BusinessMirror April 21, 2025

By Reine Juvierre S. Alberto

country’s external debt service burden eased by more than half as of end-January 2025, on the back of the decline in principal payments.

Preliminary data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) showed the total external debt service burden declined by 54.29 percent to $799 million as of end-January 2025 from $1.748 billion during the same period in 2024. This covers principal and interest payments on fixed medium- and long-term (MLT) credits, including International Monetary Fund credits, Paris Club loans, commercial banks’ rescheduling and New Money Facilities, as well as interest on fixed and revolving short-term liabilities of banks and non-banks. Broken down, interest payments reached $719 million, outpacing principal payments as of end-January 2025. This is 3.75 percent higher than the $693 million recorded a year ago.

By Bless Aubrey Ogerio

THE country is unlikely to achieve upper middle-income status this year due to modest economic growth and global uncertainties, but the goal remains within reach by 2026, according to the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda).

Principal of the total debt service

“Not this year. Probably not this year,” Balisacan said in a press briefing last week, explaining that the official classification is based on this year’s economic performance, which won’t be confirmed until data is released in mid-2026.

He added, “I think the upper middle-income status is challenging. But, I think, if we get 6 percent this year [and] 6 percent next year, we should achieve that

Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said hitting the income threshold would require at least 6 percent gross domestic product (GDP) growth this year and next—an outlook that remains possible, though increasingly challenging.

By Andrea E. San Juan

ASIA’S merchandise trade is seen to be the second most affected by the tariff measures implemented by Washington, the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) forecast shows.

Data from the WTO’s Global Trade Outlook Report April 2025 showed that the 166-member global trade organization has trimmed its merchandise trade volume growth and gross domestic product (GDP) growth projections in 2025 for North America, South America, Europe and Asia.

For Asia, WTO said its merchandise exports volume is seen

to grow by 1.6 percent this year, 1.7 percentage points lower than the 3.3 percent baseline forecast of WTO.

For imports, WTO adjusted its forecast for Asia to a 1.6-percent growth for this year, 1.6 percent age points lower than its 3.2 per cent baseline forecast.

It is worth noting that among the seven regions being gauged by WTO globally, Asia has the second steepest cut to the trade volume growth forecast for this year for merchandise exports and imports, as well as GDP growth projection. WTO

showed

FAITH, FESTIVITY, AND NEW BEGINNINGS Across the Philippines, Easter Sunday

marked with both solemn devotion and joyful celebration: At the National Shrine of Saint Padre

Pio in San Pedro, Santo Tomas, Batangas, the Salubong reenacted the joyous meeting of the Risen Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary, with an angel lifting her black veil to the sound of the Hallelujah. Children performed the Bati

from pagbati or “to greet”—before the sacred images in celebration of the Resurrection. In Quezon City, a young girl painted Easter eggs, symbolizing new life and the hope brought by Christ’s resurrection. ROY DOMINGO AND NONIE REYES

Marbil: Que-Pabillo kidnap leads to break in other cases

By Rex Anthony Naval

PHILIPPINE

National Police (PNP)

chief Gen. Rommel Francisco

Marbil on Sunday lauded the swift resolution of the kidnapping and murder of Filipino-Chinese businessman Anson Que and his driver, Armanie Pabillo and called it a landmark breakthrough that underscores the service’s effectiveness in swiftly solving heinous crimes.

“Case solved. Justice served. This was not a random act of kidnap-for-ransom, but a calculated kidnap-for-hire operation,” he added.

Marbil said that the individual behind the operation will be identified and formally charged within the week.

Investigation revealed that the crime was orchestrated by Chinese national David Tan Liao, also known by aliases “Xiao Chang Jiang,” “Yang,” “Jianmin,” and

“Michael Agad Yung,” who is now under the custody of the PNP Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG) after voluntarily surrendering. Meanwhile, his Filipino cohorts, Raymart Catequista and Richard Tan Garcia (alias Ricardo Austria David), were arrested in Roxas, Palawan on April 18.

Unlike traditional kidnap-forransom syndicates, David Tan Liao personally directed a rogue kidnap-for-hire operation—a shadowy and transactional crimi -

nal enterprise where he recruited and paid local henchmen to carry out abductions and executions.

These were not random acts but deliberate, contract-based crimes targeting individuals embroiled in disputes over unpaid debts, betrayals, or internal conflicts.

“In effect, Liao’s criminal scheme operated like a rogue collection agency— except they collected through blood,” Marbil said.

He emphasized that the PNP’s swift case buildup, pursuit operations and intelligence coordination were key to dismantling Liao’s network and solving five other major kidnap-for-hire cases linked to the same group.

“With six major cases now resolved, our focus is on the financiers—the real power behind these blood-for-hire operations,” the PNP chief said.

Marbil also emphasized that there is no widespread or random kidnapping spree in the country.

“These are isolated, calculated acts rooted in personal and financial vendettas. The situation is firmly under control. Our law enforcement strategies are effective. Criminal networks are being taken down,” he stressed.

Marbil assured the public that the PNP remains relentless in its mission to pursue every mastermind, financier,

and hired perpetrator, regardless of their status or influence.

“There will be no refuge for criminals who turn vengeance into violence. The message is clear—the rule of law prevails—and it will be enforced without fear or favor,” he declared.

Ping Lacson weighs in FORMER senator and Philippine National Police Chief and now 2025 senatorial candidate Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson also lauded the PNP for solving the kidnap-slay of Que and his driver Pabillo.

But Lacson, who solved several kidnapping cases during his career as a law enforcer, also reminded the PNP that the next step now is to ensure the conviction of the perpetrators.

“Just as we criticized the PNP for the kidnap-slay of Anson Que and Armanie Pabillo, we must now give them credit for the arrest of 3 out of at least 5 suspects. Equally important is the conviction of ALL the perpetrators by building an airtight case,” Lacson said in a post on his X account Sunday.

PNP spokesperson P/Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo was quoted in reports as saying Liao was scared that he may also be killed. The PNP said Liao may have links to at least five other recent kidnapping cases, including one dating back to November 2022 in Muntinlupa City.

The PNP is now tracking down at least two more Chinese linked to the kidnap-slay of Que and Pabillo.

Earlier, Lacson reminded the PNP, which won public trust when he headed it from 1999 to 2001, that the only way to mollify the Chinese Filipino community and the public amid the spate of kidnapping incidents is to solve the case and bring the perpetrators to justice.

“What is needed is a positive resolution of KFR cases. That is the important thing,” he said at the time.

Lacson encouraged families of kidnap victims to coordinate with non-government organizations like the Movement for the Restoration of Peace and Order founded by Teresita AngSee. The MRPO’s members are kidnap victims or their relatives, and may help the victims deal with their situation. With Butch Fernandez

End-Jan…

Continued from A1

burden, meanwhile, sank by 92.51 percent to $79 million from $1.055 billion as of end-January 2024.

Ateneo de Manila University economist Leonardo A. Lanzona Jr. said the continuous monetary policy easing of the BSP made it feasible for the government to amortize a substantial amount of debt through its debt instruments.

The central bank recently reduced the key policy rate by 25 basis points to 5.50 percent last April 10, to support economic growth.

“This may be a good strategy since in the long term, especially with uncertainties resulting from United States trade policies and the lower US Bond prices, [it] can mean higher interest rates worldwide,” Lanzona said.

However, the economist cautioned that paying for these debts upfront may pose “greater risks”

emphasizing that other indicators should be prioritized.

upper middle-income status next year if we are able to get those growth rates.”

While the country’s economic growth is on track to meet the lower end of its 6 to 8 percent growth target, Balisacan acknowledged that external factors pose significant challenges. (See: https://businessmirror.com.ph/2025/04/15/phlsees-modest-export-gdp-gainsunder-new-tariffs/)

“We are not expecting positive growth in overall exports...But that’s only temporary,” he said in the same press briefing.

Projections from different organizations indicated that the Philippines will grow around 5.9 percent this year, still shy of the 6 percent lower-end target.

On April 3, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) revised its 2024 GDP growth estimate slightly higher, from 5.6 percent to 5.7 percent, while adjusting the Q4 2024 year-on-year GDP growth to 5.3 percent from 5.2 percent. For 2023, full-year GDP growth remains unchanged at 5.5 percent.

The PSA will release official Q1 2025 growth figures in May, though the Neda chief does not expect first-quarter growth to surpass last year’s 5.9 percent. Despite these challenges, he remained optimistic about the country’s economic outlook while

WTO…

Continued from A1

Asia will grow by 3.7 percent in terms of GDP this year, 0.3 percentage points lower than the 4.1 percent baseline forecast of WTO for 2025.

Factors for dim outlook

AT a recent WTO briefing, Ralph Ossa, Chief Economist and Director Economic Research and Statistics Division at WTO, said: “If you look at the effects, basically what you see is you see North America is most affected, Asia is second most affected, and then South America.”

WTO’s Global Trade Outlook and Statistics April 2025 report explained that the outlook for global trade has “deteriorated sharply due to a surge in tariffs and trade policy and uncertainty.”

“Based on measures in place as of April 14, including the suspension of ‘reciprocal tariffs’ by the United States, the volume of world merchandise trade is now expected to decline by 0.2 percent in 2025 before posting a modest recovery of 2.5 percent in 2026,” the report noted.

The 166-member global trade organization explained that the new estimate for 2025 is nearly three percentage points lower than it would have been without recent

compared to paying them towards the end of the year.

“The high amortization payments could mean that the government budget this year may have already been spent as early as the first quarter,” Lanzona said.

“This suggests that the government may have incurred more debts than necessary in the coming months, with even higher interest rates,” he added.

BSP data showed export shipments grew by 2.66 percent to $4.807 billion as of end-January 2025 from $4.682 billion during the same period a year ago. This resulted in the ratio of debt service burden to export shipments settling at 16.6 percent, from 37.3 percent posted last year.

Meanwhile, exports of goods and receipts from services and primary income amounted to $12.913 billion, higher by 7.64 percent year-on-year from $11.996 billion.

This brought the debt service burden to exports of goods and receipts from services and primary income ratio to 6.2 percent from

“People are so fixated with that figure, upper middle income status,” he said. “For me, what’s even more important are the indicators like employment, poverty numbers, social indicators like literacy, hunger.”

“These are what really define, give us welfare, living standard, as opposed to the GDP or National Income Per Capita,” he added. “It’s a useful measure, it’s a broad measure, but unfortunately, it cannot capture everything, especially those things that really matter for the well-being of the country’s citizens.”

In January, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. expressed confidence that the Philippines could reach UMIC status in 2025. The government originally targeted achieving UMIC status by 2020, but the pandemic and strict quarantine measures delayed that plan. As of July 2023, the World Bank classified the Philippines as a Lower Middle-Income Country, with a nominal GDP per capita of $3,805. To be classified as upper middleincome, a country needs a gross national income (GNI) per capita between $4,466 and $13,845.

Achieving higher income status would boost investor confidence, improve the country’s global standing, and enhance credit ratings. However, it would also present new challenges, such as losing access to concessional loans and aid, and facing higher borrowing costs.

policy shifts. In addition, WTO said this “marks a significant reversal from the start of the year, when WTO economists expected to see continued trade expansion supported by improving macroeconomic conditions.”

WTO chief: ‘Big concern’ FOR her part, WTO Director General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala underscored: “My level of concern is heightened. I’m very concerned. For all the reasons we said before, the slowdown and in fact, turnaround, contraction in global merchandise trade growth is of big concern.”

The WTO chief said this in response to a query on the “broader spillover effects” of the recent tariff measures imposed.

The WTO outlook report stressed that the impact of trade policy uncertainty, volatility and restrictiveness on global trade is “two-fold.”

“Uncertainty acts as a direct trade cost; and widespread uncertainty can potentially have negative spillovers on global growth by affecting households’ consumption and savings behavior,” the report pointed out.

For instance, WTO said the expectation of increased inflation in the short run may delay spending.

“Business confidence can also be impacted, notably in sectors relying on imported inputs,” added the WTO outlook report.

14.6 percent a year ago. Current account receipts also rose by 7.40

latest data on the outstanding external debt, both the public and private sectors’, as of end-January 2025. In 2024, the debt service burden reached a total $17.164 billion, with principal amounting to $8.944 billion and interest payments worth $8.220

Group: Discarding waste in churches is sacrilege

By Jonathan L. Mayuga @jonlmayuga

ALOCAL waste and pollu -

tion watchdog, on Sunday, called out pilgrims who indiscriminately discarded waste in churches during Holy Week said such act constitute sacriledge or disrespect to the Almighty.

EcoWaste Coalition coalition said that based on its monitoring on Thursday and Friday, some popular pilgrimage sites and their immediate environs were found littered. On the other hand, some were litter-free or almost, positively reflecting on the visitors’ behavior.

For this year’s monitoring, the group visited the International Shrine of the Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage, or the Antipolo Cathedral, in Antipolo City, Rizal, the Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine in San Jose del Monte City, Bulacan, as well as some of the designated Jubilee Churches in the Archdiocese of Manila and the Dioceses of Caloocan, Cubao, Imus, Malolos, and Parañaque.

While less litter was observed at the patio of the Antipolo Cathedral compared to past years, the group found discarded religious literature and other trash at the entrance of the church in the early morning of Good Friday.

Some pilgrims who rested in adjacent areas after the Alay Lakad inconsiderately left plastic sheets, corrugated boxes, plastic bottles, food containers, and leftovers.

Ortigas Avenue Extension, one of the main roads leading to the pilgrimage site, was likewise found littered, especially with plastic bottles, cups, and other singleuse plastics.

Meanwhile, heaps of garbage greeted visitors at the Our Lady

of Lourdes Shrine. Bins and bags were found overflowing with assorted and mostly plastic trash.

At the picnic area, some people abandoned used plastic bottles and paper bowls on the tables or plant boxes. Plastic bags for candles were found scattered at the Stations of the Cross. The hill where the statue of the crucified Christ is depicted is strewn with trash.

Other places found littered at the time of monitoring were the Minor Basilica and National Shrine of Jesus Nazareno (Quiapo, Manila City); National Shrine and Parish of the Divine Mercy (Marilao, Bulacan); and Diocesan Shrine and Parish of Our Lady of Grace (Caloocan City).

Jubilee Churches visited and found litter-free in the Archdiocese of Manila were the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception (Iintramuros, Manila); Minor Basilica of the Our Lady of the Pillar (Sta. Cruz, Manila); Minor Basilica of San Sebastian; National Shrine of the Our Lady of the Abandoned (Marikina City); National Shrine of the Sacred Heart (Makati); Archdiocese Shrine and Parish of the Our Lady of Loreto (Sampaloc, Manila); Archdiocesan Shrine of Nuestra Señora de Guia (Ermita, Manila); Saint John Bosco Parish (Malati); San Ildefonso Parish (Makati); and San Pablo Apostol Parish (Tondo, Manila).

Also found litter-free were the National Shrine of Our Lady of Perpetual Help (Parañaque City); Basilica of the National Shrine of the Our Lady of Mount Carmel (Quezon City); St. Gregory the Great Parish (Indang, Cavite); as well as the Cathedral of the Holy Child (National Cathedral of the Philippine Independent Church, Manila City).

Marcos: Uplift lives through policies, gestures of charity

WITH the comemoration of the Paschal Triduum that was capped by Easter Sunday, President Marcos called on the government and the people to help uplift the lives of the many through policies and gestures of charity.

The Chief Executive said the celebration of Jesus Christ’s resurrection after his crucifixion and death was proof of how each one can make a difference in the lives of other people.

“Easter is a reminder that light and hope always prevail. With the resurrection of Christ, we will also rise together as a people.

Happy Easter,” Marcos said in Filipino in a post on his social media page on Sunday.

In his Easter Sunday message released by Malacañang, he said the government can achieve this through “policies that heal, through laws that protect, and through governance that leaves

no one behind.”

“To be true pilgrims of hope, it is not enough to say He [Christ] is risen while leaving others buriedin debt, in hunger, and in silence,” Marcos said.

“The Resurrection is not just a moment to celebrate, it is a call to action,” he added.

The President also made the same appeal to Filipinos by urging them to help in his vision for a Bagong Pilipinas (New Philippines), which aims to transform Philippine society for the better through thoughts, words, and works.

“We must rise-not merely in belief, but in deeds, and not only in prayer, but in action,” Marcos said.

“Let us manifest the strength of our faith with the work of our hands and, together, build the Bagong Pilipinas we aspire for our people,” he added. Samuel P. Medenilla

Pasig family Baguio’s ’25 Lucky Summer Visitors

By Marilou Guieb

ON Easter Sunday, the Lucky Seven Visitors (LSV) were bid goodbye by the Baguio Correspondents and Broadcaster Club (BCBC), loaded with souvenirs and large bags of highland vegetables to take home with them.

Mayor Vico Sotto of Pasig must be heartened to know that a family of six among his constituents

Lawmaker: Mobilize AFP intel in anti-kidnapping campaign

By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz @joveemarie

ASENIOR lawmaker on Sunday called on President Marcos Jr. to mobilize the Intelligence Service, Armed Forces (Isafp) to assist civilian law enforcement agencies in gathering crucial information to combat kidnapping syndicates.

Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel said the President may lawfully deploy Isafp, as well as the intelligence units of the Army, Air Force, and Navy, to assist the National Police (PNP)

in countering kidnapping groups, particularly when their activities pose threats to public safety or national security.

Citing the 1987 Constitution, Pimentel emphasized the

President’s broad authority as commander-in-chief of all armed forces to direct military operations, including intelligence activities, in matters concerning internal security and public order.

“This constitutional power enables the President to utilize military intelligence in support of the police, especially in cases involving grave threats like kidnapping gangs that may have links to transnational crime,” Pimente said.

While acknowledging the PNP as the lead agency in maintaining internal peace and order, Pimentel stressed that military intelligence can be activated when broader security concerns are at stake.

“Military assistance to civil authorities is a well-established component of internal security operations,” according to Pimentel, a

senior member of the House Committee on Public Order and Safety. He added that there are existing legal frameworks and protocols to enable joint police-military efforts in confronting serious threats. Pimentel’s call comes in the wake of the recent abduction and killing of Filipino-Chinese steel executive Anson Que and his driver, Armanie Pabillo, which has triggered widespread public outrage and prompted business groups to demand swift justice and improved public safety measures.

Meanwhile, Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Sunday lauded the Philippine National Police (PNP) under the leadership of General Rommel Marbil for the swift arrest of three suspects in the killings of Que and Pabillo.

‘Sara endorsing Senate bets to avoid getting convicted’

TWO lawmakers on Sunday believed that impeached Vice President Sara Duterte’s recent endorsement of senatorial candidates is a ploy to gain political allies as her impeachment trial in the Senate draws closer.

House Deputy Majority Leader Paolo Ortega V, in a statement, said that the Vice President’s change of stance was “not surprising,” given her impending trial.

“It is no longer surprising that the Vice President has changed her position when it comes to endorsing senatorial candidates. We all know that the impeachment trial is near, so it’s only

natural that she will be looking for allies,” Ortega said.

This comes after Duterte publicly endorsed two senatorial hopefuls, Camille Villar and Imee Marcos, who are both out of the Magic 12 in various surveys.

Ortega noted Duterte’s earlier pronouncements to stay out of Senate endorsements, highlighting the apparent shift as a matter of “political pragmatism” and “survival” in light of the looming Senate trial.

The La Union House leader added that such a reversal appears calculated given the looming impeachment trial at the Senate, where the vice president’s

political survival now hangs in the balance.

To secure the conviction of the Vice President, the prosecution needs the votes of at least 16 senators.

Ortega, who represents La Union, reminded public officials to remain consistent in their words and actions to champion people’s interests.

Ortega also urged the Senate to conduct the impeachment trial fairly and without influence from political affiliations or recent statements.

For his part, Lanao del Sur Zia Alonto Adiong said the Vice President’s endorsements reflect

a “strategic pivot meant to shore up support” ahead of the trial.

“It’s not surprising that she changed her tune on endorsing candidates,” Adiong, a House assistant majority leader, said. While acknowledging the Vice President’s prerogative in her political decisions, Adiong pointed out the timing and potential implications of this shift from neutrality to active endorsement. He stressed the importance of the Senate demonstrating impartiality and institutional independence in handling the impeachment trial, emphasizing that “the credibility of our democratic institutions is on the line.”

Proliferation of fake socmed accounts alarms congressmen

EADERS of the House of

LRepresentatives on Sunday raised alarm over the proliferation of fake social media accounts, warning that these pose a significant threat to the integrity of the 2025 midterm elections, and called for immediate action to protect Filipino voters from digital deception.

Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales Jr., reacting to a Reuters report citing findings from Israeli tech firm Cyabra, highlighted that a substantial portion of accounts discussing former President Rodrigo Duterte’s International Criminal Court (ICC) case were inauthentic.

He warned that these tactics are now being employed to manipulate online discourse ahead of the upcoming elections.

“We must defend the Filipino people not just from guns and goons, but from ghost accounts flooding their social media feeds with propaganda and deception,”

with their family members were selected as 2025 LSV.

Ricardo Celestino Jr., the father, is a 62-year-old carpenter. His wife, Carolyn, is a 57-year-old homekeeper of her family.

was given a real holiday in their first venture to Baguio. Not only were their accommodations free in one of the nicest hotels in the city, their meals were also free, and they were honored and welcomed by top officials and mayors of Baguio and neighboring towns.

The tradition of selecting the Lucky Seven Visitors has been a decades-long project of the BCBC of the city.

The Celestino couple, together

Their son, 30-year-old Jerome, works in customer service in Pasig City while daughter, 11- year-old Julia, and grandchildren 13-yearold Eunice and the youngest, Eugin is 3-years-old.

In addition, Jellyn, 31, a secretary at the Balungao, Pangasinan, town hall,was added as the seventh lucky visitor and is the girlfriend of Jerome.

Members of the BCBC were at the waiting point before 6:00 a.m of

Gonzales said.

Gonzales warned that the growing sophistication of digital manipulation poses a serious threat to the integrity of the country’s electoral process.

“When bots, trolls, and fake profiles can reach millions of Filipinos and alter the truth with just a few clicks, democracy itself is under attack,” Gonzales said.

He urged the Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to launch a joint national digital literacy program.

“It’s not enough to fact-check after the damage is done. We need to inoculate our people against lies and fake news—especially the youth, who are most active online and most vulnerable to digital manipulation,” Gonzales said.

He also called on all political parties to categorically reject the

Holy Thursday. The Lucky Summer Visitors were picked from the ninth bus stopped at Pugo, La Union, at 8:21 a.m., passengers of the Victory Liner bus, plate number NAZ 2113, and were transported to Tuba, Benguet, where Tuba Mayor Clarita Salongan and town officials, together with their tourism officials, welcomed them with a hearty breakfast and token souvenirs.

“At first, we were incredulous, until we were made to alight from the bus,”  Jellyn said. Then the thrill began.

Their first stop was at the Lion’s Head, a popular welcome landmark to the city. They were then taken to Camp

use of “click armies” and paid influencers.

“Disinformation is not a campaign strategy. It is a threat to free elections and informed choice,” Gonzales said. “If we truly believe in democracy, then we must all play fair.”

Similarly, Quezon Rep. David Suarez denounced the “weaponization of disinformation” through fake pro-Duterte accounts, labeling it “digital warfare.” He echoed the Reuters report’s findings, noting that up to 45 percent of online discussions related to the 2025 elections are being driven by inauthentic actors.

“This is a wake-up call. The weaponization of disinformation to mislead, misinform, and manipulate voters is one of the gravest threats to our democracy today,” Suarez said.

He emphasized the need for major social media platforms like Meta, X (formerly Twitter), and YouTube to take stronger action against fake accounts.

Peppot, an area at the Burnham Park adopted by the BCBC, where they observed Holy Week. Here they were treated to lunch and were introduced to the local media in a news conference after which they were whisked to the city hall whereMayor Benjamin Magalong welcomed them with tokens.

The afternoon was given as a time for rest at the Hotel Supreme owned by the family of Peter Ng. Ng has been a consistent supporter of the LSV program.

They were taken around popular destinations, including: the Dragon Treasure Castle; Igorot Stone Kingdom; Camp John Hay for forest bathing; Wright Park for

“They have the resources and the algorithms to detect inauthentic behavior. They can’t just turn a blind eye while democracy is under attack,” he said. At the same time, Suarez urged stronger digital literacy campaigns to equip Filipinos with the tools to spot and resist online manipulation.

“The Filipino voter is smart, but we owe it to them to give them the tools to fight back against deception. Let’s raise media literacy, promote digital hygiene, and ensure our elections reflect the people’s will—not the will of shadow operators,” Suarez said.

Suarez also called for all political players to uphold clean and honest elections.

“Any candidate or campaign that relies on fake engagement and digital deceit does not deserve the people’s trust,” Suarez said.

Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz

horse

and a market tour; Northern

in Atok,

Beacon Eco-park and Polig farm in

Lunch was at the Benguet provincial capitol for a lunch with provincial officials followed by strawberry picking at the strawberry farm in La Trinidad. We have long wanted to visit Baguio, but we were constrained by work schedules, Jerome said. But on the occasion of their parents’ 34th

backriding; Peace Tower and Heritage Park; Tam-Awan Artist Village; Pugad ni Art Museum; Burnham Park boating and biking activity, stroll at SM Baguio

Blossoms

Benguet;

Tublay Benguet.

Manufacturing, BPO lead job openings ahead of Labor Day

By Justine Xyrah Garcia

THOUSANDS of jobseekers

may find work opportunities in manufacturing and business process outsourcing (BPO) this coming Labor Day, as these two industries offer the most vacancies in nationwide job fairs organized by the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole).

As of Saturday, Dole confirmed that at least 8,000 jobs will come from the manufacturing sector, while BPO firms are offering around 4,000 positions in time for the May 1 celebration.

applicants can expect are call center representatives, microfinance officers, service crew, production workers, and sales clerks.

Earlier this month, Labor Secretary Bienvenido E. Laguesma said the department will intensify targeted job fairs and scale up digital skills training to help jobseekers meet evolving labor demands.

“Through targeted job fairs, we are directly connecting those graduating from the 4Ps with meaningful employment prospects,” Laguesma added.

DMW sets one-time payment for lost OFW balikbayan

By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla

Oboxes

be among the lists of victims of loss, abandonment, or extraordinary delay from the BOC, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and other government offices.

“There are also around 1,000 opportunities for overseas employment,” he added.

The retail industry has also posted 3,000 openings, followed by finance and insurance activities with 2,000, and food and accommodation services with 1,000. Among the top vacancies that

“For our Labor Day celebration, we already have 63 job fair sites where 452 employers are participating, posting a total of 37,695 job vacancies,” said Bureau of Local Employment Director Patrick Patriwirawan Jr.

“Moving forward, the Dole remains steadfast in its strategic direction in formulating sound and responsive employment policies, enhancing the employability and skills development of our workforce, expanding access to work and employment opportunities, and cultivating an environment that fosters sustainable and resilient enterprises,” Laguesma said in a statement.

He added that part of the strategy is connecting employment opportunities with graduates of the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), with some 500,000 expected to exit the program this year.

To boost the employability of applicants, Dole is also working to expand access to digital skills training—supporting the government’s goal of generating one million digital jobs by 2028.

In February, the country recorded a 96.2 percent employment rate, equivalent to 49.15 million employed Filipinos.

This was slightly higher than January’s 95.7 percent but still below the 96.5 percent in the same month last year.

Meanwhile, the unemployment rate stood at 3.8 percent, or 1.94 million jobless Filipinos—lower than January’s 4.3 percent but higher than the 3.5 percent posted in February 2024.

Underemployment also dropped to 10.1 percent, the lowest in over a year, with 4.96 million Filipinos seeking additional income or longer working hours.

DA: ₧2-B initially needed to develop Clark food hub

TVERSEAS Filipino workers (OFW), who became victims of the rising incidence of balikbayan box scam will now be able to avail of a one time P30,000 financial aid from the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW).

On Tuesday, Migrant Worker Secretary Hans J. Cacdac issued the guidelines for the grant of the said assistance in Department Order 1, series of 2025.

Cacdac said the measure aims to “alleviate the impact of economic and emotional distress among OFWs caused by fraudulent activities of unscrupulous international freight forwarders and their local counterparts in the shipment of balikbayan boxes.”

“The Department had received a significant number of reports of OFWs becoming victims of balikbayan box scams, including the loss of, abandonment, or extraordinary delay in the delivery of said balikbayan boxes,” Cacdac aid in his six-page issuance.

DMW reported that it was able to tally around 9,000 balikbayan boxes that were not delivered to the intended recipients after being declared as abandoned and subject to auction by local freight forwarders in February.

The applicants must also submit the following documentary requirements to the DMW Regional Offices (DRO) of Migrant Workers Office (MWO): accomplished request for Financial Assistance Form for victims of balikbayan box scam; sworn statement of the balikbayan box scam victim; copy of passport information page; proof that the OFW is a sender or consignor of a balikbayan box(es) (eg. bill of lading, waybill, receipt, etc.); active account number (if through bank transfer).

DRO and MWOs were tasked to process and evaluate the applications, including matching OFWapplicants to the list of victims from concerned government offices, which must then be approved by the DMW Undersecretary for Foreign Employment and Welfare Services.

The funds for the assistance, including administrative expenses, will be sourced from DMW’s Agarang Kalinga at Saklolo para sa mga OFWs na Nangangailangan (Aksyon)

By Ada Pelonia @adapelonia

HE Department of Agricul -

ture (DA) and the Department of Transportation (DOTR) vowed to fast-track the development of a food hub in Clark as part of efforts to strengthen the country’s supply chain.

DA said the buildout of a food hub on land owned by the Clark International Airport Corp. (Ciac) will centralize the storage, processing, and distribution of farm goods, while providing efficient access to farmers, traders, and other buyers.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said a recent site inspection with Ciac officials

confirmed that about 47 hectares have been identified for the food hub, adding that developing the initial 12-hectare section will cost around P2 billion.

“Access to the entire area remains challenging. But a 12-hectare section could be sufficient for initial development, considering our current budget and timelines,” Laurel said in a statement, noting that the food hub could be operational within 18 months from the start of construction.

He added that while the proposed area is smaller than Thailand’s 50-hectare agricultural distribution center, it is important to lay the foundation for future administrations to expand on. Transport Secretary Viven -

cio Dizon, who also chairs Ciac, described the hub as a potential “game-changer” for Philippine agriculture and food logistics.

He noted Clark’s “strategic” location since it is close to both the Subic seaport and the SubicClark Expressway, as well as its proximity to the Clark International Airport (CRK).

Meanwhile, Dizon revealed that the food hub’s concept was originally proposed by Semmaris of France, operator of the busy Rungis International Market near Paris.

However, the initial plan stalled when Semmaris’s local partner withdrew owing to high relocation costs associated with the original site, which could have ultimately burdened consumers.

Dole sets inspection of Valenzuela worksites

THE Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) on Saturday announced it will investigate the industrial establishments affected by the massive fire that struck Valenzuela City on Good Friday. Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma confirmed in a text message that the department’s National Capital Region Office will deploy inspectors to assess the compliance of the affected companies.

“As in similar past incidents, Dole-NCR will send a team who will inspect the companies in the area in coordination with [Bureau of Fire Protection] and the [local government] to determine what course of action to take and type of assistance to extend to affected workers,” Laguesma said. Several reports indicate that the fire broke out at around 5:00 p.m. on Friday at Flexo Manufacturing Corp., a facility that produces flexible packaging for consumer and pharmaceutical goods. It took firefighters more than 15 hours to suppress the blaze, which was only declared under control on Saturday morning. With no casualties reported, DOLE is now turning its attention

to possible violations of occupational safety and health (OSH) standards.

Laguesma said the inspections will primarily check if the companies complied with Republic Act 11058, or the OSH Law.

Under the law, employers are mandated to provide a workplace free from hazards likely to cause death or serious harm.

This includes informing workers of health risks, ensuring the use of approved equipment, offering emergency protocols, and distributing personal protective equipment at no cost to the workers.

With renewed government backing, both officials expressed hope the project can finally move forward, marking a major step toward modernizing the country’s food value chain.

Earlier, Agriculture Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said the food hub in Clark Field, Pampanga will serve as a market channel for the provinces in North Luzon, while the other will be built in Quezon province to cater to those in Southern Tagalog and Bicol.

Besides Clark, the DA is looking at other sites nationwide to set up similar food hubs to bolster farm output, stabilize food supply and prices, increase farmers’ income, and generate jobs and investments.

Employers must also install clear safety signages, implement machine and equipment safety standards, and allow workers to refuse unsafe work without fear of retaliation.

Workers are encouraged to report hazards or accidents to their supervisors or authorities.

Failure to comply with the OSH law can result in administrative fines of up to P100,000 per day until the violation is corrected—particularly if the breach exposes workers to lifethreatening conditions.

Those found deliberately evading safety regulations may also face additional administrative penalties reaching the same amount.

Govt ramps up housing efforts in NCR

By Bless Aubrey Ogerio

THE Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) is prioritizing Metro Manila in its push to deliver more homes for squatters or informal settlers under the Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino (4PH) program.

Housing Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar said several 4PH projects are already underway in the National Capital Region (NCR), while many others around the country are in ad -

vanced stages of construction.

“Habang nagte -turn over na tayo sa mga natatapos na 4PH buildings, tuloy-tuloy naman po ang construction ng iba pang projects,” Acuzar said. “Kaya, masasabi natin na buo na po ang formula, may malinaw na tayo na proofs of concept ng 4PH—iyang mga natatapos at nate-turn over na housing units.”

“ Dito sa NCR, may mga nasimulan na rin tayo na mga 4PH projects. Tututukan po natin ’yan upang mapabilis dahil dito may pinakamaraming informal settler families. Sila po ang priority

The agency coordinated with the Bureau of Customs (BOC) so the balikbayan boxes can be sent to its intended recipients.

Under DO 1, those who will qualify for the financial aid must

A Technical Working Group (TWG) will be created to implement the program and submit monthly reports on the number of its beneficiaries to the concerned DMW executives. It will conduct an evaluation of the program after six months of its implementation to determine its effectiveness.

DOTr completes MRT 3 maintenance work

THE Department of Transportation (DOTr) has completed the annual Holy Week maintenance activities for the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT 3), allowing the rail line to resume full operations on Monday, and accommodate the return of regular passenger volumes.

Maintenance works on the elevated rail line was done from April 17 to 20, and included a comprehensive set of activities aimed at ensuring the reliability and safety of the MRT 3 system. These included the cleaning and repair of key facilities, installation of new system components, and the replacement of passenger lighting ballasts.

Meanwhile, the DOTr also reported smooth operations at key seaports during the holiday period. Passenger traffic between the Port of Batangas and the Port of Calapan was managed efficiently, with a rise in volume expected over the weekend as travelers return to Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

According to data from the Philippine Ports Authority, a total of 1.88 million passengers were recorded across the country’s ports during the Holy Week period from April 12 to 19. Lorenz S. Marasigan

In addition, DOTr personnel repaired and reconditioned spare traction motors and other mechanical and electrical parts of the rolling stock. Public address and intercom systems on each train underwent functional testing and preventive maintenance to ensure efficient communication and safer journeys for commuters. MRT 3, which served an average of 375,474 passengers daily in 2024, is expected to see a rebound in ridership starting Monday, as commuters return to their regular routines following the Holy Week break.

wedding anniversary, they pooled resources together and had made reservations in a facility for transients, he added.

Jelly said that at first they were incredulous, but after they were made to alight from the bus, they started to realize that they were indeed this year’s lucky Baguio visitors.

natin dito,” he added.

The housing czar said that the agency will prioritize NCR projects to address the high number of informal settler families in the region. Further, priority sites have been identified in blighted urban areas, which are set to be redeveloped into sustainable townships.

Carolyn said she always wanted to pick strawberries and the experience was a wish fulfilled. “I filled my basket to the brim,” she said. Our hearts are full, the family said.

Ongoing 4PH projects in NCR include sites in Caloocan, Manila, Quezon City, San Juan and Pasay. Other cities, such as Pasig, Muntinlupa, Mandaluyong, Marikina, Navotas, Parañaque, Valenzuela and Malabon, have signed agreements with DHSUD to join the program. Outside Metro Manila, housing unit turnovers are ongoing in Palayan and Bacolod cities. Several projects in San Mateo, Rizal; San Fernando, Pampanga; Davao City; and Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental have completed buildings and are being prepared for distribution to beneficiaries.

As of December 2019, the Local Sheltered Plan Data reported that around 3.75 million Filipino families lived in squatter colonies or informal settlements, with the national housing backlog pegged at 6.5 million units.

Editor: Angel R. Calso

Israel intensifies Gaza attacks, killing over 90 in 48 hours, as Netanyahu rejects ceasefire

By Wafaa Shurafa, Josef Federman & Samy Magdy The Associated Press

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip— Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said again Saturday that Israel has “no choice” but to continue fighting in Gaza and will not end the war before destroying Hamas, freeing the hostages and ensuring that the territory won’t present a threat to Israel.

The prime minister also repeated his vow to make sure Iran never gets a nuclear weapon.

Netanyahu is under growing pressure at home not only from families of hostages and their supporters but also from reservist and retired Israeli soldiers who question the continuation of the war after Israel shattered a ceasefire last month. In his statement, he claimed that Hamas has rejected Israel’s latest proposal to free half the hostages for a continued ceasefire.

The prime minister spoke after Israeli strikes killed more than 90 people in 48 hours, Gaza’s Health Ministry said Saturday. Israeli troops have been increasing their attacks to pressure Hamas to release the hostages and disarm.

Children and women were among the 15 people killed overnight, according to hospital staff. At least 11 dead were in the southern city of Khan Younis, several of them in a tent in the Muwasi area where hundreds of thousands of displaced people stay, hospital workers said. Israel has designated it as a humanitarian zone.

Mourners cradled and kissed the faces of the dead. A man stroked a child’s forehead with his finger before

body bags were closed. “Omar is gone...I wish it was me,” one brother cried out.

Four other people were killed in strikes in Rafah city, including a mother and her daughter, according to the European Hospital, where the bodies were taken.

Later on Saturday, an Israeli airstrike on a group of civilians west of Nuseirat in central Gaza killed one person, according to Al-Awda Hospital.

Israel’s military in a statement said it killed more than 40 militants over the weekend.

Separately, the military said a soldier was killed Saturday in northern Gaza and confirmed it was the first soldier death since Israel resumed the war on March 18. Hamas’ armed wing, the Qassam Brigades, said it ambushed Israeli forces operating east of Gaza City’s al-Tuffah neighborhood. Israel has vowed to intensify attacks across Gaza and occupy indefinitely large “security zones” inside the small coastal strip of over 2 million people. Hamas wants Israeli forces to withdraw from the territory.

Israel also has blockaded Gaza for the past six weeks, again barring the

entry of food and other goods.

This week, aid groups raised the alarm, saying thousands of children have become malnourished and most people are barely eating one meal a day as stocks dwindle, according to the United Nations.

The head of the World Health Organization’s eastern Mediterranean office, Dr. Hanan Balkhy, on Friday urged the new US ambassador in Israel, Mike Huckabee, to push the country to lift Gaza’s blockade so medicines and other aid can enter.

“I would wish for him to go in and see the situation firsthand,” she said.

The war began when Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting 251. Most of the hostages have been released in ceasefire agreements or other deals. Hamas currently holds 59 hostages, 24 of them believed to be alive.

Israel’s offensive has since killed over 51,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to

Gaza’s Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and combatants.

The war has destroyed vast parts of Gaza and most of its food production capabilities. Around 90 percent of the population is displaced, with hundreds of thousands of people living in tent camps and bombed-out buildings.

Frustration has been growing on both sides, with rare public protests against Hamas in Gaza and continued weekly rallies in Israel pressing the government to reach a deal to bring all hostages home.

Thousands of Israelis joined protests Saturday night pressing for a deal.

“Do what you should have done a long time ago. Bring them all back now! And in one deal. And if this means to stop the war, then stop the war,” former hostage Omer Shem Tov told a rally in Tel Aviv.

Magdy reported from Cairo and Federman from Jerusalem. Associated Press writer Jamey Keaten in Geneva contributed to this report.

Iran’s space program growing stronger despite US sanctions

By Bruce Einhorn & Golnar Motevalli

IRAN’S southeastern seaport of Chabahar is a popular tourist destination renowned for its cliff-lined beaches and rugged, treeless peaks known locally as “Martian mountains.” Soon the region will have more than just a poetic connection to outer space.

For years, construction has been underway to transform the sun-drenched coastal town into an economic hub, including a spaceport that’s set to open this year. The plan is to build the equivalent of Florida’s Cape Canaveral to anchor the Islamic Republic’s space ambitions.

It’s a program that President Donald Trump has tried to stop because the US sees the technologies for space launches and ballistic missiles as virtually identical. During his first term, the US imposed sanctions on Iran’s space agency, but that hasn’t prevented Iran from building one of the most advanced programs in the Middle East—with the Iranian Space Agency and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps both sending rockets and satellites to orbit.  New projects include a network of 20 Internet satellites named for Qassem Soleimani, the general killed in a Trump-ordered air strike in 2020.

Concerns over Iran’s development of both nuclear and missile technology have dominated the West’s relationship with the Islamic Republic for more than 20 years.

Since Trump’s reelection, Tehran’s stockpile of uranium enriched near the level needed for nuclear arms has surged more than 50 percent, the International Atomic Energy Agency has said, once again raising concerns about its military potential.

Trump has urged Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to agree to a new nuclear deal or face possible military action. Negotiators from Washington and Tehran conducted talks in Oman on April 12 and are preparing for a second meeting.

Iran has had to reassess its capabilities with its partners in Gaza and Lebanon weakened by fighting with Israel after the 2023 attacks by Hamas.  Its Syrian ally Bashar al-

Assad has also been overthrown by rebels. Western officials and experts increasingly see the Islamic Republic’s sophisticated space program as a key component of its defense capabilities.

“Iran’s work on space-launch vehicles— including its two-stage, liquid-fueled Simorgh satellite carrier rocket—likely shortens the timeline to produce an ICBM due to the similarities in technology,” General Anthony Cotton, commander of US Strategic Command, said in prepared testimony to the Senate Armed Services Committee on March 26. Iran’s foreign ministry and the White House National Security Council didn’t respond to requests for comment on this article.

The Iranian space progress comes at a time when many nations and private companies are investing heavily to boost space military capabilities like spy satellites and satellite jammers.

Official figures for the total cost of Iran’s space program so far aren’t available. With the economy squeezed by US sanctions, the government has continued to support its space program, albeit on tight budgets: Last November, a senior Iranian official said the space agency would receive around $11 million of financing to boost the sector.

It’s also gained from Iran’s stronger relationship with Russia in recent years. In January, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian signed a strategic partnership agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Last year, a Russian rocket launched the first two privately-developed Iranian satellites to orbit. Russia is using Iranian-made drones in its war in Ukraine and is offering knowledge developed over decades of space exploration, said Juliana Suess, researcher at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs.

“What Russia definitely has is the expertise,” she said. “That’s something that Iran is after.”

Iran’s ability to launch more satellites could enable it to use spacecraft to better guide offensive weapons. Iranians “can become much more precise in their targeting and have quicker reaction times to launch their own ballistic missile forces to hit targets

much more precisely,” said John Sheldon, Abu Dhabi-based founding partner at AstroAnalytica, a space consulting firm.

The West is increasingly concerned about the strategic and military implications of Iran’s advances. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government sanctioned Brigadier General Ali Jafarabadi, head of the Space Division of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Aerospace Force, last September and the Iranian Space Agency in October.

The EU also sanctioned Jafarabadi in October, saying his division was “involved in the development and future launch of satellite carriers, which are essential for the development of long-range ballistic missile systems.”

The IRGC, the powerful branch of Iran’s armed forces, was designated a terrorist organization by Trump during his first term.

Iranian leaders acknowledge space’s role in developing weapons, with Pezeshkian referring to Iran’s space program as a driving force behind its missile development.

“Our enemies constantly try to prevent us from standing on our own feet, but this has driven us to achieve scientific and technological advancements,” he said in February.

Although Iran has always denied it wants nuclear weapons and insists its uranium enrichment is for civilian purposes only, progress in space may offer Tehran an opportunity to assert resilience and strength.

“Iran has a need now, especially after the losses of its proxy power to Israel, to reestablish some kind of pathway to do power projection,” said Matthew Schmidt, associate professor of national security and political science at the University of New Haven. “They see space technology and aeronautical technology as a place to do it.”

Much depends on the success of Chabahar, a project that’s been plagued by delays and was meant to be ready by 2024. The opening is now set for this year, the Tehran Times newspaper reported in January, citing space agency chief, Hassan Salarieh.

When it’s finally finished, Chabahar will be a 14,000-hectare (54-square-mile) comp lex that will serve as Iran’s primary hub for space missions, he said.

Chabahar is critical to the Iranian gov -

Ukraine wary of Putin’s Easter truce, as largest POW exchange takes place

By Hanna Arhirova The Associated Press

CHERNIHIV REGION, Ukraine—Ukraine said it would reciprocate any genuine ceasefire by Moscow, but voiced skepticism after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a temporary Easter truce in Ukraine starting Saturday.

The announcement from Kyiv came as Russia and Ukraine conducted their largest prisoner exchange since Moscow’s full-scale invasion started over three years ago. Putin announced a temporary Easter ceasefire in Ukraine starting Saturday, citing humanitarian reasons. According to the Kremlin, the ceasefire will last from 6 p.m. Moscow time (1500 GMT) on Saturday to midnight (2100 GMT) following Easter Sunday.

Putin offered no details on how the ceasefire would be monitored or whether it would cover airstrikes or ongoing ground battles that rage around the clock.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said if Russia is genuinely ready to observe a full and unconditional ceasefire, Ukraine will mirror that approach and strike only in defense. He said such a gesture, particularly over the Easter weekend, could reveal Moscow’s true intentions.

ernment’s strategy, since the facility should increase the ability to launch more powerful spacecraft. Chabahar is also closer to the equator than Iran’s other launch sites, allowing rockets to take better advantage of the Earth’s spin compared to more northerly sites.

Working on large rockets for space “positions them better to be able to develop intercontinental ballistic missiles,” said John Caves, senior research associate at the Wisconsin Project on Nuclear Arms Control in Washington. Both a space rocket and an intercontinental ballistic missile can travel outside the Earth’s atmosphere.

“Some of the technology that you need to be able to have a missile go that far is similar to things that you would work on for a space launch vehicle,” he said. “There are some things that basically they can learn from working on the space launch vehicle that then they could apply to an ICBM.”

Iran’s neighbors are promoting pan-Arab partnership, with 14 countries taking part in the Arab Space Cooperation Group, said Mohamed Ibrahim Al Aseeri, CEO of Bahrain’s space agency.

Although he said Tehran’s “very advanced capabilities” didn’t pose a threat, Al Aseeri said in an interview that Bahrain needed to respond to the way Iran and other nations use space for military and security purposes. “It is a competition and the best way to deal with it is to be ready and to develop your own technology,” he said.

Meanwhile, Israeli officials have made public statements accusing Iran of using the space program as cover for military missile technologies.

Officials in Tehran argue that having a space program is about securing the same access to advanced technology that’s available to the West, rather than building a longrange missile threat to the US.

Sina Azodi, adjunct professor of international affairs at George Washington University, said it’s highly unlikely that Iran will use its space program to develop intercontinental ballistic missiles, knowing that they would be easily thwarted by the US. Bloomberg News

“If a full ceasefire truly takes hold, Ukraine proposes extending it beyond Easter Day on April 20,” Zelenskyy said on Telegram. “That will reveal Russia’s true intentions, as 30 hours are enough for headlines, but not for genuine confidence-building measures.”

Zelenskyy added that, according to military reports, Russian assaults and artillery fire continued along parts of the 1,000-kilometer (600-mile) long front line.

In response to the ceasefire announcement, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said that Kyiv had in March “agreed unconditionally to the US proposal of a full interim ceasefire for 30 days,” which Russia rejected.

“Putin has now made statements about his alleged readiness for a ceasefire. 30 hours instead of 30 days,” Sybiha continued, writing on X. “Unfortunately, we have had a long history of his statements not matching his actions.”

Putin’s ceasefire announcement came after US President Donald Trump on Friday said negotiations between Ukraine and Russia are “coming to a head” and insisted that neither side is “playing” him in his push to end the grinding three-year war.

Largest POW exchange so far THE two sides meanwhile exchanged hundreds of POWs on Saturday. Russia’s Ministry of Defense said that 246 Russian service members were returned from Ukraine, and 31 wounded Ukrainian POWs were transferred in exchange for 15 wounded Russian soldiers in need of urgent medical care.

Zelenskyy said that 277 Ukrainian “warriors” have returned home from Russian captivity.

Both sides thanked the United Arab Emirates for their mediation.

Most of the Ukrainians freed in the latest prisoner exchange are young people born after 2000, Ukraine’s

Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War said Friday.

Outside a hospital in Ukraine’s Northern Chernihiv region, where recently freed POWs were brought after the exchange at the border, dozens of relatives stood waiting.

Among them was 48-year-old Nataliia Lohvynchuk, who rushed toward the bus the moment it arrived. She hadn’t seen her son in three years, since he was captured during the battle for Mariupol in the spring of 2022. Her son, 23-year-old Ihor Lohvynchuk, lost about 40 kilograms (88 pounds) in captivity. “It still doesn’t feel real,” he said softly. “We’re not really here yet. We all made it back, but we’re still not here. His mother, overcome with emotion and embracing her son, issued a plea: “We call on the entire world, on every country—help us bring all our boys home.”

Thousands of POWs remain in captivity. The exchange is the fourth this year and the 63rd since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion.

Since the outbreak of the war, a total of 4,552 Ukrainians, both military and civilians, have been returned from captivity.

Russia says its forces have retaken nearly all of Kursk RUSSIA’S Defense Ministry said Saturday its forces pushed Ukrainian troops from the village of Oleshnya, one of their last remaining footholds in Russia’s Kursk region, where the Ukrainians staged a surprise incursion last year.

Gerasimov said Saturday in a report to Putin, quoted by Russian state media, that Russia had retaken nearly all of the territory from Ukrainian forces.

“The main part of the region’s territory, where the invasion took place, has now been liberated. This is 1,260 square kilometers, 99.5 percent,” Gerasimov said.

Zelenskyy wrote on X that Ukrainian forces “continued their activity on the territory of the Kursk region and are holding their positions.” Ukraine also claimed that it holds a presence beyond the Kursk region in Russian territory with an aim of preventing the offensive on the Sumy region and to fight on enemy’s soil. The Associated Press was unable to verify the claim immediately from Russia.

According to the Russian state news agency Tass, Russia is still fighting to push Ukrainian forces out of the village of Gornal, some 7 miles (11 kilometers) south of Oleshnya. In other developments, the Ukrainian air force reported that Russia fired 87 exploding drones and decoys in the latest wave of attacks overnight into Saturday. It said 33 of them were intercepted and another 36 were lost, likely having been electronically jammed.

Russian attacks damaged farms in the Odesa region and sparked fires in the Sumy region overnight, Ukraine’s State Emergency Service said Saturday. Fires were contained, and no casualties were reported.

Russia’s Ministry of Defense, meanwhile, said its air defense systems shot down two Ukrainian drones overnight into Saturday.

MOURNERS gather to grieve over the body of Palestinian child Mohammad Abu Nada, who was killed in an Israeli army airstrike, during his funeral in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip on Saturday, April 19, 2025. AP PHOTO/ABDEL KAREEM HANA

Incessant crackdown in Belarus hurls dozens of independent journalists into harsh prisons

By Yuras Karmanau | The Associated Press

TALLINN,

Estonia—Journalist Ksenia

Lutskina served only half of her eightyear prison sentence in Belarus after being convicted of conspiracy to overthrow the government. She was pardoned after she kept fainting in her cell from a brain tumor diagnosed during pretrial detention.

“I was literally brought to the penal colony in a wheelchair, and I realized that journalism has really turned into a life-threatening profession in Belarus,” she told The Associated Press in Vilnius, Lithuania, where she lives.

Lutskina was one of dozens of journalists imprisoned in Belarus, where many face beatings, poor medical care and the inability to contact lawyers or relatives, according to activists and former inmates. She compared the prisons to those from the Soviet era.

The group Reporters Without Borders says Belarus is Europe’s leading jailer of journalists. At least 40 are serving long prison sentences, according to the Belarusian Association of Journalists.

Lutskina had quit her job making documentaries for Belarus’ state broadcaster in 2020 when mass protests broke out after an election— widely denounced as fraudulent—kept authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko in power. Trying to set up an alternative TV channel to factcheck government officials, she was arrested that year, put on trial and later convicted.

Other journalists fled the country of 9.5 million and operate from abroad. But many have had to curtail their work after US President Donald Trump’s administration cut off foreign aid, a vital source of funding for many independent media.

“Journalists are forced to face not only repressions within the country, but also the sudden withdrawal of US aid, which puts many editorial offices on the brink of survival,” BAJ chair Andrei Bastunets told AP.

The 2020 crackdown

LUKASHENKO’S brutal crackdown after the disputed election led to over 65,000 arrests between 2020-2025. Thousands told of being beaten by police, opposition figures were jailed or forced into exile, and hundreds of thousands fled abroad in fear.

More than 1,200 people behind bars in the nation of 9.5 million are recognized as political prisoners by Belarus’ leading rights group, Viasna. Its founder, Nobel Prize Peace laureate Ales Bialiatski, is among them.

Independent journalists have been swept up too, with outlets closed or outlawed. Lukashenko, in power for over three decades, routinely calls them “enemies of our state,” and vows that those who fled won’t be allowed to return.

“The raids, arrests and abuse of journalists have been unceasing for five years, but now they have reached the point of absurdity,” Bastunets said, noting that families of journalists are being threatened. Families of some targeted journalists have asked rights groups not to talk publicly about their cases for fear of further reprisal.

Every month brings new arrests and searches, with almost all independent media leaving Belarus. The crackdown even hits those who switch their focus to nonpolitical content.

In December, authorities arrested the entire editorial staff of the popular regional publication Intex-press, which covers local news in the city of Baranavichy. Seven journalists were charged with “assisting extremist activity.”

Extremism is the most common charge used to detain, fine and jail critically minded citizens. Even reading independent media that’s been declared extremist can result in short-term arrest. Working with or subscribing to banned media is seen as “assisting extremism,” punishable by up to seven years in prison. Websites of such outlets are blocked.

According to Reporters Without Borders, 397 Belarusian journalists have been victims of what the group deems unjust arrests since 2020, with some detained multiple times.

At least 600 moved abroad, the group said. Even then, many still face pressure from authorities who can open

KSENIA LUTSKINA , a Belarusian journalist who was imprisoned in Belarus for several years and left the country after her release, poses for a photo in Berlin, Germany on April 15, 2025.

cases against them in absentia, put them on international wanted lists, seize their property inside Belarus and target relatives in raids.

Reporters Without Borders filed a lawsuit with the International Criminal Court in January, accusing Belarusian authorities of “crimes against humanity,” citing torture, beatings, imprisonment, persecution and forced displacement of journalists.

Beatings and isolation behind bars

KATSIARYNA BAKHVALAVA , a journalist for Belsat, a Polish-Belarusian independent TV channel, was arrested while covering the 2020 protests. Initially convicted of disrupting public order and sentenced to two years. she was put on trial for treason while in a penal colony and convicted, with her sentence extended to eight years and three months.

Her husband, political analyst Ihar Iliyash, was arrested in October 2024 on charges of “discrediting Belarus” and is jailed while awaiting trial.

Now 31, Bakhvalava, has been placed in a “punishment isolation” cell several times and in 2022 was beaten, according to a former inmate.

Palina Sharenda-Panasiuk, a former political prisoner who fled to Lithuania, told reporters she heard that four prison guards had beaten Bakhvalava, who was crying and asking for a doctor.

Andrzej Poczobut, a correspondent for the influential Polish newspaper Gazeta Wyborcza and a prominent figure in the Union of Poles in Belarus, was convicted of “harming Belarus’ national security” and sentenced to eight years, which he is serving in the Novopolotsk penal colony.

Poczobut, 52, suffers from a serious heart condition and was placed in solitary confinement several times, sometimes for stretches of up to six months, human rights activists said.

At the end of March, his stay in a punitive cell unit—the harshest form of incarceration—was extended for six months. Attempts by Warsaw to intervene have failed and Poczobut has refused to ask Lukashenko for a pardon.

Also imprisoned is Maryna Zolatava, editor of Tut.By—once the most popular online news outlet in Belarus but shut down by authorities in 2021. Zolatava was convicted in 2023 of incitement and distributing materials urging actions aimed at harming national security, and sentenced to 12 years.

Parallels with ‘1984’

LUKASHENKO extended his rule for a seventh term in a January election that the opposition called a farce. Since July, he has pardoned over 250 people, seeking to improve ties with the West.

Belarusian analyst Valery Karbalevich said Lukashenko “views political prisoners as a commodity. He is cynically willing to sell journalists and activists to Europe and the United States in exchange for easing economic sanctions and thawing relations. And this process has already begun.”

Shortly after Trump began his second term, Lukashenko released two US citizens and a journalist from the Belarusian service of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, a US governmentfunded news outlet. Two more RFE/RL journalists, Ihar Losik and Ihar Karnei, remain imprisoned and were forced to record repentant videos.

Freed journalist Andrey Kuznechyk, who spent three years in prison, left Belarus for Lithuania.

“The first day after my release, I looked at the list of journalists behind bars and I was shocked by how much it had grown during my imprisonment,” he told AP.

Lutskina, the journalist who also fled to Lithuania, brought her 14-yearold son with her, saying he “must learn to distinguish truth from lies.” They both have read George Orwell’s dystopian novel “1984,” which was banned in Belarus, and are finding “surprising parallels” with her homeland.

“Belarus has turned into a gray country under a gray sky, where people are afraid of everything and speak in whispers,” she said.

Lutskina, who is being treated for the tumor that caused her fainting spells, said she actually felt less fear in prison than her fellow Belarusians outside it.

They walk around with their heads down, she said, “afraid to raise their eyes and see the nightmare happening around them,” she added.

US and Iran make headway in Rome talks, aim to reach deal on nuclear negotiations

By Matthew Lee & Jon Gambrell

The Associated Press

ROME—Iran and the United States plan to meet over Tehran’s rapidly advancing nuclear program again next week, after both sides said they made progress in their talks Saturday in Rome.

A US official confirmed that at a point during the negotiations in Rome, President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi spoke face to face.

Before they meet again in Oman on April 26, Araghchi said technical-level talks would be held in the coming days. That experts would be discussing details of a possible deal suggests movement in the talks and comes as Trump has pushed for a rapid agreement while threatening military action against Iran.

The sides “made very good progress in our direct and indirect discussions,” according to a senior Trump administration official who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss a private diplomatic meeting.

In a post on X, Araghchi similarly said they made “progress on principles and objectives of a possible deal.” He added, however, that “optimism may be warranted but only with a great deal of caution.” He told Iranian state television earlier that “I hope that we will be in a better position after the technical talks.”

While the US said both direct and indirect discussions were held, Iranian officials described them as indirect, like those last weekend in Muscat, Oman, with Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi shuttling between them in different rooms.

“These talks are gaining momentum and now even the unlikely is possible,” al-Busaidi said on X.

In a separate post, Oman’s Foreign Ministry said the sides agreed to keep talking to seek a deal that ensures Iran is “completely free of nuclear weapons and sanctions, and maintaining its ability to develop peaceful nuclear energy.”

That talks are even happening represents a historic moment, given the decades of enmity between the two countries since the 1979 Islamic Revolution and the US Embassy hostage crisis. Trump, in his first term, unilaterally withdrew from Iran’s nuclear deal with world powers in 2018, setting off years of attacks and negotiations that failed to restore the accord that drastically limited Tehran’s enrichment of uranium in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions.

Talks come as tensions rise in the Mideast

AT risk is a possible American or Israeli military strike on Iran’s nuclear sites, or the Iranians following through on their threats to pursue an atomic weapon. Meanwhile, tensions in

the Middle East have spiked over the IsraelHamas war in the Gaza and after US airstrikes targeting Yemen’s Iranian-backed Houthi rebels killed more than 70 people and wounded dozens more.

“I’m for stopping Iran, very simply, from having a nuclear weapon,” Trump said Friday. “I want Iran to be great and prosperous and terrific.”

Before the Iran talks started, Witkoff met in Rome with Rafael Mariano Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, according to a person familiar with the meeting who spoke on condition of anonymity to share details that were not made public.

The UN nuclear watchdog agency would likely be key in verifying compliance by Iran should a deal be reached, as it did with the 2015 accord Iran reached with world powers.

In a flurry of gatherings, Grossi also met with Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, who sat down with Araghchi before the USIran talks.

A diplomatic deal “is built patiently, day after day, with dialogue and mutual respect,” Tajani said in a statement.

Araghchi, Witkoff traveled ahead of the talks

WITKOFF had been in Paris for talks about Ukraine as Russia’s full-scale war there grinds on. He also met in the French capital with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s strate -

Nationwide protests erupt against Trump over threats to democracy and civil rights

By Philip Marcelo The Associated Press

EW

NYORK—Opponents of President Donald Trump’s administration took to the streets of communities large and small across the US on Saturday, decrying what they see as threats to the nation’s democratic ideals.

The disparate events ranged from a march through midtown Manhattan and a rally in front of the White House to a demonstration at a Massachusetts commemoration of “the shot heard ‘round the world” on April 19, 1775, marking the start of the Revolutionary War 250 years ago.

Thomas Bassford was among the demonstrators at the reenactment of the Battles of Lexington and Concord outside Boston. The 80-year-old retired mason from Maine said he believes Americans are under attack from their own government and need to stand up against it.

“This is a very perilous time in America for liberty,” said Bassford, who was with his partner, daughter and two grandsons. “I wanted the boys to learn about the origins of this country and that sometimes we have to fight for freedom.”

In Denver, hundreds of protesters gathered at the Colorado State Capitol with banners expressing solidarity with immigrants and telling the Trump administration: “Hands Off!” People waved US flags, some of them held upside down to signal distress.

in part: “The Feudal Age is OVER.” Boston resident George Bryant, who was among those at the Concord protest, said he is concerned that the president is creating a “police state.” He held a sign saying, “Trump fascist regime must go now!”

“He’s defying the courts. He’s kidnapping students. He’s eviscerating the checks and balances,” Bryant said. “This is fascism.”

In Washington, Bob Fasick, a 76-year-old retired federal employee from Springfield, Virginia, said he came out to the rally near the White House out of concern over threats to constitutionally protected due process rights, Social Security and other federal safety-net programs.

The Trump administration, among other things, has moved to shutter Social Security Administration field offices, cut funding for government health programs and scale back protections for transgender people.

“I cannot sit still knowing that if I don’t do anything and everybody doesn’t do something to change this, that the world that we collectively are leaving for the little children, for our neighbors is simply not one that I would want to live,” Fasick said.

In Columbia, South Carolina, several hundred people protested at the statehouse holding signs with slogans such as “Fight Fiercely, Harvard, Fight.”

gic affairs minister, Ron Dermer, and Mossad chief David Barnea.

Dermer was in Rome on Saturday and spotted at the same hotel where Witkoff was staying. It was unclear if that was a coincidence, and there was no indication Dermer was part of the Iran talks.

Araghchi in recent days paid a visit to Moscow, where he met with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Russia, one of the world powers involved in Tehran’s 2015 nuclear deal, could be a key participant in any future deal reached between Tehran and Washington. Analysts suggest Moscow could potentially take custody of Iran’s uranium enriched to 60 percent purity—a short, technical step away from weaponsgrade levels of 90 percent.

Oman’s capital hosted the first round of negotiations last weekend, which saw Araghchi and Witkoff meet face to face after indirect talks. Oman, a sultanate on the eastern edge of the Arabian Peninsula, has long served as an interlocutor between Iran and the West. Ahead of the talks, however, Iran seized on comments by Witkoff first suggesting Iran could enrich uranium at 3.67 percent, then later saying that all enrichment must stop.

Ali Shamkhani, an adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, wrote on X before the talks that Iran would not accept

See “US,” A7

Thousands of people also marched through downtown Portland, Oregon, while in San Francisco, hundreds spelled out the words “Impeach & Remove” on a sandy beach along the Pacific Ocean, also with an inverted US flag. People walked through downtown Anchorage, Alaska, with handmade signs listing reasons why they were demonstrating, including one that one that read: “No sign is BIG enough to list ALL of the reasons I’m here!”

Elsewhere protests were planned outside Tesla car dealerships against billionaire Trump adviser Elon Musk and his role in downsizing the federal government. Others organized more community service-oriented events such as food drives, teach-ins and volunteering at local shelters.

The protests come just two weeks after similar nationwide demonstrations.

Organizers say they oppose what they call Trump’s civil rights violations and constitutional violations, including efforts to deport scores of immigrants and to scale back the federal government by firing thousands of government workers and effectively shuttering entire agencies.

Some of the events drew on the spirit of the Revolutionary War, calling for “no kings” and resistance to tyranny.

In Anchorage, a colonial reenactor in colonial garb held up a “No Kings” sign while the person next to him hoisted cardboard that read

And in Manhattan, protesters rallied against continued deportations of immigrants as they marched from the New York Public Library north toward Central Park and past Trump Tower.

“No fear, no hate, no ICE in our state,” they chanted to a steady drumbeat, referring to the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Marshall Green said he is most concerned that Trump invoked the wartime Alien Enemies Act of 1798 by claiming the country is at war with Venezuelan gangs linked to the South American nation’s government, even though a recent US intelligence assessment found no coordination between them.

“Congress should be stepping up and saying no, we are not at war. You cannot use that,” said the 61-year-old from Morristown, New Jersey. “You cannot deport people without due process, and everyone in this country has the right to due process no matter what.”

Meanwhile Melinda Charles, of Connecticut, said she worries about “executive overreach,” citing clashes with the federal courts, Harvard University and other elite colleges.

“We’re supposed to have three equal branches of government,” she said, “and to have the executive branch become so strong, I mean it’s just unbelievable.”

Associated Press writers Claire Rush in Oregon, Joseph Frederick in New York, Rodrique Ngowi in Massachusetts, Nathan Ellgren in Washington and Meg Kinnard in Columbia, South Carolina, contributed.

ALBERTO ROSALES holds a US flag upside down for what he calls a “symbol of crisis” during a protest against the Trump administration, Saturday, April 19, 2025, in Miami. AP PHOTO/LYNNE SLADKY

Land mines remain a deadly threat in Syria, even after civil war’s end

By Ghaith Alsayed & Sally Abou Aljoud The Associated Press

IDLIB, Syria—Suleiman Khalil was harvesting olives in a Syrian orchard with two friends four months ago, unaware the soil beneath them still hid deadly remnants of war.

The trio suddenly noticed a visible mine lying on the ground. Panicked, Khalil and his friends tried t o leave, but he stepped on a land mine and it exploded. His friends, terrified, ran to find an ambulance, but Khalil, 21, thought they had abandoned him.

“I started crawling, then the second land mine exploded,” Khalil told The Associated Press. “At first, I thought I’d died. I didn’t think I would survive this.”

Khalil’s left leg was badly wounded in the first explosion, while his right leg was blown off from above the knee in the second.

He used his shirt to tourniquet the stump and screamed for help until a soldier nearby heard him and r ushed for his aid.

“There were days I didn’t want to live anymore,” Khalil said, sitting on a thin mattress, his amputated leg still wrapped in a white cloth four months after the incident.

Khalil, who is from the village of Qaminas, in the southern part of Syria’s Idlib province, is engaged and dreams of a prosthetic limb so he can return to work and support his family again.

While the nearly 14-year Syrian civil war came to an end with the fall of Bashar Assad on December 8, war remnants continue to kill and

maim. Contamination from land mines and explosive remnants has killed at least 249 people, including 60 children, and injured another 379 since December 8, according to INSO, an international organization which coordinates safety for a id workers.

Mines and explosive remnants—widely used since 2011 b y Syrian government forces, its allies, and armed opposition groups—have contaminated vast areas, many of which only became accessible after the Assad government’s collapse, leading to a surge i n the number of land mine casualties, according to a recent Human R ights Watch (HRW) report.

‘It will take ages to clear them all’ PRIOR to December 8, land mines and explosive remnants of war also frequently injured or killed civilians returning home and accessing a gricultural land.

“Without urgent, nationwide clearance efforts, more civilians returning home to reclaim critical rights, lives, livelihoods, and land will be injured and killed,” said Richard Weir, a senior crisis and conflict researcher at HRW.

Experts estimate that tens of thousands of land mines remain buried across Syria, particularly

in former front-line regions like rural Idlib.

“We don’t even have an exact number,” said Ahmad Jomaa, a member of a demining unit under Syria’s defense ministry. “It will take ages to clear them all.”

Jomaa spoke while scanning farmland in a rural area east of Maarrat al-Numan with a handheld detector, pointing at a visible antipersonnel mine nestled in dry soil.

“This one can take off a leg,” he said. “We have to detonate it manually.”

Psychological trauma and broader harm

FARMING remains the main source of income for residents in rural Idlib, making the presence of mines a daily hazard. Days earlier a tractor

exploded nearby, severely injuring several farm workers, Jomaa said.

“Most of the mines here are meant for individuals and light vehicles, like the ones used by farmers,” he said.

Jomaa’s demining team began dismantling the mines immediately after the previous government w as ousted. But their work comes at a steep cost.

“We’ve had 15 to 20 (deminers) lose limbs, and around a dozen of our brothers were killed doing this job,” he said. Advanced scanners, needed to detect buried or improvised devices, are in short supply, h e said. Many land mines are still visible to the naked eye, but others are more sophisticated and harder to detect.

Land mines not only kill and

maim but also cause long-term psychological trauma and broader harm, such as displacement, loss of property, and reduced access to essential services, HRW says.

The rights group has urged the transitional government to establish a civilian-led mine action authority in coordination with the U N Mine Action Service (UNMAS) to streamline and expand demining efforts.

Syria’s military under the Assad government laid explosives years ago to deter opposition fighters. Even after the government seized nearby territories, it made little effort to clear the mines it left behind.

‘Every day someone is dying’ STANDING before his brother’s

10,000 pages of records about Robert F. Kennedy’s 1968 assassination are released, on Trump’s order

By Josh Funk & Haya Panjwani

The Associated Press

ASHINGTON—About

W10,000 pages of records related to the 1968 assassination of Sen. Robert F. Kennedy were released Friday, including handwritten notes by the gunman, who said the Democratic presidential candidate “must be disposed of” and acknowledged an obsession with killing him.

Many of the files had been made public previously, while others had not been digitized and sat for decades in federal government storage facilities. Their release continued the disclosure of historical investigation documents ordered by President Donald Trump. Kennedy was fatally shot on June 5, 1968, at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles moments after giving a speech celebrating his victory in California’s presidential primary. His assassin, Sirhan Sirhan, was convicted of first-degree murder and is serving life in prison.

The files included pictures of handwritten notes by Sirhan.

“RFK must be disposed of like his brother was,” read the writing on the outside of an empty envelope, referring to Kennedy’s older brother, President John F. Kennedy, who was assassinated in 1963. The return address was from the district director of the Internal Revenue Service in Los Angeles.

The National Archives and Records Administration posted 229 files containing the pages to its public website.

