Manila Standard - 2026 May 27 - Wednesday

16 STILL MISSING AS SEARCH ENDS IN BUILDING MISHAP SENATE DRAMA

Minority walks out vs. online vote bid

Majority insists on remote participation

By Ram Superable and Joel Zurbano

THE Senate adjourned early on Tuesday after minority senators walked out of the plenary session to protest a majority bloc attempt to amend legislative rules for remote participation and electronic voting.

Their departure deprived the chamber of the quorum required to conduct official business, prompting Senate leaders to suspend proceedings and adjourn until 5 p.m. on Monday, June 1.

The disruption began when the majority bloc revived discussions on a proposal allowing senators to cast votes electronically and participate in sessions remotely for “justifiable reasons.”

Minority senators opposed the move, arguing that the way the proposal was introduced violated Senate

Sandigan

By Maricel V. Cruz

THE Sandiganbayan Seventh Division has issued a precautionary hold departure order (PHDO) against Sen. Rodante Marcoleta, former Quezon City lawmaker Mike Defensor, and two

By Rex Espiritu and Vito Barcelo

EMERGENCY officials ended a twoday rescue operation Monday evening for at least 16 people believed buried in the debris of the collapsed nine-storey condominium project in Angeles, Pampanga.

“At exactly 8:27 p.m. Monday, the Unified Command System (UCS) offi-

cially terminated the ongoing Search and Rescue Operations at the collapse site. The decision was reached following the final assessment conducted using a Life Locator by the team from the Pasig City Local Government Unit, which consistently

vs. Marcoleta, Defensor

other individuals over alleged plunder and indirect bribery complaints by the Office of the Ombudsman.

The Ombudsman’s Luzon Field Investigation Bureau earlier recommended the filing of plunder and indirect bribery charges against Marcoleta, De-

fensor, and businessmen Joseph Espiritu and Aristotle Viray. A PHDO is a directive issued by a court mandating the Bureau of Immigration to prevent any attempt by a person suspected of a crime to leave the

By Ma. Katrina Mikaela Manubay

IN TOKYO.

Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. and First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos are welcomed yesterday at the Haneda Airport in Tokyo, Japan for a four-day State Visit aimed at strengthening PhilippinesJapan relations and expanding cooperation in key areas of mutual interest. PCO

poll

By Charles Dantes

PRESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Tuesday dismissed allegations by his sister, Sen. Imee Marcos, that he and other government officials were plotting to cancel the 2028 elections and extend political terms through constitutional amendments. Before departing for a state visit to

porters asked about his sister’s claims of a “no-election” scenario in 2028. The president’s remarks came a day after Imee Marcos used a privilege speech at the Senate to present what she described as a video exposé alleging that administration officials and members of Congress were conspiring to revise the 1987 Constitution to extend terms of office and alter qualifications for the presidency.

US attacks imperil Middle East truce

US FORCES launched overnight strikes on missile sites in southern Iran and boats they said were trying to lay mines in Gulf waters, sending oil prices higher Tuesday and fuelling tension as diplomats sought a deal to end the war.

The international benchmark Brent crude jumped almost three percent after the US Central Command announced the new wave of bombings. China urged both sides to respect their truce and resolve their dispute peacefully. Iran did not immediately confirm the reported strikes, but state media reported blasts in the southern port city of Bandar Abbas. The Revolutionary Guards Corps said its forces had downed a US drone entering its airspace and fired at an F-35 fighter jet.

In a statement marking the start of the Eid al-Adha holiday, Tehran’s supreme

Philippines.

The recommendation stemmed from Sen. Marcoleta’s alleged failure to disclose P75 million in campaign donations from his co-respondents in his Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN).

According to an ABS-CBN report, Maria Melinda Mananghaya-Henson, director of the Field Investigation Bureau-Luzon of the Office of the Ombudsman, told the court that Marcoleta posed a flight risk due to his influence as a senator and his financial capacity to leave the country to evade prosecution and investigation.

She said the other respondents were also considered flight risks because they allegedly acted as co-conspirators in distributing the cash donations and possess the influence and financial capacity to travel abroad during the ongoing investigation.

leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei declared that Washington was losing its influence in the Middle East and warned Middle East countries to ensure they no longer host bases from which the US could launch attacks.

The United States, he said in a written statement, “in addition to no longer having any safe haven in the region for aggression and the establishment of military bases, is moving further and further away from its former position with each passing day.”

Tim Hawkins, a spokesman for US Central Command, said: “US forces

conducted self-defense strikes in southern Iran today to protect our troops from threats posed by Iranian forces.”

‘We’ll see’

He gave few details of the attacks, saying only that the targets included missile launch sites and boats trying to “emplace mines.”

Despite the strikes, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Tuesday that a deal remained within reach.

But he remained firm on the fate of the Strait of Hormuz, the key oil and gas shipping route out of the Gulf, which Iran is seeking to control by charging fees to approve the passage of vessels.

“There were some talks going on in Qatar today, so we’ll see if we can make progress. I think it’s a lot of talking back and forth going on about specific language in the initial document,

so flood control scandal.

rules and procedures.

“Mali yung rules, mali ang proseso. Wala pa ngang debate sa substance, hindi sila sumusunod sa proseso,” Sen. Risa Hontiveros said as she left the plenary hall.

Hontiveros had loudly debated majority Sen. Rodante Marcoleta long after the session was adjourned.

The debate became contentious after Marcoleta questioned the legal background of senators opposing the proposal. He had earlier introduced the resolution seeking to institutionalize video conferencing and digital voting in Senate proceedings.

The proposed amendment to Rule 14, Section 41 has also drawn attention because of its possible application to the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

Sen. Erwin Tulfo questioned the urgency of the proposed amendment and linked it to reports that two senators could face imprisonment over their alleged involvement in a multibillion-pe-

neutral +2 in the Visayas, 14 points from poor -17 in Metro Manila, and 11 points from poor -29 in Mindanao.

Among age groups, satisfaction fell by 23 points among 25-34-year-olds, from poor -17 to bad -40, and by 14 points among 45-54-year-olds, from neutral +9 to neutral -5.

It remained at poor -22 among 35-44-year-olds and barely changed among 18-24-year-olds, from poor -14 to poor -17, and among those aged 55 and older, from moderate +15 to moderate +14.

Satisfaction also declined across educational levels, with a 22-point drop from moderate +19 to neutral -3 among non-elementary graduates, 13 points from moderate +10 to neutral -3 among elementary graduates, 12 points from neutral -9 to poor -21 among junior high school graduates, five points from poor -14 to poor -19 among some senior high school graduates, and 23 points from poor -14 to bad -37 among college graduates.

The survey also revealed that Marcos’ satisfaction rating among adults who said their lives worsened fell by 10 points from poor -16, while it remained stable among those who said their lives improved at neutral +8 and unchanged at neutral +2 among those who said their lives were unchanged. Additionally, among those who expect their quality of life to improve in the next 12 months, or optimists, his rating fell from neutral +4, while among those expecting no change it also dropped from neutral +4. It remained poor -25 among pessimists.

The country is already transitioning toward the southwest monsoon season. A very strong El Niño is also developing. Meanwhile, drought has hit Metro Manila and 25 provinces, mostly in Luzon, since May 24, according to Pagasa.

The 25 affected areas include Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Abra, Apayao, Kalinga, Mountain

Four people were confirmed dead, 16 were still missing, and 26 were rescued in the incident, Angeles City PIO chief Jose Pelayo IV said.

There had been hope earlier on Monday when thermal sensors detected what rescue officials described as “signs of life” in one area of the wreckage. However, no survivors or further bodies were subsequently found, regional fire bureau spokeswoman Maria Leah Sajili said.

The fatalities include a Malaysian man, who was a guest in the hotel, and two construction workers, who were all

“Why is the majority in such a hurry to tackle this motion... allowing a senator... to attend and participate in the session through teleconference? Is it because they’re in a hurry because of news reports that probably two of our colleagues might land in jail this weekend? Is that the reason why?” Tulfo said.

Tulfo suggested that the amendment was intended to preserve the voting power of senators who might be unable to physically attend Senate sessions.

During interpellations, Tulfo cited Rule 14, Section 41-B of the Senate rules, which permits sessions through teleconference, video conference, or other electronic means only in cases of force majeure or national emergency.

“I guess, Madam President, this justifiable reason, what is that? Does that fall under force majeure or does it fall under national emergency, Madam President? My question is, why are we in such a hurry? Why are they, the majority, in a hurry to tackle this motion and divide the House, Madam President?” Tulfo said, addressing presiding officer Sen. Loren Legarda.

found trapped but alive on Sunday but eventually died before they could be pulled from the rubble.

The fourth confirmed fatality has not yet been identified.

Seventeen people had originally been listed as missing but rescue officials said one of them contacted officials on Monday to confirm he had not been in the area at the time, Sajili said.

She said that most of the remaining 16 were construction workers who were sleeping at the site at the time.

Officials said up to 70 people were employed at the construction site, although most had gone home for the weekend.

Alfredo Albis, 55, said he believed two of his cousins who worked with him at

so it’ll take a few days,” Rubio told reporters during a visit to India.

He said the strait was “going to be open one way or the other,” adding: “What’s happening there is unlawful, it’s illegal, it’s unsustainable for the world, it’s unacceptable.”

The strikes threatened a ceasefire that began on April 8 as the United States and Iran struggle to reach an accord to end a war that has rattled the global economy with a severe disruption of energy flows.

China, Washington’s great power rival and a major energy importer, expressed concern after the US strikes.

“We urge the parties concerned to fulfil their ceasefire commitments, resolve disputes through peaceful means... and promote the early restoration of peace,” foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told reporters. AFP

Senator Panfilo Lacson earlier opposed proposals allowing online participation in the impeachment proceedings and remote voting by Senator Ronald dela Rosa on Senate motions, including changes in leadership and committee chairmanships.

“Such a move won’t succeed. And it might delay us if we have to change the rules of the impeachment court,” Lacson said.

“Even the Senate rules do not allow such remote participation. Under the Senate rules, it is allowed only in the event of a force majeure or emergency like Covid. During Covid, we had to resort to remote participation because of the lockdown,” he added. Lacson noted that no decision had yet been made on Marcoleta’s motion to allow online participation in Senate plenary sessions and impeachment proceedings, which he said was expected to benefit dela Rosa, who has gone into hiding anew.

Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano had earlier referred the proposal to the Committee on Rules after it faced no objections during first reading.

the building site were among the missing.

“They were working here to earn for their families,” said Albis, who was asleep at a nearby barracks for workers when the structure collapsed.

The cause of the collapse is not yet known, but regulators had been monitoring the project.

Labor department inspectors shut the site down briefly in September 2024 over occupational safety standards violations, regional labor department official Geraldine Panlilio said on Monday.

“Our labor inspectors had monitored poor working conditions, a violation that would put our workers at risk,” Panlilio said in an interview with dzMM. She said workers “lacked safety gear” such as hard

Solons hit DOE over power cuts

LAWMAKERS lashed out at the Department of Energy ( DOE) during a joint hearing of the House Committees on Energy and Legislative Franchises over recurring red alerts and rotational brownouts arising from inadequate power supply in addition to transmission issues.

Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez said the facts presented during the inquiry showed that the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) fulfilled its responsibilities following the May 13 transmission disturbance.

“Clearly, NGCP performed its duty. They reported the incident, they fixed the lines, and they preserved the power supply that was available,” Rodriguez asserted.

He added that the damaged Ilijan-Tayabas and the Dasmariñas-Ilijan were repaired on the same day.

Rodriguez noted that generation deficiencies remained the bigger concern.

“Until now, Visayas is still under Yellow Alert because multiple power plants are not operating,” Rodriguez said in Filipino.

The lawmaker also questioned efforts to pin the prolonged red alerts solely on NGCP.

“What is the fault of NGCP? They were able to preserve the power supply that was available,” Rodriguez averred.

Murang Kuryente party-list Rep. Art Yap shared Rodriguez’s view that insufficient power generation was behind the rotational brownouts.

Addressing Department of Energy (DOE) officials, Yap challenged suggestions that compliance was the core of the problem.

“DOE, you’re trying to tell me that the entire explanation on rotating brownout was because the NGCP did not file its report on time?” Yap said.

“The real issue is supply and demand. If there is oversupply, why do we have rotating brownouts,” he inquired.

“Was it really the NGCP’s late report, or there was short supply that is why we have the brownouts?” Yap noted.

hats, boots, safety belts and lifelines, and worked under poor lighting and with no visible safety signage. Construction resumed a month after the shutdown when the contractor complied with safety requirements, Panlilio said.

Labor Acting Secretary Francis Tolentino yesterday ordered a one-month preventive suspension of Panlilio while investigation on the building collapse is ongoing. Tolentino appointed Assistant Regional Director Alejandro Inza Cruz to replace Panlilio.

“The Assistant Regional Director of Region 3 will take over while the investigation continues to properly investigate why the stoppage order was lifted,” he added. With AFP

The allegations added to the increasingly public political rift between the Marcos siblings, which has widened amid shifting alliances ahead of the 2028 presidential race.

said in a press briefing yesterday.

Estrada, for his part, insisted there are no budget insertions that would link him to alleged anomalous flood control projects.

“As far as I know, I have no budget insertions contrary to what (former Department of Public Works and Highways - Bulacan District Engineer)

Province, Ifugao, Benguet, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Bataan, Nueva Ecija, Laguna, Rizal, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Albay, Camarines Norte, Catanduanes, Masbate, Antique, and Guimaras.

Heavy rainfall is likely in the western section of the country due to the developing El Niño.

“Usually, the southwest monsoon starts between May 16 and the second week of June, but based on our current forecast, it may begin by the end of

Under the 1987 Philippine Constitution, presidents are limited to a single six-year term and are barred from seeking reelection. Any amendments to the Constitution would require approval through constitutionally mandated processes, including congressional action and ratification by voters.

Brice Hernandez told the House of Representatives. They have no record that I have budget insertions of that amount,” the senator said.

“If this is the price that I have to face for standing on my own principles on what I believe in, so be it,” Estrada added.

During last year’s flood control probe, Hernandez claimed Estrada sought the allocation of P300 million for projects in Bulacan’s first district in exchange for 30 percent in “kickbacks.”

May or during the first week of June,” weather specialist Joey Figuracion said. The onset of the southwest monsoon does not necessarily mean the start of the rainy season.

“It is possible that the southwest monsoon may arrive earlier based on our forecasts in the coming weeks. As early as late May, we may already experience the onset of the southwest monsoon, but the rainy season may only be felt by early June,” Figuracion said. Pagasa projects a 92% probability

Imee Marcos has recently aligned herself more closely with Vice President Sara Duterte, who earlier this year announced plans to run for president in 2028. The senator has also publicly criticized the administration on several issues, including the impeachment efforts against Duterte and alleged moves to block potential political rivals from the next presidential election.

