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Navigating integrity challenges in Southeast Asia

IN BRIEF:

• Ethical risks remain a significant concern for businesses in Southeast Asia.

• Major issues include a weak integrity culture, third-party risks, and inadequate whistleblower protections.

• Organizations must focus on leadership accountability, governance of third-party relationships, and the integration of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) values into their core operations.

Southeast Asian organizations are facing substantial ethical risks that threaten their business stability, despite notable advancements in compliance measures. As the region’s economies continue to expand, the need for a robust integrity framework has never been more critical. Rapid economic growth often brings about increased competition, which can lead to ethical compromises if not managed effectively.

Companies must navigate a complex landscape characterized by diverse regulatory environments, cultural differences, and varying levels of enforcement. This makes it imperative for organizations to both comply with existing laws and foster a culture of integrity that permeates every level of their operations.

The EY Global Integrity Report 2024 highlights these pressing concerns, drawing insights from over 5,500 board members, managers, and employees worldwide. The report serves as a vital resource for organizations seeking to enhance their ethical frameworks. As Southeast Asia continues to develop, the region must address these integrity challenges head-on to ensure sustainable growth and maintain stakeholder trust.

THE NEED FOR A STRONG INTEGRITY CULTURE
The survey indicates that while 71% of Southeast Asian respondents report improved integrity standards — outpacing the global average of 49% — there remains a troubling tolerance for unethical behavior among senior management. A staggering 44% of respondents believe that unethical conduct is overlooked by leadership, compared to 31% globally. This discrepancy reveals a “say-do” gap, where the ethical commitments of leadership do not align with their actions.

Organizations that cultivate a strong integrity culture will build trust with stakeholders and attract greater investment. Conversely, those with governance issues face heightened scrutiny and reputational risk. To foster a robust integrity culture, organizations must prioritize leadership accountability and ethical decision-making at all levels.

ENHANCING WHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTIONS
The report shows that Southeast Asia lags in providing adequate protections for whistleblowers. Nearly two-thirds of respondents feel pressured not to report misconduct, with 44% doubting that their concerns would be addressed. This lack of confidence extends to senior management, with half reporting similar pressures.

To address these gaps, organizations must establish confidential and transparent reporting channels that protect employees from retaliation. A strong whistleblower program can facilitate quicker issue detection and remediation, ultimately reducing regulatory penalties and reputational damage.

In the Philippines, there has been an increase in the interest of some companies to strengthen their whistleblowing program, including plans to fully outsource the operations of their reporting channels to third-party professional firms.

ADDRESSING THIRD-PARTY RISK
Third-party risk poses a significant challenge in Southeast Asia, with 84% of integrity incidents in the region linked to external relationships. Alarmingly, 20% of respondents would ignore unethical behavior from third parties if prompted by their superiors, and 21% would do so if it benefited their career or financial situation. This highlights the urgent need for organizations to strengthen their governance frameworks regarding third-party relationships.

Recent multimillion-dollar fines for fraud and corruption involving third parties underscore the importance of implementing thorough due diligence processes to ensure that external partners adhere to the same ethical standards as internal employees.

ETHICAL RISKS IN AI ADOPTION
As artificial intelligence (AI) adoption grows in Southeast Asia — 37% of organizations are already utilizing AI tools — businesses must establish governance frameworks to manage risks such as data privacy and algorithmic bias. However, the region’s underdeveloped structures expose businesses to potential ethical violations. Clear AI governance is essential to navigate these challenges responsibly.

THE ROLE OF ESG IN BUSINESS STRATEGY
While ESG considerations are gaining traction, many businesses in Southeast Asia remain primarily compliance driven. Almost 64% of respondents indicate that their ESG policies are motivated by regulatory requirements rather than genuine internal reform. To achieve long-term sustainability, organizations must embed ESG values into their core strategies, linking these initiatives to profitability and stakeholder trust.

C-LEVEL CONSIDERATIONS
To enhance their integrity frameworks and mitigate ethical risks, organizations in Southeast Asia should prioritize leadership accountability and strengthen third-party governance. Closing the “say-do” gap is essential; leaders must model ethical behavior and hold themselves accountable for any lapses. By investing in programs that foster a strong culture of integrity, organizations can create an environment where ethical decision-making is encouraged at all levels. There should also be consistent disciplinary action against employees who are found to have integrity issues. This consistency is crucial to demonstrate the seriousness of leaders in fostering a strong integrity culture. Additionally, it is crucial to strengthen oversight of third-party relationships through thorough due diligence processes, ensuring that external partners uphold the same ethical standards as internal employees.

