(DOE) has decided to exclude liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the fourth round of the Green Energy Auction (GEA4), a top official of the agency said.
“There are enough LNG power plants in the system for the time horizon of GEA-4, so there is no need to include in the auction,” DOE Undersecretary Rowena Guevara said via Viber on Thursday.
The DOE announced last year that it was considering LNG technologies for the upcoming GEA-4. On Thursday, however, the agency said GEA-4 will include the Integrated Renewable Energy and En-
ergy Storage System (IRESS). In particular, IRESS shall only cover solar power plants integrated with Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS).
“The DOE will release the GEA4 Terms of Reference [TOR] within February,” the agency said in a statement.
The TOR will outline specific provisions and procedures for the auction process, covering technical, financial, and commercial aspects. It will also incorporate insights and lessons learned from previous auction rounds.
Each auction round’s TOR includes key GEA instruments such as the auction design, bonds, instructions to bidders, bidding data, forms and templates, and
post-auction requirements. To ensure stakeholder participation, the DOE will conduct a dialogue on the draft GEA-4 TOR to gather feedback from relevant parties.
The draft Notice of Auction, TOR, and the schedule for the stakeholder dialogue will be announced soon.
The GEA is a key initiative in the government’s strategy to expand renewable energy (RE) capacity and achieve a 35-percent share of renewables in the national energy mix by 2030 and 50 percent by 2040. It provides energy developers with opportunities to secure contracts that support the growth of the country’s sustainable energy production. In relation to GEA-4, the Energy
Regulatory Commission (ERC) has convened industry stakeholders to discuss the concerns on GEA Reserve (GEAR) price. It is the mandate of the ERC to determine the GEAR prices, or the maximum price offers for the GEA, prior to the auction.
In a separate statement, the ERC said it held a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) last February 3 to assess parameters and cost assumptions for RE technologies. The FGD served to validate, refine, and enhance data accuracy in setting GEAR prices for
“The ERC commits to support the
BETTER JOBS
On Thursday, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) that there were 1.94 million jobless Filipinos and 5.8 million underemployed in 2024. This led to the lowest unemployment and underemployment rates at 3.8 percent and 11.9 percent, respectively, since 2005. (See: https://businessmirror.com. ph/2025/02/06/jobless-rate-improves-in-2024/).
Despite this, full-year data also showed that invisible underemployment increased to 2.5 million in 2024 from 2.2 million in 2023. Invisible underemployment refers to employed Filipinos looking for additional hours of work to augment their incomes.
“With the turmoil, it is expected to scare investors. Once they [investors] leave, we will experience unemployment. High unemployment will force people to be underemployed versus unemployed [because] if there is little employment opportunities [and] people are desperate, they would take on
By Andrea E. San Juan @andreasanjuan
Policy and Budget Research Department (CPBRD). The $1.22-billion anticipated loss in export revenues in the study represents 10 percent of the $12.12-billion Philippine exports to the US in 2024. “The majority of Philippine export products anticipated to have negative net trade effects due to the US tariffs are manufactured goods. Notably, eight out of the ten of these sectors fall within the category of mechanical and electrical machinery, equipment, and parts, while the remaining two products are classified as primary commodities,” the CPBRD study noted. The study explained that a “common feature” of these products is that they currently benefit from minimal to zero US tariffs, making them “vulnerable” to the imposition of higher duties. The “most significant” decline in
By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla
ALTHOUGH he earlier worried that the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte can stall key legislative reforms badly needed by the economy, President Ferdinand Marcos said he does not see the process initiated by the House of Representatives to affect the economy for now.
In a press conference in Malacañang on Thursday, the chief executive said Wednesday’s development—when the House submitted to the Senate an impeachment complaint bearing 215 signatures—will not deter the entry of foreign investments in the country.
“I doubt it very much. There will probably be no such effect. As long as we continue with our plan and strategy about investment and structural changes, which I usually discuss,” he said.
“Those are what investors look for. So I don’t think it [impeachment complaint] will have any effect,” he added.
Senate plan AS to the possible impact of the impeachment on the completion of the legislative priorities of Congress, Marcos said it will depend on how the Senate will go about it.
“It depends on how the Senate chooses to handle it. The plan of the Senate President and how the senators will implement [the impeachment] is not yet clear. If they will immediately convene, if they will still study the rules, if they are going to wait until the next session,” Marcos said.
Last Wednesday, the House impeached Vice President Duterte after 215 of its members agreed she should be held accountable for culpable violation of the Constitution, betrayal of
DOE excludes LNG from GEA 4th...
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RE Act. We see GEA-4 as an opportunity not just to add more capacity and update cost parameters, but, with the introduction of IRESS, also to address grid-related issues that usually arise from having more variable supply in the mix,” ERC chairperson Monalisa Dimalanta said when sought for further comment.
Among those present during the FGD were representatives from the Developers of Renewable Energy for AdvanceMent, Inc. (DREAM), Philippine Solar and Storage Energy Alliance (PSSEA), Confederation of Solar Developers of the Philippines Inc. (CSDP), Philhydro Association Inc. (Philhydro), Wind Energy Developers Association of the Philippines (Wedap), Biomass Renewable Energy Association (BREA), and Huawei Digital Power Philippines.
In the last two years, the DOE conducted two rounds of auction which generated a total of 5,306 megawatts (MW) of RE capacities committed to deliver power in 2024 to 2026. Additional capacities will be auctioned for the 3rd Auction Round within the third quarter this year.
The GEA-3 specifically caters to non-FIT eligible RE facilities such as geothermal, impounding and pumped-storage.
Continued from A1
any employment opportunity,” De La Salle University economist Maria Ella Oplas told BusinessMirror
The need to augment incomes has been a priority for households, especially with high and sticky inflation. Prolonged high inflation, Oplas said, has the ability to erode incomes and prompt households to find other sources of income to pay for their needs.
Oplas said high underemployment can also be an indication that previously unproductive members of the household, such as those who are underaged and retirable, help make ends meet by seeking side hustles to contribute to family incomes.
“Underemployment is an indicator that people would rather to take on jobs that are lower than 40 hours a week as long as they are earning,” Oplas told BusinessMirror
“The political turmoil that we are experiencing is raising insecurities amongst us. This situation calls for additional cash infusion from the members of the family,” she also said.
National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) Undersecretary for Planning and Policy Rosemarie G. Edillon agreed with Oplas and said due to high prices, consumption has also failed to prop up the economy’s growth last year.
“Note that 2023 inflation was faster and the labor market has not yet fully recovered. By 2024, the economy was doing better but perhaps the expectation to regain the growth momentum was much higher,” Edillon told BusinessMirror
Oplas also said that apart from po -
litical uncertainties, the policies of US President Donald Trump will have an impact on employment, especially if illegal Filipino migrants are sent back home. This can add to unemployment in the country.
She added that the ban on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGOs) have also had an impact on the availability of employment opportunities, including those that could pay higher wages.
Ateneo de Manila University economist Leonardo Lanzona Jr. told BusinessMirror, however, that given the slowdown in inflation last year, this could not be the reason for the increase in underemployment.
Lanzona said structural issues such as the government’s inability to address climate change and take advantage of opportunities created from digital transformation could have caused the increase in the number of underemployed Filipinos.
“These trends have been occurring since the start of the pandemic and yet the government has not developed an effective strategy to integrate these movements to reduce underemployment and improve social welfare,” Lanzona said.
“Unless the government comes up with a comprehensive strategy [for] climate change and digital transformation, and reconfigure both local and global value chains, we would expect further increases in underemployment,” he added.
As to local political developments, Lanzona said, the impeachment trial of Vice President Duterte may not matter that much. Filipinos will still have a general feeling of hope that their lot will improve given the upcoming elections.
“People will hope that the coming
elections will improve their lot even for just a few. So everyone is looking forward to the next elections but not for the right reasons. They just need their quick Tulfo-style fix,” Lanzona told BusinessMirror
Meanwhile, Ibon Foundation Inc. Executive Director Sonny Africa told this newspaper that underemployment is expected to increase this year due to structural issues as well as budget cuts.
Africa also recognized the negative impact of global uncertainties to the job and income security of Filipinos. This is especially the case because of high inflation and low earnings of Filipinos that necessitate them to find additional sources of income.
“It is hard to see how this situation can improve this year amid budget cuts in agriculture, negligible support for MSMEs and Filipino industry, and an increasingly adverse global environment,” Africa said.
Meanwhile, he noted also that qualifying unpaid family workers as being employed may also point to the difficulties of securing incomes in the country. Africa added that the increase in invisible underemployment was more pronounced given the 1.1-million decline in agriculture employment in 2024.
“When interpreted against growing self-rated poverty and hunger in Dec-24 according to SWS, and growing numbers of households without savings in Q4-24 according to the BSP, your observation really underscores how hyped economic growth, re -
Continued from A14
undergoing verification by the Senate secretary, who must weed out esignatures, which are not allowed in this case.
He explained that it is “not important” what the final number will be, after they weed out e-signatures; the Senate secretariat must simply verify that, indeed, the required minimum number of votes for the House to transmit a complaint, or 102 signatures, is met.
“E-signatures are prohibited” by law, Escudero stressed, adding that, “We have an app to verify if it’s really e-sig or web signatures.”
After the Senate secretary attests that the required number of signatures has been met, for the impeachment court to convene, “the Senate must be in session,” Escudero added.
“For the [senator] judges to be sworn in, the Senate must be in session.”
This is why, he explained, they would rather use the interim period before June 2 to update the rules of the impeachment court, which he described as woefully outdated, and for which the Supreme Court has cited serious gaps. These rules were last applied in the 2012 impeachment trial of then Chief Justice Renato Corona, who was convicted on a vote of 20-3.
In the Corona case, he recalled, the senator judges had to be sworn in when the Senate is in session.
“So, in our case, that happens on June 2,” when the Senate reconvenes after elections.
Courts of record
HE was asked what happens after the senators under the 19th Senate convene as an impeachment court after June 2 and begin the trial, but 12 of them must bow out on June 30, except for those reelected.
He said there is no problem with this, because the new composition of the senators after June 30—who will then convene in late July for the opening of the 20th Congress—can continue the work begun by the impeachment court that opened in the 19th Congress. He explained that the impeachment court, “like all collegial courts [Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, Sandiganbayan, constitutional bodies like Comelec and Civil Service Commission] are courts of record,” and the cases pending with them are not dismissed just because of a change in membership.
portedly growing employment and supposedly falling unemployment is failing to produce enough decent quality work in the country. Employment figures are apparently bloated by poor quality work,” Africa explained.
As to the political developments, Africa said such have become normal for the Philippines since these were a significant factor in the early- to mid-1980s when “political turmoil and global shocks converged.”
Since then, Africa said, the “impact of political turbulence” on investments and GDP growth have been muted since many of these conflicts are between personalities instead of economic policies and programs.
If anything, these only highlight larger issues that reveal “structural weaknesses” that also lead to dimmer job and decent wage prospects for Filipinos.
“In the short term it’s weaker government spending constrained by deficits and debt, slowing remittances and exports amid global shifts, and weakening aggregate demand from weaker household purchasing power that’s impactful,” Africa told BusinessMirror Based on PSA data, there were 50.789 million persons in the Labor Force in 2024, higher than the 50.371 million persons recorded in 2023. Of this number, 48.85 million are employed, rising from the 48.18 million recorded in 2023. The data also includes 1.94 million who are unemployed and 5.8 million who were underemployed.
These courts of record can continue their work on the trial, even with a transition in membership, because the old and new set of judges will review the same records adduced during the trial, explained Escudero, a lawyer.
What is important, he stressed, is that the “trial must begin during session.”
He vowed that with him leading the impeachment court, the trial will be held “with the cold neutrality of an impartial judge, without fear nor favor...we will rule over things as we see fit…”
He added that it is “not important whether or not we convict or acquit—what’s important is that [the process] is credible, fair, [and] just.”
He acknowledged concerns by some senators seeking reelection, notably Sen. Ronald dela Rosa, that the trial will take them away from precious campaign hours, but he noted that the impeachment trial, based on experience, provides guaranteed “exposure” to senator-judges.
Asked if he was disappointed that the House belatedly transmitted the complaint to them at the eleventh hour, just before they were going on a mandated break, Escudero said, “that’s water under the bridge” and it was “not for me to pass judgment” on his counterparts’ action.
However, he pointed out that it is unfair to expect the Senate to rush things inordinately, “when they sat on this [impeachment issue] for weeks,” and then transmitted it to the senators at the last minute. “Hindi ako papayag [I won’t allow it, for us to be rushed].”
Speaking in Filipino, he said, “we will not rush things, but will not unduly delay the trial.”
Explaining why the trial proper cannot begin during the break from February to June 2, he said, “legally, it cannot be done—because as I said, the impeachment court was not convened by the Senate sitting as a legislative body.”
They did not call for a caucus even when word came out that the House would transmit a complaint later on Wednesday, because the Senate was then rushing work on priority bills, and it was wrong to preempt any action on impeachment, to avoid signaling an over-eagerness on their part, the Senate chief explained. Meanwhile, he said, the fourmonth break can be used to draft the updated rules of the impeachment court, and for all sides—prosecution, defense, senator-judges—to prepare for a smooth trial after June 2, he added.
public trust, graft and corruption, and other high crimes. Under HOR rules, at least one-third of its over 300 members should file the articles of impeachment to the Senate.
Among the reasons cited in the impeachment complaint against Duterte are alleged death threats she made against Marcos and his family as well as misuse of the funds of the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education. The articles of impeachment against Duterte were submitted to the Senate for action. Senate President Francis “Chiz” G. Escudero said they may tackle the impeachment complaint once they reconvene on June 2.
Marcos said he is open to allowing the Senate, which is currently in recess, to hold a special session to proceed with the impeachment of the Vice President, but did not explicitly signal when he would call for one.
No direct influence MARCOS stressed he has no hand in the HOR decision to impeach Duterte and that the lawmakers were only exercising their Constitutional duty to act on the complaint against the Vice President.
“I have to keep reminding you. The executive has very—we have no formal role in the entire impeachment process. The executive has no formal role. If ever there’s an informal role. I will speak with the Speaker. I will speak with the congressman. I will speak with the senator. will speak with SP [Senate President]. But that’s about it,” he explained.
“Once the impeachment complaints are filed, they have no choice. The House has no choice, the Senate has no choice, they need to process the impeachment complaint. And that’s exactly what has happened,” he added. Marcos disclosed his son, Ilocos Norte Rep. Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Marcos III, sought his advice before the latter became the first congressman to sign the impeachment complaint against Duterte.
He said he advised the young Marcos to do his Constitutional duty and act on the impeachment complaint.
“The process has already begun. So, it’s your duty now to support that process. So, do your duty. That’s what told him, Do your duty. “ You have to support the process,” Marcos said.
Moral suasion
MARCOS reiterated the statement he made last November, where he tried to discourage lawmakers from impeaching Duterte through moral suasion, was made when there were still no pending complaints against her.
The first three impeachment complaints against Duterte were filed last December.
“But that didn’t work. It [impeachment complaint] still pushed through. So we follow the process [now],” Marcos said. The President, however, said he does not consider the HOR decision to push through with impeachment against Duterte as a show of defiance against his will.
“And I don’t view that as a defiance. I view that as some...They’re expressing what they feel to be right,” Marcos said.
foreign embassies in the country, JICC said, “We are now in the process of transition and have just completed the bidding process. We would like to refrain from talking about the details until the contract has been signed and the details can be announced to the public.” Visa applicants are encouraged to visit tthe Embassy’s official website at https://tinyurl. com/2sn3ezhr. Meanwhile, although there are no specific data on Filipinos’ travel spending in Japan,
els of P340.15 billion in 2019. Of their total outbound expenditure in 2023, they spent the most on accommodations at P60.5 billion, followed by food and beverages (P38.4 billion), entertainment and recreation (P29.2 billion), shopping (P29 billion), transport services (P19.8 billion), and travel agencies and other reservation services (P13.45 billion).
Palace extends Marbil’s tour of duty
By Samuel P. Medenilla
@sam_medenilla
ALACAÑANG on Thursday an -
Mnounced that President Marcos has extended the service of the National Police (PNP) chief, Gen. Rommel Francisco D. Marbil, until after the May elections.
In a statement, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said Marcos issued a memorandum allowing Marbil to continue to serve as PNP chief beyond his mandatory retirement on February 7.
It said the extension will last for four months.
“A memorandum dated February 4, 2025, signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, states that the President approved the extension of Marbil’s government service beyond the compulsory retirement age of 56,” the statement said. Members of the uniformed services
‘Joint
retired upon reaching the age of 56 or after completing 30 years of service after graduation from their service academies whichever comes later, not to exceed the age of 60.
The memorandum was addressed to Interior and Local Government Secretary Juanito Victor C. Remulla. Last month, Marcos said he was open to extending the term Marbil to prevent possible disruption in the poll preparations of the PNP.
Under its Resolution 10999, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said the Election Period for the 2025 NLE already started on January 12 and will last until June 11.
The campaign period for candidates for senator and party-list groups starte on February 11, while for those running for seats in the House of Representatives, parliament, provincial, city, and municipal positions will start on March 28.
See “Marbil,” A4
maritime activities boost principle of freedom of navigation’
By Rex Anthony Naval
GEN. Romeo Brawner Jr., Armed Forces (AFP) chief of staff on Thursday said nations that participate in multilateral maritime cooperative activities (MMCA) in the Philippines are showing commitment to “uphold the principles of freedom of navigation, overflight, and other lawful uses of the sea and international airspace.”
He added that these principles are also outlined in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos).
“This multilateral activity reaffirms the
critical role of collaboration in ensuring peace, stability, and security in the Indo-Pacific region. It also strengthens the bonds among partner nations dedicated to upholding mutual prosperity and maintaining a rules-based international order,” Brawner said. Naval and air force units from the Philippines Australia, Japan, and the United States took part in the sixth MMCA on Wednesday.
The first MMCA took place in April 2024, followed by the second and third held in June and August in the same year.
The fourth and fifth took place in
House complainants vs Sara now 240
LBy Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz @joveemarie
EADERS of the House of Representatives on Thursday emphasized that the overwhelming supermajority support for the fourth impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte resulted from extensive party consultations and the strength of the case itself, prompting 25 additional lawmakers to express interest in joining as complainants after submitting their verification documents.
Assistant Majority Leader Zia Alonto Adiong confirmed that 25 more lawmakers submitted verifications to sign the complaint. If their participation is permitted, the total number of signatories would rise from 215 to 240, representing more than 75 percent of the House’s membership.
1-RIDER Rep. Rodrigo Gutierrez said that while discussions on impeachment
September and December, respectively.
The MMCA featured a series of operational exercises designed to enhance coordination and interoperability among the participating forces.
These included communication check exercises (Commex), maritime domain awareness and contact reporting, division tactics and officer of the watch maneuver (Divtacs/OOW), photo exercise (Photoex), and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) exercises.
The MMCA, which took place in the country’s exclusive economic zone last Wednesday, saw the deployment of BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150) and the Air Force (PAF) search-and-rescue (SAR) assets.
See “Maritime,” A4
had been ongoing, the earlier complaints did not gain enough traction to consolidate widespread support.
“Admittedly, it’s a long time coming. We each congressmen, although we’ve talked about impeachment, we’ve already formed opinions from the hearings of the Quad and the Good Government Committees,” he said.
“But the first three [impeachment complaints] did not gather consensus; they did not gather the momentum needed. While most congressmen, especially the members of the Justice Committee, were eagerly awaiting to fulfill their mandate by hearing it, I believe the party leaders have already thought of finding consensus among the three,” Gutierrez added.
House Deputy Speaker Lorenz Defensor, one of the prosecutors when the Senate as impeachment court convenes, highlighted the role of party consultations in strengthening
RP-US
the impeachment case. Discussions were held among members of Lakas-CMD, Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP), National Unity Party (NUP), Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC), Nacionalista Party (NP), Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino (LDP), other political groups, and the Party-list Coalition Foundation, Inc. (PCFI).
“There were party consultations, and considering that there were three previous impeachment complaints filed, this latest complaint was crafted with a clearer and stronger foundation, earning the support and confidence of lawmakers,” Defensor, who represents Iloilo, explained.
“That is why with this fourth impeachment complaint, where the evidence is presented in a stronger manner, it gave confidence to more than 200 or 215 congressmen to act as complainants,” he said.
