Manila Standard - 2026 June 2 - Tuesday

VP SARA’S LAWYERS BEAT DEADLINE, SUBMIT IMPEACH REPLY

VICE President Sara Duterte's defense team on Monday filed their response to the impeachment case with the Senate trial court, raising “significant constitutional, procedural, and substantive issues” in the two complaints against her.

Batangas 2nd District Rep. Gerville Luistro, head of the House prosecution panel, said prosecutors are ready to file their reply and move to the next phase of the impeachment case ahead of the deadline for her answer to the Articles of Impeachment

Jinggoy yields; Bonoan,

By Ram Superable, Joel Zurbano, and Charles Dantes

THE Senate failed to convene Monday after members of the majority bloc did not appear for their scheduled plenary session following the arrest of Sen. Jinggoy Estrada earlier in the day on plunder charges, further intensifying a bitter leadership dispute within the chamber. Only the 11-member minority bloc was present when the session was scheduled to resume, leaving the Senate without a quorum. The senators then stood up and left at around 7:30

By Ram Superable

THE Senate Blue Ribbon Committee will convene its ninth public hearing on Thursday to investigate alleged corruption, governance irregularities, and infrastructure flaws tied to nationwide flood control projects.

Chaired by Senator Pia Cayetano, the Committee on Accountability of Public Officers and Investigations will hold the legislative inquiry at 10 a.m. in the Senate Session Hall, and will eventually forward all evidence gathered from its probe to the Department of Justice and the Office of the Ombudsman.

By Ram Superable, Vince Lopez, Charles Dantes, and Maricel Cruz

SENATOR Jinggoy

Estrada was arrested Monday after the Sandiganbayan special anti-graft court ordered his detention over a non-bailable plunder case linked to an alleged P573-million flood control kickback scheme.

Estrada turned himself in at the Senate after a press briefing that his allies in the majority also attended, making the senator the highest-ranking government official so far arrested in the sprawling corruption scandal.

The Sandiganbayan Fifth Division issued the arrest warrant after rejecting motions filed by Estrada's lawyers seeking to withhold the warrant's issuance and quash the criminal charges against him.

The plunder case, docketed as SB26-CRM-0001, stemmed from allegations that Estrada received hundreds of millions of pesos in kickbacks from flood control projects.

By Charles Dantes

a telephone conversation on Monday.

“I had a productive phone call with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio this morning, during which we discussed critical regional and economic priorities and bilateral trade matters,”

Fuel prices near pre-war levels

By Alena Mae S. Flores

By Charles Dantes

Jinggoy...

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The Office of the Ombudsman accused him of inserting allocations for flood control projects in the 2025 national budget, enabling him to accumulate over half a billion pesos in illicit commissions.

Plunder is punishable by life imprisonment and does not carry the right to bail.

Also ordered arrested were former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan, former assistant district engineer Denryl Caesar Cortuna, and former district engineers Manny Bulusan and Arturo Gonzales Jr.

All five accused were taken into custody except for Bonoan, who was directed to the Philippine National Police Hospital after his blood pressure spiked. Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla assured reporters that the exDPWH chief and the others would be taken straight to the Sandiganbayan.

Cayetano:...

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p.m., or after waiting for about two and a half hours for their majority peers.

As the standoff unfolded, Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano issued a public appeal through his Facebook page to the minority, urging them to defend the independence of the Senate and resist what he suggested was outside interference in the affairs of a co-equal branch of government.

“The Senate is a co-equal branch of government. It is not a prize to be claimed — by anyone. Events of the past few days may have blurred this distinction, but what happened with one of our colleagues today brings it sharply back into focus,” Cayetano said.

He called on senators to allow the chamber to “go quiet” as a collective protest.

“Will you stand for the Senate's independence? Let the Senate go quiet, together and by choice, so the country is made to ask why a co-equal branch would fall silent rather than be made to serve,” he said.

However, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian said the minority plans to file ethics complaints against the majority over

Marcos,...

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Mr. Marcos said in a post on his Facebook page.

Rubio's call came after Defense Secretary and Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth struck a measured tone towards China at a major defense forum on Saturday, noting "rightful alarm" over Beijing's military build-up but saying the United States sought a "stable equilibrium" in Asia.

“Our exchange underscored our countries' mutual commitment to strengthening the PH-US alliance and addressing shared regional interests,” Mr. Marcos said.

Malacañang initially did not provide a press statement, but released a photo of Mr. Marcos at a desk talking to Rubio on speakerphone.

According to a statement from the US State Department, Mr. Marcos and Rubio discussed "a range of bilateral economic and security priorities, including efforts to advance peace and security in the South China Sea."

Rubio also reaffirmed Washington's commitment to developing the Luzon Economic Corridor (LEC) and addressing energy challenges in the region.

The arrest came days after the Sandiganbayan Second Division issued separate warrants against Estrada and Bonoan in a related graft case. Remulla and officials of the PNPCriminal Investigation and Detection Group proceeded to the Senate to take Estrada into custody after he surrendered to authorities.

Before his surrender, Estrada denied the allegations and described the case as politically motivated. "I stand my ground. I will not be broken by accusations, nor will I yield to political pressure. What is at stake here goes beyond my personal circumstances. What is at stake here is the independence of the Senate," Estrada told reporters.

He claimed that he had received several offers to have the charges dropped if he agreed to leave the 13-member Senate majority bloc led by Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano (see related story on A1 – Editors).

"There were many offers to drop the charges against me, but I did not entertain them," he said. "As for who they are, just wait for the next chapter."

their absence, and said the no-show was a violation of Senate rules.

Sen. Raffy Tulfo also said the minority will keep attending plenary sessions until the Senate’s sine die adjournment on June 6, even as Cayetano’s office said the scheduled hearing of the Blue Ribbon Committee would push through on June 4.

Tulfo blasted the majority, saying: "Kung ordinaryong government employee, suspendido, sisante pag ‘di pumasok. Kapag kami, ganun-ganun lang?"

(If an ordinary government employee gets suspended or fired if they don’t go to work, if it's us [senators], we can just go easy?)

Earlier in the day, Estrada turned himself in after the Sandiganbayan issued an arrest warrant against him in connection with a non-bailable plunder case filed by the Office of the Ombudsman.

The warrant was served by police led by Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla. The arrest followed a separate warrant issued Friday for graft charges, which are bailable.

Cayetano, along with Senators Imee Marcos and Rodante Marcoleta, accompanied Estrada as he exited the Senate building after his arrest. TV reports said some of the majority

US Undersecretary of State Jacob Helberg had visited the Philippines last week and visited the main site of the planned 4,000-hectare economic zone in Clark, Pampanga.

“The Secretary reaffirmed US commitment to developing the Luzon Economic Corridor and exploring ways to address the energy challenges in the region,” the State Department said.

Rubio likewise underscored the strength of the alliance between the Philippines and the United States.

“The Secretary emphasized the strength of the United States-Philippines Alliance and the continued close cooperation as the two countries commemorate 80 years of diplomatic relations and 75 years as Allies in 2026,” the statement added.

The LEC was launched in 2024 as a trilateral initiative involving the Philippines, the United States, and Japan.

The project aims to accelerate investments in infrastructure, connectivity, clean energy, semiconductors, supply chains, and other high-impact sectors across Luzon.

The initiative was announced following a trilateral summit in Washington attended by Mr. Marcos, then-US President Joe Biden, and then-Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

"If this is the price I must pay for the decisions I have made and the principles I have chosen to uphold, then I am prepared to face the consequences, however difficult they may be, especially for my family," he added.

Estrada said he rejected the alleged offers because of his commitment to his colleagues in the majority coalition.

He also said he would not seek protective custody from the Senate and had instructed the Senate Secretary to suspend his salary while he fights the charges in court.

"This institution must never become vulnerable to external pressure. It must remain free from political coercion, undue influence, and from any scheme designed to weaken its constitutional role as a coequal independent branch of government," he said.

Malacañang swiftly rejected Estrada's allegations that criminal cases were being used to influence Senate alignments.

Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said it would be unfair to Filipinos if criminal

senators also accompanied Estrada to Camp Crame, the headquarters of the Philippine National Police.

Minority Senators Juan Miguel Zubiri and Francis Pangilinan said their bloc was prepared to wait for the majority senators and proceed with legislative work.

“No one said they would cancel, so we are just waiting. We're ready to work. You know there's a lot of work,” Zubiri said, citing pending measures on third reading, citizenship bills, and matters involving the Commission on Appointments.

Pangilinan noted that the Senate could not proceed because only 11 senators were present on the floor.

While acknowledging that disagreements over Senate leadership were legitimate subjects for debate, Cayetano insisted that such issues should be resolved by senators themselves.

“This chamber answers to God and the people who sent us here, and to no one outside these walls. That line is now being tested,” he said.

Cayetano warned that treating the Senate's independence or the legal standing of its members as political bargaining chips would weaken both the institution and the republic.

“The independence of this institu-

Revived... From A1

The scheduled proceedings will focus on multiple privilege speeches regarding public fund accountability and structural defects, including addresses by Senator Panfilo Lacson titled “Flooded Gates of Corruption” and “Flooded Gates of Hell.”

Lawmakers will also evaluate a motu proprio inquiry into national flooding, along with legislative speeches from Senators Jinggoy Estrada, Erwin Tulfo, and Rodante Marcoleta regarding public works and the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board.

The docket includes an assessment of Proposed Senate Resolution No. 317, filed by Senator Imee Marcos, which seeks to probe an alleged money delivery scheme involving former military personnel under former Rep. Zaldy Co, and the reported cooperation of certain government officials with the International Criminal Court.

Committee members will also review a separate address by Marcoleta concerning a video statement from for-

Fuel...

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cases could be dismissed simply because a politician switched political blocs, or if “simply because someone transferred to the minority (of the Senate)." She noted that Estrada's name had already surfaced during investigations conducted last year, including inquiries by the Independent Commission for Infrastructure and a partial report prepared by Senator Panfilo Lacson.

Castro also dismissed claims that the administration was targeting political opponents while protecting allies.

"How can the executive engage in politicking if it goes through the proper process and proper investigation?" she said.

Castro further emphasized the independence of the judiciary.

"The judiciary is not led nor interfered with by the President and the executive," she said.

The flood control scandal has become one of the country's largest corruption controversies, involving allegations that politicians, government officials and contractors diverted billions of pesos intended for flood mitigation projects in a country regularly

tion, and the legal standing of any of its members, are not currencies. The day they become things to be traded is the day that the Senate is diminished. And after the Senate, the Republic,” he said. But Tulfo later commented: “What independence is he talking about?”

Cayetano’s appeal came amid mounting efforts by the minority bloc, which has called itself the Solid Bloc 11 (SB-11), to challenge his leadership.

Tulfo said Cayetano would be considered a “hero” if he voluntarily stepped down as Senate president for the good of the institution.

“If he does that, he would be a hero. But most likely he won't do it. Want to bet?” Tulfo said in an interview over DZBB.

Tulfo said he expects “fireworks” once the Senate resumes its session, including a possible motion to remove Cayetano and install Gatchalian, the minority bet, as Senate president. He also claimed that Cayetano no longer has complete control over the majority bloc and alleged that two majority senators may eventually defect to the minority.

“There are some who appear unhappy with what is happening and do not seem to agree with recent devel-

mer Speaker Martin Romualdez.

The Blue Ribbon probe aims to uncover policy gaps, enhance state oversight, and formulate legislative reforms to address persistent nationwide flooding and ineffective mitigation systems.

The current committee roster features vice chairpersons Marcoleta and Estrada, alongside Senators Francis Escudero, Christopher Go, Imee Marcos, Robinhood Padilla, Mark Villar, and Camille Villar.

Ex officio members guiding the proceedings include Minority Leader Vicente Sotto III, Acting Majority Leader Joel Villanueva, and Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda. No minority senators have been elected to the panel as of the latest committee scheduling.

The investigation continues amid prior external allegations implicating committee members Escudero, Estrada, and Villanueva in the infrastructure anomalies.

Estrada bypassed Senate protection on Monday to surrender to law enforcement authorities following a plunder arrest warrant issued against him by the Sandiganbayan. PH...

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Vietnam the Philippines’ sole strategic partner in Southeast Asia to be elevated to the new level of engagement, President Marcos said.

The two leaders witnessed the signing of several agreements, including the renewal of the 2010 PhilippinesVietnam Memorandum of Agreement on Defense Cooperation.

Mr. Marcos said the renewed pact would strengthen cooperation in maritime security, military education, and disaster risk reduction and management.

“As fellow claimant states, we reaffirm that maintaining peace, stability, and the freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea remains non-negotiable,” Mr. Marcos said.

He said both countries remained committed to resolving disputes peacefully in accordance with interna-

tional law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 2016 South China Sea arbitral ruling.

President Marcos also said Manila and Hanoi agreed to intensify intelligence sharing and law enforcement cooperation against transnational crimes, including internet fraud, human trafficking, illegal gambling, and people smuggling.

On economic ties, he said both governments aimed to expand bilateral trade beyond their shared target of $10 billion and encourage greater two-way investments in manufacturing, green technology, and the digital economy. Vietnam is currently the Philippines’ 11th-largest trading partner, according to Mr. Marcos.

Agriculture remained a key area of cooperation, with both sides agreeing to pursue new initiatives in agribusiness, seafood processing, and scientific research focused on climate-resilient farming and food security.

Garin said the latest rollback brings pump prices closer to pre-war levels of P50 to P60 per liter.

“Hopefully with no more surprises in the events that are happening in the Middle East, especially with Iran, Israel, and the U.S., hopefully it goes steady and we go back to the previous prices," Garin said.

DOE data showed that prior to the rollback, diesel sold from P76.40 to P98.50 per liter, gasoline from P72.40 to P109.50 per liter, and kerosene from P110.90 to P140 per liter in the National Capital Region.

