FNG’s Yume at Riverpark in Cavite seen completed by May 2026

September 10, 2024 | 12:02 am

Yume-Clubhouse-Lounge-(1) — YUME CLUBHOUSE LOUNGE

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FEDERAL Land NRE Global, Inc. (FNG), a joint venture between local real estate developer Federal Land, Inc. and Japanese real estate firm Nomura Real Estate Development Co., said it has started construction on its residential project Yume at Riverpark in Cavite.

Yume is an 18-hectare horizontal residential project located within the 600-hectare Riverpark township in General Trias, Cavite.

FNG began construction after breaking ground on Aug. 27 and expects to complete the project by May 2026, William Thomas F. Mirasol, president and chief operating officer of Federal Land, the property arm of GT Capital Holdings, Inc., told BusinessWorld in an e-mail last week.

The price for a unit in Yume ranges from P15.9 million to P32 million, depending on the specific features and size of the unit.

It will have 296 lots spanning from 300 to 527 square meters (sq.m.).

“This landmark project marks FNG’s first venture into horizontal residential developments, combining the innovative design philosophies of Filipino and Japanese architects,” FNG said.

The company said Yume aims to be a Japanese-inspired neighborhood designed for families to start, grow, and thrive.

Its amenities include a clubhouse, lounge, function room, multipurpose hall, and wellness spa, which has a jacuzzi and sauna.

For outdoor amenities, residents will have access to a swimming pool, six pocket parks, kids’ central, outdoor fitness area that has jogging paths and a fitness station, multi-purpose court, open lawn, and a Japanese garden.

Mr. Mirasol said Riverpark is poised to be the “Next Gen City of the South” and is strategically located, ensuring convenience and ease for future residents and visitors alike.

“Not only is Yume at Riverpark a residential community that will have retail options, parks, sports areas, and even a school within the next-gen city, but it is also well-connected to Metro Manila thanks to major infrastructure projects such as the Daang-Hari Extension and Cavite-Laguna Expressway,” he said.

Residents will also have access to Muntinlupa-Cavite Expressway, Manila-Cavite Expressway, and Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange.

Central business districts such as Makati are 36 kilometers (about 22.37 miles [mi]) away from the property, Bonifacio Global City is 38 kilometers (about 23.61 mi), while Ortigas is 40 kilometers (about 24.85 mi).

Yume also has proximity to some essential facilities such as the Divine Grace Medical Center, The District Mall, SM Rosario, Vermosa Sports Hub, St. Francis of Assisi Parish, St. Edward School, and De La Salle Santiago Zobel Vermosa. — Aubrey Rose A. Inosante

TIFF 2024: Orlando Bloom pays the price for a shot at glory in The Cut

September 10, 2024 | 12:02 am

TORONTO — The Cut, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival last week, stars Orlando Bloom as an over-the-hill boxer with a dark past looking to make a comeback, but it is more a psychological thriller than a traditional sports story.

Made on a shoestring budget, The Cut focuses on the boxer’s inner battles. It is a deep dive into the tenacity of the human mind and its effect on the physical self.

Mr. Bloom plays a character named Boxer who must make some painful sacrifices to prepare for one last shot at fame and fortune in the ring. His foil is the maniac coach played by John Turturro who drives Boxer without pity, seeing the athlete as a pawn in his own quest for glory. The movie is punctuated by flashbacks to Boxer’s abusive childhood.

For Mr. Bloom, getting under the skin of his character was an obvious physical challenge, making him starve himself in order to achieve the drastic weight loss that the role demanded.

“It was a crazy regime to get down to that,” Mr. Bloom said on Friday, referring to his weight loss.

“I had underestimated how hard it is to make boxing work. There is a lot that goes into it, but I was grateful that I got to do it,” Mr. Bloom told the audience after the film’s screening.

The film also features Outlander star Caitriona Balfe as the Bloom character’s partner in a boxing gym.

