071726 - Northern California Edition

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The Arbitral Ruling must shape policy, not just speeches

Ten years after an arbitral tribunal issued its decision in the South China Sea case brought by the Philippines, 14 governments reaffirmed that the award is final and legally binding between Manila and Beijing on the maritime questions it decided. The European Union issued a separate statement supporting the ruling. China again said it does not accept or recognize it.

The declarations were important. Yet the more useful question is not what governments said on July 12, but what the Philippines does during the rest of the year.

What does the arbitral ruling mean?

Editorial

The 2016 award was issued by a five-member tribunal constituted under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, or UNCLOS. The case began in 2013. The Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague served as registry, but the UNCLOS tribunal decided the dispute.

The tribunal did not determine ownership of disputed islands, reefs or shoals. It neither drew a maritime boundary nor awarded the entire sea to the Philippines. Instead, it clarified the maritime rights countries may claim under UNCLOS and examined whether specified activities complied with the convention.

Its central finding was that China’s claims to historic rights within the relevant part of its ninedash line had no lawful effect where they exceeded the maritime entitlements allowed by UNCLOS.

EARLIER this week, the Philippine embassy in Washington commemorated the 10th anniversary of one of the most consequential legal milestones in Philippine history – the landmark Arbitral Award rendered under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Commemorating this important anniversary with us were fellow ambassadors in Washington, members of the diplomatic circle, senior US officials, scholars and friends from many countries.

The ruling was handed down by the Arbitral Tribunal on July 12, 2016 – and 10 years later, its importance has reached far beyond the West Philippine Sea, standing as a shining beacon for the rule of law and peaceful dispute settlement. Most significantly, it serves as enduring proof that international disputes can be resolved through law rather than force, through reason rather than intimidation.

As the late Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario stated when he faced the Permanent Court of Arbitration in 2015, the Philippines has “respected and

IN 2023 up to the first quarter (Q1) of 2024, we had the fastest-growing economy among our Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean)-6 peers, namely, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Indonesia. Now, our 2.8 percent gross domestic product (GDP) growth in Q1-2026 is the slowest. From being the most dynamic Southeast Asian economy only three years ago to the most sluggish now, the Philippine economy has reversed its fortunes yet again, in the familiar boom-and-bust cycle it has been persistently prone to, for nearly seven decades in the running. It was 35 years ago, in 1991, when we last grew the slowest among our Asean peers (other than in abnormal post-crisis rebounds).

It’s not just about GDP growth. We now also have the fastest price increases, with our 6.8 per-

The tribunal also found that none of the naturally formed hightide features in the Spratly Islands could generate a 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone. It determined that Mischief Reef and Second Thomas Shoal are low-tide elevations within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone and continental shelf. At Scarborough Shoal, it did not decide sovereignty, but recognized traditional fishing rights enjoyed by Filipino and other fishermen.

It further found that China had breached specified obligations under UNCLOS by interfering with Philippine sovereign rights, failing to prevent harmful harvesting and causing coral reef damage through land reclamation and construction.

China did not formally participate and continues to reject the award. Under UNCLOS, however, the decision is final and binding on the parties. Its practical value depends on diplomacy, national capacity and consistent policy.

For Filipinos, the sea is not abstract. It is food in public markets, income for coastal families and

Arbitral Award: A path to peace, not conflict

implemented its rights and obligations under the Convention in good faith.” The filing of the case in January 2013 was a message to the global community that the Philippines has chosen to take the path of law to protect its maritime territory in a peaceful manner. Looking around the room during the commemorative occasion, I was reminded that it was not simply a Philippine event. It was an affirmation by the international community that respect for international law remains the cornerstone of peace and stability. Certainly, the gathering reflected a shared belief that rules – not power alone – must guide relations among nations.

At a commemorative conference led by the Department of Foreign Affairs in Pasay City the other day, Secretary Tess Lazaro told guests that the gathering was “not merely to look back at a page in history” but to “look forward, bound by a fundamental, enduring truth: that the rule of law is, and must always remain, the ultimate guarantor of global peace.”

To be clear, the 2016 Arbitral Award was never about humiliating another country or de-

claring winners and losers. The ruling demonstrated that even the most difficult disputes can be brought before an impartial tribunal within the framework of UNCLOS. It reinforced the principle that competing maritime claims and disagreements of member-states over the interpretation of maritime laws should be addressed peacefully through established legal mechanisms. That lesson has become even more relevant today. Around the world, vital waterways continue to be affected by geopolitical tensions. The war in the Middle East and the consequent situation in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most vital maritime chokepoints, is a vivid example of this reality. Nearly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply passes through this narrow corridor. And whenever tensions rise, energy prices react instantaneously, shipping costs increase, inflation follows, causing global markets to become uncertain and unsettled. The consequences are felt not only in the Middle East but all across Asia, Europe and the Americas. The same principle applies in the Indo-Pacific. Freedom of u PAGE 7

From boom to bust, again

cent May inflation rate topping that of our Asean peers. We also have the worst unemployment rate at 5.3 percent as of Q12026. On all my three “PiTiK” yardsticks of economic health (for presyo, trabaho, and kita), we’re now the worst performer in the neighborhood. While it’s due to a combination of external and internal stresses, it’s more of the latter. We seem to be our own worst enemy, with much of our economic wounds being self-inflicted, hence could have possibly been avoided.

The detailed numbers tell the story. While the Iran War’s disruption of the world economy offers a ready explanation for our troubles, we were already moving downhill well before that. Price increases began speeding up (i.e., the inflation rate began climbing) late last year, driven by food prices that surged due to reduced supplies from typhoon-related crop damage and higher input costs. Domestic rice (palay) production indeed fell by 5.2 and 6.3 percent, respectively, in Q4 last year and Q1 this year.

work for crews, traders and vendors. When access becomes uncertain, the consequences reach the boat owner repaying a loan, the crew returning with a smaller catch and the family waiting for someone to come home safely.

The Philippines has taken meaningful steps.

The Maritime Zones Act and the Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act, enacted in 2024, strengthened the

SO instead of independence being the culmination of a period of national solidarity, in our case it was one that came as a kind of anticlimax. Nowhere else in our part of the world (not even in India, where the leaders of the independence movement spent the war years in jail) was national loyalty confused with loyalty to the colonial power—a dubious distinction, clear in its absurdity to the prewar political leadership but not to the broader public or the previously sidelined, who saw the war as an opportunity to supplant the monolithic political structure of the prewar years. The destruction of the country as the price of liberation, and the conditions imposed to secure rehabilitation, not only further soured public opinion, but also made the rhetoric surrounding independence seem hollow. Divided, discredited, and destitute, the political class could not and would not find ways to accommodate any challenges to it; all this meant that the first decade of independence was spent fighting a civil war in

domestic legal framework under UNCLOS. Executive Order No. 57 reorganized maritime coordination under the National Maritime Council and assigned the National Maritime Center responsibilities for information-sharing, surveillance coordination and documentation.

Central Luzon, and it wasn’t until the mid- to late ’50s, and briefly, that national solidarity returned. Manuel Roxas and Ramon Magsaysay could likely have achieved the reunification of the prewar factions, but their deaths in both cases closed off the opportunity. Recent scholarship by Lisandro Claudio also suggests that the entire economic project of the period was anchored on the wrong assumptions—of having to prove to the old colonial masters that Filipinos could be thrifty and loyal to Washington’s policy formulations, which were skeptical of industrialization—when our neighbors did the exact opposite in defiance of the “experts,” with Park Chung-hee being a famous example. It hasn’t helped that since a premium is put on appearances, understanding that the substance is different isn’t acknowledged even by our fellow Filipinos. The democracy that had emerged prior to World War II would be more familiar to many of our neighbors then and now than to Filipinos today, who only look, if they look back, to surface similarities with the West. It had become ingrained enough that its instincts—to belong to a monolithic party with little independence from a coalition leader—have

remained, even as these instincts repeatedly collide with a public conditioned into believing its understanding of democracy is shared by the leaders it elects. Hence what I have come to call the “Three Old” and the “Three New.” The Three Old are our political inheritance from the Long Republic from 1935 to 1973 and are a bandwagon democracy, a plebiscitary democracy, and a partyless democracy. A mandate is contested and earned by a coalition whose success is measured not just in votes but in the breadth of the coalition; a mandate is retained, and periodically refreshed, through a combination of actual elections (at the start, to choose an administration, and in midterms, to determine its continuing viability) and symbolic referenda, whether through public opinion or public rituals; and this is where the instincts of the political class dating to the colonial era are to belong to the majority regardless of who constitutes it. The Three New are the fruit of our having become a middle-class Republic in the 1950s, with the reentry of the Catholic Church into political life and its cultivation of civil society. These are that since 1987 (and fou PAGE 7

On the jobs front, after unemployment reached a historical record low of 3.1 percent in June and December of 2024, it rose again last year, especially in the second half, averaging 4.6 percent in Q4, then worsening further to 5.3 percent last quarter. What particularly worries me is that jobs in the agriculture, fisheries, and forestry sectors have continuously declined over the last two years and fell consistently and significantly in the last seven consecutive months. This continuing slide in the sector that is the very backbone of our economy must be arrested. Yet the quantity of jobs tells only half the story. The other disturbing development is in the quality of jobs: as of last year, over half (50.4 percent) of jobless Filipinos had actually gone to college, of which 38.2 percent were graduates (see “Our educated jobless,” No Free Lunch, 2/11/25). These figures remained high at 45 and 34 percent as of last April, respectively, with college-educated workers remaiu PAGE 7

TO look at a student activist standing on a university bench, megaphone in hand, is to look at the very engine of Philippine progress. Historically, our nation’s turning points have been written by the young, the idealistic and the impatient. But today, a quieter, more insidious battle is being fought over these very minds – one where the primary weapon is not the rifle, but the dictionary.

In contemporary national security vocabulary, “terror grooming” has emerged as the definitive term for how underground movements recruit the youth. To the state, it is a clinical diagnosis of manipulation. To progressive groups, it is a dangerous, weaponized label designed to muzzle dissent. But beyond the political crossfire lies a deeply sophisticated linguistic pipeline that systematically transforms youthful empathy into armed militancy.

But when we take into consideration the glossary of radicalization, the journey from a comfortable classroom in Manila to an armed encounter in the mountains of Luzon or Samar does not happen overnight. It begins with the deliberate hijacking of universally noble concepts. When recruiters call on students to “serve the people,” they tap into a profound, healthy desire to do good. It is a beautiful sentiment. But in the dictionary principles of the underground, “serving” is gradually and systematically redefined. It shifts from community feeding programs to “immersion” trips (exposure) and finally, to the “armed struggle.” This ancient art of verbal inversion – of hiding destructive intent behind a facade of virtue – recalls a sobering warning from Scripture: “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.” (Isaiah 5:20) The truth of the matter is, the linguistic translation for terms in the underground relatively translates to this: “armed strug-

gle” for violent rebellion, “tactical offensives” for deadly ambushes and worse, “martyrs of the people” to romanticize the PREVENTABLE loss of the lives of young people and turning the casualty into an occasion to further recruit the next batch of “martyrs.” By the time a young person realizes they are holding an automatic weapon in a lonely and isolated forest, the vocabulary of their daily life has already normalized it. They do not see themselves as lawbreakers; they have been taught to see themselves as the only legitimate arbiters of justice.

And what about the pain of the parents? I have heard one too many stories and it is heartbreaking. For parents, this is a slow-motion nightmare. It starts with small changes – sudden secrecy, a shifting vocabulary and a growing distance. Then comes the day the bedroom is left emp

ty, and the phone calls stop. Par

ents are left to navigate a cruel, living grief. They do not

if their child is

PH remittance growth stayed at 4-year low in May

by iAn nicolAs P. cigARAl

MANILA — Money sent home by overseas Filipinos continued to post modest growth in May, underscoring the vulnerability of remittance flows as tensions from the prolonged conflict in the Middle East threaten to disrupt the livelihoods of migrant workers.

Cash remittances sent through banks rose 2 percent from a year earlier to $2.7 billion, according to data released by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). The pace matched April’s increase, leaving remittance growth at its slowest in four years.

In the first five months of the year, cash remittances totaled $14.1 billion, up 2.5 percent from a year earlier. That, however, remained below the BSP’s downwardly revised forecast of 2.7-percent growth for full-year 2026.

“The May remittance data suggest that growth remains positive but may be losing some

PAGE 6

momentum,” Ruben Carlo Asuncion, chief economist at UnionBank of the Philippines, said.

“More importantly, the renewed risk of a US-Iran escalation raises the possibility that the impact on OFW employment and deployment in the Middle East could become more visible in the months ahead,” he added.

“While remittances remain resilient for now, we believe downside risks have increased and may not yet be fully reflected in the latest data.”

Jonathan Ravelas, senior adviser at Reyes Tacandong & Co., said the continued growth of remittances despite the turmoil in the Middle East was “encouraging.”

“This reflects the diversification of Filipino workers across different regions and the strong culture of family support among OFWs,” Ravelas said.

“Historically, periods of uncertainty often lead overseas Filipinos to prioritize household financial security back home,” he added.

The United States remained the largest source of remittances, accounting for 39.4 percent of total inflows based on reported origin. The BSP, however, noted that the figure largely reflects the location of correspondent and remitting banks, many of which are based in the United States.

Singapore accounted for 7.4 percent of total remittances, followed by Saudi Arabia with 6.4 percent.

Looking ahead, John Paolo Rivera, senior research fellow at the Philippine Institute for Development Studies, said remittances may remain broadly resilient for the rest of the year, although growth may stay moderate given global uncertainties.

“Key risks include a prolonged geopolitical conflict, slower global growth, and persistent inflation in host economies,” he said. “Nevertheless, remittances should continue to provide important support to domestic consumption, the peso, and the country’s external accounts.” n

From boom to bust, again...

ning the largest segment of our unemployed. These job market weaknesses have been with us well before external geopolitical pressures heightened with the Iran War.

But it’s on the incomes and production front, i.e., the GDP slowdown, where lies our biggest challenge. There are three key observations worth noting. First, while the flood control corruption scandal triggered the economy’s dramatic slowdown, public construction spending was already declining even before the scandal broke out. President Marcos brought the scandal out in the open with his State of the Nation Address in late July (in Q3), but government construction already fell by a hefty 8.2 percent even in Q2 last year. Then it plummeted to -25.9 percent in Q3, and an even deeper, to -35.8 percent in Q4.

Second, fixed capital formati-

PAGE 6

on, or overall fixed investments that create jobs, had already been slowing down consistently since 2021, after the country emerged from the pandemic recession. From a rebounding surge of 9.9 percent in 2021, it softened every year thereafter down to 6.3 percent by 2024, then barely grew at 0.8 percent last year, weighed down by the deep dive in government construction. This continued its steep drop (by 31.5 percent) into Q1-2026, and has now pulled overall fixed capital formation to actually fall, at -2.7 percent. This should worry us because investment spending, which builds future productive capacity, should ideally be driving our economy’s growth rather than one-off consumption, which has always prominently been our economy’s growth driver. But even this has also slowed down to only 3 percent from previous rates exceeding 5 percent.

The third observation is a ray of good news: our exports growth of 7.8 percent has defied both a global trade slowdown induced by the Trump tariffs and our overall economy’s drastic slowdown. Our export growth far outpaces the overall economy’s 2.8 percent growth, and is driven by goods exports (rather than services exports like business process outsourcing, which has slowed down). This signals world market opportunities for our production sectors, where much of our homework should now focus.

The bright side to it all is that we now have nowhere to go but up. (Inquirer.net)

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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: cielito.habito@gmail.com

The battle for the Filipino youth...

mare to experience the horror of every knock on the door or latenight phone call that can potentially carry a paralyzing dread of news about your child. The ultimate devastation arrives when a mother and father – who sacrificed everything to send their child to a prestigious university, dreaming of a bright professional future – receive that child back in a wooden casket, returned from a remote encounter they had no part in.

The hope, however, is in knowing that some members of Congress are now trying to do something about this problem.

HB 7204 introduced by Rep. Alexander Pimentel as “The Terror Grooming Prevention Act” is being proposed and hopefully, this will be implemented sooner rather than later in order to allow the government to intervene early, protect the youth and prevent them from being used in armed conflict.

But it is important to note that the first line of defense lies in the local officials. National legislation is only as strong as its local execution. The true, daily frontline of this battle is not found in the halls of Congress, but in our barangay halls and municipal offices. Local government officials have a binding,

ethical duty to act as the primary shield for their young constituents. Barangay captains, mayors and provincial leaders cannot afford to be passive observers. They are the ones who intimately know the families, the local disputes and the vulnerabilities of their communities.

For the administration, passing the Terror Grooming Prevention Act is framed as a duty of care – a way to stop handlers from exploiting minors before they end up in body bags. But the challenge for our legislators is to possess the maturity to hold two truths at once: we must fiercely protect our children from being manipulated into violent conflicts and we must just as fiercely protect their constitutional right to be angry, to protest and to demand a better country.

Our youth do not belong to the state nor do they belong to the underground. They belong to their futures, to their families and to a nation that desperately needs their brilliance alive – not immortalized on a revolutionary poster.

We must build a Philippines where a young person can cry out for justice and be met with a listening ear and a functional system, rather than a closed fist or a deceptive whisper from the

shadows.

We must build a country where a young person’s fierce desire to change the world is met with a shovel to build, a book to teach and a safe path to lead. The most truly revolutionary act we can perform as a nation is to ensure that our children actually survive to inherit the very justice they so bravely seek.

We must build a Philippines where our children’s fierce passion to serve is met with open paths rather than quiet dangers, guiding them toward a future they can actively and safely build.

The truest victory we can offer our land is a home where every young dreamer is cherished, where the sacrifices of hardworking parents are honored, and their children’s brilliant dreams are allowed to safely bloom. Let us protect the sacred bond of the Filipino family, ensuring that the legacy we pass down is not a legacy of grief, but a legacy of shared promise, thriving communities and where every family dinner table remains complete. (Philstar.com)

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

The Arbitral Ruling must shape policy...

PAGE 6

assistance for participating fishermen. These measures matter, but they should be judged by results.

The first obligation is a sustained, professional civilian presence. Coast Guard and fisheries operations should not expand only after confrontations or anniversaries. Vessels require maintenance, fuel, trained crews, secure communications and predictable funding. Personnel need rules that protect life, preserve evidence and reduce miscalculation.

Restraint is not surrender. Professional seamanship and disciplined communication can defend Philippine rights more effectively than heated language unsupported by capability.

Fishing communities must be treated as citizens with economic and safety needs, not merely as symbols of national resolve.

Beyond fuel and ice, fishermen need weather information, communications, tracking, insurance, rescue capacity and stable markets. They should not carry national policy in small boats while decisions are made safely on land. Environmental protection deserves equal attention. Coral

reefs, spawning grounds and fish stocks are living resources, not merely evidence in a territorial argument. Defending jurisdiction while allowing the marine environment to deteriorate would leave future generations with a legal victory over depleted waters.

Documentation must be systematic and credible. Photographs and videos can explain incidents, but official disclosure should inform rather than inflame. Records should include verified coordinates, time stamps, vessel identification and secure preservation of original material.

International partnerships can provide vessels, radar, training and expertise. Such cooperation should strengthen Philippine capacity rather than substitute for it. Maritime policy must remain Philippine-led and guided by the country’s security and economic interests.

None of this requires hostility toward China. The dispute concerns maritime rights and official conduct, not Chinese people or Filipino Chinese communities. Diplomatic channels, crisis communications, fisheries discussions and ASEAN negotiations should remain open.

Marcos expands cash aid to 7.5 million households amid high inflation

by AJPress

MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has expanded government cash assistance to an estimated 7.5 million households as rising food, fuel and transportation costs continue to pressure low-income families.

The assistance will be distributed under the Unified Package for Livelihood, Industry, Food and Transport, or UPLIFT, the government’s coordinated response to energy and economic disruptions linked to the conflict in the Middle East.

About 3.5 million beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, or 4Ps, and the Walang Gutom Program will receive a one-time additional payment of up to P2,000, Malacañang said.

Another 2.5 million poor and near-poor households identified through the government’s 2024 Community-Based Monitoring System will receive P2,000 a month from July through December. The same monthly assistance will be provided to about 1.5 million low-income workers and their families whose records have been verified by the Social Security System. Taken together, the three groups represent about 37.5 million Filipinos, based on the government’s estimate of five people per household.

Palace Press Officer Claire

Castro said the Department of Budget and Management had released P12.375 billion for the expanded program. Officials did not provide a detailed funding breakdown or say whether the amount represented the full cost of the assistance or an initial release. Payments are expected to be made through digital channels to speed distribution and reduce the need for beneficiaries to travel to government offices or designated payout centers.

Detailed guidelines covering payment dates, notification procedures, documentation and the handling of beneficiaries appearing in more than one government database had not been publicly released at the time of the announcement. The Community-Based Monitoring System gathers household-level information used by national and local governments to identify vulnerable communities and plan social-protection programs. The 2024 data collection included information on household income, employment, food security, transportation, financial access and participation in government assistance programs.

UPLIFT was authorized under Executive Order No. 110, which Marcos signed on March 24 after declaring a national energy emergency. The order established a government-wide

response covering fuel and food supplies, public transportation, livelihoods and assistance for vulnerable sectors. It also directed agencies to provide support to affected transport workers, farmers and fisherfolk, maintain essential services and act against hoarding, profiteering and other practices that could disrupt supplies or drive prices higher. The emergency declaration is effective for one year unless extended or lifted earlier by the president.

The expanded assistance comes as inflation remains elevated. The Philippine Statistics Authority reported that headline inflation eased to 6.4 percent in June from 6.8 percent in May but remained sharply higher than the 1.4 percent recorded in June 2025.

Food and nonalcoholic beverages, housing and utilities, and transportation were the largest contributors to the June inflation rate. Transport prices rose 12.8 percent from a year earlier, while the index covering housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels increased 8 percent.

The program relies primarily on existing government beneficiary and employment databases rather than a new application process. Its rollout will depend on how quickly agencies verify records, identify overlapping entries and provide clear instructions to qualified households. n

Forty and forty...

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reshadowed in 1957), we have a minority presidency, an unchangeable Constitution, and the substitution of families and fandoms for political parties. We continue to have vast expectations of presidents but deny them the foundation of their power, a majority mandate; we are increasingly disappointed with, and even despairing of the system achieving any lasting change, when we cannot even change the rules of the game despite the clear shortcomings of the system; and we are moving backward in terms of political organization when the times call for modernity and not a return to premodern ways of organizing.

The fruit of 1986 was the 1987 Constitution, which anchored itself on a threefold vision: to

channel people power into reinvigorated institutions; to make accountability more accessible, in large part by limiting the executive’s prerogatives; and to institute an activist judiciary to uphold rights. The first failed, the second has created a gulf between the traditional expectations of responsibility, which cannot be fulfilled for lack of authority, and the last has made the first happen and continued to undermine the second (for example on rulings on budgetary processes making governance even more difficult).

Dialogue is not the opposite of firmness. Philippine policy becomes more credible when it is stable, lawful and able to survive changes of administration. The award is not the property of one president or political faction. It is a legal asset of the Republic.

The government should publish a measurable annual account of implementation: capabilities added, missions completed, fishermen assisted, incidents documented, environmental assessments conducted and public funds spent. Sensitive operational details can remain protected, but performance should be open to scrutiny.

The Philippines does not have to choose between protecting its rights and maintaining a workable relationship with China. A mature policy should do both: uphold the law without bravado, sustain dialogue without erasing legitimate differences and translate a courtroom victory into safer waters, stronger institutions and greater security for Filipinos who depend on the sea.

That is the proper measure of the arbitral award after ten years, not how forcefully it is praised each July, but whether it shapes national policy every day. (AJPress)

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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

Forty years, then, were spent seeing the collapse of a system unable to be itself, where we adopted a national attitude of victimhood to excuse ourselves from having to look too closely at ourselves. This was followed by 40 years of insisting on magical thinking to paper over the almost immediately exposed shortcomings of our experiment in a newly restored democracy. The republic at 80 is one where, at last, the period of decay and decline where something has to take its place, just as the 40 years from the ’30s to the ’70s led to a dictatorial experiment. We must ask ourselves what kind of experiment comes next, at the end of our current 40-year fall of the Fifth Republic. (Inquirer.net)

Arbitral Award: A path to peace...

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navigation and secure sea lanes are essential to global commerce. Every nation, whether large or small, ultimately benefits when maritime disputes are managed peacefully and in accordance with international law.

The Arbitral Award therefore offers a broader template. While each dispute has unique facts, the underlying principle is universal: dialogue, diplomacy and impartial legal processes provide a far better path than confrontation. The Philippines has consistently maintained that adherence to UNCLOS strengthens stability, encourages responsible conduct and reduces the danger of miscalculation.

As ASEAN chair, the Philippines is well positioned to champion these principles. ASEAN has long supported peaceful settlement of disputes and a rules-based regional order, and the Arbitral Award complements these aspirations by demonstrating that law can be an effective instrument for managing complex maritime issues.

Let’s not also forget the compelling economic dimension – investors seek stability, and businesses expand where the

rule of law prevails. Manufacturers, insurers and shipping companies depend on open sea lanes. Every unnecessary confrontation therefore imposes additional costs that ultimately fall on ordinary citizens due to higher prices, disrupted supply chains and slower growth. As I have often said, economic security and national security are inseparable. The award is also a reminder to smaller and middle powers that international law gives every nation a voice. There may be great disparity between nations in terms of military strength or economic influence, but legal principles establish standards that apply equally to all. Here in Washington, conversations after our embassy commemoration reflected quiet optimism. Many guests are of the opinion that while disagreements among nations are inevitable, conflict is not. They also expressed hope that the discipline of diplomacy and the authority of international law will continue to prevail over coercion. History has shown us that wars are costly, but history also teaches that wise diplomacy can

prevent conflict. The global community has every reason to support peaceful legal mechanisms that reduce tensions before they escalate into crises. The Arbitral Award reminds us that justice and stability are mutually reinforcing, not mutually exclusive. The Strait of Hormuz offers a timely reminder of what is at stake. When strategic waterways become flashpoints, the entire world pays the price. When nations choose dialogue over confrontation, everyone benefits.

Ten years after the Arbitral Award, its greatest legacy is not merely what it resolved for the Philippines. Its greater contribution is the example it offers humanity – that even the most difficult disputes need not be settled by intimidation or conflict. The rule of law remains far less costly than the price of war, and peace still remains the strongest foundation for prosperity. (Philstar.com)

Philippines urged to diversify economic base as AI threatens BPOs

by RenAlyn RAmiRez Philstar.com

MANILA — The Philippines' next test may come from the industry that helped power its rise: call centers and business process outsourcing.

As artificial intelligence threatens to disrupt jobs in the sector, global management consulting firm Kearney said the country's new upper-middle-income status should push the government and businesses to build more engines of growth, from manufacturing to tourism, and invest in the infrastructure needed to support them.

Among the risks cited by Kearney Philippines country head Marco de la Rosa and Southeast Asia managing partner Varun Arora is AI's impact on call centers and the business process outsourcing industry, one of the country's major economic drivers. In 2023, Kearney said up to 100,000 jobs in the Philippines could become obsolete because of AI, which it said was already affecting financial institutions

and telecommunications.

While AI is feared to disrupt many industries globally, the Philippines has more at stake than most countries. The BPO sector has become of its largest sources of jobs and foreign exchange, generating $38 billion in revenue and employing 1.82 million workers in 2024. The industry has also helped absorb college-educated workers and anchor office demand in major urban areas.

De la Rosa said such risk makes infrastructure investment more urgent, especially if the Philippines needs to build up industries beyond BPOs.

"So, if we need to diversify away from contact centers and BPOs, and we need to look into other industries, be it manufacturing or tourism, all of those things require good, stable, strong and scalable infrastructure," De la Rosa said in a Philstar.com interview. Infrastructure is important on its own, but it becomes even more critical for a country trying to broaden where growth comes

from.

Preparing for shocks

Arora said governments and companies also need to prepare for more "black swan events," or unpredictable shocks with serious consequences, especially those tied to technology.

"What if these black swan events happen? Then what will we do? So let's say there is, and I'm not saying just Philippines, but let's say there is a massive cybersecurity incident which happens that can rattle an economy," Arora told Philstar.com in the same interview.

Arora said these uncertainties are unlikely to disappear soon, and foreign investors will increasingly look at whether markets have enough resilience and options to absorb disruption.

"The uncertainties created by AI and technology and the risk of job losses, as well as the risk of technology disruptions, cyberattack or technology breakdown or AI going wrong, those uncertainties are very high for companies right now," Arora said.  n

World Bank lending program for Philippines intact despite UMIC upgrade

by louellA desideRio Philstar.com

MANILA — The country’s recent ascent to upper-middle income country (UMIC) status will not affect the World Bank’s lending program for the Philippines.

The multilateral lender said the income upgrade is also expected to encourage foreign investments into the Philippines.

“From the World Bank perspective, moving to upper-middle income country will not affect our program. Our lending will not change. Our program will remain the same,” World Bank division director for the Philippines Zafer Mustafaoglu said in an interview with “Money Talks” aired over One News yesterday.

Under its country partnership framework for the Philippines for 2025 to 2031, the World Bank aims to improve Filipinos’ quality of life by expanding opportunities and strengthening resilience.

The framework focuses on protection for the poor, education, health, job creation, resilience, digital connectivity and encouraging private investment.

With the Philippines’ recent entry into the upper-middle income grouping, Mustafaoglu said the World Bank would be focusing on supporting the country’s reform measures.

‘Upper-middle income country status is a milestone, but it’s not the end. It is important to continue focusing on key reform areas, key bottlenecks to overcome and continue supporting the country,” he said.

He said that the World Bank would continue to support the Philippines in terms of infrastructure, addressing learning gaps, health, as well as digitalization.

He also said that the World Bank is focused on helping the Philippines mitigate the impact of the Middle East crisis, particularly on the poor.

While the upper-middle income status is expected to en-

courage foreign investments to the country, he also said that creating a good business environment is important.

“When I look at the Philippines, opening a firm is still a challenge. It takes 75 days in the Philippines compared to one to three days in neighboring countries,” he said.

He said the opening of businesses is very important for job creation and for economic growth.

While Philippine economic growth slowed to 2.8 percent in the first quarter, the World Bank expects the economy to recover after this year.

Mustafaoglu said that the World Bank expects the economy to post an average growth of around 5.5 percent in 2027 and 2028.

Earlier, the World Bank said it expects the Philippine economy to grow by 3.7 percent this year, within the government’s revised 3.5 to 4.5 percent growth target for this year. The economy grew by 4.4 percent in 2025. n

SC

dismisses

petition vs Escudero,

Comelec

unit over campaign donations

Roundtable with U.S. Trade and Development Agency Head Tom Hardy

THOMAS “Tom” R. Hardy, acting head of the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA), recently held a roundtable with foreign press members in Washington, D.C., moderated by Zafar Hashemi.

Hardy leads USTDA’s efforts to advance high-quality infrastructure projects that strengthen U.S. national security, create export opportunities for American goods and services, and support U.S. jobs.

He outlined the agency’s “America First” approach to infrastructure development and foreign assistance in emerging markets.

“USTDA is foreign assistance with a purpose,” Hardy said. Its mission, he explained, is to support development in partner countries while advancing U.S. national security, strategic and trade interests.

USTDA’s early-stage project assistance helps partner countries implement major infrastructure projects while positioning American companies to supply trusted technologies and solutions.

Hardy said the Luzon Economic Corridor is driving USTDA’s current program in the Philippines.

“USTDA is financing the design for the Subic-Clark-Batangas Railway,” he said. The agency is also examining investments at Subic Bay and in port infrastructure upgrades.

He said these efforts support Philippine economic security while advancing U.S. national security and broader regional stability.

USTDA has worked closely with the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command in Hawaii to identify commercial infrastructure investments that could strengthen the Philippine economy. Possible projects include the energy and port sectors, with USTDA providing seed capital to attract private funding.

Hardy also cited digital-sector projects with PLDT on network expansion and with the Department of Information and Communications Technology and the

Philippine government on broadband coverage.

He said the Philippines is seeking trusted digital vendors and that USTDA supports American companies such as Cisco and Microsoft over Huawei, ZTE and other providers the U.S. government considers potential security risks.

He described the agency’s work in Subic Bay as an economic and national security priority in the region.

Eat Bulaga’s “Age Is Right” Staffer Earns Praise

I got to know Rovi Bernardino Padilla through beauty queen Catherine Muguerza, who appeared on the TV5 noontime show Eat Bulaga in its “Age Is Right” segment. When Catherine called me in May 2026, I was attending a film and theater workshop conducted by the PhilStagers in Manila. I could not leave to attend an afternoon taping at TV5. I informed Rovi, and he readily understood. Rovi contacted me again in July 2026. I have heard many good things about this Eat Bulaga staffer.

Jayson Tan thanked Rovi, writing that he was “the main reason why I was chosen to be a part of this show. Thank you so much for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

Others who thanked him included indie actor Benjie Belena; Ilonggo singer-songwriter Aleck Calata; Cebuano dancer-choreographer Abigail Abion Padilla; veteran radio talent Tina Loy; character actor and stuntman Charlie Panopio; TV host Zeyzey Bolima;

signboard maker Nelson Infante Pano; and beauty queen Angelica Mae Diez.

10th Anniversary of the Philippines’ Arbitral Victory in the West Philippine Sea

Members of fisherfolk communities joined supporters who gathered July 12 at the tomb of former President Benigno Simeon Aquino III to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Philippines’ landmark arbitral victory in the West Philippine Sea.

Those present included Kiko Aquino Dee, Lorenzo Tañada, Kim Henares, Dr. Patricia Licuanan, Teresita Deles, Volt Bohol, fisherfolk leader Restituto del Rosario, fishermen Rey Miranda and Tirso Atiga, Ramon Balang and Brainard “Jojo” Roxas.

Members of the Liberal Party of the Philippines, the August Twenty One Movement and the Ninoy and Cory Aquino Foundation also attended. They paid tribute to Aquino’s leadership in pursuing the arbitration administered by the Permanent Court of Arbitration and defending the country’s sovereign rights under international law.

The Mass was presided over by the Rev. Fr. Joseph Patrick Echevarria, SJ, who had been assigned to Loyola College of Culion in Palawan and lived among fishing communities affected by China’s activities in Philippine waters.

“Violet” Selected for International Tagore Film Awards

The short film “Violet” has been officially selected for the 2026 International Tagore Film Awards in Kolkata, India.

“We are grateful that our story continues to reach audiences beyond borders, sparking conversations on issues that matter and giving voice to stories that deserve to be heard,” said writer-director PX Ilano.

The film stars Elia Ilano, Ataska, Kian Co, Randy T. Dela Cruz, Malou Naredo Canzana and JJ Cillo. It was written and directed by Paulo Xavier Ilano, with Nelson Villamayor serving as editor and director of photography.

It was produced by Wereldwijd voor Kinderen, State of Youth Manila and KidsRights Foundation, an NGO accredited by the United Nations Economic and Social Council.

“Violet” is an official grantee of the International Children’s Peace Prize 2026 Project Theme Fund, whose theme is “Peace and Education.”

Boy Gozum Pays Tribute to His Parents

Photographer and artist Rafael “Boy” Gozum recently paid tribute to his parents, Rafael Sr. and Marciana.

On July 24, he will hold a group exhibition featuring 80 artists in honor of his late father, former Mayor Rafael Gozum Sr., at the family mansion’s museum in Cabatuan, Isabela.

For more information, email rafaelgozumjr22@gmail.com

Court (SC) has dismissed a petition filed against Sen. Francis Escudero and the Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) Political Finance and Affairs Department (PFAD) over campaign donations he received for his 2022 senatorial bid.

Comelec chairperson George Erwin Garcia shared the notice of the resolution to reporters on Friday. The document was received by the PFAD on the same day.

“The Court resolved to DISMISS the Petition for Review dated December 23, 2025, filed by the petitioner, for being the wrong remedy,” the resolution issued by SC En Banc dated June 3, 2026, read.

The petition by private citizen John Barry Tayam stemmed from the resolution of PFAD to terminate its investigation into the case of Escudero, citing a lack of evidence to support a complaint that the senator and Lawrene Lubiano, president of Centerways Construction and Development Inc. violated the Section 95 of the Omnibus Election Code (OEC). PFAD is responsible for reviewing and assessing the statements of contribution and expenditures of poll candidates.

Escudero earlier confirmed that he received a P30 million donation from Lubiano for his senatorial bid, however, he clarified that he did not help the firm secure major flood control projects. The firm was one of the 15 contractors revealed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to be awarded most of the flood control projects in the country.

Section 95(c) of the OEC states that “[n]o contribution for purposes of partisan political activ-

ity shall be made directly or indirectly by any of the following: (c) natural and juridical persons who hold contracts or subcontracts to supply the government or any of its divisions, subdivisions, or instrumentalities with goods or services, or to perform construction or other works.”

The last part of the Section 95 also states that “[i]t shall be unlawful for any person to solicit or receive any contribution from any of the persons or entities enumerated herein.”

PFAD ruled that stock or nonstock corporations are “treated as separate and distinct legal entities from the natural persons composing them.” It added that Lubiano is a “separate legal personality” of his own despite being the firm’s president.

“There is no evidence establishing that the funds used in the contribution originated from Centerways, or that its corporate money crept into campaign funds of respondent Escudero through the contribution made by respondent Lubiano,” the PFAD said in its decision.

With this, Tayam said that he believes that “Lubiano is Centerways, Centerways is Lubiano.”

“Hindi pwedeng sabihing personal capacity, ang tagal na nyang contractor. It’s a matter of technicalities kaya kailangan ng tulong ng Korte Suprema,” he said in an ambush interview upon filing the petition.

(We can’t say that it’s personal capacity; he’s been a contractor for a long time. It’s a matter of technicalities; that’s why Supreme Court’s help is needed.)

When sought for a reaction to the SC resolution, Escudero’s camp said: “No comment.”  n

Financial resilience after disasters sought

MANILA — As they confront disaster-related problems, countries should develop strong institutions and mobilize key stakeholders to achieve financial resilience, an adviser to an intergovernmental policy forum said. Countries are facing growing challenges from disasters, said Stephane Jacobzone, senior adviser for the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)’s public governance directorate.

“Sound public financial management, strong institutions, coordination between national and local levels and transparent

reporting on results – these are what it takes to deliver for communities,” Jacobzone said. Representatives from the government, development partners, private sector, academe and civil society convened from July 13 to 16 for the OECD’s mission. Christina Frasco, presidential adviser for sustainable and resilient communities, said advancing sustainable and resilient communities “is among President Marcos’ foremost priorities.” Held under a European Union-funded project, the mission provides a platform for experts to exchange experiences and enumerate practical approaches to enhance resilience and sustainable development. n

Angel Locsin questions Robin Padilla over silence on red-tagging after communist remark

by Jan milo Severo Philstar.com

MANILA — Actress Angel Locsin has publicly called on Sen. Robin Padilla to wake up, expressing disappointment over what she described as the lawmaker's changing political positions while recalling their past friendship.

In a Facebook post addressed to Robin, whom she referred to as "Kuya," Angel recalled the stories he used to share about his younger years.

"Nung mga panahong magkasama tayo, madalas mong ikwento yung panahon na namundok ka at nag-armas para ipaglaban ang bayan. Sabi mo pa nga, dinadalaw ka ng ex mo sa bundok," she said

She said Robin's remarks during the July 14 impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, in which he described himself as a communist, reminded her of the person she once knew and admired.

"Sa statement mo na to, kahit papaano, natuwa akong makita ulit yung dating Robin Padilla na nakilala ko. At least, honest ka ngayon, Kuya," she said. Angel also questioned Robin's silence when she was subjected to red-tagging, saying he knew the accusations against her were untrue.

"Ang tanong ko lang, nasaan ka nung panahong nirered-tag ako kahit alam mong hindi totoo? Actually, kasama mo pa nga at kachikahan yung mga nangrered-tag. Naghugas-kamay at pumikit sa katotohanan," Angel said.

The actress likewise questioned the senator's priorities as a public official, saying many Filipinos had supported him because they expected him to champion the interests of the Muslim community.

"Isa sa mga pinakamalaking dahilan kung bakit ka binoto ng maraming Pilipino ay dahil inasahan nilang magiging matapang kang boses para sa mga kapatid nating Muslim. Pero bakit parang mas ipinaglalaban mo pa si Quiboloy? Naniniwala ka ba talaga na siya ang 'appointed son of God'?" she said. Angel also expressed disappointment over Robin's stance on China, saying it was different from the patriotism she once admired in him.

"Isa ka sa pinaka-makabayang taong nakilala. Ikaw si Andres Bonifacio. Kaya nakakalungkot pag nakakabasa ako ng stand mo pagdating sa China. Hindi ito ang Robin Padilla na nakilala at hinangaan ko,” the

actress said. She went on to reflect on what she described as the similarities in their personal journeys, saying they both came from humble beginnings and owed their success to the Filipino people.

"Kahit paano, alam kong halos pareho tayong landas na dinaanan. Galing sa hirap, nagtrabaho ng maaga, tinangkilik at nakapagpasaya ng mga tao. Ang utang na loob natin ay sa ating diyos at sa lahat ng Pilipino — hindi lamang sa isang tao," the actress said.

Angel concluded her message with a direct appeal to the senator.

"Tama na, Kuya. Gising na. Hindi pa huli ang lahat," she said.

As of publication, Robin had not publicly responded to Angel's statement.

The two worked together in GMA's 2007 fantasy-adventure television series "Asian Treasures."

What happened before?

Angel has long been a target of red-tagging.

Former military officials repeatedly accused the actress of having links to communist groups, while former National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) spokesperson Lorraine Badoy frequently singled her out over her humanitarian work and advocacies, especially during the Duterte administration.

The actress consistently denied the allegations and publicly defended herself against the accusations.

Badoy, who has been outspoken on social media in accusing personalities she claims have links to communist groups, has yet to comment on Robin's remarks.

Katrina Halili gets emotional recalling her struggles as single mother

by Jan milo Severo Philstar.com

MANILA, Philippines — Actress Katrina Halili was moved to tears when she and fellow "StarStruck" alum Sheena Halili talked about her struggles as a single mother.

Katrina also opened up about the current state of her relationship with ex-partner Kris Lawrence, the father of her only child, Katie.

“Kumusta ka? Blooming ka,” Sheena told Katrina, which she answered, "Oh talaga?"

“Siguro kasi na-forgive mo na,” Sheena replied. Despite sharing the same surname, the two actresses are not related by blood.

“Ay, oo. The fact na kinakausap ko na siya, na-forgive na siya,” Katrina answered.

Katrina became emotional when she admitted that there were times when she felt guilty because she did not spend enough time with her daughter.

“Marami akong napapanaginipan last year. Nagso-sorry ako kay Katie. Wala akong time, ganyan,” Katrina said.

"Okay lang ‘yun. Ngayon lang tayo nagkita. Magkuwento ka na,” Sheena replied.

Katrina continued: “Kaya ko in-open na okay na kasi dati kapag nagkikita kami, nod lang ganu’n oh. Umaalis na ako. Hindi ko siya pinapansin.”

"Minsan nga umaalis pa tayo kapag parating na siya. ‘Tara na, tara na. Umalis na tayo,’” Sheena said. Kris recently admitted that he is now courting Ka-

Kris Lawrence and Katrina Halili Screenshot via Katrina Halili's Facebook trina again and is hoping for a second chance.

In an interview, Kris said that he will not waste the "second chance" that Katrina gave him, especially being Katie's father.

“I’m very, very grateful that she kept me in the decision that we’re co-parenting a hundred percent and everything is so beautiful right now. Napansin namin 'yung smile ni Katie, a big shift. Katie’s smile is so much better, it’s so genuine. It almost feels like she does not have autism. I believe it’s because the energy is all back and it’s all whole now," he said.

“Now she feels love from both parents. I’m there every single day. She sees that me and Kat are happy. The fact that me and Kat are happy, it trickles down to her and it makes her feel secured and loved. The magnitude is just phenomenal,” he added.

Singer Banig Roberto’s son joins

by gavin martinez Inquirer.net

NETFLIX’S “Avatar: The Last Airbender” intro-

duced a new face to fans, with Filipino Taiwanese child actor Jordan Roberto Chien portraying Young Zuko in the series’ second season.

He is the son of Filipina singer and International Star Search champion Josephine “Banig” Roberto.

Chien makes his first appearance in Episode 2, “A Fight, Once Begun,” where viewers are taken back to the Fire Nation prince’s childhood.

His portrayal centers on one of the most defining moments in Zuko’s early life as he witnesses the painful separation from his mother, Ursa – an event that helps explain the emotional scars and inner conflict that shape the character’s story.

Although the role marks Chien’s biggest acting project to date, the young performer is no stranger to the entertainment industry. Before joining the live-action adaptation, he had already appeared in campaigns for the Los Angeles Lakers, Disneyland and Mattel.  For Chien, however, the journey to becoming Young Zuko was every bit as memorable as appear

ing on screen. Reflecting on the experience through

the child actor described months of auditions, callbacks and anxious waiting before finally receiving the news that changed everything.

“I can’t even begin to tell you how incredible this journey was for me to be able to play Young Zuko.

From the very first audition, to the callbacks, to the director’s session and the nerve racking anticipation… but to finally receive the news that afternoon from my agent, it was hands-down one of the best days of my life.” His mother, Josephine Roberto, echoed that excitement in a social media post, saying their family’s involvement in the Avatar universe was something they never imagined would happen. “My excitement level is beyond words right now!” she wrote, describing the project as an experience that “my whole family and me as a mom is something we will forever cherish.” As a mother, she shared that watching from the sidelines and allowing him to thrive in his passion has been deeply rewarding, noting that while beginning a career at a young age is never easy, “when you love what you do, it becomes your playground!”

Bea Alonzo, Vincent Co wed in private Makati civil ceremony

by AJPress

MANILA — Actress Bea Alonzo and businessman Ferdinand Vincent Co were married July 13 in a private civil ceremony at Makati City Hall, with Makati Mayor Nancy Binay officiating.

The marriage became public the following day after Binay shared a photograph with the couple and offered her congratulations. Alonzo confirmed the wedding on July 15, posting a series of black-and-white images from the ceremony with the oneword caption, “Home.”

The photographs showed the newlyweds signing documents, exchanging rings and posing beside a small cake marked “Just Married.” Alonzo wore a structured white ensemble and carried a bouquet of white flowers, while Co wore a white Barong Tagalog. Alonzo later said she did her

own makeup and that a close friend took the photographs. The pared-down arrangements kept the ceremony largely outside public view.

Joey V. Garcia of GERA Law, Alonzo’s lawyer, said the wedding took place at about 7 p.m. He also confirmed that Alonzo and Co had signed a prenuptial agreement before the ceremony.

Garcia said the agreement was entered into freely and voluntarily and did not create any legal impediment to the marriage. Its terms remain private, and neither Alonzo nor Co has discussed them publicly.

The civil wedding followed months of public interest in the couple’s plans. In March, St. Peter the Apostle Parish in Manila published marriage banns bearing their legal names, formally signaling their intention to marry. The notice did not state when or

where the ceremony would take place.

Alonzo publicly acknowledged her relationship with Co in August 2025, saying she was happy while making clear that she wanted to keep much of her personal life private. The couple made only occasional public appearances and did not announce an engagement before the wedding.

Co, whose full name is Ferdinand Vincent P. Co, is president and a director of Puregold Price Club Inc., a publicly listed supermarket operator.

Alonzo is among the Philippines’ most established film and television actresses. Her credits include One More Chance, The Mistress and Four Sisters and a Wedding.

The couple has not announced whether the civil ceremony will be followed by religious rites or a larger reception.

HEALTH @HEART

Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS

THE SILENT killer of the 1970s, high blood pressure, is now replaced by Metabolic Syndrome, a cluster of three or more risk factors like abdominal obesity, high blood pressure, high triglycerides, abnormal lipids, and insulin resistance (pre-diabetes T2), which is actually a “pandemic” today, robbing us of our health and potential longevity.

“The syndrome feeds into the spread of diseases like type 2 diabetes, coronary diseases, stroke, and other disabilities. The total cost of the malady, including the cost of health care and loss of potential economic activity, is in trillions,” according to the US.. National Institute of Health.

Metabolic syndrome kills millions of people annually around the world by way of complications of type 2 diabetes, heart attack, stroke, and other metabolic illnesses. Metabolic Syndrome kills more people globally than all casualties from all wars in human

history.

Killing us “softly”

The expanding waistlines of Americans (and Filipinos) over the past several decades have been alarming, not only from the cosmetic/physical point of view but, more importantly, from their adverse impact on health and morbidity. and mortality.

The researchers from Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine at Florida Atlantic University, in an article posted in the Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology and Therapeutics, stated that “being overweight and obesity contribute to metabolic syndrome, which affects 1 in 3 adults and about 40 percent of adults aged 40 and older…that the risk factors are more than just the sum of their parts.”

Obesity is indeed surpassing tobacco as the pre-eminent preventable cause of early morbidity and premature deaths in the United States and globally.

The rule of thumb is that optimizing health requires a waistline of less than 40 in men and less than 35 in women, along with a healthy lifestyle: diet (foremost!), then exercise, abstinence from tobacco and alcohol, and stress management.

The authors of the study explain “that the visceral fat component of abdominal obesity leads not only to insulin resistance but also to the release of non-esterified free fatty acids from adipose tissues or body fat…the lipids then accumulate in other sites such as the liver and muscles, further predisposing individuals to greater insulin resistance and dyslipidemia, and adipose tissue may produce various adipokines that may separately impact insulin resistance and cardiovascular disease risk factors.”

Persons with metabolic syndrome are generally without symptoms and severely underdiagnosed and untreated, but have a 10-year risk of a first heart attack, according to the Framingham Risk score of 16 to 18 percent, which puts them in a higher risk category similar to those who already had a previous heart attack.

Various clinical studies have shown that even with a normal Body Mass Index (BMI), individuals with an expanding waistline from visceral fat could still have metabolic syndrome. Those who consume soft drinks of any kind, cola or uncola, diet or regular, caffeinated or not, have a higher risk

for the development of metabolic syndrome, especially children. Indeed, soft drinks are toxic to our bodies, to our DNA

As I have highlighted in the book Let’s Stop “Killing” Our Children, a healthy lifestyle and disease prevention, to be fully effective, must start in the womb, and dieting and discipline must begin in the crib to protect the children’s DNA. This pre-emptive and proactive strategy at the cellular/molecular level would exempt them from having the so-called “expected and normal diseases of aging,” like arthritis, high blood pressure, diabetes T2, heart diseases, stroke, Alzheimer’s, and even cancer. Indeed, these are preventable.

The pandemic of obesity, which began in childhood, has been increasing over the past century (1 billion worldwide today). The current generation of children (1 in 10 are obese, 1 in 5 are overweight) and adolescents (who eat more calories and unhealthy foods and who exercise less) will reach middle age with higher morbidity and mortality from metabolic and cardiovascular diseases, stroke, and cancer, worse than their parents’.

While colon cancer rates have been going down among the elderly (55 and older) since the

1980s, they are increasing among those in their 20s and 30s. This was the recent alarming finding of a US cancer registry, which reviewed nearly half a million colorectal cancers diagnosed between 1974 and 2013, published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute and in the March 1, 2017 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

The research shows that for colon cancer, a rate increase of 2.4 percent annually was noted for those in their 20s and 1.0 percent among those in their 30s. For rectal cancers, the yearly increase was even higher, 3.2 percent. This report revealed an alarming retrogression in our battle against colorectal cancers: “that young adults' colorectal cancer risk is now similar to that of adults born around 1890.”

The investigators pointed out that high obesity rates over the past several decades “may play a role in this generation. Obesity increases the risk for all types of cancers and cardiovascular diseases, like high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, and diabetes.

Diet and calories are major culprits.

Our lifestyle, which includes what and how much food we eat, where we exercise or not, and all our self-indulgences/abuses, contributes a lot to our state of health. Metabolic syndrome, especially obesity, and red meat and processed meat consumption all increase the risk for cancer. Neglecting regular medical/ dental check-up and recommended tests also increases our health risk.

Shedding off at least 5 pounds of our excess weight through disciplined caloric counting and walking exercise for about 20

Glaringly

IN THE balikbayan box industry, every shipment tells a story. Behind every box are the sacrificesof hardworking Filipinos abroad and the families in the Philippines who patiently wait for thelove, care, and support sent to them.

For LOGO Cargo, delivering balikbayan boxes is more than a business. It is a responsibilitybuilt on trust, service, and malasakit.

Under the leadership of CEO Joel P. Longares, LOGO Cargo continues to strengthen its missionof providing reliable, safe, and organized cargo services for Filipino families around the world. With years of experience in the industry, Mr. Longares remains committed to improving thewaybalikbayan boxes are handled, monitored, and delivered from abroad to the Philippines.

Through organized systems, dedicated manpower, warehouse operations, trucking support, andcontinuous customer assistance, LOGO Cargo works to make every shipment more secure andconvenient for its customers. From pickup to warehouse processing, container loading, tracking, and final delivery, the company focuses on giving families peace of mind.

But beyond logistics, LOGO Cargo is also known for its heart for service.

CEO Joel P. Longares has led the company with the belief that service must always come withcompassion. One of the reasons he chose to help with abandoned shipments is his deep concernfor Filipino families. He understands that every abandoned balikbayan box is not just a package, but

a symbol of sacrifice, love, and hope from hardworking Filipinos abroad.

This is reflected in LOGO Cargo’s continued efforts to help process and deliver abandonedbalikbayan boxes affected by issues with previous cargo providers. These efforts have givenhope to many families who feared that their long-awaited packages would never arrive. This mission requires time, manpower, resources, and dedication. Yet LOGO Cargo continues tostep forward because the company understands the emotional value of every balikbayan box. Each box represents love from overseas, hard work, and the desire to provide for family. With Mr. Longares at the helm, LOGO Cargo continues to grow not only as a cargo company, but also as a trusted partner of Filipino communities. His leadership reflects the company’s promise: to serve with honesty, deliver with care, and help families stay connected no matter thedistance. As LOGO Cargo continues to expand its cargo and money remittance services, its missionremains clear: to provide dependable service for every Filipino family and to carry every padalawith care, purpose, and malasakit.

LOGO Cargo — Your Padala, Fully Handled.

Olivia Rodrigo sets new career milestone as ‘The Cure’ stays No. 1

by gavin martinez Inquirer.net

FILIPINO American singer-songwriter Olivia Rodrigo adds another milestone to her growing list of chart achievements as “The Cure” continues its remarkable run on Billboard, while her latest album shows no signs of slowing down just weeks after its release.

The track has secured a sixth consecutive week at No. 1 on Billboard’s Alternative Streaming Songs chart, making it the longest-running leader of her career on the ranking. With the feat, “The Cure” overtakes the performance of her previous chart-topper, “Bad Idea Right?” giving her a new personal best on the streaming-focused tally. The song’s momentum extends far beyond a single chart. “The Cure” continues to rank among the top 10 on nearly every Billboard list where it appears, including the Hot Rock & Alternative Songs, Hot Alternative Songs, Streaming Songs and Billboard Global 200 charts. Rodrigo’s latest album, “You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love,” has also become a dominant force across Billboard’s streaming rankings. Eight songs

Photo from oliviarodrigo/Instagram from the project currently appear on the Alternative Streaming Songs chart, with five of them occupying spots inside the top 10. The record, which arrived just a month ago, has enjoyed an impressive launch. It debuted at No. 1 upon release and has continued to post strong streaming gains in the weeks that followed. Every one of its 13 tracks also entered the Billboard Hot 100. Rodrigo began introducing fans to the project before its release through the singles “Drop Dead” and “The Cure,” both of which helped build anticipation for her third studio album.

PH Embassy Marks 10th Anniversary of South China Sea Arbitral Award

THE PHILIPPINE Embassy in Washington, D.C., marked the 10th anniversary of the 2016 South China Sea arbitral award with a flag-raising ceremony.

During the program, the embassy read a statement from National Security Adviser Eduardo Oban Jr., highlighting the ruling’s importance in affirming the Philippines’ sovereign rights and lawful maritime entitlements in the West Philippine Sea. The July 12, 2016, decision was issued by an arbitral tribunal constituted under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. The full award and related documents are available through the Permanent Court of Arbitration’s official website for public review, reference and research.

Governments Reaffirm Support for 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award

THE PHILIPPINES and 13 partner governments

In

The governments said maritime disputes must be resolved peacefully and in accordance with UNCLOS. They described the award as final, legally binding and definitive between China and the Philippines regarding the maritime entitlements and claims addressed by the tribunal.

The statement reiterated the tribunal’s finding that China’s expansive South China Sea claims, including those based on “historic rights,” have no legal basis. It also emphasized freedom of navigation and overflight and other lawful uses of the sea. The signatories opposed de-

stabilizing or unilateral actions, including force or coercion, that threaten regional peace and stability. They also rejected the use of coast guard, military or maritime militia forces to harass, obstruct or intimidate lawful operations by other states, warning that such conduct endangers personnel and fishermen.

The governments urged the parties to abide by the 2016 award, resolve disputes through dialogue and lawful mechanisms, and support ASEAN’s vision of the South China Sea as a region of peace, stability, cooperation and prosperity sustained by lawful commerce.

This week’s Consulate Watch highlights three activities of the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco: the departure of travelers joining the 2026 Very Important Pinoy Tour, talks on responsible property investment for overseas Filipinos, and a Wyoming outreach mission that provided consular and voter-registration services to residents of four states.

Northern California travelers join 2026 VIP Tour

SEVENTEEN participants from Northern California and Colorado left for the Philippines on July 10, 2026, to join the 2026

Very Important Pinoy Tour, including several returning participants. Before departure, they attended a brief orientation and received final travel reminders and commemorative items. A total of 51 travelers from the San Francisco consular jurisdiction are participating this year. Others had departed earlier to begin separate itineraries. Organized by the Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Tourism, Philippine Foreign Service posts in the United States and Rajah Tours, the program has connected Filipino Americans with Philippine destinations, culture and heritage since 2005.

Real estate groups discuss safeguards for overseas

investors

Mayor Lurie, First Lady Prowda celebrate ‘One City Day’

Organizers said they will

CONSUL General Arnel G. Talisayon met representatives of the Real Estate Brokers Association of the Philippines (REBAP) and Landco Lifestyle Ventures in San Francisco on July 7, 2026, to discuss property investment opportunities for overseas Filipinos. Also attending were Consul Rowena Pangilinan-Daquipil, Trade Commissioner Anne Marie Kristine Umali and Economic Assistant Danica Vismonte. The delegation included Landco broker host Arlene Tadeo and Jennifer Cabuhat, REBAP Greenhills Chapter vice president for internal affairs and a REBAP coordinator with Landco. They presented the company’s tourism-oriented and mixed-use developments in the Philippines.

The discussion emphasized consumer education, ethical real estate practices and protection from fraudulent property transactions. The visitors proposed future community information sessions on property ownership, retirement planning and responsible investment. The consulate welcomed the proposal.

Wyoming outreach serves Filipinos across four states

CHEYENNE, Wyoming — A two-day consular outreach mission on June 27 and 28 processed 104 passport, dual citizenship, notarial and civil-registration services for Filipinos in Wyoming and applicants from Colorado, Montana and Nebraska. About 50 people also registered as overseas voters or updated their records. Philippine Honorary

Consul to Colorado Donna B. Lavigne, the Cheyenne Filipino American Club and volunteers from Colorado assisted the outreach team. The mission was the San Francisco consulate’s third outreach of 2026. Schedules and updates are available at pcgsanfrancisco.org and on its official social media pages.

SAN FRANCISCO — Mayor

Daniel Lurie and First Lady Becca

Prowda thanked more than 4,000 San Franciscans who signed up for “One City Day,” a citywide service initiative that completed more than 170 projects across the city.

Volunteers took part in 13 kickoff events and worked in neighborhoods on projects that included cleaning medians and parks, removing litter and graffiti, weeding and planting trees, and improving public spaces during Saturday’s event.

Lurie said the event reflected San Francisco’s tradition of res-

idents helping one another and praised participants for making their neighborhoods cleaner, more welcoming and more attractive. Prowda called the day a demonstration of the city’s commitment to service and thanked volunteers for contributing their time and energy.

The initiative also highlighted the couple’s longstanding emphasis on public service. Lurie and Prowda met while working at the Robin Hood Foundation, a New York nonprofit focused on fighting poverty. Lurie later founded Tip

ping Point Community in 2005 to address poverty in the Bay Area.

EY,

Governor Newsom extends CalCompetes business incentive program

SACRAMENTO — Gov. Gavin

Newsom has signed Senate Bill 180, extending California’s CalCompetes business incentive program for five years, through 2032-33.

The program, which had been scheduled to expire next year, awards tax credits to companies that commit to creating jobs and making capital investments in California.

Since 2019, the state has awarded more than $1.8 billion in CalCompetes tax credits to 271 businesses. In return, those companies committed to invest $37.6 billion and create more than

75,000 full-time jobs. Recent recipients include Bosch Semiconductor, which plans to invest more than $1.2 billion and create 140 jobs in Roseville; Element Biosciences, with a $127.2 million expansion and 422 jobs in San Diego and San Jose; and Pacific Steel, which is invest

ing $542.9 million and creating 447 jobs in Kern County.

Other projects include expansions by Samsung Semiconductor in San Jose, Hadrian in Torrance and Northern California, Vast in Long Beach and General Atomics in Poway.

Newsom said the extension

A POWERFUL evening of art, history, and the annual candlelight vigil honors the enduring legacy of historic Manilatown and the legacy of the I-Hotel community.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — The

Manilatown Heritage Foundation invites the public to join the annual I-Hotel Eviction Commemoration and opening of Islands of Remembrance on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, beginning at 6:00 PM (doors open at 5:45 PM) at the I-Hotel Manilatown Center, 868 Kearny Street, San Francisco.

Manilatown's annual commemoration of the 1977 I-Hotel eviction, brings together community members, artists, elders, educators, and cultural leaders to honor the lives, struggles, and enduring legacy of the Manong generation and the community that transformed San Francisco's most significant tenants rights event into a living legacy.

The program begins with the I-Hotel Eviction Commemoration, culminating in Manilatown's traditional candlelight vigil—a moving annual tribute to the evicted I-Hotel residents.

Guests are invited to experience the opening of Islands of Remembrance, a multidisciplinary visual art exhibition featuring contemporary Filipino American artists whose work explores memory, ancestry, spirituality, migration, identity, community, and cultural continuity.

Inspired by traditions of remembrance, the exhibition presents each artwork as an "island" of reflection and imagination. Through paintings, photography, sculpture, textiles, mixed media, and installation art, artists honor familial lineage, the Manong generation, displaced communities, cultural stewards, and the many visible and invisible histories that continue to shape Filipino American life.

The exhibition also embraces indigenous cosmologies, diwata (nature spirits), folklore, personal narratives, and contemporary experiences of diaspora, inviting vis-

itors to consider remembrance as both a personal and collective act of cultural perseverance.

"Every year, our community gathers to remember not only what was lost with the eviction of the I-Hotel, but what continues because people refused to let its story disappear," said Caroline Julia Cabading, Executive Director of the Manilatown Heritage Foundation. "Our annual candlelight vigil reminds us that remembrance is an active responsibility. It connects generations, honors those who came before us, and reaffirms our commitment to preserving the living legacy of historic Manilatown for those who will come after us."

For Manilatown, remembrance extends beyond history into everyday cultural practice.

"Across many cultures, remembrance is an act of love, gratitude, and responsibility," said Desiree Quintero, Deputy Director. "This gathering honors the Manong generation whose perseverance and hard work helped build our community while inviting all of us to continue carrying their stories forward. Through ceremony, art, and shared memory, we strengthen the ties between our ancestors, our present community, and future generations."

Curated by Caroline Ocampo, Islands of Remembrance brings together a diverse group of artists

whose work reflects the evolving experiences of Filipino and Filipino American communities while remaining grounded in cultural memory.

"One of the most inspiring aspects of this exhibition is the remarkable diversity of artistic voices and perspectives," said Caroline Ocampo, Curator of Islands of Remembrance. "These artists remind us that cultural continuity is not about preserving the past unchanged. It is about carrying forward our histories, beliefs, and traditions while allowing each generation to reinterpret them through contemporary artistic practice. Together, their works demonstrate that remembrance is not only something we inherit—it is something we continue to create."

The exhibition will remain on view through November 6, 2026, offering visitors an opportunity to experience a rich collection of contemporary works that celebrate remembrance and the enduring spirit of Manilatown.

Event Details Islands of Remembrance Exhibition Opening & I-Hotel Eviction Commemoration Tuesday, August 4, 2026 6:00 PM

I-Hotel Manilatown