Moreover, organizations must implement trusted whistleblower systems that allow employees to report misconduct confidentially and without fear of retaliation. Establishing fair investigation protocols will further enhance trust within the organization. Alongside these measures, developing robust governance frameworks to manage the ethical risks associated with AI is vital. This includes addressing data privacy and algorithmic bias to navigate the complexities of AI responsibly.

Finally, organizations should move beyond compliance-driven ESG initiatives and integrate sustainability values into their core operations. By aligning decision-making processes with long-term growth objectives, businesses can enhance their integrity frameworks and position themselves as ethical leaders in the marketplace. Strong governance and ethical behavior will ultimately safeguard organizations from legal and reputational risks while fostering sustainable growth in an increasingly competitive environment.

BUILDING RESILIENCE THROUGH INTEGRITY
As Southeast Asian organizations confront these integrity challenges, the path forward will require a concerted effort to embed ethical practices into their core operations. By prioritizing leadership accountability, enhancing third-party governance, and fostering a culture of transparency, businesses can build resilience against ethical risks. The integration of ESG values into everyday decision-making will enhance compliance as well as drive long-term sustainability and stakeholder trust.

Organizations that proactively address these challenges will be better positioned to thrive. By committing to ethical practices and robust governance frameworks, Southeast Asian companies can emerge as leaders in integrity, setting a benchmark for others in the region and beyond.

This commitment to ethical behavior can help protect against legal and reputational risks as well as contribute to a more sustainable and equitable business environment for all stakeholders.

This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for professional advice where the facts and circumstances warrant. The views and opinion expressed above are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of SGV & Co.

 

Roderick M. Vega is the forensic and integrity services leader of SGV & Co.

FEU Tamaraws draw first blood

FAR EASTERN UNIVERSITY TAMARAWS — UAAP/NEO GARCIA

Blast the NU Bulldogs in thrilling five sets

Games on Wednesday
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
12:30 p.m. – Awarding Ceremony (men’s)
1 p.m. – NU vs FEU (men’s finals)
4:30 p.m. – Awarding Ceremony (women’s)
5 p.m. – DLSU vs NU (women’s finals)

FAR Eastern University (FEU) handed four-peat champion National University (NU) its first finals defeat in almost a decade with a thrilling 22-25, 25-22, 13-25, 25-22, 15-13 Game 1 victory to move a step away from ruling the UAAP Season 87 men’s volleyball finals on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The top-ranked FEU Tamaraws clawed back from a 1-2 deficit capped by a steely resolve in the back-and-forth decider for a 1-0 lead in the quick best-of-three titular showdown entering a potential clincher on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

FEU hit two birds with one stone, putting an end to the NU Bulldogs’ unbeaten finals run since Season 79 (2017) and also zeroing in on winning its first title since Season 74 (2012).

And at the center of it was rising star Dryx Saavedra, who fired 25 points on 21 hits, three blocks and an ace as the Morayta-based squad proved its lofty billing as the biggest threat to NU’s long-standing dynasty.

Amet Bituin backstopped him with 16 points on 13 hits and three blocks, none bigger than the thunderous hit that went through NU defenders in the tightrope fifth set to dodge a deuce and seal the gutsy victory.

Ariel Cacao facilitated the Tamaraws’ charge that included 10 points from Mikko Espartero with 24 sets while libero Vennie Paul Ceballos provided 14 digs and 20 receptions.

FEU indeed showed that thirst and hunger even at the jaws of defeat after being manhandled by NU in the third set, 13-25, for a 1-2 deficit.

With revenge in mind as well after being denied by the Bulldogs an outright finals berth with their lone loss in the elims for a 13-1 slate, the Tamaraws braved on by grinding out the fourth and escaping by the slimmest of margins in the rubber.

Looming like a mano-a-mano with equal bearings in the decider, FEU just leaned on perfection and execution with little to no mistake from as NU, on a rare occasion, became a stark contrast with three straight errors for a sudden 10-13 deficit.

The Bulldogs, as expected, managed to right the ship to move within 12-13 only for Buds Buddin to commit a service error once again that set the stage for Mr. Bituin’s finishing touch.