The release comes a month after unredacted files related to the assassination of President Kennedy were

disclosed. Those documents gave curious readers more details about Cold War-era covert US operations in other nations but did not initially lend credence to long-circulating conspiracy theories about who killed JFK. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the son of Robert Kennedy, commended the release.

“Lifting the veil on the RFK papers is a necessary step toward restoring trust in American government,” the health secretary said in a statement.

Documents include interviews with assassin’s acquaintances THE files surrounding Robert Kennedy’s assassination also included notes from interviews with people

who knew Sirhan from a wide variety of contexts, such as classmates, neighbors and coworkers. While some described him as “a friendly, kind and generous person” others depicted a brooding and “impressionable” young man who felt strongly about his political convictions and briefly believed in mysticism.

According to the files, Sirhan told his garbage collector that he planned to kill Kennedy shortly after the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated on April 4, 1968. The sanitation worker, a Black man, said he planned to vote for Kennedy because he would help Black people.

“Well, I don’t agree. I am planning on shooting the son of a bitch,” Sirhan replied, the man told investigators.

Larry Sabato, director of the University of Virginia Center for Politics and author of “The Kennedy HalfCentury,” said there have always been conspiracies surrounding Robert Kennedy’s assassination. He believes the rollout of documents Friday would be similar to the JFK documents released earlier this year.

He cautioned that a review needs to be done carefully and slowly, “just in case there is a hint in there or there is an anecdote” that could shed more light on the assassination.

“I hope there’s more information,” Sabato said. “I’m doubtful that there is, just as I said when the JFK documents were released.”

Some redactions remained in the documents posted online Friday, including names and dates of birth. Last month, the Trump administration came under criticism over unredacted personal information, including Social Security numbers, during the release of records surrounding President John F. Kennedy’s assassination.

Trump, a Republican, has championed in the name of transparency the release of documents related to high-profile assassinations and investigations. But he has also been deeply suspicious for years of the government’s intelligence agencies. His administration’s release of oncehidden files opens the door for more public scrutiny of the operations and conclusions of institutions such as the CIA and the FBI.

Trump signed an executive order in January calling for the release of government documents related to the assassinations of Robert F. Kennedy and King, who were killed within two months of each other.

Lawyers for Kennedy’s killer have

said for decades that he is unlikely to reoffend or pose a danger to society, and in 2021, a parole board deemed Sirhan suitable for release. But Gov. Gavin Newsom rejected the decision in 2022, keeping him in state prison. In 2023, a different panel denied him release, saying he still lacks insight into what caused him to shoot Kennedy.

RFK still stands as a hero to American liberals

KENNEDY remains an icon for liberals, who see him as a champion for human rights who also was committed to fighting poverty and racial and economic injustice. They often regard his assassination as the last in a series of major tragedies that put the US and its politics on a darker, more conservative path.

He was a sometimes divisive figure during his lifetime. Some critics thought he came late to opposing the Vietnam War, and he launched his campaign for president in 1968 only after the Democratic primary in New Hampshire exposed President Johnson’s political weakness.

Kennedy’s older brother appointed him US attorney general, and he remained a close aide to him until JFK’s assassination in Dallas. In 1964, he won a US Senate seat from New York and was seen as the heir to the family’s political legacy.

Funk reported from Omaha, Nebraska. Associated Press writers Holly Ramer in Concord, New Hampshire, Eric Tucker in Washington, Juan Lozano in Houston, John Hanna in Topeka, Kansas, Safiyah Riddle in Montgomery, Alabama, Corey Williams in Detroit and Haya Panjwani in Washington contributed to this report.

grave, Salah Sweid holds up a photo on his phone of Mohammad, smiling behind a pile of dismantled m ines. “My mother, like any other mother would do, warned him a gainst going,” Salah said. “But he told them, ‘If I don’t go and others don’t go, who will? Every day someone is dying.’”

Mohammad was 39 when he died on January 12 while demining in a village in Idlib. A former Syrian Republican Guard member trained in planting and dismantling mines, he later joined the opposition during the uprising, scavenging weapon debris to make arms. He worked with Turkish units in Azaz, a city in northwest Syria, using advanced equipment, but on the day he died, he was on his own. As he defused one mine, another hidden beneath it detonated. After Assad’s ouster, mines littered his village in rural Idlib. He had begun volunteering to clear them—often without proper equipment—responding to residents’ pleas for h elp, even on holidays when his demining team was off duty, his brother said.

For every mine cleared by people like Mohammad, many more r emain.

In a nearby village, Jalal alMaarouf, 22, was tending to his goats three days after the Assad government’s collapse when he stepped on a mine. Fellow shepherds rushed him to a hospital, w here doctors amputated his left leg. He has added his name to a waiting list for a prosthetic, “but there’s n othing so far,” he said from his home, gently running a hand over the smooth edge of his stump. “As you can see, I can’t walk.” The cost of a prosthetic limb is in excess of $3,000 and far beyond his means. giving up its enrichment program like Libya or agreeing to using uranium enriched abroad for its nuclear program.

“Iran has come for a balanced agreement, not a surrender,” he wrote.

Iran seeks a deal to steady a troubled economy IRAN’S internal politics are still inflamed over the mandatory hijab, or headscarf, with women still ignoring the law on the streets of Tehran. Rumors also persist over the government potentially increasing the cost of subsidized gasoline in the country, which has sparked nationwide protests in the past Iran’s rial currency plunged to over 1 million to a US dollar earlier this month. The currency has improved with the talks, however, something Tehran hopes will continue. Meanwhile, two used Airbus A330-200 long sought by Iran’s flag carrier, Iran Air, arrived at Tehran’s Mehrabad International Airport on Thursday, flight-tracking data analyzed by The Associated Press showed. The planes, formerly of China’s Hainan Airlines, had been in Muscat and re-registered to Iran. The aircraft have Rolls-Royce engines, which include significant American parts and servicing. Such a transaction would need approval from the US Treasury given sanctions on Iran. The State Department and Treasury did not respond to requests for comment.

Under the 2015 deal, Iran could purchase new aircraft and had lined up tens of billions of dollars in deals with Airbus and Boeing Co. However, the manufacturers backed away from the deals over Trump’s threats to the nuclear accord.

SEN. Robert F. Kennedy, D-N.Y., speaks to campaign workers, June 5, 1968, as his wife Ethel, left, and California campaign manager and speaker of the California Assembly, Jesse Unruh, look on, at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles. AP PHOTO

SULEIMAN KHALIL, 21, who lost his leg in a landmine explosion while harvesting olives with his friends in a field, poses for a picture with his siblings from left, Sakina, 8, Nahla, 9, and Aya, 5, at his home in the village of Qaminas, east of Idlib, Syria, Wednesday, April 9, 2025. AP PHOTO/GHAITH ALSAYED

Palestinian boy’s portrait wins World Press Photo of the Year

By Mike Corder The Associated Press

THE HAGUE, Netherlands—A portrait of a young Palestinian boy who lost both arms as a result of an Israeli attack in Gaza was honored Thursday as World Press Photo of the Year.

The photo, taken by Qatarbased Palestinian photographer Samar Abu Elouf for The New York Times, shows 9-year-old Mahmoud Ajjour with his arms missing just below each shoulder.

“One of the most difficult things Mahmoud’s mother explained to me was how when Mahmoud first came to the realization that his arms were amputated, the first sentence he said to her was, ‘How will I be able to hug you?’” Abu Elouf said in a statement released by the World Press Photo organization.

The winner of the 68th edition of the prestigious photojournalism contest was selected from 59,320 entries submitted by 3,778 photographers from 141 countries.

“This is a quiet photo that speaks loudly. It tells the story of one boy, but also of a wider war

that will have an impact for generations,” said World Press Photo Executive Director Joumana El Zein Khoury.

In a statement, the organization said that Ajjour was injured while fleeing an Israeli attack in March 2024.

“After he turned back to urge his family onward, an explosion severed one of his arms and mutilated the other,” according to the World Press Photo citation.

“This young boy’s life deserves to be understood, and this picture does what great photojournalism can do: provide a layered entry point into a complex story, and the incentive to prolong one’s encounter with that story,” said jury chair Lucy Conticello, who is Director of Photography for French newspaper Le Monde’s weekend magazine.

Winning photographer Abu

The Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza says over 51,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Israeli offensive. It does not differentiate between civilians and militants, but says that over half of the dead were women and children, including at least 876 infants under 1. It says over 116,000 people have been wounded.

Israel blames Hamas for the heavy civilian toll because the group carries out attacks and other military activities from residential areas and civilian buildings.

Competition organizers also named two World Press Photo finalists that highlighted the issues of migration and climate change.

VATICAN NOTES ‘EXCHANGE OF OPINIONS’ OVER MIGRANTS, PRISONERS IN MEETING WITH VANCE

By Nicole Winfield The Associated Press

ATICAN CITY—US Vice Presi -

Elouf was evacuated from Gaza in December 2023 and she now lives in the same apartment complex as Ajjour in Qatar’s capital, Doha.

Israel launched its devastating attack on Gaza after Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023 attack, in which thousands of militants stormed into southern Israel from Gaza, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting 251.

A dark photo by John Moore for Getty Images shows Chinese migrants warming themselves after crossing the US-Mexico border, and a picture by Musuk Nolte for Panos Pictures, Bertha Foundation, of a young man carrying food across a dried up river bed in Brazil’s Amazon basin region. In regional results announced earlier by the World Press Photo Foundation, The Associated Press was among winners in the AsiaPacific and Oceania region. Photographer Jae C. Hong won in the Singles category with an image titled Korea Adoption Fraud and Noel Celis won in the Stories category for photos from the Philippines titled Four Storms, 12 Days.

Aftershocks and lack of resources hinder recovery work 3 weeks after Myanmar’s deadly earthquake

BBy Grant Peck The Associated Press

ANGKOK—Basic services have yet to be restored to the areas of Myanmar worst hit by a huge earthquake three weeks ago, and emergency workers recovering bodies and clearing debris are contending with regular aftershocks and lack of resources, humanitarian services say.

A situation report issued late Friday by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, or OCHA, said frequent strong aftershocks continue to shake central Myanmar almost daily, increasing fear and uncertainty among affected residents, disrupting response effort s and exacerbating the pressure on already limited resources and services.

“Three weeks after catastrophic twin earthquakes hit Myanmar on 28 March, the worst-affected communities are still without safe shelter, clean water and sanitation, stable electricity, health care and essential services,” the report said.

The epicenter of the 7.7 magnitude quake was near Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city, but it hit a wide swath of the country, causing significant damage to six regions and states including the capital, Naypyitaw.

It also worsened an already dire humanitarian crisis triggered by the country’s civil war that had internally displaced more than 3 million people and left nearly 20 million in need, according to the United Nations.

A report in the state-run Myanma Alinn newspaper published on Saturday said the quake’s death toll had reached 3,726, with 5,105 people injured and 129 still missing. It said 1,975 international rescuers and medical workers from 25 countries had collaborated with local rescuers in saving 653 people and recovering 753 bodies from under rubble.

Myanma Alinn said 65,096 houses and buildings, 2,514 schools, 4,317 Buddhist monasterial living quarters, 6,027 pagodas and temples, 350 hospitals and clinics, 170 bridges, 586

dams and 203 sections of the country’s main highway were damaged by the earthquake.

Myanmar Fire Services Department, an official emergency services agency operating in many areas of the country, said in statements posted Friday on its Facebook page that rescue workers were carrying out relief, search and cleaning debris from the big buildings, and had returned valuable jewelry, cash, and documents found among the rubble to their owners.

It also said that rescuers recovered two bodies from collapsed buildings in Mandalay.

An official from Myanmar Rescue Federation (Mandalay), which has been operating along with the firefighters, told The Associated Press on Friday that the priority three weeks on from the earthquake was to clear bodies and debris from under bigger buildings, while also providing assistance to the survivors affected by the earthquake.

The official, who spoke on the

condition of anonymity because he fears arrest for speaking without authorization, said the number of bodies recovered daily has decreased to only one or two.

Another emergency services worker in Mandalay, similarly speaking on condition of anonymity, said the number of rescue teams operating in Mandalay has been steadily decreasing as most of the international rescue teams had returned to their countries after their work to find survivors was considered completed. He said local rescue workers were mainly participating in clearing debris and providing assistance.

The United Nations Development Program earlier this month estimated that at least 2.5 million tons, or roughly 125,000 truckloads, of debris from the quake needs to be removed. It based its estimate on remote sensing analysis of images obtained by satellites.

UN-Habitat, the UN agency for human settlements, said in a statement on Friday that its staff and the

Myanmar Engineering Society were collaborating in assessing widespread building damage in earthquake-affected regions.

In Naypyitaw, almost all rescuers have ceased their relief efforts, while government buildings that were damaged by the earthquake have not yet been repaired and remain in their post-earthquake condition, said a resident who asked not to be named for security reasons. In residential areas, people have almost completed clearing the debris on their own.

Saturday’s report in Myanma Alinn said Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, head of the military government, told his Cabinet members during a meeting on Friday that the urban layout of Naypyitaw will be redesigned.

Naypyitaw became Myanmar’s capital in 2006 after being built at great expense almost from scratch n ext to what had once been a logging center inhabited by largely by

Vdent JD Vance met Saturday with the Vatican’s No. 2 official amid tensions over the US crackdown on migrants, with the Holy See reaffirming good relations but noting “an exchange of opinions” over current international conflicts, migrants and prisoners.

Vance, a Catholic convert, met with the secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, and the foreign minister, Archbishop Paul Gallagher, in the Apostolic Palace. There was no indication he met with Pope Francis, who has sharply cut back official duties during his recovery from pneumonia.

Vance’s office said he and Parolin “discussed their shared religious faith, Catholicism in the United States, the plight of persecuted Christian communities around the world, and President Trump’s commitment to restoring world peace.”

The Holy See has responded cautiously to the Trump administration while seeking to continue productive relations in keeping with its tradition of diplomatic neutrality. It has expressed alarm over the administration’s crackdown on migrants and cuts in international aid while insisting on peaceful resolutions to the wars in Ukraine and Gaza.

Those concerns were reflected in the Vatican statement, which said the talks were cordial and that the Vatican expressed satisfaction with the administration’s commitment to protecting freedom of religion and conscience.

“There was an exchange of opinions on the international situation, especially regarding countries affected by war, political tensions and difficult humanitarian situations, with particular attention to migrants, refugees, and prisoners,” the statement said. “Finally, hope was expressed for serene collaboration between the state and the Catholic Church in the United States, whose valuable service to the most vulnerable people was acknowledged.”

The reference to “serene collaboration” appeared to refer to Vance’s assertion that the US Conference of Catholic Bishops was resettling “illegal immigrants” in order to get federal funding. Top US cardinals have pushed back strongly against the claim.

“It is clear that the approach of the current US administration is very different from what we are used to and, especially in the West, from what we have relied on for many years,” Parolin told La Repubblica daily on the eve of Vance’s visit.

As the US pushes to end the war in Ukraine, Parolin reaffirmed Kyiv’s right to its territorial integrity and insisted that any peace deal must not be “imposed” on Ukraine but “is built patiently, day by day, with dialogue and mutual respect.”

Vance was spending Easter weekend in Rome with his family and attended Good Friday services in St. Peter’s Basilica after meeting with Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni. On Saturday, after introducing his family to Parolin, the Vances got a private tour of the Sistine Chapel and later visited Rome’s botanic garden, where one of his sons was seen in a plastic gladiator costume that is popular among Italian kids.

It wasn’t immediately clear where they would celebrate Easter. Francis, for his part, indicated he hoped to attend Easter Mass that usually draws thousands to St. Peter’s Square, according to the official Mass booklet and liturgical plans released Saturday. Papal rebuke on migration, appeal for prisoners FRANCIS and Vance have tangled sharply over migration and the Trump administration’s plans to deport migrants en masse. Francis has made caring for migrants a hallmark of his papacy and his progressive views on social justice issues have often put him at odds with members of the more conservative US Catholic Church. Francis also changed church teaching to say that capital punishment is inadmissible in all cases. After a public appeal from Francis just weeks before Trump took office, President Joe Biden commuted the sentences of 37 of the 40 people on federal death row. Trump is an outspoken proponent of expanding capital punishment. Vance, who converted to Catholicism in 2019, identifies with a small Catholic intellectual movement, viewed by some critics as having reactionary or authoritarian leanings, that is often called “postliberal.” Postliberals share some longstanding Catholic conservative views, such as opposition to abortion and LGBTQ+ rights. They envision a counterrevolution in which they take over government bureaucracy and institutions like universities from within, replacing entrenched “elites” with their own and acting upon their vision of the “common good.” Just days before he was hospitalized in February, Francis blasted the Trump administration’s deportation plans, warning that they would deprive migrants of their inherent dignity. In a letter to US bishops, Francis also appeared to respond to Vance directly for having claimed that Catholic doctrine justified such policies.

A Latin concept of love VANCE had defended the administration’s America-first crackdown by citing a concept from medieval Catholic theology known in Latin as “ordo amoris.” He has said the concept delineates a hierarchy of care— to family first, followed by neighbor, community, fellow citizens and lastly those elsewhere.

In his Feb. 10 letter, Francis appeared to correct Vance’s understanding of the concept.

“Christian love is not a concentric expansion of interests that little by little extends to other persons and groups,” he wrote. “The true ordo amoris that must be promoted is that which we discover by meditating constantly on the parable of the ‘Good Samaritan,’ that is, by meditating on the love that builds a fraternity open to all, without exception.”

Vance has acknowledged Francis’ criticism but has said he would continue to defend his views. During a Feb. 28 appearance at the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast in Washington, Vance didn’t address the issue specifically but called himself a “baby Catholic” and acknowledged there are “things about the faith that I don’t know.”

While he had criticized Francis on social media in the past, Vance recently has posted prayers for Francis’ recovery.

Corn prices rise as PHL beefs up hog output

TBy Ada Pelonia @adapelonia

HE race to increase the country’s hog output this year is propping up the farmgate prices of corn, based on data from the Philippine Maize Federation Inc. (PhilMaize).

tistics Authority (PSA) showed that the country’s corn production shrank by 3.17 percent to 8.14 million metric tons (MMT) in 2024 from 8.4 MMT recorded in 2023.

However, the increase in global corn quotations driven by tight supply could dampen demand from importers like the Philippines, which purchased nearly 2 MMT of the key feed ingredient last year.

The country’s corn shipments surged to 1.93 MMT last year, from 931,306 metric tons (MT) recorded in 2023, based on PSA data.

“The Philippines is only 60 to 70 percent sufficient in corn...the volume of importation will usually depend on the demand and price of local corn,” Elvira told the BusinessMirror Data from the Philippine Sta -

Currently, PhilMaize President Romualdo Elvira Jr. said farmgate prices of corn range from P16 to P18 per kilo. This is 7 percent higher than last year’s P12 to P14 per kilo. He noted that transboundary animal diseases like African swine fever (ASF) and avian influenza (AI) coupled with low feed wheat cost and low tariff eroded demand for the staple grain and contributed to the dip in prices last year.

Japan’s inflation quickens as rice prices gain most in 50 years

JAPAN’S consumer inflation picked up last month, bolstered in part by surging rice prices, supporting the central bank’s stance on a gradual rate hike path before US tariff measures clouded the economic outlook.

Consumer prices excluding fresh food rose 3.2 percent from a year ago in March, accelerating from a 3-percent increase in the previous month, the ministry of internal affairs said Friday. That matched the median estimate of economists surveyed by Bloomberg. A gauge of underlying inflation that also excludes energy prices rose 2.9 percent, as expected. That’s the fastest since March of last year.

Friday’s data are likely to keep Bank of Japan officials confident in their rate-hike posture as overall inflation has stayed above their 2-percent target for almost three years. Governor Kazuo Ueda has maintained his stance on intending to raise rates given price trends, while also citing the need to closely watch how US tariff measures evolve.

The faster increase comes despite a drag from the government’s utility subsidies. Service prices rose 1.4 percent from a year earlier, edging up from a 1.3-percent gain in February, but matching January’s pace. Food prices increased 7.4 percent from a year earlier, down slightly from 7.6 percent in the previous month. The price of rice, the nation’s staple food, rose 92.1 percent from a year earlier, the fastest pace in data going back to 1971.

“Food inflation is a primary factor driving inflation,” said Taro Saito, head of economic research at NLI Research Institute. “Import prices aren’t surging but food inflation stays elevated. That suggests businesses are comfortable raising prices. There may be even some cases when they are raising prices more the rise in costs. In BOJ terms, inflation expectations are shifting.”

Price gains are still high by Japan’s standards after more than a decade of deflation. The spike in rice prices is of particular concern for Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, whose approval rating

hit a new low this month since he took office in October, according to a poll by public broadcaster NHK. Consumer confidence has dropped to a two-year low, while households’ price expectations have continued to rise, according to data from the government and central bank.

The latest data show that Japan’s inflation remained the fastest among Group-of-Seven economies, and it’s the only G-7 country that faces US tariffs with inflation on a rising trend.

In addition to the levies, the elevated cost of living has raised debate among lawmakers on cash handouts or tax rebates ahead of an election likely in July, according to local media reports. Ishiba may find it harder to rebuff those calls as he seeks to shore up support for his minority government.

Japan’s inflation is expected to stay elevated in coming months as business owners contending with rising costs due to a labor shortage, higher material costs and prolonged yen weakness have become more willing to pass that burden onto consumers.

“Depending on tariff talk developments, the BOJ may raise interest rates, but at this point the possibility has decreased considerably,” said Keiichi Iguchi, senior strategist at Resona Holdings. “Even if the CPI is strong, it’s hard for the yen to rise.”

The yen fluctuated around 142.40 per US dollar immediately after the report.

The number of price increases in food products will exceed 4,000 for the first time in 18 months in April, according to a survey of major food companies by the Teikoku Databank.

“The data make it clear that Japan’s inflation has been coming in line with the BOJ’s expectations until the tariff measures took place,” said NLI’s Saito.

“The tariffs will weigh on the economy, without a doubt. I had thought that the BOJ would be raising rates roughly once in every six months, as it had indicated, but that has to be changed.” Bloomberg News

BMI, a unit of Fitch Solutions, expects global corn consumption to reach 1.23 billion tons this year, a slight increase from the 1.22 billion tons recorded last year. It also projects global output in the 2024/25 season to dip by 1.2 percent.

The international research firm noted that the uptick in demand coupled with a projected

reduction in global output could shift the market to a “substantial” deficit of 18.7 MMT this year, from a production surplus of 4.9 MMT in the previous year.

“This shift is expected to provide upward support for corn

prices in the coming months.”

As a further consequence, the BMI noted a steep decline in stock levels among major corn exporters.

Citing the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) projection, the research firm said

carryover stocks in the US for the upcoming 2025/26 season could fall by 16.9 percent year-on-year to 37.2 MMT.

Furthermore, Brazilian carryover stocks are forecast to plummet by 60.1 percent annually to 3 MMT, while the EU and Ukraine are also expected to enter the 2025/26 season with beginning stocks reduced by 8 percent and 30.9 percent, respectively.

“This significant drawdown in domestic stocks across key exporters is likely to heighten market sensitivity to harvest progressions and contribute to an elevated risk premium in global corn markets,” it said.

“As such, these dynamics are expected to continue underpinning global prices, reflecting increased vulnerability to supply disruptions and reinforcing the importance of monitoring developments in crucial production regions.”

Govt set to spend ₧1B on swine repopulation program

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) is implementing its P1-billion swine repopulation program as part of its efforts to ease pork prices which remain elevated as African swine fever (ASF) battered farms and crimped hog output.

Under the program, Agriculture Undersecretary for Livestock Dante Palabrica said the agency will distribute around 30,000 gilts to large farms. Such farms will then repay the government by providing reared pigs for distribution to backyard raisers, he added.

Industry sources said the persisting effects of ASF pushed up pork prices in Metro Manila as sows were culled following outbreaks of the deadly swine disease

last year.

