Manila Standard - 2026 June 9 - Tuesday

By Charles Dantes, Katrina Manubay, Maricel Cruz and Vito Barcelo

7.8-magnitude quake kills 31

By Rex Espiritu, Rio Araja, Alena Mae Flores, Joel Zurbano and Cherrie Villahermosa

A7.8- MAGNITUDE

earthquake hit southern Mindanao yesterday killed at least 31 people after toppling buildings and sparking tsunami warnings across the region, local officials said.

National disaster authorities said at least a dozen people were still missing, while 134 had sustained injuries.

The Office of Civil Defense, however, placed the death toll at 19—with 16 fatalities reported in Soccsksargen and three more in the Davao Region.

Authorities have declared a state of calamity in General Santos City following the tremor that struck offshore near Sarangani Monday morning.

A series of powerful aftershocks rocked the area from about two hours

By Ram Superable and Charles Dantes

THE official Senate website on Monday updated its roster to feature Senator Sherwin Gatchalian as the new Senate President Pro Tempore, and

Cayetano insisted however, that he remains the

Montales with Bantug.

FLAG ceremonies marking the start of classes across public schools in the country may have saved thousands of children from the worst effects of the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck parts of Mindanao early Monday morning, officials said.

Assembling in open-air fields to honor the flag and sing the national anthem put school kids in the safest part of campuses when the temblor hit around 7:37 a.m. at Intensity 7, sending buildings crumbling and rendering many more unsafe to use. Many videos on social media showed younger schoolchildren crouching with their parents, guardians and teachers

By Charles Dantes and Joel E. Zurbano

PRESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has dismissed allegations that he accepted suitcases containing cash at his residence in Paoay, Ilocos Norte, with Malacañang describing the claims as false and unsupported by evidence.

Meanwhile, Senate Blue Ribbon Committee chairman Erwin Tulfo announced his decision to inhibit himself from leading the investigation into the alleged flood control scandal. Tulfo also filed at the Pasay City prosecutor’s office libel charges

executives as the situation continued to develop.

The magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck at 7:37 a.m. off Sarangani province, with the epicenter located about 13 kilometers southwest of General Santos City.

P47b in disaster response funds

The government has more than P47 billion in available disaster response funds and remains financially prepared to address the impact of the Sarangani earthquake, according to budget officials and Malacañang.

During a press briefing yesterday, Presidential Communications Office

Undersecretary Claire Castro said: “The President has already issued orders and all involved and concerned agencies must respond. We know that the funds at present remain sufficient for rescue and relief operations and to mitigate the impact of today’s disaster.”

The Department of Budget and Management said that as of June 5, the combined available Quick Response Funds (QRFs) of national government disaster response agencies stood at P13.14 billion.

In addition, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (NDRRMF) had an available balance of P34.23 billion, bringing the total available disaster response resources to about P47.37 billion.

The DBM said agencies may request replenishment of their respective QRF allocations once fund utilization reaches the prescribed 50 percent threshold, in accordance with existing budgeting and accounting rules.

Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian has ordered all DSWD Field Office (FO) regional directors in Mindanao to immediately coordinate with local government units affected by the earthquake.

He said the DSWD has over 1.1 million boxes of family food packs (FFPs) in Mindanao alone available for augmentation to affected families and individuals.

“We are ensuring that we can immediately send aid because we have enough FFPs stored in our various warehouses in Mindanao,” he added.

Among the first to extend support to affected residents was the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office and its Authorized Agent Corporations (AACs) in Mindanao.

“Through the collective efforts of PCSO and our Authorized Agent Corporations, we will continue to extend help, hope, and immediate support to families affected by this earthquake. Our KawanggaWarriors are showing up when our kababayans need us the most,” PCSO General Manager Melquiades Robles said.

Pledges of assistance

Messages of support and offers of assistance poured in from foreign leaders and diplomatic missions on Monday.

The United Nations in the Philippines said: “We mourn the loss of lives and the suffering endured by families and communities due to widespread damage to homes and infrastructure and we stand in solidarity with all those affected during this difficult time.”

after the first quake, according to the United States Geological Survey, with the largest measuring 6.5 magnitude.

In General Santos, rescue workers dug through the rubble of a popular grocery store chain in a desperate bid to reach the bodies of two employees buried beneath.

Rene Punzalan, disaster chief for hard-hit Sarangani province, said 14 people had died in Glan municipality alone when a landslide buried their homes at the foot of a mountain.

“The landslide happened immediately after the earthquake, so many lives were lost,” he said, adding that some areas had yet to report if they had sustained casualties.

“The greatest challenge is communication. The power was cut, so it’s hard to get updates,” Punzalan said.

“We’re worried about aftershocks,” he added. “We can feel the fear of the residents.”

Videos posted to social media showed a shopping center with a Jollibee fast food restaurant reduced to rubble in General Santos City, while a school building that officials said was unoccupied crumpled in another.

“Lord, it has really collapsed! ... The building has really collapsed!” someone can be heard shouting as the abandoned school structure topples.

In another video, young school children could be seen screaming in the arms of their teachers as the quake violently swayed them back and forth on the ground.

An accompanying caption said no one was under the structure when it fell.

A notice from the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said tsunami waves were possible along the coasts of the Philippines, Indonesia, Palau, Taiwan and Papua New Guinea.

But by mid-afternoon, the Philippines and other countries had cancelled their warnings.

President Ferdinand Marcos, who suspended classes across Mindanao on what was to have been the first day of school, had called on residents in coastal areas to evacuate immediately.

“Move to higher ground now. Do not wait,” he said. “Your life is more important than anything left behind.”

Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said the military immediately activated its humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR) proto-

sentatives, and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines have officially recognized the June 3 session and the subsequent leadership changes.

cols following the earthquake.

“The AFP works under the whole-of-government approach to disaster response. We maintain close coordination with the Office of Civil Defense and local authorities to ensure that our capabilities are employed where they are most needed and can provide the greatest benefit to affected communities,” she said.

The Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao also activated its “Battle Staff Bravo” and put its disaster response and rescue team on heightened alert for possible emergency response and humanitarian assistance operations.

The Department of Energy said initial reports show power interruptions are affecting an estimated 864,000 households in Mindanao.

Power outages were experienced within the franchise areas of the South Cotabato II Electric Cooperative, South Cotabato I Electric Cooperative, Sultan Kudarat Electric Cooperative, Northern Davao Electric Cooperative, Davao Light and Power Company, Cotabato Light and Power Company, and neighboring localities.

The DOE, in coordination with the National Electrification Administration and the National Power Corp., mobilized rapid response teams to assess energy infrastruc-

ture and advance power restoration efforts.

“Our teams are on the ground working closely with electric cooperatives, critical sectors, and other energy sector stakeholders to assess conditions and restore electricity services safely, responsibly, and at the soonest possible time,” Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said.

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines said landing and takeoff operations at General Santos Airport are currently limited to government, military, and humanitarian flights.

A Notice to Airmen is in effect from 3 p.m. on June 8 until 6 p.m. on June 11.

CAAP advised passengers to coordinate with their respective airlines regarding the status of their flights.

Earthquakes are a near-daily occurrence in the Philippines, which is situated on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” an arc of intense seismic activity stretching from Japan through Southeast Asia and across the Pacific basin.

Eastern Mindanao was rocked by a pair of earthquakes of 7.4 and 6.7 magnitude in October that killed at least eight people. These followed a magnitude 6.9 quake days earlier that killed 76 people and destroyed or damaged 72,000 buildings in Cebu. With AFP

against three former bodyguards of resigned Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co who claimed that the senator received suitcases of money related to the anomalous flood control projects.

Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said Marcos was already aware of the allegations raised by witnesses during a recent hearing and reacted with the same skepticism he previously showed toward other accusations against him.

Asked whether the President had personally responded to the claims, Castro said Mr. Marcos’ reaction was essentially an eye roll, indicating he did not take the allegations seriously.

“That is the reaction you will get from the President, because he knows, we all know, that it is not true,” Castro said. She questioned the credibility of the witnesses who testified, suggesting that some appeared to have been coached during the proceedings.

“Notice how the hearing was conducted, it seems like there was someone coaching, similar to a court setting, that is not allowed,

Meanwhile, Malacañang rejected Cayetano’s proposal for an interim leadership arrangement in the Senate, reiterating that the Executive branch recognizes only Acting Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian as the chamber’s legitimate leader.

Gatchalian, who is currently operating as the acting Senate president following a June 3 session where 12 lawmakers elected him to the post, also held an organizational meeting with Senate Secretary Renato Bantug Jr and Sergeant-at-Arms Alfredo Sotto Corpuz to ensure smooth chamber operations amid the public scrutiny over security protocols and institutional control.

“With every step, we will prioritize the welfare of the country. Thank you very much... for your service and support for our institution,” Gatchalian told the Senate security team.

Malacañang, the House of Repre-

in a school square, as flimsier structures crashed around them.

Education officials immediately suspended classes in the affected schools, prioritizing safety and launching damage assessments on the first day of School Year 2026–2027.

Over 6,200 schools hit

As of 6 p.m., the Department of Education (DepEd) recorded 6,224 schools affected by the earthquake.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara said class suspensions were implemented in compliance with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to ensure the safety of learners and school personnel.

“Most schools have already suspended classes in line with PBBM’s directive. I’m here in Cotabato City now, and it does not seem as badly hit as other towns or cities, but they have suspended classes nonetheless as a safety precaution,” Angara said.

DepEd immediately mobilized en-

coaching the witness,” Castro added.

The Palace spokesperson said the allegations lacked supporting evidence and noted that several individuals whose names surfaced during the hearings had denied involvement.

“All of that is untrue and many names were placed claiming they were not involved and this is not seen and no evidence is shown,” she said in Filipino.

When asked if Mr. Marcos had coined a label for the witnesses, unlike the terms used by some public officials and lawmakers to describe accusers in previous controversies, Castro said the President appeared indifferent to the allegations.

Tulfo stated he would formalize his inhibition and suggested either allowing the vice chair to take over or forming a subcommittee, specifically recommending that Senator Francis Pangilinan handle the matter.

“I will inhibit, I will give the floor to the vice chair or we will form a subcommittee, so he will discuss on the floor that let Senator Kiko handle it, this flood control,” Tulfo said.

This decision was prompted by accusations implicating him in supposed cash deliveries linked to Zaldy Co.

Co’s former bodyguards accused Tulfo

Arguing that 13 votes are strictly required by the rules to either appoint or remove top Senate officials, Cayetano accused Gatchalian of usurping authority and that he has not surrendered his official signing powers.

“Nevertheless, because these events have now given rise to a controversy that may ultimately require judicial resolution, the Supreme Court will have the final authority to determine the issues arising therefrom,” he said.

Cayetano also said he sent a letter through Montales proposing an interim dual-signatory compromise with the Gatchalian bloc for vital financial and administrative documents.

“The objective of such a mechanism is not to confer, concede, recognize, or validate authority in any person, but rather to ensure continuity of opera-

gineers in affected areas, particularly in Region XII or SOCCSKSARGEN – made up of the provinces of South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, and General Santos City -to inspect school facilities and assess structural damage.

“We immediately mobilized our engineers in the affected regions, particularly in DepEd Regional Office XII, to inspect school facilities impacted by the earthquake,” Angara said.

“We are also deploying structural engineers from our Central Office to support damage assessments and assist our regional teams on the ground.”

Initial reports showed infrastructure damage at Matanao National High School in Davao del Sur, including a reported building collapse.

Safety, well-being top priorities

Angara said the safety and well-being of learners, teachers, and school personnel would remain the department’s top priority before classes resume.

“We also inspected classrooms here today following the earthquake. The safety of our learners, teachers, and

of receiving suitcases with money related to the anomalous flood control projects.

Levito Baligod, legal counsel for the accusers, stated they would attend the Blue Ribbon hearing, but requested that the chairman refrain from presiding over the inquiry.

The bodyguards had previously appeared during the ‘hearing’ led by Senator Alan Peter Cayetano on June 4, where they implicated several high-profile individuals in the corruption scheme, including Tulfo himself, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Senator Vicente Sotto III, Mamamayang Liberal Party-list Rep. Leila De Lima and Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro.

Tulfo has firmly denied the allegations.

Tulfo’s brother, Senator Raffy Tulfo, raised concerns regarding the credibility of the 18 former aides of Co, whom he referred to as “18 kargadors.” He also criticized the labels that described them as “18 marines” and “heroes.”

During the Blue Ribbon Committee meeting on Monday, Raffy Tulfo said that this group was being depicted as heroes and former marines by certain individuals aiming to enhance their credibility while making unfounded accusations.

“From the very beginning, they were called 18 marines, which is already a form of deception. The label ‘18 ma-

tions, protect Senate personnel from conflicting directives, preserve public funds and institutional processes, and enable the Senate and the Impeachment Court to function while the controversy remains unresolved,” he explained.

The proposal, raised amid the ongoing dispute over the Senate presidency, reportedly calls for a dual-signatory and joint-certification system for official Senate transactions and documents while questions over the chamber’s leadership remain unresolved.

Speaking at a Palace press briefing, Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said the Executive sees no benefit in such an arrangement and warned it could create further complications.

“The Executive recognizes Senator Sherwin Gatchalian. This kind of arrangement will not be beneficial at this time,” Castro said. She drew parallels to a previous term-sharing agreement in the House of Representatives involving Cayetano,

school personnel remains our top priority, and we will take all necessary measures to ensure that schools are safe before classes resume,” he said.

The Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) is also closely monitoring the situation.

DepEd-Soccsksargen announced the suspension of classes and work in affected areas to allow for thorough inspections of school buildings and office facilities.

“Engineers and DRRM representatives are directed to inspect and assess the structural integrity of all school buildings and office facilities before these are reoccupied,” the regional office said.

Personnel were advised to temporarily work from home while inspections and safety assessments are underway.

Smooth openings elsewhere

Despite disruptions in parts of Mindanao, classes in many areas of the country opened smoothly.

At Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr. Elementary School in Manila, school officials reported an orderly opening of classes,

rines’ serves as a means to elevate their public image. It is a given that when one mentions marines, there is a different level of respect from the public. However, not all of them are former marines. Moreover, more than half of them were discharged without honors or dishonorably discharged from service due to various offenses,” he said.

“I would like to remind my colleagues in the Senate to exercise caution when labeling individuals as bayani (heroes). Elevating them to a pedestal is misleading because it does not reflect the truth, and it will ultimately reflect on you.”

Tulfo, who was accompanied by his legal counsel Jovito Barate in filing his complaint, cited Bernard Gumban, Rosebert Waupan, and Benny Bulontante as respondents.

Tulfo said the three individuals, together with fifteen others known as the “18 Marines”, attended an unofficial hearing at the Senate attended by Senators Rodante Marcoleta, Alan Peter Cayetano, Pia Cayetano, Imee Marcos, Robin Padilla, and Loren Legarda.

