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Philippine, US air forces start 11-day combat drills in Pampanga province

Filipino and American air force servicemen at this year’s Exercise Cope Thunder. — PHILIPPINE AIR FORCE

By Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio and John Victor D. Ordoñez, Reporters

PHILIPPINE and US air forces kicked off their 11-day air combat exercises in Pampanga province north of Manila, the Philippine Air Force said on Monday.

They will hold drills focused on establishing air dominance and superiority, it said in a statement

Almost 1,000 airmen from the Philippine Air Force and US Pacific Air Forces will participate in Exercise Cope Thunder to be held throughout northern Luzon, according to a media kit given to reporters.

The Philippine Air Force said it would deploy nine air assets, including four FA-50 fighter jets, three A-29B Super Tucano turboprop warplanes and two helicopters for dogfighting drills, while the US will deploy a dozen F-16 fighter jets.

“This year’s iteration aims to develop asymmetric warfare capabilities for force projection and area denial, [and] enhance conventional capabilities to ensure superiority in air operations,” the Philippine Air Force said.

“[It would also] enhance cooperation with international and security partners to improve operational coordination, readiness, effectiveness and strategic deterrence,” it added.

Exercise Cope Thunder started in 1976 but was halted in 1991 after Mt. Pinatubo’s eruption damaged Clark Air Base and Subic Bay. That year, the Philippine Senate rejected a treaty that would have allowed US forces to continue operating bases in the country.

The exercise was revived in 2023.

Exercise Balikatan (shoulder-to-shoulder), the broader training drills between all major services of the Philippine and US forces, is scheduled for the last week of April until the first week of May.

The Philippines is also hosting airmen from Malaysia, Thailand, Australia, Japan and Indonesia’s air forces for this year’s aerial combat exercises.

“For the first time, the Philippine Air Force is hosting an International Observer Program as part of the exercise,” it said.

“The exercise will also feature subject matter expert exchanges, covering a wide range of domains including fighter and close air support operations, helicopter operations, cybersecurity, communications, aircraft maintenance, logistics, security and medical services,” it added.

Meanwhile, Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. will ensure funding to fast-track the country’s military modernization program before his term ends in 2028, according to the presidential palace, amid rising tensions with China.

This comes after the US Department of State last week approved the possible sale of F-16 jet fighters and munitions worth $5.58 billion to the Philippines — a deal that could boost the Southeast Asian nation’s air combat capabilities.

“As we said, that is the truth — we are indeed facing issues,” palace spokesperson Clarissa A. Castro told a news briefing in mixed English and Filipino on Monday. “But the modernization is in accordance with the law.”

“Every effort, opportunity, and capability will be utilized, and if there is a need for a budget, the President will ensure it is done,” she added.

National Security Council spokesman Jonathan E. Malaya on April 3 assured China the acquisition is not intended as a threat to any nation and is just part of Philippine efforts to modernize its military.

He said the F-16 jet is the most advanced fourth-generation fighter in the world and could be a “significant upgrade” to Manila’s existing arsenal, which includes 12 FA-50 fighter jets from South Korea.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun earlier said the Philippines’ defense and security cooperation with other countries should not “exacerbate regional tensions.”

China and the Philippines have been at loggerheads over confrontations near disputed features in the South China Sea, with Manila accusing China’s coast guard of aggression and Beijing furious over what it calls repeated provocations and incursions.

More than $3 trillion worth of trade passes yearly through the South China Sea, which China claims almost in its entirety. A United Nations-backed tribunal in 2016 voided its claim for being illegal.

The Philippines is keen on buying more missile systems, warships and multi-role fighter jets to upgrade the country’s capacity to defend its skies and seas, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Romeo S. Brawner, Jr. said on April 5.

He earlier said the Philippines expects deliveries this year of at least two corvette vessels from South Korea, which last year elevated its ties with Manila to a strategic partnership.

