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Peso inches up as markets await US jobs data

BW FILE PHOTO

THE PESO edged up against the dollar on Monday but stayed at the P59 level as markets turned cautious before the release of US data that could give clues on the state of the world’s largest economy and affect the US Federal Reserve’s policy path.

The local unit gained 2.5 centavos to close at P59.04 versus the greenback from its P59.065 finish on Friday, data from the Bankers Association of the Philippines data showed.

The peso opened Monday’s trading session sharply weaker at P59.15 versus the dollar. Its weakest showing was at P59.18, while its intraday best was its closing level of P59.04 against the greenback.

Dollars traded fell to $911.5 million from $1.65 billion on Friday.

The peso inched up due to cautious trading leading up to the release of the latest US nonfarm payrolls data, a trader said in a phone interview.

The peso was also supported by a generally weaker greenback following the US Federal Reserve’s rate cut last week and amid lower global crude oil prices, Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. Chief Economist Michael L. Ricafort said in a Viber message.

For Tuesday, the trader said the peso could move between P58.90 and P59.20 per dollar, while Mr. Ricafort sees it ranging from P58.95 to P59.15.

A host of US data delayed by the government shutdown is set to be released, giving investors a long-awaited view of the world’s largest economy, with the November jobs report due on Tuesday and inflation figures on Thursday, Reuters reported.

A divided Fed cut rates last week, but Chair Jerome H. Powell signaled borrowing costs were unlikely to drop further in the near term as policymakers await more economic clarity.

US President Donald J. Trump said on Friday he was leaning towards either former Fed Governor Kevin Warsh or National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett to lead the central bank next year. — A.M.C. Sy with Reuters

How PSEi member stocks performed — December 15, 2025

Here’s a quick glance at how PSEi stocks fared on Monday, December 15, 2025.

US backs Philippines after Chinese water cannon incident in S. China Sea

A China Coast Guard vessel fires a water cannon at the BRP Datu Pagbuaya near Thitu Island, in the latest flare-up between Manila and Beijing in the disputed South China Sea. — PCG

THE US on Monday voiced support for the Philippines amid rising tensions with China in the South China Sea, condemning what it called Beijing’s increasingly coercive behavior after Chinese coast guard vessels injured Filipino fishermen in a Dec. 12 confrontation.

In a statement, the US Department of State said China’s actions in the strategic waterway were dangerous and destabilizing, citing an incident last week in which Chinese ships fired high-pressure water cannons at Filipino fishing boats.

“These aggressive actions endangered Filipinos fishing for their livelihoods,” the State Department said. “We stand with our Philippine allies as they confront China’s provocative actions and increasingly dangerous tactics against its neighbors.”

The Philippine Coast Guard on Saturday said three Filipino fishermen were wounded and two fishing vessels sustained significant damage after ships from the China Coast Guard used water cannons near Sabina Shoal, a contested maritime feature in the South China Sea.

The shoal is among several areas claimed by both Manila and Beijing where confrontations at sea have become increasingly frequent.

Philippine officials have described China’s activities as coercive and escalatory, while Beijing maintains that its patrols and enforcement measures are legitimate actions to defend its sovereignty.

China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said Philippine vessels targeted by water cannons had deliberately anchored at Sabina Shoal despite repeated warnings from the China Coast Guard.

“The Philippines needs to immediately stop its infringement, provocations and vilification, stop its endless self-directed stunts at sea, and refrain from challenging China’s firm resolve to safeguard our sovereignty and rights and interests,” he told a news briefing, based on a transcript published on the ministry’s website.

Mr. Guo added that US “has no right to interfere in the maritime issues” in the South China Sea and should stop supporting Manila’s efforts to stake its claim in the contested waters.

China asserts rights over nearly the entire South China Sea through its so-called nine-dash line, a claim that overlaps with those of the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei. A United Nations-backed arbitration ruling in 2016 voided China’s sweeping claims, though Beijing has refused to recognize the decision.

Tensions have flared repeatedly over the past year near key maritime features, including areas seen as critical to Philippine resupply missions to marines stationed aboard the BRP Sierra Madre, a grounded naval ship serving as an outpost at Second Thomas Shoal.

Sabina Shoal lies about 150 kilometers (km) west of the Philippine province of Palawan.