Leo Ordiales (23), Jade Disquitado (17) and Mr. Buddin (12) led the way but the Bulldogs still stumbled for the first time under Dante Alinsunurin to stare at a potential fall of their kingdom. — John Bryan Ulanday

Swiatek’s struggles continue as Collins ends Rome title defense

ROME — Holder Iga Swiatek crashed out of the Italian Open to American Danielle Collins after a 6-1 7-5 third-round loss on Saturday in a major upset that will cost the Pole the world number two ranking as the defense of her French Open title looms.

Swiatek held a commanding 7-1 head-to-head record against Collins before the contest and yet another early defeat does not bode well for the 23-year-old, who has not won a tournament since her fourth triumph at Roland Garros last year.

Five-times Grand Slam champion Swiatek went 5-0 down in the opening set before getting on the board to avoid a bagel.

Collins was lethal from the baseline, mixing it up with forehand and backhand service return winners as she picked apart Swiatek’s serve in an opening set that was one-way traffic.

The second was level at 4-4 as Swiatek showed flashes of brilliance, but 31-year-old 2022 Australian Open runner-up Collins showed no mercy, sealing victory in one hour and 44 minutes when a return went wide.

Collins fired 32 winners and converted six of eight break points while Swiatek, who had won the tournament three times in the last four years, made 22 unforced errors.

Swiatek has lost nine matches this year -— as many as in all of 2024 — while she has not reached a claycourt final ahead of her bid to retain the French Open title later this month.

“It hasn’t been easy,” she told reporters. “For sure, I’m doing something wrong. So I need to just regroup and change some stuff. I had some advice from the team, I’ll just try to do this.”

“I think I just wasn’t there, present, to fight and to compete (against Collins). I focused on mistakes. It’s my mistake and I’m not doing things right. So the focus is on the wrong things from my side and I’ll try to change that.” — Reuters

Philippine team secures four silvers in Asian Weightlifting Championships in China

THE Philippines continued to miss out on striking gold and have settled for four silver medals for now.

And five of those came from Rosegie Ramos and Fernando Agad, Jr.

Ms. Ramos, a 21-year-old World Championship bronze winner, raked in her share in the women’s 49-kilogram class in the lift (90kg), clean and jerk (107kg) and total lift (197kg) in the Asian Weightlifting Championships in Jiangshan, China over the weekend.

Thai Thanyathon Sukcharoen reigned supreme in the section with 200kg total lift.

Mr. Agad, for his part, snatched silver in clean and jerk (140kg) in the men’s 55kg division that was eventually topped by a mighty Chinese in Wang Weidong, who had a 145kg lift.

Wang later pocketed another mint in total where he had 265kg.

The country’s remaining hopes for a gold will now rely on two-time Olympian Elreen Ando in the women’s 64kg and veteran internationalist Vanessa Sarno in the women’s 71kg. — Joey Villar

Tyrese Haliburton, Pacers chasing bounce back in Game 4 versus Cavaliers

IN some circles, Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton was perceived as a no-show both during and after his team’s loss on Friday in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinal series against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

First off, Haliburton created little noise on the court by scoring just four points on two-of-eight shooting during the fourth-seeded Pacers’ 126-104 setback to the top-seeded Cavaliers.

Afterward, he was noticeably absent in any place inhabited by a reporter.

Haliburton, who addressed that situation on Saturday afternoon, will look to have more of an impact on Sunday night when the Pacers host the Cavaliers in Game 4 in Indianapolis.

Indiana holds a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series. Yet Cleveland is 3-0 on the road in the playoffs — and is winning by an average of 38 points in those games.

Haliburton held court with reporters on Saturday, telling them that he wasn’t made available by the league following Game 3.

As for how he was feeling now?

“The sun came up this morning,” Haliburton said. “It’s unfortunate. Didn’t have a very good performance last night. (It’s) more film for me to look at, more stuff to figure out. It’s all part of the process.”

It was a humbling performance by Haliburton, who had been the star of Indiana’s show in its previous three games.

The All-Star guard made a driving layup in the waning moments of the Pacers’ series-clinching win over the Milwaukee Bucks to cap a 26-point night. He then collected 22 points and 13 assists in the series opener versus Cleveland before draining a 3-pointer with 1.1 seconds remaining to give Indiana a 120-119 victory on Tuesday.

While Haliburton struggled on Friday, Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell turned in what head coach Kenny Atkinson labeled as a “masterful” performance.

