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Eton Properties to focus on sustainability, enhanced customer experience

ETON PROPERTIES executives led by President and Chief Executive Officer Kyle C. Tan (5th from left), Chief Operations Officer Adrian Chua (4th from left), Chief Finance Officer Che Mutuc (6th from left), and Human Resource and Admin Head Jim Clemena (right).

ETON Properties Philippines, Inc., the real estate arm of the Lucio Tan Group, recently unveiled its corporate repositioning strategy, focusing on modernization, sustainability, and improved customer experience.

“As Eton Properties steps into the next chapter, it remains committed to pushing boundaries, embracing innovation, and building a future that goes beyond expectations,” the company said in a statement on Monday.

“With a renewed focus on modernization, enhancing customer experiences and touchpoints, and sustainability, Eton is ready to move forward and shape the next era of real estate.”

Under its repositioning strategy, the company seeks to ensure that its developments remain relevant and responsive to the needs of businesses, families, and communities.

During its recent 18th anniversary celebration, Eton Properties introduced its refreshed brand identity, new corporate materials, and digital assets.

“This isn’t about changing who we are — it’s about strengthening and defining it. Eton has grown over the years, but now, we’re ensuring that everything we do, from the way we communicate to how we serve our customers, reflects a clear and consistent identity,” said Donna Kristine Salgado, assistant vice-president for marketing, PR, and corporate communications.

“This repositioning ties everything together, giving us a stronger foundation that starts from within and allows us to move forward with purpose.”

Eton has residential and commercial properties in Quezon City, Makati City, and Laguna. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz

Entertainment News (03/18/25)

Korean medical thriller to debut on Disney+

THIS month, medical crime drama Hyper Knife will see two of South Korea’s biggest stars go head-to-head. The show follows visionary neurosurgeon Jeong Seok (played by Park Eunbin) who must continue to carry out back-alley operations when her medical license is stripped after discovering a shocking truth. Her former mentor (played by Sul Kyunggu) then comes asking for help despite being responsible for her downfall. The series comes to Disney+ on March 19.

British Council presents Five Films for Freedom

FIVE powerful LGBTQIA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, intersex, asexual plus) short films from Indonesia, New Zealand, USA/China, and the UK, will be available online this month as the British Council presents the program in partnership with the BFI Flare film festival. The films are DragFox from the UK, If I Make it to the Morning from the USA and China, NGGAK!!! from Indonesia, We’ll Go Down in History from the UK, and Wait, Wait, Now! from New Zealand. Aside from being on the British Council’s YouTube channel until March 30, they will be screened in physical venues in the Philippines: University of the Philippines Cebu on March 19, 2:30 p.m.; Negros Museum’s Cinematheque in Bacolod on March 21, 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.; and the National Teachers College on March 24, 26, 27, and 28.

Waiian releases third album

FILIPINO rapper Waiian has dropped a raw unfiltered commentary on music and personal life with his third album, BACKSHOTS. The nine-track release takes a stand against the music establishment, trends, and conforming to social expectations. It draws inspiration from artists like Teezo Touchdown, Kanye West, Brockhampton, Kendrick Lamar, and Denzel Curry. Waiian’s BACKSHOTS is out now on all digital music streaming platforms.

The Rest Is Noise presents All Of The Noise 2025

A TWO-DAY music program in April will feature music documentary screenings, panel discussions, keynote presentations, an exhibit, and a live music showcase featuring more than 16 music acts from the Philippines, Taiwan, Singapore, Indonesia, and Thailand. Organized by The Rest Is Noise (TRIN), a Philippines-based music curation and events production outfit for its 10th anniversary, All Of The Noise 2025 will take place at Astbury Makati on April 4 and 5. It is the third iteration of the event, but the first since the pandemic. The headliner musicians are Taiwanese soft-rock band The Chairs, Thai alt-pop band KIKI, Singaporean hip hop artist San The Wordsmith, and Indonesian experimental electronic act Logic Lost. The event will feature screenings of two local music documentaries: Budots: The Craze by Jay Rosas and Mark Limbaga on April 4, and Jingle Lang Ang Pahina by Chuck Escasa on April 5. Finally, there will be an exhibit featuring the work of Karen De La Fuente, a photographer who has captured iconic Filipino musicians during live performances.

