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Hyundai truck distributor sets 700-unit sales target

HARI

HARIPHIL ASIA Resources, Inc. (HARI), the Philippine distributor of Hyundai trucks and buses, said it hopes to sell 700 units this year, driven by the government’s public transport modernization program.

“Last year, we achieved 27% growth … and this year we are looking at 700 units for all the models that we have launched,” HARI President and Chief Executive Officer Maria Fe Perez-Agudo told reporters on Friday.

“But as you very well know, we are also dependent on the support of the government for the modernization program. If the funding is released earlier, then we could move faster with our orders from the cooperatives,” she added.

As of May, she said that the company has achieved 25% of its target due to challenges with the modernization program.

“We believe that the Department of Transportation is working on a resolution because we have a queue of orders from cooperatives that are sufficient to hit more than 100% (of the target),” she said.

“So far, we have a queue of over 1,000 units, but as I have said, the screening process is very meticulous. It really is a test of financing capability and, of course, the credibility of the cooperatives” in paying off their loans, she added.

On Friday, the company introduced its lineup of electric commercial vehicles, led by the Hyundai Mighty Electric and Hyundai County Electric, alongside a locally assembled internal combustion engine-powered commercial vehicle, known as the HARI Cab.

“We just launched the electric vehicles (EVs) today, and we will continue to promote and create more awareness of the significance of moving to EVs,” she said.

“We expect an amazing acceptance of our Hari Cab. So the sales report by the end of June will capture the performance of the Hari Cab,” she added.

She said that the company is also planning to introduce more EV variants, though it will take time before EVs capture a bigger share in the truck segment.

“It will take time. The government has its conservative and aggressive targets. But as you have seen in the passenger car, it is already moving; it has captured a certain market share, but the infrastructure rollout remains slow,” she said.

“We will progress as the infrastructure grows. That’s the challenge for the private and public sectors — to improve the logistics and infrastructure development, which is the charging stations,” she added.

She said the success of its EV lineup will also depend on the government’s 5-10% quota for EVs in corporate and government vehicle fleets.

“We hope that the government will increase that target as the infrastructure continues to increase because there should be some sense of balance between infrastructure development and availability of EVs,” she added.

Asked if the company is planning to manufacture the cars in-country, she said that the focus should first be on the battery.

“I think everybody should concentrate on batteries right now because even if you manufacture these cars, if there is no battery supply, then it will be challenging … The issue is how to resolve range anxiety,” she said.

“The Philippines is well-placed right now to take advantage of some other issues that are happening around the world and capture business from other parts of the world,” she added. — Justine Irish D. Tabile

DTI programs can address tariff impact — DBM

OSAPIEA

BUDGET Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman said the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is sufficiently funded to support exporters affected by US tariffs.

In an e-mail interview with BusinessWorld, Ms. Pangandaman said the DTI’s budget this year can extend support should the tariffs result in a “reduction in profit margins for exporters.”

“In this regard, under the FY 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA), the DTI was provided with P902.30 million for its Exports and Investments Development Program for the development, facilitation and promotion of exports and investments, as well as the formulation of strategic plans and policies thereon,” she said.

The Philippines has been assigned a 17% tariff by the US, which have been placed on hold pending negotiations on more definitive tariffs in Washington. Representing the Philippines are Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs Frederick D. Go and Trade Secretary Cristina A. Roque.

The US is charging most trading partners a 10% baseline tariff after suspending the reciprocal tariffs announced in early April.

Top Philippine exports to the US are electronic products, ignition wiring sets, other wiring assemblies used in vehicles, aircraft and ships, coconut oil, machinery and transport equipment, pineapple and pineapple products.

Ms. Pangandaman also cited the budgetary provisions for the DTI’s Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Development Program, which aims to enhance the growth and global competitiveness of MSMEs.

“This program includes projects such as the establishment of Negosyo Centers (P454.3 million) and the Shared Service Facilities (SSF) Project (P646.7 million),” she said.

