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Marrakech Framework: Helping SDG signatories close child-labor shortfall

PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

THE Marrakech Global Framework for Action Against Child Labour Global has released a “Roadmap to 2030” to help sustainable development goals (SDGs) signatories ultimately eradicate child labor, after the international community failed to meet a 2025 deadline for doing so.

The framework, adopted during a conference between Feb. 11 and 13, aims to address the “intolerable situation” for the 138 million children who remain in child labor, including 54 million performing hazardous work.

Julius H. Cainglet, vice-president of the Federation of Free Workers, told BusinessWorld that the new framework builds upon the 2022 Durban Call to Action.

Mr. Cainglet, a trade unionist from the Philippines and conference delegate, said via teleconference: “It’s clear that we made a step forward decisions meant to complement and give more flesh to the previous Durban Declaration.”

Delegates agreed that “gradual change is no longer enough” to ensure a sustained reduction. Mr. Cainglet said discussions highlighted emerging challenges, including the online exploitation of children, as well as the effects of climate change and recurring economic crises on vulnerable households.

In the Philippines, the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) reported that though child labor numbers are declining, the scale of the problem remains significant.

Merriam Leilani M. Reynoso, director of the Bureau of Workers with Special Concerns, said  the Philippine Statistics Authority reported that in 2024, an estimated 861,000 children aged 5 to 17 were working, with 509,000 — or 59.1% — classified as child laborers.

Ms. Reynoso told BusinessWorld via messenger chat that while the numbers have declined from 828,000 in 2022 and 678,000 in 2023, they remain particularly concentrated in agriculture.

“The agriculture sector continued to account for the largest share of child laborers at 64.4%,” she said, followed by services at 29% and industry at 6.6%.

To address the problem, the government has tasked the National Council Against Child Labor (NCACL) to oversee the Philippine Program Against Child Labor.

“The NCACL is tasked to coordinate and oversee the implementation of the Philippine Program Against Child Labor by all concerned agencies and organizations for the protection of the rights of the vulnerable, especially the children, strengthen related institutional mechanisms, and establish further measures to contribute to the prevention, reduction, and elimination of any form of child labor,” Ms. Reynoso explained.

Mr. Cainglet said the root cause of child labor is household poverty and argued that ensuring a living wage for adult workers is the most effective intervention.

“If a parent receives a living wage, the child no longer needs to work,” he said.

According to a December 2025 estimate by the IBON Foundation, a family of five in Metro Manila requires daily income of P1,251 — or about P27,201 per month — to live decently.

By comparison, the current minimum wage in the National Capital Region stands at P695 per day. Minimum wage rates are set by the National Wages and Productivity Commission.

At the household level, Ms. Reynoso pointed to the Child Labor Prevention and Elimination Program, which adopts what she described as a “strategic and holistic” approach to assisting child laborers and their families.

In 2025, DoLE’s Integrated Livelihood Program provided assistance to 9,951 parents of child laborers. According to Ms. Reynoso, this included providing raw materials and tools for various small businesses, such as “rice retailing, snack vending, tailoring, fishing tools… hog raising… and the provision of fishing boats” to ensure alternative income for families.

The Marrakech Framework also introduces a stronger focus on psychosocial support and mental health services for child labor survivors. Mr. Cainglet said this is a critical addition for children who “would rather work than play” and miss out on normal stages of development.

However, he noted persistent policy gaps at the national level, citing inconsistencies between labor laws and the K-12 education system.

“You’re already 18 years old, yet you’re still in Grade 11 or Grade 12. But a 15-year-old is allowed to work,” he said, arguing that the legal minimum working age should align with the completion of basic education.

The Marrakech Framework concludes with a commitment to universal ratification of ILO Convention 138 and a roadmap to monitor progress via the Child Labour Observatory, with the goal of reaching zero child labor by 2030. — Erika Mae P. Sinaking

Ironman actor named ‘godparent’ to Disney cruise ship

Robert Downey, Jr.

DISNEY has announced that Academy Award-winning actor Robert Downey, Jr. will be the “godparent” for the Disney Adventure, the newest and largest ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet. Disney Adventure will have its maiden voyage out of its home port in Singapore in early March.

A ship godparent is usually a civilian who blesses the vessel with wishes for safe and successful voyages — think of those old movie reels where an actress or prince cracks a bottle of champagne on the ship’s bow before it goes on its first trip.

“It’s impossible to describe the majesty of the Adventure, and to be its godparent is an honor. As the largest ship in the Disney fleet, a gargantuan blessing must be bestowed… I’ll do my darndest,” Mr. Downey said in a statement.

“Our new ship continues Disney Cruise Line’s tradition of bringing great stories to life at sea, and we are honored that Robert Downey, Jr., who has guided audiences through unforgettable Marvel stories, is the official godparent for the Disney Adventure,” said Josh D’Amaro, chairman of Disney Experiences and incoming chief executive officer of The Walt Disney Co., in the same statement.

While he has had a long and colorful career, Mr. Downey is arguably best known for his portrayal of Tony Stark/Iron Man, a character who was the cornerstone of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), the highest-grossing film franchise of all time. The MCU is a massive superhero franchise produced by Marvel Studios,

a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Co. since 2009. Mr. Downey, who played the character for over a decade, was named an official Disney Legend in 2019. While no longer playing Ironman, Mr. Downey is returning to the MCU as Doctor Doom in Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Doomsday, which is scheduled for release this year on Dec. 18.

The Disney Adventure has seven Disney-themed areas, including several Marvel experiences. At Marvel Landing on the top decks, one will find Tony Stark’s Ironcycle Test Run, the first roller coaster on a Disney Cruise Line ship and the longest of its kind at sea. In the open-air Disney Imagination Garden area, the Avengers Assemble! live stage production will feature stunts and special effects during a battle between Marvel Superheroes and Villains. And inside Disney’s Oceaneer Club, the Marvel WEB Workshop invites young recruits to try out new Super Hero suit prototypes and conduct training simulations using top-secret Avengers technology.

The new ship offers signature Disney entertainment and hospitality: character encounters; Broadway-style shows; themed stateroom and concierge accommodations; and more than 20 dining and lounge venues featuring world-class international and Asian-inspired cuisines and beverages.

The maritime tradition of appointing a godparent to bless a new ship is a centuries-old custom believed to bring good fortune before a maiden voyage. A video revealing Robert Downey, Jr. as the Disney Adventure’s godparent can be viewed and reshared on YouTube <https://tinyurl.com/b8v6fmu6> and Instagram <https://tinyurl.com/59kzpa3m>.

Europe’s capital markets are making a great leap forward 

STOCK PHOTO | Image from Freepik

By Marcus Ashworth

THERE’S BEEN a lot of bad weather this year, both actual and economic. Tariffs are coming and going, random Substack posts are making software-company investors panic, and the US is rattling a saber in the Gulf. But none of this is spoiling the springtime vibe in Europe’s credit markets.

Take this week. After a few days of President Donald Trump making the world even more confused about his tariffs and his goals in Iran, the continent’s unflustered corporate-debt buyers were back in business. On Tuesday, 14 different investment-grade and junk-rated companies borrowed money in Europe, illustrating that the market is open to a wide variety of credits with different risks and maturities.

US tech “hyperscalers” — firms such as Alphabet, Inc. who are spending wildly on building data centers — have continued to gatecrash the euro, sterling, and Swiss franc corporate bond markets to become an outsized presence.

That dynamic is here to stay, according to Bloomberg Intelligence (BI) credit strategists. Last year, a record €143 billion ($169 billion) of investment-grade euro corporate bonds were issued as “reverse Yankees” — market lingo for US borrowers issuing in euros. That was a quarter of all the supply in the common currency, and BI expects that share to rise in 2026.

Other profound changes are at play, too. Whereas US corporate borrowers would once have swapped the proceeds from their foreign bond sales back into dollars, they’ve started holding onto the debt in European currencies. Ostensibly this is to fund local operations, but there’s an element of hedging exposure to the greenback at a time of huge policy uncertainty at the White House.

The European Central Bank has been slow to react. But it’s now taking the opportunity to widen the appeal of holding euros for international investors by offering access to euro funding to central banks around the world. This can be tapped in times of stress, and it promotes global use of the single currency.

Much of the US share of European borrowing comes, of course, from big banks and multinationals with extensive overseas operations. That has helped drive the supply of new corporate and financial bonds denominated in euros as much as 15% higher at the start of this year than in the same period in 2025.

Investment-grade corporate debt is doubly attractive because it has become less volatile than apparently “risk free” government bonds. Persistent overborrowing by countries takes the shine off their debt when comparing it with corporate borrowers with healthier balance sheets (even if their credit ratings are usually lower than a sovereign issuer’s). Credit investing also offers plenty of diversification in terms of different industries and risk profiles.

Even marquee junk-rated US corporates such as Ford Motor Co. are freely borrowing in euros, although American issuers make up much less of the euro high-yield debt market than they did a decade ago.

It helps that yields on euro-denominated corporate debt are on average about 170 basis points lower than for comparable US bonds, making this a cheaper way for American companies to borrow. In exchange, euro investors get access to tech giants with better credit ratings. And the yields are still attractive when you consider this is increasingly single-A and double-A debt, often with longer maturities.

Euro credit markets also look less exposed to the impact of artificial intelligence on legacy software companies. While such businesses account for a large part of lending by US private-capital funds, European junk-rated companies tend to do more boring stuff such as telecoms and manufacturing.

Yields have risen somewhat for European- and UK-listed software providers with outstanding corporate bonds, but after an initial jolt the damage has been relatively contained.

More broadly, euro credit markets are becoming globally important as a conduit for raising plentiful, relatively cheap money for international corporates. Some of this may ebb over time if US interest rates drop and the cost of American corporate debt follows. And yet the depth of Europe’s debt capital markets is undoubtedly improving — something that the continent has been desperate to achieve. Call it de-dollarization if you will. It’s more likely just progress.

BLOOMBERG OPINION

Robinsons Offices secures green certification for Cybergate Iloilo Tower 3

CYBERGATE ILOILO TOWERS 1–3 — ROBINSONS OFFICES

ROBINSONS OFFICES, the office development and leasing arm of Robinsons Land Corp. (RLC), said Cybergate Iloilo Tower 3 has earned LEED v4 Silver Certification, aligning with its strategy to deliver environmentally responsible office spaces in key growth areas outside Metro Manila.

LEED (leadership in energy and environmental design) is a globally recognized green building certification system.

“We see Iloilo and Western Visayas as an important part of the country’s long-term growth story,” Robinsons Land Senior Vice-President and Business Unit General Manager for Robinsons Offices Jericho P. Go said in a statement on Thursday.

“By developing premium office spaces in regional centers, we enable businesses to expand with confidence while helping professionals stay closer to their families, improve daily quality of life, and grow with their communities,” he added.

The complex sits within Robinsons Land’s 10-hectare destination estate in Iloilo and serves business process outsourcing (BPO) firms, information technology companies, and other enterprises requiring premium office space in a strategic provincial location.

Tower 3 adds 12 floors of modern office space to the development, which already includes Tower 1 (five floors) and Tower 2 (eight floors).

Cybergate Iloilo Tower 3 incorporates energy‑efficient building systems, upgraded fixtures, shared spaces, and open areas. It also provides bike racks, landscaped outdoor spaces, and views of Iloilo’s countryside.

The property is pre‑provisioned for future electric vehicle charging to support tenants transitioning to greener transport.

“Tower 3 also features LED lighting and an on-site sewage treatment plant, while habitat restoration across more than 25% of the site supports ecological balance, greener urban spaces, and compliance with LEED Restoration and Protection credit requirements,” the company said.

“Recycled-content materials were also used during construction to help minimize waste, reduce environmental impact, and support circular-economy practices,” it added.

ROBINSONS LOGISTIX
Meanwhile, Robinsons Logistix & Industrials, Inc. (RLX) said it has partnered with Robinsons Retail Holdings, Inc. to launch a big‑box facility for Shopwise at the Sierra Valley Destination Estate in Cainta, Rizal.

“Designed to serve both the growing local community and visitors to the estate on Ortigas Avenue Extension, this project reinforces RLX’s role as a builder of scalable, high-impact retail infrastructure,” RLC Senior Vice-President and RLX Business Unit General Manager Cora Ang Ley said in a disclosure.

Shopwise’s big‑box facility, situated on over 7,000 square meters (sq.m.) of land with 5,000 sq.m. of leasable space, is slated for construction completion in the first half of 2027 and a store opening in the third quarter of that year.

RLX, known for Grade A logistics facilities, will develop and build the new format to support organic growth and improve integration within Robinsons Land’s operations.

The company said Shopwise Sierra Valley follows the big‑box format — similar to large warehouse‑style retailers — for efficient, high‑volume sales and bulk value, making it “especially relevant” to middle‑class families and small business owners.

“This development will serve real needs, strengthen communities and create more opportunities for growth for years to come,” Ms. Ang Ley said.

RLX, the industrial and logistics arm of RLC, operates 13 facilities across Calamba, Laguna; Sucat and Muntinlupa City; Pampanga; and Rizal, with warehouses featuring modern specifications and flexible layouts.

At the Philippine Stock Exchange on Thursday, RLC shares rose 0.21% to P18.80 apiece. — Alexandria Grace C. Magno

Stop (fire) horsing around with data privacy compliance!

It’s the Year of the Fire Horse, and Chinese astrologers predict it will challenge the resilience and stability of businesses.

In the same way lifestyle articles had advised us to clean our doors and hallways to give the Fire Horse a clear path, the Lunar New Year’s start is as good a time as any for businesses to also “clean house” by checking on compliance — from ensuring timely submission of your 2025 general information sheet to renewing various LGU permits.

A somewhat overlooked area of compliance is data privacy, something people knew little about when the Data Privacy Act (DPA) was passed in 2012. There’s a lot more awareness now, thanks to the efforts of the National Privacy Commission (NPC), although one problem seems to persist — people aren’t quite clear about what this law really covers.

I don’t know how many times I’ve heard people talk about data privacy as something you can threaten your maritess neighbors/officemates with. Yes, that kind of sharing can involve the right to privacy but you generally need to look to the Constitution, the Civil Code, or the Revised Penal Code, not the DPA, for relief.

The DPA is meant to regulate persons who collect and process personal data in the course of government and private transactions, employment, and the pursuit of business or enterprise. The statute is looking at a world where data subjects — us, individuals — give or have to give their personal information to another person so the latter can provide some service or perform an obligation. The law seeks to balance the interests of the data subject (grounded in the right to privacy) and the interests of the party that is legitimately collecting and using the data.

Taking off from the NPC’s Five Pillars of Compliance, here are some practical Lunar New Year “resolutions”:

1. Data protection officer – your DPO (you have one, right?) should keep abreast of NPC issuances and advisories, posted on the NPC website.

2. Privacy impact assessment (PIA) – your DPO’s files should have a PIA report by now. PIA is a risk assessment exercise, generally covering any type of personal data processing your business undertakes. Processing is pretty much anything, from your receptionist signing in visitors, to you storing the resumés of rejected job applicants. The key is to identify personal data flows — from intake to every transfer to retention. Then, determine risks and mitigants, implement, assess. All of that goes into an internal report.

3. Privacy management program – this is your set of internal protocols, like a manual or privacy policy, guiding your organization on when and how to handle personal data.

4. Data protection measures – the DPA requires installing adequate physical, technical and organizational security measures, but except for certain organizational measures such as the appointment of a DPO, the DPA doesn’t specify what these measures should be. It will depend on the processing undertaken and related risks, among others. Conducting the PIA helps determine and justify security measures.

5. Breach reporting – what’s needed: a data security breach management policy (what to do in case of a breach) and a response team that must include the DPO. A DPO should know what triggers the mandatory 72-hour notice to the NPC and data subjects, and the requirement to file the annual security incident report (ASIR) with the NPC. An ASIR is meant to cover incidents that, if not for the security measures installed by a controller, would have been data security breaches. (ASIRs are due March 31st of every year.)

The pillars don’t mention NPC registration but a business definitely should check whether or not it should accomplish it. The triggers:

1. Employment of 250+ people;

2. Processing of sensitive information (e.g., age, government IDs) of 1,000+ individuals;

3. Using automated processing; and

4. A general category referring to processing of personal data that poses risks to the rights and freedoms of individuals.

There’s much more to unpack in respect of privacy compliance. Before policymakers add more compliance requirements (keep an eye on cybersecurity), it’s best to make sure this horse has been reined in and saddled. Happy Lunar New Year!

The views expressed herein are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of her office as well as FINEX.

 

Rose Marie M. King-Dominguez is a senior partner of SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan and the head of the firm’s Special Projects Department. She is a FINEX member.

HMO coverage for nontraditional families

We’re very strict in limiting Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) benefits to employees and their legitimate families. That’s why I’m surprised to know of companies that extend the coverage even to unmarried workers with children born out of wedlock. Are we missing something? — Stone Maple.

​In the traditional corporate world, employee benefits were designed for the “ideal” household comprising married couples with children supported with neatly arranged family documents under the law. Anything falling outside that template was often ignored, if not rejected or quietly judged as immoral.

​Today, workplace culture has changed dramatically. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, there was a decrease of 7.8% of married Filipinos in 2023 compared to those in 2022.

​Because of this trend, somehow some companies are expanding their HMO coverage to include the dependents of unmarried employees, their partners, and children born out of wedlock. It’s only a matter of time when we finally see the day open for those in the LGBTQ community.

​To people with old-school thinking, this may seem like misplaced generosity that supports immorality. But for organizations trying to attract, motivate, and retain talent in a competitive labor market, this is not charity — it’s a strategy to win the war for talent.

​Some people equate this as a choice between “immorality” and organizational survival. The solution? Expand benefits gradually without framing it in terms of morality. If an organization insists on covering people who are “legally married” and their legitimate children, it immediately discriminates against employees who have to pay out-of-pocket simply because their family structure isn’t covered by a marriage certificate. 

​The result? Lower morale, higher stress, and an unspoken perception of inequality. The truth is that management knows that justice and fairness are not just elements of a moral compass, but more of a productivity tool. Some managers justify this by saying they can’t judge but must support their workers as whole persons.

​When employees are loved and protected, they stay longer. This sends a message that no motivational poster or inspirational speaker can match.

REDUCING TURNOVER
Turnover is one of the most expensive experiences for any organization. Gallup found that when a worker resigns, the average cost of replacement typically ranges from 30%-50% of annual salary for entry-level employees, 50%-100% for mid-level professionals, and 100%-200% (or more) for managers and executives.

​While waiting for the right opportunity to move, imagine an employee whose partner or child faces a medical emergency but has no coverage. That employee will either take extended leave, become mentally preoccupied with financial worries, or resign to join a company that offers better family security.

​Companies extend HMO coverage to avoid this costly chain reaction. A few thousand pesos invested in dependent benefits prevents hundreds of thousands in turnover losses. From a financial perspective, it is one of the cheapest retention strategies available.

PERSONAL PROBLEM?
One thing every experienced manager knows is that there is no such thing as a personal problem if it adversely affects the worker’s performance. When a child is sick, a partner is hospitalized, or a family medical bill is pending, the employee’s focus at work immediately suffers. 

​Extending HMO benefits to non-traditional dependents is a preventive measure. It stabilizes the employee’s emotional and financial environment, which in turn stabilizes performance. Employees who have peace of mind about their medical expenses demonstrate higher engagement, make fewer errors, and reciprocate with loyalty.

​Healthy families support healthy productivity. It’s a simple equation, but one that companies used to ignore until recently.

MODERN INTERPRETATION
​In a society like the Philippines where family ties extend beyond legal definitions, companies have learned to design benefits that reflect reality rather than legal paperwork. Some organizations recognized early on that insisting on marriage certificates creates unnecessary barriers.

​Others realized that they were unintentionally penalizing single parents — the very individuals who often need support the most. Today, more companies embrace a more humane definition of family: the people who depend on the worker emotionally and financially, regardless of marital status.

​This shift is subtle but powerful. It signals respect for the diverse ways people build their lives as it removes the stigma surrounding unconventional family arrangements.

​Extending HMO benefits to non-traditional dependents is not a fad or a corporate indulgence. It’s a deliberate strategy built on fairness, competitiveness, inclusion, productivity, and financial sense.

​At the end of the day, when employees feel their families are protected, they will protect the company in return.

 

Consult Rey Elbo on your workplace issues for free. E-mail elbonomics@gmail.com or DM Facebook, LinkedIn, X or via https://reyelbo.com. Anonymity is guaranteed.

Stuff to Do (02/27/26)

Watch the rock opera ballet Tales of the Manuvu

ALICE REYES Dance Philippines (ARDP), in collaboration with the University of the Philippines (UP), the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, and the Cultural Center of the Philippines, is restaging Tales of the Manuvu this month and next. Premiered in 1977, this production is the first Filipino rock opera ballet, weaving indigenous mythology with rock and pop music. There will be performances at the University Theater, UP Diliman, on Feb. 27 and 28, followed by a limited run at the Proscenium Theater in Rockwell, Makati, on March 28 and 29. It was created by legendary Filipino artists: National Artist Alice Reyes’ direction and choreography; National Artist Bienvenido Lumbera’s libretto; and OPM icon Dero Pedero’s score, with additional music by the rock band Afterbirth. Admission to the UP performances is free, though registration is required via Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tales-of-the-manuvu-tickets-198241577896. The Proscenium shows have different price ranges: P2,500 to P5,000 for the March 28 fundraising gala; and P1,800 to P3,000 for the regular performance on March 29.

Learn about Chinese traditional art

IN LINE with its ongoing exhibit Beyond Tradition: Evolving Chinese-Filipino Visions, the Gateway Gallery is set to host an art workshop about Chinese traditional art on Feb. 28, starting at 3 p.m. It will be facilitated by Prof. Arnulfo Esguerra, one of the exhibiting artists and a senior lecturer at the University of the Philippines Manila. The talk will take place at the Gateway Gallery, on Level 5 of Gateway Tower, Araneta City, Quezon City. Admission is free.

Enjoy Art FriDates

THE last two performances of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts’ Art FriDates, a series of cultural events scheduled every Friday of Arts Month, will feature Quezon Province on Feb. 27, and Muntinlupa City on March 6, at the Likhang Filipino Exhibition Halls, Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), Roxas Blvd. corner Sen. Gil J. Puyat Ave., Pasay City. The program serves as a platform for participating local government units (LGUs) to showcase their distinct art forms, traditions, and cultural initiatives, with the aim of fostering artistic excellence and strengthening cultural appreciation.

Celebrate Japanese culture

THE Japan Foundation, Manila presents the Nihongo Fiesta 2026 on Feb. 28 at Shangri-La Plaza, Mandaluyong City. This annual event offers the public an opportunity to experience and appreciate the Japanese language, arts, and culture through a variety of engaging activities. A highlight will be the Nihongo Speech Contest, featuring seven presenters from across the Philippines who will share their heartfelt messages with the audience. It will be followed by the 3rd Kobanashi Festival, which includes a rakugo (storytelling) performance by Master Ryūtei Saryū and a demonstration with remarks from Associate Professor Yonemoto Kazuhiro of Tokyo Gakugei University. Festivities will conclude with cultural performances of toramai (tiger dance) and shishiodori (deer dance), two distinct but related dances from Japan’s Tohoku region performed to pray for peace, ward off evil spirits, and ensure bountiful harvests.

Watch some 3×3 basketball

IN LINE with the launch of the Kai 3 “Mentality,” Anta Philippines will be having a 3×3 basketball tournament featuring players from UAAP and NCAA at the Quantum Skyview, Gateway Mall 2 on Feb. 28, 10 a.m.

Watch The Sandbox Collective’s Spring Awakening

ONGOING until March 22 at the Proscenium Blackbox Theater in Rockwell, Makati City, is The Sandbox Collective’s season opener, the Tony Award-winning rock musical Spring Awakening. With book and lyrics by Steven Sater and music by Duncan Sheik, the production is based on the Frank Wedekind play of the same name. Set in 19th century Germany, it tells the stories of teenagers exploring their burgeoning sexualities and rapidly changing bodies. This version is directed by Andrei Nikolai Pamintuan, with musical direction by Ejay Yatco. It also marks The Sandbox Collective’s first production under the leadership of its new artistic director, Sab Jose. Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo and Ana Abad Santos share the role of Adult Woman while Audie Gemora plays the Adult Man. Alongside them are Nacho Tambunting and Alex Diaz who share the role of Melchior Gabor; Nic Chien and Omar Uddin who alternate as Moritz Stiefel; and Sheena Belarmino who plays Wendla Bergmann. Spring Awakening is the inaugural show of The Black Box at The Proscenium Theater. Tickets are available via Ticket2Me (tinyurl.com/SandboxSpring2026).

Listen to Christian Bautista’s new song

BALLADEER Christian Bautista is exploring a fresh sonic direction, pairing nostalgic pop with a stylish, contemporary edge. His new single, “Sa’yo Lamang,” is a romantic love song that makes use of city pop grooves. It is produced by international producer Ziv. “Sa’yo Lamang” is out now on all digital music streaming platforms.

Get nostalgic with Bagets the Musical

BAGETS THE MUSICAL, a stage adaptation of the 1984 coming-of-age film Bagets, follows a group of high school friends navigating adolescence, family, friendship, and young love. This production by Newport World Resorts, The Philippine Star, and VIVA Communications, is directed by Maribel Legarda, with a book by J-mee Katanyag and music by Vince Lim. The five leads are played by Sam Shoaf, Milo Cruz, Noel Comia, Jr., Ethan David, and Andres Muhlach. They alternate with Jeff Moses, Migo Valid, Tomas Rodriguez, KD Estrada, and Mico Hendrix Chua. Also in the cast are Neomi Gonzales, Natasha Cabrera, Mayen Cadd, Ring Antonio, and Carla Guevara Laforteza. Bagets the Musical runs until March at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, Pasay City. Tickets, ranging in price from P1,000 to P4,000, are now available at the Newport World Resorts Box Office and via TicketWorld.

Listen to Hara’s pre-debut single

A P-POP export from Davao City, the six-member girl group Hara has released their pre-debut single, “My Love.” The group is steadily gaining attention for their stage presence and charisma, their name derived from a pre-colonial term that means both beauty and strength. Managed by Unique Music Management, led by Paul Widger, their new pop track under Sony Music Entertainment is now available on streaming platforms.

Travel the world with the Brickman Wonders

GMG PRODUCTIONS announced that the Manila leg of the global tour of the exhibition Brickman Wonders of the World has been extended until March 8 at The Space at Solaire. It features over 45 iconic landmarks from across the globe, all brought to life in LEGO brick form. Visitors can walk through recreations of famous sites such as the Taj Mahal, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Arc de Triomphe, and many more. Tickets are available exclusively on TicketWorld.

Listen to rapper Barq’s new single

UNDER the moniker Barq, rapper Arkin Magalona has dropped his latest single, “TUMATAK,” under Sony Music Entertainment. The track chronicles his journey as a young artist determined to make it in the industry, and is more reflective and intimate than his previous works. The song was recorded at Doppla Studio and produced by longtime collaborator Denz A.K.A D. Vaughn. It is out now on all digital streaming platforms.

Do not sing along with Les Miz

THAT is the plea of GMG Productions which has brought Les Misérables: World Tour Spectacular, a reimagined staged concert production of the iconic musical, to the Philippines. “Let the cast tell the story,” it exhorts. That cast includes Filipinos: Lea Salonga and Red Concepcion as the Thénardiers, Rachelle Ann Go as Fantine, and Emily Bautista as Éponine. The expanded concert-like format features a new design and production enhanced with new set and lighting designs, bringing Cameron Mackintosh’s critically acclaimed production to life on a scale never seen before in Manila, with a company and crew of over 110, including an international all-star cast and a large ensemble of musicians. Les Misérables runs at the Theater at Solaire, Solaire Resort & Casino, Entertainment City, Aseana Ave., Parañaque until March 1, with no extensions possible. As of now, all 48 shows are sold out. But keep checking as you never know.

A call for judicial restraint

COMMITMENT CEREMONY for 129 LGBTIA+ couples at the Meeting, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) Center at the Quezon City Hall compound last Feb. 14. — PHILIPPINE STAR/MIGUEL DE GUZMAN

As always, we start with the Constitution and its principles: explicit in Article XV.1 and .2 is that the Filipino family is the foundation of the nation and that marriage is an inviolable social institution, the foundation of the family, and is to be protected by the State.

The Supreme Court has always recognized this. In Republic v. Molina (G.R. No. 108763, 1997), it emphasized the State’s strong interest in protecting marriage and warned against interpretations that dilute the latter’s institutional stability. In Santos v. Court of Appeals (G.R. No. 112019, 1995), the Court underscored that the Family Code must be construed in a manner preserving the integrity of marriage as envisioned by the Constitution.

The Family Code, of course, is clear in reflecting the Constitution’s intent, defining marriage as a special contract of permanent union between a man and a woman. Accordingly, Articles 147 and 148 thereof, which govern property relations in non-marital cohabitation, clearly exist within that heterosexual constitutional architecture. Article 147 applies to a man and a woman capacitated to marry each other, while Article 148 addresses unions where a legal impediment exists. Both provisions presuppose relationships that structurally mirror heterosexual marriage.

Unfortunately, the Supreme Court in Josef v. Ursua (G.R. No. 267469, 2026), apparently extends said Articles 147 and 148 to same-sex couples, thus detaching these provisions from the constitutional and statutory framework that gives them any sense. This goes against not only constitutional principles but principles the Supreme Court itself declared.

In Ang Ladlad LGBT Party v. COMELEC (G.R. No. 190582, 2010), while the Court rejected discrimination against an LGBT political party, it was careful to note that recognition of specific rights and institutional arrangements remains primarily a legislative function. In Francisco v. House of Representatives (G.R. No. 160261, 2003), the Court emphasized the importance of respecting constitutional boundaries to preserve institutional legitimacy, recognizing that when courts venture beyond mere legal questions they risk politicizing the judiciary, burdening it with policy controversies better suited to democratic deliberation.

Those rulings (and many others) see a Supreme Court acknowledging the limits of judicial power, including cases touching on sexual orientation and family structure. Such also implicitly declared adherence to “judicial economy,” the principle whereby courts decide cases on limited or as narrow a ground as possible, avoiding expansive rulings that unnecessarily involve constitutional controversies.

With all respect, Josef risks unsettling that careful balance. It signals a willingness to use a rather liberal interpretation of law to achieve outcomes that simulate or approach legislative recognition of same-sex unions. From a constitutional standpoint, this raises separation-of-powers concerns. After all, legislative power is vested in Congress, while courts decide cases according to law and not make or revise it.

An opinion was made that same sex relationships are not “abnormal.” Whether such is true or not is beside the point. Public policy as embodied in the Constitution and legislation clearly does not encourage it and certainly discourages its official recognition.

In any event, the Court did find that Jennifer C. Josef and Evalyn G. Ursua, while “living as a couple,” purchased a house and lot located at 183 Don Damaso St., Don Antonio Heights, Barangay Holy Spirit, Quezon City, covered by Transfer Certificate of Title No. N-289262. They both agreed to register the said property solely in the name of Ursua to easily facilitate bank transactions. When they separated, they agreed to sell the house and lot, and to divide the proceeds equally. On June 18, 2007, Ursua executed an acknowledgment of Third-Party Interest in Real Property (Acknowledgment) allegedly acknowledging Josef’s co-ownership over the subject property. It expressly recognized that Josef financed and paid 50% of the expense in the acquisition and renovation of the subject property. In her Judicial Affidavit, Ursua admitted that she signed the said document.

And thus, the Court correctly concluded, “petitioner is a co-owner of the subject property and is entitled to 50% share of the said property.”

The Court could have stopped there and the ruling in Josef would have been completely just and constitutionally impeccable: the case was simply a property dispute resolvable through ordinary civil law doctrines — partnership, co-ownership under the Civil Code, or unjust enrichment — without the need to reinterpret Family Code provisions embedding a constitutionally protected conception of marriage.

By choosing a different path, the Court opened the door to incremental “legislation,” opening the possibility of further (and inappropriate) judicial recognition of same-sex relationships. This is unfortunate, considering Josef closely followed the Court’s much criticized ruling in Duterte vs. HOR (G.R. No. 278353/278359, 2026).

But constitutional democracy depends on institutional humility. In Estrada v. Escritor (A.M. No. P-02-1651, 2006), the Court recognized that deeply contested moral and social questions require sensitivity to constitutional structure, restraint, not experimentation, specially in areas where the Constitution and statutes speak with clarity.

This is a position not rooted in animus but in constitutional principle. Compassion for individuals should not be incompatible with constitutional fidelity.

 

Jemy Gatdula is the dean of the UA&P Law School and is a Philippine Judicial Academy lecturer for constitutional philosophy and jurisprudence. The views expressed here are his own and not necessarily of the institutions to which he belongs.

https://www.facebook.com/jigatdula/

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ERC clears Meralco-ACEN unit deal for 21 MW of RE supply

STOCK PHOTO | Image from Freepik

THE ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION (ERC) has given Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) the go‑ahead to start sourcing 21 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy from Santa Cruz Solar Energy, Inc. (SCEI), a subsidiary of ACEN Corp.

In a decision promulgated Feb. 25, the ERC granted final authority for Meralco and SCEI to implement their 10‑year power supply agreement (PSA) starting Feb. 26.

The regulator approved a contract price within the minimum energy offtake price of P8.98 per kilowatt-hour (kWh).

Under the approval, SCEI may supply the contracted capacity from its plant, the electricity spot market, or other sources.

The ERC said any renewal or extension of the PSA term is not allowed.

“Meralco is hereby directed to efficiently utilize the contracted capacity from all its suppliers bearing in mind its obligation to supply at the least cost,” the ERC said.

SCEI is ACEN’s special purpose vehicle for the development of renewable energy projects in the Philippines. It is currently developing the large‑scale San Marcelino solar power project in Zambales.

The company was among the winning bidders in Meralco’s 2024 competitive selection process to cover a 500‑MW mid‑merit requirement starting February 2025.

Meralco’s controlling stakeholder, Beacon Electric Asset Holdings, Inc., is partly owned by PLDT Inc.

Hastings Holdings, Inc., a unit of the PLDT Beneficial Trust Fund subsidiary MediaQuest Holdings, Inc., has an interest in BusinessWorld through the Philippine Star Group, which it controls. — Sheldeen Joy Talavera

BoJ chief flags March, April rate hike chance

WIKIPEDIA.ORG

TOKYO — Bank of Japan (BoJ) Governor Kazuo Ueda said the central bank will scrutinize data at its March and April meetings in deciding whether to raise interest rates, the Yomiuri newspaper reported on Thursday, leaving open the chance of a near-term rate hike.

In the interview conducted on Tuesday, Mr. Ueda said the central bank will continue to raise interest rates if Japan makes progress in achieving its economic and price projections.

Under current projections made in January, the BoJ expects underlying inflation to reach its 2% target during the latter half of fiscal 2026 through fiscal 2027.

While there was no major change to the forecast, the BoJ’s target could be achieved earlier than projected if the outcome of this year’s spring wage negotiations between firms and unions proves stronger than expected, Mr. Ueda told the Yomiuri.

“We will hold a policy meeting in March and April, so we would like to reach a decision by scrutinizing data available by then,” Mr. Ueda said, when asked about growing market views the BoJ could raise rates in April.

Mr. Ueda also said the BoJ did not necessarily need to wait until the release of its quarterly Tankan business sentiment survey on April 1 to decide whether to raise interest rates as it conducts various other surveys, according to the Yomiuri.

NOT BEHIND THE CURVE
The remarks highlight the BoJ’s readiness to keep raising interest rates and its hope to keep alive market bets of an early hike to fend off unwelcome, renewed yen falls that push up import costs and broader inflation.

But political considerations may affect the BoJ’s rate hike timing given dovish Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s preference for expansionary fiscal and monetary policy, analysts say.

The BoJ next meets for a policy meeting on March 18-19. Its board then meets on April 27-28, when it also produces fresh quarterly growth and inflation forecasts.

A majority of economists polled by Reuters expect the BoJ to raise rates to 1% by end-June.

Markets pared back bets of an April hike, once seen as a strong possibility, after a report on Tuesday said Ms. Takaichi expressed reservations about additional rate hikes during her meeting with Mr. Ueda last week.

The yen fell to a two-week low against the dollar on Wednesday after the government nominated two academics who are viewed as strong advocates of economic stimulus to the central bank’s board, clouding the outlook for further rate hikes.

In the Yomiuri interview, Mr. Ueda said the BoJ was not behind the curve in addressing the risk of too-high inflation, adding that underlying inflation has yet to completely hit 2%.

In gauging the impact of its last rate hike in December, the BoJ will focus on how it affects financial institutions’ lending stance, corporate investment appetite and consumption through higher borrowing costs, Mr. Ueda was quoted as saying.

The BoJ ended a decade-long, massive stimulus program in 2024 and raised rates several times including in December, when it took its short-term policy rate to a 30-year high of 0.75%.

With inflation exceeding the BoJ’s 2% target for nearly four years, Mr. Ueda has signaled the BoJ’s readiness to keep raising rates if its economic projections materialize. — Reuters

How PSEi member stocks performed — February 26, 2026

Here’s a quick glance at how PSEi stocks fared on Thursday, February 26, 2026.

Philippines climbs to 31st in Global Economic Diversification Index

The Philippines climbed five places to 31st out of 117 countries with an average score of 108.45 in the 2026 edition of the Global Economic Diversification Index (GEDI) by Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government. The index examines economic diversification through three main components: output or activity diversification, trade diversification, and government revenue diversification.

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