Manila Standard - 2026 January 15 - Thursday

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HUNT ON FOR ATONG ANG AS 17 CO-ACCUSED IN CUSTODY By Vince Lopez, Pot Chavez and Joel Zurbano THE hunt for the accused in the missing sabungero case is now focused on gaming tycoon Atong Ang after 17 of the 18 respondents are now under custody, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) director Maj. Gen. Robert Morico said on Wednesday. Next page

VOL. XXXIX • NO. 334 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P20 • THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2026

Bonoan misled PBBM—Lacson Says Palace given wrong coordinates of flood control infra

By Ram Superable

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ORMER Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan deliberately submitted to Malacanang wrong grid coordinates for thousands of flood control infrastructure, including 421 that were identified as ghost projects, Senate President Pro Tempore Ping Lacson disclosed yesterday.

Lacson, chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, said he received “reliable information” that Bonoan intended to mislead the President and that the incorrect data formed part of the ‘Sumbong sa Pangulo’ website which lists flood control projects and the contractors that handled them. Next page

Report linking former Speaker to Discayas baseless—lawyer

THERE is no indication that former Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan will return to the Philippines after he was implicated in allegedly questionable flood control projects in Bulacan, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said. “We have no news yet. We have not talked yet – no communication,” Remulla said in a television interview. Bonoan left the country for the United States via Taiwan in November 2025. According to the Department of Justice, Bonoan accompanied his wife for the latter’s medical procedure in the US, and was scheduled to return on December 17, 2025. However, Bonoan, who is the subject of an Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order (ILBO) earlier issued by the DOJ, has not yet returned to the country.

By Maricel Cruz THE lawyer of Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Wednesday shut down reports linking the former Speaker to an alleged property purchase using the Discaya family as a front. “With reference to recent news reports linking former Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez to the Discayas through an alleged property purchase, Rep. Romualdez has no knowledge nor involvement in the purported transaction,” said Ade Fajardo, lawyer and spokesperson of Romualdez. “Rep. Romualdez has not met the Discayas and has only heard of them based on what is being said in media reports. As such, the claim in the report about using the Discayas as a front in a property purchase is outright baseless,” Fajardo said. The denial comes ahead of the resumption on January 19 of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee inquiry,

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HONORING OFWS. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. praised OFWs in the United Arab Emirates as a source of honor and

pride for the country during a gathering of the Filipino community in Abu Dhabi, recognizing their significant contributions to the development of the UAE and the Philippine economy, as well as their resilience, talent, and exemplary work ethic. The President reaffirmed the government’s continued commitment to the welfare of OFWs, expanding opportunities through stronger cooperation between the Philippines and the UAE, and encouraging continuous learning, skill development, and strengthening the spirit of bayanihan among Filipinos abroad.

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DEPARTMENT of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Juanito Victor Remulla on Wednesday, Jan.14, bared that P1 billion was offered to him and his brother,

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla, through a middleman to stop the ongoing investigation into anomalous in flood control projects. He said the offer was passed through a “mutual friend” who conveyed it to him and his brother.

The DILG chief said the intermediary was close to him and an unidentified person who was also being linked to the flood control scandal. “Someone mentioned to me if it was possible. I said; ‘Don’t talk to me anymore. Let’s not talk anymore if it’s like

Bato in Davao but no arrest without ICC warrant—Jonvic By Pot Chavez

that.’ I stopped talking,” Remulla said. He explained that the bribe was being made in exchange for him and his brother to drop their investigations and prevent the source of the fund from being unmasked.

INTERIOR Secretary Jonvic Remulla said that Senator Ronald Dela Rosa was last known to be in Davao. However, Remulla pointed out that the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) cannot take action against him because it has yet to receive a formal copy of the supposed arrest order from the International Criminal Court (ICC).

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DILG chief bares P1-b bribe try to drop flood control investigations By Vince Lopez

‘No word yet on Bonoan’s return to PH’

Death toll in Binaliw rises to 19, Cebu declares day of mourning By Rex Espiritu THE death toll from the collapse of the Binaliw landfill in Cebu City climbed to 19 as of Wednesday, authorities said, while 17 others are still missing. The latest fatality was a 40-year-old

man, according to Cebu City Councilor Dave Tumulak. Fifty-two personnel of the Bureau of Fire Protection are deployed at the site to continue the search, rescue and retrieval operations. Next page

STO. NINO EXHIBIT. Devotees and caretakers organize hundreds of Sto. Niño images ahead of the Sto. Niño Exhibit at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City, part of the Fiesta del Sto. Niño 2026 celebrations this month. The exhibit, showcasing Child Jesus images from various parishes and devotees, will be open to the public from January 16 to 23, 2026, with daily novena masses scheduled. Norman Cruz

Razon files cyberlibel complaint vs. Barzaga MANILA BOUND. K-pop powerhouse BTS is returning to Manila almost a decade after for a two-day mega concert in March 2027, as part of its world tour. The sevenmember group last performed in the Philippines on May 6 and 7, 2017 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena for its ‘2017 BTS Live Trilogy Episode III (Final Chapter): The Wings Tour.’

BUSINESS tycoon Enrique Razon, chairman of port operator International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI), has lodged a cyberlibel complaint against Cavite 4th District Rep. Kiko Barzaga over alleged false statements the lawmaker posted on social media. Razon’s counsel, lawyer Laurence

Arroyo, said the complaint stems from Barzaga’s January 9 Facebook post claiming that National Unity Party (NUP) congressmen received bribes from Razon during various gatherings at Solaire ahead of the 2025 elections in exchange for supporting Speaker Martin Romualdez of Leyte.

Another January 9 Facebook post by Barzaga, also cited in the complaint, stated that Razon was the mastermind behind corruption in Congress and that he would disclose everything in a speech upon his return in the first week of February, accompanied by the hashNext page

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Toxic waste out of Manila Bay M

ORE than 20 containers of radioactive zinc stranded in Manila Bay for months have been brought ashore to a “safe place,” the country’s nuclear research director told Agence France Presse (AFP) on Wednesday. The 23 containers arrived in Manila aboard the MV Hansa Augsburg in late September after Indonesian authorities “rejected and reexported” them after discovering traces of radioactive Caesium-137. Jakarta sent the shipment back as it clamped down on scrap iron and steel imports amid a scandal over alleged radioactive contamination of food products. A source with knowledge of the situation said the containers were offloaded at Manila’s port on Sunday at 10:27 am. Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI) director Carlo Arcilla, who

‘No word... From A1 Despite this, Remulla assured the public no one will be exempted from the probe into alleged anomalies in the government’s flood control projects. “There are no sacred cows here. Everyone – whether they are relatives, whether they are powerful, whether they are allies or enemies – all are covered by our pursuit of justice,” the DILG chief said. The Independent Commission for Infrastructure previously recommended the filing of criminal and administrative charges against Bonoan, who resigned as DPWH secretary in August 2025. Bonoan earlier maintained his innocence in the alleged corruption in flood control projects. I can shout, ‘I am not involved,’” he said during the sidelines of the House infrastructure committee’s probe in September last year. Bonoan said he has no regrets on serving as DPWH chief from 2022. “I’m sure that we’ve done something good. In my three years in the department, we’ve done a lot of things.”

Death toll... From A1 “It is possible that we can get many now since we already removed the debris slowly,” Tumulak said in Cebuano. Earlier, a day of mourning for the disaster’s victims was approved through a corollary motion of Councilor Jun Alcover to the resolution on the declaration of the state of calamity of the city. “This is in solemn recognition of the tragic landslide incident that occurred in Barangay Binaliw which claimed lives that cost immeasurable grief,” said Alcover during the regular council session. During the day of mourning, a mass was held at the Barangay Binaliw Gym. “We are extending solidarity during this time of profound loss,” added Alcover. Tumulak said that they are still in rescue mode. With the declaration of the state of the calamity, P30 million will be released through the quick response fund to pay for garbage disposal services. Cebu City is now negotiating with the towns of Consolacion and Minglanilla to temporarily use their landfill.

Razon... From A1 tag calling for Razon’s imprisonment. “The basis of this complaint is our position that what he said is false and malicious,” Arroyo told reporters. Asked for comment, Barzaga said he is prepared to confront his accuser. “I will face him in court,” Barzaga told GMA News Online. Meanwhile, the posts cited in the complaint have already been taken down from Barzaga’s Facebook page.

called the issue a “solvable problem” in October, told AFP the zinc was now awaiting a medium-term solution, with storage at the Subic Bay military facility a likely option. He declined to say where the containers were currently located, but another official who spoke on condition of anonymity said they were in a temporary holding area just outside Metro Manila. “(The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority) is open to the idea because they have ammunition bunkers there during World War 2. I’ve seen the bunkers; they are in good shape,” Arcilla said, stressing that

the contamination levels were low. “It’s weakly contaminated, because one metre (three feet) away from the container, the radiation becomes background,” he said, adding that the ship’s crew had tested negative for radiation. The final solution will see the shipment sealed in a purpose-built underground containment facility, he said. Arcilla went on to say that China’s Cosco Shipping Lines, the ship’s operator, had been victimised by what he called an “irrational fear of radiation” as well as Manila’s failure to find a solution. “The shipping company took it into their own hands to negotiate because they are losing millions,” he said. Cosco did not immediately respond to questions about the shipment. Neither the Philippines nor Indonesia have disclosed the radiation levels in the containers.

The zinc dust, a byproduct of steel production, was exported to Indonesia by Zannwann International Trading Corp after being sourced from local recycler Steel Asia, Arcilla said in October. The recycler temporarily suspended operations at its plant but slammed the PNRI’s conclusions as “baseless and unscientific,” arguing multiple companies had supplied zinc dust to Zannwann. Calls to both companies were not immediately returned on Wednesday. Greenpeace Philippines campaigner Jefferson Chua has warned that even low levels of Caesium-137 exposure carry “long-term cancer risks and can cause lasting environmental contamination.” The radioactive isotope, which is created through nuclear reactions, is used in a variety of industrial, medical and research applications. AFP

Ping vs. Imee word war gets personal

Bato... From A1 Remulla said that as far as he knows, Dela Rosa, who used to be his neighbor in Cavite, no longer goes home there and is currently in Davao with his family, he told GMA Integrated News’ Unang Balita in an interview. Dela Rosa has yet to make any pub-

Hunt on... From A1 “We have several operations ongoing in several of his properties in Metro Manila and Region 4A. It will be continuing,” Morico told reporters in a press briefing at Camp Crame, Quezon City. Morico vowed to persistently pursue Ang who was facing five counts of kidnapping with homicide and six counts of kidnapping with serious illegal detention. “We are going to account for all of them so I asked Mr. Atong Ang to just peacefully surrender. We have been monitoring him. He is still in the country that’s why I am asking him to peace-

Report... From A1

Lacson added. Lacson said the DPWH is now attempting to rectify the mistakes by cross-checking records in its Multi-Year Planning and Scheduling (MYPS) system, Project and Contract Management Application (PCMA), and other related documents. Lacson said it was “clear” that Bonoan was complicit in the questionable infrastructure projects. “Even if we say that he is not the principal (involved), just in the cover-up you can clearly see his complicity,” he said. He said a new witness is expected to appear during the resumption of the Blue Ribbon hearing on Monday, January 19, to testify on Bonoan’s submission of wrong grid coordinates. Lacson said a subpoena will also be issued against Bonoan should he fail to attend the hearing next week. He said the Blue Ribbon is also pre-

pared to coordinate with Philippine and United States authorities to facilitate Bonoan’s return. He said Bonoan’s inaccurate grid coordinates resulted in bloated figures of ghost projects that were verified by composite teams from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police and the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development. “Based on the initial report, there were 421 ghost projects out of 8,000 projects. That number is bloated. Why? Because when the composite teams went to a site to inspect suspected ghost flood control projects, the grid coordinates were wrong, so of course they wouldn’t find any project. So, they reported those projects as ghosts,” Lacson said. “Substantially, the number of ghost flood control projects should be lower,” Lacson said.

lic appearance, even skipping Senate hearings and sessions, after Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla, who is also Jonvic’s brother, said that the ICC has reportedly issued a warrant against Dela Rosa. The Ombudsman also said he has an unofficial copy of the warrant.Meanwhile, the Department of Justice (DOJ) denied the request to provide information in relation to an alleged arrest war-

rant issued by the ICC against him. In a social media post on Tuesday, lawyer Israelito Torreon, Dela Rosa’s counsel, said that “the public needs to know this official reply from the DOJ whether or not the Philippines has officially received a warrant of arrestfrom the ICC.” “Consistent with judicial courtesy accorded to all courts, we regret that we cannot issue any advice or

guidance on the matter,” the document reads, signed by Chief State Counsel Dennis Arvin Chan.In the said document, the DOJ explained that the Supreme Court has already taken cognizance of the issue that is the subject of the request. In December, former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque claimed that the arrest warrant against Dela Rosa is already out.

fully surrender,” said Morico. He warned that they would arrest anyone harboring Ang, as those who will hinder their service of the warrants, saying it would be a case of obstruction of justice. Meanwhile, the Ang’s camp maintained he was not in hiding, let alone fled the country. In an interview with Bilyonaryo News Channel, Ang’s lawyer, Gabriel Villareal, said his client was still in the country. “The last time I saw him was yesterday (Tuesday). We were together. I asked him to sign documents about my court appearances in Laguna and Batangas. So I know he is still in the Philippines,” the lawyer

said in Filipino. Villareal described as “premature” and “legally questionable” the issuance of a warrant of arrest by the Laguna court against Ang in connection with the missing sabungero case. He argued that the Sta. Cruz, Laguna Regional Trial Court’s order did not meet the constitutional requirements due to its reliance on incomplete information from the Department of Justice (DOJ), neglecting counter affidavits and exculpatory evidence from the respondents, including Ang himself. This procedure, he said, infringes upon Ang’s rights and could be considered constitutionally flawed, citing Article III, Section 2 of the Constitution.

The lawyer said that Ang would explore all legal remedies to contest the arrest order even as he affirmed Ang’s respect for the court’s authority and legal processes. Nonetheless, he maintained Ang’s innocence regarding the charges brought against him by whistleblower Julie “Dondon” Patidongan, whom he asserted was the actual architect of the alleged crime. Villareal emphasized the absence of physical evidence linking Ang to the case, asserting that the prosecution was based solely on Patidongan’s account. He described the development of the case as “rushed,” insinuating a premeditated intent to sacrifice Ang in order to shield the true perpetrator.

SENATE President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson on Wednesday responded to remarks made by Sen. Imee Marcos, denying insinuations about his sexuality and personal appearance. He said Marcos’ social media comment, which included a hair-pulling remark, was made in reaction to allegations of pork barrel-style allocations in the 2026 General Appropriations Act. “First, my hair is not a wig. I will also add that there is nothing fake about my face. My teeth are not dentures. Nothing on any part of my face is fake, and I am certainly not gay,” Lacson said in Filipino. The veteran lawmaker identified himself as a macho man, comparing himself to Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III and former senator Gregorio “Gringo” Honasan II, whom he said belong to a so-called macho bloc in the Senate. “Please don’t get me wrong. I have nothing against homosexuals. It’s their choice, and I respect them for that,” he added. Marcos later responded by saying she did not call Lacson gay and criticized his interpretation of her remarks, noting that there is nothing wrong with being gay or choosing to enhance one’s appearance.

“This resulted in grossly inaccurate data involving some 421 ghost projects among previously inspected flood control projects earlier reported to the public by the DPWH and which it is now trying to rectify,” the senator said. “That’s part of misleading Malacanang. If it was just one or two wrong coordinates, we can say it was inadvertently omitted or it was an honest mistake. But the mistakes were prevalent and you can see the submission of wrong grid coordinates was deliberate.” “He misled it to weaken or destroy the credibility of the claim that there are ghost flood control projects. If it fails, people will think the ‘Sumbong sa Pangulo’ website is unreliable,”

According to Remulla, he did not only flatly rejected the offer, but also informed President Marcos about it. “It was a private meeting and I informed the President immediately what was going on. He (President) knows it was bound to happen, but he acknowledged that what I did was right because I refused,” Remulla narrated. The secretary declined however, to identify the bribe givers, noting that the offer came only through a middleman and that no crime has been committed. He also said he did not personally know the people involved and that the communication was only made through common friends.

which Fajardo said makes it crucial to put on record what has already been stated “clearly and unequivocally” under oath. He pointed to sworn testimony given before the House of Representatives in September 2025 by businessman Curlee Discaya, who categorically denied any dealings with Romualdez. “Gusto ko lang pong linawin na wala po akong direktang transaksyon. Hindi po ako nagkaroon ng anumang klaseng transaksyon kay (I would just like to clarify that I did not have any direct transaction. I did not have any kind of transaction with) Speaker Martin Romualdez,” Discaya testified. Fajardo said Discaya further explained under oath that the Speaker’s name had merely been used or “name-dropped” by others — without any personal knowledge, meeting, or transaction on his part. “This sworn testimony is part of the official congressional record and directly contradicts the insinuations now being revived in public discourse,” Fajardo said. “Allegations cannot override testimony given under oath. Facts cannot be replaced by speculation.” He also invoked remarks earlier made by Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson during a media briefing to underscore the primacy of evidence. “Noise does not convict. Neither does it indict even who may be perceived as the most guilty in the… flood control project saga. Only evidence does,” Lacson was quoted as saying. Fajardo said Romualdez respects institutional processes and remains confident that a fair, evidence-based inquiry will clear his name. “Rep. Martin Romualdez respects institutional processes and is confident that any fair and evidence-based inquiry will ultimately prove him right,” Fajardo said.

By Ram Superable

Bonoan... From A1

DILG... From A1

Ping Lacson and Imee Marcos

“His (Lacson’s) understanding of what it means to be a real man is very shallow. There is nothing wrong with being gay, and the same goes for enhancing anything about yourself,” Marcos said. “It is a person’s decision if they want to have anything done to their body. It is also their decision if they want to ruin their face, name, and dignity,” she concluded.

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ADA UPDATE. PAGASA reports that Tropical Depression Ada maintains its strength while slowing over the Philippine Sea east of Mindanao, with its center located about 545 kilometers east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur as of 4 p.m. Wednesday. Ada packs maximum sustained winds of 45 kph near the center, gusts of up to 55 kph, and a central pressure of 1004 hPa, according to Tropical Cyclone Bulletin No. 2 issued at 5 p.m.

IN BRIEF Comelec to conduct special polls in Antipolo City THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Wednesday announced it will conduct special elections in Antipolo City’s 2nd District to fill the congressional seat vacated by the death of Rep. Romeo Acop last December. Comelec chairman George Garcia said the polls are tentatively set for March 14, about two months from now, to restore representation in the House of Representatives at the earliest possible time. Garcia said the special elections will be conducted manually due to budgetary and time constraints. “We have no funds to contract automated services, and there is no time for procurement,” he said in Filipino. The Comelec chief estimated the cost at around P98 million, covering election materials, personnel, logistics, and security, noting that only about P11 million is allocated for special elections in this year’s budget. Vito Barcelo

Davao–Bukidnon road reopens to ease travel

Garin denies politics in cancellation of Leviste solar energy contracts By Alena Mae S. Flores

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EPARTMENT of Energy (DOE) Secretary Sharon Garin defended the Department of Energy’s cancellation of contracts linked to Rep. Leandro Leviste for nonperformance and project delays, denying that politics played a role in the decision. In an interview with ABS-CBN, Garin said contract cancellations are a regular part of the DOE’s operations. “Just so happens that at this stage, many of his contracts were canceled because most of his contracts were

due for delivery by December 2025,” she said. The DOE canceled 33 contracts of Solar Philippines Power Project Holdings Inc., representing a total potential capacity of 11,427.83 megawatts. Officials noted that only 2 percent of

the projects were completed. The department also aims to collect an estimated P24 billion covering performance bonds, contractual obligations, and financial liabilities from Solar Philippines. “Maybe if we did not cancel, maybe that’s the politics,” Garin said. “Because we are regulators and we’re doing our job. We only give contracts to those that are capable, willing, and will deliver the projects. He really did not deliver.” Garin emphasized that the DOE does not choose whose contracts to terminate based on the individual involved.