Estrada has repeatedly denied the accusation.

Remulla said Villanueva will also face plunder raps over his alleged involvement in the flood control kickback scheme.

“At the soonest possible time, we will be able to file (the information) on Sen. Joel Villanueva. That case is ripe, but we want to ensure our evidence is airtight,” the Ombudsman said.

Several political figures have pushed back against Imee Marcos’ claims with minority senators denying allegations that discussions had occurred about convening a constitutional assembly to revise the charter.

The Philippines is scheduled to hold its next presidential election in May 2028.

Last year, former DPWH Bulacan 1st District engineer Henry Alcantara accused Villanueva of receiving P150 million as his share from a P600-million multi-purpose building project. Villanueva has denied the accusation. Meanwhile, Remulla said the Ombudsman is also preparing possible cases against former House Speaker Martin Romualdez. Romualdez earlier squarely denied the allegations against, adding that he will not be a scapegoat in the flood control controversy.

that El Niño will develop by June and persist until the first quarter of 2027. A drought is declared when there is more than a 60% reduction in average rainfall over three consecutive months. Batanes, Cagayan, Aurora, Bulacan, Pampanga, Tarlac, Zambales, Batangas, Cavite, Quezon, Marinduque, Palawan, Romblon, Aklan, Capiz, Iloilo, Negros Occidental, Biliran, Northern Samar, Southern Leyte, Tawi-Tawi, Davao City, and Sarangani were under a dry spell.

A dry spell occurs when there is a 21% to 60% reduction in rainfall within three months.

Bohol, Cebu, and Negros Oriental were under dry conditions due to below-normal rainfall over the past two months. The Marcos administration, meanwhile, is preparing measures to mitigate the potential effects of a severe El Niño phenomenon that could affect the country in the coming months, Executive Secretary Ralph Recto said Tuesday.

Agents nab 24 Chinese in Davao immigration bust

By Rex Espiritu

TWENTY-FOUR Chinese nationals

were arrested in a joint enforcement operation led by the Bureau of Immigration Region XI, with support from the 10th Infantry “Agila” Division of the Philippine Army, in Panabo City, Davao del Norte on May 25.

Authorities said the operation was launched following intelligence reports about foreign nationals allegedly engaged in unauthorized work and using questionable immigration documents in the area.

Meanwhile, the number of Chinese vessels monitored in several features of the West Philippine Sea increased to 36 over the past week, according to data released Tuesday by the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

The figure was higher than the 27 Chinese vessels monitored in the previous reporting period.

Initial investigation in Panabo showed that of the 27 Chinese nationals initially subjected to verification, 24 were found to have committed various immigration violations under Commonwealth Act No. 613, or the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940.

The alleged violations include misrepresentation, working without the necessary visa or permit, and overstaying while engaged in unauthorized employment.

Investigators also found that some of the foreign nationals were allegedly working for companies different from those that petitioned for their visas, while others holding tourist visas were reportedly employed without proper work permits and working visas.

The arrested individuals are being held at the compound of Tri-Shining International Oil Corp./Kunheting Corp. in Barangay New Little Panay, Panabo City, pending processing and documentation by immigration authorities.

PNP set to revoke Bato’s gun papers, other permits

By Vince Lopez

THE Philippine National Police Firearms and Explosives Office (PNPFEO) on Tuesday reported that it is about to release its board resolution recommending the revocation and cancellation of the firearms licenses of Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa.

In a press briefing at Camp Crame, PNP-FEO Servicing Legal Office

Lt. Col. Domer Tadeo said they are in the process of releasing the Firearms License Revocation and Restoration Board resolution as soon as the board’s seven members sign the document.

“Last week, as I said earlier, the gathering of evidence had already begun, and the process of our FEO License Revocation and Restoration Board has started,” Tadeo said.

“Earlier, our board held deliberations. As you know, our board is only a collegial recommendatory body in terms of its function,” he added.

The officer said that even before the NBI requested the revocation of dela Rosa’s license, they had already conducted a motu proprio investigation, where they found grounds to revoke the senator’s licenses and firearms registrations.

‘Ombudsman, NBI, AMLC to testify in impeachment’

By Maricel V. Cruz

THE Office of the Ombudsman, AntiMoney Laundering Council (AMLC), and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) will be among the witnesses to be presented during the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

This was according to Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon, the lead prosecutor for the article on unexplained wealth.

“The previous House proceedings’ resource persons are still covered. So, the Ombudsman, SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission), the NBI for other cases, and the AMLC will also be affected,” Ridon told the media.

The government agencies earlier testified before the House Committee on Justice regarding the impeachment complaint against the Vice President.

“We are still deciding whether to include the BIR (Bureau of In -

ternal Revenue) in the trial. It’s the call of the panel on who to include. Because if we can already prove the unexplained wealth, for example SALN (Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth) violations, based on the lists we already have, we can stop at that point,” Ridon said. The impeachment case includes allegations of misuse of public funds, unexplained wealth, and threats against President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and other officials, while Duterte has denied wrongdoing and criticized the proceedings as politically motivated.

Solons: Election day a non-working holiday

By Maricel V. Cruz

VOTING 233-0, with one abstention, the House of Representatives on Tuesday approved on third and final reading a bill declaring national election day a regular nonworking holiday.

House Bill 8392 is one of several measures passed by the House under the leadership of Speaker Faustino Dy III and Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander Marcos of Ilocos Norte. Marcos, one of the authors of the measure, said making national election day a regular non-working holiday would give voters ample time to exercise their right of suffrage.

“This proposed law would free them from work-related concerns and

allow them to focus on exercising their right to vote wisely,” he said. The bill declares that “every national election shall be a regular nonworking holiday to incentivize the electorate who exercise their democratic right of suffrage.”

It defines a “national election” to include plebiscites, referenda, people’s initiatives, recall elections, special elections, and other voting processes of a similar nature that are national in scope.

The bill would amend Executive Order 292, otherwise known as the Administrative Code of 1987, which enumerates “regular holidays and nationwide special days.” It adds to the

IN BRIEF

Migz apologizes to Inday Badiday’s family over jab

SENATOR Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri apologized to the family of late television host Maria Lourdes Jimenez-Carvajal, popularly known as “Inday Badiday,” after mentioning her while criticizing Senator Imee Marcos’ privilege speech and video presentation in the Senate.

During his manifestation seeking to strike out the presentation, Zubiri said: “Have we become Inday Badiday here in the Senate?” Carvajal was known as the “Queen of Intrigues” for her entertainment programs and celebrity interviews in the 1980s. Zubiri said he was sorry for mentioning the late TV host, calling it “a slip of the tongue” made during a heated debate. He added that IC Mendoza was right in saying his grandmother should not be dragged into politics.

The senator said he admired Carvajal and acknowledged her contribution to Philippine television and entertainment journalism. He clarified that his frustration was directed at the Senate video presentation and not at her legacy. Joel E. Zurbano

Fallen PAF pilots to rest at Libingan ng mga Bayani

THE two Philippine Air Force pilots who died in an aircraft crash in Benguet will be laid to rest at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City. PAF spokesperson Col. Ma. Christina Basco said 1st Lt. Ruth Angelique Pasos and 2nd Lt. Cherky Enlawan Embudo will receive final military honors in recognition of their service and sacrifice.

“Today, May 26, First Lieutenant Pasos and Second Lieutenant Embudo will be laid to rest at the Libingan ng mga Bayani,” Basco said during a press briefing. The two pilots were aboard an SF-260 trainer aircraft that crashed around 10:30 a.m. on May 20 during a navigation training flight in Benguet. They were later accorded arrival honors at Colonel Jesus Villamor Air Base. Rex Espiritu

UdM acts on complaint, vows respect for LGBTQIA+

THE Universidad de Manila (UdM) said it is addressing concerns over remarks made by one of its faculty members involving showbiz personality Awra Briguela, a member of the LGBTQIA+ community.

UdM President Felma CarlosTria said an investigation is underway in coordination with the university administration and the Gender and Development Office, following existing institutional policies and procedures.

The issue stemmed from a comment posted by a netizen on an ABS-CBN News article about Briguela that read, “Oh, a woman with a penis.” It was later discovered that the commenter was a professor from the university.

“As an academic institution, the University does not condone behavior or expressions that may be perceived as discriminatory, demeaning, or harmful to any individual,” Tria said. Itchie G. Cabayan

WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2026 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

DOJ-LBP accord intends to assist injustice victims

By Pot Chavez

THE Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) on Tuesday signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to ease claims of victims of injustice through digitalization.

“We hope that through this partnership, we can help ease the burden of claimants who have already gone through difficult experiences and ensure that the assistance provided by law reaches them in a manner that respects their dignity and welfare,” said Justice Secretary Vida.

Claimants and beneficiaries of the victims compensation program (VCP) will be provided with a Land Bank regular ATM savings account for the direct deposit of compensation claims. The setup will enable them to directly deposit compensation claims while ensuring the timely and efficient delivery of government support. Present during the signing ceremonies were Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida and Land Bank executive vice president for banking sector Marilou Villafranca.

“For Land Bank, it reaffirms our role as the government partner in financial inclusion, ensuring that public funds are rendered with integrity and efficiency while remaining grounded in the real impact on caring for individuals and families,” Villafranca said.

IN BRIEF

Manhunt launched on viral Cebu kidnap case

THE Philippine National Police (PNP) on Tuesday launched an intensive manhunt against the suspects in the abduction of a car dealer in Cebu City that was captured on video that went viral on the internet.

A closed-circuit television footage surfaced online showing the actual kidnapping in broad daylight near the Miranza Center in Banilad, Cebu City on May 11.

Police said the victim was fortunately found alive the following morning in Naga City, Cebu, but the impunity of the crime has prompted PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. to order the manhunt against the perpetrators.

“The PNP is treating this reported abduction case with utmost urgency and we are committed to determine the facts and identify those responsible,” Nartatez said. Vince Lopez

Garin pushes expansion of state feeding program

DEPUTY Speaker Janette LoretoGarin on Tuesday called for the expansion of the government’s feeding program for Filipino children.

Garin made the call during a meeting of the House Committee on Appropriations discussing the substitute bill for the proposed “Masustansyang Pagkain para sa Batang Pilipino Act,” of which she is one of the principal authors.

She underscored that investing in child nutrition is also an investment in the country’s human capital, stressing that no child should be forced to go to school on an empty stomach.

Under the proposed measure, the program seeks to allocate around P10 billion for daycare children under the Department of Social Welfare and Development, covering 200 feeding days for approximately 2 million beneficiaries. Maricel V. Cruz

Job fairs set to unfold next month in Bataan

THREE local government units in Bataan are set tol hold job fairs for local and overseas employment opportunities this June, according to Ariel Masamoc, Provincial Employment Services Office (PESO)-Capitol Senior Labor and Employment Officer.

Masamoc said the first job fair will be hosted by the Abucay local government unit through the initiative of Mayor Eric Martel and PESO Abucay on June 8 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Abucay Public Market. Another job fair will be held on June 12 at SM City Bataan through the initiative of Mayor Raquel Garcia and PESO Balanga. The activity will begin at 10 a.m. Meanwhile, the Municipality of Dinalupihan will conduct a job fair on June 18 at the Bulwagan ng Dinalupihan behind the town hall from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Butch Gunio

DFA warns passport applicants against illegal online operators

Agri sector backs measure restoring NFA’s lost powers

By Maricel V. Cruz

FARMERS’ and agricultural groups on Monday expressed support for a proposed measure seeking to restore the market intervention powers of the National Food Authority (NFA) in the rice industry.

Among the groups backing the proposal during a hearing conducted by the House Committee on Agriculture and Food chaired by Rep. Mark Enverga were the Federation of Free Farmers and the Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG).

The hearing tackled a substitute bill consolidating 26 related proposals under the proposed Rice Industry and Consumer Empowerment Act, including House Bill No. 1 principally authored by former Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.

“Given the persistent price instability, warehouse congestion, and weakened palay procurement, there is now a compelling need to restore to the NFA some, if not all, of its original regulatory and market intervention powers,” Romualdez said.

Raul Montemayor of the Federation of Free Farmers told the committee that rice prices were more stable before the enactment of the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL), when the NFA had the authority to freely sell rice stocks to influence market prices.

“Now, rice prices are moving erratically, up and down,” he said.

Montemayor said consumers, including rice farmers who also buy the staple they produce, are bearing the brunt of the unstable rice market.

“It is the middlemen — traders, importers, and wholesalers — who are benefitting from the RTL regime,” he added.

THE Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Monday reminded passport applicants to book appointments only through the official DFA Online Appointment System, warning the public against unauthorized online pages and individuals falsely offering passport slots.

In an advisory, the DFA cautioned the public not to interact with unauthorized individuals and entities that operate via social media and other online platforms, including the Facebook page “Philippine Passport Online Assistant,” when scheduling passport appointments.

“These individuals and entities are not affiliated with the DFA and falsely represent themselves as having access to passport appointment slots, thus misleading applicants that appointments may be secured outside the official appointment system,” the advisory read.

The DFA also served notice that such actions violate Republic Act No. 11983, or the New Philippine Passport Act, along with its implementing rules and regulations.

The agency encouraged the public to report any suspicious activity to the nearest Consular Office or through official email addresses listed in the Consular Office directory.

The official DFA booking system allows applicants to choose their preferred location, date, and time, and to complete all necessary passport application details online.

In April, the DFA announced that passport applications submitted from the last week of March might face delays due to logistical and supply chain issues caused by the Middle East crisis.

It also noted that due to the ongoing conflict, the processing time for new passports may take 10 to 15 working days from the application date, until further notice.

House leaders score Leachon on plunder raps against Recto

HOUSE leaders on Tuesday hit back at former COVID-19 task force adviser Dr. Tony Leachon over the plunder and malversation complaints he filed against Executive Secretary Ralph Recto and other officials, accusing him of politicizing a budget issue and misleading the public about how government reserve funds work.

The complaints involved the transfer of about P60 billion in unused Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) reserve funds and P107 billion from the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp. (PDIC) to the national treasury under a special provision of the 2024 General Appropriations Act.

Deputy Speaker Janette Garin of Iloilo said Leachon was attacking officials for carrying out a mechanism that was authorized by Congress itself.

“A little knowledge is dangerous

when used to pretend to be an expert in the budget process,” Garin said.

“Secretary Ralph Recto merely implemented what was clearly authorized under the General Appropriations Act. If Dr. Leachon truly believes this is illegal, why doesn’t he sue the entire Congress and the Senate that passed the law?” she added.

Garin also suggested that some forces may be encouraging Leachon to repeatedly attack Recto.

“I challenge Dr. Leachon to reveal who is really pushing him to keep throwing reckless accusations against the Executive Secretary,” she said.

Assistant Majority Leader Zia Alonto Adiong of Lanao del Sur said Leachon seemed to be more interested in creating controversy than discussing real accountability issues. Maricel V. Cruz

A broken classroom, a broken system

THE numbers are not just alarming—they are damning. What the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) has laid bare is not merely a struggling education sector in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), but a system in deep and prolonged distress. Behind the statistics is a generation at risk of being left behind, not by lack of potential, but by failures in governance, execution, and accountability.

Consider the scale. The Ministry of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education (MBHTE) holds the largest slice of the BARMM budget at P26.49 billion—an enormous public investment meant to uplift learning outcomes in one of the country’s most vulnerable regions. Yet the results tell a different story.

A functional illiteracy rate of 38.3 percent, which is higher than the already troubling national average, signals that many students are not acquiring even the most basic comprehension skills.

The performance of BARMM teachers in the licensure examination ranks near the bottom nationwide. Even more disturbing is the 90 percent college dropout rate, coupled with a participation rate of only 8.7 percent. These are not just education gaps; they are structural failures. And then comes the more troubling layer: how resources are being managed.

The BTA report points to massive delays in fund utilization and project execution.

Thousands of teaching positions remain unfilled. Legacy staffing issues dating back to the ARMM era remain unresolved. Volunteer teachers continue to receive meager compensation, a stark contrast to the expectations placed upon them.

Infrastructure, too, tells a story of neglect. More than half of school building projects remain incomplete. Hundreds of thousands of armchairs are lacking, alongside an even greater number of unreceived learners’ kits. In communities already struggling with poverty and limited access, these deficiencies compound disadvantage.

Perhaps most controversial is the pricing of school armchairs—over P5,000 each—raising valid questions about procurement integrity.

At the same time, billions in allocated funds remain idle, sitting in bank accounts instead of being translated into class-

rooms, books, or teacher support.

This contradiction of scarcity amid surplus is at the heart of the problem.

Equally concerning is the disconnect between financial and physical accomplishment reports, indicating weaknesses in internal monitoring and data reconciliation. In any functioning institution, such discrepancies would trigger immediate corrective action. Here, they have persisted.

Fixing this will require more than leadership changes

The recent removal of Minister Mohagher Iqbal may be seen as a step toward accountability. But focusing solely on one official risks missing the broader reality: the crisis in BARMM education is systemic.

It is a product of institutional inertia, weak controls, and a culture where compliance can be delayed without consequence.

Fixing this will require more than leadership changes.

It demands a comprehensive overhaul to streamline hiring processes to fill critical vacancies, stricter procurement oversight, faster project implementation, and a culture of transparency that goes beyond audit season.

Most importantly, it requires political will.

Education is not just another line item in the budget. It is the foundation of longterm peace and development in BARMM. Every delayed classroom, every unfilled teaching post, every unused peso carries a cost measured not just in numbers, but in lost opportunities.

The BTA report should not be treated as a routine document. It is a warning.

And unless urgent, systemic reforms are undertaken, the region risks normalizing failure—where poor outcomes are expected, and accountability is episodic at best.

BARMM’s children deserve better.

The question now is whether those in power are willing to confront not just the symptoms, but the system itself.

(Email: ernhil@yahoo.com)

Rebuilding our democracy

OUR country has gone through several political pivots. We have seen two peaceful revolutions. We have seen leaders rise and fall. We have seen moments when the nation gathered in the streets and believed that a new beginning had finally arrived.

Yet many years later, we still ask ourselves the same difficult question: why does the work of nation-building still feel unfinished?

Perhaps because many of our turning points changed the people in power, while leaving the structures of power largely the same. We changed names. We changed faces. We changed alliances. But much of the hard institutional work remained waiting for another time. That time has come.

Two weeks ago, events at the Senate shocked the nation. Violent acts inside its halls were almost unthinkable.

The Senate has always been one of the hallowed chambers of our democracy. It is where laws are debated, where national direction is shaped, and where public trust should be treated with dignity.

It was painful because the Senate represents something larger than the people who occupy it. It represents the dignity of lawmaking, the seriousness of public trust, and the promise that even in the fiercest political disagreements, reason must still prevail. When violence enters such a place, the damage goes beyond broken rules. It wounds the people’s faith in the institutions meant to serve them. Outrage has its place. Outrage wakes us up. Outrage tells us that something precious has been violated. Outrage gives words to our disappointment, our anger, and our grief. But outrage alone cannot rebuild a nation. A country needs more than anger. It needs architecture. It needs discipline. It needs the patient and difficult work of reform. It needs institutions, integrity, and inclusion. First, institutions.

The Senate clearly needs reform. And the reform must reach beyond the personalities involved. It must reach the structure itself.

Before the 1935 Constitution, we had a Senate elected by senatorial districts, which were broadly similar to the present administrative regions. Because of that system, every region had a voice in the upper chamber. Representation was rooted in geography, community, and regional identity.

Our task in this generation: to turn outrage into reform, disappointment into duty, and political crisis into a renewed commitment to rebuild our democracy

That older arrangement is worth revisiting.

Under a regional Senate, Eastern Visayas would have a direct voice. Bicol would have a direct voice. Northern Mindanao, Western Visayas, Central Luzon, Ilocos, and the other regions would each have a place in national deliberation.

The Senate would reflect the full breadth of the country, giving every region a real place in national decision-making, instead of allowing public office to be shaped mainly by wealth, popularity, political machinery, or inherited advantage.

This matters because structure shapes behavior. When the rules reward name recall, politics follows name recall. When the rules reward machinery, politics follows machin-

IGhost office

N AN interview on May 13, the day gunshots were fired in the Senate and hours before he disappeared anew, the fugitive senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa insisted that his office continued to function. This despite his six-month absence and refusal to discharge his duties as an elected lawmaker.

Dela Rosa even said that part of the reason he surfaced, aside from casting his vote to install Senator Alan Peter Cayetano as Senate President, was that he was beginning to feel ashamed for collecting his salary despite his absences. His monthly wages, automatically credited to his bank account, amount to P300,000. Another P15,500 goes to representation and transportation, and P2,000 to subsistence allowance. And, of course there are bonuses due all government employees – from the lowliest to the most powerful. But a senator does not comprise an entire office. A youth empowerment group, IMPACT Leadership, listed Dela Rosa’s relatives in his legislative staff

as contained in his sworn Disclosure of Relatives in Government last year. There were 10 of them, with monthly salaries ranging from P36,125 to P210,718. Like their boss, they also enjoy a midyear bonus and 13th month pay. Operating expenses for the physical office also run in the millions.

The perks are just too cushy

Dela Rosa and his confidential staff are costing us all some P4.3 million to P6 million a month.

By Melandrew T. Velasco

WHEN water security has become one of the defining challenges of the 21st century, the recent recognition of the Upper Wawa Dam as the “Water Project of the Year” at the 2026 Global Water Awards is not merely an engineering triumph—it is a proud Filipino story of foresight, collaboration, and nation-building.

The award places the Philippines on the global stage among countries investing in innovative and climate-resilient water infrastructure.

More importantly, it validates years of painstaking work, public-private cooperation, and visionary leadership aimed at securing the future water needs of Metro Manila and Rizal Province. The Upper Wawa Dam is more than a reservoir.

It represents strategic thinking at a time when Metro Manila’s dependence on a single primary water source—the Angat Dam system—has long posed a major vulnerability.

By augmenting raw water supply for the East Zone while simultaneously helping mitigate flooding in Rizal and Marikina through rainfall capture and storage, the project embodies what modern infrastructure should be: multi-dimensional, sustainable, and futureoriented.

Many may not know the roots of the Wawa Dam project stretch back many years and were nurtured through the vision of Mr. Oscar Violago who built the Casecnan Dam in Nueva Ecija during the administration of former President Fidel V. Ramos, one of the country’s most respected statesmen.

It was FVR who encouraged Mr. Violago to push for the Wawa Dam project upon the resilient representation of the latter’s son AJ Violago who religiously attended the FVR Saturday Golf sessions at Camp Aguinaldo during the early years of Duterte administration.

FVR fully understood that water security would eventually become a national security issue.

When Gen. Reynaldo V. Velasco was MWSS Administrator, FVR encouraged and instructed him to push for the approval of the Wawa Dam proposal being advanced by businessman Oscar Violago.

At the time, I had the privilege of serving as communications and special projects consultant and had several opportunities to meet Mr. Violago and AJ Violago at their palatial residence in Corinthians to discuss the Wawa Dam project in depth.

Those conversations revealed the enormous

ery. When the rules create space for regional representation, public service becomes closer to the real lives of people.

This brings us to the second point: integrity. We often speak about corruption and political dynasties. These words have become slogans in campaigns, speeches, rallies, and social media posts. They move people because they speak to a real wound in our public life.

But solutions require more than slogans. Integrity must be built into systems. Campaign finance must become more transparent. Political parties must become stronger and more program-based. Legislative rules must protect the dignity of deliberation. Accountability mechanisms must move with credibility and seriousness. Public office must have clearer safeguards against abuse.

We need good leaders, yes. But a nation cannot rely only on the personal goodness of whoever happens to be in power. Good

We imagine it could be difficult for Dela Rosa’s relatives to let go of the cushy perks of their job, just as it could be difficult for them to convince their fugitive kin to turn himself in and let justice take its course. But they must remember they are in their offices because their principal is a senator presumed to be working. They, in turn, are earning their salaries – funded by hardworking Filipinos who want their taxes put into good use -- because they are presumed to be supporting the senator’s efforts as he works. But if the senator refuses to do the job, what is left for his employees to do? It is so basic that we are convinced only greed prevents them from giving it up.

Dela Rosa himself will face his own reckoning soon even if he hides away the last few days of his liberty. He has damaged the institution and insulted the people enough. His relatives, however, have one last opportunity to show that something decent, or at least less indecent, could come out of the senator’s office. They must quit and stop taking the people’s money at the earliest possible time.

Water, vision, and the power of partnership

ambition behind the proposal and the immense challenges involved in making it financially and politically viable.

For many years, the Wawa Dam proposal envisioned a massive 1,000 million liters per day output. But with Engr. Rolando Mangulabnan, we helped convince Mr. Violago to scale down the project to 500 MLD. The rationale was straightforward but strategic: lowering the project scale would significantly reduce construction costs and help moderate future water tariffs or rates for consumers.

The story behind Wawa is replete with meaning

That decision proved critical. It demonstrated that successful infrastructure planning is not simply about grandeur, but about balance—balancing engineering ambition with economic realities and public affordability.

As the project evolved, another major player entered the picture: Enriquez K. Razon, through Prime Infrastructure Holdings.

The partnership between the Violago group and Prime Infra eventually gave the project the institutional and financial muscle needed to move forward. The roster of personalities who quietly shaped the project reads like a who’s who of Philippine infrastructure and water development.

On one side were LWUA Administrator Lorenzo Jamora, Nestor Borromeo, and Oscar Violago.

On the side of EKR who eventually acquired Manila Water via his Trident Water Holdings from the Ayalas were Prime Infra President and CEO Guillaume Lucci, Roberto Locsin now Manila Water President, Manila Water Foundation President Donato “Natoy” Almeda, and Manila Water COO Melvin John Mondejar Tan—individuals who each played important roles in steering discussions, aligning stakeholders, and moving the vision closer to fruition.

I remember many of the exchanges with them often went beyond business presentations or technical meetings.

Over dinners and conversations, the recurring theme was always the same: securing the country’s water future.

Those discussions underscored a truth of-

people matter. Good systems help good people serve better. Good systems also restrain those who are tempted to use power for themselves. And this leads to the third point: inclusion. Our democracy must make room for more voices, more regions, more sectors, and more ordinary citizens. For too long, political power has been concentrated in a few families, a few networks, and a few centers of influence. This has shaped the kind of leaders we produce and the kind of politics we tolerate.

Inclusion means opening the doors of politics wider. It means allowing leaders rooted in communities to rise. It means giving the provinces a stronger place in national decision-making. It means building institutions where competence, character, and commitment matter more than money, surname, or popularity. At its heart, political reform is deeply personal. It speaks to the farmer who feels

ten forgotten in public discourse—that major infrastructure projects are not born overnight. They are shaped through years of negotiations, revisions, recalibrations, persuasion, and partnership-building.

Today, as the Upper Wawa Dam receives international recognition, it stands not only as a world-class infrastructure project but also as a monument to long-term thinking and collaborative leadership. For decades, the country’s infrastructure narrative focused heavily on roads, airports, and transport systems. Yet water infrastructure is equally vital. Without water security, urban growth stalls, industries weaken, agriculture suffers, and communities become increasingly vulnerable to both drought and flooding. Projects like Upper Wawa become even more indispensable as climate change intensifies rainfall extremes and water supply uncertainties.

By helping augment supply while mitigating floods in Rizal and Marikina, the project addresses two critical national concerns simultaneously. Its recognition at the Global Water Awards sends a powerful message: the Philippines can produce infrastructure projects that meet global standards when government and private sector leaders work together with vision and purpose.

Even Manila Water executives themselves acknowledged the strategic importance of the project. Roberto “Boj” Locsin, now President and CEO of Manila Water, has emphasized how the Upper Wawa Dam strengthens sustainable and resilient water solutions for millions of Filipinos while supporting long-term climate resilience initiatives. Years earlier,MWSS Chairman Rey Velasco described the Wawa Bulk Water Supply Project as integral to the government’s water security roadmap and among the largest and most important water supply projects pursued during the Duterte administration and inaugurated by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. The story behind Wawa reflects the governance philosophy that FVR consistently championed throughout his life—unity, solidarity, and teamwork and a lasting imprint that is PPP (Public Private Partnerships).

The rest is history, replete with meaning. (The writer, president/chief executive officer of Media Touchstone Ventures, Inc. and president/executive director of the Million Trees Foundation Inc., a non-government outfit advocating tree-planting and environmental protection, is the official biographer of President Fidel V. Ramos)

forgotten after elections.

It speaks to the student who wants a future outside patronage. It speaks to the worker who wants government to work with fairness. It speaks to every Filipino who still believes that politics can be better than what we have grown used to. The events at the Senate should lead us to deep introspection. We can treat them as another political spectacle. Or we can receive them as a warning and as an invitation. Our institutions are asking to be rebuilt. Our democracy is asking to be deepened. Our people are asking for a politics worthy of their sacrifices. We have changed leaders many times. Now we must strengthen the rules, structures, and habits that shape leadership itself. The work remains unfinished. But unfinished work is still work entrusted to us. Perhaps that is our task in this generation: to turn outrage into reform, disappointment into duty, and political crisis into a renewed commitment to rebuild our democracy.

