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The comfort of routine

When a personal health crisis arises, requiring long hospitalization, it disrupts the flow of the day one is used to. A new set of activities take over, like having one’s blood extracted at 4 a.m. — Sorry to wake you up sir. Gone is the previ-ously predictable set of meetings and lunches, the old routine.

The comfort of routine, with its anticipated set of events, is not just embraced by old people who need to put handrails on their now retired state. It is also the refuge of organizations that are sometimes visited by the unexpected.

Airport congestion, resulting in cancellations of flights maybe from stalled airplanes blocking the runway due to floods, needs to be untangled. The stranded passengers have to eventually be rebooked, the runway cleared, and the flights rescheduled in an orderly manner before the airport authorities can declare “business as usual.” Back to the routine.

A crisis is considered defused only when the expected routine is restored, and the organization is back on its feet to deliver its products and services as its customers are used to.

Disruptions of all sorts derail the ordinary course of business and life. They include interruptions like power outages, elevator repairs, floods, labor strikes, pandemics, and supply chain interruptions that result in the shortage of rice and chickens. These glitches throw off the business routine and require soothing assurances from management of an expected return to normalcy, even giving a timeline (power will be restored by tomorrow morning).

Even planned inconveniences like lobby renovations or rerouting of traffic due to the laying of new water pipes need to project how long the departure from routine is likely to take. Still, even the reduced status of service provision is announced as uninterrupted — we are still open. Such an assurance already presumes that expectations of a complete range of products and services being unavailable — chicken rice will not be on the menu today.

In situations where a crisis is as yet not publicly admitted, the illusion of normalcy is even more critical to maintain, like a placid duck floating above the water with its feet frantically paddling underneath.

This story of hiding a crisis and projecting a state of wellbeing is explored by the acclaimed Japanese director, Akira Kurosawa, in his classic film, Kagemusha. A petty criminal look-alike is recruited by a Shogun to be his double. When the lord is wounded in battle and eventually dies, the double assumes his role in ceremonies and staged events, learning his mannerisms to keep the illusion going. The deception of strength is a delaying tactic to ward off hostile attack while in a weakened state.

The use of a political decoy, such as the one employed by the Takeda Clan in the Kurosawa movie, has its risks. Attempts at normalcy while covering up a crisis can be eroded by whist and explanations that lose their con-sistency. Such crises like undisclosed health problems of leaders, unfinished projects, or failure to meet debt obligation involve a big cast of characters and have many moving parts.

Companies with an internal crisis sometimes choose to hide this from the public, or even from their investors, hoping to somehow address them quietly. This strategy of non-disclosure, even when the magnitude of the problem is a sur-vival issue, like an unreported financial loss or a bad investment that needs to be written off, sometimes seems the only option. Public knowledge of the real situation can go beyond reputational risk.

Maintaining the veneer of business-as-usual in an undisclosed crisis does not have to be a conspiracy. But so often, it is still a shared secret of those in the know, keeping many others in the dark. Like the meteors that wiped out the dinosaurs that lived for a hundred million years (give or take a few centuries), disrupters of even dominant businesses can wipe out a corporate species, even a market leader. A change in technology can do that.

Even in life, getting back to a routine after a crisis is part of the healing process. How comforting it is to have a day unfold according to expectations. No surprises? Isn’t that too predictable? Even boredom can be embraced. Thursday is the schedule for sushi. Yes, you won’t forget. (Or you can go for ribeye steak instead.)

Federal Reserve tools, goals under microscope as new US Congress task force gets underway

REUTERS

WASHINGTON — A new task force in the Republican-controlled US House of Representatives on Tuesday began an examination of the US Federal Reserve’s role and goals, with Republicans raising questions about its track record on controlling inflation, and Democrats on watch for the impact of President Donald J. Trump’s freshly imposed tariffs and other economic policies.

Unlike some congressional task forces that mostly operate on the back burner, the Monetary Policy, Treasury Market Resilience, and Economic Prosperity Task Force’s inaugural hearing drew support from the committee’s top leadership, with both Chairman French Hill and the House Financial Services Committee’s top Democrat, Representative Maxine Waters, querying witnesses.

Each set the tone for their side of the aisle at the hearing, which comes as the Fed itself begins what’s expected to be a six-month review of its approach to achieving its congressionally mandated goals of price stability and full employment.

Mr. Hill aired concerns over the size of the Fed’s balance sheet and questioned the feasibility of the employment mandate, given the many forces that impact the labor market beyond central bank control, both longtime sticking points for Republicans critical of the Fed’s handling of the economy.

Though Fed Chair Jerome H. Powell has said the Fed’s 2% inflation goal will not be up for discussion in its own framework review, Mr. Hill said he felt the target is too high and unnecessarily erodes the public’s purchasing power.

Other Republicans took up that baton, but also touched on a wide range of other topics including ideas on how to ease regulation.

In one of the more heated moments, Republican Andy Barr forcefully advocated for stripping the Fed of its responsibility to fund the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which recently was put on ice by the Trump ad-ministration, and giving it instead to Congress.

Ms. Waters, the committee’s top Democrat, shook her finger and repeatedly mouthed the word “no” to nearby colleagues.

Ms. Waters for her part called out the rising price of eggs and the potential for Mr. Trump’s new tariffs to make inflation worse, a point that several other Democrats also took up.

Other Democrats, like Representative Juan Vargas from California, questioned Mr. Trump’s executive order asserting control over independent government agencies, which he said could threaten the Fed’s independence and thus its effectiveness in fighting inflation. Mike Konczal, former chief economist for the Biden administration’s National Economic Council, told the panel that though the order carves out the Fed’s monetary policy from White House control, “there’s no way to have a strict wall of separation between monetary policy and regulatory policy.”

Fed watchers are waiting to see how the central bank will interact with and be responsive to the group. No current Fed policy makers appeared at Tuesday’s hearing. The Fed assiduously guards its monetary policy independence, which economists say is critical to a central bank’s ability to fight inflation effectively. At the same time Mr. Powell readily acknowledges that the central bank is accountable to congressional oversight.

The 14-member task force, led by Representative Frank Lucas from Oklahoma, features a mix of veteran lawmakers who have spent considerable time on issues related to the Fed. Eight of them have met with Mr. Powell at least once since he became chair in 2018. — Reuters

Dining In/Out

LongHorn Steakhouse opening at Shangri-La Plaza Mall

INTERNATIONAL CHAIN LongHorn Steakhouse will be opening this month at Streetscape, Shangri-La Plaza Mall. The restaurant brings steak cravings to a fore with one-of-a-kind proprietary seasonings, and choice cuts like the bone-in Outlaw Ribeye, Flo’s Filet (center cut with signature seasoning), the New York Strip, and the Fire-Grilled T-Bone. LongHorn’s expertise extends beyond steaks with a menu that also features Baby Back Ribs, Parmesan Crust-ed Chicken, Bourbon-marinated Grilled Salmon, and Hand-breaded Chicken Tenders. There are also a variety of salads, shareable appetizers, signature sides, and desserts, including the Chocolate Stampede. Guests can likewise enjoy a range of margaritas and other hand-crafted cocktails, wine, or draft beer from LongHorn’s full bar. The entry of LongHorn in the Philippines is courtesy of The Bistro Group whose portfolio of local and international brands total 26, with 225 stores nationwide. Founded in 1981, LongHorn Steakhouse’s first location was in Atlanta, Georgia. Today, LongHorn Steakhouse has over 590 locations worldwide and is headquartered in Orlando, Florida.


