try this: Pick a subject doing something absorbing, like your grandparents sharing a quiet moment over morning coffee. Stay just far enough back that you don’t interrupt what they’re doing, then let the telephoto fill the frame. You’ll be
surprised how naturally the story, and the composition, come together. 2. Timing and emotion: photograph people before they perform Great storytelling is often less about where you stand than when you press the shutter. The moment someone hears “Picture!” conversations pause, smiles stiffen, and genuine expressions become practiced ones. Sometimes the best photograph happens just before that announcement, or right after everyone forgets about posing and returns to the moment. This is where the Leica 5x Telephoto becomes more than a zoom lens. By letting you keep a respectful distance without sacrificing composition, it gives everyday moments the space to unfold naturally while you wait for the right expression, gesture, or glance. You are no longer directing the scene— you are observing it with patience.
Try this: Find someone absorbed in what they’re doing, whether it’s a street musician performing, a barista crafting a latte, or a friend sketching in a café. Let the Leica 5x Telephoto do the approaching while you stay where you are. Resist the urge to press the shutter immediately. Sometimes the best frame comes just before the subject acknowledges you. Other times, it comes in the very instant they do, with an unrehearsed laugh, an amused eye roll, a bashful grin, or a smile that’s genuine precisely because it wasn’t planned. 3. Let the evening stay evening The stories worth keeping don’t stop when the sun goes down. They continue over late dinners, conversations that stretch long after dessert, and moments shared under the warm glow of a single pendant light. The challenge isn’t making these scenes brighter, it’s preserving the atmosphere. The Xiaomi 17 Series is built for exactly that. Its Leica Summilux lens opens to a wide ƒ/1.67 aperture and feeds a Light Fusion 950 sensor designed to capture more light and preserve a wide dynamic range. Instead of turning evening into artificial daylight, it keeps warm indoor lighting looking warm, allowing the mood of the moment to remain intact. Whether you’re photographing from across the dining room or observing from the doorway, the same storytelling principle applies: preserve the scene without interrupting it, and let the light tell its part of the story.
Upgrade your everyday for less with Infinix’s biggest 8.8 deals LOOKING for the perfect time to upgrade your smartphone or tablet? This is your sign. Whether you’re powering through work, staying connected with loved ones, leveling up your mobile gaming sessions, or simply looking for a device that keeps up with your lifestyle, Infinix is making it easier than ever to bring home your next tech companion. This 8.8 shopping season, enjoy limited-time deals across Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok Shop, with exclusive discounts, exciting promotions, and unbeatable value on some of Infinix’s most popular devices. Score Up to ₱3,000 Off on Shopee From August 7 to 9, discover bigger savings on your favorite Infinix devices during the Shopee 8.8 campaign. Enjoy up to ₱3,000 OFF on select models, including the HOT 60 Pro+, NOTE 60 Pro, SMART 20, and HOT 70. Plus, enjoy SPayLater with up to 3 months 0% interest for a more flexible way to shop. Whether you’re upgrading your daily driver or shopping for the family, there’s never been a better time to score incredible value. Unlock Exclusive Deals on Lazada Make the most of Lazada’s 8.8 sale from August 7 to 8 and enjoy up to 30% OFF on select Infinix devices. Grab exclusive deals on the NOTE Edge, NOTE 50 Pro+, XPAD 30E, and GT 30 before stocks run out. Don’t miss your chance to upgrade with limited-time offers available only during the campaign.
Infinix 8.8 Sale
Save More with TikTok Shop From August 4 to 8, catch the 8.8 Todo Savings Sale on TikTok Shop and enjoy the lowest LIVE deals with up to 40% OFF, plus exciting giveaways during participating livestreams. Featured devices include the HOT 60 Pro, SMART 20, NOTE 60 Pro, and HOT 70. To make
upgrading even more convenient, shoppers can also enjoy TikTok Pay Later with 0% interest for up to 3 months, making it easier to bring home the device you’ve been eyeing. These offers are only available for a limited time, so don’t miss your chance to enjoy bigger savings on your next Infinix device.
Smart brings Apple Pay to subscribers, offering new way to buy load, pay bills AS one of the first partners to welcome Apple Pay in the Philippines, mobile services provider Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) continues its tradition of bringing world-class digital innovations to Filipinos, giving subscribers a new, easy, secure, and private way to buy Smart Prepaid or TNT load and pay their Smart Postpaid or Smart Infinity bill beginning Aug. 4. The new payment option will be available at Smart Stores nationwide and through the Smart Online Store. The addition of Apple Pay gives Smart and TNT subscribers another convenient way to complete essential transactions, whether topping up prepaid load or paying their monthly bill in stores or online, further enhancing their customer experience.
Smart x Apple Pay
Apple Pay is available on supported Apple devices, including iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad, Mac, and Apple Vision Pro. After adding a supported credit or debit card to their Apple Wallet, customers can
use Apple Pay to make purchases quickly and conveniently. Apple Pay uses the built-in security features of Apple devices, including Face ID, Touch ID, and passcode authentication, helping
keep every payment private and secure. When customers use Apple Pay, their actual card number is never stored on their device or Apple servers, and their card number is never shared with merchants, providing an additional layer of privacy and security. “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,” said Lloyd R. Manaloto, FVP and coOIC at Smart. “As customer expectations continue to evolve, we’re committed to making every interaction with Smart simpler and more seamless. With Apple Pay, subscribers can now buy prepaid load and pay their postpaid bills with an easy, secure, and private payment experience.” Visit any Smart Store nationwide or the Smart Online Store to buy prepaid load or pay your bill using Apple Pay. To learn more, visit smart.com.ph/applepay and follow Smart on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, and YouTube.
SHOWBIZ West Philippine Sea’s
C3 SATURDAY, AUGUST 8, 2026
lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com NICKIE WANG, Editor ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer JASPER VALDEZ, Writer
untold stories sail onto silver screen
‘Pangako’ reaches a new wave of listeners through TikTok videos, fan edits, and renewed streaming interest
Directors and producers Philip King (right) and Cesar Soriano (second from right) with the lead cast of the upcoming film ‘Ang Mamatay Nang Dahil Sa’yo’
Kyle Echarri’s ‘Pangako’ finds new life as viral trend
T
HE West Philippine Sea dispute has dominated diplomatic talks and headlines for years. Now, filmmakers are turning the national issue into a feature film that they hope will deepen public understanding of the sacrifices made by Filipino troops assigned to the contested waters. Tentatively titled Ang Mamatay Nang Dahil Sa’yo, the film is produced by former broadcast journalist Cesar Soriano through GreatCzar Media in partnership with director-producer Philip King of FLIP The Script Productions.
McCoy De Leon portrays a serviceman assigned to the contested waters
The team behind ‘Ang Mamatay Nang Dahil Sa’yo’ introduces a film centered on Filipino soldiers and the human cost of serving in the West Philippine Sea
McCoy De Leon, Mon Confiado, Gold Aceron, Polo Laurel, and Arron Villaflor lead the cast, joined by Mark Neumann, JR Velasco, and Yves Flores. Instead of focusing on large-scale military conflict, the film follows Filipino soldiers stationed in the West Philippine Sea, drawing inspiration from events that have already been reported in the news. Speaking with Manila Standard Entertainment during the film’s media conference, Soriano stressed that the project is not intended to provoke tensions. “We don’t want war,” he said during the cast reveal. “Our objective is to let people understand what’s going on there and the sacrifices of our soldiers. Let the people judge and decide how they can support them.” King, on the other hand, said the film presents “a nugget of truth” through the experiences of four characters while remaining grounded in documented events. “It’s not about vilifying anyone. It’s about presenting what’s already out there.” Soriano said Philippine cinema has rarely explored the West Philippine Sea despite its significance. He believes the film arrives at the right time to present the untold stories of Filipino soldiers stationed in the disputed waters.
Very Wang
Nickie Wang
“I think it’s about time that we tackle the subject matter on film. Nobody’s willing, so I thought I should just do it myself,” he asserted. The production plans to coordinate with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Department of Foreign Affairs, and other government agencies to ensure sensitive scenes and dialogue are handled responsibly. The filmmakers also hope to screen the movie at international film festivals. King believes its themes of service, patriotism, and national identity will resonate with audiences outside the Philippines. The cast welcomed the opportunity to portray soldiers whose stories are seldom told on screen. De Leon described the role as “a once-ina-lifetime” opportunity, while Confiado said the film has helped him better understand the complex territorial dispute. Soriano expressed confidence that the film will eventually reach cinemas despite its politically sensitive subject, saying he hopes it encourages Filipinos to appreciate the sacrifices of the country’s servicemen.
PEOPLE
John Arcilla on acting, accountability, and the stories we tell
John Arcilla reflects on craft, audience responsibility, and the life experiences that continue to shape his work on screen and in music
The award-winning actor discusses his career, upcoming projects, and debut single during the ‘Star Magic Spotlight’ press conference at the Dolphy Theater
JOHN Arcilla believes the power of acting lies in its ability to make audiences reflect, question, and understand the human stories behind every character. The seasoned actor shared his views on the craft, storytelling, and his latest projects during the Star Magic Spotlight Press Conference at the Dolphy Theater in ABS-CBN, Quezon City. The 60-year-old Arcilla described acting as a shared responsibility between the actor, the character being portrayed, fellow performers, and the audience.