North Korea fires ballistic missile into Yellow Sea

SEOUL—

North Korea launched several projectiles, including a ballistic missile, into the Yellow Sea on Tuesday, South Korea’s military said.

Pyongyang has conducted a flurry of missile tests in recent weeks, and analysts have said the diplomatically isolated state may be trying to take advantage of eroding international norms to cement its nuclear status.

The North has also repeatedly shunned efforts by the South Korean government to improve relations, repeatedly calling Seoul its most “hostile” adversary.

South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said on Tuesday they had detected the launches of “several projectiles”, including a short-range ballistic missile, into the Yellow Sea from the North Korean city of Chongju at around 1:00 pm.

The Yellow Sea is the body of water separating the Korean peninsula from China.

Bolivian leader to slash salary by 50% to end anti-gov’t rallies

LA PAZ, Bolivia—Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz said Monday he would slash his salary by 50 percent to try to end weeks of anti-government protests.

But the announcement by the center-right leader fell on deaf ears, with protesters calling for his resignation and clashing again with police in the Andean city of La Paz.

The US-backed Paz has made various gestures aimed at ending a popular revolt that has exploded just six months into his presidency.

The demonstrations have radicalized since trade unions began protesting in early May for salary increases, stable fuel supplies and sounder economic management.

Speaking in the southeastern city of Sucre, the president said he had decided “as part of his efforts and commitment to the country, to reduce his salary by 50 percent.”

His monthly salary is currently set at around 24,000 bolivianos ($3,500), one of the lowest of any Latin American leader but about eight times that of the average Bolivian, according to 2024 statistics from the International Labor Organization.

The gesture failed, however, to appease the protesters, who have been blocking roads leading to the political capital La Paz for nearly a month, causing acute shortages of food, fuel and medicine.

On Monday, the police again clashed with protesters after thousands of miners, farmers, factory workers and other groups marched through the city for the third time in a week. AFP

The missiles flew about 80 kilometres (50 miles), Seoul’s military said, adding that it was analysing their specifications and flight range, and had “strengthened surveillance and vigilance in preparation for possible additional launches”.

South Korea, its main security partner the United States, and Japan were “maintaining a state of full readiness” and closely sharing intelligence, Seoul’s military said.

The launch was North Korea’s first for 37 days and its eighth this year.

In April, Pyongyang conducted another such test to “verify the characteristics and power of a cluster bomb warhead”, its state media said at the time.

South Korea’s Yonhap news agency reported last week, citing unnamed government sources, that Chinese President Xi Jinping would likely visit North Korea sometime this week.

China is North Korea’s main economic and political backer, though Pyongyang has drawn closer to Russia in recent years.

Neither Beijing nor Pyongyang have yet confirmed Xi’s visit. AFP

Israel escalates offensive strikes vs. Lebanon

BEIRUT – The Israeli army has intensified strikes in southern Lebanon as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had ordered the military to escalate its offensive in an effort to “crush” Hezbollah.

The airstrikes come as the United States and Iran seek to finalise the terms of an agreement to end the Middle East conflict, which could include the Lebanon front, where Israel and Hezbollah have waged war since March 2.

Despite a ceasefire that came into effect on April 17, Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah have continued to exchange fire on a neardaily basis.

“I have ordered an even greater acceleration of our operations,” Netanyahu said in a video statement posted on his Telegram channel.

“It is true that they are attacking us with drones, including fiberoptic drones, but we have teams working on countermeasures and we will solve this issue... We will intensify our blows, increase our firepower, and we will crush them.”

Following the call for escalation, an AFP correspondent saw resi-

dents fleeing the southern suburbs of Beirut, a Hezbollah stronghold.

The Israeli air force carried out successive strikes in the Bekaa valley in eastern Lebanon on Monday evening, according to Lebanon’s National News Agency.

Dozens of Israeli strikes earlier targeted several towns and villages in southern Lebanon in the early hours, killing three people in two cars and on a motorcycle, NNA reported.

Israeli airstrikes then targeted several towns near the ancient city of Tyre, according to the state-run agency.

Those strikes came after Israel issued evacuation orders for 10 villages, accusing Hezbollah of breaching the truce.

“In light of Hezbollah’s violation of the ceasefire agreement, the Israel Defense Forces are compelled to operate against it with force,” the military’s Arabic-language spokesman Colonel Avichay Adraee said in a social media post, listing the names of the villages. Hezbollah, a Lebanese Iran-backed movement, has regularly launched drone attacks against Israeli forces inside Lebanese territory and across the border, including several on Monday.AFP

Russia threatens more big strikes on Kyiv, urges foreigners to leave

MOSCOW—Russia has said it planned to launch more strikes on Kyiv, including on its “decision-making centers,” and repeated a call for foreign citizens and diplomats to leave the city.

Russia launched scores of drones and missiles at Ukraine over the weekend, killing four people, wounding dozens and causing damage across the Ukrainian capital.

Among the weapons Russia used was its Oreshnik hypersonic missile, which can travel 10 times the speed of sound and is capable of carrying nuclear warheads, according to Moscow.

The barrage came days after Russia accused Kyiv of striking a vocational school in the Russian-occupied Lugansk region, killing 21 people. Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered his military to retaliate.

“Under the current circumstances, the Russian Armed Forces are starting to launch systematic strikes against Ukrainian

military-industrial facilities in Kyiv,” Russia’s foreign ministry said in a statement.

“The strikes will target both decisionmaking centers and command posts... We are warning foreign citizens, including personnel of diplomatic missions and international organisations, to leave the city as soon as possible,” it added.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov relayed the warning to US counterpart Marco Rubio in a phone call on Monday, urging him to evacuate US diplomats, Russia’s foreign ministry said.

There was no immediate comment from the US side.

Russia had already called on foreign citizens and diplomats to evacuate Kyiv earlier this month, when it threatened massive strikes on central Kyiv if Ukraine disrupted a military parade on Red Square. Western diplomatic missions in the city have rebuffed both warnings.AFP

Rubio to revive ‘Quad’ alliance in India, but staying power unclear

NEW DELHI—US Secretary of State Marco Rubio was scheduled to meet Tuesday with Australia, India and Japan to revive the so-called Quad security alliance-- viewed suspiciously by China -- following disagreement on Iran and questions over US commitment.

The meeting in New Delhi comes 10 days after US President Donald Trump paid a friendly state visit to China and spoke glowingly of the two powers working together as a “G2” -- a concept that the US allies who are concerned about Beijing’s rise fear could shut them out.

Rubio took the symbolic step of meeting Quad foreign ministers in Washington within hours of being sworn in last year, and the four gathered again in Washington in July 2025.

But a Quad summit expected last year did not happen, with Trump not committing to travel to India for it, despite his predecessor Joe Biden’s vow that the four-way leaders’ summits would be “here to stay”.

Rubio, who is paying his first visit to India, said he hoped to lay the groundwork for a Quad summit involving Trump.

“We want to make sure we do the work necessary and position it so, when they do meet, they’ll have very specific deliverables and things that actually they can announce,” Rubio told India Today in an interview.

He said that the Quad could cooperate on securing the supply of critical minerals, a rare area in which the Trump administration has turned to the more tradition-

IS-linked group set to return to Australia

SYDNEY—A group of seven women and 12 children linked to Islamic State fighters are bound for Australia after years in Syria, the Australian interior minister said on Tuesday.

The so-called “IS brides” are Australian nationals and left the Roj camp, controlled by Syrian Kurdish forces, last week.

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said they would not receive any assistance from the Australian government.

“Any members of this cohort who have committed crimes can expect to face the full force of the law,” he said.

“These are people who have made the horrific choice to join a dangerous terrorist organisation and to place their children in an unspeakable situation.”

Some of the group will arrive in Melbourne while the rest will travel to Sydney, national broadcaster ABC said.

This month, 13 more IS-linked Australians -- four women and their nine children -- flew home from Syria.

Two of the women, a mother and a daughter, were arrested on arrival in Melbourne.

Police accused them of having kept a female slave after travelling to Syria in 2014 to support the Islamic State group.

They had been detained

al diplomacy of building networks with allies, alarmed at the dominance of China in resources critical to the high-end technology sector.

Rubio said that the Quad could also collaborate further on maritime security. Japan in particular has concerns about China’s assertiveness in staking claims at sea. Japan and India are also heavily affected by the spike in oil prices after Iran exerted control over the strategic Strait of Hormuz in response to a US-Israeli war launched on February 28.

No US ally other than Israel has robustly supported the decision to attack Iran, enraging Trump, who has questioned the reliability of US partners, whom he had not consulted beforehand. AFP

Teen mortally stabbed after TikTok rejection row

SEOUL — Bryson DeChambeau admitted on Tuesday he had been caught unawares when LIV Golf’s Saudi backers pulled their funding of the breakaway circuit, saying “we didn’t really see that coming”.

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) announced this month that it would cease bankrolling LIV after the 2026 season.

PIF had reportedly ploughed more than $5 billion dollars into the breakaway circuit since it was founded in 2021.

Two-time major champion DeChambeau remains one of LIV’s biggest drawcards along with Jon Rahm, with both teeing up in this week’s LIV Korea.

“We were surprised that they pulled out as quickly as they did,” DeChambeau told reporters at Asiad Country Club in Busan.

“We didn’t really see that coming. But that’s OK. One door closes, another opens. I think that’s the way a lot of us are looking at it.”

PIF’s abrupt withdrawal, announced on May 1, plunged LIV into uncertainty, with executives scrambling to create a new business plan to attract investors and sponsors.

CEO Scott O’Neil is reportedly seeking $250 million to keep the league afloat.

“I think we all have optimism that there is a business plan that makes sense for team golf,” DeChambeau said.

“I’m very optimistic with the business plan of team golf compared to other models, in my opinion,” he said.

“We’ll see if investors like it or not.

I’m giving all I can to make it happen, and if it doesn’t, it doesn’t happen.”

There have also been reports that LIV was laying the groundwork for potential bankruptcy in the United States.

“In the background, yeah, we’re trying to help where we can, but ultimately it’s up to executives and everybody banding together,” DeChambeau said.

“If we all band together, there’s an opportunity here.

“If not, it’s going to be a different day for all of us.” AFP

Saudi pullout from LIV surprises DeChambeau

from the

Sambo bets aim to excel in Asian meet

aims to excel in the 11th Asia-Oceania Sambo Championships presented by the Philippine Sports Commission scheduled June 23 to 28 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. “All 21 members of the Pilipinas sambo team are now 85 percent ready with the tournament less than a month away. They all aim to excel and do the country proud,” said Pilipinas sambo national coach Arce Larida Tuesday during the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum at the PSC Media Center in Malate. Joining him in the program was Pilipinas ambo

Capadocia, Diwa steal the spotlight in Palawan Open

TEN-TIME PCA Open champion Marian Capadocia proved that pedigree outweighs rankings on Tuesday, dismantling eighth seed Althea Ong, 6-2, 6-3, to secure a quarterfinal berth in the Palawan Open 2026 at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.

The 30-year-old veteran, coming off a dominant opening-round 6-1, 6-1 win against wild card Judy Ann Padilla, utilized tactical brilliance and superior court coverage to outmaneuver her younger opponent in the blistering summer heat. With the victory, Capadocia cements her status as the tournament’s most dangerous threat, standing as one of the two unran ked players to reach the Last 8 phase.

However, a tough test awaits the veteran campaigner. To keep her dream run alive, she must hurdle second seed Stefi Aludo in a marquee quarterfinal matchup in the P2 million tournament.

Aludo, who dominated Princess Tana, 6-0, 6-0, before securing a walkover win over Mica Emana, enters the showdown fully rested and highly motivated to halt the veteran’s charge. Sharing the spotlight in the women’s division is La Salle’s Annika Diwa, who annexed a stunning early surge of her own. After upending third seed Tiffany Nocos in a thrilling opener, 3-6, 6-3, 6-3, Diwa maintained her momentum by turning back Joanna Peña,

6-3, 6-4, to crash the quarterfinal party. She now awaits the winner of the ongoing duel between Louraine Jallorina and Akshita Antil. Elsewhere in the women’s draw, top-

Alas Pilipinas tight-lipped

in the region.

“Ang goal muna is pano mapalakas ang team natin,” said Delos Santos in Tuesday’s Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum at the Philippine Sports Commission media room. Delos Santos said the composition of the team has yet to be finalized and will be culled from the current 20-player pool that includes Jovelyn Gonzaga, Ces Molina, and Valdez, all members of the 2019 SEA Games team.

“Right now, pool pa lang ang meron kami,” added Delos Santos, who was

seeded favorites held their ground despite the oppressive conditions.

Top seed Tennielle Madis blanked Althea Azores, then ripped Mikaela Vicencio, 6-0, 6-1, setting up a block-

on chances in Asian tourney

added Valdez in the forum presented by San Miguel Corporation, PSC, Philippine

buster centercourt showdown against No. 5 Elizabeth Abarquez, who cruised past Ava Banson, 6-0, 6-0, and Dyan Nataño, 6-2, 6-3. No. 4 Kaye-Ann Emana blasted past Amygray Olalo, 6-1, 6-0, before advancing past Rovie Baulete via 6-1, 3-0(ret.) score. She will next collide with No. 7 Niña Alcala, who survived a grueling duel against a determined Paula Uy, winning 6-3, 3-6, 7-6(7). In the men’s division, the tournament’s fancied names coasted into the Round of 16 with commanding performances. No. 1 Digvijay Singh of India swamped Jeremiah Latorre, 6-1, 6-0, arranging a clash with No. 13 Jarell Edangga, who fought off Mark Alcoseba, 6-3, 1-6, 6-4; while second seed AJ Lim eased past Mcleen Gomera, 6-1, 6-2, setting up a faceoff with No. 14 Loucas Fernandez, a 6-2, 3-1 (ret.) winner over Elvin Geluz. Third ranked Eric Jed Olivarez overcame early struggles to foil Brysl Libao, 7-5, 6-2. He will face qualifier Lucas Go, who outlasted Hilbert San Jose, 3-6, 6-1, 7-6(3); while No. 4 Christopher Papa of the US repelled Eric Tangub, 6-3, 6-3, booking a date with No. 14 Lance Fernandez. No. 5 Parth Aggarwal, also of India, advanced with a 7-5 (ret.) win over Noel Damian to book a high-stakes duel with No. 9 Arthur Pantino, who shut down Miguel Iglupas, 6-0, 6-0.

Olympic Committee, MILO, and the country’s 24/7 sports app ArenaPlus. Gonzaga, who has juggled national stints in indoor and beach volleyball, aired the same level of excitement at being able to represent the country once more.

“Ang sarap ng feeling na makabalik sa national team. Excited kami. Once the country calls for your service nandito kami. Ang hirap tanggihan ang national team,” she said.