Barilla Pasta Championship Asia calls for chefs

BARILLA is inviting chefs from the Philippines to showcase their culinary talent and celebrate their passion for Italian cuisine in the second edition of the Barilla Pasta Championship Asia. The winner will have the opportunity to pit their culinary skills and creativity against other chefs from China, India, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, and Vietnam in the Asia Finals in October. Whether seasoned professionals or rising chefs in the industry, participants will use pasta as a canvas for creativity, demonstrating their expertise and passion for Italian cooking. The event is organized by Barilla for Professionals. Applications are now open until April 15 and interested chefs are encouraged to submit their signature pasta dish featuring Barilla Spaghetti n.5 or Penne Rigate as the focal point. A step-by-step preparation must accompany each submission. The entries will be evaluated by a panel of judges. Key judging criteria include aesthetic appeal, harmony of flavors and technical execution, with a strong emphasis on achieving the perfect al dente texture. All National Finalists will receive a personalized Barilla for Professionals chef jacket as a symbol of their achievement. The top three winners from the Asia Finals will embark on a culinary tour to Parma, Italy, a UNESCO Creative City for gastronomy and the home of Barilla where they will engage with top chefs and industry leaders. The top three Asia finalists will also receive cash prizes of up to €3,000. Applications are now open. For more details and submission of entries, go to https://www.barillaforprofessionals.com/global/pastachampionshipasia/.


Red Ribbon is dedicated to caramel

RED RIBBON’S newest creation is the Supreme Caramel-Mocha Dedication Cake — a birthday cake that combines two flavors as it is made with decadent caramel, mocha icing, and rich caramel drippings. Prices start at P599. Visit the nearest Red Ribbon store or order via the Red Ribbon app or delivery website, or via the GrabFood and foodpanda apps.


7-Eleven introduces Premium Beef Sausage

7-ELEVEN’S Big Bite line gets a bold and beefy twist with Big Bite Premium Beef Sausage for P75. Also offered are new condiments for P5, like cheese and mustard, and soon chili con carne. The Beef Sausage is now available in se-lect 7-Eleven Luzon stores.


McDonald’s introduces Chili Con Carne Dunk

DAYS AFTER it brought back the Cheese Dunk, McDonald’s Philippines is whipping up a new Dunk flavor — the Chili Con Carne Dunk. The new Chili Con Carne Dunk takes McDonald’s signature burgers, with its premium ground beef simmered in a secret blend of spices. “We Filipinos love our sawsawan (sauces). With our Double Dunks, we’re celebrating this uniquely Filipino eating habit by allowing our customers to take their McDonald’s experience to the next level with not just one, but two extraordinary dunking options,” said Ashley Santillan-Delgado, McDonald’s Philippines’ marketing director, in a statement. There is an exclusive promo for Double Dunk on the McDonald’s App. Until March 14, customers can score a Double Dunk meal for P175, which includes a classic Cheeseburger, Small Fries, a drink, and both the Cheese Dunk and Chili Con Carne Dunk. This limited-time offer is available for dine-in, take-out, and drive-through via the McDonald’s App.

How PSEi member stocks performed — March 5, 2025

Here’s a quick glance at how PSEi stocks fared on WednesdayMarch 5, 2025.


China monitored Philippine supply mission to grounded warship at shoal

BRP SIERRA MADRE, a marooned transport ship which Philippine Marines live in as a military outpost, sits on the disputed Second Thomas Shoal, part of the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea. — REUTERS

THE Chinese Coast Guard on Wednesday said it monitored a Philippine civilian boat delivering supplies to an “illegally grounded” warship at the disputed Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea on Tuesday.

China urges the Philippines to honor its commitments, stop hyping up incidents in the area and work with China to manage the maritime situation, the coast guard said in a statement on Wednesday.

Resupply missions for soldiers aboard the BRP Sierra Madre, a World War II-era warship that Manila grounded at the shoal in 1999 to assert its claim, has been a significant cause of tension between the two countries until they reached a provisional agreement in July on such missions.

China and the Philippines claim the territory and frequently clash in its surrounding waters. In January, they also agreed to seek common ground and find ways to cooperate despite their sea dispute.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines said it had completed the routine troop rotation and resupply mission to BRP Sierra Madre “in resolute commitment to maintaining its presence and operational readiness in the West Philippine Sea.”

It carried out the mission with the Philippine Coast Guard which was “completed with no untoward incident,” it said in a statement.

“This marks the fifth consecutive routine troop rotation and resupply mission at BRP Sierra Madre… without any untoward incident,” military spokesman Xerxes A. Trinidad said in a separate statement.

A contingent of Filipino marines are stationed on the marooned ship, living in the dilapidated vessel serving as an active military outpost in a region where China and the Philippines claim territory and frequently clash.

Tensions between Manila and Beijing flared in June last year after the Chinese Coast Guard rammed and boarded Philippine vessels attempting to resupply the moored ship.

The two nations agreed on an arrangement to ease tensions at Second Thomas Shoal a month after the incident.

The Philippines and China have been at loggerheads over disputed features in the South China Sea, which Beijing claims almost in its entirety. A United Nations-backed tribunal based in the Hague in 2016 voided China’s claim for being illegal.

Philippine forces routinely conduct resupply missions about every two months to rotate stationed troops and bring in provisions. China had tried to block Philippine ships from resupplying BRP Sierra Madre.

China has expansive territorial claims in the South China Sea that overlap with the exclusive economic zones of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam.

Also on Wednesday, the Philippine Air Force grounded the fleet of its most advanced fighter jet as it launched an investigation of the crash of one of its units, it said in a statement.

An FA-50 plane went missing on Tuesday after it lost contact with other aircraft involved in a military operation minutes before reaching their target area in southern Philippines.

Military troops found the aircraft and the bodies of the two pilots on Mt. Kalatungan in Bukidnon province in Mindanao.

“The wreckage, all indications point to it being a crash,” air force spokesperson Ma. Consuelo N. Castillo told a virtual news briefing. “The investigation is also looking at the angle of engine damage as the aircraft could have been fired at.”

The Philippines bought 12 Korean-made FA-50 light fighter jets for a total of P18.9 billion in 2014 as part of efforts to modernize its aging military arsenal amid sea tensions with China. The jets are the Southeast Asian nation’s most advanced fighter aircraft. Its military plane inventory mostly consists of turboprops. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio with Reuters

Palace says it won’t appeal imminent PhilHealth ruling

STOCK PHOTO | Image by ORION HOSPITAL from Pixabay

MALACAÑANG on Wednesday said it would comply with the Supreme Court’s forthcoming ruling on lawsuits questioning the transfer of billions of pesos of funds from Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) to the national Treasury.

“Whatever the Supreme Court orders, we will comply with it,” Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire B. Castro told a news briefing in Filipino. “We will not oppose it, nor will we resist whatever the Supreme Court mandates.”

This comes after Justice Antonio T. Kho, Jr. called for a major overhaul of PhilHealth, including changes to its board, over its failure to fully implement mandated benefits for members.

During a court hearing on lawsuits questioning the transfer of P89.9 billion in the agency’s funds to the government the magistrate called out the government for PhilHealth’s shortcomings, saying the burden should not fall on shortchanged members.

He also urged PhilHealth to ask President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. to return the P60 billion in PhilHealth funds that were transferred to the national Treasury as unprogrammed funds, arguing that the funds should instead be used to expand benefits, improve services, and hire additional personnel to address the country’s healthcare needs.

Mr. Kho scolded PhilHealth and Health officials for disregarding the law when it comes to its budget requests for subsidy.

Under the law, a portion of the revenue from excise taxes on tobacco and alcohol products is used to fund the state health insurer. These funds help expand PhilHealth coverage, particularly for indigent and poor Filipinos, ensuring their access to essential health services.

In 2024, the government initiated the transfer of P89.9 billion from PhilHealth to the national Treasury, labeling these as “excess funds.” The money was supposed to fund various projects, including infrastructure and social services.

PhilHealth was supposed to transfer P29.9 billion more to the state before the tribunal stopped it from doing so in October.

The plaintiffs argued that PhilHealth funds, taken from member contributions and specific taxes, should be exclusively used for health-related purposes, as mandated by the Universal Health Care Act. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

Marcos signs law allowing Pinoy professionals to earn a college degree

COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION FACEBOOK PAGE

PHILIPPINE President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., has signed into law a measure that allows working Filipino professionals to earn a college degree through accredited work experience and prior learning, bypassing traditional schooling methods.

The President enacted the Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program Act on Feb. 3, the presidential palace said in a statement on Wednesday.

“The [law] will identify, assess, validate and assign equivalent undergraduate level and special graduate programs of prior learning from formal, nonformal and informal learning systems and relevant work experiences to qualified individuals for the grant of appropriate academic degrees,” it said.

The Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) will take the lead in enforcing the law.

CHEd is will deputize higher education institutions to offer academic degrees under the law, establishing standards for diverse assessment methods that evaluate skills, values, knowledge and competence levels, and granting or revoking institutions’ authority to administer the program.

It will also oversee and assess the implementation of the program, with its Office of Programs and Standards Development serving as the permanent technical secretariat that will enforce the law.

Filipino citizens, whether based in the Philippines or overseas, may apply for equivalency and accreditation if they meet the requirements.

Applicants must be at least 23 years old and should have completed a secondary education program.

This can be proven through a high school diploma or a certification from the Philippine educational placement test or the alternative learning system accreditation and equivalency assessment, indicating their eligibility for college admission.

Applicants must have a minimum of five years of cumulative work experience in an industry relevant to the academic degree or discipline for which they seek equivalency. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

Escudero won’t convene court despite signature drive to begin Duterte’s trial

Senate President Francis G. Escudero — SENATE PRIB

SENATE PRESIDENT Francis G. Escudero on Wednesday said he will stick to initial plans to start the impeachment trial of Vice-President Sara Duterte-Carpio in open session, despite a faith-based group’s campaign to gather signa-tures, pressing the Senate to begin proceedings.

“No number of signatures will amend the law nor convince me to violate it by convening the impeachment court during recess and without complying with the requisite conditions precede,” Mr. Escudero said in a message sent to reporters.

This was in response to the People’s Impeachment Movement’s campaign to gather one million signatures, calling the Senate to convene as an impeachment court immediately.

“The law is not bendable and should not bow to anyone’s dictate simply because of their own desire, bias and timetable of wanting to rush the impeachment proceedings vs. VP Sara,” Mr. Escudero added.

The Senate President had earlier stated that the Senate can only convene as an impeachment court once it is in session. He also refused to call for a special session as it does not meet the requirements under the 1987 Constitu-tion.

According to a proposed impeachment calendar, issued to legislators last week, the Senate would present the articles of impeachment and approve the revised Rules on the Procedure on Impeachment Trials once it reconvenes on June 2.

The proposed start of the trial is scheduled for July 30 once newly elected Senators take oath as impeachment judges on July 29.

Mr. Escudero said earlier that the impeachment trial would likely be concluded before the October recess.

The House of Representatives impeached Ms. Duterte on Feb. 5 through an impeachment complaint filed and signed by 215 congressmen, which is more than the one-third legal requirement mandated under the Constitution.

On the same day, the House transmitted the impeachment complaint to the Senate, just as both chambers went on a four-month break for the 2025 midterm elections. Congress will reconvene for a two-week session on June 2.

The ouster charges against the Vice-President included seven articles of impeachment, such as the misuse of secret funds, amassing unexplained wealth, committing acts of destabilization, and allegedly plotting the assassination of the President, the First lady, and the Speaker of the House. — Adrian H. Halil

First yellow alert raised in Luzon

ANDREY METELEV-UNSPLASH

A YELLOW ALERT was raised over the Luzon grid on Wednesday amid higher forecasted demand and power plants that were on forced outages, the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) said.

In an advisory, the NGCP said that the Luzon grid was placed on yellow alert between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Peak demand hit 11,829 megawatts (MW) against the available capacity of 12,488 MW.

A total of 3,362.3 MW was unavailable to the grid as 12 power plants have been on forced outage and 16 plants are running on derated capacities.