“Acting is not just a commitment towards your character and to your co-actors, it is also a responsibility to your audience,” he said. The actor encouraged aspiring performers to continue learning from life itself, calling experience the greatest teacher in understanding characters and human emotions. “The biggest university in acting is this life,” Arcilla said, adding that knowing the humanity behind a role allows audiences to connect with stories beyond simple labels or stereotypes. Arcilla also looked back on his acclaimed portrayal of revolutionary leader General Antonio Luna in the 2015 film Heneral Luna, a role that became a defining moment in his career. More than a decade after the film’s release, he continues to be recognized as “Heneral,” especially by younger viewers introduced to the historical drama through schools and their families. Apart from acting, Arcilla is exploring music with his debut Star Music single, “Ano Ba ‘Yan, P*nyeta,” a song he described as a reflection on personal and collective responsibility. “Hindi isa lang ang may kasalanan o dalawa o tatlo. Tayong lahat, ina-allow nating mangyari o tayong lahat, may kanya-kanya tayong dapat ayusin sa sarili natin, sa puso natin, at sa ating isip,” he said. Arcilla is also preparing his first album featuring theme songs from television projects such as Dirty Linen, Pamilya Sagrado, and The Alibi, along with original compositions. He is set to appear in upcoming projects, including Lawrence Fajardo’s Beast, Happy Birthday to Me, the Metro Manila Film Festival entry Haunted Carnival, and the finale of The Alibi. He also encouraged listeners to stream “Ano Ba ‘Yan, P*nyeta” on digital music platforms.
SOME songs simply wait for their moment. Years after their release, certain tracks find a new audience through social media, with TikTok trends, dance challenges, and fan-made edits giving them a second run on the charts. Case in point, Kyle Echarri’s 2018 dance-pop single “Pangako” is the latest song to experience this resurgence, entering the Billboard Philippines Hot 100 chart at No. 94 this week. The singer-actor thanked listeners who rediscovered the track, noting that the song is nearly eight years old. “This song is almost 8 years old, but thank you everyone who’s listening to it again,” Kyle posted on X. Fans quickly responded, praising the song’s lasting appeal and calling on the former The Voice Kids Philippines Season 2 contestant to release new music. “Pangako” has become a popular sound on TikTok, with users creating dance challenge videos and lyricvideo edits that introduced the track to a new generation of listeners. Composed by Gabriel Tagadtad, arranged by Theo Martel and produced by StarPop label head Roque “Rox” Santos, the song was part of Kyle’s self-titled album released in 2018. He first performed it live at the 2018 MYX Music Awards at the Araneta Coliseum. The track has since amassed more than 23 million streams on Spotify, while its official music video has reached 14 million views on YouTube.
Kyle Echarri thanks listeners as his 2018 single gains fresh attention online and enters the Billboard Philippines Hot 100
LIFE
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SATURDAY, AUGUST 8, 2026
lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com NICKIE WANG, Editor ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer JASPER VALDEZ, Writer
Disney Store by SM gives SMAC members a chance to win a Hong Kong Disneyland trip for four through qualifying purchases until Sept. 30
Shop at Disney Store by SM for a shot at Hong Kong Disneyland trip
Shoppers can earn a raffle entry with a minimum P5,000 single-receipt purchase at any Disney Store by SM branch nationwide
SHOPPING for Disney favorites could turn into a family vacation. Disney Store by SM has teamed up with SMAC to give shoppers a chance to win a trip for four to Hong Kong Disneyland through a new nationwide promo. From July 15 to Sept. 30, SMAC and SMAC Prestige members who spend at least P5,000 in a single receipt at any Disney Store by SM branch will automatically earn one raffle entry for the grand prize. The campaign invites families to shop from the store’s selection of official Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars merchandise while getting a chance to visit Hong Kong Disneyland, home to exclusive attractions, themed entertainment, and beloved Disney characters. Disney Store by SM carries a wide range of toys, apparel, accessories, home items, and collectibles inspired by some of the world’s most popular franchises. The promo runs until Sept. 30, giving shoppers several weeks to qualify for the raffle with every eligible purchase. For complete mechanics, customers may visit any Disney Store by SM branch. The promotion is covered by DTI Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB-262011, Series of 2026.