The latest incident underscores the growing risks faced not only by military vessels but also by civilians operating in the disputed waters, as fishermen and civilian missions increasingly find themselves on the front lines of geopolitical rivalry.

Also on Monday, a coalition of Philippine civil society groups pledged to step up civilian activity in the South China Sea in response to what it said was mounting harassment by Chinese vessels.

The Atin Ito (This Is Ours) coalition, which has organized annual civilian sails to assert Philippine presence, said it plans to launch more missions next year.

“In 2026, we will mount more civilian missions to further civilianize these waters,” Rafaela David, co-convenor of the coalition, said in a statement. “The answer to harassment and violence is solidarity and active citizenship.”

The group’s volunteers have staged several civilian voyages in the past two years and earlier this year held a concert at sea near Thitu Island, known locally as Pag-asa.

Thitu is the second-biggest island in the disputed Spratly Islands and hosts a small Filipino civilian community that has lived there since the early 1970s. The island lies roughly 500 km west of Palawan.

Competing claims in the South China Sea have fueled frequent encounters between Philippine and Chinese vessels, with both sides seeking to reinforce their claims through patrols, infrastructure development and diplomatic pressure.

Last year, a civilian flotilla organized by Atin Ito abandoned plans to sail close to Chinese-controlled Scarborough Shoal to avoid a potential clash with dozens of Chinese ships guarding the area.

The US has repeatedly reaffirmed that its Mutual Defense Treaty with the Philippines applies to armed attacks on Philippine forces, vessels and aircraft in the South China Sea, a stance that Manila sees as a crucial deterrent amid China’s expanding presence in the region. 

‘DEEPLY REGRETTABLE’
Meanwhile, the National Maritime Council (NMC) expressed alarm over the recent “harassment and endangerment” of the Filipino artisanal fishers at Sabina Shoal.

Aside from the water-cannon attack, China Coast Guard vessels also deliberately cut the Filipino fishing boats’ anchor lines, it said in a separate statement.

“These acts placed the lives of these Filipino artisanal fishers at greater risk, adding further danger to the already difficult sea conditions,” the council said. “It is deeply regrettable that three Filipino fishers suffered physical injuries, and two fishing boats were damaged.”

The Philippine government promptly responded by deploying Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessels BRP Malapascua and BRP Cape Engaño to help and protect the fishermen.

“As these PCG vessels carried out their humanitarian and safety mission, they were repeatedly subjected to dangerous maneuvers and close-range approaches by multiple China Coast Guard ships, including a particularly hazardous nighttime incident,” it pointed out.

The China Coast Guard’s public statement citing the use of “necessary control measures” is “deeply troubling,” the council said.

“Any measure that involves water cannons, dangerous maneuvers and actions that cause injury and damage to small, wooden civilian fishing boats cannot be justified, particularly when undertaken against subsistence fishers peacefully fishing in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone,” it added.

The Philippines would come up with an appropriate diplomatic response and register its “strong objection” to these actions, the maritime council said.

Palace Press Officer Clarissa A. Castro said the Philippine government would deliver its protest to the Chinese Embassy in Manila on Monday. “We are giving a demarche to the Chinese Embassy today,” she told a news briefing. — K.C.L. Basilio

Bicameral budget talks hit deadlock on DPWH funding

Workers are seen in a construction site in Manila. — PHILIPPINE STAR/RUSSELL PALMA

THE SENATE and House of Representatives canceled Monday’s scheduled bicameral conference committee meeting after lawmakers deadlocked over whether to restore funding for the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in the proposed P6.793-trillion national budget for 2026, amid lingering concerns over corruption in flood control projects.

Senator Sherwin T. Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate Finance committee, described the issue as “deadlocked” but said the chamber remains open to compromise.

“The House had a different opinion. We had a different opinion,” he told reporters, adding that the Senate is reviewing DPWH Secretary Vivencio B. Dizon’s appeal to reverse a P45-billion cut in the agency’s proposed budget. “This is a very technical issue, and it will take time to talk with DPWH.”

Nueva Ecija Rep. Mikaela Angela B. Suansing, who heads the House Appropriations Committee, said no new bicameral meeting had been scheduled, urging lawmakers to act quickly to avoid a reenacted budget for 2026.

She warned that roughly 9,900 infrastructure projects totaling P406 billion could be affected if the cut is retained. “If we assume that 25% of these projects will become unimplementable, that’s already P101 billion wasted,” she said.

