Manila Standard - 2026 July 11 - Saturday

15 KILLED AS ‘INDAY’ TRIGGERS LANDSLIDES; TAIWAN BRACES FOR STORM

By

Rex Espiritu, Rio Araja, Vince

Joel Zurbano and Maricel Cruz

FIFTEEN people were killed in landslides in Sarangani and more than 2,000 in Taiwan were evacuated from their homes as the biggest typhoon in decades left the Philippines and neared the East Asian region on Friday.

Two landslides triggered by heavy rains driven by Typhoon Inday (international name Bavi) killed at least 15 people and left six others

At least 10 of the victims were killed after a landslide buried two houses in Barangay Poblacion, Malapatan, Sarangani, as heavy rains brought by the southwest monsoon enhanced by Inday saturated the soil, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) in Region 12 said Friday.

ON 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF ARBITRAL AWARD

PBBM: Have courage to defend what is right

By Charles Dantes and Katrina Manubay

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. called on Filipinos and foreign allies alike to have the “courage to defend what is right” as the country marked the 10th anniversary of the 2016 Arbitral Award that dismissed China’s sweeping claims over the South China Sea.

Mr. Marcos said the ruling has become “indispensable” amid maritime tensions.

“When the Philippines initiated these arbitration proceedings, we stood before the world to assert a timeless, universal principle that disputes between nations must be resolved not through coercion, not through the threat or use of force. but through peaceful means and the rule of law,” Mr. Marcos said during a diplomatic reception marking the 10th anniversary of the Arbitral Award, with the theme, “A Decade Hence: The Enduring Promise of Peaceful Dispute Settlement.”

“The rule of law is a great equalizer of all nations. It ensures that right is not defined by might…The law exists ultimately to protect the vulnerable, to

shield human dignity from the whims of raw power. Yet the significance of this award extends well beyond our own coastlines.”

“Our path forward remains clear and absolute…For our peace, our pursuit of peace is not passive. It requires the courage to defend what is right, to uphold our international commitments, and to engage constructively with all who seek mutual respect and shared prosperity.”

The reception for the Arbitral Award’s anniversary came days after Chinese scholars asserted that Batanes is a "natural geographic extension" of Taiwan and therefore part of China's territory, a claim that Philippine officials swiftly rejected as baseless and without legal foundation.

Longer hours for impeach trial; No to Jinggoy’s attendance

By Joel E. Zurbano, Maricel V. Cruz, and Katrina Manubay

THE Senate Impeachment Court is considering extending trial days to accommodate both the prosecution and defense teams who will engage in direct, cross, redirect, and recross examinations of the witnesses.

By Katrina Manubay, Rex Espiritu, Maricel V. Cruz and Vito Barcelo

THE Philippine government on Friday rejected claims by Chinese scholars questioning the country's sovereignty over Batanes, with senior officials stressing that the province is an integral part of the Philippines and that the issue is not open for debate. Foreign Affairs Secretary Theresa Lazaro downplayed the assertions made during a June 30 symposium in Guangzhou, saying the Philippines gives greater weight to the official positions of governments than to the views of academics.

“Sometimes the academics really, well, they are academics. So, we listen to the government, so that's only what we can say,” Lazaro said on the sidelines of the 10th anniversary of the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award (see related story on A1 – Editors). She said the Philippines remains committed to upholding the 2016 arbitral ruling and noted the strong international support it continues to receive.

“You see how it is. You heard Australia, you heard Japan, and many other like-minded countries. You look at

This as former National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) director Jaime Santiago clarified that he has not received a subpoena from the Impeachment Court, but added that he is prepared to testify if summoned.

Meanwhile, the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division has denied for lack of merit Senator Jinggoy Estrada’s request to attend the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

Stricter standards urged in selecting OMB state witnesses, says UMAK dean

By Charles Dantes and Rex Espiritu

PBBM:...

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The commander-in-chief said the South China Sea “must never be an arena of conflict.”

“The legacy of the 2016 arbitral award is still unfolding. The responsibility to build upon this foundation now belongs to all of us – to governments, to diplomats, to everyday citizens who believe that peace is best secured through the rule of law,” Mr. Marco said.

A ‘lighthouse’ amid rising tensions

For her part, Foreign Affairs Secretary Theresa Lazaro likened the 2016 Arbitral Award to a "lighthouse" that continues to guide nations amid rising geopolitical tensions by providing a clear legal framework based on international law.

Lazaro emphasized the award remains "final" and "legally binding" as

China’s...

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the members of the diplomatic corps who were present. That is a testimonial of how this arbitral award has taken shape,” she said.

The Department of Foreign Affairs also reaffirmed that Philippine sovereignty over Batanes is settled.

“Flights of fancy should not be dignified with a response. Nevertheless, the Philippines' sovereignty over Batanes is settled and not up for debate,” the DFA said in a statement.

“The Philippines will not entertain revisionist claims over its territory and calls on so-called scholars to focus their energies on genuine, good-faith studies of the region,” it added.

NHCP: Varied evidence supports PH

The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) also rejected the scholars' claims, saying historical, archaeological and geographical evidence supports Philippine sovereignty over Batanes.

The commission said satellite and oceanographic data show a continuous continental shelf extending from north-

Marcos... From A1

Under the Constitution, the President is required to submit the proposed national budget to Congress within 30 days from the opening of the legislature’s regular session.

The NEP serves as the administration's proposed spending plan and becomes the basis for congressional deliberations that will result in the annual General Appropriations Act. Protecting the country's maritime

Longer...

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“There may be situations that could necessitate extending the day or even continuing into the following day. What should truly prevail for our fellow citizens is the emergence of the truth and the complete presentation of all necessary evidence," said Impeachment Court spokesperson lawyer Reginald Tongol.

Tongol said the court conducted time-and-motion studies during the initial three days of the trial and anticipated that the proceedings next week may extend until approximately 7 p.m. or 8 p.m. He added concluding around 6 p.m. would be considered fortunate if the presentation and examination of witnesses were extensive.

Tongol said the pace of the trial will be influenced by the promptness of the lawyers' inquiries, the responses of the witnesses, and the efficiency with which the prosecution presents its evidence.

He added that the court will continue to explore methods to minimize unnecessary delays, including urging parties to agree on uncontested issues such as the identity or qualifications of a witness.

The Impeachment Court is scheduled to reconvene on Monday, with National Bureau of Investigation regional director Jeremy Lotok expected to be the next prosecution witness. Tongol noted that lawyer Zuleika Lopez, chief of staff of the Office of the Vice President, was slated to testify on Tuesday, July 14 while executive director Belinda Bello, head of the House of Representatives’ Legislative Security Bureau, is expected to be presented on Wednesday, July 15.

Estrada is facing a plunder case

it serves not only as a cornerstone of Philippine foreign policy but also as a lasting reference for a rules-based international order.

“Thirteen years ago, the Philippines courageously initiated these arbitral proceedings. And ten years ago, on July 12, 2016, the Arbitral Tribunal handed down its historic decision. In doing so, our nation sought to build such a lighthouse,” she said.

“We did not do so for ourselves alone. We acted to speak for every nation — especially those who find in international law a vital shield against geopolitical uncertainty and the stark asymmetries of power,” she added.

Lazaro said the Philippines will use the 2016 Arbitral Award as it pursues the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea with China and members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

“We will use this Award as our clear legal and policy baseline to engage

ern Luzon through the Babuyan and Batanes islands, while historical records indicate that Spain formally incorporated Batanes into Cagayan province in 1783.

“The natives of Batanes, the Ivatan people, lived in protected communities and traded with other maritime trading nations. This is clear in the archeological and historical evidence produced by more than a hundred years of research,” the NHCP said.

“Japan cannot give to China what clearly belongs to the Philippines,” it added, rejecting claims that postWorld War II treaties transferred the islands to China.

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. dismissed the Chinese scholars' assertions as “baseless and ludicrous.”

Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, retired Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, described the claims as part of a broader disinformation campaign.

“We view this latest disinformation as salami slicing in the information domain. It is the systematic manufacturing of false historical and legal narratives intended to desensitize the international community, gradually alter the status quo and establish a pretext for future expansion,” Trinidad said.

right and countering Chinese aggression will need the defense budget to be raised as much as four percent of GDP, Teodoro said on Friday.

"We definitely need to realign," Teodoro told reporters on the sidelines of a Stratbase Institute forum on the 10th anniversary of Manila's arbitral award.

"We need to ramp up to at least two to three to four percent of GDP," Teodoro told reporters.

The Department of National Defense's budget this year stands at P305.87 billion, on which the country currently spends about 1.3 to 1.4 per-

over the alleged flood control kickback scheme being handled by the anti-graft court's fourth division.

Estrada, who is currently detained at the Quezon City Jail in Payatas, asked the court's permission to attend the Duterte impeachment trial being senator-judge to fulfill his "high constitutional duty."

He asserted that preventive detention does not cause his senatorial term to cease.

Earlier, Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano asked the Impeachment Court to consider allowing Estrada and Senator Rodante Marcoleta who are both detained over plunder charges to attend the trial of Duterte.

In a report by the Bilyonaryo News Channel, Santiago expressed his willingness to testify before the impeachment court if needed.

In 2024 and 2025, Santiago led a six-member panel investigating whether Duterte should face criminal charges for allegedly stating that she hired an assassin to kill President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, should she herself be killed.

During his closing remarks on the third day of impeachment hearings, Atty. Mark Vinluan argued that the prosecution did not present sufficient competent evidence to prove that Duterte had hired or contracted an assassin.

He maintained that the testimony of NBI senior agent John Mark Calilung, along with the evidence provided by the prosecution, was inadequate to substantiate the claims against Duterte.

The charges against the Vice President included betrayal of public trust, graft and corruption, constitutional violations, and other serious crimes.

partners and to pursue an effective, legally binding Code of Conduct in the South China Sea,” she said.

Backed by foreign allies

In a video statement, Australian Minister of Foreign Affairs Penny Wong reaffirmed Australia's support for the Philippines and the 2016 Arbitral Award.

She likewise urged all parties to resolve disputes through international law rather than by force.

“Since the day of that ruling, Australia has consistently called for the Philippines and China to abide by the ruling. We have done this, and will continue to do so, because Australia believes that we all benefit from a region that operates by rules and norms,” she said.

“We want each country, large or small, to operate by the same rules— rules that we have all had a say in shaping. And when disputes inevitably arise, we insist those differences are managed through dialogue and accord-

Act of ‘lawfare,’ historical revisionism

Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino also rejected the claims, describing them as an act of “lawfare” and historical revisionism.

“Batanes is part of the Philippines and will always be,” said Tolentino, who as a senator was principal author of the Philippine Maritime Zones Law and author of Winds of Sovereignty: The Mavulis Poems.

Mavulis Island, part of Batanes province, is the northernmost point of the Philippines.

“Sovereignty is proven by effectivités—the continuous, peaceful, and effective exercise of state authority. The Philippines has demonstrated this for generations through governance, public services, courts, elections, and sustained investment in the Ivatan people,” he added.

Tolentino cited the country's constitutional and historical record, noting that the 1935 Constitution fixed Batanes' northern boundary at 21°25' North and that Spain formally incorporated the province into the Philippine archipelago in 1783.

Batanes congressman rejects claims Batanes Lone District Rep. Ciriaco Gato Jr. likewise rejected the claims.

cent of its GDP on defense, based on estimates that include pensions and other military items.

"That is up to somebody else. All I'm saying is we need to increase. And there are several ways," Teodoro said when asked where the additional funds could be sourced.

Speaking at the same event, Teodoro warned that the cost of resisting Beijing goes beyond military funding and cautioned how China-linked entities have already "captured" key industries.

The defense chief argued that deter-

Stricter...

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least involvement in the flood control infrastructure scam, despite the former secretary having most of the requirements for state witnesses.

“Okay magkaroon ng state witness, pero dapat may mga pamantayan na sinusunod para hindi magamit sa pang-aabuso,” Tapia said. “Tutukuyin ko na, halimbawa, yung panukala na gawing state witness si former Secretary Bonoan. Sa state witness, isa sa mga pamantayan nyan ay dapat you're not the most guilty—that is, he or she must have had relatively less involvement in the offense.”

(There is nothing wrong with having a state witness, but there are standards that must be followed to prevent the process from being abused. Let me cite the proposal to make former Secretary Bonoan a state witness. One of the qualifications for a state witness is that the person must not be the most guilty— that is, he or she must have had relatively less involvement in the offense.)

“Papaano tayo kukumbinsihin ngayon ng secretary ng ahensyang namumuno sa flood control projects na siya ang may least involvement dito?

Sa aspeto na yon, hindi ako magtataka na magkakaroon ng agam-agam sa taong bayan, ‘teka muna, bakit may ganito?’ said Tapia, also the president of the Philippine Society of Public Administration.

“Okay na sana na meron na tayong tinatawag na big fish na nahuli, pero bakit state witness, so sino pa ang maaaring ituro ni Secretary Bonoan na bigger fish than him, ika nga?” added the Vice President for Academic Affairs of UMak.

(How can the secretary who headed the agency in charge of the flood control projects convince us that he had

ing to the rules, not by force or by raw power,” she added. Wong also conveyed Australia’s concern over the “destabilizing and dangerous conduct” of Chinese vessels in the South China Sea, including towards the Philippine and Vietnamese vessels.

Japan's Parliamentary Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, Shimida Tomoaki, reaffirmed commitment to deepening comprehensive strategic partnership with the Philippines, praising Manila as one of Tokyo's closest like-minded partners that share fundamental values and principles. He underscored that maintaining a maritime order based on the rule of law requires cooperation among likeminded countries and ASEAN member states, adding that Japan will continue to collaborate closely with its partners in the region.

Backed by majority of Pinoys

As this developed, a decade after the landmark arbitral ruling, a significant

“Batanes is a province of the Republic of the Philippines. The Ivatans are Filipinos. These are enduring truths established by history, affirmed by our Constitution and laws, and embodied in the identity and collective experience of our people,” Gato said.

“We have always known who we are. Our allegiance is to the Republic of the Philippines—now and always,” he added.

The statements came after about a dozen researchers from Chinese universities and research institutes argued during a symposium at Jinan University that Batanes is a natural geographic extension of Taiwan and that Philippine sovereignty over the islands lacks historical and legal basis.

The scholars also cited traditional Chinese fishing activities around Batanes during the Qing Dynasty, interpretations of the 1898 Treaty of Paris and the 1946 Treaty of Manila, and anthropological similarities between the Ivatan people and Taiwan's Tao community to support their claims.

SeaLight Executive Director Raymond Powell said the position has not been officially endorsed by the Chinese government but could serve as a test of Beijing's legal arguments.

rence "needs more than commitment."

"It needs actual spending, and it means lessening an entitlement to the public and putting these entitlements into building a credible and resilient force," Teodoro pointed out. He argued a public unwilling to shoulder that cost—what he calls a "free-rider problem"—could doom the country's defense transition.

Taken to extremes, Teodoro said resistance to increased spending is "probably the worst enemy that we have in our journey to building a credible deterrent posture."

the least involvement? On that point, I would not be surprised if people begin to ask, ‘Wait a minute, why is this happening?’ It would have been welcome news that we finally have what many consider a ‘big fish.’ But if he is instead going to become a state witness, then who exactly can Secretary Bonoan identify as a ‘bigger fish’ than himself?)

