Manila Standard - 2026 May 18 - Monday

PNP resurrecting probe into PCSO official's slay

By Rio N. Araja

SolGen asks SC to allow arrest of Bato for ICC

By Pot Chavez

By Pot Chavez

T(ICC) case tied to former

HE Philippine National Police (PNP) is reopening its investigation into the 2020 murder of Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) board secretary Wesley Barayuga.

Rodrigo Duterte’s anti-drug campaign. In an 83-page comment filed be

fore the High Court, the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) sought the denial of Dela Rosa’s petitions seeking to stop authorities from enforcing any ICC warrant against him. The ICC last week unsealed an arrest warrant against Dela Rosa issued in November 2025, accusing him,

THE Philippine government has asked the Supreme Court to allow the arrest of Senator Ronald dela Rosa in connection with an International Criminal Court (ICC) case tied to former president Rodrigo Duterte’s anti-drug campaign. In an 83-page comment filed before the High Court, the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) sought the denial of Dela Rosa’s petitions seeking to stop authorities from enforcing any ICC warrant against him. The ICC last week unsealed an arrest warrant against Dela Rosa issued in November 2025, accusing him,

On Sunday, PNP Chief Police General Rommel Francisco Marbil said he ordered the reopening of the cold case after whistleblower Police Lt. Col. Santie Mendoza told the House Quad Committee that he helped carry out the killing at the behest of ex-PCSO general manager Royina Garma. Mendoza narrated before congressmen how Garma allegedly facilitated the PCSO official’s roadside assassination on July 30, 2020 by providing the necessary information about his schedule, details about his vehicle and the funding necessary to carry it out.

Nartatez orders probe into police hand in Bato’s Senate escape

Senate becomes court for impeachment today

Senate becomes court for impeachment today

But coup rumors echo in chamber; critics press for trial

By Ram Superable, Rolando Ng III, and Rio Araja

By Ram Superable, Rolando Ng III, and Rio Araja

DDESPITE rumors of another leadership coup, the Senate is set to convene as an impeachment court Monday afternoon to hear the cases filed against Vice President Sara Duterte, whose allies took control of the chamber last week.

ESPITE rumors of another leadership coup, the Senate is set to convene as an impeachment court Monday afternoon to hear the cases filed against Vice President Sara Duterte, whose allies took control of the chamber last week.

The whistleblower also implicated incumbent National Police Commissioner Edilberto Leonardo in the planning of the murder.

By Vince Lopez

By Vince Lopez

PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP)

PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP)

Barayuga was a retired police general and lawyer who supposedly threatened to expose corruption within the PCSO shortly before he was shot dead in Mandaluyong City.

In a May 15 letter to senators, Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano said the chamber would convene as an impeachment court at 3 p.m. Monday “in accordance with the applicable rules and procedure.”

In a May 15 letter to senators, Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano said the chamber would convene as an impeachment court at 3 p.m. Monday “in accordance with the applicable rules and procedure.”

Yang's lawyer mocks probers amid heated inquiry

Garma, herself an ex-police Lt. Colonel, allegedly gained the top spot at the PCSO because of her in-

chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. on Sunday directed an internal investigation into allegations that police escorted a black van carrying Senator Ronald Dela Rosa out of the Senate compound last Thursday, May 14.

chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. on Sunday directed an internal investigation into allegations that police escorted a black van carrying Senator Ronald Dela Rosa out of the Senate compound last Thursday, May 14.

Nartatez said the PNP leadership launched separate verification to determine whether any unauthorized police assistance to Dela Rosa took place.

Nartatez said the PNP leadership launched separate verification to determine whether any unauthorized police assistance to Dela Rosa took place.

“In observance of the solemnity of the proceedings and pursuant to the Senate’s Rules of Procedure on Impeachment Trials, all Senator-Judges are enjoined to wear their robes upon the convening of the Impeachment Court. Your presence and cooperation are essential to the proper and orderly conduct of these proceedings,” Cayetano said.

THE legal counsel of Chinese businessman Tony Yang sought to disparage lawmakers’ conclusions about his client’s supposedly sketchy past and his alleged ties with Philippine Overseas Gaming Operators (POGOs) and even organized crime.

“In observance of the solemnity of the proceedings and pursuant to the Senate’s Rules of Procedure on Impeachment Trials, all Senator-Judges are enjoined to wear their robes upon the convening of the Impeachment Court. Your presence and cooperation are essential to the proper and orderly conduct of these proceedings,” Cayetano said.

Lawyer Raymond Fortun questioned the House Quad Committee’s impartiality and its ability to pin Chinese national Yang down for ay wrongdoing in a real criminal court.

“I am very interested in how they [Quad Comm members] can prove this criminal network in court. In Congress, lawmakers act as both prosecutor and judge,” he said. Yang, who already admitted having a fake Philippine birth certificate, is the brother of Michael Yang, a presidential economic

adviser of former President Rodrigo Duterte.

of illegal drugs and illegal activities associated with POGOs,” Suarez said in a mixture of Filipino and English.

Fortun, a lawyer who often finds himself at the center high-profile cases, apparently sought to mock congressmen, calling their probe “unacceptable.”

However, House members argued they did not come by their suspicions about Yang recklessly.

The solons explained how the matrix details Yang’s connections to other individuals involved in illicit activities, including the operations of illegal POGOs.

THE Philippine government on Sunday publicly called for the United Nations (UN) to give it a seat on the UN Security Council, highlighting the country’s strong record and dedication to upholding the rule of law.

Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA)

By Darwin Amojelar

TRANSPORTATION Secretary Jaime Bautista denied an online news report claiming that Malacañang was angry with the increase in airport fees without the approval of the Cabinet members.

“The Bilyonaryo article is malicious and unfounded,” Bautista said in a Viber message, referring to the website that published the said story. “Bilyonaryo is inconsistent,” he added. Bilyonaryo reported online that “Bautista and his long-time protege in Philippine Airlines, Undersecretary for Aviation and Airports Bobby Lim, are at the center of the storm after it was

On Friday, Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales Jr. of Pampanga and Deputy Speaker David Suarez of Quezon presented a matrix showing Yang’s first appearance and his subsequent activities at the Quad Comm hearing.

“We saw a pattern, and we tracked it to the top of these corporations... we stripped it of its layers , to get to the top and through it all, we have discovered and identified at least two main actors or players in the issue

Navy spokes debunks China claim of military exercises in Scarborough shoal

By Rex Espiritu

Among the companies implicated are Brickhartz Technology Inc. and Xionwei Technology Co. Ltd., which are being linked to alleged kidnapping.

The two firms supposedly have connections with the Baofu Compound in Bamban, Tarlac, which, in turn, can be directly traced to disgraced ex-mayor Alice Guo.

Quoted by

ers from both the House of Rep

By Rex Espiritu

By Rex Espiritu

OMBUDSMAN

OMBUDSMAN

By Rio N. Araja

By Rio N. Araja

SANGLEY Point in Cavite City, Cavite; Coron and Cuyo in Palawan; CBSUA-Pili in Camarines Sur; and Dipolog in Zamboanga are expected to

THE Philippine Navy debunked on Sunday the recent announcement by China that it conducted military exercises off Bajo de Masinloc, also known as Scarborough Shoal, in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). China reportedly made the announcement coinciding with the fourth Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity between the Philippines, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and the United States within Manila’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the regional waters over the weekend. Philippine Navy Spokesperson for WPS Rear Admiral Roy Vin -

cent Trinidad told reporters that Manila troops did not monitor any such activity, adding that Beijing’s statement was meant only for its internal audience.

sizzle at 45°C on Monday. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the heat index in Dipolog City on Sunday

“Our troops did not observe any exercise, we have to understand that sometimes, China is doing this for their internal audience, right? For them not to look weak and embarrassed,” Trinidad said.

Two Chinese warships were monitored at a distance ranging from eight to 14 nautical miles. One of these went up to 1,000 yards at the MMCA site but eventually went away. “It was not threatening, just normal,” accord -

During Friday’s Quad Comm hearing, lawmakers cited Tony Yang in contempt for “lying” to about his businesses and business partners.

Jesus Crispin

Jesus Crispin

“Boying” Remulla said his office is currently handling between 35 and 45 active investigations involving flood-control projects nationwide, with more cases expected to be filed in the coming months. Speaking during the DZRH program Executive Session on Saturday, Remulla said lawmak -

resentatives and the Senate could be implicated in the ongoing investigations and that the Office of the Ombudsman is preparing conspiracy-to-commit-plunder complaints tied to the cases.

“We have ongoing investigations involving flood control,” Remulla said. “Our estimate is around

“Boying” Remulla said his office is currently handling between 35 and 45 active investigations involving flood-control projects nationwide, with more cases expected to be filed in the coming months. Speaking during the DZRH program Executive Session on Saturday, Remulla said lawmakers from both the House of Representatives and the Senate could be implicated in the ongoing investigations and that the Office of the Ombudsman is preparing conspiracy-to-commit-plunder complaints tied to the cases.

“We have ongoing investigations involving

Senate...

From A1

Less than a week after a sudden coup d’etat installed Cayetano as Senate President in place of Senator Tito Sotto, Senator Erwin Tulfo said Sunday he had “no idea” whether another leadership shake-up was being planned.

“Pertaining to the media on a coup d'etat, tinatanong ako sa media e napahiya na ako diyan, ‘Wala, walang kudeta’, meron palang kudeta. Ngayon wala akong idea kung may kudeta ba,” Tulfo said in a radio interview.

Tulfo said he only read Cayetano’s statement that some minority senators were talking with members of the majority bloc about another possible leadership change, adding that neither he nor his brother, Senator Raffy Tulfo, had been consulted.

“Baka mamayang gabi? I don’t know? Baka bukas ng umaga?” he added.

Meanwhile, civil society groups gathered at the EDSA Shrine for a Mass organized by Tindig Pilipinas, which urged the Senate to proceed with the impeachment trial after the House of Representatives transmitted two Articles of Impeachment to the upper chamber last week.

Bishop Emeritus of Novaliches Teodoro Bacani criticized delays in convening the Senate as an impeachment court, blaming partisanship and last week’s coup for postponing the proceedings.

SolGen...

From A1 along with Duterte and other alleged “co-perpetrators,” of the “crime against humanity of murder.”

Dela Rosa briefly sought refuge in the Senate last week while asking the Supreme Court to block government agents from arresting him.

“By his own conduct, he has placed himself outside the protection of the law,” Solicitor General Darlene Berberabe said in the filing dated May 16, Saturday.

“Until he submits himself to lawful authorities, he must be deemed a fugitive from justice and should not be allowed to seek any relief from the courts,” the OSG added.

Dela Rosa’s whereabouts remained unknown after he quietly left the Sen-

Nartatez...

From A1

“Let me be absolutely clear: the Philippine National Police does not operate on blind because the integrity of our institution is at stake. While we have received the initial clarification from the Pasay City Police chief, I have already directed concerned investigative units to conduct an independent review of the logbooks, CCTV feeds, and radio dispatches from that morning,” the PNP chief said. The order came after questions were raised over claims that a black van was escorted out of the Senate premises where Dela Rosa had reportedly remained under protective custody.

Ombudsman...

From A1

Remulla said the Office of the Ombudsman has already begun drafting complaints tied to the investigations.

“This one is more serious. This is the conspiracy-to-commit-plunder case which will involve everybody,” Remulla said. “Initially, this involves both the Senate and the House — everybody involved.”

Remulla also confirmed that a second draft complaint is already being prepared in connection with the conspiracy-to-commit-plunder case following an initial draft.

“We’re already working on the second draft complaint involving conspiracy to commit plunder,” Remulla said. The Ombudsman added that the draft complaint is still being expanded as investigators continue gathering evidence.

“Our first draft was already 61 pages,” he said. “But it will still grow because we are continuing to gather evidence.”

“Kapag nagkaroon ng impeachment, ang ating mga senador, obligado (to act on it) forthwith — agadagad (When there’s an impeachment, our senators are mandated to act on it forthwith—at the soonest),” Bacani said.

He also urged senators not to let last week’s gunfire incident involving Senate Sergeant-at-Arms personnel and agents of the National Bureau of Investigation delay the proceedings further.

“Don’t let Bato show up again and initiate gunfire at the Senate,” Bacani quipped in Filipino, referring to Senator Ronald dela Rosa, who briefly returned to vote during the leadership change before leaving the Senate premises.

Bacani also appealed to senators to prioritize accountability over political alliances.