The Negosyo Centers will provide business registration assistance, business advisory services, business information, and advocacy services, including product development, trade promotion, and financing facilitation assistance to MSMEs. 

Other allocations include the P500-million Pondo sa Pagbabago at Pag-asenso (P3) Program.

The DTI said this program will set up common service facilities and assist small enterprises in improving their productivity and efficiency.

It will provide eligible small enterprises with shared machinery, equipment, tools, accessories, and other items.

John Paolo R. Rivera, senior research fellow at the Philippine Institute for Development Studies, said the government can also provide tax incentives, soft loans, or production subsidies for exporters of vulnerable products such as electronics components, automotive parts, and agriculture-based goods.

“It would be prudent for National Government to earmark a specific allocation in the 2026 budget to support sectors affected by the US tariffs,” he told BusinessWorld via Viber.

Mr. Rivera added that a “dedicated budget line possibly under the DTI, Department of Agriculture, or a special inter-agency fund” would demonstrate the government’s dedication to safeguarding jobs and competitiveness. — Aubrey Rose A. Inosante

The CFO as a value architect: Long-term value in the ‘Age of And’

IN BRIEF:

• CFOs are transitioning into Value Architects, integrating sustainability and leveraging AI to enhance long-term value creation and innovation.

• The adoption of advanced technologies is empowering CFOs to refine both financial and non-financial reporting, yielding deeper insights and promoting sustainable business practices.

• Value Architects must craft a compelling value narrative, outline a business case, and establish a new operating model.

In a world defined by complexity, uncertainty, and transformation, the role of the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is being reinvented. No longer confined to the realm of compliance and financial stewardship, today’s CFOs are stepping forward as Value Architects — leaders who build and shape the future of organizations by integrating sustainability, harnessing the power of AI, and driving long-term strategic value.

Welcome to the “Age of And,” where CFOs must deliver short-term performance and long-term value, financial returns and non-financial impact, shareholder gains and societal progress.

FROM SCOREKEEPER TO STRATEGIST
Traditionally, the CFO has been viewed as the company’s financial guardian — tasked with ensuring regulatory compliance, managing risks, and delivering quarterly results. But in a landscape disrupted by climate risk, digital innovation, and shifting stakeholder expectations, that legacy definition is no longer enough.

Today, CFOs are stepping beyond the finance function to shape enterprise-wide strategy. This evolution — from scorekeeper to strategist — is not just a role shift; it’s a mindset shift. The modern CFO must be a translator between the language of numbers and the language of value. CFOs are becoming the “business copilot,” guiding decisions that determine future competitiveness and resilience.

SUSTAINABILITY: THE NEW VALUE-CREATION MANDATE
Sustainability has moved to the heart of corporate strategy. It’s not just about ethics or regulatory compliance — it’s about creating durable, future-fit business models. CFOs are uniquely positioned to lead this shift.

With the introduction of stringent new reporting regulations — such as the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and frameworks like the ISSB and TNFD — organizations are being held to a higher standard of non-financial transparency. This places the CFO at the center of an evolving disclosure ecosystem.

A recent EY survey of corporate leaders reveals that 92% of European companies are significantly transforming their approach to sustainability reporting. And 80% of institutional investors now support ESG investments — even when they impact short-term financial targets. This is a powerful signal: the market is demanding sustainable value, not just fast profits.

AI AND THE RISE OF THE AUGMENTED CFO
At the same time, AI is radically reshaping the finance function. Tasks that were once manual and time-consuming — such as reconciliations, data processing, and basic reporting — are now being automated. This frees up CFOs to focus on higher-value work: forecasting, strategic planning, scenario modeling, and insight generation.

But AI’s potential goes far beyond efficiency. It enables the integration of financial and non-financial data in real time, empowering CFOs to make more informed, holistic decisions.

