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No work in all gov’t offices on Dec. 29, Jan. 2—Palace MALACAÑANG announced yesterday the suspension of work in all government offices on December 29, 2025, and January 2, 2026. The directive was contained in a Memorandum Circular No. 111 issued by Acting Executive Secretary Ralph Recto by authority of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. Next page

OATH TO THE REPUBLIC.

President Ferdinand Marcos administers the oath to 42 new generals of the Armed Forces of the Philippines yesterday in Malacanang. PCO

VOL. XXXIX • NO. 307 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2025

Bicam averts reenacted budget Restores most of DPWH’s budget cut, hikes PhilHealth funding By Maricel Cruz, Ram Superable, Katrina Manubay and Charles Dantes

DONE DEAL. Members of the Bicameral Conference Committee pose for a wacky groupie after the end of the sessions at the Philippine International Convention Center. Senate FB page

NEW spending plan for 2026 is now assured after the bicameral conference committee ironed out differing provisions in the proposed 2026 national budget, including the restoration of more than half of the slashed budget of the Department of Public Works and Highways.

The bicam also hiked the allocations for PhilHealth and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund, as well as restored the funding of the Office of the Vice President. The bicam wrapped up its work at around 2:22 a.m., reconciling provisions of the P6.793-trillion General Appropriations Bill and effectively avoiding the possibility of a reenacted budget in 2026. ““The important thing is that all the safeguards are here in this budget. the flood control (fiasco) will not be repeated, the ghost projects will not be repeated, the projects that cannot be found or substandard will Next page

PBBM: Arrest warrants out vs. Discaya, 9 others By Charles Dantes, Vito Barcelo and Maricel Cruz WARRANTS of arrest have been issued against 10 people, including contractor Sarah Discaya, over an alleged P96.5 million “ghost” flood control project in Davao Occidental, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said in a video statement released Thursday evening.

Mr. Marcos said the accused are facing charges of graft and malversation, which he described as nonbailable offenses. The case involved a flood control project that was funded but allegedly not implemented, he said. “The court has issued an arrest warrant against the ten principal persons involved in this anomaly,” the Presi-

dent said. He said Discaya, whom he identified as one of the principal respondents, is currently in the custody of the National Bureau of Investigation. He said eight officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways have also expressed their intention to surrender in connection with the case. Next page

COA finds large-scale Bulacan anomalies in report to ICI THE Commission on Audit (COA) announced it has formally filed with the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) four fraud audit reports (FARs) that allege large-scale anomalies in Bulacan flood control projects with a combined cost of P330.51 mil-

lion. These were all implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) – Bulacan 1st District Engineering Office and awarded to WAWAO Builders. Next page

Madriaga lawyer claims VP Sara visited client twice

SSS now offers emergency loans to members

By Rio N. Araja

By Charles Dantes

THE camp of whistleblower Ramil Madriaga on Thursday claimed that Vice President Sara Duterte visited him twice during his detention at a jail in Camp Bagong Diwa, Bicutan, Taguig City. In a news conference in Quezon City, Madriaga’s lawyer, Raymond Palad, said the Vice President’s last visit on his client was on Oct. 19, but Madriaga refused to see her since “a group is already helping him in his case.” Duterte previously visited Madriaga in jail, trying to offer him legal assistance, Palad said. The counsel failed however, to provide other details of Duterte’s first visit. He said the Vice President tried to dissuade Madriaga from his intended exposé in exchange for the dismissal of a kidnapping case against him.

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced on Thursday that the Social Security System (SSS) has begun offering an emergency loan program for its members, featuring a low interest rate and a six-month payment moratorium. In a video message, Mr. Marcos said the emergency loan will be available to SSS members during periods of national emergency, with the interest rate set at seven percent. Under the program, borrowers will not be required to pay loan amortizations for the first six months after receiving the loan, a move the President said is meant to ease the financial burden on members facing urgent needs. “This is an emergency loan that members can use for their immediate

Eala, Blu boys baseball team make history in SEA Games

By Riera U. Mallari

THAILAND—Team Philippines turned in a rousing Thursday in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games, high-

lighted by historic gold-medal triumphs from Alex Eala in women’s singles tennis and the Blu Boys in men’s softball, complemented by a stunning Next page

TRAILBLAZERS. The women’s football team, left, and tennis star Alex Eala make history by taking the gold in their respective events at the SEA Games in Bangkok, Thailand. POC

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‘Be loyal to the people, Constitution’ P By Charles Dantes

RESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. called on newly promoted generals and flag officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines to lead with integrity and loyalty to the Constitution as he reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to military modernization and improved benefits for troops.

Speaking at the oath-taking ceremony at Malacañan Palace on Thursday, President Marcos said the promotions marked not just personal milestones but a “sacred trust” to serve the Filipino people and protect the republic. “This ceremony serves as a powerful

affirmation that our loyalty is anchored to the Constitution, to our democratic institutions, and above all, to the people,” the president said. “The stars you bear are constant reminders of your obligation to protect our sovereignty, uphold national se-

COA... From A1

Bicam... From A1

The four contracts include the construction of a riverbank protection structure in Malolos worth P77.2 million, a riverbank protection structure in Guiguinto worth P99 million, a flood mitigation structure in Calumpit worth P77.2 million, and another riverbank protection structure in Malolos worth P77.1 million. According to COA’s Special Audit Team (SAT), the projects showed strong indications of possible fraud, including “ghost” projects, unauthorized relocation of structures, and unsupported claims of 100-percent completion. The commission’s technical inspection teams utilized satellite imagery analysis and document review, flagging serious deficiencies across the four contracts. Auditors found no concrete floodmitigation or slope-protection structures at the approved project sites in multiple instances, despite official documents stating the projects were fully completed. Moreover, DPWH representatives led COA inspectors to different locations from those specified in the approved plans, with the report noting that no formal documentation or written authority was presented to justify these major relocations. Auditors further noted material deficiencies in critical supporting documents, such as Statements of Work Accomplished, As-Built Plans, and variation order documentation. These are said to severely undermine the credibility of reported accomplishments and payments. The FARs name several engineers and personnel from the DPWH–Bulacan 1st District Engineering Office and WAWAO Builders as potentially liable, with engineer Henry Alcantara and Mark Allan Arevalo consistently listed across all four reports.

not be repeated,” said Senate panel and Committee on Finance chairperson Sherwin Gatchalian. “I’m confident that no provision in the budget will be vetoed,” he added. House contingent head and Committee on Appropriations chairperson Nueva Ecija Rep. Mikaela Angela Suansing described the conclusion of the deliberations as historic, as it marked the first time that national budget bicameral proceedings were livestreamed. “We can now confidently say, now that the bicam is over, there will be no re-enacted budget,” Suansing added. Gatchalian said the signing and ratification schedule was adjusted to allow time for reconciliation, balancing, and printing of the bicameral report. He said the bicam report is expected

PBBM:... From A1 Mr. Marcos said the arrests mark only the beginning of a broader investigation into alleged irregularities in flood control projects. “This is just the beginning, and we will continue to investigate and prosecute everyone involved in the scandals we see in the flood control project,” the President said. “We will ensure that not only will they be charged, but also that the money paid by our fellow citizens to the coffers of our country is returned,” he added. Earlier this month, President Marcos said the Office of the Ombudsman has recommended criminal charges against Discaya and St. Timothy Construction Corp. over the flood control project in Davao Occidental, which was fully paid for despite never being built. The contract, awarded in January 2022, was later reported as com-

Pinoys fall for e-scams once a year

curity and safeguard the freedoms of every Filipino,” he added. He congratulated the newly promoted officers, including two graduates of foreign pre-commissioned training institutions, saying their new ranks carry greater responsibility to exercise wisdom, restraint, and moral clarity. The president said the AFP’s responsibility is shared with reservists, whom he described as a key force multiplier in strengthening the military’s overall capability. He also highlighted recent efforts to keep the AFP a “model of discipline, competence and service,” citing expanded engagements with international partners, joint exercises, and

enhanced interagency coordination to address emerging security challenges. The commander in chief reiterated his commitment to the continued modernization of the armed forces and support for military personnel, noting the approval of higher base pay and the increase of the daily subsistence allowance for uniformed personnel to 350 pesos this year. “These reflect our principle that honoring service means ensuring that those who serve are given the support and dignity they deserve,” he said. He also paid tribute to the families of the officers, acknowledging their sacrifices, especially during the Christmas season.

to be signed on Dec. 28, ratified by both chambers on Dec. 29, and signed into law by the President on the same day. Malacañang said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is confident that a “sound” 2026 national budget will be signed into law before the end of the year. “The president remains confident that the 2026 national budget will be signed properly,” Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said. The bicameral conference committee reduced the budget cut of the DPWH from P45 billion to only P20.7 billion after applying updated construction cost adjustments across thousands of infrastructure projects. “We applied these to all 20,000 projects, resulting in savings of P20.7 billion. I am confident to say that there are no more overpriced materials in this budget,” Gatchalian said.

Of the savings, P16.2 billion were realigned to address a shortfall in the national government’s contributions to the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth). The remaining P4.2 billion was transferred to the NDRRMF to support communities affected by typhoons and earthquakes. Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon assured the public the department will use the funds provided by Congress properly and responsibly. “I believe, the President believes, and Congress believes that what matters most is that the budget is clean and implemented correctly,” Dizon said. “Even if the budget has decreased, all of that will go to our fellow citizens for the right projects that will help them,” he added. The bicam also restored the Office of the Vice President’s proposed P889 million budget for 2026, setting aside a House-approved budget slash.

pleted, but a joint police inspection in September 2025 found no trace of construction. As this developed, Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon said his agency has recommended the filing of criminal and administrative charges against at least 87 individuals in connection with questionable flood control projects. Dizon said the list includes sitting senators such as Jinggoy Estrada and Joel Villanueva as well as former House Speaker Martin Romualdez and other lawmakers. Romualdez’s camp, however, rejected attempts to pin plunder and other serious crimes on him, underscoring that the Independent Commission for Infrastructure itself made clear its referral to the Ombudsman was “issued without finding or conclusion of guilt or liability.” In a statement, Ade Fajardo, lawyer and spokesperson of Romualdez, said recent statements attributed to the DPWH should not be misconstrued as proof of wrongdoing.

“We take note of the DPWH Secretary’s statement. However, it is important to clarify that a DPWH ‘recommendation’ is not a finding, much less a determination of guilt,” Fajardo said. “It is not true that the ICI has recommended to the Ombudsman that former Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez be charged with plunder or other serious crimes related to the flood control or 2025 budget issue,” he added. On the contrary, he pointed out that the ICI itself underscored the absence of any adverse conclusion against Romualdez in its referral to the Office of the Ombudsman. “In fact, the ICI made it clear in their referral report that it was ‘issued without finding or conclusion of guilt or liability on the part of former Speaker Romualdez,’” he said. “We respect due process and will await the Ombudsman to independently evaluate the submissions based on evidence, not press conference soundbites,” he added.

It said that the cancellation of work was to allow employees to observe New Year’s Day activities and allow travel to and from the regions. Moreover, agencies providing basic, vital and health services, as well as those tasked with preparedness and response duties, were directed to remain fully operational during the work suspension. The memo said the decision aims to give government workers “full opportunity” to celebrate the holiday and spend time with their families. Meanwhile, work suspension in private companies and offices will be left to the discretion of their respective heads, the circular added. Charles Dantes

The 20-year-old overcame both pressure and controversial line calls in the second set, staying composed to pull away from a determined Sawangkaew and seal the title in emphatic fashion. In Bangkok, the Philippine Blu Boys reclaimed regional supremacy in men’s softball, shutting out Singapore, 3-0, in the final at Queen Sirikit Baseball Stadium. Left-hander Jehanz Maristela Coro was dominant, striking out 17 batters in a two-hit masterpiece as the Filipinos avenged their 2019 title loss to the same rivals. Justine Rosales’ solo homer in the first inning and Lyonas de Leon’s tworun single in the fourth provided all the offense Coro needed as the Blu Boys secured the country’s ninth gold over-

all in the event. The Blu Girls, meanwhile, remained on track for an 11th women’s softball gold and face Singapore again on Friday. Adding to the golden haul, Comaling delivered a breakthrough performance in modern pentathlon, ruling the men’s individual triathle by clocking 14:10— 18 seconds clear of Indonesia’s Farras Satrio Aris Sugianto—to give the Philippines its 41st gold medal of the games. Basketball also gave Filipino fans plenty to cheer about as both Gilas Pilipinas and Gilas Women marched into their respective finals, keeping alive the country’s hopes in the sport that matters most to basketball-crazy Filipinos.

The defending champion Gilas Pilipinas survived a furious late rally by Indonesia to pull off a tense 71-68 victory in the men’s basketball semifinals, booking a return trip to the goldmedal match, either against Thailand or Malaysia, which are playing in the other semifinals. “A win is a win. We’re happy with it. We got a chance to move on to the finals,” said coach Norman Black. “We have to give credit to the other team. They didn’t give up. They kept fighting.” Earlier in the day at the same venue, Gilas Pilipinas Women also advanced to the finals after dispatching Indonesia, 66-55, behind another dominant allaround showing from Kacey dela Rosa, who posted 21 points, 11 rebounds, four steals and four blocks.

friend of Digong (ex-President Rodrigo Duterte), who entrusted Sara to him,” he said. Madriaga wrote Senator Risa Hontiveros in March 2024, then the House of Representatives’ Quad Comm to seek investigation into the landgrabbing issue involving ex-presidential spokesperson Harry Roque on behalf of the farmers in Mariveles, Bataan, and his role as Duterte’s supposed bag-

man, according to Palad. The whistleblower has also asked the National Bureau of Investigation to conduct a digital forensic analysis on his series of conversation with Duterte on his mobile phone, he said. A group of farmers earlier said people behind the landgrabbing controversy in Bataan filed the “trumped-up” abduction case against Madriaga to silence him for helping them.

In January 2023, Madriaga and 77 farmers filed a case against Roque and his wife Myla Roque for landgrabbing involving a 421-hectare farm in Mariveles after discovering their land tiles were supposed falsified and ceded to the First Bataan Mariveles Holdings Corp., a company co-owned by Myla. The land was earmarked for a multibillion peso township project linked to POGO.

By Darwin G. Amojelar A NEW study by the Global AntiScam Alliance (GASA) showed that the average Filipino faces a scam attempt every two days, with 60 percent of adults falling victim at least once over the past year The report said most fraudulent activity occurs via SMS and messaging apps, primarily through investment and “unexpected money” schemes. The study was released at the recent launch of the GASA Philippines Chapter, a multi-sector initiative chaired by Derick Ohmar Adil, head of AI and Privacy Governance at Globe. The findings underline the need for a stronger, coordinated response across industries and sectors. Through its role in the chapter, Globe will help drive education efforts, strengthen threat intelligence sharing, and support closer industry coordination. The goal is to help Filipinos navigate the online space with more confidence and clearer protection. GASA has a global footprint and has long pioneered coordinated efforts that bring sectors together to protect consumers from scams. Globe recently accepted the chairmanship of the GASA PH Chapter, with Gogolook and Meta as vice chairs. This builds on earlier engagements with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and other agencies that support a multi-sector approach to protecting Filipinos online. “The goal is to level the playing field for Filipinos,” Adil said. “Scams today move fast across different channels. No single organization can fix this alone. Collaboration is the only way forward. We want Filipinos to feel safe online and that Globe is their trusted partner to address these threats,” he added.

No work... From A1

SSS... From A1 necessities, especially during emergencies,” President Marcos said. The President added that he is continuing discussions with SSS officials to explore more secure and fair alternatives to microloans and emergency lending aimed at protecting members from abusive lending practices. Mr. Marcos said the program offers a safer option for members who might otherwise turn to informal lenders, commonly known as “5-6,” which charge significantly higher interest rates. “Instead of falling into deep debt, SSS members now have access to a loan with only seven percent interest,” he said, expressing hope that the program would provide relief to many Filipino workers.

Madriaga... From A1 Madriaga claimed he delivered large amounts of money to certain people on Duterte’s order, and he formed the Inday Sara Duterte is My President (Isip) in 2020 in preparation for the presidential elections in 2022 being funded by the Philippine offshore gaming opera-

Eala,... From A1 breakthrough gold from Michael Ver Comaling in modern pentathlon. Eala delivered one of the day’s biggest moments after dismantling Thai home bet Mananchaya Sawangkaew, 6-1, 6-2, at the National Tennis Development Center to capture her first SEA Games gold. The world No. 52 became the country’s first women’s singles champion since Maricris Fernandez-Gentz in 1999. “To end the year on this high is such an amazing thing,” said Eala after closing her SEA Games campaign with one gold and two bronzes from the mixed doubles and team events.

tors and drug dealers. He is currently detained at Camp Bagong Diwa for the abduction of two Chinese nationals in 2022 filed with the Manila City Regional Trial Court. “I do not use the term ‘aide.’ On my analysis, he (Madriaga) was a trusted ‘alalay’ not officially employed (at the Office of the Vice President) or (officially) in the payroll,” Palad told reporters. “Based on his statement, he is a

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Lawyer confirms Ang is seeking the reversal of indictment By Pot Chavez

MERRY CHRISMILES. SM City Grand Central, SM Center Sangandaan, and SM City Valenzuela stage simultaneous ‘ChriSMiles’ celebrations in Caloocan and Valenzuela, spreading early holiday cheer to over 100 children ahead of Christmas. Andrew Rabulan

Rising pollution levels push LGUs to adopt real-time air monitoring A By Rex Espiritu

S METRO Manila’s air pollution levels continue to exceed health standards, local government units (LGUs) are being pushed to adopt real-time monitoring systems to protect public health. The World Health Organization has linked long-term exposure to polluted air to increased risks of stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, pneumonia, and heart disease. The Center for Research on Energy and

Clean Air (CREA) has estimated that air pollution caused more than 66,000 deaths in the Philippines in a single year. CREA also noted that air pollution cost the country nearly 12% of its GDP in 2019, amounting to about

P2.32 trillion. As pollutant levels continue to rise, experts warn that the 2025 toll could exceed these figures. In response to the growing health and economic burden, more LGUs are turning to real-time monitoring to strengthen local response and policy action. Quezon City manages a network of 40 monitoring stations across schools, hospitals, and major roads, while Makati uses real-time sensors to identify pollution hotspots and issue timely health advisories, including during volcanic smog events.