“So what are we going to do? Allow that because the ultimate owner is a sitting congressman or a politician? We’re not choosing anybody here,” she said. She added that any contractor who fails to deliver faces possible cancellation and penalties. Garin said the DOE waited until final delivery dates and reviewed justifications submitted by developers. “But there hasn’t been any communication at all,” she said. “Even when we terminated, you have 10 days to file a motion for reconsideration. There was no response. We cannot stop regulating. We are protecting the industry.”

LTO removes fees for OFWs renewing driver’s licenses abroad By Rio N. Araja OVERSEAS Filipino workers (OFWs) will no longer have to pay up to P6,000 for medical and courier services to renew their driver’s licenses through Overseas Workers Welfare Administration and Department of Migrant Workers caravans abroad, the Land Transportation Office announced Wednesday. Under a new program, these fees have been completely eliminated, according to LTO chief Markus Lacanilao. Lacanilao said the new memorandum establishes a special program for OFWs in recognition of their contributions and sacrifices for their families and the country. “Our OFWs continue to sacrifice, far from their families and loved ones, for the good of the nation. This program is a concrete way for the government to show that they are valued and not forgotten, while also facilitating the renewal of their driver’s licenses,” he said. The initiative aims to reduce costs and inconvenience for OFWs, Lacanilao added. The LTO said OFWs no longer need to return to the Philippines to renew their licenses and may avail of the service through any OWWA and DMW caravan overseas.

TENT CITY. The Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office 5 sets up a tent city and deploys mobile

water stations and kitchens at evacuation centers in the Bicol Region, providing shelter and hot meals to 284 individuals in coordination with local governments and emergency responders.

THE Davao–Bukidnon Road in Sitio Kipolot, Barangay Palacapao, Quezon town, Bukidnon has been reopened, easing travel between Davao and Bukidnon provinces. The road was opened after two and a half months of repair work on a section that collapsed in October last year, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon said. Dizon said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered round-the-clock construction to speed up the completion of the damaged portion of the highway. He added that the DPWH coordinated closely with Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri and local government units to fast-track the project and ensure road safety. Vito Barcelo

Activist Amanda Echanis freed after five years PEASANT organizer and activist Amanda Echanis has been released after five years in detention, women’s rights group Gabriela said on Wednesday. Gabriela Secretary General Clarice Palce said Echanis’ acquittal was a victory against what she described as unjust detention based on fabricated charges. Echanis was arrested on December 2, 2020, in Baggao, Cagayan on charges of illegal possession of firearms and explosives during the previous administration’s crackdown on activists. In a separate statement, Karapatan Secretary General Tina Palabay said the ruling confirmed that the charges against Echanis were “maliciously manufactured” to punish her work among peasants and women. Echanis was arrested while caring for her 10-month-old son and later made history in 2025 as the first political prisoner elected to the University of the Philippines–Diliman student council. Rex Espiritu

Cabinet reviews 2026 budget alignment; MUP pension reform still under study By Charles Dantes EXECUTIVE Secretary Ralph Recto convened members of the Cabinet to discuss and ensure the strategic alignment of the national budget for fiscal year 2026, Malacañang said. Recto said “budget execution” was discussed to ensure consistency with the administration’s priorities and development agenda. The meeting was held Monday, January 12, with no further details pro-

vided by the Office of the President. Present were Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., Public Works and Highways Manila Secretary Vince Dizon, Standard Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa, TODAY Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian, Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez, Budget Secretary Rolando Toledo, Education Secretary Sonny Angara, Presidential Management Staff Secretary Elaine Masukat, and Finance Undersecretary

Karlo Fermin Adriano. Meanwhile, the Department of Budget and Management said Wednesday that proposed reforms to the military and uniformed personnel pension system remain under study, with no final decision yet on whether changes will be pursued during the current administration. Acting Budget Secretary Rolando Toledo said pension reform continues to be reviewed under Executive Order 187, which

mandates further study of retirement policies for uniformed services. “The pension reform is still being studied,” Toledo said, adding that recommendations made in 2023, including those by former finance secretary Benjamin Diokno, must be reassessed based on recent developments. REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES COMMISSION ON APPOINTMENTS Twentieth Congress First Regular Session

ANNOUNCEMENT

LOST.

Residents help rescue a stranded Risso’s dolphin along the coast of Barangay Apurawan in Aborlan, Palawan, but the animal later dies, heightening conservationists’ concerns over growing threats to marine wildlife in local waters.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has submitted to the Commission on Appointments (CA), for confirmation, the ad interim appointments of the following: Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) 1. ARMANDO B. CUSTODIO to the rank of Brigadier General 2. PETER JEMPSUN V. DE GUZMAN to the rank of Rear Admiral 3. REDENTOR R. CORTEZANO to the rank of Commodore The public may submit any information, written report, or sworn/notarized complaints or oppositions to the above ad interim appointments in seven (7) copies to the CA Secretariat, 6th Floor, PNB Financial Center, D. Macapagal Blvd., Pasay City, Metro Manila. For the schedule of the public hearings, the CA Secretariat can be reached through telephone numbers 8834-2713, 8831-1824, 8831-0527, 8832-9830, 88342706 and 8551-1989. 14 January 2026. (MS-JAN. 15, 2026)

JOEY C. FLAMINIANO Secretary

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SPD SCORES BIG VS. DRUGS. The

Southern Police District (SPD) discloses the arrest of a female ‘high-value target’ and seizure of illegal drugs worth over P81 million in Pasay City. SPD photo

DPWH eyes lump sum release of projects’funds By Vito Barcelo THE Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will begin releasing funds for infrastructure projects as a single lump sum instead of in tranches to prevent delays in implementation, Secretary Vince Dizon said. In a press briefing, Dizon said the previous practice of staggered fund releases often resulted in stalled projects, notably the construction of classrooms, roads, bridges, and hospitals. President Marcos has directed that all funds needed to complete priority projects by next year be fully included in the national budget, Dizon added. “The President’s commitment is that whatever funds are needed to finish these projects by next year must already be provided in the budget,” he said. On Tuesday, Dizon inspected the ongoing construction of several public hospital facilities to ensure they are completed on schedule. Among these projects was the 20-storey Philippine Cancer Center (PCC) building in Quezon City which is targeted for completion by 2027. The project was valued at P3.8 billion, but Dizon said it still lacks between P1.5 billion and P1.8 billion in funding. “That funding gap needs to be requested immediately for 2027, and it will be one of our priorities,” he said. Dizon also inspected the construction of a hemodialysis center at the National Kidney and Transplant Institute, as well as two buildings at the Philip-

PhilSA: Chinese rocket parts may fall in PH waters By Rex Espiritu THE Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) on Wednesday said rocket debris may have fallen in Philippine waters following the launch of China’s Long March 8A rocket. In an advisory, PhilSA said the projected drop zones of the rocket parts were several areas including about 162 nautical miles (NM) off El Nido, Palawan; 108 NM from Rozul Reef in the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone; 32 NM off Hadji Muhtamad, Basilan; 44 NM from Pangutaran Island, Sulu; and 47 NM from the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park. PhilSA said the Long March 8A rocket was launched from the Hainan International Commercial Launch Site in Wenchang, Hainan at around 11:25 p.m. Philippine Standard Time on Jan. 13. Details of the rocket drop zones were disclosed through a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) warning of an “aerospace flight activity.” PhilSA said it disseminated a prelaunch report to relevant government agencies and authorities before the launch. “Unburned debris from rockets, such as the booster and fairing, is designed to be discarded as the rocket enters outer space. While not projected to fall on land features or inhabited areas, falling debris poses danger and potential risk to ships, aircraft, fishing boats, and other vessels that will pass through the drop zone,” the agency said.

DSWD program feeds 1.5m kids nationwide By Maricel V. Cruz

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ORE than 1.5 million children enrolled in child development centers (CDCs) and supervised neighborhood play (SNP) were served by the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Supplementary Feeding Program (SFP) in 2025. According to DSWD assistant secretary and spokesperson Irene Dumlao, the SFP was one of the programs being implemented in coordination with local government units (LGUs) to improve the nutrition and health of children across the country.

“The Marcos administration has been staunch in its efforts to improve the nutritional status of children by strengthening the SFP. Last year, the SFP served a total of 1,587,295 children nationwide utilizing a budget of over P5 billion,” Dumlao said. The SFP provides nutritious meals to children aged three to five years who are currently enrolled in CDCs, as well as kids aged two to four years registered in SNP using indigenous or locally produced food equivalent to one-third of the Recommended Energy and Nutrient Intake (RENI). The children receive at least one fortified meal for a period of not less than 120 days in a year. Dumlao also said the SFP was part of DSWD’s contribution to the Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) program of the national government and Republic Act No. 11037 or the Masustansyang Pagkain para

sa Batang Pilipino Act. “Last year, the DSWD increased the cost per hot meals of the children from P15 to P25 for improved nutritional value. This is aligned with the thrust and priorities mentioned by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to further improve the programs that will support the growth and development of children, while ensuring food security,” Dumlao pointed out. Aside from providing nutritious meals for children, the SFP also conducts nutrition and health education to promote the knowledge, attitude and practice of children, parents and caregivers in sustaining the children’s nutritional status. The 2026 General Appropriations Act (GAA) allocated more than P9.5 billion to finance the nutritional needs of over 1.8 million day-care children nationwide through implementation of the SFP.

IN BRIEF Army ramps up info drive vs. Surigao Reds THE Philippine Army said its recent use of loudspeakers mounted on military vehicles in parts of Surigao del Sur is part of a broader information campaign to counter misinformation and encourage communities to withdraw support for the New People’s Army (NPA). Army spokesman Col. Louie Dema-ala told Manila Standard that the initiative was intended to directly reach out to residents in remote areas with “truthful information” amid continued efforts by communist rebels to influence local communities. “The recently conducted loudspeaker operation in Surigao del Sur is part of the Philippine Army’s continuing efforts to directly reach residents in remote areas with truthful information and counter the misinformation spread by communist terrorist groups” Dema-ala said. He explained that the initiative forms part of the Army’s ongoing information drive to raise awareness about what it called the “real evils” of the NPA, including alleged deceptive recruitment tactics and the group’s impact on peace, security, and development in affected areas. Rex Espiritu

AFAB mulls business center, other projects

SPIC AND SPAN. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations recognizes anew Tabuk City in Kalinga province as a ‘Clean Tourist City’ for its excellent environmental management, cleanliness, waste disposal, and remarkable tourism infrastructure, thanks to Mayor Darwin Estrañero and City Tourism and Cultural Affairs chief Arlene Ethel Odiem. Jessica M. Bacud

Solon slams rape cases involving cops

AND THE WINNER IS…Students of West Visayas State University bag the grand prize in ForeSTAR ng Pasko: A Short Film Competition recently organized by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Forest Management Bureau in collaboration with the Film Development Council of the Philippines.

HOUSE Assistant Minority Leader and Gabriela Women’s Party-List Rep. Sarah Elago has condemned the reported rape case involving a Manila policeman who allegedly spiked the victim’s drink and brought her to a motel while still unconscious. “The series of news about policemen abusing women is very disturbing. This is a clear pattern of abuse and lack of accountability within the police force,” Elago said, citing a news report last December in which two police officers were dismissed for allegedly sexual abuse of a policewoman in Marikina. According to reports, CCTV footage showed the unconscious victim being carried by the police officer into a motel. Medico-legal examination also confirmed that the victim had been sexually molested, but the suspect insisted

that they had a “mutual understanding,” hinting that the incident was consensual. “The phrase “mutual understanding” cannot be an excuse to commit a crime. When the victim is unconscious, there is no consent -- that is clear in law and in human rights,” Elago argued. The lawmaker called for the immediate dismissal of the policeman involved, in addition to the filing and swift prosecution of criminal charges. “Suspension or administrative case alone is not enough. There should be no room for abusers, especially those in power,” Elago stressed. She also underscored the need to ensure protection and comprehensive support for the victim, including legal assistance, psychosocial services, and safeguards against intimidation and victim-blaming. Maricel Cruz

THE Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan (AFAB) eyes the development of a central business district (CBD) designed to serve as the facility’s hub for commerce, services, and community activities. AFAB spokesperson Hazel Elloren said the projected CBD will feature a mix of modern facilities, including a shopping mall, a hotel, office buildings, multi-storey parking, commercial complexes, and a commercial condominium. She said the expansions will cover 23,000 square meters of land. Other planned developments included a 16-hectare golf course, a boardwalk, and a 12,000-squaremeter commercial and recreational strip along the Freeport’s waterfront. Butch Gunio

WVSU students bag top prizes in filmfest STUDENTS from West Visayas State University have bagged the grand prize in ForeSTAR ng Pasko: A Short Film Competition organized by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Forest Management Bureau in collaboration with the Film Development Council of the Philippines. “Handong” by Sine-Mariit of the school also won best screenplay, best production design, and best cinematography during the awarding ceremony held at the Bonifacio Global City Central Square Cinema. DENR-FMB executive committee members led by assistant director Ray Thomas Kabigting, FDCP project development officer Gaby Velazco, judges Dr. Joselito Delos Reyes and Seymour Sanchez, and faculty and students from participating colleges and universities, graced the event.

OPINION

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mst.daydesk@gmail.com

EDITORIAL

PPP rules must be upheld

Honest Toby JOSEPH Estrada, after administering the membership oath to new recruits into the Partido ng Masang Pilipino, would direct them to open the palm of the hand he raised for the photo opportunity. “Walang tinatago”, the former president would explain. True to his word, he did not deny the string of extra-marital affairs that his detractors would throw against him, political ammunition that went pfft because he never lied about them. His waterloo came about because he tolerated what his peace and order wunderkind Ping Lacson derisively labelled “larong lupa,” after jueteng COO Chavit spilled the beans. The scale, enormity and shamelessness (to parody our current president) of corruption scandals that transpired after President Erap made his ouster via Edsa Dos look so unfair. The guy was a piker, compared to the “hoodlums” in government these days. The numbers game which has become part and parcel of Philippine culture is the “libangan ng bayan,” “dibersiyon ng masa” (the term used by the household staff in our ancestral house in San Pablo who eagerly awaited the “kubrador” to try their daily luck), and the movie idol turned president justified his involvement as “hindi naman pera ng gobyerno ‘yan.” In the Visayas and Mindanao, jueteng has morphed into variations like “ masiao, suer-tres” and “last two,” some of whose winnings were dependent on the numbers drawn by PCSO’s lotto. Tagalogs and Ilokanos, Bikolanos too, trusted the jueteng operators to come up with a clean “bola,” but Visayans preferred something more “scientific.” In PGMA’s time, we had Jocjoc Bolante’s fertilizer scam, and overpriced, over-imported rice, the botched NBN-ZTE deal, and public works projects that scandalized even the World Bank. All these involved public funds. There was the PDAF scandal which came out in PNoy’s time, but only Napoles and her conscripts among legislators profited from these misuse of public funds. Now we have the “ghosts” of flood control, and the layers of systemic corruption uncovered each passing week. Not only is this a case of the plunder of the public till; it involves the pre-meditated manipulation of the GAA, starting from the president’s NEP, where “allocables” and “leadership funds” are pre-assigned to legislators and Cabinet officials, but worse, “insertions” are made in the smallest of the small covens within the bicameral conference committee. The most criminal budget in history was the provenance of the crime of the century.

Apparently, the president knew all about it. Whether he abetted it through the past three years, as surmised by Kalookan’s Egay Erice, or he learned about it only insofar as the uber-anomalous 2025 budget, as exposed by Navotas’ Toby Tiangco, the fact is -- the president knew about it. I wrote about Toby’s testimonial in a previous 2025 column, after I heard him recount the incident before media at the Batasan. Tiangco exonerated the president from the budget anomaly..

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The most criminal budget in history was the provenance of the crime of the century But the other day, in his first media interview for the new year, Toby recounted the incident in full, before Edwin Lacierda and Nani Braganza in Bilyonaryo News Channel’s morning program “The Spokes.” The president called his first cousin, then Speaker Martin Romualdez to Malacanang, and asked Rep. Tiangco to be present. There he berated the Speaker, asking: “Ilan bang bahay sa Forbes ang kailangan ninyong bilhin ni Zaldy (Co); ilang Ferrari at ilang eroplano ang bibilhin pa ninyo; gaano kadaming caviar ang kakainin niyo?” the president fumed. Toby felt so embarrassed. “Why should I be here?” he thought. “Sana sila na lang dalawa,” he added. “You scrapped my big-ticket infrastructure projects, foreign-assisted at that. Fund them, the president ordered, as Toby recounts. To which the Speaker promised that they would do it in the bicam. But bicam passed and both houses of Congress approved the bicam report, yet “ayuda” and “ghosts” still stole the show from major infrastructure. Toby Tiangco is a revelation. Not the usual trapo that we have come to regard all legislators, save for a miniscule few. So candid, so refreshing. And so honest. Auntie Kler will be unhappy, hard put to deny Toby’s song, hard put to spin it to curry favor from her bosses in the palace. If the president knew all along, and scolded the former Speaker about it, as honest Toby confessed, so who masterminded the act? Zaldy Co must have been telling the truth, most of it anyway. “I do not know how to lie,” Toby said. I believe him. I am sure many, many more believe honest Toby. But what will his eyewitness recollection make of the president he wants to defend?

Honor Blanco Cabie

Climate change impact on biodiversity CLIMATOLOGISTS have raised once more the bulletin board that sea levels in the Philippines, an archipelagic nation of more than 7,000 islands, are rising at about twice the global average and are smashing into biodiversity. Which means the rise of mean sealevel for the Philippines has been noted in several studies to be above the global average rate, ranging from 5.7 to 7.0 mm per year. This further means rising sea levels, higher temperatures, and increased frequency of typhoons and extreme weather events can cause floods, landslides, and erosion that pollute water resources, damage infrastructure, destroy crops, and lead to loss of lives and livelihoods. Weathermen say the sea level in the Philippines – a country of 117 million population and has more than 36,000 kilometers coastlines – is rising three times faster than the global average, putting many of its coastal villages in peril, according to climate scientist

Rosalina de Guzman of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) climate data section.

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The warming of ocean temperatures due to climate change poses a severe threat to the Philippines’ vibrant coral reefs With 70 percent of the country’s municipalities facing large bodies of water, including the Pacific Ocean, that could spell a “big impact” on those populations, according to de Guzman. Scientists have attributed sea level rise to warming temperatures, which melt the polar ice caps, causing oceans

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EFORE 2025 ended, PSALM president Dennis dela Serna revealed that two private sector entities are vying for the rehabilitation of the Agus Hydroelectric Power Plants with plans to restore the facility to its full 1,000-megawatt capacity, through the public-private partnership scheme.

He added that while PSALM normally conducts competitive bidding, unsolicited proposals are permitted under the PPP rules. While dela Serna declined to name the two entities, he disclosed one is a consortium while the other is a single company. He expressed optimism the winning concessionaire or bidder can restore the plant to full capacity and is able to sell the electricity, highlighting Agus’ potential boost to Mindanao’s power supply, which is now operating at less-than-ideal capacity. The PSALM president said the rehabilitation of the Agus-Pulangi hydropower complex, which consists of seven run-of-river hydroelectric power plant, is on track for completion within the Marcos administration. But dela Serna also stressed, under PPP timelines, there are 10 days to accept or reject a proposal, 90 days for evaluation, and another 90 to 150 days for negotiation. This is where the proposals from the two entities get tricky as sources

provided details regarding the two proposals. They said the PPP Center, in Oct. 2025, had endorsed an unsolicited proposal for the modernization of the Agus-Pulangi Hydropower Complex.

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The rehabilitation of the Agus Hydroelectric Power Plants is a matter of national importance That proposal entered formal evaluation in accordance with the PPP Code. Yet only weeks later, the PPP Center endorsed a second unsolicited proposal covering the same Agus facilities—this time bundled with the Lanao del Sur Electric Cooperative, Inc. power distribution system. This endorsement appears to violate the PPP Code’s own rules. The Implementing Rules allow only a

ten-day window for similar unsolicited proposals. Both proposals involve Agus I and II and substantially the same rehabilitation and operational scope. The second proposal was submitted well beyond this period and should have been returned to the proponent for participation in the comparative challenge process. Treating the two proposals as “not similar” because of added components elevates form over substance. Courts have long recognized that laws must be interpreted purposively, not mechanically. Packaging cannot be used to bypass clear procedural safeguards. Equally troubling is the inclusion of the Lasureco component, which lies outside PSALM’s ownership and statutory authority. A PPP requires a government implementing agency with legal control over the project. Stretching this definition risks undermining the integrity of the PPP framework itself. This is why the PPP Center must act decisively. The rehabilitation of the Agus Hydroelectric Power Plants is a matter of national importance. It affects power reliability in Mindanao, electricity prices, and public confidence in how government handles major infrastructure projects. Precisely because of its significance, the process governing Agus must be beyond reproach.

