JAZA tells UA&P graduates: Choose the difficult

August 18, 2025 | 8:04 pm

AYALA Corp. Chairman Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala (JAZA) challenged new graduates to opt for the difficult choices, as these will prepare them for the challenges of the modern world.

“Choose the difficult. Because character is formed through friction, through struggle, through fire,” Mr. Zobel said during the 30^th Commencement Exercises of the University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P) on Aug. 16. at the Solaire Grand Ballroom in Parañaque City.

“Serve something greater than yourselves. Let your values guide you, even when they set you apart. Take courage — act even when faced with fear. Endure. Persevere. This is what makes a worthy story,” he added.

Mr. Zobel told the UA&P graduates to face the complexities of the modern world with courage, clarity, and deep personal conviction.

As the world grows faster and more fragmented, Mr. Zobel said that purpose-driven choices guided by enduring values, not ease or efficiency, will set future leaders apart.

“This ‘real world’ we are now in is fast, but it lacks wisdom. It is loud but no one is listening. It is hyperconnected, but deeply fragmented. To confront a world like this, we must begin by making sense of it… and humans have always turned to one of the oldest tools we have: story,” he said.

Mr. Zobel emphasized that while structure helps us understand the past and present, purpose is what points us toward the future.

“You don’t need to have all the answers now. But you must begin asking the right questions: What do I stand for? Who or what do I hold dear? Who do I want to become? What am I building, not just for myself, but for others?” he said.

UA&P’s 30^th Commencement Exercises included 414 graduates from undergraduate and graduate degrees across various disciplines including business, economics, humanities, early childhood education, information technology, marketing, and law.

The ceremony opened with a salutation from Vikka Angeline L. Arevalo (Magna cum laude, BSBA Management with specialization in Business Analytics) and featured a valedictory address by Francisco S. Pantaleon, magna cum laude, Master of Arts in Humanities. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

Marcos urged to require DPWH officials to undergo lifestyle check

August 18, 2025 | 8:03 pm

flood-typhoon — PHILIPPINE STAR/EDD GUMBAN

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. should require all regional directors and engineers of the Public Works department to undergo a mandatory lifestyle check and reveal their assets and net worth statements to expose officials that may have benefitted from anomalous infrastructure deals, a congressman said on Monday.

“If the Marcos administration is truly serious about holding people accountable for the failed flood control projects, then it should order this,” Party-list Rep. Elijah R. San Fernando said in a statement in Filipino. “No one wants to admit wrongdoing in flood control and infrastructure projects, so let’s make them admit it.”

Mr. Marcos, in his fourth State of the Nation Address, ordered the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to investigate flood control projects that failed.

Last week, he revealed that 6,021 flood control projects beginning in 2022 lacked basic details specifying the type of infrastructure to be built, flagging about 50 separate projects that shared an identical contract price of P150 million.

“As storms grow stronger and flooding worsens due to the climate crisis, every peso stolen from flood control projects puts lives at risk,” said Mr. Fernando. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

MSME development plan pushed

August 18, 2025 | 8:02 pm

sari-sari-store-vendor — A vendor sits in a stall selling products in sachet packaging at a public market in Manila, Philippines, Aug. 1, 2019. — REUTERS

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., on Monday, said his administration is pushing ahead with the implementation of the MSME Development Plan 2023–2028 to strengthen the role of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the Philippine economy.

In a message delivered by Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin at the Presidential Awards for Outstanding MSMEs and the Presidential Recognition for Outstanding Development Partners in Malacañang, Mr. Marcos said the plan aims to create a business environment that encourages innovation, expands market reach, and enhances competitiveness.

He said the government is investing in digital infrastructure, skills development, and tools to help smaller enterprises adapt to new technologies such as e-commerce, artificial intelligence-powered systems, digital finance, and smart logistics.

He also stressed the need to bring financing, capacity building, and market linkages closer to rural entrepreneurs, women- and youth-led businesses, and community-based enterprises, describing them as vital sources of local products and creativity.

At the ceremony, the Palace honored MSMEs and development partners that demonstrated excellence in market growth, innovation, sustainability, and community impact.

The President said their contributions highlight why MSMEs, which account for more than 99% of Philippine businesses, are the “backbone of the economy” and “sparks of innovation” in local industries. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

Padilla staff resigns amid drug allegations

August 18, 2025 | 8:01 pm

A letter from the Office of Senator Robinhood C. Padilla accepting the resignation of political staff Nadia Montenegro, who was accused of using illegal drugs in the Senate building, Aug. 18. — SENATORIAL CHIEF OF STAFF RUDOLF PHILIP JURADO

THE OFFICE of Senator Robinhood “Robin” C. Padilla on Monday confirmed that its staff accused of using illegal drugs in the Senate building has resigned.

“Today, we received the written explanation and letter of resignation of Ms. Nadia Montenegro. Her resignation has been accepted,” Mr. Padilla’s Chief of Staff Rudolf Philip Jurado said in a statement.

Ms. Montenegro was named in an incidence report by the Office of the Seargent at Arms (OSAA) last week, noting an odor resembling marijuana was reported in the fifth-floor restroom of the Senator’s extension offices.

In her explanation and resignation letter, she denied that she used marijuana in the Senate premises and that she was the staff named in the report.

“I vehemently deny that I am the staff of the senator mentioned in those articles. There was no incident wherein personnel of the OSAA went to our office and found me in the restroom and asked me about the alleged smell of marijuana in the restroom of our office,” Ms. Montenegro said.

In the same letter, she cited her “mental health and the welfare of my children” as reasons for resigning.

“My decision to resign should not be misconstrued as an admission of guilt-it is not… To prevent this baseless issue from growing any further, I would rather remove myself from the spotlight and allow the Senate to focus on its important work,” she added.

Senator Juan Miguel F. Zubiri called on his fellow senators and their staff members to conduct voluntary drugs tests.

“I encourage senators and their offices to take a drug test so that there would be no more doubts that there are drug users in the Senate,” Mr. Zubiri told reporters, after undergoing drug testing.

“Let’s lead by example. Many people are saying that someone in the Senate is using drugs. So I said my staff and I should go first and volunteer ourselves for a test against illegal drugs, hoping that doing so would also encourage our colleagues,” he added. — Adrian H. Halili

DBM says P13-B budget balance can plug zero funding for AKAP

August 18, 2025 | 8:01 pm

Cash-aid-distribution-PHILSTAR-EDDGUMBAN — PHILIPPINE STAR/EDD GUMBAN

THE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) still has P13 billion to fund its cash assistance program Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP), Budget Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman said, after the program received zero budget for 2026.

“Upon review, there’s still (a) P13-billion balance from the P26 billion appropriated for this year. The DSWD can still use that until the end of the year [and next year],” she said during a House Committee on Appropriations briefing on Monday.

This came as the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) submitted the P6.793-trillion proposed National Expenditure Program and allotted zero funds for the controversial social assistance program next year.

Ms. Pangandaman reiterated that the agency received P10.1-trillion funding request from government agencies.

“We have to prioritize the projects and programs that were proposed by each and every department,” she said.

AKAP is a social welfare scheme that provides one-time cash assistance worth P3,000 to P5,000 to workers whose income falls below the poverty threshold.

The House-backed assistance program continues to face criticism as concerns of being “politicized.” — Aubrey Rose A. Inosante

DoE forges new partnership to streamline net-metering process

August 18, 2025 | 8:00 pm

THE Department of Energy (DoE) is teaming up with other government agencies and Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) to streamline the process for net-metering program applications by cutting bottlenecks.

“We will tear down the walls of red tape, set clear and uniform rules, and fast-track approvals so households can start generating and selling clean power without being buried in paperwork. We are done talking about possibilities — it is time to deliver results,” Energy Secretary Sharon S. Garin said in a statement on Monday.

The DoE held a meeting with the Energy Regulatory Commission, Department of the Interior and Local Government, National Electrification Administration, and Meralco.

The agencies said they are aiming to reimpose and enforce existing policies with strict timelines for each stage of the application process. They are also looking to introduce simplified and standardized forms, and ensure that requirements remain “relevant, necessary, and straightforward.”

“These measures are expected to empower more consumers, most especially those served by electric cooperatives to participate in the program,” the DoE said.

Meralco, the country’s largest power utility, is seeking to align its efforts with the government by streamlining the net-metering process through digitalization, accreditation of solar photovoltaic installers, and standardization of solar equipment.

Under the net-metering program, electricity end-users can install renewable energy facilities of up to 100 kilowatts, wherein the excess power can be exported to the distribution utility’s system. In return, the credit for the excess electricity comes from the customer’s electric bill.

As of May, a total of 17,175 electricity end-users registered under the program, with an aggregate installed capacity of 157 megawatt-peak.

The DoE said that in some franchise areas, applicants are required to submit as many as 15 documentary requirements, in addition to enduring lengthy processing times before energization.

“These hurdles have discouraged potential participants and delayed the program’s full potential,” the department said. — Sheldeen Joy Talavera

BoC developing new online calculator

August 18, 2025 | 7:59 pm

THE Bureau of Customs (BoC) has temporarily removed its online duty and tax calculator from its website for improvement after a celebrity complained on hefty import duties.

In a statement on Monday, BoC said the online calculator will remain unavailable while the agency is developing an improved version of the tool, which will be regularly updated to reflect prevailing rates and clearer total dues.

“To avoid similar situations in the future, I directed that the calculator be taken down until enhancements are completed. The upgraded system will provide a more comprehensive breakdown, ensuring that all applicable charges are properly reflected,” Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno said.

This came as actress Bella Padilla posted on X that she was charged P4,600 in taxes for a shipment worth P11,000.

Meanwhile, the Customs online calculator only showed she should only be charged P1,650.

Ms. Padilla’s shipment includes hair treatment, lip balm, and skin care products, the BoC said.

The BoC’s online tax calculator allows users to estimate the duties and taxes required to pay for items imported to the Philippines.

Mr. Nepomuceno explained that the computation of duties and taxes is based on the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act and related regulations.

“While the current calculator provides estimates, it does not yet reflect all lawful charges required by law, which may have led to misunderstanding when compared with the official assessment,” he said. — Aubrey Rose A. Inosante

PLDT eyes Invitational crown after topping the PVL on Tour

August 18, 2025 | 7:11 pm

PLDT HIGH SPEED HITTERS — FACEBOOK.COM/PREMIERVOLLEYBALLLEAGUE

Alas players can join mother team in Reinforced Conference

FROM breaking a Premier Volleyball League (PVL) championship dry spell to claiming a second title in a row.

That is how the PLDT High Speed Hitters wanted to evolve as it shoots for the PVL Invitational Conference crown as an icing on the cake to their recent breakthrough title run in the PVL on Tour.

There would be no rest for the weary Manny V. Pangilinan-owned franchise as it plunges back into action at the start of the short but sweet six-team conference on Thursday when it clashes with a familiar foe in the Chery Tiggo Crossovers at the PhilSports Arena.

The 6:30 p.m. showdown will be a rematch between the two squads that fought an epic duel in the PVL on Tour finale with the High Speed Hitters edging the Crossovers via the full, five-set route.

“That’s part of the job. We celebrate Sunday, rest a bit and we’ll see each other on Thursday,” said a triumphant PLDT coach Rald Ricafort, who ended his team’s title drought since it joined the league four years ago.

The other teams seeing action in that conference are PVL on Tour third placer Creamline, Cignal and Japanese squads Kobe Shinwa University and the Kurashiki Ablaze.

About winning its first crown, Mr. Ricafort stressed it was about resilience.

“The team got stronger after all our past experiences. We got braver and more resilient,” he said.

PLDT also showed it also had firepower outside the prolific Savi Davison as evidence by some key players like Mika Reyes, Majoy Baron and Kianna Dy stepping up in the match that mattered most.

“I’ve been saying this all this time, that in practice and in games we’ve got some best athletes. They make me better every game,” said Ms. Davison.

For team captain and libero Kath Arado, all the hard work and sacrifices of the team paid off.

“We really started from scratch in our journey because we had a lot sacrifices and injuries that looked like it was never going to end. We’re just blessed to finally see that all of it paid off,” said Ms. Arado.

Meanwhile, Alas Pilipinas players can now report back to their mother clubs in the PVL after the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) gave the go signal on Monday.

“They can join and play already for their respective club teams,” PVL President Ricky Palou on Monday told The STAR.

Mr. Palou, however, clarified that they can only play starting in October this year when the league stages its Reinforced Conference and not the short, six-team Invitational Conference unfurling on Thursday at the PhilSports Arena.

Before, the league was in strict compliance with the PNVF directive to bar national team players to practice and play with their PVL squads during a certain period of the year.

But the PNVF green light meant stars like Jia de Guzman of Creamline, Mhicaela “Bella” Belen of Capital1, Vanie Gandler of Cignal, Thea Gagate of ZUS Coffee, Brooke Van Sickle and MJ Phillips of Petro Gazz and Fifi Sharma of Akari can rejoin their respective pro teams.

Mr. Palou also said these national players are still required to practice with Alas Pilipinas at least three times a week. — Joey Villar

AJ Edu is fifth-best player while Brownlee emerges as fourth-best scorer in Asia Cup

August 18, 2025 | 7:11 pm

Edu-browlee — AJ EDU (left) and Justin Brownlee (right) — FIBA

GILAS Pilipinas big man AJ Edu and top gun Justin Brownlee made their presence felt in the just-concluded FIBA Asia Cup, landing in the Top 5 of key statistical categories as the Philippines wound up seventh overall in the Jeddah competition.

Taking on the role of primary frontliner and defender, Mr. Edu finished as the fifth-best player of the tournament in the areas of rebounding (9.0 per game) and shot blocks (1.6 per outing).

Saudi Arabia’s 6-foot-10 center Mohammad Alsuwailem topped the said categories with 12.5 boards and 2.8 blocks.

Mr. Brownlee, meanwhile, emerged as the fourth-best scorer with 20.6 points a night behind Saudi’s Muhammad Ali Abdul Rahkman (26.0), Qatar’s Brandon Goodwin (25.3) and Syria’s Keron Deshields (25).

Guard Scottie Thompson ranked 11^th overall in assists with 4.4 per match while sharing 20^th spot in rebounding with Gilas backcourt pal Dwight Ramos and two others with six caroms per gig.

The troops of coach Tim Cone made it as far as the quarterfinals but was shown the door in a 60-84 beatdown by the Australia Boomers, who eventually completed a three-peat with a 90-89 win over China in the thrilling finale on Sunday night.

With a win-loss record of 2-3, the Nationals ranked behind unbeaten Australia, China, Iran, New Zealand, Chinese-Taipei and South Korea in the final standings of the 16-nation meet.

It was an improvement from the No. 9 placing in the 2022 edition in Indonesia, where Gilas (1-3) got stranded in the Qualification to the Quarterfinals stage, losing to Japan, 81-102.

Still, the early exit in the recent joust stings for the Nationals, who will try to bounce back in the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers beginning November.

“We just had a tough tournament and whenever you’re losing, you just want to think about how to get better so that’s the mindset,” Mr. Ramos said on One Sports. — Olmin Leyba

Pagdanganan, Ardina finish tie for 35^th and 38^th in Portland

August 18, 2025 | 7:02 pm

BIANCA PAGDANGANAN had a roller-coaster final round while Dottie Ardina closed out strong to finish in a tie for 35^th and 38^th, respectively, in the Standard Portland Classic on Sunday.

Ms. Pagdanganan turned in a one-under 71 featuring a mixed bag of an eagle, three birdies, a pair of bogeys and a double-bogey en route to a 72-hole card of eight-under 280.

For her part, Ms. Ardina submitted her best score in the $2-million event — a bogey-free 67 that put her at 281 overall.

Ms. Pagdanganan, who made the weekend play for the fourth time this season, earned $13,220 (about P754,313) while Ardina banked $10,574 (about P603,336) in her first made cut in the 2025.

The Filipina aces finished way behind Japanese rookie Akie Iwai, who ruled the competition at 24-under 264.

Ms. Iwai fired a closing 64 en route to a four-shot victory over American Gurleen Kaur, who tallied 268 after a final-round 65. She scored her maiden LPGA Tour triumph three months after twin sister Chisato reigned supreme in the Riviera Open in Mexico last May.

Chisato placed third in Portland at 269. — Olmin Leyba

Ruthless Swiatek downs Rybakina, faces Paolini in Cincinnati Open final

August 18, 2025 | 7:01 pm

A RUTHLESS Iga Swiatek won 10 of the last 13 games to beat Elena Rybakina 7-5, 6-3 on Sunday and reach her first Cincinnati Open final after losing in the penultimate stage of the US Open tune-up event in each of the last two years.

In the other semifinal, Italy’s Jasmine Paolini was a 6-3, 6-7(2), 6-3 winner over unseeded Russian Veronika Kudermetova.

Third seed Swiatek had her hands full in the early stages of the 98-minute match but took advantage of a sudden dip in Rybakina’s form to win four consecutive games and wrap up the first set before easing through the second.

“That was a tough match. At the beginning the level was pretty crazy, we played so fast that sometimes we couldn’t even run to the second ball because we played so fast,” Swiatek said during her on-court interview.

“But I was there to play with intensity and good quality and I am super happy with the performance. I served much better so for sure it helped and I wouldn’t change anything.”

Ninth seed Rybakina used a cross-court forehand that caught the line for a break and then held for a 5-3 lead in the first set but a laser-focused Swiatek came back from the precipice and attacked the Kazakh’s serve to draw level at 5-5.

From there, the Wimbledon champion held serve before wrapping up the opener when she broke for a second time after a Rybakina backhand attempt came up well short.

Rybakina, who enjoyed a swift victory over world number one Aryna Sabalenka in the previous round, was broken for a third time early in the second set after a backhand error put Swiatek ahead 3-1.

Swiatek faced some push-back from Rybakina three games later but dug deep to recover from 15-40 down to protect her serve and reach 5-2 before wrapping it up on serve when Rybakina sent a forehand return long.

Six-times Grand Slam champion Swiatek, who has not lost a set in Cincinnati, will enter the final looking to improve her head-to-head record against Paolini to 6-0 in their first match since the Bad Homburg Open semifinal in June.

Paolini made a strong start but Russian Kudermetova stormed back from 5-3 down in the second to force a decider in which the Italian seventh seed went on to close it out with a love hold.

“I said to myself after losing the tiebreak that I have to step back on court, be in the present and don’t think about what happened,” said Paolini. “I did my best and it did not work in the second set but you have to keep going.

“And that was the key, to forget and go back and fight and stay in the present.” — Reuters

World champions Chelsea brought down to earth by Crystal Palace

August 18, 2025 | 7:01 pm

LONDON — A huge banner hailing the “Champions of the World” was unfurled in The Shed end of the Stamford Bridge stadium before Chelsea’s return to domestic action on Sunday hot on the heels of the club’s success at the Club World Cup last month.

But by the end of the 0-0 draw at home to Crystal Palace, Chelsea fans had no doubts about the differences between playing in a summer tournament and the rigors of the Premier League, even with the addition of yet more high-profile signings.

Chelsea were fortunate not to have gone behind in the 13^th minute when Eberechi Eze hammered home a free-kick for the visitors, only for his effort to be overruled on a technicality due to the position of a teammate in the defensive wall.

The Blues’ Joao Pedro and Jamie Gittens failed to have much impact on their league debuts and it was stand-in 19-year-old defender Josh Acheampong — selected to play in the center of the back line — who caught the eye.

After the excitement generated by Chelsea’s 3-0 drubbing of European champions Paris Saint-Germain in the Club World Cup final on July 13, and pre-season wins over Bayer Leverkusen and AC Milan, Sunday’s stalemate was frustrating for the home fans. — Reuters