Pamungkas, Scrubb headline PHL-only concert

GABI NA NAMAN Productions (GNN) is marking its 10th anniversary of producing shows and concerts with a one-day concert top-billed by Pamungkas from Indonesia and Scrubb from Thailand. GNN10 Presents: Pamungkas and Scrubb Live in Manila will take place on April 26 at 123 Block in Mandala Park, Mandaluyong City. The show is a Philippine-only event. Indonesian singer-songwriter and producer Pamungkas and Thai alt-pop duo Scrubb were previously brought to Manila by GNN in 2022 and 2024, respectively.

Lil Nas X drops new single

AWARD-WINNING artist Lil Nas X has unveiled his single “HOTBOX” via Columbia Records/Sony Music Entertainment. The new track was produced by his previous collaborators Take a Daytrip, Omer Fedi, and Ojivolta. Its accompanying music video sees Nas taking a dip into a pink pool, turning into a pink transformer, getting knocked out in a pink boxing ring, and frolicking through various pink dreamscapes. It was directed by Elias Talbot. “HOTBOX” is out now on all digital music streaming platforms.

Wilbros Live unveils artist lineup for anime music festival

ANISAMA World 2025 in Manila, to be held on June 7 at Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City, will have eight artists performing to fans of Japanese anime and music. Wilbros Live has unveiled three of the eight artists headlining the music festival: rock band ASH DA HERO, who did theme songs for Blue Lock; girl band Ave Mujica known for their music on the series BanG Dream!; and Mayu Maeshima, former lead vocalist of pop-rock band MYTH & ROID, which did songs for Re:Zero, Full Dive, Overlord, and Uncle from Another World. More details about the festival will be revealed soon.

The Summer I Turned Pretty slated for final season in July

PRIME VIDEO has announced that the third and final season of the global hit series The Summer I Turned Pretty will premiere this July. Season three of the Amazon Original series will have 11 episodes. It is led by showrunners Jenny Han and Sarah Kucserka and is co-produced by Amazon Studios and wiip. Based on the best-selling book trilogy from Jenny Han, the drama hinges on a love triangle between one girl and two brothers, the ever-evolving relationship between mothers and their children, and the enduring power of strong female friendship. Its 3rd season will premiere on Prime Video in July.

Cambodian rapper VannDa to drop mini-album series

SUPERSTAR rapper from Cambodia, VannDa, is set to release a trilogy of mini-albums entitled TREYVISAI (Khmer for “The Compass”). The first installment, The Search for Light is out now, containing high-energy tracks like “Out of My Mind”, “Me, My Flow, and I,” and “Fishing.” It sets a triumphant, celebratory tone while hinting at the deeper themes to be explored in subsequent releases. Its lead track “Smoke Up” features a collaboration with Thai rap icon YOUNGOHM, marking a significant moment in Southeast Asian hip-hop. The trilogy will continue on March 21 with Burn Like the Sun, and on May 1 with The Return to Sovannaphum.

Global dance show Burn the Floor comes to Manila in July

BALLROOM dance phenomenon Burn the Floor: Ballroom Reinvented is bringing its modern take on ballroom dance to Filipino audiences from July 10 to 15. Taking place at The Theatre at Solaire, the show has aimed to redefine the art of dance since its debut in 1999. It will showcase standard ballroom dances such as the Slow Waltz, Tango, Viennese Waltz, and Foxtrot, alongside Latin American ballroom dances including the Cha-Cha, Samba, Rumba, Paso Doble, and Jive.

Burn the Floor: Ballroom Reinvented is represented in Manila by GMG Productions on behalf of Dance Partner Productions. Tickets go on sale on March 20 via TicketWorld.

TBA Studios taps Iain Glen to join historical biopic Quezon

SCOTTISH actor Iain Glen is joining the cast of TBA Studios’ biographical historical movie Quezon. Mr. Glen, who is known for playing Jorah Mormont in the fantasy drama television series, Game of Thrones, has been cast as Leonard Wood, the United States Army major who served as governor-general of the Philippines. The actor met the cast and crew of the film for their script reading at The Manila Hotel earlier this year. Quezon director and co-writer Jerrold Tarog said of the casting: “Iain Glen has gravitas. But at the same time, he can let loose, which is important for the role of Leonard Wood.” The National Commission for Culture and the Arts, the Film Development Council of the Philippines, the Department of Tourism, and the QCinema Film Foundation have given their support to the film. Mr. Glen joins Jericho Rosales, who plays the title role of Philippine President Manuel L. Quezon.

Rich Brian releases single, announces album due in May

ASIAN star Rich Brian has announced his forthcoming album WHERE IS MY HEAD? due May 23. The announcement is paired with the arrival of his new single “Little Ray Of Light,” the first official offering from the project, alongside a new music video. The song marks a notable sonic shift from the catalog on which Rich Brian has built his career. It is built around analog instrumentation and sees him primarily embracing his singing voice in a way that past releases have not. The song’s music video, directed by Jared Hogan, is raw and diaristic, with Brian conducting a string section. “Little Ray Of Light” is out now on all digital music streaming platforms.

