BusinessMirror October 17, 2025

By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos led the launch of the P74-billion Reducing Food Insecurity and Undernutrition with Electronic Vouchers (REFUEL) Project, which will raise the number of household beneficiaries of the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) food aid program to 750,000 by next year.

The project is being funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the Agence Française de Développement, and the OPEC Fund to scale up the Walang

Gutom Program (WGP) of DSWD. Created through Executive Order No. 44 in 2023, the WGP provides monthly P3,000 electronic food credits to low-income households.

DSWD was initially targeting 300,000 household beneficiaries for WGP this year, which is expected to be increased by 150,000 next year.

Under the REFUEL project, DSWD will include an additional 300,000 beneficiaries for WGP in 2026. By 2027, the number of WGP beneficiaries is expected to reach 1 million.

“By next year, more than 600,000 [households] will become beneficiaries of the Walang Gutom

Program,” he said in Filipino at the launch of REFUEL at San Andres Sports Complex in Manila on Thursday.

The decision to raise the number of program beneficiaries comes after DSWD observed the country’s hunger rate slowed to 41.5 percent in March from the 48.7 percent in October, a situation Marcos attributed to the nationwide rollout of the WGP.

“I think, after this year, we will see it go down even further. Slowly, my dream, as well as the dream of all Filipinos, that no family should go hungry here, is coming true,” the chief executive said.

With good nutrition, Marcos

said the children of the beneficiary households will not suffer from stunting and have better academic performance.

The World Health Organization defines stunting as the impaired growth and development of children due to malnutrition.

“One of the main reasons children can’t study well is because they are sick. It’s very simple. So... They are sick because the food they eat is [of[ poor [quality],” Marcos said.

“So we make sure that our students are given enough food so that they can study well, train well, and be successful in their work,” he added.

BIR TARGETS BIG ONLINE

FIRMS FOR TAX EVASION

By Reine Juvierre S. Alberto @reine_alberto

sales, with tax evasion charges to be filed against those proven to have dodged taxes.

In

By Justine Xyrah Garcia

F a proposed US law takes effect, it could unleash a “massacre of jobs” in the country’s business process outsourcing (BPO) industry, the Center for Trade Union and Human Rights (CTUHR) has warned, as it urged the Marcos administration to prepare for this.

In a statement late Wednesday, the group said the government must be ready to protect Filipino call center workers who could be hit hard by the Keep Call Centers in America Act of 2025.

“If the projected massacre of jobs pushes through, the government should ensure that employers follow a fair and proper process in removing employees

from work. Workers must be given sufficient notice and proper compensation. The US bill and [artificial intelligence] must not be invoked to justify unjust terminations,” CTUHR said. The bill, filed by US Senators Ruben Gallego and Jim Justice, seeks to discourage outsourcing by creating a public list of call center firms that move at least 30 percent of their operations abroad.

Those companies could lose access to federal grants and loans, face penalties if they continue outsourcing while holding federal contracts, and lose priority in government bidding.

One year after its passage, US customers will also have the right to know whether the

By Andrea E. San Juan @andreasanjuan

THE European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) said the European Union is aiming to become one of the Philippines’s top five sources of foreign investments and urged the Southeast Asian nation to improve the implementation of reforms.

“When it comes to FDI [foreign direct investments], Europe is not the top five. It’s our goal to bring Europe to the top five,” ECCP President Paolo Duarte said during the EuropeanPhilippines Business Dialogue forum on Thursday in Makati City.

Evariste Cagatan, Board of Investments (BOI) Executive Director for Investment Promotion Services, said during the same forum that investment promotion agen-

cies (IPAs) greenlit investments of more than P480 billion in the first half of 2025.

Of the total investments in the pipeline in 2025, however, Cagatan said about 20 percent were from Singapore, South Korea, the United States, China, and Japan.

“While we have introduced the necessary reforms to support the implementation of the strategy, what needs to be done now is we execute and harvest the fruits of those policy reforms,” said Cagatan.

She acknowledged that the Philippines still needs to attract investments from European firms, saying “because it’s not as much as we would want to.”

“But you have seen the complementation between our target priority growth areas and where Europe is very strong,” she added.

Duarte pointed out the importance of the “execution” part of the existing reforms of the Philippines which aim to liberalize the economy to make it more attractive for investors.

“So, we are not asking for more reforms. We are asking for the execution of the existing reforms. I think that’s where we need to make the biggest effort,” he said.

“Out of the European investments in Asean, only 4 percent landed in the Philippines,” he added.

The ECCP chief called on the Philippine government and the private sector to make this 4 percent a “bigger number.”

In pursuit of growing Europeansourced investments in the Philippines, Duarte underscored the importance of the free trade agreement (FTA) between the Philippines and the EU.

Next week, the EU and the Philippines will have their fourth round of negotiations for the EU-PH FTA. Duarte said the EU side will be flying to Cebu next week to give their feedback, to provide the “real sentiment of the European industries in the country.”

“To see where we have opportunities, where we see the reforms being executed, where we see also the pain points. There are pain points that we need to address, because to advance the FTA, we need to be transparent,” added the ECCP President.

Data from the BOI showed that total trade between the Philippines and the EU amounted to $15.54 billion in 2024. Of which, $8.07 billion are Philippine exports to the 27-member

Brace for possible BPO jobs…

Continued from A1

agent they are speaking to is based abroad—and to ask to be transferred to someone within the US.

The BPO Industry Employees Network (BIEN) earlier warned that the measure could lead to massive job cuts in the Philippines, home to one of the world’s largest call center workforces.

CTUHR said the government cannot afford to take a wait-and-see stance. Instead, it urged policymakers to start building alternatives for workers who could be affected.

“For starters, it should engage labor, business, and experts in serious dialogue on how to revive industry and agriculture, which have shrunk badly in recent decades. It should pursue a program of national industrialization to create decent jobs at home,” it said.

The group also cautioned the government against using the US bill as an excuse to turn a blind eye to labor rights violations in the BPO sector.

Data from the IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) show the industry ended 2024 with 1.82 million direct employees and $38 billion in revenues.

IBPAP expects the sector to continue growing, with projections of 2.5 million workers and $59 billion in revenues by 2028.

Irrigation project flagged by slain NIA worker ‘not ghost’

By Ada Pelonia @adapelonia

THENational Irrigation Administration (NIA) on Thursday denied allegations of a “ghost” irrigation project by the slain whistleblower.

This, following the death of former NIA legal researcher Niruh Kyle Antatico, who posted accusations against the agency’s project and reportedly received death threats before his murder.

During a Senate hearing on the agency’s proposed 2026 budget, NIA Administrator Eduardo Guillen clarified that the alleged “ghost” project of the agency, the Maguing Communal Irrigation Project (CIP), was completed during the previous administration.

“I want to reiterate that the projects he is referring to are projects of the previous administration. They funded, bidded, and completed it during that time,” Guillen said. He noted, however, that the CIP in

Lanao del Sur sustained damage in 2023 due to torrential downpours, but it was repaired the following year.

For her part, Mindanao Island Projects Coordinator (MIPC) Salome Layasan explained that a recent ocular visit showed the CIP was being used by the farmers and therefore operational.

“From there, at the dam, we can see water upstream of the dam flowing toward the intake, which goes toward the main canal in full capacity. We can also see that the physical structure of the dam is in place,” Layasan said.

“We didn’t see the pictures on social media that raised questions about the project’s integrity. In fact, we have farmers who are using water to plant. So, it’s operational.”

‘Moral crisis’

THE social action arm of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) recently condemned the killing of Antatico, calling it a “moral crisis” that lays bare how corruption and impunity continue to undermine public trust in institutions meant to serve the people. (See: https://businessmirror.com. ph/2025/10/15/killing-of-niawhistleblower-shows-deepening-moral-crisis/)

In a statement, Caritas Philippines said the death of Antatico shows the worsening danger faced by Filipinos who expose wrongdoing in government.

“When truth-tellers are silenced and no one is held responsible, a culture of impunity thrives. It sends a chilling message that to speak truth to power is dangerous, and that

those in authority can act without consequence,” said Caritas Philippines President and Kidapawan Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo. “This is not only a tragedy—it is a moral crisis that demands action.”

Bagaforo said Antatico’s killing should not be seen as an isolated crime but as part of a broader failure to protect those who stand up against corruption.

The bishop also urged the NIA, the Department of Justice (DOJ), and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to ensure that justice is served not just by arresting the perpetrators but also by holding accountable those implicated in the irregularities Antatico had exposed.

“The farmers of our nation deserve irrigation systems that give life, not corruption that drains it away,” he said.

BIR targets big online firms for tax evation

small online sellers but major e-commerce players whose reported sales do not align with data from online platforms compared to their submitted BIR returns.

Lumagui said that businesses found to have underpaid taxes may face audits and tax evasion cases.

“This is definitely a violation of the provisions of the tax code, such as tax evasion and the failure to file tax returns and supply the correct and accurate information on their returns,” Lumagui said.

“They can also be fined and if convicted, they can be jailed depending on the weight and violation,” he added.

The BIR can also recommend the suspension or takedown of online stores by coordinating with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and through online platforms.

Online platforms, Lumagui said, play a major role in its investigation because they show the actual value of transactions and allow the BIR to see if the actual sales recorded by businesses align with what is processed through their systems.

However, Lumagui said that evidence must be sufficient before taking such measures since the goal is to protect compliant businesses while ensuring fairness in tax obligations.

Under the probe, the BIR uses data analytics and informationsharing with online platforms

to identify disparities between their actual online transactions and the sales declared in their BIR filings.

Lumagui called on online businesses to pay their taxes correctly and ensure their sales reports match actual earnings. Even with online operations, he added that the BIR has ways to verify the true value of transactions through payment portals.

“This campaign is not against online entrepreneurs; it’s meant to ensure fair competition between brick-and-mortar stores and online businesses,” Lumagui said.

“We should always remember that being tax compliant is not only an obligation, but also a mark of being a responsible business owner,” he added.

The BIR is implementing a 1-percent withholding tax on local online sellers and merchants who sell goods or services through e-marketplaces or digital platforms.

Sellers with annual income above P500,000 must submit a sworn declaration to the BIR. Otherwise, the platform will automatically withhold 1 percent of their payments as a creditable tax.

Meanwhile, sellers earning P500,000 or less are exempt, provided they also submit the sworn declaration.

Under this, 1 percent of 50 percent of the transaction volume of each online sale is withheld by the marketplace and remitted to the BIR as a prepayment of the seller’s annual income tax.

specifically, “Critical Thinking and Analytical Skills” were likewise vital, but needs boosting in terms of proficiency. “In the coming decade, the focus should also be on fostering ‘Creative Thinking’ given its expected rise in importance and relatively low current proficiency,” said the study. For frontliners, they will need to be more skilled in “Leadership and Management,” while those in operational roles, “Reliability and Detail Orientation,” and “Flexibility and Resilience” are highly important abilities. “More workers need to develop the practice of ‘Lifelong Learning’ as this will increase in importance over the next 10 years,” the study added.

Officers of the Hotel Sales and Marketing Association, in its summit last year, estimated a workforce vacancy of as high as 30 percent among its member properties after coming from the pandemic, with many employees choosing to work at home, or going abroad to earn higher pay.

‘Attract young people’ TO handle labor shortages, WTTC suggests attracting more young people: “Improve perception of the sector as a positive career option and access to courses.”

For Anna Liza Vergara, general manager of Sheraton Manila, working with a younger generation enables their property to “match” the expectations of the current crop of travelers, many of whom are also in the same generation. “It allows us to cover a more wholistic approach,” she said at the summit. The WTTC also recommended that companies facilitate career progression to encourage staff to stay. “Provide leadership development programs and clear internal promotion pathways,” the study added.

Royal Caribbean Cruise Line said in the study: “This April, we launched an elearning platform with a plethora of content offering curated leadership paths and learning journeys for people to identify skills areas and developments. We have leadership training for 2+ stripe officers, and focus a lot on leadership or ‘power’ skills. These include soft skills, such as communication and collaborating effectively, cultural awareness [generational, diversity and inclusivity awareness], situational adaptability and resourcefulness.”

‘Offer competitive wages, benefits’ THE study also cited decent working conditions and inclusivity as other ways to retain employees. “Offer competitive wages and benefits, diversify the talent pool, and adopt a supportive company culture.”

Tet Romualdo, general manager of Linden Suites told the BusinessMirror that they “offer house-use accommodations for staff and managers who live far from the hotel. It’s made a big difference as it helps them rest better, saves travel time, and honestly, it’s one of the main reasons they choose to stay with us.” The WTTC suggested companies use technological advances to boost productivity: “Implement a strategy to integrate innovative technology across all functions and use advanced digital tools to aid staff training.”

Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco has said a number of hotels and resorts have already implemented AI in areas of virtual assistance, smart hotel technology, and food waste management.

Lastly, companies can also incorporate flexible policies to manage fluctuating workforce demand. “Reduce barriers to recruiting from abroad and combine part-time roles into full-time jobs,” said the WTTC.

A known MSME and consumer advocate, Aquino authored and sponsored the Go Negosyo Act (Republic Act 10644) during his tenure as chairperson of the Senate Committee on Trade, Commerce, and Entrepreneurship. The law provides MSMEs greater access to markets and financing, offers training and capacity-building programs, and simplifies the business registration process for entrepreneurs starting or expanding their ventures.

The Nation

Sara: What flood control project?

By John Eiron R. Francisco

ICE President Sara Duterte

Von Thursday said that neither the Office of the Vice President (OVP) nor the Department of Education (DepEd) handles flood control projects.

“Sigurado ako na hindi aabot sa akin ang flood control scandal,” Duterte said in a news conference in Quezon City [I’m sure the flood control scandal will not reach me].

She explained that from the start, neither the OVP nor DepEd had any involvement in flood control projects, adding that contractors and even former public works secretary Manuel Bonoan can attest that she had no projects with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

“In fact, hindi nga nila masabi ngayon na may insertion ang Vice President, kasi wala naman talaga,” Duterte said [In fact, they can’t even say there were any insertions linked to the Vice President because there were none].

However, she said some may try to connect the issue to her, possibly because Sen. Christoper Go, an ally of her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, is being implicated following the Office of the Ombudsman’s order for the DPWH to investigate the possible links of contractors Curlee and Sarah Discaya to CLTG Builders, a company owned by Go’s father.

“Doon nila siguro gagawan ng kwento na part na: ako, si FPRRD nasa gitna, at si Bong Go sa other side,” she said [Maybe that’s where they’ll try to create a story, with me on one side, FPRRD in the middle, and Bong Go on the other].

Professional crisis DUTERTE in the same news conference said her professional crisis occurred when she assumed the vice presidency while also serving in President Marcos’s Cabinet.

“I was wondering, why am I being attacked? I’m not doing anything. I’m just working. And that’s my commitment too. When I was campaigning, I committed to the government that I will serve the country faithfully,” Duterte said partly in Filipino.

She added that even though she was appointed to the Cabinet as Education secretary and was overseeing project rollouts in the Office of the Vice President, she still faced criticism from the administration.

“That was the professional crisis that I went through. It took me a while to realize my worth and value as a government official,” she emphasized.

Duterte said it took her several months to realize that the treatment she and her office received was not right.

See “Sara,” A4

Stolen funds must be returned–ICI

TBy Joel R. San Juan @jrsanjuan1573

HE Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI) yesterday gathered various financial institutions and other concerned government agencies to coordinate all efforts for the recovery of hundreds of billions of pesos in taxpayers’ money that were squandered through anomalous flood control and infrastructure projects.

Among those present during yesterday’s meeting at the ICI were officials of the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC), Commission on Audit (COA), Civil Service Commission (CSC) Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), Bureau of Customs (BOC), Insurance Commission (IC), Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) , Land Registration Authority (LRA), Land Transportation Office, (LTO) Maritime Industry Authority (Marina), Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center, Department of Justice

(DOJ), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Presidential Commission  on Good Government (PCGG) and the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG).

In his opening statement, ICI Chairman Andres Reyes said the meeting is an important step to pursue the restitution and recovery assets tied to ghost and substandard flood control and public infrastructure projects.

Reyes stressed that the investigation, prosecution and conviction of those responsible for this corruption scandal would not be

sufficient to appease the public’s outrage if the stolen funds are not returned.

“All those persons responsible for this may be prosecuted and jailed, but to completely heal our nation, justice is not enough. We need restitution,” Reyes said.

Reyes said restitution is defined under the law as the “act of making good or giving equivalent for any loss, damage or injury; and indemnification.”

He lamented that the country is now in crisis because of the flood-control scandal which involves government officials who manipulated the national budget to satisfy their greed.

The money which should have been utilized to uplift the lives of Filipinos were used by corrupt individuals “to buy exotic cars, enjoy luxury vacations, and gamble in casinos,” Reyes said.

Thus, Reyes called on all government agencies to “band together and pool our resources” to go after the assets of those involved in the corruption mess.

It can be recalled that the BIR has already filed a P7.18 billion tax evasion case against contractor-couple Pacifico and Cezarah Discaya.

The Discayas, according to ICI Executive Director and spokesman Brian Keith Hosaka, cited a media interview of ICI Commissioner Rogelio Singson where the latter expressed his personal opinion that the couple are not qualified to become state witnesses since they were “principal players” in the flood control corruption scandal.

Hosaka said the DIscayas were of the belief that the ICI would back their bid to become state witnesses because of their continued cooperation.

However, Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon said the Discayas have no right to demand anything from the government at this time since there are processes to be followed in applying for witness protection coverage.

“It is not up to anyone to dictate how we conduct our evaluation. No one can impose conditions on us. In fact, we will do the evaluation and determine whether they qualify for the program or not,” Fadullon explained.

Fadullon, however, noted that there has been no indication that the Discayas will also terminate their involvement in the investigation being conducted by the DOJ.

The Discayas have been placed

The ICI’s meeting with government financial institutions came a day after the Discayas manifested their decision to no longer cooperate in the commission’s ongoing investigation.

TCebu earthquake death toll rises to 76

By Jonathan L. Mayuga @jonlmayuga

HE death toll in the magnitude

6.9 Offshore Northern Cebu Earthquake on September 30 has climbed to 76 while the number of affected population because of the 7.4 and 6.8 twin earthquakes near Manay, Davao Oriental, continues to increase as the Philippine Institute of Volcanology (Phivolcs) said more aftershocks of the doublet earthquake still rock the coastal town.

The number of affected families, damaged infrastructure, and houses continues to climb in both the Bogo City, Cebu, and Manay, Davao Oriental earthquakes, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council

(NDRRMC) reported. In its situation report released at 6:00 a.m. on October 16, the NDRRMC said the affected population continues to increase at 216,962 families or 748,025 persons.

POLICEMEN nationwide will be issued emergency “go bags” as part of efforts to enhance their disaster response capabilities, the acting National Police (PNP) chief, Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., said on Thursday.

The earthquake that also injured 559 others has affected a total of 260 barangays in 18 cities and municipalities in Cebu Province, the NDRRMC said.

So far, 11,874 aftershocks have been recorded by Phivolcs since the earthquake near Bogo, Cebu as of October 13.

Of these, 2,076 were plotted and 46 were actually felt. The magnitudes of these aftershocks range from 1 to 5.8.

The number of displaced persons also climbed to 21,616, and are sheltered in 17 evacuation centers.

The NDRRMC reported that 134,227 houses were damaged, of which 7,295 were totally destroyed, while 126,932 were partially damaged.

The number of damaged infrastructure as of the latest NDRRMC report has also climbed to 959.

So far, the estimated cost of assistance provided to affected communities has reached P401 million because of the Bogo, Cebu earthquake.

In the double earthquake near Manay, Davao Oriental, the

NDRRMC said the number of affected families has now climbed to 272,701 or 1,188,366 persons in 600 barangays spread across 56 cities and towns in seven provinces.

Since the earthquake, aftershocks continue to rock Manay town. Phivolcs said it has recorded a total of 1,464 aftershocks, of which 706 were plotted and 19 were felt. The magnitudes of these aftershocks range from 1.2 to 5.8.

The NDRRMC said a total of 13,813 houses were damaged, of which 784 were destroyed, while 13,029 houses were partially damaged.

A total of 2,227 persons are currently sheltered in 11 evacuation centers.

The double earthquake has claimed the lives of eight people and injured 176 others.

NDRRMC said a total of 577 infrastructure were damaged, costing around P143 million.

The estimated cost of assistance provided to affected families is P 71,692,104, while the estimated cost of assistance provided to LGUs and Regional

Cops to get emergency ‘go bags’

Agencies is P1,183,743.

Early recovery stage

CEBU province is now on the early recovery stage more than two weeks since a magnitude 6.9 earthquake jolted.

In a news conference, Regional Director Joel Erestain of the Office of Civil Defense Central Visayas (OCD-7), said that temporary shelters are being pepared for those who had lost their homes during the earthquake.

Erestain said the national government through the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) and the National Housing Authority together with the local governments and the private sector has established two “Bayanihan” villages in San Remigio and Daanbantayan towns to serve as temporary homes.

A total of 64 modular smart homes were initially built in barangay Poblacion in San Remigio DHSUD Assistant Secretary Johnson Domingo said.

These temporary shelters measuring 18 square meters, are

equipped with basic utilities such as water and power supplies.

Eva Maria Marfil, DHSUD Regional Director, said it will be the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) that will serve as the camp manager. Two other tent cities were established by the Philippine Red Cross in Bogo City and Medellin town. DHSUD targets to also construct a similar Bayanihan village in other areas badly hit by the earthquake.

Initial assessment on damage to infrastructure has reached P6 billion but the OCD-7 regional director said this could still increase as they await the final report.

Rehabilitation phase will only begin once they received advise from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology that it is safe to do so.

“Hindi pa recommended to start repairs since aftershocks are still being felt…if one to two weeks na walang mararamdaman then they recommend that we can start reconstructing,” Erestain added. With Carmel Pedroza

Escudero not yet off Comelec hook over ‘contractor’s campaign donation

By Justine Xyrah Garcia

Nartatez issued the to all police units after a series of typhoons, earthquakes and other calamities rocked the country in the past few weeks. “The main objective of this initiative is to ensure that our personnel are always prepared and capable of responding effectively during emergencies and disasters,” Nartatez said.

THE National Task Force

West Philippine Sea (NTFWPS) on Wednesday night

said it welcomes the latest Pulse Asia survey that shows the Filipinos “strong confidence” in the government’s policy of transparency and resolute defense of the country’s sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction in the WPS.

“We thank the Filipino people for their trust in the NTF-WPS and its member agencies, particularly the Coast Guard [PCG], the Navy [PN], and the Armed Forces [AFP], all whom gained high trust ratings from the public,” it said in a statement.

Friday, October 17, 2025 ICI. . .

In line with this, the PNP Public Information Office began distributing emergency bags to its

personnel, with each bag containing essential survival items such as a first aid kit, ready-to-eat food, water, a flashlight, a whistle, and communication tools.

Nartatez emphasized that the distribution of go bags is part of the c’s broader disaster preparedness and resilience program aimed at reinforcing the organization’s operational readiness

during calamities.

For now, the acting PNP chief said the implementation of the “Go Bag for Every Pulis” program will be carried out in phases, maximizing available logistics and resources within the PNP.