Assistant Ombudsman and spokesperson Mico Clavano earlier said Bonoan was accepted as state witness after the latter agreed to cooperate in its case against former Speaker Martin Romualdez.

Romualdez has squarely denied the allegations against him, adding that he will not be a scapegoat in the infrastructure controversy.

Beyond the standard legal criteria, the government explicitly cited the 80-year-old Bonoan’s deteriorating physical health, including hypertensive vascular and chronic kidney disease, as a practical catalyst in tapping him as a state witness.

According to reports, the Ombudsman fast-tracked the agreement with Bonoan to perpetuate his testimony immediately and avoid an "inordinate delay of justice."

However, Bonoan faces immense public and political pressure, with lawmakers demanding he match the actions of previous co-accused by making a full financial restitution of his alleged kickbacks from the flood control scam before being allowed to get off scot-free.

“As I often say, let the axe fall where it may, charge those who should be charged. We have to make our institutions work, so to speak, so we should allow them [to work] and we should observe them, make sure they are performing their functions according to what the Constitution says,” Tapia said.

majority of Filipino adults still support the Marcos administration's approach to the maritime dispute, with 66 percent agreeing with the government's response, according to a survey by the OCTA Research group. In the latest April Tugon ng Masa (TNM) survey, results showed that 66 percent of respondents either strongly agree or somewhat agree, 13 percent disagree (either strongly or somewhat), and 19 percent remain undecided. Across major regions, support for the Marcos administration’s WPS policy was strongest in the National Capital Region (70 percent), closely followed by Balance Luzon (68 percent), and remained solidly above the halfway mark in the Visayas (65 percent), while Mindanao registered the lowest support (62 percent). Conversely, opposition was highest in Mindanao (19 percent), compared to 13 percent in the National Capital Region, 12 percent in Balance Luzon, and 11 percent in the Visayas.

15 killed...

From A1

Rodrigo Sosmeña, director of the Office of Civil Defense-Soccsksargen, said the fatalities included children.

“This is an effect of Typhoon Inday. It enhanced the southwest monsoon that caused heavy rainfall (in Sarangani),” “It caused the saturation of soil, resulting in the landslide. Unfortunately, 10 individuals died, buried.”

Sosmeña said one victim was rushed to a hospital but was declared dead on arrival. Flooding was also reported in Sultan Kudarat, although no casualties had been recorded there.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council separately reported one fatality in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon, linked to the effects of Inday and the southwest monsoon. Storm maintains strength, exits PAR Saturday

The fatalities came as the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Typhoon Inday maintained its strength as it moved north northwestward towards the southern islands of Japan.

As of 5 p.m. Friday, the typhoon was located at 525 km east northeast of Itbayat, Batanes, moving north northwestward at 20 km/h with maximum sustained winds of 140 kph and gusts of up to 170 kph.

Signal No. 2 remained in effect over Batanes, the eastern portion of Babuyan Islands (Babuyan Is., Didicas Is., Camiguin Is.) and the northeastern portion of mainland Cagayan (Santa Ana). Signal No. 1 was raised over the rest of Babuyan Islands, the rest of mainland Cagayan, Isabela, Apayao, the northern portion of Abra (Tineg, Lagayan, Danglas, San Juan, Lagangilang, Licuan-Baay, Malibcong, Lacub, Daguioman, Dolores, La Paz), Kalinga, the eastern portion of Mountain Province (Natonin, Paracelis), the eastern portion of Ifugao (Aguinaldo, Alfonso Lista), and Ilocos Norte. Inday is forecast to move northwestward while remaining over the Philippine Sea and would pass closest to extreme Northern Luzon between Friday night and early Saturday, the weather bureau said.

The storm will then move toward the southern islands of Japan and may pass close over the northern coast of Taiwan. It will then exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by Saturday and make landfall over the eastern coast of mainland China by Saturday evening or early Sunday (July 12). Quick response teams, food packs on standby In Manila, the Philippine National Police and the Department of Social Welfare and Development intensified preparations and response measures.

PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. ordered all police commanders to conduct immediate post-typhoon assessments.

“Every minute matters in emergency and disaster responses so my order is for chiefs of police to immediately conduct post-typhoon assessment to come up with the best plan to assist all our affected kababayan,”

The DSWD said it had prepositioned 4.7 million family food packs, 360,911 ready-to-eat food boxes, 265,154 non-food items, and standby funds amounting to P644.232 million. Disaster Response Management Bureau Director Maria Isabel Lanada said 14,442 members of the DSWD Quick Response Teams were on standby for deployment.

“We have enough prepositioned family food packs as well as non-food items. We are confident that our supplies are sufficient.” With AFP

Oil prices seen to go up next week

By Alena Mae S. Flores

ONSUMERS are facing another round of volatile oil prices next week, with diesel projected to increase by as much as P4 per liter.

An industry source said diesel is estimated to go up by P2 to P4 per liter, while gasoline may see a rollback of P1 or an increase of P1 per liter. The estimates are based on trading from the Mean of Platts Singapore and foreign exchange averages from July 6 to July 9. The source said

had strengthened on the back of firm demand, while supply continues to tighten as physical availability remains constrained.

“The potential loss of Russian diesel exports is also adding another layer of support as Russia’s energy infrastructure continues to sustain damage from intensified Ukrainian drone attacks,” the source said.

Asian gasoline prices have weakened slightly as the regional market remained balanced amid ample supplies and steady regional demand, the source added.

“Looking ahead, prices are likely to firm up as balances across global gasoline markets are tightening amid the peak Northern Hemisphere summer demand season and supply constraints due to refinery maintenance and run cuts,” the source said.

The source added that the July 7 Iranian strikes directly targeting vessels attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz outside its officially approved route, the ensuing retaliatory strikes by the U.S., and the revocation of sanctions relief for Iranian oil exports by the U.S. have supported prices.

“Prices rose further due to renewed

fears of supply disruption after the U.S. launched strikes on Iran on July 9, with Iran responding with attacks on U.S. infrastructure in neighboring Gulf states. The military strikes in the Middle East continue to expose the ongoing risk to supply, and the latest escalation in the U.S.-Iran war has dimmed the prospect of having a lasting peace deal,” the source said. On July 7, oil firms announced domestic price increases ranging from P0.20 to P0.25 per liter for gasoline, P3.20 to P3.57 per liter for diesel, and P1.70 to P3.70 per liter for kerosene.

The adjustment marked the 27th price movement this year, resulting in a yearto-date total net increase of P45.27 per liter for gasoline, P35.13 per liter for diesel and P32.42 per liter for kerosene.

ICC scraps status confab on Rody trial, says nothing to discuss

By Katrina Manubay

THE International Criminal Court

concerned government agencies and stakeholders. Charles Dantes

THE Civil Service Commission (CSC) has issued new guidelines expanding the Career Service Eligibility-Preference Rating (CSE-PR) program, allowing more qualified government workers to earn additional points in the Career Service Examination (CSE).

(ICC) Trial Chamber has canceled the status conference scheduled for July 14 in the crime against humanity case versus former President Rodrigo Duterte, according to an order issued by the tribunal. In a statement, the ICC said it does not have specific matters to discuss as of this time.

“The Chamber decided as such in light of the parties and participants indicating that they do not have specific matters which require attention at this stage of the proceeding,” the statement read.

The next status conference is scheduled on September 16, and his trial is set to commence on November 30.

CIDG tightens visits by allies on Marcoleta at PNP hospital

By Maricel V. Cruz and Vince Lopez

A SANDIGANBAYAN justice has questioned the Philippine National Police (PNP) why Vice President Sara Duterte and Senator Robinhood Padilla were allowed visit Senator Rodante Marcoleta despite the detained lawmaker’s communicable disease.

In response the, PNP-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) it would strictly regulate visitations on Marcoleta.

The police health service, through Lt. Col. Benaly Bayani, chief of PNP General Hospital’s Internal Medicine Department, earlier said that Marcoleta was suffering from pneumonia, a communicable disease; and was in isolation.

Sandigan Associate Justice Ronald

Moreno asked why Marcoleta was allowed to receive visitors.

“He has pneumonia. Why are we allowing him to be visited by several individuals? He is under your care,” Moreno said.

The court ordered the arrest of Marcoleta last July 6 in light of a P75-million plunder case filed against him arising from alleged undeclared campaign donations.

CIDG Metro Manila chief Col. John Guiagui confirmed to reporters at Camp Crame that he was among those summoned by the Sandiganbayan pertaining to the visitations on Marcoleta.

He said given the medical status of Marcoleta, only two persons were allowed to visit the senator, and they were personally requested by Marcoleta himself.

Earlier this month, the ICC Trial Chamber III partially approved the prosecution’s request for the Registry to provide items obtained during the arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte in the Philippines.

ICC prosecutors have accused Duterte of three counts of crimes against humanity, citing his alleged involvement in at least 76 murders between 2013 and 2018 as part of his “war on drugs.”

The 81-year-old former leader will be the first Asian former head of state to stand trial at the ICC, which prosecutes individuals for the world’s most serious offenses such as war crimes and crimes against humanity.

CSC Resolution No. 2600729, promulgated on May 25, 2026, consolidates existing policies and broadens the coverage of the program to include Temporary Appointees and Government Interns, in addition to previously covered workers. CSC chairperson Marilyn B. Yap said Friday the omnibus guidelines harmonize earlier issuances to make the program easier to understand and implement.

By Charles Dantes

MALACAÑANG on Friday rejected

Vice President Sara Duterte’s call for government officials to stop engaging in politics and instead focus on governance, saying transparency and accountability are constitutional obligations that cannot be abandoned.

The

‘AI can never decide court cases’

By Pot Chavez

ARTIFICIAL intelligence can assist the judiciary but should never be allowed to decide court cases, Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Marvic

M.V.F. Leonen said.

Speaking during the briefing

“Digitalization & Artificial Intelligence in the Courts of Justice” at the Supreme Court Session Hall in Baguio City, Leonen emphasized that AI remains a tool to support, not replace, human judgment.

The briefing brought together trial court judges, clerks of court, legal researchers, and court stenographers from across the

Expert warns vs. single-cause explanations for school violence

By Cass Nuestro and Ratziel San Juan

A CHILD protection specialist of the Philippine Pediatric Society (PPS) warned against “single-cause explanations” and simply implementing a “list of prohibitions” to address school violence in the country.

“So what are we saying on the recent incidents of school violence?

For the PPS, we caution against single-cause explanations, because it is rarely, rarely just about one act, one game, one device, or one exposure,” Dr. Princess Gairanod said during the Senate Committee on Basic Education hearing on July 9.

“And the patients we see, the risks actually compound or accumulate. It’s a mixture of bullying, isolation, distress, unsafe online spaces, weak reporting systems, and access to weapons that may interact with children who are already high risks,” she added.

Instead of enforcing blanket bans, the specialist suggested a range of comprehensive solutions.

“We respectfully recommend that it should not just be a list of prohibitions. It should be an operational child safety framework,” Gairanod said.

Cordillera region as part of the judiciary’s Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations 2022-2027, which aims to modernize court operations through technology. Leonen said digitalization, or the shift from paper-based to digital systems, is different from AI, which he described as “a machine for prediction” with inherent limitations.

He cited the AI-powered transcription tool Scriptix, used by court stenographers, as an example of technology being used under human supervision.

“No matter how accurate the transcript is, the stenographer will still look over it and make sure that it is accurate,” Leonen said.

At present, Scriptix, a voice-to-text transcription application, is the only AI tool authorized for use in the judiciary.

Any additional AI applications must first obtain approval from the Supreme Court en banc.

Earlier this year, a US judge found fabricated quotes in a lawyer’s brief, to which the attorney admitted he had

used Claude, an artificial intelligence chatbot, to write the document.

That got him a fine and a mandatory course on how to use AI properly.

According to French lawyer Damien Charlotin, AI-generated blunders do not necessarily destroy a lawyer’s case.

“The lawyer’s credibility is in tatters –but there are cases where lawyers still win, despite the hallucinations, because they were right on the merits,” he explained.

But there are other issues.

Judge Linda Kevins of New York State’s Supreme Court warned in a January ruling that such blunders wasted the time and money of both the opposing party and the court.

IN BRIEF

Gov’t nabs P14.29m shabu at NAIA facility

GOVERNMENT authorities intercepted a shipment containing an estimated P14.29 million worth of suspected shabu at a cargo facility at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), officials said.

The operation was carried out by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), the NAIA Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group, the Customs Anti-Illegal Drugs Task Force, the Philippine National Police (PNP) Aviation Security Group, the Airport Police Department, the PNP Drug Enforcement Group, the National Bureau of Investigation, and the Bureau of Immigration.

Authorities intercepted the parcel, which originated from Cambodia, after PDEA flagged it based on derogatory information.

The shipment, declared as “Plastics and Ropes,” underwent a 100-percent physical inspection, during which authorities discovered 2,102 grams of suspected shabu concealed inside several spools of rope. Vito Barcelo

DPWH repairs damaged Maharlika highway part

THE Department of Public Works and Highways carried out emergency maintenance works on a damaged section of the Maharlika Highway in Parang, Maguindanao del Norte after a flash flood affected a newlyasphalted portion of the road.

Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon said maintenance personnel promptly cleared the damaged asphalt to restore safe passage for motorists and pedestrians.

He said the flash flood caused the separation of layers of freshly laid asphalt that had not yet completed the required curing period.

The DPWH assured the public the affected section will undergo full restoration once weather conditions improve. Vito Barcelo

De Lima seeks halfway houses in every LGU

A BILL was filed at the House of Representatives seeking to establish halfway houses or safe shelters in every city and province for survivors of gender-based violence and other forms of abuse.

In filing House Bill 10044 or the “Bahay Kanlungan Act of 2026,” House Senior Deputy Minority Leader and Mamamayang Liberal party-list Rep. Leila de Lima sought to ensure that all survivors, regardless of gender, age, or sexual orientation, have immediate access to protection, temporary shelter, and support services to help them recover and rebuild their lives.

“A nationwide halfway house system would provide a more inclusive and rehabilitative mechanism to protect survivors of violence and those vulnerable to abuse,” De Lima said. Maricel Cruz

ASEAN foreign chiefs to meet with Myanmar counterpart

By Katrina Manubay

FOREIGN ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will hold their first “informal” in-person meeting on July 12 with Myanmar’s representative, U Tin Maung Swe, since the 2021 military coup, to advance the bloc’s engagement with Naypyidaw

under the Five-Point Consensus.

In a statement on Friday, the Department of Foreign Affairs said that the Philippines, serving as ASEAN chair, will convene the informal dialogue in Thailand hosted by Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkow.

“This comes after the ASEAN Leaders during the 48th ASEAN

Lawyers offer help on NCAP info campaign

By Pot Chavez

A GROUP of lawyers and paralegals will seek an audience with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to assist in disseminating information about the government agency’s No Contact Apprehension Policy (NCAP).

Lawyer Juman Paa said he respects and submits to the Supreme Court’s decision on NCAP, noting that their petition gave voice to legitimate grievances and sentiments of motorists.

“Despite the lifting of the TRO, I still believe that the NCAP policy of the LGUs should be revisited and amended to address the valid and pressing concerns raised in the petitions filed before the highest tribunal to ensure a fair and reasonable traffic management and enforcement

law that is transparent and accountable to the public,” he said.