Venezuela’s furious street forces ready to ‘fight’ after US raid CARACAS – When explosions boomed in the night and US warplanes roared in the sky over Caracas, Jorge Suarez and his companions rushed fearfully for their guns. For these members of the “colectivos” -- armed loyalists of the leftist leadership -- the US raid that ousted Nicolas Maduro as their president was the most dramatic challenge yet. “We’re not used to it -- it was like a bestseller, like something out of a movie,” said Suarez, in black sunglasses and a cap bearing the slogan: “Doubt is treason.” “We took to the streets, waiting for instructions from our leaders.” As proud defenders of the Venezuelan leadership’s socialist “Bolivarian revolution,” the ousting of Maduro has left them furious and bewildered, convinced that he was betrayed by close allies. “There is frustration, anger and a will to fight,” said a 43-year-old member of one collective the Boina Roja -- which translates to Red Beret -- who identified himself only as Willians, in a black cap and hooded jacket. “It’s still not really clear what happened... What is clear is that there were many betrayals,” he added -- pointing to implausible failures in Maduro’s defenses. “We don’t understand how the antiaircraft system failed. We don’t know what happened with the rocket-launch system.” Policing the transition Established in their current form under Maduro’s predecessor Hugo Chavez, the colectivos are tasked with keeping social order on the streets -- but accused by opponents of beating and intimidating rivals. They have closed ranks behind Delcy

Rodriguez, Maduro’s former deputy who took over as interim president. She has pledged to cooperate with US President Donald Trump over his demand for access to Venezuela’s huge oil reserves -- but has insisted the country is not “subordinate” to Washington. Willians said the colectivos were resisting certain post-Maduro narratives, which he dismissed as mind games -such as “that Trump might bomb again, or that Delcy Rodriguez is with the United States.” They respect her ideological pedigree -- Rodriguez is the daughter of a far-left militant who died in the custody of the intelligence services in 1976.

“I don’t think anyone would betray her father,” said Alfredo Canchica, leader of another collective, the Fundacion 3 Raices. “You can betray the people, but not your father.” Colectivo members declined to be drawn on how the post-Maduro phase might play out under Trump and Rodriguez, however. “We don’t believe the threats that the Americans are going to come, dig in and take us out,” said Canchica.

“They’ll have to kill us first.” Maduro ‘betrayed’ Feared by opponents as a rifle-wielding, motorbike-mounted shock force, the colectivos are welcomed in some neighborhoods where they are credited with preventing crime -- and where authorities hand out subsidized food parcels. Speaking at the Chato Candela baseball stadium in the working-class 23 de Enero district, Canchica rejected the negative image they have gained. When opposition demonstrators and some world powers were accusing Maduro of stealing an election in July 2024, “we stopped the shantytowns from rising up,” he said. The colectivos also claim to run sports programs, coordinate with hospitals and transport networks, and visit traders to keep price speculation in check. Fiercely committed to the “Chavista” cause, they felt the sting of betrayal in Maduro’s capture. “The betrayal must have come from someone very close to our commander” Maduro, said Canchica. “It was so perfect we didn’t notice, and we still don’t know who betrayed us, how they betrayed us -- it happened so fast.” In his office with images of independence hero Simon Bolivar, Chavez and Maduro on the wall, and books, bullets and a sound-wave bomb on the table, Suarez bitterly recalled watching animated reconstructions of Maduro’s capture published online. “It makes you angry,” he said. “Despite all the support Commander (Vladimir) Putin, China and North Korea have given us militarily, how can we react in real time when (the US) has more advanced technology than we do?” AFP

to expand. But what is biodiversity? This covers all the different kinds of life we find in one area – the variety of animals, plants, fungi, and even microorganisms like bacteria that make up our natural world. Each of these species and organisms work together in ecosystems, like an intricate web, to maintain balance and support life. Weather experts say sea levels during strong storms in a country that averages 20 a year, and when these make landfall the higher sea level contributes to storm surge that can rise upwards of 15–20 feet, displacing thousands or even millions of citizens in coastal communities. Experts note that rising sea levels,

higher temperatures, and increased frequency of typhoons and extreme weather events can cause floods, landslides, and erosion that pollute water resources, damage infrastructure, destroy crops, and lead to loss of lives and livelihoods. The warming of ocean temperatures due to climate change also poses a severe threat to the Philippines’ vibrant coral reefs. Rising sea temperatures lead to coral bleaching, a process in which corals expel their symbiotic algae, causing them to turn white and become more susceptible to disease and death. Sea levels in the Philippines are rising at about twice the global average. And when especially strong storms like Typhoon Haiyan make landfall, this higher

sea level contributes to storm surge that can rise upwards of 15–20 feet, displacing thousands or even millions of citizens in coastal communities. Rising sea levels, higher temperatures, and increased frequency of typhoons and extreme weather events can cause floods, landslides, and erosion that pollute water resources, damage infrastructure, destroy crops, and lead to loss of lives and livelihoods. The warming of ocean temperatures due to climate change poses a severe threat to the Philippines’ vibrant coral reefs. Rising sea temperatures lead to coral bleaching, a process in which corals expel their symbiotic algae, causing them to turn white and become more susceptible to disease and death.

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

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The colectivos are tasked with keeping social order on the streets -- but accused by opponents of beating and intimidating rivals

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

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mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Trump vows ‘very strong action’ vs. Iran W

ASHINGTON, DC – President Donald Trump said Tuesday that the United States would react strongly if authorities in Iran started hanging people in their crackdown on a popular uprising against the government.

Takaichi ready to call February snap election TOKYO – Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi will inform senior party officials Wednesday of her plan to call a general election to capitalize on strong public support for her government, media reports said. Takaichi was appointed Japan’s first woman prime minister in October and her cabinet is enjoying an approval rating of around 70 percent. But her ruling bloc only has a slim majority in the powerful lower house of parliament, hindering its ability to push through her ambitious policy agenda. At a meeting on Wednesday, Takaichi “will tell senior officials of the Liberal Democratic Party her intention of dissolving the lower house” on January 23, the business daily Nikkei Shimbun reported, citing unnamed sources from the government and the LDP. That would pave the way for a snap election, “aiming to increase the number of ruling party seats”, the Nikkei said. Public broadcaster NHK also reported Takaichi “is coordinating” a meeting with senior officials to explain her plan. The meeting with LDP heavyweights and members of the party’s coalition partner the Japan Innovation Party is due to take place late Wednesday, TV Asahi said. AFP

IN BRIEF ICJ genocide case ‘flawed and unfounded’ YANGON – An international court case against Myanmar for genocide against the mostly Muslim Rohingya minority is “flawed and unfounded,” Yangon’s foreign ministry said Wednesday. In a statement published in a state newspaper it called on the International Court of Justice, which began hearings in The Hague on Monday, to “reach its judgment based on fact and settled law strictly within the framework of the Genocide Convention.” ICJ judges are hearing three weeks of testimony as they weigh accusations by The Gambia that Myanmar committed genocide against the Rohingya in a 2017 crackdown. Hundreds of thousands of Rohingya Muslims fled violence by the Myanmar army and Buddhist militias, escaping to neighboring Bangladesh and bringing harrowing accounts of mass rape, arson and murder. On the first day of the hearings Gambia’s justice minister Dawda Jallow told the court the Rohingya “have been targeted for destruction”. AFP

RISING CASUALTIES. Anti-Iranian regime protesters hold pre-1979 Islamic Revolution Iranian flags, US flags and light their cellphones during a gathering outside the US Consulate in Milan, on Tuesday. At least 734 people are confirmed to have been killed, though the actual death toll is likely in the thousands, Norway-based NGO Iran Human Rights said Tuesday. Fears have also grown that the Islamic republic could use the death penalty to crack down on the protests. AFP

Davos braces for Trump’s ‘America First’ onslaught PARIS – All eyes will be on Donald Trump next week as politicians and business leaders head to the World Economic Forum, wondering how to square the mercurial US leader with the Davos creed of open markets and multilateralism. After a year of roiling the liberal international order since his return to office, Trump will descend on the Swiss ski resort for an address Wednesday, at a meeting whose theme is “A Spirit of Dialogue”. “We’re pleased to welcome back President Trump,” Borge Brende, the forum’s chief executive, told an online press conference ahead of the Davos

summit, six years after Trump’s previous in-person appearance during his first term. He will bring along the largest US delegation ever, Brende added, setting the stage for private meetings on geopolitical flashpoints from Ukraine and Venezuela to Gaza, Greenland and Iran. Trump told an event in Detroit, Michigan on Tuesday that he plans next week to “provide much more detail about our housing policies so that every American who wants to own a home will be able to afford one”. His message to American voters, delivered before business and political elites, comes with US households feeling

the squeeze from high costs of living as November’s midterm elections approach. Brende noted that “the interest is to come together at the beginning of the year to try to connect the dots, decipher, and also see areas where we can collaborate”. But with a protectionist tariff blitz and marked disdain for traditional US allies defining Trump’s second term, the chances of forging common strategies for the world’s biggest challenges appear slim. Brende acknowledged that “our annual meeting is taking place against the most complex geopolitical backdrop since 1945”. AFP

South Korea vows legal action over drone incursion

Costa Rica says plot to kill president uncovered SAN JOSE – Costa Rica’s government on Tuesday (Wednesday, Manila time) said it had uncovered a plot to assassinate President Rodrigo Chaves on the eve of national elections, in which his right-wing party is tipped for victory. Jorge Torres, head of the Central American nation’s Directorate of Intelligence and National Security, cited a “confidential source” as informing the agency that an assassin had been paid to kill Chaves. Attorney General Carlo Diaz told reporters that a female suspect is being investigated and described her as “quite active on social media” but he gave no other details. He said there was no evidence of a link to presidential and parliamentary elections set for February 1. The popular Chaves, who is barred by the constitution from seeking a second consecutive term, has backed one of his former ministers, Laura Fernandez, to succeed him. AFP

Chinese villagers struggle for heat as subsidies fade XUSHUI, China – Almost a decade after China began curbing coal burning to stop thick winter smog, villagers in northern Hebei province are struggling to afford their heating bills with most gas subsidies now phased out. Beijing mandated that dozens of northern areas wind down the use of coal-fired stoves in 2017 in favour of electric and natural gas-powered systems. China’s central government allocated funds to refit stoves, but subsidies faded after three years and additional aid has drastically declined, local media reported this week. In Xushui, a district in Hebei roughly 100 kilometers outside Beijing, villagers told AFP they avoided turning on the heating because it drained their incomes. AFP

“We will take very strong action if they do such a thing,” he told CBS News in an interview, when asked about hangings potentially beginning on Wednesday. “When they start killing thousands of people -- and now you’re telling me about hanging. We’ll see how that’s going to work out for them,” Trump said in a video clip released online. European nations also signaled their anger over the crackdown, with France, Germany and the United Kingdom among the countries that summoned their Iranian ambassadors, as did the European Union. “The rising number of casualties in Iran is horrifying,” said EU chief Ursula von der Leyen, vowing further sanctions against those responsible. The interview took place as Trump was in the northern US state of Michigan to visit a manufacturing plant and deliver a speech on the economy. In his speech, Trump reiterated a message he had posted earlier on social media, that “help is on its way” for the Iranian protesters. He also said it was unclear what the death toll in Iran actually was. “I hear numbers -- look, one death is too much -- but I hear much lower numbers, and then I hear much higher numbers,” he said. Later, speaking to reporters on his return to Washington, Trump said he would soon be receiving a briefing on Iran. “The killing looks like it’s significant, but we don’t know yet for certain. I’ll know within 20 minutes -- and we’ll act accordingly,” he said. Trump had previously vowed the United States would get involved if protesters were killed, a line crossed days ago. AFP

MORE MIGRANTS DYING. A federal officer stands guard as protestors gather while ICE operates in a residential neighborhood in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Wednesday, Manila time. Hundreds more federal agents were heading to Minneapolis, the US homeland security chief, brushing aside demands by the Midwestern city’s Democratic leaders to leave after an immigration officer fatally shot a woman protester. In multiple TV interviews, US Homeland Secretary Kristi Noem defended the actions of the officer who shot and killed 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good. AFP

SEOUL – The South Korean president’s top advisor vowed on Wednesday to punish whoever is found responsible for a recent drone incursion into North Korea, after a furious Pyongyang demanded an apology. North Korea accused the South over the weekend of sending a drone across their shared border into the city of Kaesong this month, releasing photos of debris from what it said was the downed aircraft. And on Tuesday the North Korean leader’s powerful sister, Kim Yo Jong, demanded an apology over the incident from the “hooligans of the enemy state” responsible. Seoul has denied any involvement but has left open the possibility that civilians may have flown the drone, a position reiterated by National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac on Wednesday. “Our understanding so far is that neither the military nor the government carried out such an operation,” Wi told reporters on the sidelines of a summit between the leaders of South Korea and Japan in the Japanese city of Nara. “That leaves us the task to investigate if someone from the civilian sector may have done it,” he said. “If there is anything that warrants punishment, then there should be punishment.” AFP

Fear vies with sorrow at funeral for Venezuelan political prisoner GUANARE, Venezuela – Fear mixed with sorrow at the funeral of Edilson Torres, a policeman and government critic who died in custody just before Venezuela began releasing political prisoners following the toppling of strongman Nicolas Maduro. Torres, 52, who was jailed for daring to criticize Maduro, died a week after the Venezuelan leader was toppled in a deadly US military raid. What remains of the regime in Caracas is now under pressure to free political detainees. “I had a lot of faith that I was going to get my brother back alive,” Torres’s sister Emelyn Torres told AFP through tears at his wake. But it was not to be. Dozens of friends, relatives and police colleagues gathered on Monday at Torres’s home in Guanare, in the northwest of the Latin American country, to bid him an emotional farewell. Despite Maduro’s ouster, there was a palpable sense of dread among the

mourners. Most of them whispered among themselves, not daring to speak out as the strongman’s cronies remain in power. One exception was Cirilo Fernandez, the dead man’s uncle, who told AFP he believed his nephew had died a “violent” death and feared he was in danger too. “I am devastated,” he said. “My nephew worked for 20 years as a police officer and that meant nothing in the end. I feel powerless about what is happening here in Venezuela.” On Monday, the government in Caracas announced it had freed 116 more people jailed under Maduro -- many for taking part in protests after his disputed 2024 election. UN experts and the opposition said only about 50 prisoners have been freed so far out of the 800-1,200 that human rights groups estimate are being held. Relatives have been camped out at prisons for days, becoming increasingly restless as loved ones have failed to appear. AFP

POLITICAL PRISONERS. A woman cries during the funeral of political prisoner Edilson Torres who died in custody, in Guanare, Portuguesa state, Venezuela on Tuesday. Venezuela said it had freed dozens more political prisoners as rights groups questioned the numbers and family members clamored for speedier releases after the US military ouster of long-term autocrat Nicolas Maduro. AFP

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Italy’s Jannik Sinner (left) plays table tennis with Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz during a welcome event at Hyundai Card headquarters in Seoul, ahead of their tennis exhibition match. AFP

Sinner in way as Alcaraz seeks career Grand Slam in Australia M

ELBOURNE—Carlos Alcaraz is targeting a career Grand Slam at the Australian Open but winning the only major to elude him will be no easy feat with great rival Jannik Sinner standing in his way.

Spain’s Alcaraz already has six major titles under his belt aged just 22, but success on the Melbourne Park hard courts is a glaring hole in his resume. He has not made it past the quarter-finals in four trips to Australia, losing at that stage in 2025 to Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev the year before. “It’s my first goal to be honest,” Alcaraz said of Australia after winning the US Open last year, his second Slam title of 2025 after defending his crown at Roland Garros. “When I just go to the pre-seasons to what I want to improve, what I want to achieve, Australian Open is there.”

Should he snap his Australia drought at the tournament starting on Sunday, Alcaraz would become the youngest man to bank a career Grand Slam, surpassing retired compatriot Rafael Nadal. Nadal secured all four majors by the age of 24. Alcaraz faces a significant roadblock in Italy’s Sinner, the two-time defending champion who is chasing his own slice of history. If the 24-year-old makes it three in a row in Melbourne he would join Djokovic as the only men in the Open era to do so. The Serbian legend has done the three-peat twice during his 10 titles at Melbourne Park. “I feel like a better player than last year,” warned Sinner after completing his 2025 campaign with 58 wins and just six defeats. “A lot of wins and not many losses. And in the losses I had, I tried to see the positive thing and tried to use it to evolve me as a player.” Sinner came from two sets down to defeat Daniil Medvedev in the 2024 Australian Open final before seeing off Zverev in straight sets a year ago. Djokovic record hunt While Sinner is the defending champion, Alcaraz leads 10-6 in their head-to-head record and

Dechambeau, Rahm, Smith snub PGA Tour, stay with LIV LOS ANGELES—Major winners Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm and Cameron Smith all committed to stay with LIV Golf in 2026 on Tuesday, turning down the chance to follow Brooks Koepka back to the US PGA Tour. Five-time major winner Koepka announced his return to the US circuit on Monday under a new program that created a pathway back for stars who joined the Saudi-backed LIV Golf circuit. It was open to those players who had won either a major or the Players Championship between 2022 and 2025, meaning American DeChambeau, Spain’s Rahm and Australian Smith would have been eligible to make the move back from LIV. But none of them were interested. “Look, I’m contracted through 2026, so I’m excited about this year,” said two-time US Open champion DeChambeau at a LIV Golf media day in Florida.

Asked if he shared the sentiment, Rahm, who won the US Open in 2021 and the Masters two years later, replied: “I’m not planning on going anywhere. “Very similar answer to what Bryson gave. I wish Brooks the best.” Smith, the 2022 Open winner, was similarly keen to stay with the breakaway tour. “I’m going to stay,” he told reporters. “I have made my bed and I’m gonna sleep in it. I feel like I am in a really good place in my career and my life, my family life, and I don’t need to change it.” PGA Tour chief executive Brian Rolapp said this week Koepka’s decision to leave LIV last month had prompted officials to consider how they handled the issue of embracing players who wanted to rejoin. The result was the PGA Tour’s new “Returning Member Program”, which came with “severe and justified consequences”. AFP

bumped Sinner from the season-ending world number one spot. They met in a light-hearted exhibition match in South Korea last weekend, the pair’s only warm-up for Melbourne, with Alcaraz coming out on top. Such is the dominance of “Sincaraz”, as they are being called, they have shared the last eight Grand Slam titles, picking up four each since Djokovic won his 24th major at the 2023 US Open. The Serb is back again at his most successful hunting ground, but there are questions over his fitness and form with the 38-year-old pulling out of this week’s Adelaide International. Still chasing a record 25th major crown, Djokovic could be at his last Australian Open and will be desperate to win there again. Djokovic made the semis at all four majors last year but went no further, admitting “I can do only as much as I can do”. World number three Zverev, along with Lorenzo Musetti, Alex de Minaur and Felix Auger-Aliassime, ranked five, six and seven respectively, will be looking to crash the party and win a first major. AFP

Keys overcomes serve demons to win latest Aussie Open warm-up ADELAIDE—Defending Australian Open champion Madison Keys overcame some first-set serve wobbles to win her latest warm-up match for the opening Grand Slam of the year on Wednesday. The 30-year-old American, who will be seeded ninth when the Australian Open begins on Sunday, beat Czech teenager Tereza Valentova 6-4, 6-1 at the Adelaide International. Keys, who won in Adelaide last year before going on to lift her maiden major, served up seven double faults in the opening set against the 18-year-old. She improved in the second, breaking twice and converting her third match point to reach the quarter-finals after an 85-minute workout on court. “Experience helps get through the tricky moments,” Keys said. “I was able to take momentum in the second set and play really well. I had to raise my level. You have to take your chances on any opportunities you get.” World number 60 Valentova is one of a number of rising young talents on the women’s circuit. Keys said that facing the new generation was always a challenge. “I have to lean on my experience a little bit. They are so young, have so much energy and are just so good. You expect them to play great tennis.” The American will face another teenager, 17th-ranked Victoria Mboko, in the last eight. The 18-year-old Canadian announced herself on the world stage last year by winning the WTA 1000 title in Montreal and the Hong Kong Open. Keys began her 2026 Australian Open preparations last week in Brisbane, losing in the quarterfinals to world number one Aryna Sabalenka in a rematch of last year’s Australian Open final. AFP

Training center for beach volley to rise in UP By Peter Atencio WORK has begun on the development of training venue for beach volleyball inside the Diliman campus of University of Philippines in Quezon City. Philippine Sports Commission chairman Patrick Gregorio said this as the government sports agency got involved with the plans to put it up with Philippine National Volleyball Federation and the UP College of Human Kinetics. “UP has started construction of the national training center for beach volleyball inside the UP-Diliman campus, and with the help of the UP-CHK,” said Gregorio. Presently, there is no dedicated beach volleyball sand courts available within the main campus. Gregorio explained that having them available in the future to the public, the athletes and students will help spur the growth of the sport.