The dispute centers on DPWH’s allocation in next year’s spending plan. The Senate trimmed the agency’s budget to P570.8 billion, roughly 8.6% lower than the House’s P624.48 billion, citing concerns over overpriced materials and procurement irregularities.

Earlier, both chambers reduced P255 billion earmarked for flood control projects from the Executive’s proposed P880 billion infrastructure program, following allegations of anomalies in project implementation.

Senators have indicated they are firm on maintaining cuts linked to overpriced construction materials. “The Senate is very firm that it doesn’t want overpriced materials,” Mr. Gatchalian said, citing the need for transparency and fiscal accountability.

Meanwhile, the Marcos administration signaled support for restoring the funds. Palace Press Officer Clarissa A. Castro said President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. is aware of Mr. Dizon’s appeal and stressed the importance of DPWH spending in driving economic growth.

“So, the wish is for [the Senate cut] not to be granted. Nearly 10,000 projects will not be implemented if the budget requested by DPWH is further cut,” she separately told a news briefing.

Mr. Dizon said the P45-billion restoration would not fund flood control projects implicated in corruption but would support roads, bridges and other infrastructure critical to accelerating economic activity.

“In the past quarter, the economy only grew by 4%,” he said during a Sunday briefing with the bicameral panel. “This is largely because of the cut in public expenditure, especially in infrastructure.”

The deadlock comes as Congress races to reconcile its budget differences before the Dec. 22 deadline, which is crucial to prevent a reenacted 2025 spending plan.

Both chambers have emphasized that technical deliberations are still ongoing, with Ms. Suansing noting that “every single day is crucial for our technical teams to be able to finish the bill.”

The P6.793-trillion national budget, the largest in Philippine history, reflects the administration’s focus on infrastructure as a key pillar of its economic strategy, balancing fiscal prudence with the need to sustain development projects.

Both chambers have stressed the need to ensure transparency, proper cost control and accountability in project execution. The outcome of these deliberations will determine whether almost 10,000 projects — including bridges, highways and flood mitigation works — can proceed without delay.

The bicameral conference committee is expected to complete deliberations in the coming days, with President Marcos aiming to sign the final spending plan by Dec. 29. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio and Chloe Mari A. Hufana

Malacañang says low inflation, strong reserves to support Philippine peso

BW FILE PHOTO

THE Philippines’ economic managers remain confident the peso will be underpinned by low and stable inflation, ample foreign-exchange reserves and an improving investment climate, Malacañang said on Monday, even as the currency continues to trade near the P59-a-dollar level.

Palace Press Officer Clarissa A. Castro said the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas continues to allow the peso to be determined by market forces, while maintaining what the central bank has described as “robust” foreign-exchange reserves.

“The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas allows the exchange rate to be determined by market forces,” she told a news briefing. “We continue to maintain robust reserves.”

The peso has breached the P59-a-dollar mark several times since November and slid to a record low of P59.22 on Dec. 9. Analysts have linked the weakness partly to soft investor sentiment amid a widening graft scandal that has weighed on local confidence.

A weaker peso raises the cost of imports such as fuel, food and raw materials, adding pressure to inflation and squeezing household and business budgets. Still, authorities said inflation remains subdued and is expected to stay within target over the next two years, helping support domestic demand.

Inflation eased to 1.5% in November from 1.7% in October and 2.5% a year earlier, bringing the year-to-date average to 1.6%.

Ms. Castro also pointed to the country’s investment-grade credit rating as an anchor for the peso’s outlook. Standard & Poor’s has reaffirmed the Philippines’ “BBB+” rating with a positive outlook, citing low and stable inflation among the economy’s strengths.

“A high credit rating signals investors’ strong vote of confidence in President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s leadership,” she said.

To reinforce confidence, the Marcos administration is moving to ease investment bottlenecks, including the temporary suspension of Bureau of Internal Revenue field audits following taxpayer concerns over letters of authority and mission orders. The government also plans to streamline regulations that hinder investment.

Ms. Castro cited reforms aimed at boosting productivity and foreign direct investment, including the Public-Private Partnership Code, Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises to Maximize Opportunities for Reinvigorating the Economy (CREATE MORE) Act and Capital Markets Efficiency Promotion Act.

Authorities are also fast-tracking the rebuilding of infrastructure and communities hit by recent calamities to restore economic activity.