Meanwhile, the country’s fuel inventory stood at 45.97 days as of May 29, 2026. Kerosene has the highest stock level at 143.64 days, followed by jet fuel at 65.03 days, gasoline at 47.10 days, diesel at 44.36 days, LPG at 42.13 days and fuel oil at 41.30 days.

Energy Undersecretary Alessandro Sales said the current inventory level reflects ongoing calm in the market

battered by powerful typhoons. Estrada's arrest marks the first time a sitting senator has been taken into custody in connection with the scandal. The senator, son of former president Joseph Estrada, was previously charged in 2014 in connection with the multibillion-peso pork barrel scam. While the Sandiganbayan acquitted him of plunder in that case in 2024, it found him guilty of direct and indirect bribery arising from transactions involving businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles and her fake non-government organizations that received lawmakers' Priority Development Assistance Fund allocations.

Estrada is a member of the Senate majority bloc that took control of the chamber in May ahead of the upcoming impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

His detention, along with the continued absence of Senator Ronald Dela Rosa, who is in hiding after an arrest order issued by the International Criminal Court, could affect the participation of both lawmakers in the Senate impeachment proceedings. With AFP

opments. Those are the two who may switch sides,” Tulfo said in a separate television interview.

He declined to identify the senators but said the minority was prepared for any move by the majority.

“We anticipate that the majority may make another maneuver, but we are ready for any eventuality. We know the moves they may make so we will not be checkmated,” he said.

Tulfo said that if the minority secures another member and gains the numbers to take control of the chamber, it could move to declare all committee chairmanships vacant, potentially halting plans to resume the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee's investigation into alleged anomalies in flood-control projects through a subcommittee headed by Marcoleta ( see related story on A1 – Editors ).

Meanwhile, Malacañang dismissed Cayetano's suggestion that the cancellation of a Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council meeting could be linked to efforts to remove him from office.

Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro described the claim as speculative.

“He has so many assumptions,” Castro said during a Palace briefing.

VP...

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role with “fairness, independence, and adherence to the rule of law.”

In her Answer submitted to the Senate, Duterte argued that the House Committee on Justice's proceedings constitute a "mini-trial," which she claims is unconstitutional and solely within the Senate’s jurisdiction. She also asserted that the House committee's proceedings appeared biased, citing public statements by some members suggesting they had already secured the necessary votes and evidence for impeachment before completing hearings.

Her Answer also challenged the relevance of records, documents, and allegations related to her tenure as mayor and vice mayor of Davao City, arguing that such allegations cannot be converted into impeachable offenses simply by including them in the current proceedings.

and global pricing.

“The liquid products are three times our mandated inventory of 15 days, so we remain in a comfortable position," Sales said. "In terms of outlook, it's been a push and pull on the finalization of the extended end to the war.

There have been positive and negative signals over the week, but the market has priced it as more positive.”

The DOE also announced the arrival of 21,000 metric tons of LPG procured directly by the government from international markets to bolster national reserves.

The cargo, consisting of 50 percent refrigerated propane and 50 percent refrigerated butane, was sourced from Enterprise Port in Texas and procured through Trafigura Pte. Ltd. on April 30, 2026. It arrived May 30, 2026, at the CISC Industrial Park, South Pacific Inc. terminal in Calaca, Batangas.

The shipment was secured under the DOE’s Emergency Energy Security Program, which tasks the Philippine National Oil Co. with procuring LPG reserves while its subsidiary, PNOC Exploration Corp., secures diesel supplies.

The defense also argued that no final ruling has been made by any competent tribunal on misuse, malversation, plunder, graft, or illegal disbursement of public funds against her, and her Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALNs) do not prove any illicit or hidden wealth.

They dismissed claims linking her to political destabilization, sedition, or threats against officials as based on “out-of-context statements, misattributions, or unsupported interpretations.”

The team emphasized that constitutional accountability relies on competent, admissible evidence rather than inference or speculation.

On May 18, the Senate officially convened as an impeachment court to hear the Articles of Impeachment filed against Duterte.

The writ compels Duterte to respond to the impeachment allegations, giving her until June 1 to respond.

The charges include alleged betrayal of public trust, graft and corruption, culpable violation of the Constitution, and other high crimes.

In 2025, Duterte initially said she wanted a ‘bloodbath’ during the impeachment trial to bring all evidence against her to light.

Gov’t mobilizes 243,000 workers ahead of June 8 school opening

By Charles Dantes

MORE than 240,000 Filipinos will be temporarily employed this week to help public schools prepare for the start of classes, as the government ramps up efforts to get campuses ready for millions of students returning on June 8.

The Office of the Executive Secre-

tary said 243,000 workers will be assigned to schools nationwide under the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program from June 1 to 5.

The workers will assist in Brigada Eskwela activities at 5,000 priority schools, including large campuses and

schools located in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas.

Each worker will receive P5,000 for five days of work that includes cleaning classrooms, clearing school grounds, hauling furniture and learning materials, managing waste, repainting facilities and carrying out other non-technical maintenance tasks.

Bills seek 5% of GDP on health, removal of VAT on medicines

By Maricel V. Cruz

A GROUP of lawmakers on Monday filed two health-related bills seeking to increase government spending on public health and remove value-added tax (VAT) on all essential medicines and nutritional products.

Reps. Antonio Tinio of ACT Teachers, Sara Elago of Gabriela, and Renee Co of Kabataan filed House Bills (HB) 9563 and 9564. HB 9564, or the proposed “Una ang Kalusugan Law,” seeks to require the government to allocate at least 5 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) to public health services, equivalent to about P1.4 trillion based on current estimates.

“Health is a right, not a commodity for the wealthy. Yet the government spends only P448 billion, or 1.45 percent of GDP, on health. This is four times less

than neighboring countries,” Tinio said.

The lawmakers said Filipinos shoulder 42.7 percent of total health expenditures out of pocket, amounting to P615.16 billion annually, making it the third-highest burden among ASEAN countries.

“If we raise the health budget to 5 percent of GDP, we can provide living wages for health workers, hire sufficient health professionals, and make health services free for all Filipinos, just as we have fought for free education,” Tinio said.

He added that increased public health spending would also boost economic productivity.

“A 1 percent increase in public health spending per capita can lead to a 15.1 percent to 17.9 percent increase in labor productivity over five years. This is an investment in the nation’s productive capacity,” he said.

Officials said the initiative intends to support both school readiness and household incomes as families prepare for the opening of the academic year.

Executive Secretary Ralph Recto said the program addresses two immediate concerns at once.

“Isa ito sa mga programang tumatama ng dalawang mahalagang layunin sa isang hakbang. Habang naghahanda tayo ng mas maayos at mas ligtas na mga paaralan para sa ating mga estudyante, nabibigyan din natin ng trabaho at kita ang kanilang mga magulang at mga kamag-anak,” Recto said.

(This is one of those programs that achieve two important goals in one step. While we are preparing better

and safer schools for our students, we are also providing jobs and income for their parents and relatives.)

“Ibig sabihin nito, may pagkain sa hapag-kainan, may pambili ng mga school supplies, may pambaon ang mga bata, at handa ang mga silid-aralan sa pagbubukas ng klase,” he added.

(This means there is food on the dining table, there is money to buy school supplies, the children have allowance, and the classrooms are ready for the opening of classes.)

The deployment comes after President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. ordered agencies to ensure schools are safe and fully prepared before students return to classrooms next week.

74% of Pinoys back VP Sara impeach trial

By Katrina Manubay

A STRONG majority of Filipinos support allowing the Senate to proceed with the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, with 74 percent backing the constitutional process regardless of its eventual outcome, according to a survey conducted by OCTA Research.

Results of the latest Tugon ng Masa (TNM) survey showed that nearly three in four adult Filipinos believe Duterte should face a Senate impeachment trial to answer the allegations against her. Only 21 percent opposed the trial, while 4 percent were undecided.

Support for an impeachment trial was strongest in the Visayas at 82 percent, followed by the National Capital Region at 81 percent and Balance Luzon at 77 percent. Mindanao posted the lowest level of support at 58 percent.

OCTA clarified that the survey measured public support for a Senate impeachment trial as a constitutional mechanism for addressing allegations and ensuring due process, and not as an indication of Duterte’s guilt, likelihood of conviction, or fitness for removal from office.

“Respondents who said she should face a Senate trial may hold a wide range of views on the eventual outcome; what the data capture is their support for allowing the process to proceed through its proper constitutional course,” the research group said. The survey also showed that support for an impeachment trial increased by five percentage points from 69 percent in March to 74 percent in April.

Across socioeconomic classes, support varied only slightly, with 74 percent among Class ABC, 75 percent among Class D, and 73 percent among Class E.

Lawmakers OK free college law to prioritize 4Ps students

IN BRIEF

reliability of the automated voting system. Comelec chair George Garcia said the machines are undergoing hardware acceptance tests to identify and replace defective units before they are officially accepted for use. The poll body will also conduct simulation exercises, technical evaluations, and logic and accuracy tests as part of the certification process before the system is deployed.

As an additional safeguard, Comelec is proposing to raise the machines’ vote-detection threshold from 15% to 25% to address concerns over ballot mark recognition and improve voter confidence. Vito Barcelo

A JOINT anti-illegal logging operation by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Sta. Cruz Municipal Police Station resulted in the arrest of two individuals and the seizure of about P160,000 worth of suspected illegally sourced Malugay lumber in Sta. Cruz, Occidental Mindoro on June 1. The operation stemmed from coordination between the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO)DENR Sablayan and the local police for an enforcement drive against illegal logging activities.

Authorities intercepted a closed van traveling along a barangay road in Sitio Masaya, Barangay Alacaak, loaded with sawn Malugay lumber. The suspects allegedly failed to present the required transport and ownership documents.

Confiscated during the operation were 50 pieces of 2x6x20 Malugay sawn lumber with an estimated volume of 1,000 board feet and a market value of about P160,000. The suspects and the seized lumber were brought to the Sta. Cruz police station for documentation and filing of charges. Vince Lopez

THE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said Monday it is coordinating with the Philippine National Police (PNP) in pursuing a case against a man arrested for falsely claiming to be a survivor of the collapsed building in Angeles City, Pampanga. DSWD spokesperson Irene Dumlao said the agency is helping in the case buildup to prevent similar incidents involving individuals who exploit tragedies to obtain government assistance. The suspect was arrested on May 29 after allegedly pretending to be a survivor of the building collapse in an attempt to secure food and financial aid intended for affected families and workers. Based on an initial report

By Felino Santos

STUDENTS from Pantawid Pamilyang

Pilipino

Program (4Ps) households will be given top priority in receiving government tertiary education subsidies under the proposed bill amending the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act (UAQTEA), following the approval Monday of amendments to RA 10931 by the Bicameral Conference Committee.

The measure seeks to strengthen Republic Act No. 10931 by expanding access to financial assistance, ensuring TES support for all 4Ps graduates admitted to any government-recognized TVET or higher education institution.

EDCOM 2’s Final Report showed that despite the success of the Free Higher Education Law in increasing college participation among poor households, the Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) has increasingly failed to reach the students it was originally intended to prioritize since 2018. EDCOM found that

the share of TES beneficiaries from the poorest households dropped from 70.73% in 2018 to 22.89% in 2022, while only 1.23%, or 4,746 out of 384,388 4Ps senior high school completers, were able to access TES as first-year beneficiaries in Academic Year 2024-2025.

EDCOM 2 Co-Chairperson Rep. Roman Romulo pointed to the disconnect between the promise of free college and the reality faced by many poor students.

“The commitment, the promise to poor but deserving Filipino students, es-

pecially those in the 4Ps program, is but an illusion. Php20,000 a year is impossible to make work. We should prioritize 4Ps beneficiaries and provide them with a TES amount sufficient to complete a year of study,” Romulo said.

The EDCOM 2 Final Report also found that the amount of TES directly affects students’ ability to complete their studies. The subsidy was reduced in 2022 from Php60,000 for students in private higher education institutions and Php40,000 for those in state and local universities and colleges to Php20,000 annually, before being partially restored for private institutions. The Commission warned that insufficient support increases the likelihood that students will discontinue their studies.

EDCOM 2 Co-Chairperson Sen. Loren Legarda acknowledged that current subsidy levels no longer reflect the actual cost of pursuing higher education.

“Even the amount that you mentioned, it’s no longer realistic,” she said, referring to the current TES grant level.

“We need to ensure that learners from 4Ps households are given top priority in the grant of tertiary education subsidy.”

By Vince Lopez

THE Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has selected 156 local government units (LGUs) to join the Philippine Open Government Partnership (PH-OGP) Localization Program, an initiative aimed at strengthening transparency, accountability, and citizen participation in local governance.

The initiative is anchored on Executive Order No. 31, which institutionalized the PH-OGP and promotes open, participatory, and accountable governance across government systems.

The DILG said the program will expand public participation at the grassroots level while providing LGUs opportunities to engage with international counterparts, exchange innovative solutions, and learn from global best practices in open government. Through its partnership with the Open Government Partnership Support Unit, the department will facilitate collaboration between LGUs and foreign local governments in areas such as fiscal transparency, digital governance, and climate resilience.

“The program seeks not only to institutionalize participatory governance locally but also to elevate successful local practices as potential models for other countries pursuing open and accountable governance systems,” the DILG said.

The PH-OGP Localization Program follows a three-year cycle that includes documenting open-government practices, co-creating reform commitments, and monitoring flagship initiatives.

According to the DILG, the process is designed to strengthen collaboration between government and civil society while ensuring governance reforms are shaped by both citizens and institutions.

The 156 LGUs were identified through a two-stage regional selection process conducted with the participation of civil society organizations. Selection was based on documented initiatives promoting transparency, accountability, and citizen participation in planning, budgeting, legislation, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation.

By Rio N. Araja

IN celebration of Pride Month, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Monday called for stronger protection of the rights of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual, and other members of the LGBTQIA+ community under the theme “Pride Without Prejudice.”