Most of the film takes place in a hotel room, presenting a challenge to director Sean Ellis, whose credits include the crime drama Metro Manila (2013) and war movie Antropoid (2019).

“That was horrifying to me as I was thinking how can I make this look good,” he told the TIFF audience. “I had a zoom lens, and I had control over it all the time. And once we started shooting, I wanted to keep going at it.”

Mr. Turturro, whose extensive resume includes the 2023 television series Severance, said his character reminded him of his own experiences with overambitious and manipulative film directors who would go to any length to get what they wanted.

“I’ve worked with psychopathic directors in the ’80s, who were like possessive and they put you in dangerous situations,” he said. “This is a human thing that happens in life, and there is a bonding that happens.” — Reuters

BPI Wealth books P1 billion in AUMs for digital accounts

September 10, 2024 | 12:01 am

BANK of the Philippine Islands’ (BPI) wealth management arm BPI Wealth reached P1 billion in assets under management (AUM) for its digital accounts as of June, it said on Monday.

“Reaching P1 billion in AUM through digitally opened accounts is a strong validation that our digital initiatives are on the right path. It also signifies Filipinos’ readiness to adapt to technologies that allow them to take control of their financial futures through investments. Our commitment to sustainability through embracing digital solutions is resonating with our clients and driving growth for the business,” BPI Wealth President and Chief Executive Officer Maria Theresa D. Marcial said in a statement.

The accounts included are investments in unit investment trust funds and mutual funds, custody, and segregated portfolios opened and transacted online through e-Invest, BPI Wealth’s digital investment account opening platform.

BPI Wealth also recently launched a purely online end-to-end account opening process for its portfolio management accounts (PMA) as part of its digitalization push, it said.

Clients can open an investment portfolio and invest in various tenors of Treasury bills starting at P500,000. They only need one PMA to be able to invest in other available securities, such as preferred shares and corporate bonds.

“This new digital initiative exemplifies BPI’s commitment to providing clients with innovative and accessible financial solutions. We have a growing list of sophisticated investors who want a consolidated view of their assets in one account, which is the primary benefit of a PMA. Going fully digital now gives them the benefit of accessing this specialized investment vehicle at the comfort of their home, and at their fingertips,” Ms. Marcial said.

PMAs can be opened through e-Invest using Android and Apple devices or laptops and desktops.

Clients who open a PMA will also have a dedicated investment advisor who can provide personalized investment strategies suited for each client’s needs. — Aaron Michael C. Sy

20 years of celebrating peace

September 10, 2024 | 12:01 am

top-view-paper-dove-with-envelope-peace-sign — FREEPIK

September is National Peace Consciousness month in the Philippines, or simply, “Peace Month.” The goal is to make Filipinos aware on the importance of the peace process, and to make them commit to it. This year marks the 20^th year since this tradition started. What have we achieved thus far?

In peacemaking, we have signed a decent number of political settlements with armed rebel groups. The peace pact between the Philippine government and the Cordillera People’s Liberation Army (CPLA), a breakaway group of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) was signed on Sept. 13, 1986 under the administration of President Corazon Aquino, and the closure agreement with the group (or the agreement that concludes the process) was signed on July 4, 2011 under the administration of President Benigno Aquino III. The peace agreement with the Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa-Revolutionary Proletariat Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPM-RPA-ABB), another break-away group of CPP-NPA, was signed on Dec. 6, 2000 under the administration of President Joseph Estrada.

The Tripoli Agreement between the Philippine Government, led by President Ferdinand Marcos, Sr. and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) was signed in 1976, and the Final Peace Agreement, the closure pact with the same group, in 1996 under President Fidel Ramos. The Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) was signed in 2014, again under President Benigno Aquino III.