“I don’t use that word hardly ever,” Atkinson said. “He was masterful in the way he controlled the game and not passing, making the right decision, defending. Probably for me, his best performance of the year. I don’t know what the numbers look like, but he really played with a great kind of mindset, great head on his shoulders, super high IQ.”

The numbers looked like this for Mitchell: 43 points on 14-for-29 shooting from the floor and 10 of 14 from the free-throw line. The six-time All-Star also had nine rebounds and made five 3-pointers after going 2-for-18 from beyond the arc in the previous two games.

Mitchell was intent on making sure his team didn’t squander a big lead for the second straight game.

“We let one slip away at home in a similar fashion. So, for me, couldn’t let it happen again,” Mitchell said.

What’s more important is Mitchell had help in the form of Max Strus and Jarrett Allen as well as the returns of reigning Defensive Player of the Year Evan Mobley and Darius Garland. Strus and Allen combined for 39 points and 19 rebounds on Friday, while Mobley added 18 and 13, respectively, in his return from a one-game absence due to a sprained left ankle.

Garland on the other hand struggled with both his body and foul trouble in his return from a four-game absence due to a sprained left toe. He finished with 10 points while laboring through the pain.

“Y’all don’t understand what I’m going through,” Garland said. “I mean, everybody has their opinion. I’m going out there and playing basketball. Everybody has their nicks and bruises around this time. So, going out and trying to win the series.” — Reuters

Jokic’s worst game

All season long (and just about every other year since 2021, when Nikola Jokic won the first of his three Most Valuable Player awards), the narrative surrounding the Nuggets has been that of an otherworldly superstar carrying everybody else to victories. And, admittedly, the argument is not without merit; after all, the 41st overall pick in 2014 has been nothing but spectacular in translating a triple-double norm to 50 wins and the fourth seed in the highly competitive West.

The other day, however, fate dealt the Nuggets a twist that had even Jokic’s staunchest critics wondering in askance. The National Basketball Association’s paragon of efficiency came up with one of his worst showings in 11 years as a pro; in 44 minutes of exposure, he could do no better than put up 20 points on a whopping 25 shots, including 10 that he took — and missed — from three-point territory along with a career-high eight turnovers. And so atrocious was his output that even he had to admit, with just a tad of embellishment, that, “basically, I was the worst player on the court tonight.”

That said, there’s no question that Jokic would be happy to absorb more bad games just to secure the same outcome for the Nuggets as that of Game Three of their semifinal-round series against the favored Thunder. Indeed, the blue, yellow, and red still emerged triumphant despite his poor play, belying the notion that their success is entirely predicated on how far he leads them. For the other day at least, they were the ones who carried him; from Jamal Murray to Aaron Gordon to Michael Porter Jr. to Christian Braun to, yes, Russell Westbrook, they proved their capacity to be greater than the sum of their parts. Never mind that the biggest one served up an uncharacteristic clunker.

In other words, the Nuggets managed to beat the Thunder by, well, practically being the Thunder. Meanwhile, their opponents clearly suffered from a subpar performance from presumptive MVP awardee Shai Gilgeous-Alexander; for the fourth time in eight playoff matches to date, the latter produced a sub-40% shooting clip. Not for nothing did the visitors come up with a mere two field goals in the last four minutes of regulation and all of overtime the other day.

Needless to say, the protagonists are resilient. The Nuggets have gone four and two in their last six outings despite Jokic averaging a mortal 22.2 markers (on an anemic 50% true shooting) and 7.7 dimes, not to mention 5.3 giveaways. The Thunder pocketed 68 wins in the regular season because their deep bench managed to withstand occasional mediocrity from Gilgeous-Alexander. That said, there can be no denying logic: The series may well be determined by which prime mover manages to meet expectations first.

 

Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since BusinessWorld introduced a Sports section in 1994. He is a consultant on strategic planning, operations and human resources management, corporate communications, and business development.

Midterm polls unlikely to disrupt Marcos admin’s economic policies

PHILIPPINE STAR/EDD GUMBAN

By Chloe Mari A. Hufana, Reporter

THE results of today’s midterm elections will not significantly disrupt President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s economic agenda as the policy direction of the administration and “opposition” remain pro-business despite the widening Marcos-Duterte rift, an analyst said.