“They have land, and as a State University, the PSC can plan in their efforts for sports development,” added Gregorio. The existing volleyball courts inside the UP campus are for indoor volleyball Other facilities inside the Diliman campus include the track and field oval, the football pitch, the UP-CHK gymnastics for basketball, volleyball and badminton. There’s also the football pitch and the swimming, the tennis courts and the baseball field. Gregorio also said there are plans to rehabilitate existing tennis courts to i nt e r n at io n a l standards, with the support of the Philippine T e n n i s Association.

PSC chairman Patrick Gregorio

LA28 organizers promise ‘affordable’ Olympics tickets

The LA28 Olympic cauldron is lit during a ceremonial lighting at the Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, ahead of the launch of ticket registration for the 2028 Summer Olympic Games. AFP

LOS ANGELES—Los Angeles 2028 Olympics chiefs promised an “affordable and inclusive” Games on Tuesday as they prepared to open registration for a lottery to buy tickets. LA28 chairman Casey Wasserman said one million tickets to the Olympics and Paralympics would be priced at $28 while a third of the roughly 14 million tickets due to go on sale would cost $100 or less. “From the beginning, we’ve been clear: access to these games, because these games belong to everyone,” Wasserman said. “These games have to be affordable and inclusive.” Wasserman was speaking in the shadow of the historic Los Angeles Coliseum on the eve of the first step towards tickets going on sale. On Wednesday at 7:00 am local time (1500 GMT), fans around the world will be able to register for the chance to secure an opportunity to

buy tickets starting in April. Fans registering will be entered into a draw that will randomly assign time slots to buy tickets for the games. ‘The first step’ Wasserman’s comments on Tuesday follow weeks of criticism of world football’s governing body FIFA’s ticketing strategy for this year’s World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico. FIFA was forced to announce a limited number of tickets priced at $60 last month after ticket prices for the tournament were condemned as “extortionate and astronomical.” “This is the first step for fans around the city, around the country and yes around the world, to get their ticket to history and join us here in LA for the greatest games the world will have ever seen,” Wasserman said. “The foundation of everything we’re building tomorrow is about fans, the people who bring the energy, the

enthusiasm and the noise.” Tuesday’s ceremony gathered around 300 Olympians and Paralympians from past Games as officials conducted a ceremonial lighting of the Olympic cauldron at the Los Angeles Coliseum. “Our tickets are going to be affordable, our games will be accessible, and they’re right here in our backyard,” LA28 chief executive Reynold Hoover said at the event. Hoover added that organisers had already seen more than 150,000 people sign up to be volunteers at the Games. “That’s nearly 150,000 supporters saying ‘I want to be a part of this, I want to be a part of history,” he said. US swimming legend Janet Evans, a four-time Olympic gold medallist and LA28’s chief athlete officer, cited her own experience of going to the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics as a fan. AFP

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

ICTSI Ladies Masters kicks off Taiwan LPGA Tour THE ICTSI Philippine Ladies Masters is set to stage its second edition next month with greater significance, not only as a premier international competition but also as the official kickoff leg of the 2026 Taiwan LPGA (TLPGA) Tour – further cementing its status as a major fixture on the regional women’s golf circuit. Slated for Feb. 4-6 at the Summit Point Golf and Country Club in Lipa City, Batangas, the $200,000, 54-hole championship will open a TLPGA season featuring at least 17 tournaments, immediately placing the Philippines at the forefront of Asia’s competitive women’s golf landscape. The event is expected to showcase the country’s finest professionals, who will be tested early by a formidable international field equally eager to gain momentum in the new season. Regular TLPGA campaigners will be joined by top players and rising stars from South Korea, Japan, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia – ensuring three days of elite-level shotmaking and intense competition. Beyond the depth of talent, Summit Point offers a distinct and compelling challenge. The par-72 course, designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., is renowned for its ambitious concept – replicas of 18 iconic holes from the world’s most famous layouts, including St. Andrews, Augusta National, Pebble Beach and Spyglass Hill. Far from being mere visual tributes, these holes demand strategic precision, imagination and adaptability – traits that separate contenders from champions. With fairways and greens that change character with the season, Summit Point promises to reward bold yet disciplined play. The championship also carries the weight of a dramatic recent history. Korean Kim Kayoung produced a career-defining performance in last year’s staging, closing with a steady 68 at The Country Club to edge Thailand’s Nook Sukapan by a single stroke in a riveting final-round duel marked by multiple lead changes.

The Philippines’ Alexandra Eala hits a return to Croatia’s Donna Vekic during their women’s singles match at the Kooyong Classic tennis tournament in Melbourne. AFP

New world no. 49 Eala looks good ahead of Aussie Open By Peter Atencio

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HE Philippines’ Alexandra Eala is showing strong form heading into the Australian Open after defeating Croatia’s Donna Vekic for the second time in just over a week, this time with a convincing 6–3, 6–4 win at the Kooyong Classic in Melbourne on Wednesday. The 20-year-old Filipino rising star earlier outlasted the Paris Olympics silver medalist in three sets at the ASB Classic in Auckland, where Eala went on to reach the WTA 250 semifinals. Her recent run has helped her climb to a career-high world ranking of No. 49. The Kooyong Classic, an exhibition event that serves as a final tune-up for the Australian

Open, highlighted Eala’s growing confidence and consistency as she prepares for the season’s first Grand Slam. Ahead of the tour nament, Eala appeared in a video with tennis legend and mentor Rafael Nadal, ref lecting on her development and mindset. “Moving differently means being brave, doing

Gilgeous-Alexander stars as Thunder halt losing streak to Spurs

UST belles open title defense on strong note UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas shook off early jitters to fend off De La Salle Zobel, 90-59, and open its UAAP Season 88 Girls’ Basketball Tournament title defense on a strong note Wednesday morning at the Filoil Centre in San Juan. Moving on from the graduation of their championship core—Season 87 MVP Barby Dajao, Janna Wenceslao, and Grachelle Boteros—the Junior Growling Tigresses brushed aside a slow start behind a pivotal secondquarter surge led by Riri Perez, Lea Pinuela, and Indonesian center Koukou Talla. Perez came close to finishing with a triple-double, finishing with 19 points, 12 rebounds, and nine assists, on top of three steals and two blocks. Talla provided solid support with 15 points on an efficient 6-of-8 shooting clip, along with 12 rebounds, two assists, and one block. With the victory, the Junior Growling Tigresses joined modernday rival National University Nazareth School Lady Bullpups—who cruised past the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles last Sunday—as the early leaders in the four-team field. “Kulang pa kami sa calmness and stability doon sa first few quarters. We hope na pagdating namin sa mga next games, slowly that the girls can adjust, lalo na ‘yung bago na first-timer na naglalaro,” UST head coach Sen Dysangco said. “I hope they will grow into it [and] that they mature fast enough para malabas nila ‘yung laro nila,” he added. After a sluggish opening quarter that saw the Junior Lady Archers lead by as many as five points, UST seized control with a commanding 28-15 second period. Back-to-back layups from Pinuela and an and-one basket by Sandra Abrantes highlighted the surge, as the Tigresses went into halftime with a 45-32 advantage.

things your own way, and being authentic,” Eala said. “I’ve turned movement into one of my strengths and found ways to turn weaknesses into advantages.” Nadal, who has mentored Eala since she began training at the Rafa Nadal Academy at age 13, emphasized the importance of individuality and style. “The Australian Open has always been ready to make positive changes for our sport. You need to move differently from everyone else. It’s important to have your own personality, and then you can find your style,” said Nadal, a 22-time Grand Slam champion. Eala continues to train under coach Dani Gómez, with veteran coach Joan Bosch also part of her team.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder drives to the basket against Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs. AFP

LOS ANGELES—Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 34 points as the Oklahoma City Thunder snapped a three-game losing streak against the San Antonio Spurs with a 119-98 victory over their Western Conference rivals on Tuesday. San Antonio have been the NBA champions’ bogey team this season, winning all three of their previous meetings last month with a series of wins that hinted at a tilt in the balance of power in the West. But the Thunder’s potent offense and stifling defense finally got the upper hand over the Victor Wembanyama-led Spurs at Oklahoma City’s Paycom Center. After an even first half, the Thunder exploded after half-time with 40 points in the third quarter -- 15 of them from Gilgeous-Alexander -- that vaulted Oklahoma City into a 19-point lead to set up victory. Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 34 points, five rebounds, five assists and four blocks while Jalen Williams had 20 points, three assists and two steals. Alex Caruso added 13 points from the bench. Gilgeous-Alexander said Oklahoma

Bullpups shackle Junior Archers in 2nd half to keep perfect start NATIONAL University Nazareth School limited De La Salle Zobel to just 15 second-half points en route to a hard-fought 60-50 victory, keeping its perfect start intact with a 2-0 record in the UAAP Season 88 Boys’ Basketball Tournament on Wednesday morning at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan. Trailing 22-35 at halftime, the Bullpups leaned on their defensive identity in the second half, holding the Junior Archers to a mere 5-of28 shooting and 15 points. The win ensured NUNS remained atop the eight-team field. DLSZ, meanwhile, caught fire early in the first half, shooting efficiently at 15-of-32 from the field (46.9 percent), but cooled off in the latter stages, finishing the game at 20-of-60 overall. Meanwhile, Adamson University relied on a strong second-half performance to overcome the

City’s improved defense finally allowed the Thunder to claim a victory over San Antonio at the fourth attempt this season. “Since the first time we played them we weren’t able to get stops, keep them out of transition -- but tonight we did that,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “This team had got the better of us the last few times we played them, and that doesn’t happen to this group,” GilgeousAlexander added. “Uncomfortable feelings and adversity is where you go to find who you are. We showed it tonight. “Tonight wasn’t our Super Bowl -- it wasn’t anything else than another game in an 82-game season. We’ve got to find ways to get better, and we’ll continue to do so.” Stephon Castle led San Antonio’s scoring with 20 points while Wembanyama finished with 17 points. The Thunder improved to 34-7 to lead the Western Conference standings, their fourth straight victory giving them a 6.5 game lead over second-placed San Antonio, who fell to 27-13. AFP

NUNS’ Shaun Lucido lays one in.

Games on Sunday (Blue Eagle Gym) 8 a.m. - AdU vs UST (Boys) 10 a.m. - FEU-D vs NUNS (Boys) 12 p.m. - Ateneo vs DLSZ (Boys) 2 p.m. - UPIS vs UE (Boys) 4 p.m. - UST vs Ateneo (Girls)

University of the Philippines Integrated School, 71-47, securing its first triumph of the season. “Hindi kami ‘yung naglaro nu’ng first half ‘eh. Buti na lang mayroong halftime, kaya meron kaming time to redeem ourselves. In-address lang namin sa mga bata na kailangan maglaro sila from first quarter upto fourth quarter kung sino mananalo this game,” NUNS head coach Kevin de Castro said. “This second half, ito ‘yung team na hinahanap talaga namin sa kanila -- ‘yung defensive team. Credit sa mga nagtrabaho nu’ng second half,

pero we are not really satisfied kasi alam namin na malayo pa,” he added. After Nigerian center Yusuf Mikailu fouled out with 6:03 remaining, the Bullpups quickly capitalized. Shaun Lucido hit a step-through layup, while Malian center Moussa Diakite and Mot Matias scored back-to-back inside

buckets to push NUNS ahead 54-48 with 3:54 left. A floater by Maco Dabao kept DLSZ within reach at 54-50, but Kurl Figueroa — brother of Season 88 Elite Team member Jake Figueroa — sank a free throw and converted an alley-oop, followed by a dagger three from Lucido to seal the win.

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2026 extrastory2000@gmail.com RODERICK T. DELA CRUZ, Editor ALENA MAE S. FLORES, Asst. Editor

LOAN LITE PROGRAM.

Land Bank of the Philippines and the Social Security System (SSS) strengthen their longstanding partnership with the introduction of the SSS Loan Lite Program, a microloan facility powered by Landbank’s fully digital platform. Landbank president and CEO Lynette Ortiz and SSS president and CEO Robert Joseph Montes de Claro formalized the initiative during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Dec. 11, 2025, at the SSS main office in Quezon City, alongside former Landbank EVP Leila Martin and SSS EVP Elvira Alcantara-Resare.

WHAT’S INSIDE?

Jollibee mulls US listing for international unit

PH money supply growth Money supply in November 2025 eased to 7.6% in November

P19.44t P21.98t

Domestic claims

P14.16t Claims on private sector

PEZA secures $215m potential US investments

By Thony Rose Lesaca

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HILIPPINE money supply grew 7.6 percent year over year P19.44 trillion in November 2025, down from an 8.3 percent increase in October, according to Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas data released Tuesday. Domestic liquidity, also known as M3, is a broad measure of the money supply circulating in the economy. It includes currency in circulation, bank deposits and other financial assets easily convertible to cash. BSP data showed domestic claims expanded 10.6 percent to P21.98 trillion in November, driven by higher claims on both government and

private entities. This figure represents the liabilities of these sectors to depository corporations, such as the central bank and local commercial banks. Claims on the private sector grew 11.1 percent to P14.16 trillion amid continued bank lending growth to nonfinancial private corporations and households.

Meanwhile, net claims on the central government rose 11 percent to P5.89 trillion, driven by increased government borrowing. Net foreign assets (NFA)—the difference between claims on and liabilities to nonresidents—increased 4.4 percent to P7.44 trillion in November. “NFAs of the BSP increased by 1.9 percent,” the central bank said. “Similarly, NFAs of banks grew primarily on account of lower foreign currency-denominated bills payable.” The BSP said it will continue to ensure that domestic liquidity conditions remain consistent with its price and financial stability objectives.

By Othel V. Campos THE Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), in collaboration with the Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines Inc. (SEIPI), secured potential investments exceeding $215 million during a fiveday US promotion mission from Jan. 5 to 9. The mission was held alongside the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2026. The mission is expected to generate more than 3,500 jobs for Filipinos across the advanced manufacturing, aerospace, medical technology, and IT-BPM sectors. “From advanced manufacturing and aerospace to medical technology and IT-BPM, global companies continue to recognize the strength of our talent, the reliability of our ecozones, and the impact of government reforms,” Director General Tereso Panga said. He noted that PEZA projects translate to quality jobs, technology transfer and long-term confidence in the Philippine economy. In Las Vegas, the delegation finalized plans with a leading manufacturer of industrial and medical nitrile gloves to establish a Philippine operation serving Western and ASEAN markets. The project is expected to bring $200 million in investments and more than 2,000 jobs to South Luzon and Cebu. At CES, Ionics introduced PEZA to a prospective investor in portable brain imaging systems. The pharmaceutical and medical device sector is emerging as a source of ecozone foreign direct investment following the launch of the country’s first Pharma Park last year.

NEXT-GEN AI. Cisco, the worldwide leader in networking and security, collaborates with Entropy, a Philippine-based digital solutions company, to drive AI innovation nationwide. Entropy will leverage Cisco Secure AI Factory with NVIDIA to develop and scale new AI solutions for telcos, ISPs, and enterprises. The collaboration will provide organizations with robust, secure, AI-ready infrastructure to turn ideas into scalable solutions and help the Philippines advance its national digital and AI ambitions.

Law offers power, labor cost relief to garment firms THE Philippine garments industry will receive cost relief under the CREATE MORE Law as the government rolls out incentives to cut power and labor expenses. The move aims to help manufacturers retain jobs amid rising production costs and tighter global competition. In a recent meeting, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) told garment manufacturers and exporters that under the law, new projects and registered subsidiaries of existing firms may avail of a 100 percent additional deduction on power-related expenses and a 50 percent additional deduction on direct labor costs. Export-oriented companies may also qualify for value-added tax zero

rating or VAT exemption if at least 70 percent of their sales are exported. The DTI said it will further study industry proposals to improve overall cost competitiveness, including possible reductions in VAT rates to levels comparable with other ASEAN economies and expanded fiscal support for existing firms. Trade Secretary Cristina Roque said the industry must also adapt to changing buyer requirements, particularly faster production turnaround and increased use of technology. “I received direct feedback from buyers abroad that automation is no longer optional; it has become a baseline requirement in the global market,”

Roque said. She added that short lead times have become the deciding factor for fast-fashion brands. To support modernization, the DTI will work with government financial institutions, including the Land Bank of the Philippines and the Development Bank of the Philippines, to provide flexible financing for automation, machinery and production equipment. Incentives under the Board of Investments will support mechanized and digital garment production, while the Philippine Economic Zone Authority will extend fiscal and nonfiscal incentives to export-oriented firms operating in PEZA zones. Othel V. Campos

Business groups welcome UAE trade deal TWO of the country’s largest business organizations welcomed the signing of the Philippines-United Arab Emirates Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) as a landmark step in expanding trade, investment and economic ties with one of the Middle East’s most strategic commercial hubs. The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) and the Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc. (Philexport) said CEPA significantly improves market access for Filipino exporters, investors, and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). They noted that the UAE serves as a gateway to markets across the Middle East, the Gulf Cooperation Council, Africa and Europe.

“The UAE is not only a major export destination but a global trade and logistics hub. CEPA gives Filipino exporters, investors and SMEs a stronger platform to grow in the UAE and across the wider region,” PCCI president Perry Ferrer said. Philexport president Sergio OrtizLuis Jr. said the agreement delivers a major boost to the export sector and the broader economy. “The UAE is not only one of our important export destinations but also a strategic hub for global trade. This agreement will help Philippine exporters expand their presence in the Middle East and beyond,” Ortiz-Luis said. Othel V. Campos

BUDGET MEETING. Executive Secretary Ralph Recto convenes on Monday key Cabinet Secretaries to ensure the strategic alignment of the 2026 National Budget with the administration’s priorities and development agenda.

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Northlink project 50% completed

B4 Bank lending growth stayed steady at 10.3% in November PHILIPPINE bank lending growth remained steady in November 2025 as business and consumer loans expanded, according to preliminary data released Tuesday by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. Outstanding loans from universal and commercial banks grew 10.3 percent year over year to P13.99 trillion in November, maintaining the slowest pace of credit growth since October. Loans extended to residents grew 10.7 percent to P13.68 trillion in November, a slight deceleration from 10.9 percent the previous month. Meanwhile, lending to nonresidents grew 4.5 percent to P307.25 billion, following an 11.1 percent contraction in October. Loans for businesses rose 9 percent to P11.79 trillion, though this was slower than the 9.1 percent growth recorded a month earlier. “Lending increased for the following key industries: real estate activities (9 percent); electricity, gas, steam, and air-conditioning supply (26.6 percent); wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles (11.6 percent); financial and insurance activities (3.5 percent); information and communication (7.0 percent); and transportation and storage (12.7 percent),” the BSP said. Consumer loans, which include credit card, motor vehicle and salary loans, grew 22.9 percent to P1.89 trillion in November, down from 23.1 percent the prior month. The central bank said it continues to monitor bank loans as they are a key transmission channel of monetary policy. Thony Rose Lesaca

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Jollibee eyes US listing for int’l business By Jenniffer B. Austria

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OLLIBEE Foods Corp. (JFC) said its plan to spin off its international business for a possible listing on a U.S. stock exchange could strengthen growth prospects by giving overseas operations access to deeper capital markets, broader investor reach and clearer valuation. During a virtual press briefing Wednesday, Jollibee chief finance officer Richard Shin said US capital markets have a deep investor base with experience in valuing global consumer and restaurant growth companies. “U.S. listing provides greater market depth because of capital and liquidity and offers broader analyst coverage and research intensity,” Shin said. Shin noted the U.S. has the highest market capitalization and that food and beverage companies listed there have been rewarded with better multiples and valuations. He pointed out that the top five food and beverage companies by market capitalization are listed in the United States. Shin said Jollibee’s overseas business is ready to stand alone following recent global expansion. “The proposed structure supports more efficient capital allocation and strategy execution, potentially driving sustainable SCN FORM NO. 11 SCN FORM NO. (R.A. NO. 1986) (R.A. NO. 1986)

returns and valuation re-rating over time,” Shin said. As of the end of September 2025, Jollibee’s store count reached 10,300, of which 6,800 are overseas. Systemwide sales for the international business grew 25.5 percent, while revenues jumped 25.4 percent. Shin said roughly 40 percent of the group’s cash profit comes from its international operations. “So, many reasons to believe that international is ready to be a standalone, and the potential is there to continue,” Shin said. However, he noted that the domestic business remains attractive with significant room for expansion. “The Philippines business is a vibrant, robust business that continues to grow in a very dynamic consumer market,” Shin said. “We’re far from saturated in the Philippines, so this is still a very dynamic and growth business.”

WATER FACILITY. Manila Water Philippine Ventures (MWPV), the Non-East Zone subsidiary of Manila Water Company, closes 2025 with a series of milestones that underscore its commitment to service and operational excellence, sustainability and community impact across its nationwide operations. In photo is MWPV operating unit Laguna Water’s Well Field Facility.

 Certified truetrue copy of NBCR/s of petitioner’s child/children (issued alsoalso by by BT);BT); Certified copy of NBCR/s of petitioner’s child/children (issued

 Duty notarized Affidavit of Financial Capacity of the petitioner, or Affidavit of of Duty notarized Affidavit of Financial Capacity of the petitioner, or Affidavit Support from thethe person financially supporting petitioner, if petitioner is either Support from person financially supporting petitioner, if petitioner is either a student, a new graduate, spouse or war cities without income or a candidate a student, a new graduate, spouse or war cities without income or a candidate for for a government licensure exam, whowho hashas no no ownown income. In addition, submit: a government licensure exam, income. In addition, submit: (1)*(1)* Bank Certifications (two areare required: [1] [1] saidsaid bank certifications must REPUBLIC OFOF THE PHILIPPINES Bank Certifications (two required: bank certifications must REPUBLIC THE PHILIPPINES indicate thethe present balance andand [2] [2] average daily balance forfor thethe past sixsix indicate present balance average daily balance past SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON NATURALIZATION SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON NATURALIZATION months); (2)*(2)* Certificate of Employment if employed or Proof of Registration months); Certificate of Employment if employed or Proof of Registration of Company if doing business (if doing business, please submit alsoalso thethe latest IN IN THE MATTER OFOF THE PETITION OFOF of Company if doing business (if doing business, please submit latest THE MATTER THE PETITION GISGIS (General Information Sheet) which waswas submitted to the Securities andand MOHIT LAXMAN MENGHRAJANI (General Information Sheet) which submitted to the Securities MOHIT LAXMAN MENGHRAJANI Exchange Commission (SEC) and the financial statements of the company, to to bebe naturalized as Filipino citizen Exchange Commission (SEC) and the financial statements of the company, naturalized as Filipino citizen which waswas submitted to the BIR/appropriate government agency]; (3)*Proof pursuant to to Republic ActAct No.No. 9139. which submitted to the BIR/appropriate government agency]; (3)*Proof pursuant Republic 9139. of Ownership of Real Property/ies such as as condominium, etc.; andand if owner of Ownership of Real Property/ies such condominium, etc.; if owner SCN CASE NO. 000929 of motor vehicle, proof of ownership of the same (4)(4) Proof of Ownership of of SCN CASE NO. 000929 of motor vehicle, proof of ownership of the same Proof of Ownership x - x- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- ---- ------ ---- -- -- -- -- -x- x other property/ies, such as as shares of stock, insurance, etc.etc. other property/ies, such shares of stock, insurance, Note: If petitioner is relying on on support from another person, thethe saidsaid person Note: If petitioner is relying support from another person, person PETITION PETITION must alsoalso submit thethe above-mentioned documents. must submit above-mentioned documents. Note: If petitioner is already a graduate butbut unemployed, submit a notarized Pursuant to the provisions of Republic ActAct No.No. 9139, petitioner hereby submits Note: If petitioner is already a graduate unemployed, submit a notarized Pursuant to the provisions of Republic 9139, petitioner hereby submits affidavit of what petitioner is currently preoccupied with. a petition for for naturalization to become a citizen of the Republic of the Philippines affidavit of what petitioner is currently preoccupied with. a petition naturalization to become a citizen of the Republic of the Philippines andand respectfully declares: respectfully declares:  Latest Income TaxTax Returns (ITR) andand TaxTax Documents (must show thethe Latest Income Returns (ITR) Documents (must show receiving stamp of the BIRBIR (Bureau of Internal Revenue)] for for thethe past three 1. 1. MyMy fullfull name is MOHIT LAXMAN MENGHRAJANI , but I have alsoalso been receiving stamp of the (Bureau of Internal Revenue)] past three name is MOHIT LAXMAN MENGHRAJANI , but I have been (3)(3) years of the petitioner or of person supporting him/her, withwith Proof of of known since childhood as as or Iorhave been judicially authorized to use thethe years of the petitioner or the of the person supporting him/her, Proof known since childhood I have been judicially authorized to use Payment of said taxes (such as official receipts, alphalist, etc.) alias name(s) . . Payment of said taxes (such as official receipts, alphalist, etc.) alias name(s) Note: If petitioner is employed in ainfamily-owned company, thethe company’s ITRITR Note: If petitioner is employed a family-owned company, company’s andand thethe company’s Proof of Payment of Taxes must alsoalso be be submitted, aside 2. 2.MyMy present place of residence is #84 MADRID ST.,ST., MERVILLE PARK SUBD. / / company’s Proof of Payment of Taxes must submitted, aside present place of residence is #84 MADRID MERVILLE PARK SUBD. from thethe submission of petitioner’s ownown ITRITR andand taxtax documents andand Proof of of Municipality of PARAÑAQUE Province of NCR andand all my former places of residence areare from submission of petitioner’s documents Proof Municipality of PARAÑAQUE Province of NCR all my former places of residence Payment of Taxes. Note: The company’s latest GIS (General Information (please indicate periods of residence) Payment of Taxes. Note: The company’s latest GIS (General Information (please indicate periods of residence) Sheet), which waswas submitted to to thethe Securities andand Exchange Commission Sheet), which submitted Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) andand thethe financial statements of the company, which waswas submitted to the 1) 84 MADRID ST.,ST., MERVILLE PARK SUBD. PQUE CITY (SEC) financial statements of the company, which submitted to the 1) 84 MADRID MERVILLE PARK SUBD. PQUE CITY BIR/appropriate government agency, must alsoalso be be submitted. 2. 22.SAN ANTONIO ST.,ST., MAGALLANES VILLAGE, MAKATI CITY BIR/appropriate government agency, must submitted. 2 SAN ANTONIO MAGALLANES VILLAGE, MAKATI CITY notarized Affidavits of of at at least twotwo (2) (2) credible andand disinterested 3. 3. I was born on on SEPT. 18,18, 1998, in MAKATI CITY Philippines. I have been a a  Duly Duly notarized Affidavits least credible disinterested I was born SEPT. 1998, in MAKATI CITY Philippines. I have been witnesses whowho must be be Filipino citizens (preferably natural-born citizens resident of the Philippines since birth. At present, I am a citizen or subject of of INDIA witnesses must Filipino citizens (preferably natural-born citizens resident of the Philippines since birth. At present, I am a citizen or subject INDIA of the Philippines), of good repute in their community, and have no no criminal of the Philippines), of good repute in their community, and have criminal record (Note: submit National Bureau of of Investigation (NBI) clearance of of 4. 4.MyMy father's name is LAXMAN BHUGROMAL MENGHRAJANI and he was record (Note: submit National Bureau Investigation (NBI) clearance father's name is LAXMAN BHUGROMAL MENGHRAJANI and he was character witnesses; alsoalso submit a copy of the ID ID which thethe character witness born on on MARCH 07,07, 1963 in INDIA HeHe is aiscitizen or subject of INDIA. mother's character witnesses; submit a copy of the which character witness born MARCH 1963 in INDIA a citizen or subject of INDIA.MyMy mother's used in the notarization of the affidavit) [Note: character witness must attest name is HARDEVI LAXMAN MENGHRAJANI and she was born on DECEMBER used in the notarization of the affidavit) [Note: character witness must attest name is HARDEVI LAXMAN MENGHRAJANI and she was born on DECEMBER in the affidavit: (a) (a) thatthat he/she hashas known petitioner for for at least 10 10 years or or 02,02, 1966, SheShe is aiscitizen or subject of INDIA. in the affidavit: he/she known petitioner at least years 1966,in INDIA. in INDIA. a citizen or subject of INDIA. more (must alsoalso indicate howhow he/she gotgot acquainted withwith thethe petitioner); more (must indicate he/she acquainted petitioner); (b) the good moral character of the petitioner (and how he/she mingles with 5. 5.MyMy trade, business, profession or lawful occupation is ENTREPRENEUR (b) the good moral character of the petitioner (and how he/she mingles with trade, business, profession or lawful occupation is ENTREPRENEUR Filipinos andand thethe society); (c) (c) thatthat in his/her ownown opinion, petitioner hashas all all thethe andand from which I derive an an average annual income of ofN/A, inclusive of bonuses, Filipinos society); in his/her opinion, petitioner from which I derive average annual income N/A, inclusive of bonuses, qualifications necessary to become a citizen of the Philippines andand none of the commissions and allowances. My wife's/husband's trade, business, profession qualifications necessary to become a citizen of the Philippines none of the commissions and allowances. My wife's/husband's trade, business, profession disqualifications provided for by law); or or lawful occupation is isN/AN/A andand from which sheshe derives an an average annual disqualifications provided for by law); lawful occupation from which derives average annual income of N/A. income of N/A.  Medical Certificate from a government hospital stating thatthat petitioner Medical Certificate from a government hospital stating petitioner is not suffering from mental alienation, or or a user of of prohibited drugs or or (Where thethe above does notnot apply): I am exempt from thethe requirement of of is not suffering from mental alienation, a user prohibited drugs (Where above does apply): I am exempt from requirement otherwise a drug dependent, and that he/she is not afflicted with acquired lucrative trade or occupation andand from submitting income taxtax returns for for thethe past otherwise a drug dependent, and that he/she is not afflicted with acquired lucrative trade or occupation from submitting income returns past immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) or or anyany incurable contagious disease three (3) years because I am a college degree holder [please state (1) degree immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) incurable contagious disease three (3) years because I am a college degree holder [please state (1) degree [please obtained: BACHELOR OFOF SCIENCE IN IN BUSINESS MANAGEMENT (2)(2) name [pleaseattach attachthethefollowing followingto tothethecertificate: certificate:(1)(1)Neuro-Psychiatric Neuro-Psychiatric obtained: BACHELOR SCIENCE BUSINESS MANAGEMENT name Evaluation Report (from a duly licensed psychiatrist (who is is a medical of school: DEDE LALA SALLE UNIVERSITY MANILA andand (3)(3) years graduated: MAY Evaluation Report (from a duly licensed psychiatrist (who a medical of school: SALLE UNIVERSITY MANILA years graduated: MAY doctor), not a psychologist); (2) Laboratory Test Results for for Drugs TestTest andand 09,09, 2020 ] who cannot practice mymy profession (the(the practice of which requires a a doctor), not a psychologist); (2) Laboratory Test Results Drugs 2020 ] who cannot practice profession practice of which requires HIV Teat, and, (3) other laboratory test’s (Note: all laboratory tests must alsoalso government licensure examination) by by reason of my citizenship. HIV Teat, and, (3) other laboratory test’s (Note: all laboratory tests must government licensure examination) reason of my citizenship. conducted from a government hospital)]; conducted from a government hospital)]; Note: 6. 6. MyMy civilcivil status is Single, I was married on on N/AN/A in inN/A. MyMy wife's/husband's Note:Petitioners Petitionersfor fornaturalization naturalizationarearerequired requiredto tohave havetheir theirmedical medical status is Single, I was married N/A. wife's/husband's examination/diagnostic procedures conducted name is N/A and she/he was born on in N/A in N/A She/he is a citizen or subject examination/diagnostic procedures conductedin ina agovernment governmenthospital hospital name is N/A and she/he was born on in N/A in N/A She/he is a citizen or subject or facility, and not merely hospitals or facilities which are accredited by by thethe of N/A andand presently resides N/A.N/A. or facility, and not merely hospitals or facilities which are accredited of N/A presently resides government. TheThe mere factfact thatthat thethe government hospital or facility is not near government. mere government hospital or facility is not near the residence or place of work of petitioner is not a valid reason for petitioner 7. 7.I am legally separated from mymy spouse; mymy marriage waswas annulled, perper the residence or place of work of petitioner is not a valid reason for petitioner I am legally separated from spouse; marriage annulled, notnot to have saidsaid medical examination or diagnostic procedure conducted in ain a decree of legal separation/annulment dated N/A granted by N/A. (please indicate to have medical examination or diagnostic procedure conducted decree of legal separation/annulment dated N/A granted by N/A. (please indicate government hospital or facility. Note: It must be be clear in the medical certificate thethe particular court which granted thethe same). I am a widower/widow andand mymy government hospital or facility. Note: It must clear in the medical certificate particular court which granted same). I am a widower/widow andand thethe diagnostic/laboratory testtest results thatthat thethe subject of of saidsaid medical spouse died on on N/AN/A in N/A. diagnostic/laboratory results subject medical spouse died in N/A. examination or diagnostic/laboratory testtest is the petitioner. examination or diagnostic/laboratory is the petitioner. 8. I8.have whose names, dates andand places of birth andand I haveN/AN/Achild/children, child/children, whose names, dates places of birth  Certified truetrue copy withwith school sealseal of the Diploma andand Transcript of Records of of residences areare as as follows: Certified copy school of the Diploma Transcript of Records residences follows: thethe petitioner fromfrom thethe school’s he he or she attended to and/or graduated fromfrom in the petitioner school’s or she attended to and/or graduated in the Name Date of Birth of Birth Philippines (Elementary, High School andand College) Name Date of Birth Place Place of Birth Residence Residence Philippines (Elementary, High School College) Note: If petitioner is still a student, please submit a Certification fromfrom thethe school N/AN/A N/AN/A N/AN/A N/AN/A Note: If petitioner is still a student, please submit a Certification school where he/she is currently attending, stating his/her yearyear level, thatthat he/she is currently where he/she is currently attending, stating his/her level, he/she is currently enrolled therein, and please attach proof of petitioner’s enrollment therein and submit a a enrolled therein, and please attach proof of petitioner’s enrollment therein and submit 9. I9.received my primary and secondary education from the following public I received my primary and secondary education from the following public certification as to amount of tuition feefee andand other required school feesfees paidpaid (such as as certification asthe to the amount of tuition other required school (such schools or private educational institutions dulyduly recognized by by thethe Department of of schools or private educational institutions recognized Department official receipt/s, certificate of matriculation, etc.) official receipt/s, certificate of matriculation, etc.) Education, Culture andand Sports (DECS), where Philippine history, government Education, Culture Sports (DECS), where Philippine history, government Note: if petitioner hashas no no ownown income andand is relying on on another person for for support, Note: if petitioner income is relying another person support, andand civics areare taught andand prescribed as as partpart of the school curriculum andand where civics taught prescribed of the school curriculum where thethe person financially supporting petitioner must submit certifications as as to the person financially supporting petitioner must submit certifications to the enrollment is not limited to any race or nationality: enrollment is not limited to any race or nationality: amount of tuition and other required school fees paid by said person for for thethe amount of tuition and other required school fees paid by said person education of his/her other dependents (example: thethe tuition andand other required education of his/her other dependents (example: tuition other required NameName of School Place of School Dates of Study Highest Grade Completed of School Place of School Dates of Study Highest Grade Completed school feesfees of the children of the person financially supporting petitioner). school of the children of the person financially supporting petitioner). DE LADESALLE UNIVERSITY TAFTTAFT 2016-2020 COLLEGE GRADUATE LA SALLE UNIVERSITY 2016-2020 COLLEGE GRADUATE  Certified true copy with school seal of the Diploma, Transcript of of Records, or or COLEGIO SANSAN AGUSTIN MAKATI 2012-2016 HIGHHIGH SCHOOL  Certified true copy with school seal of the Diploma, Transcript Records, COLEGIO AGUSTIN MAKATI 2012-2016 SCHOOL Certification (if applicable) from thethe school’s attended by, by, currently enrolled in, in, Certification (if applicable) from school’s attended currently enrolled COLEGIO SAN AGUSTIN MAKATI 2005-2012 PRIMARY and/or graduated from by petitioner’s child children [the school’s must either be COLEGIO SAN AGUSTIN MAKATI 2005-2012 PRIMARY and/or graduated from by petitioner’s child children [the school’s must either be public schools or private educational institutions dulyduly recognized by by thethe DEPED public schools or private educational institutions recognized DEPED 10.10. I am able to to read, write andand speak Filipino and/or anyany of of thethe following I am able read, write speak Filipino and/or following (Department of Education), where Philippine history, government andand civics areare (Department of Education), where Philippine history, government civics dialects of the Philippines: YES, TAGALOG. dialects of the Philippines: YES, TAGALOG. taught and prescribed as part of the school curriculum and where enrollment is taught and prescribed as part of the school curriculum and where enrollmentnot is not limited to any racerace or nationality); limited to any or nationality); 11.11. I have enrolled my minor children of school age in the following public I have enrolled my minor children of school age in the following public (Note: please submit a Certification from thethe school where saidsaid child/children is/ is/ (Note: please submit a Certification from school where child/children schools or private educational institutions duly recognized by the Department schools or private educational institutions duly recognized by the Department areare currently attending, stating his/her year level, thatthat he/she is currently enrolled currently attending, stating his/her year level, he/she is currently enrolled of Education, Culture andand Sports (DECS), where Philipine History, government of Education, Culture Sports (DECS), where Philipine History, government therein, and please attach proof of said child/children’s enrollment therein and therein, and please attach proof of said child/children’s enrollment therein and andand civics areare taught andand prescribed as as partpart of the school curriculum andand where civics taught prescribed of the school curriculum where submit a certification as as to the amount of tuition feefee andand other required school submit a certification to the amount of tuition other required school enrollment is not limited to any race or nationality: Manila enrollment is not limited to any race or nationality: Manilaetc.) feesfees paidpaid (such as as official receipt’s, certificate of matriculation, for for saidsaid child (such official receipt’s, certificate of matriculation, etc.) child children’s enrollment in said school. Name of Child Name and Place of School Date of Enrollment children’s enrollment in said school. Name of Child Name and Place of School Date of Enrollment N/AN/A N/AN/A N/AN/A  Clearances NBINBI Clearance; Barangay Clearance of the barangay where Clearances Clearance; Barangay Clearance of the barangay where petitioner is currently residing (It (It should be be a barangay clearance, notnot a a petitioner is currently residing should a barangay clearance, 12.12. I shall never be be a public charge. I am of good moral character. I believe in in I shall never a public charge. I am of good moral character. I believe residence certification); Police Clearance from the Police Station Police residence certification); Police Clearance from the Police Station Police thethe principles underlying thethe Philippine Constitution. I have conducted myself in in principles underlying Philippine Constitution. I have conducted myself Office having jurisdiction of the place where petitioner is currently residing: Office having jurisdiction of the place where petitioner is currently residing: a proper andand irreproachable manner during thethe entire period of my residence in in a proper irreproachable manner during entire period of my residence RTC Clearance (Regional Trial Court), from thethe RTC which hashas jurisdiction RTC Clearance (Regional Trial Court), from RTC which jurisdiction thethe Philippines in my relations withwith thethe constituted government as as wellwell as as withwith thethe Philippines in my relations constituted government over thethe place where petitioner is currently residing; MeTC/MTCC/MTC/ over place where petitioner is currently residing; MeTC/MTCC/MTC/ community in which I am living. I mingled socially withwith Filipinos andand have evinced community in which I am living. I mingled socially Filipinos have evinced MCTC Clearance (Metropolitan Trial Court/Municipal Trial Court in Cities/ MCTC Clearance (Metropolitan Trial Court/Municipal Trial Court in Cities/ a sincere desire to learn and embrace the customs, traditions and ideals of the a sincere desire to learn and embrace the customs, traditions and ideals of the Municipal Trial Court/Municipal Circuit Trial Court, as as thethe case may be)be) from Municipal Trial Court/Municipal Circuit Trial Court, case may from Filipino people. I have all the qualifications andand none of the disqualifications under Filipino people. I have all the qualifications none of the disqualifications under thethe MeTC/MTCC/MTC/MCTC which hashas jurisdiction over thethe place where MeTC/MTCC/MTC/MCTC which jurisdiction over place where Republic Act No. 9139. Republic Act No. 9139. petitioner is currently residing); andand Office of the Prosecutor Clearance, from petitioner is currently residing); Office of the Prosecutor Clearance, from thethe Office of the Prosecutor of the place where petitioner is currently residing. Office of the Prosecutor of the place where petitioner is currently residing. I am notnot opposed to organized government or affiliated withwith anyany association I am opposed to organized government or affiliated association Note: All clearances must be current and must not be expired. Note: All clearances must be current and must not be expired. or or group of of persons who uphold andand teach doctrines opposing all all organized group persons who uphold teach doctrines opposing organized governments. I am notnot defending or or teaching thethe necessity or or propriety of of 16. Other documents submitted by the petitioner in support of his/her petition: governments. I am defending teaching necessity propriety 16. Other documents submitted by the petitioner in support of his/her petition: violence, personal assault or assassination for the success and predominance violence, personal assault or assassination for the success and predominance _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ of one's ideas. I am notnot a polygamist nornor a believer in the practice of polygamy. I I __________________________________________________________________ of one's ideas. I am a polygamist a believer in the practice of polygamy. __________________________________________________________________ have notnot been convicted of any crime involving moral turpitude. I am notnot suffering have been convicted of any crime involving moral turpitude. I am suffering from mental alienation or from anyany incurable contagious disease. TheThe country from mental alienation or from incurable contagious disease. country PRAYER PRAYER of which I am a citizen or subject is not at war withwith thethe Philippines andand grants to to of which I am a citizen or subject is not at war Philippines grants Filipinos thethe right to be naturalized citizens or subjects thereof. Filipinos right to be naturalized citizens or subjects thereof. WHEREFORE, it is respectfully prayed thatthat petitioner be be conferred Philippine WHEREFORE, it is respectfully prayed petitioner conferred Philippine citizenship pursuant to the provisions of Republic ActAct No,No, 9139. citizenship pursuant to the provisions of Republic 9139. 13.13. It isIt my truetrue andand honest intention to become a citizen of the Philippines is my honest intention to become a citizen of the Philippines andand to renounce absolutely and forever all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign to renounce absolutely and forever all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign Dated at Parañaque City, Metro Manila, thisthis26th26thdayday of of June, 2025 . . Notice is is hereby given forfor the settlement of of the Estate Dated at Parañaque City, Metro Manila, June, 2025 Notice hereby given the settlement the Estate prince, potentate, state or or sovereignty, and, particularly, to toINDIA of which at at prince, potentate, state sovereignty, and, particularly, INDIA of which of ofthe thisthis time I am a citizen or or subject. I will reside continuously in the Philippines thelate lateMARIA MARIATERESA TERESALAMI LAMICASTAÑEDA, CASTAÑEDA, time I am a citizen subject. I will reside continuously in the Philippines from the date of the filing of this petition up to the time of my admission to also known as MA. TERESA LAMI CASTAÑEDA from the date of the filing of this petition up to the time of my admission to also known as MA. TERESA LAMI CASTAÑEDA MOHIT LAXMAN MENGHRAJANI Manila MOHIT LAXMAN MENGHRAJANI Philippine citizenship. Manila (“Decedent”), Philippine citizenship. Name andand Signature of Petitioner (“Decedent”),who whodied diedonon2727December December2024, 2024, Name Signature of Petitioner intestate, Telephone Number: 09178300918 intestate, and and without without any any outstanding outstanding debts. debts. Telephone Number: 09178300918 14.14. MyMy character witnesses areare ROSHAN PREM AMARNANI andand AJAY STA character witnesses ROSHAN PREM AMARNANI AJAY STA Email Address: mohitmenghrajani@gmail.com The Email Address: mohitmenghrajani@gmail.com TheDecedent Decedentleftleftthree three(3)(3)parcels parcelsof ofland landwith with TERESA KHATRI both Filipino citizens, of legal age, andand residing at 92 LONG BEACH TERESA KHATRI both Filipino citizens, of legal age, residing at 92 LONG BEACH Right thumbmark of of Right thumbmark improvements ST.,ST., MERVILLE PARK SUBD., PARAÑAQUE CITY andand U126 SHERWOOD HGTS. improvementsin inBiñan BiñanCity Cityand andParañaque ParañaqueCity, City,two two MERVILLE PARK SUBD., PARAÑAQUE CITY U126 SHERWOOD HGTS. Petitioner Petitioner JERUSALEM ST., PARAÑAQUE CITY respectively, who have executed sworn (2) parcels of land in Biñan City and one (1) parcel JERUSALEM ST., PARAÑAQUE CITY respectively, who have executed sworn (2) parcels of land in Biñan City and one (1) parcel statements attached hereto in support of my instant petition, together with: (a) (a) briefbrief of ofland in Parañaque City. The foregoing properties statements attached hereto in support of my instant petition, together with: land in Parañaque City. The foregoing properties biographical datadata about themselves; (b) (b) detailed statements on the dates theythey firstfirst came biographical about themselves; detailed statements on the dates came were the subject of of a Deed of of Extrajudicial Settlement were the subject a Deed Extrajudicial Settlement to know me,me, thethe circumstances of our initial acquaintance andand thethe reasons andand extent to know circumstances of our initial acquaintance reasons extent executed of our continuing familiarity; andand (c) (c) thethe number of times theythey have acted as as character executedbybythe theheirs heirsof ofthe theDecedent, Decedent,notarized notarizedbyby of our continuing familiarity; number of times have acted character REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES) Atty. Patricia Mae E. Dela Rosa a Notary Public forfor and witnesses in other petitions for naturalization. Atty. Patricia Mae E. Dela Rosa a Notary Public and witnesses in other petitions for naturalization. CITY/MUNICIPALITY OFOF CITY OFOF PARAÑAQUE CITY S.S.S.S. CITY/MUNICIPALITY CITY PARAÑAQUE CITY in in Makati City onon 3131 March 2025 entered asas Doc. No. Makati City March 2025 entered Doc. No. 15.15.Attached hereto as annexes and made part of this petition are the Attached hereto as annexes and made part of this petition are the 29; Page No. 7; 7; Book no. 1; 1; Series of of 2025. I, MOHIT LAXMAN MENGHRAJANI ageage andand a resident of of84 84 29; Page No. Book no. Series 2025. I, MOHIT LAXMAN MENGHRAJANIof legal of legal a resident duplicate originals or or certified photocopies of of thethe following documents duplicate originals certified photocopies following documents MADRID ST.,ST., MERVILLE PARK SUBD. PQUE CITY after being duly sworn, MADRID MERVILLE PARK SUBD. PQUE CITY after being duly sworn, (please check thethe appropriate box): (MS-JAN. 8/15/22, 2026) (please check appropriate box): (MS-JAN. 8/15/22, 2026) depose andand saysay thatthat I am thethe petitioner herein, thatthat I have read thethe foregoing depose I am petitioner herein, I have read foregoing petition andand know thethe foregoing petition andand known thethe contents thereof, andand petition know foregoing petition known contents thereof,  Authenticated copy of Birth Certificate of petitioner [issued by PSA (Philippine Authenticated copy of Birth Certificate of petitioner [issued by PSA (Philippine that the same is true of my own knowledge. that the same is true of my own knowledge. Statistics Authority)] Statistics Authority)]