Like her head coach and Valdez, still regarded as the team’s heart and soul, Gonzaga kept her expectations to a minimum.

“Ang focus pa lang is the preparation. Wala pang expectations,” she said.

Also in the pool that is expected to troop to Candon to train next week are Trisha Tubu, Ara Galang, Royse Tubino, Tots Carlos, Kyle Negrito, Kyla Atienza, Alyssa Eroa, Clo Mondoñedo, Thea Gagate, and collegiate players Tin Ubaldo, Jaz Ellarina, Cla Loresco, Lara Mae Silva, Vanessa Sarie, Natalie Estreller, Clarisse Loresco, Jonna Perdido and Adamson’s Lhouriz Tuddao.

-80-kilogram combat sambo division in last year’s edition held in Tashkent Uzbekistan.

GenSan repels Pasay, grabs share

of lead

THE GenSan Warriors repelled the Pasay Voyagers’ repeated assaults to prevail, 98-93, on Monday and share the lead in the SportsPlus MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) 2026 Season at the Novadeci Convention Center in Novaliches, Quezon City. Hesed Gabo shone as the Warriors pulled off their ninth straight win and caught up with the Caloocan Batang Kankaloo in the chase for playoff spots in the round-robin elimination phase of the two-division, 28-team tournament.

Showing his sharpest form thus far, Gabo posted 26 points, spiked by four triples and 12 of 12 shooting from the charity line, 11 assists, 3 rebounds and 2 assists to earn the SportsPlus best player award over Adi Santos, with 15 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists. Gabo also sealed the coast-to-coast victory by sinking two free throws that pegged the final count with 6.9 seconds left.

Other Warriors who delivered were Anton Eusebio with 9 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists, Marwin Dionisio with 9 points and 3 rebounds, and Eloie Tan with 6 points in the fourth quarter. Pasay fell to 6-3 despite Christian Fajarito’s 22 points, 13 rebounds and 4 assists, Cyril Gonzales’ 17 points and 5 rebounds, Steve Nash Enqriquez’s 13 points, 3 assists, 2 rebounds and 2 steals, Edmund Dela Cruz’s 11 points and 8 rebounds, and Brian Hilario’s 10 points.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2026

RIERA U. MALLARI, Editor

RANDY M. CALUAG, Asst. Editor

Magnolia jrs face NLEX bets in finals

GLENN Mikael Mabulac scored a tournament record 39 points as Batang Magnolia clobbered Batang Converge, 75-59, in the knockout semifinals of the 2026 Batang PBA 11U division on Tuesday at the Victoria Sports Tower in Quezon City.

Batang Magnolia, which swept Group B, will face Batang NLEX in Thursday’s finale.

The Batang Road Warriors stunned top-seeded Meralco Bolts, 84-81 in the other 11U semifinal.

Mabulac, scored 16 in the first two quarters then scattered 23 points in the second half as the Batang Hotshots erased a 31-32 deficit and took the lead for good.

In the 15U division, third-seeded Batang Converge pulled the rug from under second-ranked Meralco with a stunning 71-60 victory.

Treyton Caelli Segismundo scored 18 points and Raikkonen Matthew Mortera tallied 16, as the Batang FiberXers avenged their 66-62 defeat to the Batang Bolts in the elims.

The Batang FiberXers will face Batang Ginebra in the Finals also on Thursday.

The Batang Gin Kings clobbered Batang Pureblends, 73-55, in the other 15U semifinal.

The Scores:

First Game (15U) Converge 71 – Segismundo 18, Mortera 16, Cabarles Kelly Kevin 9, Ramos 5, Cabarles Carl Angel 3, Santos 2, Varona 2, Jacinto 2, Carrasco 2, Tarachand 2, Cowan 0, Villa 0, Chan 0. Meralco 60 – Patungan 27, De Guzman 11, Morales 9, De Guzman 4, Yao 3, Morre 3, Sta. Ana 2, Castaloni 1, Pe 0, Marino 0, De Vera 0, Evangelio 0, Zamora 0.

Quarterscores: 10-19, 24-36, 46-42, 71-60.

Second Game (11U) Magnolia 75 – Mabulac 39, Calinisan 9, Mendoza Carlos Earl Fernando 8, Lactaoen 8, Tequillo 6, Abedes 4, Mendoza Alonzo Gabriel 1, Preconcillo 0, Castro 0, Morre 0, Fajardo 0, Chavez 0, Mendoza Francis Ian 0.

Adalem eyes strong PH bid in world tilt

By Randy M. Caluag

RIDING high on the team’s recent success on the regional stage, newly elected Philippine Handball Federation president Dr. Ernesto Jay Adalem has set his sights on strengthening the national women’s team’s buildup for the 2026 IHF Beach Handball World Championships in Croatia.

Adalem, who was elected last Saturday in Quezon City, said the federation would focus on sustaining momentum after the Philippines qualified for the world championships by finishing second among Asian teams behind Vietnam in the last cycle.The women’s team, ranked 12th in the world, has shown steady improvement, including a straight-sets win over Australia, 21-12, 19-14, at the previous world championships in Pingtan Island, China.“Our immediate concern is to prepare strongly for the world championships in Croatia and continue building a competitive program,” Adalem said. The tournament is scheduled for June 23-26 in Zagreb.At the regional level, the Philippines has also made gains. The men’s team won gold while the women claimed bronze at the Southeast Asian Beach Handball Championship in Suphan Buri, Thailand, last year.

Adalem will work alongside newly elected secretary-general Charlie Ho, while former president Steve Hontiveros has been named chairman emeritus. The women’s team is coached by Joanna Franquelli, who has overseen its rise as one of Asia’s more competitive sides.

Cavite swimmer rips 400-m freestyle record in ‘26 Palaro

By Jeremiah Sevilla

PROSPERIDAD,

Agusan Del Sur—CALABARZON’s emerging tanker Charles Nathan Boneo immediately made a huge splash in his Palarong Pambansa debut.

Boneo came through with the first record-breaker in the swimming competition of the 66th Palaro edition after hitting four minutes and 30.63 seconds in the 400-meter freestyle elementary boys’ event at the Datu Lipus Makapandong Gov. D.O. Plaza Memorial Sports Complex Aquatic Center on Tuesday here.

The 12-year-old up-and-comer from Imus, Cavite ripped the previous mark of 4:31.39 set by most bemedalled athlete Titus Rafael Sia of the National Capital Region in last year’s iteration of the annual games supported by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and organized by the Department of Education (DepEd).

“I really expected to beat the record because of my very hard training everyday. When I am swimming, I’m always thinking that there’s someone beside me and this guy might catch

up so I spend a lot of time in training,” said Boneo.

The Palaro star rookie out of Elizabeth Seton School Cavite seized his breakthrough gold medal just a few months after switching from triathlon to competitive swimming.

“When I was still doing triathlon, I’m a bit fat. When I got skinnier, I got better and better in swimming so I decided to go for swimming,” Boneo recounted.

With the lofty goal of joining the national team, Boneo is setting his sights not only on a golden sweep but also record-setting feats in his six other events.

“My expectation here is to beat all the records,” Boneo stressed as he seeks to stamp his class in 50m freestyle, 50m butterfly, 100m freestyle, 100m butterfly, and two relays.

Peter Greyson Limbing of CARAGA (4:34.46) took the silver mint while

Boneo’s teammate David Tristan Reyes (4:35.78) completed the podium.

Just hours after Boneo’s milestone, Riannah Chantelle Coleman of the National Academy of Sports (NAS) reset her Palaro mark in the 100m breatstroke secondary girls, touching the pool wall in 1:12.99 to shadow her 1:15.46 performance in Laoag last year.

Sophia Rose Garra, who snared seven golds in elementary level last year, led NCR to a record 2:00.97 with Krystal Ava David, Patricia Mae Santor, and Nichole Rivera in the 4x50 medley relay secondary, eclipsing the 2:03.04 mark by the same region a year ago. That highlighted the Metro Stars’ eight-gold haul in the opening day of swimming finals, with Santor (400m individual secondary girls), Rafael Lentejas III (100m backstroke secondary boys), Francis Adam Rivera (100m backstroke elementary boys), Ashton Clyde Jose (100m breastroke secondary boys), and Aishel Cid Evangelista (400m IM secondary boys) emerging as individual winners. Over at the track and field oval, multiple records were made and broken in athletics.

secondary

Khent Joseph Belarmino (shot put elementary boys) Northern Mindanao’s Charles James Villapana (110-meter hurdles secondary boys), Peter Jhon Nadera (110m hurdles elementary boys), and NCR’s Ma. Lhynette Libranda (100m hurdles secondary girls) tallied newly established records following changes made by PATAFA to equipment in lign with international standards.

Bicol Region’s Jhon Laurence Espaldon (javelin throw secondary boys) and Beverly Naisa (100m hurdles elementary girls), Negros Island Region’s Marjen Iwayan (javelin throw elementary girls) and Ashley Nicole Silvor (400m run elementary girls), CALABARZON’s Loraine Batalla (400m run secondary girls), and CALABARZON’s Janela Barrite (triple jump elementary girls) shattered the former marks in their respective tilts. In chess, NCR’s Marius Constante nabbed two golds after reigning supreme in blitz elementary boys and blitz team event with Danry Seth Romualdez.

Aleph, Tap DMV join forces to bring FIFA World Cup to Pinoy fans

FILIPINO fans get the opportunity to witness another sporting spectacle when the FIFA World Cup begins on June 12 in three countries – Canada, Mexico and the United States.

With the partnership of Aleph, the exclusive property owner of the FIFA World Cup™ in the region, and Tap DMV, sports buffs can watch the matches at the comfort of their homes until the finals of the global showpiece on July 20.

Every offensive brilliance, great defensive stop and celebration will not be missed as BlastTV – Tap DMV’s proprietary streaming platform – will bring those heart-stopping action closer to Filipinos through a dedicated Pay-Per-View (PPV) experience, giving viewers flexible, on-demand access to every moment of the game.

“Football has officially moved from the sidelines to the center of the Philippine sports conversation. We are seeing a fundamental shift in fan

culture, where digital content creation has become a primary way for fans to live and share the sport in real-time. For brands in the Philippines, this is a massive opportunity to connect with an audience that is more mobile, more expressive, and more invested in the game than ever before.” said Anna Dy, Aleph Country Head for the Philippines.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will feature an expanded format of 48 teams and a staggering 104 matches, guaranteeing longer and more intense action. Those matches are certain to produce underdog stories and high-stakes drama than any previous iteration.

Through BlastTV’s world-class OTT (Over-the-Top) platform, Aleph is ensuring that the sheer magnitude of this event is matched by the quality of its delivery. Fans can stream every match live in high definition, bringing the electric atmosphere of North American stadiums directly to their mobile devices,

tablets, and smart TVs.

In celebration of the partnership and to give back to the passionate local football community, Aleph and BlastTV launched an Early Bird Promotion that ended only last Monday.

The company content portfolio includes ATP, WTA, NFL, NHL, LPGA Tour and Studio Universal.

“The FIFA World Cup 2026 is the pinnacle of sporting excellence, and we’re excited to help bring this historic tournament closer to Filipino fans,” said Celinda de Guia, President and CEO of Tap DMV. “With BlastTV, we’re tapping into a platform that reflects the digital-first habits of today’s audience, making it easier than ever for Filipinos to experience every moment of the world’s biggest sporting event.”

Fans can subscribe by visiting the official BlastTV website (welcome. blasttv.ph) or downloading the app on Apple App Store or Google Playstore.

PH shooters hit 5 golds in 10-medal haul in Singapore

By Randy M. Caluag

THE Philippines’ national sporting clays team won 10 medals, highlighted by a five gold-haul, at the Singapore Shooting Championships 2026 held from May 18 to 24 at the National Shooting Center. The team outperformed competitors from Australia, China, Hong Kong, India and Thailand, highlighted by multiple gold-medal finishes led by Carlo Baltonado. Baltonado topped the men’s individual Compak event and later teamed up with sports executivepolitician Richard Gomez and Jakey Ancheta

to secure gold in the men’s team competition.

Gomez added a silver in the men’s individual category, while Eduardo Rivilla and Tet Lara each claimed bronze medals in their respective divisions. The Philippines carried its momentum into the Flush events, where it dominated the podium in the 50 Targets Flushing competition. Baltonado and Jeffrey Dayrit won gold, followed by Ancheta and Rivilla with silver, and Gomez and Diego Bañaga with bronze. Baltonado continued his standout campaign, teaming up with Bañaga and Gomez to capture gold in the 3-Man 75 Targets Flushing event. He also figured in another gold-medal finish in the 3-Man Multi-Country 75 Targets Flushing competition alongside international teammates. The results underscored the Philippines’ growing strength in sporting clays, with the national team producing consistent podium finishes throughout the week-long tournament.

WHAT’S INSIDE?

PCC asks rice importers to follow price cap

By Othel V. Campos

THE Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) met with the Philippine Rice Importers’ Association (PRIA) on May 20, 2026 to align industry practices with Executive Order No. 118 and ensure fair competition amid a temporary price ceiling on imported rice.

Issued on May 13, EO 118 imposes a nationwide maximum suggested retail price of P50 per kilogram for imported rice with 5-percent broken content for 30 days to keep the staple affordable for consumers.

Recognizing the measure’s impact across the supply chain, the PCC Competition Enforcement Office (CEO) held discussions with PRIA to promote a transparent and predictable framework that balances consumer welfare with market stability.

The anti-trust watchdog reminded market participants to make commercial decisions independently and refrain from sharing sensitive business information, including prices, quantities and import volumes.

The PCC also urged PRIA to help ensure that its members comply with government regulations and competition policies.

PCC director Christian Loren de los Santos said the commission remains open to collaborative engagement with industry players, offering guidance and technical assistance to help ensure compliance with fair market principles while avoiding anticompetitive practices.

PRIA president Raffy Herrera reiterated the group’s commitment to food security and maintaining a stable rice supply.

The association, which represents around 60 importers, also proposed that the PCC conduct a similar dialogue with retailer groups to better understand logistics costs and pricing structures.

The dialogue formed part of the PCC’s continuing efforts to strengthen coordination with key industry stakeholders while safeguarding market integrity in essential consumer sectors.

By Thony Rose Lesaca

THE government posted a P31.4billion budget surplus in April 2026, down from P67.3 billion a year earlier, as spending growth outpaced revenue gains following an extended tax-filing deadline.

Revenue collections rose 2.83 percent to P536.8 billion from P522.1 billion in April 2025. Tax revenues made up the bulk of the collections at

P511 billion, while non-tax revenues settled at P25.8 billion.

Government disbursements jumped 11.14 percent to P505.4 billion from P454.8 billion a year ago, narrowing the overall budget deficit in the first four months of the year to P324.1 billion.

