071026 - New York and New Jersey Edition

Trump Accounts launch nationwide, giving eligible newborns a $1,000 investment start

by AJPress

WASHINGTON — Millions of American families now have access to a new federal investment account for children, with eligible newborns receiving a one-time $1,000 contribution from the U.S. Treasury.

The program, known as Trump Accounts, officially opened for contributions on July 4, introducing a new long-term savings vehicle intended to help children begin building financial assets from an early age.

Under the program, qualifying U.S. citizen children born from Jan. 1, 2025, through Dec. 31, 2028, may receive the $1,000 federal deposit after an authorized adult completes the required election.

The Internal Revenue Service describes a Trump Account as a type of traditional individual retirement account established exclusively for a child. A parent, guardian or other authorized person may open an account by submitting IRS Form 4547 or completing the u PAGE 3

Sara Duterte impeachment trial opens, putting her office and presidential future at stake

Senators begin weighing allegations involving confidential funds, unexplained wealth, corruption and threats against President Marcos and members of his family

by AJPress

6, opening a proceeding that could remove her from office and, if the Senate also imposes disqualification, prevent her from seeking the presidency in 2028.

The proceedings mark the first time an im-

Iran conflict renews pressure on oil, inflation and global markets

Fighting between the United States and Iran has restored geopolitical risk to an economic outlook already strained by higher energy costs and uncertain interest-rate policy

by AJPress

NEW YORK — Renewed fighting between the United States and Iran has unsettled global markets and revived concerns that higher oil prices could slow economic growth, complicate the fight against inflation and keep borrowing costs elevated.

Markets moved sharply during the week as investors weighed whether the conflict would remain limited or develop into a prolonged disruption

of Persian Gulf energy supplies. Oil prices surged after President Donald Trump said he considered an interim ceasefire with Iran over, then gave back part of those gains as fears of a wider war eased.

The volatility underscored a broader economic risk. Even without a complete interruption of exports, instability around the Strait of Hormuz can raise fuel prices, shipping costs and insur-

Escudero sets 16-vote threshold in Duterte impeachment trial

by AJPress

— The presiding officer in Vice President Sara

te’s impeachment trial has ruled that at least 16 senators must vote to convict her on any article, settling for now a procedural question that could determine the outcome of the case.

Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero said the constitutional requirement of a two-thirds vote applies to all 24 members of the Senate, not only those present or participating when the chamber renders its judgment.

Under the ruling, absences, recusals or the inability of individual senator-judges to vote would not reduce the number needed for conviction.

Escudero clarified the matter after Sen. Panfilo Lacson asked whether the 16-vote requirement was merely the presiding officer’s legal opinion or an official ruling of the impeachment court.

Escudero said it was a ruling of the chair and remained in force because no senator-judge objected or appealed when it

peachment case against a sitting Philippine vice president has advanced to opening arguments and the presentation of evidence. The Senate convened as an impeachment court in an earli-

Jinggoy Estrada

withdraws

request to attend Duterte impeachment trial

Lawyers said the motion was mistakenly filed with the Sandiganbayan division hearing a separate graft case rather than the division handling the plunder case tied to his detention

by AJPress

MANILA — Sen. Jinggoy Estrada has withdrawn his request for court permission to attend the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte after his lawyers acknowledged submitting the motion to the wrong division of the Sandiganbayan.

pushes back on Chinese academics’ Batanes assertion

Beijing has not formally endorsed the position advanced at a university symposium, while treaties and administrative laws document Batanes’ place within the Philippines.

by AJPress

The assertion emerged from a June 30 symposium hosted by Jinan University in Guangzhou. A university account said more than 10 u PAGE 2

F rom the F ront P age

Sara Duterte impeachment trial...

PAGE 1

er case against Duterte on June 10, 2025, but returned the articles to the House before the scheduled presentation. The Supreme Court later declared those articles unconstitutional.

Four articles allege misuse of confidential funds, unexplained wealth, bribery and corruption, and threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., first lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and former House speaker Martin Romualdez.

Duterte denies wrongdoing and calls the case politically motivated. Her lawyers argue that impeachment should not overturn the choice of more than 32 million voters who elected her in 2022. House prosecutors say the case concerns whether she violated the Constitution and betrayed the public trust.

Duterte did not attend the opening session and was represented by counsel. She appeared briefly at the Senate complex the following day but did not enter the trial chamber, telling reporters she expected to emerge “bloodied but unbowed.”

The opening exposed a procedural divide. Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian called the impeachment court to order, after which senator-judges elected Francis “Chiz” Escudero as presiding officer, 12-8.

Escudero later ruled that conviction would require at least 16 votes, or two-thirds of the Senate’s full 24-member composition.

Lawyers allied with Duterte have asked the Supreme Court to stop the proceedings, challenging the Senate’s rules and Escudero’s authority. No court order had halted the trial that week.

The House voted 257-25, with nine abstentions, on May 11 to impeach Duterte.

Article I accuses her of misusing or irregularly liquidating P612.5 million in confidential funds — P500 million released to the Office of the Vice President and P112.5 million allocated to the Department of Education while she served as education secretary.

Article II alleges unexplained wealth, incomplete financial disclosures and continued business interests while in office. Article III alleges bribery and corruption involving payments to education officials.

Duterte disputes the accusations, and the Senate has made no finding on them.

Prosecutors began with Article IV, which centers on Duterte’s recorded statements in 2024. During an online news conference in November, she said she had instructed someone to kill Marcos, the first lady and Romualdez if she herself were killed.

The House characterizes the remarks as grave threats and conduct that could amount to a culpable constitutional violation, other high crimes and betrayal of public trust. Duterte says the statements were conditional and made in anger over the treatment of her chief of staff, Zuleika Lopez, during a House inquiry.

Her lawyers argue that prosecutors have not established that an assassin existed, that a payment was made or that any concrete step was taken toward an attack.

The prosecution’s first witness, National Bureau of Investigation Senior Agent John Mark Calilung, testified about the bureau’s examination of recordings containing Duterte’s remarks. He said investigators found no indication that the video had been generated through artificial intelligence and described the statements as a serious threat.

Those were the witness’s

Philippines pushes back on Chinese...

scholars examined the sovereignty of the Batanes Islands in the context of maritime-boundary negotiations between the Philippines and Japan.

According to that account, participants argued that Batanes is a natural geographic extension of Taiwan, that the Ivatan people share cultural and linguistic links with Indigenous communities there, and that the islands fall outside the boundary described in the 1898 Treaty of Paris. Those remain the assertions of the symposium participants, not independently established findings.

conclusions, not findings by the impeachment court.

During cross-examination, defense lawyers questioned the source and handling of the recordings, Calilung’s methods and the investigation’s scope. They also played footage showing Lopez in distress while detained at the House, presenting it as context for Duterte’s words.

The Senate has not decided whether the recordings establish an impeachable offense. Authentication alone does not settle questions of intent, context and constitutional gravity.

The current trial follows the Supreme Court’s July 25, 2025, decision invalidating the earlier articles. The court ruled that the complaint violated the Constitution’s one-year prohibition against initiating more than one impeachment proceeding against the same official and failed to meet due-process requirements.

The court did not decide the merits. It said its ruling did not absolve Duterte and allowed another complaint after the one-year period expired. The House approved new articles in May.

An impeachment judgment may include removal and disqualification from public office. It is not a criminal judgment; any criminal case arising from the same conduct would proceed separately.

The trial comes after the collapse of the Marcos-Duterte alliance that won the 2022 election. That rupture defines the political setting but does not prove or disprove any charge.

The opening week addressed only part of one article, leaving the central allegations unresolved. The Senate’s verdict will turn on whether prosecutors can establish an impeachable offense after the defense has tested the evidence and presented its case. n

Reuters reported that Beijing had not formally endorsed the position. The Chinese Embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to the news agency’s request for comment on Teodoro’s remarks. The distinction matters: The argument was advanced at an academic gathering and carried by Chinese state-run media, but had not been announced as Chinese government policy.

The documentary record extends beyond the 1898 treaty cited by the scholars. Under the Treaty of Washington signed in 1900, Spain relinquished to the United States its title and claims to islands belonging to the Philippine archipelago outside the earlier treaty’s geographic lines. Batanes was not identified by name, but the agreement is part of the record relevant to islands excluded from the 1898 boundaries.

Administrative laws provide

documentation. Act No. 1693 established Batanes as a subprovince of Cagayan in 1907. Act No. 1952 created the Province of Batanes in 1909, covering islands north of the Balingtang Channel, now commonly spelled Balintang, and naming Santo Domingo de Basco as its capital. The 1946 Treaty of General Relations recognized Philippine independence and provided that the Philippines would assume continuing obligations under the 1898 and 1900 treaties. Together, the treaties and statutes document the administration of Batanes within the Philippines.

Teodoro said the symposium might signal a broader Chinese strategic intention and should be challenged. His comments were an assessment by the defense secretary; Beijing had not formally adopted the scholars’ conclusions. Batanes lies about 160 kilometers south of Taiwan along the Luzon Strait, a key passage between the South China Sea and the Pacific Ocean. The province has become important in security planning and has hosted joint Philippine-U.S. military exercises. The symposium followed the Philippines and Japan’s May decision to begin negotiations on the boundary of their exclusive economic zones and continental shelves. China objected, saying the talks would affect maritime rights it claims east of Taiwan. n

Escudero sets 16-vote threshold...

was issued. He acknowledged that the interpretation could still be challenged through available legal remedies, including possible review by the Supreme Court.

The Constitution provides that no official may be convicted in an impeachment trial without the concurrence of two-thirds of all Senate members. Escudero’s ruling applies that language to the full membership of the chamber.

The decision does not address the merits of the four articles against Duterte, all of which remain allegations. It establishes only the number of votes House prosecutors must secure after both sides complete their presentation of evidence.

have focused on recorded statements Duterte made in November 2024 concerning President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., first lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and former House speaker Martin Romualdez.

Prosecutors argue that the remarks constituted serious threats and conduct incompatible with the vice presidency. Duterte has denied wrongdoing and has said the statements were made in the context of threats against her.

with anyone to carry out an attack.

The witness’s testimony represents the prosecution’s evidence, not a finding by the Senate. The impeachment court has not determined whether the recordings establish an impeachable offense.

The trial’s opening sessions

A National Bureau of Investigation witness testified about the collection and examination of digital recordings presented by the prosecution. Duterte’s lawyers questioned the authentication process and argued that prosecutors had not shown that she had hired or entered into an agreement

The proceedings are also facing a Supreme Court challenge questioning the Senate rules used to elect Escudero as presiding officer. The claims remain pending, and no court order had stopped the trial.

The Senate is expected to continue receiving evidence when proceedings resume. Duterte’s lawyers will have the opportunity to cross-examine witnesses, contest the prosecution’s exhibits and present a defense before senator-judges vote on each article. n PAGE 1

Trump Accounts launch nationwide...

agency’s online election process.