NGCP attributed the declaration of yellow alert to the increase in forecasted demand from 11,325 MW in the morning to 11,829 in the afternoon. The grid operator also noted the significant number of power plants on un-planned or forced outages.

A yellow alert is issued when the operating margin is insufficient to meet the transmission grid’s contingency requirement.

The Visayas and Mindanao grids, on the other hand, are under normal conditions.

Last year, the Philippines was placed under 16 red alerts and 62 yellow alerts which led to brownouts and power interruptions. — Sheldeen Joy Talavera

MMDA reinstates heat stroke break

PHILIPPINE STAR/ MIGUEL DE GUZMAN

THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has reinstated its 30-minute “heat stroke break” policy for field personnel, including traffic enforcers and street sweepers, as Metro Manila braces for dangerously high temperatures.

In a statement on Wednesday, MMDA said Chairman Romando S. Artes issued a memorandum mandating the staggered implementation of the policy to ensure continuous field operations while mitigating heat-related risks for workers.

The directive, effective from March 3 to May 31, comes in response to rising heat index forecasts for the capital region.

“We acknowledge the challenges being faced by our traffic enforcers and street sweepers who diligently work in the heat to fulfill their duties and responsibilities; their well-being is crucial, and this initiative seeks to mitigate health-related illnesses among them, especially with the sudden rise in the heat index in Metro Manila,” said Mr. Artes.

In cases where the heat index in Metro Manila surpasses 40°C, an additional 15-minute break will be permitted to help personnel avoid heat exhaustion, cramps, and stroke.

The policy grants on-duty personnel scheduled 30-minute breaks to rehydrate and seek shelter from the sun. Traffic enforcers working various shifts will take breaks at designated times. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

UNDP, Japan tie up for BARMM project

THE UNITED NATIONS Development Programme (UNDP) and the Japanese government on Wednesday has initiated a $3 million (454 million yen) project aimed at supporting the economic development of communities in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

The Project for Promoting Human Security through the Community Economic Development and Livelihood Initiatives in Bangsamoro Region in the Philippines (CEDAR) is a three-year program that would focus on 12 communities that have been affected by conflict in the region.

“Project CEDAR aims to contribute to an enabling environment for sustainable area-based development in the conflict-affected and vulnerable communities, promote human security through community economic development and live youth initiative, and enhance local capacities to implement community transformation of the process,” UNDP Philippines Resident Representative Selva Ramachandran said during the signing ceremony.

The CEDAR project will run from April 1 to March 31, 2028 and funded by the Japanese Government.

“This project’s duration of three years will allow for more sustained engagements and a wider window for relevant supports.” Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Endo Kazuya said.

The project will target 12 communities in BARMM and surrounding areas, particularly in Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) areas.

The UN agency did not disclose specific locations; however, it is targeting to reach four MILF communities outside six acknowledged camps, four MNLF communities, two non-Moro Indigenous Peoples communities, and two Christian settler communities. — Adrian H. Halili

SC asks Quimbo to appear in debates

WIKIMEDIA/PATRICKROQUE01

THE Supreme Court (SC) ordered key lawmakers to appear during the hearing on a lawsuit questioning the constitutionality of the 2025 national budget on April 1 in Baguio City.

Solicitor General Menardo I. Guevarra said Acting House Appropriations Chair Stella Luz A. Quimbo and other members of the technical working group have been summoned by the top court during the oral arguments on the petition filed by former Presidential Spokesman Victor D. Rodriguez questioning the 2025 budget.

“Yes, Rep. Stella Quimbo and the TWG staff have been required by the SC to attend the oral arguments on April 1, which may last until April 3, in Baguio City,” he told reporters in a chat group.

The plaintiffs alleged the removal of the Philippine Health Corp.’s (PhilHealth) budget violated the constitutional right to health and undermined the Universal Health Care Act.

The petitioners also alleged that the education budget was misleadingly inflated by including unrelated agencies, failing to uphold the constitutional mandate to prioritize education.

Moreover, it was pointed out that the bicameral conference committee submitted a budget with blank items, which they deemed illegal and susceptible to falsification. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana