TOKYO — Japan’s top tariff negotiator, Ryosei Akazawa, said on Saturday he planned to visit Washington this week to hold further ministerial-level talks with the United States.
Tokyo hopes to clinch a deal by an Aug. 1 deadline that will avert President Donald J. Trump’s tariff of 25% on imports from Japan.
“I intend to keep on seeking actively an agreement that is beneficial to both Japan and the United States, while safeguarding our national interest,” Mr. Akazawa told reporters in the western region of Osaka.
Akazawa was visiting Osaka to host a US delegation, led by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, that participated in the US National Day event at World Expo 2025.
Mr. Akazawa said he did not discuss tariffs with Mr. Bessent. — Reuters
EDWIN FEULNER, founder and longtime president of the influential US conservative think tank the Heritage Foundation, has died at age 83, Heritage said in a statement.
The Friday statement did not say when Mr. Feulner died or the cause.
Mr. Feulner, a Chicago-born political scientist, founded Heritage in 1973 and became its president in 1977, a position he held until 2013. Republican President Ronald Reagan awarded him the Presidential Citizens Medal in 1989.
Current Heritage president Kevin Roberts and Board of Trustees Chairman Barb Van Andel-Gaby, wrote in a joint statement that Mr. Feulner founded Heritage to plant “a flag for truth in a town too often seduced by power.”
“What started as a small outpost for conservative ideas became — under Ed’s tireless leadership — the intellectual arsenal for the Reagan Revolution and the modern conservative movement,” they wrote.
Heritage continues to deeply impact American conservatism — including being the institution that created Project 2025, widely considered the policy blueprint of President Donald J. Trump’s quick-moving second term.
Senator Mitch McConnell, a longtime leader of Congressional Republicans, wrote on social media that Feulner “was a great man” and that “his dedication to promoting peace through strength at the end of the Cold War offers a particularly enduring lesson.”
Representative Steve Scalise, a Republican and majority leader in the House of Representatives, wrote on social media that Mr. Feulner “was one of the architects who built the conservative movement in this country.” — Reuters
Masked law enforcement officers, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, walk into an immigration court in Phoenix, Arizona, US, May 21, 2025. — REUTERS/CAITLIN O’HARA
US IMMIGRATION and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is racing to build migrant tent camps nationwide after receiving $45 billion in new funding, aiming to expand detention capacity from 40,000 to 100,000 beds by year-end, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on Saturday.
The agency is prioritizing large-scale tent facilities at military bases and ICE jails, including a 5,000-bed site at Fort Bliss in Texas and others in Colorado, Indiana, and New Jersey, the report added, citing documents seen by WSJ.
“ICE is pursuing all available options to expand bedspace capacity,” a senior ICE official told Reuters, adding that the “process does include housing detainees at certain military bases.”
Top US officials at Homeland Security, including US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, have expressed a preference for detention centers run by Republican states and local governments rather than private prison companies, the report said.
The agency declined to confirm the specifics of the plan to expand detention capacity.
Ms. Noem said last week that she was in talks with five Republican-led states to build other detention sites inspired by the “Alligator Alcatraz” facility in Florida.
“We’ve had several other states that are actually using Alligator Alcatraz as a model for how they can partner with us,” Ms. Noem told a press conference in Florida without naming any of the states. — Reuters
“The government must address various challenges – such as infrastructure, education, and governance – to achieve optimal digital transformation in business.
Interview by Edg Adrian Eva Video editing by Jayson Mariñas
APPROVED building permits picked up 1.1% year on year in May due to the modest growth in residential construction projects, the Philippine Statistics Authority said in a report.
Preliminary data showed building projects covered by the permits numbered 16,282 in May from 16,105 a year earlier.
This was slightly higher than the 0.6% growth in May 2024 and the revised 8.2% decline in April.
In May, constructions projects covered 3.22 million square meters (sq.m) of floor area, down 17.8% year on year from 3.92 million sq.m.
These building projects that received approval were valued at P42.09 billion, 22.7% lower than a year earlier when it reached P54.48 billion.
The increase in construction signifies growth in economic activity, Emmanuel J. Lopez, professorial lecturer at the University of Santo Tomas Graduate School, said in an e-mail.
“Specifically, a positive increase in investment spending ultimately leading to increase in employment buoyed by increase investment,” he said.
Permits for residential projects, which accounted for almost 70% of the total, rose 10.4% in May to 11,331.
These projects were valued at P21.25 billion, down from P25.67 billion a year earlier.
Applications for apartment buildings climbed 31.7% to 1,397 while applications for duplex or quadruplex homes nearly tripled to 250.
Single homes, which accounted for 85.3% of the residential category, grew 6.3% year on year to 9,664.
