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SC to hold summer sessions in Manila

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THE Supreme Court (SC) said it will hold its 2026 summer sessions in Manila instead of Baguio City due to rising fuel costs.

In a statement on Tuesday, the SC said the anticipated oral arguments on consolidated petitions challenging provisions on unprogrammed funds and special accounts in the 2024, 2025, and 2026 general appropriations acts will proceed as scheduled on April 7 and April 21.

The court is also set to hear a foreign divorce recognition case on April 28, which could redefine how the Philippines recognizes divorces obtained by Filipinos abroad.

“Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo announced the change after consulting with the SC en banc, noting the Court’s responsibility to remain mindful of current national conditions while continuing to ensure the steady delivery of justice,” the SC said.

“The adjustment is also part of the SC’s energy conservation measures under SC Memorandum Circular No. 02-2026, which took effect on March 8, 2026, in line with broader government efforts to address rising fuel costs,” it added.

While the Baguio sessions have been a tradition since 1948, the SC noted that the relocation to Manila is a practical response to current economic challenges and does not prevent a return to the Summer Capital once conditions stabilize. — Erika Mae P. Sinaking

Customs seizes P1-B illicit vapes

STOCK PHOTO | Image from Pixabay

THE Bureau of Customs (BoC) said that it seized P1 billion worth of illicit vaporized nicotine products on Monday, marking the government’s largest enforcement action against the illegal vape trade.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Trade department said that 3.17 million units of illicit vape devices and pods were confiscated in a joint operation in San Rafael Village, Navotas City, following the issuance of a letter of authority and mission order.

“The authorities found a substantial volume of vape products and related items suspected to have been misdeclared and unlawfully imported,” the BoC said.

The seized products, which were unregistered, did not have the required Philippine Standard license or import commodity clearance.

The BoC and the Department of Trade and Industry also discovered illegal promotional materials, including t-shirts, jackets, caps, and lanyards bearing the names of vape brands that have already been suspended from trading.

These brands, according to the Trade Department’s Office for the Special Mandate on Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products, Their Devices, and Novel Tobacco Products, have already been the subject of regulatory action.

“[These] were previously suspended in 2024 due to packaging violations, including noncompliance with the required placement of tax stamps and graphic health warnings,” it added. — Justine Irish D. Tabile

DoJ subpoenas Vibal sisters

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THE Department of Justice (DoJ) has ordered the three sisters who control Vibal Group, Inc. (VGI), one of the Philippines’ oldest educational publishing houses, to respond to allegations of syndicated estafa involving an estimated P1.6-billion fraud scheme.

In a subpoena dated March 19, Senior Assistant City Prosecutor Joselito C. Bacolor of the Quezon City Office of the City Prosecutor directed the three sisters to appear and submit their counter-affidavits on April 16 and April 30. The order follows a case build-up by the DoJ to determine the sufficiency of evidence in the criminal complaint.

“We have not yet received a copy of this syndicated estafa case filed by Mandigma. Without a copy of the complaint, we cannot give a comment in relation to this case,” Rizzle May R. Ostia-Alburo, legal counsel for the Vibal sisters, told BusinessWorld in a Viber message.

“We believe that this case is part of Mandigma’s retaliation for having been terminated in VGI as CEO (chief executive officer),” she added.

The complaint, filed by reinstated Vibal CEO Maria Kristine E. Mandigma, cites 458 counts of syndicated estafa against the sisters, who serve as directors and top officers of VGI and its related entities. Under Philippine law, syndicated estafa is a non-bailable offense punishable by life imprisonment.

The sisters are also facing charges of “estafa through falsification of commercial and private documents and obstruction of justice.” The complaint names 11 other respondents, including former accounting and management personnel of the Vibal Group.

According to Ms. Mandigma’s complaint-affidavit, the case allegedly stems from a 2025 internal review of archival records that allegedly uncovered a “long-running fraudulent financial scheme.”

The respondents allegedly utilized fictitious supplier invoices to increase recorded costs and facilitate the unlawful diversion of corporate funds into personal and joint bank accounts controlled by the sisters and the late Vibal matriarch.

Internal records, as cited in the complaint, indicate that between 2003 and 2014, one primary supplier alone accounted for over P2.05 billion in purported paper purchases that could not be reconciled with the company’s actual production requirements or revenues. The complaint further alleges that these funds were used for personal expenses, real estate acquisitions, and “advances” that were later cycled back into the company to create a false appearance of shareholder capitalization.

This DoJ subpoena follows separate regulatory action by the Securities and Exchange Commission, which in February ordered the sisters to answer a complaint for alleged violations of the Revised Corporation Code.

Ms. Mandigma, the complainant, said in her affidavit that she was recently reinstated as CEO by a January 2026 decision of the National Labor Relations Commission, after which she moved to formalize the criminal charges. — Erika Mae P. Sinaking

Maya rolls out rebates for Filipinos receiving remittances from Middle East

MAYA has rolled out rebates for users who rely on receiving remittances from family members in the Middle East to support Filipinos affected by the US-Israel war on Iran.

From March 23 to April 10, Maya who receive remittances from select Middle East countries — including Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Israel, Lebanon and Jordan — can unlock transaction rebates, the bank said in a press release on Tuesday.

“With many overseas Filipinos in the Middle East supporting their families back home, we aim to make it easier for households to access and make the most of these remittances by reducing everyday transaction costs,” said Shailesh Baidwan, Maya Group president and Maya Bank co-founder.

Eligible users of the Maya Bank app who use Maya XP, the digital lender’s rewards system, will receive ATM withdrawal rebates at P18 credited back per transaction. InstaPay bank transfer rebates with P15 credited back per transaction.

The digital bank also offers eligible users cashback on mobile load purchases, ranging from 1% to 3% depending on their Maya XP level.

After receiving a qualifying remittance, eligible users will receive an invitation to activate Maya XP within 1 to 3 days, which can be accessed within the Maya app.

Once activated, rebates will be automatically applied on eligible transactions, with the corresponding cashback credited to the user’s Maya wallet on the same day. — Aaron Michael C. Sy

Over 3,000 correctional clients get livelihood, educational opportunities

THE Parole and Probation Administration (PPA) on Tuesday launched a program to provide education and livelihood opportunities to more than 3,000 probationers, parolees, and pardonees in the country’s capital region alone.

Called the Livelihood and Education Access Program (LEAP), the initiative helps qualified correctional clients return to school or undergo livelihood training, aiding their integration back into society.
“The contribution of this program is that it will help harmonize their families,” PPA Administrator Bienvenido O. Benitez, Jr. told BusinessWorld in Filipino on the sidelines of LEAP’s launch and enrollment event.

“They will be reintegrated into society so they can continue with their lives as normal people,” he added.

Mr. Benitez also said that the program addresses the stigma associated with correctional clients, sending a message that they can still be a productive part of society.

The program started as a pilot project in 2020 and was formalized during the launch event with initial funding of P44 million, which will cover correctional clients’ essential expenses for this year, Janette S. Padua, PPA regional director for the National Capital Region, said in an interview on the sidelines of the launch event.

The capital received a P3.8-million budget allocation, where each of the more than 3,000 correctional clients in the region targeted for enrollment has a corresponding annual budget of P900.

“Others might say it’s small. But you see, this is very significant for us,” Ms. Padua said in Filipino, noting that it is the first time the LEAP program has been funded since its inception.

To qualify for the program, correctional clients undergo an assessment to identify if LEAP suits them best among the agency’s rehabilitation programs, Maria Isabel B. Castillo, Manila-based chief probation and parole officer, told BusinessWorld.

Clients will be required to accomplish seven modules, which will help them learn essential skills for their reintroduction to schools or workplaces.

They can then choose to return to school, such as enrolling in the Alternative Learning System of the Department of Education.

Ms. Castillo said that the program is also in partnership with state universities if the clients are interested in going back to college.

For livelihood, clients can train under the PPA to learn skills such as manicure services or micro-entrepreneurship, or be referred to other government agencies such as the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority for more specialized training.

“They can choose whether they want to start a business or go to college,” Ms. Castillo said, instead of the agency choosing for the client as initially practiced.

“This time, we wanted to really target the needs of clients, so it doesn’t fail,” she said.

Ms. Padua said that livelihood training will also vary depending on the opportunities available in each region.

Moving ahead, she said they intend to expand the program regardless of the budget allocated to them in the coming years.

Meanwhile, Mr. Benitez said they are already coordinating with the National Bureau of Investigation to allow qualified correctional clients who graduate through the program to secure clearances, clearing them of other legal impediments.

As of 2024, the PPA has logged a total of 187,000 probationers, parolees, and pardonees nationwide, Mr. Benitez said. — Edg Adrian A. Eva

BARMM execs launch 2026-2028 governance framework

COTABATO CITY — Officials of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) government on Monday launched its 2026-2028 governance framework, “Mas Matatag na Bangsamoro Agenda,” which aligns with the Mindanao peace process.

Senior BARMM officials, led by their chief minister, Abdulraof A. Macacua, converged in Quezon City on Monday and discussed the intricacies of their 2026-2028 peace and development goals as guides for boosting the autonomous region’s socio-economic growth via governance and collaboration with local government units on public service thrusts.

“We shall work together in furthering this very comprehensive peace and development framework for our region,” Mr. Macacua told reporters on Tuesday morning.

He said the objectives of their new governance framework is to have a progressive Bangsamoro region, as home to mixed Muslim, Christian and non-Moro indigenous communities, to spur economic growth in all of its towns and cities, to improve commerce and trade, to generate employment and boost small and medium enterprises, and expand the regional government’s infrastructure, healthcare and education programs.

Mr. Macacua said the framework also includes extensive peace and security initiatives and promotion of interfaith solidarity and ecumenism among BARMM’s culturally pluralistic communities.

“That shall be our governance guides for 2026 to 2028,” said Mr. Macacua, who is figurehead of the BARMM parliament.

Three members of BARMM’s parliament, Kadil M. Sinolinding, Jr. and Naguib G. Sinarimbo and Jet L. Lim, who is also spokesperson of the region’s lawmaking body, separately assured of their support for the newly launched framework.

“We shall exert our best efforts to achieve the goals of that governance framework,” said Mr. Sinarimbo, who was BARMM’s local government minister before he was appointed member of the regional parliament by President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. last year.

Mr. Sinolinding, who is also managing the Ministry of Health-BARMM in concurrent capacity, said he and his subordinates in the agency will work together in expanding health services in the region; while BARMM’s labor and employment minister, Muslimin G. Sema, said they are glad with the launching of the Agenda. — John Felix M. Unson

Shift to clean energy begins in Northern Luzon provinces

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya — Two northern provinces are stepping up their shift to clean energy, rolling out solar initiatives that will cut emissions while expanding access to electricity in underserved communities.

In Nueva Vizcaya, the “Silaw ti Umili” program of Governor Jose V. Gambito is bringing solar power to remote barangays beyond the grid of Nueva Vizcaya Electric Cooperative, reducing reliance on diesel and other fossil fuels in isolated areas.

Provincial Engineer Jerry A. Tan said 8,091 households have been identified for the program, with 3,756 already equipped with solar kits.

Backed by a P15.7-million funding, the initiative will expand further with a P16-million allocation in 2026 to reach 3,600 more homes.

Mr. Gambito said the push for solar electrification “is not only about access but also about sustainability, helping lower carbon footprints while improving living conditions in far-flung communities.”

In Kalinga, Governor James S. Edduba is advancing the same green agenda by requiring all new public school buildings to be solar-ready, aligning infrastructure development with climate resilience goals.

The plan, endorsed to Education Secretary Juan Edgardo M. Angara under the classroom program of Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., integrates renewable energy into school design, allowing future solar installations to cut long-term energy costs and reduce environmental impact. — Artemio A. Dumlao

Philippine shares rebound on bargain hunting

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PHILIPPINE SHARES closed higher on Tuesday as investors took advantage of cheaper prices after the market’s two-day slide, with signals of a possible de-escalation in the Middle East conflict also lifting sentiment.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) rose by 0.62% or 37.02 points to close at 5,936.20, while the broader all shares index went up by 0.56% or 18.64 points to end at 3,295.23.

“The local market rose as investors hunted for bargains following two straight days of decline,” Japhet Louis O. Tantiangco, research manager at Philstocks Financial, Inc., said in a Viber message. “Investors are assessing the latest developments wherein President Donald J. Trump said that the US and Iran had productive talks and that the US would postpone its strike on Iran’s energy infrastructures.”

“The Philippine market rebounded after the previous session’s sharp sell-off, supported by improved sentiment following Donald Trump’s remarks about delaying the potential attack on Iran’s power plants,” Regina Capital Development Corp. Head of Sales Luis A. Limlingan said in a Viber message. “This temporary easing of geopolitical tensions helped lift equities, mirroring gains seen in global markets after the announcement. However, investors remain cautious as oil prices stay elevated amid ongoing supply risks and uncertainty in the Middle East.”

Stocks were on tenterhooks and oil prices rose in choppy trade on Tuesday as Mr. Trump’s postponement of the bombing of Iran’s power grid proved no panacea for investors worried about the ramifications of the Middle East war, Reuters reported.

US Treasury yields pushed higher and the dollar regained lost ground, in a retracement of the relief rally that swept markets overnight after Mr. Trump added five days to his Saturday ultimatum for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours, citing “productive” talks with Tehran.

Much uncertainty remained as the world continues to grapple with an energy shock while Iran denied that it had engaged in negotiations with the US.

Most sectoral indices closed higher on Tuesday. Mining and oil rose by 3.39% or 495.60 points to 15,087.41; financials increased by 1.62% or 30.23 points to 1,889.03; property went up by 1.5% or 29.04 points to 1,957.15; holding firms climbed by 0.93% or 42.15 points to 4,538.68; and industrials went up by 0.74% or 64.38 points to 8,754.77.

Meanwhile, services declined by 0.48% or 13.29 points to 2,712.89.

Advancers outnumbered decliners, 129 to 63, while 59 names closed unchanged.

Value turnover declined to P5.7 billion on Tuesday with 633.85 million shares traded from the P8.17 billion with 1.36 billion issues that changed hands on Monday.

Net foreign selling decreased to P755.56 million from P1.34 billion in the previous session. — Alexandria Grace C. Magno with Reuters

P20-B Malampaya fund could be deployed to boost oil reserves

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THE GOVERNMENT is considering the use of funds generated by the Malampaya offshore project to finance bulk purchases of petroleum products to mitigate the risk posed by the disruption of supply from the Persian Gulf, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said on Tuesday.

Budget Secretary Rolando U. Toledo said the P20-billion Malampaya fund is being considered to support bulk procurement of petroleum products.

“We are looking at tapping the Malampaya fund of P20 billion, and we will release that for bulk purchases of oil,” he told a Senate hearing on the government’s response to the Iran war.

Mr. Toledo said that he received a request from  Energy Secretary Sharon S. Garin for the bulk purchase of petroleum products.

The DoE has signaled plans to purchase about 2 million barrels of diesel to bolster stockpiles after price shocks triggered by the escalating conflict in the Middle East.

The government is entitled to about 60% of the proceeds from the Malampaya offshore natural gas project. The government’s share is meant to be invested in domestic energy development.

At the hearing, Ms. Garin said the DoE is also looking into a revolving credit facility with the Land Bank of the Philippines  worth P10 billion.

“We are also trying to access P15 billion in unused Philippine National Oil Co. funds to relieve the strain on the National Government budget,” Ms. Garin said.

Meanwhile, Mr. Toledo added that the government has about P210 billion to provide relief to those affected by the Iran war.

The DBM has allocated some of the funding for the Protective Services for Individuals and Families in Difficult Circumstances overseen by the Social Welfare department amounting to P63.8 billion; P4.2 billion for the Department of Migrant Workers, and P1.2 billion in assistance to Filipinos abroad. P2.5 billion will also be used for subsidies for transport.

Mr. Toledo said that the DBM is also looking to tap P21.28 billion from the Department of Labor and Employment and P51.64 billion from the Department of Health. — Adrian H. Halili

Toyota expects EVs, hybrids to make up 20% of PHL sales

TOYOTA MOTOR PHILIPPINES

TOYOTA MOTOR Philippines Corp. (TMP) said it expects electric vehicles (EVs), which include hybrids, to account for 20% of its sales this year.

“About 20% of our volume is electrified,” TMP Chairman Alfred V. Ty told reporters on the sidelines of a Stratbase Institute conference on Tuesday.

“Electrified to us is full-electric and hybrid, and that continues to multiply,” he said. “Even before the war, there were plans for models to come in,” he said, on the assumption that the rollout is not disrupted.

In 2025, TMP recorded a 38.83% increase in EV sales to 19,516 units. This includes 17,825 Toyota EVs and 1,691 Lexus EVs.

“We’re really moving towards electrification, but of course, you have your diesel models, especially for the provinces, so that’s why… we’re making sure that we have all the different technologies for everybody,” Mr. Ty said.

TMP, automotive unit of GT Capital Holdings, Inc. reported a 49.33% market share, despite a 6.3% decline in sales to 34,300 units at the end of February.

GT Capital said it is looking to revisit its capital expenditures this year amid the impact of rising oil prices caused by the escalating conflict in the Middle East.

“We haven’t finalized, of course, but I guess everything’s on the table for discussion,” Mr. Ty, who is also the vice-chairman of GT Capital, said.

GT Capital is involved in the automotive, banking, property development, infrastructure, utilities, life and non-life insurance, and motorcycle financing industries.

Meanwhile, Mr. Ty also cited the need to update the Japan–Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA) to include incentives for EV makers.

“The automotive incentives written in the JPEPA…only considered big engines, wala pa ‘yung mga small engines, wala pang electrification (it did not consider small engines or electrification)” he said.”

JPEPA, the Philippines’ first bilateral free trade agreement, came into force in 2008. 

It covers trade goods, rules of origin, customs procedures, investment, movement of natural persons, intellectual property, and government procurement. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz

Bicol regional minimum wage set at P480 per day

NAGA.GOV.PH

THE WAGE BOARD of the Bicol Region has approved an increase for private sector workers in the region to bring the daily minimum wage to P480 from P435.

Wage Order No. RBV-23, published on March 23 by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board V, ordered a daily basic wage increase of P45 to be released in two tranches.

The first tranche is a P20 increase, raising the daily rate to P455 upon effectivity on April 8. A second tranche of P25 will take effect on Dec. 1, bringing the minimum wage to P480 for all types of private-sector industries and businesses. 

This adjustment covers workers in Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Masbate, and Sorsogon.

In determining the new rates, the wage board said it conducted a series of consultations and public hearings across Bicol in January and February to evaluate regional socio-economic conditions.

The board found that the average inflation rate within the region was 1.5% between April 2025 and January 2026, while the regional real minimum wage was recorded at P318 as of January.

It added that the 2023 poverty threshold for a family of five in the region was P460 as of early 2026, and that Bicol’s gross regional domestic product grew 4.9% during the 2023-2024 period. — Erika Mae P. Sinaking

Philippines commits to implement semiconductor industry roadmap

Semiconductor chips are seen on a circuit board of a computer in this illustration picture taken on Feb. 25, 2022. — REUTERS

THE government pledged to fast-track reforms and investments to scale up its semiconductor and electronics industry (S and E), recognizing the sector’s role in economic growth.

Executive Secretary Ralph G. Recto said Malacañang will “fully and forcefully” implement commitments under the industry’s roadmap, underscoring the sector’s role as a cornerstone of export growth and employment.

“The government must maximize the S and E industry, because this industry can maximize the country,” he said during the meeting of the Semiconductor and Electronics Industry Advisory Council (SEIAC) in Malacañang on March 23.

The industry generates about P3 trillion annually, accounts for nearly three-fifths of export revenue and supports roughly 3 million jobs directly and indirectly.

Mr. Recto expects SEIAC to act as a central platform for resolving bottlenecks rather than merely coordinating dialogue. 

He said that the council must function as a “problem-solving” body, with reforms tied to concrete deliverables and deadlines.

The government is backing industry efforts to expand into higher-value activities such as integrated circuit design and advanced packaging — segments seen as more attainable given current capabilities.

The roadmap of the Philippine Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines Foundation, Inc. targets the establishment of wafer fabrication facilities, a capital-intensive leap that would mark a significant upgrade in domestic manufacturing capacity.

Central to that plan is the proposed creation of up to three national laboratories, envisioned as hubs for research collaboration among academia, industry and government.

These facilities would anchor innovation, workforce development and technology transfer, helping address longstanding gaps in research and development. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

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