To boost output, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. has urged the swine industry to back the government’s threeyear plan to rebuild the local hog inventory to its pre-ASF level of 14 million heads by 2028, up from the current estimate of around 8 million.

Meanwhile, the DA and industry stakeholders will bolster the implementation of the maximum suggested retail price (MSRP) on pork amid the “alarmingly” low level of compliance with the government measure.

The private sector also vowed to police its ranks and prevent profiteering at the expense of consumers, it added.

In a statement, the DA said this renewed commitment followed a consultative meeting held last week after the agency’s recent market inspections revealed alarmingly low compliance, with fewer than 10 percent of sellers adhering to the MSRPs.

Palabrica said there is a need to uphold the agreement reached in earlier consultations to avoid implementing more disruptive market interventions.

He noted that the MSRPs aim to strike “a fair balance” between the interests of producers, traders, retailers, and consumers, especially amid the continued inflationary pressures. Under current rules, the MSRP kilo for freshly slaughtered carcass

is P300 per kilo, P350 per kilo for pigue (leg/ham) and kasim (shoulder), and P380 per kilo for liempo (pork belly).

To further stabilize pork prices, the Food Terminal Inc. (FTI) has begun purchasing 500 pigs daily from large farms and delivering them directly to slaughterhouses.

“The move is intended to ensure a consistent supply and reinforce compliance with the established MSRPs,” the DA said.

Retail prices of pork ham in Metro Manila markets range from P335 to P400 per kilo, while pork belly is being sold between P370 and P470 per kilo, based on the latest government price monitoring report. Ada Pelonia

Cocoa prices to remain elevated this year–report

DESPITE the expected rebound in cocoa output in West Africa, concerns about adverse weather conditions in the region could deter the easing of global prices.

BMI, a unit of Fitch Solutions, revised upward its annual average forecast of cocoa prices to $8,500 per metric ton (MT) this year despite the projected recovery of production in West Africa, which has accounted for slightly over half of global output in recent seasons.

This figure was 12.27 percent higher than the average quotation of $7,571 per MT recorded last year.

“While we expect production in West Africa to improve from the 2023/24 season, we flag that concerns about the 2024/25 harvest remain, a bullish factor for the market,” the research firm said in its latest report.

“Over recent weeks, reports about unfavorable weather conditions including dry seasonal

harmattan winds have increased concerns.”

Despite this, BMI anticipates that the 2025 average will end up below the year-to-date price of $9,471 per MT due to downside risks linked to eroding demand and the threat of Washington’s new tariff policy.

In line with the International Cocoa Organization (ICCO) forecasts, “we expect consumption of cocoa to decrease in the 2024/25 season, largely due to elevated prices weighing on demand.”

“While demand for the commodity is relatively inelastic, we believe that the magnitude of the increase in prices compared to pre2024 levels is such that demand will be tempered,” the research firm said.

It added that mid-January data on global cocoa grindings, a key indicator of consumption, showed a 0.3 percent annual decline in 2024 compared to 2023.

The BMI also cited the concerns

raised by Hershey and Mondelez, two large confectionery companies, such as their expectations for “lower-than expected profits” because of elevated cocoa prices.

“Both noted the risks of a potential slowdown in demand for chocolate and the need to pursue strategies to mitigate this including the reformulation of recipes to include less cocoa.”

Furthermore, BMI noted that while the reciprocal tariffs announced on April 2 were put on pause, leaving a blanket 10 percent tariff on most markets except China, this remains a relevant downside risk in terms of demand. The US accounts for around 10 percent of global cocoa imports.

“The potential for a further increase in the price of chocolate in the US due to tariffs on imports is a risk for domestic demand given that the US relies entirely on imports to meet consumption needs,” the research firm said.

‘CamSur farmers aim to produce high-value choco products’

AGRARIAN reform beneficiaries (ARBs) in Calabanga, Camarines Sur are learning to make the most of cacao farming by turning their harvests into high-value chocolate products.

A group of ARBs in Calabanga has undergone a workshop for valueadding their agricultural product through a partnership project of the Departments of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and Trade and Industry (DTI).

Held in La Purisima, Quipayo, a training also brought together ARBs from the ALIAR Cooperative from Alianza, San Fernando, Camarines

Sur—an area known for its rich cacao production, to enhance the income potential of ARBs by teaching them how to transform raw cacao into premium chocolate products.

The collaborative effort, supported by DAR Camarines Sur I Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program-Trade Industry Development Specialist (CARP-TIDS) point person James Jardiolin Paulo, and Crave Cacao Orchard, focused on advanced chocolatemaking techniques.

The participants learned how to craft chili-infused dark chocolate

and coconut truffles--products designed to appeal to niche markets and increase profitability.

“The goal is to help our local farmers move up the value chain,” said Paulo. “By equipping them with these skills, we are opening new market opportunities and supporting local economic development,” he added.

Florella Raphaelle E. Ourdanik, owner of Crave Cacao Orchard, served as the resource person and guided participants through hands-on training. Her expertise ensured that the ARBs learned key

“More broadly, the downside risks for the US and global economy associated with the global trade fall-out could also weigh on demand.”

Last March, Agriculture Undersecretary Cheryl Marie NatividadCaballero said local cacao farmers could benefit from elevated global cocoa prices by boosting their production.

Caballero said since the Malagos Chocolate bagged the gold award at Salon du Chocolat, the Philippines has established its market presence for the crop.

Japanese firms are looking at the country to source out their products as well as other Asean nations, with Malaysia being the Philippines’ biggest buyer, she added.

“Prices are rising and it’s advantageous to [the farmers] because they can choose their buyers or they can sell at a better price,” Caballero told the BusinessMirror Ada Pelonia

processes such as proper blending, quality control, and creative flavor development.

The workshop not only introduced innovative recipes like 64 percent chili dark chocolate but also emphasized the importance of precision and consistency in chocolate production, crucial elements in producing market-ready, artisanal confections.

The government said the initiative forms part of DAR and DTI’s broader commitment to help agrarian reform communities become more self-sustaining by promoting value-adding enterprises and agribusiness ventures. Jonathan L. Mayuga

BUSINESSMIRROR file photo

Parents play crucial roles in preventing bullying in schools

THE recent spate of violent bullying incidents in schools across Metro Manila has sent shockwaves throughout the nation, leaving many to wonder how such heinous acts could occur in institutions meant to nurture and educate our children. The deaths of at least three students and injuries to several others are a stark reminder that bullying has become a serious problem that requires immediate attention and collective action.

President Marcos’ directive to investigate these incidents and implement measures to prevent future occurrences is a welcome move. The Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and other government agencies have been tasked with addressing this issue, and their efforts are crucial in creating a safe and supportive learning environment for all students. (Read the BusinessMirror story: “Marcos orders probe on violent bullying in Metro Manila schools,” April 14, 2025).

However, it is essential to recognize that addressing bullying in schools is not just a matter of school administration or government intervention. Parenting plays a critical role in shaping the values and behavior of our children, and it is imperative that we acknowledge the significance of parenting in nation-building.

As Senator Sherwin Gatchalian noted, the Parent Effective Service Program (PES) Act, or Republic Act No. 11908, is a vital tool in helping parents and parent-substitutes develop the knowledge and skills necessary to respond to their parental duties and responsibilities. By strengthening the PES program and making it more accessible to local government units, we can empower parents to take a more active role in preventing bullying and promoting positive values in their children.

The DepEd’s response to the President’s order, which includes enhancing its Values Education and Good Manners and Right Conduct (GMRC) curriculum, is a step in the right direction. By incorporating socio-emotional learning, emotional regulation, and conflict management into the curriculum, we can equip our children with the skills they need to navigate complex social situations and develop healthy relationships.

However, we must also recognize that addressing bullying requires a holistic approach that involves not just schools, but also families and communities. The activation of the Comprehensive Barangay Juvenile Intervention Program (CBJIP) and the establishment of a Parent Effectiveness Office are crucial initiatives that can help prevent bullying at the community level.

As a nation, we must come together to condemn bullying in all its forms and work towards creating a culture of empathy, kindness, and respect. Parenting is nation-building, and by investing in our children and supporting our parents, we can build a brighter future for our country. The recent bullying incidents in Metro Manila schools are a wakeup call for all of us to take action. We must work together to create a safe and supportive environment for our children to grow and thrive. By prioritizing parenting and parent education, we can empower our children to become responsible and compassionate citizens. In these challenging times, let us remember that nation-building begins in the home. The government’s swift response to bullying must be matched by a collective commitment from families, communities, and all sectors of society. Only by working together—starting with parenting—can we build a safer, kinder, and more resilient Philippines for our children.

The hour is late

TRISING SUN

HE Philippines’ latest “Nationally Determined Contribution” (NDC)—a blueprint for cutting emissions—remains “insufficient” to meet the 1.5°C global warming limit set by the Paris Agreement. Even with a historic P1 trillion climate budget for 2025, experts warn that current policies prioritize adaptation (e.g., disaster response) over slashing emissions at their source.

This is alarming for a nation where climate risks are a serious threat —rising seas threaten to submerge 167 coastal towns by 2050, while heat indices now regularly hit “danger levels” above 42°C, forcing school closures and straining hospitals.

The harsh realities are too obvious: No one is spared from the cruel heat. We applaud symbolic wins and choose to sidestep the hard truths. For instance, the Department of Energy reported a record-breaking 161.98 megawatt reduction in grid load on Earth Hour this year, equivalent to powering over 100,000 homes.

But we must ask ourselves: Are these fleeting moments of collective action and symbolic “achievements” enough to confront the tidal wave of climate threats on our islands?

This is not to downplay the contributions, of course. After Earth Hour 2025, over 1.3 million hours were pledged toward environmental actions—from planting mangroves to advocating for renewable energy. But all the grassroots energy starkly contrasts with the sluggish pace of systemic change, as evidenced by our NDC.

Limiting warming to 1.5°C requires global emissions to peak by

The harsh realities are too obvious: No one is spared from the cruel heat. We applaud symbolic wins and choose to sidestep the hard truths. For instance, the Department of Energy reported a record-breaking 161.98 megawatt reduction in grid load on Earth Hour this year, equivalent to powering over 100,000 homes. But we must ask ourselves: Are these fleeting moments of collective action and symbolic “achievements” enough to confront the tidal wave of climate threats on our islands?

2025 and drop 43 percent by 2030. Yet the Philippines’ current NDC targets—a 2.71 percent emissions cut unconditionally, rising to 75 percent if international aid arrives—are misaligned with this timeline.

The stakes are very high. At 1.5°C of warming, the IPCC warns of near-total coral reef loss, collapsing fisheries, and deadlier storms. For a country that is reliant on coastal ecosystems and agriculture, it’s a recipe for mass hunger and displacement. Already, farmers in Mindanao battle

erratic rains, while Manila’s urban poor swelter in overly hot informal settlements.   Then there is the link between energy and water security. While the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) prioritizes water conservation, it risks becoming another well-intentioned document unless paired with bolder mitigation. For instance, mangroves, which store 3–5 times more carbon than tropical forests, are finally gaining attention through initiatives like the National Blue Carbon Action Partnership. But protecting these ecosystems requires confronting industries driving deforestation and coastal exploitation.   Experts like Dr. John Paolo Rivera stress that “larger-scale initiatives” are missing. Where’s the aggressive push to phase out coal, which still dominates our energy mix? Why are climate funds skewed toward reactive measures rather than decarbonizing transport, industry, and agriculture? We need leaders willing to treat the climate crisis like the emergency it is. Filipinos have shown that we will rally for the planet. Now, we must demand that this vigor be matched by policies equal to the crisis. The hour is late, and it’s time to act accordingly.

Ombudsman takes bold stand: Files complaint against 7 CA justices for ‘gross ignorance of the law’

T. Anthony C. Cabangon

Lourdes M. Fernandez

Jennifer A. Ng Vittorio V. Vitug

Lorenzo M. Lomibao Jr., Gerard S. Ramos Lyn B. Resurreccion, Dennis D. Estopace Angel R. Calso, Dionisio L. Pelayo Ruben M. Cruz Jr.

Eduardo A. Davad Nonilon G. Reyes

D. Edgard A. Cabangon Benjamin V. Ramos Aldwin Maralit Tolosa

Rolando M. Manangan

BusinessMirror is published daily by the Philippine Business Daily Mirror Publishing, Inc., with offices on the 3rd floor of Dominga Building III 2113 Chino Roces Avenue

TLITO GAGNI

HE legal community is abuzz with what can be considered a bold move on the part of Ombudsman Samuel Martires who personally filed exactly a month ago a formal complaint before the Supreme Court’s Judicial Integrity Board against seven justices of the Court of Appeals (CA), accusing them of gross ignorance of the law due to the CA’s decision to issue a TRO that halted the Ombudsman’s preventive suspension on eight members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Antique.

The justices named in the complaint are Louis Acosta, Marlene Gonzales-Sison, Rex Bernardo Pascual, Mary Charlene HernandezAzura, Roberto Quiroz, Rafael Antonio Santos, and Ferdinand Baylon who the Ombudsman argued in the filing before the Judicial Integrity Board that the CA’s TRO was issued without legal grounds, undermining the Ombudsman’s authority and the integrity of the judicial process.

The Ombudsman’s office, an independent entity responsible for investigating and prosecuting public officials for misconduct, plays a cru-

cial role in ensuring that government employees and officials comply with the law. When the judiciary steps in to block such actions, it risks sending a message that the rule of law can be undermined by judicial intervention, especially when such decisions appear to disregard the broader interests of governance and accountability.

The case involved Tobias Fornier, Antique Vice Mayor Jose Maria Fornier who charged Mayor Ernesto Tajanlangit III for direct assault, Abuse of Authority, Grave Misconduct and Conduct Unbecoming of a Public Official. Fornier filed the case

against Tajanlangit in June 2024 after being allegedly attacked by the mayor when the latter insisted on confiscating food packs intended for distribution to the constituents at Tobias Fornier.

The Ombudsman acted on the case by issuing a preventive suspension order against Tajanlangit. Also ordered suspended were Antique Board members Egidio Elio, Rony Molina, Victor Condez, Alfie Jay Niquia, Plaridel Sanchez IV, Mayella Mae Ladislao, Kenneth Gasalao, and Julius Tajanlangit.

Martires said the suspension order was served on September 19, 2024 and was “fully implemented on even date.” However, Tajanlangit filed before the CA a Petition for Certiorari on October 10, 2024, challenging the Ombudsman’s preventive suspension order. Martires said that despite the suspension order already fully implemented, the Justices granted Tajanlangit’s application for a TRO and enjoined the enforcement of the order.

“Despite the fact that the Preventive Suspension had already been fully implemented, the CA Fourth Division composed of respondent justices...issued a resolution dated November 7, 2024, granting the petitioners’ prayer for TRO and enjoining the implementation of an ‘already

implemented’ preventive suspension order of the Ombudsman dated August 1, 2024,” said Martires. The Ombudsman also said the suspension orders against the board members were fully implemented on August 5, 2024 while their petitions for certiorari were lodged with the CA only on October 3, 2024.

“Again, if the elemental doctrine that no injunction should be issued to restrain an act already done still applies, doubtless, respondent Justices gravely abused their discretion and worse, displayed gross ignorance of the law in issuing the TROs,” said Martires.

In his filing before the Supreme Court’s adjudicative body involving controversial decisions of the judiciary, Martires cited that Mayor Tajanlangit filed two petitions before the CA without attaching certified copies of the suspension order, which was the subject of the certiorari, a fact that should have caught the eyes of the Justices.

“Such procedural infirmity should have merited outright dismissal of the Petitions. Instead, the respondent justices precipitately gave due course to the Petitions and simply closed their eyes or glossed over this fundamental requirement,” said the Ombudsman.

Atty. Jose Ferdinand M. Rojas II

Government learning academies

STo be naked is to be sacred

Joel L. Tan-Torres

DEBIT CREDIT

Part 11

EVERAL government agencies maintain learning or training academies. Aside from the Philippine Tax Training Academy that I extensively discussed in my previous articles, other academies cater to the stakeholders and staff of the government institutions that maintain such. In this column, I discuss those government institutions that engage with the general public for their business requirements and practitioners in their regulatory compliance. These include the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Intellectual Property Office (IPO), and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). I dwell on the SEC in this article and in my subsequent columns for the others.

The SEC Academy is the open educational resources platform of the SEC. This is a “user-friendly platform that offers free access to a variety of resources designed to empower individuals and organizations with the necessary knowledge to start and manage a business, invest in the capital market, avoid investment scams and other predatory schemes, and manage their personal finances effectively, among others” This also provide regular sessions on SEC new programs and developments. ( https://academy. sec.gov.ph/?fbclid=IwY2xjawJwmpleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHgPjRHpKK1KYSwtc0RMg9A4j3q9oyPl99FEVw54lEvLRMhZn_km4zjDD4KOB_aem_ik7MqZ-voBrFctFhe1BViw).

It offers online courses delivered by policymakers and practitioners at the SEC and members of the SEC Capital Market Promotion and Advocacy Inter-Agency Network. These courses are in pre-recorded format, available anytime, and as live webinars. The pre-recorded training modules cover Technical, Foundational, Professional/Legal, Supervisory, and Managerial/Executive courses. (https://learning.sec.gov.ph/).

The SEC, as a separate function, regulates capital market professionals in the Philippines. Under the Capital Market Professional Program, the SEC administers a certification examination for persons aspiring to work in the capital markets in the Philippines. These examinations consist of two phases. Phase 1 is the General Examinations that assess the foundational knowledge across six modules of the Fundamentals of Securities, Economic Principles and Market Theories, Fundamentals of Securities Regulation, Corporate Governance, Risk Management, and Anti-Money Laundering. Phase 2 is the Industry-Specific Examinations that evaluate specialized knowledge pertinent to specific roles within the capital markets. There are separate examinations for the various professional roles to be pursued, including Certified Investment Solicitors, Equities Securities Salesmen, Fixed Income Market Salesmen, and Compliance Officers/ Associated Persons for Broker-Dealers in the Equities Market. The SEC certification examina-

. . Continued from A10

Clearly, training academies of our government institutions, including the SEC Academy and the Philippine Tax Academy, perform the valuable service of training the various stakeholders who engage with government in an ecosystem manned by competent government regulators and supported by trained professionals and practitioners.

tions are multiple-choice questions in format to be taken in the SEC Automated Certification Examination System. Examinations are conducted three times a week at the SEC Headquarters in Makati. The fee is P500 per examination phase. The passing score required for the takers of the examination is 65 percent for Phase 1 and 75 percent for Phase 2. Those taking the certification examinations must pass the two phases. This ensures that individuals involved in capital market operations are properly certified and licensed to work in the securities industry. They are also required to pursue a continuing professional development program. It is interesting to note that the Professional Regulations Commission which is the primary professional certification office in the country. Clearly, training academies of our government institutions, including the SEC Academy and the Philippine Tax Academy, perform the valuable service of training the various stakeholders who engage with government in an ecosystem manned by competent government regulators and supported by trained professionals and practitioners.

To be continued

Joel L. Tan-Torres was the former Dean of the University of the Philippines Virata School of Business. Previously, he was the Commissioner of the Bureau of Internal Revenue, the chairman of the Professional Regulatory Board of Accountancy, and Tax partner of Reyes Tacandong & Co. and the SyCip Gorres and Velayo & Co. He is a Certified Public Accountant who garnered No. 1 in the CPA Board Examination of May 1979. He has his own tax and consultancy practice and can be contacted at joeltantorress@yahoo.com and his firm JL2T Consultancy

The case involves eight SP members from Antique, accused of grave misconduct and neglect after failing to act on a supplemental budget of P1.075 billion for development projects. The Ombudsman issued a preventive suspension order to prevent interference with investigations, but the CA blocked the suspension with its TRO. The Ombudsman argued the CA justices misunderstood the legal basis for the suspension and acted inappropriately by granting the TRO. He also criticized their failure to dismiss Tajanlangit’s petitions for procedural errors, including his failure to attach certified copies of the suspension order. The legal community is undoubtedly intrigued, as this case could signify a pivotal moment in Philippine jurisprudence. That the Ombudsman himself has broken ranks to accuse appellate justices of judicial overreach is a bold, unprecedented move. It calls for a reexamination of the delicate balance between judicial discretion and administrative authority—between the duty to check power and the risk of obstructing justice. When those who interpret the law stand accused of undermining it, the message is clear: no robe is beyond the reach of accountability. The scales of justice must weigh not only the governed, but also the governors of the law.

Siegfred Bueno Mison, Esq.

THE PATRIOT

WHEN you have nothing to hide, you should be brave enough to open up and show everything for everyone to see. Hence, I echo the position of several retired members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police as well as faith-based organizations who questioned the Comelec policy of being less transparent in this coming elections. Comelec Chairman George Garcia practically refused to give every voter the right to verify whether the candidates actually voted for are the same as those reflected in the QR code issued to the voter.

Amid the reports of some OFWs who noticed that their QR codes did not reflect the names of candidates they voted for, Chairman Garcia explained that the voter’s QR code will show “encrypted data,” wherein different names of candidates will appear but not those names of candidates actually voted for. Chairman Garcia candidly explained that the system was supposedly programmed that way to protect the secrecy, sanctity, and integrity of the votes. The basis sounds plausible if such information is classified as “secret,” hence the encryption. But for the sake of transparency, why hide such information under a cloak of suspicion of vote selling. The principle of vote verification for the sake of transparency clearly outweighs the possibility of illegal transactions in the ballot, in the eyes of many retired members of the AFP and PNP, myself included! After all, under RA 9369, each voter has the right to verify whether the candidates voted in the ballot are reflected and counted by the machine as expressly required under Section 6 of RA 9369 wherein the Minimum System Capabilities in the automated election system must have a provision for voter verified paper audit trail. Notably mentioning is that during the past three automated elec-

tions, electronic receipts or VVPAT were given to voters. Civil society is therefore aghast why Comelec completely removed this feature or modified it in the guise of secrecy in this 2025 elections. I believe that the best way to promote the sanctity of the votes is to keep them naked to be sacred.

In ancient history, the Romans stripped their prisoners to humiliate and dehumanize them, not to make them “sacred.” In the crucifixion, the stripping of Jesus Christ’s garments revealed the sacredness of His life. His life was sacred not because of material things, but because of His naked identity. Who He was represented God in the flesh. For those in government who are in charge of these upcoming elections, they should strive to see the value of what they are doing. Their actions or inactions dictate whether this country can still have fair and honest elections. They should be transparent in all actions including making policies such as this supposed encrypted VVPAT. And for those who will be elected this 2025, especially legislators, they should value less the things of this world. Be naked! Be transparent for it is their sacred duty to serve the people based on their oath.

The principle of vote verification for the sake of transparency clearly outweighs the possibility of illegal transactions in the ballot, in the eyes of many retired members of the AFP and PNP, myself included! After all, under RA 9369, each voter has the right to verify whether the candidates voted in the ballot are reflected and counted by the machine as expressly required under Section 6 of RA 9369 wherein the Minimum System Capabilities in the automated election system must have a provision for voter verified paper audit trail. Notably mentioning is that during the past three automated elections, electronic receipts or VVPAT were given to voters.

In my few years in public service, I have seen government officials put premium on their accomplishments and possessions with a mindset of “the more things I have the greater my happiness will be.” I have seen countless of these individuals who need to be reminded of the lesson from the stripped body of our blessed Savior as He hung upon the Cross before the world. Just like Jesus, our dignity comes from our union with God. Our value is in the service for others, “For none of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone.” (Romans 14:7 ). Boßth in life and in death, there is dignity in being naked of these material possessions since our value is not measured by how much we accumulate or by what we accomplish. Our “sacredness,” whether as public servants of ordinary believers, stems from the fact of the Resurrection. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ showed us how to be sacred by being naked, literally and figuratively. We do not own

our possessions including our own selves. “If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.” (Romans 14:8). In this Easter celebration, may we all remember that “the light of the Resurrection calls for “the response of a humble faith, devoid of all triumphalism,” in the words of Pope Francis. Believers must “become messengers of hope,” as hopelessness lingers in our society today. With political dynasties well entrenched in their fiefdoms, corrupt activities often if not almost always done with much impunity, and the crusade for a fair elections seems for naught, hope becomes essential for survival. Believers are reminded that no situation is beyond God’s ability to transform or make better as depicted in the Resurrection of Our Lord. Sharing the good news of salvation through the extreme sacrifice of a “naked” death on the cross is a privilege for all believers to spread the hope of a risen Savior into our broken system of government.

