BusinessMirror April 18, 2026

BSP MAY YET HOLD

TBy Andrea E. San Juan

HE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) still has room to keep the policy rate unchanged at its April 23 policy meeting as demand-side pressures remain contained, according to an economist of Standard Chartered Bank.

In a statement on Friday, Standard Chartered Bank Asia Economist Jonathan Koh said the bank has changed its policy call as it now expects BSP to hold the policy rate at 4.25 percent in April, instead of the bank’s earlier call for a 25-basis-point hike despite raising its inflation forecast to 4.5 percent.

“BSP is likely reluctant to tighten policy response to a supplydriven inflation increase, where monetary policy effectiveness is limited—consistent with its deci-

sion to stay on hold at the off- cycle March meeting,” Koh said.

While the 4.1-percent March inflation print exceeded BSP’s forecast range, Koh said “underlying demand-side pressures remain contained in our view, with seasonally adjusted monthon-month core inflation tracking its usual trend and limited pass - through so far.”

The Standard Chartered’s economist cited BSP Governor

All systems go: Cebu steps up readiness for Asean Summit

By Carmel Pedroza

CEBU CITY—With less than a month before the 48th Asean Summit and Related Meetings, preparations in Central Visayas are intensifying, with a strong focus on delivering a curated tourism experience for visiting delegates.

According to an update from the Cebu Provincial Government, organizers are rolling out heritage tours, island-hopping activities, and cultural showcases designed to highlight Cebu’s rich history and natural attractions, positioning the province as more than just a host—but as a destination.

The Tourism and Hospitality Cluster has begun inspecting billeting hotels while fine-tuning guest experiences that aim to leave a lasting impression on Southeast Asian leaders and participants arriving for the May 7-8, 2026 summit.

These efforts form part of a broader push to ensure that Cebu’s renowned hospitality is on full display throughout the high-level gathering.

Preparations are in full swing across agencies in Region 7, following a coordination meeting spearheaded by Cebu Provincial Governor Pamela Baricuatro.

She underscored the need for discipline and sustained collaboration among national and local government units to ensure a seamless hosting of the prestigious event.

“What matters most is consistency and close coordination. I

encourage everyone to remain focused, disciplined, and united in action,” Baricuatro said, emphasizing that the summit presents an opportunity to showcase Cebu’s excellence on the global stage.

The summit will bring together leaders from across Southeast Asia, with Cebu serving as one of its primary venues. The Mactan Expo Center has been designated as the main site for key events, including the opening ceremonies, plenary sessions, and gala dinner.

Meanwhile, selected premier resorts in Mactan will host the leaders’ retreat, and the Mactan World Museum will function as the official media center.

Government agencies reported significant progress in infra-

structure and site development.

The Department of Public Works and Highways in Central Visayas is undertaking major improvements, including upgrades to the Marcelo Fernan Bridge, asphalt overlay along the Mactan Circumferential Road, and road rehabilitation projects.

Streetlight installation, road safety enhancements, and routine maintenance works across Cebu City are also ongoing.

Local leaders, however, flagged areas requiring urgent attention.

Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival raised concerns over waste management in the South Road Properties, calling for intensified cleanup operations.

Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Cindi

Chan pushed for faster implementation of infrastructure projects, particularly roadworks and lighting installations, while Mandaue City Mayor Jonkie Ouano highlighted deficiencies in streetlighting along UN Avenue. Environmental and beautification initiatives are likewise being ramped up.

In Lapu-Lapu City, weekly coastal cleanups are under way in

THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has vowed to continue to safeguard financial stability through “sound regulations” and “prudent management” of international reserves after the Philippine banking system secured a “favorable assessment” from one of the leading global credit rating agencies.

BSP Governor Eli M. Remolona Jr. said this in a statement on Friday after the Central Bank welcomed Moody’s favorable assessment of the country’s banking system and external accounts.

“We welcome Moody’s positive assessment. It confirms what we have been seeing: our banks are strong, and our external buffers are solid,” Remolona said.

By Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo

Special to the BusinessMirror

OURISM Secretarydesignate Ma. Bernadita “Dita” AngaraMathay underscored the continued importance of the tourism industry in driving inclusive economic growth.

In a news statement on Friday, the new head of the Department of Tourism (DOT) acknowledged the “[uncertain] and increasingly complex” global environment, which “call for clarity of purpose, strong coordination, and steady leadership across all levels of the Department.”

She added: “Tourism remains a vital pillar of inclusive economic growth. Our collective responsibility is to ensure that the sector continues to support livelihoods, strengthen enterprises, and create opportunities for our communities.”

Angara-Mathay issued the statement after meeting with DOT officials and heads of attached agencies on Wednesday and Thursday, when they briefed her on their respective programs and projects. “She asked each of us to share our programs and challenges, and how she can help,” shared one head of an attached agency,

See “Tourism,” A2

Moody’s…

“At the BSP, we will continue to safeguard financial stability through sound regulations and prudent management of our international reserves,” Remolona also noted.

In its credit opinion released on April 14, 2026, Moody’s recognized the Philippine banking system as “well capitalized, profitable, and competently managed.”

The credit rating agency said “stringent oversight by the BSP supports financial stability, as illustrated by the adoption of international regulatory standards and preemptive macroprudential measures.”

“Our banking system outlook is stable, underpinned by a stable operating environment and adequate loan-loss buffers,” Moody’s ratings also noted.

However, it noted: “Asset quality is expected to deteriorate moderately due to unseasoned loan risks stemming from strong retail loan growth in recent years.”

The credit rating agency noted

BSP…

M. Remolona Jr.’s key policy guides which are inflation expectations, core inflation and prices faced by the bottom 30 percent of households, saying all three currently point to scope for a pause.

For one, Koh said inflation expectations remain “well anchored,” core inflation is benign, and inflation for lower-income households is broadly in line with

the credit strengths of the country which are: high growth potential supported by favorable demographics; moderate government debt burden compared with peers and stable and well-capitalized banking system that limits “contingent liability risks.”

These credit strengths are, however, balanced against its low per capita income with other investment-grade peers, weak rule of law and control of corruption that weigh on institutional capacity and exposure to climate change and natural disaster risks.

On April 14,2026, Moody’s maintained the Philippines’ investment-grade credit rating of “Baa2” with a “stable” outlook, affirmed in August 2024.

“An investment-grade rating signals low credit risk, helping boost demand for and lower interest rates on Philippine-government bonds. This allows the government to spend less on interest payments and more on development projects and social services,” the BSP explained. (See:https://businessmirror. com.ph/2026/04/15/imf-moodyscut-2026-phl-growth-forecast/)

Andrea E. San Juan

overall inflation.

Looking ahead, the Standard Chartered economist said the bank is not removing its rate hike call completely, but it sees the need to “delay it to the next meeting.”

“Inflation pass-through is likely to pick up in coming months, driven by faster fiscal spending, possible transport fare hikes, higher rice and food prices, and PHP- driven imported inflation, which could eventually prompt a one - off rate hike to safeguard price stability,” added Koh.

Gas crunch guts India glassmakers, tripping milk-to-malt supply chains

By Satviki Sanjay Bloomberg

AT Bengaluru-based Mossant Craft Kombucha, co-founder Shishir Sathyan has been scrambling to source glass flasks for their premium fermented drinks over the past month.

“There’s nothing out there for us to buy right now,” he said, as India’s glass-making industries, built on gas-fired furnaces, are struggling to sustain production in the wake of the Middle East conflict. “It’s the worst time of the year to have this problem,” Sathyan said, noting demand for beverages typically surges during the summer months.

He said his start-up is now

The Monetary Board, the BSP’s highest policy-making body, is set to hold its second scheduled monetary policy meeting for this year on April 23. In between the February 19 and the April 23 scheduled meetings, however, the seven-man policy-making body decided to hold an off-cycle policy meeting just to keep rates unchanged in hopes of reassuring markets that it is assessing the situation constantly. (See: https://businessmirror. com.ph/2026/03/26/bsp-maintainsrates-to-soothe-markets/)

looking to tighten its budget for marketing and discounts to offset the rising procurement costs.

From milk bottles to jam jars and medicine vials, glass is getting harder to find in India. Supply chains for at least half a dozen glass-using sectors have been impacted by severe energy shortages at the country’s glass factories. The Indian government has abruptly diverted liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and liquefied natural gas (LNG) away from factories to households after Middle East tensions disrupted fuel imports. While Iran and the US are in a twoweek ceasefire, Indian manufacturers say any easing of gas shortages is still at least several weeks away. Some worry the halt in Gulf hostilities may be short-lived.

The epicenter of India’s glass supply shock is in Firozabad—the country’s four-century-old glassmaking hub in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh—but the repercussions are winding their way throughout the broader economy. Glass manufacturers in the town depend on cleaner-burning natural gas as higher-emission fuels are banned due to the proximity of the Taj Mahal, one of India’s most popular tourist attractions.

Firozabad’s economy revolves around furnaces that feed a supply chain that extends around the world. The molten glass factories must run day and night at temperatures approaching 1,500 degrees Celsius to avoid seizing up. If they cool, restarting the equipment would cost billions of rupees and weeks of downtime.

For Mukesh Kumar Bansal, a bottle supplier in northern India serving global clients such as Diageo Plc, Pernod Ricard SA and local food giant Haldiram Snacks Food Pvt., the energy supply disruption comes just as his company prepares for peak seasonal demand. Bansal, a partner at Shri Sitaram Glass Works, one of the region’s largest producers, said that in four decades in the business he’d

Tourism…

Continued from A1

who requested not to be named.

The DOT Secretary also called on the employees to work for the success of the agency and its goal to lift the tourism industry. “I count on every member of the Department—across all levels—to bring your professionalism, dedication, and sense of purpose, as we work together in a spirit of accountability, collaboration, and service. Together, we will focus on doing the work needed to support Philippine tourism and the people who depend on it,” she said.

Unfailing track record

A VETERAN trade diplomat, Angara-Mathay took her oath of office from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on April 13 in a brief ceremony in Malacañang, which was attended by her husband Robbie Mathay, former president of the Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority, the couple’s daughter, and Angara-Mathay’s mother.

Former heads of the Department of Trade and Industry were all praises for Angara-Mathay, who had been successful in encouraging Japanese businesses to invest in the Philippines. Prior to her DOT appointment, she was Commercial

“never seen such a sudden squeeze.” The consequences are already visible across consumer sectors that rely on glass. Exporters like Bansal—he also supplies decor items to global retailers including Walmart Inc. and Target Corp.—warn of delays.

The fragile ceasefire between the US and Iran has raised hopes of reopening the Strait of Hormuz — a critical waterway through which about a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies typically flow—but Bansal said there’s little clarity on the outlook for LNG shipments.

With the Indian government prioritizing gas supplies to households, Bansal’s firm has cut output by as much as 50% after its vendor, GAIL India Ltd., reduced supply. Saddled with rising overhead from producing more than 100 tons of glass daily, his company has raised prices by as much as 20%.

GAIL India and the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas did not respond to an emailed request for comment. The Indian government said at the end of March that there was no war-related LPG crunch as domestic production and imports from western countries increased.

Experts are skeptical about a quick return to normalcy in the global energy markets. “We’re still in the fog of war without a settlement,” Sanam Vakil, director of the Middle East and North Africa program at London-based Chatham House, told Bloomberg Television on April 8. India’s dependence on Middle East fuel has magnified its exposure to energy imports. The country relies on overseas sources for roughly half its natural gas, with Qatar alone supplying about 40% of its LNG. Nearly 90% of India’s LPG imports come from the Middle East, largely via the Strait of Hormuz.

Costs for glass and other expenses have risen over 20%, and are “very difficult to manage,” said Sanjit Padhi, chief executive officer at International Spirits & Wines Association of India. Since liquor is a price-controlled sector in the country, Padhi, who represents firms including Moët Hennessy and Diageo, expects state governments to assess this impact and allow the costs to be passed through to consumers. A dusty neighborhood in Firozabad is home to S R Glass Industries, a closely held firm that supplies liquor bottles to companies such as Radico Khaitan Ltd. and jam jars to a local

Counselor at the Philippine Trade and Investment Center in Tokyo (See, “Tourism torch passed, finally,” in the BusinessMirror, April 12, 2026.)

Data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas indicated that Japan has consistently been the top foreign direct investor of the Philippines, reaching $904.15 million in net inflows last year, up 29 percent year on year, and bucking the overall downtrend in net FDI. With this track record, her appointment is significant to the Marcos administration, who has had to battle public criticism of poor tourism arrivals since 2024. This year, the DOT is committed to attract 6.7 million foreign tourists.

First impressions “STRAIGHT to the point and very results-oriented,” was how one tourism official described their new boss after meeting with Angara-Mathay. The official, who requested anonymity, added: “She’s friendly and simple. No fuss, just business. I really like her.”

Meanwhile, another official, similarly requesting not to be named, added: “She’s a very nice lady. Very friendly, very sincere.”

From an attached agency head, Angara-Mathay was described as “Low profile. Simple lang.” On Wednesday, Angara-Mathay met with the DOT Executive Committee composed of the

brand Tops. It has paused plans to bring on new customers as output shrinks and shelved its expansion plans. S R Glass Managing Director Pranjal Mittal expects the disruption in glass production to drag on for months. “If the war extends by one week, our business scenario gets disturbed by one month. That means the next four months have been disturbed right now,” Mittal said. Beyond Firozabad, glass makers across India have also reduced operations or shut down plants entirely. Maaricha Glass, based in Kosamba in the western Indian state of Gujarat, has closed two of its five production lines and stopped taking new export orders for jars and bottles, according to one of its partners, Nilesh Agrawal. Ayush Gupta, founder of Guwahati-based Iconic Glass LLP, halted his container plant last month after failing to source 425-kg LPG cylinders needed to fuel production. The only glass manufacturer in the state of Assam, its clients include local drugmakers as well as consumer firms such as Dabur Ltd. Gas shortages also have hit restaurants, hostels and informal food establishments after a sudden squeeze in LPG availability, disrupting India’s spring wedding season and daily cooking across the country.

In March, India’s manufacturing activity slumped to its lowest level in nearly 4.5 years, according to a flash survey by HSBC Holdings Plc, as factories curtailed output due to Iran war-led gas shortages.

Punta Engaño, a key tourism hub where several summit venues and hotels are located. Daily cleaning drives, repainting of sidewalks, and urban beautification efforts aim to enhance the overall visual appeal of host areas. On the security front, authorities are tightening measures to ensure the safety of all participants.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government in Region 7 is identifying medical evacuation sites and strengthening security protocols, particularly in tourist destinations. The Office of Civil Defense is also preparing comprehensive disaster response and fire prevention plans.