“Thus, it is only proper that LGUs defer the reimplementation of the questioned NCAP policies until such time that additional safeguards have been employed to prevent abuse and misuse of NCAP,” he added. Paa urged the national government and the LGUs to improve traffic safety by enhancing markings, signage, and stoplights with timers to better aid motorists on the road.

On Thursday, the High Court announced its decision dismissing the consolidated petitions challenging the NCAP in Metro Manila for being moot following the adoption of a new and uniform traffic enforcement framework under the Metro Manila Traffic Code of 2023 (MMTC 2023).

Summit in Cebu tasked the ASEAN foreign ministers to continue discussions on how ASEAN may continue constructive and principled engagement with Myanmar, while staying true to the principles of the Five-Point Consensus,” the DFA said.

Following the 48th ASEAN Summit in Cebu, President Ferdinand Marcos

Jr. said that members were “frustrated” by the years-long failure to successfully implement the bloc’s five-point peace plan, suggesting a “fine-tuning” was in order. The DFA also announced that the bloc will listen to a briefing from U Tin Maung Swe on developments in Myanmar, noting that Myanmar remains an integral part of the ASEAN family.

OPINION

How the Senate turned an Impeachment Trial into a Constitutional Suicide Pact

WELCOME to the grandest burlesque in Philippine political theater.

Forget the Vice President on trial—the real spectacle is watching the Senate transform from a chamber of sober deliberation into a Constitutional casino, where the house rules are rewritten mid-game, the dealer is also a player, and the only guarantee is that the loser will scream “void ab initio” into every microphone within a five-kilometer radius.

At the center of this slow-motion disaster sits Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero, elevated to presiding officer of the impeachment court by a rule amendment adopted in the same June 3 “rump session” that toppled the previous Senate President.

Let us state this plainly: the man who supplied the decisive vote in the leadership coup was rewarded with a gavel and a custommade throne.

He then ruled, from that very throne, on an objection to his own authority to sit there—a violation of nemo judex in causa sua (no one should be a judge in his own cause) that would make first-year law students weep into their codals.

International law consultant Melissa Loja has weaponized the 1986 Constitutional Commission records, arguing that the famous Monsod-Davide exchange proves the framers understood the Senate President to preside over all impeachment trials except the President’s.

Her argument is not frivolous. The Supreme Court itself has relied on precisely this methodology.

But Loja, a specialist in maritime disputes and ICC jurisdiction, is performing open-heart surgery on domestic Constitutional law, and her void ab initio maximalism glosses over a difficult question: does a defect in presiding-officer designation truly extinguish the Senate’s plenary impeachment jurisdiction?

Yet the Senate majority’s textualist defense—”the Constitution doesn’t say the Senate President shall preside”—is a confession dressed as an argument.

The Constitution doesn’t say the impeachment court can’t elect a reality TV host either, but the framers’ recorded understanding of their own work product ought to carry more weight than the silence-as-permission sophistry of a transient 12-8 majority.

The Supreme Court’s passivity is institutionally incomprehensible.

Three full trial days have elapsed without a TRO, without a status quo ante order, without even a sternly worded statement that it’s watching. Every hour the trial proceeds under Escudero’s gavel multiplies the practical cost of eventual nullification. The Court seems to be hoping the political branches will clean

up their own Constitutional vomit so the judiciary doesn’t have to stain its ermine.

Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian, the man who should be wielding the gavel under 40 years of unbroken practice, has abdicated.

His demurral to Escudero can be read as principled institutionalism—or as a riskaverse tactician outsourcing constitutional exposure to a colleague because his own claim to the presidency, born of the same legally-septic June 3 session, remains under Supreme Court challenge.

—“—

The rule of law cannot survive a scenario where a 12-8 majority turns an impeachment trial into Constitutional Russian roulette

Alan Peter Cayetano’s bloc, meanwhile, has undergone an almost religious conversion to originalist Constitutionalism that is as convenient as it is vociferous. Principle and self-interest have merged into indistinguishable gray sludge.

Vice President Duterte boycotts the trial physically while her lawyers litigate furiously in the Supreme Court, waving the bloody shirt of 32 million votes.

Her legal team’s laser focus on the presiding-officer question reveals the strategy: create a pre-fabricated nullification argument, preserve it meticulously, and deploy it the instant any adverse ruling emerges.

The resolution requires no Supreme Court intervention. Gatchalian must immediately assume the chair himself, ex abundanti cautela (out of abundant caution) without conceding the Constitutional issue.

Material rulings made by Escudero should be reconsidered de novo. This would cauterize the wound and protect any verdict from post-hoc nullification.

If the Senate refuses, the High Court must stop acting like a deer in the headlights and issue provisional clarity.

The rule of law cannot survive a scenario where a 12-8 majority turns an impeachment trial into Constitutional Russian roulette, where the only certainty is that someone will walk away screaming the chamber was empty.

The framers gave us a Constitution, not a self-destruct button. It is time someone remembered which was which.

May the rule of law rise on the third day.

Batanes is Filipino: No narrative can rewrite our sovereignty

By Jose Antonio Goitia

BATANES has never needed another nation to tell it where it belongs.

As I look at our northernmost province, I see a truth that has been evident for generations: the Ivatan people have lived under the Philippine flag, upheld Philippine laws, elected Philippine leaders, and helped build our Republic.

Batanes became part of the Filipino nation long before today’s geopolitical tensions flared, woven into our fabric through its history, its people, and its enduring loyalty to the Philippines.

Batanes did not become Filipino by mere declaration. It became Filipino through generations of people who built their lives, raised their families, and cast their votes as citizens of this Republic.

The Danger of Revisionist Scholarship

This is why recent attempts to question that reality should concern every Filipino. It is not because these claims change the facts, but because repeated falsehoods have a dangerous way of influencing international perception if left unchecked.

The recent assertions by Chinese scholars claiming that Batanes belongs to China deserve a firm, measured response from us.

While I always welcome honest academic inquiry, I cannot stay silent when scholarship is weaponized—selectively interpreting history to cast doubt on another nation’s sovereignty. Scholarship that seeks genuine truth de-

serves respect; scholarship that begins with a predetermined conclusion and works backward to justify it deserves our utmost scrutiny.

Some analysts argue that because Batanes is geographically closer to Taiwan, or because the Ivatan and Tao peoples share ancient cultural ties, the map should be redrawn.

Scholarship that seeks genuine truth deserves respect; scholarship that begins with a predetermined conclusion and works backward to justify it deserves our utmost scrutiny

Others point to archaic maps to support a different conclusion. These points may invite lively academic discussion, but let me be clear: they do not change the facts on the ground, nor do they lower the flag flying proudly over them.

The facts are ironclad: No sovereign state, international treaty, or international court has ever recognized Batanes as Chi-

Beijing’s ‘lawfare’ fails at the Bashi Channel

THE recent valorous assertions by Chinese academics that the Philippines’ northernmost province of Batanes rightfully belongs to China amount to nothing more than calculated lawfare and disinformation.

Dismissed by Defense Secretary Gil-

berto Teodoro Jr. and leading security analysts as a foolish attempt to expand China’s strategic footprint, this false narrative demands a unified and unyielding national response.

While Chinese government officials have not formally claimed Batanes, the fact was state-affiliated Chinese academics, who gathered at Jinan University in Guangdong, asserted in their June 30 symposium that Batanes belongs to China through Taiwan.

They published their findings in July, claiming the islands are a natural geographic extension of Taiwan and arguing the Philippines’ administration lacks historical and legal basis.

Secretary Teodoro Jr. on Thursday called the claims that Batanes belongs to China, by way of Taiwan, as “baseless and ludicrous,” saying all academics should immediately debunk the theory.

For years, highly respected security experts like Prof. Jay Batongbacal have consistently warned that Beijing’s territorial ambitions are not confined to the West Philippine Sea.

By attempting to link Batanes – an important, strategically positioned province lying just 160 kilometers south of Taiwan – to China through Taiwan, Beijing is executing a coordinated information operation, which should be challenged.

This is designed to test the waters of

international law, psychological warfare, and ultimately signal a preconceived intention to control what geopolitical analysts describe as the critical maritime passages of the Luzon Strait and the broader Pacific Ocean.

The attempt to swallow our northern islands is a threat to the entire region’s stability

Another security analyst, Dr. Chester Cabalza, president and founder of the International Development and Security Cooperation, said Batanes has long been an integral part of the Philippines, adding the academics’ assertion has no historical or legal basis and reflects Beijing’s broader territorial goals.

“I come from Region 2 in Cagayan, and Batanes is part of Cagayan Valley,” Cabalza told Manila Standard, underscoring the province’s established place within Philippine territory. Such insults cannot be dismissed as mere academic introspective thoughts. As Secretary Teodoro correctly pointed out, these claims originate from a highly con-

THE nation is captivated by the impeachment trial of Sara Duterte. For the foreseeable future, a good number of our weekday afternoons will be spent watching or listening to what goes on in the Senate. The public has not yet witnessed the “bloodbath” that the VP once promised. We hope it doesn’t come. And that is all right - we do not wish for something so dramatic and so violent. We have seen enough histrionics posing as passion for the job. Drama keeps us from seeing things clearly.

The trial has been able to provide the public a glimpse of the motivations and competencies of the senator-judges. You can tell much about a person from the way they ask questions. We have to remember the way they behave when they are courting our votes again for the next elections.

We have also seen how the first witness stood scrutiny. Senior National Bureau of Investigation agent John Mark Calilung is a good first example: humble and unassuming, and yet consistent and unfazed. We wonder how the dozens of others will conduct themselves when it is their turn to be questioned by both sides.

Aside from the public prosecutors, we have also been getting to know the private prosecutors and the defense lawyers. Most Filipinos did not have an idea who lawyers Armando Virgil Ligutan or CJ Narvasa were before this week. Listening to them conduct themselves gave us a good idea of what they could and could not do. Law students and other enthusiasts, even those who simply like watching fictional courtroom drama, found their interaction interesting and instructive. We hope to learn as much – how tos and how not tos -from the other lawyers we have yet to hear in

nese territory.

From Spanish colonial rule through the American administration and into our independent Republic, Batanes has remained under continuous, uninterrupted Philippine governance. The burden of proof rests not on the Philippines, but on those seeking to rewrite an established reality.

Maps Record History—They Do Not Create It

Sovereignty is established by history, affirmed by law, sustained by governance, and defended by the will of a people. No old map—whether drawn by colonial administrators, foreign militaries, or private cartographers—can override that. Maps record history; they do not create it, nor do they determine modern borders.

When maps are used to rewrite history instead of understand it, they cease to be educational tools and become instruments of propaganda. A nation’s sovereignty is not determined by proximity, propaganda, or po-

trolled society and are classic instruments of state-sponsored disinformation. Allowing these baseless assertions to go unchallenged plays into a dangerous geopolitical playbook. When China casually suggests ownership over internationally recognized Philippine territory, they are attempting to normalize the erosion of our sovereign rights.

The defense chief’s firm dismissal of this rhetoric as baseless and “outlandish narratives” sets the necessary tone for our national security posture.

But pushing back against this “lawfare” requires a concerted, multi-pronged strategy.

First, the Philippines must continue to bolster its physical, diplomatic, and military presence in Batanes.

Second, we must amplify the voices of our local security analysts and legal experts to debunk China’s historical revisionism on the global stage.

The international community must recognize this gambit for what it is. Batanes is, and always has been, an integral part of the Republic of the Philippines.

Our allies and international partners –many of whom already participate in joint military exercises in this crucial gateway – must stand with Manila in rejecting these territorial falsehoods and invented stories.

We must not be alarmed by these tactics, as they are entirely expected in the current geopolitical climate.

But we must remain hyper-vigilant and uncompromising. The attempt to swallow our northern islands is a threat to the entire region’s stability.

Calling out these unfounded narratives loudly, clearly, and immediately is our best defense against Beijing’s creeping imperialism.

Courtroom drama

the coming weeks. OVP Chief of Staff Zuleika Lopez warned us on Thursday: Prepare for Typhoon Inday. And indeed there was a supertyphoon named Inday threatening to wreak havoc on many places in the country. But of course she was not talking about the weather. Her principal, the Vice President, was whom she was talking about. It remains a guessing game whether or not Ms. Duterte will appear next week or in the coming days – but then again, they seem to thrive in giving the public a surprise. It is in the best interests of the VP to show up. It’s good optics, because it would make it appear she respects the process. A badly needed bonus is that it could also make her lawyers perform better.

—“—

May the trial bring out our capacity to think, our disgust for performative governance, and our clamor for genuine public service

Everyone can go on and on talking about that day’s events, highlights of the arguments, even the lack or abundance of evidence. But ultimately, the outcome will be determined by the senator-judges. Early on, the presiding officer Senator-judge Francis Escudero said that 16 votes are needed to convict the Vice President, even as there are only 21 senator-judges sitting in court. Two are in jail for plunder, and one is still much of a coward to come out of hiding. “Two thirds of all members” is the legal way, I suppose. Oh well. Nobody among the framers envisioned that there might be senators jailed for corruption or evading arrest for commiting crimes against humanity. But I hope somebody challenges this decision. As things stand today, 16 is a long way to go. Has the die been cast? We turn next to those who might be persuaded, not really to change their minds and move to the other side of the political fence, but those who might at least be reasonable enough to appreciate the evidence that would be laid out in front of their eyes. Is it wishful thinking to believe senators could shed any political ties and just look at the proof? They are, after all, ultimately beholden to their constituents whose voice and interests

litical convenience. Today, competition among nations extends far beyond military hardware and economic leverage. It is a war of ideas, fought through narratives that shape global opinion. This is exactly why historical accuracy matters, and why we, as a nation, must defend the truth of our own history with quiet confidence. A Resolve That Cannot Be Broken I commend the Philippine government for standing firm in protecting our territorial integrity. I likewise recognize the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine Coast Guard, the Department of National Defense, the Department of Foreign Affairs, and the dedicated public servants who defend our national interests daily with professionalism and diplomacy.

Our response to revisionist narratives must be neither anger nor fear. Instead, we must display unshakeable confidence in our history and the legitimacy of our sovereignty.

The Philippines has never sought another nation’s territory. We ask only that what is rightfully ours be respected through dialogue, mutual respect, and the rules-based international order. Batanes is not merely our northern frontier. It is the enduring bond between a nation and its people—a profound symbol of our national identity. That bond cannot be broken by revisionist narratives because it has been forged through history, strengthened by freedom, and carried in the hearts of generations of Filipinos.

That truth has never been in question. What is being tested today is our resolve to defend it.

(The writer, who holds a Juris Doctor, PhD, MNSA, MPA, and MBA degrees, is the Chairman Emeritus of Alyansa ng Bantay sa Kapayapaan at Demokrasya, People’s Alliance for Democracy and Reforms, Liga Independencia Pilipinas, and the Filipinos Do Not Yield Movement).

Death toll from Venezuela’s twin quakes rises to 3,889

CARACAS – The death toll from the powerful twin tremors that struck Venezuela two weeks ago has risen to at least 3,889, a government report published Thursday (Friday, Manila time) stated.

Nearly 17,000 people were injured in the 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes on June 24, while almost 18,000 more lost their homes.

The death toll rose from 3,811 to 3,889 on Thursday, according to a report from National Assembly chief Jorge Rodriguez posted on Telegram.

Interim leader Delcy Rodriguez on Wednesday called for the release of Venezuelan funds

frozen abroad to help the country cope with the disaster.

The United Nations is meanwhile trying to raise some $300 million in recovery funds for Venezuela.

The South American country is also negotiating with the International Monetary Fund to unblock its financial assets, according to IMF spokesperson Julie Kozack.

In the hardest-hit coastal area of La Guaira, over 800 buildings sustained damage while 190 collapsed entirely.

While rescue teams were abandoning the search for survivors a fortnight after the disaster struck, some families had not given up hope of finding their loved ones.

Ciro Ocando believes he has located the spot where his teenage sons are buried under mountains of rubble in Playa Grande in the city of La Guaira.

He, like many others, just wants to find the bodies of his boys aged 13 and 18, having accepted that their chances of survival are nonexistent at this stage.

“I’m in the right place, but there are a lot of obstacles,” he told AFP, using his own tools to dig through the debris. AFP

Florida airport renamed ‘Trump’ in latest push to expand his brand

WEST PALM BEACH – A Florida airport was renamed after Donald Trump on Thursday, accelerating a push by the US president and supporters to plaster his name and image on everything from national landmarks to banknotes.

“This will soon be one of the Greatest and Most Spectacular Airports anywhere in the World!” Trump said in a Truth Social post late Thursday reacting to the change.

The Republican leader’s son Eric celebrated by landing in the private family Boeing 757 -- socalled “Trump Force One” -- at what had been known as Palm Beach International Airport for nearly half a century.

“A beautiful day,” a grinning Eric Trump said on Fox News at the newly minted President Donald J. Trump International Airport, a short drive from the family’s Mar-a-Lago golf resort and compound.

The airport renaming was signed into law by Florida’s Republican governor, Ron DeSantis.

“I don’t think there’s anybody more synonymous with Palm Beach than Donald Trump and maybe all of Florida,” Eric Trump said.

He pointed out that the main road leading out of

the airport is already called “President Donald J. Trump Boulevard.”

And now anyone flying into Palm Beach will have a ticket where “you’re going to see ‘DJT’ in perpetuity.”

Travelers at the airport Thursday were divided on the name change.

Corporate pilot Chris Bailey welcomed the switch, telling AFP that Trump has “certainly done enough to warrant a name of an airport.”

But some were hostile.

“Palm Beach is a better brand. People don’t really like Donald Trump,” John Manov, a doctor, said. “It seems in poor taste.”

Breaking the long-held US tradition against celebrating living figures -- and particularly serving presidents -- on currency and buildings, the Trump name and image are spreading rapidly.

Officials, including US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, unveiled the new Donald J. Trump Bridge in Tennessee on Thursday.

“The Tennessee license plate used to have a sign on it, or a little motto that said, ‘Follow me to Tennessee,’” Bessent said. “Now, everyone who follows those cars is going to go across the Donald J. Trump Bridge on the I-40.” AFP

Burnham on track to be UK PM as scores of Labor MPs back leadership candidacy

LONDON – Veteran politician Andy Burnham was on track Friday to become Britain’s next prime minister as hundreds of Labor lawmakers formally nominated him to succeed Keir Starmer as party leader.

The 56-year-old is the only member of parliament from the UK’s ruling party to publicly declare themselves a candidate to replace Starmer, who announced he was quitting last month.

Burnham appeared on course to be crowned Labour leader unchallenged after the party announced that 322 of its 403 MPs had backed him on the first day of nominations on Thursday.

“It is all starting to feel very real,” Burnham said in a social media video posted shortly after the process opened. With 322 nominations, he seemed on an unstoppable path to the Labour leadership and thus

the premiership, as there is very little chance for another challenger to get the 81 signatures required to join the race.

Nominations close on July 16. In the absence of a contest, Burnham will be crowned Labour leader -- and prime minister in waiting -- at a special conference the following day.

He would then replace Starmer at 10, Downing Street on July 20 after meeting King Charles III, becoming Britain’s seventh prime minister in a decade.

“There’s no one else,” one Labour MP told AFP on condition of anonymity after nominating Burnham.

In a post on Facebook, Burnham said he was

IN BRIEF

– At least 12 people died in a wildfire near Almeria in southern Spain late Thursday, regional authorities said, adding some of the victims were found in vehicles.

The deaths took place in the hamlet of Bedar, the regional government said in a statement, saying around 150 firefighters were battling the blaze which broke out as temperatures soared.

The fire injured at least six people, including a woman who suffered burns and another person with smoke inhalation who were taken to hospital.

The four others were treated at the scene for minor burns and respiratory problems caused by heavy smoke.

Witnesses told authorities the blaze may have started after a power line fell, igniting dry vegetation before spreading rapidly through surrounding woodland.

Authorities have not confirmed the cause of the fire.

Roads were closed and residents evacuated as the fire spread, with about 50 people housed in a cultural centre. AFP

BRASILIA, Brazil – Colombia’s outgoing President Gustavo Petro on Thursday (Friday, Manila time) promised a “peaceful transition” to his elected successor Abelardo de la Espriella after calling for protests before the right-winger takes power. Petro, a combative leftist who was barred constitutionally from seeking a second term, claims that De la Espriella’s victory last month was the result of election fraud, without providing proof. He has called for protests on July 20, ahead of De la Espriella’s August 7 inauguration.

The tough-talking president-elect has accused Petro of “coup” plotting and has broken off cooperation with the outgoing government on the transition of power. In a telephone conservation Thursday with fellow left-winger, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of Brazil, Petro toned down his rhetoric. He confirmed that he would remain in office until August 6, as planned, and “reaffirmed his commitment to democracy and a peaceful transition in the country,” the Brazilian government said. AFP

“The

Mbappe, Dembele fire France past Morocco into semifinals

LOS ANGELES—France underscored their status as the World Cup’s team to beat on Thursday, overpowering African champions Morocco with a clinical 2-0 win to book their third consecutive semifinal appearance.

Kylian Mbappe curled in his eighth goal of the tournament on 60 minutes before Ousmane Dembele doubled Les Bleus’ lead six minutes later to complete a drama-free victory at the Gillette Stadium outside Boston.

The win sends the 2018 champions into the last four, where they will face either Spain or Belgium at the Dallas Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas next Tuesday.

“I think that is three consecutive semi-finals, so that’s already a good thing. It seems logical and natural, but you still have to achieve it,” France coach Didier Deschamps said.

“Obviously, I have great players, otherwise we wouldn’t get there, but it’s good.”

Morocco had been tipped to pose a serious threat to France’s hopes of

reaching a third consecutive World Cup final.

But Deschamps’ men were always in control against toothless opponents who failed to register a single shot on goal until the 83rd minute, when Azzedine Ounahi’s long-range strike was parried away by France goalkeeper Mike Maignan. France struggled to find an early breakthrough, and missed the opportunity to take the lead on 28 minutes when Mbappe had a penalty saved by Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou. Mbappe had won the spot-kick after being brought down by Noussair Mazraoui but was forced to wait several minutes before being allowed to take the penalty after a protracted VAR check. Morocco managed to hold out to halftime but it was always only a matter of

time before France’s relentless pressure paid off.

The breakthrough came on the hour mark, with Mbappe bending a brilliant right-foot shot past Bounou from the edge of the area.

Paris Saint-Germain star Dembele made the game safe in the 66th minute, striding forward menacingly from midfield before steering a low finish into the bottom corner.

Mbappe, who was substituted and received treatment for a minor ankle knock, later played down France’s favourites tag, insisting the team’s bid to win a third World Cup was far from complete.

“We are in the semi-finals and we are very pleased. There is still a long way to go and we are aware that what awaits is going to be even harder, but we are ready,” Mbappe said.

Referee chief hits back Spain, who have not conceded a single goal so far, eliminated Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal in the last 16 and will fancy their chances of overcoming Belgium, who thrashed United States 4-1 to reach the last eight.

Belgium coach Rudi Garcia sounded a defiant note on the eve of Friday’s game, adamant that it was ill-advised to underestimate a Red Devils side that have gradually built momentum.

“Everyone is already talking about us going home. But we think that we can do it,” Garcia said.

“We think we can pull it off, and we’re going to do everything we can to get to the semis.”

On the other side of the draw, holders Argentina face Switzerland in Kansas City on Saturday after staggering into the quarter-finals.

The South Americans, aiming to become the first back-to-back champions since Brazil in 1962, advanced to the quarter-finals after an incredible escape against Egypt in the previous round, recovering from a 2-0 deficit to win 3-2.

The victory saw a string of refereeing decisions go in Argentina’s favour, prompting claims from Egypt coach Hossam Hassan that World Cup referees were unfairly favouring the South Americans due to “external” pressure. AFP

Running together takes on a deeper meaning in Montalban

By Nathaniel T. Dela Cruz

ADULT runners gathered at the starting line just outside Wawa National High School a few minutes before the 3:00 a.m. gun start of the 21-kilometer category of the Montalban Mountain Run Series (MMRS) Leg 1.

It was a familiar pre-race scene. Veterans of countless mountain races stood alongside first-timers chasing a new challenge. Beneath a sky that had yet to surrender to dawn, the glow of hundreds of headlamps provided the only light as runners took photos and recorded videos.

Screens glowed as runners checked their GPS watches and tracking apps, making sure they had locked onto satellite signals before the start. Every kilometer, climb, descent, and finish would soon become part of a digital log. Recording the route is as much a part of the ritual as pinning on a race bib.

As the saying among runners goes, “Strava or it didn’t happen.”

Of the 125 runners gathered beneath the pre-dawn sky, only four were children. Smaller in frame and with shorter legs than the adults surrounding them, they looked out of place at the starting line of a 21-kilometer mountain race.

They weren’t. It would have been easy to underestimate them or to worry about their safety. After all, the course would take them over steep ascents, technical descents, and rugged trails that have challenged even experienced trail runners.

Two and a half hours later, Joe Ross Simangan crossed the finish line. Ten minutes later came Jhon Benedict Solina. Before four hours had elapsed, all four children had completed the 21-kilometer race. Their performances were remarkable even by adult standards. Overall champion Jhanzel Demaisip won the race in 2:18:31. Simangan’s finishing time was good enough for fourth place among the entire field, regardless of age.

When the 10-kilometer race got underway at 6:00 a.m., another 19 children raced alongside adult runners, reinforcing what the local community has long known: in Montalban, seeing children run the mountains is the most natural thing. It is part of the culture. Many of these young runners are expected to return when MMRS Leg 2 is held on August 16.

Children, after all, are born to move, to run, climb, explore and wander. But not every child grows up with mountains as a backyard. In Montalban, trails begin just beyond their homes. Dirt paths wind beneath towering trees, streams cut across the route, and the sounds of birds and insects replace the noise of traffic. For many young residents, the mountains are not an

feels within reach.

The local trail running community has long recognized that spark in Montalban’s children. Rather than simply admire it, they have chosen to nurture it.

Their support goes beyond organizing races. They volunteer their time, conduct training sessions, and provide opportunities for young runners to develop. Sometimes, that support begins with something as simple yet as meaningful as brandnew competition uniforms or a new pair of running shoes.

Earlier this month, 30 studentathletes from Wawa National High School received brand-new running shoes. The initiative was made possible through the generosity of trail runners Joy Padua and Eli Padua, together with Sinaunang

intimidating racecourse. They are simply where childhood unfolds.

As they grow older, play gradually gives way to purpose. Children in Montalban grow up watching two kinds of runners. Before sunrise, they see road runners logging kilometers along the town’s paved roads. On weekends, they watch trail runners disappear into the mountains, returning hours later covered in mud, dust, and stories from the trails. They do not simply see athletes in training. They see what is possible.

Week after week, runners from Montalban and from across the country gather to challenge the same mountains the children have known all their lives. Watching them makes the trails feel less distant, and the idea of becoming a runner suddenly

Events and Team HEYA led by Coach Heya.

“We’re not just organizing races. We also want to help the children in our community,” Coach Heya said. “This is already our third year.”

The ceremony itself was simple; no fanfare, no grand speeches. But the excitement inside the classroom was unmistakable. As the studentathletes received their new shoes, smiles spread across their faces. They carefully examined their pairs, compared them with teammates, and spoke excitedly about the races ahead. In just a few days, these shoes would be put to the test at the Municipal Meet, a symbol not only of the hopes of the young athletes but also the encouragement of a community that believes in them.

Andaya shoots for elusive 5150 Bohol crown

The community’s efforts have already begun bearing fruit. Among the young athletes supported through the program is Barbie Jane C. Jaromay, who enjoyed a breakthrough 2026 season. She struck gold in both the 400-meter and 800-meter events at the Regional Athletic Association Meet in Batangas City, while also collecting three silver medals in the 1,500 meters, 4x100-meter relay, and 4x400-meter relay. Representing Team CALABARZON at the 2026 Palarong Pambansa, Jaromay followed that performance with a silver medal in the elementary girls’ 800-meter run and a bronze in the 4x400-meter relay. But medals are not what define the effort.

For every Barbie Jane whose name reaches the podium, there are dozens of children who simply discover confidence, discipline, friendship, and a sense of belonging through running. That is why trail running organizer Sinaunang Events continues to organize races like the Montalban Mountain Run Series. Every event helps sustain a culture where experienced runners willingly mentor beginners, where children are welcomed into the sport, and where giving back is simply part of being a runner. In many places, a race begins and ends at the finish line. The venue is simply where runners gather before moving on to the next event on the calendar. Not Montalban. Here, it is a meeting place where competition merges with camaraderie. Runners who arrive as strangers leave as friends of the community, welcomed in their return not as visitors, but as part of the Montalban trail running family. For the organizers and volunteers, planning the next race is never just about designing a course or marking the trails, it is also about finding new ways to give back to the community that has made those races possible. In Montalban, running is more than a sport.

It is one of the ways the community takes care of one another.

able to overcome the physicality of Gensan.” The KBL (Korean Basketball League)bound Abadiano wound up with 9 points, 2 rebounds and 2 assists, followed by Orlan Wamar, with 9 points, 7 assists and 4 rebounds as San Juan survived without Michael Phillips,

day of the 2026 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in

Filipino rowers collect medals in Thailand, Germany, Austria

By Randy M. Caluag

THE Philippine rowing team racked up an impressive medal haul in three international competitions in Thailand, Germany and Austria, highlighted by the youth squad’s dominant campaign in the 2026 Asian Rowing Beach Sprint Championships in Pattaya.

The Philippine Youth Beach Sprint team emerged as one of the tournament’s top performers after winning three gold medals, one silver and one bronze.

Em manuel Pilar spearheaded the campaign by capturing two gold medals. He ruled the Under-16 Coastal Men’s Single Sculls before teaming up with Kyle Olano to clinch the Under-16 Coastal Men’s Double Sculls title.

Khayzie Caviltes and Ayonna Huerto added another gold medal after prevailing in the Under-19 Coastal Women’s Double Sculls.

Matt Jugadora bagged the sil-

ver medal in the Under-19 Coastal Men’s Single Sculls, while Amelyn Pagulayan and Feiza Lenton settled for bronze in the Coastal Women’s Double Sculls.

The senior national team also turned in solid performances during its European training campaign.

Paris Olympian Joanie Delgaco captured the bronze medal in the Women’s Single Sculls at the 67th Internationale Ratzeburger Ruderregatta in Germany before adding two more bronze medals at the 122nd Vienna International Rowing Regatta in Austria.