In peacekeeping, we have created several mechanisms, mostly under the umbrella of peace agreements, to manage and control the armed hostilities between state forces and armed rebel groups. The International Monitoring Team (IMT) led by military forces from Malaysia, Brunei, and Libya (joined later by Norway and Indonesia), was operationalized in October 2004. Working parallel with the IMT, the Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH) was created in 2016, and the Ad-Hoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG) in 2002. Both bodies are peopled by representatives of the Philippine government and the MILF. These three mechanisms were created to monitor the ceasefire between parties, and to manage the security, peace, and order of the communities affected by the armed hostilities between the state and non-state actors.

For both peacemaking and peace keeping, the main actors are state and non-state armed groups. The main agenda is to forge a political settlement and put an end to the armed hostilities, with the long-term goal of permanently removing the use of force and violence in politics. Peacebuilding, the third pillar of the peace process, is focused more on communities and key leaders.

Peacebuilding includes all the efforts of various groups — state and non-state actors — to create the conducive condition for peacemaking to move forward, and for peacekeeping to effectively manage the security situation. Peacebuilding is broader in scope and substance and targets the transformation of norms and values of people. And peacebuilding work requires time to build confidence and trust. Many small victories have been achieved because of the combined peacebuilding work, mostly under the radar efforts of various groups.

Some products of peacebuilding engagements are the following. In 2009, an armed group leader in Sulu decided to lay down his arms and help his community to improve its condition. He was able to convince the heads of families in his community to stop bringing out their firearms in public. A peace manifesto signing ceremony was held to show everyone in the community that they would abide by the agreement. In 2013, a commander in Lanao del Sur decided not to join the Zamboanga siege (fighting between government forces and MNLF forces) despite the prodding of his higher-ups in the organization; his group would voluntary turn-in their weapons two years later, in 2015, as a sign of commitment that they no longer wished to fight the government. The Cordillera People’s Liberation Front transformed itself into a civilian organization called the Cordillera Forum for Peace and Development (CFPD), totally shedding the “liberation army” nature of the group.

Indeed, the Philippines has achieved many milestones in the peace process. Many of the achievements are closely watched and even emulated in other settings with similar contexts. Despite the differences in politics, the thread that binds all the Philippine administrations is their unwavering commitment to the peace process. But there is still much more that needs to be done.

The way ahead is the question. Currently, the peace process is managed by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU), an office created by an Executive Order and which reports directly to the Office of the President. The office is meant to be a temporary creation and will cease to exist once all peace agreements are forged, all political commitments are delivered, all conflict-affected communities have improved their quality of life, and all ex-combatants have been re-civilianized. All these, obviously, are tall orders.

The peace process, to be deemed concluded, requires deep commitment from political leaders to carry on and sustain the gains of past administrations. It requires more resources to allow conflict-affected communities to catch-up with other communities in terms of development. It requires an effective strategy to secure the safety of ex-combatants against liquidation attempts by their former comrades for betraying the “revolution.” It requires a more nuanced approach to ensure that human rights are protected and promoted, especially in a highly politicized, ideologically fueled environment. It requires a delicate but deliberate approach to manage transitional justice, healing, and reconciliation of families and communities divided by armed conflict. It requires a comprehensive peace education program for the next generations — so that they learn from the past and avoid making the same mistakes again.

Instead of closing the peace process office in the future, the opposite is what is actually needed. We need to make the peace office a permanent fixture in the bureaucracy. We need a Department of Peace — a department that is created by legislation, with broader authority, resources, and mandate.

As we welcome the Peace Month, and as we celebrate the 20^th anniversary of Proclamation 675, s. 2004, we must collectively reflect — how can we strengthen our peace? In my view, creating the Department of Peace is the first step. It is an investment for the future, and it is our contribution and solidarity to international peace.

