060526 - San Diego Edition

Trump administration clarifies green-card policy after confusion over who must apply abroad

DHS says qualified applicants will not be barred from permanent residence, but immigration lawyers warn the new guidance could still bring greater scrutiny and delays

LOS ANGELES — The Trump administration has clarified a recent green-card announcement after immigration lawyers, employers and applicants raised concerns that the new policy could force many people already living legally in the United States to leave the country and complete permanent-residency processing abroad.

The issue centers on adjustment of status, the process that allows eligible noncitizens already in the United States to apply for lawful permanent residence without first leaving the country. Federal immigration guidance continues to describe adjustment of status

California primary narrows field for November as ballot counting continues

Filipino American candidates posted notable results across statewide, legislative, congressional and Los Angeles city races as California’s top-two system and local majority rules shaped the June 2 primary.

LOS ANGELES — California’s June 2 primary narrowed the field for November while leaving several closely watched races subject to the state’s extended ballot-counting process. In the governor’s race, Republican Steve Hilton and Democrat Xavier Becerra led early statewide returns, positioning them for a possible November contest to succeed Gov. Gavin Newsom. Democrat Tom Steyer trailed in third place as ballots continued to be counted.

SAN DIEGO

Philippine Senate operates under rival claims after disputed leadership vote

Gatchalian recognized as acting Senate president, Cayetano contests June 3 reorganization

by AJPress

Padilla, Remulla scuffle at Senate as leadership dispute reaches flood-control hearing

The hallway confrontation came as rival Senate blocs clashed over whether a Blue Ribbon Committee proceeding could continue after a disputed reorganization.

by AJPress

MANILA — A dispute over control of the Philippine Senate moved into public view Thursday, June 4, when Sen. Robinhood Padilla and Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla figured in a brief scuffle during a contested

Tony Meloto case draws response from GK USA as proceedings move forward

U.S.-based nonprofit says founder has had no role or authority with the organization since 2017 separation from Gawad Kalinga by AJPress

MANILA — The arrest of Antonio “Tony” Meloto, founder of Gawad Kalinga, has prompted a public response from GK USA, the United States-based nonprofit connected to the Gawad Kalinga network, as the criminal case against him proceeds in the Philippines.

Meloto, 76, was arrested in Angat, Bulacan, on May 29 in connection with two counts of qualified trafficking in persons, according to authorities. Police said

the arrest was carried out after a court issued a warrant, with no bail recommended. The case stems from a Department of Justice resolution finding probable cause and directing the filing of charges in court. Meloto has denied the allegations and is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

In a statement to volunteers and partners, GK USA Chairman Francis de los Reyes III said the news had been “stressful” for many supporters whose lives have been

Blue Ribbon Committee proceeding on alleged flood-control anomalies.

The incident occurred as Padilla and Sen. Pia Cayetano accompanied 18 men identifying themselves as former Marines into the Senate complex. The men had been

Ombudsman files new graft, malversation charges vs. Discayas over Bulacan flood-control project

Case involving P53.9 million Calumpit project adds to separate pending proceedings involving contractor couple

by AJPress

MANILA — The Office of the Ombudsman has filed graft and malversation charges against contractor couple Pacifico “Curlee” Discaya II and Cezarah Rowena “Sarah” Discaya, a company officer and several Department of Public Works and Highways personnel over alleged irregularities in a P53.9-million flood-control project in Calumpit, Bulacan. The case, filed before the Regional Trial Court in Malolos, stems from DPWH Contract ID No. 22CC0058, which covered the rehabil

itation of a river protection structure in Calumpit. According to the Ombudsman, the questioned transactions allegedly gave St. Timothy

Marcos open to special session as Senate dispute threatens legislative work

Malacañang says President would act on formal request from Senate leadership recognized by Palace

by AJPress

congressional break. Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said Marcos was inclined to grant a formal request if it contains valid grounds, citing concern that Senate work could be delayed by the impasse. She said the President would act once a request is transmitted by the Senate leadership recognized by Malacañang. Under Article VI, Section 15 of the 1987 Constitution, the President may call a special session of Congress at any time. The current legislative calendar set June 5 as the last day of session before Congress

Pentagon chief cites Philippines as example of defense burden sharing

Hegseth says Manila’s defense shift reflects Washington’s push for allies to assume greater regional security responsibility

by AJPress

SINGAPORE — U.S. Defense

Secretary Pete Hegseth cited the Philippines as an example of the kind of ally Washington wants in the Indo-Pacific: a treaty partner investing more in defense, improving coordination with American forces and preparing for a security environment increasingly shaped by competition with China.

Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Hegseth said the United States is moving away from alliances built on dependency and toward partnerships defined by shared responsibility. He said Washington wants “partners, not protectorates,” arguing that security in the Pacific can no longer rest disproportionately on American military power.

The remarks placed Manila inside a broader U.S. push for allies to assume more of the financial and operational burden of regional defense. Hegseth said a favorable balance of power requires partners with military strength, industrial capacity and political resolve, and he urged

countries in the region to increase defense spending. Hegseth singled out the Philippines after discussing other U.S. partners in Asia. He said Manila is shifting its focus toward external defense, enhancing interoperability with American forces and investing in the modernization of its military and coast guard. He also cited this year’s Balikatan exercises, which U.S. officials described as the largest iteration of the annual drills, as an example of joint training involving advanced American capabilities. Philippine and U.S. officials have increasingly framed the alliance around deterrence, maritime security and territorial defense. The shift comes amid repeated confrontations between Chinese and Philippine vessels in the South China Sea, including waters Manila refers to as the West Philippine Sea. Beijing claims much of the South China Sea, despite a 2016 arbitral ruling that rejected the legal basis of its sweeping claims. China does not recognize the ruling. Under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the Philippines has

Philippine Senate operates...

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elected Gatchalian Senate pres-

ident pro tempore and designated him to exercise the powers of Senate president. Malacañang later recognized Gatchalian’s acting leadership, saying it respected the decision of the new Senate majority.

Cayetano rejected the proceedings and said he remained Senate president, arguing that the session and leadership change were invalid. His bloc has continued to challenge the reorganization and assert that the prior leadership remains in force.

The result is a Senate able to act, but under procedural uncertainty. Gatchalian’s side is exercising official leadership functions involving schedules, committee organization and internal operations, while Cayetano’s allies dispute that authority and could challenge major decisions politically or in court.

That uncertainty became visible almost immediately. On June

4, senators aligned with Cayetano proceeded with a Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on alleged irregularities in flood-control projects despite the leadership dispute. The hearing underscored the practical consequences of the row: senators can still convene and attempt to conduct proceedings, but the official status of those proceedings may depend on which leadership claim is ultimately recognized. The legal dispute centers on quorum. The Integrated Bar of the Philippines said the June 3 session was lawful and valid under the Avelino doctrine, the 1949 Supreme Court ruling often cited in Senate quorum disputes. The IBP said 12 senators constituted a valid quorum under the circumstances and that acts made during the session are presumed official unless set aside by competent authority.

Former Senate President Franklin Drilon has said Supreme Court intervention may be needed

if the leadership row is formally challenged. His view points to the central issue now hanging over the chamber: whether the June 3 reorganization stands unless a court rules otherwise, or whether Cayetano’s challenge can prevent Gatchalian’s leadership from being treated as settled. The stakes extend beyond Senate titles. The chamber is expected to handle proceedings connected to the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte, who has denied the allegations against her. Control of the Senate presidency affects who presides, who controls the calendar, how rules are interpreted and how committees are organized.

Until the Senate resolves the dispute internally or the Supreme Court issues a ruling, the chamber will continue to operate under contested authority: Gatchalian’s side exercising the recognized leadership functions, and Cayetano’s side challenging the validity of that authority. n

Tony Meloto case draws response...

connected to the organization’s work in the Philippines. GK USA said allegations of this nature involve “real people and families” and affirmed the importance of “a fair and impartial process for everyone involved.”

GK USA said its position had not changed since its official statement in July 2025. The organization said Gawad Kalinga in the Philippines acted after hearing complaints in 2017, removed Meloto as chairman and separated him from official functions, leading to the public announcement of his resignation in January 2018.

In a March 10, 2025 official statement, Gawad Kalinga in the Philippines said several male SEED scholars who were part of the Spartan program raised complaints in 2017 alleging physical violations by Meloto. The organization said its Board of Trustees conducted an internal investigation and that Meloto tendered his resignation as chairman of Gawad Kalinga, SEED Philippines and Enchanted Farm on Oct. 26, 2017. Gawad Kalinga said it acted discreetly at the request of complain-

ants to protect their privacy and initiated support measures with professionals, including a crisis interventionist and therapists.

In a July 18, 2025 statement addressed to GK leaders, the Gawad Kalinga Board said questions had arisen about Enchanted Farm and Meloto’s involvement after his 2017 resignation. The board said Meloto visited and engaged members of the Enchanted Farm community in May 2025 and worked with some community leaders and members to organize an event there.

The board said it formally advised Meloto not to visit Enchanted Farm because of pending complaints against him. It said the situation created tensions involving some community leaders, members and mission workers, and that talks of physical threats against some mission workers circulated. To de-escalate the situation, GK said its leadership decided to pull out GK and SEED mission workers.

GK USA, in its latest statement, said Meloto has had “no role, authority, or affiliation” with the U.S. nonprofit since his separation

from Gawad Kalinga in 2017. The

organization described itself as a U.S. nonprofit 501(c)(3) and said it is committed to honoring and abiding by the judicial process in the Philippines.

“As a community based on advocating for those who have less, we stand for justice for all,” the statement said.

GK USA also said it does not tolerate “abuse, exploitation, harassment, or misconduct in any form,” and urged supporters to respect the process as the case proceeds. It said GK is “not just one person” and that volunteers remain committed to working with communities in the Philippines. n

Marcos open to special session...

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adjourns from June 6 to July 26.

The issue follows days of uncertainty in the Senate after rival blocs asserted competing claims of authority. Malacañang has recognized Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian as acting Senate president after a group of senators moved to reorganize the chamber. Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano has disputed the move, called it unconstitutional and maintained that he remains the lawful Senate president.

The Senate had failed to con-

vene earlier in the week amid the standoff, prompting Marcos to urge senators to return to work. Proceedings resumed after enough senators appeared to establish a quorum, allowing Gatchalian’s bloc to proceed with leadership and committee changes. Castro did not provide a complete list of measures that could be taken up in a special session. Palace statements and news reports framed the possible reconvening as a way to avoid further delay in pending legislative

work and appointments. A special session would allow Congress to meet during the adjournment period, but it would not by itself resolve the Senate leadership dispute. That question remains within the chamber’s internal processes unless raised before the courts. Marcos had not issued a call for a special session. Malacañang says the President is prepared to act if a formal request is submitted with sufficient grounds by the Senate leadership it recognizes. n

Padilla, Remulla scuffle at Senate...

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invited as resource persons by the bloc aligned with Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, who continues to challenge the June 3 reorganization that placed Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian in the role of acting Senate president.

Video footage of the incident showed Padilla, Remulla and others in a crowded hallway near the Senate elevators before the encounter turned physical. The footage showed jostling, but the sequence that led to the scuffle and the intent of those involved remained disputed.

Remulla denied that he tried to block Padilla, Cayetano or the invited resource persons. In a message to reporters, Remulla said he was walking out when he was pushed aside. Gatchalian had earlier said he sought Remulla’s assistance to help maintain order and protect the Senate premises.

The confrontation unfolded a day after senators opposed to Cayetano’s leadership moved to reorganize the chamber.

Gatchalian was recognized by the Marcos administration as acting Senate president, while Cayetano denounced the action and maintained that he remained the lawful head of the Senate.

The dispute immediately affected committee work.

Gatchalian’s side said no official Senate business would be held on June 4, including committee hearings. The Cayetano bloc proceeded with the Blue Ribbon proceeding, with Sen. Pia Cayetano continuing to preside.

The Gatchalian-led side had recognized Sen. Erwin Tulfo as the new Blue Ribbon Committee chair after the reorganization.

The result was a rare public collision of competing claims of authority: one bloc asserting

control over the Senate’s official schedule and committee assignments, and another proceeding under the leadership structure it continued to recognize.

Malacañang urged senators to restore order. Palace Press Officer Claire Castro, asked about the disorder in the chamber, said the President’s message to senators was: “Umayos kayo” - get your act together. The Senate dispute comes as the chamber faces politically sensitive proceedings, including investigations into public works spending and its expected role in the impeachment process involving Vice President Sara Duterte. The leadership conflict has raised questions about which bloc may validly control committee hearings, staff instructions and the conduct of Senate business before Congress fully resumes. n

Pentagon chief cites Philippines...

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expanded security cooperation with the United States while deepening defense ties with Japan, Australia and other partners. In February, Manila and Washington reaffirmed the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty and said it applies to armed attacks on either country’s armed forces, aircraft and public vessels, including coast guard vessels, anywhere in the South China Sea. The alliance also rests on the Visiting Forces Agreement and the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, which allow rotational access, joint training and

expanded military cooperation.

U.S. and Philippine officials have identified those frameworks as central to improving interoperability and supporting a more modern Philippine defense posture.

Hegseth said Marcos had approved a budget that included a 12% increase in defense spending. Philippine budget materials for 2026 list P423.7 billion for national defense, an allocation the Department of Budget and Management has linked to sovereignty protection amid evolving geopolitical conditions.

Hegseth’s comments on China

were direct but calibrated. He cited Beijing’s military buildup as a source of concern, while also saying the United States seeks a stable relationship with China and more regular military-to-military communication to reduce the risk of miscalculation.

The significance of Hegseth’s remarks was not that Manila has completed its defense transition, but that Washington sees the Philippines moving in the direction it now expects of key allies: higher defense investment, closer operational coordination and a larger role in sustaining deterrence in the Indo-Pacific. n

Trump administration clarifies green-card policy...

as an available pathway for eligible applicants inside the United States.

On May 22, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced that it would grant adjustment of status only in “extraordinary circumstances.”

The announcement said the immigration system is designed for temporary visitors to leave when their authorized stay ends and that a temporary visit should not function as the first step in the green-card process.

That language prompted immediate concern because adjustment of status has long been used by eligible applicants in family-based, employment-based and other categories. Immigration attorneys said the announcement created uncertainty over how broadly the new policy would be applied.

The Department of Homeland Security later clarified that the policy would not prevent applicants who legitimately and properly qualify from obtaining a green card, though some applicants may have to process their cases overseas through the State Department. DHS also said the change would not have a noticeable impact on highly qualified applicants and skilled professionals who have followed the law.

The clarification does not erase the significance of the USCIS policy memo. The May 21

memorandum instructs officers to evaluate adjustment of status as a discretionary benefit and to consider whether consular processing abroad is available to the applicant. In practical terms, immigration lawyers said the guidance could give officers more room to ask why an applicant should be allowed to complete the process inside the United States rather than through a U.S. consulate overseas.

For applicants, the practical effect remains unsettled. The impact may depend on visa category, immigration history, family relationship, employment basis, length of stay, unlawful-presence issues, humanitarian factors and whether the applicant is found to merit a favorable exercise of discretion.

The uncertainty is especially important for immigrant communities with large numbers of family- and employment-based applicants, including Filipinos. The policy does not appear to impose one uniform rule on all green-card applicants. But it may expose some applicants to additional questions, requests for evidence or pressure to complete the process abroad.

Immigration lawyers said some applicants have already faced questions about why they sought adjustment of status in the United States instead of applying through a U.S. embassy or consulate in their home country. Some have also reported addi-

tional requests tied to financial support, public-charge concerns and other case-specific issues.

The stakes are substantial. In fiscal year 2024, the most recent complete year available in federal annual data, nearly 1.36 million people became lawful permanent residents. More than 780,000 adjusted status from within the United States. Partial 2025 data indicate the pathway remained heavily used, but full-year figures have not yet been published in the same annual format.

The administration has framed the guidance as a return to the intended distinction between temporary stays and permanent immigration. Immigration advocates and legal-service organizations have warned that the announcement could discourage lawful applicants, separate families or create avoidable delays for people already pursuing permanent residence through existing legal channels.

The new policy signals a stricter and more discretionary review of some green-card applications filed from inside the United States. Applicants with pending or planned cases are being urged by immigration attorneys not to rely on broad public summaries. The effect of the memo will likely depend on the facts of each case and on how USCIS applies the guidance in interviews, requests for evidence and final decisions.

(AJPress)

Ombudsman files new graft...

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Construction Corp. unwarranted benefits totaling P53,917,731.92 and caused financial injury to the government. Named in the case were the Discaya couple; Ma. Roma Angeline Discaya Rimando of St. Timothy Construction Corp.; and DPWH Bulacan 1st District Engineering Office personnel Merg Jaron Caparas Laus, Brice Ericson Diaz Hernandez, Jaypee De Leon Mendoza, Ernesto Cosay Galang, Norberto de Leon Santos, Lorenzo Alcoriza Pagtalunan, Juanito Coronel Mendoza and Floralyn Yutuc Simbulan.

The Ombudsman alleged that payment for the project’s first billing was released despite an unapproved disbursement voucher. It also alleged that full payments for dredging and embankment items

were made without sufficient basis for computation or supporting documents to establish project accomplishment.

The charges include one count of violation of Section 3(e) of Republic Act No. 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, and one count of malversation of public funds through falsification of public documents under the Revised Penal Code. Recommended bail for the graft charge was set at P90,000 for each accused, while no bail was recommended for the complex malversation charge, according to the filing.

The Bulacan case adds to separate pending matters involving the Discayas. Sarah Discaya has been reported detained at the Lapu-Lapu City Jail in connection with a Davao Occidental graft and malversation case over an

alleged P96.5-million flood-control project, where the defense has disputed the “ghost project” characterization. Curlee Discaya has separately been reported under Senate detention after a contempt citation that the Pasay City Regional Trial Court upheld in February 2026. The couple is also facing BIR tax complaints involving P7.18 billion in alleged liabilities, separate from the Ombudsman cases.

The new Bulacan case represents another formal stage in the government’s scrutiny of alleged irregularities in public infrastructure projects. The filing of charges does not constitute a conviction. The allegations must still be established in court, where all accused are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt. n

California primary narrows field...

If the order holds, the result would spare Democrats a more complicated outcome in which a divided Democratic field allowed two Republicans to advance in a state where Democrats hold a large registration advantage. For California voter-nominated offices, the June primary functions as a qualifier, not a final contest. Statewide, congressional and legislative races send the top two vote-getters to November, regardless of party or whether one candidate receives more than 50%. The question is not who crossed a majority threshold, but who finished in the top two.

That distinction shaped several races of interest to Filipino American and Asian American voters.

In the attorney general’s race, Democratic incumbent Rob Bonta led and was on track to advance to November. His lead does not end the race in June because attorney general remains subject to the top-two system.

In Assembly District 52, Democratic incumbent Jessica Caloza overwhelmingly led Republican Andrea Lee Anderson, making her the clear November frontrunner. Anderson also advances as the second candidate on the ballot.

In Assembly District 67, Democrat Mark Pulido was in second place and positioned to advance, though the race remained unofficial. Republican Paulo Morales

Local nonpartisan races operate differently. In contests such as Los Angeles city controller and mayor, a candidate who receives more than 50% can avoid a November runoff.

In Los Angeles, City Controller Kenneth Mejia appeared to clear that majority threshold and win reelection outright. Unofficial Los Angeles County returns showed Mejia with 257,202 votes, or 58.83%, against challenger Zach Sokoloff, who had 179,989 votes, or 41.17%. Mejia’s apparent victory remains pending final certification.

In California’s 37th Congressional District, Republican Baltazar Fedalizo was in second place behind Democratic Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove and was positioned to advance if the order holds. Fedalizo, an entrepreneur and lobbyist who has described himself as having Native American and Filipino heritage, has also cited work on employment and reintegration for formerly incarcerated people. Unofficial Los Angeles County results showed Kamlager-Dove leading with 36,046 votes, or 51.12%, while Fedalizo had 9,580 votes, or 13.59%. Under California’s top-two system, the race proceeds to November with the two leading candidates. The same majority-threshold rule shaped the Los Angeles mayoral contest. Mayor Karen

Pratt and Councilmember Nithya Raman were competing for the second runoff position in a race shaped by homelessness, wildfire response, public safety and voter frustration. Vote-by-mail, provisional and other ballots will continue to be processed after Election Day, and results may change during the canvass period. Vote-by-mail ballots postmarked by

the results pointed beyond visibility and toward a more durable form of political representation: Bonta and Caloza led from positions of institutional strength; Pulido and Fedalizo remained viable through competitive fields; and Mejia appeared to secure an outright citywide victory in Los Angeles. Together, they showed Filipino American candidates competing not as symbolic entrants, but as consequential figures in the statewide, legislative, congressional and municipal races that will help define Cali

fornia’s next political chapter. (AJPress)

Emergency numbers should be part of every Philippines travel plan

For balikbayans, tourists and visiting families, a saved safety list can matter as much as a passport, itinerary or hotel booking

by AJPress

TRAVELERS heading to the Philippines should prepare for more than flights, hotels, family visits and resort bookings. They should also keep emergency numbers within easy reach before they arrive.

The reminder is especially useful for balikbayans, Filipino American families, older travelers, students, first-time visitors and tourists moving between airports, hotels, provinces, resorts and private homes. In an emergency, knowing whom to call can save critical minutes.

The Philippines uses 911 as its unified national emergency hotline for urgent police, fire, medical, rescue and other emergency

assistance, according to the Department of the Interior and Local Government. Travelers should also save the Philippine Red Cross emergency hotline, 143, along with its main trunkline, +63 2 8790 2300. For travel-related concerns, the Department of Tourism’s Tourist Assistance Call Center may be reached through 151TOUR or 151-8687. Visitors should also keep the contact details of their hotel, host family, airline, travel insurance provider, nearest hospital and local embassy or consulate, when applicable. Before departure, travelers should create a simple emergency card and save it on every mobile phone. A printed copy should be placed in each bag, especially when traveling with children, el-

derly relatives or family members with medical conditions. The card should include the traveler’s full name, blood type if known, allergies, maintenance medications, local address in the Philippines and emergency contacts in both the Philippines and the country of residence.

The most important detail is the address where help should be sent. In a crisis, a caller may be too shaken to explain directions clearly, especially in an unfamiliar city or province.

Prepared travel is not fearbased. It is practical. For visitors to the Philippines, emergency numbers should be treated as part of the itinerary: saved before the trip, shared with the family and kept close at hand from arrival to return.

Jalen Brunson’s dad once played for Ginebra in the PBA

Before the Knicks captain became one of the NBA’s biggest guards, his father Rick Brunson made a brief Philippine basketball stop with Gordon’s Gin

by AJPress

Jalen Brunson is now one of the defining guards of his NBA generation: a New York Knicks captain, a two-time NCAA champion from Villanova and a second-round pick who became the face of one of basketball’s most demanding franchises.

But Filipino basketball fans have a fun fact to add to the Brunson story.

Long before Jalen became a Knicks star, his father, Rick Brunson, played briefly in the Philippine Basketball Association. The elder Brunson, now an assistant coach with the Knicks, suited up as an import for Gordon’s Gin, the Ginebra franchise, during the 1998 PBA Governors’ Cup.

It was a cameo, not a long PBA career. Rick Brunson appeared in one game, a do-or-die elimination matchup against Formula Shell on Nov. 6, 1998. In that lone outing, he finished with 21 points, five rebounds and seven assists before being replaced as the team’s import. For Filipino fans, the detail lands because of the team involved. Gordon’s Gin was part of the Ginebra line, one of the most followed franchises in Philippine basketball, then guided by legendary playing-coach Robert Jaworski. Even brief imports can

remain part of the country’s basketball memory, especially when they passed through Ginebra. The connection became more charming years later, when Jalen Brunson visited Manila with Team USA for the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup. Asked about his father’s brief PBA appearance, the younger Brunson appeared surprised to learn that Rick had played in the Philippines before him.

That moment gave Filipino fans a local thread to one of the NBA’s most prominent current players: Jalen Brunson was not the first Brunson to play on Philippine soil. Rick Brunson’s larger career was in the NBA. Undrafted out

of Temple, he worked his way into a nine-year NBA career and appeared in 337 regular-season games. After his brief Philippine stop, he returned to the United States and became part of the Knicks team that reached the 1999 NBA Finals.  Jalen has since built a far larger basketball profile of his own. He won national titles at Villanova, began his NBA career with Dallas, signed with New York in 2022 and was named the Knicks’ 36th captain in 2024. The PBA footnote does not define Jalen Brunson’s career. It simply gives Filipino fans a small, delightful claim on the family story.

Palace blames political noise for PH’s failed UN Security Council bid

by Luisa Cabato Inquirer.net

MANILA — Malacañang on Thursday blamed the current political noise for the Philippines’ failed bid for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.

The Philippines lost its bid for a non-permanent seat for the 2027–2028 term to Kyrgyzstan.

“All the political noise, all the political tensions affect this, and this is what the entire nation and the whole world see as the impression of the Philippines,” Palace press officer Claire Castro said.

“So it becomes negative because of these noises, most of which are obstructionists, as described by the president during the recent Kapihan with the Media,” she continued.

Kyrgyzstan secured the seat in the fourth round of voting in the General Assembly, obtaining 142 votes out of 191 ballots cast, surpassing the required twothirds majority. The Philippines received 49 votes. In a statement, Foreign Affairs Secretary Theresa Lazaro said the Philippines respected the decision of UN member states and extended its congratulations to the Kyrgyz Republic, which secured the Asia-Pacific seat after multiple rounds of voting at UN Headquarters in New York.

“We thank the international community for the support and goodwill extended to the Philippines

throughout our candidacy,” Lazaro said in a statement.

“Our campaign was anchored on our longstanding commitment to peace, dialogue, international law, and cooperation among nations,” she said. “These remain principles that the Philippines will continue to uphold and advance in the global community.”

The Philippines has sought a nonpermanent seat on the Security Council as part of its long-standing engagement with the United Nations. It previously served on the council in 1957, 1963, 1980–1981, and 2004–2005. n

Marcoleta apologizes after Senate media rejects ‘bayaran’ remark

Press-safety officials and journalists challenged the senator to substantiate or withdraw the allegation

by AJPress

MANILA — Sen. Rodante

Marcoleta apologized Thursday, June 4, after journalists covering the Senate objected to his remark referring to many members of the media as “bayaran,” or paid, during a hearing on alleged irregularities in flood control projects.

Marcoleta made the remark in Filipino during an opening statement at the June 4 proceeding, as he criticized coverage of the flood control controversy and questioned whether reporters had asked other senators why they had remained silent on the issue. The statement drew immediate criticism from members of the Senate media, who called it

irresponsible and a reckless attack on journalists covering public institutions. Senate reporters said public officials may criticize news coverage, but allegations of corruption against journalists should be supported by evidence. The Presidential Task Force on Media Security also urged Marcoleta to substantiate the claim or retract it and apologize. The government media-safety body said the allegation was unfounded and warned that broad claims against journalists could damage media credibility and expose media workers to potential harm.

Marcoleta later apologized to members of the media, saying in Filipino during a press briefing that he was sorry for the way he spoke and that he did not mean it. He said the remark came from

frustration over delays in the flood control inquiry and from earlier coverage of an Iglesia ni Cristo rally in which, he said, some reports did not mention him despite his participation as one of the speakers.

The exchange took place amid a Senate leadership dispute that has complicated committee proceedings. A Blue Ribbon Committee chaired by Sen. Erwin Tulfo had announced the suspension of the June 4 flood control hearing until further notice, while senators aligned with Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano proceeded with a hearing under the name of the committee, with Sen. Pia Cayetano presiding. No evidence has been presented to support the claim that Senate reporters were paid to influence coverage.

GMA profit falls as election ad boost fades

Network remains a ratings leader, but first-quarter results show the strain on traditional broadcast advertising

by AJPress

Inc. reported a steep drop in first-quarter earnings in 2026, as the absence of election-related advertising exposed continuing pressure on a broadcast business still heavily dependent on commercial placements.

The company’s net income fell to about P102 million in the first three months of the year, down 87 percent from roughly P801 million a year earlier. Revenues declined 28 percent to P3.36 billion, while advertising revenue dropped 31 percent to P2.98 billion, according to the company’s quarterly report.

GMA attributed the decline largely to the loss of political advertising that had lifted results during the 2025 midterm election cycle. The comparison was unusually strong: in the first half of 2025, the network reported consolidated revenues of P10.1 billion and advertising revenue of P9.3 billion, driven in part by election-related placements.

The latest figures do not suggest a collapse in GMA’s audience position. The company remains one of the Philippines’ dominant free-to-air broadcasters and continues to report ratings leadership. But the results show a broader challenge for traditional television: large audi-

ences do not automatically produce the same earnings when advertising budgets are spread across broadcast, streaming, social media, online video and other digital channels.

GMA reported growth in consumer sales, production services, licensing fees and digital advertising. Still, those gains did not fully offset the decline in core advertising revenue.

The first quarter placed GMA’s business model in sharper focus. Ratings remain valuable, but in a fragmented media market, the larger test is whether broadcast scale and digital reach can be converted into steadier earnings.

Marcos names Lino Cayetano as new PTV-4 chief

by AJPress

MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has appointed former Taguig Mayor Lino Edgardo Cayetano as general manager of People’s Television Network Inc., placing a former local executive and television director at the helm of the staterun broadcaster. The Presidential Communications Office announced the appointment on June 3, saying Cayetano would succeed Maria Lourdes Fagar as head of PTV-4. He took his oath on June 4 before PCO Acting Secretary Dave

Gomez. Cayetano is part of one of the country’s most visible political families. He is the younger brother of Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano and Senator Pia Cayetano, and the son of the late former senator Rene Cayetano. Before entering politics, Cayetano worked in television as a director and creative consultant. According to the PCO, he earned a Mass Communication degree from the University of the Philippines and a diploma in film from the New York Film Academy. His public career included serving as representative of the

Second District of Taguig-Pateros from 2013 to 2016 and mayor of Taguig from 2019 to 2022.

PTV-4 operates as a government television network under the Marcos administration’s communications structure. The leadership change comes as state media faces a more fragmented information environment shaped by digital platforms and heightened scrutiny of official messaging.

The PCO thanked Fagar for her service but did not provide a detailed public explanation for the change. n

stenographers

by ian Laqui Philstar.com

MANILA — The Blue Ribbon Committee, led by the Cayetano bloc, proceeded without a Senate secretary or stenographers present.

The panel, presided over by Sens. Alan Peter Cayetano, Rodante Marcoleta and Imee Marcos on Thursday, June 4, heard the testimonies of 18 Marines based on the affidavit they submitted to the Office of the Ombudsman.

The absence of a Senate secretary and stenographers during the committee hearing was confirmed by several personnel from the Office of the Senate Sergeant at Arms whom Philstar.com spoke with.

During the hearing, the 18 former soldiers named several current and former lawmakers in the House of Representatives and the Senate, as well as members of the clergy and the International Criminal Court. The hearing took place after

earlier tensions arose when Senate security personnel and Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla tried to block the former soldiers from entering the Senate. The former soldiers were only able to enter the Senate premises with the assistance of Sen. Pia Cayetano and Sen. Robin Padilla.

Senate President Pro Tempore Sherwin Gatchalian earlier said that the Blue Ribbon Committee, which is chaired by Sen. Erwin Tulfo, would push through on Monday, June 8. "Resource persons hindi pwedeng makapasok dahil walang hearing. So, that's a that's part of our protocol," Gatchalian earlier said.

(Resource persons cannot enter because there is no hearing. So, that's—that's part of our protocol.)

The role of Senate secretary, stenographers According to the Rules of the Senate, under Rule V, Section 7(b), the Senate secretary is mandated to attend sessions of

the Senate. Although there is no express provision requiring the Senate secretary to attend committee hearings, the Rules of the Senate state that the secretary shall "keep a record and journal of the proceedings" and "certify them himself." While stenographers are not explicitly mandated by a specific rule, the constitutional requirement under Article VI, Section 16(4) that each House keep a journal necessitates someone to record proceedings verbatim.

The Legislative Debate Reporters' Service, which includes stenographers, performs this function.

The secretary's duty to keep and certify the journal and record effectively requires stenographic support to produce the verbatim transcript that becomes part of the official Record of the Senate under Rule XX, Section 57, which states that the record "shall reflect in detail everything that has been said, done and read in the sessions." n

FeAtures OPiniOn

Pride month reminds us no one should be shamed into silence

PRIDE Month is observed every June, but its meaning should not be reduced to a calendar observance, a parade route or the rainbow colors that appear across public spaces each year. At its core, Pride carries a lesson every community must continue to learn: respect is not optional, acceptance is not weakness, and human dignity should never depend on public approval.

Pride commemorates the June 1969 Stonewall uprising in New York City, a defining moment in the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement. What began as resistance to harassment and exclusion became part of a broader demand for recognition, safety and equal treatment. It reminded the world that no community should have to plead for the right to exist openly.

Editorial

That history matters because progress often begins when people pushed to the margins refuse to disappear. Pride Month asks the public to see LGBTQ+ individuals not as issues to be debated, but as sons and daughters, neighbors, co-workers, friends, relatives and citizens whose lives carry the same human worth as anyone else’s.

Respect does not require everyone to share the same beliefs, language or life experience. It requires the discipline to listen before condemning, to speak without demeaning, and to recognize that disagreement must never become permission for cruelty.

Acceptance goes deeper. It means making space for people to live without shame or fear. It means

Filipinos today are con-

vinced that politics has become too consuming, too personal, too performative, too theatrical – and increasingly disconnected from the real problems ordinary people face. In any democracy, politics is essential. Debate is healthy, accountability is necessary and oversight is indispensable. But when politics begins to overwhelm governance itself, the nation eventually pays a heavy price.

That is why an article I recently read discussing concerns over the Philippine economy struck a nerve. The piece warned that international observers are noticing signs of slowing momentum, declining investor confidence and increasing uncertainty about the country’s long-term direction. Whether one agrees fully with its conclusions or not, the article reflects something important: the outside world is watching us closely.

Investors monitor political stability, global institutions scrutinize governance and international businesses observe predictability. Allies watch whether

DISGRACEFUL,” “outrageous,” “shameless,” “hypocrites,” “inutile,” “grandstanding,” “power-tripping,” “arrogant,” “greedy opportunists,” and more are words flying about nowadays to describe the Philippine Senate, or some members thereof. Someone in my family humorously remarked, “Ang sarap nilang tirisin” (I’d love to crush them between my thumbnails, like a flea or bedbug, which is what she in effect likens them to—tiny and repulsive.) Many of us look back with nostalgia to when members of that once august chamber truly lived up to that adjective, defined by my dictionary as “inspiring awe and reverence, majestic, dignified, worthy of respect.” Those who now lord it over that chamber are—in the eyes of most of us, I believe—the diametric opposite. Instead of inspiring awe and reverence, they invite rebuke and

a young person should not have to choose between honesty and belonging. It means families, schools, workplaces, faith communities and civic institutions should not become places where people are forced to hide parts of themselves in order to be safe. For Filipino and immigrant communities, where family, faith and reputation often carry enormous weight, the lesson is especially meaningful. Love cannot be limited only to the child who conforms, the relative who is easy to explain, or the neighbor whose life mirrors our own. A family’s true strength is tested not when everyone agrees, but when difference asks for compassion.

Pride Month does not ask society to abandon conviction. It asks society to reject humiliation. The ability to hold firm beliefs while still protecting another person’s humanity is not moral confusion. It is maturity. The work of acceptance is often quiet. It happens when a parent chooses to listen, when a friend refuses to mock, when a workplace protects fairness, and when a community stops treating someone’s identity as a scandal. These acts may not make

Intolerable politics may kill us in the end

we can sustain long-term economic growth while navigating a dangerous and uncertain geopolitical environment.

Increasingly, the question being asked is simple: can the Philippines remain focused on nation building – or will politics consume everything?

The unfortunate reality is that we live at a time when politics dominates almost every aspect of public life. Senate hearings, social media, press conferences, online warfare – all create a nonstop cycle of political confrontation that often overshadows more urgent issues affecting the daily lives of Filipinos.

Food prices are getting more expensive; traffic and infrastructure deficiencies continue to hurt productivity; flood control remains inadequate in many areas; energy costs are among the highest in Asia; education gaps continue to widen; poverty and inequality persist and health care systems are under severe strain. These issues are not glamorous, and don’t spark viral headlines or dramatic political moments. Yet they are the very issues that determine whether a nation succeeds or stagnates.

Unfortunately, the dangerous political environment today cre-

ates the impression that winning the next political battle is more important than winning the economic future.

History repeatedly shows that countries rarely collapse overnight because of one single event. Decline usually happens slowly – through distraction, division, institutional erosion and the inability to focus national energy on long-term priorities. We should not allow this to happen.

The fact is, we are in a potentially historic position globally. The strategic importance of the Philippines has never been greater. The world now recognizes the vital importance of the Indo-Pacific region. The growing partnership between the Philippines and the United States has opened major opportunities not only in defense but also in trade, technology, infrastructure, energy and investment.

Japan has become one of our most reliable partners. Australia, South Korea, Europe and other like-minded nations are deepening cooperation with the Philippines. Even major multinational companies are increasingly looking at Southeast Asia as supply chains diversify away from excessive dependence on China.

u PAGE 7

When politics consumes a nation

ridicule. Rather than be admired, they are despised for shaming the nation. To me, listening to them talk can be stomach-turning. The recent events in the Senate have made us all see quite graphically how the country’s political system has degenerated through the years, rather than progressed and matured toward bringing us closer to a prosperous, secure, and nurturing republic. There seems to be no better example than the Philippines of how the politics of power can consume a nation to the point of threatening a slide into a failed state. In the past, I’ve called politics our national malady, because it’s not only those wielding political power who are consumed by it, but also ordinary citizens who are spectators, victims, and enablers all at the same time. And it’s that pervasiveness of politics in our daily lives that makes it so hard for us to get out of the quagmire we have been trapped in as a nation for too long.

headlines, but they can change the life of someone who has long carried fear in silence. Pride Month, then, is not only a celebration of visibility. It is an invitation to examine how we treat people when their lives challenge our assumptions. It calls us to build communities where dignity is not conditional, where respect is practiced even before full understanding, and where acceptance becomes a bridge rather than a battleground. In the end, Pride teaches a simple but demanding truth: people do not need to be identical to belong. They need to be seen, protected and treated as fully human. That is not only an LGBTQ+ lesson. It is a lesson for every family, every faith tradition, every neighborhood and every nation that claims to value justice. (AJPress)

IF nations were judged purely on strategic potential, the Philippines should already be among the superpowers of Asia. Few countries possess the strategic advantages the Philippines has.

For starters, the country has one of the youngest English-speaking workforces while those of major economies are ageing. It has the fifth largest unmined mineral stockpiles. It has a 2.2 million global diaspora which can be lever

aged for soft power and cultural influence. And as the world’s ninth largest semiconductor exporter, the country is well integrated in critical supply chains.

Moreover, the country sits on the first island chain which gives it enormous geopolitical value in the competition between the U.S. and China. Wherever the Philippines tilts changes the balance of power in Asia and, by extension, the world.

On paper, the Philippines should possess Singapore’s economic vitality, South Korea’s industrial might and Japan’s geopolitical gravitas. Instead, the country remains trapped in underperfor-

mance, institutional weakness and political dysfunction. The Philippine circus You see, when clowns are elected into office, you get a circus. And that is what the Philippine government has become. The Senate provides the chaos, tragedy and entertainment. Congress is a chamber of stealing jesters. The President is like the pampered elephant who does nothing but parade when the show starts and ends. This is not me being harsh. This is me expressing disgust over what Philippine governance has become.

Nations rise or decline according to the quality of its leaders. Yet, the Filipino continues to entrust itself to leaders who, in many cases, won’t even qualify for entry level jobs in serious private corporations.

No private company will hand control of their enterprise to individuals chosen for their celebrity status, family name or entertainment value. No competent board of directors will appoint executives with weak academic backgrounds, little managerial experi

ence and no demonstrated record of institutional achievement. No company will hire those with cri-

minal cases and those whose loyalty can be bought. Yet these types find jobs in the highest echelons of government.

The result is exactly what you would expect. The country is governed by politicians who campaign like entertainers, think like influencers and govern like posers – at least the vast majority of them. At precisely the moment when the Philippines should be aggressively industrializing, modernizing infrastructure, strengthening energy and food security and climbing the technology value chain, the country instead drifts from one political spectacle to another without any coherent long-term national vision. The President seems unperturbed and simply allows the country to drift. He evidently stopped hustling hard after he won the elections.

The deeper problem is not incapacity or incompetence. It is the complete absence of seriousness towards nation building and the total preoccupation with political survival.

History repeatedly demonstrates that great nations are built by highly capable leaders. Singapore and South Korea did not u PAGE 7

As an economist, I’ve struggled to explain our stigma of consistently ranking at or near the bottom on so many measures of socioeconomic well-being. I’ve constantly written about them over the past 23 years of this column, and addressed them in countless talks with various audiences. Be it price inflation, unemployment, average income or gross domestic product, poverty, export performance, agricultural output including agri-based exports, foreign direct investments, exchange rate stability, quality of infrastructure and logistics, power cost, ease of doing business, malnutrition and child stunting, education outcomes, and much more, the list of things where we are a miserable loser and bottom-dweller just goes on and on. Are we such a God-forsaken nation that we find ourselves at the tail end of nearly every measure that matters for human welfare and national well-being?

u PAGE 7

RECENT debates on inflation, interest rates, and fiscal policy reflect growing concern about the Philippine economy amid global uncertainty and rising energy prices.

The continuing tensions in the Middle East have once again exposed the vulnerability of oil-dependent economies. Higher fuel prices affect electricity costs, transportation expenses, and food inflation across the country. At the same time, the Philippines continues to face long-standing structural challenges: slow infrastructure delivery, overlapping regulations, and bureaucratic inefficiency. These concerns are real and deserve serious attention.

But beyond macroeconomic debate, perhaps the more urgent question is this: How can the Philippines immediately unlock productivity already trapped within its own economy?

In many ways, the Philippine

economy resembles a large water tank with multiple leaks.

Policymakers often focus on expanding the tank through new programs and stimulus measures, while many existing inefficiencies continue draining productivity, investment, and growth.

Yet the country already possesses major economic strengths: strong overseas remittances, a globally competitive business process outsourcing sector, growing tourism potential, abundant natural resources, and a large domestic consumer market.

The Philippines does not lack opportunity. What it needs is faster execution and a more efficient environment for investment and entrepreneurship.

Productivity is not created only through large macroeconomic programs. It is also built through reliable electricity, efficient logistics, modern cold chains, and faster business execution.

One clear example is renew-

able energy and battery storage. As electricity prices remain high, more households and businesses are turning to solar and battery systems to reduce costs and improve energy security. Financing support from institutions such as Social Security System and Government Service Insurance System could help accelerate adoption further. Distributed solar and storage systems can lower electricity expenses, reduce inflationary pressure, and improve energy resilience nationwide. Likewise, decentralized coldchain systems can reduce agricultural and fishery losses, particularly in island provinces and rural communities where farmers and fishermen often lose income because products cannot be preserved efficiently. These are not merely commercial opportunities. They are productivity

When leaders curse: Its impact on the national psyche Can a Senate hearing run from behind bars?

by Dr rafaeL r. CastiLLo Philstar.com

WE often say, “It’s just talk,” especially when public figures—politicians, influencers, even leaders we admire—use strong language, curse in frustration, or casually throw around harsh, sometimes violent words in speeches and interviews.

Many adults shrug it off. “Ganyan talaga ang politika,” we say. That’s just how things are. But if we pause for a moment and look beyond the noise, a more important question emerges: What happens when this kind of language becomes normal—not just for us, but for the next generation?

The invisible audience: Our children

Every public speech today is no longer confined to a podium or a rally. It is clipped, shared, replayed, and amplified across screens—phones, tablets, televisions. And watching, often quietly, are children and young people. They may not fully understand policy debates or political context, but they understand tone. They absorb emotion. They notice who is being praised—and who is being mocked, insulted, or attacked.

In medicine, we know that early exposures matter. The environments we grow up in—what we hear, see, and feel—shape how our brains develop and how we respond to the world.

The same is true for language.

How behavior is learned

Psychologists have long established that behavior is learned not only through instruction, but through observation. Children imitate what they see, especially when it comes from authority figures. And today, politicians are among the most visible authority figures in society.

When a leader curses or uses aggressive language, it sends a subtle but powerful signal: This is acceptable. This is how power speaks.

For a child, the lesson is not theoretical. It is practical. “If they can say that, maybe I can, too.”

From words to attitudes

It would be easy to dismiss this as harmless imitation—just words, after all. But words rarely stay as words. Language shapes thinking. Thinking shapes behavior. If we normalize harsh words at the top, we should not be surprised when they echo at every level below.

