Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) could “let the US Federal Reserve (Fed) go” and tolerate a weaker peso to pump up the economy by increasing exports, manufacturing and investment inflows and attracting more tourists, according to economists from HSBC Global Research.
In a commentary, HSBC Global FX Strategist Lenny Jin said electronics exports are deteriorating while manufacturing capacity signals a “gloomy outlook” for electronics. Services exports have also plateaued as tourism exports failed to sustain above pre-Covid-19 levels.
HSBC Economist Aris Dacanay said a weaker peso can increase the economy’s trade competitiveness, by making the Philippines’s exports cheaper to importers and helping manufacturers expand their markets abroad.
The country’s services exports will also be boosted, which, Dacanay said is “an opportunity the archipelago does not want to miss.”
Such progress can be made by allowing the BSP’s policy rate differential with the Fed to narrow to 50 to 75 basis points (bps), according to Dacanay.
The BSP mirrored the Fed’s decision in its monetary policy stance during its last rate-setting meeting, unexpectedly holding key policy rates steady.
HSBC expects the central bank
By Andrea E. San Juan @andreasanjuan
FOLLOWING the country’s exit from the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) grey list, the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) is urging the Philippines to “effectively implement” measures in place that would strengthen “integrity” of financial accounts and combat financial account scamming.
“The Chamber reiterates its support for the effective implementation of Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act [Afasa], which will further empower financial institutions to protect client accounts and combat financial account scamming,” ECCP said in
a statement on Tuesday.
The European business group said the passage of Afasa signifies the government’s proactive approach to addressing financial crimes and ensuring a “secure” financial environment.
The business chamber said it remains “committed to working with the government and private sector to further strengthen the Philippines’ [Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing] AML/CTF regime.”
Afasa was passed in July 2024. The European business chamber said this measure “strengthens” the integrity of financial accounts and the overall financial system.
This came on the heels of an announcement by FATF, the Paris-based
global financial watchdog, that the country has been delisted after a plenary session last Friday, citing the Philippines’s completion of its action plan within the agreed timeframe.
Since June 2021, the Philippines has been put under the FATF’s grey list for increased monitoring.
The list identifies countries with strategic deficiencies in their regimes for countering money laundering, terrorist financing and proliferation financing but are actively working with the FATF to address their deficiencies. (See: https://businessmirror.com. ph/2025/02/22/phl-exits-fatfsdirty-money-grey-list/)
With the Philippines’s delisting, the European business group
said this will “no doubt improve the overall investment climate and enhance investor confidence, further creating sustainable economic growth in the country.”
“The ECCP believes that the Philippines’ exit from the FAFT grey list will significantly enhance its attractiveness as a prime destination for local and foreign investments, fostering a more stable and secure business climate,” the business group noted. ECCP is a bilateral foreign chamber that promotes European interests in the Philippines and vice versa. It has over 830 members.
The chamber has been involved in initiatives that promote a “more competitive” environment for EuropeanPhilippine trade and investments.
By Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo
Special to the BusinessMirror
FOURTEEN hotels and other tourism-related establishments in Manila made the prestigious 2025 Forbes Travel Guide (FTG) Star Award Winners. Three of the hotels that received a five-star rating from FTG are located in Parañaque City: Okada Manila, Nüwa Manila at the City of Dreams Manila, and Skytower at Solaire Resort Entertainment City. The Peninsula Manila in Makati City, also received a fivestar rating from FTG. Wellness centers and spas which likewise received a five-star rating included Nüwa Spa at the City of
Dreams Manila and the Retreat Spa at Okada Manila. Properties which received a four-star rating were: Fairmont Makati, Hyatt Regency City of Dreams Manila, Marco Polo Ortigas Manila in Pasig City, Nobu Hotel at the City of Dreams Manila, Raffles Makati, and Shangri-La at the Fort in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig City.
Conrad Manila in Pasay City and the Makati Shangri-La Manila both received a “recommended” rating. Details of the results of the FTG inspectors available here: https://tinyurl.com/u6hp72d7
Partnership program LAST year, 14 properties made
the list; missing this year was the Sofitel Philippines Plaza, which was closed on June 30, 2024. (See, “Sofitel owner wants 25 years more on its lease with GSIS,” in the BusinessMirror, May 10, 2024.) Fairmont Makati joined this year’s list of rated properties. In a news statement celebrating their win, City of Dreams Manila Property President Geoff Andres said, “We are deeply honored by these recognitions from the prestigious Forbes Travel Guide, marking another milestone in our journey as we celebrate our 10th year of delivering exemplary service. These awards, made possible by our hardworking and passionate
government plans to build dedicated concourses to enhance passenger flow and accessibility, particularly near MRT stations like Santolan.
By Lorenz S. Marasigan
be forgotten–Sescon’ BERNARD TESTA
EDSA@39: PEOPLE POWER LIVES ON Quezon City Mayor Josefina “Joy” Belmonte leads the 39th anniversary commemoration of the EDSA People Power Revolution at the EDSA People Power Monument in Quezon City on February 25, 2025. The event, themed “EDSA@39: Sama-samang Pagsulong, Lakas ng Bayan,” highlights the enduring legacy of unity and democracy that led to the peaceful uprising in 1986. Amid present-day challenges, leaders and citizens reaffirm the spirit of People Power as a beacon of national resilience. NONOY LACZA
Alberto Lina, founder of
Air21 and…
ADL was “The Godfather of Cycling” for having revived the fabled Philippine Tour in 2002.
From the Tour of Calabarzon to the Golden Tour and Padyak Pinoy, ADL’s dream for cycling went much further with the Le Tour de Filipinas, a multi-stage international race that put the Philippines on the world cycling map for 10 years.
He was also a loving patron of the arts with his support of the Manila Symphony Orchestra and the Philippine theater community, OneLGC said.
“As we mourn his passing, we celebrate a life dedicated to service, pakikisama, and compassion. We are forever grateful to our Lord Jesus Christ for blessing us with such an extraordinary leader and mentor,” the company said.
“The Lina Group of Companies will honor his memory by continuing his vision of excellence in service and commitment to national development.”
There will be a funeral mass and inurnment on Thursday, February 27 at the St. James the Great Parish, Ayala Alabang Village, Muntinlupa.
There will be a series of daily Novena Masses beginning February 28.
“No flowers please, instead you may contribute to the causes he held dear,” OneLGC said.
Value, volume of transactions digitally hit double-digit growth
By Reine Juvierre S. Alberto
MORE consumers transferred funds electronically through InstaPay and PESONet as the value and volume of transactions expanded by double digits.
Latest data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) showed the value of PESOnet transactions amounted to P1.052 trillion as of January 2025, higher by 31.92 percent than the P797.4 billion recorded as of January last year. In terms of volume, PESONet transactions reached 9.649 million as of January 2025, up by 20.57 percent from the 8.002 million transactions as of January last year. Meanwhile, Instapay transactions hit P750.6 billion as of January 2025, an improvement of 47.81 per-
cent from P507.8 billion as of January 2024.
Instapay transaction volume reached 150.588 million as of January 2025, a 61.60-percent growth from the 93.185 million transactions recorded as of January 2024. PESONet and InstaPay are automated clearing houses under the BSP’s National Retail Payment System. The central bank explained that the NRPS promotes interoperability—the state when end-users or consumers are able to transfer funds from one account to another account in any participating BSPsupervised financial institution.
InstaPay is a real-time low-value EFT credit push payment scheme for transaction amounts up to P50,000, according to the BSP. The retail payment system was launched on April 23, 2028, to facili-
promotion agency said. Peza said that these big-ticket projects will further boost investments in the country, backing President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s vision of “elevating” the Philippines to an upper-middle-income economy.
SoKor ecozone project
THE investment promotion agency noted that among these projects is a South Korean ecozone development project worth P10.45 billion.
“With the Philippines-South Korea Free Trade Agreement [FTA] now in effect, Peza is collaborating with the Bases Conversion and Development Authority
tate small value payments that will be especially useful for the purchase of retail goods, paying toll fees and tickets, as well as for e-commerce, which shall enable, among others, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
There are a total of 91 InstaPay participants as of end-January 2025, consisting of 79 senders and receivers, two senders only and 10 receivers only.
Of the total, there were 23 EMINon-Bank Financial Institutions (EMI-NBFIs) participants; 20 Universal and Commercial Banks (UKBs); 17 thrift banks (TBs); 14 Rural Banks (RBs); and five digital banks (DGBs).
There was also one UKB and one EMI-NBFI as sender only, and five RBs, three TBs, one UKBs and one EMI-NBFI as receiver only.
Meanwhile, the Philippine EFT
[BCDA] for the creation of this multifaceted ecozone that will accommodate multiple sectors, including manufacturing, agro-industrial, tourism, and information technology, further enhancing economic opportunities and sectoral development,” said Peza.
Moreover, this development paves the way for more South Korean companies to set up shop in the country’s ecozones.
Moving forward, Peza anticipates the entry of more investments into the country following the signing of
System and Operations Network (PESONet) is the first ACH under the National Retail Payment System, launched on November 8, 2017.
It is a batch electronic fund transfer (EFT) credit payment scheme, which can be considered an electronic alternative to the paper-based check system.
As of December 2024, there were a total of 116 Pesonet participants composed of RBs numbering 41 followed by UKBs at 40; TBs, 19; EMINBFIs, 11; and DGBs, five.
BancNet is the designated clearing switch operator for InstaPay for a two-year transitory period beginning from the time of its launch.
The Philippine Clearing House Corp. is the designated clearing switch operator for PESONet for a 2-year transitory period beginning from the time of PESONet’s launch in 2017.
the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the CREATE MORE Act last February 17, 2025.
For her part, Trade Secretary and Peza Board Chairman Cristina Aldeguer-Roque said “The CREATE MORE Act is a game changer in the entry of foreign direct investments into the country which encourages more international investors to come given the longer set of incentives being offered.”
Peza said it is on track to achieving its target of a 9 to 10 percent investment growth this year.
process would begin this year.
These larger infrastructure projects, however, will take longer to complete, with the timeline extending up to 2026 or 2027.
Dizon said that once the upgrades are completed, the government will proceed with the public-private partnership (PPP) process for the busway’s operations and maintenance.
“My suggestion...is = we need to PPP the operations and maintenance of what we’re going to build in the next six months, one year, and then two years,” he added.
The shift in priority comes just a month after the DOTr, under former Secretary Jaime Bautista, announced that the privatization
In January, Bautista said the department was finalizing the terms of reference, with bidding for private operators expected to start in 2025. The winning bidder would be responsible for providing buses, overseeing daily operations, and implementing an electronic scheduling system for commuters.
However, the DOTr has now decided to complete infrastructure upgrades first before pushing through with the privatization, pushing back the original timeline.
Despite the delay, Dizon remains optimistic that the busway system will be fully modernized before the end of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s term.
“We are confident that within the president’s term, by 2026 or 2027, we will really have a proper, very modern busway carousel system,” he said.
grace,” Advincula said.
The Cardinal emphasized that a bishop is the primary shepherd of a diocese, guiding and protecting his flock.
Sescon’s appointment as a “destiny” and a “divine design” that affirms God’s promise to provide shepherds for His people.
“Father Jun has always given grace. This is what Father Jun has always preached—everything is grace, every moment is grace… The ordination of a beloved priest of the Church of Manila to the episcopacy is itself a
to reduce its key policy rate for a total of 75 bps to 5 percent in 2025. A 25-bps cut could be delivered in the second, third and fourth quarter this year.
Dacanay said the Fed will likely matter less and less for the BSP in the coming months, as the BSP eases even if the Fed does not cut.
Further, Dacanay said 2025
He expressed confidence that Sescon would fulfill this role with the same dedication he had shown in his previous ministries.
“As a Chancery official, as a seminary professor, as pastor in the Makati business district, and as pastor of Quiapo, Father Jun did his mission as a priest, friend, and teacher, basking on nothing else but the grace of God,” the Cardinal said.
and 2026 will be a crucial time in “slowly and gradually” narrowing the policy rates, as this year’s growth appears to be challenging.
“Global trade and foreign investments will likely be tepid in the next two years as investors and exporters keep their capital close by amidst the uncertainties lingering over global trade and tariffs,” Dacanay said. However, gasoline, imported staples, and international travel become more costly the more the peso depreciates, Dacanay noted.
“That being said, we think there is room for the Philippine economy to absorb some volatility in the currency, it’s just a matter of timing,” Dacanay said, adding that core inflation is currently well within target and gives the BSP allowance for some foreign exchangeinduced inflation to happen.
team, inspire us further to set the bar high for hospitality and meaningful and sustainable luxury.” Properties subscribe to a program if they want to be rated by Forbes Travel Guide, to boost their reputation as offering exceptional luxury and outstanding quality service, thus enabling them to a attract highend clientele.
A BusinessMirror source who oversaw the training of a five-star hotel he had worked for in preparation for the FTG rating said, “The property pays to be included in the list for evaluation under a so-called Partnership Program. Apart from that, the property subscribes to an FTG Executive Trainer session, for which our hotel paid US$9,000.” A property, he said, can opt to just choose the Executive Trainer sessions, if it has no funds to pay to be rated. On its website, FTG said, “For properties that we elect to Star Rate, we offer the option of joining our partnership program, which provides transparency into the Star Rating process and access to our exclusive Partnership community. Partners receive valuable benefits including a complete list of FTG standards, a full report of their annual Rating inspection results, and policy privileges such as cycle selection and remedy periods.”
‘Secret inspections’ BUT the source underscored that properties have no idea who the FTG inspectors are, and when they are visiting. “FTG never reveals who their inspectors are; it’s prohibited,” he added.
In a piece to introduce this year’s winners, FTG Editor Jennifer Kester explained that “FTG’s ratings are objective, independent and datadriven. Incognito inspectors pose as everyday guests—checking in at hotels, embarking on cruises, taking in spa treatments and dining at fine restaurants. They test hundreds of exacting standards that emphasize exceptional service, which accounts for 70 percent of a property’s rating. The quality and condition of the facilities account for the remaining 30 percent.”
This year, there were 2,187 star recipients from around the world—“the most geographically diverse list in FTG’s 67 years”— coming from 90 countries, with Brunei, Finland, Montenegro and Romania making their debut appearances. Going by the global list, Macau is home to the most FTG five-star hotels at 24 properties, and is the third time it has received this distinction. London placed second with 20 FTG five-star hotels for 2025.
Meanwhile, Jin said the BSP has room to trim the peso’s overvaluation by accumulating reserves when the USD-PHP fails, as it is not under any strong scrutiny from the US administration regarding trade relationships or currency practices.
“A less defensive foreign exchange policy may be more in line with what appears to be the BSP’s motivation of becoming less interventionist,” Jin said. As such, HSBC expects the BSP to shift to a less defensive foreign exchange policy in the second half of 2025.
HSBC sees the USD-PHP to break above 59 in the third quarter of 2025, with a stronger USDAsia view.
“For foreign exchange policies, we may start to see an asymmetric smoothing pattern. The BSP may soften its USD-selling interventions when USD-PHP is high but carry on with its reserve accumulation when USD-PHP is low,” Jin said.
Marcos orders Cabinet performance audit
By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla
HALFWAY through his six-year term, President Marcos launched a Cabinet-wide performance evaluation to determine if any of its members must be replaced.
“The President is still evaluating if there’s a need for a change of leaders in each department. So, we still have no [list of Cabinet changes]; all are under evaluation,” Palace Press Officer Clarissa Castro said partly in Filipino at a press briefing last Tuesday.
She explained that the President opted to conduct evaluation after the series of recent resignations in his Cabinet, which includes Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) President and Chief Executive Officer Emmanuel R. Ledesma Jr., Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Jaime J. Bautista, and Presidential Communications Secretary Cesar B. Chavez.
Castro underscored that the said three officials voluntarily resigned and were not forced to leave the Cabinet as a result of the evaluation.
Marcos, she said, will assess if his remaining Cabinet members are doing well
for the government and for the people.
“So if the President sees ‘Oops, it appears this one won’t be of help to me,’ we have to find a new leader and it’s for the people,” Castro said.
Two more high-ranking officials are rumored to be on their way out of the Marcos administration namely, Presidential Security Command (PSC) chief Maj. Gen. Nelson B. Morales and Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Ivan John E. Uy.
As of press time last Tuesday, Castro said there is no change in the leadership of PSC and the DICT amid the ongoing performance evaluation.
“We still don’t know if there will be a revamp [in the Cabinet]. So, we have to just wait and see,” Castro said.
She said there is such a looming revamp in the PCO leadership under the administration of its ad interim Secretary Jay Ruiz.
“As of now, we have yet to receive [any change in the PCO leadership], but we already had a meeting and he [Ruiz] said there will be a possible replacement and there might also be those who will be retained. So, we have to wait for what will be the order of Secretary Jay Ruiz,” Castro said.
NO NEED FOR SENATE SPECIAL SESSION FOR IMPEACHMENT TRIAL–PROSECUTOR
By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz @joveemarie
AHOUSE prosecutor asserted on Tuesday that the Senate does not require a special session to convene as an Impeachment Court for the trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, stressing that the Constitution mandates the trial to proceed without delay.
San Juan Rep. Ysabel Maria Zamora, a lawyer and member of the House prosecution panel, explained that the Senate, by constitutional mandate, functions as an Impeachment Court even during recess, eliminating the need for the President to call a special session.
“As to that, we don’t need a special
See “Impeachment,” A4
Massive shakeup looms at DOTr
By Lorenz S. Marasigan @lorenzmarasigan
TRANSPORTATION Secretary Vivencio B. Dizon on Monday defended his directive for the resignation of all undersecretaries, assistant secretaries, and directors of the Department of Transportation (DOTr), saying it was a “standard procedure” when there is a change in leadership.
Dizon confirmed that “seven or eight names” have already been submitted to President Marcos for consideration as replacements, though these are still initial recommendations.
“We have submitted names to the appointing authority—the
President. Initial pa lang ito. We have submitted about seven names already,” he said in a press briefing on Tuesday.
Dizon said the shake-up will only affect the DOTr central office, as the agency seeks to ensure that the “best talents” are in place.
“This is only for the DOTr central office. We are now given the free hand to move people around, to look for talents within and outside the DOTr. The goal is to find the best personnel to do the job that needs to be done,” he said.
Dizon added that some of the names under consideration include individuals who previously served under the administration of former DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade, as well as industry experts from different transport sectors.
On Monday, upon his assumption in office, Dizon issued a memorandum which read: “All incumbent Undersecretaries, Assistant Secretaries, and Directors of this Department are hereby directed to tender their unqualified courtesy resignations, not later than February 26, 2025, subject to pertinent civil service laws, rules, and regulations.”
SC gives House, Senate 10 days to comment on Sara’s petition
TBy Joel R. San Juan @jrsanjuan1573
HE Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday gave the House of Representatives and the Senate a non-extendible period of 10 days to comment on the petition filed by Vice President Sara Duterte seeking to nullify the fourth impeachment complaint against her for being unconstitutional.
At a press briefing, the SC spokesman, lawyer Camille Sue Mae Ting, said the order was issued by the 15-man Court during its regular en banc session on Tuesday.
“The SC required respondents House of Representatives, its Secretary General Reginald S. Velasco, and the Senate to comment on the petition within a nonextendible period of 10 days from notice,” Ting announced.
Named as respondents in the petition were Speaker Martin Romualdez, House Secretary General Reginald Velasco, and Senate President Francis Escudero.
In her petition, Duterte argued that the fourth impeachment complaint violated the “One-Year Bar” under Article XI, Section 3(5) of the Constitution which states that no
impeachment proceedings shall be initiated against the same official more than once within a period of one year.
Durterte’s petition also sought the issuance of a temporary restraining order (TRO) or a writ of preliminary injunction of both to immediately stop the Senate from conducting impeachment proceedings against her which she branded as “politically-motivated.”
She said a TRO is necessary due to violation of her constitutional right under Section 3, Article XI of the 1987 Constitution.
The said provision states: “No impeach -
Dizon, who has faced questions about his lack of experience in the transport sector, acknowledged the challenge but stressed his commitment to deliver results.
“I was called to serve. If the President calls, if the country calls, who am I to say no?” he said.
Dizon emphasized that his performance should be judged based on the impact of his leadership over time.
“At the end of the day, all of us are judged by the results we provide. After six months, one year, two years, three years—the public will judge our results,” he said.
It further read: “Until any action is taken by the undersigned on such courtesy resignations, all Undersecretaries, Assistant Secretaries, and Directors shall continue to report for work and perform their usual duties and responsibilities, subject to any modification that the undersigned may deem proper to adopt in the meantime.”
ment proceedings shall be initiated against the same official more than once within a period of one year.”
Duterte said this right was breached by the House when it allowed Velasco to freeze the first three impeachment complaints to make way for the fourth impeachment complaint in an attempt to circumvent the One-Year-Bar. She further claimed that the reason why the respondents awaited for the fourth impeachment was clearly to allow the House and its members to gather the required number of signatures to “railroad” the impeachment process in order to beat the May 12, 2025 elections. The Court has yet to act on her plea for a TRO.
February 26, 2025 www.businessmirror.com.ph
Rizal legislator: PHL bound to be waterworld due to deforestation
By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz @joveemarie
WITHOUT aggressive reforestation, a lawmaker on Tuesday warned that the “Philippines might become a water world.”
Rizal Rep. Fidel Nograles made a statement following a report from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) that only seven million out of the country’s 15 million hectares of forest lands remain covered with trees.
“We have to aggressively restore our forest cover—there is no going around this issue. And we should start now. We cannot afford to wait,” Nograles said.
In response to the alarming deforestation, the DENR announced plans to expand forest cover to at least 10 million hectares under the National Greening Program (NGP).
The government started mapping out the first 1.2 million hectares last year, and by 2028, it plans to reforest an additional three million hectares, according to Environment
Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga.
Moreover, Nograles emphasized the urgency of collective action in restoring the country’s forests.
“Climate change is the defining issue of our generation and generations to come, and it is of utmost importance that we all contribute towards our nation’s re-greening efforts. This is an issue that the government alone cannot solve,” the solon said.
Nograles has been advocating for aggressive reforestation efforts to combat the effects of the climate crisis.
Legislator calls for greater transparency in handling confiscated smuggled goods
I
N the wake of reports that some Bureau of Customs (BOC) personnel allegedly resell seized smuggled cigarettes, the chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means on Tuesday called for greater transparency in the handling of confiscated goods, saying that it is both unnecessary and impractical to keep large quantities of smuggled products as evidence.
Albay Rep. Jose Clemente “Joey” Sarte Salceda, the panel chairman, commended Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio for his swift action in addressing the issue but stressed the need for systemic reforms to prevent similar incidents from occurring.
“At any given time, there are billions of pesos worth of smuggled or illicit cigarettes stored in government facilities. To improve
oversight, we will formally inquire whether Congress can receive regular updates on the Bureau of Internal Revenue [BIR]’s and BOC’s inventory of seized excisable goods, particularly tobacco,” he said.
He emphasized that transparency in handling confiscated goods is crucial in curbing illicit activities involving government-stored items. “For now, ensuring that the government’s inventory of seized goods is closely monitored and made more transparent will help prevent the recurrence of such incidents,” he added. Salceda also pointed out that from a legal standpoint, retaining large quantities of smuggled products as evidence is unnecessary and impractical. He highlighted the provisions of his proposed House Bill 11286, also known as
the Anti-Illicit Tobacco Trade Act, which mandates the immediate destruction of all seized tobacco products, except for a small portion retained for evidentiary purposes.
“The House has already approved this measure on Third Reading. If enacted into law, it will decisively stop the practice of reselling large volumes of smuggled tobacco products and reinforce our commitment to combat the illicit tobacco trade,” Salceda added.
Earlier, Rubio assured that “heads will roll” if reports are confirmed that some of the agency’s personnel were involved in the alleged attempted resale of P270 million worth of seized contraband cigarettes from Capas, Tarlac.
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) reported that they are currently
Group to online shopping platforms: Take down FDA-banned cosmetics ads, promos
THE toxics watchdog BAN Toxics on Tuesday urged social media and online shopping platforms to take down content, advertisements, and listings promoting mercury-tainted skin-lightening products banned by the Food and Drug Administration due to their toxic mercury contents.
The group issued the call after a recent social media monitoring by BT Patrollers on platforms such as TikTok, Facebook Reels, Facebook Marketplace, and shopping sites like Lazada and Shopee revealed the ongoing advertisement and sale of prohibited beauty products containing mercury—a dangerous neurotoxin that poses serious health risks.
Similar calls have been made by another pollution watchdog zeroing in on the sale of mercury-tainted products in both physical and online stores and has been reporting the illegal activities to concerned authorities, including local governments.
For its part, BAN Toxics has been actively monitoring the sale of mercury-containing skin-lightening products and has contributed to a report by the Zero Mercury Working Group (ZMWG) on the availability of these products through some of the world’s largest online retailers.
The report provides evidence that hazardous SLPs remain widely accessible in global markets. Despite being banned under
He also lauded the efforts of his district’s youth who are actively involved in reforestation efforts, particularly in Montalban’s Wawa Dam in the Upper Marikina River Basin.
“The young people of Montalban understand the dangers posed by deforested mountains and watersheds because they experience flooding even after brief rain showers. That’s why I deeply appreciate and take pride in their dedication to becoming part of the solution in reviving our forests,” Nograles said.
investigating the possible involvement of some personnel of the BOC in the discovery of attempted resale of smuggled cigarettes earlier seized by the bureau.
“We are one with the NBI and thank them in the fight against cigarette smuggling. We have made significant progress in this regard, seizing P5.1 billion worth of e-cigarettes/vapes and P4.1 billion worth of tobacco and cigarettes, for a total of almost P9.3 billion last year,” he added.
Last Monday, the Bureau of Internal Revenue began its nationwide destruction of illicit cigarettes with the Digamma Waste Management in Porac, Pampanga as the main destruction area. The destruction of the confiscated contraband will be conducted until the end of the month.
As such, the BIR said it will destroy 14.3 million packs of illicit cigarettes worth around P2.1 billion.
Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz
ppm—far exceeding the 1 ppm limit set by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Cosmetics Directive.
an international treaty, mercury-added SLPs continue to be sold to unsuspecting consumers.
Test buys
THE group purchased SLPs online and screened them using a Vanta C Series XRF Handheld Chemical Analyzer. The tested products include Aneeza Gold Beauty Cream, Goree Beauty Cream with Lycopene, Goree Day & Night Beauty Cream, Goree Gold 24K Beauty Cream, Faiza Beauty Cream, Parley Goldie Beauty Cream, and 88 Total White Underarm Cream. All eight samples tested positive for mercury, with levels ranging from 5,700 parts per million (ppm) to as high as 24,900
ZMWG said mercury compounds are commonly added to SLPs because they lighten the skin by suppressing melanin production, despite well-documented health risks. The World Health Organization has recognized mercury in certain SLPs as a “major public health concern.”
The US FDA has warned that mercury exposure can have serious health consequences.
“The danger isn’t just to people who use mercury-containing products but also to their families. When you use these products, your family might breathe mercury vapors or become exposed through contaminated washcloths or towels.” Jonathan L. Mayuga
PHL global influence slips, friendliness stands strong
TBy Bless Aubrey Ogerio
HE Philippines’ global influence took a slight hit this year, slipping one spot to 53rd in the 2025 Global Soft Power Index, a new report from a brand valuation consultancy showed.
Brand Finance described the Global Soft Power Index as a way to evaluate how nations exert influence and gain appeal on a global scale. “It [provides] a comprehensive benchmark for assessing a nation’s influence and appeal on the world stage,” it stated.
Yet, one of the Philippines’ strongest points remains its people. It ranked 18th in the “friendly people” category and saw a nine-spot climb to 39th in the People & Values pillar.
Generosity also stood out, jumping 13 places to 44th, while it ranked 20th for being “fun,” up six places. A significant leap was seen in “tolerance and inclusivity,” where the country moved up 27 spots to 48th.
“These gains reflect the nation’s deeprooted hospitality, cultural vibrancy, and evolving global identity—elements that continue to strengthen its soft power influence,” Brand Finance noted.
The country’s Culture & Heritage pillar, however, saw a slight decline, dropping five spots to 55th. It also slipped three places to 47th in “influential in arts and entertainment” and four spots to 29th in “food the world loves.”
Still, its appeal as a travel destination is on the rise. The nation climbed eight places to 46th in the “great place to visit” category.
“Overall, the rankings highlight the country’s rich cultural diversity, thriving tourism industry, and its strong presence on the global stage,” the brand said.
The Department of Tourism recorded
Impeachment.
session because the Constitution is clear that the trial shall forthwith proceed. For us, the Senate is already the Impeachment Court even if it is on recess,” Zamora said. She also defended President Marcos’ decision not to intervene, emphasizing the separation of powers among government branches.
“The Executive is a separate branch of government; thus, it is right for the President not to call for a special session,” she added.
House Assistant Majority Leader Jil
5.44 million foreign tourists and 510,383 overseas Filipinos among last year’s total visitor arrivals.
Visitor arrivals in 2024 rose by 9.15 percent from 2023 but stayed 28 percent below the pre-pandemic level of 8.3 million. Foreign tourist arrivals grew by 8.7 percent, while balikbayan arrivals increased by 14.16 percent.
Media influence
THE country’s media landscape showed an increased influence and credibility. It climbed two places to 55th for “easy to communicate with,” jumped 24 places to 55th for “influential media” and rose 21 places to 75th for “trustworthy media.”
“These gains underscore the expanding reach and credibility of the Philippine media, reinforcing the nation’s voice on the global stage and bolstering its broader economic and diplomatic standing,” Brand Finance said.
Alex Haigh, Asia Pacific managing director of Brand Finance, acknowledged the country’s progress, saying, “The Philippines has made steady progress in several key areas, highlighting its vibrant culture, warm hospitality, and growing media influence.”
The United States retained the top spot in the Global Soft Power Index 2025, scoring 79.5 out of 100.
Brand Finance said that the index is based on responses from over 170,000 participants in more than 100 countries, assessing perceptions of all 193 United Nations member states across 55 key metrics.
“[This delivers] a detailed view of how nations influence preferences and behaviors on the global stage through attraction and persuasion rather than coercion,” it said.
Bongalon, nominee of the Ako Bicol partylist group, noted that the House has yet to receive a copy of the petition reportedly filed by Vice President Duterte’s camp to challenge the impeachment proceedings.
“We have not yet received a copy of the order, but definitely we will comply. We are confident that the Supreme Court will not intervene,” Bongalon, a lawyer who is also a member of the House prosecution panel, said. Meanwhile, 1RIDER Rep. Rodge Gutierrez, also a lawyer and another member of the House prosecution team, pointed out that the Palace’s stance on the special session aligns with its earlier statements regarding the impeachment process.
NBI arrests 5 in major espionage bust involving Pinoys and Chinese nationals
By Joel R. San Juan @jrsanjuan1573 & Rex Anthony Naval
THE National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) announced Tuesday the arrest of three Filipinos and two Chinese nationals for alleged espionage.
The suspects identified as Omar Khan Kashim Joveres, Leo Laraya Panti, Mark Angelo Boholst Binza, No Qinhui and Zheng Wei were presented to the public during a press conference presided by NBI Director Jaime Santiago. Their arrest came following the arrest of several Chinese nationals and some Filipinos last month for the same offense.
Santiago said the Armed Forces intelligence service alerted the
NBI-Cybercrime Division (CCD) and NBI-Special Task Force (STF) on suspicious vehicles purportedly utilizing International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) catchers, frequenting military and police camps, other essential systems, facilities, and national government assets within Metro Manila.
This was validated by operations of the NBI-CCD and NBI-STF and identified actionable intelligence via network monitoring,
interference detection, and signal analysis tools.
The NBI said it was able to locate and analyze rogue or unlicensed BTS, unauthorized transmissions, and interference sources which yielded positive results.
It explained that a rogue BTS is an unauthorized or malicious base station that impersonates a legitimate cellular tower to intercept, manipulate, or disrupt mobile network communications.
It is often used for unauthorized surveillance, eavesdropping, data theft, and network disruption.
Due to the significant implication of the powerful tools with regard to national security and people’s right to privacy, the NBI launched an operation on February 20, 2025 against the individuals involved which led to the arrest of the three Filipinos.
During interrogation, the three Filipinos confessed that they
were hired by Ni, a Chinese national residing in a condominium in Malate, Manila.
They further claimed that they were instructed to drive through key areas, including Villamor Airbase, Camp Aguinaldo, Malacañang, Camp Crame, and the U.S. Embassy, among others, for a fee of P2,500 to P3,000 a month.
Thus, NBI Agents proceeded to Ni’s residence which led to his arrest along with Zheng, his alleged cohort.
The NBI said Ni’s wife admitted that the former had several information and communications equipment in their condominium unit, and that he did employ the three Filipinos to run and operate the same ICT equipment within Metro Manila.
To prove that she has nothing to do with it, Ni’s wife voluntarily surrendered multiple sets of ICT equipment to the NBI operatives.
AFP welcomes US unfreezing of $336-M worth of security aid
THE Armed Forces (AFP) on Tuesday welcomed the US decision to unfreeze some $336 million worth of security aid for the country.
“This is a welcome development on our part, and we are glad to continue. And it also signals basically our longstanding relationship between the US and the Philippines. It has further strengthened the ties between the two countries,”
‘FMJr.
The arrested suspects have been charged before the Office of the State Prosecutor, for violations of R.A. 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012) and Commonwealth Act No. 616 (Espionage).
No Chinese interference in PHL-France MCA
THERE were no Chinese attempts to interfere with the Philippine and France’s maritime cooperative activity (MCA) that took place last Feb. 21, a ranking Navy official said on Tuesday. This was said by Philippine Navy (PN) spokesperson for the West Philippine Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad when asked if they detected any attempts from Chinese to interfere with the MCA conducted by Filipino military units with the French Navy’s aircraft carrier strike group composed of the FS Charles de Gaulle and its escorts.
“There were no PLAN [People’s Liberation Army Navy], Coast Guard, or maritime militia noted within close proximity. They were at a distance of more than 120 nautical miles away,” he added. Trinidad did not comment on why the PLAN and the China Coast Guard seems to shy away from this exercise.
“While we do not control the actions of the PLAN, the Coast Guard, or the maritime militia, I would like to highlight that the presence of foreign navies in our maritime domain only speaks of the strengthening of relationships between the country of that particular Navy,” he added. Also, Trinidad said actions of the Philippine government to bring in other nations to observe and protect the rules-based international order are welcome.
“And expect that there will be more of these [MCA] activities to come in the future,” he added.
Congressman assails senatorial survey tailenders for resorting to smear tactics
Col. Xerxes Trinidad, director of the AFP Public Affairs Office, said in a news conference. But on matters on where the funding can be used, the military official said he is deferring to higher authority.
“On the development or its particular use, we leave it to our top leadership,” Trinidad said. Meanwhile, the Navy (PN) spokesperson for the West
Philippine Sea, Rear Adm. Roy Vincent Trinidad, said this particular unfreezing of the support by the US government means that programs that have been planned will push through.
“The unfreezing of the aid to the Philippines by the US government is a very much welcome development. This has been planned in advance. So there are already particular programs that higher
not downplaying Edsa revolt significance’
By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla
MALACAÑANG said President Marcos is not erasing the importance of the Edsa People Power Revolution by declaring it as a special working holiday.
Palace Press Officer Clarissa Castro made the statement on Tuesday in a press briefing when asked for a reaction to the criticisms hurled against the President for not suspending work and classes during the commemora -
tion of the historic event as in previous years.
She maintained that the Palace is not prohibiting the public from joining activities celebrating the peaceful revolution, which ousted from power the President’s father, former president Ferdinand Marcos Sr.
“Since the time when he [Marcos] became President, we did not hear any [incident] that he stopped any event or activity from commemorating the said event. And also, if you will pay attention, how can you erase history? History is
history. So the President can’t just let it be erased from history,” Castro said in Filipino.
Castro highlighted that the President has the prerogative to decide if the event will be a working or non-working holiday.
Under Proclamation 727, the EDSA Revolution celebration on February 25, 2025 was declared as a special working holiday.
The President did not also release any message on the celebration of the Edsa People Power Revolution as he typically does for other important events. The last
headquarters have mapped out for this year and even in the years to come,” he added. These include activities on sea, air, and land, and even our support systems, cyber, and other areas, Trinidad said.
The Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed that the US has issued a waiver for part of its military financing to the Philippines. Rex Anthony Naval
such message he issued was for the commemoration of Chinese New Year last month.
More than 50 schools voluntarily suspended their classes on Tuesday to help preserve the spirit of the Edsa Revolution after the President opted to declare it as a special working holiday.
During the first year of his term, Marcos issued a proclamation which included Edsa People Power Revolution among the list of special-non working holidays for 2023 to allow the people to join activities, which commemorate the historic event.
In 2024, the event was not declared a holiday since it was held on a Sunday.
CWS party-list faces DQ case over alleged vote-buying
THE Construction Workers’ Solidarity (CWS) Partylist is facing a disqualification case ahead of the midterm elections after a provincial vice mayor filed a complaint before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Monday, accusing the group of vote-buying in Batangas.
Mataas na Kahoy, Batangas Vice Mayor Jay M. Ilagan alleged in his formal complaint that CWS Representative Edwin Gardiola—who is seeking re-election as the party’s first nominee—gave away three cars as prizes during an event earlier this month.
Ilagan claimed the party-list’s “last to take hands off challenge” during the BarakoFest event in Lipa, Batangas violated election laws, as it was held within the 90-day campaign period leading up to the May 12 elections.
“The BarakoFest, which took place from February 13 to 15, clearly involved prize giveaways, including three cars. The evidence supports this, making it a blatant violation of the country’s Omnibus Election Code,” Ilagan said, partly in Filipino, during an interview.
The vice mayor clarified that his complaint was not politically motivated.
Boracay rehabilitation continues
B“This is a human right. It is a response to Comelec’s call to report and file cases against candidates or party-lists that violate election regulations,” Ilagan added.
Under the Omnibus Election Code, vote-buying involve offering or promising money, valuables, employment, franchises, or other benefits—either directly or indirectly—to influence voters.
The law considers such acts as election offenses, which, if proven, could lead to disqualification and even imprisonment.
Comelec Commissioner Ernesto Maceda Jr. emphasized
ORACAY remains a prime example of sustainable tourism years after its major rehabilitation, Sen. Christopher Go said on Monday, emphasizing the long-term benefits of the initiative. Go, who was in Aklan for a series of meetings with local leaders on Monday, recalled how the cleanup and restoration of Boracay had once been met with skepticism but ultimately proved to be a necessary step for the island’s preservation and sustainable development.
During his visit, the senator engaged with local e-trike drivers who shared their gratitude for the improved infrastructure and environmental regulations that have helped sustain tourism and provide better livelihood opportunities.
Go, who served as Special Assistant to then President Rodrigo
that a candidate does not need to explicitly state “vote for” for an act to be considered vote-buying.
“The moment you announce it, put your name on it, display a tarpaulin or banner—it is presumptively vote-buying,” Maceda explained.
He added that sponsoring prizes is allowed, provided it is done “out of goodwill” and “anonymously.”
As of writing, the CWS Partylist has yet to issue a statement on the disqualification case.
This is the fifth vote-buying and abuse of state resources incident that the Comelec is investigating. Justine Xyrah Garcia
Duterte when the rehabilitation was implemented, said he remains proud of the efforts made under that administration, noting that it set a precedent for similar environmental initiatives.
By Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz @joveemarie
ALEADER of the House of Representatives has criticized senatorial candidates who rank low in the surveys who exploit controversies and attack the administration for media mileage, urging them to present concrete government platforms instead of resorting to baseless accusations.
House Deputy Majority Leader Paolo Ortega V called out candidates who, despite trailing in surveys, continue to target President Marcos and the House of Representatives in a bid to attract public attention.
“Why don’t they present their platforms instead of resorting to smear tactics? Maybe they’d see a slight improvement [in their rankings] in the surveys. People are looking for results, for solid programs,” Ortega said.
He pointed out that some candidates repeatedly criticize the House of Representatives, yet only a handful among them are serious contenders.
“Some just keep attacking the President and the House, yet they’re ranked at the bottom—number 50...number 40. They’re simply riding on the popularity of the President and his accomplishments,” he added.
Ortega, who represents La Union, emphasized that leadership is about offering real solutions, not just making noise when election season nears. He said these long-shot candidates continue to spread negativity despite failing to gain traction among voters.
Ortega pointed out that true public servants gain recognition through results, not relentless smear tactics.
Strong public support
NAVOTAS Rep. Toby Tiangco, Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas’ campaign manager, said the powerhouse Senate slate backed by the president is gaining strong public support as it campaigns in key regions ahead of the May 2025 elections.
Tiangco made this assessment after the coalition slate completed six campaign sorties in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte; Iloilo City; Carmen, Davao del Norte; Pasay City, Metro Manila; Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental; and Victorias City, Negros Occidental.
“Alyansa has received an overwhelmingly positive response from Filipinos, which reflects strong support for President Marcos and his Bagong Pilipinas agenda,” Tiangco said. The Alyansa ticket includes former Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos, Makati City Mayor Abby Binay, Sen. Ramon Revilla, Sen. Pia Cayetano, former Sen. Panfilo Lacson, Sen. Lito Lapid, Sen. Imee Marcos, former Sen. Manny Pacquiao, former Senate President Vicente Sotto III, Sen. Francis Tolentino, ACT-CIS nominee to the House and former Social Welfare Secretary Erwin Tulfo, and Deputy Speaker Camille Villar.
“Everywhere we go, we see the enthusiasm of the people. They want leaders who will push for continuity, stability, and real reforms that will uplift their lives,” Tiangco pointed out.
“From the north in Laoag to the Visayas and Mindanao, the message is clear—our people trust this administration’s vision, and they want a Senate that will work with the President, not against him,” he added. Tiangco noted that in every campaign stop, the Alyansa slate has been warmly received, with large crowds eager to hear the platforms of each candidate.
He noted that turnout in several areas exceeded expectations, signaling strong grassroots support for the administration-backed candidates. With six sorties completed and more scheduled in the coming weeks, Tiangco said the administration coalition remains focused on strengthening grassroots connections and building on its positive momentum.
While in Aklan, the senator also met with local officials to discuss various concerns, including infrastructure improvements and access to government services in the province. The rehabilitation of Boracay, which involved six months of closure in 2018, addressed longstanding issues such as poor waste management, environmental degradation, and unregulated tourism practices. Since then, the island has consistently ranked among the top beach destinations in the world, drawing both local and international visitors while maintaining stricter environmental policies.
Go reaffirmed his commitment to ensure that similar initiatives continue, particularly those aimed at balancing economic development with environmental protection.
Pope Francis continues recovery amid global prayers and hopes for his return
By Nicole Winfield The Associated Press
ROME—Pope Francis continued his recovery from pneumonia Tuesday as the Vatican set in motion a nightly marathon of prayers from “his house” and allies cheered him on from afar in hopes that he might recover and get back to leading the Catholic Church.
The Vatican’s typically brief morning update said: “The pope slept well, all night.”
On Monday evening, doctors said he remained in critical condition with double pneumonia but reported a “slight improvement” in some laboratory results. In the most upbeat bulletin in days, they said he had resumed work from his hospital room, calling a parish in Gaza City that he has kept in touch with since the war there began.
After night fell, thousands of faithful gathered in a rain-soaked St. Peter’s Square for the first of
a nightly recitation of the Rosary. The prayer evoked the 2005 vigils when St. John Paul II was dying in the Apostolic Palace, but many of those on hand said they were praying for Francis’ recovery.
“We came to pray for the pope, that he may recover soon, for the great mission he’s sharing with his message of peace,” said Hatzumi Villanueva, from Peru, who praised Francis’ empathy for migrants.
Standing on the same stage where Francis usually presides, the Vatican secretary of state,
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, said that ever since Francis had been hospitalized, a chorus of prayers for his recovery had swelled up from around the world.
“Starting this evening, we want
to unite ourselves publicly to this prayer here, in his house,” Parolin said, praying that Francis “in this moment of illness and trial” would recover quickly. The Argentine pope, who had
Russia and Indonesia strengthen defense ties amid Ukraine war
By Niniek Karmini & Andi Jatmiko
The Associated Press
JAKARTA, Indonesia—Russia and Indonesia took steps on Tuesday to strengthen their defense ties with a meeting between a top Russian security official and Indonesia’s defense minister in the capital of Jakarta as Moscow’s war on Ukraine entered its fourth year.
Ahead of the visit by Sergei Shoigu, secretary of the Russian Federation Security Council, the Russian news agency RIA Novosti said he would discuss ways to deepen a defense partnership with Indonesia’s Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin.
The two officials would also discuss “cooperation in other areas of mutual interest,” the agency said, citing a Russian government statement.
Shoigu’s visit, the first stop in a five-day Asia tour that also includes Malaysia, comes after Indonesia—the world’s most populous Muslim-majority country and Southeast Asia’s largest
economy—was admitted as full member to the BRICS bloc of developing economies, an alliance where Russia is one of the founding members.
Indonesian officials said ahead of Shoigu’s arrival that the sides would exchange views on international and regional issues as Russia hopes to deepen its defense engagement with Southeast Asia countries.
Shoigu will also pay a courtesy call on Indonesian President
Prabowo Subianto before departing for Malaysia on Wednesday. Shoigu declined to comment to the media after his meeting with Sjamsoeddin.
Indonesia’s Defense Ministry spokesperson Brig. Gen. Frega Wenas told reporters that Moscow and Jakarta “share an ambition to further broaden and deepen our defense relationship” and that Shoigu’s visit reflected the highest-level commitment to bilateral ties.
Indonesia’s and the Russian navy held a joint drill last November in Indonesia’s East Java Sea. Also, Jakarta has purchased Russian defense equipment, including Sukhoi fighter jets, BTR-80A military transport armored and other combat vehicles, helicopters and assault rifles.
Subianto, who has made strengthening Indonesia’s military a priority, also wants to buy submarines, frigates and more fighter jets, and step-up defense cooperation with other countries. Last August, as the country’s president-elect, he met Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin.
Indonesia has sought to maintain a neutral position since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022.
Subianto’s predecessor, Joko Widodo, was the first Asian leader who visited both Moscow and Kyiv in July 2022, hoping to push for a cease-fire.
The Associated Press writer Emma Burrows in London contributed to this report.
Chinese fishing vessels used North Korean crews in breach of UN bans, a report says
By Hyung-Jin Kim The Associated Press
SEOUL, South Korea—A fleet of Chinese fishing vessels used North Korean crews between 2019 and 2024 in violation of UN bans, and many people were apparently subjected to abuses including being trapped at sea for years, a report said Monday.
The Environmental Justice Foundation, a London-based group specializing in environmental and human rights issues, said it identified the presence of North Koreans on 12 Chinese tuna long-liners operating in the southwest Indian Ocean. The report was mostly based on interviews with 19 Indonesians and Filipinos who worked alongside them.
“The testimony received from Indonesian and Filipino crew members suggests that
concerted efforts were made to hide the presence of North Koreans on these vessels, and that those North Koreans on board were forced to work for as many as 10 years at sea—in some instances without ever stepping foot on land,” the report said.
“This would constitute forced labor of a magnitude that surpasses much of that witnessed in a global fishing industry already replete with abuse,” it added.
The group said the North Koreans were passed from vessel to vessel to prevent them from returning to land. It cited unidentified Asian crew members as saying their North Korean shipmates were not allowed to use mobile phones or leave vessels during port visits.
The group said it wasn’t able to estimate the number of North Koreans aboard the See “Chinese,” A8
part of one lung removed as a young man, has been hospitalized since Feb. 14 and doctors have said his condition is touch-and-go, given his age, fragility and preexisting lung disease.
But in Monday’s update, they said he hadn’t had any more respiratory crises since Saturday, and the flow and concentration of supplemental oxygen has been slightly reduced. The slight kidney insufficiency detected on Sunday was not causing alarm at the moment, doctors said, while saying his prognosis remained guarded. Francis’ right-wing critics have been spreading dire rumors about his condition, but his allies have cheered him on and expressed hope that he will pull through. Many noted that from the very night of his election as pope, Francis had asked for the prayers of ordinary faithful, a request he repeats daily.
“I’m a witness of everything he did for the church, with a great love of Jesus,” Honduran Cardinal Oscar Rodriguez Maradiaga told La Repubblica. “Humanly speaking, I don’t think it’s time for him to go to Paradise.” Maradiaga, a founding member of Francis’ inner circle of cardinal advisers, said he himself had been near death with Covid-19, on high flows of oxygen like Francis. “I know the pope may be suffering and as a result I feel closer to him in prayer.”
South Korea awaits impeachment verdict: Yoon’s
Sremoval could trigger snap election
By Soo-Hyang Choi
OUTH KOREA’S Constitutional Court commenced its final hearing to wrap up a trial to decide whether to permanently remove impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol from office for his ill-fated martial law declaration.
The hearing began Tuesday afternoon without Yoon’s attendance as eight justices look to close the six-week trial that focused on whether the president breached the constitution by declaring martial law in early December.
One of Yoon’s lawyers earlier said the president, who’s currently at a detention center after his January arrest, was preparing his final testimony for the hearing.
As rallies both for and against the embattled leader continue across the country, police heightened security around the court, surrounding the nearby area with police buses to restrict access.
If the court backs parliament’s motion, Yoon will be immediately removed from power, triggering a presidential election within 60 days. If the motion is rejected, Yoon would be restored as president but his legal travails would still be far from over, as the president faces a separate criminal case on charges of insurrection.
In past presidential impeachment cases, the court delivered its verdict within two weeks of the final hearing.
Yoon’s decision to declare martial law has plunged South Korea into its worst constitutional crisis in decades. Shortly after his impeachment, the prime minister was also suspended from office, leaving Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok in charge. This leadership vacuum has weakened the export-reliant nation’s ability to negotiate effectively with President Donald Trump, who is threatening to impose tariffs.
Over the course of 10 hearings, Yoon denied wrongdoing
and branded himself as a firm believer in democracy. Yoon, 64, also disputed testimonies made by his military commanders that he ordered troops to remove lawmakers who gathered in parliament to vote on scrapping the martial law. Yoon was impeached by the opposition-controlled parliament in December after briefly imposing martial law—the first such order in South Korea in over 40 years. The martial law decree was a high-stakes gamble that Yoon said was aimed at preventing the main opposition Democratic Party from trying to paralyze his administration.
Recent polls show the DP’s leader, Lee Jae-myung, as the frontrunner if a snap election is held, while several members of Yoon’s People Power Party are competing to be their party’s presidential candidate.
However, Lee faces legal troubles of his own, with an appeals court set to hold a final hearing this week on his election law violation case. He faces the risk of being ruled out of any presidential election if a conviction at a lower court is upheld in the coming months.
A weekly Gallup opinion poll last Friday showed 60 percent of respondents supporting Yoon’s impeachment with 34 percent against it. Bloomberg News
THOUSANDS of faithful gather for a rosary prayer service for the health of Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican, Monday, February 24, 2025. AP/KIRSTY WIGGLESWORTH
RUSSIAN Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu, right, and Indonesian Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin inspect honor guards during a welcoming ceremony prior to their meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia, Tuesday, February 25, 2025. AP/TATAN SYUFLANA
Trump expresses hope for end to Russia-Ukraine war, Macron warns against ‘surrender’ to Russia
By Sylvie Corbet, Matthew Lee & Aamer Madhani The Associated Press
ASHINGTON—President Donald
WTrump expressed hope that Russia’s war in Ukraine is nearing an endgame as he met Monday with French President Emmanuel Macron on the third anniversary of the invasion. But France’s leader cautioned that it’s crucial that any potential agreement with Moscow does not amount to surrender for Ukraine.
Their talks come at a moment of deep uncertainty about the future of transatlantic relations, with Trump transforming American foreign policy and effectively tuning out European leadership as he looks to quickly end the war in Ukraine. While Macron and Trump made nice at the White House, their countries were at loggerheads at the United Nations over resolutions describing Russia as the aggressor in the war.
In broad comments on the state of the conflict, Trump said he believed Russian
President Vladimir Putin would accept European peacekeepers in Ukraine.
“Yeah, he will accept it,” Trump told reporters. “I have asked him that question. Look, if we do this deal, he’s not looking for more war.”
And Trump said he hoped that the war could end within weeks and that Ukrainian
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy would soon come to the US to sign a deal giving America access to Ukraine’s critical minerals, which are used in key technology.
Trump is pressing the economic deal to help repay some of the $180 billion in American aid for Kyiv since the start of the war—tens of billions of which is being spent in the US to replenish older weapons sent to Ukraine.
“It looks like we’re getting very close,” Trump told reporters of the minerals deal before his meeting with Macron. He said Zelenskyy could potentially visit Washington this week or next to sign it.
Ensuring security for Ukraine UKRAINE also is looking for future security
guarantees as part of any agreement. Trump, however, did not say whether the emerging deal would include such assurances from the United States: “Europe is going to make sure nothing happens.”
A French official with knowledge of Macron’s meeting with Trump said the US president didn’t object to the need for US security guarantees in a possible peace deal but details were still being worked out. The official wasn’t authorized to comment publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.
At a joint press conference, Macron acknowledged that European nations must do more to bolster defense on the continent. But he also warned against capitulating to Russia.
“This peace must not mean a surrender of Ukraine,” Macron said. “It must not mean a ceasefire without guarantees. This peace must allow for Ukrainian sovereignty.”
Macron cut off direct communication with Putin after Russian forces carried out brutal operations in the Kyiv suburb of Bucha months into the conflict. But he
said the moment has changed and he hopes Trump’s engagement with Putin can lead to something fruitful.
“Now, there is a big chance because there is a new US administration, so this is a new context,” Macron said. “So, there is good reason for President Trump to reengage with President Putin.”
Putin said Monday that he has not discussed resolving the conflict in Ukraine in detail with Trump and neither did Russian and American negotiating teams when they met in Saudi Arabia last week.
Putin also said Russia does not rule out European countries—who were dismayed that they and Ukraine were not invited to the table in Riyadh—participating in a peace settlement.
America’s foreign policy turnaround THE war’s anniversary—and the talks at the White House—come at an unnerving moment for much of Europe as it witnesses a dramatic shift in American foreign policy under Trump.
Trump has made demands for territory—Greenland, Canada, Gaza and the Panama Canal. Just over a month into his second term, the “America First” president has cast an enormous shadow over what veteran US diplomats and former government officials had regarded as America’s calming presence of global stability and continuity.
Despite some hiccups, the military, economic and moral power of the United States has dominated the post-World War II era, most notably after the Cold War came to an end with the collapse of the Soviet Union. All of that, some fear, may be lost if Trump gets his way and the US abandons the principles under which the United Nations and numerous other international bodies were founded.
“The only conclusion you can draw is that 80 years of policy in standing up against aggressors has just been blown up without any sort of discussion or reflection,” said Ian Kelly, a US ambassador to Georgia during the Obama and first Trump administrations and now a professor at Northwestern University.
European leaders in Washington TRUMP is set to hold a meeting Thursday with another key European leader, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Trump shook Europe with repeated criticism of Zelenskyy for failing to negotiate an end to the war and rebuffing a push to sign off on a deal giving the US access to Ukraine’s critical minerals, which could be used in the American aerospace, medical and tech industries. Zelenskyy initially bristled, saying it was short on security guarantees. He said Sunday on X that “we are making great progress” but noted that “we want a good economic deal that will be part of a true security guarantee system for Ukraine.” Zelenskyy, who said Sunday in response to a question that he would trade his office for peace or to join NATO, had angered Trump by saying the US president was living in a Russian-made “disinformation space.” In the public spat, Trump called Zelenskyy a “dictator” and falsely charged
See “Trump,” A8
The World
Syria holds inclusive national dialogue conference amid hopes and skepticism
By Ghaith Alsayed\ & Omar Albam Associated Press
DAMASCUS, Syria—A longawaited national dialogue conference intended to help chart Syria’s political future after the fall of former President Bashar Assad kicked off Monday in Damascus.
The conference had been one of the chief pledges by the country’s new rulers, former rebels who took power in a military offensive but have since promised an inclusive political transition. Its results will be closely watched by both Syrians and the international community, including countries still weighing whether to lift sanctions imposed during Assad’s authoritarian rule. The main session will be held on Tuesday, with participants holding workshops to discuss transitional justice, the structure of a new constitution, reforming and building institutions, personal freedoms, the role of civil society and the country’s economy. The outcome of the national dialogue will be nonbinding recommendations to the country’s new leaders. Plans for the conference— which had been promised by the country’s new authorities in the immediate aftermath of Assad’s fall in a lightning rebel offensive in December—had been in flux up until the last minute. The date of the conference was announced on Sunday, one day before it was to start.
been determined yet and might range from 400 to 1,000.
On Monday, officials said 600 people had been invited. AlDaghim called the conference a “historic event.”
Two days before that announcement, Hassan al-Daghim, spokesperson for the committee organizing the national dialogue, had said the date of the conference had not been set and the timing was “up for discussion by the citizens.” He also said the number of participants had not
“It’s something wonderful in itself for the Syrians to be able to speak their opinion without being afraid and without repression by security forces” as was the case under Assad’s rule, he said.
Conference participant Iman Shahoud, a judge from Hama, said she considers the conference “the day of true victory, because you can see in front of you all the sects and components of the Syrian people are present, women and men.”
“This is a day that the Syrian people have been waiting for a long time,” she said.
Some remain skeptical
“I DON’T expect this conference to produce any results, to be honest,” said Dalia Dalati, a public employee who was originally from Aleppo and displaced during the country’s nearly 14-year civil war.
Three months after the fall of Assad, Dalati said the economic and security situation remain tenuous and divisions are emerging among people, adding that she sees the country’s new rulers as only focused on “trying
Palestinians struggle to restart their lives in the ruins of Gaza
By Fatma Khaled & Abdel Kareem Hana
The Associated Press
BEIT LAHIYA, Gaza Strip—When night falls over northern Gaza, much of the cityscape of collapsed buildings and piled wreckage turns pitch black. Living inside the ruins of their home, Rawia Tambora’s young sons get afraid of the dark, so she turns on a flashlight and her phone’s light to comfort them, for as long as the batteries last.
Displaced for most of the 16-monthlong war, Tambora is back in her house. But it is still a frustrating shell of a life, she says: There is no running water, electricity, heat or services, and no tools to clear the rubble around them.
Nearly 600,000 Palestinians flooded back into northern Gaza under the now month-old ceasefire in Gaza, according to the United Nations. After initial relief and joy at being back at their homes—even if damaged or destroyed—they now face the reality of living in the wreckage for the foreseeable future.
“Some people wish the war had never ended, feeling it would have been better to be killed,” Tambora said. “I don’t know what we’ll do long-term. My brain stopped planning for the future.”
The six-week ceasefire is due to end Saturday, and it’s uncertain what will happen next. There are efforts to extend the calm as the next phase is negotiated. If fighting erupts again, those who returned to the north could find themselves once again in the middle of it.
A massive rebuilding job has no way to start
A REPORT last week by the World Bank, UN and European Union estimated it will cost some $53 billion to rebuild Gaza after entire neighborhoods were decimated by Israel’s bombardment and offensives against Hamas militants. At the moment, there is almost no capacity or funding to start significant rebuilding.
A priority is making Gaza immediately livable. Earlier in February, Hamas threatened to hold up hostage releases unless more tents and temporary shelters were allowed into Gaza. It then reversed and accelerated hostage releases after Israel agreed to let in mobile homes and construction equipment.
Humanitarian agencies have stepped up services, setting up free kitchens and water delivery stations, and distributing tents and tarps to hundreds of thousands across Gaza, according to the UN President Donald Trump turned up the
and repatriate all remaining North Korean workers from their territories by the
sanctions were adopted after North Korea conducted nuclear and long-range missile tests in violation of earlier council resolutions.
pressure by calling for the entire population of Gaza to be removed permanently so the US can take over the territory and redevelop it for others. Rejecting the proposal, Palestinians say they want help to rebuild for themselves.
Gaza City’s municipality started fixing some water lines and clearing rubble from streets, said a spokesperson, Asem Alnabih. But it lacks heavy equipment. Only a few of its 40 bulldozers and five dump trucks still work, he said. Gaza is filled with over 50 million tons of rubble that would take 100 trucks working at full capacity over 15 years to clear away, the UN estimates.
Families try to get by day by day
TAMBORA’S house in the northern town of Beit Lahiya was destroyed by an airstrike early in the war, so she and her family lived in the nearby Indonesian Hospital, where she worked as a nurse.
After the ceasefire, they moved back into the only room in her house that was semi-intact. The ceiling is partially collapsed, the walls are cracked; the surviving fridge and sink are useless with no water or electricity. They stack their sheets and blankets in a corner.
Tambora said her 12-year-old son lugs heavy containers of water twice a day from
The group said the use of North Korean crews also appears to have bypassed legal frameworks in the UK and the European Union designed to prevent goods produced by North Koreans from entering their supply chains. The EJF said that it also found ships that were suspected of collecting fish from the Chinese vessels had entered key markets in Asia including Japan, Taiwan and South Korea.
Along with Russia, China is suspected of not fully enforcing UN sanctions on North Korea and has vetoed US-led efforts to toughen UN sanctions on North Korea despite its banned weapons tests.
Asked about the EJF report, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian told a briefing Monday that he wasn’t not familiar with it but said China carries out offshore fishing in accordance with laws
Kyiv with starting the war. Russia, in fact, invaded its smaller and lesser-equipped neighbor in February 2022.
Asked Monday if he thought Putin was also a dictator, Trump demurred: “I don’t use those words lightly.”
to build its external relations, with the Gulf, with America, with Europe.”
“Why should we care about the national conference when the most important things, security and safety, unfortunately, remain absent?” Dalati said.
Orthodox Archbishop Elia Tohme, one of the invitees, said it was “too early to judge” whether the conference was a meaningful chance for citizen input in the new order.
“We need to see the outcomes of the conference before judging its results,” he said. He added that he wants to see a “mechanism to follow up on the implementation of the recommendations” made after the dialogue sessions, “so that it’s not just a conference where we met and talked.”
After Assad was toppled, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS, the main former rebel group now in control of Syria, set up an interim administration comprising mainly members of its “salvation government” that had ruled in northwestern Syria.
They said at the time that a new government would be formed through an inclusive process by March. In January, former HTS leader Ahmad al-Sharaa was named Syria’s interim president
distribution stations. They also have to find firewood for cooking. The influx of aid means there is food in the markets and prices went down, but it remains expensive, she said.
With the Indonesian Hospital too damaged to function, Tambora walks an hour each day to work at the Kamal Adwan Hospital. She charges her and her husband’s phones using the hospital generator.
Many of Tambora’s relatives returned to find nothing left of their homes, so they live in tents on or next to the rubble that gets blown away by winter winds or flooded during rains, she said.
Asmaa Dwaima and her family returned to Gaza City but had to rent an apartment because their home in the Tel al-Hawa neighborhood was destroyed. It was only weeks after returning that she went to visit their four-story house, now a pile of flattened and burned wreckage.
“I couldn’t come here because I was afraid. I had an image of my house in my mind—its beauty, and warmth. ... I was afraid to face this truth,” the 25-year-old dentist said. “They don’t just destroy stone, they are destroying us and our identity.”
Her family had to rebuild the house once before, when it was leveled by airstrikes during a round of fighting between Israel and Hamas in 2014, she said. For the time
and regulations.
Lin said China’s relevant cooperation with North Korea is also conducted “within the framework of international law.”
The EJF said it’s the first time North Korean labor has been publicly documented on a distant-water fishing vessel.
Before the 2019 UN deadline, tens of thousands of North Koreans were reported to be working abroad, mostly at factories and restaurants in China and logging camps and construction sites in Russia, to bring in much-needed foreign currency.
North Korean workers abroad were in general under the constant surveillance of their country’s security agents, toiled more than 12 hours a day and took home a fraction of their salaries, with the rest going to their government, according to defectors and experts.
Some daylight between allies WHILE Macron and Trump held talks, including participating in a virtual meeting with fellow Group of Seven leaders, the United States split with its European allies at the UN by refusing to blame Rus
sia for its invasion of Ukraine in a series of resolutions.
The US abstained from voting on its own proposal after the Europeans, led by France, succeeded in changing it to make clear that
after a meeting of most of the country’s former rebel factions. The groups agreed to dissolve the country’s constitution, the former national army, security service and official political parties.
The armed groups present at the meetings also agreed to dissolve themselves and for their members to be absorbed into the new national army and security forces. Notably absent was the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, which holds sway in northeastern Syria and which has not been invited to participate in the national dialogue.
The committee said Sunday that it had held more than 30 meetings across Syria’s provinces in which some 4,000 people participated in the runup to the conference “to ensure the representation of various components of Syrian society,” state-run news agency SANA reported. It said participants had repeatedly called for a temporary constitutional declaration, an economic plan, the restructuring of government sectors, involving citizens in the management of institutions, and enhancing security and stability.
The Associated Press journalist Abby Sewell in Beirut contributed to this report.
being, they have no means to rebuild now.
“We need to remove the rubble because we want to pull out clothes and some of our belongings,” she said. “We need heavy equipment…There are no bricks or other construction tools and, if available, it’s extremely expensive.”
Desperation is growing
TESS INGRAM , a spokesperson with UNICEF who visited northern Gaza since the ceasefire, said the families she met are “grieving the lives that they used to live as they begin to rebuild.”
Their desperation, she said, “is becoming more intense.”
Huda Skaik, a 20-year-old student, is sharing a room with her three siblings and parents at her grandparents’ house in Gaza
City. It’s an improvement from life in the tent camps of central Gaza where they were displaced for much of the war, she said. There, they had to live among strangers, and their tent was washed away by rain. At least here they have walls and are with family, she said. Before the war interrupted, Skaik had just started studying English literature at Gaza’s Islamic University. She is now enrolled in online classes the university is organizing. But the internet is feeble, and her electricity relies on solar panels that don’t always work.
“The worst part is that we’re just now grasping that we lost it all,” she said. “The destruction is massive, but I’m trying to remain positive.”
Khaled reported from Cairo.
was the aggressor. Before meeting with Trump, Macron said he intended to tell
and
Despite the UN ban, South Korean officials and experts believe a large number of North Korean workers remain engaged in
CHINESE fishing vessels navigate past a beacon in the Zhubi Reef off Spratly Islands in South China Sea, July 18, 2012. AP/XINHUA,
PARTICIPANTS in Syria’s national dialogue conference gather at the Dama Rose Hotel in Damascus, Syria, Monday February 24, 2025.
MEMBERS of the Dwaima family stand amidst the rubble of their home, which was destroyed by an Israeli airstrike during the Israel-Hamas war, in the Tal al Hawa neighborhood in Gaza City, Monday, February 24, 2025. AP/ABDEL KAREEM HANA
UN biodiversity talks resume in Rome as funding challenges loom for global conservation efforts
By Steven Grattan The Associated Press
BOGOTA, Colombia—An annual United Nations conference on biodiversity that ran out of time last year will resume its work Tuesday in Rome with money at the top of the agenda.
That is, how to spend what’s been pledged so far—and how to raise a lot more to help preserve plant and animal life on Earth.
The talks in Colombia known as COP16 yielded some significant outcomes before they broke up in November, including an agreement that requires companies that benefit from genetic resources in nature—say, by developing medicines from rainforest plants—to share the benefits. And steps were taken to give Indigenous peoples and local communities a stronger voice in conservation matters.
But two weeks turned out to be not enough time to get everything done.
The Cali talks followed the historic 2022 COP15 accord in
Montreal, which included 23 measures aimed at protecting biodiversity. Those included putting 30 percent of the planet and 30 percent of degraded ecosystems under protection by 2030, known as the Global Biodiversity Framework.
“Montreal was about the ‘what’—what are we all working towards together?” said Georgina Chandler, head of policy and campaigns for the Zoological Society London. “Cali was supposed to focus on the ‘how’—putting the plans and the financing in place to ensure we can actually implement this framework.”
“They eventually lost a quorum because people simply went home,” said Linda Krueger of The Nature Conservancy, who is in Rome for
the two days of talks “And so now we’re having to finish these last critical decisions, which are some of the nitty gritty decisions on financing, on resource mobilization and on the planning and monitoring and reporting requirements under the Global Biodiversity Framework.”
The overall financial aim was to achieve $20 billion a year in the fund by 2025, and then $30 billion by 2030. So far, only $383 million had been pledged as of November, from 12 nations or subnations: Austria, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Japan, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Norway, Province of Québec, Spain, and the United Kingdom.
Participants will discuss establishing a “global financing instrument for biodiversity” intended to effectively distribute the money raised. And a big part of the talks will be about raising more money.
‘Completely off track’ on larger financial goal
CHANDLER and Kruger both said the finance points at Colombia’s talks were particularly contentious.
“It’s really about how do we collect the money and how do we get it distributed fairly, get it to the ground where it’s needed most, so that that’s really the core issue,”
said Kruger. Oscar Soria, chief executive of The Common Initiative, a think tank specializing in global economic and environmental policy, was pessimistic about raising a great deal more money.
“We are completely off track in terms of achieving that money,” Soria said. Key sources of biodiversity finance are shrinking or disappearing, he said.
“What was supposed to be a good Colombian telenovela in which people will actually bring the right resources, and the happy ending of bringing their money, could actually end up being a tragic Italian opera, where no one actually agrees to anything and everyone loses,” Soria said. Susana Muhamad, Colombia’s former environment minister and the COP16 president, said she’s
hopeful of “a good message from Rome.”
“That message is that still, even with a very fragmented geopolitical landscape, with a world increasingly in conflict, we can still get an agreement on some fundamental issues,” Muhamad said in a statement. “And one of the most important is the need to protect life in this crisis of climate change and biodiversity.”
Global wildlife populations have plunged on average by 73 percent in 50 years, according to an October report from the World Wildlife Fund and the Zoological Society of London.
“Biodiversity is basically essential to our livelihoods and well-being,” Chandler said. “It’s essential to the air we breathe, the water we drink, rainfall that food systems rely on, protecting us from increasing temperatures and increasing storm occurrences as well.” Chandler said deforestation in the Amazon has far-reaching impacts across South America, just as it does in the Congo Basin and other major biodiverse regions worldwide.
“We know that has an impact on rainfall, on food systems, on soil integrity in other countries. So, it’s not just something that’s kind of small and isolated. It’s a widespread problem,” she said.
Judge rejects immediately restoring AP’s access to White House, cites lack of ‘irreparable harm’
By Matt Sedensky Ap National Writer
ASHINGTON—A fed -
Weral judge on Monday refused to immediately order the White House to restore The Associated Press’ access to presidential events, saying the news organization had not demonstrated it had suffered any irreparable harm. But he urged the Trump administration to reconsider its two-week-old ban, saying that case law “is uniformly unhelpful to the White House.”
US District Judge Trevor N. McFadden’s decision was only for the moment, however. He told attorneys for the Trump administration and the AP that the issue required more exploration before ruling.
McFadden said the AP had not proven harm requiring an immediate restraining order. But he cautioned the White House that the law wasn’t on its side in barring AP over continuing to refer to the Gulf of Mexico, not simply the “Gulf of America” as Trump decreed in an executive order.
“It seems pretty clearly viewpoint discrimination,” McFadden told Brian Hudak, a government attorney.
With no ruling made, the White House is free to continue barring the AP from the Oval Office and beyond. The case promised to stretch at least until March 20, when an additional hearing was set.
AP spokesperson Lauren Easton had this to say after the hearing: “We look forward to our next hearing on March 20 where we will continue to stand for the right of the press and the public to speak freely without government retaliation. This is a fundamental American freedom.”
The White House, meanwhile, began displaying a pair of monitors in the briefing room reading “Gulf of America” and “Victory,” which it declared: “As we have
said from the beginning, asking the President of the United States questions in the Oval Office and aboard Air Force One is a privilege granted to journalists, not a legal right.”
Is singling out one news organization ‘viewpoint discrimination’?
HUDAK said that just because an AP reporter and photographer had long held a place in the White House press pool didn’t mean the agency was entitled to it in perpetuity.
“That’s not just special access. That’s extra-special access,” Hudak said, noting that AP journalists continue to access the White House and publish news from events, even when its journalists are not present in the room where they happen. “The president can choose who to speak with.”
Charles Tobin, an attorney representing the AP, said it wasn’t a matter of whether Trump had to speak to the agency’s reporters, but that singling the agency out amounted to a “constitutional problem.”
“We’re not arguing that the president of the United States has to answer The Associated Press’ questions,” Tobin said. “The issue is that once he lets the press pool in, he can’t say, ‘I don’t like you. You’re fake news. Get out.’”
McFadden, a Trump nominee, subjected both sides to intense questioning.
Discussing the composition of the “press pool” that is chosen by the White House Correspondents’ Association, he questioned why the government was obligated to follow those choices, saying “it feels a little odd that the White House is somehow bound by the decisions this private organization is making.”
Later, though, in an exchange with Hudak, he said “The White House has accepted the correspondents’ association to be the referee here, and has just discriminated against one organization. That does seem problematic.”
The dispute is over AP style EARLIER this month, the Trump administration began barring the AP from the Oval Office, Air Force One and other areas—some of which have been open to the agency for a century as part of the White House press pool.
That came after the AP said last month that it would adhere to the “Gulf of Mexico” terminology because its audience is global and the waters are not only in US territory. However, it is acknowledging Trump’s rechristening as well.
The AP filed suit Friday,
naming three Trump officials— White House chief of staff Susan Wiles, deputy chief of staff Taylor Budowich and press secretary Karoline Leavitt—as defendants. The agency, a not-for-profit news organization in operation since 1846, called the White House’s move a “targeted attack” that “strikes at the very core of the First Amendment.”
Budowich was in court at the defendants’ table. The AP’s chief White House correspondent, Zeke Miller, sat with the plaintiffs’ attorneys; its executive editor, Julie Pace, sat in the front row of spectators.
Dozens of news organizations signed a letter last week urging the White House to reverse its policy. The signees included Trump-friendly outlets like Fox News Channel and Newsmax.
Trump has dismissed the AP as an organization of “radical left lunatics” and said “We’re going to keep them out until such time as they agree that it’s the Gulf of America.”
In an e-mail to AP, Wiles said the news organization was targeted because its influential stylebook is used as a standard by many journalists, scholars and students across the country, the lawsuit said. She said the administration was hopeful the name change would be reflected in the AP Stylebook “where American audiences are concerned.”
The AP Stylebook is used by international audiences as well as within the United States. The AP has said that its guidance was offered to promote clarity, and that even though Gulf of Mexico will continue to be used, journalists should also note Trump’s action to change the name.
A Trump executive order to change the name of the United States’ largest mountain back to Mount McKinley from Denali is being recognized by the AP Stylebook. Trump has the authority to do so because the mountain
is completely within the country he oversees, AP has said. It isn’t the first case of its kind, nor even the first to involve Trump. In Trump’s first term, reporter Jim Acosta of CNN had
SHEEP search for water in a dry pond used by local farms for their livestock, in Contrada
Chiapparia, near the town of Caltanissetta, central Sicily, Italy, July 19, 2024. AP/ANDREW MEDICHINI
his White House credentials revoked. After CNN sued, another federal judge appointed by Trump ruled in Acosta’s favor to restore access.
Embracing vegetables: A solution to animal disease outbreaks and rising meat prices
THE outbreaks of animal diseases in local farms, while unfortunate, present opportunities for both the government and the private sector to promote the consumption of more vegetables and root crops. Now is the best time to encourage Filipino consumers to eat more leafy vegetables that are usually cheaper than meat products. Unlike pork and beef, cooking vegetables would not require more energy and some of these food items are even considered healthier when half-cooked.
A Global Agricultural Information Network (Gain) report published by the United States Department of Agriculture-Foreign Agricultural Service said annual per capita consumption of vegetables in the Philippines is 45 kilograms. The estimated consumption of vegetables of Filipinos, the report noted, is less than one-third of the Food and Agriculture Organization’s recommended intake. Citing a roadmap on the vegetable industry crafted by the Philippine government, the report noted that policymakers want to improve per capita vegetable consumption by 1 percent each year. An increase in demand would encourage farmers to plant more and enable the country to displace some of the vegetables it imported in recent years. The Gain report published in November 2023 noted that the Philippines bought some 160,000 metric tons (MT) of fresh vegetables and 512,000 MT of processed vegetables. The imported processed vegetables were valued at $460 million or P23 billion.
The report noted that the importation of fresh and processed vegetables has experienced strong annual growth rates of 17 percent and 6 percent, respectively, over the past decade. However, even if this growth were to be sustained, it would still be inadequate to meet the demand of a rapidly growing population and the government’s goal of promoting greater vegetable consumption. Citing traders, the Gain report estimated that an annual vegetable supply deficit of 1.4 million metric tons (wet weight) through at least 2030.
Unfortunately, local vegetable production in recent years has been growing at a compound annual growth rate of only 1.5 percent. Apart from the shrinking of local farmlands, the lack of postharvest facilities is exacerbating the difficulties of producing more local vegetables. Typhoons, according to the Gain report, pose a significant threat to vegetable production. As animal diseases continue to ravage farms particularly those that raise hogs, which have caused pork prices to skyrocket to unprecedented levels, policymakers should promote other alternative protein sources. (See, “DA amends pork MAV rules in bid to tame market prices,” in the BusinessMirror , February 20, 2025). Urban areas like Metro Manila would continue to see high pork prices because of African swine fever (ASF) outbreaks, which have reduced the domestic hog population. Since ASF was first detected in 2019, hog output has yet to return to prepandemic levels. Until and unless the world can find a viable solution to controlling or eradicating animal diseases, policymakers should encourage people to consume alternatives that would ease the pressure on certain food items like pork. Eating more vegetables would benefit not just consumers’ budgets, but also their health.
Infra and motorization
OTHE BUILDER
WNING a car is an aspirational dream for many Filipinos. It represents more than a mode of transportation and is a symbol of financial stability and higher income.
But despite the aspirations tied to car ownership, challenges come with it, including heavy traffic because many cities and towns have narrow roads not designed for a high volume of vehicles.
As a rapidly growing economy, the Philippines is experiencing increased motorization. Rising vehicle ownership brings greater mobility, productivity and convenience to millions of Filipino families.
Industry groups expect to sell half a million vehicles in 2025, after total sales rose 8.7 percent to a record 467,252 units in 2024. The figures exclude vehicles directly imported by individual buyers.
The growth continued in 2025, with automotive sales rising more than 10 percent in January. Per the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. (CAMPI) and the Truck Manufacturers Association (TMA), more than 37,000 vehicles were sold in the first month of the year.
The two industry groups are confident about achieving their sales target of 500,000 units in 2025, citing newly rolled-out models and the introduction of more electric vehicles.
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M. Lomibao Jr., Gerard S. Ramos Lyn B. Resurreccion, Dennis D. Estopace Angel R. Calso, Dionisio L. Pelayo
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BusinessMirror is published daily by the Philippine Business Daily Mirror Publishing, Inc., with offices on the 3rd floor of Dominga Building III 2113 Chino Roces Avenue corner De La Rosa Street, Makati City, Philippines. Tel. Nos. (Editorial) 817-9467; 813-0725. Fax line: 813-7025. (Advertising Sales) 893-2019; 817-1351, 817-2807. (Circulation) 893-1662; 814-0134 to 36. E-mail: news.businessmirror@gmail.com www.businessmirror.com.ph
The sales growth in the auto industry reflects the expanding middle class in the Philippines and sustained economic growth. If this trend continues, the Philippines may become a highly motorized country like many of its neighbors. Motorization is a feature of many industrialized countries, such as the United States, Germany, Japan and South Korea.
In Southeast Asia, several neighbors have larger auto markets, including Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia.
The big market, however, carries a cost in the form of congested roads and longer travel times for both motorists and commuters. Most new vehicles sold in the Philippines end up in Metro Manila, Central Luzon and Calabarzon, resulting in high traffic volume during rush hour, even along toll roads such as the North Luzon Expressway and the South Luzon Expressway.
Increased mobility is expected for a growing economy, but the country needs to prepare its roads and other infrastructure projects to handle the urban trend.
While Metro Manila has wide
roads such as Edsa, Commonwealth Avenue and Circumferential Road 5, other roads are not spacious enough to accommodate a large volume of traffic.
The same is true in provinces such as Bulacan, Pampanga, Rizal, Cavite, Laguna and Batangas, which are experiencing rapid motorization and urbanization.
Fortunately, the Philippines has the NLEX, SLEX, Skyway and other privately-managed toll roads, but they will soon operate beyond their capacity.
The key is to build more roads that complement and augment existing roads, and develop new ones not only in high-growth areas but also in emerging business districts around the country.
The highly urbanized cities of Davao, Cebu and Baguio also suffer from congested roads that restrict the movement of motorists, travelers, businessmen, traders and consumers.
The congestion underscores the need to expedite the completion of flagship infrastructure projects, including railways, subways, expressways and inter-island bridges.
The Philippines should not lose focus on infrastructure development and should ensure that projects are completed faster than the growth in motor vehicle sales.
Motorization is upon the country and will continue to rise as it attracts more investments, following the release of the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises to Maximize Opportunities for Reinvigorating
‘Dark MAGA’ spreads as conservatives embrace Musk’s influence on Trump
By Adriana Gomez Licon | The Associated Press
OXON HILL, Md.—At an annual gathering of conservative activists, the signature red “Make America Great Again” hats popularized by President Donald Trump were interspersed with a noticeable number of the black “Dark MAGA” hats made popular by Elon Musk.
It was just one sign of Musk’s emerging influence and how the world’s wealthiest man—who once backed Democrats Barack Obama and Joe Biden—has become a conservative power center in his own right due to his connections to Trump.
“He is an authentic and unique individual. I am glad he is on the team,” said Whitney Mason, a 62-year-old real estate agent who was traveling from Seattle.
Musk was an unexpected guest of honor at the Conservative Politi-
cal Action Conference, with his appearance announced hours before he took the stage wielding a chainsaw. The prop, and his comments, left little subtlety about his role or his influence, days after the Trump administration claimed in court that Musk was not in charge of his signature Department of Government Efficiency.Speakers at CPAC frequently brought up DOGE, playfully named after a meme coin with the face of a Shiba Inu dog popularized by Musk in 2021. They variously referred to him as a “white knight,” a
“hero of free speech,” and according to one of his harshest critics, Steve Bannon, “Superman.”
“What Elon and the team are doing is what Congress has not had the ability to do,” House Speaker Mike Johnson told the crowd of conservatives. “They have cracked the code. They’re inside the belly of the beast of the bureaucracy, and the algorithms are crawling through.”
The Trump administration, under Musk’s advice, has fired thousands of federal workers without warning. It gave employees an option to resign and gutted agencies without congressional approval.
The Tesla and SpaceX CEO, who bought Twitter in 2022, has pledged to identify areas to cut costs and streamline services and save trillions of taxpayer dollars, with directives that spark confusion and have prompted demonstrations
the Economy (CREATE MORE) Act.
The new law aims to transform the Philippines into an attractive business destination by making the tax incentives regime more globally competitive, investment-friendly, predictable and accountable. Hopefully, this will convince international auto makers to manufacture in the Philippines or increase their local content.
With half a million vehicle sales that are expected to rise by 10 percent annually, the Philippines is proving to be a viable auto market. The higher turnover should attract foreign brands to establish their assembly plants in the country. While the economy continues to grow and Filipinos’ purchasing power rises, one factor that could restrict sales growth is the lack of infrastructure.
This is why the country should continue to build more projects to meet the growing demand for mobility. Car ownership is an aspirational goal for many Filipino families, and the government should not get in the way of their dreams.
For Filipinos, owning a car remains a symbol of success and progress. The dream of car ownership drives many to strive for higher income. The government should look at it as a challenge and an opportunity. The Philippines should take advantage of such opportunity by providing the necessary infrastructure that will help fulfill the dreams of many Filipino families.
For feedback e-mail to senatormarkvillar@ gmail.com or visit our web site: https://markvillar. com.ph
across agencies. As Trump spoke at CPAC on Saturday, Musk announced federal workers would get an email to explain what they accomplished over the last week, saying “failure to respond will be taken as a resignation.”
“Elon is doing a great job,” Trump said in his speech on Saturday. “We love Elon, don’t we? He’s a character.” Critics have said that Musk could stand to benefit from his close relationship with Trump as there are a number of federal investigations and safety programs created through federal agency orders that are hitting Tesla’s plans to create fleets of robo-taxis and self-driving cars. Musk’s SpaceX also has major contracts with the Pentagon, NASA and intelligence agencies. Colin McEvers, a 19-year-old who voted for Trump, admires Vice See “Dark,” A11
Mark Villar
Trump team seeks to toughen Biden’s chip controls over China
DBy Mackenzie Hawkins, Cagan Koc & Jenny Leonard
ONALD TRUMP’S
administration is sketching out tougher versions of US semiconductor curbs and pressuring key allies to escalate their restrictions on China’s chip industry, an early indication the new US president plans to expand efforts that began under Joe Biden to limit Beijing’s technological prowess.
Trump officials recently met with their Japanese and Dutch counterparts about restricting Tokyo Electron Ltd. and ASML Holding NV engineers from maintaining semiconductor gear in China, according to people familiar with the matter.
The aim, which was also a priority for Biden, is to see key allies match China curbs the US has placed on American chip-gear companies, including Lam Research Corp., KLA Corp. and Applied Materials Inc.
The meetings come in addition to early discussions in Washington about sanctions on specific Chinese companies, other people said. Some Trump officials also aim to further restrict the quantity and type of Nvidia Corp. chips that can be exported to China without a license, said some of the people, who asked not to be identified because the deliberations are private. Shares in Japanese chip firms fell after Bloomberg News’s report, led by Tokyo Electron’s 4.4 percent slide.
The broad goal in Washington is to prevent China from further developing a domestic semiconductor industry that could boost its AI and military capabilities—and Trump appears to be picking up where Biden left off. In some areas, that means pursuing agreements with allies that never came to fruition in the prior administration. In others, it means adopting the priorities of the more hawkish members of Biden’s team, who were unable to build internal consensus on their more aggressive policy aims.
A White House representative did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Dutch foreign trade ministry and Japanese ministry of economy, trade and industry declined to comment.
It could take months before the talks produce any new US regulations, as Trump makes staffing decisions at key federal agencies. It also remains to be seen whether allies will be more receptive to the new leadership in Washington. The prior administration had reached a handshake agreement with the Hague on limiting gear maintenance in China, but the Dutch demurred after Trump won the election, two senior Biden officials said. Without regular maintenance and servicing, chip-making equipment from ASML and others can quickly lose its ability to meet the rigorous demands of producing semiconductors.
Biden’s team also handed off several other priorities to officials on Trump’s national security council, one of those officials said, and the new team was receptive. One key measure is blocking Chinese memory chipmaker ChangXin Memory Technologies Inc. from buying American technology, a step that Biden officials seriously considered but ultimately did not pursue due to opposition from Japan.
The broad goal in Washington is to prevent China from further developing a domestic semiconductor industry that could boost its AI and military capabilities—and Trump appears to be picking up where Biden left off. In some areas, that means pursuing agreements with allies that never came to fruition in the prior administration. In others, it means adopting the priorities of the more hawkish members of Biden’s team, who were unable to build internal consensus on their more aggressive policy aims.
Saudi
oil and
Ukraine
minerals: When a nation’s assets
are on the line
Editor’s Note: Beginning today, “Free Fire,” the popular column by Teodoro L. Locsin Jr., the Philippine Ambassador to the United Kingdom, lawyer, and journalist, will return to its regular schedule every Wednesday. We are delighted to welcome back one of our cherished and esteemed columnists after a lengthy hiatus.
AT the reception for donors of the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, earlier this month, the guest of honor was an Arab scholar, writer and a principal donor. When she was talking I kept hearing the name “Yamani.” I approached her after the talk and asked, “Are you related to Ahmad Zeki Yamani?” “My father,” she said.
I exclaimed, “My God, you have no idea how honored I am to be here and shake your hand!”
“Cradle of Islam: The Hijab and the Quest for Arab Identity.”
tive a deterrent to nuclear weapons than the expense and technical difficulty of acquiring and maintaining a nuclear arsenal. Oil. The leveling factor would be the resulting “egalitarian” global poverty of a planet without its biggest source of oil. That would erase American exceptionalism in a world of destitution the West never changed for the better. Instead of leveling up the rest of the world, the West had held down the rest.
Came Yamani with the Arab oil embargo if the West did not behave responsibly.
Since Yamani, boycotts, embargoes and common stands taken by the Third World followed until just yesterday when the UN had ceased to be a rubber stamp of the West. Sure, the West retains its veto power in the Security Council but it can no longer initiate actions with the tacit blessings of a hostage rest of the world that, sure, couldn’t take initiatives; but could deny it to the West.
held hostage by Carlos the Jackal. He also took a bullet in the assassination of his King Faisal. My babbling on in my tribute to her father does not do justice to Madame Yamani’s presence and personality, but still, I know she understands because she knows her father was a giant. I am so lucky to have met her. n n n
IF the Saudis, through Yamani, had a brilliant strategy for using their oil against an overbearing west, another nation’s precious asset is once again on the line, in Ukraine this time, over half a century later.
The mineral rights deal goes through as Trump makes sure US economic interests (e.g., access to vital minerals followed by investments in corresponding manufactures) are served; and that puts American skin in the Russian-Ukraine game of drones.
President JD Vance and praised Musk’s business acumen, said he was concerned about Musk’s growing power in the federal government and the decline of regulations that were protecting workers from big corporations.
“I like the basic principle of making government more efficient and
The new administration is also eyeing curbs on sales of chips that Nvidia designed specifically for China, Bloomberg has reported. Some of Biden’s NSC officials wanted to impose those tighter measures before leaving office, several people said, but then-Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo declined to pursue them.
Then there’s the so-called AI diffusion rule, imposed in the final week of Biden’s term. The measure divided the world into three tiers of countries and set maximum thresholds for the AI computing power that can be shipped to each. It also established mechanisms for companies to validate the security of their projects and access higher compute limits.
The rule, which will impact data center developments everywhere from Southeast Asia to the Middle East, drew harsh rebuke from companies including Nvidia, where Chief Executive Officer Jensen Huang expressed optimism that the Trump administration would opt for a lighter regulatory touch.
The White House is now seeking to streamline and strengthen that framework, according to several people familiar with the conversations, although what that entails is still in flux.
One idea favored by some in the administration would be to reduce the computing power that can be exported without a license. Under the current restrictions, chipmakers only have to notify the government before exporting the equivalent of as many as 1,700 graphic processing units to most countries. Some Trump officials want to reduce that threshold, people familiar with the matter said, which would expand the scope of the license requirement. Bloomberg
Some officials on Trump’s team also want to intensify restrictions on Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp., the main chipmaking partner to Chinese telecom giant Huawei Technologies Co. Biden effectively blocked shipments to some SMIC facilities but established case-by-case review for others, which the officials worry could allow SMIC to purchase tools that are ultimately used at restricted plants. SMIC’s shares erased big losses to gain as much as 2.7 percent in Hong Kong, in part on expectations of Beijing support.
cutting back on costs,” said McEvers, a political science student at Salisbury University. “Do I think that there could be a lot of self-interest involved with him, with the richest man in the world playing a very large role in government in reducing these regulations, which could very well end up profiting his businesses?
I definitely think that’s probably a very large part of it too.”
The Trump administration has not yet declared any actions that
He broke the stranglehold of the West on oil. Oil Minister Yamani slapped the Arab Oil Embargo on the world to protest yet another Western sponsored war in the Middle East. Her name is Mai Yamani. She graduated from Bryn Mawr College and is a distinguished scholar/author on Arabian studies. She has written two authoritative books: “Changed Identities: The Challenge of the New Generation in Saudi Arabia,” and
But I saw her, pardon me, as the daughter of the man who changed overnight the balance of power in the world. So bold was the Arab oil embargo that it was taken by the Americans as aggression. Yamani wasn’t fazed . . . When the Americans threatened to bomb Saudi Arabia he quietly explained to them, “That would be suicide for you.” They all well knew that a massive attack would ignite Saudi Arabia’s vast oil fields.
Yamani had discovered as effec-
I kept shaking Madame Yamani’s hand and apologizing for babbling on about my admiration for her father. I told her that I too had felt its effect when we Filipinos queued at gasoline stations for a gallon of gasoline; never full tank. Her father had brought the planet to a standstill. She recounted her endearing memory of herself as a little girl following her father, and explaining the meaning of the law of supply and demand and other modern concepts. He was determined that she would be a truly liberated Arab woman. Minister Yamani was among those
US refuses to blame Russia for Ukraine war in extraordinary break with allies
By Ania Nussbaum, Augusta Saraiva, Jordan Fabian & Alberto Nardelli
PRESIDENT Donald Trump deepened Washington’s split with allies over Ukraine, withdrawing US condemnation of Russia’s 2022 invasion at the United Nations and among Group of Seven countries as he aims to end the war on terms agreeable to Moscow.
In New York on Monday, the US and Russia both voted against an European-backed resolution in the UN General Assembly that calls out Moscow’s “full-scale invasion” exactly three years ago. The two sides later aligned for the first time since the war started in the Security Council to approve a US resolution calling for a “swift end” to the conflict without assigning blame, a stark reversal from policy under President Joe Biden.
That comes as the G-7 also struggled to issue a joint statement on the anniversary of the war, after the US opposed phrasing condemning Moscow that echoed previous language from the group, according to people familiar with the matter.
Meanwhile, Trump on Monday appeared to speed ahead with his plans to end the war without input from European nations or Ukraine, saying on social media that he’s in “serious discussions” with Russian President Vladimir Putin. He also said at the White House that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy may travel to Washington as soon as this week to sign a deal over natural resources, which Trump has signaled is necessary to end the war and repay the US for its support.
The public debate at the UN and
could benefit Tesla or Musk’s other companies.
Musk’s positions on issues like H-1B visas for high-skilled immigrant workers have made him a target of popular MAGA figures such as Bannon, who once served as Trump’s chief strategist and hosts the influential “War Room” podcast. Musk was born in South Africa and was once on an H-1B visa.
Bannon has previously cast the world’s richest man as a “parasitic
private deliberations among the G-7 highlight the clear break of US policy toward the worst conflict in Europe since World War II, with the Trump administration further distancing itself from allies on the continent and, to their alarm, appearing to align closer with Moscow. The White House has been more agreeable to policies pursued by Putin, including barring Ukraine from Nato membership and retaining territory captured during the war.
“I would rather not explain it now but it’s sort of self-evident,” Trump said at the White House, when asked to explain the rationale behind the US vote on the UN resolutions. He added that he wanted to discuss a separate resource deal with Russia as well, and signaled support for European peacekeeping troops in Ukraine as part of an agreement to the end war.
Trump was speaking alongside French President Emmanuel Macron, who traveled to Washington in an effort to secure a role for Europe in the peace talks and reinforce the region’s commitment to increase defense spending, a message expected to be reinforced by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s own visit Thursday.
In a joint press briefing Monday
illegal immigrant” and an “oligarch,” who will abandon Trump when he deems him no longer useful. Bannon didn’t criticize Musk at CPAC and instead faced scrutiny for making a straight-arm gesture on stage that critics on the right and left compared to a Nazi-style salute. Bannon said he was giving the crowd a wave.
A few miles away, at a Washington hotel near the White House, more than a thousand anti-Trump
from the White House, Macron repeatedly described his talks with Trump as a “turning point” and said Europe would be willing to send in peacekeepers to Ukraine “after we’ve negotiated a lasting peace.” Trump, however, didn’t comment on any role for Europe in the talks with Russia nor US security guarantees for Ukraine, which Kyiv said are crucial to a long-term agreement.
The contrast between Washington and its allies was further reinforced Monday as several European leaders and the prime minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, as well as European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa, visited Kyiv in a show of support on the third anniversary of Russia’s fullscale invasion. The EU’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, said earlier in the day that the Trump administration is falling for Russia’s narrative in its escalating criticism of Ukraine.
In Russia, Putin offered to let US investors help develop mineral resources in Russia and parts of Ukraine it occupies, as well as being open to sell up to 2 million tons of aluminum to the US if sanctions are lifted. In comments to state television, he also welcomed Trump’s proposal for talks on a 50 percent cut in defense spending, which he called a “good idea.”
At the UN, the European-backed resolution at the General Assembly passed with 93 votes for and 18 against, with 65 abstentions. Belarus and North Korea were among those who voted against it along with the US and Russia. A separate US resolu-
activists and thought leaders gathered at the Principles First Summit and laughed repeatedly as another billionaire, Mark Cuban, charged that Trump was “overselling” and Musk’s actions so far were not helping people who voted for the Republican president.
“Elon is going to make his job a thousand times harder,” Cuban said using expletives to accuse Musk of not caring. Trump on Saturday posted on
The US will have a vital and legally vested interest in the fight for a sovereign Ukraine. Ukraine need not formally cede what Russia had taken, not even Crimea. The lost areas will be standing claims awaiting a stronger and weaker Ukraine and Russia in that order. Or not. A smaller industrially and technologically advanced Ukraine will rebuild its magnificent armed forces with its historical roots as forward battalions of the Soviet Red Army: the real victors of World War II in Europe. Ukraine can be the new Sparta against a new Persia. But it must banish its thieving oligarchs and racketeers who made it so hard to commit seriously to Ukraine’s defense.
tion was also adopted by the assembly but only after it was amended to blame Russia for the war, which led the US to abstain from voting for its own measure. The US also submitted its resolution to the Security Council, which passed with support of both Russia and China, an extraordinary shift in alliances after the permanent members of the council have blocked or vetoed earlier resolutions related to the war. Security Council resolutions are binding on all members, while General Assembly resolutions are not.
“This resolution puts us on the path to peace—it is a first step, but a crucial one,” said acting US Ambassador Dorothea Shea, adding that it was the first time the Security Council passed a resolution on the topic since the war started. France and the UK, which are also permanent members, abstained.
The Trump administration had earlier lobbied countries at the UN to block the Ukrainian-backed resolution that condemned Russia for its war of aggression and wanted them to instead back the US text, Bloomberg previously reported. G-7 diplomats had tried since last week to find a compromise for a joint statement, said the people familiar with the issue, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. The US threatened to pull support for a statement altogether, said the people, and also disagreed with threatening more energy sanctions to compel Moscow to negotiate a lasting peace. The leaders held a call on the issue Monday. With assistance from Kate Sullivan, Aliaksandr Kudrytski and Donato Paolo Mancini /Bloomberg
Truth Social that he “WOULD LIKE TO SEE HIM GET MORE AGGRESSIVE.” During his speech, Trump trivialized complaints that Musk does not have an official role in his government despite his strong influence on decisions during his first month in office.
“People said ‘well, what official position does he have?’ I say patriot,” Trump said. Associated Press writers Jill Colvin in New York and Bill Barrow in Washington contributed to this report.
Peza-cleared investments soar to P52.9B in Jan-Feb
By Andrea E. San Juan @andreasanjuan
THEPhilippine Economic Zone Authority (Peza) said investment approvals in the first two months of 2025 soared by 337.58 percent, reaching P52.93 billion compared to P12.097 billion in the same period in 2024.
In a statement on Monday, the investment promotion agency said the P52.93-billion investments approved is equivalent to 39 new and expansion projects. Through these projects, Peza said it expects to create 11,063 direct jobs for Filipinos. As to the trend, Peza noted an in-
crease in investments from domestic market enterprises (DME), injecting P37.972 billion or 71 percent of the total investments greenlighted for January to February 2025. Since 2024, Peza said it already approved 15 DME projects, adding more than P130 billion investments. The investment promotion
Alberto Lina, founder of Air21 and former BOC chief, dies at 76
By VG Cabuag and
Jun Lomibao
ORMER Customs Commis-
Fsioner, businessman and avid sports supporter Alberto “Bert” D. Lina, who transformed the country’s logistics landscape, has died. He was 76.
The Lina Group of Companies has announced his passing but did not specify the exact date of his death. Lina will be succeeded by Lucia Jane “Sheila” Lina who will serve as chairperson of Linaheim Corporate Services Inc., Ube Express Inc., Ekonek Pilipinas Inc., Dynamic Outsource Solutions Inc., Susumi Philippines Logistics Inc. and Linaheim Corporate Travel and Tours.
Sylvia P. Lina will remain as chairperson of GO21, while April Rose Lina-Arboleda will be the chairperson of Academy of Developmental Logistics. Donna May Lina will be the chairperson of Ube Media Inc. From selling sweet pineapples as a child to help his mother, Lina began his career as a certified public accountant. As a self-proclaimed kargador, he built a logistics and waste management empire that revolutionized support for the semiconductor, hazardous and medical waste industry and shaped modern Philippine commerce, his company said.
Lina worked as a professional of a freight forwarder for many years, but was fired on June 21, 1979. He said “21” was a significant number for him as it was the start of a new chapter of his career.
He then established Airfreight 2100 Inc. (Air21), his own freight forwarding company.
“His leadership style was uniquely personal—managing by walking around, greeting employees daily with boundless energy, and believing in everyone’s potential. This hands-on approach created a corporate culture of inclusivity that remains his enduring legacy,” OneLGC said.
Lina became commissioner of the Bureau of Customs (BOC), first on February 4, 2005 under Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, but eventually resigned on July 8, 2005 as he joined the so-called “Hyatt 10.”
A decade later, in April 23, 2015, he returned to the post, as he was appointed for the second time by President Benigno Aquino III. He
served as commissioner until June 30, 2016.
“Throughout his tenure, Commissioner Lina’s leadership was instrumental in advancing the BOC’s core mandates of revenue collection, trade facilitation, and border security. His visionary approach helped steer the BOC toward achieving significant milestones, leaving a lasting impact on the agency’s operations,” the agency said in a statement.
“A notable achievement of his leadership was the landmark signing of the Collective Negotiations Agreement [CNA] between BOC Management and the Bureau of Customs Employees Association, ensuring enhanced benefits and welfare for employees.”
Sports patron LINA was “ADL” in the sports community where he left a cast-in-stone legacy in basketball, golf, volleyball and cycling.
He owned the Laguna Lakers in the Metropolitan Basketball Association and after the regional league folded, ADL was quick to migrate to the Philippine Basketball Association where he maintained a team that carried his flagship company, Air21, for more than a decade. Golf was as close to ADL’s heart through the ADL Cup which ran for more than three decades, a fun tournament that molded deep camaraderie and friendship not only in the logistics community but in varied industries as well. In between, ADL was into women’s volleyball with his Shopinas squad that vied in the country’s semi-pro league.
agency said three of these projects are expected to enjoy a longer set of incentives for its above-P15-billion investments.
Looking ahead, Peza Director General Tereso O. Panga said the agency expects to attract investments from “diverse” industries this year.
“This remarkable upswing reflects our continuous efforts through various foreign investment missions, with more initiatives from diverse industries planned for the rest of the year. Despite geopolitical challenges, these results underscore the Agency’s pivotal role in advancing the country’s economic resilience through sustained job creation, increased exports, and enhanced investment attraction—key factors in accelerating the nation’s economic development,” Panga said in a statement on Monday.
In February 2025 alone, the Peza Board greenlighted 26 new and ex-
pansion projects, which are seen to attract P22.78 billion in investments, generate $241.79 million in exports and create 7,793 direct jobs.
These new and expansion projects in February 2025 include various type of industries, including nine export manufacturing, eight ITBPM projects, three domestic market projects, two facilities development initiatives and four ecozone developments.
These recently-approved investments, Peza noted, are “strategically” distributed across Metro Manila, Calabarzon, Central Luzon, Central and Western Visayas, Ilocos Region, and Davao Region, with the goal to drive “regional competitiveness and development.”
Meanwhile, two big-ticket projects are set to generate P15.989 billion in investments in its upcoming projects in Tarlac and Batangas, the investment
By Justine Xyrah Garcia
ON the 39th anniversary of the Edsa People Power Revolution, newly ordained Balanga, Bataan Bishop Rufino “Jun” C. Sescon Jr. called on Filipinos to keep the spirit of unity, faith, and patriotism alive.
“It was not only people power, but prayer power. When genuine faith, patriotism, selflessness, common good, unity—genuine unity—pervade among us against tyranny, dishonesty, corruption, and injustice, miracles will happen,” Sescon said. Sescon’s ordination took place Tuesday at the Manila Cathedral in Intramuros, Manila, with Pangasinan Archbishop Socrates B. Villegas leading the rites. He was joined by Antipolo Bishop Ruperto C. Santos and retired Cubao Bishop Honesto F. Ongtioco as co-consecrators, and Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal F. Advincula as homilist. The Edsa Revolution in 1986 ended more than two decades of rule by then-President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., and its anniversary has since been observed annually.
Sescon, reflecting on the occasion’s significance, urged Filipinos to remember that faith and nationalism go hand in hand.
“Ang tunay na maka Diyos ay makabayan din...We may never forget that during those more glorious days, in February 1986 when
everything [was] peaceful, just like countless times in our nation’s history, God’s powerful presence was in our midst.,” he said. Ordained as a priest in 1998 by the late Jaime Cardinal L. Sin, Sescon
By Andrea E. San Juan @andreasanjuan
THE Philippine Halal industry is gunning for nearly P16 billion in trade revenues this year for Halal goods in both domestic and export markets as it eyes to expand to US, Korea, Japan, Turkey, according to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
“We are in Saudi Arabia, Malaysia and also in Abu Dhabi. So for 2025, we are going to expand in the US, Korea, Japan, and Turkey. Hopefully, when we cover those countries, we are expecting to double our trade and revenue sales for 2024,” Aleem Siddiqui Guiapal, Program Manager for DTI Halal Development and
Trade office, said in a televised interview on Tuesday.
Guiapal said the industry generated P7.9 billion or $134 million in trade revenues in 2024, nearly a three-fold increase from the $50.6 million in trade revenues generated by the Halal Industry in 2023.
To attain the goal of doubling the P7.9 billion in trade revenues generated in 2024, Guiapal told BusinessMirror, “We can double that. We just need to be more aggressive.” This can be done by being more visible in international expos, increasing policy support, and increasing the number of halal-certified products, he said.
“Our priority is to make the certification accessible so that the
number of Halal-certified products will increase,” Guiapal said.
The DTI official explained that the certification process is under the private entities, and the procedure is around 20 to 30 days.
“In terms of the application process, we are cooperating with the certification bodies to make their services accessible for the MSMEs,” said Guiapal.
He revealed that DTI’s Halal Development and Trade Office is currently working with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and DTI’s Bureau of International and Trade Relations to have a mutual recognition of Halal-certified products in the Philippines.
Mutual recognition means, “Once these products are certified here, they should be automatically accepted in other country. So, we are continuing the negotiation.” As to the halal products that can be sold, Guiapal said in Malaysia, there are Philippine-made skin care products like soap which he said are “vegetarian-based.” Guiapal explained that Halal is an Arabic work that means “permissible” for foods or services that Muslim countrymen can enjoy not only in the Philippines but in other parts of the world.
“The input and output of the processes involve Shariah-compliant processes,” added Guiapal. In Asia, he said the Philippines has the third largest
lation next to Malaysia and
SWEET HARVEST FUELS ECONOMY In Barangay Banilad, Nasugbu, Batangas, sugarcane workers Antonio Barecuatro, Randy Barecuatro and Valencio Guardiola load freshly harvested sugarcane onto a truck bound for a nearby refinery, where the crop is sold by the ton.
See “Peza,” A2
See “Lessons,” A2
Editor: Jennifer A. Ng
US-based Amkor to expand local operations, says PCO
By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla
MALACAÑANG said the United States-based semiconductor product repackaging firm Amkor Technology Inc. is set to expand its operations in the Philippines as it seeks to scale down its activities in China.
“The company plans to relocate manufactured products from China to the Philippines,” the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said in a statement last Tuesday.
PCO made the announcement after the meeting between President
Ferdinand Marcos and Amkor officials led by its chief operating officer (COO), Kevin Engel, in Malacañang last Tuesday.
Other Amkor officials who were present during the courtesy call were its corporate vice president Mohan-
dass Sivakumar, and its president and country head for Amkor Technology Philippines Norberto Viera.
Amkor said it is confident it will be able to secure the needed workforce for its local expansion plan.
The has been operating in the country since 1989 and was registered with the Philippine Economic Zone Authority in December 1995.
Marcos welcomed the decision of Amkor to continue its operations in the Philippines.
“Your continued involvement in the Philippines is something that certainly we would like to encourage as we are trying to move our semiconductor industry up the value chain from pure fabrication to design.”
Based on preliminary data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), electronic products were the
country’s top export commodity last year accounting for $39.08 billion of receipts.
Aside from Amkor, the President also met with the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and other concerned agencies to discuss initiatives for enhancing the fiber optic cable network in Metro Manila.
Under its Metro Manila Smart City Infrastructure for Network Resilience project, MMDA said it hopes to “ensure a more efficient and faster response to accidents, traffic management and real-time flood level monitoring.”
The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) also met with the President last Tuesday to urge him to certify as urgent the bill creating the Department of Water Resources.
MMMA grads set to join MOL fleet
By Bless Aubrey Ogerio @blessogerio
ABOUT half of the graduates from Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd. (MOL) Magsaysay Maritime Academy Inc. (MMMA) will be deployed to MOL Groupoperated vessels as third officers and third engineers.
MMMA, a merchant marine academy jointly operated by MOL with Magsaysay Maritime Corp. (MMC), held its second commencement exercises last February 18 at its campus in Dasmariñas City, Cavite. The ceremony recognized 129 graduates who completed the academy’s four-year curriculum,
ANA to buy at least 77 jets
ANA Holdings Inc. will spend about $14.5 billion to buy 77 aircraft from Boeing Co., Airbus SE and Embraer SA in a rare simultaneous deal with the world’s top three commercial planemakers. Japan’s largest airline will buy at least 18 widebody 787-9 Dreamliners and 12 737-8 Max single-aisle jets from Boeing, it said Tuesday. It will also add 27 Airbus A321neos, including three of the XLR longest-range single-aisle planes, and 20 E190-E2 regional jets from Brazil’s Embraer, it said. Bloomberg News reported the purchase earlier Tuesday. The airline exercised options for a further 10 737-8 Max jets and five 7879 widebodies—planes ordered in 2019 and 2020, respectively, and costing about $1.9 billion—taking the overall order to 92 aircraft. Airlines typically receive large discounts for substantial purchases.
“This order will be the catalyst for improving the profitability of domestic flights and the expansion of international flights which is an area of future growth of our airline business,” ANA Chief Executive Officer Koji Shibata said in a statement. The jets are set to be delivered between 2028 and 2032. The deal includes firm orders and some options.
The purchase underscores ANA’s ambitions to exceed its pre-pandemic fleet size by 2030 and capitalize on the boom in global air travel demand. Shinichi Inoue, chief executive officer of the group’s flagship airline ANA, said last year the carrier was considering further purchases of
including shipboard training.
MOL Executive Vice President Toshiaki Tanaka addressed the graduates, emphasizing the application of their training in ensuring vessel safety.
“By pursuing safe operations, I hope you will protect the lives of people around the world as the topmost priority and also ensure the safety of cargo, and the environment, and contribute to global development.”
MOL said in a statement that Filipino seafarers are part of the group’s transport operations. “While ship operation technology is becoming more sophisticated, they are expected to play more active roles in offer-
ing safe transport services.”
The Tokyo-based freight company further stated that it continues to train seafarers through MMMA’s education and training programs.
“Through this initiative, the MOL Group strives to train seafarers and create jobs that will ‘contribute to the growth and development of people and communities,’ which is one of the group’s sustainability issues,” it said.
“The MOL Group will continue to support people’s day-to-day lives through its safety-focused operations as a responsible custodian of a social infrastructure business.”
When MOL officials were asked about Filipino officers in the mari -
time industry during a press briefing last February 6, they noted an increase in Filipino officers attaining higher-level positions.
“I don’t have the statistics… but all I can say is that the number of officers and Filipinos in higher level positions, like chief engineer or master captain, are increasing in the last five years and ten years,” they said.
“There (are) other nationalities that are predominantly really good at those positions, like Indians, for example. But more and more Filipinos are being captains of LNG [liquefied natural gas] tanker operations. These are $200-million vessels being manned by a Filipino.”
THE Insurance Commission, led by Insurance Commissioner Hon. Reynaldo A. Regalado, held its first dialogue for 2025 with the officers and board of directors of the Philippine Federation of Memorial, Pension, and Education Plan Companies, Inc. (PFMPEPCI) on February 10, 2025, at the Insurance Commission office in Manila. According to Elmer M. Lorica, President of the Federation and of member company Eternal Plans,
the Commissioner aims to conduct quarterly dialogues with the Federation to strengthen the pre-need industry and promote its growth. Lorica emphasized that these discussions provide an opportunity for the Federation to update the Commission on the industry’s status, raise key concerns, and foster greater collaboration among industry stakeholders. In the photo above, taken during the event, are (from left): Leo Carl Chin (Federation Director),
Atty. Mae Nina Gallos (Chief of Staff, Office of the Commissioner), Adrian Canlas (representing Rene Roy of Trusteeship Plans), Rudy Go (Federation Director), Elmer Lorica (Federation President), Atty. Reynaldo A. Regalado (Insurance Commissioner), Jaime Dizon (Federation Vice President), Marius Guingon (Federation Director-Treasurer), Wenian Fuentes (Federation Director-Corporate Secretary), and Deputy Insurance Commissioner Arturo Trinidad II.
By Andrea E. San Juan @andreasanjuan
LAZADA , an e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia, said it has officially expanded its operations and services in the Mindanao region.
The e-commerce platform said it conducted a series of events where Mindanao-based press, sellers, and content creators gathered for an introduction to Lazada and to learn best practices for maximizing the platform.
Lazada said it has been conducting seller roadshows across Mindanao, with its final leg slated to happen on February 27 in General Santos City.
Meanwhile, the online retailer said it has opened its new Davao office located at the sixth floor of the Regus-Felcris Centrale Mall where local sellers “can visit for onboarding, attend workshops and seminars, join campaigns, and enroll in seller programs and other platform-sponsored solutions.”
Ken Libranza, Mindanao Project Lead at Lazada Philippines, told BusinessMirror : “In the
last year, Lazada has more than doubled its investment in engaging and growing our Mindanao communities—by subsidizing new seller packages and programs for local businesses, and exclusive vouchers (up to 50 percent off and free shipping) for buyers in the region.”
Citing a recent TransUnion Consumer Pulse study, Lazada said with Mindanao “rapidly” growing, anchored on 84 percent of Filipinos in the region “feeling optimistic about improving their financial situations,” e-commerce platforms such as Lazada are keen to support this growth and “empower” the e-commerce ecosystem through strategic initiatives.
Carlos Barrera, CEO of Lazada Philippines, said the online retail firm is committed to delivering the “best price and best experience” to buyers, sellers and brands.
“Our vision is to empower Filipino-owned businesses, and as e-commerce continues to grow, we remain focused on making it accessible, helping even more Filipinos embrace convenient, digitalized lives.”
CITEM brings Halal-food and other healthy offerings to Gulfood 2025 in Dubai, UAE
PHOTO shows (from left) CITEM’s onsite Project Manager Atty. Anna Grace Marpuri, Export Marketing Gulfood2025_PR1a-1024x682Bureau (EMB) Assistant Director Katrina Rivera, Consul General Marford Angeles, Trade Commissioner Vichael Angelo Roaring, Philippine Ambassador to the UAE, His Excellency Alfonso Ferdinand Ver, Philippine Supermarket owner Abu Nader, Department of Agriculture (DA) Assistant Secretary Philip Young, with Special Envoys from the Office of the President (OP) Anna Kathryna Pimentel and Karen Santos
TOTAL of 19 FOODPhilippines
Aexhibitors, led by the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), are currently showcasing the country’s top food export Halal-friendly products to Gulfood 2025, considered the largest gathering for food brands and innovation.
Happening from February 17-21, 2025 at the Dubai World Trade Center (DWTC) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), this year marks the 20th year of CITEM’s participation in the trade event that features more than 5,500 exhibitors coming from over 120 countries.
A ribbon-cutting activity was held at the Philippine Pavilion on Day 1 of Gulfood 2025, which was attended by members of the diplomatic community and organizing team.
The Philippine delegation represents how the unmatched quality and potential of the country’s unique food and ingredients can meet the current global demands for healthy, sustainable options that are convenient yet still hold authentic flavors. In fact, participating exhibitor Lionheart Farms has been shortlisted in the Gulfood Innovation Awards 2025 under the Best Beverage Product category with product entry, The Power of SLOW – Carbonated Coconut Flower Sap Drink in Calamansi flavor.
PREMIUM Philippine crops and fresh seafood as main ingredients make for delectable authentic offerings, such as the Kinilaw, which is similar to Ceviche.
As Gulfood 2025 focuses on fortifying food systems amidst the ever-growing challenges of climate change and food security, and with more than 700,000 Filipinos living in the UAE alone, CITEM is hoping to expand Philippine presence with products that are tailored to meet the cultural and dietary demands in the Middle East and neighboring regions.
The Philippine Pavilion at the DWTC
offers a variety of products, including fresh and processed fruits and vegetables, processed marine products, ethnic and gourmet items, non-alcoholic beverages, baked goods, and other confectionery and ingredients. Behind the featured products are the following FOODPhilippines exhibitors: BV&R Commodities Corporation; Global Food Solutions, Inc; Golden Saba (SAGREX Foods Inc); Kim’s; Lionheart Farms (Philippines) Corporation; Mama Sita’s; Marikina Food Corporation; Market Reach International Resources; Mega Prime Foods Inc.; Miguelitos International Corp.; Pacific Synergy Food and Beverage Corp. Philippines; Philippine Cinmic Industrial Corporation; Philippine Grocers Food Exports, Inc.; PIXCEL Transglobal Foods Incorporated; Q-Phil International Trading; See’s International Food Mfg. Corp.; SL Agritech Corporation; The Cabalen Group; and YanYan International Phils. Inc. In addition to the Philippine showcase, the delegation also engaged in other networking activities, such as the appreciation dinner for PH exhibitors and buyers on February 17, 2025 courtesy of the Department of Trade and Industry’s Philippine Trade and Investments Center (DTI-PTIC) in Dubai. Philippine Ambassador to the UAE H.E. Alfonso Ferdinand Ver, along with other officials from the Consulate, the Department of Agriculture, and DTI graced the occasion.
Prior to the opening of Gulfood, CITEM was also on hand for another participating exhibitor’s milestone event, the store opening of Miguelito’s Ice Cream at the West Zone Supermarket Al Khail Gate Branch—Al Quoz Industrial Area 2 in Dubai on February 15, 2025.
Giant cake to highlight ’25 strawberry festival
By Liza Agoot
LValred Olsim, municipal tourism officer, said in a media interview on the sidelines of the event held at the Nazarene Bible College here that this year’s design was given a sneak-peak during last year’s festival. The town then featured two giant strawberry cakes—one red and the other, white featuring the snow-white strawberries. Olsim said 500 pans of strawberry sponge cake will be cut into 16,000 slices at the municipal gymnasium on March 23.
“We have a local baker owning a bakeshop using their own recipe that will prepare the cake,” he said.
Olsim said they opted to pick just one bakeshop to ensure that the whole cake will have the same color, texture, taste and quality all throughout.
Vice Mayor Roderick Awingan, in his message, said: “We encourage the cooperation, partnership and collaboration of our community and that is the essence. We want our community to be involved and that is the essence why we
Bukidnon enterprises get a boost from DTI’s product devt support
FOUR agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) in Bukidnon successfully finished the product development project led by the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP). This annual initiative aims to elevate the packaging and labeling of locally produced products by ARBs.
Held from September to December 2024, the project’s latest run focused on improving the marketability of CARP-assisted MSMEs in Bukidnon by enhancing the aesthetic
and regulatory quality of their product designs. The DTI-CARP conducted a series of tailored sessions, including one-on-one consultations with de -
signer Ms. Sai Laroco, and the DTICARP team. Participating CARPassisted MSMEs included: Balaoro Farmers Association Inc., producing chocolate; Araneta Farmers Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Association Multipurpose Cooperative, producing naturally-grown rice; Belayong Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Cooperative (BARBECO), producing banana chips; and Dalwangan-Malaybalay Unified Dairy Agrarian Reform Cooperative, producing fresh milk.
The market performances of these newly designed products will be closely monitored to assess the impact and effectiveness of the project.
Upon the project’s completion, BARBECO Chairman Ven Jay Capucao conveyed his appreciation to the DTI, stating, “On behalf of BARBE -
CO, [we are] extending our warmest gratitude to DTI for enhancing our product label and packaging.” He added that the cooperative is looking forward to a more competitive product and a wider market. Interested buyers can purchase local products from the four MSMEs through their respective Facebook pages.
Mandated to promote entrepreneurship and develop MSMEs in Agrarian Reform Communities, the DTI-CARP provides comprehensive support services to CARPreneurs. These services include product development, entrepreneurial training, strategic partnerships, and consultancy. This support helps beneficiaries strengthen their enterprises, enhance market competitiveness, and drive sustainable growth within their communities.
‘Pabili po ng Cadbury?’ Pinoys turn to sari-sari stores for premium choco during Valentine’s Day—Packworks
GONE are the days when Filipinos only go to sari-sari stores for everyday essentials: now, they’re increasingly becoming a goto destination for special occasion treats, such as premium chocolates for Valentine’s Day.
Tech startup Packworks, through its mobile sari-sari store app and business intelligence tool Sari IQ, has found that sari-sari stores made significant sales of premium chocolates, specifically Swiss brand Toblerone and British confectionary brand Cadbury, for Valentine’s Day based on data collected from February 1, 2022 to February 17, 2025 from its network of over 300,000 sari-sari stores nationwide. According to Packworks’ data of sari-sari store sales transactions, Toblerone enjoyed nearly a 3,000 percent spike in sales between February 13 and 15, compared to the same days in other months. Meanwhile, Cadbury saw approximately a 500 percent increase in sales for the same periods.
This trend was consistent across Packworks’ active user base of sari-
sari stores nationwide with some notable regional spikes observed in sari-sari stores based in Region IV-A (CALABARZON) which recorded the highest sales for these chocolate brands with almost a quarter of total sales, followed by Region II (Cagayan Valley) and Region III (Central Luzon) accounting for 12 percent each in Gross Merchandise Value (GMV).
Meanwhile, the National Capital Region (NCR) was ranked 5th overall with 7 percent GMV.
Packworks’ Chief Data Officer Andoy Montiel emphasized the role of sari-sari stores as their community’s extended pantry, adjusting their inventory based on seasonal demand and consumer preferences:
“Our data shows that the conven-
tional notion that sari-sari stores only sell cheap products might be outdated. These insights suggest that these neighborhood stores can also be the source of more premium products, exemplifying how versatile they can be, evolving to the needs of their communities and fulfilling specific consumer demands, capitalizing on every opportunity, even for occasional indulgences such as these. This adaptability makes these local businesses an integral part of our Filipino social fabric, acting as a true extension of the family pantry.”
Overall, Packworks recorded more than P60 million in sales for the total chocolate category for the peak months of February.
“This finding illustrates that sarisari stores can be a source of premium items, not just the cheapest products, depending on the occasion and seasonal needs of their communities,” Montiel adds.
Packworks Chief Executive Officer Bing Tan shares that the data from its network of stores demonstrates Filipinos’ passion and affection for loved ones during this special
The indispensable element of success
are celebrating the strawberry festival.”
“The strawberry is like the municipality of La Trinidad, it has so many seeds and the seeds symbolizes the people, red symbolizes the love of the people accepting whoever want to stay—they may be residents, visitors or tourist and they are welcome,” he added.
Kayabang is a native basket used by the Ibaloi tribe in the old days to carry food and other items to and from the field. It represents the town’s unity and cooperation as a people as well as its agricultural bounty.
Mayor Romeo Salda said the Strawberry Festival was institutionalized through a municipal ordinance passed in 2011 but had been celebrated by the townsfolk since 1981.
He recalled that La Trinidad obtained a Guinness World Record for the biggest strawberry short cake in 2004 as a result of the community’s collective effort, which has helped make the festival and the town more popular and progressive. The almost month-long celebration will run from March 3 to 29, to be highlighted by an ecumenical service, civic parade and the traditional canao and ritual on the 18th, and the float and street dancing parade on the 22nd. There will also be a search for the heaviest and sweetest strawberry on March 14. PNA
SUCCESS is a goal desired by many, if not by everyone. And some may even claim that it’s a destination while others see it as a journey, yet it’s actually all about that certain feeling of accomplishment in whatever field you may be in and at varying stages of pursuit. That’s right, success is relative to an individual’s sense of accomplishment and pride. It’s that feeling of having finally arrived at a soughtafter destination or purpose. But success does not come without a price. There is a long list of keys for success, depending on which source you consult, and will normally include the following: vision, strategies, priorities, perseverance, competence, confidence, resilience,
commitment, faith, and the list goes on. Yet while all of these keys are essential for one to be successful, success has but one indispensable element—courage. You may possess all the other keys, but without the courage to move forward and step beyond your comfort zone, your efforts will almost always come short. Here are three tips to finally muster your courage to move forward and succeed.
Fear the outcome of not being successful and do something about it
AS M. Scott Peck puts it, “Courage is not the absence of fear.” Genuine courage is about acknowledging your fears and doing whatever
you can to address them. If you don’t want to live in poverty, then do whatever you can to avoid it. Work hard, build multiple income streams, save, invest, increase your business sense and take care of your health. Knowing and admitting the realness of your fear should you do nothing about it, will definitely push you to move forward and conquer that which will make you successful.
Make it a habit to step beyond your comfort zone
BASED on a study conducted in the 1960s, Dr. Maxwell Maltz found that it takes 21 days of repetitive action to create a habit. Although other studies claim that it could be shorter while some asserts that it would actually take at least 2 months to get there, one thing is true: you need to deliberately and continually step beyond your comfort zone until it becomes a habit to become comfortable with the discomfort of doing something new. This is the “courage-forming” habit of successful people, and should be yours as well.
Accept that you’re not perfect LET’S face it—we are not perfect. And the sooner we come to terms with our imperfections, the better!
day, splurging on premium items like chocolates despite the rising prices of essential commodities.
“Even with rising prices, we see that Filipinos make an effort to prioritize celebrating special occasions and showing their love for family and friends. This resilience and commitment to connection are truly inspiring, and sari-sari stores play a key role in making these celebrations possible,” says Tan.
Packworks’ Sari IQ service is an innovative tool that leverages data analytics to provide valuable insights into sari-sari store selling behavior and buying patterns of sari-sari store consumers. With its ability to filter information to a per-brand or perstock keeping unit (SKU) level, Sari IQ gathers data from sari-sari stores nationwide to discover valuable insights so that its users can make better data-driven decisions and expand their businesses for growth. For info about Sari IQ and to uncover more seasonal data trends in sari-sari stores, you may visit http:// packworks.io/ or Packworks’ Facebook page to learn more.
In most cases, what prevents people from taking action is the fear of making a mistake. And this fear is causing paralysis and hinders us from achieving success. You can muster courage by taking risks. Sure, your decisions may not always yield positive results, but at least you found another way of not how to do it. And that’s one less mistake to commit in the future. Ultimately, not taking risk is the biggest risk of all, for it will prevent you from ever moving towards your goal.
In the Book of Deuteronomy (31:6), Moses reminded Joshua to “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.” Yes my friend, the battle is the Lord’s, so take courage and move towards success. You can do it. God bless!
Legality of Philhealth defunding queried in new petition to SC
By Joel R. San Juan @jrsanjuan1573
ANOTHER petition was filed before the Supreme Court questioning the constitutionality of the zero budget allocation for Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) under Republic Act (RA) 12116 or the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA).
The petition was filed by Dr. Anthony C. Leachon, health reform advocate and former special adviser on non-communicable diseases under the Department of Health (DOH).
In his 40-page petition, Leachon also asked the Court to immediately issue a temporary restraining order (TRO) and/or a writ of preliminary injunction to enjoin the implementation of the 2025 GAA concerning the defunding of PhilHealth. Leachon asked the SC to declare the omission of funds for PhilHealth unconstitutional for being a direct
By VG Cabuag @villygc
THE Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced last Tuesday it is expanding the government securities repurchase agreement (Repo) market to include non-bank financial institutions so as to broaden the range of participants beyond eligible dealers. Since assuming direct market oversight in 2020, the SEC has worked to stabilize repo market operations and enforce compliance among market participants.
THE Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp, (PDIC) announced last Tuesday of having promptly paid a total of P281.5 million in deposit insurance to depositors of banks ordered closed in 2024 by the Monetary Board of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). These banks, now under liquidation by the PDIC, were the Rural Bank of Cuyo (Palawan) Inc., the Cooperative Bank of Bohol and the Community Rural Bank of Medellin (Cebu) Inc. Payments were made for 7,482 deposit accounts or 81 percent of the total 9,231 accounts which amounted to P281.5 million or 94 percent of the total P298.6 million estimated
THE provincial government of Aklan has partnered with Cebubased Top Line Hi-Tech and Synergy Corp. to streamline the ticketing process and improve travel efficiency in the country’s beach capital, Boracay Island. The smart port system will be implemented starting April at the ports of Caticlan and Cagban in the municipality of Malay.
Aklan Governor Jose Enrique M. Miraflores and Top Line President and CEO Eugene Erik C. Lapasaran Lim signed the partnership agreement last February 18 at the provincial capitol in Kalibo. Through a unified automated ticketing system using QR codes that provide real-time data and analytics, Top Line’s travel app will enhance the tourism experience on one of the world’s best beaches in time for the coming summer season. Currently, tourists have to queue multiple times in registering upon arrival and paying the boat fare as well as environmental, administra-
violation of Article II, Section 15 and Article XIII, Section 11 of the 1987 Constitution, as well as violation of the provisions of RA 11223 or the Universal Health Care (UHC) Act .
The petitioner argued that such omission deprives millions of Filipinos’ constitutionally guaranteed right to health.
“By deliberately stripping PhilHealth of its budget on the assumption that its reserves are sufficient to augment its operations, the respondents undermined the accessibility and sustainability of
“The repo market is envisioned to support the market-making activities of government securities dealers in the country. Expanding this market provides us with another opportunity to improve liquidity, manage short-term funding, and boost overall market activity,” SEC Chairman Emilio B. Aquino said. Last year, the SEC supported industry groups’ call to expand the documentary stamp tax exemption for all players in the derivative market.
The first agency that heeded that call was the Bureau of Internal Rev-
insured deposits for the abovementioned three closed banks. Claims for these accounts were settled within the turnaround time (TAT) set for 2024, read a statement issued by the PDIC.
Payments amounting to P126.8 million or 45 percent of the total payments of P281.5 million for the year 2024 involved 6,738 accounts which were eligible for outright payment up to the threshold of P500,000, without the need to file deposit insurance claims. This group of depositors was paid within 10 working days to 18 working days from the dates the PDIC took over the banks. This mode of deposit insurance payment where filing of
tive, and terminal fees. Through the pre-booking link of Top Line’s gamechanging app, these separate steps will be eliminated by consolidating them into a single automated transaction that allows travelers to book and pay in advance They also have an on-site option via an automated kiosk or ticket booth supporting cashless transactions. After making the payment, a QR code is generated for verification at the pre-boarding area. Data from the Malay municipal tourism office showed that tourist arrivals in Boracay numbering 2.12
essential healthcare services,” the petitioner said.
Leachon also asked the Court to issue a writ of mandamus directing the appropriate government agencies to immediately allocate and release the necessary funds to PhilHealth in accordance with the mandate of the UHC and the 1987 Constitution and to prevent the Department of Budget and Management and other relevant agencies from implementing budgetary measures that undermine the constitutional right to health by denying funding to PhilHealth.
Named as respondents in the petition included: House Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez; Senate President Francis G. Escudero; and, Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin.
Leachon said the action of the respondents “reflect not only abuse of power but a grave abdication of their sworn duty to uphold the welfare of every Filipino.”
“This betrayal was done behind closed doors without public scrutiny, and without a shred of compassion for those whose lives depend on this essential support,” the petition read.
“This case is not merely about numbers in a budget. It is about
enue (BIR), which issued Revenue Memorandum Circular (RMC) 1252024, amending RMC 95-2017. The latter governed the tax treatment of government securities repo transactions under the global master repurchase agreement (GMRA). The said rule allowed for the initial introduction of a functioning repo market in the Philippines.
The regulator also collaborated with the Bankers Association of the Philippines and the Asian Development Bank, for the “GMRA-Based Repo Workshop” attended by over 600
a claim with PDIC is waived provides prompt reimbursement and enhanced convenience to closed bank depositors.
“Eligible for waived filing and outright payment are individual depositors and registered business entities who have valid deposit accounts with balances of P500,000 and below, who have no outstanding loans with the closed bank, and have a complete mailing address in the bank records or updated this information through the PDIC Mailing Address Update Form (MAUF),” the insurer’s statement read. “They are paid by the PDIC through postal money order checks issued and delivered by the Philippine Postal Corp.
million in 2024 declined by 2.0 percent compared with 2.08 million recorded in 2023. The number of both domestic and foreign tourists decreased, notably those from East Asia and Southeast Asia. Lim disclosed that “with this smart upgrade, we aim to drive tourism growth in the Visayas and ensure that Boracay remains a premier destination for travelers.”
In another development last week, Interior Secretary Juanito Victor “Jonvic” C. Remulla gave Malay Mayor Frolibar S. Bautista a 2-week deadline to lower various fees for tourists or impose a moratorium on them. During a stakeholders’ meeting attended by Tourism Secretary Christina G. Frasco at the Philippine International Convention Center, Bautista wondered where the local government unit (LGU) would get its revenues if some of the fees and taxes are reduced, but Miraflores expressed willingness to cooperate with Remulla. Stakeholders from the private and
mothers who will lose their children because they cannot afford hospital care. It is about fathers forced to choose between feeding their families and buying life-saving medicine. It is about the elderly, the vulnerable, and the voiceless being abandoned by the very government sworn to protect them,” it added.
Article II, Section 15 of the Constitution provides: “The State shall protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them.”
Article XIII, Section 11, on the other hand, states: “The State shall adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to health development which shall endeavor to make essential goods, health, and other social services available to all the people at affordable cost.”
It further states that: “There shall be priority for the needs of the underprivileged, sick, elderly, disabled, women, and children. The State shall endeavor to provide free medical care to paupers.”
RA 11223, on the other hand, mandates the government to fund PhilHealth for the purpose of ensuring the sustainability and efficiency of the national health insurance system.
participants during February 19 to 21 at the SEC headquarters in Makati. Equipping stakeholders with the necessary knowledge and tools to implement the GMRA framework effectively, the workshop serves as a vital first step to the success of the proposed expansion, according to the SEC.
The regulator is also currently working on identifying the most appropriate self-regulatory organization for the Philippine repo market to ensure its long-term viability, according to the SEC.
and/or through LandBank-issued Visa Debit Cards.”
Meanwhile, payments for depositors who are required to file claims amounted to P154.7 million, or 55 percent of the total payments made for depositors of banks closed in 2024. These payments were made for 744 deposit accounts or 10 percent of total deposit accounts paid in 2024. The PDIC said it settled these claims within 18 working days to 27 working days.
Payments to eligible depositors are charged against the Deposit Insurance Fund (DIF), the PDIC’s primary fund source for deposit insurance payouts which stood at P236.95 billion at year-end 2024.
public sectors have persistently raised concerns about Boracay’s tourismrelated fees that have driven visitors away from the island to other travel destinations. Frasco said “we are working towards a globally competitive and thriving tourism environment for Boracay by aligning national and local efforts.”
One of Boracay’s biggest investors is the Astoria Hotels and Resorts Group. Since 2010 when it opened Astoria Boracay followed by Astoria Current in 2015, AHR has spent around P2.5 billion in total investments over the past decade and a half on this island paradise.
Nestled in the quieter and more relaxed Station 1, Astoria Boracay features an expansive pool, a rejuvenating spa, and two function rooms for corporate or social events. Its dining outlets are White Café, offering local and international cuisines, and Solegiatto, which serves Italy’s finest dishes. In 2019, AHR invested P50 mil-
Low demand hikes yield of reissued debt papers
By Reine Juvierre Alberto @reine_alberto
AVERAGE yield of the 20-year Treasury bonds (T-bonds) rose on Tuesday, exceeding the rate recorded in the previous auction and the secondary market’s benchmark, due to lower investor demand.
The reissued debt paper fetched an average yield of 6.376 percent, surging by 28.1 basis points from 6.095 percent in the previous auction on November 12, 2024.
This is also higher than the Philippine Bloomberg Valuation (PHP) rate of 6.349 percent for the 20-year tenor security.
Nevertheless, the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) generated P25 billion after it fully awarded the 20-year Tbonds on offer.
Yields for the long-term debt papers ranged from a low of 6.300 percent to a high of 6.400 percent.
With a remaining term of 19 years and two months, the government security is set to mature on May 23, 2044. Its coupon rate is set at 6.875 percent.
The auction was 1.56 times oversubscribed as total submitted bids for the tenor reached P39.060 billion.
The “Trump factor” has pushed US Treasury yields up in recent months, which also affected yields of Philippine government securities, according to Michael L. Ricafort,
YUCHENGCO-led Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC) last Tuesday its net income last year fell 22 percent to P9.5 billion from the previous year’s P12.21 billion, which include oneoff items.
The company said it had a growth of 13 percent, stripping off the nonrecurring gains in 2023, as core business maintains momentum.
The company said it had growth of 26 percent in net interest income and a 40 percent expansion in consumer loans. The bank’s total resources reached P1.4 trillion by end 2024.
“We have grown our consumer loan portfolio at blistering speeds, surpassing industry. This complements our portfolio strategy while ensuring strong engagement with our customer base as their primary bank,” RCBC President and CEO Eugene S. Acevedo said.
“Data analytics and digital enhancements have become key drivers for our core income growth in 2024 and will remain to be our priorities in 2025,” Acevedo added.
The bank’s net interest income reached P42.5 billion, fueled by a 14 percent increase in loan volumes and better yields, as consumer loans
lion for renovations in this 71-room boutique resort.
Astoria Current at Station 3 caters aesthetically to hip and trendy guests looking for an exciting beach getaway. It has more than 200 rooms with amenities that include two lap pools, a fitness center/spa, and three restaurants: Parasol, Citrine, and Stratos on the roof deck. Its two function halls can accommodate large corporate events, grand gala parties, and intimate celebrations.
When Boracay was shut down for six months in 2018, AHR was able to complete its P1.5 billion expansion of Astoria Current, which was one of the first resorts that the Department of Tourism allowed to reopen after it complied with all the environmental regulations and ordinances.
chief economist at Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC). The comparable 20-year PHP BVAL yield increased by 0.30 percent and lingered among 7-month highs recently and up from the immediate low of 5.75 percent posted on September 23, 2024, Ricafort said.
Investors’ appetite for long-dated T-bonds, such as the 20-year tenor have been “relatively lower” amid uncertainties on Trump’s protectionist measures that could lead to higher US inflation and, in turn, lead to fewer rate cuts by the US Federal Reserve, added the RCBC executive. This is “despite the latest reserve requirement ratio cuts and the country’s exit from the Financial Action Task Force’s grey list as mitigating/ offsetting positive factors,” Ricafort said.
For this month, the Treasury raised a total of P115 billion from the sale of T-bonds.
This year, the national government programmed to borrow a total of P2.54 trillion, with 80 percent expected to be raised through domestic sources.
The government borrows to meet its spending requirements as well as to finance its budget deficit. As of end-December 2024, the national government’s outstanding debt reached P16.05 trillion, swelling by 9.8 percent from the P14.616 trillion recorded in end-2023.
contributed 40 percent to the P709.7 billion loan portfolio. RCBC’s total loan portfolio increased by 17 percent outpacing the industry’s average loan growth of 11.1 percent as of November 2024. Credit card receivables increased by 48 percent in 2024, as cards in force increased by 21 percent and billings increased by 41 percent. Secured consumer loans, such as mortgage and auto, increased by 30 percent last year.
Total deposits stood at P1.02 trillion with CASA (current account savings account)-to-total deposits ratio at 52.6 percent.
The RCBC raised $350 million through five-year sustainability bonds. Proceeds will support green and social projects under RCBC’s Sustainable Finance Framework. The country’s sixth-largest lender in terms of total assets maintained a solid capital position at P158.5 billion, and capital ratios CAR of 16.08 percent and a CET1 ratio stood at 13.53 percent, maintaining healthy buffers. The RCBC had a total consolidated network of 465 branches, 1,482 automated teller machines, and 8,426 ATM Go terminals strategically located nationwide. VG Cabuag
LGU officials expect an increase in tourist arrivals this year, especially with the rise of cruise tourism in Boracay–where 17 cruise ships are scheduled to visit in 2025 or almost double the year-ago figure. Miraflores has committed the support of Aklan’s provincial government and believes that “by embracing innovation, we endure a smooth and efficient journey for all our foreign and domestic visitors while fostering sustainable growth for the island’s tourism industry.” With these forthcoming developments that will rationalize the entry rates and procedures for visitors, Boracay tourism is poised to reach its pre-pandemic level or even surpass it. The overall travel process will be hastened by these new measures and the island could then regain its status as the Philippines’ top tourist destination.
Joseph Gamboa is the chairman of the Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines’s Media Affairs Sub-Committee on
FINEX FREE ENTERPRISE
Joseph Araneta Gamboa
TRAVEL FAIR HAS LOTS OF LUGGAGES,SHOES, AND MORE ON OFFER
THE urge to book a plane ticket is always strong, especially during a seat sale. But you know what?
It’s time to embrace the jetsetter lifestyle, whether driving to a local destination or jetting off abroad. You should be ready for all travel possibilities at the drop of a hat.
If you’re looking for sturdy luggage, comfy shoes and clothes, plus other travel essentials for your next trip, Robinsons Department Store’s annual Wanderfest Travel Fair 2025 has you covered. Running until February 28, 2025, in all Robinsons Department Store branches and online stores, the biggest travel fair features trusted fashion and accessory brands for up to 60-percent off, ideal for every type of adventure.
Highly durable suitcases from brands like TUNKR and Sky Travel can carry everything you need. They can also survive every bump during the trip. For city trips, a good pair of shoes from brands like Adidas, Nike, and World Balance are a must to walk comfortably everywhere. Likewise, avid hikers can cover a lot of distance with footwear from Outland Shoes Unlimited and spacious backpacks from Forthpack.
Consumers can enjoy better deals when they use a Metrobank Credit Card for purchases. Get a P200 cashback for a single-receipt spend of P3,000 on straight transactions, or a P300 cashback for P7,000 on zero-percent installment transaction.
Moreover, Wanderfest Travel Fair’s e-raffle has exciting destinations for shoppers. For every minimum purchase of P4,500 from the shoes, bag, luggage, and athletics department using Go Rewards, you earn one e-raffle entry to the promo, in partnership with Salmon and Klook. You can earn five additional entries when you purchase using Salmon.
There will be one winner of an All-in Travel Package to Vietnam for 4 pax, and two winners of an All-in Travel Package to Siargao for 2 pax. There will also be two winners of an Enchanted Kingdom Ekspress 1-day pass for 6 pax, courtesy of Klook.
The travel fair fun doesn’t stop there. From February 24 to March 2, 2025, consumers can drop by Wanderfest at the Midtown Atrium, Robinsons Place Manila to check out more brands for all their needs. Browse various shoe styles from brands like Nike, Anta, and Skechers; bags and luggages of all sizes from Hawk, Secosana, TUNKR, and many more essentials you may need for your next trip.
Results rather than hours
IN today’s fast-paced business landscape, productivity is no longer about the hours clocked in but the results delivered. Many leaders have long equated productivity with time spent at the office, assuming that longer working hours meant greater success. However, this outdated mindset often leads to burnout, inefficiencies, and wasted resources.
Teams now recognize that what truly matters is the impact of the work produced.
Output-based productivity emphasizes effectiveness over effort, ensuring teams deliver tangible results rather than merely staying busy.
Traditional metrics that often track inputs like hours worked, e-mails sent, or meetings attended are measures that do not always translate to meaningful outcomes. Consider the practice of coffee badging, where remote team members log in, respond to a few emails, attend brief meetings to appear active, and then disengage. This illusion of productivity highlights the need for impact-driven evaluation.
True success lies in prioritizing high-value tasks that drive measurable results over low-impact activities.
For example, a sales team should not be judged by the number of calls made but by revenue generated and customer satisfaction achieved. Similarly, a software development team’s performance should be assessed by the quality and functionality of their deliverables rather than the number of hours spent coding. A marketing team may spend hours brainstorming and drafting multiple campaign ideas, but their success is ultimately determined by campaign performance metrics such as customer engagement and conversion rates rather than time spent on planning.
To implement output-based productivity, leaders must first define clear goals. Setting SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) goals ensures that every team member understands what success looks like.
For instance, instead of instructing a software development team to “increase customer satisfaction,” a better objective would be to “increase customer satisfaction rates by 5 percent within the next quarter.” Performance should then be measured based on results rather than hours worked, using key performance indicators that reflect meaningful contributions, such as completed projects, revenue growth, or customer satisfaction scores.
Leaders should also grant team members the flexibility to choose their methods for achieving goals. Trusting team members to work independently fosters innovation and efficiency. Minimizing unnecessary meetings further supports this by allowing teams to focus on meaningful work. For example, replacing a weekly check-in meeting with a shared progress report or a project tracker can save valuable time while keeping everyone informed. Encouraging autonomy enhances output-based productivity, allowing team members to take ownership of their work and determine the most efficient ways to achieve their objectives. When software developers have the freedom to choose
their coding methods and tools, they can optimize efficiency while delivering high-quality products within deadlines. By shifting the focus to results rather than effort, team leaders can drive efficiency, innovation, and accountability, creating a work environment where effectiveness is prioritized over mere activity.
Leveraging technology is another crucial aspect of an output-based approach. Project management tools, automation, and collaboration platforms help teams track progress, streamline workflows, and identify bottlenecks. For example, tools like Trello or Planner enable teams to visualize tasks and deadlines, ensuring accountability without micromanagement. Additionally, fostering a results-oriented culture means recognizing and rewarding achievements
based on impact rather than effort. A sales team that celebrates hitting revenue targets rather than just making the most calls encourages efficiency and smarter work practices. By embracing output-based productivity, teams can maximize efficiency by becoming more strategic in how they allocate their time and resources. It also promotes innovation, as teams are encouraged to find creative solutions to meet their objectives rather than simply putting in more hours. For leaders who want to drive real impact, cultivating an output-driven culture is essential. By setting clear objectives, measuring success through meaningful metrics, and creating an environment where results matter more than hours worked, leaders can build high-performing teams that consistently deliver results and value. n
AmCham collaborates with Benilde to combat counterfeiting
THE American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (AmCham) recently allied with the De La-Salle College of Saint Benilde to champion a culture of intellectual property (IP) protection and raise awareness on the prevailing counterfeit issues in the country.
Amid the rise of e-commerce, counterfeits have become a threat to many businesses. These cause fraudulent risks, loss of sales and revenue, surplus, product liability claims, as well as brand and reputation damage. It also brings about a negative impact to consumers who buy poor-quality items and may suffer from health and safety risks.
This was the message of the International Trademark Association’s “Unreal Campaign,” promoted by AmCham, which aims to make the youth more conscious of the detrimental effects of purchasing counterfeit products.
The joint effort between AmCham and Benilde, through the Center for Intellectual Property Management (CIPM), sought to safeguard creativity and ethical business practices by fostering an informed and vigilant community.
Benilde chancellor Benhur Ong and AmCham Philippines Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Committee co-chairman Atty. Princess Ascalon delivered their welcome messages. AmCham Philippines IPR Committee co-chairman Atty. Divina Ilas-Panganiban, Quisumbing Torres Partner Atty. Bienvenido Marquez III, and Quisumbing Torres Associate Atty. Felicisimo Agas III shared valuable insights and informed the audience on the repercussions of counterfeiting to the economy and businesses. The group discussed the the significance of IPR to consumers, as well as the strategies and best practices they could take to protect IP and fight counterfeiting. The resource speakers encouraged dialogues and partnerships that would help address the challenges.
Benilde School of Multidisciplinary StudiesCommunication and Literature Area chairman Jocelyn Castro served as moderator of the forum.
The CIPM, an Innovation and Technology Support Office accredited by the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines, encouraged Benildeans to uphold intellectual property rights by respecting the original works of inventors, authors, creators, and designers. CIPM actively supports students and alumni in IP protection, technology transfer, and the commercialization of their innovations.
Nearly everyone in the world breathes bad air. This is what you can do to lower your risk
By Aniruddha Ghosal The Associated Press
HANOI, Vietnam—Everyone loves a breath of fresh air. Unfortunately, too often our air is anything but fresh.
While air quality varies dramatically from place to place and day to day, nearly the entire world—about 99 percent of the global population—is exposed to air at some point that doesn’t meet the strict standards set by the World Health Organization. Polluted air, laden with noxious gasses or tiny, invisible particles that burrow into human bodies, kills 7 million people prematurely every year, the UN health agency estimates.
And for the millions living in some of the world’s smoggiest cities—many of them in Asia like New Delhi; Dhaka, Bangladesh; Bangkok; and Jakarta, Indonesia—bad air might seem inescapable.
But there are things that people can do, starting with understanding that the air isn’t only polluted when it looks smoggy, said Tanushree Ganguly of the Energy Policy Institute of Chicago in India.
“Blue skies can’t guarantee you clean air,” she said. Air pollutants often come from people burning things: Fuels such as coal, natural gas, diesel and gasoline for electricity and transportation; crops or trees for agricultural
purposes; or as a result of wildfires. Fine, inhalable particles, known as particulate matter, are among the most dangerous. The tiniest of these—known as PM 2.5 because they are less than 2.5 microns in diameter—can get deep into human lungs and are mostly created by burning fuels. Coarser particles, known as PM 10, are linked to agriculture, roadways, mining or the wind blowing eroded dust, according to the WHO.
Other dangerous pollutants include gases like nitrogen dioxide or sulfur dioxide, which are also produced from burning fuels, said Anumita Roychowdhury, an air pollution expert at the Center for Science and Environment in New Delhi.
What health problems can air pollution cause?
Air pollution is the second-largest risk factor for early death globally, behind high blood pressure, according to a recent report by the Health Effects Institute.
Short-term exposure can trigger asthma attacks and increase the risk of heart attacks and stroke, especially in the elderly or people with medical problems. Long-term exposure can cause serious heart and lung problems that can lead to death, including heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lung infections.
A recent analysis by the UN children’s
agency found that more than 500 million children in East Asia and Pacific countries breathe unhealthy air and the pollution is linked to the deaths of 100 children under 5 every day.
What’s the best way to tell if air is safe?
Over 6,000 cities in 117 countries now monitor air quality, and many weather mobile apps include air quality information. But trying to gauge how bad the air is by looking at these numbers can be confusing. To help people understand air quality levels more easily, many countries have adopted an air quality index or AQI—a numerical scale where larger numbers mean worse air. They are also often assigned different colors to show whether the air is clean or not. But different countries have different air quality standards. For instance, India’s daily PM 2.5 limit is more than 1.5 times higher than that of Thailand and 4 times higher than WHO standards.
What are the best ways to protect yourself from air pollution? The goal, of course, is to limit exposure when air quality is bad, by staying inside or wearing a mask.
Staying inside isn’t always possible, especially for people who must live or work outside, noted Danny Djarum, an air quality researcher at the World Resources Institute, an environmental advocacy
group. “They can’t really afford not going out,” he said.
Pakaphol Asavakomolnant, an office worker in Bangkok, said that he wears a mask every day and avoids riding to work on a motorbike. “I get a sore throat when I come to work in the morning and I forget to wear a mask,” he said.
People also need to be aware of indoor air pollution which can often be caused by common household activities like cooking or even burning an incense stick.
What are the benefits—and limitations—of air purifiers?
Air purifiers can help reduce indoor air pollution, but they have their limitations. They work by pulling air from a room, pushing it through a filter that traps pollutants before circulating it back.
But they’re most effective when used in small spaces and when people are nearby. Air purifiers can only clean a certain amount of air, said Rajasekhar Balasubramanian, who studies urban air quality at the National University of Singapore. “If we have a tiny air purifier in a large room, it won’t be effective,” he said. Air purifiers are also too expensive for people in many developing countries.
“The majority of people who are affected by air pollution can’t really afford air purifiers,” said WRI’s Djarum.
PLDT included in the S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook 2025, named global telecom ‘Industry Mover’
THE Philippines’ leading integrated telecommunications company PLDT Inc. (PLDT) made it into the S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook 2025, a distinguished listing of the world’s best performing companies in corporate sustainability.
Inclusion in the Yearbook requires a company to earn an S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA) score in the top 15 percent of its industry and within 30 percent of its industry’s topperforming company.
PLDT is also named the “Industry Mover” for achieving the strongest performance improvement in the global telecommunication services industry.
Registering a 14-point improvement over its score in the previous year, PLDT attained a CSA score of 72 out of 100 in 2024, the highest among Philippine companies. PLDT is also the only Philippine company included in the 2025 Yearbook.
“PLDT is proud to be among the best companies in the world in terms of sustainability. We recognize that making a meaningful impact on our stakeholders is key to long-term profitability, and we are glad that our efforts have been recognized. Rest assured that this inspires our organization to continue pursuing initiatives that consider our environmental, social and governance impacts,” said PLDT Chairman and CEO Manuel V Pangilinan.
PLDT’s notable improvements in 2024 included its enactment of a Human Rights Policy and corresponding disclosure of human rights impact, updated and expanded analysis of material issues and
impact on stakeholders, and enhanced measures to integrate climate and nature into its business operations, among others. The company also continued to score well in the areas of risk and crisis management, privacy protection, and information security.
“Inclusion in the S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook is a distinct honor,
Mondelēz International Honored for Supporting Local Economy with Top Taxpayer, Importer Awards
MONDELĒZ International in the Philippines continues to demonstrate its commitment to support the country’s economic growth through responsible corporate citizenship, recently earning prestigious recognitions from both the Parañaque City Government and the Bureau of Customs-Manila International Container Port (BOC-MICP).
As the makers of some of the world’s most beloved snacks, including Oreo, Toblerone, and Cadbury Dairy Milk, as well as local favorites like Eden cheese and Cheez Whiz, Mondelēz International has long been dedicated to bringing highquality snacks to Filipino consumers while upholding responsible business practices. This commitment extends beyond snacking, as the company actively contributes to the nation’s economic progress.
As a testament to its contributions to local development, Mondelēz International was once again awarded the Gawad Palanyag by the Parañaque City Government, securing its place among the City’s top 10 taxpayers. The company was acknowledged for its contributions to the City, which it has called home for the past 62 years. Moreover,
TMONDELĒZ International Managing Director Aleli Arcilla (2nd from the left) receives the Gawad Palanyag Award on behalf of the organization, recognizing the company as one of Parañaque City’s Top 10 Taxpayers. Also in picture are, from left, Parañaque City Mayor Eric Olivarez, Aleli Arcilla, Vice Mayor Joan Villafuerte, and District 1 Rep. Edwin Olivarez.
Mondelēz International also supported the launch of two Aling Tindera community plastic collection sites in the city in 2024, helping promote responsible waste management and sustainable practices at the grassroots level.
Further underscoring its role in fostering economic progress, Mondelēz International was also recognized as a Top Importer for 2024 by the Bureau of Customs-Manila International Container Port (BOC-MICP). This distinction is part of the BOC-MICP’s annual recognition of top importers, customs brokers, and exporters who have made outstanding contributions to revenue collection and supply chain efficiency.
.“These recognitions from the Parañaque City Government and the Bureau of Customs-Manila International Container Port reaffirm our dedication to being a responsible corporate citizen and partner of choice to both our communities and stakeholders,” said Caitlin Punzalan, Corporate and Government Affairs Lead of Mondelēz International in the Philippines.
“We remain committed to empowering Filipinos to snack night, ensuring that our products are made the right way—with integrity, sustainability, and responsibility at the core.”
By combining business with purpose and exceptional corporate practices, Mondelēz International continues help positive impact where it operates.
na Makapangyarihan’ : A story of love amidst the Philippine Revolution
HEATER company Tag-ani Performing Arts Society and playwright/director Bonifacio Ilagan offered an out of the ordinary yet true to life romance this love month with the play, “O, Pag-ibig na Makapangyarihan.”
as is being named as the Industry Mover in the global telco industry. These affirm that PLDT’s sustainability roadmap is on the right track and in line with global best practices,” said PLDT First Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer Melissa V Vergel de Dios.
PLDT is one of 780 companies included in the S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook
of companies
range of industry-specific
environmental, and social
criteria.
PhilHealth Chief meets with hospital groups to increase
THE Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), under the leadership of Acting President and CEO, Dr. Edwin M. Mercado, held a consultation meeting with the country’s leading private hospital groups and national associations. The brief meeting focused on PhilHealth’s commitment to improve its efficiency, address wastage, and optimize processes to ensure that hospitals receive timely payments for their claims.
Attendees included heads and representatives from the Metro Pacific Health Corporation, Mount Grace Hospital Group, Unilab Foundation, AC Health, St. Luke’s Medical Center, The Medical City, Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines, Inc., and Philippine Hospital Association.
Dr. Mercado and the hospital executives
access points
also mutually agreed to take on the challenge of increasing access points for primary care. The hospitals taking on primary care will facilitate the completion of Health Care Provider Networks (HCPNs) which will bring us closer to achieving Universal Health Care for every Filipino.
“We recognize the significant role that private hospitals play in delivering quality healthcare services to Filipinos. We can only leverage their capacities when we build a sphere of trust and effective coordination”, said Dr. Mercado.
Next on his priority list to meet are the government hospitals, both DOH and LGU-managed. With continued stakeholder engagement across the public health community, we are creating a strengthened PhilHealth that can uplift healthcare financing in the Philippines.
“Remigia is an imaginary [character], she is my imagination. But I thought of her to be the storyteller, so Remigia was able to travel across timeliness,” Ilagan explained.
Ilagan made this directorial decision in order to deliver the message of patriotism, socio-political awareness, and critical thinking to modern audiences.
“When I thought that would make a historical play, I already thought of the difficulty of conveying the message. The common stereotype, ‘historical, boring,’
In a limited showing this February, the show narrated the love story of Gregoria “Oryang” De Jesus and Andres Bonifacio amidst the Spanish colonization. From their first meeting until their last shared battle as a couple and members of The Katipunan, the revolution became a testament of their courageous love, both for each other and the motherland. The whole play was narrated through the lens of Remigia, a girl who traveled back to the past and became a helper to witness the story of De Jesus and Bonifacio.
so I immediately thought of a device and I made it a modernist twist,” he added.
Inspired by a popular line in Francisco Balagtas’ Florante at Laura, “O, Pag-ibig na makapangyarihan, kapag ika’y pumasok sa puso nino man, hahamakin ang lahat masunod ka lamang,” the title of the play echoed Oryang’s pure and liberating love for the things and people she cared about. It transformed her where she went against the current just like going against her parents’ plans just so she could be with Andres and eventually participate in the revolution because of her strong desire to free the country from oppression.
“Oftentimes, Gregoria is only known as a wife of Andres Bonifacio,” said Direk Ellen Ongkeko-Marfil during the open discussion of the theater play. “I am happy that you witnessed [through this production] her bravery, her strong resolution to fight for her love. She even wrote [a letter] to gobernadorcillo and we don’t usually study [this fact], but she brought those characteristics with her until the end, she is an official partner in forming The Katipunan.”
Astarte Abraham, who played the mother of Oryang, added that De Jesus is a symbolism of Filipino women. “Most of the historians are men who write stories of men. We need to know the story of Oryang because she is a woman and she is an inspiration,” she mentioned.
To date, a pending resolution was filed by Senator Risa Hontiveros to commemorate De Jesus’ 150th birth anniversary and to honor her life and legacy as a heroine of the Philippine revolution and a symbol of Filipino women’s strength, resilience, leadership, and recognizing her invaluable contributions to the nation’s history.
The theater play will air on remaining selected dates of February at Ignacio B. Gimenez - Kolehiyo ng Arte at Literatura Theatre, UP Diliman and on March 8 and 9 at 7 pm at Erehwon Center for the Arts. VPR
Acompanies’
The characters of “O, Pag-ibig na Makapangyarihan” execute their final performance to conclude the play.
Editor: Tet Andolong
Retail sectoR bullish in 2025
By Rizal Raoul S. Reyes @brownindio
Loca L retailers are going to be on cloud nine in 2025 as Filipino consumers are expected to have more cash in their wallets, with inflation likely to taper and businesses enjoying tax breaks from the newly enacted corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises to Maximize opportunities for Reinvigorating the Economy (cREaTE MoRE).
Wendy Estacio–Cruz, head of research, Unicapital, said the tax relief from the CREATE MORE law cutting the corporate income tax to 20 from 25 percent, is expected to create more jobs and jump–start economic activities. “All told, lower inflation and unemployment should support growth in household spending, which are key growth drivers of consumer companies,” Cruz explained.
A major force in casual dining
In 1994, the Bistro Group opened its first TGIFridays in Glorietta, Makati City, paving the way for the entry of casual dining experience in the Philippines. William Stelton, the Bistro group’s chairman and CEO, is the brains behind its success. He was immediately impressed with his first visit to a TGIFridays store in the US, saying he felt the energy and the excitement right away.
“That was why I decided to bring the concept to the Philippines,” he said. Its maiden store at Glorietta Mall was the biggest branch
WELLS Fargo Philippines has been awarded LEED Platinum certification, the highest distinction in the globally recognized Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system. With an impressive score of 85 out of 110, its Block D building surpasses rigorous sustainability standards, joining a select group of just under 50 LEED Platinum and Gold-certified buildings in the Philippines.
LEED certification recognizes buildings that excel in key areas such as Site Sustainability, Water Efficiency, Energy and Atmosphere, Materials and Resources, Indoor Environmental Quality, and Innovation in Design. This achievement reinforces Wells Fargo’s commitment to sustainability as it continues to integrate environmentally responsible practices into its operations.
“Achieving LEED Platinum certification is a significant milestone for Wells Fargo, demonstrating our long-standing commitment to sustainability and responsible business practices,” said Mike Whyte, Country Head—Philippines, Wells Fargo. “This recognition points to the dedication and hard work of our team as we continue to reduce our environmental footprint and create healthier spaces for our employees and the communities we serve,” adds Edzel Reyes, Executive Director, Corporate Properties Group. “In line with our global sustainability initiatives, we are committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, waste, and water
in the world at that time. “We had hundreds of people queueing when we launched it. The market’s enthusiastic acceptance of the brand was amazing!”
After its initial success, Bistro successfully launched an ensemble of other American brands such as Italianni’s, Denny’s, Buffalo Wild Wings, Texas Roadhouse, Randy’s Donuts, Olive Garden, Hard Rock Café and El Pollo Loco. Asian concepts also thrived within the company’s portfolio: Watami, Modern Shang, Red Lotus, Bulgogi Brothers, Secret Recipe, and Fish & Co as well as homegrown restaurants like Krazy Garlik and Siklab. There are also Spanish concepts like Las Flores, Tomatito, Rambla and Rumba as well as Bistro Elite which includes Helm, Ember, Savage and The Test Kitchen. And only last December, it launched the luxurious brand, Morton’s The Steakhouse.
“From 9 concepts, 53 stores and with almost P2B in revenue in 2013, we ended 2024 with 26 concepts, 225 stores and P9B in
revenue,” said Jean Paul Manuud, The Bistro Group president. It has a presence in major malls and stand-alone locations within Metro Manila and in the provinces of Pampanga and Bataan. It has also opened stores in the Visayas and Mindanao regions, opening stores in Cebu and Bacolod to satisfy the ever-evolving demands (and cravings) of Filipino foodies.
The Bistro Group recently marked its 30th year with a big bang by launching much-awaited
usage, as well as achieving full renewable energy consumption for our electricity needs by 2030.”
Expanding Sustainability Efforts in the Philippines
B E yO n D this certification, Wells Fargo has also taken steps to further its sustainability efforts in the Philippines. The company has completed solar-powered charging stations for two-wheelers and is expanding solar-powered lighting across open areas at its McKinley campus. It has also been actively tracking carbon footprint reduction through the Move-inSync app for employee transport and will introduce fully electric buses to its fleet in Q1 2025. In addition, all Wells Fargo buildings in the Philippines have been running on 100 percent green energy since December, with Block ABC shifting to green power, while Block D and Five/ n EO operate on a geothermal power source. Since establishing operations
in the Philippines since 2011, Wells Fargo has played a pivotal role in the company’s global strategy by providing operational, functional, and technical expertise that supports its international business. Through its workforce in the country, Wells Fargo enhances efficiency in areas such international operations, knowledge support, front-end customer service, and middle and back-end business process solutions, helping to drive innovation and service effectiveness across its global network.
The LEED Platinum certification marks an important step in Wells Fargo’s broader commitment to sustainability, complementing its efforts to create an environmentally responsible and dynamic work environment. As the company continues operations in the Philippines on its 14th year, it remains focused on fostering a workplace that prioritizes both people and the planet.
international concepts including Dave & Buster’s, Fogo de Chão, and Longhorn Steakhouse.and Dessert 129 from Korea.
Josh Boutwood, Bistro’s Corporate Executive Chef, recently launched another innovative concept, Juniper. Located at the Shangri-la Plaza Mall and scheduled to open this February, it offers a large selection of gins, botanicals and tonics with a beautifully crafted
menu that was developed to complement the drinking experience. The Bistro group plans to open 100+stores in the next five years. Moreover, Manuud said it will keep innovating and developing new concepts, keeping a finger on the pulse of its customers and remaining constantly attuned with the latest industry trends and ever-evolving technology that impacts the F & B industry.
A thriving community-centric mall F ISHER Mall, located at Quezon Avenue, pointed out it is not competing with the big players. n evertheless, it has thrived since it started operating in 2014.
Right now, Fisher Mall has more than 290 tenants and a total gross lease area of 44,000 square meters.
Robert Raymond del Rosario, president of Fisher Mall, told the BusinessMirror in an interview that the mall's target markets are people living within the 7 to 10 kilometers range. “We make sure our growth targets are sustainable and attainable. We also carefully study the location and ensure that the people in the community and our workers would benefit most,” he explained.
Del Rosario said Fisher Mall is always looking for avenues to explore opportunities for growth. In the next two to three years, Fisher Mall is looking forward to expanding its footprint. “We’re looking at the properties that we’ve landbanked over the years. And like in anything we do, we really look at the details.
“We have to make sure that when we do pursue something, we carefully study the location. The success is probably for us, but for our tenants and customers as well where people can benefit the most. That’s what we’re looking forward to.”
Del Rosario said expanding in the national Capital Region ( nCR) is one option. Moreover, Fisher Mall could also go into other provinces. “We have some properties on both ends—inside n CR and out of it as well,” said del Rosario “But when I do have the finalization of those plans, I’ll let you know,” he said.
Suntrust unveils a new website: A Smarter way to find your dream home
SU n TRUST Properties, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Megaworld Corporation, is revolutionizing the homebuying experience with the launch of its newly redesigned website on February 14, 2025. Designed for seamless navigation and enhanced functionality, the new platform empowers homebuyers to find their forever home with ease.
Suntrust aims to provide the ease of access by offering the most valuable information at the forefront and enticing potential clients with the newly made system. Compared to the previous version, the modifications were made for the platform to be more user-friendly and offer a richer understanding of the services offered by Suntrust to its clients.
Website Highlights T HE homepage immediately showcases Suntrust’s premier real estate projects, allowing buyers to explore options effortlessly. Additionally, the newly enhanced filtering system enables an easier way to browse the projects based on location.
The homepage also offers direct access to the company profile, payment systems for purchasing, and the inquiry section.
When browsing properties, buyers can immediately form an impression of the projects through provided images, digital brochures, and supplementary videos embedded within the page. Key details such as property features and nearby landmarks are presented in a clear and organized manner. Should the client prefer
to view other options, the website also offers a list of recommended properties.
The improved version of the Homebuyer’s guide and Payment Channels provides its users a more comprehensive step by step guide to purchasing a property in just a few clicks. With the information presented within a single page, the arduous task of having to go through multiple pages is eliminated for the user’s convenience.
Home searching has never been easier with this new face of Suntrust.
A New Suntrust On The Rise “S U n TRUST is continuously striving to innovate and improve its customer service delivery,” said Suntrust President Atty. Harrison M. Paltongan upon the launch of the new website. “By utilizing new tools and refining our approach, Suntrust is able to provide a more efficient and personalized experience to ensure customer satisfaction. We are not only keep -
ing up with current trends, we are also setting a new standard for excellence in the industry,” he added. With the company’s commitment to provide excellent service for their clients, Suntrust utilizes the current technological advancements by creating and employing a system that readily disseminates the needed resources of homeowners and homebuyers for their homebuying journey. Comfort is not only found within the homes that Suntrust builds, but also within the service they provide to their customers. This upgrade emphasizes the company’s desire to adapt and keep pace with the changing tides of the industry. With this new platform, homebuyers will be able to learn more about their dream home without leaving their doorsteps.
Visit www.suntrust.com.ph today and take the
at Hard Rock, S maison during the Bistro group’s 30th anniversary. Fi
Lee grabs share
TIFFANY LEE fired a second straight one-under 71 to grab a share of the lead as Daniella Uy managed a 74 in windy conditions in the second round of the International Container Terminal Services Inc. Ladies Pradera Verde Championship on Tuesday in Lubao, Pampanga. Lee rebounded from an early bogey with three birdies in a six-hole stretch from No. 7, submitting nines of 3635 to erase a three-stroke deficit and force a tie at 142 entering the final round of the P1 million championship.
Uy managed only one birdie and wound up twoover for the day but still in prime position in the P1 million championship.
The chase is far from a two-player duel.
Seoyun Kim stormed into contention with the day’s best 70, standing just one stroke off the pace at 143.
Samantha Bruce briefly grabbed the lead with a dazzling four-under card through 11 holes.
However, a string of errors down the stretch—a bogey on No. 12, a double bogey on the par-3 15th, and another dropped shot on No. 16—sent her back to an even-par 72. Still, at 144, just two strokes behind, the Seattle U product remains a serious title threat.
With the winds expected to intensify in the decisive 18 holes, the final round promises high drama as the contenders battle not just each other but also the unforgiving conditions.
“The wind was really gushing—it’s an open course, and it’s really hard to manage,” said Lee, who briefly took the solo lead after 15 holes before a wayward wedge shot
from 95 yards got caught in the wind, landing in a bunker and leading to a bogey.
“But I’ll stay positive and keep things simple in the final round,” added Lee, who seeks redemption after missing the cut at the recent PH Ladies Masters. “I’m eager to win.”
Uy, who impressed with a 68 in the opening round, acknowledged her struggles in demanding conditions.
“Unlike the first round, where I made a lot of putts, I had trouble adjusting to the stronger winds,” said Uy. “I need to be more aware of yardages and club selection in the final round.”
Kim loomed large with momentum on her side after carding five birdies against a bogey and a double bogey. Feeling better after an illness hampered her first-round 73, she vowed to focus on execution rather than the leaderboard.
“I used to focus on my score, but now I realize that the shot is more important,” she said. “I want to do my best in the final round.”
Bruce, meanwhile, must recover from her lateround struggles to have a shot at victory. Her explosive start sent shockwaves through the field, but her faltering finish underscored the need for mental toughness in a tournament where no lead is safe.
Also within striking distance are Mafy Singson (72-146), Mikha Fortuna (76-148), Chanelle Avaricio (72-149), Sarah Ababa (76-149), Rev Alcantara (71-150), and Martina Miñoza (77-150).
Santillan, Elasto Painters seek payback against
RHJ,
Tropang Giga
FBy Josef T. Ramos
OCUS will be on defense as Rain or Shine and TNT Tropang Giga begin their best-of-seven semifinal showdown in the Season 49 Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup on Wednesday at the Araneta Coliseum. Teams had more than a week of rest while the Philippine team participated in the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Asia Cup qualifiers road games. Now coach Yeng Guiao and the Elasto Painters brace for battle against the Tropang Giga in Game 1 at 5 p.m. Rain or Shine’s Leonard “Santi” Santillan said their defeat to TNT in five games in the Governors’ Cup semifinals last October remains fresh in their minds and they are determined to get back.
The Elasto Painters reached the round of four by beating Converge in the quarterfinals, capped by a 112-103 Game Three win on February 9.
“Right after the quarterfinals, we im mediately got back to work and intensified our defensive schemes knowing TNT is absolutely a beast with their super import RHJ [Rondae Hollis-Jefferson],” Santillan told BusinessMirror on Tuesday.
“It’s going to be our defense that will keep us in this game,” he added. “We must stop all of them, not only Rondae but their shooters as well. Rondae is also a good passer, not just a scorer.” Hollis-Jefferson had 36 points, 11 rebounds, nine assists and six steals in Game Five of the semifinals last con ference when they booted out the Elastopainters and import Aaron Fuller. Deon Thompson, a 6-foot-8 underrated reinforcement, will try to solve the RHJ puzzle. Thompson, who averaged 23 points, 13.6 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.5 blocks, plays much different from HollisJefferson, who is averaging 27.9 points, 12.3 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 2.2 steals, and 1.6 blocks per game.
Coach Chot Reyes said TNT must limit Rain or Shine’s scoring to get a good chance, noting the Elasto Painters’ 108.73 score overall
average per game which was second to NorthPort leading 109.92 points per game average.
“We are playing the best shooting team in the league in terms of field goal percentage. So our ‘D’ needs to be on point,” Reyes said, adding the need to keep Rain or Shine guards Adrian Nocum, Anton Asistio, Santillan and Andrei Caracut in check.
Meanwhile, top seed NorthPort battles Barangay Ginebra in Game 1 starting at 7:30pm.
It is going to be an interesting matchup with Gin Kings import Justin Brownlee coming off a tiring stint in the FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers suiting up for Gilas Pilipinas, as he takes on Kadeem Jack and the rest of the Batang Pier who topped the elimination round with 10-3 record. NorthPort eliminated No. 8 Magnolia, 113-110, in the quarterfinals.
SANTI SANTILLAN is determined to do better for Rain or Shine after their loss to TNT last conference.
Toss of the dice
FOUR straight losses during the last three weeks or so may dampen one’s spirit, as in the case of Gilas Pilipinas. It is not easy to forget debacles, especially if they were winnable games. All four of them.
But things we don’t like to happen just happen. Like a bad dream. Nightmare. Like accidents, the unexpected strikes when you least expect it. Back-to-back losses to Egypt and Lebanon, after a comefrom-behind 74-71 win over Qatar in Doha, hurt because we had beaten Egypt and Lebanon in the past.
But, again, it is what it is. We wake up on the wrong side of the bed and there’s no ample explanation for that. Just learn to live with life’s ebbing flows; it happens.
We had also beaten Taiwan and New Zealand in the notso-distant past; didn’t we beat the Kiwis (93-89) only last
ALLAEZA MAE GULMATICO and Maria Louisse Crisselle
Alejado won their respective individual time trial (ITT) races in contrasting fashions to make Iloilo proud anew on the second day Tuesday of the PhilCycling National Championships for Road presented by the MVP Sports Foundation and Standard Insurance.
Gulmatico clocked 14 minutes and 45.90 seconds in ruling the Women’s Youth 1 ITT for riders aged 12 to 14 years old in the 5.38-km course in Nasugbu and Batulao in Batangas
By Manuel T. Cayon
DAVAO CITY—Former Moro fighters donned different uniforms to play it out with former battlefield adversaries in a friendly basketball game in Lanao del Sur, the 20th game in the Bangsamoro autonomous region since it was conceptualized after the signing of the peace agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. The Bangsamoro government, United States Institute of Peace (USIP) and the Strategic Communications
November at the MOA Arena in Pasay City?
But why we had to bow to them, just days apart last week, is a question as tricky as why does the sea rush to shore.
But then again, it is how to properly react to adversities, disappointments, that counts in the end. Dealing with defeats defines the man at his wit’s end. When that happens, lean on the bigger picture for solace, refuge.
And so, even as we lost all four in succession to Egypt, Lebanon, Taiwan and New Zealand, still, in the overall analysis, there was no major dent on our ultimate aim of advancing to the Fiba Asia Cup. For, prior to the four inconsequential games, we have already qualified for the meet that will select at least two Asian teams to the Fiba World Cup. If at all, only in the draw for the pairings of teams for the tournament proper will we know which team has the lighter or heavier opponents in the Saudi Arabia outing on August 5-17 in Jeddah.
ANGELO QUE maintained his three-stroke lead as Carl Corpus and Keanu Jahns stayed in joint second place after the second round of the Pradera Verde Championship in Lubao, Pampanga.
Despite a scorching start at the back nine, Que faced stiff midmorning gusts, battling through back-to-back bogeys from No. 1 and holding on to the lead with a fiveunder 139 aggregate. The three-time Asian Tour winner had extended his lead to six early in the round, riding on birdies on Nos. 10, 16 and 17. However, as the wind intensified, the course became increasingly difficult, forcing Que to scramble through a tough frontside finish. He bogeyed Nos. 1 and 2 but regained his composure with a steady run of pars to stay at the helm of the kickoff leg of the 10-stage circuit put up by International Container Terminal Services Inc. and organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc.
“It was really windy, much stronger than the first round, and the pin positions were a lot tougher,” said Que, winner of the Philippine Masters last year.
“Unfortunately, I stumbled with bogeys on the first two holes of the front nine. We had a long wait, but that’s no excuse—I just mishit a chip on the first hole and missed a short putt on the next. But under-par is still a good score,” he added. Corpus and Jahns matched Que’s 71 and were at 142. Corpus, runner-up in last week’s
Aidric
windy,” said Que. Corpus, meanwhile, capitalized on rare scoring chances.
“I was always trying to hit the fairways and greens as usual and got a lucky break when I chipped in for eagle on No. 8,” he said. However, he immediately gave back those strokes with a double bogey on the next hole.
of the championships organized by the PhilCycling headed by Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino.
It was a very close win for Gulmatico in the event that was raced under a cold drizzle and strong crosswind with Ysabel Nicole Jamero finishing second by a mere 38-hundredth of a second and Joanna Mae Armendez winding up a far third almost 50 seconds behind.
Alejado, on the other hand, crossed in 22:46.51 to dominate the Youth 2 race over 8.60 kms for 12 to 14 years
and Capacity Building (SCCB) Project brought these former adversaries together in a series of annual and periodic games called the Kambollayoka: Peace Basketball Game series.
For its 13th series in the same province, the game was held on Sunday in Madamba town.
As per Kambollayoka’s standard rules, each basketball team consists of two soldiers, two MILF members, and one policeman. This format ensures that camaraderie and coordination among the three groups are formed while they play.
old of the event by 24 seconds over silver medalist Yvaine Osias and bronze winner Althea Coronado by more than three minutes.
Gulmatico and Alejado won the first two gold medals staked in Criterium on Monday at the Tagaytay City Atrium of the championships also backed by the POC, Tagaytay City and Excellent Noodles as well as the Philippine Sports Commission, which supports the national teams of cycling. Jaime Yuendhale Chavez covered the Men Youth 2 event also covering 8.60 kms in 22:50.93 to win the gold medal over Silmar Khen Silao and John Granad who crossed the finish line in Barangay Kaylaway in Batulao more than four minutes behind. Criterium champion Jazmine Kaye Vinoya missed a second gold medal after settling for silver in the 10-68km Women Junior ITT by five seconds behind gold winner Mary Gwennielle Francisco (30:51.86) with Eloiza Pajarito
Army Col. Billy Dela Rosa, commander of the 103rd Infantry Brigade, said the Kambollayoka encouraged open communication between the army, the PNP, and the MILF.
“Kambollayoka is more than just a game. In fact, in Piagapo [also in Lanao del Sur], this event paved the way for soldiers, police, and MILF members in the area to finally talk to each other and address their concerns for the betterment of their community,” Dela Rosa said.
USIP Country Director Dr. Haroro Ingram reaffirmed the institute’s
commitment to support peacebuilding efforts like the Kambollayoka Games, in Lanao, “emphasizing the importance of collaboration between security forces, MILF members, and civilians in resolving conflicts and maintaining peace in their communities.” The Kambollayoka in Madamba marked the final game of the series. SCCB Director Aliah Adam announced that they were preparing to hold the semi-final games in Marawi City this March. The winning teams from the 13 municipalities will compete to determine the top players for the finals.
COMMISSAIRES flag off participants in the individual time trial races in Batangas.
TIFFANY LEE fires three birdies against two bogeys. NONIE REYES
