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A revamped procedural framework for authority to employ foreign technical personnel

FREEPIK

On April 8, the Department of Justice (DoJ) issued Department Circular No. 009, which provides for the updated procedure in processing applications for an Authority to Employ Alien (AEA) in wholly or partially nationalized trades, businesses, industries, or undertakings. The Circular amends Ministry Order No. 210, issued by what was then called the Ministry of Justice on Dec. 1, 1980, which had governed such applications in the last four decades.

The basis for this legal framework is the 1987 Philippine Constitution, which restricts foreign equity and participation in identified industries, professions, and activities to protect national interest and preserve Filipino control over the economy. Republic Act No. 7042, or the Foreign Investments Act of 1991 (FIA), complements these restrictions by promoting foreign investment within allowable limits to support economic growth, competitiveness, and employment. Pursuant to the FIA, a Foreign Investments Negative List (FINL) is regularly issued to specify the industries and activities where foreign ownership or investment is limited or prohibited.

Enterprises covered by the FINL that intend to employ foreign technical personnel must secure an AEA from the DoJ as a precondition to their lawful employment following the Anti-Dummy Law. With the issuance of Department Circular No. 009, the DoJ introduced a revised and more streamlined process aligned with current labor and immigration policies, while continuing to uphold constitutional limitations on foreign equity and prioritizing Filipino interests in nationalized and partly nationalized industries.

The Circular introduced key changes in the AEA application process.

Among the new requirements is a formal request letter signed by the president or duly authorized representative of the covered entity, which must justify the need to employ the foreign technical personnel and outline specific details of the proposed employment such as the position and term of engagement. Further, the employer is now required to submit an understudy training program for Filipino understudies who are expected to acquire the technical skills for which the foreign national is desired. Supporting documents of the Filipino understudies, which include their valid government-issued identification cards and curriculum vitae showing their educational background and relevant work experience, must also be submitted. Previously, only a notarized undertaking by the employer to train at least two Filipino understudies was required for the AEA application.

These changes appear to be consistent with the new requirements of Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) Department Order No. 248, series of 2025, which now requires employers which are granted fiscal incentives by the government, engaged in priority or strategic areas of investments or operating a public utility, to submit an understudy training program/skills development program in their foreign personnel’s Alien Employment Permit (AEP) application.

Another significant update in the Circular is the submission of apostilled documents in cases where the prospective foreign technical personnel has not yet arrived in the Philippines. This allows the employer to begin processing the AEA application prior to the foreign national’s arrival in the country. Notably, the Circular removed certain previously required documents, such as the foreign national’s AEP Card/Certificate of Exclusion or Exemption, or the relevant DoLE certification on the unavailability of Filipino workers for the intended position.

In conclusion, the new Circular is a timely administrative measure that streamlines the process for securing an AEA, while maintaining compliance with constitutionally mandated restrictions. Its effective implementation is essential to avoid causing undue burdens on employers and their foreign personnel, and to ensure that the updated process remains consistent with Philippine legal and policy standards on foreign participation.

This article is only for general informational and educational purposes and is not offered as and does not constitute legal advice or opinion.

 

Christianna Manami Y. Salud is an associate of the Immigration department of the Angara Abello Concepcion Regala & Cruz Law Offices (ACCRALAW).

cysalud@accralaw.com

(632) 8830-8000

Filinvest Land Q1 net profit rises 3% to P905 million

FILINVESTLAND.COM

GOTIANUN-LED Filinvest Land, Inc. (FLI) grew its first-quarter (Q1) attributable net income by 3% to P905 million, led by its residential and commercial portfolio.

Consolidated net income improved by 8% to P1 billion while consolidated revenue and other income climbed by 12% to P6.04 billion, FLI said in a stock exchange disclosure on Tuesday.

Residential real estate revenue rose by 9% to P3.7 billion led by activity in South Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

Leasing revenue increased by 17% to P2.06 billion on steady leasing demand across the company’s office and retail portfolio. Retail leasing revenue went up by 8% to P638 million while office leasing revenue grew by 19% to P1.27 billion.