Last year, Mandaluyong installed six air quality sensors under Project MENCHIE and hosted additional sensors for Breathe Metro Manila (BMM), a coalition of technology, academic, and research institutions. Mandaluyong CDRRMO chief Roald Arcangel said real-time data enables faster, smarter action, noting that pollution spikes during rush hours and in densely populated areas. BMM officials stressed the need for more LGUs to share data and collaborate across city borders to address air pollution effectively.

Most Filipinos returning home—Cambodia envoy

HOLIDAY PATROLS.

Members of the Manila Police District attend a meeting at MPD Headquarters on December 18, as police prepare to deploy additional uniformed and plainclothes personnel for roving patrols during the Christmas season. Norman Cruz

By Ma. Katrina Mikaela Manubay THE Philippine Embassy in Cambodia said most Filipinos living near the Cambodia–Thailand border have returned to their previous locations after authorities ensured their safety following evacuations prompted by renewed armed clashes over a disputed boundary. In a message to Manila Standard on Thursday, December 18, Third Secretary and Vice Consul Genina Rafal said evacuations were managed by Filipino community representatives under the Embassy’s Contingency Plan. The Embassy counted 21 Filipino evacuees from Oddar Meanchey to Siem Reap, three from Oddar Meanchey to Phnom Penh, and 10 from Poipet to Battambang, all sheltered through community point persons. Rafal said evacuations occurred on various dates last week and that most Filipinos have since returned to their original areas, while some traveled to Phnom Penh to return to the Philippines after their companies closed due to the border conflict. The Embassy said it remains vigilant for any changes that may require further evacuations. Records show at least 200 Filipinos in Cambodian provinces bordering Thailand, while Philippine authorities earlier reported 110 Filipinos living in Thailand’s border provinces.

Senior HPG officer relieved over alleged assault By Vince Lopez PHILIPPINE National Police–Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) chief Brig. Gen. Hansel Marantan on Thursday, December 18, ordered the relief of a police colonel from his post as chief of the HPG Investigation Management Division following an alleged assault of a patrolman and directed a full investigation. The move followed the circulation of a video online showing an alleged incident on December 16 at the HPG park-

GIFT PACKAGES.

Calauan, Laguna local government staff repack Christmas gift packages for nearly 37,000 families in the municipality as part of its holiday assistance drive. Dennis Abrina

ing lot in Camp Crame, Quezon City. Initial reports said the colonel allegedly assaulted a patrolman over a dispute involving unauthorized parking. The alleged assault reportedly involved kicking, pointing a firearm, and striking the patrolman’s head and upper lip with a firearm butt. Injuries were confirmed through a medicolegal examination. Marantan said the officer was relieved as a precautionary measure and reassigned to the Personnel Holding and Accounting Section,

BUSINESSMAN Charlie “Atong” Ang has sought to overturn his indictment on homicide and kidnapping charges linked to the disappearance of several cockfight enthusiasts after filing a motion for reconsideration, his lawyer confirmed on Wednesday, December 17. In a message to reporters, Ang’s counsel, Lawyer Gabriel Villareal, said their camp had already submitted the motion to the Department of Justice (DOJ). He did not provide further details, but earlier described the DOJ decision as suffering from “clear factual gaps and substantial inconsistencies.” Justice spokesperson Atty. Polo Martinez said the filing of a motion for reconsideration will not suspend or delay the filing of information in court. He added that the information has already been drafted and is pending review. Ang was earlier indicted on 10 counts of kidnapping with homicide and 16 counts of kidnapping with serious illegal detention. Meanwhile, Ang’s camp criticized Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla’s remarks on the possible issuance of an arrest warrant. Villareal described the statements as “reckless and dangerous,” warning they could be interpreted as a shoot-to-kill order, and stressed that no arrest warrant has yet been issued by any court.

with his firearm surrendered and accounted for. He ordered the immediate documentation of the case and the filing of appropriate administrative and criminal charges once probable cause is established. The HPG chief said the colonel admitted to pointing a firearm during the confrontation, which may constitute grave threats. He reiterated the HPG’s zero-tolerance policy for abuse of authority and assured the public that due process will be observed while accountability is enforced.

IN BRIEF Marikina residents lose water supply RESIDENTS of Barangay Tumana in Marikina City may face a dry Christmas after Manila Water disconnected their supply on Thursday due to unpaid bills. Tumana receives water through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the barangay and Manila Water Company Inc. under the program “Patubig sa Tumana.” Under the setup, residents pay their water bills to the barangay, which is responsible for remitting payments to the utility provider. Barangay Captain Akiko Centeno failed to remit collections, allowing the unpaid balance to reach ₱37,192,199.98 as of December 2, 2025. Despite repeated demands, barangay officials did not settle the obligation, prompting Manila Water to disconnect all 13 common watering points and give the barangay 15 days to pay. Joel Zurbano

SC dismisses poll case due to delay THE Supreme Court (SC) on Thursday ruled that there was unreasonable delay in the Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) investigation of an election offense case involving a mayoral candidate in Bohol. In its decision, the SC En Banc said the right to the speedy disposition of

cases was violated. The High Tribunal nullified the Comelec resolution that found probable cause to charge Petronilo Solomon Sarigumba for violating the Omnibus Election Code. The Court cited Article III, Section 16 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to the speedy disposition of cases before judicial, quasi-judicial, and administrative bodies. It noted that Comelec failed to resolve the preliminary investigation within its own time limits and offered no justification for the delay. Sarigumba lost the mayoral race in Loboc, Bohol, during the May 2010 polls. Pot Chavez

Eastern Samar cops relieved over drinking SEVENTEEN police personnel, including a chief of police, were relieved from their posts over an alleged drinking session inside a police station in Eastern Samar, a police official said Wednesday. Police Regional Office-8 information chief Lt. Col. Analiza Catilogo-Armeza said those relieved include 16 uniformed personnel, among them the Dolores Municipal Police Station chief, and one nonuniformed personnel. Photos circulating on social media showed policemen allegedly drinking inside the station, reportedly during a Christmas party. Armeza said initial reports claimed no disturbance occurred and only photos of the incident were circulated. She stressed that PRO-8 will not tolerate misconduct, reiterating that the Philippine National Police strictly prohibits alcohol consumption while on duty and within police premises. Vince Lopez

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MMDA rolls out drive to minimize road accidents By Joel E. Zurbano THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has intensified its initiatives to address increases in road accidents. The agency on Wednesday introduced the country’s first drowsy driving prevention campaign, titled “Tabi Muna” which aims to enhance awareness on driving hazards including fatigue, and to motivate drivers to rest and refresh themselves. The MMDA initiated the project in partnership with the Department of Transportation (DOTR) and private stakeholders, including the Philippine Society of Sleep Medicine (PSSM), Uratex, Petron, and Philips. As part of the information, education, and communication campaign, three television campaign ads were launched under the Tabi Muna initiative to remind drivers of the importance of obtaining sufficient sleep and rest to ensure their safety while operating a vehicle. The ads were expected to be showcased in theaters in 2026. The MMDA, the DOTr, and private collaborators support the MMDA initiative in response to the increasing number of incidents involving drowsy or fatigued drivers. Through the implementation of various educational programs and outreach activities, the government aims to significantly mitigate the risks associated with drowsy driving. The MMDA reported approximately 4,450 road traffic fatalities over the last decade in the National Capital Region (NCR), averaging 445 deaths annually from 2013 to 2023.

ANTI-DROWSY DRIVING CAMPAIGN. The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, in collaboration with partner government-agencies and private stakeholders, rolls out ‘Tabi Muna’ Drive meant to curb traffic accidents resulting from drowsiness while driving, with particular focus on bus drivers and conductors.

Tingog hails executive order to implement ETEEAP Act Customs hastens IN BRIEF delivery of stalled T balikbayan boxes C

P70-m agri project breaks ground in Davao del Norte A P70-million palay post-harvest facility will rise soon on an 8.5-hectare land in Kapalong, Davao del Norte. Gov. Edwin Jubahib on Wednesday led the ground-breaking ceremony for the project called Agriculture Hub designed for rice processing and drying. “It is convenient for our farmers in the First District and Second District of Davao Del Norte,” Jubahib said. Apart from farmers in Kapalong, the facility is also expected the serve those from neighboring towns of Talaingod, Asuncion, Santo Tomas, San Isidro, New Corella for Carmen, Panabo, and Dujali, he said. Cherrie Anne Villahermosa

By Maricel V. Cruz

HE TINGOG party-list on Thursday welcomed President Marcos’ directive for the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to ensure the immediate and effective implementation of the Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program (ETEEAP) Act, also known as Republic Act 12124.

The law, enacted in March, institutionalized broader pathways to tertiary education for Filipinos from all walks of life. The ETEEAP Act was principally authored and championed in Congress by TINGOG party-list Reps. Yedda Marie Romualdez and Jude Avorque Acidre who led its deliberations and

passage to enshrine lifelong learning as a central pillar of Philippine education policy. From committee hearings to plenary debates, TINGOG pushed the measure to ensure that prior learning, work experience, and non-traditional education are formally recognized, particularly for working Filipinos,

overseas Filipino workers, adult learners, and those who were unable to complete college through conventional means. Marcos has emphasized the importance of lifelong learning and expanding access to higher education opportunities beyond the traditional classroom. His directive, issued during the presentation of the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the ETEEAP Act, underscored the need for CHED and higher education institutions to prioritize the law’s rollout so that it delivers meaningful and timely benefits for target beneficiaries. The ETEEAP Act institutionalizes education alternatives that recognizes formal, non-formal, and informal learning, including relevant work experience, as part of academic equivalency for obtaining a college degree.

Cops nab 3 in Boracay over bogus credit cards POLICE have arrested three passengers at Caticlan Airport for allegedly using fraudulent credit cards to book Cebu Pacific (CEB) flights and for unauthorized resale of travel funds via social media. In a statement, the CEB management said they are coordinating with the Philippine National Police (PNP as the investigation got underway. Initial reports showed that the passengers had flown from Davao to Boracay and were scheduled to return to Davao when they were intercepted. Police are looking into the extent of the illegal activity, which might involve more people and other fraudulent acts. Joel E. Zurbano

Suspect didn’t go far after slaying girlfriend THE Makati police stamped “solved” on a murder case with the arrest of the suspect in a murder case that happened last Dec. 14 along Aranda street in Brgy, Singkamas, Makati City. The suspect, identified as Franz, was arrested while hiding in Angono, Rizal. Recovered during the operation was a white motorcycle, believed to have been used by the suspect in his getaway. Investigation showed that Franz was a boyfriend of the victim, identified as Daniela, who was reportedly slain inside her residence. The victims sustained multiple stab wounds in the body. Mayor Nancy Binay commended the arresting officers for their swift and decisive action, saying her administration is committed to ensuring public safety, justice, and the protection of Makati residents. She also extended condolences to the victim’s family and assured them of the city’s continued cooperation to ensure accountability and due process.

BOODLE FIGHT. Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. engages in a boodle fight (military-style buffet) during a visit to the Army’s 10th Infantry (Agila) Division headquarters n Mawab, Davao de Oro.

By Vito Barcelo BUREAU of Customs (BOC) Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno on Thursday led the inspection and initial rollout for the delivery of 130,000 abandoned balikbayan boxes at the Port of Manila to ensure the packages reach the consignees in time for the holiday season. Nepomuceno said the operation involves examining the contents and organizing the orderly distribution of the boxes sent by overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), particularly from the Middle East to their families in the Philippines. The boxes were left at the port after shipping processes were allegedly mishandled by consolidators and de-consolidators, who failed to settle required duties and taxes, prompting the cargo to be declared abandoned, the BOC said. Nepomuceno stressed that the balikbayan boxes will be released to their rightful owners without any payment, in line with the government’s commitment to support the OFWs and their families. He added that safeguards are in place to verify ownership and prevent pilferage or erroneous delivery. The Customs chief also said the BOC will pursue administrative and legal action against the de-consolidators responsible for abandoning the shipments, noting that accountability is necessary to deter similar incidents and protect OFWs from abuse in the logistics chain. The rollout forms part of broader efforts by the BOC to clear port congestion, enforce Customs regulations, and provide relief to Filipino families, particularly during the Christmas season, Nepomuceno said.

Bus drivers, conductors undergo random drug tests for road safety By Joel E. Zurbano

AUTHORITIES have conducted drug tests for bus drivers and conductors on Thursday at public transport terminals in Cubao, Quezon City. The move was part of the government’s extensive preparations aimed at ensuring the safety of both buses and passengers during the holiday season. Officials of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, the Department of Transportation (DOTr), the Land Transportation Office, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) conducted the inspection and random drug testing among bus drivers. Those who will be tested positive for illegal drugs will not be allowed to travel, and their licenses will be confiscated. The erring drivers must undergo the re-

habilitation process before their licenses are returned. MMDA chairman Romando Artes said the multi-agency inspection is in line with President Marcos’ directive to prioritize passenger convenience and safety at all times. “Our inspection aims to ensure the safe, orderly, and convenient movement of commuters and prevent untoward incidents at bus terminals during the holiday rush,” Artes said. DoTr Undersecretary Ramon Reyes and Assistant Secretary Steven Pastor, LTO Assistant Secretary Markus Lacalinao, PDEA operations chief Joel Villarente, Quezon City Traffic and Transport Management Department dead Dexter Cardenas, and representatives from the Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group joined the inspection at bus terminals along EDSA.

DRUG TESTS. With the expected increase in passenger traffic during the holidays, transportation authorities including officials of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority launched a random drug testing campaign across the private transport sector in a bid to prevent road accidents amid the Yuletide rush.

OPINION

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2025

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

EDITORIAL

Unconstitutional medical patronage THE Medical Assistance for Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients program, known as MAIFIP, is intended to provide government support to Filipinos who cannot afford the cost of medical treatment even after PhilHealth and other sources are exhausted. From 42 billion pesos in 2024, it has been increased to 51 billion pesos for 2025. This is wrong legally, politically, and ethically. Cardinal Ambo David and Dr. Tony Leachon correctly called this out as wrong morally and from a policy perspective, As a social protection measure, its objective is legitimate. What has rendered MAIFIP Constitutionally suspect and politically troubling is the way it is commonly accessed and implemented through guarantee letters issued by legislators to individual patients. In practice, MAIFIP often operates outside a purely administrative and rights based framework. Patients or their families approach politicians for help when faced with serious illness, mounting hospital bills, or denial of services due to inability to pay. Legislators then issue guarantee letters addressed to public hospitals, private hospitals, or executive agencies, endorsing the patient for MAIFIP assistance. These letters identify the individual beneficiary and request that public funds be used to cover specific medical expenses. Although these guarantee letters are framed as requests or endorsements, they function in reality as decisive instructions. Hospitals and agencies treat them as binding because they come from lawmakers who control appropriations and exercise political influence. The decision on who receives assistance is therefore made after the budget has been enacted and is effectively determined by a legislator, not by an executive agency applying uniform standards. This arrangement violates the Constitutional separation of powers. The Constitution grants Congress the authority to appropriate public funds and vests the Executive with the exclusive power to implement the budget. In Belgica v. Ochoa, the Supreme Court struck down the Priority Development Assistance Fund precisely because it allowed legislators to intervene in post enactment budget execution. The Court was categorical that once the General Appropriations Act becomes law, legislators must step back and allow the Executive to administer funds in accordance with law. Guarantee letters for MAIFIP repeat the same Constitutional defect. Legislators identify beneficiaries after enactment and thereby exercise influence over the release and use of public funds. The fact that the funds are used for medical assistance does not alter the analysis. What the Constitution prohibits is not the purpose of the spending but the location of

power. Decisions on who qualifies for MAIFIP assistance must be made by the Department of Health or other implementing agencies based on objective criteria, medical need, and program guidelines, not on political access. The use of guarantee letters also transforms MAIFIP from a social protection program into an instrument of patronage. Assistance is no longer experienced as a legal entitlement or a component of a functioning health system. It is experienced as a personal favor granted by a politician.

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Illness should never be the gateway to political dependency Patients feel gratitude to individuals rather than accountability from institutions. Those without connections to lawmakers are left to navigate a system that appears arbitrary and inaccessible. This has damaging consequences for public health governance. Hospitals are pressured to prioritize politically endorsed patients regardless of triage protocols or administrative processes. Health officials are forced to reconcile medical judgment with political expectations. None of this denies the reality of suffering or the inadequacy of the current health system. In fact, I must disclose that I have used this system for relatives and friends faced with serious illnesses. And my experience has not been bad as my relationship with politicians is based on mutual respect. Indeed, the demand for medical assistance is real because public hospitals are underfunded and out of pocket expenses remain crushing for the poor. But Constitutional violations cannot be justified by institutional failure. Compassion does not require the suspension of Constitutional boundaries. The proper response is to strengthen MAIFIP as a rules based, executive administered program with clear eligibility criteria, transparent processes, and sufficient funding. Medical assistance should be accessed as a right through hospitals and health agencies, not through letters signed by politicians. The role of legislators is to enact laws and provide adequate appropriations, not to select individual beneficiaries after the fact. Illness should never be the gateway to political dependency. A Constitutional democracy demands a health system that works through law and institutions, not through favors granted one letter at a time. Facebook, X, Instagram and Blue Sky: tonylavs Website: tonylavina.com

PhilHealth fund transfer: Accountability and fiscal reality IN RECENT recent weeks, several groups have renewed calls for the resignation, prosecution, or investigation of public officials involved in the 2024 transfer of excess funds from government-owned or -controlled corporations, particularly the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth), to the National Treasury. These funds were used to support priority programs of the Marcos administration that were facing acute funding shortfalls. What makes this renewed campaign puzzling is that the Supreme Court, while declaring unconstitutional the special provision authorizing the transfer of PhilHealth’s idle funds, categorically found no criminal liability on the part of the Department of Finance (DOF) or its then secretary, Ralph Recto. The Court ruled that the DOF merely complied with a compulsory congressional directive under the 2024 General Appropriations Act, which at the time enjoyed the presumption of Constitutionality. Despite this, groups such as the Center for People Empowerment in Governance and the Nagkaisa Labor Coalition have urged Congress, the Commission on Audit, and the Office of the Ombudsman to investigate the P60 billion remittance and hold accountable those who approved it. Cenpeg has argued that restoring the withdrawn amount through the 2026 GAA, now being deliberated by the bicameral conference committee, would allegedly shield officials from accountability and undermine the SC ruling. This position, however, combines two distinct issues: the constitutionality of the budget

mechanism and the personal liability of public officials who implemented it. The SC itself made this distinction clear. While it voided Special Provision 1(d) of the 2024 GAA for constitutional infirmity, it also emphasized that no criminal, civil, or administrative liability attaches to officials who acted in good faith and in faithful compliance with a law that was valid at the time of implementation. In fact, several justices, in separate opinions, stressed that Recto’s actions were “strictly ministerial,” undertaken pursuant to Congress’ exclusive “power of the purse.”

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The Supreme Court has spoken with clarity: the policy mechanism may have been flawed, but the officials who implemented it in good faith were not The DOF circular that enabled the fund transfer was issued only after obtaining clearances from the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel, the Governance Commission for GOCCs, the COA, and even the PhilHealth Board itself. To punish an official for obeying an ex-

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Why Abante’s call for a probe matters

HEN Manila Rep. Bienvenido “Benny” Abante urged both the House of Representatives and the Ombudsman to investigate the sworn allegations of Ramil Lagunoy Madriaga against Vice President Sara Duterte, he did more than raise a political challenge; he underscored the fragility of public trust in our democratic institutions. After all, allegations that campaign funds may have come from the nowbanned Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators or POGOs and drug dealers are not just attention-grabbing headlines; they strike at the heart of governance, national security, and the integrity of elections. Madriaga’s affidavit, replete with detailed accounts of cash deliveries allegedly amounting to tens of millions of pesos, paints a disturbing picture. Whether these claims are true or fabricated, their specific nature demands scrutiny. Allegations of handoffs in public spaces, drop-offs at residences, and links to individuals connected with the Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group cannot simply be ignored. In a country where corruption scandals have too often been buried under partisan noise, Abante’s insistence on a thorough and transparent inquiry is a welcome reminder that accountability must not be selective. The stakes are high.

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Allegations of handoffs in public spaces, drop-offs at residences, and links to individuals connected with the Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group cannot simply be ignored If campaign contributions were indeed sourced from POGOs, whose operations are closely tied to China or from drug lords, the implications go beyond campaign fi-

When a bottle finds its roots By Melanio T. Velasco WE OFTEN think of sustainability in big, abstract words—net zero, circular economy, water neutrality. They sound important, but distant. Yet sometimes, sustainability becomes tangible the moment a pair of corporate shoes touches soil, when executives trade boardrooms for boots, and when a company known for refreshing lives decides to help restore them—one tree at a time. That moment came quietly at the La Mesa Watershed last Dec. 17, where Coca-Cola Philippines, led by its President and General Manager Tony del Rosario, joined hands with the Million Trees Foundation in a simple but powerful act: planting trees where Metro Manila’s water future begins. La Mesa is not just another green patch on the map. It is the last forest of Metro Manila, a living buffer that protects the water lifeline of millions. To plant a tree there is to invest in tomorrow’s tap, tomorrow’s rainfall, tomorrow’s resilience. And for Coca-Cola—whose business is inseparable from water—this was not symbolic CSR. It was strategy with soul. Tony del Rosario has often spoken about leadership that goes beyond quarterly results. At La Mesa, that philosophy took root—literally. The sight of Coca-Cola leaders and volunteers planting alongside environmental stewards from MTF sent a clear message: sustainability is no longer an annex of the annual report; it is embedded in how modern companies must operate. Coca-Cola Philippines has long been active in sustainability, but what makes its approach noteworthy is its breadth and intent. There is water stewardship, at the heart of the Coca-Cola system worldwide. In the Philippines, the company has invested in water replenishment initiatives, watershed protection, rainwater harvesting, and community ac-

press statutory command, the justices warned, would be both legally unsound and institutionally dangerous. This legal clarity makes it difficult to see how another round of litigation or investigations could succeed. As the Court held, the subsequent declaration of unconstitutionality does not retroactively criminalize acts done in good faith, without proof of malice, bad faith, or gross negligence. None was found. Beyond legality, there is also the fiscal and policy context. Recto himself acknowledged that while the fund transfer was “politically wrong” in terms of optics, it was “economically correct.” The remitted funds did not include member contributions; they consisted solely of idle government subsidies, including sin tax shares, that had accumulated unutilized from 2021 to 2023. At a time when national government debt

Former Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno Anita F. Grefal Baldwin R. Felipe Edgar M. Valmorida

Board Member & Chief Legal Adviser Treasury Manager Head—Ad Solutions Circulation Manager

nance violations. They touch on national sovereignty, law enforcement credibility, and the resilience of our institutions against foreign and criminal influence. Conversely, if these allegations prove baseless, then a credible investigation will serve to clear the names of those accused and reinforce the principle that truth can withstand close scrutiny. Abante is correct to highlight the dual role of Congress and the Ombudsman. Legislative hearings can expose systemic weaknesses in campaign finance laws, anti-money laundering safeguards, and security protocols. The Ombudsman, on the other hand, has the mandate to pursue fact-finding and potential accountability for misuse of public office. Together, these processes can either confirm wrongdoing or dispel suspicion, but only if conducted openly, with documents, timelines, and testimonies laid bare for public examination. Ultimately, this is not just about one affidavit or one politician. It is about whether Filipinos can trust that elections are funded by lawful means and that leaders are insulated from criminal or foreign influence. Abante’s call should not be dismissed as mere political theater. It is a test of our institutions’ capacity to investigate without fear or favor. And in a democracy, that test must always be passed in the light of day, and truth must be established in the open. Allegations of this magnitude demand nothing less.

There is climate action, with energy efficiency initiatives in manufacturing and distribution, the shift to greener refrigeration, and partnerships that reduce emissions across the value chain. And there is community empowerment— from livelihood programs for waste collectors to youth education and disaster response—recognizing that sustainability only works when people move forward together. What distinguishes Coca-Cola’s engagement with Million Trees Foundation is the alignment of purpose. MTF’s work in reforestation, urban greening, and watershed rehabilitation—particularly at La Mesa—complements Coca-Cola’s water and climate commitments. Trees, after all, are nature’s original water engineers: they hold soil, slow floods, recharge aquifers, and cool cities.

Beyond the ceremonial planting, Coca-Cola has expressed its intention to partner with MTF as an institutional supporter, signaling a longerterm relationship—one that goes beyond photo ops and toward sustained impact. Institutional support means continuity: nurseries that keep growing seedlings, maintenance that ensures saplings survive, monitoring that turns numbers into measurable environmental gains. In a country increasingly battered by floods, droughts, and heat, this kind of partnership matters. The private sector cannot replace government, and NGOs cannot do it alone. But when corporations with scale, resources, and reach decide to act responsibly—and locally—the multiplier effect is real. There is something poetic, too, about a beverage company planting trees. Coca-Cola has always been present in Filipino life—at sari-sari stores, fiestas, family reunions, long bus rides, and late-night conversations. Now, through efforts like this, it becomes present in quieter, longer timelines: in forests regrowing, watersheds healing, and future generations inheriting a little more shade and security. In my welcome remarks, I declared Coca-Cola as the “national drink” in the Philippines since it corners 75 percent of the market and being one loyal Coke drinker makes it worthwhile to interact with its President and employees at the Million Trees Nursery and Eco Learning Center. At La Mesa, as soil was pressed around young saplings, it felt like a reminder that sustainability is not a slogan but a habit. Not a campaign, but a commitment. And not just about saving the planet in the abstract, but about protecting very specific places—like the forest that quenches Metro Manila’s thirst. When companies like Coca-Cola Philippines choose to plant roots, not just bottles, they show us what modern leadership looks like: grounded, accountable, and forward-looking. Sometimes, the most refreshing thing a company can do is help a forest grow. (The writer, president/chief executive officer of Media Touchstone Ventures, Inc. and president/executive director of the Million Trees Foundation Inc., a non-government outfit advocating tree-planting and environmental protection, is the official biographer of President Fidel V. Ramos.)

was nearing P16 trillion, using idle public funds to finance urgent health, social, and infrastructure needs was arguably more prudent than borrowing more or imposing new taxes. Former Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra articulated this logic during oral arguments before the SC. He argued that it would have been fiscally irresponsible to allow surplus funds to sit idle while other critical programs went unfunded. Equally important is where the money actually went. Contrary to claims that the funds were siphoned to dubious projects, disclosures during the first-ever livestreamed bicameral conference committee sessions showed that the largest share financed overdue health emergency allowances for healthcare workers, medical assistance for indigent patients, health facility upgrades, and counterpart funding for major foreign-assisted projects. Finally, the broader picture is often ignored by critics. Since the fund transfer, PhilHealth

has undergone leadership and governance reforms and rolled out the largest expansion of benefits in the history of the Universal Health Care program while maintaining solvency precisely because member contributions were untouched. President Marcos Jr. has also directed the restoration of the P60 billion in the 2026 budget, recognizing PhilHealth’s improved absorptive capacity and expanded mandate, particularly under the Zero Balance Billing policy. In the end, accountability must be grounded in law and facts, not political considerations. The Supreme Court has spoken with clarity: the policy mechanism may have been flawed, but the officials who implemented it in good faith were not. To insist otherwise risks weaponizing accountability and punishing public servants for doing exactly what the law, at the time, required them to do. (Email: ernhil@yahoo.com)

cess to clean water—working with local governments, NGOs, and water experts to ensure that the water it uses is responsibly returned to nature and communities. There is packaging sustainability, driven by the global World Without Waste vision—collecting and recycling the equivalent of every bottle sold, increasing recycled content in PET bottles, supporting recovery and recycling partners, and expanding refillable glass and returnable packaging options that Filipinos have long known and trusted.

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La Mesa is the last forest of Metro Manila, a living buffer that protects the water lifeline of millions

Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher Joyce Pangco Pañares Managing Editor Virgilio DC Galvez News Editor Miguel Gil City Editor

Honor Blanco Cabie Opinion Editor Aytch dela Cruz Online Editor Lino M. Santos Chief Photographer

Emil P. Jurado Chairman Emeritus, Editorial Board

WORLD

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2025

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

EU holds summit on Russian asset plan for Kyiv

RUSSELS – EU leaders were gathering in Brussels Thursday for a make-or-break summit on using frozen Russian assets for Ukraine -- with key player Belgium under pressure to drop its opposition. The 27-nation bloc is scrambling to strengthen Kyiv’s hand as Russia’s war drags towards the four-year mark and US President Donald Trump pushes for a quick deal to end the fighting. Officials have insisted the talks will last as long as it takes to hammer out an agreement, saying both Ukraine’s survival and Europe’s credibility are at stake. “If we do not succeed in this, then the European Union’s ability to act will be severely damaged for years,” German Chancellor Friedrich Merz warned this week. “We will show the world that we are incapable of standing together and acting at such a crucial moment in our history.” The EU estimates Ukraine, whose president Volodymyr Zelenskyy will join the meeting, needs an extra 135 billion euros ($159 billion) to stay afloat over the next two years — with the cash crunch set to start in April. In a bid to plug the yawning gap, the European Commission, the EU’s executive, has put forward a plan to tap some 210 billion euros of Russian central bank assets frozen in the bloc. The scheme — which would initially provide Kyiv 90 billion euros over two years — involves an untested financial

switcheroo under which the funds are loaned to the EU, which then loans them on to Ukraine. Kyiv would then only pay back the “reparations loan” once the Kremlin coughs up for all the damage it has wrought. Belgium, where international deposit organization Euroclear holds the vast bulk of the funds, has been firmly opposed due to fears it could face crippling financial and legal reprisals from Moscow. Russia has already fired a shot across the bows by announcing it was suing Euroclear. Belgium’s outspoken prime minister Bart De Wever will be in the spotlight as his EU counterparts — most of whom back the plan — try to cajole him to accept. EU officials say they have gone out of their way to allay Belgian worries and that multiple layers of protection -- including guarantees from other member states -- mean the risks are minimal. But so far Flemish nationalist De Wever has only dug in further, insisting that any guarantees must be unlimited and assets frozen in other countries should be used too. AFP

FALLBACK PLAN. Denmark,’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, European Council President Antonio Costa and Cyprus’ President Nikos Christodoulides get ready for a family photograph as part of the EU Western Balkans summit in Brussels on Wednesday. The EU estimates Ukraine, whose president Volodymyr Zelenskyy will join the meeting, needs an extra 135 billion euros ($159 billion) to stay afloat over the next two years -- with the cash crunch set to start in April. AFP

Japan gov’t sued over ‘unconstitutional’ climate inaction

IN BRIEF

TOKYO – Hundreds of people across Japan sued the central government Thursday seeking damages for “unconstitutional” inaction on climate change, the country’s first such litigation. The landmark lawsuit criticizes Japan’s “grossly inadequate” fight against the climate crisis, saying it jeopardizes the health and livelihoods of the approximately 450 plaintiffs. “We just submitted our complaint and evidence to the court and our lawsuit has been officially accepted,” lead lawyer Akihiro Shima told AFP. Plaintiff Kiichi Akiyama, a construction worker, said that relentless heat

US approves $11-b in Taiwan weapons sales

forced his team to work slower, causing “huge losses” to his business. There have also been cases where “people collapse out in the field, or have dropped dead after they return home”, the 57-year-old said. In the past, five climate-related lawsuits have been filed with Japanese courts, including against coal-fired power plants, said Kyoto University assistant professor Masako Ichihara, who has followed such cases in the country. But Ichihara -- as well as lawyers working on the suit -- say this is the first compensation claim against the state over climate change.

“The defendant’s climate change measures are grossly inadequate, and as a result, the plaintiffs’ rights to a peaceful life and to the enjoyment of a stable climate are being violated,” said the complaint summary, which was obtained by AFP ahead of the filing. This year, Japan sweltered through its hottest summer since records began in 1898, and the plaintiffs argue such heatwaves cause economic losses, ruin crops and put many at risk of crippling heatstroke. Akiyama, who frequently works outside in the searing heat, said it now takes his team triple the estimated time to fin-

ish their projects. “I can barely dig with a shovel for 10 minutes without sitting down to rest,” he added. “We wouldn’t be in this terrible situation if the government had taken more initiative in implementing policies.” Similar legal moves are underway globally, including in South Korea where young environmental activists won the first such case in Asia. Last year, a South Korean court ruled that much of the country’s climate goals were unconstitutional. In Germany, climate targets were also ruled insufficient and unconstitutional in 2021. AFP

US Congress ends Syria sanctions under Bashar WASHINGTON, DC – The US Congress on Wednesday (Thursday, Manila time) permanently ended sanctions imposed on Syria under ousted leader Bashar alAssad, paving the way for the return of investment to the war-ravaged nation. President Donald Trump had already twice suspended the implementation of sanctions in response to pleas from Saudi Arabia and Turkey, allies of the new government headed by former jihadist Ahmed al-Sharaa. But Sharaa had sought a permanent end to the sanctions, fearing that so long as the measures remained on the books they would deter businesses wary of legal risks in the world’s largest economy. The Senate passed the repeal of the 2019 Caesar Act as part of a sweeping annual defense package. The Senate voted 77 to 20 in favor of the legislation, which was already approved by the House of Representatives and is expected to be signed by Trump. The repeal, broadly backed by lawmakers of both parties, “is a decisive step toward giving the Syrian people a real chance to rebuild after decades of unimaginable suffering,” said Senator Jeanne Shaheen, the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. AFP

TAIPEI – Donald Trump’s administration has given its approval to sell $11 billion of weapons to Taiwan, the second batch of such sales since the US president returned to office, Taipei said Thursday. The package includes HIMARS rocket systems, howitzers, anti-tank missiles, drones and parts for other equipment, according to Taiwan’s foreign ministry. The potential size of the deal rivals the $18 billion of military sales to Taiwan agreed by then-US President George W. Bush in 2001, though that was ultimately downsized after commercial negotiations. The United States does not recognize Taiwan as a country but is the self-ruled island’s biggest security backer. Its arms supplies are a key deterrent against a potential attack from China, which claims Taiwan is part of its territory and has threatened to use force to bring it under its control. “This is the second arms sale to Taiwan announced during the Trump administration’s second term, once again demonstrating the US’ firm commitment to Taiwan’s security,” Taipei’s foreign ministry said. AFP

Brazil Congress OKs bill to cut Bolsonaro jail term

NOT INTIMIDATED. People walk past a mural featuring propaganda in support of Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas on Thursday, Manila time. Venezuela struck a defiant note, insisting its crude oil exports were not impacted by US President Donald Trump’s announcement of a potentially crippling blockade. AFP

Venezuela reacts defiantly to US oil blockade, says exports okay

SOMBER CEREMONY. US President Donald Trump salutes the transfer case of Iowa National Guard Sgt. Edgar Torres Tovar as it is carried past him during a ceremony for the return of the remains of two Iowa National Guard members and a civilian translator killed in an attack in Syria at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware on Thursday, Manila time. AFP

CARACAS – Venezuela struck a defiant note Wednesday (Thursday, Manila time), insisting its crude oil exports were not impacted by US President Donald Trump’s announcement of a potentially crippling blockade. Trump’s declaration on Tuesday marked a new escalation in his monthslong campaign of military and economic pressure on Venezuela’s authoritarian leftist President Nicolas Maduro. Venezuela, which has the world’s largest proven oil reserves, shrugged off the threat of more pain, insisting it was proceeding with business as usual. “Export operations for crude and byproducts continue normally. Oil tankers linked to PDVSA operations continue to sail with full security,” state oil company Petroleos de Venezuela said. Trump said Tuesday he was impos-

ing “A TOTAL AND COMPLETE BLOCKADE OF ALL SANCTIONED OIL TANKERS going into, and out of, Venezuela.” Referring to the heavy US military presence in the Caribbean -- including the world’s largest aircraft carrier -- he warned “Venezuela is completely surrounded by the largest Armada ever assembled in the History of South America.” On Wednesday, he reiterated that US forces would not “let anybody go in... that shouldn’t be going through,” and accused Venezuela once again of taking “all of our oil.” “They took all of our energy rights, they took all of our oil, from not that long ago, and we want it back,” he said, apparently referring to the nationalization of Venezuela’s oil industry. AFP

BRASLIA – Brazil’s Senate on Wednesday (Thursday, Manila time) passed a bill to slash the prison term of far-right ex-president Jair Bolsonaro, who was convicted of plotting a coup after losing reelection to left-winger Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Passed by the lower chamber last week, the bill now heads to Lula, whose expected veto could eventually be overridden by Congress. Bolsonaro, 70, began a 27-year prison sentence in November, and under current rules was expected to serve at least eight years behind bars before becoming eligible for a looser regime. The new legislation, which changes how sentences are calculated for certain crimes, could, however, see Bolsonaro serve a little over two years in prison. Following months of jockeying by Bolsonaro’s supporters in Congress for some sort of amnesty, the bill moved surprisingly quickly through both the conservativecontrolled lower chamber and the more balanced Senate. AFP

Australia PM vows to stamp out hatred SYDNEY – Australia’s prime minister vowed to stamp out extremism Thursday as the nation mourned the youngest victim of the Bondi Beach shooting, a 10-year-old girl remembered as “our little ray of sunshine.” Father-and-son gunmen are accused of firing into crowds at a beachside Jewish festival on Sunday evening, killing 15 in an onslaught authorities linked to “Islamic State ideology.” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese promised a sweeping crackdown to banish the “evil of antisemitism from our society.” “Australians are shocked and angry. I am angry. It is clear we need to do more to combat this evil scourge,” he told reporters. This included new powers to target extremist preachers and to refuse or cancel visas for those who spread “hate and division”. Australia would develop a regime for listing organizations whose leaders engage in hate speech, he said. AFP

SPORTS

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2025

‘We belong at the top’: Filipinas silence doubters with SEAG gold

T 4 Pinoy boxers fight

Eumir Marcial

for SEA Games’ gold

BANGKOK—Four Filipino boxers are not only carrying the flag on top of the ring when they fight for their respective gold medal matches, but also the hopes of their fallen comrades. Eumir Marcial, Flint Jara, Jay Brian Baricuatro and Aira Villegas battle for the precious mints on Friday, Dec. 19 at the Chulalongkorn University Sports Center here. Jara, Baricuatro and Villegas are fighting against Thai bets in the final – a huge hurdle that the boxers need to overcome especially how the results have seemingly favored the host team based on the outcome of the previous bouts. “Talagang paghahandaan namin kasi alam naman natin bukod sa magaling sila, talagang malalakas din ang mga judges nila,” said Jara, who will be facing up against Thanarat Saengpet, a gold medalist in the 2023 SEA Games, albeit at a lower division. Villegas is facing tough opponent in Chutamat Raksat, who bagged a silver in the 2022 Asian Games and a gold in the 2024 Asian Championships, while Baricuatro is locking horns with Phlongaurai Thitiwat, who stopped Khamsathone Khamphouvanh of Laos in the previous bout. Marcial, on the other hand, will be gunning for gold against Indonesian Maikhel Muskita, who won the gold and the silver in the 2021 and 2023 editions of the games, respectively. “He’s a tough opponent, talagang kailangan natin pagaralan ng husto, kailangan kundisyon ‘yung katawan ko kasi malaki, matangkad at magaling din so ‘di tayo puwede mag-kumpyansa,” said Marcial “Masasabi ko talaga na bakbakan kami sa finals, alam naman natin ‘di basta-basta ‘yung tinalo niya, tinalo niya ‘yung host country kahit alam natin dito sa Bangkok kelangan i-knockdown mo ‘yung kalaban mo pero nakuha niya pa rin ‘yung impressive win,” he added.

HE Philippines has ascended to the pinnacle of Southeast Asian Games women’s football, claiming the coveted title after a historic campaign that saw them dethrone eighttime winner Vietnam in the finals, following a crucial victory over five-time victor and host Thailand.

Goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel, whose decisive save helped secure the thrilling 6-5 penalty shootout victory against Vietnam after a 0-0 extra-time stalemate, expressed the team’s immense pride and resilience. “I’m so proud of this team, so proud to be a Filipino and playing for our country,” McDaniel said. She also addressed their critics, stating, “People are doubting us, saying we don’t belong here. But we belong in this conversation, we belong at the top and we’re just continuing to prove ourselves again and again and we want to be regulars at the top.” The Filipinas’ gold medal makes them only the third country to win the tournament in its first 13 editions, joining Vietnam and Thailand. This latest triumph is the capstone of a period of significant achievement for the team, in-

And fear neither fire nor blood in the 4th quarter, doused Letran’s hope for a comeback. So what’s next for the Red Lions? A much-needed rest is top priority because for sure, the team will resume training and practice come The Designated Kit Man January. Just like what they did beErel Cabatbat ginning this year. Some are claiming that the Red Lions’ stay in the NCAA is ending and in THERE are verses in the Bedan Hymn that fact, they will be joining the so-called bigsay “When we encounter trials and hardger league -- the University Athletic Asships, we will give you honor and fame. For sociation of the Philippines or UAAP. A nothing but these show loyalty clear to our source whispered that San Beda has fulAlma Mater’s name.” filled all requirements and is just waiting These words are never more manifested for the formal acceptance to the league. than these past two months and more, at Fanning the flames were announcements least for the San Beda Red Lions. made during the bonfire held at San Beda Unlike in the previous season, where the grounds after the Red Lions won the title. team simply fell apart in the homestretch Even Miller added to the anticipation amid heavy pressure, the Red Lions simply when he implied that San Beda is moving turned expectation into reality in the centerto UAAP. He was also seen watching the piece tournament of the National Collegiate La Salle vs. UP in the UAAP Finals the day Athletic Association’s Season 101. after San Beda won the championship that True, there were hiccups along the way, raised another issue: is Miller jumping to close losses to the Heavy Bombers, the Altas Taft from Mendiola next season? (3OT), the Pirates, and headaches from the A source close to the team, however, says Blazers and the Knights. But Yukien Andrathere is no truth that San Beda is leaving the da, Bryan Sajonia, Nygel Gonzales, Agjanti NCAA next season. Miller, Joe Celzo, Jomel Puno, Bismarck When he was asked by The Designated Lina, Zedjay Etulle, RC Calimag, Penny EsKit Man if the Red Lions would jump tacio, John Carlo Bonzalida, MJ Vailoces, to the UAAP next season, he simply anMiles Culdora, Menard Songcuya, Jimmy swered “No”. Reyes, Zane Jalbuena, Ronrei Tolentiono, But when asked again, if the team will Kyle Jamora, Team Manager Jude Roque be moving to the other league, he quipped and the coaching staff led by Yuri Escueta “not yet.” While the source is fond of one found ways to rise every challenges and to or two word sentence responses, his last negate difficulties on and off the court. answer gives a mighty clue on the future When Miller was suspended for game 2 of San Beda. On Miller rumors, he just reof the championship series, almost everyone plied with “don’t know yet”. Staying true gave up on the Red Lions and expected Leto form still. tran to force a rubber match. The Designated Kit Man believes that Instead of hoisting the white flag, San it’s time for San Beda to switch leagues Beda took the fight to Knights, instead of for several reasons. running away from the battle, some sort One, there is nothing to prove anymore in of one step backward, two steps forward, the NCAA. Now is the time to explore and Andrada and company roared the mighticompete in a bigger pond. est. Proving that their Game 1 win, 89-70 Two, why stay in a league where thinkwas not a fluke, the Red Lions mangled ing is practically parochial and myopic to the Knights anew in the second game, 83say the least. Case in point, why disqualify 71 to bring back the title, their 24th overall, Miller for individual season honors for flopto the hallowed grounds of Mendiola. What ping? You have already punished Miller is more impressive, Miller was out of the twice, ejected from the game and suspenlineup. His absence was an extension of his sion in the succeeding one, were those punejection in Game 1 due to flopping. ishments not enough? Why deny what is due No Miller proved no problem for Escueta to Miller just because of two technical fouls and his gallant Red Lions as the team went to due to flopping. He didn’t punch someone, Andrada, Sajonia and Gonzales in the crucial or hurt opponents, just himself. stretch with the Knights coming within five, There are rules, correct, but rules are 65-60 early in the 4th quarter. The Red Lions meant to be broken or to be improved did not choke on pressure but instead showed upon. It’s a pity that several members of the why basketball is a team sport afterall. When NCAA are Catholic-learning institutions, other teams lean on superstars and even the but forgiveness and common sense are hard best point guard in the league, San Beda went to come by. instead to its system, discipline and trust with Going back to Miller, it is expected that each other. A three-pointer from the parking after his spectacular performance this lot by Andrada for a 68-60 lead with 7:03 left

The Filipinas celebrate their historic triumph at the football podium.

cluding an upset 1-0 win against co-host New Zealand in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, a maiden Asean Championship title the year prior, and a bronze medal at the pandemic-delayed SEA Games in Hanoi, which was their best result before this gold. The Pinay booters’ campaign was marked by an indomitable spirit. After an opening 1-2 loss to Myanmar in the 33rd edition, they rebounded with strong wins: 1-0 against Vietnam and 6-0 against Malaysia to reach the semifinals.

season, opportunists and poachers are already smelling blood and tons of cash. Some reports are even claiming that Miller’s services are up for the highest bidder. Which is understandable. Poaching is not illegal, morally or ethically bad maybe. Miller deserves every opportunity to better his career and to secure his future. If that entails moving to the UAAP then so be it. At the end of the day, it’s up to the player or the athlete to decide on what path to take. It is the same reason, too, why players like Andrada and Gonzales decided to stay and become Red Lions for life. To be fair to everyone, why not impose a rule to compensate the original team that first “discovered” the player. Simple as that, but then again. La Salle bumibingo na kayo ha. Konting finesse naman sana. Wala pa sa case ang trophy, hayan na naman kayo. So if Miller is leaving next season, then we should wish him luck. We should thank him too for a season well spent in Mendiola, after all once a Bedan is always a Bedan. And besides, there are more Red Lions waiting on the sidelines, preparing to be given the opportunity and always raring to answer the clarion call. Poachers may take our players, but never the bragging rights. Everyone knows that these schools from the “bigger and better” league need a Red Lion to win games and moreover, championships. Fear the roar, indeed! A source told The Designated Kit Man that a certain team official (TO) that competed in the ongoing Southeast Asian Games in Bangkok was slapped with a $5,000 fine after a verbal tussle with a game official. “Minura ‘yung referee”, the source citing the reason why the TO was punished. Aside from the hefty fine, the TO was also booked with a four-match ban. The same source also revealed that the concerned individual filed an appeal (with a $500 fee), but was dismissed. If this is true, who will pay the fine? Will it be the TO or the national sporting association which the TO is connected with? “Ang laki ng multa, puwede na pampasuweldo sa mga tao,” another source quipped. Well, karma is a bitch indeed. Tagay pa! Ending on a good note, congratulations to the Philippine National Women’s Football Team! The Filipinas finally ended Vietnam’s stranglehold of the football gold in the Southeast Asian Games, scoring a nailbiting 6-5 win via penalty shootout last night. Take a bow, ladies! Stay safe. Stay happy peeps! For comments or questions, you can reach The Designated Kit Man at erel_cabatbat@yahoo.com or follow his account at Twitter: @erelcabatbat

There, they displayed steely resolve against Thailand, prevailing 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw over 120 minutes to earn their first-ever finals berth. Determined only to win gold, the team battled the five-peatseeking Vietnamese fiercely. The final mirrored the semifinal, going to a penalty shootout where Jaclyn Sawicki’s go-ahead spot kick and McDaniel’s clinching save against Tran Thi Thu sealed history. Skipper Hali Long reflected on their mindset throughout the tournament.

“We never wanted to end on a loss, we’re going to win gold or we’re going to win bronze. We gave ourselves no choice so the gold was ours for the taking,” she said. Long added that their fighting spirit was clear after the first defeat: “We didn’t lose our first game to lose in the end. We dug out of the hole we put ourselves in and we fought and we crawled and we did everything we could in our power to get to the semifinals, to get finals and put it away. As soon as we went to PKs I knew it was ours.”

Donaire stands taller than the results As the bout stretched into its later chapters, youth began to assert its advantages. In The Red Corner Tsutsumi raised his Nissi Icasiano tempo, applied sustained pressure, and found success durDEFEAT can silence a fighter, or it ing the championcan amplify everything he stands ship rounds. Donaire’s counters, for. Nonito Donaire’s night in Tosharp earlier, were anticipated and kyo did the latter. defused more often. Those adjustThe Filipino boxing great ments likely tipped the balance bowed to a split decision against for two officials. reigning WBA bantamweight Still, the 117-111 card felt dechampion Seiya Tsutsumi last tached from reality. It was not an Wednesday, December 17, inside outrage, but it ignored the competithe historic Ryogoku Kokugikan. tiveness that defined the contest. The verdict favored the hometown This fight lived in narrow margins, titleholder, yet the evening itself and Donaire forced it to stay there. belonged to something far bigger Context adds weight to the perthan geography or scorecards. formance. This was only his secDonaire entered the ring at ond appearance of the year. This 43, staring across at an oppopast June in Argentina, he secured nent fourteen years younger, and a technical decision over Andres refused to behave according to Campos to capture the interim expectation. Over twelve taxing WBA bantamweight title. Lonrounds, he delivered resistance, gevity at this level is not accidenintelligence, and menace. This tal. It is earned. was not a farewell tour. This was What separates Donaire now is a reminder, delivered with intent. not youth, speed, or volume. It is One judge, Robert Hoyle, saw it relevance. A former king in five 116-112 for the Filipino challengdivisions continues to test reigner. Leszek Jankowiak turned in a ing belt holders without apology. wide 117-111 card for Tsutsumi, Even now, he remains dangerous while Pinit Prayadsab submitted a enough to make champions uncloser 115-113 tally. The numbers comfortable and crowds uneasy. settled the result, but they never The forties often arrive with fully explained the tension that quiet limitations. For Donaire, hovered until the final exchange. they arrive with defiance. He There was a gasp-inducing is past his physical peak, yet moment in the fourth round. he still disciplines younger Donaire timed a counter right fighters and disrupts carefully hook to perfection, then foldrawn narratives. lowed with a right uppercut that “The Filipino Flash” has nothnearly unraveled the champion. ing to be ashamed of. He did not The bell arrived like a rescue cling to memory or reputation. line. Tsutsumi staggered back He competed, he threatened, and to his corner, visibly shaken he endured. and needing help to sit. That seIn doing so, Donaire reminded quence alone dismissed any noeveryone that certain pugilists do tion of decline. not fade quietly. They linger, they History waited just outside the challenge, and they demand attenropes. A win would have placed tion long after the sport expects Donaire alongside Bernard Hopthem to step aside. kins and the late, great George Foreman as one of the oldest cham(For comments or questions, pions the sport has ever known. The reach the author at nissi.icasiano@ door stayed closed, but the knock gmail.com or visit his Facebook echoed loudly enough to be heard page at www.facebook.com/nissi. well beyond Tokyo. icasiano.)

SPORTS

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2025

RIERA U. MALLARI, Editor RANDY M. CALUAG, Asst. Editor EDGARD HILARIO, Asst. Editor

Fencing chief accuses Gomez of assault at SEA Games By Maricel V. Cruz LEYTE Rep. Richard Gomez was caught on CCTV manhandling Philippine Fencing Association (PFA) president Rene Gacuma during the 2025 Southeast Asian Games in Thailand. In a viral social media post, the video shows a man, believed to be Gomez, hitting with his fist another man wearing an official Philippine SEA Games shirt. Gacuma later confirmed via his letter of complaint to Philippine SEAG Chef de Mission Raul Canlas, that the incident occurred on Dec. 16 at Fashion Island, the competition venue, where Gomez, a director of the fencing association, allegedly confronted him over the replacement of national athlete Alexa Larrazabal in the individual women’s epee event. Gacuma said Gomez did not want the board to replace Larrazabal with another fencer, Hanniel Abella in the said event. The fencing chief recounted the verbal and physical abuse, which he claims began when he attempted to congratulate Gomez on his recent silver medal in shooting. Gacuma recounted the alleged abuse, stating that Gomez squeezed his hand, swore at him, and hit him at the back of his head, adding he is considering consulting his legal counsel and possibly filing charges against the Leyte lawmaker. Gacuma also clarified the athlete replacement was unanimously approved by the PFA board, based on the coaching staff’s recommendation citing the athlete’s unauthorized absences and failure to submit required documents.

Thirdy Ravena challenges three Indonesian defenders on his way to the basket in a game the Filipinos narrowly won, 71-68.

Gilas PH survives Indonesia, punches ticket to SEAG final B

ANGKOK—Defending champion Gilas Pilipinas narrowly escaped a late-game scare from Indonesia to secure a hard-fought 71-68 victory in the men’s basketball semiﬁnal on Thursday at the Nimibutr Stadium, earning a spot in the gold-medal match. The nationals built a commanding 16-point lead (70-54) with under four minutes left in the game, only to see the Indonesians stage a fierce rally that threatened the team’s bid for a repeat title. Gilas coach Norman Black acknowledged the close call but focused on the result.

Gilas women rip Indonesians to reach finals

“A win is a win. We’re happy with it. We got a chance to move on to the finals,” Black said. “We have to give credit to the other team. They didn’t give up. They kept fighting.” The late-game drama intensified after Abraham Damar Gramita sank two free throws, cutting the lead to just two points, 70-68, with

22.1 seconds remaining. However, the Philippine five forced Senegalese-Indonesian big man Dame Diagne to commit a shot clock violation on the next possession. Team captain Robert Bolick then split his two foul shots, setting the final score with 7.3 ticks left on the clock. Indonesia’s final three-point attempt at the buzzer was missed, sealing the win for Gilas. Black admitted that the final minutes were messy for his squad. “We did make some knucklehead moves down the stretch as far as decision making is concerned. But we have to be there and we have to win

and get to the finals,” he added. Thirdy Ravena led the scoring for Gilas with 16 points, along with six rebounds and two assists, followed by Jamie Malonzo with 13 points and three boards. Ray Parks, who was ejected late in the game for a flagrant foul, and Bolick contributed 12 and 10 points, respectively. The Filipino cagers had to claw their way back after trailing 15-27 in the first quarter, eventually closing the gap to 33-34 by halftime. Derrick Xzavierro led Indonesia with a double-double of 22 points and 15 rebounds, while Diagne and Gramita each added 13 points.

Blu Boys get back at Singaporeans, regain softball gold

BANGKOK—Gilas Pilipinas advanced to the gold-medal match of the 33rd Southeast Asian Games women’s basketball after defeating Indonesia, 66-55, in Thursday’s semifinals at the Nimibutr Stadium here. Kacey dela Rosa had another huge game with 21 points, 11 rebounds, four steals and four blocks, while Afril Bernardino and Janine Pontejos also came through as Gilas leaned on a strong first half and never looked back. At one point, Gilas led in the second quarter, 37-18, before managing to keep Indonesia at bay the rest of the way. “I know this was going to be a tough game and they’re the defending champion and we’re just happy that we won this game,” said coach Patrick Aquino. “That first quarter was big because we would always start slowly. But then again, they were coming back and we’re getting physical already. So we tried to not be just physical, but ‘yung maging handa sa kung ano man gagawin nila,” he added.

The Blu Boys huddle at the sidelines.

BANGKOK—The Philippine Blu Boys regained the men’s softball gold in the Southeast Asian Games after defeating Singapore, 3-0, in Thursday’s final held at Queen Sirikit Baseball Stadium in Pathum Thani. Lefty pitcher Jehanz Maristela Coro struck out 17 batters in a twohit shutout as the Blu Boys avenged their title loss to Singapore during the 2019 edition held back home in Clark, Pampanga. He was backed up by a solo homer by Justine Rosales in the top of the first inning and a two-run single by Lyonas de Leon in the fourth. It was the Philippines’ ninth gold overall in men’s softball. The Blu Boys went 2-1 during the

preliminary round, with victories over Malaysia, 11-1, and Thailand, 12-0, all in four innings. Softball games are played in seven innings, but can end abruptly if a team is ahead by 11 runs after three innings or seven after five. Their lone defeat came at the hands of Singapore, 7-3, on the eve of the gold medal match, when the Blu Boys surrendered six runs in the fifth to squander a 3-1 lead. Meanwhile, the Blu Girls will go for an 11th gold in women’s softball on Friday against Singapore at the same venue. The Blu Girls swept the preliminaries with a 4-0 record, but escaped past Singapore, 2-1, in eight innings during their lone meeting.

Obiena’s triumph elevates PH athletics to new heights MEDAL TALLY AS OF 5 P.M., DECEMBER 18, 2025 COUNTRY

GOLD

SILVER

BRONZE

TOTAL

THAILAND

192

127

405

INDONESIA

263

VIETNAM

234

SINGAPORE

161

MALAYSIA

108

199

PHILIPPINES

124

219

MYANMAR

LAOS

BRUNEI DARUSSALAM

TIMOR LESTE

BANGKOK—The Philippine track and field team, consisting of 61 athletes, wrapped up the athletics competitions at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games on a triumphant note, achieving an impressive haul of five gold, seven silver and 19 bronze medals at the Suphachalasai National Stadium. This strong performance firmed up the team’s growing reputation in the regional sports arena. Former world No. 2 EJ Obiena capped off the country’s remarkable campaign by clinching his fourth straight SEA Games gold medal in pole vault, albeit in a nail-biting fashion. He narrowly edged out local favorite Amsamarng Patsapong, winning with a new meet record of 5.70 meters. Both athletes cleared this height, surpassing the previous SEAG record by 5 centimeters. Obiena secured the gold due to his successful clearance on the first attempt, while Patsapong needed three attempts. “I’m happy, but that was a little bit too close for comfort,” said Obiena. “I came here to win, and that’s exactly what I did. I love to see that the level is getting higher... and at the same time, I have a job to do.” Obiena’s personal best of 6.00 meters, achieved during the 2023 World Athletics

Championships, where he finished the season ranked world No. 2, underscores his status as one of the premier pole vaulters in the world. Currently ranked fifth in the World Athletics Rankings, he continues to be a driving force for the Philippine team. Adding to the team’s success, Elijah Kevin Cole delivered a bronze medal with a jump of 5.20 meters, marking a double triumph for Team Philippines on the final day of competitions. PATAFA secretary-general Jasper Tanhueco expressed pride in the ICTSI-backed athletes’ performances, noting that the team surpassed its previous record with a total of 31 medals: five gold, seven silver, and 19 bronze. “We win some, we lose some, but we def initely learn from it. We have many rising stars, and the future of Philippine athlet-

ics looks promising,” he said. The Filipino athletes demonstrated remarkable talent and determination throughout the competition. Hurdler John Christopher Cabang, decathlete Hokett Delos Santos, and middle-distance runners Hussein Loraña and Naomi Marjorie Cesar all contributed to the team’s success, showcasing the depth of skills within the squad. Cabang’s impressive performance in the men’s 110m hurdles earned him the country’s first athletics gold of the event, setting a new competition record with a time of 13.66 seconds. He surpassed the previous record of 13.69 seconds set by Thailand’s Jamras Rittidet during t h e 2015 SEA Games. “I’m super happy to raise the flag on the top of the podium for the Philippines,” said Cabang. “This victory means a lot to me, especially after my bronze medal finish in Cambodia.” Ernest John Obiena displays his gold

BUSINESS Business groups demand reforms in procurement LEADING business and governance organizations are calling for decisive action to overhaul the country’s public procurement system, citing a history of high-profile scandals that have drained public funds through political patronage and opaque bidding processes. In a joint statement, the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD), Institute for Solidarity in Asia (ISA), Justice Reform Initiative (JRI) and Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) demanded the immediate implementation of the New Government Procurement Act, also known as Republic Act 12009. The groups said the intersection of dynastic influence and weak oversight has allowed corruption to thrive in cases ranging from the ZTE broadband deal and the Napoles pork barrel scam to more recent controversies involving Pharmally procurement and flood control projects. Business groups proposed major initiatives beginning Jan. 1, 2026 to establish full transparency throughout the project life cycle. The proposals include the mandatory disclosure of beneficial ownership, financial red-flagging and a rapid response mechanism to address irregularities. To ensure public accountability, the groups called for a digital dashboard to track project delays, cost overruns and repeat contract winners, alongside the creation of secure whistleblower channels. Statements of concern are no longer sufficient to address the persistent pattern of accountability failures, they said, as they urged the Sandiganbayan to expedite major corruption cases and called on the Government Procurement Policy Board to ensure RA 12009 is fully enforced. Othel V. Campos

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2025

Vehicle sales declined 8.7% to 37,352 units in November By Othel V. Campos

HILIPPINE vehicle sales fell 8.7 percent in November 2025 from a year ago, according to the data released by the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. (CAMPI) and the Truck Manufacturers Association (TMA).

Monthly sales reached 37,352 units in November, down from 40,898 vehicles sold in November 2024. The figure also represented a 6.7-percent decline from 40,014 units delivered in October 2025. This brought the 11-month industry sales to 420,776 units, reflecting a marginal 1-percent contraction from 425,208 units sold in the same period

in 2024. The industry’s performance remains split between a surging commercial segment and a struggling passenger car market as commercial vehicle (CV) sales grew 6.8 percent year-to-date to 335,859 units from 314,563 units and accounting for n e a r l y 80 percent of the total

37,352 units Vehicles sold in November 2025

40,898 units

Vehicles sold in November 2024

420,776 Vehicles sold in 11 months LEXUS GALLERY.

Quezon City and Lexus officials attend the groundbreaking ceremony on Dec. 16, 2025 of the new Lexus Quezon City Gallery at Sgt. Esguerra St. Attending the event are (from left) Lexus Philippines vice chairman Dr. David Go, Lexus Philippines president Masando Hashimoto, Lexus Philippines chairman Alfred Ty, Quezon City 4th District Rep. Jesus Manuel Suntay, Quezon City May Ma. Josefina Belmonte, Lexus Quezon City president Reginaldo Oben, councilor Eden Delilah Medina and Lexus Philippines executive vice president Don Juan Miguel Oben.

DOLE strengthens Hotline 1349 IN SUPPORT of the administration’s commitment to improving frontline government services and ensuring that every Filipino has access to prompt and accurate labor and employment information, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) held a three-day capacity-building session to strengthen the skills of its 23 DOLE Hotline 1349 action officers. Held from December 9 to 11, 2025, at the DOLE Central Office, the training session reinforced the capabilities of its action officers to effectively handle workers’ concerns and ensure the continuous delivery of accurate, prompt, and reliable services for Filipino workers. Dubbed “Maximizing Service Quality: Comprehensive Training on General Labor Standards and Essential Customer Service Skills,” the sessions covered discussions on general labor standards, particularly on fundamental rights and benefits of workers, wage computations, work arrangements, labor law compliance, collective bargaining agreements, and other programs of DOLE’s bureaus and attached agencies. In addition, the hotline action officers undertook effective communication and customer service sessions. “I hope that all of you continue to improve our services with the knowledge gained today. Let us always be polite and

market. Within this segment, heavy-duty trucks and buses saw the highest growth at 41.2 percent, while light commercial vehicles rose 7.9 percent. The passenger car (PC) segment saw a 23.3-percent decline in 11 months to 84,917 units from 110,645 units a year earlier. Toyota Motor Philippines Corp. remained the market leader, holding a 48.85 percent market share with 205,552 units sold in 11 months. Mitsubishi Motors Philippines followed in second place with 79,252 units or 18.83-percent share, while Ford Motor Company Phils. accounted for 4.75-percent share. Suzuki Phils. Inc. and Nissan Philippines Inc. rounded out the top five. The latest report also highlighted the growth of electrified vehicles (xEVs), which grew 6.5 percent in November.

extrastory2000@gmail.com RODERICK T. DELA CRUZ, Editor ALENA MAE S. FLORES, Asst. Editor

DOLE, IBPAP sign MOA to boost PH workforce THE Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) formalized its partnership with the Information Technology and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) to boost the youth employability in the IT & Business Process Management (IT-BPM) sector. In a ceremony held recently at Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga, Labor Secretary Bienvenido E. Laguesma and IBPAP Chief Operating Officer Celeste Ilagan led the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to expand the implementation of the JobStart Philippines Program in the IT-BPM sector by providing career counselling, soft/core skills training,

CAPACITY-BUILDING FOR DOLE HOTLINE ACTION OFFICERS. DOLE Hotline 1349 action officers participate in a three-day capacity-building session titled “Maximizing Service Quality: Comprehensive Training on General Labor Standards and Essential Customer Service Skills,” conducted on December 9-11, 2025, at the DOLE Central Office in Intramuros, Manila. (Photos by Alejandro P. Echavez/DOLE-IPS) patient with our clients with the positive virtues of a good public servant. We have to remember that we also represent the Department,” DOLE Information and Publication Service Director Rosalinda P. Pineda said. “Whenever there are new policies or information that need to be shared with

clients, we will do our best to provide them,” she continued. For labor and employment-related inquiries or concerns, the public is encouraged to contact the DOLE Hotline 1349, available to assist from Mondays to Fridays, from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM, except on holidays.

FFCCCII COURTESY CALL ON DOLE. (Top photo) Labor Secretary Bienvenido E. Laguesma (top row, 3rd from left), alongside other senior officials of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), meets with the Federation of FilipinoChinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII), led by its president, Mr. Victor Lim (bottom row, center), during the latter’s courtesy call on the Department held recently at the DOLE Central Office in Intramuros, Manila. (Bottom photo) The DOLE-FFCCCII dialogue covered ongoing joint efforts, including the implementation of Project Angel Tree—DOLE’s major program aimed at eliminating child labor—and the conduct of job fairs. Also discussed were new opportunities for partnership such as labor market information dissemination, youth employability and internship programs, livelihood and emergency employment and recovery programs, labor standards and occupational safety compliance promotions, and anti-illegal recruitment and anti-trafficking campaigns. The meeting also explored potential convergence points in the implementation of recent legislation and plans related to labor and employment, specifically the Enterprise-based Education and Training (EBET) Act and the National Green Jobs Human Resource Development Plan 2024, as well as support for the development of micro, small, and medium enterprises. Secretary Laguesma is joined by Undersecretaries Carmela I. Torres, Felipe N. Egargo, Jr., Warren M. Miclat; Bureau of Local Employment Director Patrick P. Patriwirawan, Jr.; Bureau of Working Conditions Director Alvin B. Curada; and Institute for Labor Studies Executive Director Jeanette T. Damo. Joining the visiting delegation are FFCCCII Executive Vice President Jeffrey Ng, Vice President William Gosiaco, and Vice President/ Adviser for Industrial Relations Jose Go. Photos by Ali Creo/ DOLE-IPS

industry-specific technical training, and internships that are aligned with the needs of the labor market. To enhance youth employability, this initiative aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s administration’s commitment to uplifting the lives of Filipinos by generating more employment opportunities. To ensure a robust talent pipeline, DOLE and IBPAP will match JobStart trainees with industry-relevant skills, support displaced or at-risk workers in transitioning to in-demand jobs, engage industry stakeholders in recruitment, training, and mentoring, and expand career opportunities.