Saying it stands in solidarity with the LGBTQIA+ community, the Commission said Pride Month is not only a celebration of diversity but also an affirmation of every person’s right to be recognized, respected, and treated equally regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or sex characteristics.

“It is a reminder that human rights begin with the recognition of our shared humanity and the equal worth of every

individual,” it added.

The CHR recognized progress made by local government units, schools, workplaces, and other institutions that have adopted gender-inclusive policies and practices.

“We welcome the growing number of local government units that have enacted Anti-Discrimination Ordinances, as well as initiatives that promote inclusive workplaces, accessible services, and safer spaces for persons of diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, and sex characteristics (SOGIESC),” it said.

While noting these gains, the Commission said significant challenges remain, with many LGBTQIA+ Filipinos continuing to experience discrimination, harassment, exclusion, and unequal treatment.

By Rex Espiritu

THE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) declared the collapse of the New People’s Army’s (NPA) Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC) following the surrender of its remaining members in Surigao del Sur.

The Philippine Army’s 4th Infantry Division (4ID) said the last five members of the NEMRC surrendered to joint forces from the 401st Infantry Brigade and the Philippine National Police Special Action Force in Tagbina, Surigao del Sur, on May 28. The surrender came a day after three members of the Regional Sentro de Grabidad (RSDG) of the NEMRC yielded to government troops and turned over a carbine rifle, three magazines, and 28 rounds of ammunition.

The military attributed the wave of surrenders to declining morale within the group following the death of NEMRC leader Edilberto Daval, also known as “Bong,” “Col. Glenn Joy Aynera, acting commander of the 401st Infantry Brigade, said the former rebels voluntarily surrendered and pledged support for the government’s peace and development programs.

“This significant development marks another major milestone in our intensified campaign to end insurgency in the Caraga Region. The surrender of the remaining NEMRC members signifies the complete dismantling of one of the CTG’s (communist terrorist group) major regional formations operating in northeastern Mindanao,” Aynera said.

OPINION

Honor Blanco Cabie

Repositories of cultural heritage

(Last of two parts)

LINGUISTS and scholars agree that technology alone cannot revitalize re-energize regional languages, abundant in the Philippine countryside despite the presence of innovative tools. They endorse the thought that real appreciation requires community-led efforts, supportive educational curricula, and families speaking the language at home to create a genuine connection to cultural heritage.

To preserve and restore regional languages, scholars point to researches done strongly suggesting local communities must prioritize intergenerational transmission, integrate the language into local education and daily life, and leverage digital platforms.

By doing these, language in the cultural margins remains a living reflection of their unique cultural heritage, according to these scholars, quoting studies. Instance, these scholars have referred to key strategies for communities:

• Intergenerational Transmission: Encourage elders to mentor younger generations through storytelling, mentorship programs, and daily household conversations. Families are the primary engine for passing down an endangered mother tongue.

• Immersive Education: Establish community-led “language nests” (early childhood immersion) and bilingual education programs. Schools can accelerate this process by teaching local native languages starting at a young age.

• Cultural Integration: Embed the language into community life through local media, traditional arts, songs, and celebrations.

• Digital Documentation and Outreach: Record native speakers and compile dictionaries or audio archives. Communities should also utilize digital tools like social media campaigns, apps, and community radio.

• Advocacy and Awareness: Encourage individuals to learn traditional greetings, adopt place names, and insist on speaking their native tongue. These same linguists and scholars are united in thought that regional languages – like Ilokano, Ybanag, Ivatan, Pangasinense, Kapampangan, Karay-a, Aklanon or Inakeanon, Hilgaynon, Bisaya, Waray, Bikolnon, Tausug, Maguindanaon, and Maranao – act as the lifeblood of cultural heritage, enriching national literature by decentralizing narratives and injecting authentic, localized identities into the collective consciousness.

Without them, a nation’s literary canon risks becoming a monolithic echo chamber rather than a true reflection of its diverse society.

Regional languages enrich specific areas of literature and culture thusly:

1. The Preservation of Indigenous Knowledge and Oral Traditions Action: Indigenous mythologies, epic poetry, local folk tales, and creation myths are deeply embedded in regional tongues.

Result: When written down or translated, these oral histories – like the Ilokano epic Biag ni Lam-ang or the rich epics of the Cordilleras – expand the national historical

record. They capture specific pre-colonial philosophies, indigenous moral frameworks, and connections to the land that standard national histories often overlook.

2. Capturing Nuanced Lived Experiences (Local Color)

Action: Every regional language contains unique idioms, proverbs, and metaphorical imagery derived from the local environment.

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Without the regional languages, the Philippines’ literary canon risks becoming a monolithic echo chamber rather than a true reflection of its diverse society

Result: Regional writers introduce fresh sensory details into national literature, capturing how specific communities interact with their geography. This localized texture provides a more accurate, inclusive, and multi-dimensional picture of the nation’s people.

3. Strengthening Inclusive National Identity Action: When works produced in regional languages (such as Cebuano, Hiligaynon, or Bikol) are widely studied, readers outside those regions gain exposure to different worldviews.

Result: Rather than regional divisions fracturing a country, understanding and celebrating these multiple linguistic roots foster national solidarity. It tells a richer story of “who we are” as a people by embracing diversity rather than forcing uniformity.

4. Expanding the Creative Lexicon Action:Regional authors often engage in code-switching or inject untranslatable local terms into dominant national languages (e.g., Filipino or English)

Result: This enriches the national vocabulary by introducing concepts, imagery, and descriptors that previously didn’t exist in the dominant language, leading to a much more vibrant national literary style.

Integration into the Mainstream Linguists and culture scholars say that to effectively integrate these regional treasures into national consciousness, organizations and institutions rely heavily on translation.

Scholars, academic institutions and publishers regularly work to translate vernacular works so they can reach a broader, national, and even international audience. Similarly, educational policies – like the Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education (MTB-MLE) programs mandated by the government – use local languages to teach children to read and think, rooting them in their cultural heritage from an early age.

Cayetano’s online voting scam

LISTEN up, you magnificent hypocrites in the Philippine Senate: the latest procedural theater starring Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano isn’t about Zoom calls, Wi-Fi, or “modernizing” the august halls of the Upper Chamber.

It’s about raw, unadulterated control. Control over Senate procedure. Control over the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte. And control over the national political narrative before the next electoral bloodbath.

The proposed amendment to Senate rules—Section 41-C, courtesy of the everconvenient Rodante Marcoleta—allowing remote participation and online voting “for justifiable reason” via teleconference or videoconference is merely the battlefield.

The war is about keeping a crumbling Duterte-aligned majority afloat even as its members stare down arrest warrants, plunder charges, and the cold reality of Sandiganbayan detention.

This isn’t modernization. This is a legislative life jacket.

Let’s cut through the spin.

On paper, in a sterile legal vacuum, Cayetano’s argument isn’t entirely idiotic.

The 1987 Constitution grants each House

the explicit power to determine the rules of its proceedings.

The Senate has historically possessed broad authority to adopt and amend its own rules.

This isn’t modernization. This is a legislative life jacket

Remote participation isn’t inherently unconstitutional—pandemic-era precedents proved hybrid proceedings can function. In isolation, a simple-majority floor motion under Rule 51 (Section 136) to tweak procedural mechanics doesn’t violate the letter of the law.

But law isn’t practiced in a vacuum, and Cayetano knows it. This technically defensible fig leaf barely conceals a politically bankrupt, self-serving power grab.

The timing screams desperation louder than a karaoke bar at last call. Marcoleta drops the proposal on May 11, 2026—the exact day fugitive Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa resurfaces from six months in

WTemper tantrum

E HAVE seen and heard more than enough of optics and theater recently in the erstwhile august hall of the Senate, a constituent-wide training ground for national leadership designed to foster future presidents.

But Senator Rodante Marcoleta’s misplaced outburst during a tense debate over whether to amend Senate rules to allow absent senators to vote and participate remotely via teleconference takes the goat in the Senate’s gleaming billboard of weasel words and euphemisms.

Marcoleta, a lawyer, pushed a motion to allow remote voting for lawmakers, citing an urgency related to “force majeure” or emergencies – never defined to merit immediate consideration – which turned the hall into a spin room.

Minority lawmakers, including Senator Risa Hontiveros, objected, arguing that Marcoleta’s push was an attempt to railroad the procedure and demanded adherence to the standard rule requiring a one-day waiting period before tackling new motions.

When Hontiveros firmly stood her ground on Senate procedures and raised objections, Marcoleta dismissed her points by blurting out in Filipino: “Ito po ang mahirap kasi kung wala po tayong legal background dito.”

He claimed that understanding the nuances of the Senate rules – and the specific provisions he cited to override the waiting period – required a legal degree.

That was clearly an appeal to authority and an ad hominem, an insulting fal-

lacy which implies that only someone with formal, credentialed expertise – a legal diploma in this case – is capable of having a valid perspective, ignoring the actual evidence or logic the other person might be presenting.

Expanding electronic voting outside of a strict continuing emergency compromises Constitutional accountability, as physical presence on the floor is critical to institutional transparency

Senator Panfilo Lacson hit the nail on the head when he said “It’s the rules, stupid.” The Rules of the Senate, particularly

Rule 14, Section 41-B, mandate that personal, physical presence in the session hall is required to vote.

Remote participation and electronic/ online voting are strictly reserved for situations involving force majeure or the occurrence of a national emergency.

The Supreme Court has established four requisites for an emergency to be legally recognized as force majeure: The event must be independent of the human will; the event must be impossible to foresee, or if it can be foreseen, it must be impossible to avoid; the event must make it absolutely impossible for the party to fulfill their contractual obligations in a normal manner; the party claiming force majeure must have no concurrent negligence or fault; they must not have participated in or aggravated the injury. Hontiveros pushed back, asserting that being a lawyer is not a prerequisite to understanding the law or the rules of the Senate. She and other minority senators, along with Senator Erwin Tulfo, who called Marcoleta’s jab an ad hominem attack, staged a walkout in protest. For this emergency provision to be invoked, as it was during the COVID-19 pandemic when hybrid plenary sessions were allowed and members could vote remotely, it must first be approved by a majority of all Senate members.

The minority and external groups argue, and we are persuaded by the muscle of their logic, that expanding electronic voting outside of a strict continuing emergency compromises Constitutional accountability, as physical presence on the floor is critical to institutional transparency.

Hollywood honors Marilyn Monroe, 100 years after her birth

LOS ANGELES – Marilyn Monroe’s hometown of Hollywood kicks off Monday a series of special events marking the 100th anniversary of the movie icon’s birth.

At the historic Chinese Theater, where Monroe’s handprints are immortalized alongside “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes” (1953) co-star Jane Russell, fans plan to sing “Happy Birthday” — echoing her famed sultry serenade to president John F. Kennedy.

One hundred roses and a cake will be placed at the site, a symbol of Hollywood’s golden age and a popular tourist hotspot.

Tributes to Tinseltown’s legendary daughter began on Sunday, with the Academy Museum opening “Marilyn Monroe: Hollywood Icon,” an exhibit celebrating her film career and life cut short.

After shooting to superstardom in the 1950s, the actress and model died of an overdose at her Brentwood home in August 1962, aged 36.

The Academy Museum will host special screenings of her prolific filmography throughout the month, including “The Asphalt Jungle” (1950), “Niagara” (1953), “The Seven Year Itch” (1955), “Some Like It Hot” (1959), and “The Misfits” (1961).

The exhibit, which runs until Feb.ruary 2027, includes hundreds of original pieces, some rarely on display — such as Monroe’s famed pink dress worn during

hiding to cast the decisive vote installing Cayetano as Senate President.

This wasn’t thoughtful reform. It was an emergency measure cynically designed and hastily deployed to rescue a Duterte-aligned majority that has lost its footing and is spiraling toward legal and electoral defeat.

Dela Rosa faces an ICC arrest warrant for crimes against humanity. Jinggoy Estrada and Joel Villanueva are staring down plunder and graft charges—non-bailable offenses.

Marcoleta himself swims in plunder and indirect bribery accusations.

Detain one or two of them, and the 1311 majority evaporates. Quorum collapses. Sara Duterte’s acquittal math disintegrates. The online voting proposal is nothing more than a firewall to keep phantom votes alive.

Cayetano and company wrap this naked survivalism in the gauzy rhetoric of “modernization.” Spare us.

Senator Risa Hontiveros delivered the kill shot: the Senate specifically denied earlier requests for remote participation by detained Senators Antonio Trillanes IV and Leila de Lima.

Same chamber. Same rules. Same “justifiable reasons.”

Yet when the beneficiaries were opposition figures, virtual voting was an outrageous affront to Senate dignity.

Now that it’s Bato hiding from The Hague and allies dodging accountability, suddenly it’s progressive reform? The selective hypocrisy is so rank it could curdle carabao milk.

her iconic performance of “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend” in “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.” Later in the week, on June 4, Julien’s Auctions will put nearly 200 pieces of Monroe memorabilia under the hammer as part of its special “100 Years of Marilyn” sale.

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More than half a century before the #MeToo movement shook the global entertainment industry, Monroe denounced the Hollywood ‘wolves’ preying on female talent

The items include unpublished photographs, a script with notes from her final production, the unfinished short film “Something’s Got to Give,” and personal items such as handwritten recipes and her

Even President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. publicly slapped it down: online voting was pandemic-only.

If Bato wants to vote on impeachment, he should show up in person.

Panfilo Lacson offered the sanest counter—apply for court leave and get escorted to sessions. No need for fancy tech that invites authentication nightmares, vote-buying via glitchy connections, or outside influence on senator-judges exercising quasi-judicial functions.

The minority walked out on May 26 precisely because the majority tried to ram this through without proper committee scrutiny.

Cayetano crows that the plenary trumps committees. Fine. But when your “plenary” is a naked majority protecting its own from accountability, the spirit of the rules dies screaming.

This is the autopsy’s brutal truth: the proposal preserves votes from senators who should either face justice or resign.

A senator-judge evading ICC arrest while remotely influencing the fate of another high official isn’t participation—it’s institutionalized impunity wearing a Zoom filter.

The impeachment trial isn’t ordinary legislation. It’s a solemn Constitutional duty exercised on behalf of the Filipino people. Allowing fugitives to phone it in corrupts the entire proceeding. No verdict survives that stench.

Enough with the satire.

The dark humor has limits when democracy itself is the punchline. This isn’t a petty rules spat. It is a critical juncture for Philip-

Elizabeth Arden lipstick. Image maker Born in Los Angeles on June 1, 1926, Monroe had an unstable childhood spent between orphanages and foster homes. She married for the first time at age 16. She had her first brush with show business in 1944, while working in a factory, when a photographer arrived to capture photos of women working on production lines during World War II. Launching into the world of modeling soon after, she divorced her husband and made a history-defining decision: dyeing her brown hair platinum blonde. She landed her first contract with Fox, and by the age of 30 had established herself as a global star. Behind the scenes, Monroe founded her own production company, attended the prestigious Actors Studio in New York, and even defied the studios. In the 1950s, while under contract with 20th Century Fox, she refused to act in the adaptation of the musical “The Girl in Pink Tights,” deeming the script mediocre and her salary — three times less than that of co-star Frank Sinatra — unfair. More than half a century before the #MeToo movement shook the global entertainment industry, Monroe denounced the Hollywood “wolves” preying on female talent. AFP

pine democracy. The rule of law demands equal application—especially to the powerful. Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa must surrender to the ICC. Stop hiding behind immunity that doesn’t apply to international crimes against humanity. Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano must drop the charade.

Withdraw this transparently self-serving amendment or narrow it surgically—medical emergencies and natural disasters only, with explicit exclusion of detained or fugitive senators and impeachment proceedings.

The Ombudsman and Sandiganbayan should pursue cases with ironclad due process. The minority should exhaust every parliamentary and judicial remedy, including Supreme Court review.

Philippine democracy doesn’t need more clever procedural hacks. It needs senators who prioritize the welfare of 110 million Filipinos over the political survival of a few.

The Senate is not a private members’ club for the powerful. It is a co-equal branch tasked with lawmaking and accountability. When rules are rewritten mid-crisis to shield the accused from the consequences of their alleged crimes, the institution doesn’t evolve—it rots.

The Duterte bloc’s legislative life jacket is already leaking.

The numbers don’t lie. The precedents expose the hypocrisy.

And the Filipino people are watching.

History will not be kind to those who treat the Senate as a personal escape room instead of a temple of democratic deliberation.

TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 2026

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

BOULDER, Colorado – In a vast Colorado laboratory nestled at the foot of the Rockies, a US scientist waits and wonders if President Donald Trump’s administration will dismantle his acclaimed institute. One of his projects, focused on adapta-

In Colorado, Trump climate science policy ‘threatens US interests’

tion to climate change, has already been axed, and he cannot hire any more PhD students, with a giant question mark over his funding.

“This is different than at any other time in my career,” the researcher at the National Center for Atmospheric Re-

search told AFP, asking not to be named to protect his job.

AFP spoke to a dozen scientists who recounted how facilities in Colorado -one of the world’s most important hubs for climate and meteorological science -have been crippled since Trump returned

to office last year.

From demoralized teams to the flight of young talent from the area, the picture they paint is indicative of the impact of the Republican president’s policies. As so many staff left these labs and research centers after their projects were

reined in or canceled, the upheaval is likely to linger, the scientists, many of them based in Boulder, warn. Such a brain drain could sap US ability to remain a global authority in climate and weather science, even after Trump has left the White House. AFP

UN to meet on Lebanon after Israel takes castle

QLAYAA, Lebanon – The UN Security Council is set to hold an emergency meeting Monday (Tuesday, Manila time) on the fighting in Lebanon after Israel’s military took over the medieval castle of Beaufort in Lebanese territory, diplomatic sources told AFP.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to push deeper into Lebanon and called Sunday’s operation a “dramatic shift” in the campaign against Hezbollah.

A truce to halt the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah began on April 17, but has never been observed. Both sides accuse each other daily of violating the ceasefire and justify their attacks by the other’s alleged breaches.

Diplomatic sources told AFP that the United Nations Security Council would hold an emergency meeting Monday over Israel’s expansion of its offensive in the country. The meeting was requested by France, whose President Emmanuel Macron said “nothing justifies the major escalation under way in south Lebanon”, calling for an end to fighting.

Lebanon was dragged into the Middle East war on March 2 when Hezbollah fired rockets towards Israel in retaliation

for the US-Israeli killing of Iran’s supreme leader. Israel hit Lebanon over the weekend, with eight people killed in a strike on Deir Zahrani in southern Lebanon on Sunday including three women, according to the Lebanese health ministry.

The Iran-backed militant group, meanwhile, said it targeted Israeli forces near the fortress as well as army positions and infrastructure in Shlomi and Nahariya in northern Israel, while air raid sirens blared in the Acre area.

A senior US official told AFP on Sunday that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about the ongoing diplomatic negotiations and asserted that Hezbollah must be the first to cease its attacks.

“To advance those talks, the United States proposed a clear sequence: Hezbollah must stop all attacks on Israel. In return, Israel would refrain from escalation in Beirut,” said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, about the conversations between the three leaders.

Military delegations from Lebanon and Israel held security talks in Washington on Friday and more US-brokered negotiations are planned next week.

In a video statement released after the military took Beaufort, Netanyahu said “we have returned united, determined and stronger than ever”.

“Now my directive is to deepen and expand our hold in places that were under Hezbollah’s control. The capture of Beaufort is a dramatic stage and a dramatic shift in the policy we are leading.” AFP

US, Iran exchange fire as negotiations stall

TEHRAN – The United States and Iran said Monday they had again traded strikes, straining an already fragile ceasefire as negotiations between the two sides have stalled.

Weeks of complicated talks marked by sharp rhetoric and occasional flare-ups of violence have not managed to reach a deal to end the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which is essential to oil supplies. Washington and Tehran have sharp differences on questions like Iranian nuclear efforts and the fighting in Lebanon, which Iran has demanded must stop as part of a broader agreement. The latest exchange of fire coincided with Israel expanding its offensive in Lebanon, with Prime Minister Netanyahu vowing to push deeper into the country.

The US military announced that it had carried out “self-defense strikes” on Iranian radar and drone control sites in the southern part of the country over the weekend -- its third such wave in just over a week.

The strikes were in response to the downing of a US MQ-1 drone, it added. Shortly after, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said they targeted an “air base from which the attack originated” used by the US military, state broadcaster IRIB reported Monday, without specifying the location of the base. The Guards’ announcement came on the heels of the Kuwaiti military saying its air defenses intercepted “hostile missile and drone attacks”, without mentioning where attack originated. AFP

Taiwan’s Cheng hopes to ‘gain trust’ from US

TAIPEI – Taiwan’s main opposition leader said Monday she hopes to “gain deeper trust” from the United States, before departing for the country where she is expected to be grilled over her party’s stance on China and defence spending.

Kuomintang chairwoman Cheng Li-wun’s trip comes two months after her “peace” visit to Beijing, where she met Chinese President Xi Jinping -- the first such meeting in a decade -and weeks after US President Donald Trump’s summit with Xi in the Chinese capital. It also comes after the KMT recently thwarted the Taiwanese government’s plan to spend nearly $40 billion on critical weapons, including US arms and domestically produced drones.

Speaking to reporters before departing for the United States -- Taiwan’s most important security backer -- Cheng said she hopes her party can play a key role in regional peace efforts and “gain deeper trust from the US”.

“Only the KMT is truly serious and responsible in taking on the most important role of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait,” Cheng told a press conference. Cheng has rocked Taiwanese politics since her unexpected rise to the top of the party last year and drawn criticism for being too proChina. AFP

BUILDING COLLAPSE

TOLL RISES.

Searchers retrieve another body from the wreckage of a building that caved in while undergoing construction in Barangay Balibago, Angeles City, bringing to 13 the number of casualties so far extricated from the debris.

Death toll in building collapse rises to 13, seven still missing

By Rex Espiritu

THE death toll from the collapsed building in Barangay Balibago, Angeles City rose to 13 after authorities recovered additional bodies from the rubble on Monday amid ongoing search and retrieval operations.

In a status update posted on its official social media account at 12:59 p.m., the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Central Luzon confirmed the 13th casualty. Responders earlier extricated another body from the rubble at around 4:12 a.m. on June 1. The victim was initially located at 10:46 p.m. on Sunday. Rescue teams conducted extensive debris removal

IN BRIEF

Honest hospital worker returns P100k to owner

“DON’T keep what’s isn’t yours.”

Agnes Ammy Lebbet, a utility worker of the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center said despite her own dire need for money, it never crossed her mind to keep for

“I simply had to

Lebbet said in an

She said she ran after

was

in

with

who

mother, waiting for their car ride home. The mother, who requested anonymity, was beyond herself in gratitude. She visited the honest hospital employee at home the following day, bearing gifts, including a sack of rice and some other food stuffs. Dexter See

are

from

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and created access points using various tools to reach the victim trapped beneath the collapsed structure.

“The operation required extensive debris removal and access creation using pry bars, sledge hammers, jack hammers, and acetylene cutting equipment. These tools enabled responders to break through concrete, cut steel obstructions, and safely reach the casualty’s

Solon eyes sustained drive against cigarette smuggling

By Maricel V. Cruz

THE government should continue clamping down on the illicit tobacco trade as continued loss of revenue hampers the delivery of much-needed services to the people, a lawmaker said.

The proliferation of illegal tobacco products is crippling the government and affecting its ability to serve our countrymen, especially now that we are in the midst of a crisis.” Abra lone district Rep. JB Bernos said.

Abra is one of the country’s largest tobacco producing provinces.

“At a time when government needs every centavo it can get to fund social services and other sectors, a stronger anti-smuggling drive would greatly help in ensuring the government and the people get their due from these products,” Bernos added.

Bernos’ call came amid reports that the Philippines lost about P141 billion in government revenue to illicit tobacco trade in 2024 and 2025.

According to a report released earlier by the EU-ASEAN Business Council (EU-ABC) and Euromonitor International Ltd., the country posted the third-highest revenue loss among six Southeast Asian countries covered by the study, after Indonesia and Malaysia.

The same report estimated that around 85.6 percent of e-vapes sold in the country last year were illicit products, while illicit cigarettes accounted for 25.3 percent of the local market, significantly higher than the ASEAN-6 average of 16.1 percent.

The lawmaker called for greater cooperation among the police, Bureau of Internal Revenue, Bureau of Customs, and local government units in enforcing more intensified antismuggling operations.

location within the collapse site,” BFP Central Luzon said in a Facebook post.

The Angeles City Health Office also carried out disinfection procedures throughout the operation to help ensure the safety of personnel at the site.

Search and retrieval efforts are ongoing as responders continue to comb through the debris for the remaining victims.

As of Monday, authorities said 27 of the 47 people affected by the collapse had been rescued, while eight remained missing.

The building collapsed on May 24, triggering a large-scale rescue and recovery operation involving multiple government agencies.

Fatal road mishap leads to suspension of bus firm’s

eet

THE Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Monday said it has suspended the operations of some of Victory Liner’s buses following the involvement of two of its units in a road collision that left a 35-year-old female passenger dead and 86 others injured.

LTFRB chairman Vigor Mendoza II said 26 of Victory Liner’s fleet are suspended pending the result of an investigation into the crash.

The mishap reportedly took place in an accident-prone portion of the PalispisAspiras highway, formerly Marcos highway, specifically at sitio Caucalan, barangay Taloy Sur, Tuba, Benguet at around 8:45 pm Saturday.

The LTFRB has also issued a show cause order on the company, and Mendoza said the board “expects full compliance.”

We already secured a police report of the incident, but we will be giving them the opportunity to explain,” Mendoza said in a statement.

According to the LTFRB, the Dagupanbound ordinary Victory Liner bus was tailing a sports utility vehicle when it suffered mechanical problems while negotiating a downward slope of the road. The bus hit another Baguio-bound bus of Victory Liner bus travelling at the opposite side of the road, smashed into a concrete barrier then landed on its side.

As a result, the LTFRB said more than 90 people were reported to have been injured, most of them from the bus that overturned. Mendoza said he ordered the LTFRB regional office to check on the condition of the injured passengers “and to make sure that their medical needs are properly and immediately responded to.”

The LTFRB chief said the board is also coordinating with the bus company and the insurance provider to make sure that the victims are compensated.

In a separate statement, Victory Liner management expressed “profound sorrow” over the that occurred along Marcos highway last Saturday where one of the bus passengers succumbed to the injuries sustained from the accident. Rio N. Araja

Rice cooker may have sparked blaze that swept Baseco—BFP

By Itchie Cabayan

ARSON investigators are looking into the probable cause of a fire on Saturday that left an 18-year-old man dead and at least 85 families homeless in the densely populated Baseco Compound in Port Area, Manila. The Manila Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) identified the victim as Karim Montes Natividad, a resident of Block 1, Dubai 18, Baseco.

Initial information indicated that the blaze may have started from an unattended rice cooker.

According to the BFP, the

fire broke out at 11:26 a.m. and reached the third alarm before it was declared under control at about 1 p.m.

Barangay chairperson Diana Espinosa said the fatality was believed trapped inside his house during the fire.

The displaced families have been transferred to the Delpan Evacuation Center where they are being assisted by the Manila Social Welfare Department (MSWD). Authorities have yet to determine the extent of the property damage.

TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 2026

RIERA U. MALLARI, Editor

RANDY M. CALUAG, Asst. Editor

TNT seeks another title vs. familiar Ginebra foe

By Peter Atencio

THE stage is set for another chapter in one of the Philippine Basketball Association’s most compelling rivalries as TNT Tropang 5G and Barangay Ginebra San Miguel square off once again for the Commissioner’s Cup championship.

TNT enters the best-of-seven series looking to capture a second straight Commissioner’s Cup title and continue its recent dominance over Ginebra in the finals. The Tropang 5G have won four of their six championship meetings with the Gin Kings, including each of the last three title series between the two teams.

Despite that success, TNT coach Chot Reyes expects a vastly different challenge this time around, particularly with the team adjusting to a new import after the injury to NBA star Bol Bol.

“It’s a very different series because of our import. The key here is to continuously adjust to Ginebra’s game,” Reyes said during a media session Monday at Novotel in Cubao ahead of Game 1 on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

TNT booked its return to the finals after surviving a grueling semifinal battle against the NLEX Road Warriors. The Tropang 5G clinched the series with a tense 97-94 victory in Game 6 on Sunday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo, with former NBA player Chris McCullough continuing to fill the void left by Bol Bol.

Ginebra, meanwhile, advanced to its 33rd finals appearance after defeating Rain or Shine, 118-107, in their own semifinal clincher. The Gin Kings now find themselves back on familiar ground under veteran coach Tim Cone, who will be steering the franchise to its ninth finals appearance during his tenure.

Cone said he never doubted TNT’s ability to make another deep playoff run despite entering the postseason as the eighth seed.

“We beat them in the eliminations, and I remind myself that they are an eighth-seeded team,” Cone said. “I’m the least surprised person in this room that they made the finals and the fact that they’ve made the championship round four straight times.”

The rivalry between the two powerhouse franchises stretches back more than two decades and has produced some of the league’s most memorable championship battles. TNT currently owns a 4-2 edge in their six finals meetings, with the Tropang 5G winning the last three title showdowns dating back to 2024.

Papa halts Lim; Madis survives Capadocia, wins Palawan Open

THE Palawan Open 2026 concluded with a breathtaking display of grit and glamour at a packed, roaring Rizal Memorial Tennis Center Sunday. Capturing the essence of elite drama, fourth-ranked Fil-Am ace Christopher Papa and 18-year-old sensation Tennielle Madis both completed spectacular two-title sweeps, cementing their names as the undisputed rulers of the P2 million tournament.

Papa

Papa capped off a week of high-octane surprises by dethroning the country’s premier player, Alberto Lim, Jr., in a 6-4, 6-4 straight-sets masterclass. While the scoreline suggests a routine victory, the match was a pressure cooker of suspense, with Papa breaking the crowd-favorite Lim exactly once in each set. On the women’s side, Madis reasserted her mastery over Marian Capadocia, securing a 6-2, 7-6 victory that was nothing short of a psychological thriller. The P100,000 victory marked Madis’ second consecutive triumph over Capadocia, just weeks after toppling her in the semifinal round on her way to victory in the Philta National Open.

Papa’s path to the finals of the event, sponsored by the Palawan Group of Companies, sanctioned by Philta and the Universal Tennis Ranking (UTR), was forged in fire. He punched his ticket to the championship by staging a stirring reversal of top-seed Digvijay Singh of India, surviving a grueling 6-3, 3-6, 7-6(4) semifinal thriller.

Bracing for a baseline war against Lim, Papa broke a 15-all count in the fifth game of the opening set to secure a critical break. Showing ice-cold composure, he recovered from a 15-30 deficit in the sixth game and fired a love game in the eighth. Facing a late 15-30 threat from Lim in the 10th game, Papa rattled off three consecutive points to snatch the opening frame. The second set remained on a knife-edge until the ninth game. Down 0-15, Papa unleashed four straight blistering points to break Lim for a 5-4 lead. Serving for the title, he forced a deuce before hammering home back-to-back winners to secure the P300,000 singles prize in the tournament presented by the Philippine Sports Commission, Gentry Timepieces, and Bagong Pilipinas.

Alas Pilipinas Men, Women teams qualify for ‘26 Asiad

THE Philippines has qualified its men’s and women’s teams in indoor volleyball at the NagoyaAichi 20th Asian Games this September, Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino announced on Monday.

“This is great news for our volleyball program,” said Tolentino, adding the POC received the email from the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) on the country’s qualification for the Asiad over the weekend.

The Alas Women made the cut based on their FIVB ranking in Asia at No. 10 and the Alas Men at No. 15. There will be 16 teams each in the men’s and women’s categories in Asian Games volleyball to be played at the Aichi Prefecture

Chinese-Taipei, India, Vietnam,

Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Hong Kong.

Competing in the women’s side are Japan, Kazakhstan, Iran, China, Chinese-Taipei, Thailand, Vietnam, Qatar, South Korea, Kyrgyzstan, India, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Mongolia and North Korea. AVC president Ramon “Tats” Suzara confirmed the good news to Tolentino, whose POC is bound to be the “caretaker” of the country’s volleyball affairs following the FIVB’s suspension of the Philippine National Volleyball Federation.

The indoor volleyball teams’ qualification completes the Philippine entries in the sport in the Asian Games after the beach volleyball squads— led by Bangkok 2025 Southeast Asian Games champions Sisi Rondina and Bernadeth Pons— made it to the 12-country competition. They will be up against teams from China, Japan, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Iran, Kazakhstan, Qatar and Oman in the event set at the Hekinan Ryokuchi Beach Court in Hekinan City.

The POC is fielding at least 700 athletes to the Asian Games with Tolentino hoping to have more qualifiers in esports, modern pent and kurugi of taekwondo.

Zoleta, Agra win doubles’ title at Pickleball Asia Macao

By Randy M. Caluag

FILIPINA pickleball pair Bien Zoleta and Jessica Agra clinched the women’s doubles 35+ championship at the PPA Asia 500 Macao Open, completing a strong run aided by their solid background in other net sports.

The duo secured the title after rallying from behind in both the semifinal and final matches, showcasing composure under pressure and solid on-court chemistry.

The victory marked a milestone for Zoleta, a champion soft tennis player, as it was her first Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) event and her long-awaited debut partnership with Agra, a former tournament winner in padel.

“We stayed patient, trusted each other,

Cervantes, fresh faces shake up JPGT at Beverly Place

MEXICO, Pampanga—Under a heavy blanket of dark skies that trapped a suffocating, windless heat, nine-year-old Jaicee Cervantes delivered a thrilling back-nine resurgence to launch a gritty backdoor bid for the Elite Junior Finals.

Carding a resilient, four-over 75, Cervantes seized a commanding six-stroke lead in the girls’ 7-10 division on Monday, headlining an explosive opening round of the ICTSI Beverly Place Junior PGT Championship at the Beverly Place Golf Club. As the penultimate leg of the six-stage JPGT Luzon Series got underway, it wasn’t just the division frontrunners making noise.

Despite a 40-minute stoppage due to looming lightning threats, the massive 96-player field – one of the largest and most competitive of the season – refused to let the stifling conditions cool their fire. When play resumed, the air

remained completely still and intensely hot, but the young golfers locked into a series of spirited, pressure-packed duels that effectively dismantled the leaderboard status quo.

Nobody embodied that relentless spirit better than Cervantes.

The Assumption College standout, currently sitting precariously in 10th place in the standings with just 8 points, looked like a long shot after a struggling seven-overpar frontside round. But she mastered the unpredictable greens on the back nine, gunning down birdies on Nos. 11, 16 and 17 to pull away by six from Andrea Dee, who faltered with an 81.

“It’s very hard to read the speed of the greens, but I was able to get the tempo and speed in the last nine holes,” said Cervantes. “I will just focus on my putting and not let my emotions get into me.”

Should Cervantes hold on to win the maximum 15 points, she will leapfrog the absent No. 4-ranked Laura Pablo, turning the final leg at Eagle Ridge into an absolute blockbuster.

Jehanne Mendoza posted an 86, Adrianna Cabrera and Cecilia Mamauag matched 88s, and Gwyneth Handog and Elizabeth Laurel carded identical 90s. The boys’ 7-10 class mirrored the same unpredictable energy. First-timer Andres Jeturian, 8, defied his lack of JPGT experience by firing a 75 to share the lead with Alexian Ching, two strokes ahead of Lee Sooreen (77), while current ranking No. 2 Zoji Edoc wavered with a 78.

“I got to sink 6 birdies, but some holes have fast greens,” said Jeturian, who remained mathematically out of the finals race but is eager to play spoiler. “I will try to play my game and not get pressured by the other players.”

communicated openly and made the right shot selections when it mattered most,” Zoleta said in a social media post, reflecting on their title run.

The win also served as a fitting conclusion to Zoleta’s current pickleball campaign, as she announced plans to take a break from the sport to shift her focus to soft tennis in preparation for the upcoming Asian Games.

Zoleta expressed gratitude to her partner, describing the championship as a special moment shared with “an amazing partner and friend.”

She also acknowledged the support of sponsors, including Lunar Pickleball, K-Swiss Philippines, Cinio Sports and Dream Skin Manila, which she credited as instrumental in her journey.

PH production index rebounded in May—S&P

THE Philippine manufacturing sector returned to growth territory in May 2026 on renewed rise in factory output and domestic demand despite worsening supply chain disruptions and escalating costs linked to the Middle East conflict.

The S&P Global Philippines Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) bounced back to 50.8 in May from 48.3 in April, crossing the 50-point threshold that separates expansion from contraction. While the turnaround marks an improvement in five of the last six survey periods, the latest uptick was modest and historically subdued.

Growth in May was powered by a fresh influx of new orders following a sharp reduction in April, which manufacturers attributed to improved client demand and new customer wins.

However, this recovery stems entirely from the domestic market. The export picture remained bleak as new sales from abroad fell at the sharpest pace since July 2020. The domestic demand boost encouraged firms to ramp up production levels at the most marked pace in three months.

Operating conditions grew increasingly challenging, however, as the war in the Middle East drove up fuel and raw material prices.

Input cost inflation accelerated to its fastest pace since August 2022. To

shield their margins, Filipino goods producers raised their selling prices at the second-sharpest rate in 3.5 years, only surpassed by the hikes seen in April.

“The latest PMI data for the Filipino manufacturing sector presented a mixed picture,” S&P Global Market Intelligence economist Maryam Baluch said.

“While manufacturers registered renewed growth in output and new orders, supply-chain disruption and cost pressures worsened as the Middle East conflict entered its third month. Both buying and hiring activity declined. However, firms remained increasingly optimistic about the future, hoping improved demand will support output growth. Indeed, sustaining this growth will depend on how certain customers feel in the economic and geopolitical outlook,” said Baluch.

By Othel V. Campos

THE top business chambers of the Philippines and Vietnam signed a strategic partnership on Monday to boost economic cooperation, expand bilateral trade and foster investment relations between the two countries.

The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) and the Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) signed a three-year memorandum of understanding (MOU).

PCCI president Ferdinand Ferrer and

VCCI vice executive president Nguyen Quang Vinh signed the accord, which takes effect immediately. The agreement aligns with the organizational duties, national laws and international treaty obligations of both nations.

“The Philippines and Vietnam have often seen each other as competitors, but we believe it is time to work together and become a stronger force in ASEAN. Both countries have young, dynamic populations, thriving MSME sectors, and a shared drive for economic success. By combining our

THE Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) has forged strategic partnerships with several Japanese firms to advance infrastructure, energy and transport developments in New Clark City, strengthening efforts under the Luzon Economic Corridor initiative.

BCDA president and chief executive Joshua Bingcang led the signing of the agreements on May 29, 2026, in Tokyo during President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s state visit.

BCDA signed memoranda of understanding with Sustech, Index Strategy, Inc., Yachiyo Engineering Co., and Marubeni Corporation.

The partnerships cover the development of smart energy systems, in-

tegrated transport infrastructure, and utility-ready ecosystems intended to attract high-value, technology-driven industries to New Clark City.

The initiatives align with the broader Luzon Economic Corridor, a trilateral framework involving the Philippines, the United States, and Japan that seeks to improve connectivity and accelerate investments across Subic, Clark, Manila and Batangas. Under the agreement with Sustech, BCDA will explore advanced technologies for renewable energy forecasting and electricity demand management to support a more efficient and low-carbon energy system in New Clark City.

Othel V. Campos

strengths in food security, energy, and digitalization, we can create greater opportunities for growth and prosperity for both nations,” Ferrer said.

Under the agreement, the business groups will establish communication channels to provide regular market updates, share trade insights and evaluate evolving business environments.

The cooperative framework focuses on trade and investment promotion, including active assistance for mutual participation in trade exhibitions, fairs, international fora and business seminars.

Maharlika fund, PNOC set to sign oil reserve deal

By Alena Mae S. Flores

It aims to build a systematic stockpiling system to shield the country from global supply disruptions, Department of Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said in a virtual briefing.

The project follows an inverted pyramid structure prioritizing energy security, with the government determined to jumpstart the stockpile program under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Garin said navigating the process from securing permits to reaching financial closure could take about a year, while the overall project timeline will depend on upcoming feasibility studies.

“The Philippines currently is working on the establishment of a strategic petroleum reserve program, including the development of new stockpiling facilities, sufficient enough to weather any effects or disruptions in the other parts of the world,” Garin said.

The program requires massive capital infusion. Building a single storage tank with a capacity of 500,000 barrels costs an estimated P5 billion.

Garin said PNOC holds the energy security mandate to lead the development, while MIC will leverage its network to provide funding and attract outside investors.

The state reserve will supplement the existing 30- to 60-day fuel inventories maintained by private oil firms.

“We will start with an initial inventory, and then later, over the years, we can keep on improving and have more every year,” Garin said.

Both organizations will also support the exchange of official trade delegations, trade missions and visits by business executives. Through these efforts, the chambers aim to proactively promote commercial and investment opportunities by leveraging their specific organizational expertise. While the MOU serves as an official expression of mutual intent without creating immediate legal or financial binding obligations, it sets a foundation for future project-specific engagements.

executives led by president Mylene Swarbrick and chief executive Andrew Swarbrick. Roy Tomandao LIMA EXPANSION. Phase 5 of LIMA Estate’s Industrial Hub in Batangas province breaks ground, responding to sustained demand for large-scale, infrastructure-ready locations supported by reliable utilities, strategic connectivity and an integrated industrial ecosystem. Aboitiz Economic Estates says Phase 5 involves a 100-hectare expansion that marks the industrial developer’s first footprint into Sto. Tomas, Batangas. What began as a 384-hectare industrial park has grown into a 1,100-hectare integrated development that houses 201 locators and a workforce of 75,000 people. Phase 5 extends this growth by adding dedicated industrial land alongside a residential component to support the community within the estate.

Energy officials see three-year delay on Visayas grid stability

THE Visayas power supply will take two to three years to stabilize because of a shortage of mid-merit and baseload capacity that has caused a string of red and yellow alerts, energy officials said on Monday. Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said that while the Visayas grid relies on renewable energy for about 45 percent of its supply, it requires steadier support from baseload and mid-merit plants that provide continuous electricity. Renewable sources like solar and wind are intermittent, forcing the Visayas to rely heavily on power transmission from Mindanao and

“Visayas is dependent because it does not have enough baseload,” Garin said.

“It imports what it needs from Mindanao and Luzon because they have excess supply. We are trying to fasttrack the baseload

Bargain-hunting lifts PSEi near 5,800; peso slips to 61.74

THE benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange Index ended higher Monday as bargain hunting lifted it back near the 5,800 level. However, the peso closed at 61.746 against the U.S. dollar Monday, depreciating from 61.59 on Friday. The PSEi jumped by more than 1 percent during the morning session before closing at 5,799.32, up 0.53 percent, or 30.56 points. The broader all shares Index inched up 0.14 percent, or 4.59 points, to 3,285.56. Traders said investors picked up battered stocks after the market’s recent decline. Gains were tempered, however, as sentiment remained cautious amid lingering concerns over global economic conditions and geopolitical tensions.

“Positioning stayed defensive with many maintaining short exposures ahead of the upcoming inflation data,” Regina Capital Development Corp. head of sales Luis Limlingan said. The services sector led the advance, climbing 2.47 percent, followed by financials, which gained 0.06 percent, and industrials, which edged up 0.01 percent. Mining and oil stocks declined 0.97 percent, while holding firms slipped 0.80 percent and property counters fell 0.20 percent.

Value turnover amounted to P7.13 billion. Gainers outnumbered decliners 102 to 93, while 61 stocks were unchanged.

International Container Terminal Services Inc. was the day’s top index gainer, rising 3.65 percent to P780, while Converge Information and Communications Technology Solutions Inc. was at the bottom, falling 6.55 percent to P10.28. Oil rose while Asian equities firmed Monday as a surge in artificial intelligence-linked stocks helped offset uncertainty over US-Iran talks.

Jenniffer B. Austria with AFP

MerryMart faces PSE delisting

By Jenniffer B. Austria

DoubleDragon Corp. may take MerryMart Consumer Corp. private and delist the retailer from the Philippine Stock Exchange if it acquires at least 95 percent of the company’s outstanding shares.

DoubleDragon is conducting a mandatory tender offer to acquire the remaining shares in MerryMart it does not already own, following its acquisition of a 35 percent stake in the company last year.

Based on MerryMart’s amended tender offer filed with the stock exchange Monday, the retailer could become a wholly owned subsidiary of DoubleDragon with zero public float if all shareholders tender their shares.

Under the plan, MerryMart would apply for voluntary delisting if regulatory requirements are

satisfied, including DoubleDragon reaching the 95 percent ownership threshold.

The Philippine Stock Exchange imposed a onehour trading halt on MerryMart shares Monday to allow investors to digest the delisting news.

The tender offer, which began May 18 and runs until June 16, offers P0.48 per MerryMart share, payable in half cash and half DoubleDragon shares. MerryMart shares closed 2.25 percent lower Monday at P0.435.

P500 billion from P27.9 billion in 2025.

The company said 2025 marked its transition away from reliance on fair value gains, as most of its leasing assets have been completed. Core recurring revenues are beginning to dominate the company’s revenue mix, with a full shift expected by 2028. This year, DoubleDragon expects to open an additional 2,229 hotel rooms across several locations, including Madrid, Spain; Davao; Cebu; and Niseko in Hokkaido, Japan.

Meanwhile, DoubleDragon aims to become debt-free by 2035 as it pursues a global expansion anchored on its Hotel101 business. Over the next nine years, the company aims to grow total revenues eighteenfold to

RECENT statements from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) indicate concern among Governor Eli Remolona Jr. and his Monetary Board colleagues regarding the trends in the consumer price index (CPI) and the gross domestic product (GDP). With the Philippine Statistics Authority reporting an April 2026 CPI figure of 6.1 percent and first-quarter 2026 GDP growth of just over 4 percent, the concern is not without basis.

The concern is also entirely proper. Through its control of the supply of money, the BSP is able to control the price of money, which largely determines whether people will consume, save and invest. Consume more, save less or invest more - these decisions are the results of people’s and business establishments’ evaluations and expectations regarding the price of money. The price of money, in return, is largely determined by the level at which the BSP sets the money supply. Each of the items in the BSP’s arsenal of monetary tools has the effect of either increasing or reducing the supply of money. The most commonly used of the tools is BSP lending to the banking system, which the central bank undertakes through its rediscounting operations. The rate at which BSP leads to banking institutions is the benchmark interest rate that the latter charge for loans and pay for deposits.

Concerned as they are about the rise in consumer prices—this is largely due to the ongoing Middle East conflict—and the slowing of the economy’s growth, Governor Remolona and his Monetary Board colleagues doubtless are debating among themselves whether to accord greater importance to the CPI or the GDP in whatever lendingoperations change they may be inclined to make.

Early this year, the BSP signalled that it had come to the end of its money-easing policy cycle, which saw its basic lending rate decline to its lowest level since the onset of the Covid pandemic. Should the BSP be more concerned, in the coming policymaking days, with fighting inflation or with strengthening the Philippine economy’s performance? The resolution of both issues is very important for the nation’s economic health, and it will be perfectly laudable for the BSP to work toward that end. However, the question of what the central bank’s primary responsibility should be was settled in 1971 by the final report of the Joint Survey Commission of the Central Bank of the Philippines and the International

Maitenance of price stability is BSP’s primary responsibility

Monetary Fund, which was created in response to the financial crisis of 1969-1970. The report made recommendations for amendments to the Central Bank Act and the General Banking Act.

In its report, the commission, which was cochaired by the governor of the BSP and a highrank IMF official, declared that the primary responsibility of this country’s central bank should solely be the maintenance of internal and external monetary stability. The commission noted that the Central Bank Act (Republic Act No. 265) had saddled the CBP with a second primary responsibility, namely, “the maintenance of rising levels of employment, production and incomes.” The central bank should be concerned only with the maintenance of price stability and a stable foreign exchange market. It should not be distracted by functions that properly belong to other agencies of the government, e.g., the Department of Finance and the Department of Public Works and Highways.

Each of the items in the BSP’s arsenal of monetary tools has the effect of either increasing or reducing the supply of money.

The commission’s recommendation on the restriction of the central bank’s primary responsibility to the maintenance of internal and external financial stability, which Congress forthwith accepted, was made in 1971, but its rationale is as valid today as it was 55 years ago. Inflation is the biggest of illegal tax collectors and it ravages the most vulnerable sectors of Philippine society. And “rising levels of employment, production and incomes” generally materialize under conditions of price stability.

What interest-policy change will best cope with the present inflationary surge? That is the question that the Monetary Board will have to ponder in the coming days.

(llagasjessa@yaho.com)

MerryMart, the retail venture of DoubleDragon founders Edgar “Injap” Sia II and Tony Tan Caktiong, has been expanding its grocery and convenience store operations nationwide.

NORDECO remains operational, fights for franchise

By Alena Mae S. Flores

NORTHERN Davao Electric

Coopera-

tive Inc. has filed cases with the Supreme Court in its fight for its franchise and protect its member-consumer-owners.

Nordeco seeks clarification and reconsideration of recent rulings emphasizing coexistence between itself and Davao Light and Power Co.

“At the same time, there are still ongoing cases before the Regional Trial Court regarding the disputed takeover and possession of Nordeco assets, which are also raised before the SC,” Nordeco project supervisor Emmanuel Galarse said.

“These matters are not yet final and are still being decided by the courts,” said Galarse.

Nordeco said it received notices from the Supreme Court dated April 8 and April 22, 2026, consolidating multiple related cases.

These cases challenge the constitutionality of Republic Act No. 12144, a law that authorizes Davao Light to expand its franchise coverage into areas that Nordeco serves.

Nordeco acting general-manager Elvera Alngog said the consolidated cases provide the cooperative with a continuing legal basis to assert the validity of its franchise, which remains

IN BRIEF

scale its systems as patient demand grows over the long term.

“PLDT Enterprise understood our requirements and delivered reliable, futureready solutions,” Metro Pasay Hospital medical director Dr. Samuel Vincent Yrastorza said. The integration of the communications tech ensures that internal coordination and emergency responses face minimal delays.

“Healthcare providers operate in environments where responsiveness and coordination are critical,” PLDT Enterprise relationship manager Shiela Garcia said. Darwin G. Amojelar

Toyota seeks policy support for vehicle manufacturing

TOYOTA Motor Corp. urged the Philippine government to maintain its policy support for completely knocked-down (CKD) vehicle assembly to protect local jobs, draw fresh investments and build a more resilient domestic supply chain.

agency plans to take a more active role during the upcoming harvest season. “Unlike during the dry season when we came in later mainly to match prices already being offered by private traders, we will be more aggressive this coming season. We will be buying early and at higher prices,” Lacson said. Othel V. Campos

PLDT unit supports digital infra of Pasay hospital METRO Pasay Hospital and Medical Center Inc. teamed up with PLDT Enterprise to upgrade its digital network to streamline hospital operations and improve patient care services. The hospital deployed iGate and SIP Trunk

Speaking at the Tokyo Business Roundtable, Toyota Asia Region chief executive Masahiko Maeda said sustained policy backing for CKD-based production across all vehicle technologies remains critical to the long-term growth of the Philippine automotive industry. Completely knocked-down manufacturing refers to the process where a factory imports individual vehicle parts and assembles the final product locally.

Maeda said the strategy will deepen the industrial capabilities of the Philippines while reinforcing its position within global manufacturing networks. “Toyota remains committed to being a reliable, long-term partner to the Philippines, supporting industrial development and ASEAN cooperation,” Maeda said.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. attended the roundtable alongside top Japanese business executives to highlight the role of Japanese firms in the economic development of the country. Marcos praised the long-term contributions of Japanese businesses to Philippine nation-building across multiple sectors.

“Japanese companies have long been part of the Philippine story. But today, I want to say this clearly: you are no longer just investors in our economy; you are the builders of our economy,” Marcos said. Othel V. Campos

San Miguel plans P30-b preferred share sale

CONGLOMERATE San Miguel Corp. plans to raise up to P30 billion from a sale of preferred shares to refinance its existing debt and fund investments in its infrastructure business, including its airport project in Bulacan province.

The company will offer up to 266.67 million Series 2 preferred shares at P75 apiece, with an oversubscription option for another 133.33 million shares, according to a preliminary prospectus dated May 29. The base offer will generate gross proceeds of about P20 billion, which could rise to P30 billion if underwriters fully exercise the oversubscription option. San Miguel will list the Series 2-V, Series 2-W and Series 2-X preferred shares on the main board of the Philippine Stock Exchange under the ticker symbols “SMC2V,” “SMC2W” and “SMC2X.”

The company will use the net proceeds to refinance short-term loans that funded the redemption of Series 2-I preferred shares in March 2026, repay Series C and Series J bonds maturing in March 2027 and fund investments in airport and other infrastructure projects.

San Miguel will allocate up to P6.31 billion of the proceeds to refinance short-term loans from BDO Unibank Inc. incurred earlier this year. It will also allot P6.02 billion to repay Series C bonds due in March 2027 and up to P17.44 billion to repay Series J bonds maturing in the same year.

The company may also allocate up to P5 billion for investments in airport and other airport-related infrastructure projects, including developments tied to the New Manila International Airport project in Bulacan. Jenniffer B. Austria

in effect until October 2028.

“As these constitutional issues remain unresolved and are currently under judicial review, Nordeco will continue to pursue all available legal remedies,” Alngog said.

The legal strategy includes challenging the provisional authority that the Energy Regulatory Commission previously granted to Davao Light.

Nordeco said it filed another petition before the Supreme Court on May 26, 2026, seeking an injunction, temporary restraining order and status quo order against a supplemental order of expropriation and writ of possession issued by a regional trial court in Tagum City.

By Darwin G. Amojelar

TOLLWAY unit of San Miguel Corp. has started initial works on a new elevated expressway network in Manila to ease gridlock and addressed local concerns over trees affected by the construction.

SMC Southern Access Link Expressway Corp. (SMC SALEX) said tree management activities along Quirino Avenue are being carried out under safeguards approved by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and include a replacement planting program.

The clearing works form part of the pre-construction phase for the 3.97-kilometer Manila segment of SALEX, which will pass through portions of Quirino Avenue, San Marcelino Street and Roxas Boulevard.

SMC SALEX said the clearing is necessary to build the elevated expressway along the approved alignment.

The company said it studied several design options and found the current alignment to be the most feasible because it meets structural and engineering requirements, reduces the displacement of residents and avoids wider disruption to public and private infrastructure.

The activities are covered by DENR permits issued after a technical assessment and tree inventory of

the project corridor, it said.

SMC SALEX said of the affected trees, 94 were found suitable for earth-balling and relocation. More than 30 trees have already been transferred to other sites in Manila, while the rest will be preserved and relocated where site conditions allow.

SMC SALEX said earth-balling is being pursued where technically feasible, but noted that not all trees can be relocated using this method.

The process requires unearthing and preserving the root system, which may involve extensive excavation and may not be viable in areas with limited road space, underground utilities, nearby structures or trees that are not suitable for transplantation.

The company said it is conducting a comprehensive review of the affected trees, including their species, age, health, condition and treatment, to provide an accurate account of which trees were removed, relocated or replaced, and to identify further ways to minimize impact.

By Thony Rose Lesaca and Othel V. Campos

STATE-RUN LandBank of the Philippines has waived transaction fees for eligible person-to-government payments made through QRPh from June 1 to Dec. 31, 2026, to expand access to affordable digital financial services.

This aims to make government transactions more convenient and affordable while encouraging wider adoption of digital payments despite economic challenges, LandBank president and chief executive Lynette Ortiz said.

The fee waiver covers transactions completed through LandBank’s Link. BizPortal using the QRPh payment option, QRPh standees at participating government offices and government agency websites that use Link. BizPortal via QRPh.

Eligible payments include fees to participating government institutions, including select national government agencies, government-owned and controlled corporations, local government units, water districts and state universities and colleges.

“LandBank is waiving fees for online government payments to make services more accessible, while bringing more Filipinos into the digital fi

nancial ecosystem. This supports our broader goal of advancing financial inclusion and delivering services that are more responsive to the

THE Philippines imported nearly 400,000 metric tons of rice in April 2026 to stabilize domestic inventories and temper retail prices, according to preliminary data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). The import volume, valued at $161.93 million on a free-on-board basis, excludes rice still in the husk or paddy rice, the PSA said. Vietnam maintained its position as the premier grain supplier, eclipsing alternative regional trade partners. In April, Vietnamese shipments accounted for 92.2 percent of the total rice import value, translating to $149.24 million.

Local economists noted that this concentration underscores the deep reliance of Manila on Hanoi to shore up its national food security chain. The remaining 7.8 percent of the import value was distributed among four other Asian nations. Cambodia emerged as the second-largest exporter for the period, securing a 2.8-percent market share valued at $4.59 million. Thailand followed with

ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABILITY

UN members support historic climate ruling

ALANDMARK General Assembly resolution adopted last week is “a powerful affirmation” of international law, climate justice and science, according to UN chief António Guterres.

The Secretary-General said it makes clear member-states’ responsibility to protect their own people from what is an “escalating climate crisis.”

The resolution drawn up by Vanuatu―a Pacific island nation on the frontline of the climate crisis, and several other countries―was adopted after intense discussion including multiple proposed amendments with 141 votes in favor, eight against and 28 abstentions.

Those voting against were Belarus, Iran, Israel, Liberia, Russia, Saudi Arabia, the US and Yemen.

When the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the UN’s principal judicial body, ruled in July 2025 that states have an obligation to protect the environment from greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, the decision was hailed as a breakthrough. The UN chief described it simply as “a victory for our planet.”

‘Legal duty’

The court also ruled that if states breach these obligations, they are legally responsible and may be legally required to stop the wrongful conduct, offer guarantees that it won’t happen again, and make full reparation, depending on the circumstances.

Although the ICJ’s advisory opinions are not binding, they carry significant legal and moral

authority―helping to clarify and develop international law by defining states’ legal obligations.

Wednesday’s General Assembly adoption, following up on the ruling, sends a strong message that tackling the climate crisis is a legal duty under international law, and not just a political choice. “The world’s highest court has spoken,” responded Mr. Guterres. “Today, the General Assembly has answered.”

What’s in the resolution?

The resolution calls on all UN member states to take all possible steps to avoid causing significant damage to the climate and environment, including emissions produced within their borders, and to follow through on their existing climate pledges under the Paris Agreement.

Governments are urged to cooperate in good faith and continuously coordinate efforts to tackle climate change globally and ensure that climate policies safeguard the rights to life, health and an adequate standard of living.

In a statement released after the General Assembly vote, Mr. Guterres declared that those least responsible for climate change are paying the highest price, and that the path to climate justice “runs through a rapid, just, and equitable transition away from fossil fuels towards renewable energy.”UN News

Mindoro coastal cleanup promotes resilient

By Joshua Sugay

CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mind-

oro―Residents, volunteers, divers and government agencies joined a simultaneous coastal and underwater cleanup activity in Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro on May 21 as part of the celebration of the Month of the Ocean 2026.

Led by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the activity carried the theme “Sustaining Ocean Health, Sailing Resilient Nation” and aimed to address marine litter, strengthen environmental protection efforts, and encourage public participation in protecting coastal and marine ecosystems.

The cleanup activity started with a short program at the Barangay Sabang court before the participants proceeded to six coastal cleanup sites and one underwater cleanup area.

Fastest-growing coastal city braces for rising sea levels

SURAT, a bustling Indian city of 7 million people, sits at the meeting point of the Tapti River and the Arabian Sea, and its identity has been shaped by water.

But the same geography that for centuries has driven Surat’s growth is now threatening its future. Increasingly heavy rainfalls and high tides at the mouth of the Tapi River, as well as the rising sea levels caused by climate change threaten the city with devastating floods.

Surat’s history stretches back to 300 BCE. It flourished as a major seaport in the 16th century and has evolved into a modern industrial and trade powerhouse, with Oxford Economics projecting it to become the world’s fastestgrowing city between 2019 and 2035.

The city’s vibrancy and its economic successes―both past and future―were possible thanks to its advantageous geographical location at the intersection of the river and the sea. Yet this location also exposes Surat to mounting risks.

The city has been flood-prone for centuries, but climate change is exacerbating this old threat. Last year, heavy rains submerged Surat’s markets, damaged hundreds of shops and forced school closures. Local newspapers featured images of residents wading through chest-deep water. In addition to increasingly erratic rainfall patterns, Surat faces the dual threats of rising sea levels and coastal erosion. Dumas Beach, a popular tourist destination, has already begun to lose its shoreline, with erosion threatening local ecosystems.

“Dumas is a popular tourist area that is extremely

vulnerable to soil erosion because of strong tidal variations. These variations also cause the loss of marine life,” says Mahesh Chawada, an executive at Surat Municipal Corp., who oversees a major embankment project reshaping the coastline.

Tidal cycles naturally move soil along the shore, but intensified climate pressures accelerate the erosion. During low tide, newly exposed soil becomes more vulnerable to wind and runoff, especially in areas with sparse vegetation or weak protective barriers.

Recognizing the growing risks, Surat has been transitioning from reactive, short-term fixes to longterm climate-resilient urban planning. One of its flagship infrastructure upgrades is the Dumas Sea Wall Project.

(To be continued) UNEP News

The activity forms part of the agency’s efforts to promote environmental stewardship and raise public awareness on the importance of protecting oceans and coastal resources.

A total of 335 participants joined the event and collected 65 sacks of waste weighing 547.50 kilograms.

DENR Assistant Regional Director Miko Landrito for Mindoro (Occidental and Oriental), Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan (Mimaropa) said the strong participation from different sectors reflects growing public support for ocean conservation efforts.

He said healthy oceans contribute to resilient communities, sustainable livelihoods and climate security.

“This year’s theme, ‘Sustaining Ocean Health, Sailing Resilient Nation,’ reminds us that healthy oceans are directly connected to resilient communities, sustainable liveli-

towns

hoods, climate security, and the future of the next generations,” said Landrito

“Every piece of waste removed from our seas, every coral reef protected, and every individual inspired to care for the ocean contributes to a stronger and more resilient nation. Today’s activity is more than a cleanup drive; it is a shared commitment to stewardship, responsibility, and unity in protecting our marine ecosystems for present and future generations,” he said.

Meanwhile, Pedro Magsino, president of the Puerto Galera Dive Shop and Resort Association, said the activity helps preserve marine resources that support tourism and local livelihoods.

He added that the cleanup activity helps protect the livelihood of communities dependent on marine resources.

Marinduque releases over 2,000 butterflies to boost biodiversity

By Kurt Lansangan

BOAC, Marinduque―More than 2,000 butterflies, locally known as “bila-bila,” were released into the wild in Purok 6, Barangay Cawit on May 20 as part of a largescale conservation effort aimed at promoting Marinduque’s biodiversity and strengthening its communitybased butterfly breeding industry. The Marinduque Provincial Tourism Office, in partnership with the Boac Municipal Tourism Office and the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Boac, spearheaded the activity.

Members of the Cawit Bila-bila Breeders Village Alliance led the ceremonial release, which organizers said was intended to highlight the province’s endemic butterfly species while encouraging greater public awareness of environmental preservation.

During the event, Philippine

Exporters Confederation Inc. (Philexport) Marinduque president Carmelita Reyes cited the importance of collaboration between government and private stakeholders in advancing tourism development initiatives in the province.

She stressed that joint efforts help speed up development projects. Reyes also noted that Marinduque’s butterflies have gained international attention, with some species featured by vloggers abroad, including in Saudi Arabia.

Meanwhile, local breeders expressed pride in their livelihood, saying butterfly breeding has become both an economic activity and an environmental advocacy for the community.

To sustain the initiative, Reyes pushed for the establishment of a dedicated butterfly dome in Marinduque to establish a breeding place and further expand the province’s eco-tourism industry. PIA

2 offices to boost Aurora’s conservation

BALER, Aurora―The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 3 (Central Luzon) has begun the construction of two new Protected Area Management Offices (PAMO) in Aurora province as part of efforts to strengthen environmental protection and biodiversity conservation in the region.

The agency said groundbreaking ceremonies were recently conducted in the municipalities of Dinalungan and Dilasag, marking a significant step in improving the on-site management of protected areas amid growing environmental challenges in Central Luzon.

According to the DENR, the PAMO facility in Dinalungan will rise within the Simbahan Talagas Protected Landscape in Sitio Inipit, Barangay Simbahan. The building will occupy a 210-square-meter portion of the protected area.

Meanwhile, the second PAMO building will be constructed inside the AMRO River Protected Landscape in Barangay Lawang, Dilasag. The

structure will also cover 210 square meters within the 12,100-squaremeter protected landscape.

Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer Alfredo Collado said the facilities are designed to serve not only as operational offices but also as venues for meetings, environmental education activities, training programs, and stakeholder engagement initiatives.

“Both buildings are expected to enhance the operational capacity of protected area management members and personnel in helping the DENR carry out its mandates to protect, conserve, develop and manage the protected areas in Aurora, especially the province’s rich biodiversity and forest resources,” Collado said.

Regional Executive Director Ralph Pablo underscored the importance of establishing PAMO facilities within protected areas to improve the efficiency of conservation and protection activities.

Jason de Asis/PNA

TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 2026

lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com

NICKIE WANG, Editor

ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer

JASPER VALDEZ, Writer

SHOWBIZ

Sci-fi horror drags audiences into a nightmare with no exit

By Jasper Valdez

FILIPINO singer Matty Juniosa is setting his sights on new horizons after finishing fourth in Britain’s Got Talent , declaring that his journey on the global stage is far from over.

In a social media post following the finals, Juniosa reflected on a breakthrough run that earned him international recognition and two Golden Buzzers.

“Hey everyone, just catching up post #BGTLiveFinals and wanted to say a few words of gratitude. I am so proud to have represented the Philippines and Glasgow in a show I grew up watching and one of the biggest stages in the world,” he wrote.

Juniosa also thanked supporters who followed him from the auditions to the live finals.

“So I just wanted to say thank you to everybody who has shown so much support throughout this journey, from the auditions, to the semifinals, and to the finals. It has been such a time of my life,” he said.

The singer then teased what lies ahead.

“I am so, so, so thankful that I have reached the people all over the world that I needed to reach, and this is just the beginning. We’ve got plans coming through very, very soon, which I can’t wait to reveal to all of you,” he said.

Adding to the momentum, Juniosa announced that he will join Jesus Christ Superstar at the London Palladium later this year.

THE applause inside the theater offered an early sign that Backrooms had found its audience in the Philippines.

.At an SM Cinema screening last week, mostly Gen Z moviegoers reacted enthusiastically to Kane Parsons’s science fiction-horror film, with conversations continuing outside the cinema as viewers tried to interpret its ending and shifting narrative.

Directed by Parsons, 20, the film expands the viral Backrooms web series he created as a teenager into a feature-length psychological horror story. According to Variety , the movie posted the largest opening weekend for an original horror film and made Parsons the youngest director to debut at No. 1 with a feature film.

Starring Oscar nominees Chiwetel Ejiofor and Renate Reinsve, Backrooms follows a furniture shop owner who discovers a

BRITISH singer and songwriter Dua Lipa and Fantastic Beasts actor Callum Turner married in London on Sunday, according to media reports, which said the low-key nuptials may be followed by a three-day party in Sicily. The Sun and Daily Mail tabloids showed photos of the couple leaving Old Marylebone Town Hall following a civil ceremony with just a handful of family and friends.

Dua Lipa, 30, wore a white hat and dress designed by the Schiaparelli studio for the wedding, reports said. Turner, 36, donned a dark blue suit. The Sun said that they now plan a “sumptuous” three-day party in Sicily at the end of next week. Representatives of the couple, who have been together since January 2024, did not answer AFP ’s request to comment.

Dua Lipa, the daughter of Kosovo migrants who has become one of Britain’s top singers since her “Be The One” single in 2016, announced in an interview with British Vogue last year that she and Turner planned to marry. Turner made an international name for

labyrinth beneath his store. After he disappears, his therapist enters the maze-like structure in an attempt to find him, only to encounter a space where reality and time begin to shift.

The original online series, launched in 2022, became part of the internet’s “creepypasta” culture, where horror stories evolve through reposts, edits, and shared interpretations.

Parsons’s videos, built around empty yellow hallways and unsettling silence, drew nearly 100 million views and inspired several video game adaptations.

The film retains much of the stripped-down atmosphere that made the web series popular. Parsons relies heavily on silence, distorted sound, and long empty corridors instead of conventional jump scares. The familiar office-like setting becomes increasingly unsettling as the story moves deeper into uncertainty.

Some readings of the Backrooms concept suggest it operates on layered symbolic systems, largely psychological in nature, where recurring spaces and patterns function like fragments of memory embedded in the subconscious. In that interpretation, the maze-like environment is less a physical location than a mental construct, which may explain why the film resonates as something that feels as if it is pressing directly against consciousness rather than simply being observed.

Ejiofor gives the film emotional weight, while Reinsve provides a steady presence amid the film’s increasingly fragmented structure. Supporting performances from Mark Duplass, Finn Bennett, Lukita Maxwell, and Avan Jogia help ground the story.

Produced by A24 alongside Chernin Entertainment, Atomic Monster, and 21 Laps, Backrooms expands internet-originated horror into a theatrical format while withholding full explanations of its internal logic, leaving much of the interpretation to viewers.

That ambiguity may divide viewers, but it also explains much of the film’s appeal. Backrooms leaves audiences with questions rather than answers, turning post-screening discussions into part of the experience itself.

Distributed by CreaZion Studios, Backrooms opens in Philippine cinemas on June 3.

GMA Network climbed to No. 13 in Tubular Labs’ worldwide leadership rankings for April 2026, rising from No. 24 previously, as the Philippine media company continued to expand its global digital reach.

According to Tubular Labs data, GMA generated 11.18 billion video views across its official online platforms during the month. Instagram accounted for 5 billion views, followed by Facebook with 3.06 billion, TikTok with 2.40 billion, and YouTube with 719 million.

The network also maintained its position as the highest-ranking media company in Southeast Asia under Tubular Labs’ Entertainment and Media category since January 2026.

GMA said its growing international audience reflects continued demand for its digital content across multiple platforms.

SHOWBIZ

enters new territory with foreign film debut Anthony Jennings

By Angelica Villnueva

ACTOR Anthony Jennings

did not expect the year to unfold the way it has. With endorsements, new projects, and an international film now on his schedule, the actor said he is simply trying to stay grounded as opportunities continue to come his way.

co-actors ako doon. Kasi kung wala, feeling ko kakabahan ako pag ako lang mag-isa,” Anthony said.

The film also introduced him to a different style of performing. Working with veteran actors based abroad made him rethink how comedy and screen acting can be played. “Na-realize ko yung pagiging authentic lang. Kahit binabato nila yung nagpapatawa sila, parang hindi pa rin sila nagpapatawa,” he added.

Anthony said he observed differences in rhythm and timing, particularly in American-style humor, and picked up lessons from the cast throughout production.

Comedy remains a familiar space for him. He called it the easiest part of his work because it feels closest to who he is.

“Faithful lang talaga. As much as kung alam mo naman sa sarili mo na you’re a good person, everything will follow. Ako, masaya ako sa kung nasaan ako ngayon. And happy and content naman,” Anthony said. The actor now brings that outlook into Nurse the Dead, an upcoming international film centered on the lives and sacrifices of Filipino nurses working abroad.

The project marks his first experience working on an American production, a shift that brought excitement and pressure in equal measure.

“Well, sobrang saya Pero siyempre, andun pa rin yung challenges. Of course, yung pronunciation, yung accent, kailangan ko siyang ayusin,” Anthony told Manila Standard Entertainment

He said the language demands pushed him outside his comfort zone, especially since he had to deliver straight English dialogue and spend extra time memorizing lines. Even during breaks from filming, the work continued.

“Shoot namin doon from Monday hanggang Thursday lang. May Friday, Saturday, Sunday kami na puwede gumala. Nakapunta kami ng Disneyland, Universal. Pero kahit nasa Disneyland kami, nagbabasa pa rin kami ng script,” he shared. Still, he found comfort in sharing scenes with fellow Filipino actors, including Ruby Rodriguez, Gigette Reyes, Princess Punzalan, and Tootsie Guevarra

“Feeling ko nga sa Manila shoot din ako. Buti nga mga Filipino

Meanwhile, Anthony continues to feel blessed as he recently appeared at the launch of KYU KYU Ramen 99’s latest brand film as the face of the growing ramen chain.

“Slowly, my life is getting better. I’m also happy. I’m grateful that there are still blessings coming into my life,” he said.

With his first American production ahead, Anthony Jennings says working with Filipino co-actors helps ease the pressure of taking on English dialogue and a new acting rhythm

Jason Momoa says having best year of his career

LOS ANGELES — With several films yet to be released, and riding his success from the global hit “A Minecraft Movie,” Hawaiian actor Jason Momoa says he is living a unique moment.

“It’s probably the biggest year of my career,” Momoa, 46, told AFP in an interview.

The actor said he’s enjoying playing a range of roles, including Lobo, the intergalactic bounty hunter in the upcoming “Supergirl” film, which he described as “a childhood dream.”

The star also appears in the film adaptation of “Street Fighter” and in the “Dune” trilogy, whose final installment hits theaters in December.

Momoa, who rose to fame thanks to “Game of Thrones,” had the opportunity to work with Julian Schnabel, whom he described as his favorite director, in “In the Hand of Dante,” which premieres this month on Netflix.

The actor is feeling like he’s on a roll after playing a comedic role in last year’s box office hit, “A Minecraft Movie,” which he starred in with Jack Black.

“Minecraft really was huge, you know?” he said. “We didn’t see that coming.”

“I always wanted to do comedy.

I mean, I’ve always done action my whole life,” where playing

Ai Ai Delas Alas reveals she nearly left showbiz

THERE was a moment, Ai Ai Delas Alas admits, when the lights of showbiz looked dim enough to walk away from.

In a recent interview, the Comedy Queen revealed she once seriously considered leaving the industry and settling in the United States with her third husband, Gerald Sibayan

“Yes! It was during the time when I flew with my third husband to the United States. I thought about staying there permanently to personally take care of him,” she said. A close friend, however, stepped in with a reminder that would reshape her decision.

“My friend told me I wouldn’t want to not like the ‘biz. It’s a field I’d always return to no matter what. And I realized she was right. I couldn’t see myself doing another job. I want to be an actress for life until I retire and fade away from the spotlight. For one, showbiz is a job where I really excel,” she said in Tagalog.

Her affection for the industry, though, has never been without friction. After decades in the business, she points to one enduring discomfort.

“I hate the politics in the business. If someone powerful is envious of you, that person can use connections to get you out of a project. That’s just sad and unfair,” she said. Looking back, Ai Ai traces her toughest chapter not to fame but to the absence of it.

“Yes, my struggling days. When I was just starting my career. My goal was to support my family, especially my mother. When I entered the business, I didn’t plan to become a female lead. It just came.”

She remembers the grind in vivid detail.

“I would ride the tricycle because I didn’t have a car yet. Sometimes I’d take free rides on production vans, arriving early and leaving late just to wait for the same vehicle. Those were truly challenging times,” she said. * * * Sue Ramirez: timing, motherhood, and life on her own terms AT the press conference for her film Project Baby, Sue Ramirez faced a question that landed closer to home than usual, whether she is ready to have a child with her current partner, Dominic Roque

“Why not? If it will be given, right? I think Dom will be a very, very good father in the future if he does want to have

kids,” she said. Turning 30 on July 20, the actress said she is already open to motherhood.

“For the longest time, that’s what I really wanted. I believe I’ve already done so much in life. Now, I would really love to be a mom. Because of my age, I feel some pressure.”

She spoke candidly about time and timing, framing it as both reality and internal clockwork.

“The ticking time bomb of being a woman is inevitable. So if you really want it, you have to act fast and soon. But right now, I’m still busy with my career. If it would be given, then go.”

On the question of having a child outside marriage, she responded without hesitation.

“I don’t see anything wrong with the idea. I’ve thought about it before, but now I’m more mature. It would depend on who your partner is. Your mind and heart will be open to forming a beautiful family. But if not, you still have to choose a partner you are certain you want to do it with.”

Javi Benitez: from public office to creative

ambition

Actor-turnedlawmaker Javi Benitez recently met members of the Multi-Media Press Society, Inc. (MMPRESS) for an intimate discussion at Wildflour Restaurant in Scout Madriñan,

superheroes felt “inevitable.” But he enjoyed the opportunity to “make people laugh.”

The actor said that comedic roles like those in “The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part,” in which he voices a parody of Aquaman, a character he has portrayed in several productions, also allowed him to connect with a very special audience: his family.

“It was an epic moment because my kids got to see me do the looping (voiceover),” he said. While they don’t seem to care much about his other roles, “when I’m involved with Lego, I’m an all-star.”

The actor reconnected with the famous brick brand by debuting this Monday as “the Playmaster,” the central figure in Lego’s “Never Stop Playing” campaign to encourage families to dedicate more time to playing with their children, as social media and screens gain ground.

“I grew up with Lego. My children grew up with Lego,” said Momoa, who sees the colorful pieces and their infinite possibilities as a tool for developing creativity and imagination.

“It’s something that makes my heart smile,” he said.

The unique role came with a bonus: “Being chosen by Lego to have your own little action figures... for them to make that was pretty special.” AFP

as

Benitez

NICKIE WANG, Editor

ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer

JASPER VALDEZ, Writer

By Nickie Wang

TIME Magazine

named Kaway-An Eco Park one of the “Greatest Places of 2026,” placing the bamboo-built destination in General Trias at the center of global conversations on sustainable design, community spaces, and climate-responsive architecture.

Located 90

As

horseback riding and boating on the lagoon.

Rosie Tsai, president of Citihomes Builder and Development Inc., said that the recognition aligns with a long-developed

rooted in Filipino identity and ecological thinking.

Developed in collaboration with designer Elora

and Sangay Architects,

‘Poor Man’s Timber’ puts General Trias on global tourism map

beneath the pavilion canopy, shaping a forest-like atmosphere.

Since opening in July, the site has drawn visitors from Manila and nearby provinces for permaculture gardens, boating, horseback riding, birdwatching, yoga sessions, and bamboo farming workshops.

Tsai said the project was built as both a public space and a working example of bamboo-based architecture.

“When we have architects and students visiting, especially those who are passionate about bamboo, you really see the level of interest,” she said in an interview. “Not everyone is into bamboo yet, and that’s something we need to change. We have to break the outdated notion that bamboo is merely ‘poor man’s lumber.’”

She said engineered bamboo is already part of contemporary construction and interior design.

“Today, bamboo has evolved significantly. From treated bamboo poles, we now produce engineered bamboo—boards and finishes that are already being used in high-end homes for interiors. So the question is: if it’s good enough for interiors, why not for structural applications?” Tsai said.

The Grand Pavilion was designed to demonstrate what engineered bamboo can achieve in structural form.

EMERGENCY preparedness begins at home, going beyond basic supplies such as food, water, medicine, flashlights, and batteries to include a clear communication plan for urgent situations.

Households are encouraged to identify who to call in an emergency, keep important numbers visible, and ensure family members can quickly contact hotlines, barangays, hospitals, relatives, and first responders when needed.

As families rely on different ways to stay connected, a dedicated home phone line may form part of a broader preparedness plan. A landline provides a fixed point of contact for children, seniors, and household helpers to reach emergency services and relatives during urgent situations, offering an added layer of accessibility and peace of mind.

Families are also urged to keep emergency numbers in visible and easy-to-reach places such as near the phone, on the refrigerator, by the main door, or inside an emergency kit so anyone in the household can act quickly under pressure.

Key numbers often kept on hand include 911 for national emergencies, 117 or (02) 87220650 for the Philippine National Police, 143 for the Philippine Red Cross, and 136 for the MMDA, along with local fire, hospital, and barangay hotlines that vary by area.

The Philippine Information Agency reported that the Unified 911 Emergency Hotline received more than 5.2 million calls from January to April 2026, underscoring the growing reliance on emergency services in urgent situations.

To strengthen preparedness, families are advised to post emergency numbers in common areas, teach children and seniors how to call for help, save both national and local hotlines, and include communication steps in household emergency plans alongside essential supplies.

Emergency readiness, officials and advocates say, is not only about supplies but also about ensuring clear and reliable ways to contact help when needed.

PLDT Home supports connected households through fiber internet plans bundled with landline services designed to help families maintain accessible communication lines for both daily use and emergencies. For more information, visit www.pldthome.com.

“That’s exactly what this pavilion demonstrates. It shows what’s possible when bamboo is properly treated and engineered,” she noted. “At the end of the day, durability comes down to proper treatment and processing.”

Tsai said interest in bamboo construction continues to grow among architects and engineers, alongside efforts to include it in formal building standards.

“There are ongoing efforts from architects and engineers to institutionalize bamboo as a recognized construction material under the National Building Code,” she said. “For that to happen, it needs formal approval and standardization, which involves rigorous testing and government support.”

She elaborated that bamboo offers environmental advantages that support climate-conscious development.

“Unlike traditional timber, which takes 20 to 30 years before it can be harvested, bamboo matures in about five years for construction use—and even as early as three years for applications like paper, fiber, and textiles,” Tsai said. “Because bamboo is technically a grass, not a tree, it regenerates quickly after harvesting.”

She added that bamboo also absorbs carbon dioxide at a higher rate compared with many tree species, reinforcing its role in sustainable building approaches.

Tsai said the long-term direction involves expanding bamboo cultivation, strengthening processing capacity, and aligning policy support to encourage wider adoption.

“We’re talking about all types of poles in various sizes, especially giant bamboo poles,” she said. “If we can align policy, innovation and awareness, bamboo has the potential to become a key building material in the near future.”

The project’s development also required careful sourcing and engineering validation.

Tsai said early sourcing explored local suppliers, including treated giant bamboo poles from Manolo Fortich in Bukidnon through Rhizome, along with additional materials from Bali.

A key requirement came from UK-based structural engineering firm Atelier One, known for major projects such as the Flower Dome, Cloud Forest, and Supertrees at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore.

Tsai believes that Kaway-An Eco Park serves as a living demonstration of how bamboo can support future-ready architecture while grounding design in local identity, environmental awareness, and community use.

Haven Memorial Park has launched its Absolutely Free Burol (AFB) Program in select Luzon branches, expanding its death care services with a package aimed at easing the burden on families during times of loss.

The program is available in the San Jose, Manaoag, and