Arbitral ruling on SCS dispute already part of PHL law — lawmaker

July 16, 2025 | 7:51 pm

South China Sea-Ayungin — AN AERIAL VIEW shows the BRP Sierra Madre on the contested Second Thomas Shoal, locally known as Ayungin, in the South China Sea, March 9, 2023. — REUTERS

THE PHILIPPINES’ legal victory in the 2016 South China Sea (SCS) arbitration case is embedded within the country’s Charter even if the ruling is not explicitly stated, a congressman said on Wednesday.

In a media briefing, Party-list Rep. Jose Manuel Tadeo “Chel” I. Diokno said that international laws are already part of Philippine law under the 1987 Constitution, cautioning that proposed amendments could open the door to broader, unintended changes.

“Whether Article 1 is amended or not, the arbitral ruling of the arbitral court in The Hague is already part of our law,” he said in Filipino, referring to the Permanent Court of Arbitration, based in the Netherlands.

“So if that’s our only purpose, what we see as a potential issue is that once the Constitution is opened up for amendment, other provisions might also be changed,” he added.

A lawmaker on Tuesday filed a resolution seeking to amend the Constitution to ease foreign ownership limits in key industries and reinforce the country’s territorial claims in the South China Sea.

Meanwhile, Party-list Rep. Renee Louise M. Co said that the proposed amendments to the Constitution’s provisions on national territory might be used as bait to entice support for Charter change.

“Let’s not use the West Philippine Sea issue to deceive the public into supporting Charter change,” she said in a statement in mixed English and Filipino, using the Philippines’ designation for parts of the South China Sea within its 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone. “This is clout chasing at its worst.” — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

Lawmaker files resolution to probe Manila Bay’s dolomite beach

July 16, 2025 | 7:50 pm

Dolomite-beach-in-Manila — People visit the Dolomite beach in Manila, Feb. 18, 2024. — PHILIPPINE STAR?EDD GUMBAN

A RESOLUTION seeking a congressional probe into the environmental impact of the controversial Manila Baywalk Dolomite Beach was filed in the House of Representatives on Wednesday.

Filed by Party-list Rep. Terry L. Ridon, House Resolution No. 56 seeks to determine if the artificial white sand project had an effect on beach nourishment and coastal restoration of Manila Bay.

The inquiry would also assess whether the beach project contributed to flooding in nearby areas and if its cost aligns with similar beach nourishment efforts by the government, he added. It would also aim to determine if officials involved in the project may bear criminal or administrative liabilities.

“We will undertake a full congressional inquiry, determine criminal and administrative liability, and hold every government official directly involved in the origination, planning, and implementation of this project accountable,” Mr. Ridon said in a statement.

The 500-meter stretch of white beach along Manila Bay cost P389 million and was named after the artificial sand made from crushed dolomite. The project was launched under the administration of former President Rodrigo R. Duterte and promoted as part of efforts to rehabilitate and beautify the bay.

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Romando S. Artes earlier this week blamed the beach project as among the main contributors of flooding along a major thoroughfare in Manila. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

NHA turns over 457 houses in Cebu

July 16, 2025 | 7:50 pm

THE National Housing Authority (NHA) turned over 457 housing units for typhoon victims in Barangay Kangkaibe, in Bantayan, Cebu.

The P208-million development, called the Kabiayan ni Man Liling Housing Project, was turned over by the NHA’s Region 7-Cebu District Office in a recent ceremony.

The housing project forms part of the larger Yolanda Permanent Housing Program (YPHP) with the aim of giving permanent shelter to displaced families affected by Super Typhoon Haiyan, locally called Yolanda.

“This initiative marks a step forward in providing safe and decent housing for the people of Bantayan, symbolizing the continuing partnership between the local government and national agencies in building resilient and inclusive communities,” the agency said in a statement.

Earlier this year, the government turned over 3,517 housing units in Haiyan-affected areas in Eastern Visayas.

Under the YPHP, the NHA has already completed 53,917 units out of 58,619 permanent housing requirements as of January.

Of the constructed units, about 45,454 units are already occupied by beneficiaries.

The NHA is expected to complete the remaining required units under the YPHP by December this year, said former Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development Secretary Jose Rizalino L. Acuzar.

