Tuesday, August 11, 2026
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Jinggoy’s Wish To Attend Impeachment Trial Nixed

Lily Reyes
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Jinggoy’s Wish To Attend Impeachment Trial Nixed

SENATOR Jinggoy Estrada won’t be able to vote, much less take part in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

This comes  as the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division has denied the motion of Senator Jinggoy Estrada to function as senator-judge due to lack of merit.

In a seven-page resolution dated July 9, 2026, the anti-graft court said that the detained senator’s request is “bereft of merit.”

“This court cannot consider the accused-movant’s request to be in the nature of an emergency of compelling temporary leave. While an impeachment trial is of paramount constitutional importance, its significance does not, by itself, provide a basis for the grant of his request,” reads part of the decision.

Estrada, who is currently detained at the New Quezon City Jail in Barangay Payatas, is facing plunder and graft cases in connection with his alleged links to the flood control scandal.

Interestingly, the Sandiganbayan finds it more logical for Estrada to file a bail petition first and secure the approval of the court before securing temporary liberty.

“Overall, the trial period would span 31 weeks. Such a prolonged and recurring arrangement cannot, by any stretch of the imagination, be considered an emergency or compelling temporary leave from detention. Allowing the accused-movant to attend the impeachment trial would virtually make him a free man with all the privileges appurtenant to his position,” the court added.

The anti-graft court likewise said allowing Estrada to participate in the impeachment proceedings would “make a mockery of the purposes of preventive detention.”

“To grant such a request would substantially erode the very restraints that lawful detention necessarily entails,” the Sandiganbayan added.

Sarangani Landslide Leaves 8 People Dead, 2 Missing

Edwin Moreno
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Sarangani Landslide Leaves 8 People Dead, 2 Missing

A MONTH AFTER a magnitude 7.8 earthquake killed 92 people in Sarangani, local residents are back in grief following a landslide in Malapatan town, leaving at least eight people dead and two others missing.

In a sketchy dispatch report coming from the Malapatan Municipal Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO), an entire family with 10 members were reportedly smothered by the landslide in Sitio Fundao, Barangay Poblacion.

Moments later, the local government deployed response teams for search and rescue operations.

Sarangani and other parts of Mindanao have been battered by inclement weather these past days due to the effects of the Southwest Monsoon or Habagat, enhanced by Typhoon Inday. 

(Editor’s Note: This is a developing story. The Philippine Insider will provide updates from time to time.)

BIR Feted For Digital Initiative for Finance

Rose de la Cruz
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BIR Feted For Digital Initiative for Finance

TO BETTER SERVE the country’s taxpayers, the Bureau of Internal Revenue has added digital initiatives that would ease the taxpayers’ burden of meeting tax calendar deadlines through the BIR Interactive Digital Tax Calendar.

This is the second digital initiative introduced by the BIR in its effort to ease the load of taxpayers by reminding them of such deadlines–the first being the Large Taxpayers Service portal.

The BIR, under Commissioner Charlito Martin Mendoza, was feted Digital Initiative of the Year–Finance Award in GovMedia Conference and Awards 2026 held in Singapore on July 9, 2026.

In a social media post, lawyer Marlonfritz Broto said the award, aside from being a mark of distinction, has become a mirror of purpose that reflects what the institution has achieved but more, what it continues to aspire to become. 

The GovMedia awards was held at the Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre that gathered government leaders, innovators, and private-sector partners from across the region, each one carrying a shared belief that governance must evolve with the times and that public service must be made more responsive to the lives of the people it touches.

For the BIR, the recognition was anchored on the 2026 reform initiative launched last January and introduced more widely to the public during the 2026 BIR National Tax Campaign Kickoff. Yet beyond its digital form, the calendar represents something profoundly human: the desire to make government clearer, closer, and kinder to the taxpayer, explained Atty Broto.

Tax compliance is often framed in terms of deadlines, forms, obligations, and penalties, but  behind every filing, payment and requirement is a citizen,  worker, a professional, an entrepreneur, or a business owner trying to comply with the law. 

The Interactive Digital Tax Calendar transforms complexity into guidance, uncertainty into reminders, and compliance into a more accessible journey making it not just a technological achievement but an act of public empathy.

Commissioner Mendoza captured this spirit in his acceptance message when he said: “To our taxpayers: the Interactive Digital Tax Calendar, together with every digital project and streamlining initiative we have rolled out under the BIR DARES reform agenda, is for you—to make your tax compliance easier, our rules clearer, and your transactions with the BIR simpler.”

“Those words carry the heart of the Bureau’s reform direction,” Broto averred. 

“Digitalization, when pursued with wisdom, is never solely about technology but about people. “It is about reducing the distance between the government and the citizens. It is about making rules more understandable, systems more navigable, and public service more worthy of public trust,” Broto emphasized.

At the conference, Commissioner Mendoza also joined distinguished leaders from the Asia-Pacific and the Middle East in a panel discussion on what it truly means for the government to get digital transformation right. The answer, as reflected in the BIR’s own reform journey, is clear: transformation is right when it begins with the citizen and ends in better service.

Technology becomes meaningful only when it lightens a burden. Innovation becomes powerful only when it restores confidence. Reform becomes lasting only when it is felt not merely in offices and reports, but in the everyday experience of the people.

This recognition arrives at a meaningful time for the BIR. Digitalization is one of the central pillars of Commissioner Mendoza’s BIR DARES reform agenda and directly supports the Bureau’s Aspiration 2028: that by 2028, the BIR shall be highly digital, propelled by empowered Revenuers with integrity, providing excellent services aligned with international tax standards.

Such an aspiration is more than an institutional vision. It is a declaration of renewal.

It speaks of a Bureau determined to rise to the demands of a changing world. It speaks of Revenuers called not only to collect but to serve; not only to enforce but to guide; not only to administer rules but to help build a culture of voluntary compliance rooted in clarity, fairness, and trust.

The award received in Singapore is therefore not an endpoint but an affirmation that the BIR’s efforts toward digital transformation are being recognized beyond national borders. But more importantly, it affirms that the Bureau’s reforms are moving in the right direction—toward a system that is simpler, smarter, more transparent, and more humane.

In every digital tool, there is a deeper promise. In every reform, there is a renewed commitment. In every recognition, there is a reminder that public service must never lose sight of the people.

For the BIR,  this honor is not only about winning an award but about advancing a vision of a tax administration that dares to transform and a vision of a government that listens, learns, and serves better.

Above all it is a vision of public service where innovation is not measured merely by systems created, but by trust restored, burdens lifted, and citizens served with greater dignity.

Editor’s Note: The GovMedia Awards are presented by GovMedia Magazine, an international publication owned by Charlton Media Group to recognize and celebrate outstanding projects, digital innovations, and transformative initiatives implemented by government agencies and public-sector organizations across the Asia-Pacific region.

MIC, PNOC Forge Accord on Bataan Fuel Storage Hub

Rose de la Cruz
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MIC, PNOC Forge Accord on Bataan Fuel Storage Hub

TO AVOID scampering for fuel supplies just like what happened in March onwards, the government through its sovereign fund and the Philippine National Oil Corporation (PNOC) agreed to consider the idea of establishing a fuel storage hub.

In a memorandum of understanding (MoU), the Maharlika Investment Corp. (MIC) and the PNOC would study the development of a petroleum storage tank farm in Bataan as part of efforts to strengthen the country’s energy security.

In a statement, MIC said the MoU establishes a framework for cooperation on the proposed project. As envisioned, MIC will engage private sector partners and evaluate potential structures for the development, financing, construction, operation, and management of the storage facility.

PNOC will provide relevant data and grant access to its properties in Bataan for project evaluation.

“By exploring strategic petroleum storage capacity, MIC is helping prepare the country for supply disruptions, price volatility, and the growing energy needs of a modernizing economy,” said MIC president/CEO Rafael D. Consing, Jr. 