He called for an assessment of total requirements and exploration of cost-effective sourcing options. Rex Anthony Naval

Poll shows Pinoys support govt initiatives at WPS–task force

The same survey also had 41 percent of respondents identifying the PCG as the most trustworthy government agency for updates and reports concerning the WPS.

“This strong vote of confidence is not just a reflection of institutional performance; it is a reflection of national unity in the face of continuing challenges to our sovereignty,” NTF-WPS added.

The survey results send a clear and powerful message: the Filipino people stand for truth, transparency, and the defense of what is rightfully ours.

“We also draw our strength

Continued from A3

The Discayas, according to Remulla, claimed that their license was merely used by another firm involved in these projects.

from the fact that 94 percent of respondents believe that the Philippines should continue its transparency policy and persist in publicly exposing China’s coercive and aggressive behavior,” it noted.

With this, NTF-WPS pledged to sustain and further strengthen it transparency policy.

“We will continue to shine light on every illegal, coercive, aggressive, and deceptive (ICAD) activity in our waters. We will not be silenced, we will not be intimidated, and we will never turn away from our duty to defend the Filipino people’s rights and the nation’s dignity,” NTF-WPS said.

Also, the survey’s findings that 77 percent of respondents identified the United States as the top country the Philippines can rely on reflects the enduring strength of the Philippine–US alliance.

It also said that this partnership is rooted in shared values, mutual respect, and a common commitment to peace, stability, and the rule of law.

“This reinforces the need for the Philippines to strengthen its partnerships with like-minded nations who believe in a rules-based international order and a free and open Indo-Pacific,” the agency added. Rex Anthony Naval

COMMISSION on Elections investigation into a contractor’sP300-million donation to the campaign of Sen. Francis Escudero in the 2022 polls continues despite his claim that the money came from a private fund.

Comelec Chairman George Erwin M. Garcia said on Thursday that Escudero’s affidavit explaining the donation is not enough, since the poll body still has to determine if it violates provisions of election law.

“At this point, not yet. That’s the reason why we sought an explanation from them—not just him but also the contractor involved, and later from others once confirmed by the [Department of Public Works and Highways],” Garcia said, mostly in Filipino. Escudero earlier maintained that the P300 million came from the personal funds of Lawrence Lubiano, president of Centerways Construction and Development Inc.

According to Garcia, Escudero also stated that he “did not know and did not care” whether the donation originated from a corporation.

contractor admitted during a House hearing that he is a government contractor who donatedP300 million, and Senator Chiz himself said in a press conference that he received a donation from that person,” Garcia said. In September, the Comelec transmitted to the DPWH a list of 54 campaign donors who were also contractors, asking the agency to verify if they had ongoing government projects when they contributed to political candidates in 2022.

Garcia said the DPWH has yet to respond to the request.

He added that Comelec’s Political Finance and Affairs Department has initially found nine contractors who donated during the 2025 midterm elections. Their names will likewise be sent to the DPWH for verification. Under Section 95 of the Omnibus Election Code, contractors and suppliers of government projects are prohibited from contributing, directly or indirectly, to any partisan political activity.

However, the DOJ earlier said evidence and testimonies provided so far by contractor-couple are still not sufficient for them to be considered as state witnesses.

Protecting Go

OMBUDSMAN Jesus Crispin Remulla said one of the issues that the Discayas had been trying to evade was the alleged involvement of Senator Christopher Go’s family in infrastructure projects in the Davao Region.

Remulla said the Discayas refused to provide further details about the alleged joint venture between their construction firm St. Gerrard Construction General Contractor and Development Corporation and CLTG Builders which is owned by the senator’s family.

“They don’t want to tell us anything. They just said that they don’t have anything and they don’t know anything because they just let their license be borrowed. That’s difficult to accept,” Remulla said. Remulla noted that Discayas’ businesses grew big during the past administration because they were able to talk to a lot of people and entered into several contracts.

“But, they’re not telling us everything. They’re being selective on what they want to say,” Remulla said.

Don’t divert probe focus–Go IN a news conference, Sen. Christopher Go said he was willing to cooperate with investigators of the flood-control fund fiasco, but warned against attempts to “derail” the inquiry by “diverting” attention away from the truly guilty parties by dragging innocent people like him into the controversy.

Speaking partly in Filipino, Go lamented how the flood-fund controversy has been used by powerful forces working behind the scene to “throw mud” at people like him.

This, even as he strongly denied he or his family was involved in any ghost or substandard infrastructure project.

held accountable – it’s that simple,” he added.

Dizon reiterated that their investigation into the anomalous flood control and infrastructure projects covers the period from 2016 to 2025.

The Comelec chief clarified that the senator is not being singled out, saying his case simply moved ahead of others because both he and the contractor publicly admitted to the donation.

Continued from A3 under the DOJ’s protected witnesses after they agreed to execute a “tell-all” affidavit about the flood control projects scandal.

Meanwhile, Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon said the DPWH together with the Ombudsman will start looking into the dealings of CLTG and its links with the Discayas.

Dizon said the investigation was an offshoot of the admission of the Discayas before the Senate Blue-Ribbon committee hearing that their businesses grew significantly starting in 2016.

“So that’s the directive given to me, and that’s what we discussed with Ombudsman “Boying” [Remulla] and that’s what we will do,” Dizon said.

“No one will be spared here. No sacred cows. Whoever is implicated by the evidence must be

“Everything the Ombudsman needs, from the Discayas’ contracts from 2016 to 2025, we will provide. Whatever they need, we will give them,” Dizon added.

Dizon also said that charges are likely to be filed by the Ombudsman against the Discayas and several others before the Sandiganbayan in the coming weeks.

He said the first graft and malversation of public funds case that the DPWH filed last month which involves the Discayas is now being readied by the Ombudsman for filing with the anti-graft court.

“If they don’t want to cooperate, that’s their decision. But the Ombudsman will go after them to the full extent of the law,” Dizon said while noting that the Discayas are facing non-bailable offenses.

With Lorenz S. Marasigan

This is not singling out. His case came first only because the

“I will not endure that. And I will not ask for some sort of peace,” she said, stressing that she decided to step back and let the administration determine her next steps.

Personal interests

MALACAÑANG on Thursday accused Duterte of pursuing “personal interests” during her time as Education secretary, saying her actions were not aligned with the President’s directives.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said Duterte cannot claim that Marcos’ leadership was unclear when her decisions in office

The ban also covers financial institutions except for legitimate loans, utilities, companies with government franchises or contracts, natural resource extractors, recipients of large government loans, publicly funded schools, civil service officials, members of the armed forces, and all foreigners and foreign corporations. Both donors and recipients who violate the provision may face imprisonment of one to six years.

prioritized self-interest over national priorities.

“Hindi talaga niya malalaman ang direktiba ng Pangulo kung hindi siya marunong makinig at nagsasarili ng diskarte para sa pansariling interest [She cannot be aware of the President’s directives if she does not know how to listen and instead pursues strategies for personal interests],” Castro said. The Palace official issued the statement after Duterte, in a press briefing, unleashed a barrage of criticisms against the administration, including Marcos’ alleged unclear directives.

Castro cited alleged irregularities under Duterte’s DepEd

www.businessmirror.com.ph

DBM taps AI for operational efficiency

By Reine Juvierre S. Alberto

T@reine_alberto

HE Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has launched a platform powered by artificial intelligence (AI) to centralize the agency’s legal, budget and administrative documents.

On Thursday, the DBM kicked off the Managed Intelligent Network for Advanced Insights (MINAI) as part of its push for digital transformation.

Undersecretary Maria Francesca Del Rosario, head of the Information and Communications Technology Group, said MINAI

represents a “strategic leap forward” in managing, accessing and protecting knowledge in public financial management.

Del Rosario said the systems aims to store institutional knowledge and outdated and fragmented documents in an interactive, AI-enabled central knowledge system accessible anytime and anywhere.

It features intelligent search capabilities, a chatbot interface and robust security controls to allow DBM employees to quickly retrieve verified and up-to-date information.

Del Rosario said DBM employees themselves will train the AI,

Lawmakers push for AI regulation

By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz @joveemarie

AGROUP of lawmakers is pushing for a comprehensive regulatory framework on Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support the newly approved National AI Strategy for the Philippines (NAIS Ph), which seeks to ensure the “safe, responsible, and ethical” integration of AI into public services in the government, technology, data, and infrastructure sectors.

Spearheading the effort is Camarines Sur Rep. Migz Villafuerte, chairman of the House Committee on Information and Communications Technology (ICT), who filed House Bill 2827, also known as the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Development and Regulation Act. The measure introduces a “Bill of Rights on AI,” setting guiding principles to make AI systems accessible, ethical, and responsive in serving the Filipino public.

Other authors of the bill include Deputy Majority Leader Luigi Villafuerte, Rep. Tsuyoshi Anthony Horibata, who both represent Camarines Sur, and Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon of Bicol Saro.

Under House Bill 2827, four key institutions will be established to implement and oversee the country’s artificial intelligence (AI) policies. These include the Philippine Council on Artificial Intelligence (PCAI), a policy-making and advisory body under the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT); the Artificial Intelligence Board (AIB), chaired by the DICT Secretary and co-chaired by the DOST Secretary, which will regulate and supervise AI systems, investigate violations, and impose penalties; the National Center for Artificial Intelligence Research (NCAIR), an agency attached to the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) responsible for AI research, program coordination, and workforce upskilling to prevent job displacement; and the AI Subgroup under the National Innovation Council (NIC), which will

contribute to its knowledge pool and validate the information it learns,” Del Rosario said. “This ensures that our institutional knowledge remains accurate and reliable even as leadership and personnel evolve.”

MINAI also runs on NVIDIA GPUs, advanced computing chips that enable artificial intelligence to perform complex processing.

Del Rosario said the DBM is among the first government institutions globally to use these chips for large-language model applications similar to ChatGPT, though MINAI remains entirely secure and self-contained.

“We have to also anticipate

that AI is here already and we have to upskill and capacitate our DBM employees to become an AI-enabled workforce,” Del Rosario said, adding that employees must know how to do from engineering to train and validate AI models.

Meanwhile, Budget Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman said MINAI is not just another system or tool—it makes the daily work in DBM easier, faster and more reliable.

Pangandaman said documents in the DBM are often scattered across different systems and folders, and finding them has resulted in wasted

DA to spend ₧3.3-B

By Ada Pelonia @adapelonia

foster collaboration among the government, private sector, and academic institutions.

The proposed AI Bill of Rights ensures every Filipino’s protection from unsafe AI systems, algorithmic discrimination, privacy breaches, lack of transparency, and the absence of remedies for AI-related harm. Workers displaced by AI automation would also be entitled to separation pay and assistance through a Job Displacement Program from the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole).

Violators of the measure face imprisonment of six months to six years and permanent disqualification from public office if the offender is a government official.

Migz Villafuerte emphasized that while AI offers “significant advancements in human life,” it also carries risks such as misinformation, job loss, and privacy violations.

“The 20th Congress needs to establish safeguards against deepfakes and AI fakery that threaten public trust and democratic processes,” he said.

Villafuerte also reaffirmed the ICT committee’s support for President Marcos’s digital infrastructure agenda, saying it will “future-proof” the nation by enhancing defenses against AI-driven cyber fraud and scams.

“We are working to align the Philippines with global AI standards like the EU AI Act and the US National Institute of Standards and Technology [NIST] guidelines,” he added.

“The time to act is now,” Villafuerte stressed. “We must create a clear AI framework that ensures transparency, fairness, and accountability—so that this powerful technology uplifts lives, not endangers them.”

For his part, Deputy Majority Leader Luigi Villafuerte said the new AI strategy “will strengthen the country’s readiness for emerging technologies,” noting that the Philippines improved its global ranking in the Government AI Readiness Index from 65th in 2023 to 56th in 2024.

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) has earmarked P3.3 billion to build an additional 300 drying systems nationwide by 2028 to reduce postharvest losses.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the rice processing systems (RPS) would address the country’s chronic lack of drying and milling facilities that continue to plague farmers.

The DA said the additional drying systems could raise rice drying capacity to as much as 40 percent during the wet season. Such an increase could be “gamechanging” for a sector that loses up to 16

percent of potential yield due to postharvest inefficiencies, citing industry estimates.

“This aggressive infrastructure buildout could mark a turning point for the country’s beleaguered rice industry,” the DA said.

“Postharvest losses, inefficiencies in the supply chain, and poor access to processing facilities have long eroded farmer income and inflated consumer prices.”

The RPS is implemented by the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech) through the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) mechanization program.

Under the first phase of RCEF, the government has established 151 RPS nationwide, 145 of which were completed

time, repeated work and confusion about which documents remain valid.

“Through MINAI, we are making DBM a leader in serving the Filipino people with greater transparency, accountability, and efficiency,” Pangandaman said.

“Digitalization is our best way forward. It is the key to improving bureaucratic efficiency and ensuring sound fiscal management,” she added.

The DBM’s ongoing digitalization efforts include the Budget and Treasury Management System, the Integrated Financial Management Information System (IFMIS), Project DIME, and public dashboards that track budget details from the National Expenditure Program to the General Appropriations Act. For this year, the DBM allotted P72.08 billion to support the ICT-related programs and projects of government agencies. This is higher by 11.6 percent than the P64.6 billion in the 2024 national budget. The agency also earmarked P1.36 billion for cybersecurity for 2025, a whopping 315- percent increase from P330 million in 2024, to ensure the “safe and seamless implementation of government’s digitalization efforts.”

for drying systems

under the current administration.

Currently, 118 RPS have been inaugurated, with the delivery, installation, and commissioning of the remaining 27 expected to be completed by yearend.

Under the amended Rice Tariffication Law, the amount earmarked for RCEF tripled to P30 billion from P10 billion until 2031 to fund the rice industry’s programs, such as farm mechanization.

The mechanization program is expected to provide free agricultural machinery to all rice-producing provinces while aiming to cut postharvest losses to as much as 8 percent from the current 5 percent.

Economists, however, warned that while RPS investments are a crucial milestone, broader reforms must follow, such as in

land consolidation, irrigation development, and market access.

“The Philippines has underinvested in postharvest systems for decades,” Agriculture economist Noel Provido said. “This is a strong step forward, but structural issues in rice production can’t be solved by drying facilities alone.”

“There must be parallel moves to ensure access to inputs, mechanization, and fair pricing mechanisms,” he added.

Despite this, the DA chief stressed that the government is keen on setting the groundwork to bolster the country’s rice sector.

“This is a legacy investment. One that finally gives our farmers the tools to compete and thrive,” Tiu Laurel said.

DBM releases ₧3.39 billion for cops’ performance bonus

SOME P3.39 billion has been authorized for the 2023 Performance-Based Bonus (PBB) of more than 225,000 National Police (PNP) officials and personnel as a reward for their service in ensuring public safety.

In a statement on Thursday, the Budget Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman said release of the funds has been approved, following the directive of the President to strengthen the morale and welfare of government workers, particularly law enforcement frontliners.

DBM said each qualified police personnel, both officer and nonofficer, will receive

a bonus equivalent to 45.5 percent of his monthly basic salary as of December 31, 2023.

To qualify, personnel in the First, Second and Third Levels must have earned at least a “Very Satisfactory” rating under the Civil Service Commission-approved Strategic Performance Management System or the equivalent rating under the Career Executive Service Board.

“Our police officers are among the pillars of our nation. They stand at the frontlines of peace and order every single day. We see their hard work and dedication, so we are making sure they receive what is rightfully due to them,” Pangandaman was quoted as saying.

The DBM said the funds will be sourced from the Miscellaneous Personnel Benefits Fund under Republic Act 12116, or the FY 2025 General Appropriations Act.

The grant of the PBB follows the issuance of a Final Eligibility Assessment (FEA) Report dated September 16, 2024, by the Administrative Order 25 Inter-Agency Task Force.

The report confirmed that the PNP had met all the requirements necessary to qualify for the incentive.

“Through this release, we not only recognize their service but also reaffirm our commitment to a government that

New law provides free funerals for indigents

FOR countless indigent families all over the country, the loss of a loved one often comes with another painful reality—the inability to afford a decent burial.

That burden, long carried in silence, may finally be lifted with the enactment of Republic Act 12309, or the Free Funeral Services Act.

The new law, which lapsed into effect on September 28, 2025, ensures that funeral services are provided free of charge to poor and indigent Filipinos, as well as to individuals affected by calamities, disasters, or other emergencies who cannot afford the cost of a dignified farewell.

Authored by Cebu Rep. Duke Frasco through House Bill 102 and supported by its Senate counterpart, Senate Bill 2965, the measure represents a milestone in social welfare—one that speaks directly to the government’s role in protecting the dignity of every Filipino, even in death.

Frasco first introduced the measure

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leadership, including the “ghost students” scheme and the distribution of spoiled or moldy meals in a school feeding program.

“HindirindirektibangPanguloangginawa noonngDepEd sapamumunongBise Presidente namag-deliver ngbulok, mayamagnapagkain sa mga estudyante sa feeding program [It

on June 30, 2022, with the initial goal of regulating funeral costs and preventing the exploitation of grieving families. But what began as a consumer protection bill evolved into a broader social justice initiative—a vision to ensure that no Filipino is denied dignity simply because of poverty.

“Death comes to all, but dignity should not be reserved for the few,” Frasco said.

“Every Filipino, regardless of income or circumstance, deserves a dignified farewell. This law ensures that compassion, and not cost, defines how we treat the dead.”

Under the new law, local governments, in coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and accredited funeral service providers, will handle the implementation of free funeral services for qualified beneficiaries.

For Frasco, the Free Funeral Services Act is more than just a piece of legislation—it is a statement of values. “This law is not

only about free funeral services; it is about lifting a heavy burden from families who are already suffering and reaffirming our shared humanity, especially in the most difficult moments,” he explained.

The passage of this law reinforces Frasco’s long-standing advocacy for inclusive and compassionate governance, a philosophy that has guided his work in Congress. It extends the reach of social welfare programs beyond the living, ensuring that every Filipino, rich or poor, is afforded dignity in their final journey.

As Frasco described it, “This is a victory for the Filipino people—a victory that honors life by dignifying death.”

In the end, the Free Funeral Services Act is not just about providing free services. It is a testament to empathy in public policy—a reminder that true governance is measured not only by how it serves the living but also by how it honors those who have passed.

Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz

rewards performance and accountability,” Pangandaman said.

The incentive will also provide real relief to the families of police officers—a boost to their household budgets, tuition for their children or additional funds for daily necessities, Pangandaman added.

The PBB, which forms part of the ResultsBased Performance Management System of the government, aims to encourage exemplary service and strengthen accountability in the bureaucracy. It rewards personnel and agencies that meet or exceed performance targets.

Reine Juvierre S. Alberto

MORE than 4,500 residents from National Housing

Confidence rooted in integrity IN the same press briefing, Duterte also questioned the President’s expression of confidence that he would not be dragged

Trump turns attention to Ukraine after Gaza truce, mulls stepping up pressure on Russia

By Aamer Madhani & Seung Min Kim

The Associated Press

WASHINGTON—With a fragile Israel-Hamas ceasefire and hostage deal holding, President

Donald Trump says he’s now turning his attention to bringing Russia’s war on Ukraine to an end and is weighing providing Kyiv long-range weaponry as he looks to prod Moscow to the negotiating table.

Ending the wars in Ukraine and Gaza was central to Trump’s 2024 reelection pitch, in which he persistently pilloried President Joe Biden for his handling of the conflicts. Yet, like his predecessor, Trump also has been stymied by President Vladimir Putin as he’s unsuccessfully pressed the Russian leader to hold direct talks with Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy to end the war that is nearing its fourth year. But fresh off the Gaza ceasefire,

Trump is showing new confidence that he can finally make headway on ending the Russian invasion. He’s also signaling that he’s ready to step up pressure on Putin if he doesn’t come to the table soon.

“Interestingly we made progress today, because of what’s happened in the Middle East,” Trump said of the Russia-Ukraine war on Wednesday evening as he welcomed supporters of his White House ballroom project

to a glitzy dinner.

Earlier this week in Jerusalem, in a speech to the Knesset, Trump predicted the truce in Gaza would lay the groundwork for the US to help Israel and many of its Middle East neighbors normalize relations. But Trump also made clear his top foreign policy priority now is ending the largest armed conflict in Europe since World War II.

“First we have to get Russia done,” Trump said, turning to his special envoy Steve Witkoff, who has also served as his administration’s chief interlocutor with Putin. “We gotta get that one done. If you don’t mind, Steve, let’s focus on Russia first. All right?”

Trump weighs Tomahawks for Ukraine

TRUMP is set to host Zelenskyy for talks Friday, their fourth face-to-face meeting this year.

Ahead of the meeting, Trump has said he’s weighing selling Kyiv longrange Tomahawk cruise missiles,

which would allow Ukraine to strike deep into Russian territory — if Putin doesn’t settle the war soon. Zelenskyy, who has long sought the weapons system, said it would help Ukraine put the sort of pressure on Russia needed to get Putin to engage in peace talks. Putin has made clear that providing Ukraine with Tomahawks would cross a red line and further damage relations between Moscow and Washington. But Trump has been undeterred.

“He’d like to have Tomahawks,” Trump said of Zelenskyy on Tuesday. “We have a lot of Tomahawks.”

Agreeing to sell Ukraine Tomahawks would be a splashy move, said Mark Montgomery, an analyst at the conservative Foundation for Defense of Democracies in Washington. But it could take years to supply and train Kyiv on the Tomahawk system.

Montgomery said Ukraine could be better served in the near term with a surge of Extended Range Attack Munition (ERAM) missiles and Army Tactical Missile System, known as ATACMS. The US already approved the sale of up to 3,350 ERAMs to Kyiv earlier this year.

The Tomahawk, with a range of about 995 miles (1,600 kilometers), would allow Ukraine to strike far deeper in Russian territory than either the ERAM (about 285 miles, or 460 km) or ATACMS (about 186 miles, or 300 kilometers).

“To provide Tomahawks is as much a political decision as it is a military decision,” Montgomery said. “The ERAM is shorter range, but this can help them put pressure on Russia operationally, on their logistics, the command and control, and its force disbursement within several hundred kilometers of the front line. It can be very effective.”

Signs of White House interest in new Russia sanctions ZELENSKYY is expected to reiterate his plea to Trump to hit Russia’s economy with further sanctions, something

the Republican, to date, has appeared reluctant to do.

Congress has weighed legislation that would lead to tougher sanctions on Moscow, but Trump has largely focused his attention on pressuring NATO members and other allies to cut off their purchases of Russian oil, the engine fueling Moscow’s war machine. To that end, Trump said Wednesday that India, which became one of Russia’s biggest crude buyers after the Ukraine invasion, had agreed to stop buying oil from Moscow. Waiting for Trump’s blessing is legislation in the Senate that would impose steep tariffs on countries that purchase Russia’s oil, gas, uranium and other exports in an attempt to cripple Moscow economically.

Though the president hasn’t formally endorsed it—and Republican leaders do not plan to move forward without his support—the White House has shown, behind the scenes, more interest in the bill in recent weeks.

Administration officials have gone through the legislation in depth, offering line edits and requesting technical changes, according to two officials with knowledge of the discussions between the White House and the Senate. That has been interpreted on Capitol Hill as a sign that Trump is getting more serious about the legislation, sponsored by close ally Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., along with Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn. A White House official said the administration is working with lawmakers to make sure that “introduced bills advance the president’s foreign policy objectives and authorities.” The official, who was granted anonymity to discuss private deliberations, said any sanctions package needs to give the president “complete flexibility.”

AP writers Fatima Hussein, Chris Megerian and Didi Tang contributed to this report.

Israel receives remains of 2 more hostages; military says one was not that of a hostage

JBy Sam Metz, Samy Magdy & Wafaa Shurafa The Associated Press

ERUSALEM—Israel received the remains of two more hostages Wednesday, hours after the Israeli military said that one of the bodies previously turned over was not that of a hostage. The confusion added to tensions over the fragile truce that has paused the two-year war.

The coffins carrying the remains were transferred by the Red Cross from Hamas. Upon returning to Israel, they were sent to a forensic lab in Tel Aviv. The military in a statement cautioned that the hostages’ identities had yet to be verified.

Meanwhile, the Gaza Health Ministry said it received 45 more bodies of Palestinians from Israel, another step in the implementation of the ceasefire agreement. That brought to 90 the total number of bodies returned to Gaza for burial. The forensics team examining the remains said they showed signs of mistreatment.

As part of the deal, four bodies of hostages were handed over by Hamas on Tuesday, following four on Monday that were returned hours after the last 20 living hostages were released from Gaza. In all, Israel has been awaiting the return of the bodies of 28 hostages.

The Israeli military said forensic testing showed that “the fourth body handed over to Israel by Hamas does not match any of the hostages.” There was no immediate word on whose body it was.

In exchange for the release of the hostages, Israel freed around 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees Monday.

Unidentified bodies returned to Gaza show signs of abuse

ISRAEL is expected to turn over more bodies, though officials have not said how many are in its custody or how many will be returned. It is unclear whether the remains belong to Palestinians who died in Israeli custody or were taken from Gaza by Israeli troops. Throughout the war, Israel’s military has exhumed bodies as part of its search for the remains of hostages.

As forensic teams examined the first remains returned, the Health Ministry on Wednesday released images of 32 unidentified bodies to help families recognize missing relatives.

Many appeared decomposed or burned. Some were missing limbs or teeth, while others were coated in sand and dust. Health officials have said Israeli restrictions on allowing DNA testing equipment into Gaza have often forced morgues to rely on physical features and clothing for identification.

The forensics team that received the bodies said some arrived still shackled or bearing signs of physical abuse.

Sameh Hamad, a member of a commission tasked with receiving the bodies at Khan Younis’ Nasser Hospital, said some arrived with their hands and legs cuffed.

“There are signs of torture and executions,” he told The Associated Press.

The bodies, he said, belonged to men ages 25 to 70. Most had bands on their necks, including one that had a rope around the neck. Most of the bodies wore civilian clothing, but some were in uniforms, suggesting they were militants.

Hamad said the Red Cross provided names for only three of the dead, leaving many families uncertain of their relatives’ fate. The fighting has killed nearly 68,000 Palestinians, according to the Health Ministry, which is part of the Hamas-run government in Gaza. The ministry maintains detailed casualty records that are seen as generally reliable by U.N. agencies and independent experts.

Thousands more people are missing, according to the Red Cross and Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics.

Rasmiya Qudeih, 52, waited outside Nasser Hospital, hoping her son would be among the 45 bodies transferred Wednesday from Israel. He vanished on Oct. 7, 2023, the day of the Hamas-led attack that triggered the war. She was told he was killed by an Israeli strike. “God willing, he will be with the bodies,” she said.

Netanyahu says Israel won’t compromise

THE ceasefire plan introduced by US President Donald Trump had called for all hostages—living and dead—to be handed over by a deadline that expired Monday. But under the deal, if that didn’t happen, Hamas was to share information about deceased hostages and try to hand them over as soon as possible.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday that Israel “will not compromise” and demanded that Hamas fulfill the requirements laid out in the ceasefire deal about the return of hostages’ bodies.

Russia pounds Ukraine’s energy grid as Zelenskyy seeks aid from Trump

By Illia Novikov The Associated Press

KYIV, Ukraine—Russia battered Ukraine’s energy facilities with hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles in its latest heavy bombardment of the country’s power grid, authorities said Thursday, as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy prepared to ask President Donald Trump at a White House meeting for more American-made air defenses and long-range missiles.

Eight Ukrainian regions experienced blackouts after the barrage, Ukraine’s national energy operator, Ukrenergo, said. DTEK, the country’s largest private energy company, reported outages in the capital, Kyiv, and said it had to stop its natural gas extraction in the central Poltava region due to the strikes.

Zelenskyy said Russia fired more than 300 drones and 37 missiles at Ukraine overnight. He accused Russia of using cluster munitions and conducting repeated strikes on the same target to hit emergency crews and engineers working to repair the grid.

“This fall, the Russians are using every single day to strike our energy infrastructure,” Zelenskyy said on Telegram.

The Ukrainian power grid been one of Russia’s main targets since its invasion of its neighbor more than three years ago. Attacks increase as the bitterly cold months approach in a Russian strategy that Ukrainian officials call “weaponizing winter.” Russia says it aims only at targets of military value.

Ukrainian forces have resisted Russia’s bigger and better equipped army, limiting it to a grinding war of attrition along the roughly 1,000-kilometer (600-mile) front line snaking through eastern and southern regions.

But Ukraine, which is almost the size of Texas, is hard to defend from the air in its entirety, and Kyiv officials are seeking more Western help to

fend against aerial attacks and strike back at Russia.

Zelenskyy was expected to arrive in the United States on Thursday, ahead of his Oval Office meeting with Trump on Friday.

Ukraine is seeking cruise missiles, air defense systems and joint drone production agreements from the United States, Kyiv officials say. Zelenskyy also wants tougher international economic sanctions on Moscow.

The visit comes amid signs that Trump is leaning toward stepping up pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin to break the deadlock in US-led peace efforts.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Wednesday in Brussels that if Russia won’t budge from its objections and refuses to negotiate a peace

deal, Washington “will take the steps necessary to impose costs on Russia for its continued aggression.”

Also, Trump said Wednesday that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally assured him that his country would stop buying Russian oil. That would deny Moscow income it needs to keep fighting in Ukraine.

Washington has hesitated over providing Ukraine with long-range missiles, such as Tomahawks, out of concern that such a step could escalate the war and deepen tensions between the United States and Russia.

But Trump has been frustrated by his inability to force an end to the war in Ukraine and has expressed impatience with Putin, whom he increasingly describes as the primary obstacle to a resolution.

UN urges Pakistan and Afghanistan to end hostilities to protect civilians

ISLAMABAD—The United Nations on Thursday urged Pakistan and Afghanistan to bring “a lasting end to hostilities” to protect civilians, after days of fighting killed dozens of people in both countries and injured hundreds more.

It’s the deadliest crisis between the neighbors since 2021, when the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan following the collapse of the Westernbacked government.

Cross-border violence has escalated since Oct. 10, with each country saying they were retaliating to armed provocations from the other. On Wednesday, the two sides agreed to a ceasefire.

The truce followed appeals from major regional powers, as the violence threatened to destabilize a region where groups, including the Islamic State and al-Qaida, are trying to resurface. There were no reports of overnight fighting. Key border crossings remained closed on Thursday.

The U.N. Assistance Mission in Afghanistan welcomed the ceasefire and said it was still assessing the number of casualties. It said the heaviest toll was in the south on Wednesday.

“Current information indicates that at least 17 civilians were killed and 346 were injured in Spin Boldak on the Afghan side of the border,” the

U.N. mission said. It said it had also documented at least 16 civilian casualties in several Afghan provinces during earlier clashes between the two countries.

“UNAMA calls on all parties to bring a lasting end to hostilities to

protect civilians and prevent further loss of life,” the mission added.

Pakistan has not provided figures for civilian casualties suffered on its side of the border.

It has repeatedly accused Afghanistan of harboring militants, a charge

Trump confirms CIA is conducting covert operations inside Venezuela

By Aamer Madhani The Associated Press

WASHINGTON—President

Donald Trump confirmed

Wednesday that he has authorized the CIA to conduct covert operations inside Venezuela and said he was weighing carrying out land operations on the country.

The acknowledgement of covert action in Venezuela by the US spy agency comes after the US military in recent weeks has carried out a series of deadly strikes against alleged drugsmuggling boats in the Caribbean. US forces have destroyed at least five boats since early September, killing 27 people, and four of those vessels originated from Venezuela.

Asked during an event in the Oval Office on Wednesday why he had authorized the CIA to take action in Venezuela, Trump affirmed he had made the move.

“I authorized for two reasons, really,” Trump replied. “No. 1, they have emptied their prisons into the United States of America,” he said. “And the other thing, the drugs, we have a lot of drugs coming in from Venezuela, and a lot of the Venezuelan drugs come in through the sea.”

Trump added the administration “is looking at land” as it considers further strikes in the region. He declined to say whether the CIA has authority to take action against President Nicolás Maduro.

Trump made the unusual acknowledgement of a CIA operation shortly after The New York Times published that the CIA had been authorized to carry out covert action in Venezuela.

Maduro pushes back ON Wednesday, Maduro lashed out at the record of the US spy agency in various conflicts around the world without directly addressing Trump’s comments about authorizing the CIA to carry out covert operations in Venezuela.

rejected by the Taliban. Pakistan is grappling with attacks that have increased since 2021.

The two countries share a 2,611-kilometer (1,622-mile) long border known as the Durand Line, which Afghanistan has never recognized. AP

“No to regime change that reminds us so much of the (overthrows) in the failed eternal wars in Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya and so on,” Maduro said at a televised event of the National Council for Sovereignty and Peace, which is made up of representatives from various political, economic, academic and cultural sectors in Venezuela.

“No to the coups carried out by the CIA, which remind us so much of the 30,000 disappeared,” a figure estimated by human rights organizations such as the Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo during the military dictatorship in Argentina (1976-1983). He also referred to the 1973 coup in Chile.

“How long will the CIA continue to carry on with its coups? Latin America doesn’t want them, doesn’t need them and repudiates them,” Maduro added.

The objective is “to say no to war in the Caribbean, no to war in South America, yes to peace,” he said.

Speaking in English, Maduro said: “Not war, yes peace, not war. Is that how you would say it? Who speaks English? Not war, yes peace, the people of the United States, please. Please, please, please.”

In a statement, Venezuela’s Foreign Ministry on Wednesday rejected “the bellicose and extravagant statements by the President of the United States, in which he publicly admits to having

authorized operations to act against the peace and stability of Venezuela.”

“This unprecedented statement constitutes a very serious violation of international law and the United Nations’ Charter and obliges the community of countries to denounce these clearly immoderate and inconceivable statements,” said the statement, which Foreign Minister Yván Gil posted on his Telegram channel.

Resistance from Congress EARLY this month, the Trump administration declared drug cartels to be unlawful combatants and pronounced the United States is now in an “armed conflict” with them, justifying the military action as a necessary escalation to stem the flow of drugs into the United States.

The move has spurred anger in Congress from members of both major political parties that Trump was effectively committing an act of war without seeking congressional authorization.

On Wednesday, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said while she supports cracking down on trafficking, the administration has gone too far.

“The Trump administration’s authorization of covert C.I.A. action, conducting lethal strikes on boats and hinting at land operations in Venezuela slides the United States closer to outright conflict with no transparency, oversight or apparent guardrails,” Shaheen said. “The American people deserve to know if the administration is leading the US into another conflict, putting servicemembers at risk or pursuing a regime-change operation.”

The Trump administration has yet to provide underlying evidence to lawmakers proving that the boats targeted by the US military were in fact carrying narcotics, according to two US officials familiar with the matter. The officials, who were not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the administration has only pointed to unclassified video clips of the strikes posted on social media by Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and has yet to produce “hard evidence” that the vessels were carrying drugs.

Lawmakers have expressed frustration that the administration is offering little detail about how it came to decide the US is in armed conflict with cartels or which criminal organizations it claims are “unlawful combatants.”

Even as the US military has carried out strikes on some vessels, the US Coast Guard has continued with its typical practice of stopping boats and seizing drugs.

Trump on Wednesday explained away the action, saying the traditional approach hasn’t worked.

“Because we’ve been doing that for 30 years, and it has been totally ineffective. They have faster boats,” he said. “They’re world-class speedboats, but they’re not faster than missiles.” Human rights groups have raised concerns that the strikes flout international law and are extrajudicial killings.

The World

Senate Democrats, holding out for health care, ready to reject govt funding bill for 10th time

By Stephen Groves & Mary Clare Jalonick The Associated Press

WASHINGTON—Senate

Democrats are poised for the 10th time Thursday to reject a stopgap spending bill that would reopen the government, insisting they won’t back away from demands that Congress take up health care benefits.

The repetition of votes on the funding bill has become a daily drumbeat in Congress, underscoring how intractable the situation has become as it has been at times the only item on the agenda for the Senate floor. House Republicans have left Washington altogether. The standoff has lasted over two weeks, leaving hundreds of thousands of federal workers furloughed, even more without a guaranteed payday and Congress essentially paralyzed.

“Every day that goes by, there are more and more Americans who are getting smaller and smaller paychecks,” said Senate Majority Leader John Thune, adding that there have been thousands of flight delays across the country as well.

Thune, a South Dakota Republican, again and again has tried to pressure Democrats to break from their strategy of voting against the stopgap funding bill. It hasn’t worked. And while some bipartisan talks have been ongoing about potential compromises on health care, they haven’t produced any

PNational Assembly and call snap legislative elections, a hazardous option that the French leader had signaled he might take if Lecornu fell.

The close ally of the French president faced two no-confidence motions filed by Macron’s fiercest opponents—the hard-left France

meaningful progress toward reopening the government.

Democrats say they won’t budge until they get a guarantee on extending subsidies for health plans offered under Affordable Care Act marketplaces. They warned that millions of Americans who buy their own health insurance—such as small business owners, farmers and contractors—will see large increases when premium prices go out in the coming weeks. Looking ahead to a Nov. 1 deadline in most states, they think voters will demand that Republicans enter into serious negotiations.

“We have to do something, and right now, Republicans are letting these tax credits expire,” said Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer.

Still, Thune was also trying a different tack Thursday with a vote to proceed to appropriations bills— a move that could grease the Senate’s wheels into some action or just deepen the divide between the two parties.

A deadline for subsidies on health plans DEMOCRATS have rallied around their priorities on health care as they hold out against voting for a Republican bill that would reopen the government. Yet they also warn that the time to strike a deal to prevent large increases for many health plans is drawing short.

When they controlled Congress during the pandemic, Democrats boosted subsidies for Affordable Care Act health plans. It pushed enrollment under President Barack Obama’s signature health care law to new levels and drove the rate of uninsured people to a historic low. Nearly 24 million people currently get their health insurance from subsidized marketplaces, according to

Unbowed party and Marine Le Pen of the farright National Rally and her allies in Parliament. The 577-seat chamber voted on the France Unbowed motion first—and it fell short, with 271 lawmakers supporting it. It had needed a majority of 289 votes to succeed.

Lawmakers are now voting on Le Pen’s second motion but it is thought even less likely to succeed, because the far-right leader’s opponents on the left are not expected to support it.

health care research nonprofit KFF. Democrats—and some Republicans—are worried that many of those people will forgo insurance if the price rises dramatically. While the tax credits don’t expire until next year, health insurers will soon send out notices of the price increases. In most states, they go out Nov. 1.

Sen. Patty Murray, the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee, said she has heard from “families who are absolutely panicking about their premiums that are doubling.”

“They are small business owners who are having to think about abandoning the job they love to get employer-sponsored health care elsewhere or just forgoing coverage

But Lecornu isn’t out of the woods yet.

To get the votes he needed, Lecornu dangled the possibility of rolling back one of the flagship but most unpopular reforms of Macron’s presidency, which will gradually raise France’s retirement age from 62 to 64.

Lecornu’s proposed suspension of the 2023 pension reform helped convince some opposition lawmakers to grudgingly decide not to back the efforts to topple him, at least for now.

But they could change tack and support any future no-confidence motions if they don’t get what they want in the budget negotiations that are sure to be fractious.

Lecornu has promised not to use a special constitutional power to railroad the budget through Parliament without lawmakers’ approval—which was the tool that Macron’s government employed to impose the 2023 pension reform despite a firestorm of protests. AP

altogether,” she added. Murray also said that if many people decide to leave their health plan, it could have an effect across medical insurance because the pool of people under health plans will shrink. That could result in higher prices across the board, she said.

Some Republicans have acknowledged that the expiration of the tax credits could be a problem, and floated potential compromises to address it, but there is hardly a consensus among the GOP.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., this week called the COVIDera subsidies a “boondoggle,” adding that “when you subsidize the health care system and you pay insurance companies more, the prices increase.”

President Donald Trump has said he would “like to see a deal done for great health care,” but has not meaningfully weighed into the debate. And Thune has insisted that Democrats first vote to reopen the government before entering any negotiations on health care. If Congress were to engage in negotiations on significant changes to health care, it would likely take weeks, if not longer, to work out a compromise.

Votes on appropriations bills

MEANWHILE , Senate Republicans are setting up a vote Thursday to proceed to a bill to fund the Defense Department and several other areas of government. This would turn the Senate to Thune’s priority of working through spending bills and potentially pave the way to paying salaries for troops, though the House would eventually need to come back to Washington to vote for a final bill negotiated between the two chambers.

Thune said it would be a step toward getting “the government funded in the traditional way, which is through the annual appropriations process.”

It wasn’t clear whether Democrats would give the support needed to advance the bills. They discussed the idea at their luncheon Wednesday and emerged saying they wanted to review the Republican proposal and make sure it included appropriations that are priorities for them.

While the votes will not bring the Senate any closer to an immediate fix for the government shutdown, it could at least turn their attention to issues where there is some bipartisan agreement.

Mandaluyong RTC cancels Garma, et al’s passports

TBy Joel R. San Juan @jrsanjuan1573

HE Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Mandaluyong City has ordered the cancellation of the passports of former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) general manager Royina Garma and four others who were charged with murder and frustrated murder charges in connection with the killing of PCSO board secretary Wesley Barayuga in 2020.

The order issued by the Mandaluyong RTC also covers the passports of Garma’s co-accused namely former National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) commissioner Edilberto Leonardo, and police officials Jeremy Causapin, Santie Mendoza, and Nelson Mariano.

The court also issued a hold departure order (HDO) against all the accused.

The cancellation of the passports and the issuance of an HDO against the accused came following the court’s issuance of arrest warrants against them.

The trial court agreed with state prosecutors that “there exists serious risk that they will flee from the jurisdiction of the court to evade trial and punishment.”

“Considering that all the accused, except Santie Mendoza y Fuentes

and Nelson Mariano y Enriquez, are fugitives from justice having not appeared in court, not surrendered nor submitted to the jurisdiction of the court, and the nature of the charges against all the accused, the urgent ex-parte motion for issuance of hold departure order and motion to cancel passport are granted,” the trial court said.

Mendoza and Mariano, who surrendered to authorities after arrest warrants were issued against them, are currently detained at the National Bureau of Investigation-Security Management Division.

The trial court allowed them to remain at the NBI custody due to “serious, imminent, and credible” threats to their safety.

The court also proceeded with their scheduled arraignment yesterday where the two pleaded pleas of “not guilty.”

SC orders Marcos, Congress, LGUs and contractors to respond to

THE Supreme Court (SC) has ordered President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., the Senate, the House of Representatives and other government agencies, local government units and private contractors to answer a taxpayers’ petition for the issuance of a writ of kalikasan seeking to address the country’s perennial flood problems.

The order was issued by the Court en banc in a resolution dated September 30, 2025 but was made available to the public Thursday.

“Acting on the petition for the issuance of a writ of kalikasan, the Court resolved, without giving due course to the petition, to require the respondents to comment thereon within 10 days from notice of this resolution,” the Court said.

The SC also required the petitioners to comply, within five days from notice of the resolution, with

writ of kalikasan flood control petition

the requirement to submit proper verification pursuant to the 1997 Rules of Civil Procedure, noting that the attentations in the petition are incomplete.

The Court’s order stemmed from the petition filed by lawyer Edna Selloriquez et al seeking to compel Marcos to exercise his control over various government agencies for the conduct of a massive clean-up of the environment.   They also asked the Court to direct the President to disclose or design the master plan for flood control in the country. Likewise, the petitioners asked the SC to direct the Department of Interior and Local Government and local government units (LGUs) to conduct a comprehensive cleanup, clearing and de-clogging of silted rivers and streams, canals and embankments, drainage systems and other ways that contribute to

the flooding problem.

The petitioners also said the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) should be compelled to complete the rehabilitation of these waterways. They also criticized the corruption and negligence on the part of government officials who are supposed to enforce and implement flood control projects.

“The havoc or mayhem created by either malfeasance, mis-feasance and non-feasance, as well as the absolute negligence and deliberate corruption of those who are supposed to dispense, enforce and implement projects and programs funded by taxpayers money are unconscionable and shocking to the senses of the global humanity,” the petitioners said.

The petitioners also asked the Court to order the prosecution of

Zambales LGUs told to plan for quakes

By Henry Empeño

MASINLOC, Zambales—

The Zambales Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction

those who took advantage of the country’s flawed flood control systems to accumulate ill-gotten wealth.

Aside from Marcos, named as respondents were the leaders of the House and the Senate, DPWH, DILG, Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), River Basin Control Office (RCBO), all LGUs and all flood control project contractors.

A writ of kalikasan is a legal remedy available to a natural or juridical person, entity authorized by law, people’s organization, non-governmental organization (NGO), or any public interest group, on behalf of persons whose constitutional right to a balanced and healthful ecology is violated or threatened. Joel R. San Juan

However, the court denied the motion of Garma and Aguinaldo to suspend proceedings pending the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) action on their motion for reconsideration.

It held that the filing of motion for reconsideration before the DOJ was not a valid ground to suspend court proceedings.

Meanwhile, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has asked the International Police to issue a red notice against Garma who left the country last September 7 for Malaysia a day after returning to the country from Los Angeles, California, last September 6 following the denial of her application for political asylum.

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla earlier disclosed that Garma has agreed to testify for the prosecution in connection with the

crimes against humanity filed in the International Criminal Court against former President Rodrigo Duterte for his bloody anti-illegal drug war.

Interpol notices are international requests for cooperation or alerts allowing police in member countries to share critical crimerelated information.

A red notice is a request to law enforcement worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition, surrender, or similar legal action.

Barayuga was gunned down by a motorcycle-riding man shortly while on his way home from the PCSO central office in Mandaluyong City on July 30, 2020. His driver survived the incident, thus filing of frustrated murder complaint against the respondents.

DAR’s ₧186.9-million debt relief and land title distribution benefits 4K ARBs in MIMAROPA

THE Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) is set to distribute land titles and debt condonation certificates to agrarian reform beneficiaries across Region IV-A on Friday.

The distribution of the land titles and condonation certificates is part of the government’s continuing effort to uplift farmers through land ownership and financial freedom.

In a statement, the DAR said around 4,000 farmers in the MIMAROPA region will benefit from the activity.

The Distribution of E-Titles, Certificates of Land Ownership Award (CLOAs), and Certificates of Condonation with Release of Mortgage (CoCRoMs) will be held at the Sablayan Astrodome in Occidental Mindoro, with simultaneous ceremonies in all five provinces of MIMAROPA, the DAR said.

The event seeks to secure land tenure, free farmers from decades of unpaid amortizations, and empower rural communities through sustainable agrarian reform programs. A total of P186.9 million worth of land debts will be condoned under the New Agrarian Emancipation Act, benefiting 3,002 farmers across the region.

Highlights of the Regional Distribution

and Management Office (PDRRMO) has asked local government units (LGUs) to identify possible evacuation areas across the province following a series of earth -

quakes that jolted various places in the country, including Zambales.

PDRRMO head Rolex Estella said this is part of the instruction by Governor Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. for LGUs to review disaster contingency plans and formulate courses of action to mitigate the effects of disasters.

“We’re looking for open spaces in all municipalities that could be used as tent cities should a strong earthquake happen,” Estella told the BusinessMirror on Wednesday night, just hours before two tremors hit Zambales early Thursday morning.

Estella explained that earthquake scenarios presume that existing evacuation centers, which usually are public schools and barangay facilities, won’t be viable during severe tremors, as they may be prone to collapse.

Moreover, as earthquake location is unpredictable, “evacuation plans really become a challenge, so there is really a need to pinpoint safe spaces beforehand,” he said. Zambales was rocked by two earthquakes that occurred within five minutes of each other early Thursday.

A magnitude 3.2 earthquake was recorded at 2:04 a.m. four kilometers west of Masinloc, followed by a magnitude 5.0 at 2:09 a.m. 8 kilometers west of the same town. Both occurred at a depth of 24 kilometers.

Last Saturday, October 11, another magnitude 5.0 earthquake also shook Zambales. So far, no

damages nor casualties have been reported after the earthquakes.

Studies show that at least two active fault lines run across parts of the province: the East Zambales Fault, which extends offshore in the Lingayen Gulf in Pangasinan north of the province, and the Iba Fault, which is located inland in central part of Zambales. Both are said to be part of a larger system of tectonic structures in the region, including the Bataan Volcanic Arc Complex (BVAC).

The Manila Trench, which is located west of Zambales, is also associated with frequent earthquakes and is said to have shown some activity with magnitude 5.0 and above tremors in 2024 and 2025.

Estella said Gov. Ebdane has encouraged LGUs to adopt a threetiered approach to prepare for a possible “Big One,” a projected magnitude 7.2 earthquake that could affect Metro Manila and nearby provinces due possible fractures along the West Valley Fault that extends from Bulacan to Laguna.

This involves identifying risks and developing plans of action, executing response and mitigating measures during disaster, and assessing the plan’s overall effectiveness afterwards.

The LGUs are expected to update their contingency plans and submit the same to the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, which Ebdane chairs, Estella added.

n 754 E-Titles covering 808 hectares for 702 ARBs; n 395 CLOAs covering 406 hectares for 474 ARBs; and n 3,482 CoCRoMs benefiting 3,002 ARBs condoning P186.9 million amortizations.

Breakdown by Province

n Occidental Mindoro: 142 CLOAs covering 170.41 ha. to 111 ARBS; 389 E-Titles covering 261.02 ha. to 354 ARBs; 1,594 CoCRoMs condoning P87,752,783.09 of 1,266 ARBs.

n Oriental Mindoro: 118 CLOAs covering 86.28 ha. to 108 ARBs; 73 E-Titles covering 116.66 ha. to 73 ARBs; 200 CoCROMs condoning P10,573,972.55 of 182 ARBs.

n Marinduque: 19 CLOAs covering 140.30 ha. to 125 ARBs; 148 E-Titles covering 140.30 ha. to 125 ARBs; 44 CoCROMs condoning P2,260,413.12 to 38 ARBs.

n Romblon: 15 E-Titles covering 35.49 ha. to 15 ARBs; 37 CoCROMs condoning P905,728.26 of 37 ARBs.

n Palawan: 116 CLOAs covering 9.53 ha. to 130 ARBs; 129 E-Titles covering 135.00 ha. to 135 ARBs; 1,607 CoCROMs condoning P85,432,739.52 of 1,479 ARBs

DAR Secretary Conrado M. Estrella III emphasized that the activity reflects the government’s steadfast commitment to bringing genuine progress to the countryside.

“This event is not just about distributing documents— it’s about giving our farmers the freedom to dream and the power to decide their future,” Secretary Estrella said. The regional event will be live-streamed from the main venue in Sablayan and broadcast on the official Facebook page of DAR MIMAROPA, allowing beneficiaries, stakeholders, and the public across the region to witness this historic milestone.

Jonathan L. Mayuga

Garcia: SC ruling gives Comelec ‘legal weapon’ vs election misinformation

By Justine Xyrah Garcia

COMMISSION on Elec -

tions (Comelec) Chairman

George Erwin M. Garcia said the Supreme Court’s ruling on the disqualification case of Caloocan 2nd District Representative Edgar Erice has, for the first time, given the poll body clear guidance on how to address election misinformation.

The Court recently nullified Comelec’s decision disqualifying Erice, who was accused of spreading false information about the poll body’s contract with Miru Systems.

It ruled that while such acts may qualify as an election offense, they are not among the legal grounds for disqualification unless the person has been convicted by a trial court. Garcia said the decision makes clear that the Comelec retains the authority to investigate and file cases on false or alarming statements that could disrupt the electoral process, but disqualification can only come after a conviction.

“The Supreme Court said Comelec has the right to investigate and prosecute this kind of offense. Whether it is a ground for disqualification, the Court said it is not—but it can be the basis for filing an election offense,” Garcia

told reporters on Thursday.

“It’s now clear: conviction will be the basis of disqualification, not the misinformation itself. This serves as our guidance moving forward.”

He said the ruling also strengthened Comelec’s position at a time when misinformation and disinformation pose serious threats to democracy.

“Especially now that the threats to democracy are misinformation, disinformation, and fake news. This is our legal weapon,” he added. Garcia, who inhibited himself from the Erice case, said he has no hand in deciding whether the poll body will still pursue a separate election offense against the lawmaker.

“For me, that’s more than enough. Since the Supreme Court itself made no determination on the respondent’s liability…if my colleagues wish to file, it’s up to them…After all, the respondent has already won, been proclaimed, and is now in office,” he said when asked if Comelec will pursue criminal charges.

The Comelec pro c laimed Erice as the Caloocan City 2nd Dist rict represent at ive-elect last May 13 after get t ing 105,363 votes, beat i ng then incumbent con gress woman Mitch Cahayon-uy.

Advocacy groups sound alarm over youth vaping epidemic, urge stronger regulations

By Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco

T@claudethmc3

HE Parents Against Vape

(PAV) and the Child Rights Network (CRN), have expressed grave concern over the alarming rise in ecigarette use among children worldwide as highlighted by the recent World Health Organization (WHO) report.

“This growing epidemic is not accidental—it is the direct result of the tobacco industry’s aggressive targeting of children and young people to be their replacement smokers and efforts to weaken regulation to make their products more accessible to the general public,” PAV and CRN stated in a joint statement.

The WHO recently warned the public that out of the 100 million people vaping, at least 15 million are children aged 13 to 15.

It added that in countries that have data, children are 9 times more likely to vape than adults.

The health advocacy groups stressed that tobacco industry distorts the meaning of “harm reduction” to justify selling these products, branding them as “less harmful” or “alternatives.”

“What the industry is doing is not harm reduction but harm promotion.Real harm reduction is not profit-driven. It does not involve flooding the market with new addictive products for both smokers and non-smokers alike. If the industry really promotes harm reduction, it wouldn’t make their products flavored, flashy, and packaged to appeal to the youth,” they said.

“Addiction from nicotine and e-cigarette products threatens children’s brain development, mental health, and overall wellbeing,” they stressed.

“Sacrificing their health for corporate profit violates the

Dizon vows probe into allegations of leadership team’s contractor ties

By Lorenz S. Marasigan @lorenzmarasigan & Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz @joveemarie

DEPARTMENT of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon has committed to investigate allegations that members of his leadership team may have connections with contractors, following concerns raised by a House appropriations official.

The issue surfaced during a Thursday press conference when Batangas Rep. Leandro Leviste, vice chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations, called on Dizon and his team to disclose any ties with contractors in the interest of transparency and public trust.

Responding to the concerns during a separate briefing, Dizon expressed “openness to investigating” the matter while maintaining that he is unaware of any such connections among his undersecretaries.

“I am open to any information you can provide me,” Dizon said. “If Congressman Leviste can point out who and what the details are... my commitment is to fire that person immediately and if needed, file cases.”

He also categorically denied being approached by contractors seeking favors since assuming office in early September.

Philippine government’s obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) to safeguard every child’s right to health, truthful information, and protection from harmful products,” they said as they urge policymakers, health authorities, schools, and communities to act decisively.

The joint call to action of PAV and CRN include:

*Return regulatory oversight of e-cigarettes from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to the Department of Health - Food and Drug Administration (FDA), prioritizing public health over profit.

*Restore the minimum age of restriction to 21 years, recognizing the heightened vulnerability of adolescent brains to nicotine addiction.

n Ban all flavored vapes and all online promotions and sale, including aggressive influencer and celebrity marketing that highly appeal to children and young people.

n Strongly enforce anti-vaping laws and ordinances that prohibit sale, marketing, and use of e-cigarettes by minors.

n Implement public education campaigns exposing the misleading narrative of “harm reduction” and the true harms of vaping.

n Hold policymakers and industry actors accountable for continuing to place profit above public health.

“E-cigarettes are just as harmful, if not more harmful, than traditional combustible cigarettes and children should never be consumers of these deadly products. When children vape, the tobacco industry is primarily responsible for it,” they said urging the public to act now before another generation’s health and dreams become casualties of corporate greed and gaps in policy and implementation.

“The only contractors I’ve spoken to are those I’ve reprimanded,” he said.

When Dizon assumed his post as public works chief on September 2, he brought in a “handpicked” team of undersecretaries drawn from various government agencies and the private sector as part of his reform agenda.

These appointments are now at the center of Leviste’s transparency call, though Dizon has defended their backgrounds and “vouched” for their “integrity.”

Rico Bernabe came from the National Police Commission (Napolcom) and has no known contractor connections. General Ato Bisnar, from the Office of Transportation Security, was cited by Dizon for his integrity. General Charles Kalima came from San Miguel Corp. Nick Conti previously headed the

Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) during the Aquino administration. Raffy Turgano is a lawyer from private practice, while Arrey Perez previously worked with Dizon at the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) before moving to Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC).

“Their background is out in the open and I handpicked them. When I brought them here, I vouched for them because I know them personally and they came from known companies and government agencies,” he said.

Nevertheless, he vowed to conduct an investigation into his own team.

“I will investigate them on my own,” he said.

Dizon also pointed out that Leviste’s remarks were based off of a “rumor” since Leviste only “heard” of the information from another party. However, he said it “is important” that he “gets to the bottom of this.”

“I will never tolerate it and they will be immediately removed from the post,” Dizon said.

Leviste acknowledged that his concerns were based on information from multiple unnamed sources, including at least one person “among those accused” in the ongoing flood control project scandal that has gripped the department.

While praising Dizon as a “reformer” who has “done a much better job than his predecessor,” Leviste

Install safeguards before restoring NFA powers under RTL amendments–Sen. Kiko

SBy Butch Fernandez @butchfBM

ENATOR Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan supports the return of the National Food Authority’s (NFA) powers to regulate, trade, and import rice, but wants additional stringent safeguards to prevent abuse, ensure accountability, and protect both farmers and consumers.

At the second public hearing on the amendments to the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL), the Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform said that any revisions to the law and restoration of NFA powers will be counterproductive without assuring adequate checks are in place.

“Lagi ko itong sinasabi: Kumuha na lang tayo ng bato, pukpok natin sa ulo natin dahil sakit lang ng ulo ang mangyayari kapag ibabalik sa inyo nang walang safeguards yung kapangyarihan,” he told the NFA during the hearing.

The senator is proposing two major safeguards before reinstating the NFA’s powers under his proposed RTL amendments: a citizens participatory audit, with the active involvement of the private sector, farmers’ organizations, and other relevant stakeholders to ensure transparency and accountability; and the requirement of an approved budget allocated for rice importation contracts, to prevent the NFA from engaging in overpriced or irregular import transactions.

He recalled that when he was food security czar during the Aquino administration, he turned down four offers of overpriced imported rice, resulting in P7 billion in savings.

Addressing the NFA, he emphasized that the agency should capitalize on its leverage as a “big buyer” in the international rice market. By exercising prudent negotiation and fiscal discipline, the NFA can reject any import offers that exceed its approved budget for rice procurement, ensuring that every transaction safeguards

public funds and upholds market integrity.

Pangilinan also urged the NFA to institutionalize measures for storing aging rice stock in their warehouses, and flagged the agency amid reports from Isabela province that it was buying from traders rather than from farmers.

“Kailangan lang maging masinop kayo doon sa pagbabantay ng mga ganitong klaseng intervention,” the senator said.

“Kaya nga importante na kapag binigyan ulit kayo ng kapangyarihan, maliwanag yung accountability, maliwanag may transparency, at maliwanag may citizens participation para mag- behave itong mga magtatangkang abusuhin yung kapangyarihang muling ibinalik ,” he added.

At Wednesday’s hearing, the senator took a step closer to amending the RTL, which he said has poisoned the local rice industry by facilitating the entry of more imported rice rather than providing support for local farmers and bringing down the price of rice in the domestic market.

insisted that “because of the public sentiment right now, no one should be beyond scrutiny.”

Dizon has been leading a sweeping investigation into alleged ghost projects and corruption in the DPWH since taking office, following a presidential directive to clean the agency “from top to bottom.”

“Even if the DPWH runs out of people—district engineers, regional directors, undersecretaries—we will remove and file cases against them. We want to have a truly clean agency,” he said.

He also emphasized the importance of accountability creating deterrence, citing the numerous cases filed against former public works officials and employees as well as contractors.

“What’s important is that people should be afraid now that there will be consequences for stealing,” he said. “If there are any who slipped through before I came in, we will catch you.”

So far, the agency has uncovered 421 ghost projects out of the 8,000 initially validated.

To recall, the government started the crackdown on alleged ghost projects after President Marcos Jr.’s State of the Nation Address in July. Since then, investigations into the flood control corruption scandal have implicated numerous lawmakers, contractors, public works officials, and auditors. Some have been charged with graft and malversation cases.

Policy research hub opens in Bangsamoro region

By Bless Aubrey Ogerio

ANEW policy research hub has opened in Cotabato City to make development studies more accessible in the Bangsamoro region.

The Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS), in partnership with the Bangsamoro Planning and Development Authority (BPDA), launched a PIDS Corner at the BPDA Library on September 25 during the 2nd Bangsamoro Development Policy Research Forum. The Cotabato facility is the 27th of its kind established across the country. The PIDS Corner houses computers and a collection of the institute’s research publications, including Development Research News, Policy Notes, Research Paper Series and the Philippine Journal of Development. The hub is intended to serve local policymakers, researchers and students in areas where access to policy resources is limited.

“For nearly two decades, our PIDS Corner program has been a cornerstone of our mission to bring policy research closer to our policymakers, researchers, students, and communities,” PIDS President Randy Tuaño.

There are currently 14 PIDS Corners in Luzon, six in the Visayas, and seven in Mindanao.

Schools near fault lines may be ‘overbuilt’ for safety

PUBLIC schools sitting along fault lines may soon be “over-engineered” to withstand stronger earthquakes, as education and science officials move to reinforce disaster readiness in classrooms nationwide.

Following recent tremors in Cebu and Davao Oriental, the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) are exploring plans to construct buildings that exceed standard design requirements and to utilize science-based data in determining class suspensions and safety measures.

DOST Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. said the partnership seeks to ensure that actions taken during disasters, such as suspending classes or evacuating schools, are not only quick but data-driven.

“Science plays a vital role in ensuring that our decisions during disasters are not only quick but also precise,” Solidum said.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara, who visited quake-hit areas earlier this month, said DepEd will collaborate with Phivolcs to train school personnel in assessing building stability and responding to emergencies.

Phivolcs recorded an aftershock

on Wednesday morning, October 15, off the coast of Manay town in Davao Oriental. The province was struck by twin earthquakes on October 10, with magnitudes 7.3 and 6.8.

The following day, tremors were also reported in Isabela, Zambales and Surigao del Sur, while La Union and Cebu experienced separate quakes earlier this month.

The education department is also looking into setting up a command center that would serve as a monitoring hub for early warnings and real-time hazard updates. Both agencies, its officials added, are developing checklist-based

systems that could automatically send alerts once risk conditions are detected, helping schools act faster during emergencies. They also agreed to issue unified advisories to maintain public trust and prevent misinformation. Under DepEd Order 22, authority to suspend classes rests with local chiefs, superintendents and school principals. DepEd emphasized that such decisions must rely on Phivolcs advisories, on-ground conditions and the school’s capacity to resume learning quickly through modular or take-home lessons. Bless Aubrey Ogerio

Poverty alarms ring: Poor families cry for a decent, living wage

THE latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey revealing that 55 percent of Filipino families— some 15.5 million households—consider themselves poor is a crucial alarm bell for the nation. This self-rated poverty figure, rising in early 2025, starkly contrasts with official poverty statistics but more importantly, it reflects a deeply felt reality by millions of Filipinos struggling to make ends meet amid rising prices and stagnant incomes.

The public sentiment captured by research firm WR Numero’s August 2025 Philippine Public Opinion Monitor further underscores this urgency. An overwhelming 83 percent of adult Filipinos support a P200 daily wage increase, signaling a collective plea for economic relief that goes beyond government statistics and policy rhetoric. The widespread support across all regions and income classes speaks volumes: the current minimum wages are simply insufficient in the face of escalating living costs. (Read the BusinessMirror story, “Poll: Wages can’t keep pace with rising costs,” October 13, 2025).

The P50 wage hike implemented in Metro Manila last July—the biggest single wage adjustment by the regional board to date—has been met with near-universal dissatisfaction. With 73 percent of respondents finding it inadequate, the message is clear: incremental and piecemeal wage adjustments are no longer enough. The cost of living has outpaced wage growth, leaving workers and their families trapped in a cycle of economic insecurity.

This groundswell of support for wage increases is not just about numbers but about dignity and survival. It reflects a nation’s yearning for a fair share in the fruits of hard labor. The fact that raising wages ranks among the top policy priorities for Filipinos—just behind lowering food prices—demonstrates how intertwined wage adequacy is with the broader struggle against poverty, hunger, and inequality.

The legislative gridlock in the 20th Congress over wage reforms is deeply disheartening. Both the House and Senate have passed different versions of wage hike bills, but a failure to reconcile these measures has stalled meaningful progress. This political inertia is a disservice to millions of Filipinos who need urgent economic relief. Lawmakers must put aside partisan differences and prioritize the welfare of their constituents by passing a unified, substantial wage increase.

The data is unequivocal: Filipinos are demanding a living wage that can realistically meet their basic needs. The government and legislators have a moral and political obligation to respond decisively. Ensuring decent wages is not just an economic imperative—it is fundamental to restoring hope and dignity for Filipino families struggling in the shadows of poverty.

The surveys reveal a significant gap: Filipino families indicate that their incomes are inadequate for a decent standard of living. Urgently addressing this gap is not only a compassionate responsibility for leaders but also crucial for enhancing social stability, economic resilience, and trust in democratic governance.

BusinessMirror

Cinemalaya 2025 reverberated with activism and anti-corruption  messages

CKuwentong Peyups

HANTS of “activism is not terrorism” with a raised clenched fist reverberated during the awards night of the 21st Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival.

Sporadic chants of “Makibaka, huwag matakot,” “Palayain ang mga bilanggong politikal!,” “Mga kurakot, ikulong na yan!” highlighted the night as strong calls for “accountability and transparency in government funds meant for cultural and artistic development.”

The 21st Cinemalaya theme of “LAYAG sa Alon, Hangin, at Unos” reflects  the steadfast storytelling efforts of Filipino filmmakers as the festival remains a “fragile vessel” that struggles each year to stay afloat financially.

Cinemalaya festival director Chris Millado stressed that corruption is part of a larger conversation about the film industry’s challenges and societal issues.

Millado contrasted the loss of billions of pesos to corruption with the filmmakers’ artistic contributions.

“While we are shoved into the mud by the greedy, we uplift the Filipino reputation and conscious-

T. Anthony C. Cabangon

Lourdes M. Fernandez

Jennifer A. Ng Vittorio V. Vitug

Lorenzo M. Lomibao Jr., Gerard S. Ramos

Lyn B. Resurreccion, Dennis D. Estopace Angel R. Calso, Dionisio L. Pelayo

Ruben M. Cruz Jr.

Eduardo A. Davad

Nonilon G. Reyes

D. Edgard A. Cabangon Benjamin V. Ramos

Aldwin Maralit Tolosa

Rolando M. Manangan

BusinessMirror is published daily by the Philippine Business Daily Mirror Publishing, Inc., with offices on the

ness through our continued artistic creation, storytelling, and reflection,” Millado said, adding that money could have helped the arts thrive, funding cinemas, local films, and even a permanent venue for independent cinema.

Deputy Festival Director Tess Rances stressed that “corruption kills artistry,” warning that many Filipino filmmakers are robbed of the chance to showcase their talent as they continue to struggle to bring their stories to life.

“We call on lawmakers to act with urgency against corruption that stifles creativity and to channel resources towards fostering artistic excellence,” Rances said.

The recent  mass actions are closely tied to the flood control corruption scandal that revolves around the diversion of billions of public funds to a network of favored contractors, lawmakers, and officials tied to flood control projects over the past three

The 21st Cinemalaya theme of “LAYAG sa Alon, Hangin, at Unos” reflects the steadfast storytelling efforts of Filipino filmmakers as the festival remains a “fragile vessel” that struggles each year to stay afloat financially.

years. Despite the reported completion of 5,500 flood control projects, many are either substandard or entirely non-existent.

Ang daming kurakot at perang ninakaw kaya walang lupa ang mga magsasaka. Ibalik ang pera ng taumbayan! Gamitin para sa genuine agrariam reform na tunay na susuporta sa kabuhayan ng mga magsasaka!”  said Noni Abao, the director of “Bloom Where You Are Planted” that bagged Best Film and Best Editing awards.

The film narrated the story of three land rights activists in Cagayan Valley: Agnes Mesina (a development worker), Amanda  Echanis (a jailed mother-artist-activist), and  Randy Malayo (a slain peace consultant).

The film was cited for “its powerful and deeply humane portrayal of political activists uprooted by violence yet steadfast in their pursuit of justice and belonging; for transforming the struggle for land, peace, and dignity in Cagayan Valley into a meditation on home, hope, and resilience.”

Sari Dalena of  “Cinemartyrs” urged women filmmakers to use their

Teacher migration and the economy

EVERY year, Ateneo de Manila University organizes a series of events titled TALAB (Talakayang Alay sa Bayan), which aims to provide students with opportunities to reflect on various social and economic issues facing the country. This year’s TALAB was held on October 14, 2025.

In one of the many sessions of TALAB, I was invited, together with DLSU Associate Professor Christopher Cabuay, to speak on the topic “Katahimikan sa Silid-Aralan, Katahimikan ng Bayan: The Economic Cost of Filipino Educator Emigration” in a session organized by the Ateneo Economics Association. Filipino teacher migration shares many similarities with Filipino nurse migration. For one, both are clear examples of Filipino high skill migration.

In the migration literature, the skill classification of the migrant is usually defined not by the education level the migrant worker attained but the occupation he takes on in his country of destination. Under this categorization, the high skill workers include those who take on managerial, professional, and technical jobs abroad.

Workers falling into other occupational categories would be classified as non-high skill workers (or low to medium skill workers), which

Filipino teacher migration is also similar to Filipino nurse migration in that both are occurring despite a general agreement that there is a shortage in both types of workers in the country. According to Department of Education Secretary Angara there is a shortage of 60,000 teachers just in the public K-12 education system.

would include those working in clerical jobs, as sales workers, craft and related workers, plant and machine operators, and those in elementary occupations.

Only about 13 percent of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are in high skill occupations, under this broad classification, and the other 87 percent are in non-high skill jobs, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority’s Survey of Overseas Filipinos (SOF). Filipino teacher migration is also similar to Filipino nurse migration in that both are occurring despite

talent to address issues of discrimination and corruption as she received the Best Director, Best Original Musical Score and the Special Jury awards for the film. She is a film professor at the University of the Philippines. Para sa lahat ng babaeng pinahiya, tinapakan, pinauwi, binastos, na hindi pinapahalagahan o minamaliit, narito tayo—lalaban tayo. Lahat ng hadlang at barrier, kayang-kaya natin lampasan at itapon sa basura. Kaya natin gumawa ng magandang pelikula, palakihin ang mga bata, at gamitin ang ating talento at sining upang ayusin ang sistema laban sa korupsyon,” Dalena said.  Dalena received the Best Director award for “her bold and visionary authorship that fuses cinema, history, and haunting memory into a singular act of resistance; for reclaiming women’s voices within the nation’s buried traumas through guerrilla filmmaking that is both mystical and political.” “Ginawa ko talaga ito para sa masa. Magising na tayo sa pantasya na walang sasagip sa ’tin!” said Tim Rone Villanueva of Child No. 82, which won the Audience Choice, as he spoke about the dangers of trusting politicians, a central message of his film. Three films tied for the most awards with three trophies each: “Habang Nilalamon ng Hydra ang Kasaysayan” by Dustin Celestino, “Cinemartyrs” by Dalena, and “Child No. 82 (Anak ni Boy Kana)” by Villanueva.

“Hydra” awards include Best See “Gorecho,” A13

a general agreement that there is a shortage in both types of workers in the country. According to Department of Education Secretary Angara there is a shortage of 60,000 teachers just in the public K-12 education system. According to one estimate of the Department of Health, there is a shortage of 127,000 nurses and 114,000 doctors in the country. The unemployment rates for Filipinos who have either health-related college degrees or education-related college degrees is at a historical low and has been declining in recent years. Based on the April 2023 Labor Force Survey, for instance, the unemployment rate for those with health-related bachelor’s or graduate degrees is 3.8 percent, while it is 4.5 percent for those with education-related bachelor’s or graduate degrees. For college degree holders in general, the unemployment rate was 5.6 percent. And yet, despite these shortages, there has been an outflow of both nurses and teachers. Teacher migration is on a smaller scale than nurse migration, which averaged around 10,000 See “Eagle Watch,” A13

The umbrella of Sarah Discaya

IN September 2024, an interview with Julius Babao snowballed the public downfall of Sarah Discaya. The interview revealed an array of nearly 40 luxury vehicles—from Bentleys to Maseratis— alongside a grand house tour featuring feng shui artifacts designed to attract wealth and success.

Discaya proudly shared that she decides on her car purchases based on unique features. In the case of her Rolls-Royce Cullinan, it was the built-in umbrella with a special compartment in the passenger seat that sealed the deal. The car, priced at around P33 million, came with an umbrella worth P46,000. In a country where 17 million Filipinos live below the poverty line, such details are tone-deaf. It didn’t end there. It continued months later in another interview with Korina Sanchez, reinforcing the image of her family’s opulence.

The intent was clear: to cast Sarah Discaya as  “Ate Sarah,”  the benevolent billionaire sister who could help people. It was an ill-advised strategic move ahead of her mayoral bid in Pasig City against the popular incumbent, Vico Sotto.

But the messaging got lost and failed epically. Despite pouring enormous financial resources into her campaign, Discaya lost by a wide margin.

What she left behind in those interviews was not inspiration, but suspicion. Sarah claims that her background is simple—her parents were OFWs in the United Kingdom —but through her work in her construction companies, she and her husband, Curly, became billionaires.

From the outside, her financial success seems extraordinary for a 49-year-old. But the question remains—how did she achieve it so quickly?

The answer began to unfold on August 11, when President Marcos revealed that only 15 contractors cornered 20 percent of the government’s P100-billion flood control contracts—and two of them were owned by Sarah and her husband, Curly Discaya. The President went further, accusing their company, St. Timothy Corporation, of involvement in ghost projects in Bulacan.

During the Babao interview, Sarah unwittingly explained the source of her family’s immense wealth. When asked when their riches began to multiply, she casually replied, “Noong nag-DPWH kami” (“When we became DPWH contractors”)—a revealing admission that ties their fortune to government contracts.

Were we surprised? Not by the link between their wealth and the DPWH—a government agency long dogged by corruption—but by the stupidity and callousness of the public admission.

In September 2024, an interview with Julius Babao snowballed the public downfall of Sarah Discaya. The interview revealed an array of nearly 40 luxury vehicles— from Bentleys to Maseratis— alongside a grand house tour featuring feng shui artifacts designed to attract wealth and success.

Honoré de Balzac once wrote, “Behind every great fortune lies a crime.” Few modern examples illustrate this better than the Discayas’ rise.

. . continued from A12

Actress (Mylene Dizon), Best Actor (Jojit Lorenzo), and Best Supporting Actor (Nanding Josef). The film on disinformation is about four characters who navigate a political climate where truth has lost its power and history is being rewritten—disappearing, even, with growing disinformation campaigns and chan-

The Calendario Filipino and the Intellectuals

IHAVE always marveled at the year 1900. Having a grandfather who was born during that year, we have always dated events from that year. It was thus auspicious for me to come upon a document marked Calendario Filipino dated 1901.

Constructed like an almanac, it says it contains instructions about climatic times, and weather. Interestingly, the page opens on an announcement of an “eclipses del sol y de la luna”—a solar eclipse over the moon. This was the turn of the century when science was not yet pervasive and I could imagine how the ordinary people were perceiving something massive, or abnormal, the sun turning dark when it should be bright and shining. The fear that this phenomenon would instill in the entire community then.

May 4 is about the lunar eclipse visible over Manila; and on May 18, the eclipse is solar. Imagine the succession of darkness and it is the turn of the century.

January opens with what the calendar terms “enfermedades reinantes” or prevailing afflictions led by chronic diseases or colds.

The wealth flexing intended to inspire turned into a complete nightmare. The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee’s hearings on the flood control scandal revealed a familiar script: bribery of DPWH officials and lawmakers, and ghost projects that robbed the public while enriching her family and cohorts.

The consequences of these actions have been devastating for the 10 million Filipinos who endure floods and typhoons each year. Small businesses collapse, lives are lost to leptospirosis, and the daily anguish of living in perpetually flooded areas is hard to imagine, but so real.

That Sarah Discaya—the rags-toriches “billionaire sister”—stands at the center of a corruption scandal of unprecedented scale is nothing short of infuriating. How does anyone find the audacity to flaunt such wealth when it was gained through wrongdoing?

The ongoing investigation suggests that billions were lost to corruption—money that could have spared millions from flooding.

Today, the Anti-Money Laundering Council has frozen P1 billion worth of the Discayas’ assets, and the Bureau of Customs has seized 30 of their luxury cars. Protesters have defaced their homes, and Sarah Discaya is now synonymous with corruption, greed and arrogance.

In the end, the very act meant to build an image of success and affluence—wealth flexing—became her undoing. What once drew admiration now draws suspicion, even disgust. Social media users who once celebrated luxury now view it with cynicism, associating extravagance with ill-gotten wealth. Perhaps there was symbolism, after all, in Sarah’s obsession with the Rolls-Royce umbrella. The luxury accessory—meant to shield one from the rain—stands as a metaphor: while she needs only an umbrella, millions of Filipinos must flee their homes to survive the floods.

Hopefully, Sarah will not need it when she spends the rest of her life behind bars for corruption and misappropriation of public funds.

ging social norms.

Films that received other special citations: Raging for Best Cinematography and Sound Design; Padamlagan for Best Production Design: Republika ng Pipolipinas for NETPAC Jury Prize for Full-length Feature.

Peyups is the moniker of the University of the Philippines. Atty. Dennis R. Gorecho heads the Seafarers’ Division of the Sapalo Velez Bundang Bulilan Law Offices. For comments, e-mail info@sapalovelez.com, or call 09175025808

For February, the weather should be interesting for us as it tells us that the “estacion seca” or dry season continues. The northeast wind prevails during this month. The prevailing diseases appear to be of utmost concern, with “fiebres catarrales” or fever with buildup of catarrh and dysentery.

By March, it is clear the weather is

caliente and seco, hot and dry. April sees the season as continuing to be dry but a change could be felt—the “cambio de monzon” or the shift in the monsoon could be felt in the horizon. Even as the climate is hot and dry, the eastern wind now blows.

The notes of the weather for May are most unusual given our memory of this summer month—the Calendario points to how the monsoon has at this point brought “truenos” — thunderstorms—and barrascas or squalls. The month of May seems to anticipate abundant rains.

By June, the Calendario Filipino affirms— affirma la estacon lluviosa —the arrival of the rainy season. The weather will be humid and moderately hot. The month of July is merely described as “lluviosa”— or rainy.

For some reason, the month of August remains to be the rainy month except that there will be days that will see the sun breaking. September will generally be rainy but this will mark the last days of rain.

The month of October will once more mark the shift in the monsoon, with the winds getting stronger even if half of the season will see rains. The climate will both be dry and fresh. The northeastern wind will prevail in November. Significantly, the calendario points out how Benguet will experience coldness, with the site.

The Calendario Filipino is attrib -

uted to Arcadio del Rosario Narciso, who was born in 1846, and is described as one of the framers of the Malolos Constitution. It is almost safe to say that Narciso was an intellectual who studied at the Colegio Real de San Jose and the Universidad de Santo Tomas. As was the passion and fashion of the period, Narciso was a Mason and was fighting for reforms, some of them radical in the period. One of them was his stand on women’s suffrage and his opposition against the union of church and state.

The Calendario seems a natural possession and skill of this intellectual so much so that at the end of the calendar, he has a page that contains maxims. One quote states what appears to be the act of faith of Narciso—that there is nothing worse or evil than science than ignorance. In another principle, he writes how education makes people wise, and hard work makes them rich, it is above all agriculture that makes them good citizens. In another, he says the prosperity or misery of peoples is directly proportional to their freedoms or concerns.

In the present dispensation, these aphorisms may sound trite but given the politics of the period, there was something forwardlooking, even radical about the position of a man who subscribed to the predictability of weather and wind, the empiricism of climate as they were documented and written down.

E-mail: titovaliente@yahoo.com

Japan’s Kato calls for G-7 unity over China’s rare earth curbs

By Erica Yokoyama

JAPAN’S

Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato voiced serious concern over China’s latest export controls on rare earths, stressing the importance of coordinated action from Group of Seven nations.

“Japan is deeply concerned about these measures,” Kato told reporters in Washington on Wednesday, referring to China’s latest trade measures. “I called for G-7 nations to unite and respond,” Kato said.

Kato spoke following a G-7 meeting held on the sidelines of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank annual meetings. Finance leaders from major developed economies discussed a potential joint response to China’s new export controls on rare earths and the current state of tensions between Beijing and Washington.

China’s new rules, announced last week, require overseas firms to obtain Chinese government approval before exporting products containing even trace amounts of certain

Eagle Watch. .

. continued from A12

per year from 2021 to 2024 and was much higher before the pandemic, according to statistics from the Department of Migrant Workers.

Filipino teacher migration averaged around 1,600 per year from 2008 to 2017, according to publicly available DMW data. Filipino teacher migration, of course, continued after 2017 but unfortunately the DMW has ceased releasing detailed migration by occupation in destination country and only reports the top 10 skills deployed, which does not include teachers. My guess is the number would still be between 1,000 and 2,000 every year.

Based on data from 2008 to 2017, Filipino teachers went to Saudi Arabia, Japan, Singapore, Qatar, and even China. In places like Japan and China, most of those deployed were language teachers, meaning English teachers. In Singapore, they were mainly early education and special needs teachers. In the Gulf countries, many were

rare earths that originated in China. The country produces more than 90 percent of the world’s processed rare earths and magnets, critical components in technologies ranging from fighter jets to electric vehicles. Kato refrained from commenting on any specific countermeasures against China discussed among the G-7 countries.

US President Donald Trump has threatened significant tariffs on Chinese goods in response, while in the latest development, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent mentioned that the tariff truce could be extended if China delays implementing its rare earth restrictions. Since earlier this year, the US and China have agreed to 90-day truces on import

higher education teachers. This is likely to continue as there is strong demand for Filipino teachers. The DMW database for job order for Filipino workers shows existing demand for Filipino teachers coming from the US, Singapore, Japan, Indonesia, Cambodia, Thailand, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Mozambique, and Papua New Guinea. Teachers continue to complain of low pay, low prospects for professional growth, and excessive workload. Hopefully, these are issues that would be resolved by current policies being advanced by the Second Congressional Commission on Education and the Department of Education. I personally know a teacher who used to teach Math, and was a wellloved teacher, at one of the premiere high schools in the country. After several years there, because of low pay he transferred to a public high school. After several years of not getting promoted, he applied for a teaching job in the United States. Last year he, together with a few other colleagues, left for a teaching post in a southern US state. His monthly

duties, with the next deadline set for November.

“If our actions were to trigger a cycle of retaliation, that could have adverse effects on the global economy and markets,” Kato added, striking a tone of caution while criticizing China’s latest moves.

The Japanese finance minister also emphasized the need to closely monitor risks to financial markets and said authorities will remain vigilant against excessive fluctuations or disorderly movements in exchange rates.

“We’re deeply concerned that China’s export control measures will have further impact on global supply chains including Japan,” Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi told reporters in Tokyo Thursday.

“We’ll take a close look at the details and impact of the latest measures and respond while coordinating with other countries.”

Separately Kato said he had a bilateral meeting with his US counter-

salary increased 900 percent because of the transfer.

How does high skill migration impact the economy?

At a fundamental level, economic output depends on the level of technology, effective labor, and capital. Effective labor is a combination of the quantity of labor and the quality of labor. Quality of labor is influenced by the health and skill level of workers, which are negatively affected by health worker shortage and teacher shortage.

Teacher shortage is not just in terms of absolute shortage but also in terms of quality shortage if those who leave are on average of better quality and those who stay behind are on average lower quality. Quality of education also influences the level of technology via research. Economic output and growth can thus be expected to suffer because of the shortage in health workers and teachers.

There is no quick fix to the outflow of high skill Filipinos, barring outright preventing them from leaving, but this would violate their right

part Bessent, reaffirming the importance of trade and the two countries’ understanding on currencies.   Last month the two officials issued a joint statement focused on foreign exchange policy, confirming their commitment not to manipulate currencies for competitive advantage, while maintaining room for intervention in cases of excessive volatility or disorderly market moves.

Earlier Wednesday, Bessent said the yen will settle at an appropriate level if the Bank of Japan continues to conduct the right monetary policy, according to Japanese media. Bessent has in the past criticized the BOJ for being behind the curve in its fight against inflation. The Treasury Secretary refrained from commenting further on the rate on Wednesday, the report said.

The yen is currently trading at around 150.70 per dollar, after hitting an eight-month low of 153.27 earlier this week. With assistance from Takashi Umekawa and Eddy Duan/Bloomberg

to pursue what is best for themselves and their families. John Stuart Mill’s harm principle states that a government should only interfere with a person’s actions in order to prevent harm to others. And it cannot just be any harm, it should be direct and significant harm.

The migration of Filipino teachers who were trained in public schools and who have not rendered return service in the country is surely one legitimate harm, as that is equivalent to making Filipino taxpayers pay for their training but providing the benefits of their training to other countries. A reasonable return service for public-school trained Filipino teachers should be a requirement. Making sure the concern of teachers are addressed, concerns about excessive workload, about poor prospects for professional growth, and about low pay—not just in public but also private schools, will surely alleviate if not stop teacher migration.

Friday, October 17, 2025

2nd Front

BusinessMirror

5 FIRMS KEEN ON OPERATING NORTH-SOUTH COMMUTER RAIL

By Lorenz S. Marasigan

INVESTOR appetite for the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) remains robust despite corruption scandals plaguing the public works sector, with as many as five companies expressing interest in operating the massive infrastructure project, according to the Department of Transportation (DOTr).

Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez told reporters in a chance interview that “between four and five groups” have signaled their intent to bid for the railway’s operations and maintenance (O&M) contract.

He did not name the entities, but said they are a “mix of foreign and local firms.”

The strong investor interest comes even as corruption issues in public infrastructure have ignited nationwide protests and ongoing investigations.

Lopez noted that the controversies have not affected investor confidence in the NSCR, crediting the unique and peculiar” structure of transport department projects for providing assurance to potential operators.

“As I always say, DOTr projects are quite unique and peculiar, because all our big-ticket projects are ODA [official development assistance]funded,” Lopez said. “So the internal controls are different, the processes are different, and the checks and

balances are different as well.”

The investor interest follows market sounding activities conducted by the DOTr in September, during which officials showcased the operations and maintenance opportunity to potential bidders in Manila, Singapore, Paris, and Tokyo.

The DOTr plans to launch the auction in late October or early November, following recommendations from its transaction adviser, the Asian Development Bank (ADB). This represents a slight delay from the initially targeted SeptemberOctober timeline.

The bidding period is expected to span six months, with the contract anticipated to be awarded by mid-2026.

The concession agreement, valued at P229 billion over a 15-year period, encompasses comprehensive operational responsibilities including trains, depots, stations, guideways, electromechanical systems, and auxiliary facilities along the Clarkto-Calamba corridor.

The selected operator will also oversee coordination between the NSCR and the Metro Manila Subway Project currently under construction, particularly along the Bicutan-Calamba segment. Transportation officials aim to bring an operator on board several months before pre-operations begin in December 2027. Full railway operations are scheduled to commence in January 2032.

WTTC study: Worker lack to slow growth of tourism

By Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo Special to the BusinessMirror

THEWorld Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) projects a shortfall of 43.1 million tourism workers by 2035, of which 20.1 million people will be needed in low-skilled roles, which will continue to be in high demand.

“Our sector learned a painful lesson: while losing millions of workers can happen in a flash, bringing them back— hiring and training them at speed and at scale—is a journey,” said Gloria Guevara, Interim CEO of the WTTC in its latest study, “The Future of Work in Travel & Tourism,” citing recruitment challenges, post pandemic.

The study also pointed to possible labor shortages due to shifts in population demographics, “mixed perceptions among Gen Z, and the inevitable impacts of artificial intelligence [AI].”

Specifically, the hospitality industry is projected to have a shortfall of 8.6 million workers, “18 percent below demand

level” by 2035. The study includes a survey, where 30.5 percent of the 349 valid responses came from the Asia-Pacific region, 55 percent were companies with 50 or less employees, and the highest representation were from accommodations (17.8 percent) and tour operators (15.9 percent).

Technological, digital literacy skills RESPONDENTS said, “Technological and Digital Literacy” are important skills in the industry now and even more in the future, but many employees lack the proficiency. For managers and executives,

See “WTTC,” A2

‘Study well price-setting moves for palay’

By Ada Pelonia @adapelonia

THE government should conduct a tripartite meeting prior to imposing a flexible floor price for palay, according to an economist.

Roehlano Briones, a senior research fellow at the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS), said the scheme for palay floor price should be patterned after the mandated price-control settings in tobacco and minimum wages.

“These two floor-price setups have common elements if you look at the statutes that established each of these schemes. It has flexibility and tripartite price-setting,” Briones said during a Senate hearing on Wednesday.

He explained that for tobacco, it’s the government represented by the National Tobacco Administration (NTA), farmers, and buyers represented by cigarette manufacturers,

dealers, and exporters. Under the law, NTA is authorized to set or fix tobacco floor prices by holding a tripartite consultative conference every two years.

Outside the agriculture sector, Briones cited determining minimum wage by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards (RTWPBs), worker representatives, and employers’ representatives in respective regions.

“With both of these features, we can ensure that price setting is realistic and consistent with the marketclearing price,” Briones said. He explained that the market-clearing price is the price where supply and demand more or less match. As such, there would be no surplus or shortage, resulting in a balanced market.

However, Briones said price controls could also fail.

“When does a price control fail?

When it involves a prolonged and significant divergence between the

mandated price and the marketclearing price.”

Citing a study from the World Bank, Briones noted that depending on the nature of the price control, prolonged and significant divergence between the statutory and marketclearing price could result in several setbacks.

This includes chronic shortages of goods, the formation of parallel markets with higher prices, and substitution towards lower-quality alternatives.

As such, the producers of pricecontrolled goods might turn to black markets, which lack basic regulation, and likely encourage production to shift to firms in the informal sector.

While not a floor price, Briones cited the mandated price cap for regular milled rice and well-milled rice in September 2023 at P41 per kilo and P45 per kilo, respectively, following the surge in retail prices. In the same month, Briones said

retail prices exceeded the ceiling and retailers claimed dwindling profit margins since they purchased the staple grains at wholesale. This prompted the government to dole out P15,000 financial aid for small retailers affected by the measure.

After a month, the government lifted the price cap on rice due to increased supply from the harvest season.

“This is a lesson that we should take to heart that floor prices or price controls in general can work if flexible and based on negotiation of the stakeholders involved, so that you can have a more realistic price setting responding to changing market conditions,” Briones said.

“But in practice, as we saw in the price ceiling example for retail, it is difficult to enforce. It creates winners and losers [...] and depending on how prolonged and how far from realistic price it is, it introduces unsustainable distortion in the market.”

DTI defers mandatory use of Trustmark for online sellers

By Andrea E. San Juan and Butch Fernandez

AFTER discussions with stakeholders, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said it is temporarily making the E-Commerce Philippine Trustmark (Trustmark) registration voluntary until December 31,2025.

Trade and Industry Secretary Cristina A. Roque said the decision was made after considering feedback from various sectors, noting that the agency “values continuous dialogue with its stakeholders.”

In a statement on Thursday, DTI said the announcement to make the Trustmark voluntary was made during the “BIDA ANG KONSYUMER: Ensuring a Safe and Reliable ECommerce Environment” Town Hall Meeting, where online business operators, consumer groups, and digital trade advocates shared insights and suggestions on the program’s implementation.

“We used this discussion to hear straight from our stakeholders and learn about their daily concerns. Taking their feedback into account means we can improve the Trustmark system to be more useful, fair, and helpful for both businesses and consumers. After all, our shared goal is to make e-commerce in the Philippines safer and more trustworthy for everyone,” the Trade chief said.

According to DTI, the transition period for voluntary Trustmark applications will last until the end of the year.

By early 2026, however, the DTI said it will “thoroughly review” whether the registration will remain voluntary.

The Trade department also reminded the public that, while it remains voluntary, all existing laws related to e-commerce continue to be “strictly enforced.” Meanwhile, DTI said it is currently finalizing the program’s “supplemental guidelines,” specifically on the voluntary registration, along with the different fees depending on the size or type of business, among others.

Early this month, Senator Bam Aquino asked DTI to review and reconsider the mandatory “Trustmark” requirement for online traders, calling it an unnecessary burden on micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

The Philippine Trustmark is a digital badge that serves as government recognition for online merchants and platforms that commit to trustworthiness, safety, and fair e-commerce practices.

Bam thanks DTI

SENATOR Aquino welcomed the DTI’s decision to defer the implementation of the mandatory Trustmark requirement for online businesses, a postponement he had earlier sought in order to ease the burdens of small businesses.

“We thank the DTI for their decision to temporarily halt implementation of the mandatory Trustmark requirement for our online micro, small, and medium enterprises,” Aquino said, partly in Filipino.

“This decision is a big help and will greatly ease the burdens of our online sellers,” he added.

Aquino issued the statement following the DTI’s move to make the Trustmark requirement voluntary until the end of the year before making a final decision on the matter.

The senator earlier urged the DTI to review and reconsider its order making the “Trustmark” mandatory for all online businesses, calling it an unnecessary burden on micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

Senator Aquino likewise urged the DTI to intensify its campaign against scams in online selling platforms in line with the celebration of Consumer Welfare Month.

“We call on the DTI to step up the campaign against scams using online selling platforms, as we expect these scams to proliferate further in the Christmas season,” he said. Aquino also reminded consumers to remain vigilant against scam activities and to verify the legitimacy of online sellers before making any purchases.

Editor: Jennifer A. Ng

EEI buys FOIVC for ₧2.8B

By VG Cabuag @villygc

CONSTRUCTION firm EEI

Corp. on Thursday said it is buying First Orient International Ventures Corp. (FOIVC) from KC Land Oriental Pacific Inc. (KLOPI) for P2.8 billion.

“The acquisition of FOIVC is part of the company’s long-term growth strategy to evolve from a pure-play construction company into a fully integrated property and infrastructure developer,” the company said.

“The parties reached an agreement on the amount of the consideration by imputing a reasonable return on the acquisition by KLOPI of the shares from the previous shareholder.”

First Orient, whose current presi-

dent is Kevin Kristopher K. Wong and chairman Caesar D. Wongchuking, is a domestic corporation currently engaged in the business of acquiring, using, improving, developing, selling, leasing and holding real estate property for investment and other purposes.

The company currently owns or has rights to 49 hectares of real estate property in Cavite.

Last year, the company recorded a net loss of P472.15 million a rever-

sal of the previous year’s income of P541.29 million.

EEI said its diversification is designed to “leverage the company’s extensive construction expertise, robust project management capabilities, and established industry relationships.”

“Real estate development represents a logical and timely progression for EEI. By integrating development into its business portfolio, EEI strengthens its competitive position, diversify its revenue streams, create additional long-term value and fulfill its investment commitment for its stakeholders,” it said.

“It also supports its sustainability commitment by providing socialized, decent and sustainable living spaces for our people.”

In 2019, First Orient was granted a provisional accreditation as a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) Hub by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) valid until November 20, 2028.

On July 22, 2024, the government banned the POGO operations and ordered Pagcor to wind down and cease the operations of POGOs by the end of the year.

First Orient said it applied for the voluntary cancellation of the company’s provisional accreditation as a POGO hub, which was approved effective December 15, 2024.

“The cancellation of the company’s provisional accreditation as a POGO Hub resulted to the termination of various lease agreements and service agreements, application of advanced rental and refundable deposits to uncollected rental receivable, retrenchment of employees, removal of majority of the electricity and water meters inside the company’s premises, and application of security deposits to unpaid billings,” the company said in its report.

It said the company is exploring opportunities to convert the properties from the previous venture into a mixed-use development.

More scholars get support from Meralco

THE Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) has deployed more scholars through its Filipino Scholars and Interns on Nuclear Engineering (FISSION) program. FISSION is an initiative aimed at cultivating Filipino expertise in

the specialized field of nuclear engineering. There are seven engineers currently employed by Meralco and its power generation arm, Meralco

‘MPIC earnings in Q3 still at double digits’

METRO Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC), the delisted conglomerate, said its double-digit income growth will continue in the third quarter.

June Cheryl Cabal-Revilla, the company’s CFO, also said the company is now on acquisition mode as its debt levels is at its lowest at P60 billion.

“Our verticals (companies) are all doing good and its a plus point that Maynilad (Water Services Inc.) will have its IPO [initial public offering]. And then the power business is doing well,” Revilla said.

“And the smaller ones are also, you know, contributing in a way. When before, they were like negatives. Like Landco (Pacific Corp), is now contributing. M-Well, we didn’t have a platform before. Now, it’s really like booming.”

MWell has recorded positive earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA), but Revilla said the company would have been earning if not for the acquisition of Konsulta MD.

PowerGen Corp. (MGen) that are participating in the program— Rachelle Gesmundo-Varias, Regino Hibaler, Eljhon Capili, Keith Danae Suquib, Dennmarc Marcaida, Eljan Javellana and Raymund Grant Pagulong. Lenie Lectura

The company, she said had been asked to take mWell, or Metro Pacific Health Tech Corp., overseas, but they declined.

“We said we’ll focus on the Philippines first because it’s where the country needs us the most. But there’s no stopping us from white labeling and wealth to other countries because they’ve never seen a

fully integrated ecosystem in terms of healthcare.”

MPIC reported a 20-percent increase in consolidated core net income to P15 billion, during the first half of the year, compared to P12.5 billion for the same period last year.

Improved financial and operational performance across MPIC’s portfolio drove an 18 percent increase in contribution from operations to P17.5 billion, fueled by robust growth in Meralco’s power generation business, the implementation of higher tariffs at Maynilad and rising patient volumes across the Metro Pacific Hospitals network.

Among the company’s core businesses, Power continued to contribute the largest share at P11.2 billion or 64 percent of net operating income.

In comparison, water and toll roads contributed P3.8 billion and P3.3 billion, respectively, or 41 percent of net operating income.

“Beyond financial performance, we are sharpening our focus on long-term value creation by scaling investments in areas where we can make the greatest impact—energy, food security, and inclusive infrastructure. The momentum is encouraging, and we intend to continue building on it,” MPIC chairman, president and CEO Manuel V. Pangilinan said. VG Cabuag

Banking&Finance

www.news.businessmirror@gmail.com

SSS opens calamity loan line to quake-hit Davao

HE Social Security System

T(SSS) announced last Thursday the activation of its Calamity Loan Program (CLP) for members in Davao Oriental who were affected by the two powerful earthquakes that struck the province last week.

SSS President and CEO Robert Joseph Montes De Claro was quoted in a statement the agency issued that the program aims to give “timely financial support to SSS members living or working in the earthquakeaffected areas.”

Following the declaration of a State of Calamity for all 11 cities and municipalities in Davao Oriental by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) due to the twin earthquakes, De Claro emphasized the commitment of the SSS to assist its members during this difficult time.

The earthquakes struck last October 10, with the first measuring 7.4 magnitude at 9:43 a.m. and the second with a magnitude of 6.8 at around 9:12 p.m. The epicenter was near Manay, Davao Oriental.

The NDRRMC reported that over 200,000 families were affected and nearly 13,000 individuals were displaced.

Qualified members can avail of calamity loans of up to P20,000 at a lowered interest rate. Applications can be filed online through their My.SSS account and approved loans will be credited directly to the member’s enrolled bank account.

The revised CLP guidelines, issued earlier this year, enable faster

activation within seven working days of a calamity and feature a reduced interest rate of 7 percent per annum for members with good credit record, down from 10 percent. The streamlined process enables SSS to provide immediate relief to members affected by natural disasters, such as the earthquakes in Cebu and Davao Oriental.

To qualify for the calamity loan, members must meet the following criteria: reside or work in an area declared under a State of Calamity; have at least 36 monthly contributions, with at least six posted within the last 12 months before filing. Individually paying members must have paid six contributions under their current membership type; have an active My.SSS account; have no past due loans or outstanding restructured loans; have not been granted any final benefit; be of legal age and under 65 at the time of application; and, have not been disqualified due to fraud against the SSS.

Employed members are reminded that their employers must be updated on SSS contributions and loan remittances to qualify.

De Claro also pointed to the SSS’s Pension Loan Program (PLP), which was also recently enhanced allowing retirement pensioners to borrow up to P300,000.

Now, survivor pensioners can also avail of the PLP and borrow up to P150,000, he added.

“Thus, there is a loan facility for actively contributing members and for retirement or survivor pensioners,” De Claro said through the statement.

Asia currency officials go on offensive on trade war

POLICYMAKERS from Asia’s largest economies turned out in force this week to defend their currencies as the trade war intensified, and strategists say their mission has only just begun.

Officials from China, India, Japan and South Korea have stepped in to bolster their currencies using both words and deeds—efforts market participants say are a pre-emptive move as Washington’s trade war threatens to undermine growth.

In India, the central bank sold dollars in onshore and offshore markets to fend off speculative attacks on the rupee, a person familiar with the matter said. China set the yuan’s reference rate at the strongest level in a year on Thursday while South Korea warned that it was watching for one-sided gyrations in the won. Over in Japan, authorities have cautioned on the need for stable foreignexchange moves.

“The latest escalation in USChina tensions is weighing sentiment toward both the Indian rupee and Korean won, and the renminbi, and neither central bank wants to risk capital outflows or imported inflation,” said Brendan McKenna, strategist at Wells Fargo in New York. “We’ll probably see the strongest defense from the People’s Bank of China and Reserve Bank of India, but I would expect Bank of Korea to keep active too.”

Unlike many of the previous episodes, the latest show of strength comes during a week when the dollar is struggling to extend its gains. This has fueled speculation that the steps are a shot across the bow as policymakers look to deter speculative traders from betting against their currencies.

The desire for stability is particularly evident in China. The central bank boosted the daily reference rate, its favorite tool to guide market expectations, beyond the closely watched 7.1 per dollar mark and then to the strongest level since October this week.

Analysts said the move sends a clear signal that the People’s Bank of China prizes financial market stabil-

Maya PHL seeing ‘structural shift’ in Pinoys’ use of credit

By Lorenz S. Marasigan @lorenzmarasigan

MAYA PHILIPPINES Inc. revealed last Thursday that the digital payments and financial services company saw a “structural shift” in how Filipinos are accessing credit, with more than a third of “Maya Black” credit cardholders now entering through a deposit-backed card.

According to Maya, about 37 percent of these cardholders originated from the firm’s other credit card product (“Maya Black Express”), which uses customer deposits as collateral.

Maya Group President and Maya Bank Inc. Co-founder Shailesh Baidwan said the figure signals growing demand for alternative pathways into formal credit in a market where traditional barriers have kept pen-

etration stubbornly low.

“When given the right entry point, Filipinos are ready to engage with credit on their own terms,” Baidwan said. “’Maya Black Express’ provides both dignity and discipline— perks from day one, and a clear path to grow responsibly.”

Credit card penetration in the Philippines remains at approximately 15 percent of the adult population, leaving millions locked out of formal credit systems. The challenge is circular: consumers need credit history to qualify for cards, but need cards to build that history in the first place.

According to Maya, its “Black Express” card attempts to break this cycle by allowing users to secure a credit line with a refundable deposit starting at P12,500. The deposit determines 80 percent of the user’s credit limit and earns

UBS ramps up scrutiny of Asia clients

UBS Group AG is increasing scrutiny of the sources of client money in its fast-growing Asian wealth hubs, pressing some customers into greater disclosures as the Swiss bank seeks to stamp out the risk of further clashes with regulators.

ity more than the trade benefits that can accrue from a weaker yuan. It also underscores Beijing’s increasing reliance on domestic growth drivers, while reinforcing its commitment to the yuan’s internationalization, they added.

“The last few years we’ve seen more priority on currency stabilization,” said Lynn Song, chief Greater China economist at ING Bank NV. “It has benefits of stopping capital outflow pressures, providing a more stable FX environment for expanding outward investment and also makes it more attractive to use in trade settlement.”

The South Korean won pulled away from its weakest level since May following officials’ verbal warnings this week, while the Indian rupee surged nearly 1% on Wednesday after the central bank was said to have intervened.

But there are signs that volatility in the foreign-exchange market may increase in the coming days after President Donald Trump said he saw the US as locked in a trade war with China. At the same time, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has floated the possibility of extending a pause of import duties on Chinese goods for longer than three months.

All this is putting investors on alert for the prospect of further intervention by authorities.

“In the near term, it’s going to step up,” said Howe Chung Wan, head of Asian fixed income at Principal Asset Management, which oversees $579.5 billion. “They don’t want that volatility to come back.”

For strategists like Anna Wu, the latest bouts of intervention are part of negotiation tactics that governments are deploying as trade discussions get underway.

“The chief reason behind all of this talking, threatening back and forth is largely a trade talk tactic rather than anything directional,” said Wu, cross-asset strategist at Van Eck Associates. “The broader growth outlook for the global economy is not looking great. No major economy in the world would like to worsen their outlook structurally.” Bloomberg News

The Zurich-based lender is using Deloitte and KPMG to help screen client documentation, mainly in Singapore but also in Hong Kong, for any signs of illicit activities including money laundering, people familiar with the matter said. UBS is taking a more disciplined approach amid tougher rules in some jurisdictions, the people said, asking not to be named as the details are private.

In a number of cases the queries date back to documents from over a decade ago, some of which were handwritten, the people said. Singapore authorities have enhanced rules and scrutiny of financial services firms in the past year, following a S$3 billion ($2.3 billion) money-laundering scandal in 2023 that embroiled local and global banks.

Wealth managers are stepping up efforts to monitor clients’ sources of wealth and funds. As more work is now required, hiring of external firms is needed to help the bank’s own compliance teams, the people said.

Representatives for UBS and

THIS is the second part of my article after attending and speaking at the “Legacy 360” event held recently in Kuching, Sarawak in Malaysia.

When “Business Events Sarawak,” or “BESarawak,” launched “Legacy 360: Business Events for a Sustainable Future,” it redefined what a business event can achieve. More than a gathering, the event served as a four-in-one platform that aligns perfectly with Sarawak’s “Post-Covid Development Strategy 2030” (PCDS 2030) and its bold vision to become the “business event legacy capital of Southeast Asia.”

A 4-in-1 framework for impact

AT its core is “Legacy 360 Education,” a knowledge hub that helps event professionals, association leaders, and industry practitioners master legacydriven design, embedding long-term social, environmental, and economic

Deloitte declined to comment. KPMG didn’t respond to an email seeking comment.

UBS Asia Pacific head Iqbal Khan is facing a delicate balancing act in the region as he seeks to accelerate growth while integrating the former business of Credit Suisse and scrubbing out funds stemming from potential criminality. UBS, which took over Credit Suisse in 2023, has shut thousands of smaller accounts in the region previously offered by its rival.

Deloitte and KPMG have been working with UBS on various other projects, according to one of the people.

Hong Kong and Singapore are becoming an even more important hub for international wealth managers seeking to boost reve-

benefits into events. Expert-led programs and real-world case studies were presented to show how business events can transform communities, not just balance sheets.

The second segment, “KIND Borneo,” is a first-of-its-kind expo that connects NGOs, social enterprises, and philanthropic causes with industry and government. It champions inclusivity, collaboration, and the spirit of giving back, mirroring Sarawak’s goal of ensuring that growth benefits all sectors of society.

Next is LEAP (“Legacy Events Advocacy and Policy”) Summit, a platform where policymakers, researchers, and industry leaders co-create frameworks to drive legacy-focused policies. This aligns business event outcomes with national and regional goals for sustainable development, ensuring that legacy thinking is embedded in public policy and planning.

Finally, the “Borneo Inspires Legacy Awards” or “BILA,” honors individuals and organizations whose work exemplifies purpose-driven impact. Beyond recognition, it sets a new standard for what success in business events truly means: impact that endures.

nue. Hong Kong’s private wealth under management could nearly double to $2.6 trillion by 2031, according to Bloomberg Intelligence. Hong Kong could also overtake Switzerland as the world’s largest cross border center this year, the report said.

Khan has long been seen as an internal candidate to replace Chief Executive Officer Sergio Ermotti who is expected to step down in late 2026 or early 2027, and his chances have been tied to success in his assignment as president of the region which he took up last year. Navigating Asia has never been more complex, due to rising geopolitical tensions and competition from well-entrenched rivals such as DBS Group Holdings Ltd. and HSBC Holdings Plc. Bloomberg News

3.5 percent annual interest—above typical savings rates—while serving as collateral.

Unlike traditional secured cards that offer basic features, the “Black Express” users enjoy a numberless card with dynamic CVV for enhanced security, no annual fees for life, complimentary global airport lounge access, and rewards through Maya’s merchant network. ANZ Research has said that credit card spending is one of the drivers

briefs

➔ Visa, RCBC holds workshop on transit payments VISA Inc. and the Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC) conducted a forum to boost readiness of Philippine banks for transit payments as the country gears up for expansion of the automated fare collection system in LRT 1 and 2. Through a workshop on smart mobility, Visa and RCBC shared solutions and best practices for issuers on managing digital payments for various modes of transit, particularly urban rail. A statement issued by Visa read the company is accelerating the upgrade of payment systems for the Light Rail Transit lines 1 and 2, which have a combined daily ridership of more than 500,000. According to Visa, open-loop, contactless systems in public transit could potentially boost ridership by up to 10 percent.

➔ UnionDigital uses biometrics THE Union Bank of the Philippines announced last Wednesday it has rolled out a biometric verification and authentication technology in subsidiary UnionDigital Bank Inc. bought from London, United Kingdom-based iProov Ltd. The lender didn’t say in a statement how much it invested in the technology. UnionDigital Bank Chief Information Security Officer Russell Hernandez was quoted in the statement as saying the lender needs “a flexible and future-ready solution…as we shift toward risk-based authentication.” According to the lender, the technology would be used mainly against money mules and “account takeovers.” The latter happens when fraudsters gain access to customers’ bank accounts as if they were the legitimate owner. Erwin James Gianan

Aligned with Sarawak’s vision SARAWAK’S PCDS 2030 aims for economic prosperity, social inclusivity, and environmental sustainability. Legacy 360 supports these pillars by positioning business events as vehicles for transformation. Initiatives such as “AI.Legacy,” an intelligent impact management system launched by “BESarawak,” enable organizers to measure and report tangible legacies in real time, bridging data, innovation, and accountability.

With these efforts, Sarawak demonstrates how the business events sector can directly contribute to long-term development goals, helping grow the State’s economy while empowering communities and protecting its environment.

Lessons for associations and leaders

LEGACY 360 offers practical inspiration for associations worldwide: n Design with purpose. Define legacy outcomes, i.e., social, economic, and environmental, at the start of every event.

n Collaborate across sectors. Engage communities, NGOs, and government early to ensure shared

ownership and measurable impact. n Shape policy, not just programs. Platforms like the LEAP Summit show how associations can advocate for supportive frameworks and incentives.

n Celebrate impact. Recognition, as seen through the BILA Awards, encourages a culture of excellence anchored in purpose.

n Institutionalize legacy thinking. Create dedicated legacy or sustainability committees to sustain momentum.

By combining education, advocacy, action, and recognition, Legacy 360 turns business events into catalysts for sustainable progress. It is not merely an event, it is a strategic blueprint for how regions, industries, and associations can build legacies that last well beyond the closing ceremony.

Octavio Peralta is founder and volunteer CEO of the Philippine Council of Associations and

ISPENT a really productive Saturday marveling at the geniu3s of Filipino entrepreneurs and crafts people.

Launched on October 11 was Bayani Chocolates, a new line of products from chocopreneur Raul Matias, CEO of Latitude Eight Confectionary Corp., which has been producing the popular Manila Chocolatier pralines. “I made Bayani to honor the hero in every Filipino,” he said, which rings so true, especially at this moment in time.

We’ve all heard it or read variations of current views by Filipinos, in the light of investigations into ghost or substandard flood-control projects—kayod ng kayod tayo ng patas, pero ang nakikinabang sa buwis natin puro magnanakaw na kontratista at mga mambabatas.

No one has benefited more from our taxes than corrupt lawmakers and contractors of government projects. And yet we keep on, fighting, striving, trying to cope with whatever challenges life throws at us, and just trying to do right by our families. Yes, damn it! We are heroes.

Matias is equally heroic in that he tries to bring the unique flavors of the Philippines into his chocolates, even though he does use imported cacao and blends them with local sources, mostly from the Davao Region. (The latter falls along latitude eight, the socalled cacao belt, which explains Matias’s company name. Like other cacao producers in the world, Davao lies approximately eight degrees of the equator; other countries include the Ivory Coast, Ghana, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, Mexico, as well as parts of Indonesia.)

The Manila Chocolatier pralines has flavors that reminds me of pleasant afternoons spent in the kitchen with my lola, as she whipped up banana cue for merienda, or leche flan for that evening’s dessert. There are also heritage flavors such as Barako Coffee, Lambanog, Panocha, and the like.

For Bayani, Matias goes international using almonds, pistachios, and hazelnuts, and offering flavors like Strawberry Cheese white chocolate and Redwine milk chocolate, or Champagne dark

chocolate. To me, it means Filipinos are just as good, competent and, yes, heroic, as any citizen of the world.

Bayani is currently sold in packs of three featuring classic flavors of Dark, White and Milk Chocolate, as well as in a gift box of nine, which includes the classic series, as well as those with the nuts and the cake flavor. (I confess I’ve been savoring the dark chocolates, which goes well with coffee, or red wine. They are deliciously smooth, with a slight hint of bitter and sweetness.)

For now, Bayani is sold at Spatio at Opus Mall in Bridgetowne, Quezon City, while the Manila Chocolatier pralines are available at your nearest Kultura at SM branch. But Matias said he also plans to sell Bayani in the US in popular stores like Trader Joe’s, instead of the usual Filipino/Asian stores, where most Filipinos get their Pinoy favorites. This way, it becomes available to a wider mainstream market. Matias also said he hopes that he will be able to buy more cacao from local producers that will meet his standards of 7 to 8 days of fermentation to make his world-class confectionery. “Most of them are fermented in three-four days, which is more acidic, that’s why you will notice in some local chocolates, they are bitter,” he explained. These quickly fermented cacao are often used to make tablea, he said. Which is unfortunate, since the Philippines produces criollo, the most expensive cacao variety in the world, a pure cacao variety introduced by the Spaniards in the 1600s. Because of its rarity and delicateness in cultivation, it has been listed in the Slow Food Foundation’s Ark of Taste as an heirloom cultivar that is in danger of being lost, as most cacao farmers turn to the faster-growing hybrids.

Thus, Matias appealed to the government to help local cacao farmers increase their production. Many of them are still backyard or small producers who cultivate cacao mostly for their family’s use to make the morning “sikwate.”

Last year, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu P. Laurel Jr. announced a project to revitalize the Philippine cacao industry through his department’s High-Value Crops Development Program. Targeting over 74,000 cacao farmers, the project will include “the provision of cacao planting materials and farm inputs, conduct of capacity-building initiatives for cacao farmers and extension workers, establishment of cacao technology demonstration sites, distribution of farm machinery and equipment, and construction of irrigation facilities.”

While Tiu Laurel didn’t say how much funds will be allocated to the project, hopefully this is the right

impetus to push the Philippine cacao industry into hyperdrive, and help the country take its rightful place as one of the best sources of cacao in the world.

THAT Saturday I also dropped by the Likhang Habi Market Fair at the Space on the fifth floor of Ayala One in Makati. (I know, I know. Me in Makati on a Saturday?! What about the laundry waiting at home?)

But the pull of our local weavers and what artisans and designers have been up to, was just too difficult to resist. “Beautiful” is an understatement, when describing their products, most which can be worn even outside your usual Filipiniana-motifed wedding or special event.

[At] the Likhang Habi Market Fair, weaving communities bring out the best products they have created using the latest technique they have developed—methods that will become part of our weaving culture and history, and our identity as a nation,” said Habi president Mia Villanueva.

Aside from the wider space now afforded the weavers, designers, and product sellers, this year’s Habi also featured lectures and discussions on textiles and fashion, as well as music from local artists playing traditional tunes.

Guests were also treated to cultural presentations, weaving demonstrations and other workshops, all of which serve to reinforce the Habi Council’s mission to preserve, promote, and enhance Philippine textiles through education, communication, and research.”

The vendors get a lot out of being at the fair and meeting their customers,” said Habi President Emeritus Adelaida Lim, for her part.

“They get to see what the buyers are interested in and that dialogue helps them level-up to what the market wants.”

I had fun, as usual with Miss Philippines, schmoozing with the vendors, admiring the intricate embroidery and weaving, and feeling the passion and creativity that went into the fabrics, clothes, shoes and bags. Sure, they were all out of my price range—the least expensive item I found were a pair of adorned espadrilles at P2,500—but it gives one an immense feeling of pride to see how far we have come from the tribal bags and brass jewelry I used to buy from Davao back in the 1980s.

I can just imagine all these exquisite clothes and ornate accessories on models in runways abroad, bringing attention to the Philippines as a destination for unique, heritage-inspired fashion.

Looking back, it was a Saturday well-spent immersed in Filipino’s passion for “colorful” flavors and fabrics.

a good investment. ★★★★

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Invite change, and it will help you gain perspective regarding what’s best for you moving forward. Refuse to let emotions interfere when principles or expenditures are an issue. Acting in haste will compromise you. Do your research, and you’ll find peace of mind. Romance is on the rise, along with personal and self-improvement. ★★★

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Let your emotions stir things up. When you face multiple choices, you’ll find a way to rationalize what’s best for you. Communication will help you get the lowdown on what’s possible and how to maintain balance and continuity in your life without overspending. Simplicity and a minimalist attitude will pay off. ★★★

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Act on your own behalf and enforce practicality. Don’t over- or underestimate situations or people. Do your homework, know what you’re up against and adjust your agenda to accommodate your needs. Well-thought-out plans with a precise and quick response will help you acquire your heart’s desire. ★★★

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Complete every task. Loose ends will ruin your downtime, causing emotional trauma and unnecessary costs. Act with precision, leave nothing to chance and make plans for downtime with someone you enjoy spending time with. A creative project, interacting with children or a romantic adventure will soothe the soul. ★★★★

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Keep your thoughts to yourself until you have a failproof plan in place. Conversations will offer insights into the options before you. Contemplate the possibilities, and you’ll discover a unique way to use what you already have in place to your advantage. ★★

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Verify everything you hear before passing information along. Your reputation will suffer if you are too quick to judge or trust. Focus your energy on completion and preparation to move in a direction that is more suitable for achieving your long-term goals. Avoid taking unnecessary risks that can lead to ill health or injury. ★★★★★

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Embrace change, put your best foot forward and let your creativity lead the way. A new look, passion or attitude can help you develop resilience to move forward with fresh ideas and a vision that will change how you live, think and approach situations. Set a budget, and work your magic. ★★★ PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Set yourself

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Lav Diaz, ‘Magellan’ and the collision of cinema and conscience

BY TROI SANTOS

NEW YORK CITY—The world of Lav Diaz is one where cinema and conscience often collide. His latest film, Magellan, continues that tradition, and this time the collision cuts deeper than ever.

Days after the New York Film Festival premiere, Diaz reflected over coffee: “I might not just face accusations of historical revisionism, but even excommunication from the Catholic Church.” His remark followed a wave of online threats and criticism, proof of how provocative his retelling of early colonial history has become.

The film revisits one of the most contested encounters in world history: the first meeting between the Philippines and the West through the voyage of Ferdinand Magellan.

The backlash stemmed from Diaz’s daring interpretation that Lapu-Lapu, long celebrated as the first Filipino hero who killed Magellan, may be more myth than man, a symbol shaped by centuries of oral tradition and nationalist imagination. He goes further, suggesting that Rajah Humabon, often vilified for aligning with the Spaniards, may in fact be the first true national hero, a leader navigating the collision of cultures with political foresight and spiritual complexity.

For many Filipinos, those assertions felt like an assault on a sacred story of resistance. For Diaz, they were an invitation to examine how history, faith and identity were shaped by power and perception.

The premiere drew a sold-out crowd at the Walter Reade Theater. Before the screening, Janus Films hosted a reception at Café Paradiso across the street, where Diaz and Gael García Bernal mingled with guests, critics, and festival programmers. The mood was warm and expectant, shaped by curiosity about how Diaz would reinterpret the mythos of Magellan and Lapu-Lapu.

Dennis Lim, artistic director of the New York Film Festival, moderated the post-screening discussion and introduced Diaz as “one of the most important living filmmakers working in the language of time, memory and national history.”

Lim’s connection with Diaz spans more than a decade; as director of programming at film at Lincoln Center, he curated “Time Regained: The Films of Lav Diaz,” the most comprehensive American retrospective of the director’s work. That early advocacy helped establish Diaz’s presence in the US arthouse circuit, paving the way for his return to Lincoln Center with Magellan

fascinating from the start, especially coming from Lav,” Bernal said. “It was an amazing and incredible Bernal first heard of the project from Portuguese producer and filmmaker Joaquim Sapinho. He and Gael initially spoke on the phone, later met in Berlin, and eventually Diaz, Gael and Joaquim came together

Drawn by Diaz’s vision, he immersed himself in historical texts and languages to portray a man torn between faith, ambition and empire. He was particularly intrigued by Enrique, who is a Malay, Magellan’s enslaved interpreter, possibly the first person to complete a circumnavigation of the globe, whose story symbolizes the beginnings of global Magellan, Diaz said, was punishing. He wrote scenes daily during filming, guided by instinct and scholarship. “Pinuhunan ko ang buhay ko, muntik na akong mamatay sa pelikulang ito,” he said. “Kahit sinong nagmamarunong na historiyano sa Pilipinas, handa akong

Behind the camera, the production mirrored its own theme of struggle: betrayals, abandonment, personality clashes, and even blackmail attempts. Diaz said these tensions reflected the same human frailties that unraveled Magellan’s expedition

During the post-screening dialogue, the conversation shifted to the authorship of history. Diaz observed that Western accounts still dominate, leaving Filipino voices peripheral. His film, he said, attempts to restore those missing perspectives, the small human truths obscured by conquest.

Bernal added that the Pacific crossing remains “more uncertain than going to the moon,” calling it one of humanity’s greatest leaps of faith. “Those men believed their survival meant divine purpose,” he said.

When asked how he sustained himself through years of research and production, Diaz smiled.

“Meditation, music and marijuana,” he replied, drawing laughter from the audience. He added that art, like truth, requires clarity and compassion, a state reached only by slowing down and seeing the world without illusion.

For a filmmaker who has built his career on confronting myth, memory and power, it was a fitting epilogue, another chapter in a body of work that insists on reclaiming the Filipino story, frame by frame.

To Diaz, elevating Humabon is not an act of defiance but of reexamination. He describes Humabon as a ruler caught between loyalty to his people and the overwhelming force of a foreign faith. His conversion to Christianity, often dismissed as betrayal, was, in Diaz’s view, a pragmatic attempt at survival—an early form of diplomacy in the face of conquest.

“You read it carefully, and it becomes clear that many of these numbers and scenes were exaggerated,”

Diaz said. “They were written from the viewpoint of survival and guilt, not truth.”

Diaz said the story of Magellan has long lived in the Filipino consciousness. It marked the first recorded contact between the islands and the West, a beginning he wanted to reexamine for its loss, distortion and moral weight. “Ang kuwento ni Magellan ay koneksyon sa ating kasaysayan,” he said. “Doon nagsimula ang kamalayan ng mga Pilipino.” He spent seven years researching before production began, working in Seville and poring over archival materials. From Pigafetta’s chronicle to lesser-known European accounts, he compared contradictions and omissions. Diaz noted that several of Pigafetta’s descriptions do not make sense, such as the supposed thousands of native warriors who surrounded Magellan during the “Battle of Mactan.”

The result, he said, became a dialectical investigation: a personal act of returning to the source and confronting what history concealed.

Shot entirely on a Panasonic Lumix GH7, Magellan

extends Diaz’s long-take realism into digital precision. Using only two lenses—a 12 mm and a 35 mm Panasonic—he and his small crew filmed across rugged terrain and unpredictable weather, capturing long sequences that mirrored the endurance of Magellan’s voyage.

For Gael García Bernal, playing Magellan was both demanding and revelatory. As a Mexican actor, he approached the role as an exploration of shared colonial legacies. “The concept of Magellan was

In ‘Mr. Scorsese,’ fitting a filmmaking titan into the frame

BY JAKE COYLE The Associated Press

NEW YORK—The first time the filmmaker Rebecca Miller met Martin Scorsese was on the set of 2002’s Gangs of New York. Miller’s husband, Daniel Day-Lewis, was starring in it. There, Miller found an anxious Scorsese on the precipice of the film’s enormous fight scene, shot on a sprawling set.

“He seemed like a young man, hoping that he had chosen the right way to shoot a massive scene,” Miller recalls. “I was stunned by how youthful and alive he was.” That remains much the same throughout Miller’s expansive and stirring documentary portrait of the endlessly energetic and singularly essential filmmaker. In Mr. Scorsese, which premieres on Friday on Apple TV, Miller captures the life and career of Scorsese, whose films have made one of the greatest sustained arguments for the power of cinema.

“We talk about 32 films, which is a lot of films. But there are yet more films,” Miller says, referencing Scorsese’s projects to come. “It’s a life that overspills its own bounds. You think you’ve got it, and then it’s more and more and more.”

Scorsese’s life has long had a mythic arc: The asthmatic kid from Little Italy who grew up watching old movies on television and went on to make some of the defining New York films. That’s a part of Mr. Scorsese, too, but Miller’s film, culled from 20 hours of interviews with Scorsese over five years, is a more intimate, reflective and often funny conversation about the compulsions that drove him and the abiding

questions—of morality, faith and filmmaking—that have guided him.

“Who are we? What are we, I should say?” Scorsese says in the opening moments of the series. “Are we intrinsically good or evil?”

“This is the struggle,” he adds. “I struggle with it all the time.”

Miller began interviewing Scorsese during the pandemic. He was then beginning to make Killers of the Flower Moon  Their first meetings were outside. Miller first pitched the idea to Scorsese as a multifaceted portrait. Then, she imagined a two-hour documentary. Later, by necessity, it turned into a fivehour series. It still feels too short.

“I explained I wanted to take a cubist approach, with different shafts of light on him from all different perspectives—collaborators, family,” Miller says. “Within a very short amount of time, he sort of began talking as if we were doing it. I was a bit confused, thinking, ‘Is this a job interview or a planning situation?’”

While the bulk of Mr. Scorsese are the director’s own film-to-film recollections, a wealth of other personalities color in the portrait. That includes collaborators, like editor Thelma Schoonmaker, Paul Schrader, Robert De Niro, Leonardo DiCaprio and Day-Lewis. It also includes Scorsese’s children, his ex-wives and his old Little Italy pals. One, Salvatore “Sally Gaga” Uricola for the first time is revealed as the model for De Niro’s troublemaking, mailbox-blowingup Johnny Boy in Mean Streets.

“Cinema consumed him at such an early age and

it never left him,” DiCaprio says in the film. “There will never be anyone like him again,” says Steven Spielberg. It can be easy to think of Scorsese, perhaps the most revered living filmmaker, as an inevitability, that of course he gets to make the films he wants. But Mr. Scorsese is a reminder how often that wasn’t the case and how frequently Scorsese found himself on the outside of Hollywood, whether due to box-office disappointment, a clash of style or the perceived danger in controversial subjects (Taxi Driver, The Last Temptation of Christ) he was drawn to.

Film executives today, an especially risk-averse lot, could learn some lessons from Mr. Scorsese in what a difference they can make for a personal filmmaker. As discussed in the film, in the late 1970s, producer Irwin Winkler refused to do Rocky II with United Artists unless they also made “Raging Bull.”

Mr. Scorsese recently debuted at the New York Film Festival, where Miller’s son, Ronan Day-Lewis made his directorial debut with Anemone, a film that marked her husband’s return from retirement. At the Mr. Scorsese premiere, a packed audience at Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall came to enthusiastically revel in, and pay tribute to its subject.

“You hear all those people laughing with him or suddenly bursting into applause when they see Thelma Schoonmaker or at the end of the Last Waltz sequence,” Miller says. “There was a sense of such palpable enthusiasm and love. My husband said something I thought was very beautiful: It reminded everyone of how much they love him.”

“Humabon understood the language of power,” Diaz said. “He chose negotiation over annihilation.”

In that choice, Diaz finds not weakness, but courage: the beginning of a Filipino consciousness aware of both submission and resistance, faith and reason, tragedy and nationhood.

‘STARS ON THE FLOOR: THE FINAL DANCE BATTLE’ BEGINS AFTER weeks of intense “collabanan” and breathtaking performances, the stage is set for the ultimate showdown as GMA Network’s original celebrity dance reality competition, Stars on the Floor, gears up for its grand finale. Viewers can look forward to the most personal and powerful performances yet, as each Dance Star Duo showcases a routine they’ve conceptualized together—guided by their chosen Star Choreographer.

Hosted by Alden Richards, Stars on the Floor takes viewers on a deeply personal journey of the Dance Star Duos, alongside The Dance Authorities—Marian Rivera, Pokwang, and Master Coach Jay. Week after week, this dynamic panel of judges not only chose the Top Two Dance Star Duos who will battle it out, but also uplifted the performers with powerful words of encouragement and expert guidance. What started as a collaboration between celebrity and digital dancers has evolved into a powerful movement—uniting different personalities, making waves with different dance styles, and building lasting partnerships—lifting the dance community to a whole new level. Now, they are ready to deliver performances that reflect their growth as individuals, partners, and as a group.

With emotions running high and physical limits pushed to the edge, the Dance Star Duos—“The Phenomenal Millennials” Rodjun Cruz and Dasuri Choi, “The Power Twin Towers” Faith Da Silva and Zeus Collins, “The Global Pinoy Dance Stars” Thea Astley and Joshua Decena, “The Gen Z Dance Idols” VXON’s Patrick and Kakai Almeda, and “The Dream Star Duo” Glaiza de Castro and JM Yrreverre—will battle it out for a spot in the Final Dance-Off. Only two pairs will remain for the chance to impress the the judges and the entire Dance Universe, and ultimately prove they deserve the crown and the P1.5 million cash prize—P500,000 of which goes to their chosen charity.

Stars on the Floor: The Final Dance Battle airs on October 18, 7:15 pm, after Pepito Manaloto on GMA and via livestream on GMA Kapuso Stream and Adventure Taste Moments YouTube Channel.

More information can be found at www.gmanetwork.com.

MR.DIY Philippines Wins ESGBusiness Award for Job Creation in the Philippines

Leading home improvement retailer

MR.DIY Philippines has been honored for Job Creation in the Philippines at the ESGBusiness Awards held September 25, 2025 at The Westin Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The award celebrates the company’s outstanding contribution to building livelihoods in provinces where opportunities are needed most.

The winning entry highlighted MR.DIY’s efforts in Samar and Leyte—two provinces that were hardest hit by Typhoon Yolanda in 2013.

Six years after the disaster, MR.DIY began expanding its footprint in the region and has since established 38 stores, generating over 300 full-time jobs for local residents and creating sustainable livelihoods that keep families together.

“For MR.DIY, expansion is not just about opening stores—it’s about opening doors of opportunity,” said Roselle Marisol Andaya, Chief Executive Officer of MR.DIY Philippines. “Every store we open is a commitment to empower families, strengthen communities, and bring progress closer to home.”

By hiring locally in close partnership with LGUs, MR.DIY has helped reduce the need for residents to migrate in search of work.

MR.DIY Philippines, led by CEO Roselle Andaya, was recognized for its Job Creation in the Philippines at the prestigious ESGBusiness Awards held last September 25, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, honoring the company’s commitment to building sustainable livelihoods in Samar and Leyte

Beyond direct employment, the company has stimulated indirect job creation through local contractors, transport providers, logistics partners, and mall vendors.

The entry of MR.DIY stores in smaller towns also spurs new markets, making affordable goods more accessible and encouraging other businesses to invest in the area.

To ensure sustainable growth, MR.DIY invests heavily in its people through its 4Es methodology (Education, Environment, Exposure, Experience) and Shift Supervision

Leadership Track, providing employees with the training and opportunities they need to build lasting careers.

These initiatives reflect MR.DIY’s belief that it doesn’t just hire people—it develops them into confident team leaders and future supervisors.

This recognition from ESGBusiness underscores MR.DIY’s dedication to embedding social responsibility at the heart of its operations, proving that business growth and community empowerment can—and should—go hand in hand.

Enchanted Kingdom Celebrates Three Decades of Magic

ENCHANTED Kingdom (EK), the first and only world-class theme park in the Philippines, proudly marks its 30th Anniversary with a grand celebration on October 18 and 19, 2025, Saturday and Sunday. The premier theme park is working their magic to celebrate three decades of magical memories with an unforgettable concert series and festive surprises that promise to leave everyone forever enchanted.

The two-day festivities will feature the EK’s first-ever projection mapping show, Wheel of Fate: The Magical Journey of Eldar the Wizard. Guests will also enjoy the Echoes of Enchantment Grand Parade, a special showcase of EK’s beloved Storyverse characters led by the iconic Eldar the Wizard. These nighttime spectacles will start at 6 pm.

On the night of October 18, Enchanted Kingdom proudly welcomes homegrown talents back to its stage for a star-studded anniversary celebration. Returning are former EK performers who have made their mark in the entertainment industry: powerhouse vocalist Gigi de Lana and Sinag Maynila 2025 Best Actress and Sparkle diva, Rita Daniela. Adding more magic to the evening is acclaimed singersongwriter and multi-instrumentalist Rob Deniel who will captivate guests with his music. The night will be made even more enchanting with the majestic performance of the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra, one of the country’s premier orchestras.

Also joining the celebration are Mauie Francisco and Mitzi Casacop, both former EK performers as well and now GMA Sparkle artists, who will give a special performance in an exclusive event.

The first night of the celebration will end with a grand The Magic of Saribuhay: A Pyromusic Spectacle.

On October 19, the Forever Enchanted Live: EK’s 30th Anniversary Concert will take center stage featuring one of OPM’s most iconic bands, Parokya ni Edgar and this generation’s top band Cup of Joe. Alternative rock band Over October will bring fresh energy to the celebration.

Capping off the festivities, the Memories of Magic: Sky Wizardry EKstravaganza will light up the night sky with a breathtaking pyromusical show, commemorating Enchanted Kingdom’s three decades of creating magical memories that last a lifetime for all Filipinos.

One of the major highlights of Enchanted Kingdom’s 30th Anniversary celebration is the reopening of AGILA The EKsperience: SARIBUHAY, the first and only flying theater in the Philippines. Reinforcing the park’s commitment to sustainability, the attraction offers guests an educational and fully immersive journey through an enhanced film that showcases the Philippines’ rich biodiversity and natural wonders.

“SARIBUHAY is more than just an experience; it is a powerful call to action,” said Dr. Cynthia R. Mamon, Chief Operating Officer of Enchanted Kingdom. “Beyond its mission to promote the beauty of the Philippines and drive tourism, AGILA reminds us of the urgent need to conserve the environment and protect our wildlife.”

Dr. Mamon also emphasized that admission to the majestic flying theater is already included in the park’s

regular day pass, as part of EK’s Education Program.

“Enchanted Kingdom welcomes 600,000 students each year as we offer EK as an alternative classroom where they can learn through our Physics Behind the Rides and our Botany in the Park, among others. With AGILA the EKsperience: SARIBUHAY, we want to be able to contribute in ensuring that our next generation of leaders are equipped with awareness on the importance of protecting biodiversity,” she furthered.

Plus, thrill-seekers have even more to look forward to as the iconic Space Shuttle makes its highly anticipated comeback this October, now reimagined with an immersive thematic experience and enhanced ride system technology, ensuring an even safer, smoother, and more exhilarating adventure with every twist and turn.

True to its aspiration in cultivating Filipino talent, EK’s homegrown P-pop girl group, SMS has released their new original song, Forever Enchanted. EK’s premier all-male vocal group Kingsmen has also released their own music, Enchanting Memories.

As part of its 30th Anniversary celebration, Enchanted Kingdom will also delight guests with exclusive food offerings crafted especially for this milestone year. Families and friends can look forward to indulging in limited-edition treats such as Agila Pops macarons, PanSisig crispy noodles, Biggie Burrito, Soy Good Chicken, and the playful Dino Surprise.

EK has released commemorative shirts featuring the park’s iconic rides, as well as new AGILA The EKsperience: SARIBUHAY merchandise. The beloved prehistoric-themed concept store for kids, Stone Age, is also back, giving guests more ways to celebrate and bring home a piece of Enchanted Kingdom magic.

For more information and updates regarding EK’s 30th Anniversary Celebration along with EK’s other forever enchanting offerings, visit https://www. enchantedkingdom.ph and EK’s official social media accounts @enchantedkingdom.ph for Facebook and TikTok, and @ ek_philippines for Instagram.

Cebuana Lhuillier shells out P10M insurance coverage for mental health

CEBUANA Lhuillier, through its insurance arm Cebuana Lhuillier Insurance Brokers, Inc. (CLIB), is reinforcing its commitment to championing mental health and financial inclusion with the turnover of P10 million worth of insurance coverage under its MindCare initiative to the National Center for Mental Health (NCMH).The insurance coverage will be distributed nationwide, providing accessible protection to individuals and communities in need of mental health support.

The initiative aligns with the celebration of World Mental Health Day and reflects the company’s ongoing efforts to address the growing need for mental health awareness and accessible protection.

“Through MindCare, we are extending our advocacy of financial inclusion to encompass mental health,” said Jean Henri Lhuillier. “We believe that empowerment is achieved when Filipinos are both financially secure and emotionally resilient. By partnering with the NCMH, we aim to make mental health protection more accessible to all Filipinos, wherever they may be.”

Developed by CLIB, MindCare is an innovative insurance product designed to provide coverage for mental health consultations and treatments. It demonstrates Cebuana Lhuillier’s broader commitment to developing inclusive financial solutions that address relevant social concerns and promote the overall wellbeing of Filipinos. According to Atty. Isagani Acosta, General Manager

of CLIB, MindCare exemplifies the company’s dedication to making insurance more inclusive and responsive. “Our objective at CLIB is to offer innovative insurance products that meet the evolving needs of our clients. MindCare recognizes the importance of mental health as a key component of a person’s well-being and ensures that support is available to those who need it most,” he said. The P10-million coverage turnover to the NCMH highlights the value of collaboration between the public and private sectors in promoting mental health. As the country’s primary institution for mental health care, NCMH will oversee the nationwide distribution of the insurance coverage, allowing more individuals to benefit from essential mental health services.

Dr. Noel Reyes, Medical Chief of the NCMH, expressed appreciation for the partnership, stating, “We are grateful for Cebuana Lhuillier’s support and commitment to mental health. Partnerships like this help strengthen our capacity to reach more Filipinos and promote greater understanding and acceptance of mental health issues. This initiative is a meaningful step toward a more compassionate and supportive society.” Through initiatives such as MindCare, Cebuana Lhuillier continues to lead in providing innovative and inclusive insurance solutions. The company remains steadfast in its mission to empower every Filipino with access to financial protection and mental wellness resources that contribute to a stronger, more resilient nation.

PH HIMS Industry Drives Sustainable Growth Amid Global Disruptions

SENIOR leaders of the healthcare information management services (HIMS) sector will convene for HIMSCON 2025 on October 20 and 21, 2025, at Bonifacio Hall, Shangri-La The Fort, BGC, to address growth and resilience amid global disruptions.

With the theme “Sustaining Growth Beyond Disruptions,” the conference demonstrates how Philippine HIMS firms can navigate volatility while building a futureready workforce.

Organized by the Healthcare Information Management Association of the Philippines (HIMAP), the two-day conference will bring together top executives, policymakers, educators, and innovators to discuss and participate in C-suite forums, keynotes, case studies, and interactive polls on the sector’s most pressing shifts.

Topics include the outlook for HIMS, reskilling and microcredentials for high-value roles, and responsible artificial intelligence (AI) in operations.

Sessions also examine evolving work types, cybersecurity for growth, and how to translate policy and geopolitical risk into concrete business decisions. Discussions on global market diversification and operational efficiency will help firms move from costcenter work to value-driving partnerships.

“The Philippines stands to achieve transformative progress when academe, government, and industry operate in sync—driven by a shared vision and a unified calendar. HIMSCON is the platform where we align priorities, forge partnerships, and commit to the next bold steps toward national innovation and global competitiveness,” said Vincent Remo, President of HIMAP.

HIMSCON situates these conversations in the national

agenda by aligning workforce development, curriculum collaboration, and industry partnerships to open career pathways and raise service value. Attendees can expect practical guidance drawn from real implementations, including methods, checkpoints, and examples they can adapt within their teams.

Be part of the conversation. Join the HIMS community on October 20 and 21 at Shangri-La The Fort and secure your seat at https://app.xperto.ph/event/himscon-2025. For media and partnership inquiries, email secretariat@ himap.ph.

PHINMA Properties strengthens commitment with Saludad, its first master planned township

PHINMA Properties, the property development arm of the PHINMA Group, is betting big on Bacolod with the launch of Saludad, its first masterplanned township outside Metro Manila. This 21-hectare development marks the company’s evolution from building homes to shaping communities.

“Bacolod has always been a city with untapped potential,” said Raphael B. Felix, President and CEO of PHINMA Properties.

“We see in Bacolod the right mix of strong population growth, a rising middle class, quality of life that appeals to both locals and returnees, and opportunities in sectors like education and hospitality. For us, Saludad is not just a project. It’s an investment in Bacolod’s future.”

The company’s expansion from residential developments in Metro Manila to masterplanned communities in emerging cities, starting with Bacolod’s Saludad, is driven by the synergy of the PHINMA Group. With PHINMA Education, PHINMA Construction Materials, and PHINMA Hospitality contributing their expertise, Saludad is envisioned not merely as a residential address, but as a holistic community where families can learn, work, grow, and thrive. What sets Saludad apart is PHINMA Properties’ philosophy

of creating homes inspired by authentic Filipino living. Instead of following a Manila or international template, the township was co-created with JEPP Real Estate Co., a Bacolod-based firm rooted in the heritage of the city’s prominent families, and masterplanned by award-winning architect Royal Pineda. This collaboration grounds Saludad in Bacolod’s culture and identity while elevating it through world-class design and innovation. Bacolod provides fertile ground for this vision. Unlike Metro Manila, where condominium oversupply challenges developers, Bacolod’s real estate market remains balanced and resilient, with strong take-up particularly in the affordable and midincome segments. Property values in Negros Occidental have shown steady appreciation, reflecting investor confidence and long-term growth potential. The city’s appeal is further reinforced by robust OFW remittances, ongoing infrastructure developments such as the Bacolod-Silay Airport and expanding road networks, and Bacolod’s enduring reputation for safety, lifestyle, and accessibility.

For Bacolodnons, Saludad is an elevated expression of the life they already know and love. The township brings together diverse residential options, from the mid-rise condominiums

of Maayo Terraces to the lot-only offerings of Likha Estates, alongside educational opportunities through Southwestern University PHINMA, hospitality via PHINMA Hospitality’s TRYP by Wyndham Hotel, and commercial hubs designed for mobility and connectivity. With open green spaces, walkable streets, and people-centered planning, Saludad is envisioned not just as a development, but as a community designed for everyday living.

For PHINMA Properties, Saludad represents a new chapter in its evolution. Having delivered over 21 residential communities in Metro Manila and expanded into growth centers like Cebu and Davao, the company now takes the next step: building a masterplanned township. Saludad embodies the natural progression of PHINMA’s mission—to make lives better by creating homes and communities built to last for generations. “Saludad is our way of affirming our belief in Bacolod, and our commitment for the long term,” Felix said. “It is a development that honors heritage, nurtures families, and creates opportunities for generations. We are betting on Bacolod, and we invite Bacolodnons and the business community to join us in shaping the city’s future.”

Editor: Tet Andolong • www.businessmirror.com.ph

Motoring BusinessMirror

BYD Di Space is China’s first NEV museum

by Randy S. Peregrino

BYD Philippines and ACMobility flew us to Zhengzhou, China, to visit the newly opened “Di Space” New Energy Science Museum— the first NEV museum in China. Since opening to the public on October 24, 2024, the museum has offered visitors an immersive experience in automotive culture, design, and technology.

The new Di Space highlights BYD’s commitment to Zhengzhou, raising the city’s profile as a prime location for the brand and NEV production. This aligns with BYD’s broader strategy to deepen offline engagement and build connections with local communities. The museum aims to provide visitors with an in-depth educational experience about new energy vehicles.

Located in Zhengzhou’s commercial district, Di Space spans roughly 15,000 square meters across four floors. Exhibits are divided into four main sections: “Brand Culture,” “Craftsmanship and

Intelligent Manufacturing,” “Innovative Technology,” and “Tech Exploration.” Showcasing over 300 items, each floor offers a distinct aspect of the NEV industry.

Tracing the evolution of China’s NEV industry FROM the vast exterior layout of the site, the entrance hall greets visitors with a high ceiling of illumination backdrop. There, the sign welcoming the Philippine contingent set the exciting mood. The left hall houses the history presentation, demonstrating the evolution of the automaker. Then on the other side is the shop displaying various brand merchandise for sale. There is also a hall for die-cast models representing the entire BYD lineup, old and new. But, of course, the hall for the actual vehicle models was the best part, showcasing all the current lineup sold in China and other regions.

Vehicle assembly and auto engineering processes demonstration The second floor focuses on robotic

TOYOTA, ever the pioneer, is doing it again: Making it easy and comfortable for Filipino vacationers coming home this Christmas on matters of mobility issues.

This early, the world’s No. 1 carmaker has a pleasant surprise for everyone bound for home for the holidays. It will be a sure big treat for balikbayans, and the brilliant idea can only come from someone as creative and as innovative like Cristina “Tini” Arevalo. Indeed, Tina, the hard-nosed, hardworking president of Toyota Mobility

Solutions PH, has nailed a homerun worth bandying about. Savor her piece:

“FOR millions of Filipinos working overseas, who are our so-called modernday heroes, Christmas isn’t just a date on the calendar—it’s a homecoming filled with stories, laughter and long-awaited hugs. After months of sacrifice, you deserve to savor every moment of being home.

“That’s where Toyota Rentacar comes in — easing the journey from the airport to your hometown with comfort, reliability and care.

“Imagine stepping out of the terminal and straight into a Toyota that’s ready to take you home. No stressful bookings, no long waits—just the smooth drive you’ve earned after spending so much time away from home.

“Each vehicle is fully insured, meticulously maintained and backed by Toyota’s trusted promise of safety.

demonstrations that replicate key steps from a real factory. These include robotic panel stamping and molding, as well as body painting processes. Visitors can observe how robots shape the car panels and apply paint, illustrating essential phases of vehicle assembly. Additionally, there is a display of the Seal EV model, which reveals and labels internal components that are usually hidden from view.

BYD advanced technologies

THE third floor presents BYD’s advanced technologies in a way that explains their purpose and function. For example, the Blade Battery is a type of battery designed for improved safety and efficiency. The fifthgeneration DM-i technology combines electric and fuel power to enhance fuel savings and performance in plugin hybrid vehicles. The DMO platform supports these innovations. The displayed “e4” technology is a system with four electric motors—one for each wheel—enabling independent control for better stability and traction. This setup powers BYD’s Yangwang U8 and U9 models.

There is also an interactive “Di Link” display, where visitors can use a large screen to explore the in-car interface, learning how users interact with BYD’s connected vehicle system. Additionally, concept technologies are presented, such as a top-mounted drone package developed with DJI. In this setup, a drone is housed in an automated pod on the vehicle’s roof, which opens to launch the drone. The drone’s controls are integrated with the vehicle’s touchscreen system, allowing the driver to operate it from inside.

Interactive and hands-on zone

THE fourth and top floor offers an interactive zone where visitors or students can participate in hands-on activities. There are practical displays on sustainability, showcasing various eco-friendly energy sources, presented in dioramas or through moving projectors with illuminations. Another hall is for 3D screen presentations and is designed for guests to have photo sessions.

Another interesting presentation is the hall of floating plastic balls, which demonstrates the balls’ ability to form various shapes of models, highlighting their aerodynamics. To cap off the tour, there is a café area where visitors can relax while feasting their eyes on the Yangwang U8 and U9 on display.

Di Space and beyond

BEYOND permanent displays, Di Space features an 8,500-square-meter outdoor

plaza and a 360-square-meter indoor event venue. These spaces are for hosting BYD product launches, pop-up exhibits, and other live activities. With Di Space, BYD aims to inform the public and advocate for the NEV industry. As NEV adoption rises in China, brands are boosting offline outreach to connect with consumers and highlight NEV benefits. BYD describes Di Space as supporting Zhengzhou’s profile in the brand and NEV sector.

“Whether you’re cruising through city streets or heading to the province for a reunion, you can count on Toyota Rentacar to get you there with ease.

“Flexible rental terms—daily, weekly or monthly—make it simple to tailor your drive to your destination.

“Choose from compact sedans for quick errands or spacious vans for family trips, and travel together in comfort.

“Because when you finally come home, every minute matters. Spend it sharing stories, enjoying meals and rediscovering the places that shaped you—not waiting for rides or dealing with travel stress.

“Booking your Toyota is easy:

1 Visit www.toyotarentacar.com.ph

2 Select your preferred vehicle and schedule.

3 Confirm—and drive home with peace of mind.

“This Christmas, Toyota Rentacar celebrates every Filipino coming home. Because, after all the years of hard work, you deserve to come home the Toyota way—safe, relaxed and truly cared for.” Indeed, there is no other way but Toyota.

From Ciana May P. Calsena:

“Hariphil Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI), the official distributor of Volvo cars in the Philippines, recently gathered a new generation of leaders and trailblazing Filipinas for the second installment of its ‘Voice of Volvo’ thought leadership series, titled ‘Grace Beyond the Wheel.’

“Held at the Maria Fe Perez-Agudo Center for Leadership Excellence in St. Scholastica’s College, Manila, the event inspired student leaders on why personal and road safety are the essential foundation for empowerment and success.

“The forum featured an all-female panel of distinguished leaders, and moderated by esteemed broadcast journalist Rico Hizon.

“The panel included Maria Fe PerezAgudo, Vice Chair, President, and CEO of HARI; Pinky Pe Tobiano, a renowned chemist, philanthropist, and CEO; Jacque Manabat, a pioneering multimedia creator, and a road safety advocate; and, Angela Lagunzad-Castro, a noted broadcast personality and an advocate for women’s wellness.

“The discussion focused on how advancements in mobility and safety can empower women in leadership.

“The panelists shared moving insights from their respective fields, weaving a compelling narrative that underscored a central theme: a secure environment is not a luxury but a prerequisite for everyone to innovate, lead, and realize their full potential.

“The ‘Voice of Volvo’ is our platform to champion conversations that matter. With ‘Grace Beyond the Wheel,’ we explored the profound truth that safety is at the core of progress,” said PerezAgudo, “Also discussed was Volvo Cars Philippines’ Exclusive Ownership Privilege, a platform designed to support the acquisition of the All-New XC60 Plugin Hybrid.” All the best.

PEE STOP Congrats to Jade Sison-

Ababa rises in Del Monte

SARAH ABABA clawed her way back from five strokes down with a fearless charge on the closing holes then outlasted Chanelle Avaricio in a pressurepacked second playoff hole to capture the International Container Terminal Services Inc. Del Monte Championship in dramatic fashion on Thursday.

Trailing for most of the day and facing what looked like an insurmountable deficit, Ababa summoned the composure and tenacity of a seasoned warrior and birdied three of the last five holes with clinical precision to cap a final round 70 that put her at 211.

That was just enough to catch a faltering Avaricio, who stumbled home with a 72 after a sizzling start.

“I didn’t expect to win—I was 2-down with two holes to go,” said Ababa, who trailed by as many as five shots midway through the final round after Avaricio scorched the front nine with a 33 while she managed only a 36. “I was totally scared.” B ut golf, as ever, is a cruel test of nerves.

Ababa mounted a stunning comeback that forced a sudden-death playoff at five-under total.

The two players matched par on their return trip to the par-five 18th, but on the second playoff hole, Ababa delivered under pressure and made a

Rhimself from second to first, bringing him within 18 holes of a storybook redemption— and his fourth career victory on the Philippine Golf Tour.

“I have the advantage, this is my home couese,” said Jaraula, who turned adversity into opportunity after a bogey start and a costly double on the par-4 13th. He clawed back with a steady front nine capped by an eagle on the par-five No. 9, then scorched the closing stretch with three straight birdies from No. 14 to seal a resilient 34-34 round.

“First six holes, it wasn’t pretty, ‘good thing I recovered in the back nine,” he said. “I just thought there were just enough holes remaining.”

crisp drive and a second shot followed by a precise approach from 75 yards to set up a winning birdie.

A varicio, clearly rattled, couldn’t respond.

“It was the perfect yardage for me—75 yards. I’m really confident from inside 100 yards,” said Ababa, who pocketed the P125,000 top purse for her fourth career title in a 12-year pro journey.

The victory was especially sweet for the Davaoeña veteran, who lost in similar sudden-death fashion to Princess Superal at the Caliraya Springs Championship last August.

But this one meant the most for her.

“ This victory is so very special for me because I didn’t expect this at all,” she said.

Ababa, who drew inspiration from her parents who came all the way from Davao to support her, said she was especially motivated by her father, former pro golfer Edgar, who served as her caddie for all three days.

T he win couldn’t have come at a better time and servedas a major confidence booster as the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour heads to her hometown of Davao for the next two legs at Apo Golf and South Pacific. For Avaricio, the loss was a bitter pill. The former Alabama State

standout looked poised to run away with the title after carding a scorching 33 on the front nine.

A varicio, who settled for P82,000, unraveled under the mounting pressure of the back nine, bogeying Nos. 10, 11 and 12 in rapid succession.

A nd although she momentarily steadied with a birdie on No. 15, a bogey on the 17th left her clinging to a one-shot lead entering the final hole.

S he had one last chance to close it out, but failed to convert on the reachable par-five 18th while Ababa calmly rolled in a six-foot birdie to force extra holes—and ultimately snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.

T he loss marked a stinging reversal for Avaricio, who had dominated at Forest Hills earlier in the season. But on this day, with the trophy in sight, it was Ababa who had the mettle to finish the job.

Martina Miñoza closed strong with three birdies over the last six holes for a 68 to secure a career-best thirdplace finish at 212 worth P66,000 and last year’s Order of Merit champion Harmie Constantino saw her late charge stall with a string of pars for fourth at 213 after a 70.

Tiffany Lee also delivered a solid finish, birdieing two of her last three

holes to post a 68 and claim solo fifth at 215. She hopes to carry this momentum into the upcoming Davao legs at Apo and South Pacific.

Daniella Uy, who was just one stroke behind leader Avaricio after 36 holes, struggled in the final round. She went birdie-less and carded a 76, marred by a double bogey on the 17th, slipping to sixth place at 216. The 2023 champion couldn’t replicate her previous success.

Velinda Castil stumbled with a 74, dropping into a tie for seventh at 217 alongside Kristine Fleetwood, who faltered with a 75. Mafy Singson, coming off a strong second-

Now standing on the brink of another triumph, Jaraula is determined not just to win, but to rewrite the ending of last year’s heartbreak at Del Monte, where he fell just one shot short of Clyde Mondilla.

T his time, he has the crowd behind him, course familiarity and a steely focus to match.

“I really want to win here, that feeling would be great,” he said.

But chasing closely is the in-form Zaragosa, who carded a steady 71 for a 203 total and remained well within striking distance of back-to-back PGT titles following his dominant victory in Negros Occidental last month.

Though his red-hot 64 in the second round briefly vaulted him into the lead, Zaragosa grappled with inconsistency off the tee on Moving Day.

“I str uggled with my long game kaya konti lang ang chances na makabirdie,” he said.

B ut a dependable short game— particularly his pitch-and-putt precision—kept him in contention for the top P623,000 purse out of the P3.5 million total prize.

“Most of the time, short game works,” he said.

Fueling Zaragosa’s charge is something deeper than the leaderboard. He is playing with a heavy heart following the recent passing of his grandfather—a man he considered one of his biggest supporters.

A s the two top guns battle it out, veteran Tony Lascuña quietly surged into contention with another vintage 68, his second straight, for a 10-under 206 total—just four shots off the lead.

A t 54, the five-time PGT Order of Merit winner continues to defy expectations, but not without acknowledging the toll time has taken on his game. The chasing pack also remained formidable. Japan’s Atsushi Ueda (68), Russell

ANGEL REESE took her game from the court to the catwalk and made history along the way.

The Chicago Sky forward became the first professional athlete to walk in the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show on Wednesday, joining the brand’s high-profile “Wings Reveal” lineup in New York.

“It was destined for me,” Reese said during an interview before the show began. “This is already for me. I’m so happy to be sitting in this room with so many amazing models and women. The team that put this all together has been amazing. I’m so excited.”

R eese said she hired a modeling coach to “perfect my walk.”

“I walk, sleep, hoop,” she said.

“And I hoop, sleep, walk.” Reese, 23, made her debut on the Victoria Secret runway wearing pink floral lingerie set adorned with blossoms and lace detailing, paired with a dramatic feathered stole draped across her arms. The wrap was covered in soft pink and rose-toned textures.

The 6-foot-3 Reese donned

the signature angel white wings that have defined the show for decades, a new stage for an athlete known for her confidence, charisma and crossover appeal. She walked to the tune of Lumidee’s “Never Leave You (Uh Oooh, Uh Oooh.)”

Reese is a former Louisiana State University national champion and NCAA tournament most outstanding player in 2023.

“One of her biggest dreams was to walk this show,” said celebrity stylist Law Roach, a co-host on the pink carpet who helped reinvent Zendaya, turned Celine Dion into a fashion icon and is a close friend to Reese. AP

Alas Pilipinas pairs in must-win situation in Nuvali beach volley

By Josef Ramos

SISI RONDINA and Bernadeth Pons and three other Alas Pilipinas pairs fell to stronger opponents at the start of the main draw action to drop to must-win situations in the Volleyball World 2025 Beach Pro Tour Challenge on Thursday at the Nuvali Sands Court by Ayala Land in Santa Rosa, Laguna. First to fall when the sun shone brightly the whole day were James Buytrago and Ran Abdilla to a taller Australian duo of D’Artagnan Potts and Jack Pearse, 2114, 21-18, in a Pool H morning session. In the afternoon, Kly Orillaneda and Gen Eslapor lost to Finland’s Anniina Parkkinin and Vilhelmiina Prihti, 11-21, 15-21, in Pool H and Sonny Villapando and Dij Rodriguez bowed to New Zealand’s Shaunna Polley and Olivia MacDonald, 19-21, 14-21, in Pool D.

Then the celebrated pair of Sisi Rondina and Bernadeth Pons yielded to world-ranked Thainara Mylena Feitosa de Oliveira and Talita Simonetti of Brazil, 17-21, 16-21, in Pool G play.

A ll’s not lost for Alas Pilipinas though, but they need to win the second of their main draw matches— and get the better end of possible tiebreaks—to advance further in the tournament hosted by the Philippine

National Volleyball Federation headed by Ramon “Tats” Suzara.

“This is a first time for us in the Challenge, and we learned a lot of new things, but we’re not out yet,” Rondina said. “We’re just grateful that we played them—they’ve been playing the sport for the longest time.” Rondina and Pons are ranked No. 137 in the world while Oliveira and Simonetti are one of seven world-ranked Brazilan pairs at No. 72. “ We played against a great Brazilian team that can adjust in any situation and they changed the complex ionof the game and we couldn’t,” Brazilian coach Joao “Kioday” Luciano Simao Barbosa said. “We must learn from this.” Up next for Rondina and Pons on Friday are Slovenia’s Ziva Javornik and Tajda Lovsin, who are No. 78 in the world but fell victims to the Alas aces in the Futures tournament in Budapest only last month, 16-21, 21-15, 15-9. “ We’re hoping we them again,” Kioday said. Villapando and Rodriguez take on Japan’s Sakura Ito and Mayu Sawame and Eslapor and Orillaneda battle the US’s Teegan Van Gunst and Piper Ferch on Friday.

Buytrago and Abdilla fought for survival against Americans Tim Brewster and Ryan Lerna on Thursday evening.