DOLE SEALS PARTNERSHIP WITH IBPAP. Labor Secretary Bienvenido E. Laguesma (rightmost) and IBPAP COO Celeste Ilagan (leftmost) present signed Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to strengthen the implementation of the JobStart Philippines (JSP) Program and Adjustment Measures Program (AMP) in the IT-BPM sector. Photo by Ali Creo/ DOLEIPS

ECC, PRC partner to ensure compliance of workers’ rehab complex with industry standards

DOLE-ECC-PRC COLLABORATION ON THE WRCC. Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary and Employees’ Compensation Commission (ECC) Chairperson Bienvenido E. Laguesma (seated, 2nd from right), along with DOLE Undersecretary Felipe N. Egargo, Jr. (seated rightmost), PRC Assistant Commissioner Lord Louis P. Valera (seated 2nd from left), and ECC Executive Director Kaima Via B. Velasquez (seated leftmost), shows the signed Memorandum of Agreement on the DOLE-ECC-PRC convergence on the construction of the Workers Rehabilitation Center Complex (WRCC) in Tanay, Rizal. Photo by Ali Creo, DOLE-IPS THE Employees’Compensation Commission (ECC) and the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), both attached agencies of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), have joined forces to ensure that the planned Workers Rehabilitation Center Complex (WRCC) in Tanay, Rizal, will meet all relevant industry standards and technical specifications. The convergence is in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s commitment to advancing workers’ welfare through intensified collaborative government efforts. DOLE Secretary and ECC Chairperson

Bienvenido E. Laguesma and PRC Chairperson Charito A. Zamora, represented by PRC Assistant Commissioner Lord Louis P. Valera, formalized the partnership through a Memorandum of Agreement signed recently in Pampanga with DOLE Undersecretary Felipe N. Egargo, Jr., and ECC Executive Director Kaima Via B. Velasquez as witnesses. Under the agreement, ECC and PRC will work closely to ensure that all project technical documents, including the Terms of Reference, adhere to established industry standards and specifications.

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BUSINESS CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2025

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MOBICARE DONATION. City Mayor Arlene Arcillas and Vice Mayor Arnold Arcillas, together with Jose Maria Aligada,

president of the Toyota Motor Philippines Foundation during the signing of the agreement, which aims to strengthen the delivery of faster and more efficient medical services for the residents of Santa Rosa. Roy Tomandao

MREIT to acquire P16.2b worth of office buildings from Megaworld Manila

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TODAY

By Jenniffer B. Austria

INVITATION TO BID ORIENTAL MINDORO ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC. (ORMECO, INC.), through its BID AND AWARDS COMMITTEE (BAC), hereby intends to apply the sum of One Hundred Nine Million Two Hundred Ninety Two Thousand Forty-Three Pesos and Forty Cents (₱109,292,043.40) funded by 5% Reinvestment Fund and Two Million Six Hundred Thousand Pesos (₱2,600,000.00) funded by General Fund inclusive of all applicable taxes and fees, being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC), for the procurement, supply, and delivery of materials/supplies/equipment. 1.

ORMECO, INC. now calls for the submission of a Letter of Intent by the interested bidders thru email at ormeco.bac.official@gmail.com. The list of the ORMECO, INC. Eligibility Requirements may be viewed at www.ormecoinc.com, https://www.facebook.com/OrientalMindoroElectricCooperativeInc, and can be requested through email ormeco_coop@yahoo.com, or call the contact numbers listed above. An amount of One Thousand Pesos (₱1,000.00) is required as Accreditation Fee;

ORMECO, INC. now invites suppliers for the following:

ABC (INCLUSIVE OF VAT)

COST OF BID DOCUMENTS (NONREFUNDABLE)

Supply of Labor and Materials for the Major Renovation of ORMECO’s Main Office (Phase II)

₱8,726,308.75

₱10,000.00

Acquisition, Construction and Commissioning of 15MVA at Socorro Substation

₱ 63,963,153.00

₱50,000.00

III

Supply of Lineman Tools

₱ 9,307,384.65

₱10,000.00

IV-A

Supply of Pole Line Hardware Materials for Construction of New Distribution Lines

₱18,857,461.00

₱25,000.00

IV-B

Supply of Concrete Poles for Construction of New Distribution Lines

₱7,293,036.00

₱10,000.00

IV-C

Supply of Crossarm Steel for Construction of New Distribution Lines

₱1,144,700.00

₱5,000.00

Supply of Service / Operation Vehicle

₱ 2,600,000.00

₱5,000.00

LOT

ITEM DESCRIPTION

FUNDING SOURCE

5% Reinvestment Fund

REIT Inc. is acquiring P16.22 billion worth of office assets from parent firm Megaworld Corp. through a share-for-property swap, the company said in a stock exchange disclosure Thursday. The MREIT board approved the acquisition of nine Grade A office buildings in PEZA-registered zones within McKinley Hill in Taguig City. The assets include Science Hub Towers 1, 3 and 4; 8 Campus Place Buildings A, B and C; One Campus Place Buildings A and B; and the South East Asian Campus. The transaction will add 165,477 square meters of gross leasable area to the MREIT portfolio, bringing its total office GLA to 646,891 square meters upon completion. The company’s current GLA stands at 482,000 square meters. “This latest infusion reflects MREIT’s continued focus on scaling up with high-quality, income-generating assets in prime locations,” said Jose Arnulfo Batac, MREIT Inc. president and chief executive. Batac said the assets strengthen portfolio quality and support the objective of delivering stable returns to shareholders. Several properties, including 8 Campus Place Buildings A and B and the South East Asian Campus, are LEED-certified. MREIT said it plans to pursue another round of asset infusions in 2026, which could raise its portfolio to about 750,000 square meters of GLA. The next tranche is expected to include select mall assets. The planned infusions are part of a growth strategy to expand the portfolio with premium office assets and lifestyle malls, supporting a long-term target of reaching 1 million square meters of GLA by 2027.

General Fund

Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using non-discretionary “pass/fail” criterion as specified in the NEA Memorandum NO. 2017-019: Revised Procurement Guidelines and Simplified Bidding Procedures for Electric Cooperatives, IRR-RA 10531 (2017). For projects funded by subsidies, the process shall follow the provisions of Republic Act No. 9184, also known as the Government Procurement Reform Act; Specifications and Technical details of the project is included in the Bid Documents. Proof of payment/s of the Bidding Documents shall be sent to the BAC via email (ormeco.bac.official@gmail.com). Upon validation of the payment/s, the BAC shall email the scanned copy of the Bidding Documents and Official Receipts to the Bidders email address declared in the Letter of Intent. The schedule of bidding activities is as follows:

ACTIVITIES

SCHEDULE

Publication of Invitation to Bid

19 December 2025 (Friday)

Last day of Submission of Letter of Intent thru email / Availability of Bidding Documents

Before the start of the scheduled Opening and Evaluation of Bids thru ormeco.bac.official@ gmail.com or hand-carry at ORMECO, INC.

Pre-Bid Conference

06 January 2025 (Tuesday) at ORMECO, INC. Resolution Room 07 January 2025 (Wednesday) ORMECO, INC. Resolution Room

Deadline of Acceptance for the Submission of Accreditation (Hard Copy)

Deadline of Submission and Receipt of Bids/ Bid Opening

12 January 2025 (Monday) Office Hours, at ORMECO, INC. Office

10:00 am for Lot IV-A 11:00 am for Lot IV-B 1:00 pm for Lot IV-C 2:00 pm for Lot V 10:00 am for Lot III 11:00 am for Lot I 1:00 pm for Lot II

Until 5:00 pm

20 January 2025 (Tuesday) at ORMECO, INC. Resolution Room 21 January 2025 (Wednesday) at ORMECO, INC. Resolution Room

9:00 am for Lot IV-A 10:30 am for Lot IV-B 1:00 pm for Lot IV-C 3:00 pm for Lot V 9:00 amManila for Lot III

Standard

10:30 am for Lot I TODAY 1:00 pm for Lot II

Post-Qualification

26 January to 28 January 2025

Approval through Board Resolution and Issuance of Notice of Award

Board Meeting for the Month of February 2025

Signing of Contract

After Issuance of Notice of Award

Delivery Schedule

To be announced during the Pre-Bid Conference

6. 7.

10.

Only those who have a validated payment/s of the Bidding Documents shall be allowed to attend or participate during the Pre-Bidding Conference; Only those who have secured a valid Accreditation Certificate and validated payment/s of the Bidding Documents shall be allowed to submit Bid Proposals and participate during the Opening of Bids. All bids shall be opened and read in the presence of the Accredited Bidders or their duly authorized representatives. All bids shall be accompanied by a Bid Security equivalent to 2% of ABC. The winning bidder shall issue Performance Security in the form of Cash, Cashier’s Check, Manager’s Check, issued by a Universal or Commercial Bank, equivalent to five percent (5%) for non-infrastructure and ten percent (10%) for infrastructure of the Contract Price. ORMECO, INC. reserves the right to accept or reject any bids, declare a failure of bidding, and not to award the contract without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders. ORMECO, INC. also has no responsibility whatsoever to compensate or indemnify bidders for any expenses incurred in the preparation of their bids.

Certified by:

Approved by:

(SGD.) ENGR. FRANCIS P. MACALINTAL Chairperson, Bids and Awards Committee(BAC)

(SGD.) HUMPHREY A. DOLOR, PECE, MBA Head of Procuring Entity (HOPE)

MARRIOT CEBU. Fairfield by Marriott Cebu Mactan will open on Dec. 19, 2024 as the first Marriott-branded city hotel on the island. The 196-room property is part of the Mahi Center, a mixed-use commercial development owned by AppleOne Group that aims to enhance the urban hospitality landscape near Cebu’s primary gateway.

Property sector leads market pullback SHARE prices edged lower Thursday, dragged by declines across all major sectors as investors cashed in on previous gains. The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange Index shed 47.54 points, or 0.78 percent, to close at 6,031.48 as foreign selling persisted. The broader All Shares Index slipped by 12.49 points, or 0.36 percent, to 3,446.96. The peso closed stronger at 58.555 against the dollar Thursday, compared with 58.725 on Wednesday. “The local market pulled back, taking cues from Wall Street’s overnight decline,” said Japhet Tantiangco, research head at Philstocks Financial Inc. “Investors traded cautiously while waiting for U.S. November inflation data, which is expected to give clues on the Federal Reserve’s policy outlook,” he added. All sectors ended in the red, led by property, which dropped 1.62 percent, while holding firms fell 0.92 percent. Trading was anemic with net value turnover at P4.88 billion. Losers beat gainers 95 to 91. NOTICE Foreign investors were net sellers Notice is hereby given that KMC COMMUNITY, INC., with office address at 25 Floor, Picadilly Star Bldg., for the 15th straight 4th Avenue corner 27 Street, Bonifacio Global City, trading day, with net Taguig City, is applying for registration with the Board of Investments (BOI) as an Expanding Operator of Business outflows at P361.16 Hub and Co-Working Space [Business Incubator Hub million. - 14 & 17 Floors, Jollibee Tower, Pasig City], under Tier 1 (Preferred Activities - Innovation Drivers - Business Globe Telecom Incubation hub and Co-working Spaces) of the 2022 Inc. was the day’s top Strategic Investment Priority Plan (SIPP) of RA 11534 (CREATE Act) as amended by RA No. 12066, with project index gainer, up 2.62 site located at 14 & 17 Floors, Jollibee Tower, F. Ortigas percent to P1,604, Jr. Road corner Garnet Road, Ortigas Center, Pasig City. while ACEN Corp. Any person with valid objection/s on the abovewas the main index mentioned project may file his/her objection in writing, under oath, with the BOI within three (3) days from the date of this laggard, falling 4.84 publication . percent to P2.75. (SGD.) MARY ANN E. RAGANIT Jenniffer B. Director Infrastructure and Services Industries Service Austria th

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

BUSINESS

B3 FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2025

extrastory2000@gmail.com

BCDA wins over John Hay property claims By Othel V. Campos

HE Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) is securing major legal victories as it advances the revitalization and modernization of Camp John Hay.

The Baguio City Regional Trial Court Branch 79 recently dismissed six petitions filed by private claimants. The cases concerned the quieting of title, recovery of possession and promissory estoppel regarding properties within the John Hay Special Economic Zone. “These rulings provide long-term stability for investors and partners,” BCDA chairperson Larry Paredes said. “With legal clarity secured, we can fully realize Camp John Hay’s potential as a world-class mountain estate and a key growth

driver in Northern Luzon.” BCDA president and chief executive Joshua Bingcang said the decision strengthens the area’s transformation. “Just as we successfully developed Bonifacio Global City and New Clark City, we are reinforcing Camp John Hay’s status as a premier investment destination,” Bingcang said. “The legal certainty achieved is a core component of this. It affirms that Camp John Hay offers not just its iconic beauty, but a business environment forti-

fied by law.” The BCDA is finalizing an updated master plan to position Camp John Hay as a self-sustaining, mixed-use district. The plan integrates ecotourism, business, education, healthcare and green infrastructure, modeled after the development of Bonifacio Global City and New Clark City. The BCDA expects the redevelopment to attract investors, create jobs and ensure economic growth benefits the people of Baguio and surrounding communities.

BUSINESS

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2025

extrastory2000@gmail.com RODERICK T. DELA CRUZ, Editor ALENA MAE S. FLORES, Asst. Editor

BSP tightens delisting rules on bank officials By Thony Rose Lesaca

SUPPORT FOR LAGUNA. Promising support for Laguna’s healthcare and tourism sectors, business leader Manuel Pangilinan announces his commitment to assist the provincial government of Laguna during a Facebook Live broadcast on Dec. 17, 2025. Laguna Governor Sol Aragones cited the need for additional ambulances and medical equipment for Laguna’s district hospitals, saying these are needed to improve emergency response and hospital services across the province. Roy Tomandao

Aboitiz-led consortium gets P75-b loan for CBK plants By Alena Mae S. Flores

HE Thunder Consortium led by the Aboitiz Group has secured bridge loan facilities totaling P75 billion from BDO Unibank and Metropolitan Bank and Trust Company to partially finance its acquisition of the 796.64-megawatt Caliraya-Botocan-Kalayaan (CBK) hydroelectric power plant complex. BDO and Metrobank each provided up to P35 billion for the transaction. The consortium, which includes Aboitiz Power Corp. subsidiary

Aboitiz Renewables Inc., Sumitomo Corp. and Electric Power Development Co. Ltd., won the bid for the facility with an offer of P36.266 billion.

The financing follows approval from the Philippine Competition Commission for the consortium to acquire the asset from the state-run Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. (PSALM). The consortium received the notice of award on July 18, 2025, and expects the facility turnover in February 2026. The CBK complex located in Laguna consists of the 22.6-megawatt Caliraya plant in Lumban, the 20.8-megawatt Botocan plant in Majayjay and the 684.6-megawatt Kalayaan 1 and 2 plants in Kalayaan. PSALM, which manages the assets

Coins.ph slashes FX spreads to 2 basis points COINS.PH is positioning itself as a major competitor to traditional Philippine banks by launching institutional-grade foreign exchange services with spreads as low as 2 basis points. The digital asset platform is leveraging its Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas licenses to offer a 0.02 percent spread on major G10 currency pairs including USD/PHP, USD/EUR and USD/ JPY. The new rate undercuts the 10 basis points typically offered by major local banks to institutional clients and the 80 to 90 basis points usually charged to retail customers. By targeting the corporate sector, the platform allows for unrestricted transaction volumes to accommodate large-scale fund movements and treasury operations. The service requires a minimum trading volume of $20,000. For corporate finance desks, the shift to a 0.02 percent spread is intended to provide substantial savings for quarterly treasury management and crossborder payments. The platform aims to solve traditional banking friction by offering near-instant settlement, whereas legacy systems often take several days to finalize transactions. To mitigate market volatility, the company provides next-business day spot hedging capabilities. This allows institutional partners to lock in exchange rates and manage inventory risk more effectively than through traditional retail channels.

of the National Power Corp. under the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001, signed the final project agreements with the consortium through its project company, Cleanergy 9 Power Inc., in August. Aboitiz Power said the acquisition supports the national goal of reaching a 50 percent renewable energy share in the power mix by 2040. The company noted that pumped storage hydro is integral to the Philippine energy system because it can reduce peak power prices and support the integration of variable renewable energy sources.

ELECTRIFICATION PROGRAM. One

Meralco Foundation (OMF), the corporate social responsibility arm of Manuel Pangilinan-led Manila Electric Company (Meralco), energizes 168 more lowincome households in Pasig City in time for the holiday season. Pasig City Mayor Ma. Regis Sotto (third row, sixth from right), Meralco chief revenue officer and OMF trustee Ferdinand Geluz (third row, fourth from right) , and Meralco chief corporate social responsibility officer and OMF president Jeffrey Tarayao (third row, fifth from right) lead the ceremony celebrating the initiative that gives Pasig residents access to safe and reliable electricity through OMF’s Household Electrification Program.

PAGCOR revokes Uy’s Cebu casino license, scuttles EEI deal By Jenniffer B. Austria THE Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) has revoked the provisional gaming license for Dennis Uy-led PH Resorts Group Holdings Inc (PHR), effectively ending a planned partnership with construction firm EEI Corp. to finish the stalled Emerald Bay project. PHR said in a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange Thursday that its subsidiaries, Lapulapu Leisure Inc. and Lapulapu Land Corp., received a formal notice of the regulator’s decision to cancel the license for the integrated resort and casino in Mactan, Cebu.

The revocation marks a definitive blow to the long-delayed $300-million project. PHR officials said the partnership discussions with EEI had not reached definitive agreements and are no longer feasible following the PAGCOR board decision. The developer has struggled for years to secure a “white knight” investor to complete the 12.4-hectare development. Previous negotiations with Bloomberry Resorts Corp. and Cebu-based AppleOne Properties Inc. both fall through before a deal could be finalized. PHR first obtained the provisional license in 2017 with plans to build a premier destination featuring

146 gaming tables, 729 electronic gaming machines and 780 hotel rooms. However, the project faced repeated delays due to funding constraints. The financial pressure on the project intensified earlier this year when China Banking Corp. (CBC) acquired the land where the casino is located after a leaseback agreement with PHR expired in March. CBC has since confirmed it is seeking new investors interested in the property. PHR chairman Dennis Uy has seen several of his business ventures face liquidity challenges in recent years, leading to the divestment of various assets.

Pag-IBIG, Megawide team up to build over 7,000 socialized housing units

UNILEVER’S AWARDS. The Unilever Philippines team attends the awarding

ceremony at the Marketing + Media Alliance (MMA) 2025 SMARTIES Philippines Awards to receive their awards for their campaigns including two major industry awards such as Advertiser of the Year for the second consecutive year and Best in Show for Dove’s ‘Beat the Invisible Game’ campaign.

PAG-IBIG Fund has teamed up with Megawide Construction Corp. to speed up the delivery of 7,143 housing units in medium-rise residential developments under the Expanded Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino Program (Expanded 4PH). The partnership involves two initial sites in Dasmarinas, Cavite, consisting of 4,185 units in the DasmarinasSalitran site and 2,958 units in the Dasmarinas-Paliparan site. These homes are expected to be available within two to three years, priced within the socialized housing range despite featuring amenities typically found in higher-priced developments. Under the agreement, Pag-IBIG Fund

will invest up to P10 billion through a subscription to preferred shares in the project company. The investment will be released in three tranches, starting with P5 billion for the first tranche followed by P2.5 billion each for the second and third tranches. These preferred shares carry a 9 percent annual cash dividend, which steps up to 18 percent if the shares are not redeemed. Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development Secretary and Pag-IBIG Fund Board of Trustees chair Jose Ramon Aliling said the partnership is designed to expand the supply of socialized homes while enabling faster construction and more accessible pricing.

THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has amended its regulations on the disqualification of directors and officers, establishing specific delisting procedures for banks and nonbank financial institutions. Under the new rules signed on Dec. 15, the temporary disqualification of officials takes effect immediately upon official notification by the BSP and remains in place for five years. Individuals will only be automatically delisted from the BSP record after the five-year period has elapsed. The Monetary Board clarified that automatic delisting does not apply to individuals with pending court cases or administrative proceedings. This restriction also extends to those under investigation by the BSP Office of the General Counsel and Legal Services, or those whose fitness to serve remains under assessment by the board. Individuals involved in such cases may file a formal request for delisting if they can provide documentation proving that their cases were decided in their favor or that they have been cleared of derogatory records. The Monetary Board maintains the authority to approve or deny these requests based on the evidence provided. The circular also introduces a provision for the automatic delisting of deceased individuals once proof of death is submitted to the regulator.

IN BRIEF PAL launches Cebu-Guam flights

PHILIPPINE Airlines has inaugurated the first nonstop service between Cebu and Guam, establishing a direct link between the Central Visayas region and the U.S. Pacific territory. The new route operates three times weekly using Airbus A321ceo aircraft. The service complements the airline’s existing daily flights from Manila to Guam, providing increased flexibility for passengers traveling between the Philippines and the United States. The flag carrier operates a fleet of Boeing, Airbus and De Havilland aircraft from hubs in Manila, Cebu, Clark and Davao. Its network spans 31 domestic destinations and 39 international locations across Asia, North America, Australia and the Middle East. Beyond passenger travel, the company maintains air cargo and charter operations. The route expansion comes as the airline reports significant financial growth. PAL recorded a net income of $22 million for the period of July to September 2025, up 62 percent from $13 million it booked in the same period in 2024. The carrier also saw a net income of $159 million in nine months, or 17 percent higher than the previous year. Darwin G. Amojelar

PLDT, Smart combat equipment theft

PLDT Inc. and its wireless subsidiary Smart Communications Inc. are intensifying efforts to combat the theft of cable and telecommunications equipment by strengthening ties with local government units, police and communities across the Philippines. Through their Asset Protection and Security Risk Governance group, the companies expanded a barangay-based asset protection project known as Bayanihan. The program conducted sessions in several cities in 2025, including Makati, Davao City, Quezon City and Cagayan de Oro, to improve local monitoring and reporting of infrastructure interference. The initiative follows a period of persistent vandalism and theft that disrupted digital services for millions of customers. In 2024, the companies recorded nearly 1,000 loss incidents primarily involving copper cables. In some areas of Manila, theft occurred as frequently as every 3 days, resulting in service interruptions and revenue losses. PLDT and Smart property, facilities and asset resiliency management vice president and head Leo Gonzales said the collaboration emphasizes the role of residents in maintaining their own connectivity. Gonzales said safeguarding equipment ensures digital services remain reliable for the homes, businesses and institutions that depend on them daily. Darwin G. Amojelar

APECO receives foreign investments

THE Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (APECO) said it has regained its standing through improved governance and a surge in investor interest, APECO president and chief executive Gil Taway IV said during his State of APECO Address on Dec. 15. Taway said the ecozone has restored its relevance two years after a mandate was issued to revive the authority. He attributed the progress to leadership reforms and transparent governance, noting that the agency received two consecutive positive audit findings from the Commission on Audit. The authority is seeing a resurgence in international interest following overseas investment missions. Two Spanish firms, Fira Barcelona and IDOM, are scheduled to sign memoranda of understanding to explore projects in food and cold-chain logistics, port modernization and a convention facility. These developments follow a partnership with KADIN Indonesia for the inaugural APECO business forum. APECO also reported significant progress on more than P800 million worth of previously stalled projects. Completed facilities include the first phases of a sewage treatment plant and a central water supply system, alongside a new fire station and fire protection equipment facility. Taway said the authority’s growth is now aligned with the provincial government of Aurora and the municipalities of Dinalungan, Casiguran and Dilasag under the DiCaDi Growth Corridor. Othel V. Campos

TRANSPORT

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2025

extrastory2000@gmail.com Darwin G. Amojelar, Issue Editor

DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon, MMDA chairman Don Artes and DOTr acting Secretary Giovanni Lopez outline the revised EDSA rehabilitation plan at the MMDA headquarters on Dec. 17. The project, set to begin over the Christmas holidays, has been fasttracked from two years to just eight months. Officials assured motorists of minimal disruption, as repairs will focus strictly on damaged sections. Manny Palmero

PPA deploys 3,000 port security personnel ahead of travel surge

Dizon vows ‘entirely new EDSA’ M OTORISTS and commuters can expect “an entirely new EDSA” once the rehabilitation and sidewalk redesign of Metro Manila’s busiest thoroughfare is complete, Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon said.

“It’s a very ambitious plan,” Dizon said, referring to the long-delayed EDSA rehabilitation. EDSA, a crucial 23.8-kilometer stretch, connects Pasay City in the south to Caloocan City in the northern part of Metro Manila. Dizon said the President ordered the agency to find better ways to minimize disruptions for motorists and commuters once the EDSA rehabilitation begins. In June, President Marcos ordered

a temporary suspension of major rehabilitation works to prevent the severe traffic congestion the project was expected to trigger. After consulting with various stakeholders, Dizon introduced a new strategy for the EDSA rehabilitation that prioritizes the convenience of motorists and commuters by reducing potential disruptions. “The first plan was a minimum of two years. The President said that was not possible. It had to be short.

The disruption had to be minimal, so the new plan was only eight months instead of two years using stone mastic asphalt,” Dizon said. Dizon said that the budget for the EDSA rehabilitation has been reduced to P6 billion—a significant 64.7 percent decrease from the original P17 billion proposal. This revised strategy is expected to generate at least P11 billion in savings. Dizon said the rehabilitation will start at 11 pm on December 24, 2025 and continue until 4 am on January 5, 2026. According to Dizon, construction works would be 24/7. “We will take advantage of that [holiday] season,” Dizon said, adding that the agency will be using new asphalt new technology from Japan for the EDSA repair. Dizon said the first four months will cover the stretch from Roxas Boulevard to EDSA-Orense, while the remaining four months will focus on rehabilitating the rest of EDSA. From Jan. 5 to May 31, 2026, construction will take place only on weekdays from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. Dizon noted that work will stop by 5 a.m. to ensure the road is fully open

for regular traffic. Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez, meanwhile, assured that the EDSA Busway line is still dedicated for faster travel for commuters. “The President always says that there should always be public transportation. We will ensure that our EDSA Busway has an adequate supply [of buses],” Lopez said. The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, on the other hand, assured that it will deploy enforcers to ensure smooth traffic flow. “Apart from the additional MMDA personnel, we will also open alternative routes so that traffic flows smoothly,” MMDA Chairman Romando Artes said. A study by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) revealed that traffic congestion in Metro Manila drains at least P3.5 billion daily from the Philippine economy, totaling a staggering P1.27 trillion annually. JICA warned that without effective intervention, these losses are projected to climb to P5.4 billion per day, or P1.97 trillion a year, by 2035. Darwin G. Amojelar

2GO Travel wins 2 awards at 2025 TDM Travel Trade Excellence Awards—Asia

PAL, Xavier School forge corporate travel partnership PHILIPPINE Airlines (PAL) and Xavier School have entered into a partnership, launching an initiative that marks the first corporate collaboration under PAL’s dedicated program for educational institutions. Under the agreement, Xavier School becomes PAL’s pioneer partner school, leading the way for a program designed to make schoolrelated travel easier, more convenient, and more enriching for students and faculty. The program will provide the school with access to special travel privileges, streamlined booking processes, and opportunities for experiential learning beyond the classroom. It also aims to simplify travel arrangements for educational institutions, ensuring smoother logistics for trips and cultural immersions, while also offering unique experiences such as guided tours of PAL facilities and technical training programs. “As the nation’s flag carrier, Philippine Airlines understands the importance of a reliable partner in the skies,” said Rabbi Vincent Ang, PAL express President. “Our commitment is to ensure that every journey taken by the Xavier School community is marked by safety, comfort, and genuine heartfelt care.”

2GO Travel, the Philippines’ premier sea travel operator, secured two prestigious titles at the 2025 TDM Travel Trade Excellence Awards —Asia. The company was honored as the Community Engagement Programme of the Year – Philippines and Cruise Ship Entertainment of the Year—Philippines. The Community Engagement award recognizes 2GO’s Enrolment to Employment (E2E) and Apprenticeship Programme, which provides practical, industry-based training onboard 2GO vessels. The program equips young Filipinos with hands-on experience in hospitality and maritime services. Participants live, learn, and work onboard, interacting with passengers, managing services, and applying their coursework in authentic vessel environments. Through this initiative, 2GO transforms its ships into floating classrooms that develop confidence, competence, and character. Students in the E2E Program gain exposure to both hospitality and ship management operations and receive mentorship from experienced professionals. They also benefit from career coaching, resume-building sessions, and soft-skills training aligned with global hiring standards. These support services ensure that graduates enter the workforce with stronger qualifications and a competitive edge. “These awards affirm the value of integrating programs like E2E into our operations. We take pride in helping aspiring hospitality, tourism and maritime professionals prepare for meaningful careers. While we have always seen our trainees leave the program more confident and capable, this recognition simply is the cherry on top.“ said George Narag, 2GO Travel Head of Product Development. 2GO also received the Cruise Ship Entertainment award for Travel Fun, its signature onboard entertainment program. Travel Fun features cultural performances, games, music, and themed activities both onboard and at terminals. The initiative consistently receives high passenger satisfaction scores and reinforces 2GO’s commitment to making sea travel enjoyable for Filipino travelers.

2GO Travel assistant vice president for F&B, ancillary, and hotel operations Roland Sunga and 2GO Travel head of product development and senior brand manager George Clayton P. Narag accepted two TDM Travel Trade Excellence Awards in Singapore.

THE Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) has intensified security measures across all its managed ports nationwide to handle the 2025 holiday surge. According to PPA General Manager Jay Santiago there has been a deployment of more or less 3,000 security personnel in all PPA ports nationwide for heightened security measures in effect since December 15, 2025 to ensure safety, order, and the smooth flow of travelers at ports, as Filipinos traditionally return to their home provinces to celebrate Christmas and New Year. The agency’s security forces are fully prepared, with increased vigilance at ports through close coordination with other government agencies and with the readiness of X-ray machines and K9 units working 24/7. “They are ready, our security is on heightened alert, our security personnel are very aware of that, both our port police in coordination with the Philippine Coast Guard and PNP Maritime Group, as well as our force multipliers, our security guards,” Santiago said.

The PPA also reiterated the implementation of PPA Memorandum Circular No. 06-2010, or the “Prohibition on the Mandatory Sale of Passenger Insurance Coverage,” under this directive, no additional insurance fee should be charged to passengers at PPA-managed ports. All passengers are already covered by the vessel’s insurance policy in case of any incident while on board. Only the terminal fee is collected from passengers at all ports. “There is a scammer who is even using my picture and fake ID to collect money. Reminder to the public that PPA does not charge for door-to-door shipments,” Santiago said. Meanwhile, the PPA urged the public to cooperate with authorities by following port regulations, remaining vigilant, and promptly reporting any suspicious activities, including scammers posing as PPA officials or using the agency’s name and logo to deceive the public. The PPA assured the public that its help desks and official social media accounts remain open to receive inquiries in line with the government’s directive to prioritize public welfare and safety, especially during the holiday rush. “Convenience and safety of passengers are always our priority, we are all systems go, especially next week where a large crowd is expected,” Santiago said.

Maya, M Pioneer launch SafeTrip Travel Insurance MAYA, the Philippines’ leading allin-one fintech platform and leading digital bank, has partnered with M Pioneer Insurance Inc. (M Pioneer) to launch SafeTrip inside the Maya app— giving Filipino travelers immediate access to one of the country’s most comprehensive travel insurance products at preferential pricing. As outbound international travel continues to grow and more Filipinos embrace travel for leisure and work, SafeTrip offers extensive coverage— from emergency medical treatment, evacuation and repatriation; to

flight delays, baggage issues, trip cancellations and coverage for hazardous activities—filling a critical gap for modern, mobile-first travelers. “As we broaden financial health offerings beyond savings, credit and investments, insurance becomes an important pillar to address,” Shailesh Baidwan, Maya Group president and co-founder of Maya Bank said. “Travel continues to grow, and SafeTrip brings critical protection directly into the Maya app, making it simple for Filipinos to safeguard themselves from unexpected costs,

wherever they go,’ he added. “Partnering with Maya allows us to bring insurance closer to Filipinos in the way they already live—digital, ondemand, and accessible,” James Quin, president of M Pioneer said. “Maya’s ecosystem gives us the ability to distribute protection products at scale, reaching customers faster

and more efficiently than traditional channels ever could.,” he added. The partnership is built on Maya’s digital-first platform and M Pioneer Insurance’s robust, API-ready infrastructure. Thanks to Maya’s “miniapp” architecture, launching SafeTrip was fast and smooth, enabling real-time issuance and a seamless user journey.

SHOWBIZ

C2 FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2025

lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com NICKIE WANG, Editor ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer JASPER VALDEZ, Writer

Very Wang

Nickie Wang

Pageant Concept Eton Concepcion

Will it be ‘Saving the best for last’ for Chelsea Fernandez? CHELSEA Fernandez is competing against seventy-three contestants from around the world at the 2nd Miss Cosmo 2025, with the grand finale set for tomorrow (Saturday) at the Creative Park in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Fernandez is the last Filipina to compete this year, aiming to improve on the Top 10 finish of Ahtisa Manalo in last year’s inaugural edition of the Vietnam-based pageant. Fernandez, a 26-year-old native of Tacurong, Sultan Kudarat, was raised by a foster family while her mother worked abroad as a nurse. She graduated with a degree in mass communications and started joining pageants, winning Reyna ng Aliwan 2018 and Miss Philippines Water 2019. Fernandez is on her second international competition after her Top 15 finish and winning the Head-to-Head Challenge in Miss Globe 2022 held in Albania. Heading into the finals of Miss Cosmo, Fernandez was named in the Top 5 of the Ao Dai fashion show and is leading the Cosmo People’s Choice voting— the first contestant to breach the four million mark— which earned her an exclusive photo shoot with Miss Cosmo 2024 Ketut Permata Juliastrid and Miss Cosmo 2024 runner-up Mook Karnruethai Tassabut. The People’s Choice winner will have an automatic spot in the final Top 10. Fernandez, who worked with the Diwa non-profit youth organization that provides assistance to members of the marginalized sector through youth involvement, poverty awareness, and community service, hopes to use her inspiring story as a foster child as a platform to support adoption and fostering campaigns. *** CYRILLE Payumo ended her journey in the Miss Charm 2025 pageant, finishing in the Top 20 semi-finalists during the finals held in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, on Friday. Anna Blanco of Venezuela bested 33 candidates for the title. Payumo followed last year’s Top 20 placement of Kayla Carter and the first runner-up finish of Annabelle McDonnell. She took home the Best in National Costume award for a traditional Salakotinspired ensemble designed by Simeon Cayetano. Payumo, a statuesque 27-year-old model, previously won Miss Tourism International 2019 held in Sunway City, Malaysia, and also competed in World Top Model 2022 in Budapest, Hungary. She was a Top 6 finalist in Miss Universe Philippines 2025, where she was appointed Miss Charm Philippines 2025.

Gerald Anderson (right) and Charlie Dizon at the premiere of their new movie ‘Rekonek’

From left: Cassy Legaspi, Zoren Legaspi, Mavy Legaspi, and Carmina Villaroel appear as a family navigating strained relationships during an internet blackout

What happens when the world

goes offline for 10 days? S HORT answer: chaos.

Imagine waking up to a world offline. No messages, no emails, no social media. For ten days, silence replaces constant connection, and panic spreads. People repeatedly check their phones, missed calls lead to suspicion, families argue, friends assume they are being ignored, and workplaces descend into confusion. Transport and supply chains falter, flights are canceled, deliveries stall, and supermarket shelves thin out, not from shortages, but from broken coordination. Governments turn to radio and television to calm the public, while Gloria Diaz (center) is part of the ensemble cast of ‘Rekonek,’ one of the MMFF 2025 entries that follows families traditional media regains influence. navigating relationships and conflicts during a 10-day global internet outage Some bonds strengthen under stress, others crack. It’s going to be a worldwide de Santos, Angel Guardian, Kelvin Miranda, Alexa Miro, Donna collapse of many systems. Cariaga, Raf Pineda, and Dom Corilla. When the internet returns, there will be another chaos for missing The story threads several journeys. All lives are interconnected, and unupdated data. But systems will recover fast. culminating in a convenient happy ending. Jade Castro directs with an emphasis on dialogue and the emotional impact of human presence over technology, reinforcing the film’s focus on Filipino values, love, forgiveness, and the essence of a traditional Christmas. Characters are forced to communicate, resolve conflicts, and appreciate each other without digital distractions. The message of human connection is clear and uplifting. Yet, the film is often more convenient than realistic. Instead of exploring the chaos a ten-day internet blackout would cause, panic and logistical nightmares are mostly absent. Andrea and Bela’s journey home from Thailand is resolved too easily, while two office colleagues survive ten days locked inside their office without anyone checking in. And the authorities remain largely absent despite the scale of the crisis. Castro relies on “spoon-feeding” the audience with dialogue rather than showing the ripple effects of a global digital disaster. Bela Padilla (left) and Andrea Brillantes in a scene from ‘Rekonek’ Lines such as Carmina’s character claiming the internet outage solved more problems than it created feel debatable and simplistic. A ten-day blackout would almost certainly result in Rekonek, one of the entries in the 2025 Metro Manila Film widespread chaos—turn off your Wi-Fi for ten minutes and you’ll Festival (MMFF), explores this scenario, following six families see the reactions of those around you. forced to reconnect during a worldwide internet outage ten days Despite these flaws, Rekonek succeeds as a family drama with a before Christmas. heartwarming message. While the logic of surviving a global outage Gerald Anderson, in his debut as a film producer, leads an may stretch credibility, the emotional impact is strong, making ensemble cast including Charlie Dizon, Bela Padilla, Andrea Rekonek a worthwhile watch for audiences seeking connection and Brillantes, Charlie Dizon, Carmina Villaroel, Zoren Legaspi, warmth this Christmas. and their twin children Mavy and Cassy, Gloria Diaz, Kokoy

Are Rhian Ramos and Sam Verzosa calling it quits? By Jasper Valdez

Chelsea Fernandez represents the Philippines at Miss Cosmo 2025, where she enters the finals as a People’s Choice frontrunner and Top 5 Ao Dai standout

RHIAN Ramos and Sam Verzosa are the latest subjects of breakup speculation after fans noticed that the two no longer follow each other on Instagram. The move comes just months after they marked their fourth anniversary in August, adding fuel to renewed breakup rumors. Ramos and Verzosa publicly confirmed their relationship in 2022 when they arrived together at the GMA Gala, instantly becoming one of the event’s most talked-about couples. In 2023, they faced similar speculation, which Verzosa addressed at the time by saying, “We are in love,” despite admitting they had gone through a rough patch. Earlier this year, Ramos spoke candidly on Fast Talk With Boy Abunda, sharing that her views on marriage had shifted because of Verzosa. As of writing, neither has commented on the latest unfollowing.

Rhian Ramos (left) and Sam Verzosa spark breakup rumors following their recent Instagram unfollowing

LIFE

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2025

as a journey back to our roots—a highlight on the people and places that built the Philippines,” said DDB Philippines deputy executive creative director Jacqueline Caccam. “We believe that to truly understand our development as a nation, one must know

The project aims to link daily commutes with Philippine history and tourism

Where history meets the daily commute Renacimiento Manila president and co-founder Diego Torres

By Jasper Valdez

NOW & NEXT

OR many commuters, Manila is merely a place they pass through. Days are measured in routes, stations, and schedules, with little time to think about the stories behind them. Place names become points on a map rather than reminders of the city’s past. On Dec. 11, Light Rail Manila Corporation rolled out LRT-1 KasakaySayan, a project that introduces short pieces of Philippine history into the daily train ride, played on select Generation 4 trains through the public address system. The initiative builds on LRT-1’s designation as the Heritage Line, which runs through areas linked to universities, historic districts, and long-established communities in Manila and nearby cities. Each history segment is matched to the station the train is approaching, offering a brief background on the place or historical figure the station is named after. “The LRT-1 is more than just a mode of transportation; it’s a moving historical corridor,” said Light Rail Manila Corporation External Relations head Attorney Elaine Tiu. “With ‘LRT-1 KasakaySayan,’ we are inserting vital factual information into the daily routine of our commuters, addressing the need for accessible education about our country’s relevant places and people.” Rather than creating a separate program or adding new features to the trains, KasakaySayan works within the existing commute.

The history segments are triggered automatically and are timed to follow station announcements. They are short, factual, and designed to fit into the ride seamlessly. “LRMC envisioned ‘LRT-1 KasakaySayan’

Light Rail Manila Corporation officials and partners lead the launch of the ‘KasakaySayan’ initiative at the LRT-1 depot

Media, bloggers, and bloggers are invited to ride an LRT-1 train as the KasakaySayan program introduces short history segments tied to stations along the Heritage Line

the heroes who paved the way and the hallowed grounds where history was made.” For Renacimiento Manila, station names themselves carry much of that history. “These names—and the stories behind them—offer valuable insight into the history of Manila and its neighboring cities,” said Renacimiento Manila president and co-founder Diego Torres. KasakaySayan also aligns with LRMC’s other cultureand tourism-related efforts, which include the ikotMNL Heritage Transit Tour, a monthly guided program that brings participants to historical and tourist sites located near LRT-1 stations in partnership with Renacimiento Manila. When it comes to operation, the LRT-1 continues to run as it always has. KasakaySayan does not change routes or schedules. Trains follow the same pattern, with announcements delivered at the same points along the line. In a city where commuters often pass the time waiting or looking at their phones, KasakaySayan offers a brief pause to notice where we are and why those places matter.

Heroes of the holidays come together for long-awaited reunion work. Clarissa joined with friends who had grown apart over the years, describing the event as an opportunity to reconnect. Groups of up to 10 were accommodated in McDonald’s Party Rooms, guided by dedicated “Happiness Hosts” through games and toasts. The event highlighted Filipino values of togetherness, sharing, and gratitude. Ada Lazaro, McDonald’s Philippines chief marketing officer, said the reunion McDonald’s Philippines gives families and friends a chance to reconnect at was meant to give those its first Grand Reunion at McDo separated by work, distance, or financial constraints a meaningful pause during the busy holiday season. By Nickie Wang MCDONALD’S Philippines brought families and friends together for its first “Grand Reunion at McDo” on Dec. 8 and 12 to celebrate the workers and unsung heroes who keep the holiday season running. Delivery riders, often on the road for long hours during the Christmas rush, joined the event with their loved ones. Guests shared meals of Honey Butter Chicken McDo and White Choco Cereal McFlurry, accompanied by a “shake, tear, and sprinkle” activity with Garlic Parmesan and Snow Cheese powder. Edwin, a delivery rider who attended with his four daughters, said the games and food made the day memorable. Kevin, who joined with friends, McDonald’s Philippines honors workers who keep described the event as a chance to celebrate with the holiday season moving loved ones, while Macoy, who came with his wife and child, highlighted the joy of winning prizes for his daughter. McDonald’s also invited customers to share stories of long-awaited reunions through its Facebook page. Vanessa attended with her extended family, noting it had been rare for them to gather because of Delivery riders and their loved ones gather at McDonald’s Philippines’ Grand Reunion

Actor Piolo Pascual opens his first Panadero Bakeshop franchise located in Eastwood, Libis

Piolo Pascual is ‘Pambansang Panadero’ ACTOR Piolo Pascual has officially entered the bakery business, opening his first Panadero Bakeshop franchise in Eastwood, Libis. The opening coincides with Pascual being recognized as the brand’s official ambassador and affectionately called the “Pambansang Panadero.” The new bakery, located at Intrepid Plaza, offers freshly baked breads, pastries, cakes, bibingka, and coffee in a cozy, community-style setting. Guests, customers, and fans attended the grand opening to welcome Pascual and enjoy the bakery’s signature items, including Choco Lanay and Spanish Bread. Panadero Bakeshop has over 120 branches nationwide and recently announced it is expanding franchising opportunities across the Philippines. The company cited its strong commissary system and community-based

Panadero Bakeshop taps Piolo Pascual as its official ambassador

model as key drivers for growth. “Panadero Eastwood represents what we stand for—a cozy, friendly, community bakery where good bread and good coffee are always within reach,” the company said. Pascual, known for starting his day with pandesal, joins the brand in promoting accessible, fresh bakery products to Filipino communities. Panadero Eastwood is open daily.

LIFE

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2025

lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com NICKIE WANG, Editor ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer JASPER VALDEZ, Writer

ArenaPlus welcomes top-tier players to ‘Champions VIP Circle Night’ at the Chairman’s Lounge in Okada Manila in Entertainment City

24/7 customer support. Entertainment included performances by Nina at Okada and pop artist Joey G at Solaire. Attendees also participated in raffles, with prizes including trips to the United States and Japan. “All this really shows that

By Nickie Wang

RENAPLUS, the flagship sportsbook platform of DigiPlus Interactive Corp., held its firstever VIP Nights last week, giving loyal players enhanced rewards and recognition.

VIP nights for elite players The events, staged on consecutive nights at Okada Manila and Solaire Resort and Casino, drew top-tier players and high-engagement users, reinforcing ArenaPlus’ focus on a player-first gaming experience. The first event, Champions VIP Circle Night, took place on Dec. 12 at Okada Manila’s Chairman’s Lounge, where players experienced premium hospitality and direct interaction with ArenaPlus executives. The following night, Champions Prime Circle Night at Solaire’s Baccarat Room brought together high-activity users whose

Smart Online Store offers practical holiday gifts like prepaid load, home WiFi, and multi-SIM packs

The Champions Prime Circle Night at Solaire’s Baccarat Room brings together a community of high-engagement ArenaPlus users

Practical gifts that keep loved ones connected this Christmas

feedback continues to influence platform features and rewards development. “We are the biggest sportsbook in the Philippines, and we dedicate ourselves to bringing the best experience,” ArenaPlus head Erick Su said. “I’m really proud that you’ve joined us, and we will dedicate ourselves to provide you more this coming year.” Su said a new loyalty system will launch in 2026, giving players access to exclusive events and sports tickets. The VIP nights also highlighted updates to ArenaPlus’ platform, including tools to promote responsible gaming. Players can now set deposit limits, receive playtime reminders, self-exclude if needed, and access

F INDING the right holiday gift can be a challenge, but the Smart Online Store is offering practical options that help loved ones stay connected. For those who prefer functional gifts, options include prepaid load, home WiFi, and multi-SIM packs. The Smart Prepaid Multi SIM, priced at P119, is designed for people who want to manage multiple numbers on one device, especially frequent travelers. Each SIM includes 5 GB of data, 100 SMS, and 10 minutes of calls per day for three days. Users can also manage up to five eSIMs through the Smart Multi SIM App. The Smart PowerAll with TikTok 400 costs P400 and provides 28 days of free UNLI 5G, 30 GB of data, unlimited TikTok, and unlimited calls and texts. Plans can be sent as gifts directly through the Smart Online Store. The Smart eLoad Promo Load 1000 + Free 150, priced at P1,000, gives recipients 60 days of flexibility and can be used on any promo valid up to 30 days, keeping friends and family connected through calls, messages, and apps. The Smart 5G Max Home WiFi is available at P2,495 with 50 percent off and offers plug-and-play fast 5G connectivity for households without fiber internet, making work, school, streaming, and gaming seamless. The Smart Online Store offers delivery and flexible gifting options, making it easier to shop for practical, ready-to-use gifts this Christmas. GEEKING out on skincare as I turned 40 has become a source of joy. Discovering effective finds, whether online or in-store, gives a sense of fulfillment. That is why attending the recent Japanese skincare forum hosted by the new Filipino-owned brand, My Saiko Skin, did not feel like work at all. Held at Okada Manila, the event gathered beauty enthusiasts and industry experts, all drawn by a shared love for beauty. The event served as a launchpad for the brand and an opportunity to dive into the world of J-beauty, or Japanese beauty, revealing quite compelling reasons Filipinos should embrace this skincare approach. At the heart of My Saiko Skin is a philosophy that combines simplicity, effectiveness, and the discipline inherent in Japanese beauty practices. With over 15 years of industry experience, founder and CEO Anna Perez carefully crafted a product line that reflects her passion for precision and purity. Anna’s commitment to J-beauty is a standard built on trust and quality. As Benson Liao, the Japan-based partner manufacturer, put it, “Our formulas go through very long and meticulous development cycles.” He highlighted that this dedication ensures that every product is not only effective but also safe for everyday use. For Filipinos with a busy lifestyle, simplicity in skincare is key. The J-beauty regimen emphasizes a streamlined approach, which aligns beautifully with the needs of modern consumers. Dr. Jaja Ang, a dermatologist, highlighted this during the forum, stating, “Actually, basic skincare, you need just three to four steps. That will be face wash, sunscreen in the morning, and at night, face wash and moisturizer, especially with the changes in our temperature and the humidity. Then it will depend on

ArenaPlus cares about their players,” said one VIP Circle winner from Manila, who will also meet ArenaPlus ambassador and former NBA MVP Derrick Rose. ArenaPlus Marketing Manager Hannah Bagui distributed additional prizes, including luxury fashion vouchers and gaming credits. “Tonight is our way of saying thank you. Your loyalty drives us to deliver faster, better, and with greater intention,” she said. ArenaPlus plans to expand its initiatives in 2026 with programs aimed at creating a secure, engaging, and responsible gaming environment. Su concluded, “We will continue your engagement and bring you more value. Merry Christmas and happy New Year!”

ArenaPlus marketing manager Hannah Bagui caps off the twin thanksgiving nights with more prizes ranging from luxury fashion vouchers to substantial ArenaPlus gaming credits

Embracing J-Beauty Top reasons why Filipinos should give J-beauty a try Inclusivity in skincare. J-beauty encourages the idea that skincare is for everyone, aiming to inspire all individuals, regardless of age or skin tone. Holistic approach to beauty. J-beauty advocates for a longterm view of skin health, focusing on wellness rather than just immediate aesthetic improvements. In an age calling for authenticity, particularly among the Gen Z market, the J-beauty trend is gaining traction. Today’s consumers desire realistic depictions of beauty—just fresh, glowing skin rather than heavily filtered images. “We are entering a new era where everyone gravitates toward skin that looks fresh, healthy, beautiful, and glowing,” Perez noted. Given its introduction to the country today and the availability of products that went through rigorous standards, the J-beauty trend may be worth a try. It just might give us the skin we can say, “Arigato gozaimasu! [Thank you!]” for. For your random thoughts, email the author at randomrepublika@ gmail.com.

Random Talk Kate Adajar

My Saiko Skin CEO Anna Perez highlights the simplicity, effectiveness, and Japanese beauty practices

your skincare concern; you will tweak it a bit to address that.” This call for a minimalist routine is relatable, especially when many are overwhelmed by the numerous products competing for attention on store shelves. So, what are the advantages of embracing J-beauty? These are what I gathered: Tailored for local climate. The formulations are designed considering the Philippines’ unique humid environment, ensuring compatibility with local skin types. Liao emphasized this point, noting the differences in climate. He said, “Japan and the Philippines have very different climates. We need different vehicles to create the best textures and mediums that work for the Philippines. We have the same goals, but we have different ways to get there.” Stringent quality standards. The

extensive development cycle allows for rigorous testing of each product, ensuring stability and consistency. Liao elaborated, “It’s been a long process, and we would make sure all the samples are applicable for human topical use. So everything is safe.” Simplified skincare routines. As Dr. Ang pointed out, an effective routine consists of just a few steps, promoting an effortless approach to skincare. She said that it is more than sufficient for maintaining healthy skin. Personalized solutions. J-beauty

products, like My Saiko Skin, target individual skin concerns such as dark spots and sensitivity, allowing for customized skincare that meets specific needs. Effective active ingredients. Highquality and stable ingredients, like vitamin C, are incorporated to enhance skin health. Perez shared, “Vitamin C is a non-negotiable for me.” She highlighted its important role in her formulation. Gentle on sensitive skin. Recognizing that Filipino skin can be more delicate, the products are designed to be gentle while still delivering visible results.

BEAUTY RUNS IN THE FAMILY. Miss Universe

Philippines 2016 Maxine Medina (left), My Saiko Skin CEO Anna Perez (center), and TV host and actress Dianne Medina are first cousins who all swear by a J-beauty regimen.