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Zambo shooting unplanned—DILG; ‘Mentors’ sought
MORNING SUN.
After days of incessant rain, the sun glows gloriously yesterday morning over the eastern mountain ranges of Benguet in the Cordilleras. Dave Leprozo
By Vince Lopez, Pot Chavez, Joel Zurbano, Gabriel Oliva, and Maricel Cruz THE Department of the Interior and Local Government said Thursday the deadly shooting at Ateneo de Zamboanga University (ADZU) was unplanned, but the Department of Justice is not ruling out terrorism as a possible aspect of the attack that left two students dead. Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said the Grade 9 student linked to the Next page
House too wants speedy trial, but calls out defense for delays By Maricel V. Cruz
VOL. XL • NO. 188 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 •FRIDAY, AUGUST 21, 2026 •
THE House prosecution team on Thursday said they share Vice President Sara Duterte's wish for a speedy impeachment trial. “Well, regarding her statement that she wants to fast-track the process, we don't see any problem with that. We
Palace: Paying witnesses to target people alarming Erwin: Guteza likely felt guilty; Ping: Recantation expected
share the desire to complete this process as quickly as possible,” lawyer Benjamin Tolosa said in a news briefing. However, he stressed that the prosecution would not sacrifice its duty to fully present evidence supporting the impeachment charges against the Vice President for the sake of speed. Next page
TRUMP TO MEET NOKOR’S KIM WORLD / A6
SENATE TO SCRAP TRAVEL TAX BUSINESS / B3
By Charles Dantes, Ram Superable, Maricel Cruz and Rex Espiritu
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TTEMPTS to pay individuals to make false accusations and implicate specific people in the flood control mess are alarming as this erodes trust in the justice system, Malacañang on Thursday said. “This is concerning because this will erode the justice system and affect what the people believe, because there will be more wrong information, fake news, false information – that will affect the truth,” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said. Castro made the statement after retired Marine T/Sgt. Orly Guteza retracted his testimony that connected former House Speaker Martin Romualdez to the flood-control scandal, saying he was offered money in exchange for falsely implicating the lawmaker. “What the president wants is what is within the law, not made-up evidence. If it is true that Guteza made up stories, that will not be helpful in pursuing the people who should be held accountable,” Castro said. “You may make money (from peddling false information), but the persons you discredited — the damage
TAKING NO CHANCES.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. checks on the Tripa De Gallina pumping station in Pasay City while residents of Barangay Sta. Fe in San Marcelino, Zambales inspect the remains of their homes that were submerged by sand and water when the Sta. Fe river overflowed at the height of the rains . Revoli Cortez, San Marcelino PIO Facebook page
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1,262 areas hit by flooding even as rainfall eases By Rex Espiritu and Rio N. Araja A TOTAL of 1,262 areas across the country experienced flooding
over the past few days, according to the Office of Civil Defense (OCD). Meanwhile, the weather agency reported that tropical depression “Ne-
neng” weakened into a low-pressure area (LPA) and exited the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) on Thursday afternoon. Next page
More Pinoys feel Palace: P180m Ligtas Pinoy evac centers per region not for 2028 polls poor and hungry, By Charles Dantes
SUPPLEMENTAL PETITION. Lawyer Ade Fajardo, counsel of former Speaker Martin Romualdez, shows the sworn statements contained in the supplemental counteraffidavit submitted with the Office of the Ombudsman. Manny Palmero
MALACAÑANG on Thursday defended the proposed uniform P180 million allocation for evacuation centers in each of the Philippines’ 17 regions, saying the projects are governed by a lawmandated site selection process and are not intended to serve as election spending ahead of the 2028 polls.
In a Palace briefing, Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro made the clarification after Senator Panfilo Lacson questioned why the proposed 2027 budget sets aside the same amount for every region despite the absence of specific locations for the facilities in the National Expenditure Program. Next page
says OCTA survey
By Katrina Manubay and Charles Dantes MORE Filipino families consider themselves poor and hungry, with both self-rated indicators rising in the second quarter of 2026, according to a survey by the OCTA Research group. Next page
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Palace: Paying... From A1
will not just be to them but to their family, to their integrity,” the Palace official added. ‘Guilty conscience may have triggered recantation’ Guteza, in his new affidavit, identified former Anakalusgan party-list Rep. Mike Defensor as the one who pressured him to provide false testimony against Romualdez. He also mentioned that Senator Marcoleta edited and completed the draft that was typed by Defensor's son-in-law, Mark. Senator Erwin Tulfo, chairman of the Senate blue ribbon committee, said Guteza may have “felt guilty” for all the false allegations in his previous testimony. “When he appeared before the (Blue Ribbon) panel, he was saying
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shooting acted alone, with authorities finding no evidence of a conspiracy or organized group behind the attack. “(The student killed) was a victim of circumstance. (The shooter) was a victim of undue influence. The police report will come out in due time, but the facts remain that as far as we can determine (the shooter) acted alone in the sense he planned, executed and willfully did everything on his own,” Remulla said, mentioning surnames of the reported victim and suspect. “There was no conspiracy behind it. There was no active group that planned it. There was no family influence that made him do the unthinkable,” he added. Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida, however, said authorities were checking reports that unscrupulous individuals may be targeting and “mentoring” children who play violent video games and recruiting them through online group chats. “We're confirming information that there are mentors—someone who mentors and engages with the children. The kids are being sent text messages. Then it seems they consult this person, asking, ‘Is what I did okay? What should I do?’” Vida said. “Such flags may be spotted with a child who spends a lot of time playing violent video games. They may be targeted and recruited to join certain group chats. That's where their violent path starts,” he added. Vida said the shooting contained elements of terrorism because it could sow fear among the public, although authorities have not established that it was a terrorist act.
1,262 areas... From A1
On the other hand, the Department of Agriculture (DA) Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Operations Center said more than 50,000 farmers and fishermen were affected by the combined effects of the enhanced southwest monsoon and tropical cyclones Luis, Maymay, and Neneng. In its report, the OCD said the inundated localities covered Region 1, the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Region 3, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Region 6, and Region 9 As of Thursday, 574 of these areas remained underwater, while floods had subsided in 688 areas and were receding in 69 other localities. Central Luzon recorded the worst inundations, with 446 affected areas, followed by MIMAROPA with 42, Region 1 with 35, Region 6 with 26, and CALABARZON with 25. The center of the LPA was estimated at 480 kilometers north of Itbayat, Batanes (outside PAR), according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA). “Neneng” was almost stationary with maximum sustained winds of [value] kilometer per hour (km/h) near the center and gustiness of up to [value] km/h, and moving northward toward the East China Sea.
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In the latest Tugon ng Masa (TNM) poll, results showed that selfrated poverty increased by four percentage points to 39 percent (about 10.3 million families) in July from 35 percent (around 9.2 million families) in March, while self-rated hunger climbed to 21 percent (approximately 5.6 million families) from 17 percent
nothing but lies and pointing fingers at all sorts of people. So perhaps he felt guilty,” he said. Guteza, who was presented by Marcoleta as a surprise witness during last year’s Sept. 25 hearing of the Blue Ribbon panel, went into hiding after giving his testimony. ‘Lagareng hapon’ of a ‘coached witness’ Senator Ping Lacson said Guteza’s recantation was not surprising as the retired Marine was previously identified as a “coached witness” of Marcoleta. “Since it is already on record during the Blue Ribbon committee hearing that Guteza was a coached witness of Senator Marcoleta, and it was even broadcast live, it is no longer surprising that he would eventually backtrack,” Lacson said in a statement. In a report on Bilyonaryo, Lacson confirmed that Senate security surveil-
lance cameras captured Guteza being escorted directly to the office of Marcoleta prior to testifying. Marcoleta earlier publicly addressed the video findings, saying he had met with Guteza shortly before the session to discuss his testimony regarding alleged flood control project kickbacks. "The backtracking of the 'Maleta Boys' has become a dime a dozen so it's not surprising that Guteza, the original 'Maleta Boy' a.k.a. Basura, followed suit," Lacson said. "In the words of swindlers, it's 'lagareng hapon' or 'doble kita,' or 4040 vision," he added. Earlier this month, four former bodyguards of ex-Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co – known as the “Maleta Boys” -- also recanted their earlier sworn statements that implicated President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the former Speaker, Co, and other personalities in
alleged kickbacks from flood control projects. 25 ex-Co staff part of supplemental counter-affidavit The camp of Romualdez said it filed a supplemental counter-affidavit with the Office of the Ombudsman that include sworn statements from 25 former drivers and security aides of former Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co. Lawyer Ade Fajardo said the submission also included Guteza’s recantation. “They have come forward and directly contradicted the earlier accounts of the 18 ‘Maleta Boys’ presented by Atty. (Levito) Baligod,” Fajardo said at a news conference yesterday. He said the 25 former personnel denied delivering money to Romualdez or any other politician or government official. They also claimed they had been
encouraged to join a group of witnesses in exchange for money and that affidavits had already been prepared for them, Fajardo said. “According to them, no delivery of money took place involving any politician or government official, including Rep. Romualdez. They were merely urged to join a group of witnesses in exchange for money, and affidavits had already been prepared for them,” Fajardo said. “Orly Guteza also issued a statement detailing how the accusations were allegedly forced on him for him to accept and sign, as he was supposedly the ‘missing link’ who would connect Rep. Romualdez to the case,” the lawyer added. Romualdez, who has consistently denied the allegations, remained confident that a fair investigation would establish that the accusations against him were baseless, Fajardo said.
“On the aspect of it being a terrorist act. Definitely, it can be seen. The purpose of terrorism is to sow fear in the general population. When you see that element of creating fear in the public, it is present,” Vida said. Security gap exploited Remulla said ADZU’s security protocols were “at par with industry standards,” but the student exploited a gap in the system to bring firearms onto the campus. “The boy found a hole in the school which he exploited, a hole in the structure, not the literal hole but a gap in the structure which he exploited to perpetrate this act,” he said. The student reportedly entered the campus aboard his father’s vehicle, allowing him to bypass routine security inspection. The two firearms used in the Aug. 18 shooting were allegedly left by his father inside the vehicle. The father, a Bureau of CustomsEnforcement and Security Services district commander at the Zamboanga Port, has been relieved from his post pending an investigation. A school official told a Senate hearing Thursday that the student entered the junior high school building through a ramp normally reserved for persons with disabilities, bypassing regular security checkpoints. Armee Jay Cresmundo, executive assistant to the university president and legal adviser, said the ramp was normally kept closed and opened only for students with disabilities or those carrying heavy items. The shooting left one student dead and several others injured before the alleged gunman, an eighth-grade student, also died. A second wounded student remained hospitalized in stable condition, according to Police Major Shellamie Chang, spokesperson of the Police
Regional Office-9. The student suffered a bullet graze to the back. Digital evidence examined Philippine National Police Chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said investigators recovered a cellphone and other personal belongings from the student and were examining digital evidence to establish his activities before, during and after the shooting. “We will examine the cellphone and other digital evidence carefully and will not conclude until the investigation is completed. The PNP is looking into whether there were prior incidents, threats, or warning signs involving the shooter that could have alerted authorities,” Nartatez said. Investigators are also examining the student's online gaming and other digital activities for possible connections to the attack. Authorities are determining how the shooting was broadcast online and whether the livestream was planned or involved other individuals. Remulla earlier said the student allegedly livestreamed the shooting on a website called “Watch People Die” using a body camera attached to his chest. Nartatez said investigators were examining the circumstances surrounding the livestream and any possible involvement of others in distributing the footage. “We would like to find out what was in the mind of this child who had a firearm and shot his fellow students, fellow minors, and why he did this,” Nartatez said. Reports that the student had previously threatened to “shoot the school” remain unverified, a school official said Thursday. 'Not a clash between communities' Remulla also stressed that the incident was not a clash between religious
groups or communities. “Let me assure you, Zamboanga is safe. Again, let me assure you Zamboanga is safe and we will keep it safe. We are here to ensure that everything is done fairly. We are here to assure that it is not a cultural clash of Muslims and Filipinos,” he said. “Again, the families knew each other well, so it is not a clash between faiths, but it is a clash of technology and accountability,” he added. He said the PNP had strengthened security measures in schools following the June shooting in Tacloban City, where three students were killed. Remulla said local authorities and police had responded appropriately and that the investigation should focus on establishing the facts rather than placing blame on the school or police. Vida appealed to parents and guardians to closely monitor their children’s activities and maintain open communication with them. “Let's focus on what our children are doing. Let's engage with them and talk to them. I have kids. Maybe they will always say, ‘Daddy, it depends on the person,’” he said. “But let's guide them. You know your children better, you know your kids better. Please, let's pay close attention to our children and what they are doing,” he added. Calls for stronger safeguards The shooting renewed calls for tighter regulation of social media use among minors. Remulla expressed his support anew toward a total ban against online gaming platform Roblox as well as first-person shooter games and other violent online content, citing the potential desensitizing effect of video games on young people.
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Due to favorable environmental conditions, the possibility of redevelopment into a tropical depression within the coming days was not ruled out. PAGASA also said the southwest monsoon is unlikely to bring significant rainfall over the western section of Luzon. However, scattered rains and thunderstorms may still be experienced over Metro Manila, Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Central Luzon, Batanes, Cagayan, Cavite, Batangas, Rizal, Occidental Mindoro and Palawan within the next 24 hours. Agri damages now up to P1.73B “Damage and losses have been incurred on agricultural and fishery areas in seven regions, including Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, and Western Visayas, amounting to PHP1.73 billion, affecting 50,277 farmers with 40,954 hectares of agricultural areas and 43,220 metric tons (MT) of volume of production losses,” the DA-DRRM Operations Center said in a statement. At least P246.6 million worth of agricultural aid is in place to alleviate the impact of the inclement weather across various sectors, including rice, corn, high-value crops, cassava, fisheries, livestock, and agricultural equipment, facilities, and infrastructure, it added.
Palace:... Lacson also warned that the allocation could potentially become an "election or campaign budget" as the country moves closer to the 2028 elections. Castro said the administration has safeguards to determine whether projects funded by the government are actually implemented, stressing that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. does not want a repeat of ghost projects uncovered in previous administrations. The Department of Budget and Management said the lack of specific locations in the 2027 NEP does not mean the evacuation centers will be built arbitrarily. Under Republic Act 12076, or the Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, together with local governments and concerned agencies, is tasked with identifying and prioritizing sites for the centers. The Department of Public Works and Highways will serve as the implementing agency. Site selection will consider disaster risks, topography, available land and the actual needs of communities, according to the DBM. Ligtas Pinoy centers For 2027, the government is proposing two Ligtas Pinoy Centers in each region at ₱90 million per facility, bringing the regional allocation to
₱180 million. The DBM said the ₱90 million-percenter estimate is based on the fiveyear implementation plan for Ligtas Pinoy Centers and includes site development as well as adjustments for unique conditions at each location. The site identification process is already underway. DPWH formally requested from the Office of Civil Defense on Aug. 10 a prioritized list of sites to ensure the proposed projects are properly identified and ready for implementation. "So, the number of facilities to be built, their cost and the implementing framework have already been defined. What remains to be identified is the appropriate site," Castro said. Castro also pushed back against criticism that some assistance programs in the proposed 2027 budget are not geared toward long-term development. Lacson had said some aid items in the NEP may provide immediate relief but do little to promote sustained economic development. Castro said programs such as the “Walang Gutom” initiative and the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, or 4Ps, are designed to address immediate needs while producing longer-term benefits for vulnerable families. She said "Walang Gutom" provides a safety net for Filipinos who are unemployed, have lost their jobs or are struggling to provide food for their families, while 4Ps helps poor households keep their children in school.
In an interview on Wednesday, Duterte said she hopes for a fast trial, noting that speedy disposition of cases is enshrined in the Constitution. “But of course, the speedy disposition of the case does not mean that we need to rush it at the expense of having the opportunity to fully present our case by presenting the evidence that we think are needed,” he added. At the same time, Tolosa urged the Vice President to advise her defense team to cooperate to ensure a speedy trial. He said that to hasten the proceedings, it is important that the prosecution and the defense “are on the same page.” “So, it would be good if we all try to avoid doing anything that could cause unnecessary delay,” Tolosa said. Delays caused by defense—Tolosa He noted that delays resulted from the failure of the Vice President’s lawyers to comply with the directive of impeachment court presiding Senatorjudge Francis Escudero for both sides to compare their copies of acknowledgement receipts for confidential funds before government auditor Xylene Mae del Campo's testimony. “We must recall that there were numerous circumstances that caused delays in the trial due to the actions or inactions of the defense team,” Tolosa said. He cited as example the defense’s failure to obey a directive by Escudero to compare common exhibits prior to Del Campo’s testimony, which was scheduled for Monday but reset to Friday, causing unnecessary delay. However, he acknowledged delays due to unavoidable circumstances such as the trial suspensions this week because of bad weather. Nonetheless, he stressed that the prosecution has been trying to speed up evidence presentation, as it did with the grave threats and inciting to sedition charges against the Vice President. “With us in the prosecution, it is clear that we are trying to speed up the process. Again, we will see that in grave threats. That's what we did. We dispensed with more than half of our witnesses. After presenting three, we dispensed with, I think, five to six when we saw that there's no more need for them,” Tolosa said. He said the prosecution plans to do likewise with the impeachment charge on the alleged misuse by the Vice President of P612.5 million in confidential and intelligence funds to speed up the trial. “And we said, even in the matter of confidential funds, we will do the same. We will not present evidence that is not absolutely necessary and will just be cumulative to speed up the process,” Tolosa said. As for the Vice President's personal appearance before the impeachment court, Tolosa noted that while the prosecution recognizes her right to be represented by counsel, her personal presence would manifest her respect for the impeachment court and the proceedings. “Our position on this matter has been clear from the start. We recognize that under the rules, the Vice President is allowed to either attend in person or through counsel, and she chose the latter. So we respect that,” Tolosa stressed.
(roughly 4.5 million families). Malacañang meanwhile said it is looking into the reasons behind the reported increase in self-rated poverty and hunger in the latest OCTA Research survey, saying the figures may not fully reflect the reach of the government’s anti-hunger programs. Palace to check areas with high levels of hunger In a press briefing Thursday, Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said the
Palace would examine which areas and groups were reporting higher levels of hunger after the OCTA survey showed self-rated poverty rising to 39% in July from 35% in March. The survey also found that the proportion of families who experienced hunger increased to 21% from 17% over the same period. Across major areas, the highest rate of self-reported poverty was most prominent in Mindanao (58 percent), followed by the Visayas at 46 percent,
Balance Luzon at 33 percent, with the National Capital Region recording the lowest (18 percent). By socioeconomic class, 62 percent of Class E households identified as poor, compared with 37 percent in Class D and 20 percent in Class ABC, showing that self-rated poverty remains heavily concentrated among lower-income households. Self-rated hunger highest in Balance Luzon OCTA noted that the national
increase in self-rated poverty, combined with higher levels in Balance Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao, suggests that economic pressures are being felt unevenly across the country. The survey also revealed that the increase of about four percentage points in self-rated hunger equals 1.1 million additional families experiencing involuntary hunger or having nothing to eat at least once in the three months prior to the survey.
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IN BRIEF Senate acts to help revive economy THE Senate plans to create an ad hoc committee focused on reinvigorating the economy, according to Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian. The committee is expected to bring together chairpersons of various Senate committees and draw on their respective expertise, Gatchalian said during the Management Association of the Philippines general membership meeting at Makati Shangri-La Hotel. Gatchalian said the committee would submit recommendations to the executive branch for possible budget allocations. He said the Senate remains on track with the budget process, with the first Development Budget Coordination Committee hearing scheduled to begin next week. The Senate scheduled budget hearings on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, with no impeachment proceedings scheduled for Saturday, he said. Othel V. Campos
School turns to transparent bags for campus safety A PRIVATE school in Banga, South Cotabato on Wednesday is encouraging students, teachers, and other staff to use transparent or clear bags while going to school, following recent incidents of school violence. In a Facebook announcement, the Santo Nino College Foundation, Inc. (SNCFI) said this initiative aims to continue its efforts in ensuring the campus is safe and comfortable environment for its constituents. “Makatutulong ang mga transparent na bag upang masuportahan ang ating sama-samang pangako na mapanatili ang isang ligtas at mapayapang lugar,” it said. (Transparent bags can help support our shared commitment to maintaining a safe and peaceful environment.) The school also cited examples of bags that can be used such as clear backpacks, tote bags, shoulder bags, handbags, drawstring bags, and crossbody bags not exceeding 43 cm in height, 30 cm in length, and 15 cm in width. Gabriel Oliva
ASSURANCES.
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla assures the public that Zamboanga City remains safe as authorities continue investigating the August 18 incident at the Ateneo de Zamboanga University (ADZU) Junior High School. The DILG chief was in Zamboanga City to check the progress of the probe into the shooting incident. With Remulla at the press conference were PNP Chief Jose Nartatez, Zamboanga City Vice Mayor Beng Climaco, and ADZU President Ernald Andal. PIA Zamboanga-SuluTawi-Tawi
PhilHealth to scale up primary care, sharpen services under unified plan N EWLY designated Philippine Health Insurance Corporation Acting President and CEO Dr. Beverly Lorraine Ho on Thursday pledged to sustain reform momentum while sharpening execution to expand nationwide healthcare access and benefit packages.