Super Typhoon Haiyan, widely known as one of the strongest typhoons recorded, affected over 15 million Filipinos in 2013, displacing over four million civilians from their homes. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz

P304-M illegal drugs seized in NAIA

July 16, 2025 | 7:50 pm

THE Bureau of Customs (BoC) said it seized P304 million worth of illegal drugs from two passengers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) last Monday.

In a statement on Wednesday, the BoC said more than 44 kilograms of suspected crystal meth (shabu) were confiscated from two passengers arriving from Hong Kong on separate flights.

The first passenger’s physical inspection uncovered 20,555 grams of shabu concealed in a hidden compartment, valued at P139.7 million.

Following this was a second passenger intercepted after a K-9 sweep and physical examination of her luggage revealed 24,231 grams of alleged shabu, estimated at P164.77 million.

“We remain steadfast in securing our borders against the entry of illegal drugs. These successful interdictions in a single day demonstrate the Bureau’s unwavering resolve to support the President’s call for good governance, public safety, and the protection of our airports from criminal exploitation,” Customs Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno said. — Aubrey Rose A. Inosante

SM Group doubling down on plastic waste reduction efforts

July 16, 2025 | 7:49 pm

SY-led holding company SM Investments Corp. (SMIC) is strengthening its commitment to reduce plastic waste across its business units as part of its sustainability efforts.

SMIC recently created a working group committee that convenes and conducts regular dialogues, instructing its business units to incorporate plastic reduction into their respective sustainability roadmaps, the conglomerate said in an e-mailed statement on Wednesday.

The conglomerate’s plastic reduction efforts are in support of the Extended Producer Responsibility law that mandates companies to recover their plastic packaging products and to pursue waste management programs.

“While plastic plays a crucial role in modern life, its convenience often contributes to a throwaway culture, leading to one of our planet’s most pressing environmental challenges,” SMIC Head of Investor Relations and Sustainability Timothy Daniels said.

“We understand the importance of waste recovery and recycling not only as part of our sustainable business vision but also as a social and legal obligation. SM’s approach is both practical and actionable,” he added.

In 2024, SM Markets sold 19 million eco-bags, equivalent to around 42 million plastic bags avoided, as its brands SM Supermarket, SM Hypermarket, and Savemore encouraged sustainable retail practices.

Affiliate Watsons Philippines has transitioned 81% of its stores to using paper bags instead of single-use plastics, while over 2,140 retail stock-keeping units are under the company’s sustainable choices category that consists of products classified as clean beauty, better ingredients, better packaging, and refills.

Goldilocks Bakeshop, Inc. saw a reduction of 7,000 kilograms of plastics annually after decreasing the size of ribbons used in each of their packaging.

The shipping operations of 2GO Group, Inc., now utilize 100% recyclable, reusable, and biodegradable packaging materials to reduce plastic use.

Real estate subsidiary SM Prime Holdings, Inc. has installed Materials Recovery facilities across its properties, as well as standardized waste segregation systems across all malls and developments. It has diverted 63,874 kilograms of plastic from landfills with the help of 15 designated drop-off points for plastic waste.

All SM Supermalls also implement a trash-to-cash monthly recycling market where customers can exchange recyclables for cash, which saw the exchange of over 1 million kilograms of recyclables each month.

SM Supermalls also launched the recyclable, disposable, compostable segregation bins in 2023.

SM Hotels and Conventions Corporation has also phased out single-use plastics in its hotels as early as 2018, replacing amenities with refillable or eco-friendly options.

“Plastic waste reduction at SM is about steady, coordinated progress made possible by a shared culture of everyday solutions, and a proactive approach across all our businesses,” Mr. Daniels said. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

Teachers welcome reinstatement of BARMM’s education minister

July 16, 2025 | 7:48 pm

COTABATO CITY — School officials and local executives were elated with the reinstatement of the Bangsamoro education minister, who is among those who filed their courtesy resignation last month as part of a revamp in the regional bureaucracy.

Bangsamoro Chief Minister Abdulrauf A. Macacua told reporters on Wednesday, that he had rejected the courtesy resignation of Muhaquer M. Iqbal, who has been serving as education minister of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) since 2019.

“We are thankful to our chief minister for having rejected the courtesy resignation of Education Minister Iqbal,” Myra B. Mangkabung, superintendent of schools in Lamitan City, said on Wednesday.

Officials and employees of the Ministry of Higher, Basic and Technical Education-BARMM in the provinces of Maguindanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Basilan and Tawi-Tawi and in the cities of Lamitan, Marawi and Cotabato had posted on their Facebook their appreciation of the retention of Iqbal as regional education minister.

Maguindanao del Norte Vice Gov. Marshall I. Sinsuat and Cotabato City Mayor Mohammad Ali D. Matabalao separately told reporters that they are happy with the reinstatement of Mr. Iqbal as education minister.

“We had wished for that. He should stay there and continue working for the educational advancement of the Muslim, Christian and the non-Moro indigenous communities in the Bangsamoro region,” Mr. Matabalao said.

Mr. Iqbal is the seventh regional official ordered to remain in their posts.

Health Minister Kadil M. Sinolinding, Jr., who was also reinstated, said he is glad about Mr. Iqbal staying as education minister via a memorandum, signed on Monday, July 14. — John Felix M. Unson

Kyle Schwarber powers NL to first ‘swing-off’ win at All-Star Game

July 16, 2025 | 7:08 pm

ATLANTA — The National League (NL) beat the American League (AL) 4-3 in the All-Star Game’s first-ever “swing-off” on Tuesday night.

The game was tied 6-6 after nine innings, so the teams competed in a three-man Home Run Derby in which AL manager Aaron Boone selected Brent Rooker, Randy Arozarena and Jonathan Aranda, while NL manager Dave Roberts picked Kyle Stowers, Kyle Schwarber and Pete Alonso.

Each player was to receive three swings to hit as many home runs as possible. Rooker launched two, while Stowers went 1-for-3. Arozarena hit one before Schwarber sent all three out to give the NL a 4-3 running lead entering the final round.

Aranda then went 0-for-3, clinching the bizarre National League victory — the league’s second All-Star Game win in three years after dropping the previous nine.

Trailing 6-0, the American League mounted a rally in the seventh, as San Diego’s Adrian Morejon allowed a single to Alejandro Kirk and walked Jonathan Aranda. Giants reliever Randy Rodriguez entered and surrendered Rooker’s three-run homer. Bobby Witt Jr. later drove in the AL’s fourth run on a groundout.

Byron Buxton and Witt each doubled to pull the AL within one run against San Diego’s Robert Suarez in the ninth. Mets closer Edwin Diaz then entered and retired Jazz Chisholm Jr. before Steven Kwan tied the game with an infield single.

Boston’s Aroldis Chapman retired the side in the bottom of the ninth.

The NL struck first in the home half of the first inning. Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani and hometown favorite Braves right fielder Ronald Acuna Jr. reached on singles, before Arizona’s Ketel Marte laced a two-run double to right against AL starter Tarik Skubal.

In the sixth, after Fernando Tatis Jr. walked and Brendan Donovan singled, Alonso belted a three-run blast off Kansas City’s Kris Bubic to give the National League a 5-0 advantage.

Casey Mize then replaced Bubic, surrendering a 414-foot solo homer to Diamondbacks star Corbin Carroll to extend the margin to six runs.

Making his second All-Star Game start in as many seasons, Pittsburgh’s Paul Skenes struck out Detroit Tigers Gleyber Torres and Riley Greene in the first before inducing Aaron Judge into a groundout in the ace’s lone inning. — Reuters

Philippine Blu Girls book Asian Games berth in blasting India, 15-0

July 16, 2025 | 7:07 pm

THE Philippines overpowered India, 15-0, on Wednesday to book a spot to next year’s Asian Games while keeping its hope alive for a World Cup slot in the WBSC Women’s Softball Asia Cup in Xi’an, China.

Callie Grace Christian pitched a two-hitter while right fielder Roma Jane Cruz blasted a homer straight to left field that sparked that nine-run juggernaut in the bottom third inning and sealed the match via the mercy rule.

It was the Filipinas’ third win in four outings that propelled them in a tie for No. 3 with the Taiwanese, trailing just the unbeaten Chinese and Japanese, who each won four straight.

More importantly, the Blu Girls have ensured themselves one of the eight tickets being contested here for the Asiad set Sept. 19 to Oct. 4 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan next year.

“I am extremely proud of our Blu Girls’ performance. Even in the face of a tough loss to Japan, the team showed heart and resilience. We stand behind them all the way as they continue to fight for our country,” said Amateur Softball Association of the Philippines President Jean Henri Lhuillier.

With one mission accomplished, the Philippines now seeks one of the three berths in the World Cup group stages also next year.

It came a day after the country split its two assignments, smashing South Korea, 7-0, and succumbing to Japan, 9-1.

The Nationals were playing the Malaysians at press time and were scheduled to play a double-header versus the Singaporeans and Chinese. — Joey Villar

Bryan Bagunas to play in Japan with Osaka Blueton

July 16, 2025 | 7:07 pm

BRYAN BAGUNAS, the face of Philippine men’s volleyball, will have a second tour of duty in Japan after being tabbed by Osaka Blueton where he gets to play alongside popular Japanese star Yuji Nishida.

The fearsome Filipino outside hitter last played in the Taiwan league for Win Streak where he won a pair of championships and a Most Valuable Player plum in a memorable three-year stint.

Before that, Mr. Bagunas, who is with Cignal in the Spikers’ Turf, suited up with Oita Miyoshi Weisse Adler in Japan from 1999 to 2022.

“We are pleased to announce that Bryan Bagunas has officially joined the team,” said the team in a statement posted on social media.

Mr. Bagunas, who is still recuperating from a knee injury he sustained last year, is expected to spearhead Alas Pilipinas’ stint in the FIVB Men’s World Championships at the MOA Arena and Smart Araneta Coliseum in September. — Joey Villar

Mariners’ Cal Raleigh becomes first catcher to win Home Run Derby

July 16, 2025 | 7:06 pm

ATLANTA — Cal Raleigh became the first catcher to win the Home Run Derby on Monday night, besting Junior Caminero 18-15 in the final round at Truist Park.

Raleigh also became the first Seattle Mariners player to hoist the trophy since 1999, when Ken Griffey Jr. won his third title. Tampa Bay’s Caminero, who was vying to become the youngest winner in Derby history at 22, fell just short as the Rays’ first contestant since Randy Arozarena lost to Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in the 2023 final.

Raleigh, the major league’s leader in homers with 38, totaled 54 home runs on Monday. All was nearly lost in the opening round, as the Seattle star advanced to the semifinals on a tiebreaker, as his longest home run eclipsed Brent Rooker’s by the narrowest of margins — 470.61 feet to 470.53.

With father Todd Sr. pitching and younger brother Todd Jr. behind the plate, it was a family affair for Cal, who added to his spectacular 2025 campaign.

In the semifinals, Byron Buxton — facing Caminero — followed his 21-homer first round with a seven spot in the second round. Caminero blew past that total, needing just 12 swings to reach eight homers and advance to the final round. — Reuters

Capital1 Solar Spikers ink PVL top rookie pick UAAP MVP Bella Belen

July 16, 2025 | 7:06 pm

MHICAELA “BELLA” BELEN is officially a Capital1 Solar Spiker.

It was signed, sealed and delivered on Wednesday after Capital1 co-owner Milka Romero made the official announcement of this year’s top overall Premier Volleyball League (PVL) rookie pick’s signing on social media.

“Welcome to the Capital1 family,” said Ms. Romero.

While she didn’t divulge the details of the contract, the three-time UAAP champion and MVP from National University should receive a minimum three-year contract with a monthly salary of at least P165,000.

Ms. Belen though will only get to suit up for the Solar Spikers in October this year due to her Alas Pilipinas commitments. — Joey Villar

NBA Finals drive ABC rating rebound

July 16, 2025 | 7:04 pm

THE NBA Finals going the full seven games provided a significant boost for ABC, which saw its sports viewership increased 17% in June compared to May, according Nielsen’s monthly report “The Gauge.”

After the first few games of the series between Indiana and Oklahoma City generated poor ratings, they improved significantly as the series grew more dramatic. That included an average of 16.35 million viewers for Game 7, making it the largest audience for an NBA Finals game in six years. — Reuters