PSEi slips below 6,400, peso hits record low THE Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) slipped for the second straight day as a weakening peso triggered profit-taking. The local stock barometer dipped 18.95 points, or 0.3 percent, to close at 6,389.81 on Wednesday, while the broader all shares index fell 2.44 points, or 0.07 percent, to 3,635.94.“The PSEi fell for the second straight session, breaking below 6,400 as the peso hit fresh record lows and sparked renewed profit-taking,” AB Capital Securities said. The peso weakened further to 59.44 to the U.S. dollar on Wednesday from 59.341 on Tuesday. Services and financials led the decline among the six sectoral indices, dropping 1.77 percent and 1.22 percent, respectively. On the other hand, mining and oil rose 1.82 percent, while holding firms advanced 1.57 percent. Industrials and property also gained 1.21 percent and 0.21 percent, respectively. Despite the market’s decline, trading activity remained healthy, and foreign investors were net buyers for the ninth consecutive session. Value turnover reached P6.63 billion, while foreign

inflows totaled P291.46 million. JG Summit Holdings Inc. was the day’s top index gainer, rising 4.8 percent to P26.20, while China Banking Corp. was the laggard, decreasing 3.72 percent to P60.70. Asian markets largely rose on Wednesday as speculation about a snap election in Japan pushed up Tokyo shares, and oil prices dipped after a surge fueled by instability in Iran. Metals added to their recent gains to hit new record highs, with silver up more than four percent, partly propelled by the prospect of interest rate cuts by the US Federal Reserve this year. Tokyo closed 1.5 percent higher and the yen slumped to its lowest value since mid-2024 as media reports said Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi planned to hold an election as soon as February 8. Takaichi’s cabinet -- riding high in opinion polls -has approved a record 122.3-trillion-yen ($768 billion) budget for the fiscal year from April 2026. She has vowed to get parliamentary approval as soon as possible to address inflation and shore up the world’s fourth-largest economy. Jenniffer B. Austria with AFP

COMMITMENT UNDERTAKING.

The Board of Investments (BOI) facilitates the ceremonial signing of a commitment of undertaking between Philippine DCS Development Corp. and Filinvest Alabang Elementary School (FAES) to bridge quality education with responsible and sustainable businesses. BOI Energy Division chief Rose Marie Mendoza, PDDC general manager Jonathan Urbano and FAES School head designate Zyna Trimidal participated in the signing on Dec. 16, 2025.

Standard Standard TODAY

TODAY

Megaworld forms new unit to expand office portfolio MEGAWORLD Corp. said Wednesday it has formed a new office leasing group aimed at accelerating the growth of its portfolio in emerging cities across

the country. The new unit, Megaworld Global Offices, will focus on attracting more Fortune 500 multinational companies and startups. The move is intended to further cement Megaworld’s status LEGAL LEGALNOTICE NOTICE as the Philippines’ largest office developer. “We continue to see strong demand for ofStandard Standard fice spaces in the counTODAY TODAY try, even with the rapid emergence of artificial intelligence and other new technologies,” Megaworld president and chief executive Lourdes Gutierrez-Alfonso said in a statement to the stock exchange. NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC  Certified truetrue copy of petitioner’s Alien Certificate of of Registration (ACR) Certified copy of petitioner’s Alien Certificate Registration (ACR) MOHIT LAXMAN MENGHRAJANI “These digital adMOHIT LAXMAN MENGHRAJANI or or I-Card Certificate [issued by by BI BI (Bureau of Immigration)]; I-Card Certificate [issued (Bureau of Immigration)]; Name andand Signature of Petitioner Notice Name Signature of Petitioner Noticeisishereby herebygiven giventhat thata aDeed Deedofof vancements continue to  Certified truetrue copy of of petitioner’s Native-Born Certificate of of Residence Certified copy petitioner’s Native-Born Certificate Residence Extrajudicial SUBCRIBED AND SWORN to to before meme at at PARAÑAQUE CITY thisthis 26 26 Extrajudicial Partition Partition ofof the the Estate Estate ofof SUBCRIBED AND SWORN before PARAÑAQUE CITY (NBCR), if available (issued also by by BI);BI); fuel substantial growth (NBCR), if available (issued also dayday of JUNE 2025. the of JUNE 2025. thelate lateFLORITA FLORITAD.D.RACELIS RACELISwho whodied died  Authenticated copy of petitioner’s Marriage Certificate, if petitioner is married among many industries intestate, was executed by her heirs, Authenticated copy of petitioner’s Marriage Certificate, if petitioner is married intestate, was executed by her heirs, (issued by by PSA); (issued PSA); namely: and create significant opnamely: Noel Noel Racelis, Racelis, Erica Erica Racelis Racelis  Authenticated copy of of Death Certificate of of his/her spouse if petitioner is is Gascon, Aliza Racelis and Glen Racelis. Authenticated copy Death Certificate his/her spouse if petitioner Gascon, Aliza Racelis and Glen Racelis. portunities for finance, widowed, or or of his/her parent’s if petitioner is ais student or or candidate for for a a widowed, of his/her parent’s if petitioner a student candidate The Theinstrument instrumentisisrecorded recordedasasDoc. Doc.No. No. government licensure exam; government licensure exam; IT and healthcare profes21; 21;Page PageNo. No.7;7;Book BookNo. No.XVII; XVII;Series Series  Certified truetrue copy of of Court Decree Judgment annulling/nullifying of of sionals.” Certified copy Court Decree Judgment annulling/nullifying of 2025, before Atty. Chiles Megan M. of 2025, before Atty. Chiles Megan M. petitioner’s marriage or granting legal separation, if such waswas thethe fact; petitioner’s marriage or granting legal separation, if such fact; Megaworld said the Areño, a Notary Public for and in City of Areño, a Notary Public for and in City of  Authenticated Birth Certificate/s of petitioner’s child/children (issued by by PSA); Authenticated Birth Certificate/s of petitioner’s child/children (issued PSA); Pasig, new unit will complePasig,Philippines. Philippines.  Certified truetrue copy of ACR or 1-Card Certificate/s of petitioner’s child/children Certified copy of ACR or 1-Card Certificate/s of petitioner’s child/children ment its existing Mega(issued by by BI);BI); (issued world Premier Offices. It th

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is expected to speed up growth in emerging areas such as the Ilocos Region, Pampanga, Cavite, Bacolod and Cagayan de Oro. The initiative will help the company achieve its goal of reaching 2 million square meters of leasable office space, up from the current 1.6 million square meters. Megaworld Global Offices will be led by Francisco Roxas, a real estate industry veteran with more than three decades of experience in property development and management. Roxas holds a Master of Business Administration from the Asian Institute of Management. At present, Megaworld’s office division hosts 200 locators, including global firms such as Google, Coca-Cola, Wells Fargo, IBM and Accenture. These companies have established offices across major township developments, including Eastwood City, Uptown Bonifacio, McKinley Hill, McKinley West and Iloilo Business Park. These locators employ nearly 200,000 people, largely from the business process outsourcing and corporate sectors. Jenniffer B. Austria

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San Miguel unit to issue $300m in securities T By Alena Mae S. Flores

HE board of San Miguel Global Power Holdings Corp., the energy arm of San Miguel Corp., has approved the issuance of up to $300 million in senior perpetual capital securities to purchase outstanding securities and finance its renewable energy projects. SMGP decided to move forward with the issuance after postponing it in December. In a disclosure to the Philippine Dealing & Exchange Corp., SMGP said it plans to issue the securities on or about Jan. 20, 2026. The company intends to use the net proceeds to purchase, repurchase or redeem all outstanding senior perpetual capital securities issued on Jan. 21, 2020. Proceeds will also be used for pre-development costs of solar and hydropower projects and capital expenditures for battery energy storage systems. SMGP said it will not apply the proceeds to its existing or planned coal-fired power assets or liquefied natural gas assets. The board also approved the listing of the securities on the Singapore

Exchange Securities Trading Limited. It appointed Standard Chartered Bank as the sole lead manager and DB Trustees (Hong Kong) Limited as trustee. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft, Hong Kong Branch, was named principal paying agent, calculation agent, transfer agent and registrar, while Latham & Watkins will serve as listing agent. SMGP is one of the largest power companies in the country, controlling a combined capacity of 5,710 MW as of July 25, 2025. The company’s portfolio includes natural gas, coal and renewable energy, such as hydroelectric power and battery energy storage. It is also engaged in retail electricity services and distribution.

TRAVEL GUIDELINES. The Department of Transportation (DOTr) plans to adopt the Accessible Travel Policy

(ATP) Guidelines for all railway operations and maintenance providers nationwide to ensure accessibility and inclusive commuter experience throughout the country. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered the DOTr to promote inclusivity and an enabling environment in rail lines, especially for persons with disabilities (PWDs) senior citizens and pregnant passengers.

JuanHand, PNP agree to promote safe digital borrowing By Thony Rose Lesaca LENDING firm JuanHand and the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNPACG) signed an agreement Wednesday to promote responsible and safe borrowing among Filipinos. Under the partnership, JuanHand and the PNP-ACG will spearhead initiatives such as information sharing, training programs and public workshops on the evolving

nature of cyberthreats. This aligns with the partnership’s goal to educate Filipinos on how to efficiently identify and report suspicious activities, which could help lessen their susceptibility to scams. “Through education and collaboration, we aim to help consumers avoid scams and borrow safely from legitimate platforms,”

JuanHand president and chief executive Francisco Roberto Mauricio said in a statement. “Responsible borrowing is a force for good that ultimately leads to financial empowerment.” Mauricio added that JuanHand and the PNP-ACG will work closely to provide a safe and secure lending environment for Filipinos.

2 major railway projects report gains —“—

Right-of-way issues are the bane of major infrastructure projects. THEY are far from being completed. But recent progress in the construction of ₱873.62-billion North–South Commuter Railway (NSCR) System Project and the P488.5-billion, 33-kilometer Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP) is encouraging. The Department of Transportation (DOTr) just last week reported that it had expedited land acquisition for two multibillion-peso rail projects, reaching 90.76 percent right-of-way (RoW) for the Metro Manila Subway as of December 2025. That is a significant progress from February last year when subway land acquisition stood at 51 percent. The DOTr also reported parallel gains for the NSCR system, where 56 percent of the northern segment is now cleared for construction. The number of acquired properties for the NSCR north segment jumped to 1,143 by year-end, up from just 38 parcels in February 2025. The subway, meanwhile, made a breakthrough when it tore through the havens of the rich— considered the long-standing bottlenecks hampering the construction of the infrastructure. The agency finally addressed legal disputes involving major properties, such as White Plains, Corinthian Gardens and Metrowalk. For the NSCR, the DOTr expects to complete all land acquisition for the northern segment by mid2026. The agency, likewise, cleared land for the Banlic depot and three out of 19 stations, specifically EDSA, Cabuyao and Sta. Rosa, for the southern portion of the project. The 147-kilometer NSCR will link Clark International Airport to Calamba, cutting travel time from four hours to less than 2.5 hours from the current four hours by land. Once fully operational, the DOTr estimates the line will serve 1 million passengers daily and reduce travel time between the two points to less than 2.5 hours The 33-kilometer Metro Manila Subway, on the other hand, will connect Valenzuela City to Parañaque City, reducing the commute between Quezon City and the main international airport to 35 minutes from the current 70 minutes. RoW issues are the bane of major infrastructure projects. They stall construction work and may, in extreme cases, cause the state to abandon a project. The Metrowalk property in Pasig City perfectly fits the description of the RoW nuisance. The

government faced stiff resistance from Blemp Commercial of the Philippines Inc. (BCPI), which is owned by the family of former Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis Crisologo “Chavit” Singson. After protracted legal negotiations, the DOTr finally begun demolition and fencing works late last year at the Metrowalk property, clearing the way for the construction of the Ortigas Station of the MMSP. The move follows a directive from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to fast-track the project to ease daily commuting woes in the capital region. “After nearly three years of delay, we have begun the demolition and fencing of the property so that we can also begin the construction of the Ortigas Station of the subway,” said Acting DOTr Secretary Giovanni Lopez Lopez. A total area of 12,752 square meters from Metrowalk’s eight hectares will be used for the station. Once completed and in full operation in 2032, the subway is expected serve an anticipated daily ridership of 519,000 passengers. Big-ticket infrastructure projects such as the subway and the NSCR, along with the Bataan– Cavite Interlink Bridge (BCIB) Project and the 672-kilometer Davao Public Transport Modernization Project, are game-changers that will give the Philippines a shot at becoming a developed country. Their completion will significantly improve transportation, link the farmers and fishermen to their market, and reduce the cost of goods and services. They should be world-class facilities and far removed from the corruption scandals surrounding flood control projects. Fortunately, these mega projects are being built with foreign funding, strictly monitored by international institutions and their progress assessed periodically. The NSCR and other major infrastructure are critical projects needed by an expanding Philippine economy. They should not go the way of substandard flood control projects. World-class facilities such as the subway and the north-south railway define good governance. It’s about time the Philippines demonstrates its will to finish such critical projects. E-mail: rayenano@yahoo.com or extrastory2000@gmail.com

JuanHand and the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) partner vow to promote responsible and safe borrowing among Filipinos.

DA, Camarines Sur inspect P500m cold storage facility By Othel V. Campos A P500 MILLION cold storage facility in Pili, Camarines Sur, is set to transform agriculture in the Bicol region by increasing farm incomes, stabilizing food supply and serving as a regional logistics hub. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. and Gov. Luis Raymund Villafuerte Jr. inspected the project Wednesday ahead of its planned opening between late February and early March. “We are here to drive this gamechanging project forward,” Tiu Laurel said. “This investment strengthens food security, creates jobs, attracts agri-investments, and most importantly raises incomes for farmers, fishers and everyone in the agriculture value chain across Bicol and neighboring regions.” Villafuerte said the project is the largest and most modern cold storage facility in the region, crediting President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the Department of Agriculture (DA) for backing it. “We’re working double time to finish this as soon as possible,” he said, noting that construction slowed last year following several typhoons.

The facility includes six refrigerated warehouses with a total of 2,688 pallet positions. At full capacity, it can store 4,600 metric tons of boxed meat or 3,000 metric tons of vegetables. It also features a blast freezer, processing and packing areas, and a solar power system to reduce electricity costs. Villafuerte noted that much of the produce from the Visayas and Mindanao already passes through the province on its way to Metro Manila and other Luzon markets. By reducing post-harvest losses and smoothing supply flows, the facility is expected to stabilize food prices while protecting farmers and fishers from market volatility, he added. Tiu Laurel said the DA has earmarked another P500 million for a complementary food hub, with construction set to begin in June. The hub will provide trading and distribution facilities to complete the province’s emerging food system. “With a complete food system in place, our farmers and fisherfolk can access highervalue markets and even export,” Tiu Laurel said. “That means more income, more jobs and greater food security.”

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2026 extrastory2000@gmail.com RODERICK T. DELA CRUZ, Editor ALENA MAE S. FLORES, Asst. Editor

NLEX-C5 Northlink project reaches 50% completion By Darwin G. Amojelar

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CRUISE SHIP. The Port Management Office (PMO) Palawan welcomes the return of the cruise ship MV Costa Serena from Brunei at the Puerto Princesa port on Jan. 13, 2026. This marks the second time the vessel has docked in the country, carrying 2,945 passengers and 1,018 crew members.

Prime Waste Solutions continues Cebu recovery efforts By Othel V. Campos CEBU landfill operator Prime Waste Solutions Cebu (PWS) expressed sympathy for the families and loved ones affected by the Jan. 8 incident at its Binaliw facility, saying the tragedy has had a deep impact on the community as retrieval and recovery efforts continue. The company said its emergency response team was activated immediately and is working with the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, the Bureau of Fire Protection, national response

units and private sector partners. Intensive retrieval operations are ongoing, with strict measures in place to ensure the safety of responders. Initial assessments by city officials and experts indicate the incident was likely triggered by a combination of seismic activity and prolonged heavy rains. This includes a magnitude 6.9 earthquake on Sept. 30, 2025, and its aftershocks, followed by extreme rainfall from Typhoon Tino in early November. PWS Cebu said it conducts regular inspections of its landfill cells and that, prior to the incident, the affected

IN BRIEF SPNEC to appeal solar contract termination

SP New Energy Corp. (SPNEC), a subsidiary of Meralco PowerGen Corp., is seeking a motion for reconsideration following the termination of its renewable energy service contract for a 280-megawatt solar project in Nueva Ecija. The project was originally awarded under the government’s Green Energy Auction Program 1 (GEAP-1). SPNEC said in a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange on Wednesday that it received a notice of termination for the service contract of its Sta. Rosa project. The company had filed a notice of force majeure for the project last year. The Sta. Rosa contract is among those terminated by the Department of Energy as the agency aims to weed out nonperforming contracts. “The company is in discussions with the Department of Energy regarding said force majeure claim and intends to request for the reconsideration of the termination,” SPNEC said. “Pending the outcome of said discussions and request for reconsideration, no adverse impact is expected on the overall business, operations and financial condition of the company.” SPNEC has been negotiating with the DOE since last year to relocate and reprice the Sta. Rosa Nueva Ecija 2 solar power project, citing force majeure due to transmission issues. Alena Mae S. Flores

Smart, Lynk complete satellite-to-mobile tests SMART Communications Inc. and its technology partner Lynk Global have completed a direct-to-device satellite service trial on the island of Catanduanes in the Bicol region. The test proved that mobile services— including SMS and basic data—can reach even the most isolated areas without traditional cell towers. “Our investments in technologies that strengthen and expand our network all reflect our core mission to connect last-mile communities, empower them to participate in the digital economy and ensure that no Filipino is left behind,” PLDT chief operating officer Menardo Jimenez said. “With 97 percent of the population already covered by our cellular network, it is important that we evaluate our satellite partners on the basis of not just their technology but also cost effectiveness,” Jimenez added. “Our partnership with Lynk Global delivers both.” The tests were conducted by Smart’s Net-

cell showed no visible signs of weakening, such as cracks or irregular leachate outflows. A comprehensive investigation is underway in coordination with authorities and independent experts. Operations at the Binaliw facility remain suspended. The company stressed that the incident is fully contained within the facility’s footprint and did not affect surrounding communities. PWS Cebu said it has provided financial assistance and psychosocial support to the families of affected employees, covered medical expenses for the injured, and shouldered funeral and burial costs.

LEX Corp. said construction of Section 1A of the NLEX-C5 Northlink Segment 8.2 is nearly 50 percent complete, bringing the company a step closer to finishing the full 11.3-kilometer link between Mindanao Avenue and C5/C.P. Garcia. The 2-kilometer section has recorded substantial progress, with construction ongoing on the elevated expressway structure, piers and atgrade ramps. “Reaching the halfway mark of this major infrastructure project reaffirms our commitment to delivering this segment at the earliest possible time,” said Luis Reñon, NLEX president and general manager. “This project will significantly improve connectivity and help relieve congestion on local roads.” Once completed, Section 1A will connect the Mindanao Toll Plaza to Quirino Highway through an all-weather elevated expressway, bypassing Mindanao Avenue and the Tullahan River. The elevated expressway will be open 24/7 to all vehicle classes and

Energy officials warn of tight supply in Visayas

work Strategy and Architecture Team and Lynk’s technical team in the remote barangay of Marambong in Pandan, which faces the Philippine Sea. The trial involved the successful transmission via Lynk satellite of text messages between a phone in Catanduanes and a phone in Metro Manila, as well as between two phones located within Catanduanes. During the test, teams also accessed Smart’s website, demonstrating the satellite’s light data capabilities. This milestone follows the signing of a master services agreement between Smart and Lynk last October. Darwin G. Amojelar

By Alena Mae S. Flores

St. Luke’s heart program reaches 300-case milestone ST. LUKE’S Medical Center-Global City marks a significant milestone for its cardiovascular services, having successfully completed more than 300 transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedures. The achievement solidifies St. Luke’s position as a pioneer and leading provider of TAVR in the country. The hospital introduced the technique in February 2012, when a percutaneous TAVR procedure was performed on an 86-year-old patient. The program is led by Dr. Fabio Enrique Posas, an interventional cardiologist who pioneered the procedure in the Philippines. “Reaching our 300th TAVR case is more than just a number; it represents our journey of 300 opportunities to provide life-changing care without the need for traditional open-heart surgery,” Posas said. “When we started this journey over a decade ago, our goal was to ensure that this kind of advanced intervention would be made available locally. Today, our outcomes remain at par with the best international institutions.” TAVR is a minimally invasive procedure designed for patients with severe aortic stenosis—a narrowing of the heart’s aortic valve that restricts blood flow. Unlike traditional surgery, TAVR allows doctors to replace the diseased valve with a bioprosthetic valve through a small catheter, usually inserted via the groin or wrist. The approach eliminates the need for large chest incisions and general anesthesia, resulting in significantly shorter recovery times. TAVR has also proven to be a viable option for elderly or high-risk patients who are ineligible for open-heart surgery. The 300th milestone follows the recent launch of the St. Luke’s Center for Structural Heart and Vascular Interventions (CSHVI), a facility equipped to manage complex heart diseases through nonsurgical means. Beyond TAVR, the center plans to venture into other minimally invasive cardiac techniques.

is expected to benefit approximately 11,000 vehicles daily, easing congestion on major thoroughfares such as Quirino Highway and Mindanao Avenue. The entire NLEX-C5 Northlink Segment 8.2 project spans 11.3 kilometers, stretching from Mindanao Avenue to C5/C.P. Garcia near Katipunan Avenue. The project will serve as a vital link between the northern and southern parts of Luzon via the eastern side of Metro Manila. Beyond enhancing mobility, the project aims to stimulate business growth, create jobs and foster economic development along the corridor. NLEX is a subsidiary of Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC), the toll road arm of Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC).

RESILIENT ENERGY INDUSTRY. Southeast Asia’s economies, including the Philippines rely heavily on energy‑intensive industries. However, the region is vulnerable to climate and economic shocks. By investing in new industries and mobilizing private capital, this challenge can become an opportunity to build cleaner, fairer, and more resilient energy systems, according to the Asian Development Bank.

NGCP’s transmission rates dipped NATIONAL Grid Corp. of the Philippines announced Wednesday that power consumers can expect a decrease in transmission rates in their January 2026 electric bills. The overall average transmission rate for the December 2025 billing period, charged this month, declined 0.68 percent to P1.3455 per kilowatthour from P1.354 per kWh. Broken down, the ancillary services (AS) rate is P0.5971 per kWh for the period. AS decreased by 3.95 percent, or P0.0246 per kWh. AS charges pertain to the cost of services sourced from the AS reserve market and from providers with bilateral contracts with NGCP. NGCP’s transmission wheeling rate—the fee for delivering electricity through the grid—is P0.6058 per kWh, an increase of P0.0164 per kWh. “For the January 2026 electric bill of end consumers, NGCP charges only P0.60 per kWh for the delivery of its services,” NGCP said, adding that its revenues are capped and regulated by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC).

The transmission rate for the December billing period is billed to end users through distribution utilities and electric cooperatives. NGCP previously called for the unbundling of transmission charges to help consumers better understand the different components reflected in their bills. NGCP said a significant portion of transmission charges in recent years has been driven by AS costs, which do not accrue to the company. These are fully collected and remitted to AS providers in line with regulatory requirements. Another component reflected in transmission charges is the feed-in tariff allowance (FIT-ALL). NGCP clarified this is not charged to distribution utilities and electric cooperatives but only to consumers directly connected to the grid. “Over the past year, AS rates formed the bulk of transmission charges following the shift to all-firm AS contracts and the commercial operations of the ancillary services reserve market,” NGCP said. Alena Mae S. Flores

ENERGY stakeholders warned of a tight power supply in the Visayas during the dry months, a situation likely to trigger higher electricity prices in the region. Energy Secretary Sharon Garin acknowledged the supply constraints but assured the public that the Department of Energy (DOE) is preparing contingency measures to avoid blackouts. “For Luzon, there should be enough power supply. It’s more in the Visayas area,” Garin said. “Because of the problem in Visayas, Mindanao will be affected because they export power to Visayas. But we do have programs in place to make sure there won’t be any blackouts.” The operating margin for the Visayas currently stands at 242 megawatts (MW), with an available supply of 2,554 MW against a peak demand of 2,311 MW. Garin noted that if certain renewable energy projects had been delivered on time, the region would not be facing these constraints. “Depending on the weather… we are expecting some problems in the Visayas and Mindanao area. That’s why we are pushing for rooftop solar and energy conservation,” she said. “There won’t be a blackout, but we want to have a more stable grid.” The DOE is recalibrating its supplydemand forecast for the dry season, accounting for planned power plant outages. Cynthia Perez-Alabanza, spokesperson for the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP), confirmed the likelihood of tight supply. Alabanza said demand will continue to rise, driven by economic activity and population growth, though the NGCP has yet to firm up its final forecasts.

Visa, GCash partner to streamline cross-border remittances

TOURISM DIGITALIZATION. The Department of Tourism (DOT) signs a

memorandum of agreement with the Landbank of the Philippines (LBP), the country’s largest government-owned bank, on Jan. 13. Through the partnership, the DOT will adopt LBP’s LinkBiz Portal, an electronic payment platform that will allow tourism stakeholders, clients, and the general public to settle DOT-related fees such as accreditations, regulatory charges, penalties, and bidding documents through secure, real-time online transactions nationwide.

VISA, a world leader in digital payments, has teamed up with GCash to deliver seamless and secure crossborder wallet funding solutions. Visa Direct now makes it easier for individuals and businesses worldwide to send money directly to GCash wallets, giving more than 90 million GCash users in the Philippines a fast, secure and convenient way to receive funds from overseas. Additionally, overseas Filipinos can now use their foreign-issued Visa cards as a funding source within the GCash Overseas app. This initiative marks a significant step toward making financial transactions more accessible for Filipinos and visitors.

The Philippines ranks among Asia-Pacific’s top adopters of digital remittances, according to Visa’s “Money Travels: 2025 Digital Remittances Adoption Report,” which covers 44,000 remittance senders and receivers in 20 countries and territories. Around 74 percent of Filipinos have opted to send money through digital means, while 66 percent prefer to receive remittances digitally. Close to half, or 45 percent of respondents, cited digital remittances as a safe and private way to send and receive funds. Eight out of 10 Filipinos have used GCash, underscoring its reach and impact in everyday payments across the country. Across all demographics, Fili-

pinos have embraced digital apps when sending and receiving remittances. Digital apps are preferred by older users, with 100 percent of respondents from the Philippines aged 65 and older planning to send remittances digitally. This is higher than the 45-64 age bracket (72 percent), 35-44 bracket (75 percent) and 18-34 bracket (74 percent). “Our mission at GCash is to make financial services accessible to every Filipino. By teaming up with Visa, we’re expanding our reach and delivering even greater value to our users, both at home and abroad,” said Paul Albano, GCash International general manager. Darwin G. Amojelar

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New Year reception promotes PH-China ties T By Michael Wong Ho

HE New Year reception for business partners of the Chinese Enterprises Philippine Association (CEPA) was held on January 6, 2026 in Manila.

Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan

More than 300 people from Philippine government agencies, Filipino-Chinese community, business circles, and Chinese enterprises participated in the event. Benito Techico, Special Envoy of the President of the Philippines for Trade, Investment, and Tourism, and CEPA President Hu Xinquan delivered their remarks. Minister-Counselor Yang Guoliang highlighted the significant progress made in China-Philippines economic and trade cooperation throughout 2025. Ambassador Jing Quan delivered a keynote speech during the reception, where he also presented awards to notable Chinese enterprises and outstanding Chinese and Filipino employees. In his speech, Jing highlighted the strong economic ties and significant potential for cooperation between China and the Philippines. He emphasized that successful economic and trade dealings require a

fair and stable business environment. To achieve this, joint efforts are needed to address the concerns of Chinese enterprises regarding work visas, tax and customs inspections. He pointed out that economic cooperation relies on stable bilateral relations. The Philippines can maintain friendly ties with both China and the US without having to choose sides, similar to other ASEAN members. This balanced approach serves the Philippines’ fundamental and long-term interests. Ambassador Jing stated that if maritime differences are managed effectively, exchanges between China and the Philippines will increase, leading to improved relations. This would allow both nations to focus on mutually beneficial cooperation and provide tangible benefits for their peoples. It is hoped that bilateral relations between China and the Philippines will get back on the right track in the coming years.

Newly built stadium in Mindoro school highlights PH-China cooperation VICE President Sara Duterte and Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan attended the turnover ceremony for a newly constructed multi-purpose stadium at the Leandro Panganiban Sr.-Tagumpay High School in Pola, Oriental Mindoro on January 12, 2026. The event highlighted the collaboration among local government, educational organizations, and international partners in improving public infrastructure. Pola Mayor Jennifer Cruz thanked Vice President Duterte for her

attendance and support, pointing out that the new stadium will significantly upgrade local educational facilities to meet the community’s diverse needs. She also expressed gratitude to Ambassador Jing, praising the project as a landmark achievement in continuing to promote local-level pragmatic cooperation between the Philippines and China. The completion of the stadium is expected to enhance educational opportunities and serve as a venue for various sports and cultural activities within the community. Michael Wong Ho

Vice President Sara Duterte and Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan attend the turnover ceremony for a newly constructed multipurpose stadium at the Leandro Panganiban Sr.-Tagumpay High School in Pola, Oriental Mindoro on Jan. 12, 2026.

Fu Zhou Shiy Yi Association strengthens ties with Manila

The Fu Zhou Shiy Yi Association chairman Lin Wei Zhao visits meets with Manila Mayor Isko Moreno on Jan. 12, 2026.

THE Fu Zhou Shiy Yi Association led by its chairman Lin Wei Zhao visited the Manila City Hall and had a meeting with Mayor Isko Moreno on January 12, 2026. The meeting aimed to celebrate the sister city friendship between Fu Zhou and Manila and to explore further cooperation opportunities. During the visit, Lin extended an invitation from Fu Zhou City to Moreno. Eight years ago, Fu Zhou City and Manila City signed a sister city agreement through the facilitating efforts of Lin. The agreement established a solid foundation for exchanges between both cities in various areas. Moreno expressed his

appreciation for the contributions of the Fu Zhou Shiy Yi Association and the Fujian community to the local social and economic development. He provided an update on recent infrastructure projects and the ongoing transformation of industries in Manila. Emphasizing Manila’s openness to investment, he encouraged members of the Association to seize these opportunities and participate in the city’s growth. Established in 1988, the Fu Zhou Shiy Yi Association is an international federation of hometown associations composed of ten cities under Fu Zhou, dedicated to fostering connections and collaboration among its members. Julie Ann Lope

FFCCCII president Victor Lim

FFCCCII calls for reforms to revitalize PH tourism By Julie Ann Lope THE Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII) led by its president Victor Lim, urges the Philippine government to promote resolute and comprehensive reforms in the tourism sector. In a statement titled “Calls for Action and Reform: Revitalize the Philippines Tourism Industry,” Lim emphasized the Philippines’ unmatched natural beauty and rich resources. However, he voiced concern that while neighboring ASEAN countries are quickly recovering in tourism, the Philippines is facing significant challenges. He stressed the importance of implementing urgent economic measures to tackle the sluggish recovery of the tourism sector, which is falling behind other ASEAN economies. Data cited in the statement revealed that in the first 11 months of 2025, the Philippines recorded only 5.24 million inbound international visitors, reflecting a decline of 2.2 percent from the previous year and a staggering 37 percent drop compared to 2019, prior to the pandemic. Lim pointed out that the tourism industry is one of the most accessible growth engines for the Philippine economy, capable of directly providing job opportunities and supporting a significant number of small and micro enterprises. He identified three major challenges hindering the development of the tourism industry. Travel-related issues include congestion at entry points and logistical difficulties on domestic islands, which create uncertainty for travelers. Competitive disadvantages arise from the Philippines’ visa system, which is less convenient compared to those of other ASEAN countries, leading international visitors to choose destinations with simpler immigration processes. Additionally, while the Philippines boasts stunning landscapes, there is a need to integrate its rich cultural heritage, history, and world-class cuisine to offer a more comprehensive travel experience. To address these challenges, the FFCCCII proposed a blueprint for tourism reform that includes implementing a competitive visa system within ASEAN, upgrading major airports and transportation infrastructure for inner islands, and positioning the “Philippine experience” as a primary product in international marketing strategies.

Association continues to unite communities through charitable efforts THE Philippine Chinese Charitable Association Inc. (PCCAI) celebrated its 149th founding anniversary and the induction ceremony for its 130th officers at the Chong Hock Tong Temple located in the Manila Chinese Cemetery on January 11, 2026. The event was attended by prominent leaders from the Filipino Chinese community and officials from the Chinese Embassy. Chairman Lu Zu Ying emphasized PCCAI’s long-standing commitment to serving the Filipino Chinese community. Following tradition, the association held a simple ceremony to honor the founding ancestors and recognize their dedication to charity and community projects. Lu also expressed gratitude to other Filipino Chinese associations

for their support in PCCAI’s charitable initiatives. Executive Vice Chairman and CEO Kelly Sia provided a comprehensive report on the association’s previous term. He highlighted various projects, including funeral services, medical services, elder care, medical education, and grassroots charity medications.

Sia assured attendees that the new officers would work diligently to provide better services to society. Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan was invited to serve as the commissioner of oaths during the ceremony. Jing commended PCCAI for its over 100 years of service to both the Filipino Chinese community and the greater society.

He outlined three key expectations for the association: to uphold the original aspiration of public welfare and continuously set benchmarks for charitable work; to deepen cooperation with government and various sectors of society, contributing to the friendship between the Philippines and China; and to serve as a model for unity, thrift, and pragmatism among

Filipino Chinese associations, promoting healthy social development. Victor Lim, president of the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII), also attended the event and praised PCCAI for its pivotal role in the Filipino Chinese community. PCCAI oversees several key institutions, including the Philippine Chinese General Hospital and Medical Center, Manila Chinese Cemetery, Overseas Chinese Nursing Homes, and PCCAI Charitable Clinic. The association remains committed to serving society through charitable and humanitarian efforts, disaster relief, and poverty alleviation projects. Michael Wong Ho

SHOWBIZ

C2 THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2026

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

BTS to return to Manila for two-night mega show in March 2027

By Angelica Villanueva K-POP supergroup BTS is heading back to the Philippines, with Manila confirmed as the final stop of the band’s blockbuster 2026–2027 world tour. The group announced the tour schedule on the fan community app Weverse on Tuesday, Jan. 13 (PST), marking their longawaited return to the global stage following the completion of all seven members’ mandatory military service. BTS will perform in Manila on March 13 and 14, 2027, their first

BTS announces their world tour schedule ahead the release of their comeback album

concerts in the country since going on hiatus. The two-night show will close the sprawling world tour, which spans Asia, North America, Europe, Latin America, and Oceania. The tour signals the full reunion of RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook, who will take

Paolo Gumabao (left) plays as Alfonso ‘Alfie’ Mucho while Sara Sandeva portrays the role of Maruska ‘Marie’ Ruzicka

the stage together for the first time since 2022. Stops include major cities such as Goyang, Tokyo, Los Angeles, London, Paris, New Yorkarea venues, Toronto, Chicago, Bangkok, Singapore, Jakarta, Melbourne, Sydney, Hong Kong, and Manila. The tour kicks off in April 2026

in South Korea’s Goyang, with additional dates in Japan and the Middle East expected to be announced. The comeback comes alongside plans for a new group album, set for release in March 2026. It will be BTS’ first album since Proof, the anthology that became South Korea’s bestselling record of 2022. Spanning 34 cities and 79 performances, the tour is set to become the largest ever by a K-pop group in terms of total shows, according to the band’s agency, HYBE. An estimated 4.5 million fans are expected to attend. Fans known as ARMY erupted online following the

announcement, joking about the fierce competition for tickets. One fan wrote that their “right kidney is waving,” while another warned that the “ARMY hunger games” were about to begin. Before their military enlistments, BTS generated more than 5.5 trillion won ($3.7 billion) annually for South Korea, equivalent to about 0.2 percent of the country’s GDP, according to the Korea Culture and Tourism Institute. HYBE shares rose about three percent on the news, while IBK Securities projected the company’s operating profits could jump tenfold this year, driven largely by the tour. AFP

Atty. Topacio (leftmost), together with the cast members of ‘Spring in Prague’ during the film’s press conference

Romance across borders Paolo Gumabao, Sara Sandeva warm up in ‘Spring in Prague’

HOLIDAY flirtation, a winter reunion, and a love story carrying the weight of history. That’s the premise of Spring in Prague, a romantic movie that also strolls in, holding hands with politics, faith, and memory.

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The new film from Borracho Films Production places a chance encounter between a Filipino resort owner and a Czech model against the long shadow of Europe’s Cold War past. Directed by Lester Dimaranan, it stars Paolo Gumabao as Alfonso “Alfie” Mucho, easygoing and grounded, and Sara Sandeva as Maruska “Marie” Ruzicka, a woman trying to slip free from the reach of a powerful father. They meet in the Philippines, where sun, sea, and borrowed time allow feelings to grow quickly. But the warmth does not last. Marie is summoned back to Prague under pretenses, her return engineered by a father who exaggerates her mother’s illness and later confines her to their home. What begins as romance becomes separation by force. Borracho Films founder Ferdinand Topacio said that the story was never meant to be just about two people. He frames the lovers as living metaphors shaped by history. Alfie represents a democratic Philippines. Marie is the daughter of a man who once stood close to power in a communist state. Topacio draws directly from the Prague Spring of 1968, when Czechoslovakia’s brief push toward

Very Wang

Nickie Wang

freedom was crushed by Soviet tanks. The suppression, he said, shaped a national memory that would later lead to the country’s split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia. “It’s not just a love story,” Topacio said. “If you look at the dialogue, it goes beyond two people talking. There is a clear political subtext. It contrasts freedom and democracy with authoritarian rule.” That contrast becomes literal when Alfie, spurred by a brief and unsanctioned phone call, flies to Prague in the dead of winter. He arrives with no plan, little money, and only the belief that what they shared mattered enough to risk everything. Seasons shift as the film unfolds, a symbolic journey from warmth to cold, from hope to confinement. Gumabao said one of the challenges was showing how cultural differences shape the relationship. Alfie’s openness clashes with Marie’s guarded world, where obedience and silence are expected. The tension is quiet but persistent. Shot across Puerto Galera, Tagaytay,

Manila, and Prague, the film uses place as emotional texture. Tropical calm gives way to cobblestone streets and iron-grey skies. A subtle spiritual thread runs through the story with the Santo Niño de Praga, a devotion that mirrors the characters’ search for protection, meaning, and grace. The project is personal for Topacio, who conceived the film after visiting the Santo Niño shrine in Prague. He describes it as a passion project and a way of giving back to an industry he has loved since childhood. He calls it part of his legacy, something that will outlast him. Dimaranan, working from a script by Eric Ramos, said the film deliberately avoids spectacle. The romance is oldfashioned, patient, and uninterested in grand gestures. Emotion is allowed to surface on its own. The experience of doing the film was transformative for Gumabao. It

was his first time shooting in Europe, and Prague, he said, felt unreal. “I’m used to doing sexy and contravida roles. I teased people in my previous roles. But this role is quite challenging, the role pushed me beyond what I expected of myself,” he said. Produced by Borracho Films, Spring in Prague also serves as a symbolic nod to 50 years of diplomatic ties between the Philippines and the Czech Republic, using cinema as a quiet bridge between cultures. The film screens on Jan. 19 at Gateway Cinema 12, ahead of its nationwide theatrical release on Feb. 4.

iWant kicks off 2026 with original microdrama While in hiding, Tim experiences working-class Filipino life, and a romance develops between him and Jane. Their plans for a new life are threatened when an assassin loyal to the new regime tracks them down. Runaway Love premieres Thursday, Jan. 15, on iWant.

Runaway Love’ lead stars Analain Salvador (left) and Rob Blackburn

From left: Borracho Films founder Atty. Ferdinand Topacio, Paolo Gumabao, Ynah Zimmerman, and Sara Sandeva

The film frames a love story between a Filipino and a Czech woman against the lingering shadows of Europe’s Cold War past

iWant has launched its first original microdrama for 2026, Runaway Love, following the unexpected romance between a Filipina domestic helper and an exiled prince. Analain Salvador stars as Jane, a young domestic worker in the Kingdom of Alvar who helps Prince Tim, played by Rob Blackburn, escape after a civil war topples the royal family. Jane brings Tim to her hometown in the Philippines, where he must adapt to life without wealth and privilege.

The series follows a Filipina domestic worker and an exiled prince navigating life, love, and danger far from the palace

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SHOWBIZ

THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2026

Richard Merk talks jazz

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OME Filipino showbiz fans may primarily associate Richard Merk more with the late singeractress Nora Aunor than with his chosen music genre, jazz. That is understandable, considering the high level of fame bestowed upon the latter. Even if you’re the main proponent of a music style that is often misjudged, that claim to fame will go second. Besides, whatever he says about the one and only Superstar will likely get the attention of Noranians, arguably more than his music would. And we’re talkin’ about a legion, a die-hard fan base that includes the masses. “The Superstar chapter in my life was something I didn’t expect. We fell in love with each other. It was real. Very real,” he noted with poignancy. Noting that some fans didn’t like him paired opposite their idol, he argued, “What was important was that we understood and loved each other.” That’s from a jazz man feeling the right groove. We’ll leave his time with a beloved National Artist at that. Let’s peep into why he chose jazz when not that many are fans of it. Yes, Johnny Hates Jazz is a band name that comes from a real person who disliked the style. Two reasons why he likes it so much: he is the son of Annie Brazil, dubbed the Philippines’ Queen of Jazz, and his training ground was all jazz clubs like Papillon Bar and Vineyard Jazz Club. He said, “It’s good training when you’re singing songs that make you feel good. Sometimes not for the money, but for the soul.” To emphasize what he believes is a growing number of Filipino jazz musicians, Merk said he suggested to 19 East Bar owner Wowee

Touchbass

Yugel Losorata

Posadas that there should be a yearly jazz fest at the popular live gig place. If all goes well, that kicks off this March. The self-labeled Prince of Jazz has been performing for Casino Filipino outlets, accompanied by pianist Henry Katindig. “Iba yung live music backup,” he stressed. A one-time actor and notable for being the face of the famed Merk’s Bar, the seasoned jazzer has a record on digital platforms called Dakilang Pag-ibig, penned by Boying Bergado of Innervoices. It is a cover, and he had it rearranged, same as his repertoire for live shows. He gave credit to his late wife, Roni TapiaMerk, for the success of their bar in Makati, which ran for eight years, always packed and producing fundraising shows. It even hosted the legendary Angela Bofill. His advice to musicians, jazz lover or not: “Be humble. Be kind. Listen to music of all generations. Respect all Richard Merk (right) is pictured with his late wife kinds of music and your coRoni Tapia-Merk, whom he credits as a key force musicians. Improve your behind the success of Merk’s Bar and his enduring journey in music craft. There will always be room for improvement.” He added, “If there’s only one person watching you, play as if the place is full. You’ll never know, that one could be a hotel owner or a big-time producer.” That’s from a Filipino singer who went through it all, truly making sense, and all that jazz.

MERK ON JAZZ. The veteran singer underscores his belief in jazz as both discipline and soul, noting the growing number of young Filipino musicians discovering the genre

From left: Richard Merk reunites with longtime friends and industry peers Renen De Guia and Poch Concepcion, reflecting on music, friendship, and his continued advocacy for jazz in the Philippines

PEOPLE

‘Lumpia Queen’ Abi Marquez takes on new mission with World Vision AWARD-WINNING content creator Abi Marquez, widely known online as the “Lumpia Queen,” has been named the newest ambassador of World Vision Philippines, the humanitarian organization said. Marquez, whose food videos often center on turning familiar dishes into lumpia, said food has long been her way of telling stories and connecting with people. She said the partnership aligns with her belief that food can help build safe and supportive spaces, especially for children. “Becoming part of the World Vision family makes the work that I do even more meaningful and purposeful,” Marquez said. “It is a reminder that food is more than

creativity or culture. It is a basic right that everyone, especially kids, should have access to.” She said she hopes the collaboration will help raise awareness about the role of food in building healthier communities. To mark the partnership, Marquez recently visited a World Visionsupported community in Baseco, Manila, where she joined children in a Kiddie Kitchen session. The activity introduced basic kitchen skills such as peeling fruits and decorating pancakes. The visit ended with a song performance by the children, followed by Marquez distributing gifts. World Vision Philippines has also launched a Noche Buena

campaign as part of its programs for children and families. The initiative encouraged one-time donations of at least 1,000 pesos to fund gift packs for children. The organization said about 24,000 children nationwide received Noche Buena gifts through the campaign. World Vision Philippines national director Herbert Carpio said the organization sees Marquez’s role as part of a longer-term effort. “We’re excited to welcome Abi as one of World Vision’s ambassadors,” Carpio said. “With her creativity and influence, we hope that she can help encourage more Filipinos to sponsor children so they may achieve their full potential.”

Abi Marquez speaks during a World Vision Philippines activity after being named the humanitarian organization’s newest ambassador, bringing her advocacy for food access and children’s welfare into the field

Nadine Lustre (left) and Alden Richards pose together for the cameras during the announcement of their first-ever pairing for the upcoming Viu romantic series ‘Love, Siargao,’ set for release in 2026

Nadine Lustre, Alden Richards

team up for romantic series ‘Love, Siargao’ By Japser Valdez Nadine Lustre and Alden Richards are set to headline a new romantic series titled Love, Siargao, marking their first acting project together. The pairing was confirmed by streaming platform Viu, which shared photos of the two actors on social media early Wednesday. “ASIA’S MULTIMEDIA STAR MEETS THE PRESIDENT! Alden Richards and Nadine Lustre are teaming up for their biggest upcoming series yet. The Siargao Magic gets real this 2026. Love, Siargao, coming soon only on Viu!” the post read. The upcoming series brings together two stars known for their strong fan followings and past love-team success. Lustre previously rose to fame as part of JaDine, while Richards became a household name through AlDub. Both actors have since carved out successful solo careers. Lustre recently appeared in the 2025 Metro Manila Film Festival entry Call Me Mother alongside Vice Ganda. Richards, meanwhile, starred in the 2024 box-office hit Hello, Love, Again with Kathryn Bernardo. Details about the story and production have yet to be announced, but the pairing has already generated buzz ahead of its 2026 release on Viu.

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

LIFE Tomorrow belongs to those who dare to create it today NOW & NEXT

Students behind ‘Transient Tales’ discuss their modular, recycled-material approach to slowing down city life in Mandaluyong

By Nickie Wang

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WAVE of young innovators is reshaping the way we think about cities, homes, and even the clothes we wear. At De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, students unveiled a series of bold, future-focused projects that could change the way communities interact with their environment. The inaugural Benilde Architecture and Design Innovation Prize (BADIP), organized by the School of Environment and Design, brought together aspiring architects, designers, and multimedia artists eager to tackle climate realities with creativity. Themed “Island Heat,” the competition asked students to imagine solutions that are both sustainable and socially conscious. “We hope this sparks interest in design thinking and social design,” said SED Dean Ar. Harvey Vasquez. “This is not the end but the beginning of developing ideas that can make a real difference.” The standout entry came from Team Jiro, whose project After Hours: Pagsiga sa Suga explores the untapped potential of piña fabric made from pineapple leaf waste. Beyond shielding people from the sun, the material doubles as a cooling device and a solar-powered lighting system, supporting Manila’s shift toward nighttime living. Under the guidance of Ar. Philippe Jiro Coronado, the winning team, included Kara Danielle Co (Industrial Design), Reina Cruz and Eljin Ray Wagan (Multimedia Arts), and Robert Kervine Tan and Maia Martin (Architecture). Runner-up Transient Tales from Team Enzo reimagines

Third place went to Everyday Futures: Ephemeral Architectural Innovations for Human-Centered Tech-Enabled Living by Architecture students Juan Pablo Nunag and Mikael Matthew Hilapo. Their vision includes an inflatable AI-assisted pavilion called Atmos and Giga, a device that converts used cooking oil into biodiesel, blending high-tech thinking with practical sustainability. They were advised by Ar. Moses Gabriel Fetalvero. Judging the competition were urban anthropologist Ar. Leonido Gines Jr., educator Ar. Isola Tong, and sustainability advocate Ar. Freddy Bautista, with Benilde Architecture Program chairperson Ar. Ven Lawrence Quizon also in attendance.

Team Jiro poses with their winning project

The team behind ‘Everyday Futures’ presents its tech-enabled concepts for human-centered living during the BADIP showcase

Mandaluyong’s urban landscape, encouraging slower, more intentional city life. Through modular designs and recycled materials, the project aims to give residents safe, restorative spaces amid the city’s relentless pace. The team was mentored by faculty member Jose Lorenzo Raphael Belandres. A member of Team Jiro presents ‘After Hours: Pagsiga sa Suga,’ the BADIPwinning project that explores piña fabric as a sun-shielding, cooling, and solar-powered lighting solution responding to Manila’s shift toward nighttime living

Hair and skincare breakthroughs

Regular movement, even a quick workout, supports heart health and boosts mental well-being when done consistently

Drinking water throughout the day helps maintain focus and energy, especially during busy work hours

Simple health habits to start the year NEW YEAR’S resolutions are easy to set and often hard to sustain, particularly those tied to healthier living. Health advocates say one reason resolutions fail is that people aim for drastic lifestyle changes while juggling work, side hustles, and social commitments. A more manageable approach, they note, is to focus on small habits that fit into daily routines. Here are five commonly cited practices that health experts recommend as practical starting points: Eat balanced meals Rather than following restrictive diets or aiming for perfect eating habits, nutritionists suggest focusing on balance. Meals that include vegetables, protein, and fiber can support overall health, even when schedules occasionally lead to fast food or skipped meals. Stay physically active Regular movement supports heart health and mental well-being. Experts say exercise does not need to involve long gym sessions. Short walks, brief home workouts, or recreational activities such as dancing, yoga or sports can be effective if done consistently.

Adequate and consistent rest helps improve concentration, decision-making, and overall performance during the day. Consider nutritional support when needed Some people turn to supplements to help address gaps in their diets, especially when schedules are demanding. Health experts advise choosing supplements carefully and using them as support rather than substitutes for balanced meals and healthy habits. Santé Barley Max is a natural, easy, and affordable option. Available in capsules or as pure barley powder, Santé Barley Max provides Building meals around protein, fiber, and vegetables a wide range of vitamins, keeps ‘balanced eating’ realistic without going overly minerals, and amino acids restrictive that benefit your body. It’s proven to boost energy and Drink enough water stamina, aid digestion, help prevent Hydration is often overlooked anemia and fatigue, support kidney during busy workdays. Drinking function, and much more. water regularly helps maintain focus Medical professionals continue to and energy levels, according to emphasize that sustainable health health professionals. changes are usually gradual, with Prioritize sleep consistency playing a bigger role Reducing sleep to gain extra work than intensity. hours can be counterproductive.

L’ORÉAL Groupe unveiled two groundbreaking technologies at CES® 2026 that harness the power of light for haircare and skincare: the Light Straight + Multi-styler and the LED Face Mask. Both were recognized as CES 2026 Innovation Award honorees for their advanced design and performance. “Beauty and science have always gone hand in hand at L’Oréal,” said Barbara Lavernos, deputy CEO in charge of Research, Innovation, and Technology. “These innovations show how cutting-edge technology can create personalized, effective beauty solutions that protect and enhance hair and skin.” The Light Straight + Multi-styler addresses a common problem with traditional hair straighteners, which can damage hair at high temperatures. Using patented infrared light, the device styles hair safely at temperatures below 320°F. Instrumental tests show it works three times faster and leaves hair twice as smooth as leading premium stylers. Near-infrared light reshapes the internal hydrogen bonds in hair fibers, preserving the natural cuticle

for smoother, shinier, stronger hair. Smart sensors and machine learning allow the device to adapt to the user’s gestures, providing a personalized styling experience. Joining L’Oréal’s Airlight Pro, unveiled at CES 2024, the Light Straight + Multi-styler offers a full infrared-based hairstyling routine. It is scheduled for global launch in 2027. The LED Face Mask brings the benefits of light technology to skincare. This ultra-thin, flexible silicone mask delivers red light (630 nm) and near-infrared light (830 nm) directly to the skin to target fine lines, sagging, and uneven tone. Developed with I-Smart Developments, the mask integrates a skin-safe microcircuit to precisely control light emission. Each 10-minute session is fully automated, making it a non-invasive addition to daily routines, and the combination of red and near-infrared light visibly firms, smooths, and evens skin tone. These innovations reflect L’Oréal’s continued commitment to merging scientific discovery with beauty, offering consumers advanced, effective, and personalized solutions for hair and skin care. L’Oréal’s Light Straight + Multistyler uses patented infrared light to smooth hair at lower heat, aiming to reduce damage from traditional straighteners