According to the 2024 EY Corporate Reporting Survey, 87% of finance leaders are already using or piloting AI to enhance ESG and financial reporting. More than 60% of ESG-leading companies believe AI presents a major opportunity for long-term value creation. The opportunity is clear — but so is the responsibility. Ethical use, bias mitigation, and transparency will be essential as AI becomes more deeply embedded in finance.

THE EVOLVING ROLE OF THE CFO: A FOUR-STAGE JOURNEY
The shift from traditional CFO to Value Architect unfolds across four stages:

Scorekeeper (Yesterday): Focused on compliance, cost control, and historical reporting.

Business Copilot (Today): Collaborates across functions, supports ESG compliance, and brings insights to leadership.

Value Creator (Tomorrow): Aligns short-term results with long-term vision, integrates ESG into investment decisions, and uses AI for decision-making.

Value Architect (Beyond): Designs value for all stakeholders, leads convergence of ESG and financial reporting, and embeds sustainability at the core of strategy.

This is not a theoretical exercise. Companies that proactively empower CFOs to evolve along this trajectory are more likely to thrive.

AN ACTION AGENDA FOR CFOs
To step fully into the Value Architect role, CFOs must lead with clarity, ambition, and action. Here are three critical imperatives:

Design a value story that resonates. Today’s stakeholders — investors, customers, regulators, and employees — are asking tough questions about how companies create value for the long term. CFOs must help craft a narrative that explains how financial performance and sustainability go hand in hand.

• Embed ESG into investor communications

• Articulate how non-financial performance supports financial outcomes

• Lead sustainable financing initiatives (e.g., green bonds, climate-linked loans)

Build a business case for integrated value. Sustainability investments often require up-front cost, but they also unlock long-term value. CFOs must champion robust, data-backed business cases that show how ESG drives RoI.

• Include sustainability metrics in capital allocation

• Implement internal carbon pricing

• Link ESG to financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting

Redesign the finance function. Finance teams must be equipped to manage and report on integrated value. That means transforming the operating model, investing in technology, and building new skills.

• Upskill finance professionals in ESG and data science

• Adopt AI tools for forecasting and scenario planning

• Establish audit-ready ESG reporting systems

THE CFO: A CEO-IN-WAITING?
As the CFO role becomes more strategic, it also becomes a more natural stepping stone to the CEO position. CFOs who master the art of long-term value creation, cross-functional leadership, and stakeholder engagement are increasingly viewed as future CEOs.

Organizations that embrace this shift will not only strengthen their leadership pipeline but also future-proof their strategy and governance models.

THE FUTURE OF FINANCE IS THE FUTURE OF VALUE
The CFO’s transformation into a Value Architect is both a challenge and a calling. It requires courage, capability, and a willingness to rethink the foundations of finance. But the rewards — for the organization, its stakeholders, and society — are profound. In the Age of “And,” CFOs must deliver earnings and impact, manage risk and drive innovation, honor shareholders and serve broader societal goals.

As Julie Linn Teigland, EY EMEIA Area Managing Partner, aptly puts it: “Since sustainability is intrinsically linked to value creation, and the CFO plays a key role in financial value creation, it is a natural progression for the CFO to have a more holistic view of value.” The time to embrace that progression is now.

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

 

Aris C. Malantic is the Financial Accounting Advisory Services (FAAS) leader of SGV & Co.

Mapua blasts San Beda in straight sets to remain in Final Four race

MAPUA UNIVERSITY LADY CARDINALS — FACEBOOK.COM/NCAA.ORG.PH

Games on Monday
(Filoil EcoOil Arena)
8 a.m. – SSC-R vs Letran (M)
11 a.m. – SSC-R vs Letran (W)
2:30 p.m. – CSB vs AU (W)
5 p.m. – CSB vs AU (M)

MAPUA University overcame a serious third-set challenge put up by San Beda University in pulling off a 25-18, 25-18, 25-23 victory on Sunday that kept the former inside the magic four of the NCAA Season 100 women’s volleyball Final Four race at the Filoil EcoOil Arena.

Freighanne Garcia paced her team with 12 points, including some key hits in the third set when the Lady Cardinals fended off a late challenge by the Lady Red Spikers.

Gregchelle Cabadin and Raissa Janel Ricablanca likewise came through and chipped in 11 and 10 hits, respectively.

It was a much-needed triumph for Mapua as it snapped out of a three-game stupor that sent it stumbling outside the helm where it once occupied alongside the big guns after the first round of eliminations.

And now the Lady Cardinals are back in their winning ways.

In men’s play earlier, San Beda pulled the rug from under leader Mapua with a 13-25, 25-20, 25-16, 25-20 shocker and bolstered the former’s Final Four bid.

The Red Spikers improved to 7-6 while the Cardinals stumbled to 12-2 but still remained at the helm. — Joey Villar

Obiena finishes in fifth place in Shaoxing, China

EJ OBIENA — REUTERS

IN time, Filipino pole-vaulter EJ Obiena will regain the form that vaulted him straight to World No. 2.

But for now, all the Asian champion and record-holder could do is to continue to plod on in rediscovering his old self in the aftermath of another heartbreaking effort — a fifth-place finish in the Wanda Diamond League in Keqiao, Shaoxing in China on Saturday.

The Southeast Asian Games king cleared 5.72 meters, which was good enough for No. 5.

The World No. 2 was left watching Swede superstar Armand Duplantis effortlessly soar to an astonishing 6.11 meters that expectedly copped him the gold.

Greek Emmanouil Karalis took the silver with a 6.01 meters while Dutch Menno Vloon snared the bronze with a 5.82 meters.

Mr. Obiena tried for a podium finish but missed out clearing 5.82m thrice.

The effort came a week after a seventh-place effort in Xiamen where he managed a 5.62 meters. — Joey Villar

Hoey slides to 35th place in CJ Cup Byron Nelson in Mckinney, Texas

FILIPINO golfer Rico Hoey — PGATOUR.COM

AFTER a shaky second round, Rico Hoey rebounded with a three-under 68 on Saturday to gain some momentum as Scottie Scheffler continued his dominance in the CJ Cup Byron Nelson in McKinney, Texas.

Mr. Hoey first played his last 11 holes at the resumption of weather-delayed Round 2 and submitted a two-over 73, which dragged him down to 35th after sharing second with a hot 63 opener.

The Filipino ace then returned to the TPC Craig Ranch course shortly after and mixed seven birdies and four bogeys en route to a nine-under 204 aggregate and 33rd spot through 54 holes.

The 29-year-old golfer trails the red-hot Scheffler (190) by 14 strokes going to the final 18 holes and hopes to finish strong.

On the heels of his sizzling 61 and 63, Mr. Scheffler fired a 66 in near darkness to build a massive eight-shot lead against his closest pursuers Eric van Rooyen (65), Adam Schenk (65) and Ricky Castillo (67) at 198.

The American world No. 1 birdied four of his first nine holes to counter a bogey then gunned down three birdies in his last five holes to offset a dropped-shot on No. 11. — Olmin Leyba

Rockets force Game 7 with road win over Warriors

FRED VanVleet scored 29 points, Alperen Sengun produced a double-double and the Houston Rockets completed a stunning 115-107 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Friday in San Francisco, forcing a decisive Game 7 of their Western Conference first-round series.

The Rockets, who extended the series to a sixth game with a 131-116 home win on Wednesday, seized control in the fourth quarter this time and will host Game 7 on Sunday.

Houston stayed alive by clamping down defensively in the final period. VanVleet also keyed an offensive surge with a four-point play that opened the frame and extended the Rockets’ lead to 90-84.

The Warriors, after shooting 50% from the field and drilling seven 3-pointers in their 36-point third quarter, missed 13 consecutive shots in the fourth as the Rockets turned a 12-0 run into a 106-89 lead.

Sengun recorded a steal on Jimmy Butler III and fed VanVleet for a 3-pointer early in the rally.

“I think people, especially veterans, know the urgency of the playoffs, and it gets monotonous at times through the regular season,” Rockets coach Ime Udoka said while discussing VanVleet.

Sengun posted 21 points and 14 rebounds while adding six assists and three steals. VanVleet also recorded eight rebounds and eight assists while making 6 of 9 from 3-point range and all nine free-throw attempts.

Amen Thompson added 14 points, seven rebounds and three steals, while Steven Adams totaled 17 points and three blocks off the bench. Houston finished 33 of 46 (71.7%) at the free-throw line.

Stephen Curry led the Warriors with 29 points, going 6 of 16 on 3-point tries, while Butler added 27 points, nine rebounds and eight assists. However, Golden State shot just 41.1% from the field and sank only 15 of 49 3-point attempts (30.6%).

The opening period featured 10 lead changes, two ties and an early flagrant foul by Draymond Green. Sengun and VanVleet combined for 16 points in the first quarter, while Houston committed six turnovers in the period but took a 25-21 lead into the second. — Reuters

Underperforming LAC

For the third straight season, the Clippers found themselves out of the National Basketball Association playoffs after the first round. They appeared to be in great shape heading into the postseason this year, winning their last eight and 18 of 21 games to finish with a 50-32 slate. Their core rotation — including Kawhi Leonard, James Harden, and Ivica Zubac — were in peak physical form, all indicative of their capacity to exceed their fifth-place standing and take the measure of the fourth-ranked Nuggets. Unfortunately, they proved less than stellar early and often in Game Seven, all but making the final quarter, and outcome, academic.

Considering Leonard’s prime conditioning, it’s fair to argue that the Clippers wasted a grand opportunity to go deep in the playoffs. It didn’t matter that they were facing a do-or-die situation at the Ball Arena, arguably the hardest to play in as visitors; they had already underscored via their Game Two triumph that they could overcome the Nuggets’ built-in Mile-High advantage. And, to be sure, their best player did try his best; he came up with 22 points (on 13 attempts), five rebounds, two assists, and two blocks in 33 minutes of exposure. The problem was that, outside of fellow starter Derrick Jones Jr. and reserve Bogdan Bogdanovic, his energy could not be matched by the other stalwarts of the blue, red, and silver.

Throughout the series’ first six outings, not a few quarters noted the exemplary manner in which Zubac managed to keep reigning Most Valuable Player awardee Nikola Jokic in check; moreover, he displayed an offensive repertoire that enabled the Clippers to diversify their sets. In yesterday’s rubber match, however, he was far from adequate. That said, Harden unveiled the far more egregious disappearing act; once again, the 11-time All-Star seemed to wilt under the pressure of a one-and-done situation.

To date, Harden has been part of seven Game Sevens, once as a reserve for the Thunder in 2011 and the other six times as a vital cog for the Rockets, Nets, Sixers, and Clippers. In those instances, for nothing has he been a liability on average with his poor stroke (19.3 markers on 35.5% shooting). Yesterday, he could do no better than post seven points (off a two-of-eight clip) and a minus-29 rating in a team-high 35 minutes on the court. And so passive was he that his 13 dimes looked ineffectual as a result.

It’s too bad, really, because the Clippers deserve more. Owner Steve Ballmer is among the most enthusiastic in the league, having spared no expense to place them in the best position to compete with the established elite. They even have the Intuit Dome for their new digs, with The Wall — a section behind the basket filled only with diehard fans and designed to harass the opposition — as a distinguishing feature. Interestingly, Leonard is signed on until 2027, while Harden has a player option for next year. Given how they have continually underperformed despite all-out management support, the former Microsoft chief would do well to accept the viability of alternatives. Else, history may keep on repeating itself to their detriment.

 

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

Philippines, China should agree on status quo at Sandy Cay — analysts

SANDY CAY — PHILIPPINE COAST GUARD/BFAR

By Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio, Reporter

THE PHILIPPINES should strike a deal with China to keep the status quo at a contested sandbar in the South China Sea while it continues to challenge Chinese aggression at sea, security analysts said at the weekend.

“Agreements such as both sides refraining from constructing anything at Sandy Cay would be the best outcome for now,” Justin Keith A. Baquisal, a national security analyst at FACTS Asia, said in a Viber message.

“What Manila really needs to do is to establish its credibility that any Chinese attempt to occupy the feature would be met at a tactical level with consequences,” he said. “If we cannot threaten reciprocal escalation, then our posturing at Sandy Cay is not credible.”

Chinese state media in late April reported that China’s coast guard had asserted sovereignty over Sandy Cay — a small coral reef west of Thitu Island on the northern side of Thitu Reefs of the Spratly Islands — by landing and displaying Beijing’s national flag there.

The Philippines has denied China’s claim over the sandbar, deploying its own contingent of troops shortly after to reinforce its position and challenge Beijing’s assertion of control.

“It’s not enough that we show China that we can also land at Sandy Cay and have a photo-op and raise our flag,” Mr. Baquisal said. “The actions at Sandy Cay are not qualitatively new, so the challenge for the Philippines is to continue asserting its presence in the area through patrols.”

“What’s critical is the logistical capacity to have a stare-down in the area if and when China tries a similar provocation again, and this involves numerous ships, air assets and marine detachments,” he added.

Sandy Cay is close to Thitu Island, the largest feature occupied and developed by Manila in the Spratlys, where Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia and China also have a presence.

Manila should fast-track the development of military facilities along its western seaboard, such as the joint Philippine-US-operated Antonio Bautista Air Base, to strengthen its presence in the contested waters, Mr. Baquisal said.

Beijing claims more than 80% of the South China Sea based on a 1940s nine-dash line map that overlaps with the maritime zones of several Southeast Asian nations. It has deployed an armada of coast guard ships to assert its sovereignty despite a 2016 ruling by a United Nations-backed tribunal that voided its claim for being illegal.

The Philippine government should ask the US to deploy its naval assets near the disputed reef alongside its forces to flex their joint force capabilities to prevent further incursions like what happened at the sandbar, Mr. Baquisal said.

The US deployed its Nimitz aircraft carrier group to the Philippine Sea in late April where it practiced day and night flight operations and tested its ability to rapidly deploy military jets in various weather conditions, according to the US Indo-Pacific Command.

The Philippines should continue calling out China over its actions in the South China Sea to inflict reputational costs on Beijing’s increasing assertiveness at sea, said Chester B. Cabalza, founding president at Manila-based think tank International Development and Security Cooperation.

“China loses its credibility if it continues with its untruthful and illegal claims in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone,” he said in a Facebook Messenger chat. “The consistency of our legal claims is a powerful act in itself. The world believes in us.”

The Philippine government should not build any structures on the contested sandbar since it could worsen tensions and derail a long-awaited South China Sea code, the analysts said.

“Developing Sandy Cay is contrary to Manila’s stance on the status quo since it inked an agreement on the 2002 Declaration on the Code of Parties that it will not develop maritime features,” Mr. Cabalza said.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Beijing pledged in 2002 to come up with a code of conduct on the South China Sea, a framework that seeks to prevent conflict through diplomatic means, but it has remained elusive due to slow progress.

The South China Sea has become a regional flashpoint as Beijing continues to assert sovereignty over almost the entire sea, seen as a vital global trade route that is believed to be also rich in undersea gas and oil deposits.

Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique A. Manalo last month said ASEAN and Beijing are “politically committed” to finalize the South China Sea code by next year, when the Philippines hosts the regional grouping.

“Developing Sandy Cay is not a solution,” Mr. Baquisal said. “China would likely not allow the Philippines to build anything on it, and if we do, Beijing will use that as an excuse to forcibly take Sandy Cay.”