For Comelec and for those regulating the elections as well as those participating in these coming elections as voters or watchdogs, a simple act of transparency can show a presence of hope especially for those who have lost their way as Filipino believers. For those who will hide their sinister ways, let them be reminded of their nakedness in the watchful eyes of the man in the mirror or, better, from the Man Above!

A former infantry and intelligence officer in the Army, Siegfred Mison showcased his servant leadership philosophy in organizations such as the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, Malcolm Law Offices, Infogix Inc., University of the East, Bureau of Immigration, and Philippine Airlines. He is a graduate of West Point in New York, Ateneo Law School, and University of Southern California. A corporate lawyer by profession, he is an inspirational teacher and a Spirit-filled writer with a mission. For questions and comments, please e-mail me at sbmison@gmail.com.

Strange sell-off in the dollar raises the specter of investors losing trust in the US under Trump

NBy Bernard Condon | AP Business Writer

EW YORK—Among the threats the tariffs pose to the US economy, none may be as strange as the sell-off in the dollar.

Currencies rise and fall all the time because of inflation fears, central bank moves and other factors. But economists worry that the recent drop in the dollar is so dramatic that it reflects something more ominous as President Donald Trump tries to reshape global trade: a loss of confidence in the US.

The dollar’s dominance in crossborder trade and as a safe haven has been nurtured by administrations of both parties for decades because it helps keep US borrowing costs down and allows Washington to project power abroad—enormous advantages that could possibly disappear if faith in the US was damaged.

“Global trust and reliance on the dollar were built up over a half century or more,” says University of California, Berkeley, economist Barry Eichengreen. “But it can be lost in the blink of an eye.”

Since mid-January, the dollar has fallen 9 percent against a basket of currencies, a rare and steep decline, to its lowest level in three years.

Many investors spooked by Trump don’t think the dollar will be pushed quickly from its position as the world’s reserve currency, instead expecting more of a slow decline. But even that is scary enough, given the benefits that would be lost.

With much of world’s goods exchanged in dollars, demand for the currency has stayed strong even as the US has doubled federal debt in a

dozen years and does other things that would normally send investors fleeing. That has allowed the US government, consumers and businesses to borrow at unnaturally low rates, which has helped speed economic growth and lift standards of living.

Dollar dominance also allows the US to push around other countries like Venezuela, Iran and Russia by locking them out of a currency they need to buy and sell with others.

Now that “exorbitant privilege,” as economists call it, is suddenly at risk.

Dollar drop is odd

THE safe haven properties of the dollar are being eroded,” said Deutsche Bank in a note to clients earlier this month warning of a “confidence crisis.” Added a more circumspect report by Capital Economics, “It is no longer hyperbole to say that the dollar’s reserve status and broader dominant role is at least somewhat in question.”

Traditionally, the dollar would strengthen as tariffs sink demand for foreign products.

But the dollar not only failed to strengthen this time, it fell, puzzling economists and hurting consumers. The dollar lost more than 5 percent against the euro and pound, and 6 percent against the yen since early April.

As any American traveler abroad knows, you can buy more with a stronger dollar and less with a weaker

one. Now the price of French wine and South Korean electronics and a host of other imports could cost more not only due to tariffs but a weaker currency, too.

And any loss of safe-haven status could hit US consumers in another way: Higher rates for mortgages and car financing deals as lenders demand more interest for the added risk.

Federal debt troubles

MORE worrisome is possible higher interest rates on the ballooning US federal debt, which is already at a risky 120 percent of US annual economic output.

“Most countries with that debt to GDP would cause a major crisis and the only reason we get away with it is that the world needs dollars to trade with,” says Benn Steil, an economist at the Council on Foreign Relations. “At some point people are going to look seriously at alternatives to the dollar.”

They already have, with a little help from a US economic rival.

China has been striking yuanonly trading deals with Brazil for agricultural products, Russia for oil and South Korea for other goods for years. It has also been making loans in yuan to central banks desperate for cash in Argentina, Pakistan and other countries, replacing the dollar as the emergency funder of last resort.

Another possible US alternative in future years if their market grows: cryptocurrencies. Said BlackRock Chairman Larry Fink in his annual shareholder letter about dollar dominance, “If deficits keep ballooning, America risks losing that position to digital assets like Bitcoin.”

Not everyone is convinced that a big reason the dollar is falling is because of lost faith in the US.

Steve Ricchiuto, an economist at Mizuho Financial, says dollar weakness reflects anticipation of higher inflation due to tariffs. But even if investors aren’t as comfortable holding dollars, he says, they really don’t have much of a choice. No other currency or other asset, like yuan or bitcoin or gold, is vast enough to handle all the demand.

“The US will lose the reserve currency when there is someone out there to take it away,” Ricchiuto says. “Right now, there isn’t an alternative.”

Erratic policy spooks investors MAYBE so, but Trump is testing the limits.

It’s not just the tariffs, but the erratic way he’s rolled them out. The unpredictability makes the US seem less stable, less reliable, and a less safe place for their money. There are also questions about his logic justifying the policy. Trump says US tariffs will drive down trade deficits, which he cites as evidence that countries are “ripping off” America. But in calculating the tariffs, he looked at trade deficits only in goods, not services in which the US excels. Most economists think trade deficits are not a sign of national weakness anyway because they do nothing to impede economic growth and prosperity.

Trump has also repeatedly threatened to chip away at the independence of the Federal Reserve, raising fears that he will force interest rates lower to boost the economy even if doing so risks stoking runaway inflation. That is a sure-fire way to get people to flee the dollar. After Fed Chair Jerome Powell said Wednesday that he would wait to make any rate moves, Trump blasted him, saying “Powell’s termination cannot come fast enough!”

Monday, April 21, 2025

End-Feb total PHL banking system assets hit ₧26.9T

By Reine Juvierre S. Alberto

TOTALassets of the Philippine banking system rose to P26.952 trillion as of end-February 2025, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

Latest BSP data showed total banking assets grew by 8.01 percent to P26.952 trillion as of end-February 2025 from the P24.953 trillion posted in the same period in 2024. Month-on-month, bank assets declined by only 0.57 percent from the P27.109 trillion in January.

Broken down, banks’ assets consisted of net total loan portfolio (TLP) amounting to P14.683 trillion. This includes interbank loans receivable (IBL) and total reverse repurchase (RRP).

Net TLP accounted for more than half, or 54.47 percent, of the total assets of the banking industry as of end-February. This increased by 12.31 percent year-on-year from

P13.073 trillion. Banks’ total assets also included net total investments, or financial assets and equity investments in subsidiaries, valued at P7.758 trillion as of end-February 2025. This is higher by 4.86 percent from the P7.398 trillion recorded as of endFebruary 2024. Further, cash and due from banks declined by 2.94 percent year-onyear to P2.371 trillion as of endFebruary 2025 from P2.371 trillion. BSP data also showed that the net real and other properties acquired (ROPA) in the settlement of loans also went up by 8.75 percent to P116.478 billion as of end-February 2025 from P107.097 billion a year ago.

Other assets also rose by 4.76 percent to P2.022 trillion as of February 2025 from last year’s P1.930 trillion.

“We have enough buffers to withstand financial shocks,” said Jonathan Ravelas, senior adviser at Reyes Tacandong & Co. Ravelas said this is supported by banks’ capital adequacy ratios, liquidity ratios and low non-performing loan levels.

For this year, Ravelas said bank assets will remain high and will grow by a single digit, on the back of the domestic-driven economy.

“Stable inflation and lower rates could help support growth and consumer recovery,” Ravelas added.

Meanwhile, liabilities of the Philippine banking system reached

P23.538 trillion as of end-February 2025.

This is higher by 7.67 percent from the P21.862 trillion in liabilities recorded as of end-February 2024. However, this is a contraction of only 0.70 percent from the P23.707 trillion posted as of endJanuary 2025.

The liabilities consisted mainly of deposit liabilities worth P19.737 trillion, followed by other liabilities worth P1.796 trillion, bills payable worth P1.184 trillion and bonds payable worth P582.380 billion.

In terms of deposit liabilities, the majority of these liabilities are in Philippine peso, amounting to P16.314 trillion and the rest are in foreign currency, reaching P3.422 trillion.

PHILFIDA’S ATIENZA: UNBRIDLED IMPORTS IMPERIL LOCAL FIBERS

By Ada Pelonia

THE government should minimize the entry of imported fiber into the country, as such could pose a threat to local abaca production, according to the Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFida).

PhilFida Executive Director Arnold Atienza said the country’s fiber shipments last year stood at 2.5 million kilos, citing figures from the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI).

“It’s not that big, but we still have to stop or at least minimize it to make sure we take care of the local fiber industry,” Atienza told the BusinessMirror in an interview.

“We have so many raw materials [...] We’re not harvesting 90 percent of it, and yet we’re importing,” he pointed out.

He said the agency would link industry stakeholders with farmers, so the former could “Adopta-Farm,” a new program that will help provide the private sector direct access to raw materials.

“What we discussed with the industry is we’ll look for which farm could provide their fiber requirement, so they could join the ‘Adopt-a-Farm’ [program].” He earlier observed that fiber

shipments enter the country because private entities don’t know where to source their materials. Meanwhile, Atienza said the government could begin regulating fiber imports this 2025, with the agency checking the legality of the proposed measure: “I think that’s possible [this year].”

The PhilFida chief earlier hinted at the agency’s bid to curb imported fibers, particularly abaca, noting the possibility of seeking the issuance of an Executive Order (EO) from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Abaca, internationally known as Manila hemp, is indigenous to the Philippines, accounting for 86 percent of the global supply in 2023. Nearly all abaca pulp produced in the Philippines is exported. From 2014 to 2023, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said the abaca industry generated an average annual export revenue of $139.2 million, with 18 percent derived from raw fiber and 82 percent from manufactured products, primarily pulp. Data from PhilFida showed that the country’s abaca production in 2024 declined by 4 percent to 43,055.78 metric tons (MT) from the previous year’s 44,868.36 MT. The recent figure is also lower than the 63,640.61 MT in 2022.

Editor: Jennifer A. Ng

Companies

BusinessMirror

Meralco posts higher sales

By Lenie Lectura @llectura

THE Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) recorded an energy sales volume of 12,493 gigawatt hours (GWh) in the first quarter, up 1.5 percent from 12,307 GWh in the quarter a year ago.

The growth, according to company senior vice president and chief revenue officer Ferdinand Geluz, was driven by higher demand mainly from Meralco residential customers who had to contend with warmer temperatures.

He said residential sales climbed to 4,257 GWh at end-March, registering a 3-percent increase from 4,144 GWh in the same period last year. Geluz added that the distribution network noted a sustained momentum from energization efforts and observed high heat index in the franchise area.

Commercial sales, meanwhile, increased by only 1 percent to 4,744 GWh from 4,679 GWh, buoyed by robust demand from consumerfacing establishments amid a slowdown in real estate.

Industrial sales remained flat at 3,455 GWh from last year’s 3,448 GWh, as gains from non-metallic,

semiconductor, and plastics were muted by the downturn in food and beverage and steel.

For the current quarter, Geluz said energy sales are expected to improve. “We are optimistic that energy sales will pick up, continuing to second half.”

This expectation will eventually lead to attaining its target of increasing energy sales by 4.5 percent this year.

The target is to close the year with at least 56,000MWh in energy sales. Of which, Clark Electric Distribution Corp., which is 65-percent owned by Meralco, is expected to contribute an additional 700 GWh.

Geluz is confident that the numbers will be achieved as Meralco anticipates a better economy from lower inflation and interest rates, recovery in occupancy in real estate, and higher consumer spending dur -

Freshly Brewed

ing mid-term elections.

In 2024, Meralco’s energy sales volume rose 6.4 percent to 54,325 GWh from 51,044 GWh in 2023.

Meanwhile, the company said it has upgraded a power transformer at the Tayabas Delivery Point (DP) Substation to cater to the growing power demand in Quezon Province.

From 100 megavolt-amperes (MVA), the power transformer now has a capacity of 300 MVA, providing N1 contingency and accommodating high load growth while improving overall resilience of Meralco’s distribution system.

The project also enhances operational efficiency through a projected reduction of the 168,691.32-kilowatt hour (kWh) system loss.

Meralco said the upgraded 230 kilovolt (kV) – 115 kV Tayabas DP Substation will “ensure continuous and stable power supply to major industrial and commercial customers,” such as Tayabas Community Hospital Inc., Southern

Luzon State University, Allied Care Experts (ACE) Medical Center Sariaya, Primark Town Center Tayabas, Pacific Mall Lucena, Quezon Medical Center, Lucena MMG General Hospital, the Quezon Provincial Governor’s Office, and SM City Lucena.

It will also enable the substation to accommodate new load applications.

“The uprating of the Tayabas power transformer is just one of the many projects we have lined up to enhance the reliability and capacity of our distribution system. Projects like this enable us to continue providing safe, stable and sufficient power to homes, businesses, and vital institutions in fast developing areas like Quezon Province.

As energy demand continues to grow, we remain dedicated to building a resilient distribution network that can support economic development,” said Meralco First Vice President and Head of Networks Froilan Savet.

STOCK-MARKET OUTLOOK

B2

Songwriting 101: Prized composer Trina Belamide on how to make it in the music biz

By Francine Medina

“N

OW That I Have You,” “You've Made Me Stronger,” “Because You Believed,” “Shine,” and the 2020 World Youth Day song, “Tell the World of His Love” are just some of the hit tunes that have touched many Filipinos for their inspiring words and lyrics.

But behind these compositions performed by The Company, Regine Velasquez, Lucas Garcia, Ima Castor, and Jamie Rivera, respectively, is award-winning songwriter Trina Belamide, one of the pillars of Original Pinoy Music or OPM.

In a recent episode of BusinessMirror's ”Freshly Brewed” online talk show, host and Soundstrip section editor Edwin Sallan interviews Belamide on how to write songs that resonate with the public, her creative process, and her newly launched book, “Trilogy: The Songs of Trina Belamide.”

”I've always loved music and, fortunately, my parents have always been supportive of my journey,” said Belamide who traces her passion for music when she took piano lessons at eight and when she started writing songs at 15. But rather than taking a music course, Belamide took up AB Communications at Ateneo de Manila. At the time, she admitted, she didn't imagine herself as a music teacher or pianist. Her parents also thought that taking up music for a living isn't lucrative. Instead, Belamide pursued her love for music by signing up as an Ateneo Glee Club member. But after finishing college in 1990 and a very short stint in the advertising world, Belamide couldn't deny her true love anymore and pursued songwriting as a profession. It was apparent that the musical path was her destiny. A year after her graduation, her friend Moy Ortiz of The Company encouraged her to submit songs for Joey Albert, who was at the peak of her popularity during that time. The song was ”The Little Child,” which became part of Albert's Christmas album.

Another milestone for Belamide happened

in 1995 when her song “Tell the World of His Love” won the top prize in the search for a theme song for the 1995 World Youth Day that will be celebrated alongside the visit of Pope John Paul lI to the Philippines. The following year, her song titled, “Shine,” won second place in the Metro Manila Popular Music Festival. The song, later on, was performed by various top OPM artists such as Regine Velasquez in 2005 and Morisette in 2021. In 1999, Belamide won the second prize at the USA Songwriting Competition held in Florida.

Belamide has really gone a long way: penning several hit songs, receiving more accolades in songwriting contests and industry recognitions, and producing music albums that have been well-received by OPM followers.

“I always tell new songwriters that there is no right or wrong way to write a song. But my writing process in particular–I actually like to start with a title. A lot of people are surprised that even before I write the song, I start with a title and the overall concept. I also decide based on the purpose of the song. Do I want a fast tempo or a slow one?” explained Belamide.

“Songwriting is making a series of little decisions along the way. Like, is it going to be a ballad or a fast song? Is it going to be in English or Filipino? Is it going to have a chorus or a bridge? It's a series of decisions and once I figure that out, I begin with the title and a chorus, or sometimes the lyrics. But basically, my process is much like building a house where I have a plan for the foundation first and then I have an overall plan. There are some songwriters who kind of just wing it. They'll feel their way through it. They'll start with a line and see how it goes, and

bahala na. Sometimes it goes well for them. But in my case, like to have structure.” Her book's title, “Trilogy: The Songs of Trina Belamide,” is a portmanteau of her name, Trina, and the word “anthology.” Thus, “Trilogy” in this case, is a collection of her anecdotes, tips, photographs, and souvenirs, alongside her “fake book” (a term used by musicians) or collection of simplified arrangements with the melody lines, lyrics, and chords, of each of her compositions.

“This book is very useful for singers and accompanists,“ she replied. Sallan aptly described Belamide's book as “a tell-all book“ especially since it includes the stories behind her songs and advice such as valuing the people who have played roles in one's, journey, as well as practical tips on how to make a living out of writing songs, which includes getting commissioned

works, the difference between mechanical and performance royalties, copyright, and collaborations, among other topics.

Creative challenges

BELAMIDE, who has written religious songs such as “Tell the World of His Love” and “Where Peace Begins (One Family Under God)” that are widely sang during Christian celebrations, revealed that spiritual songs are actually the most difficult to pen.

“Gospel songs, for me, are a little bit more challenging because it's not fiction. If you do gospel music, somehow it has to be theologically sound. But these could also be pieces that are true to you,“ she explained. “I have fewer gospel songs than love songs. The technical process is the same but in terms of the subject matter, I have to do a little more research. It's very purposeful. You also need to

know the beliefs of the church.” Besides having the country's seasoned vocalists like Regine Velasquez singing her compositions, Belamide is also a gifted singer who has released albums where she performs her compositions. In “Trilogy,” Belamide shares three albums of her works that can readers can quickly access through QR codes shared for each song.

“All those albums are on Spotify and all other digital platforms. If you buy the book and you scan through it, I put QR codes for every song. did new recordings of each and every one of the 30 songs. So, they're like demos of how you can possibly play these songs.”

“They're very simple recordings. All of me, playing the piano, some of them with accompaniment and vocals. One particular album has Anjo Inacay playing the cello,” Belamide said, “There's one album where I did all the vocals, a second album where got

various singers, and the third album where I asked a cellist (Inacay) to play. So, ‘Trilogy,’ the book‘s

SONGWRITER Trina Belamide discusses the songwriting process with Soundstrip Section Editor and Digital Content Manager Edwin Sallan. EDWIN Sallan

TRINA Belamide

Banking&Finance

Remittances may slow on tepid global growth

M

ONEY sent home by overseas Filipino workers is projected to expand at a slightly slower pace in 2025, as moderated global economic growth will support remittance inflows, according to the research unit of Maybank Investment Banking Group.

In a report, Maybank IBG Analysts Fatin Nabila Mohd Zaini, Suhaimi Ilias and Azril Rosli said remittances from OFWs will grow by 2.9 percent to $35.5 billion in 2025.

This is slightly slower compared to the 3 percent growth rate in remittances last year, due to the “sustained—albeit slower—expansion of the global economy, according to Maybank’s analysts.

Citing recent results of the purchasing managers indices (PMIs), analysts said the above 50 PMI prints signal continued support for the Malaysian bank’s outlook for OFW remittances.

As such, global composite PMI rose to 52.1 in March 2025 from 51.5 in February 2025, in line with stronger global services PMI at 52.7 in March 2025. Meanwhile, the global manufacturing PMI eased to 50.3 in March 2025, as analysts said manufacturers continued to “front-load” to purchase, produce and deliver ahead of Trump’s tariff initial deadline on April 9, and now an additional 90-day pause. Latest data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas showed cash remittances, or money coursed through banks from overseas Filipinos, amounted to $2.716 billion in February 2025.

Maybank analysts said the year-onyear growth of cash remittances at 2.7 percent in February “continued to soften” but fell at a “slower pace” monthon-month at 6.9 percent, recovering from the end-of-year seasonal surge. Further, the appreciation of the Philippine peso against the US dollar is also slightly tempering the growth of remittances in peso terms, according to Maybank.

The foreign exchange translation gain effect, influencing remittances growth in peso terms, eased at 6.4 percent year-on-year in February 2025, following the peso appreciation at 0.6 percent year-on-year, Maybank said.

As such, Maybank projects the exchange rate to settle at P58.00 to the dollar by the end of 2025, which could potentially restore some FX-driven lift to remittances later in the year.

Land-based remittances, about 80.3 percent of OFW remittances, eased further in February, while the remaining 19.7 percent in sea-based remittances increased during the month.

In terms of country sources, there was a slowdown in growth from the Middle East and Hong Kong and sustained flows from South Korea, Taiwan, Canada, Japan, and the United States.

OFW households mainly use the remittances for food and other household needs, education, medical expenses, debt payments, savings, investments and to purchase appliances, house or vehicles.

Reine Juvierre S. Alberto

Farm-support GOCCs get bulk of Feb govt subsidies

By Reine Juvierre Alberto @reine_alberto

THE subsidies extended by the state to corporations it controls and operates (GOCCs) rose by double digits as of the end of February.

According to the data from the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr), subsidies to GOCCs increased by 13.75 percent to P11.959 billion from January to February 2025 from the P10.513 billion recorded during the same period last year.

Broken down, the bulk of the subsidies went to major non-financial government corporations, which amounted to P6.666 billion.

Of these entities, the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) obtained the highest subsidy worth P1.085 billion, trailed by the National Food Authority (NFA) with P2.250 billion.

The Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) and the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) also acquired P148 million and P28 million, respectively.

Meanwhile, other government corporations received a total of P5.167 billion during the two-month period.

Particularly, the majority, or P1.939 billion, was allocated to the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA). This was followed by the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA) with P975 million.

Other agricultural agencies that were allotted subsidies during the two-month period were the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) with P231 million, Philippine Rubber Research Institute (PRRI) with P200 million and Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) with P121 million.

Several government specialty hospitals were also given subsidies,

BIR Davao urges workers, firms to update records

THE Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has urged workers and business owners to always update their records, especially when resigning or transferring jobs or ceasing business operations, according to a report by state-run Philippine Information Agency (PIA) from Mati City. The BIR’s Revenue District Office 114 in Mati City, the capital town of Davao Oriental, issued the appeal during the Ronda Oriental with the PIA, BIR-RDO 114 and representatives of businesses.

BIR-RDO 114 Mati Group Supervisor Ann Jeanith D. Malinuca said it was important to regularly update BIR records through the fil-

ing of annual income tax returns and other appropriate forms to avoid open cases. According to Malinuca, open cases are records of missing or unfiled tax returns or unsettled tax liabilities in the BIR system. Open cases come with compromise penalties, surcharges, and interest, she added. Updating BIR records is the only way for the BIR to determine whether a taxpayer is still earning income through employment or business, Malinuca said.

“Without this update, the BIR continues to assume that a taxpayer is earning and expects the corresponding tax filings, even if they have stopped working or their busi-

ness ceased operations,” she said. “Especially for job orders, when their contract has not been renewed, BIR should be informed so that we can close their record as a job order. If they are regularized as well, they close their job order status in BIR to avoid open cases.”

Similarly, Malinuca said, business owners must also update their BIR records if they are no longer engaged in business.

Contrary to common practice among business owners, “the Business Permits and Licensing Office (BPLO) of a local government unit should not be the only entity informed when their business stops operations; the BIR must also be

notified,” she said. “To the business owners, if you are no longer engaged in business, it still needs to be closed to avoid open cases. Usually, the problem with taxpayers is that they think that it’s okay to close with the BPLO or the municipality, but they should still close with the BIR,” Malinuca added.

She said the BIR observes necessary protocols once a business stops operating, such as the destruction of official receipts to prevent them from being used by others.

“Visit us at our office for assistance if you wish to update youu records or resolve any open cases.”

Manuel T. Cayon

White House seeks to bring regulators under its sway

By Gregory Korte & Lydia Beyoud Bloomberg

THE White House is stepping up its efforts to bring independent agencies—including the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission—under its control, requiring allies of President Donald Trump to approve all new regulations beginning Monday. New guidance from the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, delivered to agencies last Thursday, implements a February executive order that sought to end the independence of entities that regulate a broad range of economic activity, including energy, labor, media and consumer products.

The executive order applies to at least 20 boards, commissions and other agencies that were set up by Congress to be largely independent from direct presidential control. But under an interpretation of the Constitution favored by Trump—known as the unitary executive theory—the president has the power to supervise and control the entire executive branch.

The 25-page memo from acting OIRA administrator Jeffrey Clark instructs independent agencies to involve the White House regulatory office at all stages of rulemaking. It requires independent agencies to appoint a regulatory policy officer—generally a political appointee—by Monday.

The effort would reflect a fundamental restructuring of how formerly independent agencies implement and enforce federal laws, subjecting them to the same White House oversight that other agencies have had since at least former President Bill Clinton.

Many of those agencies have an additional complication, in that they’re run by multi-member boards or commissions. Under the guidance, those commissions may not publicly discuss proposed regulations until they’re approved by the White House. The Federal Reserve’s monetary functions—that is, the work of the Federal Open Markets Committee—remain independent under Trump’s order and the draft guidance. But any rules as a banking regulator must be submitted to the

White House for review.

Still, the Federal Reserve presents a particular legal challenge for Trump. Peter Shane, a law professor emeritus at The Ohio State University, said the Supreme Court has likely stopped short of fully adopting Trump’s embrace of the unitary executive theory because it would undermine Fed independence and destabilize global markets.

“Holding the United States unable to have an independent agency controlling the money supply would be an extreme move,” Shane wrote recently in Washington Monthly. Applying Trump’s order only to banking regulation doesn’t completely solve that problem. “Members of the Fed cannot be half-fired, half-empowered,” he said.

Confidence in Fed Chair Remains

Low | Percent saying they have “a great deal” or “fair amount” of confidence in the Federal Reserve chair

There could also be practical effects. Jane Rueger of the Perkins Coie law firm argued that independent agencies like the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission often engage in “complex, nuanced, and highly technical proceedings”— and that adding an extra layer of review could lead to delays and uncertainty. Perkins Coie is one of the firms Trump has sanctioned over its diversity policies and its work with Democrats, actions it is challenging in court.

Clark’s guidance argues that involving OIRA early in the process can help coordinate rulemaking with other agencies and speed up rules adoption. Other financial regulators affected include the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which has been largely dismantled by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency.

Also included is the Federal Election Commission, the bipartisan campaign finance regulator established by Congress after the Watergate scandal to ensure that presidents wouldn’t have undue influence over investigations into political campaigns. Trump’s inclusion of the FEC in his February executive order led to a lawsuit by the Democratic Party, which called it an “unprecedented assertion of presidential power.”

such as the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI) with P440 million; Philippine Heart Center (PHC), P368 million; Philippine Children’s Medical Center (PCMC), P232 million; and Lung Center of the Philippines (LCP), P118 million.

Moreover, the Small Business Corporation (SBC) is the only recipient of subsidies among government financial institutions during the two-month period. It has received a total of P126 million so far.

For February alone, subsidies amounted to P7.574 billion, lower by 19.43 percent from the P9.401 billion allocated during the same month a year ago. About P3.243 billion went to major non-financial government corporations, P4.268 billion to other government corporations and P63 million to SBC.

According to Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. Chief Economist Michael L. Ricafort, the reduced subsidies may be consistent with fiscal improvement measures, with an end to reduce the national government’s budget deficit and temper new incurred borrowings.

With higher spending, the government’s budget deficit widened by

34.35 percent to P103.1 billion as of end-February.

“This signals that the priority is to boost agricultural productivity and boost local food supply to help stabilize local food prices and bring down overall inflation,” Ricafort said. Some profitable GOCCs are even encouraged to remit more dividends to the national government to reduce the need for additional borrowings, Ricafort added. In 2024, subsidies to staterun corporations were reduced to P138.763 billion, the lowest in six years, or the P136.652 billion recorded in 2018.

Last year’s subsidies decreased by 15.14 percent from P163.535 billion in 2023, as GOCCs needed less budgetary support and had better operating income.

Subsidies are provided by the national government to these entities to cover operational expenses when their generated revenues are not sufficient to sustain their functions. This year, subsidies to GOCCs will even be lower at P127.427 billion based on the state’s budget documents. This went down by 32.30 percent from P188.229 billion in 2024.

Firing Powell to hurt US dollar, economy—France

PRESIDENT Donald Trump would put the credibility of the dollar on the line and destabilize the US economy if he fired Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, French Finance Minister Eric Lombard warned.

“Donald Trump has hurt the credibility of the dollar with his aggressive moves on tariffs—for a long time,” Lombard said in an interview published in the La Tribune Dimanche newspaper. If Powell is pushed out “this credibility will be harmed even more, with developments in the bond market.”

The result would be higher costs to service the debt and “a profound disorganization of the country’s economy,” Lombard said, adding that the consequences would bring the US sooner or later to talks to end the tensions.

Lombard’s comments come after Trump, frustrated with Powell’s caution to cut US interest rates, posted on social media Thursday that Powell’s “termination couldn’t come quickly enough.” It wasn’t clear whether he meant he wanted to fire Powell or was eager for the end of his term, which is May 2026. National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett said Friday Trump was studying whether he could fire

him.

President Emmanuel Macron has opposed Trump on a series of issues including Ukraine, trade and even offered refuge in France for US-based scientists whose federal research funding has been cut.

Even so, Lombard’s comments are unusually direct about US domestic matters. On tariffs, France’s finance minister said the 10 percent tariffs Trump has imposed on imports from the EU don’t constitute “common ground” and that Europe’s goal is for a free trade zone with the US.

The 10-percent level is “a huge increase that isn’t sustainable for the US economy and represents major risks for global trade,” Lombard said.

The finance minister also called on European CEOs to show “patriotism” and work with their governments so the region doesn’t lose out.

On Thursday,

How Trump backed away from promising to end the Russia-Ukraine war in 24 hours

By Meg Kinnard The Associated Press

DURING his campaign, Donald Trump said repeatedly that he would be able to end the war between Russia and Ukraine “in 24 hours” upon taking office. He has changed his tone since becoming president again.

As various US emissaries have held talks looking for an end to the war, both Trump and his top officials have become more reserved about the prospects of a peace deal. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday suggested the U.S. might soon back away from negotiations altogether without more progress, adding a comment that sounded like a repudiation of the president’s old comments.

“No one’s saying this can be done in 12 hours,” he told reporters.

The promises made by presidential candidates are often felled by the realities of govern

ing. But Trump’s shift is noteworthy given his prior term as president and his long histories with both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The White House on Friday did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment on Trump’s evolving deadline comments.

Here’s a look at Trump’s evolution on the way he talks about the Russia-Ukraine war:

‘A very easy negotiation’

MARCH 2023: “There’s a very easy negotiation to take place. But I don’t want to tell you what it is because then I can’t use that negotiation; it’ll never work,” Trump told Fox News Channel host Sean Hannity, claiming that he could “solve” the war “in 24 hours” if he were back in the White House.

“But it’s a very easy negotiation to take place. I will have it solved within one day, a peace between them,” Trump said of the war, which at that point had been ongoing for more than a year since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

MAY 2023: “They’re dying, Russians and Ukrainians. I want them to stop dying. And I’ll have that done—I’ll have that done in 24 hours,” Trump said during a town hall on CNN.

JULY 2024: When asked to respond to Trump’s one-day claim, Russia’s United Nations Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia told reporters that “the Ukrainian crisis cannot be solved in one day.” Afterward, Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung said that “a top priority in his second term will be to quickly negotiate an end to the Russia-Ukraine war.”

AUGUST 2024: “Before I even arrive at the Oval Office, shortly after I win the presidency, I will have the horrible war between Russia and Ukraine settled,” Trump told a National Guard

Conference. “I’ll get it settled very fast. I don’t want you guys going over there. I don’t want you going over there.”

After Trump wins in November DEC. 16, 2024: “I’m going to try,” Trump said during a news conference at his Mar-aLago club, asked if he thought he could still make a deal with Putin and Zelenskyy to end the war.

JAN. 8, 2025: In a Fox News Channel interview, retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg—now serving as Trump’s special envoy to Ukraine and Russia—proposed a 100-day deadline to end the war. Friday marked 100 days since that interview. The 100th day of Trump’s presidency is April 30.

Trump becomes president and starts negotiations

JAN. 31: Trump says his new administration has already had “very serious” discussions with Russia and says he and Putin could soon take “significant” action toward ending the grinding conflict.

“We will be speaking, and I think will perhaps do something that’ll be significant,” Trump said in an exchange with reporters in the Oval Office. “We want to end that war. That war would have not started if I was president.”

FEB. 12: Trump and Putin speak for more than an hour and Trump speaks afterward with Zelenskyy. Trump says afterward, “I think we’re on the way to getting peace.”

FEB. 19: Trump posts on his Truth Social sitethat Zelenskyy is serving as a “dictator without elections.” He adds that “we are successfully negotiating an end to the War with Russia, something all admit only ‘TRUMP,’ and the Trump Administration, can do.”

FEB. 28: Trump and Zelenskyy have a contentious Oval Office meeting. Trump berates Zelenskyy for being “disrespectful,” then abruptly calls off the signing of a minerals deal that Trump said would have moved Ukraine closer to ending the war.

Declaring himself “in the middle” and not on the side of either Ukraine or Russia in the conflict, Trump went on to deride Zelenskyy’s “hatred” for Putin as a roadblock to peace.

“You see the hatred he’s got for Putin,” Trump said. “That’s very tough for me to make a deal with that kind of hate.”

The Ukrainian leader was asked to leave the White House by top Trump advisers shortly

after Trump shouted at him. Trump later told reporters that he wanted an “immediate ceasefire” between Russia and Ukraine but expressed doubt that Zelenskyy was ready to make peace.

MARCH 3: Trump temporarily pauses military aid to Ukraine to pressure Zelenskyy to seek peace.

Trump claims his 24-hour promise was ‘sarcastic’

MARCH 14: Trump says he was “being a little bit sarcastic” when he repeatedly claimed as a candidate that he would have the Russia-Ukraine war solved within 24 hours.

“Well, I was being a little bit sarcastic when I said that,” Trump says in a clip released from an interview for the “Full Measure” television program.

“What I really mean is I’d like to get it settled and, I’ll, I think, I think I’ll be successful.”

MARCH 18-19: Trump speaks with both Zelenskyy and Putin on successive days.

In a March 18 call, Putin told Trump that he would agree not to target Ukraine’s energy infrastructure but refused to back a full 30-day ceasefire that Trump had proposed. Afterward, Trump on social media heralded that move, which he said came “with an understanding that we will be working quickly to have a Complete Ceasefire and, ultimately, an END to this very horrible War between Russia and Ukraine.”

In their own call a day later, Trump suggested that Zelenskyy should consider giving the US ownership of Ukraine’s power plants to ensure their long-term security. Trump told Zelenskyy that the US could be “very helpful in running those plants with its electricity and utility expertise,” according to a White House statement from Secretary of State Marco Rubio and national

security adviser Mike Waltz.

APRIL 14: Trump says “everybody” is to blame: Zelenskyy, Putin and Biden.

“That’s a war that should have never been allowed to start and Biden could have stopped it and Zelenskyy could have stopped it and Putin should have never started it,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.

Talk of moving on APRIL 18: Rubio says that the US may “move on” from trying to secure a Russia-Ukraine peace deal if there is no progress in the coming days.

He spoke in Paris after landmark talks among US, Ukrainian and European officials produced outlines for steps toward peace and appeared to make some longawaited progress. A new meeting is expected next week in London, and Rubio suggested it could be decisive in determining whether the Trump administration con -

tinues its involvement.

“We are now reaching a point where we need to decide whether this is even possible or not,” Rubio told reporters. “Because if it’s not, then I think we’re just going to move on. It’s not our war. We have other priorities to focus on.”

He said the US administration wants to decide “in a matter of days.”

Later that day, Trump told reporters at the White House that he agreed with Rubio that a Ukraine peace deal must be done “quickly.”

“I have no specific number of days but quickly. We want to get it done,” he said.

Saying “Marco is right” that the dynamic of the negotiations must change, Trump stopped short of saying he’s ready to walk away from peace negotiations.

“Well, I don’t want to say that,” Trump said. “But we want to see it end.”

PRESIDENT Donald Trump, right, meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Oval Office at the White House, February 28, 2025, in Washington. AP/ MYSTYSLAV CHERNOV

PRESIDENT Donald Trump, right, meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the G-20 Summit in Hamburg, July 7, 2017. AP/EVAN VUCCI

Style

FENDI RECEIVES SPECIAL STAMP FOR ITS 100TH ANNIVERSARY

THE Italian Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy has released a special stamp in tribute to FENDI to mark its 100th anniversary.

This stamp is part of a larger themed series, titled Le Eccellenze del sistema produttivo ed economico (the Excellence of the productive and economic system), dedicated to Italian brands on their centenary. This initiative acknowledges the significant role that FENDI continues to play in the Italian economy and in promoting the “Made in Italy” hallmark on the international stage, 100 years after the house was founded.

The stamp combines iconic symbols of FENDI, representing a century of legacy founded on values such as tradition, innovation, and passion. These elements are core pillars, recurring codes, and motifs that trace back to the beginnings of the house in 1925, anchoring FENDI’s past to its present.

The design features a reinterpretation of the FENDI Roma logo crafted for the 100-year anniversary, incorporating the number one and the infinity symbol in the signature FENDI yellow color, paired with the iconic FF logo as the backdrop.

The latter was created by Karl Lagerfeld in 1965 upon his appointment as creative director by the legendary five Fendi sisters—Paola, Anna, Franca, Carla, and Alda—daughters of the house’s founders, Adele and Edoardo Fendi. Standing for “Fun Furs,” the FF logo marked a pivotal moment, boldly defining the limitless creativity and identity of FENDI.

The stamp is included inside a collectible four-flap, philatelic A4 folder—accompanied by a text signed by Silvia Venturini Fendi, FENDI artistic director of Accessories and Menswear—created for the occasion in the signature FENDI yellow color. The folder also contains a block of four stamps, a stamped and cancelled philatelic postcard, a first-day envelope, and a philatelic card.

The stamp and its associated collection products, like the folder, will be available for purchase from April 4, 2025, at Poste Italiane post offices throughout Italy, in 10 selected philatelic spaces located in the historic centre of the main Italian cities, online at filatelia.poste.it and for subscribers.

HELLO GLOW HOLDS PUBLIC RUNWAY SHOW FOR MUPH 2025 CANDIDATES

THE Hello Glow x Miss Universe Philippines 2025 Runway Show, billed as Her Universe, Her Glow, captivated pageant fans as 68 stunning candidates took center stage at SM North Edsa The Block Atrium. Hosted by Mr. Chinatown 2016 Louie Ngo, the event celebrated beauty, confidence and self-care, solidifying its place as a highlight in the Miss Universe Philippines (MUPH) calendar.

This year’s runway show was particularly special, as it marked the first public appearance of the MUPH 2025 candidates as a batch. While many official pageant events remain private and accessible only through media coverage or exclusive live streams, this event gave pageant supporters a rare opportunity to see their favorite candidates live, creating a vibrant atmosphere filled with excitement and cheers. Present at the event included Hello Glow brand owner and chief sales and marketing officer Denice Sy, Ever Bilena chief operating officer Silliman Sy, and Miss Universe Philippines Organization executive vice president Voltaire Tayag and Miss Universe Philippines director for asia pacific and local search Arnold Mercado. Also in attendance were PBA Blackwater basketball player Christian David, Miss Universe Zambales 2024 Anita Rose Gomez and Miss Universe Philippines Camiguin 2024 Rethiana Rosy, alongside pageant media adding even more prestige to the event.

The Hello Glow runway was designed for impact, featuring a larger stage and stunning visuals to highlight the candidates’ pasarela skills. Now in its third year as an official Miss Universe Philippines partner, Hello Glow elevates its runway year-on-year, and continues to champion sun care and soothing care, empowering Filipinos to feel confident in their own skin.

“The Hello Glow x Miss Universe Philippines Runway Show is more than just a showcase of beauty. It’s a platform that celebrates confidence, empowerment and self-care,” said Hello Glow brand manager Alvin Escultura Consolacion. “We are proud to support these incredible women and give them the opportunity to shine, not just on the stage but in their everyday lives as well.”

The top 10 finalists who stood out with their poise and runway presence were: Miss Laguna Eloisa Jauod, Miss Taguig Katrina Llegado, Miss Bohol Tyra Goldman, Miss Sultan Kudarat Chelsea Fernandez, Miss Baguio City Gwendoline Soriano, Miss Quezon Province Ahtisa Manalo, Miss Iligan City Juliana Fresado, Miss Siniloan Laguna Yllana Aduana, Miss Muntinlupa City Teresita Ssen Marquez, and Miss Pasay City Amanda Russo.

From this lineup, two major awardees—Miss Hello Glow and Miss Hello Glow Body—will be announced at the Miss Universe Philippines 2025 Coronation Night on May 2, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

Lacoste’s addictive vibe

ADDING an unexpected but welcome dimension to its olfactory universe, the elegant French sportswear brand Lacoste has reimagined one of its most iconic scents, the 1984 Lacoste Original, with the Original Eau de Parfum.

Still revealing the brand’s fabled codes and distinctive signature, the new scent was launched in 2024, in time for the 40th anniversary of the first version. It was created by Master Perfumers Anne Flipo and Tanguy Guesnet, who were inspired “to create a modern and addictive scent.”

The version with a new twist is a contemporary and dynamic woody ambery fougère eau de parfum. Fougère perfumes, by definition, are a timeless category of fragrances that blend lavender, geranium, Tonka bean and oak moss. Clary sage and lavender are the common elements between the 2024 and 1984 editions, while amber and patchouli reinforce the masculine side of the fragrance.

SOLID PARTNERSHIP

TENIS legend René Lacoste revolutionized the courts when he wore a flexible, lightweight polo shirt in “petit piqué” cotton, in defiance of the uniform imposed on tennis players during his time. With André Gillier, he founded his namesake brand in 1933, the first to feature a logo—the crocodile—on its design. It was in 1968, however, when the brand expanded into perfumes with its first eau de toilette created in collaboration with French fashion designer and perfumer Jean Patou.

In the Philippines, the Lacoste Original EDP was launched late last year by Lacoste and global fragrance company Interparfums. At the launch were Renaud Boisson, CEO of Interparfums Asia-Pacific Region; Louis Dassonville, regional sales director of Interparfums; Phoebe Won, head of marketing, Lacoste SA, Asia Pacific; and their local partners Anton Huang, president and CEO of SSI Group Inc., Rustan Commercial Corp., and Rustan Marketing Corp.; Cessie Colayco, general manager of Rustan Marketing Corp.; and Marlyn Ferrer, division manager of Rustan Marketing Corp.

“The partnership with Rustan’s has been quite obvious for us in the Philippines. Because they are the best partner you can find in the Philippines, I would say. And the most solid. And, of course, they were also handling and partnering with the fashion [side of Lacoste]. So, it came quite natural for us to work with them with the perfume,” said Dassonville.

ELEGANCE AND CHARM

THE face of the revamped perfume version is the charming French actor, director, producer and screenwriter Pierre Niney. He is the youngest winner of the César for Best Actor.

“Pierre was chosen first by Lacoste fashion. He is a very famous French actor. He’s not really famous outside France, but extremely famous in France. He is part of many blockbusters and recently part of The

FILIPINO brand GRWM recently launched its summer collection, which it calls the #AllDayAllies. The products were created to make the lives of makeup-wearing people easier during the dry season.

The collection consists of a Cushion Lip Tint (nine shades) and the Ultra Matte Fixing Spray.

You may ask, “Another lip tint?” Well, GRWM’s Cushion Lip Tint is lightweight and promises “longlasting (wear), offering all-day comfort and a soft, cushiony matte feel.” Another product promise is that it leaves a lasting stain for a natural flush of color that won’t budge. The lip tint, once applied, has a strong minty sensation. You just need a layer or two to fully color the lips and it lasts until you take it off.

It’s not very moisturizing (so your lips need to be

Count of Monte Cristo,” Boisson revealed. “We know him primarily for portraying Yves Saint Laurent [in a biopic], another very famous guy in France. Since Pierre was chosen for the fashion, it was very natural for us to work with him for the fragrances. He's a typical French elegant man who embodies perfectly the fragrance.”

Why an actor and not a sportsman like its brand ambassadors such as tennis superstars the Serbian Novac Djokovic, the Russian Daniil Medvedev, and the French Arthur Fils?

“That's the direction Lacoste wants to give to the brand. It has very sporty roots, but wants to go towards elegance and elevate the brand,” added Boisson. Niney, in a statement, is nonetheless grateful: “Lacoste has been part of my life and style since I was young. It’s a brand that resonates with both my father and me, bridging generations with its unique blend of elegance and modernity.”

Meanwhile, the local ambassadors during the launch were GMA actor Khalil Ramos, model LA

well-prepped) but the color does not cling to the dry patches on your lips. The Cushion Tint has three key ingredients: squalene for moisture, vitamin E-rich sunflower seed oil for protection, and menthol for a cooling effect. The shades are lovely. Arctic Berry is cool rose mauve. Pink Granite is a cool mauve pink. Peach Blossom is a neutral coral pink. Blackforest is a neutral rosewood. Mint Julep is neutral wine brown. Total Eclipse is a cool deep rose mauve. Rose Quartz is a cool medium pink. Midnight Mauve is a neutral muted plum. Salted Caramel is a neutral almond pink. The popular shades are Arctic Berry, Salted Caramel, and Blackforest (best for morena skin). The Cushion Lip Tint is available for P349 (exclusive debut price until May 4).

The GRWM Ultra Matte Fixing Spray is designed to lock makeup in place and it does that. I have used this and my makeup lasted for over 12 hours, making it through a concert. I did not retouch nor blot. For reference, I was wearing a skin tint, blush and bronzer. The spray contains active ingredients like Niacinamide, Centella Asiatica, Panthenol, and Vegan Ceramides. It works because of Ultra Matte Complex, a unique skin film technology with oil control powders and film formers that keeps your skin hydrated

locking

Aguinaldo and model-actor Brent Manalo.

“I’m curious. I’m dedicated. A sum of all my experiences. I’m focused and creative. I’m expressive. A little crazy. I may be alone [but] I’m happy. Grateful. I’m sensitive, very much. Honest...I’m original,” said Manalo, who is currently seen in the ongoing Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab Edition.

A FRAGRANT FUTURE

BOISSON expressed high hopes the brand will maintain its strong performance:

“We have a bright future with perfume in Asia Pacific and in the Philippines. We are (continue to be) optimistic, especially with this kind of project.

“For us, it’s a new brand. We handle Lacoste [starting only in 2024]. It used to be Coty before, you know. And so [this] year should be a full steam. With Lacoste, we have more projects. After Original, we have a second Original that will come in the meantime to reinforce this one. And then we will have Lacoste for ladies, for women.” ■

Editor: Gerard S. Ramos

FRENCH FLAIR Lacoste ambassador French actor Pierre Niney (clockwise); Filipino model-actor Brent Manalo; Renaud Boisson, Interparfums Asia-Pacific Region

BDO and PEZA Forge Partnership to Attract Global Investments

BDO Unibank Inc. (BDO) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), reinforcing their shared commitment to accelerating foreign investments and economic growth in the country.

This strategic collaboration aims to expand opportunities for global businesses looking to establish and grow in the Philippines. As the country’s leading investment promotion agency, PEZA manages over 400 economic zones nationwide, supporting industries such as manufacturing, IT-BPM, logistics, and agro-industrial sectors. It offers tax incentives, streamlined business registration, and world-class infrastructure to attract investors.

expansion. “Together with PEZA, we aim to maximize the benefits of the CREATE MORE Law and its newly signed IRRs to drive more foreign direct investments,” shared Rodriguez.

Romeo R. Co, Jr., BDO’s Senior Vice President and Department Head of Financial Institutions and International Desks added “We are committed to assist foreign companies with interest to invest and/or conduct business in the Philippines as PEZA’s partner in supporting economic development.”

With a nationwide network of over 1,200 branches, some of which are located within or near PEZA zones, BDO ensures businesses and their employees have access to a full suite of financial solutions, enhancing convenience and efficiency in banking.

As the bank with comprehensive international desks, BDO has extensive experience in supporting foreign investors throughout their business journey—from market entry to

By partnering with PEZA, BDO leverages its financial expertise and vast network to facilitate the entry and expansion of international companies in the country. “This partnership underscores our aligned vision of positioning the Philippines as a premier investment destination,” said Charles M. Rodriguez, BDO’s Executive Vice President and Head of Institutional Banking Group.

This collaboration reaffirms BDO’s commitment to fostering economic progress by enabling businesses to thrive in a dynamic and investor-friendly environment.

recognition is a testament to our dedication to develop communities that provide not just homes, but opportunities for growth and a better quality of life for Filipino families,” said Carreon.

Table for Earth: A Night of Food, Friendship, and Art

usitD2 Davao and Dusit Thani

dResidence Davao warmly invite guests to “Table for Earth”, a meaningful Earth Day celebration that embraces sustainability through food, friendship, and artistic expression for only P2,200 net per person. Taking place on April 22, 2025, from 6 pm to 9 pm, at the serene Courtyard Pool, this special event promises an unforgettable evening filled with purpose and inspiration.

through green initiatives to empowering the community and embracing local culture, every element of Table for Earth reflects the brand’s dedication to creating a positive difference — not just on Earth Day, but every day.

Celebrate Earth Day with purpose at dusitD2 Davao and Dusit Thani Residence Davao—where every detail of Table for Earth is designed to inspire mindful living and meaningful connections. Limited spaces available. For reservations, please email us at d2dv. fbreservations@dusit.com or call 09055621370, and also visit their website: https://www.dusit.com/dusitd2-davao/.

NEXTASIA Land Inc. expresses its sincere gratitude to Pag-IBIG Fund for this recognition. The company remains committed to its vision of empowering Filipinos by making homeownership a reality for more families across the country.

For more information about NEXTASIA Land Inc., visit www.nextasialand.com or follow us on our social media platforms.

NEXTASIA Land Inc. has been a key partner of PagIBIG Fund, working closely to expand housing options and improve access to home financing. Through its diverse portfolio of residential developments, NEXTASIA Land continues to shape the future of real estate by delivering well designed, high-quality and sustainable housing solutions.

A Shot of Perfection: Why CBTL’s Espresso Blend is One of a Kind

THE Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf Philippines is putting the spotlight on the heart of their coffee craft — Espresso.

“Our Espresso. Your Perfect Blend” invites coffee lovers to savor the bold flavors, expert roasting, and rich heritage behind every cup.

At The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, espresso is more than just a drink; it’s an experience. The brand’s Espresso is crafted from the top one percent of Arabica beans, meticulously sourced from five distinct coffee-growing regions worldwide. Each bean undergoes a precise roasting process, with six unique roast profiles to ensure peak aroma, bold flavor, and a smooth, bittersweet finish. The result? An espresso blend that transports coffee lovers to a state of pure bliss.

CBTL’s dedication to quality begins with ethically sourcing its Arabica beans from small, family-owned coffee estates across the finest coffee growing regions. By working directly

with farmers, CBTL ensures fair wages, sustainable farming practices, and community support, fostering a positive impact on the environment and the livelihoods of those who cultivate each bean.

Through this highlight, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf Philippines hopes to deepen customer appreciation for espresso and its versatility. Whether you prefer the bold intensity of an Americano, the creamy richness of a Café Latte, or the velvety texture of a Cappuccino, there’s an espresso drink for everyone. The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf Philippines invites everyone to step into their cafés and experience the craft behind each cup.

Visit your nearest CBTL store today and take your coffee ritual to the next level with the finest espresso. Share your experience online with #CBTLEspresso and join the conversation as we celebrate the art of coffee, one shot at a time. Visit coffeebean.com.ph for more details.

The “Table for Earth” is a curated dining experience that showcases the best of locally sourced, sustainable ingredients, thoughtfully prepared by the culinary team of Dusit Davao Hotels. Each dish tells a story of mindfulness and respect for nature, celebrating the region’s rich produce while supporting local farmers and suppliers. Guests will be treated to live acoustic performances, creating a warm and inviting ambiance perfect for meaningful conversations and new connections. In line with the evening’s ecoconscious theme, participants are also invited to join a Paint Your Tote Bags activity — a fun and interactive session that encourages the use of reusable materials while providing a canvas for personal creativity and environmental awareness. This event is a reflection of Dusit Davao Hotels’ unwavering commitment to sustainability and responsible hospitality. From reducing environmental impact

CHARLES M. Rodriguez, Executive Vice President and Head of Institutional Banking Group of BDO Unibank, and Tereso O. Panga, Director General of Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) shake hands after the MOU signing. Joining them are Romeo R. Co, Jr., Senior Vice President and Department Head of Financial Institutions and International Desks of BDO Unibank, and Maria Veronica F Magsino, Deputy Director General of PEZA.

From whence you came: The beginnings of our PR lives

Conclusion

Richard Burgos, retired public servant

MY early academic formation was steeped in the humanities and my first job roles involved communication tasks like writing, organizing events, speaking in public, etc. In the mid 90s, I was thrust into a corporate marketing role within the globalizing tech sector. Soon it became more crucial to go beyond skills in selling and marketing products and services and to develop longer-lasting relationships with journalists, influencers and the public at large.

The shift in focus went from revenue to reputation. I was fortunate to be given the opportunity to apply these insights in the public service sector space where operating budgets are determined by law and service delivery results are mandated by public accountability.

After eight years as director of the Science and Technol -

THE SECRET LITTLE AGENCY, MARRIOTT HOTELS TEAM UP IN RELEASING ‘WONDERFUL HOSPITALITY NEVER SLEEPS’

SINGAPORE, SINGAPORE—

Creative agency The Secret Little Agency proudly unveils its latest campaign for Marriott Hotels in the APEC region titled Wonderful Hospitality Never Sleeps. This groundbreaking initiative celebrates the unique 24-hour hospitality experience offered by its properties at Marriott Hotels,

showcasing the exceptional service available anytime, anywhere in the world. With an emphasis on heartfelt gestures and thoughtful touches, the campaign highlights Marriott Hotels’ pioneering role in global hospitality, from personalised guest greetings to the simple pleasure of peeled fruit on arrival.

A Multiplicity of Hospitality THE creative strategy behind the campaign underscores the diverse interpretations of hospitality in the APEC region. Rooted in Marriott Hotels’ brand promise of “Wonderful Hospitality. Always.” The campaign’s local expressions bring the global tagline to life

ogy Information Institute of the Department of Science and Technology, I retired last year happy to note among other things that our budget went up 120 percent; the national awareness level about science and technology grew from 6 percent in 2017 to 47 percent in 2023; our staff complement rose 12 percent; we acquired the most modern transportation fleet from private sector donations; we achieved ISO accreditation; and our programs received widespread recognition including the Presidential Lingkod Bayan Award for STARBOOKS, the highest group award from the Civil Service Commission.”

Kane Errol Chua, Vice President for Corporate Communications, ABS-CBN Corporation

“I TRANSITIONED into PR from being a TV reporter when an opportunity came to join the office of Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago. As a big fan of the senator, I saw it as a

by showcasing how hospitality manifests across cultures. Inspired by real stories and insights, scenarios range from a child enjoying both dosa and pancakes in India to a Marriott Hotel associate surprising a guest with a thoughtful gesture in Japan. Each moment captures the true essence of hospitality in its cultural context.

Creative Vision DIRECTED by Australian filmmaker Jared Deparis and produced by The Sweet Shop, the campaign features evocative scenes shot on-location in India and Japan. The film celebrates the spirit of hospitality through real and relatable moments,

chance to support the causes she was fighting for. That decision led me to an exciting career—being part of the senator’s team working on presidential and senatorial campaigns, witnessing an impeachment trial, and organizing the Summer sa Senado internship program for college students.

I later had the opportunity to join and work for Senator Manny Villar as part of his communication team, helping further his advocacies for OFWs, promoting sipag at tiyaga, and supporting his legislative agenda. But I had to leave for graduate studies in London as a British Chevening Scholar.

When I returned, I moved into corporate PR, working at Agatep Associates and then ABS-CBN.

While entertainment PR is often associated with glitz and glamor, working in a company that truly serves the Filipino people is meaningful and memorable. At ABS-CBN, I get to experience all facets of corporate public relations—both internal and external—making the work exciting, challenging, and fulfilling.

I also have the opportunity to join professional organizations like the International Public Relations Association Philippine chapter, the Public Relations Society of the Philippines, and the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC), where I currently serve as an international executive board director and the past chair of the Asia Pacific regional board.

Through IABC, I’ve gained invaluable experience. I have the chance to work with great communication leaders, strengthen the Asia Pacific awards programs, and help organize the Fusion regional conference, which the Philippines hosted this year. It was a sold-out event!

Today, PR is in the age of visual storytelling. With so many tools and platforms available, we must not only master words but also visuals in telling our stories—short videos, reels, infographics, social media art cards, and more—tailoring our stories to fit different formats for different audiences. While the way we communicate evolves, the core principles of PR remain unchanged.”

and most importantly, capturing all the little gestures and everything that goes behind the scenes that makes your stay wonderful.

“Hospitality is a big word. It means different things to different people,” said Nicholas Ye and Mavis Neo, Co-Chief Creative Officers at The Secret Little Agency. “For some, it’s being greeted by name as a returning guest. For others, it’s something as simple as peeled fruit on arrival. This vastness in expectations, and how Marriott Hotels quietly continues to deliver on them, inspired the heart of this campaign. It is about the little gestures and the behind-the-scenes effort that make every stay at Marri -

“I LOOK back to my immersion and experiences as a youth leader in the barangay and parish from high school up to just before I graduated broadcast communication from UP, as the start of what was to be more than four decades of practicing public relations and communication.

Those were years of firsthand experience and immersion in leadership, community relations, event management, government relations, issue and crisis management, respect for diversity, responsible citizenship.

I learned to reach out to, respect, lead, understand, persuade, and engage people of diverse ages, socioeconomic classes, genders, and walks of life. It meant working as a team with the barangay elders while ensuring the voice of the youth was heard, for the good of the community. It meant understanding the rudiments of governance, of levelheadedness in the face of issues and crisis.

It meant representing the barangay and parish in events. It meant winning the trust of fellow barangay residents, making sure that pronouncements and statements were credible. It also meant organizing and being part of working committees for community events. It meant liaising with City Hall’s Barangay Office. It meant mediating in cases that involved the youth. It meant doing risk assessment. It meant carrying out citizenship roles like being poll watchers, and ensuring that youth events especially in sports were opportunities for development.

ott Hotels wonderful.”

Walking the Talk on Authenticity

THE campaign was developed by The Suite, a collective of independent award-winning agencies across Asia led by The Secret Little Agency, and is a testament to Marriott Hotels’ commitment to authenticity and cultural relevance.

Through The Suite, The Secret Little Agency partnered with UltraSuperNew in Japan and Talented in India, both leading creative independent agencies in their respective markets.

From the research phase to final executions, all partners collaborated closely to ensure the work was powered by genuine insights and cultural nuances.

Later, I joined the energy sector starting as junior writer under the tutelage of Manila Chronicle journalists, and stayed for nearly 30 years doing internal communication, stakeholder relations, campaign planning and management and editorial management, production management of various communication platforms, among others. These were added to the PR specializations as I later became PR Head for Communication and Publications, Advertising and Special Events, and General Public Programs.

Then, in the manufacturing and construction solutions industry heading country communication and corporate affairs as Vice President, it meant leading internal and external relations, community relations, stakeholder relations, safety communication, media relations, issue and crisis management, reputation management, sustainability, governance communication, CSR, and liaising with regional and global counterparts.

Taking on leadership roles in professional associations and being with fellow PRs and communicators, both here and abroad, continues the learning, from tools to strategies.

Looking back, I am very thankful for the blessing of all the experiences in PR and communication. Each provides dimensions, perspectives, and insights that as a professional lecturer, adjunct faculty, consultant, mentor, and speaker on communication and PR, enable me to share with my students, next generation professionals, and my dear PR friends and colleagues.”

PR Matters is a roundtable column by members of the local chapter of the United Kingdom-based International Public Relations Association (IPRA), the world’s premier association for senior professionals around the world. Margarita Locsin-Chan is the Vice President of Philippine Chamber of Commerce in Singapore.

We are devoting a special column each month to answer the reader’s questions about public relations. Please send your comments and questions to askipraphil@gmail.com.

“All our partners were embedded within the process from the start, and we approached the work as one team, acting as one agency from the get-go. We needed to change the dynamic of multimarket partnerships to deliver the authenticity we strived for—we knew wanted no adaptors, only originators and for all our work to be powered by real strategic and cultural insights. Our partners worked closely with us at every stage to ensure resonance for APEC, India and Japan, down to the final executions,” said Nicholas and Mavis added. The campaign runs on outof-home, digital, social and more in H1 of 2025.

Ritzi Villarico-Ronquillo, APR, IABC Fellow

DILG throws support behind Tour of Luzon

THE Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has thrown its support behind the Tour of Luzon which returns after years of hiatus starting on Thursday (April 24) in Paoay, Ilocos Norte.

“The revival of this very popular cycling event in the country can foster sports consciousness capable of promoting camaraderie and the spirit of competitiveness among our people,” DILG Secretary Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla said in a memorandum that was cascaded to involved local government units for the eight-stage tour.

All local government units and their officials are hereby enjoined to ensure the orderly and peaceful conduct of the event,” added Remulla, who is expected to grace the opening ceremony of “The Great Revival” set late afternoon on Wednesday  (April 23) along with Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, president of both the Philippine Olympic Committee and the sanctioning PhilCycling.

We are grateful for this support from Secretary Jonvic because the Tour of Luzon isn’t just about cycling and sports, the LGUs are very much involved in this event,” said Partrick “Pató” Gregorio, chairman of organizer DuckWorld PH.

Presented by the MVP Group’s Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. headed by Chief Regulatory Officer Arrey Perez, the Tour’s executive director, the individual overall winner will bring home P500,000 with the overall team champion banking P1 million.

The Tour will cover at least 60 cities and municipalities in seven provinces in North and Central Luzon—Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Tarlac and Pampanga with special fly by at the New Clark City where an Executive Race will be staged in an out-and-back route in Clark on April 27. Seventeen teams consisting of 119 riders are seeing action in the Tour also powered by the MVP Group’s Meralco, Metro Pacific Investment Corporation, Maynilad, Smart, PLDT, Landco Pacific Corporation and mWELL and Megaworld.

The 1,074.90-kilometer Tour of Luzon that starts on April 24 with the 190.70-km Paoay-Paoay Stage 1, 68.39-km PaoayVigan team time trial Stage 2, 130.33-km Vigan-San Juan Stage 3, 162.97-km AgooClark Stage 4, 166.65 Clark-Clark (via New Clark City) Stage 5, 168.19 Clark-Lingayen Stage 6, 15.14-km individual time trial Labrador-Lingayen Stage 7 and finally the queen Stage 8 which is a 172.53-km from Lingayen to the Scout Hill finish inside Camp John Hay in Baguio City. The teams are 7-Eleven Cliqq Roadbike Philippines, Standard Insurance Philippines, Go For Gold Philippines, Victoria Sports Pro Cycling Team, Philippines Under-23-Tom N Toms Coffee, Excellent Noodles, DReyna Orion Cement, Dandez T-Prime Cycling Team, Exodus Army, MPT Drive Hub Cycling Team, 1 Team Visayas, One Cycling Mindanao and Team Pangasinan. Foreign teams CCN Factory HK from Hong Kong, Malaysia Pro Cycling, Bryton Racing Team from Taiwan and Gapyeong Cycling Team from South Korea are also seeing action.

China, Taiwan show off force in Champs League

BEIJING Baic Motor shook off a shaky start to dominate Saipa Tehran in straight sets and Kaohsiung Taipower wasted no time making a statement with a clinical dismantling of Hong Kong’s Hip Hing at the start on Sunday of the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Women’s Club Volleyball Championship at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.

Despite missing key players because of national team duties and fielding only 10, Baic Motor, the tournament’s highest-ranked club at No. 5, booked a 28-26, 25-22, 25-19 victory to secure an early lead in Pool C.

We’re missing a couple of players because of the national team, so we’re trying our best and working really hard to win,” head coach Kuang Qi said through an

interpreter. “It’s the first match so they were a little nervous, but I’m happy with the result.”

T he win mirrored Taipower’s dominant 25-10, 25-16, 25-14 performance in Pool B earlier in the day.

Jin Ye led Baic Motor with an all-around masterclass of 16 points from 14 attacks and two blocks with 13 excellent digs and six excellent receptions, while Shan Lanfeng added 15 points and 11 digs and Lu Yufei also tallied 15 points and 10 digs.

Shen Hongyi and Tian Yue chipped in seven and five points, respectively.

After a struggle in the first set and enduring a tough challenge in the next, Baic Motor raced to a 14-4 start in the third, capped by a Lu Yufei kill and never looked back to seal the victory in one hour and 23 minutes.

25-all count with a sharp crosscourt hit before an error by Mahsa Kadkhoda handed Baic Motor the win in the tournament backed by Mikasa, Mizuno and Grand Sport as federation partners.

Neda Chamlanian led Saipa with 15 points and 11 excellent digs, while Mahsa Saberi contributed 13 points and 14 digs in a losing effort.

T he nine-time Top Volleyball League champions from Taiwan flashed their experience and firepower in overwhelming the reigning Hong Kong Women’s Volleyball League titleholders.

Peng Yu-Rou led the Taiwanese attack with 16 points built on 15 kills, while Tsai Yu-Chun backed her up with 11 points, including eight spikes.

Hsu Wan-Yun chipped in seven points, team captain Huang Ching Hsuan tallied six and middle blockers

In th e first set, Jin broke a

LEVON TALION, fresh off a dramatic come-from-behind victory over Rafa Anciano in the International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) Junior Philippine Golf Tour’s kickoff leg at Eagle Ridge, is gearing up for another high-stakes showdown as the tour moves to Sherwood Hills Golf Club in Trece Martires, Cavite.

The second leg of the seven-stage Luzon Series fires off Tuesday with another action-packed chase for top honors and valuable ranking points. Talion, who rallied from eight strokes down before edging Anciano on the second suddendeath hole to clinch the girls’ 1518 crown, seeks a repeat performance in the 54-hole event organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc. B ut Anciano is out for redemption,

Hu Xiao-Pei and Pao Yin-Chi contributed five apiece in a wellbalanced offensive performance.

“I t’s important for me as a volleyball player to gain this kind of experience. It also [matters] that our team gets to experience participating in a tournament like this,” said starting setter Hung Chia-Yao, who also tallied two points and 10 excellent digs.

Taipower took full control in the third set and raced to a commanding 14-6 lead.

A flurry of attacks—a crosscourt kill by Hsu, a quick set to Lin, another Hsu bomb, and a rapid middle hit from Hu—extended their cushion to 21-10.

An off-speed hit from Hsu and back-to-back down-the-line daggers from Peng put the exclamation point on Taipower’s impressive debut in the eight-day event.

Despite dominating the first set, Taipower refused to let up and turned a slim 9-6 edge in the second frame into a 19-10 rout to suffocate any chance of a Hip Hing comeback.

“I t is a new experience in our life and we can [have] many learnings in other countries like how they play volleyball and for our communication also,” added Hu after the game that lasted for an hour and four minutes in the tournament which is also supported by local partners PLDT, MWell, Eagle Cement, Rebisco, Akari, Gameville, PNVF, PSC, Cignal and The Look Group. Monday’s matches pit VTV Binh Dien Long An against Baic Motor in Pool C at 10 a.m., Nakhon Ratchasima against Queensland in Pool D at 1 p.m., Petro Gazz against Taipower at 4 p.m. anmd Creamline against Zhetysu in Pool A at 7 p.m.

aiming to replicate his strong start and deliver a steadier finish this time around after faltering down the stretch in their previous duel at Eagle Ridge’s Norman course.

Casuga in the boys’ 11-14 bracket. In th e 7-10 division, Mavis Espedido looks to match her dominant 14-shot win over Venus delos Santos. But she will be challenged by Athena Serapio, Amiya Tablac, Tyra Garingalao and Penelope Sy. The boys’ side also promises a tight contest with Zoji Edoc, Michael Hortel, Halo Pangilinan, Harvey Hernandez, Hugo Pallasigui, Jeremiah Tan and Alexian Ching all in the mix. T he boys’ 15-18 category also heats up with Patrick Tambalque joining the fray after missing the Eagle Ridge leg. He’ll face tough competition from Jose Carlos Taruc, Zach Villaroman, Gabriel Handog, Alonso Corpus and John Paul Agustin Jr. The 7-10 and 11-14 divisions will be contested over 36 holes, while the 15-18 division will go the full 54 holes. Magnolia forward

AGNOLIA is off to a roaring 3-0 card in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Season 49 Philippine Cup and one major contributor to this sizzling start is the consistent play of sophomore Zavier Lucero. The 6-foot-7 forward stepped up big-time as the Hotshots tackled back-toback tough customers in Converge and San Miguel Beer after their 106-84 drubbing of Blackwater on opening weekend.  In their duel with the FiberXers that served as part of the league’s 50th anniversary day offering, Lucero fired nine of his 18 in the fourth quarter to spark Magnolia’s 24-15 closing barrage that led to an 83-71 victory. He followed this up with a game-high 24

markers with seven rebounds and two assists to help the Hotshots to a 98-95 come-from-behind overtime win over the Beermen in a thrilling battle for the solo lead on Holy Wednesday.

For this pair of stellar performances, the former University of the Philippines standout was adjudged the PBA Press Corps-Pilipinas Live Player of the Week for the period April 9 to 16. Lucero earned his second POW citation for the season, becoming only the fourth player to do so. He was previously feted for the stretch of January 29 to February 2 after helping the Hotshots catch the last bus to the Commissioner’s quarterfinals with a critical 129-92 romp over Meralco to end the eliminations and a 112-81 demolition of NLEX in the sudden death for No. 8.

Just like that first time, Lucero was quick to deflect credit.

“It was a team effort for sure,” said Lucero, who beat teammate Ian Sangalang, NLEX’s Xyrus Torres, Phoenix’s Ricci Rivero and San Miguel Beer’s June Mar Fajardo for the weekly honors.

By Josef Ramos

A lso eyeing back-to-back wins are Lisa Sarines and Ryuji Suzuki, who dominated the 11-14 category in the season opener of the nationwide circuit put up by ICTSI.

But the path to repeat victories won’t be easy. Lisa, who routed her twin sister Mona by 13 shots, now faces a stronger cast led by Ma. Althea Banez, Arielle Espartero, Keira Que, Stella Pallasigui, Kendra Garingalao, Eliana Dumalaog and Mona herself.

Suzuki, who cruised to an eightshot win over Race Manhit, braces for a tighter contest against a deep field that includes Vito Sarines, Matthias Espinas, Rafael Hernandez, Kai Abaya and Jacob

Bugna aims to extend win run

LEVON TALION (right) and Rafa Anciano are up for another high-stakes showdown as the seven-stage Luzon Series move to Sherwood Hills Golf Club in Trece Martires.