She added that the government is pursuing accountability over flood control anomalies, with more arrests expected before yearend.

Allegations that billions of pesos earmarked for flood mitigation were misused have intensified scrutiny of procurement and oversight, weighing on investor sentiment as the Philippines competes for capital amid tighter global financial conditions. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

Maoist rebels announce holiday truce

BW FILE PHOTO

THE Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) on Monday said that its armed wing would observe a unilateral holiday ceasefire, placing Maoist rebels on a defensive posture amid continuing clashes with government forces in the countryside.

In a statement, the CPP said units of the New People’s Army (NPA) would refrain from launching offensive operations from Dec. 25 to 26 and again from Dec. 31 to Jan. 1 to mark the Christmas and New Year holidays, as well as the group’s anniversary celebrations. Despite the truce, it said its fighters would remain on “high alert.”

“This temporary ceasefire order is being issued in solidarity with the Filipino people as they conduct simple celebrations of their traditional holidays, amid grave social and economic conditions,” it said.

During the ceasefire periods, NPA units were ordered to stay vigilant and ready to respond if necessary. “All Red commanders and Red fighters must remain on high alert… and must be ever ready to maneuver or counter-attack, when necessitated by the situation.”

The Department of National Defense dismissed the announcement as a “sad propaganda stunt,” saying the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) would continue its security operations throughout the holidays.

“Military duties are not subject to pause or seasons,” the Defense department said in a statement, adding that troops would remain focused on protecting communities and maintaining peace and order.

The NPA has been fighting the government for more than five decades, making it one of the world’s longest-running insurgencies. However, the movement has significantly weakened since its peak in the 1980s.

Armed communist fighters have dwindled to about 780 from about 25,000 at the height of the rebellion, according to government data released earlier this month.

Military spokeswoman Colonel Francel Margareth Taborlupa said the AFP would continue lawful security operations to prevent armed groups from taking advantage of the holiday period to regroup, rearm or threaten public safety.

The CPP said the ceasefire was declared without expectations from the government. CPP Chief Information Officer Marco Valbuena said authorities were free to respond as they see fit.

“The temporary ceasefire was unilaterally declared by the CPP, with no expectation of any positive or negative response,” he said in an e-mailed reply to questions.

Last year, Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito G. Galvez, Jr. said the Marcos administration remained optimistic about forging a peace agreement with the communist movement, a goal that has eluded several administrations. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

Senate passes bill creating digital budget portal to boost spending transparency

BW FILE PHOTO

THE Senate on Monday approved on third and final reading a measure that will boost transparency in government spending by establishing a digital budget portal accessible to the public.

With 17‑0-0 vote, the chamber passed Senate Bill No. 1506 requiring all government agencies to upload and regularly update budget documents, including contracts and procurement records, on a digital platform.

“If you look at this transparency measure, if the current investigation were not happening, I think it would have no chance [of being approved],” Senator Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV, who authored the measure, said in a statement after its approval.

The bill is among President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s legislative priorities, which he elevated last week alongside other transparency reforms as his government faces widespread allegations of corruption. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

DFA: No Filipinos in Bondi shooting

BONDI BEACH — BW FILE PHOTO

THERE were no confirmed Filipino casualties in a mass shooting in Australia, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Monday following an incident that killed at least 15 people on Dec. 14.

The DFA said the Philippine Consulate General in Sydney is coordinating with Australian authorities to verify whether any Filipino nationals were affected by the incident at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, as emergency operations continued at the scene.

“The Consulate is coordinating with Australian authorities to verify whether any Filipino nationals were affected,” it said in a statement. “As of this time, there are no confirmed Filipino casualties.”

The attack, which occurred on Hanukkah, or the Jewish “festival of lights,” was called a terrorist attack by Sydney police. It was Australia’s deadliest mass shooting in almost 30 years. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

BIR to destroy 448,000 vapes

THE Bureau of Internal Revenue on Monday began the destruction of over 448,000 unregistered and illegal vape products at its head office in Quezon City. — PHILIPPINE STAR/MIGUEL DE GUZMAN

THE BUREAU of Internal Revenue (BIR) on Monday led the simultaneous nationwide destruction of illicit vape products as part of its efforts to halt the illegal trade of excisable goods.

The agency began the destruction of 448,494 units of illicit vape products with an estimated excise tax liability of P1.34 billion, inclusive of penalties. It will continue over the next three days.

“The government does not — and will not — tolerate the sale of vape and vapor products without the full and proper payment of excise taxes, as evidenced by the excise tax stamps that must be affixed to every vape product sold,” Commissioner of Internal Revenue Charlito Martin R. Mendoza said in a statement.

The BIR said it has seized a total of 742,778 units of illicit vape products, translating to P2.73 billion in estimated tax liability, inclusive of penalties.

These were found to be in violation of excise tax laws due to nonpayment of excise taxes, non-affixture of internal revenue stamps, and non-registration of vape brands.

“… the absence of excise tax stamps tells us that these distributors and sellers undermined and evaded government oversight of these sin products, including our authority to monitor, regulate, and control their sale and distribution,” Mr. Mendoza said.

BIR continues to conduct enforcement operations as mandated by Section 6(C) of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended, and implemented through duly issued Mission Orders.

The destruction of seized vape products is being carried out in accordance with Sections 224, 225, and 279 of the Tax Code, as implemented under Revenue Regulations Nos. 14-2024 and 16-2024, and other related BIR issuances governing the seizure, forfeiture, and disposal of excisable goods.

“We will continue to seize, destroy, and permanently remove unstamped vape products from the market to ensure that no one profits by placing consumers at risk,” he said. “Our enforcement actions will be more intensified, coordinated, and uncompromising to protect public health, uphold the law, and safeguard legitimate government revenues,” Mr. Mendoza said. — Aaron Michael C. Sy

Mary Jane Veloso clemency urged

DEATH-ROW prisoner Mary Jane Veloso, incarcerated for alleged drug trafficking in 2010, is emotional upon seeing her parents, and two sons inside the Correctional Institute for Women in Mandaluyong City on Wednesday, following her arrival after nearly 15 years of detention in Indonesia. — PHILIPPINE STAR/MIGUEL DE GUZMAN

A LAWMAKER on Monday filed a resolution urging President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. to grant clemency to a Filipina drug convict who was narrowly spared from execution in Indonesia, citing humanitarian grounds.

House Resolution No. 583 seeks a clemency for Mary Jane F. Veloso, who was arrested in Yogyakarta in 2010 after being found with 2.6 kilograms of heroin concealed in a suitcase. She said she was an unwitting drug mule, but she was convicted and sentenced to death.

She was repatriated to the Philippines in December last year after Indonesia and Manila signed an agreement transferring her custody.

“Granting clemency is not a disregard of the law. It is a humanitarian act clearly recognized by our Constitution,” Party-list Rep. Sarah Jane Elago, who authored the measure, said in a statement.

Indonesia had indicated it would respect any decision made by the Philippines, including if she was given clemency. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

NICA still monitoring mining exec

JOSEPH C. SY — GFNI.COM.PH

THE Philippines’ intelligence agency is still monitoring a mining company executive previously embroiled in an identity falsification charge on national security grounds.

The National Intelligence and Coordinating Agency (NICA) is keeping an eye on Global Ferronickel Holdings Inc. Chairman Joseph C. Sy, whose Filipino citizenship was questioned by the Bureau of Immigration (BI) and was detained in August, its director Ferlu J. Silvio said.

The Court of Appeals (CA) ordered Mr. Sy’s release in September, after it upheld a lower court ruling ordering his immediate release, recognizing him as a Filipino citizen.

“This case was dismissed for lack of probable cause,” Mr. Silvio told senators. “[But] from an intelligence standpoint, the existence of prior investigations remains relevant for longitudinal risk assessment and interagency awareness.”

Senator Ana Theresia N. Hontiveros-Baraquel said Mr. Sy’s ties to the mining industry and allegations questioning his Filipino citizenship should be examined by the Senate, which had earlier investigated dismissed mayor Alice L. Guo. She was accused of being a Chinese spy with links to crime syndicates, and a trial court sentenced her to life imprisonment in November after finding her guilty of human trafficking.

“This case reflects a broader pattern that this Senate has already begun to uncover,” she said in a statement. “We have seen foreign fugitives, economic criminals, and syndicate-linked individuals exploit weaknesses in our documentation systems.”

Mr. Sy, who attended the Senate hearing, invoked his right to “remain silent,” citing a pending case against him.

“Because of my ongoing case in CA, I apologize for I have to invoke my right to remain silent,” he told senators.

“Our agency continues to monitor Joseph Sy in coordinating with partner agencies strictly within the bounds of laws, and such monitoring is precautionary in nature and aimed at detecting potential foreign interference risk,” said Mr. Silvio.

Lawmakers are seeking to toughen Philippine anti‑espionage laws amid a deepening territorial dispute with Beijing in the South China Sea, which has stirred growing concern. Authorities earlier this year arrested several Chinese nationals suspected of spying on military bases and government facilities.

In the same hearing, the BI said it is moving to cancel the Philippine passport and initiate deportation proceedings against Mr. Sy.

BI Commissioner Joel Anthony M. Viado told the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights at a hearing on Monday that Mr. Sy shares the same fingerprints as a Chinese national named Chen Zhong Zhen.

Mr. Viado said records also indicate that Mr. Chen had admitted that he is also Mr. Sy. “He is not Filipino. As a matter of fact, Mr. Chen Zhong Zhen has an admission on record that he is Joseph Sy. One and the same person,” he said in a mix of English and Filipino.

Mr. Sy, who appeared at the Senate hearing, declined to confirm whether he is the same individual as Mr. Chen. He also refrained from answering several questions from senators, including details such as his birthplace and educational background.

Mr. Sy was the chairman of listed mining company Global Ferronickel Holdings, Inc. (FNI). He has reportedly taken a leave of absence following the recent allegations.

FNI did not immediately reply to an e-mail seeking comment.

The Senate inquiry follows allegations of false identity against Mr. Sy, including claims that his son holds both Chinese and Philippine passports and two birth certificates bearing different parental details.

In February 2015, an earlier deportation case against Mr. Sy was dismissed by the BI after his Philippine citizenship was presumed based on documents submitted at the time.

However, Mr. Viado said the dismissal was based on preliminary, or prima facie, evidence, which the agency later reassessed following additional verification.

“The basis for the dismissal was a presumption of his being a citizen due to the evidence presented. But this evidence is only prima facie. It can be overturned by contradictory evidence or by challenging the credibility of the initially presented evidence, which we were able to do later on,” he said. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio and Vonn Andrei E. Villamiel

3 cadets finish Australia training

BAGUIO CITY — Three cadets from the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) have successfully completed their academic and military training at the Australian Defense Force Academy (ADFA), marking another milestone in the growing defense cooperation between the Philippines and Australia.

Cadet First Class Charles Wandag Cayangao, Cadet First Class Nathanjan Barcelon Llasos, and Cadet First Class Kyle Rondobio Lanza, who all belong to the PMA Siklab-Laya Class of 2025, graduated on Dec. 11, highlighting PMA’s continuing efforts to develop globally competent officers for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

They were deployed to Australia on Jan. 13, 2023, to undergo a three-year education and training program under the Philippines-Australia defense cooperation framework.

Mr. Llasos is set to return to Australia for an additional eight months of officer training at the Royal Military College-Duntroon.

Mr. Cayangao, 23, from Tanudan, Kalinga, earned a Bachelor of Science degree with majors in Physics and Aviation. He was recognized as the Best Performing ADFA International Trainee Officer in Fitness and received a Commanding Officer Military Commendation, reflecting his strong performance in both physical and military training. He chose to join the Philippine Navy, citing his desire to challenge himself beyond his familiar environment.

Mr. Llasos, 22, from Legazpi City, Albay, completed a degree in Computing and Cybersecurity and also received a Commanding Officer Military Commendation. He selected the Philippine Army as his branch of service, viewing it as a path where he can make a direct contribution on the ground. His upcoming training at Royal Military College-Duntroon is expected to further enhance his leadership skills in a multinational setting.

Mr. Lanza, 23, from Alabel, Sarangani Province, graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree with majors in Aviation and Geography. He opted to serve in the Philippine Air Force, motivated by his longstanding aspiration to become a pilot and contribute to national security through air power. He expressed his intention to give back to the AFP and the country after completing his training.

PMA officials said the graduation underscores the Academy’s commitment to producing professionally competent and globally exposed officers who can operate effectively with partner armed forces.

As PMA continues to strengthen security cooperation with like-minded nations such as Australia, similar international education and training opportunities are expected to prepare future AFP leaders to serve the nation with skill, character, and global awareness. — Artemio A. Dumlao

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