“Our focus on ready-for-occupancy sales is driving stronger residential revenues and better asset returns. For retail and office leasing, we’re combining targeted rent strategies with tighter cost control to boost occupancy and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization,” FLI President and Chief Executive Officer Tristaneil D. Las Marias said.

“We’re also fast-tracking the opening of our new malls in Activa Cubao and Mimosa Clark, both drawing strong tenant interest due to prime locations,” he added.

Meanwhile, FLI said it remains focused on sustaining its growth trajectory in the coming quarters.

“The solid performance of our residential projects in VisMin and Luzon outside NCR continues to fuel overall growth in 2025. With strong fundamentals and an agile approach, we are well-positioned to build on this momentum,” Mr. Las Marias said.

FLI shares fell by 6.25% or five centavos to 75 centavos apiece on Tuesday. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

Japanese space startup Axelspace eyes June IPO

AXELSPACE.COM

TOKYO — Tokyo-based satellite maker Axelspace plans to list its shares as early as June, two sources said, the latest in a steady stream of domestic space startups tapping the Japanese capital markets amid mixed investor views on the sector’s prospects.

Axelspace’s initial public offering (IPO) is expected to be approved by the Tokyo Stock Exchange later this month, the people who had knowledge of the matter said.

If successful, it would be the fifth such listing of a Japanese spacecraft venture over the last two years.

Japan’s private space industry, estimated at roughly 4 trillion yen ($27.8 billion), has traditionally been dominated by heavy industry conglomerates. Of the more than 100 space startups active, most are loss-making, and the handful that are listed have a mixed record in delivering stock market returns to investors.

What is, however, providing a tailwind to the private space ventures is the support from the Japanese government, which is in the midst of its biggest postwar defence buildup in the wake of China’s growing technological and military clout. Axelspace and other prospective IPO candidates in the sector are banking on that support to draw in investors.

Axelspace’s valuation in the IPO could be comparable to those of radar satellite makers Synspective and iQPS, one of the sources said. Synspective is valued at 121 billion yen, and iQPS at 72.5 billion yen.

Axelspace had considered going public but faced delays attributed to satellite malfunctions and applications for government subsidies, and may push it back again, the person said, adding SMBC Nikko Securities is the lead manager.

Axelspace did not respond to requests for comment on its listing plans when contacted by Reuters.

SMBC Nikko Securities and Tokyo Stock Exchange declined to comment.

Founded by University of Tokyo aerospace researcher Yuya Nakamura in 2008, Axelspace has launched five optical Earth observation satellites and built some small satellites for external clients including Weathernews. It plans seven more satellite launches next year to expand its in-house observation data business.

The company, in which trading house Mitsui & Co. and airliner ANA have invested, previously completed a Series D round in 2023. With that, it raised a cumulative 14.3 billion yen, according to its website.

The rise of space startups in Japan is “not a fleeting boom” but a result of decade-long government support through space law legislation and funding, said Masayasu Ishida, chief executive of commercial space conference organizer Spacetide.

The government, in the past two years, has set aside 600 billion yen for its newly established Space Strategy Fund to subsidize private rockets, satellites and other ventures, targeting to double the industry’s size to 8 trillion yen by the early 2030s.

Analysts said space IPOs in Japan have been relatively active compared even to the United States, where new public offerings have been slow after the SPAC listing boom in 2020-2021.

Japanese startups may have fewer fundraising alternatives. In the US, private funding rounds and M&A deals are more common for space ventures, including Elon Musk’s unlisted industry leader SpaceX.

Amid limited fundraising options in Japan, government aid is “quite effective” for nascent space ventures, said Motoyuki Arai, chief executive of Synspective. A listing enabled more financing options, including debt and potentially additional public offerings, he said. 

