BusinessMirror July 20, 2026

‘Funnel financial system resources to investments’

By Andrea E. San Juan

that this growing pool of funds will be channeled into productive investments, micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and job creation, according to experts. Jonathan L. Ravelas, senior adviser at Reyes Tacandong & Co. explained that the 10-percent growth in the Philippine financial system’s total resources to a

By Reine Juvierre

STRONGER

economic growth in the second half will be vital for the country’s two main revenue agencies to meet their recalibrated collection targets this year, even as both remain on track in the first semester.

“We’re hoping for a higher GDP [gross domestic product] growth in the coming months because it significantly impacts VAT [valueadded tax], percentage tax and other business taxes,” Internal Revenue Commissioner Charlito Martin R. Mendoza told reporters last week.

To recall, the Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) lowered the Bureau of Internal Revenue’s (BIR) revenue target by P38 billion to P3.393 trillion, while increasing the Bureau of Customs’ (BOC) goal by

P7.2 billion.

Separately, Customs Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno told reporters that the higher target took into account the weakening of the peso against the US dollar, expectations of economic growth and other macroeconomic factors.

“But we can [reach the target],” Nepomuceno said, noting that the BOC’s extra revenues of P11.8 billion could make up for the additional P7.2 billion needed from the bureau. “There’s still a lot of room for improvement.”

By Lorenz S. Marasigan

RIDE-HAILING passengers will soon pay pick-up fees again, after the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) revived a fare scheme meant to compensate drivers for the time and fuel they burn traveling to pick up their passengers. Under Memorandum Circular 2026-059, the regulator reinstated the fixed pick-up fare rates it first rolled out in December last year, capping the charges at a 5-kilometer radius from the driver’s location.

The new circular takes effect upon publication in a newspaper of general circulation.

LTFRB Chairman Vigor D. Mendoza II said the revival responds to mounting complaints from Transport Network Vehicle Service (TNVS) drivers over rising operational costs, while addressing commuter grievances about unauthorized and unregulated pick-up charges. “While commuters’ welfare is a priority, part of our mandate is also to ensure that the concerns of those from the public transportation sectors are heard. In

record P37.6 trillion is “a strong indication that the economy remains resilient despite pockets of inflationary pressure and global uncertainty.”

Looking ahead, however, Ravelas pointed out: “The key challenge now is ensuring that this growing pool of financial resources is channeled into productive investments, infrastructure, MSMEs, and job creation. Ultimately, the quality of how these funds are deployed will matter more than the size of the balance sheet itself.”

Ravelas emphasized the importance of picking quality over the size of the financial system’s balance sheet after data from the Bangko

Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) showed that the combined funds and assets of banks (excluding the central bank) and non-bank financial institutions (NBFIs) climbed to a record P37.64 trillion as of end-May 2026, up 10 percent from the P34.22 trillion as of May 2025.

Data from the central bank indicated that this is the second straight month that financial resources posted a double-digit growth rate this year.

On a month-on-month basis, BSP data showed total resources held by the country’s financial system increased by 0.88 percent from the P37.31 trillion as of endApril 2026.

According to Ravelas, the primary drivers were “continued deposit growth, expanding bank lending, healthy remittance inflows, and rising economic activity, particularly through the universal and commercial banks that account for the bulk of the sector’s assets.”

“More importantly, this tells us that liquidity remains ample and confidence in the financial system is intact,” he said. Ravelas said this could also mean households continue to save, businesses continue to invest, and banks remain in a strong position to finance growth.

Manila

By Bless Aubrey Ogerio

ABUSINESS delegation composed of around 40 representatives from American companies in information technology, financial services, logistics and shipping visited the Philippines this month to explore investment opportunities.

As Manila and Washington mark 80 years of diplomatic relations, the delegation, which included firms from the US Northeast, Midwest and West Coast, attended a recent investment briefing and strategic forum by the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (Peza) at the World Trade Center in Pasay City. The mission was organized by the Philippine Embassy in the United States (US) and the Philippine Trade and Investment Centers (PTICs) in the US.

According to US Embassy Senior Commercial Counselor Paul Taylor, the Philippines remains an important economic partner for the US in Southeast Asia.

“This is an important market and an important trade and investment relationship [of the US] in Southeast Asia,”Taylor said.

“We know that with a partner like the Philippines, the United States can greatly impact the transparency and the ability of all of Asean to operate in a way that is going to be built on shared values and is going to head in the right direction,” he added.

Also, during the forum, Peza Director General Tereso Panga presented the country’s investment environment and discussed initiatives that the government expects to support future investments, including the country’s upper middle-income classification, the Luzon Economic Corridor and the proposed artificial intelligence hub under the Pax Silica initiative.

“Today is the right time to invest in the Philippines because we are at the center of emerging opportunities in trade, manufacturing, technology, and sustainable growth,” Panga said.

“We in Peza are ready to roll out our red carpet to all investors and work closely with you every step of the way as you grow your business in the Philippines,” he added. Peza also noted that it continues to be cited in the US Department of State’s annual Investment Climate Statements for the Philippines, which says that the business

Iloilo Substation, a component of the Panay-Guimaras Interconnection project, was also completed in April 2025.

Voltage improvement initiatives were also completed by NGCP in its Tigaon, Malvar, Baybay Load-end Station, Sta. Barbara, and Zamboanga Substations.

These accomplishments are a testament, said NGCP, to its commitment to its mandate of delivering safe, secure, and reliable power transmission services to our customers.

“We take our obligations under our franchise and concession agreement seriously. Despite continuing challenges in right-ofway and permitting, we remain committed to the work ahead, and are optimistic in completing these projects within the year,” NGCP stated.

NGCP also renewed its appeal for support from the Department of Energy and other related government agencies, and the local government units (LGUs) for the swift approval and release of necessary permits for the implementation of critical transmission projects.

“We continue to seek the support of government agencies and LGUs by ensuring the expedited release of permits related to our projects. Their assistance is vital to ensuring unhampered project implementation,” NGCP said.

PNP orders massive probe of female vlogger’s gunslay

By Rex Anthony Naval

PHILIPPINE

National Police (PNP)

chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. on Sunday ordered a thorough investigation into the death of a female vlogger in a gun attack in Caloocan City that also left her partner wounded early Friday morning.

Nartatez, in a statement, said he already tasked the Regional Director of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) to ensure that all angles are looked into, including her active social media engagements.

“Violence has no place in a society where freedom of expression is honored and respected. There may be differences in beliefs and opinion but we in the PNP commit to uphold and protect the right to express them—and

Funnel financial system…

Continued from A1

For his part, Michael L. Ricafort, chief economist at the Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) said the 10 percent year-on-year

growth for the Philippine financial system’s resources could be attributed to “some hedging and front-loading of purchases/imports that are funded by

this includes aggressively running after those responsible in this case,” the PNP chief said.

Nartatez did not identify the slain female vlogger and her wounded live-in-partner but social media reports identified the fatality as Mima Alicia, who is reportedly associated with the United Vloggers and Influencers of the Philippines.

Alicia is known as a Marcos supporter and made Youtube contents criticizing Vice President Sara Duterte and other personalities allied with the family. Based on the initial report, at least two motorcycle-riding men perpetrated the attack on the female victim in front of her house in Caloocan City on Friday morning.

bank loans/credit before inflation rates for various products go up further.”

He explained that financial resources are also being pooled in advance within the financial system before borrowing costs go up further which he described as “a matter of prudence.”

Breakdown of total resources

BSP data showed banks accounted for the bulk, or 82.13 percent of total resources, while NBFIs held the remaining 16.86 percent share.

Resources held by banks climbed 10.85 percent to P31.29 trillion from P28.23 trillion in May 2026.

Broken down, universal and commercial banks (UKBs) continued to dominate the sector, holding 92.72 percent of total banking resources, or P29.01 trillion. This is higher by 10.72 percent from P26.20 trillion as of May 2025.

Thrift banks accounted for 4.76 percent of all resources in Philippine banks, at P1.489 trillion as of May 2026, posting a 10.95 percent increase from P1.342 trillion as of end-May 2025.

Resources of rural and cooperative banks also grew 8.10 percent to P587 billion as of May 2026, representing 1.88 percent of the banking system’s assets from P543.2 billion in the same period

Neighbors found the female vlogger and her partner after rushing out when they heard gunshots. They took them to the hospital.

Nartatez said he expects a comprehensive investigation into this incident, particularly the angle that the attack may have been triggered by her work as an active political vlogger. He said he also tasked the Anti-Cybercrime Group to assist in the conduct of the investigation through extensive review of the social media posts and content posted by the victim in her social media platforms.

Nartatez said the NCRPO was also tasked to secure the victim’s partner who is still in the hospital.

in 2025.

Ravelas emphasized that the fact that thrift, rural and cooperative banks also posted “solid gains” suggests that “financial deepening is becoming more broad-based across the country.”

For the coming months, Ricafort said total resources growth could slow down amid possible higher interest rates locally and globally.

“Also amid more cautious lending by banks to prevent further increase in bad loans amid slower global and local economy amid higher inflation and interest rates largely brought about by the adverse effects of the war in Middle East,” added the RCBC’s chief economist.

Preliminary data from the central bank showed that the gross non-performing loans (NPLs) ratio climbed to 3.44 percent in May—the highest in nine months or since August 2025.

Data showed that the peso value of bad loans climbed to a new record high of P601.41 billion, which is 14.02 percent higher than the P527.449 billion recorded in end-May 2025.

BSP data also revealed that the ratio which measures the banks’ capacity to absorb losses from bad loans plunged to 88.92 percent— the lowest level in over four years or since March 2022.

Revenue drivers MENDOZA said the BIR is banking on digitalization initiatives and taxpayer education programs to make tax compliance easier.

“The idea is we want to make compliance easier for them. So when compliance is easier, it is easier for them to pay taxes and that translates to better revenue collection,” the commissioner said.

“Hopefully, [the government’s] infrastructure spending will improve and economic activities will accelerate in the coming months,” he added. The issuances of the contested letters of authority (LOAs) have also been reduced in the first semester since the suspension on its issuance was lifted in January.

“I do not look at LOAs as primary revenue source. It should not be like that. I still look at voluntary compliance as our primary revenue source,” Mendoza said. “If we can have less audits, less enforcement, that is better because that means our taxpayers are properly and voluntarily complying.”

Although the BIR’s lower revenue target would make it easier for the bureau to collect what’s due, Mendoza said the target itself is already a challenge because it is still high.

The goal still represents nearly a 10-percent growth from the P3.1 trillion the BIR collected last year, he noted.

“It’s still a tall order, but we’re doing our best to meet our target. So far, we’re still on track,” Mendoza said.

For the BOC, Nepomuceno said the bureau is reviewing the rate of assessment, or collections relative to the value of imports, as some ports may be applying assessment rates that are lower than warranted.

“We can increase it without disregarding the transaction value regime right now,” the BOC chief said, noting that any adjustments would be implemented gradually to avoid disrupting trade.

Misclassification, undervaluation and smuggling remain as key threats to the BOC’s revenue collections, although he said the agency has measures in place to address these leakages.

From January to May 2026, the BIR has raised P1.420 trillion, or 41.85 percent of its full-year target. The BOC, meanwhile, collected P491.748 billion in the first half of the year, making up 48.63 percent of its goal for the year.

The DBCC lowered this year’s revenue target from P4.824 trillion to P4.807 trillion, of which the remaining P365.1 billion will come from non-tax revenues.

this case, the revival of the pickup fare implementation will serve both ends,” Mendoza said.

The fees vary by vehicle type.

Hatchbacks and subcompacts may charge P24 within a onekilometer radius, rising by P24 per kilometer up to P120 at 5 kilometers. Sedans start at P26 and top out at P130, while Asian utility vehicles and sport utility vehicles may charge up to P145. Premium units carry the highest rates, starting at P58 and reaching P289 within the 5-kilometer radius.

No pick-up fee may be imposed or collected beyond five kilometers, and transport network companies (TNCs) were directed to limit their driver-matching radius to the same distance to cut passenger waiting time and operational costs.

The regulator also barred TNCs from taking any share, commission, or service fee from the pickup fare, with Mendoza stressing that all proceeds go to drivers. Platforms are likewise prohibited from imposing separate booking,

convenience, or similarly denominated charges.

TNCs must display the pick-up fare as a distinct line item in the fare breakdown before a passenger confirms a booking, disclose the total fare before ride acceptance, and reflect the charge in the electronic receipt or trip summary after the trip.

The pick-up fare system was first implemented under Memorandum Circular 2025-058, which the board crafted after commuters complained of steep price surges during rush hours at the height of the 2025 Christmas season. It ran briefly from December until the first days of January.

The LTFRB said the same concerns have resurfaced in recent months, with operational data showing slow travel speeds along major Metro Manila roads, including Edsa, and drivers spending significant time and fuel reaching pick-up points—costs previously excluded from the fare, which the board said contributed to booking problems and ride shortages.

coming to the Philippines is more than a vacation. It is a journey home,” said Angara-Mathay in a news statement. “The DOT will continue working with international and Philippine carriers to expand connectivity, open new markets, and make it easier for more people to experience the Philippines.” She added that the agency is also “working to curate travel experiences for balikbayans and second- and third-generation Filipino-Americans seeking to reconnect with their heritage.”

PAL is currently the only Philippine flag carrier that offers nonstop services to the US and its territories, specifically from Manila to Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Honolulu, Guam, and soon, Chicago.

environment is generally more favorable within Peza-administered economic zones, particularly for export-oriented enterprises, citing regulatory transparency and onestop-shop services for investors.

Prosecution set to start presenting evidence of Duterte’s ‘unexplained wealth’ this week

By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz @joveemarie

THE House of Representatives prosecution panel expects to begin presenting evidence this week on the alleged misuse of confidential funds by Vice President Sara Z. Duterte, following the conclusion of its presentation on the alleged threats against the president and his family.

Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon of the Bicol Saro, in a news forum on Saturday, outlined a three-day schedule once the Senate impeachment court resumes proceedings: additional questions on Monday regarding subpoenas for financial records, the testimony of National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag on Tuesday, and—if time permits—the presentation of the first witnesses on the confidential funds issue on Wednesday.

Ridon said the prosecution is nearing the completion of its presentation on the threats article, which is expected to conclude on Tuesday.

Matibag is expected to testify on the NBI’s investigation into statements attributed to Duterte and whether authorities found evidence of continuing threats against President Marcos and his family. Ridon expressed hope that both the direct and cross-examination of the NBI chief would be completed within the day.

If Matibag’s testimony concludes as scheduled, the prosecution will immediately proceed to the article on the alleged misuse of confidential funds.

Ridon said several witnesses have already been lined up for Wednesday, when the prosecution aims to begin presenting evidence related to the confidential funds.

Among the key pieces of evidence to be presented are records from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), which allegedly show that certain names listed as recipients of confidential funds from the Office of the Vice President do not correspond to any official records of birth, death, or marriage.

The prosecution will also examine acknowledgement receipts used to document the disbursement of funds, noting that the signatures appearing on many of these documents suggest that only a small group of individuals may have signed the majority of the receipts.

Commission on Audit (COA) reports will likewise form part of the presentation. Ridon noted that a portion of the questioned 2022 confidential funds has already attained finality at the level of the COA proper, with an order directing the Vice President to return P73 million. He also cited a total of P448 million in questioned expenditures. After deducting the P73 million from 2022, the remaining P375 million is likewise subject to a return order, although Ridon did not state whether this amount has reached finality before the COA.

The hearings will therefore cover the reported recipients, PSA findings, acknowledgement receipts, COA reports, and

See “Duterte,” A4

Dasmariñas mayor runs for Congress

By Mary Jade Jadormio

DASMARIÑAS City Mayor Jennifer Barzaga filed a certificate of candidacy (COC) on Friday, the last day of filing for the special election in Cavite’s Fourth Legislative District.

Barzaga is seeking to represent the district in the House of Representatives after the expulsion of her son, former congressman Francisco Barzaga.

The special election, scheduled on August 29, will be held to fill the congressional seat vacated following Kiko Barzaga’s removal from the House in June.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said Barzaga became the fifth aspirant to formally enter the race.

Comelec Spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco said Barzaga’s candidacy is allowed because there is no existing disqualification against incumbent elective officials seeking another elected post.

“Yes, it is legal because, as you will notice, there is no disqualification simply because a person is already holding an elected position. This involves an elective office, not an appointive one,” Laudiangco said.

He added that Barzaga’s current term as mayor has a fixed duration, allowing her to remain in office while running for another elective position.

“So even if she files her certificate of candidacy, there will be no problem,” he said.

Section 14 of Republic Act 9006, or the Fair Election Act, repealed Section 67 of the Omnibus Election Code, removing the rule

that previously deemed incumbent elective officials resigned upon filing certificates of candidacy for another elective office.

Laudiangco said Barzaga will vacate the mayoral post only if she wins the special election and assumes office as representative.

“If she wins and assumes the new position she was elected to, then she will definitely have to vacate the position she currently holds,” he said.

He added that the vacancy would be filled through succession under Section 44 of the Local Government Code, with the vice mayor automatically assuming the mayoralty in case of a permanent vacancy.

Meanwhile, when asked if the poll body discourages those who are already in politics to still file for another position, Comelec Chairman George Erwin M. Garcia said they just follow the law.

“We cannot do that. So long as it is allowed by law then we cannot stop [incumbents from running],” Garcia told the B usiness M irror

Aside from Barzaga, the other candidates who filed their certificates of candidacy are Raul Rex del Rosario Mangubat, Marvin Opamin Dupal-ag, Leysander Aguilar Ordenes and Jacinto Bautista Jr. Frani.

Comelec closed the filing period at 5 p.m. on Friday and confirmed that no extension would be granted.

“After the 5:00 p.m. deadline today, July 17, we received five certificates of candidacy. Those are the only candidates whose COCs have been officially accepted for this special election,” Laudiangco said.

Teodoro calls on youth to defend truth, protect country’s rights at WPS

DEFENSE Secretary Gilberto Teodoro

Jr. has called on the Filipino youth to become defenders of truth and active partners in protecting the country’s sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), stressing that national resilience begins with an informed and united citizenry.

Speaking before students, youth leaders, government officials, and security stakeholders during the Ilocano Dialogue on the West Philippine Sea in Batac City, Ilocos Norte, on Saturday, Teodoro said

Lacson wants Cayetano in jail

Ethe country’s ability to withstand external threats depends not only on military strength but also on public awareness and national resolve.

“We will rely on you to be the future of our organization, be the future of the national economy, be the future public leaders,” Teodoro told participants.

The dialogue, organized by the Ilocos Norte Model Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Meeting (Inmam), focused

“WPS,”

By Butch Fernandez

VEN as the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte continues to draw public attention, a separate drama is unfolding in the Senate, with the word war between two ranking senators reaching its peak: Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson wants no less than jail for Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano, who he said has “attacked my integrity.”

On Sunday, Lacson—whose stint as former Blue-Ribbon committee chairman has been criticized by Cayetano and detained Sen. Rodante Marcoleta—declared, “Disgraced ex-Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano crossed the line by attacking my integrity, and I’m fighting to defend it with all my might.”

Lacson said he is now counting informants and witnesses who are willing to provide information and evidence that could put Cayetano “in his proper place –jail.”

“My integrity is my first and last line of defense and I will fight to defend it with all my might. Senator Cayetano has crossed the line by attacking it,” he said in a post on X.

“As of this morning, I’m still counting informants and witnesses, directly or through intermediaries, willing to provide information and evidence to put him in his proper place –the Payatas, QC [Quezon City] jail,” Lacson added.

Marcoleta has been in detention for over a week now, having been arrested on the plunder charge slapped on him for accepting, as a sitting congressman, P70 million in “donations” that he did not declare in his campaign report to the Commission on Elections.

Integrity has always been his most prized possession, Lacson stressed, a value he “nurtured and protected in more than five

decades in public service as law enforcer and lawmaker.”

On Saturday, Lacson shot down Cayetano’s insinuation in his Facebook Live post, questioning the increase in Lacson’s declared net worth, which he said seemed to have doubled based on his Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALNs) in 2025 compared to that in 2022.

Lacson clarified that his net worth almost quadrupled during the three years that he was out of government, having left the Senate on June 30, 2022 and earning his “wealth” through legitimate means as reflected in his income tax returns (ITRs) for two consecutive taxable years in 2023 and 2024. In short, wealth legitimately earned during his hiatus from public service.

But during his law enforcement career, Lacson said he maintained a “No-Take” policy, rejecting hush and grease money from gambling lords and suppliers and contractors transacting with the National Police (PNP), which he headed from 1999 to 2001. He also declined reward money from grateful relatives of kidnap victims he rescued.

Cayetano’s P6.79-B pork

AS senator, Lacson recalled he did not partake of any form of “pork barrel” and rejected lobby money from some sectors in exchange

for “favorable” legislation—in contrast to what he claimed as Cayetano’s P6.79 billion worth of “pork barrel”—like budget insertions under the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA).

“I’ve tasted power and I know how to handle power through personal experience. Hindi ako abusado at hindi ako corrupt na government official [I am neither abusive nor corrupt],” Lacson stressed.

He, likewise, disclosed there are ghost flood control projects in Cayetano’s bailiwick of Taguig City. In a Facebook Live broadcast on Saturday, Cayetano questioned the Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALNs) of Lacson and the current Blue-Ribbon committee chairperson, Sen. Erwin Tulfo.

“ Kay Senator Lacson, ’ di ba ? Ano ’yung actual? I didn’t really pay that much attention, pero parang dumoble ’yung kanyang SALN,” Cayetano said.

(Regarding Senator Lacson, what is the actual figure? I didn’t really pay that much attention, but it appears that [the net worth in his] SALN doubled).

Cayeano also questioned the arrests of minority Sens. Jose Pimentel Ejercito alias Jinggoy Estrada and Rodante Marcoleta and described them, along with former lawmaker Michaek Defensor, as “political prisoners.”

Lacson denied the claims and said he acquired his money legitimately through private businesses. He said his income increased only after he left government service, as could be verified through his income tax returns.

Lacson then countered Cayetano’s insinuation by accusing him of securing billions of pesos in budget insertions.