“This MoU reflects PNOC’s continuing commitment to strengthen the infrastructure foundations of Philippine energy security,” explained PNOC president/CEO Franz Josef George E. Alvarez.

“Through this partnership, we are taking a careful and disciplined first step in assessing how PNOC’s strategic assets in Bataan may support a more reliable, resilient, and future-ready petroleum supply system for the country,” he added.

MIC said PNOC’s properties in Limay and Mariveles, Bataan, have been identified for energy projects, making them potential sites for petroleum storage facilities, reported Business World.

The Philippines imports most of its fuel requirements, making it vulnerable to fluctuations in global crude oil prices. 

“Energy security is national security. By exploring strategic petroleum storage capacity, MIC is helping prepare the country for supply disruptions, price volatility, and the growing energy needs of a modernizing economy,” said Consing.

Last month, Energy Secretary Sharon Garin announced that MIC and PNOC are finalizing an agreement on a national oil stockpiling program.

A national oil stockpile is a strategic reserve of crude oil and refined petroleum products maintained by the government. It is akin to an emergency fund, but instead of funds, the government will hold millions of barrels of oil designed as a buffer against sudden disruptions such as geopolitical conflicts, natural disasters, and extreme price volatility.

A national oil stockpile is different from the fuel inventories maintained by the industry, which are mandated to maintain 15 days’ worth of stock requirement.

The release of the national oil stockpile to the market could be triggered by the government when global oil supplies are choked to ensure supply continuity and prices are stable. 

Press Freedom Under Fire

Boni Macaranas
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Press Freedom Under Fire

OUTGOING UNITED NATIONS Special Rapporteur Irene Khan, in her final report, warned that freedom of expression is “under attack in multiple ways” and the Philippines has “increasingly weaponizing speech, criminalizing dissent and restricting access to digital spaces.

She cited “the case of detained Filipino journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio, who was convicted for financing terrorism.” “Frenchie Mae Cumpio, a community journalist, and human rights advocate Marielle Domequil were convicted in January for financing terrorism and sentenced to  imprisonment of 12 to 18 years… their cases underscored the human impact of ‘Red-tagging’ and ‘a deficient process that provides limited avenues for recourse’… Freedom of opinion and expression, a fundamental inalienable human right, has been privatized, monetized, manipulated and unlawfully restricted.” 

Khan shared a recommendation which the government should adopt “to foster an environment where independent, diverse and pluralistic media can thrive….” That is, “the need for ‘coalitions of multi stakeholders in dealing with issues concerning freedom of expression, …the strengthening of institutions, institutional counterweights, particularly of regulation that is rooted in human rights law, and rather than imposing excessive rules, governments should adopt smart regulation based on international human rights law and ensure regulators can operate independently without political interference.” 

The fact is human rights violations have remained the order of the day under the current administration of President Bongbong Marcos and VP Sara Duterte. Their leadership has retained the notorious red/terrorist-tagging government agency, the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), the ‘baby’ of VP Sara’s father, the ICC jailbird, former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (awaiting trial for his crime against humanity, having been responsible for about 30,000 victims of Extra Judicial Killings under his bloody program, “War on Drugs – Operation Tokhang/Double Barrel,” heartlessly implemented by his friends, Sen. Ronald ‘Bato’  de la Rosa, Sen. Bong Go, and a number of PNP generals, officers and ground troops, and others). 

RED TAGGING

The NTF-ELCAC’s Red/Terrorist-Tagging operations have been responsible for numerous illegal arrests, tortures, detentions, enforced disappearances and EJKs not only of journalists, but environmental activists/groups, lawyers and even NGO workers helping marginalized communities of peasants in the provinces. 

Sadly, such human rights violations have not been reported regularly by mainstream media, so that alter-media and the long-standing human rights watchdog, KARAPATAN, has courageously and faithfully reported and documented such human rights violations. It’s unfortunate, too, that the AFP/PNP, the DOJ, NBI and other enforcement agencies, and LGU officials have not been giving the appropriate serious attention on such human rights violations, as initiated by the NTF-ELCAC’s Red/Terrorist-Tagging operations. 

While Irene Khan warned that various states, like the Philippines, have been attacking freedom of expression, President Bongbong and VP Sara cannot just rest easy that they are in the same boat on such negligence in enabling and strongly supporting the important fact, and internationally-recognized guideline for all countries, that media is a critical and vital pillar of Democracy. 

The free flow of important useful relevant information nationwide on a daily basis must be firmly assured by government, by setting up the necessary protective regulations and effective safeguards from fake news. And such should be implemented in schools where the youth should learn how to think critically on how government works. 

Indeed, FREEDOM of EXPRESSION that enlightens and inspires citizens and their government to know the relevant facts and the truth of messages that is shared within communities and society at large will surely keep the country stable, secure in its pursuit of good governance and continuing progress in the necessary struggle and attainment of decent lives for the majority, better yet, of all the Filipino people.

Young Filmmakers Should Dare Defy Conventions

Boy Villasanta
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Young Filmmakers Should Dare Defy Conventions

IT’S NOT only on the in-person attendance in a film event that newsworthy, compelling and transformative sound bites are captured to share with the audience for discussions but also on digital exercises and experiences.

It happened when I was inadvertently advised of what time was the presscon for the 2026 Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival.

Yes, I missed the face-to-face star-studded, fiesta-like event Wednesday noon at the Shangri-La Grand Atrium in Shangri-La Mall Plaza in Mandaluyong City but I found a solid, uninterrupted and fluid flow of events from the Facebook Live of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP).

This time, all the speakers and the colorful scenes attendant to the occasion were lent with clearer and more multi-dimensional and significant insights to grapple with an entertainment spectacle and its meanings to the spectators online.

In a pulsating rush of people, events and sets, being in the middle of a physical event like show business function could be disruptive and unfocused in a frenzy although one could call for calmness if only to with oneself but still accommodate other selves.       

Yes, I missed the personal interactions with my media colleagues, friends and acquaintances, favorite stars, public figures from all walks of life, corporate honchos and familiar faces but I had to contend with what is available to catch up with current happenings.  

I found the extemporaneous speech of Jose Javier Reyes, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), very stimulating and revolutionary.

FDCP has been a perennial partner of Cinemalaya and Joey Reyes has been a witness to this partnership.

Why is Cinemalaya important?

To quote him verbatim on his three-pronged points about Cinemalaya, here’s his take: “Let me share with you three important points as to why we are here today. The first point is, why is Cinemalaya important? Number two, why must Cinemalaya continue? And thirdly, what is the future of Cinemalaya?      

“Why is Cinemalaya important for a very good reason? Looking back at the most recent developments of Philippine cinema, four out of the ten best films for last year came from Cinemalaya (Applause from the audience). If that is not an indication of the importance, the significance of young filmmakers finding their voices, but more so, finding a platform to share these voices then I do not know of any other film event in this country that can match that.

“Secondly, why must Cinemalaya continue?

“We are at that very critical point in the history of Philippine cinema that is not only a matter of persistence but a matter of existence and survival. If Philippine cinema could survive amidst the forays of all kinds of technological developments including streaming, we must be innovative, we must think out of the box, and we must think global. And there is no better example than the works of the independent filmmakers who think out of the box, who defy conventions, but more so, push the very value of the existence of the Filipino creatives.

“And then lastly, what is the future of Cinemalaya?

 “The future of Cinemalaya is seated right on this table (Joey gestures towards the location of the nine filmmakers for the Full-Length category sitting together in front of him). The nine filmmakers who will share their voice and their vision to define the direction and the future of Philippine cinema.

“…And it is not only the responsibility of these filmmakers but also the responsibility of the audience to appreciate the value of the Filipino creatives.

“To the filmmakers who are here, the young filmmakers who are here today…Be brave, break rules, think Filipino, you are making films for Filipinos to show to the world that we are creative who deserve their appreciation, admiration and affirmation.”