Going public could also increase recruitment and tie-up opportunities, said Norihide Kanehara, IPO project lead at Space BD, an eighth-year startup and Asia’s largest payload service provider for SpaceX launches. Mr. Kanehara, however, said Space BD plans a listing only “in a few years,” given the current murky market environment especially for Japanese small-cap firms.

While government support for private space ventures has energized these startups’ fundraising, investors are scrutinizing their growth potential.

“Japanese investors are becoming increasingly rigorous about feasibility,” KPMG Consulting ssociate partner Susumu Miyahara said, citing clients’ due diligence requests on how much money space ventures could make.

Shares of Synspective and iQPS are up roughly 50% and 75%, respectively, since their listings, but on-orbit servicing provider Astroscale is down about 40% since it started trading and ispace only recovered recently to its debut price ahead of a second moon landing attempt next month.

Few in the industry have achieved sizeable sales volumes or have a clear path to profitability, said Masahiro Honda, senior corporate analyst at Daiwa Securities’ private capital unit, adding that he did not see a rush of space sector IPOs in the near future.

“A second wave of space IPOs in Japan might take a while to emerge,” he said. — Reuters

Stars strive to dispel tariff gloom at Cannes Film Festival

CANNES, FRANCE — Movie legends from Tom Cruise to Denzel Washington will gather in Cannes this week for the 78th incarnation of its film festival, as the industry tries to shake off worries over dwindling audiences and threatened US tariffs.

Mr. Cruise will be launching what is touted as the last in his Mission: Impossible franchise and scores of others will be hoping to follow the path that last year’s top prize winner Anora took to Oscar glory.

Alongside them, Robert De Niro will be getting a lifetime achievement award, and star actors Scarlett Johansson, Kristen Stewart, and Harris Dickinson will all be trying their hands as directors with films competing in the smaller categories.

Just a week ago, US President Donald J. Trump shook the global film industry by announcing a 100% tariff on movies produced outside the country — a statement that left many studio executives alarmed and baffled about when such levies might be applied or how they might come into force.

In Cannes, those worries have dominated backroom conversations, but made no dent on the frontline announcements.

“Nobody wants to be talking about tariffs and Trump here,” said Scott Roxborough, European bureau chief for The Hollywood Reporter. “In the industry, everybody’s going to be talking about it.”

OSCAR GLORY
The festival kicks off on Tuesday evening. The decisions of its jury — chaired by France’s Juliette Binoche with Monster’s Ball star Halle Berry with her on the panel — will be closely watched.

Anora, the winner of Cannes’ top prize the Palme d’Or in 2024, went on to take home five Oscars. Cannes’ top film in 2023, Anatomy of a Fall, later won one Academy Award. Its pick in 2019, Parasite, memorably became the first non-English-language film to win the best picture Oscar.

This year, US director Wes Anderson will be launching his new movie The Phoenician Scheme, which will be competing against independent films including the likes of Joachim Trier’s Sentimental Value and Julia Ducournau’s Alpha.

Films screening outside the competition include the new Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, as well as Spike Lee’s Highest 2 Lowest, starring Denzel Washington.

Hollywood’s travails might not be center stage, but world politics has made it into the program.

Three films about the war in Ukraine will be shown as part of a “Ukraine Day” event.

All screenings are sold out for Put Your Soul On Your Hand And Walk, which follows 25-year-old Palestinian photojournalist Fatma Hassona, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza in April, one day after it was announced that the documentary had been chosen for the festival’s ACID program. — Reuters

PBCom Q1 profit falls as operating expenses increase

BW FILE PHOTO

PHILIPPINE BANK of Communications’ (PBCom) net income fell 4.7% to P472.94 million in the first quarter from a year earlier due to higher operating expenses and declining trading performance.

“This is attributable to P123.6-million higher operating expense and the P106.4-million decline in the trading performance, partially offset by the P187-million improvement in net interest income,” it said in a stock exchange filing on Tuesday.

This translated to a return on average equity of 9.68% and a return on average assets of 1.19%, up from last year’s 11.13% and 1.36%.

PBCom’s net interest income rose 14.7% to 1.46 billion from a year earlier.

“To fund this growth, deposit volume increased, and the group issued bonds payable at the latter part of 2024, which resulted interest expense that was higher by P66 million,” it said.

Operating expenses rose 13.18% to P1.06 billion, mainly driven by provisions for impairment losses, volume-driven and manpower costs and depreciation and amortization, which all increased. Operating income stood rose 7.9% to P1.73 billion

Net interest margin inched up to 4.05% at end-March from 4.02% at end-2024 due to lower cost of funds.

Total loans and receivables dropped 1.8% to P99.48 billion from end-2024. The group’s gross bad loan ratio was 3.59%, 0.93 point  higher than the ratio at the end of 2024, PBCom said.

On the funding side, deposits fell 5.34% year on year to P8.43 billion, while assets rose 2.7% to P161.11 billion from end-December. Total equity rose 3.13% to P19.84 billion from a quarter earlier.

The bank’s capital adequacy ratio fell to 15.75% from 16.84%, “mainly due to higher total risk weighted assets, offset by higher total qualifying capital.” This was still above the 10% minimum threshold.

PBCom’s liquidity ratio rose to 22.91% from 18.54% at end-December.

The bank had 90 regular branches, four branch-lite units and 166 automated teller machines as of March 31. — Aubrey Rose A. Inosante

How the Philippines’ illicit trade environment compares with its peers

The Philippines placed 64th out of 87 countries and territories in the 2025 edition of the Illicit Trade Environment Index, developed by the Economist Impact. The index assesses the abilities of each country and territory to combat illicit trade but instead of the scale of illegal activity, it looks at four categories — governance and cooperation; surveillance and enforcement; customs and border management; and economic management and regulatory environment — to evaluate their capacity to disrupt illicit markets. On a scale of 0–100, where 100 means best performance, the Philippines scored 55.4, below the Asia and the Pacific average score of 59.5.

How the Philippines’ illicit trade environment compares with its peers

How PSEi member stocks performed — May 13, 2025

Here’s a quick glance at how PSEi stocks fared on Tuesday, May 13, 2025.

Admin slate secures six Senate seats in partial, unofficial results

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. attended a party convention in Pasay City where the administration’s senatorial bets for the 2025 elections were announced. The alliance comprises the country’s five major political parties — Partido Federal ng Pilipinas, Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats, Nationalist People’s Coalition, Nacionalista Party and National Unity Party. — PPA POOL/ RYAN BALDEMOR

By Chloe Mari A. Hufana, Reporter

SENATORIAL candidates backed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. fell short in the midterm polls after failing to secure an overwhelming majority, with only six of ten bets making it in the unofficial winning circle.

Partial and unofficial results flashed on the Commission on Elections (Comelec) website on Tuesday showed that out of the admin-endorsed candidates, only Party-list Rep. Erwin T. Tulfo sits comfortably within the top six. This is contrary to survey results ahead of the May 12 elections.

Candidates backed by Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio, in contrast, fared better than expected, with the top bet Christopher Lawrence “Bong” T. Go. In the top six, three were under the Duterte banner, including Senator Ronald M. dela Rosa (3rd) and Rodante D. Marcoleta (6th).

Opposition candidates former Senators Paolo Benigno “Bam” A. Aquino IV and Francis Pancratius “Kiko” N. Pangilinan placed at second and fifth, respectively, despite being on the tail end of the ‘magic 12’ based on earlier election surveys.

In a statement on Tuesday, Mr. Marcos said that while candidates under the Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas banner did not win every seat, their “work and mission continue.”

He noted elected leaders will “listen and act on inflation, on jobs, on corruption, and on the everyday burdens they carry.”

“To the newly elected, regardless of party or coalition, I extend my hand. Let us move forward together—with open minds and a common purpose,” he added.

Other admin bets who fared well in the midterm polls were former Senators Panfilo M. Lacson and Vicente C. Sotto III, Pilar Juliana S. Cayetano, Las Piñas Rep. Camille A. Villar-Genuino, and Manuel M. Lapid.

Ms. Villar and presidential sister Senator Ma. Imelda Josefa Remedios “Imee” R. Marcos, who were both endorsed by Ms. Duterte at the last minute, have so far secured winning seats, albeit at the tail end of the top 12.

Stratbase President Victor Andres C. Mahit linked the “surprising” electoral resurgence of Mr. Aquino and Mr. Pangilinan to their independent stance from the Philippines’ leading political factions.

“Running outside the shadows of the polarized Marcos and Duterte factions, they became symbols of principled, reformist alternatives,” he said in a statement.

Two of the Philippines’ most influential families has been embroiled in a deepening political feud, following the verbal exchange between the Marcos and Duterte clans. Their alliance formed in 2022, had eroded last year as the government started investigating the confidential fund of then Education Secretary and Vice-President Duterte.

Mr. Manhit added that the “surprising performance” of the opposition bets had defied pre-election surveys, as Filipinos seek more accountability and reform from its leaders.

“Their impressive return to the political stage defied early pre-election surveys, and their resurgence carries a powerful message from the Filipino people — a renewed demand for accountability, human rights, and reform-oriented leadership,” he said.

He added that Mr. Aquino and Mr. Pangilinan’s promotion of transparency, good governance, and social justice had offered voters clear platforms that “addressed the pressing needs of the electorate.”

Mr. Manhit also attributed the performance of the candidates to a surge in the support from younger voters.

Comelec data showed that millennials and Gen Z made up about 60.5%, or 41.41 million, of the total 68.4 million registered voters for the 2025 midterm polls. 

He added that the performance of former Senators Lacson and Sotto and Rep. Tulfo, allegedly known for their stance against “corruption and inefficiency,” had also performed well in the poll. -— with Adrian H. Halili

He said their performance echoed the voter’s need for accountability and “the electorate’s hunger for public servants who will clean up the system,”

Comelec began canvassing votes for the 2025 midterm elections on Tuesday morning, with officials targeting to proclaim the 12 winning senators by Saturday, May 17.

The National Board of Canvassers, composed of Comelec commissioners, convened at the Manila Hotel around 10:30 a.m. to start tallying certificates of canvass from overseas posts and local absentee voters.

Accredited representatives of senatorial candidates and party-list groups were present to observe the process.

The canvassing marks a crucial step in finalizing the results of the midterm polls, which will determine the composition of the Senate and the allocation of seats for party-list groups in the House of Representatives.

The midterm elections have become a battleground for two of the nation’s most influential political dynasties, the Marcoses and the Dutertes, whose once-solid alliance turned into a bitter feud last year.

PARTY-LIST WINNERS
Moreover, Progressive group Akbayan Citizens’ Action Party secured the highest votes in the party-list race, garnering over 2.7 million votes. It is poised to win three seats in the House of Representatives, led by human rights lawyer Jose Manuel Tadeo “Chel” I. Diokno.

Trailing behind is Duterte Youth, with over 2.2 million votes, while Tingog party-list comes in at third, with over 1.7 million votes. The presidential cousin and Romualdez-led group is also poised to get at least two seats.

In fourth is the 4Ps Party-list, with over 1.4 million votes, followed by the Anti-Crime and Terrorism Community Involvement and Support Party-list (ACT-CIS).

Party-list groups that garner at least 2% of the total party-list votes are guaranteed one seat in the House, with the top-performing group eligible for up to three seats.

However, the Comelec may allocate seats to groups that fall below the 2% threshold to meet the constitutional requirement that party-list representatives comprise 20% of the lower chamber.

LOCAL ELECTIONS
In the local scene, Hague-bound former President Rodrigo R. Duterte secured, once again, Davao City mayoralty.

Before becoming president in 2016, he was Davao City’s mayor from 2001 to 2016 and from 1988 to 1998. He also served as a congressman for one term, from 1998 to 2001.

While detained under the International Criminal Court for alleged crimes against humanity, Mr. Duterte’s son and vice mayor, Sebastian Z. Duterte, will sit on his behalf.

In Naga City, Camarines Sur, former Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” G. Robredo won a landslide victory for the mayoral position, a post her late husband held.

In the Philippines’ capital city of Manila, Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso won the mayoral seat after a failed attempt in the 2022 presidential race.

The country’s largest and richest city, Quezon City, once again elected Mayor Maria Josefina Tanya “Joy” G. Belmonte-Alimurung for her third and final term. She was declared the winner by Comelec on Tuesday morning.

Former Senator Maria Lourdes “Nancy” S. Binay-Angeles also won as Makati City mayor, running opposed her brother-in-law.

She will succeed her younger sister, Mar-len Abigail “Abby” S. Binay-Campos, who lost as a first-time senatorial bet under the administration’s flag.

Victor Ma. Regis “Vico” N. Sotto also won his third and final term as Pasig City mayor. He was proclaimed winner on Tuesday morning, with over 280,000 votes.

Outside the capital, the wealthiest city is Baguio, where incumbent Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong secured a third and final term in office. — with Adrian H. Halili

US Marines to stay as Philippines readies for multinational drills

FACEBOOK.COM/USEMBASSYPH

A DETACHMENT of US marines will remain in the Philippines as the country is set to host joint military exercises with Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom, with their forces focusing on coastal defense and special operations as China remains assertive in the contested South China Sea.

Soldiers of the US Marines’ 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment (MLR) will remain in the Philippines for Exercise Kamandag — Filipino for poison — a multinational military drill from May 26 to June 6 across Luzon, following the recently concluded Balikatan (shoulder-to-shoulder) drills.

“At the invitation of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the forward-deployed marines with 3rd MLR will remain in the Philippines for Exercise Kamandag 9,” the US marine regiment said in a statement on Monday.

Exercise Kamandag, which started in 2016, is an annual exercise between the Philippines and US marines. This year, it will include forces from Japan’s Self-Defense Force, Republic of Korea’s Marine Corps and the UK Armed Forces.

The multinational military drills come on the heels of Balikatan, a three-week comprehensive combat rehearsal that saw about 14,000 troops from the Philippines and the US conducting exercises in Philippine areas near regional flashpoints such as the South China Sea and Taiwan and featuring advanced US missile systems.

The South China Sea has become a regional flashpoint as Beijing continues to assert sovereignty over almost the entire sea, seen as a vital global trade route that is believed to be mineral-rich.

Philippine and Chinese forces have repeatedly sparred over competing claims in the sea, with tensions flaring around disputed maritime features such as the Spratly Islands and Scarborough Shoal.

Kamandag would see the Philippines and its foreign partners performing maritime security drills and special operations forces exercises near Batanes Islands in northern Luzon, facing Bashi Channel which separates Manila and Taipei, according to the 3rd MLR’s statement.

Beijing lays claim over Taiwan and has not ruled out the use of force to annex the self-governed island. The Chinese military has routinely staged air and naval military drills near the island.

“The Batanes Islands have long been viewed as a chokepoint for national security interests in the Indo-Pacific region,” the 3rd MLR said.

Meanwhile, China’s State Council on Monday released a white paper detailing its national security doctrine amid a “world of change and disorder.”

“China has entered a critical period of building itself into a stronger country and rejuvenating the Chinese nation on all fronts by pursuing Chinese modernization,” an abstract of the document published by Beijing’s State Council Information Office stated.

“Facing the complex situation of deepening adverse effects brought by changes in the external environment and increasing internal risks and challenges, China pursues a national rejuvenation strategy amid global changes of a scale unseen in a century.”

The Philippines is seeking closer ties with countries that advocate for a rules-based order and recognize international law as Beijing maintains its claims over the South China Sea by deploying an armada of ships and sustaining a presence on man-made islands. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

Marcos may face ‘greater’ challenges after elections

BW FILE PHOTO

By Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio, Reporter

PHILIPPINE President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. might face a tougher political landscape in the second half of his term as early midterm election results signal a strengthened opposition in Congress, possibly complicating his agenda, political analysts said on Tuesday.

“President Marcos is expected to become a lame duck regardless of the election results,” Dennis C. Coronacion, who heads the University of Sto. Tomas Political Science Department, said in a phone call. “However, his situation is worse than the usual lame-duck phase.”

“In the second half of his term, he is likely to face greater challenges, particularly from stronger opposition in the Senate and a possible decline in his support within the House of Representatives,” he added.

Unofficial election tallies show that Mr. Marcos’ Senate candidates secured six of the 12 contested seats in the May 12 elections, falling short of the nine seats won by contenders backed by former Presidents Rodrigo R. Duterte and the opposition.

Incumbent presidents often see their political influence wane after midterm elections as voters get to reshape Congress by either endorsing administration-backed candidates or shifting support to the opposition, treating the vote as a referendum on the sitting government.

Lawmakers may focus on advancing the Marcos administration’s agenda unrelated to the Marcos-Duterte feud to sidestep a possible deadlock between the two camps, whose political feud has intensified in the past year, Anthony Lawrence A. Borja, an associate political science professor at the De La Salle University, said via Facebook chat.

The Senate race was pivotal for two of the Philippines’ most powerful political families, with its outcome potentially shaping the course of Vice-President Sara Duterte-Carpio’s ouster trial.

Ms. Duterte had emerged as a frontrunner for the 2028 presidential election, setting the stage for a challenge against the Marcoses amid a political feud that resulted in her impeachment and her father’s arrest based on an International Criminal Court request.

However, she faces a Senate trial in June, where a ruling could potentially bar her from holding public office permanently, casting uncertainty over her presidential ambitions.

NOT A VICTORY
“Sara Duterte’s camp did not get a resounding victory. She just got more breathing room and space for more options now,” Maria Ela L. Atienza, a political science professor at the University of the Philippines, said in a Viber message.

The Marcos administration’s Senate candidates may have lost support after the impeachment of Ms. Duterte and the arrest of Mr. Duterte for alleged crimes against humanity, said Arjan P. Aguirre, who teaches political science at the Ateneo de Manila University.

“The Dutertes used these issues to turn the tables and mobilize their supporters not just to protect themselves against further attacks but also for the 2025 midterm elections,” he said in a Facebook Messenger chat.

A majority of Filipinos are also growing dissatisfied with the government of Mr. Marcos, leading some of his candidates to fall short of the dozen Senate seats up for grabs, said Ms. Atienza.  “Many are not satisfied with the current state of things.”

‘VOTE OF CONFIDENCE’
In a statement, Navotas Rep. Tobias Reynald M. Tiangco said he considers the victory of some Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas (Alliance for a New Philippines) candidates as a “vote of confidence” for the Marcos administration’s political vision.

“We view this as a clear signal to move forward with greater urgency and focus, guided by the aspirations of our people and committed to addressing the issues that concern them the most,” Mr. Tiangco, campaign manager of the Marcos-backed Senate slate, said.

Also on Tuesday, House Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez said his political party, the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD), secured its position as the most dominant political party at the chamber, with 104 of its 128 congressional candidates winning a seat.

“This is a vote of confidence not just in our candidates, but in the kind of leadership and unity that Lakas-CMD represents,” he said in a statement.

He said that lawmakers part of his political party will work alongside Marcos-backed senators to push for reforms.

Mr. Romualdez in early May said the chamber would focus on passing bills seeking to boost job creation and support small businesses, while also looking at modernizing the agriculture sector when the next Congress convenes.

The House leadership may be challenged by some Duterte allies at the chamber, Mr. Aguirre said. “If there are enough numbers, the challenge will be successful and expect a change of leadership.”

The Speaker would likely politicize the national budget and hand out political favors to pacify possible leadership coups, he added.

The Office of Mr. Romualdez did not immediately reply to a Viber message seeking comment.

Moderately explosive eruption occurred in Kanlaon — Phivolcs

SCREENSHOT of Mt Kanlaon Eruption — FACEBOOK.COM/PHIVOLCS

A MODERATELY explosive eruption occurred in the Kanlaon Volcano early Tuesday morning, emitting an ash column as high as 4,500 meters, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.

In a bulletin, the local seismology agency said the eruption, which released a grayish voluminous plume, occurred at 2:55 a.m.  The eruption lasted for five minutes.

“Incandescent pyroclastic density currents or PDCs descended the southern slopes within approximately 2 kilometers of the crater based on visual and thermal camera monitoring,” the agency said.

It added that large ballistic fragments were observed a few hundred meters from the crater, which also caused burning in the vegetation near the summit.

Phivolcs said that thin ashfall was reported in the following localities of Negros Occidental: La Carlota City, Bago City, and La Castellana.

Audible rumbling sounds of the eruption were also reported over parts of Canlaon City in Negros Oriental, and La Castellana.

Alert Level 3, or a high level of volcanic unrest, remains in effect over Mount Kanlaon, Phivolcs said. This means there is an increased risk of lava flows and the potential for a hazardous eruption within weeks.

The agency also warned there are increased chances of “short-lived moderately explosive eruptions” that could be life-threatening.

It also recommended that communities within the summit crater’s 6-kilometer radius should remain evacuated amid the danger of PDCs, ballistic projectiles, ashfall, rockfall, and other related hazards.

“Local government units must continue to prepare their communities within the PDC hazard zone for subsequent evacuation in case unrest further escalates and hazardous worst-case explosive eruption becomes imminent,” it added.

Phivolcs also warned against potential syn-eruption lahars and sediment-laden streamflow should intense rains occur.

“Civil aviation authorities must also advise pilots to avoid flying close to the volcano’s summit as ash from any sudden eruption can be hazardous to aircraft,” it added.

Mount Kanlaon, an active volcano straddling the Southeast Asian country’s central provinces of Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental, is one of two dozen active volcanoes in the Philippines. — Adrian H. Halili

No timeline yet for Sangley airport

PHILSTAR

THE Department of Transportation (DoTr) said there is no anticipated timeline yet for the development of the Sangley Point International Airport (SPIA) as the contractor has yet to submit the airport’s design.

“To date the JV (joint venture) has not submitted the DED (detailed engineering design) for the project. Environmental compliance certificate has not been secured. Coordination with the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) technical team is ongoing on technical and regulatory compliances,” Michelle De Vera, assistant secretary for communications said in a Viber message to BusinessWorld.

The Transportation department last year said that the development of SPIA remains uncertain as the joint-venture company still has to secure other approvals before the project moves forward.

In 2024, the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) approved the joint venture between the Cavite provincial government and the SPIA consortium that includes Virata-led Cavitex Holdings, Inc. and Yuchengcos’ House of Investments, Inc.

The Transportation department has said that after this PCC approval, the JV must submit their proposal which includes the DED. The group must also secure an ECC to start the project.

“No deadline for the DED submission. CAAP cannot move without the JV submitting the DED for Sangley Airport. It’s completely up to the JV since this is a provincial government PPP,” Ms. De Vera said. 

The DoTr said previously that the agency together with CAAP will fast track the evaluation of the relevant project documents including scope, design, financials, technical and aeronautical studies for the Sangley airport project.

The Cavite Provincial government awarded the $11-billion project to the consortium in 2022. The consortium is targeting to develop the airport into an international hub that will meet future demand.

The National Government currently operates Cavite City’s Sangley Point as a supplemental runway to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

In February 2023, the SPIA consortium and the Cavite provincial government signed the joint-venture and development agreement for the project’s implementation. — Ashley Erika O. Jose

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