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ABS-CBN Corp. to conduct 2025 Annual Meeting of the Stockholders via remote communication on June 26

 

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Entertainment News (06/03/25)

Superman filmmakers, stars to visit Philippines in June

THE first stop of the blockbuster film Superman world tour is Manila this month. Filmmakers James Gunn and Peter Safran and stars David Corenswet (who plays Clark Kent/Superman) and Rachel Brosnahan (who plays Lois Lane) will be traveling all over the world. Scheduled for June 19, the Manila stop includes a fan event to be held at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall. The movie itself opens in cinemas and IMAX on July 9, distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures.

Araneta City launches Araneta Rewards

ARANETA REWARDS, a new loyalty program, is now available through the updated Araneta City mobile app. It will notify members of mall sales and events. Members can also book Gateway Cineplex 18 tickets in advance and check real-time parking availability across over 10,000 slots. The app will also send updates on upcoming shows at the Smart Araneta Coliseum and New Frontier Theater. The Araneta City mobile app is now available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, and points can now be earned with Araneta Rewards.

Miley Cyrus releases new album

MILEY CYRUS’ 9th studio album, Something Beautiful, is out now via Columbia Records and available on all streaming platforms. The 13-track album blends emotional clarity with expansive, cinematic production. It features the new song “Easy Lover.” A full-length visual companion to the album will premiere on June 6 at the Tribeca Festival, directed by Ms. Cyrus, Brendan Walter, Jacob Bixenman, and filmmaker Panos Cosmatos. It will have a one-night theatrical release in the US and Canada on June 12, with international screenings beginning June 27.

Jessica Soho marks 40 years with digital archive

TO MARK her 40th year in journalism in 2025, GMA Public Affairs has launched “Jessica Soho @40: Telling the Story of Filipinos.” This digital archive is available on GMA Public Affairs’ YouTube channel. It takes viewers through the journalist’s four-decade legacy of public service and storytelling excellence in her news show. It features curated exclusives, landmark reports, and deeply human stories that shaped national conversations and gave voice to the unheard. New content will be uploaded weekly.

Offshore Music drops Eraserheads tribute album

INDIE LABEL Offshore Music has honored the iconic OPM band The Eraserheads with a tribute record focusing on their album Cutterpillow. Featuring emerging acts, the tribute album marks the 30th anniversary of the landmark alternative rock album and offers a fresh take on the classic tracks. These include Diego’s Scenes and Ligaya Escueta’s emo-charged take on “Back2Me,” Elton Clark’s synth-pop spin on “Torpedo,” Carousel Casualties’ fun rendition of “Walang Nagbago,” Pinkmen’s harmony-rich version of “Ang Huling El Bimbo,” Pixie Labrador’s Lilith Fair-flavored style “Fill Her,” ALYSON’s slick city pop render of “Huwag Mo Nang Itanong,” ena mori’s theatrical reworking of the title track, and Amateurish and Stef Aranas’ dynamic redo of “Superproxy.” Offshore Music is set to premiere a companion online docuseries on June 6, with new episodes dropping every Friday through August.

HOKA to push Global Running Day campaign

ON JUNE 4, HOKA is inviting everyone to celebrate movement in all its forms through the Global Running Day campaign “One Day. All Ways.” The products it is promoting include the Clifton 10 or Bondi 9 for daily miles, the Cielo X1 2.0 or Rocket X2 on race day, trail-friendly kicks Mafate X or Speedgoat, or comfortable hiking buddies Hopara or Anacapa. To run with HOKA, visit any of its stores in One Ayala Mall, GH Mall, SM Aura, and Ayala Malls Manila Bay, as well as Planet Sports Asia TriNoma, Planet Sports Galleria Cebu, Planet Sports Clark City Front Mall, Runnr BGC, Planet Sports Ayala Center Cebu, and online at HOKA.com.

Sponge Cola releases new singles

FILIPINO rock band Sponge Cola has dropped their newest single, “Liwanag,” accompanied by an official music video. The upbeat, feel-good anthem captures Sponge Cola’s signature pop-rock energy, with bright guitars, driving drums, and Yael Yuzon’s unmistakable vocals. It is inspired by the spirit of Filipino summer road trips and spontaneous barkada adventures. Its music video mirrors that vibrant mood, following the band on a summer escapade with friends. It is out now on all digital music streaming platforms.

Thai horror movie Don’t Sleep in Ayala Malls Cinemas

AYALA Malls Cinemas is exclusively bringing to Philippine theaters another Asian horror film this month. The Thai horror-thriller Don’t Sleep, starring Atiwat Saengtien and Pantipa Arunwattanachai, opens on June 4. It is rated R-16. Set against the backdrop of modern-day Thailand, it blends ancient Thai folklore with contemporary themes of guilt, grief, and redemption. The film follows a group of friends who inadvertently awaken dark spirits while playing with a mystical version of a ouija board which plunges them into a harrowing battle for survival.

Thai rapper Milli showcases new single

RISING Thai rapper MILLI has just released a peek at her upcoming album with the single “MENACE,” a suave crossover track with introspective lyrics. The music video is directed by Rose-Ruangsroi Aksornsawang, an award-winning film director, who brought cinematic visuals to an intense storyline that reflects the themes of the upcoming album HEAVYWEIGHT. “MENACE” is out now on all digital music streaming platforms.

Italian Film Festival 2025 returns this June

THE Philippines’ iteration of the Italian Film Festival is back. Happening on June 6 and 7 at Cinema 2, SM Aura, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, this two-day celebration of contemporary Italian cinema is presented by the Embassy of Italy in Manila and the Philippine-Italian Association. Check out the lineup at SM Aura and Italian Film Festival 2025’s social media pages.

New films on HBO Max this June

THE HBO Original film Mountainhead will premiere this month. Created by seven-time Emmy winner Jesse Armstrong, it stars Steve Carell, Cory Michael Smith, Ramy Youssef, and Jason Schwartzman as four rich tech leaders who gather for a poker weekend in a mountain mansion. Mountainhead premieres on June 1. Meanwhile, Award-winning movies such as The Brutalist (June 21) and Nosferatu (June 28) will also arrive on the platform this month.

Morissette returns to the concert stage with Ember

FILIPINO singer Morissette is set to headline a solo concert, Ember, on Oct. 28, 8 p.m., at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. It will celebrate 15 years of music, milestones, and global impact, charting her early days as a powerhouse teen vocalist on The Voice of the Philippines, to performing alongside icons like Michael Bolton and Alan Menken, to her award-winning performance in the musical film Song of the Fireflies which premieres in cinemas on June 25. Ticket details for Ember will be released soon.

Prime Video releases June slate of TV shows, movies

PRIME VIDEO is turning up the heat this June with a lineup of new titles, including the sci-fi adventure Borderlands (June 9), the action-comedy Deep Cover (June 12), and the haunting mystery series We Were Liars (June 18), based on the best-selling novel. Fans of supernatural romance can look forward to Head Over Heels (June 23), while crime drama enthusiasts can expect Countdown (June 25), led by Jensen Ackles.

Puregold to hold OPM Con in July

THE music event OPM Con 2025, hosted by supermarket chain Puregold, is coming up on July 5. It will bring together some of the biggest names in Filipino music: SB19, BINI, Flow G, Skusta Clee, KAIA, G22, and SunKissed Lola, among others. Over 50 Puregold branches will be giving free tickets to the event, with a minimum single receipt purchase of groceries that corresponds to their ticket type: P1,500 worth of purchases for general admission, P2,500 worth for Upper Box, P3,500 worth for Lower Box Regular, P4,500 worth for Lower Box Premium, P5,000 worth for Regular Patron, P6,000 worth for Premium Patron, and P7,500 worth for VIP Standing with Sound Check. For more information, visit Puregold and Ticketnet.

AXEAN Festival goes to Bali this September

FROM Sept. 13 to 14, the AXEAN Festival will light up the Jimbaran Hub in Bali, Indonesia, as musicians from all over Southeast Asia prepare to perform onstage. The intra-regional music event will showcase over 40 emerging and established acts. For the first time, the AXEAN Festival will be shining a spotlight on Southeast Asia’s burgeoning rave, dance, and electronic culture with the launch of its SEA Club Showcase, a live music platform dedicated to regional electronic subcultures — Indonesian funkot or dangdut, Vietnamese vinahouse, Singaporean/Malaysian manyao, and Filipino budots. 

The Fray’s 20th anniversary tour comes to Manila

AMERICAN pop-rock band The Fray is set to bring its How to Save a Life: 20th Anniversary Tour to the Philippines on Dec. 12 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Celebrating two decades since the release of their legendary debut album, this special tour will feature original member Joe King, the band’s guitarist, vocalist, and main songwriter, taking on lead vocals. He’ll be joined by longtime guitarist Dave Welsh and drummer Ben Wysocki.

CAB: Some foreign carriers eye to charge terminal enhancement fees

PHILIPPINE STAR/RYAN BALDEMOR

SOME FOREIGN CARRIERS are also seeking approval to collect terminal enhancement fees to offset rising costs at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), according to the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB).

“There are also foreign carriers, just a few of them. They are dealing with this as a group… They are in the wings, just waiting to see what will happen with the locals. They indicated that they are going to file,” CAB Executive Director Carmelo L. Arcilla said during a press briefing on Monday.

These foreign carriers have not formally submitted proposals to collect the fees but have expressed their intention to do so, Mr. Arcilla added. He declined to identify the carriers involved.

Last year, local airlines including Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, and AirAsia Philippines requested CAB approval to impose a terminal enhancement fee amid increased charges at NAIA.

Since taking over NAIA operations, private operator New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC) has raised landing, takeoff, and other fees.

The airlines proposed a terminal enhancement fee of P150 for domestic roundtrip flights and up to P300 each way for international flights.

The fee would be charged separately from the base fare and itemized distinctly on passenger receipts, similar to fuel surcharges and value-added tax.

CAB is still reviewing the proposals and has not set a timeline for a decision.

“We have not set a timeline [to come up with a decision] because the proposal is significant; we are not in a hurry. This will take time,” Mr. Arcilla said.

The Department of Transportation earlier said airlines could opt to include the terminal enhancement fee in the base fare.

“That is the prerogative of the airlines. If they perceive that is the cost, the cost will be factored in the overall price. That is the call of the airlines,” he said. — Ashley Erika O. Jose

More than manicures

PHILIPPINE STAR/RYAN BALDEMOR

Last term, I took up the subject Corporate Social Responsibility and Governance, which focuses on social responsibility, sustainable development, and corporate governance. A huge part of the subject is “service learning,” which is a “course-based, credit-bearing, educational experience in which students participate in an organized service activity that meets identified community needs, and reflect on the service activity in such a way as to gain understanding of course content, a broader appreciation of the discipline, and, an enhanced sense of civic responsibility.”

Our class was assigned to an organization that aims to provide basic and quality education to children from marginalized communities to give them opportunities for a life beyond poverty. It also helps the parents of these children. The organization has been operating for over 50 years, serving eight communities since its establishment. Its representatives were from the Tondo community.

During the orientation, we heard about lives, woven through stories of struggle, resilience, and quiet strength. We learned about nanays (mothers) who wake up every day to fight against circumstances that refuse to yield. In the Tondo community, education is a privilege, not a guarantee; stability is something hoped for, but rarely held.

We heard stories of families holding together by sheer will; of dreams being quietly set aside for the sake of survival. The representatives spoke of a community where opportunities, especially for our target beneficiaries, the nanays, were scarce, where jobs that allowed women to provide for their children while staying present in their lives felt like a distant hope. It was not just poverty; it was the slow erosion of choices, the weight of uncertainty pressing on them every day. We asked questions, not just about the nanays’ needs, but also about their dreams. We sought to understand not just what they lacked, but also what they longed for. We imagined their days: waking before the sun, stretching every peso and every meal, making impossible choices between paying the rent and buying food, between working and being present for their children.

And we realized that the nanays needed something they could carry forward: a skill, a small way to regain control over their lives. So, our group, ably headed by Carlos Valencia and Steven Dimaculangan, created a project that would give them something small but real: a chance to reclaim something for themselves.

Nailvana La Salle is not just about nail care, but about agency, about self-worth, about turning skill into opportunity. We wanted to give the nanays something that could last, something that could be theirs. Because poverty does not take away just money. It takes away dignity. It takes away confidence. It takes away the belief that things can get better. And if we could give the nanays even a small piece of that back, then that would be worth everything.

Our project directly supported two Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): gender equality (SDG 5) and no poverty (SDG 1). By equipping women with manicure and pedicure skills, the project empowered them to increase their participation in economic activities and gain financial independence. Through this initiative, the nanays were given the opportunity to develop entrepreneurial skills, boost their self-confidence, and secure employment, whether by working in salons or establishing their own small businesses. This financial independence not only strengthens their personal growth but also reduces economic dependence and enhances their ability to support their families.

Additionally, the project addresses SDG 1: No Poverty, which focuses on ensuring equal access to economic resources for marginalized populations. By providing a practical and income-generating skill, Nailvana could help participants build sustainable livelihoods and qualify for microfinance opportunities. More than just a workshop, Nailvana served as a pathway to stability and self-sufficiency, proving that small, community-driven efforts can create lasting impacts on both individual lives and broader social change.

I walked into the room thinking poverty was just about money. I thought that if we could just donate enough, then maybe things would start to shift. But as the organization representatives spoke, I felt that assumption unravel. Poverty wasn’t just a lack of resources; it was the weight of doors never opened, of choices never given. It was nanays who had dreams, but no means; who carried love, but not opportunities. Nailvana took shape not just as a skill-building workshop, but also as a quiet rebellion against helplessness. It was not just about manicures or pedicures. It was about hands that had spent years in service of others finally learning to care for themselves, too. My expectations were not entirely wrong; yes, financial struggle was real. But the deeper truth is that people do not need just money. They also need reasons to believe in themselves again. They need reminders that they are still capable of building something new. And maybe, in giving them that, my group mates and I learned the same thing about ourselves.

Moving forward, I want to be more conscious of how my education is not just for me, but also for the communities I can serve, for the spaces where my voice and efforts can make a difference. It is easy to chase success and forget why we wanted it in the first place. But I want my work, whatever it may be, to be tied to something bigger than myself. I want to be in rooms where decisions that are made consider the people who are too often left out. Because if this project has taught me anything, it is that real change begins when we stop waiting for someone else to fix things, and instead start asking: What can I do, here and now, with what I have?

 

CJ Anthony L. Requerme is a Legal Management student at De La Salle University. This reflection paper was a course requirement.

cj_requerme@dlsu.edu.ph

BPI keeps InstaPay fee at P10

BPI FACEBOOK PAGE

BANK of the Philippine Islands (BPI) has made permanent its reduced P10 transaction fee for interbank fund transfers done via InstaPay on its mobile application and online banking platform.

“We are committed to making banking more affordable to more Filipinos. The response to our promotion reducing InstaPay fee to P10 last March was very positive, as we experienced increased transactions through our online and mobile banking channels,” BPI Head of Consumer Banking and Executive Vice-President Maria Cristina “Ginbee” L. Go said in a statement on Monday.

“Making the P10 InstaPay fee permanent is part of our broader commitment to deliver convenient, secure, and cost-efficient digital services that empower Filipinos to manage their finances more effectively,” Ms. Go added.

The bank lowered the transfer fee as a promotional rate to encourage its clients to use its digital platforms for their transactions.

The move to make the reduced charge permanent “reflects BPI’s commitment to making digital financial services more affordable for its customers — offering one of the lowest transfer fees in the industry,” it said.

“By making the rate permanent, BPI supports greater financial inclusion and helps customers keep more of their money where it matters — especially when making frequent interbank fund transfers.”

InstaPay is a real-time, low-value electronic fund transfer facility for transactions up to P50,000 and is mostly used for remittances and e-commerce.

The total value of InstaPay transactions rose by 49% year on year to P3.13 trillion in the first four months of 2025, based on latest data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.

The volume of transactions that went through the payment gateway more than doubled to 799.97 million in the period from 388.5 million a year prior.

BPI’s net income increased by 9% year on year to P16.6 billion in the first quarter.

Its shares rose by 70 centavos or 0.5% to close at P139.80 apiece on Monday. — Aaron Michael C. Sy

Equinix finalizing acquisition of three PHL data centers

EQUINIX.COM

By Beatriz Marie D. Cruz, Reporter

US-BASED digital infrastructure company Equinix, Inc. said it is finalizing the acquisition of three data centers in the Philippines, as part of its plan to expand further in Southeast Asia.

“We see the Philippines as a significant addition to our ecosystem because we’ve had quite a number of inquiries from global customers who want to extend their footprints in Manila,” Simon Lockington, senior director of global solution architecture – APAC at Equinix, told BusinessWorld in a virtual interview.

Last year, Equinix announced its planned entry into the Philippine data center market through the acquisition of three data centers from Total Information Management Corp. (TIM).

“[By the] second half of this year, that’s when [the acquisition] will be finalized,” Mr. Lockington said. “Once the conditions of closing have been satisfied, we’ll make some more definitive announcement around the dates.”

The Philippines remains an attractive location for the company’s data center expansion plans due to its proximity to key data center hubs in the region.

“We’re finding that our customers are appreciating the additional choice that our new markets are offering,” Mr. Lockington said.

“So, with Manila being close to Hong Kong, but also very equidistant to Tokyo, South Korea, and Singapore as well… it gives them additional options [to expand] instead of only being limited to a few markets.”

However, the Philippines must improve its power and connectivity infrastructure to become a more viable location for data centers, Mr. Lockington said.

Data centers are also ideally built on land located away from airports, flood-prone areas, and active earthquake zones.

“I think that has been perhaps one of the reasons why it’s taken us a little bit more time than we thought to find appropriate sites in the new markets that we have expanded into,” Mr. Lockington said.

Equinix is also targeting 100% green energy coverage worldwide by 2030, with current capacity at 96%.

To expand its renewable energy supply, the company has signed two power purchase agreements with Singapore. It has also signed agreements with Japan, Australia, and India.

Looking ahead, Equinix expects high demand for data centers in Southeast Asia due to the rise of artificial intelligence and increased enterprise cloud adoption, Mr. Lockington said.

For instance, a ChatGPT inquiry would consume up to ten times more energy than an average Google search, he added.

“Given that the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian) nations have rapidly increasing populations who are consuming more and more digital content and services… we are just going to see an increasing level of expansion for companies like Equinix to help support those initiatives.”

To date, Equinix has over 270 data centers across 35 countries.

Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) of select ASEAN economies, May 2025

GROWTH in Philippine manufacturing activity slowed in May due to declining output and weaker demand from foreign markets amid global trade tensions. Read the full story.

Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) of select ASEAN economies, May 2025

How PSEi member stocks performed — June 2, 2025

Here’s a quick glance at how PSEi stocks fared on Monday, June 2, 2025.

Stocks rise on expectations of slower inflation

REUTERS

PHILIPPINE STOCKS posted a slight rebound on Monday amid expectations that headline inflation eased further last month.

The bellwether Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) rose by 0.17% or 11.13 points to close at 6,352.66, while the broader all shares climbed by 0.53% or 19.79 points to 3,743.41.

“The local market started the week on a positive note, driven by expectations that the Philippines’ inflation rate last May had remained below the government’s 2%-4% target, in turn giving the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) more room to cut their policy rate,” Philstocks Financial, Inc. Senior Research Analyst Japhet Louis O. Tantiangco said in a Viber message.

“Gains were tempered, however, with concerns over US President Donald J. Trump’s plan to double the US’ steel import tariffs,” he added.

The Philippine Statistics Authority is scheduled to release May inflation data on Thursday (June 5).

A BusinessWorld poll of 17 analysts yielded a median estimate of 1.3% for the May consumer price index (CPI), slower than the 1.4% in April and 3.9% in the same month a year ago. This is within the BSP’s 0.9%-1.7% forecast for the month.

If realized, this would be the lowest CPI in more than five years or since the 1.2% in November 2019.

Meanwhile, on Friday, Mr. Trump announced a plan to hike tariffs on imported steel and aluminum to 50% from 25%, increasing pressure on global steel manufacturers as part of his trade war.

“Philippine shares closed slightly positive to kickstart the month of June as the market gears up for new economic data that could influence price action movement this week,” Regina Capital Development Corp. Head of Sales Luis A. Limlingan said in a Viber message.

“Locally, key data include Monday’s manufacturing purchasing managers’ index, Thursday’s May inflation, and Friday’s unemployment, industrial output, and consumer confidence — offering a broad view of economic health,” he added.

Majority of sectoral indices closed higher on Monday. Property went up by 1.45% or 32.24 points to 2,245.52; services climbed by 1.3% or 27.97 points to 2,166.30; mining and oil increased by 1.03% or 101.17 points to 9,890.08; and financials rose by 0.16% or 3.96 points to 2,400.1.

Meanwhile, industrials went down by 0.39% or 35.17 points to 8,889.57 and holding firms dropped by 0.37% or 20.08 points to 5,331.71.

“Bloomberry Resorts Corp. was the day’s top index gainer, climbing 5.26% to P4.40. Monde Nissin Corp. was the worst index performer, dropping 5.26% to P7.20,” Mr. Tantiangco said.

Value turnover declined to P7.08 billion on Monday with 617.85 million shares from the P40.03 billion with 2.04 billion issues traded on Friday.

Advancers bested decliners, 119 versus 80, while 54 names were unchanged.

Net foreign buying stood at P418.29 million on Monday, a turnaround from the P15.31 billion in net selling recorded on Friday. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

Peso inches up as fresh tariff woes pull down dollar

BW FILE PHOTO

THE PESO inched up on Monday as the dollar slid after the Chinese commerce ministry said it would “take forceful measures” following US President Donald J. Trump’s claim that Beijing violated the agreements they reached in Geneva.

The local unit closed at P55.70 per dollar, strengthening by 4.5 centavos from its P55.745 finish on Friday, Bankers Association of the Philippines data showed.

The peso opened Monday’s session weaker at P55.85 against the dollar. Its worst showing was at P55.87, while its intraday best was at P55.68 versus the greenback.

Dollars exchanged dropped to $1.38 billion on Monday from $1.88 billion on Friday.

“The dollar-peso… initially opened higher at P55.85 and touched a high of P55.87. It fell to P55.68 on escalating trade tensions between US and China over trade tariffs. It looks like the deal won’t push through, which led to risk-off sentiment away from the dollar,” a trader said in a phone interview.

The dollar was also weaker on Monday after the US personal consumption expenditures index for April came out slower than expected, Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. Chief Economist Michael L. Ricafort said in a Viber message.

For Tuesday, the trader expects the peso to move between P55.50 and P55.90 per dollar, while Mr. Ricafort sees it ranging from P55.60 to P55.80.

The US dollar fell against other major currencies on Monday, giving up some of the previous week’s gains, as markets weighed the outlook for Mr. Trump’s tariff policy and its potential to constrict growth and unleash inflation, Reuters reported.

The greenback started the week on the back foot after Mr. Trump said on Friday that he planned to double duties on imported steel and aluminum to 50% from Wednesday, and as Beijing hit back against accusations it violated an agreement on critical minerals shipments.

The dollar dropped 0.8% to 142.85 yen as of 0821 GMT, giving back some of its more than 1% rally from last week.

A broader index, which measures the greenback against six major peers, eased 0.6% and at 98.751 and was just shy of its April 22 low. — Aaron Michael C. Sy with Reuters

Philippines, EU to set up security and defense dialogue — DFA chief

REUTERS

THE Philippines and the European Union (EU) will create a security and defense dialogue, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique A. Manalo said on Monday, following his meeting with EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President (HRVP) Kaja Kallas.

“This dialogue will provide a mechanism for the Philippines and the EU to discuss security and defense related issues with both depth and regularity,” Mr. Manalo said in a joint news briefing.

He said the dialogue, which he considered a “significant milestone,” is expected to address concerns regarding emerging security threats that transcend borders, cyber-attacks, and foreign interference and manipulation of information.

Ms. Kallas added the defense dialogue will deepen collaboration between the country and the EU, allowing the exchange of expertise in security and defense, and exploration of joint initiatives that contribute to regional and global security.

“Our work will be comprehensive and will include maritime security, cyber security, counter terrorism and more,” she added.

Ms. Kallas said that the EU has remained committed in upholding the rules-based order, promoting peace, and addressing concerns in the South China Sea and Russia’s war against Ukraine.

“We reject any unilateral changes to the status quo, including use of coercion,” Ms. Kallas said when asked what the EU’s red lines are when it comes to China’s activities in areas like Taiwan and the South China Sea.

The Philippines has been strengthening relations with more foreign powers amid rising tensions in the South China Sea, as Beijing’s coast guard ships assert its claim over areas that fall within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.

China claims more than 80% of the South China Sea based on a 1940s map, which a United Nations-backed arbitration court in The Hague voided in 2016 for being illegal.

Moreover, Mr. Manalo said that the Philippines continues to push for deeper economic and trade activities with the EU.

“I emphasized the importance deepening our economic ties as we pursue greater collaboration in trade and investment through the conclusion of the Philippine-EU free trade agreement,” he added.

Ms. Kallas said that the EU and the Philippines are already enhancing their cooperation in digital connectivity, people-to-people contact, and green economy.

“We will move forward with the next round of negotiations of a free trade agreement,” she added.

The Philippines and the EU are currently negotiating a potential free-trade agreement which could boost trade and economic bilateral ties.

JOINT DRILLS
Manila’s Defense chief also met with his Japanese and European counterparts on Sunday, discussing ways to strengthen security cooperation amid ongoing regional tensions in Europe and the South China Sea.

Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro, Jr. held separate bilateral talks with his counterparts from Japan, the Netherlands, and Ukraine at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, a high-profile security summit attended by top officials from around the world, according to the Defense department.

The Philippines and Japan reaffirmed their desire for deeper military involvement in multinational military exercises held in the Southeast Asian nation, such as the vaunted Exercise Balikatan (shoulder-to-shoulder), it said.

“Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani… reaffirmed Japan’s desire for deeper involvement in joint exercises like Balikatan and Kamandag, upon the entry into force of the Philippines-Japan Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA),” the Department of National Defense (DND) said in a statement.

Manila and Tokyo signed the military agreement in July, allowing the entry of military equipment and troops for combat training from Japan.

The agreement is the first of its kind to be signed by Japan in Asia and coincides with Beijing’s increasing assertiveness in the South China Sea, where Beijing’s expansive claims conflict with those of several Southeast Asian nations.

“Both sides agreed on the importance of expanding cooperation in defense equipment production, which they recognized as mutually beneficial,” the DND said.

“Secretary Teodoro also emphasized the need for sustained bilateral and multilateral dialogues to deter actions that undermine regional peace, and called for stronger alliances rooted in shared principles,” it added.

In a separate meeting, Mr. Teodoro and Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans on Sunday expressed interest in possible joint military activities in the future. “Both officials extended invitations for future visits, maintaining their intent to broaden defense engagement and cooperation,” the DND said.

Meanwhile, Mr. Teodoro expressed his admiration to Ukraine for its resilience, in a meeting with Ukraine’s Deputy Defense Minister Oleksandr Kozenko.

“Mr. Kozenko thanked the Philippines for its support to Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity,” the DND said, adding that a Ukrainian defense attache will be sent to Manila to help bolster defense ties between the two nations. — Adrian H. Halili and Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio with Reuters

VP Duterte’s impeachment trial hinges on 20th Congress

Senate President Francis G. Escudero — SENATE PRIB

By Adrian H. Halili, Reporter

THE FATE OF the impeachment trial of Vice-President (VP) Sara Duterte-Carpio will still hinge on the upcoming Congress, the Senate chief said on Monday, noting they cannot bind the new set of Senator-judges.

“We can vote on it in plenary, but regardless of our decision, we cannot bind the 20th Congress,” Senate President Francis G. Escudero said in Filipino at a news briefing.

The 19th Congress may decide to push through with the trial, but the 20th Congress may also move for its dismissal, he explained.

“There is that possibility. Again, we cannot bind subsequent Congresses…All previous Congresses cannot bind subsequent Congresses,” Mr. Escudero said, when asked if there is a possibility that 20th Congress would not convene as an impeachment court.

“I’m just being honest and frank and straight forward that there is that possibility always, but it has never happened in the past,” he added.

The Senate chief postponed the scheduled presentation of charges against Ms. Duterte to June 11 from June 2 to allow the chamber to tackle priority legislative measures.

Mr. Escudero added that it is up to the Senate plenary to decide on the schedule of Ms. Duterte’s impeachment trial.

“The plenary is the supreme body of the Senate. It gets to decide anything and everything although at first instance, it can be decided by the Senate President but ultimately, it will have to be confirmed and affirmed or rejected for that matter by plenary,” he said.

He added that the Senate could only go as far as issuing the summons before the 19th Congress ends.

“The furthest the Senate can go is to issue a summons because the defendant has 10 days to file an answer and by June 30, the authority of the prosecutors or whoever they hire as a private prosecutor to stand in this case will expire,” Mr. Escudero said, as new Senators take their oaths as Senator-Judges once 20th Congress begins next month.

“The case cannot continue with only one side and the other side absent,” he added.

Under Senate rules, the VP will have 10 days to respond to the summons once issued, while the House prosecutors will have five days to reply.

Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez told reporters on Monday that the House leaves the impeachment proceedings to the “sound discretion” of the Senate.

“The Senate President outlined the priority measures,… so we have to respect the decision of the Senate president,” he said.

FUNCTIONALLY DISMISSED
In a manifestation on Monday’s session, Senate Majority Leader Francis N. Tolentino said the impeachment case is within the jurisdiction of the 19th Congress and therefore cannot be carried over to the 20th Congress.

“If we cannot conclude the trial before June 30, 2025, we must recognize this impeachment case is functionally dismissed by constitutional operation and no action can be taken by the 20th Congress on the matter for lack of constitutional authority,” Mr. Tolentino said.

Senator Ana Theresia Hontiveros-Baraquel argued the Senate should continue with the impeachment proceedings that have been initiated without further delay, citing the 1987 Constitution.

“It is true that the 19th Congress cannot bind the 20th Congress, and all unfinished business will be terminated, but this is only true for any work done by us in the exercise of our legislative function,” Ms. Hontiveros said in her manifestation.

The Senate’s recent actions in relation to the impeachment of Ms. Duterte may be driven by the shifting public opinion, Josue Raphael J. Cortez, a diplomacy lecturer at the De La Salle-College of St. Benilde in a Messenger chat.

He added that “political will” would determine whether the impeachment proceedings will push through or not.

“Hampering the impeachment trials may do more harm than good as it will serve as a litmus test of how we project ourselves in the international context,” Mr. Cortez added.

Political science lecturer at the Ateneo de Manila University, Hansley A. Juliano, said in a Messenger chat the administration is “possibly weighing whether their ability to push through with it further ruins the Marcoses’ credibility.”

Ms. Duterte, who was impeached by more than 200 congressmen last Feb. 5, is expected to stand trial at the Senate as an impeachment court once her trial commences in July.

The impeachment complaint against the VP includes the misuse of confidential funds, unexplained wealth, acts of destabilization and plotting the assassination of Mr. Marcos, his family, and the Speaker of the House. The VP has denied any wrongdoing.

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