Undersecretaries for Tourism Development Planning Verna C. Esmeralda Buensuceso; Tourism Standards, Regulation, and Human Capital Development Ma. Rica C. Bueno; Tourism Regulation Coordination and Resource Generation Shahlimar Hofer Tamano; Officerin-Charge for the Undersecretary for Administration and Finance Milagros Y. Say; and Special Projects Ferdinand C. Jumapao. Only Buensuceso and Bueno are career executive service officials, with the latter concurrently functioning as OIC-Chief of Staff. Jumapao is a holdover from the term of former Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, who had appointed him. Angara-Mathay has yet to issue a call for courtesy resignations of agency officials.

The DOT chief also gathered the heads of attached agencies on Thursday to discuss priority programs, projects, and initiatives aimed at boosting tourism investments.

Present during the meeting were officers and heads of the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority, the Tourism Promotions Board, Intramuros Administration,National Parks Development Committee, Duty Free Philippines Corp., Philippine Retirement Authority, Nayong Pilipino Foundation, and Philippine Commission on Sports Scuba Diving.

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Clark to host US-led ‘Pax Silica’ AI hub in coalition boosting de-risking strategy

By Malou Talosig-Bartolome

THE US State Department announced on Thursday its plan to establish an AI-native investment acceleration hub in the Philippines, aligning with 12 other countries in a coalition set by Washington to reduce dependence on China’s critical minerals and manufacturing.

The hub will be situated in the heart of the Luzon Economic Corridor, a strategic developmental priority for the trilateral partnership between the US, Philippines, and Japan.

Rising on a 4,000-acre (1,618-hectare)

Economic Security Zone in Clark, Pampanga, the site is envisioned as a purpose-built platform for allied manufacturing, where industrial activities can be shaped by market demand, host-country advantages, and the evolving needs of the Pax Silica network.

The announcement came as Manila formally joined Pax Silica, a coalition of now 13 nations designed to de-risk supply chains in semiconductors, AI infrastructure, and advanced manufacturing. The framework rests on the principle that economic security is inseparable from national security, treating silicon, minerals, and computing power as shared strategic assets.

US State Undersecretary Jacob Helberg described the project as historic.

“Today we announced plans for a historic 4,000-acre Economic Security Zone in the Philippines—the first AInative investment acceleration hub under Pax Silica. This purpose-built platform will secure inputs vital to American

supply chains and transform how allies manufacture together,” Helberg wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

https://x.com/UnderSecE/

status/2044916726337335678?s=20

He added that Pax Silica is the first time countries are organizing around compute, silicon, minerals, and manufacturing as shared strategic assets, building off President Trump’s AI Action Plan and positioning the initiative as American AI diplomacy at its best.

https://x.com/UnderSecE/

status/1999845645813789129?s=20

Philippine Trade Undersecretary Ceferino S. Rodolfo formalized the country’s participation by signing the declaration at the State Department’s Harry S. Truman Building in Washington D.C.. The signing was witnessed by Trade Secretary Frederick Go, Philippine Ambassador to the U.S. Jose Manuel “Babe” Romualdez, and Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) President Joshua “Jake” Bingbang. Romualdez said the selection of Clark reinforces the broader goal of the Luzon Economic Corridor to boost the resilience of the Philippine economy against external shocks and regional volatility. He added that the hub will attract high-value US investments into the Philippines.

The Philippines joins a diverse lineup of signatories: Australia, Finland, India, Israel, Japan, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Sweden, United Arab Emirates, UK, and the United States. Taiwan participates as a non-signatory partner.

April 18, 2026

A3

Zaldy Co was eyeing Germany; may get Blue Ribbon invitation

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on Friday former congressman Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co—a fugitive facing a case related to flood control project anomalies—was attempting to travel to Germany.

“The latest information confirms that Zaldy Co was stopped at the German border after entering from the Czech Republic,” the chief executive said in a new social media post.

He said they continue to coordinate with Czech authorities to bring home Co.

The President announced Co’s arrest by Czech authorities on 16 April 2026 for having no proper documentation.

Late Friday, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Juanito Victor “Jonvic” C. Remulla said in a radio interview that they are eyeing to bring home Co in the next one to three weeks in coordination with

the Department of Foreign Affairs. Co faces charges for malversation of public funds and graft for his alleged involvement in the P289.5-million road dike project anomaly in Oriental Mindoro. He denied the allegations.

The former lawmaker left the country for medical treatment in the United States last year. He refused to return home, citing alleged threats to his life.

On September 29, 2025, Co resigned as Ako Bicol Party-list representative.

He was later spotted in other countries including France, Spain, Singapore, Japan and Portugal.

DFA cancelled his Philippine passport in December, but he was

still able to travel to other countries, reportedly using a supposed Portuguese passport.

Marcos has ordered concerned government agencies to initiate extradition talks with Portugal for Co’s possible repatriation.

PNP working with govt agencies, foreign counterparts

Also on Friday, Philippine National Police chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the PNP is now coordinating with concerned government agencies and its international law enforcement counterparts, “ to verify the details of this development through official channels.”

Nartatez said the PNP stands ready to provide support in ensuring that all legal processes are properly observed, including coordination for his possible return to the Philippines.

Co, former chair of the House Committee on Appropriations that oversees the national budget, had earlier been linked to alleged irregularities involving flood control projects.

He was declared a fugitive from justice after failing to submit to

the jurisdiction of the Sandiganbayan, which issued arrest warrants against him and several others in November 2025 over alleged irregularities in a multi-million road dike project in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro.

Blue Ribbon hearing invite ONCE its partial committee report on the flood control scandal is formally filed, the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee may invite Co to its next hearing—along with Orly Guteza and the former soldiers who claimed to have delivered P805 billion in alleged kickbacks from anomalous flood projects to various personalities on Co’s orders.

Senate President Pro Tempore and Blue Ribbon panel Chairman Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Friday that the testimonies of Guteza and the ex-soldiers are “interconnected” with Co.

“Once Co is in the Philippines and the court allows it, I plan to have him attend the hearing along with Guteza and the ex-soldiers so

See “Co,” A4

Saturday, April 18, 2026

DTI, manufacturers agree to extend price stability window to mid-May

By Bless Aubrey Ogerio

AUTHORITIES pushed back the timeline for keeping basic goods prices stable to mid-May, citing continued coordination with manufacturers.

Trade Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque on Friday said the period of minimal price adjustments, initially set to end on April 30, has been pushed to May 10.

“So again, it is no longer April 30. The price increase for basic necessities and prime commodities—those products on the DTI list—will be until May 10,” Roque said in a chance interview during the market monitoring activity in a supermarket in Muntinlupa.

Friendly nations may join ‘Balikatan’ if they heed legal requirements–AFP

COUNTRIES interested to take part in the annual “Balikatan” exercises can do so once they comply with the necessary legal framework, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said on Thursday.

“Exercise ‘Balikatan’ is a military exercise between the Philippines and the United States [US], and conducted under existing defense bilateral frameworks of the two countries.

“Participation of other countries in Exercise ‘Balikatan’ and other PhilippinesUS military exercises are anchored on established agreements such as a Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA), which provide the necessary legal and operational foundations for the entry of foreign militaries to the Philippines,” it said.

Regarding Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) member states, the AFP said that no member of the bloc maintains a SOVFA or a defense treaty with the Philippines similar to that of the United States.

“As such, participation in ‘Balikatan’— especially in complex or live-fire components—requires specific legal and operational frameworks that are not yet in place with our Southeast Asian neighbors,” the AFP said.

Nonetheless, the AFP emphasized that many of the Philippines’s Southeast Asian partners continue to participate in the “Balikatan” through the International Observers Program (IOP), with 18 countries, including Asean member states, attending as observers in this year’s exercise.

“The AFP remains open to expanding defense cooperation with Asean partners through appropriate mechanisms, in line with our shared goal of promoting regional peace, stability, and security,” it added. Rex Anthony Naval

The extension covers 205 stock keeping units (SKUs) under the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)’s list of monitored products, which include essential household items subject to regular price checks and coordination with manufacturers.

According to Roque, the decision was based on the latest meetings with producers, who agreed to maintain current pricing levels for a longer period amid ongoing efforts to manage inflation and protect consumers. In addition, the trade chief said the agency will continue to review price movements on a weekly basis, with further updates expected as discussions

with manufacturers continue.

“We will just keep on updating because we issue updates weekly. So for now, that will be it, and then we will meet again next week,” Roque said.

She added that the government is working closely with industry stakeholders to prevent sharp increases and keep prices within manageable levels.

“We just work together to make sure that we keep the prices stable,” she said.

Roque also said there is currently no need to impose a price cap on basic goods, as existing measures and coordination with manufacturers have so far kept prices steady.

“But for the price cap on basic

Sen Win seeks cash aid for

necessities, there is no need yet because we are still able to keep prices stable,” she said.

On liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), Roque said the DTI is deferring to the Department of Energy (DOE), which has jurisdiction over pricing and policy decisions for the fuel.

Moreover, the DTI said it will continue to provide regular updates to the public, with the next announcement expected within the week.

“We promise to update the consumers every week and so far we have done this,” she said. “Of course we hope to keep the prices stable and we really want to make sure that we give the consumers very good price.”

‘near-poor,’

Kiko tells govt to pay farmers promptly

SEN. Win Gatchalian is pushing to expand financial aid beyond Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries to include near-poor households hit by eroding purchasing power amid rising fuel-driven inflation.

The senator’s proposal: Give 4Ps families, estimated at 4.4 million families, P1,500 per month for three months, which would cost the government P19.8 billion. He also proposed providing P2,500 in financial assistance to around 1.32 million near-poor families— based on an assumed 30 percent expansion of the current beneficiary base—which would cost the government an additional P9.9 billion.

“The most important problem that we need to address is ensuring that those who are already poor do not become even poorer. And those who are ‘near-poor’ don’t fall into poverty. We need to make sure that our vulnerable constituents are provided protection at this point,” Gatchalian explained at a public hearing conducted by the Senate PROTECT ad hoc committee, which he chairs.

The Senate panel estimates that the 4.1 percent inflation spike in March cut poor households’

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we will find out who is truthful, who is telling half-truths, and who is lying,” he said in a mix of English and Filipino in a radio interview.

“We can also invite them to separate hearings but I think it would be better if we invite Co along with the ex-soldiers who claimed to deliver P805 billion cash in suitcases. And if

monthly purchasing power by up to P568, while low-income or near poor households lost P569 to P1,137. If inflation climbs to 4.6–5.5 percent, losses could worsen to P638–P762 for poor households and P638–P1,526 for low-income families, well above the government’s 2-4-percemt target.

Pay farmers, fishers promptly Meanwhile, the chair of the Senate agriculture panel proposed interventions for another sector. Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan urged concerned government agencies to strictly comply with the mandated payment period under the Sagip Saka Act, emphasizing that farmers and fisherfolk must be paid within 15 working days upon delivery of goods.

The senator authored and passed the Sagip Saka Act in 2019 to allow national government agencies and local government units to buy food directly from farmers and fisherfolk.

Timely compensation, the senator stressed, is essential to sustaining livelihoods, maintaining production, and ensuring national food security.

As long as (agencies) don’t pay what is owed to the farmers and fishers, he will block the budgets

possible, we invite Guteza too, so we will know who is telling the truth,” he said in a separate interview.

He added Co—who served as chairman of the House appropriations committee—could make a significant contribution to the hearings since he has been described as the architect of the flood control anomalies.

“It would be a major development if he cooperated. He can contribute a lot. He has been described as the architect of the mess, by

of the erring agencies, he warned at a recent dialogue with farmers and fisherfolk groups in Mindanao.

Several groups of farmers and small-scale fishers raised concerns about delayed payments that amount to millions of pesos.

At least two groups told the senator that the Department of Education (DepEd) has unsettled payments amounting to millions in pesos for food purchased for their feeding programs since late last year.

The senator stressed that “Sagip Saka Act was enacted to empower farmers and fisherfolk by providing them direct access to institutional buyers, including government agencies, but delayed payments will defeat the purpose of the law.”

Pangilinan urged key agencies, including those involved in the purchase of agricultural and fisheries products, subsidy distribution, and credit programs, to streamline payment processes, strengthen interagency coordination, and enforce timely settlement of obligations.

He also called for a comprehensive review of existing systems to identify bottlenecks and implement immediate corrective measures.

Butch Fernandez

inserting and allocating funds particularly to the Department of Public Works and Highways,” he said.

Lacson said the panel may invite other personalities such as former Undersecretary Adrian Bersamin and former Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, if Co mentions them in his testimony before the panel.

He said they did not consider Co’s previous statements posted on social media because these were not made under oath or covered by

Ahead of excise tax suspension, cooking gas inventory ordered

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered concerned government agencies to conduct an inventory of existing stocks of kerosene and Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) in preparation for the suspension of the excise taxes for the cooking gases.

The chief executive issued the directive to the Department of Energy (DOE), Department of Finance (DOF), Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and the Bureau of Customs (BOC) in his two-page Executive Order (EO) No. 114 dated 16 April 2026.

The suspension will only apply to imported kerosene and LPG after the suspension takes effect. The stocks of both petroleum products will not be affected by EO 114.

EO 114 will apply to imported LPG except when it is used as raw material for production of petrochemical products or used for motive power.

It will also cover imported kerosene except when it is used as aviation fuel.

The suspension will last for three months subject to a monthly review of the Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC). The Committee may recommend to the President the continuation, modification, extension or termination of the suspension.

BIR and the BOC were tasked to submit

to Congress monthly information on the declared value and volume of both petroleum products. As for DOE, it will require oil companies to submit, on a monthly basis, information on the cost components of petroleum products covered by this EO 114 during the period of suspension. The agency will submit the said information to the DBCC and Congress. The excise taxes on kerosene and LPG will revert to their original rates under the National Internal Revenue Code on the following conditions: one week after the one -month average Dubai crude oil price based on Mean of Platts Singapore (MOPS) falls below US$80 per barrel, as certified by the DOE; or upon expiration of the duration under EO 114.

DOF earlier said it will issue the necessary implementing rules and guidelines for the implementation of the suspension in line Republic Act 12316. Marcos said the suspension of excise tax on LPG will result in a savings of P3.36 per kilo or almost P37 per tank. As for kerosene, he said the suspension is expected to reduce its price by P5.65 per liter. The price of both petroleum products soared after the Middle East conflict broke out last February disrupting

Monterrazas de Cebu to resume devt as DENR lifts stoppage order

CEBU CITY—Construction of the Monterrazas de Cebu hillside development will resume after the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), through its Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) in Central Visayas, lifted a stoppage order on April 6, 2026, following months of investigation into its alleged role in flooding during Typhoon Tino last year.

In a three-page order signed by Regional Director John Edward T. Ang, the EMB denied the developer’s motion for partial reconsideration but granted the lifting of the stoppage order originally issued on Nov. 10, 2025.

The case, docketed as DENR EMB-7 Case No. 2025-0922, stemmed from alleged violations of Presidential Decree No. 1586 and the conditions of the project’s Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC).

Despite denying the reconsideration, the EMB found sufficient grounds to allow the project to proceed, citing compliance by the developer, 8990 Monterrazas Corporation, with regulatory requirements.

Fine paid, compliance confirmed

Records showed the developer paid a fine of P400,000 on Feb. 16, 2026, as ordered earlier by the EMB for violations of

Philippine laws.

“Bersamin and Pangandaman were not mentioned before the Blue Ribbon Committee.

If Co testifies before the committee and mentions them, we have a basis to invite them,” he said.

As for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and former Speaker Martin Romualdez, Lacson said the President cannot be summoned by the Senate because of the principle of separation of powers, while any invitation to Romualdez should be coursed through the Office of the Speaker as a matter of inter-parliamentary courtesy.

ECC conditions.

The agency also noted that, based on monitoring conducted on March 5, 2026, the company had complied with commitments made during a technical conference held in November 2025.

“Thus, the lifting of the Stoppage Order dated 10 November 2025 is in order,” the EMB ruling stated.

However, the agency directed the company to continue submitting weekly progress reports, conduct regular Information and Education Campaigns (IEC), and strictly comply with environmental regulations and ECC conditions. It also warned that repeat violations would be dealt with more severely. This stoppage order was issued following intense public scrutiny after Typhoon Tino brought heavy rains—reaching 428 millimeters within 24 hours—that triggered severe flooding in Barangay Guadalupe and nearby areas in Cebu City in November 2025. The Monterrazas project, a large-scale hillside development, was alleged to have contributed to the flooding after a video circulated online showing rapid surface runoff and damage to one of its water retention ponds.

See “Montrerrazas,” A13

Lacson said the Blue Ribbon Committee will invite Co with leave of court, “since he has a pending warrant of arrest issued by the Sandiganbayan.” He added the Blue Ribbon panel had issued a show-cause order to Co after he skipped its hearing last Jan. 19. Earlier this week, Lacson said further hearings of the Blue Ribbon Committee are suspended pending his sponsorship of the panel’s partial committee report. But he maintained he is confident he will get the needed nine signatures for the committee’s partial report to be reported out in plenary where senators can debate upon, amend, and adopt it. Samuel P. Medenilla, Butch Fernandez, Rex Anthony Naval

BusinessMirror

DSWD-Bicol aids seniors, Mayon evacuees with cash, food packs

TimeOur Antique provincial board OKs ordinance to empower PWDs

LSBy Connie Calipay

EGAZPI CITY—The Department of Social Welfare and Development in Bicol (DSWD5) continues to provide assistance to various sectors across the region, releasing millions in social pensions and thousands of food packs for evacuees.

In a report on Tuesday, DSWD-5 Regional Director Norman Laurio said 1,569 beneficiaries from 23 barangays in Jovellar, Albay received a total of P4.8 million under the firstquarter payout of the Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens (SPISC) program. The distribution took place from April 13 to 14. The SPISC program assists senior citizens who have insufficient income and limited family support. Laurio said the initiative provides a monthly stipend of P1,000 or P3,000 per quarter, to qualified

indigent elderly.

The DSWD implements the program in partnership with local government units (LGUs) through the Transfer of Funds (TOF) scheme to accelerate service delivery.

Laurio added that under the directives of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian, the regional office continues to promote the efficient delivery of social services for the welfare of the elderly. Meanwhile, the agency also extended support to families displaced by the ongoing unrest of Mayon Volcano.

The DSWD distributed 5,905 family food packs (FFPs) to 1,128 internally displaced families as part of its seventh wave of assistance for those within the six-kilometer permanent danger zone. With a report from Carlo Martin Cruel, OJT/PNA

NCSC: Over 8K Cordillera seniors with milestone ages get cash gifts

By Liza Agoot

BAGUIO CITY—The National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) on Monday said a total of 8,658 elderly persons in all provinces of the Cordillera have received a cash gift worth P10,000 under Republic Act 11982 or the Expanded Centenarians Act. Records from the agency showed there were 2,795 who reached the ages of 80, 85, 90, 95 and 100 who availed themselves of the benefit under the law from March 17 to Dec. 31, 2024. Another 5,668, meanwhile, received the cash gift from January 1 to December 31, 2025 while 195 received their gifts from January 1 to 31, 2026.

NCSC Cordillera Administrative Region Director Luz LauretaBalisong said the government has released P96.03 million for the cash gifts of elderly persons who reached milestone ages.

The official explained that they have received 2,187 applications for cash gifts, which are now being validated and are expected to be released by May or June this year.

By Annabel Consuelo Petinglay

AN JOSE DE BUENAVISTA,

Antique—The Antique Provincial Board has unanimously approved the municipal ordinance of the province’s capital town promoting economic empowerment for persons with disability (PWDs) during their Monday regular session.

Ordinance 2026-11 or An Ordinance Establishing and Promoting Livelihood Program for PWDs in San Jose de Buenavista, promotes the rights of the PWDs to equal opportunities, self-development and full participation in society pursuant to Republic Act 7277 or the Magna Carta for PWD.

Under the ordinance, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and the

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will provide the PWDs with skills trainings, livelihood opportunities and other capacity enhancement for their eventual employment.

It will be implemented by the San Jose de Buenavista local government unit through its Provincial Disability Affairs Office, which would match the PWD skills with business establish -

WHETHER intentionally or just by chance, some seniors find a second love or even a third love, and that’s okay. There’s an old song that tells us, “Love is lovelier the second time around.”

But let me counter balance the euphoric feeling evoked by that song with a line from an old movie which goes something like this: “Fall in love and suddenly there are consequences.”

Take it from an old timer like me. Whether early or late in life, in any romantic relationship, there is often a mismatch between the strength of our feelings and the stark reality.

But what if you get carried away and find yourself considering marrying the new object of your love?

ways by her side when she’s awake. She would become anxious if she doesn’t see him beside her.

He told me that he has given up socializing to devote his remaining years to take care of his wife, 24/7. In the middle of our meeting, he would call up to check on his wife. On weekends, he would take her to the mall, leisurely walking with her, because she likes to ogle at the bright objects displayed on retail shop windows.

What I admire about him is that he is not doing it out of perfunctory duty. One time he sent me this message on my phone: “I thought I knew

ments or other employers in the municipality.

“The Ordinance would enhance the capabilities, skills and talents of our PWDs,” Board Member Zoilo Bernardo Tubianosa reported on behalf of the committee on foreign

To love again late in life is OK... but marrying

now all grown up and financially secure, have become protective of their mom (specially their inheritance, I’m sure).

From the start, my friend could not penetrate the invisible protective wall the children built around their mom. Sure, they are civil and polite to him but he never has been able to endear himself to them. He can feel the cold, resentful aura when they’re around. But because he truly loves his second wife, he is willing to endure all for her sake.

Thankfully, he and his second wife live apart from the children, which gives him enough physical and psychic space to breathe, so to speak. However, that invisible space is being transgressed more and more lately because of the deteriorating condition of his wife. They’re checking on her frequently and taking her out for dinner, often without him.

Suddenly, one day the unico hijo revealed to my friend the amount they had to pay for their mother’s most recent hospital bills. The sub -

relations, labor and employment. He noted that over 2,000 PWDs from San Jose de Buenavista would benefit from the implementation of the ordinance. The Provincial Board immediately approved the ordinance. PNA

again?

mer theater, film and TV director and top honcho of a government cultural agency, he was used to being in command, barking orders. Now he has been relegated to the role of a supporting actor, someone to be seen but not heard or listened to. Painful as it may sound, to them he is just an “interloper.”

My friend indeed has found out that falling in love with a widow with children is one thing and marrying her is something else. It’s not only a gamble, it’s like walking on a field of landmines.

Speaking of risk factors, here’s another critical thing to consider: the health of your aging partner. Just like when you’re buying a second-hand car with an old engine, one can end up with “buyer’s remorse.”

Take the case of another good friend of mine in his mid 70s. His wife died of pancreatic cancer 10 years ago and their marriage produced no children. I don’t know what got into him but two years ago, he fell in love again and got married again. Then as fate would have it, one year and half after the wedding, he had a stroke and nearly died. He has been confined to bed for many months now. I pity his poor wife. His predicament has drained not only all their financial resources but herself. She probably did not reckon with this. I once heard her say: “Hindi ko alam na ganito pala ka fragile ang health niya.” But there’s no buy-back guarantee clause on their marriage contract. Did my friend marry again so someone would take care of him when something like this should happen? It’s a fair honest question but selfish of him if true. It’s admirable that his new wife of two years is taking it all in good stride. She says it is her destiny to marry him and take care of him. But she is now so thin, looking so weak and drained. God bless her. As someone once said: “Falling in love is natural… sustaining love in marriage is a bit more complicated.” By the way, someone close to me has fallen in love again with a single parent with children. That someone is my son, a widower, father of two teenage girls. I can already see several red flags ahead. I pray that he and his new found love wouldn’t get too carried away to consider marriage. There’s only one serious advice I can give them: proceed with extreme caution. www.businessmirror.com.ph

“We take exemptions for deaths before the release of the cash gift if the person was able to reach the milestone age alive but was unable to wait until the release,” she said.

“Ibinibigay pa rin po namin kasi inabot naman nila ang milestone age bago sila pumanaw. (We still give the amount as long as they were able to reach the milestone age alive),” the lawyer said.

The application is also a way for the NCSC to determine the actual number of senior citizens of advanced age to guide decision-making for the sector, she added.

On Monday, the NCSC released cash gifts worth P10,000 each to four senior citizens with milestone ages, which coincided with the Philippine Health Insurance Corp.’s YAKAP and GAMOT programs in the region.

Let me rewrite another version of the movie dialogue line I mentioned earlier: “Marry again late in life, suddenly there are complications.”

That’s because there are no fairy tale romances for seniors in their 60s or 70s who marry again. There’s bound to be something or someone who gets in the way of a blissful second marriage late in life.

The most obvious complication is children, children, children. For some, it’s too late for the learning. Consider the cautionary tale I’m about to relate.

I have a friend who is older than me by 15 years. Yet, it is he who has been turning to me, confiding his innermost feelings of anger, frustration and bitterness. Perhaps it’s because so many of his close friends have already passed away that he has run out of confidantes in the same age bracket.

what LOVE is. Yet what I am now feeling is a sublime, marvelous kind LOVE that I never felt before. Ganito pala kasarap ang tunay at dalisay na PAG-IBIG. I am lucky, no blessed, to have received the opportunity, the grace to feel the wondrous kind of love for my dearest wife. To serve her, to devote myself wholeheartedly to caring for her has enabled me to taste the delectable sweetness of what true LOVE is.”

text of the message seems to be:

“We are the ones shouldering the financial burden, so we make the decisions.”

Signed into law by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in February 2024, RA 11982 mandates that senior citizens aged 80, 85, 90 and 95, whether residing in the Philippines or abroad, will receive P10,000 cash incentive

He is now married to a second wife. The truth is my friend has long been divorced from his first wife, with whom he has two grown-up children now in their late 60s. His second wife was a widow when he met and married her.

and

She explained that a qualified senior citizen can file for the release of the cash gift at least six months before the birthday or one year after the birthday. She pointed out the need to validate to ensure that the beneficiary is still alive.

Now, she is in early dementia stage. She recognizes nobody except him. This is why he needs to be al-

Before you say how sweet, here’s the sour note on this mellifluous melody.His second wife has three children from her late husband who passed away while they were still in elementary school. Thanks to her remarkable entrepreneurial skills, she was able to bring them up and send them all to prestigious universities. Naturally, these children,

What the children don’t realize is that my friend has a better grasp of her wife’s ailment because he spends more time with her, day and night. When she coughs, they say there’s no need to bring her to the doctor, in spite of his voiced concern that his wife’s persistent coughing could be symptoms of something more serious.

Just a few days ago, he called me late at night. Sounding frustrated and hurt, he said that the step children don’t listen to him. What he says doesn’t matter.

I could see where his real pain is coming from. He feels disrespected, more than anything else. As a for-

IF someone reveals that Justin Bieber’s performance at Coachella was officially sponsored by YouTube, no one would be surprised. YouTube Premium was the backdrop for about 20 minutes of Bieber’s nearly hour-long performance.

What some described as a lazy performance, Bieber’s fans called a healing experience. YouTube served as a main element throughout the entire show. Bieber used YouTube to revisit his musical history in real time. He started his show with “All I Can Take,” from his 2025 album Swag. This was followed by “Speed Demon” from Swag II

After a few more songs (with me repeatedly asking what the laptop on the stage was for), Bieber invited viewers of the Coachella livestream to request songs via the chat. He then started to search for music videos for such “Baby,” “Sorry,” “Beauty and the Beat,” and “All That Matters.” He harmonized with his younger self, looking at the bigger screen of his image with what I think was affection. This was the favorite part of Beliebers, who are now adults approaching 30, but perhaps one of the most criticized segments of Bieber’s Coachella segment. By the way, some of my friends have asked my opinion as to why older Gen Zs are such big Bieber fans and I answered with what I know and see as the mother of one of his fans since maybe 2009. Most of his fans see Bieber as someone just like them. They’ve seen his struggles and difficulties. They’ve seen him through the different phases of his life. Now that he is married and a dad, they’re just happy to see him get his groove back. In the case of Filipino Beliebers, so many of them were unable to attend his 2010 concert here due to various reasons. Bieber cancelled his tour twice so the Coachella concert was his sort-of-gift to everyone who stayed and waited.

I would not call Bieber’s Coachella performance lazy. He performed 30 songs. Yes, some of the songs were not performed in their full versions but for his fans, it was enough.

Throughout the evening, Bieber welcomed a string of artists to the stage. The Kid Laroi joined him earlier in the set while Dijon, Tems, Wizkid, and Mk.gee all appeared during the closing stretch.

Live music performance spaces now use streaming technology to enhance the music experience and in Bieber’s case, he combined nostalgia with digital immersion.

Bieber sold his entire music catalogue to Hipgnosis Songs Capital for over $200 million in 2022. This was why, according to fans, the singer’s Coachella performance relied on singalongs to YouTube clips for

BusinessMirror

‘Bieberchella’ breaks artist’s own streaming records

his original hits. He was said to have sold his catalogue because of financial difficulties. Bieber’s return to the stage comes after the release of his Swag I and II albums, which featured hits “Daisies” and “Yukon.”