The $1,000 Treasury contribution is limited to children who meet the program’s citizenship, Social Security number and birth-date requirements. The federal deposit is not automatic; the appropriate election must first be filed.

Children born outside the four-year eligibility period may still qualify to have Trump Accounts opened for them, but they will not receive the federal seed contribution. IRS guidance generally requires the child to be under 18 at the end of the election year, have a valid Social Security number and have no previous Trump Account election filed on the child’s behalf.

Once established, the account may receive contributions from parents, grandparents, relatives, employers and other eligible contributors, subject to annual federal limits. The IRS also permits certain qualified general contributions, employer deposits and rollovers under the pro-

gram’s rules. Funds are invested in approved market-based options, generally involving broadly diversified, low-cost stock index funds. The structure is intended to give children longterm exposure to financial markets, although returns are not guaranteed and account values may rise or fall.

Withdrawals are generally restricted during the child’s early years, allowing the assets to remain invested through what federal guidance calls the account’s growth period.

Treasury and the IRS have also issued a safe harbor for certain individual contributions, allowing qualifying donors to avoid gift-tax reporting requirements for those deposits in the applicable year.

The program has quickly drawn attention from families, employers and financial institutions. Reuters reported that President Donald Trump said more than 500,000 children had received the initial $1,000 deposit by early July. Several companies have also announced plans to contrib-

ute to accounts for their employees’ children.

Supporters say the program could expand access to long-term investing and give children an early financial foundation. Critics have questioned whether the greatest benefits will go to families with enough disposable income to make substantial additional contributions.

Trump Accounts add a new option to the range of long-term savings vehicles available to families, alongside 529 education plans and custodial Roth IRAs.The accounts differ in contribution rules, tax treatment, investment structure and access to funds, making careful comparison important before families choose where to place long-term savings.

The program’s significance will be measured over time, as families decide whether to participate and the accounts begin to accumulate investment returns. If widely used and sustained, Trump Accounts could give more children an early introduction to saving, compounding and long-term asset ownership. n

Fil-Am ex-cop sentenced to prison for excessive force, cover-up

by INQUIRER.NEt

LOS ANGELES – A former San Diego County sheriff’s deputy has been sentenced to nearly five years in federal prison for using excessive force against a handcuffed inmate, failing to obtain medical care for the injured man and falsifying a report to cover up the incident.

Former San Diego County Sheriff‘s Deputy Jeremiah Manuyag Flores, 45, of La Jolla, Calif., received a 57-month prison sentence, the US Department of Justice for the Southern District of California announced Tuesday.

During sentencing, US District Judge Linda Lopez said she was haunted by a surveillance image showing the deputy smiling as he walked away while the victim lay beside a pool of blood in his holding cell.

“I don’t know how many years it’s going to be before I get that photo out of my mind.

Your conduct was egregious,” she told Flores.

Excessive force

A federal jury convicted Flores in December 2025 of violating the civil rights of a pretrial detainee by using excessive force that caused a spinal injury and then submitting a false report to conceal his actions.

According to prosecutors, the jury deliberated for about two hours before finding Flores guilty on both counts after a weeklong trial.

Evidence showed Flores shoved the detainee from behind while the man’s legs were shackled and his hands were restrained at his waist.

The force sent the victim headfirst into a wall, fracturing his spine before he collapsed to the floor.

Court documents show the victim remained on the floor of his holding cell beside a pool of his own blood for more than two hours before another deputy discovered him.

Abuse of authority

Prosecutors said Flores failed to obtain medical care for the injured detainee and report the use of force to a supervisor, both of which were required under department policy.

“When a law enforcement officer abuses his authority and violates someone’s constitutional rights, there will be serious consequences,” said US Attorney Adam Gordon.

The court also found that Flores falsified the inmate status report by including several false statements, including that “no force was used.”

Flores, who has remained free on bond, was ordered to surrender to prison by Aug. 18, 2026.

The San Diego County Sheriff’s Office terminated Flores last month following an internal administrative investigation. Because of his conviction, he is permanently barred from serving as a law enforcement officer at any level of government. n

292 Filipino-Americans to join Very Important Pinoy Tour

MANILA, Philippines — Up to 292 Filipino-Americans will join government-guided tours in Manila, Dumaguete and Cebu from July 12 to 21 as part of the 2026 Very Important Pinoy (VIP) Tour, a flagship program that reconnects participants with their Filipino heritage through culture, history and tourism.

Organized by the Philippine Foreign Service Posts in the United States, the 10-day program allows participants to experience Filipino culture and hospitality while exploring some of the country’s top aand emerging tourist destinations.

Upon arrival in Manila, participants will attend a wreath-laying ceremony at the Rizal Monument before choosing from tours to Tagaytay, Pagsanjan Falls or Hidden Valley.

They may also opt for a community immersion with Project PEARLS in Tondo, a heritage tour of Intramuros and Binondo or visits to Antipolo Cathedral and Pinto Art Museum.

The itinerary then shifts to the Visayas, where participants will visit Dumaguete City and tour its museums, cathedral and the Dumaguete Belfry.

Optional day trips to Siquijor and Apo Islands will also be offered, featuring swimming activities.

Travel and tourism company Rajah Tours Philippines chairman Alejandra Clemente said this year’s itinerary highlights unique destinations in the Visayas.

The Cebu leg offers participants a choice of adventure and cultural experiences, in-

cluding the Oslob whale shark encounter, Kawasan Falls canyoneering, the Moalboal sardine run and a Southern Cebu pilgrimage, culinary and heritage tour. Participants may enjoy island-hopping activities, wellness treatments and an optional day tour of Bohol. Launched 25 years ago as a joint initiative of the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Tourism, the VIP Tour has brought thousands of Filipino-Americans to the Philippines to rediscover their roots and reunite with their heritage. n

Alex Eala shifts focus to North American hard courts after Wimbledon run

After a brief return to the Philippines, the Filipina is scheduled to resume competition in Washington, where defending champion Leylah Fernandez will be among a field featuring two players of Filipino heritage.

by AJPress

MANILA — Alex Eala will return briefly to the Philippines before beginning the North American hard-court portion of her season, with the Mubadala DC Open in Washington listed as her next tournament.

Her stay will include a fan gathering on July 15 at the Glorietta Activity Center in Makati City. The appearance falls between her career-best Grand Slam run at Wimbledon and the start of the Washington main draw on July 27.

The 21-year-old reached the fourth round at Wimbledon, becoming the first player representing the Philippines to advance to the second week of a Grand Slam singles tournament.

Seeded 29th, Eala opened with a 6-1, 6-2 victory over Mexico’s Renata Zarazúa.

She then rallied past Australia’s Maya Joint, 3-6, 6-2, 6-0, before defeating defending champion and third seed Iga Świątek, 7-6 (9), 6-2, on Centre Court.

Her run ended against

13th-seeded Jasmine Paolini, the 2024 Wimbledon finalist, who won their fourth-round match, 6-4, 4-6, 6-3.

Wimbledon completed a productive grass-court stretch for Eala. In June, she won the WTA 125 tournament in Birmingham, recovering from a set down to defeat Nikola Bartůňková, 5-7, 6-3, 7-5, in the final.

The move to hard courts begins the next phase of the calendar and leads toward the US Open in New York.

Eala is scheduled to compete in Washington alongside Naomi Osaka, Madison Keys, Paolini and Venus Williams. Entries remain subject to change before the draw.

Also entered is defending champion Leylah Fernandez, the Canadian player whose mother is Filipino Canadian and whose father is from Ecuador. The WTA has described Fernandez and Eala as two leading tour players of Filipino heritage.

Fernandez won the 2025 Washington title with a 6-1, 6-2 victory over Anna Kalinskaya. The result made her

Jinggoy Estrada withdraws...

1

The anti-graft court’s Second Division accepted the withdrawal and recalled an earlier order directing government prosecutors to respond. It did not decide whether Estrada should be allowed to leave detention to participate in the Senate proceedings.

Estrada’s lawyers said the request was intended for the Fifth Division, which is handling the plunder case connected to his detention. The motion was instead filed with the Second Division, where a separate graft case involving alleged flood-control irregularities is pending.

“Finding the withdrawal to be in order,” the Second Division deemed the motion withdrawn and declared its directive requiring a prosecution response moot. The order did not indicate whether Estrada’s lawyers intended to refile the request with the Fifth Division.

Sandiganbayan records show that the Fifth Division is overseeing one case alleging

the first Canadian woman to win the tournament and gave her a fourth career WTA singles title at the time.

Fernandez and Eala first met on tour in Stuttgart in April, with Fernandez winning in straight sets. Another meeting in Washington would depend on the draw and their results.

The Mubadala DC Open will hold qualifying July 25 and 26, followed by the main draw from July 27 through Aug. 2 at the Rock Creek Park Tennis Center.

The tournament is part of Eala’s preparation for the US Open, which runs from Aug. 23 through Sept. 13. Maindraw singles competition begins Aug. 30.

Eala reached the second round in New York last year after defeating Clara Tauson in three sets, becoming the first Filipino player in the Open Era to win a Grand Slam singles main-draw match.

Washington will begin the next phase of a season that has already produced Eala’s deepest Grand Slam result to date and first professional singles title on grass. n

Reli German, campaign strategist and opposition organizer, dies at 86

A public relations executive who worked across rival political camps, he helped establish the August Twenty-One Movement after the assassination of Benigno Aquino Jr.

by AJPress

MANILA — Sen. Francis “Aurelio “Reli” L. German, a public relations executive whose career carried him from presidential advertising campaigns to the protest movement that challenged Ferdinand Marcos’ government, died Wednesday, July 8. He was 86.

His death was announced by his granddaughter, Alex Castro, and by the August Twenty-One Movement, the opposition organization he helped establish in 1983. No cause of death was disclosed.

German occupied an unusual place in Philippine political history. He helped candidates shape their public images, organized resistance to a government he had once promoted and later advised figures from competing political camps.

His career also reflected the growing influence of advertising, television and carefully managed messaging in Philippine elections.

In 1965, German worked on Marcos’ successful presidential campaign, producing commercials and campaign jingles. Nearly two decades later, after former senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. was assassinated at Manila

International Airport on Aug. 21, 1983, he joined Aquino’s younger brother, Agapito “Butz” Aquino, and other organizers in establishing the August Twenty-One Movement, or ATOM.

The group helped draw office workers, professionals and other Filipinos into demonstrations against the Marcos government. Its rallies and public actions formed part of the widening opposition that preceded the 1986 People Power uprising.

ATOM later credited German with devising the organization’s acronym after Butz Aquino proposed its full name.

German went on to take part in Corazon Aquino’s 1986 presidential campaign.

After she assumed office, he entered government service as general manager of the Manila International Airport Authority, overseeing the country’s principal international gateway during a period of security and operational challenges.

He later returned to public relations and political consulting through Agents International, the firm he founded.

politics. With columnist Emil Jurado, he wrote “ERAPtion: How to Speak English Without Really Trial,” a collection of jokes and verbal slips associated with Estrada that became a bestseller in the 1990s.

a violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and another alleging plunder. The court earlier found sufficient grounds to issue arrest and hold-departure orders against Estrada and his co-accused. A probable-cause determination allows a criminal prosecution to proceed but does not establish the guilt of the accused.

The Office of the Ombudsman has accused Estrada, former Public Works secretary Manuel Bonoan and other former public works officials of participating in an alleged scheme involving about P573 million in illicit payouts linked to flood-control projects.

Estrada has denied wrongdoing and said he would defend himself through the judicial process. The allegations have not been proved at trial.

Estrada surrendered on June 1 and remains detained at the New Quezon City Jail Male Dormitory in Payatas. Because plunder is punishable by reclusion perpetua,

bail is subject to judicial determination. A court must hold a hearing and deny bail if the prosecution demonstrates that the evidence of guilt is strong.

Separately, Estrada is serving a 90-day preventive suspension from the Senate that took effect June 22 in connection with the graft case before the Second Division. Senate officials said the order temporarily bars him from performing his legislative duties and receiving his salary and benefits.

Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian has said the suspension also covers Estrada’s functions as a senator-judge in the impeachment trial. Preventive suspension is a pretrial measure and does not constitute a finding of criminal liability.

The withdrawal leaves unclear whether Estrada’s lawyers will submit the request to the Fifth Division and, if they do, whether the court will permit him to attend any part of the impeachment proceedings. n

German also served as a consultant and spokesman for Joseph Estrada during the actor-politician’s rise in national

His willingness to work across political lines remained a defining feature of his career. In 2007, he served as campaign manager of Team Unity, the senatorial coalition supported by then-President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. German’s professional life traced the evolution of Philippine political communication, from campaign jingles and print advertisements to television-driven strategy and disciplined image management. At a pivotal moment in the country’s history, he also turned those skills toward organizing political opposition. n

Iran conflict renews pressure on oil...

ance premiums worldwide.

Before the conflict, roughly one-fifth of global petroleum supplies moved through the strait, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Any sustained disruption could increase the cost of gasoline, air travel, freight, manufacturing and electricity, placing additional pressure on households and businesses.

Brent crude, the international benchmark, moved above $80 a barrel during the week before retreating. U.S. oil followed a similar pattern. The swings were significant but did not indicate that markets were pricing in a prolonged shutdown of Gulf exports.

Stocks were also volatile rather than uniformly lower. Airlines, cruise operators, homebuilders and industri-

al companies came under pressure because of their exposure to fuel expenses and borrowing costs. Technology and semiconductor shares performed more strongly, at times offsetting broader declines.

The conflict adds to the Federal Reserve’s policy challenge. Minutes from its June meeting showed officials concerned that higher energy and production costs could keep inflation above the central bank’s target.

The Fed maintained its benchmark rate at 3.5 percent to 3.75 percent. Continued energy-price pressure could make officials more hesitant to cut rates, prolonging elevated borrowing costs for mortgages, consumer loans and business investment.

The International Monetary Fund has projected global

growth of 3 percent in 2026 and 3.4 percent in 2027. It also raised its estimate for global headline inflation this year to 4.7 percent, saying the decline in inflation underway since early 2024 had stalled. Oil-importing economies in Asia and Europe face particular exposure. Higher prices can weaken trade balances, increase government fuel subsidies and raise household expenses. Energy exporters may benefit from stronger revenues, although those gains could be offset by weaker demand and regional instability.

The week’s market swings offered no clear economic direction. They showed instead that oil prices, inflation expectations and interest-rate forecasts remain closely tied to military developments, diplomatic signals and the security of Gulf shipping routes. n

Cebu court grants P1 million bail to Sarah Discaya over Davao Occidental ghost project raps

by GIdEoN tINsAy Philstar.com

CONTRACTOR Sarah Discaya has been allowed to post P1 million bail after a court in Lapu-Lapu City granted her petition while she faces trial over the alleged P96.5 million ghost flood control project in Davao Occidental. Despite the ruling, she remains detained due to a separate non-bailable malversation case filed by the Ombudsman.

As reported by The Freeman, Judge Nelson G. Leyco of RTC Branch 27, in a July 7 resolution, ruled that the prosecution had not presented strong evidence showing that Discaya actively participated in the alleged crime.

The court said no prosecution witness testified about Discaya's involvement in implementing the project.

“As far as Discaya is concerned, the evidence is not strong in showing her active participation in the crime,” the 15-page resolution read.

“At this point in time, the

pieces of evidence highlighted by the prosecution are not yet enough to prove Discaya's instrumental participation in committing the criminal act of falsifying the documents, or in conspiring with the other accused. As such, this Court has to afford her the Constitutional right to post bail during the pendency of the main trial in this case,” the resolution continued.

Leyco also cited Supreme Court decisions stating that company officers cannot be held criminally liable solely because of their position. He added that there must be proof that the officer joined the offense or had the authority to stop it.

The court also granted bail to DPWH Davao Occidental Acting Finance Section Chief Czar Ryan S. Ubungen, setting it at P300,000, while the eight remaining accused were denied bail after the court found strong evidence against them.

The charges are linked to the alleged ghost flood con-

trol project worth P96.5 million along the Culaman River in Jose Abad Santos, Davao Occidental.

Prosecutors claimed St. Timothy Construction Corp. reported the project as completed in 2022 and received full payment despite allegations that the project was never completed. Reportedly, a DPWH Central Office inspection found several irregularities and discrepancies in the project documents.

The prosecution also alleged that Discaya was the beneficial owner of the company and took part in the scheme.

The contractor and her husband, Curlee, have been embroiled in the flood control issue since 2025, when it was discovered that several of their construction firms were connected to numerous "ghost" flood control projects across the country.

In December, Discaya was arrested and detained in connection with the alleged

u PAGE 9

SC issues show-cause order vs Bong Suntay, Ferdinand Topacio over sexist remarks vs Anne Curtis

by CECILE BALTASAR Philstarlife.com

THE Supreme Court has issued a show-cause order against Quezon City 4th District Rep. Jesus "Bong" Suntay and Atty. Ferdinand Topacio, asking them to explain why they should not be disbarred over the misogynistic comments they made against Anne Curtis in March.

According to a report by Pilipino STAR Ngayon, an order showed that Suntay and Topacio were given 10 days from July 8 to submit their explanation in person.

On March 3, Suntay publicly made sexist remarks against Curtis during the House of Representatives Committee on Justice hearing on the impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte.

Defending Duterte's past statement where she said she "imagined" herself "cutting" off President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s head, Suntay said, "Alam mo, minsan, nasa Shangri-La ako, nakita ko si

Anne Curtis, ang ganda-ganda pala niya. You know, may desire sa loob ko na nag-init talaga. Na-imagine ko na lang kung ano ang pwedeng mangyari. Pero siyempre, hanggang imagination na lang 'yon. Hindi naman siguro ako puwedeng kasuhan dahil kung anu-ano 'yong na-imagine ko."

Later, by way of an apology, Suntay said his comment was meant to be an analogy, which Curtis should take as a compliment. Curtis, in a statement, said she did not accept his "non-apology."

Two days later, in his radio program Yes...Yes...Yo! Topacio streamed on DWIZ 882.4, Topacio defended Suntay before taking a similar approach to criticize Curtis' sister, who took to social media to condemn Suntay's remarks, and Gabriela Party-list Representative Sarah Elago.

"Ikaw Jasmine, bakit ka nagpo-post ng mga bikini pictures mo sa social media? Sa mga pahayagan? Hindi ba para ikaw [ay] pagnasahan? Para ikaw ay sumikat?...Bakit

sila tintingnan? Magandang babae, sexy. Pagnanasahan ng mga lalaki..." Topacio addressed Jasmine.

He then shared about his desire for Elago.

“Ako dati, pinagnasahan ko rin si Sarah Elago, e. Naamoy ko noong hearing namin sa DOJ," Topacio said. There were numerous calls for the SC to discipline the two men, who are both members of the Philippine Bar, including from Senior Associate Justice Marvic M.V.F. Leonen, Associate Justice Amy C. Lazaro-Javier, Associate Justice Maria Filomena D. Singh, and members of the UP Women Lawyers' Circle, Inc.

In its resolution promulgated on June 3, but made public only on July 8, the SC wrote, "A lawyer shall not engage in conduct that adversely reflects on one's fitness to practice law, nor behave in a scandalous manner, whether in public or private life, to the discredit of the legal profession. After all, the practice of law is a privilege given only to a few, u PAGE 9

FeAtures OPiniOn

Beyond Centre Court: What We Were Really Cheering For

EVERY generation inherits its own defining figures.

Some emerge from public office, science, the arts or business. Every so often, one appears on a playing field and reminds an entire people that excellence has no fixed address.

This summer, that person was Alex Eala.

Her Wimbledon journey ended before championship weekend. In the language of sports, she lost. But the scoreboard could not measure everything that had already taken place.

The Philippine flags in the stands, the cheers from the crowd and the millions following from different parts of the world reflected more than support for one athlete. They expressed a deeper desire: to see a Filipino enter one of the world’s most demanding arenas not as a curiosity or an inspirational side story, but as a serious contender.

The long view

Manuel L. Quezon III

TO be strict and factual, we commemorate every June 12, the proclamation of independence that took place in 1898, but not independence itself. Independence in terms of belonging to the family of nations is reckoned as July 4, 1946, enshrined by law as Philippine Republic Day.

We are a people for whom any consensus is so hard to achieve, so that, in hoping to

We were cheering for Alex Eala. We were also cheering for something in ourselves.

Filipinos everywhere know what it means to enter unfamiliar rooms, adapt to new systems and prove themselves in places that may not immediately recognize their abilities.

Many have built lives far from where they began, carrying responsibilities for families in more than one country. Their names may never appear on a scoreboard, but they understand the discipline required to keep going when recognition is slow and the outcome uncertain.

That is why Eala’s Wimbledon run resonated beyond tennis.

She entered one of the sport’s most demanding courts with composure, preparation and purpose. She did not treat the occasion as a place she was merely fortunate to reach. She entered it as a competitor.

The Republic at 80

achieve a consensus, we are willing to paper over many inconvenient truths. Instead, appearances are everything, as it is easier to find form satisfying instead of substance; we prefer June 12 not because it was the start (the revolution against Spain began in August 1896) or the end (accepted by the world as a fact, in July 1946), but because it had all the feel-good pomp of what we feel an independence day should feature: a band playing an anthem, a flag presented to the people, a president—in-

deed, a generalissimo—to take the salute.

At his inaugural in 1943, then President Jose P. Laurel orated that, “I consider as rallying centers of our national unity: the Flag, the Constitution, the National Anthem, and the President of the Republic.

The Flag, because it symbolizes the sacrifices of our heroes and synthesizes our common imperishable tradition. The Constitution, because it expresses our collective and sovereign will and embodies the sum of

Too often, Filipinos are taught to regard access itself as an achievement, to be grateful simply for being included. Gratitude has its

virtual reality

AMAZING, the cynicism that greeted the World Bank’s July 1, 2026 upgrade of the Philippines into an upper-middle income country (UMIC), with a Gross National Income (GNI) per capita of $4,850 – $214 more than the $4,636 threshold in 2025.

In this year’s update to the World Bank Group Country Income Classifications, five countries became upper-middle income class: Jordan, Mi-

place, but entry is only the beginning. The real measure is what one does once

cronesia, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam. Each has a different story to tell. A country emerging from economic crisis, an export powerhouse outpacing its peers and an economy that turned out to be 10 percent larger than previously thought are just three of them.

“The Philippines achieved its reclassification through broad-based expansion. GDP grew at an average of 5.8 percent per year over five years, reflecting gains

across all major industries, not a single sector boom, but an economy-wide shift,” said the World Bank. The Philippines had emerged from its worst economic crisis in a century, the 9.5 percent GDP growth decline in 2020 due to COVID.

Under Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the economy grew by a 5.8 percent average in the first four years of his presidency – 7.6 percent in 2022, 5.8 percent in 2023 and 2024

LAGMAY

Beyond Centre Court: What We...

tained performance.

inside: contribute, challenge and, when the opportunity comes, prevail.

Eala’s journey also reminds us that confidence need not be arrogance and humility need not require self-erasure. The patience, adaptability and hard work for which Filipinos are known have helped generations survive and advance. But patience should not become passivity, humility should not become silence, and gratitude should not prevent us from asking for fairness or demanding higher standards.

Across countries and time zones, Filipinos followed the same match, carried by the same hope and invested in every point. We know how to show up for our own.

Yet support should not begin only when success becomes visible.

What upper-middle income means...

and 4.4 percent in 2025.

In GNI value, growth was even more remarkable – 9.9 percent in 2022, 10.4 percent in 2023, 7.7 percent in 2024 and 6.1 percent in 2025, an average of 8.6 percent in four years. Subtract yearly population growth of 1.4 percent, you get net per capita GNI growth of 7.2 percent per year. Your income, here and abroad combined, has been growing by 7.2 percent, yearly, despite the population expanding by 1.4 percent yearly, to the present 117 million people.

In 2025, the GNI per capita was $4,850. In the World Bank, once you earn $4,636 GNI per capita, you are automatically upgraded to upper-middle income, from lower-middle income category (LMIC).

Since 1987, or for 38 years, or nearly four decades, the Philippines had languished at being an LMIC – medyo rich pero hindi naman.

The difference between GDP and GNI is where production happens. GDP measures local production; GNI measures both national (or domestic) and international production or money coming in or earned abroad.

Under BBM, GDP growth averaged 5.8 percent per year; GNI growth averaged 7.2 percent. Deduct 5.8 from 7.2, you get 1.4 percent. The

1.4 percentage points are the contribution mainly of our overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) or expats who number 12 million scattered in more than 130 countries.

In 2025, our GDP was P28.010 trillion; GNI was P32.198.8 trillion. The P4.188-trillion difference (P31.19 trillion less P28.01 trillion) is the income earned by the Philippines from production abroad. That’s the work mostly of our OFWs.

So when you denigrate the Philippines’ upgrade to upper middle income country (UMIC) status, you in effect denigrate the hard work, compassion, professionalism and excellence of our 12 million Filipino expats who contribute P13 of every P100 produced by the total economy yearly.

There are 25 million Filipino families. If each of the 12 million Filipino expats has a family, it means nearly half, 48 percent, of total Filipino families, have an OFW.

“The milestone (to UMIC) affirms the effectiveness of the government’s economic policies implemented over the four years,” said Marcos Jr.

“After nearly four decades as a lower-middle income country since 1987, this milestone affirms that the economic policies we have pursued over the past four years have been effective,”

the President said in a video message.

“Our steady economic growth, broadly stable currency and long-term reforms have strengthened our economy even amid global uncertainties. It validates the progress we have made and the resilience of the Filipino people,” gushed the Chief Executive with considerable pride.

Also, the feat is a vote of confidence in the country’s future, as greater confidence means more investment, which in turn leads to more businesses, better-quality jobs and more opportunities for Filipinos.

Economic progress is not meant to stay on paper, the President stressed, “it means opening doors, putting food on the table and giving every Filipino the chance to build a better life.”

PBBM vows to continue working “until every family feels the benefits of our country’s progress.”

The country’s UMIC status was driven by sustained growth, sound macroeconomic management and long-term structural reforms, said Economic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan.

The new classification should strengthen the country’s credit profile, boost investor confidence and expand access to financing and higher-quality investments

The proper response is not merely to call her a source of national pride. It is to ask what kind of society helps more people develop their gifts before the world notices them.

That means stronger schools, accessible programs, qualified mentors, scholarships and transparent systems of advancement. It means giving girls the same opportunities as boys, valuing excellence outside the capital and recognizing potential before it produces trophies or international attention.

ed immediately. But there is dignity in preparation, courage in attempting what once seemed distant and power in refusing to let inherited limitations dictate the future.

What were we really cheering for?

We were cheering for a young Filipina who met pressure with discipline and possibility with courage.

We are often most generous after the breakthrough, when the world has already taken notice. We celebrate the finished performance without asking who financed the training, found the mentor or sustained the person through the years when recognition was absent.

How many gifted Filipinos abandon their ambitions because education is too expensive, opportunities are too limited or connections matter more than ability? A country cannot depend forever on exceptional individuals overcoming exceptional obstacles.

Eala’s rise was not produced by talent alone. It required discipline, family sacrifice, professional training and an environment capable of turning promise into sus-

that generate better jobs for Filipinos, predicts the Department of Economy, Planning and Development.

However, Balisacan cautioned, the new classification does not diminish ongoing challenges, noting the priority is “to ensure that growth becomes more inclusive and that it benefits all Filipinos.”

“The Philippines’ move to upper-middle income status is an important milestone that reflects years of steady economic progress. It signals that the country’s productive capacity and incomes have improved over time,” chimed in Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Eli Remolona, adding:

Heroes can enlarge a nation’s sense of possibility, but they should not become substitutes for functioning systems. Their achievements should compel governments, schools, businesses and communities to widen opportunity for those who come after them.

The best tribute is not applause alone. It is preparation.

Will we build the courts, strengthen the schools, mentor the young and support talent before they become famous? Will Filipinos who have succeeded abroad create pathways for others? Will those in positions of influence widen access rather than preserve advantage?

Her defeat does not diminish the lesson. Sport is unsentimental. There is always another opponent, another weakness to confront and another day when preparation may not be enough. Progress is not erased because it stops short of a championship.

The same is true in life. Not every risk will end in victory or every sacrifice be reward-

“The move underscores the importance of the efforts to preserve macroeconomic stability and sustain structural reforms by the national government. On the part of the BSP, it underlines the importance of managing inflation to encourage investment and protect the purchasing power of Filipino households; maintaining adequate international reserves to ensure confidence; ensuring banks are solid and able to support economic growth and payment systems are modernized to provide businesses and consumers fast and safe transfers.”

For his part, Finance Secretary Frederick Go sees the

We were cheering for every Filipino who has entered an unfamiliar place and refused to be intimidated: the nurse on the night shift, the teacher in an overcrowded classroom, the seafarer far from home, the caregiver separated from her children, the student working two jobs, the small-business owner risking savings and the parent whose sacrifices may never be publicly known.

We were cheering for the hope that Filipino excellence can be cultivated from the beginning, not merely praised after years of struggle.

Most of all, we were cheering for the conviction that the circumstances from which we begin should not determine how far we are permitted to go.

Alex Eala gave Filipinos a moment of shared pride. What we do with that moment is now up to us.

We can admire her and move on. Or we can accept the harder lesson: national pride carries responsibility. It asks us to support one another before success is assured, to build institutions worthy of our talent and to create opportunities broad enough to reach Filipinos wherever they may be.

That would be the victory beyond the scoreboard. (AJPress) n

Philippines’ UMIC status as “an affirmation of the reforms and policies that the government has consistently pursued to strengthen our economic fundamentals and create more opportunities for our people. Now, we must continue to build on these gains so that the benefits of economic development reach more Filipinos.” (Philstar. com)

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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.

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Email: biznewsasia@gmail.com n

The Republic at 80...

PAGE 6

our political philosophy and experience. The National Anthem, because it epitomizes the trials and tribulations, and crystallizes the longings and aspirations of our race, the President, because he is the chosen leader of our people, the directing and coordinating center of our government, and the visible personification of the State.” He wasn’t merely being self-serving; he was proposing a definition that was already widely accepted and remains so.

Here the incarnation of the nation in the person of the President—originally, Emilio Aguinaldo—is significant and points to the feebleness of taking an institutional approach, because our institutions are precisely quite often window-dressing for personal regimes. We count our present republic as the fifth: our first being Malolos, the second under Laurel, the third beginning with Roxas, the fourth with Marcos alone, and the fifth from Cory Aquino to the present. But why should we?

But these are arbitrary distinctions, supposedly based on Constitutions that bookend our various regimes, with no room for the Katipunan, or the “Biak-na-Bato Republic,” and where Malolos itself is a place—a name overshadowed by Aguinaldo at his mansion in Kawit, or even, as Nick Joaquin once pointed out, the Philippine Executive Commission under Jorge Vargas (since you count Laurel anyway): and only made possible, besides, by a conspiracy to ignore the rulings of the Supreme Court, which declared

(G.R. No. L-5, Sept. 17, 1945) the so-called “Second Republic” illegal and therefore, null and void. But you couldn’t very well ignore those who’d served in that impostor government, and as they rose in the ranks, they accomplished their ex post facto historical rehabilitation. This is the window dressing. A more reasonable case could be made for our present republic being the second. The first, stretching (as not only intended, but made explicit by the framers of the 1935 Constitution) from the Commonwealth to the judicial assassination of that republic in January 1973; and the second, from 1987 (the ratification of Edsa in the plebiscite that approved our present Constitution) up to now. This properly places in context all the other regimes. First, under Filipinos, of which there were three: 1. the various ad hoc governments organized under Aguinaldo from 1897 to 1901 as he alone, including his authority and the institutions he caused to be made (and often ignored) was the lynchpin of all authority; 2. under Marcos from January 1973 to February 1986; 3. under Aquino from 1986 to 1987, when she ruled by decree. And second, under foreign military occupation, under the Americans from 1901 to 1935, and the Japanese from 1942 to 1945. What all had in common was the absence of a direct electoral mandate from the Filipino people (to be sure, Aquino would be in a gray area since the outcome of the snap election was contested, but this was ratified in a free and not controlled plebiscite unlike the

Marcos years).

But for most of us, it’s just a blurred sequence of National Bookstore postcards of presidential portraits flashed quickly so as to prevent any inconvenient questions about the chronology. We have been independent for 80 years, what happened?

The first was what everyone expected would happen, didn’t, unlike among our neighbors, where it did. By which I mean the trajectory of the colonies aspiring to become nations was the emergence of dominant independence movements, which then became monolithic political parties lasting through the first two generations of independence. Ours was the reverse, we were advanced in having a dominant party before World War II, but it didn’t survive the social and political fracture of the Japanese Occupation and led to an artificial, because ultimately factional, divide clawing at each other from 1946 to 1973, while increasingly incapable of facing down internal challenges. In contrast, Indonesia had the PNI from 1950-59, and authoritarianism under Sukarno and Suharto to 1998; Malaysia had UMNO from 1957 to 2018; Singapore, the PAP from 1959 to the present. (Inquirer.net) (To be continued.)

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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: mlquezon3@gmail.com; Twitter: @mlq3 n

Back to Palace: Benhur Abalos appointed Cabinet secretary

by RENAlyN RAmIREz

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Wednesday, July 8, named President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s longtime ally and former Interior secretary Benhur Abalos Jr. as Cabinet secretary.

Abalos is set to take his oath this afternoon, according to Palace press officer Claire Castro.

Abalos is expected to give strategic advice to Marcos on national, local and international political issues and serve as an intermediary between the president and local and

Strategic foresight should guide the Philippine energy system

by sUIEE sUAREz Commentary

IN the recent Inquirer ESG Edge Connect, a forum series to advance sustainability and ESG, UP Diliman College of Engineering Associate Dean for Public Engagement Professor Rowaldo “Wali” D. del Mundo offered a compelling framework to challenge the convention for determining backup power supply or reserves. That is to do probabilistic energy capacity planning.

In context, he said that the power supply in the Philippines has historically been tight during the summer months to the point where it has become routine for journalists to ask the Department of Energy at the start of each year if there would be sufficient supply to avoid grid-level blackouts.

While the answer is almost always in the affirmative, Professor Wali observed that even if the power grid has its existing generation resources and power delivery network (“adequacy”), it ultimately depends on “security”, or whether those assets can “provide continuous operation despite disturbances and outages”.

The methodology of a probabilistic approach is to determine the chances of breakdowns of dispatchable power plants based on their past performance. With a long-term view, the approach would inform energy planners which type and size of power mix and network would work best going forward, given past

cies, organizations and

toral groups.

conditions.

Evolving conditions — like rising variable renewable energy penetration and externalities such as climate change and seasonal weather — add another layer of complexity and uncertainty that modifies the probabilities of the centralized dispatchable energy system. Considering the influx of more variable renewable energy, for example, statistical probability can be used to plan for the amounts of backup reserves needed in order to maintain a desired level of service reliability.

Still, the flaw in probabilistic planning is how future outcomes are predicted based on what transpired in the past. But past performance may not be indicative of future results.

Considering that we live in a more complex, fast-paced, and uncertain world subject to black swan-type shocks, we’ll need strategic foresight and some “thinking outside the box”. We should adopt nonlinear and scenario-based planning methods that are grounded in future scenarios rather than just past data and assumptions.

In practice, planners can set a standard of energy security (for example, one hour of allowable outage per year) and the model can recommend a statistically computed amount of energy reserves needed to meet this requirement.

In effect, this can inform industry planners, regulators, and investors on how much to build in terms of generation, transmission, and distribution.

SC issues show-cause order vs...

PAGE 5

and it is granted only to those of good moral character."

Additionally, the Court wrote that it is treating the consolidated complaints against Suntay and Topacio as "a formal administrative complaint for disbarment" and has re-docketed, or reclassified, it as a regular disbarment case.

“Representative Suntay and Atty. Topacio are ordered to

show cause why they should not be meted the ultimate penalty of disbarment by filing with the Court their respective comments within a non-extendable period of 10 days from receipt of this resolution," the SC wrote.

This is not the only disciplinary action lodged against Suntay. On June 3, the House of Representatives ordered him to complete a gender sensitivity seminar, perform

This is made more important by the fact that these investments take years in advance to put into motion, sometimes 5 to 10 years.

In that regard, Professor Wali opined that today’s failures in the power grid are a culmination of what was and was not done five years ago. Considering today’s issues, the Philippine grid doesn’t just need more energy capacity and a diversity of options, but also more and better planning. Nonetheless, probabilistic planning and strategic foresight can only give so much. Better execution and cooperation are what can get the country across the energy tightrope.

And yet, that is also easier said than done. Execution is made more difficult by the compounded issues, delays, and difficulties of years past. But this is where foresight can come in once again by guiding the industry in anticipating contingencies and preparing plans in case of delays or roadblocks.

It is also where cooperation is most needed to get the job done, which, from the very beginning, has always been to provide reliable, affordable, and accessible energy to Filipinos. (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

Suiee Suarez is AboitizPower vice president for corporate affairs n

voluntary community service, and give a televised apology to Curtis and all women over his sexist remarks. Further, the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges found Suntay guilty of disorderly behavior for his "improper statements" and was given a disciplinary action of reprimand.

As of writing, neither Suntay nor Topacio have given comments regarding the showcause order. n

Cebu court grants P1 million bail...

PAGE 5

ghost flood control project. Discaya will likely remain in detention due to a sep-

arate, non-bailable malversation warrant from the Malolos City RTC. The Ombudsman filed the charges after finding that payments

for a P53.9-million flood control project in Calumpit, Bulacan, were released without an approved disbursement voucher. n

Tulfo files defamation raps vs Defensor, others

by mARk ERNEst VIllEzA Philstar.com

MANILA, Philippines —

Sen. Erwin Tulfo filed criminal complaints yesterday for grave oral defamation in relation to the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 against detained former lawmaker Mike Defensor, lawyer Levito Baligod and several others over allegations linking him to the alleged flood control fund scam.

Tulfo personally filed the complaint before the Mandaluyong City Prosecutor’s Office against Defensor, Baligod, self-proclaimed former bodyguards Jeron Valderama and Bernard Gumban, Quezon City Councilor Ranulfo Ludovica, lawyer Virgilio Garcia and other respondents.

PAL raises $300 million ahead of plane order

In his complaint-affidavit, Tulfo alleged that the respondents publicly accused him of involvement in alleged irregularities in flood control projects.

He said the statements were livestreamed and widely circulated on social media, damaging his reputation.

Denying the accusation, Tulfo said: “Why would I receive a suitcase of cash when I don’t even have any flood control projects? If that were true, my name should have already surfaced during the first flood control hearing.”

He maintained that his name did not appear in the General Appropriations Act or the National Expenditure Program for infrastructure projects either during his term as congressman or after he was elected senator.

“I have no infrastructure projects, no flood control

The complaint stemmed from statements made during a June 16 gathering at the Doublegem EDSA Garden Events Place in Mandaluyong that was originally branded as a Senate Blue Ribbon subcommittee hearing but proceeded as a press conference after no senator attended.

projects, no farm-to-market roads. None at all. I didn’t get even a single centavo from government projects. So why would I receive this huge amount of money from Zaldy Co? I received nothing,” Tulfo said.

He asked prosecutors to find probable cause and file charges against the respondents for violating Article 358 of the Revised Penal Code in relation to Section 6 of Republic Act 10175, or the Cybercrime Prevention Act.

Last month, the senator filed a separate oral defamation complaint against the same group before the Pasay City Prosecutor’s Office.

Defensor and three others were arrested for plunder on Monday.

Defensor is among the campaign donors of Sen. Rodante Marcoleta in the 2025 midterm elections.

Based on Marcoleta’s public admission, the three contributed P75 million for his senatorial bid. n

by ElIjAh FElIcE RosAlEs Philstar.com

MANILA, Philippines —

Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) has raised $300 million from the issuance of senior notes, boosting its war chest ahead of a reported purchase of a new batch of widebody aircraft.

PAL’s subsidiary Primero Agila Ltd. yesterday confirmed that it had priced its landmark offering of $300 million in fiveyear senior notes.

The notes carry a coupon of 7.75 percent and are guaranteed by PAL and Air Philippines Corp.

PAL said the notes, with a yield of eight percent, will be listed on the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Ltd. The issuance will be settled on July 16, with maturity on July 16, 2031.

PAL’s bond sale received a BB rating from Fitch Ratings, with the airline continuing to strengthen its financial position following its pandemic-era restructuring.

The carrier is also rebuilding its fleet and requires fresh funds for aircraft acquisitions.

In a report, Bloomberg said PAL is likely to place a firm order for 10 Boeing 787s and 10 Airbus A350s, a move that would further strengthen the airline’s dominance in the long-haul market.

However, PAL chief operating officer Carlos Luis Fernandez said the airline is still weighing its options regarding the reported order, declining to provide details on its current plans.

“Nothing final yet in our plans. We are in a process,” Fernandez told The STAR. n

Live-action ‘Moana’ makes a festive world premiere at the Hollywood Bowl

by AJPress

LOS ANGELES — Disney’s live-action “Moana” arrived at the Hollywood Bowl on July 7 as both a world premiere and a large-scale summer celebration.

Before the screening, guests moved through an activation area built around the film’s island setting. Moana’s voyaging canoe, a figure of Heihei and a life-size LEGO Moana provided photo opportunities.

Dole Whip pineapple soft serve was distributed alongside Coppertone sunscreen, limited-edition Zoa energy drinks and other partner giveaways. Hawaiian Airlines hosted a plumeria keychain-making station, while blankets were placed on seats for the outdoor presentation.

The festivities shifted to the stage as Dwayne Johnson and Catherine Laga‘aia joined the Nonosina dancers in a Pacific cultural welcome. Director Thomas Kail and producer-songwriter Lin-Manuel Miranda addressed the audience before conductor Sarah Hicks led the Los Angeles Philharmonic in a live performance of Mark Mancina’s score during the film.

Fireworks lit the sky during

the finale, bringing the evening to a close in true Hollywood Bowl fashion.

The film is Disney’s live-action reimagining of its 2016 animated feature. Kail directs Laga‘aia as Moana, with Johnson returning as Maui, the demigod he voiced in the animated films. The principal cast also includes John Tui as Chief Tui, Frankie Adams as Sina and Rena Owen as Gramma Tala. Auli‘i Cravalho, the original voice of Moana, serves as an executive producer.

The story remains centered on Moana’s first voyage beyond the reef of Motunui. When hardship threatens her island, she seeks Maui and undertakes a dangerous journey to restore the heart of Te Fiti and bring prosperity back to her people.

Laga‘aia gives the remake its clearest reason for returning to the story. She plays Moana with composure and restraint, allowing courage to develop alongside uncertainty. Her singing is assured, particularly in “How Far I’ll Go,” while the quieter scenes with Moana’s family give the performance its emotional weight.

Johnson brings physical presence and familiar comic timing to Maui, especially in “You’re Welcome.” Yet the

transition from animation to live action is not always seamless. Maui’s transformations and oversized physical comedy remain naturally suited to animation, and some effects-heavy sequences emphasize technical execution more than discovery.

The music continues to carry much of the film’s appeal. Songs by Miranda, Opetaia Foa‘i and Mancina return, while the new “Along the Way,” performed by Laga‘aia, Johnson and Cravalho, provides a link between the animated and live-action productions. At the

Bowl, the orchestra gave the score a dimension audiences will not encounter in a conventional screening.

As a remake, “Moana” is polished, respectful and closely tied to its predecessor. It does not substantially alter the story, but Laga‘aia brings warmth and credibility without relying on imitation. The premiere supplied festival energy, cultural ceremony, orchestral scale and fireworks; its young lead gave the familiar voyage a distinct human presence.

“Moana” is rated PG and now showing in U.S. theaters n

Martin Nievera laments lost cash, cards after leaving bag on flight from Las Vegas

by Melanie Uson Philstar.com

MARTIN Nievera recalled the time he left his bag on a flight, saying the airline staff did not immediately notify him that it had been found and that his cash and credit cards were missing when he eventu-

ally got it back. In an Instagram Reel, the singer shared that the incident occurred while he was on a JetBlue flight from Las Vegas to Florida.

Excited to catch the rest of Alex Eala's match at Wimbledon, Nievera said he hurried off the plane, only to later re-

alize he had left his bag under the seat in front of him.

"The flight was a JetBlue flight to Ft. Lauderdale out of Las Vegas, and when I realized I left my bag only a few minutes after going through the security glass doors, I went straight to the baggage counter to report my loss," he wrote

Bimby Aquino says half of first adult paycheck will go to church

by AJPress

The “Eat Bulaga” guest host also plans to use part of his earnings to treat his mother, Kris Aquino.

MANILA — Bimby Aquino-Yap said he plans to give half of his first paycheck as an adult to the church and use part of the remaining money to treat his mother, television host Kris Aquino.

In a video circulated online, Bimby was shown signing a payment voucher and receiving cash for his recent guest-hosting work on the noontime program “Eat Bulaga.”

“I’m claiming my first adult sweldo,” he said, using the Filipino word for salary.

Asked whom he intended to treat with the money, Bimby replied, “My mom, of course. I have to.”

Bimby said half of the payment would go to the church in fulfillment of a promise made by his mother to a priest he identified only as Father Jun. He added that the priest

may now be serving as a bishop.

The amount of the paycheck and the church that would receive the money were not disclosed. His remarks described an intended donation; the available video did not confirm that it had already been made.

Bimby’s reference to his first “adult” salary distinguished the payment from money he earned as a child actor. He appeared in several films while growing up, including the 2013 comedy “My Little Bossings” with Ryzza Mae Dizon and Vic Sotto. His recent appearances on “Eat Bulaga” followed an on-air reunion with Dizon in June. He later returned as a guest host, with Kris making a surprise studio visit on June 25 to support him. Now listed among the artists represented by Cornerstone Entertainment, Bimby is resuming television work as an adult after spending much of his childhood in the public eye. n

in his caption.

"My bag with my money, credit cards, my passport. Everything's left in the plane," he lamented. "I'm so glad that you won, Alex, but I just want you to know what I had to go through to get this bag back and this Labubu," he quipped.

Melanie Marquez returns to her first love

Kathryn Bernardo unveils her Madame Tussauds wax figure: 'It's our milestone'

FOR years, Kathryn Bernardo has been one of Philippine entertainment’s most recognizable faces—on cinema screens, magazine covers, and the feeds of millions who have grown up watching her evolve. Now, that familiar face is set to take on a more permanent form: a wax figure at Madame Tussauds!

The actress has become the latest addition to the Madame Tussauds family with her new wax figure that is set to be displayed in Hong Kong.

ONLY a few Filipino living mannequins can lay claim to the title “supermodel,” and one of those is Melanie Marquez. Now the statuesque glamazon has come back to her roots after a long hiatus. The model-turned-beauty queen-turned actress went back to her first love—play-

ing muse to fashion designers—for the recently unveiled holiday collection of fashion designer Boyet Fajardo. Marquez was a gangly girl from Pampanga in her early teens when she was discovered. With such long limbs, arresting beauty, and impeccable command of the runway, she instantly became a favorite among designers. Renowned queenmaker

and fashion designer Renee Salud then fielded her to the 1979 Binibining Pilipinas pageant, where she clinched one of the crowns.

She represented the Philippines at the 1979 Miss International pageant in Japan and became the third Filipino woman to bring home the title, also making history as

PAGE 13

Martin Nievera laments lost cash...

PAGE 11

In the caption, Nievera recounted that the JetBlue ground crew did not let him go back to get his bag. Instead, they told him to file a report and that they would call him if the bag, which had a Tile tracker, was found.

"What they don’t know is we put a Tile in my wallet that does exactly what an AirTag does, and later that day we saw my bag had not moved all night. But the next morning we saw it on [the] move to a security area in the airport, so we drove back to get it," he said. Nievera added that the airline never informed him that the bag had been found. He recalled returning to the airport less than a day later to retrieve it.

"They remembered my panicked face and made me describe my bag. I told them it’s a black bag with a black Labubu toy on it," he shared.

According to him, the staff initially denied seeing the bag. One of the staff members went to the back to check for Nievera's item.

"As he was looking for it in the back, we pressed an alarm from our phone that activated the Tile in my wallet, and now they all can hear that my bag was right there all along. Or

did they already know all this time?" the singer shared. He went on to lament that some of his belongings were missing when the bag was returned.

"I really can’t accuse and I won’t, but when I got the bag, all my credit cards were taken and all the cash in my wallet, too. Under $3,000 (~P184,000) cash. When I asked why these things were missing, they told me it’s policy to shred all credit cards and take all cash, which will be returned to me in a check later on," he added.

Nievera also questioned why he was not informed of the airline's policy and said he has yet to receive the reimbursement. He also shared that he checked the airline's policy online and found that if a lost item is not claimed within 30 days, any credit cards are shredded while the cash is

kept. The singer noted that he had reported the missing bag in less than 24 hours.

In the post's comments section, Nievera maintained that he was not making an accusation but raised concerns over how his bag was handled.

"I don’t want to accuse, but they are not supposed to go through the bag without some sort of report," he wrote.

"Many in the business say my cash was stolen by the airline people," he added.

In one of the replies, Nievera said the airline told him they were "on top" of his case. He added that he believed the situation could have been explained when he returned to check for his bag less than 24 hours later.

“I guess they didn’t check to see for that, and when it rang after everyone said they never saw it, boy, were they surprised," he wrote. n

PhilSTAR L!fe had the chance to get a first look at Bernardo's "Kath-twin" during her unveiling at the Glorietta Palm Drive Activity Center on July 9.

The wax double recreates her stunning look from the 2023 Outstanding Asian Star Awards in Seoul, South Korea, wearing the same white gown crafted by Filipino designer Martin Bautista.

The two-piece attire combines a sleek cropped top and a long white skirt that shows off her waist, with a bit of silver fringe at the front to add some fun sparkle. The look is further elevated by a flowing cape that wraps around her neck and drapes all the way down behind her.

Bernardo also went with a sweet bun, cute wispy bangs, and a glowing makeup vibe that makes the whole outfit pop.

Madame Tussauds highlighted that this milestone was chosen as the inspiration for Bernardo's wax likeness as it commemorates "one of her defining moments as she represented the Philippines on an international stage."

“It is an ode to her growing international recognition and the pride she continues to bring to Filipino audiences, making it a fitting tribute as she claims the platform set for her by Madame Tussauds Hong Kong," they said.

Meeting her “Kath-twin”

During the unveiling, Bernardo could not help but gush at how well Madame Tussauds made her wax figure. She shared that it was actually her mom, Min, who got the message that the wax museum wanted to add her to their family.

"She sent a deck, and I'm like, 'Oh, Madame Tussauds. I used to go to Madame Tus-

sauds.' Then, as I browsed through the deck, I'm like, 'What? Me? Why me?' That was my reaction," she recalled.

"It didn't sink in. The team [was] discussing kung ano 'yung magiging look, ano 'yung gusto nating hair and make-up, pero hindi pa rin nagsink-in. Until I did the measurement, I spent half of my day there. I met the team from the U.K. They matched everything so meticulously and doon lang siya nagsink-in," she continued.

When asked about her reaction when she first saw the finished product, the local star joked that the resemblance was so perfect it almost looked "scary."

"Nung nakita ko kanina, nakakatakot. But not in a bad way, I got scared because we look alike. Sabi ko talaga, 'Oh, my gosh. Ganun pala 'yung feeling seeing myself in flesh right there in front of me. It's crazy," she said.

Bernardo believed that the wax museum's branch in Hong Kong is the "perfect place" to put her figure, as it would allow Filipinos living there to feel closer to home.

"They don't get to go home, so at least, we can bring a piece of the Philippines there. And I hope I'll be able to bring smiles sa mga hindi nakakauwi nating kababayan, and of course, all the tourists who'll visit there," she said.

Beyond the personal honor, Bernardo said the milestone also belongs to the fans who have supported her throughout her career.

"It wasn't an easy ride. People get to see just the Kathryn on camera, but in order for this to be possible, the fans made it possible. It was a lot of hard work, a lot of challenges, so maganda siyang gift for the fans," she said.

"This is not my milestone. It's our milestone, because this wouldn't be possible if not for them," he said.

Who she wants to have a wax figure next

Bernardo joins the small group of Filipino personalities with their Madame Tussauds wax figures, including Manny Pacquiao, Pia Wurtzbach, Catriona Gray, Anne Curtis, and Lea Salonga.

With more Filipino personalities getting their own wax figures at the museum, Bernardo hopes that the next star on the list is the late Fernando Poe Jr.

"He represents the Filipinos. I feel like I grew up watching FPJ," she told L!fe.

"He's not just an actor, he's also a producer, a director, and so many things. He deserves to be there kasi he is the king of Philippine cinema. So bago pa kami lahat dito, meron ng 'Da King.'" Bernardo's wax figure will be on display at Madame Tussauds Hong Kong starting July 17. n

Nadine Lustre's malicious online attacker sentenced

by gideon tinsay Philstar.com

Nadine Lustre revealed that the social media user she sued last year for harassing her online is now convicted.