“The said proceedings was highly irregular and illegal not only due to its procedural infirmities as it was not duly constituted given the fact that no mem-

which became the subject of political controversy during the 18th Congress.

“What happened before in the House of Representatives might happen again, where they already had a term-sharing agreement that Senator Alan Cayetano did not immediately fulfill,” she added.

The Palace has repeatedly maintained its recognition of Gatchalian as Senate president despite Cayetano’s continued assertion that he remains the chamber’s legitimate leader.

“We reiterate, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian is the only one we recognize as the leader in the Senate right now,” Castro stressed.

The Senate leadership dispute has prompted competing claims from Cayetano and Gatchalian, with both camps asserting legitimacy.

While maintaining his position that the June 3 Senate proceedings were unconstitutional and in violation of Senate rules, Cayetano has sought talks with Gatchalian’s camp to prevent disruptions in Senate operations.

crediting extensive preparations under Brigada Eskwela.

School principal Dr. Noel Gelua told ABS-CBN News that the school, which serves between 5,000 and 5,400 learners, successfully managed its opening-day activities through careful planning and a double-shift system to address classroom congestion.

The school also began implementing DepEd’s new three-term academic calendar, which divides the school year into an opening block, instructional block, and end-of-term block.

Teacher Marites Baniqued said parent awareness of the new system remains uneven, although orientation activities are scheduled throughout the opening week.

The school also continues to implement the Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) Program to help learners address learning gaps. For School Year 2025–2026, the school recorded 1,528 ARAL learners, with more than 900 successfully completing the program after meeting required competencies. The number of learners requiring intervention subsequently declined to 558.

bers have been invited from the former minority bloc, or the Gatchalian Bloc, as well as due to its lack of proper notice to all its members, lack or presence of the Blue Ribbon Committee secretariat, no proper recording of the proceedings among others,” Tulfo stated.

“By reason of respondents’ acts, I was unnecessarily subjected anew to public ridicule, contempt, scorn, suspicion, and humiliation notwithstanding that they have already submitted such matters before the appropriate agency for its further investigation and action. These accusations are personal attacks on my integrity and standing and has nothing to do with my position as a member of the Senate of the Philippines,” he added.

During his testimony last June 4, the complaint read, respondent Gumban categorically stated that he personally delivered large amounts of money allegedly contained in suitcases to Tulfo.

Gumban claimed that such deliveries occurred on two separate occasions. He alleged that the first delivery involved two suitcases containing cash amounting to approximately P20 million to P50 million, while the second delivery involved six suitcases of varying sizes allegedly containing huge sums of money.

Higher diesel, kerosene prices today

By Alena Mae S. Flores

THE Department of Energy (DOE) announced a bigtime oil price hike for diesel and kerosene of as much as P5.77 per liter and P8.10 per liter, respectively effective 6am today.

The DOE said diesel will have a maximum adjustment of P3.77 to P5.77 per liter and kerosene by P6.10 to P8.10 per liter.

Gasoline will have a rollback of P1.70 per liter up to an increase of P0.30 per liter.

“These changes are based on movements in the global oil market, amid ongoing events in the Middle East that are affecting global supply and prices,” the DOE said.

The department said it continues to work to strengthen oil supply and protect the public interest.

Meanwhile, the DOE said the country’s total fuel inventory is good for 47.09 days.

Gasoline is good for 44.81 days, jet fuel for 73.25 days, diesel for 45.21 days, fuel oil for 41.01 days, kerosene for 143.09 days and LPG for 45.04 days.

On June 2, the oil companies implemented a price rollback for gasoline from P4.80 to P4.70 per liter, diesel price decreased from P9.30 to P9.20 per liter and kerosene prices decreased from P10.86 to P10.80 per liter.

The 22nd price movement this year resulted in a total net increase of P45.02 per liter for gasoline, P37.64 per liter for diesel and P29.70 per liter for kerosene

Police serve arrest warrant vs. Curlee Discaya

By Vince Lopez

THE Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday served the arrest warrant against controversial contractor Pacifico “Curlee” Discaya, a key figure in the flood control corruption controversy.

PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said a sufficient number of police personnel were deployed to the Senate to serve the warrant issued by a regional trial court in Bulacan.

Discaya had been under Senate custody since late last year after being cited in contempt during a hearing on flood control projects, necessitating coordination with the chamber before

the warrant could be served.

“The arrest warrant was implemented in accordance with the law and established procedures in close coordination with the Senate to ensure an orderly, lawful, and transparent turnover process,” Nartatez said in a statement.

“There will be no special treatment. All persons subject to lawful arrest will be accorded the same standards of professionalism and due process,” he added.

The Office of the Ombudsman filed a case last week against Discaya and several others for violating Article 217 of the Revised Penal Code, which pertains to malversation of public funds or property, through falsification of pub-

lic documents in relation to Articles 171(4) and 48, over an allegedly anomalous flood control project in Bulacan.

On Friday, Branch 20 of the Bulacan Regional Trial Court ordered the arrest of Discaya, his wife Cezarah and nine others.

Some of those covered by the arrest order, including Discaya’s wife and three other accused, are already detained in at least three detention facilities in connection with other cases.

Nartatez said he expects the warrant to be implemented against all co-accused who are not yet in custody.

The 11 accused are facing non-bailable charges.

House submits response to VP’s impeach reply

By Maricel Cruz

THE House prosecution panel yesterday filed a manifestation instead of a reply to Vice President Sara Duterte’s answer to the articles of impeachment, arguing that her submission raises no material factual issues requiring a substantive response. House Secretary General Cheloy Garafil submitted the five-page manifestation to the Senate, where it was received by Senate Secretary General Renato Bantug Jr. at 11:15 a.m. Copies were also furnished to the Office of the Vice President and the law firm Fortun Narvasa & Salazar.

The 11-member prosecution panel said Duterte’s answer largely consisted of procedural, jurisdictional, and constitutional objections rather than factual arguments addressing the allegations against her.

“Under the applicable rules, the allegations and defenses in the Answer are deemed controverted even without a Reply,” the manifestation stated.

“More fundamentally, the Answer raises no material factual issue that requires a responsive pleading. It does not meaningfully engage the factual allegations in the Articles of Impeachment, but instead concentrates on procedural, jurisdictional, and constitutional objections directed against the continuation of the proceedings,” it added.

Duterte faces four articles of impeachment involving the alleged misuse of P612.5 million in confidential funds, bribery, unexplained wealth, and grave threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.

The prosecution panel said Duterte failed to directly address the allegations or explain why she should not be held liable for the impeachable offenses charged against her.

“This is evident across all four Articles, where respondent repeatedly asserts that she committed no impeachable offense,” the manifestation read.

“Yet beyond these general denials, the Answer offers no coherent factual narrative that directly refutes the charges set forth in the Articles of Impeachment,” it added.

Megaworld Lifestyle Malls Garners Four Wins at Retail Asia Awards 2026

Among the four major recognitions, Lucky Chinatown secured the highest honor as Mall of the Year-Philippines, continuing Megaworld Lifestyle Malls’ winning run in the

place in Manila’s retail landscape.

MEGAWORLD Lifestyle Malls continued to make its mark in the regional retail scene after securing four major distinctions at the 2026 Retail Asia Awards in Singapore.

Leading the group’s wins is Lucky Chinatown, which was named Mall of the Year in the Philippines. The recognition extends Megaworld Lifestyle Malls’ winning streak in the category, following previous wins for Festive Walk Iloilo in 2023, Eastwood City in 2024, and Uptown Bonifacio in 2025.

The group also received Lifestyle Mall of the Year for Uptown Bonifacio, Themed Mall of the Year for Venice Grand Canal, and Mixed-Use Mall of the Year for Festive Walk Iloilo, underscoring the strength of its mall portfolio across different formats, markets, and communities.

Uptown Bonifacio was recognized for its vibrant urban lifestyle experience in Taguig City, offering global brands, dining concepts, wellness spaces, premium cinemas, nightlife, and everyday conveniences.

Lucky Chinatown’s recognition reflects its continued growth as a modern Binondo landmark. Through the Imperial Wing and a refreshed mall experience, it brings together new retail concepts, dining choices, lifestyle offerings, engaging attractions, and innovative features that further enhance its

Venice Grand Canal earned Themed Mall of the Year for its Venice-inspired setting, featuring gondola rides, Europeanstyle architecture, canal-side dining, live entertainment, and interactive attractions.

Festive Walk Iloilo was named Integrated Mixed-Use Mall of the Year for its role

as the lifestyle center of Iloilo Business Park, connecting retail, dining, nightlife, hospitality, offices, tourism, and arts-driven experiences in Western Visayas.

The Retail Asia Awards recognizes outstanding achievements and innovations across the Asia-Pacific retail industry. With four major wins in 2026, Megaworld Lifestyle Malls further strengthens its role in Philippine retail, creating mall experiences that go beyond shopping by bringing together lifestyle, tourism, entertainment, and community.

IN BRIEF

SUV driver in hit-and-run faces manhunt, charges

PHILIPPINE National Police

(PNP) chief Gen. Jose Melencio

Nartatez Jr. on Monday ordered an intensified manhunt for the driver of a sports utility vehicle involved in a hit-and-run incident that injured a Highway Patrol Group (HPG) officer along the South Luzon Expressway.

The incident was captured on dashcam footage, which authorities are using to identify the vehicle owner. Nartatez said reckless behavior on the road has no place in society and vowed to hold the driver accountable.

He directed the HPG to coordinate with the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and pursue appropriate charges. Investigators are also reviewing video footage and gathering information from witnesses and traffic monitoring systems. Vince Lopez

Tulfo files libel raps vs. ex-bodyguards of Co

SENATOR Erwin Tulfo on Monday filed libel complaints before the Pasay City Prosecutor’s Office against three former bodyguards of resigned Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co over allegations linking him to anomalous flood control projects.

Named respondents were Bernard Gumban, Rosebert Waupan, and Benny Bulontante, who claimed during an unofficial Senate proceeding on June 4 that Tulfo received suitcases allegedly containing millions of pesos in cash.

Tulfo described the proceeding as irregular and improperly constituted, citing the absence of proper notice, committee procedures, and representation from all Senate blocs. Joel E. Zurbano Palace condemns Davao garbage dumping protest

MALACAÑANG on Monday condemned the dumping of garbage outside a Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) office in Davao City, backing the Environmental Management Bureau’s opposition to the protest action.

At a press briefing, Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said the incident reflected disregard for the law, due process, and the rule of law. She said leaders should follow established procedures instead of blaming authorities enforcing regulations. The EMB earlier denounced the dumping of garbage outside the DENR office, saying it violated environmental laws and posed risks to public health.

Castro said the EMB also described the incident as a dangerous distraction from ongoing efforts to address the aftermath of the trash slide at the Davao City Sanitary Landfill on May 20 and ensure public safety. Charles Dantes

Fisherfolk, environmental groups, and allied organizations gather in front of the Department of Agriculture on World Oceans Day on Monday, June 8, to call for stronger protection of marine ecosystems and coastal communities, warning of threats to food security, livelihoods, and the well-being of millions of Filipinos. Manny Palmero

Philippines reaffirms commitment to ocean protection, sustainability

By Katrina Manubay

THE Philippines on Monday reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the marine environment and promoting the sustainable use of ocean resources, while underscoring the importance of international law and the 2016 South China Sea arbitral ruling in safeguarding maritime ecosystems.

In a video statement for World Oceans Day, Foreign Affairs Secretary Theresa Lazaro highlighted that protecting the ocean requires a collective commitment to a rules-based order in maritime governance, guided by international law. She referred to the United Nations

City Mayor Jeannie Sandoval escorts students to their classrooms on the first day of classes at Malabon Elementary School, which has 3,100 enrolled students. Andrew Rabulan

Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) as a crucial legal framework for all ocean-related activities.

“The Philippines looks ahead to July as we commemorate the 10th anniversary of the historic South China Sea Arbitral Award,” she said.

“We recognize the Award’s endur-

ing contribution to the evolving corpus of international law concerning the protection and preservation of the marine environment. It underscored that the sustainable governance of our oceans must be guided by law, science, and accountability,” she added.

The landmark 2016 ruling overwhelmingly favored the Philippines, clarifying the country’s sovereign rights and jurisdiction over its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and continental shelf.

This legal basis remains vital in asserting the Philippines’ maritime entitlements against China’s expansive claims.

Navotas fishers mark World Oceans Day with Manila Bay protest

By Rex Espiritu

FISHERFOLK groups marked World Oceans Day on Sunday with a protest against ongoing reclamation projects in Manila Bay, warning of their continued impact on coastal livelihoods, among other concerns.

Members of the Navotas chapter of Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (PAMALAKAYA-Pilipinas) gathered at C4 Centennial Park in Navotas City to oppose several reclamation projects,

including the 650-hectare Navotas Coastal Bay Reclamation Project being undertaken by San Miguel Corporation in partnership with the Navotas City Government.

The group said the project has severely affected local fisherfolk, particularly mussel farmers whose livelihood activities were removed in 2024 to make way for reclamation works.

“For more than two years, our families have had almost nothing to eat after our mussel farms were removed because of reclamation. Our primary

livelihood from the sea should be restored, and these destructive projects must be permanently stopped,” said Romel Escarial, president of PAMALAKAYA-Navotas.

The protesters also expressed concerns over the project’s alleged links to the planned New Manila International Airport in Bulacan, claiming reclamation activities could lead to the displacement of residents, worsening floods, and environmental degradation.

PAMALAKAYA also condemned

the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) for allegedly pushing the resumption of at least two Manila Bay reclamation projects despite the existing suspension on reclamation activities. They stressed that the suspension status of reclamation projects should remain in force, citing the cumulative impact assessment released by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), which found significant environmental and socio-economic consequences associated with reclamation projects in Manila Bay.

Cebu on red alert, ready to assist Mindanao

By Minerva Newman

CEBU CITY – Cebu is on red alert and is prepared to assist Mindanao communities affected by the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck General Santos City on June 8. Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro instructed the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) to closely monitor developments and maintain coordination with local disaster offices across Cebu for a more unified response.

“I have also instructed our PDRRMO to reach out to the disaster management authorities in General Santos

City and other affected areas to determine how the Province of Cebu may assist should help be needed,” Baricuatro said in a statement issued after the earthquake. Reports said a magnitude 7.8 earthquake occurred off the coast of General Santos City in Sarangani Province, at the southernmost tip of Mindanao, prompting tsunami warnings in the Philippines, Indonesia, and Japan. Although Cebu remains unaffected by the earthquake based on current reports, Baricuatro urged residents to remain vigilant, heed official advisories, and prepare for possible aftershocks.

Lazaro affirmed that the Philippines is committed to collaborating with like-minded partners, international organizations, and relevant institutions to enhance marine conservation, ecosystem restoration, climate resilience, and peaceful cooperation at sea.