I-LEAD: Indigenous women and girls transforming communities in Mindanao

A GROUP of Mansaka tribeswomen in their formal attire. — WIKIMEDIA.ORG

MARCH holds particular importance as it marks the annual National Women’s Month of the Philippines. Under the theme “Babae sa Lahat ng Sektor, Aangat ang Bukas sa Bagong Pilipinas (Women in All Sectors, Will Lift the Future in the New Philippines),” this year’s commemoration envisions a future where all women from different sectors and backgrounds can claim equal rights, power, and opportunities.

Critical to this future is the pivotal role of indigenous women and girls in carrying forward the journey toward biodiversity conservation and in fostering inclusive peace and development.

One cannot deny that Indigenous Peoples (IPs) are significant on-site stewards of the rich biodiversity of the Philippines. There is an almost 1:1 correspondence of Key Biodiversity Areas and ancestral domains in the Philippines. This is proof that the traditional knowledge, systems, and practices of IPs that are deeply rooted in their culture and belief are, in fact, sustainable. Thus, the Indigenous Peoples, the holders of vast natural resources, are at the forefront of environmental management.

IPs, particularly women, continue to experience economic and social challenges, even with the Philippines’ adoption of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). Limited access to education, health care, electricity, and financial services, as well as tenurial insecurity and lack of or limited public and private investments, persist in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs) where ancestral domains are situated. Cultural and gender norms create additional barriers hindering meaningful participation, leadership, and economic opportunities for indigenous women and girls. Notably, 60% of the IPs in the Philippines reside in Mindanao, a region in rich biodiversity and immense potential for sustainable development.

To address the above-mentioned issues, a targeted intervention in Mindanao has been launched through the support of the Government of New Zealand, and with the partnership of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in the Philippines.

The Indigenous Women and Girls – Leadership and Empowerment in Ancestral Domains (I-LEAD) Project aims to bolster the intergenerational socio-economic development of indigenous women and girls in Mindanao. It targets two key barriers: weak participation of indigenous women and girls in governance and management of ancestral domains, and their constrained access to education and livelihood services hindering their economic participation.

I-LEAD will focus on enhancing employment and livelihood opportunities for indigenous women and girls through investments in entrepreneurial skills and leadership training, raising awareness of the rights of indigenous women and girls, and addressing formal and informal customs that perpetuate gender-based social exclusion.

The project will operate in select ancestral domains in Regions XI and XII, and will prioritize gender and human rights perspectives.

This is a bold step forward. It is a project rooted in optimism and hope — believing in the immense potential of indigenous women and girls to become agents of change in their communities.

Ancestral domains, which are home to the Philippines’ most valuable natural resources, present an opportunity for sustainable development. Through this initiative, we aim to ensure that these resources are harnessed responsibly to benefit all members of Indigenous communities, especially women and girls, who often play a vital but underrecognized role in protecting and nurturing their environments.

To address barriers, the project will carry out interventions to ensure that IP women and girls can benefit from improved accountability and transparency of ancestral domain management and governance. It also seeks to improve livelihoods and provide increased incomes for IP women and girls and improve gender and human rights-responsive policy and institutional support for IP women and girls at national and regional levels.

UNDP Philippines has been active on this front for decades. Since 2010, in partnership with the Global Environment Facility, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and the NCIP, it has worked with 17 IP communities on mapping ecosystems, documenting indigenous knowledge, and supporting 25 IP organizations in establishing community-led livelihoods. Among key recent projects is the Access and Benefit-Sharing Project, which ensures equitable sharing of benefits from using genetic resources, promoting sustainable resource use and equitable partnerships. Additionally, through the CoRe FW4A Project with the Department of Information and Communications Technology), the UNDP is bridging the digital divide in remote IP communities, improving education, disaster preparedness, and economic opportunities, particularly in Zambales and Bukidnon.

In collaboration with development partners, the UNDP will continue to accompany indigenous women and girls as they engage in meaningful participation and leadership in biodiversity conservation and governance and in the full realization of their human rights towards inclusive and sustainable peace and development.

With collaborative efforts, we are building a more equitable future where indigenous women and girls can fully realize their potential and lead the way in their communities.