Jennifer S. Oreta is an associate professor of the Department of Political Science, and the director of the Ricardo Leong Institute for Global and Area Studies of the Ateneo de Manila University.

joreta@ateneo.edu

PwC-MAP 2024 CEO Survey: CEOs optimistic about their industry prospects

September 10, 2024 | 12:01 am

MAJORITY of chief executive officers (CEOs) in the Philippines are confident that their organizations will see revenue growth in the next 12 months, despite geopolitical uncertainties, a survey showed. Read the full story.

Globe taps First Gen for RE switch

September 10, 2024 | 12:01 am

GLOBE Telecom, Inc. has partnered with Lopez-led energy company First Gen Corp. to power its 41 facilities with renewables.

“Globe and First Gen share the same vision of a decarbonized and regenerative future where sustainability is ingrained into the organization and operations,” First Gen Vice-President for Power Marketing Carlos Lorenzo Vega said in a media statement on Monday.

Globe said it is planning to expand its partnership with First Gen to increase the number of its facilities being powered by renewable energy (RE) to 70 from the current 29.

“First Gen, a key collaborator since 2020, is one of its partners in this endeavor,” Globe said.

The Ayala-led telecommunications company said it will continue its commitment to expand its use of green-energy as part of its goal to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

“At Globe, sustainability and risk management are core strategies for building business resilience. This partnership with First Gen is a testament to our dedication to these principles,” Globe’s Vice-President for Risk and Property Management Raymond Martin Aguilar said.

Globe has set a target to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030 and achieve net zero by 2050.

Net zero aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to as close to zero while also offsetting any remaining greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

“To realize its net-zero ambition, Globe took the bold step of transitioning its sites to RE beginning in 2019

despite RE being limited and costlier than fossil fuels,” Globe said.

At the stock exchange on Monday, shares in the company closed P8, or 0.36% lower to end at P2,210 apiece. — Ashley Erika O. Jose

Damosa Land invests P2B in Agriya Gardens, eyes 2027 completion

September 10, 2024 | 12:01 am

DAVAO-BASED property developer Damosa Land, Inc. (DLI) is investing P2 billion in its green residential development Agriya Gardens, which is expected to be completed by August 2027.

Situated within the Agriya township in Panabo City, Davao del Norte, Agriya Gardens broke ground in August and will have a gross developable area of 123,303 square meters (sq.m.).

“The investment cost is P2 billion. A unit at Agriya Gardens ranges between P7.5 to P14 million,” DLI President Ricardo “Cary” F. Lagdameo told BusinessWorld via an e-mail statement on Monday.

The project offers 404 units with lots ranging from 150 to 234 sq.m.

It will also feature California Mission-Style Architecture, which blends international structure and design into the new property.

“Agriya Gardens exemplifies Damosa Land’s dedication to sustainable and innovative community development, serving as a model for eco-friendly spaces that blend modern amenities with nature,” Mr. Lagdameo said.

As we continue to lead sustainable real estate in Mindanao, our focus remains on creating projects that enhance local growth, promote green living, and build vibrant, resilient communities, he said.

Mr. Lagdameo also noted that its commitment to countryside development can be seen in its various projects across Davao Del Norte, where not only does it provide quality homes, but it also invests in industrial initiatives aimed at attracting foreign investment and generating employment.

Among the amenities of Agriya Gardens are a one-kilometer linear park, a detention pond, and solar streetlights. It also has parks, a playground, and open spaces, all designed with permeable pavers, providing inviting areas for relaxation and leisure.

Agro-industrial developer Damosa Land said community farms are also to watch out for in the development, where people are expected to integrate farming into their food preparation, encouraging them to eat fresh products that they, themselves, will plant and harvest.For additional investments in Davao del Norte, Damosa Land said it is on track to develop Harbor View Villa and TRYP Condotel on Samal Island, he said.

Meanwhile, land development work for the University of the Philippines Professional School for Agriculture and the Environment in Agriya has commenced as well. — Aubrey Rose A. Inosante

TIFF 2024: Elton John dazzles Toronto’s red carpet for new documentary

September 10, 2024 | 12:01 am

TORONTO — A bespectacled Elton John rolled down the red carpet at the Toronto International Film Festival in a purple golf cart adorned with stars, displaying a brand of showmanship befitting the world premiere of the documentary Elton John: Never Too Late.