“There is really no substantive disagreement between ‘administration’ and ‘opposition’ on the pro-business direction of policymaking because the elite-driven nature of the country’s politics and elections consistently marginalizes voices for genuinely alternative development policies,” IBON Foundation Executive Director Jose Enrique A. Africa said in a Viber chat.

“Regressive tax policies, opening up to foreign ownership, and infrastructure spending have long enjoyed support and been consistently advanced across administrations,” he added.

Mr. Africa noted that the continuity of these economic policies will not be significantly disrupted even if the administration’s position in Congress erodes.

“The real question isn’t legislative gridlock and whether these policies will be passed but whether they serve the broader public interest,” he noted. “Unfortunately, the narrowly pro-business orientation prevents substantive reforms on deeper issues of joblessness, informality and low incomes, of inequality, and of universal access to social services.

He further said that national industrialization, agrarian reform and rural development, and the improvement of public services are always sidelined in short-sighted and profit-oriented framework.

The 2025 Philippine midterm elections have become a battleground for two of the nation’s most influential political dynasties, the Marcoses and the Dutertes, whose once-solid alliance has turned into a bitter feud last year.

Mr. Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio, who secured victory in the 2022 elections under the “UniTeam” banner, are now leading opposing factions vying for control of Congress.

Despite frequent political shake-ups and factional clashes, the so-called political instability in the Philippines has little impact on the country’s economic policy direction, which remains firmly pro-business, Mr. Africa said.

The real threats to economic planning, he warned, lie not in shifting congressional alliances but in external shocks like potential disruptions from a second Donald J. Trump presidency, global supply chain realignments, and volatile food and energy prices, along with domestic structural issues such as weak job growth and stagnant family incomes tied to decades-long decline in agriculture and manufacturing

“Inflation, business growth, and long-term planning are probably more deeply affected by external shocks or by structural weaknesses in the domestic economy… Measured against these greater threats to long-term planning, the shifts in congressional alliances are a minor distraction at best,” he said.

2028 POLITICAL LANDSCAPE
The outcome of Monday’s elections, Gary D. Ador Dionisio, dean of the School of Diplomacy and Governance of De La Salle-College of St. Benilde, said will not only shape the legislative agenda for the remainder of Mr. Marcos’ term but also influence the political landscape leading up to the 2028 presidential race. 

The outcomes of the polls today are a preview of the political configuration of the 2028 presidential elections, he noted.

“[The] 2025 midterm elections are not only a referendum of Marcos but also of Vice President Duterte because of the growing ‘affective polarization’ of their supporters and voters,” he said in a Facebook Messenger chat.

“However, since the 2025 election result is only a preview, and politics is the art of many possibilities, it’s up to the power holders in Malacañang how they will wield and yield their agenda, such as the impeachment, economic development, and maritime security, in the coming days and years,” he added.

Mr. Ador Dionisio said that while Marcos-backed bets seem to dominate heading into today, political consolidation will be sharpened once the impeachment court against Ms. Duterte starts and the opinion polls from the impeachment are released.

The Senate trial is scheduled to commence after today’s elections, which are expected to influence the political landscape and the outcome of the proceedings.

The rift between the two families widened following a series of events, including Ms. Duterte’s resignation as education secretary amid a congressional probe into her alleged misuse of funds and subsequent impeachment by the House of Representatives on charges ranging from constitutional violations to plotting against the president.

It further escalated with the arrest of former President Rodrigo R. Duterte in March under an International Criminal Court warrant for alleged crimes against humanity related to his bloody anti-drug campaign.

A majority of Mr. Marcos’ senatorial slate is poised to win, according to several surveys published leading up to the elections. While the Duterte-backed ones are trailing behind with only a few poised to win in the tight senatorial race to the Senate.

Political science lecturer at the Ateneo de Manila University, Hansley A. Juliano, said Filipino voters tend to elect leaders who resonate with their anxieties and speak their language.

“Candidates who resonate with the anxieties of our precarious population, who have demonstrated that they share the language and milieu of our unstable workforce, and who guarantee aid and assistance for them and their families (be it short- or long-term) — they are the ones who tend to win,” he said in a Facebook Messenger chat.

Mr. Juliano said programmatic and reform-oriented candidates must learn and execute how to translate their platforms.

“Otherwise, they’re forever seen as technocratic bores or patronizing know-it-alls,” he added. “Local elections and the victory of reform candidates already showed how it can be done, and it is frustrating that national candidates, parties, and party-list groups (especially the opposition) keep failing the assignment,” he noted.

