BusinessMirror April 24, 2026

Peso bonds now in JP Morgan Govt Bond Index

bonds,” Almanza said.

Emerging Markets (GBI-EMI), broadening the investor base and supporting liquidity in the market.

National Treasurer Sharon P. Almanza told the BusinessMirror that the Philippines will have a weight of 1.78 percent in the index.

This increased from the 1-percent weight initially announced by the mega lender when it placed the Philippines in its “positive watchlist due to the inclusion of two retail treasury bonds as eligible

MORErate hikes may be on the horizon as the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) braces for higher inflation due to the ongoing war in the Middle East, which is expected to make oil and food commodities more expensive.

By Bless Aubrey Ogerio

@blessogerio

RECENT policy changes removing electronic cargo tracking requirements for qualified exporters are aimed at reducing “friction” in supply chains and improving the country’s trade competitiveness, the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (Peza) said. This follows the Bureau of Customs (BOC) decision to exempt eligible exporters from the Electronic Tracking of Containerized Cargo (E-TRACC) system,

which requires GPS-enabled electronic seals on containers to monitor cargo movement. Under Customs Memorandum Order 04-2026, the exemption applies to exporters registered with investment promotion agencies, such as Peza, particularly those classified as Authorized Economic Operators (AEOs) with Level 1 benefits.

“We are effectively rolling out the red carpet for our investors. This is the brand of service we’ve promised since day one—no red tape, only red-carpet treatment,”

Inclusion may increase interest in a country’s bonds as the index is used by fund managers and other investors as a guide or benchmark for their investments.

A Bloomberg report indicated that the government bonds will be added to the index on January 29, 2027, until they reach a weighting of 1.78 percent.

This gradual inclusion will lessen the risks of near-term implementation for benchmarked investors, given current market conditions, it said.

“This milestone is a strong acknowledgement from the interna-

tional financial community of the positive developments in the Philippine financial and capital markets,” the Department of Finance, Bureau of the Treasury and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said in a joint statement on Thursday.

The country was able to secure its inclusion by implementing improvements in the liquidity of government bonds, development of the interest rate swap market and strengthening of the repo market.

The application of treaty rules was also clarified and simplified.

Finance Secretary Frederick D. Go said the bond inclusion reflects a “strong vote of confidence” in the

country’s solid fundamentals and fiscal discipline.

“This milestone will broaden our investor base, improve market liquidity, and help lower borrowing costs,” he added.

BSP Governor Eli M. Remolona Jr. said this is a major step in deepening the Philippine capital markets, with significant benefits to the government, to domestic and global investors, and to local banks and businesses.

“As bonds gain more liquidity, this will help the BSP transmit monetary policy, benefiting borrowers and investors across the

By Carmel Pedroza

CEBU CITY—Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro declared the province is ready to host the upcoming Asean Summit 2026, with security, infrastructure, and contingency measures largely in place ahead of the high-level gathering.

“As far as security is concerned, 80 percent complete [already] with enhanced measures, disaster response systems, and hospitals’ code blue readiness in place. It’s safe to say that in Cebu, we are ready,” Baricuatro said during a preparations briefing at the Cebu Provincial Capitol on Thursday, April 23, 2026.

While the summit is a national event, Cebu is fully supporting and augmenting the groundwork, she added.

The summit, expected to bring in 11 heads of state and an estimated 2,000 media delegates, will be centered in Lapu-Lapu City, particularly in the Mactan and Punta Engaño areas.

Billeting hotels include Shangri-La Mactan, Dusit Thani Mactan Cebu, and Crimson Resort

and Spa Mactan, while key events will be held at the Mactan Expo Center.

Lapu-Lapu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office head Nagiel Bañacia said preparations have been ongoing since December 2025 in the city, including extensive information campaigns and safety drills for residents.

“We have been preparing for this event since December 2025 . . . There will be inconveniences during the Summit, but we made sure that everybody understood their role,” Bañacia said, noting that road closures will only occur temporarily during convoy movements.

Areas such as Punta Engaño are expected to be most affected.

He added that daily fire preparedness training has been conducted since January, with authorities ensuring the city remains safe and incident-free throughout the event.

Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival gave assurances that the city is prepared for traffic and security concerns, with no major road closures planned unless advised by police.

Delegations are expected to pass through

the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway and the South Road Properties en route to summit venues.

Archival said cleanup operations are underway in coastal barangays, including Pasil.

They have also prepared the same itinerary in case the delegates would like to have the culture and heritage tour, like last January during the Asean Tourism Forum here.

Meanwhile, Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes Ouano said the city is in the “final stretch” of preparations as a key transit route.

Infrastructure upgrades led by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) include lighting improvements along UN Avenue and solar installations, all targeted for completion before April 27.

Safety measures are also being implemented in areas such as the Bayanihan Village, where modular shelters have been fenced off and repainted as part of the city’s beautification drive.

DPWH officials, led by regional director Simon Arias, emphasized ongoing cleanup operations in Pasil, urging the public to practice

discipline in waste disposal to prevent flooding and environmental issues.

Baricuatro also urged Cebuanos to keep the surroundings clean, as hosting this big event also brings pride to the province. The Department of Health, according to Baricuatro, will enforce a “code blue” alert across hospitals during the summit,

Peza director general Tereso Panga said.

The agency said the exemption comes at a time when exporters are dealing with shifting global supply chains and rising logistics costs, which have increased pressure on outbound shipments.

Since its rollout in 2020, E-TRACC has required the installation and monitoring of electronic seals, a process that exporters say added both time and cost to cargo handling, particularly for outbound shipments.

For Peza, removing the requirement for qualified exporters would eliminate seal-related fees and shorten processing time, allowing faster movement of goods between economic zones and ports.

Meanwhile, Panga said the agency is committed to a “no red tape” approach in trade facilitation, noting that the partnership with customs authorities is intended to speed up processes without compromising oversight.

It also said the agency is pushing to expand the exemption to cover more export-oriented firms, particularly in the electronics sector, which accounts for a large share of shipments from economic zones.

While the easing of requirements is expected to streamline logistics, Peza said continued coordination with customs officials is needed to ensure proper implementation across all economic zones.

The policy shift comes as the government works to sustain foreign investment inflows. Latest data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas showed net foreign direct investments reached $443 million in January.

Q1 budget shortfall up 20% on LGUs’ bigger NTA shares

By Reine Juvierre S. Alberto @reine_alberto

THE government’s budget shortfall stretched to P355.5 billion in the first quarter of the year as increased spending outpaced the double-digit growth in revenue collection.

Latest data from the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) showed the fiscal shortfall widened by 20.30 percent to P355.5 billion as of end-March from P446 billion in the same period in 2025.

This is despite the rise in revenues collected at P1.135 trillion and government expenditures amounting to P1.490 trillion.

Revenue collection posted a 13.74-percent year-on-year increase

Continued from A1

from P998.2 billion, while government spending grew 3.22 percent from P1.444 trillion.

Of the total revenues, 85.37 percent or P969.2 billion was generated through taxes, while 14.63 percent or P166.1 billion came from non-tax sources.

In March alone, the budget deficit rose by 1.96 percent to P349.7 billion from last year’s P342.9 billion.

Broken down, revenues went up by 9.25 percent to P305.1 billion from P279.3 billion in the same month last year.

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) raised P187.3 billion, 6.60 percent higher than last year’s collection of P175.7 billion.

Meanwhile, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) collected P84.8 billion in

March, up by 5.50 percent from last year’s P80.4 billion.

A key contributor to this performance is the streamlining of the BOC’s operations and enhances transparency.

Moreover, non-tax revenues in March jumped by 45.54 percent to P28.5 billion from P19.6 billion a year ago, driven by early dividend remittances from government corporations.

As for government spending, expenditures grew by 5.23 percent to P654.8 billion in March from P622.2 billion last year.

“The expansion mainly resulted from the higher National Tax Allotment shares of local government units, as well as the releases for their Special Shares in the Pro -

ceeds of National Taxes–Tobacco Excise tax and Local Government Support Fund,” the Treasury said.

Spending in March was also driven by the increased budgetary support to government corporations, as well as the P20 billion released to the Department of Energy for the implementation of the government’s Emergency Energy Program to help augment the country’s fuel supply amid the Middle East conflict.

Primary expenditures increased by 4.55 percent yearon-year to P558.4 billion from P534.1 billion.

Interest payments also rose by 8.3 percent to P96.4 billion from last year’s P88.1 billion.

from their present rank, but can be reassigned to other positions or tasks.

Among the DOT’s highest officials, only Undersecretary for Tourism Development Planning Verna Esmeralda C. Buensuceso and Undersecretary for Tourism Standards, Regulations, and Human Capital Development Ma. Rica C. Bueno are CESOs.

Officials covered by Angara-Mathay’s memo shall remain at their post and perform “their duties and responsibilities to ensure the uninterrupted delivery of public service, until such time that the President acts on their respective courtesy resignations or until further instructions are issued.”

Under the law strengthening the DOT, or Republic Act 9593 (Tourism Act of 2009), there are only three legally mandated undersecretary positions: the Undersecretary for Tourism Development; the Undersecretary for Tourism Regulation, Coordination and Resource Generation; and Undersecretary for Special Concerns and Administration. Each Undersecretary is entitled to one assistant secretary.

This comes after the Monetary Board, the highest policymaking body of the BSP, raised the Target Reverse Repurchase (RRP) Rate by 25 basis points to 4.5 percent.

The interest rates on the overnight deposit and lending facilities were ad-

Governor and Chairman of the Monetary Board Eli M. Remolona Jr. said in a press briefing on Thursday. Remolona said further increases in policy rates are part of the BSP’s calculation, but such a move would always depend on the data monetary officials would see next.

justed to 4 percent and 5 percent, respectively.

“The reason is clear. The inflation outlook has deteriorated amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East,” Remolona said, with elevated oil and fertilizer costs expected to spill over to food prices and services.

Quicker inflation

BSP Deputy Governor Zeno Ronald R. Abenoja said the inflation forecast for this year is now seen at 6.3 percent and 4.3 percent for 2027— both above the BSP’s 4-percent tolerance ceiling.

Inflation expectations have also increased further, heightening the risk of de-anchoring from the target due to more persistent inflationary pressures.

Despite this, Remolona cautioned that bringing inflation within the tolerance range would be “very costly” for the economy.

“We’re more tolerant of the tolerance range,” Remolona said. “But it’s a global supply shock and we’re not going to kill ourselves just to bring it down to within the tolerance range right away.”

“We thought we’re heading for calm seas, but a storm hit,” Remolona said. “And now we feel that just monetary policy may not be enough cause we’re so vulnerable to oil price hikes.”

“We think we should begin to diversify away from oil as a source of energy, for one thing. And then diversify also our sources for oil and other forms of energy. So, there are things I think that as a country we neglected,” he added.

‘Timely and preemptive’

A rate hike was deemed “necessary” by the Monetary Board as a “timely” and “preemptive” policy action to keep prices stable.

The move is also intended to anchor inflation expectations and contain the buildup of second-round effects. “It should still accommodate

economic recovery over the mediumterm,” Remolona added. The decision to increase borrowing costs was not unanimous, he disclosed, but was a “good consensus” among Monetary Board members.

A 50-basis-point rate hike was actually considered by the Monetary Board, Remolona said, but the “most reasonable” scenario was the decision on Thursday.

“We usually want to keep it steady if the data can support it. But for now, the way we look at the data, it suggests that the easing cycle is over, and we won’t make very large moves,” Remolona said.

A bad scenario, such as inflation expectations beginning to de-anchor and a prolonged Middle East conflict, would require a 50-basispoint rate hike, Remolona added.

Capital Economics Deputy Chief Emerging Markets Economist Jason Tuvey said that if the war ends soon, the BSP will likely stop tightening and pivot to supporting economic growth.

“Last month’s jump in inflation has clearly spooked policymakers,” Tuvey said. “Policymakers also sounded downbeat about the near-term prospects for the economy, noting that it sees continued weak economic growth throughout 2026.”

Jonathan A. Ravelas, senior adviser at Reyes Tacandong & Co., said the rate hike is a “right calibrated move.”

“This is smart risk management—small, timely adjustments now to avoid much bigger and more painful hikes later,” Ravelas said.

“For markets, it reinforces the BSP’s inflation-fighting resolve, supports the peso, and signals policy consistency at a time when global shocks are clearly intensifying,” he added.

The key policy rates were last increased in October 2023, when the Monetary Board decided to take an off-cycle action.

Frasco people remain ANGARA-MATHAY was sworn into office on April 13, replacing Christina Garcia Frasco, who was appointed by Marcos Jr. as Presidential Adviser for Sustainable and Resilient Communities. Frasco had drawn flak, with critics blaming her for the sluggish tourist arrivals.

Last year, only 5.87 million foreign travelers visited the Philippines, 1.3 percent year on year. In 2024, only 5.95 million foreign visitors were recorded, missing the DOT’s own target of 7.7 million, and yet the Commission on Audit found that agency underspent its budget that year. (See, “COA flags underspending by DOT despite calls for more tourism funds,” in the BusinessMirror, April 20, 2026.) Industry sources also observed that Frasco brought in a slew of staff, fellow Cebuanos and those who worked for her when she was Mayor of Liloan City, giving them managerial positions despite their lack of tourism background. Some appear to be political accommodations—with the appointees being supporters of former President Rodrigo Duterte and his daughter, Vice President Sara Z. Duterte.

The chamber also pointed to possible implications for investor sentiment, noting that regulatory predictability and labor flexibility are among the considerations foreign investors weigh when choos

tive disadvantage compared with regional peers and could send signals of reduced competitiveness. AmCham stressed the need to balance worker protection with business sustainability, saying both objectives must be pursued without undermining long-term economic growth.

Frasco staff who remain at the DOT include: Undersecretary for Special Projects Ferdinand C. Jumapao; Assistant Secretary for Tourism Development Planning Christine Joy E. Cari; Assistant Secretary for Protocol and Engagement Ronald P. Conopio; Director for Product Development and of Golf Tourism and Special Projects Lyle Fernando Uy; and Director for Special Concerns and concurrent officer-in-charge for Statistics, Economic Analysis, and Information Management, as well as Tourism Development Planning Glenn Albert M. Ocampo. Alven T. Talisic, Frasco’s Director for Tourism Events, had resigned before the turnover to the new DOT chief. Frasco also promoted Regional Director for Central Visayas Shahlimar Hofer Tamano to Undersecretary for TRCRG and Chief of Staff; appointed Roberto P. Alabado III as Director for Film and Sports Tourism Development and OIC-Director for Mimamopa; while her Director for Tourism Events Alven T. Talisic had resigned before the turnover to the new DOT chief. At her initial meetings with DOT officials and heads of attached agencies/ GOCCs, Angara-Mathay underscored the continued importance of the tourism industry in driving inclusive economic growth. (See, “Angara-Mathay rallies DOT team to boost PHL tourism, livelihood,” in the BusinessMirror, April 18, 2026.)

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DILG implements 3-level accountability system for LGSF

TBy Jonathan L. Mayuga @jonlmayuga

HE Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has put in place a three-level accountability system for the implementation of development programs funded by the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF).

In a statement, the DILG said

that the close nationwide monitoring of the LGSF aims to ensure that “every peso works for the people.”

For 2026, the Marcos administration earmarked an unprecedented P57.87 billion for the LGSF to help local governments (LGUs) deliver priority infrastructure and essential services, especially projects many communities could not finance on their own.

DOTr secures more land for rail projects

By Lorenz S. Marasigan @lorenzmarasigan

THE Department of Transportation (DOTr) said on Thursday it has made strides in securing land for two of the country’s flagship rail projects, with right-of-way acquisition for the North South Commuter Railway (NSCR) North section surging from 7.59 percent in March 2025 to 65.5 percent, while the Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP) reached 90.80 percent from 51 percent previously.

Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez said credited these to the agency’s partnership with the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG).

Sa partnership nating ito with OSG, lalong mapapabilis ang right-ofway at site acquisition para sa mga big ticket projects ng DOTr. Kailangan nanatinitopaspasanparaumandarnaangkonstruksyonngmgatransport projects at mapakinabangan na ng mga pasahero,” Lopez said.

The two agencies concluded a three-day workshop in Clark Field, Pampanga, producing 345 finalized expropriation pleadings in a single batch—the largest in DOTr history.

The pleadings cover land parcels along the Clark–Malolos corridor needed for the NSCR, as well as critical sites for the Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP).

Transportation Assistant Secretary for Right-of-Way and Site Acquisition Irish Calaguas said the finalized pleadings were essential to keeping both rail programs on track.

“These are all crucial right-of-way parcels for NSCR and MMSP. To the men and women of OSG, please continue to be our partner in attaining 100 percent right-of-way for our rail projects.”

On compensation for displaced residents, 1,537 of the 2,647 squatter or informal settler families affected by the NSCR North section have already received payment, equivalent to 58.51 percent of affected households.

The NSCR North section, covering the Malolos-to-Clark segment, is targeted to be operational by 2028, with the southern section expected to follow by 2031. The MMSP is targeted for completion by 2032.

PHL, Malaysia reaffirm partnership to ensure reliable energy supply

By Lenie Lectura @llectura

THE Philippines and Malaysia reaffirmed their shared commitment to ensure stable and reliable energy supply.

During a hybrid high-level bilateral discussion between the Department of Energy (DOE) and Malaysia’s Ministries of Economy and of Foreign Affairs, officials exchanged views on energy security in light of ongoing developments in the Middle East and their impact on global fuel markets.

Both countries, reaffirmed their commitment to maintain strong bilateral ties and to continuing close coordination under the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) energy cooperation platforms.

“The Philippines values its long-standing partnership with Malaysia, particularly in advancing regional energy cooperation. We express our appreciation for the open and productive engagement, which reinforces our shared commitment to ensuring stable and reliable energy supply, strengthening market resilience, and promoting coordinated responses to evolving global conditions,” the DOE said.

Cebu set to be regional logistics hub–Marina

By Carmel Pedroza

CEBU CITY—Cebu is set to strengthen its position as a leading maritime and logistics hub in the Philippines and the wider Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) region, as construction of the New Cebu International Container Port (NCICP) progresses toward its targeted completion in 2028.

This was highlighted by Administrator Sonia Malaluan of the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina), during her keynote address at the Cebu Maritime Expo and Conference 2026.

Malaluan emphasized that Cebu’s strategic location at the heart of the archipelago has long enabled efficient inter-island connectivity, making it a natural hub for trade and logistics.

With the coming completion of the new container port, the province is expected to take a major leap forward.

“Once completed by 2028, this port will significantly expand our logistics hub in this area and enhance shipping operations and maritime activities

At the center of this effort is the SubayBAYAN portal, a realtime online platform where LGUs enroll projects so the government and the public can track the progress of project implementation.

This is reinforced by the Project Implementation, Monitoring, and Evaluation (PrIME) system, which flags high-risk projects and helps address delays or gaps before they worsen. In 2025

alone, 161 projects underwent assessment.

On the ground, Local Project Monitoring Committees in LGUs help ensure timely implementation, compliance, and responsiveness to community needs.

Adding another layer of accountability is Third-Party Monitoring, a partnership with civil

TBy Ada Pelonia @adapelonia

A4 Friday, April 24, 2026

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New SOPs banning Pogos hailed, but...

TBy Butch Fernandez @butchfBM

HE newly signed Standard Operating Procedures on the implementation of the ban offshore gambling operations is overdue, but still a welcome development, according to Sen. Anna Theresia “Risa” Hontiveros, who expressed hope on Thursday that it will finally eradicate the evils spawned by Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (Pogo), which her committee fought hard.

“In the hearings we led in the Senate, the truth surfaced: that what is taking place in Pogo hubs is not simply gambling,” the senator said.

With the launch of the SOPs on the implementation of the Pogo ban, the administration must show how serious it is in enforcing the AntiPogo Law, Hontiveros said.

“These hubs were a cover for an entire criminal ecosystem: human trafficking, scam operations, extortion, illegal detention, and money laundering.” All of these, as of now “have not yet been fully dismantled,” she stressed.

Hontiveros added, “their networks are still moving; scammers are still proliferating; many Filipinos still fall victims to human

trafficking in the compounds in foreign countries.”

The SOP “must go after that entire architecture, and the whole of government must not stop until the entire structure comes down.

Run after the operator, protector, recruiter, financier, and all those who emable this system,” she added.

Rules to ‘bury POGOs’

ON Wednesday, government agencies signed a set of rules which Executive Secretary Ralph G. Recto said “puts the final nail in the coffin of Philippine Offshore Gambling Operators [Pogo]” and prevents “their resurrection in a different form.”

Recto said guidelines “will also clean up the mess the social scourge left behind, from trafficked people who need help, to disposal of buildings in sprawling scam cities.”

Recto presided in Malacañang the signing of the “Inter-Agency Standard Operating Procedures [SOP] on the Implementation of the Executive Order 74,” which President Marcos issued on Nov. 4, 2024.

The SOP also implements Republic Act 12312, the Pogo Ban Act which came into force late last year.

Aside from the two Pogo ban orders, the SOP merged 15 other laws

and department orders into “one omnibus action plan,” Recto said.

The SOP establishes “a unified, legally compliant workflow to address illegal Pogo and Illegal Gambling Licensees (IGL) and related crimes, from intelligence gathering through operations, evidence handling, prosecution, asset preservation.

Taking the lead role is the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (Paocc) as the principal coordinating agency while the Department of Justice (DOJ) will embed prosecutors early in the case build up to improve case quality and certainty of conviction.

Also being mobilized are the Anti-Money Laundering Council and the Securities and Exchange Commission for financial and corporate intelligence on “the fruits of the illicit activities.”

The SOP also addresses the management and maintenance of seized Pogo assets.

Handling of POGO impact will be victim-centered, harnessing the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s help in providing temporary shelter for victims, non-criminalization of trafficked persons, and access to witness protection, a Paocc briefer states.

In his speech during the signing ceremonies, Recto credited Marcos’ courage in banning Pogos 21 months ago.

“That directive was the first decisive step in dismantling an industry that had promised much in revenues and jobs, but in reality delivered little beyond immense suffering to countless Filipinos,” Recto said.

“It was a decision rooted not in convenience, but in conscience; not in expediency, but in duty, and one which I had recommended when I was Finance Secretary, knowing that whatever revenues Pogos claimed to generate, could never justify the social ills they create,” he said.

Recto said “since it was handed down almost two years ago, the presidential directive has been carried out with speed, resolve and boldness.”

He said rules were promulgated, a law was signed, licenses were revoked, and raids were conducted.

“To put it simply, Pogos were erased from the Philippine landscape.”

He said the point in vigorously implementing the Pogo ban rules is “not simply to react to crime, but to deny it the space to regroup, the resources to survive, and the impunity to flourish.”

Romualdez to challenge Sandigan PHDO

By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla

THE camp of Leyte Rep.

Martin G. Romualdez said it will challenge the precautionary hold departure order issued by the Sandiganbayan upon the request of Office the Ombudsman.

Romualdez was supposed to travel to Singapore this week for a medical procedure follow up checkup, but it was opposed by the Ombudsman, which said that lawmakers had a “high probability of flight.”

Earlier, Ombudsman Jesus

Crispin Remulla said the OMB is preparing to file plunder charges against Romualdez and former Senate President Francis G. Escudero for their alleged involvment in insertion of anomalous flood control projects and other infrastructure projects in previous national budgets. It linked Romualdez to a P56billion kick-back scheme on flood control projects.

“We will avail of all legal remedies to question the issuance of this order before the proper forum,” Ade Fajardo, Romualdes’a legal counsel and spokesperson, said in a statement.

Fajardo dismissed the concerns raised by the Ombudsman on his clients supposed travel to Singapore for being baseless.

“Representative Romualdez followed the proper process. He sought and secured the necessary travel authority, and coordinated in good faith with the Department of Justice and the Bureau of Immigration for a brief, long-overdue four-day medical check-up with his attending physician in Singapore,” Fajardo said.

“This is fully consistent with his conduct from the very beginning –one of cooperation, transparency, and respect for legal processes.

Unfortunately, this legitimate act has been twisted to create a prejudicial narrative that he intended to flee,” he added.

In a video message last Tuesday, Romualdez denied he has any in -

volvement in any problematic insertions in the previous national budgets.

He said it should be Escudero and former congressman and fugitive Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co, who previously served as the chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations, who should be held accountable in the said scam.

The investigations on the issue, Romualdez said, should also include the Executive Branch, which is responsible for implementing flood control projects and other public works.

When asked about the said remark from Romualdez, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said President Marcos had already addressed the matter when the Chief Executive initiated a crackdown on anomalous flood control projects last year.

“If he [Romualdez] is saying that the Executive [branch] has command responsibility... that’s why the President ordered [for the said investigations]. The President did not sleep on it or implemented a cover-up. He started an investigation so that if there is any anomaly and whoever should be held accountable, they should be held accountable,” Castro said in Filipino.

See “Romualdez,” A5

Garin hopes to approve nuke project application before ‘28

By Lenie Lectura @llectura

ENERGY Secretary Sharon Garin expressed high hopes that the first application for nuclear power project would be approved by her office within the Marcos administration.

“My only objective is before 2028, before we step down, there must be an approved application for a nuclear power plant. It’s something that we have to make sure that we explain properly. You cannot force it on people,” Garin said.

Under the Philippine Energy Plan 2023-2050, the country aims for 1,200 megawatts (MW) of nuclear capacity by 2032, doubling to 2,400 MW by 2035 and reaching 4,800 MW by 2050.

Nuclear power plant projects may take decades before the start of commercial operation. “We have to start now because it takes decades to accept that what we are working hard on now, we won’t probably get the merit or the gratification for it. We have to work with agencies, work with communities, with the nongovernment organizations, even with the media so that later, hopefully, the next administration or whoever is the next DOE secretary will continue this,” said Garin.

In February this year, the government has completed the licensing and permitting flowchart for nuclear power plant projects. The regulatory pathway for nuclear power projects spans seven major phases that require parallel approvals. These include business registration and foundational permits that form part of the first phase; environmental clearances and nuclear siting requirements, for the second phase; licensing by the Philippine Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority (PhilAtom) to construct or secure a provisional permit for the third phase; energy sector-specific approvals and licenses for the fourth phase; operational and support registrations and permits for the fifth phase; construction monitoring and oversight, for the sixth phase; and finally, licensing for operation, testing and commissioning for the seventh phase.

See “Garin,” A5

Army insists fatalities in Negros clash are rebels

By Rex Anthony Naval

THE Army (PA) on Thursday warned the public not to believe allegations circulating in the various social media platforms that those killed in the encounter in Toboso, Negros Occidental, on April 19 are “researchers, journalists, student leaders, and social workers.”

Likewise, the spokesman for the Army, Col. Louie Dema-ala, also urged Filipinos not to believe claims that the Army violated human rights and theInternational Humanitarian Law during this clash which resulted in the death of 19 New People’s Army (NPA) insurgents. He added that such allegations “deserve closer scrutiny rather than outright acceptance.”

And while any loss of life is deeply concerning and warrants proper investigation, Dema-ala said that it is also important to address a fundamental question.

“Their adherence to the International Humanitarian Law and utmost respect for human rights stand as a testament to the professionalism and honor that define the Philippine Army soldier. We must be careful not to oversimplify complex security incidents or prematurely assign blame without verified facts. Allegations of human-rights violations are serious and should be examined through proper legal and institutional processes—not trial by social media,” he added.

Earlier reports that an armed encounter occurred on April 19 in barangay Salamanca, Toboso, Negros Occidental, between troops of the 79th Infantry Battalion, under the 303rd Infantry Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, and members of the NPA in the

Bakit sila nasa mismong encounter sit e, armado, at nakikipagbarilan sa mga sundalo? [why were they in the encounter site armed? and why did they traded shots with the soldiers?] This is not a trivial detail that can simply be ignored or dismissed. The presence of firearms and active participation in an armed confrontation raises serious doubts about the narrative being pushed online,” Dema-ala noted. Likewise, he assured the public that the troops “showed steadfast commitment to their mission and dedication to duty.”

See “Negros,” A5

Lower fares pull down PPI for air transport

LOWER airfares pulled down the producer price index (PPI) for air transport in the third quarter of 2025, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

Air transport prices fell by 3 percent year-on-year, with the PPI at 98.3, reversing the 10.4 percent increase recorded in the previous quarter.

The PSA said the decline was driven mainly by passenger air transport, which posted a 3 percent decrease in the third quarter. In the second quarter, passenger air transport had recorded a 10.4 percent increase.

In contrast, costs for freight air transport posted a 4.1 percent increase, reversing the 7.8 percent decline seen in the previous quarter.

On a quarter-on-quarter basis, the PPI for air transport declined by 4.8 percent, faster than the 1.5

percent decrease recorded in the second quarter.

The PSA attributed the faster quarterly drop mainly to passenger air transport, which also declined by 4.8 percent, steeper than the previous quarter.

Meanwhile, freight air transport grew by 12.9 percent quarteron-quarter, a turnaround from the 13.1 percent decline in the previous quarter.

The PPI for services measures the average change over time in the prices received by domestic service providers for services rendered to domestic customers, using 2024 as the base year.

The air transport data form part of the Producer Price Survey for Services. Earlier releases combined air transport and telecommunications, but the latest report presents the sectors separately Justine Xyrah Garcia

Heroism of Filipino troops in Battle of Yuldong must be told–Teodoro

By Rex Anthony Naval

DEFENSE Secretary Gilberto

Teodoro on Thursday said the story of Filipino and Korean soldiers’ bravery in the Battle of Yuldong “remains insufficiently told,” calling this gap a disservice to national history.

Speaking during the 75th commemoration of the battle at the Libingan Ng Mga Bayani in Taguig City, Teodoro said that despite the significance of that battle during the Korean War, public awareness of the exploits of Filipino troops remains limited, that even key figures such as Capt. Conrado Yap and Lt. Jose Artiaga are not widely recognized among Filipinos.

Teodoro said that traditional means of remembrance have not been enough to convey the full weight of their sacrifice.

“This is a big tragedy. The exploits of the 10th BCT [Battalion Combat Team] probably only very few of us know. And this is a disservice to the Republic of the Philippines,” he added.

To address this, Teodoro formally announced the intent to co-produce a film that will

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across Cebu and the province,” Malaluan said. The new port is projected to substantially increase cargo-handling capacity, accommodate larger vessels, and decongest existing facilities.

According to the Department of Economy, Planning and Development-Central Visayas, the New Cebu International Container Port (NCICP) broke ground on Feb. 5, 2025, in Tayud, Consolacion.

The P16.93-billion project will develop a modern container terminal on a 25-hectare reclaimed island, featuring a 500-meter berth with a depth of—12 meters capable of accommodating two 2,000-TEU vessels, along with five quay cranes.

Designed to handle all foreign containerized cargo, the facility will also include a 1,365-meter access road and a 300-meter offshore bridge linking it to the main road network.

These improvements are expected to position Cebu as a central logistics gateway connecting the country’s three main island groups—the Visayas, Mindanao, and Luzon. Beyond port development, Malaluan also underscored Cebu’s continued prominence in shipbuilding and ship repair, particularly in the industrial zones of Balamban town, where major shipyards serve both domestic and international markets.

Among recent milestones cited was

Govt must pay ₧80-M to contractor of terminated payroll system–SC

Thighlight the Battle of Yuldong and the heroism of Filipino and Korean soldiers, noting that the initiative aims to better communicate these stories to the public, especially to the younger generations.

“We will co-produce a movie, whether directed by a Korean or a Filipino, to commemorate the Battle of Yuldong and the lives of Capt. Conrado Yap and Lt. Jose Artiaga. That is the best way to teach the young generation the sacrifice of these two tragically underappreciated and underknown heroes of the Republic of the Philippines.”

He also called for a broader effort to correct gaps in historical understanding and strengthen national values rooted in courage and dignity, stating “We need to do s omething to correct this travesty in our Philippine national development and Philippine history.”

He further underscored the importance of drawing inspiration from the courage and example set by Yap and Artiaga, both of whom were killed in that battle, challenging Filipinos to uphold the same sense of duty and commitment to the nation.

the delivery of the MV Brave Pioneer in January 2026, a dual-methanol Kamsarmax bulk carrier designed for greener and more energy-efficient operations.

The vessel’s turnover, attended by President Marcos, signals the country’s growing capability in advanced and sustainable shipbuilding.

Malaluan noted that additional vessels are nearing completion, with more orders already in the pipeline—further reinforcing Cebu’s role in the global maritime supply chain.

“These developments are complemented by the broader economic momentum,” she added, pointing to Cebu’s sustained growth driven by logistics, manufacturing, and a skilled maritime workforce.

Malaluan graced the opening of the threeday exposition inside the IEC Convention Center in Cebu City on Wednesday.

Samuel Lim, chairman of the One Maritime Group, which organized the exposition, said they gathered to send a clear message that the Philippine maritime industry remains steadfast even with the global developments.

“Despite these external pressures, our ships continue to sail. Our shipyards continue to build and repair. Our managers continue to innovate. We are not just a transport sector, we are the lifeblood of this nation,” he said in his message.

The event will run until April 24, 2026 with aspiring seafarers also expected to benefit from the job fair as one of the main highlights.

By Joel R. San Juan @jrsanjuan1573

HE Supreme Court (SC) has upheld the ruling issued by the Court of Appeals (CA) and a lower court which approved the arbitral tribunal’s award of more than P80 million to a joint venture whose contract to reform the payroll system of the government was terminated in 2016.

In a 21-page ruling written by Associate Justice Maria Filomena D. Singh, the Court’s Third Division denied the petition filed by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and DBMProcurement Service seeking the reversal of the March 10, 2022 decision and November 25, 2022 resolution issued by the Court of Appeals.

The CA affirmed the orders issued by the Regional Trial Court in Pasig City, which granted the petition for confirmation of the final award rendered by the arbitral tribunal in favor of the joint venture of Omniprime Marketing

Inc., 2Interact Middle East FZLLC, and Heitech Padu Berhad. “In sum, the Court finds no reason to disturb the CA decision. No ground to vacate the arbitral award has been proven by the DBM and DBM-PS. Thus, it was proper for the RTC to confirm the Final Award rendered by the Arbitral Tribunal,” the SC said.

The SC did not give weight to the petitioners’ argument that the arbitral tribunal has no jurisdiction over the matter since money claims against the government should be lodged before the Commission on Audit.

The ruling pointed out that while COA has primary jurisdiction over money claims against the government, it does not have exclusive jurisdiction over the matter.

The SC also pointed out that documents constituting the contract agreement between the petitioners and the respondents would show that parties are required to first resort to arbitration for the settlement of their disputes.

“To the Court’s mind, there is no other reasonable conclusion than that the parties to the Contract Agreement intended to exclusively refer disputes to arbitration prior to court action,” the SC noted.

“Only when arbitration fails can the parties invoke the jurisdiction of the regular courts,” it added.

On the propriety of the termination of the contract agreement and the monetary awards granted to the joint venture, the SC said, are issues which it cannot review under the Special Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Rules.

“The Court will not, even in passing, rule on the substance of this case. To do so would defeat the purpose of arbitration and run counter to the policy enunciated in the Special ADR Rules,” the SC pointed out.

It may be recalled that the DBM rolled out the P348-million National Payroll System Project in 2013 to upgrade the payroll system of the government for faster and efficient processing of salaries and benefits of government

SHFC grants over ₧14 million housing aid to Quezon, Cagayan communities

THE Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) has officially turned over more than P14.5 million housing assistance to communities in the provinces of Quezon and Cagayan under the Enhanced Community Mortgage Program (ECMP).

This funding marks a significant milestone in the agency’s ongoing mission to provide secure and affordable land ownership to Filipino families.

The ECMP is part of SHFC’s ongoing efforts under President Marcos’ Expanded Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) Program to provide secure, decent, and affordable housing for Filipino families.

In barangay Gadu, Solana, Cagayan, the Ibay Homeowners’ Association Inc. (HOAI) was awarded over P3.5 million

NTA. . .

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market for their produce, provided they comply with the required quality standards and good agricultural practices,” Casela said.

He noted that the agency is conducting a series of consultative meetings with tobacco-producing LGUs and stakeholders in the Ilocos provinces, including Abra in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), to address prevailing tobacco trading issues due to overproduction.

In addition, Casela said the agency is coordinating with tobacco manufacturers

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The agency also clarified that the diesel shipment to the Philippines via the Philippine National Oil Company— Exploration Corporation (PNOC-EC) was procured through a commercial transaction with the Singapore office of the international trader, Vitol Asia PTE LTD, and not through a government-to-government procurement arrangement with Malaysia.

The DOE continues to monitor global developments closely and remains committed to implementing timely and appropriate measures to ensure the stability, reliability, and sufficiency of the country’s energy supply. There will be upcoming engagements

to secure the land where their homes are currently situated. This turnover ensures long-term stability and legal tenure for the residents, with the ceremony led by SHFC North Luzon Vice President Jones Tomas, who represented SFHC President and Chief Executive Officer Federico Laxa, alongside DHSUD Region 2 Director Marvin Feraren, representing Housing Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling.

Simultaneously, the Msgr. Eddie L. Eleazar HOAI received more than PHP 11 million, including a grant to cover the expenses for documentary processing. The check was presented by SHFC South Luzon Vice President Jimmy Manes, DHSUD Region 4A Director Lyndon Juntilla, and Tagkawayan Mayor Luis Oscar Eleazar. SHFC and DHSUD award over

and accredited traders to ensure that all tobacco output from farmers this season is accommodated.

A long-term solution, he said, is a holistic approach and shared responsibility among LGUs, tobacco manufacturers, tobacco traders, and farmers.

For her part, NTA Administrator Belinda Sanchez said contract growing provides farmers greater income security since it ensures that their produce will be purchased. She added that the system also gives farmers better access to production inputs, technical support, and financial assistance from contracting firms, helping improve the quality and volume of their harvest.

to be held online, consistent with the DOE’s continuing role as chairman of the Asean Ministers on Energy Meeting—Senior Officials Meeting on Energy (Amem-Some).

The DOE continues to monitor global developments closely and remains committed to implementing timely and appropriate measures to ensure the stability, reliability, and sufficiency of the country’s energy supply.

Present during the hybrid meeting were Minister Tuan Haji Akmal Nasrullah bin Haji Mohd Nasir of the Ministry of Economy, Ambassador Suzilah Mohd Sidek of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and other officials from both ministries, while the DOE was represented by Secretary Sharon S. Garin, Undersecretary Alessandro O. Sales, and key officials from the Philippine National Oil Company and PNOC-EC.

employees. The project was supposed to cover all payroll-related activities, including the distribution of monthly salaries, remittances of social security and health insurance contributions, and the withholding of taxes.

After public bidding, the DBM awarded the project to the joint venture on May 21, 2014.

Two years later, the government decided to terminate the contract owing to the failure of the joint venture to deploy all required personnel to be on the site for the duration of the initial project implementation and for violation of the provisions of the contract agreement prohibiting any software development or customization.

The joint venture sought the referral of the dispute to arbitration which was opposed by the DBM.

The Integrated Bar of the Philippines formed the three-man arbitration panel which issued on November 13, 2018 the final award in favor of the joint venture.

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P11 million to Msgr. Eddie L. Eleazar Village HOAI, advancing land ownership for over 200 families in Tagkawayan, Quezon.

“Our target is to fast-track the awarding of housing assistance to all approved ECMP projects,” said Laxa. “We are committed to rolling out these grants, ensuring that the dream of land ownership becomes a reality for every community.”

The ECMP continues to serve as a government’s socialized housing efforts, with SHFC having already awarded checks to 10 communities for land acquisition while approving 45 projects nationwide. These initiatives are set to benefit over 7,700 families, reinforcing the SHFC’s dedication to the Expanded 4PH Program spearheaded by the DHSUD to address the nation’s housing needs under the administration of President Marcos.

“Contract growing is one of the most effective ways to protect our tobacco farmers and ensure that their hard work translates into stable income from tobacco farming,” Sanchez said.

Despite this, the agency cautioned farmers to transact only with licensed and accredited tobacco buyers to avoid illegal trading activities and unfair pricing schemes.

The NTA said it continues to push programs that will improve the productivity, profitability, and long-term sustainability of the tobacco industry, especially in the Ilocos Region and CAR, a tobacco powerhouse in the Philippines.

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She said the President also does not feel that he is being blamed by Romualdez, who is also his cousin, for the flood control scam.

“When we say Executive, it is not just the President who is in the Executive,” Castro said.

However, she declined on the state of the relationship between Marcos and Romualdez.

“I can’t say anything [about that], I don’t see them talking. I don’t see them communicating either,” Castro said.

Since Romualdez resigned as Speaker in September 2025 due to pressure from the flood control project probes, he has been absent from the President’s public events.

Northern Negros area. The operation was launched based on verified reports from civilians on the presence of armed elements in the area.

Government forces engaged the group at approximately 3:58 a.m., resulting in running firefights throughout the day as the NPA attempted to evade pursuit.

Nineteen members of the armed group were neutralized and 24 firearms were seized, including identified leaders— dealing a significant blow to the NPA’s operational capability in Northern Negros, the Army said.

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society organizations that has already tracked 933 local infrastructure projects worth P5.8 billion. Beyond oversight, the DILG continues to strengthen LGU capability by equipping local governments with the tools and knowledge needed for resilient, efficient, and sustainable infrastructure governance. The results are already being felt by ordinary Filipinos, the DILG said. In barangay Canidkid, Montevista, Davao de Oro, a newly completed concrete road has eased travel and daily movement for residents.

In Leon B. Postigo, Zamboanga del Norte, the expansion of the Level III Water Supply System brought lasting relief to residents of two barangays. Before, residents in the area walked for hours just to fetch water. With the project, it is finally flowing to their own yards.

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The next step is to present the DOE-led Nuclear Energy Program InterAgency Committee (NEP-IAC) flowchart to prospective nuclear power project proponents who wish to invest in the country, alongside relevant policies and investment incentives.

“By finalizing this harmonized licensing roadmap, we are sending a clear signal that the Philippines is preparing for nuclear energy with discipline and foresight.

“Our commitment is straightforward: strong safety oversight, predictable processes, and transparent public engagement, so that when proponents are ready to invest, government is ready to evaluate, regulate, and deliver our 2032 target responsibly,” Garin said.

Iran seizes ships in Strait of Hormuz as US maintains blockade; global oil prices surge

By Jon Gambrell And David Rising

The Associated Press

UBAI, United Arab Emirates—

DIran fired on three ships in the Strait of Hormuz and seized two of them Wednesday, intensifying its assault on shipping in the key waterway. The attacks came a day after US President Donald Trump extended a ceasefire while maintaining an American blockade of Iranian ports.

The standoff between the US and Iran has effectively choked off nearly all exports through the strait—where 20 percent of the world’s traded oil passes in peacetime—with no end in sight. Iranian media said the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard was bringing the two ships to Iran, marking a further escalation, though the White House said the seizures didn’t violate ceasefire terms.

The conflict has already sent gas prices skyrocketing far beyond the region and raised the cost of food and a wide array of other products.

The price of Brent crude oil, the international standard, nosed over $100 per barrel, marking a 35% increase from prewar levels, but stock markets still appear to be shrugging it off.

The European Union energy commission -

er, Dan Jørgensen, warned of lasting impact for consumers and businesses, likening it to other major energy crises over the last half-century. He said the disruption is costing Europe around 500 million euros ($600

million) each day.

Iran holds firm in apparent tit-for-tat with US IRANIAN media said the MSC Francesca and the Epaminondas were being escorted to Iran.

The US had earlier seized two Iranian vessels as the ceasefire talks were due to take place in Pakistan.

Technomar, the management company behind the Liberian-registered Epaminondas, said it was “approached and fired upon by a manned gunboat” off the coast of Oman. It said the ship’s bridge was damaged.

A second cargo ship came under fire hours later, with no report of damage, though it was then stopped in the water. No injury to the crew of either vessel was reported. Panama condemned what it called the “illegal seizure” of the Panama-flagged MSC Francesca, and said it represented a serious attack on maritime security.

The Guard attacked a third ship, identified as the Euphoria, which had become “stranded” on the Iranian coast, Iranian media reported, without elaborating.

Still, Iran’s seizure of the ships didn’t violate truce terms because “these were not US or Israeli ships, these were two international vessels,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told Fox News Channel.

There have been more than 30 attacks on ships in the Mideast since the US and Israel launched the war on Feb. 28 with a surprise at -

tack on Iran. Before then, the strait was open for all traffic.

Vortexa, an analytics firm focusing on global energy and freight markets, said it has recorded 34 movements of sanctioned and Iranianlinked tankers in and out of the Persian Gulf in the week after the US imposed its blockade on April 13.

The firm identified 19 outbound and 15 inbound movements. Six of the outbound movements were “confirmed laden with Iranian crude, representing about 10.7 million barrels,” it said in an email. It was not immediately clear whether all those barrels reached markets overseas.

It’s not clear when talks will restart IRAN’S ability to restrict traffic through the strait—which leads from the Persian Gulf to the open ocean—has proved a major strategic advantage While the ceasefire means American and Israeli airstrikes have stopped in Iran—and Tehran’s missiles no longer target Israel and the wider Middle East—the maritime standoff continues and could escalate.

China emerges as key player in Middle East de-escalation

By Huizhong Wu And Kanis Leung The Associated Press

Peru’s defense and foreign ministers resign after president stalls US military planes deal

By Franklin Briceño | The Associated Press

LIMA, Peru — Peru’s defense and foreign ministers resigned Wednesday following an announcement by the country’s interim president to defer the decision on a $3.5 billion deal for US F-16 fighter jets to his successor who will emerge from a presidential runoff vote in June.

Last week, interim President José María Balcázar said he lacks the legitimacy as a temporary leader to make the commitment to buy 24 fighter jets manufactured by USbased Lockheed Martin and that his successor should make the decision.

“For us to commit such a large sum of money to the incoming government would be a poor practice for a transitional government,” Balcázar said at the time. US Ambassador Bernie Navarro reacted to the announcement, saying on X that if Peru “negotiates in bad faith” or undermines US interests, he would take measures at his disposal. He did not elaborate.

On Wednesday, both Defense Minister Carlos Díaz and Foreign Minister Hugo de Zela stepped down.

Díaz’s resignation letter, obtained by The Associated Press, said that postponing the purchase “could compromise” Peru’s interests. Both ministers said at a news conference that they had unsuccessfully tried to persuade Balcázar to follow through on the deal.

Díaz said that even without Balcázar’s approval, officials from the Ministry of Defense signed the contract on Monday for the purchase of the aircraft, as stipulated under the deal.

Speaking to a local radio station, de Zela accused Balcázar of misleading the public about the contract. Díaz noted that specific details of the deal remain undisclosed because of their classified nature.

In 2024, the government of then-President Dina Boluarte announced that Peru would allocate $3.5 billion to the purchase of 24 fighter jets through domestic borrowing of $2 billion in 2025 and $1.5 billion in 2026. Among the companies that submitted bids were, in addition to Lockheed Martin, the Swedish Saab and the French Dassault Aviation.

BANGKOK—China’s role as an unofficial mediator in the latest war in the Middle East is drawing attention across the world as it seeks to project the image of being a responsible global power while US actions are straining its long-standing alliances.

China’s profile in international diplomacy has risen in recent years, thanks to active efforts from its diplomats. Long reluctant to get involved in conflicts far from its borders, it has nevertheless emerged as a major player with attempts to mediate conflicts from Southeast Asia to Europe.

With the Iran war, Beijing is not an official mediator, but all parties—including Washington and Tehran—say it has played an important role in trying to de-escalate the conflict.

Experts say Beijing’s strategies for diplomacy in multiple conflicts have looked similar and have had mixed success in influencing negotiations, but the efforts come at an opportune time, as US actions under President Donald Trump have increased tensions with traditional diplomatic allies.

In the Iran war, experts say, China’s close economic and political ties to Tehran put it in a unique position of influence as the conflict hurts the global energy supply, especially in Asia.

Trump says China encouraged Iran to negotiate ceasefire

TRUMP has said he believes China helped encourage Iran to negotiate the fragile ceasefire that he has now extended.

Diplomats told The Associated Press that Beijing, the biggest purchaser of sanctioned Iranian oil, used its leverage to urge the Iranians back to the negotiating table for historic face-to-face talks in Pakistan earlier this month.

Beijing has not confirmed that account, likely because it does not want to be seen as part of a US-led security framework, said Yaqi Li, a researcher at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore.

Still, some saw it as a major moment for Beijing, which has criticized the US’ and Israel’s war against Iran.

After the war began with US-Israeli strikes on Feb. 28, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi spoke with counterparts including Israel, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates. As of mid-April, he had 30 phone calls with various parties about the war, according to a tally of his calls from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Wang also hosted his counterpart from close ally Pakistan, which has been acting as the main mediator in the latest talks, to present a fivepoint proposal calling for an end to hostilities and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

Chinese President Xi Jinping in recent days has been uncharacteristically outspoken, warning last week against “the world’s retrogression to the law of the jungle.” This week, he called for the Strait of Hormuz to reopen.

China leans on its role as an economic power

GEORGE CHEN, a partner at The Asia Group consultancy, said China’s role in the Iran situation is irreplaceable. As Tehran’s biggest oil buyer, its advice carries weight. China is also one of the few countries that has showed sympathy for Iran’s situation at the United Nations, he said.

Further, Iran’s ballistic missile program was built with Chinese technology, and China sells dual-use industrial components that can be used for missile production, according to the

US government.

Although China isn’t as immediately influential as Pakistan or key Arab Gulf states in active mediation, it occupies a unique position as the key economic partner for many of those countries.

Tuvia Gering, a nonresident fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Global China Hub, said China is uniquely positioned to offer economic incentives that matter to Tehran, especially after the war ends, as Beijing can promise investment in reconstruction and commercial relief in ways few others can.

“It could be one of the few actors capable of giving Tehran both political cover and material incentives to accept constraints and stick to them,” he said.

China’s role as a global mediator is growing ONE of China’s biggest diplomatic wins in recent years came in 2023, when it was among the parties bringing Saudi Arabia and Iran together to restart official engagement.

It was widely seen as a major geopolitical breakthrough that reduced the risk of direct and proxy conflict, said

Without any diplomatic agreement, the attacks will likely deter ships from even attempting to pass through the waterway, further squeezing global energy supplies.

Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, Iran’s parliament speaker who met with US Vice President JD Vance in Pakistan earlier this month, said a complete ceasefire “only makes sense” if it is not violated by the US blockade of Iranian ports.

“Reopening the Strait of Hormuz is impossible with such flagrant breach of the ceasefire,” he wrote on X.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei told state TV that Iran has not decided whether to take part in a new round of negotiations, and accused the US of a “disregard and lack of good faith” in the negotiations.

Mojtaba Ferdousi Pour, the head of the Iranian mission in Egypt, earlier told The Associated Press no delegation would go to Pakistan until the US lifts its blockade.

The US has turned back 31 vessels since its blockade began, US Central Command said Thursday. In the Iranian capital, Tehran, many grappled with the uncertainty.

“We should know where we stand. Is it going to be a ceasefire, peace, or the war is going to continue?” said Mashallah Mohammad Sadegh, 59. “The way things currently are, one doesn’t know what to do.”

Casualties mount in Lebanon amid plans for new talks IN southern Lebanon, three separate Israeli strikes killed at least six people and wounded others, according to local authorities. Israel denied carrying out one of the strikes and did not immediately comment on the others.

The attacks came as Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors prepared for a new meeting in Washington on Thursday toward extending a fragile 10-day ceasefire that began last week and provided an opening for Iran and the United States to move toward ending the wider war.

An Israeli drone struck the village of Jabbour, kill -

Muhammad Zulfikar Rakhmat, a researcher at the Center of Economic and Law Studies in Indonesia.

But China is choosing when to play a role cautiously, he said, noting that Saudi Arabia and Iran had preexisting incentives to reengage diplomatically. “Its mediation tends to be opportunistic and low-risk, often occurring when conditions are already conducive to agreement,” he said.

Beijing also was active during the recent conflict between Thailand and Cambodia, hosting multiple meetings between them and attending initial ceasefire talks alongside the US in Malaysia. When fighting started again in December, China and the US helped broker another ceasefire.

Beijing also has issued peace proposals for the war in Ukraine, hosting the Ukrainian foreign minister at one point, even though it maintains what it calls a “no-limits” friendship with Russia.

Beijing’s role remains carefully worded CHINA’S diplomatic efforts tend to follow a pattern, experts say, with Beijing reiterating calls to respect the UN charter and national sovereignty.

With the Iran war, Xi last week called for “upholding the principles of peaceful coexistence, upholding national sovereignty, upholding the rule of international law, and coordinating development and security.”

“A lot of the points are remarkably consistent,” said Hoo Tiang Boon, a professor of Chinese foreign policy at Nanyang Technological University.

In conflicts further afield, the stakes for Beijing can be low but benefits can be high as the world tries to come to terms with the Trump administration’s approach to negotiating, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, a professor of international relations at Thailand’s Chulalongkorn University, said.

“What the US is doing is deeply damaging, and everyone suffers from it ... and China is displaying global leadership and exerting its global role by speaking to the rules-based international system,” he said. “It’s an inescapable contrast.”

Leung reported from Hong Kong.

ing one person and wounding two others, according to Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency. Israel’s military denied it attacked the area. Lebanon’s health ministry said two Israeli strikes on al-Tiri village killed three people, including a newspaper correspondent, and injured one other journalist.

Authorities said the body of Lebanese reporter Amal Khalil, who worked for the daily Al-Akhbar, was pulled from the rubble hours later. Lebanon’s health ministry said a team searching for her was unable to reach her while Israeli forces fired at an ambulance. Khalil had been covering Israel-Hezbollah hostilities since October 2023 and was reporting during the latest war, the newspaper said.

Israel’s military alleged people in al-Tiri violated the ceasefire and posed a risk to its troops’ safety. It denied it prevented rescue teams from reaching the area or that it targets journalists.

The Lebanese Health Ministry said a separate Israeli strike on the village of Yohmor killed two people and injured two others. Hezbollah launched rockets at Israel from Lebanon days after the war’s outbreak, sparking retaliatory strikes and an Israeli ground invasion. The ceasefire that started Friday has been marred by several Israeli strikes and Hezbollah claimed its first attack Tuesday.

French President Emmanuel Macron said a French peacekeeper wounded in a weekend attack in Lebanon died of his wounds. Another French peacekeeper was killed in the attack Saturday when the force came under small-arms fire in southern Lebanon.

Macron blamed the attack on Hezbollah, which denied involvement.

Since the war started, at least 3,375 people have been killed in Iran, according to authorities. More than 2,290 people have been killed in Lebanon, 23 people have died in Israel and more than a dozen have died in Gulf Arab states. Fifteen Israeli soldiers in Lebanon and 13 US service members have been killed.

The World

Nuclear energy is having a global revival 40 years after Chernobyl

By Vladimir Isachenkov

The Associated Press

THE 1986 Chernobyl disaster fueled global fears about nuclear power and slowed its development in Europe and elsewhere. Four decades later, however, there’s a revival around the world, a trend that has been given a big boost by war in the Middle East.

Over 400 nuclear reactors are operational in 31 countries, while about 70 more are under construction. Nuclear power accounts for producing about 10% of the world’s electricity, equivalent to about a quarter of all sources of low-carbon power.

Nuclear reactors have seen steady improvements, adding more safety features and making them cheaper to build and operate.

While Chernobyl and the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan diminished the appetite for such power sources, it was clear years ago that there probably would be a revival, said Fatih Birol, executive director of the International Energy Agency. With the war in the Middle East, “I am 100% sure nuclear is coming back,” he added.

“It’s seen as a secure electricity generation system, and we will see that the comeback of nuclear will be very strong, both in (the) Americas, in Europe and in Asia,” Birol told The Associated Press.

Nuclear energy reliance stays strong THE United States is the world’s largest producer of nuclear power, with 94 operational reactors accounting for about 30% of global generation of nuclear electricity. And it is increasing efforts to develop nuclear energy capacity with a goal to quadruple it by 2050.

“The world cannot power its industries, meet the demands of artificial intelligence, or secure its energy future without nuclear power,” US Undersecretary of State Thomas DiNanno said last month.

China operates 61 nuclear reactors and is leading the world in building new units, with nearly 40 under construction with a goal to surpass the US and become the global leader in nuclear capacity.

European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen has acknowledged that it was Europe’s “strategic mistake” to cut nuclear energy and outlined new initiatives to encourage building power plants.

Russia, meanwhile, has taken a strong lead in exporting its nuclear know-how, building 20 reactors worldwide.

Chernobyl’s Reactor No. 4 exploded on April 26, 1986, while Ukraine was still part of the Soviet Union. The accident contaminated nearby areas and spewed radiation across Europe. Ukraine still relies heavily on nuclear plants to generate about half

of its electricity. Those plants have played a vital role after Russia sent troops into Ukraine in 2022. Moscow’s forces have captured Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, and Kyiv accused Russia of a drone attack on the protective containment structure covering the damaged Chernobyl reactor.

Japan has restarted 15 reactors after reviewing the lessons of the earthquake and tsunami that damaged the Fukushima plant, and 10 more are in the process of getting approval to restart.

South Africa has the only nuclear power plant on the African continent, although Russia is building one in Egypt, and several other African nations are exploring the technology.

“The momentum we are seeing today is the result of a growing recognition that reliable, low-carbon electricity will be essential to meet the world’s rising energy demand,” said Rafael Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency.

EU eyes nuclear expansion

EUROPE sought to wean itself off Russian energy after the Ukraine conflict, but its dependence on hydrocarbons was underlined by the war in the Middle East.

The European Commission has shifted its perception of nuclear energy and views it as part of clean energy, along with wind and solar power, to achieve climate goals.

In 1990, nuclear energy accounted for about a third of Europe’s electricity; now it’s only about 15%, and von der Leyen has acknowledged that its reliance on imported fossil fuels puts it at a disadvantage.

“I believe that it was a strategic mistake for Europe to turn its back on a reliable, affordable source of lowemissions power,” she said recently. “In the last years, we see a global revival of nuclear energy. And Europe wants to be part of it.”

The EU is considering the development of Small Modular Reactors.

Expected to become operational in the early 2030s, they are seen as cheaper and faster to build and more flexible than traditional reactors. France and a few other EU members, including Sweden and Finland, have spearheaded nuclear power. On the other hand, Germany, Austria and Italy are among the EU members that outlawed its use.

In a major policy reversal last year, Belgium repealed a law that demanded the closure of its reactors and extended their lifespan. Spain, meanwhile, still plans to phase out its nuclear capacity and shut down its seven operational reactors between 2027 and 2035.

France remains a nuclear powerhouse WITH 57 reactors at 19 plants, France relies on nuclear power for nearly 70% of its electricity.

Successive governments have

backed nuclear power as central to France’s energy independence, undeterred by the Chernobyl disaster. In 2022, President Emmanuel Macron announced plans to build six new pressurized water reactors, aiming to cut greenhouse gas emissions and support the transition to low-carbon energy.

The Covid-19 pandemic, combined with the gas supply crunch triggered by the conflict in Ukraine, “revealed the limits of deploying renewable electricity and Europe’s dependence on gas,” said Nicolas Goldberg, a partner at Paris-based Colombus Consulting.

“France has therefore been reinforced in its strategy of maintaining its existing nuclear plants, which means extending their lifespan as much as possible,” he said.

Germany stands firm in phasing it out

DECADES of anti-nuclear protests in Germany, stoked by past accidents, had pressured successive governments to end using a technology that critics saw as unsafe and unsustainable. Germany switched off its last three nuclear reactors in 2023, the final step in plans that had been drawn up by governments of various political stripes over two decades.

A significant nuclear revival in Europe’s biggest economy still looks far-fetched, despite recent talk among some in Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s center-right bloc about being open to a possible future generation of small modular reactors.

“The decision is irreversible—I regret it, but that’s how it is,” Merz said, noting the plant operators’s “consistent answer was: ‘We are too far along with demolition.’”

Russian domestic nuclear expansion and exporting reactors

RUSSIA has aggressively expanded its nuclear power capacity both domestically and internationally.

It has 34 operational reactors, including eight Chernobyl-type RBMK reactors, known as the light water graphite reactors, which account for about a quarter of all nuclear power generation. They have seen extensive modernizations, adding safety features to fix the inherent design flaw that, coupled with human error, triggered the Chernobyl disaster.

Key projects under construction include new units at the Kursk, Leningrad and Smolensk sites, a prospective plant in the Far East, and prospective floating nuclear units.

Russia also is building 20 reactors in Europe, Africa, Asia and the Middle East, and has signed contracts to launch construction in several other countries.

John Leicester and Sylvie Corbet in Paris, Geir Moulson in Berlin, Gerald Imray in Cape Town, South Africa and Yuras Karmanau in Tallinn, Estonia, contributed.

Final impeachment push: House panel eyes probable cause vote on VP Sara next week

By Samuel P. Medenilla

@sam_medenilla

& Joel R. San Juan

@jrsanjuan1573

HE House Committee on Justice

TJustice Committee Chairperson Atty. Gerville “Jinky Bitrics” Luistro of Batangas said the third and probably last hearing of her committee is set for April 29, 2026.

The Committee is targeting to submit a committee report to the plenary once Congress resumes its regular sessions on May 3, 2026.

is eyeing to conclude its hearings on the impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte next week tackling her tax records and alleged death threats against President Ferdinand Marcos and his family.

IP MEMBERS of Indigenous Peoples (IP) have joined the mounting calls for the Supreme Court (SC) to stop the ongoing “mini-trial” being conducted by the House of Representatives in connection with the two impeachment complaints filed against Vice President Sara Duterte.

In their motion, the members of the Manobo community under Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title 135, sought leave

of court to intervene and to admit their petition-in-intervention in consolidated cases questioning the impeachment proceedings against Duterte.

They argued that they have the legal right to intervene in the petition as taxpayers and Filipino citizens.

Whether or not to open

DURING the said meeting, Rep. Luistro said

the members of her committee will vote on whether or not to open the sealed box submitted by the Bureau of Internal Revenue containing the tax records of Duterte and her husband, Atty. Manases Carpio.

Some members of the Committee have expressed their reservations in opening the said box since it may violate the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC), which only allows the release of such records in aid of legislation and in executive session.

The tax records will be used to verify if Duterte has made accurate declarations in her Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net worth (SALN).

The Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) has flagged P6.77 billion suspicious and covered transactions from the bank accounts of Duterte and Carpio from 2006 to 2025. The said bank transactions were not reflected in Duterte’s SALN.

“We need to vote whether or not we will open [the sealed box] because we cannot terminate the proceedings of the Justice committee with a matter left pending,” Luistro said.

She noted if the Committee will vote not to open the box, she will suggest transmitting it to the Senate in its sealed state.

“So we will leave it up to the Senate what their position will be about that. That is on the assumption that the Justice members will vote in favor of the probable cause,” Luistro said.

Aside from the tax returns, she said also to be discussed in the next hearing are the findings of the National Bureau of Investigation’s (NBI) on the statement made by Duterte last November that she has instructed an assassin to kill President, First Lady Liza AranetaMarcos, and former Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez.

The said death threats were also among the grounds cited in the impeachment complaints against the Vice President.

“We issued a subpoena to the NBI, as well as duces tecum to bring all digital and documentary evidence pertaining to the allegations of threat,” Luistro said partly in Filipino.

After its third impeachment hearings, Luistro said the Committee will vote if there is probable cause in the impeachment complaints against Duterte.

Intervenors

THE intervenors added that their community overwhelmingly voted Duterte during the 2022 national elections, forming part of the 32 million Filipino who gave her a clear mandate.

“Thus, they have a direct and legitimate interest in ensuring that constitutional processes affecting her office are conducted strictly within the bounds of law, so that such mandate is not undermined by proceedings tainted with serious constitutional infirmities,” the motion read.

The intervenors said they adopt and support the principal petitions earlier filed before the Court questioning the constitutionality of the impeachment proceedings being conducted by the House Committee on Justice.

The intervenors warned that the continuation of the impeachment proceedings would further strain communities already facing economic challenges, including rising costs of basic goods and services. Four petitions have already been filed before the SC seeking the issuance of a temporary restraining order (TRO) to enjoin the House impeachment proceedings. These petitioners were filed by Duterte herself, lawyer Israelito Torreon et al, One Bangsamoro Movement, former Commission on Education Commissioner Ronald Adamat et al and lawyer Hue Jyro U. Go et al. Named as respondents in the petition were House Speaker Faustino Dy III, Committee on Justice chairperson Rep. Luistro, Senate President Vicente Sotto III, and the complainants in the impeachment complaints.

The Vice President and the other petitioners argued that the impeachment complaints are void ab initio for violating the one-year bar rule under Section 3 (5) Article XI of the 1987 Constitution, which prohibits the initiation of more than one impeachment proceeding against the same official within a period of one year.

The petitioners also accused the committee of turning its proceedings into “casebuilding” and “fishing expedition” by approving the issuance of subpoenas addressed to individuals and entities requiring submission of documents and testimony of witnesses.

“So we anticipate that at the end of the hearing on April 29, the justice members will proceed to vote on the determination of probable cause,” Luistro said.

DA tightens oversight of WB programs with new joint PMO

TBy Ada Pelonia @adapelonia

HE Department of Agriculture (DA) created a joint project management office (PMO) for two World Bank (WB)-backed programs to tighten oversight and address “longstanding” coordination gaps.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco

Tiu Laurel Jr. signed an order that created the joint PMO for the Philippines Sustainable Agriculture Transformation (PSAT) program and the Technical Assistance for Sustainable Agricultural Transformation (TASAT) project. Both are funded through Official Development Assistance (ODA) from the World Bank.

“The creation of a unified PMO is critical to ensure that these programs are implemented efficiently, transparently, and in full alignment with our reform agenda,” Tiu Laurel said.

“This will allow us to accelerate delivery and ensure development assistance translates into tangible gains,” he added.

The DA explained that the policy-based loan PSAT program links funding releases to performance indicators, while TASAT provides technical assistance to forward institutional reforms. Such an arrangement effectively ties financing to the agency’s ability to meet governance and delivery benchmarks, it added.

A Project Director, supported by a Deputy Project Director who

will oversee daily operations and enforce compliance across units, will helm the new structure. The PMO also introduces specialized Result Area (RA) Units to deliver specific reform outcomes tied to disbursementlinked indicators and results—key conditions set by the World Bank.

The DA said the RA Units comprise technical working groups from various offices across the agency, reflecting a shift toward a “more integrated, whole-of-agency” model.

Furthermore, a Project Support Team will handle the finance, procurement, human resources, and technical advisory to ensure compliance with Philippine regulations and donor requirements.

For the agency, dedicated finance and procurement units will play a critical role in avoiding delays, “a persistent challenge in publicly funded projects.”

“The structure addresses long-standing coordination gaps and should help the DA manage overlapping mandates and bureaucratic bottlenecks.”“The inclusion of monitoring systems and audit mechanisms tied to loan disbursements could improve accountability, but may also slow implementation if compliance requirements become too rigid,” it added.

Project allocations and existing agency resources, subject to government auditing rules, will bankroll the PMO, according to the DA.

High Court clears way for prosecution of Richard Tan in ₧6.4-B drug charges

TBy Joel R. San Juan @jrsanjuan1573

HE Supreme Court (SC) has denied the petition filed by Chinese businessman Chen Ju Long, alias Richard Tan, seeking the dismissal of the importation of dangerous drugs charges filed against him in connection with the P6.4 shabu shipment from China that were seized from his company’s warehouse in Valenzuela City nine years ago.

In a 28-page decision penned by Associate Justice Maria Filomena Singh, the Court’s Third Division, affirmed the August 31, 2018 decision and January 11, 2019 resolution of the Court of Appeals (CA) which upheld the order issued by the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Manila City dated February 22, 2018 denying Chen’s motion to dismiss the drug case and to set aside the arrest warrant it issued against him.

It denies Chen’s motion to dismiss, the

DAR helps Bohol ARBOs become better ‘managers’ amid rising fuel costs

THE Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) is helping farmer groups in Bohol stay resilient by strengthening their organizational and livelihood management skills amid rising fuel costs through its Sustainable Livelihood Support (SLS) Project.

In a statement, the DAR is rolling out policy formulation training nationwide to strengthen agrarian reform beneficiaries’ organizations (ARBOs).

The goal is to help these groups put clear systems in place so they can manage their projects more effectively, avoid confusion, and keep their operations running smoothly even as expenses rise.

DAR Secretary Conrado M. Estrella III has emphasized the importance of building strong, self-reliant farmer organization recognizing that empowered groups are better equipped to protect their income, sustain their livelihood, and help secure food supply for their communities.

For farmers, this means more stable income, better coordination within their groups, and stronger capacity to keep their livelihood projects going despite higher fuel costs.

In Ubay town, 30 Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) from the Sinandigan Agrarian Reform Community Beneficiary Cooperative joined a hands-on training where they learned how to create practical policies tailored to their livelihood activities.

A similar activity was held in Carmen for members of the Montevideo Irrigators Association Inc., focusing on roles, accountability, and effective project implementation.

The sessions provided ARBOs with practical tools to set clear policies, avoid operational gaps, and improve day-to-day management. Stronger systems mean better capacity to deal with rising fuel costs that affect production and delivery.

Jonathan L. Mayuga

Manila RTC pointed out that it was essentially a motion to quash the information based on the ground that the prosecution committed forum shopping.

The trial ruled that forum shopping is not among the grounds allowed to be raised in a motion to quash under the Revised Guidelines for Continuous Trial in Criminal Cases and the Rules of Court.

Thus, the trial court said, Chen’s motion is considered a prohibited motion.

In upholding the CA and the lower court’s rulings, the SC noted that Chen failed to comply with the requirement of filing a motion for reconsideration first before the trial court being elevating the case to the CA.

Thus, the SC said, the CA did not err in dismissing Chen’s petition for his failure to raise valid grounds for skipping such procedural requirement.

“The Court finds no compelling reason to allow a deviation from the general rule.

As correctly found by the CA, Chen Julong failed to substantiate his claim. On this ground alone, the present petition should be denied,” the SC said.

Even if the procedural error is set aside, the Court held that Chen’s arguments should be dismissed for lack of merit.

In his petition, Chen argued that that the second information filed with the RTCManila was without authority as it was the same information that was approved by the DOJ Task Force in its joint resolution issued on November 16, 2017.

The Court said a review of the second information showed that it was signed by the same panel of prosecutors who signed the task force’s joint resolution.

“Since the second information filed with the RTC-Manila bore the signatures of the abovenamed prosecutors and the approval of the Acting Prosecutor General, there is no question that the information was, on its face, filed by

officers who had ample authority to initial criminal case against Chen Julong,” the SC said.

He also accused the DOJ of forum shopping for refiling the criminal case before the Manila court after the Valenzuela RTC, where the case was first filed, dismissed the charges for lack of jurisdiction.

The SC, however, held that the act of filing the second information with the Manila RTC “does not amount to forum shopping.”

“While there may be truth to the idea that the prosecution only filed the second information with the RTC-Manila because the RTC-Valenzuela City dismissed the first information for lack of jurisdiction, this reasoning will not cause the dismissal of the second information,” the SC ruled.

“It only shows that the prosecution heeded the orders of the RTC-Valenzuela City to file the criminal charges in the appropriate venue,” it added.

Villanueva seeks inflation-proof allowances of personnel in public education system

SBy Butch Fernandez @butchfBM

ENATOR Joel Villanueva is pushing to fix the allowance of all faculty and nonteaching personnel in the public school system to ensure these are inflation-adjusted and protected from budget discretion.

Villanueva said the twin bills—Senate Bill No. 1605 and 1606 which he filed last year— are timely with the ongoing oil crisis that has significantly reduced the value of allowances received by teaching and nonteaching personnel across the public education system.

“These allowances are not just financial assistance but are part of a broader effort to affirm the State’s constitutional mandate to prioritize education, not just through facilities or access, but also by recognizing and supporting the people who drive its delivery,” Villanueva said.

1.49M

T“Benefit amounts are adjusted every three years to account for inflation, meaning the allowances will not lose purchasing power over time,” the senator and Commissioner of the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM2), pointed out.

SBN 1606 seeks to provide a combined quarterly benefit of P5,000, or a total of P20,000 annually, for all teaching and non-teaching personnel in the public basic education system, including those in the Alternative Learning System. This includes P3,000 for grocery and transportation allowances and P2,000 for medical expenses per quarter.

Villanueva also credited the Department of Education for the existing quarterly medical allowance under DepEd Department Order No. 16, s. 2025, but said only a law can protect it from being cut in a lean budget year.

“The DepEd, through the leadership of

Secretary Sonny Angara, has been advocating tirelessly for basic education personnel, working with what’s available. Sapamamagitanng panukalang ito, pagtitibayin at palalawigin nito ang mga repormang nasimulan na,” Villanueva pointed out.

On the other hand, SBN 1605 provides the same combined quarterly benefit of P5,000, or a total of P20,000 annually, for all teaching personnel in state universities and colleges, as well as state-run technical-vocational institutions.

Both bills mandate that the additional allowances are exempt from taxation unless the amounts exceed the threshold as determined in the National Internal Revenue Code.

“While other laws and issuances rightly focus on learners, [these bills are] a deliberate act of solidarity with our educators and school personnel-the very people who make learning possible,” Villanueva said.

households benefit from DILG’s SALINTUBIG program

HE Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Wednesday reported that its Sagana at Ligtas na Tubig sa Lahat (SALINTUBIG) program has now reached 1.49 million households in communities once considered to be“waterless”or with no access to clean, safe, and potable water. For many families, this means no longer having to travel far for water, wait for deliveries, or worry if what they bring home is safe to drink. It means more time for work, school, and family, and less burden in daily life, the DILG said.

SALINTUBIG is one of the government’s propoor programs aimed at bringing community-

based water systems to areas with high poverty incidence, frequent water-borne diseases, and limited access to safe water. To date, 2,821 water supply subprojects have been completed, benefiting around 7.45 million residents. Because of these efforts, 340 municipalities and 1,123 barangays have graduated from waterless status.

In Jamindan, Capiz, the municipality now has an upgraded water system and a 1,200 cubic-meter-per-day ultra-filtration plant. In San Isidro, Isabela, a Level III Potable Water System now supplies clean water to the municipal government’s water refilling station. Residents

say it has helped reduce costs and made access more convenient.

Residents in the two areas said that before, they had to buy water in refilling stations far from their homes.

The DILG, through the Office of Project Development Services (OPDS), continues to monitor completed projects, assist local government units, and help ensure that water systems remain reliable and sustainable.

For the DILG, it said that every completed water project means healthier families, stronger communities, and a government that delivers where it matters most. Jonathan L. Mayuga

Records showed that Chen was the general manager of the Hongfei Logistic Group of Companies which was engaged in the business of international sea and air freight forwarding.

Agents from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Bureau of Customs (BOC) raided the warehouse upon receiving information of the activities of a drug syndicate operating in Manila.

Authorities then found five wooden crates with five large metal cylinders which contained a total of 602.2 kilograms of shabu. The incident resulted in the arrest of several other individuals, including excustoms “fixer” Mark Taguba. In 2024, Taguba and several others were sentenced to life imprisonment by the Manila RTC for drug importation charges.

Shockwaves in the engine room: ADB braces for impact as Iran war hits Asia

THE Asian Development Bank rarely sounds an alarm without cause. Yet, last week’s announcement carries the unmistakable urgency of an institution bracing for impact. The ADB is accelerating budget support and expanding trade finance not out of routine planning, but because the Middle East conflict is sending shockwaves—rising oil, freight, and financing costs—directly into the engine room of the global economy: Asia and the Pacific. (Read the BusinessMirror story: “ADB steps up Asia Pacific support amid war impact,” April 20, 2026).

ADB President Masato Kanda’s assessment that the region is “the most severely affected” by the turmoil in the Gulf is a stark geopolitical reality check. For decades, Asia has benefited from relatively stable energy prices and predictable shipping lanes. That era is now under threat. Every percentage point increase in oil prices extracts a heavy toll from import-dependent nations from Manila to Mumbai. Every surge in freight costs rewinds the clock on post-pandemic supply chain recovery. And every uptick in financing costs threatens to strangle small and medium enterprises that are the backbone of Asian commerce.

The ADB’s response—quicker-disbursing budget support and expanded trade finance—is technically sound. Budget support allows governments to plug fiscal holes without cutting essential services, while trade finance keeps goods moving when commercial banks retreat. But these are defensive measures. They treat the symptoms, not the disease.

The deeper lesson of this moment is one of structural vulnerability. Asia’s remarkable growth story has been built on open seas and stable petrodollars. The Middle East conflict reminds us that these are not guarantees. The ADB’s parallel focus on critical minerals, water security, and regional power grids—notably the Asean Power Grid—is therefore just as important as its emergency lending. Energy security is national security. A region that cannot power its factories or finance its shipments cannot chart its own destiny.

However, we must sound a note of caution. Accelerating financing is only effective if it reaches the right targets quickly and without onerous conditionality that slows recovery. Moreover, the ADB cannot act alone. The warning about “possible new tariffs and ongoing trade uncertainty” points to a second front: protectionism. If the United States, China, or Europe respond to global instability by raising trade barriers, the ADB’s efforts could be swamped by forces beyond its control.

The bank’s call for “collective resilience” is the right language, but it requires a collective response. Asian governments must do their part: rationalize fuel subsidies, diversify energy imports, deepen local currency settlement to reduce dollar financing pressure, and accelerate the long-delayed integration of regional infrastructure.

The ADB has raised its hand. It has promised speed and coordination. But the true test will be whether Asia’s political leaders treat this as the systemic warning it is—or merely as a signal to draw down another line of credit. Rising costs today are a prelude to rising instability tomorrow. The time to act is before the storm makes landfall.

Cyber libel prescribes one year from the time it is discovered

TAmicus Cuariae

HE Supreme Court reiterated in the recent case of Causing v. People (GR 258524, April 8, 2026) that cyber libel prescribes one year from the time it is discovered.

In December 2020, Cotabato Second District Representative Ferdinand L. Hernandez (Hernandez) filed a cyber libel complaint with the prosecutor against Berteni Causing, related to Facebook posts accusing Hernandez of pocketing over P200 million in relief goods for Marawi victims. Hernandez stated he discovered the posts on February 4 and April 29, 2019.

Libel is the public and malicious imputation of a crime, of a vice or defect, real or imaginary, or any act, omission, condition, status, or circumstance tending to cause the dishonor, discredit, or contempt of a natural person or juridical person, or to blacken the memory of one who is dead.

The traditional concept of libel involves print media, radio and television broadcasts.

Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 (RA 10175 ) was signed into law by President Benigno Aquino III on September 12, 2012 wherein “cyber libel” is among the actions criminalized.

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The application of the law penalizing libel has been extended to cyberspace and electronic platforms, including social media, websites, blogs, forums, and other digital channels.

Under the Revised Penal Code (RPC), written libel prescribes in one year. There is no law that excludes cyber libel from this one-year period, and Congress has consistently treated libel as having a shorter prescriptive period than other crimes, even when penalties are increased.

The SC reiterated that cyber libel is not a separate crime, but rather libel committed through a computer system.

The fact that RA 10175 imposes a higher penalty for cyber libel does not imply that its prescriptive period should be extended beyond that of traditional libel.

The SC added that when laws on the prescription of crimes are unclear, they must be interpreted in favor of the accused. Since the RPC sets a one-year prescriptive period for cyber libel, it prevails over the

15-year period under the Cybercrime Prevention Act.

The SC also affirmed that prescription begins upon discovery of the offense, not upon publication. The law clearly states that prescription runs from the time the crime is discovered by the offended party or the authorities.

The SC rejected the idea that an online publication automatically implies the offended party is presumed to have seen the post. Unlike documents recorded in a public registry, social media posts are not always accessible because their visibility depends on privacy settings, internet access, and social media connections.

In his Concurring Opinion, Senior Associate Justice Marvic Leonen argued that the one-year prescription period should apply only to libel cases against private individuals.

He underscored that libel against public figures should be decriminalized, as punishing comments and criticisms directed at public officials discourages free and uninhibited discussion about how those in public office conduct themselves.

Leonen earlier said in the case of Disini v. Secretary of Justice (GR 203335, February 18, 2014) that the “threat of being prosecuted for libel stifles the dynamism of the conversations that take place in cyberspace.”

Justice Leonen stressed in the Disini case (which questioned the constitutionality of RA 10175) that legitimate dissent will be endangered by cyber libel.

“Libel with its broad bright lines

Food inflation after the headlines fade

WEAGLE WATCH

HEN global shocks push up commodity and energy prices, the effects on food prices do not reach the palengke (wet market) in a straight line. Some price pressures manifest within weeks, while others take months to work their way through costs and supply chains. By the time they reach the palengke, the headlines may have already faded. Yet even if attention shifts, underlying pressures are already building in the production process, long before they become visible in retail prices.

These pressures also do not dissipate quickly. Supply chains do not immediately return to normal when disruptions end. This is most evident in major energy-producing regions like the Middle East, where tensions often extend beyond the initial shock. Adjustment takes time, and cost pressures can linger even when global conditions appear more stable. The data suggest that the transmission from global price shocks to

food inflation is not immediate. In the short term, changes in oil prices do not seem to move food inflation on their own. Instead, their impact tends to show up indirectly through production, transport, and input costs such as fertilizers. As a result, the impact of oil is gradual, unfolding through these channels over time. Food inflation also shows persistence, with past price movements continuing to influence current in-

The data suggest that the transmission from global price shocks to food inflation is not immediate. In the short term, changes in oil prices do not seem to move food inflation on their own. Instead, their impact tends to show up indirectly through production, transport, and input costs such as fertilizers. As a result, the impact of oil is gradual, unfolding through these channels over time.

flation. It does not jump overnight in response to global shocks, but rather builds over time. Food inflation does not move at a single pace. Rice prices, tend to move more quickly and have a strong influence on food inflation. This is evident in the data, where the rice prices show a strong and consistent relationship with food inflation. As a widely consumed staple with significant import dependence, changes in global rice prices pass through quickly into domestic prices. The peso adds another

is an anachronistic tool that may have had its uses in older societies: a monkey wrench that will steal inspiration from the democratic mob,” Leonen said.

“The Constitution protects expression. It affirms dissent. The Constitution also insists that we will cease to become a democratic society when we diminish our tolerance for the raw and dramatically delivered idea, the uncouth defamatory remark, and the occasional lascivious representations of ourselves.” Leonen added that, in libel cases, the types of speech that are actually deterred hold greater value than the State’s interest that the anti-libel law seeks to protect.

Libel cases generally involve notable personalities for parties, highlighting a propensity for the powerful and influential to use the advantages of criminal libel to silence their critics.

Instead, Leonen said that civil actions for defamation are more consistent with our democratic values since they do not threaten the constitutional right to free speech, and avoid the unnecessary chilling effect on criticisms toward public officials. The proper economic burden on complainants of civil actions also reduces the possibility of using libel as a tool to harass or silence critics and dissenters.

Atty. Dennis R. Gorecho heads the Seafarers’ Division of the Sapalo Velez Bundang Bulilan Law Offices. For comments, e-mail info@sapalovelez. com, or call 0908-8665786.

layer. When the peso weakens, imported food and inputs become more expensive, and these effects usually show up with a delay. There are also signs that pressures may be building in the supply chain. Global fertilizer prices have risen sharply in recent months, with urea prices rising from around $470 per ton in February to over $700 in March. The increase reflects supply disruptions and higher input costs linked to tensions in major energyproducing regions, including the Middle East. The Philippines sources about a fifth of its nitrogen-based fertilizer from the Middle East, according to the Department of Agriculture. Because fertilizer prices are set in global markets, disruptions in the region can raise costs more broadly, not just through direct imports. Based on monthly data over the past decade, fertilizer cost pressures tend to show up in production costs with lag of several months, which is roughly aligned with the crop cycle. These costs influence production decisions and show up in food manufacturing costs, and may eventually add to pressures on See “Eagle Watch,” A13

Alberta examines three northern routes for oil pipeline to serve Asia

By Brian Platt

ALBERTA is looking at three options for a new oil pipeline to ship 1 million barrels a day through northern British Columbia, according to people familiar with the matter, as Canadian officials make plans to sharply increase energy exports to Asia.

The provincial government and Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government are also closing in on an agreement on industrial carbon pricing, with a deal expected to be finalized in the next two weeks, said the people, who spoke on condition they not be identified discussing private negotiations.

A new crude pipeline is crucial to Carney’s ambitions of making Canada an energy superpower that’s more relevant in global markets. The prime minister, who’s been in office for a year, has built his economic strategy around the idea of reducing the country’s reliance on the US after President Donald Trump imposed tariffs that upended the countries’ longstanding free-trade pact.

The pipeline would take years to build, so it’s not a solution to the current energy supply crunch from the standoff in the Middle East. But over the long run, Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith see the opportunity for Canada to increase energy sales to China, South Korea and other buyers. Currently, about 90 percent of Canada’s oil exports still go to the US, despite an increase in shipments to Asia following the expansion of the Trans Mountain pipeline.

There are considerable political and technical obstacles within Canada to a northwest oil pipeline. The idea is opposed by the government of BC, environmentalists and some Indigenous groups in the region, and it would require Carney’s government to relax a ban on oil tankers.

Some experts advocate a different approach: shipping more oil through the Vancouver region along a similar route to Trans Mountain, which is Canada’s only oil-export pipeline that reaches an ocean port. A report in the Globe and Mail newspaper this week suggested Carney’s government favors that concept.

But Smith, whose government is spending millions on early-stage planning for the new conduit, sees major advantages in going north, said one official with knowledge of the discussions. The three routes include the port city of Prince Rupert and two other spots further north along the coast.

While the premier hasn’t ruled out a southern route, Alberta officials believe it would be significantly more expensive, the person said.

The Trans Mountain project, which opened in 2024 and roughly tripled the capacity of the line to around 900,000 barrels a day, saw huge budget overruns and eventually cost well over C$30 billion ($22 billion). A tolling dispute over how much of that cost must be passed onto oil shippers is still the subject of legal wrangling.

There are large stretches along the Trans Mountain route where there’s not enough room to run another large pipeline, according to one person familiar with the deliberations—particularly through the difficult terrain of the Coquihalla region of the BC interior. There are also technical challenges in the Vancouver region. The terminal where Trans Mountain ends has a congested waterway and can only support smaller Aframaxsized oil tankers. The port intends to dredge the inlet to allow vessels to carry more weight.

Running the pipeline to a different terminus in the area, such as Roberts Bank, near the US border, would require crossing agricultural land and the urban environment of the Vancouver suburbs, which may be politically contentious.

“Alberta’s government is evaluating all possible options and routes

Are we the dumb republic?

TThe pipeline would take years to build, so it’s not a solution to the current energy supply crunch from the standoff in the Middle East. But over the long run, Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith see the opportunity for Canada to increase energy sales to China, South Korea and other buyers.

for a new oil pipeline to Canada’s west coast as we continue to prepare our government’s application,” Sam Blackett, a spokesperson for Smith, said in a statement.

“As the proponent, Alberta is leading the evaluation of all practical routes to ensure the proposal is economically viable, socially responsible, and respectful of First Nations,” he said. The province is aiming for July 1 to submit a proposal to Carney’s Major Projects Office.

Leaders of several First Nations from BC’s northern coastline, including the Haida Nation, traveled to Calgary on Wednesday to warn major pipeline operators that they continue to oppose the construction of a northern pipeline and lifting of the tanker ban.

The group met with senior leadership from Pembina Pipeline Corp. and the federally-owned Trans Mountain Corp. to reiterate their stance, also delivering the message in a letter to Enbridge Inc., South Bow Corp. and TC Energy Corp. Before a route is chosen, it’s not clear what territorial and legal rights those First Nations would have.

Alberta is working on the pipeline proposal but expects to eventually hand it to private sector companies for construction and operation. That likely wouldn’t happen until a route is agreed upon and would depend on Carney’s government designating it as a project in the national interest, making it eligible for faster regulatory approval.

The carbon pricing agreement is essential to finalizing a broader pact on energy signed by Carney and Smith in November. That deal also includes a plan for building a massive carbon capture project to reduce emissions from the heavy-polluting oil sands industry.

Making policy changes to boost development of the energy sector is part of the Carney’s government’s strategy for tamping down separatist sentiments in Alberta.

Canadian Energy Minister Tim Hodgson has declined to weigh in on any potential pipeline routes until the Alberta government’s proposal is ready.

“Let’s not have hypothetical conversations,” he told the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. in a radio interview Tuesday morning.

However, he said the government is committed to ensuring Indigenous communities are on board with any pipeline route that moves forward.

“We’ve been clear, we’re not going to build pipelines when there’s not Indigenous support,” Hodgson said.

Charlotte Power, a spokesperson for the minister, said the federal government’s role will be to evaluate Alberta’s proposal based on the five criteria laid out for projects in the national interest, including that they strengthen Canada’s economic sovereignty, contribute to Canada’s climate change objectives and advance the interests of Indigenous people.

“Determination of a potential route and other project elements will be guided through the application and review process,” she said. With assistance from Jade Khatib and Thomas Seal/Bloomberg

Tito Genova Valiente

ANNOTATIONS

HE scene was straight out political theater. There was an elegant staginess out of it. The characters were dressed well; the men had crisped collars, the seal of government dapper on them, and the women were coiffed clean and lovely. The agenda these men and women were feasting on could bring down a republic, but everyone looked cool. “Chill.” “Goods.”

They were discussing signatures and the discovery that, perhaps, in this particular organization only few men or women were allowed to sign for others. Absurd, right? Outright illegal, we who didn’t know much about law were aware this was wrong. But, it’s been done and we are now witnessing the report on signatures. The woman expounding on the documents had clear enunciation, her English good, grammatically. Then, as if from some unperturbed state, another woman’s voice called Madam Chair. I was wrong—she was disturbed after all. Like me. This was her observation: Can the resource speaker explain the results of the investigation, in the “vernacular”? This means many things, basically in Filipino, or Tagalog. This could not mean other languages—Ilocano, Bikol, Binisaya, etc. Did we all wake up after that request? Did the sky open and the gods come down to scold us?

The next scene was sad. Painful. On a reflex, the woman stood up, spoke in English again until she realized she had not fulfilled what’s being asked of her. She tried again, mixing the two languages, English and the vernacular.

When a phenomenon like this happens, we generally assume a person of high standing—a bureaucrat, a leader, a politician—is communicating, reaching out.

No social revolution happened that day but (and you might condemn me for setting my standards low) that request from our local leaders came

across as an entreatment. Against the perception that our government is distant, detached, uncaring, there are sectors after all conscious of how not only we communicate but to what degree do the words of law, governance and justice reach our citizens. And yet, it seems, the series on Justice still has a long way to go. By the time I was back to viewing the acts of the Justice committee, a representative was hogging the spotlight. He spoke with the confidence of an orator, the type who would not be bullied by an indifferent or hostile audience. He was armed with the right language—the so-called legalese, those verbose cache of terms, the tortuous syntax, and, when ideas appeared to hit a temple wall, he’d manage to snatch Latin phrases. These are usually impressive techniques but, on that day, in the session with Madame Chair, he was not making an inroad. The Chair reminded him that those questions had been answered already. Then, he spewed out a bad phrase: “in this trial…” which the Madame Chair sliced up with her scimitar words “but this is not a trial.” Too bad, applauding was taboo in the hall of the just. And indeed, from somewhere another just voice roared: “Strike out his words! (referring to the persistent Orator). It was almost a plea for salvation, which brings me to one of the most quoted statements from Plato’s The Republic: “The heaviest penalty for declining to rule is to be ruled by someone Inferior to yourself.”

Someone in that Justice Commit-

tee certainly refuse to be penalized. I was, however, frustrated. There was something that was aching to be shouted, screamed out. It was not Law, nor Justice. It was not even Governance. I was waiting for that incendiary element—the element that connects citizens. Languages, Languages. Languages. Languages. Languages. They can unite us and disunite us. They can create us and our futures. That congresswoman was right —translate. We need to translate Justice, which means explain how a just society works. To translate Law is not merely to identify educated individuals who can understand the rule of law; translating law is transferring the effects of law on real people. Lately, the issues being raised by prospective political candidates being pitted against each other is intelligence. Some have operationalized it to mean academic degrees or some sort of achievement in state examinations. Political parties are demarcated against each other by the Dumb and the Enlightened. There are nuances within the parties: the Dumb Ones are fiercely loyal; the Enlightened Ones are imbued with the critical faculty. The details could go on. One thinks one has covered the bases. But in the vociferous political

parties, with spokesperson having enough time and resources to talk, how many have wondered about languages? Who are wondering at all if they were heard?

Back with the people of Justice, the debate or discussion was becoming more difficult, that is if you think of those not conversant in English. What about the concepts being bandied around? The session was still mired in the documents examined. With hundreds of them, how come the presenter only used 30-plus signatures. I knew it would be mentioned—sample. But not sampling. The legislators were skirting another domain. Was it the Chair who asked whether “it” was “random.” At this point, I was back in Dr. Ricky Abad’s classroom. The subject was Statistics. “What do you mean by random?” “What about the sampling?” “Is it simple random?” Were we thinking of the same things? Who would explain? Who would translate?

Deep in my chair, I sank into dreaming of this republic as a product of random sampling, where everyone has, more or less, equal chance of being selected, and not born of “tsamba.”

E-mail: titovaliente@yahoo.com

Race for next UN chief heats up with first round of interviews

By Magdalena Del Valle

THE race to become the next leader of the United Nations moved into a higher gear with the four declared candidates facing hours of questions over two days. Top among them: can the UN be made effective again?

Rafael Mariano Grossi, an Argentine diplomat who heads the International Atomic Energy Agency, struck a downbeat note about the global body’s future during his interview to replace Secretary General Antonio Guterres.

“This election, or selection, process is so consequential, and this is because we are at a time when there are enormous, huge doubts about our institution,” Grossi said on Tuesday. “The direction in which the UN is moving is not the one we would all like to see.”

Michelle Bachelet, the former president of Chile, had her own gloomy assessment, saying, “our world and the order based on international law that sustains it is under strain as never before.” The other two candidates, senior UN official Rebeca Grynspan and former Senegal President Macky Sall were similarly pessimistic, with Grynspan saying trust in the organization “is waning and because time is running out to

Eagle Watch. . .

continued from A12

retail prices, but it takes time. Food inflation reflects a mix of fast-moving and slow-moving forces. What people experience today is largely shaped by movements in staples such as rice, the exchange rate, and the persistence of past price movements, while other cost

restore it.”

The candidates’ comments offered an apt reflection of the state of affairs at the organization in the 10 years of Guterres’s tenure. Nominally meant to ensure global peace and security, its leaders have watched from the sidelines as wars raged in Ukraine, Gaza and Iran.

Even when crises like the war in Gaza or the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz get discussed at the Security Council, the body’s permanent members — especially the US, China and Russia—often can’t agree, leaving resolutions regularly vetoed.

“The UN is a reflection of the world that it came to support, and we’re in a much more trying time than we were in the past few decades,” says Daniel Forti, who heads UN affairs at the International Crisis Group. “It’s clear that being secretary general is just a much tougher job than it was a decade ago because of the geopolitics of the world.”

New prospects may emerge at any

pressures are still working their way through production and supply chains. This helps explain why food inflation can remain elevated even after global input price shocks begin to ease. For policymakers, this creates a difficult balance. Monetary policy is more effective when inflation is driven by demand, but less effective when it is driven by supply shocks. While tightening can help anchor

time until someone gets at least 9 out of 15 votes at the Security Council, with no opposition from any of its five veto-empowered members.

There’s no official deadline for when the next leader has to be chosen, but Guterres’s term ends on Dec. 31. Over the summer, the Security Council will start informal consultations and proceed to secret “straw polls.”

Another major factor in the selection will be President Donald Trump. He has repeatedly lambasted the organization, lamenting that it hasn’t fulfilled its potential and even floating his Board of Peace as a possible rival to the world body. In January, the administration announced it would withdraw from 31 UN entities.

He’s also withheld around $2 billion in dues that the US still owes.

On top of these challenges, the UN warned that it could run out of money this summer, largely because of the lack of American funding.

The next secretary general would have to confront all of those problems as part of efforts to revive the organization.

“Secretaries general, when they’re successful, are successful because they understand the historical moment they’re in, and move the UN in a direction where it becomes newly relevant.” said historian Thant Myint-

expectations, it does not directly address the underlying source of pressure when it originates from external factors.

For households, the message is simple. The lack of a sharp and immediate spike in food prices does not mean underlying pressures are absent. It may mean the adjustment is still underway.

Food inflation does not move in a straight line. It rarely does. By the

U, whose grandfather was Secretary General U Thant.  Momentum has also slowed on the possible choice of the first female secretary general. A resolution from September encouraged members to “strongly consider” women when it came to choosing candidates for the role.

The Trump administration made a point that it would choose the most qualified person, regardless of gender, but some Republican lawmakers have already urged the US to veto Chile’s Bachelet over her views on abortion and China.

“I’m very pessimistic that a woman will be selected this time,” said Stephen Schlesinger, a fellow with the Century Foundation, pointing out that significantly more women ran in 2016 and still lost. The last 10 years under Guterres, a former prime minister of Portugal, also highlighted the strain that comes with the position. He is often accused of focusing too much on climate change and not enough on security. Lately, the secretary general has faced discontent over efforts to curb spending, which led to cuts of thousands of jobs.

“I would concede that Guterres did have a poor hand that he was dealt,” Schlesinger said. Bloomberg

time it becomes visible, the pressures behind it have been moving for quite a while. The challenge is not just to respond to what is happening now, but to recognize what is already developing in earlier stages of the process.

Friday, April 24, 2026

2nd Front

DUTERTE BOUND FOR ICC TRIAL ON CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY

By Malou Talosig‑Bartolome

THE International Crimi

nal Court’s (ICC) Pre‑Trial

Chamber I has unani mously confirmed all charges against former Philippine Presi dent Rodrigo Roa Duterte, com mitting him to stand trial before a Trial Chamber.

In its April 23 ruling, the Cham ber found “substantial grounds to believe” Duterte is criminally re sponsible for three counts of crimes against humanity—murder and attempted murder—committed as part of a widespread and system atic attack on civilians during the “war on drugs” campaign when he was mayor of Davao City and in his early years as president between November 2011 and March 2019.

Judges detailed killings linked to the Davao Death Squad, na tionwide “high‑value target” op erations, and barangay clearance campaigns.

They concluded Duterte acted as an indirect co‑perpetrator in a “common plan” with police and government officials to “neutral ize”—understood to mean “to kill”—alleged criminals.

The Chamber also cited his role in establishing the DDS, elevat ing allies to national posts, and encouraging killings through public statements and incentives.

The confirmation of charges follows hearings in February 2026, where 539 victims were au thorized to participate. Duterte, surrendered to the ICC in March 2025, waived his right to attend.

This development comes a day

after the ICC Appeals Chamber rejected the defense’s jurisdiction challenge, affirming the Court’s authority over crimes committed before the Philippines’s withdrawal from the Rome Statute in 2019.

‘Existential crisis’

DUTERTE’S lead counsel Nicholas Kaufman dismissed the Appeals Chamber’s jurisdiction ruling as predictable, saying the tribunal is in an “existential crisis.”

“The former president of the Philippines, Rodrigo Duterte, is the big catch of this court, and it was never really my impression that they would let him go that eas ily,” Kaufman told reporters in The Hague. He argued that a defense win would have left the ICC with little more than “an insignificant human trafficker from Libya.” Kaufman pointed to institu tional pressures—looming US sanctions and allegations against the chief prosecutor—as signs of a tribunal fighting for survival.

“The ICC is in an existential cri sis,” he said, suggesting the Court upheld jurisdiction to preserve its relevance.

Despite the setback, Kaufman insisted he remains optimistic:

“We hope that all the weaknesses that we identified at confirmation will be the very same weaknesses that lead ultimately to the former president’s acquittal.”

The case now moves to a Trial Chamber, which will determine the next procedural steps.

The ICC stressed that proceed ings will be fair and impartial, giving the defense time to prepare while safeguarding victims’ rights.

Pag-IBIG Fund continues housing fairs in South Luzon and Visayas to expand access to homeownership

PAG -IBIG is continuing its housing fair series in South Luzon and the Visayas, with the South Luzon fair set on April 27 and 28 at the Jose Rizal Coliseum in Calamba City, Laguna, and the Visayas fair scheduled on April 30 and May 1 at the IEC Convention Center Cebu. The two fairs will each showcase more than 20,000 housing units from partner developers and the agency's acquired properties for sale, bringing more housing options closer to Filipino workers and their families. The housing fairs form part of the efforts of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development and Pag-IBIG Fund, under the Marcos administration’s Expanded Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino Program, to bring housing supply, affordable financing, and government assistance closer to more Filipinos. The series follows the earlier Central Luzon leg and forms part of the broader regional rollout of housing fairs aimed at making the path to homeownership easier and more accessible.

“We continue to heed the call of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to make decent and affordable housing more accessible to Filipino families through the Expanded 4PH Program,” said DHSUD Secretary Jose Ramon P. Aliling, who also chairs the Pag-IBIG Fund Board of Trustees. “By continuing these housing fairs in South Luzon and the Visayas, Pag-IBIG Fund is bringing together leading private developers, Pag-IBIG Fund’s affordable financing programs, and government assistance in one accessible venue, so that more workers can move from simply hoping for a home to actually taking concrete steps toward owning one.”

The Housing Fairs will include socialized housing units under the Expanded 4PH Program, among them Pasinaya Heights in Laguna, where a unit priced at P1.404 million may be purchased at a monthly amortization of as low as P2,257.91

BusinessMirror

Faster VisMin growth still can’t edge Luzon advantage

By Justine Xyrah Garcia

FASTER growth in the Visayas and Mindanao has yet to loosen Luzon’s grip on the Philippine economy, with economic activity re maining heavily concentrated in the country’s main island group.

Data released on Thursday by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed Luzon’s gross regional do mestic product (GRDP) grew by 4.4 percent in 2025, slightly behind Min danao’s 4.7 percent but ahead of the Visayas’ 4.2 percent.

Official data show that faster growth outside Luzon is not new. Even before the pandemic, the Visayas and Mind anao had, at various points, outpaced Luzon. In some years, they also posted the highest growth rates, including peaks of 8 percent or higher.

These episodes of faster growth, however, have not translated into a shift in economic weight, as Luzon continues to benefit from a much larg er base, economists said.

Former Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Dante B. Canlas said Lu zon’s dominance reflects the contin ued concentration of economic activi ties in the island.

“The GRDP level is highest in Lu zon since the distribution of firms and households continue to be highest in Luzon. Investments in Luzon still dom inate,” Canlas told the BusinessMirror Based on PSA data, Luzon still accounted for 68.9 percent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP), while the Visayas and Min danao contributed 14 percent and

17.2 percent, respectively.

This pattern has persisted for more than two decades, with both the Vi sayas and Mindanao individually re maining well below a quarter of na tional output despite steady growth in their economies.

Luis F. Dumlao, economist at At eneo de Manila University (ADMU), said businesses tend to cluster in es tablished economic centers such as Metro Manila, reinforcing existing advantages.

Philippine Institute for Develop ment Studies (PIDS) Senior Research

Fellow John Paolo R. Rivera agreed, noting that Luzon’s dominance is root ed in its structural advantages, includ ing stronger infrastructure, deeper capital markets, and a higher concen tration of industries and services.

Data showed that industry activity remains heavily skewed toward Luzon, with Calabarzon (Region IV A) account ing for the largest share at 25.4 percent, followed by the National Capital Region (NCR) at 18 percent and Central Luzon (Region III) at 16.3 percent.

The same trend is seen in services, where NCR alone captured 40.9 per cent of total output, far ahead of Cal abarzon’s 10.9 percent and Central Luzon’s 8.4 percent.

In contrast, agriculture, forestry and fishing showed a more dispersed pat tern, with Central Luzon posting the largest share at 14.1 percent, followed by Northern Mindanao at 10.3 percent and the Davao Region at 8.2 percent.

Rivera said these trends highlight persistent agglomeration effects which continue to favor Luzon and remain

difficult for other regions to replicate.

“While Visayas and Mindanao post ing higher growth is encouraging, it does not automatically close the gap. From a low base, faster growth can still mean the absolute income and output gap with Luzon continues to widen, even if relative convergence improves,” he told the BusinessMirror

Gap widens despite growth

ADMU economist Ser K. Peña Reyes told this newspaper that faster growth in the Visayas and Mindanao must be sustained at much higher levels to meaningfully reduce region al inequality.

“For the gap to actually shrink in ab solute terms, we would need to...have huge structural shifts [industry relo cation, infrastructure, capital flows],” Peña Reyes added.

This persistent gap is reflected in poverty data from the PSA, which show that many of the country’s poor est provinces remain in Mindanao de spite its relatively strong growth.

In 2023, the highest poverty inci dence was recorded in Zamboanga del Norte (37.7 percent), Basilan (33.7 percent), Cotabato City (33.3 percent), Tawi Tawi (32.3 percent), and Maguindanao (30.4 percent).

In contrast, the lowest poverty rates were recorded in Metro Manila districts, with incidence as low as 0.9 percent to 1.6 percent.

Rivera said this suggests that growth in Mindanao remains un even and concentrated in specific sectors or areas, limiting its impact on poorer households.

“Constraints such as weak infra structure, limited access to markets and finance, and lower human capital can prevent growth from translating into broad based gains,” he said. Peña Reyes added that the coexis tence of high growth and high poverty points to deeper structural issues.

“The economy is growing, but the channels that transmit that growth to the poorest households are weak. Until those channels improve, growth will continue to lift averages without lifting everyone,” he said.

Needed shift

FOR Peña Reyes, narrowing inequal ity requires a shift in the pattern of growth. This includes raising agricul tural productivity and investing in ru ral infrastructure and logistics. He added that improving access to education and skills training is criti cal. Strengthening social protection and promoting labor intensive in dustries, such as manufacturing and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), are also needed to reach poorer households. Rivera, for his part, said growth will be more evenly distributed with better connectivity, stronger human capital, and more inclusive local de velopment strategies.

Canlas said sustained faster growth in Mindanao could eventu ally signal convergence, with lagging regions beginning to catch up with more developed areas.

“This development will reduce the number of poor provinces therein in support of inclusive growth,” he added.

in the first year, and Asenso Yuhum Residences in Bacolod, where a 24-square-meter condominium unit priced at P1.059 million may be acquired at a monthly amortization of as low as P1,703.08 in the first year. These affordable monthly payments are made possible through Pag-IBIG Fund’s Housing Loan Program under the Expanded 4PH, which offers a subsidized 3% interest rate for the first five years of the loan term, with the possibility of extension for another five years for eligible borrowers. In addition, Pag-IBIG Fund is currently offering an Early Bird Promo, under which the first 30,000 qualified borrowers may enjoy the same 3% interest rate for the first 10 years of their loan, further easing the path to homeownership.

Meanwhile, Pag-IBIG Fund

Chief Executive Officer Marilene C. Acosta emphasized that the agency’s home loans enables low-income and other qualified members, including overseas Filipino workers, to access decent housing at monthly amortizations that are often lower than prevailing rental costs. She added that the housing fairs make these homeownership opportunities more accessible by bringing housing options and the agency's financing assistance together in one venue.

“Through Pag-IBIG Fund’s affordable housing loan programs, many families may now find that what they would otherwise spend on rent can already be used to start paying for a home they will eventually own,” Acosta said. “This allows members not only to realize possible savings on monthly housing costs, but also to build long-term household stability, equity, and a more secure future. Through these housing fairs, we are making that opportunity more tangible by bringing housing options and financing guidance together in one venue, where members can compare choices and take clearer steps toward homeownership.

Angara‑Mathay seeks courtesy resignations of DOT executives

By Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo Special to the BusinessMirror

OFFICIALS of the Depart ment of Tourism (DOT) have been asked to submit their courtesy resignations, giving their new boss a free hand to ap point her own key people.

In a memorandum to all DOT undersecretaries, assistant secre taries, directors, regional direc tors, and assistant regional direc tors dated April 20, a copy of which was obtained by the BusinessMirror, Tourism Secretary designate Ma. Bernadita “Dita” Angara Ma thay asked “all officials appointed by the President from Director III (SG 27) up to Undersecretary (SG

30)…to tender their courtesy resig nations.”

The memorandum covers “those whose appointments are classified as co terminus or primarily confi dential; those occupying positions created in excess of the authorized staffing pattern or organizational structure; and Non C areer Execu tive Service [CES] officials occupy ing CES positions in a temporary or acting capacity.”

Said officials have been asked to address their courtesy resignation to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., through Angara Mathay, “and submitted to the Office of the Sec retary not later than Tuesday, April 21, 2026.” As per a source, most of the cov

ered officials had submitted their courtesy resignations by the an nounced deadline, “except a few CESO directors.” The memo does not cover the heads of attached agencies and chief operation of ficers of government owned and controlled corporations chaired by the DOT chief.

‘Stay put unless replaced’ A CAREER Executive Service Of ficer (CESO) has CES eligibility and holds a specific rank, usually a management position in an agency, and appointed to the post by the President. CESOs are supposed to be protected from being removed by the President or agency heads

Job security push may deter investors –AmCham

By Bless Aubrey Ogerio

ROPOSED labor related bills aimed at strengthening job se curity could have unintended ef fects on investment inflows, employ ment levels, and broader economic activity, even as they reaffirmed sup port for worker protection, the Ameri can Chamber of Commerce of the Phil ippines (AmCham) said.

Following a recent public hearing on the proposed Anti Endo bill and the Magna Carta for Workers in the Informal Economy, AmCham said it supports efforts to promote fair em ployment practices and safeguard workers’ rights.

It also described the legislative discussion as an important venue for dialogue between policymakers, labor groups, and the business sector on measures affecting the workforce. However, the chamber said the Philippines already has an existing legal framework governing labor contracting and subcontracting, with established rules and enforce ment mechanisms in place.

“Strengthening implementation of these regulations may be more ef fective than introducing additional measures that risk duplication and confusion,” AmCham said. While acknowledging the intent of the proposed reforms, the group raised concern that tighter restrictions on employment arrangements could limit operational flexibility for businesses.

AmCham said workforce flexibil ity remains a key factor for compa nies operating in a competitive and fast c hanging global environment, allowing firms to manage seasonal demand, project based work, and specialized services.

It warned that broader limitations on contractual arrangements could dis courage expansion plans, reduce effi ciency, and ultimately affect job creation. See “AmCham,” A2

Editor: Jennifer A. Ng

Crisis prompts Ayala Land to rethink expansion plan

ANokia earnings beat estimates as pivot to AI shows promise

By VG Cabuag @villygc

YALA Land Inc. said it will continue cutting its launches as well as its capital expenditures (capex) this year, as the company is putting on hold its aggressive expansion plan.

Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, who remained as the company’s chairman, said Ayala Land is now more focused on ensuring ample liquidity and maintaining the flexibility to act swiftly when the environment improves.

“The strategy we put in place is to pivot towards leasing. Through expanding our leasing footprint and reinventing our malls and hotels, has become even more relevant un-

der these circumstances, our focus on building a stronger recurring income business is precisely to help us weather disruptions and cycles with more dependable revenue streams,” he said.

He said the company will manage residential launches, which was 42 percent lower last year compared with the 2024 level and reduce its inventory which stood at 19 months. “We have also (cut) down our ca-

pex plans as part of our balance sheet management. We want to preserve our flexibility so that we have the resources available when this crisis ends or when new opportunities arise,” he said.

Zobel, however, did not indicate the amount that will be trimmed off from its capex. The company said its capital spending will range from P70 billion to P80 billion this year, lower than the previous year’s P92.9 billion.

Anna Ma. Margarita B. Dy, the company’s president and CEO, said the company is preparing for the worst—the possibility that the effects of the current crisis will linger.

“Our leasing business is expected to remain on a growth trajectory and will be the primary driver of our company’s expansion once there is greater clarity in the operating environment, we believe certain segments of property development will recover and grow,” Dy said.

She said Ayala Land’s estates will continue to serve as the cornerstone for both its leasing and property development activities.

Dy said all of the leasing footprint the company plans to build over the next three years will be located within its estates.

“This approach not only increases the value of our land bank, but also activates the communities we are developing. We foresee that in this period, the share of leasing in our earnings portfolio will increase, making our business more predictable.”

The company reported last February that its net income jumped by 38 percent last year to P39.1 billion from the previous year’s P28.23 billion, driven mostly by the sale of the Alabang Town Center and the company’s expanding leasing and hospitality segment.

Consolidated revenues rose 5 percent to P190.2 billion from the previous year’s P180.73 billion.

King Global taps power from Rockport

RBy Lenie Lectura @llectura

OCKPORT Power Inc., a licensed Retail Electricity Supplier (RES), has been tapped to supply electricity to King Global Sanitary Products.

Rockport said in a statement that the collaboration “highlights how strategic energy procurement can serve as a direct catalyst for industrial growth and infrastructure investment.”

King Global’s manufacturing facilities in Laguna, Davao, and Cebu are expected to save about 30 percent of the power generation charges under its partnership with Rockport. As the company continues to meet the rising demand for paper prod-

ucts and sanitary kits, managing operational overhead has become a critical priority.

“In manufacturing, efficiency is everything, and every single cent counts,” said Ryan Tan, King Global president. “By partnering with Rockport to manage our costs well, we are creating the financial flexibility to invest in better equipment, keep our pricing fair, and support the jobs of our people.”

Rockport President Marvee Espejo strongly encourages businesses to switch to Rockport Power to also save on electricity cost.

“Our commitment is simple: Smart energy. real savings. We want to help businesses like King Global gain the financial flexibility to focus on what they do best,” Espejo said.

Last November, the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) announced that it lowered the electricity consumption threshold to 100 kilowatts (kW) from the 500-kW average monthly peak demand to allow more end-users to choose their electricity supplier.

The new threshold will take effect on June 26, paving the way for more medium-sized enterprises and institutions to directly choose their electricity suppliers or aggregate their demand under the Retail Aggregation Program (RAP).

The commission has opted for a phased and coordinated approach to ensure market readiness and operational stability. The eightmonth transition period before effectivity allows Distribution

Arthaland starts building Katipunan condo

LISTED Arthaland Corp. on Tuesday said it expects some P14.1 billion in sales from its newest development in Katipunan in Quezon City, which targets students studying in the area. The company on Tuesday broke ground on the development called Liv, its mixed-use two-tower residential development, which will feature a footbridge connecting the building to the other side of the road near Ateneo de Manila University.

Oliver L. Chan, the company’s executive vice president and chief sustainability officer, said the company will own and maintain the footbridge, which will connect Liv’s podium area--which will also serve as the building’s retail space--to the university and the other side of the street where Ateneo and Miriam College are located.

“Liv is our vision for how future communities should be built – connected, sustainable and designed to elevate your everyday. Through Liv we are creating lasting value not only for residents but for the entire neighborhood,” Chan said. The company said it expects sales of about P9 billion for the first tower, a 46-story Liv North. The average selling price is P325,000 per square meter or about P9 million per unit. The project is expected to be completed by 2031.

It

tional buildings. The project’s sustainability features include wind, rainwater collection, and multi-passenger toilets. The units also feature a multi-

design, with the toilet and shower in

and

for

NOKIA Oyj reported firstquarter adjusted profit that beat analyst forecasts, as the Finnish mobile network equipment maker’s push into artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud infrastructure begins to pay off.

Adjusted operating income was €281 million ($329 million) in the period, the Espoo, Finland-based company said in a statement on Thursday. That compares with an average analyst estimate of about €244 million, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

The company “delivered a solid start to the year,” Nokia’s Chief Executive Officer Justin Hotard said in the statement. The company is tracking “above the mid-point” of its full-year guidance for adjusted operating profit of €2 billion to €2.5 billion, he said.

Shares rose 8 percent to €9.19 at 10:46 a.m. in Helsinki on Thursday, the highest in 16 years.

The company streamlined its business late last year to focus on connecting data centers, banking on a global spending boom on AI to fuel sales. It had focused on supplying the backbone kit for mobile phone networks, an area that has stagnated in recent years as anticipated carrier spend on upgrades failed to materialize.

Utilities and Retail Metering Service Providers sufficient time to procure and install compliant metering facilities.

While Nokia’s legacy mobile infrastructure business accounted for the bulk of sales, much of the growth came from AI and cloud customers, said Hotard. The company booked €1 billion in orders from these clients during the quarter. Net sales were €4.5 billion for the period, compared with an analyst estimate of €4.6 billion.

Chipmaker Nvidia Corp. took a $1 billion equity stake in Nokia last year and will supply the company with AI-powered computers for wireless networks. Customer trials will launch later in 2026, with 10 clients committed to working with Nokia, said Hotard. The quarter’s earnings are the first under Nokia’s new structure, and reflect the reorganization of its business into two units. Network Infrastructure comprises the AI data center connectivity arm, while Mobile Infrastructure encompasses its legacy mobile equipment business. It hived off most of its remaining, non-core arms into a portfolio businesses segment, while its defense business became a standalone incubation unit.

Sales for the Network Infrastructure division were $1.83 billion, slightly below analyst forecasts of $1.9 billion. Mobile Infrastructure sales were $2.5 billion, beating estimates. Bloomberg News

A retail podium will also rise on site, bringing daily essentials and convenient services just steps within reach.

Liv is vying for quadruple certifications under LEED®, WELL, EDGE and BERDE.

“With construction now underway and demand building, Liv is set to become one of the most soughtafter addresses in Quezon City,” the company said. VG Cabuag

Residents will enjoy a fitness gym, multi-purpose court, outdoor wellness area, lap and kiddie pools with a lounge deck, interactive study pods, social spaces, a sky garden, which is a landscaped edible garden that will provide residents year-round access to fresh and organic herbs, fruits, and vegetables.

Banking&Finance

State units’ budget use rate dipped 0.5% in Q1

By Reine Juvierre Alberto @reine_alberto

STATE agencies jacked up their budget use in the first three months of the year, posting a 98-percent utilization rate, according to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

Latest DBM data showed that the notices of cash allocation (NCAs) utilization rate declined slightly to 98.5 percent as of endMarch from 99 percent in the same period last year.

This means government agencies utilized P1.216 trillion out of the P1.235 trillion in NCAs that the DBM released. About P19.139 billion remains unused.

An NCA is a disbursement authority that the DBM issues to government agencies to cover the cash requirements of their operations, programs and projects.

A higher NCA utilization rate reflects agencies’ efficiency in disbursing funds and executing their programs.

Broken down, line departments were disbursed a total of P768.302

billion, of which P749.193 billion was used as of end-March, equivalent to a 97.5-percent utilization rate.

Data showed that six departments posted a 100-percent utilization rate, including the Office of the Vice-President, the Judiciary, the Office of the Ombudsman, and the Commissions on Audit, Elections and Human Rights.

Meanwhile, the Civil Service Commission recorded the lowest NCA utilization rate at 58.2 percent.

Moreover, NCAs released as budgetary support to governmentowned and -controlled corporations amounted to P87.508 billion as of end-March, of which 100 percent were used up.

Local government units also utilized all of the NCAs worth P379.550 billion disbursed to them in the three-month period.

As of end-March, the DBM has released 68.1 percent or P4.625 trillion of this year’s budget. However, this was lower than the P5.107-trillion budget released in the same period last year.

Low public consumption seen to hurt loan growth

By VG Cabuag @villygc

PUBLIC consumption will take a hit with the elevated fuel prices, and this could be worse than what the country felt last year, which would hurt growth in loans and, in turn, the bottomline of lenders, according to a banker.

According to East West Banking Corp. CEO Jerry G. Ngo, they already in the fourth quarter of last year saw a sudden drop in public consumption. The latter is being pinned by Ngo as the dampening of confidence in government reforms as officials were linked to corruption of flood control funds.

The banker said in a news briefing

that the drop in consumption was “something that we are also have been preparing for.” “And we actually look at how this entire climate would manifest itself. So I think prudence is probably the best way forward,” Ngo told reporters after the bank’s annual stockholders meeting last Thursday. He added that the bank will more

PHL 2nd-largest nation receiving ADB funding

By Justine Xyrah Garcia

THE Philippines held on to its spot as the second-largest recipient of development financing from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) last year.

In its 2025 annual report, the ADB said it extended $4.26 billion in assistance to the country, covering loans and technical assistance—almost twice the $2.38 billion recorded a year earlier.

The Philippines still ranked second behind India, which received $5.32 billion in total support.

Manila accounted for over 14 percent, while India at 18.15 percent of ADB’s total $29.3 billion in disbursed commitments in 2025.

Beyond direct financing, ADB

said it also mobilized an additional $2.55 billion for the Philippines through co-financing—funds pooled from partner institutions such as bilateral donors and other multilateral agencies to support ADB-backed projects. This brought total ADB-related funding received by the country to $6.81 billion.

Public sector projects financed last year included the second tranche for the Malolos-Clark railway project ($1.45 billion), the business and employment recovery program ($500 million), the second disaster resilience program ($500 million), and the marine ecosystem for “blue economy” development program ($483.6 million).

According to the ADB, the Malo -

los-Clark railway project is expected to cut travel time between Metro Manila and Clark to less than an hour. They also expect the project to expand access to jobs and markets for up to 696,000 daily passengers once the North-South commuter rail line operates at full capacity.

The Malolos-Clark railway project is being co-financed by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), which has committed up to $2 billion for the broader rail line.

Meanwhile, under co-financing initiatives, the ADB also supported the financial close of the 796-megawatt Caliraya-Botocan-Kalayaan hydroelectric complex—the country’s first pumped-storage facility.

Acting as transaction advisor, the ADB helped mobilize $699.6 million

in investments from Cleanergy 9 Power Inc. to take over and operate the facility, marking one of the region’s largest renewable energy deals.

Proceeds from the transaction are expected to help reduce power sector liabilities and strengthen its financial position.

According to the ADB, its commitments to developing member countries rose by 20 percent in 2025 compared with 2024.

ADB President Masato Kanda said the expanded financing is expected to support more than 3.3 million jobs and benefit over 180 million people across the region.

“This shows ADB’s ability to deliver at a scale and with the speed that matches the demands of Asia and the Pacific,” Kanda added.

Once-hot Bitcoin trade seen collapsing

SHAREHOLDERS in a UK Bitcoin accumulator are pushing it to sell all its tokens and wind down operations, one of the most dramatic examples of how the once-hot trade has fallen out of favor.

CHINA Banking Corp. on Thursday said its income for the first quarter of the year rose by a mere 4 percent to P6.8 billion from the previous year’s P6.5 billion.

This performance translated to a 14.2-percent return on equity and a 1.5 percent return on assets, a disclosure by the lender read.

The bank pinned its growth on net interest income—earnings on loans less payment to depositors—as the metric rose 14 percent to P19.5 billion, According to Chinabank, the increase in spread was supported by higher topline revenues and lower interest expenses.

As a result, net interest margin improved by 12 basis points to 4.61 percent from a year earlier.

Operating expenses for the period rose by 5 percent to P8.8 billion, largely due to ongoing investments in human capital and digital transformation. The bank’s cost-to-income ratio remained efficient at 49 percent.

Chinabank maintained its position as the country’s fourth-largest private universal bank, with total assets reaching P1.9 trillion, a 12 percent increase driven by the strategic build-up of highquality earning assets.

Gross loans reached P1.1 trillion, a 16 percent increase compared to the previous year, fueled by strong demand across both corporate and consumer segments.

On the funding side, total deposits grew 13 percent to P1.5 trillion, with checking and savings accounts (CASA) increasing by 20 percent, improving the CASA ratio to 48 percent from 46 percent last year. Despite steady asset quality, with a non-performing loans ratio of 1.6 percent, Chinabank increased loan loss provisions to P684 million, resulting in an NPL

ratio of 110 percent.

Total

Pantera Capital Management, one of the most prolific crypto venture capital funds, is among investors pushing London-listed Satsuma Technology Plc to divest its remaining $50 million of Bitcoin and return capital to shareholders, according to people familiar with the matter. Satsuma confirmed that some shareholders “have requested a return of capital,” without naming them.

“We are exploring options to facilitate these requests while protecting the interests of all shareholders,” Satsuma Executive Chairman Ranald McGregorSmith said in an emailed statement to Bloomberg News. A Pantera spokesperson didn’t respond to a request for comment.

Satsuma in August last year said it raised £164 million ($221 million) through a convertible loan note to pursue what it called an “AI-powered” Bitcoin treasury strategy. In early October, Bitcoin hit an all-time high above $126,000 before beginning a months-long swoon that shaved almost 40 percent off the price.

The crypto bear market has ravaged the so-called digital-asset treasury model Satsuma and hundreds of other companies pivoted to in the months after Donald Trump, an industry champion, returned to the White House. Bitcoin hoarders that traded at many times the value of their

holdings at the height of the DAT craze have seen those premiums evaporate, and some—including Satsuma—have sold tokens.

Satsuma’s share price illustrates the strategy’s pitfalls. The stock has fallen more than 99 percent from a June 2025 peak to trade around 24 pence. Its market capitalization is well below the value of its Bitcoin hoard.

Satsuma ranks 57th among Bitcoin treasury firms with 646 tokens on its balance sheet, according to Bitcointreasuries.net, a database tracking such outfits. It is far smaller than the giants of the trade, led by Michael Saylor’s Strategy Inc., which holds over 815,000 Bitcoin.

Repaying note holders

PANTERA runs a fund dedicated to DAT investments and had deployed more than $300 million in the space as of August 2025. It has invested in vehicles including Tom Lee’s Ether-focused Bitmine Immersion Technologies Inc.

and Twenty One Capital Inc., the second-largest Bitcoin hoarder. Pantera owns about 7 percent of Satsuma, according to the treasury firm’s website.

In December, Satsuma announced the sale of almost half of its Bitcoin stash to repay some note holders who hadn’t committed to converting them into ordinary shares.

That move sparked friction with Pantera and some other investors, who called for the ouster of Satsuma managers including its chief executive and chief financial officer, according to the people. Satsuma announced in March that CEO Henry Elder and CFO Andrew Smith had resigned. Early this month, the company said it would cut costs and disclosed the purchase of £1.4 million worth of Bitcoin. Elder and Smith didn’t immediately respond to LinkedIn messages seeking comment.

As share prices crater and valuation premiums to crypto holdings vanish, signs of DAT fatigue are adding up—even in the Trump family’s orbit.

On Wednesday, Alt5 Sigma Corp., an accumulator of WLFI tokens from Trump-linked World Liberty Financial Inc., said it plans to rebrand as AI Financial Corp. The company in August unveiled a $1.5 billion strategy to accumulate WLFI, which has tumbled almost 70 percent since it started trading early the following month. Alt5 Sigma didn’t say whether it plans to divest its WLFI tokens.

Zach Witkoff, a co-founder of World Liberty and son of presidential envoy Steve Witkoff, is Alt5 Sigma’s chairman. Bloomberg

focused on the essentials that people need in these challenging times, such as grocery, food delivery and fuel—all of which the company has launched a credit card product for last year.

“So I think that is probably the right approach, and I think the things that we’ve been preparing for over the past few years will hold us in good stead as we get into this more challenging time,” he said.

The bank expects the fall in consumption has been hindering its growth, compared to its peers over the last two to three years, but Ngo believes they can be resilient in times like this.

“I think prudence is the name of the game. I think measured approaches is probably the right way to go forward, but it’s also the right time to build lasting relationships, more resonating, more relevant relationships. And I think the approach of moving from balancing discretionary to more essential spends is the

right way,” Ngo said. The bank, which leans more on the consumer side, expects its loans to be volatile at the very least, as East West could be more selective on whom to give out loans to.

Loan growth, as a result could be muted, as the bank will continue to make provisions for bad loans this year. The bank last year had a P14.1 billion in provisions.

“So that may have some impact on our overall consumer loan growth, but that does not mean that we will not be emphasizing certain other asset classes, so there might be some portfolio readjustment as we go sub bank,” he said.

He said they will continue their priority banking business, which last year grew by 40 percent in assets under management. The bank, he said, will also push its digital banking service, as more than half of its clients transacts online with East West.

Elevating the Value of Association Events

IN a recent episode of the PCAAE Association Matters podcast, we had the pleasure of speaking with Jason Yeh, CEO of Taiwan-based GIS Group and incoming president of the International Association of Professional Congress Organizers (Iapco).

Our discussion centered on a pressing question for many associat ions today: “How do we move from simply organizing conferences to creating meaningful, high-impact experiences?” What emerged from the conversation was a clear and compelling takeaway: associations must rethink not just what they deliver, but how and why they design their events.

At the heart of this shift is what Jason described as moving from “program thinking” to “purposedriven experience design.” Traditionally, conferences have been structured around sessions, speakers, and agenda blocks. While these remain important, they are now only the foundation. Today’s participants are not traveling, often across countries, just to consume content. They are seeking connection, inspiration, and a sense of belonging within their professional community.

This means the true measure of a successful conference is no longer the strength of its program alone, but the value it creates for people. Associations must begin asking a different question: not “Did we deliver a good conference?” but “Did we create a meaningful experience that leads to lasting impact?” When this shift happens, conferences evolve into platforms for engagement, collaboration, and community-building.

From a professional conference organizer’s perspective, this requires a more intentional approach to event design, one that extends beyond what happens on stage to what happens between participants.

Jason shared three practical strategies associations can adopt.

First, design the attendee journey, not just the agenda. The participant experience begins long before the opening session and continues after the event ends. Registration, communication, airport arrival, networking opportunities, and postevent follow-up all influence how attendees perceive value. Even small improvements in clarity, flow, and hospitality can significantly enhance the overall experience.

Second, recognize that participants have different needs. A typical association conference brings together a diverse mix of senior leaders, young professionals, researchers, and industry partners. Designing a

one-size-fits-all experience often leads to diluted impact. Segmenting audiences and offering more targeted engagement pathways can create stronger relevance and deeper satisfaction.

Third, embed interaction into the program design. Engagement should not be limited to end-of-session Q&As. Instead, associations can integrate roundtables, peer discussions, mentoring formats, and facilitated exchanges throughout the event. As Jason emphasized, what people remember most are not just the presentations, but the conversations that challenge their thinking and the relationships they build.

A powerful example of this approach was an Iapco event in Taiwan, where participants entered a darkened space and experienced an immersive “soundscape” reflecting the country’s landscapes and indigenous culture. Before the first keynote even began, attendees were already engaged, emotionally and intellectually, in the destination and the theme of the event.

Looking ahead, three forces will shape the future of association conferences: intelligent technology, hybrid engagement, and sustainability. Artificial intelligence will enhance personalization, improve matchmaking, and provide better data for decision-making, without replacing the human connections that remain at the core of association events.

Hybrid models will extend engagement beyond the annual meeting, enabling associations to connect with members year-round through digital platforms and content. Meanwhile, sustainability is becoming a critical measure of both event quality and organizational credibility, requiring associations to integrate responsible practices into planning and execution.

The message is clear. The future of association events lies not in doing more, but in designing better and more intentional, more inclusive, and more purposeful experiences.

Octavio Peralta is

How to make AI work for you

ARTIFICIAL Intelligence (AI) is around us. You watch a video on Facebook of a pack of dogs supposedly getting themselves home without guidance. There’s also that video of actor Keanu Reeves going crazy on an electric guitar (he does play in a band but in this case, the footage was not real). And what about some country’s president posting a photo of himself as Jesus Christ, healing a man who suspiciously looks like comedian Jon Stewart? All of these were made by AI photo and video tools.

A recent episode of the Steve Carrell-starrer Rooster shows his character, college literature professor David Russo, asking a student, Tommy, if the latter used AI in writing his paper. Tommy admits it, and makes the excuse that he did it so he could turn in the paper on time. The interim dean of faculty, Dylan, instead of failing Tommy outright, tells him to write the paper in his own words.

Here in the Philippines, college professors are also wising up to their students. A friend who teaches journalism to university students has asked her class to write an essay on their first day, so she can familiarize herself with their individual writing styles. From there, she will be able to compare and easily detect who has been using AI in their subsequent papers.

In checking the veracity of a news item supposedly quoting Pope Leo XIV, which I read from a friend’s Facebook post, Google AI flat out said, “There is no Pope Leo in recent history.” Wut?!

But make no mistake. I am not against using AI, even if I do make a living from writing and everyone says all journalists will be replaced by AI.

As a business reporter, AI has helped me to quickly extract the data I need for some news stories. For

instance, when I want to find out how many tourists in the Philippines came from Europe during a particular period, I upload the data set containing the information on all countries, then ask, say, Google’s NotebookLM to give me the top source markets from Europe. In just a few minutes, it will spew out the results.

Prior to said tool, it would take me an hour or more to manually compute for this particular information I need, as the data set isn’t arranged per geographic region. Data sets can be tedious and confusing, especially if there are a lot of columns and rows in the sheet. Nakakaduling!

Of course, after getting the information I asked for, I still double check it using the data sheet I had uploaded to the app. In some cases, especially if I’m trying to create an infograph, the app can go wild and use numbers not even included in the data set I uploaded. Unfortunately, no amount of instructing the app to correct it will get me the right infograph. (In these cases, I e-mail the data to our brilliant group creative director Ed Davad, and ask him to create the

6 strategies to improve self-control

DO you wish to be more productive at work, but end up doomscrolling on social media?

Do you have trouble sticking to the budget due to impulsive purchases? Or perhaps you are having a hard time managing your emotional response when something makes you angry or upset?

Discipline, determination, grit, willpower and fortitude—these are just some of the various terms used to define self-control, or the capacity to regulate and alter responses to avoid unwanted behaviors, increase desirable ones, and achieve long-term goals.

Psychosocial rehabilitation specialist and educator Kendra Cherry, MSEd, highlighted that self-control is a limited resource which can be depleted. While it is partly determined by genetics, this skill can be strengthened with practice.

“Self-control is one aspect of executive function, a set of abilities which helps people to plan, monitor and achieve their goals,” she explained. “People with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) often have characteristics linked to problems with executive function.”

The author of the Everything Psychology

Book noted the various types of self-control, which include the capability to manage urges, regulate emotional responses, and be in charge of how and when the body moves.

“People who struggle with impulse control may act first without thinking about the consequences of their actions,” she explained. “Someone who struggles with emotional control may find it hard to manage strong emotions—they may overreact, experience lasting bad moods, and get overwhelmed by the intensity of their feelings. A person who has difficulty with movement control may experience restlessness and find it difficult to remain still,” she added.

Cherry, who has helped children who suffer from emotional disturbances overcome maladaptive behaviors, likewise stressed that the lack of willpower may hinder them from reaching their goals.

She stated how those who have high levels of self-control during childhood are predicted to have greater cardiovascular, respiratory and dental health in adulthood, as well as improved financial status.

“While research suggests self-control

infograph. Whew!)

I also use AI tools to record an interview or speech, which then automatically transcribes it, even as I write down by hand what’s being said in my handydandy notebook. While the notes help me put my news piece together and highlight the important topics that I should cover, I use tools like Otter AI or my Samsung phone’s own transcription app to ensure that I wrote down the correct quote from the speaker.

AI is also useful for destination management companies and travelers in preparing trips and tour itineraries. But as in all information generated by AI, these have to be validated.

As reported by Euronews in January this year, a website by an Australian travel operator posted a feature, urging tourists to visit “the peaceful escape” of Weldborough Hot Springs, dubbed one of “7 Best Hot Springs” in Tasmania for 2026. Unfortunately for hundreds of tourists, they went—and failed to find the Weldborough Hot Springs.

has its limitations, psychologists have found that it can be strengthened with certain strategies,” she said.

To better guide the general public, experts from the Benilde Well-Being Center (BWC) of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) shared some tips listed by Cherry on the award-winning platform Verywell Mind.

Here are her key points:

■ AVOID TEMPTATION. Find a healthy distraction when you find yourself with the desire to eat, drink, spend, or indulge in unwanted behavior. Go for a walk. Call a friend. Throw in a load of laundry. Do whatever it takes to get your mind off temptation.

■ PLAN AHEAD. Consider possible situations which might break your resolve. Plot your actions to not give in. If you are trying to reduce sugar intake and have a hard time controlling late afternoon hunger pangs, eat a well-balanced lunch packed with plenty of fiber, protein and whole grains which will keep you full longer.

■ PRACTICE SELF-CONTROL. Improve your willpower. Regularly engage in

behaviors which require you to exert selfcontrol. Think of self-control as a muscle. While hard work may exhaust the muscle in the short term, it will grow stronger over time as you continue to work it.

■ FOCUS ON ONE GOAL AT A TIME. Do not set multiple goals at once. Depleting your willpower in one area can reduce selfcontrol in other areas. Choose one specific goal. Focus your energy on it. Once you turn these positive behaviors into habits, you will not need to devote as much effort toward maintaining them. You can then use your resources to work on other targets.

■ MEDITATE. Be more self-aware to better resist temptations. Start with mindfulness meditation. This technique may likewise assist you to slow your thoughts, which can control gut impulses.

■ REMIND YOURSELF OF THE CONSEQUENCES. The lack of self-control may have adverse effects on your selfesteem, education, career, finances, relationships, and overall health and well-being. Remind yourself of these consequences to stay motivated as you work to increase self-control.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Simple choices will give you the highest return. Engage in events that address your concerns, and you’ll gain insight into better choices and meet some interesting people. It’s time to distance yourself from those who bring out the worst in you and to embrace those who do the opposite. Let go of the past and welcome the future. ★★★★

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): The more you learn, the easier it becomes to fit in where your heart desires. Communication is key to lifestyle changes that promise a healthy and stable future. Do the math and start the process, and you’ll discover it’s easier than you thought to start over. Refuse to let mixed emotions stand between you and your happiness. ★★

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Make changes that are within your means. Refuse to let anyone talk you into spending more than you can afford or tempt you with indulgent behavior. Stick close to home and protect your privacy and your possessions. A creative outlet will have a calming effect and promote closer ties with someone special. Romance is in the stars. ★★★★★

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Take a deep breath and say no to anyone trying to exploit you. Call the shots instead of letting others dictate what’s next. You may crave change, but consider the cost before you indulge your ego in something you don’t really need or want. Scammers will do their best to outsmart you; arm yourself with knowledge and willpower.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Think outside the box; let your creativity and imagination take over, and you’ll discover how to use your skills and to raise your income. A change to your surroundings that promotes peace of mind will stimulate originality and a path forward. Aim for greater independence, and everything else will fall into place. Love thyself, and forge ahead. ★★★

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Protect your health and well-being. Don’t attend events that put you at risk. Concentrate on what’s happening, and take the path that is practical and within your means. It’s time to destress, declutter and dissolve partnerships and pastimes that drag you down, and replace them with healthier options. ★★★

BIRTHDAY BABY: You are strong, direct and curious. You are profound and spirited.

Show

ALWAYS, with people we know, death is sudden. The reflexes are all the same. “But she isn’t sick.” “What happened?” Youth is a buffer to accepting the demise of a person important to us. “But she is young.” As if youth disqualifies humans from perishing.

In the case of actor Sue Prado, the premise of my shock at the news that she was gone was built upon the fact that, some two days ago, she was present in my online social horizon. Sue was with Marinel Cruz, an esteemed journalist. Together, they made a lovely scene. In that photo, my response was quick: “Two lovely women.” Terse, sincere, and acknowledged by the both of them. Strangely enough, in the same space, I, upon hearing of her passing, posted days after this: “Looks like Sue was able to read what I posted?” There was a question mark in that comment, an unnecessary mark as if I was chasing the tail end of a fact that was soon vanishing. Dates and hours and minutes become helpless points in space when we look back to reckon about what happened. When did death come? Was there ever life in my midst? Heavy existential questions. Severe. Sad. Punishing.

Sue Prado was not close enough for me to call her a friend. But there was something extraordinary, warm and special between us whenever we met. We would always speak to each other in the Bikol language. These have become memories. The only recourse is to look back at the online universe we once shared. This remembering is conflated now: There is a clear beginning and a lucid ending.

Our communication started in 2010, in anticipation of the Gawad Urian for films released the year before. Sue was nominated for Best Supporting Actress. The film was Raymond Red’s Himpapawid. The sprawling neo-noir film extended its magnificence up to the Tokyo International Film Festival, where it had its premiere, securing for Red a nomination for Tokyo Grand Prix. Back in the Philippines, the film would gain 11 nominations in the 2010 Gawad Urian, the most for any film that year. The film, with the English title “Manila Skies,” would win three of the nominations: Soliman Cruz for Best Supporting Actor, Raymond Red for Best Cinematography, and Sue Prado for Best Supporting Actress. In the company of inestimable thespians like Raul Arellano, John Arcilla and Ronnie Lazaro, Sue essayed three characters: a prostitute, a bored detached clerk, and a flight attendant coping with stress and harassment. Sue was beyond recognition in all the three characters as she showed a range hitherto not given exposure in any early performance of the actress.

Bravura and tour de force found a shrine in the body and soul of Sue. She would consistently demonstrate this in succeeding films. The awards from different critics and award-giving bodies would be a testament to her ingenuity.

How did we become, in a sense, familiar with each other? In 2010, I volunteered to contact Sue as a nominee. It was a tricky task because, while the duty of the Manunuri was to make sure the invitees arrived, especially the winners, we were not supposed to reveal the results. She did arrive and the rest was

DINGDONG DANTES, STEVE HARVEY MAKE HISTORIC CROSSOVER FOR ‘FAMILY FEUD’

HISTORY unfolds on Philippine television tonight, April 24, as the local edition of Family Feud bridges the gap between Manila and the US for an unprecedented global crossover. In a landmark moment for the franchise, Family Feud host Dingdong Dantes engages in an exclusive video conversation with the legendary Steve Harvey, the face of the popular game show in America. This rare meeting of hosts is sure to spark intense curiosity among fans. Will this dialogue lead to Steve Harvey visiting the Philippine studio, or perhaps a journey for Dingdong to meet the global franchise icon in Atlanta, Georgia?

Meanwhile, the exciting and starstudded episodes continue every day, with studio players competing for up to P200,000, plus an extra P20,000 for their chosen charity. The non-winning team still takes home P50,000, and if no team guesses all the answers, two lucky audience members can win P5,000 each. Home viewers, on the other hand, can also win big through the “Guess More, Win More” promo. Eight winners per episode receive P10,000 each, and all entries from Monday to Friday qualify for a P100,000 jackpot draw at the end of the week.

Family Feud airs from Monday to Friday at 5:35 pm on GMA. The show is also available on Kapuso Stream, YouLOL YouTube channel, and Dingdong’s official Facebook page.

history. The next message that cropped up online was already during the pandemic. It was a long message, a rare occurrence in Messenger.

“Manoy, maraming-marami sa akda mong Tales from Ticao.” This was the first time she called me “Manoy,” which is “Big Brother” in the Bikol language. Having participated in a project, where I invited her to read poems in the Bikol language, we gifted her with my book. It was a compendium of stories I used to hear as a child.

She continued:

“Grabe ang epekto sa akin ng ‘The Song of Dolores’ at ‘The Dance of Concordia.’” It appears she empathized with these two characters. Dolores was the elder sister of my grandmother. In the family, she had the reputation of being the best maker of rice cakes and other delicacies. The other women in the clan were wondering what her secret was behind the skill. One night, they espied upon Dolores and caught her in the middle of a ritual. She was whispering on the banana leaves meant to wrap the glutinous rice, while tiny flying beings were floating around her. Concordia was about a woman possessed by the Prince of the Encantos or enchanted beings. She was dancing furiously and without end. Each time Concordia tried to sit down, the unseen prince extended his hand and the poor girl could not help it but stand again. The grandmother of Concordia finally sought the help of my great-great grandmother Lola Angge, who was a noted healer on the island. When Lola Angge approached Concordia, she sensed something else. Instead of driving away the prince, the Healer sang a different incantation, one that would send Concordia to the land of enchantment,

Sue Prado: Beloved Erlina is gone

RELIGIOUS CONFLICT

SO the starlet has been out of sight lately and rumor has it, she is pregnant. This should not be a big deal because she is unmarried and her boyfriend seems devoted to her. The issue, it appears, is religious. The starlet and her family belong to a sect that heavily frowns upon pre-marital sex and pregnancy. The sect also requires that anyone who gets involved with someone from their religion should convert and as far as we know, the boyfriend still hasn’t. She reportedly has stopped going to church some time ago and this is something the sect is known not to tolerate. We don’t know if the starlet will be allowed to leave the sect while her family stays. Eventually, things will unravel and all will be revealed.

MONEY LAUNDERING?

MANY are wondering why the starlet has closed one of her businesses when she didn’t even make the effort to promote it heavily. There are speculations that it served as a money laundering channel and the losses will simply be tallied as, well, losses. The starlet is known to be involved with politicians, so this is not surprising. There is a back story about her that’s intriguing but if you see her with her family, her being a breadwinner is quite obvious. The starlet’s current boyfriend is old rich, so the idea of him asking her to launder dirty money is quite wild. However, her former lover is not old rich and interestingly enough, she closed this business just as they broke up. Another thing about the exlover is that he got involved with the starlet when she was still a minor and was reportedly responsible for making her rich.

NEW PAIR?

away from the old, fat priest who was endlessly touching the lovely girl.

Sue closed her message with this: “At napansin ko, isinulat mo ang dedikasyon sa kopyang ibinigay n’yo sa akin sa mismong kaarawan ko. Mahigpit na mahigpit na yakap.” (And I noticed, you wrote the dedication on the copy you gave me on my birthdate. A tight, tight embrace.)

To this I shamelessly responded: “Salamat, Sue. Mahigpit na yakap, Erlina.” (Thank you, Sue. A tight embrace, Erlina).

Erlina was another character in that book. She was a beautiful woman, popular among men. Unfortunately, Erlina’s husband was a cruel man. Nobody could save Erlina from that terrible marriage until the Onglo, a man with the mane of the horse covering the handsome face came back and fled with Erlina. Sue, upon hearing the name of the Onglo, whispered in a sigh: “Oh, Erlina” (followed by three purple hearts).

“Ang minahal ng Onglo (The Onglo’s beloved),” I countered.

Ang Onglo na ang kahinaan ay umibig (The Onglo whose weakness was to love),” Sue, seemingly not ready to end the dialogue, responded.

Well, if you remember now, Sue, Erlina could still be seen during moonlit nights on a raft floating above the water where the sea meets the river. Men drinking would often shout the name of Erlina, But, the Onglo soon summons the night wind and the two lovers would disappear in the cold, dark night, as you, the muse of all those fabulous cinemas, suddenly one day disappeared—a legend, a myth, a tale, into your final himpapawid

Zach Galifianakis brings humor to gardening in a Netflix series premiering on Earth Day

YOU might not realize it, but watching Zach Galifianakis poke around in the dirt like he’s just discovered it is exactly what you need right now.

In This Is a Gardening Show, a six-part series premiering April 22 on Netflix for Earth Day, the actor and comedian brings a kind of wide-eyed curiosity to gardening that feels at once sincere and ridiculous. The episodes run an easily digestible 15 to 20 minutes each—just long enough to learn something new without feeling overwhelmed.

enough to learn something new without

LEARNING FROM EXPERTS... GALIFIANAKIS, who says he’s been gardening “on and off” for 25 years, doesn’t come across as polished, but it’s clear he’s not trying to. Instead, he leaves experts in charge of their own domains— apples, tomatoes, foraging, root vegetables, corn and compost— taking it all in with the wonder of a kid who just realized food doesn’t come from the grocery store. Those laid-back experts show him—and us—the ropes, demonstrating, among other things, how to graft an apple tree, and how to add nitrogenrich ingredients to a compost bin.

...AND KIDS

EACH episode features amusing sit-downs with students from Brooklyn Elementary School in Comox, British Columbia. At first, you might think you’re watching a kids’ show. But then you realize you’re the kid. Galifianakis interviews them with the same deadpan style he used on celebrities in his satirical talk show Between Two Ferns, which ran from 2008-2018. He asks questions like “How many children do you have?” and lets their sometimes off-the-wall responses land however they may (“11,” in this case).

From the kids’ perspective, though, he’s probably the one saying the darndest things. Galifianakis tosses out a knock-knock joke about Benjamin Netanyahu, suggests urinal cakes when asking about their favorite foods, and commits to an unexplained running gag about Ryan Reynolds, all of which go over their heads. It’s quirky and silly.

GARDENING AS RX

THERE’S a callback for fans as he walks through greenery: “It’s nice to be between two ferns again,” he says. Bloopers are woven into each episode, along with lines like, “If I were to offer a remedy to the human condition, it would be a garden...or acid.” The humor doesn’t upstage the gardening, though. “The future is agrarian,” he says, adding that gardening is “good for your heart.” And so is this show. AP

THE pretty young star and the handsome guy are being shipped by many fans because they look good together. Of course, them being unofficially paired has also resulted in many detractors because the handsome guy has an official screen partner and so does the pretty young star. After a recent event, the young star and the handsome guy were reportedly seen leaving together. Could this signal the start of a romance? Just a suggestion: Perhaps the handsome guy could first concentrate on honing his talent before entering his first showbiz relationship. The truth is, his skills are severely lacking, especially compared to the pretty young star who is quite talented.

A

ROMANTIC

YOU can call the young actress a romantic because she falls for her screen partners. She even fell in love with an actor-politician’s son. Nothing wrong with that because she is young and single. However, of all the guys she’s been involved with, one became her serious boyfriend. Again that’s not a problem. The problem is that long after the end of the relationship, the ex- boyfriend is still blabbing about the intimate moments that he and the young actress shared. Right now, the young actress is ignoring things, which is good, but she is reportedly super annoyed at the guy and wants to give him a dose of his own medicine.

And apparently, this wasn’t the first time the travel operator published AI-generated content. Its owner admitted to subcontracting its marketing to a company using AI to create travel content, which includes fabricating AI images.

“We’re trying to compete with the big boys, and part of that is you’ve got to keep your content refreshed and new all the time,” said Scott Hennessy, owner of the now controversial Tasmania Tours. “Our AI has messed up completely.”

AI can also help tourists communicate in real-time with locals at a destination who only speak their home language. Helpful tools include Google Translate or Transync AI, the latter supposedly having a library of 60 languages.

Frankly, I’ve yet to use these tools on my travels abroad as I treat the language divide as an adventure. It can be funny or ridiculous, as I wildly gesticulate while speaking in English hoping the local person will understand me. It’s actually a fun way for me to learn new words in another language.

Some conversations can be easy. Years ago in Beijing, before AI language tools came into vogue, I had to buy medicine to treat a bad cough. So I went to a pharmacy, entered, and asked for medicine by actually coughing, closed fist to my mouth. ‘Nuff said. The old Chinese man at the counter immediately understood and sold me the cough medicine, both of us smiling that we had made a connection despite the language barrier.

Others can be a bit more challenging. In a Toulouse farmers’ market, and not speaking any French except “bonjour”, “merci”, and “eau chaude” (“hot water,” taught to me by a young French student working as a waiter), I gestured this way and that to a sales clerk at a deli, pointed to the liver area on my body, and then made a spooning action to my mouth. After a few minutes more of this, the clerk finally understood that I was looking to buy fresh duck liver. We both laughed in relief.

The only downside I’ve experienced so far in interacting with AI is the chatbot. I understand that companies use bots to reduce overhead, and bots are programmed to respond to common questions or inquiries about a product or service. In the many times I’ve used them, however, bots are unable to respond to my specific issues.

What’s worse, as per my experience with a telco recently, the bot made me wait for over an hour for a real live customer care staff. Eventually I quit the screen. The live staff finally responded to my question the next day, and yet with still an insufficient answer. As I replied to her response with another question, I realized it was the bot again online, as it repeated the menu choices it already presented to me the day before. Ugh. So, yes, you can make AI work for you. But like I said, users still need to verify the information asked from it. Companies that use AI tools will still have to employ support staff to ensure the answers or content it puts out on their products and services are accurate. In other words, AI tools are not for the lazy.

PDRF, Baguio City ink climate resilience agreement

The Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF) and the City Government of Baguio City recently formalized their partnership for the implementation of the Building Resilience through Inclusive Development and Gender Equality (BRIDGE) Project through the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement at the Baguio City Hall.

Through this partnership supported by the government of Canada under a grant of Global Affairs Canada, PDRF will work with the local government to strengthen Baguio City’s resilience to climate and disaster risks through inclusive, gender-responsive, and collaborative approaches, with a particular focus on integrated water resources management.

“We’re really glad that we have PDRF here to help us with our integrated water resource management program. This is quite critical so far considering that an average household only gets about two days of water every week. The IWRM, which I believe would probably be one of the valuable programs that we

will undertake in the City of Baguio. And I’m really glad that we have this kind of program now being done here in the City of Baguio,” said Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, highlighting the BRIDGE Project’s role in strengthening the local government’s water resilience efforts.

PDRF President Butch Meily and Executive Director Veronica Gabaldon attended the signing and delivered messages that underscored the important role of private-public collaboration in driving the country’s disaster and climate resilience goals.

“Baguio City has changed and improved so much in recent years, but one of the challenges that persists to date is the City’s lack of water. So our hope is to strengthen our partnership through the BRIDGE program, and with our combined strategies on climate change, adaptability, disaster

risk reduction, and integrated water resource management, we hope that we can help make a difference,” said Meily.

As part of the preparations for the full implementation of the BRIDGE Project in the City, the Project Team and the key personnel of the local government participated in a Synergy Workshop ahead of the MOA Signing on March 26, 2026. Through this workshop, the BRIDGE Project targets and timeline were aligned with the City’s programmed activities to ensure the smooth and efficient rollout of activities.

Parallel efforts are also being implemented with Antipolo City. In the next four years, PDRF will be implementing the BRIDGE Project in partnership with both the LGUs to enhance the disaster and climate resilience of water-stressed communities in both cities.

MG Unveils next-generation EV, hybrid innovations, highlighting future potential for the PHL market

Supported by MG’s engineering teams in Longbridge, UK, and the MG Design Hub in London, the MG product range benefits from strong European influence, underlining the brand’s long-term commitment to the European market.

As a leading electric vehicle brand in Europe, MG recognizes that consumer expectations are evolving, with growing emphasis on driving range, performance, and reliability across diverse climates. The SolidCore Battery meets these demands, delivering greater range certainty, rapid charging, and enhanced cold-weather performance year-round. SolidCore Battery technology to be introduced in MG electric vehicles in Europe at the end of 2026.

Solid-state electrolytes within each cell form a protective barrier, extending battery lifespan and ensuring full compliance with future regulatory standards. This architecture performs exceptionally in low-temperature conditions, enabling immediate vehicle startup without preheating and providing improved acceleration compared with conventional EVs under similar conditions.

Designed specifically for the European market, the MG SolidCore Battery has been engineered to accommodate regional road conditions, climate variations and regulatory requirements, reflecting MG’s long-term commitment to delivering advanced, reliable and accessible electric mobility across Europe.

STATE-OWNED Development Bank

of the Philippines (DBP) has signed agreements with two government agencies aimed at strengthening socioeconomic initiatives including enhancing agricultural productivity and food production in the Mindanao region, a top official said.

DBP President and Chief Executive Officer Michael O. de Jesus said the bank entered into a partnership with the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) and signed a tripartite agreement with the same agency and the Department of Agriculture – Philippine Rural Development Project (DA – PRDP) Project Support Office Mindanao to deliver critical socio-economic projects for key sectors in the region.

“The collaborative undertakings with MinDA and DA – PRDP are expected to strengthen DBP’s relationships with local government units in Mindanao and boost its support to initiatives that can generate economic activities in the communities and improve the lives of millions of ordinary Filipinos,” de Jesus said.

DBP is the ninth largest bank in the country with total assets of P1.041 trillion and provides credit support to four priority sectors of the economy – infrastructure and logistics; micro, small and medium enterprises; the environment; and social

services and community development. MinDA, established through Republic Act 9996, is mandated to facilitate extensive participation across sectors in advancing socio-economic development in Mindanao. Meanwhile, the agreement with MinDA and DA – PRDP aims to enhance farm and fish productivity through infrastructure development, technology adoption and enterprise support.

De Jesus said under the agreement with MinDA, DBP will extend financing to qualified proponent beneficiaries, including Mindanao LGUs and private sector entities, such as MSMEs, cooperatives, and social enterprises. He said support will be prioritized for critical projects such as climate-resilient infrastructure, renewable energy, water supply and sanitation facilities, healthcare and educational facilities, and agri-industrial developments.

“In the tripartite agreement, DAPRDP will provide technical assistance and endorse agriculture and fishery projects eligible for financing under the Bank’s various credit facilities while MinDA will provide institutional support and facilitate stakeholder coordination,” de Jesus said. As of December 31, 2025, DBP has approved P96.2 billion in total loans for various projects in the region.

Manila and the power of charity

THE year 2025 was a year of achievements and milestones for Caritas Manila.

The social services arm of the Archdiocese of Manila has raised P406.5 million to fund scholarships, disaster aid, health clinics, feeding programs, social enterprise as well as provide restorative justice to people deprived of liberty and drug dependents.

“The mission of Caritas Manila is to help the poor help themselves,” said Executive Director Fr. Anton CT Pascual. “We educate the youth. We provide livelihood. We transform lives. We change mindsets. We build communities. We encourage volunteerism. We serve the least, the last and the lost. We bring the power of charity to everyone.” Its Youth Servant Leadership and Education Program (YSLEP) has 4,464 active scholars with 1,168 recent graduates, out of which 309 graduated with honors. Its alumni organization CAMASA or Caritas Manila Alumni Scholars Association raised P2,426,475 for its Balik Handog Program in support of YSLEP. Caritas Manila firmly believes that education is one of the best means to fight and end poverty.

of malnourished children and mothers in urban poor communities such as Tondo and BASECO. For this project, Caritas Manila spent P10,676,847.10. Caritas Manila’s All Is Well Health and Wellness Program runs the Charity Health Clinics with a budget of P15,514,970.04. Top illnesses identified for assistance are hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, respiratory disease and kidney disease. Medical consultations, free medicine, laboratory and diagnostics are provided.

A popular project is Segunda Mana. This donations-inkind program accepts pre-loved items like clothing, furniture, appliances, gadgets and others for re-sale in 31 charity outlets. Last year, it generated gross sales of P81,618,264 to fund YSLEP and other undertakings.

charging capability, refined power delivery, improved safety and robust performance in low-temperature conditions.

At the same time, MG continues to elevate its position in hybrid innovation with its Hybrid+ technology, unveiled at the official opening of its European Engineering Centre in Germany.

As part of MG’s commitment to making world-leading technology accessible to everyone, the new Engineering Centre in Frankfurt, Germany will serve as a key hub for delivering its “in Europe, for Europe” strategy. The facility will focus on developing vehicles tailored to the specific needs of European customers, including regional climate conditions, road environments and driving lifestyles.

MG has significantly expanded its presence across Europe in recent years, with cumulative sales now exceeding one million vehicles. As the brand continues to grow, future models will build on this success by delivering the quality, technology, design and value that European customers expect.

MG Hybrid+ technology uses advanced software and hardware to optimize fuel consumption, deliver power quicker, and create an even more seamless integration between mechanics and electrification for improved refinement and driving experience. Other enhancements include a larger 1.83kWh High-Capacity core battery to increase electric-only range and an innovative three-speed hybrid transmission - a world first in the segment - to optimize instant, ‘electric-first’ torque to deliver the power even quicker. An 8-mode Logic Engine helps to improve the performance and management of power delivery.

This intelligent Hybrid+ technology also enhances the refinement inside the car thanks to superior noise and vibration suppression.

For improved safety, the engine achieves exceptionally high thermal efficiency, while the specially designed three-speed automatic transmission ensures smooth and responsive power delivery, with the electric motor providing immediate power for stronger performance.

The system intelligently utilizes up to eight different propulsion modes. With the introduction of a fully integrated Hybrid Control Unit (HCU) featuring real-time terrain detection, the vehicle can make even smarter judgments to adapt its propulsion strategy to changing driving conditions, for example, especially on slopes.

Caritas Damayan preventative health and disaster management program provided P44.7 million worth of assistance to 24,126 families for fire and flood relief and shelter assistance. Relief distribution for tropical storm victims amounted to P7,177,280 covering the Archdiocese of Manila and four others. Other dioceses that received aid are Cebu, Mati, Masbate, Romblon, Maasin, San Carlos, Prelature of Infanta, Polillo islands, San Jose, Legaspi, Virac, Ilagan and Libmanan.

From January to December 2025, Caritas In Action Crisis Assistance Program logged in 15,080 cases for help like financial and livelihood support, food bags, bulk goods, gift certificates, hospital and medical treatment bills, medicine purchase, laboratory and diagnostics, medical equipment and supplies, funeral bill, casket purchase, referrals to appropriate government agencies and private institutions, and help for appeals to find missing persons. On air assistance and consultations were also given through Radyo Veritas.

Caritas Damayan has a feeding and nutrition program called Unang Yakap and Munting Pag-asa. The effort focuses on improving the health and nutritional status

From opportunity to impact: How Cebuana Lhuillier supports women’s growth nationwide

IN celebration of Women’s Month, Cebuana Lhuillier reinforces its commitment to women empowerment—an advocacy anchored in its broader mission of financial inclusion and community development.

As one of the Philippines’ leading microfinancial institutions, Cebuana Lhuillier continues to expand access to financial services, livelihood opportunities, and career growth for women across the country. From supporting female entrepreneurs through accessible financing to enabling professional advancement within its nationwide network, the company remains focused on creating tangible opportunities for women to succeed.

This commitment is reflected internally, where women comprise nearly 69 percent of the organization’s total workforce. At the leadership level, close to 50 percent of the Management Committee are women, underscoring Cebuana Lhuillier’s deliberate approach to building an inclusive and representative workplace supported by dedicated infrastructure and development programs.

Central to this is Cebuana Lhuillier’s strong focus on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Recognizing that empowered employees lead to better customer outcomes, the company continues to invest in a culture that values diverse perspectives, broadens opportunities, and strengthens collaboration. Its leadership team, composed of accomplished women across key functions, demonstrates how inclusive leadership drives both organizational performance and long-term social impact.

President and CEO Jean Henri Lhuillier emphasized the importance of embedding inclusion into the company’s growth strategy.

“Empowering women is central to how we build stronger communities,” said Lhuillier. “By ensuring a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment, we enable our people to thrive and extend that impact to the customers and communities we serve.”

The company also reinforces workplace safety and respect through structured initiatives such as its Anti-Sexual Harassment and Safe Spaces Act training. These programs ensure that employees are

equipped to uphold a culture of dignity, accountability, and protection across all levels of the organization.

“Empowerment goes beyond representation; it means creating real opportunities for women to lead and grow,” said Jo-Ann Tacorda, Cebuana Lhuillier First Vice President and Group Head for Corporate Services. “At Cebuana Lhuillier, we are committed to fostering an environment where women are equipped to succeed and make meaningful contributions.” Beyond the workplace, Cebuana Lhuillier’s efforts contribute to broader social impact. By equipping women with financial tools, leadership opportunities, and a secure environment to grow, the company helps drive economic participation and community resilience nationwide. As it marked Women’s Month, Cebuana Lhuillier continues to position itself as a strong advocate for gender equality— demonstrating that empowering women is not just a campaign, but a sustained commitment to inclusive growth and nation-building.

Caritas Manila Restorative Justice focuses on outof-school youth and Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDL). A budget of P2,786,892 benefitted 12,212 young individuals with skills training, employment referrals and community projects participation. Around 6,000 PDLs and their families got food packs, hygiene kits, medical help, livelihood training, and counseling. They also received the sacraments of

Sanlakbay

Motoring

TEXT & PHOTOS

BY RANDY S. PEREGRINO

HONDA Cars Philippines (HCPI) has finally lifted the curtain on the much-awaited Prelude e:HEV, now armed with the S+ Shift feature. First seen as a concept at the 2023 Japan Mobility Show, the production model emerges as an electrified grand tourer—seamlessly blending nostalgic heritage with cutting-edge technology, tailored to excite today’s discerning market.

THE CONCEPT OF UNLIMITED GLIDE HONDA’S revival of the Prelude comes with a bold philosophy—Unlimited Glide. With its low profile, light proportions, and enhanced visibility, the Prelude strikes a balance of composed comfort, responsive handling, and engaging character—an electrified grand tourer designed for constant moving.

From the outside, the Prelude projects a new-generation sporty persona. Its low, wide stance and captivating proportions hint at dynamic performance, while details like blue Brembo calipers etched with the Prelude logo and 19-inch aluminum wheels elevate its athletic image. The sleek hatchback silhouette adds versatility, symbolizing Honda’s vision of a hybrid sports car that breaks free from convention. Step inside, and the cabin reveals a unique asymmetry. The driver’s seat is sculpted for sportiness, while the passenger’s is tuned for relaxation—two perspectives in one space.

A D-shaped steering wheel, finished with Alcantara at the 12 o’clock grip, enhances comfort for both spirited sprints and long hauls. At the center, a floating 10.2-inch TFT LCD instrument panel delivers clarity and lightness, complete with animated sequences that greet and bid farewell like a cinematic flourish. Complementing this is an eight-speaker Bose system with Dynamic Speed Compensation, transforming the cabin into a concert hall on wheels.

Practicality remains a strong suit. The hatchback tailgate opens to a flexible cargo bay, expanding from 264 liters to a generous 760 liters—enough for suitcases, golf bags, or even surfboards. It’s proof that sleek design can coexist with utility.

HONDA’S ENGAGING ELECTRIFIED POWERTRAIN

AT the core of the Prelude lies Honda’s 2.0-liter Atkinson cycle engine paired with its proprietary e:HEV full hybrid system, harnessing two electric motors for a combined 181hp and 315 N-m of torque—mirroring the Civic e:HEV’s punch. Efficiency is equally impressive, rated at 25.6 km/LGe under DOE certification.

Handling benefits from a suspension tuned with Civic Type R DNA, featuring variable damping for agility and comfort, while reduced friction ensures fluid steering response. Adding to the

innovation is Honda’s new Coasting Control, activated via paddle shifters, allowing the Prelude to glide smoothly without regenerative braking.

INTRODUCING THE HONDA S+ SHIFT SYSTEM

THE Prelude further elevates versatility with four engaging drive modes— Individual, Sport, GT, and Comfort—each tailoring suspension response to suit the driver’s mood. This adaptability is further enhanced by Honda’s new S+ Shift technology, an exclusive feature of the e:HEV full hybrid system. In a time when electrified cars are often seen as lacking the visceral thrill of internal combustion, S+ Shift redefines Honda’s fun-to-drive DNA.

By linking driving force to engine sound during acceleration and deceleration, S+ Shift delivers a sensory connection that excites. The tachometer display enhances “sight value,” while Active Sound Control enriches “sound value,” creating a dynamic, immersive experience. Together, these elements replicate the spirited feel of a dual-clutch transmission while retaining the efficiency and refinement of hybrid

PICKUPS, called trucks in the US, have their own following—mostly the adventurous and irreverent, who usually identify with the rugged folk.

It is almost standard for the big players, like Toyota, Mitsubishi, Nissan and Isuzu to carry a pickup brand. One pickup that has captured the imagination of truck enthusiasts is the Mitsubishi Triton. Sleek and ruggedly handsome, it has become a headturner—almost literally.

Here is Nelda Castro’s captivating discourse on it:

“The new Mitsubishi Triton is now enhanced with striking black accents both inside and out, giving it a more commanding and more rugged presence.

“With its bold new tagline, ‘Born For The Grind,’ the Triton reinforces its identity as a pickup truck built not only for tough jobs, but also for the everyday hustle of Filipino drivers on city streets.

“The introduction of black accents across the Triton lineup reflects strength and confidence— qualities that define both the truck and the people who drive it.

“Beyond aesthetics, these accents give the Triton a sharper and tougher vibe, reinforcing its readiness to take on any challenge on the road.

ENGINEERED TO GRIND

“THE updated Mitsubishi Triton seamlessly combines form and function.

power. The result is a touring coupe that blends adaptability, emotion, and economy—proof that Honda’s electrified future still pulses with heart.

Honda SENSING, Honda CONNECT, and Google Automotive Services

The Prelude arrives as a complete package, integrating Honda SENSING, Honda CONNECT, and Google Automotive Services for unmatched safety, security, and convenience. Every Honda SENSING feature is onboard— from Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow to Collision Mitigation

“Known for its durability, powerful performance and dependable capability, the Triton is engineered to handle demanding tasks while ensuring comfort and control.

“Each Triton variant now features a carefully integrated black accents, elevating both style and purpose. The Triton GX and GLX variants received a more rugged and assertive appearance with blackfinished exterior elements, including door handles, side mirrors and rear bumper.

“In addition to the GLX variant, its previously gray 18-inch alloy wheels is now black, as well. These enhancements give both variants a stronger and more confident stance—perfect for those who need a dependable workhorse with added visual appeal.

“The Triton GLS takes enhancement to the next

Braking, Lane Keeping Assist, Road Departure Warning, and Auto High Beam. Advanced aids such as Blind Spot Information, Cross Traffic Monitor, and Adaptive Driving Beam further enhance driver confidence.

Honda CONNECT adds seamless control, allowing owners to remotely access vehicle functions and receive timely maintenance reminders. Meanwhile, Google’s built-in ensures hands-free commands, keeping eyes on the road while enhancing in-car connectivity.

level as more features are refreshed.

“Along with the black accents found in the GX and GLX variants, the Triton GLS now features the following:

■ Blacked-out Dynamic Shield front fascia

■ Black alloy wheels

■ Black fender arch moldings

■ Black front under garnish Triton GLX with Black Accent.

BLACK LEATHER SEATS

“THE upgrade is also significant with its new black leather seats, replacing the previous high-grade fabric seats. This enhancement elevates the cabin experience, giving the variant a more premium feel while maintaining its rugged exterior look.

“While the new black accents enhance the Triton’s exterior appeal, they also reflect its core strength which is the ability to endure and perform under pressure.

“The Mitsubishi Triton remains a capable pickup, engineered for durability, stability, and performance across various terrains and conditions.

“With its refreshed design and unwavering capability, the Mitsubishi Triton proves that it is more than just a pickup—it is a partner in every journey, every challenge and every success.

Because at the end of the day, no matter the task or

PRICING WITH THE EXTENDED WARRANTY PROGRAM AND COLORS THE Honda Prelude retails at P3.498 million and is available in Moonlit White Pearl (New and Exclusive to Prelude), Rallye Red, Racing Blue Pearl, Meteoroid Gray Metallic, Crystal Black Pearl, and Moonlit White Pearl (Additional P30,000).

Moreover, a vehicle warranty of five years/150,000 kilometers and a battery warranty of eight years/160,000 kilometers is offered, whichever comes first for each.

terrain, the Triton is truly ‘Born For The Grind.’” ABOUT MMPC

MITSUBISHI Motors Philippines Corp. (MMPC) is the longest staying automotive company in the Philippines. Occupying a 23-hectare plant in Sta. Rosa, Laguna, MMPC’s manufacturing plant has a maximum production capacity of 50,000 units. MMPC locally manufactures the Mirage, Mirage G4 and L300. In fiscal year 2024, MMPC posted a record retails sales volume of 91,639 vehicles, representing a 12 percent year-on-year growth. Reinforcing its legacy of excellence, MMPC has captured the secondhighest market share in the Philippine automotive industry, demonstrating its unwavering commitment to delivering high-quality vehicles and exceptional service to Filipino customers.

PEE STOP Congrats again to Alvin Uy for his crucial role as a prime mover in the successful staging anew of the Manila International Auto Show on April 9-12.

BusinessMirror

PHL sports brass do homework for 2028 hosting

Philippine

(PSC)

Patrick “Pato” Gregorio,  Team Philippines chef de mission Donaldo “Don” Caringal and Ramon “Tats” Suzara—chief executive officer of the next Cebu 7th Asian Beach Games—all agreed that the Phillippines has what it takes to host the games in 2028. “ Filipinos are also world-class entertainers, we are very creative. The Filipinos and Cebuanos’ hospitality will make the Games much better in 2028,” said Suzara, while sharing that creative concepts are already being explored ahead of the Games when they held an ocular visit at the Main Media Centre/ Main Press Centre at the Jinghai Hotel & Resort Thursday here. The delegation drew inspiration from China’s hosting of the ongoing 6th ABG in this seaport city as the Philippines prepares for its hosting in Cebu in 2028.

Suzara emphasized that the Philippines should not be underestimated when it comes to hosting.

He also stressed the importance of collaboration, calling on the province of Cebu and media partners to begin promoting early in order to boost sports tourism in the country.

Gregorio said that Cebu’s hosting will carry its own identity, showcasing the Philippines in a distinct and meaningful way.

He noted that the 2028 edition will be the biggest and most prestigious international sporting event ever hosted by the historic province.

We have our own style, our own artistry. We have our own cultural showcase, in a different way, we showcase the Philippines in a different way,” Gregorio said. G regorio also expressed admiration for how China maximized its hotels and resorts to serve as central hubs for athletes and media throughout the Games.

H e pointed out that Cebu’s rapidly developing infrastructure, from accommodations to sporting venues, positions the province to deliver a similar setup.

“ I have been discussing ideas with President Tats, who is the President of the Local Organizing Committee,” Gregorio said. “We can do better.”

W ith preparations already in motion, Gregorio stressed the importance of starting early to avoid rushing, noting a target timeline of around 18 months of focused buildup.

C aringal and Suzara echoed this vision, adding that Philippine Olympic Committee President Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino shares the same goal of ensuring the Philippines meets global standards, especially as the country prepares to host its first Olympic Council of Asia event.

Double delights for PHL in Sanya

By Aldrin Quinto

SANYA, China—Alexandria Enriquez struck gold and Kaila Napolis claimed bronze, while Filipinas also came up with twin wins in beach volleyball pool play on a sizzling opening day for the Philippines in the Asian Beach Games on Thursday here.

A former no-gi featherweight world champion of the International Brazilian Jiujitsu Federation, Enriquez delivered the Philippines’ first gold medal of the meet by topping the women’s 63-kg at the Sanya Bay Yuhai Club, outpointing Yeonji Lee of South Korea, 5-0.

the Philippines an 11-4 lead and they cruised to victory in 34 minutes.

We’ll maintain a winning mindset and carry it through the end. Today was good, tomorrow will be better, and we aim to improve even more in the later stages.”

V illapando and Matibag, seeing action after only a few days of training together, pulled off an impressive breakthrough win that highlighted their adaptability.

Really excited, it’s just out first game together so we’re just getting our feet under us. First match in China, battling against the heat but I’m really happy about what we did out there,” said Villapando, part of the of the Philippine squad that won the women’s volleyball competition in the Southeast Asian Games.

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Enriquez got through to the title bout after edging out Shamma Alkalbani of the United Arab Emirates by advantages in the semifinals. That was a nerve-wracking match after convincing submission wins over China’s Xu Xintong in the Round of 16 and against Orapa Senatham of Thailand in the quarterfinals.

“I feel so much pride and joy I mean first of all all glory to God,” said Enriquez, who moved to the US at age six.

To be able to come back you know and experience it as an adult and to be able to be a part of something much larger than I am is such a great honor,” she said.

The Philippines made it to the medal board earlier in the day as Napolis bagged bronze in the -52kg class with a win by advantages over Kazakhstan’s Zhibek Kulumbetova.

Although she again fell short of the top spot, it was a huge finish for Napolis, who also earned bronze at the Asian Beach Games 10 years ago in Danang, Vietnam.

““It was very tense because you can’t make mistakes. With overtime, the first to have an advantage wins. So, the match is really super tight,” Napolis said.

Andrea Lois Lao fell short of the podium, bowing to Thailand’s Orapa Senatham, 0-3.

Twin wins in beach volley

A SLUGGISH, overconfident start nearly cost Khylem Progella and Sofia Pagara in the Asian Beach Games, but

THE four-leg Visayas swing of the

categories. The divisions are stacked with talent, including Anthony Castigador, Anthony Cosca, Cristiano Calingasan, Ciara Alipoon, Juan Thomas Calingasan and Roxas

City leg winner Francisco De Juan III. Bugna, brimming with confidence, aims for yet another double-title sweep, but faces stiff opposition from Tori Deocampo, Aleeva Suace, Princess Obaniana, Besper Zapatos and Isabel Calingasan. A standout from Batang Onay, Bugna is eyeing another dominant run in the circuit, which forms part of a nationwide talent search spearheaded by Palawan Pawnshop president and CEO Bobby Castro. Competition in the lower age groups is expected to be just as fierce. In the boys’ 14-and-U division, Cristiano Calingasan, De Juan, Alexander Calingasan, and Liam Harrow are tipped to contend for the crown.

the Filipinas found their rhythm in time to pull off a 21-19, 21-9 victory over Macau’s Leong On Ieng and Law Weng Sam in the beach volleyball tournament on Thursday at Tianya Haijiao Venue Cluster.

Sunnie Kalani Villapando and Grydelle Joanice Matibag, meanwhile, came up with an impressive debut as playing partners, notching a 21-19, 21-10 victory over Nicola Lam and U In Ian, also of Macau.

Progella, who alongside Matibag had faced Leong and Law during the 2023 Asian Games in Ningbo, said the familiarity may have worked against them.

We were a little too complacent, and that’s our fault,” Progella said. “Good thing we were able to recover little by little.”

Trailing 7-11, Progella and Pagara clawed their way back to tie the score at 13 before seizing the lead at 16-15.

W ith the momentum finally on their side, the University Athletic Association of the Philippines champions from University of Santo Tomas played a more composed and aggressive game in the second set.

B ack-to-back aces by Progella gave

Harrow and Alexander Calingasan also headline the 12-and-U category, along with Caleb Ausan and Mathieu Flores. I n the girls’ division, Iloilo’s Kate Chavez seeks back-to-back titles in the 14-and-U category against challengers Isabel Calingasan, Theriz Zapatos and Abby Castigador. Chavez is also eyeing another championship in the 12-and-U division, where she will face Castigador, Liza Yeban and Gracynth Guilliano. Doubles titles in the 14- and 18-and-under categories of the tournament, supported by Dunlop, ICON Golf and Sports and Palawan Group of Companies, for both boys and girls,

M atibag, an Ateneo standout recalled recently to the national team, credited Villapando for guiding her through the important first test in the continental competition. She kept me going when things weren’t that good,” Matibag said.

P rogella and Pagara take on Uzbekistan’s Sabina Muzaffarova and Milana Kurbanova on Friday then finish Pool G play on Saturday when they battle seventh seeds Laura Kabulbekova and Nadezhda Ivanschenko of Kazakhstan.

Brazilian coach Joao Luciano Koidai, who has been in charge of the Philippine beach volleyball teams since 2022 and steered the women’s squad to the Southeast Asian Games gold last year, wasn’t too worried about Progella and Pagara’s sluggish start.

“ Step by step. We have a chance to grow during the competition, we already got better in the second set. We hope tomorrow, them after tomorrow,” Kiodai said.

“Right now the schedule is lighter, towards the end its going to be more active.

It’s good to start the tournament with a win, a little nervous in the beginning but it’s okay, the girls were able to adjust.”

The Chinese teams also came up with a rousing start, with the men’s pair of Zhang Tai and Zhou Chaowei, the seventh seeds in the 35-team field, scoring a quick 21-12, 21-11 demolition of Bhutan’s Dorji Tshering and Rangdal Jurme in Pool G action.

T hird seeds Wu Jiaxin and Wu Wang also had a dominant start, routing Macau’s Tam Chit Meng and Tai Kuan Seng, 21-9, 21-9. Villapando and Matibag face Mongolia’s Kandsuren Gantogtokh and Munkhbayar Oyuntuya on Friday, and take on Kazakhstan’s Yekaterina Ryukhova and Kristina Karimova on Saturday. The top two teams in each pool advance to the Round of 16.