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AboitizPower’s solar farm in Negros Occidental ready for commercial operations

ABOITIZ RENEWABLES, INC.

ABOITIZ RENEWABLES, INC., the renewable energy subsidiary of Aboitiz Power Corp. (AboitizPower), has received approval from the grid operator to connect its 137.4-megawatt alternating current (MWac) solar power facility in Negros Occidental.

The National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) issued the final certificate of approval to connect for AboitizPower’s Calatrava Solar Power Plant (SPP), signaling the facility’s readiness for commercial operations, the company said in a statement on Thursday.

“Aboitiz Renewables is able to complete great projects like the Calatrava SPP with the strong collaboration from NGCP. We appreciate NGCP for working closely with us to bring this project online, and helping us progress our humble mission to deliver affordable, reliable, clean energy to customers,” said Aboitiz Renewables President Jimmy Villaroman.

Mr. Villaroman added that the facility contributes significant capacity to the grid and helps electricity suppliers meet their obligations under the Renewable Portfolio Standards.

Meanwhile, Aboitiz Renewables is getting ready to energize two more solar projects in Luzon. The Olongapo Solar Power Plant in Olongapo City and the San Manuel Solar Power Plant in Pangasinan are scheduled for testing and commissioning by the third quarter of 2025.

These facilities will connect to NGCP’s Castillejos 230-kilovolt (kV) and San Manuel 69-kV substations, respectively.

“The successful grid integration of Calatrava SPP, alongside these upcoming projects, highlights Aboitiz Renewables’ momentum in contributing to the country’s renewable energy growth,” Mr. Villaroman said.

Aboitiz Power is the holding company for the Aboitiz Group’s investments in power generation, distribution, and retail electricity services.

The company aims to build 3,700 megawatts of new renewable energy capacity by 2030. — Sheldeen Joy Talavera

‘Mr. Japan’ bends the knee — and falls on his sword

SHIGERU ISHIBA — COMMONS.WIKIMEDIA.ORG

By Gearoid Reidy

MR. JAPANfinally has his trade deal, after three months of talks. It looks like it will be his final act.

After a third successive blow from the Japanese electorate, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba blinked in trade talks with the US. He spent months seeking a complete removal of the levies that President Donald Trump held over the country, including those already imposed on cars.

“We will never accept tariffs, especially on autos,” Ishiba said in May, declaring the issue his red line. With vehicles long the main source of Trump’s ire — perhaps understandably, given that they account for more than three-quarters of the trade deficit — getting the president to back down was always going to be a tough ask, especially considering Japan’s lack of leverage.

But after Sunday’s hammering in the upper house election, which has left the prime minister with a minority in both houses of parliament and arguably the worst electoral record of any Liberal Democratic Party leader in history, Ishiba has seemingly accepted his fate. That’s why he agreed to the deal that will include 15% tariffs across the board, including on cars.

With this last piece of business concluded, local media indicates that less than a year into his term, Ishiba will soon announce his resignation. (The prime minister has subsequently denied the reports, which were made by multiple independent outlets.)

Trade envoy and close aide Ryosei Akazawa painted a positive picture. It was “mission completed” in the tariff talks, he cheerfully said in a post on X, pointing to a picture hung in the White House of Ishiba and Trump speaking at the Group of Seven meeting in Canada. He also denied any link between the agreement and the election results.

Certainly markets were pleased, with automakers surging after being freed from months of uncertainty. Toyota Motor Corp. rose by the most in nearly 40 years; the Topix headed for an all-time high.

And perhaps it’s as good a deal as Japan could expect. As with all these agreements, the devil is in the details: It still puts a 15% levy across the board on imports. While that’s less than the 25% “reciprocal” tariff that was threatened, and, most importantly, less than the 25% already imposed on auto imports in May, it’ll still be damaging for exporters. There’s an odd promise of $550 billion in investment in the US, and a more logical agreement for Japan to buy more US rice. The part about Japan opening “to trade including cars and trucks” is confusing, given that there are no barriers currently in place. But perhaps Ishiba has done what he should have in the beginning, and simply told Trump what he wants to hear — knowing it won’t, indeed can’t, be delivered.

But the agreement also removes the last piece of leverage the prime minister had left — the “national crisis” he said must be prioritized ahead of infighting. That’s been enough to keep the target off his back, until now. But after Sunday’s results, it’s clear he can’t be allowed to do any more harm.