Lustre made the revelation on Wednesday, June 9, during the press conference of her Viu series Love, Siargao, at a cafe in Quezon City.

“He was obviously given a sentence and of course rehabilitation as well. He was going to go through seminars for gender sensitivity," she said.

Recalling the incident, she noted that her legal counsel advised her to take action against the commenter.

“Nag-comment siya and then noong nag-advise yung legal counsel [ko] to take action, pinahanap nila," she said. "And then noong nahanap na siya, we served [him the] legal documents.”

She detailed that the user's Instagram account contained only limited content and did not appear to be fake, but authorities were still able to identify the poster. She added that the online user was identified, and she met the person around April.

"Around end of April before flying to Siargao, that's the time when I actually met the person. Even if you look at it in different ways, parang hindi talaga kasi okay 'yung sinabi niya."

Lustre said that the person

apologized to her, but she admitted that while she is used to facing harsh criticism, she chose to file the case after hearing from real victims and individuals who found the malicious comments deeply triggering.

She is hopeful that the result of the case would teach people to be more responsible with their words online, "I want it to at least let the people know that you can’t just say those things on social media and there’s no way for you to not

be traced. There’s always a way to find you."

"I really wanted to push through for social media to be a safe space for everyone," she said.

In May 2025, Lustre filed the complaint against the social media user in 2025 citing "relentless and malicious attacks she has endured," and a possible violation of the Safe Spaces Act. She was accompanied by ML party-list and Gabriela Women’s Party during her filing. n

Melanie Marquez returns to her...

the youngest ever participant to win the crown.

Marquez continued her modeling and even scored international gigs, sending her to many parts of the world. In New York, she won the “Face of the 80s” contest that sent her to the “Supermodel of the World” competition where she finished as a runner-up.

Decades later, and after a rollercoaster of a personal life, she returns to her first love which is modeling.

“God will give you that brilliance, then your personality and good heart will glow. People around you think you don’t seem to age. And you are not bothered by material things. Let’s live within your means. You’ll find peace and contentment,” she said.

For Fajardo’s campaign, Marquez went before the camera of lensman Edward de la Cuesta, with Jonnah Huliganga handling hair and makeup. Bobbit Patag took care of the styling.

“My life is an open book, but one that is full of challenges. It may seem that I lead a glamorous life but, honestly, I hate dressing up and wearing makeup. Gusto ko, simple lang!” Marquez said.

Fajardo’s holiday collection, a series of creations mostly in black-and-white, will be available soon at the biggest malls and department stores across the country.

“I feel excited about this collection. I was never excited about my photo shoots before, but now I am! This collection highlights my 48

Between motherhood and showbiz, Iza Calzado

always comes home

The actress opens up about mom guilt and the promise she keeps for her daughter Deia

by allan PolicarPio Inquirer.net

Iza Calzado doesn’t think her three-year-old daughter, Deia, has the slightest idea what her mom actually does for a living. But little by little, the actress has been introducing her child to her world. The actress once brought Deia to an “ASAP” taping, so Deia must have figured, “Mama’s a dancer!” She also recently brought Deia to a work event for the first time, where her daughter is beginning to realize that people want to take photos with her mom.

In fact, the child may have a better sense of boundaries, Calzado jokes, because she has been growing more clingy these days. And whenever someone suddenly asks for a photo, the actress has to explain what’s happening to Deia.

“Ang galing nga eh, parang hindi ako commodity—tao ako! Gano’n siya,” Calzado says.

Calzado would also love to bring Deia to the set of one of her acting projects, but that will have to wait—watching her mom cry in character would likely be more confusing than fun. “I hope she sees what I do one day, pero dapat konti lang ‘yong eksena ko and walang breakdown scenes,” she says.

Waiting for mom

years in the fashion industry, through all the struggles, as my journey speaks volumes of my acumen throughout all the generations I’ve served–from the baby boomers to the millennials, and now the younger crowd,” he said.

“I always want movement, constant movement, and never remain at a standstill, even during the pandemic. I’ll do the things i’ve been dreaming to do all my life,” added Fajardo, who emphasized that the pieces are limited and all locally made.

As for Marquez and her endurance in the industry that has spanned almost half a century already, this was what she said: “I think my X-factor comes from professionalism, coupled with my dedication and genuine character. Anything fake will eventually manifest itself.” n

would she get it from, Calzado quips—won’t sleep until she’s home.

“Talagang she will wait until 10, 10:30, 11 p.m.,” she says.

“I don’t think that’s good, so I wonder, ‘Mali ba ‘to kasi parang pinupuyat ko ‘yong anak ko.’ I have so many questions about whether or not I’m doing the right thing.”

Missed moments

As Calzado eases her way back into work, however, she’s starting to realize it won’t be as simple as it used to be. If parents with structured office hours find it difficult to strike the right balance between work and family, what more an actress whose schedule changes from project to project?

Looking back, Calzado sees just how much time she had before motherhood. “I used to always say, ‘I’m so busy right now.’ But as it turned out, I didn’t know what busy was until I became a parent,” she says.

On days when she needs to work, Calzado makes it a point to at least give Deia a bath and put her to bed. It’s these routines, she says, that often turn into “moments,” where they do nothing but look at each other, exchange kisses, and say “I love you.”

And sometimes, the energetic little Deia—who else

Mom guilt is real, and she feels it more often than she lets on. “Masama ang loob ko kapag ‘di ko siya napatulog at kapag wala ako sa bahay, or if I choose to stay out longer,” she tells Lifestyle Inquirer at the recent launch of the Enfagrow A+ “The Brilliant Hour” digibook.

But there are also moments when Calzado isn’t just late home—she misses a planned activity with her daughter altogether. Once in a while, the community of parents she’s part of organizes activities, which she and her husband, Ben Wintle, couldn’t make it to twice because of work commitments.

On the third time, Calzado felt that it couldn’t keep happening, so she dropped what she was doing that day—just so she could be there for even just 30 minutes. “I was like, ‘How would she feel if she’s the only one there who didn’t have even one parent?’” she says.

“Sometimes, you just have to find a way. I want to make her feel that I’m there.”

It takes a village

But while parenthood can feel like an isolating job, it doesn’t have to be. As they say, it takes a village to raise a child, and she couldn’t be more grateful for hers—from her husband, in-laws, and her yaya, to her circle of mom friends, whom she affectionately calls her “Mommavengers.”

“They will really come together to support you, and you really feel that, especially in your first year as a mom,” Calzado says.

“I can count on my sistersin-law to host a playdate for our kids when I have to be away. You always want to have at least one parent supervising, so it’s good to have something like that,” adds the actress, who spent a couple of days in Basilan last month shooting the film “Hand of God,” an entry to this year’s Cinemalaya Film Festival.

The realities of juggling motherhood and a showbiz career are uncertain, and things won’t always go the way she wants. But sometimes, she says, you just have to “give yourself a pat on the back,” do your best to keep your word, and assure your child that—despite everything—you will always come home.

“One time, I told Deia I would be home Saturday, and she just said, ‘Saturday… you always come back, right?’”

“Yes, I do.” n

Health @Heart Sexual maladies

PhiliP S. Chua, MD, FaCS, FPCS

Does diabetes affect sexual function?

Yes. In men, diabetes mellitus can cause a varying degree of erectile dysfunction (inability to attain or sustain an erection satisfactory for intercourse) as the diabetes progresses. Most of the time, however, the exaggerated and unfair condemnation of diabetes as causing severe erectile dysfunction leads to a psychological deterrent and a self-fulfilling prophecy in most men. Many well-adjusted and well-treated diabetics enjoy sex without problems. In women, loss of vaginal lubrication is a major sexual effect of diabetes. It is also theorized that there could be some erectile dysfunction of the clitoris (female anatomical counterpart of the penis) among women with diabetes. ED pills (Viagra, Cialis, Levitra), which are effective for male erectile dysfunction, have not been of help among females.

What are the other complications of diabetes?

Diabetes has a lot of potential complications. Among them are the effects on the small arteries and big arteries in the body, causing blockages in the circulation, leading to damages (poor supply of blood, oxygen and nutrition) to the various organs of the body: the eyes (retinopathy that results in blindness), kidneys (nephropathy resulting in kidney failure), legs (resulting in leg an feet ulcers, gangrene and amputation), nerves (neuropathy that causes numbness and pains in the feet), and cellular immunity (weakens the immune system leading to infections). This is why all diabetic patients must be under the care of a physician and why blood sugar must be well controlled at all times.

How common is erectile dysfunction?

Erectile dysfunction (ED) affects about 322 million men around the world and an estimated 10 to 20 million men aged 19 and older in the United States. The prevalence is 52% in men aged 40 to 70 and increases with age.

What are the causes of erectile dysfunction?

Erectile dysfunction is rare in diabetic men until their mid-30s. Erectile dysfunction is very common in the general male population, especially in these modern times. Contrib-

uting to cause this condition are psychologic factors (severe anxiety, fear of intimacy, fear of unwanted pregnancy, sexual guilt, depression), drugs (most medications for high blood pressure and coronary heart disease, psychotropic drugs, CNS depressants-tanquilizers, etc. do affect erection), arteriosclerosis/vascular (blocking arteries that supply blood to the male organ), and, rarely, biogenic (associated with low testosterone levels and reflecting disorders of the hyphothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis). Does alcohol affect erection?

Alcohol definitely affects erection, either in diabetics or non-diabetics. As Shakespeare wrote, “Alcohol increases the desire but diminishes the performance.”

What is the treatment for these side effects?

Once the diagnosis of erectile dysfunction is confirmed, Viagra, Cialis, and Levitra (ED pills) are often the first choice. Erection is achieved about one hour to one and a half hours following ingestion of the pill, which comes in 25 mg, 50 mg, and 100 mg. Persons on nitroglycerine (medications for coronary heart disease) are strictly warned against taking these ED pills, the combination of which could cause intractable shock and death. If taken properly under a physician’s supervision, these ED pills are a safe and very effective wonder drug. Diabetes must be well controlled at all times for this to work. Quitting smoking, exercising at least 3 times a day, and having a conducive environment will help tremendously in improving sexual performance.

If ED pills do not help, what next?

ED pills help alleviate erectile dysfunction in about 90% of diabetics and more in non-diabetics. Other assistance may come from sex therapy, other medications (penile erection suppository; yohimbine, which is still controversial; prostaglandin E1), vacuum constricting devices, male hormone testosterone, which is rarely needed, and which increases the chances of cancer of the prostate; and, surgery (aorto-iliac procedures for blocked arteries in the pelvis that partly supply the male organ, and implantation of penile shaft prosthesis, but this keeps penis rigid at all times and not too comfortable. With the advent of ED pills, most of these “oth-

er aids” have been relegated to the background and used only in dire cases that do not respond to the drug.

How about in diabetic women?

Among diabetic women, the major sexual side-effect is loss of the natural vaginal lubrication, which makes sexual encounters most uncomfortable and even painful. Masters and Johnson, pioneering sex researchers in the 1960s, stressed the importance of vaginal lubrication during the initial sexual arousal in women and throughout the sex act. The wet cavity allows the male organ to slide in and out more easily, increasing both partners' sense of ecstasy. The lubrication also increases the sensitivity of the vaginal lip and clitoris to touch, increasing the responsiveness and pleasure to digital caress. With proper vaginal lubrication, proper “ambiance,” and well-controlled blood sugar (and other medical conditions, if any), diabetic women can enjoy pleasurable sex at any age.

What are the other causes?

Other causes of loss in vaginal lubrication are: stress or psychological factors, undesired partner, drugs (Tricyclic Antidepressants, like Elavil, Anafranil, Tofranil, Sinequan, birth control pills, antihistamines, cold formulas, etc.), alcohol, cigarettes, and marijuana. Other conditions include jet lag from travel across time zones, excessively prolonged foreplay or lovemaking, pregnancy, and childbirth.

Any remedy for dryness?

Loss of vaginal lubrication happens to the majority of women past 40 years old, some even as young as in their 20s and 30s. There are now a lot of commercially available (no prescription needed) sexual lubricants.

* * *

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.

* * *

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

The Long Middle: Why I Haven’t Quit

faith

& finance

kathy Current

By July, many of us are taking inventory. The excitement of our New Year’s goals has faded, and some dreams are taking longer than we expected. If that is where you are, you are not alone.

One thing I have learned is that I do not like teaching principles I have not personally tested. It is easy to talk about perseverance after you have crossed the finish line. It is much harder when you are still in the race. And today, I am still running.

As I have been building my skincare business, there have been moments when progress felt slower than I had hoped. Whenever I am tempted to question the process, I remind myself that I have lived this story before.

More than 30 years ago, I entered the mortgage industry with little more than determination. I knocked on the doors of real estate offices, dropped off pastries, attended net-

working events and invested thousands of dollars in sales training long before I saw meaningful results.

People see the career. They did not see the tears. They did not see the rejection, the loans that fell apart or the “impossible” files no one else wanted. Looking back, I realize that those difficult loans became my greatest education. Every challenge sharpened my skills and prepared me for the career I have been blessed to enjoy today.

I have experienced the same lesson on the dance floor. People see the competitions, but they do not see the countless hours of practice, the injured knee, the fractured toe or the determination it took to return each time my doctors cleared me.

Galatians 6:9 reminds us:

“Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

I love that Paul does not say we might grow weary. He assumes that we will.

God already knew there would be seasons when we would feel tired and discouraged and wonder whether our efforts were making any dif-

ference. This is not a rebuke; it is a reminder that weariness is part of the journey.

Weariness is not failure. Often, it is evidence that you have been faithfully planting seeds.

As we begin the second half of the year, do not measure your progress only by what you can see. Some of God’s greatest work happens underground, where roots are growing long before fruit appears. Keep planting. Keep trusting. Keep showing up. Sometimes the greatest victory is not reaching the finish line. Sometimes it is simply refusing to quit.

* * *

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

* * *

Kathy Current is a financial coach, mortgage advisor, and author of Heal Your Money Wounds God’s Way, where she combines over three decades of financial experience with timeless biblical wisdom. Kathy addresses real-life questions about God and money, helping readers find freedom and purpose in their financial lives.n

Filipino American leaders to meet in Colorado on issues affecting their communities

AURORA, Colorado —

More than 200 Filipino American leaders, professionals, students and advocates are expected to gather in Colorado in August for a national conference focused on voting, mental health, public service, leadership development and cultural preservation, according to the National Federation of Filipino American Associations.

NaFFAA’s 16th National Empowerment Conference is scheduled for Aug. 14 and 15 at the Hyatt Regency Aurora-Denver Conference Center. Pre-conference activities on Aug. 13 will include registration, a professional boot camp and an opening reception.

Organizers said participants are expected from business, government, education, health care, nonprofit organizations, media,

Governor, US senator, and later a presidential candidate, Evan Bayh. Other Sagamore past awardees include President Harry S. Truman,

entrepreneurship and youth groups.

The program will include sessions on voting rights, immigration, mental health, entrepreneurship, health care, anti-Asian hate, Filipino American history and representation in elected office. A “Run for Office” panel will examine the transition from community advocacy to public service.

Dante Francis “Klink” Ang II, chairperson of the Philippine government’s Commission on Filipinos Overseas, is scheduled to deliver the opening keynote address. Michelle Mras and Dr. Stacey Litam are also listed in the program.

A founders’ roundtable will feature Loida Nicolas Lewis, Rodel Rodis and Gloria Caoile in a discussion of NaFFAA’s formation and development as a national network.

The conference will also include the Emerging Leadership Institute, NaFFAA’s youth leadership program, which provides training, mentoring and professional development for young Filipino Americans.

Brian Flores of CBS News Colorado is scheduled to participate as a panelist and gala emcee, according to NaFFAA. Lorraine Eloriaga and Hannah Tolentino are also expected to take part. The conference will conclude Aug. 15 with the Bayanihan Awards Gala and Fashion Show featuring Filipiniana fashion, cultural storytelling and recognition of community leaders.

Registration is available at www.naffaa.org/nec2026. For information, call (301) 337-7352 or email info@naffaa.org. Organizers said the agenda is subject to change. n

etc. (Wikipedia). Websites:

Filipino craftsmanship, sustainability and culinary heritage are redefining the European market

MeDina My P.E.P.

(People, Events,Places)

Rooted in cultural heritage and resourcefulness, the Philippines is transforming sustainable innovation into products with global appeal.

From fashion made with natural fibers to food products drawn from local biodiversity, Philippine-made goods carry stories of skilled communities, environmental responsibility and cultural continuity. Across home furnishings, fashion and food, they are helping position the country as a source of distinctive, responsibly made goods for Europe.

The Philippines’ presence at Ambiente in Frankfurt, Maison&Objet in Paris and Anuga in Cologne, together with the FASHIONPhilippines program in Milan, reflects a coordinated effort to bring Filipino creativity before international buyers.

Connecting with Europe’s leading trade fairs

Through the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions, or CITEM, the export-promotion arm of the Department of Trade and Industry, the Philippines joins fairs serving the home, lifestyle, fashion and food sectors.

Together, these appearances create a visible Philippine presence across Europe’s major commercial centers.

Ambiente in Frankfurt Ambiente is one of the world’s leading consumer-goods trade fairs. Under the DESIGNPhilippines banner, Filipino companies present home, fashion and lifestyle products combining contemporary design with indigenous and natural materials.

CITEM first joined Ambiente in 1990. In 2025, the country sent its largest delegation to the fair at that time: 52 enterprises, including companies and artisan groups from Quirino and the Western Visayas provinces of Aklan, Antique, Iloilo and Negros Occidental.

The pavilion featured furniture, lighting, décor and accessories made from rattan, bamboo, wood, corn husk, piña, cotton and capiz. According to CITEM, the delegation generated $4.5 million in sales during the five-day fair.

The results reflected buyer

interest in natural materials, credible sustainability practices, strong craftsmanship and cultural identity. These are areas in which Philippine producers can compete on design and quality rather than volume alone.

The Philippines returned to Ambiente in February 2026, continuing its participation and studying design trends and buyer preferences.

Maison & Objet in Paris

The Philippines has also maintained a presence at Maison&Objet, the international fair for interior design, home décor and lifestyle products in Paris.

In 2024, the country returned with a pavilion for the first time since 2019. Called “Artipelago,” the presentation brought together 14 Philippine companies and works by 14 visual artists. Curated by designer Anton R. Mendoza, it placed furniture, lighting and decorative objects alongside contemporary art.

The exhibit emphasized rattan, abaca, buri, banana fiber, wood carving and solihiya weaving, showing how traditional skills could be adapted for modern interiors.

In January 2025, “Artipelago II” became the country’s largest Maison&Objet delegation, with 32 participants: 16 home and furniture manufacturers and 16 visual artists. The Philippines returned in January 2026 with “Artipelago III,” featuring 14 homegrown brands and one art gallery.

The series has allowed Philippine companies to seek orders, study European design standards, meet buyers and strengthen their international presentation.

Anuga in Cologne

The Philippine food industry has pursued a similar strategy through Anuga, one of the world’s largest food and beverage trade fairs.

CITEM participated in the October 2025 edition under the FOODPhilippines banner, presenting the country as a source of natural, organic, halal-certified and specialty food products.

The 17-member Philippine delegation offered milkfish, tuna, dried fish, shrimp paste, calamansi and coconut concentrates, fruit preserves, pili nuts, banana chips, corn snacks and preparations made from fruits, seafood and vegetables.

These products combine familiar export strengths with a culinary identity rooted

in regional ingredients and traditions. The presentation also emphasized food-safety standards and certifications required for wider access to European markets.

European consumers are showing greater interest in traceable ingredients, healthier choices, sustainable sourcing and authentic cuisines. Philippine companies that meet certification, packaging, consistency and production requirements are better positioned to build commercial relationships.

FASHIONPhilippines in Milan

The launch of FASHIONPhilippines Milan marked another step in the country’s effort to enter Europe through creative development and commercial exposure.

The program combined mentorship with an exhibition during Milan Fashion Week in September 2025. Selected Filipino designers received guidance in creative direction, buying, marketing, showroom management and brand development. It culminated in a three-day exhibition at Fondazione Sozzani.

The presentation also highlighted Filipino Innovation Textiles developed by the Philippine Textile Research Institute, including handloom-woven fabrics, KAWAYARN, bamboo lyocell and piña-cotton blends.

These materials connect Philippine agricultural resources and weaving traditions with the fashion industry’s interest in lower-impact textiles. The program’s value lies not only in displaying Filipino collections in Milan, but also in exposing designers to the commercial systems behind international fashion.

A Philippine advantage

Across these fairs, a common theme emerges. The Philippines’ strongest products are grounded in materials, skills and stories tied to the communities that produce them.

Solihiya weaving, hand carving, embroidery, basketry and fiber processing are being reworked for contemporary interiors and fashion. In food, regional ingredients and traditional flavors are being developed into products that meet international standards.

Europe’s demand for responsibly sourced, well-made and culturally authentic goods gives the Philippines a meaningful opening. Success, however, will depend on consistent quality,

reliable production, certification, competitive pricing and long-term relationships with buyers.

The European market is helping position the Philippines not simply as a supplier, but as a creative and commercial partner offering sustainable, culturally rich products for consumers..

* * *

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.

* * * rogeliocmedina@yahoo.com