Anchored on a unified roadmap shared with the Department of Health, the state insurer will continue key existing programs to ensure past reforms directly reach members. “We know at this point in time that PhilHealth can do so much more... Our shared agenda is called the Unified National Agenda (UNA) for Health. This is the first time that we will actually be
having a shared agenda with the DOH. Every PhilHealth benefit will align with existing DOH programs., she explained. “For example, we are currently scaling up YAKAP in schools and workplaces to widen primary care access, while the DOH strengthens inter-agency coordination and health promotion in those same settings.” Ho, who succeeds now DOH chief Dr. Edwin Mercado, committed to expand-
ing No Balance Billing hospital beds by increasing operational partnerships with receptive private healthcare facilities, as well as cutting frontline red tape by consolidating licensing and accreditation processes into a single digital platform. These administrative streamlining efforts will be supported by a comprehensive modernization of the state insurer’s internal information technology systems and digital front doors. “Together with the Department of Health, we aim to build a healthcare system that proactively serves citizens before they even need to ask. We recognize that we cannot accomplish this goal isolated from external support. Much like the country’s pandemic response,
achieving full health coverage demands a genuine whole-of-society and wholeof-government approach,” she said. According to Dr. Ho, the administration faces a tight 16-month timeline to execute these systemic health reforms before the start of the next political cycle. Meanwhile, Dr. Mercado likened the current state of public health to a dense jungle canopy that blocks essential services from reaching vulnerable and impoverished populations. He described the unified strategy as a means to accelerate the execution of the Universal Health Care Act, which guarantees comprehensive coverage but faces operational hurdles across various local government units.
WARNING SIGNS. Chinese lanterns were temporarily used as barriers In Binondo, Mania to warn motorists of large potholes caused by continuous rainfall brought by Habagat. Norman Cruz
‘Chinese embassy acting as PR firm for illegal activities of nationals’ By Rex Espiritu DEFENSE Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. yesterday accused the Chinese Embassy in Manila of effectively acting as a “PR firm” for Chinese businessman Tony Yang and other individuals allegedly involved in illegal activities in the Philippines. Teodoro made the statement as the Department of National Defense (DND) pushed back against the embassy’s recent remarks on Philippine law enforcement operations involving Chinese nationals. “The Chinese Embassy is now a PR firm for Tony Yang and other illegal activities in this country which are apparently their clients,” Teodoro said. He said the embassy’s statements appeared to defend or cover up for individuals being investigated for alleged violations of Philippine law. “From their public statements in the past days it is obvious that they are covering up for these people. The public is aware of their role which is now obvious,” he said.
The dispute followed the Chinese Embassy’s criticism of the Philippine government’s involvement in the May raid on the Philippine Sanjia-Steel Corp. in Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental, where 69 Chinese nationals were arrested. The embassy questioned why the Chinese workers were arrested instead of those responsible for operating the facility and why the Armed Forces of the Philippines participated in the operation. Teodoro earlier said those arrested were allegedly involved in unlawful activities, including the production of substandard and potentially hazardous steel, discharge of untreated wastewater and release of toxic fumes. He also urged Filipinos to condemn what he described as excessive Chinese Embassy interference in Philippine affairs. “The public should condemn this. Among all the embassies in the Philippines, this is the first time we have seen this kind of excessive interference. We need to show that we will not allow this,” said Teodoro.
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PAF: Romero relieved as wing commander By Rex Espiritu
BAIS CITY VISIT. Education Secretary Sonny Angara visits Bais City National High School in Negros Oriental, the largest secondary school in the DepEd Bais City Division, and focuses on school safety and the welfare of learners and teachers during the visit.
Group slams tobacco tax cut
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HE Sin Tax Coalition (STC) said it is strongly opposing the Philippine tobacco industry’s proposal to pause automatic increases in tobacco tax rates, publicized during the Aug. 11 House Ways and Means Committee hearing.
The tobacco industry claimed that high tobacco tax rates are causing illicit trade, hurting legitimate tobacco companies and increasing smoking prevalence, the coalition said. But independent evidence shows that illicit tobacco trade is not caused by
high tax rates but by weak governance, it added. The group further said a 2024 study by Action for Economic Reforms (AER) and Economics for Health (EfH) examined illicit cigarette trade across eight cities through sari-sari store re-
IN BRIEF Immigration agents arrest American wanted for assault BUREAU of Immigration (BI) agents arrested an American national in Davao City who is wanted in the US in connection with two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon and one count of assault, under Massachusetts law. The BI Fugitive Search Unit, in coordination with the US government, apprehended James Charles Davis at a condominium unit along J.P. Laurel Avenue, Barangay 20-B Poblacion, Davao City. The operation followed a request from the US government for BI assistance concerning Davis, who is the subject of an arrest warrant issued by a Massachusetts trial court earlier this year. BI records showed that Davis entered the Philippines on March 4 as a tourist. Verification further showed that he had no subsequent record of visa extension or conversion, making him an overstaying foreign national. BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said the arrest demonstrates the bureau’s commitment to working closely with international law enforcement partners to locate foreign fugitives and enforce Philippine immigration laws. Vito Barcelo
Cops recover P16.18m illegal timber in Western Visayas POLICE Regional Office 6 (Western Visayas) on Thursday reported that it arrested 204 individuals and recovered or confiscated environmental resources and fishingrelated items valued at more than P16.18 million during sustained operations against illegal logging and illegal fishing from Aug. 1 to 15, 2026. Under Regional Director Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño, PRO6 conducted 187 operations across Western Visayas, recovering about P308,470.84 worth of lumber and P76,450 worth of charcoal, as well as P260,720 worth of fish and P15.54 million worth of fishing paraphernalia and related items. For illegal logging, police units conducted 118 operations and arrested 58 individuals. Aklan accounted for the highest number of operations at 37, while Antique recorded the most arrests at 40. Meanwhile, 69 operations against illegal fishing led to the arrest of 146 individuals, with Iloilo recording 32 operations and 82 arrests. Vince Lopez
tailer surveys and empty-pack audits, with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) validating the tax stamp analysis. The study found dramatic differences in illicit trade levels across cities. Illicit trade, measured through underpricing, tax stamp violations and unregistered brands, was as high as 96.3% in the Mindanao cities of Zamboanga and General Santos, while levels were low or close to zero in Metro Manila, Luzon and the Visayas, the group claims. This stark variation cannot be explained by tobacco tax rates, which are applied uniformly nationwide. The
Mindanao cities had abnormally high levels of illicit trade due to other factors, including the free-trade route from neighboring countries such as Malaysia and Indonesia, as well as weak institutions and poor enforcement. The group further said the proposal to pause tobacco tax increases, which would lead to foregone government revenue, is highly irresponsible and insensitive, especially at a time when the government is urgently raising revenue to narrow the fiscal deficit and fund social and economic programs in response to the global fuel crisis.
UNCLOGGING EFFORTS. Residents of Barangay Bagong Silangan, along with volunteers and barangay officials, join a communitywide cleanup of waterways and drainage areas to help prevent flooding and waterborne diseases as the community prepares for possible renewed southwest monsoon rains. Edd Castro
CIDG arrests suspect over falsification of gov’t docs, IDs By Vince Lopez THE Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) on Thursday arrested an individual after a video posted on social media exposed fraudulent documents and led to the seizure of manufacturing equipment for fake passports and driver’s licenses in Manila. In a media briefing held at Camp Crame, CIDG Anti-Organized Crime Unit (AOCU) acting chief Lt. Col. Angelo Nicolas said the operation stemmed from a viral YouTube vid-
eo posted on Aug. 10, 2026, by content creator “Discover with Joe HaTTab.” The video, titled “I Bought a Fake Passport in the Philippines for $150,” exposed the ease of procuring forged travel documents in the nation’s capital. “The police operation is about those who make fake passports and driver’s licenses and other public documents. Our operation started when something went viral on Facebook that a foreign vlogger had made a fake Philippine passport, so from that point on, we started surveillance until we engaged our very subject,
our suspect who was making the fake passport,” Nicolas said. He said the CIDG Anti-Organized Crime Unit utilized the footage as an initial lead to launch extensive validation and surveillance operations, which ultimately identified the suspect and mapped his illicit operations. Nicolas said that around 8:30 p.m. on Aug. 19, AOCU operatives swooped down on the suspect’s location in Barangay 310, Sta. Cruz, Manila, where the suspect was caught in the act of manufacturing fake credentials.
Solons seek tougher laws on school safety
Manila records 14 new dengue, 11 leptospirosis cases THE Manila Health Department (MHD) has recorded 14 new dengue and 11 leptospirosis cases as of Aug. 20, based on the daily reporting of waterborne diseases and influenza-like illnesses (ILI) in the city. MHD chief Dr. Grace Padilla said the new cases brought the number of dengue cases in the city to 2,314 from Jan. 1 to Aug. 20, 2026. Leptospirosis cases, meanwhile, reached 170. Three ILI cases were also reported yesterday, bringing the total to 972 for the same period, while two cases of severe acute respiratory infection brought the total to 292 this year. No new cases of cholera were recorded, leaving the total at three. Typhoid fever cases numbered 66, while COVID-19 cases reached 84. Ritchie G. Cabayan
THE Philippine Air Force (PAF) confirmed Thursday that BGen. Michael Romero of its reserve force has been relieved from his designation as Wing Commander of the Tactical Operations Wing (Reserve) Northern Luzon as the military continues its review and investigation into issues surrounding his military records and recognitions. In a statement issued by PAF spokesperson Col. Ma. Christina Basco, the Air Force also confirmed that Romero resigned from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Reserve Force effective Aug. 19, 2026. The PAF said Romero’s resignation came while the review and investigation remain ongoing. “We continue to review and verify all related records and issuances to ensure strict compliance with existing policies and regulations,” Basco said. The Air Force emphasized that the review is intended to ensure compliance with existing policies governing military records, awards and other recognitions. The development follows public scrutiny of Romero’s military service and the medals, decorations, badges and distinctions attributed to him. The PAF had earlier said that the military status, assignments and recognitions of its personnel are reflected in official AFP records. It also said the Reserve Command was reviewing existing policies on the conferment of awards and the authorization to wear honorary badges and insignia by reservists.
By Ram Superable
THE WEAVER. An elderly woman in Burgos, La Union, weaves the finishing touches on colorful soft brooms before displaying them at her roadside shop, providing her with a means of livelihood and attracting potential buyers. Dave Leprozo
SEVERAL lawmakers on Thursday urged swift legislative action and policy reforms to combat youth violence and online extremism following recent school shootings in Tacloban and Zamboanga, the latter resulting in two student deaths. Sen. Chiz Escudero pressed for a review of Republic Act No. 9344, or the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006. “While it already has mechanisms for accountability and rehabilitation of minors who break the law, if there are gaps in implementation, it is our duty to identify and fix them,” he said. “We need to act fast. Lawmakers must be open to any changes and look at the opportunity to improve, expedite, and ensure that the laws we pass are better for the interest of our country and our people, especially the youth,” Escudero said.
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EDITORIAL
Vida and the Samar ambush case WHEN I last wrote about the Enrique Manas, Sr. case, I asked whether the Department of Justice would stand by its own decision. Recent developments make that question even more relevant. After nearly nine years of investigation and review, the DOJ determined that the case should proceed to court. On January 16, 2025, then-Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla directed the filing of criminal charges against Emilio Zosa and his co-accused after the DOJ’s evaluation of the evidence. The criminal Information was received by the Regional Trial Court on March 19, 2026. For the Manas family, this was a significant turning point. After years of waiting, the case had finally moved to the judicial process. But the matter has now returned to the DOJ. Zosa has filed a Motion for Reconsideration, asking the Department to revisit the action that led to the filing of the case. The Information was filed only a few months ago, when Secretary Fredderick Vida was already serving in the DOJ’s leadership. That makes the timing of the reconsideration particularly noteworthy. If the DOJ was prepared to proceed only months ago, what, if anything, has changed since then? New evidence? A new legal development? A material change in the record? Or other considerations? There is nothing improper about the DOJ reviewing a matter when a proper remedy is filed. But when an institution is asked to change direction only months after a case has been filed in court, the reasons become all the more important to explain. The family is appealing to Vida for an update on the MR and asking whether its lawyers have been furnished a copy and given an opportunity to submit their position. Those are reasonable questions. More importantly, they return us to the central issue raised in my earlier column: After nine years of investigation and review, will the DOJ stand by its own determination that the case should be filed? That does not mean Vida should simply uphold a predecessor’s decision. The DOJ must act independently. But if it now intends to depart from its previous determination, there should be compelling legal and evidentiary reasons. If it intends to change course, the public is entitled to ask: What changed? There is nothing improper about the DOJ considering matters allowed by law. But after years of review, any significant change should be explained clearly enough for the public to under-
stand its basis. When an institution changes course after years of review, people will naturally ask what prompted the change. That is not an accusation; it is precisely why transparency in government decision-making matters. In the Manas case, the DOJ has already determined that the evidence warranted prosecution. The filing followed the evidentiary framework advanced during Remulla’s tenure, under which prosecutors were required to assess whether the evidence met the standard of “reasonable certainty of conviction” before filing a criminal case.
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Stand by the DOJ’s findings or explain why not. That is not a finding of guilt. It is a determination that the case should be brought before the court. There, the accused can present their defense, the prosecution can present its evidence, and the court can determine whether guilt has been established beyond reasonable doubt. The Manas family is not asking Vida to declare the accused guilty. They are asking whether there is sufficient legal and evidentiary basis to undo what the DOJ previously determined after nine years of review. Vida therefore faces an important institutional test. The standard should be neither loyalty to a predecessor nor a desire to reverse a predecessor. The standard should be the law and the evidence. If the MR raises substantial issues that undermine the earlier determination, the Department must confront them. If it finds no compelling reason to reverse its earlier action, it should stand by its determination. Either way, Vida’s reasons should be clear enough to withstand legal and public scrutiny. After nine long years, the Manas family deserves more than another turn in the cycle of review. It deserves to know why the DOJ is taking the course it takes—and, if its own findings still stand, to see the case finally proceed where it belongs: in court. That is ultimately the test for the DOJ: not whether its current leadership agrees with its predecessor, but whether the Department’s findings will remain grounded in law and evidence. ernhil@yahoo.com
The painful beauty of being Filipino THE 22nd Cinemalaya has closed. Nine feature films held a mirror to us. I was able to watch eight plus a special premiere. I have not yet watched Hand of God. The Cinemalaya mirror showed a country in pain. It showed our poverty, our corruption, our grief. Yet it also showed tenderness surviving everywhere. This is the painful beauty of being Filipino. Our sorrow and our grace share one face. Cinema gathers all of us together in one darkened room. We watch our own faces flicker there on the screen. We walk back into the daylight carrying what we saw. This year, the mirror held our very recent memory. The drug war’s killings still ache deep inside us. Red-tagging still empties quiet homes all across the provinces. Grieving families still wait for the vanished to come home. Our filmmakers chose to face all of it squarely. Two competition films spoke about human rights. They named the fear haunting our provinces. They remembered the disappeared and the silenced. Their courage this year felt necessary. Tirik follows a priest and a parishioner who is a taxi driver. They confront moral guilt together. May-i Padilla stages conscience as taut thriller about extrajudicial killings during the time of Duterte. Rocco Nacino plays the priest with quiet
ache. Floyd Tena is credible as a taxi driver looking for redemption. A disclosure belongs here. Tirik draws inspiration from Paring Bert Alejo (in fact the priest character is named after him) as recalled to me by Charlson Ong who wrote the story. Bert is a dear friend of mine. Ganggang looks like a boyhood adventure at first. I am an associate producer of Ganggang. So weigh my praise accordingly.
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Cinemalaya showed our poverty, our corruption, our grief. Three friends hunt the best fighting spider. The spider fights mask a harder story. A bully lords over the smaller boys. That bully mirrors a far larger oppressor. Their village is confronting militarization. Red-tagging and disappearance shadow the countryside. JL Burgos knows this terror from life. His brother Jonas remains a desaparecido today. They end shouting for the vanished. One film screened outside the competition. 58th held a stirring special premiere here.
Beyond an upper-middle income economy
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HE World Bank’s latest assessment presents the Philippines’ entry into the upper-middleincome category as an achievement. But it should also serve as a warning that the harder part of development is still ahead. The country has crossed an important statistical threshold, but becoming genuinely prosperous is a much more demanding task than simply moving up an income classification.
The milestone is significant. Over roughly two decades, the Philippines has maintained relatively strong economic growth, improved macroeconomic stability, attracted investments, and earned investment-grade credit ratings. These achievements should not be dismissed. They represent a substantial improvement from the economic instability that characterized earlier periods. But the World Bank’s more important message is that higher national income does not automatically translate into a higher quality of life for ordinary Filipinos. The country can be classified as upper-middle-income while millions remain vulnerable to inflation, insecure employment and inadequate wages. The report’s observation that higher prices and weaker employment are already disproportionately hurting the poorest 30 percent illustrates this disconnect. This is perhaps the central challenge
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How do we convert economic growth into broad-based improvements in living standards? The projected slowdown to 3.7 percent in 2026 is particularly troubling. Policy uncertainty has weakened fixed investment, private-sector confidence, and foreign direct investment, while higher energy prices have contributed to inflation. These are not merely statistics.
Honor Blanco Cabie COLORADO SPRINGS -- The historic Penrose House at the Broadmoor in this city stands as a beacon of local legacy. The prestigious Proby Cultural Heritage Room has now welcomed two remarkable Filipino individuals into its hallowed halls. Their inclusion shines a bright light on community excellence and rich heritage. Step inside the elegant estate today, and you witness a living tribute. The year 2026 marks the 21st year of this annual celebration, the last time on Aug 14, where we were in attendance at the Garden Pavilion. For over two decades, this tradition has preserved vital stories. Honoring these two Filipino pioneers -- Dennis Barcial Apuan in 2021, and Alfred ‘Fred’ Padeway in 2025 -- adds a powerful new chapter to that ongoing story. The journey reflects deep dedication, hard work, and cultural pride. Visitors to the heritage room will now see their lasting impact permanently displayed. This milestone reminds every visitor, local or foreign, how diverse voices shape our shared history, which gives the local community a moment of deep joy for the local community and beyond. This year’s inductee was Charles W. McCulley, through whose “compassion, leadership and unwavering commitment to community, strengthened Pueblo’s social fabric.” Most impactfully, he and his wife Petra “instilled a deep sense of family, faith, and community stewardship in their chil-
dren, ensuring that this legacy, rooted in service, will endure for generations to come.” Last year, US Army veteran Padeway (Philippine provincial roots not mentioned as Apuan’s) devoted himself to community stewardship and helped empower marginalized and minority leaders. Padeway’s life “was marked by service, leadership, and a commitment to making a difference (and) his legacy continues to impact the lives of those who knew him,” according to the awarding El Pomar Foundation.
The induction permanently preserves the legacy of exceptional leaders of color from Southern Colorado who advanced civil rights, civic leadership, and community service within African-American, Asian Pacific islander, Hispanic/Latino, and Native American communities. The honor documents and archives the overlooked or under-represented historical contributions of Black, Indigenous and People of Color in the region. The inductees are recognized for embodying deep civic involvement, mentor-
ship and long-term dedication to bettering society. Each year, only one deceased historical figure from the local diverse communities is selected and memorialized through dedicated exhibits and formal ceremonies at the Penrose House Garden Pavilion. Among 25 members of the Proby Selection committee is Harmony CabieQuinto, from the Asian Advisory Council of El Pomar Foundation. *** We take this space to condole with the family of a friend of long-standing from our hometown in Pinili, Ilocos Norte, who died on his 81st birthday on Aug. 15 in Bayambang, Pangasinan where he had resided and built a family since 1968. Pacifico G. Duque, a man with a light jar of humor who nearly became an Aglipayan priest and a good eel catcher from the Agno River in his adopted province, was a fellow bell-ringer during the 6 pm angelus at the Iglesia Filipina Independiente in Paoay, whose Roman Catholic church made the town, founded in the 18th century, a UN Heritage Lister. Pikoy, his moniker, left five daughters, a son, four siblings and two grandchildren. His wife, the former Lolita P. Bato of Pangasinan, preceded him last July 7. The wake is at the Lasting Glory Funeral Homes and Chapel Services where the 1 pm Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, Aug 22, followed by the funeral at 2 pm. Rest in peace and in God’s eternal kingdom, Pikoy.
Carl Joseph Papa directs this animated documentary and produced by Nessa Valdellon, who is my fellow Associate Producer of Ganggang. 58th honors the Maguindanao Massacre’s fallen journalists. The 2009 massacre killed fifty-eight people. Thirty-two of them were working journalists. The film centers on the uncounted victim - Reynaldo Momay who was the fifty-eighth victim. Courts convicted only on fifty-seven counts. Momay’s daughter Reynafe, who spoke at the premiere, is still fighting for recognition. Glaiza de Castro plays her with grace. Ricky Davao gives his final performance. This film has been released interenationally. Yet screening it at home proved difficult. Its producers feared one showing only. That difficulty indicts our silence. Some invoke sub judice against such films. They say pending appeals forbid
public comment. That objection fails plainly. The Philippines tries these cases without juries. Judges decide on the record. A film cannot sway appellate justices. The trial court already ruled in 2019. Appeals now weigh the law and record. 58th leaves each conviction to the courts. It pleads for one victim’s recognition. Grief and memory are protected public speech. Sub judice cannot gag a grieving nation. Two other films turned toward the family. Here the wounds grow intimate and close. Love and secrecy tangle under one roof. Tayo Lang ang Nakakaalam centers on queer love. Neil nurses his ailing partner Bong through HIV. Martin del Rosario won Best Actor here. The full cast took Best Ensemble Performance. I was struck that every character in Tayo Lang Ang Nakakaalam are good
people - the two gay lovers who are faithful to each other, the two mothers who accept their sons and love them unconditionally, the OFW father who stands by a son he does not understand because of long absences, a priest (brother of the father) who is compassion epitomized, a boss who reluctantly permits Neil to go back to the hospital, and all the doctors and nurses. Kaka Sa Yawan means brothers by the river. A Manila boy befriends a Mangyan child. Alpha Habon films friendship as quiet resistance. Childhood becomes a fragile, stubborn refuge. This film too have characters one fall in love with. I cried watching this film, moved probably by my personal experience with the Mangyan people of Mindoro. I have lawyered for them for decades. I am still their lawyer now. Please read the second part of this column next week.