“At the regional level, the Philippines welcomes strengthened cooperation in ASEAN through the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Leaders’ Declaration on Maritime Cooperation, which reflects our shared recognition that maritime challenges transcend borders and require collective responses,” Lazaro said.

Abra lawmaker calls for help in farm leveling

By Maricel V. Cruz

WITH the threat of drought due to El Niño looming over the country, a lawmaker called on the government to help accelerate farmland leveling for more efficient water use.

“With the threat of drought once again upon us, we must implement measures that would allow our farmers to utilize resources more efficiently and effectively. Land leveling is one intervention that could benefit our farmers and help them weather the loss or reduction of irrigation,” Abra Lone District Rep. JB Bernos said on Monday. His comment came after the Department of Agriculture and the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) announced their planned interventions for the sector during a briefing before the House Committee on Agriculture and Food.

Among the strategies cited by the two government agencies are rainwater harvesting, rehabilitation of irrigation systems, including the installation of solar-powered irrigation systems, rotational water distribution, and “double dry” cropping schemes.

The NIA also said it is encouraging farmers to adopt water-saving practices in field preparation, including land leveling.

The solon, however, said small farmers may find it difficult to undertake land leveling due to a lack of resources, which is why government support is needed.

“Small farmers will find it difficult to level the land they farm because they lack machinery. That is why it is important for the government to support them in this endeavor,” he said.

The lawmaker, along with Solid North Party-list Rep. Ching Bernos, authored House Bill 6516, or the Bangod Bukid Bill, which seeks to establish a National Farm Land Leveling and Reconstruction Program to accelerate the implementation of the practice across the country.

OPINION

Revisiting the Tiananmen Massacre

SEVEN years before the Tiananmen Massacre in 1989, we had the privilege, along with other news executives from the Organization of Asia Pacific News Agencies or OANA to iron out in Beijing the technical, operational, and financial frameworks for launching the ASEAN News Exchange (ANEX) and broader news distributions involving Soviet (TASS) transmissions.

Before the 1989 tragedy, the 44-hectare Tiananmen Square, at the entrance to the Forbidden City where the embalmed body of Mao Zedong was on display, was considered the symbolic heart of the People’s Republic of China and the ultimate stage for monumental historical and political gatherings.

With other OANA executives -- including those from Bernama, Antara, and Tass -- we saw its significance transformed from an imperial landmark into a space for nationalistic and political demonstrations.

Fast forward the seasons from 1982, the pro-democracy demonstrations that began in Tiananmen Square on April 15, 1989 spanned 51 days in total.

The initial peaceful protests lasted for about seven weeks until the Chinese government declared martial law and launched a violent, deadly military crackdown to clear the square over the course of two days on June 3 and 4, 1989.

The exact death toll from the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre remains unknown, but estimates range from several hundred to several thousand.

Western diplomats and journalists estimated that at least 300 to several thousand protesters were killed; while secret British diplomatic cables from the time alleged that at least 10,000 people died.

Most independent historians and international organizations cite a range of 700 to 2,700 deaths.

Historically, the square derives its name from the “Gate of Heavenly Peace” (Tiananmen). On Oct. 1, 1949, it was the very spot where Mao Zedong stood to proclaim the founding of the People’s Republic of China.

Mao (1893–1976) was a Chinese revolutionary and founding father of the People’s Republic of China who led the Chinese Communist Party from 1935 until his death, reshaping the country into a single-party socialist state through what outsiders call “sweeping, often disastrous, agrarian and urban reforms.”

Decades before 1989, the square served as a primary rallying point for students protesting government actions. Most notably, the May Fourth Movement in 1919 (which protested foreign imperialism and sparked cultural and political revolutions) took place at the square.

In April 1976, citizens gathered in the square to mourn the death of Premier Zhou Enlai. This gathering quickly shifted into a protest against the oppressive

Gang of Four, leading to a violent clash with authorities that became known as the Tiananmen Incident.

The physical layout of the square surrounds citizens with monuments to the ruling party, including the Great Hall of the People (where China’s legislature meets) and the Mao Zedong Memorial Hall.

Because of this central location, political movements have historically targeted the square to directly address the Chinese leadership.

Fast forward to June 3-4, 1989, when the Chinese government used armed troops and tanks to violently clear peaceful pro-democracy protesters from Beijing’s Tiananmen Square.

Historically, the square derives its name from the ‘Gate of Heavenly Peace’ (Tiananmen)

The event, according to observers, marked the “bloody suppression of nationwide demands for political accountability, free speech, and an end to government corruption.”

Observers saw the massacre as representing the basic human desire for dignity, civil liberties, and democratic reform, and proving that democratic aspirations are not bound to Western culture but are innate to human nature.

There was the unidentified “Tank Man” – a lone civilian who stood in front of a column of tanks on June 5, 1989 – and one of the most enduring symbols of the 20th century which embodies individual courage and peaceful resistance in the face of overwhelming authoritarian might.

Today, the event stands as a grim warning that, in the eyes of keen political observers, “authoritarian regimes will use lethal force to preserve their monopoly on power and violently crush civil uprisings.”

For the Chinese Communist Party, the massacre represents an existential threat that was neutralized. The government officially justifies the crackdown as necessary to maintain national stability and has enacted total censorship.

Observers note that mentioning “June 4,” displaying the date digitally, or holding memorials within mainland China is strictly banned.

Observers add the Tiananmen Square Massacre is deeply relevant to modern China as it established the ultimate boundaries for political expression, cemented the Chinese Communist Party’s uncompromising grip on power, and shaped the regime’s strategy of pairing strict authoritarian control with rapid economic growth.

Matibag’s ‘tipping point’ coup plot

IT BEGAN with a casual remark over editors’ notebooks.

On June 5, 2026, NBI Director Melvin Matibag told Inquirer editors that the Senate’s cascading chaos—the May 13 shootout, Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa’s escape the next day, and the June 4 appearance of 18 alleged ex-Marines before Alan Peter Cayetano’s Blue Ribbon Committee—was not random dysfunction.

It was, he declared, the engineered “tipping point” of a destabilization plot to oust President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and install Vice President Sara Duterte.

“Destabilization trying to amass support from the people to oust the President, so Sara can be in power,” Matibag said.

“That’s what happens naturally. When the president is gone, it’s always the vice president who will take over.” He claimed an intelligence report supported the assessment. The theory is bold but brittle. It asks us to accept three propositions that crumble under examination.

Sara Duterte does not need a revolution. She is already the prohibitive frontrunner for 2028. She holds the second-highest office, commands a national platform, and stands as the automatic Constitutional successor. Launching or tolerating a destabilization campaign that could be labeled seditious would be political self-immolation.

A failed or messy uprising would hand Marcos the moral high ground, trigger loyalty tests in the military, invite international isolation, and likely destroy her viability

long before 2028. The rational strategy is attrition: keep flood-control hearings alive, stall her impeachment trial, and bleed the Marcos coalition’s credibility month after month until voters decide at the ballot box.

Matibag’s theory requires us to believe a sophisticated camp would choose the highest-risk path when the lower-risk electoral siege is available. That is not analysis. It is fan fiction.

If Matibag possesses credible evidence of sedition, he should refer it to the Department of Justice with affidavits, not sound bites

Even if coordinated pressure exists, the notion of a People Power-style transfer collides with structural realities.

Sara’s strongest support lies among D and E voters—the demographic least likely to sustain prolonged street mobilizations. These voters prioritize rice prices and daily wages over Constitutional controversies. Historical People Power required the Church hierarchy, business elites, professionals, students, and military defectors.

None of these pillars are visible for Sara

Complexities and constraints

CLASSES for Acadmic Year 2026–2027 opened this week, or June 8 for precision, under a new three-term academic calendar, amid major conundrums and conflagrations.

The DepEd, which restructured the basic education academic year to have a minimum of 201 school days, expected about 28 million public school students or learners as enrolees for the academic year ending on April 8, 2027.

The DepEd expects approximately 26 to 28 million basic education (kindergarten, grade, and high school) students to troop to school, while the Commission on Higher Education previously projected an intake of around 394,000 Senior High School graduates pursuing college this term.

Instead of the traditional four-quarter format, there are now three terms: Term 1: 69 days (June 8 to Sept. 15, 2026); Term 2: 65 days (Sept.16 to Dec. 18, 2026); and Term 3: 67 days (Jan. 4 to April 8, 2027).

Ahead of the June 8 class opening, the DepEd already logged close to 26 million enrolees. Because late enrollment is common, the agency expects this number to continuously increase as registrations remain open until the end of June.

Education authorities said the total number of class days may slightly vary depending on local declarations of no-

classes due to severe weather or other emergencies. DepEd is seen as facing major hurdles for AY 2026-2027, primarily rooted in adjusting to a newly implemented trimester calendar.

DepEd is seen as facing major hurdles for AY 2026-2027, primarily rooted in adjusting to a newly implemented threeterm calendar

Education observers say these shifts, alongside systemic issues like severe classroom deficits, extreme heat, and learning crises, continue to heavily burden learners and their parents. The same observers say DepEd’s shift to a three-term school year disrupted the traditional four-quarter system which

By Herman Tiu Laurel

A LOT of hullabaloo is raised again on the 37th anniversary of the “mythical” Tiananmen Massacre – there was no massacre at Tiananmen Square on June 5th 1989.

There was violence but outside of Tiananmen Square, mainly in the outskirts in what has been reported as a violent counter-revolutionary attempts by Taiwan government agents provocateurs killing and burning unarmed crowd control PLA troops, burned tanks and troop carries. And the “tank man”? The photo of a citizen holding shopping bags on both hands and blocking a convoy of tanks as if barring the vehicles proceeding to Tiananmen Square?

It turns out as we later get the story of the Western photographer Jeff Widener that the incident was the day after, June 6, and the tank convoy was leaving Tiananmen Square. Too late the hero? If the photo proves anything it is that the tank commander exercised restraint and humanity.

I have had to comment on the distortions of the Western and anti-China stories almost every year when the anniversary comes up. I have had to include this in my podcasts likewise and show pictorial evidence, such as the quote from BBC reporter, James Miles, who wrote in 2009: “I was one of the foreign journalists who witnessed the events that night. There was not massacre on Tiananmen Square.”

Likewise, on June 4, 2009 CBS News published its correspondent Richard Roth’s story titled, “There was no Tiananmen Square Massacre.”

There are many other testimonies like James Miles and Richard Roth’s in the Western media in 2009, and there’s a reason why they came out in the open with the truth that year. In 2008 US President Bush, Jr. faced the

Duterte today.

Mindanao can deliver votes and rhetoric but cannot transport tens of thousands of bodies to EDSA or Malacañang on short notice. Geography and class are not footnotes; they are vetoes on the classic EDSA model.

The most revealing element is timing.

On June 4, as the ex-Marines testified about a 2022 cash delivery in Paoay, Ilocos Norte, that allegedly placed the Marcos family and Martin Romualdez at the scene of flood-control anomalies, Matibag announced that former Congressman Mike Defensor had bribed each of the 18 witnesses with P5 million.

The source was the live-in partner of a child of one Marine—a second-degree hearsay claim.

The NBI had possessed the statement since April. Subpoenas were issued June

sparked confusion among parents over school shopping and adjusting to new schedules.

At least one teacher group like the Alliance of Concerned Teachers has warned the three-term calendar may increase workloads without fixing “underlying issues.”

At the same time, the public school system suffers from a deficit of over 165,000 classrooms, which forces many schools to implement multi-shift schedules, resulting in crammed classrooms and reduced actual learning time. Then extreme heat and environment add up to the challenges, given that intolerable classroom temperatures cause health issues – for instance, headaches, nosebleeds – and and rising absenteeism.

Observers point out that schools lack the facilities to cope, leading to debates over whether to institutionalize blended learning to keep students safe. And then systemic skill gaps remain, with learners entering high school still struggling with independent reading. DepEd’s recovery programs, like the ARAL Program, have been hindered by a lack of policy and external tutors. At home, parents struggle with the added financial strains of frequently shifting academic materials, while teachers remain burdened with high administrative loads and low salaries despite DepEd’s efforts to hire nonteaching personnel.

‘No massacre at Tiananmen Square’

global financial crisis and needed China to buy US debt or T-bills, and had to make the goodwill gesture.

The West never sleeps when it comes to waging its silent war against perceived rivals for global power, even against China which advocates a multi-polar world where every power has a place.

I have had to comment on the distortions of the Western and antiChina stories almost every year when the anniversary comes up

In China in the 1980s the National Endowment for Democracy and the Soros Foundation were very active, the latter endowed his “Fund for the Reform of China” $1-million in 1986 (huge amount at that time). That’s where many so-called democracy activists found their calling.

These was indeed a counter-revolutionary attempt against the Chinese government in 1989 as Brian Becker of the US organization A.N.S.W.E.R. coalition reports in Liberation School,

“In the case of the ‘pro-democracy’ protests in China in 1989 the US government was attempting to create a civil war. The Voice of America increased its Chinese language broadcasts to 11 hours each day and targeted the broadcast ‘directly to about 2,000 satellite dishes in China operated mostly by the Peoples Liberation Army...’

“‘In China, the ‘pro-democracy’ protest movement was led by privileged, well-connected students from elite universities who

2. Yet the public detonation was synchronized with the live hearing for maximum damage.

This is not how a professional agency protects an investigation. It is how a political actor poisons a witness pool before damaging testimony spreads. By labeling the most explosive claims against the First Family as potentially purchased perjury, Matibag shifted the burden without disproving anything on the merits.

When the head of the country’s premier investigative body peddles a conspiracy theory whose foundation would not survive basic scrutiny, the damage is institutional.

Absent military defections, absent Cardinal-level Church support, absent Supreme Court signals, and absent credible foreign endorsement, Matibag’s scenario is not intelligence assessment. It is political

were explicitly calling for the replacement of socialism with capitalism. The leaders were particularly connected to the United States. Of course, thousands of other students who participated in the protests were in the Square because they had grievances against the government...’

“‘The action by the Chinese government to disperse the so-called pro-democracy movement in 1989 was met with bitter frustration within the United States political establishment...’

“‘The US imposed economic sanctions on China at first, but their impact was minimal and both the Washington political establishment and the Wall Street banks realized that U.S. corporations and banks would be the big losers in the 1990’s if they tried to completely isolate China when China was further opening its vast domestic labor and commodities market to the direct investment from Western corporations.

“‘The biggest banks and corporations put their own profit margins first and the Washington politicians took their cue from the billionaire class on this question.’”

In 2023 the EU project Democracy Perception Index (DPI) survey of China and US citizens’ perception of the state of democracy of their respective governments, only 54 percent of Americans rated their government a democratic, while 73 percent of Chinese citizens viewed their country a democratic.