After Coachella, 21 of his songs got into Spotify’s Global Top 200. Bieber reached No. 1 on Spotify’s Global Top Artist chart following the performance, as his catalog surpassed 77 million streams in a single day, marking his biggest streaming day of the year.

In case you missed it, YouTube brought back for its Coachella livestream seven simultaneous stages, 4K resolution, and a multiview living room experience.

The seven stages include the Quasar stage in both horizontal and vertical formats, with the vertical feed shot on Pixel. In addition to the festival livestream, fans will have access to “Coachella TV,” a 24/7 interactive and uninterrupted music viewing experience featuring both iconic archival

performances and 2026 festival highlights. The station will be updated with performance highlights following each weekend. Last year, over half of Coachella’s total livestream watchtime came from the living room. With Multiview, fans don’t have to choose between their favorite sets. They can stream up to four stages at once on their TVs. The interactive “Watch With” series returns on weekend two. Join Valkyrae for KATSEYE, vibe to KAROL G with Terry and Kaniyia, or dive into Fujii Kaze with Daniel Wall.

Buy limited-edition merchandise through YouTube Shopping. This year, fans can shop exclusive drops from BINI, Ethel Cain, Foster The People, KATSEYE, Laufey, The xx, Turnstile, and Young Thug. Whether you’re on your phone, at your desk, or watching on the big screen, just click the shopping button or scan the QR code.

‘Bloodborne’ animated movie announced; YouTuber ‘Jackscepticye’ to produce film

JUST months after the release of a YouTuber-led game-inspired movie Iron Lung by Markiplier, another video game movie title is now in the works, this time by his friend and fellow big game content creator Seán William “Jackscepticeye” McLoughlin, with Sony Interactive Entertainment’s Bloodborne Announced during the Sony panel at CinemaCon 2026, held at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada, the video game movie was revealed to the public, promising that it would stay true to the gore of the film, which reflects its announced R-rating. Bloodborne is a 2015 action-RPG title developed by FromSoftware and is currently a PlayStation

exclusive. It follows the story of a hunter wandering through the gothic city of Yharman, plagued by a disease that transforms the people into horrific beasts.

The literary works of H.P. Lovecraft and Bram Stoker inspired the video game.

Meanwhile, YouTuber Jackscepticye could not contain his excitement as he revealed on his YouTube video that he would be co-producing the animated work. He also mentioned that this was one of his favorite games, which he also made a YouTube series playthrough of.

“How insane is that? That is literally a dream come

true to me. It’s the biggest thing that I have been able to announce as part of my YouTube channel, as part of my career,” he said during his video announcement.

While he said he could not reveal many things about the work, he promised that his passion will come through for this animated movie.

“Bloodborne specifically is like the ‘thing’ that I am most passionate about when it comes to gaming.

That’s the thing that I am gonna pour...all of my passion, my energy, my soul into to try and make this as good as possible,” he mentioned in his YouTube video. “I’m going to fight so hard to make this amazing.”

PATRICK VILLANUEVA

GPlan Plus customers where points never expire. This allows customers to earn and redeem at their own pace, complemented by Postpaid-exclusive perks with premium partners.

BY RIZAL RAOUL REYES

AS the Philippines races toward a digital economy projected to hit $36 billion by 2025, the convenience of a “mobile-first” nation is being met with a sophisticated new predator called  deepfake, according to a leading biometric verification and authentication company.

In a recent interview with BusinessMirror , Dominic Forrest, chief technology officer of iProov, warned that the country is currently facing an immediate and escalating threat that targets the very foundation of digital society—trust.

The scale of the issue is no longer theoretical. According to the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC), authorities are detecting between 200 and 300 deepfakes daily. This volume signals a shift from traditional credential theft to “identity-driven attacks,” where criminals impersonate real individuals to bypass security and infiltrate financial systems.

“The rise of AI has eroded the reliability of human judgment,” Forrest noted.

“Criminals are no longer just stealing credentials; they are also impersonating real individuals to bypass security checks.”

With the Philippines consistently ranking as a global leader in social media usage, Forrest said the country is particularly vulnerable to a “trust recession,” mirroring trends in the US and the UK where nearly half of consumers are now suspicious of the content they see online.

Forrest said the Philippines faces unique hurdles in securing its digital borders. Because the nation’s geography makes in-person services difficult for many, he said digital onboarding is the lifeblood of the economy. However, Forrest identifies three critical “pain points” currently hampering the nation’s defense.

Forrest said many organizations still rely on basic selfie checks or simple facial matching—methods that he describes as “rudimentary” and easily exploited by modern deepfakes.

He said security solutions must work on budget devices and inconsistent rural internet.

“Solutions that require high bandwidth or advanced hardware risk excluding legitimate users,” Forrest warned, noting that this could inadvertently create a “two-tier digital economy.”

“Systems must be secure enough to stop fraud but simple enough that users don’t abandon them,” Forrest added.

As deepfakes evolve to simulate voice and video with terrifying realism, he said the old “single-check” method of verification is becoming obsolete.

To future-proof the nation’s digitalization program, Forrest advocates for a multi-layered defense model that distributes trust across several systems.

Forrest said the global response is already underway, with iPROOV projecting a 40-percent increase in spending on deepfake detection tools. For the Philippines, the mandate is clear: modernization is not an option, but a necessity.

“Future-proofing digitalization means treating identity as the foundation of trust,” Forrest concluded. By investing in technology-driven verification that accounts for local infrastructure realities, the Philippines can ensure that its $36 billion digital future isn’t undermined by the very technology meant to propel it forward.

For the Philippines, modernizing threat detection capabilities will be key to rebuilding trust.

This will require shrewd investment in stronger, technology-driven identity verification solutions that can reliably distinguish between real and manipulated identities.

a seamless, future-ready device ecosystem for customers. Recognizing the long-term loyalty of its customer base, Globe is also elevating the rewards experience through “Rewards Forever,” an exclusive benefit for All-New

manipulated identities.

For families, Globe also teased the upcoming GPlan Jr., an additional line for children that features a 10GB swappable data allocation, unlimited calls and texts, and no lock-up period. This new offering includes unlimited data for select essential apps, providing a balance of digital tools for children and peace of mind for parents. More information, visit www.globe.com.ph.

www.businessmirror.com.ph • businessmirror.lifestyle@gmail.com

OPPO HYPER LEGEND CUP X MLBB CAMPUS SERIES NATIONAL UNIVERSITY CHAMPIONS TO COMPETE FOR USD100K PRIZE POOL IN MALAYSIA

FOLLOWING a series of intense national qualifiers that ignited student gaming communities across Southeast Asia, Oppo today announces that the Oppo Hyper Legend Cup x MLBB Campus Series is set to take place at 1 Utama Shopping Centre in Selangor, Malaysia.

This year, the tournament reaches a record-breaking milestone, offering the largest prize pool ever for a campusfocused MLBB competition hosted by a brand. At a massive USD100,000 prize pool—nearly doubled from last year’s USD52,000—the tournament has already drawn over 1,400 registrations across Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Singapore.

“The Oppo Hyper Legend Cup x MLBB Campus Series is more than a tournament—it is a platform for the next generation of esports players to showcase their passion and skill,” said Gary Dong, APAC president of Oppo. “By bringing these four nations together in Malaysia, we are committed to pushing the boundaries of mobile gaming by providing cutting-edge technology that enhances the mobile esports experience.”

From April 16 to 19, 2026, the national champions from each country will gather at 1 Utama Shopping Centre in Malaysia to compete for the final championship. These teams emerged victorious from intense national selection rounds that saw record-breaking participation.

The Philippines is sending a formidable duo: the NU Bulldogs, a collegiate dynasty with a history of back-to-back championship titles; and the FAITH Colleges Bravehearts, who bring professional-tier experience from the MDL Philippines circuit and are celebrated for their resilience under extreme pressure.

Throughout the intense qualifying rounds, the Oppo Reno15 series served as the official tournament device, thanks to its uncompromising performance. As the ultimate supporter for student athletes, the Oppo Reno15 series provides the technical foundation required for high-level competitive play and will serve as the accompanying device throughout the finals in Malaysia.

Featuring an ultra-smooth 120FPS display and an advanced VC Cooling system, the device is built to maintain peak performance during high-stakes team fights. Equipped with a long-lasting 6,500mAh battery, 80W SUPERVOOC Flash Charge, and AI LinkBoost 3.0 for stable connectivity, the series ensures that gamers can focus entirely on their strategy.

The grand final in Malaysia promises an immersive experience for esports fans, headlined by special appearances by Malaysia’s very own MLBB legends Soloz and Feekz. Beyond the competition, attendees can enjoy exclusive on-site activities, including interactive zones to experience the latest Oppo technology, meet-and-greets, and epic giveaways of exclusive merchandise throughout the four-day event. More information can be found at www.oppo.com/ph.

BusinessMirror

Nothing Phone (4a) review: 500 days of summer

THERE’S something about summer that brings out the romantic in us. Maybe it’s the memory of a first crush, or the quiet hope of reconnecting with someone you met on a trip—unexpected, effortless, and easy to enjoy without thinking too far ahead.

Some things don’t ask where they’re going. They just keep you there.

That’s how my love affair with Nothing began. What started as a routine tech review became something more—curiosity turned into appreciation, appreciation into preference. Now I find myself looking forward to their devices the most.

So when I got my hands on the Nothing Phone (4a), I wondered if it would feel the same. It does. Just not in the way I expected.

DESIGN AND BUILD—THE PINK AND BLUE WILL PULL YOU

NOTHING still has one of the most recognizable design languages in Android, and the Phone (4a) is its cleanest execution yet. The transparent back remains, but this version feels more resolved—layered textures and dotted accents give it a more intentional appearance, less experimental and more complete.

The triple-camera layout sits within a compact oval island that integrates naturally with the rest of the back panel. Everything belongs. Nothing feels bolted on. Color matters here more than usual. The Pink variant is soft—true baby pink rather than neon (or rose gold!)—and that restraint is exactly what makes it work. Blue feels distinct without shouting. Black and White are safe, but less expressive. If you’re going Nothing, might as well go Blue or Pink. At 6.78 inches, one-handed use isn’t always easy. But the flat edges and matte finish give it better grip than most phones in this category, and the 205g weight distributes well enough that longer sessions don’t feel punishing.

THE GLYPH BAR—SIMPLER, SMARTER

THE Glyph Interface has been stripped down to a single vertical light strip—seven LEDs, six white and one red at the base. On paper, it sounds like less. In use, it makes more sense.

It can pulse for notifications, track timers, mirror volume levels, and assign custom light patterns for

app-specific alerts and contacts, giving you information at a glance without needing to wake the screen. This version feels more refined, easier to read, and more consistent in daily use. But the addition that actually changes daily behavior is the red recording light. When you’re shooting video, it blinks at the back to confirm you’re live. It’s a small detail that even phones twice the price get wrong.

The Glyph bar tops out at 3,500 nits, which means even in broad daylight, you’ll see it. Brightness levels are adjustable, because at maximum, it’s genuinely hard to ignore.

CAMERA—GREAT, BUT KNOW ITS LIMITS

THE Nothing Phone (4a) carries a triple-camera setup: a 50MP main sensor (1/1.57”, f/1.88, OIS), a 50MP periscope telephoto (1/2.75”, f/2.88, OIS, 3.5x optical up to 70x ultra zoom), and an 8MP ultrawide (f/2.2, 120° FOV). Everything runs through TrueLens Engine 4. The main camera is the most reliable one. Photos come out bright, sharp and balanced—colors stay lively without crossing into oversaturated. Portraits are a particular strength, with convincing subject separation and solid detail retention even in tricky lighting.

The telephoto is the headline. A proper 3.5x optical base with OIS means you’re not just cropping—you’re actually zooming, and shots hold up well within that range. Push toward 7x and processing becomes more visible, with skin tones looking slightly overworked and fine details softening. You can actually zoom up to 70x but it’s more reach over quality. But within its useful range, it delivers results that are genuinely better than expected at this tier.

The ultrawide is the trade-off. It works for wide scenes and group shots, but detail and dynamic range fall noticeably behind the main sensor. At 8MP with no 4K video support, it’s functional—just not ambitious. Low light leans on aggressive multi-frame processing. Images come out usable and bright, but shadow depth is reduced and scenes can look flatter than they feel in person. The Night Mode helps, but don’t expect miracles when the lighting gets genuinely difficult.

The 32MP front camera handles selfies well— natural skin tones, a wide 89° field of view, and enough detail to hold up in good light.

This is a capable midrange camera system. Enjoy it for what it is, but don’t push it past where it wants to go.

DISPLAY AND SPEAKERS— THE EVERYDAY EXPERIENCE

THE 6.78-inch 1.5K AMOLED (2720 x 1224, 440 PPI, 120Hz, up to 4,500 nits peak) is sharp, fluid, and easy to live with. Outdoors, brightness holds up well under direct sunlight. In darker scenes under harsh ambient light, it can struggle—but that’s a condition, not a

XBOX RETHINKS GAME PASS PRICE; INSIDER REPORTS HINT AT RETURN TO ‘EXCLUSIVITY’ IN TITLES

BY PATRICK VILLANUEVA

considering a return to console exclusives after years of supporting multiplatform service for their games. During the Xbox Two podcast, Windows Central’s Jez Corden said that there are big discussions internally regarding the return to console exclusives, pivoting to what they say is a return to the glory days of Xbox 360. “It’s just about what kind of company you want to be at the end of the day. Do you want a company that’s like...an ecosystem company first or do you want to be a publishing company first?” said Corden during the podcast. However, this move may come about with a huge asterisk, especially with Sony reportedly doing the same with PlayStation. That asterisk comes from the global shortage of components that led to the price increase of consoles and even PC. With the price increase piling on to possible game exclusivity, gamers may have to choose which hardware to prioritize. In doing so, the ecosystem of games may go to unprecedented times where the player base of known franchises may see a huge drop because of these decisions. But only time will tell if these will go through and if so, their effects on the gaming industry as a whole.

flaw. Indoors is where it performs best. Colors are vibrant without being exaggerated, contrast is deep, and the 10-bit panel with 2,160Hz PWM dimming makes long sessions noticeably easier on the eyes. For video, reading, or gaming, it delivers without trying to impress. The stereo speakers are usable but unremarkable. The bottom speaker carries most of the load, and at higher volumes there’s a noticeable thinness, especially with bass-heavy tracks. Fine for casual use. For anything more, use earbuds.

PERFORMANCE AND BATTERY—

STAYS OUT OF YOUR WAY

THE Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 with Adreno 810, paired with LPDDR4X RAM and UFS 3.1 storage, keeps the phone consistently responsive. Apps open quickly, multitasking holds up, and Nothing OS helps everything feel smoother than the numbers suggest.