“Hindi ka tao ni (Vice President) Sara (Duterte) kung ikaw ay senador. Tao ka ng bayan. ‘Yan ang totoo, lingkod ka ng bayan (You are not an employee of Sara Duterte if you're a senator. You are employed by the public. That’s the truth. You’re a public servant),” he said.

Tindig Pilipinas convenor Kiko Aquino Dee said the Senate must fulfill its constitutional duty regardless of who controls the chamber.

“That doesn't depend on who holds the majority, right? Our Constitution doesn't say that if an impeachable official has the majority support in the Senate, the impeachment becomes meaningless,” he said in Filipino.

ate building on Thursday.

Last week, the senator filed an urgent manifestation and omnibus motion seeking a temporary restraining order against any arrest, detention, or surrender to the ICC without a valid Philippine judicial warrant.

The Justice Department earlier said the ICC warrant would only be enforced once the Supreme Court resolves Dela Rosa’s petition, unless he attempts to flee abroad.

The Supreme Court has yet to issue a ruling.

Dela Rosa has argued that the ICC warrant is invalid because the Philippines withdrew from the Rome Statute in 2019.

However, the OSG said the country remains legally bound to cooperate with proceedings initiated before the withdrawal took effect.

“Withdrawal from the treaty does

Pasay City police chief Col. Joselito de Sesto earlier confirmed that he was indeed inside the white police vehicle seen in a viral video leaving the Senate premises at around 3 a.m. on May 14 alongside a black van that also exited the Senate compound in Pasay City. However, Sesto denied providing any escort or logistical support to the black van, which was suspected of carrying Dela Rosa who had been holding out under Senate protective custody before the lawmaker’s departure.

Nartatez said investigators have been instructed to secure deployment logs, dispatch records, mobility records, duty rosters, and available body camera footage from units assigned around the Senate complex and nearby areas on May 14.

Remulla also hinted that the investigation could implicate influential personalities in both chambers of Congress.

According to Remulla, the Ombudsman is using findings from the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee as supporting material in the ongoing investigations, although the evidence still needs to be independently validated.

“The Senate report is very useful to us because it helps supplement our efforts in investigating these cases,” he said.

He clarified, however, that the Ombudsman is conducting its own fact-finding and case buildup process before filing charges.

“We still have to validate,” Remulla said.

The Ombudsman said the office deliberately avoids “weaponizing” investigations and instead focuses on evidence gathering before initiating formal cases.

We do not weaponize the office,” he said. “We gather the evidence needed to charge people when necessary.”

Dee also called for Cayetano’s resignation, expressing concern that the new majority could obstruct the impeachment process.

“It’s already a bad sign that the Senate President who instigated the disrespect of the Constitution is part of the majority again. The confidence of our new Senate majority is starting from a low floor,” he said.

He urged the public to closely monitor developments in the Senate amid rumors of another coup attempt.

“Our call to the people is for us to be vigilant. We need to be watching because if no one is looking, they just do whatever they want,” he added.

Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon said a suspended senator cannot vote in the impeachment trial, although the constitutional requirement of 16 votes for conviction remains unchanged.

“My understanding is not just for a senator, but for all members whether House or Senate, if they are suspended, you cannot participate in any committee proceedings and you cannot participate in plenary proceedings,” Ridon said at the Saturday News Forum in Quezon City.

“It means if you cannot speak, you also cannot vote,” he added.

“The threshold vote has not changed to convict an impeachable official so it is still 16,” Ridon said.

The House of Representatives earlier impeached Duterte over allegations involving the misuse of P612.5 million in confidential funds, unex-

not relieve a state party from cooperating in proceedings already initiated before the ICC,” Berberabe said.

The OSG cited Republic Act No. 9851, which authorizes Philippine authorities to surrender or extradite suspects when an international tribunal is already conducting an investigation or prosecution for crimes covered by the law.

“This Honorable Court is confronted with interests far greater than the fate of a single individual. On one hand is the State’s solemn duty to respond to allegations of crimes against humanity. On the other is the plea of a sitting Senator who, by his own actions, has placed himself beyond the reach of lawful process while asking the courts to protect his rights,” the OSG said.

“The law was never intended to provide an excuse for evasion, nor to

“If the investigation reveals that there was any unauthorized coordination, false reporting, or logistical support given to evade legal processes, those involved will face the full brunt of administrative and criminal sanctions,” he said.

Nartatez also denied any authorization from Camp Crame for covert assistance or special movement operations, addressing allegations that national police leadership may have known about Dela Rosa’s supposed departure plans.

“As the Chief of the PNP, I categorically state that the national leadership had no prior knowledge of, nor did it authorize any logistical assistance for, the departure of Senator Dela Rosa from the Senate premises. Our deployment in the area was strictly confined

DND...

From A1

where the assailed steel firm operated using “potentially hazardous materials.” Intelligence reports indicated that there were at least 69 Chinese nationals working in the company without the required government permits and other necessary documents.

Teodoro’s visit was conducted in coordination with the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission(PAOCC) which sought the DND’s assistance in resolving the issue and ensuring the safety and welfare of the steel plant’s employees and surrounding communities.

Teodoro directed the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) in Region X to immediately conduct a full inventory and accounting of the affected employees as the facility remains an active crime scene under investigation and target of an existing search warrant.

He likewise instructed the OCD to coordinate with different government agencies such as the Department

plained wealth, bribery, and threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.

House impeachment prosecutor and Manila Rep. Joel Chua said the prosecution panel remains hopeful the Senate will uphold its constitutional duty despite the leadership change and the alliances of several senators with Duterte.

“We expect that their view will not change and this will not affect the process because first and foremost, this is their constitutional mandate,” Chua said in an interview over Super Radyo dzBB.

Chua expressed confidence in Cayetano, describing him as a lawyer expected to respect the Constitution.

Asked whether the prosecution now faces greater difficulty securing enough votes for conviction, Chua said previous impeachment trials also began without a clear majority favoring conviction.

“In every impeachment, it starts without a sufficient number,” he said.

“As far as I know, back during the time of Chief Justice Renato Corona, they started out with only seven senators in favor of it. But by the time the vote was called—once all the evidence had been presented—that number went up to twenty,” he added.

Chua said public scrutiny and media coverage would be critical in ensuring a fair trial. He added that the prosecution panel is preparing for possible legal obstacles and assign-

become a weapon wielded only by those with power. It exists so that even the voiceless dead, whose cries never reached a courtroom, are not forgotten by justice,” it added.

The OSG also argued that the constitutional requirement for judicial warrants applies only to local criminal prosecutions and not to ICC proceedings conducted under international law.

It added that Dela Rosa’s due process rights were protected under procedures established by the Rome Statute. The government further maintained that extradition rules do not apply because the ICC is not a state and Dela Rosa is not technically an extraditee.

The OSG also rejected claims that parliamentary immunity shields the senator from accountability.

“The mantle of parliamentary immunity was never meant to be a shield

to public safety, crowd control, and managing the perimeter following the highly volatile shooting incident that occurred hours prior,” Nartatez said in a statement.

The Senate complex had remained under heavy security following the volatile situation that drew assistance from Pasay City police and the National Capital Region Police Office.

“The PNP remains a highly professional, apolitical organization loyal to the Constitution and the rule of law. We do not participate in clandestine escorts or partisan maneuvers. If any individual unit or officer acted outside of our official mandates to facilitate a departure under the guise of regular deployment, they did so entirely on their own accord,” Nartatez said.

of Social Welfare and Development to extend assistance to the displaced workers and the Department of Labor and Employment to help them secure temporary or permanent employment.

Recognizing the possible health risks posed by exposure to hazardous substances, the Defense chief also ordered the conduct of comprehensive medical examinations for all personnel involved in the operation.

Secretary Teodoro further warned individuals against interfering with the ongoing investigation, stressing that any attempt to obstruct lawful operations or impede the case would be dealt with accordingly.

Teodoro was accompanied in the trip by PAOCC Undersecretary Benjamin Acorda, OCD regional director Antonio Sugarol, and representatives of the military and police establishments.

Operatives raided the steel plant in Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental believed formerly owned by businessman Tony Yang, brother of former presidential economic adviser Michael Yang who has been linked to several controversies.

ing members to specific impeachment articles.

Chua, who chairs the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability and led the investigation into Duterte’s alleged misuse of confidential funds, said he had been assigned to present three impeachment articles tied to the issue.

He also disclosed that the panel is vetting private lawyers who may assist the prosecution team and identifying witnesses to testify during the trial, including self-confessed bagman Ramil Madriaga.

Kabataan party-list Rep. Renee Co said public fears over the impeachment trial have intensified following the Senate leadership change.

She said many Filipinos fear the new majority, perceived to be aligned with Duterte, could delay, weaken, or steer the proceedings toward acquittal.

“One, delay in the process. The reinterpretation of the word forthwith,” Co said.

She also warned that procedural votes during the trial could determine whether key evidence would be admitted or rejected.

“Will we see the same for this trial? Hope not,” she said.

Co said the strongest public concern is the possibility that Duterte could be acquitted despite the evidence presented by the House. She maintained that the Articles of Impeachment are backed by public records and government documents, not speculation.

against public accountability,” it said. The filing complied with the Supreme Court En Banc’s directive requiring government respondents to submit their comments within a nonextendible 72-hour period.

The ICC prosecutor first launched an examination into the Philippine drug war in 2018.

Duterte’s anti-drug campaign, launched after he assumed office in 2016, left thousands dead, including suspected drug users and low-level narcotics peddlers, according to human rights groups.

Duterte was arrested in March last year and transferred to The Hague, where he remains detained pending trial.

Dela Rosa served as Philippine National Police chief from 2016 to 2018 before winning a Senate seat in 2019. With AFP and Rolando Ng III

More...

From A1

how these reforms are transforming healthcare access in two leading private hospitals.

On May 1, President Marcos and Dr. Mercado visited St. Elizabeth Hospital, Inc., where PhilHealth members were actively benefiting from the agency’s expanded healthcare packages, including YAKAP primary care consultations, cancer treatment services, and life-sustaining dialysis care. The visit showcased how PhilHealth’s strengthened benefits are helping patients access essential treatment earlier while shielding families from the financial burden of illness.

Last May 11, the President visited The Medical City in Ortigas, where he inspected the newly opened Alfredo R.A. Bengzon Patient Access Ward, a 51-bed facility designed to provide world-class healthcare services to PhilHealth members with little to no out-ofpocket expenses.

The facility, which includes nine mother-and-baby-friendly rooms, stands as a powerful example of what can be achieved when private hospitals fully embrace their partnership with PhilHealth in advancing accessible, high-quality healthcare. Patients and their families shared firsthand how expanded PhilHealth coverage protected them from catastrophic medical expenses and allowed them to focus on recovery instead of financial hardship.

“The question is not capability, but will—the will to look at every PhilHealth member and say, ‘You belong here, too,’” said Dr. Mercado.

with scattered rains and thunderstorms over Batanes and the

Babuyan Islands. The rest of the country will experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with chances of localized rain showers and thunderstorms. Both on Sunday and Monday, a scorching heat index of 44°C is ex-

pected in Pasay City, Metro Manila. Also on Monday, a heat index of 44°C will hit NAIA in Pasay City; San Jose, Occidental Mindoro; Roxas City, Capiz; Iloilo City, Iloilo; Borongan, Eastern Samar; and Guiuan, Eastern Samar.

“Decades from now, no one will ask how many private suites a hospital had. They will ask how many lives were saved and changed.” Building on these successes, PhilHealth is calling on more private hospitals, specialty centers, and clinics nationwide to join this shared mission of making quality healthcare truly accessible to every Filipino.

PBBM greets youngest son Vincent on birthday

By Charles Dantes

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Sunday greeted his youngest son, William Vincent Marcos, on his birthday, describing him as adventurous, grounded, and kind-hearted.

In a social media post, Marcos shared a lighthearted message for Vincent, fondly recalling his son’s love for adventure and travel.

“Happy birthday, Vincent! Sometimes you’re in the mountains, sometimes at the beach, sometimes somewhere else entirely,” the President wrote.

“But no matter how far your adventures take you, you’ve always stayed grounded, kind, and full of life, and you leave a little happiness with the people you meet along the way,” he added.

The President said he and First Lady Liza Marcos are proud of the man their son has become.

“Your mum and I are very proud of the man you’ve become. Keep exploring, keep chasing new adventures, and try not to disappear on us for too long. Love you, Son!” Marcos said.

