PSEi climbs on foreign buying, US tariff optimism

November 20, 2025 | 9:00 pm

THE PHILIPPINE STOCK Exchange index (PSEi) advanced on Thursday, fueled by foreign buying and optimism over the US exemption of most Philippine agricultural exports from reciprocal tariffs.

The main index rose 2.01% or 117.1 points to close at 5,930.81, while the broader all-share index gained 2.55% or 83.18 points to 3,335.02, marking a second straight day of gains.

“Our local bourse leaped bounds in the latter half of the trading day as foreign buyers supported quality names, maintaining the upward momentum from [Wednesday],” AP Securities, Inc. said in a market note.

“The local market extended its rally as investors continued bargain hunting, backed by optimism toward the exemption of most Philippine agricultural exports from US tariffs and hopes that the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas will deliver another rate cut in December,” Japhet Louis O. Tantiangco, research manager at Philstocks Financial, Inc., said in a Viber message.

The US exemption, effective Nov. 13 under President Donald J. Trump’s latest executive order, lifts the 19% reciprocal tariff on selected Philippine agricultural products, including bananas, coconuts, coffee, pineapples and beef.

Most Philippine goods have faced the levy since August. Trade Secretary Ma. Cristina A. Roque has said the exemption would help maintain the competitiveness of Filipino exports in the US market.

“The positive cues from Wall Street also helped in Thursday’s session,” Mr. Tantiangco added.

Most sectoral indexes ended higher. Property surged 2.82% to 2,178.56; financials climbed 2.63% to 1,983.07; holding firms gained 1.38% to 4,597.19; industrials rose 1.21% to 8,621.59; and services edged up 1.13% to 2,389.60. Mining and oil was the only decliner, slipping 0.48% to 12,703.42.

Market breadth was positive, with 96 advancers versus 72 decliners, while 66 stocks were unchanged.

Value turnover jumped to P15.69 billion on 1.74 billion shares, up from P6.23 billion on 886.24 million shares on Wednesday. Net foreign buying surged to P7.42 billion, reversing Wednesday’s net selling of P915.4 million. — Alexandria Grace C. Magno

Red onion prices expected to stabilize towards year’s end

November 20, 2025 | 8:58 pm

smuggled-food-onion — PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) said the price of red onion, which recently sold for as much as P300 per kilo in some markets, is expected to stabilize by the year-end holidays.

According to the DA’s price monitor, as of Nov. 19, the prevailing retail price of domestically grown red onion was about P280 per kilo, against around P160 in early November. The price of imported red onion also rose to P238 from P127 in early November.

Despite the recent uptick in prices, the DA said it does not expect a repeat of the 2022 onion price surge that saw retail prices soar to around P700 per kilo.

“Enough ’yung volume na parating until the end of the year to cover ’yung requirements natin, especially pagpasok ng holiday season (There will be enough volume arriving until the end of the year to meet our requirements, especially as the holiday season approaches.),” Assistant Secretary Arnel V. de Mesa told reporters in a briefing.

According to Mr. De Mesa, the DA is expecting more than 56,500 metric tons (MT) of red onion imports to arrive until November, with around 9,000 MT already in the country. For yellow onion, more than 20,000 MT has arrived against the expected 36,400 MT.

The domestic onion harvest begins in December and peaks in January and February, leaving the Philippines reliant on dwindling early-year stocks until the harvest starts filtering into the markets.

The DA said once the imported onions arrive and the domestic harvest begins, prices are expected to stabilize by December and return to around P120 to P150 per kilo, similar to the levels seen in September.

He noted that spikes in onion prices in the previous years were largely due to delayed import approvals.

“Hindi mangyayari ’yung tataas ulit ng P700, dahil noong time na ’yun bukod sa hindi nag-allow ng import on the proper time, naubos na ‘yung stocks August pa lang. Nag-allow lang ng import November or October (Prices won’t rise again to P700 because, back then, aside from not allowing imports at the proper time, the stocks were depleted by August. Imports were only allowed in October or November),” Mr. De Mesa said.

Mr. De Mesa said the DA is ramping up construction of post-harvest facilities, particularly additional cold storage for onions, which will help farmers store produce and stabilize supply.

“May mga cold storage na nagawa under general appropriations, merong under special project. Maraming matatapos na cold storage by first quarter next year (some cold storage was built from budget funds, while others were funded as special projects. Many facilities will be completed by the first quarter),” he said. — Vonn Andrei E. Villamiel

Resilience vs cyberthreats becoming more critical, Pilipinas Conference told

November 20, 2025 | 8:58 pm

THE PHILIPPINES needs to strengthen its cyber resilience amid increasing threats emerging from the digital domain, including cyber attacks and foreign information manipulation.

Victor Andres C. Manhit, president of think tank Stratbase ADR Institute, said at the Pilipinas Conference 2025 that the Indo-Pacific faces the challenge of shoring up its cybersecurity defenses.

“As a rising middle power, the Philippines must strengthen its cyber resilience, as the digital front has become a new era or arena for conflict encompassing cyber attacks, artificial intelligence (AI), gray-zone operations, and foreign information manipulation,” he added.

He said threats are emerging that target vulnerabilities through unconventional methods short of outright war.

“We are witnessing faster and more coordinated cyberattacks affecting both government and business,” he said.

“The stakes are even higher when critical infrastructure is targeted. Thus, cyber defense is no longer merely a technical issue; it is essential to national stability,” he added.

This reflects the need to safeguard systems, preserve public trust, and secure the digital future through coordinated and proactive action, he said.

“For the State, this means conducting regular threat assessments, enforcing existing regulations, and prioritizing upskilling to cultivate a workforce capable of addressing rapidly evolving cyber risks,” he said.

“The private sector plays an equally critical role by securing key infrastructure, driving technological innovation, and ensuring business continuity. Strong public-private collaboration is therefore essential to national resilience,” he added.

Information and Communications Technology Secretary Henry Rhoel R. Aguda said the Philippines is a digital laggard.

“We are falling behind. This is unacceptable. This is not merely about percentages. It is about people. Every point we lose is a missed chance for better jobs, higher income, and a future where every Filipino can take part in the digital age,” he said.

“While we were comfortable, our neighbors were hungry. Our failure, while the rest of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) took advantage of the pandemic to digitize, we did not,” he added.

He said that the Philippines missed the opportunity to fully digitalize during the pandemic.

“This stagnation comes with real cost. Major hyperscalers are bypassing the Philippines, choosing our neighbors instead,” he added, citing the hyperscalers situated in China, Indonesia, Singapore, and Malaysia.

He said that the goal is to make the Philippines the logical landing point of data in Asia.

“We have the talent. We have the geography. Now we must have the infrastructure. But all is not lost. I believe we can not only catch up to our ASEAN neighbors but leapfrog,” he said.

To do this, he said that the country must address the core challenges holding it back — connectivity and digital adoption.

“The President ordered the (Department of Information and Communications Technology) and the rest of the government to fix the problem. He has never wavered in spite of the political noise,” he added.

He said that the Philippines is using the chairmanship of the ASEAN in 2026 to focus on AI.

Kazuya Endo, Japanese ambassador to the Philippines, said that the opportunities and challenges that cyberspace presents require collaboration among like-minded nations.

“In the borderless cyberspace, vulnerabilities within one country or region can quickly become vulnerabilities for the entire international community, causing risks to societies across geographical borders,” he said.

He said this highlights the importance of public-private collaboration and capacity-building support for vulnerable nations.

The Philippines and Japan have been cooperating to enhance the cybersecurity capabilities of the DICT since 2023.