Delgaco finished third in the Women’s Single Sculls and teamed

of

PRA

up with Kristine Paraon for another bronze in the Women’s Double Sculls in Vienna. Edgar Ilas delivered the Philippines’ lone gold medal in Austria after winning the Lightweight Men’s Single Sculls, while Rynjie Peñaredondo and Van Maxilom earned the

silver medal in the Men’s Pair event. The medal-filled campaign in Asia and Europe provided another boost to the Philippine rowing program as it continues to gain valuable international experience in preparation for future continental and world competitions.

Thirdy returns to Japan B.League with Toyama signing

By Jeremiah Sevilla

THIRDY Ravena is headed back to the Japan B.League after signing with the Toyama Grouses for the 2027-28 season.

Toyama announced the signing of Ravena through its social media channels on Friday, marking the athletic Filipino guard’s B.League comeback following a stint with EuroLeague club Dubai Basketball.

“I’m excited to come back to Japan and play my best for the Grouses this season,” the 29-year-old cager said.

Ravena returns to the B.League six years after making history as the first player signed under the league’s Asian Player Quota system when he joined the San-En NeoPhoenix in 2020.

The former Ateneo Blue Eagles star spent four seasons with the NeoPhoenix, earning a B.League

Go masters every test, rules Pradera

LUBAO, Pampanga – One week he tamed the mountain. The next, he conquered the plains.

From the demanding slopes and severe elevation changes of Pinewoods to the sprawling, flatter and wind-swept fairways of Pradera Verde’s Arayat course, Lloyd Go proved that truly elite players aren’t defined by the courses they play –but by how quickly they adapt.

After overpowering Pinewoods with a dominant 12-shot victory, Go showcased an entirely different brand of golf at the ICTSI Pradera Verde Championship, grinding out a pressure-packed final-round 71 to repel a relentless charge from a field loaded with champions and title contenders and complete a rare, hard-earned back-to-back title sweep on the Philippine Golf Tour. Unlike his runaway triumph in Baguio, where he virtually settled the outcome after the third round, this victory demanded everything from the Cebuano ace. The strong

winds that swept across the wideopen Arayat layout over the last two days added another layer of difficulty, while a succession of challengers repeatedly threatened to wrest control away from him.

Yet through shifting conditions, contrasting course setups and an army of pursuers, Go never blinked. He finished with a nine-underpar 279, edging veteran Tony Lascuña by one to pocket the P359,000 top prize and cement another masterclass in adaptability, composure and championship golf.

“I played very well yesterday (third round) and I played the front nine today really solid,” said Go of the strong start that kept his experienced rivals at bay. “I had a lot of chances at the back nine but I didn’t really make any putts.”

His composure and consistency were on full display as he weathered pressure from a star-studded chasing pack and challenging playing conditions to complete another impressive victory.

All-Star selection during his rookie campaign.

He capped his stint by taking the B.League Impressive Asia Player of the Year award in 2024 after averaging 12.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.0 steal per game in his final season with the club.

In July 2024, the three-time UAAP champion signed a one-year deal with Dubai Basketball, which competed in the Europe-based ABA League and featured several former NBA players.

Ravena saw limited action during the 2024-25 ABA season, appearing in 18 games and averaging 0.9 points and 0.6 rebounds. He parted ways with the club last November.

Ravena played for the Gilas Pilipinas squad that successfully defended its title in the 2025 Southeast Asian Games last December in Bangkok, Thailand.

Verde after Pinewoods

After building momentum with a superb third round, Go carried that form into the final day, making a steady start that allowed him to stay in control despite several missed opportunities on the back nine.

Czech mates Muchova, Noskova clash in Wimby final

LONDON—Karolina Muchova and Linda Noskova will put their friendship on hold when they fight for the Wimbledon title on Saturday after the Czech pair took contrasting paths to their first All England Club final.

Muchova saved a match point in a pulsating 6-2, 1-6, 7-6 (12/10) semi-final win against two-time Grand Slam champion Coco Gauff that lasted over two hours in sweltering 33C heat on Thursday.

Just hours later, Noskova followed Muchova onto Centre Court to dispatch Ukrainian 12th seed Marta Kostyuk with a dominant 6-4, 6-4 victory that took just 79 minutes. It was a remarkable day for two players who have grown close despite being at far different stages of their careers.

Muchova and Noskova have been friends for several years, bonding off the court and playing doubles together at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

“Karolina is such a great fighter, such an incredible player, but mainly she is such a great person. I’m glad I can play my first final against her,” Noskova said.

Muchova made her WTA main draw debut nine years ago and has been on the cusp of making her breakthrough at the Grand Slams several times. The 29-year-old was beaten in three sets by Iga Swiatek in her only previous major final at the 2023 French Open.

She also lost in the Australian Open semi-finals in 2021 and the last four at the US Open in 2023 and 2024.

Muchova, who had lost in the first round on her previous four appearances at Wimbledon, is at last unimpeded after suffering a multitude of injuries in recent years. In 2022, doctors told Muchova that it would be a good idea for her to quit tennis altogether, while in 2023 and 2024 right wrist surgery sidelined her for 10 months.

Muchova takes “pills, sprays, eyedrops” to manage a grass allergy, but she is no longer adverse to playing on the lawns of the All England Club.

“It’s a very special moment. It’s a great achievement,” Muchova said.

“This is one of the biggest tournaments that we have with all the history, so many legends were playing here, as well to just get to play on the Centre Court, it was so nice.”

‘Gave me the belief’

In contrast to Muchova’s litany of near-misses, Noskova is enjoying a meteoric rise.

The 21-year-old only made her Wimbledon debut in 2022 and now she is on the brink of a maiden Grand Slam title. AFP

Thunderbelles target early solo On Tour lead

Lascuña snapped a run of backside pars with a birdie on the last for a 70 and a 280 worth P234,000, his second runner-up finish after previously falling by a single stroke to Angelo Que in a dramatic late-hole duel at Caliraya Springs. Keanu Jahns also mounted a late challenge, birdieing three of five holes starting at No. 9. However, costly bogeys on Nos. 15 and 16 halted his momentum, leaving him with a 71 for solo third at 282, while erstwhile second-running Clyde Mondilla failed to recover from a front-nine 38 and faltered with a 74 for fourth at 283.

Angelo Que also struggled with a two-over-par round to finish fifth at 285, while Jhonnel Ababa matched par 72 to tie Rupert Zaragosa, who limped home with a 76, for sixth place at 286.

Randy Garalde, at joint third with Zaragosa just two strokes off Go after 54 holes, skied skied to a 79 and tumbled to 10th at 289.

ZUS Coffee hopes its impressive openingday victory was just the beginning as the Thunderbelles gun for the tournament’s first solo lead when they take on the Choco Mucho Flying Titans in the Premier Volleyball League On Tour Saturday at the Batangas City Sports Coliseum. Fresh off a confidence-boosting four-set victory over the Akari Chargers in Wednesday’s inaugurals in Ilagan City, Isabela, the Thunderbelles seek to sustain their momentum and emerge as the lone unbeaten team as the league’s six-week, province-hopping preseason spectacle makes its second stop in Batangas City – another passionate volleyball community expected to pack the venue. Gametime is at 6:30 p.m., with Galeries Tower and Farm Fresh opening the day’s twinbill at 4 p.m. in a clash featuring two teams making their first appearances in the tournament organized by Sports Vision. For ZUS Coffee, another victory would not only strengthen its position atop the early standings but also reinforce the belief that the Thunderbelles are ready to leave behind a disappointing All-Filipino Conference campaign that was largely hampered by injuries to key players. The team looked every bit rejuvenated in its 25-11, 25-23, 26-28, 25-17 victory over Akari, displaying improved chemistry, balanced scoring and renewed confidence under coach Jerry Yee.

Four players scored in double figures, led by newcomer Zam Nolasco and returning middle blocker AC Miner, who each finished with 15 points. Jolina dela Cruz contributed 12 markers, while veteran Rachel Anne Daquis rolled back the years with an 11-point effort that provided both stability and leadership. Nolasco’s strong debut came as no surprise, considering her familiarity with Yee’s system after playing for him during her collegiate days at College of St. Benilde.

By Stella Creus

THE Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) plays a vital role in driving the country’s economic growth by developing and managing ports that serve as major gateways for the movement of goods, services, and people.

As an archipelagic nation composed of 7,641 islands, the Philippines relies heavily on an efficient maritime transportation system to connect businesses, communities, and markets across the country. Through the modernization of port facilities, improved operations, and stronger connectivity, the PPA supports trade, promotes commerce, and contributes significantly to the continued growth and development of the Philippine economy.

Efficient and safe port facilities allow businesses to import and export products smoothly while supporting the continuous flow of trade. One of the major contributions of the PPA to economic growth is the ongoing improvement, upgrading, and expansion of port infrastructure. These developments make ports a vital part of the nation’s supply chain by connecting producers, consumers, manufacturers, and businesses across the country.

Port congestion can result in higher shipping costs, which may eventually increase the prices of basic goods. However, effective port management helps reduce transportation expenses, ensures timely delivery of goods, and supports smoother trade operations.

To strengthen inter-island connectivity, the PPA continues to improve trade and passenger transportation through the construction of Roll-On/Roll-Off (RoRo) terminals. These projects support the Strong Republic Nautical Highway, a network of RoRo ports and roads that enables easier movement of vehicles, goods, and passengers between islands.

PHILIPPINE PORTS AUTHORITY

PPA promotes trade, economic development MOMENTUM WHERE IT MATTERS

SATURDAY, JULY 11, 2026

April FDIs dropped to 10-year low

Power rates rose again in July—Meralco

By Alena Mae S. Flores

POWER rates rose for a second month in July on higher generation charges, distributor Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) said Friday.

Meralco said power prices rose P0.3428 per kilowatt-hour this month as rising global fuel costs push up generation charges.

Meralco spokesperson Joe Zaldarriaga said the overall rate for a typical household rose to P14.8261 per kWh from P14.4833 per kWh in June. Residential customers consuming 200 kWh will see their monthly bill increase by about P69. Zaldarriaga said the generation charge drove the biggest share of the increase, rising by P0.1800 per kWh to P9.2504 from P9.0704 per kWh last month.

Charges from Meralco’s independent power producers climbed by P0.3613 per kWh to P10.6489 per kWh, while charges from power supply agreements rose by P0.2678 per kWh to P8.8694 per kWh.

The utility attributed the increases to the ongoing Middle East conflict’s impact on the global energy market.

Wholesale Electricity Spot Market prices rose to P8.0337 per kWh as demand in Luzon hit a record 14,534 megawatts on May 28. Tighter power supply conditions in the grid pushed spot market prices higher, triggering the secondary price cap 11.1 percent of the time.

Meralco said it sourced 72 percent of its total energy requirement from power supply agreements, 22 percent from independent power producers and 6 percent from the spot market during the period.

Taxes also rose P0.0960 per kWh, while transmission and other charges increased by P0.0668 per kWh. The Energy Regulatory Commission extended the collection suspension of the P0.0371 per kWh Green Energy Auction Allowance until August.

Meralco pays pass-through charges for generation and transmission to power suppliers and the grid operator respectively, while it remits taxes, universal charges and feed-in tariff allowances to the government. Meralco’s own distribution charge has remained unchanged since a P0.0360 per kWh reduction in August 2022.

By Thony Rose Lesaca

NET inflows of foreign direct investment (FDI) into the Philippines fell 59 percent year-onyear to $250 million in April 2026, the weakest monthly level since the $244 million recorded in June 2016, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said Friday.

The April inflow dropped from $607 million a year ago and marked a steep pullback from March’s $611 million, preliminary BSP data showed.

The slump dragged down the cumulative tally in the first four months of the year. FDI net inflows for the January-April period totaled $1.968 billion, down 26 percent from $2.675 billion in the same period of 2025.

Weaker net investment in debt in-

struments — largely intercompany borrowing between foreign parent firms and their Philippine affiliates — led the decline. Nonresidents’ investments in debt instruments sharply contracted 91.57 percent to $44 million in April from $522 million a year earlier. For the four-month period, debt instrument inflows fell 40 percent to $1.218 billion from $2.042 billion a year earlier.

Equity and investment fund shares

held up better. In April, they grew 143 percent to $207 million from $85 million a year earlier, comprising $80 million in reinvestment of earnings and $127 million in net equity.

Data showed that for the JanuaryApril period, equity and investment fund shares rose 18 percent to $750 million from $634 million a year earlier. Equity investment other than reinvestment of earnings jumped 54 percent to $464 million from $302 million as placements outpaced withdrawals, while reinvestment of earnings slipped 14 percent to $285 million from $332 million.

Union Bank of the Philippines chief economist Ruben Carlo Asuncion said the April FDI outturn reflects the cautious stance of foreign investors amid lingering global uncertainties.

“The sharp decline likely stemmed

from softer intercompany lending, weaker reinvestment activity and possibly the postponement of fresh equity investments,” he said. Asuncion said the timing is not entirely surprising given current headwinds in the global investment environment such as trade-related uncertainties, geopolitical tensions and heightened market volatility, which tend to delay long-term investment decisions. The April figures extend a difficult run for foreign capital into the Philippines this year. The BSP earlier flagged weaker-than-expected FDI in the first quarter, when net inflows fell 17 percent year-on-year to $1.72 billion, citing “still-cautious” investor sentiment tied to elevated inflation, sluggish domestic growth and global uncertainty, including fallout from the conflict in the Middle East.

Major electronics manufacturer eyes investment in

By Jenniffer B. Austria

A MAJOR electronics manufacturer eyes investment in the Philippines, Finance Secretary Frederick Go said Friday.

Go told reporters that the planned US-backed Pax Silica AI hub in Luzon could generate thousands of jobs for Filipinos.

Go said the Pax Silica project could help establish the Philippines as a player in advanced technology industries, particu -

IN BRIEF

PHILSME launches first e-commerce expo

THE Philippine SME Business Expo (PHILSME) on Thursday launched the country’s first E-Commerce Expo (EComEx), a two-day conference and networking event aimed at helping entrepreneurs expand their digital presence and grow their online sales. The event, scheduled for Nov. 20-21, 2026 at the SMX Convention Center Aura, will bring together entrepreneurs, online sellers, digital innovators, agencies, content creators and start-up communities. It is positioned as the country’s first and largest dedicated e-commerce expo, featuring 220 business solutions and more than 70 talks and presentations. At least 5,000 business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs are expected to attend. PHILSME chief executive and managing-director Trixie Abrenilla said Filipino e-commerce is a P1-trillion industry and that the bigger opportunity for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) now lies beyond simply selling online.

“For SMEs, the more compelling opportunity is no longer simply selling online. It is actually building a complete digital operation that includes storefronts, payments, fulfillment, customer service. There are so many unrealized opportunities, even if it’s already 2026,” Abrenilla said during a media briefing. She said success in Philippine e-commerce depends on effectively managing the entire customer journey, adding that the challenge is no longer just how businesses sell online but also how they acquire, convert, fulfill and retain customers, particularly for direct-to-customer enterprises. Thony Rose Lesaca Clark airport firm remits

P585.71m in dividends

CLARK International Airport Corp. (CIAC) remitted P585,709,498.80 in dividends to the National Treasury, 88 percent higher than the P310.99 million it paid in 2024, the state-run firm said. The dividend represents 60 percent of CIAC’s adjusted net income for fiscal year 2025 and exceeds the minimum requirement

under Republic Act No. 7656, the Dividend Law, which mandates government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) to remit at least 50 percent of their adjusted net earnings to the national government.

