TRADE GAP WIDENS
By Bless Aubrey Ogerio
DESPITE the increase in export receipts, the country’s trade deficit widened in January, according to preliminary data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
Figures from the PSA showed that the trade gap in January expanded by 16.9 percent to $5.09 billion from last year’s $4.35 billion. This is a reversal of the 21.9-percent decline recorded in the same month in 2024.
The January readout was also wider than the 0.8-percent decline recorded in December 2024.
Exports climbed by 6.3 percent to $6.36 billion in January from last year’s $5.98 billion. The pace of growth, however, was slow-
er than the 10 percent recorded in 2024.
Month-on-month, exports rebounded from the 1.9-percent decline in December 2024, when receipts reached $5.67 billion.
“The commodity group with the highest annual increment in the value of exports in January 2025 was other manufactured goods with $188.36 million,” the PSA said. “This was followed by coconut oil with an annual increase of $110.88 million, and other min-
TOP TRADE PARTNERS
EXPORTS
USA (17 7%)
JAPAN (14 9%)
HK (11.4%)
CHINA (10 1%)
SINGAPORE (4.2%)
IMPORTS
CHINA (28 9%)
JAPAN (8%)
INDONESIA (7 8%)
S. KOREA (7.5%)
USA (6%)
eral products with an annual increment of $61.51 million.”
Meanwhile, the country’s import payments rose by 10.8 percent to $11.45 billion in January from
the previous year’s $10.34 billion. This recovery follows consecutive contractions of 1.5 percent in December 2024 and 6 percent in January of last year.
“In January 2025, the commodity group with the highest annual increment in the value of imported goods was electronic products with $312.62 million,” the agency noted.
“This was followed by telecommunication equipment and electrical machinery, which increased by $126.38 million, and mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials with an annual increment of $107.56 million,” it added.
The United States remained the country’s top export destination, accounting for $1.13 billion or 17.7 percent of total shipments. It was followed by Japan ($945.80 million, 14.9 percent), Hong Kong ($722.81 million, 11.4 percent),
BSP: Feb inflation falls within target range
By Reine Juvierre S. Alberto
INFLATION in February
likely fell within the target range of the government, according to economists and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). Economists and the BSP also expect the consumer price index to accelerate at a steady pace for the rest of the year. In its month-ahead forecast, the BSP projected that inflation settled within the range of 2.2 percent to 3 percent in February.
The Philippines recorded an inflation rate of 2.9 percent in January 2025 and 3.4 percent in February 2024. Meanwhile, fullyear inflation was at 3.2 percent in 2024. The BSP said higher electricity rates and oil prices, and an increase in the prices of key agricul-
tural commodities, such as fish and meat, were seen as upward price pressures.
Meanwhile, lower prices of rice, fruits and vegetables, as well as negative base effects, are expected to offset the rise in prices.
BSP’s inflation outlook is within the government’s target of 2 to 4 percent.
“Going forward, the Monetary Board will continue to take a measured approach in ensuring price stability conducive to balanced and sustainable growth of the economy and employment,” the BSP said.
Soft inflation print MEANWHILE , ANZ Research expects inflation to have eased to 2.8 percent in February as food inflation likely softened. The think tank said rice prices eased and meat and vegetables stabilized.
‘STRONG DOLLAR TO WEAKEN PESO, MAKE GOODS COSTLY’
THE Philippine peso is seen to depreciate to P61 against the greenback this year due to a strong dollar environment, according to economists from Sun Life Investment Management and Trust Corp. (SLIMTC).
SLIMTC also noted that sharp depreciations of the peso could increase the cost of goods.
“Peso will weaken and will be in the range of 58-61 this year because of a very strong dollar environment globally,” SLIMTC Chief Investment Officer Ritchie Teo said in a press briefing on Friday.
Inflation, meanwhile, will settle at 3.1 percent this year, well within the government’s target of 2 to 4 percent, Teo said.
Despite the projection that the peso, which closed at P57.91 to the dollar on Tuesday, will underperform, SLIMTC President Michael Enriquez said the “biggest worry” is how fast the peso depreciates as this could have a stronger pass-through effect on inflation.
THE PESO’S PREDICAMENT
“As long as the depreciation is slow and steady, I think it should not really affect inflation too much as opposed to wild swings on the peso,” Enriquez told reporters.
However, since the Philippines is a highly import-dependent country, a weaker peso could still make the price of goods more expensive, he added.
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) should be in lockstep with the United States Federal Reserve actions and not get ahead of the Fed.
The BSP is projected to reduce key policy rates by 75 basis points (bps) this year, delivering a 25-bps cut each thrice. However, a 50-bps reduction is SLIMTC’s base case.
A rate cut is also possible in April and the second one would be after the Fed, according to Teo. If “extreme tariff measures” were imposed and pushed inflation higher, this might prompt the BSP to hold rates again and prioritize flexibility.
“So if the Fed would be on pause, then the BSP will also have some leeway to pause because that would affect the interest rate differential, the peso weakness versus the dollar,” Teo said.
“Moreover, if the BSP cuts ahead of the Fed, the natural effect would be a weaker peso given that the interest rate differential gets lower,” he added.
The key policy rates stood at 5.75 percent, while inflation settled at 2.9 percent in January.
“There’s really some room but the flexibility is very important. It’s still prudent to have that flexibility on hand,” Teo said. Reine
AN airplane view of Manila showcases the capital’s bustling landscape, including Manila Bay, the port, ships, Pasig River, and towering buildings beneath a
cloud-dotted sky. Despite a rise in export receipts, the country’s trade deficit widened to $5.09 billion in January, as import payments outpaced export growth, according to preliminary data from the PSA. PAMELA LICO VIA DREAMSTIME.COM
Nations commit to raising $200 billion annually for biodiversity, but new fund remains uncertain
By Natasha White Bloomberg
MORE than 140 countries adopted a strategy to mobilize hundreds of billions of dollars a year to help reverse dramatic losses in biodiversity, though failed to decide on establishing a new global nature fund—a key demand of developing economies.
Nations attending the 16th United Nations Biodiversity Conference, known as COP16, in Rome deferred a decision on a new fund — intended to help accelerate the flow of financing to projects — until 2028. The talks followed a previous inconclusive summit in Colombia last year.
A finance strategy adopted Thursday, to applause and tears from delegates, underpins “our collective capacity to sustain life on this planet,” said Susana Muhamad, Colombia’s outgoing environment minister and COP16 president. Negotiators faced a “very polarized, fragmented, divisive and conflicted geopolitical landscape” and demonstrated that “multilateralism can deliver.”
The agreement will guide countries on how to raise $200 billion a year by the end of the decade to meet
the targets of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, a landmark nature pact adopted in December 2022, which range from safeguarding clean water to halving food waste to slashing use of harmful chemicals.
The decision represents a “balanced, compromise solution,” said Maria Angélica Ikeda, who is leading Brazil’s delegation. Brazil, which will host the next major UN climate summit in November, is “very happy,” she said. Under the agreement, developed nations are urged to “enhance their efforts” to mobilize $20 billion annually for poorer countries by the end of this year. It also calls for a study on the relationship between debt sustainability and nature protection — an item observers have welcomed as novel and progressive — as well as better
coordination between ministers of environment and finance.
Reaching a consensus on the plans “shows countries can come together and agree on an ambitious outcome for nature,” said Georgina Chandler, head of policy at the Zoological Society of London, an international conservation char-
ity. It “recognizes that government finance is not going to be enough,” and the need to diversify sources of funding over the next five years.
Global action to curb greenhouse gas emissions and biodiversity loss has been challenged by a series of recent setbacks in environmental diplomacy, with emerging nations accusing developed countries at successive UN-backed summits of doing too little to raise the flow of funding. That’s been exacerbated by US President Donald Trump’s moves to withdraw the US from the Paris Agreement, and to slash funding directed at tackling climate change.
Trump’s decision last month to freeze key sources of biodiversity finance, including funds for the US Agency for International Development, and the UK’s move this week to divert overseas aid to defense expenditure heaped pressures on negotiators in Rome. The US is not a signatory to the Convention on Biological Diversity and cannot directly influence the talks, but there’s usually an American delegation present. The seat allocated to US officials this week remained empty.
Some developing countries, who had demanded the creation of a new global nature fund, left
Trade
China ($645.57 million, 10.1 percent) and Singapore ($266.48 million, 4.2 percent).
Meanwhile, the People’s Republic of China was the Philippines’ top import source in January 2025, supplying $3.31 billion, which made up 28.9 percent of total inbound shipments.
disappointed. Attendees agreed instead to a process to explore the possibility, with a final decision due in 2028.
“Forests are burning, rivers are in agony and animals are disappearing,” said Juan Carlos Alurralde Tejada, Bolivia’s lead negotiator. “Biodiversity cannot wait for a bureaucratic process that lasts forever.”
The Democratic Republic of Congo and Bolivia are among those that see the existing fund — the Washington DC-based Global Environment Facility’s Global Biodiversity Framework Fund — as dominated by rich nations who control the purse strings. Donor countries including the UK, Switzerland and New Zealand have resisted the call for an alternative, arguing that a new fund does not equate to more money and risks further fragmenting the biodiversity finance landscape.
Wall Street is expressing increased interest in biodiversity as an investment theme. Goldman Sachs Asset Management launched its first-ever biodiversity-focused bond fund on Thursday, citing growing demand.
A group of financial institutions and the Finance for Biodiversity Foundation this week an-
nounced an initiative to better incorporate nature loss into sovereign debt finance. Still, biodiversity remains an area that financial institutions have struggled to monetize, and they’ve reiterated they cannot act without clear government guidance and profitable opportunities.
The final Rome text called for funding from all sources, including from the private sector and financial institutions, and placed an emphasis on the use of “innovative schemes.” This includes biodiversity offsets, carbon credits and debt-for-nature swaps, deals by which governments refinance their debt and allocate any savings to environmental protection.
The new strategy and the global nature pact are not legally binding, and accountability against global environmental agreements has been notoriously slack. Still, in a separate decision adopted Thursday, nations agreed on measures to better track national progress.
It doesn’t amount to “perfect accountability, but it provides some blocks to build from,” said Juliette Landry, senior research fellow at the Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations, a think tank.
However, electricity prices went up in February and petrol prices remained elevated monthon-month, it noted. Despite this, ANZ Research said utilities and transport inflation are expected to cool year-onyear due to a “favorable base.” With overall inflation staying below the government’s target, the BSP could reduce policy rates by 25 basis points (bps) at its next policy meeting in April.
Standard Chartered (StanChart) expects inflation to ease to 2.5 percent in February. It said inflation rate will average 3.1 percent this year.
Other major suppliers included Japan ($912.71 million, 8 percent), Indonesia ($892.95 million, 7.8 percent), South Korea ($862.27 million, 7.5 percent) and the United States ($690.81 million, 6 percent).
Preliminary data from the PSA indicated that the deficit as of endDecember 2024 reached $54.21 billion, wider by 1 percent than the
$52.59 billion recorded as of endDecember 2023. Export receipts in 2024 fell by 2.2 percent to $73.214 billion from the $73.617 billion recorded in 2023. Import payments also declined by 1.7 percent to $127.428 billion in 2024 from $126.209 billion posted a year ago.
In a press briefing on Friday, StanChart Economist and FX Analyst Jonathan Koh said that while higher electricity costs pose an upside risk, lower rice prices are seen as an offsetting factor.
Koh said this keeps inflation relatively benign and given stable growth and controlled inflation, this again, gives room for monetary easing.
“There is a need to cut, but it’s about being opportunistic. It’s just a matter of trying to time it and trying to be opportunistic,” Koh said.
The BSP is expected to deliver a total reduction of 75 bps in key policy rates, starting in June, followed by August and in the fourth
quarter, bringing the terminal rate to 5 percent.
“Clearly, monetary policy is restrictive. I think the BSP wants to ease, and it’s probably going to ease further. But what is affecting their decision at this moment is in terms of external policy uncertainty,” he said.
Possible rate cut ECONOMISTS at Sun Life Investment Management and Trust Corporation (SLIMTC) see inflation settling at 3.1 percent this year. Given
Economic growth will reach at least 6% in ’25–analysts
HE country’s economic growth
Tcould fall at the lower end of the government’s target of 6 percent to 8 percent for 2025, according to economists.
In a press briefing last Friday, Standard Chartered Economist and FX Analyst Jonathan Koh expects the Philippine economy to grow by 6 percent.
“It’s below potential, but it’s still one of the fastest-growing economies in the region,” he said.
GDP growth was at 5.2 percent in the last quarter of 2024, bringing the full-year rate to 5.6 percent.
This is the second consecutive year that the country failed to meet its GDP growth target. The goal was at a range of 6 percent to 6.5 percent in 2024.
Household consumption, which Koh said he is cautious about, is one of the factors that will drive growth.
Easing inflation, as well as remittances, would help boost spending and household consumption, he added.
However, supporting all these are the consumers. Koh said the growth of salary workers in the labor market “slowed down” over the last year but picked up eventually recently.
“I think that needs to recover in order for household consumption to really be stronger,” Koh said.
“What I’m more cautious about is
basically the labor market being not really that strong versus unemployment figures,” he added.
Full-year average unemployment rate settled at 3.8 percent, below the 2024 target range of 4.4 percent to 4.7 percent set under the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028.
Investments are also seen to continue supporting growth, as loan growth picks up, Koh added.
Meanwhile, Sun Life Investment Management and Trust Corporation (SLIMTC) said economic growth will improve to 6.2 percent this year from 5.6 percent in 2024.
“The Philippines is still very much consumption-driven. So with inflation rates growing lower, we think that consumption will be rebounding for this year,” SLIMTC Chief Investment Officer Ritchie Teo said in a press briefing last Friday.
United States President Donald Trump’s proposed tariffs will unlikely be imposed in the Philippines but there would be impacts to the Philippine market, such as higher inflation, Teo said.
“Trump is really targeting more on where they have trade deficits. But here in the Philippines, we are the ones importing more rather than exporting. So that’s why we think we’re kind of insulated in terms of tariffs,” Teo said. Reine Juvierre S. Alberto
FPRDI backs Tagkawayan’s push for bamboo industry
TBy Bless Aubrey Ogerio
HE Forest Products Research and Development Institute (FPRDI) has teamed up with the local government of Tagkawayan, Quezon, to strengthen the town’s bamboo industry.
At the recent Kaway Festival, Science Secretary Renato Solidum, Jr. reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to support the bamboo sector, emphasizing its potential to generate jobs.
“We hope to see an invigorated bamboo farming and processing industry that will create more jobs for the rural communities, artisans and manufacturers,” Solidum said.
Additionally, FPRDI Director Rico Cabangon noted that the collaboration with Tagkawayan’s local government is expected to lay the groundwork for a sustainable bamboo industry in the area.
“This is just the beginning of our collaboration with the local government of Tagkawayan, Quezon,” Cabangon said.
“Through our research and development as well as technology transfer activities, the Institute will support Tagkawayan in
establishing a bamboo industry, and also help them realize their vision of making their town the ‘bamboo mecca’ of Quezon province.”
DOST data indicate that the Philippines ranks as the world’s sixth-largest exporter of bamboo, with an estimated 39,000 to 53,000 hectares of bamboo stands.
Pangasinan leads bamboo production, followed by Tarlac and Bukidnon, with the country’s potential output estimated at 36 million culms per year.
Meanwhile, Quezon province has the largest forestland in the Calabarzon region, spanning approximately 396,221 hectares.
During the festival, FPRDI showcased a variety of bamboo musical instruments, including the tongatong (bamboo stamping tubes), bungkaka (bamboo buzzer), patteteg (bamboo plate/bar), gabbang (bamboo xylophone), saggeypo (panpipe), tongali (nose flute), and kubing (jaw harp).
Participants also had the chance to play the instruments in an interactive session, while experts demonstrated how locally sourced bamboo can be crafted into highquality musical instruments.
PDIC hikes maximum deposit insurance coverage to ₧1M
By Reine Juvierre S. Alberto
THE insurance coverage for bank deposits was doubled to P1 million per depositor to provide “enhanced protection” for the depositing public, the top official of the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC) said.
“Through the years since the last increase in deposit insurance, the value of the deposit insurance of P500,000 has been eroded due to inflation,” PDIC President Roberto B. Tan told BusinessMirror
On Friday, the PDIC announced the maximum deposit insurance coverage (MDIC) will be increased to P1 million per depositor, per bank, from P500,000, starting March 15, 2025.
The increase was approved by the PDIC Board of Directors to provide enhanced protection and
more confidence for the depositing public, the PDIC said.
With the increase, 136 million in deposit accounts, or 98.6 percent of the total 138 million deposit accounts will be fully insured, compared to the 97.6 percent of deposit accounts insured with the previous MDIC.
In terms of amount, insured deposits will rise to P4.8 trillion, or 24.5 percent of total deposits of P19.5 trillion, compared with 18.3 percent at the MDIC of P500,000.
“This adjustment in deposit insurance enhances the protection of the depositing public as well as confidence in the banking system. It will encourage more savers to deposit their money in banks and for the current depositor to increase the level of their bank deposits,” Tan told this newspaper.
Deposit insurance is a government
policy and a financial safety net to protect depositors and help promote financial stability. Depositors do not pay for deposit insurance.
Tan assured that the P250 billion deposit insurance fund (DIF) of the PDIC is “sufficient” to finance any future claims and is part of the assessment by the PDIC Board of Directors in coming up with the decision to raise the deposit insurance coverage.
PDIC said the ratio of the DIF to estimated insured deposits is expected to reach 5.3 percent in 2025 and grow to meet the new target ratio of 8.0 percent by 2031, based on a build-up period aligned with international best practices.
Finance Secretary Ralph G. Recto echoed the same view, saying to BusinessMirror that PDIC only spent P1 billion in the last five years.
“Our banks are in good shape with a capital adequacy ratio of roughly 16 percent,” Recto said. The PDIC Board of Directors is authorized to adjust the MDIC to an amount indexed to inflation or in consideration of other economic indicators as it deems appropriate under Republic Act No. 3591, or the PDIC Charter, as amended. This also provides that the MDIC is up for review every three years.
The MDIC was last adjusted in 2009 to P500,000 as a preemptive confidence-building response to the global financial crisis in 2008, which remained at that level for the last 16 years.
The MDIC was set at P10,000 per depositor per bank in 1963 and has since been adjusted five times at P15,000 in 1978, P40,000 in 1984, P100,000 in 1992, P250,000 in 2004, and P500,000 in 2009.
Health, budget departments want special audit of Covid allowance
By Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco
THE Departments of Health and Budget and Management will ask the Commission on Audit (COA) to conduct a special audit of previous released and disbursed funds for the payment of all Public Health Emergency Benefits and Allowance (PHEBA) claims.
The two agencies said this will ensure proper accounting of public funds spent for the allowances of health workers during the pandemic. The request was made after the government received “various appeals and additional requests” on Health Emergency Allowance (HEA).
The DOH noted that it was subsequently reported that the PHEBA requirements as of December 12, 2024, amounted to P110.30 billion instead of the P103.5 billion reported earlier.
Thus, an additional funding requirement of P6.8 billion, in addition to the P121.325 billion cumulative funding provided for the benefits and compensation claims, is requested.
During the Monthly Economic Managers’ Meeting held last February 17, the DOH and DBM have decided to do the necessary request
to COA.
“It also has serious concerns among economic managers regarding why the funding requirements to cover the incentives remain a moving target, even more than a year after the state of public health emergency was lifted. This situation creates uncertainties regarding the government’s payment obligations for this purpose,” the DOH said.
This special audit, according to the DOH, will also assist them in validating and consolidating all requests and disbursements related to the HEA.
The DOH has agreed to finalize the list of HEA recipients to resolve this longstanding concern once and for all.
‘Commitment to good governance’
THE DOH and DBM have reiterated their commitment to transparency, accountability, and good governance while ensuring that government resources are utilized to implement priority programs, including the grant of PHEBA, specifically the HEA.
To recall, the National Government authorized the grant of benefits and compensation to healthcare
‘Poor kids rely on free platforms with weak safety features’
By Bless Aubrey Ogerio
ECONOMIC status influences how children navigate the digital space, with those from lower-income households relying on free platforms with weaker safety features, while their wealthier peers access paid, more secure services, according to a child rights group. Despite this gap, Plan International Pilipinas noted that many kids still bypass age restrictions by using alternative accounts, borrowed devices and adult profiles. Based on its assessment, young people primarily use digital platforms for communication (64.3 percent), education (47.7 percent), leisure (37.2 percent) and “stress reduction” (34.3 percent).
“Among mainstream platforms, Facebook [33.2 percent] and Messenger [23.3 percent] remain the most widely used, followed by TikTok [23 percent], Instagram [13.9 percent[ and X [formerly Twitter] [6.6 percent],” the group stated.
Among younger children aged 10 to 14, popular digital activities included playing Roblox, Mobile Legends, and watching YouTube, while
adolescents aged 15 to 17 engage more in social media and messaging apps. Young adults aged 18 to 24 frequently use Facebook, TikTok and online shopping platforms.
Outside of mainstream platforms, the anime streaming and video-sharing site BiliBili recorded the highest usage among respondents at 52.8 percent. Other frequently used platforms included Signal (19.7 percent), BigoLive (18.2 percent), OmeTV (6.8 percent) and Tox (2.5 percent).
“This signals a significant shift among young users migrating from mainstream platforms toward lesser-known, less-regulated digital spaces that offer more privacy and autonomy, away from the scrutiny of their parents and other adults,” it said.
However, it added that this shift also increases risks, such as the unintentional sharing of personal information, such as location, age and photographs.
Regarding safety perceptions, TikTok, Facebook and Messenger were considered to be relatively child-friendly due to their “accessibility” and “ease of use.” Yet, ex-
posure to inappropriate content, cyberbullying and potential exploitation were some of the concerns.
Platforms identified as unsuitable for children include violent online games (Valorant, Call of Duty), certain messaging and chat applications (Telegram, Discord, OmeTV), and live-streaming services (BigoLive). Games like Roblox and Fortnite were also flagged for “explicit content and toxic online behavior among its users, and the risk of online addiction.”
Additionally, mobile wallet apps and platforms with payment features, such as GCash and PayPal, were viewed as security risks due to concerns over scams and unauthorized transactions.
The assessment also found that children as young as 10 to 14 have been using dating and networking apps like OmeTV, Tinder, and Litmatch, which are primarily designed for adults.
Possible solutions
PLAN International Pilipinas suggested solutions for tech companies, such as easy-to-understand terms of service (with video tutorials and
multilingual options), stricter enforcement of age-based content ratings like “Rated 13+,” and stronger safety features across platforms.
It also emphasized the need for stronger digital literacy programs aimed at children, parents, and educators, alongside stricter government regulations and monitoring mechanisms.
“This assessment goes beyond merely identifying risks—it’s a roadmap that highlights the gaps that leave children vulnerable to harassment, exploitation, and abuse,” said Pebbles Sanchez-Ogang, executive director of Plan International Pilipinas.
“However, to truly strengthen these efforts, we must ensure children’s voices are meaningfully integrated into the policies and protective measures that shape their digital lives,” she added.
The 2024 assessment gathered insights from 590 young respondents (ages 10 to 24) and 16 child protection experts. Findings were presented on February 26 in line with Safer Internet Day, drawing data from Cavite, Manila, Baguio, Iloilo, Guimaras, Leyte and Davao.
workers (HCWs) and non-healthcare workers (non-HCWs) who rendered service during the State of Public Health Emergency of the Covod-19 pandemic.
Accordingly, the DBM has allotted and released to the DOH a total of P121.325 billion, covering all HCW and non-HCW worker benefits for eligible claims from 2020 to 2023.
The P121.325 billion covered the grant of Special Risk Allowance, HEA/One Covid-19 Allowance, Covid-19 Sickness and Death Compensation, and other benefits, such as meal, accommodation, and transportation allowances.
Also during the Public Hearings of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography on April 2 and May 20, 2024, the DOH raised its request for additional funds amounting to P27.453 billion, having determined that this amount would be sufficient to fully cover the requirements of the PHEBA Program.
In response to the DOH’s request, on July 5, 2024, DBM Secretary Amenah “Mina” F. Pangandaman immediately approved the release of a Special Allotment Release Order (SARO) amounting to P27.453 billion to cover the full requirement for the supposed final computation
of the PHEBA arrears.
“Given this, we would like to emphasize that the DBM has fully released the additional funding to cover the total remaining unpaid HEA claims of healthcare workers since last year, in adherence to the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.” Accordingly, the Advice of SARO specifically provides that the allotment release therein shall cover the full funding requirements for the PHEBA of eligible healthcare and non-healthcare workers, based on the submitted report dated April 26, 2024.
“This is the final and validated computation by the DOH based on submissions before a set deadline. Consistent with the discussions and agreements, any additional funding requirements for the same purpose, if any, shall be charged against the DOH’s available budget,” the DOH added.
However, the DOH said, despite the final and validated computation of HEA payments timely filed before the announced deadline, the DOH and DBM have received various appeals and additional requests for HEA payments from health facilities that were not covered by previous releases.
Comelec files complaint vs VM bet over hacking claims
By Justine Xyrah Garcia
HE Commission on Elec -
Ttions has filed a cyber libel complaint against a vice mayoral candidate in Reina Mercedes, Isabela over a video alleging that the automated counting machines (ACMs) for the May elections can be hacked.
Comelec Chairman George Erwin M. Garcia personally lodged the complaint before the Manila City Prosecutor’s Office on Friday against Atty. Jeryll Harold Respicio, who posted the video on social media in January.
Garcia said Respicio claimed that the ACMs have “backroom programs” that could be accessed to manipulate election results.
“In fact, he even showed in a second video an actual demonstration—allegedly proving that the elections can be manipulated. This is very dangerous because, even at this early stage, the public is being conditioned to believe that the elections can be rigged,” Gar -
cia said in an ambush interview.
The Comelec chief warned that such statements could undermine trust in the electoral process, especially coming from a candidate.
“Since he is running for office, he can later claim that he lost because someone manipulated the election results,” he added.
Aside from cyber libel, Comelec’s Task Force Katotohanan, Katapatan, at Katarungan (KKK) will also file an election offense and disqualification case against Respicio for violating Section 261 (z)(11) of the Omnibus Election Code, which prohibits spreading false information to disrupt or manipulate the electoral process.
A disbarment case will also be filed before the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, while the Professional Regulation Commission will be asked to revoke his accountancy license.
Garcia said this is the first cybercrime-related complaint filed by Task Force KKK for the 2025 super elections.
“There needs to be accountability to show the public that you cannot simply make damaging claims about the electoral process,” he said.
He also reiterated Comelec’s commitment to combating election-related misinformation.
“The Comelec will not allow this. This isn’t about being too onion-skinned… we’ve already made it clear that we will fight fake news. This is proof of that commitment,” Garcia added.
The videos posted by Respicio have since been taken down.
In a statement, Respicio defended his claims, stating that as an IT expert, he was merely pointing out the “serious vulnerabilities” of ACMs.
“If the machine connects to the internet before printing the election returns, the results can be altered,” he said.
ACMs cannot be hacked GARCIA maintained that hacking the election system is impossible
since the results are not transmitted immediately.
Once an ACM scans all ballots, its 14-inch screen will display the scanned votes for transparency. Voters and poll watchers can take photos or videos to cross-check the results manually with Comelec’s official count.
Printed election returns (ERs) will then be posted outside precincts before transmission begins.
Only after these steps will the ACMs be connected to a transmission device, sending results simultaneously to multiple servers, including the city board of canvassers, major political parties, election watchdogs like the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting and the National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections, as well as the media.
“How can you alter the results when everyone already knows what they are? Our machines are standalone; even if you unplug them, they will keep running,” Garcia said.
House creates secretariat for impeachment trial of VP Sara
By Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz
THE House of Representatives has officially created an Impeachment Secretariat to provide technical and administrative support to public prosecutors handling the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Zimmerman Duterte.
This is in accordance with Memorandum Order No. 19-1006 (SG) issued by House Secretary General Reginald S. Velasco.
“The House Secretariat plays a vital role in ensuring the orderly conduct of legislative proceedings, including impeachment trials. This directive ensures that the prosecution team has access to essential logistical, research, and documentation support to facilitate a smooth and efficient trial process,” Velasco said.
The Impeachment Secretariat will be composed of personnel from key House departments, including the Office of the Secretary General, Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms, Legislative Operations Department, Legal Affairs Department, and other relevant units. Their functions will include
plenary support, legal research, records management, stenographic transcription, information technology, security, and administrative coordination.
Velasco assured that all assigned personnel will strictly adhere to House rules and ethical guidelines, ensuring transparency and professionalism throughout the impeachment process.
“This is a routine function aligned with our constitutional duty. The House Secretariat remains neutral and professional in fulfilling its mandate,” he added.
To ensure accountability, all personnel assigned to the Senate will record their attendance through the designated HousePass monitoring system, and their schedules will be managed by their respective offices.
“As the impeachment process moves forward, the Impeachment Secretariat will continue to provide the necessary support to uphold the integrity of the proceedings,” Velasco said.
Concerns MEANWHILE , Manila Rep. Joel
Chua warned on Friday that postponing the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte could lead to evidence tampering and witness intimidation, potentially weakening the case.
Chua raised these concerns during a news briefing in response to Senate President Francis Escudero’s proposed timeline, which schedules the impeachment trial to begin on June 2 and extend into the 20th Congress.
“We respect the Senate President’s decision, but we are pushing for the impeachment trial to begin as soon as possible because we are concerned about possible evidence tampering,” Chua said.
He also emphasized that delaying the proceedings could discourage witnesses from testifying.
“The longer the trial takes, the greater the risk that some of our witnesses may feel intimidated or withdraw,” he added.
Escudero’s proposed trial schedule states that the Senate will resume session on June 2, convene as an impeachment court on June 3, and start the trial on July 30—nearly five months after the
Alyansa candidates push for nationwide rail expansion
SAN JOSE DEL MONTE CITY— Senatorial candidates from the administrationbacked Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas on Friday called for the nationwide expansion of mass transport systems, citing the Metro Rail Transit-Line 7 (MRT-7) as a blueprint for economic growth and urban development across the country.
PHL Army forms new advisory council for external defense
TO ensure that the proper and necessary guidance is provided to the military organization as it shifts toward external defense operations and proceeds with its modernization program, the Philippine Army (PA) on Friday announced that it has created a new advisory council to guide it in these tasks.
Army spokesperson Col. Louie Dema-ala, in a statement, said the newly formed PA Strategic Advisory Council (SAC) will focus on these objectives as it formally met for the first time this February 27 at the Philippine Army Officers’ Clubhouse, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.
He added PA chief Lt. Gen. Roy M. Galido and the Army advisors discussed the redefined focus of the council on key reform areas essential for PA’s operational and organizational efficiency, effective -
ness, and modernization.
In light of the recent global and regional developments, the Army is prioritizing key reforms in logistics management, education and training, human resource and healthcare development.
“The new council enables its members to concentrate on their advisory role and encourages broader engagement. It also replaces the PA Multi-sectoral Advisory Board (MSAB) which was formed in 2011 and has served as a cornerstone in the Army’s journey towards genuine reform and transformation,” Dema-ala said. Galido, he added, also expressed confidence that the expertise and the strategic advice to be provided by the council members will further enhance PA’s capability to address emerging threats amid the fast-changing security landscape. Rex Anthony Naval
Legislator: Ease annulment, legal separation proceedings
ALAWMAKER is calling for significant reforms to Philippine marriage laws to modernize nullity and legal separation processes, streamline judicial procedures, and grant civil recognition to Church annulments.
House transmitted the articles of impeachment.
Chua underscored the urgency of beginning the trial promptly to ensure the integrity of evidence and maintain witness participation.
“This is why we want the trial to start as soon as possible,” he added.
When asked if the House prosecution panel would formally request an earlier trial date, Chua said discussions are ongoing.
“For now, we can only appeal to the Senate. At the end of the day, we respect the senators’ decision, especially that of the Senate President,” he said.
He added that the prosecution panel might consider putting their concerns in writing to formally inform the Senate of the risks involved in delaying the trial.
Escudero previously stated that some senators might not be able to focus on the impeachment trial, citing various reasons such as overseas commitments and lack of interest in the proceedings.
In response, Chua stressed that impeachment is a constitutional duty that cannot be set aside for personal reasons.
Tolentino said.
Addressing the 31st National Convention of the Canon Law Society of the Philippines (CLSP), Tingog Rep. Jude Acidre emphasized the need to bridge the gap between civil and ecclesiastical law.
He argued before canon lawyers, legal scholars, and Church leaders that current marriage laws are overly restrictive, trapping Filipinos in invalid unions.
“Many Filipinos remain trapped in invalid marriages because current laws are too restrictive,” he said.
Acidre said that his House Bill 10970 expands the grounds for nullity, “making justice accessible while protecting the sanctity of marriage.”
The measure introduces broader legal grounds for nullity, addressing gaps in the current system.
These include a lack of due discretion, where a person enters marriage without full psychological maturity; simulation of consent, in which marriage occurs for reasons
other than a genuine partnership; error in person, where one is deceived about a spouse’s identity or fundamental qualities; and fraud, force, or coercion, where marriage is entered into under false pretenses or against one’s free will.
Beyond expanding legal grounds, the bill seeks to make the annulment process more accessible by reducing financial and procedural burdens.
“Seeking legal relief is costly and time-consuming,” Acidre noted.
The bill proposes placing nullity cases under the Summary Procedure, expediting the processing of uncontested cases, and recognizing church nullity declarations.
Acidre also addressed the inconsistency between civil and ecclesiastical law, pointing out that “the Catholic Church recognizes lack of due discretion as grounds for nullity—civil law does not. This discrepancy leaves many couples in legal limbo.”
He cited Pope Francis’ call for simplified annulment processes as a model for civil law reforms, asserting, “If the Church has the authority to solemnize a marriage, it should also have the power to nullify it under clear legal parameters.”
Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz
PRC asks public to stay vigilant, observe fire safety precautions
“With MRT-7, we see that better interconnectivity and infrastructure lead to increased productivity and job opportunities,” Villar said.
She pointed to San Jose del Monte’s (SJDM) rapid development as proof that investing in mass transit directly trans -
During a news conference, Deputy Speaker and Las Piñas City Rep. Camille Villar underscored the benefits of improved connectivity through infrastructure projects like MRT-7, which she said would boost productivity, job creation, and local business growth.
lates to better employment, housing, and economic prospects.
“This city is a prime example of development driven by economic growth. We want to ensure that the people of San Jose del Monte are prepared for more jobs, better infrastructure, and an effective housing program,” she added.
In the same event, reelectionist Senator Francis Tolentino emphasized that SJDM should not just serve as a commuter hub but as an essential part of the Mega Manila economy.
“[SJDM] will play a big role because it will not just be a bedroom community for Metro Manila. It would be a de facto member of the Mega Manila community. We have to prepare for that,” said Tolentino, who once served as chair of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).
He proposed amending Executive Order No. 325 to expand Regional Development Councils (RDCs) and integrate fast-growing cities like SJDM (Bulacan), Bacoor (Cavite), and San Pedro (Laguna) into Metro Manila’s transport planning.
“I would endeavor to amend the existing Executive Order 325 which calls for the creation of Regional Development Councils. When I was MMDA chairman, also chaired the NCR-RDC, and it was during that time that the MRT-7 contract was signed,”
He added that MRT-7 would help ease congestion along Commonwealth Avenue and North Luzon Expressway, while encouraging Metro Manila residents to relocate to growing urban centers like SJDM.
For his part, Alyansa campaign manager Toby Tiangco said the slate is committed to addressing local development concerns, including improving urban mobility and ensuring the timely completion of the Metro Rail Transit Line 7 (MRT-7), which promises to enhance connectivity and economic activity in the area.
“The people of SJDM deserve leaders who take decisive action. We will work to ensure infrastructure projects like the MRT-7 move forward efficiently to benefit commuters and businesses.”
The completion of the MRT-7, originally set for late 2025, has faced adjustments due to planning refinements and construction requirements.
The 22.8-kilometer MRT-7, which runs from North Avenue in Quezon City to SJDM, Bulacan, is expected to transport up to 850,000 passengers daily once fully operational. The project also includes a 23-kilometer highway from SJDM to Bocaue, Bulacan, further improving connectivity.
MRT-7 connects with MRT-3 and LRT-1 at North Avenue, enhancing metro-wide mobility and boosting economic activity in the region. It is expected to be fully operational by 2025. Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz
NOTING an increase in the fire incidents they responded to in 2024, Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Chairman and CEO Richard Gordon has reminded the public to stay vigilant as March is observed as the Fire Prevention Month . Gordon also urged the public to stay cautious and to continue practicing the Predict, Plan, Prepare, Practice or 4Ps to ensure safety from fire-related incidents.
According to the PRC Emergency Response Unit (ERU), the PRC responded to 293 fire incidents in 2024, a 3.17 percent increase from 284 fire responses in 2023.
“As we see, there’s a slight increase in our fire operations compared to the previous year; this is still alarming and we should not be complacent. I want to remind the public to stay vigilant, observe fire safety precautions, and continue practicing the 4Ps not only for your safety, but for your loved ones especially now that we are entering the summer season when fire risk is relatively high,” Gordon said. Meanwhile, PRC Secretary-General Dr. Gwen Pang underscored the
capacity of the PRC to respond to fire incidents.
“Of course, we don’t want fire to occur, but in case of an emergency, we ensure the public that they can rely on us because we have the capacity to respond and rescue. Currently, the PRC has 14 fire trucks, two fire tankers, and an Emergency Response Unit [ERU],” Dr. Pang said. The PRC emphasized that its ambulance units are partnered with food trucks and welfare teams, ready to provide healthcare, food assistance, and psychological support to fire victims.
As part of the awareness campaign, the PRC said it will mobilize its Red Cross 143 volunteers in 102 chapters nationwide to educate people about fire safety awareness at the community level. The PRC also released a set of fire safety tips on its social media platforms to inform and equip the public on the matter, reducing the risk of fire incidents in different parts of the country, especially in fire-prone areas.
For emergencies, the public may call the PRC Hotline at 143. Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco.
Time BusinessMirror Our
14 Negros Oriental senior citizens receive cash incentive under the Expanded Centenarians Act
Japan’s seniors embrace beauty and fitness as population ages
By Yuri Kageyama The Associated Press
OKYO
Tis about to turn 89, but that hasn’t stopped her from going to the gym every day and trying the free-of-charge makeup course at her housing complex.
“It was really helpful,” she said, all smiles and glowing after putting on foundation and pink lipstick, something she hadn’t done in years. Japan is the fastest-aging society in the world, where more than a quarter of its population is 65 and older, at 36 million people. In about a decade, the ratio will be one in three.
No wonder the young-at-heart, like Abe, is a growing target for Japan Inc. The market for older people is estimated to grow to more than 100 trillion yen ($650 billion) in size this year, according to a study by Mizuho Bank.
And that business isn’t just about remedies for sicknesses and old folks’ homes but taps into solid consumerism. The growth of artificial intelligence and robotics also offers promise for such services and gadgetry.
Akira Shimizu, professor of business at Keio University, calls them “cool grandpas and cute grannies” who remain sensitive to trends, including the latest luxury and health products.
“They think about the clothing and makeup that express their style,” he said.
Who’ll
From luxury cruises and “oldies” rock concerts, companies are leveraging the fact that older people these days remain active, go out with friends and on dates, so they want to dress up and look good, said Shimizu.
Maintaining one’s looks is good physical exercise because it takes hand agility to open cosmetics tubes and draw eyebrows nicely, and massaging the face gets one’s saliva glands going, according to Miwa Hiraku, the makeover class instructor from the Japanese cosmetics company Shiseido.
Shiseido Co., which started out as a pharmacy in 1872, said that makeup is not just good for your physical well-being but also your soul. The company has been holding free makeup courses for older people across the country.
“Putting on makeup works as a switch to turn on your energy at the start of your day,” said Hiraku, who vows to wear makeup even at 100.
“It’s not just about looking beautiful. It’s about living a long healthy life,” she said.
Yoshihiko Hotta, 85, the only man in the class of about 30 people, didn’t try the rouge but happily put on the hand cream and went along with all the exercise routines.
While acknowledging he felt some effects of aging like sore legs, he declared with conviction: “I don’t think age is relevant.”
REVITY is the soul of wit.”
This line from Shakespeare’s play Hamlet has long served as a guiding mantra for aspiring writers. A modern equivalent is KISS, which stands for “Keep It Short, Stupid.” That old piece of advice is no longer simply a guide for today’s writers. It is a mandatum from the gods of digital technology who are shaping and transforming our so -
ciety, our culture, and even the way we absorb information. Ernest Hemingway, the master of the laconic style of writing, is said to have written the shortest novel. It consists of just six words: “For sale: baby shoes, never worn.” It sets a premise, an implied conflict, and evokes an emotional response — all the elements a good story basically should have.
DBy Mary Judaline Partlow
UMAGUETE
CITY—Four-
teen senior citizens aged 80 and above from two Negros Oriental towns on Thursday received cash incentive from the government under the Expanded Centenarians Act.
Key officials of the National Commission for Senior Citizens (NCSC) led the payout at the gymnasium of Zamboanguita town.
Dr. Mary Jean Loreche, NCSC officer-in-charge chair and commissioner, said the cash distribution was the first in Negros Oriental.
“They were the first to submit their applications for the cash incentive for senior citizens aged 80, 85, 90 and 95,” Loreche said, referring to the beneficiaries, which included 12 from Zamboanguita and two from Dauin.
“We are encouraging other senior citizens in this age bracket to avail themselves of the Expanded Centenarian incentive,” she added.
The senior citizens received P10,000 each from the NCSC and an additional P5,000 from Ninay Asuncion Dela Pena Recto, a philanthro -
pist from Zamboanguita.
Signed into law last year, Republic Act 11982 or the Expanded Centenarians Act grants P10,000 to senior citizens upon reaching the ages of 80, 85, 90, and 95. The law also maintains the P100,000 cash gift for centenarians, as stipulated under the Centenarians Act of 2016 (Republic Act 10868).
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday led the inaugural distribution of cash gifts to beneficiaries of the Expanded Centenarians Act of 2024 by distributing cash gifts to 14 senior citizens in Malacañang, marking the start of a nationwide distribution effort with simultaneous payouts across all regions.
A total of 1,079 senior citizens will receive cash gifts amounting to over P12 million through this nationwide distribution effort. Medical and legal
assistance would also be provided in payout centers through the efforts of the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC).
Daniela Delmo Rodriguez, 85, a widow from Barangay Maluay, Zamboanguita, thanked the government for the cash assistance.
Speaking in Cebuano, she said the money “is a big help to the elderly who have no income.”
“I am very happy to receive the cash, which I will use to buy medicines,” the wheelchair-bound widow said in an interview.
Rodriguez was a family cook and now lives with younger family
members.
Meanwhile, the NCSC, along with local government officials and agency representatives, unveiled the marker during the Senior Citizens Community Care Center (SC3C) launch in Zamboanguita. This is the first SC3C in Negros Oriental and fifth in the country.
Apart from Loreche, NCSC Commissioners Reymar Mansilungan and Lt. Gen. Rainier Cruz III (ret.) were present during the activity, along with officials from the local government unit, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, and the Department of Health. PNA
Travel program tours elderly in Iloilo City’s top destinations
By Perla Lena
ILOILO CITY—The city government, through the Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA), has launched a travel program allowing elderly residents to experience this city as tourists.
Fifteen senior citizens, all officers of the Federation of Senior Citizens Associations of the Philippines–Iloilo City chapter, participated in the program’s first guided tour on Thursday.
The half-day trip featured rolling tours and stopovers at key tourist sites, including Jaro
I thought it was just one of Hemingway’s cynical pranks. It turns out he never really wrote it. It’s actually a line from a play with Hemingway as a character, and it was supposed to illustrate the technique of omission he set down in “The Art of the Short Story” Hemingway in which he wrote: “You could omit anything if you knew that you omitted and the omitted part would strengthen the story and make people feel something more than they understood.”
If today’s young gifted writers want to be widely read, they have to write pieces that are as condensed as Hemingway’s sixword story.
How come? Young generations, especially the digital natives, are no longer willing to read beyond the fifth sentence of any textual content. Attention spans are shrinking as fast as the screens on which people now prefer to get their information, education, and diversion.
This is why the short content format rules the day. One example is the “meme.” These are amusing or interesting pieces of content that are spread widely online, especially through social media. It could be just a catch -
Cathedral and Belfry, Molo Mansion, Molo Plaza, and Molo Church.
“We feel valued and happy because the city government gave us this opportunity,” said 77-year-old participant Ofelia Bataican, adding many seniors would not have the chance to explore the city on their own.
Mathilde Treñas, Special Assistant to Mayor Jerry Treñas, said the program helps seniors appreciate Iloilo’s heritage and promotes local tourism.
Many elderly residents rarely leave their homes so this gives them something to look
forward to, she said.
“Our itinerary is mostly in Iloilo City, like heritage houses, open spaces, and churches,” she added.
OSCA head Eleanor Gregorio said around 20 senior citizens will be accommodated every Thursday.
Those interested will have to register with OSCA using their senior citizen’s ID as proof that they are residents of the city.
“Please spread the word so they would know that every Thursday, we have this kind of activity for them,” Gregorio said. PNA
word, a famous quotation, an excerpt from a book, an image, video clip or a combination of two or three items. But like fastfood, meme contents are meant to be consumed fast, preferably in easy-to-digest bite sizes.
On microblogging platforms, users share short posts containing text, images, and videos, designed for quick and typically direct audience engagement.
One popular microblogging service is Twitter where I’ve been a long-time subscriber. Originally messages were limited to 140 characters. Over time it became X and the maximum length has increased to 280 characters –still short and brief, but enabling more space for self-expression. 280 characters is between 6 words and 94 words.
With a heavy sigh and summoning up the serenity of an old man who’s resigned to accept things I cannot change, I’ve come to embrace the short content format.
But in the process of doing so, I’ve discovered that in limitation there can still be quality.
Examples are the microblog accounts of Pico Iyer and Frederick Buechner, just to name a few gems. Pico Iyer’s pithy insights and Buechner’s short eloquent
messages are very compact, as crisp as zen koans. Yet they speak volumes. What is not said leaves a resonance that penetrates deeper and lasts longer. They are stimulating, urging you to see the text’s meaning from the writer’s point of view, eliciting the kind of blissful experience described by Roland Barthes, the French literary theorist in his book “The Pleasure of the Text.” Most of all they give me reason to be hopeful about the future of this truncated form of writing.
As it is turning out, the limited space of platforms provided by X (Twitter) is ideal for such succinct but sparkling creative expressions. It’s not surprising there is now a community of writers who thrive on using the character limitation of Twitter to their advantage.
In fact, there’s now a genre called “flash fiction” (also twitfic, micro-fiction, flash bangs, short-shorts, whatever). It is the shortest form of fiction writing.
Sub-categories include One-Line Story (6 words ala Hemingway), Twitter Story (within 94 words) Dribble (50 words max) and Drabble (100 words max.)
Here are just a few of the shortest examples:
In the hands of gifted creators, short form writing can lead to a new branch of literature.
Perhaps the time isn’t ripe to have a Palanca Award category for short form literary works. Traditional literature purists might object loudly and denounce this form as unworthy to be true literature. But why not take the format to the max and see how far it can go?
My short message to all the latent Hemingways and Nick Joaquins out there: keep creating those 50-word essays and stories! To the rest of us: Be big-minded and adventurous enough to appreciate good literature even in its minutest form.
— Yoshiko Abe
A SENIOR citizen receives P10,000 cash from Dr. Mary Jean Loreche, OIC chair of the National Commission for Senior Citizens, during a payout on February 27, 2025, in Zamboanguita, Negros Oriental. Fourteen senior citizens aged 80 and above were the first beneficiaries in Negros Oriental for the government’s Expanded Centenarian Act. PNA PHOTO BY MARY
travel program on February 20, 2025. The initiative, schåeduled every Thursday, allows the elderly to visit key heritage and tourist sites. PNA PHOTO BY PGLENA
WOMEN try on the lipstick of the color they like as they take part in a special makeup class at a community center room in Tokyo, on February 14, 2025. AP PHOTO/YURI KAGEYAMA
e-gi�ts definitely make gi�ting more convenient
CONVENIENCE is everything now that there’s heavy traffic not only in Metro Manila but also in the country’s key cities. When it comes to gift-giving, there are services and processes that make life even more convenient. Some will argue that modern day giftgiving in the form of e-gifts and vouchers can be a bit impersonal but it depends on how well thought of the gift is.
I am assuming that for loved ones, we would still go out to buy presents but gifts for clients, colleagues, neighbors, and others can be purchased online. So we’ve rounded up some of the ways in which you can “shop” for gifts without having to go through heavy traffic.
■ Grab Gifts. You can’t go wrong with Grab Gifts for food, groceries, and transportation. These come in denominations of P100 to P1,000. You can purchase Grab Gifts via your Grab app and send the codes to your recipient with just a few taps and clicks. Grab Gifts would make great corporate gifts. They would also be most welcome gifts to university students and young professionals who order a lot from Grab and also use its ride-hailing service regularly.
■ Giftaway. Giftaway delivers eGifts to recipients via email or text message. It is sent as soon as the order is approved (this usually just takes a few minutes). If you have a busy schedule, you can also set a delivery date in case you want the service to deliver it at a later date. The recipient can use the eGift (a brand name trademarked by the company) at store locations. The platform also powers the eGift programs of merchants, such as SM, Robinsons, Puregold, Rustans, Nike, Power Mac, Jollibee, Max’s Group, and The Bistro Group.
■ Mo’ Dough from The Moment Group. Mo’ Dough is The Moment Group’s e-gift certificate. It can be used at its restaurants, including (but not exclusive to) Din Tai Fung, Manam, Ooma, and Mo Cookies. To purchase, simply visit the www.mo.dough website and customize the mo.dough value from P3,000 to P20,000. I’d say the P20,000 would make the perfect gift for newlyweds because they can just eat out while they’re adjusting to married life. A mom with several kids and no house helpers would also like this gift.
■ Uniqlo. Uniqlo has a Gift Option in its website that allows you to choose gifts and have them delivered to your recipients. To shop, simply add items to your cart and select Gift Option. You can select your
preferred gift bag size and then send a message with the gift.
■ Starbucks eGifts. You can purchase Starbucks eGifts by opening GLife in your GCash app, search Starbucks, and click “Order Now.” You can pay using GCash. After that, you can copy the link and send it to the recipient. The Starbucks eGift is valued at P300, P500, P1,000, and P2,000.
■ Shopee Gift Cards. To purchase your Shopee Gift Card, go to Load, Bills & Voucher in your Shopee app and select Shopee Gift Card and pick your preferred gift card in amounts ranging from P10 to P5,000. You can use Shopee Pay (it’s the only option available) as payment mode.
■ Jolly e-Gifts. Any Filipino will be happy to receive a gift from Jollibee. Jolly e-Gifts are available in the form of e-Product Vouchers and e-Gift
Certificates which can be redeemed at any Jollibee store. The e-Product Vouchers can be redeemed for specific Jollibee products, while e-Gift Certificates have peso denominations similar to paper gift certificates. To purchase, go to www.jollibee.com.ph/ jolly-egifts.
■ Levi’s eGift Card. If you don’t know what gift to send someone, go to www.levi.com.ph/products/levis-giftcard and buy them a them a Levi's eGift Card. Simply add one eGift to cart. This can be used for payment at www.levi.com.ph and not any physical store. The eGift cards are in increments of P500, P1,000, P2,000, P2,500, and P3,000. ■
BY RIZAL RAOUL REYES
REDWOOD, California-based Appdome recently pointed out that it is taking on the challenge of AIgenerated deepfake attacks head on and providing mobile businesses the granular detection and control defenses to stop these attacks inside the mobile app, preventing them from passing attack data to other systems. “This is a great way to combat account takeovers [ATOs] and on-device fraud [ODF] quickly and efficiently,” said Tom Tovar, CEO of Appdome, in a press statement. Eric Newcomer, CTO and principal analyst, Intellyx, said facial recognition, FaceID and other biometric authentication methods have a major role in the success of the mobile economy as they are effective in reducing friction. “However, attackers are constantly finding new ways to bypass biometric authentication,” he warned.
“The mobile economy trusts Face ID and facial recognition for authentication, Know Your Customer [KYC] compliance, and to combat on-device fraud [ODF],” he added.
APPLE ANNOUNCES $500 BILLION INVESTMENT IN US AMID TARIFF THREATS THAT COULD AFFECT THE IPHONE
NEW YORK—Apple announced on Monday that it plans to invest more than $500 billion in the United States over the next four years, including plans to hire 20,000 people and build a new server factory in Texas.
The move comes just days after US President Donald J. Trump said Apple CEO Tim Cook promised him that the tech giant’s manufacturing would shift from Mexico to the US. Trump noted the company was doing so to avoid paying tariffs. That pledge, coupled with Monday’s investment commitment, came as Trump continues to threaten to impose tariffs that could drive up the cost of iPhones made in China.
“We are bullish on the future of American innovation, and we’re proud to build on our long-standing US investments with this $500 billion commitment to our country’s future,” Cook said in a company blog post. Apple outlined several concrete moves in its announcement, the most significant of which is the construction of a new factory in Houston—slated to open in 2026—that will produce servers to power Apple Intelligence, its suite of AI features. The company claims this factory will create “thousands of jobs.”
The announcement is similar to one Apple made in early 2018—during the first Trump administration—that promised to create 20,000 new jobs as part of a $350 billion spend in the US. Trump was also mulling a tariff then that could have affected iPhones at the time, but he didn’t end up targeting those devices during his first administration. AP
Furthermore, Newcomer said mobile brands rely on facial recognition, including liveness checks, to streamline authentication while also building and maintaining trust with their users. He said brands tell users that facial recognition will ensure that only the authorized account holder can access their apps, accounts, and services. However, the number and sophistication of attacks targeting every aspect of facial recognition and biometric authentication have exploded in the last nine months, driven by the rise of AI-generated deepfakes, virtual cameras, image substitution, buffer attacks, voice cloning and other methods. Deepfake attacks easily generate hyper-realistic and adversarial replications or manipulations that can fool facial and voice verification systems. Sometimes attackers use virtual cameras to inject pre-recorded or live video streams into the facial recognition process.
Despite the growing sophistication of Face ID and facial recognition services for mobile applications, Face ID bypass techniques which manipulate biometric authentication processes, use virtual cameras and AI-generated synthetic images or
CCP PARTNERS WITH GCASH TO ENHANCE PAYMENT SYSTEM FOR PRODUCTIONS AND SHOWS
THE Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) has officially partnered with GCash, one of the leading mobile wallets in the Philippines, to introduce a more efficient and convenient payment system for its various events and productions. This collaboration leverages GCash’s extensive reach and digital platform to make CCP’s offerings more accessible to a wider audience.
GCash, a Philippine mobile payments service owned by Globe Fintech Innovations Inc. and operated by GXI, has been at the forefront of transforming the financial landscape in the Philippines. Since its launch in 2004 as an SMSbased money transfer service and its transition to a mobile app in 2012, GCash has become a widely used payment method for retail and event services nationwide.
“We are thrilled to partner with GCash. This collaboration will help streamline CCP’s operations and provide valuable data to optimize our offerings. At CCP, we are always looking for ways to enhance the experience for our patrons, subscribers, and audiences by providing them with a secure, seamless, and faster way to access our events. This is an exciting step as we continue to innovate and connect with audiences in the digital age,” said CCP president Kaye C. Tinga.
This partnership introduces a cashless, hassle-free payment solution for CCP’s patrons, eliminating the need for physical cash and long queues. Attendees can easily make payments using their smartphones, enhancing convenience for both local and international audiences.
Through GCash’s Scan to Pay service, which will be deployed at various CCP venues and partner locations, the organization will streamline ticket purchases, merchandise transactions, and other services. Customers will be able to make payments by simply scanning a QR code displayed at designated Scan to Pay sites.
The system is also inclusive, catering to nonGCash users. It allows payments from other mobile apps or QR payment tools provided by different issuers. This ensures that both GCash and non-GCash users can seamlessly attend CCP events.
More information can be found at www. culturalcenter.gov.ph.
streams to mimic legitimate users, have started to outpace biometric authentication methods.
Moreover, Tovar said malicious actors are developing tools and techniques to exploit vulnerabilities in device hardware, face recognition software and face recognition APIs to compromise the integrity of biometric authentication. Tovar said these challenges highlight the need for enhanced security measures around the biometric authentication workflows, to safeguard Face ID and facial recognition against deepfake attacks.
Meanwhile, Appdome is extending its Account Takeover Protection suite with 30 new dynamic defense plugins for Deep Fake Detection in Android and iOS apps. The new plugins are designed to guarantee the integrity of Apple Face ID, Google Face Recognition and third-party face and voice recognition services against AI-generated and other deepfake attacks. Like all Appdome defenses, each of the 30 new dynamic defense plugins for Deep Fake Detection is available by choice using the Appdome platform without the need to integrate code, perform manual coding, implement SDKs, or deploy servers.
FROM left: CCP vice president for administration Jay Gaite, CCP president Kaye C. Tinga, and GCash commercial sales head Martin Kristopher Limgenco.
Google makes its appeal to overturn jury verdict branding the Play Store as illegal monopoly
SAN FRANCISCO—Google went to appeals court Monday in an attempt to convince a three-judge panel to overturn a jury’s verdict declaring its app store for Android smartphones as an illegal monopoly and block the penalties imposed by a federal judge to stop the misbehavior. Video game maker Epic Games, which brought the case alleging Google’s Play Store has been abusing its stranglehold over the Android app market, countered with arguments outlining why both the verdict and punishment should be affirmed to foster more innovation and lower prices.
In a nearly hour-long presentation in San Francisco’s Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, Google lawyer Jessica Ellsworth explained why the company believes the judge overseeing a month-long trial in 2023 improperly allowed the market in its case to be defined differently than it had in a similar antitrust trial revolving around Apple’s antitrust trial in 2021.
Ellsworth also asserted the trial shouldn’t have been decided by a jury in the first place because Google exercised its consent to that process and demanded the case be decided by a judge instead, as had the trial by Apple.
Epic, the maker of the popular Fortnite video game, filed separate antitrust cases against Apple and Google on the same day in August 2020 and culminated in dramatically different outcomes. Unlike the jury in Google’s trial in San Francisco, US District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez-Rogers largely sided with Apple in an 185-decision that defined the Play Store and Apple’s iPhone app store as part of a broader competitive market.
Ellsworth told the appeals court that US District Judge James Donato improperly allowed Epic to turn the Google trial into a “do-over” that excluded the Apple app store as a rival in the market definition that led to the jury’s verdict in its case.
“You can’t just lose an issue that was fully litigated the first time [in the Apple case] and then pretend it didn’t happen,” Ellsworth said. She said the competition that Google and Apple engage in while making the two operating systems that power virtually all of the world’s smartphones “sufficiently disciplines” their actions in the app market.
But the appeals judges indicated they believed the market definitions could differ in the separate app store cases because Apple bundles all its software and the iPhone together—creating what has become known as a “walled garden”—while Google licenses the Android software that includes its Play Store a wide variety of smartphone makers.
“There are clearly some factual differences between the Android world and Apple world,” Judge Danielle J. Forrest told Ellsworth.
Judge Gabriel Sanchez also sounded skeptical about Google’s claims about being lumped with an improper market definition in its trial.
“Even if Google vigorously competes with Apple [in smartphone operating systems], that doesn’t mean it can’t create a different ecosystem where it’s a monopolist,” Sanchez interjected during Ellsworth’s presentation.
The appeals court hasn’t set a timeline for issuing a ruling in the Play Store case, but it typically takes several months before a decision is reached.
Google is also currently facing other potential penalties that could include being forced to sell its Chrome web browser after a judge in another antitrust trial ruled its ubiquitous search engine is an illegal monopoly, too.
BusinessMirror
Honor X9C Smart 5G: Built tough, priced smart
JUST when I thought we were done with durability tests, Honor Philippines sent us the Honor X9C Smart 5G—a “lite” version of its toughest smartphone launched just a few weeks ago. Because why stop when you’ve found a winning formula? The Honor X9C 5G proved just how much consumers value durability, selling out within 72 hours of its launch and becoming one of the most talked-about smartphones of the year.
“Lite” also means affordable, so I was curious to see what compromises Honor made to achieve that. To find out, I took the Honor X9C Smart 5G on our trip to Taiwan, putting it through real-world tests to see if it truly lives up to its ultra-tough lineage.
To recap, the Honor X9C 5G set a new standard for smartphone resilience with its unparalleled durability features. Built with Honor’s Ultra-Bounce Anti-Drop Technology 2.0, it boasts 2-meter drop resistance and 360-degree all-angle protection, making accidental falls a non-issue. It also features a scratch-resistant polycarbonate polymethyl methacrylate back panel, capable of withstanding everyday wear from coins, keys, and other rough surfaces. Adding to its toughness, the Honor X9C 5G is engineered with triple-layer waterproofing, ensuring protection against spills, rain, and even brief submersion in water. Its durability extends to extreme conditions, operating smoothly in temperatures ranging from -30°C to 55°C, making it one of the most rugged mainstream smartphones available.
What makes the “Smart” version different? The Honor X9C Smart 5G keeps the ultra-tough durability, drop resistance, and water protection of the X9C 5G, but key differences lie in the display, battery, and charging speed. The X9C 5G features a curved OLED display (4000 nits), a 6600mAh silicon-carbon battery, and 66W fast charging, while the Smart version opts for a flat LCD (850 nits), a 5800mAh battery, and 35W charging.
DESIGN, DISPLAY AND DURABILITY
5G an SGS 5-Star Premium Performance Rating—a certification that proves its resilience under extreme conditions.
AT first glance, the Honor X9C Smart 5G might not look like the ultra-durable phone it claims to be. With its sleek form factor and refined aesthetics, it could easily be mistaken for a premium mid-range device rather than a rugged smartphone. Inspired by natural aesthetics, the Honor X9C Smart 5G balances sophistication with durability, making it a device that doesn’t compromise on style while ensuring toughness.
Available in Midnight Black and Ocean Cyan, the phone features a polycarbonate polymethyl methacrylate back cover, which is not only scratchresistant but also minimizes fingerprints and smudges, keeping the device looking pristine.
Honor has packed this phone with its UltraBounce Anti-Drop Technology 2.0, which allows it to withstand drops from up to 2 meters at any angle. It has been tested for 360° all-angle drop resistance, making it capable of surviving accidental falls from different orientations. On top of that, it passed a 3000-cycle steel wool friction test, ensuring that the back panel remains scratch-resistant against everyday objects like coins and keys.
It’s also been tested across more than 10 different surfaces, including marble, pebbles, cobblestones, gravel, and asphalt—common in urban environments. I did try a few drops, and the phone showed no major damage beyond minor scuffs, proving that Honor’s shock absorption technology is more than just marketing hype.
The Honor X9C Smart 5G also features triple-layer water protection, giving it 360° water resistance. Officially, it can survive five minutes in 25cm of water and two minutes in 50cm depth, making it resistant to brief splashes or accidental drops in water, but i wouldn’t suggest swimming with it. These tests have earned the Honor X9C Smart
The 6.8-inch LCD display has extra-narrow bezels maximizing the screen space, and with a 120Hz refresh rate it provides a smooth and immersive experience making it a great option for everyday use. The flat display improves usability by reducing accidental touches as compared to curved screens. Outdoor visibility was decent during our time in Taipei, though the 850-nit peak brightness might not be as vibrant under harsh sunlight.
CAMERAS: AI-POWERED WITH THE ESSENTIALS
THE Honor X9C Smart 5G features a dual-camera setup, led by a 108MP main sensor paired with a 5MP ultra-wide lens. While it lacks the OIS (Optical Image Stabilization), the large sensor still captures sharp and detailed shots, especially in good lighting conditions. The ultra-wide lens provides flexibility for landscape shots and group photos, though details can soften in lower light. Photos get AI-powered enhancements including AI Night Mode, which optimizes exposure and shutter speed for better low-light photography, and AI Motion Sensing Capture, which detects movement and automatically captures sharp images at the right moment.
Honor’s popular AI Eraser feature is also present, allowing users to remove unwanted objects or photobombers with a simple tap. Additionally, the phone offers three portrait focal lengths, giving users versatile options for capturing professional-looking portraits with natural background blur. While not groundbreaking, the camera system remains capable enough of delivering good photos with mindful lighting and a bit of setup.
PERFORMANCE AND BATTERY
UNDER the hood, the Honor X9C Smart 5G runs on the MediaTek Dimensity 7025 Ultra, a 6nm octa-core
processor designed for efficient power consumption and reliable performance. It features two highperformance Cortex-A78 cores clocked at 2.5GHz and six Cortex-A55 cores optimized for efficiency, ensuring smooth handling of daily tasks like web browsing, social media, and light gaming. While it’s not as powerful as the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 found in the X9C 5G, it still delivers consistent performance, only showing occasional slowdowns when running multiple demanding apps at once.
With 12GB of RAM, plus an additional 12GB via Honor’s RAM Turbo (for a total of 24GB), the phone ensures a lag-free experience when switching between apps. Storage-wise, it comes with 256GB of internal storage, providing ample space for apps, photos, and videos, though there’s no microSD expansion.
Battery life remains a strong point, with the 5800mAh battery easily lasting more than a full day of moderate use. In our testing, it handled over 7 hours of screen-on time, making it a reliable option for users who rely heavily on their phones throughout the day. While charging is limited to 35W, compared to the 66W fast charging on the X9C 5G, it still refuels enough for several hours of use in about 30 minutes.
FINAL WORD: The Honor X9C Smart 5G continues the X9 legacy, bringing essential features and industry-leading durability to a more inclusive price point. For those looking for a tough yet stylish smartphone without breaking the bank, this device proves that affordability and resilience can go hand in hand. And if you’re planning to get one, the best time to buy is during the Shopee 3.3 Super Brand Marathon, where you can grab it for just ₱10,799 instead of its
out the
Editor: Mike Policarpio
Filipino authors positioned front and center at Philippine book fest
THE National Book Development Board (NBDB) is gearing up to stage the upcoming “Philippine Book Festival [PBF]”—seen as an important mecca for Filipino authors.
The PBF will be held from March 13 to 16 at the Megatrade Hall of SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City.
NBDB’s executive director Charisse Aquino-Tugade disclosed that the agency is preparing a marketplace for Philippine books because of the difficulty for Filipinos to easily access them: “We sat down with the Department of Education to address this problem. Now we have the PBF, which is…also a site for the DepEd to purchase quality education materials for schools across the country. We [also talked to the Bureau of Learning Resources or BLR, and with a shift in policy,] they can start focusing on procuring Filipino-authored books.”
In the PBF’s first edition, AquinoTugade shared that the DepEd performed a “scoping,” where the latter
went to various marketplaces and performed a comparative analysis in terms of pricing, quality and other important aspects.
She noted that after the initial run of the PBF, the DepEd procured P925million worth of Filipino-authored books, and will now be available in all regions in the country.
The NBDB official also reported that for the 2025 PBF, with the marketplace already existing, the Education Department—through Sec. Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara—downloaded more funding to the tune of P2.4 billion to buy the said books that children can now access.
For this year’s PBF, Aquino-Tugade said that the event will not just be a marketplace, but also a “third place” for four days.
She explained that a “third place” is essentially a one that’s outside of the home or the workplace, where one can be free to hang out, have a conversation, and be part of the community: “A book is like a…knowledge product, but a unique one… For the younger generation to like a product,
it has to be ‘cool enough.’ That is why this year’s PBF is not just a marketplace, but also a ‘third place,’ where they can actually read and enjoy books outside…an academic setting.”
At the PBF, she said kids can take part in programs like storytelling, participate in drawing sessions for those who may want to be a komikero know more about “queer literature:” a genre that’s growing fast and recognized internationally, and many others so the entire family and loved ones can come in.
Gratitude from national artist NATIONAL Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts Ricky Lee narrated the struggles of Filipino-authored books that are often found at the most inconspicuous or hidden part of a bookstore, compared to foreign ones that are available practically anywhere.
Even his works, he lamented, are found covered by maps or tucked away at the bottom of a bookshelf.
With the majority of his works made into movies, Lee likened the works of Filipino authors to that of “movie bit players” who are hardly noticed at all: “I would like to thank
the NBDB because, through the PBF, Pinoy-authored books are not bit players or ‘extras’ anymore, but main protagonists or bida even for only four days in a year where all eyes will be on local authors like me.”
The award-winning author and scriptwriter turned emotional when he said that through the PBF, the NBDB allows Filipino authors to meet face-to-face and connect with their readers, which is a rarity because it happens only with foreign authors: “With the NBDB, they do everything to show to the world the undeniable fact that Filipino authors are outstanding and exceptional.”
Aquino-Tugade reiterated that the NBF is the place where local authors have the opportunity to mingle and meet with each other and the readers while they participate in various programs and other elements found there, which makes the PBF more exciting.
Her tips for attendees: “Bring a tote bag and money, because there’s lots to buy with discounts; [and a pen—] you’ll probably run into your favorite authors and…have your books signed. And wear good shoes because you have a lot of ground to cover.”
A culture of doing good: SM invests in quality learning via Asia Pacific
SIA PACIFIC COLLEGE (APC),
Awhich is a part of the SM group, continues to invest in its students and the school through degree programs certified by international and local standards institutions.
With a grand vision of university status on the horizon and strategic partnerships with esteemed institutions such as the University of Adelaide to bolster the quality of education it provides, APC is proving that it is in the business of social good.
The SM group’s advocacy in championing education was realized when SM founder Henry Sy, Sr.—through SM Foundation Inc.—partnered with IBM Philippines to establish APC in 1991 as a non-stock, non-profit institution.
“APC envisions becoming a leading institution in the region,” said APC president Dr. Ma. Teresita “Tata” Medado. “Aiming to become a university is our mission in the next four to five years. APC has proven its excellence in innovative teaching and learning. It is our goal to expand programs and reach out to more students, especially those from underserved communities.”
At the start of the year, the college received certification from the
Asean University Network-Quality Assurance (AUN-QA) for the following programs: Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Information Technology, and Multimedia Arts. It holds the distinction of being a “Center of Excellence in IT Education” since 2007, and a “Center of Development in Computer Engineering” since 2009.
The AUN-QA certification means that the programs cited have met the high standards of quality in terms of teaching, research and overall academic delivery.
“This recognition is a testament to our commitment to excellence in education and our dedication to providing top-tier academic programs,” added Dr. Medado.
APC’s international accolade is further complemented by its consistent delivery of quality education; thus retaining its “Autonomous Status” from the Commission on Higher Education for seven consecutive years. The certification was granted by CHED, as it cited APC’s steady high ratings in areas such as curriculum development, faculty qualifications, research output, and community service.
Meaningful partnerships
APC first established a landmark partnership with Carnegie Mellon University-Australia (CMU-A) in 2022, and is continuously expanding its collaboration with the University of Adelaide (UofA) in 2024. This has
Driving future-ready health care nationwide
By Dr. Adorico M. Aya-ay Dean, College of Health Sciences
Mapua Malayan Colleges-Mindanao
FOR the Philippines, staying competitive in the global health-care sector requires a concerted effort to digital transformation into both the education of professionals and the delivery of related services.
By equipping these workers with digital tools and fostering a digitalsavvy workforce, the Philippines can continue to meet growing demands of a rapidly advancing health-care landscape. Embracing this technological shift will not only benefit healthcare delivery in the country, but also ensure that Filipino professionals remain leaders in the global arena.
Mapúa Malayan Colleges Mindanao [Mapúa MCM] has long been at the forefront of fostering innovation and global education, particularly
through its strategic partnerships with leading international institutions. A prime example of this commitment is its collaboration with Arizona State University (ASU): a globally recognized leader in higher education, and the #1 most innovative university in the United States for 10 consecutive years, according to the US News & World Report . This collaboration aims to provide students with access to cutting-edge learning experiences and resources, empowering them with a global perspective on technology and innovation.
Meanwhile, Davao City has been making strides in positioning itself as a model of economic dynamism and urban development in the Visayas and Mindanao regions. Recently, the city achieved top rankings in the “2023 Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index (CMCI),” which highlights its commitment to growth and readiness to embrace global trends,
including the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into various sectors such as health care. As the city continues to modernize its infrastructure and adopt innovative technologies, it has become increasingly poised to meet the demands of a fast-changing global landscape. These signs bode well for the future of local health care. AI is rapidly transforming the sector by offering new tools for diagnostics, patient management and medical research. In diagnostics, AI algorithms are already assisting in analyzing medical images such as X-rays and magnetic resonance imaging or MRIs. In patient management, AI systems can track a patient’s condition over time, suggest personalized treatment plans, and predict potential complications. The technology also plays a crucial role in medical research by processing large datasets, uncovering new insights, and accelerating the discovery of
led to the delivery of capacity-building programs for faculty, staff and government professionals, with the support and funding from the “Australia Awards Scholarships”—a program offering postgraduate studies to candidates from a wide range of countries.
Student welfare is also a part of APC’s initiatives with the recent launch of the “Digital Defender Program” in the last quarter of 2024 together with Taiwan-based developer Gogolook, which is a key player in the “TrustTech” industry.
“We seek to empower students with greater awareness of online safety and cybersecurity through this app,” said Dr. Medado. “The value of
treatments and therapies.
To fully leverage these advancements, it is essential to integrate AI tools into health-care curricula. By incorporating AI into training programs, students can improve their decision-making and analytical skills, gaining practical experience needed to confidently work alongside AI in tackling real-world medical challenges.
I see the potential for AI to address local health-care gaps in resource allocation, patient care and rural healthcare accessibility. There is room for such technology to optimize medical resources, ensuring that hospitals and clinics operate efficiently even in
College
GogoLook extends to professional ethics and character formation. We are preparing our students to become responsible global citizens.”
Part of APC’s vision to become a university, she said the school aims to be more responsive to industry needs to bring access to quality education for all.
For the coming year, the college seeks to uphold quality education standards it has set in its Quacquarelli Symonds 5-star ratings across four categories, namely: inclusivity through a wide array of scholarships; online learning via hybrid-flexible or “hyflex” setup which emphasizes empathy, equity, and engagement; flexible teaching methods; and employability, with 92.8 percent of graduates able to secure key positions in their chosen field or industry.
APC is now focusing on improving the category of internationalization, emphasizing transnational collaborations, exchange programs with foreign students and other related initiatives. This is aligned with its mission of providing educational opportunities through differentiated and enhanced pathways to help develop productive citizens of the global economy.
resource-constrained settings.
Moreover, in rural areas where access to health care is limited, AIdriven telemedicine platforms can connect patients with doctors remotely, ensuring that quality care reaches even the most underserved communities. This ability to bridge gaps using AI holds the promise of making health care more accessible, equitable and effective.
Mapúa MCM has already recognized the transformative potential of AI in health care education. Through the College of Health Sciences, the university is incorporating AI and other advanced technologies into its medical curriculum. This initiative aims to equip future health-care professionals with the skills needed to navigate a rapidly changing landscape. As more Mapúan students engage with this innovative approach to medical education, they will be well-positioned to lead the charge in improving healthcare delivery both locally and globally.
To achieve these goals, international collaborations are vital. Ours
THE Faculty of Arts and Letters of University of Santo Tomas (UST) is celebrating its 60th founding anniversary with a year-long series of special events. It will culminate with a grand gala night later, March 1, at the Manila Hotel with the theme: “A Tradition of Excellence: From Pen to Pixels.” This will serve to honor “Artlets” past, while embracing the future.
According to UST, the Faculty of Arts and Letters is committed to sustaining and elevating excellence, nurturing students and academic staff as they prepare for the challenges of the 21st Century. From its humble beginnings as the “Faculty of Philosophy and Letters” in 1896 to its establishment as the “Faculty of Arts and Letters” in 1964, the faculty has a rich history to celebrate.
“This anniversary invites us to reflect on cherished memories and honor the exceptional contributions of our esteemed alumni,” said former senator Atty. Joey Lina who heads the anniversary’s Ways and Means committee.
Among the distinguished alumni are four National Artists: Rolando Tinio, Cirilo Bautista, Bienvenido Lumbera and Francisco Sionil Jose. In addition, veteran journalists Arnold Clavio, Sandra Aguinaldo and Jullie Yap-Daza, as well as radio broadcaster Ali Sotto, are among graduates of the faculty. Countless others have made their mark in journalism, literature, advertising, mass media, government, academe and related fields.
The 60th-anniversary celebration will feature several highlights, including a photo and memorabilia exhibit showcasing the faculty’s rich history and an art piece: a life-size mural by the Blanco Brothers. On February 28, the Class of 2025 staged the concert “Artlets in Wonderland: A Journey Through Time.” Capping the series of celebrations will be tonight’s gala at the Manila Hotel.
“Let’s make this milestone celebration unforgettable. We encourage all graduates to invite fellow alumni and spread the word about our shared heritage as we look forward to celebrating this significant occasion with you,” encouraged Joel Macanaya who is the co-chairperson of the milestone event, and a member of the 1970s Filipino pop quartet The Rainmakers. Event inquiries may be directed to Lena Vergara at 0917-8248283.
with ASU not only strengthens Mapúa MCM’s academic offerings, but also fosters a dynamic exchange of knowledge, helping students stay ahead of global trends and cutting-edge practices. By connecting students and faculty with ASU’s wealth of resources, research and expertise, Mapúa MCM ensures that its graduates are exposed to the latest developments in health care, giving them global perspectives on health-care delivery, medical technologies, and sustainable practices across various systems. These kinds of global cooperations are especially relevant in equipping future health-care professionals in Davao City and other regions of the Philippines as they adapt to rapid changes in the local health care industry. As technological advancements continue to reshape healthcare delivery worldwide, local systems must evolve to meet new challenges. Davaoeños, with access to global educational networks like those provided through Mapúa MCM and ASU, are well-positioned to adapt to these changes.
EXECUTIVE Director Charisse Aquino-Tugade of the NBDB
DR. Aya-ay
APC students join the launch of GogoLook’s Digital Defender program.
Tourism Editor: Edwin P. Sallan
A HIDDEN HAVEN
PlAcEs to VIsIt IN toyAmA AND K ANAzAwA
DStory & photos by Aldwin Maralit Tolosa
ata released by Japan National tourism Organization indicated that a total of 818,666 Filipinos flew to Japan in 2024. From tokyo’s Disneyland, Universal Studios, Shibuya crossing and the likes, the Land of the Rising Sun is surely a crowd favorite.
While the aforementioned popular destinations often get the lion’s share of tourists, this might be the perfect time for Filipino visitors to explore the hidden wonders of Japan. There are more promising and at the same time quieter places to experience in Japan like the hidden haven of Toyama.
Toyama is located in the Hokuriku Region of northern Chubu and is the capital of the Toyama Prefecture. The city was historically known as a castle town and a city where the pharmaceutical industry flourished. Here are some of the popular landmarks that are worth a visit.
Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route
Ex PER i E n C ing the one-of-a-kind TateyamaKurobe Alpine Route is the perfect way to start your Toyama journey. This route connects the cities of Toyama and n agano and can be traversed by electric buses and cable cars, among other means. The breathtaking scenery of Mt. Tateyama mountain range, usually covered with a thick layer of snow, is the main attraction of the ride. Another highlight is the massive Kurobe dam, which towers at 186 meters and is considered to be one of the largest dams in the world.
Kansui Park
Lo CATE d at the center of Toyama, Kansui Park is a wide-open space built around the long and wide canal of Fugan. The park is a perfect place to slow down, unwind, and simply enjoy the picturesque view of cherry blossom trees and lush green grass, especially during the springtime. At night, the Kansui park exudes more beauty through its illuminating and dazzling lights.
Along the area is the Toyama Prefectural Museum of Art and d esign which is known
for its paintings, arts, and rotating exhibitions. o n its rooftop, you can view the land of Toyama and Tateyama Mountain Range.
Yokamachi Dori
(Inami’s Main Street)
T HE i nami town is historically known throughout Japan as the homeland for wood carving.
The smell of wood and the clanging of carving tools will immediately linger in your senses the moment you step into the area. Filled with artisans, sculptures, and i nami wood carvings, the inami street offers different activities related to wood carving even for beginners who wish to craft their own sake cup.
Himi Banya-Gai
M AKE your morning stroll extra special in Toyama by stopping over at Himi Fishing Port’s outside market. The place is located in the coastal area of Himi City and serves as an outside wet market for fish vendors, traders, and locals who wish to buy fresh goods.
Himi Banya- g ai, one of the city’s main attractions, is a roadside station built and named after a banya (fisherman’s hut). i t is known for Himi udon noodles, Himi beef, Himi curry, and fresh seafood caught directly from Himi’s port. i f you’re lucky, the hut also offers a spectacular view of the Tateyama Mountain Range over the Toyama Bay.
Ainokura Gassho-zukuri Village
TAKE a peek at Toyama’s ancient era by stopping at Ainokura g assho-zukuri Village. i t is g okayama’s most remote village known for its preserved historical g assho-hut, an original form of gassho-zukuri which means “hands in prayer.” These are three to four-
storey farmhouses with slanted roofs that are effective shelters during winter. o n d ecember 9, 1995, the village was declared as a U n ESC o Heritage Site. Presently, some of the g assho-hut have been transformed into restaurants, museums, and minshuku that are popular among visitors.
Additionally, g okayama Washi no Sato or also known as “ g okayama Japanese Paper Village” is also situated in this area. The area is home to craftsmen who specialize in washi (Japanese paper) making. i t also of -
BeATInG BAGGAGe BlunDeRS, A ReDux
on E of the first articles i wrote for BM Tourism was on bang-for-buck, baggage-boosting hacks. But there is so much more to packing for air travel beyond excess baggage worries that warrants a second article.
Baggage blunders can include packing items technically considered “dangerous goods,” or dg in aviation industry parlance; or high-risk items that are best carried with the passenger as hand-carried baggage.
dg refers to items made from or contain substances that pose a risk to the flight and endanger the lives of the passengers and crew onboard. These include gasified items such as hairspray or spray paint; flammable substances such as lighter fluid, matches; corrosive materials like old-school thermometers with mercury; and even household items such as hair bleach and nail polish remover with acetone.
This list of what is considered dg can vary per airline and depends not just on international aviation regulation but also on laws in a given country.
High-risk items include jewelry, cash and other valuables. t can also include devices
such as tablets, smartphones, e-readers, cameras and other electronic items.
As a general rule of thumb, keep valuable and fragile items with you.
But as most air travelers know, airlines have policies on hand carried baggage and, more recently, lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries. Reality is that most of us will experience packing pressure as we need to bring gadgets, mobile devices and other equipment with us. Beyond smartphones, the average air traveler usually brings a tablet and laptop. Some bring d SLR cameras, mics, drones and other accessories.
These gears and gadgets—portable electronic devices (PE d) in industry parlance, are fragile and sensitive. When packed together, these will likely weigh more than the 7 to 10kg hand-carried baggage allowance of most airlines. Moreover, these are powered by Li-ion batteries that most likely cannot be removed.
Li-ion batteries are now cause for concern for airlines worldwide following the fire aboard an Air Busan flight last January that was caused by PE d with an Li-ion battery inside a bag in the overhead bin. i n rare cases, Li-ion batteries can destabilize and heat-up—very risky in an enclosed, pressurized cabin, and even more when flying at 35,000 feet. Aviation authorities and airline officials will always opt to err on the safe side and reduce risk—hence the regulations. There’s been a lot of chatter and debates over bringing and packing PE d for air travel. But we need to understand why such rules exist. g uidelines from the nternational Air Transport Association—the global trade association for the airline industry, say that
fers workshops for travelers to learn how to make their own washi.
Tonami Tulip Gallery
T UL i P Shikisai Kan or Tonami Tulip g allery is one of the main attractions in Toyama. i t is the only facility in the world where tulips, chosen as the prefectural flower of Toyama prefecture, can be seen all year round. The gallery’s highlight is the Tulip Palace found at the center of the Wonder g arden. Here, all tulips are positioned in a full circular forma -
PE d can be checked in, but measures must be taken to protect against damage and unintentional activation. There’s also guidance that that each passenger is limited to a maximum of 15 PE d and portable medical electronic devices (PME d).
Each PE d or PME d must have a Watt-hour (Wh) rating of between 100 to 160 Wh, while spare batteries and power banks cannot exceed 100 Wh. For power banks, 100 Wh is roughly equivalent to 27,000 mAh. The limit helps mitigate the risk of Li-ion batteries overheating. This is why during final security checks at the airport, authorities disallow some power banks from being carried aboard the aircraft.
Even with i ATA guidelines, each airline has their own policies, restrictions and rules. Passengers agree to these once a flight is booked and confirmed.
Recently, airlines such as EVA Air, China Airlines and Etihad have banned the charging and even use of power banks during the flight.
Passengers can charge mobile devices if there are charging ports available in the aircraft during the flight. Among Philippine carriers, Cebu Pacific have such ports in majority of their aircraft.
Philippine Airlines and AirAsia Philip -
tion inside a cylindrical room.
Kenrokuen Garden
Kno W n for its rich history and beauty, the Kenrokuen g arden is perfect for travelers who wish to be immersed in nature. With its teahouses, clear ponds and streams, fully grown trees, and vibrant flowers, the garden is known as one of Japan’s three most beautiful gardens.
Built at the center of Kanazawa tourist city, Kenrokuen was originally an outer garden of Kanazawa Castle. i ts name means “g arden of the six sublimities”—spaciousness, seclusion, artificiality, antiquity, abundant water, and broad views. According to Chinese landscape theory, these six fundamental characteristics make up a perfect garden. With so many people traveling more these days, the possibility of discovering new places never stops. Whether you’re a veteran or a first-time traveler, don’t miss out on the opportunity to visit Japan’s hidden gems like Toyama City and Kanazawa.
pines strongly advise against putting PE d in checked-in baggage. This is not only due to risk of fire but possible damage as baggage is transferred to and from the aircraft, and in case of air turbulence which might cause items to shift.
g iven these restrictions and limitations, how do we bust baggage blunders for our precious devices?
1. Read T&C and rules of the airline you’re flying with BEF o RE and d UR ing packing for your trip. You may need to adjust what you pack and where you pack what you’re bringing. o r you might need to purchase additional baggage allowance.
“At AirAsia, we recognize the great value of having a stress-free journey. That’s why we offer flexible baggage options so our guests can pack what they want, without any restrictions, as long as they adhere to guidelines,” said AirAsia Philippines Communications and Public Affairs Head First o fficer Steve d ailisan.
2. i nspect devices and batteries before packing. n ever bring devices or power banks that are swollen, deformed or get too hot when you charge these.
3. Shut down or power off all PE d especially during take-off and landing
4. Pack laptops in a sleeve with some
cushioning, even if these are being handcarried.
5. i f you have a lot of gadgets such as drones and d SLR cameras that are already too heavy as cabin baggage, invest in a sturdy, well-padded hard case that can be checked in. But ensure batteries are removed and hand-carried. Secure each gadget to prevent unnecessary movement during transport and properly label as FRAgi LE to alert baggage handlers. i t might also be prudent to check in early—at least 1.5 to 2 hours for domestic flights and 3 to 4 hours for international flights—so the airline staff can figure out what to with your gear. Special handling for baggage requires time and you have to give them that, especially if you are flying with at least 100 other passengers who also have checked-in baggage. Airlines regulations can be tedious to comply with and can look unreasonable. But more often than not, there are underlying issues and considerations behind these. And just as airlines are responsible for getting us and our baggage to our destinations as safely, efficiently and as comfortable as possible, we too as air travelers have a part to play in making sure our gadgets and baggage are secured and packed properly.
Photos by Charo Logarta
Himi seafood products inside the Himi-Banya Gai. T H
beauty of nature inside the Kenrokuen Garden.
Tulip Palace at the heart of Wonder Garden.
A HAnDS-on workshop of crafting a sake cup.
T H e Himi-Banya Gai where signature Himi dishes can be found. An old Gassho-hut located in Ainokura Gassho-zukuri Village
Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route covered in
heavy snowfall.
Trump plans tariffs on Mexico and Canada, while doubling existing 10% tariffs on China
WBy Josh Boak & Fabiola Sanchez The Associated Press
ASHINGTON—President
Donald Trump plans to impose tariffs on Canada and Mexico starting Tuesday, in addition to doubling the 10 percent universal tariff charged on imports from China.
In a Truth Social post Thursday, Trump said illicit drugs such as fentanyl are being smuggled into the United States at “unacceptable levels” and that import taxes would force other countries to crack down on the trafficking.
“We cannot allow this scourge to continue to harm the USA, and therefore, until it stops, or is seriously limited, the proposed TARIFFS scheduled to go into effect on MARCH FOURTH will, indeed, go into effect, as scheduled,” the Republican president wrote. “China will likewise be charged an additional 10 percent Tariff on that date.”
The prospect of escalating tariffs has already thrown the global economy into turmoil, with consumers expressing fears about inflation worsening and the auto sector and other domestic manufacturers suffering if Trump raises import taxes. But Trump has also at times engaged in aggressive posturing only to give last-minute reprieves, previously agreeing to a 30-day suspension of the Canada and Mexico tariffs that
were initially supposed to start in February.
The threat of tariffs frightened the stock market with the S&P 500 index falling 1.6 percent on Thursday. The S&P 500 is now just 1.4 percent higher than it was after Trump won the election in November, giving up almost all of the gains that the president once cited as evidence of an economic revival.
Asked Thursday about the fact that tariffs are largely paid for consumers and importing companies, Trump dismissed any concerns by saying: “It’s a myth.” It’s possible for a stronger US dollar to offset some of the costs of tariffs, but Trump’s statement goes against most economic modeling given the breadth of his planned taxes.
Trump intends to put 25 percent tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada, with a lower 10 percent tax on Canadian energy products such as oil and electricity.
The move, ostensibly about drug trafficking and immigration, led Mexico and Canada to respond by emphasizing their existing
efforts to address these issues.
Canada created a fentanyl czar, and Mexico sent 10,000 members of its National Guard to its border with the United States.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said Thursday that she hoped to speak with Trump after the Cabinet-level meetings occurring in Washington this week.
Mexico’s Foreign Affairs Secretary Juan Ramón de la Fuente was scheduled to meet with Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday afternoon.
Trump, “as you know, has his way of communicating,” Sheinbaum said. But she said that her government would stay “coolheaded” and optimistic about an agreement coming together to avoid the tariffs.
“I hope we are able to reach an agreement and on March 4 we can announce something else,” she said.
She said Mexico’s security chiefs were discussing intelligence sharing with their American counterparts that would allow for important arrests in the US. On the economic front, she said Mexico’s goal is to protect the free trade pact that was negotiated during the first Trump administration between Mexico and the United States. That 2020 deal, which included Canada, was an update of the North American Free Trade Agreement from 1994.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said his country has invested more than 1 billion Canadian dollars to improve border security, adding that his government’s ministers and officials are also in Washington this week.
“There is no emergency for the
United States at the border with Canada when it comes to fentanyl, and that is exactly what we are demonstrating at this time,” Trudeau said in Montreal. “If the United States goes ahead and imposes tariffs, we already shared the details of our plan. We have $30 billion worth of US products that will be subject to tariffs. And $125 billion of tariffs that will be applied three weeks later. But we don’t want to be in that position.”
Trump did impose a 10 percent tariff on China for its role in the manufacturing of chemicals used to make fentanyl, and that tax would now be doubled, according to his social media post.
On Thursday, China’s Commerce Minister Wang Wentao wrote to Jamieson Greer, the newly confirmed US trade representative, that differences on trade should be resolved through dialogues and negotiations.
The 25 percent tariffs on Mexico and Canada would amount to a total tax increase on the US public of somewhere between $120 billion to
$225 billion annually, according to Jacob Jensen, a trade policy analyst at the American Action Forum, a center-right think tank. The additional China tariffs could cost consumers up to $25 billion.
The potential for higher prices and slower growth could create political blowback for Trump, who promised voters in last year’s presidential election that he could quickly lower the inflation rate, which jumped during Democratic President Joe Biden’s term. But Trump also campaigned on imposing broad tariffs, which he plans to launch on April 2 by resetting them to match the taxes that he determines are charged by other countries on American goods.
“The April Second Reciprocal Tariff date will remain in full force and effect,” Trump said as part of his new social media post.
In an interview with News Nation, Kevin Hassett, the director of the White House National Economic Council, said progress by Mexico and Canada on fentanyl “was not as impressive as the president had hoped.” There are significant differences between Canada and Mexico on the scale of drug smuggling. US customs agents seized 43 pounds (19.5 kilograms) of fentanyl at the Canadian border
during the last budget year, compared with 21,100 pounds (9,570 kilograms) at the Mexican border. Hassett stressed that the reciprocal tariffs would be in addition to the ones being placed on Canada and Mexico.
Trump indicated Wednesday that European countries would also face a 25 percent tariff as part of his reciprocal tariffs. He also wants separate tariffs on autos, computer chips and pharmaceutical drugs that would be levied in addition to the reciprocal tariffs.
The president already announced that he’s removing the exemptions on his 2018 steel and aluminum tariffs, in addition to planning taxes on copper imports.
The prospect of a broader trade conflict should other nations follow through with their own retaliatory tariffs is already spooking US consumers, potentially undermining Trump’s promise to unleash stronger economic growth.
The Conference Board reported on Tuesday that its consumer confidence index had dropped 7 points to a reading of 98.3. It was the largest monthly decline since August 2021, when inflationary pressures began to reverberate across the United States as the economy recovered from the coronavirus pandemic. Average 12-month inflation expectations jumped from 5.2 percent to 6 percent in February, the Conference Board noted.
“There was a sharp increase in the mentions of trade and tariffs, back to a level unseen since 2019,” said Stephanie Guichard, a senior economist at the Conference Board. “Most notably, comments on the current administration and its policies dominated the responses.”
The Associated Press writers Didi Tang and Rob Gillies contributed to this report. Sanchez reported from Mexico City.
Israel and Hamas have begun negotiating next phase of Gaza ceasefire, Egypt says
By Mohammad Jahjouh, Wafaa Shurafa & Natalie Melzer The Associated Press
KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip—Negotiations between Israel and Hamas on the next phase of the Gaza ceasefire began Thursday, Egypt said, averting a collapse ahead of Saturday’s expiration of the agreement’s first phase.
Officials from Israel, Qatar and the United States started “intensive discussions” on the ceasefire’s second phase in Cairo, Egypt’s state information service said.
“The mediators are also discussing ways to enhance the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, as part of efforts to alleviate the suffering of the population and support stability in the region,” its statement said.
Phase 2 talks are meant to negotiate an end to the war, including the return of all remaining hostages in Gaza who are alive, and the withdrawal of all Israeli troops from the territory. Return of remaining deceased hostages would happen in Phase 3. According to Israel, there are 59 remaining hostages—24 of whom are still believed to be alive. It will be difficult to reconcile a deal with the war objectives of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has called for dismantling Hamas’ governing and military capabilities. After suffering heavy losses in the war, Hamas has nonetheless emerged intact during the ceasefire, and the group says it will not give up its weapons.
Hours before talks began, an Israeli official said the country would not withdraw from a strategic corridor in the Gaza Strip as called for under the ceasefire, a refusal that could severely complicate negotiations with Hamas and key mediator Egypt at a sensitive moment for the fragile truce.
Overnight, Hamas released the remains of four hostages in exchange for over 600 Palestinian prisoners, the last planned swap of the ceasefire’s first phase. US President Donald Trump’s Mideast envoy, Steve Witkoff, was expected in the region in the coming days.
‘Blatant violation’ AN Israeli official, speaking on condition of anonymity in line with regulations, said the army needed to remain in the so-called Philadelphi corridor, on the Gaza side of the border with Egypt, to prevent weapons smuggling. Separately, Defense Minister Israel Katz said at a meeting with local leaders that he had seen tunnels penetrating the border on a recent visit to the corridor, without providing evidence or elaborating on Israel’s plans. Egypt says it destroyed the smuggling tunnels from its side years ago and set up a military buffer zone to halt smuggling. Hamas said any Israeli attempt to maintain a buffer zone in the corridor would be a “blatant violation” of the ceasefire agreement. The militant group says that sticking to the agreement is the only way for Israel to secure the release of dozens of
“Israel,”
PRESIDENT Donald Trump stands before British Prime Minister Keir Starmer arrives at the White House, Thursday, February 27, 2025, in Washington. AP/EVAN VUCCI
www.businessmirror.com.ph
With flattery and frank talk, Starmer urges Trump not to abandon Ukraine in press to end Russian war
By Jill Lawless & Aamer Madhani The Associated Press
WASHINGTON—British
Prime Minister Keir Starmer used a visit to Washington on Thursday to press President Donald Trump not to abandon Ukraine as he looks to find a quick endgame to Russia’s bloody invasion of its neighbor.
With a mix of flattery and frank talk, the center-left Starmer made the case to the Republican president to remain cautious as he goes about ending the biggest conflict in Europe since World War II. The British premier started the visit by delivering an invitation from King Charles III to come to Scotland for a “historic” state visit—noting it was an “unprecedented” honor since Trump already had been given the royal treatment by Queen Elizabeth II during his first term.
“You’ve created a moment of tremendous opportunity to reach a historic peace deal—a deal that I think would be celebrated in Ukraine and around the world,” Starmer told Trump. “That is the prize. But we have to get it right.” Trump said that talks to end the grinding war are “very well advanced” but also cautioned that there is only a narrow window to get a deal done.
“If it doesn’t happen quickly, it may not happen at all,” Trump warned.
Starmer’s visit came after French President Emmanuel Macron was in Washington earlier this week to make a similar case to Trump, and a day before Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is scheduled to visit the White House. The British leader leaned into the idea that Trump was the glue to maintaining the peace in Ukraine should the three-year war end. The press by Starmer and Macron this week reflects the mounting concern felt by much of Europe that Trump’s aggressive push to find an end to the war signals his willingness to concede too much to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Some of Trump’s comments during Starmer’s visit may only add to Europe’s anxiety. The American
Israel. . .
Continued from A10
hostages still held in Gaza.
Israel was supposed to begin withdrawing from the Philadelphi corridor on Saturday, the last day of the first phase, and complete it within eight days. There was no immediate comment about the corridor from Egypt, which is opposed to any Israeli presence on the Gaza side of its border.
Remains of 4 hostages identified T HE remains released Thursday were confirmed to be those of Ohad Yahalomi, Itzhak Elgarat, Shlomo Mantzur and Tsachi Idan, according to the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, which represents families of the captives.
Mantzur, 85, was killed in Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack that triggered the war, and his body was taken into the territory. Israel said the other three were killed in captivity, without elaborating.
“Our hearts ache upon receiving the bitter news,” Israeli President Isaac Herzog said. “In this painful moment, there is some solace in knowing that they will be laid to rest in dignity in Israel.”
French President Emmanuel Macron
leader expressed confidence that Putin won’t press to restart the war if a truce can be reached.
“I think he’ll keep his word,” Trump said of Putin. “I’ve spoken to him, I’ve known him for a long time now, we had to go through the Russian hoax together.”
The mention of “Russia hoax” is a reference to the FBI and Justice Department special counsel investigation that examined whether Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign illegally coordinated with Russia to sway the outcome of the US election.
Special counsel Robert Mueller found that although the Trump campaign welcomed Russia’s help in the form of the release of hacked emails stolen from Democrats, there was insufficient evidence to prove that the campaign had colluded with Moscow.
After the joint conference, Starmer was asked during an interview with Fox News Channel if he was worried about Putin not living up to any eventual agreement and responded, “I’m concerned about that because, historically, thaw t’s been the case.”
He said Putin’s history of reneging on agreements means that Britain and the rest of Europe will have to join with the United States to make sure the Russian president follows through this time.
“We all need to come together to defend the deal if there is a deal,” Starmer said.
Trump’s rapprochement with Russia has nonetheless unsettled America’s historic allies in Europe. They have found themselves on their heels with Trump returning to the White House with a determination to dramatically make over US foreign policy to correspond with his “America First” world view.
said he shared the “immense pain” of the family and loved ones of Yahalomi, who had French citizenship.
Hamas confirmed that over 600 prisoners had been released overnight. Most were detainees returned to Gaza, where they had been rounded up after the Oct. 7 attack and held without charge on security suspicions.
Israel releases dozens of women and teenagers DOZENS of Palestinian teenagers as well as women detained by Israel in Gaza were released Thursday back to hugs and tears from their loved ones.
The teenagers looked gaunt and skinny as they disembarked from Red Cross buses in the southern town of Khan Younis. Many fell into the arms of relatives, who spent days waiting for them after Israel held up their release last weekend to protest what it called cruel treatment of hostages by Hamas during their releases. Women cried and hugged the boys.
The Palestinian prisoners club, a group representing current and former prisoners, said those released into Gaza Thursday were 44 male teenagers aged 15-19 and two women.
In a separate prisoner release overnight, some fell to their knees in gratitude after disembarking in Khan Younis. In the West
The Trump administration held talks last week with Russia without Ukrainian or other European allies represented. And this week, the US refused to sign on to resolutions at the United Nations blaming Russia for the war. The drifting White House view of Ukraine under Trump is leading to a tectonic shift in transatlantic relations.
Starmer applauded Trump’s push to end Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, but also urged that “it can’t be peace that rewards the aggressor.”
“History must be on the side of the peacemaker, not the invader,” Starmer said.
At their White House meeting, Trump and Zelenskyy are expected to sign off on a contentious agreement that would give the US access to Ukraine’s critical minerals, which are used in the aerospace, defense and nuclear industries. Zelenskyy had chafed at a deal without specific security guarantees from Washington.
Trump remains noncommittal about any coming American security guarantees, and insists that Russia would think twice about attacking again should the US build an economic footprint in Ukraine to extract critical minerals.
“We are a backstop because we’ll be over there, we’ll be working in the country,” Trump said.
If a truce can be reached, Starmer and Macron have agreed to send troops for a potential peacekeeping mission to Ukraine to ensure that fighting between Ukraine and Russia doesn’t flare up again.
But White House officials are skeptical that Britain and France can assemble enough troops from across Europe, at least at this moment, to deploy a credible peacekeeping mission to Kyiv.
Zelenskyy, while en route to Washington, met on Thursday with Ireland’s prime minister, Micheál Martin, who said he told Zelenskyy
Bank town of Beitunia, dozens of prisoners were welcomed by crowds of relatives and well-wishers.
Israel had delayed the release of the prisoners on Saturday over Hamas’ practice of parading hostages before crowds and cameras during their release. Israel, along with the Red Cross and U.N. officials, have called the ceremonies humiliating for the hostages.
Hamas released the four bodies to the Red Cross in Gaza overnight without a public ceremony.
The prisoners released Thursday included 445 men, 21 teenagers and one woman, according to lists shared by Palestinian officials that did not specify their ages. Only around 50 Palestinians were released into the occupied West Bank and east Jerusalem in this round, while dozens sentenced to life over deadly attacks against Israelis were exiled.
Truce in peril
THE latest handover was the final one planned under the ceasefire’s first sixweek phase, which expires this weekend. Hamas has returned 33 hostages, including eight bodies, in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to return all the hostages and destroy the military and governing
that Ireland is open to helping, including sending peacekeepers to Ukraine.
Zelenskyy and European officials have no illusions about US troops taking part in such a mission.
But Starmer and others are trying to make the case that the plan can only work with a US backstop for European forces on the ground— through US aerial intelligence, surveillance and support, as well as rapid-response cover in case of breaches of a truce.
Trump is also looking at the moment as an opportunity to potentially reopen economic relations with Russia after three years of USled sanctions to punish Moscow for the invasion.
Starmer is hosting a Sunday meeting in the United Kingdom of international leaders that will focus on Ukraine, and Zelenskyy is expected to attend. The prime minister also announced plans this week for the UK to bolster defense spending, something that should sit well with Trump, who has been critical that European allies are spending too little on defense.
Starmer’s government will increase military spending to 2.5 percent of gross domestic product by 2027, years earlier than expected, and aim to reach 3 percent by 2035. The US spends about 3.3 percent of its GDP on defense.
“The disaster in Ukraine shows exactly why it’s so important for the United Kingdom and other NATO partners to make large investments in their defense capabilities,” Trump said. “You’re raising it quite a bit, which is a great thing to do for your country. It’s a great thing to do. It’s sad that we need that, but probably need that.”
The Associated Press writers Panagiotis Pylas in London and Eric Tucker contributed to this report.
capabilities of Hamas, which remains in control of Gaza. The Trump administration has endorsed both goals.
But it’s unclear how Israel would destroy Hamas without resuming the war, and Hamas is unlikely to release the remaining hostages—its main bargaining chips— without a lasting ceasefire.
The ceasefire, brokered by the United States, Egypt and Qatar, ended 15 months of war that erupted after Hamas’ 2023 attack on southern Israel that killed about 1,200 people. About 250 people were taken hostage.
Israel’s military offensive has killed more than 48,000 Palestinians, according to Palestinian health officials, who don’t differentiate between civilian and combatant deaths but say over half the dead have been women and children.
The fighting displaced an estimated 90 percent of Gaza’s population and decimated the territory’s infrastructure and health system.
At least 8 wounded in suspected car attack in Israel IN northern Israel, police said a driver rammed his car into people at a highway bus stop, wounding at least eight Thursday in what authorities believe was a militant attack.
Pope Francis shows steady improvement, remains under care as prognosis awaited
By Nicole Winfield & Silvia Stellacci The Associated Press
ROME—Pope Francis continued to improve from double pneumonia
Thursday, the Vatican said, working from his hospital room and going to his private chapel to pray, though doctors said he needs more days of “clinical stability” before they revise their guarded prognosis.
The 88-year-old pope, who had part of one lung removed as a young man, was able to begin alternating high-flow supplemental oxygen, delivered by a nasal tube, with a mask in a sign of his improved respiratory condition, the Vatican said in a late update.
For the second day in a row, doctors avoided saying Francis was in critical condition. But they said that given the complexity of his lung infection, “further days of clinical stability are needed” before they revise their prognosis and decide he is out of danger.
Francis has been in Rome’s Gemelli hospital since February 14 after a bout of bronchitis worsened.
He has shown steady, albeit slight improvements since a respiratory crisis and kidney trouble over the weekend sparked fears for his life. The improvements, as he nears the two-week mark on Friday, beat back speculation of an imminent death, resignation or conclave and signaled that he was still very much in charge.
Upcoming calendar in question
NEVERTHELESS , his near-term upcoming calendar of events was being changed:
The Vatican cancelled a Holy Year audience scheduled for Saturday, and it remained to be seen if Francis would skip his Sunday noon blessing for the third week in a row. Longer term, Ash Wednesday loomed on the horizon March 5, the start of the church’s Lenten season leading up to Holy Week and Easter, which this year falls on April 20.
In past years, when Francis has battled bronchitis and influenza in winter, he has had to cut back his participation in Ash Wednesday and Holy Week events, which call for the pope to be outdoors in the cold leading services, participating in processions and presiding over prayers in the solemn period in which the faithful commemorate Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection.
Beyond that, Francis has a few major events coming up that he presumably would hope to keep if well enough. On April 27, he is due to canonize Carlo Acutis, considered to be the first millennial and digital-era saint. The Vatican considers the Italian teenager,
Police said they had “neutralized” the suspect, who they described as a 53-yearold Palestinian from the northern West Bank who lived in Israel and was married to an Israeli citizen.
who died of leukemia in 2006 at the age of 15, as an inspiring role model for today’s young Catholics.
Another important appointment is the May 24 commemoration of the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicea, Christianity’s first ecumenical council. The spiritual leader of the world’s Orthodox Christians, Patriarch Bartholomew I, has invited Francis to join him in what is today’s Iznik, Turkey to commemorate the anniversary, which he has called an important sign of reconciliation between the Catholic and Orthodox churches. Before he got sick, Francis said he hoped to go, though the Vatican hasn’t confirmed the trip.
Prayers nevertheless continue PRAYERS for his heath continued to pour in from near and far, with a group of Mexican pilgrims in Rome for the Holy Year taking a detour to pray for Francis outside the Gemelli hospital.
Lili Iparea Fernandez, from La Cruz, Mexico, had come to Rome with plans to attend Francis’Wednesday general audience this week, but it was cancelled.
“However, we firmly believe that the pope will recover because he is a very strong man,” she said Thursday outside Gemelli. “So, I invite everyone to believe firmly, with certainty, with confidence, with hope that the pope is going to be well.”
Francis keeps governing while being treated BY now a certain rhythm appears to have emerged from the Vatican’s updates: The pope receives treatments in the morning, including respiratory physiotherapy, receives the Eucharist and resumes work in the afternoon from his hospital room. On Thursday, the Vatican said he had gone to the chapel located down the hall in the papal suite on the 10th floor of Gemelli to pray.
It was the first time since February 21, before Francis’ weekend respiratory crisis, that he is known to have gone to the chapel. The Vatican said Wednesday that he had appointed four new bishops and approved the creation of a new fundraising initiative to encourage donations to the Holy See, which has been enduring a financial crisis for years.
Francis likely approved the bishop appointments a while back and the new norms for the fundraising entity were approved February 11, before he was hospitalized. But the announcements made them official and suggested Francis was still very much in charge and governing.
Medical workers said the ramming injured at least eight people, two in serious condition, who they evacuated to the hospital.
Shurafa reported from Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip and Melzer from Nahariya, Israel. Associated Press writer Josef Federman in Jerusalem contributed to this report.
PRESIDENT Donald Trump meets with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, left, at the White House, Thursday, February 27, 2025, in Washington. CARL COURT/POOL VIA AP
IN line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s vision of strengthening grassroots sports development in the country, the Department of Education (DepEd) announced on Friday the inclusion of weightlifting, pole vault for secondary girls, and pencak silat in the 65th Palarong Pambansa.
Education Secretary Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara made the announcement during the opening ceremony of the 2025 Cordillera Administrative Region Athletic Association (CARAA) Sports Meet on Sunday.
Angara emphasized that weightlifting will debut as a demonstration sport, while pole vault for secondary girls will be a regular event in athletics. Pencak Silat, meanwhile, will be introduced as a regular sports after being a demo sport since 2017.
“In the upcoming Palarong Pambansa, we will have weightlifting for the first time, with no less than Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz as our resource person. Out young athletes are lucky. It is your chance to try out these sports,” Angara said.
Diaz, a four-time Olympian, expressed her excitement over weightlifting’s inclusion in the Palarong Pambansa, following her historic gold medal win at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
“I have long hoped for my sport to once again be part of the biggest national sporting event for studentathletes in the Philippines. Now, it’s finally happening. Thanks for the help and support from the Department of Education Sec. Sonny Angara, the Palarong Pambansa Board, and the Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas,” Diaz said.
Last year, Angara met with Diaz and world No. 4 pole vaulter EJ Obiena on separate occasions to explore the possibility of including their proposed events in the Palaro. Months later, their vision is set to become reality, expanding opportunities for young Filipino athletes to excel in new disciplines.
Kickboxing will also be featured as an exhibition sport, further diversifying this year’s Palarong Pambansa lineup.
Hosted by the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte, led by Governor Matthew Manotoc, in collaboration with DepEd-Region I and the Schools Division Office of Ilocos Norte, the 65th Palarong Pambansa will gather around 15,000 participants from 18 delegations, including the National Academy of Sports on May 24 to 31, in Ilocos Norte.
Adding to the festivities, Palaro ng Lahi/Larong Pinoy will also be featured to promote traditional Filipino games and preserve the rich cultural heritage of indigenous communities among the nation’s youth. Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco
UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas and Adamson University collide in an explosive match-up featuring the league’s top scorers Angge Poyos and Shai Nitura in the University Atheltic Association of the Philippines Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Defending champion National University takes on University of the East in the other match.
Poyos, second behind Nitura in scoring, is looking forward to their first-ever showdown in college as the Tigresses and the Lady Falcons vie for their third win at 2 p.m.
“Actually, Shai and I have faced each other during our high school days in the UAAP, so, I really expect her to be good and have a lot of variations in her shot,” said Poyos, who led UST to a championship appearance in her rookie season last year.
“I expect the team to have a good match against Adamson team.”
Nitura has made waves in three matches in college, highlighted by her 33-point performance, the highest scoring performance by any rookie ever
TBy Josef T. Ramos
HERE will be no roster shakeup, Gilas Pilipinas coach Tim Cone says as focus will be on improving defense in preparation for the International Basketball Association (FIBA) Asia Cup set for August 5 to 17 in Jeddah. While the Philippines clearly missed big man Kai Sotto in the disastrous campaign in the final Asia Cup qualifying window last week, Gilas actually struggled to play team defense which resulted
Nitura, Poyos face off as Adamson battles UST
in the league, in a five-set match on opening weekend against Ateneo.
The former UAAP girls MVP, who led the Baby Falcons to a breakthrough championship last year, is looking forward to meeting again some of her former high school rivals from the Junior Tigresses program.
“We’ve competed with the other players before, but of course, they’re training, they’re improving, it’s the same with other teams. We’re going to train more to improve more,” said Nitura.
UST and Adamson are in a three-way tie for second with idle University of the Philippines at 2-1.
The Lady Bulldogs are the only unbeaten team with a 3-0 record.
The Tigresses are coming off a 2513, 22-25, 13-25, 25-23, 15-13 win over La Salle.
The Lady Falcons scored a quick 2520, 25-15, 25-12 over the University of the East Lady Warriors.
NU is not taking UE lightly in the other women’s match at 4 p.m.
in back-to-back losses to Chinese-Taipei, 84-91, and New Zealand, 70-87.
“We just did not defend well all the way through,” Cone said. “We didn’t play well, and we didn’t defend well. If I could do it again, I would make sure that we get locked in defensively before we get locked into the triangle.”
Despite the beatings, Gilas Pilipinas still qualified for the Fiba Asia Cup with a 4-2 win-loss slate in Group B, enough to secure a spot in the Middle East tournament where the tournament’s official draw is set
“I always tell the players that whether the opponent is strong or not, it’s just one point at a time. So, whether it’s UE, FEU, La Salle, or
on April 8 also in Jeddah. Cone added that they would not be tweaking the team’s line-up after those losses, noting to reporters that: “We came in with a program, we came in with an idea, and we are not going to change it at first panic unless there are guys out there that don’t want to join us anymore.” Gilas was led by Justin Brownlee, CJ Perez, Chris Newsome, June Mar Fajardo and Dwight Ramos in the third window. Also on the roster were Carl Tamayo, Japeth Aguilar, Scottie Thomp -
ABAP pleased to see IOC take key step toward keeping
level. The real vote is on the March 20 IOC General Assembly session, but this is a huge step already,”
ABAP Secretary-General Marcus Jarwin Manalo said.
“March 20 is hopefully just a matter of formality. This is one step closer to boxing’s return to the Olympics.”
Manalo added that the IOC has been satisfied so far as World Boxing has established four continental confederations.
World Boxing also applied the sports integrity process during the Paris Olympic games last year, obtained Alliance of Independent Recognized Members of Sports (AIMS) membership, completed the structure and documentation of good governance, recognized the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) jurisdiction and successfully applied for the World Anti-Doping Code Signatory Status.
“We want boxing to remain in the Olympic program. This is why we became a founding member of World Boxing, this is the vision,” Manalo added.
On February 11, Vargas, as a board member of Asian Boxing, went to Har -
whoever, that’s always our reminder. We really prepare for it. It doesn’t matter who the opponent is, what’s important is that you fight them
son, Kevin Quiambao, AJ Edu, Calvin Oftana and Jamie Malonzo. Sotto’s absence due to anterior cruciate ligament injury was a major blow to the national’s campaign. He averaged 15.5 points, 12.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 2.3 blocks in the Philippines’ undefeated run in the first four games of the Asia Cup qualification. Sotto sustained the injury during his game with Koshigaya Alphas in January in a Japanese B. League game against Sea Horses Mikawa.
boxing in Olympics
bin, China to spearhead the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Asian Boxing and the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) as the new Asian Confederation under World Boxing. Paris Olympic bronze medalist flyweight Aira Villegas welcomed the latest development, saying: “Personally, I am very happy to learn the latest huge development. I’m so thankful and blessed because our young boxers can now train hard to give glory to our country.”
Villegas is one of the Filipino medalists in the Paris games along with fellow boxer Nes thy Petecio, also a feath erweight bronze winner, and double Olympic gold medalist gymnast Carlos Yulo.
AIBA was suspended by the IOC in 2019 because of governance, financial and refereeing issues before being com pletely banned in June 2023 for their failure to comply with IOC require ments, paving the way for the forma tion of World Boxing also during that year.
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PHILIPPINE boxers and officials hope to get the chance to deliver medals again for the country when the Olympics is held in Los Angeles in 2028. AP