Issuu

manilastandard.net

@ManilaStandardPH

@mnlstandardph

SEA GAMES CAULDRON PAID TWICE OVER—NBI

@manilastandard

@ManilaStandardYT

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

SOKOR BILLIONAIRE PAYS BANGKOK PROBES BRITON’S $1.5B IN DIVORCE SETTLEMENT DEATH AFTER PENILE SURGERY

NEWS / A3

WORLD / A6

FREE LOVE BUS RIDES. The iconic ‘Love Bus’ takes to Metro Manila roads today, providing free, fully-electric shuttle service at designated points connecting Quezon City, Pasig, and Mandaluyong. Inset shows First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto and MMDA Chairman Don Artes at the launch ceremony at the MMDA Head Office in Pasig City. See story on A2. Manny Palmero, MMDA

SC junks Sandigan conviction of Imelda Marcos on graft raps Imelda Marcos

By Pot Chavez THE Supreme Court (SC) announced on Wednesday the reversal of the conviction of former First Lady Imelda Marcos on seven counts of graft. Next page

VOL. XL • NO. 208 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2026

Trillanes, 24 others to take stand Ombudsman, AMLC, BIR, SEC may also testify vs. VP next week By Maricel V. Cruz, Charles Dantes and Ram Superable

HE House prosecution is preparing up to 25 witnesses, including former Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV and representatives of key government agencies, for next week’s presentation of evidence on Vice President Sara Zimmerman Duterte’s alleged unexplained wealth.

Other potential witnesses include Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla or his representative, and officials or authorized representatives of the Anti-Money Laundering Council, Bureau of Internal Revenue and Securities and Exchange Commission. Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian, meanwhile, said the impeachment court could reach a verdict by December, citing the prosecution’s shortened witness list Next page

GLOOMY DAY. Heavy rain and thick, dark clouds blanket the Quezon City skyline on Wednesday morning, September 9, 2026, creating a gloomy atmosphere and reducing visibility across the city. Inset shows pedestrians wading in floodwaters at the corner of Taft and UN Avenues. Edd Castro, Norman Cruz

Palace: PNP can’t forcibly take accused on hospital detention By Charles Dantes, Vince Lopez and Rex Espiritu THE Philippine National Police cannot forcefully transfer an accused from a hospital until his doctors have certified he is already fit to leave, Malacañang on Wednesday said.

“The PNP or DILG leadership cannot forcefully remove an accused from a hospital when doctors have certified that he is not yet fit to leave,” Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro said when asked to comment on the hospital detention of former Speaker Martin Romualdez.

THE camp of lawyer Manases Carpio, husband of Vice President Sara Duterte, hinted that they are weighing all legal options to take in light of a recommendation by the Quezon City prosecutor to dismiss his complaint against members of the House prosecution panel in the impeachment trial against Duterte.

Fuel prices to surge higher as US-Iran hostilities intensify By Alena Mae S. Flores

By Charles Dantes

By Gwyneth Nolasco

She rejected insinuations that Romualdez was receiving special treatment, adding that the Palace would give doctors the “benefit of the doubt” in assessing the lawmaker’s health. The Sandiganbayan Third Division is set to hear on today (Thursday, Sept. 10) the petition

Gov’t prepares for extreme El Nino weather THE government is preparing for potentially harsher El Niño effects as climate change alters weather patterns. Authorities are focusing on protecting food production, managing water supplies, and

QC prosecutors junk Carpio case vs. AMLC; lawyer to refile with OMB

PURR-FECT. A local cat recently went viral on social media after leading the ranks of the Philippine National Police during its Monday flag-raising ceremony at Camp Crame on Sept. 7, 2026. Office of the Chief PNP/Facebook

DOMESTIC pump prices are seen to increase anew next week as Brent broke above $100 a barrel Wednesday on fresh hostilities in the Middle East. “The rise in Brent, which breached $100 per barrel for the first time since July 24, will influence the MOPS [Mean of Platts Singapore] trading today and push fuel prices higher,” Jetti

Petroleum president Leo Bellas said when asked for comment. “Prices of refined products are likely to continue their rally due to rising crude,” he said. Bellas said he personally thinks the impact would not result in a double-digit increase of more than P10 “unless there would be a major escalation in the war,” such as attacks on Next page

NEWS

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2026

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

PBBM to attend BRICS meet in India By Charles Dantes

RESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will visit India on Sept. 12 and 13 to attend the 18th BRICS Summit at the invitation of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced Wednesday. Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs Secretary Theresa Lazaro emphasized that the Philippines remains steadfast in asserting its maritime rights, stressing that the country will not “succumb to coercion” and will counter assertiveness with legal clarity. DFA spokesperson Analyn Ratonel said Mr. Marcos’ participation in the

summit is part of the Philippines’ role as chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations this year, giving Manila an opportunity to present its regional priorities to leaders of major emerging economies. The conference will focus on resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability, with discussions expected to

SC junks... From A1

Trillanes,... From A1

In its decision penned by SC Associate Justice Rodil Zalameda, the SC’s First Division ruled that the prosecution failed to prove her guilt beyond reasonable doubt. “The Court is again faced with the delicate task of balancing the constitutionally protected right of an accused to due process of law and the interest of the State in repressing acts of public officers that constitute graft and corrupt practices. In executing such a delicate task, the Court is armed with the rules of procedure it promulgated to facilitate the fair and orderly conduct of proceedings,” the decision reads in part. “While the Court, in the exercise of its judicial discretion, may allow the relaxation of the rules in the interest of substantial justice, it cannot be done at the expense of the substantive rights of the accused.” In 2018, the Sandiganbayan 5th Division found her guilty of graft for using her Cabinet position to maintain Swiss bank accounts during the administration of her late husband. The High Court reversed the anti-graft court’s ruling, granting the appeal of the former First Lady. It held that a charge for violation of Sec. 3(h) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act must accurately specify the position held by the accused, noting that she cannot be convicted of an offense not charged in the Information. The SC added that even if it ignored the fatal infirmity in the Informations, the prosecution still failed to establish all the elements of the offense. Furthermore, the testimonial and documentary evidence were inadmissible and lacked probative weight. The prosecution also failed to prove that the alleged financial or pecuniary interest was covered by the law as well as the 1973 Constitution.

and an adjusted Senate schedule that will give the trial 10 full-day sessions. “The prosecution reduced their number of witnesses. We have a new timetable now. Hopefully, before December it will be finished,” Gatchalian told reporters, noting that the timetable would also depend on the number of witnesses the defense presents. The Senate will prioritize the trial during the 10 full-day sessions, with hearings starting at 10 a.m. and continuing until the proceedings conclude. The schedule is designed to allow the court to hear multiple witnesses each day before the Senate resumes budget deliberations. The prosecution is preparing more than 1,800 bank, tax and other financial documents for Article II, which accuses Duterte of betrayal of public trust for allegedly accumulating wealth disproportionate to her lawful income and failing to fully and truthfully disclose her and her husband’s assets and liabilities.

Fuel price... From A1 oil tankers and energy infrastructure intensifying, causing a significant disruption in oil flows. Officials from the Department of Energy have yet to comment, although sources said initial computation showed that for the first two days of the week, consumers are facing an increase of P2 to P2.50 per liter for diesel and P4 to P4.50 per liter for gasoline. On Monday, the DOE announced maximum price increases of P5.58 per liter for kerosene, P5.18 per liter for diesel and P4.69 per liter for gasoline. The 36th price movement this year resulted in a total net increase of P59.32 per liter for gasoline, P60.46 per liter for diesel, and P53.45 per liter for kerosene. Prior to Tuesday’s increase, gasoline sold from P66.06 to P97.35 per liter, diesel from P75 to P97.50 per liter, and kerosene from P95.30 to P130.52 per liter. “We cannot control geopolitical events or international oil prices,” Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said. “What we can do is maintain adequate domestic supply, scrutinize price movements, enforce our inventory requirements and provide assistance where government can help ease the burden on consumers.” With AFP

‘One of the strongest portions of prosecution case’

House Deputy Speaker Paolo Ortega V confirmed that Trillanes would testify but declined to disclose the order of witnesses. He described the unexplained-wealth presentation as potentially one of the strongest portions of the prosecution’s case. House prosecutor Rep. Joel Chua said the prosecution would begin presenting Article II next week after completing its main presentation on Duterte’s alleged misuse of confidential funds under Article I. The prosecution has cited Duterte’s SALNs from 2019 to 2024, including her 2024 declaration showing about P88.5 million in net worth and zero cash on hand or in banks. It also presented an AMLC report covering 663 transactions involving Duterte and her husband, lawyer Manases “Mans” Carpio, with an aggregate value of about P6.77 billion. About P3.77 billion was linked to Duterte and P2.99 billion to Carpio. Prosecutors have obtained subpoenaed bank and BIR records involving Duterte, Carpio and companies linked to them, which they intend to compare with the SALNs and AMLC information. Chua said the prosecution was considering about 10 witnesses and as

Gov’t... From A1 helping farmers adapt to increasingly unpredictable conditions, the Palace said Tuesday. Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said the government cannot rely solely on past El Niño patterns because rising temper-

PNP... From A1 for hospital arrest filed by the former Speaker. The court likewise directed the four attending physicians of Romualdez to attend the hearing. In a manifestation and urgent motion for hospital detention, the lawyers of the ex-Speaker said he is currently under hospital confinement due to the hypertensive atherosclerotic cardiovascu-

cover global economic uncertainties, digital public infrastructure and collective action on climate change, Ratonel said. Mr. Marcos is expected to highlight the Philippines’ ASEAN chairmanship priorities of peace and security, people empowerment and prosperity while promoting open and resilient economic partnerships in the region. The India trip will also include a oneon-one meeting with Modi, expected to discuss progress in the bilateral strategic partnership and the implementation of their five-year action plan for 20252029. The two leaders are also expected to exchange views on economic issues

affecting both countries, Ratonel said. Mr. Marcos is likewise scheduled to meet Indian business leaders to strengthen trade and investment ties and follow up on commitments made during his August 2025 visit to India. Indian companies announced about $5.8 billion in investment pledges during that visit, covering technology, health, energy and infrastructure, Ratonel said. The Philippine delegation to the BRICS summit will include Foreign Affairs Secretary Maria Teresa Lazaro, Information and Communications Technology Secretary Henry Aguda, and Finance Secretary Frederick Go, according to the DFA.

many as 15 bank representatives, although the number could be reduced if the defense agrees to stipulations on bank records. The prosecution has also served the defense with 104 requests for admission involving, among other matters, the authenticity of subpoenaed bank records and ownership of accounts identified in them. Chua said Trillanes would be an important witness because financial information he previously presented during House justice committee hearings had been crosschecked against AMLC records.

ing the hearings. The names appeared on receipts used to liquidate P500 million in confidential funds of the Office of the Vice President and P112.5 million received by the Department of Education when Duterte headed the agency. Tolosa said the defense did not identify the names as aliases in its answer to the Articles of Impeachment or its pretrial brief, despite the prosecution’s allegation that many had no matching records in the Philippine Statistics Authority database. The defense raised the explanation during Monday’s hearing after PSA Assistant National Statistician Marizza Grande presented findings on the names appearing on the receipts. Grande said 1,287 of 1,992 names examined from the OVP payee list and 398 of 677 names from the DepEd list had no matching birth, marriage or death records. Some matches belonged to people who were dead or minors, including infants. Defense counsel Justin Gular said the names were aliases involving classified information and would be explained during the defense presentation. Presiding Officer Sen. Francis Escudero said the defense could present evidence supporting its explanation at the proper time.

Calling Duterte to testify still an option

The prosecution is also keeping open the possibility of calling Duterte herself to testify on all four impeachment articles. Chua said prosecutors had agreed that Duterte could explain the decisions at the center of the charges, stressing that the invitation was not intended to pressure her and that her constitutional rights would be respected. He maintained that the prosecution’s case would remain strong whether or not she testifies. Meanwhile, the Senate plans to invite three to five “amici curiae,” or friends of the court, to address questions concerning the voting threshold for conviction. Gatchalian said the court would hear from former chief justices, constitutional experts and other legal authorities before deciding the issue. The experts are scheduled to appear on Sept. 16, followed by oral arguments by the prosecution and defense on Sept. 23. The proceedings could also be affected by the status of detained senators Rodante Marcoleta and Jinggoy Estrada, who have sought to participate in Senate proceedings. Gatchalian said both lawmakers must secure clearance from the Sandiganbayan, which has jurisdiction over their cases. The court, he said, would determine whether there was sufficient justification for them to attend the impeachment proceedings.

Free ‘Love Bus’ rides begin in Metro today By Joel E. Zurbano THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will launch the free ‘Love Bus’ rides today for Metro Manila commuters. The project was inaugurated yesterday by First Lady Liza Marcos and MMDA Chairman Don Artes at the agency’s head office in Pasig City, with the attendance of Mayor Vico Sotto and other local executives from the National Capital Region. The electric Love Bus service is set to begin operations from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. It will cover a route that includes Robinsons Galleria, the MMDA office, Arcovia City, C5-Bridgetown, and Eastwood in Quezon City. According to Artes, the project is designed to enhance urban mobility infrastructure in Metro Manila. He said this initiative aligns with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s vision for a public transportation system that is safe, reliable, and accessible. The iconic ‘Love Bus’ is part of the administration’s efforts to alleviate the financial and time challenges associated with daily commuting in the metropolis. He said that with the backing of corporate sponsors, the MMDA will be able to maintain and expand its free public transportation services. The original “Love Bus” was a popular and air-conditioned bus service introduced by former First Lady Imelda Marcos in the 1970s.

QC... From A1

Meanwhile, House prosecution spokesperson and private prosecutor lawyer Benjamin Tolosa Jr. accused Duterte’s defense of raising “too late” its explanation that names on acknowledgment receipts were aliases only after the issue had been brought up dur-

Tolosa also said the prosecution would cross-examine Col. Raymund Dante Lachica if the defense or impeachment court calls him, despite the prosecution’s decision not to present him as its own witness. He said prosecutors found Lachica’s testimony unnecessary because existing evidence already established the matters they sought to prove under Article I. House prosecutor Rep. Jonathan Keith Flores said the prosecution had already established its intended points through evidence involving recorded expenditures described as safehouses, medicines and rewards. Ortega meanwhile criticized Duterte over her remarks questioning the integrity of the courts and other government institutions, calling her a “Karen,” a term commonly used to describe someone perceived as entitled or unreasonable. Tolosa warned that the VP’s remarks could undermine public confidence in the judiciary, while Flores urged both sides to exercise restraint in discussing the proceedings.

atures and shifting rainfall could amplify the phenomenon’s effects. “Dahil sa climate change, baka mas matindi ang maramdaman at magiging epekto ng El Niño (Because of climate change, the effects of El Niño may be felt more severely),” Castro said. The Department of Agriculture has activated its El Niño Task Force to coordinate preparations and protect farmers and agricultural production from

drought and other extreme weather conditions, Castro said. She said weather conditions have become increasingly erratic, with some areas experiencing heavy rains while parts of the Visayas and Mindanao face hotter and drier conditions. This uneven pattern is prompting the government to adjust agricultural and water-management strategies, she said.

On the other hand, House prosecution member Joel Chua welcomed the likelihood of dismissal of Carpio’s complaint, saying it may help remove concerns among potential prosecution witnesses moving forward in the impeachment hearings. “We acknowledge the September 7, 2026 Resolution of the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office recommending the dismissal of our client’s complaint against the respondents,” Carpio’s lawyer Peter Paul Danao said in a statement. “At the very least, our client retains the option to refile the complaint before the office of the Ombudsman, which the resolution itself identifies as the proper forum based on its jurisdictional finding,” he added. Danao said his client reserves the right in exhausting all available legal remedies that can be used to challenge the dismissal, consistent with his right to “seek appropriate relief under the law and existing rules.” Danao emphasized that the complaint did not have any prejudice and on the ground of lack of jurisdiction, as the resolution did not constitute a “final determination on the merits of the allegations raised.” The Quezon City Office of the City Prosecutor recommended the dismissal of Carpio’s complaint against multiple lawmakers over the disclosure of their bank records in connection with the impeachment charges. Meanwhile, Chua said Carpio’s complaint had created pressure on lawmakers and officials involved in the investigation, describing it as an attempt to discourage them from performing their duties during congressional hearings. The city prosecutor’s recommendation stated that the questioned actions were related to the officials’ public responsibilities and were performed in connection with their official functions. “His complaint really had no basis at all,” Chua told reporters. He said the prosecutor’s action would not distract prosecutors from Duterte’s impeachment trial. He described its timing as important because the panel is preparing to present evidence on alleged unexplained wealth beginning September 14.

lar disease; unstable angina; coronary artery disease; s/p pci (post percutaneous coronary intervention); cerebrovascular ischemic disease; type 2 diabetes mellitus; hypertension; dyslipidemia; and primary hypothyroidism. “(The accused) has a documented cardiac history and has remained under continuing care for that condition,” read the manifestation. His lawyers proposed a court-supervised arrangement that would include round-the-clock guards, visitor restrictions, and periodic medical certificates.

They also proposed for the former Speaker to be prohibited from leaving or transferring from the hospital without court approval except for medical emergencies. Castro said any arrangement would depend on medical findings, preferably from doctors viewed as independent of the former Speaker. She said the Palace would not interfere with assessments of an accused person’s health condition. The Philippine National Police General Hospital is prepared to take in

Romualdez should the Sandiganbayan approve his transfer from Cardinal Santos Medical Center, PNP chief General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said. “Our facilities and personnel are ready to provide medical care while ensuring proper custody under the law,” he said. Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said prosecutors would ask for a team of government doctors to assess whether the former Speaker’s illnesses require continued hospitalization or can be managed outside the hospital.

Defense alias explanation ‘too late’

Prosecution ready to crossexamine Col. Lachica

NEWS

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2026

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

DENR catches 55 illegal wildlife traders By Rio N. Araja

HE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on Wednesday announced it apprehended 55 illegal wildlife traders, confiscated over 300 wild fauna, and conducted 71 enforcement operations from January to August as part of its crackdown on wildlife poaching, illegal possession, and trafficking.

RICE FOR FAMILIES.Executive Secretary Ralph Recto leads the distribution of 10 kilograms of rice

each to 1,500 families in Quezon, Bukidnon, and turns over Socio-Civic Projects Fund checks to all 464 barangays in the province. OES.SAGADA ARTISTS. A mix of entrepreneurs, artists, and students comes together for a day of learning, creativity, and innovation in Sagada, exploring product possibilities—from accessories to containers—using recycled paper that could help address the packaging needs of businesses across the province.

“Protecting our wildlife requires sustained and decisive enforcement. Through sustained enforcement, strengthened coordination, proper investigation and case preparation, we remain committed to ensuring that violations of our wildlife laws are addressed and that our country’s wildlife resources are protected,” Environment Secretary Juan Miguel Cuna said. The Environment Department continues to coordinate with the Philippine National Police, the Bureau of Customs, local government units, and other concerned agencies to detect and address wildlife trafficking and other illegal activities. Republic Act 9147, or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act, prohibits the collection, hunting, possession, transport, and sale of wildlife without the required permits or authority—imposing heavier penalties for offenses involving threatened and critically endangered species. The DENR has since urged the public to help protect Philippine wildlife by reporting suspected illegal collection, possession, sale, or trafficking of wild animals, including those being offered or traded.

NBI: ‘Evidence Recto: Marcos rice program feeds families, aids farmers shows cauldron paid for twice’ By Charles Dantes

THE National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Wednesday said it found evidence indicating that the cauldron at New Clark City in Tarlac, used during the Philippines’ hosting of the 2019 Southeast Asian Games, was paid for twice, GMA News reported. In an interview with DZBB, NBI Director Melvin Matibag said two additional witnesses had provided testimonies and evidence to investigators. Matibag said the NBI was still determining the specific details of the transactions but noted that the project should have cost only around P30 million, instead of the P55 million declared. The cauldron was allegedly not only overpriced but also paid for twice, according to Matibag. “We saw what appeared to be double payments,” Matibag said in Filipino, citing an entry in an undisclosed document that supposedly indicated the transaction had been made twice. While he initially wanted to start filing cases this week, Matibag said the new evidence gave more weight to the probe and warranted closer scrutiny. “It needs to be carefully studied so we can be sure. We will cross-check it against the initial documents we found,” Matibag said. The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) has yet to issue a statement. Matibag, however, clarified that investigators were mainly looking into the facilities built by the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC), rather than those constructed by the BCDA.

THE Marcos administration’s rice assistance program is addressing food insecurity while supporting Filipino farmers by buying their harvests, Executive Secretary Ralph G. Recto said. Recto made the statement as he led the distribution of 10 kilograms of rice each to 1,500 families in Quezon, Bukidnon, and turned over SocioCivic Projects Fund (SCPF) checks to all 464 barangays in the province. The activity marked the first of four rounds of rice distribution in Quezon

under the Bawat Bayan Makikinabang Rice Distribution Program. Upon completion, 8,000 families in the municipality will receive 10 kilograms of rice every two months. “Today, we are also bringing the President’s rice program to ensure that no Filipino will go hungry. Nearly eight million families nationwide will benefit,” Recto said. He said the rice distributed under the program was procured from Filipino farmers, allowing the government to support both vulnerable families and local rice producers. The government has allocated P178

million in rice assistance for 261,000 families across Bukidnon, including P5 million for 8,000 beneficiaries in Quezon. Recto said the program would continue beyond this year, citing the proposed P58.53-billion allocation for the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF) in the 2027 national budget, which funds the rice assistance. “Next year, the [LGSF] that funds the free rice program will be increased. This means this is not just a one-year program. The support will continue, and the free rice will continue,” he said.

IN BRIEF Nartatez: Zero tolerance for indiscriminate firing PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. on Wednesday reiterated the organization’s zero-tolerance policy against indiscriminate firing and directed all police personnel to observe the highest level of discipline and professionalism in handling firearms. “Our badge should not be used as an escape to do things irresponsibly. This will not save us from being accountable for our wrong actions,” Nartatez said. The PNP chief issued the reminder following an incident last week in which a police officer assigned to Valenzuela City fired a gun in a neighborhood in Marilao, Bulacan. No one was injured, and the officer was placed under custody and charged with illegal discharge of firearms. Vince Lopez

Taguig cops arrest 10 most wanted persons

SAGADA ARTISTS. A mix of entrepreneurs, artists, and students comes together for a day of learning, creativity, and innovation in Sagada, exploring product possibilities, from accessories to containers, using recycled paper that could help address the packaging needs of businesses across the province. Dave Leprozo

Stratbase urges AI for good governance

ENGAGING READERS. A visitor photographs QR codes at the Manila Standard booth during the opening day of the Manila International Book Fair at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City on Wednesday, as the national broadsheet showcases its print publications and digital offerings to book lovers, students, and media enthusiasts. Edd Castro

THE Philippine government should equip its institutions and public servants to use artificial intelligence to improve services, strengthen oversight and protect public resources, Stratbase Institute President Prof. Victor Andres “Dindo” Manhit said. Manhit said the E-Governance Act provides a strong foundation for this transformation by promoting connected government systems and responsive, transparent, and citizencentered public services. A year has passed since the law was signed on Sept. 5, 2025. Its implementing rules and regulations were signed last March. “The opportunity before us is to build on the E-Governance Act and develop public institutions that are empowered by reliable data, capable

personnel and AI systems that are transparent, secure and subject to human oversight,” Manhit said. “This is how technology can contribute to better governance.” “For Filipinos, digital government should mean fewer trips to public offices, shorter queues and lower transaction costs. For public servants, it should mean better information, fewer repetitive tasks and more time to address the needs of citizens,” he said. Manhit said these digital systems would allow the government to use AI for more advanced tasks. AI could help agencies compare bids and prices, cross-check tax and customs records, monitor project schedules, identify service bottlenecks and flag unusual transactions for further review.

TAGUIG City police arrested 10 individuals included in the city and Southern Police District’s most wanted persons list for August 2026 as authorities intensified operations against fugitives with pending arrest warrants. Taguig City Police chief Col. Julius Añonuevo said Wednesday the suspects were arrested in separate operations and were facing charges ranging from robbery with homicide and acts of lasciviousness to carnapping, child abuse-related offenses, and drug law violations. The arrests formed part of the police force’s continuing 2026 campaign against wanted persons, with several individuals included in previous Top 10 Most Wanted Persons lists also apprehended. Vince Lopez

Bacoor orders probe into Maynilad pipe burst BACOOR CITY, Cavite — Mayor Strike Revilla has ordered the City Engineering Office to conduct an in-depth investigation into a Maynilad pipe burst in Southvale and St. Jude Subdivisions in Molino, Bacoor, which caused widespread flooding that reportedly reached neck-deep levels Tuesday night. The investigation will determine the cause of the pipe burst and whether any deficiencies or violations contributed to the incident. The city government will also meet with Maynilad officials and homeowners association leaders to discuss the extent of the damage and the company’s possible liability. Dennis Abrina

NEWS

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2026

MST.DAYDESK@GMAIL.COM

11,900 soldiers, militias deployed for BARMM polls By Rex Espiritu

IN MEMORIAM. Presidential Peace Adviser Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento leads wreath-laying ceremonies at the Manila Memorial Cemetery and the Libingan ng mga Bayani to honor the memory of late presidents and staunch advocates of peace as part of the annual observance of National Peace Consciousness Month. OPAPRU photo

THE Philippine Army has deployed some 11,900 soldiers and Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit Active Auxiliary (CAA) or militia members for the first Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections (BPE) on Sept. 14. Army spokesperson Col. Louie Demaala said troops from the 1st, 6th and 11th Infantry Divisions were mobilized as of Sept. 6. The Army is the largest force provider of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) for the elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). In Lanao del Sur, the 1st Infantry “Tabak” Division fielded two additional provisional battalions on Aug. 31, bringing to 10 the infantry battalions operating in the area. The Army also deployed armor and field artillery units for mobility, protection and fire-support capabilities, while the 3rd Special Forces Battalion is scheduled for deployment. The 10th Infantry “Agila” Division deployed personnel from the 67th Infantry Battalion and 102nd Division Reconnaissance Company to augment forces in the region. The 6th Infantry “Kampilan” Division, meanwhile, has completed pre-deployment orientation training for Quick Reaction Force personnel at Camp Siongco in Maguindanao del Norte. “The Philippine Army stands with the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the entire government in ensuring that BARMM residents can elect their next leaders without any fear for their lives and security,” Dema-ala said.

Solon seeks stricter regulation of MAIFIP IN BRIEF T By Maricel V. Cruz

HE Department of Health (DOH) was urged on Wednesday to ensure transparency and institute clear standards that would prevent doctors from inflating their professional fees paid through the government’s Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIP) program.