In just 10 months, his weak leadership has resulted in an unstable political landscape that threatens to damage Japan for years. Conservative voters have deserted the LDP in droves — and headed to some disturbingly populist places. The landscape is so fractured that there also isn’t a viable opposition to take over, meaning the forecast is for parliamentary gridlock.

That’s why the LDP needs to win voters back. With the trade deal about to be done, Ishiba should leave as soon as possible. Many conservatives are eyeing the anniversary of the end of World War II next month, fearing he will further alienate right-leaning voters by undoing the groundbreaking statement by the late Shinzo Abe on the 70th anniversary a decade ago.*

It’s not Ishiba’s fault that relations with the US have been so tarnished. That blame lies with Trump. And by removing the uncertainty around tariffs, he will finally have done some good for the country.

But he will leave Japan in a weaker position than when he took office — and in search of direction once again.

BLOOMBERG OPINION

*Abe affirmed past apologies for the country’s wartime conduct while offering a more forward-looking vision of relations with its Asian neighbors.

How powerful is the Philippine passport?

The Philippine passport placed 72nd out of 199 passports, offering visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 65 destinations, out of 227 possible travel destinations, based on the July 2025 update of the Henley Passport Index (HPI). The HPI is an authoritative ranking of all the world’s passports according to the number of destinations their holders can access without a prior visa. The Philippine passport’s ranking ties with Mongolia and Sierra Leone.

How powerful is the Philippine passport?

Fantastic Four film feels like a beginning for Marvel’s first family

IMDB

LOS ANGELES — For actor Ebon Moss-Bachrach, the superhero film Fantastic Four: First Steps is different from other Marvel films because it is centered on a close-knit family.

“Our movie is about a family that’s been a family for many years, and they undergo this transformation together, which brings them even closer,” said Mr. Moss-Bachrach, who plays the character made of rocks named The Thing.

The Bear actor added that love is at the heart of the movie, especially when it comes to being in a “precarious situation” as “the custodians of the world.”

Echoing this, Pedro Pascal, who plays the super stretchy scientist Reed Richards, feels like the cast is like a family.

“We’re in our family and kind of holding hands together, waiting for the movie to be released into the world,” he said.

Disney’s Fantastic Four: First Steps introduces Marvel’s first family as they face the cosmic threat of Galactus, an intergalactic planet eater, in a futuristic 1960s-inspired world.

Joining Mr. Moss-Bachrach and Mr.Pascal are cast members Vanessa Kirby, who plays Reed’s wife with invisibility powers named Sue Storm, and Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm, who has fire powers.

Fantastic Four: First Steps, scored a positive 87% on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, is out now in Philippine theaters, with an MTRCB rating of PG.

“True to its subtitle, the film feels like a fresh start,” Peter Debruge of Variety wrote in a review.

Mr.Pascal feels the key to stepping into his popular roles in projects like Game of Thrones, The Mandalorian, and The Last of Us has been studying the content.

“I love paying attention to the legacy of characters and the legacy of material that you’re stepping into. I love being a part of an adaptation or something that has previous authorship, because it helps me,” he said.

Daniel Loria, senior vice-president at Boxoffice predicts that Fantastic Four: First Steps will open domestically at $115 to $135 million.

While sales are currently around $115 to $125 million, he noted an increase in ticket purchases over the last week that will likely draw closer to the $115 to $135 million range.

For director Matt Shakman, the film is a celebration of firsts in several different ways.

“The DNA of the Fantastic Four is the space race. So, first steps is an obvious reference to Neil Armstrong, and one small step for mankind,” he said.

“But it’s also baby first steps, you know. So, the idea of what having a baby will do to a family and changing a family. Also, about first steps for Marvel’s first family in the MCU, bringing them into the MCU for the first time,” he added. — Reuters

Peso up as US finalizes more trade deals

BW FILE PHOTO

THE PESO extended its climb against the dollar on Thursday amid easing market uncertainty as the United States finalized trade deals with more countries, including the Philippines.

The local unit surged to P56.65 per dollar, up by 23.1 centavos from its P56.881 finish on Wednesday, Bankers Association of the Philippines data showed. This was the peso’s best close in nearly two weeks or since it finished at P56.63 on July 14.

The peso opened Thursday’s trading session stronger at P56.68 against the dollar. Its intraday best was at P56.60, while its weakest showing was at P56.73 against the greenback.

