Manila Standard - 2025 March 18 - Tuesday

By Charles Dantes and Nash Maulana

PNP resurrecting probe into PCSO official's slay

By Rex Espiritu

By Rio N. Araja

A REQUEST for the interim release of former President Rodrigo Duterte is not likely to be granted as he poses a flight risk and may end up intimidating witnesses, a lawyer accredited by the International Criminal Court said yesterday.

THuman rights advocates have also called on the ICC to keep Duterte in detention, citing a surge in online harassment and hate campaigns targeting families of EJK victims and witnesses.

“They will have a hard time securing an interim release, especially since the former President is a flight risk,”

HE Philippine National Police (PNP) is reopening its investigation into the 2020 murder of Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) board secretary Wesley Barayuga.

By Ram Superable

SENATOR Imee Marcos will begin on March 20 an “urgent” investigation into the arrest of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.

On Sunday, PNP Chief Police General Rommel Francisco Marbil said he ordered the reopening of the cold case after whistleblower Police Lt. Col. Santie Mendoza told the House Quad Committee that he helped carry out the killing at the behest of ex-PCSO general manager Royina Garma. Mendoza narrated before congressmen how Garma allegedly facilitated the PCSO official’s roadside assassination on July 30, 2020 by providing the necessary information about his schedule, details about his vehicle and the funding necessary to carry it out.

"It is imperative to establish whether due process was followed and to ensure that his legal rights were not upheld but protected," the senator said in a statement yesterday.

The whistleblower also implicated incumbent National Police Commissioner Edilberto Leonardo in the planning of the murder.

Barayuga was a retired police general and lawyer who supposedly threatened to expose corruption with-

Marcos, who also chairs the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, emphasized the need for clarity on how Philippine law enforcement agencies

SolGen declines to defend gov’t execs over ICC arrest

Cites ‘firm position’ on ICC jurisdiction over PH

By Pot Chavez and Charles Dantes

SOLICITOR

General Menardo

Guevarra has declined to represent state agencies in petitions for habeas corpus filed by the children of former President Rodrigo Duterte that question the actions of government officials that led to the latter's arrest and transfer to The Hague.

In his manifestation of recusal received by the Supreme Court Monday afternoon, Guevarra said: "Considering the OSG's firm position that the ICC is barred from exercising jurisdiction over the Philippines and that the country's investigative, prosecutorial, and judicial system is functioning as it should, the OSG may not be able to effectively represent Respondents in these cases and is constrained to recuse itself from participating therein.”

It was Duterte's former chief legal counsel, Salvador Panelo, who first posted a copy of the six-page manifestation on social media.

Panelo said Guevarra's move implied the surrender of Duterte to Interpol based on an ICC warrant was illegal and unconstitutional.

• Carpio: SC ruled ICC covers crimes 'til 2019

• Ex-ICC judge: Legality of arrest won't affect case

• Palace: Justice greater than 'utang na loob'

standby fund is also available for utilization by the DSWD, including P123 mil

Yang's lawyer mocks probers amid heated inquiry

businessman Tony Yang sought to disparage lawmakers’ conclusions about his client’s supposedly sketchy past and his alleged ties with Philippine Overseas Gaming Operators (POGOs) and even organized crime.

questioned the House Quad Committee’s impartiality and its ability to pin Chinese national Yang down for ay wrongdoing in a real criminal court.

Yang’s first appearance and his subsequent activities at the Quad Comm hearing.

“I am very interested in how they [Quad Comm members] can prove this criminal network in court. In Congress, lawmakers act as both prosecutor and judge,” he said. Yang, who already admitted having a fake Philippine birth certificate, is the brother of Michael Yang, a presidential economic

have connections with the Baofu Compound in Bamban, Tarlac, which, in turn, can be directly traced to disgraced ex-mayor Alice Guo.

By Darwin Amojelar

TRANSPORTATION Secretary Jaime Bautista denied an online news report claiming that Malacañang was angry with the increase in airport fees without the approval of the Cabinet members.

“The Bilyonaryo article is malicious and unfounded,” Bautista said in a Viber message, referring to the website that published the said story. “Bilyonaryo is inconsistent,” he added. Bilyonaryo reported online that “Bautista and his long-time protege in Philippine Airlines, Undersecretary for Aviation and Airports Bobby Lim, are at the center of the storm after it was

By Rex Espiritu

By Ram Superable

“We saw a pattern, and we tracked it to the top of these corporations... we stripped it of its layers , to get to the top and through it all, we have discovered and identified at least two main actors or players in the issue

Navy spokes debunks China claim of military exercises in Scarborough shoal

During Friday’s Quad Comm hearing, lawmakers cited Tony Yang in contempt for “lying” to about his businesses and business partners.

THE Philippine Navy debunked on Sunday the recent announcement by China that it conducted military exercises off Bajo de Masinloc, also known as Scarborough Shoal, in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). China reportedly made the announcement coinciding with the fourth Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity between the Philippines, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and the United States within Manila’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the regional waters over the weekend. Philippine Navy Spokesperson for WPS Rear Admiral Roy Vin -

cent Trinidad told reporters that Manila troops did not monitor any such activity, adding that Beijing’s statement was meant only for its internal audience.

By Rachelle Tonelada

“Our troops did not observe any exercise, we have to understand that sometimes, China is doing this for their internal audience, right? For them not to look weak and embarrassed,” Trinidad said.

FORMER presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, who faces a standing contempt order from the House of Representatives in the Philippines, has announced his intention to seek asylum in the

Speaking to reporters, Roque said he could not return to the Philippines and would be filing for asylum to

Two Chinese warships were monitored at a distance ranging from eight to 14 nautical miles. One of these went up to 1,000 yards at the MMCA site but eventually went away. “It was not threatening, just normal,” accord -

THE Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) is questioning the appointment of Abdulraof Macacua as Interim

Chief Minister of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) stating that the decision was made despite previous resolutions supporting the retention of MILF leader Ebrahim Murad.

A2

ICC case won’t delay impeach trial—Chiz

SENATE President Francis"Chiz" Escudero yesterday dismissed speculations that the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte would affect the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte.

"I see no connection between the two and there is no reason to delay whatever the Senate should do in relation to our work here and whatever is happening in

“It’s an admission that the ICC has no jurisdiction over the Philippines coming from the government’s lawyer,” Panelo said.

Former Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, however, remided Guevarra that the Supreme Court has already ruled on the issue of ICC jurisdiction.

"The Supreme Court has already unanimously ruled that the ICC retains jurisdiction over offenses committed while the Philippines was still a member of the Rome Statute. The SolGen cannot simply gloss over this unanimous decision of the Supreme Court,” Carpio said.

“He (Guevarra) could also have cited RA 9851 (An Act Defining and Penalizing Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide and Other Crimes Against Humanity) which allows the government to surrender Duterte to the ICC even if the Philippines has withdrawn from the Rome Statute,” he added.

Rody’s...

From A1

said ICC-accredited lawyer and Center for International Law chairperson Joel Butuyan in a television interview yesterday.

“There’s also the possibility that witnesses may be intimidated or antagonized, and evidence against him may be tampered with,” he said.

Rise Up for Life and for Rights, a group advocating for justice for drug war victims, warned that Duterte’s continued influence and the actions of his supporters pose serious threats to those seeking accountability.

“The volume of these incidents [is] incontrovertible evidence that Rodrigo Duterte himself and the hate and violent culture he enables remain a threat to victims who dare to speak up or testify,” said Rise Up coordinator Rubylin Litao.

Bato....

From A1

Escudero emphasized that protecting a fellow senator is not about defying the law but ensuring due process is followed.

Dela Rosa has publicly declared that he would seek “Senate protection” if an arrest warrant is issued, though he said he would surrender once legal options are depleted.

"It’s not in the law, but it is part of the Senate rules and based on institutional courtesy. It’s not meant to last forever, only until he is given enough time for his judicial remedies to be clarified or decided," Escudero reminded.

Critics argue the campaign enabled extrajudicial killings, while supporters say it reduced crime and drug activity. Dela Rosa maintains his actions

Roque....

From A1

continue defending former President Rodrigo Duterte at the International Criminal Court (ICC).

“I’m formally announcing that after a meeting today, I’m filing for asylum here in the Netherlands. As soon as my asylum application is received, I will have rights to non-refoulement,” Roque said.

According to him, non-refoulement under international law guarantees that he cannot be deported while his asylum application is under review and also shields him from prosecution for illegal entry.

Earlier on Monday, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro challenged Roque to return to the Philippines after he was seen in the Hague. At least two leaders of the House Quad Committee also want the Bureau

The Hague," Escudero said in a briefing at the Senate. The Senate is scheduled to handle the impeachment case vs. the Vice

“Mechanisms that safeguard human rights and protect against grave offenses sought to be addressed by the Rome Statute remain formally in place in this jurisdiction. Further, the International Criminal Court retains jurisdiction over any and all acts committed by government actors until March 17, 2019. Hence, withdrawal from the Rome Statute does not affect the liabilities of individuals charged before the International Criminal Court for acts committed up to this date,” the High Court ruled in March 2021.

Duterte withdrew the Philippines from the ICC in 2019, following the court’s move to investigate alleged extrajudicial killings linked to his antidrug campaign.

In its arrest warrant, the ICC said there were "reasonable grounds to believe" at least 19 people had been murdered in the city by members of the "Davao Death Squad" headed by Duterte.

Additionally, based on the warrant, at least 24 people were killed by Philippines police in various locations.

As this developed, Carpio and for-

“His penchant for revenge is strong. His record shows his propensity to incite people to take revenge and inflict violence, and, sadly, this has seeped into the minds and behaviors of many,” Litao added.

Human rights lawyer and registered ICC Assistant to Counsel Kristina Conti warned there were potential legal implications of the “bullying” behavior of Duterte supporters against the EJK victims’ relatives.

She said under Article 70 of the Rome Statute, offenses against the administration of justice—including threats, intimidation, or retaliation against witnesses and court officials— can lead to additional charges.

"If many believe that due process can be disregarded as long as those labeled as 'scourges of society' are eliminated, this proves that the attacks are systematic. These are the very elements that establish crimes against humanity,”

were lawful, arguing that police followed proper procedures.

Escudero, meanwhile, hopes the situation does not further divide Filipinos, emphasizing the need to handle the matter with unity and respect for the law.

He added that any ICC warrant against Duterte or Dela Rosa should be addressed peacefully and legally.

Former PNP chief Oscar Albayalde meanwhile said he is preparing for the possible arrest warrant from the ICC.

“Well, let's just wait because that is just all speculation as of this time,” Albayalde told Super Radyo dzBB in an interview. "Although, we are preparing for that. We can exhaust all legal means. But at the end of the day, it is still the government's decision.”

Asked if he will face his possible case before the ICC, Albayalde said he will if this is the decision of the Philippine government.

of Immigration (BI) and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to explain how was able to leave the Philippines despite a contempt and detention order issued by the mega-panel against him last September for skipping its hearings.

Quad Comm co-chairperson and ABANG LINGKOD Party List Representative Joseph Stephen Paduano said he will move to invite the representatives of the DFA and the BI in the mega-panel’s next hearing, tentatively scheduled on Friday.

Roque however has disputed this, saying that "the arrest warrant issued by Congress was only for a resource person to attend a meeting and submit documents... I have not committed any crime that would justify the issuance of a warrant of arrest by the Legislature.”

He further claimed that the investigation into POGOs was politically motivated and aimed at discrediting Duterte.

President a day after the resumption of its session on June 2.

"There is no law that we will postpone the impeachment because there is an ICC-related factor. There is no law that says we will postpone the impeachment because there is a protest action. There is no such basis to change any desire or direction of the schedule that we want to take right now," the Senate President explained.

mer ICC judge Raul Pangalangan said the circumstances surrounding the arrest of any suspect wanted by international courts have no bearing on jurisdiction.

"In the history of international criminal law, the biggest cases in this field have not inquired into the legality of the manner by which the accused is brought before the tribunal," said Pangalangan, now a member of the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague.

He cited Adolf Eichmann, who was "basically kidnapped" from Latin America and brought to Israel to be tried for the crimes committed in WWII.

"The court basically said: We have jurisdiction over the crime charged, material jurisdiction – jurisdiction over the person accused,” Pangalangan said.

Carpio said Duterte’s lawyers may question the ICC 's jurisdiction but he expressed doubt that such a move would prosper.

“Whether the arrest is illegal or not, it will not deprive the ICC of jurisdiction to hear and decide on the complaint against former president Duterte,” he said.

she said in Filipino.

Conti emphasized the ongoing climate of intimidation only strengthens the need for the former leader’s continued detention, as allowing Duterte interim release could interfere with the judicial process.

Butuyan said while the ICC allows detainees to apply for interim release pending trial, the defense camp must be able to show the request was an “extreme and urgent necessity.”

“If he argues on the basis of his health, the ICC will conduct an independent medical evaluation. Last Friday, the presiding judge declared him mentally and physically fit,” Butuyan said.

On Monday, Duterte's former spokesman Harry Roque, also an ICCaccredited lawyer, said his client was brought to the “clinic” of the ICC, but he did not disclose the condition of the former President.

“He is currently in a so-called clinic

Imee...

From A1

"The Senate must address these critical concerns to uphold the country’s jurisdiction and to clarify policies governing our law enforcement agencies and their engagement with international tribunals," she said.

"Our sovereignty and legal processes must remain paramount," Marcos emphasized.

The senator disclosed that she invited key officials from the Philippine National Police, the Department of Justice, the Department of Foreign Affairs, and other agencies, as resource persons in the probe.

Duterte’s arrest, which the senator describes as having "deeply divided the nation," was carried out upon the former president’s arrival in Manila from Hong Kong last March 11.

Authorities confirmed the arrest was based on a warrant issued by the ICC for alleged crimes against humanity linked to Duterte’s controversial antidrug campaign.

ICC.... From A1

Khan was responsible for securing arrest warrants against Duterte, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for alleged crimes against humanity.

Niang has held senior positions in the Senegalese judicial system.

He has extensive international experience within the United Nations system, serving in various positions at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), Regional Representative of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime in Southern Africa, and Judge at the Appeals Chamber of

Escudero also said the impeachment case will not be delayed or affected by the arrest of Sen. Ronald 'Bato' dela Rosa.

"I see no reason for the proceedings to be delayed. At least he won't be late," said Escudero, referring to dela Rosa in case he decides to seek sanctuary at the Senate premises. Escudero has also said dela Rosa cannot be arrested in the Senate's premises.

“The rule in the ICC is very clear. Even if you are illegally arrested by the surrendering state, the ICC will still acquire jurisdiction of you when you are handed over to the ICC because the ICC has nothing to do with the illegal arrest that was done by the surrendering state,” Carpio added.

On Friday, during Duterte's first appearance via video conferencing before the ICC pre-trial chamber, his counsel Salvador Medialdea insisted that his client was “kidnapped.”

"He was summarily transported to The Hague. To lawyers it's extrajudicial rendition. For less legal minds it's pure and simple kidnapping," Medialdea said.

ICC Presiding Judge Iulia Motoc, however, said: “There will be a full procedure that will unfurl leading up to the confirmation of charges that will enable Mr. Duterte to raise all the matters that you have just raised with regard to the warrant of arrest, with regard to the crimes committed, with regard to the charges and any other matters associated with his arrest and the matters of jurisdiction of the court."

of the facility because he’s being monitored. The problem was his medicines were lacking,” Roque said in a virtual press briefing. “Although the doctors there know his medicine, what I last heard was that they were providing him with substitute medicine. That’s why last night, we delivered his actual medicines, along with a letter and prescription, so that he won’t be given substitute medicines,” he added.

Duterte was also provided with slippers and socks, and his meal request for rice was also approved, Roque said.

In his first appearance before the ICC via video conferencing, Duterte's former Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea described him as having “debilitating medical issues.”

ICC pre-trial chamber Presiding judge Iulia Motoc, however, said the court doctor found Duterte to be "fully mentally aware and fit."

Meanwhile, Malacañang said it would not get in the way of the Senate investigation being spearheaded by the presidential sister.

Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro told reporters, ''She's free to do that,'' when asked about the impending Senate probe.

She also assured that the Palace would not prevent officials from attending the probe spearheaded by Marcos.

''If necessary. If the inquiry is in aid of legislation, we will respect the request of Senator Imee.'' Castro said.

However, former presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo is more cynical about Marcos’ motives for launching the probe into Duterte’s capture.

“In the first place, what will she investigate? Just to find out if it [Duterte’s arrest] was legal? My gosh! She [Sen. Marcos] may not be a lawyer but she went to school… she already knows it’s illegal,” Panelo said in Filipino.

“It’s too much… It’s clearer than daylight… she [Sen. Marcos] will do that [Senate probe] for publicity, because she is running for office,” he added.

the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia and the ICTR. Meanwhile, Vice President Sara Duterte requested to be his father's personal legal counsel to maintain direct access to her father while in detention.

Duterte's defense team is led by international lawyer Nicholas Kaufman, along with former Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, and former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque. Roque, however, clarified that this request is not intended for her to serve as legal counsel before the ICC but merely to facilitate access to the detained former President.

“Visits to detainees are limited to one hour and are subject to approval, even for family members,” Roque noted.

The Senate chief also confirmed that the impeachment timetable remains the same as previously proposed, emphasizing that it will only be finalized when the Senate resumes session.

The Senate President earlier announced that they are set to convene as an Impeachment Court on June 3 with senator judges taking their oaths of office.

Diesel, kerosene prices slightly lower today–DOE

By Alena Mae S. Flores

THE country’s oil firms cut the pump price of diesel and kerosene by P0.20 and P0.40 per liter, respectively at 6am today to reflect the movement of prices in the world oil market.

The oil firms, however, did not adjust the pump price of gasoline.

PTT Philippines, Seaoil Philippines, Cleanfuel, Jetti Petroleum, Chevron Philippines and PetroGazz issued separate advisories of the latest oil price movement.

Department of Energy director Rodela Romero said last week softening of world oil prices can be attributed to “growing signs that the US and global economies are struggling which will hit demand; and fears of a supply glut exerted additional downward pressures on prices.”

Jetti Petroleum president Leo Bellas also attributed the decline in world oil prices to “concerns that the tariff wars could slow down economic growth and curtail global fuel demand. Mounting fears of a US economic slowdown have also weighed on prices.” He said the weaker US dollar and data showing a tighter-than-expected US oil and fuel inventories have helped prices from sliding down further.

On March 11, 2025, the oil companies implemented a decrease of P1.70 per liter for gasoline, P0.90 per liter for diesel and P1.80 per liter for kerosene. Year-to-date, gasoline and diesel have a total net increase of P2.15 per liter and P3.05 per liter respectively while kerosene has total net decrease of P0.30 per liter.

MILF...

From A1

The MILF through its Central Committee relayed this message in an official statement, detailing its concerns over recent leadership changes within the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA).

They noted growing frustrations among stakeholders regarding presidential appointments to the BTA.

The MILF said only 35 out of the 41 nominees it endorsed were appointed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., raising concerns about adherence to the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) and the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB).

“With only 35 nominees appointed, the MILF’s leadership hangs in the balance, raising serious concerns about the integrity of the transition period and the commitment of the parties to the peace agreement,” the statement read.

The MILF said these developments could impact the autonomy of the Bangsamoro government and the transition process.

“It is for the best interest of all that the leadership of the MILF is consulted and its decisions be respected on matters of paramount importance to the Bangsamoro,” the committee said. Meanwhile, lawyer Michael Mastura, a Moro constitutionalist allayed fears that the President might have violated the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) in issuing new appointments to the BTA. Mastura, a former member of the MILF negotiating panel, said the issue fell “within reason and rule of law as well as the prerogative of Presidential General Supervision acceded to in BOL, not necessarily with CAB” (Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro). He said the listing on replacements with the new appointees could be a product of the usual “assessment of performance evaluation of those who already served...”

As this developed, Malacañang defended Mr. Marcos's appointment of Macacua as the autonomous region’s interim chief minister, urging the MILF leadership to give the new appointee a chance.

IN BRIEF

Atin Ito coalition sets new WPS mission

THE Atin Ito Coalition will launch a third civilian mission to the West Philippine Sea (WPS) on May 25, featuring a peace and solidarity sea concert. This initiative aims to assert Philippine rights through music and collective action, countering Chinese aggression. Atin Ito co-convenor Rafaela David emphasized the mission’s focus on restoring peace and solidarity among regional fisherfolk, disrupted by China’s “baseless claims.” Artists like Noel Cabangon, Rouge, and Fumiya Sankai will support the mission, highlighting music’s role in raising awareness. The mission builds on previous expeditions in 2023 and 2024, which delivered aid to fisherfolk and reinforced Philippine sovereignty. Co-convenor Edicio Dela Torre noted the missions’ impact on public engagement with the WPS issue. The sea concert intends to use art to promote peaceful resolution. The mission will proceed despite ongoing tensions with Chinese vessels and aircraft in the area. Rex Espiritu

CSC: Remain neutral in May elections

THE Civil Service Commission (CSC) has reiterated the importance of political neutrality for government employees ahead of the May 2025 elections, a joint circular with the Commission on Elections (Joint Circular No. 1, s. 2016).

This advisory strictly prohibits government personnel from engaging in partisan political activities.

Prohibited activities include forming campaign groups, holding political rallies, making pro- or anti-candidate speeches, distributing campaign materials, soliciting votes, using government resources for political purposes, providing campaign contributions, wearing campaign paraphernalia (unless authorized), and serving as election watchers.

These prohibitions apply to all government employees, regardless of appointment status, including those in all branches of government, GOCCs, SUCs, acting political officers, uniformed personnel, and employees on leave.

NBI rescues 3 Pinoys in Cambodia

THE National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Monday announced the rescue of three Filipinos who were forced to work as scammers and subjected to abuse in Cambodia.

Last week, the NBI received a video message from the victims asking for the assistance of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., and NBI Director Jaime Santiago.

In a press briefing, Santiago stressed the crucial role of the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) in rescue operations and in combating transnational crimes.

He added that the victims were provided with medical assistance and proper counseling upon their arrival yesterday. They narrated that they saw an online post offering work as customer service representatives and were contacted by a Filipino HR employee working inside a casino company.

In Tawi-Tawi, the victims boarded small boats before being transferred to a fishing boat bound for Sabah, Malaysia, until they reached Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Later, they were brought out of the compound where they were beaten by Chinese individuals. Pot Chavez

SC warns public of fake petition calling for Marcos resignation

By Pot Chavez

THE Supreme Court (SC) on Monday warned the public of a fake document circulating online that bears the title “Supreme Court Receives Petition on 16 Million Signatures Calling for President Marcos’ Resignation.”

In a statement from the SC Office of the Spokesperson, the High Tribunal categorically denied the authenticity of the document.

HOLI

FESTIVAL.

Participants are doused with colored powders as they take part in the Holi, the Hindu Festival of Colors, Love, and Spring, organized by the Indian Cultural Association of Philippines at a mall in Pasay City on Sunday. The festival is usually celebrated in the Indian month of Phalgun (March), which marks the beginning of the spring season.

Jann Conrad Bonifacio

“These acts of disinformation, including previous false reports on

March 11, 2025, alleging that the Supreme Court issued a temporary restraining order, will be submitted for appropriate action. The Supreme Court will investigate these incidents and take necessary measures, including the imposition of proper sanctions on those responsible,” the SC said.

The High Court is urging the public to rely only on official announcements published on its official website (sc.judiciary.gov.ph) and verified social media accounts.

PCO ramps up e orts vs. surge in false info linked to ICC trial

By Charles Dantes and Vince Lopez

THE Presidential Communications Office (PCO) is ramping up efforts to combat the spread of false information linked to heightened political tensions following the arrest order against former president Rodrigo Duterte.

“It is very obvious that more fake news is circulating, maybe because of the present situation,” PCO

Undersecretary Claire Castro said during a recent press briefing.

The fake news surge has also included false claims involving First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, prompting the government’s lead communications arm to take a more active role in countering misinformation and disinformation.

To address the issue, the PCO has launched live discussions with concerned authorities to clarify misleading information.

Speaker: We continue to push for peace

SPEAKER Ferdinand Martin G.

Romualdez told the world’s future leaders that the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is pursuing a foreign policy of peace but it is determined to defend the country’s sovereignty. He made the statement at the opening plenary of the Harvard World Model United Nations (WorldMun) 2025 conference at the SM Aura in Taguig City on Sunday.

WorldMUN is an annual international Model United Nations conference organized by Harvard University students in collaboration with a host university in a different city each year.

“We are a nation that has weathered storms - both literal and political. And yet, through it all, we stand, we rebuild,

we move forward together,” he said. That same spirit guides the country’s present leadership, said the leader of the 306-member House of Representatives.

“Under the Marcos Administration, we have pursued a foreign policy of peace, pragmatism, and partnershipbuilding stronger alliances while standing firm in defending our sovereignty. We have strengthened economic ties with partners across Asia, the United States, Europe, and the Middle East, securing investments and trade agreements that will uplift millions of Filipinos,” he stressed.

Romualdez told conference delegates that they are inheriting a world that “is complex, and in some ways, more fragile than ever.” Maricel V. Cruz

“With these kinds of projects, like press briefings and live discussions, I think people will have a chance to know what is fake news and what is not,” Castro said.

When asked whether it was time to prosecute fake news peddlers, Castro said the government is studying potential legal actions.

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) are also formulating plans to track down those responsible for

spreading fake news.

The PCO is in close coordination with these agencies to ensure misinformation is curbed effectively.

The PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group is currently documenting fake news being spread on social media by certain individuals.

According to Police Regional Office 3 Director and PNP spokesperson Police Brigadier General Jean Fajardo, they have already identified those spreading disinformation.

Likewise, it encourages the public to verify the authenticity of any statement claiming to be from the SC before disseminating it.

The said post particularly came from Facebook accounts under the names “Choose Libungan” and “Bernard Flores Maicon,” dated March 16.

The High Tribunal also noted that it is false that the SC en banc will convene on Monday to discuss the alleged petition, as claimed by said Facebook accounts.

Lawmaker says ‘war on drugs’ also exploited for profits

By Maricel V. Cruz

AS the International Criminal Court (ICC) proceeds with its case against former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, a House Quad Committee member expressed optimism that the trial will reveal how the “war on drugs” was exploited for profit. Investigations suggest the campaign increased drug prices, consolidated market control, and funneled profits into illicit businesses like POGOs.

House Assistant Majority Leader Jay Khonghun stated, “Why is the ‘War on Drugs’ a ‘Grand Budol’ (Hoodwink)? Because it’s not just bloody—it’s a billion-peso business. The small ones are pushing, killing, but the big syndicates have become even stronger. Why? Because they control the supply. And when they’re the only ones left, they also set the price.”

During a House Quad Comm hearing, Rep. Romeo Acop concluded that Duterte’s drug war served as a cover for a “grand criminal enterprise,” involving officials, corruption, and trafficking.

Acop said, “The Quad Comm has started to uncover a grand criminal enterprise, and, it would seem that at the center of it is former President Duterte. This is very painful because it appears we have all been scammed.”

The ICC trial will examine how Duterte’s drug war was allegedly about a financial network profiting from the trade and money laundering. The committee is pushing for domestic charges against those implicated.

Acop’s presentation indicated officials used their powers for personal gain. “It is most unfortunate, however, that the ‘Sword’ was used to slit, stab, and slash the very people it swore to protect—We the People—and the ‘Purse’ was used not to benefit the Republic, but to line the pockets of the few. They drowned our nation with drugs and profited from it,” he said.

Panagyaman

2024 in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan. DSWD Regional Director Lucia Suyu Alan received the award.

MEDIA SUPPORT. The Manila Police District (MPD) leadership honors several members of the media and photojournalists, including Manila Standard’s Norman Cruz, on March 17.MPD Director Police Brigadier General Arnold Thomas Ibay led the way in recognizing members of the media and photojournalists, for their contributions and support.

‘Makati provides medical help even to non-residents’

By Joel E. Zurbano

THE Makati City government continues to provide health assistance and services to non-residents, including those from Enlisted Men’s Barrio (EMBO) that have been transferred to Taguig City.

Mayor Abigail Binay said since last year, over 95,000 non-residents have benefitted from healthcare services offered by Makati health centers, the Ospital ng Makati, and through the Lingkod Bayan Caravan.

Binay has granted free consultations for non-residents at the city’s health centers and has extended free access to various health services at the caravan, including check-ups, X-rays, ECGs, FBS, blood typing, and free medications.

To better accommodate non-residents, the mayor has also extended the operating hours of selected health centers in response to feedback from EMBO residents who were concerned about inadequate health services.

DSWD to issue guarantee letters online

By Maricel V. Cruz

IN line with the digital transformation of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Secretary Rex Gatchalian said the agency will soon launch its online system for the issuance of guarantee letters (GL) under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS).

Gatchalian said in a radio interview that the digitalization of the agency’s regulatory and key services is being undertaken to make the agency more efficient and more accessible to the public.

“One of the things we are doing now and will be launching soon is the automation of issuing guarantee letters. Because we know they [AICS clients] need it for hospitalizations, for burial assistance,” he said.

The ongoing development of the online portal to automate the provision of

GLs is being undertaken so that individuals or families who are in crisis will no longer have to fall in line at DSWD offices. This move is in consideration of the plight of those in need for medical and hospital bill assistance who usually do not have the luxury of time to apply for the services and go to the nearest DSWD offices, according to Secretary Gatchalian.

The DSWD chief said the online system for the setup is already undergoing

Budget chief conferred Gawad Pilipino Award

By Rex Espiritu

SECRETARY Amenah Pangandaman of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) was honored as an “Outstanding Filipina in the Field of Public Service” at the 2025 Gawad Pilipino Awards, held in conjunction with the observance of Women’s Month at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.

Recognized under the “Natatanging Pilipina sa Larangan ng Lingkod Bayan” category, Pangandaman was acknowledged as the first Muslim budget secretary and the sole woman in President Marcos’ economic team.

DBM Undersecretary Goddes Hope Libiran accepted the award on Pangandaman’s behalf, citing her boss’ dedication to uplifting others.

In her message, Pangandaman emphasized the critical role of women in governance and other fields, reflecting on the legacy of trailblazing Filipinas like former previous DBM Secretary Emilia Boncodin and Sen. Loren Legarda, her mentor.

“In a world where women’s efforts are often overlooked, this award affirms our vital role in driving progress— whether in government, business, education, healthcare, or at home,” Pangandaman said.

She reaffirmed her commitment to gender equality, pledging to enhance inclusive policy-making and create opportunities for Filipinas to succeed.

fine-tuning and expected to be finished at the soonest possible time.

“Our point, again and again, is that our citizens should have convenient anytime, anywhere access to DSWD assistance and services without having to go to our offices,” he said.

Aside from the soon-to-be-launched initiative, Gatchalian also said the agency recently launched its Harmonized Electronic License and Permit System (HELPS) which is an online platform housing the application for regulatory services of the department.

Gatchalian urged social welfare and development agencies (SWDAs) to use the HELPS portal to apply for their certificates of registration, license to operate and accreditation (CLRA), as well as applications for solicitation permit.

Previous to HELPS, the manual processing of the CLRA takes up to six months. With the online system, the SWDAs can expect their certifications

within seven days if their applications are assessed as compliant and complete. Another feature of the HELPS is the application for solicitation permit which the Department issues to ensure the validity of organizations and individuals seeking donations from the public for a cause. The HELPS portal also features the online Minors Travelling Abroad (MTA) permit system which is a service that the DSWD provides to ensure that minors travelling alone or with companions other than their parents are protected from abuse or exploitation. In digitalizing the application for the MTA permit, the DSWD instituted more safety measures to protect the children from possible human trafficking and exploitation. Prior to this, the child need not appear in interviews and third party applications are accepted for as long as there is a special power of attorney (SPA) provided.

Hontiveros: P19.9b Meralco refund ‘too little, too late’

ENATOR Risa Hontiveros welcomed the P19.9-billion Meralco refund to consumers as ordered by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), but asserted that the amount was “only a small tranche” compared to the estimated P100 billion owed by the country’s largest power utility to electricity consumers.

“The refund is good news for our people who suffered the high rates of electricity this summer. But the truth is, this is small compared to the estimated P100 billion in over-collections that should be returned to the people,” Hontiveros said in Filipino. The ERC-ordered refund of P19.9 billion, to be paid across three years, covers charges billed by Meralco in excess of allowable costs to consumers from July 2022 to December 2024. However, Hontiveros said that Meralco’s accountabilities to its consumers from 2011 to 2022 have already reached around P100 bil-

lion, citing estimates by power industry experts.

“While we appreciate the latest refund, it is clearly an inadequate and temporary relief for consumers, who are being overcharged again and again for their power needs. Dapat na nating itama ang mismong sistema, para agarang maibalik sa taumbayan ang sobrang binayad nila sa Meralco, at maiwasan na ang over collections simula’t sapul (We should immediately set the system straight and return to the people Meralco’s overcollections eversince),” Hontiveros said in a statement.

The senator, who is calling for a Senate investigation into Meralco’s overcollections, said that various factors have allowed Meralco to overcharge consumers for many years, such as the lack of an effective, fair, and transparent rate reset process by the ERC throughout various lapsed regulatory periods.

IN BRIEF

3 Reds killed in clash with troops in Samar

THREE suspected communist rebels were reported were killed in a series of clashes with the 4th Scout Ranger Battalion in Barangay San Jose, Mapanas, Northern Samar on Sunday, March 16.

The troops launched the operations following reports of armed men engaging in extortion activities in the hinterland communities.

The encounters also resulted in the seizure of multiple firearms, including M14 and M16 rifles, ammunition, and anti-personnel mines.

Military officials attributed the success of the operations to civilian cooperation, and reaffirmed their commitment to peace, urging the New People’s Army holdouts to surrender and avail of government reintegration programs. Rex Espiritu

BuCor ships 500 PDLs to Zambo Penal Farm

AS part of the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) continuing decongestion of the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City and the facility’s ultimate closure by 2028, another batch of 500 inmates or persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) were transferred yesterday to the San Ramon Prison and Penal Farm (SRPPF) in Zamboanga.

The transferees consisted of 56 prisoners from the Maximum Security Camp and 444 from the Medium Security Camp of the NBP.

Under the guidance of BuCor chief Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr., the operation was coordinated by a team of 141 escorts, led by chief inspector Henry Avila.

BuCor’s proactive approach aims to not only resolve overcrowding in the NBP, but also facilitate a smoother transition for the PDLs as they adjust to new environments.

Iloilo street vendors get 133 retail carts

THE Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Iloilo City government have distributed 133 retail carts to ambulant vendors from the city’s seven districts, providing them with livelihood opportunities to sustain their businesses.

In addition, beneficiaries also received free food handling training to ensure safety and quality in their products.

The Nego-Kart project aims to uplift vulnerable and marginalized workers in the informal sector by equipping them with essential livelihood tools and capacity-building assistance.

Local Economic Development and Investment Promotion head Velma Jane Lao thanked essed DOLE for funding the initiative. “We sincerely thank DOLE for funding our proposal, and we hope there will be succeeding batches,” Lao said. Caloy Lozada

SOUTHBOUND INMATES. In keeping with its jail decongestion program, the Bureau of Corrections sends 500 more prisoners of the National Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City to the Zamboanga Penal Farm.

OFW MISADVENTURE. The National Bureau of Investigation rescues three overseas Filipino workers who were allegedly tortured by their Chinese employers running a scam den in Cambodia. The NBI said the victims applied as customer service representatives, but ended working in a scam hub specializing in cryptocurrency schemes using social media platforms such as Signal, Twitter, and Instagram. Norman Cruz

OPINION

Reckoning?

THE arrest order by the International Criminal Court for former President Rodrigo Duterte finally came and his subsequent airlifting on a jet flight by the ICC to the Hague. Duterte was accompanied by his former executive secretary Salvador Medialdea.

The next day, his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, with Senator Robin Padilla, Harry Roque, and his son Paolo Duterte flew to the Netherlands where the ICC is. What I cannot understand is what Duterte’s lawyers intend to do since Duterte’s arrest and airlifting had nothing to do with Philippine laws, Santa Banana!

It is up to the ICC to try the former President for “crimes against humanity” in connection with his brutal and bloody war against illegal drugs, where the police claim he had killed over 6,000, but unofficial estimates say some 27,000 to 28,000 were killed.

We can expect that the followers and supporters of Duterte will be crying out that the Philippine government surrendered its sovereignty to the ICC. I don’t know why they say the Philippine government surrendered its sovereignty to the ICC since the arrest of the former President was done by the ICC, not the Marcos government.

The ICC was created by the UN Rome Statute. Well, Duterte is now in the hands of the ICC. Just how will Duterte’s cohorts, like his former Chief of Police , now Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa and Oscar Albayalde, fare at the ICC once they are also arrested. we can only guess.

Some say the arrest of Duterte is a reckoning,

I say at long last the relatives of those killed in the brutal and bloody war on illegal drugs and victims of EJKs will finally see that the long arm of the law has finally gotten hold of Duterte and his cohorts and they will get the justice they deserve.

We can expect the followers and supporters of Duterte to be rallying and protesting and crying out and attacking the Philippine government for surrendering its sovereignty to the ICC.

Well, the ICC now has Duterte to answer for crimes against humanity. Just how long will the ICC render its verdict, we can only guess. But, it is important to note the ICC has its own rules of procedure and pretrial prior to the trial.

How many times have we heard Duterte say in his speeches that he takes full responsibility in his brutal and bloody war on illegal drugs?

And how many times have we heard him say he has also killed people? Du-

terte is being indicted for the Davao Death Squad killings when Duterte was Davao City mayor. And the Davao City killings could not happen without an order from Duterte as mayor.

No matter what remedies the lawyers of Duterte will file with the Supreme Court will be denied for the simple reason the arrest of Duterte and flight to the ICC at the Hague was not under Philippine laws, but laws granted to the ICC under the Rome Statute by the UN which created the ICC.

The big question is whether or not Duterte’s arrest and detention will drastically change the country’s political situation

I can only laugh at the statement of the Vice President that the arrest of her father was a case of “state kidnapping.”

We have all seen photos of the detention cell where Duterte is detained at the Hague awaiting trial by the ICC. It is small but decent enough with its own toilet and bath,

My gulay, it is certainly much more livable than the overcrowded jails where the detainees are packed like sardines, especially during the years of Duterte’s war on illegal drugs, when jails were so overcrowded inmates had to take turns lying on the floors to sleep. That’s criminal, Santa banana!

Well, that shows that Duterte is getting his reckoning. Now all the relatives of those who suffered and died under the six-year term of Duterte will soon get justice denied them for so long.

Soon enough, Bato dela Rosa and other police chiefs of Duterte who implemented the EJKs and all those atrocities will have to face the law under the ICC.

That also means their reckoning.

The big question is whether or not Duterte’s arrest and detention will drastically change the country’s political situation and even the forthcoming midterm election. I say nothing, nothing at all.

What we can expect from the forthcoming pretrial and the trial trial itself is that ICC procedures. which will involve both the prosecutors and defenders, are something our judges, justices, and courts of law can learn from, my gulay!

The true cost of Duterte’s drug war

MARY Ann Domingo’s voice trembles as she recalls the night in 2016 when police stormed her Caloocan home.

Her husband, Luis, 45, and son, Gabriel, 19, were dragged out, accused of drug ties with no proof. Hours later, their bullet-riddled bodies were found. “They took my world,” she says, clutching a faded photo. Her story echoes thousands from the Philippines’ “war on drugs,” a brutal campaign under then President Rodrigo Duterte that turned streets into killing fields. Now, with Duterte facing International Criminal Court charges, her loss demands justice.

The “one time, big time” (OTBT) police operations—like the 2017 Caloocan raid that killed 17-year-old Kian delos Santos—are central to the ICC case.

These sweeps, mostly in Bulacan and Caloocan from 2017 to 2018, were touted as strikes against drug lords. Instead, they left over 12,000 dead— possibly 30,000, per Human Rights Watch—mostly poor men gunned down without trial.

In Aug. 2017, Bulacan police killed 32 in 24 hours, a massacre Duterte called “maganda ‘yun” (“that’s good”). The numbers stun, but it’s the human toll— families like Mary Ann’s—that cuts deepest.

The ICC alleges Duterte was an “indirect co-perpetrator” in 43 killings, including eight from OTBT raids, tying them to crimes against humanity.

Prosecutor Karim Khan links these to the Davao Death Squad, which Duterte allegedly ran as mayor, and the nationwide drug war he unleashed as president.

The legal stakes are high: though the Philippines left the ICC in 2019, the court claims jurisdiction over crimes before then. Duterte’s arrest on March 11, 2025, is historic, but his allies call it foreign meddling, and his team may fight the court’s authority—a battle that could stall progress.

The international community—yes, the US too—must press Manila with sanctions on complicit officials while funding local NGOs

Politically, it’s a mess.

Duterte’s 2016 drug war won him fierce loyalty—approval once hit 77 percent, per Social Weather Stations— among Filipinos fed up with crime.

His brash threats—“I’d kill you,” he told pushers—struck a chord.

But critics say it silenced dissent and consolidated power.

The Marcos government’s tepid ICC

Posting political campaign ads

EVERY

election season, whether presidential or mid-term, we hear echoes of alleged violations of the rules writ in bold on the template of the Commission on Elections, the government’s poll watchdog.

The run up to the mid-term election on May 12 has been no exception, with well meaning groups, like the EcoWaste Coalition calling on candidates, not only in Metro Manila but elsewhere in the country, to “spare trees” from posters and other campaign materials.

The Comelec model stipulates that campaign materials must only be posted in designated “common poster areas” – which means violators could face penalties, including imprisonment for six months to two years or fines ranging from P500 to P5,000, and perpetual disqualification from public service.

Interfacing Development Interventions for Sustainability Executive Director Mark Peñalver himself said “Nailing, pinning and stapling campaign banners and posters on trees can cause stress and harm to these irreplaceable partners in making our communities healthy, livable and sustainable… Harm not the trees. Nurture and protect them instead.”

With less than two months to

cooperation, shifting after a rift with Duterte’s daughter, Vice President Sara, suggests politics over principle.

Globally, the US—once Duterte’s ally—stays quiet, raising doubts about its human rights stance.

This isn’t just a Philippine tragedy; it’s a warning about authoritarian drug policies.

Mexico’s cartel wars and Thailand’s 2003 crackdown, which killed over 2,800, show the pattern: violence posing as law, with the poor hit hardest.

Duterte’s approach, via Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa’s Oplan Tokhang, made police executioners, often with vigilante aid—Rappler counts over 500 such deaths in Bulacan from 2016 to 2017. The moral line is clear: drugs are a scourge, but mass slaughter isn’t justice—it’s tyranny.

Still, there’s complexity.

Duterte’s backers say he fought a real crisis— meth ravaged communities—and police claim 6,200 deaths were shootouts, not

election day, we join groups in asking candidates and their supporters to abide by ecological and legal practices and save the trees and the environment from abuse and disrespect. EcoWaste Coalition Coordinator Aileen Lucero has been spoton when she said, in a flourishing statement we endorse, “Torture not the trees. Please keep them bannerand poster-free.”

Let’s not turn a blind eye to the shameless violations by candidates and their followers

We also ask the candidates to be tough on their followers, be rigid with them and heed the Comelec guidelines to make the mid-term exercise environmentally caring as far wide as possible.

murders.

Mary Ann insists her family weren’t drug lords, just breadwinners snared in a net.

The truth blends both: a policy with some aim to curb crime, twisted by impunity. Former ICC judge Raul Pangalangan says Duterte’s “indirect” role doesn’t lessen guilt—the mastermind designs the horror.

The human cost staggers. Children of victims face trauma and poverty, per Human Rights Watch, with no government aid. NGOs like Program Paghilom help, but it’s not enough. Economically, the war’s inefficiency glares—billions spent on raids could’ve funded rehab or jobs, tackling poverty’s link to drugs.

Portugal’s treatment-focused model, cutting addiction, contrasts sharply.

What’s next?

The ICC offers hope, but accountability’s rare—only four local convictions, including Kian’s killers, prove it.

We are familiar with the Filipino culture that is rather negative and not at all laudatory, but we pause and call, yet again under the din of political slogans in broadcast and elsewhere, that under Comelec Resolution 11086, candidates who violate the watchdog’s resolutions would be prosecuted under RA 3571.

Based on Comelec Resolution 11086, on Dec. 9 last year, candidates and political parties have 72 hours before the start of the campaign period to remove all prohibited election propaganda like names, images, logos, brands, initials, and graphical representations on all public structures and places.

The campaign period, including the 45 days given to local candidates to woo voters starting March 28, will end on May 10, but the Comelec has stressed that election campaigns will be prohibited on April 17 (Maundy Thursday), April 18 (Good Friday), May 11 (eve of the election), and May 12 (day of the election).

Let’s not turn a blind eye to the shameless violations by candidates and their followers.

Let’s go beyond reminding them what the law says, which may be good to excite a bold headline. Give the violators the book.

Duterte’s trial could spark reform, if paired with action.

The Philippine government should rejoin the ICC, signaling a break from impunity, and start a truth commission to document the war’s toll, aiding victims.

The international community—yes, the US too—must press Manila with sanctions on complicit officials while funding local NGOs.

Civil society, from Rappler to grassroots advocates, should amplify survivors, pushing for humane drug policies.

I’ve seen power crush the powerless under order’s guise too often.

In Manila, OTBT ops weren’t accidents—they were the plan.

Duterte, now 79, told a Senate probe last year, “I did what I had to.”

But he stole futures. Justice won’t revive Luis or Gabriel, but it can honor them—and affirm that human rights aren’t optional, even in tough fights. Let’s begin there, for Mary Ann, for Kian, for a nation craving better.

This is an AI-generated cartoon with the prompt: Generate a political cartoon in horizontal format of a row of trees whose trunks and branches are stapled with election posters of demonic candidates running for election.

Threatened by US, Canada hugs France, Britain

MONTREAL—With Canada’s econ-

omy and even sovereignty under unprecedented threat from its southern neighbor the United States, its new leader has embarked on a trans-Atlantic trip to strengthen ties with traditional friends France and Britain.

Just days into his mandate, Prime Minister Mark Carney faces threats on three fronts: A trade war with the Washington, US President Donald Trump’s threats to annex his country, and looming domestic elections.

But, despite the tension at home, he is expecting warm welcomes on three days of visits to Paris, London and Iqaluit in Canada’s northernmost territory, Nunavut.

“Canada was built upon a union of peoples—indigenous, French, and British,” Carney said, in a statement released before he set off from Ottawa on Sunday (Monday in Manila), two days after he was sworn in, replacing 10-year veteran prime minister Justin Trudeau as leader of the G7, NATO and Commonwealth power.

“My visit to France and the United Kingdom will strengthen trade, commercial, and defence ties with two of our strongest and most reliable partners, and my visit to Nunavut will be an opportunity to bolster Canada’s Arctic sovereignty and security, and our plan to unlock the North’s full economic potential.”

Carney did not say why Canada might be in need of “reliable partners”, but he didn’t need to— Trump’s imposition of an escalating raft of import tariffs on Canadian goods has threatened to trigger a recession, and his scorn for Canadian sovereignty sent jitters through the former ally.

Opinion polls show a large majority of Canadian voters reject Trump’s argument that their country would be better off as the “51st state of the United States,” but the trade war is a threat to the economy of the vast country of 41 million people, which has long enjoyed a close US partnership.

On Monday, 60-year-old Carney will be in Paris for a working dinner with French President Emmanuel Macron and discuss how to, according to the Canadian leader’s office, “build stronger economic, commercial, and defense ties.” AFP

Yemen’s Huthis claim hits after US strikes

SANAA, Yemen—Yemen’s Iran-backed Huthi rebels claimed on Monday to have twice attacked an American aircraft carrier group within 24 hours, calling it retaliation for deadly US strikes.

The Huthis initially said they launched 18 missiles and a drone at the “aircraft carrier USS Harry Truman and its accompanying warships” in the Red Sea, before hours later claiming to have fired a second round.

There was no immediate comment from the United States about the Huthis’ claimed attacks.

In a statement posted to Telegram on Monday, a Huthi spokesperson said the attacks on the carrier group were “in retaliation to the continued American aggression against our country”.

Washington has vowed to keep striking Yemen until the rebels stop attacking Red Sea shipping, with President Donald Trump warning he will use “overwhelming lethal force”.

The Huthi health ministry said women and children were among the 53 people killed and 98 wounded in US strikes on Saturday.

Huthi media reported more explosions on Sunday night, accusing the Americans of targeting a cotton ginning factory in the western region of Hodeida as well as the Galaxy Leader, an Israeli ship captured more than a year ago.

Huthi leader Abdulmalik al-Huthi called on Yemenis to march on Monday in defiance.

In response to the latest escalation along the maritime trade route, the United Nations has urged both sides to “cease all military activity”.

The Iran-backed Huthis, who control much of the Arabian Peninsula’s poorest country, have at -

tacked Israel and Red Sea shipping throughout the Gaza war, claiming to be acting in solidarity with Palestinians.

Before this weekend’s targeting of the US carrier group, the Huthis had not claimed attacks in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden since January 19, when a ceasefire began in the Gaza Strip.

The group said it relaunched its attacks over Israel’s halting of humanitarian aid to Gaza, and would “move to additional escalatory options” if “the American aggression against our country continues.”

Washington’s weekend strikes against the Huthis were the first since Trump’s return to the White House in January.

US National Security Advisor Michael Waltz told ABC News that Saturday’s strikes “targeted multiple Huthi leaders and took them out”.

Trump meanwhile warned the Huthis that “hell will rain down upon you”. AFP

CLOSING BILLBOARD. Signage for

Trump begins mass layoffs at Voice of America

WASHINGTON, DC—President Donald Trump’s administration on Sunday (Monday in Manila) began mass layoffs at Voice of America and other US-funded media, making clear its intent to gut outlets long seen as critical for US influence.

Just a day after all employees were put on leave, staff working on a contractual basis received an email notifying them that they were terminated at the end of March.

The email, confirmed to AFP by several employees, told contractors that “you must cease all work immediately and are not permitted to access any agency buildings or systems.”

Contractors make up much of VOA’s workforce and dominate staffing in the nonEnglish language services, although recent figures were not immediately available.

Many contractors are not US citizens, meaning they likely depend on their soon-to-

disappear jobs for visas to stay in the United States.

Most full-time VOA staff, who have more legal protections, were not immediately terminated but remain on administrative leave and have been told not to work.

Voice of America, created during World War II, broadcast around the world in 49 languages with a mission to reach countries without media freedom.

Liam Scott, a VOA reporter who covers press freedom and disinformation, said he was notified that he also reported that he was being dismissed as of March 31.

The Trump administration’s destruction of VOA and sister outlets “are part of its efforts to dismantle the government more broadly —but it’s also part of the administration’s broader assault on press freedom and the media,” he wrote on X. AFP

IN BRIEF

Stranded US astronauts to return tomorrow

WASHINGTON, DC—A pair of US astronauts stuck for more than nine months on the International Space Station will be returned to Earth on Tuesday evening (Wednesday Manila time), NASA said. Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams are to be transported home with another American astronaut and a Russian cosmonaut aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon craft, which arrived at the ISS early Sunday. The stranded duo have been on the ISS since June after the Boeing Starliner spacecraft they were testing on its maiden crewed voyage suffered propulsion issues and was deemed unfit to fly them back to Earth.

NASA said in a statement on Sunday evening that it had moved forward the astronauts’ anticipated ocean splashdown off the Florida coast to approximately 5:57 pm Tuesday (5.27 am Wednesday in Manila). It was initially slated for no sooner than Wednesday. AFP

Colombia warns Trump vs. drug blacklisting

BOGOTA—Colombia’s defense minister on Sunday (Monday, Manila time) warned Donald Trump’s administration against blacklisting his country for failing to curb drug exports, saying the decision would bring yet more cocaine to the United States. Washington is currently weighing whether to “decertify” Colombia as a partner in the battle against drugs, a move that could restrict millions in US military aid and be a hammer blow to Colombia’s reputation.

In an interview with AFP, recently appointed defense minister Pedro Sanchez said decertification would mean “we simply lose the ability to contain the threat.”

“Not being able to contain it would go against the interests of the United States. Because more cocaine would arrive and the United States would not be stronger, more prosperous, or safer.”

“Fracturing relations and cooperation between our states is an opportunity for drug trafficking,” Sanchez insisted. AFP

Mount Fuji hikers to be charged $27

TOKYO—Hikers attempting any of Mount Fuji’s four main trails will be charged an entry fee of 4,000 yen ($27) from this summer, after local authorities passed a bill on Monday.

A record influx of foreign tourists to Japan has sparked alarm about overcrowding on the nation’s highest mountain, a once-peaceful pilgrimage site.

Last year, Yamanashi region— home to Mount Fuji—introduced a 2,000 yen ($14) entry fee plus an optional donation for the active volcano’s most popular hiking route, the Yoshida Trail.

A cap on daily entries and online reservations were also brought in on that trail by officials concerned about safety and environmental damage on Fuji’s majestic slopes. The Yoshida Trail fee will be doubled for this year’s July-September climbing season, while neighboring Shizuoka region passed a bill on Monday to also charge 4,000 yen for its three trails, which were previously free.

FULLY PREPARED. This grab from footage shared by the US Central Command during the weekend shows

F/A-18 fighter aircraft taking off from

aircraft carrier at

reportedly

launched against Huthis in Yemen. Strikes hit Yemen’s Huthi-held capital Sanaa on March 15, the rebels’ Al-Masirah TV said, after US

Shuub district, north of the capital, Sanaa,’ Al-Masirah said. There

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Draper powers past Rune to win Indian Wells crown

INDIAN WELLS — Britain’s Jack Draper roared past Denmark’s Holger Rune 6-2, 6-2 on Sunday to win his first ATP Masters 1000 title at Indian Wells.

The 14th-ranked Briton, who toppled two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in the semi-finals, didn’t face a break point as he subdued the 13th ranked Dane in just 69 minutes.

He’ll make his top 10 debut on Monday at seventh in the world.

“It’s incredible,” said Draper, a US Open semi-finalist last year whose preparations for 2025 were hindered by a flare-up of hip tendinitis.

“I’m just so grateful and happy to be out here, to be able to play, my body feeling healthy, to feel great in my mind.

“All the work I’ve done over the last few years, it feels like it’s all coming together on the big stage and I can’t put that into words,” added the 23-year-old, who

also missed significant time with shoulder and abdominal injuries in 2023.

Draper said his energy was “sapped” after his big victory over Alcaraz, but his few nerves before the final quick dissipated.

“When I got out on the court, I felt amazing,” said Draper, who was rocksolid in his first Masters 1000 final as he raced to a 4-0 lead.

“I felt like I was in control. I knew what I needed to do. I just went for it and played to win,” he said.

Draper dropped just four points on serve in the first set as Rune, who burst on the scene with a precocious Paris Masters triumph in 2022, had 10 of his 19 unforced errors in the opening frame.

The Dane had managed to hold serve twice before Draper pocketed the set, giving himself set point with an ace before Rune thumped a backhand into the net.

Draper broke Rune to open the second set, and even though the Dane got a few more looks at Draper’s second serve he couldn’t take advantage.

“I think today was very clear that I didn’t play well enough,” said Rune, who had ousted Daniil Medvedev, runner-up the past two years, in the semi-finals. “He was serving amazing, for sure. But I think I could have done my part better.

“Jack was playing extremely well, but the few chances I had to make it difficult for him, I didn’t quite take them, because I wasn’t really trusting every shot of my game today.”

Draper, who claimed his two prior ATP titles in 2024, said his biggest title to date was a testament to his perseverance.

“I feel like I deserve it, in all honesty,” he said. “It’s an emotional feeling to know

how much you’ve gone through and put in and to be here now to say that I’m going to be number seven in the world tomorrow, I can’t tell you how much that means to me.”

Meanwhile, Russian 17-year-old Mirra Andreeva toppled world number one Aryna Sabalenka 2-6, 6-4, 6-3 to capture her second WTA 1000 title at Indian Wells.

Andreeva, who last month become the youngest ever player to win an elite 1000 level crown with her triumph in Dubai, ended a frustrating run against the Belarusian to ensure she will rise to a career-high sixth in the world on Monday.

Andreeva shook off her first set woes and broke Sabalenka three times in the third pushing her 2025 record to 19-3 -- the most wins of any woman on the WTA tour.

“I would like to thank myself for fighting to the end,” Andreeva said. “I was running like a rabbit today because Aryna she was sending bullets and it was really hard to keep up.” AFP

Cool Smashers, Angels eye wins vs. Crossovers, Thunderbelles

4 p.m.

Games Tuesday

– Creamline vs Chery Tiggo

6:30 p.m. – Petro Gazz vs ZUS Coffee

WITH the Premier Volleyball League

All-Filipino Conference quarterfinals proving to be a battleground where no team is safe, top-seeded Creamline and No. 2 Petro Gazz aim to establish their dominance against lower-seeded foes.

But if the electrifying performances of Akari and Choco Mucho in their dramatic five-set victories over the weekend serve as any indication, no lead is ever secure, and no favorite is ever too strong to be challenged.

The Cool Smashers and the Angels enter their respective best-of-three series today (Tuesday) as favorites, but their opponents – the Chery Tiggo Crossovers and the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles –are more than capable of turning these matchups into unpredictable, edge-ofthe-seat thrillers at the Philsports Arena.

The Cool Smashers, boasting a powerhouse core led by Tots Carlos, Jema Galanza, Michele Gumabao, Bernadeth Pons and Alyssa Valdez, have the depth, experience and firepower to take control early. Playmaker Kyle Negrito has been masterful in setting up her hitters, while Bea de Leon and Pangs Panaga anchor the team’s defensive efforts in the middle. On paper, Creamline’s squad has everything – offensive efficiency, defensive stability and championship experience. They dispatched the Crossovers in straight sets during their preliminary meeting, and coach Sherwin Meneses will look to replicate that dominance in their 4 p.m. matchup. But Chery Tiggo has nothing to lose and everything to gain. If their inspired performance in the Play-In phase is anything to go by, the Crossovers, led by Ara Galang, Cess Robles, Shaya Adorador and a determined supporting cast, won’t go down without a fight. With the unpredictability of a short best-of-three series, one strong start or a shift in momentum could turn the tide in their favor.

Gecosala, Gabaldon dominate

JAN Krelz Gecosala and Shaner Gabaldon lived up to expectations, securing two titles each in the younger divisions, while Antonio Roberto pulled off a stunning upset in the boys’ 18-and-under category at the PPS-PEPP Pres. Arnold Embudo National Junior Tennis Championships in Kidapawan City, Cotabato over the weekend.

Gecosala displayed dominance in the boys’ 14-and-U category, dropping just five games on his way to the finals before outlasting Julius Otoc, 6-4, 6-2, to claim the title. The rising star from Midsayap, North Cotabato faced a tougher challenge in the 16-and-U semifinals, battling past Tom Songcayauon in a three-set thriller, 6-2, 6-7(7), 6-3. He then cruised past Aljaven Lumambas, 6-0, 6-2, to complete a two-title sweep in the Group 2 tournament presented by Dunlop.

Shaner Gabaldon from Pasig also dominated the girls’ 12-and-U category, losing just six games throughout the tournament. She capped off her run with a commanding 6-0, 6-0 victory over Aleushia Maurin in the finals. Gabaldon carried her momentum into the 14-and-U division, storming through the competition before holding off Justine Gumbao, 6-3, 7-5, in the final. With two titles to her name, she shared MVP honors with Gecosala in the second leg of the three-leg Mindanao swing, part of the nationwide talent-search initiated by Palawan Pawnshop president/CEO Bobby Castro. The unranked Roberto, on the other hand, stunned second seed Kenneth Ediza in the first round, 6-4, 6-3, and the Mlang, Cotabato native continued his remarkable run all the way to the finals. In a thrilling championship match, Roberto edged past top seed Albretch Job, 6-2, 1-6, 7-5, marking his arrival as a rising force in junior tennis.

KABAKA opens Manila summer hoops fest

KABAKA kicked off its summer Inter-Barangay Basketball Tournament over the weekend at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in partnership with AKSYON Youth to promote wellness and grassroots sports programs all over Manila.

KABAKA founder former Manila fifth district Rep. Amado S. Bagatsing said that this summer Sportsfest, now on its 25th year, is a testament to how committed KABAKA is on its objective of helping young people develop their talents and abilities.

“We are very thankful to see how far KABAKA sports programs have progressed developing the youth of Manila. We are very proud to see some of our past players here are now playing in big professional leagues,” Bagatsing said.

The event’s opening ceremony, participated in by 200 teams from Manila, was graced by Chi Atienza, the daughter of former Mayor Lito Atienza, Philippine Basketball Association’s scoring guard Adrian Nocum of Rain or Shine, ex-Mayor Isko Moreno and Bagatsing,

FOR nearly two years, one Filipino mixed martial artist has been hammering at the gates of ONE Championship, demanding his rightful place among the elite. And on March 21 at ONE Friday Fights 101, Carlos Alvarez just might kick that door wide open. Inside the hallowed grounds of Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, the 25-year-old prospect from Baguio City will collide with Japanese standout Seiya Matsuda in a three-round featherweight MMA clash. Alvarez has been making waves under the ONE Friday Fights banner, a platform where up-and-comers vie for a coveted $100,000 contract and a permanent spot on the promotion’s roster. A proud disciple of Team Lakay’s

among others, last Sunday.

One of the highlights of the program was the unification of KABAKA of former Rep. Amado Bagatsing, KABABAIHAN of Atienza and KAAGAPAY of former Moreno.

It was the first time that the three organizations joined forces to promote the nation’s capital’s sports programs not only in basketball, but also in volleyball, taekwondo and boxing, among others projects.

“KABAKA is not only about basketball, but also an avenue for our youth to excel in other sports. We are here to help the young athletes of Manila,” Bagatsing added.

For his part, former Manila mayor Moreno said he will revitalize and strengthen Manila’s sports in schools and communities.

Over the years, KABAKA Sportsfests have produced athletes who have played in the PBA, National Collegiate Athletic Association, University Athletic Association of the Philippines, and other elite leagues.

new-generation warriors under Mark Sangiao, Alvarez was primed to be a shoo-in for the organization’s main roster. He started his campaign with a statement — decimating Reza Abasi via second-round TKO before flashing his submission prowess against Sadegh Ghasemi and Title Chai. Three fights, three emphatic finishes. The message was crystal clear: Carlos Alvarez was ready for the big leagues. But just when it seemed like ONE was set to roll out the red carpet, the momentum came to a screeching halt. Nachyn Sat handed Alvarez his first professional defeat, stopping him via second-round TKO in late 2023. From streaking aspirant to limbo, the Filipino found himself in an agonizing purgatory, watching his teammate, Carlo Bumina-ang, seal a sixfigure deal and bask in the spotlight that should have been his.

Determined to reclaim his trajectory, Alvarez took a detour through URCC’s Dynasty Fight Club before getting another crack at ONE Friday Fights 86 in November 2024. Facing Mirza Aliev, he survived the firestorm, rallied back, and secured a second-round stoppage. But once again, it wasn’t enough to punch his ticket to ONE’s grand stage. Now, Alvarez stands at the crossroads. Another opportunity awaits, but this time, it comes with a high-stakes trial by fire. Enter Seiya Matsuda — a ruthless bruiser with an unblemished 5-0 record and three TKO victories to his name. The Japanese warrior is no mere stepping stone; he is a battle-tested force. His 2-0 run in ONE Friday Fights speaks volumes about his resilience, surviving a war against Mikhail Gritsanenko in his debut before overwhelming Rusi

Hadzhiev with a grappling masterclass. Alvarez’s task is perspicuous: conquer Matsuda, and do it in a fashion that leaves no doubt. If he delivers the kind of stellar outing that has heralded him as one of the next faces of Team Lakay’s future, ONE will have no choice but to slide a contract across the table.

But let’s not sugarcoat it — this won’t be easy. It will take everything he has. But this is Carlos Alvarez, a man who calls himself “The Limitless.” Now, it’s time to prove it. The road to the main roster is paved with blood, sweat, and undeniable performances. On March 21, he has 15 minutes to make ONE say two words: “Welcome aboard.” (For comments or questions, reach the author at nissi.icasiano@gmail.com or visit his Facebook page at www.facebook.com/nissi.icasiano.)

Former Manila fifth district Rep. Amado Bagatsing (center) joins Chi Atienza (right) and former Manila mayor Isko Moreno.

Jan Gecosala (left) and Shaner Gabaldon hold their trophies.

Britain’s Jack Draper holds up his phone as he sits for a portrait with his trophy after winning the men’s singles match against Denmark’s Holger Rune during the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in Indian Wells, California. AFP

TUESDAY, MARCH 18, 2025

RIERA U. MALLARI, Editor

RANDY M. CALUAG, Asst. Editor

EDGARD HILARIO, Asst. Editor

FIDE Master Christian Gian Karlo Arca

bounced back strongly and ruled both the blitz and rapid sections of the premier Under-18 open division of the National Age Group Championships at the FPJ Arena in San Jose, Batangas over the weekend.

The 16-year-old Panabo, Davao del Norte phenom swept both categories in seven games each that made up for his failure to top the standard event where he settled for second place despite being the favorite to win it.

It booked Arca a spot to the Asian Youth Chess Championships slated Nov. 20 to 30 in Bangkok, Thailand

Ruelle Canino, the lone female participant in the tough boys field, snatched the standard crown and even slew Arca along the way in this event sponsored by CoinEx and backed by host Mayor Ben Patron and Congressman Mark Lester Patron, the Philippine Sports Commission and NCFP.

But on this one, Arca made sure he won’t be denied again as he waylaid all the opponents he faced.

Arca, however, wasn’t able to face Canino in both events as the latter struggled in faster time control and ended up with only five points in rapid and four in blitz.

In all, it was a strong showing for Arca as he came through with a podium finish in all three of the events he played.

Like Arca, Jersey Marticio reigned supreme in both girls’ U18 rapid and blitz to add to the silver she copped in standard.

De Imus poised for SEAG gold

By Randy M. Caluag

IF Carlos De Imus’ latest achievement is any indication, he’s on track to contend for gold at the 2025 Southeast Asian Games this December in Bangkok, Thailand.

De Imus made history for Philippine athletics by setting a new national record in the men’s 20-kilometer race walk during the 20km Asian Race Walk Championships held over the weekend in Nomi, Japan.

The 24-year-old standout clocked an impressive 1 hour, 30 minutes, and 0.03 seconds (1:30:03), smashing the previous national record of 1:33:51 set by Michael Embuedo in 2009 in Lingayen, Pangasinan.

Not only did De Imus rewrite the Philippine record books, his time was also notably faster than Indonesia’s Hendro Yap’s gold-winning mark of 1:40:42 at the 2023 SEA Games in Cambodia and even surpassed Yap’s SEA Games record of 1:32:11 set in

Malabuyo, Bruins gun for conference crown

2017 in Malaysia.

De Imus was joined by his coach, Saturnino Salazar—himself a national record holder—and Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (PATAFA) president Terry Capistrano as the athletics’ body marked a triumphant return to international competition.

This was De Imus’ first international race of 2025, following domestic appearances in the 10,000-meter walk at the 2024 Philippine Championships and the 3,000-meter walk at the 2023 Batang Pinoy–Philippine National Games.

In the women’s side, Alana Julianne Halaguena represented the Philippines in the 20km race walk, but was unable to complete the event.

By Peter Atencio

FILIPINO-AMERICAN bet Emma

Malabuyo is set to see action for the University of California-Los Angeles Bruins as they fight for the conference’s women’s gymnastics honors in Ann Arbor, Michigan this weekend.

The Bruins will be the no. 1 seeded team in the Big Ten finals, ahead of second-ranked Minnesota, Michigan State University and the University of Michigan.

Their next challenge comes after the Bruins’ nine-game winning streak got halted on Saturday night, when they fell to No. 5 Utah, 198.100-197.425, in their regular conference encounter at the Jon M. Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City.

Competing before a sold-out crowd of 15,558, the Bruins ended strong in the balance beam in the final rotation, scoring 49.450.

Emily Lee led with a 9.900, with Mika Webster-Longin debuting in the event with a 9.800.

After that, Chae Campbell hit a career-high 9.950 and their pair Ciena Alipio and Malabuyo each scored and clos-

ing highs with 9.900s.

During the final rotation, the 22-yearold Malabuyo did a clean, full wolf turn, followed by a back handstand and neat layout-stepout move. After that front aerial to beat jump, which transitioned to backhand handstand swingdown, Malabuyo went through with a split jump to split ring, without wobbling.

Malabuyo, a Paris Olympics’ veteran representing the Philippines, is currently No. 7 in the national rankings with a national qualifying score of 9.925 and holds a season average of 9.902.

Earlier in the floor exercise in the third rotation, the Bruins also started out strong with 9.850s from WebsterLongin and Malabuyo.

But the Bruins’ floor score of 49.375 was beaten by Utah’s 49.600 in the beam, on the strength of a perfect 10 from senior Grace McCallum.

Callum’s result put Utah in the lead, going into the final rotation.

So far, Malabuyo has scored 9.900 or higher in eight of 10 meets this season, with a high of 9.975, and has earned Top 2 finishes in eight meets, including a team-best five wins.

Folayang reveals how 4th match with Aoki materialized

FORMER two-time ONE Lightweight MMA World Champion Eduard “Landslide” Folayang revealed the unexpected origins of his fourth match with Shinya Aoki.

It was Aoki himself — Folayang’s former rival now friend — who requested this quadrilogy bout scheduled for ONE 172: Takeru vs. Rodtang on March 23 at Saitama Super Arena in Japan.

Though Aoki leads their trilogy 2-1 after back-to-back wins over the Filipino MMA icon, he approached Folayang for one final matchup before retiring.

“It’s actually Shinya who asked for this and I agreed. He went to Baguio back in 2023 and he asked for another match,” Folayang said.

“He’s someone who’s a huge part of my career, and now it’s all about honoring our word to each other and fighting again one more time before we call it a career.” With Aoki’s retirement looming,

Folayang couldn’t refuse the request, seeing it as both a chance to even their score and an honor to share the ring with a legend one final time.

“The last night before he went back to Japan, we just started discussing potential final fights, and that’s how it started. He told me that he wished to fight me once more and I told him yes, let’s do this,” he said.

“I think that’s one of the reasons why he went to Baguio, to ask for that fight, and of course I couldn’t say no to that.”

Despite the friendship they’ve developed over the years, Folayang promises their competitive fire remains undiminished.

“Of course, it’s a bit harder because we’re competing now as friends, but being professionals, we have to put that relationship aside,” he said.

“We both have something to prove. It’s still competition at the end of the day, albeit friendly competition, and you can’t take away that aspect in our chosen profession.”

PSC chief Bachmann to induct new PSA officers

PHILIPPINE Sports Commission

chairman Richard Bachmann will be the special inducting officer when the new leadership of the Philippine Sportswriters Association holds its oath-taking ceremony on Tuesday at the conference hall of the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.

Newly-elected PSA president Francis Ochoa, sports editor of the Philippine Daily Inquirer, leads the new batch of officers and board members of the country’s oldest media organization to be inducted.

Ochoa serves as president for the next two years as he takes over from Philippine Star sports editor Nelson Beltran.

The induction ceremony will be held shortly after the weekly PSA Forum. Meanwhile, appearing as guests in the 10:30 a.m. session are members of the Philippine Lawn Bowls Association to talk about the coming hosting and campaign of the country in the Asian Lawn Bowls Championships. Asian Lawn Bowls gold medal winners Rodel Labayo and Rosita Bradborn join Ronalyn Redima Greenlees as they discuss the April 27 to May 4 event in Clark Pampanga.

The Forum is presented by San Miguel Corporation, PSC, Philippine Olympic Committee, Smart/PLDT, MILO, and the country’s 24/7 sports app ArenaPlus.

Both Ochoa and Beltran enjoin members to attend the session and the induction ceremony.

Livestreamed via the PSA Facebook page fb.com/PhilippineSportswritersAssociation, the weekly public sports program is also aired on a delayed basis over Radyo Pilipinas

BROWNLEE TO THE RESCUE. Ginebra’s Justin Brownlee towers for a shot against TNT defenders in Game 2 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals at the Mall of Asia Arena. It was Brownlee, who came to the Gin Kings’ rescue with clutch baskets in the final seconds of a pulsating 71-70 Ginebra win that levelled the bestof-seven series at 1-1.

Shown here are Carlos De Imus (right) with (from left) coach Saturnino Salazar, Alana Halaguena, and PATAFA president Terry Capistrano. (PATAFA)

FIDE Master Christian Gian Karlo Arca

Emma Malabuyo in action (UCLA)

Cash remittance grew 2.9% to $2.92b in January—BSP

$2.92 billion

By Darwin G. Amojelar

Cash remittances in January 2025

CASH remittances from Filipinos working overseas rose 2.9 percent year-on-year in January 2025, sustaining their contribution to the national economy.

Remittances coursed through money couriers could not be disaggregated by actual country source and are lodged under the country where the main offices are located, which, in many cases, is als0o in the US.

$3.38 billion

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said cash remittances coursed through banks amounted to $2.92 billion in the first month of the year, up from $2.84 billion posted in January 2024.

It said that in terms of country sources, the US accounted for the largest share of overall cash remittances in January 2025, followed by Singapore and Saudi Arabia.

Cash remittances in December 2024

$2.84 billion

“The growth in cash remittances from the Saudi Arabia, United States, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates mainly contributed to the increase in remittances in January 2025,” the BSP said.

The BSP noted, however, some limitations on the remittance data by source. A common practice of remittance centers in various cities abroad is to course remittances through correspondent banks, most of which are located in the US.

“Therefore, the US would appear to be the main source of OF remittances because banks attribute the origin of funds to the most immediate source. The countries are listed in order of their share of cash remittances, i.e., from highest to lowest,” the BSP said.

Personal remittances, which include cash remittances and other items sent outside the banking channels, also increased 2.9 percent, reaching $3.24 billion in January 2025 from $3.15 billion a year ago.

Cash remittances in January 2024

PITX expects Q2 passenger trips to hit 200m

THE Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) expects to serve 200 million passenger trips by the second quarter of 2025, reinforcing its position as the Philippines’ top intermodal landport.

PITX served over 150 million passenger trips since its opening in 2018. Passenger traffic hit 51.56 million in 2024, representing a 31.7-percent increase from 39.16 million in 2013.

PITX attributed the growth to expanded routes, improved facilities and better interconnectivity, including the recent opening of the LRT-1 PITX station.

“The consistent rise in daily foot traffic since our opening in 2018 highlights the increasing reliance of commuters on PITX as a safe, seamless, and convenient transport hub. We take this as a responsibility to continuously innovate and expand our services to meet growing demand,” said PITX president Jaime Raphael Feliciano.

From 2018 to December 2024, PITX welcomed 178.9 million passengers and logged more than 5.4 million vehicle departures from various modes of transport— including city and provincial buses, modern and traditional jeepneys and transport network vehicle services (TNVS).

The facility also serves as a terminal for over 105 bus destinations—72 provincial and 33 in-city.

PITX introduced six new routes in Luzon and two in the Visayas region in 2024 as part of its efforts to improve nationwide connectivity.

These developments align with Megawide’s broader mobility vision, which includes expanding its transport network and establishing additional terminals and a P2P service for seamless interconnectivity.

The upcoming Cavite Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) System will further reinforce PITX’s role—as a key destination in its P2P routes—in providing an efficient and sustainable transport alternative for commuters in the Cavite-Metro Manila corridor.

Darwin G. Amojelar

DEPARTMENT of Transportation

Secretary Vince Dizon vowed to improve the passenger experience after inspecting Metro Manila’s busiest mass rail system.

Dizon led the inspection of MRT3 stations at Taft, Ayala and Shaw Boulevard stations Monday and spoke with commuters about their experiences and suggestions on improving the MRT-3 service.

He assured passengers that the DOTr’s top priority is to expedite

SAN Miguel Corp. on Monday reported a 9-percent rise in consolidated revenues to P1.6 trillion in 2024, driven by higher sales volumes across its core businesses.

Growth was led by its power, spirits and fuel and oil units, while beer and infrastructure also contributed, SMC said in a statement.

Consolidated operating income rose 11 percent to P160.8 billion, supported by margin improvements in power, food and beverage and infrastructure, as well as cost management initiatives. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) increased 10 percent to P225.9 billion.

Core net income jumped 22 percent to P52.3 billion, reflecting strong operational performance. Reported net

queues on trains and improve the orderliness of boarding and alighting.

He said immediate action would be taken to install lighting in dimlylit stations and construct covered walkways connecting train stations to other transport modes like buses and jeepneys.

The DOTr earlier said it was eyeing to privatize the operations and management of MRT 3 as the build-lease-transfer (BLT) agreement between the government and Metro

income was P36.7 billion, including foreign exchange adjustments.

“Our strong 2024 performance reflects strategic growth, operational efficiency, and disciplined execution,” SMC chairman and chief executive Ramon Ang said.

“We remain focused on strengthening and making our businesses more efficient, while driving sustainability and long-term growth,” he said.

San Miguel Food and Beverage Inc (SMFB) posted a 6-percent increase in consolidated sales to P400.9 billion, driven by higher volumes and market expansion.

Gross profit rose 10 percent to P110.9 billion,

Rail Transit Corp. is set to expire this year. The government operates MRT 3, while the MRTC, owned by Metro Rail Transit Holdings II Inc. led by businessman Robert John Sobrepeña, is responsible for the design and construction of the EDSA rail transit system. Formed in 1995, MRTC started building MRT 3 in October 1996, completed it in December 1999 and started full operations in July 2020.

B3 B4

MRTC and the government through then Department of Transportation and Communications signed the BLT agreement to construct and maintain MRT 3.

MRTC financed the construction of the modern rail system stretching along EDSA’s 10.5-meter median from North Ave. in Quezon City to Taft Avenue in Pasay City. The company infused P4.49 billion worth of equity into the project.

Darwin G. Amojelar

By Othel V. Campos

Higher remittances in January lift stock index above 6,300

PHILIPPINE stocks closed slightly above the 6,300 level Monday on higher dollar remittances for the month of January 2025.

The bellwether Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) rose 12.08 points, or 0.19 percent, to close at 6,306.19, while the broader all-shares index added 1.22 points, or 0.03 percent, to reach 3,722.82.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas reported that funds sent by overseas Filipinos in January grew 2.9 percent year-on-year to $2.92 billion. However, this was lower than the record $3.3 billion posted in December 2024.

Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. chief economist Michael Ricafort said the PSEi continued to gain, after recent political noises remained manageable so far.

“However, as a matter of prudence, the markets could still be on a waitand-see mode if there would be risk of political noises for as long as there are no large protest rallies and no other forms of destabilization/ disruptions that could distract the government from more important priorities,” Ricafort said.

Other positive factors for the PSEi include the declining global crude prices and strengthening of the peso against the dollar.

Among the sectoral indices, only the services and holding firms ended in the green, rising 1.57 percent and 0.41 percent, respectively.

Mining and oil declined by 0.65 percent, property by 0.60 percent, industrial by 0.36 percent and financials by 0.26 percent.

Value turnover reached P4.8 billion. Jenniffer B. Austria

SMIC bullish on economy’s long-term growth

By Jenniffer B. Austria

SM INVESTMENTS Corp.

(SMIC) said Monday it remains confident in the long-term growth of the Philippines economy amid the improving macroeconomic conditions.

SMIC executive vice president for treasury, finance and planning Erwin Pato, in interviews with CNBC and Bloomberg,

expressed the conglomerate’s strong belief in the Philippines’ growth momentum. He said the group’s investments in retail, property and financial services would continue to support the country’s consumption-driven growth.

“We’re a proxy of the Philippine economy because of our scale and the communities we serve,” said Pato.

“With lowering interest rates, we believe this will help our macroeconomics and could lead our economic managers to achieve our inflation rate within the 2 percent to 4 percent range. If that happens, it suggests a strong tailwind for the consumer

story,” Pato said.

Given its positive outlook on the domestic economy, SMIC announced a P60-billion share buyback program, the largest of its kind in Philippine corporate history.

“We’re having this buyback because we believe in our company and its growth potential. We believe that growth in the Philippines will continue to be consumptiondriven. Seventy percent of our GDP is consumption-driven, and our business is right within that footprint. Our offerings in retail, integrated property development, and financial services will continue to be key

players in this consumption-driven growth,” he said.

SMIC saw its net income increase 7 percent in 2024 to P82.6 billion from P77 billion in 2023, while SM Retail Inc. posted a net income of P20.9 billion, up from P19.9 billion in the previous year. The conglomerate’s property arm SM Prime Holdings, Inc. also earmarked P100 billion this year in the development of malls, residences, offices, hotels and convention centers. The investment is based on the expectation of continued growth in consumer demand and corporate activity.

Ayala promotes 4 next-gen leaders to key roles to ensure future growth

AYALA Corp., the country’s oldest conglomerate, nnounced the promotion of four next-generation leaders to key roles as part of the company’s efforts to ensure future growth.

Ayala president and chief executive Cezar Consing said in a statement to the stock exchange Mariana Beatriz Zobel de Ayala and Mark Robert Uy were promoted to managing directors, while Jaime Alfonso Zobel de Ayala and Jaime Urquijo would take on the role of executive directors.

“Each of our senior promotees represent Ayala at its best – purposeful, forward-looking, professional, and engaged. They will help make Ayala even better as we look ahead to completing two centuries of building businesses that help people thrive,” said Consing.

The four leaders will focus on areas critical to the company’s future growth in their new roles.

Mariana will lead the transformation of Ayala Land’s leasing business,

DONALD Trump and his administration have done numerous ill-advised things since Jan. 20, 2025, when Mr. Trump was worn in as President of the U.S. for the second time. Unquestionably, one of the most consequential of these has been the decision to discontinue the operations of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the international development arm of the world’s wealthiest country. It is not a certainty that the White House has the legal authority to dismantle an entity created by Congress. What is certain is that Trump dislikes the U.S. foreign-aid operations and that his administration will try to keep USAID shuttered.

Like their colleagues around the world – there is hardly a country or territory in which USAID does not have a presence – the American personnel of USAID’s Philippine office were given 30 days to pack up and return to the U.S. Needless to say, that was hardly sufficient time to complete most of the projects to which USAID was providing assistance. USAID’s headquarters was one of the first Washington D.C. head-office buildings to lose its signage, and USAID was among the agencies that sustained massive staff reductions.

The Trump administration’s move against USAID was stunningly swift, but it was not unexpected. During the 2024 electoral campaign, Trump kept repeating that the U.S. government had to spend less money overseas if MAGA (Make America Great Again) was to succeed. USAID had been in the crosshairs of Donald Trump’s rifle for a long time. Undoubtedly the U.S. foreign-aid community was praying for a Democratic Party victory in the election, but that, unfortunately, did not happen.

This is deeply saddening. USAID has been a prominent part of the post-Independence U.S. presence in the Philippines. Given the nature of its presence in the Philippines, it is probably more accurate to say that USAID has been the most prominent element of that presence.

After the termination of the PhilippinesU.S. Bases Agreement, there has been very little U.S military presence in this country, and the U.S. embassy staffers are to be found mainly in and around Metro Manila, but USAID personnel have been all over the place.

USAID was the Philippines’ largest bilateral source of economic and social development assistance. The USAID Administrator was a key member of the U.S.

—“—

Has USAID left the Philippines for good? I don’t think so. I think USAID absence from this country is temporary. USAID will be back.

diplomatic establishment in this country; indeed, in some sectors of the Philippine government the USAID Administrator was treated like a Deputy Chief of Mission.

USAID’s development assistance portfolio encompassed virtually every sector of the Philippine economy and Philippine society – agriculture, education, labor, health, infrastructure and basic services USAID’s door was open to any proposals for projects likely to make a meaningful contribution to the development of the Philippine economy and the improvement of Philippine society.

Of course, USAID was not the Philippines’ only bilateral source of economic and social development assistance. There were others, chiefly Japan’s JICA (Japan

focusing on retail, hospitality and office spaces.

Uy will continue to shape the transformation of Ayala’s business portfolio by focusing on the long-term growth of current businesses, while exploring new ventures that align with Ayala’s overall strategy.

Jaime Alfonso will strengthen the group’s governance standards, while also working on accelerating the growth of Ayala’s new energy vehicle platform, ACMobility. Jaime Urquijo will work on enhancing the value of the holding company by ensuring greater synergy between Ayala and its various subsidiaries.

“Over its 191 years, Ayala has demonstrated a history of smooth leadership transitions anchored in thoughtful succession planning. The promotions of these four leaders are part of a deliberate, long-term succession plan being implemented across the Group,” said Francisco Romero Milán, Ayala chief human resources officer. Jenniffer B. Austria

International Cooperation Agency) and Australia’s AusAid (Australia Agency for International Development). These other bilateral agencies have their own assistance plates full, but it is to be hoped that their governments will fill the funding gap left by the discontinuance of USAID’s Philippine operations.

Has USAID left the Philippines for good? I don’t think so. I think USAID absence from this country is temporary. USAID will be back. I offer two reasons for this expectation.

The first is that Trump will not be in the White House forever. At most, he will be U.S President only until January 2029 (maybe before then, who knows?) Trump’s action against USAID is a sharp departure from the U.S. historical attitude toward foreign aid and will likely be reversed by a post-Trump administration.

My other reason relates to the concept of soft power. A discussion of that concept merits a separate column.

In the meantime, to the USAID staffers who have been sent packing by Donal Trump, I say a heartfelt thank you and –as the French people say – au revoir. We’ll see one another again.

(llagasjessa@yahoo.com)

Ayala Corp. announces the promotions of Mariana Beatriz Zobel de Ayala (2nd from left) and Mark Robert Uy (left) as managing directors and Jaime Alfonso Zobel de Ayala (2nd from right) and Jaime Urquijo (right) as executive directors. The promotions recognize how the four next-generation leaders have consistently proven their ability to build business, attract talent and drive transformation at Ayala.

SM Investments Corp. expresses optimism on the Philippines’ growth momentum, reaffirming its commitment to the economy’s future.

BUSINESS

SWITCH-ON.

Sitio Electrification Program project manager Leomel Tambanillo, Bago City Vice Mayor Ramon Torres, Mayor Nicholas Yulo, Barangay Binubuhan chairman Remy Jalea,

URC’s income slides to P12.5b despite 3% growth in total sales

By Jenniffer B. Austria

OOD manufacturer Universal Robina Corp (URC)

said Monday it posted a net income to P12.5 billion in 2024, down 2 percent from 2023.

Core net income, which excludes one-off items, reached P12.2 billion, also lower by 3 percent than a year ago, URC said in a disclosure to the stock exchange.

Consolidated sales amounted to P161.9 billion in 2024, up 3 percent year-on-year, with volume growth seen across all divisions.

Total operating income ended at P16.7 billion, down 4 percent year-

By Othel V. Campos

AJINOMOTO Philippines Corp.

(APC) expects to sustain its doubledigit sales growth in 2025, driven primarily by its core seasoning business and expanding into new food categories, a top executive said Monday.

“The food industry is a very steady business—it’s not like an industry with sudden ups and downs. Fortunately, APC has been experiencing more than double-digit growth recently,” APC president Koichi Ozaki Ozaki said in a news briefing.

Ajinomoto’s flagship products, including Ajinomoto seasoning, Ginisa seasoning mix and Crispy Fry, continue to be the backbone of its success. However, the company is also making strategic moves to diversify its offerings.

The business-to-business (B2B) segment, which supplies ingredients to food manufacturers, has become a new growth driver.

The company recently entered the frozen food sector, with products like gyoza and chicken karaage and expanded into instant soups and noodles.

“While our seasoning products continue to grow steadily, our new ventures into food service, frozen food, and instant meals are now serving as additional driving forces for our expansion,” Ozaki said.

The seasonings giant launched the Ajinomoto Shared Value (ASV), a sustainability program focused on reducing its environmental footprint by 50 percent and extending the healthy life expectancy of over 1 billion people by 2030. Through its partnership with ACEN Renewable Energy Solutions, APC factories in Bulacan and Cebu now run on 100-percent renewable energy, cutting 5,000MT CO2e emissions annually.

APC Group collaborates with FAST Logistics and MOBER Philippines, deploying a 100-percent electric tractor head for warehouse transfers and a fully electric 4-wheeler van for deliveries, further reducing carbon emissions.

Ajinomoto Philippines is among the top five markets in ASEAN for the Ajinomoto Group in terms of sales.

While Thailand remains the company’s biggest market in the region, the Philippines is emerging as a key player in its overall business strategy.

on-year, pulled down by lower profits from the sugar and renewables businesses. Sales from branded consumer foods ended at P109.5 billion in 2024, up by 2 percent from a year ago level, boosted by international business.

Domestic branded consumer food sales ended flat at P74.7 billion even as most categories posted both volume and value growth.

URC said value-for-money segments continued to grow faster than the rest of the portfolio, given the challenging macroeconomic environment faced by consumers.

International branded consumer food delivered sales of P34.8 billion, which rose 8 percent year-onyear as all overseas business units delivered strong volume and value growth, despite the generally tepid consumer sentiment seen across Southeast Asia.

URC’s agro-industrial and commodities unit recorded a 5-percent growth in sales to P51.3 billion as higher volumes across most of its segments offset competitive price adjustments in feeds and flour.

Meanwhile, URC also announced a dividend of P2 per share to stockholders on record as of April 11, 2025, with payout on May 9, 2025. Dividend is 5 percent higher than the same period last year.

“We delivered strong cash generation and dividend growth while pivoting to stronger volume growth recovery, as consumer sentiments improve after absorbing multi-year inflationary pressures. We expect further improvements in URC’s growth momentum going forward as we continue to provide new product innovations and better value offers to delight our customers and consumers with good food choices,” URC president and chief executive Irwin Lee said.

for

Kalinga

Raslag plans P2-b preferred shares offering

By Alena Mae S. Flores

THE board of listed renewable energy developer RASLAG Corp. on Monday approved the issuance of preferred shares amounting to P2 billion via a private placement to fund its pipeline of projects including the proposed 140-megawatt Raslag VII solar project.

RASLAG said in a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange its board approved the issuance of up to 15 million preferred shares with a base size of P1.5 billion and an oversubscription option for another P500 million via private placement/s.

The company said the issuance would take place after the approval by the Securities and Exchange Commission of RASLAG’s conversion of 100 million unissued common shares into preferred shares.

The company also announced the appointment of BPI Capital Corp. as the sole issue manager, lead underwriter and bookrunner, subject to the invitation of additional underwriters and Picazo Buyco Tan Fider & Santos as legal counsel.

“For the allocation of the proceeds, we are still working on it but the majority will be for Raslag 7 project. Then our target issuance is on July 2025,” RASLAG chief finance officer Geo Origeneze said. He said the company expects to complete Raslag VII in Nueva Ecija by 2027, with an estimated project cost of P4.8 billion.

RASLAG further disclosed that its board approved the purchase of lot/s for the RASLAG VII switching station, with an estimated aggregate area of 1,000 square meters, for an estimated purchase price of P10 million plus taxes and miscellaneous expenses.

It said its board also authorized RASLAG president Robert Gerard Nepomuceno to negotiate and come to an agreement on the terms and conditions for the 15-megawatt peaking power supply agreement through a direct negotiation with Pampanga I Electric Cooperative Inc.

DigiPlus rolls out player protection tools to boost responsible gaming in PH

DIGIPLUS Interactive, operator of BingoPlus, ArenaPlus, SpinPlus and GameZone, said it rolled out player safety features in the Philippines to promote responsible gaming.

The company’s initiatives include an in-app “Responsible Gaming” tab, allowing users to set daily gaming time limits, play schedules, and caps on losses and deposits. Self-exclusion tools are also available.

DigiPlus is also running “Tamang Laro, Tamang Panalo,” a webinar series focused on responsible gaming, financial literacy, and player wellbeing. The company provides financial coaching sessions.

DigiPlus, on partnership with the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR), launched “Pusta de Peligro,” a nationwide campaign using short films

to raise awareness of self-control and financial discipline in gaming.

“Responsible gaming is a core part of the DigiPlus DNA,” said DigiPlus

chairman Eusebio Tanco.

“We are setting the standard for a safer, more mindful gaming experience in the Philippines,” said Tanco.

DigiPlus’ responsible gaming efforts are part of the BingoPlus Foundation’s focus on responsible digitalization.

Negros Electric and Power Corp. president Roel Castro, vice president for customer care Maricel Pe and chief operating officer

Bailey Del Castillo join the ceremonial switch-on of the SEP in Purok Sunflower in Bago City. The program will bring electricity to nearly 90 homes.

AGONCILLO HOUSING. Sulong Batangas proponents led by Mayor Cinderella Valenton- Reyes of Agoncillo town (second from left) prepare to lay the time capsule during a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the start of construction of the free housing project in Agoncillo town

indigent families who lost their homes when Typhoon Kristine hit wide areas of Luzon last year. With them are (from left) Agoncillo Vice Mayor Daniel Reyes, Batangas provincial administrator Wilfredo Racelis, First Philippine Industrial Park vice president Ricky Carandang, Gawad

representative Julie Paradero and businessman James Chan.

Actis closes acquisition of $600-m stake in Terra Solar

By Alena Mae S. Flores

MGEN Renewable Energy Inc. (MGreen), through subsidiary SP New Energy Corp. (SPNEC), said Actis Rubyred (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., via its subsidiary Actis Rubyred (Philippines) Holdings Inc., completed the acquisition of a 40-percent stake in Terra Solar Philippines Inc. (MTerra Solar) for $600 million.

The completion follows the signing of a share subscription agreement between MTerra Solar and Actis on Sept. 6, 2024, MGreen said.

MGreen is the renewable energy

San Miguel top energy producer in PH

THE Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) named conglomerate San Miguel Corp. as the top player in the power generation sector, with a market share of 22.44 percent as of Dec. 31, 2024.

ERC data showed that SMC has a total capacity of 6,079.606 megawatts, followed closely by Aboitiz Equity Ventures with 21.75 percent or 5,894.514 MW.

First Gen Corp. of the Lopez Group ranked as the third largest power generating company, capturing a 13.22-percent market share with 3,582.99 MW capacity.

Manila Electric Co. was fourth with 5.42 percent or 1,467.339 MW, and Ayala Corp. was at fifth place with 5.28 percent or 1,431.331 MW. SMC remained the largest player in the Luzon grid, with a 28.42-percent market share, followed by AEV (24.71 percent), First Gen (13.84 percent), Ayala (6.47 percent) and Meralco (3.99 percent).

AEV and SMC are the dominant players in the Visayas and Mindanao grids, with a market share of 14.88 percent and 22.44 percent, respectively.

The ERC issued Resolution No. 7 Series of 2025 on March 13, 2025, setting the installed generating capacity (IGC) and market share limitation (MGL) per grid and the national grid for 2025.

“The commission noted, however, certain industry developments—such as the change in ownership of some large generation facilities—that have not been reflected in the data set. Once ready and available, the 2025 IGC and MSL shall be adjusted accordingly,” it said. Alena Mae S. Flores

arm of Meralco PowerGen Corp. (MGEN), a wholly owned subsidiary of Manila Electric Co. (Meralco).

“This landmark investment marks a major step forward in our mission to accelerate the clean energy transition in the Philippines,” said Emmanuel Rubio, president and chief executive of MGEN and SPNEC.

“This collaboration with Actis and MGEN strengthens our ability to meet the country’s growing energy demand while advancing a greener and more resilient energy future,” he said.

Actis, a global sustainable infrastructure investor, will work with

MGEN and MGreen to develop and expand MTerra Solar, which is planned to have 3,500 megawatts peak (MWp) of installed solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity and 4,500 megawatt-hours (MWh) of battery energy storage system (BESS) capacity once fully commissioned.

“MTerra Solar is a marker of what’s possible in terms of scale and ambition with renewable energy in Southeast Asia,” said Rahul Agrawal, partner and head of energy for Southeast Asia at Actis.

MTerra Solar has 850 MW of contracted capacity over 20 years.

income rose 18% to P10.8b in 2024

By Darwin G. Amojelar

ONVERGE Information and Communications Technology Solutions Inc. said Monday its net income rose 18.8 percent year-on-year in 2024, fueled by growth in its residential and enterprise segments.

The country’s only pure-play highspeed fixed broadband posted a net income of P10.8 billion last year, up from P9.1 billion in 2023.

Consolidated revenues went up by 14.8 percent to P40.6 billion, reinforcing its position as the fastestgrowing fixed broadband service provider in the Philippines.

Residential business grew to P34.4 billion in 2024, representing a 13.7-percent year-on-year growth.

FiberX subscriber base increased to 196,419 during the year, or 57.9 percent higher than in the previous year.

BIDA Fiber and Surf2Sawa recorded 90,458 and 175,795 respectively in 2024, their first full year since their official product launches.

Enterprise revenue rose 21.9 percent year-on-year to P6.2 billion. Small and medium enterprise continued to be the fastest growing subsegment with 30.9-percent revenue growth

Asialink’s board of directors; Gabriel Doromal, Asialink Finance Corp. marketing and communications manager; and Ruben Lugtu II, Asialink Finance Corp. chairman.

Asialink wins at International Finance Awards in Bangkok

ASIALINK Finance Corp. (AFC) won its first International Finance Awards in Bangkok, the company said, recognizing its innovation and role in the Philippine financial sector.

AFC was named “Most Innovative Financing Company (Non-Banking)” for its efforts in expanding digital access and financial inclusion, the company said.

Robert Jordan, Jr., chief executive of Asialink Group of Companies, also received the “Best CEO (Non-Banking)” award.

SM Prime’s clean energy output expanded 49% to 27.6 GWh in 2024

By Jenniffer B. Austria

PROPERTY developer SM Prime Holdings Inc. (SMPH) ramped up its solar energy capacity, resulting in improved operational efficiency and reduced carbon emission across its properties.

SMPH said in a disclosure to the stock exchange Monday it generated 27.6 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of clean energy in 2024, a 49-percent increase from the previous year.

SMPH said the rollout of solar panels across malls and residential developments led to a substantial reduction in reliance on conventional power sources. As a result, it reduced its carbon emissions by 19,140.6 tons

of CO2, equivalent to taking more than 4,100 cars off the road annually. The expansion aligns with the property firm’s broader sustainability strategy, which focuses on integrating renewable energy solutions into its operations to reduce both costs and environmental impact.

Since 2014, SM Prime has been a leader in renewable energy, with SM North EDSA becoming the first commercial property in the Philippines to install rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, marking the largest installation in Southeast Asia at that time.

It now operates 47 malls and properties with solar installations totaling 63 megawatts (MW) of capacity.

“Being recognized by International Finance is an incredible honor for us,” Jordan said in a statement.

“But more than an achievement, this serves as a renewed commitment to Filipinos—to continually innovate and offer the best financial solutions, with a strong focus on financial inclusion,” he said.

International Finance, a UK-based publication, recognizes financial

leaders for excellence, innovation, governance and economic contributions, the company said.

AFC plans to expand its network to 250 branches, introduce new loan products and enhance customer service, it said.

“Our commitment to empowering Filipinos remains steadfast. We will continue to drive innovation and deliver reliable financing solutions,” Jordan said.

IDEASPACE CHIEF. IdeaSpace, the startup accelerator and earlystage venture investment arm of the MVP Group of Companies, announces the appointment of Alwyn Rosel, a startup ecosystem veteran, as the new executive director of IdeaSpace and QBO Innovation, succeeding Jay Fajardo. Rosel has been with QBO Innovation for the last four years, serving as the deputy director. She previously held senior positions at startup enablers AIM-Dado Banatao Incubator and UPSCALE Innovation Hub as well as VXI Global. She also worked at Singaporebased startup and tech media platform e27.

as all subsegments maintained their double-digit growth.

The company ended 2024 with 2,563,458 residential subscribers. These included 2,272,827 postpaid subscribers and 290,631 prepaid subscribers.

“With the company’s strong trajectory and the industry’s broad underserved market, the company’s well-engineered products are wellpositioned to capitalize on this growth potential. The company looks to grow consolidated revenues by 14 percent to 16 percent this 2025,” Converge said.

The company allotted P20 billion to P25 billion for 2025 capital expenditures to fund its international subsea cable systems and the two data centers as well as port expansion.

Converge’s capex in 2024 amounted to P9.3 billion, slightly lower than anticipated due to delays in turnover of turnkey projects.

IN BRIEF

ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABILITY

Japan pledges aid to boost climate resilience

THE Climate Change Commission (CCC) lauded Japan’s P290-million funding commitment to bolster climate resilience and sustainable livelihoods in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

The initiative, which will be implemented by the World Food Program (WFP) Philippines for the next three years, will benefit around 36,000 decommissioned combatants and vulnerable communities through community-based climate adaptation activities.

Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Endo Kazuya formalized the agreement with WFP Philippines representative and country director Regis Chapman in a recent signing ceremony.

The project, Enhancing ClimateResilient Livelihoods in Vulnerable Communities in BARMM, aims to strengthen disaster risk management and agricultural resilience in the region.

Endo reaffirmed Japan’s support

IN BRIEF

CCC supports Bacoor climate action efforts

THE Climate Change Commission (CCC) reaffirmed its support for Bacoor City’s climate action initiatives, recognizing the local government’s efforts to enhance resilience against flooding, rising sea levels and other climate-related threats.

During the CCC’s recent visit to Cavite, CCC vice chairperson and executive director Robert E.A. Borje stressed the importance of local governments like Bacoor in leading the fight against climate change, particularly in areas prone to extreme weather events. Bacoor has faced increasingly severe climate challenges in recent months. In July 2024, the city was placed under a state of calamity after Typhoon Carina displaced over 2,000 residents due to severe flooding. In September 2024, Bacoor was also hit by Typhoon Enteng. In October 2024, Super Typhoon Kristine struck, which prompted Cavite to declare a province-wide state of calamity as 11 cities were affected by flash floods. The events stressed the urgency of strengthening local climate adaptation measures. In response, the CCC is actively working with Bacoor LGU to enhance its Local Climate Change Action Plan (LCCAP) and support its People’s Survival Fund (PSF) submission. CCC News

for peace and development in Mindanao, stressing the importance of sustainable livelihoods in fostering long-term stability.

“Through more accessible livelihood opportunities, we aim to ensure that affected communities feel included in the peace process and are given hope for a better future through peaceful economic participation,” he said.

Chapman cited the role of collaboration in achieving meaningful impact, noting that the project will work closely with the Bangsamoro Food Security Task Force to improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers and fisherfolk while enhancing their access to markets.

In addition, fortified rice will be provided to communities engaged in capacity-strengthening activities to address food security challenges.

A key component of the initiative is the establishment of localized early warning systems and disaster risk management protocols to help communities prepare for extreme

Marikina goes green with car-free Sundays

METRO Manila is seeing a growing trend of local governments designating streets as car-free zones on Sundays, a move that promotes sustainable transport, public health, and community engagement.

Marikina City joins the Car-Free Sunday movement, closing part of Gil Fernando Avenue every Sunday from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. The initiative strengthens its commitment to people-friendly, green urban spaces. With 52 km of interconnected bike lanes, Marikina is shaping a city where cycling and walking are a way of life.

“We are promoting walking and biking to school and work. This is one way of giving residents a safe space so they can bond with their families and friends,”

Marikina City Mayor Marcelino Teodoro said.

In Quezon City, the local government’s

“Car-Free, Carefree Tomas Morato Sundays” closes a stretch of Tomas Morato Avenue to motor vehicles every Sunday morning, allowing residents to walk, bike, and enjoy the open space. Similarly, in Manila, the city’s Roxas Boulevard has been designated car-free under Ordinance No. 9047, providing dedicated lanes for cyclists and joggers along a 2.3-kilometer stretch from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. every Sunday. In Makati City, the local government’s initiative on Ayala Avenue transforms one of the busiest business districts into a pedestrian-friendly zone on Sundays. CCC News

weather events.

The project aims to support up to 36,000 individuals by enhancing access to climate services and equipping farmers and fisherfolk with critical information to safeguard their assets and optimize cropping schedules.

WFP executive Toshio Murakami said the next step include the identification of priority areas within BARMM, particularly those most susceptible to flooding and drought.

Secretary Robert E.A. Borje, CCC vice chairperson and executive director, welcomed the initiative as a significant step in strengthening climate resilience in BARMM.

“The impacts of climate change continue to challenge our most vulnerable communities, making climate-resilient development a necessity. This collaboration between Japan, WFP and the BARMM government exemplifies how international cooperation can drive meaningful action,” he said. CCC News

DENR gears up to meet circular economy target

THE Philippines is moving closer to a circular plastic economy by 2040 with the launch of a program that promotes sustainable consumption and production.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) led the recent takeoff of the National Plastic Action Partnership (NPAP), a multi-stakeholder platform designed to foster collaboration across sectors and accelerate the country’s transition to a circular economy.

The platform aims to catalyze the transition that views plastic waste not as an insurmountable burden but as an opportunity.

“This crisis extends far beyond environmental. It threatens our biodiversity, undermines livelihoods and jeopardizes public health, imposing significant economic costs,” said DENR Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo Loyzaga during the launch.

“The NPAP represents a pivotal step forward. It is a dynamic and inclusive mechanism designed to unify and amplify our collective efforts,” she said. The NPAP provides a unifying platform to transition from a “takemake-waste” linear economic model to a circular economy, where resources are used efficiently, waste is minimized, and materials are reused.

By prioritizing sustainable consumption and production, circular economy not only reduces emissions and pollution but also fosters innovation, green job creation,

resilience, and equity. Led by the DENR, NPAP Philippines brought together leaders from the government, private sector, civil society, academia, and development partners to co-develop holistic and inclusive solutions to plastic pollution. The launch of NPAP Philippines was spearheaded by Yulo Loyzaga, Canada’s Ambassador to the Philippines, David Hartman, UK Ambassador to the Philippines Laure Beaufils, World Economic Forum Global Plastic Action Partnership (GPAP) Director Clemence Schmid and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Philippines Resident Representative Dr. Selva Ramachandran. UNDP Philippines News

Oceans of opportunity squeezed dry by overfishing

THE booming ocean economy sustains hundreds of millions of people, but it is being squeezed dry by overfishing, pollution, climate change and waste, UN economists have warned, in a call for smarter, more concerted action to protect the world’s vast marine spaces for future generations.

In the run-up to the UN Ocean Conference 2025 in June, the UN trade and development agency, UNCTAD, emphasized that oceans are essential to all life, by sustaining biodiversity, regulating the climate and generating oxygen.

Oceans also have massive untapped economic potential that is capable of delivering food security, creating jobs and driving global trade.

“The amount of exports of ocean goods and services reached $2.2 trillion in 2023, so it’s growing very fast,” said David Vivas, UNCTAD Chief for Trade, Environment and the Sustainable Development Branch, on the sidelines of the 5th UN Ocean Forum in Geneva.

According to the UN agency, the world’s ocean economies have grown 250 percent since 1995, far outpacing the global economy, which grew by 190 percent over the same period.

As electronic waste surges, countries look for answers

First of 3 parts

OLEG Zaitsev strides across a factory floor in Almaty, Kazakhstan as a row of workers sort through old circuit boards and worn televisions. The 59-year-old is the managing director of a company that recycles used electronics.

“Hazardous materials in electronic scrap can contaminate soil and water, affecting the environment and food security,” said Zaitsev, whose company is part of the Alliance for Circular Electronics in Central Asia, a partner of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP). “Proper recycling processes can mitigate these risks.”

Zaitsev is on the frontlines of a global effort to blunt what experts call a tidal wave of pollution coming from discarded computers, cell phones and other electronic waste. This rubbish, which is laden with toxic chemicals like lead and mercury, can pollute land, sea and air, causing everything from developmental delays to stillbirths, says the World Health Organization.

The toll is especially heavy in the developing world, which for decades has been a dumping ground for electronics from developed countries.

To counter the mounting threat of electronic waste, countries and businesses need to overhaul how

electronics are designed, manufactured, recycled and, ultimately, disposed of, say experts.

“Governments and the industry can seize the economic opportunity to reduce the growing concerns about human and environmental exposure to pollution from the electronics life cycle,” said Sheila Aggarwal-Khan, Director of UNEP’s Industry and Economy Division. “Solutions that encourage the design of durable products that can be reused, refurbished and recycled are a profitable, innovative way forward that is valued by consumers and has a reduced environmental impact.” (To be continued) UNEP News

Behind this growth is growing South-South trade, where fresh fish exports have increased by 43 percent; processed fish exports have risen by a staggering 89 percent from 2021 to 2023.

Today, 600 million people are sustained by and therefore dependent on the fishing industry alone, most of them in developing countries. According to UNCTAD, two thirds of species living in the ocean have yet to be identified, offering the potential for the discovery of new antibiotics, low-carbon foods and other bio-based materials such as plastic substitutes, which provide a $10.8-billion market opportunity alone.

In 2025, the marine biotechnology market is set to grow by more than 50 percent this year, compared to 2023. However, despite this potential, the ocean economy faces imminent threats from poor governance, underinvestment and climate shocks. These include our already warming oceans, rising sea levels and extreme weather hazards which endanger marine ecosystems, fish populations, coastal infrastructure and shipping routes, particularly for coastal communities.UN News

Japanese Ambassador Endo Kazuya (standing right) signs and exchanges notes with World Food Program representative and country director Regis Chapman for a funding commitment to bolster climate resilience and sustainable livelihoods in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. Embassy of Japan

Seagrass, which evolved over 70 million years ago from terrestrial grass, is one of the most diverse and valuable marine ecosystems on the planet. Unsplash/Benjamin L. Jones

Yulo Loyzaga

TUESDAY, MARCH 18, 2025

lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com

NICKIE WANG, Editor

ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer

JASPER VALDEZ, Writer

IVANA ALAWI says no to politics, yes to inspiring people

ACTRESS and social media superstar Ivana Alawi surprised everyone when she entered the Pinoy Big Brother house. It made me wonder why she joined a reality show when her digital content had already propelled her to unprecedented fame.

Before entering the PBB house, the social media star hosted a thanksgiving party with the entertainment press, answering all their questions with ease. She was straightforward but careful with her words.

“Something big is happening in my career that I can’t say anything about, but you’ll definitely know it this week,” she said in response to what’s next for her career this year.

During the Q&A, she shared that through vlogging and curated social media content, she aimed to inspire people. After the event, we asked her who or what inspired her.

“Apart from my family, the people who find inspiration in my content are the same ones who inspire me to keep creating,” she said.

However, Ivana made it clear that politics is not in her plans. “I don’t think I can handle politics, nor do I have the skills to hold a government position,” she said.

What does she think about celebrities running for office?

“If that’s what they want, let them be. But that doesn’t mean they’ll get my support,” she responded.

In 2019, Ivana launched her self-titled

YouTube channel and quickly amassed a massive following, becoming the most-subscribed Filipino celebrity on the platform. Google recognized her influence, naming her the “Top YouTube Content Creator” in the Philippines for two consecutive years.

Beyond content creation, she has ventured into business and is set to launch her own skincare brand soon.

Despite being no stranger to online criticism, there are issues she chooses to address, including rumors of an affair with Albee Benitez after Ogie Diaz made claims on YouTube. Benitez later issued a public apology to clarify the situation. Ivana also denied false reports of having cancer, saying her mother was deeply worried until she confirmed it was fake news.

“Wala akong sinisirang pamilya,” was her firm response.

“To be honest, I don’t care about online bashers, but I respond when the issue affects my family. Generally, they don’t really matter,” she said.

Wala naman akong pakialam sa bashers ever since,” she added.

When it comes to her content, the 28-year-

‘Novocaine’ leads slow weekend box office

NOVOCAINE an action-comedy

starring Jack Quaid as a banker who cannot feel pain, topped the North American box office in its debut weekend, industry watcher

Exhibitor Relations reported Sunday, but ticket sales overall were brutally slow. The Paramount film took in an estimated $8.7 million from Friday to Sunday—in one of the lowestgrossing debuts ever to take the top spot, at least since the uberlows of the pandemic, according to Variety Slipping to second place was Mickey 17, a black comedy from Oscar-winning director Bong Joonho starring Robert Pattinson, at $7.51 million Pattinson plays Mickey, who volunteers for hazardous space missions and, when killed, is repeatedly “reprinted” to be sent out again. Steven Yeun, Toni Collette, and Mark Ruffalo also star in the Warner Bros. film.

Black Bag , a spy thriller from Oscar winner Steven Soderbergh starring Michael Fassbender and Cate Blanchett , debuted in third place just behind Mickey 17 with $7.5 million.

Marvel and Disney’s Captain America: Brave New World landed in fourth place, earning $5.5 million. The latest installment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe starring Anthony Mackie and Harrison Ford has so far grossed $185.4 million at home, and $203 million overseas. The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie—a new animated caper featuring Porky Pig, Daffy Duck, and other familiar characters—debuted in fifth place at $3.2 million. Rounding out the top 10 were The Last Supper with $2.83 million, Paddington in Peru earning $2.8 million, Dog Man bringing in $2.5 million, The Monkey at $2.47 million, and Last Breath with $2.3 million. AFP

old star emphasized her hands-on approach to content creation. “ Wala akong team—ako lang talaga ang nag-iisip kung ano ang ilalagay sa content.”

Raised in Bahrain, Ivana inherited her father’s estate after his passing in 2018. Her youngest sibling, Mona Alawi, is a former child actress.

In October 2024, Ivana was hospitalized due to

polycystic ovary syndrome. “Yes, I did have—and still have—struggles, but I’m okay now,” she said, adding that she takes care of her mental health. “You don’t have to be ashamed of having mental health issues. First and foremost, dapat alagaan mo ang sarili and prioritizing your mental health is one way to take good care of yourself.”

Gabby Concepcion opens up about renewed friendship with Sharon Cuneta

IN a recent interview, Gabby Concepcion expressed his happiness that his former wife, Sharon Cuneta , continues to wear the friendship ring he gave her during the Hawaii leg of their Dear Heart eight-city concert tour in the U.S. and Canada late last year.

He shared, “Yes, it’s nice to know that she still wears it. I believe that giving a ring is powerful, especially if it’s a smartwatch and a ring brand. It will help you sleep well.”

The actor revealed that he gave the Megastar a different brand of ring because he only had one health ring at the time of their tour. “That’s right! I even went to the mall to buy her one, and I’m glad she liked it,” he added.

This positive development suggests their relationship is in a better place now compared to previous years. “Yes, our concert allowed us to renew our friendship. It was a good thing for us. From that point on, I’ve been happy to see her reels, which people send me, where she’s always wearing the

ring. I want to sincerely thank her for cherishing that friendship!”

Interestingly, he also received a gift from Sharon. “She gave me colorblind glasses, which I constantly use. I wore them for a pictorial in one of my latest endorsements. Well, it’s public knowledge that I’m colorblind. She wanted me to wear the glasses so I could see her more clearly.”

Gabby appreciates the thoughtful gift.

“Of course! It’s only now, at least from my perspective, that I can see a version of green. I’m the only one who knows what that color looks like to me. I’ve taken several color-blind tests, and green and red are the colors I can’t see. Most of the time, I only see blue or black and white. But I think it’s good because I’m not a racist—I’m just colorblind. I cherish

her gift because it’s my first pair of colorblind glasses. No one has ever given me something like this before.”

Fans are eager for another concert tour featuring the two.

“As for that, I can’t give a definite answer yet. We haven’t discussed any possible offers for shows abroad. But I’m hoping it will eventually happen!” However, the veteran actor said he might not have time for a concert tour at the moment due to his commitments with GMA.

“I’m under contract with Kapuso. Cameras will start rolling for my next soap very soon. From what I know, it will run until November, so I might not be able to do the concert tour if ever,” Gabby said. * * *

In his recent social media posts, Mavy Legaspi shared his excitement about being selected as one of the new co-hosts for the much-anticipated Pinoy Big Brother (PBB) Celebrity Collab Edition, a collaboration between GMA and ABS-CBN.

The young star wrote, “Thank you, Lord! I can’t wait to meet the housemates and learn from the amazing PBB hosts. I won’t let any of you down. Ready to host!”

The Kapuso heartthrob is aware that some are not impressed with his hosting skills and had this to say: “Thank you for all the love and support, guys. It’s honestly so overwhelming. I’ll do my very best. I’ll take any constructive criticism moving forward and use it to become a better host. All the extra noise is just unnecessary. I suggest you keep it to yourself because it doesn’t work on me. All love.” Mavy is thrilled about this new chapter in his showbiz career.

“Honestly, I’m very excited to meet the new batch of housemates from Sparkle and Star Magic. Just being part of the show is a great feeling. I’ve been watching PBB since I was a kid, so to be one of its new hosts is definitely flattering,” he said.

American actor Jack Quaid in a scene from action-comedy lm ‘Novocaine’

Former on-screen and real-life couple Gabby Concepcion (left) and Sharon Cuneta

LIFE & SHOWBIZ

There’s a new ‘Chizmis’ in town

By Jasper Valdez

THERE’S a fresh kind of “chizmis” making the rounds—only this time, it’s not just all talk.

Chizmis, a Filipino-developed social media platform officially launched on March 12, introduces a bold new way for users to connect, create content, and engage in e-commerce.

Unlike traditional platforms that require switching between multiple apps, Chizmis merges social networking, content sharing, and online business into one seamless experience.

The app aims to provide a more interactive and secure space for users to build genuine relationships.

Chizmis Founder and CEO Aries Supremo described it as a gamechanger in the social media landscape.

“With Chizmis, you don’t have to leave one app to do something else,”

communities while keeping their identities private.

“If you’re into movies, for example, why do you need to use your real name to post about them?”

Supremo said. “With aliases, you can express yourself freely, without the fear of being judged or having your information misused.”

This feature addresses concerns about online harassment, data privacy, and doxxing.

Empowering Filipino entrepreneur

Beyond social networking, Chizmis also integrates e-commerce through ChizMart, a feature designed to help small and medium-sized businesses thrive online.

Supremo noted that many Filipino entrepreneurs struggle to establish an online presence due to cost and complexity.

“With Chizmis, we provide a platform for businesses to sell directly to their customers, without relying on third-party sites,” he said.

The app offers a complete e-commerce system, including inventory management, ordering, and

said. “You can connect with friends, share content, and even open an online store, all within the same platform.”

A focus on privacy and security

What sets Chizmis apart is its emphasis on user privacy. The app introduces “aliases,” allowing users to engage with different

delivery options, making it easier for businesses to operate digitally.

Unlike many e-commerce platforms that charge transaction fees, Chizmis will not take commissions from entrepreneurs, allowing them to maximize profits and maintain full control over their businesses.

The platform also introduces

KZ Tandingan dedicates ‘Numbers’ to celebrate women

SINGER KZ Tandingan marks Women’s Month with the release of her empowering ballad, “Numbers.” The Kapamilya artist, who recently celebrated her birthday on March 11, dedicated the song as a “birthday gift to all the incredible women out there.”

In an Instagram post, KZ shared, “As we celebrate Women’s Month, let’s forget about the numbers that pressure women. Remember, you are worthy of love, no matter your insecurities.”

“Numbers” is a sentimental yet uplifting track written, produced, and arranged by KZ herself, with Theo Mortel handling the arrangement and Timothy Recla mixing and mastering the song.

Released under Star Music, the song follows KZ’s Valentine’s release, “Nagmamahal Lang Ako.” Fans can also look forward to her upcoming album, Soul Supremacy II

“Chizcoins,” a reward system that benefits both content creators and consumers.

“Unlike other social media platforms that only reward content creators, Chizmis envisions a system where even content consumers receive rewards,” Supremo said.

Chizmis’ first ambassador To help expand its reach, Chizmis tapped Jossmig “Migs” Medina as its first brand ambassador.

Medina, a budding actor and social media personality, expressed his enthusiasm for the app, particularly its focus on security and self-expression.

“I love social media, and I see the potential of Chizmis because we feel safe here,” Medina said. “We won’t be judged, and we’re free to express ourselves.”

His favorite feature is the alias system, which allows users to engage in online discussions without fear of criticism or backlash.

“What I love most about Chizmis is the alias system. Here, we feel safe— no one will judge us. We are always welcome,” he said.

Growing community and global potential

When Chizmis soft launched

about two weeks ago, it had only a handful of users. As of now, the platform is approaching a thousand members in its growing community.

“By mid-year, we aim to have at least 300,000 to 500,000 users,” Supremo said. “By December, we hope to reach our 1 million-user target.”

“Our vision for Chizmis is to serve the Filipino market while expanding globally,” Supremo added.

He noted that the app’s name and concept resonate with Spanishspeaking communities, as “Chizmis” comes from the Spanish word “chisme,” meaning gossip.

Unlike traditional social media platforms, Chizmis positions itself as a complete social ecosystem, blending social networking, content creation, and e-commerce in one space.

“We want to create a platform where people can safely express themselves and connect with others—whether it’s for personal, professional, or business purposes,” Supremo said.

Chizmis is now available for download on Google Play and the Apple App Store.

Chizmis aims to revolutionize user connections, content creation, and e-commerce

Mel Tiangco receives prestigious awards for Women’s Month

GMA Network’s Mel Tiangco was honored with two notable awards in celebration of Women’s Month for her commitment to public service and women’s empowerment.

Tiangco was presented with the Community Impact Award at the inaugural Babae Awards on March 6, hosted by the Women’s Business Council Philippines (WomenBizPH). In her speech, she expressed gratitude for her work with the GMA Kapuso Foundation, which brought her closer to the Filipino people, especially women.

“I share this recognition with all Filipino women who embody resilience, hard work, and perseverance,” she said. On March 8, International Women’s Day, Tiangco was further honored during the 2025 International Women’s Assembly by the YWCA Founder’s Federation of the Philippines,

Supremo

Rising actor and Chizmis ambassador Jossmig ‘Migs’ Medina

Chizmis founder chief executive o cer Aries Supremo

KZ Tandingan describes

to all incredible women

A new space for bespoke

FASHION EXPERIENCE

By Nickie Wang

CELEBRATED Filipino fashion designer Patty Ang has a new headquarters in Makati’s Bel-Air neighborhood where discerning shoppers can explore her collections, collaborate on custom pieces, and work directly with her to create garments tailored to their unique style.

Located at Jupiter Place, the minimalist studio captures the designer’s refined aesthetic. It’s where fashion and personal style intersect in a space that feels intimate and meticulously curated. Inside, neutraltoned interiors and thoughtfully arranged displays emphasize Ang’s commitment to timeless yet versatile design.

“This new headquarters is the culmination of years of hard work, dedication, and a deep passion for creating beautiful, timeless pieces,” Ang says. “It’s a space where we can truly connect with our clients and understand their individual styles. We wanted to create an environment that showcases our designs that embody the essence of elegance and quality

that transcend time.” Ang, known for her minimalist approach with contemporary sensibilities, has dressed celebrities and influential figures for red carpet galas and high-profile events. Her designs, often characterized by clean silhouettes and luxurious fabrics, embody a quiet sophistication that appeals to modern women seeking refined yet statement-making pieces.

The opening of the atelier, according to Ang, is another key moment for the renowed designer. She said she now has a dedicated space where clients can experience her vision firsthand. Unlike traditional retail settings, the studio fosters a more personal approach, with fittings and consultations designed to feel like a collaborative journey rather than a transaction.

Atelier Patty Ang is located at 3F, Jupiter Place, 136 Jupiter Street, Bel-Air, Makati City. It is open from Monday to Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Construction begins on new luxury beachfront condos in Punta Fuego

LANDCO Pacific Corporation, a subsidiary of Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC) helmed by its chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan officially made a new construction milestone with the groundbreaking ceremony for The Residences at Terrazas de Punta Fuego in the premier and exclusive beach community of Nasugbu, Batangas.

Company executives, including Landco Pacific president and CEO Erickson Manzano, Chief Finance

Officer Marycris Panganiban, and vice president for Commercial and Customer Experience Gerard Peñaflor, joined construction partner Metro Stonerich Corp. president Maximillian Quintos, LPPA Design Group architects Leo Pariñas and Leo Casison, and Terrazas de Punta Fuego Village Homeowners Association Inc. representatives to formally launch the project.

“We are thrilled to begin construction on The Residences at Terrazas de Punta Fuego. This luxury residential condominium represents the final opportunity to be part of Punta Fuego’s upscale leisure community,” Peñaflor said.

The development is the last piece of Landco Pacific’s Punta Fuego property portfolio and fea-

tures beachfront condominiums with one- to three-bedroom units spread across three clusters. The

project blends Spanish Mediterranean and Asian Tropical architectural styles, with panoramic views of Nasugbu Bay and low-density living spaces. Punta Fuego, developed in the

1990s by Landco Pacific and Roxaco Land Corp., is known for its marina, golf course, and exclusive residential community. Property values in the area have appreciated significantly, with prices reportedly exceeding a 1,000 percent increase since its inception.

Residents of The Residences will have direct access to 800 meters of beachfront, landscaped surroundings, and modern amenities, including a lobby lounge, garden courtyards, a conference room, a pool with a function room, and a spa and sauna.

The project has been recognized at the 2024 PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards, receiving the Best Waterfront Condominium Development award and a commendation for Best Lifestyle Condominium Development.

Landco Pacific said the project incorporates sustainable development features and is pursuing EDGE certification for energy and water efficiency. Measures include tree preservation, rainwater harvesting, and support for electric vehicles.

“Sustainability is part of Landco’s DNA not because we have to, but because it’s the right thing to do,” Manzano said.

The Residences also offers access to the yachting lifestyle at Punta Fuego, which hosts the annual Punta Fuego Regatta in partnership with Anya Hospitality Group, the Punta Fuego Yacht Club, and the Philippine Inter-Island Sailing Foundation.

Unit owners will gain membership to Club Punta Fuego and the Landco Privilege Club Program, providing access to exclusive amenities. Landco Pacific said the project represents not just a home but a long-term investment in an upscale seaside community. For more information about Landco Pacific Corporation and The Residences at Terrazas de Punta Fuego, visit https://theresidencespuntafuego. landco.ph/ or https://www.facebook. com/LandcoPacificCorporation

Executives from LPPA Design Group, Quantity Solutions Inc., Landco Pacific, Metro Stonerich, D.A. Abcede & Associates, and Terrazas de Punta Fuego Homeowner lead the groundbreaking ceremony for new beachfront development in Punta Fuego

The Residences offers beachfront access, landscaped surroundings, and modern amenities

Relax and enjoy the breathtaking sea view from the pool deck of The Residences

Patty Ang’s boutique blends fashion and personal style in an intimate, meticulously curated space

Filipino fashion designer Patty Ang has a new headquarters in Makati’s Bel-Air neighborhood

The minimalist studio at Jupiter Place embodies the designer’s re ned aesthetic