Based on CIAC’s adjusted net income of approximately P976 million in 2025, the corporation was required to remit around P488 million.

CIAC president and chief executive Jojit Alcazar said the company also complied with a Department of Finance directive encouraging GOCCs to increase their dividend remittances, resulting in the higher payout.

“[Recognition affirms CIAC’s continuing efforts to strengthen its financial performance while supporting the national government’s development agenda],” Alcazar said. Darwin G. Amojelar

Smart expands Home

WiFi postpaid service

SMART Communications Inc. said it is expanding its Smart Home WiFi Postpaid service to more than 100 Smart stores nationwide, bringing wireless home internet to more Filipino households without fiber lines or complex installations.

The expansion covers Smart stores across North Luzon, Central Luzon, South Luzon, the National Capital Region, the Visayas and Mindanao, allowing customers to apply for a plan, check service availability and take home a plug-and-play modem on the same day.

Smart said the wider rollout is expected to serve more than 1.3 million households across 3,200 barangays, supporting the company’s goal of making high-speed internet more accessible, particularly in areas where fiber connectivity remains limited.

“We want to be more than just a service provider; we aim to be a dependable partner in our subscribers’ journey toward their goals,” Smart first vice-president and coOIC Marjorie Garrovillo said.

“By expanding to more communities, we are enabling more Filipinos to seamlessly connect and focus on what matters most — whether that’s staying close to family, excelling in school or starting a new passion project,” she said. Darwin G. Amojelar

larly artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies.

The Philippines joined the USled Pax Silica initiative in April as its 13th signatory. Go said he hopes a binding framework agreement will be signed before the end of the year to establish a 4,000-acre AI-native industrial hub in New Clark City, Tarlac.

Go met with US Ambassador to the Philippines Lee Lipton on July 9 and said Washington has placed Pax Silica among its top

economic initiatives.

“I think both sides are very excited to get this moving along because I really believe this could be a generational type of project. It can really change our outlook,” said Go. The Bases Conversion and Development Authority, which manages New Clark City, will handle basic infrastructure at the site, while officials hold talks with power companies to secure sufficient electricity supply.

FINANCIAL RESILIENCE. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas assistant governor and book co-editor Veronica Bayangos (left), BSP Governor Eli Remolona Jr. and BSP consultant and book co-editor Ramon Moreno lead the launch of Risk and Resilience in the Philippine Financial System: How Much Has Changed on July 3, 2026 at the BSP head office in Manila. The publication examines the events leading up to major crises and what followed in their aftermath. Drawing on experiences since the 1970s, it provides perspective on how risks accumulated and what factors shaped resilience over time.

DIGITAL lender GoTyme Bank said Friday it has surpassed 10 million users just over three years after its launch, growing customer deposits to more than P53 billion.

The bank said in a statement more customers use its savings, payments, credit and investment services for day-to-day financial transactions.

GoTyme Bank chief executive Nate Clarke said the milestone underscores the trust customers have placed in the digital bank.

“Reaching 10 million users is an important milestone on our journey to become the Philippines’ largest and most loved bank, but for us, it’s really about the trust that millions of Filipinos place in GoTyme Bank every day,” Clarke said.

“We’re grateful to our customers for choosing us, and we’ll continue working to make banking simpler,

more accessible, more affordable and more beautiful for everyone,” he said.

The bank attributed its growth to strong customer adoption of its everyday banking services. Its Visa debit card has become the most-used Visa debit card in the Philippines based on Visa’s 2025 active usage data, the bank said.

GoTyme has also offered free InstaPay transfers since its launch, a feature it said has helped drive daily usage among customers.

The bank has expanded its physical presence through more than 600 kiosks located in Robinsons Retail outlets and SM Stores nationwide to complement its digital platform. More than 1,200 bank ambassadors support the kiosks and assist customers in opening accounts and accessing banking services. Jenniffer B. Austria

“We’re also talking to the power players to see how they can also get ready for this,” Go said.

The Philippines faces stiff regional competition in attracting high-technology investments.

“It’s a race. Everybody wants this,” Go said.

The government aims to move quickly to secure the investment and position the Philippines among the first countries to host such an advanced technology ecosystem.

BUSINESSMAN Lance Gokongwei has joined the board of directors of listed gaming technology firm PhilWeb Corp. following his recent P2.03-billion strategic investment in the company.

PhilWeb said in a disclosure to the stock exchange Friday Gokongwei would provide strategic oversight and governance leadership as the company expands its long-term infrastructure, technology and artificial intelligence-enabled operational roadmap.

“I am pleased to join PhilWeb as a Board Director at an important stage in the Company’s development,” Gokongwei said in a statement.

“Technology infrastructure, operational intelligence, compliance systems and scalable digital platforms are becoming increasingly important across regulated digital ecosystems. I look forward to working closely with the Board and management team as PhilWeb continues building long-term infrastructure, technology capabilities and operational scale,” he said.

PhilWeb president Edgar Brian Ng said Gokongwei’s experience in institutional leadership, long-term strategic planning and capital allocation would support the company’s next phase of growth and transformation.

PhilWeb last month reported that Gokongwei, who also serves as JG Summit Holdings Inc. president and chief executive, is acquiring a 15-percent interest in the company in his personal capacity for P2.03 billion.

PhilWeb has been strengthening its position as a provider of digital infrastructure, operational systems, compliance technology and platform solutions for licensed operators and regulated digital entertainment ecosystems in the Philippines.

Jenniffer B. Austria

PH stock market caps week higher on strong foreign buying

By Jenniffer B. Austria

PHILIPPINE shares ended the week in the green, with the benchmark index rising by more than 1 percent on strong foreign inflows.

The main-share Philippine Stock Exchange index traded above the 6,300 level for most of the afternoon session before settling at 6,286.70, up 62.83 points, or 1.01 percent. The broader all shares index also advanced, gaining 22.78 points, or 0.68 percent, to close at 3,393.34.

“The PSEi reclaimed 6,300 for most of the afternoon session before market-on-

close selling in Ayala Corp., Ayala Land Inc. and SM Prime Holdings pared gains,” brokerage AB Capital Securities said.

All sectoral indices finished in positive territory, led by the mining and oil index, which jumped 2.32 percent. Property stocks followed, gaining 1.24 percent, while financials rose 0.97 percent.

Trading activity was more robust compared with previous days, as value turnover reached P6.78 billion. Foreign investors remained net buyers, with net inflows recorded at P788 million.

Ayala Land Inc. was the day’s top index gainer, surging 6 percent to P16 after

its parent firm, Ayala Corp., reported that it bought back 3.06 million Ayala Land shares at P15.46 each.

On the other hand, DigiPlus Interactive Corp. was the biggest decliner, dropping 4.05 percent to end at P11.36. The peso also strengthened slightly on Friday, closing at 61.52 against the US dollar compared with 61.61 on Thursday.

Meanwhile, South Korea’s Kospi led gains across most Asian markets Friday as a record-breaking US share sale by chip titan SK hynix breathed fresh life into the tech sector after weeks of selling.

ERC denies 12% cap rule on Meralco returns

By Alena Mae S. Flores

THE Energy Regulatory Commission on Friday clarified that it did not violate any laws amid allegations that it allowed Manila Electric Co. to earn a rate of return in excess of 12 percent, which critics claim violates a maximum allowable rate.

The ERC received reports of a complaint supposedly filed before the Office of the Ombudsman accusing the commission of allowing Meralco to exceed the 12 percent return.

“We understand why any suggestion of overpricing draws public concern, and we take that concern seriously,” said ERC Chairperson Francis Saturnino Juan.

LISTED PetroGreen Energy Corp., through its subsidiary EcoSolar Energy Corp., has signed a P635.9 million project finance facility agreement with Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. to partially fund a new battery storage facility in the Visayas.

The omnibus loan and security agreement will fund EcoSolar’s 20-megawatt, 40-megawatt-hour battery energy storage system in Panitan, Capiz. RCBC is serving as the lender for the facility, with RCBC Capital Corp. acting as lead arranger and RCBC Trust Corp. as facility agent and security trustee.

“EcoSolar’s Panitan BESS project is being developed to help strengthen the stability and reliability of the Panay sub-grid,” said Maria Victoria Olivar, PetroGreen senior vice president for business development and commercial operations.

Aside from the battery facility, EcoSolar is also developing the 90-megawatt Panitan Solar Power Project in Capiz.

“We are pleased to work with RCBC on this project, and we value their continued partnership in helping PGEC and EcoSolar deliver cleaner, more resilient, and more dependable power infrastructure for the communities and industries we serve,” Olivar said.

The project is on track for physical completion in August 2026, with testing and commissioning scheduled to begin in September 2026. Alena Mae S. Flores

Fresh Chicken Corp. inaugurates its poultry dressing plant in Barangay San Bartolome, San Pablo City, marking a major investment expected to strengthen the country’s food security, generate hundreds of jobs, and boost the poultry industry in Laguna and neighboring provinces. The grand opening was attended by San Pablo City Mayor Arcadio Gapangada Jr.; Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr.; Sakol Cheewakoset, chairman of Charoen Pokphand Foods Philippines; and Laguna Governor Marisol Aragones-Sampelo, who was represented by Akay ni Sol National Party Chairman and Rizal Vice Mayor Tony Aurelio. Roy Tomandao

“But the public deserves an accurate picture of the law. There is no 12 percent ceiling that this commission ignored. What exists is a rate-setting methodology—reviewed, consulted on, and upheld by the Supreme Court—that this commission has applied consistently and lawfully,” Juan said. “We will address the complaint fully before the Ombudsman if we are asked to. In the meantime, we did not think it right to let a mistaken legal premise stand unanswered in the public record.”

The ERC said it respects the right of any citizen to seek redress before the proper forum and stands ready to answer the complaint through the appropriate legal process. However, because the filing has led to the circulation of claims that do not reflect the actual regulatory framework, the commission said it felt necessary to clarify the record.

The commission stated there is no 12 percent cap in

the law, noting that neither the Electric Power Industry Reform Act nor the Public Service Act fixes a 12 percent ceiling on the allowable rate of return for a distribution utility. The EPIRA requires only that rates be “just and reasonable” and authorizes the ERC to adopt “alternative forms of internationally-accepted ratesetting methodology as it may deem appropriate.”

According to the ERC, the 12 percent figure invoked in the complaint is a relic of the pre-EPIRA return on rate base regime, a benchmark from a 1993 Meralco rate case decided years before EPIRA took effect. It was never a ceiling fixed by Congress and was set aside when the ERC shifted the industry from a return on rate base format to PerformanceBased Regulation beginning in 2003 for transmission and 2004 for privately owned distribution utilities. Under Performance-Based Regulation, the relevant measure is the weighted average cost of capital, an internationally accepted methodology, rather than the old 12 percent figure. Over the years, the ERC said it has approved weighted average costs of capital well above 12 percent for numerous distribution utilities and for the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines, including determinations for Meralco itself.

PHILIPPINE PORTS AUTHORITY

PPA: 52 years of progress

By Sean Rodeo

For 52 years, the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) has been at the forefront of developing and managing the country’s ports, helping connect communities, facilitate trade, and support economic growth. Since its establishment in 1974, the agency has continuously expanded its responsibilities, modernized port infrastructure, strengthened operational efficiency, and adapted to the evolving needs of the maritime industry.

From improving port facilities and services to achieving record-breaking operational and financial milestones, the PPA’s journey reflects more than five decades of dedication to building a stronger, more connected, and globally competitive Philippines.

Here are some of the PPA’s notable milestones and contributions through the years:

Enforcement and advisory

In 1978, Executive Order No. 513 was issued, granting the PPA police authority. It also created the National Ports Advisory Council (NPAC), strengthening cooperation between the government and the private sector while empowering the PPA to impose fines for specific violations of its rules and regulations.

Financial independence

In 1987, the PPA was removed from the supervision of the Ministry of Public Works and Highways (now the Department of Public Works and Highways) and attached to the Department of Transportation and Communications. Later, through Executive Order No. 159, the PPA assumed responsibility for national port construction. This also granted the agency greater financial autonomy, allowing it to manage its own financial resources.

Batangas Port modernization

In 1992, the PPA launched one of its

most significant early infrastructure projects—the modernization of Batangas Port. The project increased the port’s capacity to 8,000 passengers per day, helping ease congestion at the Port of Manila. Pandemic support

Demonstrating its strong commitment to national welfare, PPA General Manager Jay Daniel R. Santiago announced that the PPA Board had approved the remittance of 56 percent of its 2020 net income to the National Treasury to support the government’s COVID-19 response.

Historic year

The year 2024 became one of the most successful in PPA history, with the agency recording its highest annual revenue of P27.3 billion. As a result, the Department of Finance (DOF) recognized the PPA as one of the top four contributors among more than 50 government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs). The agency remitted P5.20 billion in dividends to the National Treasury.

A key milestone was the opening of the country’s most advanced Passenger Terminal Building (PTB) in Batangas. The year also saw the implementation of 81 locally funded development projects across the Philippines.

Record growth

In 2025, the PPA handled an all-time high of 308.5 million metric tons in total cargo throughput, further cementing its role as the backbone of Philippine trade. During the same year, the agency achieved its highest financial milestone to date, generating a record-breaking P30.09 billion in total revenue.

Marking more than half a century of dedicated public service, the Philippine Ports Authority has transformed from a regulatory agency into a key driver of the nation’s economic growth. Through continuous modernization of port infrastructure and record-breaking operational and financial achievements, the agency has reinforced its role as an indispensable pillar of Philippine trade and development. As the PPA looks toward the future, it remains committed to building on its legacy while advancing toward a new era of innovation, efficiency and sustainable growth.

rumallari@thestandard.com.ph

rieramallari@yahoo.com

RIERA U. MALLARI, Editor

HILARIO, Asst. Editor

Globe enhances multi-tiered security measures to shield customers

WHENEVER the telecom sector shuts down one path for fraudsters, cybercriminals find another route. As providers bolster defenses against spoofed SMS, harmful links, and SIM-related fraud, scammers keep evolving their methods, making the battle against online fraud a continuous challenge rather than a one-off fix.

“Fraudsters are always searching for new ways to target victims. When the industry tightens controls against one form of attack, we frequently observe scammers switching to different strategies and platforms,” stated Garrett Silao, Chief Information Security Officer at Globe. “This is why anti-scam initiatives cannot depend on a single fix. It demands ongoing innovation, cooperation, and public education.”

Over time, Globe has progressively fortified its protections against digital fraud through actions like securing enterprise sender IDs, blocking harmful links, detecting SIM box activities, and utilizing network analytics to spot suspicious behavior. These efforts have helped decrease common SMS scams that once affected millions of mobile users.

As conventional attack methods become more difficult to carry out, scammers have started using more advanced techniques.

One example is the deployment of illegal IMSI Catchers, or fake cell towers, which deceive nearby mobile devices into connecting to them instead of legitimate cellular networks.

Unlike spoofed SMS messages that come from messaging systems, IMSI catchers exploit cellular networks by emitting a stronger signal that tricks nearby phones into connecting automatically and bypassing security measures. While these devices function differently from traditional scams, they highlight a broader truth: cybercriminals constantly modify their tactics as security improves.

To keep up with these changing threats, Globe has implemented a multi-layered strategy combining network defense, threat intelligence, industry cooperation, and customer education. The company collaborates closely with enterprise partners to secure legitimate messaging channels, proactively blocks known phishing sites, and shares intelligence with banks, government bodies, and law enforcement to detect and respond to new threats faster. Globe has also broadened its consumer protection beyond technical defenses. Through programs like Go Safe with Globe, Scam Shield on the GlobeOne app, customer alerts, and digital literacy campaigns, the company continues to provide Filipinos with practical knowledge to identify and avoid scams before harm occurs.

“Technology is vital in safeguarding customers, but awareness is just as crucial,” Silao explained. “The better informed people are about scam tactics, the harder it becomes for fraudsters to succeed. Protecting consumers is a collective duty requiring industry, government, and the public to collaborate.”

ONE in three Filipino workers already describe themselves as generally or completely exhausted just six months into the year, according to a new nationwide study by Agile Data Solutions Inc., suggesting that burnout is building well before the second half of the year has even begun. The nationwide survey of 1,111 working Filipinos, conducted as a midyear pulse check through Hustle PH, found that while 84% remain satisfied with their careers, 60% also believe their careers have stalled. Nearly one in three workers say they only began feeling stuck within the past month, indicating that fatigue is not simply a long-standing workplace issue—it is accelerating as the year progresses. But perhaps the study’s most striking finding is this: Filipino workers are not primarily exhausted by the work itself. They are exhausted because work has crowded out almost everything else. Work isn’t the biggest problem. Having no room left for life is. Difficulty maintaining work-life bal-

Humanitarians look to put the AI in aid

Robert the Robot, an advanced conversational humanoid developed by Geneva-based technology company RB Labs, at the AI for Good Global Summit, a United Nations flagship event aimed at shaping the future of artificial intelligence, in Geneva.

GENEVA—From remote-controlled trucks delivering life-saving aid in dangerous settings to mobile phone data analysis flagging mass displacement, humanitarians are eyeing ways in which artificial intelligence can speed up and improve their operations.

There have been plenty of warnings about the dangers of AI for aid agencies, who face growing challenges of securing often extremely sensitive data and swelling misinformation about their operations and beneficiaries.

But at the AI for Good summit in Geneva this week, a handful of humanitarian-focused displays emphasized the technology’s positive potential.

Parked in one corner of a vast hall at the Palexpo conference centre was a gi-

ant white SHERP vehicle, resembling a hulking Martian rover, decked out with cameras and sensors and a drone landing-pad on the roof.

Made in Ukraine, SHERPs are amphibious vehicles that can float on water, drive through swamps and flooded rivers with their giant wheels, and climb over obstacles up to one metre (3.3 feet) high.

The UN’s World Food Programme is preparing to begin field-testing a ver-

sion of the AI-enabled truck that can be steered remotely through the most dangerous and difficult terrain to reach people in need.

“I think this could be a gamechanger,” Bernhard Kowatsch, head of WFP’s global accelerator and ventures innovation division, told AFP. The technology, he said, “should allow us essentially to reach people that otherwise never would have been reachable”.

Not possible without AI WFP already has drivers using SHERPs to deliver aid in Sudan, South Sudan and Uganda.

But after numerous heartbreaking losses of drivers, it tasked the German Aerospace Center (DLR) to help equip the vehicles with AI and other technologies, making it possible to control

them remotely through particularly dangerous terrain.

The idea is to set up a shipping container control room in a safe area, where a human can remotely control the vehicle on the last, most treacherous leg of its journey.

Tests have been conducted in Germany, and will be tried out in the field in Uganda in 2028, said Armin Wedler, who is coordinating DLR’s Autonomous Humanitarian Emergency Aid Devices (AHEAD) project.

Standing next to the 2.8-metre high vehicle, he told AFP that the team had used “remote-control technologies which are based on mathematics and old-school... research”, but stressed: “We would not be able to process everything without using also AI”. It would be possible to make the vehicle fully autonomous, Wedler said, but stressed that in complex humanitarian settings “we have to have a human in the loop”.

“We’re not talking about driving on clear streets with clear lanes. There are no streets,” he said, also describing scenes where aid trucks are suddenly swarmed by desperately hungry people.

“There’s no AI autonomous algorithms ever capable to handle that safely.” ‘Life-saving’

Among more than 200 exhibitors at the summit -- showing off everything from humanoid robots to bionic prosthetics and emotional companions -the other humanitarian displays were more discreet, with pamphlets detailing how AI tools are boosting and streamlining operations.

Among them, the UN refugee agency detailed a new Legal Virtual AI Assistant for lawyers and legal officers representing refugees, enabling them to swiftly determine the rights available within country-specific legal frameworks.

Rebeca Moreno Jimenez, the lead data scientist at UNHCR’s Innovation Service, told AFP that building cases faster and more efficiently can be “lifesaving for many refugees”.

Another UN initiative called Data Insights for Social and Humanitarian Action, or DISHA, relies on partnerships with private actors such as Google and McKinsey to provide humanitarian organizations with data and AI models to speed up and improve disaster responses. AFP

Converge drives smart transformation for Miriam College

LEADING fiber broadband and technology provider Converge ICT Solutions Inc. (PSE: CNVRG), through its corporate and large enterprise unit, Converge Global Business, has been selected by Miriam College to deliver enterprise-grade connectivity that will underpin the premier academic institution’s transformation into a smart campus as it celebrates its 100th year.

The project will connect Miriam College’s Loyola Heights, Nuvali, and Alviera campuses through Converge’s Dedicated Internet Access (DIA), creating a secure, resilient, and highperformance digital infrastructure that enables seamless collaboration, cloudbased learning, and centralized campus operations across its growing educational network.

More than providing high-speed internet, the deployment establishes the digital backbone that will support Miriam College’s long-term modernization agenda—from digitally enabled classrooms and research initiatives to smarter campus administration and student services.

“As we mark a century of trans-

formative education, Miriam College remains steadfast in our commitment to academic excellence and holistic student development,” said Miriam College ICT Director Reggie de Leon. “Embracing this digital

ance emerged as the leading contributor to burnout, ranking ahead of compensation, workload, management issues, and unclear direction from supervisors.

The study also found that nearly half of workers experience physical symptoms such as headaches and body pain, while

one in four say work-related thoughts regularly interfere with their sleep. Taken together, the findings suggest that many Filipino employees are not simply overwhelmed by their jobs. They are struggling because work increasingly leaves little time or energy for family,

transformation allows us to futureproof our learning environments and enrich our specialized STEAM programs. With reliable, high-speed connectivity, we are empowering our faculty and students to thrive in an

rest, hobbies, or personal life.

That distinction matters.

A difficult manager can be replaced. Workloads can, at least in theory, be redistributed. But feeling as though no time truly belongs to you is a much broader structural challenge. The pattern also appears across experience levels. Workers who have been in their jobs for less than a year report feeling stuck at nearly the same rate as employees who have spent five years or more in their roles, suggesting that the issue is less about tenure than about the way work is currently structured.

When workers dream of leaving, they’re really searching for breathing room

The desire for change is widespread.

Nearly eight in ten Filipino workers (79%) say they have considered changing careers during the past six months, while 45% are already taking active steps toward making that change.

Surprisingly, the most common destination is not another employer

increasingly interconnected world, ensuring our graduates continue to lead with competence and principle.” With enterprise-grade Dedicated Internet Access, Miriam College gains a dedicated, always-on connection backed by guaranteed bandwidth, low latency, and built-in network redundancy—capabilities that are increasingly essential as schools rely on cloud applications, hybrid learning platforms, AI-powered educational tools, digital libraries, and data-intensive research.

The upgraded infrastructure also enhances operational efficiency across campuses by enabling faster administrative workflows, more responsive student information systems, secure digital transactions, and uninterrupted access to mission-critical applications. Students, faculty, administrators, and parents benefit from a more connected and seamless digital experience.

For Converge, the partnership reflects the company’s growing role in helping educational institutions build future-ready campuses through enterprise technology solutions.

or another industry—it is starting a business.

That ranked ahead of switching industries, freelancing, or pursuing a promotion.

The reasons are equally revealing.

Workers cite better professional growth opportunities and healthier work-life balance as the two biggest motivations behind wanting a career change.

The findings suggest that many Filipinos are not simply searching for a better employer. They are searching for greater control over their time.

For many respondents, entrepreneurship appears to represent something larger than owning a business—it represents autonomy.

The biggest obstacle, however, remains financial reality.

More than one-third of workers (36%) say financial obligations and the need for stable income are the single biggest barriers preventing them from making a career move, more than double the next most common response.

Google expands AI, YouTube shopping tools for SEA brands

AT THE Google Marketing Live Southeast Asia in Singapore, one of the biggest gatherings of brands and advertisers in the region, Google put a spotlight on how the fast adoption of its AI-powered Search and YouTube’s trusted creator ecosystem is unlocking a massive opportunity for businesses to connect with shoppers and grow in Southeast Asia, including the Philippines.

With AI Overviews and/or AI Mode users in Southeast Asia saying they are able to make decisions faster (82%) and more confidently (80%) because of Search’s AI features, Search usage is at an all-time high . This is especially true for Gen Zs with 86% noting that it helps them manage decision fatigue . To connect brands with this highly engaged, high-intent audience, Google today unveiled new solutions that bridge the power of Search with YouTube’s unmatched reach . By tapping into YouTube’s trusted creator network, marketers can now leverage the era of video commerce to drive seamless, direct product checkouts.

Sapna Chadha, Google Vice President for Southeast Asia and South Asia Frontier, said, “As people realize just how much more Search can do for them, AI is transforming how they explore and shop across our region. We are doubling down on this shift in Search while turbocharging the power of YouTube creators to partner with businesses and build better shopping experiences. No other platform can connect shopper intent and trusted video commerce like Google. Whether a brand wants to build deep creator connections or drive direct checkouts, our ecosystem delivers on every business

goal. Ultimately, our next-generation, AI-backed measurement solutions ensure advertisers have total clarity on their ROI, keeping them ahead in this new era of commerce.”

Boosting video commerce and the creator economy in Southeast Asia

With its video-first and creator-led digital economy, Southeast Asia has rapidly become a global epicenter of video commerce. Video commerce surged 5x from 2022 to 2025, commanding 25% of the region’s total e-commerce Gross Merchandise Value (GMV).

This shift is scaling at an unprecedented rate on YouTube through the YouTube Shopping Affiliate Program. This empowers creators to tag products directly within their videos, Shorts, and live streams, allowing viewers to shop seamlessly while watching. Since launching two years ago, more than 6 million videos in the region now feature shoppable product tags . With over 50% of eligible creators enrolled , total creator payouts have skyrocketed by

more than 105% year-over-year . At the center of this shift is unmatched viewers’ trust in YouTube creators. Shoppers consult creator reviews and recommendations before making a purchase and Southeast Asia’s most trusted voices are on YouTube. Independent surveys conducted across markets show that viewers trust YouTube creators more than they trust creators on any other platform including TikTok and Meta.

To help brands capitalize on this video commerce momentum with YouTube’s trusted creator ecosystem, Google introduced highly efficient advertiser tools to bridge the gap between shopping discovery and final checkout:

● Commerce Media Suite. The journey from discovering a product to actually buying it is often full of friction, leading to abandoned shopping carts. Commerce Media Suite closes this gap by allowing brands with marketplace storefronts to route high-intent shoppers directly from a YouTube ad to a seamless checkout page. By leverag-

The Art TV designed for every home

ART has long been a reflection of personal style, helping homeowners shape spaces that feel uniquely their own. Today, that expression extends beyond traditional mediums and into the devices that occupy the heart of the home, including the television.

Designed to seamlessly blend art, technology and design, the 2026 Samsung The Frame transform the TV from a screen into a statement piece. Whether displaying artwork from a world-renowned exhibition, showcasing personal photographs, or delivering immersive entertainment, Samsung’s Art TVs are designed to complement modern living spaces while elevating everyday experiences.

Curious how an Art TV can transform your living space? Here’s how Samsung’s 2026 The Frame brings together premium display technology, world-renowned art and thoughtful design to elevate the modern home.

Samsung’s 2026 The Frame Combine World-Renowned Art, Premium Entertainment and Seamless Design to Modern Living Spaces

A Personal Gallery with World-Renowned Art

Bringing art into the home has never been easier. Homeowners now have more opportunities than ever to dis-

Lawmakers

EVEN before the recent repatriation of 11 Filipino workers from Malaysia in mid-June and the arrest of 10 foreign nationals in Siargao on June 26, lawmakers had long warned that the Philippines’ aging border security infrastructure was ill-equipped to combat human trafficking, terrorism, and transnational crime — warnings that have now been renewed and amplified by these incidents.

On June 16, 11 Filipinos were repatriated from Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, after leaving the country through illegal “backdoor” routes to seek overseas work. Six of the repatriates had bypassed legal procedures before working in construction, mechanical, and maritime jobs, with most reporting they received no salary during their employment abroad.

Most, according to the Bureau of Immigration (BI), did not receive any salary during their employment abroad.

Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said the case highlights the risks faced by Filipinos who leave the country through backdoor routes in search of overseas employment.

Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said the case underscores the risks faced

cover, curate and enjoy artwork without leaving their homes.

According to Samsung’s 2025 Southeast Asia and Oceania TV Awareness Survey, 78% of consum-

ing real-time shopping insights—like what users are searching for or adding to their carts—marketplaces and brands can serve highly relevant ads to viewers while they watch YouTube. Google is currently piloting this solution with Shopee, and early tests are already delivering strong results. For example, Maybelline achieved a 7.4% incremental lift in revenue alongside a strong return on ad spend.

● Creator Partnerships Boost (formerly known as Partnership Ads). While a creator’s organic content is highly engaging, its reach is inherently limited to their existing followers. Creator Partnerships Boost solves this by allowing brands to promote a YouTube creator’s videos directly as an ad within their own campaigns. By running natively from the creator’s own handle, these ads blend into user feeds, enabling brands to scale their message far beyond organic reach while driving significantly higher engagement for creators.

ers familiar with The Frame agree that it is equipped with the latest technology. Samsung’s 2026 The Frame go beyond traditional television experiences with innovative Art TV features that bring world-renowned artworks directly into the home:

The Samsung Art Store features more than 5,000 works from over 800 artists and more than 80 global partners — including collaborations with Moomin and Art Basel 2026.

Art Store Streams deliver a curated collection of 30 complimentary artworks every month, refreshed around new themes and artistic styles.

Bringing more masterpieces closer to people, Samsung recently partnered with Norway’s MUNCH Museum. This brings 37 works by renowned artist Edvard Munch, including his iconic “The Scream” piece to Samsung Art Store users around the world.

Premium Entertainment for Every Home

While The Frame is known for its artistic appeal, it is also designed to deliver premium entertainment experiences for everyday viewing. The survey found that

OpenAI to launch GPT-5.6

WASHINGTON—ChatGPT-maker

OpenAI was set to release its most powerful artificial intelligence model to the public on Thursday, with its chief executive saying the company made “many changes” to the system during a security review with the US government.

CEO Sam Altman told CNBC that US officials had tested the model and flagged concerns during the process. “It was a collaborative back and forth, but we made many changes through the process,” Altman said.

The company’s new GPT-5.6 offerings and other cutting-edge AI models, including Anthropic’s Mythos series, have drawn concern over what researchers have described as an unprecedented ability to identify weaknesses in code that hackers can exploit.

That has raised national security fears, and OpenAI said in late June it had shared preview access to GPT-5.6 with a limited group of trusted USbased partners at Washington’s request. The GPT-5.6 series has three tiers: Sol, the company’s new flagship model; Terra, a mid-range version for everyday work; and Luna, a fast, low-cost option.

Altman on Thursday touted Sol’s performance, saying it is “not only the best model in the world for most people” but also “54 percent more token efficient on tasks” than competing models. Tokens are the industry unit of AI usage and are often used for pricing for customers.

The Trump administration earlier this week gave OpenAI the green light for the broad launch of GPT5.6, following technical testing and meetings between the company and government officials.

The White House, wary of seeming pro-regulation, officially denies that the process amounts to an approval, saying AI companies submit their models for scrutiny on a voluntary basis.

The delay in release echoes a similar situation at OpenAI’s archrival Anthropic.

The startup behind the Claude chatbot, which has a tense relationship with the Trump administration, last week began restoring access to its most powerful AI models after Washington lifted a restriction on releasing them to foreigners. AFP

76% of consumers aware of The Frame associate it with exceptional picture quality, while 75% view it as a premium and high-end TV.

The 2026 lineup delivers on these expectations through a combination of advanced display technology and intelligent experiences.

The Frame delivers exceptional picture quality, through Quantum Mini LEDs that precisely control light for deeper contrast and sharper detail. This remarkable display is powered by Real Quantum Dot technology that produces more vibrant, true-to-life colors.

Smarter Viewing with Samsung Vision AI Companion Beyond picture quality, The Frame is equipped with Samsung Vision AI Companion, Samsung’s integrated AI platform designed to make the TV more intuitive and context aware. Through a dedicated AI button or a long-press of the Home button on the Samsung smart remote, users can interact with content in new ways, from learning about characters and plotlines to controlling playback through voice commands.

Outdated system

These incidents have given fresh urgency to legislative efforts to modernize border security, which remains anchored in the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940 — an 85-year-old law that lawmakers say is no longer fit for purpose.

Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, who has filed Senate Bill No. 1867 to strengthen and modernize the BI, earlier stressed that a pre-war framework cannot address contemporary challenges.

“Hindi na sapat ang isang pre-war na balangkas para sa mga hamon ng makabagong panahon” (A pre-war framework is no longer sufficient for the challenges of the modern era),” Pangilinan was quoted as saying.

Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez championed the passage of the BI Modernization Bill, highlighting its dual benefits for travelers and national security.

“This bill’s importance cannot be overstated... It is two-pronged in that it will improve travel experience and at the same time tighten up our border security,” Romualdez said in an earlier statement.

Senator Raffy Tulfo has focused on data integrity and maritime vulnerabilities, urging agencies to close security gaps.

SHOWBIZ

Social media is not the real world – Nadine Lustre

Actress Nadine Lustre urged internet users to be more responsible online following her recent revelation that the court sentenced the netizen she sued in 2025 over a “triggering” Instagram comment.

Very Wang Nickie Wang

her management, Viva Artists Agency, Lustre said that many young people have become overly invested in curating their online image, sometimes at the expense of their well-being. She stressed that social media should never be mistaken for real life and should remain a safe space for everyone.

“Social media is not the real world,” she affirmed. “A lot of them, especially the young ones, are too focused on their image on social media that it’s becoming detrimental to their real life.” She also warned about the ease with which people can spread harmful remarks online, noting that not everyone is emotionally equipped to deal with abusive comments.

“It’s so easy to affect someone. You can easily say something bad about another person, especially someone younger. Not all of us are strong enough to handle harmful comments on social media,” she added.

Lustre recalled her own experience last year after receiving what she described as comments that amounted to online sexual harassment on Instagram. She initially ignored the remarks but decided to take legal action after the commenter allegedly posted even more offensive messages despite public criticism.

“My legal counsel advised me to file a case,” she shared. “It wasn’t right, and I felt I had a responsibility to do something because I couldn’t stomach the injustice.”

According to Lustre, the case has since been resolved. She explained that pursuing legal action was not only about seeking justice for herself but also about sending a message that online behavior carries real-world consequences.

“I wanted people to understand that even if you’re hiding behind a screen, you can’t just say whatever you want to another person. There has to be accountability,” she reminded netizens.

Lustre added that while creating a safe online environment is challenging, she believes it is an important goal.

“As much as possible, I’m all for social media being a safe space for everyone,” she continued. “I just couldn’t stomach not doing anything.”

Away from social media, Lustre is entering a new phase in her career. After years of taking on emotionally demanding and unconventional roles, she returns to romance in Love, Siargao, an upcoming Viu Original series opposite Alden Richards

The project signals a return to a genre that helped define her early career, one she now approaches with greater maturity and perspective.

“Some people tell me I’m back, but I’ve always been around. Maybe I’ve just been doing projects outside the genre people are used to seeing me in. This is my return to romantic comedy,” she explained.

Apart from acting, Lustre continues to balance music, entrepreneurship, and creative collaborations while remaining one of the country’s most in-demand brand ambassadors. She remains open to exploring new genres and opportunities that challenge her both as an artist and an entrepreneur.

By Raine Keisha Mendoza

TV personality Ryzza Mae Dizon drew cheers from the studio audience after

jokingly introducing herself as “Ryzza Mae Dizon Cojuangco-Aquino” during the July 9 episode of Eat Bulaga

The former child star quickly laughed off the remark after the crowd reacted. “Joke lang!” she said.

The remark further fueled online interest in “MaeBy,” the fan-made pairing involving Ryzza and Bimby Aquino

Interest in the pairing had previously intensified when Kris Aquino made a surprise appearance at the Eat Bulaga studio and referred to herself as Ryzza’s future mother-in-law.

The clip circulated online, with fans reacting to the playful exchange.

is a choice people continue to make despite life’s challenges.

the inspiration behind the

track, Entrata wrote on social media: “This song is for the memories that still make you smile, the moments that still feel like home, and the kind of love

that stays. Because with the right person, love is something you choose every single day.”

Entrata co-wrote “What We Love” with Nhiko Sabiniano, Trisha Denise, and Greg Shilling

She is set to perform the song at the Barrio Fiesta Caravan 2026 in Birmingham, United Kingdom, on July 12 and at ASAP Australia on July 25.

The single follows a string of releases, including “Amakabogera,” “Puede Ba,” “Tsada Mahigugma,” “Paradise,” and “Masunog Man,” as Entrata continues to establish herself as a singer-songwriter. Beyond music, Entrata has expanded her international profile in recent years. She appeared on Spotify’s EQUAL Times Square billboard in 2023 and was featured in the Recording Academy’s It Goes to 11 series and made her Paris Fashion Week debut in 2024, where she performed the English version of “Amakabogera” on the runway. She later recorded “Nasaan ang Hiling” for the Southeast Asian release of Disney’s Snow White, served as a guest mentor on Dream Maker, earned a nomination for Best Asia Act at the 2022 MTV Europe Music Awards, and became the first Filipina to walk at Arab Fashion Week.

By Jasper Valdez

SEXY actress Astrid Lee headlines Lunok , VMX’s upcoming erotic thriller, playing a woman drawn into a game of desire, secrets, and unexpected feelings during a beach getaway with her best friend.

Directed by Rain Yamson , the film casts Astrid as May, a thrill-seeking woman whose choices pull her into a complicated story with her best friend, Jena, played by Allison Ross Lunok follows May and Jena as they take a break from their usual lives and embark on what first appears to be a carefree escape. But the trip changes when attraction, dares, and hidden emotions begin to surface.

Astrid said May was not difficult to understand.

“May is very wild. She always wants the thrill, and I feel that’s the part of her I can relate to,” Astrid said during the film’s press conference.

The actress said the film should not be viewed only through its sensual scenes. Behind the VMX packaging, she noted, is a story about two women dealing with feelings they have kept to themselves.

“You should watch it because it’s not all sex scenes. The story has depth, especially with a plot twist in the end that people won’t expect,” Astrid said.

She added, “This is where people will see the emotions that the two best friends have been hiding, which are the characters played by me and Allison.”

The real-life closeness between Astrid and Allison also affected how they approached their intimate scenes. Astrid said their first love scene felt awkward at the start because they are close friends off-camera.

“During our first scene, which was a love scene, she wasn’t comfortable with me because we’re best friends [in real life],” Astrid recalled.

She shared that Allison initially had doubts about doing the scene.

“She told me, ‘Babe, I don’t think I can do this.’ I told her, ‘You can do it.’ We really motivated each other so we could do it properly,” she said.

Eventually, Astrid said they became more at ease with the scenes.

Rain, who also wrote the script, said the title carries a meaning beyond its sexual connotation. For him, “lunok,” or “swallow” in English, also refers to the emotions people choose to keep inside because they are not ready to face them.

Lunok may sound sensual, and yes, it can help attract the audience. But beyond the sensual side of the title, lunok , or swallow in English, is also about those moments in life when we tend to swallow our emotions,” Rain said.

He added that the film also reflects his view that love should not be boxed in by gender.

“Love is something you feel. It is not dictated by anything or by who you are supposed to love,” he said.

Lunok streams on VMX on July 17.

SATURDAY, JULY 11, 2026

lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com

NICKIE WANG, Editor

ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer

JASPER VALDEZ, Writer

The sizzle behind a Japanese food chain’s Philippine success

By Nickie Wang ENTERTAINMENT

and food may seem like different businesses, but for entertainment mogul Vic del Rosario they serve the same purpose: bringing people together through memorable experiences.

That belief led the Viva Group chairman to diversify beyond films, music, and television by introducing Osaka-born Japanese restaurant chain Botejyu to the Philippines in September 2016 through Viva International Food & Restaurants Inc.

The move came as Filipinos’ appetite for authentic Japanese cuisine continued to grow. Del Rosario saw an opportunity to expand Viva’s portfolio with a brand that tells a story of history, innovation, and comfort food.

Founded in 1946 by Eikichi Nishino in Osaka’s Tamade district, Botejyu is widely regarded as one of Japan’s pioneering okonomiyaki restaurants. Its name mimics the sounds heard on the teppan grill: “bote,” the flip of the savory pancake, and “jyu,” the sizzle as it cooks.

The restaurant built its reputation on okonomiyaki made with a carefully developed batter using premium flour and natural broth from squid, shrimp, bonito, and kelp. The result is a pancake that is crisp outside yet light and fluffy inside.

Botejyu also changed the way Japan enjoyed okonomiyaki. In the difficult years following World War II, Nishino became the first to top the dish with mayonnaise, now considered a standard accompaniment. The restaurant later introduced modernyaki, or okosoba, which combines okonomiyaki and yakisoba into a single dish during Japan’s postwar economic boom.

Viva opened the country’s first Botejyu branch at SM Mall of Asia in September 2016 in partnership with Botejyu Group CEO Hideto Kurita. A decade later, the brand has expanded to more than 100 locations nationwide, making it one of the country’s largest Japanese restaurant chains.

While its heritage remains rooted in Osaka, Botejyu has also won over Filipino diners with a broad menu that extends beyond its signature pancakes. Crowd favorites include the Diced Teriyaki Beef Garlic Steak Rice Bowl, featuring tender beef cubes glazed in sweet and savory teriyaki sauce; the Pork Tonkotsu Ramen with grilled char siu in a rich pork broth; and the Golden Shrimp Tempura Platter, known for its light, crisp batter.

Del Rosario views the expansion as an extension of his belief that good food, much like entertainment, creates lasting connections. Nearly a decade after its Philippine debut, Botejyu continues to introduce Filipino diners to the flavors and traditions of Osaka.

C4 LIFE

The cafe that turns Filipino street favorite into coffee

By Angelica Villanueva

ATHE Bistro Group is expanding its portfolio of international restaurant brands with the arrival of British pan-Asian diner wagamama in the Philippines.

The first wagamama restaurant is expected to open by the end of 2026, the company announced.

The addition follows The Bistro Group’s recent launches of Morton’s The Steakhouse, Fogo de Chão, Dave & Buster’s, and Dessert39, as it continues to grow its roster of global dining concepts. The group now operates more than 200 stores nationwide across nearly 30 brands.

“We are excited to welcome wagamama to our family,” said Jean Paul Manuud, president of The Bistro Group. “Our goal has always been to give Filipino diners a front-row seat to globally celebrated cuisines. We believe that wagamama’s British take on soul-satisfying Asian flavors and modern social dining vibe will resonate deeply here.”

Founded in London in 1992, wagamama has more than 200 restaurants across the United Kingdom and 18 other countries. The chain is known for its Asian-inspired menu, which includes ramen, teppanyaki, curries, salads, fresh juices, desserts, and other dishes served in

CUP of coffee can carry more than caffeine. At a new café in Bonifacio Global City, it can bring back the taste of turon, taho, batirol, and samalamig.

Common Man Coffee Roasters is leaning into Filipino flavors as it opens its newest Philippine store at West Gallery Place, BGC, building on a localized coffee program shaped by familiar food memories.

The Singapore-born café brand, which first entered the country through its Ayala Triangle Gardens location in Makati, is opening its second Philippine branch in one of Metro Manila’s busiest business districts.

For Karole Santos, head of marketing at Common Man Coffee Roasters Philippines, the expansion reflects how the brand has been received locally.

“This second store feels like a validation and an acceptance by the market,” Santos said.

The BGC opening also continues a localization effort that began in 2024 with the launch of the Araw-Araw Signature Coffee Blend, created as a Filipino counterpart to the brand’s existing coffee blends.

“We wanted to bring in a little bit of our flavor as a Filipino market to the Common Man Coffee Roasters brand,” she added. The effort later

expanded into the Turon Latte and Taho Latte, which debuted last year and eventually became permanent menu items after gaining a following. Santos said the drinks were created to pair the Araw-Araw blend with flavors that many Filipinos immediately recognize.

The latest additions are the limited-time Batirol Espresso and Samalamig Latte, released under the Homegrown Classics collection.

Created by in-house barista Jay Salvacion, the Batirol Espresso draws from the traditional tablea drink, combining chocolate, espresso, and toasted marshmallow.

The Samalamig Latte, developed by in-house barista and two-time Barista Challenge winner Andy Manuel, combines muscovado banana syrup, espresso, milk, and green gulaman, inspired by the familiar street-side refreshment.

Unlike the Turon Latte and Taho Latte, the two new drinks will be available for only about three months at the Makati and BGC branches while the company gauges customer response.

“If we see an opportunity where these are well-loved, and people keep looking for them, then there is the intention to make them permanent,” Santos said.

Santos said Common Man plans to continue exploring Filipinoinspired beverages as customers increasingly seek drinks that offer something beyond the usual café experience. One example is the Batirol Espresso, where guests pour the espresso into the drink themselves.

The BGC branch also hosts the brand’s community events.

Following an earlier coffee rave in Makati, Common Man recently held another in BGC and hopes to organize similar gatherings quarterly.

Santos said Common Man wants its cafés to serve as places where people can gather, meet others, and have conversations that often happen online.

“We want to be there for the gathering of these communities,” she said.

“We’re

exceptional guest experiences, made them a natural partner for us,” said Francisco Neves, senior vice president for franchise and partnerships at wagamama.

“The Philippines is an important step in our international growth journey and gives us the opportunity to introduce more guests to the fresh flavors, vibrant atmosphere, and distinctive dining experience that makes wagamama so special,” he added.

Founded in 1994, The Bistro Group operates international restaurant brands including TGI Fridays, Texas Roadhouse, Italianni’s, Denny’s,