When harsh, insulting, or violent language becomes common, it gradually lowers the standard of how we treat one another. We begin to see disagreement not as something to discuss, but something to defeat. We shift from arguing ideas to attacking people. Over time, respect becomes optional. Civility becomes negotiable. In clinical practice, we often see how repeated exposure changes perception. What once felt shocking becomes familiar. What was once unacceptable becomes tolerated.

This is how desensitization works—not suddenly, but slowly, quietly, almost unnoticed. The emotional climate we create Beyond individual behavior, there is a broader effect—the emotional tone of society. When public discourse is filled with anger, sarcasm, and hostility, it creates an environment that feels tense, reactive, and divided. Even those who do not participate directly are affected.

We see it in everyday conversations. Social media exchanges become more combative. Differences escalate more quickly. People become less willing to listen—and more ready to respond, and curse back.

For young people growing up in this environment, this becomes their baseline. They learn that public life is loud, confrontational, and unforgiving. They learn that strength is shown not through calm reasoning, but through forceful expression.

The subtle cost to the national psyche

This is where the issue moves beyond language and into something deeper—the national psyche. A nation’s psyche is shaped not only by its history and institutions, but by its everyday interactions—how its people speak, disagree, and relate to one another. When public language becomes persistently coarse, it affects how we see each other. Trust becomes harder to build. Empathy becomes harder to sustain. Dialogue becomes harder to maintain.

In medicine, we would describe this as a slow, systemic condition—one that does not cause immediate collapse, but gradually weakens the overall health of the system.

The danger is not dramatic. It is

gradual.

Leadership beyond policy

Leadership is often measured by decisions, policies, and results. But there is another dimension that is less visible, yet equally important: example.

Leaders do not only govern through what they do. They influence through how they speak.

This does not mean leaders must be perfect or emotionless. Passion has its place. Strong opinions are part of democratic life. But there is a difference between speaking with conviction and speaking without restraint.

One inspires. The other erodes. What can we do?

This is not a problem that can be solved by a single rule or regulation. It requires awareness—and responsibility.

Leaders must recognize that their words carry weight beyond the moment. A line delivered for effect can echo far longer than intended.

Media and digital platforms must exercise discernment—not amplifying the loudest voices simply because they attract attention.

Parents and educators must help young people interpret what they hear—reminding them that visibility does not always equal virtue.

And as citizens, we must be more deliberate in what we reward.

If we applaud noise, we will get more noise. If we value clarity, respect, and substance, we will encourage more of the same.

A standard worth protecting At its core, this is not about restricting speech. It is about protecting standards. The kind of language we normalize today becomes the culture we pass on tomorrow. And culture, once formed, is far harder to change than to guide.

In the end, the question is not whether leaders will continue to speak strongly. They will.

The question is: what kind of strength will they choose to show?

Because somewhere, a child is listening—not to the policy, not to the politics —but to the tone. And from that tone, they are learning what it means to speak, to disagree, and to lead.

Words matter. Especially when they come from those who shape the voice of a nation. n

Intolerable politics may kill us...

PAGE 6

In many ways, the Philippines is positioned to benefit from these global shifts. But geopolitics alone will not save us. International partnerships create opportunity – but domestic governance determines whether those opportunities become real economic gains for ordinary citizens. No investor will commit billions of dollars merely because they like a country strategically. Investors look for efficiency, transparency, stability, infrastructure, skilled labor and confidence that policies will remain predictable. Politics that becomes excessively hostile and unstable eventually creates uncertainty – and uncertainty is poison for economic growth. Businesses begin to hesitate. Long-term projects slow down. Foreign investors adopt a wait-and-see attitude. Bureaucracies become cautious. Decision-making slows. Economic momentum weakens.

This is why many successful Asian countries – despite political differences – relentlessly focus on economic execution. They build airports, modernize ports, improve rail systems, invest heavily in education and technology, reduce bureaucratic inefficiency, prioritize energy security and make it easier to do business. They understand that national competitiveness is now the real

battlefield of the 21st century.

The Philippines must think the same way. This does not mean suppressing democracy or silencing dissent. Far from it. Strong democracies require vibrant debate and accountability, but there must also be balance.

Public officials must remember that governance is not performance art. Senate hearings should not become endless spectacles disconnected from national priorities. Political conflict should not dominate national consciousness to the point where economic urgency is forgotten.

The Senate, in particular, is supposedly one of the country’s most respected democratic institutions, playing a crucial role in defending freedom, ensuring accountability and constitutional order. But many feel that greater focus should be made on issues that directly affect national competitiveness and economic survival.

Imagine if the same political intensity now devoted to partisan conflict were directed toward energy security, agricultural modernization, water supply, digital infrastructure, AI preparedness, flood mitigation, tourism expansion, education reform and industrial development. That would send a powerful signal not only to Filipinos but to the entire world. The truth is, the Philippines

has enormous strengths. We have one of the youngest populations in Asia. We have an English-speaking workforce admired globally. Our people remain resilient, hardworking and optimistic despite enormous challenges. Our alliance network is stronger than ever. Our strategic location makes us increasingly important in global trade and security.

But potential alone is never enough. Many countries throughout history showed great potential but failed because they became trapped in internal division, political obsession and short-term thinking. We must never allow intolerable politics to slowly weaken our nation from within. At some point, politics must stop being about endless conflict and begin serving a larger national purpose. Because in the end, nations are not judged by the volume of their political noise – but by whether they improved the lives of their people. If we lose sight of that, then intolerable politics may just kill us in the end. (Philstar.com)

* * * The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.

* * * Email: babeseyeview@gmail.com

When politics consumes...

by Luisa Cabato Inquirer.net

A COUP, a shooting, and a hunt for an on-the-run senator, all within the span of a few days. The Senate is, without a doubt, in flux. But instead of restoring public trust in our leadership, they have done everything but that. Case in point: On May 12, Senator Robin Padilla took issue with Senator Kiko Pangilinan’s tone and threatened to file an ethics complaint against the minority member.

Meanwhile, on May 25, Senator Imee Marcos, during her privilege speech, showed a video alleging ongoing efforts promoting a constitutional assembly plot—to which several Senators described the presentation as “propaganda,” “fake news,” and “conspiracy.”

Now, with Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment in view, the Senate turns to its latest priority: Can Senators attend work through Zoom?

A fragile Senate

Last Tuesday, on May 26, the minority bloc walked out of the plenary session in response to the majority’s efforts to expedite a proposal allowing members of the Senate to attend and vote remotely. Former Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, who kickstarted the debate, questioned why the committee on rules was bypassed—with the proposal already being discussed in plenary.

According to our legislative process, after a bill goes through its first reading (in this case, when Senator Rodante Marcoleta introduced the proposed bill on May 11, 2026), the committee conducts hearings and consultation meetings before approving it with or without amendment. It is only then that it is scheduled for a second and third reading. And if approved, it is passed down to the House of Representatives.

However, according to Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano, they did not need to go through that process because the proposed bill was simple enough to be discussed in plenary. This prompted Senator Pangilinan to take issue with the apparent expediting, saying, “Why are we railroading this process? I have a number of issues that I’d like to raise regarding this motion.”

After Senate President Cayetano continued in spite of these protests, the minority bloc walked out, leaving behind 12 Senators on the floor, forcing an adjournment due to a lack of quorum—basically, the minimum number of members required to be present at a meeting.

Robinhood’s charity

A fierce supporter of said motion, Senator Padilla invoked force

majeure on May 27—claiming that the intensifying El Niño, as well as the ongoing war in the Middle East, are valid circumstances that should allow Senators to attend work remotely.

“El Niño… but I don’t know how that [will] affect whether a senator doesn’t have to come in. Because it’s hot?” said Senator Erwin Tulfo in a television interview following the plenary session.

According to the Cambridge Dictionary, force majeure refers to unexpected events that prevent someone from carrying out their legal obligations. This is echoed in Article 1174 of the Civil Code of the Philippines, which classifies “force majeure” as “fortuitous events,” further stating that “no person shall be responsible for those events which could not be foreseen, or which, though foreseen, were inevitable.” Simply put, under force majeure, public officials aren’t held accountable for failing to complete their duties in the event of circumstances that prevent them from doing so.

For Senator Risa Hontiveros, force majeure applied to circumstances such as the COVID-19 pandemic, which physically prevented the Senate from operating as usual. She also shared that these global events shouldn’t stop public officials from going to work, but instead encourage them to continue their work. “The war in the Middle East is happening to the people in other regions, precisely in the Middle East, and the impact of that oil crisis on our countrymen, that’s the reason we physically go in and do our jobs.”

It raises the question: Why is a months-long issue now being used as a means to avoid going to the Senate when Filipinos have continued to go to work despite its effects on prices across the board?

A matter of due process

Meanwhile, on a Facebook post, Senator Padilla doubled down on his support for Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa. He explained that, while dela Rosa wants to continue serving his country, he cannot do so without being arrested and brought to the ICC.

“Hindi niya gusto na hindi siya pumapasok. Malayong magkaiba ‘yon [sic]; ayaw pumasok dahil isasakay sa eroplano at dadalhin sa dayuhang bansa at ikulong!”

He also added that because no one can be viewed as a criminal without a conviction, dela Rosa should at least be allowed to continue his work as a Senator—as someone who was voted to do so.

“Iniluluklok siya ng taumbayan na maging senador. Hayaan natin siyang magtrabaho para sa taumbayan sa pamamagitan ng online.”

That said, how can we argue for

the due process that should be afforded to Senator dela Rosa, when he himself, by hiding from the law, is preventing that due process from being carried out? If one is truly innocent until proven guilty, then he should at least open himself to scrutiny and prove his apparent innocence.

Reading between the bars It doesn’t take much to put two and two together. In Senator dela Rosa’s exclusive interview with Jessica Soho, he shared that he was asked by Senate President Cayetano to attend the May 11 session to bolster numbers and assure the success of the Senate coup.

Now, with Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial scheduled for July 6, dela Rosa’s vote is certainly invaluable to prevent a twothirds majority vote (or 16 out of 24 senators) to convict Duterte. That said, following the shooting incident and his sudden midnight disappearance, it is highly improbable that dela Rosa can again walk the Senate halls and leave without issue—given that the next time he does, he will likely leave in handcuffs.

But dela Rosa isn’t the only one at risk: Senators Jinggoy Estrada, Joel Villanueva, and Chiz Escudero are all currently being investigated for anomalies surrounding the flood control scandal. Meanwhile, the Office of the Ombudsman has targeted Senator Marcoleta for plunder and indirect bribery during the 2025 elections. And the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) recently filed a complaint for obstruction of justice against Senator Padilla for allegedly helping dela Rosa escape the Senate grounds on May 14, 2026.

According to Senator Imee Marcos, the aforementioned cases are highly politicized attempts at weakening the Senate majority through legal pressure. But President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. responded by saying that the case buildup is simply the result of findings by the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee and other investigative bodies. In fact, he goes on to say that these were conducted and reported even when they still comprised the minority bloc. That said, politically charged or not, 11 of the 13 senators in the majority, according to the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism, are all facing active or unresolved investigations. Should this bill pass, we could even have senators working from home simply because showing up could land them behind bars.

Are those seriously the type of people we want leading our legislative branch? n

Treat elections like private sector...

PAGE 6

become among the most successful economies by accident. It did so because of the vision, leadership and policies of Lee Kuan Yew and Park Chung Hee, respectively. Both governed with ruthless discipline, strategic clarity and zero tolerance for mediocrity.

For its part, China transformed itself from mass poverty into an industrial and technological superpower on the back of forward looking leadership and fastidious planning. Its system, however flawed, demands technocratic competence, administrative capability, strategic discipline and unquestionable loyalty. China treats governance like elite institutional management. The Philippines treats governance like reality television.

That difference explains why one country builds world-class infrastructure, dominates advanced manufacturing and competes in artificial intelligence while the other still struggles with traffic, flood control and bureaucratic paralysis. Trash in, trash out

to be a chamber composed of the country’s sharpest legal minds and most disciplined policymakers now resemble political theater masquerading as statesmen. Hearings often devolve into performative grandstanding designed to go viral. Privilege speeches increasingly sound like hysterical rants rather than thoughtful legislative discourse. They peddle conspiracy theories. They stage dramatic scenarios. It is exactly what you would expect from a group whose members have criminal records and/or are embroiled in cases of plunder, election fraud and even mass murder.

PAGE 6

How can we say so, when we are in fact among the most naturally endowed countries on Earth, blessed with abundant minerals, wide biodiversity, year-round favorable agro-climatic conditions not seen in rich countries, and yes, plentiful human resources? We are a classic illustration of the “natural resource curse,” aka “paradox of plenty” described in development literature, where resource-rich countries tend to have less economic growth, less democracy, and worse development outcomes than far less-endowed countries. One only needs to look at Singapore or Japan to see the contrast. Why the paradox? Is it because where there’s abundance, a small minority will always manage to capture it for their own narrow benefit? Or does such wealth always attract foreigners who siphon it away from the locals, who logically have a

claim for the benefits, especially in places with a colonial past? Or does abundance naturally breed complacency, mismanagement, and greed? I have long believed that the single biggest reason why the Philippines failed to keep up with its neighbors is politics and bad politicians. How did we get to a point where nearly every institution and facet of governance has been so thoroughly mangled as to no longer serve the common good, which was what they were designed and meant for, but instead feed the lust for wealth and power of a few? It has so permeated the bureaucracy that even the lowliest of bureaucrats see their positions of even minor power as vantage points for extracting whatever cash they can from the general public. We are witnessing a total perversion of public servants’ anointed mission of promoting the greatest good of

the greatest number, twisted into one where they pursue for themselves the greatest gain from (the hard-earned taxes of) the greatest number.

Eight years ago, I wrote that unless and until our politicians find it in their hearts to put the common good above self-gain, politics will remain our biggest block to building our economy and our nation (“Our biggest block,” 8-818). It still is, even more so. How and where do we begin to arrest our downhill slide when those who make the rules are the ones causing it? Sorry, but I don’t have ready answers. I can only rant, hope, and pray. (Inquirer.net)

* * * The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.

* * * Email: cielito.habito@gmail.com

Successful countries are managed into power by disciplined, intellectually capable policy makers. Conversely, a circus will always squander opportunities while being the punchline.

Nowhere is the circus more visible than among the Senate’s new majority of 13. What was intended

As for the President, he appears to lack the ambition and urgency needed to fix the mess of his government, let alone transform the country into the power it could become. At precisely the time the nation requires aggressive economic, political and social reforms to get the house in order, Marcos offers little more than soundbites and staged appearances. The proof is in the statistics. The economy has weakened every year since Marcos took over, weaker than global conditions justify. Why? Because reforms are simply not happening. Electoral reforms If the Philippines is serious about becoming truly competitive, then it must begin selecting leaders the same way high-perfor-

ming countries and Fortune 500 corporations select executives. Ergo, electoral reform is a must. Countries like Singapore and China heavily filter their candidates for competence, discipline, intelligence and administrative capability. We should do the same. The law should be amended to mandate congressional, senatorial and presidential candidates to possess advanced academic degrees in law, economics, engineering, business or public administration; extensive executive or managerial experiences; psychological and cognitive fitness; clean criminal and corruption records; proven leadership achievements; mandatory policy competency examinations and a body of work that demonstrates integrity, strategic vision, diplomatic competence and unwavering commitment to national interest. The country’s greatest tragedy is not poverty. It is wasted potential on a historic scale. The citizenry should demand electoral reform to finally put an end to the circus. (Philstar.com)

* * * The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily

Vatican grants international status to Padre Pio shrine in Batangas

by MeLanie uson Philstar.com

THE National Shrine and Parish of St. Padre Pio has been granted international shrine status by the Holy See.

On June 4, the parish in Santo Tomas announced that the Dicastery for Evangelization had issued the decree on May 25, 2026, coinciding with the 139th birth anniversary of Saint Padre Pio. Church leaders hailed the recognition as a significant milestone that is expected to boost pilgrimages and further nurture devotion among both local and international faithful.

"This recognition marks a his-

toric milestone not only for the Shrine and the Archdiocese of Lipa but also for the Church in the Philippines, as it becomes a place of pilgrimage and devotion with international significance," Archbishop Gilbert A. Garcera said in a statement.

“May this historic milestone inspire us to deepen our faith and devotion as we journey together in prayer and thanksgiving,” the parish said.

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines unanimously approved the bid for international shrine status during its plenary assembly in July 2024. The designation makes the church the second international

shrine in the Philippines, following the International Shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage (Antipolo Cathedral).

Founded as a chapel in 2003, the site was later elevated to an archdiocesan shrine in 2008 and eventually received national shrine status in 2015.

The shrine is home to firstclass relics of St. Padre Pio, who was known for bearing the stigmata and reputed healing abilities. His life and legacy of reported miracles continue to inspire devotion among Catholics worldwide.

Per the CBCP, the church will formally receive its international shrine designation on Sept. 23, the feast day of St. Padre Pio. n

Luistro: House to heed Gatchalian’s orders on Duterte impeachment trial

by Gabriel Pabico lalu Inquirer.net

MANILA — If the two warring camps in the Senate send their directives regarding the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, the prosecution team will heed the instructions of acting Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian, Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro said on Thursday, June 4.

Luistro, lead prosecutor for the impeachment trial, explained in an online interview that the prosecution team would follow only the position of the institution it represents, the House of Representatives.

According to Luistro, the House leadership had already acknowledged the legitimacy of Gatchalian’s position, as Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III congratulated Gatchalian on Wednesday, June 3.

“I think it is logical that we follow the position of the House of Representatives, and on Wednesday, June 3, I understand, the House of Representatives recognized the new leadership of the Senate, and that is through the acting [the] Senate president, Sen. Win Gatchalian,” she explained.

“I understand that yesterday, the Palace, which represents the executive branch, also rec-

A Pet as a Stress Reliever and Real Friend Part 2

INTERACTING with animals

can significantly lower cortisol, the primary stress hormone, and decrease blood pressure. Just 10 minutes of petting a dog or cat can trigger the release of “happy hormones” like oxytocin, serotonin and dopamine, which promote relaxation and happiness.

Pets, in other words, can be natural stress relievers that improve both mental and physical health.

I randomly asked eight respondents the same two questions:

(1) Tell me something about your pet or pets.

(2) In what way has your pet or have your pets helped you?

Their answers:

Sweden-born Andrew Stewart, a risk manager at Shell UK, has a pet named Max: (1) “My pet is very sweet, playful and loyal. He always makes me smile with his funny habits and loving personality. He is an important part of my life and feels like family to me.”

(2) “My pet helps me feel less stressed and happier every day. Spending time with him gives me comfort, especially after a long day, and he always brightens up my mood.”

Dr. Matt Macalaguing, director of the University of Makati’s Center for Technology Incubation and Enterprise Development: (1) “He came when the Vatican released the white smoke and shouted habemus papam in 2013.

I named him Francis. Pope Francis died in April 2025; my Francis ran free in April 2026. He had been my joy, the Yakult-drinker pooch and Fido. His eyes spoke volumes of emotions every time we played.” (2) “Francis is my prayer companion. He never missed a hug when I left for work and arrived home. He came at just the right time when I wanted and was ready to take care of another canine, two years after my first dog, Heaven, died. Francis is still my phone photo wallpaper.”

Film/TV/theater actor Jim Pebanco: (1) “I have five dogs, namely Patsy, the matriarch Mitchy, the daughter Datchy, the granddaughter Bentot, the only

thorn among the roses, and Ibyang, the ‘Speedy Gonzales’ of the pack. And I have a cat named Missy. Pets are fun to be with.” (2) “They are stress relievers and real friends.”

Guia Cruz Buenaventura, host of Media House Express’ “Coffee, Tea on MHE”: (1) “Oreo, my loving shih tzu furbaby, is more than just a pet — he is a pillar of strength for our whole family when my husband passed away in March 2021, right in the middle of the pandemic.” (2) “Oreo’s presence brought comfort and solace to me, my son and my daughter, helping us navigate through the darkest days of grief. I love my Oreo dearly and am so glad he always greets me with his wagging tail and follows me wherever I go, as if scolding me not to be out for a long period of time because he misses me.”

PhilStagers actor Fidel Redado still mourns the recent loss of his beloved pet: (1) “He is Pol, a Russian Blue cat. He looks like Tom in the ‘Tom and Jerry’ animated cartoon. He’s the sweetest soul I’ve ever known. And he is different from any other kind, for he is like a human — he embraces, he comforts and he stays. Every life is indeed a blessing. Well, he is quite the biggest blessing I have ever cherished. His memories will stay in my heart.” (2) “Pol is different. He has offered his life to me. I know it

when he chose to save me countless times from drowning in my own emotions. He is like a walking bright light, a charming face with a wet nose. Whenever he appears, he never fails to share his very warm presence. He cuddled as if I was his only life. He has the patience of a friend whenever I am far. He has the discipline of a family whenever we eat. He is one of the best miracles that happened to me.”

Paranormal expert, nurse and actress Maia Alcazar owns three dogs: (1) “Macadamia and Aldie are a combination of shih tzu and Pomeranian. Their mom, Reese, is a Pomeranian. Between the two siblings, Aldie is sweet, while Macadamia is very playful and will always try to get ahead of anyone whenever he sees food being available. Meanwhile, mommy Reese seems nonchalant but will be very reactive whenever there is a sudden sound heard in the surroundings.” (2) “I find my pets as a form of relief from everyday stress and hurdles in life by means of spending time and playing with them.”

Desiree Tibay Dungo, a housewife, has a pet named Bruno: (1) “Bruno is 6 years old, and he is amiable, loyal and caring. We treat him as a member of the family. He has been part and parcel of our lives.” (2) “Bruno absolutely helps reduce our stress in our day-to-day existence. He is a real

friend.”

Bee Vitug of the Philippine Development Foundation, or PhilDev: (1) “Currently, our family owns two dogs: Aries, a rescue dog that we adopted years ago, he is an aspin, and Stevey, a corgi gifted to us by a family relative.” (2) “I regard them both as my emotional support when things get heavy at work — beyond, of course, being our typical companions for security at home. Going out for a walk with our dogs really helps in clearing my headspace.”

Johnrey Rivas in Wish 107.5

Emerging artist Johnrey Rivas, a pet lover, recently showcased his original songs, “Sabi Mo Sa Akin” and “Umalis Ka Na Sa Puso’t Isip Ko,” aboard the Wish Bus.

Yeng Constantino in Canada

The Home Free Global Crusade came to Calgary, Canada, last May 31, 2026, at the WinSport Event Centre. It was nice to experience a night of praise and worship led by my cousin Yeng Constantino. And most importantly, the Word of God, preached by Global Evangelist Jonathan S. Ferriol.

ognized the new Senate leadership,” she added. On May 26, the Senate ended its session after the minority bloc walked out of the plenary in response to the majority’s push to discuss a proposed amendment to the Senate rules from Sen. Rodante Marcoleta.

Marcoleta had sought to change the rules to allow online voting. However, minority senators questioned why the matter was being rushed and why the rule change was being raised through a motion instead of a resolution.

In response to the walkout, the majority bloc refused to attend the session last Monday and Tuesday, resulting in the chamber failing to conduct any legislative work.

The paralysis ended when a majority member, Sen. Francis Escudero, attended the session on Wednesday, giving the senators a quorum.

During the session, Gatchalian was elected Senate president pro tempore, replacing Sen. Loren Legarda. Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri, meanwhile, was elected majority leader.

Luistro said this scenario, where the two blocs continue to trade barbs, “causes apprehensions” among lawmakers.

Despite these concerns, Luistro said it is clear that the prosecution will heed the current leadership.

“With all due respect to the previous leadership, we will follow the instruction and order coming from the new leadership. Again, the reason is we are just following the direction of the institution. And since the House of Representatives has already recognized the new leadership, it means the 11 prosecutors should also follow that leadership,” she added.

Duterte was impeached by the House on May 11, with 257 lawmakers voting in favor of adopting House Resolution No. 989, which contains the Articles of Impeachment against Duterte.

The trial at the Senate Impeachment Court is expected to start on July 6.

Gatchalian and Cayetano’s struggle over Senate leadership and the push for a functional chamber is the latest in a weekslong internal rift.

Since May 11, the Senate has been embroiled in controversy — from Cayetano assuming the Senate presidency after Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa’s return gave his camp a slight edge to dela Rosa evading arrest from National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) personnel serving an arrest order from the International Criminal Court.

On May 13, violence erupted in the Senate after gunshots were heard inside the facility. Cayetano’s camp claimed the Senate was under attack from NBI personnel stationed at the adjacent Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) building. Both the Senate and GSIS buildings are located within the GSIS compound in Pasay City. The NBI said the GSIS had requested its presence to ensure security on the premises.

An initial investigation showed that acting Sergeant-at-Arms Ma.O. Aplasca fired the first warning shot. Police investigators also said Aplasca’s warning shots were excessive.

After the minority walkout and the majority’s snub of sessions, concerns were raised that the Senate was on the verge of violating the Constitution.

Deputy Speaker Albee Benitez said in an earlier interview that a provision of the 1987 Constitution states that the Senate cannot adjourn its session for more than three days without informing the House. Benitez was referring to Article VI, Section 16 of the Constitution, which states that “neither House during the sessions of the Congress shall, without the consent of the other, adjourn for more than three days, nor to any other place than that in which the two Houses shall be sitting.” n

Fixing the leaks...

PAGE 6

complexity.

The Philippines should become one of the easiest places in Asia for both local and foreign investors to do business. A democratic economy should encourage competition, efficiency, and innovation rather than unintentionally protecting inefficiency through excessive red tape.

Several practical reforms could immediately improve competitiveness. The country can further strengthen its investment environment by accelerating approvals for industries that bring manufacturing, technology transfer, skills training, and long-term employment. Company registration and licensing processes should become dramatically simpler and faster. Incorporation, tax registration, and import-export permits should ideally be completed within days rather than months.

Startups and small businesses should also be given more operational flexibility during their early stages. Excessive administrative requirements often increase costs before companies even become profitable. Industrial operations themselves often face avoidable delays. Utility connections, permit approvals, inspections, and customs procedures frequently move too slowly for modern manufacturing timelines. In contrast, the Philippine Economic Zone Authority industrial parks have shown that faster and more responsive systems are achievable when execution becomes the priority.

Efficient immigration, customs, and travel procedures are

also increasingly important in today’s globally connected economy. Engineers, technical specialists, investors, and overseas Filipino professionals should be able to move efficiently for training, project implementation, and business development. At the same time, the country now faces tighter fiscal conditions and the natural realities of approaching political transition cycles. As national and local governments gradually shift attention toward future elections, large new public spending programs may become more difficult to implement quickly. Yet economic development cannot pause. Infrastructure projects, private investment, job creation, and improvements in daily living standards must continue moving forward regardless of political cycles.

The Philippines does not lack hardworking people, resources, or market potential. What it needs now is not simply more policy discussion, but better execution, faster coordination and greater trust in market-driven productivity.

If the Philippines can gradually reduce these long-standing inefficiencies, improve execution, and strengthen investor confidence, the country may discover that much of the growth it seeks is already within its own reach. (Inquirer.net)

ASIAN

JOURNAL

Daniel Padilla’s post with Kaila Estrada puts a quiet spotlight on their public closeness

The “Incognito” co-stars drew fresh attention after Padilla shared an Instagram carousel featuring Estrada, though neither actor has publicly defined their relationship.

by AJPress

DANIEL Padilla gave fans another reason to look closely.

The actor drew renewed at-

tention online after posting an Instagram carousel that included actress Kaila Estrada, his “Incognito” co-star and the subject of months of public speculation. The post was understated, but its effect was immediate: followers and entertainment pages treated the image as one of Padilla’s clearest public gestures yet involving Estrada.

Padilla captioned the post: “There are no ifs, woulds, coulds, shoulds. Its just is. And we just are.” The line quickly circulated across entertainment coverage and fan accounts, with many reading it as a quiet acknowledgment of the actors’ closeness.

Neither Padilla nor Estrada has issued a formal statement defining their relationship. That distinction matters. The Instagram post is a public social media moment, not an official confirmation of a relationship status.

The attention follows a series

of public posts and appearances that have kept the two actors in the conversation. In April, Estrada was seen in photos from Padilla’s 31st birthday celebration, adding to speculation that had already grown around their pairing. The two also appeared together in “Incognito,” the action-drama series that brought them before audiences as part of a larger ensemble cast.

Padilla, long one of Philippine entertainment’s most closely watched leading men, has remained a figure of public interest since the end of his long-term relationship and screen partnership with Kathryn Bernardo in 2023. Estrada, meanwhile, has continued to build her own name in television and streaming, stepping out from the shadow of her well-known parents, actors John Estrada and Janice de Belen.

What made the post resonate was not a declaration, but its restraint. In an industry where private lives often become public narratives, Padilla’s carousel offered just enough to invite attention without offering a label.

Rob Sy speaks after complaint dismissal as Vargas couple seeks reconsideration

Complaint stemmed from alleged swimming-related bullying incident involving minors; Sy denies wrongdoing as Alfred and Yasmine Vargas contest ruling

by AJPress

ACTOR Rob Sy has spoken publicly after the Manila Prosecutors’ Office dismissed a childabuse complaint filed against him and his partner, Juvelle Bacosa, by actor and Quezon City Councilor Alfred Vargas and his wife, Yasmine.

The dispute involves the parties’ minor children and arose from an alleged swimming-related bullying and safety incident.

The Vargas couple alleged that Sy and Bacosa’s child repeatedly pushed and held their son underwater during swimming training sessions, an account Sy has denied. The minors are not being identified by name.

The complaint, filed before the Office of the City Prosecutor of Manila on April 13, accused Sy and Bacosa of negligence that allegedly enabled acts prejudicial to the welfare of the Vargas child. It invoked Republic Act No. 7610, the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act.

In a resolution dated May 12, prosecutors found “no prima facie evidence with reasonable certainty of conviction” to indict Sy and Bacosa, according to reports citing the prosecutor’s resolution. The dismissal was issued at the preliminary investigation stage and does not amount to a court judgment on the underlying dispute.

Sy welcomed the dismissal

and denied the allegations. In statements reported after the resolution, he maintained that his child was not a bully and said his family had been unfairly portrayed.

The Vargas couple has asked the Manila Prosecutors’ Office to reconsider. In their motion for reconsideration, they argued that the resolution applied the Anti-Bullying Act of 2013 instead of RA 7610, the child-protection law cited in their complaint. They also said prosecutors failed to fully consider evidence they submitted, including eyewitness accounts, reports and psychiatric findings.

According to the Vargas couple, the alleged incident occurred during a swimming activity at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex on February 14, 2026, and not in a school setting. They argued that the complaint should have been evaluated under RA 7610 rather than treated primarily as a school-based bullying matter. Vargas has said his family respects due process but intends to pursue available legal remedies. In an earlier statement, he said, “Hindi pa po dito nagtatapos ang laban,”  or “The fight does not end here.”

The complaint has been dismissed at the preliminary investigation stage, while the Vargas couple pursues reconsideration.

No court has made a finding of criminal liability against Sy, Bacosa or any member of their family.

tention without offering a label, leaving their connection closely

Philip S. Chua,

WHY did some people, like my paternal grandmother, who smoked to their mid-90s, not develop cancer? Why can some individuals consume a lot of alcoholic beverages and not develop liver cirrhosis and hepatoma? Why are some people who eat a lot of sweets daily and do not develop T2 diabetes, others eating a lot of salty foods do not develop high blood pressure, or consume tons of red meat and do not develop lipid problems or colorectal cancer?

“Lucky” genes

Only 10-20 percent of smokers develop lung cancer, and some other forms of cancer; about the same percentage of those who imbibe a lot of alcoholic drinks get liver cancer; 12 percent of sweet lovers come down with type 2 diabetes; 25 percent of salt “addicts” acquire high blood pressure, and only 18 percent of daily red meat-eaters develop colorectal cancer. In the USA, only 21 percent of men and 33 percent of women reach the age of 90. Why those lucky few?

Until medicine is morally and legally allowed to do genetic engineering on us as a society, it behooves the rest of us to stay away from those factors detrimental to health. To be on the safe side, let us presume that we do not have the “lucky genes” and therefore are not “immune” to those diseases mentioned above, and should be careful with our behavior and lifestyle.

The “exceptions” seem to be because some people have superior genes, commonly labeled as “lucky genes.” These genes made the body cells more resistant to trauma and inflammation; they also have an inherited robust DNA repair mechanism that fixes cellular damage daily before it mutates into metabolic disease or cancer.

Epigenetics

Your genes do not fix your destiny. Your fate depends on what you eat, don’t eat, do, and don't do. Epigenetics refers to how lifestyle factors, such as diet, behavior, stress, and exercise, can modify how your genes are expressed. Centenarians often ”maintain healthier epigenetic clocks, delaying age-related changes that negatively affect cellular function.” To explore your personal genetic profile, you may consider the direct-to-consumer genetic testing and biotechnology company, 23andMe, as advertised on TV. Our health and longevity significantly rest on us.

Gene mapping

Gene mapping is the process of determining the specific location of genes and the distances between them on a chromosome. It is like a GPS for the genome.

Genetic engineering

This aids the researchers in understanding inherited traits, locating disease-causing mutations, and developing targeted medical treatment.

Genetic modification

Genetic engineering, modification, or manipulation, is the direct artificial manipulation of an organism’s DNA using laboratory technologies. This enables scientists to add, delete, or alter specific genes to introduce or enhance desired traits. This revolutionizes fields like medicine to mass produce insulin, develop advanced cancer therapies, and research gene therapies for inherited diseases, and the field of agriculture to create genetically-modified organisms (GMOs), such as crops that are resistant to pests, tolerate herbicides, or contain higher natural nutrients.

Ethical issues

To the religious, all this might be interference with God’s natural order or plan. The pragmatic and scientific ethical considerations include: “Unintended Consequences - modifying ecosystems with genetically altered plants or animals could have unpredictable environmental effects. Human Ethics – The potential for editing human genes raises major moral concerns regarding safety, longterm health risks, and the societal implications of designer babies” or genetic inequality.”

Legally allowed

Today, legally and morally, “genetic engineering is universally permitted when used for somatic cell gene therapy in living patients to treat severe, untreatable, genetic diseases. In contrast, altering reproductive cells or embryos for enhancement (altering physical traits or intelligence) remains strictly prohibited.”

For those of us who have T2 diabetes, high blood pressure, COPD, Sleep Apnea, heart disease, osteoarthritis of the spine, hips, and knees, genetic engineering to treat specific genetic defects is allowed only in the form of clinical trials. The technology is available, but it is not yet allowed for routine clinical use.

The future will come when more advanced gene therapy will be a part of standard medical care to cure hereditary diseases among newborns and children and eliminate the common “diseases of old age” listed above.

When that time arrives, we shall also know with our individual genetic profile who among us can eat a lot of carbohydrates and not develop T2 diabetes, consume red meat daily with abandon and not have colorectal and other cancers, and not exercise and remain fit and healthy.

Indeed, the future, especially with the advent of artificial intelligence and more enabling advances in medical and technological sciences, is exciting and surely full

of wonders.

Longevity boosters In the United States, there are 101,000 centenarians and 2.1 million nonagenarians. In the Philippines, there are about 1000 to 1200 centenarians and 60,000 to 70,000 nonagenarians as of 2026. Average life expectancy in the Philippines is 70.2 years; in the USA, 79; in Hong Kong, 85.6; in Japan, 84.8; and in Singapore, 83.9.

Recent studies have revealed three ways to boost health and longevity: diet, exercise, and social life. These lifestyle factors (including abstinence from tobacco and alcohol) are linked to living healthier, longer lives. The details of the research are:

“One clear factor is diet: Eating less red meat, skipping salt, and following a Mediterranean-style diet consistently have all been linked to longevity.

Then, there is exercise: As little as taking a daily walk could help prolong lifespan, and several studies are now shedding light on the mechanisms by which physical activity slows aging.

Finally, tending to your social life is also important to longevity: People who feel chronically lonely and those who are socially isolated face a higher risk of early death, mounting evidence suggests. Making healthy choices around these three factors may be key to living the long, fulfilling lives we strive for, and since it is never too late to start making positive changes, now is as good a time as any to make health a top priority.”

* * * The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.

* * * The main objective of this column is to educate and inspire people live a healthier lifestyle to prevent illnesses and disabilities and achieve a happier and more productive life. Any diagnosis, recommendation or treatment in our article are general medical information and not intended to be applicable or appropriate for anyone. This column is not a substitute for your physician, who knows your condition well and who is your best ally when it comes to your health.

* * * Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, Health Advocate, medical missionary, newspaper columnist, and Chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the United States. He is a decorated recipient of the Indiana Sagamore of the Wabash Award in 1995, presented by then Indiana Governor, US senator, and later a presidential candidate, Evan Bayh. Other Sagamore past awardees include President Harry S. Truman, President George HW Bush, Astronaut Gus Grissom, pugilist Muhammad Ali, David Letterman, distinguished educators, scientists, etc. (Wikipedia). Websites: FUN8888.com, Today.SPSAtoday.com, and philipSchua.com. On Amazon.com, search for “Where is My America?” Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com.

Sky River Casino kicks off summer promotions, continues $550,000 treasure hunt cash giveaway

ELK GROVE, Calif. (June, XX, 2026) — Sky

River Casino welcomes the start of summer with an exciting lineup of promotions and giveaways throughout June, highlighted by the continuation of the $550,000 Treasure Hunt Cash Giveaway. The month also introduces a dynamic calendar of gaming promotions, seasonal gift series, and vibrant summer experiences designed to reward loyal guests and attract new visitors.

$550,000 Treasure Hunt Cash Giveaway | Through June 27

Continuing every Saturday night, the Treasure Hunt Cash Giveaway invites Sky River Rewards members to participate in drawings and an interactive grand finale experience:

• Drawings are held every Saturday from 7 p.m.

– 10 p.m., with winners selected every 30 minutes

• Winners receive Free Play prizes ranging from $1,000 to $3,000

• One finalist each week plays the Treasure Hunt game for a chance to win up to $50,000

The grand finale features 14 treasure chests containing guaranteed cash prizes ranging from $2,500 to $50,000, creating an immersive and high-energy Saturday night experience.

June Promotions & Guest Experiences

Sky River Casino’s June lineup showcases a variety of summer-inspired promotions and rewards:

• Watch To Win Designer Watch Giveaway | Through June 24

Table Game players can earn entries daily with qualifying hands for weekly Wednesday drawings for a chance to win Free Play prizes or a set of His & Hers luxury designer watches from Sharif Fine Jewelers.

Pump Up Your Summer Gas Card Giveaway

| June 1 – August 31

Every Monday from 8 a.m. – 8 p.m., earn 500

Tier Credits and swipe at a promotional kiosk for a chance to win prizes including Free Play, Dining Credits, Bonus Drawing Entries or a $100 gift card.

• Cool For the Summer Gift Series | June 4 –June 29

Every Thursday or Friday, earn 750 same-day

Tier Credits to collect a featured item each week.

Guests can receive summer essentials such as:

o A rechargeable neck fan

o Igloo Laguna 1-gallon beverage cooler

o 12” portable fan

o Igloo Playmate Pal cooler

Collect all four gifts to enter for a chance to win a Dyson Tower Fan on Monday, June 29.

• $50,000 Totally Cool Cash Giveaway | June 11 from 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Guests can win a share of $50,000 in cash prizes during this exciting one-night event:

o Drawing drum opens at 3 p.m.

o Two winners every 30 minutes, each winning up to $4,000

‘Direk

A tribute film tied to one of Dolphy’s best-loved television roles is

by AJPress

THE renewed attention comes ahead of the theatrical release of “Home Along Da Riles: Da Reunion,” which revisits the world of the long-running sitcom that made Dolphy’s Kevin Cosme one of the most familiar father figures in Philippine television. The project brings back several members of the show’s extended cast while introducing the story to younger viewers who may know Dolphy more by reputation than from weekly television. Dolphy, who died in 2012, remains widely known as the country’s “King of Comedy.” His career spanned stage, radio, film and television, crossing generations and social classes with a comic style built on timing, warmth and an instinctive understanding of ordinary Filipino life. In interviews tied to the film,

Vandolph Quizon, one of Dolphy’s sons and a cast member in the reunion project, said the family remains hopeful that his father will eventually receive the country’s highest recognition for artists. He said Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte and Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso had expressed support for the effort. The campaign has surfaced before. In 2025, Manila Rep. Joel Chua filed House Resolution 41 seeking to nominate Dolphy as National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts. The resolution cited Dolphy’s long record in Philippine entertainment and sought assistance in preparing the requirements for submission once the official nomination process opens. Any formal recognition would still have to go through the established process for the Order of National Artists, which is administered through the National Commission for Culture and the Arts

and the Cultural Center of the Philippines, with final conferment by the President upon recommendation. The most recent nomination period closed in 2024, making any renewed bid subject to the next official cycle. For supporters, the return of “Home Along Da Riles” offers a sharper measure of Dolphy’s cultural reach. The sitcom’s durability rested on a plain but powerful idea: that the pressures of Filipino family life - work, money, pride, sacrifice and affection - could be rendered with humor without diminishing their weight. The formal process remains separate from the public sentiment around the film. What the tribute has done is return Dolphy to the center of a familiar debate: how a national culture measures an artist whose influence was built not in rarefied spaces, but in the living rooms of ordinary Filipinos.

o One guaranteed grand prize winner will receive $25,000 in cash

• $50,000 Lucky Last Call Cash Giveaway | June 25 from 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Another opportunity for SRR members to win a share of $50,000 in cash prizes, with drawings throughout the evening and one final grand prize of $25,000.

Father’s Day Experiences

Celebrate Father’s Day all month long with curated dining and specialty experiences across the property:

• The Humidor Bourbon & Cigar Lounge Exclusive Father’s Day packages available throughout June, highlighted by The Standard & The Rare experience on June 25, featuring Heaven Hill whiskeys paired with Ashton cigars—an elevated experience crafted for those who appreciate bold character and refined taste.

• SR Prime Steakhouse Reserve a table for an upscale Father’s Day dinner featuring indulgent offerings such as venison carpaccio with truffle and parmigiano Reggiano, wagyu flank steak with smoked asparagus and chimichurri, and maple bacon doughnuts with banana ice cream and bourbon caramel.

• 32 Brews Street

Treat Dad to dinner, the game, and drink specials including a Black Coffee Old Fashioned, Grillmaster Margarita, oysters Rockefeller, panseared scallops with

• Dragon Beaux

Enjoy

Bobot’ returns to the songs that started his career

For younger audiences who know Bobot Mortiz from television, “Goin’ Standard” offers a glimpse of the singer and teen idol who came before the director’s chair.

FOR many younger Filipino viewers, Edgar “Bobot” Mortiz is simply “Direk Bobot”, the familiar name behind television comedy, family programming and generations of young performers.

But before the director’s chair, before the production rooms and before his name became attached to ensemble television, Mortiz had another public life. In the 1970s, he was a singer, actor and teen idol, part of a Philippine entertainment era when young stars were expected to do almost everything: record songs, act in films, appear on variety shows and carry a public image across several platforms at once.

That earlier chapter is returning to view through “Goin’ Standard,” his music project built around classic standards and songs associated with Frank Sinatra and the American songbook tradition. The project, which includes an album and a June 13 concert at The Proscenium Theater in Makati, is less about spectacle than memory. It brings Mortiz back to the sound that first placed him before an audience.

For those who grew up watching programs such as “Goin’ Bulilit,” Mortiz may be remembered less as a performer than as the man shaping timing, tone and comic rhythm from behind the scenes. His career became closely associated with television direction and production, particularly in comedy and youth-oriented entertainment.

“Goin’ Standard” gently shifts that frame. It reminds audiences that Mortiz did not begin as a director who later decided to sing. He was a performer first, a young entertainer whose early

timental. It works because it is chronological.

sic was one of Mortiz’s

Filipino singer Matty Juniosa finishes fourth in ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ final

by AJPress by AJPress

and

ended his “Britain’s Got Talent” journey on a high note, finishing fourth in the Series 19 final and coming within a fraction of a percentage point of the top three.

According to ITV’s official voting figures, Juniosa received 9.16% of the public vote in the finale. Anastasiia & Salsa placed third with 9.28%, putting Juniosa just 0.12 percentage point behind a top-three finish. The Hawkstone Farmers Choir won the competition with 28.72% of the vote, followed by Celestial with 13.36%.

For his final performance, Juniosa sang “Nothing Compares 2 U,” closing a memorable run that introduced him to a wider audience in the United Kingdom and among Filipino viewers around the world.

Juniosa first captured attention with his audition performance of “Purple Rain,” which earned him a Golden Buzzer from Simon Cowell. He later advanced to the final after performing Aerosmith’s “Dream On,” a live-show number that earned Amanda Holden’s Golden Buzzer.

Although he did not win the competition, Juniosa’s fourth-place finish marked a strong international showing for the Filipino performer. His result placed him ahead of several other finalists in a crowded field of singers, dancers, magicians and variety acts.