Gaming sits in a comfortable middle ground. Mobile Legends and Call of Duty run well on high settings. Genshin Impact is better kept at medium for stability. It handles what most people actually play— just not at sustained high performance.

The 5,080mAh battery is reliable. A full day of mixed use leaves enough headroom that you stop thinking about charging. The 50W wired charging gets you back up quickly, and 7.5W reverse wired charging is a useful addition. Wireless charging is missing and for some, that will matter.

SOFTWARE—THE REASON TO STAY

NOTHING OS 4.1, built on Android 16, remains one of the cleanest Android experiences available. The monochrome aesthetic, consistent animations, and predictable behavior make it feel more considered than most phones in this segment.

Customization is flexible without becoming overwhelming. Widgets are functional and distinct. Essential Space remains one of the more practical AI features. It captures screenshots, notes, and audio using the repositioned Essential Key, then organizes them intelligently for later use. It’s not perfect, but it becomes part of how you use the phone—and something you notice missing when it’s gone.

This is where the Nothing Phone (4a) stops being just appealing and becomes something you rely on.

FINAL WORD: The Nothing Phone (4a) has limits. No wireless charging. An ultrawide that doesn’t keep pace. Performance that plateaus under sustained load. Push it hard enough, and the limits show. But what it gets right—design, display, software, and battery—it gets right consistently. This is a phone built for daily use, not benchmark charts. It feels considered in a way most phones at this price don’t, and that feeling lasts. If you value experience over raw specs, this is an easy one to recommend.

A8 Saturday, April 18, 2026

DepEd assures aid for Phil. Schools Overseas amid Middle East conflict

THE Department of Education (DepEd) recently committed its support to Philippine Schools Overseas (PSOs) amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

Education Secretary Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara made the assurance during a virtual dialogue dubbed “Online Kumustahan ,” with Filipino educators and 27 PSOs in the Middle East, following President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive. In his message, Angara reiterated the agency’s commitment to ensuring the welfare of Filipino teachers and learners affected in the region. He said in Filipino that the department is available to provide assistance and clear guidance to ensure the uninterrupted learning and safety of overseas Filipino workers and their families in the midst of the crisis.

Schools Overseas in the Middle East.

During the dialogue, the DepEd reached out to Filipino teachers and more than 23,000 Filipino learners across 27 PSOs in the Middle East.

Cited in the discussion were crisis communication protocols and academic flexibility, subject to the regulations of the PSOs’ host countries.

The DepEd officials were also able to

address challenges in operations cited by PSO heads.

As part of the agency’s actions, the “Online Kumustahan” sessions and dialogues will be conducted regularly to address PSO heads’ concerns and answer their inquiries.

To date, PSOs are operating in 10 countries, serving more than 25,000 learners.

Stephanie Sevillano/PNA

COURTESY CALL Education Secretary Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara recently received Ambassador Kazuya Endo of Japan and discussed challenges in the Philippine education sector. The ambassador reaffirmed the strengthening of Japan-Philippines cooperation in addressing such matters. They also exchanged views on the importance of Japanese language education in Philippine secondary education, the Japanese government’s support for training Filipino teachers, as well as initiatives by Japanese-affiliated companies related to education. For his part, Angara expressed his gratitude for the support of the Japanese government and Japanese-affiliated companies in the Philippines. Both sides agreed to continue proactive cooperation. EMBASSY OF JAPAN IN THE PHILIPPINES

ASMART MOBILE SNIFFER, designed as an “electronic nose” to detect toxic gases in real time, is moving toward field validation and pilot deployment after winning the Outstanding Science-Based Technology Solutions award at the Department of Science and Technology (DOST)-Inno.Venta 2025’s “Make or Break” Final Pitching Competition. Developed by a research group from University of Santo Tomas led by Prof. Karen Santiago PhD as principal investigator, the portable multi-sensor device is designed for high-risk environments where air quality can change quickly.

Dr. Santiago was supported by a multidisciplinary team composed of research assistant Engr. Jhon Vic Bardos, product specialist Assoc. Prof. Jolleen Natalie Balitaan PhD, with consultants TomasInno Center Manager Engr. Celso Noel Aban, TIC assistant manager Prof. Michael Francis D. Benjamin PhD. and Innovation Technology Support Office manager Assoc. Prof. Michael Jorge N. Peralta.

The DOST–Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD) and the Energy Development Corp. supported the team and product development personnel.

The Smart Mobile Sniffer can simultaneously detect gases such as hydrogen sulfide, carbon dioxide, and ammonia. It transmits data wirelessly, allowing users to monitor hazardous levels remotely.

“Our Smart Mobile Sniffer offers a means to transform how various industries monitor gases, making the analysis faster, more affordable, and more accessible,” shared Dr. Santiago, as she cited applications in manufacturing, agriculture, regulation, and environmental

testing. It is also positioned to improve workplace safety, environmental compliance, and process efficiency.

“In the long run, it can support data-driven decisions and sustainable industrial practices,” she added.

The project began with the goal of detecting gases and improving air quality, later growing into an Internet of Things or IoT-enabled multigas detector through surveys, interviews, and feedback, shared Prof. Santiago.

“We see its importance to our society as a whole. Through this innovation, our team takes part in Pope Francis’ ‘ Laudato Si ’—a call to care for our common home,” the principal investigator explained. “We hope others will

take part too, as we work together toward safer workplaces, cleaner air, and a more sustainable world.”

With this motivation at the core of their efforts, Prof. Santiago shared on behalf of the team that “after winning the Inno.Venta 2025 Pitching Challenge, our next step is to further improve and field-validate our Smart Mobile Sniffer prototype. We are also preparing for pilot deployment with partner sectors and exploring commercialization opportunities with potential investors.”

She concluded that “ultimately, we want to make this innovation more accessible to relevant industries and communities that need reliable gas monitoring systems.”

Editor: Mike Policarpio

GLOBAL logistics firm CMA CGM Group and social enterprise The Plastic Flamingo Philippines (The Plaf) donated 500 school chairs made from 10,000 kilos of recycled plastic waste to three public schools in Parañaque City to mark Global Recycling Day. The chairs were distributed to Marcelo Green High School (HS), San Antonio National High School, and Masville Senior High School.

In a handover ceremony, about 300 students received chairs with integrated desks designed to improve daily learning conditions.

Prior to the donation, many learners attended classes using damaged chairs without desks, often writing on their laps. The recycled chairs aimed to address this gap, while demonstrating how plastic waste can be repurposed into durable school furniture.

Alongside the donation, Marcelo Green HS students also participated in a learning session that highlighted the link between plastic pollution and climate change, while empowering them to be part of the solution. By showing how discarded plastic can be transformed into classroom furniture, the session made environmental responsibility more relatable to students.

Environmental, social impact

THE chair donation is part of a continuing partnership between CMA CGM and The Plaf focused on plastic recovery and upcycling.

Since 2021, the partnership has supported the collection and upcycling of 720 metric tons of ocean-bound plastic. In November 2025, the partnership was renewed for an additional three years, allowing the program to continue in the Philippines while expanding to Cambodia.

Under the renewed agreement, The Plaf will collect and recycle an additional 600 metric

NESTLÉ

PHILIPPINES is teaching Filipino youth sustainability and circularity while promoting awareness of these values to help them become future champions of environmentalism.

Sustainability head Meg Santos told reporters in a recent briefing that the local subsidiary of the Vevey, Switzerland-based multinational food and drink processing conglomerate Nestlé S.A. has partnered with the Department of Education (DepEd) for the program.

Santos said the Nestlé Wellness Campus (NWC) advocacy program with DepEd has reached 11 million students across 22,000 schools nationwide.

While the program originally focused on nutrition, it has expanded to include “Care for the Planet” as one of its core healthy habits.

Under the “Classrooms for Change,” she said the fight against plastic waste and climate change is “moving from the boardroom to the classroom.”

According to her, “Nestlé is proving that sustainability isn’t just [about] corporate responsibility—it’s a fundamental life skill being taught to millions of Filipino students.”

Seven habits

THE NWC program is built around seven “Healthy Habits.” While those like “Choose Nutritious Options” and “Play Actively” address physical health, the habit of “Care for the Planet” focuses on environmental health.

Furthermore, the sustainability head shared that Nestlé provides teachers with ready-to-use educational modules for Grades 1 through 10.

The materials provide practical, age-appropriate guidance on solid-waste management by teaching the practice of “reduce, reuse, and recycle,” as well as the importance of proper waste segregation at home and in school.

She said the company also champions water stewardship by educating the youth on the

tons of plastic waste by 2028. Since the renewal, 73 metric tons of plastic waste have already been collected in the Philippines.

Comprehensive commitments UNDER the partnership, CMA CGM and The Plaf have committed to several key initiatives, which include the following: (1) Donation of 1,500 recycled school chairs to public schools in Parañaque City between 2025 and 2028 (or 500 chairs per year); (2) Installation of four recycling bins at the Las Piñas-Parañaque Wetland Park; (3) Support for sustainable livelihoods for local waste collectors; and (4) Stable employment for 50 local workers at The Plaf's upcycling facility.

The school chairs are locally produced by The Plaf using plastic waste collected through a network of over 300 collection points, including schools, communities, offices, and junk shops. This approach directly supports local communities, while promoting environmental awareness and responsible waste-management practices.

“This initiative reflects a long-term commitment we have made with The Plaf to addressing plastic pollution in a practical way while responding to actual needs in public schools,” CMA CGM Philippines General Manager T Sivakumar said. “By linking waste recovery to education infrastructure, we hope to create benefits that are both environmental and social.”

“This initiative embodies our vision of a circular economy where waste becomes a resource,” said The Plaf’s founder François Lesage. “Every chair tells a story of transformation: from plastic pollution to quality education infrastructure. We are proud to partner with CMA CGM to create a lasting positive impact in Filipino communities.”

From plastic waste to school seats: CMA CGM and Plastic Flamingo send 500 chairs to P’que schools Nestlé Phils. champions sustainability & circularity among young Pinoy learners

value of water conservation, supported by the Nestlé Water Leadership Awards, which recognizes schools with exemplary watersaving initiatives.

Santos further stated that the company also teaches the value of circularity by explaining how packaging—like the mono-materials now used in many Nestlé products—can be recovered and repurposed instead of ending up in landfills or oceans.

To ensure that the lessons “stick” with the students, Santos said Nestlé moves beyond the textbook. The program utilizes “Wellness Dancer-cises” and interschool competitions to make sustainability fun. A “Best Implementing School” competition often showcases innovative projects like “Eco-Gardens” nourished by composted canteen waste, or schoolwide plastic collection drives.

Various initiatives THROUGH the Nestlé Wellness Campus Facebook Community, social media has also enabled the company to develop a massive repository for teachers and parents to share “green” lesson plans and success stories, ensuring that the education continues even outside school hours.

Through “ Brigada Eskwela ” and various tree-planting activities, students and faculty are encouraged to participate in reforestation. Following the company’s “tree-growing” philosophy, she said schools are taught to monitor the survival of the saplings they plant, instilling a sense of long-term accountability. By embedding sustainability into the formative years of Filipino youth, Santos said Nestlé is aiming for a “multiplier effect.”

“When a child learns to segregate trash or conserve water at school, those habits inevitably travel back to their households,” she remarked. “It takes a whole-of-society approach to move the needle.” Rizal Raoul S. Reyes

Editor: Edwin P. Sallan

Tourism

CAMINO DE SANTIAGO IN 12 DAYS

HERE’S WHAT I WISH I KNEW BEFORE I STARTED

AFTER 12 years, five Philippine passports, and 195 countries, I finally did it. On January 6, 2025, I landed in Sudan and completed what I had set out to do as a young OFW in Kuwait who quit her job with $5,000 and a one-way ticket to Bangkok. When it was done, I sat in that moment and thought—now what? The answer came quickly. I needed to say thank you. Not on social media. Not in a press release. Just between me and God. That is why I walked the Camino de Santiago.

The Camino de Santiago is a network of ancient pilgrimage routes leading to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, Spain —the believed burial place of Saint James the Apostle. I chose the Portuguese Route, starting from Porto. When I first looked at the distances, I thought there was no way I could do this. I am not a hiker. I am a traveler. But I did it anyway, and it changed me in ways I am still working out. Here is everything you need to know if you are thinking about doing this yourself. 1. Plan for 15 days, even if you walk it in 12 I FINISHED in 12 days but I needed 3 more. Not because I was slow— but because this walk deserves time to breathe. I planned my route using the Camino Ninja App, which I highly recommend:

Day 1 - Porto to

Day 7 - Rest day in Vigo / Playa Roda

Day 8 - Vigo to Redondela: 15.6 km

Day 9 - Redondela to Pontevedra: 20.8 km

Day 10 - Pontevedra to Iria Flavia: 41.3 km

Day 11 - Iria Flavia to Rua de Francos: 10.8 km

Day 12 - Rua de Francos to Santiago de Compostela: 13.6 km

The good news: the route is extremely well-marked the entire way—yellow arrows and scallop shell symbols guide you even along highway stretches. You will never feel lost. One important warning though: Vigo to Redondela is almost entirely uphill. Take your rest day before that section. That is exactly why I stayed in Vigo and visited Playa Roda first. I booked hotels at lunchtime each day since I was walking alone and preferred my own room—but if you are using luggage transfer (more on that below), book in advance.

2. Sort out your luggage and stay connected

MY boyfriend did not walk with me but carried my suitcase by train, meeting me every few days. If you are going solo, use a luggage transfer service—Pilbeo, Caminofacil, Correos (Paq Mochila), and Tuitrans all pick up from your accommodation and deliver to your next stop for around 4.50 to 10 euros per bag. My advice:

bring a proper suitcase for your main things, and carry only a small daypack while you walk. For internet, I got an Airalo eSIM before I left—it covers both Spain and Portugal, which is exactly what you need since this route crosses two countries. It worked the entire way. Use my code KATRIN8414 at airalo.com for a discount. This is one of the most practical things you can do before any international trip.

3. You are safe—and the route is looked after SOLO Filipina travelers, listen up. The Camino

Revisiting Asia’s oldest university

THE University of Santo Tomas (UST), founded on April 28, 1611, by Miguel de Benavides, the third archbishop of Manila, holds many distinctions. Elevated to university status by Pope Innocent X in 1645, it holds the oldest extant university charter in Asia, making it the oldest existing university in the continent, predating the USA’s Harvard University by 25 years. In terms of population, it is also recognized as the world’s largest Catholic university in a single campus. UST also holds many titles. In 1785, it was designated a “Royal University” by King Charles III of Spain. On September 17, 1902, Pope Leo XIII made UST as a “Pontifical University,” the second university in the world, after the Gregorian University in Rome, to be granted this formal title. On April 30, 1947, Pope Pius XII also bestowed it the title of “The Catholic University of the Philippines.”

Throughout its more than 400 years of existence, the university has become the alma mater of Jose Rizal, Emilio Jacinto, Marcelo H. del Pilar and Apolinario Mabini, four Filipino heroes who shaped the nation’s destiny; Philippine Presidents Manuel L. Quezon, Sergio Osmeña, Jose P. Laurel and Diosdado Macapagal; various Chief Justices of the Supreme Court, senators, congressmen, scientists, architects, engineers and writers. It was also visited by three popes (Pope Paul VI, Pope John Paul II and Pope Francis) and various heads of states and foreign dignitaries.

A true urban oasis in this densely populated part of the city, this relatively small, 21.5-hectare campus’ school grounds, best explored on foot, are replete with notable landmarks that guide you through the institution’s 400-year

history. Three of its structures (the Arch of the Centuries, the Main Building and the Central Seminary) were declared as National Cultural Treasures on January 25, 2010. Upon entering the campus, from the frenetic street traffic of busy España Boulevard, one is welcomed by the Baroque-style Arch of the Centuries, a university landmark which symbolizes UST’s role as a “gateway in history to the finest breed of Filipinos.” One of the few relics left from original UST campus in Intramuros which was destroyed during World War II (the university transferred here at its present Sampaloc site in 1927), this was transferred and reconstructed to its current site in 1955. The central lower section of the original facade of the first campus in Intramuros (the side facing the Main Building), built in 1680, was transferred, piece by piece, and reconstructed at the present campus in 1954. The other half of the current structure (the side facing España Boulevard) is a replica of the arch door.

Flanking the arch are the Fountain of Wisdom (also called the Fountain of Divine Wisdom) and the Philippine flagpole to its west, and the Fountain of Knowledge and the UST flagpole to its east. The Fountain of Wisdom, surrounded by four deer and open shells, consists of a barbed, quatrefoil-shaped basin featuring a sculpture of a lady standing on top of a lotus flower (its bowl carried by four phoenixes) while holding a Bible who’s cover depicts the image of the Lamb of God. The Fountain of Knowledge, surrounded by four owls of Athena and open shells, also features a sculpture of a lady (standing on a cylindrical pedestal adorned by the early disciplines offered in the university) on top of a lotus flower (its bowl carried by four sphinxes) while holding a globe. From the arch, it is a pleasant stroll, down a shady

walkway, to Benavides Park, a peaceful garden which features the Benavides Monument, another remnant from the original campus. Cast in 1891, it honors Archbishop Miguel de Benavides, OP, the school’s founder. At the back of the statue is a huge Chinese tombstone on the floor dating back to the 19th century.

A few steps further up and you are now at the Plaza Mayor which is dominated by the majestic, 4-storey, Renaissance Revival-style Main Building, the first earthquake-resistant building in the Philippines. Easily one of the most famous structures on campus, this landmark building was designed by Father Roque Ruaño, OP and completed in 1927. During World War II, the Japanese turned it into an internment camp for around 2,500 Allied POWs who were liberated by US forces on February 3, 1945. Today, its third floor houses the Museum of Arts and Sciences, the oldest in the country. Transferred here, from its Intramuros campus, in 1936, most of its collection dates back to 1871. It exhibits an eclectic collection of ethnographic, historical, natural, religious and artistic exhibits. On display are many paintings of artists such as Juan Arceo, Galo Ocampo, Carlos Botong Francisco and Fernando Amorsolo to name a few; a collection of animals that have been preserved, Philippines money, ancient cultural relics and items related to Christianity. Immediately west of the Main Building is the Botanical Garden and the Central Seminary. The seminary, with its classic Art-Deco interiors, was built in 1933 and houses the Santissimo Rosario parish. The Quadricentennial Square, at the back of Main Building, a delightful open space facing the Benavides Library, features an interactive dancing fountain with a sculptural centerpiece called Tetraglobal. Done by glass sculptor Ramon Orlina, this modern sculpture, modeled by UST almuni Piolo Pascual and Charlene Gonzalez, commemorates UST’s four centuries of educational legacy and is a fitting end to cap-off your walking tour.

is one of the safest long-distance walks in the world. In Spain, the Guardia Civil - the national police—patrol the route regularly. You will see their checkpoints and sometimes their horses along the way. It is deeply reassuring. Save the emergency number 112 in your phone before you land. You will most likely never need it, but knowing it is there lets you walk freely.

4. Yes, you can do this in your 60s I HAVE aunties and uncles in their 60s who asked if this is doable. Absolutely—but prepare. Walk on a treadmill daily at least four

to six weeks before your trip: speed 4, incline 12, and track how far you go before fatigue. Build it up. Bring trekking poles—the uphill sections are demanding and your knees will thank you. I met a woman in her late 60s from Brazil walking her third Camino. She passed me on a hill. Enough said.

5. What to pack and when to go YOU do not need hiking boots. I wore my ON

Running Cloudtech shoes the whole way with zero blisters - but I broke them in two weeks before the trip. Pack a wide-brim hat, reusable water bottle, small daypack, face towel, sunblock, and a notebook. I brought earphones but walked in complete silence the entire time—no music, no podcasts. Just my thoughts and the sound of my footsteps. It was the best decision I made.

I walked in late June—perfect temperature, manageable crowds. May and June are my top picks. September and October are beautiful but busier. Avoid August if you can. And before you leave Porto, get your Camino Passport stamped at the Porto Cathedral. You collect stamps along the entire route, and this booklet is what earns you the official Compostela certificate in Santiago. Holding that at the end—after everything your body went through—it hits differently.

Buen Camino I BEGAN this walk as an act of gratitude. I finished it as a different person. There is something humbling about walking 340 kilometers and arriving in a strange town at dusk with tired legs and no plan except to find a bed and a meal. After 195 countries, this 12day walk taught me more about myself than most of those destinations combined. I think that is worth something.

P.S. If you want help planning your own Camino—where I stayed, restaurants I recommend, and a personalized route breakdown—I offer 1:1 mentoring sessions. Email me at kach@filipinopassport.com and let’s plan your pilgrimage together.

Kach Umandap is a Filipina Digital Nomad, global mobility advocate, and the first Filipino to visit all 195 UN-recognized countries using only a Philippine passport. She writes the Travel with Kach column for BusinessMirror

Transform Bohol like Korea’s Jeju Island?

By Zoilo “Bingo” P. Dejaresco III

‘SWEET ESCAPE”, a film shot mostly in Bohol, is a finalist in the 8th Sinag Maynila Independent Film Festival. To be shown here soon, the film got 8 “best” nominations, including BEST Film, Director, Actor, Actress, and Music.

A cross-race story of drama of second chances, the scenic Bohol will resonate with both Filipino and Korean viewers who have seen the locations themselves.  It stars (the pretty) Arci Munoz and Korea’s popular actor Kang Ponggun. Jeju Island, a volcanic island in Korea, is filled with forests, mountains, and beaches, and is a favorite shooting venue for Koreans films, like the famous ones, like “Secret Garden”. “Boys Over Flowers” and “When Life Gives You Tangerine”.

Bohol is no pushover with the following movies filmed here: “Lagablab sa Maribojoc” (Cesar Ramirez),  “Alamat ng Lawin” (FPJ), “Muro Ami” (Cesar Montano), “Esteban” (FPJ and Marites Revilla), and the recent “Song of Fireflies” about the Loboc Children’s Choir, which won Best Picture in the Manila Film Festival last year.

Our Bohol beaches (Panglao and Anda) can give Korea’s 10 best beaches a run for their money, though aside from white sand, the Korean coastline has black basalt rocks.  Jeju Island’s most visited places: Sinchang

Windmill Coastal Road, The Seaes Hotel and Resort, Jeju Folk Village, Teddy Bear Museum, Mystical Hallasan Mountain, and Bomnal Seaside Cafe. But Bohol has iconic places, too, like the Chocolate Hills (CarmenSagbayan), rivers, waterfalls, caves, mini Rice Terraces, the world-class panoramic view when in Alicia, and Spanish-era centuries-old churches and houses. We have the “tarsiers” to answer for their varied fauna in the forests. When this nasty Iran War is over, we enjoin the provincial government and the Philippine Tourism Department (under a new leadership) to seriously consider developing and marketing the concept of “Bohol as A Prime Paradise-Island Location for Filmmaking a’la Jeju Island.” That will mean hiring a lot of local Boholanos during the shooting and will propagate the grandeur that is Bohol and promote tourism. The way Koreans flock to Jeju Island and savor the scenic spots they see on TV and in films. And make visitors understand why Bohol stands as the only UNESCO-approved Geopark island in the Philippines. What about it, Bohol Gov. Erico Aristotle Aumentado and new DOT Secretary Dita Angara-Mathay? Bingo Dejaresco, a former banker, is a financial consultant and media practitioner. He is a Life and Media member of Finex. His views here, however, are personal and do not necessarily reflect those of Finex. bingo8dejaresco@gmail.com

A10 Saturday, April 18, 2026

Editor: Angel R. Calso

10-day Lebanon truce goes into effect, easing tensions in Israel-Hezbollah war and Iran talks

By Kareem Chehayeb, Abby Sewell

& Melanie Lidman

The Associated Press

BEIRUT A 10-day truce ap -

peared to be holding in Lebanon early Friday, promising a pause in fighting between Israel and the Hezbollah militant group and possibly clearing one major obstacle to a deal between Iran and the United States and Israel to end weeks of devastating war. But it remained unclear whether Israel would completely stop strikes on Hezbollah, and whether the militant group would recognize a deal it did not play a role in negotiating and which will leave Israeli troops occupying a stretch of southern Lebanon.

Barrages of gunshots rang out across Beirut as residents fired into the air just after midnight to celebrate the beginning of the truce, and displaced families began moving toward southern Lebanon and Beirut’s southern suburbs despite warnings by officials not to attempt to return to their homes

until it became clear whether the ceasefire would hold.

US President Donald Trump heralded the deal a “historic day for Lebanon,” even as he expressed confidence that the war with Iran would soon end in a Las Vegas speech.

“I will say the war in Iran is going along swimmingly,” Trump said. “It should be ending pretty soon.”

An end to Israel’s war with Hezbollah was a key demand of Iranian negotiators, who previously accused Israel of breaking the current ceasefire deal with strikes on Lebanon. Israel said that deal did not cover Lebanon.

Pakistan’s army chief met Thursday with Iran’s parliament speaker as part of international efforts to press for an extension of the ceasefire.

While oil prices fell on hopes of a deal, the head of the International Energy Agency warned that energy shocks could get worse if the Strait of Hormuz doesn’t reopen soon. Iran closed the crucial waterway, through which a fifth of the world’s

oil normally passes, shortly after the war began. Europe has “maybe six weeks or so” of jet fuel left and broader economic consequences will grow the longer the strait is closed, IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol told The Associated Press on Thursday.

The leaders of France and the U.K. will gather dozens of countries but not the United States on Friday to push forward plans to reopen the strait.

The fighting has killed at least 3,000 people in Iran, more than 2,100 in Lebanon, 23 in Israel and more than a dozen in Gulf Arab states. Thirteen US service members have also been killed.

Israel says it will keep troops in Lebanon

EARLIER , Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he agreed to the ceasefire “to advance” peace efforts with Lebanon, but he said

Israeli troops would not withdraw.

Israeli forces have engaged in fierce battles with Hezbollah in the border area as they pushed into southern Lebanon to create what officials have called a “security zone.” Netanyahu, in his video address, said it will extend 10 kilometers (6 miles) into Lebanon.

“That is where we are, and we are not leaving,” he said.

Hezbollah has said that Lebanese people have “the right to resist” Israeli occupation of their land and that their actions “will be determined based on how developments unfold.”

The US State Department said that according to the agreement, Israel reserves the right to defend itself “at any time, against planned, imminent or ongoing attacks.” But otherwise, Israel “will not carry out any offensive military operations against Lebanese targets, including civilian, military, and other state targets.”

Trump announced the agreement as a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, but a Hezbollah official said the ceasefire was a result of negotiations between the US and Iran. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly.

Israel and Hezbollah have fought several wars and have been fighting on and off since the day after the start of the Gaza war. Israel and Lebanon reached a deal to end that war in November 2024, but Israel has kept up near-daily strikes in what it says is an effort to prevent the Iran-backed militant group from regrouping. That escalated into another invasion after Hezbollah again began firing missiles at Israel in response to its war on Iran.

Flurry of diplomacy led up to Lebanon ceasefire

THE agreement came after a meeting between Israel’s and Lebanon’s ambassadors in Washington and a flurry of subsequent phone calls from Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, according to a White House official.

They were the first direct diplomatic talks between the two countries in decades. Hezbollah had opposed direct talks between Lebanon and Israel.

Trump spoke Wednesday evening with Netanyahu, who agreed to a ceasefire with certain terms, according to the official, who was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.

Rubio then called Lebanon’s president, Joseph Aoun, who got on board. Trump then spoke with Aoun, and again with Netanyahu.

The State Department worked with both governments to formulate a memorandum of understanding for the truce.Pakistan army chief meets with Iranian parliament speaker

Pakistan’s army chief met Thursday with Iran’s parliament speaker as part of efforts to press for an extension to a ceasefire that has paused almost seven weeks of war between Israel, the US and Iran. Even as the US blockade on Iranian ports and renewed Iranian threats strained the ceasefire, regional officials reported progress, telling AP the United States and Iran had an “in-principle agreement” to extend it to allow for more diplomacy. They spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive negotiations.

Mediators are pushing for a compromise on three main sticking points: Iran’s nuclear program, the Strait of Hormuz and compensation for wartime damages, according to a regional official involved in the mediation efforts.

Trump suggested the ceasefire could be extended.

“If we’re close to a deal, would I extend?” Trump said in an exchange with reporters. “Yeah, I would do that.”

Lidman reported from Tel Aviv, Israel. AP journalists Matthew Lee and Ben Finley in Washington, Samy Magdy in Cairo and Munir Ahmed in Islamabad contributed to this report.

The World

Vatican says 600,000 people expected at Pope Leo XIV’s Mass in Cameroon

By Nicole Winfield The Associated Press

YAOUNDE , Cameroon —

Pope Leo XIV neared the halfway point in his fournation tour of Africa on Friday with a day focused on encouraging Cameroon’s young people, first with a big Mass and then a visit to the country’s Catholic university.

Leo was travelling Friday to Douala, Cameroon’s main port city, to celebrate Mass and visit a hospital. The Vatican predicted some 600,000 people would turn out for the liturgy, the biggest crowd Leo is expected to draw on his 11-day odyssey, the first to Africa by history’s first American pope.

Later Friday back in the capital Youande, Leo had an appointment with students, professors and administrators at the Catholic University of Central Africa. Popes have often used such encounters, especially in the developing world, to rally young people to persevere in the face of poverty, corruption and other challenges.

Catholics represent about 29% of Cameroon’s 29 million people. It is an overwhelmingly young country, where the median age is 18.

An attention to young people LEO has already offered words of encouragement to Cameroon’s youth, including in his opening

speech to President Paul Biya, at 93 the world’s oldest leader. In the speech, Leo demanded the “chains of corruption” in Cameroon be broken and said Cameroon’s youth represent the future and hope of the country.

But with Biya in power since 1982, Cameroon perhaps represents the most dramatic example of the tension between Africa’s youth and the continent’s many aging leaders.

Despite being an oil-producing country experiencing modest economic growth, young people say the benefits have not trickled down beyond the elites.

“Of course, when unemployment and social exclusion persist, frustration can lead to violence,” Leo warned in his opening address

Former President Win Myint freed in broad Myanmar prisoner amnesty

By Grant Peck

The Associated Press

BANGKOK —Myanmar’s former President Win Myint was freed Friday as part of a broad prisoner amnesty by newly inaugurated President Min Aung Hlaing to mark the traditional New Year, state-run media reported.

The pardon order applied to more than 4,500 prisoners, but it was not immediately clear how many people imprisoned for opposing military rule were included and there was no sign that 80-year-old former leader Aung San Suu Kyi would be freed.

to Biya and government authorities earlier this week. “Investing in the education, training, and entrepreneurship of young people is, therefore, a strategic choice for peace. It is the only way to curb the outflow of wonderful talent to other parts of the world.”

According to World Bank data, the unemployment rate in Cameroon stands at 3.5%, but 57% of the

labor force aged 18 to 35 works in informal employment.

The dire economic outlook in Cameroon has led to significant brain drain and has strained an already understaffed health sector, as many doctors and nurses are leaving the country for more lucrative jobs in Europe and North America.

In 2023, about a third of trained doctors who graduate from medical school in Cameroon leave the country, according to the Ministry of Higher Education.

Growing frustration over Biya’s record and long-term rule intensified during last October’s tense presidential election, in which Biya secured an eighth consecutive term.

When Cameroon’s main opposition candidate, Issa Tchiroma Bakary, contested the result of the poll, deadly protests erupted throughout the country.

Mark Banchereau contributed from Dakar, Senegal.

State-run MRTV television reported that Win Myint, who was in a prison in Taungoo township in Bago region, had received amnesty.

Outside Insein Prison in Yangon, buses carrying prisoners were welcomed by relatives and friends who had been waiting since early morning. Among those released was filmmaker Shin Daewe, who was sentenced to life imprisonment under a counterterrorism law in January 2024.

Win Myint is Suu Kyi’s longtime loyalist and was elected as president in 2018. He was arrested on Feb. 1, 2021, the same day the military seized power and detained Suu Kyi. He was later given 12-year combined prison sentences for several offenses, which was reduced to eight years in 2023.

See “Myanmar,” A13

A12 Saturday, April 18, 2026

Iran war energy shock drives nuclear power plans in hard-hit Asia and Africa

By Allan Olingo & Anton L. Delgado The Associated Press

NAIROBI, Kenya The Iran war’s global energy shock is causing some nations in Asia and Africa to boost nuclear power generation and spurring atomic energy plans in nonnuclear countries on both continents.

Asia, where most of the Middle Eastern oil and natural gas was headed, was hit first and hardest by disruptions to shipping routes carrying those fuels swiftly followed by Africa. The US and Europe are also feeling the pinch as the conflict drives up energy costs.

African and Asian nations with nuclear plants are increasing their output as they scramble for short-term energy supplies, while non-nuclear countries are accelerating long-term nuclear plans to safeguard against future fossil fuel shocks.

In Asia, the Iran war is pushing South Korea to increase nuclear power generation, while Taiwan is debating restarting mothballed reactors. In Africa, future plans to build reactors have taken on urgency, with Kenya, Rwanda and South Africa affirming their support.

Nuclear power takes advantage of the energy released when the nucleus of an atom, such as uranium, splits in a process called fission. Unlike fossil fuels, this doesn’t release climate changecausing carbon dioxide. But it creates potentially dangerous radioactive waste, one reason many countries are cautious

Nuclear power isn’t a quick fix for the current energy crisis. Developing atomic energy can take decades, especially for nuclear newcomers. But long-term commitments to nuclear power made now will likely lock it in to countries’ future energy mixes, said Joshua Kurlantzick of the Council on Foreign Relations.

years. Kenya, for instance, plans to bring a small modular reactor online in 2034 after starting the first phase in 2009. Last month, Justus Wabuyabo of Kenya’s Nuclear Power and Energy Agency, said “nuclear energy is no longer a distant aspiration for African countries; it is a strategic necessity.”

During a March summit convened by the U.N.’s nuclear watchdog agency, Rwandan President Paul Kagame said Africa will be “one of the most important global markets” for the smaller reactors in the years ahead.

WORKERS fix the barbed wire on the fence of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant at Ishwardi in Pabna, Bangladesh, Oct.4, 2023. AP PHOTO/MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU

about nuclear power.

The war has accelerated a global “nuclear renaissance,” said Rachel Bronson of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, as countries seek an out from the risks of fossil fuel markets.

There are 31 countries that use nuclear power, which provides about 10% of global electricity, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency, which says another 40 nations are either considering the technology or preparing to build a plant.

Hard-hit Asia advances on nuclear IN Asia, where energy triage efforts range from increased coal use to purchases of Russian crude oil, countries with nuclear plants are seeking to get more out of their existing reactors.

South Korea is increasing generation at its nuclear plants and speeding up maintenance at five offline reactors, with restarts planned in May.

Taiwan and Japan are reversing policies that shuttered nuclear

sites following the 2011 Fukushima nuclear meltdown, triggered when an earthquake and tsunami disabled the power supply that cooled the reactors.

Taiwan is considering the yearslong process of restarting two reactors because of the current crisis, which will require meticulous inspections, safety checks and control system verifications.

In Japan, since the start of the war, Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae has signed a $40 billion reactor deal with the US, a nuclear fuel recycling agreement with France and promised Indonesia nuclear cooperation. Japan restarted the world’s largest nuclear plant, the KashiwazakiKariwa site, in January.

Renewables, like solar and wind, make more sense than nuclear for energy affordability and security, according to Michiyo Miyamoto of the US-based Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis.

While the Iran war is also driving consumer and government interest in renewable energy globally and in Japan, historically high electricity costs combined with the current crisis is swinging Japanese public opinion toward acceptance of nuclear power, she said.

In South Asia, Bangladesh is racing to turn on new reactors built by Russia’s state-owned nuclear corporation Rosatom. Dhaka hopes they will supply the national grid with 300 megawatts by this summer, relieving some pressure from current gas shortfalls.

Meanwhile, Vietnam signed a deal with Moscow in March for two Russian-designed reactors.

The Philippines, which recently declared a national energy emergency, is also considering reviving a nuclear plant built in the aftermath of the 1973 oil crisis but was never turned on.

“I hope we learned our lesson,” said Alvie Asuncion-Astronomo of the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute. The Iran war is “providing a needed push for nuclear.”

Africa voices atomic aims SOARING energy prices and power shortages in Africa, triggered by the Iran war, is leading to public calls for nuclear cooperation and re-invigorated interest in longterm nuclear energy plans, which are underway in more than 20 of the 54 African countries.

With Africa seen as an atomic energy growth market, nuclear nations including the US, Russia, China, France and South Korea are pitching advanced technology such as small modular reactors, or SMRs, as a solution to energy shortages.

These modular reactors are a cheaper, more compact alternative to large-scale plants.

Proponents tout them as a faster option, but projects can still take

Smaller reactors, which can offer scalable, low-emitting base load power, are considered a solution to Africa’s rising electricity demand, weak grids and over reliance on imported diesel.

Similarly, Loyiso Tyabashe of the South African Nuclear Energy Corporation, said SMRs could “fulfill our strategic objective of positioning South Africa at the forefront of advanced nuclear technologies.”

South Africa, which has the continent’s only existing nuclear plants, wants nuclear to go from making around 5% of its energy mix now to 16% by 2040.

US and Russia vie for role as a nuclear provider THE energy disruptions come as competition for influence in Africa intensifies between Washington and Moscow.

Russia’s Rosatom is building Egypt’s first reactor and has cooperation agreements with Ethiopia, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Tanzania and Niger, spanning major projects, research centers, uranium processing facilities and training programs.

While only Kenya and Ghana have joined an American-led modular reactor initiative, Washington is trying to catch up.

The US and South Korea sponsored a nuclear conference in Nairobi last month. Ryan Taugher of the US State Department said Washington is working with African nations to rapidly develop secure and safe civil nuclear reactors. Ghana, which aims to begin building a nuclear plant in 2027, is in the market for foreign suppliers.

Considering the risks of nuclear energy RISKS like meltdowns and mismanaged waste remain, even as interest builds. Nuclear energy could also be a step toward building nuclear bombs.

Ayumi Fukakusa, of the advocacy group Friends of the Earth Japan, said “nuclear is very risky” and will keep countries reliant on imported fuels such as enriched uranium.

Given that nuclear sectors take years to develop, governments should stay focused on building out renewables for long-term energy security, said Rex Amancio of the Global Renewables Alliance. Bronson, with the atomic scientists’ group, also said nuclear plants are vulnerable during conflicts, citing recent instances where reactors were specifically targeted during the Iran war and the Russia-Ukraine War.

“All of this comes into the mix of how we think about energy security,” she said. “Countries are now weighing those kinds of risks against the other risks, which Asia and Africa are seeing first and foremost, about what happens when gas and oil stops.”

Delgado reported from Bangkok. Associated Press writers Kim Tong-hyung in Seoul, South Korea, Mari Yamaguchi in Tokyo, Japan and Aniruddha Ghosal in Hanoi, Vietnam contributed to this report.

US urges nations to back ‘trade over aid’ plan as UN warns against

By Farnoush Amiri & Matthew Lee

The Associated Press

WASHINGTON—The US is urging other nations to back a “trade over aid” initiative at the United Nations as part of the Trump administration’s broader shift away from donor-focused development assistance and toward greater private investment.

The U.N. is warning against privatizing a global aid system that delivers crucial assistance to some of the world’s most vulnerable populations.

Ahead of the initiative being formally introduced at the U.N. at the end of April, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has ordered all US diplomats to deliver a call to action to high-level foreign officials to sign on with their support by Monday, according to a diplomatic cable sent this week and obtained by The Associated Press.

According to the directive, the “Trade Over Aid Initiative” is meant to encourage U.N. member states to “make pro-business reforms” to their aid processes by facilitating conversations between governments, the private sector and international organizations.

The proposal also calls for “free market” policies to attract foreign trade that include “limited regulation, low taxation, multiple energy sources, private property rights, sanctity of contracts, and a trusted judiciary.”

“The idea that trade and free market capitalism is the surest path to prosperity has been proven by the facts and by history,” said Tommy Pigott, a State Department spokesman. “The US remains the most generous country in the history of the world, but those arguing for ‘aid not trade’ are really arguing for lining the pockets of a corrupt NGO industrial complex.”

While signing on to the proposal is nonbinding and does not create obligations or require changes to national laws, it would reflect global opinion on the increasingly dire global aid situation as powerful countries like the US, the United Kingdom and others have decreased funding for humanitarian aid and

Montrerrazas. . .

Continued from A4

In response, the DENR issued a notice of violation and halted construction, while separate investigations were launched by national and local authorities.

According to legal counsel Marcelino Rongo, all compliance requirements imposed by the EMB and local government units have since been met, paving the way for the lifting of both the DENR stoppage order and a separate cease-and-desist order issued by Cebu City authorities.

At a media briefing, Mont Property Group General Manager Marie Camille Bondad said the company welcomed the decision, adding it was an opportunity to address what it described as misinformation about the project.

Study points to extreme weather CENTRAL to the developer’s defense is an independent hydrological study conducted by the University of the Philippines, which examined the Guadalupe and Kinalumsan river basins.

The study attributed the flooding primarily to the extreme intensity of Typhoon Tino, comparing it to Typhoon

Myanmar. . .

Continued from A11

The amnesty comes a week after Min Aung Hlaing was sworn into office following an election that critics say was neither free nor fair and was orchestrated to keep the military’s iron grip on power.

State media said in addition to the 4,335 prisoners pardoned, nearly 180 foreigners would be released and deported.

If the freed prisoners reoffend, they will have to serve the rest of their original sentences in addition to any new sentence, according to the terms of their release.

privatizing assistance

increased their nations’ defense spending.

The latest move is also seen by the U.N. and other international organizations as further abandoning the aid system at a moment of growing conflicts around the world, while increasing the risk of exploitation by for-profit companies.

Despite the US effort, the United Nations is committed to putting in place its sustainable development agenda by 2030, U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said, which includes ending poverty, achieving gender equality and urgently tackling climate change.

“For us, trade, investment, and private sector engagement can be powerful drivers of inclusive growth and job creation,” he told AP. “They should, however, not be used to substitute international development cooperation or for principled humanitarian assistance.”

Eric Pelofsky, who served at the State Department under the Barack Obama and George W. Bush administrations, blasted the effort in a statement, saying that “there’s no American who looks at a picture of a starving child and sees an opportunity for companies to enrich themselves.”

“That’s because Americans have historically run to the fire to help rather than looking for ways to sell fire hoses to those suffering,” according to a statement from Pelofsky, now an executive at the Rockefeller Foundation.

“This approach betrays America’s traditions, values, and national security interests—and it makes us less safe.”

Devex, a news organization covering global development, earlier reported details of the initiative and The Washington Post earlier reported on the cable.

The initiative builds on the Trump administration’s pattern over the last year of pulling back from organizations that promote global cooperation. Since taking office in January 2025, the administration has suspended support for agencies like the World Health Organization, the U.N. Human Rights Council and the U.N. cultural agency UNESCO.

Amiri reported from New York.

Ondoy, which caused widespread flooding in Metro Manila.

Researchers also found that the Monterrazas site lies within a different watershed system from heavily affected areas such as Liloan and Cotcot, concluding that water from the project “does not and cannot” flow into those basins due to separate drainage systems.

Mitigation systems credited

THE study also highlighted the project’s flood mitigation infrastructure, noting that 18 detention ponds had already been constructed prior to the typhoon—exceeding ECC requirements. These systems reportedly captured up to 99.74 percent of excess rainwater within the site and reduced flash flood risk by an average of 78 percent. The report concluded that the development’s drainage systems helped mitigate flooding compared to a scenario without such infrastructure.

Construction head Engr. Ranel Pelpinosas said damaged detention ponds were repaired as early as January 2026, in compliance with EMB directives.

City government response

MEANWHILE , Nestor Archival said he would respect the Cebu City Council’s decision not to

A separate report said death sentences were commuted to life imprisonment, life sentences were reduced to 40 years and prison terms of less than 40 years were cut by one-sixth.

Under that measure, Suu Kyi’s 27-year sentence would be reduced by 4 1/2 years, leaving her with 22 1/2 years still to serve.

A senior military officer from the capital, Naypyitaw told the Associated Press on Friday that Suu Kyi will be transferred to house arrest as part of the clemency. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he wasn’t authorized to release information. Suu Kyi has been serving a prison term on a variety of criminal convictions at an undisclosed location in Naypyitaw and has been moved to house arrest at least once in April 2024.

In his inauguration speech last week, Min Aung Hlaing said his government would implement amnesties that contribute to social reconciliation, justice and peace and support the country’s overall development.

Macron and Starmer hold international summit on reopening Strait of Hormuz

By Sylvie Corbet & Jill Lawless The Associated Press

PARIS The leaders of France and the U.K. will gather dozens of countries but not the United States on Friday to push forward plans to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil route choked off by the US-Israeli war on Iran.

THE Paris meeting is part of attempts by sidelined nations to ease the impact of a conflict they didn’t start and haven’t joined, but that has sent the global economy reeling. After the war started on Feb. 28, Iran effectively shut the narrow strait though which a fifth of the world’s oil usually passes.

The US is not part of the planning for what has been branded the Strait of Hormuz Maritime Freedom of Navigation Initiative. In a post on X ahead of Friday’s conference, French President Emmanuel Macron said the mission to provide security for shipping through the strait would be “strictly defensive,” limited to non-belligerent countries and deployed “when security conditions allow.”

Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer have spearheaded international efforts to increase diplomatic and economic pressure on Iran, which Starmer has accused of “holding the world’s economy to ransom.” US President Donald Trump’s announcement of a retaliatory American blockade of Iranian ports has raised the economic jeopardy even higher.

“The unconditional and immediate reopening of the Strait is a global responsibility, and we need to act to get global energy and trade

issue a new cease-and-desist order against the project.

“The council has its own reason, and would not object to that,” Archival said during an April 13 press conference.

This came despite earlier recommendations from the City Environment and Natural Resources Office and the Office of the Building Official, which had cited alleged permit issues, including the absence of a special hauling permit and tree-cutting clearance.

Moving forward

With regulatory clearance secured, Mont Property Group said it will proceed cautiously and in coordination with government agencies and stakeholders.

Bondad emphasized that completing the project—including its full detention pond system—could contribute to longterm flood management in Cebu City.

“We firmly believe that if the wrong cause is identified, the real problem will never be solved,” she said, stressing that solutions must be grounded in scientific findings.

The company also signaled plans to pursue legal action against what it described as false claims about the project’s environmental impact. Carmel Pedroza

Prisoner releases are common on holidays and other significant occasions in Myanmar.

Since the 2021 army takeover, nearly 8,000 civilians have been killed and some 22,170 political detainees, including Suu Kyi, remain jailed, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, a rights monitoring group. Total deaths in the ongoing conflict are estimated to be much higher.

Many political detainees have been held on incitement charges, a law widely used to arrest critics of the government or military and punishable by up to three years in prison. Others have been prosecuted under a counterterrorism law that carries a potential death penalty and has been used to target political and armed opponents, journalists and other dissenters.

flowing freely again,” Starmer said before the meeting.

Military planning underway

FRANCE and Britain also have led military planning meetings, in an echo of the “coalition of the willing” assembled to provide security for Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire in that war.

French military spokesman Col. Guillaume Vernet said Thursday that the mission is still “in construction.”

Macron’s office said participants will contribute “each according to its capabilities,” stressing options to ensure safe passage through the strait will depend on the security situation after a lasting ceasefire.

“What matters is that ship operators have all the means at their disposal to be sure their vessels will not be hit if they pass through the strait. That may require intelligence, mineclearing capabilities, military escorts, communication procedures with coastal states, etc.,” an official said, speaking on condition of anonymity in line with the French presidency’s customary practices.

Sidharth Kaushal, a research fellow in sea power at the Royal United Services Institute think tank, said mine-clearing and creating a warning system for maritime

threats were more likely roles for the coalition than warships escorting commercial tankers though the strait.

“You need huge numbers of vessels for that sort of thing, which nobody has,” he said.

Iran expert Ellie Geranmayeh, deputy head of the Middle East and North Africa program at the European Council on Foreign Relations think tank, said mine-clearing is an area where European countries and their partners could play a role.

“They would be a better party to do this than the United States, because once you have US military doing this and lingering on Iranian shores, it creates a potential arena for Iran and the US to have miscalculations and get back into a sort of military tension,” she said.

Dozens of countries involved in talks BRITAIN has discussed using mine-hunting drones, deployed from the ship RFA Lyme Bay, for a Hormuz mission.

The war has highlighted the shrunken state of the Royal Navy, which has deployed just one major warship, destroyer HMS Dragon, to the eastern Mediterranean. France, which has the European Union’s most powerful military, has sent its nuclearpowered aircraft carrier to the

region, alongside a helicopter carrier and several frigates.

More than 40 nations have taken part in diplomatic or military meetings led by France and the U.K. in recent weeks, though fewer are likely to commit military resources.

Macron’s office said about 30 countries are to attend Friday’s talks, including some from the Middle East and Asia. The list has not been disclosed. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni are expected to attend in person, with others joining by video.

The operation is partly a response to Trump, who has berated allies for failing to join the war and said reopening the strait is not America’s job. The president has called allies “cowards,” said NATO “wasn’t there when we needed them” and telling Britain: “You don’t even have a navy.”

“I imagine there’ll be some desire on the part of many European states, and potentially Canada, to demonstrate the ability to provide security in a way that’s distinct from if not completely separate from the US and which also demonstrates a capacity for independent action,” Kaushal said.

“How many states actually have spare capacity to offer to this is a pretty open question.” Lawless reported from London.

By Aldrin Quinto

PHILIPPINE Sports Commis-

sion chairman Patrick “Pató”

Gregorio lauded the local organizing committee of the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Women’s Volleyball Nations Cup for pulling out all the stops, and challenged the national team to match that commitment and prove its worth.

Gregorio expressed his admiration for the all-out hosting effort in the City of Candon, which has poured in significant resources to stage the 12-nation continental competition from June 6 to 14 at the Candon City Arena.

“I have to point out that we must applaud and recognize the efforts of the City of Candon. Five hours away from Metro Manila, once a quiet town, now, a bustling sports tourism destination.”

The amiable sports-tourism advocate then issued a challenge to the Philippine women’s volleyball team—which on Friday was grouped in Pool A with Chinese-Taipei, South Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Australia and Uzbekistan during the AVC Women’s Nations Cup Draw Ceremony at the Diamond Hotel in Manila—to deliver a worthy performance.

“Please perform with all your heart, because this is not just a commercial tournament,” Gregorio said.

“This is the national team of the Philippines,” said Gregorio, referring to the national sports association, Philippine National Volleyball Federation which is responsible for the national team program.

“If you want to get the support of the Philippines Sports Commission, if you want to get more support from PSC, please prove to us that you have that big heart to compete against the best in the world,” said Gregorio, adding “as we prepare for the 2029 hosting of the world championships for women’s volleyball in the Philippines.”

“This is something that we have to prepare long and hard. We have to make sure that we are one team here and that is my

Gregorio urges Alas Women to ‘perform well’ in AVC tilt

main message for everyone today.”

Defending champion Vietnam is in Pool B with Kazakhstan, Iran, Indonesia, Hong Kong and Lebanon.

AVC president Ramon “Tats” Suzara and treasurer Marina Tsui of Hong Kong witnessed the draw along with Candon City Mayor Eric Singson and PNVF president Tonyboy Liao and treasurer Ricky Palou.

Initially planned as a two-city tournament, organizers decided to stage the competition from start to finish in Candon, and Singson said his city is determined to rise to the occasion and deliver a world-class hosting.

“It’s a welcome development. We just have to double the effort...just a little more effort,” Singson told the BusinessMirror.

“We are glad to bring these teams

Super Spikers on historic hunt

CIGNAL is stepping into unfamiliar territory, while Creamline returns to a stage where it has long thrived.

The Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Finals get going on Tuesday at the Araneta Coliseum, with the Cool Smashers making their ninth championship appearance and the Super Spikers enter their first title series.

Hunger could be Cignal’s biggest edge.

“It’s been such a long time—it’s been years in the making,” top hitter Erika Santos said. “Now that we’re finally in the finals, we’ll do everything to win the medal and the trophy.”

Cignal’s path to the finals has been anything but easy.

After placing second in the preliminaries, the Super Spikers battled through a grueling qualifying round and scored key wins over Creamline, boosting their belief heading into the title series. Their rise has also been anchored on a system built on speed, discipline and precision. While the transition took time, Santos said the team’s commitment is now paying off.

POC, Cleantech seal three-year partnership

THE Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) and fuel company Cleantech sealed on Thursday a three-year partnership that runs through the country’s campaign in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.

Considered a first for the POC in collaborating with a petroleum company for its mission and vision, the partnership was sealed between POC president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino and Cleantech chairman Luisito Mercado on Thursday in a formal ceremony at the Century Park Hotel in Manila.

“Cleantech is now the POC’s official fuel brand partner and we’re so happy that they will support our national athletes,” said Tolentino, adding Cleantech’s support comes at the right time when Filipino athletes are gearing up for the

Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games this September, Southeast Asian Games in Malaysia and the inaugural SEA Plus Youth Games the Philippine is hosting next year and the Asian Beach Games in Cebu in 2028.

“This is a valuable support,” Tolentino added.

Cleantech is a fuel company partnered with Repsol, was established in November 2015 and operates in Nueva Ecija and Pampanga with a mission to provide customers value for every liter purchased.

“We believe in the potential of Filipino athletes and we want to be part of their journey, especially in the Los Angeles Summer Olympics in 2028,” Cleantech Vice President for Finance Yeana Victoria Mercado said. “We want to serve and help ath-

letes through our social responsibility to fellow Filipino people and want to be with them,” said Yeana Victoria Mercado, adding that Cleantech’s support comes in the form of a P1million-a-year cash sponsorship.

Cleantech is authorized to use the POC logo in its promotional campaigns and in return, the POC will include the company’s logo in all its platforms—including in social media and national team jerseys. Also present in the contract signing ceremony were POC secretarygeneral Atty. Wharton Chan and Cleantech Director for Finance Alexis Mercado, Director Gloria Mercado, General Manager Francis Luis Mercado and Directors Philip Luis Mercado and Shylou Ortiz Luis.

“The transition wasn’t easy because we had to adjust to a new system,” she said. “But coach Shaq [de los Santos] was really patient with us, and it’s paying off. The results are getting better.”

Despite a semifinal loss to PLDT in the closing match of the round-robin semifinals, the Super Spikers say they are prepared.

“Our focus right now is recovery because what we went through in the semifinals wasn’t easy,” De los Santos said. “The team gave everything, so we need to recover first, then work on the game plan.”

He believes they can draw confidence from the previous wins over Creamline.

“It’s a big help for us, especially the confidence we gained and how we executed our strategies in those games,” he said. “That will be a big factor heading into Game 1.”

“Of course, we’ll give our best effort—we’ll give everything to win,” Delos Santos said. “For now, our focus is on the series opener.”

officially makes it to the University Athletic Association of the Philippines program, teeing off on Monday at the posh The Country Club in Santa Rosa, Laguna.

In partnership with the Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc., organizer of the Philippine Golf Tour, the Ladies PGT, the Junior PGT, and the Intercollegiate Tour, the UAAP is pulling out all the stops to ensure a successful demonstration and a compelling case for golf’s inclusion as a regular medal event in

This initiative aligns with the league’s efforts to build on the popularity of its established centerpiece sports such as basketball and volleyball by introducing disciplines that offer different skill sets and career pathways.

Dubbed the UAAP Golf Invitational, the 18-hole tournament is expected to draw key players from member schools, school representatives, and guests, underscoring the significance of this breakthrough moment.

Competition will be structured across multiple divisions. The men’s category will feature Classes A, B, and C, while players aged 60 and above will vie for the Seniors crown. The women’s division will have a single category,

JBy Josef T. Ramos

ERWIN ANCAJAS seeks a big

win in enemy territory as he fights Ruben Antonio Tostado Garcia in a non-title featherweight bout (126 lbs.) at the Hipodromo Cali ente in Tijuana, Mexico on Saturday. pion arrived in Tijuana from Las Ve gas on Thursday together with interna tional matchmaker Sean Gibbons and trainer manager Joven Jimenez.

“Jerwin is in very good condition. He wants to prove that he can still be a world champion again,” Gibbons told BusinessMirror on Friday.

Ancajas is eager to return to his winning ways after failing twice against Fernando Daniel Martinez of Argentina at super flyweight and Ta kuma Inoue at bantamweight.

Garcia has a 28-16-1 record with 11 knockouts.

The 34-year-old Ancajas, who has a 37-4-2 win-loss-draw record with 24 knockouts, is eyeing a rich contract with Zuffa Promotions, which has Brit ish fighter Conor Benn in the stable.

“That is what we have been tar geting. We believe he is still capa ble of becoming a world champion again. We are hoping that we can talk with Zuffa Promotions for a fight if he gets this one. But I am pretty sure Jerwin will get that win convincingly,” Gibbons added.

Several UAAP schools, including La Salle, Ateneo and UST, have already participated in the International Container Terminsl Services Inc. Intercollegiate Tour, providing a strong foundation of experience and talent heading into the UAAP setup. While ICTSI will continue to stage its intercollegiate event, UAAP golf will operate as a separate competition, with schools given the flexibility to field different teams in both tournaments.

ICTSI’s sustained efforts—through its professional circuit, ladies’ tour, and especially its junior development programs—have helped grow the sport nationwide. The Junior PGT, in particular, has cultivated young talent across Luzon and the Visayas-Mindanao regions, culminating in elite competitions such as the North vs South Finals.

UAAP golf has the potential to become a crucial bridge in the athlete development pipeline. It can connect grassroots junior programs to the professional ranks, offering student-athletes a structured environment where they can refine their skills while pursuing academic goals. Ultimately, UAAP golf represents more than just another addition to the calendar—it is an investment in the