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The journey reflects deep dedication, hard work, and cultural pride.
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Filipino pride at the Penrose
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confronting the Marcos Jr. administration: how to convert economic growth into broad-based improvements in living standards.
Lower investment means fewer factories, businesses and jobs; higher energy and food costs reduce household purchasing power; and uncertainty encourages investors to postpone decisions or look elsewhere. The World Bank is therefore right to emphasize restoring investor confidence. The Philippines remains burdened by high costs of doing business, infrastructure deficiencies, regulatory uncertainty and governance problems. These discourage precisely the kind of long-term investments needed to create productive, well-paying jobs. The recommendation to strengthen social protection is just as important. Expanding 4Ps temporarily to include near-poor families is sensible if inflation and energy costs threaten to push vulnerable households back into poverty. But social assistance should be viewed as a safety net, not a substitute for economic reform. What should be done is to create enough productive employment that families no longer need government assistance to survive. Our upper-middle-income status should be viewed as a milestone, not a destination. The Philippines has demonstrated that it can grow. Its next challenge is proving that it can grow faster, more consistently, and more inclusively. Only then will the statistical achievement of becoming an uppermiddle-income economy acquire genuine meaning for the Filipino people.
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Trump says to meet Nokor’s Kim W
ASHINGTON – US President Donald Trump said Wednesday (Thursday, Manila time) that he would meet Kim Jong Un later this year, seeking to revive the bond he claims to have forged with the leader of nuclear-armed North Korea in his first term.
THROWBACK. North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un walks with US President Donald Trump north of the Military Demarcation Line that divides North and South Korea, in the Joint Security Area (JSA) of Panmunjom in the Demilitarized zone (DMZ) on June 30, 2019. AFP
Trump told reporters at the White House it was important to “get along” with Kim, adding in an unusually precise assessment that Pyongyang now had 57 “very powerful” nuclear weapons. But Trump’s sudden focus on Kim and his scaling back of joint US-South Korean military drills have alarmed Asian allies – while sparking speculation that he is seeking a foreign policy win as his Iran war stalls. “Yeah, I will be,” Trump said during a tour of a new helipad at the White House, when asked if he planned to meet Kim later in 2026. Trump defended planning to meet the North Korean leader even as he wages a war with Iran that he has justified on the grounds of preventing Tehran from getting a nuclear bomb. “He has 57 very powerful nuclear weapons. Should have never allowed it to happen... If I were president, I wouldn’t have allowed it,” Trump said, referring to Kim. “But he’s got them. I get along with him very well. I can’t let Iran have a nuclear weapon. And I know Kim Jong Un very well, and he’s going to be fine.” Trump gave no details, but the Wall Street Journal reported that he was eying a meeting when he travels to Shenzhen, China for an Asia-Pacific Economic Co-
operation (APEC) summit in November. Hours later, South Korea’s defense minister said Thursday that North Korea is estimated to have around 80 to 120 nuclear weapons. “We usually estimate it to be around 80 to 120,” Ahn Gyu-back told lawmakers, declining to give a specific figure. He said Seoul remained opposed to officially recognizing the North as a nuclear weapons state. Asked whether Washington had “given up” on North Korea’s denuclearization, Ahn said he did not believe so. President Lee Jae Myung — who has long pushed for stronger homegrown defenses to reduce South Korea’s reliance on the US – said late Wednesday he would “do his utmost” to support and contribute to Trump’s peacemaking efforts with the North. While acknowledging Pyongyang possesses nuclear weapons, the US does not officially recognize North Korea as a nuclear state and it is unusual for a president to publicly offer such a specific assessment of its stockpiles. But Trump’s mention of North Korea having 57 nuclear weapons is in line with previous assessments by the US government and think tanks that Pyongyang had an arsenal of 50 to 60. AFP
‘Ray of hope’: Gaza seed bank rebuilds after war destruction DEIR EL-BALAH, Palestinian Territories – From a small makeshift tent in the central Gaza Strip, a dedicated team works to carefully store and document some of the war-shattered territory’s most precious commodities: local seeds. Shelves of unassuming plastic tubs line the walls of the Al Qarara Seed Bank, each holding indigenous seeds seen as a way of reviving Gaza’s devastated farming sector and preserving its agricultural heritage. The seed bank in Deir el-Balah is rebuilding its stocks of Gaza’s heirloom seeds that were destroyed during the Israel-Hamas war which erupted in October 2023. Unlike hybrid varieties often sold commercially, heirloom seeds can be saved and used year after year and are often better adapted to their local environment. “During the war, they were what helped us survive,” said Salem Muhanna, who manages the project which was founded in 2017 with support from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). “Heirloom seeds give continuity. They provide 80 to 90 percent of the same yield repeatedly. That is why we relied on heirloom seeds,” he told AFP. The bank holds seeds for wheat and barley; leafy crops such as Swiss chard, spinach and parsley, as well as some vegetables like courgette (zucchini) and okra. AFP
IN BRIEF Russian strikes kill 12 in Kyiv, surrounding region KYIV – Russian bombardments killed at least 12 people and wounded dozens in Ukraine’s capital and its surrounding region overnight, authorities said on Thursday. The two countries have ramped up long-range attacks in recent months, driving up the civilian death toll on both sides in the four-and-a-half-year war. The massive missile attack on Kyiv struck residential areas and warehouses, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko wrote on Telegram. A medical facility and an educational institution were also damaged, according to the city’s military administration. Klitschko later said the death toll in the capital had risen to 12, with 33 people wounded. An attack in the Brovary district of the broader Kyiv region also killed one man and wounded another, Kyiv regional governor Tymur Tkachenko said. It was unclear whether that death was included in Klitschko’s tally. AFP
EVERYDAY LIFE.
A man jogs past a dinosaur statue at Bueng Kaen Nakhon Public Park in Khon Kaen on August 20, 2026. AFP
Australia races to shield little penguins from H5N1 SYDNEY – Australian wildlife workers have launched an unprecedented effort to vaccinate wild populations of little penguins against the highly contagious H5N1 avian influenza. Hundreds of thousands of tourists a year flock to viewing areas and boardwalks to watch the diminutive sea birds waddle ashore and along the beach in the evenings on the eastern coast’s Phillip Island. The stars of this “penguin parade” are from a wild colony on the island, numbering up to 40,000 seabirds at the height of the breeding season in the southern hemisphere’s spring and summer. It is the world’s biggest single colony of little penguins, which have a life span of about six years with habitats in southern Australia – mostly Tasmania – and New Zealand. Also known as fairy penguins, they are the tiniest species of the semi-aquatic sea birds, barely reaching knee height and weighing about the same as a standard bag of sugar. AFP
Four killed after getting hit by a train in Japan TOKYO – Four people died in Japan on Thursday after being hit by a train, authorities said, in a country renowned for its normally excellent rail safety record. The incident involving four workers took place at Shin-Kanuma Station north of Tokyo, the fire department said. “The four were confirmed dead,” a fire department official told AFP. Another official said that when emergency services arrived, three workers were trapped under the train, while one was on the platform. “Before being taken to hospital, all four of them were unconscious,” he told AFP. Kyodo News reported that the train was the Spacia X express on the Tobu Nikko Line, connecting Greater Tokyo with Nikko – a popular tourist destination. “We heard this loud rumbling noise. Then the train came to an emergency stop with such sudden braking that it was impossible to stand,” a 40-year-old man who was on the train told broadcaster NHK. AFP
Thai, Myanmar military chiefs meet post-coup BANGKOK – Thailand’s top general welcomed Myanmar’s military chief for talks on Thursday, the latter’s first foreign trip in office as his coup-staging armed forces shake off their pariah status. Myanmar’s military ousted an elected government in a 2021 putsch, detaining its leader Aung San Suu Kyi and sparking a civil war in which it is accused of rampant rights abuses. The post-coup leadership was isolated for five years but has started a diplomatic offensive, touting deeply restricted polls it staged around the start of 2026 as a return to normality. After the elections, Min Aung Hlaing -- who led the coup as armed forces chief – took over as civilian president, handing the office of military leader to staunch loyalist Ye Win Oo. On Thursday, Thai military chief Ukris Boontanondha greeted Ye Win Oo at a hotel in the capital Bangkok. Their talks are expected to focus on the nations’ 2,400-kilometre (1,500mile) border, where the war has seeded instability. A former spymaster for Myanmar’s ruling junta, Ye Win Oo has been sanctioned by nations including the United States for his role in the coup. The ensuing civil war is estimated to have claimed 100,000 lives. AFP
Aussie prosecutors demand life for mushroom killer
VIRUS SPREAD. Infographic shows confirmed detections of the H5 bird flu in wild birds in Australia in 2026, according to Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. AFP
MELBOURNE – Australian prosecutors asked judges Thursday to stiffen mushroom murderer Erin Patterson’s prison sentence – saying she should never be set free. The 51-year-old was found guilty last year of murdering her husband’s parents and an elderly aunt in 2023 by serving them a beef Wellington lunch laced with lethal death cap mushrooms. Patterson was also convicted of the attempted murder of her husband’s uncle, a small-town local pastor who survived the beef-and-pastry dish after weeks in hospital. At a two-day Melbourne court hearing that came to a close Thursday, Patterson sought to overturn her triple-murder conviction while prosecutors demanded she stay in jail for life. Following her conviction, Patterson was sentenced to life imprisonment. But the trial judge ruled she would be eligible for parole after 33 years, when she would be 83, taking into account that much of incarceration would be spent in isolation due to the notoriety of her case. Prosecutors insisted, however, that the evidence did not substantiate the claim Patterson would be in isolation for “many years to come.” Patterson’s crimes involved “betrayal” and represented “worst-case offending,” they told Court of Appeal judges at a hearing in Melbourne. AFP
NEWS
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Toboso incident report hints at possible breach of human rights By Rex Espiritu
HUGE CACHE OF SHABU. Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno oversees the seizure of some 43 kilograms of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu worth P292.4 million at the Manila International Container Port. Norman Cruz
IN BRIEF DENR-EMB launches green energy project THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources–Environmental Management Bureau in Region III (DENR-EMB) has launched Project BRIDGES, an initiative aimed to strengthen the operational capability of materials recovery facilities (MRFs) and other key ecological systems across Central Luzon. Led by DENR regional director Martin Jose Despi, the project was formally introduced during the Environmental Summit 2026 held at the Royce Hotel and Casino in New Clark City, Pampanga. As part of the launch, agreements were signed to formalize the commitments of DENR-EMB R3 and its partner stakeholders. Among the signatories were DENR regional executive director Ralph Pablo, representatives of participating power companies, and the pilot beneficiary. Butch Gunio
PAF opens craft repair, maintenance facility
Recto to US traders: Create jobs, help push PH growth E XECUTIVE Secretary Ralph Recto called on American companies to ensure that their investments in the Philippines create jobs, develop Filipino talent, and contribute to shared prosperity.
“That is the partnership we want—not just one business mission, but generations of investment, innovation, jobs, and shared prosperity between the Philippines and the United States,” Recto told American business leaders at a welcome reception for the 2026 Philippines Business Mission on Aug. 18. He urged US companies to help transform the eight-decade Philippine-American alliance into a forward-looking economic partnership. “Stay in the Philippines. Expand in the Philippines. And build your future in the Philippines,” Recto told members of the US-ASEAN Business Council (USABC). Recto highlighted the Luzon Economic Corridor (LEC), which will link Subic, Clark, Manila, and Batangas into a hub for logistics, manufacturing, connectivity, and innovation. The corridor is expected to generate up to one million jobs and help drive economic growth.
“This is how we can turn an eight-decade alliance into an economic corridor for the next generation,” he said in a statement. He also invited US companies to expand their investments in electronics and semiconductors, particularly in advanced packaging, integrated circuit design, research and development, supply-chain resilience, front-end semiconductor capabilities, and critical minerals processing. The Philippines aims to move beyond extracting and exporting critical minerals by building domestic capacity in processing, manufacturing, and innovation. “We want more factories rising here, critical minerals processed—not just extracted and exported. More electronics proudly made in the Philippines. And more Filipino engineers, technicians, and researchers given the chance to thrive,” Recto said. He said the Pax Silica partnership gives American companies an opportunity to bring technology, capital, research, and training to the Philippines. “We do not want American companies to simply buy from the Philippines. We want you to bring your technology here. Bring your capital and research here. Train Filipino talent here. And build your next breakthrough here,” he said.
THE Philippine Air Force (PAF) strengthened its aircraft maintenance capability with the opening of its maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facility and turnover of three aircraft at Clark Air Base on Aug. 18. The blessing and turnover ceremonies were led by PAF commander Lt. Gen. Arthur Cordura. The three aircraft were SF260FH Aircraft No. 041 and T41D Aircraft Nos. 955 and 959, which underwent required maintenance and inspection. In his remarks, Cordura said the new facility and the planes that underwent maintenance form part of the PAF’s continuing efforts to strengthen its systems, infrastructure and capabilities and ensure its readiness for assigned missions. Rex Espiritu
FILM FESTIVAL.
Talisay City unveils its first TaliSine Short Film Festival, establishing a new platform for student filmmaking and local storytelling in Negros Occidental. The launch, held Aug. 17 at the Don Simplicio Lizares National High School with the theme “Pamukaw: Handuraw sang Kultura kag Istorya,” was led by assistant city administrator Ismael Penado on behalf of Mayor Rowena Guadalupe Lopez-Lizares and Department of Education acting schools division superintendent Dr. Jen-Ann V. Rosal, councilor Martin Gerard Lizares, and festival director Jonathan Jurilla.
DPWH applies quick-fix repair of EDSA flyover THE Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has completed temporary repairs on a damaged portion of the EDSA Magallanes Flyover (southbound lane) in Makati City, saying permanent repair works will be carried out Aug. 21 to 23. Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon said the quick-fix solution was applied after receiving reports of falling debris following assessment that several components of the bridge’s expansion joints had been stolen, causing damage to the structure. To ensure the safety of motorists, DPWH installed safety nets and temporary steel plates on the affected section. The damaged portion has also been repaired on a temporary basis while preparations for permanent restoration continue. Vito Barcelo
AN INDEPENDENT fact-finding panel has asserted that the military possibly committed human rights violations and other criminal offenses during its counterinsurgency campaign in Toboso, Negros Occidental last April that left at least 19 people dead. However, the Army disputed the claims raised by the National Fact-Finding and Solidarity Mission (NFFSM) regarding the April 19 Toboso encounter, saying the report should still be validated through evidence by proper authorities. In its report, the NFFSM created last May, hinted at the probability of violations of International Humanitarian Law (IHL), including the alleged killing of innocent civilians during the operation. The NFFSM recommended the filing of criminal and administrative charges against military personnel involved in the incident and their superiors. The inquiry brought together more than a hundred participants from national, local, and international organizations. Members of the mission interviewed residents and witnesses, inspected the sites where the encounter occurred, and documented physical evidence and the effects of military operations on nearby civilian communities. The report also documented the alleged unlawful search on at least 24 houses, detention and interrogation of civilians at gunpoint, and the displacement of around 800 residents. Cristina Palabay, secretary general of human rights group Karapatan, said the mission’s findings debunked the military’s claim that the Toboso incident was an offshoot of a series of legitimate armed encounters.
Padilla pushes ‘Dissolution of Marriage Act’ By Ram Superable SENATOR Robinhood Padilla on Thursday renewed his push for absolute divorce law, saying ending abusive and unhappy marriages protects vulnerable family members, particularly the children. Senate Bill No. 14, also known as the Dissolution of Marriage Act, has since been referred to the Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality. The measure aims to legalize absolute divorce by expanding the grounds for dissolving failed unions, amending Executive Order No. 209, also known as the Family Code of the Philippines. “In implementing the policy of the State to recognize the sanctity of family life, it must be duty-bound to promote and strengthen the well-being of its members. This duty should extend to cases of irremediably failed marriages that bring sorrow, pain, and other detrimental effects to families,” the bill’s explanatory note stated. Currently, the Philippines remains the only country in the world alongside Vatican City where divorce is illegal, even as annulment and nullity cases averaged over 10,000 annually in 2013 and 2017. Support for the measure is backed by public opinion data, with a 2017 survey showing that an average of 53% of adult Filipinos favor legalizing divorce for irreconcilably separated couples.
Court sends 7 to life in jail on kidnapping-for-ransom By Pot Chavez THE Department of Justice (DOJ) has secured the conviction of seven respondents in a kidnapping-for-ransom case heard by the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 225 in Quezon City which found them guilty beyond reasonable doubt. The case stemmed from the complaint of Cecilia Ong Uyencio, a 78-year-old woman, who was forcibly abducted in 2025 in Banawe, Quezon City. In its ruling, the court found the seven accused guilty as charged, while four corespondents were acquitted. The court sentenced the seven to reclusion perpetua or life term without eligibility for parole and ordered each of them to indemnify the complainant for civil, moral, and exemplary damages.
The DOJ cited state prosecutors Charlie Guhit, Eduardo Vinuya Jr., and Don Rick Ventura for the successful handling of the case. The court noted that acting in conspiracy, the accused snatched and detained the victim, transporting her to Baywalk Suites in Bacoor City, and to Laurel, Batangas for the purpose of extorting ransom from her family. The victim was held captive until Sept. 11, 2025 when she was rescued by operatives of the Philippine National Police Anti-Kidnapping Group (PNP-AKG). The kidnappers initially demanded P500 million ransom, later reduced to P8.1 million following negotiations. Although the ransom was already delivered, the victim remained in captivity until her rescue by the police.
MARAGONDON GETS NEW AMBULANCES. Parish priest Fr. Jerry Belen and Mayor Lawrence Arca lead the blessing of 12 Toyota ambulances and 15 motorized tricycles called ‘bokyo’ provided by the provincial government for enhanced community security and health services. Dennis Abrina
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FRIDAY, AUGUST 21, 2026
RIERA U. MALLARI, Editor RANDY M. CALUAG, Asst. Editor
North shows mettle away from home, retains crown CAGAYAN DE ORO—North proved once again that in team golf, chemistry can travel farther than home-course familiarity. And showing that they can dominate both head-to-head duels and coordinated team play with equal intensity, the Northerners shrugged off the unfamiliar surroundings, punishing heat and a fired-up home side to retain their crown in the ICTSI North vs. South Elite Junior PGT Championship with an emphatic 29-19 victory Thursday at South’s home turf at Pueblo de Oro Golf and Country Club here. North dominated the Singles, 14 1/2-9 1/2. North, needing just 10 points from the 24 head-to-head matches to retain the crown, won six of the first seven duels – ignited by Jaicee Cervantes’ 7&5 romp over Blake Aguilar in girls’ 7-10 – and halved the other, further underscoring the visiting side’s class, resolve and poise, which have defined its imposing performance all week. The last 3 1/2 points took longer than expected, but North eventually completed the inevitable in thrilling fashion, with Zoji Edoc turning a losing stand into a clutch victory. Edoc won the final five holes in a dramatic comeback, rallying from three down to snatch a 2-up triumph over Ethan Lago and match Cervantes’ unbeaten run. Cervantes’ partner, Andrea Dee, also rallied to eke out a hard-fought 1-up victory over Soleil Molde, while boys’ 15-18 standout Shin Suzuki remained unbeaten for three days, capping his campaign with a 3&2 triumph over Roman Tiongko. The four players thus completed a dominant three-day run, sweeping all their matches in both team play and individual competition and showcasing impressive consistency and form throughout. South had earlier stalled North’s march to the title by claiming five victories across various age divisions. But Rafa Anciano delivered an emphatic 5&4 win over Apple Gotiong in the girls’ 15-18 division, before Jehanne Mendoza finally sealed the championship for North with a gritty 1-up escape over Akeisha Yocte. Mendoza appeared firmly in control, taking a 2-up lead with two holes to play. But Yocte fought back by winning No. 8, forcing Mendoza to dig deep on the final hole. She regained her composure, matched Yocte’s par, and then erupted in jubilation as her fivefoot putt disappeared into the cup.
Members of the champion North Team, led by assistant coach Francis Tallion (seated) and team captain Joey Anciano (right, seated), are shown after wining the 2026 ICTSI North vs. South Elite Junior PGT Championship at the Pueblo de Oro Golf and Country Club in Cagayan de Oro. Manny Marcelo
Fernandez: Keep children active in sports, not online By Randy M. Caluag
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ASKETBALL legend Ramon Fernandez has called for stronger safeguards for young people and wider access to sports following the deadly shooting at the Ateneo de Zamboanga University that claimed the lives of two students. Fernandez also appealed for renewed investment in grassroots sports, saying children need constructive activities, responsible mentors and supportive communities that can give them a sense of purpose and belonging. “Let us put a ball in their hands. Give them a court, a field, a track, a pool or a gym. Give them good coaches, supportive teammates and goals worth working for,” he said.
Ramon Fernandez
“Sports alone cannot answer every problem, but throughout my life, I have seen how they can teach discipline, self-control, respect, resilience and hope. Perhaps it is time for government, schools, communities and families to bring sports closer to every child,” added the former Philippine Sports commissioner.
Fernandez said the tragedy highlighted the need for government agencies, schools, technology companies, communities and families to work together in protecting children from violence and harmful influences. “The tragedy at Ateneo de Zamboanga has left young lives lost, families shattered and an entire school community carrying wounds that may remain long after the classrooms reopen,” Fernandez said. “I join everyone in praying for the victims, their families and all those deeply affected.” Acknowledging that youth violence has no single or simple cause, the four-time Philippine Basketball Association Most Valuable Player urged lawmakers and other stakeholders to adopt stronger childprotection measures. He cited responsible restrictions on violent online content, better age-verification systems and parental controls, regulated gadget use in schools, accessible counseling services and the secure custody of firearms.
Gilas Women out of contention with loss to Canada By Jeremiah Sevilla GILAS Pilipinas Women’s team bowed out of contention in the 2026 FIBA Pre-Olympic Qualifying Tournament after suffering a 38-85 beatdown to powerhouse Canada at the Arena Astros in Guadalajara, Mexico on Thursday (Philippine time). The world-ranked No. 30 Filipinas could not simply get anything going on both ends of the floor against the No. 7 Canadians, who limited the Nationals to just four points in the opening quarter en route to the wire-to-wire win. The Philippines suffered its second straight defeat in Group B of the eightteam pre-OQT following a 58-61 heartbreaker to host Mexico last Tuesday. “Obviously, this is a really tough game for a coach to coach, but it’s also tough for players to play when the game is over in the first or second quarter,” national head coach
Burke “BT” Toews said. “Canada’s defense took us out of it,” added Toews, whose squad was also held to single-digit scoring in the second and fourth periods while getting dominated in the rebounding department, 31-63. Gilas Women eventually saw their 2028 Los Angeles Olympic hopes end as Mexico beat Senegal, 79-65, in the other group match. Veteran center Jack Animam was the lone double-digit scorer with 11 points, pouring six of those in the third frame, where the Pinays showed some signs of life by putting up 18 points. Vanessa De Jesus contributed nine points and Kacey Dela Rosa added eight markers for the Philippines. Gilas Women look to close out their campaign on a winning note when they tangle with Senegal on Friday at 7:30 a.m.
Gilas Pilipinas Women’s Jack Aninam driveS past Canada’s Kayla Alexander during their game in the FIBA Pre-Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Guadalajara, Mexico on Thursday. FIBA
PSC delivers on promise to empower Zamboanga’s grassroots lifters PHILIPPINE Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Patrick Gregorio fulfilled his commitment to the grassroots lifters of the Hidilyn Diaz Weightlifting Gym in Zamboanga City, as the PSC officially turned over a new batch of weightlifting equipment to the facility. For Gregorio, the delivery of equipment was more than a logistical act. It was a promise kept. “This is about building dreams. By equipping the home of our local weightlifting community, we are laying the foundation for the next generation of Olympic icons,” he said. The simple yet meaningful ceremony was attended by representatives from the PSC, including Executive Assistant Lito Cinco from the Office of Commissioner Matthew Gaston, Assistance and Coordination Division OIC Anna Ruiz, and Engr. LJ Bujawe. Local sports leaders City Councilor Elbert Bong Atilano and Sports Development Officer Cecilia Atilano joined the turnover, alongside 21 grassroots athletes, coaches Allen Jayfrus Diaz and Emelita Diaz, and Asian Youth and Junior medalists Alexsandra Ann Diaz and Jhodie Peralta. The Tokyo Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz-
Young Zamboanga trainee tests the new weightlifting equipment donated by the PSC.
Naranjo, who built the gym after her Rio 2016 silver medal, expressed joy at seeing young lifters benefit from the upgrade. “Dahil sa weightlifting equipment na ito, tuloytuloy ang training ng mga atleta ng Mampang Weightlifting Club sa weightlifting gym na pinatayo ko noong 2017,” said Diaz-Naranjo. “Masaya akong makita na maraming kabataan ang sumusubok sa weightlifting at nangangarap maging isang medalist,” she added. The turnover marks a significant boost for Zamboanga’s weightlifting community, ensuring that young athletes have access to international-standard equipment and a nurturing environment. This project is a collaboration between the PSC and the Department of Education, headed by Secretary Sonny Angara, following the instruction of President Marcos for both government institutions to work together in developing sports programs all over the country. “Grassroots development is the lifeblood of Philippine sports. Every barbell lifted here is a step closer to producing champions who will one day carry our flag on the world stage.”
4th Southeast Open Water meet unwraps in Boracay BORACAY - This idyllic island beach resort will bustle with activity on Friday with the start of the 4th Southeast Asia Open Water Championships presented by the Philippine Sports Commission at the Boracay Newcoast overlooking the crystal-clear blue waters of the Sibuyan Sea. Close to a total of 200 swimmers from Southeast Asian neighbors Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and host Philippines will be in one of the country’s tourism crown jewels for three days of intense action in the Olympic discipline that debuted in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. “The open water swimmers began arriving last Wednesday for what promises to be three days of thrilling action in the competition we made extra efforts to prepare for,” noted Philippine Aquatics Inc. secretary general Eric Buhain. “We aim to put our best food forward for all of our participants, considering that this is our inaugural hosting of the meet and want it to be memorable and unforgettable for all,” added the former national swimming standout and lawmaker. Sanctioned by the Southeast Asian Swimming Federation, the threeday championships will be shielded from the elements inside a protected cove at the 160-hectare tourism and leisure estate developed by Global Estate Resorts, a subsidiary of property giant Megaworld. Buhain added that they left no stone unturned to safeguard and secure the well-being and safety of the swimmers in the open-water swimming showcase in cooperation with and supported by the Aklan provincial and Malay municipal governments.
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BOP swung to $1.47-b deficit in July–BSP data T By Thony Rose Lesaca
HE Philippines’ overall balance of payments (BOP) reversed to a $1.47-billion deficit in July from a $3.40-billion surplus in June on higher foreign exchange outflows, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said Wednesday.
The July deficit was wider than the $167-million shortfall recorded in the same month last year. The reversal brought the country’s cumulative balance of payments deficit to $5.35 billion in the first seven months of 2026. The BSP attributed the sevenmonth deficit to the continued tradein-goods gap and net outflows from foreign portfolio investments. Sustained net inflows from overseas Filipino workers’ remittances, government foreign borrowings, trade in services and foreign direct
investments partly offset the shortfall. Reyes Tacandong & Co. senior adviser Jonathan Ravelas said the monthly swing from a surplus to a deficit likely reflected higher foreign exchange outflows, including external debt payments and stronger importrelated demand for dollars. “While the year-on-year deterioration looks significant, monthly BOP figures are often influenced by the timing of large transactions and should not be viewed in isolation. More importantly, the country’s cumulative deficit of $5.3
billion remains well below the BSP’s full-year projection of $10.7 billion,” Ravelas said. Ravelas said OFW remittances, business process outsourcing revenues, tourism receipts, foreign investments, import demand, oil price movements and global interest rate trends will remain key factors shaping the country’s balance of payments position going forward. Gross international reserves (GIR) also fell 1.36 percent to $103.32 billion in July from $104.74 billion in June. The July reserve level came in below the $105.42 billion recorded a year earlier. The BSP said the decline in reserves stemmed from its own net foreign exchange operations, the national government’s drawdowns on its foreign currency deposits to service external debt, downward valuation adjustments in the BSP’s foreign currency-denominated reserve assets and the government’s foreign currency
$1.47 billion BOP deficit in July
$3.4 billion
BOP surplus in June
$103.32 billion GIR as of end-July withdrawals from its deposits in the central bank. Income from the BSP’s international investments and upward valuation adjustments in its gold holdings amid higher global gold prices partly offset the decline.
Executive Secretary Ralph Recto (second from right) welcomes American business leaders during the 2026 Philippines Business Mission on Aug. 18, 2026. Joining Recto at the event are Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Eli Remolona Jr., Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Juan Miguel Cuna, Department of Labor and Employment Secretary Francis Tolentino, US Ambassador to the Philippines Lee Lipton and US-ASEAN Business Council president and chief executive Ambassador Brian McFeeters.
Recto asks Pax Silica investors to create jobs, develop talent EXECUTIVE Secretary Ralph Recto called on American companies to ensure that their investments in the Philippines create jobs, develop Filipino talent and contribute to shared prosperity between the two countries. Recto made the appeal to American business leaders at the Welcome Reception for the 2026 Philippines Business Mission on Aug. 18, 2026. “That is the partnership we want— not just one business mission, but generations of investment, innovation, jobs and shared prosperity between the Philippines and the United States,” Recto told the gathering. He urged US companies to help transform the eight-decade PhilippineAmerican alliance into a forwardlooking economic partnership. “Stay in the Philippines. Expand in the Philippines. And build your future in the Philippines,” Recto told members of the US-ASEAN Business Council (USABC). Recto cited the Luzon Economic Corridor, which will link Subic,
FRIDAY, AUGUST 21, 2026 extrastory2000@gmail.com RODERICK T. DELA CRUZ, Editor ALENA MAE S. FLORES, Asst. Editor
Dominion set to gain control of Tampakan mine By Jenniffer B. Austria DOMINION Holdings Inc. said Thursday its board has approved a merger with Indophil Resources Phils. Inc. and Sonar Holdings Inc. that would give the Sy familycontrolled company control of the Tampakan copper-gold project in South Cotabato, according to a stock exchange disclosure on Wednesday. The board endorsed the proposed merger for approval by shareholders at the company’s annual meeting on Sept. 14, 2026. Indophil and Sonar together hold 100 percent of the voting rights in Sagittarius Mines Inc., which holds the Financial and Technical Assistance Agreement covering the Tampakan project in Mindanao. Following the merger, Dominion Holdings will hold 100 percent of the voting rights in the two absorbed companies and gain controlling ownership of Sagittarius Mines. Dominion Holdings’ board described the transaction as a strategic move that could generate long-term growth and returns for the company, in line with its previously disclosed plan to transform into a holding company primarily invested in mining firms. Dominion Holdings earlier said it will acquire a 20.43-percent stake in copper and gold producer Atlas Consolidated Mining and Development Corp. by taking over Anglo Philippine Holdings Corp.’s (APO) subscription to the mining company. Loans DHI said it signed a deed of assignment to acquire subscription rights to 727,200,292 Atlas shares from APO. “The acquisition marks the first investment of DHI into the mining industry. As mentioned, DHI intends to hold a broader portfolio of assets by primarily investing in mining corporations,” Dominion Holdings said. The Sy family, through SM Investments Corp. (SMIC), separately owns a 33-percent interest in Atlas Mining. SMIC earlier said it planned to divest or reduce its stake in the mining company.
Clark, Manila and Batangas into a minerals by building domestic gives American companies an hub for logistics, manufacturing, capacity in processing, manufacturing opportunity to bring technology, connectivity and innovation. The and innovation, Recto said. capital, research and training to the corridor is expected to generate up “We want more factories rising Philippines. to one million jobs and help drive here, critical minerals processed— “We do not want American Manila economic growth, he said. not just extracted and exported. companies to simply buy from the “This is how we can turnStandard an eightMore electronics proudly made in Philippines. We want you to bring TODAY decade alliance into an economic the Philippines. And more Filipino your technology here. Bring your corridor for the next generation,” engineers, technicians and researchers capital and research here. Train Recto said. given the chance to thrive,” he said. Filipino talent here. And build your He also invited US companies Recto said the Pax Silica partnership next breakthrough here,” he said. to expand their investments in electronics and semiconductors, particularly in advanced packaging, integrated circuit design, research and development, supplychain resilience, frontend semiconductor capabilities and critical minerals processing. The Philippines aims to move beyond AWS-000910/JTI Batangas is seeking Initial Certification against the AWS International Water extracting and Stewardship Standard for the following site: exporting critical
China jails founder, fines property giant Evergrande BEIJING—China sentenced the founder of embattled property giant Evergrande to life in prison and fined the group more than $2 billion on Thursday for offences including fraud, five years after a high-profile default. Evergrande Group was once the face of Chinese real estate, surfing a decades-long property boom as it peddled homeownership dreams. But its access to credit dramatically narrowed when the government introduced curbs on excessive borrowing and speculation. The company defaulted in 2021 after struggling to repay creditors. On Thursday, a court in southern China fined the firm and its real estate arm a total of 15.82 billion yuan ($2.4 billion). It issued a life sentence against founder Xu Jiayin, also known as Hui Ka Yan in Cantonese, for crimes including “large-scale financial fraud”, the Shenzhen Intermediate People’s Court in Guangdong province said in a post on its WeChat account. “Xu Jiayin was sentenced for multiple crimes and fined, received a life sentence, with political rights revoked for life and all his personal property confiscated,” it said. Between 2016 and 2021, Evergrande and Xu as its boss “violated national laws by engaging in continuous, large-scale financial fraud and other means to inflate assets and conceal liabilities”, the court said. It said the parties “gained control of financial institutions” through bribery, without naming the institutions. Xu pleaded guilty in April to charges that also included embezzlement and bribery, the court said at the time. The verdict caps 67-year-old Xu’s spectacular fall from grace. He was once one of China’s richest billionaires and a member of the Communist Party’s top political advisory body. AFP
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JEG Tower operator signs supply deal with COREnergy By Alena Mae S. Flores JDC One Acacia Corp., operator of JEG Tower in Cebu City, has signed a retail electricity supply agreement with COREnergy, a subsidiary of Vivant Energy Corp. Through the partnership, JDC One Acacia will secure a fixed rate and price stability over the next two years for its commercial office building. JEG Tower contracted 0.6 megawatt of energy capacity under the Retail Competition and Open Access framework, giving it greater control over one of its largest operating expenses while optimizing building operations. “Electricity is fundamental to how we operate our building and serve our tenants,” said Marivic Sembrano, president of JDC One Acacia. “By taking a more strategic approach to energy procurement, we’re able to better manage one of our major operating costs while continuing to provide a reliable, comfortable, and productive environment for the busi-
nesses that have chosen JEG Tower as their workplace.” The partnership reflects a shared history between JEG Development and COREnergy’s parent company, Vivant Corp., both longtime advocates for the Cebu business community. JDC traces its roots to the Escaño family, which played a key role in developing the region’s power sector. “This partnership is particularly meaningful because it brings together organizations that share a longstanding commitment to serving Cebu’s business community,” said Marko Sarmiento, COREnergy vice president and head of operations. “When building operators gain greater visibility and control over electricity costs, they’re also strengthening the services they provide to their tenants. Retail electricity is not just about managing costs. It’s about enabling commercial properties to operate more efficiently and creating better environments for the businesses inside them,” Sarmiento said.
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PH -College or University Graduate 20 and 21 ECOPRIME -College or University Graduate 20th and 21floor floor ECOPRIME st -College or University Graduate nd 21 th th 20 and floor ECOPRIME nd Cor. -Bilingual in Mandarin and English BLDG 3232 ST 9 Ave. BGC -Bilingual in Mandarin and English BLDG ST Cor. 9 Ave. BGC nd -Bilingual in Management Mandarin and English BLDG 32 ST Cor. 9th Ave. BGC - Operation Management Related Experience Taguig 1630 - Operation Related Experience Taguig 1630 - Operation Management Related Experience Taguig Nature of1630 business: Other Nature of business: Other Applications may bebe sent to:to: PHPH GLOBAL JET Applications may sent GLOBAL JET Nature of business: Other Services Activity Services Activity Applications may be sent to: PH GLOBAL JET EXPRESS INC. hqrecruitment@jtexpress.ph EXPRESS INC. hqrecruitment@jtexpress.ph Services Activity Name of foreign national Name of foreign national EXPRESS INC. hqrecruitment@jtexpress.ph Name ofto foreign national apply forfor thethe Company intending to apply Companyhereby herebydeclares declaresthat thatthetheabove-named above-named intending intending Company hereby declares that the above-named foreign national is able, willing, and qualified to to perform position to apply for the foreign national is able, willing, and qualified perform position position national is job able, willing, and qualified to perform WU LINFEI theforeign services and job description forfor this position. The Name: WU LINFEI the services and description this position. The Name: Name: WU LINFEI the services and job description for the this position. The Address: Bonifacio Global Taguig company has the intention to to employ said foreign Address: Bonifacio Global Taguig company has the intention employ the said foreign Address: Bonifacio Global Taguig company has theforintention to employ thePermit said foreign national and apply anan Alien Employment with BGC national and apply for Alien Employment Permit with BGC BGC national and apply for an Alien Employment Permit with Nationality: CHINESE thethe Department of of Labor and Employment - National Nationality: CHINESE Department Labor and Employment - National Nationality: CHINESE the Department of Labor and Employment - Malate National period of of employment: Capital Region located at at 967 Maligaya Street Intended period employment: Capital Region located 967 Maligaya Street Malate Intended Intended period of employment: Capital (1)(1) year/s Manila One year/s Manila Region located at 967 Maligaya Street Malate One One (1) year/s Manila Any Filipino jobseeker who is is competent, able and Any Filipino jobseeker who competent, able and inform DOLE NCR if you Please inform DOLE NCR if you Any Filipino jobseeker who isforcompetent, able and Please willing to perform thethe services which thethe foreign willing to perform services for which foreign Please inform DOLEonNCR if you have information haveany any information oncriminal criminal willing to perform the services for which the foreign national is intended to be hired for, may file an objection national is intended to be hired for, may file an objection offences have any information on criminal committed by the foreign offences committed by the foreign is Capital intended toRegion be hired for, may file an objection at national National Region located at at 967 Maligaya at National Capital located 967 Maligaya nationals. offences nationals.committed by the foreign at National Capital Street Malate Manila Street Malate ManilaRegion located at 967 Maligaya nationals. Street Malate Manila
From left, Tomas Abram Tan, JEG Realty Corp. assistant vice president of business operations; Marivic Sembrano, JEG Development Corp. president; Marko Sarmiento, COREnergy vice president and head of operations; and Ayla Gomez, JEC senior brand manager for branding and HR operations, collaborate on strategic energy management.
SM Warehouses boosts e-commerce footprint S By Jenniffer B. Austria
M Warehouses, the logistics unit of SM Prime Holdings Inc., has expanded its logistics space for Shopee partners SPX Express and Scommerce Philippines Inc. to more than 126,000 square meters with the turnover of a new 40,000-square-meter facility in Pasig City.
The new facility adds to the approximately 86,000 square meters leased by SPX from SM Warehouses. “Our strengthening relationship with SPX and Scommerce reflects our comLEGAL NOTICE LEGAL NOTICE LEGAL NOTICE mitment to supNotice Noticeis ishereby herebygiven givento tothethepublic publicthat thatananEXTRA EXTRA Notice is SETTLEMENT hereby given to theESTATE public that anCECILLE EXTRA porting businesses JUDICIAL OFOF OFOFCECILLE JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT ESTATE JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE OFWAIVER/ CECILLE BUENO WITH BUENOVERZON VERZON WITHSIMULTANEOUS SIMULTANEOUS WAIVER/ and local MSMEs BUENO VERZON SIMULTANEOUS WAIVER/ RENUNCIATION OFOFWITH RIGHTS AND had RENUNCIATION RIGHTS ANDINTERESTS INTERESTS had RENUNCIATION OF RIGHTS AND INTERESTS had been executed byby the heir of of thethe late CECILLE BUENO been executed the heir late CECILLE BUENO with well-located, been executed by the heir of the late CECILLE BUENO VERZON following her intestate death on July 13, 2021 VERZON following her intestate death on July 13, 2021 following her intestate death on July 13, 2021 at VERZON United, Kingdom, involving that parcel atPeterborough, Peterborough, United, Kingdom, involving that parcel adaptable spaces at Peterborough, United, Kingdom, involving that parcel lands, covered byby Transfer Certificate of of Title No. 86307 lands, covered Transfer Certificate Title No. 86307 lands, covered by Transfer Certificate of Title No. 86307 (undivided ½ ½share with located at at (undivided share withimprovements) improvements) located that improve effi(undivided ½Transfer share with improvements) located at Quezon Certificate of ofTitle QuezonCity, City, Transfer Certificate TitleNo. No.044044Quezon City, Transfer1/2 Certificate of TitleatNo. 0442025005660 (undivided ciency and enable 2025005660 (undivided 1/2share) share)located located atSubic Subic 2025005660 (undivided 1/2 share)Certificate located at Subic Province of of Zambales, and Transfer of of Title Province Zambales, and Transfer Certificate Title Province of Zambales, and Transfer Certificate of Title long-term growth,” No. 0182019002495 (undivided 1/81/8 exclusive paraphernal No. 0182019002495 (undivided exclusive paraphernal No. 0182019002495 (undivided 1/8 exclusive paraphernal Property of of Cecille Verzon with Improvement) located at at Property Cecille Verzon with Improvement) located Property ofrespectively, Cecille Verzon with Improvement) located at said Alexis Ortiga, Baguio City, docketed asas Doc. No. 79; Page Baguio City, respectively, docketed Doc. No. 79; Page Baguio City, respectively, asthe Doc. No.Registry 79; Page No. 17;17; Book No. 19;19; Series ofdocketed 2026, in in the Notarial No. Book No. Series of 2026, Notarial Registry business unit head 17; Book No. 19; Series of 2026, in the Notarial Registry of No. Atty. Lourdes Maita Cascolan Andres, a notary public for of Atty. Lourdes Maita Cascolan Andres, a notary public for of Atty. Lourdes Maita Cascolan Andres, a notary public for and in thethe City of of Baguio. and in City Baguio. of SM Prime Comand in the City of Baguio.
mercial Properties Group. SPX, a logistics and delivery services provider to businesses across Southeast Asia, Taiwan and Brazil, previously signed a multiyear lease for approximately 86,000 square meters at SM Warehouses’ 130,000-square-meter Silangan Warehouse complex in Laguna. The two facilities will serve different roles. The Pasig hub will handle urban distribution, bringing products closer to customers in Metro Manila and helping speed up deliveries. SPX Express head Martin Yu said the new Pasig facility would help the company increase processing capacity and reduce delivery times. “As e-commerce evolves, our logistics infrastructure must grow with it,” Yu said. “Our facility in Silangan, Laguna, established a strong operational base. The new Mega First Mile hub in Pasig brings us closer to Metro Manila customers, allowing us to increase processing speed and reduce delivery times. SM Warehouses provides the scale and operating standards we need to serve our sellers and buyers reliably,” he said. Scommerce provides warehousing and fulfillment services and sorting operations, connecting Southern Luzon to SPX’s nationwide distribution network. SM Warehouses offers ready-to-move-in, greenfield and buildto-suit facilities ranging from 5,000 square meters to more than 120,000 square meters across the Philippines.
(MCS-AUG. 14/21/28, 2026) (MCS-AUG. 14/21/28, 2026) (MCS-AUG. 14/21/28, 2026)
Career Opportunity in inJAPANESE HELP DESK INC. Career Opportunity JAPANESE HELP DESK INC. Career Opportunity in JAPANESE HELP DESK INC. Position title: Medical Assistant Position title: Medical Assistant Position Vacancy (1)title: Vacancy (1) Medical Assistant Vacancy (1) Job Description: Responsible to to arrange thethe consultation and assisting patient asas Job Description: Responsible arrange consultation and assisting patient Job Description: Responsible toif arrange theon consultation needed at at night time and holidays you areare on call duty. needed night time and holidays if you call duty. and assisting patient as needed at night time and holidays if you are on call duty. Qualifications: Qualifications: Qualifications: ● ● Well-spoken in in Japanese language. Well-spoken Japanese language. Well-spoken in Japanese language. ● ●● Japanese with good communication skills, customer-oriented, Japanese with good communication skills, customer-oriented, ● knowledgeable Japanese with good communication skills, customer-oriented, in in medical terminologies, flexible, organized. knowledgeable medical terminologies, flexible, organized. medical terminologies, flexible, organized. ● ● Atknowledgeable least 2 years ofinof experience in in healthcare-nurse/medical support && At least 2 years experience healthcare-nurse/medical support ● medical At least 2assistant, years of in healthcare-nurse/medical support & assistant, or experience equivalent. medical or equivalent. medical assistant, or equivalent. Application may bebe sent to:to: Application may sent Application may be sent to: Email address: admin@j-helpdesk.com Email address: admin@j-helpdesk.com Email address: admin@j-helpdesk.com Company/ Employer Company/ Employer Company/ Employer
Name of of Foreign National Name Foreign National Name ofto Foreign National Intending Apply for thethe Intending to Apply for Intending to Apply for the Position Position Position
Company Name: Japanese Help Desk Inc. Company Name: Japanese Help Desk Inc. Company Name: Japanese Help Desk Inc. Complete Address: S/LP-11 Medical Plaza Complete Address: S/LP-11 Medical Plaza Complete Address: S/LP-11 Medical Plaza Makati, 102 Amoroslo St.St. Cor. Dela Rosa, San Makati, 102 Amoroslo Cor. Dela Rosa, San Makati, 102 Amoroslo Lorenzo, Makati City Lorenzo, Makati City St. Cor. Dela Rosa, San Lorenzo, Makati CityHealth Nature of of Business: and Social Work Nature Business: Health and Social Work Nature of Business: Health and Social Work
Name: Saki Miyajima Name: Saki Miyajima Name: Saki Miyajima Address: Makati City Address: Makati City Address: Makati City Nationality: Japanese Nationality: Japanese Nationality: Japanese Intended Period of of Employment: Intended Period Employment: Intended Period of Employment: one (1)(1) year one year one (1) year
PSEi rebounds past 6,200 level on bargain-hunting; peso recovers PHILIPPINE shares rebounded strongly Thursday, closing the benchmark index above the 6,200 level on bargain hunting after the previous day’s steep decline.
JAPANESE HELP DESK INC. hereby declares that thethe above-named foreign national JAPANESE HELP DESK INC. hereby declares that above-named foreign national HELP DESK to INC. hereby declares that the above-named foreign national is JAPANESE able, willing and qualified perform thethe services and jobjob description forfor this position. is able, willing and qualified to perform services and description this position. is able, willing and qualified to perform the services and job description for this The company has thethe intention to to employ thethe said foreign national and apply forfor anposition. Alien The company has intention employ said foreign national and apply an Alien The company has with thewith intention to employof the said foreign national and(DOLE), apply forlocated an Alien Employment Permit thetheDepartment Labor and Employment Employment Permit Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), located Permit with the Department of Luna Labor and Employment (DOLE), at Employment Dole Building, Muralla Wing, Corner General Street, Intramuros, Manila. at Dole Building, Muralla Wing, Corner General Luna Street, Intramuros, Manila. located at Dole Building, Muralla Wing, Corner General Luna Street, Intramuros, Manila. Any AnyFilipino Filipinojobseeker jobseekerwho whois iscompetent, competent,able ableand andwilling willingto toperform performthetheservices services Filipino jobseeker who isisis competent, able andfor,for, willing tofile perform the services forAny which thethe foreign national intended to to be hired may file anan objection at at thethe for which foreign national intended be hired may objection for which the foreign national is intended to be hired for, may file an objection at the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), located at Dole Building, Muralla Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), located at Dole Building, Muralla Department ofGeneral Labor andStreet, Employment (DOLE), located at this Dole Building,Please Muralla Wing, Corner General Luna Intramuros, Manila. after this publication. Wing, Corner Luna Street, Intramuros, Manila. after publication. Please Wing, Corner General Luna Street, Intramuros, Manila. this publication. Please inform the Department of of Labor and Employment (DOLE), if you have any information onon inform the Department Labor and Employment (DOLE), ifafter you have any information inform the Department of Labor Employment (DOLE), if you have any information on criminal offenses committed byby theand foreign national. criminal offenses committed the foreign national. criminal offenses committed by the foreign national. Career Opportunity in CONCENTRIX CVG PHILIPPINES, INC. Career Opportunity in CONCENTRIX CVG PHILIPPINES, INC. Career Opportunity in CONCENTRIX CVG PHILIPPINES, INC. • • Analyzes Position Title: Director, Global Service Delivery market trends andand client datadata to identify growth Position Title: Director, Global Service Delivery Analyzes market trends client to identify growth • opportunities Position Title: Director, Global Service Delivery Analyzes market trends andinformed clientrecommendations data to identify growth andand makes informed to to opportunities makes recommendations and makes informed recommendations to Description: JobJob theopportunities client. Description: the client. Description: Job the client. • Assists Portfolio Leaders and Sector Leads in developing Sector Knowledge and Expertise: • Assists Portfolio Leaders and Sector Leads in developing Sector Knowledge and Expertise: • andAssists Portfolio Leaders and Sector Leads in developing Knowledge aandclear • Sector understanding of of client’s executing Portfolio andand Sector growth strategies andand • Demonstrates Demonstrates a Expertise: clear understanding client’s and executing Portfolio Sector growth strategies • business, Demonstrates a clear understanding ofwhere client’s and executing Portfolio and Sector growth strategies and its objectives, strategy andand industry meeting business objectives. business, its objectives, strategy industry where meeting business objectives. business, itsSupports objectives, and industry meeting business objectives. they operate. thestrategy Portfolio Leader in where the they operate. Supports the Portfolio Leader in the they operate. Supports the Portfolio Leader in the development of portfolio/sector strategy. Collaboration and Coordination: development of portfolio/sector strategy. Collaboration and Coordination: development portfolio/sector strategy. and with Coordination: • • Demonstrates aof strong knowledge of of BPO andand • Collaboration closely Portfolio Leaders, Sector Leads, andand Demonstrates a strong knowledge BPO • Works Works closely with Portfolio Leaders, Sector Leads, • Technical Demonstrates a associated strong knowledge ofallocated BPO and • other Works closely with Leaders, Sector Leads, and Services withwith theirtheir internal teams to Portfolio align account activities with overall Technical Services associated allocated other internal teams to align account activities with overall Technical Services associated other internal teams to align account activities with overall accounts andand industry sector. business goals. accounts industry sector. with their allocated business goals. accounts andexpertise industry business goals. • • Leverages expertise andsector. communication skills to to • • Leverages internal resources andand expertise to deliver highLeverages and communication skills Leverages internal resources expertise to deliver high• speak Leverages expertise and communication skills to • Leverages internal resources and expertise to deliver highat forums both internally and externally. value and profitable solutions to clients. speak at forums both internally and externally. value and profitable solutions to clients. speak at forums both internally and externally. value and profitable solutions to clients. • • Collaborates withwith the the broader account team by by sharing Collaborates broader account team sharing • insights, Collaborates with theand broader account team by sharing bestbest practices, assisting withwith account-related Account Management andand Business Growth: insights, practices, and assisting account-related Account Management Business Growth: insights, Management and Business Growth: • Account andand maintains strong, long-term relationships tasks. • Builds Builds maintains strong, long-term relationships tasks. best practices, and assisting with account-related • withBuilds and maintains strong, long-term relationships tasks. assigned clients. with assigned clients. with assigned clients. • • Develops sustainable andand profitable strategic account (Education, Experience, Develops sustainable profitable strategic account Qualification (Education, Experience, Qualification • plan Develops sustainable and profitable strategic account (Education, Experience, Qualification License, Skills thatthat addresses whitespace planning, crossProfessional License, Skills plan addresses whitespace planning, cross- Professional Professional License, Skills plan that addresses whitespace cross- Certification, Specialized Training): selling and up-selling opportunities andplanning, incorporates Specialized Training): Certification, selling and up-selling opportunities and incorporates Specialized Training): andextent up-selling opportunities and incorporates of 7ofor7 more years of experience in account theselling full full extent of of Concentrix services. Ensures • A minimum A minimum or more years of experience in account the Concentrix services. Ensures • Certification, • management Amanagement minimumorofclient 7 or more years management of experience in roles, account the fullKPIs extent of Concentrix services. Ensures relationship roles, or or Financial (revenue, newnew business signings, or client relationship management Financial KPIs (revenue, business signings, management ordelivery client relationship management roles, Financial KPIs (revenue, new the business global service delivery roles, preferably within the the BPO or or gross margin) areare met, maximizes share ofsignings, TAM global service roles, preferably within BPO or gross margin) met, maximizes the share of TAM global service delivery roles, preferably within the BPO or gross margin) are met, maximizes the share of TAM Technology services industry. (total addressable market) within client(s). Technology services industry. (total addressable market) within client(s). Technology services industry. (total addressable market) within client(s). account • • Installs collaboratively the the necessary communication andand interpersonal skills withwith the the Installs collaboratively necessary account • • Strong Strong communication interpersonal skills • governance Installs collaboratively the necessary account • Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the with the client and manages this ability to build and maintain client relationships. governance with the client and manages this ability to build and maintain client relationships. governance with the inclient and manages ability to build and maintain client relationships.abilities. problem-solving andand conflict-resolution governance framework accordance withwith thethis Excellent problem-solving conflict-resolution abilities. governance framework in accordance the • • Excellent Excellent problem-solving and conflict-resolution abilities. governance framework in obligations. accordance to analyze datadata andand use insights to inform account account needs and contractual Ability to analyze use insights to inform account account needs and contractual obligations. with the • •• Ability • strategies. Ability to analyze data and use insights to inform account account needs and contractual obligations. • • Achieves exceptional client satisfaction including Achieves exceptional client satisfaction including strategies. • fulfilling Achieves exceptional client satisfaction including strategies. in using CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) andand all all contractual obligations while providing Proficiency in using CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) fulfilling contractual obligations while providing • • Proficiency • Proficiency in using CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) and fulfilling all contractual obligations while providing other relevant tools. robust, tailored solutions to effectively address and other relevant tools. robust, tailored solutions to effectively address and other relevant tools.andand robust, tailored solutions to Works effectively address organizational timetime management skills. exceed client expectations. closely withand Strong organizational management skills. exceed client expectations. Works closely with • • Strong Strong organizational and time management skills. exceed clientPractices, expectations. Works closely with • •• Ability to work collaboratively within a team environment. Client Success, Catalyst, etc.etc. to ensure Ability to work collaboratively within a team environment. Client Success, Practices, Catalyst, to ensure • Ability to work collaboratively within a team environment. Client Success, Practices, Catalyst, etc. to ensure consistent, highhigh quality service delivery. Drives consistent, quality service delivery. Drives consistent, high quality service delivery.plans Drives may be be sent to: to: development and monitoring of improvement Applications may sent development and monitoring of improvement plans Applications Applications may be sent to: development if required. PH_ProfessionalRecruiting if required. and monitoring of improvement plans PH_ProfessionalRecruiting PH_ProfessionalRecruiting ifActs required. • • Acts as as the the firstfirst point of of escalation for for clients, point escalation clients, PH_ProfessionalRecruiting@concentrix.com PH_ProfessionalRecruiting@concentrix.com • addressing Acts as inquiries, theinquiries, first resolving point of issues, escalation forproviding clients, PH_ProfessionalRecruiting@concentrix.com andand providing addressing resolving issues, addressing inquiries, resolving issues, and providing regular updates, escalating to Portfolio Leaders when regular updates, escalating to Portfolio Leaders when regular updates, escalating to Portfolio Leaders when necessary. necessary. necessary. of foreign national intending Name of foreign national intending Name Company/ Employer Company/ Employer ofapply foreign intending Name to apply for for thenational position to the position Company/ Employer to apply for the position Company Name: Concentrix CVG Philippines, Inc. Name: Ishvinder Singh Chandhok Company Name: Concentrix CVG Philippines, Inc. Name: Ishvinder Singh Chandhok th Company Name: Concentrix CVG Philippines, Inc.Ayala Address: Name: Ishvinder Singh Complete Address: 4th 4Floor, Building M, M, UPUP Ayala Quezon City Complete Address: Floor, Building Address: Quezon City Chandhok Complete Address: 4th Floor, Building M, UPPark Ayala Address: Quezon Technohub, UPUP Science andand Technology Indian Technohub, Science Technology Park Nationality: Nationality: IndianCity Technohub, Science and City Technology Nationality: Indian Period of Employment: Two (2) (2) Years (North), Brgy. UPUP Campus, Quezon 1101 Intended Period of Employment: Two Years (North), Brgy. UP Campus, Quezon City 1101 Park Intended Intended Period of Employment: Two (2) Years (North), UP Campus, Quezon City Nature of Business: Business to Business IT IT1101 Nature ofBrgy. Business: Business to Business Nature of Business: Business to Business IT Company hereby declares that the above-named foreign national is able, willing, and qualified to perform thethe services andand Company hereby declares that the above-named foreign national is able, willing, and qualified to perform services hereby that the above-named foreign national able, willing, and qualified to and perform theforservices and jobCompany description for for thisdeclares position. The company hashas the intention to employ the saidsaid foreign national apply an Alien job description this position. The company the intention toisemploy the foreign national and apply for an Alien th th job description forwith this position. Theofcompany has the intention tolocated employ said foreign national andCondominium, apply for an Alien Floor, Banco Filipino Employment Permit the Bureau Local Employment (BLE) atthe 6at Floor, Banco Filipino Condominium, Employment Permit with the Bureau of Local Employment (BLE) located 6 th Employment Permit with the Bureau Solana Street, Intramuros, Manila. Solana Street, Intramuros, Manila. of Local Employment (BLE) located at 6 Floor, Banco Filipino Condominium, Solana Street, Intramuros, Manila.
The peso strengthened to 61.67 against the U.S. dollar Thursday, recovering from a record low of 61.85 on Wednesday. The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) rose 80.12 points, or 1.3 percent, to 6,238.46. The broader all shares index gained 38.88 points, or 1.14 percent, to 3,435.23. Financial markets are closed Friday for Ninoy Aquino Day, a special non-working holiday commemorating the death anniversary of former Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr. “The local index ended higher as bargain hunting emerged across the board following three consecutive days of losses,” said Luis Limlingan, head of sales at Regina Capital Development Corp. “Buying interest lifted market sentiment with investors taking advantage of lower valuations after the recent decline,” he added. While market sentiment improved, Limlingan said market participants remain watchful for fresh catalysts that could sustain the upward momentum. Mining and oil stocks posted the strongest advance among sectoral counters, climbing 5.04 percent, while services rose 2.61 percent. Holding firms gained 1.29 percent, industrials advanced 0.65 percent, property rose 0.34 percent and financials edged up 0.28 percent. Advancers beat decliners, 113 to 67, while 66 stocks were unchanged. Trading activity was heavy as value turnover reached P8.78 billion. Foreign investors remained net sellers, with net outflows reaching P549.2 million. Jenniffer B. Austria CYAN CYANMAGENTA MAGENTAYELLOW YELLOWBLACK BLACK CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK
BUSINESS
B3 FRIDAY, AUGUST 21, 2026 extrastory2000@gmail.com
12. As of to date, ESEC secured or is in the process of securing the necessary permits, licenses and authority from the appropriate government agencies for the Dedicated Facility Project.
Senate to scrap travel tax this year S
A copy of the sworn statement of ESEC’s authorized representative, Ms. Maria Victoria M. Olivar, attesting to the fact that ESEC obtained all the necessary permits from all concerned agencies that may have an interest in the Dedicated Facility Project is hereto attached and made an integral part hereof as Annex “Q”.
By Othel V. Campos
ENATE President Sherwin Gatchalian said Thursday the Senate is targeting passage this year of a measure seeking to remove the travel tax, despite an estimated P6 billion reduction in government revenues.
Speaking on the sidelines of the Management Association of the Philippines general membership meeting, Gatchalian said the measure has already been approved by the House of Representatives and that the Senate is preparing to act on it. He said the measure could result in nearly P6 billion in foregone revenues, with about P3 billion of current travel tax collections funding various charitable and other projects. “That is a friction cost whenever you travel. So we think that it will be offset by the growth in the tourism industry,” Gatchalian said, noting that a surge in tourism growth could help compensate for the lost collections. Still, he acknowledged that the Senate would need to identify alternative sources of revenue, saying it would be difficult to pass a measure that reduces government collections without finding ways to make up for the shortfall. Among the measures being considered is an increase in taxes on vaping products to at least the same level as that imposed on cigarettes, citing concerns over the growing number of young people using e-cigarettes. He said the proposed vape tax would
PH, Iceland seal air agreement to expand flights By Darwin G. Amojelar THE Philippines and Iceland have signed an initial Air Services Agreement, granting both countries up to seven flight entitlements per week for passenger and cargo services. The flight entitlements were concluded following air services negotiations held Aug. 18 to 19 in Reykjavik, Iceland. Under the agreement, airlines from the Philippines and Iceland will each be entitled to operate seven flights per week — equivalent to one flight daily — for passenger and cargo operations. The traffic rights give airlines flexibility to establish and expand services based on demand and commercial viability, paving the way for new routes through direct or connecting flights. Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez said the agreement establishes a framework for future civil aviation cooperation. “This agreement will serve as the foundation for our future air transportation relationship and will provide our airlines with a framework to explore new opportunities for connectivity between our two countries and, ultimately, between our respective regions,” Lopez said. “Today, we are not simply concluding our first air negotiations. We are opening a new chapter in Philippine-Iceland relations in the field of civil aviation,” he added. The new traffic rights are expected to support greater movement of passengers and cargo, benefiting tourism, trade, investment and cultural exchanges. Director Sigríður Eysteinsdóttir, head of the Icelandic delegation, welcomed the pact. “I would like to thank you all for the warm, friendly, and constructive spirit in which our discussions have taken place,” Eysteinsdóttir said. “We are very pleased with what we have achieved together.” The Department of Transportation said it will continue coordinating with its Icelandic counterparts to ensure implementation and encourage expanded air services. The agreement forms part of the Philippines’ broader effort to expand international air connectivity, particularly in the Nordic region. Lopez led the Philippine delegation, which included Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro, Philippine Ambassador to Norway Enrico Fos, and officials from the DFA, DOTr, Department of Labor and Employment, Civil Aeronautics Board, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, Philippine Embassy in Oslo and the Philippine Honorary Consulate in Iceland. The Icelandic delegation included Kristin Helga Markúsdóttir, deputy director general of the Icelandic Transport Authority, and Vala Hrönn Viggósdóttir, legal advisor at the Ministry of Infrastructure.
amend the existing excise tax law and is also targeted for passage this year. The Senate is likewise preparing other tax measures, including raising the income tax exemption threshold to P400,000 and increasing the value-added tax threshold for micro, small and medium enterprises from P3 million to P4 million. On the economic agenda, Gatchalian said the Manila
Standard Republic of the Philippines
allocations for targeted programs. from DENR-Environmental Management Bureau Western Visayas Regionalso on 13 November 2025. Senate remains on Gatchalian said the track with the budget process, with thean first Copy of the ECC is attached hereto as Annex “R” and made integral part of thisBudget Application.Coordination Committee Development hearing scheduled to begin next week. The Senate 14. In view of the foregoing, ESEC respectfully seeks the has set aside and Thursday, Friday and Saturday confirmation approval of the Honorable Commission that for the Dedicated Facility Project is the most viable option for the budget hearings, with no impeachment proceedings connection of the Panitan Energy Storage Project to the scheduled for grid. Saturday. transmission CYAN
Republic of the Philippines ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION San Antonio, Pasig City
TODAY ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION Pasig City
ALLEGATIONS IN SUPPORT OF THE PRAYER FOR PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY that:
IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION FOR AUTHORITY TO CONSTRUCT, OWN & OPERATE THE DEDICATED POINT-TO-POINT LIMITED TRANSMISSION FACILITIES TO CONNECT THE 20.00MW/40.00MWH PANITAN ENERGY STORAGE PROJECT TO THE VISAYAS GRID VIA NGCP’s PANIT-ANSAPIAN 69KV TRANSMISSION LINE PWITH PRAYER FOR PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY AND/OR INTERIM RELIEF AND MOTION FOR CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT OF INFORMATION
IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION FOR AUTHORITY TO CONSTRUCT, OWN & OPERATE THE DEDICATED POINT-TO-POINT LIMITED TRANSMISSION FACILITIES TO CONNECT THE 20.00MW/40.00MWH PANITAN ENERGY STORAGE PROJECT TO THE VISAYAS GRID VIA NGCPÕs PANITANSAPIAN 69KV TRANSMISSION LINE WITH PRAYER FOR PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY AND/OR INTERIM RELIEF AND MOTION FOR CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT OF INFORMATION
August 10, 2026
A copy of the affidavit executed by ESEC’s authorized representative, Ms. Maria Victoria M. Olivar, in support of the prayer for issuance of provisional authority is hereto attached and made an integral part hereof as Annex “S”. 16. Premises considered, ESEC submits that there are clear and5 sufficient bases for the issuance of a provisional authority for the development, ownership and operation of the Dedicated Facility Project by ESEC to connect to the transmission line of NGCP, pending the Honorable Commission’s issuance of a final decision on the instant Application.
June 29, 2026 ECOSOLAR ENERGY CORPORATION, Applicant.
x---------------------------------------------x
APPLICATION WITH PRAYER FOR PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY AND/OR INTERIM RELIEF AND MOTION FOR CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT OF INFORMATION
ENERGY
Applicant. x---------------------------------------x
ALLEGATIONS IN SUPPORT OF THE MOTION FOR CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT OF INFORMATION 17. Under Rule 4 of ERC Rules of Practice and Procedure, the Honorable Commission may, upon request of a party and determination of the existence of conditions which would warrant such remedy, treat certain information submitted to it as confidential. Pursuant to such provision, applicant BSEI respectfully prays for the issuance of a protective order declaring Annexes “L” & “M” as confidential information, since the applicant BSEI intends to present them as evidence in this Application.
Applicant ECOSOLAR ENERGY CORPORATION, through the undersigned counsel, respectfully states: THE APPLICANT
NOTICE OF VIRTUAL HEARING
1. Applicant EcoSolar Energy Corporation (“ESEC”) is a renewable energy generation company duly organized and
TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES:
existing under the laws of the Republic of the Philippines with 1 principal address at 7th Floor, JMT Corporate Building, ADB Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig City. It may be served with notices and other processes of this Honorable Commission through its counsel at the address and e-mail address indicated herein.
Notice is hereby given that on 29 June 2026, the EcoSolar Energy Corporation (ESEC) filed, through the Energy Virtual One-Stop Shop (EVOSS) portal, an Application dated 22 May 2026, seeking the CommissionÕs approval of its authority to construct, own, and operate the dedicated point-to-point ERC CASE NO. 2026-036 limited MC transmission facilities to connect the 20.00MW/40.00MWH Panitan Energy Storage Project to the NOTICE OF VIRTUAL HEARING Visayas2 Grid PAGE OF 4via the National Grid Corporation of the PhilippinesÕ (NGCP) Panitan-Sapian 69kV Transmission Line, with prayer for
18. Annexes “L” & “M” contain certain non-public information, data and projections involving business operations and financial trade secrets reflecting BSEI’s investment and business calculations. All this information is considered classified business information by applicant BSEI, which, if released to the public including its competitors, would place the latter at undue advantage against BSEI. In addition, such information falls within the bounds of valuable proprietary interest under “trade secrets” which are entitled to protection under the Constitution, statutes, rules and regulations.
Copies of ESEC’s Certificate of Incorporation and Articles of Incorporation & By-Laws and the latest General Information Sheet are attached hereto as Annexes “A series” and “B”, respectively. The list of key management officials of ESEC is attached hereto as Annex “C”.
provisional authority and/or interim relief and motion for confidential treatment of information.
19. In the case of Air Philippines Corporation vs. Pennswell, Inc.,3 the Supreme Court defined “trade secrets” and explained as follows:
2. ESEC shall construct, own and operate the 20.00MW/40.00MWH Panitan Energy Storage Project (“PESP”) in the Barangay Timpas, Municipality of Panitan, Capiz.
The docketed copy of the Application, excluding its annexes, is attached as Annex ÒAÓ hereof.
Applicant repleads the foregoing allegations and further states 15. The construction of the Dedicated Facility Project is a prerequisite for the testing and commissioning and the commercial operations of the Panitan Energy Storage Project. An approved point-to-point application is a requirement for the issuance of Certificate of Compliance to a generating facility. A provisional authority is urgently needed to enable Panitan Energy Storage Project to achieve the target commercial operations of the Panitan Energy Storage Project by October 2026.
2026-036 MC ERC CASE NO. __________
ERC CASE NO. 2026-036 MC ECOSOLAR CORPORATION,
13. ESEC has secured an Environmental Compliance Certificate
Senate plans to create an ad hoc committee focused on reinvigorating the economy. The committee is expected to bring together chairpersons of various Senate committees and draw on their respective expertise. He said the panel would formulate recommendations for the executive branch, legislative proposals and possible budget
“A trade secret is defined as a plan or process, tool, mechanism or compound known only to its owner and those of his employees to whom it is necessary to confide it. The definition also extends to a secret formula or process not patented, but known only to certain individuals using it in compounding some article of
NATURE OF THE APPLICATION
The Commission has set the instant Application for hearing for the determination of compliance with the jurisdictional requirements, expository presentation, and Pre-Trial Conference1 on 08 September 2026 (Tuesday), at nine oÕclock in the morning (9:00 A.M.), through MS Teams Application as the online platform for the conduct thereof, pursuant to Resolution 09, Series 0f 2020 2 and Resolution No. 01, Series of 2021 (ERC Revised Rules of Practice and Procedure).3 Any interested stakeholder may submit its comments and/or clarifications at least one (1) calendar day prior to the scheduled virtual hearing, via electronic mail (e-mail) at docket@erc.ph, and copy furnish the Legal Service through legal@erc.ph. The Commission shall give priority to the stakeholders who have duly submitted their respective comments and/or clarifications, to discuss the same and propound questions during the course of the expository presentation.
3. This Application is submitted to this Honorable Commission pursuant to Section 9(f) of Republic Act No. 9136 otherwise known as the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 (“EPIRA”),1 and Rule 5, Section 5(a)(i) of the EPIRA Implementing Rules and Regulations2 for its consideration and approval.
2
(i)
Facility, and are not used to serve End-users or Suppliers directly.
A copy of the COE is attached as Annex “F” and made an integral part of this pleading. 6. The dedicated point-to point limited transmission facility shall cover the connection of the 20.00MW/40.00MWH Panitan Energy Storage Project via NGCP’s 69 kV Panit-an-Sapian Transmission Line. A copy of the proposed connection scheme of the Dedicated Facility Project is hereto attached as Annex “G” and made an integral part of this Application.
The petitionerÕs name, mailing address, and e-mail address;
6.1.
A statement of the relief desired.
The Dedicated Facility Project will be funded through debt and equity by ESEC. 6.2.
The construction of the Dedicated Facility Project, including civil and electromechanical works, may be completed in approximately nine (9) months.
3
Copies of the Conceptual Engineering Design and Drawing and the Gantt Chart for the construction of the Dedicated Facility Project are attached hereto as Annexes “I series” & “J”, respectively and made integral part hereof. 7. ESEC respectfully submits that the Dedicated Facility Project of PESP is the most economically viable option and technically feasible for connecting the PESP as detailed in the Connection Options document, attached herein as Annex “K” and made an integral part of this Application.
The docketed copyrelied of theupon. Application, excluding its annexes, is 3) The grounds attached as Annex ÒAÓ hereof. All interested parties filing their Petition to Intervene, Opposition The Commission hastosetsubmit the instant Application for hearing for or Comment are required the hard copies thereof through the determination of compliance jurisdictional requirements, personal service, registered mailwith or the ordinary mail/private courier, expository presentation, and days Pre-Trial Conference on 08 within five (5) working from the date 1that theSeptember same were 2026 (Tuesday), at nine oÕclock in theacknowledgement morning (9:00 A.M.), electronically submitted, as reflected in the receipt through MS Teams Application as the online platform for the e-mail sent by the Commission. conduct thereof, pursuant to Resolution 09, Series 0f 2020 2 and Resolution No. 01,2026-036 Series of 2021 Revised Rules of Practice and ERC CASE MC (ERC Any of3 NO. the persons mentioned in the preceding paragraphs may Procedure). NOTICE HEARING access the OF copyVIRTUAL of the Application on the CommissionÕs official website PAGE 4 OF 4 at www.erc.gov.ph. Any interested stakeholder may submit its comments and/or clarifications at least one (1) calendar day prior to the scheduled Finally, persons mayat be allowed join copy the WITNESS, the Honorable Chairperson and CEOtoFRANCIS virtual hearing,allviainterested electronic mail (e-mail) docket@erc.ph, and scheduled virtualC. hearing byandlegal@erc.ph. providing theTheCommission, thru SATURNINO JUAN, the Honorable Commissioners furnish the Legal Service through Commission shall ERC CASE NO. 2026-036 MC legal.virtualhearings@erc.ph, their who respective e-mail addresses and FLORESINDA G. stakeholders BALDO-DIGAL, MARKO ROMEOtheir L. give priority to the have duly submitted NOTICE OFAMANTE VIRTUAL HEARING indicating theand/or case number of the and instant Application. The FUENTES, A. LIBERATO, PARIS REAL, respective therein comments clarifications, to discuss theG.same and PAGE 4 OF 4 Commission will send the access link to the aforementioned hearing Energy Regulatory Pasig City. propound questionsCommission, during the course of the expository presentation. platform within five (5) working days prior to the scheduled hearing.
8. The System Impact Study (“SIS”) indicated that the interconnection of the PESP is generally feasible and the Facilities Study (“FS”) found the entry of the battery storage project to Visayas Grid to be technically acceptable. Copies of the SIS and FS approved by NGCP are attached herein as Annexes “L” & “M”, respectively. 9. The Dedicated Facility Project shall be constructed by PHILCANTECH Enterprises.
10. ESEC and NGCP have agreed, in principle, on the terms and conditions of the Connection Agreement as indicated in the NGCP Certification dated 06 April 2026. A copy of NGCP’s Certificate is attached herein as Annex “O” and made an integral part of this Application.
TheUnder list of key officials of ESEC isand attached heretothe 17. Rulemanagement 4 of ERC Rules of Practice Procedure, as Annex “C”. Commission may, upon request of a party and Honorable
11. The Dedicated Facility Project shall be owned and operated by the applicant, EcoSolar Energy Corporation. An Affidavit of Explanation is attached herein to demonstrate the financial and technical capacity of the applicant.
determination of the existence of conditions which would 2. ESEC shall construct, own information and operate the warrant such remedy, treat certain submitted to it 20.00MW/40.00MWH Panitan Energy Storage Project as confidential. Pursuant to such provision, applicant BSEI (“PESP”) in the Barangay Timpas, Municipality of Panitan, respectfully prays for the issuance of a protective order Capiz. declaring Annexes “L” & “M” as confidential information,
A copy of the Affidavit of Explanation executed by Engr. Paul Elmer Morala is attached as Annex “P” and made an integral part of this pleading.
since the applicant BSEI intends to present them as evidence NATURE OF THE APPLICATION in this Application.
3. 18. ThisAnnexes Application is “M” submitted this Honorable Commission “L” & containtocertain non-public information, pursuant to Section 9(f) ofinvolving Republic Act No. 9136 otherwiseand data and projections business operations known as the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001and financial trade secrets reflecting BSEI’s investment (“EPIRA”),1 and Rule 5, AllSection 5(a)(i) of the EPIRA business calculations. this information is considered Implementing Rules and Regulations2 for its consideration and if classified business information by applicant BSEI, which, approval. released to the public including its competitors, would place
12. As of to date, ESEC secured or is in the process of securing the 4 necessary permits, licenses and authority from the appropriate government agencies for the Dedicated Facility Project. A copy of the sworn statement of ESEC’s authorized representative, Ms. Maria Victoria M. Olivar, attesting to the fact that ESEC obtained all the necessary permits from all concerned agencies that may have an interest in the Dedicated Facility Project is hereto attached and made an integral part hereof as Annex “Q”.
The nature of petitionerÕs interest in the subject matter of ATTY. MARIA CORAZON C. GINES* the proceeding and the way and manner in which such III, Legal Service interest is affected Director by the issues involved in the proceeding; and
1
Copy of the ECC is attached hereto as Annex “R” and made an integral part of this Application.
Summary proceedings pursuant to Resolution No. 16, Series of 2025. A Resolution Adopting the Guidelines Governing Electronic Applications, Filings and Virtual Hearings Before the Energy Regulatory Commission. A Resolution Adopting the Revised Rules of Practice and Procedure of the Energy Regulatory Commission.
14. In view of the foregoing, ESEC respectfully seeks the confirmation and approval of the Honorable Commission that the Dedicated Facility Project is the most viable option for the connection of the Panitan Energy Storage Project to the transmission grid.
* Authority granted pursuant to Office Order No. 71, Series of 2025.
ALLEGATIONS IN SUPPORT OF THE PRAYER FOR PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY that:
Applicant repleads the foregoing allegations and further states
the latter at undue advantage against BSEI. In addition, such information falls within the bounds of valuable proprietary
Section 9. Functions and Responsibilities. interest under “trade secrets” which are entitled to protection xxx (f) xxx
13. ESEC has secured an Environmental Compliance Certificate from DENR-Environmental Management Bureau Western Visayas Region on 13 November 2025.
LS: ADGS/ARG
* Authority granted pursuant to Office Order No. 71, Series of 2025.
existing under the laws of the Republic of the Philippines with principal address at 7th Floor, Corporate Building, ADBand 16. Premises considered, ESEC JMT submits that there are clear Avenue, Ortigas City. may be served withfor sufficient basesCenter, for the Pasig issuance of aIt provisional authority notices and other processes of this Honorable Commission the development, ownership and operation of the Dedicated through itsProject counselby atESEC the address and e-mail indicated Facility to connect to the address transmission line of herein. NGCP, pending the Honorable Commission’s issuance of a final decision on the instant Application. Copies of ESEC’s Certificate of Incorporation and Articles of Incorporation & By-Laws and the latest General Information Sheet ALLEGATIONS are attached hereto as Annexes “A series” andFOR “B”, IN SUPPORT OF THE MOTION respectively. CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT OF INFORMATION
A copy of the Company Profile of PHILCANTECH Enterprises is attached hereto as Annex “N” and made an integral part of this Application.
Moreover, anythe person who has an interest and in the subject matter WITNESS, Honorable Chairperson CEO FRANCIS of the instant caseC.may become a party filing with the Commission SATURNINO JUAN, and theby Commissioners FOR AND BYHonorable AUTHORITY via e-mail at docket@erc.ph, and copy furnishing Legal Service FLORESINDA G. BALDO-DIGAL, MARKOthe ROMEO L. OF THE COMMISSION: through legal@erc.ph, a verified Petition to Intervene at least (5) FUENTES, AMANTE A.is LIBERATO, andblank.) PARIS G. five REAL, (This space intentionally left calendar days prior to the date of the scheduled virtual hearing. The Energy Regulatory Commission, Pasig City. verified Petition to Intervene must follow the requirements under Rule 9 of the ERC Revised Rules of Practice and Procedure, indicating ATTY. MARIA CORAZON C. GINES* therein the docket number and title of the case and state the following: Director III, Legal Service FOR AND BY AUTHORITY OF THEmailing COMMISSION: 1) The petitionerÕs name, address, and e-mail LS: ADGS/ARG address;
3
The estimated cost of the construction of the Dedicated Facility Project is One Hundred Ninety-Four Million Two Hundred Fifty-Two Thousand Eight Hundred Sixty- Five Pesos (Php194,252,865.00).
A copy of the detailed breakdown of the Dedicated Facility Project Cost Estimate is attached hereto and made an integral part hereof as Annex “H”.
through legal@erc.ph, their Opposition or Comment at least five (5) calendar days prior to the scheduled virtual hearing. Rule 9 of the ERC Revised Rules of Practice and Procedure shall govern. No particular form of Opposition or Comment is required, but the ERC CASE NO. 2026-036 MC document, letter, or writing should contain the following: NOTICE OF VIRTUAL HEARING PAGE 2 OF 4 1) The name, mailing address, and e-mail address of such provisional person; authority and/or interim relief and motion for confidential treatment of information. 2) A concise statement of the Opposition or Comment; and
2
A copy of the Project Description is attached hereto as Annex point-to-point limited transmission facilities are required only for “E”Such anddedicated made an integral part of this Application. the purpose of connecting to the Grid which will be used solely by the Generation
5. ESEC secured a Certificate of Endorsement (“COE”) from the Department of Energy on 24 April 2026 stating that the Panitan2 Energy Storage Project is consistent with the Power Development Plan of the government.
Summary proceedings pursuant to Resolution No. 16, Series of 2025. 2 A Resolution Adopting the Guidelines Governing Electronic Filings and Virtual Likewise, all other persons who may wantApplications, their views known to Hearings Before the Energy Regulatory Commission. the Commission with respect to the subject matter of the case may file 3 A Resolution Adopting the Revised Rules of Practice and Procedure of the Energy Regulatory through e-mail at docket@erc.ph, and copy furnish the Legal Service Commission.
1
connected to the Visayas Grid through NGCP’s Corella 69 kV Panit-an-Sapian Transmission Line. The project is located in
(a) Subject to prior authorization from ERC, TRANSCO its Buyer orCapiz. Concessionaire may allow Barangay Timpas, Municipality of or Panitan, a Generation Company to develop, own and/or operate dedicated point-to-point limited transmission facilities; Provided, That:
1
2)
6
Section 5. Dedicated Point-to-Point Limited Transmission Facility of a Generation Company.
2) The nature of petitionerÕs interest in the subject matter of ERC CASE NO. 2026-036 MC the proceeding and the way and manner in which such NOTICE OF VIRTUAL HEARING interest is affected by the issues involved in the proceeding; PAGE 3 OF 4 and 3)
G.R. No. 172835, 13 December 2007.
A generation company may develop and ownOF or operate STATEMENT FACTSdedicated point-to-point limited transmission facilities that are consistent with the TDP: Provided, That such facilities are required only for the purpose of connecting to the transmission system, and are used solely by the generating facility, subjectEnergy to prior authorization by the ERC: xxx 4. The Panitan Storage Project (“PESP”) is proposed to be
Moreover, any person who has an interest in the subject matter of the instant case may become a party by filing with the Commission via e-mail at docket@erc.ph, and copy furnishing the Legal Service through legal@erc.ph, a verified Petition to Intervene at least five (5) calendar days prior to the date of the scheduled virtual hearing. The verified Petition to Intervene must follow the requirements under Rule 9 of the ERC Revised Rules of Practice and Procedure, indicating therein the docket number and title of the case and state the following: 1)
3
Copies of the Secretary’s Certificate authorizing the construction and operation of the Dedicated Facility Project, as 1 Section 9. Functions and Responsibilities. well as the filing of the instant application and appointing the xxx authorized representative/s therefor are attached hereto and made an integral part hereof as Annex “D”. (f) xxx
under the Constitution, statutes, rules and regulations.
19. In the case of Air Philippines Corporation vs. Pennswell, Inc.,3
the Supreme Courtand defined “trade dedicated secrets”point-to-point and explained A generation company may develop own or operate limited as transmissionfollows: facilities that are consistent with the TDP: Provided, That such facilities are required only for the purpose of connecting to the transmission system, and are used solely by the generating facility, subject to prior authorization by the ERC: xxx 2
“A trade secret is defined as a plan or process, tool,
Section 5. Dedicated Point-to-Point Limited Transmission Facility of a Generation Company.and mechanism or compound known only to its owner
those of his employees to whom is necessary to confide (a) Subject to prior authorization from ERC, TRANSCO or its it Buyer or Concessionaire may allow a Generationit.Company to develop, own and/or operate to dedicated point-to-point limited The definition also extends a secret formula or transmission facilities; Provided, That: process not patented, but known only to certain
(i)
3
Suchindividuals dedicated point-to-point transmission facilities are required onlyof for using itlimited in compounding some article the purpose of connecting to the Grid which will be used solely by the Generation Facility, and are not used to serve End-users or Suppliers directly.
G.R. No. 172835, 13 December 2007.
2 6
BUSINESS
B4
FRIDAY, AUGUST 21, 2026 extrastory2000@gmail.com RODERICK T. DELA CRUZ, Editor ALENA MAE S. FLORES, Asst. Editor
System loss VAT to be lifted By Alena Mae S. Flores
T
HE Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) said it will fast-track the removal of value-added tax (VAT) on the system loss charge, with a resolution set for issuance this month, chairman Francis Saturnino Juan said during a Senate hearing. Juan said the ERC plans to hold a public consultation on Aug. 25 and promulgate the resolution on Aug. 26. The rules will take effect 15 days after publication and after the effectivity of the Bureau of Internal Revenue’s (BIR) Revenue Memorandum Circular. The VAT removal would generate around P6 billion in savings for consumers across the industry.
“There is a timing issue which we have already raised with the BIR,” Juan said when asked when the change would be reflected in electricity bills. “Imposing VAT on top of a charge for electricity that was never delivered to consumers is fundamentally at odds with the nature of VAT as a tax on the value of goods and services actually rendered. This proposed Resolution
addresses that and gives consumers the relief they rightly deserve,” he said. Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said an average Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) household that consumed 200 kilowatt-hours in July paid a system loss charge of P0.8751 per kilowatt-hour. “Removing the VAT corresponding to that system-loss charge alone would translate to approximately P21 in potential savings for that household. It may be one component of the electricity bill, but it reflects a larger principle: consumers should not be made to shoulder costs that can and should be addressed through greater efficiency and accountability,” Garin said. Juan said the ERC has proposed a draft resolution declaring the system loss charge a government-mandated pass-
through cost that should not form part of the gross receipts of generation companies, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) or distribution utilities for purposes of the 12 percent VAT under the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended. The draft resolution, once finalized and confirmed by the BIR, would remove the VAT on the system loss charge, delivering direct relief to household and commercial electricity users nationwide. The ERC’s action responds to the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in his State of the Nation Address, which called for lower electricity costs and the elimination of charges that do not reflect actual services rendered to consumers.
Converge ICT opens 2 business centers in Leyte By Darwin G. Amojelar CONVERGE ICT Solutions Inc. said Thursday it has opened two new business centers in Tacloban and Ormoc, expanding its customer service network in Leyte province. The new hubs will bring subscription, technical support and other services closer to customers in the region, the company said. Several customer transactions are accommodated through Converge business centers including bills payment, technical issue reporting, plan upgrades and repair requests. Customers may also visit the hubs for service inquiries and application processing. Converge senior vice-president and consumer business group officer-incharge John Paul Aguilar said the new business centers support the company’s commitment to serve emerging markets with growing demand for reliable, high-speed internet. “As more households, schools, enterprises, and government institutions embrace digital technologies within the region, the presence of dedicated customer touchpoints enables faster service delivery while strengthening customer engagement,” he said. Leyte is the most populous province in Eastern Visayas, with more than 1.82 million residents. Ormoc and Tacloban serve as key growth hubs for commerce, education, government and entrepreneurship in the province. Converge senior vice-president and head of enablement Bryan King Kay said the new centers are expected to help drive digital transformation in the region beyond expanding the company’s customer support network. “These new locations represent not only an expansion of our customer service channels but also a long-term investment in economic growth, digital inclusion, and the future of the entire Eastern Visayas region,” he said.
ECONOMIC MEETING. Finance Secretary Frederick Go leads the Economic Development Committee (EDCom) meeting to
advance coordinated, inter-agency action on measures to strengthen economic stability and sustain growth. Economic managers and agency heads discussed key priorities, including inflation, wages, energy prices, business readiness, investments, industrial development, and priority legislative measures.
DOE welcomes new Batangas LPG terminal THE Department of Energy (DOE) on Thursday welcomed Isla Import Terminals Inc.’s investment in a new liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) import terminal in Batangas City with storage capacity of 25 kilotons of propane, butane and mixed LPG. The facility in Barangay Libjo is designed to receive propane and butane shipments from Very Large Gas Carriers as well as pressurized LPG for distribution nationwide through LPG trucks and inter-island pressurized LPG vessels. Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said the new terminal strengthens the country’s LPG supply chain and improves the reliability of fuel supply for households and businesses nationwide. “For an archipelagic country like the Philippines, energy security depends both on having adequate supply, and on having the infrastructure to receive, store and move that supply efficiently across the country,” Garin said. “This terminal adds significant capacity to our LPG supply chain and strengthens our ability to serve consumers nationwide,” she said. “The additional import and storage capacity here in Batangas strengthens a critical link in the country’s LPG supply chain,” Garin said. Garin also led the inauguration of Isla LPG Corp.’s Leganes Plant in Iloilo. The two facilities strengthen different segments of the LPG supply chain. The Leganes Plant expands storage, cylinder filling and distribution capacity in Western Visayas, while the Batangas terminal provides large-scale import and storage capability to support nationwide distribution. Garin said continued investments across the LPG supply chain strengthen the country’s ability to respond to external shocks, particularly as geopolitical developments and other disruptions can affect international fuel markets, shipping routes and energy product movements. Alena Mae S. Flores
BIR files P2.228-b tax evasion case against offshore gaming firm Hongsheng By Thony Rose Lesaca The Bureau of Internal Revenue said Thursday it filed a P2.228billion tax evasion case against Hongsheng Gaming Technology, Inc. with the Department of Justice, accusing the offshore gaming operator of underdeclaring income and failing to pay correct taxes. The BIR said Hongsheng underdeclared its income, failed to declare the correct value-added tax liabilities for several quarters and failed to withhold and remit final withholding tax for its foreign employees. The bureau said its investigation covered taxable years 2021 to 2023. It found discrepancies between Hongsheng’s declared revenues and information from other government agencies, resulting in deficiency
Robinsons Land’s Tan named CFO of the Year
ROBINSONS Land Corp. chief financial, risk and compliance officer Kerwin Max Tan was named CFO of the Year at the 25th Global Edition of the Asia Business Leader of the Year Awards in Singapore. CMO Asia presented the award, which recognizes finance leaders for their contributions to sustainable growth, governance, innovation and business value. Tan has led RLC’s finance, risk management, compliance and capital market initiatives since 2016. During his tenure, the property developer completed several major funding and capital market transactions to support its expansion while maintaining financial flexibility. These included a P13.2-billion bond issuance in 2020 during the pandemic and the 2021 listing of RL Commercial REIT Inc., which raised about P23.5 billion in its initial public offering. RLC also raised P15 billion through a bond issue in 2022, which attracted about P120 billion in bids, followed by another P15-billion bond issuance in 2023. In 2024, the company completed an overnight block placement of RCR shares worth about P8.5 billion. These transactions have helped fund RLC’s growth and reflect continued investor confidence in the company, the property firm said. Jenniffer B. Austria
Mitsubishi launches plug-in hybrid in PH
MITSUBISHI Motors Philippines Corp. (MMPC) on Thursday launched its All-New Outlander plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), its first PHEV in the Philippines and its new flagship SUV. The Outlander PHEV combines electric and gasoline power, giving motorists an option for electrified mobility without depending solely on charging stations, the company said. The SUV will be available through authorized Mitsubishi Motors dealerships nationwide starting August 20, 2026. “The All-New Outlander PHEV is MMPC’s new SUV flagship model. It will be available through authorized Mitsubishi Motors
income tax, VAT and final withholding tax liabilities totaling P2,227,759,311.21. BIR Commissioner Charlito Martin Mendoza said the bureau will continue to protect compliant taxpayers from deliberate tax evasion. “Honest taxpayers deserve a level playing field. No business should be able to operate in the Philippines, earn income here, and evade the taxes required by law. The BIR will pursue these cases wherever the evidence leads us,” Mendoza said. The case forms part of the BIR’s continuing Run After Tax Evaders program, under which the bureau is strengthening enforcement against tax evasion and other schemes that erode the revenue base and disadvantage compliant taxpayers.
Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) personnel file a P2.228-billion tax evasion case against offshore gaming operator Hongsheng Gaming Technology with the Department of Justice over underdeclared income and unpaid VAT and withholding taxes for 2021-2023.
IN BRIEF dealerships nationwide starting Aug. 20, 2026. We invite you to visit our dealerships to experience our latest electrified flagship SUV and discover The Power of Both Worlds,” MMPC president and chief executive Ritsu Imaeda said. A 2.4-liter gasoline engine paired with front and rear electric motors powers the Outlander PHEV, producing a combined 306 PS and 450 Newton-meters of torque. The vehicle offers an electric-only range of up to 100 kilometers and a total driving range of nearly 1,000 kilometers. The plug-in hybrid system lets the vehicle switch between electric and gasoline power depending on driving conditions, MMPC said. It can also run as a hybrid when charging facilities are unavailable. Othel V. Campos
Oona Insurance logs P1.46-b net premiums OONA Insurance Philippines said Thursday its net written premiums (NWP) doubled to P1.46 billion in the first half of 2026 from P727.4 million a year ago as it swung to profitability and expanded its market position. Gross written premiums (GWP) rose 80 percent to P1.69 billion from P938.3 million in the same period last year, the company said. Oona Insurance Philippines posted a net income of P40.5 million in the first half, reversing a P38.5-million loss in the first half of 2025. Less than four years after entering the Philippine market, Oona said it has broken into the country’s top 10 non-life insurers by NWP, underscoring its rapid growth and expanding market position. Oona founder and group chief executive Abhishek Bhatia said the company has transformed its operations over the past four years. “Over the past four years, we’ve modernised technology, strengthened underwriting, expanded distribution and reshaped the business,” Bhatia said. Othel V. Campos
Real estate sector sees untapped potential in wellness property trend REAL estate professionals remain largely unfamiliar with wellness real estate, one of the fastest-growing segments of the global wellness economy, industry observers said during a recent conference in Metro Manila. The RGS Real Estate Conference gathered nearly 200 of Metro Manila’s top-performing brokers and heads of several international realty companies to discuss emerging trends in the property sector. During a presentation on the category, real estate industry veteran Alejandro Mañalac asked participants how many had previously heard of wellness real estate. Only a small number raised their hands, underscoring the low awareness of the sector in the local property market. The category has expanded rapidly worldwide even as local awareness lags. The Global Wellness Institute said the global wellness real estate market reached about $876 billion in 2025 and is projected to nearly double to $1.8 trillion by 2030. Asia-Pacific has emerged as the largest regional
market for the sector. Havitas Developments chairman and co-founder Alejandro Mañalac told brokers that the concept should not be confused with simply adding wellness-themed amenities such as gyms, spas, meditation rooms or yoga decks to residential developments. Wellness real estate instead considers how homes, buildings and communities can be intentionally planned, designed and operated to support the overall wellbeing of residents. Considerations under the category include access to nature, air and water quality, natural light, opportunities for physical activity, restorative spaces, social interaction, family relationships, financial wellbeing and stronger connections to the surrounding community. The trend reflects a broader shift in how consumers evaluate property. Traditional real estate decisions have largely centered on location, price, size and investment potential. Wellness-oriented developments introduce another factor: how living spaces affect the quality of residents’ lives.
TRANSPORT
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FRIDAY, AUGUST 21, 2026
extrastory2000@gmail.com Darwin G. Amojelar, Issue Editor
MARINA to Aleson Shipping: Safety is non-negotiable THE Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) has reminded Aleson Shipping Lines, Inc. (ASLI) that safety remains non-negotiable as M/V Antonia 2 returns to service following the implementation and verification of corrective measures. MARINA Administrator Sonia Malaluan said the vessel’s resumption of operations does not mean the shipping company can ease its safety standards. “The return to service of M/V Antonia 2 is not a license to relax. Safety must be demonstrated, sustained, and observed in every voyage,” Malaluan said. “We will not allow economic pressure to dictate a lower safety standard. Our responsibility is to protect lives, and that responsibility is nonnegotiable,” she added. The vessel’s return comes amid continued disruptions in shipping services caused by the prolonged unavailability of a significant number of operating vessels in the region. The reduced capacity has affected the movement of passengers, cargo, and essential commodities. MARINA said the shortage of shipping capacity has also affected the availability and prices of goods, with some commodities reportedly seeing substantial increases, in some cases doubling in price, while certain areas have experienced little or no supply. The Aleson fleet had been suspended by MARINA for nearly six months, marking the first such suspension of an entire shipping fleet in the country’s maritime history. M/V Antonia 2 is currently the only vessel operating among ASLI’s 34-vessel fleet serving eight routes in the region. MARINA said it is continuing to assess ASLI’s vessels individually under a compliancebased approach. Each vessel must implement, document, and undergo verification of required corrective measures before being allowed to resume operations. The agency also stressed that safety measures must be sustained at all times. Inspections and verification activities will continue to ensure that corrective actions are not merely documented but are effectively implemented and maintained. MARINA acknowledged the need to restore shipping capacity and reduce the impact of limited maritime services on passengers, businesses, and the movement of commodities. However, the agency stressed that restoring services must not come at the expense of passenger and crew safety.
Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) bound for Türkiye will save significantly on travel costs once the special airfare discount pushed by Transportation Secretary Banoy Lopez is implemented. The Secretary proposed this during the successful Philippines-Türkiye Air Consultation Talks held on August 13 in Istanbul, Türkiye.
O
OFWs may get airfare discounts to Türkiye
VERSEAS Filipino workers (OFWs) traveling through Türkiye may soon enjoy special airfare discounts under an expanded air services agreement between the Philippines and Türkiye.
Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez raised the proposal during the PhilippinesTürkiye Air Consultation Talks held in Istanbul recently, seeking special discounted fares for OFWs who use Istanbul as a transit hub on their way to jobs in Europe, the Middle East and other destinations. The proposal is part of the government’s efforts to ensure that increased flight capacity translates into more affordable and accessible air travel for Filipinos. “Increasing flight frequencies should not merely result in more flights; it should also make travel more accessible and affordable for our fellow Filipinos—especially our OFWs, who make daily sacrifices to support their families and our economy,” Lopez said.
“Any savings they realize on airfare is essentially additional income they can send to their families back home,” he said. Under the expanded air services agreement, flights between Manila and Istanbul will increase from seven to 14 per week, effectively doubling the current capacity. The route will move from one daily flight to two flights daily in each direction. The agreement will also allow unlimited flight frequencies for secondary gateways, including Cebu, Davao and Clark. For OFWs, the additional flights could provide greater flexibility when traveling to and from their overseas workplaces, particularly those who rely on Istanbul for connections to Europe and the Middle East. The Philippine government said the expanded capacity could also increase competition among airlines, potentially helping bring down airfares for travelers bound for Türkiye and connecting destinations. Istanbul is a major international aviation hub, making the city an important transit point for Filipinos traveling onward to various destinations in Europe, the Middle East and other parts of the world. Lopez said the proposed OFW fare discounts would ensure that the benefits of the expanded
air services agreement extend directly to Filipino workers. The proposal also supports President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to expand the Philippines’ air service agreements with international partners and make air travel more accessible and competitive. The Philippines and Türkiye signed a memorandum of understanding following the consultations to strengthen bilateral aviation ties. The agreement is expected to create more travel options and flexible connections while supporting tourism, trade, business and peopleto-people exchanges between the two countries. Lopez said the Philippines wants international aviation agreements to deliver tangible benefits to ordinary Filipinos. The Philippine delegation to the talks included officials from the Department of Transportation, Civil Aeronautics Board, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, Department of Tourism, Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Labor and Employment, the Philippine Embassy in Ankara and Philippine Airlines. The Turkish delegation included representatives from its Air Transport Department, civil aviation authority, Turkish Airlines and iGA Istanbul Airport. Darwin G. Amojelar
Grab, Davao City partner to bring women farmers’ produce online From left: NLEX operations and maintenance management head Denn Charly G. Española; NLEX president and general manager Luis S. Reñon; Marilao Mayor Jemina M. Sy, and Vice Mayor Ariel P. Amador sign a memorandum of agreement (MOA) establishing the municipality’s Animal Shelter and Care Facility as the turnover site for strays rescued along NLEX.
NLEX, Marilao LGU partner to rescue stray animals along expressway
NLEX Corporation has partnered with the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Marilao and the municipality’s Animal Shelter and Care Facility (ASCF) to promote the humane rescue, care, and management of stray animals found along the expressway corridor. The partnership agreement was signed by NLEX President and General Manager Luis S. Reñon and Marilao Mayor Jemina M. Sy. Reñon said the initiative supports NLEX’s broader road safety advocacy by addressing the risks posed by stray animals to motorists while ensuring their welfare. “This partnership forms a vital part of our overarching advocacy for road safety,” Reñon said. “Through the NLEX I Care for Strays program, we reaffirm our commitment to protecting both motorists and animals,” he added
Villar land donation boosts LRT-1 Cavite Extension
Under the agreement, NLEX has established the NLEX Animal Rescue Team (ART), a specialized unit responsible for responding to reports of stray animals along the expressway. ART members underwent comprehensive training conducted by the ASCF on proper and humane animal handling and rescue techniques. They were also provided with necessary vaccinations as an added precaution against health risks associated with handling stray animals. “We are deeply grateful to NLEX for this initiative,” Sy said. “This marks the first time an LGU and NLEX have collaborated to achieve two vital goals: keeping our motorists safe from the hazards posed by stray animals on high-speed roads and also ensuring the welfare of the animals themselves,” she added. As part of its support for the shelter,
THE Villar family’s donation of land to the Department of Transportation (DOTr) will help maximize the benefits of the Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1) Cavite Extension, according to Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC) Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan. Pangilinan said improved transport connectivity could help bridge the gap between residential communities in the outskirts of the capital and employment opportunities concentrated in Metro Manila. “I think it will help out the population in the outlying areas if you have good public transportation because the jobs are here in Manila, right?” Pangilinan said. He said better connectivity would allow people living farther from major employ-
NLEX has pledged to provide monthly donations of animal feed and assist in monitoring the health and welfare of rescued animals. Launched in 2024, the NLEX I Care for Strays program is part of Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation’s (MPTC) broader Mission Road Safety Campaign. Its initial phase focused on promoting responsible pet ownership in host communities through educational seminars, free anti-rabies vaccinations, deworming, and spayand-neuter services. As the program moves into its next phase, NLEX is also implementing engineering and community-based measures to prevent animals from entering the highway. These include intensified daily inspections of perimeter fences, reinforcement of drainage culverts, and partnerships with neighboring barangays to promote responsible pet ownership.
ment centers to access jobs without having to shoulder the higher costs associated with living closer to their workplaces. “When you live close to the jobs, you save on expenses. But you need to have good public transportation,” Pangilinan said. MPIC, holds a significant stake in Light Rail Manila Corp., which operates LRT-1. The Villar family’s land donation to the DOTr is intended to support infrastructure for the LRT-1 Cavite Extension, which will further expand rail connectivity south of Metro Manila. Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez earlier said representatives of the Villar Group of Companies had agreed to
GRAB Philippines, the Rural Improvement Club (RIC) Davao City Federation Inc., and the Davao City Government have teamed up to help women farmer-entrepreneurs expand their market reach through on-demand grocery delivery. The partnership, implemented through the City Agriculturist’s Office (CAgrO) with support from the Sangguniang Panlungsod Committee on Cooperative Development and People’s Participation, will make produce from participating RIC farmers available through an offline store at Agdao Public Market and on GrabMart through a dedicated digital storefront called RIC Daily Fresh. The initiative will allow Davao households to purchase locally grown produce directly from farming communities while giving women farm-
ers an additional platform to promote their products, respond to consumer demand, and generate income. RIC is a women-led federation engaged in farming, livelihood development, and community crafts. The partnership seeks to address challenges commonly faced by small farming communities, including limited market visibility, fragmented selling channels, and difficulty connecting directly with consumers. As part of the initiative, Grab Asenso: Digital Diskarte, Grab’s technology and artificial intelligence enablement program for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), will provide RIC members with practical training in product presentation, digital marketing, order management, customer engagement, and online marketplace operations.
Grab Philippines vice president for Cities RJ Cabaluna (third from left) leads the MOA signing with RIC-Davao president Josie Osorio (center), witnessed and supported by representatives from the Davao City Council, City Agriculturist’s Office, and Davao City Economic Enterprises.
the DOTr’s three non-negotiable terms for the land donation: the granting of an unconditional permit to enter, the waiver of subrogation against the government, and the cancellation of the mortgage on the properties to be donated. Six parcels of land are set to be donated by the Villar Group, two of which are currently mortgaged. The Villar Group said the cancellation of the mortgages on the affected properties will be processed within the next six months. It also said replacement properties for the two mortgaged parcels have already been identified to facilitate the release of the land for donation. The company expressed confidence that the
necessary agreements for the land donation— including the Memorandum of Agreement, Right-of-Way Acquisition Agreement and Deed of Donation—will be signed within the month, paving the way for construction work to begin as early as next year. The Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) has previously committed to completing the entire LRT-1 Cavite Extension before the end of the Marcos administration’s term in 2028. Phase 1 of the extension connects Baclaran Station in Pasay City to Dr. Santos Station in Parañaque City through five operational stations: Redemptorist-Aseana, MIA Road, PITX, Ninoy Aquino Avenue and Dr. Santos.
SHOWBIZ
C2 FRIDAY, AUGUST 21, 2026
lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com NICKIE WANG, Editor ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer JASPER VALDEZ, Writer
WilBea proves love teams
work better with room to breathe Very Wang
Bea Binene enters her first horror-comedy in the local retelling of the Thai blockbuster
Nickie Wang
Wilbert Ross takes on Mak in ‘Pee Mak,’ a role that places him in a mix of horror, comedy, romance, and folklore
W
HAT makes a love team click? Sometimes it is chemistry. Sometimes it is timing. And sometimes, rather surprisingly, it is knowing when not to stick together. ‘Pee Mak’ gives Wilbert Ross and Bea Binene a new test of chemistry after starring in several streaming series together
Director Victor Villanueva (third from left) with the cast of the Thai hit’s Filipino adaptation
Shakira festival, Christina Aguilera concert canceled in Abu Dhabi ENTERTAINMENT organizers have announced the cancellation of a UAE concert by U.S. singer Christina Aguilera and a festival featuring Shakira in Abu Dhabi, amid the ongoing Middle East war. Iran has pressed attacks on Emirati ships in recent weeks, after a ceasefire fell apart last month. The United Arab Emirates on Tuesday said it is suspending all trade and financial dealings
That may explain why Wilbert Ross and Bea Binene work so well as WilBea. The pair headline the upcoming Filipino adaptation of the Thai horror-comedy-romance Pee Mak, marking their first full-length movie together. They previously worked together in Viva One’s Golden Scenery of Tomorrow and Love U Lots, although Bea said they only shared one or two scenes in their first project before officially becoming a love team. In Pee Mak PH, Wilbert plays Mak, with Bea as his wife. The film is directed by Victor Villanueva and produced by Viva Films. According to Wilbert, their chemistry comes from giving each other room to exist outside the love-team bubble.
with Iran after reporting an Iranian missile attack directed at its ships. Against this backdrop, organizers of the Offlimits music festival, scheduled for November with Shakira as the headline act, announced Tuesday that the festival was canceled, vowing to refund tickets. “We look forward to bringing the OFFLIMITS community together again in 2027,” a message on the festival website read, without stating the reason behind the cancellation. Separately, ticket sales website Ticketmaster said Christina Aguilera’s scheduled Sept. 25 concert had also been canceled, without providing a new date, Emirati media reported. Both the Offlimits festival and the Aguilera concert had been scheduled for April before being postponed. Gulf countries, including the UAE, long seen as a haven of security in a turbulent region, have been struggling to recover from the impact of repeated Iranian strikes. Tourism and cultural activities have taken a hit, even as the scale and intensity of Iranian attacks on the UAE have declined. AFP
Christina Aguilera (right) and Shakira’s Abu Dhabi appearances are no longer happening after both of their concerts were called off
“I think what makes us work is that we don’t force anything,” he said. Wilbert and Bea maintain their own projects and interests. He has music, comics, and books, while Bea has pursuits of her own. “It’s not like we have to be together in every project or appear together every time just so the fans can see us together,” Wilbert said. “We have the freedom to be ourselves as human beings. Maybe that’s why there’s still a certain spark whenever we’re together.” Bea agrees that their latest project feels different. “This is actually our first time doing a full movie together,” she said. “We’ve already done different kinds of projects, glamorous roles, colorful projects, and comedy, but this is our first time doing a horror-comedy together.” Wilbert was also the one who proposed a project like Pee Mak PH, which combines horror and comedy without sticking neatly to either genre. The film is based on Pee Mak, Banjong Pisanthanakun’s 2013 Thai blockbuster starring Mario Maurer and Davika Hoorne. The original draws from the Thai folklore legend of Mae Nak Phra Khanong. Villanueva said the challenge was to retain the iconic elements of the original while giving the adaptation a distinctly Filipino identity. The filmmakers researched old paintings, customs, and traditions, including works by Marcelo, for inspiration. They also incorporated Filipino folklore and other local elements to give the story a stronger Filipino folk flavor. One challenge was finding a Filipino equivalent to the black-face tradition featured in the Thai version. Since there was no direct local counterpart, the team looked for an element that could serve a similar purpose while remaining culturally Filipino. The director also played with the unusual tone of the original, which is not a strict period piece and blends horror with unexpected humor. “I thought, ‘Shit, maybe there will be more funny moments than horror,’” Villanueva said, while stressing that the familiar horror tropes and expectations remain part of the film. That mix of romance, comedy, and horror gives WilBea a different playground. They have the freedom to be separate people offscreen, but on-screen, they now get to test that elusive spark in a full movie. Joining Wilbert and Bea in the cast are Vandolph, Jairus Aquino, TJ Valderama, and Gian Bernardino.
Prince Harry, Meghan Markle heading back to Britain was informed Sunday of the couple’s plans. The monarch “welcomes the opportunity to see more of the family in a personal capacity,” but there will be no change in their status as non-working royals. Harry has previously said he did not feel safe bringing his family to Britain after losing a court battle over governmentfunded police protection. The news follows the couple’s short UK visit with their children in July, when Harry privately met with Charles. Harry has said Prince Harry (left) and Meghan Markle are reportedly preparing to settle outside London while remaining non-working members of the royal family he wanted to reconcile with his father, who is undergoing cancer treatment. SIX years after stepping down as working It was unclear whether Harry’s older brother, royals, Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Prince William, and his wife, Catherine, had Markle are moving back to the United been informed. The brothers have become Kingdom within weeks, British media reported estranged and reportedly no longer speak. late Wednesday. Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams Harry, the youngest son of King Charles called the return “an extraordinary III, and Meghan “plan to leave the United development,” suggesting the couple had States by the end of the month to settle in a failed to establish themselves as Hollywood private, non-royal residence” outside London, A-listers. The Telegraph reported. The couple signed a reported $100 million Several UK outlets, including the BBC, Netflix deal in 2020, though their latest reported that their two children, Prince agreement, signed in August 2025, was a Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5, had already looser “multi-year, first look deal.” been enrolled in a British school for the start The Sun reported that Harry and Meghan of the school year in September. would keep their Montecito home and a house The couple has reportedly chosen a new in Portugal. house, but it will not be one of the royal Their return also comes as Diana’s brother, residences. Charles Spencer, prepares to publish Swan Harry and Meghan have lived in California Song: Diana, My Sister on Sept. 22, ahead of since stepping down in 2020 amid a bitter feud the 30th anniversary of the princess’ death. with his family, which worsened after Harry Spencer said he wrote the book after years published his tell-all memoir, Spare, and the of requests for interviews about Diana and couple gave a no-holds-barred interview to to correct opinions he believes were “based Oprah Winfrey. on untruths that have become accepted over The Press Association said Charles, 77, time.” AFP
C3
LIFE & SHOWBIZ
FRIDAY, AUGUST 21, 2026
Edu Manzano brings his showbiz experience to a role that turns the spotlight on the people keeping artists’ careers on track
Kadayawan keeps Davao connected through culture and community
From left: Judy Ann Santos, RK Bagatsing, and Edu Manzano lead the fictional agency at the center of the series’ look at fame, work, and backstage crises
Edu Manzano (rightmost) takes on Matthew Buenaventura, a manager who balances artists’ demands with the business side of production
Inside the chaotic world behind every showbiz star By Jasper Valdez
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EHIND every glamorous star is a manager juggling egos, deadlines, tantrums, and the occasional career crisis. Call My Manager pulls back the curtain on that chaotic side of show business, and for Edu Manzano, it is a world audiences rarely get to see. The veteran actor believes Call My Manager, HBO Max’s Filipino adaptation of the French series Dix Pour Cent or Call My Agent!, offers viewers a closer look at the work, pressure, and personalities involved in keeping show business running. “It’s just that the audience has always seen the glamour. You know, ‘God, what an easy job you have.’ They don’t see the intricacies that go with being the artist and what the managers have to go through to make us worthy of the producer’s time,” Manzano told Manila Standard Entertainment during an intimate press junket. Manzano plays Matthew Buenaventura, one of the talent managers at the fictional Shine Artist Management (S.A.M.). Along with Judy Ann Santos’ Andrea Manuel and RK Bagatsing’s Gabriel Soler, his character deals with stars whose careers and personal problems often become part of the job. Manzano explains that the series also shows a side of acting that can get lost behind discussions about
the craft. “We who truly care for our craft, we try to consider we’re artists—or, sorry, let’s take it a step further, we’re artistes,” he said, before poking fun at the demands actors sometimes make. “‘Give me time to prepare for my moment.’ You know, an actor’s cue. ‘I don’t want to wear that outfit. It’s going to give me a different persona.’ But then it’s showbiz. There’s a show, and there’s biz.” That “biz,” he said, also requires managers to keep their talents grounded when their behavior begins affecting a production. “I think what’s important here also is that we see the dark side, when the managers have to bring you down to earth: ‘This is a business. We don’t need your tantrums. The producer could use less of you coming to work late, less of you not doing your lines.’” Manzano said the series gives viewers a better sense of how much goes into the work beyond appearing before a camera. “There’s a great appreciation of how complex it is. It’s not just going in front of a camera and saying a few
lines. There’s that business aspect where you have to understand the plight of the producer—to be able to make a profit.” Santos, meanwhile, said managers in the Philippines often become closely involved in their talents’ lives, adding another layer to the work portrayed in the series. “Regardless of whether you’re related or not, once you’re part of the team, you’re part of the team. You’re family. That’s automatic,” she said. Raf Pineda, who plays road manager Chin Joaquin, shared a similar view. “I think in the series, people will actually see that the manager’s job is more than just coordinating and getting their talents jobs,” Pineda said. While Call My Manager deals with the less visible pressures of entertainment, Manzano still found room to joke about what the role did not require of him. “I’m just grateful na hindi ako pinagawa ng frontal nudity—not like all my films, which is at least one or two scenes. For once in my life, I feel wholesome again.”
The Filipino cast of ‘Call My Manager’ with director Erik Matti (second from right) as the series brings viewers into the pressure-filled work of talent management
KADAYAWAN has always been a celebration of what brings Davao together: its people, cultures, traditions, and communities. This year, under the theme “We Are One, KadayaONE!,” families and friends once again come together to celebrate the shared experiences and connections that make Davao home. As festivities unfold across the city, connectivity has become part of how Davaoeños experience and share Kadayawan, from coordinating with family and friends and keeping up with festival activities to capturing memorable moments and sharing them with loved ones beyond Davao. Joining the monthlong celebration, PLDT Home is bringing its Kadayawan activities closer to communities across the city, giving more Davaoeño families opportunities to take part in the festivities and enjoy more ways to connect at home. “Kadayawan celebrates the unique heritage, traditions, and community spirit that make Davao special. It is also a reminder of how meaningful connections bring families and communities closer together,” said John Y. Palanca, senior vice president and head of PLDT Consumer Business – Home.
connectivity beyond the home. Davaoeño households can also take advantage of PLDT Home’s Fiber Sale from Aug. 15 to 25, which offers P3,600 in savings through free installation and activation on Fiber postpaid plans. Customers switching from another internet provider can also avail themselves of the Switch Offer for Fiber Plans 1299 and up. Qualified switchers who present a statement of account from their previous provider can get 50 percent off their monthly service fee for the first six months, along with free installation and activation. “As the digital needs of Filipino households continue to grow, we want to make quality home connectivity more accessible and provide customers with greater value and flexibility,” said Patrick S. Tang, first vice president for PLDT Home Acquisition Marketing. “Through our Fiber Sale and Switch Offer this Kadayawan, we are giving Davaoeño families more options to choose a plan that fits their household and makes it easier for those looking to make the switch.” PLDT Home is also taking the celebration to communities across Davao City.
Davao’s KadayaONE festivities bring families and communities together through street performances, festival activities, and shared citywide celebrations
“At PLDT Home, we are proud to support Davaoeños by keeping them seamlessly connected, not only during festive milestones but every day for work, learning, entertainment, and family life.” PLDT Home is also using the festival season to introduce its Fiber Unli All Plan 1499, which bundles connectivity and entertainment services into one monthly plan. For P1,499 a month, subscribers get fiber speeds of up to 200 Mbps, 63 Cignal channels, an HBO Max Standard subscription, unlimited landline-to-landline calls and landline-to-mobile calls to five nominated Smart or TNT numbers, plus 9 GB of Smart mobile data every month. The 9GB monthly mobile data allocation can be shared with up to three nominated Smart or TNT numbers, extending the plan’s
On Aug. 15, a citywide PLDT Home motorcade brought the festivities to the streets, featuring drumbeaters, dancers, festival hosts, games, and other activities as it made its way through communities. Festival-goers can also visit PLDT Home booths and satellite activations at locations including Magsaysay Park and Rizal Park, where games, treats, entertainment experiences, and special premiums for new subscribers await. The activities give families a chance to join the Kadayawan festivities while learning more about PLDT Home’s latest plans and offers. As Davao comes together for “KadayaONE,” PLDT Home is joining the celebration by focusing on the connections that make the festival meaningful, from families spending time together to loved ones sharing the experience from afar.
Pageant Concept Eton Concepcion
Triple wins for Philippines in international pageants for married women MRS. Philippines International’s queens took the limelight at the recent Mrs. Grand International coronation finale by capturing a rare triple win, held in Yangon, Myanmar. Amy Amor was named the first Mrs. Intercontinental 2026, Leona Luisa Andersen took the title Mrs. Cosmo World 2026, and Jonnabeth Velante was crowned Mrs. Grand International 2026, an incredible moment of pride and celebration for the country, proving once again the strength, beauty, grace, and determination of Filipina married women. Amy Peria Amor, a 42-year-old native of Canlubang, Calamba City, Laguna, and the reigning Elite Mrs. Laguna Philippines 2026, became the first-ever Mrs. Intercontinental winner. She also won Best in Evening Gown and the Best Impression special awards. Amor strongly advocates for Persons with Disabilities (PWD) Awareness and Inclusion, a platform close to her heart, as she
Leona Luisa Andersen adds another international crown for the Philippines after winning Mrs. Cosmo World
Jonnabeth Velante pairs her mental health advocacy with multiple special awards on the way to the Mrs. Grand International crown
believes that every individual deserves equal opportunities, respect, acceptance, and empowerment regardless of their abilities. Through this platform, she continues to champion inclusivity, inspire communities, and promote greater awareness of the rights and potential of persons with disabilities. Velante, a 33-year-old mother of three from San Jose, Occidental Mindoro, also won the Best in National Costume, Evening Gown, Talent, and Impression special awards. An entrepreneur, she advocates for Mental Health Awareness,
Amy Amor carries her PWD inclusion advocacy to Yangon, Myanmar, where she becomes the first Mrs. Intercontinental titleholder
focusing specifically on helping individuals overcome anxiety and depression. Andersen, a 28-year-old restaurateur, was the former Mrs. Philippines International 2021 and was named first runner-up in ABS-CBN’s It’s Showtime “Reinanay Ng Tahanan” segment. Amor, Velante, and Andersen were joined in the Myanmar competition by Mrs. Philippines International Organization, a premier national beauty pageant for married women, led by its National Director Maan Cueto Aris.
LIFE
C4
FRIDAY, AUGUST 21, 2026
lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com NICKIE WANG, Editor ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer JASPER VALDEZ, Writer
Raco rings the bell S
New industry awards recognize creativity with measurable impact By Angelica Villanueva CREATIVITY and effectiveness have often been judged on separate terms. The inaugural adobo Creative Awards aims to bring the two together, recognizing work that pairs strong ideas with measurable impact across Asia’s advertising, marketing, design, and communications industries. The awards officially opened on Aug. 17, with entries welcomed from across Asia’s advertising, marketing, design, and communications sectors. “We believe that creativity and effectiveness are fundamentally inseparable. Truly effective work requires creativity, and meaningful creativity must prove its effectiveness,” said Angel Guerrero, founder, president, and editorin-chief of adobo Magazine and chairman of the awards. Guerrero said the program will assess the quality of an idea, its execution, and the impact it produces.
The regional competition aims to spotlight ideas that prove their strength through execution, strategy, and measurable results
Entries are open to participants from Southeast Asia, East Asia, South Asia, West Asia, and Central Asia. Eligible entrants include agencies, brands, in-house teams, production companies, platforms, independent creatives, filmmakers, photographers, designers, content creators, startups, nonprofit organizations, cultural institutions, and advocacy groups. Submitted work must have been launched or implemented between Jan. 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026, and must be entered in the form in which it was originally released. The competition is divided into seven groups: Excellence in Classic, Craft, Design, Digital & Social, Experience Marketing, Effectiveness & Strategy, and Purpose & Impact. Awards director Joe Dy helped develop the judging philosophy, category framework, and evaluation process. Dy, a Philippine Creative Guild Hall of Fame inductee, has more than 25 years of industry experience. The jury includes creative and marketing executives from companies and agencies across Asia, among them Dentsu Tokyo, VML Bangkok, Omnicom Advertising Asia, McDonald’s Philippines, BBDO Guerrero, Nestlé Philippines, Ogilvy, GIGIL, and Publicis JimenezBasic. More jury presidents and members will be announced. Regular submissions will remain open until Oct. 25, with winners scheduled to be recognized on Jan. 29, 2027. Entry fees are $165 for individual entries and $200 for campaign entries. British-Filipino graphic designer Melvin Galapon designed the awards trophy, using ascending geometric forms to represent the development of an idea from insight through execution and measurable impact.
Raco Ruiz takes a look back at his journey as a content creator, revisiting personal goals that have since shaped his growing online presence
Random Talk
Raco Ruiz finds that several private goals, from a solo exhibit to a podcast, have already moved into real life
OME dreams begin as something we barely dare to say out loud. We write them in the back of a notebook, tuck them away somewhere private, and move on with our lives. Then, years later, we may look back and realize that some of those things we once thought were impossible have quietly become our reality.
Kate Adajar
written some of his dreams down long before those awards came along. In a planner from 2022, Raco had listed seven goals: to live in his own place, mount a solo exhibit, reach 100,000 followers on TikTok and 10,000 on Instagram, become a Graphika Manila speaker, become financially independent, host a podcast, and adopt Podcasting adds another stop to Raco Ruiz’s creative path as his work a Dalmatian or beagle. He moves to bigger platforms had completely forgotten about the list. It was his following whatever random idea came to mind, dog who unexpectedly from university parodies to mall skits. brought the planner back into his life. Another goal was becoming a Graphika What is interesting is that he brought all the Manila speaker. items to life! Raco shared the discovery on “Speaking at @graphikamanila felt so Instagram, explaining why he had kept those unrealistic that I thought it would happen long goals mostly to himself. after 2027, if ever,” Raco said. “I had this weird belief that if I broadcasted He kept making art and building his portfolio them, they’d stop feeling like dreams and start until his best friend introduced him to the feeling like obligations. Then there would be organizers. He did not miss his chance. “I this pressure to get it all done,” Raco said. mentioned I’d love to speak someday, and “I just followed my heart, trusted my somehow, ‘someday’ came much sooner than I instincts, and somehow, everything worked expected,” the goal-getter shared. out,” Raco said. The written goal may have given his attention Because Raco did not simply write those a direction, but Raco still had to make the goals down and wait for them to happen. He videos, create the art, build relationships, take kept creating, uploading videos, making art, opportunities, and continue creating without building his portfolio, and following ideas that knowing where any of it would lead. The interested him, even when they did planner captured the dreams. His actions built not necessarily look like steps the path toward them. toward some grand career plan. That is also what makes the idea behind Write One goal was to reach 100,000 It Down, Make It Happen so meaningful to me. followers on TikTok and 10,000 Writing something down is not the finish line. It is on Instagram. At the time, Raco a way of saying, “This matters to me.” What comes thought hitting those numbers after (the effort, repetition, experimentation, and would finally allow him to call persistence) is what truly matters. himself a content creator. The award-winning creator has since arrived “Looking back, that might at a more relaxed view of goals. “Your goals have been a bit naive of me. don’t have to be public, and they don’t have to Creating content is what makes be huge. They just have to mean something to you a creator, not the numbers you,” he shared. on your profile. Those are just a Raco wrote things down in 2022. Then he bonus,” Raco said. And it was went back to creating. He made the videos. He not some perfectly calculated made the art. He built the portfolio. He kept content strategy that helped putting in the work. He kept showing up. him reach those milestones. It And years later, he found out that some of was SpongeBob videos. those dreams had already come true. It wasn’t Raco remembered uploading magic. Raco had himself to thank in the end. those videos and eventually Because he wrote things down and made them passing the follower-count Campus jokes, mall skits, and everyday Filipino humor help Raco happen. checkpoints. From there, he kept Ruiz build an online following that cuts across age groups
I have always been fascinated by that process, partly because of my own experience with writing down dreams and goals. One book I got more than a decade ago deeply influenced the way I think about it: Dr. Henriette Ann Klauser’s Write It Down, Make It Happen, which explores the power of putting our aspirations into words and on paper. It is not based on woo-woo but on science. There is a psychological explanation for why this practice can be useful. The brain’s reticular activating system, or RAS, helps direct our attention toward what we consider important. Writing a goal down does not magically make it happen, but it can help us notice possibilities connected to it. That difference matters in Raco’s story. Filipino content creator Raco Ruiz is a wonderful example of what can happen when a written dream is followed by years of simply continuing to create. I know of Raco as the creator who gets Gen Z, millennials, and even boomers laughing at the same things. He can make local malls and rival universities talk and present everyday Filipino experiences into jokes that feel instantly familiar and on point. He has also built an impressive track record. In July, Raco won Silver for Best Campaign by a Micro Influencer at the 2026 Hashtag Asia Awards for Burger King’s “The Big 4 Students Try The Whopper.” It marked his third consecutive Hashtag Asia recognition, following wins in 2024 and 2025 for campaigns with McDonald’s and HP Philippines. But what makes Raco’s story especially interesting is that he had
Filipino table staple makes American debut AFTER expanding into Kenya, Azerbaijan, and Jordan, Mega Prime Foods is setting its sights on an even bigger market: the United States. Mega Sardines is expanding its U.S. presence, rolling out across about 2,750 stores under Kroger and its affiliated banners, including Mariano’s, Fry’s, Dillons, and Pick ’n Save. Products are beginning to appear on shelves, with nationwide availability targeted by midSeptember. Kroger is Mega’s lead U.S. retail partner and, so far, the only major U.S. retailer to carry the Filipino brand. The rollout comes with one challenge: explaining Mega’s packaging to American consumers. The brand plans to launch a one-minute U.S. advertisement in September explaining the packaging and product, supported by influencers and other marketing activities. Mega Sardines chose Kroger because it sees the supermarket chain as having a stronger focus on health-oriented products. The initial rollout began as a limited test before expanding across Kroger’s various banners. “This is a very exciting time for all of us at
Mega Prime Foods,” CEO Michelle Chan said. “The United States has been one of our key priorities.” The U.S. expansion has been nine months in development, including participation in major U.S. food shows to assess American consumer preferences. Working with international sales partner TTA (The Turnaround Artists), Mega has also entered Azerbaijan, Kenya and Jordan, with at least 10 additional countries in development. For Marvin Tiu Lim, who leads Growth & Business Development for Mega Prime Foods, the U.S. rollout is a launchpad for the company’s broader international ambitions. “We want to build Mega into a truly global Filipino food company,” he said. That strategy includes opening new markets, developing partnerships, and pursuing acquisitions and joint ventures to gain brands, production capacity, and access to consumers worldwide. The company’s U.S. push also aims to introduce sardines to mainstream American consumers while serving the Filipino-American
The local canned sardines brand is bringing the Filipino pantry essential to thousands of American stores
market. Mega is positioning the product around quality, health, heritage, and value as interest grows in sardines as a convenient source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids. The expansion carries particular significance
for the Tiu Lim family. Founder and chairman William Tiu Lim started the company with his wife more than five decades ago as a small fishing business focused on providing Filipino families with affordable, nutritious food.