Dollars exchanged went down to $1.37 billion on Thursday from $1.51 billion on Wednesday.

“The peso appreciated from growing market optimism as the US continues to secure trade agreements with its key trading partners ahead of the August 1 deadline set by President Donald J. Trump,” a trader said in a Viber message.

The local unit continued to get support from the deal secured by the Philippines after President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s three-day state visit to Washington this week, Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. Chief Economist Michael L. Ricafort said in a Viber message.

On Tuesday, Mr. Trump announced that the US will impose a 19% “reciprocal” tariff rate on Philippine exports to the world’s largest economy. This is below the threatened 20% but still higher than the 17% announced in April.

European Union diplomats said on Wednesday that the US was nearing a trade deal with Brussels, resulting in a broad 15% tariff on the bloc’s exports to the US, a day after agreeing deals with Japan and smaller trading partners, Reuters reported.

For Friday, the trader sees the peso moving between P56.50 and P56.75 per dollar, while Mr. Ricafort expects it to range from P56.55 to P56.80. — AMCS with Reuters

The costs of rehiring former employees

STOCK PHOTO | Image by vectorjuice from Freepik

The talent we want is scarce on the job market. As such, we’re thinking of rehiring resigned employees, many of whom are open to the idea. Would you view this as the best and fastest solution? Please advise. — Gossip Girl.

The answer is “yes” in terms of being a tentative solution. It could be the fastest solution, but not necessarily the best. One answer is to implement a long-term program in parallel with hiring “boomerang workers,” aka former employees who want to return.

However, a long-term program requires systematic coaching and intensive training of current workers, so they become eligible for promotion when the right time comes.

But you’re right. In a job market where finding and retaining talent feels like trying to catch water with a sieve, the idea of rehiring former employees is a practical option. They know the company culture, you know their strengths (and weaknesses), and onboarding is quicker.

What could go wrong? Let us count the ways. Some are obvious while others are hidden. While hiring boomerang employees makes strategic sense, many organizations easily overlook the hidden costs and unintended consequences.

It’s crucial to look beyond the nostalgia and convenience and assess whether returning employees are truly the best fit today and in the future, not yesterday.

FUTURE PROBLEMS
Before deciding on hiring boomerang workers, take a good look at their resignation letters. What was the reason for their departure? Whether it was low pay, burnout, interpersonal conflict, dissatisfaction with management, or misalignment with the company’s direction, the reasons that made them leave truly matter.

If those reasons haven’t changed — or if the root issues were never addressed — they could easily resurface. Rehiring someone without resolving those issues is like rebooting a software program without fixing the bug. It might run smoother at first, but the glitch is still there.

Therefore, what are the things you should look into when hiring boomerang workers? Here are the major ones:

One, the morale of current employees may plunge. Imagine being the employee who stayed, took on extra work, and remained loyal through tough times — only to see someone who left waltz back in, possibly enticed with a raise or a better title.

Boomerang hires can breed resentment. Other employees may start questioning whether loyalty is valued. If the returning employee brings baggage or demands special treatment, it can further fracture team cohesion.

Two, returnees may not adjust to the new normal. Companies evolve. Strategies shift. Cultures mature. The organization the employee left months or years ago may no longer be the same place they once knew. Rehired staff often come back expecting familiarity, only to find new leadership, new systems, and new dynamics.

This can cause frustration on both ends, especially if the returning employees try to reassert the old norms or cling to “how we used to do it.” In some cases, they become vocal critics of the company’s evolution, slowing down progress rather than supporting it.

Three, a clash between fresh eyes and familiar habits. New external hires question old assumptions, spot inefficiencies, and bring in best practices from other industries. Boomerang hires, by contrast, tend to revert to their old, familiar routines.

They’re often resistant to change and can become protectors of outdated and wasteful processes. While experience is valuable, it can also become a trap if not accompanied by adaptability.

Four, boomerang workers that failed with their past employer. Are they back for the right reasons? Are they returning for convenience? Is the former employee excited to rejoin the team, or was the return the result of “greener pastures” that turned out to be carabao grass?

While there’s nothing wrong with realizing a past job wasn’t so bad after all, managers must be cautious of rehires who treat the company like a fallback option.

Five, rehiring complicates internal equity. One of the stickiest challenges in management is ensuring fairness, and nothing screams “double standard” like giving a returning employee a faster track to promotion or higher pay than peers who stayed and performed consistently.

Even if the returning hire is worth it, managers must navigate the situation carefully. Overcompensating to win them back could cause current workers to question their growth potential.

Six, legal and policy considerations. Rehiring may also require HR gymnastics, especially in organizations with strict policies around tenure, benefits, or retirement eligibility. Does the returning employee retain their prior seniority rights?

Are they subject to probation again? Why or why not? What about their unused leave or previous severance agreements? Without clear policies, managers could find themselves navigating a minefield of unintended consequences — or worse, legal liability.

Rehiring former employees isn’t always a bad decision, but it should not be automatic. Managers must evaluate not just the person’s track record but the context of their return. Sometimes the best path forward is tapping external talent while also nurturing current workers, minus their old habits. The bottom line?

A familiar face is comforting, but growth often lives outside the comfort zone.

 

Ask questions and receive Rey Elbo’s insights for free. E-mail elbonomics@gmail.com or DM him on Facebook, LinkedIn, X, or via https://reyelbo.com. Anonymity is guaranteed.

Globe starts upgrades in Batanes to boost connection

PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

GLOBE TELECOM, Inc. said it is upgrading its mobile infrastructure network in Batanes to provide high-speed data to its mobile subscribers.

In a media release on Thursday, the Ayala-led telecommunications company said it is boosting its long-term evolution (LTE) capacity in Batanes amid the growing demand for connectivity.

“The deployment and expansion of 4G LTE provides a robust and resilient solution needed in remote island communities,” Globe said.

Globe Head of Service Planning and Engineering Joel R. Agustin said this move is also part of the company’s commitment to help bridge the digital divide by ensuring reliable and secure connection and mobile services in far-flung areas.

“The upgraded sites are a game-changer for Batanes, enabling faster downloads, smoother streaming, and more seamless online interactions for everyone,” it said.

Earlier this month, the company also announced that it had started the transition of more than 3,000 cell sites and other low-energy utilization facilities to renewable energy as part of its net-zero goal.

Globe said these cell sites are in Metro Manila and Calabarzon, with the full transition to renewables expected to be completed by 2028.

At the stock exchange on Thursday, shares in the company fell by P26, or 1.54%, to end at P1,664 apiece. — Ashley Erika O. Jose

How PSEi member stocks performed — July 24, 2025

Here’s a quick glance at how PSEi stocks fared on Thursday, July 24, 2025.


PAGCOR first-half gross gaming revenue hits P215B

STOCK PHOTO | Image from Rawpixel

THE Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) said on Thursday that gross gaming revenue (GGR) hit P215 billion in the first half.

“Of the P93.36 billion generated by the integrated resort casinos, P16 billion was paid to PAGCOR as license fees, ensuring funding for government social services and driving the country’s economic growth,” PAGCOR Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Alejandro H. Tengco said in a speech during the Philippine Hotel Connect 2025 event.

GGR was 26% higher year on year.

Integrated resorts revenue fell 5.86% from a year earlier.

As the online gaming comes under attack from supporters of stricter regulation, the outlook for integrated resorts remains bullish, industry officials said.

“I would say there is natural or organic demand for an online gaming experience,which is complementary to bricks-and-mortar gaming demand,” Gregory Francis Hawkins, president and chief operating officer of Bloomberry Resorts Corp. said at a panel discussion.

Mr. Hawkins sees a likely reduction in the contribution from the junket segment, with the mass-market and premium mass-market both growing slightly.

Jeffrey Rodrigo L. Evora, president and chief operating officer of Winford Resort & Casino Manila said his company is partnering with a junket operator to grow its VIP segment.

“We’re very excited about this mainly because we’ve never had a VIP market. We are really mass, premium mass, but the advantage of having this is that the segment is less volatile,” Mr. Evora said. — Aubrey Rose A. Inosante

Davao bus project targeted for pilot operations in 2027

ADB.ORG

THE Department of Transportation (DoTr) said it hopes to launch pilot operations for the Davao Bus project in 2027.

In a statement on Thursday, Transportation Secretary Vivencio B. Dizon said the pilot will cover the Catalunan Pequeño-Ulas-Bangkal-Matina-Bankerohan-Quirino-Bajada-Lanang-Buhangin-Sasa routes.

The DoTr said it is also launching the Davao Bus Driving academy to help staff with the 672-kilometer Davao Bus project.

The Davao Bus project, or the Davao Public Transport Modernization Program is valued at P73.38 billion, funded by loans from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the government.