Mr. Juliano said a victory for the administration slate means easier passage of laws and regulations.

“Especially if the Senate is more amicable/pliable to presidential interests, the way the much-controlled Lower House is,” he added, but noted that it is not always guaranteed.

“Senatorial dynamics and the desire to project independence mean there will be instances when the Senate majority may even make common cause with non-admin/opposition/wildcard senators to stall certain legislation.”

The vote will decide control of the 315-seat House of Representatives and half the 24-member Senate.

Meanwhile, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) earlier said they are fully prepared to cushion any problems that may arise during today’s voting.

The Philippine Army has deployed 16,489 personnel to support the Philippine National Police and the Comelec in maintaining security during the election period.

Voting today will be open from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m., with over 18,000 elective positions up for grabs nationwide.

Philippines nudged to invite British aircraft carrier for joint sail, drills in South China Sea

PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

By Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio, Reporter

THE Philippines should invite a British Navy carrier group for a joint sail and combined maritime exercises in the South China Sea to reinforce international order in the contested waters following recent flare-ups between Manila and Beijing, security analysts said at the weekend.

“Inviting the British carrier group is not an option but is a must as the two nations are eyeing a military pact,” Chester B. Cabalza, founding president at Manila-based think tank International Development and Security Cooperation, said in a Facebook Messenger chat.

“The UK is known to the world as a leading bearer of international, rules-based order, and it is just fitting for London and Manila to conduct a joint sail and flight for the sake of freedom of navigation and overflight,” he added.

The UK Navy’s HMS Prince of Wales and its accompanying warships have embarked on an eight-month deployment across parts of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans in an effort to uphold international order, according to a Royal Navy statement.

The carrier group will conduct sea and air exercises with regional allies along its mission path, spanning the Mediterranean, Middle East, Southeast Asia, Japan, and Australia.

The British carrier group plans on hanging around the Indo-Pacific region, though naval engagements with the Philippines remain uncertain, UK Defense Attache to the Philippines Bea Walcott said last month.

“The Philippines should not hesitate to invite the British Carrier Strike Group for joint sail and maritime exercises,” Julio S. Amador III, chief executive officer at Manila-based geopolitical risk firm Amador Research Services, said in a Viber message.

“As a like-minded state which has expressed support to the Philippines’ stance on the importance of international law in managing disputes in the South China Sea, the UK has been a reliable security partner,” he added.

Manila has sought broader international support for its maritime claims in the South China Sea, which Beijing asserts sovereignty over based on a 1940s map. A 2016 ruling by a United Nations-backed tribunal deemed China’s claim baseless under international law.

The Southeast Asian nation is seeking closer ties with countries that advocate for a rules-based order and recognize international law as Beijing maintains its claims over the waterway by deploying an armada of ships and sustaining a presence on artificial islands.

Inviting the British carrier group for joint maritime drills would signal strengthened multinational resistance to China’s actions in the South China Sea, Rocio Salle Gatdula, a defense economist currently taking up security studies at Georgetown University, said in a Facebook chat.

Tensions between Manila and Beijing recently escalated following an encounter between their naval vessels near the hotly contested Scarborough Shoal and after Chinese state media reported Beijing had asserted control over a disputed reef close to a Philippine military outpost.

“China would most likely perceive this joint sail as a challenge to its territorial claims and a threat to its regional influence,” said Ms. Gatdula. “It may induce Beijing to deploy naval assets to monitor or disrupt exercises.”

London’s strategic posturing in the Indo-Pacific may face limitations, she added, citing its inability for sustained deployments in the region. “However, the UK positions its carrier deployments as a commitment to the rules-based international order, emphasizing freedom of navigation and deterring coercion.”

Planned impeach rap vs Marcos meant to tally Duterte allies

PHILIPPINE STAR/NOEL B. PABALATE

By Adrian H. Halili, Reporter

THE impending impeachment complaint against President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. may be meant to gauge and shore up allies willing to go up against the administration, an analysts said at the weekend.

“This can also be interpreted as a political move to check how many congressmen are entertaining the idea of going against the Marcoses, since we are also expecting that Marcos, Jr. is about to become lame-duck president after the midterms,” Arjan P. Aguirre, who teaches political science at the Ateneo de Manila University said in a Facebook Messenger chat.

Last week, the Duterte Youth party-list said they are set to file what would be the first impeachment complaint against Mr. Marcos.

The group attempted to submit their impeachment complaint to House Secretary-General Reginald S. Velasco last Thursday. Mr. Velasco, however, was not present to receive the impeachment complaint due to a scheduled strategic planning from May 6 to 8.

According to Mr. Aguirre, the move may have been meant to organize the allies of former President Rodrigo R. Duterte in the House of Representatives, especially as several new congressmen are set to take office in the next Congress.

“This is dependent on the turnover [in] tomorrow’s elections. Should there be enough upsets or defeats of incumbent admin allies, there is always the opportunity for it to hold,” Hansley A. Juliano, a political science lecturer from the Ateneo de Manila University said in a Messenger chat.

He added that the turnover of the 20th Congress will decide how much leverage Mr. Marcos has in leading and herding the lower house, through his cousin Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez.

“If there’s enough lost allies, nothing has stopped attempts at engineering Speaker turnovers before,” Mr. Juliano said.

Duterte Youth accused the President of culpable violation of the Constitution and betrayal of public trust for allowing the transfer of Mr. Duterte to the International Criminal Court (ICC).

According to their complaint, Mr. Marcos “ceded sovereign control over a domestic legal matter to an international body that no longer holds jurisdiction over the Philippines. This act is a blatant constitutional violation of national sovereignty.”

“President Marcos Jr.’s decisions and actions to unilaterally surrender former President Duterte to a foreign tribunal, is a betrayal of public trust. He exhibited gross inconsistency and bad faith, deceiving the Filipino people and failing to uphold his sworn duty to defend the Constitution and execute the country’s laws,” the group added.

Under the 1987 Constitution, Impeachable offenses include “culpable violation of the Constitution, treason, bribery, graft and corruption, other high crimes or betrayal of public trust.”

While it is still unclear how the impeachment complaint will affect ICC proceedings, Jemy Gatdula, Dean of University of Asia and the Pacific School of Law said in a messenger chat the court had said they will proceed regardless of the events in the Philippines.

Local police arrested Mr. Duterte on March 11, upon his arrival at Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila, acting on a warrant issued by the ICC. He was flown to the Netherlands hours later.

He is under investigation for his alleged crimes against humanity in connection with his government’s bloody war on drugs.

Tensions in BARMM escalate ahead of polls

PHILIPPINE STAR/KJ ROSALES

TENSIONS are running high in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) as violence, intimidation, and logistical issues raise concerns over the credibility of today’s midterm elections, an organization monitoring conflicts said.

Armed clashes, bombings, voter intimidation, and reports of disenfranchisement have marked the ten-day lead-up to the May 13 election across Maguindanao del Norte and Sur, Lanao del Sur, Cotabato City, and surrounding provinces, Climate Conflict Action (CCAA) said in a Boto Bangsamoro report released on May 10.

On May 10, the eve of the final campaign day, firefights in Pandag, Maguindanao del Sur, left four dead, including a local councilor and a village captain’s son. The firefights, which started the night before and escalated in the morning, has also displaced 70 families, CCAA noted.

Hours later in Shariff Aguak, two soldiers were wounded after government troops clashed with Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) fighters. Fighter jets were later spotted over the area.

“Violence is being employed as a deliberate strategy to suppress voter turnout. Armed clashes fueled by political rivalries often lead to the displacement of residents, particularly supporters of certain parties,” CCAA told BusinessWorld in a Viber chat. “Many are forced to flee their communities and are unable to return on election day due to legitimate fears for their safety.”

“Despite the ongoing violence, people will still go out and vote because the stakes are high in this election. Given the current atmosphere, the presence of security forces is not enough. There must be meaningful reinforcement of laws such as the electoral gun ban and the Firearms Law (RA10951),” it added.

Earlier, around 30 teachers in BARMM backed out of election duties, while delays in the release of voting materials were also reported in some areas.

United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP) candidate Esmail G. Mangudadatu, who is running for congressman, took to social media his frustration over delayed release of voting materials in Poblacion, Buluan, CCAA noted.

As on the morning of May 9, voting materials were released only in the municipalities of Datu Unsay, Shariff Aguak, Datu Hoffer, Ampatuan, and Datu Abdullah Sangki.

Authorities are also probing a spate of bombings, including one near the home of a vice-mayoral candidate in Datu Paglas and another outside a vice-gubernatorial candidate’s residence in Buluan.

In South Upi, home to many non-Moro Indigenous Peoples, missing voter names and malfunctioning ballot machines also stirred frustration.

A backup plan involving 41 spare automated counting machines (ACMs) remains in limbo as the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has yet to clarify their distribution.

Trust in electoral institutions is already eroding ahead of election day, CCAA noted.

“The distribution of voting materials has been marked by tension, including reported confrontations among party supporters during the final testing and sealing of ACMs. In previous elections, voters witnessed deliberate delays in the delivery of materials — where one barangay received them late while another began voting on time,” it said.

“If similar issues occur again, particularly in areas like Buluan, we can expect heightened tensions, potentially escalating into various forms of violence.”

Separately in Lanao del Sur, incidents of alleged “flying voters,” or individuals voting outside their registered precincts, have stoked fears of electoral manipulation.

In Calanogas, a video circulated online showing masked men threatening to kill suspected flying voters. In Maguing, 20 suspected outsiders were reportedly beaten.

The Philippine National Police confirmed the deployment of at least 700 officers to Marawi City and closed major access roads to prevent election interference, CCAA noted.

In Cotabato City, MILF’s armed wing, the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces, reportedly entered from nearby towns, adding to the already volatile atmosphere.

BARMM was supposed to hold its first Parliamentary elections today, but due to a Supreme Court ruling last year excluding Tawi-Tawi from the region, it was moved to Oct. 13. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

577 cases of red-tagging logged

PHILIPPINE STAR/ MICHAEL VARCAS

A GLOBAL human rights coalition had observed 577 cases of red-tagging across the country ahead of the May 12 Philippine midterm elections, according to the International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines (ICHRP)’s International Observer Mission (IOM).

“This level of systematic red-tagging is not only a violation of human rights, it’s a coordinated effort to intimidate and discredit democratic actors,” IOM Commissioner Colleen Moore said in a statement at the weekend.

Red-tagging, which involves accusing an individual or organization of sympathizing with communism, is prominently used against opposition figures in the Philippines.

The group said that victims of red-tagging include candidates along with their campaign staff, local organizers, and supporters. Red-tagging also targets progressive candidates, party-list groups, poll workers, and even the Commission in Elections (Comelec).

“Observers report a flood of red-tagging materials: flyers, leaflets, and posters falsely linking individuals and groups to the armed insurgency are being distributed in communities and plastered on walls near campaign venues,” the group said.

The international observers also logged 48 cases of threats, harassment, and intimidation in areas including Northern Luzon, Southern Luzon, and Northern Mindanao.

IOM said that there were 62 incidents of election-related violence recorded from Jan. 12 to April 28, citing government data. Of which, 35 reported incidents were confirmed to be politically motivated.

It added that there have been “alarming trends of armed intimidation and even killings,” seen in the Cordillera Administrative Region, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, and Calabarzon.

The IOM also reported that vote buying activities have surged in recent weeks with 176 cases of vote buying incidents logged within election hotspots.

The election observers said that payments ranged from P150 to P5,000 per voter, with most of the violators traced to entrenched political dynasties.

The IOM said that their observers have independently confirmed the widespread use of cash and goods in exchange for votes, especially in rural and high-poverty areas.

Under Article 12 of the Omnibus Election Code, vote-buying and vote-selling are punishable by imprisonment of not less than one year but not more than six years.

“Our mission is ongoing, but what we have observed so far is deeply concerning.” “The red-tagging of candidates, widespread vote-buying, and political killings are serious violations that threaten the integrity of the electoral process and the safety of our communities,” Mr. Moore said.

He said that the group remains “gravely concerned about the reported number of red-tagging, vote-buying and especially killings” in the Philippines. — Adrian H. Halili

Cases sought vs fake news peddlers

FREEPIK

THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) should file charges against those peddling fake news against Makabayan party-list groups and candidates, its campaign manager said on Sunday.

In a statement, Renato M. Reyes, Jr. called on the poll body to investigate and take legal action against those spreading false claims that Makabayan’s party-list groups were disqualified after being labeled as “terrorists.”

“The use of government logos and the fabrication of government documents to spread disinformation is a criminal offense,” he said. “The Comelec should investigate and file the necessary charges against those behind the Facebook posts and fabricated documents and news articles.”

The party-list also called on Filipino voters to be more vigilant and report those spreading fake news to Comelec and concerned media and social media platform. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

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