Vincent, more popularly known to friends and family as “Vinny,” is the youngest among the three sons of the President and the First Lady, alongside Ilocos Norte First District Rep. Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Marcos and Joseph Simon Marcos.

Marcos tops survey on trust, approval

By Charles Dantes

IN BRIEF

and livelihood opportunities.

DHSUD Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling and SHFC president and chief executive officer Federico Laxa recently led the awarding of more than P9 million in assistance for land acquisition and related taxes covering a 2,318-square meter property occupied by beneficiary families. Rio N. Araja

THE push for the immediate passage of the Media Workers’ Magna Carta was renewed on Sunday by Senator Erwin Tulfo following a recent shootout at the Senate building.

Tulfo said the incident highlighted the dangers and lack of protection faced by journalists, noting that some reporters were traumatized while covering the shooting live. The broadcaster-turned-lawmaker said authorities should have allowed reporters and camera operators to document the incident, adding that media coverage helps ensure security forces follow proper protocols and discourages further violence.

Tulfo said the proposed measure is not only about improving economic conditions for journalists but also about affirming their dignity and protecting press freedom. Ram Superable

MAMAMAYANG Liberal party-list Rep. Leila de Lima is seeking an investigation into the renewal, extension, and modification of Financial or Technical Assistance Agreements (FTAAs) in the mining sector. De Lima filed House Resolution No. 1016 to determine whether the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Mines and Geosciences Bureau complied with mandatory consultation requirements and respected the rights of affected communities and local governments. She said consultations should not be reduced to mere procedural compliance, stressing that communities must have the right to reject mining projects they consider harmful to their welfare and environment.

The resolution also seeks to examine the extensions of FTAA No. 001 held by OceanaGold Philippines Inc. in Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino, and FTAA No. 002 held by Sagittarius Mines Inc. in Tampakan, South Cotabato, both of which were allegedly renewed without proper public consultation. Rio N. Araja

De Lima pushes for genuine anti-political dynasty law

By Rio N. Araja

MAMAMAYANG Liberal party-list Rep. Leila de Lima is pushing for the passage of a genuine Anti-Political Dynasty Law.

“After almost four decades, a proposed Anti-Political Dynasty Bill is now being discussed in the House,” she said.

“In our interpellation, we questioned the provisions of the amended version of this bill, which we believe would further allow certain families to remain in power,” she added. In a statement, De Lima asked: “Does this really prohibit the rule of dynasties?

Or are we passing a law that, by appearing to prohibit them, makes them permanent and legitimate?”

If the law being passed does the opposite, it is not reform but merely the legalization and further strengthening of political dynasties, she noted.

“This is a clear deception of the people,” she said.

“Does this bill prohibit political dynasties — or does it do something far more damaging: create the permanent legal fiction that we already have?” she added.

De Lima said the framers of the 1987 Constitution wrote Section 26, Article II with one purpose: to ensure that the ac-

Ridon says survey weakens Duterte ‘invincibility’ narrative

By Rio N. Araja

A SURVEY on potential presidential aspirants for 2028 shows that Vice President Sara Duterte “is not invincible,” contrary to some perceptions, according to Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon.

Speaking at the Saturday News Forum in Quezon City, Ridon said he believed the survey results convinced many of his colleagues in the House of Representatives to vote for the impeachment of the Vice President last Monday.

The survey, he said, exposed the perceived invincibility of Duterte. “I think even the survey you mentioned, where Vice President Sara Duterte and Senator Raffy Tulfo are in a dead heat, and where former Vice President Leni Robredo is very close to Vice President Sara Duterte in a head-to-head matchup, unmasked the supposed aura of invincibility of our Vice President,” Ri-

don said.

“I think this contributed to the added courage of our representatives to take a stand and impeach Vice President Sara Duterte,” he added.

He was referring to last Monday’s impeachment vote, in which 257 House members voted to impeach the Vice President.

Ridon said he was surprised by the result, noting that he had predicted only 215 House members would support impeachment, similar to last year’s impeachment process.

“I was way off when I said 215, but it still reached 257. My actual expectation that day was only around 230 to 235 votes, but it reached 257. That represents 80 percent of the entire House, so the vote to impeach the Vice President was overwhelming,” he said. He added that House members from known Duterte bailiwicks also voted for impeachment.

cident of birth would never again be sufficient qualification for public office.

“Thirty-nine years have passed. Today, we finally have a bill. But consider what this bill actually does. It permits succession. It permits cross-level dynasties. It permits multi-province family control. It permits the party-list system to be colonized by political families. It has no penalties or sanctions,” she pointed out.

“The most entrenched dynasties in this country operate exactly the way this bill permits — a patriarch as governor, a son as congressman, a wife as mayor, a cousin in the party-list. All of it legal under this bill. All of it untouched,” she said.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. emerged as the most approved government official in a recent nationwide survey conducted by RPMD Foundation Inc.

The “Boses ng Bayan” survey, conducted from April 1 to 8, showed Marcos posting the highest rating among the top four public officials, driven by combined trust and approval scores.

The non-commissioned survey covered 5,000 respondents across socioeconomic classes nationwide, with a margin of error of ±1 percent at a 95-percent confidence level.

Marcos earned a 57-percent Index of Governance (IOG) score, supported by 56-percent trust and 58-percent approval ratings.

RPMD noted that public confidence in the President and his administration remained steady despite recent political developments, including discussions on the possible impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte and the arrest of Senator Ronald Dela Rosa.

Marcos enjoyed 58-percent support in the Balance of Luzon (excluding Metro Manila), which appeared to be his strongest political base.

He also gained ground in Mindanao, a region considered a stronghold of the Dutertes and their allies. Meanwhile, respondents in the Visayas “remained politically divided but leaning slightly in favor of the President,” RPMD said.

Duterte registered a 54-percent IOG score, with 57-percent trust and 51-percent approval ratings. She continued to enjoy strong backing in Mindanao but posted a lower approval rating compared with other senior officials included in the survey.

OPINION

Touche

I LOVE the way Jonvic Remulla cut Sonny Trillanes down to size.

“There’s a reason why Trillanes lost three elections in a row. Nau-una ang yabang kaysa magisip. I don’t respond to losers,” riposted the DILG secretary. The former senator who has re-engineered himself into the ICC’s constable in this benighted land earlier accused the younger Remulla of “incompetence” for failure to arrest Bato de La Rosa based on a warrant of arrest issued by his foreign “principal.”

Two days before, Trillanes barged into the chamber where once he sat, along with NBI agents sent by the agency’s newly minted dross of a director to execute the arrest of a long absent senator who suddenly re-appeared.

The agents were allowed by the senate president on Monday, through his sergeant-at-arms, to enter its premises without any warrant or other authorization in hand. The warrant from a foreign entity no country but the most supine honors was instead brought by Trillanes, hoping perhaps to make a “citizen’s arrest”.

But the ringmaster who allowed such trespass of his big tent was sooner than soon decapitated by a 13th vote supplied by the besieged Bato, who was then granted protective custody by the new majority under Alan Peter the “pious”. Tumultuous and surprise take-over was capped by high drama in the chamber on Wednesday night, when shots rang out in rapid succession because some armed confidential agents of the NBI “invaded” the chamber despite prior agreement with the new SP thus triggering an exchange of fire with OSAA officers.

Into the melee rushed the DILG secretary accompanied by the PNP chief and therein assured the senate president that the police will take over and investigate the facts behind the “invasion”. He even met with “the rock” who once also headed the PNP and declared that absent a real warrant, his rights will be respected.

Jonvic must have remembered that he was called to task by the same chamber a year before because of the extraordinary rendition of Rodrigo Roa Duterte and a legal dispute occurred between State recognition of a diffusion notice from the Interpol upon behest of the ICC, which was made the basis of the arrest and immediate shanghai to Den Haag.

His president and his older brother, then the DOJ secretary, kept declaring that the State would not recognize any arrest warrants from the ICC, and later used an Interpol notice that was discovered to be short of “red” as basis and excuse for the extraordinary rendition.

But in this instant case of Bato, there was no Interpol notice, whatever the color or form. Instead, there was an ICC warrant brandished by constable Trillanes and not the law enforcement agencies of the State.

Jonvic was just being consistent with the earlier declarations of his president and in so doing, shielded him from involvement in the assault on a co-equal branch of government.

After all, on March 8, 2025, while relaxing in cold San Francisco by the bay, he was ordered to

come home immediately, because his president had decided to render his predecessor to the ICC using an Interpol diffusion notice as excuse to circumvent earlier declarations of non-recognition.

Arriving the following day, he merely listened to the plan hatched by the National Security Adviser in Malacanang, with then PNP chief Marbil having already assigned Quiboloy catcher Gen. Nicolas Torre to execute the plan.

—“—

Jonvic Remulla’s baffling behavior

ON THE evening of May 13, the Secretary of the Interior and Local Government, Jonvic Remulla, sat down, broke bread, and exchanged pleasantries with a fugitive senator and his coddler-colleagues.

Why did Remulla pull his punches?

The president was supposed to announce the rendition of the former leader once the plane had left NAIA. The arrangement was for Jonvic as DILG secretary, Gibo as DND secretary (whose only role was to ensure the use of Villamor Airbase for the operation), and the NSA head to flank the president on his midnight address to the nation.

But only Jonvic stood behind the president when he made that fateful announcement. The two others were a no-show.

Now that Jonvic is doing things “by the book,” ICC constable Trillanes accuses him of being a Bato coddler. DDS na ‘yarn?

Wisely, the younger Remulla refused to dignify the accusation made by a three-time “loser”. I love the sarcasm. Touche! ***

Now back to Bato. His wife sent a long message by text to SP Alan Peter, where she said that Bato wanted to spare the Senate from all the attendant troubles his custody caused on Wednesday night.

Quo vadis, Bato?

Here is an unsolicited advice: go to Camp Crame and ask your comrades-in-arms headed by the circumspect Jose Melencio Nartatez, your under-class cavalier, to put you in custodial detention while you avail of your legal remedies.

That, Sir, would be an honorable sacrifice that would help spare the entire nation from the curse of partisan politics at a time when the people scrape to survive the economics of rudderless leadership.

Building credible deterrence in an evolving battlespace

AS THE the Indo-Pacific becomes increasingly defined by strategic competition, the character of conflict itself is rapidly evolving. Modern warfare is no longer confined to conventional battlefields. It now extends across maritime, cyber, information, space, and cognitive domains, where coercion can occur without a formal declaration of war and where disinformation can shape the national mindset from within.

It is within this shifting security environment that the Stratbase Institute, in partnership with Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) Philippines, convened a timely forum titled “Building Credible Deterrence Through a Multi-Domain Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization.”

The discussion underscored a strategic reality that policymakers and defense planners can no longer ignore. Credible deterrence today depends not only on military hardware, but on the ability of states to integrate capabilities across multiple domains into a unified defense posture. Opening the forum, Stratbase Institute President Prof. Victor Andres “Dindo” Manhit emphasized that the Philippines must adopt a broader understanding of national security amid the convergence of gray-zone coercion, cyber threats, and information warfare.

The challenge confronting the country, he suggested, is no longer simply territorial defense but the protection of national sovereignty and democratic resilience in an increasingly contested regional order. His remarks carry even greater significance as the Philippines approaches the 10th anniversary of the landmark 2016 Arbitral Award on the South China Sea. The ruling affirmed the country’s sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea and reinforced the primacy of international law under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Yet a decade later, regional realities demonstrate that

legal victories alone are insufficient without the capability to defend national interests amidst persistent acts of aggression. The forum’s central message was unmistakable: the Philippines must modernize not only to defend territory, but also to operate effectively within the increasingly interconnected battlespace.

In remarks delivered on behalf of AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., Lt. Gen. Arvin Lagamon stressed that “the challenges we face are no longer confined to a single domain.” Threats, he noted, now move simultaneously across “maritime, air, land, cyber, space, information, and cognitive environments at increasing speed and with greater coordination.”

Here is an unsolicited advice: go to Camp Crame and ask your comrades-inarms headed by the circumspect Jose Melencio Nartatez, your under-class cavalier, to put you in custodial detention while you avail of your legal remedies —“—

Remulla said he was not at the Senate to arrest Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, even as a warrant for the latter’s arrest had been issued by the International Criminal Court. Dela Rosa was chief of the Philippine National Police during the early part of the Duterte administration and was the key implementor of the socalled war against drugs that claimed the lives of thousands of Filipinos. Dela Rosa is now a co-conspirator of Duterte in the ICC case of crimes against humanity.

That evening, shots were fired from the second floor of the building – dozens of warning shots, it turned out. National Bureau of Investigation agents were prevented from arresting the senator at the Senate premises.

Dela Rosa had not been showing up for work despite collecting hundreds of thousands of pesos a month in salary.

Two days prior to the shooting, he had the gall to show up at the Senate to cast his vote to install a new Senate leadership friendlier to his patrons, the Dutertes. He pushed two female NBI agents serving him his arrest warrant. He is the notorious tragicomic figure in that now-famous

staircase footage, running for his liberty. Remulla declared that Dela Rosa was “safe” after the sound of gunshots.

His role as alter ego of the President should now come under serious question

It was Remulla’s job to ensure Dela Rosa’s – and everyone’s -- safety, yes. But there was a greater need to ensure the senator’s arrest. The warrant was valid, and Dela Rosa was milking the Senate for the protection it could give him, at the expense of justice. Eventually, at dawn on Thursday, the inevitable did happen. When the compound seemed to have quieted down, Dela Rosa slipped out, aided by a fellow senator, Robin Padilla. Now Dela Rosa is on the loose again.

By Melandrew T. Velasco

THE crisis at the Senate nowadays — marked by leadership tensions, shifting alliances, and political maneuverings surrounding the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte — has once again exposed a troubling reality in Philippine governance: when institutions become consumed by partisan survival, national priorities suffer.

Instead of projecting stability and statesmanship during a politically sensitive moment, the country witnessed a spectacle that effectively crowded out what should have been one of the most consequential constitutional processes in recent years.

The public discourse shifted from accountability and governance toward political arithmetic, loyalty tests, and tactical positioning.

Moments like these inevitably invite comparisons to past leadership models — and in such moments, many Filipinos quietly remember former President Fidel V. Ramos.

More than two decades after his presidency, Fidel V. Ramos increasingly stands as the gold standard in governance and crisis management.

FVR understood that leadership during political turbulence required not grandstanding, but institutional steadiness. His governance philosophy was anchored on three simple yet powerful principles: UST — Unity, Solidarity, and Teamwork.

To Ramos, governance was never about perpetual political warfare.

It was about aligning institutions toward national objectives. He believed that even political rivals must ultimately work together for the stability of the Republic.

One of his most effective governance mechanisms was the revitalization of the LegislativeExecutive Development Advisory Council or LEDAC.

While many administrations viewed Congress either as an enemy or as a compliant extension of Malacañang, Ramos transformed LEDAC into a genuine platform for coordination, consultation, and consensus-building. Under FVR, major economic reforms moved with clarity and direction because the Executive

from within,” highlighting how modern conflict now seeks to undermine societies as much as military forces.

Organizationally, the NBI is under the Department of Justice. It is the Philippine National Police that is under the DILG. But such distinctions, in a case so notorious as extra-judicial killings in the guise of a campaign against drugs, should no longer matter. Agencies of the government must act in concert to enforce a legitimate warrant, and anything less is a gross dereliction of duty and a disservice to the Filipino people. Remulla’s inaction reflects badly on the Marcos administration and the President himself, now being perceived as weak and indifferent to the

The Filipino people need clear

nals on where the administration

against crimes against humanity. In

end, it is not personally about

Dela Rosa, or anyone else. It is about personalities charged before an international court – not a foreign one as their supporters’ oft-repeated line – as having transgressed the laws governing conduct toward humanity. And if anyone from the administration confounds and strays from this message, then their value as an alter ego of the President should come under serious question.

FVR: The gold standard of governance and crisis leadership

and Legislative branches communicated regularly.

Key laws involving privatization, energy reform, telecommunications liberalization, and economic modernization did not emerge from chaos but from disciplined dialogue and strategic collaboration.

Ramos understood a lesson many leaders today appear to forget: governance is a shared responsibility.

The Philippines must modernize not only to defend territory, but also to operate effectively within the increasingly interconnected battlespace —“—

This observation reflects the growing complexity of regional security dynamics. Gray-zone operations continue to test national resolve below the threshold of armed conflict, while cyber intrusions increasingly target critical infrastructure and state institutions. As Lagamon further warned, “disinformation seeks to weaken trust

The Philippines, as an archipelagic state situated at the crossroads of the Indo-Pacific, faces serious vulnerabilities in this evolving environment. Hence, the Armed Forces of the Philippines is accelerating efforts to transition toward a multidomain defense framework anchored on interoperability and cyber resilience.

MGen. Ivan Papera, Chief of the AFP Systems Engineering and Modernization Office, pointed to the strategic direction of the Department of National Defense toward a “one theater concept” designed to strengthen multilateral cooperation and capability development. He also emphasized the growing focus on “jointness towards cyberspace and emerging technology” as a central moderni-

The public discourse shifted from accountability and governance toward political arithmetic, loyalty tests, and tactical positioning

That leadership style became most evident during the crippling power crisis of the early 1990s. When Ramos assumed office in 1992, the country was suffering from daily brownouts lasting up to 12 hours. Businesses shut down. Investments stalled. Public frustration deepened.

The nation’s economic future hung in uncertainty. Yet FVR confronted the crisis head-on. He mobilized technocrats, coordinated with Congress, engaged the private sector, and made politically difficult but necessary decisions. He did not govern by paralysis or blame-shifting.

He governed with urgency and clarity. Within a relatively short period, the power crisis eased, investor confidence returned, and the economy regained momentum.

Equally significant was Ramos’ ability to manage political instability without deepening divisions.

Having survived multiple coup attempts during the Aquino administration and later assuming the presidency amid institutional fragility,

zation priority. Cybersecurity emerged as one of the forum’s most urgent themes. BGen. Walter Icaro, Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for C4ISTAR Systems, described cyber development as “a critical pillar of the AFP’s pursuit of a resilient and credible deterrence posture.” He warned that the AFP now faces “persistent network probing and intrusions aimed at sensitive infrastructure and data,” alongside sophisticated disinformation and malign influence operations. As Icaro explained, “success in the battlefield will now be dictated by the ability to maintain a seamless flow of information across all domains of warfare.” The creation of the AFP Cyber Command and the integration of cyber defense capabilities across the Army, Navy, and Air Force

FVR understood the dangers of political polarization. Instead of ruling through vengeance, he pursued reconciliation and national healing. Former Senator Gregorio “Gringo” Honasanonce associated with military uprisings against the government — would later acknowledge Ramos’ statesmanship and leadership. In a Situation Report Special aired by DZRH last Saturday, Honasan pointed at President Ramos as the gold standard of Philippine leadership in a crisis.

According to Honasan, Ramos once spent two hours over dinner talking to his political enemies, one by one, and paid for the meal himself, making even Honasan, then a neophyte senator, feel that his presence and his opinions genuinely mattered. Honasan also credited FVR for helping professionalize the Armed Forces and for choosing unity over division.

That may be one of Ramos’ greatest legacies: the understanding that leadership is measured not by how many enemies one destroys, but by how many divisions one heals. Today, amid Senate turmoil, impeachment tensions, and intensifying political fragmentation, the nation is once again reminded of what disciplined leadership once looked like. FVR governed not through noise, but through institutions. He did so not through political spectacle, but through steady crisis management. More importantly, FVR did it his way not through endless division, but through Unity, Solidarity, and Teamwork. And perhaps that is why, years after his presidency,

signal recognition that future deterrence depends as much on digital resilience as on conventional firepower. The forum also highlighted the importance of partnerships in sustaining regional stability. German Ambassador Andreas Michael Pfaffernoschke underscored the broader international stakes involved in preserving a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific, reflecting the growing recognition that developments in the South China Sea affect not only regional security but also the integrity of international law. Ten years after the Arbitral Award, the Philippines stands at a strategic inflection point. The challenge before the country is no longer simply asserting maritime rights, but ensuring that legal legitimacy is reinforced by credible capability, institutional resilience, and strategic partnerships.

and

Army says Negros clashes leave 5 rebels dead, families dislocated

By Rex Espiritu

IVE suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA) were reported killed on Saturday in a series of armed encounters with government troops in three barangays in Cauayan, Negros Occidental.

The 302nd Infantry “Achiever” Brigade said the five fatalities, believed to be remnants of the SouthWest Front, Komiteng RehiyonNegros (SWF, KR-N), figured in

BuCor transfers 500 more PDLs from NBP Munti to Iwahig Prison

THE Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) announced Sunday it has shipped another batch of 500 prisoners or persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) from the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City to the Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm in Puerto Princesa, Palawan.

In a news release, BuCor said the inmates were transported o as part of ongoing measures to ease overcrowding at the NBP.

BuCor director general Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. is leading efforts to alleviate congestion at the NBP through strategic PDL transfers to other BuCor-operated prisons and penal farms across the country.

The decongestion drive is also aligned with the national administration’s broader criminal justice reforms aimed at enhancing public safety and human rights, Catapang added.

Established in 1940, the NBP has long struggled with severe overcrowding—a situation that significantly challenges the security, health, welfare, and rehabilitation of inmates.

With a facility designed to accommodate approximately 11,000 inmates, the NBP has consistently housed more than double its capacity, leading to issues that affect both the PDLs and the personnel managing the institution.

The recent relocation to Iwahig, Catapang said is part of a broader plan to distribute the prison population more evenly, providing a better environment for rehabilitation programs.

This strategic transfer is not just a temporary measure but a preparatory step toward the planned closure of the NBP.

“We envision a correctional system where PDLs can serve their sentences in humane surroundings that promote rehabilitation and eventual reintegration into society,” Catapang said.

For 2026, the agency aims to transfer a total of 7,500 PDLs from NBP to other BuCor facilities nationwide.

clashes with troops from the 15th Infantry “Molave Warrior” Battalion in the hinterlands of Barangays Abaca, Man-uling and Poblacion. The guerrilla front operated in parts

of Negros Occidental, including Kabankalan, Cauayan and Sipalay.

302nd Brigade commander Brig. Gen. Jason Jumawan said the clashes exposed the deteriorating condition of the guerrilla front, whose remaining members continue to suffer heavy losses, dwindling manpower, and declining support from local residents.

“The continued collapse of communist terrorist formations in Negros reflects the growing rejection of violent armed struggle by communities once exploited through intimidation, extor-

tion, deception and fear,” Jumawan said. He added that residents in Cauayan have increasingly cooperated with authorities by providing information on the presence and movement of armed communist guerrillas hiding in remote areas.

According to the military, the five fatalities were allegedly involved in the killing of 12 civilians tagged as government spies since 2025 in the sixth district of Negros Occidental, including recent incidents in Barangay Manlucahoc, Sipalay City.

PRISONER RELOCATION. Exactly 500 prisoners of the

the rst leg of their journey to the

BARMM solon quits UBJP, backs rival party bet

By Nash B. Maulana

BANGSAMORO Member of Parliament (MP) Mohammad Kellie Antao has resigned from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front-led United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP). Antao did not elaborate but said he would instead support MP Butch Malang who is running for a parliament seat in his district under UBJP rival party Bangsamoro Federalists’ Party (BFP).

Earlier, Interim Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) also quit UBJP and filed his candidacy for the third district of Maguindanao del Norte as an independent candidate. The reason was not clear, either. But a “rift” in the MILF and BARMM leaderships is becoming imminent with differences stirred by the forthcoming elections.

Antao said over the weekend that he would not be running for the Parliament anymore but will continue backing Congress’ initiative in creating the province composed of eight municipalities created by the Parliament out of the 63 Cotabato villages that opted

to join the BARMM in the plebiscite in February 2020.

Speaker Yacob and Antao thanked House Deputy Speaker Raymond Democrito Mendoza, author of HB

3299, creating a province out of the so-called Special Geographic Area (SGA) of the BARMM. The measure is also backed by Maguindanao del Norte Rep. Dimple Mastura.

Concerns raised over worsening info war on WPS

AS the Philippines prepares to mark the 10th anniversary of the landmark 2016 arbitral ruling on the West Philippine Sea (WPS), senior military officials and security experts warned that the country is already facing a “political and informational war” marked by cyberattacks, disinformation, and foreign influence operations tied to tensions in the disputed waters.

The warnings came during a forum organized by Stratbase Institute and KonradAdenauer-Stiftung on defense modernization, where the experts pushed to expand military modernization beyond traditional weapons platforms into cyber defense, intelligence, strategic communications, and cognitive warfare capabilities.

“Every day, efforts to undermine and discredit the ruling persist,” Stratbase president Victor Andres Manhit said in his keynote address. “In recent years, the country has faced sustained asymmetric gray zone challenges across multiple domains: Water cannons and ramming incidents in the maritime space, dangerous maneuvers and flares in the airspace, and information warfare in the digital domain.”

These challenges, Manhit said, “are expected to intensify in 2026” – thus the need for the Philippines to develop “credible capability” to assert and operationalize the landmark ruling.

“We need to transition from asserting our rights to defending our rights,” he said.

Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Romeo Brawner, through acting deputy chief Lt. Gen. Arvin Lagamon, said in his keynote address that the Philippines must adopt a mindset that “we are already at war. Not yet a kinetic war, but the political war, the economic war, and more importantly, the cyber and informational war is already going on.”

IN BRIEF

PNP enhances internal a airs investigations

THE Philippine National Police (PNP) is strengthening internal mechanisms to guarantee that administrative investigations of erring personnel adhere strictly to constitutional rights and legal procedures.

PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. issued the policy statement as the organization seeks to reinforce discipline while ensuring that ongoing investigations are insulated from premature public conclusion and external pressure.

Nartatez explained that safeguarding rights within the service remains crucial to achieving real institutional reform in line with the instruction of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to integrity and professionalism in the police service.

“Transparency and due process are not mutually exclusive; they are the dual pillars of true administrative justice. While the public has every right to be informed about how we handle erring personnel, our police officers also retain their constitutional right to a fair, impartial trial based on objective evidence, CCTV footage, and testimonies— not headlines and public clamor,” Nartatez emphasized. Vince Lopez

AboitizPower holds community missions

Employee-volunteers of AboitizPower have conducted community outreach missions in barangay Alas-asin, Mariveles, Bataan in collaboration with community partners and stakeholders. The activities were led by GMEC-GNPD reputation and stakeholder management chief Jeps Mendoza and corporate social responsibility supervisor Abie Jacinto who said the missions were part of continuing community initiatives of the company aimed at supporting health and wellness in host communities. One of the activities was the “Medikalinga” medical mission, which catered to 109 patients held at Barangay Alas-asin covered court. The outreach also involved the donation of medicines to residents of Sitio Dinginin. Another

MONDAY, MAY 18, 2026

RIERA U. MALLARI, Editor

RANDY M. CALUAG, Asst. Editor

Eala enters Strasbourg main draw

By Jeremiah Sevilla

ENTERING the final stretch of her Roland Garros buildup, Alexandra Eala got a lucky break after nabbing a main draw slot in the Strasbourg Open 2026 in France on Sunday.

Eala, who was initially due to go through the qualifiers, barged into the Round of 32 following American Hailey Baptiste’s withdrawal from the WTA 500 tournament scheduled May 17 to 23.

The world-ranked No. 42 Filipina standout is now set to face a qualifier in the first round of the tilt featuring top-seeded players Victoria Mboko (No. 9) of Canada, Ekaterina Alexandrova (No. 14) of Russia, Iva Jovic (No. 17) of the USA, and Clara Tauson (No. 18) of Denmark.

Should Eala overcome her first opponent, she will take on the winner between Czech Republic’s No. 26 Marie Bouzkova and No. 39 Katerina Siniakova, who is also the top doubles player.

Eala heads into the Strasbourg Open off a week-long break following her breakthrough third-round finish in the Italian Open.

The 20-year-old rising star took down Poland’s Magdalena Frech, 6-0, 3-6, 6-4, and China’s Wang Xinyu, 6-4, 6-3, before bowing to No. 2 Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan, 4-6, 3-6, in Rome.

The Pinay lefty is aiming to make a deeper run in Strasbourg as she gears up for her second appearance in the French Open taking place from May 24 to June 7 in Paris.

Eala absorbed a 0-6, 6-2, 3-6 defeat to Colombia’s Emiliana Arango in her Roland Garros debut last year.

Eala is also set to play with Mboko in the French Open doubles this year.

Bisera eyes back-to-back LPGT success

YVON Bisera heads into the ICTSI Caliraya Springs Championship as arguably the hottest and most inform player in the field, combining a breakthrough victory at the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour’s kickoff leg at Lakewood last March with a string of impressive performances overseas.

BIKEFEST LURES 3,200 PARTICIPANTS.

Tolentino: Foreign riders key to PH cyclists’ growth

PHILIPPINE Olympic Committee (POC) and PhilCycling chief Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino believes the continued presence of highly competitive foreign cyclists in the Tour of Luzon will only make Filipino riders stronger in the long run.

After witnessing the final stage of the 2026 Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation Tour of Luzon in Baguio City recently, Tolentino said local cyclists are steadily improving with every lap, even as foreign riders have dominated the race for two straight years.

“You cannot segregate the Filipino and the foreign cyclists in the cycling race because it will defeat the purpose to help them improve and be inspired,” Tolentino said. “We cannot stop and regulate the arrival of foreign cyclists because the Tour of Luzon is open.”

“There are also more foreign cyclists out there who are more competitive than what we saw last week.”

test across Luzon. He also floated the possibility of extending the route even farther next year, potentially reaching southern Luzon areas such as Laguna, Quezon, or the Bicol region.

“Tour of Luzon this year has totally grown up for the better compared to last year, but no Filipino has won the yellow jersey. But that is okay. The competition made them better. I believe we can get a yellow jersey soon. We will get one soon. The race also becomes more exciting,” Tolentino added.

The ace Davaoeña shotmaker captured the Lakewood crown in dramatic fashion, outlasting Sarah Ababa and LK Go in a playoff to clinch the season-opening title. She then further boosted her stock with three stints on the China LPGA Tour and a strong tied-for-fourth finish on the Thailand LPGA Tour, solidifying her status as the player to beat in the upcoming P1 million championship. Back on home soil, Bisera hopes to sustain that momentum as she gears up for the 54-hole tournament firing off Tuesday (May 19) at Caliraya Springs Golf Club in Cavinti, Laguna.

“I am excited to be back at Caliraya,” said Bisera. “I’m very happy too that I got the chance to play here and at the same time rest from the China and Thailand tours.” Bisera came close to winning here last year, finishing third and missing a playoff between Princess Superal and Ababa by just one shot. With Superal resuming her campaign on the Japan Step Up Tour and skipping this week’s event, Bisera looms as the leading contender in the championship organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.

THERE are performances that entertain, and there are statements that reverberate beyond the arena. Lito Adiwang delivered the latter with unnerving clarity on Saturday, May 16, at Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium, where history has long been written in blood, sweat, and sudden violence. In just 34 seconds, Adiwang dismantled Eko Roni Saputra in their 140-pound catchweight clash at ONE Fight Night 43, turning what was expected to be a competitive encounter into a swift, emphatic demolition. From the opening bell, the Filipino hardhitter set the tone with a sharp push kick, a simple but authoritative declaration of intent. What

Tolentino added that one way organizers can further help Filipino riders excel is by continuing to lengthen the race. This year, the Tour expanded from last year’s eight-stage, 1,074.90-kilometer revival to a grueling 14-stage, 1,709.3-kilometer

Last year, South Korean Joo Dae Yeong of Gapyeong Cycling Team captured the overall individual championship in the eightstage edition. This year, Russian rider Nikita Shulchenko of Life Cycle Works (LCW) United Arab Emirates claimed the yellow jersey after 14 demanding stages. Only two Filipinos managed to win stages in

and Adiwang did not hesitate to complete the narrative. A relentless cascade of punches poured forward, precise and merciless, each shot finding its mark as Saputra tried in

and

FRANCIS Erl Jud Abundo and Kathleya Elaine Bustamante saved the day for hometown bets with a gold each, capping a prolific outing for country at the close of the Karate One-Youth League presented by the Philippine Sports Commission at the SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City.

A day before celebrating his 13th birthday, the diminutive Abundo was like a whirling dervish in overwhelming Brunei’s Azlee Khairi bin Wan Zuraimi 7-0 to rule the under-14 male kumite -40-kilogram class in the meet sanctioned by the World Karate Federation and organized by the Karate Pilipinas Sports Federation, Inc.

After three fruitless days of hostilities, Bustamante actually finally scored the golden breakthrough that the Filipinos desperately needed in building an early 2-0 lead then held off Australian Ana Jovic 6-2 in clinching the under-14 kumite female -47kg class.

Dean Caleb Montalbo and Alexa Rae Vallesteros added a silver each in settling for runner-up honors in the under-14 male and female divisions of kata of the meet also backed by the SM Group of Companies, Lanson’s Place and Milo.

Displaying a lot of verve and dynamism in

triumph above strawweight, a weight class where he once existed in the long shadow of reigning champion and former teammate Joshua Pacio. For years, Adiwang occupied an uncomfortable space in the hierarchy of Philippine mixed martial arts. Talented, explosive, and endlessly watchable, he nevertheless found himself cast as a gatekeeper at 125 pounds, unable to break through losses to Hiroba Minowa, Jarred Brooks, and Keito Yamakita. The ceiling, though invisible, felt persistently present.

Even his move to flyweight carried questions rather than certainty. There was an assumption that he would again play a secondary role, this time in the orbit of Danny Kingad, an ex-comrade already established among the division’s contenders. However, the landscape has shifted. Kingad is no longer under the ONE Championship banner, and the old Team Lakay constellation that once defined Philippine MMA has fractured into separate trajectories. The exodus of 2023 scattered familiar

his routine, Montalbo narrowly lost 2-3 to Saudi’s Moayad Alqahtani while Vallesteros was no match for the poise and precision of Japanese Kyoka Okamoto, who took the mint with a 5-0 win.

Ashana Geanne Sabote delivered the country’s first medal, a bronze, nipping Niela Aieza Albano 2-1 in the repechage round in the kumite female -42kg class, then Kaylani Vergara outplayed Serbia’s Andrea Nikolic 4-1 for the second bronze. Overall, the Philippines garnered two golds, two silvers and two bronze medals to wrap its fruitful campaign in the tournament also backed by Citadines Bay City Manila that drew nearly 800 karatekas from 58 countries.

“Akala ko magiging close fight siya dahil finals,” Abundo, a Grade 7 student at the Agustinian Abbey School of Las Pinas, said.

“Triny ko po mag-attack pero hindi siya nagcounter kaya’t sinabaya ako ng sipa at suntok, at hayun nanalo ako,” added the karateka, who began at the ripe of age of five but stopped for two years due to the pandemic, calmly. He road to the gold was made easier after upending WKF-1’s Nikita Komarov 7-3 i the semifinals by consistently connecting with body blows.

names into new identities. Pacio, Eduard Folayang, Kevin Belingon, and Honorio Banario formed Lions Nation MMA, joined by the likes of Kingad, Stephen Loman, Jeremy Pacatiw, and Edward Kelly. Adiwang, however, chose a different compass altogether. He went overseas, embracing uncertainty over familiarity. That decision led him to Soma Fight Club in Bali, Indonesia, a modern, highperformance environment under the guidance of coach Mike Ikilei. At the time, it carried an air of skepticism. Leaving the comfort of a renowned Filipino camp to rebuild abroad was not universally understood. Now, it looks increasingly like a calculated reinvention. What is emerging is a version of “The Thunder Kid” that is sharper, more composed, and still dangerously explosive. The difference is that the chaos is now controlled, directed, and sustainable. He is no longer just a fan-friendly attraction. He is becoming a consistent force in ONE’s competitive architecture. Yet restraint is still required in the

language of elevation. Calling him a Filipino MMA superstar remains premature. That label is reserved for fighters who have sustained dominance at the highest peaks. Adiwang is not there yet, but the direction is unmistakable. He is winning. He is finishing. And perhaps most importantly, he is no longer circumventing someone else’s narrative. In a recent interview on the In The Red Corner podcast, Adiwang claimed that he wanted his bout against Saputra to be “The Thunder Kid

Infra spending fell 48% in March

P59.1 billion

Infra spending in March 2026

P113.5 billion

Infra spending in March 2025

P1.49 trillion

Total disbursements in Q1 of 2026

Rice price cap violators face P1-m

fines–DA

By Othel V. Campos

THE Department of Agriculture

warned rice retailers, traders and importers they could face up to 10 years in prison and P1,000,000 in fines if they violate a newly-imposed price cap on imported rice.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered the 30-day price ceiling on imported 5-percent broken rice to curb unjustified retail prices, which have remained high despite lower import tariffs and easing global costs.

Rice is classified as a basic necessity under Republic Act 7581, also known as the Price Act, which grants the government regulatory authority during unreasonable price hikes.

Department of Agriculture

Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the mandated price cap gives the government stronger legal authority to enforce compliance than previous measures.

“Unlike the previous maximum suggested retail price that depended largely on moral suasion and voluntary compliance, the mandated price ceiling now allows the Department of Agriculture to impose punitive sanctions and fines on violators,” Tiu Laurel said.

Under the Price Act, courts can sentence violators to prison terms ranging from 1 to 10 years, impose fines between P5,000 and P1,000,000 or both.

The Department of Agriculture can also issue administrative sanctions. These penalties include temporary or permanent business closures, the seizure of products, the suspension or revocation of licenses and the issuance of cease-and-desist orders.

Administrative fines range from P1,000 to P1,000,000, and corporate officers or employees can be held personally liable for violations.

Government monitoring teams and inspectors plan to intensify inspections in public markets, supermarkets and retail outlets nationwide during the 30-day enforcement period. Officials will review the price ceiling after 30 days to decide whether to modify, extend or lift the measure.

By Thony Rose Lesaca

OVERNMENT infrastructure spending and capital outlays fell 48 percent to P59.1 billion in March 2026 from P113.5 billion a year ago on weaker disbursements from the Department of Public Works and Highways.

The lower outturn for infrastructure and other capital expenditures affected overall spending growth in the first quarter of 2026, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said.

Total disbursements rose 3.2

percent to P1.49 trillion in the January-to-March period from P1.44 trillion a year earlier. Increased transfers to local government units, interest payments, personnel services expenditures, maintenance and other

operating expenses and subsidies drove the overall growth.

The budget agency attributed the weaker public works disbursement performance to the ongoing completion of carry-over projects from last year and the continuing implementation of this year’s budget.

“The adoption of stricter validation process for billing claims to ensure project quality and value for money also continued to affect the department’s spending outturn,” the

agency said. Implementation of capital outlay projects under the Revised Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Program tempered the decline in infrastructure spending.

The DBM said the implementation of various capital outlay projects should pick up in the second quarter following allotment releases earlier this year, particularly in March.

These allotments will allow line agencies to conduct bidding activities and obligate funds.

“Infrastructure departments are, likewise, expected to take advantage of the summer season to expedite construction activities. This will hopefully build up spending momentum and help the recovery of infrastructure spending towards the second half of the year,” the agency said.

By Alena Mae S. Flores

SN Aboitiz Power-Magat Inc. plans to develop a 97-megawatt pumped storage hydropower project in Isabela and Ifugao provinces at an estimated cost of P13.5 billion, the company said in a report to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

The proposed facility will have a development timeline of up to 4 years.

SNAP-Magat will develop the project independently, and it will not add to the existing 388-megawatt capacity of the Magat hydropower plant.

The operating hydroelectric power plant occupies about 3.6 hectares.

SNAP-Magat will build the proposed facility within the plant’s existing footprint, and it will not require additional area outside its current coverage.

SNAP acquired the Magat Hydropower Station from the National Power Corp. through a public auction in April 2007, and it now owns and operates the project.

“The existing Magat River Project has been designed as a multipurpose project, providing irrigation and using the water for the generation of peaking power. SNAP is considering the technical and economic viability of extending the power generation capacity of the current power station by installing a pumped storage

hydropower facility,” SNAPMagat said through Jacobs Projects (Philippines) Inc., the preparer of its environmental performance report and management plan.

SNAP-Magat said the Department of Energy recognizes pumped storage hydropower as a strategic form of large-scale energy storage that allows excess renewable energy to be stored and dispatched during peak demand periods.

The company said pumpedstorage facilities support frequency regulation, reserve requirements and peak load management, making them indispensable for ensuring system stability as intermittent renewable capacity increases.

The Magat plant is one of the largest and most strategically located hydropower facilities in Luzon, with a dependable capacity of 388 megawatts.

Mondelez PH keeps prices steady despite rising costs, uncertainties

MONDELEZ Philippines does not expect to raise its product prices this year despite higher logistics costs and global uncertainties linked to tensions in the Middle East, a company executive said.

Mondelez Philippines corporate and government affairs lead Caitlin Punzalan Poblador said the company is working to keep its products affordable and accessible to Filipino consumers amid rising fuel prices and the lingering effects of food inflation.

“Thankfully, barring any huge logistical challenges or untoward events related to the Middle East, we don’t expect any price increases for our products for the year,” Poblador said.

By Jenniffer B. Austria

She said, however, that significant increases in logistics costs may eventually need to be factored into product pricing.

“But as a company, we always want to make sure that our products continue to be affordable and accessible to consumers. So as much as possible, we don’t want to pass on costs to consumers,” she said.

Poblador also assured consumers that the company has no plans to reduce product sizes as part of cost management efforts. Instead of downsizing products, Mondelez Philippines continues to introduce new offerings and product improvements.

“We continue to explore various options including having the

operate the plant’s assets in place in Batangas, an alternative option that would involve relocating the

to a buyer’s preferred location,” he said. The shutdown has already reduced losses from the petrochemical business. The company expects losses this year to fall substantially below P2 billion annually, following a P114.3billion impairment charge that JG Summit booked in 2025 related to the discontinuation of its petrochemical operations.

Beyond the divestment, geopolitical tensions are impacting the group through higher input costs and foreign exchange rate volatility.

Gokongwei warned that sustained crude oil prices of $100 per barrel and jet fuel prices of $200 per barrel could reduce equitized core net income by up to P6 billion per quarter.

PH banks’ bad loan ratio eases to 3.29%—BSP

By Thony Rose Lesaca

THE Philippine banking industry’s bad loan ratio eased to 3.29 percent in March 2026 as borrowers turned more cautious amid economic uncertainties arising from the Middle East conflict, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) data showed.

The gross non-performing loan (NPL) ratio was lower than the 3.30 percent recorded a year earlier and the 3.33 percent posted in February, according to the BSP.

The banking system’s total loan portfolio grew to P17.26 trillion in March from P16.60 trillion in February and P15.63 trillion in March 2025.

The robust loan growth helped dilute the ratio but actual bad loans climbed to P568.55 billion in March from P516.12 billion a year earlier and P553.68 billion in the previous month. Past due loans also increased to P736.18 billion from P646.37

Rizal Commercial Banking Corp.

chief economist Michael Ricafort

billion in March 2025.

Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. chief economist Michael Ricafort said cautious lending amid the impact of ongoing tensions in the Middle East caused the decline in the NPL ratio.

These tensions include higher inflation, increased interest rates, central bank rate hikes, slower demand and slower overall economic growth.

“NPLs could go up amid [the] reduced ability of some borrowers such as households [and] businesses to pay their debt,” Ricafort said. Union Bank of the Philippines chief economist Ruben Carlo Asuncion attributed the decline to a combination of robust loan growth and still-resilient borrower repayment capacity.

“That said, the improvement in asset quality may be partly temporary, as external headwinds, particularly the impact of elevated energy prices and inflation linked to the Middle East conflict, could gradually weigh on borrowers’ repayment capacity,” Asuncion said.

YOUNGER CUSTOMERS.

East West Banking Corp. (EastWest) renews its partnership with actor and digital personality Donny Pangilinan (right), extending his role as brand ambassador for another year. Pangilinan steps into the center of EastWest’s push to reach younger Filipinos. With Pangilinan is EastWest chief marketing and cash management officer Martin Reyes.

Meralco launches new facility to manage smart networks

By Alena Mae S. Flores

MANILA Electric Co. (Meralco) said over the weekend it launched a new grid management facility to handle the surge of smart meters, rooftop solar installations and electric vehicle charging stations across its franchise area.

The Grid-Edge Operations and Control Center (GEOCC) introduces a new operational layer to future-proof the power grid against a rapidly changing energy landscape, the company said.

The GEOCC does not replace Meralco’s existing System Control Center (SCC) but instead bridges a visibility and control gap at the low-voltage network level.

“The GEOCC brings together people, systems, data and analytics into a single, integrated operational environment,”

Meralco senior vice-president and head of networks Froilan Savet said.

While the SCC manages 150 substations operating across high- and medium-voltage networks from 13.8 kilovolts to 230 kilovolts, it was never designed to handle hundreds of thousands of low-voltage endpoints.

Meralco operates about 200,000 smart meters, 20,000 net-metering customers and around 800 megawatts of distributed energy resources.

“And this landscape continues to grow, including EV charging and battery systems. This represents a major scale shift,” Savet said.

“From thousands of centrally controlled assets to hundreds of thousands of fastacting, customer-side assets. And this is where the visibility and control gap be-

Regulatory delays fuel power crisis

IN BRIEF

SWEEPING reforms are urgently needed to strengthen the Philippine power system and address widening gaps between electricity demand and supply, according to a senior researcher.

Philippine Institute for Development Studies

Senior fesearch fellow Adoracion Navarro said many of the country’s energy challenges are structural and persist even without external shocks such as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

Underinvestment remains a core issue, she said, contributing to energy insecurity and system unreliability, especially during peak demand periods.

Navarro urged stronger reforms to improve regulation, coordination and accountability and to ensure the timely completion of infrastructure projects.

She also called for reforms in rate-setting, permitting and right-of-way processes to reduce delays and support renewable energy integration.

Othel V. Campos

DOE pushes faster RE plants completion

THE Department of Energy is fast-tracking renewable energy developments, citing projects like the 221-megawatt Olongapo solar power plant as a primary defense against global fuel shocks.

Energy Secretary Sharon Garin visited the Olongapo solar power project last week. The facility is among 22 renewable energy projects the department is expediting under a directive from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to accelerate the country’s energy transition.

“Fuel markets remain volatile, shaped by geopolitics, including conflicts far from our

comes impossible to ignore,” he said.

The new center focuses on five core capabilities to manage low-voltage networks and customer-side operations. It converts smart meter data into operational intelligence for load profiling and quicker outage detection, and coordinates the safe operation of rooftop solar, smart inverters and microgrids.

The facility also manages electric vehicle charging to turn it into a grid resource rather than a risk, coordinates distributed batteries for load balancing and shifts operations from reactive to predictive.

“With GEOCC, we are not just adding technology. We are fundamentally improving how we operate the grid,” Savet said.

“It represents the next step in grid modernization: intelligent, distributed and resilient operations,” he said.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

DOT boosts ties with agencies to develop more sites

By Othel V. Campos

THE Department of Tourism said it is strengthening ties with government agencies, private sector groups, and international partners to boost visitor experiences, promote sustainable travel and develop key destinations nationwide.

Tourism Secretary Dita AngaraMathay said recent meetings with local officials and tourism stakeholders aim to make destinations like Bohol and Subic more competitive.

The agency plans to achieve this through improved connectivity, curated itineraries, and seamless travel services. The department is exploring cooperation on product development and destination branding with Bohol Governor Aris Aumentado and Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority tourism committee chairman Raul Marcelo.

shores. Countries that depend heavily on imported energy absorb those shocks first and most sharply,” Garin said.

“We are building our way out of that exposure by generating more from our own land, our own sun and our own people,” she said.

The Olongapo facility, owned by Aboitiz Power Corp. clean energy arm Aboitiz Renewables Inc., achieved energization in December 2025. The project highlights the plant’s role in harnessing indigenous clean sources amid tight energy supplies and signals government backing for private-sector clean energy expansion. Alena Mae S. Flores

PLDT Home rolls out

Amdocs AI platform

PLDT Home is rolling out an AI-powered customer support platform across its sales and service centers nationwide as part of its longterm growth and digital transformation strategy.

The initiative, developed in partnership with global software and technology company Amdocs, enables real-time ticket diagnostics and resolution. The system aims to reduce customer wait times while improving the productivity and efficiency of frontline teams by reducing dependence on traditional multi-layered backend support processes.

Once all features are enabled across PLDT stores nationwide, the new platform is expected to save about 5,000 hours of customer waiting time per month.

“Customer experience remains at the center of our transformation efforts,” PLDT consumer business senior vice president and head John Palanca said.

“By equipping our sales and service centers with AI-driven capabilities, we are building a more agile and efficient operation that empowers our teams to serve customers better while supporting the company’s long-term growth,” he said. Darwin G. Amojelar

The initiative encourages localities to establish unique identities for adventure, cultural, family, and slow travel markets.

To expand its reach, the agency is working with the Commission on Filipinos Overseas to connect overseas Filipinos with cultural programs.

It is also teaming up with the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict to support communitybased tourism, promoting peace and livelihoods in former conflict areas.

The DOT met with the Department of Trade and Industry to align procurement, budgeting, and strategic planning reforms.

Tourism officials also held discussions with private sector leaders, including the Tourism Congress of the Philippines, the Pacific Asia Travel Association Philippines Chapter, and the Philippine IATA Agents Travel Association, to shape policy and strengthen global competitiveness.

On sustainability, the department supports the Slow Food movement in Negros Occidental. The agency is preparing a bid to host the Slow Food International Expo in partnership with Slow Food International, eyeing Negros Occidental as the host destination to showcase Filipino gastronomy and farm-to-table systems.

The Philippines is also expanding tourism cooperation with Canada. Recent meetings with Canadian Ambassador David Hartman and Small Business Minister Rechie Valdez focused on boosting travel flows, cultural exchange, trade, agriculture, and innovation.

AS infrastructure projects reshape

Metro Cebu and tourism activity continues to rebound, Ayala Land Inc. (ALI) is deepening its presence in one of the country’s fastest-growing regional economies through three largescale mixed-use estates designed to capture different segments of Cebu’s evolving urban landscape.

Building on the success of Cebu Business Park and Cebu I.T. Park, the property giant is accelerating development across Seagrove in Lapu-Lapu City, Gatewalk Central in Mandaue City, and South Coast City along Cebu City’s South Road Properties corridor.

The projects signal ALI’s broader strategy of expanding beyond traditional central business districts and creating new growth centers tied to tourism, entertainment, retail, and lifestyle-driven developments.

“We are expanding our footprint strategically across Cebu City, Mandaue, and Lapu-Lapu. This is our next wave of growth centers,” said Jay Teodoro, head of VisMin Estates for Ayala Land Estates, during a recent sales summit with brokers and sellers.

The three estates span more than 50 hectares combined and are positioned to benefit from Cebu’s rising importance as a regional investment destination, supported by increasing business process outsourcing activity, improving infrastructure connectivity,

DMCI Homes builds hospitality arm to support leisure expansion

DMCI Homes is accelerating its expansion into the tourism and hospitality sector with the creation of a dedicated subsidiary that will manage and operate the company’s growing portfolio of leisure developments, signaling a strategic expansion beyond its long-established residential business.

The Quadruple A developer recently launched DMCI Hospitality and Leisure, Inc. (DHLI), which will operate under the DMCI Resorts brand starting with the company’s upcoming Solmera Beach Park Resort in San Juan, Batangas, scheduled to open early next year.

The move marks a significant shift for DMCI Homes, widely known for pioneering resort-inspired condominium communities in Metro Manila and other urban centers. For years, the company differentiated itself through projects that emphasized open spaces, landscaped amenities, and vacation-like environments within residential developments. Now, the company is extending that philosophy into full-scale hospitality and leisure destinations.

“Our immediate priority is to put the right operating systems and people in place,” DMCI Homes president Alfredo Austria said. “We want to ensure consistent service delivery, efficient property management, and reliable guest experiences across all

Ayala Land betting big on Cebu’s growth wave

and sustained tourism demand.

Three estates

Among the three developments, Seagrove stands out as ALI’s first leisure estate in Cebu, located within Mactan Island’s tourism corridor near resorts and the Mactan-Cebu International Airport. The 13.5-hectare development is envisioned as a coastal eco-leisure destination anchored by a boardwalk, town center, and sustainability-oriented features that integrate mangrove preservation into the estate’s master plan. ALI is positioning the project to capitalize on Cebu’s growing tourism sector while responding to increasing demand for experiential and natureoriented destinations outside Metro Manila.

Meanwhile, Gatewalk in Mandaue City is being developed as a pedestrian-oriented commercial and lifestyle district that blends office, retail, and transport components within a walkable urban environment.

The 17.5-hectare estate will feature an Ayala Malls scheduled to open by the fourth quarter of 2026, an office tower targeted for completion in 2027, greenways, and a transport terminal designed to improve mobility within the area.

The project reflects the continuing transformation of Mandaue into a more integrated urban center as mixed-use developments increasingly reshape the city’s commercial landscape.

South Coast City, a joint venture between ALI and SM Prime Holdings,

our leisure developments.”

The launch of DMCI Resorts comes as developers increasingly explore opportunities tied to domestic tourism, experiential travel, and the meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) market.

For DMCI Homes, the transition into hospitality also reflects confidence that its experience in building resort-oriented communities can translate into standalone leisure destinations.

Its flagship project under the new hospitality arm is Solmera Beach Park Resort, part of the broader 7.5-hectare Solmera Coast beachfront estate in San Juan, Batangas. Located along one of Batangas’ emerging tourism corridors, the integrated resort is designed to cater to both vacation travelers and organized events. Planned amenities include swimming pools, landscaped open spaces, dining facilities, recreational attractions, and a convention center targeting the growing MICE segment.

The company described the project as a beach park resort concept that combines leisure facilities with event-oriented spaces, positioning it to capture both tourism and

corporate demand.

Austria said DMCI Homes is also investing heavily in building a professional hospitality organization to support its long-term expansion plans.

According to the company, experienced hotel professionals are being tapped to oversee operations, with management aiming to establish service standards and operational systems early as it grows its leisure portfolio.

“Many of the key candidates we’ve engaged are already familiar with DMCI Homes and they believe in the strength and credibility of our brand,” Austria said.

Beyond Batangas, DMCI Homes is also expanding its leisure footprint into other destinations.

Among the projects in the pipeline is Moncello Crest, an eco-agri resort condotel in Tuba, Benguet near Baguio City, as well as another nature park development planned in Calamba, Laguna.

The expansion highlights how property developers are increasingly diversifying into tourism-linked assets as demand evolves beyond traditional residential and office projects.

Inc., represents the company’s largest push into Cebu’s emerging South Road Properties growth corridor.

The 26-hectare estate is envisioned as a new entertainment and commercial hub anchored by largescale attractions such as the SM Arena, SMX Convention Center, retail spaces, offices, hotels, and a central park expected to open within the year.

For ALI these estates firms are part of a broader strategy to support Cebu’s long-term growth.

“Each estate has a clear identity. Each powers a different economic engine,” Teodoro said.

The strategy mirrors the company’s long-running approach in Metro Manila and other regional centers:

create master-planned districts that combine commercial, residential, retail, and lifestyle components while benefiting from long-term land value appreciation.

In Cebu, however, the approach is being adapted to match the province’s increasingly diverse growth drivers— from tourism and leisure in Mactan, to lifestyle and commerce in Mandaue, to entertainment and large-scale urban expansion in the SRP corridor. As new infrastructure projects continue to improve connectivity across Metro Cebu, ALI is positioning these estates not only as real estate developments, but as future urban anchors for the region’s next phase of economic growth.

Jenniffer B. Austria

SM Seaside Cebu Arena on track for June 2026 opening

SM PRIME Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime) is set to open its second arena, the SM Seaside Cebu Arena, in June 2026. The large-scale venue is designed to meet global standards for live entertainment, sports and major events.

“The enduring success of SM MOA Arena shows the strong demand for world-class entertainment venues, so we are bringing the same proven model to Cebu,” said Jeffrey C. Lim, President of SM Prime. “We believe Cebu is a key growth center, and this arena will help attract major events, support tourism and create more economic activity for the region.”

capabilities for both organizers and audiences.

Dedicated premium suites are integrated into the design to cater to corporate partners and elevate the overall hospitality offering.

SM Seaside Cebu Arena was also designed to support both front-of-house and back-ofhouse requirements for major productions. A practice court is available for performers, while multi-functional event spaces can be used as holding areas, breakout rooms or venues for smaller private events.

With seven storeys and a capacity of up to 25,000 people, SM Seaside Cebu Arena will be one of the largest indoor arenas in the Philippines. Its flexible event bowl allows seamless configuration for both largescale concerts and more intimate events, giving promoters greater versatility in staging productions.

The SM Seaside Cebu Arena will feature one of the most advanced center-hung displays in the country, supported by immersive LED ribbon boards that deliver a 360-degree viewing experience. These are complemented by high-capacity digital infrastructure, including 5G connectivity, enabling real-time engagement and enhanced production

Located within the SM Seaside Complex, the arena benefits from direct access to retail, hospitality and transport infrastructure, creating a seamless ecosystem for visitors and event organizers. Its proximity to the Mactan-Cebu International Airport and surrounding lifestyle developments strengthens its appeal as a regional destination for international acts and large gatherings.

SM Seaside Cebu Arena has been securing advance bookings since late last year, with BINI on July 11, IV of Spades on July 18, TJ Monterde and KZ Tandingan on September 5 and LANY on November 6 and 12 already confirmed for this year.

MONDAY, MAY 18, 2026

lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com

NICKIE

WANG, Editor

ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer

JASPER VALDEZ, Writer

Just getting started

Very Wang

Nickie Wang

Wilbert Ross caps decade in showbiz with sold-out concert

WILBERT Ross has been in show business for 10 years, and his career has been shaped by being patient and trusting timing. He believes success does not happen quickly. Instead, it comes to people who are willing to wait, keep preparing, and continue working hard even when they are not yet in the spotlight or fully recognized.

Cliché or not, this has become the 28-yearold singer and actor’s guiding belief.

“All of us have dreams,” he told Manila Standard Entertainment in a recent press conference. “But I admit, I still feel overwhelmed by all the blessings coming in. I’m just really very thankful.”

Wilbert believes that gratitude is inseparable from effort. The journey, he stressed, has never been passive.

“Maybe it’s 50-50. Because of course, you won’t reach your dreams if you don’t work and prepare for them,” he said. “I spent years, but I just kept going continuously. I prepared myself by doing my best in everything so that if the break comes, you’re ready.”

He also pointed to what he calls timing, something he frames as faith and fate intertwined.

“And maybe it’s also timing. Truly in God’s time. You won’t achieve what you dream of if it’s not really meant for you. Everything comes from Him.”

Behind the scenes, he credits consistent support from collaborators, including actress Bea Binene

“I also really want to thank Bea for all her support,” he said. “That she’s always willing to listen to my songs and ideas. It’s nice because those come from my heart, and she gives them her time and attention.”

Despite a string of projects and growing recognition, Wilbert insists he is still in the early chapters of his career.

“More songs, more music, more movies,” he said. “I still have so many things I want to do, honestly. I feel like

I’m just starting out, so I hope it just keeps going.”

That mindset now meets a career that has steadily expanded over the past decade. He first entered the industry in 2016 through talent competitions Tawag Ng Tanghalan and Pinoy Boyband Superstar, before later joining the boy group Hashtags on It’s Showtime. His work later stretched into television, digital series, and films including Hello, Love, Goodbye , Nokturno, Ang Lalaki sa Likod ng Profile , and Pagpag 24/7

A major shift came after he signed with Viva Artists Agency in 2020. He landed the role of Arkin Sanchez in Viva One’s University Series, which increased his visibility and opened more leading opportunities.

He later starred opposite Bea Binene in Golden Scenery of Tomorrow, forming the “WilBea” pairing that gained popularity among fans for its onscreen chemistry and live appearances. Now, the momentum is set to reach the stage.

Wilbert is headlining WRten by, a twonight concert scheduled for July 25 and 26 at the New Frontier Theater. Tickets sold out within an hour of release, underscoring his rising popularity and a fanbase that has followed him across music and acting.

The show will feature performances from his 2025 debut album Aking Musika , along with recent singles including “Ginintuang Tanawin,” “Avianna,” “Ikaw Ang Aking Musika,” and “Paggis

ing Kong Muli.”

The film honors the victims and highlights the case of the unrecognized 58th victim

‘58th’ heads to New Zealand’s Doc Edge fest

GMA Public Affairs and GMA Pictures’ animated documentary 58th has been selected for the 2026 Doc Edge Festival in New Zealand, continuing its international festival run after earlier screenings at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival and the International Film Festival Rotterdam.

Doc Edge, an Academy Awardsqualifying documentary festival, is regarded as New Zealand’s leading platform for nonfiction storytelling. It showcases films from around the world that highlight strong narrative craft, diverse perspectives, and socially relevant themes.

The selection marks another milestone for 58th, which earlier appeared at Annecy, widely regarded as the world’s top animation festival, and Rotterdam, known for supporting experimental and independent cinema.

the Maguindanao Massacre, considered the deadliest attack on journalists in history. The film honors victims of the tragedy while also drawing attention to the case of “58th” heads to New Zealand’s Doc Edge, who remains unrecognized as the 58th victim.

Blending animation with archival material, the film examines issues of press freedom, electoral violence, accountability, and impunity. Since its premiere, it has drawn attention from international programmers for its visual style and political themes.

The film’s continued presence on the global festival circuit builds on its earlier selection in Annecy and Rotterdam, expanding its reach among documentary and animation audiences worldwide.

The Doc Edge Festival runs from June 24 to July 12 in New Zealand. 58th is scheduled to screen in Auck-

Harry Styles kicks off world tour in Amsterdam

FANS of Harry Styles braved rain and strong winds Saturday as the British pop star launched the first show of his new residency-style world tour at the Johan Cruyff Arena.

Concertgoers from across Europe began gathering early outside the venue, many dressed in colorful outfits and rain gear, as they waited for the opening night of the 32-year-old singer’s latest concert series.

Styles is set to perform 10 shows in Amsterdam, with the stadium temporarily repurposed from its usual role as the home of football club Ajax. The run is part of a broader Together, Together tour that will span seven cities and a total of 67 concerts from May to December.

The tour includes a 12-show run at London’s Wembley Arena in June and 30 performances at New York’s Madison Square Garden in August.

Fans expressed anticipation ahead of the show, with many saying they expected a different format from his previous tours.

In a recent interview, Styles said the residency format allows for more stable production and performance conditions.

“I think it makes the show better. You can build something that doesn’t have to travel every night,” he said,

adding that the setup helps him maintain personal balance while touring.

Fans said they were eager to see how the format would translate onstage. AFP

Directed by Carl Joseph Papa and led by

de Castro, 58th revisits

CANADIAN rapper Drake has dropped a new album, with two more surprise companion albums to boot— a whopping 43 tracks that stretch over nearly two and a half hours.

Drake—who has kept a relatively low profile since his diss battle with Kendrick Lamar ended with the American’s knockout blow “Not Like Us” and his lawsuit against his own label was dismissed—had announced the Friday release of “Iceman.”

But along with it came “Habibti” and “Maid of Honour.” Future 21 Savage, and Sexyy Red are among the artists invited to collaborate with the chart-top -

ping “Hotline Bling” rapper. And of course, Drake could not let the beef with Lamar go.

On “Make Them Remember,” he mocks Pulitzer Prize-winning Lamar’s modest height, a frequent source of ridicule during their battle. But Lamar—who performed the song to an audience of tens of millions at the Super Bowl halftime show in February 2025 — was not the only one who came in for scorn. Jay-Z, J. Cole, Pusha T, A$AP Rocky, and even NBA legend LeBron James are also in Drake’s crosshairs, according to several media reviews. AFP

More choices arrive on an all-day dining lineup

By Angelica Villanueva

THE Bristo Group’s American-Italian diner Italianni’s has refreshed its All Yours All Day offer for Season 4, adding new menu choices to its appetizer, entrée, and drink set while keeping the starting price at P385.

The updated offer retains the restaurant’s familiar set-meal format, allowing guests to build a complete meal through a choice of appetizer, main course, and drink. Diners may also add dessert or coffee for those looking to linger a little longer over the meal.

Set menus have become a staple in casual dining, but diners today often look for more than convenience. Choice has become part of the experience, especially for customers who

want meals that can shift between a quick lunch, an afternoon catch-up, or a heavier comfort-food craving.

The appetizer lineup gives guests a mix of lighter and more filling options. Side Caesar Salad and Carrot Soup offer a lighter start, while Pepperoni Pizzetta and Chicken Fingers and Chips with honey mustard bring heartier choices. For main courses, Italianni’s moves between Italian-American favorites and more familiar rice-based meals.

‘Geek’

“MASTER , mistress, welcome home!” a smiling staff member in a French maid costume greets customers as they step through a looking glass into a quirky Japanese world filled with cuteness and desserts.

Maid cafes in Japan began as a niche subculture linked to Japanese pop culture maid aesthetics and have grown over the past 20 years into a mainstream attraction for people of all ages and genders.

Staff say the experience is intended as family-friendly entertainment rather than something suggestive.

“I’ve been fighting against prejudice for 22 years,” Hitomi, a maid in Tokyo’s Akihabara district where the cafes originated, told AFP “Little remarks can be hurtful... In those moments, I tell myself that what we do isn’t yet suf-

The lineup includes Seafood Vegetables and Rice, Pork Adobo Rice, Chicken Parmigiana and Grilled Porkloin, giving diners different options depending on appetite and preference.

Drinks include House Blend Iced Tea, with the option to upgrade to Blushing Fizzy Tea for an additional charge. Dessert add-ons such as Affogato and Double Espresso are also available for diners wanting something sweet or coffee-based at the end of the meal.

The restaurant’s complimentary Fresh Tuscan and focaccia bread also remain part of the experience, continuing a table tradition many regular diners have long associated with Italianni’s.

The All Yours All Day Season 4 menu is available for dine-in customers at participating Italianni’s branches nationwide.

ficiently understood.”

Maids in themed outfits serve brightly colored drinks and novelty dishes while performing chants, songs, and games for customers.

“We serve food and drinks, but to me, it is more like a theme park than a cafe,” Hitomi said.

She said staff portray fictional characters rather than ordinary personas.

At-Home Cafe, which employs hundreds of maids across multiple locations, enforces rules such as no physical contact and limits on street promotion.

Visitors include tourists and families. Some said the experience differed from expectations of a male-dominated space, with women, couples, and children also present.

Otaku

The trend emerged in the early 2000s in Aki-

PH carriers rank among Asia-Pacific’s most punctual airlines in April report

CEBU Pacific and Philippine Airlines ranked among the most punctual carriers in the Asia-Pacific in April, according to an aviation analytics firm.

Cirium’s On-Time Performance Monthly Report placed Cebu Pacific fifth in the region with an 84.98 percent on-time arrival rate across more than 12,000 flights, while Philippine Airlines ranked eighth with 83.45 percent. Singapore Airlines topped the AsiaPacific rankings, followed by Garuda Indonesia, Scoot, and Malaysia Airlines. Scandinavian Airlines led globally with an 88.32 percent arrival rate, outperforming other major carriers.

Cirium measures on-time performance based on flights arriving at the gate within 15 minutes of scheduled arrival.

Cebu Pacific said the result shows operational coordination across its network.

“This recognition reflects the discipline and teamwork of our people across the network, who work tirelessly every day to keep our operations running efficiently,” Cebu Pacific chief operations officer Javier Massot said. “We remain focused on delivering operational excellence so our passengers can enjoy a smooth and reliable travel experience every time they fly with us.”

The airline has expanded its training and operations infrastructure, including a new training academy and an upgraded operations control center, as it grows its domestic and international network across Asia, Australia, and the Middle East.

habara, long known as a center of “otaku” culture, a term once used pejoratively to describe fans with strong interests in manga and anime.

“When I first became a maid, Akihabara was very much an ‘otaku’ district where a girl like me wasn’t exactly welcome,” Hitomi recalled. She said most early customers were men who rarely engaged in conversation.

The rise of pop group AKB48 and the TV drama Densha Otoko helped broaden Akihabara’s appeal, drawing a wider public and reshaping its image.

“A genuine ‘Akihabara boom’ then took place,” said Ryo Hirose of the NLI Research Institute, adding that ordinary visitors began flocking to the area and its subculture became a tourist attraction.

Maid cafes in Japan chains report changing

demographics, with women now making up a majority of some customer bases. Some staff have also built large followings on social media. Membership systems offer repeat visitors perks such as special menu items and photo opportunities with staff.

Hirose said some interactions can create imagined emotional connections for frequent customers, while other “concept cafés” have expanded into varied themed formats, including ninjas and butler-style venues. He also noted that some operate in a “grey zone,” with practices that can blur commercial boundaries. Customers are allowed casual conversation about hobbies, but personal questions are restricted, said Czech tourist Michal Ondra, who has visited extensively. Mathias Cena and Caroline Gardin, AFP

NOT too long ago, my Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA) team and I flew to Zamboanga City as part of our continuous effort to develop the capability to offer more investment opportunities to the more than 61,000 foreign retirees now happily settled all over our country.

Our target was to meet with the officers of the Zamboanga City Special Economic Zone. Also known as the ZamboEcoZone or by its corporate name, Zamboanga Freeport Authority, it is an economic hub designed to foster local activities that promote trade, investments, and ecotourism not only in Zamboanga City but also throughout the region. It is the only economic zone in Western Mindanao.

ZamboEcoZone’s amiable and hardworking Chairman and Administrator, Dr. Raul Regondola, was kind enough to take us around the facility’s total land area of 16,120 hectares for us to appreciate the massive potential this piece of land has in ensuring the progress of this part of the country. Its 50-hectare First Industrial Park is a mixed-use enclave fully equipped with essential utilities, offering world-class amenities, making it a prime destination for investors, tourists, and stakeholders.

There is also a 330-hectare Second Industrial Park, ideal for medium to heavy industries, and along the coast, they have a 3-kilometer shoreline perfect for shipbuilding and port operations. Both are in an investment-ready environment, with an existing road network, drainage system, and water and power infrastructure. Up in the hills is the Highlands, a 15,391-hec-

Moving toward progress inWestern Mindanao

tare logged-over forest area reserved for highvalue agricultural ventures focused on the production of major crops. It is also a prime location for ecotourism projects.

Things are looking very bright for Western Mindanao as the ZamboEcoZone team is now busy putting up its four priority projects. The West Corporate Center is the city’s designated IT Park and future Central Business District. It has prime BPO-compliant office spaces for companies that will certainly benefit from modern infrastructure, competitive fiscal incentives, and access to a highly skilled multilingual workforce that can easily be sourced from the area.

Our Department of Tourism will be happy to know that our country can now compete with our Asian neighbors for a bigger share of Muslim travelers because the ZamboEcoZone is putting up a 100-hectare Asian Halal Center. It is designed to become an important component of the US$2.8 trillion global halal market. The center will be a specialized ecosystem for halal food and non-food

processing and manufacturing, and it has the perfect location, as it is along the trade route of BIMPEAGA (Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area).

Another exciting priority project the ZamboEcoZone has embarked on is the Highlands, which presents a vast, strategically located agri cultural development area with an ideal climate for high-value crops, agroforestry, and agrotour ism. Agricultural companies will have easy ac cess to competitive fiscal incentives, streamlined processes, and a rich natural resource base.

As a tourism advocate, what excites me even more is the San Ramon Newport, a world-class deep-water port project strategically positioned to become a premier maritime gateway to West ern Mindanao. This means that large international cruise vessels can now bring thousands of tourists directly to Zamboanga City, which we all know as the City of Flowers and, because of its lan guage, as Asia’s Latin City, making it stand out among other cities in Asia.

With the Memorandum of Agreement that we will sign with our friends at ZamboEcoZone, we now have more investment opportunities to offer our foreign

By Nickie Wang

SM HOTELS and Conventions Corporation

(SMHCC) reinforces its standing in the regional hospitality industry, as multiple honors were received by two of its flagship properties, Taal Vista Hotel and Pico Sands Hotel, at the Haute Grandeur Global Awards 2026.

Taal Vista Hotel earned four awards: Best Historical Hotel in Asia, Best Classic Hotel in the Philippines, Best Destination Hotel in the Philippines, and Best Destination Wedding Hotel in the Philippines.

Meanwhile, Pico Sands Hotel, located within Pico de Loro Cove, received recognition as Best Scenic Environment Hotel in Asia, Best AllInclusive Family Resort in the Philippines, Best All-Inclusive Family Hotel in the Philippines, and Best Coastal Hotel in the Philippines.

The Haute Grandeur Global Awards recognize hotels based on guest feedback and overall performance in service, facilities, and guest satisfaction.

“These recognitions are a testament to the passion and dedication of our teams who continue to elevate the guest experience while staying true

to the identity of each property,” said Ramon Makilan, general manager of Taal Vista Hotel. Makilan said the awards were significant for the Tagaytay property as it continues to preserve its heritage while adapting to the demands of modern travelers.

Maxi Gavino, general manager of Pico Sands Hotel, said the recognition reflects the property’s growing appeal among families and leisure travelers.

“We are truly honored to be recognized on both the national and regional stage,” Gavino said. “These awards inspire us to further enhance our offerings and create even more meaningful and memorable stays for our guests.”

SMHCC executive vice president Peggy Angeles said the awards serve as recognition of the group’s commitment to delivering varied hospitality experiences across its portfolio.

SMHCC is the hospitality arm of SM Prime Holdings. Its portfolio includes 10 hotel properties and convention venues across the Philippines, including Conrad Manila, Radisson Blu Cebu, and several Park Inn by Radisson properties. For more information,