CRAMILLE Villar turned over on Tuesday the house and lot won by 26-year-old overseas Filipino worker Angelica Abellano during simple ceremonies in Camella Pili, Camarines Sur.
A former BPO call center agent before working as a teacher in Taiwan, Abellano was very grateful when she and her family toured their new home for the first time.
“Nandito na po, nakita ko na po finally yung bahay. Wala pong mapaglagyan yung kasiyahan ko kasi wala palang imposible. Dahil po kay Ma’am Camille, ginawa niyang posible yung isang pangarap na sa tingin ko po ay ilang taon ko pong pagsisikapan,” said Abellano, fourth among eight siblings.
“Ginawa pong magic ni Ma’am Camille,” she said, referring to how Camille was instrumental in making her dream come true.
For decades, Abellano and her family lived in a modest home owned by a relative in their hometown. Winning the Camella house was a life-changing blessing for them.
“‘Ito na yung bunga ng sacrifice mo sa family’, sabi ng papa ko. Gusto ko po mag thank you dahil ginawa siyang instrument ni Lord pa maisakatuparan ang pangarap ko, kung bakit ako nasa ibang bansa. Sobrang thankful po ako,” she said, referring to Camille Villar. Abellano’s father is a farmer while her mother sells rice cakes to augment the family income.
“Itong bahay po para sa family ko, hindi na po kami matutulog sa lapag. Hindi na po namin mararanasan na pag umuulan, kailangan maglagay ng balde o tabo kung saan-saan...May concrete na pong bahay kung saan mag-create kami ng new memories,” Abellano added.
Abellano won the house and lot from Camella during the “Paskong
Pinoy 2024: Piyesta, Musika at Kultura” Christmas gathering organized by the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) led by its chairperson, Cheloy VelicariaGarafil, last December. Over 3,000 OFWs attended the event held at the Fu Jen Catholic University in New Taipei City.
Villar congratulated Abellano as she gave her the key to her dream house and lot in Camella Pili, located at Brgy. Cadlan in Pili, Camarines Sur. She also handed over to Abellano a move-in gift certificate worth P50,000 from AllHome to help her start her furnishings for her new house.
She said OFWs like Angelica continue to inspire her in continuing her advocacy to help overseas Filipinos. “Talagang gusto ko magpasalamat sa inyo dahil ikaw ang nagsilbing inspirasyon sa amin. Sobrang saya ko na kahit papaano, maalagaan mo ang pamilya mo,” Villar said.
Villar reiterated her concern for the OFWs, who sacrifice themselves just to provide for their families. Lagi po akong narito, kasama ang aking pamilya, sa pagtataguyod ng maayos na kabuhayan para sa ating mga kababayan, lalung-lalo na ang ating mga bagong bayani. Kasama niyo po kami sa pagkamit ng inyong mga pangarap sa buhay,” Villar said. Lahat ng pangangailangan niyo ay lagi ko pong inaalala. Lapitan niyo lamang po ako, at handa po akong tumulong sa inyo sa abot ng aking makakaya,” Villar also said, as she vowed to pursue legislation that would promote and ensure the welfare of OFWs around the world.
“Since we received three impeachment complaints, the House of Representatives had no choice but to take them seriously because it falls within our constitutional duty,” he stated.
Defensor also revealed that party consultations had been taking place since the first impeachment complaint was filed.
“As far as party consultations are concerned, it’s been ongoing since the first impeachment complaint has been filed,” he said.
He emphasized that the fourth impeachment complaint was drafted based on broader consensus among lawmakers.
“This is why the fourth impeachment complaint was formed—with the backing of over 200 members. It is clearer, and the articles of impeachment are presented in a stronger manner,” he said.
Adiong highlighted that lawmakers had no choice but to act on the impeachment complaints owing to their constitutional mandate.
Balikatan, MCAs to continue under Trump
By Malou Talosig-Bartolome
P-US Exercise Balikatan and other multilateral military activities will continue under the administration of US President Donald Trump, a senior government official said. This assurance was conveyed by US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth during his introductory call with Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Thursday.
A readout released by the Pentagon said both defense secretaries “discussed the importance of re-establishing deterrence in the South China Sea, including by working with allies and partners.”
“They also discussed enhancing the capability and capacity of the Armed Forces of the Philippines,” Pentagon Spokesman John Ullyot said.
A senior official told BusinessMirror that the annual Balikatan exercises this summer, the 40th iteration, will push through.
Balikatan is the annual military exercise between the Armed Forces (AFP) and the US military.
Other multilateral exercises that the US and the Philippine militaries join will also continue, the source said.
Navies and air force units of the Philippines, US, Australia and Japan held another multilateral maritime cooperative activity
within the Philippine exclusive economic zone on Wednesday. It is not clear though if Teodoro was able to verify with Hegseth if the US$500 million Foreign Military Financing (FMF) intended to finance AFP modernization program and the Philippine Security Sector Assistance Roadmap that should have provided capacity-building to Filipino troops and Coast Guard personnel will still push through. The Trump administration has put on hold all foreign military assistance under a 90-day review.
OFW from Bicol gets dream home; Camille Villar vows to champion OFW rights, welfare
A DREAM COME TRUE. Camille Villar hands over the ceremonial key to Angelica Abellano and her family, marking the beginning of their new chapter in Camella Pili, Camarines Sur.
TEARS of joy, smiles of gratitude. Angelica and her family step into their new Camella home for the first time, overwhelmed with happiness and gratitude.
A WARM welcome home. Camille Villar congratulates and welcomes Angelica and her family, celebrating the fulfillment of a long-awaited dream.
A NEW beginning. Angelica walks into her new Camella home, surrounded by her proud and grateful family, as they embrace this life-changing blessing with excitement and joy.
See “Balikatan,” A4
SC reminder: No automatic transfer of ownership for foreclosed properties
Twww.businessmirror.com.ph
Onion imports meant to avert price hikes
within the next two weeks.
By Joel R. San Juan @jrsanjuan1573
HE Supreme Court (SC) has reminded lenders that they cannot automatically transfer under their name the ownership of properties used as loan collateral in the event the borrower failed to pay the obligation.
In a 28-page ruling written by Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo, the SC’s First Division affirmed the transfer of ownership of land owned by Ruby Shelter Builders and Realty Development Corporation (Ruby Shelter) to its creditors, Romeo Tan and Roberto Obiedo.
The Court held that the transfer was based on a valid agreement contrary to Ruby Shelter’s claim that it constituted “pactum commissorium,” a prohibited agreement under Article 2088 of the Civil Code.
The said provision states: “The creditor cannot appropriate the things given by way of pledge or mortgage, or dispose of them. Any
stipulation to the contrary is null and void.”
Based on the records of the case, Ruby Shelter borrowed money from Tan and Obiedo, using several properties as collateral.
When the outstanding loan reached P95 million, the parties signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) giving the petitioner more time to repay the loan.
Under the MOA, Ruby Shelter agreed that if it failed to pay the loan, Tan and Obiedo could register deeds of absolute sale and transfer ownership of the properties to themselves.
The MOA also required Tan and Obiedo to pay P 5 million to Ruby Shelter for the sale of the properties.
PPA expects banner year
By Lorenz S. Marasigan @lorenzmarasigan
THE Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) is ensuring optimal utilization of the country’s major ports even as it anticipates steady growth in cargo throughout this year.
With a focus on maintaining efficient port operations, the agency is implementing strategic measures to enhance resource allocation and prevent operational bottlenecks, PPA General Manager Jay Daniel Santiago said. The port regulator, he said, is expecting cargo throughput to reach 301.47 million metric tons
(MMTs) this year. Despite this projection, he said the ports are ready to accommodate growth, citing utilization rates at Manila’s main gateways.
As of December 2024, the Manila South Harbor (MSH) and the Manila International Container Terminal (MICT) reported stable yard utilization rates.
Data from the PPA show that MSH maintained a daily average yard utilization rate of 59 percent, while MICT registered 71 percent.
“Despite the increase in cargo volumes, these figures indicate that ports continue to operate smoothly, preventing backlogs
Ruby Shelter later executed the deeds of absolute sale for each collateralized property.
But, Ruby Shelter later on decided to negotiate a settlement to repay the loan and regain its properties.
However, the parties failed to reach an agreement, prompting the respondents to notarize the deeds of absolute sale and assume ownership of the properties.
This led to Ruby Shelter to assail the validity of the respondents’ action before the trial court.
Ruby Shelter argued that the deeds were invalid as they constituted pactum commissorium.
The concept of pactum commissorium essentially prohibits the automatic appropriation by the creditor of the subject properties upon default of the debtor.
The trial court dismissed the complaint, ruling that the MOA did not constitute pactum commissorium because Ruby Shelter agreed to sell the properties to Tan and Obiedo in case of default.
The petitioner then elevated the issue before the Court of Appeals which initially ruled in its favor but later reversed its decision.
This prompted Ruby Shelter to seek redress before the Court.
But, the SC affirmed the rulings
and delays in the movement of shipments. In fact, at any given time, yard utilization at the Port of Manila typically ranges from 67 percent to 70 percent, only peaking slightly during the holiday season,” said Santiago.
To sustain these levels, Santiago said the PPA is prioritizing digital transformation and infrastructure expansion. The agency is working closely with private terminal operators and logistics providers to optimize port space and streamline cargo handling processes.
Investments in automation and real-time monitoring systems are also being pursued to enhance operational visibility and efficiency.
He added that a major compo -
issued by the lower court and the CA, holding that the MOA did not constitute pactum commissorium.
The SC explained that pactum commissorium occurs when (1) a property is used as collateral for a loan; and (2) the loan agreement includes a provision automatically transferring ownership of the collateral to the lender if the borrower fails to pay.
In the present case, the Court noted that Ruby Shelter willingly entered into a separate agreement to sell its properties to Tan and Obiedo as payment for the loan.
The SC ruled that this was not an automatic transfer and, therefore, did not violate the prohibition against pactum commissorium.
“Verily, pactum commissorium does not extend to a mutual agreement between the debtor and the creditor that the property subject of the mortgage is sold to the latter to extinguish the obligation,” the SC said.
“When parties entered into a separate Deed of Absolute Sale, it proves that there was no automatic transfer of ownership, and therefore, no pactum commissorium,” it added.
It clarified that this prohibition only applies to automatic transfers of ownership.
nent of PPA’s strategy includes the development of regional ports to serve as alternative trade gateways.
Ongoing projects include a cargo ship port in Dapa, Surigao del Norte, upgrades to Banago Port in Bacolod, and various nationwide port expansion efforts. These initiatives aim to distribute cargo volumes more effectively and alleviate potential pressure on primary ports.
“Digitalization is the key. As we modernize the port infrastructures, we need to shift to strengthen our transition to digital network to support more efficient operations and further economic growth by the smooth flow of trade and real time data,” Santiago explained.
TBy Ada Pelonia @adapelonia
HE Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) said onion imports would serve as a preemptive measure to avert price increases and plug supply gaps.
“While we were assured during our consultative meetings that there is still ample supply of onions, BPI recommended minimal imports to prevent major price spikes,” BPI Director Glenn Panganiban said in a statement.
“Also, due to the typhoons that hit late last year and [the] prevalence of pests and disease, this importation is meant to be a buffer for possible supply gaps. This move is a preemptive measure,” he added.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. recently told the B usiness M irror that the agency would approve red and yellow onion imports of around 4,000 metric tons (MT), with a caveat that these would only plug the projected shortfall in domestic supply for this month. (See: https://businessmirror. com.ph/2025/02/03/dwindlingsupplies-prompt-manila-to-importred-onions/)
Laurel confirmed on Thursday that he authorized the importation of 3,000 MT of red onions and 1,000 MT of yellow onions, which he said would ensure sufficient buffer stocks while awaiting harvest. These are expected to arrive
Balikatan. . .
Continued from A3
On Tuesday, Teodoro told reporters that Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez has received assurances that the US$500 million FMF, allocated by the US Congress in 2024, is not going through Trump 2.0 review. (https://
The campaign period for all candidates will end on May 10.
Marbil assumed command of the PNP April 1, 2024.
Marbil thanks Marcos MARBIL on Thursday expressed gratitude to Marcos for extending his term as head of the police service for another four months.
“Thank you [to] our President for trusting and having confidence in the PNP under
Partner nations also contributed significantly to the activity, with Australia deploying the HMAS Hobart (DD-G39) and P-8A “Poseidon,” maritime patrol aircraft, Japan’s JS Akizuki (DD-115), and the United States with the USS Benfold (DDG65) and another P-8A.
“This activity demonstrates the strong cooperation and interoperability among our nations’ armed forces. Conducted in accordance with international law, the MMCA ensures safe navigation while respecting the rights and interests of all states,” Brawner said.
“We will not risk a potential shortage that unscrupulous traders could exploit to drive up prices, as we saw in the past. We do not want a repeat of the 2022 crisis,” he said.
Data from the BPI showed that the country’s red onion inventory as of January 31 stood at 2,325 MT while yellow onion stocks were estimated at 631 MT. The BPI estimated that red and yellow onion stocks had been depleted since February 4, based on the country’s
“The Secretary reaffirmed the ironclad US commitment to the RP-US 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty and its importance for maintaining a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific. He pledged to remain in close coordination with Secretary Teodoro,” Ullyot said.
my leadership,” Marbil said.
“The four month extension will help us refine and improve the preparations we made for the elections,” he added. Marbil, the 30th PNP chief, is a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1991, previously headed the PNP Directorate for Comptrollership and served as the Eastern Visayas police commander and Highway Patrol Group commander.
His tenure as police chief has been marked by initiatives in law enforcement modernization and crime prevention. With Rex Anthony Naval
In a separate message, the AFP Public Affairs Office director, Col. Xerxes Trinidad, said the MMCA was successfully completed, achieving all planned objectives.
“Throughout the exercise, the safety of all participating personnel and vessels was our utmost priority. Established protocols were strictly adhered to, ensuring a safe and professional environment,” he added.
Trinidad also said Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLAN) vessels were monitored operating at a distance but these did not interfere with the exercise.
“The exercise proceeded smoothly, and we are pleased with the positive outcomes and the cooperation shown by all participants,” Trinidad said.
Of
12. GUO, ZIKAI
Purchasing Supervisor
Brief Job Description: Oversee the buying goods & services and make a report in English and head office (mandarin report).
COGNIZANT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS PHILIPPINES, INC.
2nd, 3rd, And 4th Floors, Science Hub Tower 4 Bldg., Mckinley Hill Cyberpark, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig
MAKKOLIL JOY, AJAY Programmer Analyst
13.
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Brief Job Description: Expert in all aspects of Software Testing Lifecycle, from Test Planning to Analysis, Design & Execution, Defect tracking and System Readiness & Test Closure reporting; Experience with functional, Smoke and regression testing, End-to-end Testing, Integration testing (Create/Review detailed, comprehensive and well-structured test cases) with cross-browser testing.
Basic Qualification: Minimum 2 years’ experience in healthcare domain (Medicare, Medicaid, Authorizations and Claims); Minimum 2 years’ experience in tools like Excel for test design, qTest for test management, Azure board for development process.
Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999
ACOSTA FLOREZ, MARIA FERNANDA Sr. System Engineer
Brief Job Description: Provide first level resolutions for EUC and business applications. Ticket creation / categorization / prioritization. Ticket escalation to respective support group.
Basic Qualification: BA or BS Degree (in lieu of degree, 4 years of relevant work experience). Good in translating English to Spanish or Spanish to English without variation. Native Spanish speaker. Salary Range: Php 90,000 - Php 149,999 15. KIM (SPOUSE OF PARK), HYUNJU Subject Matter Expert
Brief Job Description: Handle calls related to password resets, under access provisioning,
BusinessMirror
Marcos vows to defend PHL waters amidst Chinese presence, calls for continued US military support
By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla
WITH the country still lacking sufficient military asset for now to repel Chinese vessels in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), President Ferdinand Marcos said the government will continue to use whatever means to defend its maritime waters including the regular patrols of Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) ships and allowing the United States (US) military to maintain its Typhon Missile launchers within the country. The chief executive made the remark in a press conference in Malacañang last Thursday when asked how the government will respond to the over a month-long presence of the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessel 5901 or the
so-called “Chinese monster ship” in the Bajo de Masinloc near the Zambales coast line.
“If we have an aircraft carrier, destroyer, frigate, and submarine, we will send those [to the WPS] to push them back. But we don’t have those for now,” Marcos said in Filipino.
“When it comes to having the biggest and the most number of ships, we are still far from China,” he added.
Marcos, however, assured the country will not back down when it comes to defending WPS, the part of the South China Sea (SCS) within the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone.
He said the PCG and the Philippine Navy will continue to deploy their sea vessels in the WPS to protect the country’s territorial integrity.
“No matter what any other foreign power does, that is what we will do. When we detect the presence of a foreign vessel which is beginning to intrude or coming close already to our coastal waters, we will deploy our ships,” Marcos said.
“We will always be there protecting our territory. We will always be there making sure our fishermen are able to exercise their sovereign rights. They are always there. That’s their mission,” he added.
When it comes to the presence of the Typhon missiles in the country, Marcos said they will also maintain the status quo due since Beijing has yet to respond to the condition he set for its removal.
Last week, the President said he will ask the US to withdraw the Typhon missile system if China
agrees to stop its aggression in the WPS.
“They responded in general terms, saying what they do is a lawful exercise of the authority of law enforcement. But, no. Nothing specific on the missiles, nothing specific about the reduction of tension, and the reduction of aggressive moves, nothing like that,” Marcos said.
As to the comment of Sagip Party-list Rep. Rodante D. Marcoleta that the concept of the WPS does not exist, Marcos dismissed it as an attempt by the lawmaker to get attention for his senatorial bid in the 2025 midterm elections.
“He’s a candidate, so he has to grab headlines. So what he did was right for a candidate. Now that we’re talking about him now [shows] he is good at that [goal],” Marcos said.
Senate optimistic about passing virology, Konektadong Pinoy, and rightsizing bills before 19th Congress ends
By Butch Fernandez @butchfBM
THE Senate leadership is confident that it will have enough time to pass at least six or seven more vital measures when the chamber reconvenes on June 2, including four that are already in advanced stages in the legislative process.
Briefing reporters at the Kapihan sa Senado on Thursday, Senate President Chiz Escudero cited the Konektadong Pinoy Act, which senators approved on third and final reading on Wednesday, just hours before going on scheduled recess ahead of the May 2025 election campaign period.
The Konektadong Pinoy bill seeks to establish a data connectivity network in the country to ensure no disruptions to commerce, to learning, and to disaster prevention and mitigation.
At least 17 senators voted Yes to the bill, with zero objections and zero abstentions. Among the main sponsors, Sen. Grace Poe said the measure would hopefully open up the telecommunications market to more competition, while Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian said it would boost vital efforts to redress huge gaps in learning, ensuring that no children or schools are cut off or unable to keep pace with classes.
In his explanation of vote on Senate Bill No.2699, Sen. Joel Villanueva thanked the main sponsor, Sen. Alan Peter S. Cayetano. Villanueva added: “In an era where reliable and affordable internet access is a necessity,
not a luxury, this bill ensures that no Filipino is left behind. Whether for education, business, government services, or disaster response, connectivity is a lifeline. This is especially true for our learners, for whom access to the Internet can make or break them, in their schooling and beyond.”
At the Kapehan sa Senado on Thursday, Sen. Escudero also cited the E-governance bill, among those he hoped the Senate can approve when it reconvenes June 2.
The lawmaker likewise lists the government rightsizing bill, which he continued to defend on the floor, and which sponsors had stressed is not tantamount to a widescale retrenchment of State employees, but is meant to attain better efficiency in government agencies amid tough fiscal challenges of running a bureaucracy.
The bill for the Virology Act, which seeks to set up a national virology center deemed essential to the country’s defense against future pandemics and other health challenges, will also be on the table on June 2, since the bicameral conference committee will be meeting during the recess.
Asked about pressures to rush the first legislated wage hike since the regional tripartite boards were set up 30 years ago, Escudero recalled that the Senate had not been remiss on this. “We already passed our own version” almost a year ago, setting a P100 increase in the minimum daily pay. The House, in contrast, only passed its version a week ago, mandating a P200 hike.
Comelec saves ₧2.5B as separate procurement for Bangsamoro elections no longer needed
WBy Justine Xyrah Garcia
ITH the possible rescheduling of the parliamentary elections in October, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) announced on Thursday that a separate procurement process for the necessary budget would no longer be required.
Comelec Chairman George Erwin M. Garcia explained that the ratified bill postponing the first regular elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) explicitly states that it will be a continuation of the national and local elections scheduled for May 12.
“I saw in the provisions of the proposed law that this will be considered a continuation...Therefore, as far as the procurement act is concerned, this is simply an extension of our previous procurement. We no longer need to conduct a separate procurement process for the parliamentary elections,” he said, partly in Filipino, in an ambush interview in Makati City.
With this development, the Comelec will no longer need to request additional funding to cover the P2.5 billion initially allocated for the separate Bangsamoro elections.
Garcia said that 65 percent—or roughly P1.625 billion—of the budget would be allocated for the honoraria of teachers serving in polling precincts on election day.
The total estimated cost also includes expenses for ballot printing—which is not part of the ongoing printing process—as well as the leasing of new automated counting and transmission machines.
Garcia noted that it remains uncertain whether
the South Korean-based firm Miru Systems will once again be contracted as the election provider, as the Comelec will first evaluate its performance in the upcoming midterm elections.
“To see it to believe it. That’s why we opted to rent the machines first. We need to assess whether they will perform without any issues,” he added, emphasizing that the Comelec has the discretion to select providers as long as it ensures fair and credible elections.
The poll chief also mentioned that aside from the traditional optical mark recognition (ballot shading), the elections could also utilize directrecording electronic (touchscreen) voting, which may require adjustments in Comelec’s funding.
On Tuesday, the bicameral conference committee adopted the Senate version of the bill, moving the BARMM elections to October 13—nearly five months after the midterm polls.
Under the ratified bill, the interim Bangsamoro Transition Authority members can continue to lead BARMM until newly elected officials assume office.
The Comelec will also no longer reopen the filing of certificates of candidacy or accept manifestations of intent to participate, except for the seven seats originally allocated to Sulu.
As a result, aspirants who submitted their certificates of candidacy and party nominations during last year’s filing period will automatically retain their status.
With the measure finalized, it will now be transmitted to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for his signature.
T he President had previously certified the bill as urgent.
New PhilHealth chief set to introduce reforms, including digitalization and expanded benefits
By Claudeth S. Mocon-Ciriaco @claudethmc3
THE Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) is mulling to implement reforms like digitalization and benefit expansion in a pay-as-you-go (PAYGO) system following the appointment of Dr. Edwin Mercado to head the state-run health insurer.
Health Secretary and PhilHealth Chairperson of the Board Teodoro J. Herbosa on Thursday met with Mercado, the new PhilHealth President and Chief Executive Officer (PCEO), and discussed possible reforms that could be implemented by PhilHealth. T he two alumni of the UP College of Medicine, who are also surgeons and health systems experts,
agreed on the job of PhilHealth, that is, to pay the health benefits of its members.
Earlier, the Department of Health (DOH) welcomed the appointment Mercado, an orthopedic surgeon, who replaced Emmanuel R. Ledesma Jr. W ith Master’s degrees in healthcare administration from the University of North Carolina—Chapel Hill and global health delivery from the Harvard School of Medicine, Mercado is also actively involved in health economics work aligned with the Universal Health Care Act.
“ We thank outgoing PCEO Emmanuel R. Ledesma Jr. for his service, and look forward to working with new PCEO Dr. Edwin Mercado very soon,” the DOH said as they thanked Pres. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for his appointment
Marcos: PHL model of transparency in Asia
PRESIDENT Marcos on Thursday vowed to maintain the country’s lead in open governance in Asia by sustaining its civil society-backed transparency reforms and participatory audit programs.
In his speech at the 2025 Open Government Partnership (OGP) Asia and the Pacific Regional Meeting (APRM) on Thursday, the Chief Executive said the passage of the Republic Act 12009 or the New Government Procurement Act has “positioned Philippines as leading model of transparency in Asia.”
“We, in the government, are keenly determined to sustain this momentum of best practices,” Marcos said. He said RA 12009 updated the country’s decadesold Philippine government procurement system by enabling open contracting and requiring public disclosure of every stage of the procurement process.
This means that government agencies can now procure goods in a more efficient, streamlined, and cost-effective manner from the comforts of their offices while being completely transparent to anyone, any citizen, and any member of government,” Marcos said.
“Borrowing the words of the Budget Secretary,‘ this is the biggest anti-corruption law in modern times,’” he added.
Aside from RA 12009, the President fostered OGP principles through his Executive Order No. 31, series of 2023, by institutionalizing multi-stakeholder partnership in its execution.
“Through this, local government units and civil society organizations are involved in the implementation of our commitment to open government and in the delivery of sustainable solutions on various social concerns,” Marcos said. Samuel P. Medenilla
Tensions rise as Israel plans mass relocation of Palestinians, igniting international outcry
By Samy Magdy The Associated Press
CAIRO—Israel said on Thursday it has begun preparations for the departure of large numbers of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip in line with President Donald Trump’s plan for the territory. Officials meanwhile said Egypt has launched a diplomatic blitz behind the scenes to try and head off the plan.
The Palestinians and much of the international community have rejected Trump’s proposal, fearing Israel will never allow the refugees to return and that it would destabilize the region. Egypt has warned that such a plan could undermine its peace treaty with Israel, a cornerstone of stability and American influence in the Middle East for decades.
Saudi Arabia, another key US ally, has also rejected any mass transfer of Palestinians and says it will not normalize relations with Israel—a key goal of the Trump administration—without the creation of a Palestinian state that
includes Gaza.
Palestinians say they don’t want to leave. The New York-based Human Rights Watch and other groups say Trump’s proposal, if implemented, would amount to “ethnic cleansing,” the forcible relocation of the civilian population of an ethnic group from a geographic area.
Israeli leaders have welcomed Trump’s proposal and portrayed the possible mass departure of Palestinians from the war-ravaged territory as voluntary.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said he has ordered the military to make preparations to
facilitate the emigration of large numbers of Palestinians from Gaza through land crossings as well as “special arrangements for exit by sea and air.”
There were no immediate signs of such preparations on the ground.
Egypt wages a behind-thescenes campaign
EGYPTIAN President AbdelFattah el-Sissi has not publicly responded to Trump’s stunning proposal that most of Gaza’s population of 2.3 million Palestinians be relocated and the United States take charge of rebuilding the territory. Israel’s 15-month campaign against the militant Hamas group had reduced large parts of Gaza to rubble before a fragile ceasefire took hold last month.
But Egyptian officials, speaking Wednesday on condition of anonymity to discuss the closed-door talks, said Cairo has made clear to the Trump administration and Israel that it will resist any such proposal, and that the peace deal with Israel—which has stood for nearly half a century—is at risk.
One official said the message has been delivered to the Pentagon, the State Department and members of the US Congress. A second official said it has also been conveyed to Israel and its Western European allies, including Britain, France and Germany.
A Western diplomat in Cairo, also speaking anonymously because the discussions have not been made public, confirmed receiving the message from Egypt through multiple channels. The diplomat said Egypt was very serious and viewed the plan as a threat to its national security.
The diplomat said Egypt rejected similar proposals from the Biden administration and European countries early in the war, which was sparked by Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023 attack into southern Israel. The earlier proposals were broached privately, while Trump announced his plan at a White House press conference
China’s Xi and Thailand PM vow to crack down on scam networks that plague Southeast Asia
By Huizhong Wu The Associated Press
ANGKOK—China’s leader
BXi Jinping and visiting Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra vowed to crack down on the scam networks that plague Southeast Asia as the two leaders met on Thursday in Beijing. Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos, which are south of China and share borders with Thailand, have become major centers of online scam operations where people lured by false advertising of well-paid jobs are trafficked to secretive compounds where they are forced to work by criminal groups that run online scams targeting people all over the world.
That has impacted Thailand’s reputation, as multiple high-profile stories of Chinese people being lured to work in Bangkok only to be trafficked into a scam compound
in Myanmar have surfaced, with Chinese actor Wang Xing being the latest such victim.
Thai and Chinese officials have taken public steps to address the scam issue, including a reported visit to the border region by Liu Zhongyi, China’s vice minister of public security.
“China appreciates Thailand’s strong measures to combat online gambling fraud. Both sides should continue to strengthen law enforcement, security, and judicial cooperation,” Xi said, according to state broadcaster CCTV.
Paetongtarn echoed that, saying “Thailand is willing to strengthen law enforcement cooperation with China and other neighboring countries and take resolute and effective measures to combat cross-border crimes such as online gambling and fraud.” Ahead of her visit, Thailand cut off electricity to some areas
in Myanmar by its border to try to disrupt the operations of the scam compounds. The effect of that is unclear as the compounds often have their own generators.
The visit to China was Paetongtarn’s first as prime minister and comes as the two countries celebrate 50 years of establishing diplomatic relations.
On other bilateral issues, Xi said China was willing to work on a new railway project between the countries. On Tuesday, Thailand approved a $10 billion railway project that will eventually connect Bangkok to the Laos-China high speed railway. He also said they hoped to deepen cooperation in electric vehicles, with Thailand being an emerging market for Chinese automakers.
China was once a significant part of Thailand’s tourism segment but was down to 6.7 million visitors in 2024, less than the 11
Argentina withdraws from the World Health Organization, echoing Trump’s earlier move
By Almudena Calatrava The Associated Press
BUENOS AIRES—Argentina’s president has ordered the country’s withdrawal from the World Health Organization due to “profound differences” with the UN agency, a presidential spokesperson said Wednesday. President Javier Milei ‘s decision echoes that of his ally, US President Donald Trump, who began the process of pulling the United States out of WHO with an executive order on his first day back in office on Jan. 21. The loss of another member country will further fracture cooperation in global health, though Argentina was expected to provide only about $8 million to WHO for the agency’s estimated $6.9 billion 20242025 budget. Argentina’s decision is based on “profound differences in health management, especially during the (Covid-19) pandemic,” spokesperson Manuel Adorni told a news conference in Buenos Aires. He said WHO guidelines at the time led to the largest shutdown “in the history of mankind.” Argentina will not allow an international organization to intervene in its sovereignty “and much less in our health,” he added. WHO has no authority to compel countries to take specific health actions, and
the organization’s guidelines and recommendations, including in health crises like Covid-19, are often disregarded.
WHO said it was looking into Argentina’s announcement.
Adorni did not say when Milei’s decision would be implemented. He also asserted that WHO lacks independence because of the political influence of some countries, without naming any.
WHO is the only organization mandated to coordinate global responses to acute health crises, particularly outbreaks of new diseases and persistent threats including Ebola, AIDS and mpox.
Milei was a sharp critic of the lockdown imposed by former President Alberto Fer -
million visitors in 2019 before the coronavirus pandemic when Chinese visitors were nearly a third of all arrivals.
Paetongtarn has shown Thailand is willing to accommodate Chinese interests on key issues.
In January, a group of Chinese Uyghur detainees in Thailand pleaded for help before they were deported to China. Thailand’s decision to deport the Uyghurs, a largely Muslim ethnic group that faces persecution, came ahead of the two countries 50th anniversary of relations.
After the meeting in beijing, Paetongtarn said that Thailand “firmly” abides by the one-China principle, Beijing’s position that the island of Taiwan is part of China.
The Associated Press writer Jintamas Saksornchai contributed to this report.
nandez during the pandemic, asserting that it hurt the economy and that the government used it as a mechanism of “repression.”
“LONG LIVE FREEDOM,” Milei said Wednesday in a post on X criticizing the UN agency.
Argentina does not receive WHO funding for health management, and the president’s decision doesn’t affect the quality of health services, Adorni said.
“On the contrary, it gives greater flexibility to implement policies adopted to the context of interests that Argentina requires,” he added.
Last year, Milei’s government refused to sign an agreement to manage pandemics within the WHO framework, on the grounds that doing so could affect national sovereignty.
The Associated Press writer Maria Cheng in London contributed.
alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
US officials dial back Trump’s proposal TRUMP said he wanted to “permanently” resettle most of Gaza’s population in other countries and for the United States to take charge of clearing debris and rebuilding Gaza as a “Riviera of the Middle East” for all people. He did not rule out the deployment of US troops there. US officials later appeared to dial back the proposal, saying the relocation of Palestinians would be temporary and that Trump had not
committed to putting American boots on the ground or spending American tax dollars in Gaza.
The Egyptian officials said their government does not believe the Palestinians need to be relocated for reconstruction to proceed and is committed to the creation of a Palestinian state in Gaza, the West Bank and east Jerusalem, territories Israel seized in the 1967 Mideast war.
Israel’s government is opposed to Palestinian statehood and has said it will maintain open-ended security control over both Gaza and the occupied West Bank. Israel annexed east Jerusalem in a move not recognized by most of the international community and considers the entire city its capital.
Last week, Egypt hosted a meeting of top diplomats from Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates—which was the driving force behind the 2020 Abraham Accords Trump brokered between with Israel. All five Arab nations rejected the transfer of Palestinians out of Gaza or the West Bank.
In an editorial on Thursday, Egypt’s main state-run daily, AlAhram, warned that “the Arab countries’ independence, their peoples’ unity and their territorial integrity are under grave threat.”
The Associated Press writer Natalie Melzer in Nahariya, Israel, contributed to this report.
Ukraine wants partner countries to join in postwar development worth billions
By Illia Novikov The Associated Press
KYIV, Ukraine Ukraine wants to collaborate with partner countries on postwar projects worth billions of dollars not just in mining rare earth elements, but also in energy and construction sectors to help rebuild the country, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said Wednesday.
Sybiha responded to comments by President Donald Trump who said Monday that he wanted to gain access to Ukraine’s valuable rare earth materials as a condition for continuing support for its war against Russia.
Ukrainian officials have said Russia wants to get its hands on Ukraine’s vast natural resources.
Kyiv intends to offer “guarantees of the presence of major businesses in Ukraine and the vested interests of our closest allies the United States in developing these (rare earth) deposits and ensuring their protection,” the foreign minister said.
But cooperation should not be limited to rare earth materials, Sybiha said in a news conference alongside visiting UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy.
Ukraine has “huge potential” to become a guarantor of energy security in Europe by buying liquefied natural gas from the United States and storing it in its massive underground tanks for later distribution, he said.
Sybiha also said there was “joint interest” from Ukrainian and American businesses in the postwar reconstruction of Ukraine, estimated to cost more than $400 billion. “This will be one of the largest projects of this century and, accordingly, one of the largest opportunities for our allies.” Meanwhile, Zelenskyy said in an interview broadcast Tuesday night that the war has killed 45,100 Ukrainian troops. The fighting also has injured close to 390,000 troops, he told Piers Morgan Uncensored on YouTube.
On Dec. 8, he said Ukraine had lost some 43,000 soldiers on the battlefield and 370,000 wounded.
Russia hasn’t given its number of killed since September 2022, seven months after its all-out invasion.
If the US stops sending vital military aid, that could also jeopardize European support, Zelenskyy said in the interview. “Without a doubt, we cannot do without this kind of (Western) support,” he said. Zelenskyy said Wednesday that the United States must be part of any Western troop deployment to safeguard a peace deal with Russia and shield against another invasion. Sending only European troops would not be enough, he said.
“Because this is not just a matter of numbers, it is about sharing responsibility and ensuring security guarantees. This cannot be done without the United States of America,” he said at a news conference with Lammy. Ukrainian forces are slowly losing ground, especially in eastern areas, where they are being pushed backward by their bigger foe.
Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed Wednesday that Russian troops had captured the villages of Baranivka in the eastern Donetsk region and Novomlynsk in the northeastern Kharkiv region. Baranivka’s capture is part of Russia’s effort to envelop Pokrovsk, a key road and rail hub whose loss would compromise a wider area of defense, while the seizure of Novomlynsk is part of Russia’s onslaught toward Kupiansk, another important train junction.
Ukraine keeps hitting the Russian military’s rear areas and supply lines in an effort to disrupt the creeping advance. Ukraine’s Army General staff claimed Wednesday that Ukrainian forces struck an oil refinery in the Krasnodar region of Russia overnight, setting it on fire. According to the General Staff, the oil refinery and petroleum product manufacturing plant supplies gasoline and diesel to the Russian army. The governor of the Krasnodar region, Veniamin Kondratyev, claimed that fragments of a downed Ukrainian drone hit an oil tank at an oil depot in the village of Novominskaya early Wednesday, sparking a fire. The fire was put out shortly after and there were no injuries, emergency officials said.
Mexico deploys first of 10,000 National Guard troops to US border after Trump’s tariff threat
By Megan Janetsky The Associated Press
CIUDAD JUÁREZ, Mexico—A line of Mexican National Guard and Army trucks rumbled along the border separating Ciudad Juárez and El Paso, Texas, on Wednesday, among the first of 10,000 troops Mexico has sent to its northern frontier following tariff threats by President Donald Trump.
Masked and armed National Guard members picked through brush running along the border barrier on the outskirts of Ciudad Juárez, pulling out makeshift ladders and ropes tucked away in the trenches, and pulling them onto trucks. Patrols were also seen on other parts of the border near Tijuana. It comes after a turbulent week along the border after Trump an -
nounced he would delay imposing crippling tariffs on Mexico for at least a month. In exchange, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum promised she would send the country’s National Guard to reinforce the border and crack down on fentanyl smuggling.
Trump has declared an emergency on the border despite migration levels and fentanyl overdoses significantly dipping over the past year. The US said it would, in turn, do more to stop American guns from being trafficked into Mexico to fuel cartel violence, which has rippled to other parts of the country as criminal groups fight to control the lucrative migrant smuggling industry.
On Tuesday, the first of those forces arrived in border cities, climbing out of government planes. Guard members in the Wednesday patrol confirmed that they were part of the new force.
Security concerns arise as DeepSeek chatbot linked to Chinese state-owned telecom giant banned in US
By Byron Tau
The Associated Press
WASHINGTON—The website of the Chinese artificial intelligence company DeepSeek, whose chatbot became the most downloaded app in the United States, has computer code that could send some user login information to a Chinese stateowned telecommunications company that has been barred from operating in the United States, security researchers say.
The web login page of DeepSeek’s chatbot contains heavily obfuscated computer script that when deciphered shows connections to computer infrastructure owned by China Mobile, a stateowned telecommunications company. The code appears to be part of the account creation and user login process for DeepSeek.
In its privacy policy, DeepSeek acknowledged storing data on servers inside the People’s Republic of China. But its chatbot appears more directly tied to the Chinese state than previously known through the link revealed by researchers to China Mobile. The US has claimed there are close ties between China Mobile and the Chinese military as justification for placing limited sanctions on the company. DeepSeek and China Mobile did not respond to e-mails seeking comment.
The growth of Chinese-controlled digital services has become a major topic of concern for US national security officials. Lawmakers in Congress last year on an overwhelmingly bipartisan basis voted to force the Chinese parent company of the popular videosharing app TikTok to divest or face a nationwide ban though the app has since received a 75-day reprieve from President Donald Trump, who is hoping to work out a sale.
The code linking DeepSeek to one of China’s leading mobile phone providers was first discovered by Feroot Security, a Canadian cybersecurity company, which shared its findings with The Associated Press. The AP took Feroot’s findings to a second set of computer experts, who independently confirmed that China Mobile code is present. Neither Feroot nor the other researchers observed data transferred to Chi -
na Mobile when testing logins in North America, but they could not rule out that data for some users was being transferred to the Chinese telecom.
The analysis only applies to the web version of DeepSeek. They did not analyze the mobile version, which remains one of the most downloaded pieces of software on both the Apple and the Google app stores.
The US Federal Communications Commission unanimously denied China Mobile authority to operate in the United States in 2019, citing “substantial” national security concerns about links between the company and the Chinese state. In 2021, the Biden administration also issued sanctions limiting the ability of Americans to invest in China Mobile after the Pentagon linked it to the Chinese military.
“It’s mindboggling that we are unknowingly allowing China to survey Americans and we’re doing nothing about it,” said Ivan Tsarynny, CEO of Feroot.
“It’s hard to believe that something like this was accidental. There are so many unusual things to this. You know that saying ‘Where there’s smoke, there’s fire’? In this instance, there’s a lot of smoke,” Tsarynny said.
Stewart Baker, a Washington, D.C.-based lawyer and consultant who has previously served as a top official at the Department of Homeland Security and the National Security Agency, said DeepSeek “raises all of the TikTok concerns plus you’re talking about information that is highly likely to
be of more national security and personal significance than anything people do on TikTok,” one of the world’s most popular social media platforms.
Users are increasingly putting sensitive data into generative AI systems—everything from confidential business information to highly personal details about themselves. People are using generative AI systems for spellchecking, research and even highly personal queries and conversations. The data security risks of such technology are magnified when the platform is owned by a geopolitical adversary and could represent an intelligence goldmine for a country, experts warn.
“The implications of this are significantly larger because personal and proprietary information could be exposed. It’s like TikTok but at a much grander scale and with more precision. It’s not just sharing entertainment videos. It’s sharing queries and information that could include highly personal and sensitive business information,” said Tsarynny, of Feroot.
Feroot, which specializes in identifying threats on the web, identified computer code that is downloaded and triggered when a user logs into DeepSeek. According to the company’s analysis, the code appears to capture detailed information about the device a user logs in from—a process called fingerprinting. Such techniques are widely used by tech companies around the world for security, verification and ad targeting.
“There will be permanent surveillance on the border,” José Luis Santos Iza, one of the National Guard leaders heading off the de -
ployment in the city, told media upon the arrival of the first set of soldiers. “This operation is primarily to prevent drug trafficking
from Mexico to the United States, mainly fentanyl.”
At least 1,650 troops were expected to be sent to Ciudad Juárez, according to government figures, making it one of the biggest receivers of border reinforcements in the country, second only to Tijuana, where 1,949 are slated to be sent.
During US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s trip through Latin America—where migration was at the top of the agenda—the top American diplomat thanked the Mexican government for the forces, according to a statement by the Mexican government.
The negotiation by Sheinbaum was viewed by observers as a bit of shrewd political maneuvering by the newly elected Mexican leader. Many had previously cast doubt that she’d be able to navigate Trump’s presidency as effectively as her predecessor and ally, former President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador.
MEXICAN National Guard members patrol along the Mexico-US border in Ciudad Juarez,
Wednesday, February 5, 2025. AP/CHRISTIAN CHAVEZ
Should Filipino taxpayers worry about ballooning national debt?
AS the Philippines wrapped up 2024 with a staggering P16.051 trillion in outstanding debt—representing 60.7 percent of the country’s GDP— concerns regarding the sustainability of this financial trajectory naturally arise among Filipino taxpayers. The increase of P1.435 trillion from the previous year, along with a debt-to-GDP ratio that surpasses the internationally accepted threshold, necessitates a critical examination to ensure that this debt level does not result in negative consequences for the Filipino people. (Read the BusinessMirror story: “PHL debt climbed to P16.051 trillion in 2024, or 60.7% of GDP,” February 5, 2025).
The national debt has been fueled primarily by two factors: net issuances of debt instruments and the valuation effects stemming from a stronger US dollar. While the Bureau of the Treasury has indicated that this debt level aligns with government projections, the reality remains that a debt-to-GDP ratio above 60 percent raises flags for economic stability. This metric is crucial as it reflects the country’s ability to repay its obligations and sustain economic growth. Experts generally view a lower debt-to-GDP ratio as indicative of a healthier economy, one that can attract investments and manage risks more effectively. With the Philippines hovering above this threshold, it is imperative to consider the implications for taxpayers.
The government has asserted that its debt management strategies are effective, citing proactive measures in managing the timing and level of external debt issuances amidst a volatile exchange rate environment. This suggests a level of competence in navigating fiscal challenges. However, the increasing reliance on debt financing may not be sustainable in the long run, especially if economic growth does not keep pace.
For the average Filipino taxpayer, the implications of rising national debt manifest in several ways. First, increased debt levels may lead to higher taxes or the reallocation of public funds away from essential services to service this debt. Moreover, if foreign investment is deterred by concerns over debt sustainability, economic growth could stagnate, further exacerbating fiscal challenges.
Conversely, if the government successfully utilizes this debt to fund infrastructure projects and stimulate economic activity, taxpayers may ultimately benefit from improved public services and job creation. The key lies in effective governance and transparency in how borrowed funds are utilized.
The projection that the outstanding debt could reach P20.7 trillion by the end of the Marcos administration adds another layer of concern. While the Department of Finance anticipates a gradual decrease in the debt-to-GDP ratio in the coming years, these forecasts hinge on achieving robust economic growth—a variable that remains uncertain.
The question on everyone’s mind: should Filipino taxpayers be concerned? The response is not a simple yes or no—it’s more complex than that. While the current debt level and its implications warrant close scrutiny, the government’s management strategies and future economic growth will ultimately determine the sustainability of this debt. Taxpayers should remain vigilant, advocating for transparency and accountability in fiscal policies.
In uncertain times, informed citizens are empowered to discuss national debt, ensuring their concerns are heard and addressed. After all, the health of the nation’s finances directly impacts the lives of all citizens.
BusinessMirror
In Memoriam: Human rights stalwart Edcel Lagman (May 1, 1942-January 30, 2025)
‘NKuwentong Peyups
ATIONAL amnesia must be purged as an abhorrent malaise. Never again!”
“A continuing nightmare” is how the late Albay First District Representative and Liberal Party President Edcel C. Lagman described Martial Law in a speech delivered on September 20, 2020 on the anniversary of its declaration.
Lagman recounted the harrowing and painful experience his family endured following the involuntary disappearance of his brother, labor lawyer Hermon, who was abducted on May 11, 1977 by alleged military operatives and has not surfaced since then.
“Months turned into years of agonizing search, unanswered questions, endless waiting, and arduous striving for justice. We are only one of the tens of thousands of families who are still endlessly waiting for justice. For many Filipinos, Martial Law was not only a bad dream, it is a continuing nightmare. We should not forget the tragedy of martial law. We should not forgive the perpetrators and beneficiaries of Martial Law. National amnesia must be purged as an abhorrent malaise. Never again!”
Lagman is known as an upright, principled, and unwavering advocate of human rights; and a staunch defender of the rule of law.
Born on May 1, 1942, Lagman was a member of Congress for eight terms for a total of 29 years from 1987 to 1998; 2004 to 2013; and
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
2016 to 2025. He was the senior deputy minority leader for the 9th and 10th Congresses, a deputy majority leader during the 13th Congress, and minority leader during the 15th Congress.
Before he became a legislator, he served in the Cory Aquino cabinet as undersecretary of the Ministry of Budget and Management.
He is a graduate of the University of the Philippines, Bachelor of Arts (1962, cum laude) and Bachelor of Laws (1966). He is a recipient of the UP Alumni Association’s Most Outstanding Alumnus Award (2022).
As a student, he served as editor of the UP Law Register (1962–1963), managing editor of The Philippine Collegian (1965), and a councilor on the UP Student Council (1964). His daughter, Larah, was my contemporary in the editorial board of the Philippine Collegian.
When Martial Law was declared in 1972, Edcel and Hermon stood at the forefront of protecting workers’ rights and fighting the dictatorship.
“My mind asserts that I should speak out and disseminate the truth for silence kills. It kills the truth. It
Lagman remained a steadfast defender of human rights and social justice who left behind a legacy of championing progressive reforms in the Philippines. For decades, Lagman championed the rights of the poor, women, children, and marginalized groups, fearlessly advocating for critical and often controversial legislation.
kills freedom of expression. It kills the right to dissent. It kills democracy,” Lagman said.
Lagman remained a steadfast defender of human rights and social justice who left behind a legacy of championing progressive reforms in the Philippines.
For decades, Lagman championed the rights of the poor, women, children, and marginalized groups, fearlessly advocating for critical and often controversial legislation.
He principally authored landmark laws, including the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform (RA 6657); Abolition of the Death Penalty (RA 9346); Compensation to Martial Law Victims (R.A. 10368), Criminalization of Enforced Disappearance (RA 10353), Prohibition of Torture Act (R.A. 9745); and the Prevention of Child Marriage (RA 11596).
Compensation to Martial Law Victims (RA 10368) authorizes P10 billion in payments to those victims to come from the allegedly ill-gotten wealth of the Marcos family. Educational programs will be developed to teach young people about the abuses committed under martial law and about the heroism of the opposition to the government at that time.
Criminalization of Enforced
Disappearance (RA 10353) mandates that enforced or involuntary disappearance shall be considered a continuing offense as long as the perpetrators continue to conceal the fate and whereabouts of the disappeared person and such circumstances have not been determined with certainty. Prohibition of Torture Act (RA 9745) punishes torture inflicted by a person in authority or agent of a person in authority upon another in his/her custody. Torture may either be physical or mental/psychological. Physical torture is a form of treatment or punishment that causes severe pain, exhaustion, disability or dysfunction of one or more parts of the body. Mental/psychological torture refers to acts calculated to affect or confuse the mind and/or undermine a person’s dignity and morale. Lagman passed away at the age of 82 on January 30, 2025.
He was married for 50 years to the late Ma. Cielo Burce-Lagman and is survived by his children Krisel, Larah and Melo, Greco and Ana, Nikos and Maritess, Marco and Anne, Karina and BJ, Andrei and Shane; his sisters Nilda Sevilla and Evita Tresvalles; 18 grandchildren; five great grandchildren; and his beloved dog, Juno.
“He left this world the way he lived his life— with integrity, compassion, and fearlessness. He fought until the end with the dogged determination, unshakable tenacity, and remarkable hopefulness that defined all that he stood for,” the Lagman family said in a statement.
Peyups is the moniker of University of the Philippines. Atty. Dennis R. Gorecho heads the seafarers’ division of the Sapalo Velez Bundang Bulilan law offices. For comments, e-mail info@sapalovelez.com or call 0908-8665786.
Trump citizenship limit blocked indefinitely after earlier pause
By Zoe Tillman
AFEDERAL judge in Maryland blocked President Donald Trump’s move to restrict automatic birthright citizenship, handing Trump another legal setback in his effort to upend more than a century of US law and court precedents as part of a broader immigration crackdown.
US District Judge Deborah Boardman held on Wednesday that there is a “very strong” likelihood that the executive order that Trump signed on his first day in office violates the US Constitution. Her order —which applies nationwide and will be in effect as long as the case before her is pending—expands on an earlier, temporary pause from a federal judge in Seattle who blasted the administration for taking an action that he said was “blatantly
unconstitutional.”
The case in Maryland, brought by immigrant advocacy groups, is one of at least nine lawsuits filed to date challenging Trump’s executive action, which would apply not only to babies born to people without any legal status in the US, but also to those born to parents legally in the country on visas to work, study or visit. Judges in Seattle and Boston are holding hearings later this week to consider whether to issue similar
injunctions.
Boardman’s decision can be appealed. The US Justice Department lawyer who argued the case said he couldn’t immediately commit to whether the government would challenge her decision in the 4th US Court of Appeals, but the department had previously said it would “vigorously” defend Trump’s action. The Justice Department didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
Boardman announced her decision in the courtroom after hearing arguments. She said that the challengers had “easily” met the legal standard for a preliminary injunction barring the administration from taking any steps to carry out Trump’s order, which was set to fully take effect on February 19.
“The executive order conflicts with the plain language of the 14th Amendment, contradicts 125-yearold binding Supreme Court precedent and runs counter to our nation’s 250year history of citizenship by birth,” the judge said.
Less work
THE Justice Department had argued that an injunction would harm the government, noting that the previous 14-day temporary restraining order entered by the Seattle judge meant that agencies couldn’t move forward with figuring out how to put Trump’s action into practice. Boardman was skeptical, noting that a pause meant there was less work for the government to do. “If anything,” the judge said, the
Dennis Gorecho
Aligning the planets Mae Layug Madriñan: Filipina
priestess
of inclusivity
THE cosmetics and personal care market is massive in the Philippines. In 2023, Statista estimated revenue from this segment to be $2.94 billion, dominated by international brands. Today, local beauty products are taking center stage in retail shops, malls, and online marketplaces as demand grows for customized products formulated for Filipino skin.
GRWM Cosmetics, which stands for Get Ready With Me, established in 2021 by Mae Layug Madriñan, is one local cosmetics brand that is setting itself apart. A nurse by profession who delved into content creation in 2016, Madriñan harnessed her love for cosmetics to create an inclusive array of makeup products designed with Filipina skin in mind.
Inclusivity is often overused in business conversations, but Mae took it to heart when she launched her brand. She noted that diverse skin tones in the Philippines make it difficult for many to find their shade match with international brands. The country’s humidity also contributes to smudging makeup that is not formulated for the climate.
As a beauty and wellness content creator (simultaneously a practicing nurse at Makati Medical Center) in 2016, she reviewed makeup brands with complete transparency, discussing products’ pros and cons, earning her trust among loyal followers.
In 2018, Mae reached 100,000 YouTube followers, rising exponentially to 500,000 the following year. This led to collaborations with various cosmetics brands, where she became involved in promotion and product development.
In 2019, Mae had a watershed moment in Myeongdong, South Korea. Seeing Seoul’s robust cosmetics industry, she dreamed of launching her brand to “fill in the gaps in the Filipino beauty industry.”
“I believe that every one of us deserves to find a blush shade, a lipstick shade, a powder that would match our skin tone and undertones. So, those were my driving forces to pursue my cosmetic brand,” she says.
“Shade match” is crucial to Mae, with inclusivity a key element in formulation, “giving every Filipina equal access to a wide range of makeup shades.”
Perhaps inspired by the “Fenty effect,” where Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty prompted competitors to offer a broader range of foundation shades (it has 40), GRWM took the same route for the Filipina complexion. Entrepreneurs often identify market gaps, but not all capitalize on them due to cost or risk. Local
Trump.
. . continued from A12
government would be “improved” by an injunction that prevented an unconstitutional executive action. She said that citizenship was “a most precious right” guaranteed by the 14th Amendment and that the longstanding “law and tradition” would remain the status quo while the case went ahead. Boardman also rejected the government’s request to limit an injunction to the groups that brought the case, saying that an order affecting citizenship rights required a “uniform policy.”
The 14th Amendment, adopted in 1868 after the Civil War to
MThe operative word is “multiuse,” recognizing Filipinos’ price consciousness. If someone buys Milk Tint as blush, there’s no need to buy lipstick and eyeshadow separately. It’s all-in-one. This sensitivity to Filipinos’ preference for affordable goods works well for the GRWM.
cosmetic brands lacked the inclusivity she desired. Seeing an unmet demand, she went for it. She launched 12 shades of bases with a six-month-old brand, surprising the market. To date, her foundation line has 30 shades.
Knowing the Filipino market, GRWM Cosmetics also factors in product convenience, versatility, and affordability. She considered these elements when she launched her first product, Milk Tints, a long-lasting and hydrating multiuse cream for lids, cheeks, and lips. The operative word is “multi-use,” recognizing Filipinos’ price consciousness. If someone buys Milk Tint as blush, there’s no need to buy lipstick and eyeshadow separately. It’s all-in-one. This sensitivity to Filipinos’ preference for affordable goods works well for the GRWM. GRWM’s accessible, modestly priced, and versatile products drive its massive growth. While inclusivity and affordability aren’t new, the execution and implementation into actual products set GRWM apart. No other local brand produced such a wide range of shades specific to Filipino skin tones and undertones.
To further elevate her brand while maintaining affordability, Mae incorporated elegance into product packaging. GRWM Cosmetics embodies sophistication in packaging, display, and merchandising, reflecting her love of multimedia arts. Mae is dreaming big. She wants Filipino cosmetics brands to make it to the international market, an aspiration not limited to her brand but also to her local competitors. She believes that if one Filipino brand rises, others will follow, and everyone will win.
clarify the status of babies born to formerly enslaved people, has long been interpreted by courts as giving citizenship to nearly all babies born on US soil. It states that “all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States.” Trump’s order turns on what it means to be “subject to the jurisdiction thereof.” Some conservatives have argued this language should be interpreted to exclude people who illegally enter the country. The more common understanding of the phrase has been that even undocumented people are covered since they can be charged with crimes under federal and state laws and pay taxes, for example. Bloomberg
ANNOTATIONS
Y sister, Lilibeth, and I were looking at the stars one night and noticing how big Venus was over the tall tree fronting our porch. Not the western or eastern hemisphere of heaven but the massive crown of a tree was our point of reference.
What would our grandmother, Emilia, say about this? We were talking not merely about this single unblinking star but the other planets we were trying to imagine lined up or, as the many artists’ illustrations were showing, arced over the sky.
This grandmother was a sky expert, divining the roseate or red explosion of sunset over the horizon, and warning us what these colors were really all about – celestial judgment or writings on the wall of the universe. She was not the only ones into this reading but she stood in contrast against our grandfather, Elpidio, who was natural in his disbelief of anything that cannot be proven by observation and something closer to scientific correlation. The debate between these two wonderful individuals made our childhood warm and unforgettable. Now that science has brought us closer to what used to be dark mysteries—and there are numerous—I am looking back at how generations before me had to contend with the unknown. And one night, memories brought them back one by one to us. Some were coming to me through stories when I was a child in the small island of Ticao; the others were ridiculously of recent import.
When did the word “tsunami” enter our vocabulary? For my generation, it was always a “tidal wave”. Was it in the early ’60s or late ’50s when the small town of San Fernando, in Masbate, was rocked by the news that huge waves would engulf the town, which was part of the island of Ticao? There were no rains then and no typhoon was coming and the years have blurred presently what brought about the fear. What I remember though was of my grandfather supported by
my father saying there was no need to climb the mountain to escape the wrath of the sea. But a more graphic scene would happen and this was the younger brother of our grandmother (the same Emilia of the sky) calling out from a cart being pulled by a carabao. They were on their way to Poro, the ancestral farm on the hill overlooking the Ticao Pass.
Late at night, we were all sleepless and every time the wind howled, we looked at each other. The next morning greeted us all alive and we did not bother anymore to check how many had to climb down from their respective hill and mountain.
“Tidal wave” would disappear from the vocabulary related to disaster and “tsunami” would gain currency. It would take years and years again before we would encounter a
similar term, “tidal surge”, during the dreadful super typhoon Yolanda. By then, it was too late to escape that unusual behavior of a raging sea.
In between disasters and storms, there were prophets of doom and seers and they did not lack disciples and believers.
Most vivid among these stories was when again, the sea along Ticao Pass yielded a most frightening apparition: an old man dressed like the apostle of old, bearing bad, sad news about perdition and redemption, standing on a boat seemingly carried by the gentle waves to the shore. My grand-uncles and grandaunts related how the people could not seem to understand who he was representing: while he had his arms full with sores bandaged (was he Lazarus rose from the dead?), he was carrying a rooster (was he St. Peter?). Bungled iconography and all, he must have been a sight to behold as his figure materialized out of nowhere.
The years have made the story of this Saint from the Sea sketchy.
But I do remember the ending to this tale: he was getting quite a lot of support from old women who rushed and kissed the hem of his long cape until a rowdy uncle punched him until he talked. Apparently, he had handlers who had a good, thespic knowledge of the
sea and its waves. They would put him on the small boat just when the wind was favorable and off he would go sailing into the arms and faith of simple, lovely, old women waiting for any redeemer to return and make their days a bit more fun than a game of Bingo or entre-cuatro. There were other developments, more prosaic and predictable, like spreading the rumor that we should light candles because those would be the only tools that would save us from destruction. And if you think there were no takers with regard to this rumor, you could be wrong. I was back in Naga already and was teaching in a Jesuit university when this occurred: news spread that a poisonous wind was spreading from somewhere outside the Philippines and would soon reach our city. It had, I suppose, many versions, depending on where you were. The instructions were simple: you need to buy salt and kalamansi (the local lime) and another product. I do not recall now what you needed to do with those objects but I’d like to believe the vendors may have made a killing selling salt, lime, candles, and prayers again that day. The toxic wind never arrived even as more people remained toxic that day in our city.
E-mail: titovaliente@yahoo.com
US retreat sparks new push
NBy John Ainger, Erica Yokoyama & Norman Harsono
ATIONS including Germany and Japan are working to shore up programs aimed at delivering about $45 billion to help developing countries abandon fossil fuels as the US pulls back from a leadership role.
Talks between international partners are taking place seeking to sustain momentum in Just Energy Transition Partnership deals agreed under President Joe Biden’s administration that target Indonesia, Vietnam and South Africa, according to people familiar with the details.
Germany will replace the US as co-leader of efforts to secure about $20 billion to support coal-reliant Indonesia’s energy transition, the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development said in a statement. Global backers of JETP programs plan to assess the potential financial impact if the US withdraws all support, said the people, who requested anonymity to discuss private deliberations.
A meeting is being scheduled for either this month or March to review the outlook for the wider initiative, which includes Vietnam’s roughly $15.5 billion deal and South Africa’s $9.3 billion package, one of the people said. Discussions will also consider the implications for possible future funding pacts with nations like Colombia, the person said.
“The impact is manageable, provided the other countries continue,” said Putra Adhiguna, Jakarta-based managing director at the Energy Shift Institute, an Asia-focused think tank.
President Donald Trump last month halted some US financial aid aimed at helping developing and middle-income countries respond to the threats of climate change and began the process to withdraw from the Paris Agreement for a second time, signaling the nation’s intention to relinquish a role in driving global emissions reduction.
A retreat of the US from climate diplomacy, and as a source of funding, is threatening to add new complications to the JETP plans. The programs were initially hailed as a breakthrough when they were first conceived in 2021 because they, in theory at least, solved a crucial problem: How to bring together public and private money to make it economically feasible for large developing nations to wean themselves off fossil fuels.
Yet, the JETPs have struggled to deliver many of the intended objectives so far because of slow progress in financing efforts, political leadership changes in Indonesia and Vietnam, and the complexity of shuttering power plants that often have many decades of remaining operational life.
The programs also only represent a fraction of the total financing required. Annual energy transition investment topped $2 trillion globally last year, yet that was only about 37 percent of the total that’s needed to
President Donald Trump last month halted some US financial aid aimed at helping developing and middle-income countries respond to the threats of climate change and began the process to withdraw from the Paris Agreement for a second time, signaling the nation’s intention to relinquish a role in driving global emissions reduction.
put the world on track for net-zero emissions by 2050, BloombergNEF said in a January 30 report.
Looming elections in Canada, Germany and France threaten to add further obstacles to the prospects for the JETP deals.
“The EU remains committed, even if a major partner of this JETP—the US—is no longer with us,” Diana Acconcia, director for international affairs and climate finance at the European Commission’s Directorate General for Climate Action said Wednesday in Jakarta, referring to Indonesia’s deal.
Japan will continue to support Indonesia’s decarbonization and energy transition, the Ministry of Finance said in an emailed statement.
Nations outside the US and global banks are “still committed to encouraging global emission reduction,” said Paul Butarbutar, head of Indonesia’s JETP Secretariat, which oversees the program in the country. “It is unfortunate that Trump took such a policy, but the others remain committed.” The US had pledged to contribute about $2.1 billion in public financing for the Indonesia deal, almost one-fifth of the total for that
segment, according to a 2023 investment plan. Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto has suggested the nation could hit net-zero emissions as soon as 2050, a decade earlier than previous targets. The nation is holding talks with the World Bank, Japan and other partners on how to continue its JETP program, Coordinating Economic Minister Airlangga Hartarto said Wednesday. Vietnam is finalizing a list of dozens of priority projects to be implemented under its JETP, according to the government.
South Africa “remains fully committed” to implementing its JETP, launched in 2021, and has not been informed about any US plans to end participation, the country’s presidency said. Germany and France have already provided €1.5 billion ($1.6 billion) to South Africa’s Treasury through their development banks, and with other partners have paid out $630 million in grants, of which $55 million came from the US. A separate €2.5 billion JETP deal for Senegal struck in 2023 doesn’t involve the US. Uncertainty over the US position is a concern, though it won’t necessarily impact the ability of other nations to continue their financing efforts, said Rémy Rioux, chief executive officer of Agence Française de Développement, the agency through which France’s contribution to South Africa’s JETP is being channeled. “It’s a huge stress for the whole system,” he said. With assistance from
Tito Genova Valiente
Antony Sguazzin, Sheryl Tian Tong Lee, Eddie Spence, Nguyen Dieu Tu Uyen, Petra Sorge, Eko Listiyorini, Aaron Clark, Ishika Mookerjee and Grace Sihombing /Bloomberg
Friday, February 7, 2025
VP Sara impeachment trial can’t start till June 2–Chiz
By Butch Fernandez @butchfBM
THEimpeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte will most likely be the subject of a continuing trial between the 19th and 20th Senate, convened as an impeachment court, since incumbent senators must first return to session by June 2 to convene as such, and the trial will then be continued by the new set of senators mingled with the 12 non-reelectionists.
Senate President Francis Escudero explained this on Thursday, in a lengthy briefing where he outlined how the Senate will proceed after receiving late Wednesday the articles of impeachment against Duterte, just as it was rushing work on priority bills before a scheduled break ahead of the May election campaign. He said the Senate sit-
ting as an impeachment court cannot do try the case during the recess that ends June 2. Escudero said that while the Senate sitting as an impeachment court cannot yet call hearings between now and June 2, the interim period can be used by incumbent senators to review updated impeachment rules that the Senate Secretariat
will be tasked to craft, and study the detailed complaint signed by 215 members of the House of Representatives, way over the 102 signatures required by the Constitution.
He also called on “both sides, prosecution and defense,” to study well the complaints and prepare for trial, so that the trial, once it begins. will not be stalled by excuses such as lack of witnesses or resource persons to testify.
Macalintal agrees
HOWEVER, Escudero’s view is directly in contrast to that of veteran election lawyer Romulo B. Macalintal. “The present Senate has to finish its trial of the Impeachment case against VP Sara Duterte by June 13, 2025 or before its adjournment because such case cannot be taken up by the next Senate as a continuing case,” Macalintal said in a statement shared with BusinessMirror
According to Macalintal, “In the 2008 case of Garcillano vs House of Representatives on the issue of whether the Senate may continue its legislative investigation regarding the controversial ‘Hello Garci Tapes’, the Supreme Court ruled that unpassed bills and even legislative investigations of the Senate of
a particular Congress are considered terminated upon the expiration of that Congress and it is merely optional on the Senate of the succeeding Congress to take up such unfinished matters, not in the same status, but as if presented for the first time.”
Such ruling, Macalintal added, “is in line with the very rules of the Senate.” In Section 123 of Senate Rule XLIV, “all pending matters and proceedings shall terminate upon the expiration of one Congress but may be taken up by the succeeding Congress as if presented for the first time.”
Thus, he added, “the present Senate has to immediately convene as an Impeachment Court if it wants to terminate or finish this impeachment case before June 13. Otherwise, the succeeding Senate can treat it as if filed for the first time because the succeeding Senate, as likewise held by the SC in Garcillano, “should not be bound by the acts and deliberations of the Senate of which they had no part.”
Verification of signatures MEANWHILE, Escudero said the complaint sent by the House through Secretary General Reginald Velasco is
By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario
UNCOMPETITIVE practices prevent the country from attaining its food security goals, according to the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda).
In a statement, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan said procompetitive legislation policies, regulations, and programs or projects can help prevent hunger.
Balisacan, the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) founding chairperson until 2022, said food security means ensuring the availability, accessibility, and affordability of nutritious food to citizens.
“Of particular relevance to us today is how competition enforcement and, more broadly, the arsenal of policy tools with implications for competition, can be useful instruments for promoting agricultural development within a developing-economy context and under a ‘new normal’ of highly disruptive forces,” Balisacan said.
The country’s Chief Economist also stressed the importance of free and fair market competition for agricultural inputs, storage, logistics, and distribution, which can drive efficiency, spur innovation, and benefit consumers through lower prices and higher-quality goods.
“Competition policy holds much potential toward fostering agricultural development and broadly improving welfare outcomes. Together, let us work for fairer markets and amplify the pivotal role of competition in this important sector as we collectively aspire for food security and shared prosperity for all,” Balisacan said.
Supply constraints
EARLIER , the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said in its Monetary Policy Report that supply side constraints affecting food could lead to a faster increase
Balisacan said a procompetition policy can help address supply chain inefficiencies, prevent market distortions, and ensure fair pricing for both producers and consumers. He noted that the Philippine government’s recent efforts in this regard is to control food inflation, such as lowering rice tariffs and removing non-tariff barriers to encourage market players to augment local food supplies.
Japan vows to act on travel visas ‘within 5 days’
By Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo Special to the BusinessMirror
ABOUT 92 percent of the visas issued by the Embassy of Japan to Filipinos were for short-term visits.
In an email to the BusinessMirror the Japan Information and Culture Center (JICC) said, “While we do not have statistics specifically for tourist visas, the most recent data available [for 2023] shows that over 92 percent of the visas issued by our embassy that year were short-term stay visas [including those for business and visiting relatives].”
As such, of the 488,549 visas issued in the Philippines that year, 455,087 were for shortterm stay visas. This developed as the Embassy vowed to earnestly process all visa applications in the briefest time possible amid a surge of interest
PHL faces…
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Philippine exports, the study said, is projected for discs, tapes, solid-state nonvolatile storage devices, smart cards, and other media for the recording of sound or of other phenomena, with a reduction of US$386.7 million.
For this product, the study noted that Malaysia, Mexico and China are the hardest hit as their exports to the US will decline by US$925.2 million, $780 million, and $692.6 million, respectively.
Another product classification at a disadvantage, the study bared, are Philippine exports of coconut (copra), palm kernel, or babassu oil and fractions thereof which are seen to decrease by US$374.5 million.
Indonesia, a major exporter of this product to the US, is expected to experience the “largest” trade reduction, amounting to $1 billion, the study highlighted.
Under mechanical machineries, Philippine exports of automatic data processing machines and units thereof, are expected to drop by $187.6 million.
“This decrease is modest compared to the anticipated trade losses for China ($55.8 billion), Mexico ($7.9 billion), and Thailand ($1.6 billion).
As for Philippine electronic machinery exports, specifically electric transformers, static converters, and inductors, these would also decline by $143.5 million, the study revealed.
In comparison, China and Mexico will face “much larger” reductions of $5.3 billion and $1.6 billion, respectively. Meanwhile, among the Asean member states, Vietnam is the most affected, with a decrease of $318.1 million. Lastly, Philippine outbound shipments
in Filipinos to travel to that country.
In a Facebook post, the Embassy said, it “will continue to make efforts to complete the procedures and return the visa within five [5] working days, after it is submitted to the Embassy by the travel agencies.” JICC further clarified in its email that it only accepts visa applications through its “accredited travel agencies,” whether these be for group tours or individual trips.
Surge in applications
THE new advisory was issued following its earlier announcement urging Filipinos to apply at least two months in advance of their intended departure for Japan. Filipinos visiting Japan grew by some 31 percent in 2024, year-on-year. (See, “Pinoy visitors in Japan surge to over 818,666 in 2024,” in the BusinessMirror, January 24, 2025.)
In an earlier advisory still on its website, the
of telephone sets, including smartphones and other telephones for cellular/wireless networks and other apparatus for the transmission of reception of voice, images, or other data, are expected to decrease by $130 million.
This, the study noted, is a “relatively minor” amount compared to the trade reduction for China ($10.9 billion), Vietnam ($2.2 billion), and Mexico ($2.2 billion).
Other products that would be “heavily affected” by the US tariffs, the study said, are in electronic integrated circuits; machinery parts and accessories; insulated wire, cable, other electric conductors, and optical fibre cables; monitors and projectors; and crustaceans, mollusks, and other aquatic invertebrates.
In contrast, the study listed the “benefiting sectors” of the Philippines.
“The highest projected positive net trade effect for the Philippines is in lasers, other than laser diodes, other optical appliances and instruments not elsewhere classified, rising by US$37.3 million. This gain is driven by China’s expected contraction by US$777.2 million,” the study noted.
The Philippines is also seen to gain in the trade of seats and parts thereof with an anticipated increase of $18.2 million, the report said.
“This again results from the significant US$7.4-billion net trade reduction for China. Among the selected countries, Canada stands to gain the most at $110.6 million,” the study noted.
Meanwhile, a $17.3-million boost in Philippine trade of suits, ensembles, jackets, dresses, skirts, divided skirts, trousers, bib and brace overalls, breeches, and shorts, is also expected.
Philippine net trade in jerseys, pullovers, cardigans, waistcoats, and similar articles (HS 6110) would increase by US$17 million.
Embassy said, “the examination of visa applications for tourism purposes which normally took five working days, might now take several weeks—period longer than the standard processing time.”
The Embassy reiterated that due to the surge in visa applications from the Philippines particularly after the Covid-19 pandemic, and to “further revitalize people-to-people exchanges between Japan and the Philippines, we are currently preparing for the transition to a new examination system [visa center system] to maintain the quality and enhance the efficiency of visa processing.”
Will VFS take over?
ASKED if this meant the Embassy will be subcontracting its visa services to a third-party provider such as VFS, which is used by other
The remaining products expected to have the “highest gains” for the Philippines are knitted or crocheted garments “not elsewhere classified”; cement, concrete or artificial stone; men’s suits, ensembles, jackets, blazers, trousers, bib and brace overalls, breeches, shorts; festive, carnival, or other entertainment articles; and electro-magnets.
To overcome the challenges posed by potential changes in US tariff policies, the study said the Philippines “must address both immediate and long-term barriers.”
For one, the study underscored the importance of diversifying export markets by strengthening trade relations with alternative countries. This “may reduce reliance on the US, while pursuing preferential access to the US market can help sustain existing trade flows.”
“On the domestic front, fostering industrial development and implementing trade facilitation measures are critical to enhance the country’s economic resilience amidst the evolving global landscape,” the report underscored further.
For the top five products that would be “negatively” affected by the US tariff pronouncements, the study said China, Hong Kong and Germany “emerge as prominent global importers.”
“By focusing on these markets, the Philippines can strengthen trade and investment missions and explore opportunities to negotiate trade agreements, thereby enhancing access and competitiveness in these markets,” the CPBRD study pointed out.
Latest Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) data showed that in the January to December 2024 period, the United States of America was the Philippines’s top export market, as shipments to the economic powerhouse amounted to $12.12 billion.
Editor: Jennifer A. Ng
SM Prime sets aside ₧33B for shopping malls, offices
By VG Cabuag @villygc
SHOPPING mall operator SM Prime Holdings Inc. on Thursday said is investing up to P33 billion this year in its commercial property businesses, driven by expectations of a sustained recovery in consumer demand and a GDP growth of over 6 percent.
“We expect moderating inflation, easing interest rates and electionrelated spending to fuel our growth in 2025. Our malls should do well, and our office, hotel and convention centers could provide additional upside,” SM Prime President Jeffrey C. Lim said. Election-related expenditures, a cyclical driver of economic expansion in the country, are anticipated to stimulate aggregate demand and spending in various sectors, particularly retail. SM Prime’s extensive
network of 87 shopping malls is strategically positioned to capture this surge, bolstered by strong consumer confidence and increased foot traffic, the company said.
SM Prime has earmarked about P21 billion for the expansion of its malls gross floor area (GFA). New developments will add 205,400 square meters of GFA, while 124,488 square meters of existing mall space will undergo redevelopment. The company anticipates a yearend total GFA of 8.08 million square
meters for its malls portfolio.
SM Prime said it will invest around P6 billion in its hospitality and conventions businesses to build two convention facilities, renovate hotel rooms and add new food and beverage facilities in existing hotels.
Driven by robust demand and gains in lease take-up of existing inventory, SM Offices is investing P6 billion to develop new office towers and work spaces, which includes Six E-Com Center, a two-tower, office complex within the Mall of Asia Complex. Six E-Com Center is designed to cater to technology-driven industries and business process outsourcing firms.
Meanwhile, its parent firm SM Investments Corp. (SMIC) has been awarded the Philippine Capital Market Deal of the Year by International Financing Review Asia (IFR Asia) for its successful issuance of a $500 million five-year bond in 2024.
“This recognition underscores SM Investments’ leadership in the capital markets and the strong confidence of global investors in the company’s financial strength,” the
company said.
IFR Asia cited SMIC’s’ return to the US dollar bond market after a decade-long absence as a significant development for the Philippine corporate sector. The transaction, which was the largest five-year deal by a Philippine corporate in 2024, reopened the market amid volatile conditions and achieved competitive pricing at 35 basis points.
“This landmark transaction represents a major milestone for both SM Investments and the Philippine capital markets. The strong demand from investors reflects confidence in Philippine corporate issuers and underscores SM’s reputation as a stable and well-managed investment option,” Erwin G. Pato, the company’s executive vice president for treasury, finance and planning, said.
IFR Asia noted that SMIC’s bond issuance attracted significant investor interest, given the relative scarcity of corporate issuances from the Philippines in recent years. The transaction also marked the company’s first bond issuance since its $350 million 10-year note in June 2014.
D&L sees silver lining in trade war
HEMICAL manufacturer D&L Industries
CInc. said it sees “significant opportunities” in the changing global trade landscape, marked by potential new tariffs.
“In 2019, the trade war and the generally cautious sentiment globally had an impact on our exports, down 25 percent year-on-year that year,” D&L President and CEO Alvin Lao said.
“Since then, many companies globally have begun restructuring their supply chains to navigate around possible future tariffs. With these adjustments, we anticipate a lesser impact on our export business this time around compared to 2019.”
While volatility is expected in the near-term, D&L said its pricing structure and its ability to adjust selling prices protects the company from wild swings in forex and commodity prices. Leveraging on its research and development capabilities and value-add to customers, D&L anticipates that it will be able to continue adjusting selling prices in the foreseeable future.
“In our view, the apparent trade tensions between the United States and China present opportunities for companies like us to supply to companies who cannot source from either the US or China. Our new plant in Batangas gives us the
capacity and capability to cater to bigger export customers. This puts us in a prime position to capture opportunities arising from the evolving international trade environment,” Lao said.
The company’s export sales, which now accounts about 31 percent of total sales, are rooted in products where the company holds a competitive edge.
These include highly customized products with significant research and development input, which are not replicable, and products leveraging the Philippines’s natural resources, particularly coconut-based products, which benefit from DNL’s strong supply chain.
“The products that we export are generally distinguished by their unique functional and technical properties, making D&L a go-to supplier for many global customers. With an aggressive export strategy and enhanced production capabilities, we maintain our guidance of reaching a 50-percent export sales contribution to total sales over the medium term.”
In January to September of
Clark seen handling more passengers
LUZON International Premiere Airport Development Corp. (Lipad), the operator of Clark International Airport, is expecting a surge in passenger volume this year, driven largely by the transfer of turboprop operations from Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia).
In a roundtable discussion, Lipad CEO Noel Manankil said the airport handled 2.4 million passengers in 2024, a 20-percent increase from 2023’s 2 million passengers.
Initially, Lipad projected 3 million passengers for the year, but with the expected turboprop shift, projections have been revised upwards to 3.3 million to 3.4 million—a potential growth of up to 42 percent increase from last year.
“We have some indication that there will be some shift, when we were doing the projections. It will be tweaked a bit. Our budget for this year originally is actually 3 million passengers. But with the transfer of the turboprops from Naia, we’re looking at anywhere from 3.3 million to 3.4 million passengers,” Manankil said
in a mix of English and the vernacular.
Naia is transferring all turboprop operations to secondary airports like Clark to free up space for bigger jets to fill the slots. The transition will start on March 30 with Cebu Pacific becoming the first carrier to move some of its turboprop operations to Clark.
By October 2025, all turboprop operations at Naia are expected to be completely transferred to other smaller airports.
Manankil said the company is now deploying additional capacity at Clark, which currently has a build capacity of 4 million passengers per year. It has a rated capacity of 8 million, a number that can be reached by deploying fit outs, he said.
He noted that Lipad is closely monitoring traffic trends to determine expansion triggers. Before the holiday season, Clark averaged 8,500 passengers per day, but during peak travel periods, this surged to 10,000 to 12,000 per day. The current daily average has settled at 9,500, with an expected additional 700 passengers per day once the turboprop transfer is fully implemented. Lorenz S. Marasigan
2024, the company saw a 38-percent year-over-year increase in export sales, driven by the exploration of new markets and a surge in global demand for coconut-based products, recognized for their sustainable attributes. The company’s export portfolio remains well-diversified, not relying predominantly on any single region, it said. VG Cabuag
By Lorenz S. Marasigan @lorenzmarasigan
GLOBE Telecom Inc. said on Thursday it has intensified its crackdown on online child sexual exploitation, blocking 3,096 URLs and domains hosting child sexual abuse and exploitation materials (CSAEM) in 2024.
This marks a slight increase from the 3,047 domains restricted in 2023, reflecting the telco’s sustained efforts to make the internet safer for Filipino users, particularly children.
“Safer Internet Day serves as a timely reminder of the need to protect children from online exploitation. Our dedication to addressing online child abuse goes beyond blocking harmful sites. It involves a comprehensive approach that includes technological solutions, strong partnerships, and proactive educational programs,” said Irish Krystle Salandanan-Almeida, Globe’s Chief Privacy Officer.
Globe has invested over $2.7 million in advanced content filtering technologies capable of detecting and blocking illicit materials.
The telco has also partnered with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Philippine Chamber of Telecommunications Operators (PCTO), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) to strengthen its push against Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC).
A study by the US-based National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) has identified the country as one of the top sources of OSAEC content globally.
In October 2024, Globe announced that it started blocking non-photographic imagery of child sexual abuse—those made using artificial intelligence, computergenerated imagery, animation, cartoons, drawings, and other nonlive methods–as it ramps up measures against malicious content.
Globe’s efforts are in line with the Anti-Child Pornography Act of 2009 (Republic Act 9775), which mandates internet service providers to deploy technologies that prevent access to or transmission of child pornography.
Banking&Finance
Bond market strong vs inflation–Manulife IM
THE Philippine bond market will remain unfazed despite inflationary pressures stemming from rising food and fuel prices in January, according to Manulife Investment Management and Trust Corp.
“[B]arring any unforeseen developments, inflation is not anticipated to pose a significant threat to the local bond market,” MIM Head of Fixed Income Jean Olivia de Castro said in a commentary on Thursday.
This comes after inflation remained at 2.9 percent in January 2025, the same rate posted in the previous month, but faster than the 2.8 percent in January 2024, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported on Wednesday.
Food costs rose due to the spillover effect of typhoons from the fourth quarter which reduced agricultural output in the country, de Castro wrote. The three consecutive oil price increases in January also likely sustained upward pressure on oil inflation despite the partial rollback toward the end of the month, she added.
The latest inflation print is within the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) target range of 2 percent to 4 percent in 2025.
“Potential risks such as local weather disturbances and geopolitical tensions must be closely monitored,” de Castro said.
Meanwhile, the government must prioritize strengthening capital formation after the Philippine economy recorded a 5.6 percent growth in 2024, falling short of meeting the
growth target of 6 to 6.5 percent.
Capital formation would help the government to at least achieve the lower end of its growth target pegged at 6 to 8 percent for 2025, according to de Castro.
“This enhances the country’s productive capacity, generates employment opportunities, and ensures long-term economic resilience,” she added.
Moreover, economic growth would be supported by the delayed effects of the BSP’s reduction of key policy rates, delivering a total of 75 basis points (bps) rate cut, and further rate cuts this year, de Castro said.
“By fostering a conducive investment environment and maintaining prudent fiscal and monetary policies, the Philippine economy can work toward achieving its growth objectives,” she added.
BSP Governor and Chairman of the Monetary Board (MB) Eli M. Remolona Jr. said earlier key policy rates could be reduced by 50 bps this year, with the initial 25-bps cut likely to be delivered in the first half of the year while another 25-bps cut will follow in the second half.
Meanwhile, Finance Secretary Ralph G. Recto insists that the “low and steady” inflation in January provides room for the MB, where he also sits as a member, to cut rates to boost household spending and economic growth.
The Monetary Board is set to meet on February 13, its first rate-setting meeting for the year.
Reine Juvierre S. Alberto
Ahead of the game
IFIRST heard the phrase “ahead of the game” from my boss in my first job working in a manufacturing plant for refrigerators and air conditioners. What I understood from him was that you need to be ahead of your competitors in terms of product features, quality, and after-sales service to be successful in the market. Over time, my understanding of it has expanded to mean being proactive, innovative, and well-informed.
In the context of associations which serve as vital hubs for industries, professions, and communities, “ahead of the game” means providing leadership, resources, and advocacy in a rapidly changing environment.
To remain relevant and effective, associations must embody the spirit of being ahead of the game, proactively positioning themselves as leaders and innovators, staying one step ahead of competitors, whether those are other associations, for-profit organizations, or alternative networks vying for member engagement.
The concept extends beyond simply reacting to change; it’s about driving change. Associations ahead of the game set the agenda rather than merely responding to it. Here are key areas where associations can get ahead:
1. Technological adoption. Associations that invest in cutting-edge tools for communication, data analysis, and member engagement create better experiences for their members and stakeholders. Examples include leveraging artificial intelligence for personalized member outreach or adopting virtual reality for immersive learning experiences.
2. Data-driven decision making. By collecting and analyzing member data, associations can predict trends, identify pain points, and tailor their offerings. For example, analyzing attendance patterns at events can help refine future programming to better meet member preferences.
3. Proactive advocacy. Being ahead of the game in advocacy means staying informed about regulatory changes and emerging policy debates, and engaging in those conversations before they reach a critical stage.
4. Member-centric strategies. Associations that continuously seek
BIR takes cue from Marcos against illicit tobacco trade
By Reine Juvierre Alberto @reine_alberto
THE Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) vowed to continue its crackdown on all proliferators of illicit cigarettes and vape products in the country this year as it aims to plug tax leakages from the commodity.
This comes after President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said tax evaders “who continue to circumvent the system” will be held accountable.
“And I say this with hope and with sternness—hope that we all see the value in contributing to our country and that the law will deal sternly against those who exploit the system unfairly,” the President said.
The BIR last year still fell short of collecting right levy on cigarettes after generating P110.33 million from
feedback, monitor industry shifts, and deliver customized solutions will maintain their competitive edge. For example, offering flexible membership models or creating niche communities within the association can address evolving member expectations.
5. Future-focused leadership. Association leaders need to embrace “kaleidoscope thinking,” a mindset that encourages seeing patterns, opportunities, and risks from multiple perspectives. By cultivating diverse leadership teams and fostering a culture of curiosity and innovation, associations can better navigate uncertainty.
To stay ahead, associations need to consider:
n Scenario planning. Develop scenarios for various future possibilities to prepare for both opportunities and disruptions.
n Continuous learning. Encourage staff, volunteers, and members to engage in ongoing education and skill development.
n Collaborative networks. Build alliances with other associations, businesses, and organizations to share insights and amplify impact.
n Agile governance. Ensure that decision-making processes are nimble, allowing the association to pivot quickly when needed.
To be ahead of the game is to be visionary, adaptable, and unafraid to take calculated risks. For associations, this means creating value, not just for today, but for the future. By committing to innovation and foresight, associations can ensure their continued success and significance, becoming the trusted partners their members need in a rapidly changing world. Is your association ahead of the game?
Octavio Peralta is founder and volunteer CEO of the Philippine Council of Associations and Association Executives, the “association of associations.” The views he expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of the BusinessMirror. E-mail: bobby@pcaae.org.
its crackdown on the illicit trade of cigarettes, vape products and other excisable goods.
The BIR only collected P134 billion in excise tax on tobacco last year, P51.3-billion short of the P185.3 billion target.
“For 2025, the BIR will continue to raid stores, warehouses, and establishments found to have illicit vape or cigarettes. This includes the taking down of illicit vape or cigarettes found online,” Internal
Revenue loss from illicit tobacco trade flagged
By Butch Fernandez @butchfBM
AS the government struggles with a huge fiscal deficit that it must fill with more borrowings or tighter collection or new taxes, Senator Sherwin T. Gatchalian has flagged an estimated P50-billion revenue leakage in 2024 from the increasing illicit trade in cigarettes and the misdeclaration of vapor products.
Of the estimated total tax leakage last year, the illicit trade of cigarettes alone resulted in a revenue leakage of P34.37 billion. The misdeclaration of vapor products accounted for P14.84 billion in tax leakages, while the illicit trade in heated tobacco products contributed P840 million in tax leakages.
These figures from the Senate Committee on Ways and Means were based on data from the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).
“This is a cause for concern because illicit trade not only results in
revenue loss for the government but also exacerbates health risks associated with smoking and vaping,” said Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. The estimated excise tax leakages due to the illicit trade of cigarettes and misdeclaration of vapor products increased from P13.9 billion in 2019, P26.3 billion in 2020, P32.5 billion in 2021, P39.3 billion in 2022 and P48.3 billion in 2023.
Meanwhile, tax leakage due to illicit trade is projected to reach P54.1 billion this year, increasing further to P58.2 billion in 2026, P62.1 billion in 2027, and P65.9 billion by 2028.
Gatchalian emphasized it is imperative for the government to address illicit trade, which makes cigarettes and vapes affordable to pricesensitive groups like adolescents.
Addressing illicit trade would not only improve the collection of excise tax from cigarettes and vapes but could also deter smoking and vaping among young people, he said.
BREAKING GROUND
Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) Chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco (extreme left) and SMC Chairman Ramon S. Ang (2nd from right) led the ceremonial laying of the time capsule during the groundbreaking for the Pagcor Corporate Center, which will be built by SMC. With them are the members of the Pagcor Board, SMC officials and Rev. Fr. Carmelo A. Caluag, who blessed the site. CREDIT: PHILIPPINE AMUSEMENT AND GAMING CORP.
NO ID? No problem. Filipinos who would like to open accounts with e-wallet HelloMoney can now do so even without an Identification card.
Through its partnership with the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the HelloMoney operated by the Asia United Bank Corp. (AUB) now only requires facial recognition and a “liveness” test to create accounts.
According to the AUB, this means HelloMoney customers will no longer be required to present two valid IDs and fill out forms to open accounts. The bank believes this can greatly contribute to financial inclusion in the country.
“A National ID is a little piece of ‘identity real estate’ issued by the government,” AUB President Manuel A. Gomez said in a speech during the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signing ceremony with PSA on Thursday.
“But more than that, our National ID serves as a golden key — with it, we can gain access to government services, authenticate transactions with private companies, and confirm our identity for various other purposes. It’s also a potent digital marvel as it includes biometric data such as fingerprints, facial images, and iris patterns,” Gomez added.
Gomez said since September 16, 2024 when AUB pioneered the coun-
Revenue Commissioner Romeo D. Lumagui Jr. said.
“It does not matter whether the criminal is engaged in large-scale or small-scale operations. Both are criminal operations,” Lumagui added.
Last year, the BIR raided several warehouses and factories of illicit cigarettes with an estimated total tax liability of P23.107 billion.
Lumagui has told reporters that the BIR will continue to monitor the growing industry of illicit cigarette and vape products trade.
“We will further intensify our campaign on this, and more cases will be filed against those involved,” the BIR chief said. The proposed bill rationalizing excise tax rates on tobacco and vape products was passed on the third reading at the House of Representatives.
Lumagui said he expects this to be passed this year to help the bureau generate the just and much-needed revenues from the commodities.
FILIPINOS in Japan can continue sending their remittances to their families through the International Money Transfer app of Seven Bank Ltd. on their mobile phones after it and BDO Unibank Inc. (BDO) renewed their partnership in delivering convenient and round the clock remittance transfer money from Japan to the Philippines.
Apart from remittance services, BDO and Seven Bank are exploring more opportunities for their partnership to expand across other products and services.
“We saw that one hurdle for Filipino workers in Japan is visiting banks and remittance centers during daytime because of their work schedule,” BDO Senior Vice President and head of Remittance, Genie T. Gloria, said.
“Our alliance with Seven Bank is a game changer, allowing 24x7 remittance through their mobile app and ATM network of 27,000 all over Japan,” she added.
The alliance of BDO and Seven Bank was first announced back in 2017. Now seven years later, both banks recognize that collaboration has brought many benefits to their customers.
“For Filipinos living in Japan, everybody knows BDO, and everybody feels secure and safe with the BDO network. Filipinos in Japan also know Seven Bank. They know BDO and Seven Bank as trustworthy and reliable banks,” President and Representative Director of Seven Bank Masaaki Matsuhashi said.
BDO said its “Kabayan Savings”
try’s first fully digital registration using the National ID, the e-wallet has gained around 94,000 new HelloMoney users as of February 3, 2025.
“With this, we expect our six million HelloMoney customer accounts to further grow, as we bring the benefits of the National ID closer to more Filipinos through this colocation agreement with the PSA,” Gomez said. Under its latest partnership agreement, AUB said it will join the PSA in its mobile registration activities, allowing unbanked Filipinos and underserved Filipinos who already registered with the National ID system to open a HelloMoney e-wallet account.
“The reason why the excise tax collection on cigarettes is decreasing primarily because of the shift in consumer preference from traditional tobacco cigarettes to vape products,” he said. “It is important to equalize that because that is one of the big tax leakage that we see.”
Aside from illicit trade, the BIR’s Run After Fake Transactions (RAFT) campaign has yielded P4.3 billion for the agency in 2024. Since 2024, the Department of Justice (DOJ) has been regularly releasing favorable decisions to the criminal cases filed by the RAFT task force against buyers of ghost receipts. As a matter of course, the Courts will be issuing the warrants of arrest against the responsible corporate officers.
The RAFT also contributed to the rise in voluntary compliance in Value-Added Tax (VAT) collection last year, which helped the BIR to achieve its total revenue target.
beneficiaries can easily receive and withdraw money 24x7 from any parts of the Philippines through BDO’s over 5,700 ATMs. There’s also the “Cash Pick-up Anywhere,” where they can claim money at more than 14,000 locations nationwide including from over 1,700 BDO and BDO Network Bank branches; BDO Remit counters inside SM malls; and more than 12,000 Cash Agad partner-agents.
Matsuhashi also recognized BDO’s reliability as a partner and in delivering services to its customers.
“In the remittance business in general, there are some cases wherein the remittance failed to be sent. With BDO, all transactions are successfully sent by the senders and received by the beneficiaries. This is one of the strengths BDO has,” Matsuhashi said.
Seven Bank’s positive views and experience are shared by BDO’s vast and long-standing network of remittance partners from different parts of the globe, including North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific.
In November 2024, data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) showed cash remittances grew to $2.81 billion in November 2024, higher by 3.3 percent from $2.72 billion in November a year ago. However, cash remittances dropped in November 2024 from $3.079 billion in October 2024.
During the 11-month period, cash remittances went up by 3 percent to $31.11 billion from $30.21 billion recorded during the same period in 2023. Cai U. Ordinario
Aside from enabling users to open an account without going to a physical branch and perform bankto-bank fund transfers, HelloMoney can also be used to buy prepaid load, remit money through PeraPadala, pay via QR code, settle bills, withdraw via ATM, and shop online using the HelloMoney’s very own virtual Mastercard. The e-wallet also enables members of state-owned pension fund Pag-IBIG Fund to manage their account and perform banking transactions through the Hello Pag-IBIG app. As of end-December 2024, the PSA has already registered around 91 million Filipinos in the National ID system. Cai U. Ordinario
Octavio Peralta
A ssociation World
A Waitangi night full of promise
WAITANGI Day is a special public holiday in New Zealand that commemorates the country’s founding while respecting the rights of native Maoris’ and their heritage. In a sense, it aims to celebrate the partnership of the colonialists from the British Crown with the rightful owners of the land.
Often celebrated on February 6, the New Zealand Embassy in the Philippines marked Waitangi Day on February 4, with a get-together with their own partners from the diplomatic community, the private sector, and media.
Ambassador Dr. Catherine McIntosh, who I had met during Bangko Sentral Bankers’ Night in January, was just delightful and eager to practice her knowledge of the Filipino language in her speech, although she did describe it as “sobrang mahirap [very difficult].”
Despite the challenging tongue, she went on to regale guests with her rendition of “Bongga Ka ‘Day,” which would certainly make our late friend Dennis Garcia of the Hotdog band proud. (Dennis and his brother Rene, who has since passed away as well, were co-founders of the popular 1970s band and composed the mega-hit, a take on the gay slang back in the day.)
Among the VIP guests enjoying the event were US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay L. Carlson, our own Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Gary Domingo, Philippine Airlines President and COO Capt. Stanley Ng, former Energy Secretary Vince Perez who now chairs his “new raket” (his words, not mine) Alternergy, a renewable energy company.
I also espied our former media colleague Margaux Salcedo, who is now Budget Undersecretary, chatting with Archbishop Charles John Brown, the Papal Nuncio to the Philippines and head of the Diplomatic Corps. I had to jokingly ask if she was again seeking divine intervention to find a husband. (Kasi naman, go to Sunday Mass in the morning daw, Usec, said your favorite feng shui expert!)
I also managed to catch our current Energy Secretary Popo Lotilla making his way to the party just as I was leaving for another pressing engagement, and greeted Tourism Undersecretary Verna Buensuceso, as well.
Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro and Climate Change Commission Executive Director Robert
talks between her government and the Philippines for that she hoped to firm up an agreement “within the first semester of the year.”
To my question on bilateral trade, she said, “I’m delighted that two-way trade has now returned—and not only just returned but [even] surpassed prepandemic levels. We’re excited about that, and also the fact that we hope to launch this year a Joint Economic Forum to look at other ways to increase trade and investment flows.”
She also underscored that “New Zealand wine is some of the best in the world, and so I’m so delighted to see lots of New Zealand wines on the shelves here in Manila, but we’d love to sell more.”
She even recommended Sauvignon Blancs from the Marlborough region, as it can “be paired really beautifully with a mango salad and some grilled shrimp.” (New Zealand’s Sauvignon Blancs have been constantly winning international competitions for years, even sometimes beating out the French competion. I also love their Pinot Noirs.)
While I failed to ask about it, I know that New Zealand also considers the Philippines a good market for its kiwi, and in one of the my interviews with Zespri, a marketing firm, they even wanted to try growing the delicious fruit in either Baguio or Bukidnon. Lamb is also among the exports to the Philippines, as I often buy their lamb shoulder and lamb chops from the supermarket.
According to the New Zealand statistics web site,
in 2023 New Zealand exported $955.22 million of total goods and services to Philippines and imported $385.78 million, representing a trade balance of $569.44 million and a total trade value of $1.34 billion. Because of our participation in the Asean-Australia New Zealand Free Trade Area, much of our two-way trade with New Zealand is duty-free.
New Zealand’s top exports that year were dairy and travel—who hasn’t purchased cartons of full cream cow’s milk from New Zealand? And since the Lord of the Rings series, which filmed largely in that country, tourism there has been brisk.
In fact, data from our own Department of Tourism showed that last year, 44,714 Filipinos traveled to New Zealand (although this may include Filipinos who went there for work or to immigrate). But the number of New Zealand tourists here have also been gradually recovering, rising to 28,193 last year, which was 75 percent of the prepandemic visitors of 37,872. Hopefully, we will see more Kiwis visiting this year.
In her speech that evening, Amb. McIntosh described the past year as “nothing short of extraordinary. It has marked a real turning point in our bilateral relationship,” with visits in Manila by their Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, followed by Foreign Minister Winston Peters.
“Their visits reinforced what we already knew—our friendship is strong, and the road ahead is full of promise. We are now moving toward a Comprehensive Partnership. This ambitious step reflects the trust and opportunities that define our ties. It reflects the priority New Zealand is placing on the Philippines. It’s a call for us to drive progress across four pillars: political relationships, trade and climate, defence and people links.”
She noted, “Trade continues to grow. In fact Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr. set a goal to increase two-way trade by 50 percent by 2030. We are proud to see New Zealand companies achieving success here,” citing the presence of representatives from Shott beverages, Manuka Health, COMVITA, and Kingson Rockit Apples.
In turn, she noted that her country is also eager to receive Philippine mangoes: “Sa palagay ko pinakamasarap ang mangga dito sa buong mundo [I believe the mangoes here are the most delicious in the world]. So I was delighted to visit Mindanao recently and wtiness New Zealand’s project to ready high-quality mangoes for export.”
And while Amb. McIntosh didn’t mention it, New Zealand has also become a haven for many Filipinos seeking a better life for their families. According to their Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, “Filipinos in New Zealand form a vibrant and fast-growing community with over 100,000 Filipinos living in New Zealand. The population has grown rapidly since the 1990s, driven by skilled migration and family ties.”
For these reasons, we say “Tēnā koe” to our friends and partners in New Zealand, and greet them Te Wharepora Hou on their special day. ■
Eugenia Last
20): Concentrate on helping yourself before focusing on helping others. Make gaining stability a priority, and you will be in a better position to reach out and make a difference. Think big, but put a strict budget in place and stick to it. A change will do you good.
CANCER (June 21-July 22): Combine energy, integrity and determination, and you’ll rise above anyone who gets in your way. Embrace what resonates with you most, and don’t hesitate to go directly to the source with your grievances and some positive suggestions. ★★★
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Plant your feet firmly on the ground regardless of the temptation you face. It’s better to do what’s right and avoid backlash than to take a risk that can cost you financially, emotionally or physically. Learn from your mistakes and let go of who and what holds you back. ★★★★
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): A plan that frees up time and allows you to work toward something you enjoy or offers higher returns looks promising, but first, build a safety net before you begin. Resist taking on too much prematurely. ★★★
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Remain calm, view the situation and summarize what it will take to navigate your way forward with the least friction. Build a circle that supports your long-term goals, and you will gain momentum while gathering positive input to attract success. Self-improvement projects, plus partnerships, romance, communication and learning, are highlighted. ★★★★★
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): You’ll have choices. Set priorities to ensure you reach your target. Take care of responsibilities before you indulge in socializing or creative endeavors. A clear head and calendar will make life easier and more enjoyable. A domestic change will turn out better than anticipated. ★★★
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Refrain from letting what others do put a strain on your plans. Follow your instincts and do whatever promises peace of mind and happiness. It’s up to you to leave what you cannot control alone and pour your energy into pleasing yourself and your loved ones.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Put your heart and soul into meaningful relationships, getting ahead and making your life sustainable. Change what doesn’t feel right and say no to temptation and those trying to manipulate you. ★★★
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Formulate a plan and stick to it until you reach your objective. Your determination and courage will help you start and recognize that you have the power, persistence, enthusiasm and positive attitude to get things done. You’ve got this; go do your thing and enjoy the results. ★★★★★
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Observation is necessary to sidestep drama. Focus on something that pleases you or makes you feel good
AMBASSADOR McIntosh (center) leads the toast to a successful partnership between New Zealand and the Philippines with Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro (right) and Climate Change Commission Executive Director Robert E.A. Borje.
Show BusinessMirror
Praying to the ‘God of Ramen’ and for the ‘Bread of Happiness’
THESE must be two of the most delicious reviews I have ever written: one is a documentary called The God of Ramen and the other is a full-length feature film The Bread of Happiness. The docu, for all its gritty fact, is definitely moving, while the film about breads brings on a real scent of sweetness and bitterness. After all, the story about Yamagishi, the one who concocted the ultimate ramen recipe, and the film of a couple setting up a bakery and cafe with a small inn on the second floor are unabashed fairy tales. Call them children’s stories as well; embrace them as feel-good narratives about the ordinary objects and foods in life extraordinarily told from the endearing perspectives of the ephemerally human.
How can a bowl of ramen be so different from other ramen that a two-hour long line can be seen outside a shop in one of the less tonier sides of Ikebukuro, a district in Tokyo noted for girlie bars?
A customer explains: it’s the old man, referring to Yamagishi, who because of his bulk does not really look old. The customer hastens to add: it’s a religion. Could this refer to the belief in Yamagishi or does this speak of the ardor with which the Japanese put into their favorite food?
I’d like to believe it is the Yamagishi factor (the “chef”) that is at work in The God of Ramen. There is something about a man who does all the testing of the soup meant for the ramen. He makes sure all the necessary ingredients go into the pot. He also makes his own noodles, which he starts doing early in the morning. He is the first to wake up, at 4 in the morning.
Then the first customers begin to gather. At 8 or 9 in the morning, the lines are starting to form. Then the service begins in what must be the narrowest kitchen in the world. Yamagishi squeezes himself between the pots and the apprentices standing against the wall.
What are these apprentices doing in that place Yamagishi calls “Teishoken?” They are learning the
Blake Lively slapped
A TEXAS crisis communications specialist has sued Blake Lively for defamation after the actor pulled him into her legal fight with co-star and director Justin Baldoni over their film It Ends With Us. Jed Wallace and his company, Street Relations, filed the $7 million lawsuit in federal court in Texas on Tuesday.
It says he had nothing to do with any campaign to harm Lively’s reputation as she alleged in a court filing.
Wallace is not among the defendants in Lively’s federal lawsuit against Baldoni, his production company and publicists, in which she alleges sexual and other harassment during the production and a campaign to smear her after it.
tricks of the trade. Because for all the mystery behind the popular taste of his ramen, there are no secrets between Yamagishi and his followers. To the dismay of his avid supporters, Yamagishi shares all the tips he could give to anyone willing to learn from him, the Master.
But our god has feet or legs of soft clay: Yamagishi is suffering from a kind of arthritis and the doctor says soon he may not be able to walk.
What happens when Yamagishi is not in the kitchen anymore? Will the customers notice? And will they stay for another chef?
The God of Ramen begins with ramen but does not end with that delicious bowl. The documentary shows us the impractical, almost fanatical obsession of the Japanese when a place, object, or person becomes a legendary or iconic element of their society. Think Pokémon. Think Tamagochi. Think ramen of Teishoken. But we know there is no forever. Let us think of how many objects really never last in Japanese culture. Amid good business, one day the place where the famous noodle store is located has to give way to the urbanization of the place. The ramen-ya has to go.
And the customers have to jostle with each other to be able to eat “for the last time” the ramen of Yamagishi.
Everything has to go—including the room at the back area of the kitchen that Yamagishi refuses to show to the camera. It is the room that he shared once with his wife. She died of cancer and Yamagishi closed down that room—and the past with it. He refuses to talk about that part of his life.
Poignant without being pathetic, the documentary discloses the Japanese sense of place. Note how the docu begins with the sylvan setting, which then reappears towards the end. We are journeying with Yamagishi and his return to his roots in Nagano. It is a kind of conceit that this gritty film about a vanishing Japan is bracketed by a seemingly eternal landscape of a rural site, where childhood is reconstructed and constructed.
The God of Ramen is written by Hiromitsu Iwaida and directed by Takashi Innami.
This documentary has what I may call a “companion piece” in the form of a light and endearing film called Bread of Happiness. The film is about a couple whose bake shop-cum-cafe provides a good cup of coffee and a seasonal bread for the delectation and relief of a young Tokyo girl nursing a heartbreak, a young man whose Sisyphian task is to turn the railroad tracks each day to change the direction of the train, and an elderly couple reminiscing their golden years and, it seems, contemplating the end.
With a production design whose color palette
comes straight from Studio Ghibli, Bread of Happiness is filled with images of the moon, flowers, and quiet country roads. The film is a terrific shot in the arms of anyone going through sad days and lonesome nights. The tales of love lost from the man that got away to a mother leaving a daughter in the middle of the night, to the couple finding solace in the light of the moon, and the husband and wife terrifically happy and sad with each other, are as rare as the breads baked each morning and as appropriate as the glass artist who, like the universe, hears anyone’s wishes always at all. Bread of Happiness stars Tomoyo Harada, Yo Oizumi and Kanna Mori. It is written and directed by Yukiko Mishima. Cinematography (a source of enchantment for this film) is Ryu Segawa.
The God of Ramen and the Bread of Happiness both stream on JFF Theater, where one can watch free Japanese movies online with multilingual subtitles. JFF is operated by Japan Foundation. n
with another ‘It Ends With Us’ lawsuit
The crisis specialist is named in the court papers and the New York Times story published on the day the series of legal battles began in December when Lively filed a complaint.
Lively’s lawyers said in a statement that Wallace’s lawsuit “is not just a publicity stunt.”
“It is transparent retaliation in response to allegations contained within a sexual harassment and retaliation complaint that Ms. Lively filed with the California Civil Rights Department,” the statement said. “While this lawsuit will be dismissed, we are pleased that Mr. Wallace has finally emerged from the shadows, and that he too will be held accountable in federal court.”
In a filing last week in Hays County, Texas, that seeks a deposition from Wallace, Lively alleges he was used by publicists working with Baldoni to weaponize “a digital army around the country, including in New York and Los Angeles, to create, seed, manipulate and advance disparaging content that appeared to be authentic on social media platforms and internet chat forums.”
Wallace’s lawsuit says neither he nor his company “had anything to do with the alleged sexual harassment, retaliation, failure to investigate or aiding and abetting the alleged harassment or alleged retaliation.”
It says the actor’s Texas filing “conceded that Lively has no facts supporting the allegations she made against Wallace and Street,” which is why she now seeks to investigate the extent of his conduct.
After Lively sued Baldoni, he filed his own federal lawsuit against her and her husband, Deadpool star Ryan Reynolds, accusing them of defamation and extortion and seeking at least $400 million in damages.
Baldoni had already sued The New York Times for libel, and his former publicist filed a lawsuit taking Lively’s side. AP
GMA Network personalities honored by Fil-Chinese chamber
IN recognition of their outstanding contributions to Philippine society, artists and personalities of GMA Network were honored with the Most Outstanding Achievement award by the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. (FFCCCII) at an awards ceremony held on January 29.
This year’s awardees include the country’s most-awarded broadcast journalist Jessica Soho, multiawarded actor Dennis Trillo, National Artist Ricky Lee, Sparkle GMA Artist Center’s Michelle Dee, and television host Chris Tiu.
Soho hosts the country’s No. 1 TV show in 2024, the award-winning and multi-platform leader Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho. Trillo, on the other hand, recently won the Best Actor Award at the 2024
Metro Manila Film Festival for his performance in the drama Green Bones Ricky Lee, one of the screenwriters behind the film, was also honored with the Best Screenplay Award. Dee was Miss Universe Philippines 2023 and is part of the powerhouse ensemble of actors in the GMA primetime series Lolong: Bayani ng Bayan Tiu, meanwhile, co-hosts the educational children’s science program iBilib
The awards bestowed by the FFCCCII is given to exceptional Filipinos of Chinese descent whose talent and other contributions enrich Philippine society. The FFCCCII is a non-stock, non-profit federation, and has brought together over 170 business and trade associations. It is the largest organization of FilipinoChinese entrepreneurs, philanthropists, and businesses.
Renée Zellweger returns for one last chapter as Bridget Jones
FOLLOW Bridget Jones in another comedic and heartfelt chapter to her story, Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy. Renée Zellweger reprises her role as romanticcomedy icon Bridget Jones who tries to rekindle the spark in her life after the death of her husband Mark Darcy, played by Colin Firth. Now a single mother to two children, her loved ones encourage her into pursuing a new path into life and love, often with hilarious results.
The film also stars Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson, Leo Woodall, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Isla Fisher. Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy is the perfect Valentine’s Day movie as it opens in Philippine theaters on February 12. Two-time Academy Award winner Renée Zellweger returns to the role that established a romantic-comedy heroine for the ages, a woman whose inimitable approach to life and love redefined an entire film genre.
Bridget Jones first blasted onto bookshelves in Helen Fielding’s literary phenomenon Bridget Jones’s Diary, which became a global bestseller and a blockbuster film. As a single career woman living in London, Bridget Jones not only introduced the world to her romantic adventures, but added “Singletons,” “SmugMarrieds” and “f---wittage” into the global lexicon. Bridget’s ability to triumph despite adversity led her to finally marry top lawyer Mark Darcy and to become the mother of their baby boy. Happiness at last.
But in Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, Bridget is alone once again, widowed four years ago, when Mark was killed on a humanitarian mission in Sudan. She’s now a single mother to 9-year-old Billy and 4-yearold Mabel, and is stuck in a state of emotional limbo, raising her children with help from her loyal friends and even her former lover, Daniel Cleaver (Hugh Grant).
Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy is directed by filmmaker Michael Morris (To Leslie, Better Call Saul), from a screenplay by BAFTA nominee Helen Fielding.
RENÉE ZELLWEGER (left) and
in Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy.
Fashion designer Francis Libiran designs for Our Home
OUR HOME proudly announces its exciting collaboration with renowned fashion designer Francis Libiran for his debut home collection. Known for crafting pieces that balance beauty and functionality, OUR HOME serves as the perfect platform for Libiran’s unparalleled artistry to extend into the world of interiors. This exclusive collection epitomizes sophistication, practicality, and the distinct style that has made Francis Libiran a name synonymous with elegance.
“This partnership is a heartfelt tribute to the people who have shaped my life, with each piece telling its own unique story,” Libiran said.
A graduate of Architecture, Libiran expresses his gratitude for this collaboration, stating, “I am thrilled to work with OUR HOME, a brand that aligns with my vision of blending art and functionality. This collection allows me to showcase my creativity not just in fashion but in crafting spaces that embody beauty and meaning. A true Filipino home is not merely defined by its structure but by the warmth and cultural touches that reflect our heritage and the love shared by the family within.”
This partnership seamlessly marries Libiran’s signature design sensibility with OUR HOME’s trusted reputation for curating elegant and contemporary home pieces. Libiran’s debut into home design bridges the worlds of couture and interiors, offering a collection that transforms celebrated style into functional art. Homeowners can now infuse their spaces with the same elegance that graces the runway.
Libiran’s collection goes beyond décor; it’s an invitation to create spaces that reflect beauty, serenity, and individuality. From statement accent chairs to plush cushions and delicately crafted candles and scents, each piece is thoughtfully designed to inspire
Libiran and his Ellison Accent Chair and elevate home living. True to his artistry, the collection features Libiran’s signature elements: intricate details, timeless appeal, and impeccable craftsmanship—each piece telling a story of elegance, creativity, and joy. A centerpiece of the collection is the six accent chairs, each inspired by people close to Libiran’s heart. Combining comfort and style, these chairs create sophisticated focal points for any room and are crafted in timeless color palettes using premium materials. Complementing the chairs are soft, stylish cushions adorned with intricate patterns and textures, adding subtle elegance to any space. The collection also includes scents and candles that evoke tranquility and luxury, transforming spaces into serene retreats while embodying Libiran’s refined aesthetic
with subtle fragrances and sleek designs.
This exclusive collection is a testament to Libiran’s dedication to artistry and OUR HOME’s commitment to helping customers create beautiful, meaningful spaces. Together, they invite you to experience the perfect fusion of couture and interiors, where every piece tells a story and every home becomes a masterpiece.
The Francis Libiran Home Collection is available exclusively at OUR HOME stores and online in limited quantities. Only at OUR HOME – Great Designs, Great Prices! Visit any of the 33 OUR HOME stores nationwide (www.ourhome.ph/pages/ branches), shop at our website, www. ourhome.ph or contact our Call-to-Deliver hotline at 0917-8315260.
DigiPlus bags triple honors at 60th Anvil Awards
and community empowerment.
DIGIPLUS Interactive, the company behind leading digital entertainment platforms BingoPlus, ArenaPlus, and GameZone, secured three honors at the 60th Anvil Awards. Recognized as the gold standard of public relations excellence in the Philippines, the Anvil Awards celebrate outstanding programs and tools that elevate the field of communications and public relations.
DigiPlus was honored with a Gold Anvil for its transformative corporate rebranding campaign, “DigiPlus Reimagined: Pioneering Fun, Technology, and Community,” which highlighted the company’s evolution from a traditional leisure and resorts operator to a leader in digital entertainment. Additionally, DigiPlus garnered two Silver Anvils: one for its 2023 Integrated Report, “Ushering a New Era of Digital Entertainment,” and another for BingoPlus Foundation’s “FutureSmart” program, an initiative dedicated to empowering the next generation of innovators through education.
The rebranding initiative, developed in collaboration with global brand specialist Landor, encapsulated DigiPlus’ commitment to harness technology and innovation to
deliver new forms of entertainment for Filipinos. This strategic transformation not only revitalized the company’s visual identity but also reinforced its mission to deliver immersive and enjoyable experiences through its products.
The 2023 Integrated Report chronicles DigiPlus’ strategic direction, financial and operational performance, as well as its performance around environmental, social, and governance metrics. The report follows the Integrated Report framework, which adheres to the highest global standards of annual reporting.
“These accolades from Anvil highlight DigiPlus’ commitment to innovation, transparency, and building strong connections with our stakeholders,” said Celeste Jovenir, Vice President for Investor Relations, Corporate Communications, and Sustainability. “The award for our corporate rebranding celebrates our bold transformation into a digital entertainment leader, while the recognition for our Integrated Report underscores our dedication to global standards of accountability and transparency. These achievements inspire us to deliver even
Mang Inasal celebrates triple victory at the 60th Anvil Awards
SHOWCASING its excellence in innovative and consumer-focused public relations, Mang Inasal, the Philippines’ Grill Expert, was honored with two Golds and one Silver at the prestigious 60th Anvil Awards held recently at the Fiesta Pavilion of Manila Hotel. The brand’s standout programs included Pork BBQ Media Launch, #MangInasalKahitSaan Digital and PR campaign, and «Love the Flavors, Love the Philippines.»
Competing against over 586 entries, Mang Inasal stood out for its creativity and impactful execution in 2024, bringing home Anvils in various categories.
“These Anvil awards are more than just recognitions; they’re a testament to our dedication to connecting with our customers in meaningful ways,” said Mang Inasal President Mike V. Castro. “This honor tells us that our efforts, whether in-store or online, truly resonate with our customers. It drives us to keep improving, listen to their needs, and find new ways to serve them better. This is a shared victory with our customers; they inspire everything we do.”
Among the winning campaigns, the Pork BBQ Media Launch won Gold under the PR Programs – Marketing and Brand Communication category, making waves in mid2024 with a star-powered media event and social media buzz that showcased the brand’s Pork BBQ as a must-try offering, particularly popular among younger audiences.
Meanwhile, #MangInasalKahitSaan Digital and PR campaign was awarded Gold under the PR Programs - Best Use of Digital category. The campaign took the delivery group’s creative use of giant order numbers with QR codes linking to manginasaldelivery.com.ph and turned it into an online sensation. Leveraging digital
influencers, media coverage, and social media buzz, the campaign generated nationwide excitement, amplifying attention on Mang Inasal’s delivery service and driving conversations across platforms.
Finally, the “Love the Flavors, Love the Philippines,” which was recognized with Silver award in the PR Programs – Arts & Culture/Heritage/Tourism category, stands as a powerful collaboration with the Philippine Department of Tourism. It shines a spotlight on Filipino cuisine, helping elevate local flavors globally, celebrating our flavors and strengthening national pride. Following up on its outstanding performance at the 59th Anvil Awards, where Mang Inasal won four Golds and one Silver, this year’s success solidifies the brand›s ongoing commitment to excellence and innovation in PR. Annually presented by the Public Relations Society of the Philippines (PRSP), the Anvil Awards, also known as the ‘Oscars of Public Relations’ in the Philippines, honor the country’s best PR campaigns and tools executed by the largest companies, agencies, and institutions. As a benchmark of excellence in public relations and business communications, the awards are judged through a comprehensive three-phase evaluation by expert panels, including distinguished jurors from both the Philippines and overseas.
Celebrate Love in Grand Style: Dusit Davao Hotels Unveil Romantic Valentine’s Day Promos
THIS Valentine’s Day, make it a celebration to remember at dusitD2 Davao and Dusit Thani Residence Davao. With thoughtfully curated dining experiences and enchanting entertainment, Dusit Davao Hotels set the stage for love to shine.
Whether you are planning for an intimate evening or a delightful feast, our Valentine’s Day offerings are designed to create cherished moments with the one you love.
greater value to our customers, investors, and communities.”
BingoPlus Foundation’s FutureSmart Program was recognized for its transformative impact on marginalized communities. In 2024, the program reached 5,332 individuals, focusing on IT education, digital literacy, and inclusive livelihood powered by technology. Initiatives included providing 60 scholarships to IT students across 20 universities nationwide and introducing the P.L.U.S. Factor development program to equip scholars with critical workplace skills. The Coding for Kids initiative brought robotics and programming to 4,853 students in the Visayas, alongside training for 213 teachers. The program also launched PLUS Tech Centers, providing computers and digital skills training to underserved communities. These centers aim to bridge the digital divide and create more inclusive job opportunities for marginalized sectors, reinforcing BingoPlus Foundation’s commitment to education, technology, and livelihood empowerment.
“We are honored to receive an Anvil for BingoPlus Foundation’s FutureSmart Program. This recognition reaffirms our commitment to uplifting communities through education, technology, and livelihood opportunities. FutureSmart is a testament to how we aim to create lasting, positive change by preparing individuals for a brighter and more sustainable future, said Angela CaminsWieneke, Executive Director of the BingoPlus Foundation.
DigiPlus remains steadfast in its mission to bring cutting-edge entertainment platforms to Filipinos while making meaningful contributions to society through its social responsibility programs.
intimate set dinner in the ballroom or a romantic buffet at Madayaw Café, Dusit Davao sets the perfect stage for your love celebration.
TO celebrate its 12th anniversary, Solaire Resort Entertainment City welcomes beverage experts from around the world to share their signature drinks that pair perfectly with the culinary creations of Michelin Star chefs Jun Yukimura, Sun Kim, and Heinz Beck. These award-winning mixologists and “masters” of their craft have worked closely with the chefs to give guests an extraordinary dining experience to remember. Starting February 28 until March 16, 2025 catch these experts’ collaboration with the chefs at Yakumi, Waterside, and Finestra. For their own bar takeovers, visit Baccarat Room & Bar and Whisky Bar. Renowned mixologist Shingo Gokan and Sake Master Brewer Akihiro Igarashi, joins Michelin Star chef Jun Yukimura at Yakumi for an exquisite drink pairing dinner from February 28 to March 1 at 6 pm. Akihiro crafts highquality sakes deeply rooted in Japan’s sake traditions. He is a Board Member and Director General of the Kagamiyama Brewery in Japan. Shingo, on the other hand, is known for his innovative bar concepts and cocktail executions. He owns multiple bars including SG Club in Tokyo, The Odd Couple in Shanghai, Gokan in Hong Kong, and more. Discover cocktail flavors with a modern flair at his bar takeover in Baccarat Room & Bar at 8 pm. On March 2, indulge in an elegant Sunday brunch with Chef Yukimura’s signature dishes paired with unique cocktail flavors and premium sakes. Tea Master He Jia adds to the list as she spotlights Waterside alongside Michelin Star chef Sun Kim, owner of Meta, a 2-Michelin Star restaurant in Singapore. She is recognized for her expertise in the art of tea making and the ability to educate others about the intricate processes of selecting and preparing tea.
Hearts on a Plate- A Five-course Valentine’s Dinner at Dusit Thani Grand Ballroom. Step into an evening of romance and elegance with a five-course dinner on February 14, 2025, from 6 pm to 10 pm at Dusit Thani Ballroom 1. Indulge in a carefully curated menu designed to tantalize your taste buds while enjoying live entertainment and exciting raffle prizes for only P2,800 per person. A Feast for the Heart- Valentine’s Dinner Buffet at Madayaw Café. Treat your loved one to a sumptuous dinner buffet on February 15, 2025, from 5:30 pm to 10 pm at Madayaw Cafe. Savor an array of delicious dishes and desserts in a warm and inviting setting for only P1,588 per person, perfect for creating lasting memories. From the grandeur of the Dusit Thani Ballroom to the relaxed and inviting ambiance of Madayaw Cafe, our Valentine’s promos promise a night of love, laughter, and indulgence. Let us help you create magical moments that will be remembered for a lifetime. For reservations and inquiries, please contact us at +63 905 562 1370 or +63 (82) 272-7500. Book your seats now and make this Valentine’s Day to cherish.
FRANCIS
DIGIPLUS celebrates a triple triumph at the 60 th Anvil Awards, showcasing honors in rebranding, integrated reporting,
SHINGO Gokan
www.businessmirror.com.ph • Editor: Tet Andolong
ONE SUZUKI KICK-OFF RIDE:
SUZUKI PHILIPPINES’ 50TH
ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION BEGINS
TStory & photos by Randy S. Peregrino
HERE is no better way to kick off Suzuki Philippines’ (SPH) golden year celebration than a blended ride-and-drive event. Marking the beginning of SPH’s 50th Anniversary celebration was the One Suzuki Kick-Off Ride, the brand’s first-ever gathering of Automobile, Motorcycle and Marine Divisions as One Suzuki Family for a celebratory event. Attended by over 60 media members and influencers from 57 networks and publications, this is by far SPH’s most significant engagement.
Suzuki Philippines President, Mr. Koichiro Hirao, emphasized the significance of this event,
“Suzuki has been part of the lives of millions of Filipinos for five decades. From motorcycles to automobiles to marine products, our vehicles have become life companions—on and beyond the road. Today, we invite you to experience the full breadth of the Suzuki story and continue to build a brighter future together.”
In the 1950s, Suzuki began its presence in the Philippines when Rufino D. Antonio and Associates, Inc. took the nationwide distribution of Suzuki Motorcycles. In July 10, 1975, a joint venture was formed between Suzuki Motor Co., Ltd. Japan and Rufino D. Antonio and Associates, Inc., creating the Antonio Suzuki Corporation. Then, in 1985, the company became a wholly owned subsidiary of Suzuki Motor
Corporation Japan wherein the company name was changed to Suzuki Philippines Incorporated.
“Suzuki is within the top five automotive brands in the Philippines across all divisions, with over 4,200 network outlets nationwide. This success is not just due to our quality products, but also to the strong relationships we’ve built with our dealer network and media friends,” said Managing Director Norminio Mojica.
Suzuki cars and motorcycles unite THE momentous blended ride and drive of Suzuki motorcycles and cars kicked off at the SPH plant in Canlubang, Laguna. The extensive lineup of two-wheel models were consists of the Raider R150 Fi, Smash Fi, Burgman Street
Standard and EX variants, GIXXER Series (both the 250cc and 155cc models) and the V-STROM 250 SX.
On the hand, the 14-car convoy representing the automobile group were the Jimny 5-Door and XL7 mild hybrid models. The tour and destination? The scenic drive to the breathtaking Pico de Loro.
Unlike the usual ride and drive, SPH focused more on the celebratory side of the event to flex its strong presence on the road. There were no specific technical tests, vehicle rotation and what not. Everything was just about enjoying the ride and drive and joining SPH in its pride for what has Suzuki achieved in the country in the last 50 years. So, off we went, and celebrated with SPH the joy of driving and riding Suzuki cars and motorcycles.
Chasing the sunset NEXT activity inline was the exhilarating boat ride experience across the water of Nasugbu, Batangas for Suzuki to showcase its marine products. Divided in groups participants boarded several Catamaran-designed speed boats powered by the high-performance Suzuki Twin DF300 and DF350 outboard motors.
During the cruise, the boat pilots not only demonstrated the boats agility, but more importantly, the motor’s unrelenting power, pushing the boats beyond 40 knots effortlessly. Impressively, while
the motors were pushed to its optimal performance, the noise level was otherwise. All we heard were muffled sounds and the feel of acceleration.
After rounding up several stops, the group sailed back to the Punta Fuego Yacht Club port before sundown. Of course, there was no better place to watch the stunning sunset scene than on the shore boarding a nice boat, a first for any Suzuki drive event witnessing the picturesque seascape.
One Suzuki
THE whole experience was organized to highlight the Suzuki’s common manufacturing engineering philosophy across all divisions which revolves around power, speed, quality
and reliability while keeping its commitment to sustainability.
Which is why top executives from all the brand’s divisions have assembled to join the celebratory tour event.
Automobile Division Director and General Manager Norihide Takei underscored the company’s continued growth, and shared, “Suzuki Automobile achieved a more than 10 percent growth in 2024, surpassing the industry average. This reflects the trust and love Filipinos have for Suzuki vehicles, from the iconic Jimny 3-Door to our latest innovations, the Jimny 5-Door and XL7 Hybrid. Looking ahead, we are excited to introduce more remarkable products that will continue making a difference in
people’s lives.”
On the part of Motorcycle Division Head Jose Salavarria, he highlighted Suzuki’s rich heritage, “Suzuki’s journey in the Philippines started with motorcycles in the 1950s. Today, we have 30 models in our lineup, 12 of which were manufactured in the Philippines. Our Laguna plant caters not only to local demand but also to export markets in neighboring Asian countries. Our commitment to innovation will continue, ensuring we provide the latest technology to meet Filipinos’ mobility needs.”
Speaking on behalf of the Marine and After Sales Service Division, General Manager Yukio Sato, shared, “The Philippines, with its rich maritime culture, provided the perfect environment for Suzuki to offer reliable, efficient outboard motors to meet the needs of boat operators, and recreational boaters. Whether it was small engines for smaller boats or high-powered motors for larger vessels, Suzuki quickly became synonymous with reliability. Our outboards allowed every Filipino, whether navigating calm waters or tackling rough seas, to have confidence in the quality and performance of their Suzuki product.”
The One Suzuki Kick-Off Ride staged the beginning of a yearlong celebration, with Suzuki Philippines gearing up for an even bigger anniversary event in the middle of 2025. As the company moves forward, the executives also hinted the upcoming models to be launched during their golden year.
‘69k jobs for Filipinos, $1B in exports, ₧35B in taxes’
YOU know by now that I love speeches. So here’s my first speech for 2025—from none other than Alfred V. Ty, the dapper chairman of Toyota Motor Philippines. He delivered it during the recent Toyota Thanksgiving Party, a much-awaited yearly event that began, if memory serves, in 2000—upon the instigation of the incomparable Vince S. Socco to avoid December traffic brought on by the usual Christmas Chaos. And, if I may brag, I’ve never missed a single occasion.
Here’s Alfred aka AVT, whose discourse he anchored on his call for unity among car makers “in shaping an automotive program that truly helps advance the national development goals of the government.” “TO all our honored media
professionals and friends, good evening and welcome to the Grand Hyatt. Happy 2025 and Gong xi fat choi.
“We always look forward to starting the new year among friends and family and I am encouraged to see our family grow bigger every year. Indeed, you all bring a lot of “giving” to this THANKSGIVING occasion. So, on behalf of Toyota Motor Philippines, please accept our sincerest appreciation to all of you for your past and continuing support. Maraming salamat po.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I am pleased to report that based on TMP estimate, the Philippine automotive industry achieved a new all time sales record last year with sales of 474,000 units. This is an increase of 8 percent from last year, outdoing the previous record of 473,000 reported in 2017.
“We at Toyota are happy that we can continue to play a significant role in the country’s rapidly transforming automotive industry. With sales of 218,019 units last year, Toyota and Lexus recorded another all-time record high.
23 Triple Crowns
“COMPLETING 23 consecutive years of our triple crown, the Philippines remained among the 10 largest markets for Toyota worldwide. More importantly, it helped us secure jobs for over 69,000 Filipinos in 2024 and realize over US$1 billion of exports for the country and contribute P35 billion to government revenues.
“Of course, none of these would have been possible without your support. In particular, please allow me a moment to specially thank you for chronicling every step of our journey in bringing the Tamaraw back to the Philippines. We are convinced that the return of the Tamaraw will be a real game changer in the local auto industry.
“To me, however, this new record is much more than a set of numbers. To me, it represents a nation and a people on-the-move. The increased sales means increased mobility for Filipinos—moving people, goods, and services across the country.
It reflects a growing and vibrant economy. Increased car sales also mean more jobs, more revenue for government, more investments
for the country, more know-how transfer, and more exports.
“As the Philippine auto market continues to expand, I am very much encouraged by the added possibilities this growth brings with it.
Major pillar
“THE auto industry is truly transforming into a major pillar of economic development. To be honest, the rapid and significant influx of automakers and brands is a very welcome indicator for me. I have always said that the one thing that attracts automakers the most to any market is increasing sales volumes. And as motorization progresses, this opens new opportunities for local manufacturing. I am a very strong advocate of “Gawa ng Filipino para sa Filipino” so this is a very welcome prospect for nation building.
“I believe it is high time that we view the automotive industry as one cohesive sector contributing to nation building.
“The combined sales of CAMPI, TMA, AVID and some EVIDA players comes to 474,000 units, with 12 motor vehicle manufacturers & assemblers, up to 60 brands and
more than 400 models on the road. In my estimate, this should have generated up to 70 billion pesos in taxes and 138,000 in the employment of direct and indirect jobs supplying parts or business services to the auto sector.
Over 500,000 units
“AS we welcome 2025 and the year of the snake, the prospects for the industry are quite encouraging.
The macro outlook is reasonably optimistic—GDP is expected to exceed 6 percent, the financial sector remains sound with a growing consumer loan portfolio, OFW remittances and BPO earnings are seen to expand, the exchange rate is relatively under control by the Central Bank, government infrastructure spending is expected to continue AND election-related spending will trigger incremental economic demand. As a result, we are projecting sales to grow to over 500,000 units, HALF A MILLION new cars—512,000 units to be exact—representing a sustained growth of 8 percent.
“As I mentioned, this opens new horizons for local production that
will help government in its goal of strengthening the manufacturing sector. I am hoping that we can harness the collective power of every automaker doing business in the country in realizing a more united automotive program to develop the auto industry into a major economic force in support of the nation’s long term development plans.
“There
“Again,
The V-SRTROM 250 SX, XL7 Hybrid, Jimny 5-door, and Burgman EX
SOME of the speed boats powered by Twin Suzuki DF300 outboard motors lined up and ready to cruise
ALL the participants and vehicles used at the SPH plant in Canlubang, Laguna. SPH
Trump ready to bring fight vs trans to IOC
PRESIDENT Donald Trump is ready to take his fight against transgender athletes to the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
Trump said Wednesday during a signing ceremony for an executive order aimed at banning transgender athletes from women’s sports that his administration wants the IOC to “change everything having to do with the Olympics and having to do with this absolutely ridiculous subject” ahead of the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles.
The order empowers the Secretary of State’s office to pressure the IOC to amend standards governing Olympic sporting events “to promote fairness, safety and the best interests of female athletes by ensuring that eligibility for participation in women’s sporting events is determined according to sex and not gender identity or testosterone reduction.”
The order also calls for the Secretary of State and the Department of Homeland Security to “review and adjust, as needed, policies permitting admission to the United States of males seeking to participate in women’s sports.”
There is no evidence that male athletes have competed in women’s Olympics events.
Outgoing IOC President Thomas Bach said in December that Olympic organizers were “very confident” they could work with the Trump administration. The president initially backed Los Angeles during his first administration when the city bid for the 2024 Games that were awarded to Paris.
Officials with the LA28 organizing committee did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
L A28 organizing committee chairman Casey Wasserman reportedly met with Trump in Florida last month before Trump’s second term began, with Wasserman saying afterward both were looking forward to delivering a successful Games.
The IOC has largely stayed out of the discussion around transgender athletes, letting the international governing bodies for each sport set the parameters for gender participation. The rules can run the gamut. Entities like World Aquatics have very strict guidelines, while World Triathlon rules are more liberal.
JIMMY BUTLER got what he wanted. He’s being traded out of Miami and got a new contract in the process.
The Heat and the Golden State Warriors have agreed on a deal that sends Butler to the Bay Area, a person with knowledge of the talks said Wednesday.
Butler helped carry the Heat to the National Basketball Association (NBA) Finals twice, long before a hostile breakup that saw him suspended three times by the team in January. Golden State is making it happen by moving Andrew Wiggins, Dennis Schroder, Kyle Anderson and first-round draft compensation out in the deal, said the person, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the trade has not gotten league approval. Wiggins and Anderson are headed to Miami—it’s unclear if Anderson will be staying with the Heat. Schroder
A21 Filipino cyclists see action in Asian road championships
TWENTY-ONE athletes checked in at Phitsanulok at close to midnight on Wednesday (February 5) for the 44th Asian Road Cycling Championships and 31st Asian Junior Road Cycling Championships that flags off tomorrow (Friday, February 7) in this city situated north of Thailand. Cambodia 2023 Southeast Asian Games double bronze medalist Ronald Oranza and Philippines 2019 SEA Games gold medalist
The IOC’s stance could change considerably in the near future following Bach’s retirement. Among the candidates to replace Bach is former track star Sebastian Coe, now the leader of World Athletics. Coe has been a strong proponent of limiting participation in female sports to cisgender women.
Two years ago, track and field under Coe banned transgender athletes from international competition—adopting the same rules as swimming—and adopted new regulations requiring some athletes to undergo hormonesuppressing treatment for six months before competing to be eligible.
The rhetoric around transgender athletes heated up at the Paris Olympics last summer, with Trump eagerly entering the fray.
On the campaign trail, Trump frequently misgendered two Olympic female boxers as men and said their ability to participate in the Paris Games was “demeaning to women” even though both Imane Khelif of Algeria and Li Yuting of Taiwan were assigned female at birth and identify as women.
Trump referenced both athletes again on Wednesday. AP
is getting moved to Utah—where the Warriors, coincidentally, were Wednesday night—and Josh Richardson is heading from Miami to Detroit.
A lso on the move: PJ Tucker, who was just traded to Utah and now is set to return to Miami, where he played in 2021-22.
“My brother, man. I’m going to miss him, for sure,” said Heat forward Nikola Jovic, who looked up to Butler. “I think a lot of guys here will. He’s someone who did a lot for this franchise.”
The Heat will get a protected firstrounder from Golden State—for now, that is a pick in this year’s draft though that could change based on final terms. And ESPN reported that Butler has already agreed on a two-year extension with the Warriors, one that would be worth around $113 million.
“I ’m really happy that he got what he wanted,” Jovic said. “That bag’s kinda really big.” AP
19, as he slams one in during the National University Nazareth School-University of the East University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 87 high school boys’ basketball action on Thursday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan. Akowe, however, wasn’t exactly a dominant force as the Bullpups needed to work extra in a 78-77 escape of a victory.
Invitational hoops features Negros legends
HBy Josef Ramos
ARBIN, China—Speed skater Peter Groseclose and curling athlete Kathleen Dubberstein were named flag-bearers for Team Philippines during the parade of countries in the opening ceremony of the Ninth Asian Winter Games on Friday night at the Harbin International Convention Exhibition and Sports Center.
But before his flag-bearing chores, the 17-year-old Groseclose will compete on Friday morning in the heats of the men’s 500 and 1,000 meters and the quarterfinals of the 1,500m at the Heilongjiang Ice Events Training Center.
“I’m ready and excited. Practices have been going well and I think I’ll be able to give a performance I can be proud of,” said Groseclose, who finished fifth overall in the 500m event during the 2024 Winter Youth Olympics in Gangwon, South Korea when the Los Angeles-based short track speed skater suffered an injury cut at the right side of his foot.
Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino and the 20-athlete Team Philippines are on a rousing debut in Harbin after the unranked mixed doubles team of Filipino-American Kathleen Dubberstein and Filipino-Swiss Marc Pfister already racked up three straight wins against teams seeded squads from South Korea, Kyrgyzstan and Qatar in round- robin play of curling earlier this week. World No. 15 China, however, made sure not to disappoint before a home crowd and dealt the Filipino pair a 9-6 loss on Wednesday evening. What more could we ask for an inspiring start in the Philippines’ debut in curling in these games,” said Tolentino, who is joined in Harbin by his secretary-general Atty. Wharton Chan and chef de mission Ricky Lim. T hat loss didn’t damage the bid of Pfister and Dubberstein who are guaranteed a spot in the quarterfinals for a potential medal for Team Philippines whose participation here in backed by the Philippine Sports Commission. The survivors in the semifinals of curling will engage in crucial tiff for the
gold medal on Saturday with the losing pair in the final four tangles in the bronze-medal match.
“Our curling team is doing good, and their confidence is growing. There’s a chance that we could win a medal,” said Tolentino, clutching a Philippine flag as he again cheered the Filipinos on Wednesday night, less than a day after arriving in this popular Chinese winter destination.
A t otal of 20 Filipino athletes supported by the POC will see action in the Games with Groseclose and Dubberstein designated as flagbearers during the parade of nations on Friday’s opening rites. They will vie for medals with 33 other participating Asian nations with a combined total of 1,255 athletes enlisted in 64 events from 11 sports.
A side from Grosclose, Pfister and Dubberstein, the other Filipino athletes for the Asian Winter Games guided by PH Chef de Mission Ricky Lim are figure skaters Paolo Borromeo, Cathryn Limketkai, Sofia Frank and the pair of Isabella Gamez and Alexander Korovin. Team Philippines will likewise pin its hopes on slalom alpine skiers Francis Ceccarelli and Tallulah Proulx and snowboarder Laetaz Amihan Rabe in the freeski slopestyle, big air and halfpipe events.
O ther members of the curling squad are Benjo Delarmente, Alan Frei, Christian Haller and Enrico from the men’s side while Anne Bonache, Leilani Dubberstein, Sheila Mariano and Jessica Pfister represent the women’s team.
B esides the medal round in the curling on Saturday, Groseclose could also reach the podium in the men’s 500m and 1500m.
“This [representing the country] is a huge honor. To be honest, I’m a bit nervous, but I’m grateful that they chose me for this task,” said Groseclose.
“M y best and favorite distance is the 500, but I think I can be strong in all three. I know I can put up a good fight,” he added.
Proulx will begin her campaign in the women’s
PRESIDENT Donald Trump signs an executive order barring transgender female athletes from competing in women’s or girls’ sporting events in the East Room of the White House Wednesday. AP
its full support behind the Negros Basketball Association (NBA) Invitational Basketball Tournament on February 22 at the Po Hang gym of Tay Tung School in Bacolod City. The event is dubbed AcroCity presents NBA Legends Cup and will gather prominent players from Negros Island, including