Every meal now comes with a reward
By Angelica Villanueva
F
OR 21 years, Debbie Co has dressed women for life’s milestones, from proms to weddings. With Jardin du Soleil, her latest Resort ‘26 collection, the designer looks back on the influence of her years in London while creating pieces she hopes women will wear beyond landmark occasions.
By Earla Joy Nicol FOR many Filipinos, McDonald’s has become part of everyday life. It is where childhood birthdays were celebrated, Happy Meals became family traditions, and after-school snacks were shared. Now, those familiar experiences are increasingly being paired with rewards and app-based features. As MyMcDonald’s Rewards marks its first anniversary this August, McDonald’s Philippines is expanding its digital loyalty program with new rewards, bonus-point missions, and exclusive experiences designed to give customers more ways to earn and redeem points through the McDonald’s App. Beginning Aug. 17, members can complete anniversary missions to earn bonus points and redeem a limited-edition McDo Denim Jacket for 1,200 points at 30 participating stores nationwide, while supplies last. The company will also introduce additional food rewards through an updated rewards catalog. “We wanted something bigger, and we really wanted a loyalty program that makes our customers feel valued,” Katrina LeeChua, assistant vice president for strategy, insights, and digital at McDonald’s Philippines, said in an interview. Lee-Chua said the McDonald’s App has grown to about 19 million users, with roughly 5 million enrolled in MyMcDonald’s Rewards, making it the country’s first digital loyalty program in the quick-service restaurant industry. She said members earn points from dine-in, takeout, and drive-thru purchases that can be redeemed for food, exclusive merchandise, and member-only experiences. During the program’s first year, McFlurry, World Famous Fries, and Chicken McDo were the most frequently redeemed food rewards. “We realized, especially with the younger market now, it’s not just claiming food rewards. They really want something different. Experiences are something they resonate with,” she added.
‘Jardin du Soleil’ brings together British-inspired tailoring and tropical colors as Atelier Debbie Co marks its 21st year
British elegance in full bloom Debbie Co lets London dream blossom in the tropics
Kris Bernal looks elegant in a red floral gown with a fitted bodice and sweeping skirt
Members can redeem a limited-edition McDo Denim Jacket for 1,200 points at selected stores beginning Aug. 17 while supplies last
MyMcDonald’s Rewards marks its first anniversary with new point missions, food rewards, merchandise, and member experiences
Cheska (right) and Kendra Kramer grace the launching of Debbie Co’s newest collection
The collection marks Atelier Debbie Co’s 21st anniversary and revisits the designer’s time at Central Saint Martins in London, where she studied in 2005. Drawing from British elegance and tradition, Co reinterprets those influences through tropical colors, lighter fabrics, and relaxed silhouettes for the modern Filipina. “While studying at CSM in London back in 2005, I was very fascinated by British affluence, culture, and elegance. So, I thought of reimagining it with the softness of the tropics, like the colors,” Co said during the collection launch. The contrast runs throughout the collection. Tailored day dresses, soft corsetry, pleats, and puff sleeves are paired with botanical prints inspired by hibiscus, palm leaves, and other tropical blooms. Shades of coral, mango, golden yellow, green, and ivory give the pieces a bright, garden-inspired palette while maintaining the polished look associated with British dressing. Co said every collection begins with the women who will wear the clothes. Beyond staying true to the atelier’s signature style, she considers how each silhouette can flatter different body types while remaining versatile enough for more than one occasion. Several looks were designed as separates that can be mixed and matched. A top can be paired with white trousers for a casual lunch, while a corset can be styled for an evening cocktail or a formal event. “You know, not just to save pieces for the grander moments of life, but also for the quieter moments.
Coleen Garcia dazzles in a black-and-gold sleeveless gown with a belted waist and full skirt from Debbie Co’s Resort ’26 collection
We encourage dressing as a sort of experience rather than just a celebration,” she shared. The atelier’s focus on dressing women beyond formal occasions has also shaped its relationship with clients over the past two decades. Co recalled seeing families return through different stages of life, from young girls visiting the studio with their mothers and grandmothers to later commissioning prom dresses, bridal gowns, and outfits for their own children. “We’ve actually made dresses for, well, I mean, we made their prom dresses, and now they’re having their bridal gowns made,” the designer said. For Co, the anniversary is less about looking back than recognizing the role the atelier has played in generations of family celebrations. Through Jardin du Soleil, she revisits one of her earliest creative influences while continuing to design pieces meant to become part of those memories. The Resort ‘26 collection is available at Atelier Debbie Co at Proscenium and at the brand’s pop-up in Power Plant Mall, Rockwell, which will run through September 2026. The Resort ’26 collection is designed for women to wear across casual gatherings, celebrations, and other occasions