 

Dr. Selva Ramachandran is the resident representative, UNDP Philippines. The UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change, and works with a broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries. In the Philippines, UNDP fosters human development for peace and prosperity by working with central and local governments as well as civil society and building on global best practices to strengthen capacities of women, men, and institutions to empower them to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and the objectives of the Philippine Development Plan.

www.ph.undp.org

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IdeaSpace Ventures names new executive director

ALWYN JOY E. ROSEL

MVP GROUP’S startup arm IdeaSpace Ventures and its division QBO Innovation Hub have appointed startup ecosystem veteran Alwyn Joy E. Rosel as executive director.

Ms. Rosel, who has 13 years of experience in the startup industry, replaces Jay Fajardo, who served as executive director for over a year.

“I thank the management for their trust and confidence in me. I take on this challenge and opportunity to serve the startup community,” she said in a statement on Monday.

“The cornerstone of my work is to sustain the ecosystem so we can help more startups with immense potential to contribute to the economy and national development.”

Before her appointment, Ms. Rosel was deputy executive director at QBO Innovation Hub for four years.

She previously held senior positions at AIM-Dado Banatao Incubator, UPSCALE Innovation Hub, and VXI Global. She also worked at Singapore-based startup and tech media platform e27.

“Alwyn has been with the QBO and IdeaSpace team for four years. I am confident that she has the dedication and strategic vision to do the job. At the same time, I want to thank Jay Fajardo for his contributions in steering the ship during a crucial time,” said IdeaSpace and QBO Innovation President Rene Meily.

Over the past 13 years, IdeaSpace and QBO have invested more than P300 million in resources and supported over 35 startups.

They have incubated more than 250 startups, backed over 700 organizations, and won 15 awards.

IdeaSpace and QBO conduct more than 100 programs and capacity-building activities annually for their QMMUNITY startups.

They are also working with the Department of Science and Technology on the Regional Startup Enablers for Ecosystem Development (ReSEED) Program and collaborating on strategic initiatives with Smart-PLDT Innovation Generation and the US Embassy.

IdeaSpace was established in 2012 by Chairman Manny V. Pangilinan to support Filipino tech entrepreneurs. QBO was launched in 2016.

Various public and private organizations support IdeaSpace, including First Pacific, Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC), PLDT Inc. and its wireless unit Smart Communications, Inc., Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), and Maynilad Water Services Inc.

MPIC is one of the three key Philippine units of Hong Kong-based First Pacific Co. Ltd., alongside Philex Mining Corp. and PLDT. Hastings Holdings, Inc., a unit of PLDT Beneficial Trust Fund subsidiary MediaQuest Holdings, Inc., holds a majority stake in BusinessWorld through the Philippine Star Group, which it controls. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz

Overseas Filipinos’ Cash Remittances

MONEY SENT HOME by migrant Filipinos rose by 2.9% year on year in January, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said on Monday. Read the full story.

Overseas Filipinos’ Cash Remittances

How PSEi member stocks performed — March 17, 2025

Here’s a quick glance at how PSEi stocks fared on Monday, March 17, 2025.

Senator who enforced Duterte drug war may seek interim Senate refuge

SENATOR RONALD "BATO" DELA ROSA — FACEBOOK.COM/SENATEPH

By Adrian H. Halili, Reporter

A PHILIPPINE senator who enforced former President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s deadly war on drugs as his police chief may seek refuge in the Senate amid a looming arrest order from the International Criminal Court (ICC), according to the Senate president.

Senator Ronald “Bato” M. Dela Rosa could not be arrested by authorities if he is within the Senate premises “in defense of the institution and (as an) institutional courtesy,” Senate President Francis G. Escudero told a news briefing on Monday.

“It’s not for me to stop Senator Bato from coming (to the Senate),” he said. “That’s his decision,” he added, noting that Mr. Dela Rosa would have to know first what his legal remedies would be based on the ICC action.

Philippine police arrested Mr. Duterte last week after the warrant issued by the ICC, and was flown from a chartered jet bound for The Hague in The Netherlands hours later.

The ICC arrest warrant says that as President, Mr. Duterte created, funded and armed the death squads that carried out the murders of drug dealers and users.

During his six years in office, 6,200 suspects were killed during anti-drug operations, by the police’s count. Human rights groups say the death could be as many as 30,000.

He could become the first former Asian head of state to go on trial at the ICC, which has set his trial for Sept. 23.

Mr. Escudero said former Senate presidents had also given senators sanctuary to give them time to figure out their judicial remedies.

“The Senate’s decision was not based on law but based on what is called institutional courtesy,” he said. “The Senate will not allow any of its members to be arrested inside the Senate, especially if there is a session.”

“This courtesy will not be forever, it is only as long as he is given enough time to clarify or decide on his legal remedies,” he added.

Last week, Mr. Dela Rosa said he would seek protection from the Senate should the ICC issue a warrant for his arrest.

“What I told him (is that) we will try to afford him every opportunity to avail himself of legal remedies that he is entitled to,” Mr. Escudero said.

The ICC has been investigating Mr. Duterte and his cohorts for alleged crimes against humanity in connection with his anti-illegal drug campaign as mayor of Davao City and for the first three years of his presidency, when the Philippines was still a member of the ICC.

In 2018, the tough-talking leader withdrew the Philippines from the ICC’s founding treaty when it started looking into allegations of systematic extrajudicial killings. It took effect in 2019.

‘DUE DILIGENCE’
A Philippine lawmaker cannot be arrested under Section 11, Article VI of the 1987 Constitution, which says that a senator or congressman will, in all offenses punishable by not more than six years of imprisonment, be privileged from arrest while Congress is in session.

However, Congress went on a four-month break last month for the 2025 midterm elections and will reconvene for a two-week session on June 2.

Mr. Duterte made his first appearance before the international tribunal on March 14, via video link, where judges informed him about his charges.

Political analysts urged the Senate to exercise “due diligence” in giving Mr. Dela Rosa protection from a potential ICC arrest warrant.

“It’s an institutional prerogative of the Senate to provide a safe haven for its members,” Gary D. Ador Dionisio, dean of De La Salle College of Saint Benilde School of Diplomacy and Governance, said in a Facebook Messenger chat. “However, this prerogative should be viewed as legally and morally tenable. Senate President Escudero should exercise due diligence and sound judgment in addressing the request of Senator Bato.”

The constitutional provision is meant to ensure that lawmakers could still do their job while Congress is in session, free from fear of persecution or harassment, said Arjan P. Aguirre, who teaches political science at Ateneo de Manila University.

“Senator Dela Rosa’s intention here is basically to evade his possible arrest in connection with the ICC case,” he said. “Should (the Senate president) grant this request, this will certainly backfire and hurt the Senate as an institution.”

Maria Ela L. Atienza, a University of the Philippines political science professor, said protecting the senator would not look good for the Senate president or the Senate as a whole.

“They will be accused of double standards because they did not protect Leila M. de Lima, a sitting senator who was accused of made-up charges during the presidency of Duterte,” she said in a Viber message.

“She was in jail for years until released due to courts invalidating all cases against her and the Senate as a body never lifted a finger to raise her rights and question her imprisonment,” she added.

Ms. De Lima was indicted for drug trafficking after she started a Senate investigation of Mr. Duterte’s drug war. She was accused of abetting the illegal drug trade inside the national penitentiary in Muntinlupa during her time as Justice secretary.

Meanwhile, Mr. Aguirre said the Philippines should rejoin the ICC because it could hold accountable any powerful actors that could undermine the country’s institutions.

“We know very well that this is really possible since it is easy to control our law enforcement agencies and other offices tasked to initiate the investigation and prosecution of political misgivings and abuse of power,” he said.

Mr. Dionisio noted that if the Philippines respects international law, it should recognize the warrant of arrest issued by the ICC.

Philippine civilians to hold concert in South China Sea

PHILIPPINE STAR/MICHAEL VARCAS

By Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio, Reporter

A COALITION of Philippine activists on Monday said it had organized a civilian convoy that will head to contested areas of the South China Sea in late May to deliver supplies to Philippine vessels and perform a “sea concert.”

The Atin Ito (This is Ours) coalition said it is still finalizing the details of the voyage, but it is planning to start the trip to the Spratly Islands on May 25.

The mission will last three days, Rafaela David, president of party-list group Akbayan and co-convener of the coalition, told a news briefing.

The groups would deliver supplies to Filipino fishermen and troops and hold a concert to assert Philippine sovereignty over certain features of the disputed waterway, she added.

“We’ll just announce our final itinerary and route as we move forward,” she said in Filipino. “But what’s clear to us is that it will remain at the heart of the Kalayaan Island Group,” she added, referring to the Filipino name for the Spratlys.

“So in that area, we’re setting up the prospecting site where we’ll have jamming sessions and a concert,” she added.

The Philippines and China have been at loggerheads over disputed features in the South China Sea, which Beijing claims almost in its entirety. A 2016 ruling by a United Nations-backed court ruled that its claims are illegal.

Ms. David said they decided to hold a sea concert as a “creative form” of protest against China’s encroachment of Philippine waters.

The Chinese Embassy in Manila did not immediately reply to a Viber message seeking comment.

“Music is a potent form in showing solidarity and in letting China hear that the voices of Filipinos are united,” she said.

The group is inviting artists from other Southeast Asian nations to participate in the sea concert, which they plan to broadcast on social media, Ms. David said. “We are targeting artists from other claimant states.”

The sea, parts of which are also claimed by Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam, is a vital waterway for more than $3 trillion of annual ship-borne commerce.

The coalition will be in “constant communication” with Philippine authorities to ensure the safety of volunteers and participating artists during their sail, Ms. David said. They did not seek approval from the Philippine government for their planned voyage, she added.

“We’re able to prepare for different scenarios, making sure that our convoy will be safe and secure.”

Atin Ito coalition’s civilian flotilla last year delivered food and fuel to Filipino fishermen in the South China Sea but failed to sail closer to Scarborough Shoal, a rocky atoll and prime fishing patch inside the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ), due to the presence of Chinese ships there.

The civilian mission to the South China Sea will likely elicit a reaction from Beijing, said Rommel Jude G. Ong, a retired rear admiral and praxis professor at the Ateneo de Manila University’s School of Government.

“Whatever we do in the West Philippine Sea, whether it’s this civilian mission or the usual government activities, will always trigger a reaction,” he told BusinessWorld in an interview in Filipino, referring to regions of the sea within Manila’s 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone.

“Even if we don’t do anything, their harassment continues. So all the more we need to speak up,” Ms. David said.

Manila has accused China’s coast guard of aggression at sea, while Beijing is furious over what it calls repeated provocations and territorial incursions by its neighbor’s coast guard.

The Philippine government should modernize its naval and coast guard assets to counter China’s encroachment of its EEZ, Mr. Ong said.

“They should restore the budget for the modernization of our forces… The coast guard also needs to be modernized. Unfortunately, this is a numbers game when it comes to ships,” he added.

The Philippines, while unable to match China’s maritime presence in the South China Sea, should demonstrate its commitment by maintaining visible presence and ensuring its maritime features are not abandoned, Mr. Ong said.

“We need to be conscious that even if we can’t match them, at the very least, we must not abandon the area,” he said. “As long as there is one vessel in that area representing the Philippines, that is already sufficient.”

The Philippine’s Environment department last week said it would conduct biodiversity research at Reed Bank and Commodore Reef in the South China Sea.

The agency would also set up a marine scientific research station at Pag-asa Island as part of the eight stations across the country’s biogeographic regions, Environment Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga told a security forum. 

2024 report cites surge in killings of Philippine trade union leaders

KILUSANG MAYO UNO FB PAGE

By Chloe Mari A. Hufana,Reporter

VIOLATIONS of freedom of association and union rights remain widespread in the Philippines despite government reforms and international scrutiny, according to a report by the Federation of Free Workers and the Danish Trade Union Development Agency released on Monday.

The 2024 report detailed a surge in threats, harassment, red-tagging, and extrajudicial killings of trade union leaders, raising concerns about the country’s commitment to upholding international labor standards.

The findings come two years after the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) High-Level Tripartite Mission visited the Philippines to investigate systematic violations of labor rights, including the targeting of trade unionists under the government of ex-President Rodrigo R. Duterte.

While the Philippine government initially agreed to a set of reforms, labor groups argued the measures taken so far are insufficient, with many of the most serious violations continuing.

“The state of labor rights and freedom of association in the Philippines remains critical, marked by ongoing violations that occur with impunity,” according to the 98-page report.

“Despite the recommendations from the ILO High-Level Tripartite Mission, the government has not implemented meaningful reforms to address these abuses or dismantle the entrenched culture of impunity,” it said, adding that the government’s “persistent failure” to probe labor-related violence has weakened the legal frameworks designed to protect workers’ rights.

The tripartite roadmap on freedom of association, the establishment of an inter-agency body for labor rights and the issuance of omnibus guidelines on freedom of association and civil liberties remain superficial an ineffective, according to the report.

While these initiatives were initially framed as significant steps toward strengthening labor rights, workers continue to face systematic repression, it added.

Reports between February 2023 and December 2024 showed that extrajudicial killings, abductions, red-tagging and harassment remain rampant.

The tripartite freedom of association roadmap, which promised better coordination among government agencies, employers and labor groups, has yet to deliver meaningful progress, it noted.

Trade unions reported that violations remain widespread, and the mechanisms for addressing complaints have failed to hold perpetrators accountable.

Similarly, the guidelines on freedom of association, which aimed to regulate law enforcement and military interventions in labor disputes, lack enforceability.

These guidelines do not include penalties for violations, allowing security forces to continue harassing union leaders without consequence, the federation said.

It also slammed the capacity-building initiatives of the Labor department for failing to reach the very organizations that have suffered the most from labor rights abuses.

Many unions whose leaders were killed after being tagged as communists were excluded from government training sessions on freedom of association, it added.

“Rather than implementing substantive reforms to safeguard labor rights, the government has repeatedly downplayed these incidents or justified them as necessary for national security,” it said.

“For instance, despite assurances that the tripartite freedom of association roadmap would enable effective monitoring and resolution of labor rights abuses, documented cases between February 2023 and December 2024 indicate that violations continue unabated.”

Sustained advocacy, stronger legal protections and global pressure on the Philippine government are critical to break the cycle of repression and ensure that workers’ rights to organize and demand economic justice are fully upheld, the labor group said.

The report called for an end to killings, enforced disappearances, red-tagging and harassment of trade unionists, alongside thorough investigations and swift resolution of cases, including the release of detained trade unionists and the dismissal of fabricated charges.

It also demanded a review of the state’s anti-insurgency campaign, which it said has been weaponized against labor organizers, and stronger protection for freedom of association in both the public and private sectors.

On the legislative front, the labor group sought the repeal of the Anti-Terrorism law, which it said has been misused to criminalize labor organizing, as well as the passage of a Human Rights Defenders law, Security of Tenure law, and Anti-Union Interference law to protect workers from unfair dismissal and union-busting tactics.

Judicial reforms are also necessary, including engaging the Supreme Court chief justice in a high-level dialogue to enhance worker protection, developing a “writ of manggagawa (worker)” and addressing legal obstacles to prosecuting those responsible for labor-related killings and abductions.

The report was conducted with funding from the European Union.

Marcos-Duterte feud won’t affect engagement with investors — PCO

By John Victor D. Ordoñez, Reporter

THE GOVERNMENT of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. is not worried about the political squabble between the Marcos and Duterte clans over the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) probe of former President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s drug war affecting state engagement with foreign investors, according to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO).

“Foreign investors prefer a country and leaders who follow the law,” PCO Undersecretary Clarissa A. Castro told a news briefing on Monday, citing the tough-talking leader’s arrest and trial before the ICC over his deadly drug war that has killed thousands of drug suspects.

“They do not support harboring individuals involved in crimes against humanity, specifically murder. Foreign investors do not approve of sheltering people involved in such crimes.”

Mr. Duterte, who sat as president from 2016 to 2022, was arrested last week in Manila, marking the biggest step yet in the ICC’s probe into his alleged crimes against humanity during an anti-illegal drug crackdown that killed thousands and drew condemnation around the world.

The ICC has been investigating Mr. Duterte for crimes he allegedly committed when he was Davao City mayor and during the first three years of his government, when the Philippines was still a party to the international tribunal.

Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) Chairman George T. Barcelon earlier told reporters that it may be “too early to tell” if the Mr. Duterte’s arrest will affect the Philippine business environment.

Leonardo A. Lanzona, who teaches economics at the Ateneo de Manila University, said this could have a positive effect as it could be viewed as an adherence to the rule of law.

“There is probably no negative effect (in investor engagement), but there can be a positive effect. Whatever is the motivation of the government in allowing Duterte to fly off to The Hague, the decision of sending him there is one step towards accomplishing the rule of law, a principle investors would adhere to.” Mr. Lanzona said in a Facebook Messenger chat.

In a separate Viber message, Calixto V. Chikiamco, Foundation for Economic Freedom president, said the squabble will not likely affect sentiment, noting investors will mainly be driven by factors, such as the Philippines’ openness to foreign investments, quality of infrastructure, market size, and tax policies, among others.

“The Duterte-Marcos political conflict and Duterte’s trial are also unlikely to cause political instability and destabilization. Marcos enjoyed a large mandate from the electorate (the largest majority since the 1987 People Power Revolution). Therefore, instability is not in the cards,” he said.

In the same briefing, the PCO official said that the government would file cases against those inciting rebellion and uprising against the administration at political rallies, citing the need distinguish these from free speech.

This comes after Senator and former national police chief Ronald M. dela Rosa at a pro-Duterte rally criticized the government’s cooperation with the International Criminal Police Organization in carrying the ICC’s arrest warrant against the firebrand leader.

Vice-President and the former President’s daughter Sara Duterte-Carpio earlier accused the government of abandoning her office at an event for overseas Filipino workers in Hong Kong.

“We will not stop them from expressing their feelings, as long as it does not escalate to causing alarm and can be considered sedition or inciting sedition,” Ms. Castro said.

She also urged former Presidential spokesperson Herminio L. Roque, who is in the Netherlands as part of Mr. Duterte’s legal team before the international tribunal, to come home and face accusations of his supposed involvement in Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs).

“But perhaps it would be better to challenge him to return because, right, they say, ‘Bring home former President Duterte.’ So maybe people should also shout, ‘Bring home Roque,’” she said.

Mr. Marcos earlier issued an executive order to ban POGOs due to their links to organized crime such as human trafficking.

The House of Representatives’ so-called “quad-committee” ordered Mr. Roque’s arrest and detention after being cited for contempt the second time for failing to submit subpoenaed documents necessary to the panel’s probe in relation to POGOs.

At a Zoom briefing with reporters, Mr. Roque said he would seek asylum in the Netherlands amid the House’s arrest order against him.

“I’m sorry I cannot come home, I have to defend my president,” he said.

The war on drugs was Mr. Duterte’s signature campaign policy that swept him to power in 2016 as a maverick, crime-busting mayor who delivered on promises he made during vitriolic speeches to kill thousands of drug pushers.

The firebrand leader said he used a death squad composed of gangsters and rich people who killed criminals in Davao City but denied giving out rewards for these killings.

The Philippine government estimates that at least 6,117 drug dealers were killed in police operations. Human rights groups say as many as 30,000 drug suspects died.

“No one is above the law, no matter how high the office they once held,” Fides M. Lim, a human rights advocate and convenor of the political prisoner group Kapatid, said in a Viber message. “If he truly believes in his actions, let him face the charges in court rather than play the victim.”

SolGen recuses from Duterte lawsuit

PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

THE OFFICE of the Solicitor General (OSG) on Monday said it has withdrawn from representing Philippine government officials in a consolidated petition seeking to declare former President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s arrest as illegal. 

The move was confirmed by Solicitor-General (SolGen) Menardo I. Guevarra and Supreme Court Spokesperson Camille Sue Mae L. Ting.

“As of 1:03 p.m. today, March 17, 2025, the Supreme Court received the OSG’s manifestation of recusal from the consolidated habeas corpus petitions filed by former President Duterte’s children,” Ms. Ting told reporters in a Viber chat.

“The SC also received a motion to drop Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra as party respondent,” she added.

Mr. Duterte’s three children — Paolo, Sebastian and Veronica — asked the high court last week to declare their father’s arrest illegal and sought his release from The Hague. Mr. Duterte was arrested on March 11 through a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC). He is accused of crimes against humanity and murder following his deadly war on drugs that allegedly killed thousands of Filipinos suspected of illegal drug activities.

The OSG, tasked to represent government officials in lawsuits, noted that in 2018, the Philippine government, under Mr. Duterte, moved to withdraw from the ICC, which took effect a year later.

“In steadfast adherence to this sovereign decision, the OSG has consistently maintained, both in its submissions before the ICC and in its public statements, that the case of the Philippines was not admissible and that the ICC failed to timely exercise its jurisdiction,” the nine-page manifestation read.

“The Philippine Government has no legal obligation to cooperate with the ICC nor recognize any process emanating from the ICC following the effectivity of the country’s withdrawal from the Rome Statute.”

Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla, Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Police General Rommel D. Marbil, and PNP-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group chief Major General Nicolas D. Torre III were among the respondents of the petitions. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

Manalo joins India dialogue

ENRIQUE A. MANALO — DFA.GOV.PH

FOREIGN AFFAIRS Secretary Enrique A. Manalo will be in India this week to participate in a dialogue on geopolitical and geoeconomics issues, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Monday.

In a statement, the DFA said that Mr. Manalo will travel to New Delhi, India to participate in the 10th Raisina Dialogue from March 17 to 19.

“The dialogue is hosted annually by the Observer Research Forum of India and the Ministry of External Affairs of India. It is the country’s flagship international conference on the most pressing geopolitical and geoeconomic issues,” it added.

“It brings together prominent high-level officials, policymakers and strategic thought leaders,” the DFA said. “It is the first time that the Secretary will be participating in the Raisina Dialogue.”

Mr. Manalo is also scheduled to conduct bilateral meetings with foreign ministers at the sidelines of the conference.

He will also have an “interactive session with members of the business community, and visit the Philippine Embassy in New Delhi to observe its e-Visa operations.” — Adrian H. Halili

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