Balangay Trophy

Meanwhile, to announce the presentation of the teasers and trailers of the official selections to the 22nd Cinemalaya, Competition and Monitoring Committee Chairman Carlitos Siguion-Reyna did the chores.

Competing for the coveted Balanghai Trophy in the Full-Length Category are: “A.ni.mál” by Dustin Celestino; “2 Valid IDs” by Ma-an Asuncion-Dagñalan and Abet Pagdagdagan Raz; “Ganggang” JL Burgos; “Han of God” Mark Duane Angos; “Mag-iina” by Giancarlo Abrahan and Guelan Luarca; “Kaka Sa Yawan” Alpha Habon; “Status: Rejected” by Vahn Leinard Pascual; “Tayo Lang ang Nakakaalam” by David Corpuz and “Tirik” by May-i Guia Padilla.

Competing in the Short Film Category are “Elenita Elena Elaine” by Gabriela Serrano; “Honey, my Love, so Sweet” by JT Trinidad; “Hoy, Hoy, Ingat!” by Norvin de los Santos; “kung paano kakalas.” by Joseph Vitali; “Para-Paraan” by Mae Chan Li; “Runo!” by Lysa Catolico and Jazmine Gin Pateña; “Silkscreen” by Rey Anthony Villaverde; “Sorbetes” by Jennissie Gilbuena; “The Keeper” by Nolan Rae Fabular and TRNZ and “The River Flows in Different Places” by Lot-lot Hermosura.

During the confab, CCP Vice President and Artistic Director Dennis Marasigan hosted the gig.

Marasigan presented Shangri-La Plaza Corporation’s Head of Operations Mary Anne Therese B. Dumayaca who expressed her gratitude for the partnership of her office, Cinemalaya Foundation, CCP and Cinemalaya.

He also called on CCP President Kaye Tinga who spoke about the contributions of Cinemalaya to arts and culture of the Philippines.

Laurice Guillen

Cinemalaya Foundation President Laurice Guillen who welcomed partners like the media, the filmmakers, Shangri-La Mall, Ayala Malls, CCP, Gateway and other entities, talked about the organization’s vision on Philippine cinema. “For more than two decades, Cinemalaya has looked toward the horizon, every year has brought new filmmakers, new stories, new discoveries and new ways of seeing ourselves. This year, we thought it might be worthwhile to pause for just a moment and look behind us, not to linger in the past but to appreciate the journey that brought us here. What have these years revealed to us? What have our films taught us? What have we carried forward? They are not questions for today alone, they are questions we hope will stay with us as we discover this year’s films and the conversations they will inspire,” she said.

Festival Director Chris Millado collated all the people, purportedly the filmmakers, inside the hall by emphatically calling them collectively as “kuwentistas (storytellers).”

Millado summarized the meanings of all the themes Cinemalaya had shared with the audiences.

This year’s theme is “Reel Reflections” and Chris aptly described cinema as a mirror that reflects the realities, aspirations, struggles, and triumphs that shape the Filipino experience.

He explained the metaphor and symbolism of the balangay this time after the tumultuous voyage it had gone through over the years.

This year’s boat in the poster image, he said, “isn’t moving, it’s moored, waiting, that diver swimming to the surface, that odd, dipping into memory, trauma, into joy in the parts of our consciousness that we don’t usually post on social media.”

Chris Millado

The diver, Millado singled out, is the Cinemalaya itself who after battling the odds, is ready to surface alive.

Among the stars who are featured in the full-length and short films were around to represent their projects, among them Bituin Escalante, Frances Makil Ignacio etc. for “a.ni.mal”; Pokwang and some of her co-stars and creatives for “2 Valid IDs”; Francis Mata and his fellow stars in “Ganggang”; Ronnie Lazaro, Iza Calzado, Ruru Madrid and other cast members of “Hand of God”; Agot Isidro, Janine Gutierrez, Jackie Lou Blanco and the other members of the cast of “Mag-iina”; Beaver Magtalas, Luis Alandy and others in “Kaka Sa Yawan”; Ruby Ruiz, Alessandra de Rossi, Beverly Salviejo and their fellow creatives in “Status: Rejected”; Yayo Aguila, Epy Quizon and other stars and crew of “Tayo Lang ang Nakakaalam” and Rocco Nacino and his fellow cast members of “Tirik.”

Marasigan announced that the opening film of the 22nd Cinemalaya is “Enjoy Your Stay,” a film directed by Honeylyn Joy Alipio and Dominik Locher which was screened at the Panorama section of the recently concluded Berlin International Film Festival in Germany and the closing film of the Philippine Independent Film Festival is “Filipiniana,” a masterpiece by Rafael Manuel which was also shown at the 2026 Berlin and the prestigious 42nd Sundance Film Festival where it won the Audience Choice Award.

According to the CCP Corporate Communications, running concurrently with the festival is the 38th Gawad CCP Para sa Alternatibong Pelikula at Video, the Southeast Asia’s longest-running independent film competition. Showcasing works across Short Feature/Narrative, Experimental, Documentary, and Animation, the competition continues to champion alternative forms of cinema and provide emerging filmmakers with a platform to push creative boundaries.

The festival once again brings the audiences to Red Carpet Cinemas at Shangri-La Plaza as its primary venue. Continuing its long-standing support that spans for more than two decades, Ayala Malls and Gateway Cineplex remain partner venues for Cinemalaya 22 that kicks off on August 6 and ends on August 18, 2026.

COVID Is Back? Relax. It Never Left.

Gwenn Canlas
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COVID Is Back? Relax. It Never Left.

JUST WHEN YOU thought your Facebook feed had finally recovered from fake eggs, miracle cures, and politicians diagnosing themselves, along comes another headline:

“COVID cases are rising!”

Cue the panic-buying. Cue the amateur epidemiologists. Cue your cousin who got a C in high school Biology explaining viruses as if he were running the World Health Organization.

Let’s inject a little medicine into the conversation.

COVID didn’t “come back.”

It never left.

Viruses don’t announce their departure, board a flight to Bali, and return six months later with a souvenir T-shirt. They circulate all year long. Some months they behave themselves. Other months they remind us they’re still around. That’s called a surge—not the end of civilization.

Yes, Quezon City has reported an increase in COVID-19 cases. That’s a fact. Public health officials should monitor it. Hospitals should prepare. Doctors should stay vigilant.

The rest of us?

We should stop behaving as if we’ve only been given two choices: panic or pretend nothing’s happening.

Those are the twin diseases of social media.

One camp screams, “We’re all going to die!”

The other says, “It’s just the flu. Grow up.”

Congratulations. You’re both wrong.

The COVID virus circulating today is not the same beast that blindsided the world in 2020. Most people now have some immunity thanks to vaccines, previous infections, or both. Doctors know how to treat it better. Hospitals aren’t learning on the fly anymore.

That’s the good news.

Here’s the part Facebook University conveniently leaves out.

COVID can still hit hard if you’re older, have diabetes, heart disease, lung disease, kidney disease, cancer, or a weakened immune system. People living with conditions like Myasthenia Gravis also need to be extra careful because infections can trigger serious complications.

So no, COVID isn’t “just a cold.”

But neither is it the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse riding down EDSA.

The prescription hasn’t changed much because it still works.

If you’re sick, stay home.

If you’re coughing like a defective motorcycle engine, don’t board public transport and share your germs with forty strangers.

If you’re in a crowded indoor space, especially around vulnerable people, wearing a mask isn’t a sign that you’ve joined a cult. It’s a sign that your parents raised you properly.

And for heaven’s sake, wash your hands.

It’s amazing how many people have mastered TikTok dances but still can’t manage twenty seconds with soap.

Then there’s the internet.

Every outbreak comes with its own epidemic of nonsense.

Someone claims drinking hot calamansi kills the virus. Another insists garlic is better than vaccines. Someone else swears their neighbor’s tricycle driver has a secret government cure that’s being hidden from humanity.

Here’s a radical idea.

Ask your doctor.

Not your barber.

Not your favorite influencer.

Not your uncle whose greatest medical achievement is surviving three bottles of gin every Saturday.

Science isn’t perfect. It changes as evidence improves. That’s not weakness. That’s exactly how science is supposed to work.

Ignorance, on the other hand, never updates itself.

So yes, pay attention to rising COVID cases. If you’re eligible for vaccination, talk to your doctor. If you’re ill, don’t be a hero. Stay home. Protect your family, especially the elderly and those with chronic illnesses.

Being cautious doesn’t make you paranoid.

Being reckless doesn’t make you brave.

It just makes you an efficient delivery service for viruses.

The pandemic taught us many lessons. Unfortunately, some people apparently skipped class.

Don’t be one of them.

So before you hit the “Share” button on the next terrifying post claiming the world is ending, spend two minutes checking whether it’s true.

Because in 2026, the most contagious thing isn’t always COVID.

Sometimes it’s panic.

China Lays Claim Over Batanes

Edwin Moreno
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China Lays Claim Over Batanes

WITH the maritime territorial dispute at the West Philippine Sea still unresolved, China seemed bent on expanding its claim over the northernmost tip of the country. 

This comes as researchers from Chinese universities and institutes declared that Manila’s control over Batanes supposedly lacks historical and legal basis.

The scholars concluded that the Islands constitute a geographical extension of Taiwan, with sovereignty belonging to China.

As this developed, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. called claims that Batanes belongs to China, by way of Taiwan, as “baseless and ludicrous,” adding that all academics should immediately debunk narratives that could sway ordinary Chinese citizens to believe .

“Sa kanilang closed society, sa tao nila, naniniwala ang mga tao nila dito. Brainwashed eh ang mga tao nila. So ito ay concerning kaso ito’y dapat labanan,” Teodoro told reporters in an ambush interview.

“We should not allow this to go unresponded to. All academics in the world should douse cold water already on this theory. Kalokohan na ‘yan eh,” he added.

According to Teodoro, the study also validates his suspicion that China has plans to control the Pacific Ocean.

“Signalling of a preconceived intention already. Hindi din malayo na nasa plano nila yan. And it also validates ‘yung sinasabi natin na they have the plan to control the whole Pacific Ocean, what is this for?” he averred.

Meanwhile, National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) spokesperson Rear Admiral Jay Tarriela finds it rather imperative to rectify China’s claim over Batanes via legal and diplomatic remedies.

“Otherwise, kapag hindi natin pinatulan itong mga ganitong kasinungalingan, uulit-ulitin lang nila and they are going to rewrite history once again,” he said.

“Baka hindi natin alam, baka pati Ilog Pasig angkinin na rin ng China,” he ended.

Palace Stops Jonvic, No Extension for Marantan

LOUIE LEGARDA
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Palace Stops Jonvic, No Extension for Marantan

MALACAÑANG finds no reason to extend the term of a retiring police general whom Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla is reportedly grooming to replace the country’s top cop.

In an announcement, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the active service of Calabarzon regional director Police Brigadier General Hansel Marantan won’t be extended.

Remulla earlier asked the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) to extend for one year the active service of Marantan, who is set to reach the mandatory police retirement age of 56 on July 10, 2026.

“Wala pong extension para po kay General Marantan. At maaari po siyang makatulong sa ibang pamamaraan,” Castro told reporters.

In a letter addressed to the NAPOLCOM, Remulla said the request to extend the Calabarzon top cop’s active service was made “in the interest of the service to ensure continuity in the execution of critical and ongoing high-impact operations currently being spearheaded by Gen. Marantan.”

Meanwhile, Remulla said he respects the decision of the President — “I fully respect the President’s decision,” GMA News Online quoted Remulla.

Marantan was dismissed from the service in 2014 after being dragged in an alleged rubout in Atimonan, Quezon. He however was reinstated in 2017 after the NAPOLCOM appellate board approved his plea.

In 2025, a Manila court acquitted Marantan and 11 other police officers of murder charges over their involvement in the shootout. 

Sara Lawyer Bares Kill Duterte Plot

LOUIE LEGARDA
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Sara Lawyer Bares Kill Duterte Plot

VICE President Sara Duterte, who is facing an impeachment case over serious threats against the First Couple, was only reacting to an imminent plot to “eliminate their family,” says defense lawyer Mark Vinluan.

During the fourth day of the impeachment trial, Vinluan particularly cited “Operation Romanov,” which according to him was targeting the entire Duterte family.

He also defended VP Sara’s declaration that an arrangement had been made for the assassination of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and then-Speaker Martin Romualdez — in case she gets eliminated first.

Operation Romanov refers to the mass murder of Russia’s last ruling family—Tsar Nicholas II Romanov, his wife Alexandra, and their five children—in July 1918 by the Bolshevik revolutionaries.

Vinluan insisted Operation Romanov is real, and that it justified the Vice President’s threats.

“The truth of the matter is this: She and her family were threatened and while her response was unconventional, it was justified. What triggered her response was a question about Operation Romanov, which is the plot to eliminate VP Sara and her entire family,” he told the Senate impeachment court.

Vinluan said Oplan Romanov was mentioned by a certain Princess Maui in the November 2024 press conference during which Duterte announced that she had spoken to someone about assassinating Marcos.

“Huwag kang mag-alala, Ma’am sa security ko, kasi may kinausap na ako na tao. Sabi ko sa kanya, kapag pinatay ako, patayin mo si BBM, si Liza Araneta, at si Martin Romualdez,” Duterte was quoted as saying in an open-ended zoom teleconference.

“No joke, no joke. Nagbilin na ako, Ma’am. ‘Pag mamatay ako, sabi ko, huwag ka tumigil ha, hanggang hindi mo mapatay sila. And then he said yes,” she added.

During the trial, Vinluan said that Duterte merely responded to the supposed threat against her and her family.

“When VP Sara uttered those words, she was not responding as Sara Duterte the Vice President, but Sara Duterte the wife, mother, daughter, and sister who only sought to protect her own and her family members’ lives. Operation Romanov is in place and the threat against their lives is real,” he further said.

The lawyer likewise claimed that the Vice President was subjected to unauthorized intelligence and surveillance operations by government operatives “that expose her family to high-level risks and security threats, thereby causing intense trauma and uncontrollable fear.”

“Her homes in Davao and Manila were profiled and this is proven by classified casing reports. Her trusted security personnel were removed. Her schedule of official functions like the one in Naga was leaked by intelligence agents and her security was heavily compromised. In sum, the prosecution was right in using the term culmination.” 

“But the prosecution’s interpretation is wrong. Rather, when VP Sara left the administration, she suffered various forms of threats and harassment for many months from the powers that be and the culmination was her statement on that fateful early morning in November 2024. She didn’t commit an impeachable offense. She drew the line in the sand and said, ‘Enough is enough,’” Vinluan quipped.

Selfless Giving: Of Babies and Beauty Queens

Perla Munson
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Selfless Giving: Of Babies and Beauty Queens

AN OLD RUSSIAN folktale goes like this: a little girl fell asleep while her mother worked in the field, and when she woke up, she sleepily looked for her mom and eventually got lost. She wandered to a nearby village, and by the time the village chief found her, she was already crying and distraught. When asked what her mother looked like, she said, “My mother is the most beautiful woman in the world.”

Thus, all the beautiful women in the village were called, but none of them were the child’s mother. The women laughed, saying, “Of course we would know our own children.” 

Then a buxom woman came rushing through the crowd, perspiration streaming down her face. Not exactly the most beautiful woman in the world, but when the child saw her, her eyes lit up in relief and joy. She melted in the woman’s embrace, and she proudly said to the people around them, “This is my mother. She is the most beautiful woman in the world!” 

Delicate Pregnancy

This story came to mind when I gave birth to my son in 1999. It was a very delicate pregnancy, and my aunt who is an anesthesiologist made arrangements for me to give birth at East Avenue hospital, as she was on call at the Heart Center and couldn’t go far to attend to me during the operation.

The hospital was full. As I was wheeled into the operating room, I saw other mothers quietly enduring labor pains along the corridor, some even sitting on the cold floor.

After the operation, I and my baby had to share a bed with another mom and her baby. We asked for a private room, but there simply wasn’t any available. The ward had ten beds, all with two mothers and two babies each. Companions had to sleep under the beds on flattened cardboard boxes. It was uncomfortable, to say the least.

But then it also seemed like I was the only one who felt that. People around me were quietly asking about each other, mindful of the sleeping mothers who have just undergone excruciating pain.

“Kumain na ba kayo? May tinapay po kami dito.” (Have you eaten? We have some bread)

“Hay, nakaraos din. Nahirapan mag-labor ang anak ko.” (It’s finally over. My daughter had difficulty through labor)

“May ekstrang karton po kami dito, baka kailangan nyo ng pangsapin.” (We have extra cardboard boxes here; you might need one to sleep on)

Selfless Generosity

The next day, it was livelier. Moms were feeding babies, companions visiting neighboring patients to admire other babies, relatives and friends coming to visit.

My bedmate’s brother came with one of their friends. They happily surprised her with the news that they were able to find a big refrigerator box for a bed as well as a sturdy carton that could be the baby’s crib. They were all smiles as they talked about how handsome the baby was.

“Syempre gwapo ang apo ko. Mutya yata ng kambingan ang mama nya.” (Of course, my grandson is handsome. His mom is Queen of the goat farm) My bedmate’s mom beamed at her daughter and grandson.

My bedmate touched my arm. “Ma’am, na-caesarean pala kayo. Ako naman normal lang, kaya mauupo muna ako dito para makahiga kayo ng maayos.” (Ma’am, you had a c-section. I just had a normal delivery. I’ll sit on the chair for a while so you can rest properly) For some reason, she called me “ma’am” when at that moment I was the one who felt like she deserved all the respect. I tried to protest, but she and her mom wouldn’t hear it. 

The husband arrived, fighting back tears. The nearby pharmacy refused to exchange the medicine he bought for their baby. It cost 60 pesos. They didn’t know where to get another 60 pesos to buy the correct medicine. My mom quietly gave 500 to them. They thanked us profusely, but their faces expressed relief and gratitude as no words ever could.

Two moms at the end of the room did not have any breast milk and their babies were crying. The nurses told them that they may have to buy some formula for the babies. My bedmate asked if she could feed them. She took the babies in her arms and fed them one at a time. I cried at the sheer beauty of this lady’s heart.

Beautiful People

My husband noticed that the other lady in the bed across from us was silently weeping, hugging a jar close. It was her stillborn baby. My mother went over. At the touch of my mother’s hand, she broke down in despair, clutching at my mom’s arm like a lifeline. She was beautiful and young. She said her boyfriend treated her like Ms. Universe until the pregnancy. He wanted her to get rid of the baby and tried to abort it to no avail. She tried her best to hold on but gave birth to a lifeless infant. 

The rest of us were stunned at this young woman’s story. My mom prayed for her as she continued to weep, and we all prayed with them.

In my very short stay in that maternity ward, I had the honor of getting a glimpse of the lives of mothers and grandmothers, women who helped each other without any agenda, women whose strength allowed them to endure pain and hardship despite not seeing a light at the end of the tunnel, women who supported each other in joy and in sadness. 

Women who, in my newly awakened eyes, were the most beautiful women in the world.

As the village chief at the end of the folktale said, “We do not love people because they are beautiful, but they seem beautiful because we love them.”

Pinoy Entries Snatch Fantastic Film Plums

Boy Villasanta
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Pinoy Entries Snatch Fantastic Film Plums

TWO FILIPINO filmmakers took home the bacon at the 19th Network of Asian Fantastic Films (NAFF) Project Market.

Rodiell Veloso romped away with the Asian Discovery Award (with a cash award) for his film project in development, “My Missing Half,” a Philippine-Japan co-production which he submitted to the “It Project” of NAFF that seeks to discover emerging filmmakers from around the world.

The SBA Award of Veloso tied with Jimmy Henderson’s “What the Darkness Keeps” from Cambodia and Pakistan.  

Aside from vying and winning the prestigious award, Veloso and “My Missing Half” enjoyed business meetings and pitching sessions with international investors, producers, distributors, media, marketers, sales agents, industry professionals and other stakeholders in 676 business meetings, generating a vibrant marketplace for future genre film collaborations.

Veloso’s “My Missing Half” also won a post-production support award, namely, the Badclay VFX Innovation Award.

The other Filipino filmmaker who got a Post-Production Support Award was Mervin Malonzo and his film project, “Ella Arcangel: Ballad of Tooth and Claw.”

Held from Saturday, July 4th to Tuesday, July 7th, this year’s NAFF Project Market served as a platform for global exchange. Featuring 32 carefully selected projects from 29 countries, the event offered a glimpse into the latest trends in genre cinema and explored new business opportunities.

The Project Spotlight section—a program that highlights a specific country each year—once again highlighted Korea for the second consecutive year, providing intensive support for K-genre films. In addition, Focus: France, supported by the Centre national du cinéma et de l’image animée (CNC), Unifrance and the Embassy of France in Korea, joined forces with internationally renowned partner programs, including Sitges Film Festival (Fanpitch), Ventana Sur (Fantastic!), and the Nordic Genre Invasion. They created an extensive international network that connected Asia with genre film communities across Europe and the Americas.

Throughout the four-day event, producers, investors, distributors, sales agents, and industry professionals from around the world participated in 676 business meetings, generating a vibrant marketplace for future genre film collaborations.

The winners, marking the finale of the market, were unveiled at the BIFAN+ Awards Ceremony held at the Webtoon Convergence Center Convention Hall on Tuesday, July 7. Selected through a rigorous evaluation process, this year’s award recipients earned widespread acclaim from both jurors and industry professionals for their bold imagination and compelling narratives that resonate with contemporary audiences.

A total of 18 projects secured practical springboards for productions. This includes “Agape” directed by Miyahara Takuya and Sakuma Keisuka, which won the top honor, the Bucheon Award, sponsored by Bucheon City. Other awards provided cash production support (7 projects), post-production support (8 projects), and in-kind support (3 projects). Meanwhile, this year’s SBA Awards will provide DCP packaging exclusively for all three “Work in Progress” projects.

This year’s final jury consisted of leading industry experts from the global genre film scene, enhancing fairness and expertise. The three members of the final jury—Evrim Dongha (CEO of REDPETER Films) and Tia Hasibuan (co-founder of Come and See Pictures). Reflecting on this year’s selection, the jury stated, “The calibre of the projects was incredibly high, and it was incredibly encouraging to see so many incredible filmmakers with unique and inventive ideas that truly make the future an exciting prospect. And it is further proof that NAFF Project Market is instrumental in keeping the Asian genre scene thriving, healthy and energized.”

Over the past 18 years, NAFF has established itself as a core hub for global genre cinema by discovering over 500 projects and leading to 121 practical film productions. Building on this legacy, NAFF will continue to provide systematic and ongoing support for this year’s award-winning projects, helping them progress from development to production and ultimately to international audiences.

Meanwhile, the 30th BIFAN continues until Sunday, July 12, 2026, welcoming audiences across Bucheon with an exciting lineup of screenings and events.

There will be other awards to be given in the main competition for world cinema.

Logic Behind Rising Importation of Rice

Rose de la Cruz
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Logic Behind Rising Importation of Rice

FOR THE LONGEST time, people must be wondering the logic behind the government’s preference to import rice—even at the expense of local farmers.

For one, the Department of Agriculture is banking on an equation that more imports translates to more tariff collection to bolster the Rice Tariffication Law to fund production subsidies to farmers.

It is not surprising then that rice arrivals keep surging year by year. Imported rice arrivals during the first half surged to over 2.7 million metric tons (MMT) supposedly due to the global oil crisis from the ongoing Iran-Israeli war that jacked up inputs costs (again the penchant for continuously increasing imported urea over locally available biofertilizers and other alternative soil/crop  enhancers) and concerns over the coming El Niño on local output.

The Bureau of Plant Industry said imports from January to June leapt by 20.1 percent to 2.75MMT, from 2.29MMT (for the comparative period in 2025, which for the entire year hit over 4 MMT).

Since liberalized importation began in 2019 following the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL), the latest first-half figure is the highest since the law took effect, Business Mirror reported.

DA spokesman Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said the spike in rice shipments during the period was a “natural response” from the market given the challenges that the local rice sector had to hurdle.

He said the damage on the Upper Pampanga River Irrigation System (UPRIS) during the first quarter affected more than 30,000 hectares of rice lands.

As these areas recovered, De Mesa noted that compounding factors, such as the hike in fertilizer and pump prices due to the United States-Iran war and concerns over the impact of El Niño affected production.

“These challenges posted an issue (on local production), which is why it’s important that the market is responding to (consumers’) needs,” he told DA reporters. “It’s a natural response from the market and will help ensure stable retail rice prices.”

To prevent a plunge in farmgate prices amid the surge in imports, he said the DA will take a “proactive stance” as the wet harvest season nears, including the increase in the National Food Authority’s (NFA) buying price.

De Mesa also noted that a possible decline in rice shipments could prevent farmgate prices of palay from nosediving, citing an agreement with stakeholders to halt the importation of 5 percent broken rice starting this month.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said recently that the Department of Agriculture (DA) had asked importers to stop bringing in 5-percent broken rice starting this month, as it poses stiff competition to local palay. 

With the proposed RICE Act—yet another amendment to the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL)—currently pending in Congress, Laurel is banking on stakeholder cooperation to carry out the initiative.

“We will talk with rice stakeholders as much as we can. If the new RICE Act comes out, I won’t allow the entry of 5-percent broken rice, but for now we’ll settle with talking them through it,” he said in a recent interview.

The DA chief said he met with stakeholders across the supply chain, including farmers, millers, traders, and importers, all of which have “agreed in principle” to the measure.

“The key here is cooperation. The importer needs to help our farmers and our processors. If not, they will just lobby against each other and end up hurting themselves.

Curiously, the National Price Coordinating Council (NPCC) has adopted the DA’s  recommendation to extend for another two months the P50 per kilo price ceiling on imported rice because it made  inflation eased a bit.

De Mesa said the NPCC has endorsed the resolution on the price cap to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for approval.

This, as the P50/kilo price cap on 5 percent broken imported rice imposed by the government lapsed last June 13.

“We’ve seen that the price cap had an effect on retail rice prices since inflation eased because of it. This is why the NPCC recommended extending it for another two months,” De Mesa said..

We have to wait for the review process of the Office of the President.”

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed that headline inflation slowed to 6.4 percent in June from 6.8 percent in May.

Food inflation slowed to 5.4 percent from 5.8 percent. Rice inflation eased to 15 percent from 15.6 percent, while fish inflation fell to 7.8 percent from 8.8 percent.

Inflation for the bottom 30 percent of income households slowed to 8 percent in June from 8.4 percent in May, Business Mirror noted.

Food and non-alcoholic beverages continued to be the biggest contributor to overall inflation, accounting for 2 percentage points of the June headline rate.

Laurel is pushing for the price cap’s extension along with measures to maintain sufficient inventories and enhance the movement of food from farms to markets.

“The latest inflation numbers show that keeping food affordable delivers real benefits to Filipino families, especially those who spend a large portion of their income on basic necessities,” he said.

We  must continue ensuring adequate supply, efficient distribution, and reasonable prices, particularly for rice, so inflation remains manageable while consumers and farmers alike are protected.”

PH, Upper-Middle Income Economy? So What?

Rose de la Cruz
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PH, Upper-Middle Income Economy? So What?

WHILE THE MARCOS administration economic managers are bragging about the Philippines being considered by the World Bank now an upper middle income economy, Filipinos don’t seem to care.

Most of us would probably say — so what?

As long as job creation has not been catching up with population, inflation keeps getting difficult for economic managers to contain and credit, especially for micro small and medium enterprises, farmers/fisherfolk and ordinary people continue to be very hard to obtain because of unreasonably high interest rates charged by banks and financial institutions, and most of all poverty still remains a nagging problem and literacy is eluding our youth—then such a label is meaningless to the people.

For so long as public utilities’ charges keep going up, thus eating up more of the shrinking income of Filipino families and the cost of education and healthcare remain unaffordable to many, what if we are an upper middle income country?

Such a label would only be good for the egos of economic managers and the administration officials who can’t and never will experience the difficult daily problems and sacrifices shouldered by the ordinary Pinoy and the decimating overly-burdened middle class.

On July 2, the World Bank proclaimed that the Philippines has reached UMIC status– something our government aspired for without doing much reform to improve the lot of the majority of Filipinos belonging to the C,D and E brackets and depend much on government dole-outs to subsist in this world. 

The WB said being a UMIC, the Philippines reflected the economy’s broad-based expansion, really? Manufacturing has not improved any thereby jobs have become elusive to the majority, cost of living keeps rising but the peso value keeps dropping. Is this what it calls growth and expansion?

The bank’s latest country income classification showed the Philippines posted a record gross national income (GNI) per capita of $4,850, higher than the GNI per capita of $4,470 last year, when the Philippines narrowly missed the UMIC threshold by $26.

The latest increase in the Philippines’ GNI per capita prompted the World Bank to reclassify the country as an UMIC, a category for economies with GNI per capita ranging from $4,636 to $14,375.

“The Philippines achieved its reclassification through broad-based expansion. GDP grew at an average of 5.8% per year over five years, reflecting gains across all major industries, not a single sector boom, but an economy-wide shift,” the World Bank said in a blog post late Wednesday.

The Philippines was previously in the World Bank’s lower middle-income bracket, having failed to advance out of it since 1987.

The Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) said strong performance across all industries helped raise the country’s GNI per capita by 8.5% in 2025.

“This confirms the resilience of the Philippine economy,” said DEPDev Secretary Arsenio Balisacan. “Despite global and domestic shocks, we have relentlessly pursued inclusive growth, strengthened fundamentals, and remained on track with our development agenda.”

DEPDev said the new classification is expected to strengthen the country’s credit profile, boost investor confidence, and expand access to financing and higher-quality investments, which it said could generate better jobs for Filipinos, reported Business World.

The Philippines and Vietnam were among the five economies reclassified by the World Bank from lower middle-income to upper middle-income status, along with Jordan, Micronesia, and Sri Lanka. Meanwhile, Togo moved from low-income to lower middle-income status.

Vietnam moved up to UMIC status after posting a GNI per capita of $4,970.

The Philippines remained ahead of Cambodia ($2,520), Laos ($2,150), and Myanmar ($1,320), which are still classified as lower middle-income economies with a GNI per capita between $1,176 and $4,635.

Malaysia ($12,380), Thailand ($7,690) and Indonesia ($5,120) remained as upper middle-income countries.

Singapore ($81,760) and Brunei ($34,790) are also still classified as high-income economies.

The World Bank computes a country’s GNI through the Atlas method, which serves as the basis of its income classifications — low, lower-middle, upper-middle and high. GNI refers to the total amount of money earned by its residents both inside and outside its borders.

Marcos Employs Another Poll Loser 

LOUIE LEGARDA
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Marcos Employs Another Poll Loser 

A LITTLE MORE than a year after losing the senatorial race, former Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos is back in the government following his appointment as Cabinet Secretary. 

On the same day that Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro made the announcement, Abalos took his oath.

According to Castro, Abalos will assist the President by providing timely, relevant, and strategic advice on emerging national, local, and international issues affecting the political landscape.

Castro also hinted at other tasks — presidential liaison with national government agencies, local government units, political organizations and parties, civil society organizations, and sectoral groups on matters of political concern.

In addition, Abalos will also reportedly be heading the Strategic Action and Response Office and exercise supervision and control over its constituent offices, Castro said.

Abalos served as secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government under the Marcos administration from 2022 to 2024. In 2025, he ran — but failed to notch a senate seat

Prior to Abalos’ appointment, Marcos tapped another loser — reelectionist Francis Tolentino who was appointed as Labor Secretary in May 2025.

The appointments were made after the Constitution’s one-year prohibition for candidates who lost an election.

Disbar Chauvinist Pigs in the Guise of Lawyer

Boy Villasanta
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Disbar Chauvinist Pigs in the Guise of Lawyer

ATTORNEY Villanueva Alonso, producer of Quantum Films, has directed actress Anne Curtis Wednesday afternoon the misogynistic remarks of Quezon City Fourth District Rep. Jesus “Bong” Suntay and Atty. Ferdinand Topacio against her have “ripened into a disbarment case.”

This is when Atty. Alonso has secured and posted on her Facebook wall a Supreme Court resolution about an appeal filed by the UP Women’s Lawyers Circle, Inc. and the high tribunal’s corresponding decision on the matter.

The appeal stated that the Court must exercise its supervisory and disciplinary authority over all members of the Bar, by initiating an investigation into the widely publicized conduct of Atty. Topacio, particularly his public statements made in defense of Rep. Suntay on “Yes…Yes…Yo! Topacio,” as well as his purported “scandalous admission of lust” towards Gabriela Partylist Representative Sarah Elago.

Meanwhile, Suntay stated in a congressional hearing on the impeachment case of Vice President Sara Duterte that when he saw Anne in a mall, his desire was awakened by the beauty of the actress which he later clarified that it was only an imagination just like the imagining of VP Duterte chopping the head or President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.

Suntay, later, apologized to Curtis but he reiterated that his remarks had no malice.

However, the actress still filed a complaint of violation of her rights as a woman and a human person with the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges.

Upon investigation, the Quezon City congressman was sanctioned by the Committee. He was also instructed to make a public apology, render voluntary community service and attend a gender-sensitivity seminar.  

According to the high tribunal: “Time and again, the Court has reminded lawyers not to engage in unlawful, dishonest, immoral, or deceitful conduct. A lawyer shall not engage in conduct that adversely reflects on one’s fitness to practice law, nor behave in a scandalous manner, whether in public or private life, to the discredit of the legal profession. After all, the practice of law is a privilege given only to a few, and it is granted only to those of good moral character.”        

It reiterates the role of lawyers after Atty. Lorenzo “Larry” Gadon attacked journalist Raissa Robles with profane, sexist and use of abusive language online that disbarred him from law practice.  “As such, lawyers are duty-bound to adhere to the rigid standards of mental fitness, maintain the highest degree of morality, and faithfully comply with the rules of the legal profession to continue enjoying the privilege to practice law.  In both words and actions, lawyers must act with dignity and honor, as the standard of conduct for those in the legal profession is higher than that of ordinary persons.”

The SC, therefore, clarifies the statuses of Suntay and Topacio. 

“Considering Representative Suntay and Atty. Topacio’s highly publicized statements against women, the Court motu proprio treats these matters as a formal administrative complaint for disbarment against Representative Suntay and Atty. Topacio. Therefore, Representative Suntay and Atty. Topacio are directed to show cause why they should not be disbarred from the practice of law, within 10 days from receipt of this Resolution.”  

DOE: Oil Deregulation Law Needs Changes

Rose de la Cruz
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DOE: Oil Deregulation Law Needs Changes

AFTER YEARS that consumers had to wrangle with zooming prices of fuel for transportation, the Department of Energy (DOE) finally pushed for amendments in the Downstream Oil Industry Deregulation Act of 1998 to shield Filipinos from future global oil shocks, but stopping short of seeking government control over fuel prices.

The DOE formally recommended such amendments, which Energy Secretary Sharon Garin claimed would strengthen the country’s energy security by extending available oil supply during emergencies, the Philippine Star reported.

“Among the three proposals are the establishment of a national fuel reserve equivalent to at least 60 days of supply and the increase in the minimum inventory requirement for oil companies from 15 to 30 days,” Garin told a virtual briefing Tuesday.

“These are not simple regulatory amendments. These are practical measures to strengthen our energy security, improve supply resilience and better protect the Filipino people from future global disruptions,” she said.

Despite calls for tighter regulation of the downstream oil industry, Garin clarified that the DOE’s proposal does not include changes to how fuel prices are set.

“This is quite a very sensitive issue, and the fact that it’s oil deregulation, the concept was to leave it to market competition so that the theory is that prices would fall when there’s competition among oil companies,” the energy chief said.

“I think rather than prescribing the price, what we’re trying to propose is that there are safeguards. One of the safeguards there is to have a strategic reserve so that the government can monitor oil trading – in that sense, that we did also,” she added.

Garin said Congress will ultimately decide what amendments should be included in the revised law, including whether the government should have a greater role in regulating fuel prices or require the disclosure of unbundled oil prices.

OIL PRICE HIKE

Garin announced another round of fuel price hikes this week, with the cost of diesel rising by P1.57 to P3.57 per liter and kerosene by P1.70 to P3.70 per liter.

Gasoline prices are expected to either increase by P0.25 per liter or decrease by P1.75 per liter.

“The industry is beginning to stabilize… Hopefully, we’ll eventually reach a point where prices return to their pre-war levels,” said Garin.

Dubai crude fell to around $64.51 a barrel as of July 2, while global benchmark Brent crude traded below the $72-per-barrel mark yesterday.

Energy Undersecretary Alessandro Sales said the drop has yet to be reflected in domestic pump prices, which are benchmarked against the Mean of Platts Singapore.

“For now, MOPS prices for diesel and gasoline remain high, but hopefully they will stabilize within the next one to three months, as 30 percent of delivery volumes pass through the Strait of Hormuz,” Sales said.

MOPS diesel was priced at $92.37 per barrel a week before the Middle East war started. Despite easing geopolitical tensions, it still settled at around $114.73 per barrel last Friday.

“We hope that the price trajectory continues to move downward in the coming months,” the Star quoted Sales.

Impeachment Article 4 is ‘More Digestible’ to the Public

Rose de la Cruz
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Impeachment Article 4 is ‘More Digestible’ to the Public

THE STRATEGY by the prosecution team of making Article 4 or grave threats as the first case to be tackled by the Senate impeachment trial was based on it being “more digestible” to the public than the hundreds of millions of pesos in the  unexplained wealth or confidential funds issues of the other articles. 

This was the view raised by Atty. Paolo Tamase, associate dean of the UP College of Law, in an interview this morning over DZMM as he said that the prosecution team succeeded in presenting the evidence in court records. The numerous objections by the defense is part of its job. 

On the first witness, Senior Agent John Mark Calilung of the National Bureau of Investigation’s Cybercrime Division, was able to show that the videos and manuscripts he presented were all unadulterated.

He is one of 90 people to present testimonies in the impeachment trial. But Tamase noted that the first day of presenting evidence and witness to Article 4 of the impeachment issues already caused some senator judges to comment or make their manifestations, an indication that the impeachment trial is really unique from the regular courts as political debates have been raised.

“If we all thought that the presentation of videos and manuscript evidence was a simple exercise, we discovered that it was more complex,” he noted.

At the cross examination by the defense panel today of Caliung we would see for ourselves just how credible and firm he is about the authenticity of the evidence he presented and this would also be manifested by the debate between the defense and prosecution lawyers after the cross examination,  Tamase stressed.

Tamase said Calilung as a witness will be tested during today’s cross examination.

On the handling by presiding officer, Sen. Chiz Escudero, has shown fairness by allowing both the defense and prosecution counselors to air their views and later rendering the court chair’s ruling and he also did the same with the differing views aired by the senator judges, Tamase said.

“Nakakatuwa. He was like a judge in a regular court,” Tamase said of Escudero.

Mon and Ynez: Estranged But Still Friends

Boy Villasanta
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Mon and Ynez: Estranged But Still Friends

“NO WE’RE not on again,” snappily replied actor Mon Confiado when asked if he and actress Ynez Veneracion have romantically reconciled.

The occasion of the inquiry was during a break from the one-act play “Ang Bangkay” at the Black Box Theater of Philstagers at Balic-Balic, Sampaloc, Manila recently.

Mon and Ynez were seated beside each other near the proscenium stage where the drama about a tyrannical elite embalmer who has incestuous intentions with her daughter was about to resume.

“Galing lang kami sa isang event at dumiretso na kami rito (We just came from an event and we proceeded here immediately),” emphasized Confiado.

“We are still very good friends,” he rubbed in.

The actor said that the producer, writer, actor and director of the play Vince Tanada invited them both to watch the play.

“Intresado akong mapanood ito. Kasi, sa pelikula tungkol dito, inalok na ako ni Vince na gumanap. At ‘yong role niya sa pelikula, ‘yong Don Segismundo, sa akin dapat ‘yon pero hindi ako pwede nung mga panahong ‘yon (I am interested to watch this one. Because in the movie version, Vince offered me to portray a part. That was the role of the patriarch. That was supposed to be mine but I couldn’t do it that time),” recalled Mon.

Although Confiado didn’t elaborate on Tanada’s offer, his intensity and credibility as an actor was considered at the time.

Mon, according to well-meaning observers and showbiz fixtures including critics, directors and producers, has all the making of a big star in the tradition of veteran, well-known and award-winning actors like Christopher de Leon, Phillip Salvador, Tommy Abuel, Cesar Montano, Aga Muhlach, Richard Gomez, Piolo Pascual, John Lloyd Cruz, John Arcilla, among many others.

Confiado himself is just waiting for the right break.

At the moment, he has done quite remarkable roles like playing Emilio Aguinaldo in three biopics, namely, “Heneral Luna,” “Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral” and “Quezon,” all of them TBA Studios’ outings.

He has just wrapped a major role in “Lilim” and finishing other important international film projects such as “Turncoat,” an American indie psychological thriller directed by Filipino-American Marcial Chavez with Italian actress Annaluisa Capasa, “The Golden Holiday,” a South Korean film and “Dito,” a Philippine-Japan co-production.

Yes, he wants to carry the torch being held by John Arcilla. 

“Kita mo naman ang nangyayari sa career ni John. Talagang pataas nang pataas, pabigat ng pabigat. Gano’n ang gusto kong mangyari sa ginagawa ko (Look at what is happening on his career. It’s really steadily going up, weighing heavier and heavier. That’s what I would like to happen with what I’m doing),” he opined.

That is why he doesn’t want to accept minor or guest roles sans significance on the totality of the narrative onscreen or that wouldn’t enhance his image and magnitude as an actor.

“Ayokong matali sa parang dekorasyon ka lang (I don’t want to be identified as a wallflower in a movie). I am done with those types of roles,” he confidently assured.

His decision comes from wisdom. “Sa akin lang na obserbasyon at desisyon ‘yon. Walang nagpayo (It’s only through observation and decision. No one advised me),” he qualified.

“How about your love life?” a question thrown to him.

He just smiled.

“How about girls?”

“Tapos na ako r’yan (I’m done with it),” he burst with a guffaw.

In a few minutes, “Ang Bangkay” had resumed and Mon was totally engaged in watching.

After the curtain call and everything had settled and the lights went on, Ynez smiled at us.

“How’s your love life?” a question directed to her.

“Wala (No one),” Veneracion replied.

“Pamilya lang. At mga guestings (Only family. And guesting on TV and films),” she added.

Like, Mon, she said they are still very good friends.

Confiado and Veneracion were living together for four years and had an on-and-off romance for seven years.

After Mon, she was in a relationship with the political kingpin from the south, Maguindanao Governor Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu who sired her a daughter, Princess Keilah del Rosario.

At the moment, Mon and Ynes share the beauty of everlasting friendship.

PH’s Upper-Middle-Income Status May Affect Loan Access

Tracy Cabrera
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PH’s Upper-Middle-Income Status May Affect Loan Access

WITH the country’s elevation to upper-middle-income economy, socioeconomic planning secretary Arsenio Balisacan disclosed that there is no need to worry about the country losing access to some official development assistance (ODA) amid stronger economic fundamentals. 

Balisacan explained this would mean that although the World Bank (WB) reclassification would alter the mix of development financing available to the Philippines, the gains from stronger fundamentals and improved market access are expected to outweigh the said adjustments. 

The Philippines was upgraded as gross national income (GNI) per capita hit $4,850 in 2025, breaching the upper middle-income threshold of $4,636 to $14,375.

Despite the positive development, the tradeoff is that in attaining upper-middle-income status would mean losing access to concessional loans, subsidized financing and grants from development partners such as the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

Still, Balisacan viewed that the Philippines’ elevation signaled growing confidence in the country’s economic strength rather than the loss of financing options.

“The new classification is expected to strengthen the country’s credit profile, boost investor confidence and expand access to financing and higher-quality investments that generate better jobs for Filipinos,” the socioeconomic chief pointed out.

Data from the Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DEPDev) showed that the total value of the Philippines’ active ODA-funded projects grew by 6.0 percent to $39.6 billion in 2024 from $37.3 billion in 2023, spread across 426 loans and grants.

DEPDev attributed the increase to loan commitments for infrastructure projects with nine of 17 fresh loans worth $8.2 billion supporting the administration’s infrastructure flagship projects.

Meanwhile, Chinabank Research forecasted that access to concessional financing would not be “immediate as the eligibility for these facilities is generally phased out only when the GNI per capita exceeds $7,000.” 

It added that the upgrade would gradually alter the country’s financing landscape by encouraging greater reliance on market-based funding.

“The country’s upgrade may improve visibility among both onshore and offshore fixed-income investors, potentially leading to greater demand for government securities,” it noted even as the government is expected to increasingly tap domestic and international capital markets, expand public-private partnerships and attract greater private sector participation in financing infrastructure and development initiatives.

“Rising income levels and a growing economy could enhance the Philippines’ appeal to foreign investors. This may help attract greater investment in industries such as manufacturing, technology, renewable energy, which typically generate high-quality jobs, improve productivity, and support long-term economic growth,” Chinabank continued. 

On the other hand, Reyes Tacandong & Company senior adviser Jonathan Ravelas observed that the upgrade was the “beginning of a more demanding journey” for the Philippine economy. 

“The government must use this opportunity to accelerate infrastructure, attract more investments, improve education and skills development, and create better-paying jobs so that economic growth translates into higher living standards for ordinary Filipinos,” Ravelas stressed.

“At the same time, we must be realistic. UMIC status reflects our economic progress at the national level, but it does not automatically mean that every Filipino is now better off,” he added. 

The renowned market strategist noted that many Filipino families are already struggling with high prices, low income and limited economic opportunities, which underscores the need to ensure that economic growth benefits more people.

Union Bank of the Philippines chief economist Ruben Carlo Asuncion agreed, provided that the country focus on accelerating investments in infrastructure, education, healthcare and digitalization.

“Policies that encourage private investment, generate quality jobs, strengthen human capital, and enhance resilience to external shocks and climate-related risks will also be crucial,” Asuncion spelled out.

“Ultimately, sustained economic growth that translates into higher incomes and broader opportunities for Filipinos will determine whether the country can successfully maintain its upper-middle-income standing over the long term,” he concluded.

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