The DoTr has said that it was targeting to operate the Davao Public Transport Modernization project by 2026.

The project is designed around a core service lane connecting major commercial centers; feeder routes to inner urban areas; and links between outer rural areas and terminals in Davao City.

The project has three main components — the establishment of a high priority bus system; the strengthening of institutional capacity to execute the project; and the delivery of social development programs.

The project is a network of over 100 kilometers of core routes and more than 500 kilometers of feeder routes.

In April, the DoTr bid out the contract for the project’s general administrative consultancy services. — Ashley Erika O. Jose

Hotel industry urges traveler-safety focus in promoting PHL destinations

FACEBOOK.COM/PHILIPPINEHOTELOWNERSASSOCIATION/

THE HOTEL industry said the Philippines needs to be actively positioned as a safe destination, noting the negative impact of safety rankings that portray the Philippines as unsafe.

“I think we also need to work with the government on a concerted effort in reintroducing the Philippines to all of our key markets, reminding everybody why we are different from Thailand, from Indonesia, and from the rest,” Francis Nathaniel C. Gotianun, senior vice-president at Filinvest Hospitality Corp., said during Philippine Hotel Connect 2025, organized by the Philippine Hotel Owners Association, Inc.  on Thursday.

HelloSafe released findings based on travel insurance data designating the Philippines as “the latest safe country on the planet,” but later withdrew the results of its study pending a review of its methodology.

Mr. Gotianun noted that the report negatively affected the hospitality industry.

“Of course we want to tell people, ‘Yes, you have to be careful but we need to put things in perspective,’ and we have a duty as you know leaders in our various areas to take that up and make sure that the right messages get out,” he added.

To attract more visitors, the hospitality industry must put the spotlight on the uniqueness of the Philippines, according to Ayala Land Hospitality Creative Director Paloma Urquijo Zobel De Ayala.

“Instead of… always chasing world-class, let’s just be exceptionally Filipino,” she said at a panel discussion during the event.

She also cited the need for more visitor options within driving distance from Manila. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz

Employers warned against coercing workers to show up despite flooding

PHILIPPINE STAR/EDD GUMBAN

By Adrian H. Halili, Reporter

LABOR analysts said extreme weather events are a threat to safety and warned employers not to pressure staff to show up during episodes of flooding.

“The recent floods are more than a weather crisis — they are a workers’ crisis. Flooding disrupts livelihoods, threatens physical safety, and exacerbates health risks. Government workers and private employees alike should not be coerced into unsafe work conditions,” Sentro ng mga Nagkakaisa at Progresibong Manggagawa Secretary-General Josua T. Mata said via Viber.

Mr. Mata proposed that the government adopt a protocol that designates certain events as hazardous, setting in motion a process that authorizes paid leave or remote work.

“Workers must not be forced to risk their lives getting to work. Having the capacity to issue timely warnings would need the government resuming full support for systems like Project NOAH’s hazard mapping,” he said.

He cited the need for hazard pay to be expanded and institutionalized.

“The government response for workers should not be about emergency relief alone — but about building systems that prioritize worker safety, decent work conditions, and climate-resilient communities,” Mr. Mata said.

The southwest monsoon, in conjunction with storms entering the Philippine Area of Responsibility brought heavy rains that flooded large portions of the Philippines this week, including the capital region.

Maria Ella Calaor-Oplas, an economics professor specializing in human capital development research at De La Salle University, said via Messenger chat that the government must enhance the system of worker protections during weather disturbances.

She added that industries must resort to work from home arrangements during extreme weather disturbances.

“In order for online or WFH set up to be effective, government should heavily invest in infrastructure… ensuring that everyone is reached with quality internet,” Ms. Oplas said.

Benjamin Velasco, assistant professor at the UP Diliman School of Labor and Industrial Relations called on Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) to enforce Republic Act 11058 or the Occupational Safety and Health Standards Law, which grants workers the right to reject unsafe work conditions.

DoLE’s Labor Advisory No. 17 of 2022 allows employers and business establishments to keep workers home “not only due to imminent danger in the workplace, but also during weather disturbances.”

“It seems not to apply to hazardous journeys to work. Since the government gives private sector employers the right to suspend work, the government must encourage them to be liberal and allow workers not to report for work if the latter deem it unsafe,” Mr. Velasco said via Messenger chat.

“Otherwise, employers can provide accommodations like shuttles or places to stay and/or sleep in the workplace,” he added.