This reflected a 14.44-percent decline from the P378.7-billion shortfall recorded in the same period last year.

Four-month revenues reached P1.67 trillion, while total expenditures amounted to P1.99 trillion.

The Bureau of the Treasury blamed slower revenue growth on a deadline extension for annual income tax returns.

“The slower growth for the period can be partly attributed to the extension of the filing or payment deadline of Annual Income Tax Returns in view of the declaration of the State of

National Energy Emergency,” the Bureau of the Treasury said. Bureau of Internal Revenue collections rose 0.41 percent in April to P422.2 billion from P420.5 billion previously. Bureau of Customs collections grew 15.52 percent to P86.3 billion from P74.7 billion in the same month last year. Non-tax revenues increased 7.32 percent to P25.8 billion from P24.1 billion, led by privatization proceeds and restitution funds recovered from flood control projects. Higher national tax allotment shares for local government units, the annual block grant to the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Local Government Support Fund releases and increased budgetary support for government-owned and controlled

By Alena Mae S. Flores

THE Energy Regulatory Commission is moving to prevent a recurrence of recent red and yellow power alerts by revisiting existing reserve requirements and accelerating regulatory action for the procurement of ancillary services and fast-ramping capacity.

The regulatory push follows yellow and red alerts raised in the Luzon and Visayas grids on May 13 and May 18, which triggered rotating brownouts, or manual load dropping, 6 times.

Gov’t vows to boost local supply after grid alerts Maynilad

“The other week, the lights went out in parts of Luzon and the Visayas. The reasons are not mysterious. Our margin was too thin once the sun set, our flexibility was too narrow to bridge the gap between solar’s daytime peak and the evening load, and our Visayas and Luzon grids happened to fail at exactly the moment they needed each other most,” Energy Regulatory Commission chairperson Francis Saturnino Juan said at the Economic Journalists Association of the Philippines energy forum.

By Othel V. Campos

WEST zone concessionaire Maynilad

Water Services Inc. said Tuesday it started partial operations of a new raw water reservoir at the La Mesa Water Treatment Plant (WTP) in Quezon City, allowing the facility to store up to 67 million liters of raw water to help stabilize supply during the dry season.

The project involves repurposing former sludge lagoons within the La Mesa compound into a 6-meter-deep impounding reservoir with a total storage capacity of up to 200 million liters of raw water.

Workers previously used the lagoons for sludge handling in the treatment process, but the company transformed them into a dedicated raw water storage facility, shifting their function from internal plant opera-

P31.4 billion P536.8 billion P505.4 billion

April budget surplus fell to P31.4b

corporations drove the spending expansion.

“Spending growth was driven by higher National Tax Allotment shares of LGUs, the Annual Block Grant to the BARMM, releases for the Local Government Support Fund, and increased budgetary support for GOCCs, particularly the return of P60 billion in excess funds to PhilHealth,” the Treasury said. Direct payments from development partners to contractors of foreign-assisted Department of Transportation railway projects also boosted disbursements.

Interest payments increased 36.77 percent to P63.5 billion from P46.4 billion. Government payments for other expenditures rose 8.22 percent to P441.9 billion from P408.3 billion in April last year.

Sarangani

steel facility set to start operations

By Othel V. Campos

CHINESE steelmaker Panhua Group Co. Ltd. will launch the operations of the first phase of its galvanizing line in the Philippines within the first half of 2026, a major milestone for its $3.5-billion integrated steel project in Sarangani province.

Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque discussed the project’s progress with Panhua Group officials during a meeting on May 21, 2026 on the sidelines of the APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade Meeting in Suzhou.

The galvanizing line forms part of the project’s Phase 1 operations. Panhua Group earlier launched its first color-coated steel production line on June 28, 2025.

Juan said generation deficiencies caused the manual load dropping events, rather than transmission failures or fuel shortages. This shows the grid lacks enough reserves on the right side of the dispatch curve for peaking requirements, he added.

“Should we already move from static reserve margins to dynamic, weather-indexed targets? If a heat advisory tells us the afternoon peak will be 5 percent higher than normal, we should have enough reserves to handle that,” Juan said.

tions to system-wide supply support.

Project handlers target full completion of the facility by June 2026. The initial activation of a converted lagoon at the La Mesa WTP will improve Maynilad’s operational flexibility, particularly during periods when inflows from the Angat-Ipo Dam system decline due to reduced rainfall or changes in water allocation. Once fully operational, the reservoir will provide the La Mesa Water Treatment Plant 1 with an additional raw water buffer, helping stabilize treatment operations and sustain water service during periods of reduced inflow.

The facility may also function as a settling basin during periods of high turbidity, allowing suspended particles in raw water to settle naturally before treatment. This will support more

The integrated steel project combines steel production with dedicated utilities and port facilities across the industrial chain. The company is also preparing for Phase 2 and Phase 3 expansions. During the meeting, Panhua Group chairman Xinhua Li thanked the Philippine government for its continued support, citing confidence in the country’s manufacturing potential.

Roque said strengthening the domestic steel industry is crucial to supporting infrastructure development and key downstream industries such as construction, transport, shipbuilding and infrastructure manufacturing.

efficient plant operations during challenging raw water conditions.

“This facility enhances our ability to manage raw water variability and maintain stable treatment operations, particularly during periods of lower inflow or higher turbidity,” Maynilad chief operating officer Christopher Jaime Lichauco said.

Upon completion, the facility will become Maynilad’s first dedicated raw water storage reservoir, complementing its existing 38 treated water reservoirs across the West Zone.

Maynilad provides water services for the West Zone of the Greater Manila Area, covering parts of Manila, Quezon City and Makati, as well as the cities of Caloocan, Pasay, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Muntinlupa, Valenzuela,

Semirara coal auction eyed by midyear

By Jenni er B. Austria

THE Department of Energy may resume plans to auction coal development rights on Semirara Island by the middle of the year.

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC

Notice is hereby given that Mr. Alex H. Verchez is no longer the President of, nor connected with, Teekay Shipping Philippines, Inc.

The new President and Director of the Corporation is Ms. Rosalina E. Talavera effective May 15, 2026.

TEEKAY SHIPPING PHILIPPINES, INC.

In compliance with DMW Requirement DMW-249-SB-06022025-R-MLC

that the department is resolving issues raised by potential bidders to ensure a successful auction.

“This is the first time for us to bid out an already existing coal mine, and it’s also the biggest in the country,” Garin said. “So we are trying to make the best offer that we can get and the best offer for the country. We also want to maximize the potential of Semirara.”

Garin said the department is also studying the possibility of setting a specific percentage of

coal production for domestic use.

Among the questions raised by potential bidders were the contract terms and expected production output.

The DOE is offering 10 coal blocks covering 10,000 hectares on Semirara Island in Caluya, Antique. Semirara Mining and Power Corp. holds these blocks under a 50-year contract set to expire in July 2027.

The auction is part of a broader bidding round for three predeter-

mined areas comprising 18 coal blocks across 18,000 hectares. Aside from the Antique site, the government is offering 5,000 hectares in Isabela and 3,000 hectares in Cagayan. However, the auction has been deferred indefinitely.

Semirara Mining and Power Corp., the current operator of Semirara Island, and San Miguel Corp. previously expressed interest in participating in the bidding.

stakeholders ahead

on sustainability, trade resilience and

By Jenni er B. Austria

shares index slipped 17.94 points, or 0.53 percent, to 3,353.94.

AB Capital Securities said investors turned cautious after tensions surged following fresh U.S. attacks against Iran, which weakened optimism over the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

Analysts said sentiment was also weighed down by expectations of a 50-basis-point rate hike if the infl ation rate continues to climb.

Sectors ended mixed. Mining and oil rose 1.42 percent, while holding firms and financials climbed 0.86 percent and 0.23 percent, respectively. Conversely, services dropped 2.72 percent, while property and industrial went down by 0.70 percent and 0.61 percent, respectively.

Trading was muted, with value turnover reaching P4.28 billion.

Foreign selling widened, with net outflows at P819 million, the highest since April 28.

Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc. was the day’s top index gainer, rising 1.47 percent to P31, while International Container Terminal Services Inc. slipped 3.27 percent to P799.

Asian stocks fell and crude prices diverged on Tuesday after fresh US strikes on Iran deflated optimism that a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz was imminent.

The United States and Iran have been trying to reach a deal to end the Middle East war and reopen the crucial waterway since a fragile ceasefire on April 8.

Stocks had rallied on Monday and crude futures contracts dropped below $100 a barrel after reports a deal was on the cusp of being struck.

But these hopes were dashed on Monday when US forces said they attacked missile sites in southern Iran and boats trying to lay mines.

North Sea Brent, the international benchmark that establishes pricing for a majority of globally traded petroleum, jumped more than three percent on Tuesday. US benchmark West Texas Intermediate meanwhile was down around four percent at 0825 GMT.

Tehran and Washington have played down chances of striking a swift deal to end the war, which has pushed up energy prices and fuelled global inflation.With AFP

By Thony Rose Lesaca

TBIR launches portal for large firms

HE Department of Finance and Bureau of Internal Revenue on Tuesday launched a centralized taxpayer portal to streamline online access by allowing taxpayers to view and manage their tax information in a single digital platform.

The new system enables taxpayers to view registration details, monitor the status of filed tax returns, track tax payments and receive systemgenerated reminders for tax return filing and payment obligations.

BIR officials will begin the pilot

implementation of the portal with taxpayers registered under the offices or divisions of the BIR Large Taxpayers Service (LTS) to ensure operational readiness prior to wider deployment.

“We are starting with a select small

group to ensure that we get it right and to problem-solve before it is rolled out across everybody because transformation is not about speed alone. It is about learning, refining, and improving,” Department of Finance (DOF) Secretary Frederick Go said during the launch.

Taxpayers registered under LTS may now enroll in the taxpayer portal and use the platform to view their information, monitor the status of filed tax returns and track tax payments. Users can also view their account ledger per tax type and receive systemgenerated notifications.

The portal is built on the idea that

By Jenni er B. Austria and Othel V. Campos

ABOITIZ Equity Ventures Inc. (AEV) has secured an investment-grade credit rating from a leading Japanese rating agency, bolstering the Philippine conglomerate’s position in global capital markets as it expands beyond its core power business. Japan Credit Rating Agency Ltd. (JCR) assigned an “A-” foreign cur-

rency long-term issuer rating with a stable outlook to AEV. JCR cited the group’s strong business base, robust cash flow generation and disciplined capital management for the rating, which indicates an expectation that AEV will maintain a sound financial position despite global market volatility, elevated fuel prices and geopolitical uncertainty.

The rating agency highlighted AEV’s ongoing diversification strat-

egy, noting that non-power businesses contributed 42 percent of the conglomerate’s beneficial earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) in 2025.

While AboitizPower Corp. remains the core earnings driver, JCR recognized growing contributions from other subsidiaries, including Union Bank of the Philippines, Aboitiz InfraCapital Inc., and Coca-Cola Europacific Aboitiz Philippines.

if compliance is clear, simple and accessible, people will comply better, Go said. Instead of going through separate platforms and scattered records, the portal consolidates everything into 1 place with 1 account to provide a complete, reliable view of tax records and eliminate unnecessary steps.

BIR Commissioner Charlito Mendoza said the role of taxpayers under the LTS goes beyond collections because their discipline, consistency and professionalism in tax compliance help reinforce confidence in the Philippines as

DOE, Robinsons launch energy-saving campaign

THE Department of Energy (DOE) and property developer Robinsons Land Corp. (RLC) have launched a nationwide energy conservation campaign to encourage Filipinos to adopt power-saving habits and support national efficiency efforts. The campaign, called “O.N.E.: Oras Natin sa Efficiency,” asks households, businesses and institutions to reduce electricity consumption every Saturday from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. Organizers launched the initiative at the Robinsons Galleria Ortigas mall, urging participants to switch off non-essential lighting and minimize unnecessary electricity use during the designated hour. Robinsons Malls will dim or switch off non-essential lights across its 57 properties nationwide during the scheduled hour. This includes decorative, accent and display lights, though the malls will maintain safety and essential operations. RLC president and chief executive Mybelle Aragon-GoBio said sustainability remains central to the company’s operations and community engagement efforts. “At a time when responsible energy use has become increasingly critical, we recognize the role of the private sector in translating sustainability goals into practical, everyday action,” Aragon-GoBio said. Aragon-GoBio said the partnership with the DOE would help expand awareness and participation in energyefficient practices across communities nationwide. Jenniffer B. Austria British chamber backs food supply directive

THE British Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines said it supports a new executive order aimed at stabilizing the country’s food supply and managing inflation, emphasizing pork as a vital commodity for bilateral trade.

In a statement, the chamber cited the agricultural sector as a primary driver of Philippine economic growth and noted that pork remains a strategic product for strengthening agricultural trade relations between the Unit-

a stable, credible and investmentready business environment.

“This allows the Bureau to work closely with taxpayers, operating at the highest levels of business and compliance complexity as we continue strengthening our digital systems and taxpayer services,” Mendoza said.

The launch reflects the direction the agency continues to pursue with the support of the DOF and its stakeholders to become a bureau that is more modern in its systems, more responsive in its service and more worthy of the trust of taxpayers and the Filipino people, Mendoza said.

ed

By Othel V. Campos

THE Philippine construction sector faces a flat outlook for the remainder of the year due to weak demand, inflation and delayed government infrastructure spending, according to the industry’s trade group. Cement Manufacturers Association of the Philippines (CeMAP) president Renier Dizon said the industry has yet to fully quantify market performance, noting that visibility remains limited. He expects a clearer assessment within a month.

“We have not had an assessment of the impact of both local and global challenges on our industry. But we’re still hopeful that something good may arise from that,” Dizon said. While 2027 could bring improved

conditions because it precedes a national election year—a period traditionally associated with stronger economic activity—current sentiment remains cautious, Dizon said. Geopolitical tensions, high inflation and slow government disbursement of infrastructure funds have driven a prevailing “wait-and-see” environment.

Department of Public Works and Highways spending has yet to pick up significantly, which drags down overall construction demand. Internal reforms and tighter controls within the department have also slowed project rollouts, the group said. Demand conditions remain uneven across the market. Individual homebuilders are showing some traction, but large developers remain largely cautious.

NFA

By Alena Mae S. Flores

CALAMBA Medical Center (CMC)

has tapped Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) retail electricity supply unit MPower to manage its growing energy requirements and secure competitive power rates. Under the agreement, MPower will enroll five service accounts under the Retail Aggregation Program (RAP) and one account under the Competitive Retail Electricity Market (CREM). The move is expected to yield significant electricity cost-savings for the hospital’s buildings and facilities in Laguna province.