The 2024 to 2026 DPI does not show similar stats but only a comparison of views from 100 countries rating their trust levels – 76 percent for China and 24 percent for the US After 37 years from the Tiananmen Incident we now see which has a better democracy.

(The writer, who supports PhilippinesChina understanding, organized the Philippine BRICS Strategic Studies think tank dedicated to promoting global multi-polarity.)

hypothesis wearing the NBI seal. If Matibag possesses credible evidence of sedition, he should refer it to the Department of Justice with affidavits, not sound bites. The public should treat future “intelligence assessments” from law enforcement on live political controversies with the skepticism reserved for campaign ads— until testable evidence appears. Matibag may be right that someone is searching for a tipping point. The real tragedy is that his intervention may have done more to raise the temperature than to lower it.

When the guardians of facts become authors of convenient fictions, the only tipping point that matters is the moment citizens conclude the law no longer applies equally to the powerful and the powerless.

UK, France, Germany support

Zelenskyy’s call for Putin meet

LONDON—Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy received the backing of the leaders of the UK, France and Germany in calling for direct ceasefire talks between Russia and Ukraine, according to a joint statement issued following defense talks in London on Sunday.

Zelensky met with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at 10 Downing Street for talks as Russia’s war has stretched into its fifth year.

The leaders “supported the proposal for a direct dialogue between Ukraine and Russia—with active US and European participation -- to bring about a ceasefire and support further negotiations”, they said in a joint statement with Zelenskyy.

“The current line of contact should be the starting point for negotiations,” it said.

“International borders must not be changed by force.” Zelenskyy proposed a face-to-face meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in an open letter on Thursday. Putin ruled out the move, saying he saw “no point” in meeting Zelenskyy until a possible peace deal had been agreed.

The Ukrainian president told Sky News on Sunday evening he had also met with Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich in Kyiv to pass on a message to Putin. AFP

Israel strikes Iran, defying Trump’s call for restraint

TEHRAN—Israel said Monday it had struck targets across Iran, defying US President Donald Trump’s call to refrain from retaliating against Tehran’s barrage of missiles.

The attacks further rattled a fragile April 8 truce as the war entered its 100th day, with the United States struggling to conclude a deal with Tehran to end the conflict. Explosions were heard in three cities including Tehran, according to Iranian state TV, as the Israeli military said it struck targets in western and central Iran. The Israeli barrage was tit-for-tat

Five injured in stabbing at New York’s Penn Station

NEW YORK—Five people were wounded Sunday (Monday, Manila time) in a stabbing at New York’s Penn Station, according to the city fire department, as the metropolitan area gears up to host two major sporting events—the NBA Finals and football’s World Cup.

A suspect was detained, and the victims—all civilians including one with serious injuries, two with moderate injuries and two with minor injuries -- were transported to hospital, the New York Fire Department said in a brief statement.

“Perp in custody,” it said. “Operations ongoing.”

Circumstances of the stabbing were not immediately clear. A photographer at the scene afterward saw gauze, medical gloves and blood on the floor near tracks 5 and 6, where police cordoned off the area.

The incident occurred at one of the nation’s busiest rail and subway transportation centers as the city prepares for two huge sporting spectacles in the coming week: basketball’s NBA Finals and football’s World Cup tournament.

Madison Square Garden, located directly above Penn Station in downtown Manhattan, will host games three and four of the NBA Finals on Monday and Wednesday between the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs.

MetLife stadium, outside the city in neighboring New Jersey state, will host its first match of the World Cup on Saturday.

US President Donald Trump is scheduled to attend Monday’s NBA game at Madison Square Garden, saying recently that he accepted an invitation from Knicks owner James Dolan. Security has been enhanced in the city ahead of the two events. New York’s official emergency notification system did not describe the incident but said people should avoid the area and “expect traffic delays, road closures, mass transit disruptions & emergency personnel near Penn Station.” AFP

action against Iran’s assault on Sunday of 11 missiles, all of which were intercepted, with no casualties.

Trump had sought to rein in Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as Israel accused Tehran of making a “grave mistake”.

“I am going to call Bibi right now and tell him not to retaliate,” Trump was quoted as saying by Axios journalist Barak Ravid in a phone inter-

view, using Netanyahu’s nickname.

“Israel had its strike and Iran had its strike. We don’t need another one,” Trump reportedly said.

Ravid later posted that a US official said Trump spoke with Netanyahu, although the White House and Trump have yet to comment.

British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper joined the pleas for restraint.

“The resumption of conflict between Iran and Israel is in no one’s interest,” she wrote on X, calling for diplomacy.

Warning Tehran has insisted any deal to permanently end the war must also

halt the parallel conflict in Lebanon, where Israel is pursuing a campaign against the Iran-backed movement Hezbollah, and had warned that any new attacks on Beirut would trigger a “full-scale resumption” of hostilities. Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Ali Safari told Al-Mayadeen television that Tehran’s strikes came after weeks of restraint against Israeli aggression, local media reported. Iran’s powerful Revolutionary Guards called the attack a “warning” after Israel struck Beirut’s southern suburbs earlier in the day, threatening wider strikes in the event of repeated aggression. AFP

China’s

PYONGYANG—China’s President Xi Jinping hailed an “invincible friendship” with Pyongyang on arrival in North Korea Monday, his first trip abroad this year after hosting back-to-back summits in Beijing.

China, Washington’s chief geopolitical rival, has been North Korea’s main trading partner by far for decades and a key source of diplomatic and economic support for a country hit by multiple international sanctions.

Military officers lined a red carpet as an Air China plane carrying Xi arrived for his first visit since 2019,

PRELIMINARY RESULTS. Armenian Prime Minister and leader of the Civil Contract party Nikol Pashinyan holds a press conference following the parliamentary election at the party’s headquarters in Yerevan early on Monday.

Pashinyan’s ruling party has won parliamentary elections, preliminary results showed on Monday, cementing the nation’s Westward tilt after threats from Moscow and claims of Russian interference.

Pashinyan has sought to loosen the ex-Soviet republic’s dependence on Moscow, while forging closer ties with the West. AFP

video from Xinhua showed.

Kim and his wife Ri Sol-ju welcomed Xi, who was accompanied by his wife Peng Liyuan.

The two leaders shook hands, and children presented flowers to Xi and Peng, while a banner reading “We warmly welcome Comrade Xi Jinping” and hailing the two countries’ “unbreakable friendship” hung below Chinese and North Korean flags.

Xi makes the trip after hosting US President Donald Trump and Russia’s Vladimir Putin separately in Beijing and as North Korea’s nuclear talks

TRUCE TALKS SUPPORTED. Germany’s Chancellor

and

with Washington remain deadlocked.

The White House said last month that Xi and Trump “confirmed their shared goal to denuclearise North Korea” during their summit in Beijing.

However, leader Kim Jong Un’s powerful sister said on the eve of Xi’s arrival that North Korea’s nuclear weapons program was “the line of no retreat.” South Korea’s dovish President Lee Jae Myung said Monday Seoul should not give up on North Korea’s denuclearization, adding that “North Korea is still producing nuclear material even at this very moment.” AFP

CAIRO—Talks on advancing the fragile Gaza ceasefire have begun in Cairo between mediators and Palestinian factions, a Palestinian source familiar with the meeting told AFP.

The discussions, which started Sunday and are set to resume Monday, come as violence continues to plague the territory despite the truce in place since October.

The talks bring together mediators Egypt, Qatar and Turkey, along with representatives of several Palestinian factions, as efforts continue to push forward negotiations on the second phase of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.

According to the source, mediators were due to meet a Hamas delegation

(front

(front right) leave as Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (back left) and Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer (behind 2nd left) see them off at 10 Downing Street after their weekend meeting in central London. The leaders ‘supported the proposal

IN BRIEF

before midday on Monday, followed by a wider meeting including all participating factions.

Egypt’s state-linked Al-Qahera News channel said Sunday’s talks focused on “the proposed roadmap for completing the implementation of the agreement.”

“It was held in a positive atmosphere,” the channel reported, adding that there was agreement on the need to continue implementing US President Donald Trump’s plan. The talks come amid rising regional tensions, after Israel and Iran traded fire on Monday, in a serious test of another fragile truce and a potential threat to hopes for a deal to end the wider Middle East war. AFP

Tarriela backs Defense chief on WPS policy

By Rex Espiritu

REAR Admiral Jay Tarriela, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea (WPS), on Monday expressed support for Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., saying foreign assistance should never be used to justify violations of Philippine sovereignty and sovereign rights in the disputed waters.

In a statement, Tarriela said Filipinos are grateful for assistance from other countries, but stressed that such support does not diminish the country’s rights under international law.

“I stand fully behind Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr.,” Tarriela said.

“Filipinos are a grateful people. We do not forget genuine help, and we say ‘salamat (thank you)’ when it is due. But gratitude is not a price tag on our sovereignty,” he added. Tarriela issued the statement amid ongoing debates on Philippine-China relations and recent remarks by Teodoro regarding Beijing’s actions in the WPS.

The PCG spokesman said China’s humanitarian aid, agricultural assistance, and infrastructure projects in the country should not be viewed as justification for actions that undermine Philippine interests in the WPS.

“No vaccine, no shipment of fertilizer, and no infrastructure project buys the right to violate our rights in the West Philippine Sea, to harass our fishermen, or to aim water cannons and military-grade lasers at our Coast Guard vessels,” he said.

Tarriela also said the defense chief’s remarks reflected honesty rather than ingratitude.

“The Secretary did not ‘bite the hand that feeds.’ He simply refused to let that hand cover our eyes while the other hand takes what is ours under UNCLOS and the 2016 Arbitral Award,” he said, quoting China’s remarks on Teodoro.

IN BRIEF

Solon pushes enhanced school nutrition program

A HOUSE leader on Monday called for the immediate passage of a bill which seeks to strengthen the National Nutrition Program to ensure that every public school student nationwide has access to adequate and safe food.

Quezon City 5th District Rep. Patrick

Michael Vargas said House Bill 5681 aims to amend Republic Act 11037, otherwise known as the Masustansyang Pagkain para sa Batang Pilipino Act, to implement universal feeding for all learners from Kindergarten to Grade 3, regardless of their nutritional status.

The bill also mandates targeted feeding for undernourished students from Grades 4 to 6.

“When students are hungry and have poor nutrition, their absorption of what is taught in school will be impaired and they will fall behind in class. The opening of classes this Monday is a timely reminder for us to address this problem,” Vargas said. Maricel V. Cruz

Cagayan shifts literacy campaign to high gear

CAGAYAN Vice Governor Manuel

Mamba shifted to high gear the provincial government’s “Read to Move” program which aims to invest more in literacy that will fuel economic progress. At the same time, Mamba led the distribution of school bags and other learning necessities to students in Tuao town in collaboration with a large group of volunteers including teachers and stakeholders. According to him, Read to Move is not just a political promise that no Cagayano would be left behind in progress.

“Every page read is a new future unlocked,” he stressed.

“Cagayan’s true wealth is not the land or its infrastructure; it is the minds and hearts of our youth,” he added. Jessica M. Bacud

OMB ramps up capacity building for prosecutors

THE Office of the Ombudsman has intensified its capacity-building efforts for investigators nationwide through a seminar-workshop aimed at strengthening the detection and investigation of anti-competitive practices in public infrastructure procurement.

Held on May 28–29, 2026 at the Ombudsman Central Office in Quezon City, the two-day seminar-workshop brought together 240 Ombudsman investigators, lawyers, and prosecutors from various area and sectoral offices across the country. Participants from Visayas and Mindanao also joined through video teleconferencing.

“Heavily tackled were topics like bid rigging detection and investigation, red flags in procurement documents, case studies, and practical approaches in identifying anti-competitive conduct in the procurement process.” the Ombudsman said.

Resource speakers from the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC), Philippine Competition Commission, led discussions on the Philippine Competition Act. Rex Espiritu

Survey says most Pinoys believe joint military drills advantageous

By Katrina Manubay

ASIGNIFICANT

majority of Filipinos believe that joint military exercises and patrols with allied countries enhance security in the West Philippine Sea, with 71 percent saying such activities are beneficial, according to a survey by the OCTA Research group.

The latest Tugon ng Masa (TNM) survey results showed that only 14 percent think that joint military exercises may be harmful or can cause trouble.

Across major areas, the belief that joint activities are beneficial was more pronounced in the National Capital Region (NCR) at 74 percent followed by Mindanao at 73 percent, while Balance Luzon and the Visayas registered the lowest at identical 70 percent.

By socioeconomic classes, the perception that these activities are good is highest among Class ABC (79 percent), and lowest level among Class E (69 percent).

The survey also revealed that support for joint military exercises is notably lower in Cagayan Valley (33 percent), the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (35 percent), Northern Mindanao (25 percent), and Central Visayas (21 percent).

OCTA noted that these regional gaps indicated that information about the nature and objectives of joint military activities has not been effectively disseminated among the communities, highlighting the need for improved public communication that is both accessible and sensitive to regional contexts.

Meanwhile, Filipinos aged 18 to 24 (78 percent) and urban residents (76 percent) record

the highest levels of support, suggesting great-

er familiarity with or exposure to reporting on joint military activities.

These demographic patterns may inform how outreach on defense-related topics is designed and targeted, OCTA said.

Additionally, higher-income (Class ABC: 79 percent) and college-educated Filipinos (75 percent) are more likely to view joint exercises and patrols favorably.

According to OCTA, the disparity in support between higher-income and less-educated groups suggests that differences in access to information may account for these varying perceptions, rather than reflecting a fundamental disagreement on national security issues.

OCTA said that findings are released to the public at the behest of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

The face-to-face survey was conducted from March 19 to 25, with 1,200 respondents aged 18 and above.

The survey has a ±3% margin of error at a 95 percent confidence level. Subnational estimates for the geographic areas covered in the survey have the following margins of error at a 95% confidence level: ±6% for Metro Manila, Balance Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

POWER STRUGGLE. Members of the militant Bagong Alyansang Makabayan stage a protest rally at the historic Chino Roces Bridge in Mendiola, Manila near Malacañang Palace to demand the abolition of the Electric Power Industry Reform Act, lower electricity rates, and greater government accountability and reforms in the power sector. Norman Cruz

55 rescued from trafficking ring in Imus

IMUS City—Some 55 victims of apparent human trafficking and illegal recruitment were rescued during a joint operation of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), the city government, and the local police force over the weekend in Barangay Medicion 2-A in this city.

The raid was launched after the DMW received a report regarding an unaccredited facility being used as a front for human trafficking and illegal recruitment.

During the operation, 37 people were found in one house, while 18 others were rescued from a nearby house. According to the authorities, the victims’ passports were seized while some of them had

been staying in the facility for more than one year.

DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac personally led the rescue operation, along with Assistant Secretary Jerome Alcantara and regional director April Casabuena, in collaboration with the Imus city government under the leadership of the Public Employment Service Office headed by Cecile Foz.

Those rescued were temporarily taken to the DMW shelters and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) facilities.

Investigations were launched to determine the brains of the syndicated operation and the subsequent filing of criminal charges against them.

‘Track down class opening fake news spreaders’

THE Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday rolled out a drive to track down individuals behind fake social media posts claiming alleged postponement of the opening of classes on June 8.

The Department of Education (DepEd) also flagged the internet post that falsely announced the suspension of the opening of classes on June 8.

PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. directed the Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNPACG) to identify the source of the dubious social media post.

“The PNP condemns the spread of false information that causes confusion among students, parents, and the public. We remind everyone to verify announcements through official government channels before sharing them online,” he said.

The DepEd clarified that no such declaration had been issued, and urged the public to rely only on its official communication channels.

“We have directed the appropriate units, including the Anti-Cybercrime Group, to validate

the incident and determine the source of the misleading post. Those found responsible may face appropriate legal consequences under existing laws,” Nartatez said.

Police regional offices and local police units have likewise been directed to monitor the spread of the misinformation within their respective areas.

Meanwhile, Nartatez urged the public to exercise caution when consuming and sharing information online, especially announcements that directly affect schools and communities.

“We urge parents, students, and the public to rely only on official announcements from DepEd and other authorized government agencies. If they encounter suspicious posts, they should refrain from sharing them and report them to the proper authorities,” he said.

The PNP said combating online misinformation remains part of its broader efforts to protect the public from deceptive contents that can disrupt daily activities and undermine trust in legitimate government advisories.

TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 2026

RIERA U. MALLARI, Editor

RANDY M. CALUAG, Asst. Editor

Ramo endures

12-hour ordeal, wins IRONMAN

SUBIC BAY—Under a volatile sky that weaponized both scorching sun and intermittent rain, Leyann Ramo re-staked her claim as the undisputed queen of Philippine endurance racing.

Defying brutal elements, creeping exhaustion and the daunting unknown of her first-ever full-distance race, Ramo showcased a ferocious resolve to test her limits, capturing the Century Tuna full IRONMAN Philippines crown here late Sunday.

It was a showcase in pacing and pure, unadulterated grit. Ramo proved she possesses not just the elite skill to compete. Still, the legendary staying power required to survive the punishing 3.8km swim, 180km bike and grueling 42.2km marathon that separates true contenders from pretenders.

Two years after ruling the IRONMAN 70.3 circuit at the country’s triathlon capital, the Lanao del Norte native boldly stepped up to the ultimate challenge. Facing double the distance and double the agony, the 33-year-old emerged on top once again.

“The entire experience was overwhelming. It forces you to realize that the human body is capable of moving and performing for that long and that far. It was truly amazing,” a spent but radiant Ramo said after weathering the storm.

It took Ramo exactly half a day – 12 hours, three minutes, and 45 seconds of absolute grit and spunk – to conquer the course. She set a relentless tone with a 1:06:19 swim, tackled the slick, wind-swept bike segment in 6:28:54, and then unleashed a tremendous display of willpower in the closing marathon. Churning out a 4:17:03 run, she pushed through numbed feet and shaking legs. While her body threatened to rebel under the erratic weather, her heart remained unyielding, conquering the fifth edition of this lung-busting race organized by Sunrise Events, Inc. and sponsored by Century Tuna.

Solis, Caro dominate Olivarez tilt

JASMINE Solis put on a clinic in resilience and skill, capturing two singles titles and a doubles crown to spearhead the winners at the Dr. Pablo Olivarez Juniors Age-Group Tennis Championships in Sucat, Parañaque, over the weekend. Held at the Olivarez Sports Center and Parañaque Tennis Courts, the rising star from Sta. Rosa City, Laguna routinely upended top-seeded rivals to share the tournament’s MVP honors with San Pedro City’s Tyrone Caro, who dominated the boys’ division.

Solis’ spectacular run in the girls’ 14-and-under division saw her fight back from a set down to stun No. 1 seed Amanda Barrido, 4-6, 6-3, 6-1, in the semifinals. She then carried that momentum into the finals, foiling Carolina Fandino, 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, to secure the crown.

Solis duplicated her success in the 16-and-U category, dismantling top seed Ava Banson with a commanding 6-3, 6-2 victory. She later completed a golden treble by teaming up with Christella Lamera to rout Barrido and Scarlett Kramer, 8-3, for the girls’ 18-and-U doubles title. These triumphs heavily boost Solis’ momentum as she chases more ranking points in the upcoming legs of the Palawan Pawnshop junior tennis circuit, presented by Dunlop and sanctioned by Philta and the Universal Tennis Ranking. Meanwhile, Caro dominated the boys’ 14-and-U finals, overpowering Yuan Torrente, 6-1, 6-2, to claim the championship in the Group 2 tournament, supported by ICON Golf and Sports alongside the Palawan Group of Companies, which is a cornerstone of the Olivarez family’s ongoing dedication to grassroots sports development, aiming to discover and hone future national team netters.

Dy, Go lead tight Junior PGT finish

BACOLOD City—A scorching second-round showdown looms at the Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club as the race for the remaining ICTSI North vs. South Elite Junior PGT Finals berths reaches a fever pitch.

With several heavyweights skipping the sixth and final leg of the Visayas-Mindanao Series, the field has broken wide open, setting the stage for a wild Tuesday finish in the 7-10 and 11-14 age divisions, where underdogs and frontrunners alike are locked in a high-stakes battle for survival.

Leading the charge in the girls’ 11-14 division is Cebuana rising star Marqaela Dy. Returning to the series after sweeping the Mactan and Alta Vista legs, Dy carded a four-over 74 Monday to hold a slim one-stroke lead over Andrea Borromeo (75). Currently sitting at No. 3 in the standings with 30 points – behind early qualifiers Brittany Tamayo (40) and Rafella Batican (39) – Dy needs a strong finish in this 36-hole tournament to guarantee her Top 4 spot.

Because fourth-ranked Zuri Bagaloyos opted to skip this leg, the final ticket to the grand finals is up for grabs. Trailing Dy in the tournament standings are race-contenders Barroquillo (28 points), who shot a 77 for third, and Eliana Dumalaog (26 points), who struggled with an 80 for fifth behind Chelsea Ogborne (79). Both Barroquillo and Dumalaog still nurture hopes of gatecrashing the finals with a late-surge victory.

A similar dramatic scramble is unfolding in the girls’ 7-10 category. Vanya Go bounced back from a tough outing last week, carding a 74 to establish a two-shot cushion over homegrown talent Ana Marie Aguilar (76). Zoey Mascariñas stood a distant third with an 81.

Resilient Alas Pilipinas stays on course, routs Kyrgyzstan

ITY OF CANDON — Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Patrick “Pató” Gregorio lauded Alas Pilipinas for a valiant performance so far in the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Women’s Volleyball Cup as it continued its push for a deep run in the tournament amid the cloud hovering over the national federation for the sport.

The Philippine team bounced back from a five-set loss to Australia with a quick 25-9, 25-11, 25-17 victory over Kyrgyzstan on Monday at the Candon City Arena.

Gregorio made special mention of the efforts of the people of the City of Candon headed by Mayor Eric D. Singson, noting that the support has been unwavering for the athletes while boosting sports tourism.

“Everybody knows Candon now, when you talk about sports hosting, it’s Candon City. Congratulations to the people of Candon,” Gregorio said.

“Sa amin, sa PSC, gusto lang namin na ang talagang focus is on the national team program. ‘Pag ganitong mga hosting, gumagastos po ang pamahalaan, gumagastos ang probinsya, maraming gumagastos na sponsors, so ayaw

namin ng hidwaan, lalo na kung ang hidwaan ay tungkol lang sa mga personalidad.

“We are hosting the FIVB Women’s Volleyball World championship in 2029, before you know it, it’s 2029. Kailangan i-focus natin ‘yung suporta natin sa development ng mga atleta. Ako naman naniniwala, na ‘yung FIVB, together with the Asian Volleyball Confederation ay maso-solve kaagad ‘yang issue on the Philippine federation.”

Alas Pilipinas is seeing action in the 12-nation AVC Women’s Volleyball Cup despite the suspension meted out on the Philippine National Volleyball Federation due to “serious governance concerns” and violations of the FIVB code of ethics. An ad hoc committee has been formed by the FIVB to over-

Blackpink’s Lisa, Katy Perry, Shakira to headline World Cup opener

FOR the first time ever, the FIFA World Cup™ will kick off with three separate opening ceremonies, with one taking place in each host country – Mexico, Canada, and the United States. Instead of a single traditional show, each nation will get its own moment in the spotlight, connected by a shared theme that celebrates the World Cup trophy through each country’s unique culture.

Thai rapper and singer Lisa of the widely popular Blackpink, Shakira, Alanis Morissette, Tyla and pop diva Katy Perry headline an array of global stars that will entertain the expected full-packed stadiums for a ceremony to remember.

In what could be an explosion of music and fun, the festivities begin in Mexico at Mexico City Stadium on June 12, right before the tournament’s opening match between Mexico and South Africa.

For avid Filipino football fans, Aleph, the media rights distributor of

the FIFA World Cup™ in the country, has partnered with Tap DMV to broadcast the historic opening ceremonies and all 104 matches live. BlastTV, Tap DMV’s premier streaming platform, will host the entire tournament through a dedicated PayPer-View (PPV) experience from June 12 (PH time). The service will deliver high-definition, live, and on-demand coverage directly to smartphones, tab-

By Jeremiah Sevilla

ALEXANDRA Eala is not resting on her laurels after ruling the Lexus Birmingham Open 2026 and joining a list of tennis legends who previously hoisted the trophy from the longstanding grass court tournament in England.

Eala put up a gallant comeback to score a pulsating 5-7, 6-3, 7-5 win against Nikola Bartunkova of the Czech Republic in the final on Sunday night (Manila time), bagging her first grass court title and second WTA 125 crown following her victory in last year’s Guadalajara 125 Open in Mexico.

Eala’s name is now etched in the long list of champions at the Birming-

lets, and smart TVs, catering perfectly to today’s digital-first sports audience. The star-studded musical lineup for the Mexican event includes Shakira, Tyla, Maná, J Balvin, Alejandro Fernández, and Belinda. Fans looking to secure their virtual front-row seat to sports history can subscribe by visiting the official BlastTV website (app.blasttv.ph) or by downloading the BlastTV app on the

ham Classic that includes the likes of Grand Slam winners and women’s tennis trailblazers Billie Jean King, Maria Sharapova, and Petra Kvitova.

Despite the historic significance of her triumph, which also propelled her from No. 37 to No. 34 in the latest WTA world rankings released on Monday, the Filipina rising star wants to remain grounded.

“It sounds really beautiful of course. All those names that you’ve mentioned are tennis greats and I’m so honored to be lifting this trophy today, but lifting this trophy does not mean that I will be among the greats yet,” Eala said in the post-match interview.

Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The celebration then moves to Toronto Stadium on June 13, marking the first time Canada has ever hosted a men’s World Cup. The Canadian ceremony will focus on a “mosaic” theme to celebrate the country’s diverse communities.

There, fans can look forward to performances by major global artists like Michael Bublé, Alanis Morissette, Jessie Reyez, and Alessia Cara.

A major highlight of the festivities will take place during the Los Angeles ceremony on June 13, where global superstars Lisa, Anitta, and Rema will take the stage together for a highly anticipated live performance of “Goals”, a new collaboration for the Official FIFA World Cup 2026™ Album. This landmark musical moment anchors a star-studded American lineup that also features Katy Perry, Tyla and Future, celebrating the United States’ massive influence on global pop culture.

“So I’m motivated to keep working and I’m grateful for the part this trophy has played in my journey,” she added. The 21-year-old Eala also tipped her hat to the 20-year-old Bartunkova, who made the Pinay lefty earn every point in the hard-fought final that lasted for more than two and a half hours.

The US Open 2022 juniors champ roared back in the second set, then displayed her poise down the stretch to overcome a tense tiebreak in the decider, where she unleashed solid forehand hits to come away victorious.

“It’s

Actual inflation in May 2026

Core inflation in May 2026

More than 40 national government agencies converge at Rizal Park in Manila for the Kalayaan Government Programs and Services (GPS), offering public assistance, information campaigns, exhibits and interactive activities. Held as part of the commemoration of the 128th anniversary of Philippine Independence, the initiative brought government programs closer to the public. The Department of Tourism (DOT), through its National Capital Region Office, is one of the government agencies that feature

in the country.

Nomura cuts 2026 PH inflation forecast to 5.5%

By Thony Rose Lesaca and Othel V. Campos

NOMURA Global Markets Research reduced its 2026 inflation forecast for the Philippines to 5.5 percent from 6.1 percent, after the consumer price index growth came in below market expectations at 6.8 percent in May.

The research firm had raised its forecast last month on concerns over fluctuations in global crude oil prices and its quick pass-through to domestic retail fuel prices in the absence of subsidies.

Nomura said the revised outlook still assumes Brent crude oil averaging $98.4 per barrel this year, although adjustments to retail fuel prices are expected to be more moderate under government regulations on oil price movements.

“We note that adjustments to retail fuel prices will now be more man -

9 companies advance in initial round of offshore wind evaluation for GEAP 5

By Alena Mae S. Flores

NINE companies with a total capacity of 9,256 megawatts have passed the initial round of offshore wind evaluation for the fifth round of the Green Energy Auction Program, the Department of Energy announced.

Department of Energy Undersecretary

Mylene Capongcol said 20 companies participated in the first stage of the evaluation, but only nine advanced. Capongcol spoke on the sidelines of the Accelerating Offshore Wind in the Philippines forum at the Asian Development Bank.

“The nine are those that have entered the second stage of evaluation on OSW [offshore wind] infra development,” Capongcol said.

The Department of Energy will evaluate the offshore wind infrastructure plans that the nine firms submitted under the second stage. It will announce the list of qualified bidders on July 3, 2026.

aged, due to the government regulation enforcing minimum amounts of rollbacks in fuel prices across all oil companies, if crude oil prices decline, and a maximum increase, when crude oil prices rise,” the Japanese firm said.

The forecast also implies that headline inflation has already peaked after easing in May but core inflation is still expected to rise in the coming months, it said.

Nomura expects headline inflation to remain broadly stable over the next two to three months before declining to around 5.1 percent by year-end due to moderating oil prices, while core

inflation could continue increasing gradually before peaking in the fourth quarter amid the delayed pass-through effects of elevated energy prices.

HSBC Senior ASEAN economist Aris Dacanay said in a separate commentary that the lower-than-expected May inflation print removes the urgency of doing an off-cycle rate hike before the next monetary policy meeting.

“The downside surprise in May inflation also increases the risk of the BSP opting for a more measured 25 bp rate hike when the Monetary Board meets on June 18. It also poses a risk that the year-end policy rate will fall slightly below our baseline view of 6.00 percent,” Dacanay said.

The Federation of Philippine Industries (FPI) said inflationary pressures in the country remain broad-based despite a moderation in headline price growth, as manufacturers continue to face elevated costs and weakening demand conditions.

round targets 3,300 megawatts of fixedbottom offshore wind capacity for delivery between 2028 and 2030.

The department has so approved 95 offshore wind service contracts with a total potential capacity of 72.332 gigawatts at different stages of development. Foreign firms own 33 of these contracts. Developers target project delivery between 2028 and 2030.

The projects are located in Guimaras Strait, Manila, Negros, Panay West, Northern Mindoro, Northwest Luzon and Southern Mindoro, among other areas.

The registration period follows the release of the Green Energy Auction Reserve price by the Energy Regulatory Commission. On Feb. 27, the commission set the reserve price for the fifth auction round at P11 per kilowatt-hour, which serves as the ceiling price for all bid offers.

The department is preparing for the auction bidding on Aug. 27, 2026. The fifth

The government initiated the auction process on Nov. 25, 2025 with the issuance of the notice of auction and terms of reference. 5.5% 6.8% 4.1% Nomura’s revised inflation forecast

By Othel V. Campos

THE Customer Xperience Association of the Philippines (CXAP) on Monday dismissed concerns that artificial intelligence will cause widespread job losses in the domestic customer experience sector, citing industry data that point to rising revenues and growing demand for higher-value services.

The industry’s evolution toward AI-enabled and technology-driven services is increasing the value of Filipino workers rather than replacing them, CXAP president Haidee Enriquez said at a briefing.

“The narrative that AI is out to decimate the entire industry is not supported by facts and data,” Enriquez said.

CXAP projects industry revenues to grow to $35.7 billion by the end of 2026 from $33.9 billion in 2025, while employment growth is expected to range from 2 percent to 4 percent. The slower growth in full-time equivalent (FTE) positions compared with revenue growth reflects the increasing value generated by each worker as companies adopt more sophisticated customer experience solutions, Enriquez said. According to CXAP estimates, revenue generated per FTE will increase to between $21,000 and $22,000 in 2026 from around $20,000 in 2025 due to a shift to higher-value outsourcing jobs, but this remains lower than India’s estimated revenue per FTE of $30,000. The higher revenue per worker will have a broader economic impact as companies pay salaries that employees spend locally, Enriquez added. A spot survey conducted by the association showed salary increases of between 3 percent and 5 percent for contact center employees last year. However, Enriquez said wage growth this year remains uncertain as companies face higher operating costs.

PH shares retreat, drop below 5,900 level on geopolitical risks

PHILIPPINE shares retreated Monday, with the benchmark index falling below the 5,900 level as investors continue to navigate geopolitical risks and economic headwinds.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index declined by 58.97 points, or 0.99 percent, to close at 5,879.41. The broader all shares Index dropped 32 points, or 0.96 percent, to 3,302.31.

“The PSEi closed at the low of the day at 5,879 as heightened Middle East tensions and higher-forlonger US rate expectations drove a broad risk-off move across regional expectations,” AB Capital Securities said.

The brokerage added that the market largely shrugged off Friday’s betterthan-expected inflation print as rising oil prices weighed on sentiment.

All sectoral gauges ended in the red, led by mining and oil, which plunged 4.04 percent. Financials fell 1.93 percent to 1,782.44, while the property index lost 1.29 percent to 1,821.84. Holding firms declined 1.03 percent to 4,285.37, followed by industrials, which slipped 0.78 percent to 8,294.94.

Trading was tepid as value turnover reached P5.57 billion. Foreign selling accelerated at P754 million.

Manila Electric Co. was the day’s top index gainer, rising 1.44 percent to P564, while DigiPlus Interactive Corp. was at the bottom, declining 6.04 percent to P9.96.

The peso closed lower against the US dollar Monday at 61.69 from 61.47 on Friday.

Jenniffer B. Austria

D&L Industries declares P1.68b in cash dividend

By Jenniffer B. Austria

D&L Industries declared a cash dividend amounting to P1.68 billion after the listed manufacturer of specialty food ingredients and chemicals sustained earnings growth amid a challenging operating environment.

D&L declared a cash dividend of P0.236 per share, consisting of a regular dividend of P0.182 per share and a special dividend of P0.054 per share. This translates to a yield of 6.6 percent based on the company’s June 5 closing share price of P3.59. The dividends will be paid July 8 to shareholders of record as of June 23.

The payout represents 65 percent of the company’s 2025 net income,

exceeding D&L’s regular dividend policy of distributing 50 percent of the previous year’s earnings.

This marks the sixth consecutive year that D&L has declared special dividends since 2020. The special dividend alone is equivalent to 15 percent of the company’s prior-year net income.

“Management remains highly committed to its regular dividend policy of a 50 percent payout ratio based on

prior year’s net income,” the company said during its annual stockholders’ meeting Monday.

Including this year’s dividend payment, D&L has returned a total of 20 billion pesos in cash dividends to shareholders since its initial public offering in 2012. It also issued a 100 percent stock dividend in 2015.

At the same annual meeting, shareholders elected Cesar Romero and Richard Raymond Tantoco as new independent directors.

Romero, a former president and chief executive officer of Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp., brings more than three decades of experience in the global energy industry. Tantoco previously served as president of Energy Development Corp. and has extensive experience in the power, infrastructure and renewable energy sectors.

By Alena Mae S. Flores

The

North

Treatment Plant can treat 100 million liters of wastewater per day before releasing it into the river. Manila Water continues to expand its wastewater system to increase sewer coverage in densely populated areas of Quezon City and Marikina.

emissions across both their operations and transport activities.

Under the agreement, ACEN RES customers may deploy charging stations for employee use, support corporate EV fleets or operate publicly accessible charging facilities as charge point operators.

The Senate drama: Back to the core issues

IN the last few weeks, there has been so much foolishness in the upper chamber of this country’s legislature, and so many foolish things continue to happen, that the time has come to go back to the core issues and set aside the one that have been presented to the Filipino people as existentially important matters by the group of (formerly II) senators led by Alan Peter Cayetano, a.k.a the Cayetano Gang. As things stand, those core issues, in order of importance, are the Articles of Impeachment against the Vice-President of the Philippine, the establishment of accountability in the flood-control projects scandal and the enforcement of the warrant of arrest issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) against fugitive Senator Ronald de la Rosa. Given that Sen. Cayetano is an avowed ally of Vice-President Sara Duterte - he was the running mate of former President Rodrigo Duterte in the 2016 election - the three issues are inter-connected.

hiding and appear in the institution where the law enforcement authorities expected him to surface.

Alan Peter Cayetano’s part of the bargain had to be an offer of Senate “protective custody” while Ronald de la Rosa pursued all his legal remedies. Protector Cayetano and protectee De la Rosa expected that their “protective custody” scheme would hold off the law enforcement agencies. Unfortunately for them, the lawyers of the PNP and NBI know about R.A. 9851 and about the Constitutional provision that legislative immunity covers only cases involving penalties of six years imprisonment or less. The shooting within the Senate premises, the fake “The Senate is under attack” claim and Ronald de la Rosa’s assisted exit from the Senate building occurred following the Cayetano Gang’s realization that the Philippine government was bent on enforcing the ICC warrant of arrest.

—“—

Amid all the theatrics, the grandstanding and the excessive display of partisanship, the time has come to set aside all the side issues and go back to the core issues facing the Senate.

Customers that choose to open their charging stations to the public will be integrated into ACMobility’s EV charging ecosystem through the Evro app, allowing EV drivers to locate, access and pay for charging sessions. The platform also provides automated billing and payment reconciliation to simplify charging operations for site hosts.

The partnership enables businesses to advance sustainability goals by pairing electric mobility with renewable energy. By ensuring that EV charging is powered by clean electricity, companies can reduce emissions while supporting the expansion of the country’s EV charging network.

“The convergence of clean energy and electric mobility is essential to the Philippines’ energy transition,” ACEN president and chief executive Eric Francia said. “Through this partnership, we are making it easier for businesses to adopt renewable energy and EV charging solutions, helping accelerate decarbonization across both operations and transport.”

Jaime Alfonso Zobel de Ayala, chief executive officer of ACMobility, said electric mobility delivers even greater value when powered by clean energy.

The element linking together these core issues - the Vice President’s impeachment trial, the continuation of the Blue Ribbon Committee flood control hearings and the Philippine government’s surrender of Sen. De la Rosa to the ICC - is the capture and tenure of the Senate presidency by Alan Peter Cayetano. Using the powers of his office and the facilities of the institution, the Senate president can do much toward achieving the Dutertistas’ agenda, which is to delay the holding of an impeachment trial until after the 2028 Presidential election or, if an impeachment trial is held, to assure an acquittal verdict for Sara Duterte. Alan Peter Cayetano’s wresting of the Senate presidency from Vicente Sotto III was the first step in the achievement of the Cayetano/ Duterte agenda. Sen. Cayetano needed one more vote to become Senate president, and that vote was supplied by Ronald de la Rosa, who magically appeared on the Senate floor on May 11, 2026. With Sen De la Rosa’s vote, the Cayetano Gang were now in the majority and Alan Peter Cayetano Gang were now in the majority and Alan Peter Cayetano was swiftly elected Senate president. Any suggestion that there was no connection between Ronald de la Rosa’s sudden resurrection and Sen. Cayetano’s wresting of the top Senate post is the higher of naivete’; Sen. Cayetano may be lots of things, but dumb is not one of them. Was there a quid pro quo for Sen. De la Rosa’s crucial vote for Alan Peter Cayetano as Senate president? There had to be. With the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) under instructions to enforce Section 17 of Republic Act No. 9851 - this provision allows the government to surrender one of its citizens in response to a warrant of arrest issued by an international tribunal - it was extremely risky of Sen. De la Rosa to come out of

As an ordinary senator, there is not much that Alan Peter Cayetano can do to advance the Dutertista agenda. But as senate president there is much that he can do for Sara Duterte and her and her father’s allies. He can create a lot of mischief. He can use his legalistic skills to delay, derail and divert the urgent and weighty matters that are now before the Senate.

The Cayetano Gang has an agenda. It is the gang’s agenda, not the nation’s which is accountability, transparency and devotion to duty. Amid all the theatrics, the grandstanding and the excessive display of partisanship, the time has come to set aside all the side issues and go back to the core issues facing the Senate. The core issues - in case anyone has forgotten - are (1) the trial of the Vice-President of the Philippines for alleged impeachable crimes, (2) the enforcement of an international warrant of arrest for a ,am accused of running an institution that killed thousands of Filipinos extrajudicially and (3) the identification and punishment of the persons responsible for the largest scandal in the history of the Philippines government. (llagasjessa@yaho.com)

Megaworld fully leases 24 office towers

By Jenniffer B. Austria

PROPERTY developer Megaworld Corp has fully leased 24 office towers across its township developments nationwide during the first quarter of the year, driven by strong demand from business process outsourcing (BPO) firms, multinational companies and corporate headquarters.

fully occupied office developments comprise around 430,000 square meters of gross leasable area and cur

By Othel V. Campos

VIETNAMESE electric vehicle maker

VinFast has teamed up with Bank of the Philippine Islands to expand financing options for electric vehicle buyers, supporting efforts to make electric mobility more accessible and affordable for Filipino consumers.

Under the partnership, BPI will provide vehicle financing through its auto loan program to qualified

VinFast customers.

The arrangement complements

VinFast’s battery subscription program, which allows buyers to

VinFast taps BPI to expand electric vehicle financing DTI explores producing Egyptian cotton textiles

acquire an electric vehicle without paying the full battery cost upfront.

The strategy addresses one of the key barriers to electric vehicle adoption, the higher initial purchase cost, by separating battery ownership from the vehicle purchase. Customers instead pay a monthly subscription fee for the battery, reducing upfront expenses while easing concerns about battery lifespan, performance and replacement.

VinFast Southeast Asia chief executive Antonio Zara III said the Philippine electric vehicle market is entering an important stage of growth

IN BRIEF

and welfare of more than 6,000,000 non-resident Filipinos, including permanent migrants, dual citizens and their descendants.

“More than six million non-resident Filipinos around the world belong to the Commission’s constituency. Through our programs and services, we seek to help them maintain strong ties with the Philippines and encourage their continued participation in national development,” CFO Secretary Dante Ang II said.

“By supporting the CFO’s digitalization efforts, we are helping make transactions simpler and more convenient for Filipinos overseas and their families. This supports the government’s ease of doing business agenda while connecting people to digital financial tools that can improve financial health,” Maya Group president and Maya Bank co-founder Shailesh Baidwan said. Darwin G. Amojelar

Fly Ace shifts to RE with First Gen

Fly Ace Corp., one of the Philippines’ leading food and beverage companies, teamed up with the First Gen group, the country’s leading renewable (RE) energy provider, to directly source renewable energy for its electricity needs.

The partnership supports Fly Ace’s ongoing sustainability initiatives and reinforces its commitment to establishing measurable environmental goals.

and the company believes the next step is making ownership easier, more accessible and more practical for customers.

“The Philippine EV market is entering an important stage of growth, and we believe the next step is making ownership easier, more accessible, and more practical for customers,” Zara said.

Zara said the company focuses on building a complete ecosystem in the Philippines, from battery subscription and residual value guarantee to free charging support, “so customers can make the shift to electric with confidence.”

rently house about 80,000 workers from the information technology-business process management (IT-BPM) sector and various corporate offices, the property firm said Monday.

The fully leased towers are located in Metro Manila as well as key provincial growth centers, including Cebu, Iloilo, Pampanga and Davao.

“Demand for strategic office locations within our townships continues to be strong as more companies recognize the long-term advantages of operating within integrated developments,” Megaworld Global Offices head Francisco Roxas said.

“Our townships provide a complete business ecosystem where office developments are seamlessly complemented by residential communities, retail and dining destinations, hotels, transport accessibility and a variety of lifestyle amenities,” Roxas said.

tiple

and it greatly reduces the risk of account takeovers even if passwords or MPINs are compromised. Darwin G. Amojelar

Maya, CFO team up for overseas payments

MAYA, the Philippines’ leading digital financial services platform, has teamed up with the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) to modernize public service delivery for Filipinos overseas through digital payments. Under the partnership, overseas Filipinos and their families will soon be able to settle CFO service fees using a suite of digital options, including credit or debit cards, QR codes and

THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is exploring opportunities to expand trade with Egypt, including the possible production of Egyptian cotton-based textile products in the country, Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque said Monday.

Speaking on the sidelines of a memorandum of agreement signing with the Women’s Business Council Philippines, Inc. (WomenBizPH) advocacy group, Roque said discussions remain exploratory, with Egyptian stakeholders expressing interest in sourcing Egyptian cotton and assessing the feasibility of producing fabrics and related products locally.