Duterte’s jurisdictional challenge to ICC may have become academic

FORMER PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte — OFFICIAL FACEBOOK ACCOUNT OF THE SENATE OF THE PHILIPPINES

THE International Criminal Court (ICC) has assumed full jurisdiction over former President Rodrigo R. Duterte with his arrest in March, and any challenge to its authority is moot, a diplomacy expert said on Sunday, as his defense team asked the court to dismiss his case for lack of jurisdiction.

“A successful jurisdictional challenge may not be a viable strategy anymore at this juncture because his detention in The Hague already signals that we are fully giving the management of the case within the purview of the ICC,” Josue Raphael J. Cortez, a diplomacy lecturer at De La Salle-College of St. Benilde, said in a Facebook Messenger chat.

“This jurisdictional challenge could have been a deterrent if we were still a state party to the Rome Statute, but then again, we withdrew in 2019,” he added.

Duterte lawyers Nicholas Kaufman and Dov Jacobs in a 38-page appeal dated May 1 said there is no legal basis for continuing the proceedings against the tough-talking leader.

“The defense reiterates that the preconditions for the exercise of jurisdiction under Article 12 in the Situation of the Philippines were not met at the time the Pre-Trial Chamber authorized the opening of an investigation on Sept. 15, 2021,” according to a copy of the appeal.

“The Republic of the Philippines was no longer a state party to the Rome Statute at that critical point in time,” it added.

This contradicted the ICC’s earlier position that despite the Philippines’ withdrawal from the Rome Statute effective March 17, 2019, it retained jurisdiction over alleged crimes committed in the Philippines while it was still a state party from Nov. 1, 2011 to March 16, 2019.

Mr. Duterte’s team also said his liberty is “at stake,” arguing that the ICC prosecutor should not be vigorously defending what they claim is a flawed decision made by his predecessor.

Meanwhile, Mr. Cortez said Philippine refusal to cooperate with the ICC’s probe would “undoubtedly debilitate our campaign for a nonpermanent seat” in the United Nations Security Council in 2027.

He said Manila’s failure to cooperate could be viewed as a violation of the principle that “agreements must be kept,” and the lack of due diligence in ensuring that the rule of law prevails over any political alliances.

“Our full cooperation with the ICC in the matter can be hailed as a defining moment of why the country deserves a seat at the table,” he added.

The Philippines, despite surrendering Mr. Duterte to the ICC in March, has repeatedly said it does not recognize the tribunal’s jurisdiction.

Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Clarissa A. Castro last week said the state position remains consistent: the Philippines is not cooperating with the ICC, which he said lacks jurisdiction over the Philippines.

Mr. Duterte, a maverick ex-mayor and former prosecutor who led the Philippines from 2016 to 2022, was flown to The Hague on March 11, hours after his arrest in Manila.

This marked the biggest step yet in the ICC’s probe into alleged crimes against humanity in connection with his anti-drug crackdown that killed thousands and drew condemnation around the world.

His trial is set for Sept. 23. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

Gov’t told to boost info campaign against scam hubs

Police raided a suspected Philippine offshore gaming operator hub in a building in Parañaque City. — PHILIPPINE STAR/EDD GUMBAN

THE PHILIPPINES should conduct an awareness campaign amid the rising cases of overseas Filipino workers (OFW) being trafficked to scam hubs in Southeast Asia, a labor expert said on Sunday.

“This should at least be a baseline response,” Benjamin B. Velasco, an assistant professor at the University of the Philippines-Diliman School of Labor and Industrial Relations, said in a Facebook Messenger chat.

He said regional agreements among Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member-countries could help lessen the incidents of Filipino workers being trafficked to scam hubs.

Last month, Senator Ana Theresia Hontiveros-Baraquel sought stronger regional cooperation to stop the spread of scam hubs and the illegal recruitment of Filipinos.

In a Senate committee hearing, she said Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) had only relocated to other southeast Asian countries after being banned by the government last year.

Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. banned POGOs due to their links to organized crime such as human trafficking.

“Because trafficking passes through backdoor entries, even formal agreements cannot completely stop the operation of syndicates and flow of trafficked migrants,” Mr. Velasco said.

The Bureau of Immigration earlier said scam hubs abroad operating in the guise of online gambling or call centers continue to recruit Filipinos through social media platforms. They are typically trafficked to scam hubs in Cambodia or Myanmar.

“The government has a robust ecosystem for aiding OFWs,” Mr. Velasco said. “It is just a matter of operating it, from providing immediate aid to repatriating them back to the Philippines.”

Mr. Velasco said apprehending scam hub operators in Myanmar might be difficult amid a civil war.

“What complicates matters is the civil war in Myanmar, which means the Burmese state is weak in terms of enforcement,” he said. “Most scam hubs are located in the Thai-Burma border, which is a grey area in terms of enforcement.”

More than 200 Filipinos who were forced to work in Myanmar scam hubs were repatriated last March, according to the Foreign Affairs and Migrant Workers departments.

Advocacy group Digital Pinoys on Sunday urged Filipino voters to reject candidates with links to POGO, citing their links to criminal syndicates.

“These are not just gaming businesses,” it said in a statement. “They are organized networks that bring instability, fear and criminality into our communities.”  

The group raised concerns over emerging evidence that some political aspirants are either receiving support from POGOs or are directly involved in their operations.

“When those who aim to govern us are the same ones enabling or operating these criminal enterprises, how can we expect justice, safety, or good governance?”  it added.

POGOs eroded public safety, weakened institutions and abetted state corruption, Digital Pinoys said.

“A vote for a POGO candidate is a vote for impunity and exploitation,” it said. “We call on all Filipinos to choose leaders who are committed to the rule of law, transparent governance and genuine public service.”

“This election is an opportunity to defend our institutions and protect our future. Let’s use our vote wisely, for our communities, for our country, and for a better tomorrow.”

Filipinos will pick a new set of congressmen, 12 of the 24-member Senate and thousands of local officials on May 12.

POGOs, which were licensed to provide online gambling services to clients overseas, rapidly expanded in the Philippines beginning in 2016, bringing in billions in revenue, before President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. banned them last year.

The industry had been criticized for its links to human trafficking, cybercrime, money laundering, tax evasion and violent crimes, prompting mounting public backlash.

In ordering their ban, the President cited national security concerns and the industry’s negative effect on communities. — Adrian H. Halili and Chloe Mari A. Hufana

Two die as car crashes into NAIA Terminal 1

PHOTO SHOWS the Ford Everest SUV that crashed into the departure area of Manila’s international airport on May 4, 2025. — PHILIPPINE STAR/RYAN BALDEMOR

AT least two people died and three got injured after a car crashed into the departure area of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 on Sunday, according to the airport’s private operator.

The area had since been secured, and access was now limited to authorized personnel from New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC), the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Manila International Airport Authority Security, who were conducting a full investigation, NNIC said in an e-mailed statement.

Transportation Secretary Vivencio B. Dizon said the investigation was ongoing but initial reports showed the vehicle was parked near the terminal entrance when it accelerated and crashed through the outer railings at the departure area and into the walkway, the operator said.

“At this time, we are awaiting official confirmation on the cause of the incident and reports of injuries,” the company said. “We are closely coordinating with all concerned agencies to gather accurate information.”

NNIC President Ramon S. Ang said the company would extend assistance to the victims.

“NNIC is working closely with authorities and continues to support all ongoing response and investigation efforts,” the company said. “The company extends its deepest sympathies to the families of the deceased and wishes those injured a full and speedy recovery.”

Separately, flag carrier Philippine Airlines said in an advisory that heavy traffic was expected at the driveway ramp to the departure area of NAIA Terminal 1 because of the accident.

“We highly encourage you to allot extra time to arrive early at the Manila airport today to avoid potential delays to your travel,” it said. — Ashley Erika O. Jose

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