CMC, part of the hospital group under Metro Pacific Investments Corp., is one of the leading healthcare in-

Center

stitutions in southern Luzon. Recognized as Laguna’s premier medical center, it serves as a major referral hospital for acute care.

The hospital management said joining the RAP supports CMC’s operational efficiency and flexibility, which will ultimately translate to improved healthcare services.

“We see this partnership not just as a way to save on costs, but as our contribution to the nation, maximizing resources and building a better future for the next generation,” CMC president and chief executive Pilar Nenuca Almira said.

The partnership also lays the groundwork for an expanded collaboration to support the healthcare institution’s future energy needs.

By Darwin G. Amojelar

SMC Tollways Corp. said Tuesday its first-quarter net income rose 7 percent, led by robust toll revenues across its major expressway networks. The company said it posted a net profit of P2.62 billion from January-to-March period, up from P2.44 billion in the same period last year. Consolidated total revenue increased 4 percent to P5.66 billion from P5.438 billion in 2025, fueled primarily by higher traffic volume. Traffic volume grew across all vehicular classes in the quarter. SMC Skyway Corp. recorded an average daily traffic of 286,687 vehicles, up 1 percent from 284,714 in 2025. SMC Skyway Stage 3 Corp. achieved an average daily traffic of 184,364 vehicles, rising 6 percent from 173,151 in 2025.

Consolidated operating expenses dropped 28 percent to P308.47 million. Company officials said the decline was led by lower taxes and licenses following the settlement of a Bureau of Internal Revenue audit in 2025. Reduced spending on contracted chauffeur and janitorial services, lower vehicle repairs and maintenance costs, and decreased representation, supplies and subscription expenses also contributed to the drop.

SMC Skyway holds the concession for the Skyway Project, which includes a 9.02-kilometer elevated road connecting Bicutan to the Makati central business district.

The company’s mandate also covers the rehabilitation of a 13.43-kilometer section of the South Luzon Expressway from Alabang to Magallanes and the 6.88-kilometer elevated expressway from Bicutan to Alabang, including ramps leading to the South Luzon Expressway.

By Lyschelle Joy Armijo

AHEAD of World

Environment Day on June 5, communities across the Philippines continue to strengthen environmental protection efforts through tree-planting activities that encourage public participation and sustainability.

Among these initiatives is the Manila Standard IntegriTree program, a yearly environmental activity that promotes conservation while bringing communities together through volunteerism and awareness campaigns.

One of its recent activities was held in Barangay Balibago, Calatagan, Batangas, where volunteers joined a tree-planting and coastal cleanup effort that planted around 600 mangrove propagules along the coastal area.

With its 14th sowing last year, the Manila Standard IntegriTree program has already contributed more than 20,000 trees, bam-

MS IntegriTree program promotes environmental action

boos, and mangrove propagules planted across different ecosystems in Luzon.

What began as a corporate social responsibility initiative has evolved into a continuing environmental advocacy that promotes volunteerism, community participation, and environmental awareness among Filipinos.

Beyond tree planting, the program also aims to instill environmental values among younger generations while encouraging companies, organizations, and local communities to take a more active role in sustainability efforts.

Over the years, IntegriTree has expanded into cleanup drives, environmental aware-

83% of Filipinos want to be their own boss

BEING your own boss is be-

coming an increasingly popular career goal among Filipinos, with a new global study revealing that 82.8 percent of respondents in the Philippines would prefer self-employment over working for someone else.

The study, conducted by cross-border payments provider Remitly Business, surveyed more than 5,000 people across 28 countries to explore attitudes toward entrepreneurship, work, and self-employment.

The Philippines ranked sixth globally among countries with the strongest preference for selfemployment.

According to the findings, the top reasons Filipinos and respondents worldwide prefer self-employment include independence and control over work, greater flexibility, and improved work-life balance. Financial gain ranked lower among the motivations, suggesting that many people value freedom and autonomy more than income alone.

The study also found growing interest in international business opportunities, with

many respondents expressing interest in working with clients across different countries.

Despite strong interest in entrepreneurship, financial uncertainty remains a major concern. More than half of respondents cited unstable income as the biggest barrier to becoming self-employed, followed by worries about finding enough clients and fear of failure.

The report likewise noted increasing skepticism over how self-employment is portrayed online. Globally, 84 percent of respondents said social media makes entrepreneurship appear more appealing than it actually is, while many also believe hustle culture creates unrealistic pressure to constantly work and earn.

Remitly Business said the findings reflect a growing desire among people to pursue more flexible and independent careers while balancing the realities and risks of entrepreneurship.

View full report: https:// www.remitly.com/us/en/landing/global-self-employmentviews

ness campaigns, and youth-centered activities that reinforce the importance of shared responsibility in protecting natural resources.

MS Ad-Solutions Head Baldwin Felipe emphasized the importance of sustaining initiatives that encourage public participation.

“Programs like IntegriTree help create awareness while encouraging communities to take part in protecting the environment. It becomes more meaningful when people work together toward a shared goal,” Felipe said.

Aside from tree planting, the program

FOR years, science communication in the Philippines has often struggled to move beyond classrooms, research papers, and technical jargon. But as younger audiences shift to digital platforms and small businesses increasingly rely on innovation to survive, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is now rethinking how science stories are told—and who they are told for.

As DOSTv marks its 10th anniversary this June, the agency’s official multimedia platform is launching two new programs aimed at bringing science and technology closer to everyday Filipinos, particularly Gen Z viewers and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

Leading the expansion are Sci.Say, a conversational vodcast tailored for younger and digitalfirst audiences, and NegoSiyensya, a businessoriented program focused on how science and technology can support entrepreneurs, farmers, fisherfolk, and local communities.

The move reflects a broader shift in government science communication—from formal information dissemination to more relatable, audience-driven storytelling.

For DOST, the challenge is no longer just about producing scientific knowledge, but making it understandable, accessible, and useful in daily life.

While younger Filipinos consume information through podcasts, short-form videos, and

also promotes environmental responsibility through cleanup drives and educational activities that highlight proper waste management, climate action, and sustainable living practices. The initiative encourages people of all ages to become active participants in environmental protection efforts.

Manila Standard President and Publisher Rolando Estabillo likewise underscored the long-term impact of community-led environmental programs, especially in inspiring future generations to become more environmentally conscious. “Even small environmental efforts can create lasting impact when communities

stay involved and committed. Activities like these strengthen cooperation while helping protect natural resources for the future,” Estabillo said. The Philippines continues to face environmental challenges such as deforestation, pollution, and climate-related disasters, making reforestation and coastal rehabilitation efforts increasingly important. Through continuous partnerships and volunteer participation, the Manila Standard IntegriTree program hopes to inspire more communities to take part in initiatives that promote environmental stewardship, unity, and shared responsibility.

online discussions, many MSMEs continue searching for practical tools and innovations that can help improve operations, productivity, and resilience. Through its new programs, DOSTv appears to be positioning itself at the intersection of both needs.

NegoSiyensya aims to showcase how science-backed solutions and technology-driven initiatives can open opportunities for local enterprises and grassroots sectors, while Sci.Say seeks to create a more

(JICA) during a courtesy visit on May 18, 2026, for possible collaboration on language programs and projects. The main agenda of the meeting was to introduce the mandates, functions, and current programs of the KWF. Discussions were also held to identify strategic areas where the two agencies can collaborate. Among the highlights of the meeting was the strengthening of projects under the Sentro ng

in Laoag City, reflecting the platform’s continuing push to make science communication more engaging and accessible for younger audiences ahead of the launch of Sci.Say and NegoSiyensya.

(SWK) in various regions across the country. As a gesture of goodwill and cultural sharing, Chairperson Barrios-Taran also presented guests with copies of books published under the KWF Aklat ng Bayan program. The delegation included representatives from various sectors working to strengthen PHJapan relations, including JICA representatives Ueno Yoshiyuki and Takenaka Narufumi; Kessy Reyes, Jewel Regnim, and Annika Fernando; representatives from Partnerships for Health, Agriculture, NationBuilding, and Socio-economic Upliftment, Inc. (PNBI); Salve Romano Pasco; and Ma. Dionne Cruz from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-MIMAROPA.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2026 lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com

NICKIE WANG, Editor

ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer

JASPER VALDEZ, Writer

Paul Soriano

SHOWBIZ

joins international team behind Cannes f ilm ‘Diamond’

By Nickie Wang

FILMMAKER and producer Paul Soriano has joined the international producing team behind Diamond, a Hollywood feature written and directed by actor-filmmaker Andy Garcia , which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival to a standing ovation.

Shticks

Joseph Peter Gonzales

BARBIE Forteza is entering a new creative chapter with clear admiration for Sharon Cuneta, her co-lead in Prime Video’s Honor Thy Mother, a collaboration between GMA Network and ABS-CBN.

“I’m so excited to work with the one and only Megastar,” she says. “As I’ve said, she’s my idol and is one of the main reasons why I entered showbiz.”

Before cameras even roll, Barbie already has her first impressions of the screen icon. And it is not about star power or legacy, but something more grounded.

“Actually, we haven’t started taping yet, and even if we’ve just spent a long time together twice, I already felt her warmth as a person. It’s a huge thing already, considering her Megastar status. I’ve witnessed how she treats people regardless if they’re on top or bottom. She’s a true person!” There is a kind of full-circle moment here.

Barbie Forteza shares admiration for Sharon Cuneta

Barbie openly credits Sharon as one of the reasons she entered the industry, a detail that adds weight to every interaction they now share on set.

“There’s a saying that sometimes, it’s not good to meet your heroes because you’ll be disappointed a lot of times. But in her case, she just keeps proving that I’ve made the right decision to be here. Truly, I can’t wait to learn from her.”

And she is not alone in this new environment.

Barbie finds herself surrounded by seasoned actors who have long defined Philippine screen craft, including Tonton Gutierrez, John Estrada, Khalil Ramos, Mercedes Cabral, and RK Bagatsing * * * HEAVEN Peralejo has finally opened up about her breakup with Marco Gallo

“It was a beautiful love,” she says. “But there comes a point when you realize that not all people are meant to stay in your life forever. Sometimes, a person stays with you because he just needs to be there in that particular season in your life.”

She describes herself as a “date-to-marry” type, someone who enters relationships with long-term intent.

“Perhaps there was a miscommunication. Or maybe again, it’s only until then and that’s fine.”

On whether the breakup was difficult, her answer is simple, almost universal.

“I think it’s just normal. It will always be painful. All breakups are.” Anger came, as it often does, but so did clarity.

“Yes, I did after our split, because you have this

expectation. But then again, the realization that we’re already old and mature creeps in. We accept that everyone has his or her own flaws.”

Even in hindsight, there is no attempt to rewrite what happened.

“Even I have flaws, and so does he. And maybe we were only there. It’s fine. At least, at some point, we loved each other the best that we could.”

What remains after loss is not confusion, but recalibration.

“Actually, I realized that I was not. You rediscover yourself as to who you are now and who you want to be,” she says.

* * *

FOR Shaira Diaz, a birthday milestone turns into a very personal wish, one that points toward a new phase in life.

To have a baby, she says, is what she is hoping for as she turns 31.

“Apart from my loved ones’ good health, I wish to have a child at this point. I think it’s the perfect time,” she says.

Known as the Kapuso Morning Sunshine on Unang Hirit, she speaks with quiet excitement about what comes next after marriage to Edgar Allan Guzman last year.

“I feel that I’m ready for that exciting phase in my life. I manifest that it happens this 2026!”

EA, it turns out, shares the same direction.

“I really wish that we’ll have a baby soon!”

They were married in August last year, after 11 years together as sweethearts.

Soriano was among a group of international producers credited on the film, which screened at one of cinema’s most closely watched stages and drew a warm reception from audiences in Cannes.

Photos from the premiere quickly spread online, with Filipino viewers expressing pride at seeing a Filipino creative part of a major global production.

Soriano, known for directing films such as Thelma and Kid Kulafu , has steadily expanded his presence in international projects. He previously served as a producer on Lav Diaz ’s Magellan , which starred Gael García Bernal

The Cannes premiere of Diamond also marked Soriano’s second consecutive year with a film screening at the festival, following Magellan’s 2025 showing, further signaling his growing involvement in global film collaborations.

In an interview with the Asian Journal , Soriano said his connection to the project began through a mutual introduction.

“My business partner, Simon Heo , introduced me to Andy Garcia. I read Andy’s script, Diamond , and I immediately fell in love with the story,” Soriano said. “Andy and I later played golf, during which time we really got to know each other—his passion for Diamond , his love for cinema, and life in general.”

Garcia also acknowledged Soriano’s involvement, noting the collaborative effort behind bringing the independently produced film to the screen. For many in the Philippine film community, the Cannes premiere underscored the continued visibility of Filipino creatives in international cinema, with local talent increasingly appearing in global productions.

VMX stars draw line between daring roles and real life

By Jasper Valdez

THE cast of Palitan 2 knows the kind of judgment that comes with doing sexy dramas, but they made it clear that their work on screen should not be mistaken for who they are off camera.

The upcoming VMX film stars Angela Morena, Margaret Diaz, Victor Relosa, and Juan Paulo Calma. It revisits the premise of Brillante Mendoza’s Palitan (2021) with a new cast and a conflict involving a past relationship that returns to disrupt the characters’ present lives.

For Diaz, who is new to VMX, joining the film meant confronting the public perception attached to daring roles.

“There is stigma here in the Philippines that when you do nude scenes, people think, ‘She’s flirtatious,’ or that you are showing too much. But that does not define your personality,” Diaz said during the film’s press conference.

The actress said she had her own fears before entering the industry, but working with her co-stars changed her view of the work.

“Working with professional artists, I honestly used to think they would be flirtatious, too. But I really have not met anyone like that. They were all easy to work with, and they really guided me,” she said.

Diaz also credited Morena for helping her through their GL (girls love) scenes, which marked a first for her.

“During our first GL scene, I told Ate Angela that I was nervous. She really held me and told me, ‘We can do this.’ We also told the director about our concerns, and that made the scenes easier to do. Work is work,” she said.

Morena said comfort and boundaries were discussed before shooting intimate scenes. She said the actors talked about restrictions, blocking, and how they would approach the scenes before cameras rolled.

“Before we shoot, we have to be comfortable with each other, especially with Margaret because it’s her first time working like this. We needed to get to know each other for the chemistry to work,” Morena said. She added that the set also followed measures to protect the actors during sensitive scenes, with wardrobe nearby and monitors turned off. Morena said she made it a point to check on Diaz after shooting.

“Personally, I always ask Margaret if she’s okay. After the scene, I ask her, ‘Are you okay? How are you?’” she said. Relosa, who plays King in the film, also spoke about keeping a clear boundary between his work and his personal image. He said he appreciates feedback from viewers but avoids engaging when comments become disrespectful.

“I do thank them every time they comment about the film, but most of the time, I don’t engage when the comments become a bit lewd or disrespectful,” he said. The actor said he makes a conscious effort not to turn his screen persona into his real-life personality.

“Yes, I’m a sexy actor, but you will only see me undressed in a film. In person, you will see me in a polo, jacket or T-shirt,” Relosa said. “I don’t post thirst traps because the film is already there. Just watch it there.”

For Relosa, intimate scenes also need purpose. He said actors should understand why a scene exists instead of treating it as plain nudity.

“As an artist, we put color into what we do so it does not become just a plain scene where we are naked,” he said.

Palitan 2 streams on VMX beginning May 29.

The art of play

Modern Art: Philippine Edition brings Filipino masters from museum walls to the game table

By Jasper Valdez

ART can often feel distant, something viewed and admired quietly inside museums, galleries, or auction rooms. But the renowned board game Modern Art challenges that idea. It flips the script, allowing people to hold, play, bid on, and talk about art across a table.

Filipino players can now take part in that experience through Modern Art: Philippine Edition, a local release of Dr. Reiner Knizia’s acclaimed board game featuring works by five important Filipino modern artists. Introduced during a launch held on May 20 at Fundación Sansó in San Juan, the local edition was a collaboration between Gaming Library and Fundación Sansó. It features works by National Artists Federico Aguilar Alcuaz, Larry Alcala, and Abdulmari Imao Filipino surrealist Raul Lebajo, and Presidential Medal of Merit awardee Juvenal Sansó

a local release of Dr. Reiner Knizia’s acclaimed board game, showcases works by five prominent Filipino modern artists

getting to know each other better.”

Beyond its collectible value, the Philippine edition also works as an entry point for people who may find museums or art history intimidating. Fundación Sansó assistant director Tenie Santos said the project fits the museum’s effort to keep artists’ legacies visible in ways that feel current and approachable.

“We acknowledge that the younger generation doesn’t know these artists anymore. It’s a sad reality that we all have to accept, but we need to do something about it,” Santos said. For her, the board game format matters because it meets younger audiences in a space they already understand.

In Modern Art, players take on the role of museums competing to acquire and auction artworks across four rounds. The value of the artworks changes depending on the in-game market, making each round a mix of strategy, timing, and reading other players.

For Fundación Sansó director Ricky Francisco, the game offers a casual way to bring important artists back into public memory.

“A lot of people have already forgotten some core artists, and this is a fun way of reintroducing them to families,” Francisco said. “When you get to know each other, you’ll be competing with each other, and it becomes a fun way of

Denicka Rose Tahil’s ‘Ube N’ Queso’ references the popular flavor pairing of ube and queso through sublimation printing and rose-tulle appliqué

“This kind of project really has to cater to the younger generation. As a museum, we have to be flexible with the changes happening outside,” she said. “Hopefully, this kind of game will encourage more people to be into art and to not be intimidated.”

The project also connects with Fundación Sansó’s Initiative for the Continuation of Artist’s Estate, or ICArE, which helps artists’ families and estates with copyright, image management, authentication, skills transfer, and legacybuilding.

Gaming Library

CEO Hans Kenner Fernandez said the Philippine edition was designed to make the artists visible, not tucked away as decoration. The rules are written in English and Filipino, while the game also includes an art book with information on the artists.

“One of our key goals is to promote the National Artists and different artists together,” Fernandez said. “In other editions around the world, they don’t promote the artists inside. Here, we thought that art should actually be front and center.”

The game will be available from May 28 to 31 at All Aboard Expo 026 at the Quezon City MICE Center. Select releases will also include a limited-edition archival print of Sansó’s “Fat Cat.”

Students weave faith and heritage into modern terno designs

IN celebration of Flores de Mayo, Sagala, a contemporary fashion initiative, challenged budding designers to apply textile manipulation and advanced garment techniques in reimagining the Philippine terno The project drew from Sagala, the Filipino term for young maidens participating in the month-long festivities that culminate in the Santacruzan. It was conducted under the Surface Design and Advanced Clothing Construction courses of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) Fashion Design and Merchandising students.

Textile and surface designer, visual artist, and faculty member Olivia Jaro Lopez said the activity encouraged a deeper appreciation of the Philippine national dress among young designers.

“Sagala promoted the preservation and reinterpretation of Philippine customs through contemporary fashion practice,” Lopez said.

Joel Reglos revisits form and faith in 5th solo exhibition ‘Reminiscence’

FILIPINO visual artist Joel Reglos has opened his fifth solo exhibition, Reminiscence , a series that explores artistic development and spiritual endurance, in partnership with Altro Mondo Creative Space at Gateway Gallery.

The exhibition serves as both a retrospective of Reglos’ early aesthetics and a personal account of the faith he says shaped his career in Philippine contemporary art.

In Reminiscence , Reglos returns to the visual language of his formative years, revisiting his use of impasto technique and heavy, sculptural textures. The works highlight earlier palettes and vertical color compositions that defined his practice, set in dialogue with his current approach to abstraction.

The exhibition title carries a dual meaning: a look back at abstraction’s formal language and a reflection on what the artist describes as his “wilderness years,” marked by personal and professional challenges.

“This collection revisits a period of intense struggle and sacrifice,” Reglos said. “It was a time when I had to surrender my path to the Divine, trusting that the journey had a destination I couldn’t yet see. These pieces are reminders that the trials we endure are not obstacles but essential parts of a larger, beautiful plan.”

The works are marked by tactile surfaces and vertical layering of pigment, a recurring feature in Reglos’ practice that suggests movement, growth, and time. By returning to earlier palettes, he frames the series as a reflection on cycles of struggle and renewal.

Each dense layer of paint functions as a visual marker of experience, transforming the canvas into a textured field shaped by accumulation and process.

Reminiscence positions itself as both an exercise in abstraction and a narrative of resilience, linking artistic labor with personal conviction.

Reglos said the works are shaped by the belief that challenges gain meaning over time and through reflection.

The exhibition follows a series of recent milestones, including participation in the Philippine International Furniture Show and features in business and lifestyle publications. Based in Lucena City, Reglos continues to draw from his Quezon Province roots while working within a broader contemporary abstraction practice.

Reminiscence is now on view at Gateway Gallery.

“It highlighted fashion as a medium for heritage appreciation, cultural storytelling, and creative innovation while encouraging students to engage with Philippine identity through research, design, and craftsmanship,” she added.

Under Lopez’s mentorship, together with industry experts and educators, including dye artist DK Katigbak, modern weaver Judith Basco, and fashion designers Milka Redoble, Jan Paul Martinez, and AJ Bernabe Tungpalan, students explored experimental fabric and garment techniques.

Drawing inspiration from works of National Artists in Fashion Design from the Benilde Fashion Museum archives, they created original pieces centered on themes of grace, faith, devotion, and femininity rooted in Filipino heritage.

Several designs paid homage to lilies associated with the Blessed Virgin Mary. Others referenced Lagang, the Cebuano art of floral arrangement, and Lakapati, the goddess of harvest.

Deep crimson tones honored San Clemente, while Santa Elena, a central figure in the Santacruzan, inspired another piece. One ensemble also drew from the designer’s grandmother and memories of the pageant and the elegance of Reina de las Flores.

The collection also incorporated personal interpretations,

including floral details inspired by seasonal blooms and Filipiniana silhouettes paired with translucent Barong Tagalog-inspired inner layers.

Rosa Mystica by Dwayne Orca featured appliqué, pleating, and beading in homage to various saints. Lila at Ginto by Zoe Ann Victoria Garcia showcased chevron-pleated butterfly sleeves and laser-cut floral geometric patterns.

Esperanza by Dean Hilao was shaped around the phrase “hold on to that string of hope,” with a palette inspired by purple and blue iris flowers and themes of courage and wisdom.

Magdalene in Bloom by Josh Rivera reinterpreted the terno with floral appliqués, beadwork, and a pleated bubble silhouette with a dramatic train. Flor In-Il by Juliane Chancoco invited wearers to embody the essence of bloom in a procession of faith, beauty, and renewal.

Abaniko by Dianella Soriente interpreted the traditional Filipino fan, while The Heart of Gold by Jemica Sandra Echon transformed the gown into a coat-like ensemble, highlighting butterfly sleeves.

Barleria Meadow by Seiya Sakamoto highlighted pintuck manipulation in an A-line gown with fluid petal forms. Ube N’ Queso by Denicka Rose Tahil referenced the popular flavor pairing through sublimation printing and rose-tulle appliqué.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2026 lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com

WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2026 lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com

NICKIE WANG, Editor

NICKIE WANG, Editor

ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer

ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer

JASPER VALDEZ, Writer

JASPER VALDEZ, Writer

BEFORE May draws to a close, I find myself considering how best to observe National Heritage Month, perhaps not through ceremonies but by revisiting and walking around Manila. After all, it is a city best understood on foot.

In this city, the past is never fully behind you.

It lingers in fragments: a gallery label, a concrete overhang catching the late-afternoon light, a staircase worn by decades of use. It reveals itself through built heritage shaped by climate, politics, and design.

To walk through Manila’s heritage sites is to see how the country has continually redefined itself, not only through events but also through the spaces where those events unfolded. Layers of political history, architectural ambition, and cultural memory remain embedded in the city’s built environment.

Reuniting with the ‘Poet of Concrete’

A good starting point is not a building, but a retrospective of an architect’s body of work. I dropped by the Beato Angelico Gallery at the University of Santo Tomas College of Architecture to see the Poet of Concrete exhibit.

Organized with the Cultural Center of the Philippines and De La SalleCollege of Saint Benilde, the exhibit revisits the legacy of National Artist for Architecture Leandro V. Locsin, offering a lens through which many of Manila’s landmarks can be better understood.

The exhibition’s title, originally a moniker bestowed on the late National Artist, captures the breadth of his work: engineered with rigor, yet carrying a sense of lightness through proportion, spatial layering, and careful handling of mass.

Recurring elements emerge, such as expansive interiors that allow movement to unfold naturally, deep overhangs suited to tropical conditions, and a strong horizontal emphasis that anchors buildings to their sites.

Admiring concrete in its grandest form

From the exhibit, the next stop — the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), located within the CCP Complex along Manila Bay — feels like a natural progression. The ideas introduced through drawings

By Angalica Villanueva

SINAGLARAWAN 2026 is asking photographers to turn their lenses toward everyday Filipino victories for its fourth nationwide photo contest.

With the theme “Pagbubunyi” (Jubilation), the JTI Philippines community investment initiative invites photographers to capture moments of pride, support, and shared joy in ordinary life—from personal milestones to acts of kindness within communities.

Rather than turning attention toward grand celebrations and public spectacles, this year’s edition asks participants to find stories in quieter moments that reflect how Filipinos celebrate one another’s successes.

“Pagbubunyi can be seen in everyday triumphs, in jubilant moments that we quietly celebrate but joyfully share with each other,” said JTI Philippines corporate communications and public affairs director Richard Arboleda during the contest launch in Manila.

He added that “Pagbubunyi” is “marked not by grand festivals but meaningful moments that demonstrate the depth of our empathy and the happiness we share in these small, poignant victories.”

Bahay Ugnayan is now a museum showcasing the history of the Philippine presidency and the San Miguel district

Set along the Pasig River and within the orbit of Malacañang Palace, these ancestral houses trace their origins to the late Spanish and early American periods. Once private and highly restricted, they have since been restored and opened to the public. Bahay Ugnayan serves as the primary orientation hub for visitors. Originally a residential structure, it has been adaptively reused as a museum introducing the history of the Philippine presidency and the surrounding San Miguel district. Exhibits include archival photographs, official documents, and multimedia presentations tracing political transitions from the Spanish colonial period to the present. The building reflects traditional Filipino urban residential architecture, characterized by elevated living spaces, capiz shell windows, and ventilation systems suited to tropical climates.

A short distance away stands Teus Mansion, built in the late 19th century by Don Valentín Teus, a Spanish businessman associated with the early development of what would become Tanduay Distillers. The mansion exemplifies the bahay na bato, blending European construction techniques with indigenous Filipino design principles. Today, Teus Mansion houses presidential memorabilia, portraits, personal

Rediscovering Manila heritage sites

and models take on full scale in the actual structure.

Completed in 1976, the PICC was designed to host meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, positioning the Philippines within a global network of diplomacy and finance. It was the first facility of its kind in Southeast Asia, purpose-built for international conventions.

Designed by Locsin, the building demonstrates his concept of “floating volume,” where large concrete masses appear to hover, shifting attention from weight to balance.

Broad plazas and reflecting pools soften the transition from open sky to enclosed space. Inside, high ceilings, wide corridors, and filtered natural light create a calm atmosphere that contrasts with the building’s solid exterior.

The PICC remains an active venue, but it also stands as a document of a particular moment in Philippine history—when architecture was used to project national ambition on an international stage.

Inside the Malacañang Heritage Mansions

Step into the political landscape through the Malacañang Heritage Mansions—namely, Bahay Ugnayan, Teus Mansion, and Goldenberg Mansion. Exploring this side of Manila reveals a quieter dimension of the city, shaped by memory, power, and continuity.

effects, and historical artifacts illustrating how the image and role of the presidency have evolved. Its large reception rooms, high ceilings, and wide corridors also show how architecture was used to signal status and authority during the colonial period.

Goldenberg Mansion, another key structure within the complex, has undergone multiple transformations. Originally constructed in the 19th century, it later became associated with prominent Filipino and foreign occupants before being restored in the 1970s under the direction of Locsin.

The restoration preserved many of its neoclassical elements while adapting the space for official functions. Over the decades, the mansion has hosted state events, diplomatic gatherings, and cultural programs.

Collectively, the Malacañang Heritage Mansions demonstrate how architecture functions not only as shelter, but as a repository of political memory.

A route through scale and memory

To walk this route during National Heritage Month is to experience heritage as something active rather than fixed. Buildings are not only preserved; they are reinterpreted, reused, and recontextualized. Through this walk, a timely question emerges: how do we care for this significant built heritage? Many of these structures have reached an age where preservation has become urgent, even as urban development accelerates around them.

The National Heritage Month tour was hosted by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.

Capturing everyday victories through the lens SinagLarawan invites photographers to capture moments of victory

The

and culture, which the company sees as an important part of its community investment efforts.

“With SinagLarawan, we are highlighting photography as an art form that enriches lives, serving as a source of inspiration and a medium that shapes collective experiences and shared values,” said Shaiful Bahari Mahpar JTI Philippines corporate affairs and communications director.

Now in its fourth year, SinagLarawan

will appear in the SinagLarawan photobook, while major winners will also be featured in the company’s 2027 corporate calendar. Entries are being accepted through Aug.

as organizers continue outreach efforts beyond Metro