“They wanted to introduce us to some of the companies that are interested to explore. Actually, there’s nothing sure. It’s just exploring the possibility of producing Egyptian cotton fabrics here,” Roque said. Potential products could include

The agreement, finalized in April 2026, enables Fly Ace to aggregate around 1,420 kilowatts (kW) of power demand for its corporate offices in Pasay City and other company sites in Manila and Sta.Rosa, Laguna with First Gen, and directly source power supply from First Gen’s Unified Leyte Geothermal Plants.

“We are at a point where we would like to grow responsibly and sustainably, making a more meaningful impact beyond building strong consumer brands. Our partnership with First Gen will enable us to expand our business while reducing our carbon footprint and optimizing our power consumption in the process,” said Fly Ace president Lucio Cochanco Jr.

“It is a privilege to forge a collaborative partnership with Fly Ace as they aim to improve operational efficiency while establishing sustainability goals. We are committed to supporting them in achieving milestones in their decarbonization journey,” said First Gen chief customer engagement officer Carlo Vega.

textiles and bedsheets, but no formal discussions have yet occurred with prospective investors, she said.

Roque said plans for a Philippine business mission to Egypt, initially discussed last year, are being revisited as part of efforts to strengthen bilateral economic relations.

Meanwhile, DTI and WomenBizPH signed a new six-year agreement to deepen support for women-owned and women-led enterprises nationwide.

The accord renews a partnership first formalized in 2021 and covers initiatives on policy advocacy, market access, digitalization, financing, mentorship and regional economic integration. Under the agreement, DTI and WomenBizPH will undertake joint trade missions, capacity-building programs, policy consultations and donor-funded projects, particularly in the regions. Othel V. Campos

By Thony Rose Lesaca

THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) collected P406.37 billion in revenues from January to May 2026, exceeding its target by P9.32 billion despite trade uncertainties and challenging market conditions.

The five-month figure was 2.3 percent higher than the agency’s target of P397.05 billion. Improved customs valuation and enhanced revenue collection measures supported the performance, helping offset the impact of softer import activity.

“The more than P9 billion surplus we recorded is proof that when we work together and do our jobs correctly, we can make a significant contribution to the development of the country,” Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno said in a statement.

The agency collected P80.66 billion in May, or 2.1 percent short of its target. A decline in imports of oil and non-oil commodities dragged down the monthly performance, alongside a temporary government suspension of excise taxes on selected petroleum products.

Despite the monthly shortfall, May collections still grew 6.62 percent compared with the P75.66 billion generated in the same month last year.

The agency said it remains committed to maintaining its revenue collection momentum. It cited enhanced trade facilitation

FOREST Lake Development Inc.

said its sales surged to P5.5 billion in 2025 from P3.8 billion in 2024, led by a nationwide expansion and a shift toward comprehensive funeral services.

The memorial park developer disclosed the record performance during its 12th National Sales Convention at Okada Manila on April 21, 2026.

The company attributed the growth to its operational expansion, which now spans 42 memorial parks across Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. Newlylaunched developments in Bacnotan, Gapan and Rosario collectively generated hundreds of millions of pesos within months of opening.

To sustain the expansion, Forest Lake announced that the Securities and Exchange Commission approved an increase in its authorized capital stock to P4 billion from P1 billion.

The company will use the capital

to fund new memorial parks, build chapels, upgrade infrastructure, and invest in technology and operational systems.

The firm is also transitioning its business model to offer what it calls “Total Memorial Care,” expanding beyond land development into an ecosystem of funeral services. These services include columbarium developments, cremation, interment, and its “Libre Burol” nationwide funeral service, which is now supported by 41 accredited funeral homes.

Forest Lake president and chief executive Alfred Xerez-Burgos III said the record results reflect the work of the company’s sales force and partners.

“This celebration is not only about record-breaking sales–it is about the people behind those achievements,” Xerez-Burgos III said.

ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABILITY

50 cities push drive to avoid extreme heat

Manila Bay areas turn waste into livelihoods

IN BARANGAY 128, Tondo, the smell used to arrive before the floodwaters did.

For years, residents living between the shadow of Smokey Mountain and the edge of Manila Bay carried the burden of Metro Manila’s waste problem in the most intimate ways: the sour odor of rotting garbage drifting into homes, waterways choked with plastic, and floodwaters that rose frighteningly fast after even a brief downpour. Today, the tides are turning in favor of the residents or Barangay 128.

Women Eco-Ikot Champions in Barangay 128, Tondo manage recyclable waste collected from residents, schools and nearby establishments through the Eco-Ikot Center, a communitybased initiative supporting the rehabilitation of Manila Bay and strengthening local waste management practices.

At the center of that shift is the EcoIkot Center, established in October 2024 under the Enhancement of Marine Litter Management in Manila Bay (EMLM) Project, a five-year partnership of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the local barangay, CORA, the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), and USAID to reduce marine litter across Manila Bay. Under the EMLM project, communities are being mobilized not only to remove waste, but to interrupt the cycle that sends plastics from homes and streets into waterways and eventually into Manila Bay.

The initiative has also supported cleanups, strengthened local waste management capacities and created participation opportunities for women, youth and persons with disabilities.

DENR Secretary Juan Miguel Cuna said the project forms part of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directions for a whole-ofsociety approach to tackle over 190 kilometers of heavily polluted coastline.DENR News

El Niño confirmed, set to fuel more severe weather

By Daniel Johnson, Geneva

THE United Nations urged all countries last week to bolster early warning systems after confirming the onset of El Niño, warning that the Pacific Ocean-warming phenomenon will bring above-average temperatures “nearly everywhere” and fuel more extreme weather.

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said there was an 80 percent chance that El Niño conditions will emerge between June and August and a 90 percent probability of this happening thereafter.

“This update matters because El Niño is a major driver of global weather and climate patterns,” said WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo. “The footprint of an El Niño travels far beyond its origins in the Pacific Ocean, impacting agriculture, energy supplies, trade, water resources, supply chains, and livelihoods

across entire regions.”

At 6°C above average, tropical Pacific Ocean temperature readings are fueling concerns that this El Niño could feed on this extra heat and devastate vulnerable and unprepared communities worldwide.

“The world must treat it as the urgent climate warning it is,” stressed UN chief Antonio Guterres, reacting to the WMO alert.

The last El Niño in 2023-24 was one of the five strongest on record and it played a role in record global temperatures registered in 2024, noted Ms. Saulo.

There is “no evidence that climate change increases the frequency or intensity of El Niño events,” according to WMO, but it can amplify associated impacts because a warmer ocean and atmosphere provide more energy and moisture for extreme weather events, such as heatwaves and heavy rainfall.

UN Women, New Zealand reinforce alliance on inclusive climate action

CLIMATE Change Commission

(CCC) vice chairperson and executive director Robert E.A. Borje met with New Zealand Ambassador to the Philippines Catherine McIntosh and representatives from UN Women Philippines to support inclusive and gender-responsive climate action.

The recent courtesy call highlighted the importance of partnerships in advancing climate resilience efforts that recognize the disproportionate impacts of climate change on vulnerable and marginalized communities, especially women and other at-risk groups.

“Climate action must be inclusive, responsive and people-centered. Strengthening gender-responsive approaches in climate policies and pro-

grams is essential to ensuring that no one is left behind in building resilient communities,” Borje said.

CCC Commissioner Rachel Herrera cited the importance of aligning the projects with the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) localization and gender action plan.

“If the tools are developed in an inclusive manner, it will really reflect a response to the issues on the ground,” Herrera said.

The discussions stressed the importance of strengthening women’s participation and leadership in climate governance, disaster risk reduction, and adaptation planning, while also ensuring that climate policies and programs respond to the needs of vulnerable communities.CCC News

NAIROBI, Kenya―

More than 50 cities across the world, including Manila, have joined UNEP’s new 50@50 activation to confront one of the world’s fastest-growing and deadliest climate risks: extreme heat.

Launched on Heat Action Day, ahead of World Environment Day, 50@50 brings together cities to strengthen heat preparedness, stress-test systems, share practical solutions and accelerate action to both protect communities and cut emissions driving rising temperatures.

Diverse cities like Antalya, Lagos, Melbourne, Mendoza, Paris and Yangzhou are coming together through “50@50” to learn from each other’s experiences, share tested approaches to extreme heat adaptation and preparedness.

Preparing for El Niño

“We understand El Niño; we can prepare much better for El Niño thanks to science and to the investment of many countries to be well prepared,” the WMO chief told journalists in Geneva. “But on top of El Niño, you have extreme events and those extreme events are requiring more and more [investment].”

Together with weather agencies worldwide, the WMO’s role in the coming months involves monitoring conditions to inform decision-making by governments, humanitarian agencies and other climate-sensitive sectors.

“Advance seasonal forecasts and early warnings are vital to save lives and cushion the impact on our economies and our communities,” Ms. Saulo said.

El Niño and La Niña explained Both El Niño and La Niña are opposite phases of the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO), one of the most powerful naturally occurring climate patterns on Earth. El Niño is characterized by a warming of ocean surface temperatures in the central and eastern Equatorial Pacific. It typically occurs every two to seven years and lasts around nine to 12 months.

It generally begins developing between March and June and reaches its peak intensity between November and February, with impacts on global temperatures typically being most pronounced in the second year after development.UN News

Initiated by the United Nations Environment Program and the City of Paris, this activation contributes to the Beat the Heat implementation drive, launched at the UN Climate Change Conference in Belém (COP30) to accelerate local action on extreme heat and sustainable cooling.

50@50 promotes practical, peoplecentered solutions, including “cooling islands” in public spaces, expanding green spaces, installing water fountains, developing cooling centers, setting up early warning systems, improving cycling infrastructure, increasing shaded areas and using reflective materials to reduce heat absorption and reflective urban design.

“Extreme heat is already reshaping daily life in cities around the world, which will face dangerous heat levels under virtually every climate scenario. This is posing a particular risk to small holder farmers and vulnerable members of the community,” said Inger Andersen, Executive Director of UNEP.

“50@50 helps local leaders move faster by sharing practical solutions that protect people, reducing inequality and strengthening urban resilience,” she said.

As global temperatures rise, cities worldwide are experiencing longer, more intense and more frequent heatwaves. This contributes to nearly half a million deaths each year and makes schools, transport systems, homes and public spaces unsafe during peak heat hours.UNEP News

Fastest-growing coastal city braces for climate change

Conclusion

THIS ambitious development, part of the Sustainable Cities Integrated Program, aims to protect vulnerable coastlines, boost tourism and create green spaces to improve the quality of life for local people.

The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), working with the Asian Development Bank, is rolling out the Global Environment Facilityfunded Sustainable Cities Integrated Program in 50 cities across 17 countries. Designed to deliver climate resilience and socio-economic gains for communities vulnerable to environmental shocks, the initiative aims to cut more than 250 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions, while restoring almost one million hectares of land.

In addition to strengthening the embankment, which will serve as the sea wall, the Dumas Sea Wall Project integrates a pedestrian promenade, a cycling track and green public spaces.

In areas where the river meets the sea, it reinforces existing dikes and embankments to prevent both flooding and saltwater intrusion― two growing concerns for low-lying coastal cities worldwide. The work began in 2022 and is expected to wrap up by late 2026.

“The Dumas Seafront Development initiative represents a forward-looking approach to coastal resilience, where engineered protection is combined with nature-based solutions to address the complex challenges of climate change,” says Dr. Debolina Kundu,

Director of the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) in India.

“This initiative positions Surat as a lighthouse city, offering a replicable model for other Indian and global cities seeking resilient, lowimpact, and people-centred coastal development pathways.”

The region’s mangroves play a crucial role, providing natural protection against storms and flooding, while supporting coastal biodiversity.

The program is projected to improve the lives of 12.2 million urban residents, including 5.8 million women. By the project’s end, it is set to deliver a cumulative reduction of 35.9 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent, while restoring nearly 2,000 hectares of land.

Throughout the world, the extent of coastal flooding has increased over the past 20 years because of sea level rise, meaning that 14

million more people in coastal communities now live with a 1-in20 annual chance of flooding. And projections show that by 2050, hundreds of highly populated coastal cities will be exposed to increased flood risk.

Surat’s urban rejuvenation project seeks to pre-empt these threats by safeguarding its coastline and, at the same time, boost the local economy.

“Surat’s approach demonstrates how rapidly growing cities can solve the puzzle of aligning development with sustainability,” says Asher Lessels, head of GEF Mitigation and Transparency Unit at the Climate Change Mitigation Division.

“Combining nature-based solutions with climate-resilient infrastructure can spur economic growth, while protecting people and nature―and creating public spaces that improve everyone’s quality of life.” UNEP News

TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 2026

lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com

NICKIE WANG, Editor

ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer

JASPER VALDEZ, Writer

JANINE Gutierrez used her Star Magic contract signing as a moment to talk about the work she is most excited to take on next, with her focus firmly on new characters and upcoming projects. The actress is now officially part of ABS-CBN’s talent management arm.

Very Wang

Nickie Wang

Fresh from her role in Lavender Fields , Janine is gearing up for The Loyalty Game , a Star Creatives and Prime Video collaboration set for a July premiere. The series brings her back on screen with Jericho Rosales , though she noted that the new project offers a different dynamic from their previous pairing.

What drew her in most was her character, Anna, who revealed unexpected depth as the story developed.

“I really look forward to the reaction of our Kapamilya viewers to my next role as Anna in The Loyalty Game . At first, I thought the role was simple, but it turns out the character of Anna is very layered. I’m so excited to work with Jericho again, but with a different dynamic, very different from Lavender Fields, ” shared the 36-year-old star.

At the signing, Janine spoke about her intention to keep expanding her craft and taking on roles that challenge her creatively.

“At this stage, ang dami ko pang pangarap I want to continue to keep on growing, to learn more, and to get more opportunities na alam ko talagang ‘yun ‘yung forte ng Star Magic through years of experience,” she said. She also expressed gratitude for the continued support she receives as part of the Kapamilya network.

“I’m grateful to be a Kapamilya because I truly feel the support and love of our bosses, our Kapamilya staff, and all our Kapamilyas at home and abroad. It means so much to me to be part of something greater than myself, something that is truly in service of the Filipino, whether through our TV shows, news, or our charity and foundation,” she said.

A glimpse into Janine Gutierrez’s

role

mrld continues her independent music rollout with ‘PARA SAKIN’ as questions over her previous label arrangement remain unresolved

OPM artist mrld has released a new single while questions continue over her contract status with record label O/C Records.

mrld dropped her track “PARA SAKIN” on Friday, June 5, across major streaming platforms as part of her ongoing independent rollout. The release comes months after she raised concerns in a March statement regarding royalty distribution and compensation under her previous label arrangement. “I deserve more than 5 percent of the songs I wrote and produced. I deserve more for all the hard work I put into my name,” she said in the statement.

She also cited financial responsibilities to her family as a factor in her decision to pursue

independence. “I WENT INDEPENDENT BECAUSE MY FAMILY NEEDS TO EAT AND LIVE.

REAL-LIFE couple Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera are reuniting on the big screen for the upcoming family drama Remember , with production set to begin in Quebec, Canada.

The film is a joint project of Star Cinema, APT Entertainment, AgostoDos Pictures, and Regal Entertainment. It also reunites the pair with director Mae Cruz Alviar, who previously worked with them on the box-office hit Rewind

Before departing for Quebec, Dantes spoke about working again with the team behind the 2023 film.

“Ready na kami umalis papuntang Quebec. Sisimulan na namin ang isang espesyal na pelikula . After three years nung huli kaming nagsama at nandun na si Direk Mae, inaantay na kami at uumpisahan na

Janine shared her

“I wish to be part of Filipino projects that would be

outside the

I think it’s inspiring to see how we will be looked at by people around the world,” she said. She also named actors she hopes to work with in future projects, including Belle Mariano, whom she described as talented and warm.

I

“I know

On

“

independently, with “PARA SAKIN” serving as her latest track under her solo direction.

As of writing, O/C Records founder Kean Cipriano has not issued a public statement regarding the March remarks or the latest release.

namin ang pelikulang Remember . It feels good to work with the same team behind Rewind , plus more. Nakakatuwa na narereminisce namin lahat ng magagandang nangyari . We’re just so excited to work on this project,” he said. Rivera said the timing felt right for another film collaboration.

“Actually, k anina nag-uusap kami on our way here, parang sabi nga namin ilang years na ba ? Three years na pala. Siguro ito na yung tamang panahon ulit gawin ito. At the same time, yung kuwento siguradong ma-i-in love sila sa Remember ’” she said.

Remember marks the couple’s first film together since Rewind , which became one of the highest-grossing Filipino films of all time. The movie is scheduled for release in cinemas worldwide this year.

SHOWBIZ

THE SM Mall of Asia Arena turned from a concert hall into a massive singalong as Watsons Playlist 2026 brought SB19, Maki, and December Avenue together for a night where the crowd stayed on its feet from start to finish.

Thousands of Watsons Club members filled the venue on May 31 for the annual fan-exclusive showcase, where each act delivered a distinct set that

kept energy levels high and audiences engaged between songs.

Maki opened the program, immediately setting a personal tone with tagus-pusong songs that turned the large arena into something more conversational in feel. Between tracks, he engaged the crowd directly, explaining the meaning behind each song before performing it, creating a rhythm of storytelling and performance that kept the audience closely tuned in.

The singer-songwriter also performed his newest track, “habangbuhay pansamantala,” live for the first time during the show. December Avenue followed with a pop rock-driven set that added a fuller band sound to the evening. Their performance brought familiar

AFTER their successful pairing in the hit and critically acclaimed film

Green Bones Dennis Trillo and Ruru Madrid are set to share the screen again in the upcoming GMA primetime series Hari ng Tondo

“It’s not very often that Ruru and I are given the opportunity to headline a screen project but when we do, it’s definitely grand!” Dennis said.

Ruru, for his part, said he is eager to work with Dennis again in a longerform series.

“I’m really looking forward to working with Kuya Dennis again, and I’m happy that it’s a soap opera, which is longer. I’m simply excited!” he said.

Directed by Enzo Williams the series follows the actors as they prepare for physically demanding roles rooted in the streets of Tondo. Ruru shared that he underwent immersion to better understand the community.

melodies and emotional weight, filling the arena with singalong moments that balanced reflection and energy.

SB19 closed the night with an energetic, rhythm-forward performance that pushed the crowd into constant movement. The P-Pop Kings’ set leaned into high-impact staging and choreography, with energy-pumping music that drove the finale and kept the arena engaged through the last number.

Across all performances, the audience responded in unison, rising repeatedly as each act took a distinct approach to the stage. The event, Watsons Playlist 2026, is part of Watsons Club’s ongoing lineup of member-exclusive experiences. Membership is free and available in-

“For my part, I underwent immersion to be familiar with people who live in Tondo. When I became familiar with their way of living, I realized how deep they are as

Watsons said the concert forms part of AS Watson Group’s 185th anniversary initiatives, positioning music-driven gatherings as part of its community engagement efforts.

Watsons Playlist 2026 was presented with support from Maybelline, BNB, BYS, YOU and Watsons Brand.

that viewers can richly relate to our characters in the story,” he said.

The series will also showcase Panantukan, a Filipino martial arts style often described as

“Actually, it’s dirty boxing, which is associated with Tondo. So, I really have to be physically prepared,” Ruru said.

In the series, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno will play an important role. Ryza Cenon will also join us as well Rocco Nacino, Ysabel Ortega, Arra San Agustin, Elle Villanueva, Heath

By Angelica Villanueva

VMX puts girl-to-girl stories at the center of its latest special interest compilation, Dibdiban, a release that gathers female-tofemale scenes from past films on the streaming platform.

The compilation features scenes from 15 titles, including Pihit, Tatsulok Akin Ang Gabi Unang Tikim Tusok Tusok, Kirot, Halimuyak, Maalikaya Scissors Sembreak Trianggulo, Kalakal, Bayo, Kaulayaw, and Ekis

During a press conference for the project, VMX stars Apphle Celso and Christy Imperial said the release gives room for sapphic relationships to be shown with more openness, especially during Pride Month.

Christy said stories like those featured in Kiskisan/Dibdiban reflect realities that exist beyond the screen.

“In my point of view, I think this really happens in real life to some people. And well, there’s nothing wrong with it. Girl-to-girl relationships do exist,” Christy said.

“As long as you love each other, there’s nothing wrong. And no one is being hurt,” she added. Meanwhile, Apphle said the project may help women in the LGBTQIA+ community feel seen, especially those who remain afraid to come out because of how society may judge them.

“Through this, we showed how intense love between women can be and that love can also be found in another woman,” Apphle said.

She added that the project should not be viewed only through a sexual lens.

“It doesn’t have to be sexual all the time. You can also see love and affection through lingering glances, simple physical touch, gentle caresses, and hugs,” she continued.

The actresses also spoke about navigating their careers through VMX projects, describing the platform as an opportunity to grow while pursuing bigger goals in the industry.

For Apphle, who came from performing and singing before entering VMX, sexy roles were never the end goal.

“I’m going to be brutally honest, this is not my dream. But this is a stepping stone. I really want to go mainstream,” Apphle said.

She added that she intends to continue accepting VMX projects while remaining open to opportunities in television and other platforms.

“As of the moment, whatever projects Viva gives me, which are VMX movies, I will continue doing them. I won’t turn them down,” she said.

Christy shared a similar outlook, saying she remains grateful for the projects that have come her way.

“This is also a stepping stone for me. And I’m thankful that Boss Vic gave me a project like this,” she said.

Despite criticism sometimes directed at VMX artists, Christy said she chooses to focus on her work rather than negativity.

“Not everyone is open-minded when it comes to doing sexy roles,” she added.

For Apphle, Kiskisan/Dibdiban stands apart from her previous projects because it focuses entirely on female relationships.

“This is really different. Maybe because it’s also my first time doing a project that’s centered entirely on women,” she said.

Kiskisan/Dibdiban is now streaming on VMX.

Jornales, Noni Buencamino, and Victor Neri * * *

KC Concepcion eyes return to showbiz

KC Concepcion has expressed her intention to return to show business, saying she is preparing herself physically while keeping her plans under wraps for now.

“Actually, I miss hosting. It’s one field which will always thrill me. That’s why I’m serious in shedding more weight. I’m really trying to get as fit as I can and regain my ideal screen look.”

“I’m excited to work on my sexy body until I get the look that I want. It’s because I also want something for myself. Whenever I watch myself on screen, I want a particular look.

So, you see, I’m the biggest critic of myself,” she said.

KC said she has already held meetings but prefers not to frame her plans as a traditional comeback.

“But I’ve already had meetings. Actually, I’m not really thinking in terms of comeback. What I’m after is the exciting project. It’s not just for me but for the fans as well. And then, I’m just here. I just want to look my best as natural as possible.”

She emphasized her preference for a natural approach to fitness and weight loss.

“I want my weight loss to be as natural as possible. I’m afraid of all the slimming drugs that are rampant these days. I admit I tried before, but I realized I want everything to be natural. Although I know it takes a longer process, I guess it’s healthier.” KC drew inspiration from her mother, Sharon Cuneta, who recently underwent her own weight loss journey.

“I salute Mama! She tells me to just keep going. For example, I’m on a diet or doing exercise she just encourages me that I can do it. She also advises me not to put so much pressure on myself, especially with what others might say.”

On dealing with online criticism, she said she chooses to stay away from negativity.

“I just don’t read their messages. I don’t allow myself to get affected because in the first place, they don’t know me personally. I just stay quiet!”

KC also said she will only make announcements when there is something concrete to share.

“If ever I have a special announcement to make, I vow to let the people know. Let’s manifest it. But right now, I have nothing to share. If something serious comes up, I promise not to hide it!” she said.

TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 2026

lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com

NICKIE WANG, Editor

ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer

JASPER VALDEZ, Writer

C4 LIFE

By Nickie Wang

THE Embassy of Belgium in Manila capped Belgian Days Manila 2026 with “Experience Belgium: Discover. Taste. Play.”, a free public event held June 6 at the SM North EDSA Annex Atrium.

The day-long celebration highlighted Belgian culture, education, gastronomy, sustainability, and family-friendly activities, drawing visitors of all ages in an interactive showcase of BelgianPhilippine cultural ties.

Shereen Sy, pioneer of SM Book Nook, emphasized reading and shared learning as key parts of the initiative, highlighting efforts to bring books into public spaces and everyday experiences.

“This year, we have invited you to join us in an exploration of what it means to be connected to the hierarchy. Society is connected by shared experiences, by personal mental and relationships, and also by reading,” Sy said.

She noted concerns over literacy comprehension among Filipino students and emphasized the need to extend reading beyond classrooms.

“We hope to bring reading beyond the textbooks,

Bridges of literacy

SM Book Nook fosters cultural connection through reading at

beyond the syllabus, into the public space, and bring that reading element of joy, connection, and shared experiences,” she added.

The event featured a Book Nook turnover ceremony where Belgian books were formally handed over as part of efforts to support literacy and education.

Belgian Ambassador to the Philippines

H.E. Vladislava Iordanova emphasized that the initiative reflects the broader purpose of cultural diplomacy.

“I’m truly impressed by this initiative of the group and what they do for the community. It is actually for the youngsters, for the people, with the people,” Iordanova said.

She added that diplomacy is rooted in connection and shared understanding.

Belgian showcase

“As an ambassador, one thing I learned in my stay as an ambassador to the Philippines, diplomacy is about people, it’s about meeting each other, it’s about creating bridges,” she said.

The event, themed “Discover. Taste.

Play.”, featured interactive exhibits, including a visual showcase of Belgium, study opportunities through Belgian universities, and scholarship programs, and sustainability displays highlighting renewable energy initiatives.

Visitors also experienced Belgian gastronomy, including Liège waffles, chocolates, and Biscoff biscuits, alongside themed photo installations and family-friendly activity zones.

Children participated in coloring and creative stations, while the Smurfs made

SM Hotels and Conventions Corporation (SMHCC) has appointed Janytte Siega as general manager of SMX Convention Center Seaside Cebu, the company’s upcoming large-scale convention and exhibition venue set to open in November 2026.

Siega brings more than two decades of experience in hospitality and MICE operations, with a background spanning hotel management, banquets, and large-scale events.

Before her appointment, she served as director of banquets and event services and officer-in-charge for operations at SMX Convention Center Manila, where she handled high-volume events and contributed to service improvements at one of the country’s major convention venues.

Her career also includes experience in the Philippines and the Middle East, working with luxury hotels and international hospitality brands in Cebu, Dubai, and Ras Al Khaimah, and managing corporate, government, and social events attended by global delegates.

SMHCC said Siega will lead the preopening phase of SMX Convention Center Seaside Cebu, focusing on operational readiness, team development, partnerships, and overall event delivery.

“I am honored to take on this new role and be part of bringing SMX Convention Center Seaside Cebu to life. Cebu continues to be a vital hub for tourism, business functions, and international gatherings, and I look

forward to working alongside our team and partners in establishing the venue as a premier destination for meetings, conventions, exhibitions, and largescale activations in the Philippines and the Asia-Pacific region,” Siega

Located within the SM Seaside Cebu complex, the venue will offer more than 21,000 square meters of leasable space across six levels and will be directly connected to SM Seaside Arena and SM Seaside Cebu Mall.

SMHCC executive vice president Peggy Angeles said Siega’s appointment supports the company’s expansion of MICE destinations in the country and its goal of strengthening Cebu’s position as a regional hub for business events and tourism.

special appearances throughout the day, drawing large crowds.

Solar panel tours were also offered at SM North EDSA as part of the event’s sustainability focus.

Belgian Days Manila 2026 serves as a multi-day celebration of cultural, educational, and economic ties between Belgium and the Philippines. This year’s edition also forms part of the 80th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

WOMEN employees at PLDT are strengthening their roles in the company’s digital shift through continuous learning, supporting the telecom provider’s push into AI-driven services and smarter connectivity solutions.

As PLDT expands its digital and artificial intelligence transformation, employee development programs are increasingly shaping customerfacing services and internal operations across the organization.

Women across supervisory, officer, and rank-and-file levels recorded an average of 88 hours of advanced learning last year, according to company data. Training covered artificial intelligence, analytics, digital tools, customer experience design, leadership development, and technical skills.

PLDT said this learning culture has supported the rollout of several AI-powered tools in recent months, including EVE, ERICA, Ellie, and KAI.

EVE (Emergency Vital Essentials) serves as an AI-powered emergency preparedness and family safety assistant designed to support personal and household readiness programs.

ERICA (Enterprise Risk Intelligence Companion Agent) focuses on enterprise risk

management, aimed at improving how risks are identified, assessed, and managed.

Ellie (Enablement and Intelligence Engine) functions as an internal AI assistant designed to support productivity and collaboration across enterprise teams.

KAI (Knowledge, Automation, Intelligence) is a conversational assistant that provides network intelligence and product insights for PLDT Enterprise teams.

PLDT chief people officer Gina P. Ordoñez said the company’s transformation depends on employees who are willing to build new skills and adapt to emerging technologies.

“The strong learning engagement shown by women across the organization reflects the pace of change in the industry and reinforces our ongoing efforts to build a futureready workforce,” Ordoñez said. The company said ongoing upskilling efforts are part of its broader goal to strengthen a culture of continuous learning while aligning workforce development with long-term digital priorities. As PLDT continues to expand its network and digital services, it said employee capability-building remains central to improving operational agility and customer experience across its platforms.