NATIONAL BUDGET
The Philippines is in the third phase of its modernization program called Horizons. It has earmarked $35 billion for the military buildup over the next decade as it aims to counter China’s military might in the region.

The Philippine government had incurred a P2.1-trillion funding shortfall for the modernization effort as of August 2024, according to the House of Representatives think-tank. About P348 billion has been spent on military hardware upgrades since 2002, it added.

“We truly aim to procure what is necessary for the AFP modernization,” Ms. Castro said. “Of course, this will depend on our budget and whether Congress will approve it so all of these are commitments that the President truly wants to fulfill.”

In 2022, the Philippines bought $375 million worth of BrahMos anti-ship missile systems from India, and has orders for more.

The Philippines earlier said it is eyeing mid-range missiles and at least 40 fighter jets to boost its defense capabilities.

Meanwhile, the Philippines and Finland are exploring closer defense cooperation, with discussions also including the potential investment by a Finnish multinational company to support Manila’s self-reliant defense posture program, the Defense department said.

Defense Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro, Jr. met with Finland’s Ambassador to the Philippines Sajia Nurminen last week and discussed how to advance defense collaboration between the two countries, the agency said in a statement.

“Finland seeks to cooperate with like-minded countries that uphold a rules-based international order, such as the Philippines,” it added.

Nokia Corp., a Finnish multinational telecommunication and consumer electronics company, is exploring possible investments in the Philippines to help boost self-reliant defense posture, Ms. Nurminen said, according to the statement.

Nokia also develops military communication systems, advertising it as capable for tactical coordination across land, sea and air domains, according to its website.

Mr. Marcos signed into law last year a bill providing incentives, such as value-added tax and import duty exemptions of materials and equipment needed for defense manufacturing to boost the local production of military equipment.

Republic Act No. 12024 or the Self-Reliant Defense Posture Act lets foreign companies set up shop in the Philippines via a joint venture with a local enterprise, granted that Filipinos hold at least 60% ownership.

The law was signed amid Philippine efforts to deepen security ties with other nations, such as South Korea, Australia and India, to bolster deterrence against China.

Manila is pressing ahead with military modernization, procuring warships from Seoul and missile systems from New Delhi to counter Beijing’s military might in the region.

Senators score China for coast guard’s ‘dangerous maneuvers’ near shoal

PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

By Adrian H. Halili, Reporter

CHINA should be held accountable for its aggressive behavior in the South China Sea, Philippine senators said on Monday, after a recent incident between the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and Chinese Coast Guard near Scarborough Shoal.

“As China continues to undermine our maritime peace and stability, I call on the international partners to hold China accountable for its blatant disregard for the rule of law,” Senator Francis N. Tolentino said in a statement.

The PCG on Sunday said a Chinese Coast Guard vessel almost collided with the Philippine ship BRP Cabra, which was conducting patrols southwest of the disputed shoal which is controlled by China.

Mr. Tolentino, who heads the Senate committee on Philippine Maritime and Admiralty Zone, condemned the Chinese Coast Guard’s “reckless and dangerous maneuvers” against the PCG vessel.

“Not only did this aggressive maneuver endanger the lives of our brave maritime personnel, but it also constitutes a blatant violation of international law and the Philippines’ sovereign rights,” he said.

He added that Scarborough Shoal lies within the Philippines exclusive economic zone, according to the ruling of a United Nations-backed tribunal in 2016 and Republic Act 12064 or the Philippine Maritime Zones Act.

Senate President Pro-Tempore Jose P. Estrada, Jr. said the Philippine government should raise the issue with the International Maritime Organization as the Chinese Coast Guard “displayed a blatant disregard for maritime safety and international norms.”

“Our government should take decisive action by bringing this matter before the International Maritime Organization,” he said in a statement. “The incident was a clear violation of the Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, to which China is a signatory.”

“By addressing China’s unending reckless and dangerous maneuvers against our maritime vessels, we can highlight the gravity of the situation which continues to threaten peace and security in the region,” he added.

Named after a British ship that was grounded on the atoll almost three centuries ago, Scarborough Shoal is one of the most contested maritime features in the South China Sea, where Beijing and Manila have clashed repeatedly.

China claims sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea, a vital waterway for more than $3 trillion of annual ship-borne commerce, putting it at odds with Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam.

A United Nations-backed tribunal in 2016 voided China’s claim for being illegal, but Beijing does not recognize the ruling.

Mr. Tolentino also raised concerns over the presence of a Chinese research vessel near Batanes province.

The Chinese research ship Zhong Shan Da Xue was said to be conducting a survey near the waters of Batanes province, Raymond M. Powell, a fellow at Stanford University’s Gordian Knot Center for National Security Innovation, said in an X post on Sunday.

“The presence of a Chinese research ship near Batanes, close to Taiwan’s coast, represents a deeply troubling concern that needs attention,” Mr. Tolentino said. “This action underscores Beijing’s increasing assertiveness in disputed waters, posing serious challenges to regional security.”

Batanes, the northernmost province of the Philippines, is expected to be one of the training areas for this year’s Balikatan (shoulder to shoulder) joint military exercises between Philippine and US armed forces.

“It is in this regard that I fully support any plan to include Batanes in the upcoming Balikatan exercises with the United States,” he said. “It sends an unequivocal message that the Philippines will not be intimidated. We must stand firm with our allies to protect our sovereignty and uphold international law.”

Chester B. Cabalza, founding president at think tank International Development and Security Cooperation in Manila, said that the Philippines should strengthen its defense partnerships with like-minded countries.

“While it is true that we have to make China account for their continued aggression in the West Philippine Sea, it is high time that we alter our strategy to strengthen our defense partnerships with like-minded countries to challenge Beijing,” he said in a Facebook Messenger chat.

Raphael J. Cortez, who teaches diplomacy at De La Salle College of St. Benilde, said condemning China for its continued aggression in the South China Sea could only provoke it.

“Such condemnation can never fully deter Chinese aggression, but instead may even serve as an impetus for them to do more,” Mr. Cortez said via Messenger chat.

He added that the support of other countries and the upcoming Balikatan exercises might not be enough to deter further action from China. “It seems like these actions are not tools of deterrence anymore for China but are catalysts for (them) to do more.”

TRAVEL ADVISORY
Also on Monday, Jose Manuel “Chel” I. Diokno, a party-list nominee for the midterm elections, said the Philippines should issue a travel advisory against China after the arrest of three Filipinos by Beijing’s state security on spying charges.

“We call on the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to issue an immediate travel advisory warning Filipinos of the risk of arbitrary detention and false espionage accusations when visiting China,” he said in a statement.

“Our people must not be left vulnerable to being scapegoated in China’s hostage diplomacy,” he added.

The DFA and Chinese Embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to separate Viber messages seeking comment.

China’s Ministry of State Security arrested three Filipinos accused of engaging in spying activities, Beijing’s Global Times reported last week. They were accused of “intelligence-gathering” and conducting “covert intelligence missions” in Mainland China.

Their arrest came after Philippine authorities earlier this year apprehended a number of Chinese nationals accused of spying on joint Philippine-US military sites, the presidential palace and national headquarters of the country’s military and police.

China’s arrest of the accused Filipino spies could be a strategic move to pressure the Philippines into a prisoner swap for Chinese nationals detained for similar accusations, Mr. Diokno said.

“This bears all the signs of ‘hostage diplomacy’ or a ‘quid pro quo’ scheme. It is a dangerous tactic to force concessions from us,” he said.

“Our compatriots are being held hostage to secure the release of their citizens caught in the act of spying on our country,” he added.

On Monday, Malacañang said Philippine authorities will provide legal aid to the arrested Filipinos.

“Legal assistance will always be provided, along with all the necessary help and support,” Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire B. Castro told a news briefing.

“There is no concrete evidence yet to confirm whether it is truly retaliation or part of retaliation by the other country,” she said. “We will not make such claims because there is no final investigation on this matter.” — with Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

Philippine Customs destroys P3.26 billion worth of smuggled vape products

President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. at the destruction of smuggled vape products at the Port of Manila on Monday. — PPA/NOEL B PABALATE

THE Bureau of Customs (BoC) on Monday destroyed smuggled vape products worth P3.26 billion as President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. vowed to continue the state crackdown on goods that pose health risks for Filipinos.

“We will continue doing this, and I just wanted to highlight both the efforts we are making and the dangers these smuggled vapes pose — far beyond just the revenue loss to the government,” he said in a speech after witnessing the destruction of the smuggled goods at the Port of Manila, based on a transcript posted on the Presidential Communications Office website.

“Our primary concern is the health risks posed by these illicit vapes,” he added.

In a statement, the BoC said it destroyed 2.98 million vape products that included electronic cigarettes, vape parts and other accessories seized last year.

It added that the agency profiles and detects undeclared or smuggled vape shipments through its risk management system and cargo targeting system.

Mr. Marcos said smuggled vape products are safety hazards since many of these have dubious manufacturing processes and the lack of documents makes it difficult to verify if they follow health regulations.

“Since these products are smuggled, they evade inspection, and we have no way of knowing where they came from,” he said. “Some of the smuggled vape liquids we examined were found to contain toxic substances.”

Under Republic Act No. 11900, the Customs bureau regulates imports and the distribution and taxation of vaporized nicotine and non-nicotine products, ensuring that they follow health standards and are safe for Filipino consumers.

“By shutting down illicit trade, we protect our people’s access to affordable goods and boost our revenue collections that allow the government to provide more public services to Filipinos,” Finance Secretary Ralph G. Recto said on the sidelines of the destruction of the vape products.

In a report, the bureau said vape products seized last year reached P9.29 billion or 11% of the P85.167 billion worth of confiscated goods. The bureau seized cigarettes and tobacco products worth P33.44 billion or 39% of all smuggled goods.

“Our fight against smuggling goes beyond just border protection. It is a defense of our economic integrity,” Mr. Recto said. — John Victor D. Ordoñez

Reelectionist Misamis gov asked to explain sexist, anti-Moro remarks

PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Monday ordered a gubernatorial reelectionist in Misamis Oriental to explain his discriminatory remarks against nurses and Moros during a recent campaign event.

Chairman George Erwin M. Garcia, in a document shared with reporters in a Viber chat, shared the poll body’s anti-discrimination panel’s show cause order issued against reelectionist Peter M. Unabia.

The order cited Mr. Unabia’s statement at a campaign rally in Villanueva, regarding his administration’s nursing scholarship program, claiming it was “only for beautiful women” and not open to men or “unattractive” females. He added that unattractive nurses could further deteriorate a patient’s condition.

Separately, Mr. Unabia warned the crowd that their communities could be overtaken by Maranaos if his political slate and allies lost the election.

He accompanied his remarks with slides displaying images of ambushes and attacks in the Bangsamoro region, warning voters against the spread of “this kind of criminality” to the predominantly Catholic province of Misamis Oriental.

“In view of the foregoing, you are hereby ordered to show cause in writing within a non-extendible period of three days from the receipt thereof and to explain why a complaint for election offense and/or petition for disqualification should not be filed against you,” the order read, citing links of social media posts and news reports about the statements.

The Comelec noted that under Comelec Resolution No. 11116, election offenses include discrimination against women, gender-based harassment, and labeling.

The Comelec task force gave him three days to provide an explanation as to why a formal petition for his disqualification should not be filed.

In a Facebook post on April 4, Mr. Unabia claimed his Maranao remarks were taken out of context and accused his political opponents of exploiting the issue for their own gain.

“We recognize that our words may have been open to various interpretations and could have been perceived as lacking the necessary sensitivity. It was never our intention to cause offense or to undermine the rich history, identity, and dignity of the Maranao people,” he added. Mr. Unabia has yet to address his remarks against nurses.

PASIG CONGRESSIONAL BET
Also on Monday, the Gabriela National Alliance of Filipino Women asked the Supreme Court to sanction Pasig City congressional bet Christian G. Sia after his misogynistic remarks against single mothers.

In an interview, Gabriela Secretary General Clarice A. Palce said the move aims to inform the court that a lawyer made “lewd” and “misogynistic” remarks during a campaign rally.

“We are here to urge the Supreme Court to take action or impose sanctions regarding this matter, as we believe that Atty. Christian Sia, a candidate for congressman in Pasig, has committed multiple violations,” she said in Filipino.

Last week, Mr. Sia went viral on social media after making a sexual comment about single moms.

In a press conference, he apologized, saying that it was just a joke and vowing that it would not happen again.

According to Ms. Palce, Gabriela believes that this is not an isolated incident, pointing out that Mr. Unabia also made a joke targeting women during his campaign rally.

“We believe that steps need to be taken, not just by the Supreme Court, but also by the Comelec. It is high time that misogynistic and sexist remarks, which directly trample on the rights and dignity of women, should serve as grounds for the disqualification of traditional politicians,” she added.

Comelec last week also ordered Mr. Sia to explain his actions. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

Qatar drops case vs 17 Filipinos

CLARISSA A. CASTRO — PCO.GOV.PH

SEVENTEEN Filipinos who were nabbed in Qatar for protesting the arrest of former Philippine President Rodrigo R. Duterte have been cleared of illegal assembly charges upon the request of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. to Qatar’s envoy in Manila, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said on Monday.

“Through the President’s discussion with the Qatari government via the Qatari Ambassador, we were granted the release of our fellow Filipinos who were detained, and they were not charged with a case,” PCO Undersecretary Clarissa A. Castro told a news briefing in mixed English and Filipino.

Last week, Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac announced that the overseas Filipino workers were granted provisional release as authorities looked into the pro-Duterte rally that went on without a permit. 

The former President, who was arrested at the request of the International Criminal Court, is being investigated for crimes against humanity in relation to his deadly drug war that has killed thousands.

Under Qatari law, those found guilty of illegal assembly may face up to three years of imprisonment and fined by as much as 50,000 Qatari riyals (P783,718.03)

“We can see how quickly our President works, which contradicts accusations from others that nothing is happening in our country,” Ms. Castro said.

“This matter was closely monitored by our President to provide assistance to our 17 fellow citizens in Qatar, and this is the result — the case has been dismissed, and they will be released.” — John Victor D. Ordoñez

House eyes PSA records in CIF probe

VICE-PRESIDENT SARA DUTERTE-CARPIO — HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE PHILIPPINES FACEBOOK PAGE

THE House of Representatives may launch an investigation into the individuals with records at the Philippines statistics body listed as recipients of Vice-President Sara Z. Duterte-Carpio’s secret funds for 2022 and 2023, a congressman said on Monday.

There are about 942 names listed as beneficiaries of secret funds from the offices held by Ms. Duterte, such as the Education department and the Office of the Vice-President, that are in the Philippine Statistics Authority’s (PSA) data, said House Deputy Majority Leader and La Union Rep. Francisco Paolo P. Ortega V.

“We will probably conduct our own mini investigation,” he said in Filipino. “But since it’s already at the committee level, we can make a request there.”

The estranged vice-president has been subjected to congressional probes into the alleged misuse of P612.5 million worth of confidential and intelligence funds (CIF) under Ms. Duterte’s office in 2022 and DepEd in 2023, which has been used by lawmakers as an indictment for her impeachment.

Mr. Ortega alleged that of the 1,992 listed recipients of confidential funds from the Office of the Vice-President, 1,322 lacked birth records, he said in a statement; while the House good government panel, which has investigated Ms. Duterte’s secret fund use uncovered that 405 out of the 677 names listed as beneficiaries of the Education department’s confidential funds under her leadership have no birth records.

The Office of the Vice-President did not immediately respond to an e-mail seeking comment. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

NHA to start condoning debts in May

PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

THE National Housing Authority (NHA) encouraged housing beneficiaries to avail themselves of its condonation program starting May 1 until Oct. 31, its chief said on Monday, as part of its mandate to provide affordable housing for the poorest Filipinos.

In a briefing in Quezon City, NHA General Manager Joeben A. Tai said the deadline is firm.

“If the deadline were moved, the chances of Filipinos availing [our housing programs] would be smaller. 6 months right now is enough,” he said in Filipino.

“If there were no penalty, they would be able to pay [for the houses] because our houses are only around P500,000 to P600,000. That’s 800 a month, but for the P220,000, most of them are P500 to P600 a month, so I think they can afford it,” he added.

The condonation program will provide financial relief to housing beneficiaries by condoning penalty or delinquency interest and a portion of accrued or unpaid amortization interest, it said on its website. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

Konektadong Pinoy bill pushed

PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) is hoping that the Congress will pass into law the Konektadong Pinoy despite warnings from groups and industry stakeholders over potential threat to national security and challenge to connectivity expansion.

“It’s a priority bill of the President and part of the legislative agenda. So hopefully by June, when Congress opens again, it will be passed,” ICT Director for National ICT Policy, Planning, and Standards Maria Victoria Castro told reporters on Monday.

The Philippine Chamber of Telecommunications Operators (PCTO) has warned against the bill, noting that this poses threat to the country’s national security and poses a challenge to the government’s connectivity expansion ambition.

“Unfortunately, despite its good intentions, the Konektadong Pinoy bill disregards Constitutional provisions, undermines fair competition, and could stifle investment in the telecommunications sector. We should work towards a version that will protect our critical information infrastructure and benefit the Filipinos,” PCTO said in a statement on Monday.

The bill, which is one of the administration’s priority measures, aims to expand internet access in the country by relaxing regulations and allowing the entry of new players in the data transmission industry.

The current version of the bill said international gateway facilities, cable landing stations, and satellite service providers do not need a legislative franchise requirement.

This means any company can build and operate these facilities and stations without passing through the safeguards needed to ensure our national security.

“PCTO firmly believes that the franchise requirement should be retained and that the NTC should retain its quasi-judicial authority to assess the new players capabilities — legal, technical, financial, including cybersecurity and data privacy connections, that are not explicitly stated in the bill,” PCTO said. — Ashley Erika O. Jose

Certify wage hike bill as urgent — Go

BW FILE PHOTO

A SENATOR on Monday urged President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. to certify as urgent a bill that will impose a legislated national wage hike before the 19th Congress ends.

“If this is not prioritized, there is a possibility that our workers will feel as if their demands have been ignored,” Christopher Lawrence “Bong” T. Go said in a statement in Filipino.

Mr. Go, who co-authored the Senate version, added that further delays and the lack of urgency from the President may “hinder progress on a long-standing effort to support Filipino workers.”

He said that the House of Representatives should work on the bill’s counterpart version, as it could avoid having to restart the process in the 20th Congress with newly elected Senators and Representatives.

“With the Senate having fulfilled its part… the measure now awaits action from the House of Representatives and the Executive branch,” Mr. Go added.

Senate Bill No. 2534 seeks to impose a P100 national wage increase for private sector workers, has been approved for third and final reading last year.

The House version or House Bill No. 11376, which was approved on second reading in February, mandates a P200 daily wage increase.

“We should not postpone things that have a direct impact on the lives of our workers. May their call be heard, while we still have the opportunity to respond,” he added. — Adrian H. Halili

Coal phaseout in APAC raises need for reskilling, new green jobs

STOCK PHOTO | Image by PublicDomainPictures from Pixabay

THE Asia-Pacific (APAC) region is accelerating efforts to phase out coal as part of a broader Just Energy Transition, with regional stakeholders highlighting the need for skill development, social protection, and inclusive policy dialogue to ensure no one is left behind in the shift to clean energy, the International Labour Organization (ILO) said on Monday.

At a two-day regional workshop held in Jakarta, Indonesia, from March 18 to 19, representatives from governments, employers, labor groups, civil society, and academia gathered under the newly formed Community of Practice (CoP) on Just Energy Transition in Asia, the ILO added in a statement.

“We recognize that this transition must be just and equitable. It is essential to ensure that workers and communities affected by the transition are supported through reskilling programs, social safety nets, and the creation of new green jobs,” Bernard Paul M. Mangulabnan, Acting Chief Labor and Employment Officer at the Department of Labor and Employment of the Philippines.

Delegates from Indonesia, Mongolia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam exchanged progress updates and shared strategies for managing the social and labor impacts of transitioning away from fossil fuels.

The workshop, organized by the ILO and the United Nations Office for Project Services Energy Transition Partnership, emphasized the importance of workforce reskilling, income protection, and multilateral dialogue to prevent inequality from widening as fossil fuel jobs disappear.

Despite momentum, participants acknowledged significant hurdles. Workers in fossil fuel-dependent sectors face displacement, skill mismatches, and wage instability, while access to retraining remains limited.

Participants flagged economic diversification, carbon pricing, corporate social responsibility grants, and policy coherence as key pathways to a smooth and equitable transition. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

LEB orders closure of law program in Manila university

FREEPIK

THE Legal Education Board (LEB) on Monday ordered the closure of the University of Manila-College of Law, citing the school’s failure to meet the minimum standards set by the board.

In a Facebook post, the LEB ordered the closure order due to the University’s dismal performance in the Bar examinations, failure to meet the prescribed curriculum and academic standards for legal

Education, and deficiencies in institutional facilities and resources necessary for quality legal instruction.

“This decision was made after a thorough evaluation of the legal education institution’s compliance with legal education standards and regulatory requirements,” the LEB added.

It said the university’s College of Law has been notified of the closure order since June 5, 2024.

“However, the LEB has received reports indicating that the school continues to accept enrollees,” it added.

As a result, the board issued this notice to inform the public that the LEB does not recognize enrollment at the institution.

The university did not immediately respond to an e-mail seeking comment. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

Maguindanao del Norte municipality placed under Comelec

PALACIO del Gobernador, where the Comelec holds office — PATRICK ROQUE

THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Monday issued Resolution No. 11126, placing the municipality of Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte, under the immediate and direct control and supervision of the poll body.

This is authorized by Section 99 of Comelec Resolution No. 11067, which allowed the Commission En Banc to place any political division, subdivision, unit, or area under its control if it is affected by political instability or other factors that could impact elections.

The resolution said that the Comelec took this action due to Section 101 of Comelec Resolution No. 11067, which pertains to areas that pose “threats that tend to disrupt the holding of free, peaceful, honest, orderly, and credible elections.”

The resolution further mentioned the death of Election Officer Mohammad Nabil M. Mutia and his wife on March 26, in Makebo village, Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao del Sur, as a contributing factor necessitating Comelec control in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte.

This is in line with GSC Resolution No. 2025NLE-001, recommending Comelec control to prevent further violence and lawlessness affecting election officers.

Under this control, the Comelec shall exercise immediate and direct supervision over national and local officials and employees in the area, ensuring they perform their duties and adhere to prohibitions concerning conduct in the political division.

The poll body will also have full control and supervision over all national and local law enforcement agencies, including the military, to ensure free, peaceful, orderly, honest, and credible elections.

The resolution outlined the roles of various government agencies in support of Comelec control.

Commissioner Noli R. Pipo has been designated as the Commissioner-in-Charge for the Comelec Control of Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte, and will exercise oversight functions as the direct representative of the Commission En Banc for this purpose.

This resolution takes effect immediately. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

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