“This tailored initiative has provided targeted cooperation under three pillars. One, enhancing the technical capabilities of DICT’s cybersecurity division. Two, strengthening interagency coordination among relevant Philippine government departments and agencies,” he said. — Justine Irish D. Tabile

Ex-Philippine Mayor Alice Guo gets life sentence for human trafficking

November 20, 2025 | 8:50 pm

By Erika Mae P. Sinaking

A PHILIPPINE TRIAL COURT on Thursday sentenced dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice L. Guo, who is accused of having ties to Chinese criminal syndicates, to life imprisonment after finding her guilty of qualified human trafficking, a government anti-crime agency said on Thursday.

A Pasig court convicted Ms. Guo and three others for organizing trafficking inside the Baofu compound, according to Marvin dela Paz, communications chief and spokesperson for the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC).

“All guilty individuals are sentenced to life imprisonment and a fine of P2 million each per case, in addition to monetary reparations to the victims,” Mr. Dela Paz told reporters over Viber.

“The Baofu compound is also forfeited in favor of the government.” The multibillion-peso Baofu Land Development Compound allegedly harbored victims and facilitated recruitment for scams related to Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs).

The legal counsel for Alice Guo did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The court consolidated eight criminal cases involving qualified trafficking, stemming from alleged syndicated labor trafficking activities in Bamban, Tarlac, under the guise of three corporate entities: BAOFU Land Development, Inc., Hongsheng Gaming Technology, Inc., and Zun Yuan Technology, Inc.

“After more than a year, the court acted swiftly and delivered a favorable decision,” Deputy State Prosecutor Olivia I. Laroza-Torrevillas told reporters. “This is the first time we filed a case for organizing human trafficking, and it is also the first conviction for this charge.”

She confirmed that eight of the 16 accused were acquitted, while Ms. Guo is set to be immediately transferred to the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong City.

“There were acquittals, which we expected. What is important is that all our main players were convicted,” Ms. Laroza-Torrevillas added.

The Philippine Senate launched a congressional probe into Ms. Guo in May last year, two months after a police raid revealed a scam center operating out of a facility built on land partially owned by Ms. Guo. It was one of many such centers to spring up across Southeast Asia in recent years.

The raid uncovered hundreds of trafficked workers including foreign nationals, resulting in a human trafficking complaint against Ms. Guo from PAOCC.

Senator Risa N. Hontiveros-Baraquel welcomed the ruling, calling it a victory against corruption, human trafficking, cybercrime, and transnational crimes, and said that those responsible will no longer be able to repeat these offenses.

“I am proud to consider it one of the most consequential Senate inquiries of my career,” Ms. Hontiveros said in a statement, who, as chair of the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality, led the entire investigation in 2024.

She said that the Senate investigation’s key contributions included securing a presidential executive order banning POGOs, gathering evidence that led to a guilty verdict, and supporting the passage of the Anti-POGO Law of 2025.

“To the Filipino public, thank you for your vigilant monitoring and oversight…We will continue to demand accountability from all government agencies that failed in their duties and investigate the full extent of Chinese intelligence operations in the country,” she added.

The central allegation involves a conspiracy among the accused, identified as incorporators and responsible corporate officers of the three firms, to commit labor trafficking. Complainants were allegedly recruited and forced to work as “investment love scammers” and to “learn cryptocurrency fraud” to extort money from victims.

Victims were reportedly threatened with serious physical harm or penalties if they failed to meet quotas.

Ms. Guo allegedly used her public office to facilitate the operations of the alleged trafficking syndicate. She allegedly represented herself as President of BAOFU Land Development, Inc., and purchased properties in Bamban in April 2019.

As Mayor, she reportedly expedited favorable actions and issued a business permit to Zun Yuan Technology, Inc., in June 2023 despite the company lacking required government permits, including PAGCOR accreditation.

In June 2025, the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 34 ruled that Alice Leal Guo and Guo Hua Ping were the same person, declaring her a Chinese national and ineligible to hold office.

Following suspension, the Office of the Ombudsman formally dismissed her in August 2024 for grave misconduct tied to the POGO hub. Ms. Guo was transferred to the Pasig City Jail Female Dormitory in September 2024, under a court order. — with Adrian H. Halili and Reuters

Japan, Canada see no shift in investor confidence amid Philippine infra scandal

November 20, 2025 | 8:49 pm

building skyline — A view of the central business district of Makati City on July 10. — PHILIPPINE STAR/RYAN BALDEMOR

JAPAN and Canada have not observed any pullback from investors looking at the Philippines despite the months-long corruption scandal involving flood control projects, their envoys said on Thursday, underscoring continued confidence in the country’s economic trajectory.

Japanese companies “remain very much committed” to operating in the Philippines, which Tokyo views as a high-growth market with “huge potential,” Ambassador Kazuya Endo told reporters during the 10^th Pilipinas Conference in Makati City.

While transparency and accountability remain important considerations, he noted that he has “not heard any specific numbers” or indicators showing a decline in Japanese investor confidence since the controversy erupted in July.

Japan is among the Philippines’ largest trading partner, exporting $883.33 million worth of goods in September, data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed.

“We also sometimes discuss the matters in a very casual tone with our colleagues from the private sector, but so far I don’t see any specific changes related to the posture [or] positions of the Japanese,” Mr. Endo added.

Japan is also the Philippines’ top official development assistance (ODA) provider, particularly involved in big-ticket projects, like the North-South Commuter Railway and the Metro Manila Subway. Mr. Endo noted that Tokyo implements strict auditing measures to prevent corruption.

Tokyo, he said, also supports flood management projects in many areas in the Philippines.

“ODA projects have been and will continue to be managed with very strict rules [and] regulations with strict surveillance and management systems,” the envoy noted.

“In general terms, we’ve also been working with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), for example, and with a lot of reshuffles of the personnel within the department.”

Canadian Ambassador to the Philippines David Hartman echoed Mr. Endo’s sentiments, noting that the posture of Canadian investors has not changed amid Manila’s corruption scandal.

Manila and Ottawa are currently negotiating a free trade agreement, eyed to be completed in 2026 as the Philippines assumes chairship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

“These are ongoing negotiations or discussions. The government obviously is quite focused on addressing these issues to address the needs and the requirements of the Philippine people,” he told reporters in the same conference.

“At this stage, it has not been a factor in our discussions. Frankly speaking, we’re still very much at [the] early days,” he added.

Last year, trade between the two nations reached $3.2 billion, with the Philippines exporting $1.8 billion, data from the Canadian government showed.

“We continue to encourage opportunities in this country… Because the scale and scope of opportunity that exists in areas that are tremendously complementary between Canada and the Philippines are very, very robust,” Mr. Hartman said.

“At this stage, we’re really ramping up our conversations around free trade and engagement. The more you trade, the more you connect, the better it is.”

The Philippines is facing a high-profile corruption scandal involving alleged irregularities in public works projects, with accusations that government officials, lawmakers and contractors colluding to receive kickbacks from flood mitigation projects.

Mounting public anger over questionable flood control deals has sparked protests largely confined to the capital, raising risks of instability as the scandal weighs on a slowing economy and erodes business confidence. Some groups have called for President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. to resign, with others even urging the military to overthrow him.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Thursday said it was “fully committed to preserving democratic institutions,” assuring Filipinos it remained a “professional, disciplined and non-partisan” organization focused on upholding the government.

Top generals from the armed forces’ seven unified commands said in separate statements they rejected calls for a coup.

“In a united declaration, the commanders of the combat commands affirmed that the military remains steadfast in its constitutional mandate to uphold the rule of law and ensure full respect for civilian authority,” the Philippine military said.

The Southeast Asian nation is no stranger to coup attempts, having seen more than a dozen military mutinies since the restoration of democracy in 1986, after the late former President Ferdinand E. Marcos, Sr. was overthrown by a popular street uprising.

“Amidst the currents of political speculation and noise, we appeal to the general public in the NCR — the very heart of our nation — to remain calm and discerning,” Major General Gregorio B. Hernandez, commander of the National Capital Region (NCR) Command said in a statement on Nov. 16.

The release of statements from top generals comes more than a week ahead of the Nov. 30 anti‑corruption protests to be led by civil groups, and follows a rally in the capital staged by a mega church that drew hundreds of thousands of people. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana and Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

Philippines, US eye cybersecurity integration in Balikatan exercises

November 20, 2025 | 8:48 pm

NMESIS-C-130 aircraft — US MARINES haul the Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS) off a C-130 aircraft for the Maritime Key Security Operations-North on April 26, as part of the Balikatan exercises.

THE UNITED STATES eyes integration of anti-cyberthreat technology in its annual Balikatan (shoulder-to-shoulder) war games with the Philippines, an embassy official said on Thursday.

Jennifer Schmidt, Information and Communications Technology (ICT) unit chief of the Economic Section at the US Embassy in Manila, said cyber cooperation is “rapidly moving from an emerging area to a central pillar” of the defense partnership, driven by recognition that future conflicts may begin in the digital domain.

This year’s Balikatan exercises, the Philippine and US militaries’ largest annual drills, included a cyber and defense exercise component for the first time, which is “a huge step forward,” she told a panel discussion in Makati City.

“We’re working alongside our Filipino partners to incorporate cutting edge training ranges and robust cyberthreat software into these exercise scenarios,” she added, noting they are focusing on specialized cyber teams rather than all participating officers.

While declining to provide operational specifics, she said the drills simulate real-world attack environments that allow the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Cyber Command and US counterparts to practice information-sharing and rapid response.

The objective, she said, is seamless interoperability across military units and national critical infrastructure — ensuring both countries can “respond in real time” should an attack occur.

Washington and Manila are bound by a 74-year-old Mutual Defense Treaty that obliges each side to come into each other’s aid in the event of an armed attack by an external force.

Both countries train together annually to strengthen military alliances, interoperability, and improve readiness for national security. They conducted the iteration this year last April 21 to May 9.

Both countries are now adapting the 2026 iteration of the drills to reflect the reality that cyber capabilities are integral to all military operations.

Manila, Washington’s close ally in the Indo-Pacific, is currently in a diplomatic deadlock with China in the South China Sea.

Beijing has repeatedly harassed Filipino vessels conducting resupply and patrol missions within Manila’s exclusive economic zone, prompting a series of diplomatic protests and heightening concerns over the risk of further escalation.

Washington has repeatedly called for the rule of law in the South China Sea, urging all parties to respect the 2016 arbitral ruling that invalidated China’s expansive maritime claims and to refrain from coercive actions that undermine regional stability. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

PhilHealth aims to cut out-of-pocket health expenses to 25% by 2028

November 20, 2025 | 8:48 pm

THE PHILIPPINE Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) plans to slash Filipinos’ out‑of‑pocket medical expenses up to 25% by 2028, PhilHealth said, noting the need to ramp up state spending to ease the burden on the public.

PhilHealth President and Chief Executive Officer Edwin M. Mercado said the state-run insurer aims to cut Filipinos’ out-of-pocket health spending to 25% to 30% in the medium term, from 44.7% in 2023.

“(That is) our objective in the medium term until 2028. Based on our back‑of‑the‑envelope computation, the national government really needs to increase healthcare spending,” he said.

This will require the health spending share of the national budget to be around 10% to 12%, he told BusinessWorld during a Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) event on Thursday.

Mr. Mercado also said the state-insurer is looking to spend 25% of its budget into primary care by 2028.

“Focusing on the primary care and also cancer screening, which accounts for the biggest portion of our inpatient expenditure, the most catastrophic cases are mostly cancer cases, would probably lead to all these deficiencies and decrease in our inpatient expenditures,” he said.

Despite higher state outlays, Filipinos still shoulder hefty medical bills, PIDS Senior Research Fellow and Health Economics and Finance Program Director Valeire Gilbert T. Ulep said.

“The government is spending more relative to its economy, but we’re still seeing a high share of out-of-pockets. So, there is somehow a disconnect there,” he said in his presentation.

Health spending increased to less than P12,000 per capita in 2024 from about P3,000 in 2000, factoring inflation.

In 2024, health spending stood at P1.4 trillion, equivalent to about 5% of gross domestic product, a level comparable to that of most countries with similar income ranges.

“If you look at the share of government spending, central, local government, and PhilHealth, around 44%. But, if we transition to an upper middle-income country, we’re still far from that because if you look at the average for upper middle-income country, it’s 60%,” he said.

He noted that the government’s share of total health spending remains low, as households continue to shoulder a disproportionately high share of out‑of‑pocket costs.

In addition, Mr. Mercado said the agency is working with the Department of Information and Communications Technology to develop a dashboard by 2026-2027, to track real‑time hospital performance indicators, including patient length of stay and denial rates. — Aubrey Rose A. Inosante

DoF warns tax cheats, smugglers

November 20, 2025 | 8:47 pm

AUCTION2001-ICI — INDEPENDENT COMMISSION for Infrastructure Chairman Andres B. Reyes, Jr. and Finance Secretary Frederick D. Go led the start of the public bidding for seven luxury vehicles seized from the Discayas at the Bureau of Customs office in Manila. — PHILIPPINE STAR/EDD GUMBAN

NEWLY INSTALLED Finance Secretary Frederick D. Go warned that tax evaders, smugglers and graft offenders will find no room under his term, as corruption continues to derail the government’s tax overhaul.

Mr. Go has led the auction of P103 million worth of luxury vehicles seized from contractors Cezarah Rowena “Sarah” Discaya and Pacifico “Curlee” F. Discaya II on Thursday, “to reclaim lost revenues from tax and duty leaks, which will be redirected towards public programs and projects.”

“May this serve as a warning to all. The Department of Finance will not tolerate any form of tax evasion, smuggling, or corruption that deprives people of vital revenues to support national development,” he said in a statement.

Out of the seven vehicles put up for auction, only three were awarded to bidders, where the Bureau of Customs (BoC) collected P38.21 billion. The proceeds will be remitted directly to the Bureau of the Treasury.

As of end-September, revenues climbed 2.24% to P3.367 trillion, equivalent to 74.49% of the P4.52-trillion goal.

The BoC said the seven luxury vehicles were forfeited by the Customs Port of Manila on Oct. 24 due to fraudulent certificates of payment and the lack of import entry documents.

The vehicles inspected by the Finance chief for public auction are: Toyota Tundra (2022), Toyota Sequoia (2023), Rolls-Royce Cullinan (2023), Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG (2022), Mercedes-Benz G500 Brabus (2019), Lincoln Navigator L (2021), and Bentley Bentayga (2022).

Customs said the remaining cars will be reauctioned. The BoC will reconvene and recompute the floor price for the next bidding.

“More important than the money or funds we may obtain is the symbolism and the value we place on accountability — that if you do something wrong, you will be held responsible, and the nation’s resources should benefit our people,” Customs Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno said. — Aubrey Rose A. Inosante

PCO says no info on internal probe

November 20, 2025 | 8:47 pm

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. presented updates on the government’s fight against corruption in flood control projects three months since he launched the sumbongsapangulo.ph website. — PHILIPPINE STAR/NOEL B. PABALATE

PRESIDENTIAL Communications Office (pco) on Thursday said it has not received information regarding any internal investigation being conducted into the deepening flood control controversy.

Palace Press Officer Clarissa A. Castro said she has received “no information” on any internal probe being conducted within the executive branch, noting that inquiries into alleged irregularities in flood control and infrastructure projects fall under the jurisdiction of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI).

“For issues relating to flood control projects, the ICI is there to ensure independence in the investigation,” she told a Palace briefing in Filipino.

This follows the recent Cabinet shakeup that led to the removal of Lucas P. Bersamin as executive secretary and resignation of Budget Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman due to their alleged links to the corruption scandal.

Ms. Castro said she could not confirm whether others in the Cabinet were also under scrutiny, stressing that the President’s regular performance assessment of Cabinet members should not be conflated with a formal investigation.

On concerns that officials allowed to step down may avoid accountability, she said any investigation or prosecution will rest with independent agencies such as the ICI, the Ombudsman and the Department of Justice.

“No one can escape accountability,” she said. “If a private citizen or public official needs to be investigated, they should be.” — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

House urged to open budget bicam

November 20, 2025 | 8:46 pm

MINORITY LAWMAKERS on Thursday called on the House of Representatives to open discussions on the 2026 budget bill to the public, as it is yet to act on a measure that would make bicameral conference committee meetings accessible.

Liberal Party of the Philippines-aligned congressmen said that opening joint congressional discussions on the spending plan would be key to implementing genuine budget reform and restoring trust.

“Amid the corruption issues hounding the passage of previous national budgets — made worse by the secretive nature of the Bicameral Conference Committee… Implementing an open and transparent bicam is long overdue,” they said in a joint statement.

“It is not optional. It is non-negotiable,” Representatives Leila M. de Lima, Edgar R. Erice, Adrian Michael A. Amatong, Arlene “Kaka” J. Bag-ao, Jaime R. Fresnedi, Cielo Krisel B. Lagman and Alfonso V. Umali, Jr. said.

Bicameral discussions on legislation are traditionally held behind closed doors, leaving the public unaware of last‑minute changes.

The Senate had passed a resolution in August to open joint congressional budget talks to the public, but the House has yet to adopt the measure. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

New Metro Dumaguete Water pumping station increases supply to 3,000 households

November 20, 2025 | 8:45 pm

METRO DUMAGUETE WATER (MDW) is set to provide additional water supply to 3,000 households in the city with its newly energized pumping station.

In a statement on Thursday, the water utility said the new facility will increase water production by 3 million liters per day, supporting the water needs of more than 12,000 Dumagueteños.

“We approach our operations holistically, and the milestone projects inaugurated today encapsulate this,” MWD Chief Operating Officer Robert R. Cabiles said. “This means that while we produce more water from our groundwater sources, we also ensure that the water produced would reach our consumers’ taps.”

The company also recently installed approximately 2,000 meters of transmission pipelines, designed to efficiently bring water from the pumping station to the distribution network serving customers.

MWD also completed key upgrades in its distribution networks, such as augmentation of pipelines in Yhalason, Mangnao, and underground pipeline crossing the Banica River in Barangay Batinguel.

MWD is the joint venture company of Dumaguete City Water District and Metro Pacific Water — a subsidiary of conglomerate Metro Pacific Investments Corp. — that provide water distribution services to Dumaguete and nearby communities. — Sheldeen Joy Talavera

Moro leaders say they trust Marcos still, remain loyal to him

November 20, 2025 | 8:43 pm

COTABATO CITY — The chief minister of the Bangsamoro region and his five constituent-governors signed on Wednesday, a manifesto affirming their support for the President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. amid what they describe as a virtually unfounded corruption controversies besetting his administration.

The manifesto was signed by Chief Minister Abdulraof A. Macacua of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and governors Mujiv S. Hataman of Basilan, Yshmael I. Sali of Tawi-Tawi, Mamintal A. Adiong, Jr. of Lanao del Sur, Tucao O. Mastura of Maguindanao del Norte and Ali O. Midtimbang of Maguindanao del Sur.

The Moro leaders stated in their manifesto that they do not doubt the President’s commitment to serve the Filipino nation with all honesty and accountability, citing the creation of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure as tacit proof of his administration’s effort to address graft and corruption.

“That firm and deliberate action reflects a leadership focused not on spectacle but on real governance,” Mr. Macacua and the five provincial governors in the BARMM said in their written statement, copies of which were received by media outfits in Central Mindanao early on Thursday.

In a text message to reporters on Thursday, Mr. Macacua, said they are grateful to Mr. Marcos for focusing on peacebuilding activities meant to sustain the gains of the national government’s separate peace agreements with the Moro National Liberation Front and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

“For that, we are thankful to President Marcos,” Mr. Macacua, chief of the MILF’s Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces, said. — John Felix M. Unson