Amplified by archival footage and photographs, the film is an intimate look at the singer-songwriter’s life and career through the lens of his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour, which culminated with a 2022 performance at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.

The documentary’s co-directors — R.J. Cutler and David Furnish, a Toronto native and Mr. Elton’s husband — hope fans learn something new about a celebrated megastar who has sold millions of albums and packed arenas worldwide since the 1970s. Mr. Elton is one of a rarified group known as EGOT winners, having taken home an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony award in his career.

“It’s exciting and terrifying,” Mr. Furnish told Reuters on Friday at the premiere when asked what it was like to do a documentary about your spouse. Mr. Furnish also served as producer of Rocketman, an Elton biopic released in 2019.

A revealing moment in Never Too Late that shocked Mr. Furnish was a conversation from 1976 when Mr. Elton shared that he hoped to start a family one day.

“In the early days of our relationship, he said he never wanted to have children,” Mr. Furnish said. “And then, of course, we have children, so that was like a really nice surprise.”

The British-born Sir Elton, who started life as Reginald Dwight, began his rise to stardom in 1967 when he answered an ad for Liberty Records and joined forces with lyricist Bernie Taupin.

The movie, a co-production of Disney+ and Rocket Pictures, has something for everyone, said Mr. Cutler, whose directorial credits include 2021’s Billie Eilish: The World’s a Little Blurry and Belushi in 2020.

“If you grew up with his music as I did, you’re going to recognize this era, this remarkable five-year period from 1970 to 1975, where Elton released 13 albums, seven of which went to number one on the charts,” Mr. Cutler said.

“If you’ve come to Elton’s music in recent years, you’re going to learn about that period in a way that you probably didn’t even imagine.”

The documentary will appear on Disney+ later this year.

Sir Elton, who was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1998 for his contribution to music and charity, recently announced that he was recovering from a severe eye infection. On Friday, he declined to do red carpet interviews, but his husband assured Reuters that he was on the road to recovery. — Reuters

How PSEi member stocks performed — September 9, 2024

September 10, 2024 | 12:00 am

Here’s a quick glance at how PSEi stocks fared on Monday, September 9, 2024.

Marcos insists Quiboloy must face local charges before US extradition

September 9, 2024 | 9:05 pm

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. on Monday said televangelist Apollo C. Quiboloy must face child sexual abuse and human trafficking charges filed before a Philippine court after his arrest on Sunday, before he can be extradited to the US, where he is wanted for similar crimes.

“For the moment, extradition is not what we are looking at,” he told reporters in mixed English and Filipino, based on a transcript sent via e-mail by the Presidential Communications Office.

“What we are looking at are the cases and complaints filed here in the Philippines and these are what he must face first,” he added.

Mr. Quiboloy, who claims to be an “appointed son of God,” was arrested after weeks of police search. He is wanted for child sexual abuse and allegations of human trafficking in the Philippines.

He is also wanted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in the US on charges of sex trafficking and bulk cash smuggling.

Mr. Quiboloy, who has denied the charges, is followed by millions of people in the Philippines, where the church has political influence. He is also the spiritual adviser of ex-President Rodrigo R. Duterte.

“There is no special treatment,” Mr. Marcos said. “We will treat him like any other arrested person and respect his rights. We will demonstrate once again that our judicial system in the Philippines is active, vibrant and working.”

More than 2,000 police were deployed to search the compound in Davao City owned by Mr. Quiboloy‘s church, the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC), on suspicion that he was hiding there in a bunker.

Philippine police spokesperson Jean S. Fajardo on Sunday said Mr. Quiboloy was captured inside the compound, but did not provide details.

Israelito P. Torreon, Mr. Quiboloy‘s lawyer, disputed the government’s account, saying the pastor surrendered to the police and military because he did not want the situation to further escalate. “The innocence of Quiboloy will be affirmed by the court,” he told DZBB radio.

Mr. Quiboloy’s other lawyer, Ferdinand S. Topacio, told BusinessWorld in a Viber message on Sunday evening said they would “continue to protect his rights under the Constitution and the laws as we prepare for his defense.”

Mr. Marcos said Mr. Quiboloy‘s camp had set conditions for his surrender, including a guarantee he would not be sent to the United States to face charges.

“Putting conditions is not an option for someone who is a fugitive,” Mr. Marcos said, describing the law enforcement operation to capture Mr. Quiboloy as “police work at its best.”

“It is with some relief that I can say that this phase of the operation is over. We will now leave Quiboloy to the judicial system,” he added.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla told reporters he expects the US government to file an extradition request for Mr. Quiboloy “very soon.”

PRESENTED TO MEDIA
“Remember, we have a treaty with the US, it’s part of the law of the land,” he said. “We will have to play it out well, we have to study it properly so we know what to do.”

Like the President, the Justice chief said the embattled preacher should face charges in the Philippines first.

“He should face the music here, especially since he made it difficult for the police to find him,” he said. “In the end, he had to surrender or allowed himself to be caught anyway. He caused unnecessary trouble for our police and for the public. He should really be tried here,” he said in Filipino.

Mr. Remulla said he has ordered prosecutors to prepare all the evidence against Mr. Quiboloy for a swift trial.

He added that one of the complainants against Mr. Quiboloy had reached out to the department and could be placed under the government’s Witness Protection Program.

At a separate briefing, Interior Secretary Benjamin C. Abalos, Jr. and national police chief Rommel Francisco D. Marbil presented to media Mr. Quiboloy and his four cohorts dressed in bright orange T-shirts, their faces covered by black scarves and face masks.

Davao Region Police Director Nicolas D. Torre III said they gave the accused an ultimatum for their surrender, adding that the deadline was extended to avoid harming civilians.

Mr. Marbil said they were 80% sure the televangelist was hiding in the church compound in Davao City. The five surrendered on the evening of Sept. 8, though negotiations started at about 1:30 p.m.

In April, a Pasig trial court ordered the arrest of Mr. Quiboloy for qualified human trafficking, while a Davao City court issued an arrest warrant for child sexual abuse.

He was indicted in a California district court on Nov. 10, 2021, and a federal warrant had been issued for his arrest. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana and JVDO

Manila to explore trade ties under ASEAN, RCEP, APEC

September 9, 2024 | 9:05 pm

PBBM Marcos — PHILIPPINE PRESIDENT FERDINAND R. MARCOS, JR. — PPA POOL

THE Philippines will continue exploring trade partnerships under the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and other frameworks, Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. said on Monday.

“By leveraging our collective strengths, we can advance initiatives that ensure supply chain security, counter the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and insurgency, and create an environment where trade can thrive,” he said in his speech at the Philippine Strategic Trade Management Summit at Taguig City, which was streamed live on Facebook.

“We will continue to upgrade industry standards, modernize regulations and establish linkages through various trade and investment frameworks such as the ASEAN, APEC (Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation), RCEP… All these so that we can see a more competitive region in the future,” he added.

In March 2022, the Philippines ratified the Arms Trade Treaty, which seeks to prevent illegal gun trading and regulate conventional firearms trade. It took effect three months later.

The country enacted the Strategic Trade Management bill in 2015, which set up the Department of Trade and Industry Strategic Trade Management Office. The office issues import and export permits for conventional weapons.

Mr. Marcos said his government is working on improving border control by training import and export officers in monitoring and inspecting these weapons effectively.

“As a crucial tool in our endeavor to uphold global peace and security, the Strategic Trade Management Act allows us to regulate dual-use goods and technologies to prevent their misuse, while encouraging lawful trade that benefits us all,” he said.

Last year, Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique A. Manalo said Manila would push the creation of international guidelines on the ethical use of autonomous systems powered by artificial intelligence, noting that improper use could risk innocent lives.

In July, the Philippines renewed its call for North Korea to keep the peace in the Indo-Pacific region and to pursue dialogue in the Korean Peninsula.

Manila condemned Pyongyang’s missile test that month, saying it undermined peace, stability and economic progress in the Indo-Pacific region and Korean Peninsula.

Autonomous weapons are programmed to kill a specific target. The weapon is deployed to an environment where its AI searches for the target using sensor data such as facial recognition, according to autonomousweapons.org.

The country’s top diplomat has said the Philippines is eyeing a nonpermanent seat in the 15-member UN Security Council next year, citing Manila’s peace-building efforts.

“The rapid pace of advancement demands us to be more agile, more responsible, and it requires us to address both the speed and dual use nature of these new technologies,” Mr. Marcos said.

“It is about upholding the rule of law, protecting our people and contributing to global peace and security,” he added. — John Victor D. Ordoñez

Office of the President’s 2025 spending plan breezes through House committee

September 9, 2024 | 9:05 pm

THE HOUSE of Representatives appropriations committee on Monday swiftly ended its hearing on the P10.50-billion proposed budget of the Office of the President (OP) despite questions on the President’s foreign policy and secret funds.

Abra Rep. Ching B. Bernos moved for the termination of the budget hearing as part of the “long-standing tradition and practice” of the panel to extend “parliamentary courtesy” to the OP.

The motion was carried even as some members of the panel objected to the budget’s swift approval, arguing that no government agency should be exempt from congressional scrutiny.

“If… we terminate the deliberations now… we are showing that the President himself is… evading the process of Congress to undergo scrutiny,” Party-list Rep. Raoul Danniel A. Manuel said in mixed English and Filipino during the OP’s congressional budget briefing.

The OP’s spending plan should be quizzed by congressmen, he added, noting President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s statement last week that no government agency is exempt from congressional grilling.

The President’s proposed budget for 2025 stood at P10.50 billion, 1.86% lower than its P10.70 billion 2024 budget.

The OP is asking for P4.56 billion in secret funds for next year, of which P2.25 billion will go towards confidential funds with the remaining P2.31 billion for intelligence purposes, according to the 2025 National Expenditure Program.

Some lawmakers raised questions the proposed confidential and intelligence funds, pointing out that it made up nearly half of the President’ budget.

“For the Office of the President’s P10-billion budget, almost half of it is allocated to confidential and intelligence funds,” Deputy Minority Leader and Party-list Rep. France L. Castro told the panel in Filipino.

Ms. Castro said the OP’s secret fund spending is not geared towards national security purposes.

The CIF is an allocation meant for surveillance and intelligence information gathering activities, according to a 2015 joint circular between the Commission on Audit, Defense, Budget and Interior and Local Government departments.

In the same hearing, Party-list Rep. Arlene D. Brosas raised concerns about the Marcos administration’s stance on foreign policy amid increasing tensions in the South China Sea.

“We have crucial questions about foreign policy. The government’s close relations with the US are very concerning amid the growing tensions in the West Philippine Sea,” Ms. Brosas said in mixed Filipino and English, citing the additional military bases, Balikatan exercises, war-provoking missile systems in Ilocos Norte, and the Agreement for Cooperation in Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy or 123 Agreement.

“It seems the government is ready for war.”

For Pangasinan Rep. Maria Rachel J. Arenas, who heads the House foreign affairs committee, these demonstrates the President’s commitment to protect the security and sovereignty of the nation.

“In fact, his stand… on the West Philippine Sea is really to show the world that… we will not give anything away,” Ms. Arenas told BusinessWorld after the congressional briefing. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio