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‘8.3M REFUGEES AT RISK DUE TO SEVERE FUNDING CUTS’
PH AIMS TO PRODUCE MOST OF ITS OWN STEEL BY 2040
PCG DRIVES AWAY CHINESE VESSELS NEAR KOTA ISLAND
WORLD / A6
BUSINESS / B1
NEWS / A3
Baste confirms ties to Cruz Impeach court rules VP can’t be forced to verify financial papers
By Maricel V. Cruz
D
AVAO City Mayor Sebastian Duterte on Tuesday confirmed before the Senate impeachment court that Jaime Tan Cruz—his father’s former special envoy to China—is his business partner.
Cruz also has corporate ties to Vice President Sara Duterte, who is being tried before the court, and Gencorp Industries Inc. Meanwhile, the impeachment court ruled that VP Duterte cannot be compelled to authenticate the subpoenaed
financial documents in her trial. While the prosecution had already implied openness to drop the request for admissions so long as VP Duterte’s lawyers agree to enter into stipulations, Presiding Officer Sen. Francis Escudero
deemed it necessary to issue a ruling regarding the matter. House prosecutor Rep. Chel Diokno had said that the Vice President’s admission of the documents could acNext page
HOSTILE WITNESS.
Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte takes the witness stand during the 31st day of the impeachment trial of his sister, Vice President Sara Duterte. Lino Santos
VOL. XL • NO. 225 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2026
‘Trillanes must wait for papers to be presented’
Obiena shatters own Asian record, bags 3rd gold for PH By Riera U. Mallari NAGOYA (Powered by PLDT Home) —Superstar pole vaulter Ernest John Obiena shattered his own record and won the gold medal in one single, breathtaking leap at 5.91 meters to give the Philippines its third gold medal in the 20th Asian Games at the rain-drenched Nagoya City Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium on Tuesday night. Living up to his status as one of Team Philippines’ top stars and Asia’s best in pole vault, Obiena soared to a new Asiad record, smashing his own mark of 5.90 meters achieved in Hangzhou
By Maricel V. Cruz, Katrina Manubay, and Joel E. Zurbano
Next page
ASIAN POLE VAULT KING. EJ Obiena breaks his own Asian Games pole vault record at the Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium in Nagoya, Japan. POC Media
THE Senate Impeachment Court on Tuesday cautioned House prosecutors against calling former senator Antonio Trillanes IV before presenting the documents and testimony needed to establish the financial records he is expected to discuss in Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial. Presiding Officer Sen. Francis Escudero declined to issue a subpoena for Trillanes “at this time,” but said the court could not prevent the prosecution from calling him as a voluntary witness. Escudero said prosecutors should first present officials and records from the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC), financial institutions and the Land Registration Authority (LRA) before Trillanes testifies about them. The prosecution sought to change its witness sequence. The defense Next page
School reports Velasco, wife left PH; NBI probing Gracioso’s claims vs. VP Sara shooting threat in Valenzuela By Vito Barcelo, Gwyneth Nolasco, Joel E. Zurbano, and Vince Lopez
By Vince Lopez and Minerva Newman A PRIVATE school in Valenzuela had to suspend face-to-face classes on Tuesday after a shooting threat was reported on campus. In a statement, Our Lady of Fatima University–Valenzuela said it received a threat involving its SBH/ Tamaraw Building. The school said it immediately tightened security and ordered the evacuation of students and employees. Classes at the SBH Building were shifted online, the school said. PNP Public Information Office chief Col. Allen Rae Co said a faculty member received a note warning that a person was allegedly carrying a gun inside the school. “The note said that a certain person was allegedly carrying a gun and intended to shoot and hurt people inside the school,” Co said. The note also reportedly warned that those who wrote it could be affected, prompting authorities to investigate all possible leads, Co said. As this developed, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) is intensifying its efforts to locate members of the group identified as Next page
FORMER Speaker Lord Allan Velasco is currently out of the Philippines, the Bureau of Immigration on Tuesday confirmed, noting there was no Hold Departure Order (HDO) or derogatory alert against him when he left the country.
The National Bureau of Investigation said Velasco left the country on Aug. 30, four days after the NBI raided several properties in Pasig City linked to the former lawmaker. NBI Director Melvin Matibag said firearms-related items were recovered during the Aug. 24 raid. Matibag also confirmed Velasco’s wife, Rowena, traveled to Hong Kong
on Sept. 24. The couple has yet to return to the Philippines, the NBI said. The NBI is currently investigating allegations made by Velasco’s former security aide, Rodulfo Gracioso Jr., that he delivered cash to members of the Duterte family on the former Speaker’s instructions. The NBI on Monday said the affi-
davit and supporting evidence filed by Gracioso against Vice President Sara Duterte, Velasco and others were still pending validation. Matibag said copies of the photographs and additional evidence presented by Gracioso have yet to be validated and authenticated, including pictures showing him with a chopper, airplanes Next page
LPG, kerosene prices drop after excise tax lifted By Alena Mae S. Flores
FOR INCLUSIVE PROSPERITY. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. leads the opening ceremonies of the 4th ASEAN Women Leaders’ Summit at the Edsa Shangri-La in Mandaluyong City. Revoli Cortez / PPA Pool
CONSUMERS will pay less for liquefied petroleum gas and kerosene following the removal of excise taxes on both products, the Department of Energy said. LPG prices will fall by P3.3 per kilogram — equivalent to a P36.96 drop for a standard 11-kilogram cylinder — while kerosene will decrease by P5.60 per liter, providing direct savings for households that rely on these fuels for cooking and other daily needs. “For many families, LPG and kerosene are part of the household budget every month. Our priority is to ensure that the tax relief is reflected promptly in the market so that the savings Next page
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Velasco... From A1 Baste... From A1 celerate the trial, as it allows them to skip the presentation of up to 20 witnesses.
Cruz, VP, Gencorp links examined
Mayor Duterte made his admission as House prosecutors examined links among Cruz, the Vice President and Gencorp under Article II of the Articles of Impeachment. Asked by private prosecutor Theodore Te whether he knew Cruz and whether Cruz was his business partner, Duterte answered yes to both questions. Te presented the 2026 General Information Sheet of Chinese Gen Bee Foods Corp., which listed Duterte, his brother Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte, and Cruz as shareholders. SEC records also showed Cruz and Vice President Duterte as shareholders of Metro City Chow Foods Corp., with Cruz the largest original subscriber and the Vice President the second largest. Cruz is linked to Gencorp through JTC Group of Companies Philippines Inc., which owns a controlling 54.99-percent stake and which he represented in Gencorp. The Vice President declared Gencorp as a business interest in her 2024 and 2025 Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth, although the SEC records presented did not list her as an incorporator, director or stockholder. Then-President Rodrigo Duterte appointed Cruz in 2019 as special envoy to China for trade and investments. Prosecutors said he was the same businessman named in the corporate records.
Baste denies knowing CruzGencorp ties
Although he acknowledged Cruz as a
business partner, Mayor Duterte said he did not know of Cruz’s Gencorp connection and had not reviewed the company’s corporate records or any of its 19 city contracts. He said he would not have allowed Gencorp to receive city contracts had he known his sister the Vice President was a stockholder. Prosecutors said the mayor had to reconcile that claim with his authority over city procurement. The mayor testified that he learned of Gencorp only after it was raised in the impeachment proceedings but confirmed he was head of the procuring entity and remained the final accountable officer even when an authorized representative signed contracts. House prosecutor Rep. Francisco Paolo Ortega V said authority over the city carried command responsibility and that a mayor could not claim control while remaining unaware of possible corruption. House prosecution spokesperson Ace Barbers likewise said delegating signature authority did not relieve Duterte of the duty to examine city contracts.
Trillanes warns of implications of testimony
Former Senator Antonio Trillanes, who attended the hearing as a guest, warned of the implications of Mayor Duterte’s statement, saying all local executives could theoretically contract their siblings for government deals. “They will just feign ignorance, so think about that. That’s the implication here,” he said in an ANC interview. One contract cited yesterday in the impeachment court was an ₱8.4-million, single-bidder deal for 60,000 meals of fried chicken, rice and bottled water. The approved budget was ₱10.8 million, and the award was ₱2.4 mil-
LPG,... From A1
Obiena... From A1
reach Filipino households as quickly as possible,” Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said. The DOE cited President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s issuance of Executive Order No. 125 suspending excise taxes on LPG and kerosene, providing direct relief to Filipino households amid elevated global oil prices. Under EO 125, the excise tax on LPG is suspended, except when used as raw material for petrochemical production or for motive power. The excise tax on kerosene is likewise suspended, except when used as aviation fuel. The suspension follows the DOE’s certification that the one-month average Dubai crude oil price based on the Mean of Platts Singapore (MOPS) reached $99.41 per barrel from Aug. 13 to Sept. 11, 2026, exceeding the $80 per barrel threshold. Under EO 125, the Development Budget Coordination Committee, in coordination with the DOE, will review the excise tax suspension monthly and may recommend its continuation, modification, extension, or termination to the President.
three years ago. More importantly, his feat boosted the Philippines’ gold tally to three, adding to the two of double-Olympic gold medalist gymnast Carlos Yulo in the floor exercise and vault. For a moment, Obiena gave Team Philippines some anxious moments when he missed two tries at 5.8. He decided to up the stakes and set the bar at 5.91 and promptly delivered like a grizzled champ with his giant leap of faith, sending a motley band of Filipino fans and team officials into a frenzy at the stands. China’s Yao Jie and Li Chenyang placed runner-up and third place with identical leaps of 5.7 meters. Obiena’s teammate, Fil-Am Victoria Bossong settled for the bronze in her Asiad debut, clocking 2:05.34 in the 800-m finals and yielding the 1-2 spots to eventual champion Wu Hongjiao (2:04.49) of China and runner-up Nelly Korir (2:05.16) of Bahrain. A Neuroscience graduate in 2025, the 23-year-old Bossong ran better in the heats, which she topped in 2:02.34 and would have easily handed her the
‘Trillanes... From A1
ecution would present records from the Register of Deeds and the AMLC before calling Trillanes. “I think it is more important to prioritize the documentary exhibits first—for example, those concerning the Register of Deeds and the AMLC,” Ridon said. “As for the sequence, we can change it during the presentation. Since the court requested additional witnesses, we might present Senator Trillanes after the first set of witnesses,” he added. Ridon said the defense had already been formally notified that Trillanes would testify. He said Trillanes would address supplementary matters under Article II, which concerns alleged unexplained wealth, not only the bank accounts in evidence.
initially objected to Trillanes’ immediate presentation but later withdrew the objection and said it was ready to cross-examine him. Defense spokesperson Atty. Michael Poa said the prosecution could determine how to present its evidence and witnesses. “In all honesty, it is truly the prosecution’s prerogative to decide how they will present the evidence they wish to lay out through their witnesses,” Poa said. He said the court would allow the defense enough time to prepare, including by deferring cross-examination when a witness is called on short notice. “We know that the impeachment court will give us sufficient time to prepare for our cross-examination, meaning we can ask to defer cross-examination if there’s a late notice that the witness will be given an order,” Poa said.
Prosecution to present documents first
House prosecutor Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon said the pros-
Trillanes to raise previous testimony
Trillanes is expected to discuss financial transactions, alleged concealed bank accounts and wealth claims he raised during the House impeachment proceedings. In April, Trillanes submitted a
lion below it. Duterte was mayor and procurement head when the contract was awarded, and he appointed the Bids and Awards Committee that evaluated the offer and recommended Gencorp, the documents showed. Assistant City Administrator Tristan Dwight Domingo signed the award under delegated authority, Duterte said. The mayor acknowledged he remained procurement head despite delegating because he had other matters to attend to. He also said he had not checked Gencorp’s corporate records and did not know whether it had operated for at least five years, a requirement in one city procurement document.
purchases and, for food contracts, their venues, activities, quantities and purposes. House prosecutor and San Juan Rep. Ysabel Zamora said Duterte would be allowed to reconcile his figure with the 15 entries in the PhilGEPS list.
Baste declared hostile witness
Duterte said Davao City had 19 transactions with Gencorp: four through competitive bidding and 15 through small-value procurement. Thirteen were completed, delivered and paid, while six remained ongoing. PhilGEPS Division Chief Rendell Sopeña had testified that the government procurement portal showed 15 Davao City contracts awarded to Gencorp worth ₱34.2169 million—four through public bidding and 11 through negotiated small-value procurement. Duterte’s Sept. 21 statement instead reported 19 transactions worth ₱33.263161 million, including four public-bidding and 15 small-value procurements. The two accounts therefore differed in both count and total value, the prosecution said. The discrepancy led Te to request time to examine about 100 pages Duterte produced under subpoena. Prosecutors said they were checking transaction dates, invitations, awards,
The impeachment court earlier declared Duterte a hostile witness, allowing prosecutors to use leading questions about the Gencorp contracts and other matters related to his sister’s alleged unexplained wealth. Escudero found Duterte had an adverse interest because of his relationship with the Vice President, his public doubts about the proceedings, and his admission that he would not have testified without a subpoena. Te cited Duterte’s claim that the impeachment was intended to block his sister’s 2028 candidacy, a view the mayor reaffirmed, and his description of the case as “so-called lawful proceedings.” Defense counsel Justin Nicol Gular argued that political statements did not prove hostility to the court and that compliance with a subpoena did not necessarily show unwillingness to testify. Escudero nevertheless upheld the hostile-witness finding. Escudero also took judicial notice of Republic Act 6713, the ethical code for public officials, and Republic Act 3019, the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, but stressed that the court had not found either Duterte had violated them. The ruling permitted Te to ask leading, but not misleading, questions during direct examination. Prosecutors are expected to continue questioning Duterte about Gencorp’s Davao City contracts today.
gold with that time. “I wished I could be here with you for the gold medal, but I did my best today. I’m just happy I was able to bring home a medal for the Philippines. I hope next time, it’s gold,” said Bossong. Counting John Cabang Tolentino’s 110m hurdles’ gold on Sunday, athletics delivered three medals for the Philippines, ending a 36-year-old medal drought in the sport. The last time athletics delivered a medal was a bronze in 1990, courtesy of Elma Muros in the long jump. Meanwhile, the Philippine women’s doubles sepak takraw team settled for silver after falling to Vietnam, 15-8, 15-4, in the gold-medal match at the Mizuho Park Gymnasium. Abegail Sinogbuhan, Jean Marie Sucalit and substitute Nelly Jay Saron struggled to match Vietnam’s pace as Nguyen Thi Thu Trang, Nguyen Thi Khanh Ly and Le Thi Hong Lien took control of the final. The Vietnamese side began to pull away midway through the opening set, leaving the Philippines unable to close the gap. Vietnam carried that momentum into the second set, where it established an early advantage and never looked back. Despite missing out on the gold, the Philippine trio still made history by de-
livering the country’s best-ever finish in sepak takraw at the Asian Games. “Mixed emotions po kasi hindi talaga namin ine-expect na makaka-abot kami sa finals. Talagang hiniling nalang namin kay Lord na sana this Asian Games makakuha kami ng medalya kahit any color. Pero natapos po itong doubles event namin, binigay sa amin ni Lord itong silver medal. Sobrang sarap sa pakiramdam,” said Philippine sepak takraw team captain Abegail Sinogbuhan. The silver also gave the Philippines its second medal in sepak takraw at games as the men’s regu team had earlier secured a bronze after reaching the semifinals. The medal was also the Philippines’ third silver of the games, counting Jean Claude Saclag’s feat in men’s traditional 65kg MMA and Gilas Pilipinas Women’s U-23 3x3 accomplishment. Meanwhile, National surfer Jayuard Alciso officially claimed the bronze medal in the Men’s Shortboard event at the after an epic all-Filipino showdown against compatriot Toby Espejon at Long Beach in Tahara. Alciso rode the swells to a final score of 11.64 (6.67 and 4.97 on his top waves), edging out Espejon, who put up a valiant fight and concluded his campaign with an 8.90 total.
sworn affidavit and bank records that he said traced billions of pesos through accounts linked to Duterte and her family, including alleged joint accounts with her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte. He also cited three transactions totaling about P22.3 million that he alleged businessman Samuel “Sammy” Uy sent to Duterte from 2011 to 2013, questioning why they did not appear in her Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth. House prosecution spokesperson Ace Barbers said prosecutors had asked the court to subpoena Trillanes to testify about Article II, including Duterte’s alleged unexplained wealth and funds allegedly received or acquired from sources identified in evidence.
AMLC Secretariat Executive Director Ronel Buenaventura is also in the prosecution lineup to testify on financial records relevant to Article II. Ridon said the AMLC report taken up during the House impeachment proceedings covered P6.7 billion in transactions, including P4.4 billion in inflows. The prosecution is also preparing voluminous bank records submitted directly by about 10 banks to the impeachment court in compliance with subpoenas. House lead prosecutor Batangas 2nd District Rep. Gerville Luistro said bank representatives may need to identify and authenticate the records unless the defense stipulates to their authenticity. Trillanes was present in the Senate gallery during the testimony of Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte on Tuesday (see banner story – Editors). “I’m here to accompany Mayor Baste,” Trillanes said upon arriving at the Senate.
19 Davao transactions with Gencorp.
Register of Deeds execs to testify
Davao City Register of Deeds Kathy Florence Baldonado and Samal Deputy Register of Deeds Marco Pineda are expected to testify on land records involving properties registered to VP Duterte’s husband, lawyer Manases “Mans” Carpio.
Defense raises Arias doctrine
Meanwhile, the defense raised the
and a motorcycle, as well as selfies. Gracioso earlier said the Velasco couple instructed him to deliver suitcases of cash to the Vice President, former President Rodrigo Duterte and Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo “Pulong” Duterte. “So, what we’ll do is to invite the Vice President... for her to share or say anything in relation to what Gracioso presented,” Matibag said. Aside from Sara Duterte, the NBI will invite the other Dutertes and Velascos named in Gracioso’s affidavit.
School... From A1 True Brown Style (TBS) and prevent the organization from carrying out criminal activities in Metro Manila. The move follows the directive of Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, who described TBS as an old organization that originated in the United States and later established a presence in the Philippines. Remulla earlier said the group has been linked to criminal activities, including the alleged use of convenience store robberies as part of the initiation of its members. He also expressed concern over reports that the group operates in communities and is largely composed of young adults who allegedly groom younger teenagers, including those as young as 14 or 15, for criminal activities. Acting NCRPO Regional Director Brig. Gen. Christopher Abrahano ordered district directors and concerned police units to strengthen intelligence gathering, coordination and police operations against individuals who may be involved in criminal activities associated with the group. “We are taking this matter seriously. Our district directors are directed to do everything necessary, within the bounds of the law, to locate individuals involved in criminal activities and prevent this group from victimizing our communities, particularly our young people,” Abrahano said. He said the police response would focus not only on apprehending individuals who commit crimes but also on preventing the recruitment and exploitation of minors. “What is especially alarming is the reported grooming of teenagers into criminal activities. We will work closely with local government units, schools, barangay officials, parents and other stakeholders to protect our youth from being recruited into criminal groups,” the regional director added. The NCRPO will also strengthen information gathering and community coordination in areas where suspected members or activities linked to TBS may be identified. In Cebu, the province is also strengthening school security, turning over 600 metal detectors to public schools and rolling out a province-wide security framework aimed at preventing violence. Cebu Gov. Pamela Baricuatro led provincial officials at a gathering of students, parents, teachers and security officials at the Capitol Social Hall on Sept. 28 for “Unified Action Against School Violence.”
Arias doctrine in connection with Mayor Duterte’s testimony concerning Davao City government contracts. Poa said the Supreme Court’s Arias doctrine allows agency and local government heads to reasonably rely on subordinates rather than personally verify every transaction. “But it is also just to inform the general public. Perhaps it is good for the public to understand that as the head of an agency or an LGU, as the local chief executive, one really has to sign a great many documents and so on. It is also good for the public to know the reality on the ground,” Poa said. “It is also good to be aware that there is such a doctrine from the Supreme Court stating that regarding documents reaching the office of an agency head or local chief executive, the official is entitled to place a certain degree of reliance on his or her subordinates,” he added. The defense invoked the doctrine after Mayor Duterte testified that he had not known of Gencorp Industries Inc. before the impeachment proceedings and could not personally audit every document.
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PISTON begins two-day transport strike By Rio Araja
T
RANSPORT group PISTON on Tuesday began its two-day transport strike to demand lower fuel prices and higher fares.
‘ALAGA’ BILL. PAWS and Akbayan Party-list, led by Rep. Perci Cendaña, file the Animal Life Advocacy and Guardianship Act (ALAGA Bill) or House Bill 11495 at the House of Representatives in Quezon City on Tuesday. The measure seeks stronger animal welfare protection and enforcement and a National Commission on Animal Welfare. Edd Castro
ICC trial chamber rejects Duterte defense request By Gwyneth Nolasco THE International Criminal Court (ICC) Trial Chamber III rejected the request of the defense team of former President Rodrigo Duterte to add expert verification of evidence, saying it could cause a “needless delay” to the start of his trial. In a seven-page decision on Sept. 28, the Chamber noted that the requested amendment by the defense was not merely an “addition of one metadata field” but was intended to require “expert
verification reports [to] accompany open source and user-generated evidence” submitted to the Chamber in the Duterte case. “Given the large volume of evidence that has been made available by the Prosecution in the present case, as well as the breadth of open source and user-generated evidence, such obligation, if implemented, may in the event be unnecessary and could well have the effect of causing a needless delay to the start of the trial,” the decision read. On Aug. 31, the defense requested
that the ICC Chamber amend the ECourt Protocol to add an expert verification metadata field to NUIX, which would confirm whether or not “open source and user-generated evidence will be accompanied by an expert report if it is to be submitted to the Chamber.” The ICC uses NUIX as a software solution for its Judicial Evidence Management. The defense request was based on concerns regarding the massive volume of evidence disclosed by the Prosecution.
The Chamber noted the defense’s argument that the disclosed evidence contains many duplicates and documents of very poor quality, making meaningful review “immensely challenging” and posing a risk of flooding the record with “unreliable and/or irrelevant material.” At the third status conference, the Chamber noted that it discussed the issue with the parties and participants and issued multiple orders to address concerns over the volume of evidence.
PCG drives away Chinese militia vessel, boats near Kota Island By Rex Espiritu THE Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) drove away a Chinese maritime militia vessel (CMMV) and 24 small boats that were reportedly fishing within the territorial sea of Kota Island in the Kalayaan Island Group on Monday. PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Rear Admiral Jay Tarriela said PCG personnel on Kota Island monitored CMMV 9622 about 1.2 nautical miles northwest of the island at around 10 a.m. as it deployed 24 small boats, or sampans. Each boat was manned by two individuals and spread out at roughly 50-yard intervals before being observed circling within about 300 yards of Kota Island while engaged in fishing, according to Tarriela. At around 11 a.m., a five-man PCG team from Coast Guard Station Kota deployed on a rubber boat to challenge the vessels. The PCG said CMMV 9622 did not respond to its radio challenges, although its crew acknowledged instructions to leave through hand signals. Upon the arrival of the PCG team, the mothership and all 24 sampans withdrew from the area, according to the agency. All PCG personnel returned safely to the station. The PCG said the deployment of multiple small boats from a single vessel extended the reach of the mothership and reinforced the Chinese presence in the area. “Launching two dozen small boats from a single militia platform is a force-multiplying tactic that extends the mothership’s reach and reinforces Chinese presence under a civilian appearance, below the threshold of overt coercion,” the PCG said. It also maintained that foreign vessels fishing within the territorial sea of Kota Island without Philippine authorization violate Philippine sovereignty, fisheries laws and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
The group is set to hold a larger mobilization later in the day, including a motorcade and a mass gathering at Welcome Rotonda before proceeding to Mendiola in Manila. The strike came a day after another transport group, Manibela, staged its own protest over rising fuel prices and other concerns. Among PISTON’s demands are to bring the price of diesel back to P55 per liter, remove excise tax and value-added tax (VAT) on petroleum products, and repeal the Oil Deregulation Law. PISTON members urged other jeepney drivers to join the protest. Some drivers joined the strike, while others continued plying their routes. Police were deployed to monitor the protest and help maintain traffic flow. No tension or major disturbance was reported. PISTON members held protest actions across Pasig City and Quezon City, according to reports on Super Radyo dzBB. In a statement, the group said it also planned activities around Monumento Circle in Caloocan City, Marikina’s Clocktower, the Alabang City Terminal, Sucat Seacom, the Baclaran area, the Las Piñas-Molino Junction, and the Cainta Junction. PISTON member Celso Nabora said the fare increase that took effect Monday was insufficient compared with the rise in fuel prices in recent months, despite Tuesday’s fuel price rollback. “The increases in fuel prices have been too high. They were way too high. The fare hike was a big insult to us drivers. What can we do with a P1 increase?” he said.
IN BRIEF CPD pushes choices, contraceptive plans STA. BARBARA, Pangasinan — The Commission on Population and Development (CPD) is encouraging individuals and couples in the Ilocos Region to seek accurate information and proper guidance on family planning as it pushes for informed contraceptive choices. The call comes as the region records an increase in contraceptive use among married women of reproductive age, while concerns about side effects, misinformation, stigma and misconceptions continue to affect how people understand and choose family planning methods. According to the 2025 National Demographic and Health Survey, 67.5% of married women aged 15 to 49 in the Ilocos Region reported using a contraceptive method in 2025, up from 65% in 2022. Use of modern methods also rose from 43.4% to 45.3%. Pills remained the most commonly used method at 21.1%, while female sterilization declined from 15% to 10.4%. Use of injectables, condoms and implants increased during the same period. Dexter A. See
PH seeks stronger damage financing
FUEL PRICE CUTS. Motorists line up at a gas station in Paco, Manila, as lower petroleum prices take effect Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026. Diesel prices dropped 7.57 per liter, kerosene, P5.85 and gasoline, P0.24. Norman Cruz
PBBM urges more women ASEAN leadership By Charles Dantes PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday called on Southeast Asian nations to expand women’s representation in government, strengthen economic opportunities and address gender-based violence, saying women’s leadership is essential to the region’s security, resilience and prosperity. Speaking at the 4th ASEAN Women Leaders’ Summit in Manda-
luyong City, Marcos urged memberstates to translate their commitments to gender equality into concrete policies, investments and reforms as the regional bloc works toward its Community Vision 2045. “Women’s leadership is not optional to our regional agenda. It is the core driver of our security, resilience, and prosperity,” Mr. Marcos said. He noted that women remain underrepresented in the cabinets and parliaments of ASEAN member-
states, calling for stronger leadership pipelines, expanded opportunities for decision-making and a regional network to support women leaders. President Marcos also highlighted the economic contributions of women, citing more than 60 million micro, small and medium enterprises across ASEAN that are owned or managed by women, while noting persistent barriers such as limited access to capital and gaps in digital skills.
PAMBANSANG BOTIKA. SSS
president and CEO Robert Joseph M. De Claro, Presidential Adviser for Poverty Alleviation Secretary Lorenzo ‘Larry’ Gadon, PPPI chair Winston Castelo and other officials open a Pambansang Botika at the SSS building along East Avenue, Quezon City, on Tuesday. The initiative seeks to improve medicine access through franchised branches. Manny Palmero
THE Philippines is calling for an immediate, systemic scaling of global loss and damage finance during the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 81). As host to the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage (FRLD) Board and one of the world’s most vulnerable nations, the Philippines reaffirmed its commitment to bridging financial mobilization and frontline climate needs. Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Juan Miguel Cuna outlined measures to improve loss and damage finance, including simplified direct-access funding for local communities, a dedicated non-economic loss and damage window, and climate-responsive social protection for frontline workers. “Loss and damage finance is not charity; it is the fundamental precondition for global climate equity, human dignity, and shared global stability,” Cuna said, calling for faster and more direct assistance. The Philippines and the FRLD Secretariat also urged developed nations to increase climate finance under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and Paris Agreement. Rio N. Araja
Gatchalian to AMLC: Stronger monitoring SENATE President Sherwin Gatchalian on Tuesday called on the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) to proactively inspect bank transactions linked to government programs and projects to strengthen anti-corruption efforts. In a statement, Gatchalian expressed dissatisfaction with the council’s explanation that the volume of documents hindered its ability to detect suspicious activity, saying preventing financial crimes is the agency’s primary purpose. “For me, that is unacceptable because that is the exact reason why the AMLC exists: to prevent all these crimes before they happen or worsen all at once,” he said. His remarks followed testimony before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee regarding controversial flood control projects involving Syms Construction Trading owner Sally Santos, who reportedly withdrew P457 million in cash over two days. The funds were allegedly used to provide kickbacks and pay officials at the Department of Public Works and Highways. Ram Superable
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OMB inks data-sharing accord with PhilGEPS By Rex Espiritu
FLOOD CONTROL ON STILTS. Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon inspects a coastal protection pilot project developed by Dutch engineering firm Haskoning in partnership with the Malolos City government meant to address perennial flooding and shoreline erosion in Barangay Pamarawan, Malolos City, Bulacan. The project uses interlocking bamboo frames and cribbing to reduce incoming wave energy by trapping and stabilizing sediments along the shoreline. Manny Palmero
THE Office of the Ombudsman will gain direct, readonly access to government procurement records on the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) under a data-sharing agreement with the Procurement Service of the Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM). The accord, signed Tuesday, Sept. 29, will allow authorized Ombudsman personnel to directly examine procurement records—from planning documents to implementation records—as part of its investigation, prosecution and corruption prevention efforts. “Until now, when an Ombudsman investigator needed procurement records, whether a bid notice, a notice of award, a contract, or a supplier’s registration documents, we had to write a letter. Then we waited. Sometimes the wait was days. Sometimes it was weeks. And in an investigation, time matters,” Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said during the signing ceremony in Manila. Under the agreement, authorized Ombudsman personnel will be able to access information on registered suppliers, documents submitted by bidders and the beneficial owners behind corporate bidders. “What used to take weeks of correspondence can now be done in an afternoon,” Remulla said. He said faster access to procurement information would also make it easier for investigators to identify connections and patterns that may indicate attempts to circumvent procurement rules. Remulla also cited schemes involving contractors bidding under different company names, officials splitting contracts to avoid public bidding, and networks of dummy corporations linked to the same individuals.
NBI presses Davao flood control inquiry IN BRIEF N By Gwyneth Nolasco
ATIONAL Bureau of Investigation (NBI) director Melvin Matibag said they will issue a subpoena duces tecum to the Commission on Audit (COA) after receiving 10 boxes of documents on flood control projects in Davao City, including projects by contractor Genesis88 Construction, Inc.
Most Pinoys in Germany bus mishap sent home
MOST Filipino nationals affected by a bus accident in Bavaria, Germany, have been discharged from hospitals and cleared to return to Milan, the Philippine Consulate General in Frankfurt said Tuesday (Philippine time). In a statement, the consulate reported however, that a number of Filipinos remain under medical care for serious injuries. “The Philippine Consulate General in Frankfurt (PCG Frankfurt) confirms that the majority of Filipino nationals affected by the bus accident on the A96 near Buchloe, Bavaria, have been discharged from various hospitals across Bavaria and cleared to travel back to Milan,” the statement read. “The team continues to coordinate with the hospitals and relevant German authorities to monitor their condition and provide appropriate assistance,” it added. Katrina Manubay
Estrella hands out 15k e-titles in E. Visayas DEPARTMENT of Agrarian Reform (DAR) has distributed 15,382 electronic land titles (e-titles) to 16,217 farmer-beneficiaries covering some 36,622 hectares in Eastern Visayas to mark another significant step toward strengthening land tenure security for farmers in the region. Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella III led the distribution in Palo, Leyte, along with Undersecretary for the field operations Kazel Celeste and Undersecretary for support services Josef Angelo Martires. Estrella said the distribution of etitles was part of DAR’s continuing efforts to ensure that farmers receive secure and legally recognized rights over the land they cultivate under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program. He underscored the importance of providing farmers with titles that recognize and protect their rights over the land they cultivate. Rio N. Araja
BI agents nab American wanted for sex offenses BUREAU of Immigration (BI) agents have arrested an American national in Cebu who is wanted in the United States for sex offenses. BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado identified the arrested fugitive as John Raymond Fenty, who was apprehended Thursday in Barangay Buaya, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, by operatives of the BI’s Fugitive Search Unit (FSU). FSU operatives reported that Fenty was arrested at the request of the US government through the US Embassy in Manila, which informed Philippine authorities of his presence in the country. According to the FSU, the Embassy’s criminal investigation unit informed the BI that Fenty is wanted to stand trial before a justice court in Kemper County, Mississippi, where he was charged with sexual battery against a mentally defective, mentally incapacitated, or physically helpless person. Vito Barcelo
WEIGHT CHEATS. The Manila Market Administration Office, upon the order of Mayor Francisco Moreno Domagoso, wages a crackdown against pernicious business practices at the market place, resulting in the confiscation of over 200 faulty weighing scales used to cheat the consumers.
SC clarifies term ‘victim-survivor’ in sex cases By Pot Chavez THE Supreme Court (SC) uses the term “victim-survivor” for people who have experienced sexual violence, recognizing both the harm they suffered and their strength in overcoming their ordeal. In a decision, the SC’s Third Division clarified its terminology in cases involving sexual violence. “In lieu of the conventional
victim when referring to individuals who have endured sexual violence, the term victim-survivor shall be adopted. This deliberate choice of words recognizes the harm and suffering inflicted while affirming the agency, resiliency, and continuing dignity of those who survive such violence,” the ruling stated. In the case involving the rape of a 12-year-old child, the High Court directed the Department of Social Welfare and Development
(DSWD) to refer the victim to the proper rape crisis center as part of the government’s efforts to provide comprehensive support for victim-survivors. The package of assistance include psychological counseling, medical and health services, as well as measures to protect privacy and safety. Other assistance were counseling and medical support for her family when needed, and programs to support recovery.
Meanwhile, Matibag appeared to be in a quandary over the conflicting claims of Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon and Senator Panfilo Lacson over alleged ghost flood control projects in Taguig City. Matibag said they will coordinate with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) for further investigation of the projects. “Ten boxes of documents were turned over to us by the DPWH. We are opening them one by one, and we’re also coordinating with AMLA—the AMLC to check the accounts,” Matibag said. The NBI earlier noted that some flood control works from the flagged 51 projects in Davao City were included in the “potentially ghost” projects, showing photographs and videos as pieces of evidence. Based on portions of the subpoena issued to the DPWH Davao Region and its accompanying contract details, the construction of revetment to protect the Matina Pangi Road was already delayed at 71.06-percent completion. However, the improvement/rehabilitation of Mamay Creek and construction of flood mitigation structure along Bunawan River was reportedly 100-percent complete. Asked about why these projects were included in the 51 assailed projects, Matibag clarified that the NBI conducted its investigations in the field and requested for details, but did not necessarily mean they are considered as “ghost” projects. “Once we determine that these were not ghosts, we will make an announcement (to that effect) as well,” Matibag said. Meanwhile, Dizon asserted during a DPWH budget hearing at the Senate on Monday that they did not see any ghost projects in Taguig. Lacson maintained however, that 10 projects have been confirmed as ghost projects.. Lacson noted that Dizon contradicted site inspection reports of the DPWH personnel.
DepEd sets new rules on building safe, quality, future-proof schools By Gabriel Oliva THE Department of Education (DepEd) on Tuesday, Sept. 29, released new infrastructure standards requiring public school buildings to be accessible to persons with disabilities, resilient to climate change, and conducive to learning. DepEd Order No. 022 establishes the Enhanced Minimum Performance Standards and Specifications (MPSS) for public basic education facilities, and contains provisions for new school buildings. In a statement, the DepEd said the policy aims to update guidelines from 2017 and 2021 to serve as reference pursuant to existing DepEd policies, laws, codes, and procurement laws for school infrastructure, and furniture. “The updated framework integrates universal accessibility with health protocols across all upcoming facilities,” DepEd said.
Under to the guidelines, all public basic education schools across the country must have a standardized wheelchair ramp featuring a maximum inclination of 1:20 which must be wheelchair accessible and non-slippery. It also provided for tactile paving with warning blocks for visually-impaired students, and PWD-accessible sanitation facilities equipped with safety handrails. Education Secretary Sonny Angara said the guideline update is in line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s mandate to hasten the construction of “safe, high-quality, and future-proof classrooms nationwide”. “Having one unified standard makes it easier for our partners and project engineers to build right the first time. Proper airflow, ergonomic seats, and barrierfree pathways are not luxury add-ons, but basic prerequisites for effective learning,” he said.
PH, PANAMA FRIENDSHIP. The Philippines and Panama hold their first political consultations, discussing the South China Sea, the Panama Canal, trade and investment, maritime affairs, and other areas of bilateral cooperation. Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Policy Leo Herrera-Lim (right) shakes hands Panamanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Javier Eduardo Martínez-Acha Vásquez at the Salón los Proceres. Panama Embassy photo
OPINION
A5
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2026
mst.daydesk@gmail.com
EDITORIAL
Trial by headline? A FAMILIAR script has been perfected in the Philippines: leak an unverified grievance, stage a high-profile press conference, let the headlines scream corruption, and leave the targets to spend years trying to prove a negative. This is the exact predicament confronting Representative Leandro Leviste and Senator Loren Legarda. Consider the sequence of events. Long before any judicial body could weigh the merits or require a formal response, the court of public opinion had already handed down an absolute verdict. What is the actual substance of the accusations? Pointing to massive renewable energy portfolios as if building solar infrastructure and driving green investments are somehow inherently criminal enterprises ignores reality. Let us state the fundamental fact that critics conveniently gloss over: no public funds were plundered, no government contracts were bled dry, and no taxpayer money went missing. These are private capital initiatives driven by entrepreneurs and private investors, entirely detached from government coffers. Implicating Senator Legarda in her son’s corporate balance sheets purely on the basis of a shared surname insults common sense and basic legal boundaries. Accepting this loose standard of association means no public official’s family member can ever engage in honest enterprise without being treated as an automatic co-conspirator, creating a chilling effect on both business and family life. The deeper tragedy extends far beyond two prominent figures weathering a political storm. It exposes the dangerous normalization of trial by publicity. When due process becomes an inconvenient technicality for the powerful, it ceases to exist for the vulnerable. A wealthy individual can hire legal representation to fight a hostile headline, even if it drains resources over time. But what about the average Filipino who cannot afford a defense? If society condones government officials publicly manufacturing an impression of guilt before evidence is tested, that culture inevitably reaches the barangay hall, the local prosecutor’s office, and the poor man’s doorstep, where the consequences are irreversible. This is precisely why due process cannot depend on political sympathy. It matters most precisely when emotions and convenience urge us to discard it. Until the accusers can demonstrate actual public funds diverted, concrete criminal acts established, and corporate boundaries properly delineated, what we are observing is not accountability. It is an exercise in political target practice. Fairness is effortless when everyone agrees; it is vital precisely when they do not. Ending trial by gridlocked streets
We see the recent breakthrough of the first tunnel boring machine at Quezon Avenue station as more than an engineering milestone, as it marks a potential turning point in Metro Manila’s decades-long struggle with paralyzing traffic. The Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP), once completed, promises to reshape how millions of Filipinos move across the capital.
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After all the screaming, leave the targets to spend years trying to prove a negative. The subway project addresses the structural imbalance between road capacity and vehicle volume. Metro Manila’s streets are chronically overloaded, with private cars and jeepneys competing for space while buses crawl through bottlenecks. By offering a 33-kilometer underground alternative, the subway bypasses the gridlock entirely, creating a parallel mobility system that is insulated from surface congestion. Cutting the projected travel time from Valenzuela to NAIA from 1.5 hours to just 41 minutes is mean transformative. For workers, this means less time wasted in traffic and more time for family or productivity. For businesses, it reduces logistical inefficiencies that inflate costs. And for the city itself, it redistributes commuter flows, easing pressure on EDSA and other major arteries. Beyond speed, the subway’s capacity advantage is crucial. A single train can carry thousands of passengers, equivalent to removing hundreds of buses or thousands of cars from the road. The subway also integrates with existing rail lines and airports, creating a multi-modal network that enhances connectivity. This is particularly important for Metro Manila’s fragmented urban geography, where commuting often requires multiple transfers. But challenges remain. Construction delays, funding pressures, and the risk of uneven station access could blunt its impact. Moreover, traffic relief will not be automatic since complementary policies such as rationalizing bus routes, improving pedestrian infrastructure, and enforcing traffic discipline must accompany the subway’s rollout. Going underground reflects a shift from patchwork fixes toward long-term structural solutions. The Metro Manila Subway could be the closest thing yet to a systemic cure for the capital’s traffic nightmare and no doubt, an investment in time, efficiency, and dignity for millions of commuters. (Email: ernhil@yahoo.com)
Pope says concerns about AI ‘should be taken seriously’ POPE Leo XIV on Monday warned that concerns about artificial intelligence “should be taken seriously” but added he was not in “panic mode.” In wide-ranging comments, the pope also said parts of the Catholic Church had sometimes been “abusive” but said he would not call sex abuse “systemic” in the Church. “If someone were to ask me, am I in panic mode? No, I’m not. I sleep at night,” he told reporters at a press conference on the plane returning from his visit to France, referring to concerns about AI. He also defended his opposition to assisted dying, saying it was not intended to be a political position but a moral one. Asked if he had crossed the line between church and state during his visit with his comments on assisted dying, he said: “I did not cross it”. France’s parliament this year passed a law allowing assisted dying in certain cases. The leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics was returning to the Vatican after a four-day trip where he has been greeted by crowds. The visit comes seven months before French voters choose a successor to President Emmanuel Macron, with the eurosceptic, anti-immigration far-right seeking power. ‘Sit down and talk’ During his visit, the US pontiff re-
peatedly warned about the need to safeguard humanity against AI. “If we are to avoid losing our humanity amid a paradise of machines invading and conditioning our daily lives, there is an urgent need for education in ethical discernment,” he said. The debate over the risks of the technology has intensified in recent months, fuelled by several incidents and apocalyptic warnings from industry professionals.
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The debate over the risks of the technology has intensified in recent months, fuelled by several incidents and apocalyptic warnings from industry professionals. On the plane on Monday, the pope said the warnings were not “fake news, as some have said, to try and cause whether financial or some other kind of benefit”. “This is a problem that I think we need to sit down and talk about,” he
Why Mabini matters today
A
POLINARIO Mabini, the intellectual anchor of the Philippine Revolution, who was released from American captivity on Oct. 3, 1903, remains a vital mirror for the modern Filipino nation. Today, the Philippines is routinely crowded by self-serving politicians masquerading as populist heroes. In an era where political optical illusions substitute for genuine leadership, Mabini’s unyielding principles offer a harsh but necessary reality check. Known as the ‘Sublime Paralytic,’ his physical limitations never compromised his fiercely independent moral compass. He famously refused to compromise national sovereignty for personal comfort or political ex-
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Honoring Mabini means demanding substance from those who claim the privilege to lead by quiet sacrifice, not by loud, manufactured campaign promises.
EVERY budget tells us what the government values. The deeper test begins when the money starts moving: where does each peso finally land, who gets to use it, and how much good can it create before its journey ends? That is the promise behind House Bill No. 10648, the proposed Pambansang Agapay sa Pamilya at Maliliit na Negosyo or PAMANA Act, that I authored together with Representatives Ziaur-Rahman Adiong, Joel Chua, Jannette Garin, Jefferson Khonghun, Gerville Luistro, Francisco Paolo Ortega, Terry Ridon, Ramon Rodrigo Gutierrez, David Suarez, and Ysabel Maria Zamora. A parallel version has also been filed by Representatives Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, Yedda Marie Romualdez, and Andrew Julian Romualdez, giving further momentum to a proposal that speaks directly to working families and small businesses. The idea is simple. Qualified minimum-wage families receive ₱1,000 every month through a PhilSys-linked digital wallet, spendable for daily essentials through accredited neighborhood micro, small, and medium enterprises. A family buys rice from the sari-sari store. The storeowner restocks from a local wholesaler. The wholesaler pays workers and suppliers. The peso keeps moving. Follow that peso closely and you begin to see how much work a single public peso can do. It gives a family room to breathe, gives a neighborhood business another sale, and gives the government a stronger way to respond when people need help. Three words capture that journey: relief, revenue, resilience. First, relief. Millions of Filipinos work full-time and still stretch every paycheck across food, transportation, school expenses, medicine, rent, and utilities. The minimum wage gives workers a floor, while the cost of family life keeps
climbing above it. An additional ₱1,000 every month gives a household a little more room. Its value becomes clearer at the kitchen table than on a spreadsheet. It can mean rice for several days, school supplies for a child, or enough groceries to carry a family closer to the next payday. Its regularity gives it even greater value. The support arrives every month, directly and quietly. Families decide what they need from merchants they already know. The daily spending cap helps spread the benefit across the month, turning assistance into something steady and present in ordinary family life.
And once that support is spent close to home, relief begins to create something else: revenue. The smallest businesses are often the closest businesses. They are the sari-sari stores at the corner, the market stalls near the barangay hall, and the carinderias beside the workplace. They employ neighbors, buy from local suppliers, extend informal credit, and keep commerce alive where people actually live. PAMANA directs purchasing power straight into that ecosystem. With nearly five million qualified families, around ₱58.8 billion can flow into local commerce each year. Research on cash transfers points to local multiplier effects of around 1.3 to 1.8 times. At the upper end, that can generate more than ₱100 billion in community-level economic activity. The effect continues long after the first purchase. The sari-sari store re-
stocks. The wholesaler orders more goods. The delivery driver gets another trip. The market vendor sees another customer. The peso keeps circulating because it remains close to the community where it began. Merchant accreditation also gives small businesses a practical reason to register, secure permits, accept digital payments, and participate more fully in the formal economy. More customers today can mean stronger enterprises tomorrow. And as those transactions multiply, revenue begins building something more lasting: resilience. Good social spending should answer today’s needs while also strengthening our capacity for the next crisis. PAMANA does both. Digital disbursement creates a traceable path from government to the family and onward to the accredited merchant. The same infrastructure can later support faster assistance during typhoons, disasters, sudden price increases, and other emergencies. Government also recovers part of its investment through taxes generated by greater business activity and formalization, with estimates reaching as much as ₱15 billion annually. Against a ₱6.793-trillion national budget, the entire program represents roughly one centavo of every budget peso. That one centavo can travel surprisingly far. It can bring relief to a working family, generate revenue for a neighborhood business, and build resilience into the way the government delivers assistance. That is the promise of PAMANA: a public peso that keeps creating value as it moves—from a family’s table, to a neighborhood store, through the local economy, and into stronger public capacity. A better peso goes further because it keeps working.
said, adding: “To simply say ‘Oh, it’s not going to happen’ and close our eyes to it, I think is probably not the most responsible way to go about that”. The Vatican has in recent months stepped up its rhetoric and initiatives in support of international AI governance, particularly in the fields of nuclear technology, culture and artistic creation. ‘Deeply wounded’ The visit was particularly closely watched for the relatively new pope’s comments on the wave of abuse scan-
dals that has swept the Catholic Church. After a meeting with abuse victims in France, the pope said several of them had spoken to him “about systemic abuse in the Church”. “Personally, I prefer to express it in a different way, although I did speak about some organisations within the church who have at times, if you will, as a system, been abusive.” The pope said that abuse within the Church also meant that “people’s lives of faith are deeply wounded and sometimes even destroyed.
“So there’s a particular responsibility of the church to walk with them and to help them seek healing,” he said. Asked about his stance on assisted dying, the pope said that the Church was “not entering into politics”. He said the Church wanted to be close to people “in the midst of sickness or disability or pain” and “to affirm the values that life itself I think holds for all of us”. “So I would say if that’s politics, I did that, but it was not to get involved in French politics,” he said. AFP
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A better peso goes further because it keeps working.
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Every peso works
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
pediency. Modern Filipinos can learn that true heroism is measured
Mabini’s life teaches that public service demands an uncompromising intellectual honesty and deep constitutional integrity. He consistently warned against the rise of internal oligarchies and military dictatorships disguised as liberating forces. By studying his writings, the present generation can develop the critical discernment needed to pierce through modern political theater. His legacy serves as a sharp reminder that the defense of liberty requires constant vigilance against homegrown tyrants. In the end, honoring Mabini means demanding substance over spectacle from those who claim the privilege to lead.
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IN BRIEF
8.3m refugees at risk due to ‘severe’ funding cuts – UN
Group: Vietnam ‘abducted’ pro-democracy activists BANGKOK – Vietnam authorities have “abducted” two pro-democracy Vietnamese activists in Cambodia, their campaign group told AFP on Tuesday, after Hanoi said they and another man from the outlawed organization were arrested. Communist Vietnam permits little to no dissent within its borders and critics say its security apparatus stretches abroad, with wanted dissidents previously abducted in Thailand and Germany. Rights group Viet Tan said its members were “abducted” by Vietnamese authorities in neighboring Cambodia, forcibly brought to Vietnam and detained on “fabricated” terrorism charges. They are Nguyen Duc Thuan, a Norwegian citizen, and Australian national Tran Hiep, also known as Ho Pham Hiep Huy. They were reported missing since September 18, when they were travelling to meet with other Vietnamese activists in Cambodia. AFP
G
ENEVA – Nearly 8.3 million refugees and other forcibly displaced people face losing vital assistance from UNHCR, the UN’s refugee agency warned Tuesday, as protection services crumble due to “severe” funding cuts. “UNHCR’s ability to protect and assist refugees, internally displaced people (IDPs) and stateless people is being eroded by a sustained and worsening funding shortfall,” the agency said in a report detailing the human cost of budget cuts. The agency said its available funding had fallen from $5.2 billion in 2024 to $3.9 billion in 2025, while the number of people it is mandated to protect is hovering around historically high levels. UNHCR said it needed $8.5 billion this year to protect refugees, but by the end of July had received only 32 percent of that amount ($2.7 billion). This means nearly 8.3 million forcibly displaced people are “at risk of losing access to UNHCR assistance,” the agency said. “Continued severe funding cuts are pushing refugee support and protection structures towards breaking point in the world’s main displacement situations,” it added. UNHCR said it had undertaken reforms and prioritization measures to protect its most critical work – but said the scale and persistence of the shortfall meant that even its highest-priority work was now being affected. “Protection cannot be reduced indefinitely without systems collapsing,” said Dominique Hyde, UNHCR’s external relations chief. “Below a certain LEGAL NOTICE Notice is hereby given to the t h r e s hold, public that Deed of Extrajudicial services do Settlement of Estate has been executed by the heirs of the late not simply Pedro C. Hermoso, namely: Maria Teresa N. Hermoso, Terreach fewer ence Jan N. Hermoso, Marie Antoniette H. Palma, Louie people; they Antoine N. Hermoso, Andrea can stop funcNicole N. Hermoso, Rion Allistair N. Hermoso, Pedro N. tioning altoHermoso II, Katherine Louise H. Atienza, Enrico Pepito D. gether, leavHermoso, and Francis Pepito C. Hermoso, all of legal age, ing those most over real properties, per deed at risk without executed on 7 May 2025 before Notary Public Atty. Krista Mae the protection A. Gandionco, per Doc. No. 221; Page No 46; Book No. 03; they need.” Series of 2025. AFP (MS-SEPT. 30/OCT. 7/14, 2026)
‘Nokor DMZ landmine blast violates armistice’
WAITING FOR BREAD. An Afghan burqa-clad woman sits beside a stall selling bread in the Taloqan district of Afghanistan’s Takhar province. AFP
AI bosses off to White House amid safety issues WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson will convene leading artificial intelligence executives at the White House on Tuesday amid calls from Congress for stronger industry oversight. The lunch meeting, not yet confirmed by the White House, will feature Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Google CEO Sundar Pichai, and OpenAI President Greg Brockman, according to CNN. Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei will also attend, a person close to the matter told AFP, just two days after a private meeting with Trump. SpaceX executive Elon Musk is expected to take part as well. So will Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, according to another person familiar with the matter. The meeting comes at a tense moment for the AI industry, with tech giant OpenAI announcing on Monday that it was scrapping the release of its newest
Job Description:
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Company Name: Ttec Customer Care Management Philippines, Inc. Complete Address: c/o Five E-Com, 9th Floor Harbor Drive Corner Palm Coast Avenue, Mall of Asia Complex Pasay City 1300 Nature Of Business: a foreign company organized and existing under the laws of Netherlands licensed and established its branch office in the Philippines, primarily engaged in providing technical and consultancy services to entities engaged in the business of communication, promotion, marketing and information-building activities, excluding the business of telecommunications carrier or of a value added service provider.
Applications may be sent to: Audi Rakhmadan Medlar audi.rakhmadan@mdlz.com Name of foreign national intending to apply for the position Name: RAMESH KUMAR PANDEY Address: Unit 1021 Marantina Bldg. Calathea Palace Dr. A Santos Brgy. San Antonio Sucat Parañaque City Nationality: INDIAN Intended period of employment: Two (2) years
MONDELEZ PHILIPPINES, INC. hereby declares that the above-named foreign national is able, willing, and qualified to perform the services and job description for this position. The company has the intention to employ the said foreign national and apply for an Alien Employment Permit with the Department of Labor and Employment – Bureau of Local Employment (BLE) located at Intramuros, Manila.
ÊIf there are any objections or inquiries, please contact the concerned Ê DOLE Regional Office. Ê Email: aep_applications@ble.dole.gov.ph Contact Number: 8528-0087 | 8528 -0108
Career Opportunity in MONDELEZ BUSINESS SERVICES AP PTE. LTD. PHILIPPINE BRANCH Position title: GLOBAL W&L MY QUERY ADVISOR (1 Vacancy) Job Description: •Ê You will serve as the first point of contact for questions relating to your process area of responsibility, providing high-quality and timely customer service, and ensuring that all requests are fully understood. •Ê You will work within service level agreements, communicating when cases are escalated. •Ê You will be responsible for the accurate collection of case details and employee data, provide general information on policies and procedures and answer questions based on FAQs. •Ê You will also be asked to provide feedback and propose improvements in your area of responsibility and to record and track cases in the case management system, assigning a severity level and following through to ensure that cases are resolved and that service level agreements can be measured and improved. •Ê This role requires to comply with quality assurance and data protection activities. Qualification (Education, Experience, Professional License, Skills Certification, Specialized Training): •Ê Bachelor’s degree in any field. •Ê Proven experience in customer service, employee support, HR services, or a similar role. •Ê With experience working in a Shared Services Organization •Ê With experience using case management systems, ticketing platforms, or service management tools •Ê Fluent in Bahasa Indonesia, both written and spoken, with the ability to effectively communicate with and provide support to Bahasa Indonesian language. •Ê Ability to work collaboratively within a team, adapt to changing processes and priorities, and support the team in maintaining consistent and high-quality service delivery. PLACE OF ASSIGNMENT: Unit 2802, 2803 & 2804, 28th Floor, Glas Tower, Opal Road corner Ruby Road & Topaz Road, Ortigas Center San Antonio, Pasig City 1605 Applications may be sent to: HR Department roy.demesa@mdlz.com Company/ Employer Company Name: MONDELEZ BUSINESS SERVICES AP PTE. LTD. PHILIPPINE BRANCH ▪Ê Complete address: Unit 2802, 2803 & 2804, 28th Floor, Glas Tower, Opal Road corner Ruby Road & Topaz Road, Ortigas Center San Antonio, Pasig City 1605
Name of foreign national intending to apply for the position Name: JUILLARDY HISAR VIVALDY Address: San Lorenzo Place Tower 2, Barangay Bangkal, Makati City Nationality: Indonesian Intended period of employment: Two (2) years
Nature of business: Shared Service Operations MONDELEZ BUSINESS SERVICES AP PTE. LTD. PHILIPPINE BRANCH hereby declares that the abovenamed foreign national is able, willing, and qualified to perform the services and job description for this position. The company has the intention to employ the said foreign national and apply for an Alien Employment Permit with the Department of Labor and Employment – Bureau of Local Employment (BLE) located at Intramuros, Manila. If there are any objections or inquiries, please contact the concerned DOLE Regional Office. Email: aep_applications@ble.dole.gov.ph Contact Number: 8528-0087 | 8528 -0108
Name of foreign national intending to apply for the position
Company/ Employer
Place of Assignment: #8378, DR. A SANTOS AVE., BF HOMES, PARAÑAQUE CITY
Company Name: MONDELEZ PHILIPPINES, INC. Complete address: #8378, DR. A SANTOS AVE., BF HOMES, PARAÑAQUE CITY Nature of business: Manufacture of dairy products, beverages and other food products.
Lead the People strategy for an employee-focused organization and bring extensive Talent Acquisition experience to lead the team across APAC Responsible for the effective execution of TTEC’s human capital strategy, optimizing employee-related margins, ensuring a performance-driven culture, and working with regional service delivery leadership
Qualification (Education, Experience, Professional License, Skills Certification, Specialized Training): • Bachelor’s degree or similar qualification • 15+ years of Progressive Human Capital or Human Resources experience ideally from a BPO or similar services industry across the APAC region • Effective leadership and management skills • Operations or similar experiences Applications may be sent to: Name of Company HR: SHANGRI-LA MAE TANEDO Email address: immigration@ttec.com
Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management, Technology or any related field. Bachelor's degree in technology major in Dairy Technology is an advantage. Have solid experience and background in operations, quality and/or R&D. With demonstrated experience in commercial strategy process, product/package development process, food safety, plant commercialization, ingredient and package technology and training and coaching technical material. Have strong statistical processes and problem-solving techniques. Has the ability to work with external manufacturing suppliers to ensure compliance to our policies and procedures and technical vendors to support compliance. Ability Communicating effectively and leading cross-functional teams. Strong communicator with the ability working with customers on quality related issues.
Company/ Employer
KYAUKTAW, Myanmar – The death toll from a military airstrike in west Myanmar rose to 50 on Tuesday, two local aid workers at the scene said, the day after it struck a busy market. Witnesses say the military bombed the riverside commercial hub in Kyauktaw town, Rakhine state, around midday (0530 GMT) on Monday, when the initial death toll was reported at around 30. “The death toll has reached 50, and 58 people were injured,” said aid worker Wai Hun Aung, warning the final fatality figure may be higher because some bodies were lost in fires following the bombing. A second local volunteer gave the same death toll, requesting anonymity for security reasons. It has not been possible to contact the Myanmar military for comment on the attack. AFP
JOB DESCRIPTION
You will ensure that all quality objectives, goals and targets in the factory (including regional and global commitments) are met. You will develop and track your department’s budget and eliminate losses. With your team, you will conduct regular plan-do-act-check assessments to plan how targets will be met, executing the plan and periodically checking and taking action to stay on track. You will ensure that there is strict adherence with all appropriate laws, food safety standards and consumer requirements of all manufactured products and manage crisis situations internally and externally in ways that support the company’s image, policies and business. you are responsible for recruitment and structuring of the department to ensure there are sufficient resources to deliver on plant objectives, set and assess performance goals, and coach and mentor team members
Qualification (Education, Experience, Professional License, Skills Certification, Specialized Training): Ê •Ê
Myanmar airstrike death toll rises to 50 – aid workers
Position title: Vice President, Human Capital Vacancy (1)
Position title: QUALITY ASSURANCE MANAGER (1 Vacancy)
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Trump has dismissed opponents of these data centers, saying communities that are against them “want to end up being backwards and poor” and that China “could not be happier” with the backlash. The AI debate has created unusual political bedfellows: Senator Bernie Sanders appeared this month on the same Washington stage as former Trump strategist Steve Bannon to call for a rethink of the AI race. Those calls gained force from a run of incidents in which OpenAI’s autonomous agents slipped out of their constraints, beginning with a July breach of Hugging Face – a widely used platform for sharing AI models. OpenAI disclosed over the weekend that its agents had also reached the websites of three US federal agencies, after acknowledging last week that they had tried to access an Australian government site. AFP
Career Opportunity in Ttec Customer Care Management Philippines, Inc.
Career Opportunity in MONDELEZ PHILIPPINES, INC.
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model due to safety concerns amid a series of revelations that its technology had gone rogue. The gathering reflects a widening divide in Washington, with lawmakers increasingly under pressure from voters to curb or slow AI development over fears it could displace workers and upend society. Trump, advised by Huang and his former AI czar David Sacks, is instead urging unfettered AI development to outpace China and fuel a US economy increasingly dependent on AI-driven growth. That political pressure has been sharpest over data centers, the vast computing facilities the technology requires, with more and more communities worried about rising electricity bills and the strain on water and land. The issue has emerged as a flashpoint in midterm election races in both parties.
SEOUL – South Korea’s defense chief said Tuesday that the preliminary findings of an investigation into last week’s landmine explosion inside the Demilitarized Zone found North Korea responsible, saying the blast violated the armistice agreement. The September 21 blast injured three South Korean troops, one of whom lost a foot, inside the DMZ, the heavily mined buffer zone dividing the two Koreas. The minister’s comments came a day after the defense ministry said North Korean mines were “highly suspected” of causing the two explosions last week. “This is a clear violation of the armistice agreement, and since North Korea bears responsibility, we will take corresponding measures,” Defense Minister Kang Shinchul told a parliamentary hearing on the explosion. While the DMZ itself is officially demilitarized, its northern and southern boundaries are among the world’s most heavily fortified frontiers and remain littered with landmines. AFP
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Name: Chandana Reddy Address: San Juan City Nationality: Indian Intended Period of Employment: Two (2) year/s
Ttec Customer Care Management Philippines, 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 967 Maligaya Street, Malate, Manila.
Career Opportunity in SALESFORCE PHILIPPINES CORP. Position title: Senior Manager, Sales Development (1 Vacancy) Job Description: • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Lead a team of Business Development Representatives (outbound prospecting) that are responsible for developing and qualifying revenue opportunities within their assigned territory. Generate new business opportunities to fuel different business units’ pipeline by conducting strategic research and cold calling. You will play a key role as you lead/handle this highly visible and motivated team that achieves individual, team and organizational quotas. You'll be a valuable contributor to the corporate sales strategy while providing definition and implementation of the plan for Sales to achieve corporate objectives. Hire, Train, and Lead team of Business Development Representatives Develop Reps into sales-ready candidates for future Account Executive positions Build Metrics for Monthly Qualified Lead Objectives Empower Individuals and Team to exceed objectives through mentor, regular broadcast of results, and creative incentives Regularly report on Team/Individual Results - Lead Quantity, Quality, Revenue Work closely with Marketing on defining Campaign follow-up and reporting Align with Sales Leaders and Reps to ensure Lead Quality/Quantity and proper follow-up Collaborate with Operations to make recommendations on process improvements Identify and make recommendations for improvement in the areas of Process, Efficiency, Productivity
Qualification (Education, Experience, Professional License, Skills Certification, Specialized Training): • • • • • • • • • •
Bachelors Degree in Physics or a closely related course. 5+ years’ experience in software sales, preferably CRM or Enterprise Applications., preferably in CRM or enterprise applications Consistent track record of sales success in a similar enterprise software application environment Strong experience successfully coaching and managing/team leading people to achieve performance goals. Successful track record in a high-volume transaction sales environment Outstanding communication, interpersonal and time leadership skills Excellent presentation and listening skills Potential to thrive in a very fast paced environment Ability to hire and train new sales representatives Experience working in a multi - cultural environment.
Place of Assignment: Unit 832 Level 8 Ayala Triangle Gardens Tower 2 Paseo De Roxas Cor. Makati Ave., Bel-Air, Makati City Applications may be sent to: SalesforcePH_recruitment@bal.com Company/ Employer
Company Name: SALESFORCE PHILIPPINES CORP. Complete address: Unit 832 Level 8 Ayala Triangle Gardens Tower 2 Paseo De Roxas Cor. Makati Avenue, Bel-Air, Makati City Nature of business: Technology and Business Services
Name of foreign national intending to apply for the position
Name: Vishwajith Tiruvail Bhat Address: Grand Hyatt Manila 8th Avenue, corner 35th St, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, 1635 Metro Manila Nationality: Indian Intended period of employment: 3 Years
SALESFORCE PHILIPPINES CORP. hereby declares that the above-named foreign national is able, willing, and qualified to perform the services and job description for this position. The company has the intention to employ the said foreign national and apply for an Alien Employment Permit with the Department of Labor and Employment – Bureau of Local Employment (BLE) located at Intramuros, Manila. If there are any objections or inquiries, please contact the concerned DOLE Regional Office. Email: aep_applications@ble.dole.gov.ph Contact Number: 8528-0087 | 8528 -0108
SUBMERGED STILL. A man pulls a girl in an inflatable boat through floodwaters in the Bang Kapi district of Bangkok. More than 500,000 households and 1.7 million people across 27 provinces are currently affected by floods in Thailand after an intense weather system hit the region, the government said. AFP
4 dead in Bangkok floods as Thailand toll rises to 23 BANGKOK – Four people have died in Bangkok after heavy rains caused widespread flooding, the government said Tuesday, as the toll from floods across Thailand since mid-September rose to 23. Around 700,000 people have been affected by floods in the capital, according to the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM), which detailed the fatalities. Parts of Bangkok remained water-logged on Tuesday, three days after city authorities declared a city-wide disaster following almost 48 hours of continuous rain. Schools remained shut for a second day, while almost 7,000 people stayed in more than 230 shelters across the city, according to Bangkok authorities. In a statement, the DDPM said flooding had hit 29 of Thailand’s 77 provinces. Four people died in Bangkok, eight in Samut Prakan, which lies between the capital and the sea, and six in Sa Kaeo, an eastern province, it said. The remaining deaths were recorded in Chanthaburi, southeast of Bangkok, Ayutthaya and Saraburi, two provinces to the north of the capital. September is the peak of Thailand’s rainy season, but many Bangkok residents said this year’s floods seemed worse than previous ones. The city is built on former marshlands and is intersected by a network of canals, many of them heavily flooded by the rains. Pumping stations have been operating at full capacity for days, but Governor Chadchart Sittipunt said Sunday it could take “up to a week” for the waters to fully drain. AFP
CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK
SPORTS
A7
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2026
Arellano nip Letran behind Ongotan’s career-game
Paeng Are shines for Zamboanga SiKat.
Zamboanga routs Imus, stays in South playoff bid Z AMBOANGA SiKat asserted its superiority over Imus Yangkee, 86-61, on Monday to keep its playoff drive going in the SportsPlus MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) 2026 Season at the Calapan City Coliseum in Oriental Mindoro.
Improving on their 102-82 thumping of the Yangkees in their first encounter this year, the Zamboanguenos led by as many as 31 points (62-31) to arrange a knockout match with either the
Mindoro Tamaraws or the Basilan Steel, who are battling each other in the second game, for the eighth and last quarterfinal slot in the South Division. All 15 Zamboanga players scored,
led by Brandon Wilson with 12 points plus rebounds; Levi Hernandez, with 10 points plus 6 rebounds; Joseph Gabayni, with 7 points, 8 rebounds and 2 assists; John Arthur Calisay, with 7 points and 4 rebounds; and Robin Rono, with 7 points and 4 assists. It was Paeng Are, the MPBL’s first One Versus One champion, who was chosen as the SportsPlus best player with 12 assists, 3 steals, 3 points and 2 rebounds. Zamboanga, with Calisay and Puray outscoring the entire Imus crew, 13-11 stormed ahead at half-
time, 56-31, and never looked back. The Zamboanguenos ruled the boards, 61-40, and turned that into more points in the paint, 44-20. Imus concluded its campaign this year, putting to waste Dylan Darbin’s 17 points and Ian Pardo’s 16. The MPBL first held its games in Calapan in 2023 at the nearby Sentrong Pangkabataan Gym. Pola Mayor Jennifer “Ina Alegre” Cruz, team owner of the Mindoro Tamaraws, and Calapan City Mayor Doy Leachon led thousands of spectators who filled the newly inaugurated coliseum.
ONCE More, Arellano turned to T-Mc Ongotan en route to the Chiefs’ 82-81 win over Letran in Group B of the NCAA Season 102 men’s basketball tournament at San Juan Arena on Monday. Thanks to Ongotan, who dropped a career-high and a double-double of 29 points and 12 rebounds, Arellano became the lone undefeated team in the tourney at 4-0. “Nakita naman dito ‘yong effort namin. Muntik na, pero gawa sa effort ng team, napunta sa amin yung panalo,” said Ongotan. “Nagka-isa kami at ‘yong goal namin, nando’n, kaya wala kaming excuses.” The Knights gave the Chiefs a scare late in the game. Letran led Arellano by one, 76-75, in the fourth quarter before the Chiefs unloaded a 6-0 blitz capped off by a Karl Flores triple to put his squad up 81-76 with 3:09 remaining. The Knights refused to go silently into the night, registering a late 5-1 run capped off by a Justin Cargo bucket at the 41-second mark to trim Letran’s deficit to one, 82-81. Despite his career-best outing, Ongotan had his struggles from the line in the following possession, missing two crucial freebies in the clutch that would have given the Chiefs more cushion. Fortunately for him, Denzil Walker and Nat Montecillo’s attempts to win the game both went for naught as the Knights tripped to a 3-1 record. Flores was the sole double-digit scorer for Arellano after Ongotan, finishing with 10 points, five rebounds and two steals. Chad Gammad scored 23 in a losing effort for Letran. Cargo also had 20 while Walker had 10 in the defeat.
Ababa grabs ICTSI Iloilo lead as Mondilla falters in wild opener
Indomitable Uy claims historic 246-km Spartathlon finish
ILOILO—Jhonnel Ababa kept his cool under a scorching sun and swirling winds, producing the only bogey-free round of the day to seize solo control of the ICTSI Iloilo Golf Challenge here on Wednesday. In one of the most tightly packed opening rounds in Philippine Golf Tour history, Ababa fired a three-under 67 at the Iloilo Golf and Country Club to emerge a stroke clear of a six-way logjam at second, where erstwhile leader Clyde Mondilla found himself after a late stumble. The leaderboard resembled a traffic jam for much of the day, with positions changing almost as quickly as the wind shifted direction. Five more players were bunched at 69, while six others stood just another shot back at 70 in the P2.5 million championship organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. The heat was relentless, but it was the wind that proved the more persistent adversary, particularly on the back nine. On the short but tight layout, narrow fairways and thick rough left little margin for error, while the gusts made club selection and approach shots even more demanding. Ababa handled the conditions with characteristic composure. The Davaoeño ace birdied Nos. 6, 11 and 14, then relied on crisp iron play, steady putting and three key par saves to protect his lead down the stretch. He nearly made it four birdies when he reached the 18th but missed a three-foot putt that would have given him a four-under card and a two-shot cushion. Still, the bogeyfree 67 gave him the distinction of being the only player in the field to go around without dropping a shot. “My driving and iron play were solid, and my putting clicked. You really have to hit straight here because the fairways are narrow – if you miss, the rough is quite deep,” said Ababa in Filipino. He also credited a Jhonnel Ababa tees off on hole no. 1 as he leads timely break or two for in the 1st round of the 2026 ICTSI Iloilo Golf helping him navigate the Challenge at the Iloilo Golf and Country Club in demanding conditions. Iloilo. Manny Marcelo
WITH just 29 minutes and 57 seconds to spare, Filipina ultra-runner Jennifer Aimee Uy reached the statue of King Leonidas in Sparta, successfully completing one of the world’s most grueling footraces. Uy crossed the finish line of the historic Spartathlon in 35 hours, 31 minutes, and 3 seconds – barely inside the event’s unforgiving 36-hour cutoff. Covering 246 kilometers across Greece, the Spartathlon retraces the ancient 490 BC journey of Pheidippides, the Athenian messenger sent to Sparta to seek help before the Battle of Marathon. The race began at the foot of the Acropolis in Athens and pushed athletes across rough tracks, muddy trails, searing daytime heat, and freezing nighttime rain. Out of 381 elite starters representing 48 countries, Uy finished 249th among the 276 runners who managed to complete the course, marking another major milestone for Philippine endurance sports. For Uy, the physical distance was only half the struggle; the ultimate test was surviving the strict time constraints
With the Philippine flag wrapped around her shoulders and an olive wreath, Jennifer Uy displays her official card validating her historic finish over the brutal Spartathlon.
imposed throughout the course. The route features 75 exacting checkpoints, each enforced with its own hard cutoff time – a single missed deadline results in immediate disqualification. “There are 75 checkpoints, pag hindi ka nakapasok sa time, tanggal ka na. Yun ang mahirap, every time naghahabol ka na wag ma-cutoff,” Uy recalled, emphasizing how she spent most of the race running directly against time. The trial reached its critical breaking point deep into the night at Mount Parthenion, near the 160-km mark. Ascending the 1,215-meter peak meant pushing through bitter cold temperatures and driving rain in total darkness, a grueling ascent Uy described as the single hardest portion of the course. The treacherous descent down the mountain proved even more dangerous, destroying the safety cushion she had built up earlier in the race. “Madulas at maputik yung bundok pababa. Naubos buffer time ko na isang oras,” she said, noting that her hard-won one-hour lead over the cutoff completely vanished.
Dagoon, Cablitas brace for Zentro Juniors tennis showdown THE country’s longest-running tennis talent-search shifts to Pulilan, Bulacan this week, with Jan Cadee Dagoon and Astrid Cablitas leading a stellar cast in the Zentro Juniors Age-Group Championships beginning Thursday (Oct. 1) at the Zentro courts and Pulilan Tennis Club. Dagoon returns to the junior tennis spotlight brimming with confidence as she shoots for a double crown in the 16and 18-and-under divisions of the weeklong tournament, which marks the resumption of the Palawan Pawnshop junior circuit following another successful swing through Mindanao in September. The Group 2, Philta-sanctioned event has drawn a maximum field of 256 players from across the country, with the boys’ and girls’ 12-, 14-, 16- and 18-and-under divisions all featuring 32-player draws.
The strong turnout underscores the growing interest in highly competitive junior tournaments, with players chasing not only championship honors but also valuable ranking points across multiple divisions. Dagoon and Cablitas headline the two premier girls’ singles divisions, with Ayl Gonzaga, Michael Suarez, Ava Banson, Lilith Rufino, Claire Alcala and Amanda Barrido also in the 16-and-U mix. Gonzaga, Suarez and Banson move up to the 18-and-U field, where they will be joined by Claire Casiller, Ashley Garcia and Sofia Demadara in a deep and competitive cast in the tournament presented by Dunlop under the Palawan Pawnshop junior tennis program initiated by president Bobby Castro, with support from ICON Golf & Sports and
Palawan Group of Companies. For details, pls contact tournament director Bobby Mangunay at 09154046464. Martin Paulsen, Vivan Garg, Anthony Cosca and Troan Vytiaco lead the boys’ 16-and-U roster, while Gavin Kraut headlines the premier 18-and-U division that also features Paulsen, Vytiaco, Cosca and Garg, along with Kianne Cunanan, Raphael Wong and Lucas Gordon. The tournament will also showcase the country’s emerging young talents in the 14- and 12-and-U divisions. Ella Paglalunan, Barrido, Rufino and Anica Palacio spearhead the girls’ 14-andU roster, while Jan Villeno, Juan Antonio Cablitas, Raven Licayan and Godfrey Buan II are among those tipped to contend for the boys’ crown.
SPORTS
A8
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2026
RIERA U. MALLARI, Editor RANDY M. CALUAG, Asst. Editor
Alciso beats fellow PH bet Espejon for bronze TAHARA (Powered by PLDT Home)—Jayuard Alciso defeated fellow Filipino Toby Espejon in the men’s shortboard bronze-medal heat at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games on Tuesday, securing a podium finish for the Philippines at Long Beach. Alciso scored 11.64 points on his two best waves, earning 6.67 and 4.97, while Espejon finished with 8.90. The all-Filipino matchup ensured the country a medal before the heat began, but left both surfers competing for the final place on the podium. Alciso had reached the medal round after losing to Indonesia’s I Made Pajar Ariyana in the semifinals. Espejon fell to Japan’s Kanoa Igarashi in the other semifinal. Igarashi went on to win the goldmedal heat with 12.87 points against Pajar Ariyana’s 10.40. Japan also took gold in the women’s shortboard event, with Mirai Ikeda scoring 11.64 to beat China’s Yang Siqi, who posted 7.57. Japan’s Minami Nonaka claimed bronze.
The women’s speak takraw silver medal is the Philippines’ third of the Games, joining Jean Claude Saclag’s silver in men’s traditional 65kg MMA and Gilas Pilipinas Women’s U-23 3x3 silver. Jeffrey Tanchanco
PH women make sepak takraw history with Asian Games silver N AGOYA (Powered by PLDT Home)—The Philippines captured its first Asian Games silver medal in sepak takraw after Abegail Sinogbuhan and Jean Marie Sucalit fell to Vietnam, 15-8, 15-4, in the women’s doubles final Tuesday at Nagoya City Mizuho Park Gymnasium.
Jayuard Alciso with his bronze medal in men’s shortboard surfing. POC Media Pool
Vietnam’s Nguyen Thi Thu Trang and Nguyen Thi Khanh Li pulled away midway through the opening set and built an early lead in the second to complete the straight-sets victory. Nelly Jay Salon was the
Philippine team’s substitute. The silver was the country’s best finish in Asian Games sepak takraw and its first podium appearance in the women’s competition. The Filipinas reached the final after beating host Japan and India in group play, then
sweeping Laos, 15-12, 15-10, in the semifinals. Sinogbuhan said the team had hoped to return home with a medal of any color. “Mixed emotions po kasi hindi talaga namin ine-expect na makaka-abot kami sa finals,” the team captain said. “Sobrang sarap sa pakiramdam.” For Sucalit, the result brought back memories of previous campaigns that ended without a medal. “Yung feeling na ang sakit sa part namin na tuwing uuwi kami ng Pilipinas, wala kaming dalang medalya. Ngayon awa ng Diyos may
PH golf squads launch Asian Games medal bid in Aichi By Riera U. Mallari NAGOYA (Powered by PLDT Home) —The Philippines launches its Asian Games golf campaign on Wednesday (Sept. 30) at Kasugai Country Club’s East Course in Aichi Prefecture, Japan. Armed with a mix of veteran experience and youthful talent, the country aims to end a multi-decade dry spell in the men’s division and reclaim glory on the women’s side. The men’s squad – spearheaded by Miguel Tabuena, Justin delos Santos and Carl Corpus – opens against powerhouse rivals China and defending champion Thailand with Corpus teeing off first at 8:03 a.m. against Thailand’s Pongsapak Laopakdee and China’s Jin Zihao. Delos Santos, utilizing his familiarity with Japanese courses, follows at 8:14 a.m. against Thailand’s Poom Saksansin and China’s Yunhe Zheng, while Tabuena anchors the team at 8:25 a.m., facing Thailand’s Sadom Kaewkanjana and China’s Wenyi Ding. Coached by Ramon Brobio, the country’s last individual men’s gold
Rianne Malixi, Pauline del Rosario, Bianca Pagdanganan and Justin de los Santos get their first look at Kasugai Country Club during a practice round. NGAP
medalist (1986 South Korea), the trio seeks the nation’s first men’s golf gold while competing against elite regional contenders. Meanwhile, looking to reclaim their 2018 Jakarta team gold, the Filipina trio faces Indonesia, Singapore and Hong Kong in the opening rounds. Pauline del Rosarioi kicks off her bid at 11:31 a.m. against Hong Kong’s Arianna Lau and Indonesia’s Elaine
Widjaja, while ICTSI teammate Bianca Pagdanganan sets out at 12:04 p.m. alongside Hong Kong’s Virgini Ding and Singapore’s Shannon Tan, using her tour experience and long-hitting game to build early momentum. Rianne Malixi, an amateur standout playing out of Duke University, completes the roster, competing against Singapore’s Amanda Tan and Indonesia’s Holly Halim.
To take home the top spot, the Filipinas will also have to surpass a formidable Thai squad led by LPGA star Arpichaya Yubol, who led the country’s sweep of the individual and team gold medals in the Hangzhou Asian Games in 2023. Tabuena, delos Santos and Corpus will be making their first major team appearance together, but the combination brings together a blend of experience, course knowledge and hunger that could make the Philippines a factor in a competition expected to be dominated by some of Asia’s strongest golfing nations. The challenge is considerable. Thailand arrives as the defending team champion, while Korea is determined to retain the team gold it captured in Hangzhou in 2023 behind Im Sung Jae, Kim Si Woo, Woo Young Cho and Yu Bin Jan. Thailand settled for silver in the previous edition, while Hong Kong continues its pursuit of an elusive team gold. For the Philippines, the mission is clear: end the country’s long wait for a men’s golf gold medal while testing its depth against Thailand, China, Korea, Hong Kong and Japan.
Last man standing: Paalam carries gold hopes against Kazakh champ NAGOYA (Powered by PLDT Home)—The fate of the Philippine men’s boxing campaign at the 2026 Asian Games now rests on one man’s shoulders. Carlo Paalam stands as the sole survivor of the six-member national men’s squad, carrying the heavy responsibility of snapping a 16-year gold medal drought. Not since Rey Saludar stood atop the podium in Guangzhou in 2010 has a Filipino boxer claimed Asian Games gold, with subsequent editions in Incheon, Jakarta-Palembang, and Hangzhou yielding only heartbreak and near-misses. The team’s attrition was laid bare over a grueling stretch at the Nishio Gymnasium. On Sunday, Junmilardo Ogayre saw his campaign cut short in the men’s 60kg quarterfinals after a tough unanimous decision loss to reigning Olympic and Asian Games gold medalist Abdumalik Khalokov of Uzbekistan. A day later, two-time Olympic medalist Nesthy Petecio also exited in the women’s 60kg quarterfinals, dropping a unanimous decision to China’s Yang Chengyu as an Asiad podium finish continued to elude her.
Carlo Paalam carries the hopes of the entire boxing nation in this edition of the Asian Games. POC Media Pool
Those exits left Paalam as the last Filipino standing to break the drought. The Tokyo Olympic silver medalist secured his spot in the medal round after battling past China’s Jiamao
Zhang in a 3-2 quarterfinal split decision. To advance further, Paalam must now overcome the most dangerous contender left in the draw -- Kazakhstan’s Makhmud Sabyrkhan on Wednesday. The high-stakes matchup marks a rivalry renewed four years in the making. The two last crossed paths in the bantamweight final of the 2022 ASBC Asian Elite Boxing Championships in Amman, Jordan, where Paalam edged Sabyrkhan via a 4-1 split decision to capture gold. However, past victory offers no guarantees, as Sabyrkhan has since evolved into a dominant force on the global stage. Born September 9, 2001, the Kazakh standout has built a formidable resume: a silver medal at the 2021 AIBA World Championships and a gold at the 2023 IBA World Championships, where he swept Uzbekistan’s Oybek Juraev 5-0 in the final. After representing Kazakhstan in the 57kg division at the 2024 Paris Olympics, he returned to his natural 55kg weight class to claim the title at the 2025 WB World Boxing Championships, an effort that earned him World Boxing’s Best Boxer of 2025 honors. Riera U. Mallari
dala na kami. Silver pa,” she said. Sepak Takraw Pilipinas president Karen TanchancoCaballero said the f inish ref lected years of work and sacrif ice by the athletes. “All their hard work, not just months but years, [led] to this,” she said. “I’m just so proud.” The result gave the Philippines its second sepak takraw medal in AichiNagoya after the men’s regu team won bronze. It was also the country’s third silver of the Games, following Jean Claude Saclag in mixed martial arts and the Gilas Pilipinas women’s under-23 3x3 team.
End of Asiad medal road for Alas Pilipinas Men NAGOYA (Powered by PLDT Home)—The Alas Pilipinas Men closed their pool campaign in the Aichi-Nagoya 20th Asian Games with a 25-21, 20-25, 17-25, 27-29 loss to Chinese Taipei on Tuesday at the Okazaki Central Park Gymnasium. It wasn’t the way the Alas Men wanted their campaign to be in the Asian Games. “We performed good enough in the first set; I saw the eagerness and the will to win from my teammates,” team captain Bryan Bagunas said. “But when it comes to crucial points, how to deal with them, that’s where we lose our composure.” Bagunas had 17 points and Joshua Magalaman 16 points for Alas Men in the one-hour and 52-minute battle that sent the Filipinos to the classification round, where they could finish at best at ninth place, like their women counterparts. Summing up their performance in group play, Bagunas said they have what it takes to compete at a high level in the Asian Games. “Our first two opponents are strong, but the level of their game is not that high,” he said. “We’re so close to what they can do on the court.” For Bagunas, the priority is to carry the lessons from the pool stage into their remaining matches. “We’re hoping to lessen our errors so we can snatch victories in the classification round,” he said.
BUSINESS
B1
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2026
extrastory2000@gmail.com RODERICK T. DELA CRUZ, Editor ALENA MAE S. FLORES, Asst. Editor
WHAT’S INSIDE?
P39.09 trillion Financial resources as of July 2026
P34.71 trillion
Stocks, peso slip as crude prices rise
B3
Financial resources as of July 2025
ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP. Prime Waste Solutions (PWS) continues to support environmental
stewardship across its host communities through initiatives that promote conservation, responsible waste management and sustainability. PWS joins the annual International Coastal Cleanup on Sept. 19, helping clear 3,264 kilograms of waste from coastal areas within its host communities, removing marine debris and raising awareness onplastic pollution.
P31.70 trillion
Banks’ resources as of July 2026
PH financial resources rise 9.76% B4 RCEP opens T bigger shelf for Telcos agree to work with NTC
By Thony Rose Lesaca
PH products
PHILIPPINE businesses need to make better use of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) to get more Filipino products onto shelves across Asia, SM Investments Corp. economist Robert Dan Roces said at the inaugural RCEP Business and Investment Summit in Manila. Speaking on the panel “The Philippines in the RCEP Economy: From Participation to Competitiveness,” Roces said supermarket shelves offer a practical measure of how regional trade is working. Filipino consumers are seeing more products from neighboring Asian markets, but Filipino products remain harder to find in supermarkets elsewhere in the region. “The proof of concept is how the grocery shelf is stocked. What we have to be able to do is to be present on all the shelves of the participating economies in RCEP,” Roces said. The East Asia Business Council and the Management Association of the Philippines organized the summit, which focused on how businesses can turn RCEP opportunities into greater participation in East Asian markets. RCEP brings together the 10 ASEAN economies with Australia, China, Japan, South Korea and New Zealand. The bloc accounts for almost a third of the world’s population and gross domestic product. For Roces, the opportunity for the Philippines goes beyond bringing more products into the country. Filipino businesses also need to use RCEP to reach consumers elsewhere in Asia. “What we need to do is shorten the trip and make the outbound journey easier,” Roces said. “Look at what our supermarket buyers see here. There are many Korean, Japanese and Thai products on our shelves today. But if we look for Filipino products in supermarkets in Seoul or Bangkok, they are much harder to find,” he said. RCEP provides preferential market access and common rules of origin meant to make it easier for businesses to trade and source across participating economies. But lower trade barriers alone will not put Filipino products on supermarket shelves overseas.
WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS.
Coca-Cola Philippines is recognized as a privatesector partner at the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority’s (TESDA) first GAD Awards sa Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), honoring the company’s long-standing work with TESDA to advance women’s economic empowerment through the STAR (SariSari Training and Access to Resources) and iSTAR (Innovative Sari-Sari Store Training and Access to Resource) programs.
HE Philippine financial system resources expanded 9.76 percent to P38.09 trillion in July 2026 from P34.71 trillion a year ago on continued growth in banks’ assets, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) data showed Tuesday.
Banks’ resources accounted for P31.70 trillion of the total, up 10.84 percent from P28.60 trillion in the same month last year. Non-bank financial institutions kept their end-March 2026 balance of P6.39 trillion.
Resources of universal and commercial banks rose 10.07 percent to P29.35 trillion in July from P26.66 trillion a year ago. Thrift banks’ resources climbed 10.56 percent to P1.52 trillion from P1.37 trillion.
Digital bank resources surged 50.74 percent to P213.6 billion from P141.7 billion, while rural and cooperative banks kept their end-June balance of P623.9 billion. Month-on-month, the financial system’s overall resources fell 0.77 percent from P38.39 trillion in June 2026. Reyes Tacandong & Co. senior adviser Jonathan Ravelas said normal balance sheet adjustments among large banks, such as slower deposit growth, loan repayments and changes in investment holdings, likely drove the slight decline. “It appears more of a temporary correction than a sign of weakness.
SEC lets investors lock in stock prices with new product
Board of InvestmentsManufacturing Industries Service acting director Rose Marie Mendoza presents the Philippine Iron and Steel Industry Roadmap 20262040 which targets 25 million metric tons of finished steel output and 86 percent selfsufficiency by 2040.
By Jenniffer B. Austria
PH aims to produce most of its own steel by 2040 By Othel V. Campos THE Philippines aims to make 86 percent of the steel it uses by 2040, cutting its reliance on imports, under a new roadmap that targets 25 million metric tons (MMT) of finished steel a year. The Philippine Iron and Steel Industry Roadmap 20262040, presented by the Board of Investments (BOI), seeks to build an integrated, competitive and resilient steel value chain by expanding domestic production, reducing import dependence and attracting investment in strategic steel segments. The roadmap also targets apparent steel consumption of 29 million metric tons by 2040, BOI Manufacturing
With total resources still above P38 trillion, the banking system remains fundamentally strong and wellsupported by continued economic activity,” he said. The Financial Stability Coordination Council (FSCC) said in its 2025 report the Philippine financial system remained stable and resilient, supported by well-capitalized banks, manageable borrowing levels and steady credit growth. The FSCC said banks remain in a strong position to support economic activity and absorb potential losses despite a challenging global environment.
Industries Service acting director Rose Marie Mendoza said. She presented the plan on Sept. 21 at the 2nd ASEAN Steel Policymaker Conference and the 2026 ASEAN Iron and Steel Forum. Trade Undersecretary and BOI managing head Ceferino Rodolfo said the roadmap aims to move the industry beyond incremental growth and strengthen its contribution to national industrialization. The strategy includes strengthening domestic manufacturing capabilities and supporting investment through measures such as the CREATE MORE Act, Executive Order No. 18 on Green Lanes and the 2026 Strategic Investment Priority Plan. The BOI cited major investments
by SteelAsia Manufacturing Corp. and Panhua Integrated Steel Inc. as part of efforts to expand the country’s steel manufacturing base. Rodolfo said the roadmap comes as steel demand in the ASEAN-6 is estimated at about 87 million metric tons in 2025 and is projected to exceed 90 million metric tons in 2026, driven by urbanization, infrastructure development and manufacturing expansion. He called for greater ASEAN cooperation to address common industry challenges, share policy approaches and strengthen regional industrial resilience. The Southeast Asia Iron and Steel Institute (SEAISI), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the BOI organized the conference.
PHILIPPINE investors will soon be able to buy contracts that let them lock in a price for a stock or index and trade it later, as the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) introduces a new product called structured warrants. The regulator said the rules would help deepen and modernize the local capital market and give investors more ways to manage risk. A structured warrant is a financial product issued by a third-party financial institution. It gives its holder the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell an underlying financial instrument at a predetermined price on or before a specified expiry date. It may also provide a cash settlement based on the price or level of the underlying instrument. SEC chairman Francisco Lim said the new rules would help deepen and modernize the local capital market. “By introducing structured warrants, we are providing investors with a sophisticated tool for risk management, hedging, and portfolio diversification, bringing our market architecture at par with our ASEAN peers,” Lim said. Only licensed broker-dealers and investment houses incorporated in the Philippines, and foreign corporations licensed to do business in the country, may issue structured warrants under the rules. Issuers should maintain a minimum unimpaired paid-up capital of P400 million while any warrants remain outstanding.
JTI urges cooperation to curb illicit tobacco By Alena Mae S. Flores KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia—Japan Tobacco Inc. (JTI) called for stronger regional cooperation as criminal syndicates exploit sea routes from Sandakan, Malaysia to Mindanao and other points across Southeast Asia for the transnational illicit tobacco trade. JTI regional director for anti-illicit trade operations Valentin Dinca said the Philippines and Malaysia have become central nodes in the Asia-Pacific illicit tobacco trade. Both countries are major destination markets for illicit tobacco from China, the United Arab Emirates, Vietnam, Indonesia and Cambodia, while Malaysia also acts as a transit hub alongside Singapore and Thailand. The trade corridor
extends to Singapore, Hong Kong and Australia, underscoring the regional scale of the problem. “What we are seeing now in the Philippines happening and we believe it should be sustained and continue is to move from a wholeof-government approach to in fact a whole-of-society approach, which connects public authority with the actors who shape everything from the markets, finance, logistics, information, and ultimately, community behavior,” Dinca said. He said government and law enforcement authorities set the direction and exercise the necessary authority, while the legitimate industry can share lawful intelligence and product expertise where and when required.
4
CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK 14
9
Manila
Standard
B.
Republic of the Philippines
ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION TODAY Pasig City
IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION FOR AUTHORITY TO DEVELOP AND OWN OR OPERATE DEDICATED POINT-TOLIMITED POINT TRANSMISSION FACILITIES TO CONNECT THE AMBUKLAO BATTERY ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM TO THE LUZON GRID THROUGH THE 69 kV AMBUKLAO SUBSTATION OF THE NATIONAL GRID CORPORATION OF THE PHILIPPINES, WITH PRAYERS FOR PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY AND CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT OF INFORMATION
The Interconnection Project i.
Power conversion system (bi-directional inverter) transformers at the Ambuklao BESS Switchyard
6. The Ambuklao BESS will be connected to the Luzon Grid via ten (10) power conversion system (bi-directional inverter) transformers with rated output voltage of 34.5 kV. These transformers will connect to the switchyard of the Ambuklao BESS (the “Ambuklao BESS Switchyard”) via 34.5 kV underground cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) power cables. ii.
ERC CASE NO. 2026-042 MC SN ABOITIZ POWER Ð BENGUET, INC., Applicant. x------------------------------------x NOTICE OF VIRTUAL HEARING TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES: Notice is hereby given that on 18 August 2026, the SN Aboitiz Power Ð Benguet, Inc. (SNAP-BI) filed, through the Energy Virtual One-Stop Shop (EVOSS) portal, an Application dated 07 April 2026, seeking the CommissionÕs approval of its authority to develop and own or operate dedicated point-to-point limited transmission facilities to ERC CASE NO. 2026-042 MC connect the Ambuklao Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) to the NOTICE OF VIRTUAL HEARING Luzon Grid through the 69 kV Ambuklao Substation of the National PAGE 2 OF 3 Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), with prayers for provisional authority and confidential treatment of information.
7. SNAP-BI will provide a 50MVA 13.8/69 kV step up power transformer at the Ambuklao BESS Switchyard for the Ambuklao BESS’s “[d]irect connection to NGCP Ambuklao Substation via 69kV, 0.3km, Steel-Pole, Single-Circuit (SPSC) transmission line using 1-336.4 MCM ACSR conductor [(the “Transmission Line”)].”3 The Transmission Line will be connected to the NGCP Ambuklao Substation’s existing spare 69 kV feeder/breaker.4
5
2)
The nature of petitionerÕs interest in the subject matter of the proceeding and the way and manner in which such interest is affected by the issues involved in the proceeding; and
3)
A statement of the relief desired.
Figure 1. The Ambuklao BESS’s proposed connection scheme and bay termination.6
C.
The name, mailing address, and e-mail address of the person;
2)
A concise statement of the Opposition or Comment; and
3)
The grounds relied upon.
All interested parties filing their Petition to Intervene, Opposition or Comment are required to submit the hard copies thereof through personal service, registered mail or ordinary mail/private courier, within five (5) working days from the date that the same were electronically submitted, as reflected in the acknowledgement receipt e-mail sent by the Commission. Finally, all interested persons may be allowed to join the scheduled virtual hearing by providing the Commission, through legal.virtualhearings@erc.ph, their respective e-mail addresses, indicating therein the case number of the instant Application. The Commission will send the access link/s to the aforementioned hearing The docketed copy of the Application, excluding its annexes, is attached Annex ÒAÓ hereof. 1) as The name, mailing address, and e-mail address of the platform within five (5) working days prior to the scheduled hearing. person;
The Interconnection Project’s Components
9. The Interconnection following main components: i.
Item Power Transformer
6
WITNESS, the Honorable Chairperson and CEO FRANCIS SATURNINO C. JUAN and the Honorable Commissioners FLORESINDA G. BALDO-DIGAL, MARKO ROMEO L. FUENTES, AMANTE A. LIBERATO and PARIS G. REAL, give priority to the stakeholders who have duly submitted their respective comments and/or persons clarifications, Finally, all interested may to be discuss allowedthe tosame join and the Energy Regulatory Commission, in Pasig City. propound during the of the expository presentation. scheduled questions virtual hearing by course providing the Commission, through legal.virtualhearings@erc.ph, their respective
2)
3)
LS: JKCA/MVM
The petitionerÕs name, mailing address, and e-mail address; FOR AND BY AUTHORITY THE COMMISSION: The nature of petitionerÕsOF interest in the subject matter of the proceeding and the way and manner in which such interest is affected by the issues involved in the proceeding; ATTY. MARIA CORAZON C. GINES* and Director III, Legal Service A statement of the relief desired.
FOR AND BY AUTHORITY OF THE COMMISSION: ATTY. MARIA CORAZON C. GINES* Director III, Legal Service
the
1 Set
Unit Set
Item
Details switch, CTs, PTs, etc. in accordance with the requirements of the technical data sheets
Qty
Unit
Lightning Arrester
60 kV, station type Complete with all the required accessories and support structures in accordance with the requirements of the technical data sheets and drawings
6
Sets
Main Control 69/13.8 kV, complete with all Switchboard the required accessories and support structures in accordance with the requirements of the technical data sheets and drawings
1
Substation Structures
Steel Hot dip galvanized (comprising of column and beam for gantry and earthing tower) complete with all the required accessories
1
Lot
Installation Materials
For the substation equipment consisting of insulators, bus support, hardware, connectors, fittings, conductors, clamps, etc.
1
Lot
OHGW, air terminals, connectors, fittings, hard-drawn copper conductors, ground rods, mold, powder for exothermic connections, molds, flint guns, etc.
1
Lot
AC and DC Auxiliary Indoor type, complete with the Panels required equipment, devices and accessories
1
Lot
125 VDC Battery Complete with the required Bank (450 AH) batteries and accessories
1
Lot
125 VDC Battery Indoor type, complete with the Charger (120 A) required accessories
1
Lot
48 VDC Battery Complete with the required Bank (200 AH) batteries and accessories
1
Lot
48 VDC Charger
Battery Indoor type, complete with the required accessories 7
1
Lot
Item Details Power, Control, and 15 KV/600 V insulation (various Instrumentation types and sizes) Cables
Qty 1
Unit Lot
Conduits and Cable For Power, Control Tray Communication Cables
&
1
Lot
lighting Complete with the required fixtures, post, conduits, conductors, and foundation
1
Lot
See NGCP Facilities Study Report (Annex G), p 1.
* Authority granted during Commission Meeting on 20 August 2025.
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION JADE DRIVE, SAN ANTONIO, PASIG CITY IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION FOR AUTHORITY TO DEVELOP AND OWN OR OPERATE DEDICATED POINT-TOPOINT LIMITED TRANSMISSION FACILITIES TO CONNECT THE AMBUKLAO BATTERY ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM TO THE LUZON GRID THROUGH THE 69 kV AMBUKLAO SUBSTATION OF THE NATIONAL GRID CORPORATION OF THE PHILIPPINES, WITH PRAYERS FOR PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY AND CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT OF INFORMATION ERC Case No. _______ SN ABOITIZ POWER-BENGUET, INC., Applicant. x-----------------------------------------------------------------x APPLICATION FOR AUTHORITY TO DEVELOP AND OWN OR OPERATE DEDICATED POINT-TO-POINT LIMITED TRANSMISSION FACILITIES (With Prayers for Provisional Authority and Confidential Treatment of Information)
Outdoor system
b.
Applicant SN Aboitiz Power-Benguet, Inc. (“SNAP-BI”), by counsel, respectfully states:
Item Transformer Protection (Main 1)
The Applicant
1. SNAP-BI is a generation company (“GenCo”) and Renewable Energy (“RE”) Developer duly organized and 2 existing as a corporation under and by virtue of the laws of the Republic of the Philippines, with office address at Binga Hydroelectric Power Plant, Barangay Tinongdan, Itogon, Benguet Province. It is authorized to “explore, build, construct, install, commission, invest in, bid for, finance, or otherwise acquire power generating plants and related facilities and to engage in the business of generating, marketing, consolidating, aggregating, selling and supplying electricity, wholesale or retail, generated therefrom or from sources such as, but not limited to, hydro, biomass, solar, wind, geothermal, ocean, and other sources of electromechanical and electrochemical power, including battery energy storage systems, provided that it shall not 1 operate a public utility.” Copies of the documents relating to SNAP-BI’s corporate registration are attached as follows:
Transformer Protection (Main 2)
Set
Ambuklao BESS Interconnection Project
Unit Sets
Qty 3
Voltage complete with all the required transformer, 69 kV, accessories, supporting inductive type structures, anchor bolts, etc. in accordance with the requirements of the technical data sheets
3
Revenue meter box
1
pc.
L
Digital multimeter
2
pcs.
M
Gantt chart
N
Fluence’s company profile
Activity Testing and Commissioning of Ambuklao BESS COD of Ambuklao BESS
Details
Annex K
336.4 MCM ACSR
Optical ground wire
24 fibers
Qty 3
Unit pcs.
1
km
0.35
km
Porcelain insulator
1
Lot
Line hardware
1
Lot
Ground materials
1
Lot
Fittings
1
Lot
Project Description
F
NGCP’s letter dated October 25, 2023 (SAP-CAD-RRA2023-10-349) stating that NGCP “will no longer require the conduct of a System Impact Study” for the Ambuklao BESS
G
NGCP’s letter dated May 21, 2024 (SAP-CAD-RRA-202405-281) (“NGCP Facilities Study Report”)
G-1 G-1-A G-1-B G-1-C
[Confidential] Ambuklao BESS Facility Study Report Annex A – Ambuklao BESS Switchyard Annex B – Ambuklao BESS Transmission Line Annex C – Ambuklao BESS Protection, Control, Communication & SCADA System
H
Connection Agreement between NGCP and SNAP-BI
Set
69 kV Line Complete Protection (Main 1) protective accessories
with required relays and
1
Set
69 kV Line Complete Protection (Main 2) protective accessories
with required relays and
1
Set
Complete with required recorders and accessories
1
Set
Network Disturbance Monitoring Equipment
c.
Certificate of Filing of Amended Articles of Incorporation dated April 12, 2019 with attached Amended Articles of Incorporation
Remote Unit
B
Certificate of Filing of Amended By-Laws dated December 3, 2014 with attached Amended By-Laws
Fiber Optic Terminal Equipment
C
General Information Sheet for the Year 2025 submitted to the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 30, 2025
Communication and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition Equipment (“SCADA”)
Item Details Terminal With human-machine interface (“HMI”) (stand-alone)
Very Small Aperture Terminal Equipment
8
Item Main HMI System
d.
Details
Set
Voltage complete with all the required Transformer, 69 kV, accessories, supporting inductive type structures, anchor bolts, etc. in accordance with the requirements of the technical data sheets
3
4. As mentioned above, the Ambuklao BESS will be a ±40 MW BESS built at the Ambuklao Hydro Electric Power Plant Facility in Barangay Ambuklao, Bokod, Benguet. SNAPBI will construct the Ambuklao BESS in the same compound where its 104.55 MW Ambuklao Hydro Electric Power Plant is located. Construction of the Ambuklao BESS is expected to commence in January 2026 and its commercial operations date (“COD”) is expected to be in May 2027.
Lightning 60 kV
arrester, station type complete with all the required accessories and support structures
3
Sets
Substation structures
steel hot dip galvanized (comprising of column and beam for gantry and earthing tower) complete with all the required accessories
1
Set
5. On December 11, 2025, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources issued Environmental Compliance Certificate No. ECC-OL-CAR-2025-0369 (the “Ambuklao BESS ECC”) for the installation and operation of the Ambuklao BESS. A copy of the Ambuklao BESS ECC is attached as Annex D.
Installation materials
for the substation equipment consisting of insulators, bus support, hardware, connectors. fittings, conductors, clamps, etc.
1
Lot
TRANSCO shall have the following functions and responsibilities:
Grounding system
OHGW, air terminals, connectors. fittings, harddrawn copper conductors, ground rods, mold, powder for exothermic connections, molds, flint guns, etc.
1
The Ambuklao BESS
***
***
***
A generation company may develop and own or operate dedicated point-to-point limited transmission facilities that are consistent with the TDP: Provided, That such facilities are required only for the purpose of connecting to the transmission system, and are used solely by the generating facility, subject to prior authorization by the ERC: Provided, further, That in the event that such assets are required for competitive purposes, ownership of the same shall be transferred to the TRANSCO at a fair market price: Provided, finally, That in the case of disagreement on the fair market price, the ERC shall determine the fair market value of the asset.
14. The availability of a spare 69 kV feeder and shorter connecting line was vital in SNAP-BI’s selection of the NGCP Ambuklao Substation as the Ambuklao BESS’s connection point to the Luzon Grid. Indeed, the Interconnection Project provides more economic benefits to concerned stakeholders compared to the alternative connection to NGCP’s La Trinidad substation. The significant savings derived from no longer needing to expand the NGCP Ambuklao Substation was among the primary reasons why SNAP-BI selected the Interconnection Project for the Ambuklao BESS. 15. NGCP also advised SNAP-BI to coordinate with it in relation to the provision and implementation of the transmission assets at the NGCP Ambuklao Substation. In the NGCP Facilities Study Report, NGCP identified the following high voltage equipment and secondary devices:
Unit Set
1
and
(c) NGCP’s La Trinidad substation has no vacant 69 kV feeder and space for expansion for additional grid connection.
Qty 1
Disconnect Switch 3-phase, with motor and with ES, 69 kV, manually group operated, 1200, 40 kA complete with all the required accessories and support structures in accordance with the requirements of the technical data sheets
30. Considering the foregoing, SNAP-BI hereby respectfully asks that the Confidential Documents be treated as confidential during the pendency of this Application and any time thereafter, and that they be used solely for the purpose of evaluating this Application. SNAP-BI also respectfully moves that the Confidential Documents be covered by a Protective Order pursuant to Rule 4, Section 2 of the Revised ERC Rules.
(b) Building the 12-km, 69 kV transmission line will be expensive, and the high cost can affect the Ambuklao BESS’s project economics and schedule.
Set
Set
BESS
29. The Confidential Documents contain sensitive information regarding the Ambuklao BESS’s technologies and technical specifications, as well as the Interconnection Project’s cost breakdown, which, if disclosed to the public, might adversely affect SNAP-BI’s competitiveness in future projects. Furthermore, the information contained in the Confidential Documents is only in the possession of this 17 Honorable Commission on a confidential basis and has not been declared as non-confidential in nature in any previous decision or policies by this Honorable Commission.
(a) Securing a right of way for the 14-km, 69 kV transmission line will be difficult and will greatly affect the Rationale completion schedule the(Annex Ambuklao See Ambuklao BESS Project and Grid Connection of Options E) and Figure 1 above.BESS. The line right of way will also traverse 8 See Ambuklao BESS Project Rationale and Grid Connection Options (Annex E). protected and populated areas.
1
1
III. Description of the Ambuklao Interconnection Project
28. The Confidential Documents should not be disclosed to any other party or third person because the information contained therein is confidential and proprietary to SNAP-BI. SNAP-BI has an actual and valuable proprietary interest in protecting the information contained in the Confidential Documents, which are not generally available to the public. These details are part of SNAP-BI’s competitive advantage in the power generation industry with an economic value (actual or potential) derived from not being generally known to, and not being readily ascertainable by, other persons such as SNAP-BI’s competitors, who can obtain economic value from the disclosure of this information to the detriment of SNAP-BI.
13.3. Another option that SNAP-BI considered was the radial connection of the Ambuklao BESS to NGCP’s La Trinidad Substation via a 14-km 69 kV transmission line. However, the option to connect to the NGCP La Trinidad Substation is not feasible for the 12 following reasons:
(b) One (1) lot of Instrumentation cables; and
with required relays and
2
and
2
31. SNAP-BI hereby submits one (1) copy each of Confidential Documents in a sealed envelope, with the envelope and each page of 4the documents marked with the word “Confidential.” Hydroelectric Power Plant, Barangay Tinongdan, Itogon, 5
Benguet Province. It is authorized to “explore, build, construct, install, commission,PRAYER invest in, bid for, finance, or 11 otherwise acquire power generating plants and related WHEREFORE, in view of the foregoing, SNAP-BI B. The Interconnection Project facilities and to prays engage business of generating, respectfully that in thisthe Honorable Commission: marketing, consolidating, aggregating, selling and supplying 13 Upon initial review of the Application electricity, (a) wholesale or retail, generated therefromand or pending from i. Power conversion system (bi-directional trial the merits, GRANT SNAP-BI PROVISIONAL sources suchon but not limited to, hydro, biomass, solar, AAUTHORITY copy ofas, the AS andand supply scenario isoperate attached to demand develop own or Ambuklao the inverter) transformers at the wind, geothermal, ocean, and other sources of Project; one ofInterconnection the as Annex I.private BESSsector-initiated Switchyard power projects in Luzon 9 electromechanical andTDP electrochemical power, including enumerated in NGCP’s for 2025 to 2050. A copy of the (b) toAfter trial on the merits,J. GRANT battery energy storage systems, that it shallSNAP-BI not TDP for 2023 2040 is attached asprovided Annex PERMANENT AUTHORITY to develop and own or operate A. a The The Ambuklao Ambuklao BESS’s Proposed Connection 6. will be connected to the Luzonthe operate public utility.”1 BESS Interconnection Project; Grid via ten (10) power conversion system (bi-directional B. transformers The Interconnection Project’s Cost, of Estimated inverter) with voltage 34.5 kV. (c) DECLARE thatrated Confidential Documents (Annexes 13. SNAP-BI considered twooutput (2)to options to connect the Copies of the documents relating SNAP-BI’s corporate Timeline, Technical G-1 series, K, and O, and P) contain These transformers will connect to Information theconfidential switchyardinformation of the Ambuklao BESS to the Luzon Grid: registration attachedofasRule follows: within are the purview 4 of the Revised ERC Rules; and Ambuklao BESS (the “Ambuklao BESS Switchyard”) via 34.5 17. kV underground cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) power The Interconnection Project has atreating total estimated ISSUE A PROTECTIVE ORDER Confidential (i)(d) Connection toDocument the NGCP Ambuklao Annex cables. (Annexes G-1 series, K, O, and P) as cost ofDocuments ₱178,039,439.30, broken down as follows: 7 Substation (i.e., thetoInterconnection Project) A Certificate of Incorporation March 2007 (in theERC confidential pursuant Rule 4, dated Section 2 of12, the Revised Rules name and of prescribing the guidelines the protection SN Aboitiz Power Hydro, Inc., for SNAP-BI’s former thereof. ii.name) 50MVA 34.5/69 kV step and Articles of Incorporation dated up February Item Description Estimated Costpower (in13, ₱)
(c) Other works related to the wiring, modification, and integration of the new secondary devices.
13.1. In selectingata connection point, SNAP-BI I. CONNECTION ASSET 2007 transformer the Ambuklao BESS A. found GENERAL REQUIREMENTS Other just and equitable reliefs likewiseAmbuklao prayed for. it advantageous that theareNGCP A.1. Design Switchyard and the18Transmission Line A-1 Certificate of Filing of Incorporation Substation already had ofa Amended spare 69Articles kV feeder, complete A.2. Mobilization/Demobilization Makati City April 7, Amended 2026. datedFacilities April for 12, 2019 City, with attached Articles of A.3. Temporary & Pasig Accommodation
13
16. Finally, the construction of the Interconnection Project is consistent with the TDP. The Ambuklao BESS was one of the private sector-initiated power projects in Luzon enumerated in NGCP’s TDP for 2025 to 2050.9 A copy of the TDP for 2023 to 2040 is attached as Annex J. B.
The Interconnection Project’s Cost, Estimated Timeline, and Technical Information
17. The Interconnection Project has a total estimated cost of ₱178,039,439.30, broken down as follows:
Sets
Lot
Item Description I. CONNECTION ASSET A. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS A.1. Design A.2. Mobilization/Demobilization A.3. Temporary Facilities & Accommodation A.4. Permit & Certificate A.5. Bonds and Insurances A.6. PPE, Health & Safety A.7. As-Built Plan GENERAL REQUIREMENT TOTAL COST B. SUPPLY & DELIVERY OF MATERIALS B.1. ABEP Substation Equipment B.2. ABEP Protection and Disturbance Monitoring System B.3. ABEP Communication & SCADA Equipment C. Civil Works D. Erection and Installation E. Testing and Commissioning TOTAL COST II. TAPPING POINT & TRANSMISSION LINE A. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS A.1. Design A.2. Mobilization/Demobilization A.3. Temporary Facilities & Accommodation A.4. Permit & Certificate A.5. Bonds and Insurances A.6. PPE, Health & Safety A.7. As-Built Plan GENERAL REQUIREMENT TOTAL COST B. SUPPLY & DELIVERY OF MATERIALS B.1. ABEP Tapping Point Equipment B.2. ABEP Grid Revenue Metering Equipment B.3. Transmission Lines C. Civil Works D. Erection and Installation E. Testing and Commissioning TOTAL COST
Estimated Cost (in ₱)
GRAND TOTAL COST
178,039,439.30
3,420,000.00
121,828,459.00
3,720,000.00
with power equipment such as a dead tank circuit Incorporation A.4. Permit & Certificate 7. SNAP-BI provide a 50MVA 13.8/69 kVpotential step up breaker with will bushing current transformers, Bonds and Insurances GATMAYTAN YAP PATACSIL Figure 1. The BESS’s proposed powerA.5. transformer at theAmbuklao Ambuklao BESS Switchyard for the transformers, disconnect switches, and surge arresters. A.6. PPE, Health & Safety 6 B Certificate of Filing By-Laws dated GUTIERREZ & Amended PROTACIO connection scheme andofbay termination. Ambuklao BESS’s connection to NGCP Ambuklao A.7. As-Built Plan “[d]irect Counsel for SNAP-BI December 3, 2014 withTOTAL attached By-Laws REQUIREMENT COSTAmended 3,420,000.00 Substation GENERAL via 69kV, 0.3km, Single-Circuit (SP30/F 88 Steel-Pole, Corporate Center B. SUPPLY & DELIVERY OF MATERIALS 13.2. In addition, the Transmission Line will Sedeño corner Valero Streets SC) transmission line using 1-336.4 MCM ACSR B.1. Substation Equipment C General Information Sheet forMakati the Year 2025 conductor submitted C. ABEP The Interconnection Project’s Components Salcedo Village, City 3 only betoProtection 0.3Securities km in and length. With the entry of the ABEP and Disturbance Monitoring [(theB.2. “Transmission Line”)].” The Transmission Line will30, be the Exchange Commission on May Tel. No.: (632) 8248 5250 System Interconnection the Substation’s existing associated connected to2025 the NGCPProject, Ambuklao existing digital spare B.3. ABEP Communication & SCADA Equipment By: Interconnection 9.Civil The Project inside consiststhe ofNGCP the and 4 control systems 69 kV feeder/breaker. C. protection Works D. Ambuklao Erection and components: Installation following main Substation’s control building will only need to SOPHIA P. INOTURAN E. Testing and Commissioning be reconfigured or reprogrammed to accommodate PTR No. 10766212; 1/05/2026; Makati Citythe COST transformer 121,828,459.00 II. 8. Nature of IBP theNo. Application To protect and536377; isolateisTOTAL the and the 12/26/2025; Makati Chapter i.POINT The Ambuklao BESS Switchyard Transmission Line. There no main need to expand the NGCP II. TAPPING & TRANSMISSION LINE Email address: sophie.inoturan@cagatlaw.com Transmission Line, air insulated dead tank circuit breakers A. Ambuklao GENERAL REQUIREMENTS Substation Roll because it already has a spare No. 63792 A.1. Design switchgears will be installed at the Ambuklao and associated Compliance VIII-0018083; 2. Pursuant to Section 9 Equipment ofNo. Republic Act No. 9136 or a. MCLE Switchyard feeder. A.2. Mobilization/Demobilization 12/9/2024; Pasig Cityin a single bus BESS Switchyard and will be connected the Electric PowerFacilities Industry Reform Act (“EPIRA”) and Rule A.3. Temporary & Accommodation configuration. instrument transformers A.4.Item Permit & Revenue Certificate Details Qty Unit 5, Section 5(a)(i) of themetering EPIRA’s Implementing Rules and A.5. (ii) Bondswill and Insurances Connection to La Trinidad and meters be installed atdevelop the NGCP’s asset boundary Power Transformer 50 MVA, 13.8/69kV, 3-phase, Set Regulations, a GenCo may and own or1between operate A.6. PPE, Health & Safety 8 5 Substation MARCO P. NIGRO 60 Hz, YNd11, Class NGCP andAs-Built SNAP-BI. A.7. Plan dedicated point-to-point limited transmission facilities PTR No. 10766217; 1/05/2026; Makati Citythat ONAN/ONAF, complete GENERAL REQUIREMENT TOTAL COST with oil, 3,720,000.00 IBP 536384; 12/26/2025; PPLM Chapter are B.consistent withNo. the Transmission Development Plan SUPPLY & DELIVERY OF MATERIALS all appurtenances, required Email marco.nigro@cagatlaw.com (“TDP”), subject toaddress: prior authorization by this considered Honorable 13.3. Another option that SNAP-BI B.1. ABEP Tapping Point Equipment accessories, supporting Roll No. 71064 2 Revenue Metering Equipment B.2. Commission. wasABEP theGrid radial connection ofNo.the Ambuklao BESS to structures, anchor bolts, etc. MCLE Compliance VIII-0041918; B.3. Transmission Lines 11/19/2025; Pasig NGCP’s La Trinidad Substation viaCity a 14-km 69 kV C. Civil Works Compact Air 69However, kV, Complete with alltothe 1 to the D. transmission Erection and Installation line. the option connect E. Testing and Commissioning Insulated primary equipment suchfeasible as Setfor the NGCP La Trinidad Substation is not 1 49,070,980.30 TOTAL COST See SNAP-BI’s Amended of Incorporation A-1), Second Article. Switchgear (CAIS) Articles power circuit(Annexbreaker, 2 SEC. following 9. Functionsreasons: and Responsibilities. – Upon the effectivity of this Act, the disconnecting/earthing GRAND TOTAL COST 178,039,439.30 See NGCP Facilities Study Report (Annexhigh G), p.speed 5. Text earthing in brackets supplied. switches, See Project Rationale and Grid Connection Options (Annex E), p. 1. See Project Rationale and Grid Connection Options (Annex E), p. 1. 6 18. Facilities SNAP-BI has (Annex engaged See NGCP Study Report G), p 1. Fluence, a firm that
3 4 5
specializes in energy storage services 7 See Ambuklao BESS Project Rationale and Grid Connectionand Optionsoptimization (Annex E) and 49,070,980.30
18. SNAP-BI has engaged Fluence, a firm that specializes in energy storage services and optimization See Transmission Development Plan 2023-2040 (Annex J), p. 109, available at https://ngcp.ph/Attachment-Uploads/TDP%202025-2050%20REPORT-2025-09-2509-29-14.pdf (last accessed January 27, 2026). 9
Write-up re: SNAP-BI engaging NGCP for the O&M of the 15 grid connection assets of the Ambuklao BESS
27. SNAP-BI respectfully requests that the information contained in the Ambuklao BESS Facility Study Report (Annex G-1 series), detailed cost breakdown (Annex K), detailed SLD (Annex O), and conceptual engineering drawings of the Ambuklao BESS (Annex P; collectively, the “Confidential Documents”) be treated as confidential information pursuant to Rule 4 of the Revised ERC Rules.
Trinidad
Set
69 kV Line complete Protection Main 2 protective accessories
3. In this regard, SNAP-BI has undertaken to construct ownArticles or of operate a (Annex ±40-megawatt (“MW”) See SNAP-BI’sand Amended Incorporation A-1), Second Article. SEC. 9. Functions Responsibilities. – Upon the effectivity of this at Act,the the battery energy and storage system (“BESS”) located Ambuklao Hydro Electric Power Plant Facility, in Barangay Ambuklao, Bokod, Benguet (the “Ambuklao BESS”), together with associated ancillary and auxiliary equipment and connection facilities. SNAP-BI intends to connect the Ambuklao BESS to the Luzon Grid via a direct connection to the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines’ (“NGCP’s”) 69-kilovolt (“kV”) Ambuklao Substation (“NGCP Ambuklao Substation”). The connection of the Ambuklao BESS to the NGCP Ambuklao Substation, which is the subject of this Application, shall be referred to as the “Interconnection Project”.
1
S
ALLEGATIONS IN SUPPORT OF THE PRAYER FOR CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT OF INFORMATION
13.2. In addition, the Transmission Line will only be 0.3 km in length. With the entry of the Interconnection Project, the existing associated digital protection and control systems inside the NGCP Ambuklao Substation’s control building will only need to be reconfigured or reprogrammed to accommodate the Transmission Line. There is no need to expand the NGCP Ambuklao Substation because it already has a spare feeder.
1
Unit Set
Certification dated September 26, 2024 (SNAP-BI’s authorized representatives)
26. Considering the foregoing, SNAP-BI respectfully submits that there is basis for this Honorable Commission to grant a provisional authority for SNAP-BI to develop and own or operate the Interconnection Project.
13.1. In selecting a connection point, SNAP-BI found it advantageous that the NGCP Ambuklao Substation already had a spare 69 kV feeder, complete with power equipment such as a dead tank circuit breaker with bushing current transformers, potential transformers, disconnect switches, and surge arresters.
(a) One (1) set of Main 1 and Main 2 Directional Overcurrent Protection Relay (67/67N);
Qty 1
R
will also have the unique ability to absorb and deliver both real and reactive power, making it an ideal candidate to provide AS, which will directly contribute to the Grid’s stability and reliability, ultimately reducing the risk of power outages.
(i) Connection to the NGCP Ambuklao Substation (i.e., the Interconnection Project)7
Unit Set
Item Details 69 kV Line complete with required Protection Main 1 protective relays and accessories
dated
25. Furthermore, the construction of the Ambuklao BESS, together with the Interconnection Project which will connect it to the Luzon Grid, will 16 help alleviate possible power shortages in the future. Not only will it add to the overall generating capacity of the Luzon Grid, but the Ambuklao BESS
13. SNAP-BI considered two (2) options to connect the Ambuklao BESS to the Luzon Grid:
Qty 1
Tapping Point Equipment
and PDC
24. The construction of the Interconnection Project is a prerequisite for the testing and commissioning, and ultimately, the commercial operations of the Ambuklao BESS. SNAP-BI urgently needs provisional authority to enable the Ambuklao BESS to achieve its target COD of July 2027 and avoid adverse consequences to SNAP-BI.
The Ambuklao BESS’s Proposed Connection
Control,
Document Affidavit of Compliance with PGC September 24, 2024
23. In conjunction with its hydroelectric power plants, SNAP-BI aims to tap the ecological benefits of RE while addressing the adverse impact of VRE on the Grid. The Ambuklao BESS is ideal for supporting the generation capacity of SNAP-BI’s RE facilities because it presents an effective and efficient solution to the inherent issues that come with VRE.
A copy of the AS demand and supply scenario is attached as Annex I.
Power,
[Confidential] Conceptual engineering drawings of the Ambuklao BESS
22. Republic Act No. 9513, otherwise known as the Renewable Energy Act, aims to accelerate the development of the country’s RE resources and increase the utilization of RE. However, continuously adding RE assets to the country’s generation capacity, while environmentally desirable, is not necessarily good for the Grid. As stated above, there are nuances that come with installing VRE generators that can negatively affect the Grid’s power quality and reliability.
12. For this reason, NGCP has identified BESSs, such as the Ambuklao BESS, as potential providers of ancillary services (“AS”), particularly, regulating reserve. The system inertia, governor droop, and damping capabilities of these 11 facilities can be easily set dynamically according to NGCP’s power system needs, offering the most flexible solution to its transmission requirements.
Unit Set
1
A-1
2. Pursuant to Section 9 of Republic Act No. 9136 or the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (“EPIRA”) and Rule 5, Section 5(a)(i) of the EPIRA’s Implementing Rules and Regulations, a GenCo may develop and own or operate dedicated point-to-point limited transmission facilities that 3 are consistent with the Transmission Development Plan (“TDP”), subject to prior authorization by this Honorable Commission.2
Qty 1
[Confidential] Detailed SLD of the Ambuklao BESS
P
21. The facts and circumstances in this Application warrant the issuance by this Honorable Commission of the provisional authority prayed for. Indeed, provisional authority is needed to prevent a delay in the construction of the Ambuklao BESS and Interconnection Project.
7
with required relays and
Document Certificate of Incorporation dated March 12, 2007 (in the name of SN Aboitiz Power Hydro, Inc., SNAP-BI’s former name) and Articles of Incorporation dated February 13, 2007
Nature of the Application
Details with required relays and
Relevant dates
20. Under Rule 14, Section 1 of the Revised Rules of Practice and Procedure of the Energy Regulatory Commission (the “Revised ERC Rules”), this Honorable Commission is authorized to issue provisional authority or interim relief prior to a final decision, provided that the facts and circumstances alleged warrant such remedy.
11. The increasing capacity share of variable RE (“VRE”) in the Luzon Grid has the potential to cause significant degradation of power system performance due to VRE’s intermittent nature. For example, solar and wind energy sources have an inconsistent and relatively unreliable ramp rate and do not ordinarily guarantee the same frequency and power quality that traditional energy sources offer. BESSs are widely used to mitigate the effects of integrating VRE resources because they are capable of absorbing and delivering both real and reactive power in milliseconds.
La
Document [Confidential] Detailed cost breakdown
O
Annex Q
10. The Department of Energy (“DOE”) has targeted a renewable energy (“RE”) share of thirty-five percent (35%) in the country’s total power generation mix by 2030. By 2040, the DOE aims to boost RE’s share to fifty percent (50%).
NGCP’s
Target Date June 1 to 30, 2027 July 1, 2027
ALLEGATIONS IN SUPPORT OF THE PRAYER FOR PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY
E-1
to
May 30, 2027 May 30, 2027
In addition to the foregoing documents, SNAP-BI is respectfully submitting the following in support of this Application:
Document Project Rationale and Grid Connection Options
(ii) Connection Substation8
Target Completion
Copies of the documents relating to the Interconnection Project’s design, construction, cost, and technical information are attached as follows:
Sets
Transmission Line
Power conductor
Protection and Disturbance Monitoring System Complete protective accessories
Target Start of Construction January 1, 2026 January 1, 2026
Details complete with all the required accessories, supporting structures, anchor bolts, etc. in accordance with the requirements of the technical data sheets
A.
Complete protective accessories
Annex A
A.
Facility
Revenue Metering Equipment
IV. Statement of Facts
Switchyard Equipment
Compact Air 69 kV, Complete with all the Insulated primary equipment such as Switchgear (CAIS) power circuit breaker, 6 disconnecting/earthing switches, high speed earthing
Grounding System
1 Summary Proceedings pursuant to the CommissionÕs Resolution No. 16, Series of 2025.
II.
of
Qty 1
Likewise, all other persons who may want their views known to LS:with JKCA/MVM the Commission respect to the subject matter of the case may file through e-mail at docket@erc.ph, copy furnish the Legal Service through legal@erc.ph, their Opposition or Comment thereon at least five (5)granted calendar days prior to the Rule 9 of the ERC * Authority during Commission Meeting onvirtual 20 Augusthearing. 2025.
I.
19. The following tables summarize the relevant milestones for the construction and commissioning of the Interconnection Project:
and
e-mail addresses,
indicating therein the case who number of the instant Application. The Moreover, any person has an interest in the subject matter Commission accessalink/s aforementioned hearing of the instantwill casesend maythe become party to bythe filing with the Commission platform five (5) working days prior to the scheduled hearing. via e-mailwithin at docket@erc.ph, and copy furnishing the Legal Service through legal@erc.ph, a verified Petition to Intervene at least five (5) WITNESS, thetoHonorable and CEOhearing. FRANCIS calendar days prior the date ofChairperson the scheduled virtual The SATURNINO C.Intervene JUAN must and follow the the Honorable Commissioners verified Petition to requirements under Rule FLORESINDA G. BALDO-DIGAL, MARKO ROMEO L. 9 of the ERC Revised Rules of Practice and Procedure, indicating FUENTES, AMANTE and REAL, therein the docket numberA. andLIBERATO title of the case, andPARIS state theG. following: Energy Regulatory Commission, in Pasig City. 1)
consists
Details 50 MVA, 13.8/69kV, 3-phase, 60 Hz, YNd11, Class ONAN/ONAF, complete with oil, all appurtenances, required accessories, supporting structures, anchor bolts, etc.
ERC CASE NO. 2026-042 MC NOTICE OF VIRTUAL HEARING ERC CASE PAGE 3 OFNO. 3 2026-042 MC NOTICE OF VIRTUAL HEARING PAGE OF 3 of Practice and Procedure shall govern. No particular Revised2Rules form of Opposition or Comment is required, but the document, letter, or writing should contain the following:
The Commission has set the instant Application for the 2) A concise statementwith of thethe Opposition or Comment; and determination of compliance jurisdictional requirements, expository presentation, and Pre-Trial Conference1 on 26 October The grounds relied upon.in the afternoon (2:00 P.M.), 20263) (Monday), at two oÕclock via MS Teams Application as the online platform for the conduct thereof, to pertinent Commission. Allpursuant interested parties rules filingof the their Petition to Intervene, Opposition or Comment are required to submit the hard copies thereof through service, registered or ordinary mail/private Anypersonal interested stakeholder maymail submit its comments and/or courier, within five (5) days from the date thatscheduled the same clarifications at least oneworking (1) calendar day prior to the were submitted, as (e-mail) reflectedatin the acknowledgement virtualelectronically hearing, via electronic mail docket@erc.ph, and copy receipt e-mail sent by thethrough Commission. furnish the Legal Service legal@erc.ph. The Commission shall
Project
The Ambuklao BESS Switchyard a.
Likewise, all other persons who may want their views known to the Commission respect MC to the subject matter of the case may file ERC CASE NO.with 2026-042 through at docket@erc.ph, NOTICEe-mail OF VIRTUAL HEARINGcopy furnish the Legal Service through3legal@erc.ph, their Opposition or Comment thereon at least PAGE OF 3 five (5) calendar days prior to the virtual hearing. Rule 9 of the ERC Revised Rules of Practice and Procedure shall govern. No particular 1 Summary Proceedings pursuant to the CommissionÕs Resolution No. 16, Series of 2025. form of Opposition or Comment is required, but the document, letter, or writing should contain the following: 1)
Lot
Annex E
Moreover, any person who has an interest in the subject matter of the instant case may become a party by filing with the Commission via e-mail at docket@erc.ph, and copy furnishing the Legal Service through legal@erc.ph, a verified Petition to Intervene at least five (5) calendar days prior to the date of the scheduled virtual hearing. The verified Petition to Intervene must follow the requirements under Rule 9 of the ERC Revised Rules of Practice and Procedure, indicating therein the docket number and title of the case, and state the following: The petitionerÕs name, mailing address, and e-mail address;
1
Item Steel Pole
Any interested stakeholder may submit its comments and/or clarifications at least one (1) calendar day prior to the scheduled virtual hearing, via electronic mail (e-mail) at docket@erc.ph, and copy furnish the Legal Service through legal@erc.ph. The Commission shall give priority to the stakeholders who have duly submitted their respective comments and/or clarifications, to discuss the same and propound questions during the course of the expository presentation.
1)
Conduits and cable For power, control, tray communication cables
Copies of the documents relating to the description of 10 the Ambuklao BESS and Interconnection Project are attached as follows:
See NGCP Facilities Study Report (Annex G), p. 5. Text in brackets supplied. See Project Rationale and Grid Connection Options (Annex E), p. 1. See Project Rationale and Grid Connection Options (Annex E), p. 1.
4
software for renewables and storage. Fluence’s company profile is attached as Annex N.
ii.
8. To protect and isolate the main transformer and the Transmission Line, air insulated dead tank circuit breakers and associated switchgears will be installed at the Ambuklao BESS Switchyard and will be connected in a single bus configuration. Revenue metering instrument transformers 5 and meters will be installed at the asset boundary between NGCP and SNAP-BI.5
3
Unit Lot
Item Current transformer, 69 kV
The docketed copy of the Application, excluding its annexes, is attached as Annex ÒAÓ hereof. The Commission has set the instant Application for the determination of compliance with the jurisdictional requirements, expository presentation, and Pre-Trial Conference1 on 26 October 2026 (Monday), at two oÕclock in the afternoon (2:00 P.M.), via MS Teams Application as the online platform for the conduct thereof, pursuant to pertinent rules of the Commission.
Qty 1
e.
50MVA 34.5/69 kV step up power transformer at the Ambuklao BESS Switchyard and the Transmission Line
September 24, 2026
Item Details Power, control, and 15 KV/600V insulation (various instrumentation types and sizes) cables
Figure 1 above. 8 See Ambuklao BESS Project Rationale and Grid Connection Options (Annex E).
See Transmission Development Plan 2023-2040 (Annex J), p. 109, available at https://ngcp.ph/Attachment-Uploads/TDP%202025-2050%20REPORT-2025-09-2509-29-14.pdf (last accessed January 27, 2026). 9
CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK
CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK
BUSINESS
B3
Manila
Standard
TODAY
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2026
extrastory2000@gmail.com
Stocks, peso slip as world oil prices rise By Jenniffer B. Austria
HIGH TOUCH. Ayala Foundation’s High Touch, High Tech approach puts teachers at the center of learning
improvement, combining coaching, training and innovative tools to help more students succeed. In public elementary schools in San Marcelino, Zambales, teachers are gaining a clearer view of how their students are learning. Through Ayala Foundation’s CENTEX Digital Education program, digital tools and learning data help teachers tailor lessons and respond to different learning needs.
From back-office historians to value architects: The evolution of professional accounting —“—
Technological disruption like the exponential growth of AI use represents not an existential threat to accounting, but its greatest opportunity for renewal. THE professional accounting discipline is undergoing an unprecedented transformation driven by the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence, cloud computing, predictive analytics, and automated machine learning. For more than a century, accounting was viewed through a narrow lens focused primarily on double-entry bookkeeping, manual reconciliations, and historical financial reporting. However, modern digital capabilities are stripping away these routine computational mechanics, prompting a profound re-examination of the discipline’s core purpose. Rather than signaling the demise of the profession, this technological disruption is liberating accountants from transactional tasks and elevating their work into what Emeritus Professor Garry Carnegie and his colleagues define as a multidimensional technical, social, and moral practice concerned with the sustainable utilization of resources and proper accountability to stakeholders to enable the flourishing of organizations, people, and nature. This redefinition marks a decisive paradigm shift from viewing accounting as a neutral tool for private wealth maximization toward recognizing its primary mission: serving the public interest. Under Carnegie’s multidimensional framework, accounting is operationalized through three interconnected dimensions, each guided by a core operational question. The technical practice asks “How do we do accounting?”, covering accounting standards, GAAP rules, and analytical tools used to capture financial and nonfinancial data. The social practice asks “What does accounting do?”, examining the real-world consequences, organizational behaviors, and societal developments shaped by accounting information and performance metrics. The moral practice asks “What should—and should not—accounting do?”, grounding the discipline in ethics and social responsibility to ensure that resource allocation choices promote sustainable human and environmental flourishing. Reducing accounting to a purely technical exercise hides its immense power to influence organizational culture and social outcomes. By embracing all three dimensions, the profession acts as an ethical compass equipped to tackle complex global challenges, including climate change, resource scarcity, and economic inequality. The urgency of adopting this multidimensional perspective is reinforced by global labor market trends, notably the World Economic Forum (WEF) 2025 Future of Jobs Report and its 2026 briefings on early-career work. The WEF 2025 report projects a net -8% structural decline in traditional accounting and bookkeeping roles globally through 2030 due to automated process replication and AI integration. However, this shift reflects the automation of repetitive tasks rather than the elimination of professional value, with 77% of surveyed global employers planning to reskill and upskill their existing workforce to work alongside AI. Furthermore, WEF 2026 findings show that over 37% of young workers occupy roles with high AI exposure where routine duties are rapidly automated. Consequently, entry-level accountants are shifting from executing repetitive computational tasks to applying critical judgment, creative problem-solving, and strategic collaboration alongside AI systems from the outset of their careers. As automated systems handle routine record-keeping, modern professional accountants are stepping into an expanded strategic role within organizations. Moving from back-office historians to strategic business partners, accountants today serve as architects of trust, guardians of transparency, and catalysts of sustainable growth. In a volatile global landscape marked by supply chain shocks, geopolitical conflict, and economic uncertainty, accountants provide critical advisory support through dynamic scenario modeling and risk assessment. Moreover, their purview extends beyond traditional balance sheets to encompass non-financial drivers of enterprise value, including Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) disclosures using ISSB’s IFRS S1 and S2 standards. In this broader role, accountants reduce the systemic costs imposed by organizational distrust, offering transparent, audited clarity that reinforces investor confidence and market stability. To succeed in this expanded strategic capacity, Filipino accountants must develop a versatile set of new competencies extending far beyond quantitative expertise. First, digital fluency and data analytics are essential, enabling professionals to navigate big data architecture, predictive models, and cloud platforms to generate actionable business intelligence. Second, accountants require enhanced “linguistic competencies” and storytelling skills to translate complex data analytics, algorithmic forecasts, and nonfinancial ESG metrics into clear strategic narratives for decisionmakers. Third, interdisciplinary engagement is vital, requiring collaboration across data science, environmental management, and public governance. Finally, uncompromising ethical leadership
and professional skepticism remain indispensable. Because automated systems can amplify corrupted data or biased inputs, human accountants must act as guardians of integrity, ensuring technology serves the public interest and societal well-being. With this perspective, technological disruption like the exponential growth of AI use represents not an existential threat to accounting, but its greatest opportunity for renewal. By reallocating mechanical record-keeping to intelligent automation, technology empowers professional accountants as a vital technical, social, and moral force. As organizations navigate economic, environmental, and technological shifts, accountants who blend digital literacy, strategic acumen, and an unyielding public interest commitment will remain indispensable stewards of organizational resilience and public trust. Arnel Onesimo O. Uy is a Full Professor at the Department of Accountancy of the Ramon V. del Rosario College of Business of De La Salle University (DLSU). He is a member of both the Philippine Interpretation Committee (PIC) and the Philippine Sustainability Reporting Committee (PSRC). He can be reached at arnel.uy@dlsu.edu.ph. The views expressed above are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official position of DLSU, its faculty, and its administrators.
P
hilippine stocks and the peso declined Tuesday as a negative Wall Street session, led by US Treasury yields and uncertainty between the United States and Iran weighed on market sentiment. The Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) shed 50.47 points to close at 5,738.40, while the broader all-shares index retreated 19.89 points, or 0.62 percent, to 3,202.83. The peso closed at 62.56 against the US dollar, weaker than Monday’s P62.64. “The local market went for another decline, taking cues from Wall Street’s negative performance overnight, driven by the US’ treasury yields,” Philstocks Financial Inc. said. “The uncertainties between US and Iran and its impact on the global oil market also continued to weigh on market sentiment,” it said. All six sectoral indices ended in negative territory. The industrial index posted the steepest decline at 1.20 percent, followed by services, which fell 1.18 percent. The property index fell 0.75 percent, mining and oil shed 0.67 percent, holding firms declined 0.44 percent and financials slipped 0.03 percent. Market breadth was negative, with 112 decliners against 72 advancers, while 52 stocks were unchanged. Value turnover remained thin at P5.24 billion. Foreign investors were net sellers, with outflows of P973.5 million. AREIT Inc. was one of the six index gainers, up 1.9 percent to P37.50. RL Commercial REIT Inc. was the biggest loser, down 4.62 percent to P6.20. Asian stocks also mostly fell and
oil prices extended gains on Tuesday as hopes for a reopening of the Strait of Hormuz faded amid expectations that the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates again next month. US President Donald Trump dashed hopes for an easing of Middle East tensions over the weekend when he rejected Iran’s offer of a 7-day truce. Trump said talks would resume this week, but that failed to lift the gloom on market floors as traders weighed further rises in inflation that could force the Fed to tighten monetary policy more. Trump on Monday denied a report by news outlet Axios that he offered Iran sanctions relief and the release of frozen funds, as the Middle East war drags on. “Axios just released a story that ‘Trump’ offered Sanctions Relief and Frozen Funds to Iran. This is untrue. I offered them NOTHING!,” Trump said on his Truth Social platform. The story, quoting unidentified U.S. officials, said Trump “is willing to give Iran sanctions relief and release Iranian frozen funds in return for concrete Iranian steps regarding the nuclear program.” With AFP
SOLDIVO BOND FUND, INC.
SOLDIVO STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND, INC.
8 Floor 8 Rockwell Bldg., Hidalgo Drive. Rockwell Center, Makati City, Metro Manila Tel. No. 8814-7800; Fax No. 8814-0315
8 Floor 8 Rockwell Bldg., Hidalgo Drive. Rockwell Center, Makati City, Metro Manila Tel. No. 8814-7800; Fax No. 8814-0315
NOTICE OF ANNUAL STOCKHOLDERS’ MEETING
NOTICE OF ANNUAL STOCKHOLDERS’ MEETING
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual Stockholders' Meeting (ASM) of the aforementioned Corporation will be held virtually or via remote communication on 23 October 2026 at 2:00PM via Zoom webinar. Stockholders can register at https://bit.ly/SoldivoFundsASM2026. Webinar password will be sent via email after registration.
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual Stockholders' Meeting (ASM) of the aforementioned Corporation will be held virtually or via remote communication on 23 October 2026 at 3:00PM via Zoom webinar. Stockholders can register at https://bit.ly/SoldivoFundsASM2026. Webinar password will be sent via email after registration.
The Agenda of the Meeting is as follows:
The Agenda of the Meeting is as follows:
I. Call to Order II. Certification of Notice and Quorum III. Approval of the Minutes of the Annual Shareholders Meeting held on 29 August 2025 IV. Management Report V. Presentation of the Audited Financial Statements as of 31 December 2025 VI. Ratification of the Corporate Acts of the Board of Directors since the last annual stockholders’ meeting VII. Election of Directors for 2026 to 2027 VIII. Appointment of External Auditor for 2026 IX. Other Matters X. Adjournment Only holders of issued stocks of record as at the close of business hours on 24 August 2026 and whose status as stockholders on that date has been satisfactorily established in accordance with the corporate records of the Stock and Transfer Agent and the Corporate Secretary of the Company, will be entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the scheduled stockholders’ meeting.
I. Call to Order II. Certification of Notice and Quorum III. Approval of the Minutes of the Annual Shareholders Meeting held on 29 August 2025 IV. Management Report V. Presentation of the Audited Financial Statements as of 31 December 2025 VI. Ratification of the Corporate Acts of the Board of Directors since the last annual stockholders’ meeting VII. Election of Directors for 2026 to 2027 VIII. Appointment of External Auditor for 2026 IX. Other Matters X. Adjournment Only holders of issued stocks of record as at the close of business hours on 24 August 2026 and whose status as stockholders on that date has been satisfactorily established in accordance with the corporate records of the Stock and Transfer Agent and the Corporate Secretary of the Company, will be entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the scheduled stockholders’ meeting.
Stockholders who intend to participate in the meeting via remote communication and to exercise their vote in absentia must notify the Corporate Secretary by registering through the Company’s website for the 2026 annual meeting of the stockholders on or before 12 October 2026. All information submitted will be subject to verification and validation by the Corporate Secretary by 16 October 2026. Successful registrants will receive an e-mail with instructions on how to access an online web address which will allow them to join the meeting and cast votes in absentia or by proxy in favor of the Chairman of the meeting.
Stockholders who intend to participate in the meeting via remote communication and to exercise their vote in absentia must notify the Corporate Secretary by registering through the Company’s website for the 2026 annual meeting of the stockholders on or before 12 October 2026. All information submitted will be subject to verification and validation by the Corporate Secretary by 16 October 2026. Successful registrants will receive an e-mail with instructions on how to access an online web address which will allow them to join the meeting and cast votes in absentia or by proxy in favor of the Chairman of the meeting.
The procedures for participating in the meeting through remote communication and for casting their votes in absentia are set forth in the Information Statement. The Definitive Information Statement including its exhibits are to be released to the shareholders via email on September 29, 2026, and will be available on the Company’s website.
The procedures for participating in the meeting through remote communication and for casting their votes in absentia are set forth in the Information Statement. The Definitive Information Statement including its exhibits are to be released to the shareholders via email on September 29, 2026, and will be available on the Company’s website.
Makati City, Philippines, 28 August 2026.
(Sgd.) ATTY. TRANQUIL S. SALVADOR III Corporate Secretary
Makati City, Philippines, 28 August 2026.
(Sgd.) ATTY. TRANQUIL S. SALVADOR III Corporate Secretary
CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK
BUSINESS
B4
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2026
extrastory2000@gmail.com RODERICK T. DELA CRUZ, Editor ALENA MAE S. FLORES, Asst. Editor
Telcos vow to cooperate with NTC
By Darwin G. Amojelar
T
HE country’s three largest mobile network operators said they are working with the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to address specific areas of concern identified in the regulator’s show-cause orders.
The NTC said, however, it is expanding its crackdown on mobile network operators over poor mobile broadband service beyond Metro Manila, after penalizing the three telcos for service deficiencies in the capital region. “This enforcement action is not
limited to the National Capital Region (NCR),” the NTC said. The regulator said it is finalizing the results of its nationwide revalidation, conducted in September 2026. It will issue show-cause orders (SCOs) and impose daily penalties, starting with cities and municipalities in the
NCR and other regions that recorded the highest incidence of no-signal or weak-signal results. On Sept 24, the NTC issued SCOs against DITO Telecommunity Corp, Globe Telecom Inc and Smart Communications Inc, imposing a daily administrative fine of P100,000 for continuing noncompliance. The regulator found no measurable improvement in the operators’ mobile broadband services in identified NCR areas. The September speed test results showed that previously identified poor mobile broadband signals remained substantially unchanged from validation activities in the first
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) recognizes six outstanding institutional partners in Mindanao during the Outstanding BSP Stakeholders Appreciation Ceremony (OBSAC) on Sept. 28, 2026. The outstanding institutional partners in Mindanao are East West Banking Corp.-Cagayan de Oro, LandBank of the Philippines-Cash Operations Unit Davao, LandBank of the Philippines-Cotabato Branch, Regional Development CouncilCaraga, Bangsamoro Information Office and Provincial Government of South Cotabato.
IN BRIEF THE Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) raised an initial P84.9 billion from its 32nd retail Treasury bond (RTB) offering Tuesday, the first day of the public offer period, and set the coupon rate at 6.875 percent. The auction was 6.3-times oversubscribed, with the Treasury receiving P188.6 billion in total tenders against the P30 billion initial offer. The offer period for the 2.5-year RTB runs from Sept. 29 to Oct. 7, subject to the Treasury’s discretion. National Treasurer Sharon Almanza said the shorter tenor was meant to avoid adding costs for the government, and that retail investor demand currently leans toward short-term borrowings. “It’s strategic because given where the rates are and how defensive the market is, we want to also make sure that we are not adding additional costs for the government. We are, of course, still hoping that by next year, rates will moderate. So definitely, we don’t want to lock in at a very high rate,” she told reporters at a media briefing. For the fourth quarter, the government plans to borrow P892 billion from the local debt market, including up to P462 billion from Treasury bills (T-bills) and P430 billion from Treasury bonds (T-bonds). The Marcos administration aims to raise up to P168 billion each from T-bills in October and November, and P126 billion in December. Thony Rose Lesaca
PCC to require electronic filing
Meralco starts bidding for 900-MW baseload power supply MANILA Electric Co (Meralco) said Tuesday it started a competitive selection process (CSP) for 900 megawatts (MW) of baseload power supply for delivery starting in 2031. The Department of Energy issued a certificate of conformity on the terms of reference for the power supply agreements (PSAs) covering Meralco’s baseload requirement by 2031. Meralco, through its Bids and Awards Committee for PSAs (BACPSA), asked power generation com-
panies to submit expressions of interest by Oct. 15, 2026. The pre-bid conference is set for Nov. 6, and the bid submission deadline is Dec. 9. The 15-year PSA will cover delivery of 600 MW by Feb. 26, 2031 and an additional 300 MW by Feb. 26, 2032, subject to approval by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC). Through the CSP, Meralco aims to secure sufficient and reliable power supply for its customers’ growing electricity needs. Meralco recently secured the best bids for a separate 600-MW baseload
requirement. Mariveles Power Generation Corp. (MPGC), Sual Power Inc. (SPI) and GNPower Mariveles Energy Center (GMEC) submitted the lowest bid prices. MPGC offered a total levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) of P5.3573 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) for 200 MW of capacity, and SPI offered an LCOE of P5.4357 per kWh, also for 200 MW. GMEC bid an LCOE of P5.5789 per kWh for 600 MW of supply but later cut its offered capacity to 200 MW, which completed the capacity requirement for that CSP.
THE Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) said it will institutionalize electronic filing, digital service of documents and videoconferencing proceedings starting Oct. 3, 2026 under new rules to speed up processes and improve access. The PCC adopted the procedures through Commission Resolution No. 11-2026 and Memorandum Circular No. 26-003, which set standardized rules for electronic submissions and virtual proceedings before the competition regulator. Parties to PCC proceedings should submit official filings electronically through designated online facilities and official email channels. They should still submit corresponding hard copies in person within the prescribed period. The guidelines set requirements for filing procedures, document formats and verification to preserve procedural integrity as the PCC moves more administrative processes to digital workflows. The PCC said it will also allow videoconferencing as an alternative to in-person proceedings, either on the Commission’s own determination or on motion by a party. The Competition Enforcement Office and the Mergers and Acquisitions Office (MAO) may also observe videoconference proceedings, the PCC said. Othel V. Campos
PH urges tourism investment that builds local livelihood
THE Department of Tourism (DOT) called for investments that strengthen destinations, create local livelihoods and build resilience as the Philippines hosted the ASEAN Tourism Investment Showcase. Tourism Secretary Ma. Bernadita Angara-Mathay said the showcase gives ASEAN member-states a platform to present investment opportunities and connect with financing institutions, development partners and technical experts. DOT Assistant Secretary Gissela Marie Romualdez-Quisumbing read her message at the event. Angara-Mathay said tourism investment should go beyond building new facilities and focus on strengthening the communities, enterprises and infrastructure that sustain destinations. “Investment, therefore, is not simply about building more. It is about investing in the future of our destinations and the people who made them what they are,” Angara-Mathay said. She said the showcase moves the initiative toward more practical investment opportunities by letting member-states present selected destinations and projects to potential investors and development partners. Othel V. Campos
DA orders agriculture warehouses to register in smuggling crackdown By Othel V. Campos THE Department of Agriculture (DA) is giving warehouse operators until Dec. 31, 2026 to register facilities that store agricultural and fishery commodities to track inventories and detect smuggling, hoarding and other market abuses. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. ordered DA officials to issue and widely disseminate a public notice on the deadline so operators have enough time to comply. “We have to strictly follow the law,” Tiu Laurel said in a recent meeting with DA officials, as he pushed for a more aggressive registration campaign. He also directed officials to provide an updated count of registered facilities and their compliance rate, to improve monitoring of imported
a better service experience for customers. “Smart will work closely with the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) on the specific areas of concern identified in its show cause order,” the company said. Smart said it will validate the NTC’s findings using its own network data, continue to address areas that need improvement and support the regulator’s efforts to raise the quality of telecommunications services. It also said it will compare the NTC findings with independent international assessments of its network performance.
Gov’t raises P84.9b on first day of retail bond offer
BSP PARTNERS.
By Alena Mae S. Flores
and second quarters of 2026, the NTC said. The revalidation covered specific areas of concern for each operator. The NTC evaluated Globe in Manila, Makati and Quezon City; DITO in San Juan, Pasay and Las Piñas; and Smart in Parañaque, Manila and Pasig. The P100,000 daily penalty will continue for each day the noncompliance persists, starting upon receipt of the order and until the NTC verifies through performance revalidation that the affected areas have met the applicable quality-of-service standard. Smart said it remains committed to improving its network and providing
agricultural and fishery commodities, including rice. Operators are registering through the Registry System for Agri Storage (RSAS), a centralized database that gives the government a clearer picture of where commodities are stored and how much inventory is held. Republic Act No. 12022, or the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act, requires the registration. The law took effect in October 2024 and expanded the government’s powers to prosecute agricultural smuggling, hoarding, profiteering and cartel activities. Under the law, operators of warehouses, cold-storage facilities and other properties used to store agricultural and fishery commodities must register their facilities and keep complete and accurate records for at least 5 years.
Alternergy raises P2b in maiden notes offering
DEEPER COOPERATION. Department of Economy, Planning and
Development (DEPDev) Undersecretary Joseph Capuno (right) meets with Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Deputy SecretaryGeneral Yasushi Masaki on Sept. 22, 2026 to deepen cooperation in strengthening economic resilience and advancing sustainable development in the Philippines and Southeast Asia.
China Bank Savings deepens support for educators during Teachers Month
China Bank Savings leads 2026 National Teachers Month Visayas kick-off celebration in Tacloban City.
CHINA Bank Savings (CBS) will give away 20 savings accounts with an initial deposit of P50,000 each, along with Smart TVs, laptops, motorcycles and cars, to teachers at the 2026 National Teachers’ Day culminating activity on Oct. 5, 2026 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City. The event, themed “Teacher, Ikaw Naman,” is part of the bank’s support for Filipino educators during National Teachers’ Month. The raffle prizes also include 10 Smart TVs, 14 laptops and 14 motorcycles. The major prizes are two Mitsubishi Mirage vehicles and 1 Mitsubishi Destinator. CBS said the prizes recognize teachers’ service and contribution to education and nation-building. “Our teachers dedicate so much of themselves to preparing our children for a better future. In our own way, we want to help our teachers prepare
for their future as well—and for the future of their families. This is why financial wellness and responsible access to financial services remain important parts of how we support the education sector,” said China Bank Savings president James Christian Dee. Throughout September, CBS held financial wellness sessions for about 1,200 teaching and non-teaching personnel from the Department of Education (DepEd) Central Office and DepEd offices and schools in Cagayan de Oro, Tacloban and Leyte. The sessions covered personal financial health, effective money management and building financial security over time, the bank said. CBS said supporting educators also means promoting financial literacy and responsible decision-making for teachers and their families.
ALTERNERGY Holdings Corp. raised P2 billion on Tuesday from its first fixed-rate notes issuance in the debt capital market, the renewable energy company said. Proceeds will fund the next growth phase of its renewable energy portfolio, primarily the company’s wind projects and other corporate purposes, including repayment of existing loans, Alternergy said in a statement. BDO Capital & Investment Corp. was the sole issue manager and arranger. The notes are listed on the Philippine Dealing & Exchange Corp. (PDEx). Investor demand exceeded the target issue size, Alternergy said. PhilRatings gave the notes an investmentgrade rating of PRS Aa Minus with a stable outlook. “Our maiden issuance in the Philippine debt capital markets is an important milestone in Alternergy’s journey and reflects the strength of the platform we have built,” said Alternergy Chairman Vincent Perez Jr. “More than providing capital, this transaction allowed sophisticated investors to participate in our expanding Triple Play renewable portfolio, support the country’s energy security, and help accelerate the clean energy transition in light of recent energy disruptions in the Middle East,” Perez said. He said the company was very pleased with BDO’s rapid bookbuilding execution of the offering. “The strong investor demand for Alternergy’s maiden issuance exceeded target issue size, which was oversubscribed by more than 125 QBs, reflects investor confidence in its growth strategy and in the opportunities in Philippine renewable energy,” said BDO Capital President Eduardo Francisco. Alena Mae S. Flores
COMMUNITY
C1
SPOTLIGHT
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2026 digital.manilastandard@gmail.com/ digital.mktg@manilastandard.net Peter Paul Duran, Issue Editor
When the sari-sari store becomes the community pharmacy M
By Danika Geronimo
EDICINE should never feel out of reach.
Yet for many Filipinos, a trip to the pharmacy can mean literally crossing mountains and streams for a handful of tablets. So sometimes, they go to the sari-sari store near them. And sometimes still, they can only afford one or two tablets. In a remote sitio in Barangay Kalawakan, Bulacan, getting to the nearest pharmacy can mean traveling almost a dozen kilometers without public transportation. A single trip to town can cost more than ₱400 one way. For some, the only alternative is to walk—a trek that takes well over an hour, even in good weather. A new study by Ateneo researchers explores sari-sari stores as potential points of access to medicine and healthcare, leveraging their ubiquity and accessibility within local communities. Most of the medicines sold by the tinderas or sari-sari store owners in the study were for what they considered common illnesses: headaches, diarrhea, fever, colds, and stomachaches. These included familiar over-the-counter medicines like paracetamol, mefenamic acid, ibuprofen, and loperamide. They generally stocked non-prescription medicines, often selling them in small quantities. So familiar, it’s almost invisible Such a scene is ordinary enough to be almost invisible: a neighbor walks up to the nearest sari-sari store; asks the tindera for a few tablets; purchases piecemeal or tingi-tingi; then goes home. Yet behind this familiar transaction is a larger story of proximity, affordability, and the gaps between communities and formal healthcare. “The sari-sari store, as a venue to observe interactions between the consumers, the government, and the medical and pharmaceutical world, shows us its social, political, and economic relevance,” the researchers write. The study draws on ethnographic insights from interviews with 14 sari-sari store tinderas. The findings show that distance is a major factor in why some store owners choose to sell medicines: in communities without nearby pharmacies, keeping common medicines within reach can save
Common medicines, including paracetamol, flanax, alaxan, and bioflu, are sorted into individual trays at a sari-sari store, where customers can purchase them in small quantities to meet their immediate needs.
residents the cost and time of traveling to town. The same is true of store hours: one tindera said that they kept the store open until midnight, making medicines available even after a nearby pharmacy had closed for the day. Tinderas, serving as the eyes and ears of their communities, repeatedly encounter the people in those communities. They learn which medicines people ask for, what they can afford, and what their neighborhoods tend to need. Some began selling medicines after noticing demand from the people around them. They adapt to the communities they serve. The value and boundaries of proximity “Sari-sari stores bring valued ‘things’ in close proximity to the people who look to them for healing and comfort,” the researchers explained. This is where the sari-sari store becomes more than just a place to buy medicine. Embedded in everyday Filipino life, sari-sari stores reveal how people rely on informal systems of care alongside formal institutions. Yet the study also reveals the boundaries of the services these sarisari stores offer. Tinderas do not see themselves as doctors or pharmacists; 11 of the 14 simply refuse to sell antibiotics and other prescription medicines, advising customers to directly seek care from healthcare professionals when necessary. Viewed through the lens of the sari-sari stores as a community
“myopticon”—a place where the health needs of a neighborhood become visible through everyday interactions—the study raises questions about who is close enough to notice when people need medicine, who can make it available, and who is there when formal healthcare is beyond reach. Complementary services to institutional healthcare There is another boundary: the law. “Strictly speaking, the sale of pharmaceuticals through sari-sari stores is illegal, unless the outlet is duly licensed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). There are, however, layers of liminalities, such as
due considerations for geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs) and medicines not captured in the FDA circular,” the researchers clarify. The researchers approach the issue through a medical anthropology lens and recommend against blanket prohibitions and punitive measures. They argue that policies should account for the economic and geographical barriers that shape access to medicine. “We see the value in recognizing the role of sari-sari stores in the health system, as well as in accounting for economic and geographical barriers before imposing top-down prohibitions,” the researchers say. Sari-sari stores are neither replacements for pharmacies nor substitutes for the country’s healthcare system. The sari-sari store does not stand outside nor simply beside the healthcare system: it occupies an ambiguous but necessary liminal space between the household and formal institutions—a place shaped by poverty, distance, convenience, trust, and necessity. Perhaps sari-sari stores tell us what happens when the system is too far away, too costly, or simply unavailable to those who need it. Melissa Louise M. Prieto, Gamaliel P. Galigao, Ana Rica S. NavarraCruz, Louise Gabriel R. Jimenez, and Gideon Lasco published their research, Sari-sari Stores as Community Pharmacies? A Qualitative Exploration of Sari-sari Stores Selling Medicines in the Philippines, in the August 2026 issue of the Acta Medica Philippina journal.
From behind the counter, the tindera becomes a familiar witness to the everyday rhythms and needs of her community. PHOTO: Prieto, 2026
AI-assisted X-rays may widen TB screening access FOR Filipinos in remote and underserved communities, getting an X-ray is sometimes only the first hurdle. Having the image interpreted by a medical expert can mean another wait, another trip to a health facility and additional costs for families already facing limited access to healthcare. A new study by Ateneo researchers is looking at whether artificial intelligence (AI) could help close part of that gap, particularly in rural health units where radiologists and teleradiology services may not always be readily available. The researchers examined the cost-effectiveness of using AI to assist in interpreting chest X-rays for tuberculosis (TB) screening. The potential impact is significant in a country with a heavy TB burden. According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 739,000 people in the Philippines developed tuberculosis in 2024, accounting for 6.8 percent of the 10.8 million cases worldwide. Detecting the disease early can help patients receive appropriate care before their condition becomes more severe and potentially prevent further transmission within communities. In geographically isolated or disadvantaged communities, however, even patients who manage to get an X-ray may have to wait for a radiologist or teleradiology service to interpret it. That can mean another trip to a health facility, additional expenses, time away from work or a missed opportunity for continued care. Dr. Harold Chiu, Dr. Bryan Lao and Dr. Gloanne Adolor developed a model involving a theoretical annual cohort of 1,000 presumptive TB patients undergoing chest radiography in rural health units. It considered costs and outcomes over five years, including AI software and operating expenses, radiologist fees and confirmatory GeneXpert testing. The researchers projected an annual cost of about P877,330 for the AI-assisted strategy, compared with P1.14 million for manual interpretation. This translates to roughly P877 per person screened using AI, against P1,142 with manual interpretation. Danika Geronimo
Access road turned bustling night market creates connections By Djenhard Yumul Sapanhila
A child discovers the joy of turning pages — nurturing a reading culture is more vital than ever. Robert Harland
Is reading culture endangered?
By Robert Harland SINGAPORE has recently introduced an unusual initiative: citizens are rewarded with small cash payments for reading at least 15 minutes a day. The scheme, run by the National Library Board, allows participants to log their reading sessions online. After 50 sessions, they receive a modest sum. The idea is simple but striking — to encourage people to step away from their screens and rediscover the habit of reading. In a country like the Philippines, where mobile phone use is among the highest in Asia, the lesson is clear. Screens dominate daily life, and children are exposed to them almost from birth. Social media, streaming and endless scrolling have become the default form of entertainment. Yet the benefits of reading are profound: it develops imagination, strengthens vocabulary and builds the concentration needed for learning. As the father of a five‑month‑old baby daughter, I am determined to do all I can to encourage her to read. I know that screens will inevitably be
part of her world, but I want books to be the foundation. Singapore’s scheme shows that even small incentives can help establish habits. In the Philippine setting, however, the most powerful incentive may be parental example and cultural reinforcement. We have strong traditions to build upon. Storytelling has always been part of family life, from folk tales to bedtime anecdotes. Local literature is rich and bilingual, with children’s books available in both Filipino and English. Community initiatives, such as book drives and barangay reading corners, are spreading access. Parents can support these efforts by choosing books as gifts, swapping titles with friends and showing children that reading is valued. The danger of excessive screen use is equally clear. Studies suggest that constant exposure to images and videos can erode memory and shorten attention spans. In crowded classrooms, where focus is essential, this is a real risk. If children grow up accustomed only to the quick gratification of a screen, they may lose the patience required for deeper learning.
FOR many vehicles, access roads are simply shortcuts—bridging places often far apart so that people can move quickly from place to place. However, the 850-meter Saranay Road in Caloocan City is more than a road, but the home to a bustling night market community. Bordering North Caloocan and Meycauayan, Bulacan, the road started out with scattered buildings, often housing motorcycle repair shops. In time, businesses found themselves with an opportunity to occupy the space and turn it into a community for local residents to eat at, buy novelty products and enjoy each other’s company. A mix of pop-up shops and established businesses can be found along Saranay Road. Mag Inihaw, an Ilocano-Kapampangan restaurant, has operated along Saranay Road for seven years, drawing repeat customers with affordable food and a
focus on consistency. “Gusto talaga naming mag-focus doon sa talagang sinusumpaan namin [na produkto],” said operations manager Mio Villaruel, 54. Other businesses have carved out their own identities. Two-year-old coffee shop Psst., for instance, uses a camping-inspired setup with foldable furniture, portable lights and a camper van as its mobile kitchen. Beyond the businesses, Saranay has become a gathering place for both newcomers and regulars. First-time nighttime visitor Ace Padalhin, 21, described it as “a very homely place,” while longtime patron Christian Sumampong, 21, said its open-air setting gives friends a comfortable place to simply talk. With other food pop-ups appearing within the Metro, Saranay lends itself to its more local demographic— one that enjoys both the convenience and the ambiance of the established night market.
YOUTH, EDUCATORS BACK CADENA ACT.
Youth leaders, students, educators, and civil society advocates join the Citizens’ Access and Disclosure of Expenditures for National Accountability Act (CADENA) Movement and QADENA Foundation, Inc. during the CADENA Act Youth Forum in calling for greater transparency, digital expenditure monitoring, and accountability in the use of public funds. The organizations also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to strengthen nationwide education, organizing, and public advocacy efforts in support of the proposed CADENA Act.
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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2026
lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com NICKIE WANG, Editor ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer JASPER VALDEZ, Writer
Celine Dion wows Paris Fashion Week with surprise gig
SHOWBIZ
O
NE of the reasons Fight for My Way became so successful in 2017 was its theme, which resonated with many viewers. The series explores the idea that it is never too late to fight for your dreams. For the Filipino adaptation, that message about chasing dreams despite setbacks has personal meaning for the cast, particularly its four leads, who see pieces of themselves in the characters they play. Viva One is adapting the popular K-drama as its first Korean series adaptation, with Ashtine Olviga and David Licauco taking on the lead roles of Aira and Hanz. They are joined by McCoy de Leon and Aubrey Caraan, who play longtime friends Manny and Sally.
McCoy de Leon plays Manny, one of four longtime friends learning to deal with the failures and uncertainty that come with pursuing their ambitions
David Licauco takes on Hanz, a former taekwondo prodigy trying to revive his hopes of becoming a professional fighter despite setbacks
When chasing dreams hits close to home Very Wang
Nickie Wang
Celine Dion marks her return to the Paris stage with a performance of ‘I’m Alive’ beneath the Eiffel Tower as the city’s fashion calendar gets underway
CELINE Dion kicked off Paris Fashion Week in style on Monday, stepping onto the catwalk beneath the Eiffel Tower and belting out “I’m Alive” to a delighted crowd in a surprise performance. The Canadian superstar took to the runway at the end of L’Oreal’s annual show, emerging in a sleek black gown to rapturous applause at one of the fashion calendar’s most glamorous openings. Smiling with her hair loose, the singer performed her 2002 hit before being joined by a star-studded cast of L’Oreal ambassadors, including Viola Davis, Simone Ashley, Aja Naomi King, and Eva Longoria. The Quebec-born star recently launched a much-publicized return to the stage with a 26show run in the French capital, with 16 set for September and October and a further 10 planned for May 2027. Paris Fashion Week, dedicated to women’s spring-summer collections, runs until October 6. With Dior, Tom Ford, Schiaparelli, and Givenchy still to unveil their latest creations, Dion could yet be spotted in the front row of some of the season’s biggest shows. AFP
Aubrey Caraan relates to Sally’s determination to keep trying after failure as the character works toward a life she wants for herself
Ashtine Olviga connects with Aira’s refusal to abandon her goal of becoming a TV announcer despite personal and financial struggles
Director Crisanto B. Aquino was excited to work with the cast, especially after learning that Ashtine and David would lead the project. “It’s such a big project. And then we heard about the actors. It was something new for me, working with such big stars,” Aquino said. He initially knew that David and Ashtine were the leads but became even more excited after seeing the size of their respective fan bases and imagining what could happen when they were paired together. The series centers on ordinary people who
refuse to abandon extraordinary dreams. Hanz, a former taekwondo prodigy, hopes to become a professional fighter, while Aira dreams of becoming a TV announcer. Both have been forced to put their ambitions on hold because of personal and financial struggles. That conflict resonated with Ashtine, who believes pursuing a dream is something most people understand. “I feel like all of us are like that, right? We really have our dreams. And sometimes there are people who really pursue their dreams, no matter what,” she said.
Her connection to Aira, she added, makes the character easier to understand and portray. David also sees failure as part of the journey rather than a reason to stop. “Even if you fail at the first thing, you never know when it’s really going to happen,” he said, adding that people face many challenges in life. His advice is simple: stay grounded, work hard and never stop dreaming. For Aubrey, the message is equally personal. She continues to chase her own dreams and sees that determination reflected in Sally. “It doesn’t end in one failure,” she said. “You have to try again and work hard for it.” McCoy points to the inevitable ups and downs that come with pursuing an ambition. Dreams, he said, are not easy to achieve, which makes every setback an opportunity to learn. The four characters form the “Crazy Fantastic Four,” a group of young adults trying to find their way professionally while navigating friendship, romance, and adulthood. That combination gives the adaptation its emotional hook. Aira, Hanz, Manny, and Sally are not chasing perfect lives. They are trying to move forward despite failures, delays, and uncertainty. Fight for My Way premieres on Viva One on Nov. 20.
Entertainment group brings back Golden Screen Awards THE Golden Screen Awards of the Multi-Media Press Society of the Philippines (MMPRESS) is back with a big bang through a special edition called “Dekada Awards 2026.” This is a special and huge project for the group after their decade-long absence from the awards scene. Slated for Oct. 4 at 6:00 p.m. and copresented by the office of Hon. Javier Miguel “Javi” Lopez Benitez, who is the chairperson of the House Special Committee on Creative Industries, the event will have 21 honorees, actors, directors, and producers who gained recognition here and abroad in the last 10 years. The “Dekada” awardees were chosen based on the following criteria: for thespians, they should have won two or more top acting plums from any of the most established, reputable, and industry-recognized awardgiving bodies in the local ‘biz, namely Gawad Urian, FAMAS, FAP or Luna Awards, Star Awards for Movies, and The EDDYs, as well as in legitimate and prestigious international film festivals. For directors, they should have won in international film festivals or their movies competed or were official selections in Cannes (Festival de Cannes) in France, Venice (La Biennale di Venezia) in Italy, and Berlin (Berlinale) in Germany. For producers, they are the ones that remain enduring, stable, adaptive, and relevant even until now, when the landscape of the Philippine entertainment industry has greatly changed. The 21 “Dekada” honorees are Allen Dizon, who won Best Actor for Magkakabaung (2014) at the 63rd FAMAS and 38th Gawad Urian; LJ Reyes, Best Actress for Anino sa Likod ng Buwan (2015) at the 13th Pacific Meridian International
Actress for Mindanao (2019) at the 41st Cairo International Film Festival and 38th Luna Awards. The roster also Joseph Peter Gonzales includes Elijah Canlas, Best Actor Film Festival in Vladivostok, Russia, for Kalel, 15 (2019) at and 39th Gawad Urian; and Jaclyn the 17th Asian Film Festival in Rome, Jose, who won the Cannes Best Actress 43rd Gawad Urian and 68th FAMAS; award for Ma’ Rosa (2016) at the 69th Janine Gutierrez, Best Actress for Cannes Film Festival. Babae at Baril (2019) at the 43rd Also being honored are Paolo Gawad Urian and 68th FAMAS; Ricky Ballesteros, Best Actor for Die Beautiful Davao, Best Supporting Actor for (2016) at the 29th Tokyo International Fuccbois (2019) at the 68th FAMAS Film Festival, 40th Gawad Urian and and 36th Star Awards; John Arcilla, 1st EDDYs; Hasmine Kilip, Best recipient of the Volpi Cup for Best Actress for Pamilya Ordinaryo (2016) Actor for On the Job: The Missing 8 at the 10th Asia Pacific Screen Awards, (2021) at the 78th Venice International 37th Fantasporto International Film Film Festival; Charlie Dizon, Best Festival, 40th Gawad Urian and 35th Actress for Third World Romance Luna Awards; Nadine Lustre, Best (2023) at the 47th Gawad Urian and Actress for Never Not Love You (2018) 7th EDDYs; Max Eigenmann, Best at the 42nd Gawad Urian and 67th Actress for 12 Weeks (2022) at the 46th FAMAS; and Judy Ann Santos, Best Gawad Urian and 6th EDDYs; Dennis
Shticks
Judy Ann Santos earns a place among the Dekada honorees for ‘Mindanao,’ which brings her acting recognition in Cairo and at the Luna Awards
Nadine Lustre joins the 2026 Dekada honorees following her acclaimed performance in ‘Never Not Love You’and major wins from local film award bodies
Trillo, Best Actor for Green Bones (2024) at the 8th Asian Academy Creative Awards, 48th Gawad Urian, 41st Star Awards and 8th EDDYs; and Marian Rivera, Best Actress for Balota (2024) at the 73rd FAMAS and 8th EDDYs. Directors Brillante Mendoza, for Ma’ Rosa, which competed at the 69th Cannes Film Festival in 2016; Lav Diaz, for Ang Babaeng Humayo, which won the Golden Lion at the 73rd Venice International Film Festival in 2016; and Erik Matti, for On the Job: The Missing 8, which competed at the 78th Venice International Film Festival in 2021, are also part of the roster. Regal Entertainment, Viva Films and Star Cinema Productions will receive Outstanding Film Production honors. Interestingly, the “Dekada Awards 2026” trophies to be handed out are made from upcycled, reused and repurposed materials. Created by a talented Ivatan artist, it is MMPRESS’ way of supporting the “Zero Waste” campaign among movie productions at present. Now under a new and vibrant leadership, the set of MMPRESS officers elected earlier this year are Rose Garcia, president; Allan Diones, vice president; Joseph Gonzales, secretary; Jimpy Anarcon, multimedia officer; Lito Mañago, treasurer; Lendl Fabella, assistant treasurer; Glenn Regondola, auditor; and Arniel Serato, press relations strategist. Nora Calderon, Nitz Miralles, Fu Espiritu and Anna Cerezo are regular members; Jun Nardo is honorary chairman; and Noel Ferrer serves as the group’s official adviser.
The late Jaclyn Jose remains part of the Dekada roster for her historic Cannes Best Actress victory for ‘Ma’ Rosa’
*** BELA Padilla is in a new relationship. She confirmed this in a recent TikTok video. The lucky guy is tech CEO Martin Tan. The couple openly admitted that they have been together for eight months already and were introduced to each other by a common friend. According to Bela, the first thing that caught her attention about Martin is his interest in films, which she also shares. She also adores his being game in a lot of things, like going to bazaars or supermarkets early in the morning. On his part, Martin revealed that he admires Bela’s beauty, intelligence and cheerful personality. When the witty actress recently made it to the list of Gen T for Tatler Magazine, Martin accompanied her to the event and took to social media to show his support for his girlfriend. Martin happens to be the CEO of the software development company Tenext.ai, which has offices in the Philippines and Singapore. Meanwhile, Bela’s last relationship was with Swiss-English businessman Norman Bay. Last February, they called it quits.
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Interactive exhibits take young visitors through marine habitats and fishing practices before they move deeper into the sardine production process
Guests get a closer look at how freshly caught sardines move from fishing communities into processing through displays modeled on the industry’s working environment
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By Angelica Villanueva
ONG before sardines are packed into cans, fishing crews head out to sea with nets, sonar equipment, and boats built for the catch. Students can trace the process for themselves at the newly relaunched Senses of the Sea museum in Sto. Tomas, Batangas.
Sardine museum puts
ocean lessons within students’ reach
Mega Prime Foods Inc. reopened the museum recently after upgrading the facility with interactive exhibits and multimedia displays. Located inside the company’s manufacturing plant in Barangay San Antonio, the two-floor museum spans about 2,500 square meters. The museum takes visitors through the journey of sardines from the ocean to processing and canning. Exhibits introduce marine habitats and fishing practices before moving into areas modeled after fishing boats, complete with equipment such as radios, sonar screens, nets, and buoys. Visitors can also follow the company’s catch-to-can process and try hands-on activities based on fishing and canning. For Mega Prime Foods president and CEO Michelle Tiu Lim, the museum gives young visitors a closer look at a food industry they may know mainly
through supermarket shelves and meals at home. “We want our children to understand where their food comes from. We want them to appreciate our oceans, our fishermen, and the people behind every can,” Michelle said during the relaunch. The company has been receiving student groups at the museum for the past three years while improvements were being introduced. Michelle said Mega now hopes to eventually welcome 50,000 students annually with the help of schools and tour operators. Education about the sea forms a major part of the experience. The
A novel way to rock your way through a good book
The Senses of the Sea museum in Sto. Tomas, Batangas, combines handson activities with lessons on ocean stewardship, fishing, and local food production
exhibits cover ocean zones, marine food cycles, and conservation, while the company’s fishing operations are used to explain responsible use of marine resources. Mega founder and chairman William Tiu Lim said opening the company’s processes to visitors also allows students to see the standards involved in producing sardines locally. “We would like the Filipino people to see what kind of standard
Local canned sardines brand founder William Tiu Lim (second from left) joins company executives in introducing the expanded Senses of the Sea museum as an educational stop for students learning about fishing, food production, and marine conservation
we have,” William said. Among the practices discussed during the relaunch was the closed fishing season, when fishing operations stop for three months to allow sardines to reproduce. The company also conducts ocean cleanup activities and uses solar panels in parts of its operations. For 22-year-old Lance Tiu Lim, a third-generation member of the family behind Mega, getting younger visitors interested in the ocean is part of keeping those
lessons going. “If we want future generations to continue enjoying everything the sea provides, we have to take care of our oceans today,” he said. The museum currently primarily accommodates school tours, although the company said selected dates will eventually be opened to individual visitors and the general public. It also plans to accommodate organizations, associations, and other groups interested in the educational tour.
WEAVING communities from Mindanao, the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), Luzon, and the Visayas gathered at SM City Zamboanga for Habi Kalinaw: Weaving Peace, Weaving Prosperity, the opening gallery leg of the Amazing Weaves Distinction Awards (AWDA) 2026. The national initiative seeks to position indigenous weaving as cultural heritage and an economic driver under the Philippines’ 2026 ASEAN Chairmanship. AWDA recognizes weaving Participating weaving communities mark the Zamboanga leg of AWDA 2026 as communities based on five standards: the program seeks to bring indigenous textile traditions to broader domestic and authenticity, craft excellence, livelihood international markets impact, market readiness, and ecosystem support. Applications are open until today, Sept. 30, followed by regional selection on Oct. 9 and the announcement of the national selection and Distinction Awards on Oct. 15. Rosemarie P. Rafael, commissioner for labor of the Philippine Commission on Women and a member of the Science and Technology-Philippine WomenBizPH board of trustees, said Textile Research Institute, and the AWDA aims to connect artisans in remote National Commission for Culture communities with international buyers. and the Arts. Fifty Subanen artisans “Our dream is to make our weavers have since been trained. and local entrepreneurs global,” Assistant Secretary Susana Rafael said. Guadalupe H. Marcaida of the She said government agencies, Office of the Presidential Adviser private-sector partners, and financial on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity, institutions are working together to delivering the keynote message on provide financing, market access, behalf of Secretary Mel Sarmiento, policy support, and logistics. said peacebuilding, like weaving, is Zamboanga City Mayor Khymer built through trust, participation, and Adan T. Olaso welcomed the Ukrainian Ambassador Yuliia Fediv (center) socioeconomic cooperation. initiative and said he plans to bring the supports cultural exchange between Ukrainian Master weaver Padirna Saani city’s Yakan weavers to AWDA 2026 ateliers and Philippine weaving communities showcased the pis syabit, a and eventually to New York. during the Zamboanga gathering traditional Tausug cloth from the In Zamboanga Sibugay, Governor Sulu archipelago known for its Dulce Ann Kintanar Hofer-Santos intricate geometric patterns and The center was developed with Senator traced the province’s 18-year effort to contrasting colors. Saani described it as Loren Legarda, the Department of revive Subanen weaving, from a land carrying the heart, history, and resilience donation in 2008 to the revival of the Tausug community. of the craft in 2022 and the Ukrainian Ambassador Yuliia recent groundbreaking of Fediv also invited Ukrainian ateliers a Subanen Weaving to exchange knowledge with weavers Textiles from Center. from Mindanao and BARMM, citing weaving similarities between weaving traditions communities shaped by conflict. across the PCW Commissioner on Business and Philippines Industry Myrna T. Yao invited weaving take center communities to the 2nd ASEAN Women stage at Economic Summit and ASEAN Trade SM City Expo on Nov. 10 to 12 at Okada Manila. Zamboanga Selected Philippine weaves from AWDA as AWDA links will be exhibited at the SINAG Pavilion. traditional Yao said policies are being developed to craftsmanship address local artisans’ concerns, including with livelihood the use of the women’s economic fund and wider under Republic Act 9710, or the Magna market Carta of Women, with support from PCW opportunities and other public-private partners.
Weaving communities gather in Zamboanga for national awards initiative
From left: Lorete ‘Tito’ Alcala, Jonell Gella, Kux Quiogue, and Elaine Antolin open Reader’s Haven at Eastwood Citywalk 2 as a free community space for books, reading, and book donations
By Mark Nelson Motil A NEW reading space officially opened in Eastwood City called Reader’s Haven, an open-for-all-ages space that provides a comfortable setting for reading. The space opened to the public on Sept. 25. Reader’s Haven features a mini library curated by Biblio and two custom-made rocking chairs by Sa Iyo Lolo at Lola Yantok Aming Alay (S.I.L.Y.A.) to provide comfort to young readers. The founder of S.I.L.Y.A., Lorete “Tito” Alcala, shared that the initiative aims to help alleviate learning poverty in society. Through the rocking chairs, he hopes to give the youth a comfortable place to read and, in turn, inspire them to become leaders. “Take a seat, grab a book, so you become a lifelong leader,” said Alcala as he emphasized the phrase of S.I.L.Y.A. – To Rock. To Read. To Lead. With the mini library, Reader’s Haven provides the community with an invitation to grab a book, take a seat, and enjoy reading. However, they also encourage the community
to share it with their Book for a Cause initiative. While Biblio started its mini collection, the community is also encouraged to donate pre-loved books, whether they be novels, textbooks, or others that are still in good condition. “This started as a vision to bring reading closer to the community,” Kux Quiogue, the general manager of Eastwood City, said. “First to expand this initiative in all other township developments of Megaworld,” she added about the future of Reader’s Haven. Quiogue also urged and emphasized other malls to do the same initiative, even just converting a small space into a reading corner. With Reader’s Haven, your mall experience goes beyond shopping and dining. It introduces a welcoming place where anyone can discover books, families can come together, and the love for reading continues to grow. All ages are welcome to visit Reader’s Haven on the third floor of Eastwood Citywalk 2. You may visit during mall hours from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
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lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com NICKIE WANG, Editor ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer JASPER VALDEZ, Writer
Paco Magsaysay serves up the story behind Carmen’s Best
PEOPLE
‘Beyond the Scoop: The Carmen’s Best Story’looks beyond the ice cream business to the experiences and lessons behind the brand
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Paco Magsaysay’s ‘Beyond the Scoop’ recounts the successes, setbacks, and lessons that shaped his journey in building Carmen’s Best
By Nickie Wang
SURPLUS of milk, a father’s challenge, and a son with no experience making ice cream hardly sound like the ingredients for a premium Filipino brand. Yet that unlikely combination eventually led Francisco “Paco” D. Magsaysay to create Carmen’s Best.
From an experiment on a family dairy farm to a growing Filipino brand, Paco Magsaysay (center) revisits the decisions and turning points that defined Carmen’s Best in ‘Beyond the Scoop’
What began as an experiment with surplus milk from the family’s dairy farm became a business that would shape Paco’s views on entrepreneurship, family, and life in general. Now, he is looking beyond the ice cream counter with Beyond the Scoop: The Carmen’s Best Story, a new book that chronicles the successes, setbacks, wrong turns, and unexpected breaks behind the brand. Paco had no experience in the food business when his father, former Sen. Ramon “Jun” Magsaysay Jr., challenged him to find a productive use for the farm’s surplus milk. He experimented with ice cream and
conversations with multiawarded executive coach Anda del Rosario. As they talked about Carmen’s Best, Paco would share anecdotes about building the brand and the beliefs and experiences that guided his decisions. Anda eventually saw a book in those stories and encouraged the initially hesitant Paco to tell them. Seasoned business editor Paco Magsaysay (right) looks back on the failures, breakthroughs, and Tina Arceo-Dumlao and lessons that shaped the business award-winning fictionist Vida Cruz-Borja later eventually created Carmen’s Best, naming joined the project as the brand after his only daughter, Carmen. editors at different stages. The name came with a personal promise: The grandson of former President He would never compromise on quality. Ramon Magsaysay, Paco studied The ice cream story, however, is only the marketing with a minor in philosophy at beginning of Beyond the Scoop. Paco uses the the University of St. Thomas in Houston, book to share the lessons he picked up while Texas. He later earned a master’s degree in building the business, including the value entrepreneurship from the Asian Institute of perseverance, adaptability, integrity, and of Management and pursued specialized staying committed to quality. ice cream-making training at Pennsylvania The idea for the book grew from Paco’s State University.
Today, his interests extend beyond ice cream. His other ventures include a telecommunications company, and his experience with Carmen’s Best has become the basis for his mentoring work. He conducts workshops through Entrepreneur Mindset, an exclusive leadership development program cofacilitated with Anda. He has also developed an online video course about the Carmen’s Best story, sharing the strategies and lessons he used to grow and scale the business. The course is available through www. pacomagsaysay.com. Beyond the Scoop is Paco’s latest way of passing those lessons on. His story may have started with a dairy farm and a batch of experimental ice cream. Still, it eventually became a story about family, failure, resilience, purpose, and knowing when to keep going. Sometimes, the most interesting part of the scoop is what happens after it melts. Beyond the Scoop will be available starting October in all Fully Booked outlets nationwide. The book will soon also be available through Amazon, Lazada, and Shopee.
Visual artist Fonz Recto paints between instinct and abstraction
Visual artist Fonz Recto embraces ‘interesting accidents’ in his process and values viewer interpretation to create honest, resonant work
THERE is no elaborate blueprint when visual artist Alfonso “Fonz” Recto begins his artwork. He usually starts by marking the canvas with charcoal. The marks are loose and deliberately noncommittal. From there, the painting takes shape through looking, responding, and adjusting. “I just start working with charcoal because it feels like I’m not fully committing to the idea, but at the same time, I don’t get self-conscious about what I am putting on the canvas,” shared the visual artist. Rather than following a predetermined composition, Fonz allows each stroke, texture, and color to respond to what emerges on the canvas. His journey as an artist has followed a similarly exploratory path. Fonz studied industrial design at the University of the Philippines College of Fine Arts and spent about six years working in marketing and design after graduation. His early creative influences included comic books, video games, and pen-and-ink drawing. His path as an artist took shape after he met a group of artists at a festival in Zambales in 2012. Drawn to their creative energy and way of life, he began spending weekends with them. An artist eventually invited him to join group shows, opening the door to more opportunities.
Glazing Life Glaiza Lee
In 2019, he presented his first solo show, Everything is Everything, at Gallery in the Gutter in Makati, followed by Ass-Backwards into the Sublime at Secret Fresh Gallery in San Juan City in 2020. His latest exhibition was The Assembly, a group show by The Brut Collective, a visual artists’ collective he belongs to alongside David Kaufmann, Reb Belleza, and Ron Lopez David. The exhibit featured their abstract works at Altro Mondo Creative Space in Makati. Recto’s work has since moved beyond the local exhibition circuit, with his works shown in Thailand, Vietnam, and South Korea. A work is also held by a collector in Basel, Switzerland. He is currently focusing on a major commission, the largest single canvas he has worked on, and hopes to pursue a month-long art residency in Lisbon, Portugal. Between figure and abstraction Fonz’s works often begin with something recognizable, such as a human figure, animal, or plant. Those forms are stretched, broken apart, and pushed toward abstraction, sometimes leaving only a hint of a shape.
Fonz Recto’s ‘The Assembly’ exhibition showcases his exploration of abstraction, texture and the tension between order and instinct
That tension between figuration and abstraction has become central to his visual language. “I think my current work is really a distillation of my process. I’ve stripped away a lot of the extraneous elements and arrived at something more raw and honest. I’m drawn to texture and a certain grit in my work.” His attraction to abstraction is partly rooted in his admiration for Pablo Picasso and how the artist distorted recognizable forms without completely abandoning them. “Sometimes I ask myself, ‘What if Picasso went totally abstract?’ I like to explore that as a practice. But ultimately, I let my hand lead me.” His experience as a guitar player has also influenced his work. “I also play music, and music is abstract. It doesn’t have to represent anything. I like the idea of translating that into visual form. That’s why many of my works have musical references, like the Rhythm series and Red Song,”
His works are influenced by his background in industrial design and admiration for artists like Picasso and explore the tension between figuration and abstraction
shared Fonz. When accidents become possibilities Fonz has become more confident in knowing when to let a painting develop and when to intervene. Earlier in his career, he often second-guessed himself. Today, he has learned to pare down his work and recognize when a piece has reached its essential form.
“I’ve been paring down my work. Really finding the essential thing in it. I feel that I’m much more eloquent in my work now. I can express my intentions much more clearly than when I first started.” Some paintings come quickly, while others require him to walk away before returning to the canvas. “If it flows well, the work doesn’t take long to finish. Some of my best pieces are the ones I completed the quickest. Some pieces are very explicit in telling me when they’re done, while others I’ve ended up reworking after months of thinking they were complete. It’s really about taking the time to listen to the painting.” For Fonz, there are no mistakes in art, only what he calls “interesting accidents.” Finding something unexpected Once a work leaves the studio, its meaning expands through the viewer’s memories, emotions, and perspectives. Fonz is comfortable with viewers interpreting his paintings differently from how he initially imagined them. “I don’t want any particular message or emotion to be forced upon the viewer. I like the idea of them bringing their own experiences and perspectives into the conversation with the painting. It’s always interesting to talk about my work with people who have wildly different interpretations from my own.” Even his own interpretation can change after a painting is finished. “I just try to make the most honest work I can and let the audience resonate with it—or not. If I thought too much about how people would respond, I don’t think I’d be able to make the kind of honest work that I do,” shared Fonz. Rather than painting to explain or provide a definitive answer, Fonz paints to make sense of what he feels and sometimes reach something words cannot quite express. What the viewer takes from the work becomes their own part of the conversation.