“Unlike Sen. Cayetano, with P6.79 billion in budget insertions under the 2025 GAA [General Appropriations Act], I have had no insertions, a.k.a. [also known as] pork barrel, since I became a senator. And I do not receive any 25 percent kickback from slope protection and other infrastructure projects,” Lacson said.

“I don’t know about him, but I

have consistently refused lobby money in relation to my job as a legislator,” he said in a statement issued later Saturday.

Embarrassment

MALACAÑAN on Saturday branded Cayetano’s allegation against President Marcos as baseless, saying the lawmaker was merely trying to “save himself from embarrassment.”

In a statement, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro slammed Cayetano for sowing intrigue and making unfounded claims to shift the blame, instead of taking responsibility for his own shortcomings.

Bakit hindi kaya makapagpigil sa sarili si Sen. Alan Cayetano sa paggawa ng intriga at mga kwentong walang basehan [Why can’t Senator Alan Cayetano seem to stop himself from stirring up intrigue and spreading baseless stories]?” Castro said. Castro’s statement came after Cayetano on Friday claimed that Marcos rejected plans to distribute P10,000 in aid to Filipinos recovering from the Covid-19 pandemic after he won the elections in 2022.

She likened Cayetano’s actions to the political style of his ally, former President Rodrigo Duterte, saying the senator was making claims that served only as campaign rhetoric.

“Si Senator Alan, imbis na ituro ang sarili sa kanyang kapabayaan sa pagtatrabaho, magtuturo siya ng iba masagip lang ang sarili sa kahihiyan [Instead of taking responsibility for his own shortcomings at work, Senator Alan points finger at others just to save himself from embarrassment],” Castro said.

“Ang trabaho niya na hindi niya magampanan ay ipapasa sa iba. Ebidensya ang ibibigay namin panlaban sa mga kasinungalingan ni Senator Alan [The responsibilities he has failed to fulfill are being shifted onto someone else],” she added. Castro said the Palace would present evidence to refute Cayetano’s “lies.” With PNA

Senate Blue-Ribbon panel to restart flood-control probe

THE inquiry into the floodcontrol mess, described as the biggest corruption scandal in the country, will proceed with dispatch as soon as the 20th Congress convenes for its Second Regular Session next week.

The assurance was given at the weekend by the Senate Blue-Ribbon committee chairman, Sen. Erwin Tulfo, even as several lawmakers have been at loggerheads the past months over the manner the inquiry has been handled by different bodies.

In a radio interview, Tulfo clarified the proper process in convening a Senate Committee: “In the morning of [July] 27, which is the Sona [State of the Nation Address] day, we will formalize the BlueRibbon committee. We cannot conduct a hearing yet because the membership has not yet been finalized. There will still be submissions of names to complete the

membership and have it declared on the floor—so it becomes official.”

Tulfo continued: “We will have flood control investigation. But what if the same names as to those who were charged by the Ombudsman due to the first Blue Ribbon Committee Report will come up again? Are we going to repeat it? There has to be new names,” he said.

The flood control mess broke out wide into the open a year ago, when President Marcos used his Sona to call out government officials and big-time contractors that he said had laid waste billions for flood control but left many Filipinos at the mercy of destructive floods. Days before his 2025 Sona, the country witnessed a string of typhoons that laid bare the substandard infrastructure for flood control.

As the Chairman, Tulfo said he will invite all the stakeholders and will introduce new rules such as stricter treatment on affidavits and prohibition on surprise witnesses. All

these reforms, according to Tulfo, will be introduced properly once the panel is officially convened.

Infrastructure masterplan

TULFO then emphasized that apart from seeking accountability on the flood control mess, a proactive effort to prevent the flood control scam from happening again, requires a Philippine Infrastructure Masterplan so projects will not rely on politics.

“The flood control scam, being out in the open, can be considered a blessing in disguise. We discovered that the reason behind the non-stop flooding problem, our roads. It’s because the funds are being pocketed,” Tulfo said. “For too long, infrastructure planning has largely been tied to the priorities of each administration. If we, have a masterplan, it doesn’t matter where the next President would be coming from,” he added.

He then urged his colleagues to support the push for his Senate Bil 1360 or the “Masterplan for Infrastructure and National Development [MIND] Act.” The said bill will establish a wholeof-government strategy so infrastructure projects in the country. Projects with national significance will be prioritized but the measure will ensure that these will be connected to regional and sectoral development plans.

Once Tulfo’s MIND Act turns into a law, it will harmonize all infrastructure projects from big-ticket to minor ones. “This measure will also help ensure that public resources are used more efficiently. If we have good planning, we will remove duplication, ramp up implementation, and bolster accountability. Every peso invested in infrastructure should create the greatest possible benefit for the Filipinos,” he concluded. Butch Fernandez

Think tank says PHL right in pursuing arbitral

By Rizal Raoul Reyes

INDEPENDENT think tank Stratbase Institute on Friday said the Philippines made the right strategic and diplomatic decision in pursuing the 2016 arbitral ruling, as evidenced by the nearly 30 diplomatic missions that joined the country in commemorating the ruling’s 10th anniversary. The broad international participation underscored growing global support for

the Philippines’ assertion of its rights in the West Philippine Sea and reaffirmed the significance of the landmark ruling.

In a statement, Stratbase Institute president Victor Andres Manhit said the presence of representatives from 26 foreign missions at its recent Makati forum marking the award’s 10th anniversary reflected the international community’s resolve to ensure that the landmark ruling remains relevant amid rising tensions in the West Philippine Sea.

ruling

“By standing firmly with the Philippines, these partners are ensuring that the 2016 Arbitral Award remains a living document that defines the future of a free, open, and stable Indo-Pacific,” he said. The forum was headlined by ambassadors from Australia, Canada, the European Union, France, Germany, India, Japan, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, who all affirmed their support for the arbitral ruling. Also present during the forum were the chief of missions of the United States, Ukraine, the Netherlands, Ireland, Israel, Denmark, Czech Republic, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Slovenia, and Austria. The foreign missions of Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore, Italy and Thailand were also represented in the forum. The event comes as international recognition of the arbitral ruling continues to expand.

Dole pushes new safeguards for gig workers

By Mary Jade Jadormio

GIG workers could soon receive stronger labor protections, as the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) intensifies consultations with digital platform companies to craft rules on workplace safety, fair pay and social protection.

has outpaced existing labor regulations, making closer coordination between government and industry necessary.

“This is an evolving industry which has yet to be fully regulated, but the impact is great,” he said.

Dole said the convention will serve as the basis for developing policies that balance worker protection with the continued growth of the platform economy.

ties. It is about how to make the sector a vital cog of the Philippine economy,” Tolentino said.

Representatives of ride-hailing, delivery and other digital platform companies met with labor officials this week to discuss fair compensation, occupational safety and health, social security, data privacy, algorithmic management and access to effective remedies.

driver in Cavite allegedly by a passenger. Dole said the incident highlighted the need to strengthen occupational safety measures alongside discussions on wages, taxation and labor standards, adding that the driver’s case would be referred to the Employees’ Compensation Commission for possible assistance.

toward a more comprehensive regulatory framework for the digital platform economy.

Separately, Tolentino said the department has also been engaging gig companies to encourage greater collaboration and expand employment opportunities in the sector.

The initiative comes as the Philippines moves to implement the International Labor Organization (ILO) Convention 193 on Decent Work in the Platform Economy, which seeks to establish global standards for digital platform workers.

The Labor department added that the proposed framework goes beyond defining employeremployee relationships and aims to ensure digital platforms remain a sustainable source of jobs.

Labor Secretary Francis N. Tolentino acknowledged that the rapid growth of app-based work

“It is not just the employeeemployer relationship, not just the rights and obligations of both par -

During the dialogue, industry representatives supported stronger labor standards but cautioned against adopting a one-size-fitsall regulatory framework, citing differences in business models across digital platforms.

Worker safety also emerged as a major concern following the fatal stabbing of a ride-hailing

Palace: 7 million families have received free rice

By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz @joveemarie

THE Executive department has reaffirmed its commitment to ensure that no Filipino goes hungry, as the government’s rice distribution program has already reached around seven million families nationwide.

In a statement on Sunday, Executive Secretary Ralph G. Recto highlighted the program’s dual impact—providing food to vulnerable households while supporting local farmers—adding that the government will continue expanding direct assistance initiatives for those most in need.

Recto led the distribution of rice to 55,000 families in Oriental Mindoro during his visit to the province this week.

“President Marcos places great importance on making sure that none of our fellow Filipinos go hungry,” Recto said in an impromptu speech. “The President’s directive is to ensure that government programs reach the people.”

He highlighted that the initiative not only provides poor families with a regular supply of 10 kilograms of rice through the Bagong Pilipinas Rice Program but also strengthens the agriculture sector by sourcing palay directly from local farmers.

The program is funded through the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF), with local governments handling distribution using their own databases to ensure efficient delivery to beneficiaries.

Recto lauded Oriental Mindoro’s implementation of the program, noting that it has resulted in “double benefits”—higher incomes for farmers and improved food security for residents.

He added that strong performance by local governments could lead to increased funding support.

“If the program is implemented well, we will further increase the LGSF,” he said.

Recto said the government aims to channel about P1.5 trillion to local government units through the National Tax Allotment (NTA) in the coming years, with expected double-digit growth next year to further boost local economies.

Oriental Mindoro Governor Humerlito Dolor welcomed the initiative, emphasizing the value of supporting local produce.

“Rice of Mindoreños for Mindoreños,” he said, noting the quality of the province’s harvest.

Recto also commended local officials for their cooperation in ensuring that the program benefits more Filipinos.

DICT provides WiFi to Palawan public schools

By Lorenz S. Marasigan @lorenzmarasigan

THE Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) said on Sunday it has energized 621 free WiFi hotspots in 207 public schools in Palawan, widening internet access in one of the country’s most geographically dispersed provinces as the government accelerates its digital inclusion drive. The activation came

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directives to return questioned funds. These issues fall under the impeachment article alleging misuse of confidential funds and betrayal of public trust.

Challenge

RIDON, meanwhile, challenged Duterte and her husband, lawyer Manases Carpio, to allow the release of financial and tax records if there is nothing to conceal that would support the allegation of unexplained wealth.

The prosecution argued that making the records public could just as easily clear Duterte as support the charges against her.

“If there is truly nothing to hide in the tax documents, AMLC records, and bank accounts, then the better course of action would be to fully disclose these documents,” Ridon said.

The pending requests include bank account details identified by account numbers, branches, and financial institutions, as well as certified documents from the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and reports from the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) on transactions linked to Duterte and her husband.

Ridon added that opening the records

alongside the distribution of computers and tablets and the launch of a provincial technology blueprint under the Digital Bayanihan Caravan, an initiative led by the DICT’s regional office in the Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan) region. Information and Communications Technology Undersecretary Faye Condez-de Sagon said the agency intends to keep expanding its footprint until the country’s most remote communities are connected.

would expose the weakness of the allegations if they indeed lack substance. House records cite more than P6.7 billion in alleged covered and suspicious transactions linked to the couple, while the Articles of Impeachment claim that Duterte’s declared wealth increased significantly despite relatively modest lawful income.

Look beyond technicalities

RIDON urged the Senate to look beyond technicalities and instead focus on what the actual documents reveal before reaching any conclusions regarding the alleged financial discrepancies.

He emphasized that impeachment proceedings are not purely legal in nature but also political and constitutional processes, where substance should take precedence over procedural objections.

Ridon noted that the Bank Secrecy Law allows inquiries into bank deposits in impeachment cases, although separate issues remain regarding access to AMLC and tax records.

He stressed that the central question should be the actual contents of the documents.

The House prosecution panel, he said, already has identifying details of the bank accounts involved but still needs the Senate to issue subpoenas compelling banks and account managers to produce certified records and testify.

She said that “no one should be left offline,” noting that the “DICT has spent more than a year connecting remote islands and won’t stop until the country’s farthest communities feel the benefits of getting online.”

Aside from the WiFi sites, 10 public schools received 100 computer sets under the Gadgets for Good Program, implemented with outsourcing firm Concentrix, while 87 barangay health centers were given tablets preloaded with

“We already have the account numbers, the branches, and the banks themselves. What remains pending are the subpoenas for the bank records and the bank officials,” Ridon said.

The House prosecution panel also expressed confidence that the Senate impeachment court will grant its request to subpoena the bank records of Duterte, maintaining that both the law and jurisprudence recognize impeachment as an exception to bank secrecy rules.

House prosecution legal spokesperson Benjamin Tolosa Jr. said on Sunday that the request is firmly grounded in statutory law and legal precedent, including the impeachment trial of late Chief Justice Renato Corona.

“We are confident that our request will be granted because we have strong legal grounds for asking the court to subpoena these documents,” Tolosa said in a radio interview.

Tolosa stressed that impeachment proceedings are expressly recognized as an exception under the country’s bank secrecy laws, allowing the Senate Impeachment Court to compel the production of bank records through its constitutional subpoena powers.

He added that records held by the AntiMoney Laundering Council (AMLC) are not absolutely confidential, noting that the agency is authorized to share information

mWell teleconsultation services and Health Pass access, allowing residents to consult doctors without traveling to town centers.

The caravan also saw the launch of the Palawan ICT Roadmap, which will guide the province’s digital development, and the graduation of 19 scholars from a social media marketing course. Five of the graduates have collectively generated P354,600 in online sales using skills from the training.

with foreign counterparts under certain conditions.

Citing these legal bases, Tolosa said the prosecution remains confident the court will grant the request and is not dwelling on the possibility of denial.

Even if the Senate Impeachment Court ultimately refuses to issue the subpoenas, Tolosa said the prosecution’s case under Article II, which alleges unexplained wealth, will remain intact as it is supported by other documentary and testimonial evidence.

Financial Records

TOLOSA emphasized that the prosecution will continue to push for the release of the financial records, as these are critical to establishing the true extent of the vice president’s wealth.

He said the requested documents would enable both the impeachment court and the public to compare Duterte’s actual financial transactions with the assets she declared in her Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth.

He noted that while Duterte declared a net worth of P88.5 million in 2024, AMLC reports reflected P6.7 billion in alleged covered and suspicious transactions involving the bank accounts of Duterte and her husband from 2005 to 2026.

The House prosecution panel has asked the impeachment court to subpoena Duterte’s bank and tax records as part of

Platform companies were also instructed to submit position papers on the implementation of ILO Convention 193, particularly on workers’ rights, fair pay, occupational safety, social security, data privacy and protections for vulnerable workers.

The consultations are expected to become a regular platform for dialogue as the government works

CBy Carmel Pedroza

EBU CITY—Travelers exploring Cebu province can now access 17 accredited clean toilet stops strategically located along key tourism and transportation corridors under the provincial government of Cebu’s Clean Toilet Stop Partnership Program.

The initiative, implemented through partnerships with local governments and private establishments, is designed to provide motorists, commuters, residents, and both local and international tourists with clean, safe, and accessible restroom facilities while traveling across the province.

Beyond improving public convenience, the program also promotes Cebuano hospitality and encourages greater community participation in tourism development.

The accredited toilet stops are distributed across northern and southern Cebu to ensure wider accessibility.

In northern Cebu, the designated facilities include the SeaOil Gas Station in Poblacion, Daanbantayan; ARC Fuel Gas Station in Purok Upo, Hagnaya, San Remigio; Shell Gas Station in Dakit, Bogo City; Bastap in Luyang, Carmen; Boardwalk in Poblacion, Compostela; Shell Gas Station & Café in Hika, Poblacion, Compostela; Shell Gas Station along the Central Nautical Highway in Labogon, Mandaue City; Mactan Shrine in Punta Engaño, Lapu-Lapu City; and the Shell Gas Station along M.L. Quezon National Highway in Pusok, Lapu-Lapu City.

Meanwhile, accredited facilities in southern Cebu include RM Shoppe in Poblacion, Sibonga; Caltex (SOS Ceres Stop) in Poblacion, Argao; VANZ Gas Station in Lagunde, Oslob; SeaOil in Bonbon, Aloguinsan; Fill It Up in Dakit, Barili; Shell Gas Station in South Poblacion, Naga City;

its evidence for the article on unexplained wealth. This includes the sealed Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) box containing her income tax returns.

The impeachment court is expected to take up the motion on July 20, the seventh day of the trial, after senator-judges review the oral arguments presented by both the prosecution and defense.

Best defense

TOLOSA also said that if Duterte believes the AMLC findings misrepresent her wealth, her legal team should agree to present her bank and tax records before the impeachment court.

He explained that these documents would provide the clearest proof of whether her actual financial standing matches what she declared in her SALNs.

Tolosa clarified that the prosecution is not seeking a blanket inquiry into all of Duterte’s bank accounts, but is instead requesting subpoenas for specific accounts already identified in AMLC reports, complete with account numbers and branch details.

“If they truly want to prove that the amounts in their bank accounts during this period are not that large, shouldn’t they be the ones to present their own bank records?” he said. During earlier House Committee on

“We are trying to bring them together because we want to increase their contribution to the economy. That also means more jobs,” he said. He also directed the creation of a 24/7 DOLE complaint unit dedicated to gig workers to ensure they have immediate access to government assistance while the department continues refining policies for the fast-growing sector.

Robinsons Shell Cebu in Barangay Tejero, Cebu City; and Jas Trading & General Services Inc. along Diosdado Macapagal Highway in Toledo City. To make the facilities easier to locate, the provincial government has also provided a QR code that directs travelers to the Google Maps locations of all accredited Clean Toilet Stops. Last month, the program was formally launched after the Cebu Provincial Government signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with participating local governments and private establishments, paving the way for the accreditation of public and private facilities as official toilet stops along major tourism and transport routes. Gov. Pamela Baricuatro said the quality of tourism should be measured not only by visitor arrivals but also by the experience guests have while exploring the province. She emphasized that seemingly small details, such as access to clean restrooms, can leave a lasting impression on visitors, contribute to better public health, and reinforce Cebu’s standing as one of the country’s premier tourism destinations. She added that providing a comfortable, safe, and welcoming environment for guests reflects the province’s commitment to delivering quality tourism experiences. The governor also expressed gratitude to business owners, managers, and local government leaders who partnered with the provincial government, noting that tourism development is a shared responsibility among both the public and private sectors. Provincial Tourism Officer Rowena Lu Y. Montecillo said participating establishments underwent inspection and validation to ensure compliance with the standards set under the Clean Toilet Stop Partnership Program before receiving accreditation.

Justice hearings, AMLC Executive Director Ronel Buenaventura testified that reports showed P6.7 billion in covered and suspicious transactions involving Duterte and her husband’s bank accounts from 2005 to 2026. In response, Duterte’s camp argued that the amount may have been inflated owing to repeated deposits, withdrawals, or transfers between accounts.

Tolosa countered that such explanations make it even more necessary to disclose the actual bank records, as these would provide definitive proof of the true balances during the period in question.

He reiterated the prosecution’s position that Duterte may have failed to fully disclose her assets in her SALNs, citing the significant disparity between the AMLC-reported transactions and her declared net worth.

To determine whether unexplained wealth was accumulated, Tolosa said the impeachment court must compare the assets declared in her SALNs with her income tax returns, AMLC reports, and bank records.

Only by examining these documents together, he said, can the court establish whether Duterte’s actual wealth substantially exceeded what she declared while in public office.

Tolosa added that the defense’s continued opposition to releasing the records raises further questions.

Mega hatcheries aim to slash fry imports–DA

TBy Ada Pelonia @adapelonia

HE government is spending P600 million on the construction of the country’s first mega hatcheries which will help the Philippines reduce its reliance on imported fry, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA).

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. has confirmed to the BusinessMirror that the agency has earmarked P200 million each for three mega hatcheries under the National Expenditure Program (NEP) 2027.

Once built, the DA chief said the mega hatcheries could produce a billion fry (young fish) of milkfish and other aquaculture and mariculture species.

“We’re currently importing almost one billion pieces of fry from Indonesia. So, I said why are we importing when we can produce it ourselves?” he said in a radio interview.

The DA will construct one mega hatchery in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, each spanning 40 hectares, which will be completed by the end of 2027.

“The fry would likely be pro -

Solons want to hike fuel subsidy for farmers, fishers

By Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz @joveemarie

TWO lawmakers are backing a proposed P1-billion increase in fuel subsidies to support farmers and fisherfolk grappling with rising production costs driven by surging global oil prices.

Camarines Sur Reps. Miguel Luis Villafuerte and Luigi Villafuerte expressed support for the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) request for additional funding, citing the heavy burden of fuel expenses on rural producers as tensions in the Middle East continue to push oil prices upward.

Miguel, chair of the House committee on information and communications technology, said the proposed subsidy would provide much-needed relief, particularly for fishers whose fuel costs can consume up to 60 percent to 80 percent of their daily income.

Luigi, a deputy majority leader, said the proposed allocation aligns with the push of Speaker Faustino Dy III to expand financial assistance and immediate support mechanisms for the agriculture and fisheries sectors.

The DA, through Assistant Secretary and Spokesperson Arnel de Mesa, confirmed it has requested the additional P1 billion from the Department of Budget and Management as part of a broader P6billion funding proposal. Of this amount, P1 billion is earmarked specifically for fuel subsidies.

At present, the DA is distributing P150 million in fuel assistance under the 2025 national budget, equally divided between farmers and fisherfolk.

The renewed volatility in global oil prices—triggered by escalating tensions in the Middle East and reduced vessel traffic in the Strait of Hormuz—has raised concerns over fresh spikes in domestic fuel costs. Industry estimates suggest pump prices could again exceed P100 per liter, following recent increases of P9 to P10 per liter for diesel and P3.50 to P4.50 for gasoline.

Under existing programs, farmers and fisherfolk registered with the DA’s Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA) are eligible for fuel subsidies of P5,000 and P3,000, respectively.

To institutionalize and expand support, the Villafuertes are also urging lawmakers to pass House Bill No. 3388, or the “Pantawid Pambangka Program.”

The measure proposes a monthly P1,000 fuel subsidy for municipal fisherfolk, along with automatic enrollment in PhilHealth’s National Health Insurance Program and access to micro-insurance through the Social Security System.

The bill targets small-scale fishers operating motorized boats of three gross

vided at least at cost or a bit subsidized. What’s important is to lessen our importation and produce our own for our food security.”

The DA chief noted the glut in milkfish and tilapia supply, indicating the capacity of fishers to grow and export these fish species.

“The next stage…is provide them with postharvest facilities, like processing these into tapa, freezing them, and to export [these products].”

The domestic aquaculture industry’s growth, he said, should be partnered with ocean conservation efforts.

“We also have to conserve our oceans for future generations,” he said, citing the closed fishing seasons implemented annually.

He said the DA is planning to establish additional areas where closed fishing seasons could be implemented, such as in Northwest Mindanao.

“This could be implemented next year. We are still getting

the scientific basis,” he told this newspaper.

The government imposes a three-month closed fishing season in waters northeast of Palawan starting November 1 and in the Visayan Seas and Zamboanga Peninsula beginning November 15. All three areas are spawning grounds for small pelagic fishes

like sardines and mackerel.

The closed fishing season in the Davao Gulf from June to August bans catching certain fish species using bagnets, ringnets, and fine mesh nets to allow the recovery of fish stocks.

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) indicated that the country’s fisheries pro -

duction slid by 15.3 percent to 856,291 metric tons (MT) in the first quarter from last year’s 1.01 million metric tons. Of the four subsectors, only commercial fisheries posted an increase in production on an annual basis, based on PSA data. PSA data showed that the aquaculture subsector, which accounts for over half of the total fisheries output, plunged by nearly a quarter to 432,755 MT during the period, from 573,282 MT in the previous year.

For marine municipal fisheries, PSA said production shrank by 15.5 percent to 168,022 MT in the first quarter, from last year’s 198,945 MT. The subsector accounted for 19.6 percent of the total fisheries output.

Inland municipal fisheries registered 50,279 MT of production during the period, down by 4.5 percent from 52,629 MT in the previous year. This contributed 5.9 percent to the total fisheries production.

‘Funds will allow PHL purple yam to beat competitors’

Btons or less within municipal waters and requires registration under the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources’ fisherfolk registry.

Lawmakers said the measure seeks to address the persistent poverty in the fishing sector, where daily earnings remain low despite its contribution of about 1.3 percent to 1.5 percent of the country’s gross domestic product.

Data from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources show there were over 2.3 million registered fisherfolk as of 2022, with average daily income per fishing boat at around P272—often shared among crew members.

With fuel costs accounting for as much as 80 percent of expenses, many small fishers have been forced to shorten fishing hours, reduce trips, or seek alternative livelihoods, resulting in lower incomes.

The proposed Pantawid Pambangka Program also includes a provision earmarking 10 percent of incremental government revenues from fuel excise taxes to fund the subsidy, with adjustments to account for inflation.

Lawmakers said the measure is crucial to sustaining livelihoods and ensuring food security amid continued volatility in global energy markets.

Rice distribution THE Executive department has reaffirmed its commitment to ensure that no Filipino goes hungry, as the government’s rice distribution program has already reached around 7 million families nationwide.

In a statement over the weekend, Executive Secretary Ralph G. Recto highlighted the program’s dual impact— providing food to vulnerable households while supporting local farmers—adding that the government will continue expanding direct assistance initiatives for those most in need.

Recto led the distribution of rice to 55,000 families in Oriental Mindoro during his recent visit to the province.

“President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. places great importance on making sure that none of our fellow Filipinos go hungry,” he said in an impromptu speech. “The president’s directive is to ensure that government programs reach the people.”

He highlighted that the initiative not only provides poor families with a regular supply of 10 kilograms of rice through the Bagong Pilipinas Rice Program but also strengthens the agriculture sector by sourcing palay directly from local farmers.

The program is funded through the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF), with local government units handling distribution using their own databases to ensure efficient delivery to beneficiaries.

OOMING global demand has prompted the Philippine government to set aside more funds that will not only raise the production of purple yam (ube), but also assist producers in complying with the standards of international markets.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has approved additional funding for the purple yam industry next year under the National Expenditure Program (NEP).

“This is a huge boost for the ube industry, since we want to be the number one in ube globally,” he said in a radio interview. With color being a significant factor for purple yams in the international market, the Department of Agriculture (DA) chief said the agency would release a color chart to

help producers and exporters.

“Processors said ube should feature a darker shade of purple, so the DA will come up with a color chart next month to identify the specific shade preferred by the international market.”

The government has been ramping up efforts to boost the Philippine purple yam, given the surging global demand for the crop.

However, the domestic industry continues to grapple with hurdles to raising production and supply. These include fragmented supply chains, inconsistent quality standards, scarce planting materials, and the absence of a unified national marketing strategy.

To clear these hurdles, the DA said ube producers, processors, and exporters would create a national ube federation to make it

easier to coordinate industry efforts.

The DA also noted that several interventions to expand ube output are also in the pipeline.

This includes expanding production of planting materials through tissue culture, community-based nurseries, and the mini-sett propagation technique, which can propagate faster than conventional methods.

Proposed propagation sites include Quezon, Laguna, Pangasinan, and Aurora, while additional processing hubs are being considered in Mindanao.

The DA chief said his agency would also support an independent market study to determine the country’s “optimal branding strategy” while continuing efforts to register and promote Philippine ube globally.

“The real competition is not among Filipino ube growers but with our Asean neighbors.”

A unit of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced that it had set aside $34 million for a program to strengthen the Philippine purple yam (ube) value chain. The USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) has started accepting applications for fiscal year 2026 Food for Progress Program (FFPr), aimed at increasing farm productivity and expanding trade of agricultural goods.

The Philippines was among the program’s priority countries, with a focus on strengthening the ube value chain, which has gained strong commercial traction in international markets. Ada Pelonia

FPA: Illegal fertilizer plant in Nueva Ecija demolished

THE Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA), an attached agency of the Department of Agriculture, said local authorities dismantled an illegal fertilizer manufacturing facility in Nueva Ecija.

The FPA joined law enforcers in conducting a raid, wherein they seized roughly 500 bags of illegally manufactured fertilizer, 21 granulator machines, and several delivery trucks worth around P900,000.

The agency said the operation was launched following the arrest of an alleged agent of an illegal fertilizer manufacturer,

who provided information that led police to the warehouse.

According to FPA, authorities identified the warehouse owner as Daniel Delos Santos, proprietor of Don Fertilizer Manufacturing.

Investigators said Delos Santos failed to present the permits and licenses required to manufacture fertilizer, the agency added.

Verification by the FPA also showed the facility was operating without registration.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the joint operation shields farmers and consumers from the dangers

posed by counterfeit farm inputs.

“Illegal fertilizers rob farmers of their hard-earned income by reducing yields, undermine our food security, and pose potential risks to public health and the environment,” he said.

“We will continue working closely with law enforcement agencies to ensure only safe, effective, and properly registered agricultural inputs reach our farmers.”

For his part, FPA Director Glen Estrada said the agency is intensifying its campaign against unscrupulous manufacturers and traders.

“We will relentlessly pursue illicit manufacturers and traders of unregistered and illegally manufactured fertilizers and pesticides. These illegal products hurt farm productivity, and essentially robs our farmers of their limited funds.”

The confiscated fertilizer, equipment, and trucks are now under FPA custody pending documentation and disposition.

The agency said police are preparing criminal charges against Delos Santos for violating Presidential Decree 1144, to be filed before the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office in Cabanatuan City. Ada Pelonia

Walmart removes four Taylor Farms salads as recalls spread

WALMART Inc. said it has removed four bagged iceberg lettuce salad products manufactured by Taylor Farms as recalls tied to a cyclosporiasis outbreak expand.

The retailer said Saturday there have been no confirmed illnesses associated with the items, which are sold under its Marketside store brand at select locations.

A Walmart spokeswoman said there’s no indication that products sold in its stores are affected by the current cyclospora investigations, but that the company has removed four products as a precaution after receiving notice from a supplier.

The recalled Marketside-brand iceberg products were sold at select Walmart stores in 15 states, the United States Food and Drug Administration said in an update to its investigation Saturday.

The agency also said a sample of lettuce from the Mexico farm tested positive for the parasite. Taylor Farms confirmed the product is not part of its current recall and is working to identify whether any part of the product is available to consumers, the FDA said.

Recalls are broadening to reach some

US retail stores, where many shoppers have stayed away from buying berries and leafy greens in recent weeks. Produce represents an especially important slice of sales for companies in the summer, as people celebrate holidays and spend more time outdoors. Product removals can typically dampen consumer demand for weeks to months.

The move comes after Taylor Farms pulled products from a Mexico farm that

Agriculture ministries are helping the FDA with a “continuous exchange of technical information” to mitigate health risks and protect populations in both countries.

“Identifying the product’s country of origin provides a traceability data point, but it does not in itself confirm that the contamination occurred within Mexican territory,” the government added. Cyclosporiasis, a gastrointestinal disease caused by ingesting a microscopic parasite, has infected people in the US across 34 states, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Michigan, the state with the highest case count, has recorded more than 5,000 illnesses as of July 17. State counts typically lag behind national numbers.

were sent to 27 states. Mexico pledged to investigate the origins of the parasite outbreak, while playing down the idea that contamination occurred in its territory.

Mexico’s government is working with the US Food and Drug Administration in an “ongoing” investigation to determine “the source” of the outbreak in the US, the Health Ministry in a statement on Saturday. Research institutions from the Health and

Editor: Angel R. Calso

US strikes Iran’s Revolutionary Guard over attack that killed troops in Jordan

By Jon Gambrell The Associated Press

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates—The US military launched airstrikes Sunday targeting Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard to retaliate for the killing of American troops in Jordan, further widening the crossfire between the nations as they fight over Strait of Hormuz.

The strikes, now part of a weeklong campaign that has seen Iran strike US-allied countries across the Middle East, comes as an interim deal seeking to find an end to the Iran war has collapsed.

The US has targeted bridges, electrical facilities and other targets in Iran, and Tehran has retaliated by hitting power and desalination plants in Kuwait, threatening daily life in that small, oil-rich desert nation. Iran also has stepped up its threats to further expand the strikes, drawing a warning overnight from the United Arab Emirates, home to Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

Latest US strikes come after troops killed

THE US military’s Central Command in its statement also said it hit “Iranian military coastal surveillance and air defense facilities, maritime capabilities and missile and drone storage sites.” It also said for the first time it specifically targeting the Guard, a key power base in Iran’s theocracy that controls its ballistic missile arsenal.

Footage released by the US military appeared to show strikes carried out by fighter jets and by Tomahawk cruise missiles launched from sea.

One target site appeared to be in a valley of a mountainous region. The Guard often has missile bases and

other military equipment tucked into mountain ranges.

Iran has provided no overall information on its materiel losses in the American campaign, which now is in its eighth day as the nations vie over control of the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf through which a fifth of all oil and natural gas traded passes in peacetime.

An Iranian attack on a base in Jordan killed two American service members, left one missing and four requiring hospitalization, the US military said.

Since the war began, 16 US service members have been killed and over 430 wounded.

Iranian authorities said Saturday that at least 50 people have been killed and more than 500 wounded in the latest US strikes.

UAE issues warning after Iranian threat NEARLY every Gulf Arab state has been targeted by Iran for retaliatory strikes, with a missile alert sounding Saturday in Saudi Arabia. However, the United Arab Emirates has yet to be targeted.

The semiofficial Iranian news agency Fars, believed to be close to the Guard, issued a threat Saturday to the UAE. Quoting an anonymous official, Fars said continued strikes on Iranian civilian infrastructure would mean that the “airports of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, as well as the ports of Fujairah and Jebel Ali, must be immediately evacuated.” Apparently responding to the threat, the Emirates’ Foreign Ministry issued a statement calling “for exercising the utmost restraint in order to avoid dangerous repercussions, and the region being pulled into new levels of violence and instability.”

“The UAE emphasized that the targeting of civilian infrastructure and civilian facilities in the region ... constitute a flagrant and grave violation of the established principles and provisions of international law, and cannot, under any circumstances, be accepted or justified,” the statement added.

During the Iran war, officials say both the UAE and Saudi Arabia carried out retaliatory airstrikes for Tehran targeting their nations. The secretary-general of the sixnation Gulf Cooperation Council, Jasem Mohamed al-Budaiwi, accused Iran of war crimes for strikes on infrastructure and civilian facilities.

Campaign comes as Strait of Hormuz remains key to conflict TRUMP has threatened to target Iran’s power stations and bridges to try to compel Tehran to loosen its hold on the Strait of Hormuz. Recent attacks suggest the US military is carrying out that plan, beginning first with coastal areas of Iran on the strait.

The US in the past week also reimposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports to halt its shipments of crude oil, and the military on Saturday said it had redirected five ships and disabled one since then.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, in a statement Saturday, warned of “unforgettable lessons” if the US keeps attacking the Islamic Republic. An Iranian negotiator said Tehran was suspending its commitments to the interim deal signed about a month ago and aimed at permanently ending the fighting. Iran’s joint military command said that US “covetousness, bullying, totalitarianism or brutality” would meet with a “devastating response.”

Ukrainian drones hit warehouses, other sites across Russia, killing 9 and wounding over 80 AN overturned car sits on a section of a destroyed bridge after a strike in Hormozgan province, southern Iran, Saturday, July 18, 2026. MAHDI NEGAHBAN/MEHR NEWS AGENCY VIA AP

By The Associated Press

UKRAINIAN drones struck two sprawling warehouses, one of them just east of Moscow, as part of attacks overnight and on Saturday afternoon that killed nine people and wounded more than 80, Russian officials said.

Kyiv’s forces have pressed their relentless aerial campaign against energy infrastructure and military targets inside Russia, aiming to undermine Moscow’s war effort and make Russians feel the consequences of the Kremlin’s all-out invasion of Ukraine that is well into its fifth year.

Two sprawling warehouses of Russia’s major online retailer, Wildberries, were hit by Ukrainian drones overnight, according to Russian officials—one in the town of Kotovsk in the Tambov region, some 360 kilometers (220 miles) from the border with Ukraine, and another in the city of Elektrostal, about 50 kilometers (30 miles) east of Moscow.

A Ukrainian drone also hit an oil depot in the city of Noginsk, just north of Elektrostal, sparking a fire and prompting evacuations of a nearby maternity hospital and a residential building, according to the governor of the Moscow region, Andrei Vorobyov. Drone debris also hit a kindergar-

ten building, Vorobyov said, sparking a fire that has since been put out. Seven night shift workers were killed at the warehouse in Kotovsk and 25 others were wounded, Tambov regional Gov. Yevgeny Pervyshov said.

A total of 61 people were wounded in the Moscow region, Vorobyov said: 20 sought outpatient care, while 40 others were hospitalized. One person died of their injuries, he said.

One more person was killed and another wounded in a Ukrainian drone attack on Russia’s Belgorod region on Saturday afternoon, according to local authorities.

Both warehouses caught fire, Wildberries founder Tatyana Kim said, and the blaze in Kotovsk was put out. Images and footage released by Russian online outlets showed a fire raging at the Elektrostal facility, with massive plumes of smoke towering over it.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a Telegram post on Saturday that Ukrainian long-range strikes hit two “significant logistical facilities in the Moscow and Tambov regions.”

“These facilities were used by the aggressor to supply sanctioned components for the production of drones and navigation equipment,” he wrote. An oil facility was also hit, he said. In the city of Vladimir, some 180 kilometers (110 miles) east of Moscow, a Ukrainian drone hit a residential building, sparking a brief fire, Vladimir Gov. Alexander Avdeyev said. There

Israeli strikes in Gaza kill 3 children and 6 adults, health officials say

By Wafaa Shurafa The Associated Press

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza

Strip—Israeli strikes in Gaza City on Saturday killed at least nine Palestinians, including three children, hospital officials said.

A strike on an apartment in the Nasr neighborhood killed at least five people, including the children between the ages of 8 and 18, said

Mohammed Abu Selmiya, director of Shifa Hospital where the bodies were taken. Six other people were wounded, including four children between the ages of 8 and 16, he said.

Israel’s military said it targeted Hamas infrastructure and had located Hamas militants in the area, without elaborating.

Another Israeli strike hit a group of people in the Zeitoun neighborhood, killing four and wounding another critically, health officials said.

Trump shifts his

By Will Weissert The Associated Press

WThe Israeli military said it targeted a “Hamas terrorist” and it was looking into the results of the strike.

Palestinians have reported an increase in the scale of Israeli strikes across the enclave over the past few days.

Despite a ceasefire agreement reached in October between Israel and the Hamas militant group, Israel still carries out near-daily attacks across the territory. It says it is targeting Hamas and other militants who pose a threat. Hamas and Israel have traded accusations of violating the ceasefire.

At least 1,127 Palestinians, in -

Wildfire smoke from Canada and Minnesota pushes farther into US and engulfs DC in haze

By Philip Marcelo The Associated Press

NEW YORK—Millions of people in the Great Lakes, Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states muddled through another day of unhealthy air from uncontrolled wildfires on Friday.

The thick smoke enveloped the nation’s capital in a gloomy, eerie haze and prompted Major League Baseball’s Cleveland Guardians to postpone their game against Pittsburgh Pirates in Ohio.

Warnings of dangerous conditions were expected to remain in effect through Saturday across a wide swath of the US, though there’s potential for temporary improvement with storms forecast in some affected areas during the weekend.

RESIDENTS inspect the site of an Israeli airstrike in Gaza city, Saturday, July 18, 2026.

cluding at least 260 children, have been killed since the ceasefire, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. Five Israeli soldiers have been killed in that time.

The Oct. 7, 2023, attack by Hamasled militants that sparked the war killed some 1,200 people in Israel and saw 251 others taken hostage. Israel’s retaliatory offensive has killed 73,250 Palestinians, according

to Gaza’s Health Ministry.

The ministry is part of the Hamasled government and is staffed by medical professionals who maintain detailed records viewed as generally reliable by United Nations agencies and independent experts. It does not distinguish between civilians and militants but says women and children make up around half of all deaths.

tone on Jimmy Carter while grappling with Iran, inflation and his legacy

ASHINGTON—Jimmy Carter used to be one of President Donald Trump ‘s favorite political targets, a catchall foil for feckless Democrats that he could jeer at to make himself look strong and decisive.

But lately, Trump’s sentiments on the 39th president have become more wistful as he faces some of the same challenges the late Carter did. Those include the war in Iran with no end in sight—and now escalating as the US moves to control the Strait of Hormuz— and inflation, a drag on the economy Trump hasn’t tamed despite long insisting that his business background would wipe it out. The comparison seems to be on Trump’s mind, too. Asked last month why he didn’t dispatch US Special Forces into Iran to forcibly remove its enriched uranium, he responded, “I didn’t feel like being Jimmy Carter.”

That recalled the failed 1980 raid to free US hostages that killed eight American servicemen. Trump also said in March that the unsuccessful mission “cost them the election” against Ronald Reagan in 1980, sounding cognizant of political realities in a way he didn’t when using Carter as a punchline.

The shift in tone coincides with Trump’s increased focus on his personal legacy and comes as the parallels between the two presidents become harder to ignore.

CDC. . . Continued from B8 investments are encouraged, and the government remains a reliable partner in economic development,” he said.

The benchmarking activity featured presentations from the Business Permits and Licensing Office led by lawyer Lanie Malaya, who organized the session as BPLO head. Other offices—City Planning and Development Coordinator’s Office, Office of the Building Official, City Health Office, City Environment and Natural Resources Office, and the Bureau of Fire Protection—shared updates on regulatory practices and digital innovations in business permits and licenses.

The July 15 visit followed CDC’s initial benchmarking activity at Parañaque City Hall on March 20, 2025, where executives observed the LGU’s eBOSS and Project Express Lane Operation (Project ELO) for permit processing. Insights gathered from the benchmarking visits will support CDC’s broader efforts to improve regulatory efficiency and strengthen investor confidence in the Clark Freeport Zone. The corporation’s initiatives are aligned with national ease of doing business reforms and aim to deliver faster, more transparent, and technology-driven services for locators and stakeholders.

“I think it is dawning on him—it’s getting through even his thick skull—that he’s kicked over a hornet’s nest and his presidency might be remembered for some of the same things Jimmy Carter’s presidency is,” said Jonathan Alter, author of “His Very Best: Jimmy Carter, A Life.”

Despite some similarities, the two had glaring differences ASKED about Trump’s change in tone on Carter and the two facing overlapping challenges, White House spokesperson Olivia Wales said, “Trump will never allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon” and “remains laser-focused on implementing his proven economic agenda to lower costs.”

“The president is a one-of-a-kind leader who will always unapologetically advance America’s interests,” Wales said in a statement. “The only legacy he is concerned with is making America greater than ever before.” Kori Schake, a former member of George W. Bush’s National Security Council, said she doesn’t think Trump is reassessing Carter. “He doesn’t stitch facts together and create theories,” she said.

Still, Trump’s more recent comments are a long way from his 2024 reelection campaign, when he routinely called Joe Biden “the worst” president who made Carter look “brilliant” by comparison. Trump still frequently mentions Carter, who died two years ago at age 100, but usually to incorrectly suggest that he was wary of mail-in ballots. Other disparities between the two are

WPS. . .

Continued from A3 on strengthening public understanding of the WPS issue and the importance of national resilience.

Teodoro urged the youth to help raise public awareness on national security issues and counter disinformation through informed discussions anchored on facts and international law.

“I think your convergence efforts should match the rapidity with which we build our national convergence and resilience,” he said.

Teodoro underscored the strategic importance of the South China Sea and the WPS to the Philippines as an archipelagic state, emphasizing that the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos) remains the legal foundation of the country’s maritime entitlements.

“Unclos is existential for the territorial integrity of the Republic of the Philippines because of our archipelagic entitlements,” he added.

The Defense chief said building national resilience requires three key elements: awareness, resolve, and

legion.

Carter was married to his wife, Rosalynn, for 77 years, was deeply religious and pledged to “never knowingly lie to the American people.” Trump is twice divorced, relishes cursing publicly and offers a neverending onslaught of falsehoods.

As president, Carter placed his family’s peanut business in a blind trust. Control of the Trump Organization has transferred to Trump’s sons, but the president took in nearly $1.2 billion from his crypto businesses last year while not being shy about turning his presidency into a major source of personal benefit in other ways.

Speaking in 1977, Carter declared, “We are now free of that inordinate fear of communism.” Trump has seized on primary wins by progressive Democrats to constantly stoke new fears about communism.

Carter also won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. Trump hasn’t, despite declaring himself more deserving than any of the award’s past recipients.

The two have inflation and Iran in common

WHILE inflation plagued both presidents, Carter had it much worse, facing a peak inflation rate of 14.7% in April 1980. Consumer prices rose 4.2% this May from a year earlier—a three-year high—and though they fell sharply from May to June, that decline included lower gas prices fueled by a US-Iran ceasefire. That deal is now in tatters, driving up oil prices again.

credible deterrence.

“After awareness, you have to build resolve, which is a different level of commitment,” he said.

“Lastly, we have to build deterrence, which is the most painful task because it needs a lot of resources. And if we’re not able to build these converging things, then I’m afraid that our society will not be resilient and will be subject to bullying and appeasement.”

Teodoro also warned against the growing threat posed by disinformation campaigns targeting the Philippines, describing them as a wake-up call for Filipinos to become more vigilant in defending truth and responsible freedom.

He later engaged participants in an open forum on the WPS, national resilience, deterrence, disinformation, and the importance of safeguarding Philippine sovereignty and maritime rights.

In a separate statement, the Department of National Defense (DND) reaffirmed that the 2016 Arbitral Ruling invalidating China’s claims in the South China Sea remains the country’s “living, unyielding anchor” of national sovereignty and maritime policy.

Trump suggested he didn’t think about Americans’ financial woes when it comes to Iran, a war he started in conjunction with Israel in February. More recently, he shrugged off inflation concerns. But resolution has proved tricky and US attacks have intensified anew after Iran’s attacks on commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz.

Like Trump, Carter was also bedeviled by the strait, declaring during his 1980 State of the Union address that the situation “demands the participation of all those who rely on oil from the Middle East and who are concerned with global peace and stability.”

Another Trump-Carter parallel was the Democrat having considered military action to seize Kharg Island, though he ultimately decided against it so as not to jeopardize the hostages. Trump targeted the island with US strikes early in the war, looking to thwart Iranian oil exports, and has threatened it again.

Schake, a senior fellow and director of foreign and defense policy studies at the American Enterprise Institute, noted a key difference was “while the Carter administration gave serious consideration to attacking Kharg Island, the reason they didn’t do it was they didn’t want to be at war with Iran.”

“And we’re already at war with Iran,” she said.

Alter said Iran tried to hurt Carter’s reelection chances and raised the possibility that they may do the same to Trump’s Republican Party ahead of the November midterm elections.

“The award stands not merely as a historical milestone, but it is our primary legal mandate that provides absolute clarity under international law... establishing that our maritime rights are indisputable and legally locked,” the DND said.

The department said 27 countries have called for respect for the arbitral ruling, while 17 have explicitly expressed support for the Philippines’ legal victory.

The DND also vowed to continue deploying Armed Forces (AFP) assets to protect the country’s maritime zones and expose what it described as illegal, coercive, aggressive, and deceptive activities in Philippine waters.

“The DND and AFP will not waver, back down, or yield an inch of our territory. We will continue to build a credible deterrent that honors this victory, secures our seas, and ensures a peaceful, rules-based order in our West Philippine Sea,” it said.

The Philippines recently marked the 10th anniversary of the landmark ruling, which China refuses to honor and continues its build up in disputed territories and the harassment of Filipino vessels. Rex Anthony Naval with PNA

D.C. resident Stewart Verdery awoke Friday to take in his usual sunrise view of the city’s famous landmarks from a rooftop, only to be greeted by a darkened horizon and no monuments in sight.

“It’s pretty crazy to wake up at sunrise and not see the sun when it’s not even raining,” he said by phone after posting a video of the surreal scene on X. “And it smells like somebody’s having the world’s largest cookout.”

No end in sight for smoky conditions THERE may be pockets of relief at times, such as this weekend, but the smoky conditions won’t be gone anytime soon as the fires continue to burn largely unchecked, cautioned Bob Oravec, a lead forecaster at the National Weather Service based in Maryland.

Wildfires are burning in the Ontario area of Canada as well as the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in Minnesota, which US officials have closed as they fight to put out the blazes.

“The source of the smoke is going to continue on for certainly a week, probably,” Oravec said. “It’s just going to depend upon which way the wind’s blowing as to where the smoke is going to affect the most.”

On Friday, communities in Minnesota, Illinois and Michigan, including Detroit, again registered some of the worst air quality in the world, according to IQAir, an air quality monitoring website.

Not far behind Detroit was Washington, D.C., where the smoke created eerie scenes.

The Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial and other national landmarks were enveloped in an orange-hued haze throughout much of the day.

People, particularly those with heart or lung disease, older adults and children, were urged to limit or avoid going outside until air quality improved.

Long-term exposure to smoky conditions can complicate existing health problems and lead to chronic and deadly issues, including respiratory illness, cardiovascular and neurological diseases and premature death, officials warned.

For Maria Travela, Friday was her first day outside since after smoke from the wildfires blanketed the Chicago area early Thursday.

“Now it’s better. This morning, it was bad,” said Travela, who has asthma and wore a mask as she crossed a bridge over the Chicago River

Think tank. . .

Continued from A3

Data from the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative showed that as of January 2025, 27 governments had publicly called for the award to be respected.

Between November 2022 and October 2024, 18 countries—including France, South Korea, and Norway—strengthened their positions by explicitly recognizing the ruling as legally binding.

Last July 12, EU Foreign Minister Kaja Kallas, on behalf of the 27 EU member states, affirmed that the “2016 Arbitral Award, adopted by the independent and impartial arbitral tribunal in accordance with Unclos, was final and legally binding upon the parties to the proceedings.”

downtown. “They were saying that, for people like me, with asthma, any kind of issues like that, it would be bad for your lungs.”

Trump criticizes Canada HUNDREDS of wildfires are burning in Canada, including about 190 in northern Ontario, Premier Doug Ford said at a news conference. Flames destroyed the Namaygoosisagagun First Nation community, and 10 northern Ontario communities have been evacuated or were being evacuated, with more possible. The increase of fire in vast Canadian forests has largely been blamed on climate change. In response to the smoke, US President Donald Trump made a social media post Friday that blamed Canada for its forest management and threatened additional tariffs on Canada.

The Canadian government didn’t initially respond to questions about Trump’s comments. Asked about a Michigan lawmaker’s criticism about the smoke, Ford noted Canada has helped the US fight fires in the past.

“If there’s some politicians out there chirping away, maybe what you should do rather than complain is send support, send help, because we have done the exact same thing for our American friends and that’s what you’re supposed to do,” Ford said.

Conditions should improve for Sunday’s World Cup final IN the New York City area, there was also concern about how the smoky air might impact Sunday’s World Cup final between soccer powerhouses Spain and Argentina at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

Oravec said winds will continue pushing the wildfire smoke east in the US, though conditions should be better on game day than on Saturday.

On Thursday, a thick haze tinged with orange and yellow darkened skies across several states and partly obscured Manhattan’s skyline.

Officials from New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and other Northeast states distributed free K95 face masks, canceled outdoor programming and opened libraries and other public buildings as cooling centers where people could get a respite from the sooty air.

Associated Press reporters Jim Morris in Vancouver, British Columbia, John Seewer in Toledo, Ohio, and Cybele Mayes-Osterman in Chicago contributed to this story.

During the forum, Indian Ambassador Sri Harsh Kumar Jain affirmed that New Delhi considers the 2016 Arbitral Award to be “final and binding” and that it constitutes the basis for peaceful dispute resolution.

South Korean Ambassador Lee Sanghwa said Korea fully supported the Philippines’ chairmanship of the 2026 Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit, adding that “prosperity flourishes when seas unite rather than divide, when rules prevail over coercion, and when freedom of navigation and overflight are respected in accordance with international law.”

The Stratbase Institute acknowledged these nations for their courage in calling out dangerous and destabilizing conduct, such as the use of water cannons and most recently the launch of a nuclear-capable missile in the Pacific.

Manhit said the collective recognition is being translated into tangible action, with Australia planning a new defense cooperation arrangement for 2026 and the United Kingdom commencing formal negotiations for its own Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (Sofa).

“As a landmark decision in the peaceful settlement of disputes, it must be respected and fully implemented by the parties involved,” she said. She added that the EU was concerned by the steady increase of tensions and dangerous incidents in the South China Sea “and firmly opposes any unilateral actions that threaten to undermine regional stability and the international order based on international law and the rule of law.” Other ambassadors were equally firm in their recognition of the award’s finality.

NGCP ON TRACK TO COMPLETE 10 PROJECTS WORTH P30.88B

By Lenie Lectura @llectura

HE National Grid Cor-

Tporation of the Philippines (NGCP) is on track to complete 10 projects worth P30.88 billion this year. If successful, these additions will bring the company’s total completed projects for the year to 15, with a combined value of approximately P38 billion.

The projects that are up for completion in the second half of the year are the relocation of steel poles along Hermosa-Duhat 230 kilovolt (KV ) transmission line, Nabas-Caticlan-Boracay transmission line, Luzon voltage improvement project-3, New Antipolo 230kV substation, North Luzon substation upgrading project 1, Tuguegarao-Lal-lo 230kV transmission line, Amlan-Dumaguete 138kV transmission line, Panay-Guimaras 138kV interconnection, Mindanao substation expansion 4, and Nasipit substation bus-in project. These projects are valued at P30.887 billion.

In the first half of the year, NGCP completed the Visayas substation reliabilty project last April 12, Laguindingan 230kV substation last May 18, Visayas 69kV transmission line upgrading last June 6, Nagsaag-Tuma-

na 69kV transmission line last June 6, and Tacurong-Kalamansig 69kV transmission line last June 26. The total project cost for the five projects are P7.19 billion.

All of these projects will ease power congestion and support island interconnections.

NGCP is advancing major infrastructure upgrades to secure grid stability and accommodate new renewable and non-renewable generation plants.

The grid operator recently completed massive interconnections including the MindanaoVisayas Interconnection Project (MVIP) and Cebu-Negros-Panay Backbone, unifying the Philippine Grid.

In 2025, NGCP completed the upgrading and expansion of 14 substations to enhance grid reliability and stability. The Castillejos Substation was installed with 1,000MVA transformer capacity, the Calaca and Concepcion Substations were each installed with new 300MVA transformers, the Corella, Toril, Pitogo, Maramag, Dingle, Calbayog, and Paranas Substations with 100MVA transformers, the Davao Substation with a 150MVA transformer, and the San Jose and Mabinay Substations with a 50MVA transformer. A 100MVA expansion at NGCP’s

BusinessMirror

PHL visitor arrivals near 3.2M in 1H on China, India surge

By Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo Special to the BusinessMirror

relaxed visa entry requirements have enabled the Philippines to attract an increasing number of foreign tourists, lifting total visitor arrivals by 5.41 percent in the first half of the year.

Data from the Department of Tourism (DOT) showed 3.16 million inbound tourists from January to June 2026, of which 2.9 million were foreign nationals and 260,717 were overseas Filipinos. The latter are described as Philippine passport holders permanently residing abroad. This year’s arrivals are 76.5 percent of the 4.13 million total in the first half of prepandemic 2019. The DOT stressed that the data are based on e-travel records provided by the Department of Information and Communications Technology, and are not final until Bureau of Immigration records are taken into account. E-travel registration is mandatory for those arriving in the Philippines

except foreign diplomats, dignitaries, foreign government officials and their delegation, visiting business executives and students sponsored by the Philippine government or international organizations, and their immediate family members (9e visa).

Of the total foreign nationals, which were up 6.3 percent from the 2.73 million year on year (yoy), tourists from China and India were the most improved by 64.54 percent and 43 percent, respectively. Residents from both countries have been allowed to enter the Philippines visafree for tourism purposes for 14 days.

The top 12 source markets of visitors for the Philippines all recorded increases, except for South Korea,

81 Pinoys in 4 PHL vessels safely exit Hormuz strait

By Malou Talosig Bartolome

HE Department of Foreign Affairs

T(DFA) announced on Saturday that four Philippine‑registered vessels have safely exited the Strait of Hormuz, a criti cal maritime chokepoint at the center of the escalating US–Iran conflict. The vessels— MV Lyng Trader, MV Western Doncaster, MV Vivian Trader, and MV Eva Fuji departed the strait between June 24 and July 1. All 81 Filipino seafarers aboard were reported safe.

“Most have resumed their regular seafaring duties, while others have taken the opportu nity to return home to their families,” the DFA said. Latest vessel movements n MV Lyng Trader (oil/chemical tanker):

After a port call in the UAE, now en route to Singapore.

n MV Western Doncaster (general cargo): Anchored near Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. n MV Vivian Trader (bulk carrier): From UAE to Colombo, now bound for Portland, Australia.

n MV Eva Fuji (chemical/oil tanker): Called at Bahrain and UAE in June, crossed the Sin gapore Strait, currently en route to Zhoushan, China.

International evacuation efforts THE DFA earlier petitioned Iran for safe passage of Philippine ships following the outbreak of conflict on February 28, 2026. The United Nations and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) facilitated the evacuation framework that has so far enabled the safe transit of 136 vessels and about 2,900 seafarers.

“The Department recognizes the critical role of the United Nations and the Interna tional Maritime Organization in safeguard ing civilian shipping and seafarers, and in establishing the evacuation framework,” the DFA said.

Pinoy seafarers still at risk EVACUATION operations were suspended after the lapse of the temporary US–Iran ceasefire, leaving some Filipino crew stranded in the Gulf. Since late February, seven Filipino seafar ers have been injured and one remains miss ing following drone and missile strikes in the strait.

About 3,000 Filipino crew aboard 400 ves sels remain trapped in volatile waters, while more than 3,718 have successfully moved to safer shipping lanes, according to the Depart ment of Migrant Workers.

The DFA said it continues to monitor de velopments and is committed to ensuring the safety and eventual repatriation of all affected seafarers.

See related stories: https://businessmirror.com. ph/2026/05/11/tulfo-asks-is-safe-passage-pact-with-iran-still-valid/ https://businessmirror.com. ph/2026/04/03/iran-tells-phl-abouthormuz-passage-but-confirmation-remains-vague/ https://businessmirror.com. ph/2026/06/29/40-filipino-seafarers-safeafter-iran-attacks-2-ships-in-strait-ofhormuz/ https://businessmirror.com. ph/2026/06/28/imo-halts-evacuationof-stranded-seafarers-in-strait-of-hormuz-2/

with long-haul markets like Germany even showing monthly increases yoy, despite the ongoing tensions in the Middle East, which had jacked up jet fuel prices.

S. Korea plunges 13.7%

THE United States continues to be the top source market for the Philippines with arrivals at 581,565 in the first half of the year, an increase of some 6.9 percent from the same period in 2025. Most of the market continues to be composed of Americans of Filipino decent, or Filipino immigrants, who visit the Philippines usually during the holiday season in December and January.

Some 300 Filipino-Americans are currently in the country as part of government’s long-running Very Important Pinoy (VIP) tour, and visiting destinations other than Metro Manila such as Cebu, Dumaguete, and Siquijor. (See, “300 Fil-Ams explore ‘home’ with govt-backed VIP Tour,” in the BusinessMirror, July 14, 2026.)

In second place are tourists from South Korea at 552,860, slumping by 13.7 percent, yoy. This was followed by Japan at 581,565 (+6.87 percent); China at 219,796 (+64.54 percent); Australia at 174,257 (+12.3 percent); and Canada at 156,763 (+15.6

percent), another haven of Filipino immigrants. Air Canada began offering direct flights from Vancouver to Manila in April last year, while flag carrier Philippine Airlines offers nonstop flights between Manila and Vancouver, and Toronto. Tourists from Taiwan were in seventh place at 111,134, an increase of 11.85 percent; folowed by the United Kingdom at 92,829 (+1.7 percent); Singapore at 78,069 (0.35 percent); India at 60,583 (43.03 percent); Malaysia at 53,437 (+11.5 percent); and Germany at 48,657 (+6.9 percent). Under the General Appropriations Act of 2026, the DOT committed to attract 6.7 million foreign tourists this year.

More Fil-Am flight choices MEANWHILE, the DOT welcomed the announcement of US carrier Delta Air Lines of its new direct flights between Los Angeles and Manila starting March 2027, which then graduate to daily flights by June. According to the US Census Bureau data, over 4 million FilipinoAmericans live in the US, with Filipinos accounting for 17 percent of the that country’s total Asian-American population as of 2022. “For many Filipino-Americans,

See “Visitor,” A2

land tenure concerns.

By Mary Jade Jadormio

T

Aleast 684 families have received land tenure documents under the expanded Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) Program, as the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) resumed the distribution of residential lots covered by presidential proclamations.

The agency said the initiative revives the distribution of Certificates of Lot Award (CELA) and Certificates of Entitlement (COE) for residential lands covered by various presidential proclamations, giving beneficiaries documentary proof of their right to occupy and eventually own the lots.

The first batch of beneficiaries came from residential sites in Los Baños, Laguna; Lucena City, Quezon; Narra, Palawan; and Jaro, Iloilo City, which are covered by Presidential Proclamation Nos. 550, 436, 574 and 1538.

Housing Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling said the expanded program complies with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to broaden the government’s housing initiatives and address long-pending

“Under the Expanded 4PH Program, we are not only building new housing units,” Aliling said.

“We are also giving long-waiting families the certainty of finally becoming legitimate owners of the land where they live.” He added that the government is speeding up the issuance of land tenure documents to provide more Filipino families with security of tenure and improve their living conditions.

DHSUD said only 24 beneficiaries received CELAs or COEs from 2019 to 2022 because of implementation challenges, including disruptions during the Covid-19 pandemic and shifting program priorities. The agency said the expansion of the 4PH Program enabled it to award 684 land tenure documents in less than a year.

Of the total, 218 beneficiaries were from Los Baños, 195 from Lucena City, 213 from Jaro and 58 from Narra.

DHSUD said many of the recipients had waited for decades before finally receiving documents recognizing their right to occupy and eventually own the land where they had built their homes.

Morally bankrupt: Why China resorts to racism when law and diplomacy fail

IN a move that shocked observers across Southeast Asia and beyond, China’s state-run China Daily released an AI-generated video on July 10, 2026 that stooped to new lows of dehumanization. Depicting Filipinos as a monkey dressed in a Barong Tagalog and salakot, the cartoon showed the primate being manipulated by unseen American and Japanese hands onto a rickety karaoke stage floating in disputed waters. The monkey sings the “wrong” tune—advocating for maritime delimitation talks bypassing China—only to be scolded, thrown overboard, and blasted by a water cannon.

This grotesque caricature arrived precisely on the 10th anniversary of the 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling that invalidated Beijing’s expansive “nine-dash line” claims in the South China Sea.

The video is not mere satire. It is calculated, state-endorsed racism designed to infantilize and mock an entire nation. The Department of Foreign Affairs demanded its removal, noting that such imagery has no place in civilized discourse between nations.

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro labeled it “contemptible propaganda” that exposes “the moral and intellectual bankruptcy of China’s propaganda machine.” Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Jay Tarriela rightly called it “blatant racial discrimination.”

This incident reveals deeper rot in Beijing’s approach to international relations. Instead of engaging constructively with the rules-based order it claims to respect when convenient, China resorts to racist tropes when its illegal claims are challenged. By portraying Filipinos as mindless lackeys of the US and Japan, China Daily—an official mouthpiece—seeks to delegitimize Manila’s sovereign right to defend its exclusive economic zone and to uphold the 2016 arbitral award, a binding decision under international law supported by multiple nations.

The hypocrisy is staggering. China, which routinely lectures the world about “non-interference” and “mutual respect,” aggressively deploys its coast guard to harass Philippine vessels with water cannons, blocking resupply missions to Ayungin Shoal, and resorting to other bullying actions. Yet when the Philippines strengthens alliances to protect its territory and fishermen, Beijing cries foul and reaches for the most primitive insults. This is the behavior of a bully insecure about its inability to win on legal or moral grounds.

Such propaganda does not strengthen China’s position; it erodes it. It alienates potential partners across Asean, where memories of historical grievances and concerns over maritime assertiveness already run deep. It exposes the Chinese Communist Party’s propaganda apparatus as intellectually exhausted—reduced to AI-generated monkey cartoons rather than compelling arguments. True confidence does not require degrading neighbors. Nations secure in their legitimacy argue with facts, law, and diplomacy, not simian stereotypes.

The Philippines has shown remarkable restraint amid repeated provocations. Its strategy—firmly asserting rights while keeping channels open—stands in stark contrast to Beijing’s belligerence and crudeness. Filipinos, a resilient people with a rich culture and vibrant democracy, deserve respect, not racist mockery. By sinking to this level, China has not diminished the Philippines; it has diminished itself.

Unfortunately, the absence of a strong Asean rebuke to the racist caricature underscores the limits of the bloc’s cohesion on China-related issues. It allows Beijing’s propaganda to go largely unchallenged at the regional level, potentially emboldening further assertive actions. For the Philippines, it reinforces the value of its strengthened alliances outside Asean (e.g., with the US, Japan, and Australia) while testing its leadership as Asean Chair in 2026 under the theme “Navigating Our Future, Together.” The international community must condemn this episode unequivocally. Racist propaganda has no place in 21st-century statecraft. As tensions simmer in the South China Sea, Beijing should reflect: bullying and bigotry will only unite its neighbors against it. The path forward lies in respecting international law, not cartoonish contempt. Until China abandons such morally bankrupt tactics, its claims to regional leadership will ring hollow.

BusinessMirror

Opinion BusinessMirror

Dear Mr. President

ORISING SUN

UR youth are not indifferent; they care. Recently, young Filipino health advocates wrote and sent letters to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ahead of his State of the Nation Address on July 27. Roughly 20 letters, handwritten and earnest, carried a single refrain: nutrition is an investment, and the health of the young cannot wait for another administration.

A youth leader, speaking about the human cost of alcohol-related harm, said that the pain caused by drinking is never just a number. It has a face, a name, and a family that will mourn for the rest of its life. He was referring, in part, to a 27-year-old public school teacher killed in Marikina last month by a drunk driver. Somewhere in Marikina, a classroom will have an empty desk in front, and no government spreadsheet will be able to explain that absence to a young student.

We tend to discuss sin taxes as fiscal instruments, line items that fatten the national budget, or measures that our legislators reach for when they need money for their programs. That framing isn’t wrong, but it’s incomplete.

The coalition behind this year’s appeal is asking for something already sitting on Congress’s docket. Albay Rep. Cielo Krisel Lagman and Bataan Rep. Antonino Roman III have filed bills raising excise taxes on alcohol

by up to 25 percent annually through 2030, projected to generate roughly P41 billion a year, most of it earmarked for public health. Companion measures would push levies on sweetened beverages from six pesos to P20 per liter, and on high-fructose corn syrup from P12 to P40, closing exemptions currently enjoyed by flavored milk and sweetened coffee. Former Finance Undersecretary Cielo Magno, who has watched these debates from inside the Department of Finance for years, calls this the lowest-hanging fruit available to the President, a rare policy that helps the budget, the health system, and a generation at once.

Their argument makes a lot of sense because sin taxes are administratively cheap, they are progressive in effect because they target discretionary vice consumption rather than food staples, and unlike most revenue measures, they change behavior even before the peso is collected. Every year we delay indexing these rates to inflation, industry recovers the ground we gained. Magno makes this point bluntly: smoking

Beneath Philippine waters: The strategic asset our energy policy has overlooked

T. Anthony C. Cabangon

Lourdes M. Fernandez

Jennifer A. Ng Vittorio V. Vitug

Lorenzo M. Lomibao Jr., Gerard S. Ramos Lyn B. Resurreccion, Dennis D. Estopace

Angel R. Calso, Dionisio L. Pelayo

Ruben M. Cruz Jr.

Eduardo A. Davad Nonilon G. Reyes

D. Edgard A. Cabangon Benjamin V. Ramos Aldwin Maralit Tolosa

Rolando M. Manangan

BusinessMirror is published daily by the Philippine Business Daily Mirror Publishing, Inc., with offices on the 3rd floor of Dominga Building III 2113 Chino Roces Avenue corner De La Rosa Street, Makati City, Philippines. Tel. Nos. (Editorial) 817-9467; 813-0725. Fax line: 813-7025. (Advertising Sales) 893-2019; 817-1351, 817-2807. (Circulation) 893-1662; 814-0134 to 36. E-mail: news.businessmirror@gmail.com www.businessmirror.com.ph

THE Philippines should stop thinking of indigenous natural gas as merely a fuel. It should begin thinking of it as strategic economic infrastructure. Every cubic foot of indigenous gas that reaches a Philippine power plant is one less cubic foot the nation must purchase abroad, one less pressure on the peso, and one more investment in Philippine economic resilience.

That proposition has become more relevant as electricity prices continue to weigh on Filipino households and businesses. Every increase in power rates eventually works its way into factory floors, transport costs, food prices and household budgets. Electricity is unlike most commodities. Its cost spreads through the entire economy, influencing inflation, business competitiveness and ultimately the purchasing power of ordinary Filipinos.

The challenge is particularly acute at a time when the global economy remains vulnerable to geopolitical tensions. Developments in the Middle East have once again demonstrated how quickly conflicts thousands of kilometers away can unsettle international energy markets. While the Philippines cannot control these external events, it

can determine how exposed its own economy will be to them.

This is where indigenous natural gas assumes strategic importance. Recent electricity pricing illustrates the point. Power plants designed to maximize indigenous Malampaya gas continue to demonstrate an important cost advantage over facilities that rely primarily on imported liquefied natural gas. The difference is not merely reflected in electricity bills. It reverberates across the economy because lower generation costs ultimately translate into lower production costs for businesses and greater purchasing power for consumers.

One important reason is structural. Indigenous Malampaya gas supplied under normal operating conditions is exempt from the value-added tax imposed on imported

LNG. More importantly, it is insulated from many of the costs associated with importing fuel, including freight charges, exchange-rate fluctuations and the volatility of international LNG markets. It is that use of imported LNG that led to Meralco’s higher pricing structure.

Thus, it is very important to consider the pricing mechanics when it concerns LNG. Every cargo of imported LNG requires precious foreign exchange. Every shipment purchased abroad represents national wealth leaving the country.

Indigenous gas works in precisely the opposite direction. It keeps more economic value circulating within the Philippines through government royalties, domestic employment, local services and investments that strengthen the country’s productive capacity.

and drinking rates rising again is itself proof that the current rates have gone stale. There is also a slower, less visible cost that rarely makes it into budget hearings: stunting. Youth advocates flagged this for anyone who thinks child nutrition is not an economic issue. Children who experience stunting fall behind in school, show underdeveloped cognitive capacity, and face elevated risk of turning to smoking, drinking, or vaping later. It is a closed loop of disadvantage, and revenue from this can, if we are honest and disciplined, fund the intervention programs.

Health taxes will draw fierce industry lobbying, as they always have, dressed up as concern for jobs and small sari-sari stores. Those concerns deserve honest engagement, but the President has, in Magno’s phrase, a chance to claim a policy with multiple wins attached to his name before his term draws to a close. Whether that appears in his SONA on the 27th will tell us a great deal about whose letters this administration actually reads.

The implications extend even further. A clear national commitment to developing and utilizing indigenous natural gas sends an important signal to investors willing to undertake the enormous financial risks associated with offshore exploration. Drilling a single exploratory offshore well can require investments running into tens of millions of dollars without any guarantee of commercial success. Such investments are made only when companies believe government policy will consistently support the development and utilization of domestic resources over the long term.

Every successful discovery therefore becomes more than an energy project. It becomes an investment in national resilience. It expands domestic supply, reduces dependence on imported fuel, strengthens the country’s balance of payments, creates employment, generates government revenues and provides industries with greater confidence that reliable energy will remain available for decades.

Nor should natural gas be viewed as standing in opposition to renewable energy. Quite the contrary. As the Philippines accelerates the deployment of solar and wind power, the country will require flexible generating capacity capable of responding whenever renewable output fluctuates. Indigenous natural gas provides precisely that balancing capability.  Rather than delaying the cleanenergy transition, it makes a renewable-friendly energy mix more reliable and more achievable. The debate, therefore, is no longer simply about electricity prices. It is about economic strategy.

It is about whether the country chooses to build resilience using resources already beneath its own waters or remains increasingly exposed to the uncertainties of international fuel markets.

The

RELIEF, third-party matching, and the rise of data-driven tax administration

ADEBIT CREDIT

Part three

BUREAU of Internal Revenue (BIR) Reconciliation of Listings for Enforcement (RELIEF) deficiency tax assessment must be a grant of authority in the form of a Letter of Authority (LOA) before a revenue officer may validly examine or assess a taxpayer. In the absence of such authority, the examination or assessment is invalid.

Practical requirement: For a RELIEFbased assessment to survive, the BIR must show a valid LOA, issued by the BIR, naming the revenue officers who conducted the audit, covering the correct taxpayer, taxable year, and tax types.

The Supreme Court in People v. Gernale emphasized that a Letter Notice cannot substitute for a L0A. It cited the McDonald’s doctrine and explained that an LN merely informs the taxpayer that a discrepancy was found based on RELIEF data, while an LOA authorizes the revenue officer to examine.

Practical requirement: The BIR should not proceed from RELIEF matching directly to Preliminary Assessment /Final Assessment (PAN/FAN) without a valid LOA. The safer enforcement sequence is: RELIEF finding → LN/ discrepancy notice → unresolved reconciliation → valid LOA → audit verification→PAN→FLD/FAN.

Even if there is an LOA, the assessment may still fail if the actual audit was performed by officers not named in it. In McDonald’s, the Court rejected the practice of replacing or reassigning revenue officers through internal memoranda without a new or amended LOA. The Court held that substitution without proper authority violates due process and usurps the statutory power to authorize tax examinations.

The BIR must prove that the specific officers who examined the taxpayer and recommended the assessment were the same officers authorized in the LOA, or that a valid new/amended LOA was issued.

In CIR v. Lancaster Philippines, Inc., the Court held that an assessment outside the taxable period covered by the LOA is void. The case is also frequently cited for the principle that the presumption of correctness does not apply to a “naked assessment” that is arbitrary or without factual foundation.

Practical requirement: A RELIEF tax assessment for a particular year or quarter must be supported by an LOA covering that same taxable year or period. RELIEF data from one year cannot justify an assessment for another year unless the audit authority properly covers it.

In CIR v. Hantex Trading Co., Inc., the Supreme Court ruled that the presumption of correctness of a tax assessment does not apply where the assessment is without factual foundation—a “naked assessment.” This doctrine is especially relevant to RELIEF cases because RELIEF relies on third-party matching and can produce discrepancies due to timing differences, encoding errors, wrong TINs, branch reporting, accounting classifications, or supplier mistakes.

The BIR must go beyond the RELIEF mismatch. It should verify the supplier/ customer records, invoices, official receipts, VAT returns, books of accounts, SLSP data, and reconciliation explanations. The RELIEF discrepancy should be supported by competent evidence, not merely system-generated variance.

In CIR v. Avon Products Manufacturing, Inc., the Supreme Court held that due process requires the BIR to consider the taxpayer’s defenses, documents, and explanations. The Court invalidated assessments in which the BIR merely repeated the findings in the PAN, FAN, and collection letters without demonstrating that it had evaluated the taxpayer’s submissions.

This is crucial in RELIEF cases because the taxpayer may be able to explain discrepancies through timing differences, cancellation of invoices, returns and allowances, inter-branch reporting, wrong tagging by suppliers,

Modern Pharisees online

Sor expenses recorded in accounts other than purchases.

The BIR must document why it accepted or rejected the taxpayer’s reconciliation. A RELIEF-based PAN or FAN that merely restates the LN or PAN figures, without addressing the taxpayer’s explanation, is vulnerable.

Section 228 due process doctrine requires that the taxpayer be informed of the factual and legal bases of the assessment. In Liquigaz Philippines Corp. v. CIR, the Supreme Court explained that taxpayers must know how the CIR appreciated their defenses; otherwise, they cannot make an intelligent appeal. The Court warned that failure to show the factual and legal bases raises the possibility that the amounts were arbitrary. A RELIEF-based assessment should not simply say “per RELIEF matching, undeclared sales/purchases were found.”

It should identify the counterparties, invoices or transactions, taxable period, tax type, computation, legal basis, and reason why the taxpayer’s reconciliation was rejected.

In CIR v. Villanueva, Jr., a case involving a Letter Notice and Tax Reconciliation System follow-up, the Supreme Court reiterated that if the taxpayer denies receipt of assessment notices, the BIR bears the burden of proving actual receipt by the taxpayer or authorized The BIR must keep strong proof of service of the LN, LOA, PAN, FLD/FAN, FDDA, and collection notices. Improper service can defeat the assessment even if the RELIEF discrepancy is substantial.

In CIR v. Maxicare Healthcare Corp., the Supreme Court voided the assessment because the BIR issued the FDDA before the taxpayer’s full 60-day period to submit supporting documents had expired.

Practical requirement: In RELIEF assessments, where reconciliation documents are often voluminous, the BIR must observe the full protest and document-submission periods. Premature issuance of the FDDA can void the process. In summary, the controlling principle for tax assessments arising from the RELIEF is that this may trigger an inquiry. Still, it cannot dispense with an LOA that legitimizes the authorized examination. Furthermore, the taxpayer, which is being subjected to a BIR audit that is mainly focused on the RELEF’s mismatches of transactions, is not expected to assume the burden of responsibility to disapprove the BIR’s tax findings, but rather it is the BIR which is expected to document and explain its findings or undeclared transactions with another third party. This is a clear case that the judiciary has sided with the taxpayers when it declared that the rights of taxpayers to due process in the course of a BIR tax audit and assessments should strictly be observed, and that BIR’s tax assessments should be based on facts and the law, and not merely on RELIEF determined mismatches of transactions, even though the BIR would tend to justify the assessments as being valid because these were generated by technology tools that the BIR has developed over time.

To be continued

Joel L. Tan-Torres was the former Dean of the University of the Philippines Virata School of Business. Previously, he was the Commissioner of the Bureau of Internal Revenue, the Chairman of the Professional Regulatory Board of Accountancy, and a partner of Reyes Tacandong & Co.

Siegfred Bueno Mison, Esq.

THE PATRIOT

ADLY, the Philippines has become the epicenter of troll farms that manipulate public opinion and attack political rivals. One recent troll (Niki Perez) recently posted something disturbing against former Vice President Leni Robredo, who normally disregards such attacks. He (or she) maliciously implied that the current Naga City mayor frequently visits Manila rather surreptitiously instead of attending to her constituents in the major city of Camarines Sur.

Perhaps fed up, former VP Leni responded and explained that she usually declines invitations whenever they are outside Naga City. She goes to Manila for official reasons such as when she has to talk to relevant officials to promote Naga, the result of such visits is more than P1 billion of support from the national government and private partners.

Such distorted post in social media is one of so many against certain individuals who are targeted by organized bloggers, hiding under the mantle of free speech.

Unfortunately, the rise of social media has given birth to the dark world of organized troll farms. In the past decade, these manufacturers of false narratives have managed to manipulate public opinion. While technology has changed dramatically, the human frailties of hypocrisy and deception remain in earnest.

Enter the pink slime websites that exploit areas without strong local journalism to spread heavily biased political propaganda, designed to look like trusted community reporting. One investigative report recently exposed a site (Pilipinas Today) with very dubious origins and a sponsor known in the political circles as an “operator.”

The pink slime websites often undermine public trust in journalism since they try to appear as legitimate news channels when in truth, they report facts, heavily slanted in favor of a politician, tantamount to disinformation.

As a result of the proliferation of digital deception, the Lower House approved House Bill No. 9465 to address troll farms and automated bot networks. If it becomes a law, this Digital Media Anti-False Information Act will reportedly require major digital platforms to disclose sponsored political material.

Another pending measure, House Bill No. 11178, aims to punish troll farm operations with six to 12 years of prison time and multimillion-peso

fines. If the bill becomes a law, it will explicitly disqualify political candidates who knowingly benefit from their activities.

Politicians are not to be condemned if they make use of social media in their campaigns. But they should be, once they abuse the right of free speech and wittingly spread fake news about themselves or about their opponents.

In biblical history, the Pharisees were not condemned simply because they were Pharisees. They were rebuked because they were hypocrites. While a number of Pharisees were sincere in their devotion, most outwardly appeared righteous but concealed inward corruption. They were more concerned with appearances than truth, more interested in preserving influence than pursuing justice.

That distinction is important since not everyone who disagrees with us is a troll, just as not every Pharisee deserved condemnation. I have some classmates in the PMA who regularly reply to my posts in social media in utter disagreement. Yet, I see these conversations as meaningful debate and part of free speech. They are far from being trolls, although I have my own experience with trolls who rabidly attack me whenever triggered by my perspectives about certain politicians.

A troll farm is composed of fake accounts masquerading as concerned citizens that collectively create the illusion of widespread support or outrage. Lies are repeated until they become mistaken for truth. Character assassination replaces reasoned debate. Volume substitutes for evidence.

This strategy closely resembles to the hypocrisy of the Pharisees that Jesus Christ exposed. “You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. In the

Technology itself is neither good nor evil. It merely magnifies the character of those who use it.

If our digital platforms become instruments of honesty, they can strengthen democracy and enrich public discourse. But if they become factories of lies, they will slowly erode the trust upon which every free society depends. The challenge for believers is therefore not simply to expose troll farms. It is to resist becoming modern Pharisees ourselves.

same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.” (Matthew 23:27-28).

The Pharisees sought prominence and the praise of men while neglecting justice and faithfulness. Similarly, troll operators and those behind them seek influence and power rather than service and understanding. Their success is measured not by whether what they publish is true, but by whether it goes viral. They manipulate emotions because outrage spreads faster than facts.

I know of one politician who supposedly preaches patriotism while spreading utter lies about the West Philippine Sea. One other influencer claims to defend democracy and free speech but suppresses dissent through coordinated harassment whenever someone disagrees with her post.

The similarity lies not in ideology but in conduct. The Pharisees burdened people with heavy loads while refusing to lift a finger to help them. Modern disinformation campaigns burden society with confusion, distrust, and division while avoiding accountability for the damage they inflict. Anonymous accounts disappear overnight, but the falsehoods they spread often remain.

Jesus Christ also warned against blind guides leading others into error. In the digital age, one fabricated story can reach millions before a correction reaches thousands. Every share, every repost, and every careless click can contribute to the spread of falsehood. But the responsibility does not rest solely with the creators of deceptive content. It also belongs to the consumers who use and spread the content.

Many users, some even highly educated, forward sensational posts without verifying them, especially when they confirm existing beliefs. The best antidote is discernment. Responsible journalists suggest

that readers of social media reports should do some lateral reading to investigate whether the site or account is trustworthy. If the account owner has political tendencies and lacks obvious objectivity, the source is probably not legitimate news reporting.

Reliable social media sites usually have balance in their stories and have less overly sensational headlines. If the account owner has dubious records of previous posts, then readers should think twice or thrice before believing and sharing such posts as truth.

My pastor-mentor Albert Pelea consistently pointed me back to truth, humility, and integrity, just as Jesus Christ did while here on earth. Those values should guide our conduct online as much as they guide our conduct in person. Before sharing a post, we should ask ourselves whether it is true, whether it is fair, and whether it contributes to understanding. Before attacking or responding to anyone, even if necessary as in the case of former VP Leni Robredo, we should ask whether we are seeking justice or merely victory. History ought to remember the people who had the courage to defend truth when deception became fashionable.

Technology itself is neither good nor evil. It merely magnifies the character of those who use it. If our digital platforms become instruments of honesty, they can strengthen democracy and enrich public discourse. But if they become factories of lies, they will slowly erode the trust upon which every free society depends. The challenge for believers is therefore not simply to expose troll farms. It is to resist becoming modern Pharisees ourselves.

Let’s not become the people who project virtue publicly while abandoning truth privately. Scripture tells us that God is not impressed by appearances. He is concerned with the condition of the heart. A society that values truth over propaganda, humility over self-righteousness, and integrity over influence will always be stronger than one built on deception.

Siegfred has a diversified set of education and experiences which has made him a game changer and a servant leader in organizations. His professional degrees came from the United States Military Academy at West Point in New York, Ateneo Law School, and University of Southern California, Los Angeles, USA. His corporate experiences include stints as general counsel for the country’s flag carrier, a food exporter with manufacturing plants in Davao and in Laguna, and a sports distributor company.  Siegfred is a former soldier and a lawyer by profession, a teacher and inspirational speaker by passion, and a book author and a writer with a mission.

Malaysia probes state pension’s loss linked to eFishery collapse

By Bernadette Toh

MALAYSIA’S anti-graft agency has opened an investigation into losses tied to state pension fund Kumpulan Wang Persaraan Diperbadankan’s investment in failed Indonesian agritech startup eFishery.

A team was formed on Friday to “study and examine the issue thoroughly,” Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Chief Commissioner Abdul Halim Aman said in a statement on Saturday.

“The investigation will be conducted fairly, transparently and impartially based on existing legal provisions,” Abdul Halim said. “The public is requested not to speculate on this investigation to avoid confusion and maintain the integrity of the investigation process.”

The probe is the latest development in the roughly $300 million fraud that brought down one of

. . Continued from A10

Southeast Asia’s most celebrated startups. Indonesia sentenced eFishery founder Gibran Huzaifah to nine years in prison in April, about a year after he gave Bloomberg News a detailed account of how he falsified the company’s accounts at a startup once valued north of $1 billion.

KWAP, as the pension fund is known, invested about 163.4 million ringgit ($40 million) in eFishery, it said in a statement on Saturday. That represented about 2.51 percent of eFishery’s shareholding, it said.

“KWAP was a minority shareholder, while the majority of the

The probe is the latest development in the roughly $300 million fraud that brought down one of Southeast Asia’s most celebrated startups. Indonesia sentenced eFishery founder Gibran Huzaifah to nine years in prison in April, about a year after he gave Bloomberg News a detailed account of how he falsified the company’s accounts at a startup once valued north of $1 billion.

company’s shares were held by other investors, including major global institutional investors that were similarly affected by the misconduct,” the pension fund said. “KWAP is also continuing to pursue all available avenues to maximize the recovery of its investment.”

eFishery’s collapse dealt a blow to

choice

some of the world’s highest-profile investors including SoftBank Group Corp. and Temasek Holdings Pte. The upstart, which deployed feeders to fish and shrimp farmers in Indonesia, incurred several hundred million dollars in losses between 2018 and 2024. The business began unraveling after a board investigation revealed the company may have inflated its revenue and profit over several years. The scandal triggered widespread scrutiny over regulatory oversight and due diligence standards in Southeast Asia’s venture capital markets. KWAP had more than 195 billion ringgit of funds under management as of end-2025.

“KWAP has further strengthened its approach to private markets investing,” it said, citing measures including greater portfolio diversification and enhanced post-investment monitoring. Bloomberg

households are from forces beyond our shores.

BusinessMirror

By Josef Ramos

stopped and knelt for a few seconds after I hit him. The referee saw that he was no longer fit to fight,” Suarez said. “Praise God, I was okay and ready for the next one.”

I’m praying that he’s not in danger,” added the Rio de Janeiro Olympian.

Suarez, who turns 38 next month, remained undefeated in 19 fights with 11 knockouts, while the 34-year-old Avila dropped to 26-3-1 with nine knockouts.  It was Suarez’s first fight since his controversial duel with unified WBO and International Boxing Federation (IBF) super featherweight champion Emanuel Navarrete of Mexico in May 2025 that was ruled no contest last July 2025 after the referee’s call was reversed by the boxing governing body.

The Davao del Norte warrior, a silver medalist in the Incheon 2014 Asian Games and two-time Southeast Asian Games gold medalists, said he’s ready for a rematch with Navarrete which the WBO set later this year.

Suarez is trained and managed by Delfin Boholst under promoter Sampson.

“I’ll continute to train here in the US so I can prepare very well against Navarrete,” Suarez said.

POGACAR: EAT MY DUST!

LE MARKSTEIN, France—Tadej Pogacar

launched a trademark attack on the last climb of the day to win the 14th stage of the Tour de France on Saturday and extend his commanding lead as he chases a fifth title.

The Slovenian star raised his arms in the air after clinching his fourth stage of this year’s race and 25th overall.

Barring injury or mishap, a fifth Tour crown is looking increasingly inevitable—only Belgian Eddy Merckx, Spaniard

Miguel Indurain and Frenchmen Jacques Anquetil and Bernard Hinault have five Tour victories.

Pogacar’s UAE Emirates XRG

teammate Isaac del Toro has been impressive so far as the 22-year-old Mexican finished Saturday’s stage in second place and French hope Paul Seixas was third ahead of two-time Tour champion Jonas Vingegaard, who is again being dominated by Pogacar in the big climbs. I gave it a go today,” Pogacar said. “I had good feelings.” He now leads Vingegaard by four minutes and 30 seconds overall in the standings, with Remco Evenepoel 5:04 back in third place and the 19-year-old Seixas improving to fourth at 5:19 behind Pogacar. Sa turday’s 155-kilometer route featured three big Category 1 climbs—the second-hardest category in climbing—in the Alsace region and ended at Le

Cambodia pulls down Indonesia, rules SEA V Cup in Candon City

By Aldrin Quinto

ITY of Candon—Cambodia

Ccompleted its stunning Cinderella run in the SEA V Cup, seizing the gold medal with a 25-23, 28-26, 23-25, 22-25, 15-11 victory over powerhouse Indonesia on Sunday at the Candon City Arena.

W inless in eight matches last season, the Cambodians defied the odds to rise to the top in Week One of the regional tournament.

A riveting World Cup

I ASKED asked over PTV Sports the other day about my personal expectations heading into the FIFA World Cup. My answer is very much how I look at movies—I do not read the pre-event hype. I avoid trailers or reading opinion columns. What I do is I closely follow the qualifiers and from there, make my conclusions. The thing about coming in with expectations, if it is not met, then one is disappointed. I would rather not. I just sit back and enjoy the show.

I a m like that as well when I come into an interview. I let the subject tell me the story rather than pigeonhole a piece to my vision because that means it is slanted.  At this stage of the World Cup that should be wrapped up this Monday morning in the Philippines, it is better than advertised.

I learned that during the 2018 World Cup in Russia and the 2022 edition in Qatar. Pundits and fans pointed out the corruption in the bidding process, human rights concerns, geopolitical sportswashing heading into Russia, and yet, once the games began, it was incredible.

Voeurn Veasna had 29 points on 26 attacks, two aces and a block, while Kuon Mom scored 27 on 22 attacks, four blocks and an ace for Cambodia.

H alim Farhan led Indonesia with 23 p oints on 21 attacks and two aces, while Boy Arnez Arabi had 22 points, all on attacks.

C ambodia entered the zonal meet ranked 117th in the world and announced its arrival with a five-set victory over Alas Pilipinas, then FIVB rated No. 90.

The Cambodians dropped the pool play match against Indonesia but advanced with a 1-1 card to the semifinals where they stunned defending champion Thailand.

The triumph completed one of the greatest upsets in the zonal meet, denying an Indonesian side that had captured the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Men’s Cup in India just last month to vault to No. 44 in the world rankings. For the Indonesians it was a

A nd it was the same with Qatar—once more corruption in the bidding process, the desert heat, migrant worker exploitation, the ban on alcohol…but it was just as good if not better and more memorable.  So really, what do you know?

I f I were to say anything, it would be how after the end of a long club season, players find new life in tired legs and bodies as national pride and the backing of thousands and thousands of traveling supporters gives one a massive lift.

Take the case of what was thought to be a meaningless battle for third place. It could have been a joke when England went up, 4-nil, but France, despite its defensive woes coming back to haunt them for the second consecutive game, fought back to come close, 4-3.

You can be sure that English hearts began to sink because this was another meltdown in the making. However, that penalty conversion by Bukayo Saka and the late goal by Jude Bellingham saw England take the third-place medal. With all the supporters in the stands, you can be sure this wasn’t meaningless at all. It is best to exit the tournament on a high note than not at all.

Speaking of supporters…how about the Tartan Army that won the hearts of people in Massachusetts? The Japanese who are always a

stark reminder that the gap between teams in the Southeast Asian region is slimmer than ever and that rankings offer no guarantees.

Thailand ended the week with a 23-35, 30-28, 25-20, 28-26 victory over Vietnam for the bronze medal in the tournament presented by the Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee and the City of Candon headed by Mayor Eric D. Singson.

The Thais regrouped after a dismal first set and outlasted a determined Vietnamese side that refused to fold.

Bhinijdee Nadapet erupted for 30 points on 28 attacks and two blocks, drawing huge cheers from the big closing-day crowd

T hungkham Chaiwat had six of Thailand’s 15 blocks, finishing with 21 points.

We are very happy about today. We’re looking forward to next week, we will try our best,” Thaweerat Thanathat said. “We help each other, we support each other.”

N guyen Ngoc Thuan paced Vietnam with 32 points from 28 attacks and four blocks, while Tang Ngoc Hieu scored 11 and Tran Duy Tuyen added 10.

I ndonesia and Cambodia were playing for the gold medal at posting time.

The Philippines on Saturday salvaged fifth place with a straightsets victory over Myanmar.

A ll six teams return to action in the second leg set next week in Indonesia.

Markstein ski resort.

A fter the first big ascent up Grand Ballon, a group of five were at the front, including Ecuadorian Richard Carapaz, with Pogacar’s large yellow jersey group rolling behind as riders tackled the descent in rainy conditions.

A fter the second big climb, nine kilometers up Ballon d’Alsace, the gap to the yellow jersey group was about two minutes.

But with Pogacar’s teammates setting a fast pace in the peloton, it was just over one minute

ahead of the day’s final big climb up Col du Haag, leading to the finish.

With Pogacar poised to attack at any moment, Vingegaard sat on his wheel as Carapaz surged ahead alone. After Carapaz was caught, Pogacar attacked with 1.6 kilometers left in the climb and Vingegaard could not follow him.

“ I was waiting for the last two kilometers to see if there was going to be any movements,” Pogacar said. “One by one there were guys dropping, and I felt good.”

Seixas closed in on Vingegaard with screaming fans lining the route perilously close to the riders.

“I must say thanks to all the fans who came to the side of the road. It was something unforgettable,” the 27-yearold Pogacar said. “It just gives you an additional boost to go to the top.”

Sunday’s 15th stage concludes with a daunting HC (the hardest category) up Plateau de Solaison in the French Alps, where the irrepressible Pogacar could well attack again.

“ Tomorrow is a bit more difficult,” he said. “Will be a hard day for us but we will be ready to fight.” Monday is the second rest day of the race, which concludes with its traditional finish in Paris on July 26. AP

classy crown. Or the Norwegians and their Viking Row that was a spectacle unto itself.

Even a supporter of a team that missed out on the World Cup scored a point for his side. Am referring to this Italy fan who wore his team’s colors. That did not escape the eye of a Portugal fan who heckled him about Italy missed the World Cup once more. The Italian fan shut him up when he pointed to the four stars about the Italian crest and reminded the Portugal fan that his nation had no World Cup championship to show.   Touche!

The consolation for the French is Kylian Mbappe could win the Golden Boot Award with 10 goals as he added two in the third-place match. And he surpassed Lionel Messi as the all-time World Cup leading goal scorer with 22 in the World Cups. Wow.

And to think he would play in at least two more.

It was previously thought that Messi could win it when he notched eight goals. He still has the championship game to do something about it, but I suspect that winning the World Cup means more. After all, he already separated himself from rival Cristiano Ronaldo as the sport’s goat. Winning it all will further cement Messi’s claim to the throne.

A h, Messi and Argentina…what nicknames did they pick up in this tournament— VARgentina, ArgenFIFA.   They were not alone. There were the FIFA assisted moves to allow Cristiano Ronaldo to play when he should have been suspended. Ditto for USA’s Folarin Balogun. That England too benefited from a non-call that allowed them to ditch Norway. I get wanting to

Editor: Jennifer A. Ng

SM PRIME ADDS COMMERCIAL FORMAT TO MALL IN XIAMEN

SBy VG Cabuag @villygc

HOPPING mall operator

SM Prime Holdings Inc.

is further expanding SM Xiamen City in China, its first development outside the Philippines, with a new commercial concept and is planning to operate beyond mall hours.

The company said it will open its P1.5-billion Chao Block, which is an extension of existing malls in the development, targeting the younger population in the area.

The 19,403 square-meter Chao Block is envisioned as a “neo-urban block” that extends beyond the traditional mall model.

Developed with a diverse mix of tenants and partners, it will bring together independent founders, local entrepreneurs, cultural curators and first-tomarket concepts.

Tenants will be encouraged to go beyond operating stores by hosting workshops, product launches, exhibitions, community events and brand collaborations.

Globe ties up with India’s AI Fiesta

GLOBE Telecom Inc. subscribers can now tap multiple premium artificial intelligence (AI) models through a single application after the Ayala-led telco partnered with Indian startup AI Fiesta, which said the Philippines’s price-sensitive but digitally curious market mirrors the conditions that fueled its growth at home. Under the partnership, Globe is offering exclusive access packs to AI Fiesta, an application that bundles more than five leading AI models—including ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok, and DeepSeek—into one platform.

The tie-up allows users to run a single prompt across different models simultaneously, compare their outputs, and identify which systems work best for writing, research, creative work, and other tasks without paying for multiple subscriptions.

AI Fiesta CEO and co-founder Mohammad Hasan said the company is betting on Filipino consumers, the same segment that drove its momentum in India.

“It is consumer—it is our strength in India as well. We continue to see the same momentum in the Philippines because we see a similar mindset. Both countries are price sensitive,” Hasan said in a press briefing. “Our key is to make AI accessible and to increase adoption. Once we start that, leveling up is not a problem.” Hasan said the application was built to simplify an increasingly crowded AI landscape, letting users “compare responses, discover which models best suit different tasks, and make AI more useful for learning, work, creativity, and everyday productivity.” Globe Chief Marketing Officer KD Dizon said the exclusive offers respond to shifting consumer behavior, particularly among Gen Z and Millennial users who have begun folding AI tools into their personal and professional routines, even as many Filipinos remain wary over misinformation, security, and job displacement. Lorenz S. Marasigan

“SM Xiamen City holds a distinct place in our company’s history. Being our first overseas investment, it has served as a long-term platform for learning, expansion and growth in China,”

SM Prime President Jeffrey C. Lim said.

“As Xiamen continues to develop, we intend to keep strengthening the property and the local entrepreneurs so it remains an important part of the city’s commercial landscape.”

The name “Chao” draws on the idea of a fourth state of matter beyond water’s three conventional forms—liquid, solid and gas—representing openness, fluidity and the limitless potential of co-created commerce.

The first phase of Chao Block is scheduled to open in September this year, while the second phase is targeted for completion in the fourth quarter of 2027.

Established in 2001 as a one-stop destination for the mainstream consumer market, SM Xiamen City has continued to evolve with the changing needs of the surrounding community.

DOE keeps close watch on Barito bid to acquire EDC

By Lenie Lectura @llectura

THE Department of Energy (DOE) is monitoring the $5-billion deal between Indonesia’s PT Barito Renewables Energy Tbk and Lopez-led Energy Development Corp. (EDC) to ensure the country’s energy supply remains stable and aligned with renewable targets.

“We are assessing the potential impact. I just need to verify the details of their deal; they haven’t formally presented it to us yet. We will wait for that. But if they can bring in more investment in geothermal, that would be a welcome development, provided, of course, that all legal requirements are met, as questions regarding that could arise.

Still, if this encourages more in-

vestment, why not? Especially in geothermal, where we really need to increase capacity,” said DOE secretary Sharon Garin.

The Indonesian conglomerate had offered to acquire EDC, the third-largest geothermal energy producer in the world with about 1,300 megawatts (MW) of capacity. It has expanded into Indonesia through a partnership with

PT DSSR Daya Mas Sakti. EDC’s parent firm, First Gen Corp., said last week that there have been no discussions between the parties, no agreements have been signed, and it has not appointed any advisors for the transaction.

EDC used to be owned by the Philippine National Oil Co. which was later privatized and was acquired by the Lopez Group in 2007.

“Well, we certainly have huge potential in geothermal. EDC does have other renewable energy projects, but a significant portion of their portfolio consists of the geothermal assets they acquired during the privatization process. We haven’t received a formal notice yet; they might still be in discussions.

However, should it come to that, the DOE’s role is to ensure our supply remains unaffected and that the owner—if the deal pushes through—adheres to the DOE’s energy plan, which advocates for ex-

Govt to move ahead with coal auction

THE Department of Energy (DOE) is pushing forward with the bidding process for coal development and production areas, including the controversial blocks on Semirara Island.

“We just have to finish some changes to the rules, which might take a few weeks. I’m hoping that within the month it will be finished,” said DOE secretary Sharon Garin. She added that the resumption of the bidding process and finalization of enhancements to the rules on how Semirara will be evaluated will most likely take place this month.

Garin recalled that the Semirara auction was put on hold “because we are still trying to figure out how (Semirara) should be treated.”

Consunji-led Semirara Mining and Power Corp. (SMPC) currently holds coal operating contract (COC) no. 5, which is among the

coal blocks on Semirara Island that will be auctioned. The COC is valid until July 14, 2027.

A pre-bid conference was supposed to take place last month but the DOE deferred the bidding process “until further notice” to address concerns raised over bidding parameters.

Garin said her office is “still figuring out” and working with various government agencies “to figure out how to treat brownfield projects, extension or renewals.”

“Just wait, within the month, we will announce something. We (still) have to deliberate on this,” she said last week.

However, over the weekend, SMPC petitioned a Makati court for protection against the DOE from sharing the company’s detailed list of assets and propriety information with interested bidders.

In April, the DOE announced

five firms have expressed in joining the bidding for coal production and development--Limay Power Inc. (LPI), Malita Power Inc. (MPI), TSR/Sta. Clara, DESCO, and SMPC.

According to the DOE, SMPC can still join the bid.

SMPC argued that since it owns these assets by virtue of its COC and the Coal Development Act (PD 972), these assets will not be made available for the use of other bidders and should therefore not be considered in their bid submissions.

The government, it said, can own the assets only if SMPC fails to remove them from the production and exploration area, within one year after the termination of its contract in July 2027.

“Government ownership of these assets is merely future and conditional. The bidding is supposed to choose a winner that has

a viable mine plan and knows how to run one to make sure coal production is seamless to protect the country’s baseload electricity generation. It is not about SMPC and how it runs the mine,” SMPC added.

SMPC said the DOE directed the company in four separate letters to submit detailed information on its assets, including geological and technical data, and a detailed list of equipment, including those specially reconfigured to manage an intensified river-strength flow of water into the Acacia mine.

DOE contended that once SMPC has recovered its costs, the equipment it acquired become government owned. The company maintains that all assets outside the production and exploration areas, and all equipment removed from the same, within one year from the end of the contract, remain with the company. Lenie Lectura

panding geothermal and renewable energy,” Garin said. The country’s renewable energy target is to hit 35 percent of the power generation mix by 2030 and 50 percent by 2040. Barito confirmed last week that it made an offer to buy EDC to expand in the Philippines, in what could be one of the largest clean energy deals in Asia in recent years. An acquisition of EDC may potentially rank as one of the largest renewable energy deals in Asia in recent years, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. It would also be among the biggest ever takeovers in the Philippines, the data showed. Barito Renewables is part of Barito Pacific Group. Its assets include geothermal and wind power plants, which are operated by different subsidiaries.

EDC’s backers also include Macquarie Asset Management and Singaporean wealth investor GIC Pte. The company voluntarily delisted from the Philippine Stock Exchange in 2018. With reports from Bloomberg News

ERC chief will launch TikTok channel

THE chief of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) is joining the Titktok craze.

ERC Chairman Francis Saturnino Juan said establishing his presence on TikTok is “essential” for connecting with the younger demographic. The agency’s announcements—particularly those involving power rates— could have a better reach especially among the youth, he added.

“I should create a TikTok account because that is where I can connect with the younger generation. While I use Facebook and Instagram from time to time, I have been told that TikTok offers higher engagement with youth.

We must look into this because we cannot regulate something we do not understand,” the ERC chief said on the sidelines of the inauguration of the MTerra Solar project last week.

Juan currently has 2,800 followers on Facebook and 289 on Instagram.

He assumed the post of chairman and CEO of the ERC on August 11, 2025. During this 11-month stint, the seasoned energy expert initiated structural reforms to address longstanding industry concerns, facilitated the unclogging of the ERC docket, and implemented decisive regulatory actions that targeted a specific, named bottleneck.

The ERC reported significant 11-month gains, including over 232,000 kilowatts of connected clean energy, 6,986 issued licenses, and P21.3 billion in facilitated authorizations.

The agency said it implemented a “structural shift” that drastically increased approval speeds for power supply and capital expenditure projects compared to previous periods, while launching “The Next Watt” agenda for continued regulatory modernization. Lenie Lectura

Banking&Finance

Our unwanted pliable legacy: The resilient plastic landscape

EVEN in the most unexpected places, plastics, or what remain of them, continue to persist. Built to last, they can remain in the environment for generations, far outlasting the people who once used and discarded them. Despite all our progress, changing leadership, and the passing of centuries, the plastic waste we discard today will remain long after us.

Originating in Australia in 2011, “Plastic Free July” has since been observed to raise awareness of humanity’s pervasive plastic problem and to encourage behavioral change toward reducing plastic use. What began as a 40-person, month-long challenge eventually led to the establishment of a nonprofit charity that now manages the movement and inspires millions of people around the world to say no to plastic.

The movement exists for an important reason. The rate at which plastic has become ubiquitous is unprecedented. Over the last century and a half, plastic has moved from being a remarkable innovation to an everyday staple of human life. It is now essential in packaging, construction, fashion, and textiles because of its low cost, durability, and lightweight nature. Yet its greatest drawback comes from the very boon it offers: plastic is built to last, and because it does not fully decompose, it can persist in the environment for hundreds of years.

According to the United Nations Environment Programme, only 46 percent of all plastic waste is landfilled while the global recycling rate is projected to increase from 9 percent in 2019 to only 17 percent by 2060. This reveals a worrying gap between the scale of plastic consumption and the limited progress being made in addressing plastic waste.

Despite increasing efforts to regulate plastic use, uneven enforcement and a lack of affordable alternatives have kept plastics deeply embedded in daily life. Their widespread presence on land and in waterways threatens wildlife through ingestion, entanglement, and suffocation, while also degrading habitats by smothering coral reefs, accumulating in mangroves, and lining riverbanks, disrupting entire ecosystems.

These challenges are also evident in the Philippines, where marine plastic pollution continues to pose significant environmental, economic, and social concerns. This inescapable reality is largely caused by the country’s urban runoff, improper waste disposal, and still-developing regulations on waste management. A major underlying factor is the country’s sachet economy, where daily products such as shampoo, instant coffee, and chips are packed in small-quantity, single-use plastics due to economic and affordability constraints. Combined with Manila’s densely packed urban environment, this has resulted in a choking plastic waste problem for the country.

That said, significant progress was made in 2022 when Republic Act (RA) 11898, also known as the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Act of 2022, lapsed into law and amended RA 9003, or the “Ecological Solid Waste Management Act” of 2000. The law mainly applies to large enterprises that generate plastic packaging waste and requires them to recover, reuse, recycle, treat or properly dispose of a percentage of the plastic waste associated with their products. Obliged enterprises must establish an EPR program covering their plastic packaging, which may include plastic waste recovery, diversion, recycling, and the accounting of their plastic footprint.

To promote continuous improve -

ment, the Act establishes progressively increasing recovery targets, requiring obliged enterprises to recover 20 percent of their plastic packaging footprint by the end of 2023, increasing to 40 percent in 2024, 50 percent in 2025, 60 percent in 2026, 70 percent in 2027, and 80 percent by 2028 and every year thereafter. Compliance is a key factor, as violations may result in fines ranging from PHP 5 million to PHP 20 million, as well as possible business suspension.

In 2024, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) issued DAO 2024-04 or the “Compliance Reporting and Audit Guidelines for the EPR Act,” which requires obliged enterprises to submit an EPR Compliance Audit report and strengthen the law’s compliance system. In the same year, the World Bank has developed a roadmap for the Philippines to achieve Zero Plastic Waste Pollution by 2040. The roadmap aims to achieve three outcomes: (1) improve waste collection infrastructure and regulations to provide the groundwork for implementation; (2) invest in recycling technologies, training programs, and encourage participation in recycling efforts to transform wastes into resources and promote a circular economy; and, (3) reduce the production, and consumption of plastics through public education campaigns and more stringent legislation.

At R.G. Manabat & Co., doing our part begins within our own walls.

We actively implement internal initiatives to combat plastic waste, such as enforcing strategic waste segregation and cultivating a culture of environmental awareness among our professionals. Beyond our own operations, we extend this commitment to the wider business community. Drawing from our experience and expertise, we support our clients in navigating their own sustainability journeys by offering specialized services in waste monitoring, tracking, and EPR audit-related services. Ultimately, our goal is to help organizations bridge critical compliance gaps while empowering them to integrate genuinely sustainable practices into their core business strategies.

Our battle against pollution certainly has a long way to go as the waste we leave behind continues to persist long after it has served its purpose. While initiatives like Plastic Free July help raise awareness and disrupt current habits, lasting change depends on turning a month-long reflection into a yearround commitment to circularity. The progress we have made and the growing number of people advocating for a cleaner tomorrow give us reason for hope. When the world one day inherits the legacy we leave behind, let us ensure it is not made of plastic.

© 2026 R.G. Manabat & Co., a Philippine partnership and a member firm of the KPMG global organization of independent member firms affiliated with

Govt acts on plan to enforce 15% global tax on big MNCs

By Reine Juvierre Alberto @reine_alberto

THE government has formed an interagency technical working group (TWG) to draft legislation and prepare the Bureau of Internal Revenue’s (BIR) systems for enforcing a 15-percent Global Minimum Tax (GMT) on large multinational companies.

ance to affected taxpayers,” said Mendoza, who also serves as the TWG’s vice-chairman.

Priority areas for technical assistance in the assessments of the BIR’s compliance, audit and taxpayer service capabilities, policy and legal capacity-building, administrative readiness, information technology systems interoperability, secure information exchange and legislative workshops were also identified during the meeting.

Additionally, the TWG reviewed updates on stakeholder consultations and discussed key policy considerations for implementation.

before they are advanced,” chairman of the TWG and Finance Undersecretary Rolando T. Ligon, Jr. said.

“The DOF [Department of Finance] and [the] BIR will continue working closely with partner agencies, Congress, development partners, and stakeholders to develop a Philippine Global Minimum Tax framework that is aligned with international standards, administratively workable, and responsive to the country’s fiscal and investment policy objectives,” Mendoza said.

According to the state’s main taxcollecting agency, BIR officials convened the first meeting of the technical working group to craft the country’s legislative and administrative framework for the proposed GMT. Five technical subgroups were created by the TWG to handle legal framework, tax administration and compliance, capacity development, stakeholder engagement and postimplementation monitoring. Internal Revenue Commissioner Charlito Martin R. Mendoza said the GMT’s implementation goes beyond passing a law.

“[T]he work ahead involves preparing the administrative processes, digital systems, technical capabilities, and institutional arrangements needed to implement the framework effectively and provide clear guid-

Benefit payments’

THE net income of the Social Security System (SSS) fell by nearly a quarter in the first three months of the year as benefit payments to private-sector members climbed. The state-run pension fund’s latest financial statement showed its net income slipped by 23.27 percent to P25.3 billion from P32.976 billion a year ago. This comes after the SSS reported an 11.32-percent increase in its total income of P130.145 billion and a 24.92-percent rise in total expenses worth P104.844 billion in the first quarter.

This includes participation in international mechanisms for the exchange of Global Anti-Base Erosion (GloBE) Information Returns and the proposed inclusion of Countryby-Country Reporting requirements in the legislation.

“Our task is to thoroughly address legal, tax, administrative, and operational issues involved and ensure that key policy decisions and recommendations are thoroughly studied

rise slashes

Still, the growth in total income outpaced expenses, with benefit payments increasing by 16.65 percent to P85.383 billion, compared with P73.195 billion from a year earlier.

The SSS provides social security benefits, or replacement for loss of income due to death, disability, sickness, maternity, old age, and unemployment, to its members.

Despite higher benefit payments, SSS grew its revenue through stronger service and business income, as well as gains and other non-operating income.

The pension fund’s business in-

The Philippines is a member of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)/G20 Inclusive Framework on Base Erosion and Profit Shifting, an international collaboration with over 140 member countries and jurisdictions, in 2023, but has not yet enacted a GMT. The GMT is part of the OECD/G20 Global Minimum Tax (Pillar Two) initiative, which imposes a minimum tax rate of 15 percent on large multinational enterprise groups with global revenues of at least EUR 750 million in each jurisdiction where they operate.

SSS’s Q1 net income

come jumped to P119.850 billion in the first quarter, attributed to net investments and other income nearly tripling year-on-year to P27.692 billion from P10.213 billion.

Members’ contribution also inched up by 5.96 percent to P101.899 billion from P96.166 billion.

Moreover, SSS earned a total of P10.238 billion in gains from changes in the fair value of financial instruments, as well as from foreign exchange, sale/redemption/transfer of investments, among others.

The SSS recently rolled out the second tranche of its three-year pen-

sion hike program, which increases the pensions of retirement and disability pensioners by 10 percent and survivor pensioners by 5 percent. While the pension reform will not necessitate any contribution increase, SSS said the move will shorten its fund life to 2049 from 2053. However, this will be offset by stronger cash flows from previous contribution reforms and enhanced collection efforts, it said. The SSS’s total assets stood at P1.303 trillion as of end-March 2026, up from P1.254 trillion a year earlier. Reine Juvierre S. Alberto

Amending AMLA pushed anew amid rise in crimes

IBy Butch Fernandez @butchfBM

NCREASINGLY sophisticated financial crimes warrant a stronger legal framework, including amending the Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA), Senator Emmanuel Joel J. Villanueva has asserted, while stressing that the country must, at the same time, ensure that expanded enforcement powers are not prone to abuse.

Kapag mabilis kumilos ang mga kriminal, dapat mas mabilis ang batas [When criminals move fast, the law must move faster]. But greater authority must always come with clear limits, transparency, and accountability,” added Villanueva, the former chairperson of the Senate Committee on Banks.

“We need to ensure that our institutions have the appropriate legal authority to act swiftly against illicit financial activities while upholding the rule of law, due process, and the constitutional rights of individuals,” he said.

Villanueva has filed Senate Bill 1983 seeking to amend Republic Act 9160, or the AMLA.

The bill aims to expand the powers of the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC), broaden the scope of covered persons, and update the predicate offenses for money laundering to include emerging crimes.

The AMLC recently repeated its request for additional authority to suspend financial transactions and impose an initial freeze on suspected criminal assets without first securing a court order.

The proposed amendments, said the council, would bolster the country’s position ahead of the Financial Action Task Force’s Global Fifth Round of Mutual Evaluation in 2027.

Villanueva cautioned, how -

ever, that any authority to suspend transactions or freeze assets without prior court approval must be narrowly defined, time-bound, supported by sufficient factual and legal grounds, and subject to prompt judicial review and legislative scrutiny.

“ Hindi maaaring maging blank check ang anumang karagdagang kapangyarihan [Any additional power must be treated as a blank check]. The AMLC must be able to act quickly, but its actions must remain reviewable, transparent, and fully accountable under the law,” the senator said.

Villanueva added that the safeguards established under the AMLA, existing legal frameworks, and Supreme Court rulings must continue to govern the exercise of the AMLC’s powers to prevent them from being misused or weaponized against innocent individuals, legitimate businesses, political opponents, or other sectors.

The AMLC is chaired by the Governor of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and remains subject to statutory, judicial, and institutional checks. Villanueva said Congress must also ensure meaningful oversight over the implementation of any expanded powers granted under the law.

Under Villanueva’s bill, additional entities, including trust and company service providers, lawyers and accountants involved in specified financial transactions, online gambling operators, and virtual asset service providers, would be covered by AMLA compliance requirements.

The measure grants the AMLC stronger enforcement powers, including the authority to issue transaction suspension orders, administrative freeze orders, and subpoenas, and seeks to streamline court processes to ensure timely action against

suspicious transactions.

Villanueva said these powers must be accompanied by clear standards, documentation and reporting requirements, remedies for affected parties, and appropriate penalties for officials who act arbitrarily or beyond their lawful authority.

The bill would also expand the list of predicate offenses to include cybercrime, environmental violations, agricultural economic sabotage, and offenses related to the online sexual abuse and exploitation of children.

The proposal further strengthens customer due diligence and reporting requirements while imposing

stricter administrative sanctions to ensure compliance among covered entities.

It also provides safeguards for data protection and allows the AMLC to retain and utilize forfeited assets, subject to prescribed limits, to support its operations.

“We must continue modernizing our laws so that criminals cannot exploit gaps in our legal framework. At the same time, we must make sure that the powers intended to fight crime do not themselves become instruments of abuse. Effective enforcement and the protection of civil liberties must always go hand in hand,” Villanueva said.

Explainer

WHY AMERICAN ELECTIONS ARE SO COMPLICATED—AND SECURE

By Ali Swenson | The Associated Press

INa speech to the nation Thursday evening, President Donald Trump said Americans deserve secure elections, and he claimed to be using federal authority to prevent them from being “stolen.”

In fact, one of the strongest security features of US elections is the fact that they aren’t conducted at the federal level. America votes in more than 10,000 different election jurisdictions, each with different rules set by state and sometimes local governments. That structure makes the nation’s elections extraordinarily complicated—and also safe from widespread fraud. And when misconduct does happen—rarely—security protocols frequently catch it.

Decentralized elections date back to the nation’s founding AMERICA’S highly decentralized system of voting exists because the nation’s Founding Fathers gave authority over elections to the states, rather than the federal government. While Congress has the power to regulate elections—and has used that authority to pass such laws as the Voting Rights Act—the Constitution makes clear that states have primary authority to set the “times, places and manner” for elections. There also is no national election agency that administers the presidential contest, something that’s different from many other countries. And when it comes to doing the day-to-day work of running an election, the responsibility falls to officials at the local level — usually a clerk or election supervisor — with help from staff and volunteers.

While differences in election laws can get confusing, election security experts say this structure is a strength. That’s because to pull off stealing a presidential election—as Trump falsely claims was done to him in 2020—it would require large numbers of election workers in the most competitive counties across the country who are willing to risk prosecution, prison time and fines while working with of -

ficials from both parties willing to look the other way. And everyone somehow would have to keep quiet—a highly unlikely scenario.

There are also shared practices and security measures in place across the country that together work to ensure that only eligible voters can cast a ballot and only one ballot is counted for each.

Voter fraud can happen, but it’s rare and there are safeguards to catch it

MOST Americans by now have probably heard stories about someone casting multiple ballots, or voting in the name of dead relatives, or stealing mail ballots from mailboxes. When these incidents happen, they are of -

ten caught and prosecuted.

Voting more than once, tampering with ballots, lying about your residence to vote somewhere else or casting someone else’s ballot are crimes that can be punished with hefty fines and prison time. Non-US citizens who break election laws can be deported.

For anyone still motivated to cheat, election systems in the United States are designed with multiple layers of protection and transparency intended to stand in the way.

For example, for in-person voting, most states either require or request voters provide some sort of identification at the polls. Others require voters to verify who they are in another way, such as stating their name and address,

signing a poll book or signing an affidavit.

For absentee voting, all states require a voter’s signature, and many states have further precautions, such as having bipartisan teams compare the signature with other signatures on file, requiring the signature to be notarized or requiring a witness to sign. That means even if a ballot is erroneously sent to someone’s past address and the current resident mails it in, there are checks to alert election workers to the foul play. AP review found there was too little voter fraud to tip the 2020 election TRUMP has spent six years insisting he won the 2020 election, a campaign he lost to former

President Joe Biden. An Associated Press review in 2021 dug into every potential case of voter fraud in the six battleground states that Trump disputed. It found fewer than 475 cases—a number that would have made no difference in that race. Allegations from Trump of massive voting fraud have been refuted by a variety of judges, state election officials and an arm of his own administration’s Homeland Security Department. In 2020, then-Attorney General William Barr, a Trump appointee, told the AP that no proof of widespread voter fraud had been uncovered. “To date, we have not seen fraud on a scale that could have effected a different outcome in the election,” he said at the time.

Why Britain is getting a new prime minister without a general election

By Sylvia Hui

The Associated Press

LONDON— Veteran Labour Party politician and popular former Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham is set to become Britain’s next prime minister on Monday, formally taking over from Keir Starmer, who announced his resignation last month.

Burnham was the only candidate to secure enough support from his fellow Labour lawmakers to replace Starmer as leader of the governing party. Because Labour holds a majority in government, its leader also becomes the U.K. prime minister.

Burnham received support from 349 out of 401 Labour Party lawmakers, and was announced Labour leader at a special party conference on Friday. He didn’t officially become prime minister right away, though—that happens on Monday, when he meets King Charles III at Buckingham Palace for a formal go-ahead. Until then, Starmer remains caretaker prime minister.

A look at how and why Britain is getting a new prime minister just two years after Starmer led his party to a landslide election victory: Why is there a change of leader without a general election?

BRITAIN’S parliamentary democracy allows

governing parties to change leaders midterm, with the winner becoming prime minister without the need for a general election. Prime ministers can be replaced if one has resigned as leader of their party, or been forced out by a leadership challenge.

The next national election does not have to be held until 2029, five years from the last election in 2024.

Starmer announced he was quitting as Labour leader on June 22 after barely two years in power, ending a tenure marred by a series of political missteps—most notably his decision to appoint a man with close ties to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein as Britain’s ambassador to the United States.

Heavy losses suffered by Labour in a midterm set of local elections in May prompted many lawmakers to demand Starmer’s resignation. And when Burnham—favored by many within Labour to lead the party and the country—won a special election for a seat in Parliament, Starmer gave in to the mounting pressure to quit.

His resignation automatically triggered a Labour leadership contest. Under Labour rules, a lawmaker can challenge the leader if they have the backing of a fifth of the party’s House of Commons lawmakers. There was no other contestant other than Burnham, who comfortably surpassed that threshold.

Burnham will be the 7th prime minister in a decade It’s not unusual for prime ministers to come to power without a broad election under Britain’s parliamentary system. In fact, four of the six British prime ministers in the past decade took the top job by winning internal party leadership contests to replace their predecessors, not by public vote. In the 2010s, both Theresa May and Boris

Johnson became prime minister after winning Conservative leadership races when their predecessors resigned midterm. When Johnson announced he was quitting in 2022, the Conservatives held a leadership contest and the party’s members chose Liz Truss to replace him. And when Truss stepped down, just 49 days later, she was in turn replaced by Rishi Sunak via a similar process. Burnham will thus become the seventh prime minister in a turbulent decade of

U.K. politics, marked by a rapid succession of leaders who all, to

office of British prime minister. He then rides in a car to his official home at No. 10 Downing Street, where he is expected to make his first statement in office.

The whole sequence is typically broadcast live on television—and will be over within hours.

Style

Louis Vuitton court victory against Chinese tea chain stirs up a debate over copyrights

HONG KONG—A debate over ownership of traditional Chinese symbols has cropped up after a court ordered a local tea chain to pay French luxury brand Louis Vuitton $1.5 million over trademark infringement claims.

Chinese state-media and online commentators are questioning if the four-petal flower design in the fashion house’s 130-year-old signature monogram is derived from patterns dating back to ancient China. Some are accusing the company of “monopolizing” traditional Chinese patterns.

A court in the eastern city of Suzhou recently ruled that the logo of the Molly Tea, whose signature drinks are based on jasmine and other floral-based teas, infringed on Louis Vuitton’s trademark monogram. It ordered the tea company to pay 10.3 million yuan ($1.5 million) to the French company, according to local media reports that carried copies or details of what they said was the ruling.

Intellectual property fights between Western and Chinese brands are not uncommon. International brands like American sneaker maker New Balance have taken Chinese firms to local courts and sometimes prevailed in intellectual property and trademark cases.

The judgement has been trending online in China.

The state-owned newspaper Beijing Daily said Tuesday in a post on the popular online platform Weibo that the ruling exposed a gap in protections of ancient Chinese heritage and symbols.

“Why did a Chinese enterprise end up paying more than 10 million yuan in damages to a French company for using a design that resonated with the spirit of China’s centuries-old patterns?” it said.

“Chinese netizens accuse LV of attempting to monopolize ancient motifs after lawsuit against tea brand,” said a headline in the Global Times, a stateowned English language newspaper. It asserted there was “widespread frustration” over a foreign brand controlling a design believed to be part of China’s cultural heritage.

A photo and caption accompanying the article showed patterns on a Tang Dynasty rosewood “pipa,” a kind of Chinese traditional lute, side-by-side with the Louis Vuitton monogram pattern.

Louis Vuitton is celebrating the 130th anniversary of its monogram designed in 1896, which it has called a “universal symbol of creativity.” The monogram was “inspired by neo-gothic ornamentation and the influence of Japonism,” its parent LVMH’s website says. LVMH and Molly Tea did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Molly Tea, founded in 2021, was still displaying its four-petal flower logo on its official website as of Tuesday. The company told local media it was planning to appeal. AP

A slice of Japan at Muji and Mitsukoshi

FOR many Japanese living in the Philippines, BGC (Bonifacio Global City) has become a place that gives them a sense of home. There is the massive Mitsukoshi Mall, which is a place where Filipinos can experience Japan firsthand through food products, seasonal events, shopping promos and cultural activities. And, there’s Muji, the sublime brand of simple, low-cost, good-quality products, which opened its 12th store in the country at SM Aura.

“July is the season of Tanabata, one of Japan’s most cherished festivals of hopes and wishes. It is also the month in which we celebrate Philippines-Japan Friendship Day on July 23rd. And this year marks the 70th anniversary of the historic milestone,” said Yokota Naobumi, Minister for Economic Affairs from the Embassy of Japan, during Mitsukoshi’s third anniversary celebration on July 16.

MITSUKOSHI BGC: A TANABATA

CELEBRATION OF JAPANESE AND FILIPINO FRIENDSHIP

FROM July to August, the mall is bringing together Japanese traditions, Filipino creativity and immersive cultural experiences, as it reaffirms its role as a destination where Japanese retail, dining and culture meet Filipino hospitality in BGC.

“Three years may be a relatively young age for a mall, but it is also the perfect time to reflect on how far we’ve come—and more importantly, where we’re headed,” said Masahiko Yoshizawa, the new general manager, in his welcome remarks. “For 70 years, our countries have built a relationship founded on mutual respect, trust, innovation, and cultural exchange. At the mall, we are proud to represent that friendship every single day—not only through Japanese products and services, but through experiences that bring our two cultures closer together.”

The past three years have been an important period of growth for the mall. It continues to refine its tenant mix, strengthen its partnerships, and improve every aspect of the customer journey.

Like any meaningful project, Yoshizawa stressed, building a destination isn’t something that ends when the doors open. It continues every day—with every idea, every improvement, and every customer experience.

The double event also unveiled the new outfit of Mitsuko, the mall’s beloved Kokeshi doll, an ensemble inspired by the colors of the Japanese and Philippine flags.

Activities lined up include the “Summer Paper Theater Activity” on August 29 hosted by Co. Collectibles hosts featuring Ensky’s signature Japanese papercraft kits; and Pottery Sessions on August 30 called “Ceramic Wishes: A Tanabata Pottery Experience,” where guests can paint, decorate, and personalize ceramic pieces inspired by Japanese and Filipino motifs.

EDYA1929 will showcase contemporary fashion made from vintage Japanese kimonos and obi belts, while Frankie General Store will offer garments crafted from woven Philippine textiles. What’s more, every qualified participant of the JCB Tama-nage

Lip Couture celebrates the power of lipstick

WHILE this column could talk about “how I became a model for a beauty campaign at my age,” I would rather review the products that Filipino brand GRWM Cosmetics launched for its fifth anniversary.

When Angelo Gambayan, GRWM Cosmetics’ public relations and communications manager, got in touch with me to ask if I would be okay to be a model for their 5th anniversary campaign, I was really surprised. But when I got to see Lip Couture, GRWM

Cosmetics’ first-ever refillable lipstick, I understood that I was the market for it. I’m not the only market but I’m probably one of the most loyal users of bullet lipstick in the world.

Lip Couture has a comfortable velvet matte formula and applies with a silky smooth glide. It’s not a colored balm or lip oil. It’s a lipstick that delivers high pigment color, just the way I like it. I do wear glosses, balms, and lip oils but my preference will always be lipsticks because I have pigmented lips. I also like how you can wear just lipstick and nothing else on your face. There is something very powerful about wearing lipstick.

Some people will say lipstick is too drying but I wore Lip Couture for the 5th anniversary shoot from around 8:30 am to 8pm and my lips were fine. The shade I wore was Jame. Lip Couture, I would say, is a comfortable satin lipstick. Lip Couture is available in 20 inclusive shades and four refillable cases: Luster, Rosé Metal, Noir Metal, and Bronze Umber. The lipstick is formulated with

Game Activation will earn an entry to the grand raffle, where lucky winners can take home exciting prizes such as a Sony PlayStation 5 Slim Console, Nintendo Switch 2, and Fujifilm Instax Mini Evo Leather Kits.

“As we move into our fourth year, we’re ready to take an even bigger step forward. We’re bringing in more authentic Japanese experiences, stronger collaborations, and new concepts that we believe will further distinguish Mitsukoshi BGC as the most and only unique Japanese-inspired lifestyle destination in Metro Manila,” said Yoshizawa.

MUJI MID-YEAR MUST-HAVES

AS per its website: Mujirushi Ryohin, Muji’s name in Japanese, translates as “no-brand quality goods.” The brand mark and the brand name, created in Japan in 1980, are well-recognized by designers, conveying a certain image to people beyond factors such as the functionality, quality or value of about 40 products in the areas of apparel, household items and food— which, as the name indicates, had no brand but were of good quality.

Its store at SM Aura Premier, which opened on June 26, is the third store in BGC, alongside its existing stores at Central Square Mall and Uptown Mall. Muji is exclusively distributed by Stores Specialists, the Philippines’ largest specialty retailer, with an established brand portfolio that includes some of the world’s most recognized international brands.

“The Philippines is an important market within Asean because it has a large young population and is experiencing extremely rapid economic development and growth,” said Takeshi Akiyoshi, president and general manager of Muji Philippines, via an e-mail interview.

ingredients like Shea Butter, Avocado Oil, Vitamin E, Grapeseed Oil, and Sodium Hyaluronate.

For its 5th anniversary, GRWM Cosmetics partnered once again with Pawssion Project for a limited-edition collection that includes a palette and a lip gloss, with 100 percent of net proceeds donated to the animal rescue and rehabilitation organization toward building a dedicated shelter for rescues.

“This partnership is deeply personal to us. It reflects what GRWM Cosmetics has always stood for, not just creating products people love, but creating impact that truly matters,” said Mae Layug, CEO and founder of GRWM Cosmetics.

The hero product of this collaboration is the Palette of Pawssibilities, a special edition of Face Card 6-Pan Palette Case. Featuring intricate patterns inspired by rescued furbabies and the Pawssion Project logo, the design celebrates care, compassion and creativity.

Finally, there is Power Gloss in limited-edition shade, Cleo, named in honor of a recent cat rescue of Mae, created to honor the partnership.

Japanese products remain popular in the Philippines, and Muji has learned how to capitalize on this devotion.

“Japanese products are not only high-quality and well-designed, but also generally safe and reliable. We place great importance on quality, and we have been very particular about our products since our founding,” Akiyoshi shared.

At the opening, the exclusive new makeup collection was launched with the theme of “Natural and Healthy Look.” The new base makeup items promise to work with the skin’s natural color tone while summer-kissed candy colors were added to lip items, to brighten the overall look.

These beauty must-haves, aiming to bring a natural radiance to your face, are designed to fit in Muji’s Makeup Storage for compactness and for easy carrying. The makeup products contain natural moisturizing ingredients such as jojoba seed oil, shea butter, apricot kernel oil and chamomile flower extract.

“Muji’s makeup focuses on the quality and value of the product itself, rather than the brand name, resulting in high-quality products that are more affordable than other high-end brands. For every store opening, we intend to make it special; that’s why we exclusively launched the makeup line first at Muji SM Aura. We want customers to experience something exciting with every new store opening,” explained Akiyoshi.

“Our product lines are designed to make Filipinos’ everyday life better. Our products are intentionally designed around consumer needs, giving users the freedom to use our products however they wish,” Akiyoshi concluded. “From household items to stationery, to a cotton T-shirt, each line is made with purpose and good quality.”

GRWM Cosmetics is a staunch advocate for sustainability and is PETA-certified cruelty-free beauty.

Preparing before the crisis: How LWUA aids local water districts on El Niño risks

As climate change makes extreme weather events more frequent and more severe, preparing for drought is just as important as responding to it.

For the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA), this means working with local water districts long before the previously-announced El Niño phenomenon affects water supply. Through planning, technical assistance, and close coordination, the agency helps local water districts build resilience to keep communities supplied with safe and reliable water despite increasingly unpredictable weather conditions.

This proactive approach supports the broader water security agenda of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., who has consistently emphasized the need for stronger, more resilient water systems capable of meeting the country’s growing demand for safe and reliable water.

“Preparedness is one of the best investments we in LWUA can make in water security. By helping water districts anticipate risks, strengthen their systems, and plan ahead, we protect not only water supply but also the communities that depend on it every day,” said LWUA Administrator Atty. Jose Moises “Joy” F. Salonga.

When early forecasts pointed to the onset of El Niño, LWUA did not wait for water shortages to occur.

Instead, the agency activated Task Force El Niño and immediately met with and directed local water districts nationwide to implement preparedness measures.

This included an official memorandum detailing four pillars designed to strengthen the water districts’ long-term resilience: Climate-Resilient Water Supply Systems, Operational Preparedness and Demand Management, Institutional Preparedness Through a Standardized Manual of Operations (lined up for cascading), and Strengthened Monitoring, Technical Assistance, and Financial Support.

“Rather than relying solely on emergency

interventions during drought events, LWUA is institutionalizing measures that improve water system resilience before water shortages occur,” the memorandum read.

Early on, utilities were instructed to assess the reliability of their water sources, identify areas at risk of supply disruption, formulate mitigation plans, and update contingency measures to ensure continuous service during prolonged dry conditions.

Through regular coordination and monitoring, LWUA is helping water districts prepare for the challenges before they could escalate into full-blown crises.

This proactive approach recognizes a simple reality often missed by the public: no two local water districts face the same challenges.

Some rely on surface water sources that become vulnerable during extended dry spells.

Others contend with rapidly growing populations that place increasing pressure on existing supplies. Rather than adopting a onesize-fits-all strategy, LWUA worked closely with individual water districts, providing technical guidance and operational support tailored to local conditions and risk profiles.

Preparedness also means reducing nonrevenue water, ensuring that water districts’ limited water resources are used as efficiently as possible, and pushing for responsible water use.

During periods of drought, conserving

existing water resources can be just as important as developing new ones. LWUA therefore continues to help water districts strengthen operational efficiency, improve system monitoring, and reduce avoidable water losses through technical assistance and performance management. These efforts enable utilities to maximize available supply and sustain service even when water resources become constrained.

Equally important is LWUA’s role in fostering coordination across the highly-diverse water sector.

Preparing for El Niño requires close collaboration among local water districts, local government units, national agencies, and other stakeholders. LWUA serves as a central coordinating institution, facilitating the timely and essential exchange of information, technical expertise, and operational guidance so that local utilities can make informed decisions before drought conditions worsen. This collaborative approach strengthens the water sector’s overall readiness and helps ensure that responses are both timely and well-coordinated.

At the end of the day, the value of this approach extends well beyond a single dry season.

By encouraging water districts to integrate risk assessments, contingency planning, and climate resilience into their regular operations, LWUA helps build stronger and more adaptive local utilities. These capabilities not only reduce vulnerability to El Niño but also improve preparedness for other climate-related events that may affect water supply in the years ahead.

Ultimately, preparing for El Niño is both all about responding to weather forecasts as well as building a culture of resilience across the entire water sector.

As climate change continues to intensify droughts and increase uncertainty, proactive planning becomes just as important as infrastructure investments. By helping water districts anticipate risks, strengthen their operational readiness, and coordinate effective responses, LWUA is advancing the current administration’s vision of long-term water security for every Filipino.

Because when the next El Niño arrives, the fullest measure of success will not be how quickly institutions react—but how well they prepared before the drought hit.

Taytay tiangges go digital with ‘Made in Taytay’ app

ROM Taytay’s “tiangges” to shoppers’ fingertips. Taytay’s garment and woodwork products are set to reach a wider market through the “Made in Taytay” app, an online marketplace powered by PLDT’s B2B arm PLDT Enterprise in partnership with Multisys Technologies Corporation and the local government of Taytay, Rizal. The initiative brings together PLDT Enterprise, Multisys, the Taytay LGU, and the Department of Trade and Industry to support micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) by helping them expand their customer base beyond physical markets. With the launch of the Made in Taytay app, locally made clothing and crafts from Taytay, one of the country’s most popular garments hubs, can reach more customers anytime, anywhere.

One of the tiangge owners already benefiting from the app is Desserie Valdizno, owner of Rikishee RTW Store, who believes that the app is a great way to showcase what Taytay has to offer.

“The beauty of this app is that it is not just proudly Pinoy—the items for sale are really made in Taytay,” she says, adding: “It also has a lot of special features. For example, you can pick up goods at the physical store in the Taytay Tiangge via the Logistics Hub. Plus, whatever product you see online, you can also see in person because you can contact and trace the seller while still shopping online.”

“In a country where more than 90 percent of businesses can be considered MSMEs, supporting them by helping them scale and access more opportunities through technology forms a big part of nation-

building,” said Blums Pineda, Senior Vice President and Head of PLDT Enterprise. “We are spurred to action by our Chairman and CEO Manuel V Pangilinan, who himself believes that there are no small businessmen, just small businesses. This is precisely why we are in Taytay. By providing this platform for growth, we empower our local entrepreneurs to reach more customers and grow sustainably.”

As part of this support, PLDT Enterprise also installed connectivity covering the tiangge centers to enable vendors to stay online and manage their digital storefronts efficiently. The app also integrates digital payment options such as e-wallets, allowing merchants to move beyond purely cash-based transactions.

In addition, the platform offers tools for inventory tracking, basic accounting, and order management, helping streamline day-to-day operations and reduce manual processes.

“This is proof of what we can do when we move together. Multisys is proud to be part of this effort to showcase the talents and the craftsmanship of our Taytay entrepreneurs and bring them closer to more customers through the Taytay app,” said Vic Tria, FVP and Head of Enterprise Domestic Business and SME at PLDT Enterprise and CEO & President of Multisys.

The initiative, which aims to create a more inclusive and resilient MSME ecosystem, is also aligned with PLDT Enterprise’s broader efforts to support MSMEs across the country through tailored digital solutions. Similar partnerships are being explored in other areas, reinforcing the Group’s commitment to uplifting local industries.

Nissan Philippines supports Philippine Red Cross’ Sarangani earthquake response

NISSAN Philippines, Inc. (NPI) and its employees donated to the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) to boost relief operations for families affected by the magnitude 7.8 Sarangani earthquake on July 10, 2026.

NPI President Yoshinori Kanazawa handed over the donation to PRC Chairman and CEO Richard J. Gordon and Secretary General Dr. Gwendolyn Pang during a ceremony at the PRC National Headquarters in Manila.

The PRC will use the funds to sustain emergency health services, welfare support, and other critical humanitarian assistance for earthquake-affected communities.

“This partnership is very important to us. At Nissan, we are guided by our purpose of enriching people’s lives as we pursue our vision of delivering mobility intelligence for everyday life. While we are known for our vehicles and technologies, we also believe our responsibility goes beyond mobility. It means supporting the communities where we live and work,” Kanazawa said.

Gordon thanked Nissan Philippines and its employees for their continued trust in the PRC.

“The Philippine Red Cross can only move as fast as the

compassion of people who choose to help. We sincerely thank Nissan Philippines and its employees for once again standing with the Philippine Red Cross in helping families affected by disaster. This contribution will strengthen our response in Sarangani and enable us to deliver timely humanitarian assistance to those who need it most,” Gordon said.

Pang said the timely donation will help sustain the PRC’s operations in the affected areas.

“Every donation makes a meaningful difference in our ability to serve. Nissan Philippines’ contribution will help us continue delivering relief and essential humanitarian services to families as they recover from the Sarangani earthquake,” Pang said.

The donation marks the latest chapter in a longstanding disaster response partnership between the two organizations. Nissan likewise supported PRC’s earthquake relief in December 2025 and provided three Nissan Navara pickup trucks in 2020 to strengthen the Red Cross’ emergency deployment capabilities across the country.

TAIWAN officially launched “Go Healthy with Taiwan 2026” contest in the Philippines, inviting Filipino innovators, professionals, entrepreneurs, researchers, students, government agencies, media organizations, academic institutions, and private sector companies to submit breakthrough ideas that can help build healthier communities and improve quality of life around the world.

Organized by Taiwan through the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA), Go Healthy with Taiwan 2026 is a global contest that seeks creative and innovative concepts in healthcare and wellness. Three Global Champions will each receive a $30,000 cash prize and international recognition.

The Philippine launch gathered key officials from the government, academia, entrepreneurship, innovation ecosystems, and the media, reflecting a collaborative commitment to advancing health and wellness.

During the launch, Claire Yang, Director of Taiwan Trade Center Manila, emphasized that Go Healthy with Taiwan is more than a competition. It is a global advocacy rooted in Taiwan’s commitment to health, wellness, and innovation. Widely recognized for its strong healthcare ecosystem, advanced healthcare technologies, and innovative approach to wellness, Taiwan hopes to inspire more countries and communities to prioritize healthier living as an essential part of progress.

“Go Healthy with Taiwan is not simply about winning a prize. It is about inspiring people to create solutions that can improve the quality of life. Taiwan believes that innovation can come from every sector of society, and we have great confidence in the creativity and ingenuity of Filipinos to make a meaningful impact globally,” said Director Yang. Taiwan officials noted that Filipinos have consistently demonstrated excellence in previous international competitions organized by TAITRA.

In 2022, under the “Sharing is Caring” campaign, a Cebubased NGO emerged as a Global Champion and received a PhP7.5 million implementation fund for its educational CSR initiative.

In 2024, students from Silliman University became one of the global winners of “Go Green with Taiwan” environmental CSR idea contest, earning a USD20,000 cash prize.

These achievements have reinforced the Philippines’ reputation as one of the strongest-performing countries in Taiwan’s global innovation initiatives. The 2026 campaign brings together a distinguished coalition of institutions at the forefront of science, technology, entrepreneurship, and education, united by a common vision. Engr. Romelen T. Tresvalles, Regional Director of DOSTNCR, highlighted the importance of creating opportunities that enable Filipino innovators to transform ideas into impactful solutions.

“Filipinos are known worldwide for their ingenuity, creativity, and excellence, and these qualities are reflected in our growing innovation ecosystem. Through initiatives such as Go Healthy with Taiwan, our researchers, startups, and innovators gain opportunities to collaborate with global partners, exchange knowledge, and develop solutions that address pressing health and wellness challenges. These engagements not only showcase Filipino ingenuity on the global stage but also strengthen the innovation ecosystems and partnerships needed to translate ideas into meaningful societal impact.”

For SCALE NCR, Margarita N.S. Caparas, Founding Member and Partnerships and Investor Relations Lead, emphasized the role of innovation ecosystems in bringing ideas to life. “Some of the most transformative ideas emerge when innovators are connected to the right ecosystem of partners, mentors, and supporters. Go Healthy with Taiwan creates an opportunity for innovators to develop solutions with global relevance and impact.”

Meanwhile, Carlo Calimon, President and Co-Founder of StartUp Village PH, encouraged entrepreneurs to view healthcare and wellness as fertile grounds for innovation. “The future of health and wellness will be shaped by bold ideas and collaborative innovation. We hope this initiative inspires more entrepreneurs and changemakers to develop solutions that address real-world challenges.”

From the academic sector, Dr. Dodjie S. Maestrecampo, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Mapúa University, emphasized the vital role of education and research in addressing societal needs.

“Universities play a critical role in nurturing future innovators and generating research that clearly defines the problems. Through initiatives like Go Healthy with Taiwan, students, researchers, and educators are encouraged to transform knowledge into meaningful solutions.” One

If AI can’t see you, your audience might not either What communicators today should know about ‘AI Visibility’

FOR the longest time, the success of communicators and PR practitioners hinged on a single measure: how effectively their messages broke through the noise, earned credible media pickup, and stayed with the audiences they sought to influence.

The playbook was straightforward: get your story into the newspapers, land a TV interview, secure a mention in a respected publication, and, if fortune smiled on you, maybe even go viral.

Success was measured by how far your message traveled and how effectively it captured public attention.

Today, however, there’s a new audience we need to pay attention to. And it’s not human.

It's AI.

I recently came across a study by Meltwater on what it calls AI Visibility, essentially an examination of how platforms like ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, and other AI tools “see” and describe brands online.

One statistic in the report immediately caught my attention: almost half of the citations used by major AI platforms come from news media sources.

For those unfamiliar with the company, Meltwater is a global media intelligence and social listening firm that helps organizations monitor news coverage, analyze online conversations, track brand reputation, and measure the impact of communications campaigns. Its latest report explores a growing concern among communicators: how artificial intelligence platforms discover, interpret, and recommend brands.

As someone who has spent most of his professional life in journalism and communications, I found the findings both surprising and reassuring.

Surprising because AI has changed the way people search for information almost overnight.

Reassuring because it turns out that credibility still matters. Before, when people wanted information, they searched Google.

For years, organizations invested heavily in search engine optimization (SEO) to improve their visibility online. The goal

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was simple: appear on the first page of Google search results and increase the chances of being discovered by potential customers, investors, travelers, or stakeholders.

That strategy remains relevant.

The rules of discovery are evolving, however.

Now, they ask ChatGPT.

Instead of scrolling through 20 links, people ask a question and receive a direct answer. Sometimes, they do not even bother going beyond that answer.

Think about that for a moment.

If someone asks AI for the best airline, the best bank, the most sustainable company, or even the best tourist destination in the Philippines, will your organization appear in the answer? Or will somebody else own that conversation?

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That’s the real issue.

The battle is no longer about being on page one of Google. It’s about being included in the answer.

What communicators should know

THE Meltwater study offers several lessons for PR and communications professionals.

1. News still matters.

DESPITE all the hype around AI, news organizations remain among the most cited sources used by large language models (LLMs), the technology powering today's AI assistants. These systems learn patterns from enormous volumes of online content and often rely on reputable news sources to understand and explain the world. Simply put, earned media remains one of the strongest cred -

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2. Fresh content wins.

AI platforms appear to favor newer information. Old press releases gathering dust on a website will not help much if nobody is talking about your organization today.

3. Social media is no longer just social media.

PLATFORMS such as Reddit, X, and YouTube are increasingly influencing AI-generated answers.

AI is paying attention to online conversations, not just official corporate statements.

4. Your website matters more than you think.

AI is not just reading news stories. It is also looking at FAQs, blogs, help centers, industry publications, reviews, and community discussions.

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The takeaway for PR FOR years, PR and communications professionals have been telling management that reputation is an asset.

AI is proving that point.

What AI says about your organization is often based on what credible sources say about you.

The better your reputation, the more likely you are to be visible in AI-generated responses. Which means PR is no longer just about publicity.

Content is no longer just content.

Reputation is no longer just perception.

All of these now influence whether AI recognizes your organization as relevant, trustworthy, and worth recommending.

My simple checklist IF I were advising communications teams today, I would focus on five things:

n Earn quality media coverage regularly.

n Keep corporate content updated and useful.

n Build thought leadership around your executives.

n Participate in industry and community conversations.

n Monitor what AI says about your brand.

None of these are revolutionary ideas. They’re actually the fundamentals of good public relations. The difference is that we're no longer communicating only with people.

We’re also communicating with the machines that increasingly influence people. And that's why AI visibility should concern every communicator.

Because in the near future, if AI doesn’t know who you are, your stakeholders may never get the chance to know you either.

PR Matters is a roundtable column by members of the local chapter of the United Kingdom-based International Public Relations Association (IPRA), the world’s premier association for senior professionals around the world. Red R. Samar is a communications professional and former journalist with extensive experience in media, public relations, and corporate communications. Most recently, he served as Manager for Corporate Communications at JG Summit Holdings Inc., one of the Philippines's leading conglomerates, where he led initiatives in media relations, digital platform, corporate reputation, crisis communications, strategic communications, and stakeholder engagement.

We are devoting a special column each month to answer the reader’s questions about public relations. Please send your comments and questions to askipraphil@gmail.com.

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Rescued Philippine eagle Sawaga-Dalwangan dies

RBy Jonathan L. Mayuga @jonlmayuga

ESCUED Philippine eagle Sawaga-Dalwangan, who was reportedly being attacked by some 30 monkeys when it was saved on July 3, passed away on the morning of July 18, the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) announced.

In a statement, the PEF said Sawaga-Dalwangan’s death is “a painful reminder of the serious threats Philippine Eagles continue to face and of the importance of preventing shooting, trapping, and other harm to wildlife.”

The initial examination found no evidence of new external trauma or internal bleeding. However, the veterinarians observed that her heart was thickened and unusually firm, her liver was enlarged, and her stomach

was greatly enlarged, containing a large amount of compacted prey fur.

“We understand that many people followed Sawaga-Dalwangan’s recovery and shared our hope that she would survive. We remain grateful to the communities, government agencies, veterinarians, supporters, and partners who helped rescue and care for her.

“These findings do not yet establish the cause of death. Tissue samples from her organs have been collected for microscopic examination and further laboratory analysis,” the PEF said. PEF said it will release a consolidated report once the remaining veterinary and laboratory results have been completed.

Before her death, Sawaga-Dalwangan had been showing encouraging signs of recovery. Her wounds were

CLARK Development Corporation (CDC) benchmarked Parañaque City Government’s fully automated Electronic Business One-Stop Shop (eBOSS) platform on July 15 as part of the CDC’s continuing reforms to streamline business processes and accelerate digital transformation in regulatory and permitting services.

CDC President and Chief Executive Officer Agnes VST Devanadera led the delegation, which studied Parañaque’s end-to-end electronic registration system, operational

Monday, July 20, 2026 See “CDC,” A8

healing, her hydration and appetite had improved, and she was displaying normal behavior such as preening and casting food remains.

However, on the morning of July 18, she suddenly experienced seizures. Despite immediate emergency intervention, she passed away shortly afterward.

To recall, Sawaga-Dalwangan was discovered in a weak, dehydrated, and wounded state near the Sawaga River in barangay Dalwangan, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon. The rescue was carried out by resident Marven Linoy, with assistance from the Daraghuyan Ancestral Domain Indigenous Political Structure and the Inhandig Tribal Multi-Purpose Cooperative, who claimed that monkeys were reportedly ganging up on the eagle, which he thought was just a chicken.

CDC moves to improve regulatory efficiency

processes, and digital innovations in business permitting and licensing. The visit aimed to identify practices that may be adopted to strengthen CDC’s own Business One-Stop Shop (BOSS) operations.

“This is more than what we expected. We want to learn, and in our learning process, we can’t take it from anything less than the best, because no less than the national government [Anti-Red Tape Authority] has taken cognizance of this [Parañaque eBOSS],” Devanadera, a lawyer, said.

“We see that in your physical assets; we see that in your people, and later, we will see deeper into your processes. So, this [Parañaque eBOSS] will be our benchmark. It’s an end-toend process, and it’s something that, at this point in time, we have no choice but to have something like this.”

The CDC delegation included representatives from its information technology, engineering, permits, health, safety, and trade divisions. Through discussions with city officials and technical personnel, CDC

gained insights into Parañaque’s integrated approach to permit processing, inter-office coordination, and digital service delivery.

Parañaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez welcomed the CDC team and emphasized the importance of efficient, citizen-centered public service.

“As institutions committed to economic growth, we share a common goal: to foster an environment where businesses can thrive,

DAR strengthens disaster preparedness

THE Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) is

to respond when disaster strikes in gthe wake of the

earthquake off Maasim, Sarangani.

In a statement, the DAR said the agency intensified its disaster preparedness efforts to ensure its employees can continue serving communities safely and effectively, even in times of crisis.

DAR Regional Office XII, led by Regional Director Marianne S. Lauban-Baunto, gathered its employees for a three-day Disaster Management Training with the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Regional Office XII to equip them with practical skills to respond safely and effectively during emergencies last week.

The training reflects the direction of Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado M. Estrella III to put the safety and welfare of employees first, recognizing that a prepared workforce is better equipped to continue serving agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) and the public even in difficult situations.

Assistant Regional Director Rahyll Saga emphasized that the training came at a crucial time following the June 8 earthquake and the series of tremors that continued to affect parts of the region.

“The recent earthquake reminded us that emergencies can happen at any time. This training gives our employees the knowledge and practical skills they need to protect themselves, assist others, and respond calmly when disaster strikes,” Saga said. BFP officials including F/Senior Supt. Randolf Arbutante and lawyer Jeraniel Taporco led discussions on fire safety, forest fire management, and emergency response. Employees also took part in hands-on exercises on using fire extinguishers and safely shutting down liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tanks during fire incidents, giving them firsthand experience in responding to situations where every second counts.

For many employees, the lessons carried greater meaning after experiencing the recent earthquake and the succeeding tremors in the region. It showed the value of being prepared, not only for their own safety but also for the communities they serve, while helping ensure that government services can continue even during emergencies.

By investing in the safety and readiness of its people, DAR continues to build a workforce capable of responding effectively to crises while remaining committed to delivering public service when it is needed most. Jonathan L. Mayuga