Isabela backs NFA’s palay procurement

ILAGAN City — The Isabela provincial government backs the National Food Authority’s (NFA) target to procure 1.46 million sacks of palay from local farmers this harvest season while stepping up measures to contain the African swine fever (ASF). Gov. Rodito Albano III and Vice Gov. Francis Faustino Dy met with mayors, Sangguniang Panlalawigan members and municipal agriculturists at the Capitol to strengthen the province’s palay procurement program and hog industry protection. Albano assured the NFA of the provincial government’s full support in meeting its procurement target, including helping identify warehouses equipped with dryers where farmers can bring their harvest and sell at competitive government prices. Meanwhile, the Provincial Veterinary Office reported continuing ASF interventions, including regular disinfection, immediate investigation and response to reported cases, distribution of disinfectants to municipalities and province-wide information campaigns. Jessica M. Bacud

Parañaque 2nd District Rep. Brian Yamsuan echoed the concerns of fellow lawmakers over complaints about doctors who substantially jack up their professional fees upon learning that these would be paid through MAIFIP. This practice often leads to higher hospital bills for MAIFIP beneficiaries instead of cutting their medical expenses, Yamsuan said. “We also need to look at the transparency and accountability of doctors. The DOH should set up a mechanism to make sure that our countrymen are not placed in a precarious situation,” Yamsuan said during the House Committee on Appropriations hearing on the Department’s proposed budget for 2027. The MAIFIP, coursed through senators and congressional representatives, is a financial aid program of the DOH to provide assistance to needy patients. It applies to medical expenses exceeding applicable PhilHealth benefit packages or other available

BI deports 4 Japanese facing criminal cases THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) has deported four Japanese nationals linked to fraud, theft, and nefarious telecommunication schemes. Deported were Oi Riho,, and Moriyama Yu, , both tagged as overstaying, undocumented, and undesirable aliens for alleged involvement in telecommunication fraud, online gaming fraud, and a kidnapping-related scheme. Also shipped out were Daisuke Ikeno and Hamai Daisuke who were declared undesirable aliens after being identified as fugitives with standing arrest warrants for theft in Japan. The deportees boarded a Japan Airlines flight to Narita, escorted by Japan National Police Agency personnel. Vito Barcelo

Over 100 PDLs finish education behind bars MORE than 100 inmates or persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) successfully completed their academic training under the Bureau of Corrections’ (BuCor) Workforce Development for PDLs Program implemented in collaboration with the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU). The education behind bars initiative was conducted from April 7 to May 19, and June 2 to July 14 that provided the prisoners private online courses on workforce development and professional growth in several areas. According to UPOU, the program was conducted in order to support the rehabilitation and empowerment of PDLs through skills development and continuing education. Garbriel Oliva

RESCUED EAGLE. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources says a young man rescued this juvenile Philippine serpent eagle that landed on the porch of their house in Malapatan, Sarangani after it was attacked by a murder of crows. Fortunately, the bird suffered no serious damage. DENR photo

Agents foil attempt to smuggle P10.69-m shabu at Port of Clark By Vito Barcelo CUSTOMS and anti-narcotics authorities at the Port of Clark in Pampanga have seized about 1.573 kilograms of suspected shabu worth ₱10.69 million hidden inside the cardboard walls of a wedding-dress box. The package, declared as a “Wedding Dress,” arrived from Mexico City and consigned to Mandaluyong City address. The Authorities acted on intelligence information and subjected the package to X-ray examination. The scan showed suspicious images, prompting a physical inspection. Customs officers initially found no drugs in the white wedding dress or its ruffles. They then examined the carton after noticing its unusual weight. Four transparent plastic pouches containing a white crystalline substance were found concealed inside the cardboard

sidewalls. The substance weighed about 1,573 grams and had an estimated street value of ₱10,696,400. Initial spectrometer screening indicated the presence of methamphetamine, the active ingredient in shabu. Samples were turned over to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency for laboratory analysis and confirmatory testing. Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno said officers must remain vigilant as smugglers use increasingly sophisticated concealment methods. A Warrant of Seizure and Detention was issued against the shipment for violations of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act in relation to Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act. The operation was carried out by the Bureau of Customs Port of Clark, PDEA and the Clark Inter-Agency Task Force Against Illegal Drugs.

funding sources. DOH Secretary Edwin Mercado said the Department has implemented a threepronged mechanism to prevent doctors from resorting to this practice. First was to speed up PhilHealth’s reimbursement of doctors’ professional fees when he was still the president and CEO of the state health insurance corporation This reform has encouraged doctors to stick to the usual fee they charge instead of marking them up to include inflationary factors resulting from long-delayed PhilHealth payments. Reimbursing doctors within a 15-20 day period has made them more amenable to setting limits on their professional fees, Mercado said. Second, the DOH and PhilHealth have teamed up to establish a “Single Source of Truth” (SSOT) system or database that would check whether doctors remain consistent in setting rates for their professional fees.

House opens proposed 2027 nat’l budget to public scrutiny By Maricel V. Cruz THE House of Representatives has opened its review of the proposed 2027 national budget to civil society organizations (CSOs), seeking public input on how taxpayers’ money should be allocated and spent. The House Committee on Appropriations, chaired by Nueva Ecija Rep. Mikaela Angela Suansing, held a People’s Budget Review with representatives from13 civil society organizations who presented their concerns, priorities, and recommendations

on the proposed fiscal plan. The participating groups were Bitag Media Unlimited Inc.; Caucus of Development NGO Networks (CODE-NGO); Center of Youth Advocacy and Networking (CYAN); Jesse M. Robredo Institute of Governance; GoodGovPH; IBON Foundation; Makati Business Club; Move As One Coalition; People’s Budget Coalition; Philippine Association of Agriculturists Inc.; Task Force Mapalad National Peasant Federation; REID Foundation; and SafeTravelPH Mobility Innovations Organization.

ANTI-TERROR PROTEST. Human rights advocates stage a picket in front of the Supreme Court in Manila to demand the abolition of the Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act of 2012 and the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 while also condemning the alleged trumped-up charges filed against 11 of their colleagues in Cagayan Valley. Norman Cruz

OPINION

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2026

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

EDITORIAL

By the numbers or not?

PBbM’s legacy BUSINESSMEN whistle in the dark when they say that something can yet be done to perk the economy in the remaining two years of this administration. To be more precise, after the October 2027 filing of candidacies for president and thousands of other positions, the economy will take a back seat as public interest pins its hope on their new “savior.” For one, public works spending will be suspended at the start of 2028. Since foreign investments are nil owing to the political instability, domestic business expansion on hold, and consumer confidence is down, only campaign spending will give an incremental uptick to the economy in the last six months of PBbM. In fine, PBbM will really have just a little more than twelve months to create a legacy of achievements to be remembered by. The data does not support optimism. Government tells us that with the inflation at 5.1 percent in August, incrementally down from July’s 5.2 percent and June’s 5.4 percent, the Bangko Sentral can yet taper prices down through its monetary tools. The BSP is losing the war against inflation which can no longer be controlled by increasing interest rates. Rice inflation is up to a two-year high of 19.4 percent in August, from an already high 17.1 percent in July. Can the Department of Agriculture stop the increase in food prices? The rains that flooded the plains of Central Luzon took its toll on our palay crops, but no one is telling us by how much. Even without the floods, the cost of fertilizer soared, forcing our farmers to cut down on its use, which reduced production. DA now admits that we may have to import 5 million metric tons of the staple this year, a month after saying we will import just 4 million. The US Department of Agriculture has a different estimate --- 6 million tons. In 2009 and 2010, when PGMA’s government imported 2 million tons, the PNoy administration was shocked. Now it’s 6 million tons, three times greater! With the peso exchange rate sinking to 63 by the time this article gets to be read, and international rice prices are also on the rise, then come September, October and until Christmas, that 19.4-percent rice inflation will go higher. The worst El Niño in our lifetime will descend upon the planet starting November all the way to half of 2027. So brace for worse. Will Trump and the Ayatollah smoke the peace pipe? We can only hope Allah steps in and tells Iran to sue for peace, because Trump and Bessent’s economic sanctions only harden the defiant resolve of the Iranian people. Thus the price of oil, which affects

everything, will continue to be volatile. That, too, is bad news for our country. And because there are not enough bananas or pineapples, coconuts and even durian that we can export while we import the rest of our food requirements, and even the inputs that go into our semi-conductor exports, the trade deficit will continue to widen, and the peso further weakens. PBbM’s 7.2 trillion budget for 2027 will have a fiscal deficit of two trillion pesos. What will be PBbM’s solution?

—“—

The debt will take its toll on future generations. Tax revenues will go down because consumers are not buying as much. They cannot afford their “yabang” and will watch every peso of their depreciated incomes. What will PBbM do? “E di utang pa” more. The national debt is now P19.39 trillion, of which P13.11 trillion is local debt, and P6.28 trillion is owed to foreign sources. That P19.39 trillion is already 98 percent of our revised debt program for the year. It is already 66% of our GDP. Interest payments on the debt amount to almost a trillion per year. Principal payments this year amount to another trillion pesos. Servicing our already humongous debt eats up 28 percent of the annual budget. Meanwhile, our GDP has grown by a minimal 3.0% in the last quarter of 2025, to 2.8 percent in the first quarter of this year, and 2.3 percent in the second quarter. Expect 1.8 percent GDP growth for this third quarter. Even if the metrics used by government does not really gauge the true state of employment, the “manicured” July unemployment figures is a high of 6 percent, and will worsen. With such low GDP growth rates, the ratio of our debt to GDP will continue to increase. Expect 70 percenr for 2026, another record for PBbM’s poor governance impacting having an impact on the economy. And where did all that borrowing go? Much of it went to a few greedy men and women via express maleta delivery. Conservatively, we will be in debt by close to 21 trillion by year-end. By the time PBbM transfers power at the Luneta in 2028, he will be leaving a legacy debt of P23 trillion, maybe more. Do the math. Divide that by 117 million souls and weep. Apart from the most turbulent political environment ever, PBbM’s legacy will be a debt that will take its toll on future generations.

The round-the-clock monitors protecting Bhutan from glacier risk By Sara Hussein WANGDUE PHODRANG, Bhutan — In a humble control room a few hours from Bhutan’s capital, a team works around the clock to monitor the risks of the Himalayan country’s rapidly melting glaciers. The glacial collapse that caused deadly floods on the Nepal-Tibet border late last month is a stark reminder of the dangers faced by Bhutan, which has over 600 glaciers nestled in the mountain ranges across its north. As climate change melts these ancient ice rivers, they can form glacial lakes held back by fragile debris walls. When these collapse, the lakes burst and flood communities downstream. The threat is not theoretical. In 1994, a so-called glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) killed 21 people along Bhutan’s Punatsangchhu river, also know as the Sankosh. The risk has increased exponentially since then. “The Thorthormi glacier, due to climate change, it has fully transformed into a glacial lake,” said Dechen Peldon, junior engineer at the GLOF emergency warning facility in Wangdue Phodrang region. “Now we have to be more vigilant and more concerned.” The warning center began work in 2011, as part of a push for better monitoring after the 1994 GLOF.

It oversees a network of sensors that detect changes in water levels at glacial lakes and downstream rivers, and sirens that warn communities to evacuate. There are over 600 glacial lakes in Bhutan, with 17 considered potentially dangerous. Some of those considered most dangerous sit at the head of a river feeding into the Punatsangchhu.

—“—

There are over 600 glacial lakes in Bhutan, with 17 considered potentially dangerous. Four glacial lakes have formed, with two only separated from each other by a fragile debris dam. In a “worst-case scenario”, the wall separating the lakes would collapse, unleashing an estimated 53 million cubic metres of water downstream. ‘More vigilant’ The nearest communities would have just minutes to evacuate, so sirens there are automatically triggered if water level changes suggest a potential GLOF. Sirens further downstream are triggered manually by Dechen’s team, which works 24 hours a day, if a dangerous change in water levels is detected.

HOULD the Senate decide whether or not to lower the 16-vote conviction threshold for Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial?

Yes, definitely, and that will take place on September 23 after deliberations on September 16, according to the latest pronouncement from Presiding Judge Chiz Escudero. The 1987 Constitution is explicit in Article XI, Section 3(6): “No person shall be convicted without the concurrence of two-thirds of all the Members of the Senate.” The Senate is constitutionally composed of 24 senators, and two-thirds of 24 is 16. The fact that some senators cannot participate does not automatically mean that they cease to be members of the Senate. But current circumstances indicate an ambiguity. The impeachment court is not functioning simply as the Senate. The Constitution transforms the senators into senator-judges for the purpose of the impeachment trial. If four senators are unable to participate -- two because they are detained, one because she is abroad on medical leave, and another because he is at large -- the practical question becomes whether “all the Members of the Senate” means all 24 constitutionally existing senators, or all senators actually capable of participating as judges. The argument for retaining 16

ManilaStandard

ONLINE

PPI

Philippine Press Institute The National Association of Philippine Newspapers

At stake is not only the reputation of the impeachment process but also public confidence in the Senate as an institution. The argument for lowering the threshold is a practical one. It is difficult to reconcile the concept of a judicial proceeding with requiring votes from people who cannot actually sit as judges, hear evidence and participate in deliberations. If four senators are effectively unable to exercise their judicial role, insisting on 16 votes could mean requiring two-thirds not merely of the participating judges but of senators who are not functioning

THE issue of Metropolitan Manila Development Authority General Manager Nicolas Torre lll being apprehended for violating the bus way rule continues to be in the news. This after the good General paid the fine and apologized for using the bus way without proper authorization. While that should have ended the issue, Land Transportation Office chief Markus Lacanilao continues to give interviews, obviously basking in his pogi points. We do not know why he continues to do this considering that both gentlemen belong to the same team and played crucial roles in the arrest of FPRRD and eventual detention in The Hague. One would think that he should perhaps just leave things at that instead of gloating over the transgression of Torre. Apparently, that is not his style. Maybe he is out to prove something. This is not to defend Torre because the violation was inexcusable. Painting a private vehicle to make it appear as government owned and installing sirens and blinking lights are illegal even if done for security reasons. It should have been done with proper coordination with the LTO especially with regard to the change of plates. On the other hand, however, what was LTO doing enforcing traffic rules in the National Capital Region? Is this being done in coordination with the MMDA? It appears that both Lacanilao and Torre have not read Republic Act 7924 dated March 1, 1995 which establishes the authority of MMDA with regard to traffic enforcement in the NCR. If they read the law, what is transpiring now would not be happening at all.

Section 5(f) of the law stipulates that the MMDA has the exclusive authority over traffic enforcement in the whole of the National Capital Region. This includes all moving and non-moving violations. The LTO, under normal circumstances, is thus prohibited from traffic enforcement in the NCR unless there was prior coordination with the MMDA. This is one reason why we do not see Philippine National Police personnel routinely performing traffic enforcement duties in the NCR unless authorized or requested by the MMDA.

The presence of LTO traffic enforcement personnel on EDSA is questionable to say the least, based on what I know, being someone who used to handle traffic management in the NCR. If there is a new regulation or law, then it is altogether an entirely different banana. As far as I know however, there is no law superseding Sec5 (f) of the MMDA Law. What the aftermath of the apprehension of Torre showed instead was that there appears to be no coordination between the MMDA and LTO. If this is so, it is important that this should be ironed out as soon as possible. The situation cannot continue. One of the primary

reasons for the enactment of the MMDA Law was to give the authority of enforcing traffic rules in the NCR to one agency to avoid confusion and duplication of functions. As such, all local government units in the NCR are prohibited from issuing their own traffic violation tickets. The MMDA solely has this authority. The LTO can continue to perform its basic functions like licensing and vehicle registration and others but when it comes to moving and non-moving traffic violations, the MMDA is supreme in the Metro area. *** As I have always been advocating, traffic management is a dynamic undertaking because road conditions are never static. One cannot simply devise a plan, leave it at that, and expect traffic conditions to remain. The EDSA busway program, for instance, needs constant review to see to it that it continues to provide faster travel time for buses along EDSA. This is also to see if the use of the bus lane can still be maximized, or if some modifications are in order. For instance, since there are lean hours along the bus way, should the bus way be opened to other selected vehicles to ease the traffic on the other lanes along EDSA? Although many believe that the program is good as it is, it does not seem right that the other lanes are always heavily congested while the bus way remains underutilized during lean hours. The ultimate mission should be to maximize the entirety of traffic flow along EDSA, not only the bus way. That, after all, is the ultimate challenge of traffic management.

Though the recent disaster in neighboring Nepal involved a glacier collapse, rather than a GLOF, it has reinforced the urgency of the job, said Dechen. “I’m more alarmed and taking this more seriously,” she said. “We, the control room operators, are more vigilant than we were before.” Working with the disaster agency, the facility organizes mock drills and information sessions, but nearby cafe owner Pushpa Karki admitted she was not sure what the siren outside her business even sounds like. “I’ve never have been part of any drill,” the 30-year-old told AFP. “They talk about mountain areas being prone to floods, so we are cautious. But I don’t know about the glacier-related flood risk.” Around 70 percent of Bhutan’s settlements are along rivers, and the gov-

ernment is trying to tackle the risk upstream. In 2008, the country began a yearslong project to dig out and widen a channel from the Thorthormi glacier lake. The gruelling, high-altitude work gradually lowered the level of the lake by five metres, reducing the pressure on the debris dam keeping it in place. But continuous melt has filled the lake again, and now experts are trying to siphon water out, explained Bhutan’s leading glaciologist, Karma, who uses a single name. ‘So sad’ “Our glaciers are melting at a very alarming rate,” he told AFP at his office in the capital Thimphu, where he works as a specialist for the National Centre for Hydrology and Meteorology. Bhutan’s largest glaciers are retreating 30-35 metres (98-115 feet) a year, he

said, while smaller glaciers are receding around 12-16 metres. That is professionally concerning, but also personally painful for Karma, who decided to become the country’s first glaciologist after accompanying Japanese experts surveying the region. “I could literally climb on the glaciers,” he said. “But now you cannot do that... it’s so sad actually.” Karma feels Bhutan’s experience on the frontlines of climate change is especially unfair, given it absorbs more planet-warning carbon that it emits, partly because its laws require forest cover across 60 percent of its territory. “The fear, the risk, which is being brought to the communities in Bhutan are not from our fault,” he said. “I would like to appeal to the rest of the world to take responsibility.” AFP

—“—

This is not to defend the MMDA chief because the violation was inexcusable.

Board Member & Chief Legal Adviser

Emil P. Jurado+ Chairman Emeritus, Editorial Board

ROLANDO G. ESTABILLO Publisher

can be accessed at: manilastandard.net

MEMBER

—“—

The Torre apprehension

Former Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno

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

votes is straightforward: constitutional requirements should not be altered by circumstances surrounding individual senators. Otherwise, the conviction threshold could potentially fluctuate during a trial depending on who happens to be present.

as judges at all. Escudero cited the 16-vote requirement at the beginning of the trial, when the Senate was still complete. But the political circumstances have changed. Some senators have suggested that the issue be debated publicly and not behind closed doors, and whatever interpretation the impeachment court ultimately adopts should be fully reasoned, recorded and capable of surviving Supreme Court scrutiny. The prosecution is correct in emphasizing evidence rather than vote-counting. An impeachment conviction should stand or fall on whether the evidence establishes the constitutional grounds for removal. But the threshold is not a peripheral matter. It determines whether that evidence can actually produce a conviction. The Senate has to choose between strict adherence to what the 1987 Constitution stipulates and functional interpretation of a specific provision. Whichever decision it takes, consistency should be the operative principle. For the senatorjudges, the worst outcome would be a threshold that appears to have been altered simply because their number changed. At stake is not only the reputation of the impeachment process but also public confidence in the Senate as an institution.

Mario R. Policarpio Jr. Head - Finance

Baldwin R. Felipe

Head - Ad Solutions

Joyce Pangco Pañares Managing Editor

Honor Blanco Cabie

Opinion Editor

Feliciano T. Buscas Jr. Head - IT-MIS

Paula A. Reynoso

Head - Suppplements

Virgilio DC Galvez

Aytch dela Cruz

Online Editor

Edgar M. Valmorida Circulation Manager

News Editor

(On leave)

Lino M. Santos Chief Photographer

WORLD

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2026

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

‘Chinese AI firms do systematic theft’ W

ASHINGTON – Washington accused top Chinese artificial intelligence labs including DeepSeek and Moonshot AI of systematically stealing the capabilities of American models on Tuesday as the two countries race for tech supremacy.

COPING WITH CONFLICT. Teachers and children hold balloons in the national Israeli flag colors as they celebrate the upcoming Jewish New Year at the Israeli Kibbutz of Misgav Am, bordering southern Lebanon where Israel has destroyed entire villages over the past months. Israel hit swathes of south Lebanon hard during the Middle East war that erupted with joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran, and its forces continue to occupy what it calls a ‘security zone.’ One of the overnight strikes hit a building in the town of Kfar Rumman, killing 12 people, including two children and four women. AFP

IN BRIEF Supporters pay respects to Chairman Mao Malaysia helicopter crash kills 5 in remote airfield KUCHING, Malaysia – Five people were killed when a helicopter crashed at a remote airfield inland Sarawak on the northwest coast of the island of Borneo, Malaysian authorities said Wednesday. The BO-105 helicopter operated by the country’s Flying Doctor Service, went down on Tuesday afternoon about 315 kilometers (195 miles) southeast of the city of Miri, disaster management officials said. “All five on board are deceased as confirmed by reports from the Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) and the Ministry of Health,” Galong Luang, Miri’s disaster management chairman, said in a statement. The pilot, a doctor, a medical assistant and two nurses were among those killed, according to local media. Footage of the crash on social media showed the helicopter belching smoke shortly before crashing. A Malaysian air crash investigation team is expected to reach the crash site on Wednesday, the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia said. It is unclear what caused the crash at this stage. AFP

SHAOSHAN, China – Fifty years after his death, diehard fans of the Chinese Communist leader Mao Zedong lined up Wednesday in his hometown to pay homage, holding portraits, flags and huge floral tributes. Chairman Mao, the founder of the People’s Republic, died on September 9, 1976, and his life and legacy was being commemorated fervently this week by those who still revere him as a visionary leader. As China grapples with a slowing economy, nostalgia is growing for Mao’s egalitarian ideals, but his drastic policies are also blamed by historians for mass starvation and millions

of deaths. Tourists -- many of them university students -- laid chrysanthemum wreaths, bottles of Chinese alcohol, and cigarettes at the foot of a 10-metre-tall (32.8 feet) bronze statue of Mao in the main square in Shaoshan, in central Hunan province. Hundreds of visitors lined up in carefully organized queues to bow solemnly and observe a few seconds of silence, while others posed for photos in front of the statue. Watchful police stopped people from lingering too long. Deng, a 28-year-old tourist, told AFP that he had “been influenced”

by Mao’s spirit and had great respect for him. “I suddenly felt like coming here today to commemorate him, because the 50th anniversary is something that only comes around once in a lifetime.” The night before, around 1,000 ardent admirers – some in the short, tunic-style suits famously worn by Mao – held an emotional ceremony at the statue. They brandished relics of a bygone era: old portraits of the leader and copies of the “Little Red Book,” a collection of his quotations that was once virtually ubiquitous in China. AFP

Policeman kills teacher wife at Thai school BANGKOK – A police officer shot dead his teacher wife at the kindergarten where she worked in Thailand on Wednesday but all the children are safe, officials said. The gunman returned home after the shooting in Chonburi province, southeast of Bangkok, where police were negotiating his surrender. The incident is the latest shooting to rock Thailand, a month after a teenager shot his grandparents and then five staff and a pupil at his school, before killing himself. Thailand has one of the highest rates of gun ownership in the region, and past promises of tightening gun laws have not prevented repeated shootings. Sayan Klomaon, chairman of Nong Pla Lai sub-district council, told AFP the gunman – a policeman local to the area – came to the school at about 10:30 am (0330 GMT) and talked with his wife before shooting her. AFP

REMEMBERING MAO. People pay tribute to late Communist leader Mao Zedong at the Mao Zedong Bronze Statue Square in Shaoshan, China’s central Hunan province on September 9, 2026, during the 50th anniversary of his death. AFP

The advisory from the US cyber defense agency comes ahead of an expected meeting this month between President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping at the White House, where AI could be an important discussion topic. It follows several previous accusations of Chinese AI theft, through a process known as distillation, levelled by the US government and American AI companies. “China-based artificial intelligence (AI) companies are conducting systematic extraction of proprietary functionalities and capabilities of U.S. AI companies’ models,” Tuesday’s advisory read. They are doing so “through industrial-scale knowledge distillation campaigns that form the core – not merely a supplement – of their AI development strategy,” it said. Distillation is where an AI model is trained to mimic the output of a larger, more capable one. The method is widely used across the industry, but Washington says Chinese firms have deployed it at scale to illicitly copy American systems. Chinese companies that adopt this strategy “see significantly shorter AI development timelines and reduced financial expenditures in training a frontier model,” the advisory said. It detailed how DeepSeek, Moonshot AI, Alibaba, MiniMax, StepFun, and Z.AI allegedly used millions of exchanges and requests to steal the capabilities of US models from the likes of OpenAI, Anthropic, Google and xAI. AFP contacted the Chinese companies apart from StepFun which was not immediately reachable. Moonshot AI declined to comment. These actions, taken “likely with Chinese government awareness,” have taken place since at least late 2024, it said. Trump is under pressure to respond to the increasing success of Chinese AI models that many companies prefer to the more powerful, but pricier, US versions from Anthropic or OpenAI. In July, dozens of startups wrote a letter to the Trump administration urging it to think twice against any outright ban or strict curbs on foreign-made AI models, saying this should only be considered for government use of the technology. That month, Beijing also turned the tables by accusing US AI of using Chinese examples to train their models. AFP

Sokor video game mogul to pay record $1.5 bn in divorce SEOUL – A Seoul court on Wednesday ordered South Korean video game tycoon Kwon Hyuk-bin to pay more than 2 trillion won ($1.5 billion) in a divorce settlement, the largest asset division ever awarded in the country. The amount surpasses the 944 billion won awarded in the divorce settlement between SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won – whose business also owns chip giant SK hynix – and his ex-wife, Roh Soh-yeong. Kwon founded Smilegate in 2002 and has built it into one of the most successful gaming companies in South Korea. The Seoul Family Court granted the divorce and ordered Kwon to transfer a “35-percent stake in Smilegate, worth about 2.5 trillion won, and pay 65 billion won in cash,” the court said. Kwon’s ex-wife, surnamed Lee, filed for divorce in November 2022, seeking half of his stake in Smilegate Holdings, now Smilegate, according to local media. Lee argued that she had contributed to the company’s founding and early management, as well as indirectly through domestic work, and was therefore entitled to half of Kwon’s stake. A court spokesperson said the court concluded that the “marriage had broken down beyond repair after considering the circumstances behind the couple’s prolonged conflict and the prospects for reconciliation.” The court said “both sides bore equal responsibility for the breakdown of the marriage” and therefore granted the divorce but rejected Lee’s claim for damages, she added. AFP

Thailand investigates after Briton Two killed in Russian strike on Ukraine-Moldova border dies from penis enlargement KYIV – Two civilians were killed in a Russian drone strike at a checkpoint on Ukraine’s border with Moldova, the regional governor said Wednesday. “Tonight, enemy drones attacked the Starokozache international road checkpoint on the border with Moldova,” Odesa regional governor Oleg Kiper wrote on social media. “Sadly, there are casualties among the civilians who were near the checkpoint: according to preliminary information, two people were killed and three wounded.” An image attached to Kiper’s message showed a deserted border post littered with debris. The attack forced the closure of the checkpoint, around 500 kilometers (310 miles) south of Kyiv, Ukraine’s State Border Guard Service said. AFP

BANGKOK – Thai authorities said Wednesday they are investigating a Bangkok clinic where a Nigerian-born British businessman and influencer underwent a penis enlargement procedure that led to his death. A coroner in London last month ruled that the March 6 death of Igho Ubiribo, 43, in the Thai capital was caused by the hyaluronic acid injection he received hours earlier. The case has reignited debate about medical tourism, with Thailand a leading destination for visitors from abroad seeking healthcare, including aesthetic procedures. Ubiribo, reportedly known as “Tiny” and “Ego,” had 185,000 followers on Instagram, regularly posting pictures with

his wife Danielle enjoying a luxury lifestyle. Thailand’s health ministry ordered an investigation into his death and officials on Monday visited the central Bangkok clinic where Ubiribo was treated. Authorities are looking into whether it holds a valid license and followed health and safety protocols, a health ministry official told AFP. He was having a massage after receiving the filler when he complained of chest pains and collapsed, according to an August report from the UK coroner, which formally determines cause of death. He was taken by ambulance to hospital, suspected of having a pulmonary embolism, but lost consciousness before he could have a CT scan. AFP

STAY OUT OF IRAN WAR. People protest against South Korea’s potential military involvement in the US operations in the Strait of Hormuz, in Seoul on September 9, 2026. AFP

SPORTS

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2026

PH U23 football team ready for Asiad comeback

PMNT’s Andres Aldeguer (leftmost) scores on a header against the Stallion Laguna defense.

Record rain forces Asiad bets to evacuate accommodations

OKYO— Hundreds of Asian Games athletes in Japan were briefly evacuated from their accommodation as record rainfall lashed host city Nagoya, with competition beginning on Thursday. Rainwater also leaked into some competition venues, with more wet weather forecast for the coming days. About 104mm (four inches) of rain fell in an hour in part of Nagoya on Tuesday, prompting municipal officials to issue an evacuation order for parts of the city. Cars were forced to plough through heavily flooded roads, causing huge

jams, while water streamed into subway stations. Scientists say human-induced climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of weather events in Japan and elsewhere. There is no dedicated athletes’ village at this year’s Asian Games, with organisers instead relying on a cruise ship, temporary wooden containers

and hotels. An official with Nagoya Port Authority told AFP that “hundreds” of athletes staying at the city’s Garden Pier area, where the wooden container huts are located, were told to move to safety. The athletes returned after the evacuation order was lifted about two hours later. The Asian Games officially begin with an opening ceremony on September 19 but several events get under way before that. The basketball competition begins on Thursday. Rainwater was found in several competition venues but Nagoya Mayor Ichiro Hirosawa said the facilities were not seriously affected and that events would go on as scheduled.

“There has been limited impact like rainwater leaking from the roofs of some buildings, but the situation is not so serious that the opening on the 19th is in jeopardy for now,” he said. “Given the current circumstances, I believe there will be no obstacles to holding the Asian Games.” More than 17,000 athletes and officials are expected at the Games -- a bigger number than the Olympics. ‘Unable to go home’ Subway and bus services in Nagoya were temporarily halted on Tuesday and the Japan Meteorological Agency issued its highest flood warning for a major river in the area. Television footage showed rain water pouring onto a railway line like a waterfall from elevated ground. In another part of Nagoya, an abandoned car sat on a pedestrian sidewalk Wednesday. AFP

Belacas, Sanches share MVP honors in Digos juniors tennis KRESTHAN Belacas and Cyrelmae Sanchez shared the spotlight as the top performers in the MJFC Araw ng Digos Juniors Age Group Tennis Championships, each winning one title and finishing runner-up in another at the Digos City courts in Davao del Sur over the weekend. The top-seeded Belacas lived up to his billing in the boys’ 14-and-under singles, dropping just five games in his first three matches before surviving a stern challenge from third-ranked Xian Sugsi in the finals. Belacas produced key breaks at crucial stages to prevail, 6-3, 6-4, and secure the title. The rising Mlang, Cotabato standout, however, came up short in his bid for a second crown after Kyle Ramos pulled off a 6-1, 4-6, 6-4 escape in the boys’ 16-and-U final of the Group 2 tournament, the opening leg of the Palawan Pawnshop Mindanao swing. The Digos tournament, part of the nationwide junior tennis series organized by Palawan Pawnshop president and CEO Bobby Castro, kicked off the Mindanao swing, which continues Thursday (Sept. 10) at the Capital Indoor and Outdoor courts in Isulan,

Digos junior tennis champions Kresthan Belacas and Cyrelmae Sanchez hold their trophies as they pose with Mayor Josef Cagas (left) and Councilor Liza Cagas.

Sultan Kudarat. The third stop, the Kidapawan Juniors Championship, is set Sept. 16-22 at the Kidapawan City courts in Cotabato. For details and registration, contact tournament director Bobby Mangunay at 0915-4046464. Sanchez likewise settled for a title

and a runner-up finish after ruling the girls’ 16-and-U division. The Cagayan de Oro ace defeated Justine Gumbao, 6-2, 6-4, but fell short of a second championship as Kirsten Mae Gorre fashioned out a 6-2, 6-3 victory in the girls’ 18-and-U final. The week-long tournament, hosted by Mayor Josef Fortich Cagas and sanc-

tioned by Philta and Universal Tennis Rating, also produced champions Julius Otoc, Andrei Domasing, Francine Wong and Arissa Macapendeg. Otoc lived up to his top billing in the centerpiece boys’ 18-and-U division, thwarting Matteo Calingasan, 6-3, 6-4; Domasing likewise stamped his class in the boys’ 12-and-U category, blasting past Gabriel Francisco, 6-3, 6-1, while Wong survived Teresinha Calingasan’s late fightback, 6-1, 7-6(2), to claim the girls’ 14-and-U crown. Macapendeg completed the singles winners, holding off Sabrina Esiderio, 6-3, 6-4, for the girls’ 12-and-U plum. In doubles, Gorre teamed up with Aika Salahuddin to drub Camille Clar and Dyan Placa, 8-3, for the girls’ 18-and-U title, while Cedric Evangelista and Francis Florida took the boys’ premier crown with an 8-2 rout of Jhazz Fernando and Rein Hayana. Teresinha Calingasan and Gumbao also prevailed in the girls’ 14-and-U finals, beating Aiya Poculan and Shan Tuyor, 8-2, while Archie Roceta and Sugsi captured the boys’ 14-and-U diadem with an 8-3 triumph over siblings Cristiano and Maximus Calingasan.

Que’s class, composure shine as Summit Point heats up

Angelo Que (Manny Marcelo)

LIPA CITY, Batangas—Angelo Que turned a spirited, chaotic battle for second-round supremacy into a commanding display of class and composure Wednesday, breaking away from a tightly bunched field with a blistering frontside finish for a solid 66 and a four-stroke lead halfway through the ICTSI Summit Point Championship here. At 47, the reigning Philippine Golf Tour Order of Merit champion continues to show that his appetite for winning has hardly diminished. And in conditions that demanded patience, precision and

nerve, Que once again showed why he remains one of the circuit’s most formidable – and enduring – competitors. Starting on the back nine, Que emerged from the crowded leaderboard by birdieing the first three holes at the turn, seizing solo control before leaning on a string of gutsy pars to protect his advantage. The result was a second straight six-under card and a 12-under 132 total, putting him in prime position to chase a second PGT victory of the season after outdueling Tony Lascuña in a thrilling finish at Caliraya Springs. That same winning formula – experience, aggression when needed and the ability to stay composed under pressure – could prove decisive again this week. For Que, who continues to compete at a high level despite being one of the more experienced players in the field, the prospect of winning remains a powerful source of motivation.

“Winning is a motivation for me, especially at this age. If you can keep winning, then that’s a good sign,” he added. Asked what has allowed him to remain competitive against younger players, Que pointed to his perspective, gratitude and the importance of planning ahead rather than forcing results. “Maybe it’s just the way I look at things. I’m just grateful that I’m still playing and I’m still healthy. I can still keep up with the young ones. So, I think that’s – there’s no secret really. It’s just planning lang siguro, planning way ahead. Not forcing anything.” The P2.5-million championship has produced a scoring bonanza, with the stellar field taking full advantage of favorable scoring conditions under winter rules. But the wet and damp conditions at Summit Point Golf and Country Club have continued to test the players, making Que’s ability to keep his game under

control all the more impressive. Still, he faces a strong group of challengers, led by Carl Corpus and cousin Aidric Chan, veteran Reymon Jaraula and first-round leader Justin Quiban. Corpus, 25, emerged as Que’s closest pursuer after matching Que’s 66 in spectacular fashion. Seeking a second PGT title following his breakthrough at Valley Golf last year, Corpus also used a blazing frontside finish to surge into solo second at 136. He came alive after a so-so birdiebogey start on the backside, birdieing the first two holes before gunning down an eagle on the par-5 No. 3 and adding birdies on the next two. After a par, he birdied the seventh for a sizzling 29 and a 66. Corpus is also looking to sharpen his game ahead of his second Asian Games appearance in Aichi-Nagoya later this month, adding another layer of motivation to his pursuit of Que.

THE Philippine Under-23 Men’s National Football Team (PMNFT U23) has been training hard in its return to the Asian Games for the first time since 1974, when the country last featured in the quadrennial sports meet’s seventh edition held in Tehran, Iran. Given the historic prestige of the Asiad and the strength of the opponents, PMNFT U23 has called up 29 players in the national team pool as they have been preparing and training at the adidas Football Park in Pasay City and the Rizal Memorial Stadium (RMS) in Manila. As part of its preparation, on September 6, the PMNFT U23 had a friendly match against Philippines Football League (PFL) side Stallion Laguna, a professional club bannered by last season’s Golden Boot runner-up Finn McDaniel, which the U23 squad won, 2-0. Forwards Janjan Jalique and Aidan Astilla-Boronda scored the winning goals for the national squad. PFF president John Anthony Gutierrez emphasized that the Federation’s preparations for the campaign have been thorough. To beef up PMNFT U23’s readiness, the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) has moved the Season 89 men’s football tournament opening to October to ensure the availability of UAAP players and coaches for the Asiad. Among the UAAP players in the national pool are the University of the Philippines’ (UP) Fonsi Gonzalez, Joshua Meriño, and Jian Caraig; Ateneo’s Dov Cariño and Mateo Lacson; and La Salle’s Iñigo Castro and Joaquin Collo. Meanwhile, UP head coach Popoy Clarino sits as lead assistant coach for the national team. “PFF thanks UAAP for aligning its schedule in support of the Philippine under-23 Men’s National Football Team to the 20th Asian Games in Nagoya, allowing top collegiate players to participate. We thank UAAP President Mark Molina, Executive Director Rebo Saguisag and UAAP Board of Trustees, Football Commissioner Rely San Agustin, and Season 89 host Far Eastern University for their continuous support,” Gutierrez said.

Lady Altas bounce back UNIVERSITY of Perpetual Help System DALTA stunned the University of Santo Tomas with a 2515, 25-18, 25-18 sweep to regain its winning ways in the 2026 VLeague Collegiate Challenge on Wednesday at Gameville Central Park in Mandaluyong City. Jem Menor and Camille Bustamante led the Lady Altas charge in dominating the Golden Tigresses to force a three-way tie at 2-2. Perpetual tied its victims and San Beda, which outlasted University of the East in the first match, in third to fifth spots. Adamson University and Arellano University are the only unbeaten teams at 4-0. It was a big bounce back win by the Lady Altas after losing to the Lady Chiefs on Saturday. With Perpetual already in command after taking the first two sets, Bustamante put UST further on the ropes with back-to-back aces that stretched the lead to 21-16. The Golden Tigresses made one last push, but Menor’s crosscourt kill closed out the one-hour, 19-minute match. “Pinaghandaan [talaga] yan kasi talagang upset ako noong last game namin. Parang walang nilaro talaga ‘yong mga bata,” Perpetual head coach Sandy Rieta said. “Pinag-aralan namin, nagtulongtulong kami kung bakit nagkaganon. Laban lang. Matalo at nakita kong lumaban tayo, happy na ako doon. Nakita ko ‘yong improvement at ‘yong puso natin.”

Perpetual Help’s Jemalyn Menor smashes one in.

SPORTS

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2026

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

Ben Shelton of the United States celebrates match point against Carlos Alcaraz of Spain during their Men’s Singles Quarterfinal match on Day 10 of the 2026 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Centerin the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. AFP

Alcaraz falls to Shelton in epic match NEW YORK—Carlos Alcaraz tumbled out of the US Open quarter-finals at 3:34 am Wednesday, falling to American Ben Shelton in an epic fiveset thriller that broke the record for latest finish ever at Flushing Meadows. The big-hitting Shelton claimed his first career win over Alcaraz, 6-7 (5/7), 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6 (10/7), ending the Spaniard’s hopes of retaining his title in his first tournament back after a four-month injury absence. It took a brutal four hours and 28 minutes, finishing long past the previous latest finish in New York of 2:50 am -- Alcaraz’s five-set quarter-final win over Jannik Sinner in 2022. Shelton equals his semi-final run at the US Open three years ago and booked an all-American semi-final against Frances Tiafoe, who came back from two sets down to beat Alex Michelsen 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3, 7-6 (10/6). It means Tiafoe and Shelton have a chance to become the first Americans to win the US Open men’s singles title since Andy Roddick in 2003. “That was a war, epic match, so physical,” Shelton said. “Carlos is one of the greatest champions in our sport already at 23 years old. “It’s always fun being on the court against him. It’s ridiculous some of the stuff he comes up with sometimes -the most enjoyable match that I’ve had in my career, for sure.” Alcaraz was upbeat. “It was close. It was close. So I’m just not going to be disappointed about not getting the win at the end,” he said. “I’m just proud about myself, about how I fought. I leave the court with a smile, healthy, and this is what I needed.” Alcaraz had gone from strength to strength though his first four matches, but Shelton finally proved too much. Shelton, pumped up by the Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd, reeled off nine straight games bridging the second and third sets to seize control, capitalizing on Alcaraz’s flagging serve and getting the better of him in rallies that left him winded. AFP

No decision yet on Eala’s Asian Games’ exemption By Randy M. Caluag

HE Philippine Tennis Association has formally asked the Women’s Tennis Association to exempt Alexandra Eala from possible penalties for skipping a mandatory WTA 1000 tournament to represent the country in the 2026 Asian Games.

Alexandra Eala

Eala has been included in the Philippine tennis lineup for the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, despite a schedule conflict with the China Open. Navotas Mayor and PHILTA Secretary General John Rey Tiangco confirmed that the federation had informed the WTA of Eala’s commitment to the national team, while PHILTA Executive Director Tonette Mendoza said the federation had been coordinating with the WTA for some time

but had yet to receive a decision. The Asian Games tennis competition will overlap with the China Open, a mandatory WTA 1000 event. Both tournaments are scheduled to begin in the final week of September and extend into October. Under the WTA’s 2026 rulebook, eligible players are required to compete in designated commitment tournaments. A player who misses one could receive a zero-point result that must count toward her singles ranking. A national federation, however, may request an exemption when a major regional competition overlaps with a mandatory tour event, but approval is not automatic. “Alex herself has made it clear that rep-

resenting the Philippines is an honor and that she is choosing to play for the flag,” Tiangco said. “We fully support that decision and are doing everything we can to ensure that choosing to represent her country does not come at the expense of her standing on the WTA Tour.” Mendoza said PHILTA was still waiting for clarification on any possible sanction. “Wala pa kaming nare-receive from the WTA tungkol sa penalty or kung may penalty,” she said. Following her third-round loss to American Iva Jovic at the US Open, Eala said her positive experiences with the national team influenced her decision to prioritize the Asian Games. “I think it’s a really fun environment, and I love being with the team, especially this last SEA Games in December,” Eala said. “I had such a great time, and I think they’re really memories that stick with me.” Before the Asian Games, Eala is scheduled to play in the WTA 500 Singapore Open.

Puerto Princesa SMART/MVPSF PH taekwondo team vies at world meet maps play with PSC in drive to be sports capital PUERTO PRINCESA CITY—Puerto Princesa is setting its sights on becoming the Sports Capital of the Philippines, a vision strengthened by its partnership with the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and showcased during the three-day Palawan Youth and Sports Summit. PSC chairman Patrick Gregorio hailed Puerto Princesa’s sports program as a model of excellence, driven by the dynamic leadership of Mayor Lucilo Bayron and his city officials. “The sports program of Puerto Princesa City is worth emulating by other LGUs. Maganda talaga programa nyo dito. You are truly advanced in research, development, and implementation. Congratulations,” said Gregorio. ``You already know the benefits of sports tourism to grassroots development and tourism contribution to the economy. Mayor Bayron is your No. 1 cheerleader,’’ added Gregorio. Beyond the summit halls, PSC and Puerto Princesa City leaders moved into the field to see firsthand the infrastructure that will anchor the city’s ambition. Their first stop was the Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm, where a sprawling 20-hectare site donated by the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology through its Director General Gregorio Pio Catapang will become a home for several sports facilities. Here, the PSC Regional Sports Complex will rise with plans taking shape for a baseball diamond in partnership with the Philippine Amateur Baseball Association and its Secretary General Mike Asuncion. It will be complemented by a softball field, a football pitch, and a host of multi-sport facilities that will serve as the backbone of the city’s regional sports hub.

TWO Asian Games-bound taekwondo jins get the chance to further harness their skills and routines when they compete at the 2026 World Poomsae Taekwondo Championships on Sept. 16-20 in Chuncheon, South Korea. Philippine Taekwondo Association Grandmaster Sung-Chon Hong is confident that the five-day event would give 22-year-old Jeus Gabriel Derick Yape and 18-year-old Juliana Mykhail Candelaria the vital exposure and knowledge before taking part in the continental showpiece. Joining them are 40 others (21male and 21female) in the event that will bring together top athletes from around 75 countries, including South Korea, China, France, Spain, Iran, Türkiye, Germany, Chinese Taipei, and the United States. Backing the participation of the SMART/MVP Sports Foundation PH squad are the Philippine Sports Commission, the Philippine Olympic Committee, and Milo. They will be competing in the Senior, Junior, and Cadet divisions. Also seeing action in the Senior Men

Members of the SMART/MVPSF PH taekwondo squad pose with PTA coaches prior to a practice session to prepare for the 2026 World Poomsae Taekwondo Championships on Sept. 16-20 in Chuncheon, South Korea

are Hangzhou Games bronze medal winner Patrick King Perez, Ian Matthew Corton, Joaquin Dominic Tuzon, King Nash Alcairo, Darius Venerable, Justin Kobe Macario, Rodolfo Reyes, Jr., Jay-R Casas, Ernesto Guzman, Jr., and June Ninobla. Apart from Candelaria, also taking part in the Senior Women are Jocel Lyn Ninobla, Maria Nicole Anne Labayne, Sofia Ysabelle Sarmiento, Juvenile Faye

Crisostomo, Janna Dominique Oliva, Zyka Angelica Santiago, Aidaine Krishia Laxa, and Julianna Martha Uy. In the junior male side are Caleb Angelo Calde, Marcus Jared Maquiraya, Alfonzo Gabriel Tormon, Adrian Joseph Gajasan, Jose Javier Mella, Aeden Roffer Cereno, Ashton Martin Losaria, and Reijes Mcheil Landicho. The Junior Women will be composed of Clarissa Louise Gallego,

Austine Zulaika Macaraeg, Angel Lyn Dacanay, Eesha Ysabela Cunanan, Erica Jen Amora, Marielle Elaine Montecillo, and Rhianne Jane Macabales, while the Cadet Men are Xian Gabriel Gamata, Johann Gabriel Ventura, and Damien Azlan Marcela. In the Cadet Women are Joniya Yua Ysabelle Obiacoro, Berenice Yuri Cupit, Jeianna Karrlyn Dela Cruz, and Jamella Jareau Crane Mabanglo.

Avaricio surges ahead with solid 69, sets up wild finish

Chanelle Avaricio

LIPA City, Batangas – Chanelle Avaricio turned a shaky start into a brilliant second-round charge, firing a bogey-free 69 Wednesday to seize a one-stroke lead over Apple Fudolin in the ICTSI Summit Point Championship and set up a thrilling final-round scramble at the Summit Point Golf and Country Club here. Avaricio, who opened with a 75 on Tuesday, stayed patient through the first 11 holes before a birdie on No. 12 ignited a late surge. She followed with another birdie on the 13th and birdied the par-5 No. 16 for the second straight day, closing with a 36-33 and a two-day total of 144. “I hit more greens in regulation today compared to yesterday, so it was easier to make par today,” said Avaricio, who credited her improved iron

play and putting for the turnaround. Her late burst proved decisive as overnight co-leaders Sarah Ababa and Tiffany Lee faltered down the stretch, allowing Avaricio to move alone on top after 36 holes. Ababa, who held a two-shot lead after a 71 in the opening round, suffered a costly double bogey on the 18th and settled for a 75. Lee, meanwhile, forced a three-way tie at the top with Avaricio and Ababa after playing the first 15 holes at one under for the day, only to bogey Nos. 16 and 17 and finish with a second straight 73. Both dropped to joint third at 146 with Seoyun Kim, who fought back with a 71. Fudolin emerged as Avaricio’s closest challenger after a gritty 71 put her at 143, just one stroke behind. Long in search

of a breakthrough, Fudolin made an aggressive start, birdieing two of her first three holes, then steadied herself after a bogey-bogey skid from No. 9 with a birdie on No. 13 to salvage a 35-36. For the first time, Fudolin finds herself within striking distance of an elusive title. Yvon Bisera, meanwhile, matched par 72 for a 147 and in a tie with Gretchen Villacencio, who carded a 74, while Harmie Constantino, just one behind Ababa after 18 holes, also slipped with a 75 for a 148. But the deficit remains manageable in a final round where momentum can change in a matter of holes. Avaricio, however, heads into Thursday’s finale with momentum on her side after producing the day’s best score and negotiating a demanding layout without a single bogey.

BUSINESS

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2026 extrastory2000@gmail.com RODERICK T. DELA CRUZ, Editor ALENA MAE S. FLORES, Asst. Editor

WHAT’S INSIDE?

BLUE CARBON.

PLDT Inc. (PLDT) and its wireless unit Smart Communications Inc. (Smart) are expanding their partnership with the Marine Environment and Resources Foundation Inc. (MERF) to advance the conservation of the country’s blue carbon ecosystems. Signing the partnership are (from left) PLDT sustainability executive Edmar Pasilaban, MERF chairwoman Dr. Hildie Maria Nacorda, PLDT and Smart chief sustainability officer Melissa Vergel de Dios and MERF program leader and UP MSI professor Dr. Laura David.

SM Offices, Visa sign expansion deal

Industrialization to support peso

Aboitiz unit buys P2.94-b Pagbilao lots from PSALM By Alena Mae S. Flores STATE-RUN Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. (PSALM) said Wednesday that Aboitiz Power Corp. subsidiary Therma Luzon Inc. completed the acquisition of certain Pagbilao properties for P2.94 billion. PSALM formalized the sale of 1.06 million square meters of property through a ceremonial signing on Aug. 25, an event that represented more than the completion of a transaction. For Therma Luzon and Aboitiz Power, the purchase signifies a long-term commitment to Pagbilao, the continued responsible operation of the facility and sustained support for the country’s growing energy requirements. PSALM president and chief executive Dennis Edward Dela Serna led the agency’s top management team at the event, joined by Therma Luzon executives, in a ceremony that underscored the government’s power sector privatization agenda and reinforced long-term development and energy security objectives. Representatives of both companies acknowledged years of collaboration in support of the efficient operation of one of the country’s key power generation facilities. “The ceremonial signing marks the successful conclusion of one of PSALM’s privatization targets and reflects the shared commitment between government and private sector stakeholders to energy security and national development,” Dela Serna said. PSALM is also selling a prime property in Diliman, Quezon City, located at Quezon Avenue corner Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago Avenue, for a minimum bid price of P11.09 billion.

PH exports seen growing 10% this year to beat target—DTI By Othel V. Campos

HE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) expects Philippine exports to grow by about 10 percent this year, far exceeding official targets, as the government steps up efforts to open new markets for Filipino products, Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque said Wednesday. Exports grew 10.4 percent in the first half of the year, Roque said on the sidelines of the inaugural Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) conference hosted by the Management Associa-

tion of the Philippines (MAP). “Our exports are growing well every month. We are at 10.4 percent growth from January to June,” Roque said. The government’s 2026 targets call for goods exports to grow 3 percent and services exports to grow 4 percent, but the DTI has said it expects the country to surpass both goals. Export Marketing Bureau (EMB) director Bianca Sykimte confirmed that the DTI has raised its exports growth forecast for the year. Roque said sustaining the growth would depend on the ability of Philippine exporters to enter new markets. “We can grow further, provided our exporters are ready to penetrate new markets. We need to find markets for our products,” she said. The DTI is counting on the country’s existing and ongoing trade

agreements with global partners to expand exports this year and in coming years, Roque said. She added that the department will hold more trade shows to showcase Filipino products and help exporters build market linkages. “We are focusing on exports and the local market. Market access is important, so we will have more trade shows to showcase Filipino products,” Roque said. Roque also identified halal products as another area the government intends to promote as it works to expand the country’s export base. The Philippine Statistics Authority reported that merchandise exports rose 12.9 percent to $54.92 billion (roughly P3.08 trillion) in January to July, putting the country’s export performance ahead of the government’s fullyear growth targets.

2026 exports growth forecast

12.9%

7-month exports growth

$54.92 billion

7-month merchandise exports

NOTICE OF SPECIAL STOCKHOLDERS’ MEETING To All Stockholders: Please be advised that the Special Meeting of the Stockholders of MARCVENTURES HOLDINGS, INC. (the “Corporation”) will be held on October 2, 2026 (Friday) at 2:00 P.M. The meeting will be held virtually via remote communication or in absentia: The Agenda of the meeting is as follows: 1. Call to Order 2. Proof of Notice and Certification of Quorum 3. Approval of the Minutes of the Previous Annual Stockholders’ Meeting Held on July 31, 2026 4. Election of Rolando S. Santos as Regular Director for 2026-2027 5. Other Matters 6. Adjournment For purposes of the Meeting, stockholders of record as of September 4, 2026 are entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the said meeting. Stockholders intending to participate by remote communication should pre-register by sending us an email at inquiries@marcventures.com.ph on or before September 18, 2026.

SUSTAINABLE TOURISM. Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines chief operating

officer Maria Margarita Montemayor Nograles highlights how technology and data continue to reshape the travel industry during the opening of the Philippine Travel Exchange (PHITEX) 2026 on Sept. 8. Carrying this year’s theme, ‘Connecting Markets, Creating Opportunities: From Conversation to Collaboration through Sustainable Tourism Partnerships,’ PHITEX 2026 places greater emphasis on meaningful B2B engagement between 74 foreign buyers from the country’s key and emerging markets and 102 Philippine sellers.

43% of European companies eye PH expansion—survey SOME 43 percent of European businesses plan to expand operations in the Philippines, ranking the country sixth among Southeast Asia’s major markets despite persistent trade and regulatory uncertainties, a survey by the EU-ASEAN Business Council (EU-ABC) showed. The Philippines trailed Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore in expansion plans. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) remained the top economic opportunity for European businesses for a fourth consecutive year, with 61

10%

percent of respondents choosing the region over China and South Asia. The annual survey polled about 150 European business leaders. It found 78 percent expect trade and investment in ASEAN to increase over the next five years, up from 71 percent in 2025. Vietnam led expansion plans at 64 percent, followed by Indonesia at 57 percent, Malaysia and Thailand at 49 percent each and Singapore at 44 percent. More than half of respondents, or 54 percent, plan to expand in three or more ASEAN markets.

The Philippines also ranked behind its larger ASEAN peers in attracting new market entrants, pointing to room for the country to draw more European companies already looking to diversify their regional footprint. US tariff policy uncertainty remains a major concern, with 81 percent of respondents saying it has weakened business confidence in ASEAN. Still, 67 percent of companies recalibrating their supply chains are considering ASEAN, compared with 29 percent for South Asia and 24 percent for China. Othel V. Campos

If you will not be able to attend the meeting but would like to be represented thereat, you are requested to submit a duly signed and accomplished proxy form via email to inquiries@marcventures.com.ph on or before 6:00 p.m., September 22, 2026. Beneficial owners whose shares are lodged with PDTC or registered under the name of a broker, bank, or other fiduciary allowed by law, must likewise submit a notarized certification from the owner of record (i.e. the broker, bank, or other fiduciary) that he is the beneficial owner indicating thereon the number of shares. Corporate shareholders shall likewise be required to submit a notarized Secretary’s Certificate attesting to the authority of its representative to attend and vote at the Stockholder’s Meeting. Printed copies of the above-mentioned documents should be delivered to: The Office of the Corporate Secretary Marcventures Holdings, Inc. 4th Floor BDO Towers Paseo (Formerly Citibank Center) 8741 Paseo de Roxas, Makati City The deadline for submission of proxies is on September 22, 2026. Validation of proxies will take place on September 25, 2026. Pursuant to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Notice dated March 11, 2026, an electronic copy of the Information Statement and Management Report and other pertinent documents related to the meeting may be accessed through the Corporation’s website at https://www.marcventuresholdings.com.ph/ and on the Philippine Stock Exchange Edge website. For any question about the meeting, you may send an email to: inquiries@marcventures.com.ph Makati City, August 26, 2026. ROBERTO V. SAN JOSE Corporate Secretary

ield is

tion

Chunqi, ang

nmar

d on to of Labor Luna..

ield is

tion

. Cai ngh, 8.

y 10.

d on to of Labor Luna..

ield is

tion

Chunqi, ang

nmar

d on to f Labor Luna..

ield is

tion

Cai gh, 8.

y 10.

d on to f Labor Luna..

Xiaomin, 5. Pan Zhuangli, 6. Huang Nanrong, 7. Chen Tianwen, 8. Chen Weipeng, 9. Yu Guoren, 10. Xu Handong Company Address: #65 Road 20, Project 8 Barangay Bahay Toro, District 2 Quezon City 1106

Address: 1-2,5-6. Pasay City 3. Taguig City 4. Makati City 7-8,10. Manila City 9. Quezon City Nationality: 1-10. Chinese

Manila

Standard

Nature of Business: Engaged In The Business Of Motor Vehicle Service And Maintenance.

TODAY

extrastory2000@gmail.com Career Opportunity in Autobot Autoworks Inc.

Career Opportunity in Autobot Autoworks Inc. Research And Development (R&D) Officer Ten (10) Vacancy Prototype Technician

• • Qualification:

Job Description: CONDUCTS RESEARCH ON NEW TECHNOLOGIES, MATERIALS, AND AUTOMOTIVE

INNOVATIONS. Ensures product and repairs meet safety and quality standards.

Qualification:

•• •• •• •• •• ••

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Technology, or a related field is Knowledge of automotive mechanical and electrical systems. preferred but not required. Ability to read and interpret technical drawings, blueprints, and schematics. Knowledge of automotive systems, components, and emerging technologies is a plus. Skilled in using hand tools, power tools, and diagnostic equipment. Strong research, analytical, and problem-solving skills. Detail-oriented with good problem-solving and troubleshooting skills. Proficient in preparing technical reports and documentation. Physically fit and able to work in a workshop environment. Detail-oriented with good communication and organizational skills. Willing to work overtime or on flexible schedules when required. Ability to work independently and collaboratively with a team. Applications may be sent to: Applications may be sent to: OFFICIAL@AUTOBOTOFFROAD.COM OFFICIAL@AUTOBOTOFFROAD.COM Name of foreign national intending to apply for the position Company/Employer Name of foreign national intending to apply for the position Company/Employer Company Name: Autobot Autoworks Name: Company Name: Autobot Autoworks Name: Inc. 1. Xiong Zhiwei, 2. Zhang Qingdi 3. Chen Qing, 4. Liao Jiazhu, 5. Inc. 1. Aprilcindy Sheryn, 2. Nguyen Xuan Trung, 3. Nguyen Thi Yang Yao, 6. Dong Ketao, 7. Zhang Jinhuo, 8. Li Ziqiang, 9. Li Quynh, 4. Huang Zengxiang, 5. Tian Li, 6. Chen Hongfu, 7. Nguyen Bingcheng, 10. Su Wentu Thi Quynh Huong, 8. Wang Luis Herlandenz, 9. Wiyanti, 10. Zhan Shimin Company Address: Address: #65 Road 20, Project 8 Barangay Bahay 1. Pasig City 2. Valenzuela City 3. Parañaque City 4,7-10. Manila Company Address: Address: City 5. Las Piñas City 6. Makati City Toro, District 2 Quezon City 1106 #65 Road 20, Project 8 Barangay Bahay 1-3,7-8,10. Manila City 4-6,9. Makati City Toro, District 2 Quezon City 1106 Nationality: Nationality: 1-10. Chinese 1. Indonesian 2-3,7. Vietnamese 4-6,10. Chinese 8-9. Indonesia Nature of Business: Engaged In The Intended period of employment: Nature of Business: Engaged In The Intended period of employment: Business Of Motor Vehicle Service And 1-10 - Three 3(years) Business Of Motor Vehicle Service And 1-10 - Three 3(years) Maintenance. Maintenance. Autobot Autoworks Inc. hereby declares that the above-named foreign national is able, willing, and Autobot Autoworks Inc. hereby declares that the above-named foreign national is able, willing, and qualified to perform the services and job description for this position. The company has the intention to qualified to perform the services and job description for this position. The company has the intention to employ employ the the said said foreign foreign national national and and apply apply for for an an Alien Alien Employment Employment Permit Permit with with the the Department Department of of Labor Labor and and Employment Employment -- National National Capital Capital Region Region located located at at Dole Dole Central Central office office muralla muralla st st corner corner general general Luna.. Luna..

• USESproduct A N repairs DTOOLS GNmeet NG NGand AND MPROV NG AU OMO V PRODUC • • Ensures and safety quality standards. ADVANCED TO IDENTIFY VEHICLE ISSUES. COMPON N

• Knowledge of Automotive Technology, Engineering, Electrical Technology, or a of automotive mechanical and Mechanical electrical systems. • Graduate B h o d o hn o on on n Au omo hno o

related field is an added advantage. Ability to read M hand n interpret n n technical n o drawings, d blueprints, d p u and schematics. • Skilled experience in automotive diagnostics and troubleshooting is preferred but not in using • Relevant Knowhand d tools, o u power omo tools, and m diagnostic ompon nequipment. nd m n n n p o du mandatory. • Knowledge B nowgood d problem-solving o p odu nanddtroubleshooting opm n ndskills. oub hoo n with of automotive electrical, electronic, mechanical, and computerized systems. • Detail-oriented • StrongAb o u tobwork in u omo oo environment. nd d no qu pm n fit and able a workshop • Physically analytical and problem-solving skills. • Detail-oriented Good overtime p ob m or o onn flexible nd nschedules when required. to work and safety-conscious. • Willing • D o n d nd b o wo n m Applications maydocumentation be sent to: • Good communication and technical skills. OFFICIAL@AUTOBOTOFFROAD.COM App on m b n o Applications may be sent to: O C A @AU OBO O ROAD COM Name of foreign national intending to apply for the position Company/Employer OFFICIAL@AUTOBOTOFFROAD.COM N m Comp n mp o Company Name: Autobot Autoworks Name: Name of foreign national intending to apply for the position Company/Employer Comp n N m Au obo Au owo N m Inc. 1. Xiong Tao, 2. Nguyen Thi Huyen, 3. Suman, 4. Ng Chun Hao, 5. Company n Name: Autobot AutoworksChenName: n 7.hWang on Chufang, n H D n oRonghui, n Ch 9. n Jin h oh n Longda,Wu 6. Qi Dan, 8. Chen Inc. 1. Xue Linlin, 2. Chen Wenkang, 4. Shi u n un 3. XienWencai, Don Xu Shaojie, h q n 5. Xiaohua C Q nhon Xu Deren, b n6. Zhong nShuiping, Xu nm 7. n Li Chunyan, 8. Zhou Quancheng, Company Address: Address: 9. Chen Yixi, 10. Li Jingyi Comp n Add #65 Road 20, Project 8 Barangay Bahay 1,7. PasayAdd City 2-4. Manila City 5. Parañaque 6. Quezon City CompanyRo Address: Address: d P o B n B h M n CCity M n Qu on C P C Toro, District 2 Quezon City 1106 8. Caloocan City 9. Muntinlupa #65 Road 8 Barangay o o20, D ProjectQu on C Bahay 1. Paranaque V n u CityC 2,7-8. Pasay City 3-6,9-10. Manila City Toro, District 2 Quezon City 1106 Nationality: Nationality: N on 1,5-9.1-10. Chinese 2. Vietnamese 3. Indian 4. Malaysian Chinese Ch n V n m Nature of N Business: In nThe period of Nature ofuBusiness: In The period employment: o Engaged Bu nEngaged d n Intended h Intended n nd d employment: p ofod o mp o m n Business Of Motor Vehicle Service And 1-9 Three 3(years) Business Vehicle And And 1-10 - Three 3(years) Bu Of n Motor O Mo o V Service h h Maintenance. Maintenance. M n n n

Autobot Autoworks Inc. hereby willing, Autobot Inc. hereby thatabove-named the is willing, Au Autoworks obo Au owo ndeclares h declares b that d the h above-named h bo foreign n foreign m national d o national nisnable, onable, b and w and n nd qualified to position. the qualified to perform the anddescription jobnddescription thiso position. The has the quperform d othe p services o mservices h and job ob d for this pforon h The po company on company h has omp nintention h intention h to n ntoon o employ the said foreign national and apply for an Alien Employment Permit with the Department of Labor h foreign d o national n n and on apply nd for pp an oAlien n AEmployment n mp o m n P with m the w hDepartment h D p m o bo employmp theo said Permit of nLabor and Employment - National at o Dole Central muralla stmu corner general nd mp o m n Capital N Capital onRegion C Region p located R located on d Central Do office C n omuralla ogeneral n Luna.. nLuna..un and Employment - National at Dole office st corner

Description: Ten Job (10) TenVacancy (10) Vacancy

Qualification:

•• •

Qualification: Qualification:

•• • •• • •• • •• • •• •

ENSURES PRODUCTS AND REPAIRS MEET and SAFETY ANDstandards. QUALITY STANDARDS. Ensures product and repairs meet safety quality

Knowledge of automotive mechanical and electrical systems.

Knowledge automotive systems, repair procedures, and diagnostic tools. Ability toof read and interpret technical and schematics. Knowledge of automotive mechanical anddrawings, electricalblueprints, systems. Strong attention tohand detail andtechnical problem-solving Skilled in using tools, power tools, andskills. diagnostic Ability to read and interpret drawings, blueprints,equipment. and schematics.

Nine (9) Vacancy

P odu Inspector Deve opmen Te hn an Quality Control Hybrid/Electric Technician n V Vehicle n

Autobot Autoworks Inc.Inc. hereby declares thatthat thethe above-named foreign national is able, willing, andand Autobot Autoworks hereby declares above-named foreign national is able, willing, qualified to perform thethe services andand jobjob description for for thisthis position. TheThe company has has the the intention to to qualified to perform services description position. company intention employ the said foreign national and apply for an Alien Employment Permit with the Department of Labor employ the said foreign national and apply for an Alien Employment Permit with the Department of Labor and Employment - National Capital Region located at Dole Central office muralla st corner general Luna..

and Employment - National Capital Region located at Dole Central office muralla st corner general Luna..

Career Opportunity in Autobot Autoworks Inc.

Career Opportunity in Autobot Autoworks Inc. Research And Development (R&D) Officer

Quality Control Inspector

Ten (10) Vacancy Research And Development (R&D) Officer Five (5) Vacancy

Ten (10) Vacancy Job Description:

• INNOVATIONS. ENSURESRESEARCH PRODUCTS AND REPAIRS MEET SAFETY AND QUALITY STANDARDS. • • CONDUCTS ON NEW TECHNOLOGIES, MATERIALS, AND AUTOMOTIVE Qualification:

Job Description: CONDUCTS RESEARCH ON NEW TECHNOLOGIES, MATERIALS, AND AUTOMOTIVE Job Description: Qualification:INNOVATIONS.

• • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Technology, or a related field is Knowledge of automotive systems, repair procedures, and diagnostic tools. preferred but not required. • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Technology, or a related field is Strongbut attention to detail and problem-solving skills. Knowledge ofnot automotive systems, components, and emerging technologies is a plus. • • preferred required. Ableresearch, to prepare inspection reports and maintain records. Strong analytical, and problem-solving skills. •• • Knowledge of automotive systems, components, andaccurate emerging technologies is a plus. Proficient in technical reports and documentation. •• • Strong research, analytical, andinproblem-solving skills. Willing to preparing work on-site and a fast-paced automotive environment. Detail-oriented with good communication organizational skills. •• Proficient in preparing technical reports andand Applications maydocumentation. be sent to: Ability to work independently and collaboratively with a team. •• Detail-oriented with good communication and organizational skills. OFFICIAL@AUTOBOTOFFROAD.COM • Company/Employer Ability to work independently and collaboratively a team. Applications mayofbe sentwith to: Name foreign national intending to apply for the position

Qualification:

OFFICIAL@AUTOBOTOFFROAD.COM Applications may be sent to:

Company Name: Autobot Autoworks Name: Name of foreign national intending to apply for the position OFFICIAL@AUTOBOTOFFROAD.COM Company/Employer Inc. 1. Lin Shaocong, 2. Chen Chuicong, 3. Shi Wenzeng, 4. Chen Name of 5. foreign intending to apply for the position CompanyCompany/Employer Name: Autobot Autoworks Name: Hongbin, Phannational Thi Quyen

Inc. Company Name: Autobot Autoworks Company Address: Inc.

1. Aprilcindy Sheryn, 2. Nguyen Xuan Trung, 3. Nguyen Thi Name: Address: Quynh, 4. Huang Zengxiang, 5. Tian Li, 6. Chen Hongfu, 7. Nguyen 1. Shi Jiaqiang, 2. Huang Chungui, 3. Ta Duy Son, 4. Liang Chunqi, Thi1,3-5. QuynhManila Huong, 8. Wang Luis Herlandenz, 9. Wiyanti, 10. Zhan #65 Road 20, Project 8 Barangay Bahay5. City 2. Pasay City Yang Hongwei, 6. Eric Goh Chee Jie, 7. Ling Phey, 8. Huang Shimin Toro, District 2 Quezon City 1106 Shuyun, 9. Phan Kim Phung, 10. Jackson Chan Tien Wen Nationality: Company Address: Address: 1-4. Chinese 5. Vietnamese Company Address: Address: #65 Road 20, Project 8 Barangay Bahay 1-3,7-8,10. Manila City 4-6,9. Makati City #65 Road 20, Project 8 Barangay Bahay 1-2. Quezon City 3-8,10. Manila City 9. Makati City Nature of Business: Intended period of employment: Toro, District 2 Quezon Engaged City 1106In The Toro, District 2 Quezon City 1106 Nationality: Business Of Motor Vehicle Service AndNationality: 1-5 - Three2-3,7. 3(years) 1. Indonesian Vietnamese 4-6,10. Chinese 8-9. Indonesia 1-2,4-5,8. Chinese 3,9. Vietnamese 6,10. Malaysia 7. Myanmar Maintenance. Nature of Business: Engaged In The Intended period of employment: Nature of Business: Engaged In The Intended period of employment: Autobot Inc.Service herebyAnd declares that the above-named foreign national is able, willing, and Business Of Autoworks Motor Vehicle 1-10 - Three 3(years) Business Of Motor Vehicle Service And 1-10 - Three 3(years) Maintenance. qualified to perform the services and job description for this position. The company has the intention to Maintenance. employ the said foreign national and apply for an Alien Employment with the Department Autobot Autoworks Inc. hereby declares that the above-named foreign Permit national is able, willing, and of Labor Autobot Autoworks Inc. herebyCapital declares that the above-named foreign national is able, willing, and Luna.. and Employment National Region located at this Doleposition. Central office muralla st general qualified to perform -the services and job description for The company hascorner the intention to qualified to perform the services and job description for this position. The company has the intention to employ the said foreign national and apply for an Alien Employment Permit with the Department of Labor employ the said foreign national and apply for an Alien Employment Permit with the Department of Labor and Employment - National Capital Region located at Dole Central office muralla st corner general Luna.. and Employment - National Capital Region located at Dole Central office muralla st corner general Luna..

• PRODUCTS A ND NG MEET NGSAFETY AND MPROV NG AUSTANDARDS. OMO V PRODUC ENSURES ANDGN REPAIRS AND QUALITY

Qualification:

• •

SPECIALIZES IN EV SYSTEMS. COMPON N AND HYBRID Knowledge of automotive mechanical and electrical systems.

• Good p obOFFICIAL@AUTOBOTOFFROAD.COM m o n nd n • • Safety-conscious and detail-oriented.may be sent to: D o n d ndApplications bName o of woforeign nationalnintending m to apply for the position Company/Employer OFFICIAL@AUTOBOTOFFROAD.COM Applications may be sent to: on m b n o Company Name: Autobot Autoworks OFFICIAL@AUTOBOTOFFROAD.COM Name: App Name of foreign national intending apply4.for theCai, position Company/Employer O C A @AU OBO O ROAD COM Inc. 1. Singh Bhupinder, 2. Wang Hongli, 3. ChentoQiqi, Chen 5. Name ofmforeign national intending for the Company/Employer She Guoqiu, Ruisheng, 7. Su Jianbin,to8.apply Nguyen Thi position Hieu, Comp n Autoworks mp o Company Name: Autobot Name: 6. NWen 9. ShiName: Yingying, 10.2.Mung Thi Thi Xiem Company Autoworks Inc. Xiong Tao, Nguyen Huyen, 3. Suman, 4. Ng Chun Hao, 5. CompName: n N Autobot m Au obo Au owo 1. N m Inc. Address: 1. GuiLongda, Yuanyuan, Shen 4.WZhu Chen Qi2.Dan, 7.Zhendong, Wang 8.MChen Company Address: n Hu n 6. n Von M Chufang, nh 3. XinmZhenzhong, nhRonghui, n 9.B Jin o n Xiaomin, 5. Pan Zhuangli, 6. Huang Nanrong, Chen XiaohuaGu #65 Road 20, Project 8 Barangay Bahay 1,3,5-6,8,10. Manila 2,4. Makati 7.hQuezon n uCity ndon Hu nCityh n 7. City n9.Tianwen, 8. Chen Weipeng, 9. Yu Guoren, 10. Xu Handong Toro, District 2 Quezon City 1106 Malabon City Comp n Add Add Company Address: Address: CompanyRo Address: Address: d P 8o Barangay B Bahay n Nationality: B h1,7. P CityC2-4. Manila M City n 5. C Parañaque P ñ 6. quQuezon C M n #65 Road 20, Project Pasay City #65 Road 20, Project 8 Barangay Bahay 1-2,5-6. 3. Taguig City 4. Makati City 7-8,10. Manila o o D 2 Quezon QuCity on1106 C M Pasay C City 1. Indian 2-7,9. Chinese 8,10. Vietnamese Toro, District 8. Caloocan City 9. Muntinlupa City City 9. Quezon City Toro, District 2 Quezon City 1106 N on of employment: Nature of Business: Engaged In The Intended period Nationality: Nationality: Ch n V n m C mbod n Business Of Motor Vehicle Service And 1-101,5-9. - Three 3(years) Chinese 2. Vietnamese 3. Indian 4. Malaysian 1-10. Chinese Maintenance. N u o Bu n n d n h n nd d p od o mp o m n Nature InInThe Intended of employment: Nature Business: Engaged The Intended period period BuofofnBusiness: OInc. MoEngaged o V hdeclares h Autobot Autoworks hereby thatAnd the above-named foreign national is able, willing, and Business Motor VehicleService ServiceAnd And 1-9 1-10- Three - Three3(years) 3(years) Business M Of nOfMotor n n Vehicle qualified to perform the services and job description for this position. The company has the intention to Maintenance. Maintenance. employ theAusaid foreign nationaln and obo Au owo h apply b dfor an Alien h Employment h bo n Permit m d owithnthe n Department on b of w Labor n nd Autobot Autoworks Inc. hereby declares that the above-named foreign national is qu Autoworks d o p Inc. o Capital mhereby h Region ndthat ob the d Dole p Central on o office h foreign pomuralla on h corner omp n willing, h Luna.. h and n n on o and Autobot Employment - National located at st general declares above-named national is able, able, willing, and qualified perform the services andjob job description forAthis this position. The mp operform h dthe o services n n and on nddescription pp o for n n position. mp o m The n Pcompany m w has h D intention p m n to o bo qualified toto company hashthe the intention to ndthemp o foreign m n N on and C p apply R for onanoAliend Employment Do C n Permit o with mu the Department on n un employ said national of Labor employ the said foreign national and apply for an Alien Employment Permit with the Department of Labor and Employment - National Capital Region located at Dole Central office muralla st corner general Luna.. and Employment - National Capital Region located at Dole Central office muralla st corner general Luna.. Career Opportunity in Autobot Autoworks Inc.

Career Opportunity in Autobot Autoworks Inc.

Diagnostics Career OpportunitySpecialist in Autobot Autoworks Inc. TenCareer (10)Control Vacancy Quality Inspector Opportunity in Autobot Autoworks Inc. Research And Development (R&D) Officer Ten Vacancy Job (10) Description: Hybrid/Electric Vehicle Technician Ten (10) Vacancy

•

Ten (10) Vacancy

Job Description: USES ADVANCED TOOLS TO IDENTIFY VEHICLE ISSUES. Job Description: Qualification: Job Description:

ENSURESRESEARCH PRODUCTS REPAIRS MEET SAFETY AND QUALITY STANDARDS. • • CONDUCTS ONAND NEW TECHNOLOGIES, MATERIALS, AND AUTOMOTIVE • INNOVATIONS. of Automotive Technology, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Technology, or a • Graduate SPECIALIZES IN EV AND HYBRID SYSTEMS. Qualification:

Qualification:related field is an added advantage. Qualification:

• • Knowledge of automotive systems, repair procedures, and diagnostic tools. Graduate of Technology, Electrical Mechanical Engineering, Relevant experience in automotive diagnostics andTechnology, troubleshooting is apreferred but not • • Bachelor's degree in Automotive Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Technology, or related field is or a related field is plus. and problem-solving skills. • preferred Strong attention toadetail mandatory. but not required. • Able Knowledge of EV batteries, electric motors, charging systems, and high-voltage components Knowledge of automotive electrical, electronic, mechanical, and computerized systems. to prepare inspection reports and maintain accurate • •• Knowledge of automotive systems, components, and emergingrecords. technologies is a plus. is an advantage. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.automotive • •• Strong research, analytical, and problem-solving skills. Willing to work on-site and in a fast-paced environment. • Familiarity with automotive diagnostic tools and equipment.

Xiaomin, 5. Pan Shuiping, Zhuangli, 6. Huang Nanrong, 7. Chen Tianwen, 8. Xu Deren, 6. Zhong 7. Li Chunyan, 8. Zhou Quancheng, 1. Aprilcindy 2. Nguyen Xuan Trung, Nguyen Thi ChenSheryn, Weipeng, 9. Yu Guoren, 10. Xu 3. Handong Address:

Company Address: 9. Chen Yixi, 10. Li Jingyi 5. Tian Li, 6. Chen Hongfu, 7. Nguyen Quynh, 4. Huang Zengxiang, #65 Road 20, Project 8 Barangay Bahay 1,3,5-6,8,10. CityLuis 2,4.Herlandenz, Makati City9.7.Wiyanti, Quezon 10. CityZhan 9. Company Address: Address: Thi Quynh Huong,Manila 8. Wang Company Address: Address: Road220, Project 8 Barangay Bahay 1-2,5-6. Malabon CityPasay City 3. Taguig City 4. Makati City 7-8,10. Manila Toro,#65 District Quezon City 1106 Shimin

#65Toro, RoadDistrict 20, Project 8 Barangay Bahay 1. Paranaque City 2,7-8. 2 Quezon City 1106 City 9. Quezon City Pasay City 3-6,9-10. Manila City Toro,Address: District 2 Quezon City 1106 Nationality: Company Address: Nationality: Nationality: #65 Road 20, Project 8 Barangay Bahay 1-3,7-8,10. Manila City 4-6,9.8,10. Makati City 1. Indian 2-7,9. Chinese Vietnamese 1-10. Chinese 1-10. Chinese Toro, District 2 Quezon City 1106 Nationality: Nature of Business: Engaged In The Intended period of employment: Nature of Business: Engaged In The period Nature of Business: Engaged In The Intended Intended period of employment: 1. Indonesian 2-3,7. Vietnamese 4-6,10. Chinese 8-9. Indonesia Business Of Motor Vehicle Service - Three 3(years) Business Of Motor Vehicle Service AndAnd1-101-10 - Three 3(years)

1-10 - Three 3(years)

Maintenance. Maintenance. Nature of Business: Engaged In The Intended period of employment: Maintenance. BusinessAutobot Of Motor Vehicle Service And declares 1-10 - Three 3(years) Autoworks hereby above-named foreign national is able, willing, AutobotAutoworks Autoworks Inc.Inc. hereby declaresthat thatthat the the above-named foreign national is willing, and Autobot Inc. hereby declares the above-named foreign national is able, able, willing, andand Maintenance. qualified to perform the services job description for this position. company has the intention to qualified perform theservices services andand jobdescription description for this this position. TheThe company has the intention qualified totoperform the and job for position. The company has the intentionto toLabor employ the said foreign national and apply for an Alien Employment Permit with the Department of Autobot Autoworks hereby declares foreign national is able, and of Labor employ the said Inc. foreign national and that applythe forabove-named an Alien Employment Permit with the willing, Department employ the said foreign national and apply for an Alienat Employment Permit with thest Department of Labor and Employment - Autobot National Region located Dole Central office muralla general Luna.. Career in Autoworks Inc. qualified toOpportunity perform the services andCapital jobRegion description foratthis position. company thecorner intention and Employment - National Capital located Dole CentralThe office murallahas st corner general to Luna.. and Employment - National Capital Region located at Dole Central office muralla st corner general Luna.. employ the said foreign national and apply for an Alien Employment Permit with the Department of Labor Prototype Technician and Employment - National Capital Region located at Dole Central office muralla st corner general Luna..

Ten (10) Vacancy

Career Opportunity in Autobot Autoworks Inc. Opportunity in Autobot Autoworks CareerCareer Opportunity in Autobot Autoworks Inc. Inc.

Prototype Technician Research And Development Prototype Technician (R&D) Officer Ten (10) Vacancy Ten (10) TenVacancy (10) Vacancy Job Description: Job Description: Job Description:

Ensures product and repairs meet safety and quality standards. RESEARCH ON NEW TECHNOLOGIES, MATERIALS, AND AUTOMOTIVE •• CONDUCTS Ensures product and repairs meet safety and quality standards. Qualification: • INNOVATIONS. Qualification: • Knowledge of automotive mechanical and electrical systems. Qualification: Knowledge of automotive mechanical and electrical systems. Ability to read andininterpret technical drawings, blueprints, and schematics. •• •Bachelor's degree Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Technology, or a related field is Ability read and interpret technical drawings, blueprints, and schematics. buttonot required. • •preferred Skilled in using hand tools, power tools, and diagnostic equipment. Skilledofinautomotive using tools, power tools, and diagnostic equipment. •• •Knowledge components, and emerging technologies is a plus. Detail-oriented with hand good systems, problem-solving and troubleshooting skills. •• •Strong research, andinproblem-solving skills. Detail-oriented good and troubleshooting skills. Physically fit andanalytical, ablewith to work a workshop environment. preparing reports and documentation. •• •Proficient Physically fit and technical able in a schedules workshop environment. Willing to in work overtime orto onwork flexible when required. • •Detail-oriented communication and organizational skills. Willing to with workgood overtime or on flexible Applications may beschedules sent to: when required. • Ability to work independently and collaboratively with a team. OFFICIAL@AUTOBOTOFFROAD.COM Applications may be sent to:

OFFICIAL@AUTOBOTOFFROAD.COM Namemay of foreign national Applications be sent to: intending to apply for the position OFFICIAL@AUTOBOTOFFROAD.COM Company Name: Autobot Autoworks Name: Name of foreign national intending to apply for the position Company/Employer of foreign national intending for the5.position Inc. 1. XuName Meizhen, 2. Luo Peng, 3. Li Xiusi,to 4.apply Lu Jiahao, Wu Qiande, Company/Employer Company Name: Autobot Autoworks6. WuName: Meiman, 7. Choo Siew Peng, 8. Khalili Payam, 9. Xie Caibin, Company Name:1. Xiong Zhiwei, 2. Zhang Qingdi 3. Chen Qing, 4. Liao Jiazhu, 5. Inc. Name: Autobot Autoworks 10. Zhang Rongjiang Inc. 1. Teoh Chey Cheng, 2. Mong Lap, 3.Jinhuo, Wang Kuanyu, 4. Cai9. Li Yang Yao, 6. Dong Ketao,Thi 7. Zhang 8. Li Ziqiang, Company Address: Address: Lixu, 5. Chen Yanman, Wan Lingqiang, 7. Gurwinder Singh, 8. Bingcheng, 10. Su6.Wentu #65 Road 20, Project 8 Barangay Bahay Wu 1,4-5,9. Manila City 2. San Nicolas, 3,6. Malabon City Shijun, 9. Huang Sitong, 10. Shi Manila Chengzhuo Address:City 1106 Address: Toro, Company District 2 Quezon 7. Pasig City 8,10. Makati City Company Address: #65 Address: Road 20, Project 8 Barangay Bahay 1. Pasig City 2. Valenzuela City 3. Parañaque City 4,7-10. Manila Nationality: #65 Road 20, Project 8 Barangay Bahay 1. Makati City 2. Manila City 3-8. Manila 9. Parañaque City 10. Toro, District 2 Quezon City 1106 City 5. Las Piñas City 6. Makati City 1-6,9-10. Pasay CityChinese 7. Malaysia 8. Iran Toro, District 2 Quezon City 1106 Company/Employer

Nationality:

Nature of Business: Engaged In The Intended period of employment: Nationality: Chinese Business Of Motor Vehicle Service And 1. 1-10 -1-10. Three Malaysia 2.3(years) Vietnamese 3-6,8-10. Chinese 7. Indian Maintenance. Nature of Business: Engaged In The Intended period of employment: Nature of Business: Engaged In The Intended period of employment: Business Of Motor Vehicle Service And 1-10 Three 3(years) Autobot Of Autoworks Inc. hereby that -the above-named foreign national is able, willing, and Business Motor Vehicle Servicedeclares And 1-10 Three 3(years) Maintenance. qualified to perform the services and job description for this position. The company has the intention to Maintenance. employ the said foreign national and apply for an Alien Employment Permit with the Department of Labor Autobot Autoworks Inc. hereby declares thatabove-named the above-named foreign national is able, willing, Autobot Autoworks Inc. hereby declares that the foreign national is able, willing, and and and Employment - National Capital Region located at Dolefor Central office muralla st cornerhas general Luna.. to qualified to perform the services and job description this position. The company the intention qualified to perform the services and job description for this position. The company has the intention to employ theforeign said foreign national and apply an Alien Employment Permit withDepartment the Department of Labor employ the said national and apply for anfor Alien Employment Permit with the of Labor and Employment - National CapitalCapital Region located at Dole officeoffice muralla st corner general Luna..Luna.. and Employment - National Region located at Central Dole Central muralla st corner general

Career Opportunity in Autobot Autoworks Career Opportunity in Autobot Autoworks Inc. Inc.

Quality Control Inspector Research And Development (R&D) Officer FiveVacancy (5) Vacancy Ten (10)

Career Opportunity in Autobot Autoworks Inc.

Job Description: Diagnostics Specialist Career Opportunity in Autobot Autoworks Inc. Ten (10) Vacancy Career Opportunity in Autobot Autoworks Ensures product and repairsInc. meet safety and quality standards.

• Technician Prototype

Qualification: Job Description: Prototype Nine (9)Technician Vacancy USES ADVANCED TOOLS TO IDENTIFY ISSUES. Ten (10) Vacancy • • Knowledge of automotive mechanical andVEHICLE electrical systems. Job Description: Qualification:

•• • Ability toproduct readofand interpret drawings, blueprints, and schematics. Graduate Automotive Technology, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Technology, or a Ensures and repairs technical meet safety and quality standards. • Ensures related productfield andisrepairs meet safety and quality standards. an added advantage. Qualification: • Skilled in using hand tools, power tools, and diagnostic equipment. Qualification: • Knowledge Relevantofexperience in mechanical automotiveand diagnostics troubleshooting is preferred but not automotive electricaland systems. • •• Knowledge of automotive mechanical and electrical systems. Detail-oriented with good problem-solving and troubleshooting skills. mandatory. Ability to read and interpret technical drawings, blueprints, and schematics. • •• Ability toKnowledge read fit and interpret technical drawings, blueprints, and schematics. • Physically of automotive electrical, electronic, mechanical, and computerized systems. and able to work in a workshop environment. Skilled in using hand tools, power tools, and diagnostic equipment. • • Skilled inStrong using analytical hand tools, power tools, and diagnostic equipment. and problem-solving skills. • •• Willing to work overtime orproblem-solving on flexible schedules when required.skills. Detail-oriented good troubleshooting Detail-oriented and safety-conscious. • • Detail-oriented withwith good problem-solving and and troubleshooting skills. Job Description:

fit able and able to Applications work in a workshop may beenvironment. sent to: skills. • Physically Good communication and documentation • • Physically fit and to work in a technical workshop environment. OFFICIAL@AUTOBOTOFFROAD.COM Willing to work overtime on flexible schedules when required. • • Willing to work overtime or onorflexible schedules required. Applications maywhen be sent to:

Company/Employer

OFFICIAL@AUTOBOTOFFROAD.COM

Name of national Applications be sent to: intending to apply for the position Applications maymay beforeign sent to:

Name of foreign national intending to apply for the position Company/Employer OFFICIAL@AUTOBOTOFFROAD.COM OFFICIAL@AUTOBOTOFFROAD.COM

Company Name: Autobot Autoworks Name: Company Name: Autobot Autoworks Name Name: of Zhiwei, foreign national intending apply for the position Name of foreign national intending to apply for the position Company/Employer Company/Employer Inc. Inc. 1. Xiong Qingdi 3.toChen 4. Liao Jiazhu, 5. 5. 1. Xue Linlin, 2. 2. Zhang Chen Wenkang, 3. XieQing, Wencai, 4. Shi Shaojie, YangXuYao, 6. Dong Ketao, 7. Zhang7.Jinhuo, 8. Li Ziqiang, 9. Li Company Name: Autobot Autoworks Deren, 6. Zhong Shuiping, Li Chunyan, 8. Zhou Quancheng, Company Name: Autobot AutoworksName: Name: Inc. Inc. 1. Xu1. Meizhen, 2. Luo Peng, 3. LiHuyen, Xiusi, 4. Jiahao, Qiande, 9. Chen Yixi, 10. Li Jingyi Xiong Tao, 2. Nguyen Thi 3.Lu Suman, 4.5. NgWu Chun Hao, 5. Bingcheng, 10. Su Wentu Company Address:

6. Wu Meiman, 7. 6. Choo Siew7.Peng, Khalili Payam, 9. Ronghui, Xie Caibin, Chen Longda, Qi Dan, Wang8.Chufang, 8. Chen 9. Jin Address:

Company Address: Address: 10. Zhang Rongjiang City 2,7-8. Pasay City 3-6,9-10. Manila City Xiaohua #65 Road 20, Project 8 Barangay Bahay 1. Paranaque #65 Toro, Road 20, Project 8 Barangay Bahay 1. Pasig City 2. Valenzuela City 3. Parañaque City 4,7-10. Manila District 2 Quezon City 1106 Company Address: Address: Nationality: Company Address: Address: 2 Quezon City 1106 City1-10. 5. LasChinese Piñas Makati Manila City 3,6. Malabon City #65 Toro, Road District 20, Project 8 Barangay Bahay 1,4-5,9. Manila City 2.City San6.Nicolas, #65 Road 20, Project 8 Barangay Bahay 1,7. Pasay City 2-4. Manila City 5. Parañaque 6. Quezon City 7. Pasig City 8,10. Makati City 8. Caloocan 9. Muntinlupa City Toro, District Quezon City 1106In The Nature of 2Business: Engaged IntendedCity period of employment: Nationality:

Toro, District 2 Quezon City 1106

Business Of Motor Vehicle ServiceNationality: And1-10. 1-10 - Three 3(years) Chinese Nationality: 1-6,9-10. Chinese 7. Malaysia 8. Iran Maintenance.

1,5-9. Chinese 2. Vietnamese 3. Indian 4. Malaysian

• • • • •

Applications may be sent to: Proficient in preparing technical reports and documentation. OFFICIAL@AUTOBOTOFFROAD.COM Detail-oriented with good communication and organizational skills. Name of foreign national intending to apply for the position Company/Employer Ability to work independently and collaboratively with a team.

Research And Development (R&D) Officer Ten (10) Vacancy

on m b sent n to: o Strong mechanical, analytical,App and troubleshooting skills. Applications may be O C A @AU OBO O ROAD COM OFFICIAL@AUTOBOTOFFROAD.COM Detail-oriented and safety-conscious. m of foreign national intending to apply for the position Comp n work mp independently o Name Company/Employer Ability to and asN part of a technical team.

Quality Control Inspector

Ten Vacancy (10) Vacancy TenVacancy (10) Ten (10)

Five (5) Vacancy Job Description:

Job•Description: • ENSURES SPECIALIZES IN EV AND HYBRIDMEET SYSTEMS. RESEARCH ON NEW TECHNOLOGIES, MATERIALS, AND AUTOMOTIVE • CONDUCTS PRODUCTS AND REPAIRS SAFETY AND QUALITY STANDARDS.

• •

Career Opportunity in Autobot Autoworks Inc.

Career Opportunity in Autobot Autoworks Inc. Ten (10) Vacancy Ten (10) Vacancy

• • • • • •

Comp n Add Add Company Name: Autobot Autoworks Name: Company Address: Address: d 20,PProject o n BBahay h1. Wu1-2,4,7,9-10. M Manila P 3. nManila qu3. CLi QuCity on6. CPasay P Inc. #65Ro Changshan, 2. CLing City Xiaoqiang, 4. Qu Xin, 5. Road 8BBarangay 5.Pengliang, Quezon City 8. MCity o o DDistrict 2Qu on CCity 1106 WangCValenzuela Rongfang, 6.nSu CLongjian, 7. Qiu Azhuan, 8. Cai Xingen, 9. Toro, Quezon Shi Ziran, 10. Su Baojian N on Nationality: Ch n M nd n Company Address: Address: 1-2,4-10. Chinese 3. Vietnamese #65 Road 3. Manila 4,6. N u20,oProject Bu n 8 Barangay n dBahay n h 1-2,5,7. n Pasay nd d City p od o mpCity o m n Parañaque City 8-10. Makati Nature of Business: Engaged In The Intended period of employment: Toro,Bu District City n 2OQuezon Mo o City V h 1106 And h wo Business Of Motor Vehicle Service And 1-10 - Three 3(years) M n n n Nationality: Maintenance. Au obo Au owo n h b d 1-10. Chinese h h bo n m d o n n on b w n nd Autobot Autoworks Inc. hereby declares that the above-named foreign national is able, willing, and qu of Business: d o p Engaged o m h In The nd ob d p on of o h po on h omp n h h n n on o Nature period qualified to perform the services andIntended job description for employment: this position. The company has the intention to mpOf o Motor h d o n n onAnd nd1-10 pp - Three o n A n mp o m n P m w h h D p m n o bo Business Vehicle Service employ the said foreign national and apply for an3(years) Alien Employment Permit with the Department of Labor nd mp o m n N on C p R on o d Do C n o mu on n un Maintenance. and Employment - National Capital Region located at Dole Central office muralla st corner general Luna..

Comp n A Ro d oo D

N u o B Bu n O M n n n

Au obo A qu d o mp o h nd mp o

Job Description: Job Description:

ASSISTS IN DESIGNING, TESTING,VEHICLE AND IMPROVING •USES ADVANCED TOOLS TO IDENTIFY ISSUES. AUTOMOTIVE PRODUCTS OR

•

COMPONENTS.

Qualification: Qualification:

•

Graduate of Automotive Technology, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Technology, or a •relatedBachelor's technical/vocational certification in Automotive Technology, field is andegree addedor advantage. Mechanical Engineering, or a related field is a plus. Relevant experience in automotive diagnostics and troubleshooting is preferred but not •mandatory. Knowledge of automotive systems, components, and maintenance procedures.

•

•Knowledge Basic knowledge of product testing, development, and troubleshooting. of automotive electrical, electronic, mechanical, and computerized systems. to use basic automotive tools and diagnostic equipment. •StrongAbility analytical and problem-solving skills. •Detail-oriented Good problem-solving and analytical skills. and safety-conscious. •Good Detail-oriented to work effectively in askills. team. communicationand andable technical documentation

• • • •

Applications may be to: sent to: Applications may be sent OFFICIAL@AUTOBOTOFFROAD.COM OFFICIAL@AUTOBOTOFFROAD.COM of foreign national intending to apply forposition the position Company/Employer NameName of foreign national intending to apply for the Company/Employer Company Autobot AutoworksName: Name: Company Name:Name: Autobot Autoworks Huang Ting, 2. Vong My Linh, 3. Lam MyFeng, Enh, 4. Inc. Inc. 1. Tan1.Eng Huat, 2. Wan Yuntao, 3. Kek Chwan 4. Wang Qin Baoying, 5. 5. Guan Huang Shizheng, Li Tengfei Xuejie, SunYuandong, Chunlin, 6.6.Lin Yahong, 7. Gao7.Xiuxia, 8. Mahey

VinayAddress: Kumar, 9. Shi Lianjie, 10. Lyu Junbing Company Address: #65 Address: Road 20, Project 8 Barangay Bahay 1. Pasay City 2-3,6. Manila City 4. Parañaque City 5. Manila 7. Company Address: Makati City City 2,5. Makati City 6-7. Paranaque City 9. Toro, District 2 Quezon City 1106 #65 Road 20, Project 8 Barangay Bahay 1,3-4,8,10. Manila Toro, District 2 Quezon City 1106 PasayNCityon V n m C mbod n Nationality: Ch n

2,4-7,9-10. Chinese N u o Bu n n d n h 1,3. Malaysian n nd d p od o mp o m 8. n Indian O Mo o V h And h NatureBuof nBusiness: Engaged In The Intended period of employment: M n n n Business Of Motor Vehicle Service And 1-10 - Three 3(years) Maintenance. Au obo Au owo n h b d h h bo n m d o n n on b w n nd qu d op o m h nd ob d p on o h po on h omp n h h n n on o Autobot Autoworks Inc. hereby declares that the above-named foreign national is able, willing, and mp o h d o n n on nd pp o n A n mp o m n m w h h D p m n o bo qualified to perform the services and job description for this position. The company has the intention to nd mp o m n N on C p R on o d Do C n o mu on n un employ the said foreign national and apply for an Alien Employment Permit with the Department of Labor and Employment - National Capital Region located at Dole Central office muralla st corner general Luna.. Career Opportunity in Autobot Autoworks Inc. Career Opportunity in Autobot Autoworks Inc.

Product Development Technician Career Opportunity Autobot Autoworks Inc. Performance Tuning inSpecialist Ten (10) Vacancy Ten Diagnostics (10) Vacancy Specialist Job Description:

Ten (10) Vacancy Job Description: ASSISTS IN DESIGNING, TESTING, AND IMPROVING AUTOMOTIVE PRODUCTS OR

•

Job Description: COMPONENTS. WORKS ON ENGINE UPGRADES AND PERFORMANCE MODIFICATIONS.

•

Qualification: USES ADVANCED TOOLS TO IDENTIFY VEHICLE ISSUES. Qualification: Qualification: Bachelor's degree or technical/vocational certification in Automotive Technology,

• •

•Educational background in Automotive Technology, Mechanical Engineering, or a related

Engineering, or a relatedMechanical field is a plus. • fieldGraduate of Automotive Technology, Engineering, Electrical Technology, or a isMechanical an advantage but not required. Knowledge of automotive components, and maintenance procedures. •Experience in automotive repair,systems, engine tuning, or performance modification preferred but related field is an added advantage.

••not mandatory. Relevant experience in automotive diagnostics and troubleshooting is preferred but not Basic knowledge of product testing, development, and troubleshooting. mandatory.

• ••Knowledge systems, fuel systems, ignition systems, and vehicle electronics. Abilityof toengine use basic automotive tools and diagnostic equipment. Knowledge of automotive electrical, electronic, mechanical, and computerized systems. • ••Familiarity diagnostic scanners, tuningskills. software, and automotive testing equipment is Good with problem-solving and analytical Strong analytical and problem-solving skills. an advantage. Detail-orientedand andsafety-conscious. able to work effectively in a team. •• Detail-oriented • • Strong mechanical, analytical, and troubleshooting skills. Good communication andApplications technical documentation skills. may be sent to: • Detail-oriented and safety-conscious. OFFICIAL@AUTOBOTOFFROAD.COM Applications may be sent to: • Ability to work independently and as Name part ofofaforeign technical team.intending to apply for the position national OFFICIAL@AUTOBOTOFFROAD.COM Company/Employer Name national intending to apply for the position Company/Employer Applications may of beforeign sent to: Company Name: Autobot Autoworks Name:

OFFICIAL@AUTOBOTOFFROAD.COM Inc. 1. Wu Zixin, 2. Shi Longxin, 3. Ha Dang Toan, 4. Chen Shaohan, 5. Company Name: Autobot Autoworks Name: Cai Qinhong, 6. Su Fangjun, 7. Lin 8. Xu Shiqing, 9. Li Inc. Company/Employer 1. Tan Eng Huat, 2. Wan Yuntao, 3.toDongze, Kek Chwan Feng, 4. Qin Name of foreign national intending apply for the position Yabing,5.10. Xuanmin Xuejie, SunJiang Chunlin, 6. Lin Yahong, 7. Gao Xiuxia, 8. Mahey Company Name: Autobot Autoworks Name: Vinay Kumar, 9. Shi Lianjie, 10. Lyu Junbing Company Address: Address: Inc.

1. Wu Changshan, 2. Ling Xiaoqiang, 3. Li Pengliang, 4. Qu Xin, 5.

#65 RoadAddress: 20, Project 8 Barangay Bahay Address: 1-2,4,7,9-10. Manila City 3. Manila 5. Quezon City 6. Pasay City 8. Company WangValenzuela Rongfang, City 6. Su Longjian, 7. Qiu Azhuan, 8. Cai Xingen, 9. Toro, District 2 Quezon City 1106 #65 Road 20, Project 8 Barangay Bahay 1,3-4,8,10. Manila City 2,5. Makati City 6-7. Paranaque City 9. Shi Ziran, Su Baojian Toro, District 2 Quezon City 1106 Pasay10. City

Nationality: Company Address: Address: Nationality: 1-2,4-10. Chinese 3. Vietnamese #65 Road 20, Project 8 Barangay Bahay 1-2,5,7. City 3. Manila City 4,6. Parañaque 1,3. Pasay Malaysian 2,4-7,9-10. Chinese 8. Indian City 8-10. Makati Business: Engaged Toro, Nature District of 2 Quezon City 1106 In The City Intended period of employment: Nature of Business: EngagedService In The And Intended period of employment: Business Of Motor Vehicle 1-10 - Three 3(years) Business Of Motor Vehicle Service And 1-10 - Three 3(years) Nationality: Maintenance. Maintenance. 1-10. Chinese Autobot Autoworks Inc. hereby declares that the above-named foreign national is able, willing, and Autobot Autoworks Inc. the above-named foreignThe national is able, and to Nature of Business: Engaged In The declares period of employment: qualified to perform thehereby services andIntended jobthat description for this position. company has willing, the intention qualified to perform the services and 1-10 job description for this position. The company has the intention to Business Of Motor Vehicle Service And - Three employ the said foreign national and apply for an3(years) Alien Employment Permit with the Department of Labor Career Opportunity in Autobot Autoworks Inc. employ the said foreign national and apply for an Alien Employment Permit with the Department of Labor Maintenance. and Employment - National Capital Region located at Dole Central office muralla st corner general Luna.. and Employment - National Capital Region located at Dole Central office muralla st corner general Luna..

Prototype Technician Autobot Autoworks Inc. hereby declares that the above-named foreign national is able, willing, and Nine (9) to Vacancy qualified perform the services and job description for this position. The company has the intention to employ the said foreign national and apply for an Alien Employment Permit with the Department of Labor CareerOpportunity OpportunityininAutobot AutobotAutoworks Autoworks Inc. JobCareer Description: Inc. and Employment - National Capital Region located at Dole Central office muralla st corner general Luna..

•

Product Development Technician Ensures product and repairs meet safety and quality standards. Performance Tuning Specialist

Seven Vacancy Ten (10)(7) Vacancy Qualification:

• UPGRADES AND PERFORMANCE MODIFICATIONS. ASSISTSON INENGINE DESIGNING, TESTING, AND IMPROVING AUTOMOTIVE PRODUCTS OR • •• WORKS Qualification: Educational in Automotive Technology, • • Skilled in using background hand tools, power tools, and diagnosticMechanical equipment.Engineering, or a related field is an advantage not required. Bachelor's degree orbut technical/vocational certification in Automotive Technology, • •• Detail-oriented with good problem-solving and troubleshooting skills. Mechanical or a related field is a plus. Experience inEngineering, automotive repair, engine tuning, or performance modification preferred but not mandatory. • • Physically fit andofable to work systems, in a workshop environment. Knowledge automotive components, and maintenance procedures. Knowledge of engine systems,testing, fuel systems, ignitionand systems, and vehicle electronics. Basic of product development, troubleshooting. • ••• Willing toknowledge work overtime or on flexible schedules when required. Familiarity with diagnostic scanners, tuning software, and automotive testing equipment is

Job Description: Job Description: Knowledge of automotive mechanical and electrical systems.

to read and interpret technical drawings, blueprints, and schematics. Qualification: Ability COMPONENTS.

•

Ability to use basic automotive tools and diagnostic equipment.

an advantage.

Applications may be sent to:

Good problem-solving and analytical skills. •• Strong mechanical, analytical, and troubleshooting skills. OFFICIAL@AUTOBOTOFFROAD.COM Detail-orientedand andsafety-conscious. able to work effectively in a team. •• Detail-oriented Name of foreign national intending to apply for the position Company/Employer Applications mayofbe sent to: team. • Ability to work independently and as part a technical

Company Name: Autobot Autoworks OFFICIAL@AUTOBOTOFFROAD.COM Name: Applications may be sent to: Inc. 1. Xiong Name Tao, 2.ofNguyen Thi Huyen, 3. Suman, 4. Ng Hao, 5. foreign national intending to apply forChun the position Company/Employer OFFICIAL@AUTOBOTOFFROAD.COM Longda, 6.foreign Qi Dan,national 7. Wang Chufang, Chen 9. Jin Name of intending to 8. apply forRonghui, the position Company Name: Autobot Autoworks Chen Name: Company/Employer Xiaohua Inc. 1. Huang Ting, 2. Vong My Linh, 3. Lam My Enh, 4. Wang Baoying, Company Name: Autobot Autoworks

Name:

5. Guan Yuandong, 6. Huang Shizheng, 7. Li Tengfei

Inc. 1. Wu Changshan, 2. Ling Xiaoqiang, 3. Li Pengliang, 4. Qu Xin, 5. Company Address: Address: Wang Rongfang, 6. Su Longjian, 7. Qiu Azhuan, 8. Cai Xingen, 9. Company Address: Address: #65 Road 20, Project 8 Barangay Bahay 1,7.Shi Pasay City 2-4.Baojian Manila City 5. Parañaque 6. Quezon City #65 Road 20, Project 8 Barangay Bahay 1. Ziran, Pasay 10. CitySu 2-3,6. Manila City 4. Parañaque City 5. Manila 7. Toro,Toro, District 2 Quezon City 1106 8. Caloocan City 9. Muntinlupa City District 2 Quezon City 1106 Makati City

Company Address: Address: #65 Road 20, Project 8 Barangay BahayNationality: 1-2,5,7. Pasay City 3. Manila City 4,6. Parañaque City 8-10. Makati Nationality: Toro, District 2 Quezon City 1106 City 1,4,6-7. Chinese 2-3. Vietnamese 5. Cambodian

1,5-9. Chinese 2. Vietnamese 3. Indian 4. Malaysian Nationality:

Autobot Autoworks Inc. hereby declares that the above-named foreign national is able, willing, and Maintenance.

Quality Control Inspector Ten (10) Vacancy Ten Job (10)Description: Vacancy Job Description: •

USES ADVANCED TOOLS TO IDENTIFY VEHICLE ISSUES.

Qualification: • • ENSURES PRODUCTS AND REPAIRS MEET SAFETY AND QUALITY STANDARDS. • • Graduate of Automotive Technology, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Technology, or a • Knowledge of automotive systems, repair procedures, and diagnostic tools. Qualification: Qualification: related is a plus. Engineering, Automotive Technology, or a related field is related field is an added advantage. • • Bachelor's degree field in Mechanical Strong attention to detail and problem-solving skills. and diagnostic tools. • preferred automotive systems, repairmotors, procedures, • • Knowledge automotiveinsystems, repair procedures, diagnostic tools. but notofrequired. •Knowledge Knowledge of EV batteries, electric charging systems, and high-voltage components Relevantofexperience automotive diagnostics and and troubleshooting is preferred but not • Able to prepare inspection reports and maintain accurate records. is an advantage. mandatory. • Strong attention to detail and problem-solving • Strong attention to detail and problem-solving skills. • Knowledge of automotive systems, components, andskills. emerging technologies is a plus. •Able Familiarity with automotive diagnosticautomotive tools and equipment. of automotive electrical, electronic, mechanical, and computerized systems. Willing to work on-site andproblem-solving in a fast-paced environment. • •• Strong research, analytical, and skills. to prepare inspection reports and maintain accurate records. • • AbleKnowledge to prepare inspection reports and maintain accurate records. • • Good troubleshooting and problem-solving Strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Applications may be sentskills. to: • • Proficient in preparing technical reports and documentation. to work on-site and in a fast-paced automotive environment. • • Willing to work on-site and in a fast-paced automotive environment. OFFICIAL@AUTOBOTOFFROAD.COM •WillingSafety-conscious and detail-oriented. Detail-oriented and safety-conscious.

Prototype JobTechnician Description:

•

Comp n N n

Career Opportunity in Autobot Autoworks Inc. Career Opportunity in Autobot Autoworks Inc. Diagnostics Specialist

Hybrid/Electric Vehicle Technician Quality Control Inspector Research And Development (R&D) Officer

Diagnostics Specialist

Comp n NName: m Au obo Au owo N m Company Autobot Autoworks Name: Applications may be sent to: nInc. h oZixin, u n2. u Shi n Longxin, Ch n 3. onHa nDangHToan, Bo 4. n Chen WuShaohan, P n 5. 1. Wu OFFICIAL@AUTOBOTOFFROAD.COM n Gu6.pSu Fangjun, n h 7. Lin C oDongze, Chun 8. Xuuo o on Cai Qinhong, Shiqing, 9. Li Hon n n u Name of foreign national intending to apply for the position Company/Employer Yabing, 10. Jiang Xuanmin

Career Opportunity in Autobot Autoworks Career Opportunity in Autobot Autoworks Career Opportunity in Autobot Autoworks Inc. Inc. Career Opportunity in Autobot Autoworks Inc. Inc.

and at Dole Dole Central Central office office muralla murallaststcorner cornergeneral generalLuna.. Luna.. andEmployment Employment -- National National Capital Capital Region Region located located at

Detail-oriented with good communication and organizational skills. Applications may be sent to: Name of foreign national intending to apply for the position Company/Employer Applications may beasent to: Ability to work independently and collaboratively with team. OFFICIAL@AUTOBOTOFFROAD.COM OFFICIAL@AUTOBOTOFFROAD.COM Company Name: Autobot Autoworks Name: Company Name: Autobot Autoworks Name: Applications may be sent to: Applications may be sent to: Name of foreign national intending toQiqi, apply for theCai, position Company/Employer Inc. 1. Lin Shaocong, 2. Chen Chuicong, 3. Shi Wenzeng, 4. Chen Inc. 1. Singh Bhupinder, 2.national Wang Hongli, 3. to Chen Chen 5. Name of foreign intending apply for4.the position Company/Employer OFFICIAL@AUTOBOTOFFROAD.COM OFFICIAL@AUTOBOTOFFROAD.COM Hongbin, 5. Phan Thi Quyen She Guoqiu, 6. Wen Ruisheng, 7. Su Jianbin, 8. Nguyen Thi Hieu, Company Name: Autobot Autoworks Name: Name of foreign national intending to apply for the position Name of foreign national intending to apply for the position Company/Employer Company/Employer Company Name: Autobot Autoworks Name: 9. Shi Yingying, 10. Mung Thi Xiem Inc. 1. Gui Yuanyuan, 2. Shen Zhendong, 3. Xin Zhenzhong, 4. Zhu Company Address: Address: Inc. Name: Autobot Autoworks 1. LinXiaomin, Shaocong, 2. Chen Chuicong, 3. ShiNanrong, Wenzeng, Chen Company Name: Name: Company Name: 5. Pan Zhuangli, 6. Huang 7. 4. Chen Tianwen, 8. #65 Road 20,Autobot Project Autoworks 8 Barangay Bahay 1,3-5. Manila City 2. Pasay City Company Address: Address: Hongbin, 5.Weipeng, Phan Quyen Inc. Toro, District 2 Quezon City 1106 1. Shi Jiaqiang, 2. Huang Chungui, 3. Ta Duy Son, 4. Liang Chunqi, Inc. #65 Road 20, Project 8 Barangay Bahay 1. Aprilcindy Sheryn, 2. Thi Nguyen Xuan Trung, 3. 7. Nguyen ThiCity 9. Chen 9. Yu2,4. Guoren, 10. Xu Handong 1,3,5-6,8,10. Manila City Makati City Quezon Nationality: 5. Yang Hongwei, 6. Eric Goh Chee Jie, 7. Ling Phey, 8. Huang Quynh, 4. Huang Zengxiang, 5. Tian Li, 6. Chen Hongfu, 7. Nguyen Toro,Company District 2 Address: Quezon City 1106 Malabon City Address: Company Address: Address: 1-4.9.Chinese 5. Vietnamese Shuyun, Phan Kim Phung, 10. Jackson Chan Tien Wen Thi Quynh Huong, 8. Wang Luis Herlandenz, 9. Wiyanti, 10. Zhan #65 Road 20, Project 8 Barangay Bahay 3. Taguig #65 Road 20, Project 8 Barangay Bahay 1,3-5.1-2,5-6. ManilaPasay City 2.City Pasay City City 4. Makati City 7-8,10. Manila Nationality: Shimin Nature of Business: Engaged In The Address: Intended period of employment: Company Address: Toro, District 2 Quezon City 1106 City 9. Quezon City 1. Indian 2-7,9. Chinese 8,10. Vietnamese Toro, District 2 Quezon City 1106 Address: Business Of Motor Vehicle Service 1-5 - Three #65 Road 20, Project 8 Barangay Bahay And 1-2. Quezon City 3(years) 3-8,10. Manila City 9. Makati City Company Address: Nationality: Nationality: Nature Business: Engaged In The 1-3,7-8,10. Intended period of employment: Toro, Maintenance. District 2 Quezon City 1106 #65 Road 20, of Project 8 Barangay Bahay Manila City 4-6,9. Makati City 1-4. Chinese 5. Vietnamese 1-10. Chinese Nationality: Toro, Business District 2Of Quezon 1106Service And 1-10 - Three 3(years) MotorCity Vehicle 1-2,4-5,8. Chinese 3,9. Vietnamese Malaysia 7. willing, Myanmar Nationality: Autobot Autoworks Inc. hereby declares that the above-named foreign6,10. national is able, and Nature of Business: Engaged Intended period of employment: Nature of Business: Engaged In TheIn1.The Intended period of employment: Maintenance. Indonesian 2-3,7. Vietnamese 4-6,10. Chinese 8-9. Indonesia qualified to perform the services andIntended job description for this position. The company has the intention to Business Of Motor Vehicle Service 1-10 - Three 3(years) Nature of Business: Engaged In The period of employment: Business Of Motor Vehicle Service And And 1-5 -the Three 3(years) employ the said foreign national apply for an3(years) Alien Employment Permit with the Department of Labor Nature Autobot Autoworks Inc.Inhereby that above-named foreign national is able, willing, and Maintenance. Business Of Motor Vehicle Service Andand1-10 - Three of Business: Engaged The declares Intended period of employment: Maintenance. and Employment - National Capital Region located at Dole Central office muralla st corner general Luna.. qualified to perform the services and1-10 job -description for this position. The company has the intention to Maintenance. Business OfAutobot Motor Vehicle Service And Three 3(years) Autoworks Inc. hereby declares that the above-named foreignwith national is able, willing, and employ the said foreign national and apply for an Alien Employment Permit the Department of Labor Maintenance. Autobot Autoworks Inc. hereby declares the above-named national is able, willing, qualified to perform the services andthat job description thisforeign position. The company the and intention Autobot Autoworks Inc. hereby declares that the above-named foreign national is able, willing, and and Employment - National Capital Region located at Dole for Central office muralla st cornerhas general Luna.. to employ theInc. said foreign national andthe apply for an Employment with thethe Department of Labor qualified to perform the services andthat job description forAlien thisforeign position. ThePermit company has intention to qualified to perform the services and job description for this position. The company has the intention to Autobot Autoworks hereby declares above-named national is able, willing, and Employment - national National Capital Region located at Dole Central officewith muralla st corner general Luna.. employ the said foreign national and apply for an Alien Employment Permit with the Department of Labor qualified toand perform services and job description for this position. The company hasthe theDepartment intention to of Labor employ the saidthe foreign and apply for an Alien Employment Permit and Employment - National Capital Region located at Dole Central office muralla st corner general Luna.. employ said foreign- National national and apply for anlocated Alien Employment Permit with the Department of Labor andthe Employment Capital Region at Dole Central office muralla st corner general Luna.. and Employment - National Capital Region located at Dole Central office muralla st corner general Luna.. Career Opportunity in Autobot Autoworks Inc.

• • •

qualified to perform services and job for this position. The company the intention to Autobot Autoworks Inc. the hereby declares thatdescription the above-named foreign national is able,has willing, and Autobot Autoworks Inc. hereby declares that foreign national able, willing, and employ the said foreign national and apply forthe anabove-named Alien Permit withisthe Department oftoLabor qualified to perform thethe services andand jobjob description for thisEmployment position. The company hashas thethe intention qualified to perform services description thisCentral position. Themuralla company intention to and Employment - National Capital Region located atfor Dole office st corner general Luna.. employ thethe saidsaid foreign national andand apply forfor anan Alien Employment Permit with thethe Department ofof Labor employ foreign national apply Alien Employment Permit with Department Labor Employment - National Capital Region located Dole Central office muralla corner general Luna.. andand Employment - National Capital Region located at at Dole Central office muralla st st corner general Luna..

Maintenance. and Employment - National Capital Region located at Dole Central office muralla st corner general Luna..

Qualification: INNOVATIONS. Qualification: ENSURES PRODUCTS AND REPAIRS MEET SAFETY AND QUALITY STANDARDS. Qualification: Graduate of Automotive Technology, Electrical Technology, Mechanical Engineering, or a

• Knowledge of automotive systems, repair procedures, and diagnostic tools. degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Technology, or a related field is •Bachelor's Strong attention to detail and problem-solving skills. preferred but not required. •Knowledge Able toofprepare inspection reports and maintain accurate records. automotive systems, components, and emerging technologies is a plus. •StrongWilling to work on-siteand andproblem-solving in a fast-paced automotive environment. research, analytical, skills.

• •

BBachelor's h o ddegreeoor technical/vocational hn o on certification on inn Automotive Au omo hno o Technology, Educational Technology, Engineering, or a related M h nbackground n n innAutomotive oor a related d field d is a plus. pMechanical u Mechanical Engineering, field is an advantage but not required. d oof automotive u omo m components, ompon n and nd maintenance m n n n procedures. p o du •• Know Knowledge systems, in automotive repair, engine tuning, or performance modification preferred but ••Experience BBasic knowledge now d oofpproduct odu testing, n d opm n and nd troubleshooting. oub hoo n development, not mandatory. ••Knowledge Ab o uusebbasic automotive u omo oo and nd d no qu pm n Abilityofto tools diagnostic equipment. engine systems, fuel systems, ignition systems, and vehicle electronics. ••Familiarity Good ob m o n and nd analytical n Goodp problem-solving with diagnostic scanners, tuningskills. software, and automotive testing equipment is ••an advantage. DDetail-oriented o n d and nd able b to o wo n a team. m work effectively in

Autobot Autoworks Inc. Inc. hereby declares that that the above-named foreign national is able, willing, and and Autobot Autoworks hereby declares the above-named foreign national is able, willing, Autobot Autoworks Inc. hereby that thefor above-named nationalhas is able, willing, and qualified to perform the services anddeclares job description this position.foreign The company the intention to qualified to perform the services and job description for this position. The company has the intention to qualified to perform the services and job description for this position. The company has the intention employ the said foreign national and apply for an Alien Employment Permit with the Department of Laborto foreign national and for anDole AlienCentral Employment Permit with with theDepartment Department Labor employthe thesaid said foreignCapital national and apply apply for at an Alien Employment Permit the ofofLabor and employ Employment - National Region located office muralla st corner general Luna..

INNOVATIONS. Qualification: Qualification:

•

••

Nature of Business: Engaged In The Intended Intended period of employment: Nature of Business: Engaged In The period of employment: 1-10. Chinese Business Of Motor Vehicle Service And 1-7 - Three 3(years) Business OfofMotor Vehicle Service And 1-9Intended - Three 3(years) Nature Business: Engaged In The period of employment: Maintenance. Maintenance. Business Of Motor Vehicle Service And 1-10 - Three 3(years)

Job Description: Job Description:

RESEARCH ON NEW TECHNOLOGIES, MATERIALS, AND AUTOMOTIVE •CONDUCTS ENSURES PRODUCTS AND REPAIRS MEET SAFETY AND QUALITY STANDARDS.

•

Nature of Business: Engaged In The declares Intended period of employment: Autobot Autoworks Inc. hereby that the above-named foreign national is able, willing, and Nature of Business: Engaged In The Intended period of employment: Nature ofOfBusiness: Engaged In TheAnd Intended period employment: Business Motor Vehicle 1-10 - Three 3(years) qualified toVehicle perform theService services and description forofthis position. The company has the intention to Business Of Motor Service And 1-10job - Three 3(years) Business Of Motor Vehicle Service And 1-9 Three 3(years) employ the said foreign national and apply for an Alien Employment Permit with the Department of Labor Maintenance. Maintenance.

Job Description: Job Description:

•

AASSISTS N GN NG TESTING, NG AND IMPROVING MPROV NG AUTOMOTIVE AU OMO V PRODUCTS PRODUC OR OR INDDESIGNING, COMPON N COMPONENTS. • WORKS ON ENGINE UPGRADES AND PERFORMANCE MODIFICATIONS. QQualification:

OFFICIAL@AUTOBOTOFFROAD.COM OFFICIAL@AUTOBOTOFFROAD.COM Applications may be sent to:

Company Name: Autobot Autoworks Name: OFFICIAL@AUTOBOTOFFROAD.COM Name of foreign national intending to apply for position the position Company/Employer Name of foreign national intending to apply for the Company/Employer Inc. 1. Singh Bhupinder, 2. Wang Hongli, 3. Chen Qiqi, 4. Chen Cai, 5. Name of foreign national intending toJianbin, apply for8.the position Company/Employer Company Name: Autobot Autoworks She Name: Company Name: Autobot Autoworks Name: Guoqiu, 6. Wen Ruisheng, 7. Su Nguyen Thi Hieu, 1. Gui Yuanyuan, 2. Shen Zhendong, 3. Xin Zhenzhong, 4. 5. Zhu Inc.Inc. 1.Shi Xue Linlin, 2. 10. Chen Wenkang, 3. Xie Wencai, 4. Shi Shaojie, 9. Yingying, Mung Thi Xiem Company Name: Autobot Autoworks Name:

Business Of Motor Vehicle Service And

••

and safety-conscious. • • Proficient in preparing technical reports and documentation. • Detail-oriented Good troubleshooting and problem-solving skills. Applications may be sent to: communication anddetail-oriented. technical documentation skills. skills. • • Detail-oriented with good communication and organizational OFFICIAL@AUTOBOTOFFROAD.COM • Good Safety-conscious and • Company/Employer Ability to work independentlyApplications and collaboratively with a team. may be sent to: Applications may be sent to: Name of foreign national intending to apply for the position

Inc.

Job Description: Qualification:

Opp

P odu

Seven (7) Vacancy Ten (10) Vacancy OR

• • •• Knowledge of automotive systems, repair procedures, and diagnostic tools. Engineering, or a and technical drawings, blueprints, Graduate ofoAutomotive Mechanical •Ability Bto hread d interpret o Technology, hn oElectrical on Technology, on and n Auschematics. omo hno o related is hand a plus. • • Strong attention to detail and Minfield h n n tools, n problem-solving n o tools, and d skills. d p u equipment. Skilled using power diagnostic Knowledge of electric motors, charging Know inspection d EV obatteries, u reports omo m ompon n systems, nd m and n skills. nhigh-voltage n p o ducomponents • •• Able•Detail-oriented to prepare and maintain accurate records. with good problem-solving and troubleshooting is an advantage. •Physically B now dand oin pa fast-paced odu nautomotive d opm n nd oub hoo n • • Willing to work on-site environment. fit and able to work in a workshop environment. • Familiarity with automotive diagnostic tools and equipment. Ab o u bApplications u omo may oo ndto: d no qu pm n sent •• •Willing to work overtime orproblem-solving on flexiblebeschedules Good troubleshooting and skills. when required.

Qualification: Qualification: Q

ProductSpecialist Development Technician Diagnostics

• D Ensures product and repairs meet safety and quality standards. Job Description: Job Description:

Able toinprepare inspection reports and maintain accurate records. skills. Skilled using hand tools, power tools, and diagnostic equipment. Detail-oriented with good problem-solving and troubleshooting Willing to work and in a fast-paced automotive environment. Detail-oriented with good and troubleshooting skills. Physically fit on-site and able toproblem-solving work in a workshop environment.

may be sent to:when required. Physically to Applications work workshop environment. Willing fit to and workable overtime orinona flexible schedules OFFICIAL@AUTOBOTOFFROAD.COM Willing to work overtime or on flexible schedules when required. Applications may be sent to: Name of foreign national intending to apply for the position Company/Employer Applications may be sent to: OFFICIAL@AUTOBOTOFFROAD.COM Company Name: Autobot Autoworks Name: OFFICIAL@AUTOBOTOFFROAD.COM Name of foreign intending to apply for4.the position Company/Employer Inc. 1. Lin Shaocong, 2. Chennational Chuicong, 3. Shi Wenzeng, Chen Name of foreign national intending to apply for the position Company/Employer Company Name: Autobot Autoworks Hongbin, Name:5. Phan Thi Quyen Company Name: Autobot Autoworks Name: Inc. 1. Xiong Zhiwei, 2. Zhang Qingdi 3. Chen Qing, 4. Liao Jiazhu, 5. Company Address: Address: Inc. 1. Xu Meizhen, 2. Luo Ketao, Peng, 3.7.LiZhang Xiusi,Jinhuo, 4. Lu Jiahao, 5. Wu Qiande, Yang Yao, 6. Dong 8. Li Ziqiang, 9. Li #65 Road 20, Project 8 Barangay Bahay 1,3-5. Manila City 2. Pasay City 6. Wu Meiman, 7. Choo Siew Peng, 8. Khalili Payam, 9. Xie Caibin, Bingcheng, 10. Su Wentu Toro, District 2 Quezon City 1106 Nationality: 10. Zhang Rongjiang 1-4.Address: Chinese 5. Vietnamese Company Address: Company Address: Address: Road 20, Project 8 Barangay BahayIntended 1. Pasig City City 2.ofValenzuela City 3.Manila Parañaque City 4,7-10. Nature of 20, Business: Engaged In The period employment: #65#65 Road Project 8 Barangay Bahay 1,4-5,9. Manila 2. San Nicolas, 3,6. Malabon City Manila Toro, District 2 Quezon City 1106 City 5.City Las PiñasMakati City 6.City Makati City Business Of Motor Vehicle - Three 3(years) Toro, District 2 Quezon CityService 1106 And 1-5 7. Pasig 8,10. Maintenance. Nationality: Nationality: 1-10. Chinese 1-6,9-10. Chinese 7. Malaysia Iran is able, willing, and Autobot Autoworks Inc. hereby declares that the above-named foreign8.national qualified to perform the services and job description for this position. The company has the intention to Nature of of Business: Engaged In The period of employment: Nature Business: Engaged In The Intended Intended period of employment: employ the said foreign national and apply for an Alien Employment Permit with the Department of Labor Business Of Of Motor Vehicle Service AndAnd1-10 - Three 3(years) Business Motor Vehicle Service 1-10 - Three 3(years) and Employment - National Capital Region located at Dole Central office muralla st corner general Luna.. Maintenance. Maintenance.

Autobot Autoworks Inc. hereby declares that the above-named foreign national is able, willing, and qualified to perform the services and job description for this position. The company has the intention to employ the said foreign national and apply for an Alien Employment Permit with the Department of Labor and Employment - National Capital Region located at Dole Central office muralla st corner general Luna..

Autobot Autoworks Inc. hereby declares that the above-named foreign national is able, willing, and qualified to perform the services and job description for this position. The company has the intention to employ the said foreign national and apply for an Alien Employment Permit with the Department of Labor Career Opportunity in Capital Autobot Autoworks Career Opportunity in Autobot Autoworks Inc.atInc. and Employment - National Region located Dole Central office muralla st corner general Luna..

Career Opportunity in Autobot Autoworks Inc.

Job(5) Description: Five Vacancy Ten (10) Vacancy

Ensures product and repairs meet safety and quality standards.

Intended period of employment: 1-10 - Three 3(years)

JobDVacancy Description: Ten (10)

Qualification: Qualification: Q

Prototype Technician C Oppo un n Au obo Au Inc. owo k n Career Opportunity in Autobot Autoworks Career Opportunity in Autobot Autoworks Inc.

• Job Job Description: Description:

Nature of Business: Engaged In The Business Of Motor Vehicle Service And Maintenance.

Performance Tuning Specialist

Prototype Technician Career Career Opportunity Opportunity in in Autobot Autobot Autoworks Autoworks Inc. Inc. Ten (10) Vacancy

Pasay City

PProduct odu Deve hn an Inc. Career Opportunity inopmen AutobotTe Autoworks Development Technician n (10)VVacancy n Ten

D Job Description: Job Description:

• • • • • •

Address:

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK 1,3-4,8,10. Manila City 2,5. Makati City 6-7. Paranaque City 9.

CCareerOppo un ninAu obo Au owo k Inc. n Opportunity Autobot Autoworks

P Technician odu Specialist Deve opmen Te hn an Prototype Diagnostics

Career Opportunity in Autobot Autoworks Inc.

Quality Control Inspector Prototype Technician

Company Address: #65 Road 20, Project 8 Barangay Bahay Toro, District 2 Quezon City 1106

C Opportunity Oppo un n Au obo Au Inc. owoInc. k n Career Opportunity in Autobot Autoworks Career in Autobot Autoworks V n Nine Ten (9) Vacancy (10)nVacancy

Ten (10) Vacancy Job Description:

1. Tan Eng Huat, 2. Wan Yuntao, 3. Kek Chwan Feng, 4. Qin Xuejie, 5. Sun Chunlin, 6. Lin Yahong, 7. Gao Xiuxia, 8. Mahey Vinay Kumar, 9. Shi Lianjie, 10. Lyu Junbing

Nationality: 1,3. Malaysian 2,4-7,9-10. Chinese 8. Indian

Intended period of employment: 1-10 - Three 3(years)

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2026

Inc.

•

may be sent to: skills. Good communicationApplications and technical documentation OFFICIAL@AUTOBOTOFFROAD.COM Applications may be sent to:

Company/Employer

OFFICIAL@AUTOBOTOFFROAD.COM Name of foreign national intending to apply for the position

Company/Employer

Name of foreign national intending to apply for the position

Company Name: Autobot Autoworks Name: Name: Inc. Company Name: Autobot Autoworks 1. Singh Bhupinder, 2. Wang Hongli, 3. Chen Qiqi, 4. Chen Cai, 5. Inc. 1. Tan Eng Huat, 2. Wan Yuntao, 3. Kek Chwan Feng, 4. Qin SheXuejie, Guoqiu,5.6.Sun Wen Ruisheng, 7. Su Jianbin, 8. Nguyen Thi Hieu, Chunlin, 6. Lin Yahong, 7. Gao Xiuxia, 8. Mahey 9. Shi Yingying, 10.9.Mung Thi Xiem Vinay Kumar, Shi Lianjie, 10. Lyu Junbing Company Address: Address: Company Address: Address: 20, Project 8 Barangay Bahay 1,3-4,8,10.Manila ManilaCity City2,4. 2,5.Makati MakatiCity City7.6-7. Paranaque #65 #65 RoadRoad 20, Project 8 Barangay Bahay 1,3,5-6,8,10. Quezon City 9.City 9. District 2 Quezon Pasay City City Toro,Toro, District 2 Quezon CityCity 11061106 Malabon Nationality:

Nature of Business: Engaged In The

Nationality: 1,3. Malaysian 2,4-7,9-10. Chinese 8. Indian 1. Indian 2-7,9. Chinese 8,10. Vietnamese Intended period of employment:

Business Of Motor VehicleInService 1-10 - period Three 3(years) Nature of Business: Engaged The AndIntended of employment: Maintenance. Business Of Motor Vehicle Service And 1-10 - Three 3(years) Autobot Autoworks Inc. hereby declares that the above-named foreign national is able, willing, and Maintenance.

qualified to perform the services and job description for this position. The company has the intention to

Autobot Autoworks Inc. hereby declares that the foreign Permit nationalwith is able, willing, and of Labor employ the said foreign national and apply for above-named an Alien Employment the Department qualified to perform the servicesCapital and job description The company hascorner the intention to and Employment - National Region locatedfor atthis Doleposition. Central office muralla st general Luna.. employ the said foreign national and apply for an Alien Employment Permit with the Department of Labor and Employment - National Capital Region located at Dole Central office muralla st corner general Luna..

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Career Opportunity in Autobot Autoworks Inc.

Performance Tuning Specialist Ten (10) Vacancy

Career O

Product Ten (10)

Job Descrip

•

Qualificati

•

• • • • •

Company Inc.

Company #65 Road Toro, Dis

Nature o Business Maintena

Autobot qualified employ t and Emp

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

BUSINESS

Manila

Standard

TODAY

The canals of Candaba Out in the Open Ray S. Eñano

CARVING canals from the Candaba Swamp to make the body of water more productive will be an ambitious project. But giving it a new look is worth trying and could actually make Candaba Swamp a multipurpose marsh. The Department of Agriculture (DA) is studying a plan to transform Pampanga’s flood-prone Candaba Swamp into a network of canals for water storage, irrigation and agricultural transport. Such channels can span 100 meters wide and and run 7 meters deep. The DA has commissioned a P150-million feasibility study with a Vietnamese university and engineering contractors to determine whether the swamp and other flood-prone areas can support large-scale canal systems modeled after those in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the waterways would be wide and deep enough to accommodate vessels and connect them to tributaries. The DA expects to complete the study by the end of the year, with a funding proposal. The DA has presented the concept to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who is also weighing other proposals to permanently address the flooding that regularly disrupts economic activity across Central Luzon. The Candaba canals seek to limit the floods in the water system and make large areas productive to farmers. The canal network, per TiuLaurel, could serve as a massive holding area for excess water during heavy rain. Redirecting The canals could water into the canals could allow portions of the swamp to dry out ... give farmers eventually, potentially opening an alternative the land for cultivation. The canals could also give logistics network. farmers an alternative logistics network. They can use them to transport crops and other agricultural products, instead of relying entirely on roads, which could reduce farm-to-market costs. The canals can also link with some Bulacan rivers, boosting the river transport in the province. The DA is examining similar possibilities for other major marshes and river basins, including the Agusan and Liguasan marshes and the Lagayan River Basin, Tiu Laurel said. Candaba Swamp is made of freshwater ponds, swamps and marshes surrounded by seasonally flooded grasslands. The entire area is submerged underwater during the wet season and dries out during the months of November to April, when it is converted to farmland by the locals. It acts as a natural flood retention basin during the rainy season. The swamp holds the overflow from five smaller rivers—Maasim, San Miguel, Garlang, Bulu and Peñaranda—then drains into the larger Pampanga River. The swamp serves as fishing grounds covering 43,000 hectares of arable farmlands. Its fields are very fertile because of the sustained deposits of humus and decaying plant residues. For photographers and bird watchers, the Candaba Swamp is a paradise for their profession due to the many species of colorful ducks and endangered water birds that flock to the area to escape the biting cold of the northern hemisphere during the winter season. It is a staging and wintering area for ducks, egrets and other water birds, or the Anatidae species. Migratory birds arrive from as far as Siberia, Korea, Japan, China, Australia and New Zealand to breed in the Candaba Swamp. Aside from acting as a staging area for exotic birds, the Candaba Swamp plays a key role in preserving the ecological balance. Similar to marshes and other wetlands, the Candaba Swamp provides an important habitat for everything from microbes to frogs to waterfowl. Peatlands, mangroves, swamps and seagrass beds, according to one official of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), are the world’s most effective carbon sinks. Wetlands capture and store carbon from the atmosphere through plant photosynthesis and by acting as sediment traps for runoff. Carbon is held in the living vegetation as well as in litter, peats, organic soils and sediments that have built up, in some cases, over thousands of years. Peatlands cover just 3 percent of the planet’s surface but they store about 30 percent of all land-based carbon, or twice the number of all the world’s forests combined. The same DENR official added inland wetlands, like rivers and lakes, absorb and store water from excessive rains and mitigate floods. Swamps appear as wastelands but healthy wetlands absorb and accumulate excess rainfall that is stored for the dry season. They offset extreme weather events and protect communities from disasters. Swamps also function as kidneys of the planet because they improve water quality. They collect surface runoff from cities and farmlands and act as natural water filter by eliminating other pollutants and catching suspended sediments that can kill aquatic plants and animals. In the case of the Candaba Swamp, it filters toxic chemicals coming from the upstream water of the Pampanga River before it drains to Manila Bay, and recharge groundwater aquifers that are crucial for irrigation and drinking water.

—“—

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2026

extrastory2000@gmail.com

SM Offices secures major expansion deal with Visa By Jenniffer B. Austria

M Offices, the commercial leasing arm of SM Prime Holdings Inc., has signed an expansion lease with Visa Inc. that will allow the global payments company to more than double its office space at the SM Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay City.

SM Prime Holdings said in a statement Wednesday that Visa is moving from about 4,000 square meters at Five E-com Cen-

ter to a 9,000-square-meter facility at Four E-com Center, which will house its Visa Philippines Solution Center. The larger office will bring together Visa’s administrative, financial, and technology operations and will run on a 24/7 schedule. It will also give the company additional space as it expands its Philippine operations. “Today’s workplace plays a far more strategic role in organizational performance,” said Alexis Ortiga, SM Offices vice president and business unit head. Ortiga said companies are increasingly looking for office spaces that can accommodate different operations in one location while allowing room for future growth. For Visa, the move to Four E-com Center is part of its efforts to support growing operations in the country.

“Expanding to Four E-com Center was a natural decision as we continue to grow our business and support our people,” said Chari Dela Cruz, vice president for global managed services and site lead of the Visa Philippines Solution Center. Dela Cruz said the campus offers a well-connected location, along with accessibility and amenities for its growing workforce. SM Offices said Visa’s expansion reflects continued demand from multinational companies for office space that can accommodate larger and more integrated operations in the Philippines. Four E-com Center is a LEED Goldcertified office development consisting of three towers with all-glass facades. Global architecture firm Arquitectonica designed the complex.

PH shares edge higher as peso rebounds slightly PHILIPPINE shares edged higher Wednesday as a strengthening peso provided relief to market sentiment, though gains were capped as investors remained cautious. The 30-company Philippine Stock Exchange Index rose 10.54 points, or 0.17 percent, to close at 6,116.53, while the broader all shares index gained 1.28 points, or 0.04 percent, to 3,385.85. Luis Limlingan, head of sales at Regina Capital Development Corp., said trading was cautious as investors focused on select index heavyweights. “Market sentiment also improved as the Philippine peso showed some relief against the U.S. dollar. Nevertheless, upside remained limited as investors maintained a selective approach amid prevailing economic uncertainties,” Limlingan said. The peso closed stronger against the greenback Wednesday at 62.513 to $1, up from Tuesday’s 62.625. Services led sectoral gainers, rising 52.68 points, or 1.59 percent. Mining and oil climbed 119.06 points, or 0.55 percent, while industrials gained 3.69 points, or 0.05 percent. Holding firms fell 56.01 points, or 1.29 percent, while property declined 15.33 points, or 0.82 percent. Financials slipped 2.37 points, or 0.12 percent. Market breadth was negative, with 106 decliners beating 88 advancers, while 55 stocks were unchanged. Value turnover reached P5.63 billion. Foreign investors were net buyers for a second straight trading day, with net inflows of P219.1 million. Among index stocks, Globe Telecom Inc. was the top gainer, rising 3.1 percent to P1,632, while ACEN Corp. was the top loser, falling 4.09 percent to P2.58. Jenniffer B. Austria

MCIA AWARD. Mactan-Cebu International Airport general Standard Manila

TODAY manager Ricia Vinelli Montejo (center left) and Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority general manager and CEO Julius Neri Jr. (center right) accept honors at the Airports Council International Airport Experience Summit 2026 in Istanbul, Türkiye. MCIA was named among the Best Airports in Asia-Pacific in the 5 million to 15 million passenger category and advanced to Level 3 of the council’s Airport Customer Experience Accreditation.

Career Opportunity in TSL Container Lines Philippines Inc. Position Title: Vice President Job Description:

 Monitor the implementation of Head Office system updates, operational procedures, and digitalization initiatives within the Philippine office.  Analyze system-generated operational data and reports to improve service efficiency, cargo flow, vessel utilization, and overall business performance.  Escalate significant operational, commercial, and system-related matters to the appropriate Head Office departments and coordinate their resolution.

 Develop and implement business strategies to achieve company goals.  Oversee vessel operations, cargo movement, and service performance.  Drive revenue growth and maintain key customer relationships. Qualification (Education, Experience, Professional Licens  Ensure compliance with maritime regulations, safety, e, Skills Certification, Specialized Training): and environmental standards.  Lead and develop department heads and management  Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Economics, teams. or a related discipline (Master's degree or MBA is an  Build partnerships with port authorities, government advantage). agencies, and industry stakeholders.  Report operational and business performance to the  Exceptional cross-cultural communication with proven President/CEO. experience bridging local branch offices and regional  Serve as the primary liaison between TSL Container international headquarters (specifically managing direct Lines Philippines and TS Lines Taipei Head Office, reporting and alignment with Taiwanese or regional Asian ensuring alignment with regional strategies, policies, shipping headquarters). and operational standards.  Coordinate with TS Lines Taipei on vessel operations, service schedules, cargo allocation, container Applications may be sent to: Arlene Soriano management, and other regional shipping activities. <arlene.soriano@tslines.com.ph> Company/ Employer Name of foreign national intending to apply for the position Company Name: TSL Container Lines Philippines Inc. Name: Lin, Ya-Lei Complete Address: 2ECBO11003, 11/F Two E-Com Center Address: Makati City Bldg., SM Mall Of Asia, Zone 10, Barangay 076, District 1, Nationality: Chinese Intended Period of Employment: Three (3) Years Pasay City Nature Of Business: General Business of shipping agent Company hereby declares that the above-named foreign national is able, willing, and qualified to perform the services and job description for this position. The company has the intention to employ the said foreign national and apply for an Alien Employment Permit with the Bureau of Local Employment (BLE) located at 6th Floor, Banco Filipino Condominium, Solana Street, Intramuros, Manila.

Career Opportunity in

DANGDANG NEW ENERGY AUTO SERVICE (PHILIPPINES) LTD., CORP. Submit Application to: UPRC 7 Building 2287 Chino Roces Avenue Extension Magallanes Makati City CONTACT US: 8804-5115

Position Title: NEW ENERGY OPERATIONS MANAGER 1- Vacancy Job Description:  Manage and oversee the day-to-day operations of new energy projects, facilities, and related business activities.  Develop and implement operational plans, procedures, schedules, and performance targets for new energy operations.  Coordinate the operation, maintenance, and performance monitoring of renewable and new energy systems, equipment, and facilities.  Monitor energy production, consumption, equipment efficiency, operational costs, and overall project performance.  Analyze operational data and prepare reports, forecasts, and recommendations for management. Qualifications:  8+years of relevant experience  Degree in Business, Management, Engineering or related field.  Strong leadership, strategic and analytical skills  Automotive, EV, or new energy experience is an advantage  Strong business operations and project management experience. Company/Employer

Dangdang New Energy Auto Service (Philippines).Ltd., Corp. Address: Makati City Nature of Business: Wholesale of Machinery and Equipment Supplies

Name of foreign national intending to apply for the position

Name: WANG, CHENGWEI Address: Makati City Nationality: Chinese Intended period of employment: Two (2)yrs.

Position Title: FINANCE MANAGER (1 Vacancy ) Job Description:  Manage and oversee the company’s day-to-day financial operations.  Prepare and monitor budgets, financial forecasts, cash-flow projections, and financial plans.  Monitor company revenues, expenses, cash position, and overall financial performance.  Prepare and review monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports for management.  Analyze financial data and provide recommendations to management regarding cost control and business decisions.  Supervise accounting and finance personnel and ensure accurate and timely financial reporting. Qualifications:  5+years of relevant experience  Finance/Accounting degree  Strong leadership and analytical skills.  Automotive experience is an advantage Certified Public Accountant (CPA) is a plus Company/Employer

Dangdang New Energy Auto Service (Philippines).Ltd., Corp. Address: Makati City Nature of Business: Wholesale of Machinery and Equipment Supplies

Name of foreign national intending to apply for the position

Name: XUE, JINYA Address: Makati City Nationality: Chinese Intended period of employment: Three (3) yrs

DANGDANG NEW ENERGY AUTO SERVICE(PHILIPPINES)LTD.,CORP.hereby declares that the above-names foreign nationals,WANG CHENGWEI and XUE JINYA are able willing and qualified to perform the services and job description for this positions, Engineering Specialist, Construction Specialist Chinese Procurement. The company has the intention to employ the said foreign nationals and apply for an Alien Employment Permit -DOLE Central Office Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Building, Muralla Wing cor. General Luna St., Intramuros, Manila, 1002, If there are any objections or inquiries, please contact the concerned DOLE Regional Office.

Any Filipino jobseeker who is competent, able and willing to perform the services for which the foreign national is intended to be hired for, may file an objection at the Department of labor and Employment - DOLE Central Office Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Building, Muralla Wing cor. General Luna St., Intramuros, Manila, 1002, after this publication. Please inform Department of Labor and Employment- Dole Central Office, If you have any information on criminal offenses committed by the foreigh national

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

BUSINESS

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2026 extrastory2000@gmail.com RODERICK T. DELA CRUZ, Editor ALENA MAE S. FLORES, Asst. Editor

Industrialization key to supporting peso, says FPI By Othel V. Campos

N INDUSTRY group said the pressure on the peso amid oil price increases underscores the need to strengthen domestic manufacturing and reduce the country’s dependence on imported components.

SME DAY. Over a hundred delegates from small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Iloilo City gather for SME Day Iloilo, organized by PLDT’s B2B arm PLDT Enterprise to boost business resilience for SMEs through knowledgesharing and technology. Through expert-led sessions from PLDT Enterprise, ePLDT, VITRO Inc. and Cisco Meraki, the delegates explored technologies shaping the future of business, from 5G and resilient connectivity to data centers and cybersecurity solutions that help protect businesses and ensure continuity.

Gunkul, SunAsia to build $1-b floating solar project By Alena Mae S. Flores THAILAND’S Gunkul Engineering Public Co. Ltd. has teamed up with Philippine developer SunAsia Energy Inc. to build a $1-billion floating solar project with a combined capacity of 1,000 megawatts, positioning it as the region’s largest. The companies formalized the partnership during a commitment ceremony on Sept. 3, attended by Energy Secretary Sharon Garin. The project will be located at Laguna Lake. SunAsia chief executive and president Tetchi Capellan said the milestone comes as the Philippines prepares to

host the ASEAN Energy Ministers’ Meeting in October. “This milestone comes at a defining moment as the Philippines hosts the ASEAN Energy Ministers’ Meeting in October this year. The partnership also reflects the joint vision of the Philippines and Thailand to forge meaningful collaboration, drive innovation and create an impact that extends well beyond our borders,” Capellan said. Gunkul Engineering has been listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand since 2010 and has built a portfolio of renewable energy assets and engineering capabilities. The company is involved in renewable energy, engineering, procurement and

construction and electrical equipment, establishing itself as an integrated player in Asia’s clean energy sector. Before Gunkul’s entry, Macquarie Capital portfolio company Blueleaf Energy Philippines had supported the project’s development and funding since 2021, working alongside project partners to advance one of the country’s most significant renewable energy initiatives. Unlike ground-mounted solar developments, floating solar requires engineering solutions suited to aquatic conditions, including humidity, corrosion, wind and waves. At this scale, the project is also expected to spur local manufacturing of supply components, particularly floaters.

“Our situation highlights the urgency of industrialization—producing more components locally reduces import dependence and helps cushion our economy against currency swings,” Federation of Philippine Industries (FPI) chairperson Elizabeth Lee said. The peso closed at 62.51 against the US dollar Wednesday, recovering from a record low of 62.62 on Tuesday. The Philippine peso’s renewed slide to record lows reflects the compounding impact of higher global oil prices and a widening trade deficit, the FPI said. Lee said renewed geopolitical tensions involving Iran have pushed oil prices higher, adding pressure on an economy that remains heavily dependent on imports. “The immediate trigger is geopolitical - the Iran conflict is flaring up again, kicking up oil prices again this week after new strikes near the Strait of Hormuz,” Lee said. “But the reason we’re more exposed than our neighbors is structural. Our imports are growing faster than our exports, and the BSP has been clear - it won’t burn through reserves just to hold the peso at a fixed level,” she said. Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) data showed the trade deficit widened 29.2 percent to $37.34 billion in the first seven months of 2026, as imports rose 18.9 percent to $92.26 billion while exports grew 12.9 percent to $54.92 billion. Lee said the widening trade gap is not merely a consequence of peso weakness but is also contributing to it, as stronger import demand increases the need for foreign currency. “This is itself feeding the peso’s weakness, not just a symptom of it. A widening trade deficit does not just reflect peso weakness; it actively feeds it. More imports mean more demand for foreign currency, which puts downward pressure on the peso,” she said. Lee said a weaker peso could benefit exporters by making Philippine products more competitive abroad, but also raises costs for businesses dependent on imported inputs.

IN BRIEF

Australian firms explore PH infra, energy projects

ATRAM launches gold equity feeder fund ATRAM Trust Corp. has launched the ATRAM Global Gold Equity Feeder Fund, a new unit investment trust fund (UITF) that gives Filipino investors access to a professionally managed portfolio of global gold-related equities. The fund invests substantially all of its assets in a diversified global portfolio of companies engaged in gold mining and related businesses, offering exposure to gold-related equities across major mining markets worldwide. Rather than investing directly in physical gold, investors gain exposure to the companies that explore, develop, mine and finance precious metals. ATRAM said gold-mining companies are operating businesses whose earnings depend on gold prices and production costs. When gold prices rise faster than costs, these companies can benefit from wider margins, potentially generating higher returns than gold itself, though with greater volatility. The company added that gold-related companies have historically moved differently from broader global markets, making them useful for portfolio diversification during periods of inflation, market stress or currency volatility. ATRAM head of products Miguel Liboro said many investors think of gold primarily as a physical asset, but opportunity also exists in the businesses that support the industry. “With this Fund, investors can participate in the growth potential of companies involved across the gold value chain while gaining exposure to an asset class that has long played a role in diversified portfolios,” Liboro said.

Damosa Land plans P2.5-b office expansion DAMOSA Land Inc., a leading Mindanao real estate developer owned by the Floirendo family, plans to expand its office, industrial and leisure investments in Davao amid continued demand across several property segments. Damosa Land president Carly Lagdameo said the company would continue developing projects across its businesses, guided by market demand and emerging growth areas. “We’re still developing across all of our different sectors. We’re deciding where the demand is and where we see the next growth sectors over the next couple of years,” Lagdameo said. Damosa Land plans to spend P2.5 billion to expand its office portfolio by adding 60,000 square meters of leasable space. The company’s office portfolio is about 95 percent occupied, with only a few smaller units still available. Over the near term, the company is also eyeing a golf course-related project in Davao City and additional office developments amid strong demand for commercial space. In the industrial sector, Damosa Land is expanding Anflo Industrial Estates by adding 15 hectares of tenant-ready land and another roughly 15 hectares that could potentially be developed in the future. Jenniffer B. Austria

NLEX lifts toll rebate as flooded lanes reopen NLEX Corp. said Wednesday it has lifted the toll-free passage along the San Fernando-Pulilan stretch of the North Luzon Expressway after all lanes affected by flooding reopened. The toll operator said the rebate, which had been in effect while flooding conditions persisted, ended starting 12:01 a.m. on Sept. 9, after all three lanes in both directions of the San Simon Interchange and Tulaoc sections reopened to all vehicle types. The affected lanes fully reopened at 8:50 a.m. on Sept. 8, allowing normal traffic operations to resume along the sections. NLEX Corp. said it implemented the toll rebate following a directive from the Department of Transportation as flooding affected portions of the expressway. While the rebate for motorists will end, NLEX Corp. said the temporary toll exemption for provincial buses will remain in effect. NLEX Corp. said the reopening followed sustained flood mitigation and clearing operations conducted with government and private sector partners. Darwin G. Amojelar

Raymund Liboro (center), the Philippines’ first Privacy Commissioner, is the 2026 recipient of the Ramon Y. Dimacali Award for Information Technology. With Liboro are Philippine Association for the Advancement of Science, Technology and Innovation (PhilAASTI) president and former Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Fortunato de la Peña and Susan Dimacali, wife of the late two-time IBM Philippines head Ramon Dimacali whose family sponsors the IT field awards program of the PHILAASTI.

SPACE TECHNOLOGIES. Department of Economy, Planning and Development Secretary Arsenio Balisacan meets with Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) acting director-general Gay Jane Perez on Sept. 7 to discuss how space-based technologies and geospatial information can support infrastructure planning, disaster resilience, environmental management and connectivity in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas.

PH banks’ bad loan ratio hit 2-month high of 3.35% in July By Thony Rose Lesaca PHILIPPINE banks’ gross nonperforming loan (NPL) ratio rose to a two-month high of 3.35 percent in July from 3.29 percent in June, as high borrowing costs and elevated inflation weakened borrowers’ capacity to pay, data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas showed. The July ratio was lower than the 3.40 percent recorded a year ago but marked the highest level since May’s 3.44 percent. Total NPLs grew 9.27 percent to P585.08 billion in July from P535.45 billion a year earlier, and edged up 0.02 percent from P584.97 billion in June. Reyes Tacandong & Co. senior adviser Jonathan Ravelas said the increase reflected pockets of financial stress

among households and businesses after an extended period of high borrowing costs and elevated inflation. “While the economy continues to grow, not all sectors and borrowers are recovering at the same pace, which is affecting repayment capacity in certain segments. At the same time, as bank lending expands, a modest rise in NPLs is a normal part of the credit cycle,” Ravelas said. Banks’ past due loans fell 1.94 percent month-on-month to P738.77 billion in July from P753.38 billion in June. Total loan portfolio also dropped 1.88 percent to P17.45 trillion from P17.78 trillion. Both figures, however, were higher than the P687.59 billion in past due loans and P15.77 trillion in total loans recorded in July last year.

A DELEGATION of Australian institutional investors managing a combined Au$1.4 trillion in assets explored investment opportunities in the Philippines’ energy, infrastructure and other strategic sectors during a two-day mission from Sept. 8 to 9, 2026. Senior representatives from AustralianSuper, IFM Investors, Macquarie Asset Management, Pentagreen Capital and Plenary Group met Philippine business leaders, senior government officials and major project sponsors as part of the visit. The delegation includes investors with extensive experience financing, developing and managing major infrastructure, energy and other strategic assets, along with significant pools of long-term capital. It also includes investors backed by the Australian government’s Au$2billion Southeast Asia Investment Financing Facility, which Export Finance Australia administers to help Australian investors pursue opportunities across the region, including the Philippines. The visit focused on opportunities arising from the Philippines’ infrastructure expansion and energy transition. Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Marc Innes-Brown said the visit supports Australia’s efforts to deepen economic ties with Southeast Asia under its Invested: Australia’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040. “We are seeking to facilitate a significant increase in Australian investment in the Philippines. The Philippines has ambitious plans for infrastructure, energy and economic development. We want to see more Australian investors bringing capital and expertise to help turn those ambitions into reality,” Innes-Brown said. Othel V. Campos

Former privacy chief wins Ramon Y. Dimacali IT Award FORMER National Privacy Commissioner Raymund Liboro has been named a recipient of the Ramon Y. Dimacali Award for Information Technology, recognizing more than three decades of work turning science and emerging technology into public institutions and services. The award honors Liboro’s contributions to expanding access to knowledge, strengthening disaster resilience, building digital trust and improving governance through technology. His career is marked by an ability to convert emerging ideas into institutions and systems that serve the public. At the Department of Science and Technology-Science and Technology

Information Institute, Liboro helped lead development of STARBOOKS, the country’s pioneering offline digital science library-in-a-box. Designed for communities with limited connectivity, STARBOOKS made scientific and educational resources accessible to schools and libraries nationwide. The project had reached more than 9,200 deployment sites by June 24, 2025. Civil Service Commission officials presented STARBOOKS with the 2022 Presidential Lingkod Bayan Award, the commission’s highest honor under its Honor Awards Program, at Malacañang on March 8, 2023. Liboro also contributed to the

leadership and mobilization of the Department of Science and Technology’s Project NOAH, bringing scientific agencies, researchers, government officials and communities together to translate research and real-time data into actionable disaster information. National Privacy Commission founding chairman Liboro served as the country’s first Privacy Commissioner from 2016 to 2022. He led implementation of the Data Privacy Act of 2012, built the commission into an operating institution and helped establish privacy, accountability and responsible data governance as foundations of the Philippines’ digital transformation.

BINONDO

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2026

extrastory2000@gmail.com

Pinglu Canal to boost China-ASEAN links N By Michael Wong Ho

ANNING, China — The 134.2-kilometer Pinglu Canal in Guangxi will open to navigation on Sept. 16, creating a direct river-to-sea route from southwestern China to the Beibu Gulf and strengthening trade with ASEAN economies.

The canal shortens transport distances by about 560 kilometers compared with traditional routes through the Pearl River Delta and is expected to cut logistics costs by 18 to 30 percent, allowing goods from inland cities such as Nanning and Guigang to reach ASEAN markets more quickly through Beibu Gulf Port. Philippine Ambassador to China Jaime FlorCruz, who toured the project with diplomats and envoys from ASEAN countries in July, described the canal as a strategic infrastructure project that provides a more efficient route between the Gulf and southwestern China. “It will make transport cheaper, logistics more efficient, and allow Philippine products to get into Guangxi and other parts of China in a more efficient and cheaper way,” FlorCruz said. He said the project is impressive because it combines flood control, irrigation, and environmental and ecological protection, making it multidimensional in purpose. Guangxi Beihuiguixian Paper Co. chairman Chen Jin said shipments of tissue products to ASEAN markets could save 1,200 yuan to 1,500 yuan per container and arrive at least one day faster. The company already exports to Thailand and is seeking to expand sales

Pinglu Canal is set to open on Sept. 16, linking southwestern China to the Beibu Gulf and cutting ASEAN shipping costs by up to 30 percent.

in Vietnam and Indonesia. Guangxi Academy of Social Sciences Southeast Asian Research Studies deputy-director Lei Xiaohua said the canal will significantly reduce logistics costs between southwestern China and ASEAN, particularly for bulk goods such as agricultural products, minerals and building materials. He added that the region’s expanding industrial base and consumer market will increase demand for ASEAN imports, supporting a mutually beneficial,

two-way China-ASEAN trade relationship. Beibu Gulf Port plans to expand two-way cargo flows with ASEAN, strengthen logistics hubs in Malaysia and Vietnam, and develop integrated river-rail-sea services. These links could also give landlocked Laos more efficient access to maritime trade through the China-Laos Railway and the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor. China-ASEAN trade has exceeded $1 trillion, though much of it has

traditionally depended on eastern coastal ports such as Guangzhou. The Pinglu Canal is expected to diversify those routes and support a more balanced, two-way flow of goods between ASEAN and China’s southwestern provinces. Regional regulatory and digital gaps remain a challenge. Customs procedures, inspection standards, navigation rules, terminal compatibility and digitalization levels still differ across the region, and closing those gaps will determine

how much potential the canal and port system ultimately realize. Despite those challenges, the canal’s opening is expected to strengthen Beibu Gulf Port’s position as a regional shipping hub and give businesses a shorter, lower-cost route between southwestern China and Southeast Asia. It will also deepen trade cooperation under the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership by combining inland waterways, rail connections and maritime shipping in a single regional logistics network.

Kokee Bakery brings jade buns to Binondo By Julie Ann Lope KOKEE Bakery, founded by brothers Gezer Cai and Gao Wei, opened its first store at 759 Ongpin Street in Binondo, Manila, in December 2025, introducing jade buns, a Chinese pastry, to the local market. Cai said the idea for the business began after he tried the product in China and wondered whether Filipinos would also enjoy it. His brother then studied in China to learn how to make the pastry. Jade buns get their name from their jade-like color, as jade is considered highly valuable in China. Kokee Bakery makes the buns with wheat flour and fills them with sweet and savory molten lava and chicken floss, topping them with scallions. Staff prepare the buns fresh every day to maintain quality. The bakery offers regular and limited-edition flavors, including the original, seaweed and spicy varieties. Kokee Bakery also sells butter rice cake and fuji buns, which have a coconut filling, along with coffee and lemon tea. Its coffee menu includes americano, coconut latte, caramel latte, mocha, coffee latte, cappuccino,

vanilla latte, oat milk latte and matcha latte. Its tea menu includes Phoenix Dancong oolong lemon tea, signature hand-shaken lemon tea, Hong Kong milk tea, Da Hong Pao oolong lemon tea and jasmine green tea lemon tea. Cai said developing new flavors is part of the bakery’s effort to improve its products and respond to customer preferences. The brothers are also considering adding buko pandan and Biscoff variants to the lineup. Kokee Bakery serves Chinese customers, the Filipino-Chinese community, Filipinos and visitors interested in trying new food products. Asked about competition among food businesses in Binondo, Cai said the bakery offers a unique product. “Binondo has a lot of restaurants and is considered a food district, but our product is something unique,” he said. The bakery plans to expand to other locations and is considering franchising opportunities as the business grows. Cai said operating a food business involves more than making sales. He said consistency in product quality and customer service is essential to

Kokee Bakery, founded by brothers Gezer Cai and Gao Wei, brings Chinese jade buns to Manila’s Binondo district, with plans to expand and explore franchising.

building a lasting business. “Running a food business requires consistency in product quality and taste,” Cai said. “It is not just about making sales; it is also about the service you provide and the quality of your products.” The bakery aims to attract repeat customers by providing excellent service and consistently maintaining product quality. Cai also emphasized the importance of building a trusted team and staying hands-on in managing the business. Social media plays a major role in promoting Kokee Bakery, Cai said. Customers and vloggers who visit

FFCCCII conducts medical, dental mission in Sta. Mesa THE Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII), through its Social Responsibility Committee, conducted a free medical and dental mission at Barangay 587, Guadalcanal St, Sta. Mesa, Manila on Aug. 23, 2026. The medical team was composed of six doctors and 10 dentists. Barangay 587 chairman Zoren Maravilla and FFCCCII staff members also attended and assisted with the outreach activity. The team provided medical services to 400 patients and performed tooth extractions for 60 dental patients.

the shop often share their experiences online, helping introduce the bakery to a wider audience. Starting the bakery was not without challenges. Cai acknowledged that the first few weeks of running a business may not bring strong sales, and he encouraged aspiring entrepreneurs not to lose hope during the early stages. “Starting a business really needs capital,” he said. “The first weeks may not have so much sales, so don’t lose hope and don’t give up.” Cai described business ownership as a major responsibility that differs significantly from working as an employee. He said business owners

must be involved in daily operations, manage their teams, monitor their products and stay focused on their goals. Cai’s advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is to be hands-on, understand their business, plan carefully and be willing to take risks. “Plan first, then execute,” he said. “If the results are good, we’re happy. If the results are bad, we learn from them.” He said that every day presents an opportunity to learn and improve, saying continuous learning is necessary for both personal growth and business development.

2 Filipino MSMEs showcase products at China trade fair

The Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. (FFCCCII) conducts a free medical and dental mission at Barangay 587, Guadalcanal St, Sta. Mesa, Manila on Aug. 23, 2026.

It also distributed 100 pairs of reading glasses to senior citizens. A total of 560 residents benefited from the mission. FFCCCII vice president William Yap Castro also donated Gibi sports shoes, manufactured by his company, to the beneficiaries. Michael Wong Ho

GUANGZHOU, China—Two Philippine micro, small and medium enterprises displayed Filipino craftsmanship and products at the 21st China International Small and Medium Enterprises Fair on Sept. 3 to 6 at the China Import and Export Fair Complex here. Mindanao Pearl International and Jegen SWE Enterprises represented the Philippines at the fair, which organizers said highlighted the role of small and medium enterprises in driving innovation and economic growth. Mindanao Pearl International chief executive Sitti Ong Go presented South Sea pearl jewelry and handcrafted products from Mindanao. Jegen SWE Enterprises, founded by Jerry and Emma Taruc, showcased natural herbal oils, liniments and balms. Philippine Consul General in Guangzhou Iric Cruz Arribas attended the fair’s opening ceremony alongside senior Chinese officials, foreign ministers, members of the diplomatic and consular corps and business representatives. Arribas said the Consulate General backed the companies’ international expansion efforts. “CISMEF gives Philippine MSMEs a valuable platform to showcase their products,

build partnerships and connect with regional and global markets,” he said. “We encourage more Filipino entrepreneurs to participate in future editions and bring Philippine products, creativity and enterprise to a wider international audience,” Arribas said. Julie Ann Lope

Philippine MSMEs Mindanao Pearl International and Jegen SWE Enterprises showcase pearl jewelry and herbal products at the 21st CISMEF in Guangzhou, backed by the Philippine Consulate General.

SHOWBIZ

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2026

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

WO stars with very different screen personas are set for an intriguing showdown at the Puregold CinePanalo 2026 Film Festival. Xyriel Manabat and Sassa Gurl are competing for the Panalong Aktres award, with Manabat bringing years of acting experience and Sassa Gurl riding a recent wave of recognition. Manabat stars in Mikko Baldoza’s Stuck on You, while Sassa Gurl leads Rodina Singh’s Multwoh (Patay na Patay Sa ’Yo). Both films put both actors in roles that depart from the personas audiences have come to know. Manabat, a former child star, has built an extensive acting résumé. She won FAMAS Best Child Actress for Ang Tanging Ina Mo (Last na ’To!) and A Mother’s Story before taking on dramatic roles in Dirty Linen and Senior High. In Stuck on You, she plays Sheryl Bunga, a heartbroken manicurista who gets caught in a deadly conspiracy and falls for a man, played by River Joseph, whom she may eventually have to kill. The film moves between comedy, romance, action, and drama, giving Manabat a chance to show a different side of her range. Sassa Gurl, meanwhile, could emerge as the race’s surprise contender. In Multwoh, the popular online personality plays Marcel, a queer college student who dies before confessing their feelings to longtime crush Miguel, played by Joao Constancia. Marcel returns as a ghost with one unfinished task: finally saying, “I love you.” Sassa Gurl previously appeared in The Entitled and Balota and won Breakthrough Actress of the Year at the 2026 Platinum Stallion National Media Awards for Bar Boys: After School.

Sassa Gurl follows a recent acting recognition with another awards-season mention for the role in ‘Multwoh’

For ‘Stuck on You,’ Xyriel Manabat plays Sheryl Bunga, a heartbroken ‘manicurista’ pulled into danger and romance

Unexpected face-off

Sassa Gurl takes on Xyriel Manabat in Puregold CinePanalo’s acting race Sassa Gurl plays Marcel in ‘Multwoh,’ a queer student whose death leaves one confession unfinished

Very Wang

Nickie Wang

From ‘Dirty Linen’ to ‘Senior High,’ Xyriel Manabat continues to take on unexpected roles

Multwoh could give Sassa another opportunity to prove dramatic range on the big screen. The Panalong Aktres race therefore comes down to two very different propositions. Manabat has the pedigree and experience. Sassa Gurl has the momentum and an unconventional role that could catch voters’ attention. The winner will follow Shamaine Buencamino and Ruby Ruiz as the third full-length recipient of the Panalong Aktres award. The 2026 Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival runs Sept. 23 to Oct. 4

at Gateway Cineplex 18, TriNoma, Fairview Terraces, Ayala Malls Feliz, Ayala Malls Circuit, Ayala Malls Manila Bay and Market! Market! Regular tickets cost P250, while discounted tickets are P200 for PWDs, senior citizens, students, national athletes, and Aling Puring and Perks cardholders. A P2,000 festival pass covers all seven full-length films and 19 student shorts. Festival passes will be available starting Sept. 22 at Gateway Cineplex 18 and from Sept. 23 onward at Gateway Cineplex 18 and TriNoma.

Songs with flavor of the months LAST week, we were ushered into the “ber” months, which means we’re in the last four months of the year. You’re brought into the longest Christmas season if you’re in the Philippines (to the tune of Jose Mari Chan’s “Christmas In Our Hearts”), and by the last day of this month, some of us may likely post something that will lead to the Green Day song title “When September Ends.” Yes, the 12 months of the Gregorian calendar have appeared in modern s o n g s f r o m

Touchbass

Yugel Losorata

time to time, which gives a title or a lyric line some kind of character related to the characteristics of the month mentioned. “Do you remember the 21st night of September?” asks the opening line of the classic Earth, Wind & Fire track “September.” Apart from EWF, a number of the world’s greatest acts also made use of a particular month to name their songs. Taylor Swift has her “August.” Guns N’ Roses popularized the epic “November Rain,” while Linkin Park came out with the melancholic “My December.” JMC himself made sure that the “cool breeze of December” (“A Perfect Christmas”) captures the mood of the holidays he has long been associated with. In “Bus Stop” by The Hollies, the line “By August she was mine” turns out to be crucial, as it is the payoff from the boy-meets-girl-at-the-bus-stop narrative. August being the last month of summer indicates that the previous weeks serve as the cute courtship stage. The chorus to “Somebody Told Me” by The Killers includes a line with a month’s name cleverly and quite hilariously inserted: “Somebody told me you had a boyfriend who looked like a girlfriend that

I had in February of last year.” The Beatles sang “As the June light turns to moonlight” in “I’ll Be On My Way,” which is a song they gave away to Billy J. Kramer with the Dakotas and only became a Beatles track when their live performance of the piece appeared on the 1994 compilation “Live at the BBC.” At least three known acts titled their songs “4th of July,” with Soundgarden and Fall Out Boy having it that way, while Mariah Carey preferred to spell it out, “Fourth of July.” The iconic and prolific Neil Sedaka left no stone unturned. He uses all 12 months as a vehicle to push forward the lyrics to “Calendar Girl.” Filipino composers also find delight in the poetic license of using a month to spice up a line or title. Rico Blanco wrote and sang, “I shot the eggman under an April morning sky,” in a deep cut from Rivermaya’s hits-heavy Atomic Bomb album, which is the last album featuring their classic lineup together. The same goes for Ted Reyes, frontman of the longdefunct The Freesouls, who calls a track “When October Comes,” off their 1997 album Shindig, which is obviously a nod to Barry Manilow’s 1984 classic “When October Goes.” There you go. We can blame it on the seasons for making the months some likable lyrical ploy to push the plot. I like the Fall the most. Small wonder I smile each time I hear that “September 22nd, Sunday 25 after 9” line from M2M’s “The Day You Went Away.”

Jose Mari Chan’s Christmas classics return to playlists as the ‘ber’ months begin, renewing his place in the country’s longest-running holiday soundtrack

Carl Joseph Papa’s ‘58th’ wins MIFF honors for documentary and direction

Animated docu ‘58th’ dominates Manila International Film Festival in Hollywood GMA Network’s animated documentary 58th won three awards at the 3rd Manila International Film Festival (MIFF) in Hollywood, including Best Picture Documentary Award. The film, produced by GMA Pictures and GMA Public Affairs, tackles the 2009 Maguindanao Massacre, considered the deadliest attack on journalists in history. It combines animation and archival footage to tell the story of Reynaldo “Bebot” Momay, whose body was never found and whose family continues to seek official recognition as the massacre’s 58th victim. Filmmaker Carl Joseph Papa won Best Director, while the festival’s Shining A Light award went to Momay’s daughter, Reynafe Castillo, for her involvement in the project. 58th also features the final film performance of the late Ricky Davao, who portrayed Momay. The cast includes Glaiza de Castro, Mikoy Morales, Marco Masa, Zyren Dela Cruz, and Biboy Ramirez. GMA Public Affairs SAVP for Documentaries Johnson Tam and

program manager Ian Simbulan produced the film. The MIFF awards add to 58th’s growing list of international recognitions. The film was previously recognized at the 2026 Doc Edge Festival in New Zealand. It had its world premiere at the 2026 International Film Festival Rotterdam, becoming the first GMA-produced film screened at the festival. It was later named one of the festival’s Top 10 Audience Choice Films. The film was also selected for the Contrechamp Feature Films category at the 2026 Annecy International Animation Film Festival in France, becoming the first GMA Network film to screen at the festival. 58th will next screen at the 31st Busan International Film Festival in October. In the Philippines, it premiered at the 2026 Cinemalaya Film Festival in August. The film was also shortlisted as a contender for the Philippines’ official submission to the Best International Feature Film category at the 99th Academy Awards.

LIFE & SHOWBIZ

C3 THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2026

By Jasper Valdez

ORE than two decades after Masculados became known for its provocative songs and danceheavy performances, the all-male group believes there is still room for its brand of entertainment alongside a younger generation of Filipino performers.

Masculados uses its latest release to reconnect with longtime fans while reaching younger listeners

Masculados’ (from left) Robin Robel, Nico Cordova, David Karell, Enrico Mofar, and Orlando Sol carry the group’s playful pop identity into a new album and overseas tour plans

Too old for pop?

Masculados says not so fast The group made its case as it launched its new single, “Saging,” with members speaking about adjusting their music and performances without leaving behind the identity audiences have associated with Masculados. “I feel like we’ve become even more solid, and the energy has changed. It has gone up another level, and Masculados has evolved,” Orlando Sol said. “What we want to show people is that Masculados can still keep up, even with the younger generation,” he added. “Saging” follows the playful, double-meaning style that became closely associated with the group through songs such as “Jumbo Hotdog.” But Masculados is also looking beyond nostalgia as it works on new material. The group has also expressed interest in collaborating with younger Filipino acts, particularly BINI and SB19, as part of its effort to connect with today’s listeners. And that

attempt to keep up also extends to the stage. Veteran choreographer Geleen Eugenio, who worked with Masculados on its latest performances, admitted the members needed some pushing when rehearsals began. “I had to work them hard at first because they had been out of practice for so long. It’s like a car, right? But now, they’re really warmed up and ready,” Eugenio said. She also gave the group newer steps and more demanding sections in their routines. “I’m giving them a hard time with the dance breaks, but they’re getting them. They pick things up quickly,” she said. The members also prepared physically for the new release. Sol said the group went through months of preparation and worked on getting back into shape as plans for new material took form. Masculados has gone through several lineup changes over the years. Robin Robel said he still keeps track of some former members online,

although they no longer communicate as often as before. “We still keep in touch through social media. I still see them there, but we don’t really talk as often as we used to,” Robel said. While “Saging” is being positioned as part of Masculados’ return to wider public attention, Enrico Mofar stressed that the group itself never completely went away. “We never really went away. We just weren’t on TV or radio anymore, but we continued doing shows and events in the provinces and at fiestas. The group was still around,” Mofar said. Next for Masculados is an Australia tour in November and an upcoming album, as the group builds on the release of “Saging” with more music and live performances. For the members, the next stretch will be about carrying that momentum forward while continuing to adjust their sound and stage act for today’s audience.

AI takes on healthcare’s access problem in the Philippines AS the Philippines faces a shortage of healthcare professionals and uneven access to medical services, healthcare and education leaders are examining how artificial intelligence can expand access to trusted medical information without replacing clinical judgment. Wolters Kluwer recently brought healthcare and academic leaders together in Manila for a workshop on responsible AI use in healthcare, focusing on evidence, transparency, and human oversight. The Philippines has about four doctors per 10,000 people, below the World Health Organization’s benchmark of 10. Only two of the country’s 17 regions meet the recommended doctor-to-population standard, while the EDCOM II Report 2026 estimates a nationwide shortage of about 290,000 healthcare professionals. These gaps can contribute to longer waits, heavier clinician workloads, and uneven access to healthcare between urban and provincial communities. Healthcare organizations are assessing how AI can help professionals access and evaluate medical knowledge. Workshop participants stressed the need for AI tools to show where information comes from, whether it is current, and whether it is grounded in reliable evidence. Wolters Kluwer presented UpToDate Expert

AI, a generative AI experience built on evidencebased medical content from UpToDate. It allows healthcare professionals to ask questions in natural language and review responses alongside supporting medical content. The tool is designed to support clinical learning and reasoning while keeping clinicians responsible for evaluating information and making decisions. Organizations that have publicly announced the use of Wolters Kluwer clinical solutions in the Philippines include The Medical City, Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center, and Makati Medical Center. More than 45 institutions nationwide, including hospitals, medical schools, and the Department of Health, use the company’s clinical solutions for medical education and evidence-based practice. “Artificial intelligence has significant potential to support healthcare professionals, but its value ultimately depends on the quality and reliability of the information behind its responses,” said Hong Nguyễn, regional director for APAC at Wolters Kluwer. “Technology should be grounded in the best available evidence and used alongside the clinician’s expertise, experience, and professional judgment,” Nguyễn said.

KGOC marks the final year of its Sportsfest with employee competitions, team awards, and a packed celebration after seven years of games

Teamwork and triumph in friendly competition SEVEN years of workplace competition came to a lively close as the Kryzl Group of Companies held “KGOC Sportsfest The Finale 2026,” bringing employees together for basketball, volleyball, cheering, and a day of celebration. Eight companies under KGOC took part in the event: Kryzl Manufacturing Corporation, Lydia Jose Manufacturing Inc., Salvation HR Solutions, Purple Hearts Production, Kryzl Land Real Estate, Kryzl Farmland, Love Kryzl and Siblings Co., and JoyLink Global. The annual Sportsfest has become an opportunity for employees to step away from

their usual routines, show their talents, and strengthen ties with colleagues. KGOC founder Kris Jorge and chairwoman Liezl Jorge praised employees for their dedication, integrity, and contributions to the company. They also expressed hopes of keeping the organization strong for future generations. Siblings CEO Charles Angello Jorge and Kryzl Jorge delivered messages during the opening program. Kryzl Manufacturing Corporation emerged as the basketball champion, while Purple Hearts Production won the volleyball championship.

Penelope Cruz, Javier Bardem play a marriage under strain in ‘Bunker’ MARRIED superstars Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem play a couple going through a mid-life crisis in their latest on-screen outing together in the new film “Bunker”—which they insisted Tuesday bore no relation to their real lives. The Hollywood power duo, who got together after appearing in 2008’s Vicky Cristina Barcelona, play a wealthy married couple in London, showing the strain of managing two careers in a city not their own. The movie by French director Florian Zeller, which premieres at the Venice Film Festival on Tuesday, also serves as a fierce critique of Silicon Valley tech billionaires—a theme that attracted the duo. Asked if anything in their onscreen characters resembled their real relationship, Bardem replied: “Nothing. We are really good at creating fiction and reality. Otherwise, we would not survive in this job.” He plays a star architect who is offered a lucrative project to design an underground survival bunker for a Silicon Valley billionaire—a story inspired by Meta owner Mark Zuckerberg constructing a compound in Hawaii, according to Zeller. Cruz said that she related to her character’s contempt for tech billionaires behind social networks and artificial intelligence who imagine a future in which computers and robots have replaced humans. “I wonder, is there really some gene they’re missing, which makes them lose their empathy?” she said. “My hope is that young people are actually beginning to realize they’re being manipulated, and I hope they’ll react because they’re very intelligent.” Cruz said she and her husband, who have done around 10 films together in total, always had to find a balance between their work and family life. “We both really love this profession. But it’s true that there is a good balance in terms of how much you are speaking about work,” she said. The 52-year-old praised Zeller for his script, which tackles themes from isolation to xenophobia, and for directing the couple through the “big arguments in the movie and some of the emotional scenes.” “I’m very grateful to Florian because he was always watching us and always feeling and seeing everything, and without invading, he was a real protection for us in that way,” she explained. Cruz and Bardem last appeared on screen together in Iranian director Asghar Farhadi’s “Everybody Knows” in 2018. AFP

Hong Nguyễn urges healthcare leaders to keep evidence, transparency, and clinical judgment at the center as AI tools enter medical practice

LuxeMixx Manufacturing Co. was named cheering squad champion. Other teams and individual performers also earned runner-up finishes and special awards. The celebration got an extra dose of star power with a basketball exhibition game featuring Team Payaman, led by Cong TV, with Junnie Boy, Boss Keng, Dudut, Burong, Yow, Carding, Bok, Steve, Nelson, Matthaios, and Igme. Celebrity personalities Nadine Samonte, Queenay Mercado, Viy Cortez, Jose Enrique Marfori, Charee Pineda, Martell Soledad, Petchie Ragos, Geraldine Uy, Yvonne Camay, Attorney Kim Hipolito, and Tricia Laurete also served as judges for the employees’ cheering competitions. Despite rain, flooding, long journeys, and heavy traffic, the celebrity judges attended the event and recognized the employees’ performances. After seven years of competition, KGOC Sportsfest The Finale 2026 closed with a message that extended beyond the winners: the employees who competed, supported their teammates, and gave their all were all part of the celebration.

Javier Bardem (left) and Penelope Cruz reunite with Florian Zeller for a Venice entry that tackles marriage, isolation, and the anxieties around tech billionaires

LIFE

C4 THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2026

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

By Nickie Wang SKINCARE can be the kind of best friend that never lets you down. It protects, cares, and stays with you through every stage of life, helping you feel more confident and comfortable in your own skin. That’s the vision shared by Carrie San, president of Cosmetec Japan Ltd., co-developer of Target Pro by Watsons, as the brand continues to grow among Filipino skincare consumers. “For me, maybe a best friend,” Carrie told Manila Standard Life in an exclusive interview. It is a simple answer that captures how the executive sees the brand as it enters its second decade in the Philippine market. Just like most Asians in the region, Filipinos have increasingly made skincare part of their everyday routines, with products and information now available to consumers across different ages and genders. “We want to make this brand for all of the people who can use it,” Carrie shared. “Not only for women, but also for men, young people, and older people.” As Target Pro celebrates 10 years in the Philippine market, Carrie sees the decade as a period of working

By Nickie Wang

OOKING good has long been treated as part of the job for men in entertainment, where clear skin, a fit physique, and a polished appearance can feel like unwritten requirements.

This Japanese skincare brand aims to be every Filipino skin’s best friend with Watsons to make dermatologist-inspired and science-backed skincare more accessible to Filipino consumers. Target Pro draws from Cosmetec Japan Ltd.’s Japanese pharmaceutical and skincare expertise. Each formulation undergoes extensive research, from selecting active ingredients to testing the final product, with more than 30 tests conducted before manufacturing, including efficacy testing in clinics and laboratories. The company also studies the specific needs of Filipino consumers. Through its partnership with Watsons, Target Pro has gained insights into local skincare preferences, including the demand for lightweight, non-sticky products suited to the country’s hot and humid climate. Brightening is another area of strong interest, with the brand offering brightening serums, vitamin C products, and retinol formulations. Carrie, however, stressed the importance of Moisturization. “Before you do the whitening, you have to do the moisturizing,” she noted, pointing out that some consumers may not realize their skin lacks

sufficient hydration. Target Pro has sold more than 3.2 million products in the Philippines since its launch in 2015. The brand is available exclusively at Watsons in the country, whose quality standards, Carrie explained, help ensure its products meet rigorous requirements. As it enters its next decade, Target Pro continues to explore new ways to expand its portfolio and respond to the evolving needs of Filipino consumers. Cosmetec Japan Ltd. also hopes to work more closely with doctors and researchers in the Philippines to gain a deeper understanding of Filipino skin. Skincare enthusiasts can visit the Target Pro by Watsons popup from Sept. 9 to 30 at the Main Atrium of SM Makati and explore Carrie San links skincare to daily care, hydration, and formulas the brand’s range of skincare suited to Filipino consumers in a hot, humid climate products.

Building a stronger beauty network

PEOPLE Dr. Kei Rebolledo teams up with McCoy de Leon on a campaign that frames grooming as part of confidence, not vanity

McCoy de Leon, however, wants men to see self-care differently. The actor is the face of Kutis By Kei’s “Bare. Nothing to Hide” campaign, which promotes selfcare and confidence through simple, science-backed treatments.

McCoy de Leon

challenges the rules of male grooming When McCoy was starting in entertainment, he admitted feeling pressure to fit a certain image. Coming from a family with a theater background, he had some exposure to acting, but entering the industry brought its own expectations. “Until now, there’s still pressure, but I use that pressure as a learning experience so I can learn more from every project I do in the industry,” he shared. Becoming a father has also changed how he understands confidence. He sees taking care of himself physically and mentally as essential to fulfilling his responsibilities to the people he loves. “I think that’s the meaning of confidence for me, being able to take care of yourself so you can also properly take care of the people who are important to you,” he explained. McCoy has also learned to accept the physical changes that come with age. Skincare and grooming are no longer solely requirements of his profession but part of feeling comfortable in his own skin. “Taking care of my body and my skin is also a reflection of my mindset in life,” he shared. “It’s no longer just about looking good for other people but also about feeling good and taking care of yourself.”

Charlie Dizon (rightmost) and McCoy de Leon join Dr. Kei Rebolledo (leftmost) in promoting healthy skin without filters or heavy makeup

The ‘Bare. Nothing to Hide’ campaign puts McCoy de Leon at the center of a message that self-care is not a weakness for men

His family helps keep him grounded amid the pressures of being in the public eye. “Everything has an end, and nothing is permanent in life,” he noted. “That’s why I always look back at where I started, and that’s my family.” McCoy believes men face a particular challenge when dealing with insecurities because they are often expected to appear tough and strong. “Men are usually more silent when it comes to their insecurities,” he pointed out. “Because for men, it seems more expected that you always have to be tough and strong on the outside.” He wants men to understand that self-care does not diminish their strength. “Taking care of yourself is not a weakness. I think it actually helps you become more confident and comfortable with who you really are.” Kutis By Kei founder and chief executive officer, Dr. Kei George Rebolledo, explained that the “Bare. Nothing to Hide” campaign encourages people to embrace healthy skin and feel confident without relying on filters or heavy makeup. “‘Bare. Nothing to Hide’ is about being comfortable in your own skin. You don’t have to hide every imperfection to feel beautiful or confident,” Rebolledo shared. “The best image you can show the world is clear and healthy skin. When your skin is healthy, you feel more confident, and that confidence shows,” the boardcertified dermatologist added. Learn more about the “Bare. Nothing to Hide” campaign by following Kutis By Kei on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok, or calling 0949 752 0660. You may also visit Kutis By Kei clinics in Quezon City, Mandaluyong, Makati, and Parañaque.

PRETTYSKIN and Lamelin Philippines are strengthening their network of business partners through their first national train-the-trainers workshop, bringing together representatives from aesthetic and dermatology clinics across the country. The two-day National Business Partners’ Train-the-Trainers Workshop, held Aug. 22 and 23, gathered partners from Metro Manila, Cagayan de Oro, Iloilo City, and Bacolod. The program focused on product knowledge, customer consultation, communication, and business development, as PrettySkin and Lamelin expand their presence in different Philippine markets. The workshop is part of the company’s effort to support business partners beyond product distribution by providing practical knowledge and tools they can use in their businesses and teams. Participants explored ingredient intelligence, the PrettySkin and Lamelin product portfolio, customer consultation, communication, and sales excellence. The sessions combined technical learning with practical discussions and case-based activities, allowing participants to apply product knowledge to customer conversations and recommendations. Participants were also introduced to reference and support tools designed to help them navigate the growing product portfolio and apply what they learned after the workshop. The program also gave business partners an opportunity to share experiences from the field. Representing different cities and customer markets, participants discussed client needs, the realities of operating aesthetic and dermatology businesses, and opportunities in their respective areas. The exchange allowed PSL Philippines to provide training while gaining insights into how its brands and products are used, positioned, and communicated across different markets.

PrettySkin Lamelin Philippines president Cathy Andres-Gamo (right), marketing head Jun Gamo (left), and EGY CEO Emmibeth Yap (center) formalize a reseller agreement tied to wider training and support for clinic partners

Business partners from several Philippine markets train on consultation, communication, and product knowledge for clinic teams