On the other hand, nonresidential projects slumped 14.9% year on year to 2,930 permits from 3,443 in May 2024. This accounted for 18% of the total.
Nonresidential projects represented by the permits were valued at P16.80 billion, declining 23.2% from a year earlier.
Meanwhile, approved commercial construction applications contracted 14.5% to 1,994. These made up 68.1% of all nonresidential projects.
Institutional building permits plunged 23.9% to 488, while industrial permits inched up 0.8% to 264.
In May, approved agricultural projects fell 20.7% to 96 while other nonresidential projects picked up 2.3% to 88.
Permits for additions, or construction that increases the height or area of an existing building, declined 17.3% to 546 approvals.
On the other hand, alteration and repair permits totaled 1,086 in May 2025, 17.6% lower from a year earlier and were valued at P2.61 billion.
Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon) had the most approved construction projects in May 2025 accounting for 25% of the total with 4,063 permits.
This was followed by Central Luzon (20.2% share with 3,290 permits), and Ilocos Region (8.8% share with 1,425 permits).
Mr. Lopez said that the increase in employment will lead to increase in consumption spending which is a major component of the country’s economic growth. — Abigail Marie P. Yraola
L-R: Eleanor Lansang, Chairperson for Education Committee, League of Corporate Foundations (LCF); Paulette Liu, Member, LCF; Benjamin Chiu, Project Manager, Vivant Foundation, Inc.; Shem Garcia, Chairperson, LCF, and Executive Director, Vivant Foundation, Inc.; Denise Blanco, AVP for People Function, Vivant Corp., Inc.; and Edric Calma, Board Oversight for Education Committee, LCF
Project Liadlaw, a solar energy and education initiative of Vivant Foundation, the CSR arm of Vivant Corp., won top award in the Education category of the 2025 CSR Guild Awards for its efforts to support learning in remote Indigenous Peoples (IP) and mountain communities without access to electricity.
Organized by the League of Corporate Foundations (LCF), the CSR Guild Awards recognizes programs that demonstrate long-term, sustainable impact in communities.
Project Liadlaw is part of Vivant Foundation’s broader commitment to improving access to STEM education in public schools. Launched in 2018, Project Liadlaw addresses the learning gap in off-grid communities by providing solar power systems to public high schools, beginning with schools in Bantayan Island, Cebu. These systems allow students and teachers to use lighting, essential equipment, and digital tools, helping improve classroom conditions and learning outcomes.
In collaboration with the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Vivant’s program also supports curriculum development by integrating solar technology into the Electrical Installation and Maintenance (EIM) senior high school track. This enables students to gain hands-on experience in renewable energy systems, equipping them with skills that support both personal growth and community development. In recent years, Vivant Foundation has also provided science laboratory equipment, teacher training, and student support for science and technology learners.
“This recognition encourages us to stay the course,” said Shem Garcia, Executive Director of Vivant Foundation. “We see Project Liadlaw not just as a program about solar power, but as a way to empower students and communities in far-flung areas the tools and confidence they need to keep learning and moving forward.
With the support of the European Union, the initiative expanded through Project RELY (Renewable Energy for Livelihood and Youth) to reach additional schools in Cebu, Bohol, and Palawan. Most recently, Project Liadlaw energized the Gamot Integrated School in Quezon, Bukidnon, its second IP school and first implementation in a remote mountain community.
As the CSR arm of conglomerate Vivant Corp., Vivant Foundation continues to focus on practical, sustainable solutions that respond to the needs of communities, especially those in areas that are often overlooked.
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Villar City’s vibrant commercial district perfectly complements Brittany’s
residential developments with unmatched convenience and lifestyle.
Tycoon Manny Villar has emerged as a defining force in Philippine urban development.
His ambitious vision and legacy have given rise to Villar City, a sprawling 3,500-hectare megacity thoughtfully designed to meet the diverse demands of modern urban life.
Villar City: The new center of gravity
Villar City stands as a pioneering megacity designed around the visionary “city within cities” concept. Situated across 11 cities and municipalities spanning Metro Manila and Cavite, this burgeoning metropolis thoughtfully blends residential, commercial, educational, and cultural components to reshape how Filipinos live, work, and enjoy life.
This early, it stands as a thriving hub poised to become Metro Manila’s new center of gravity, with modern districts that will ensure continued economic vibrancy, dynamic cultural experiences, and unmatched leisure amenities.
Examples of prominent districts include Emporia, U-Town, Evia, and NOMO, which illustrate Villar City’s commitment to sustainability, connectivity, and innovation. Emporia thrives as a dynamic business hub while U-Town encourages academic excellence with a prestigious institution like University of the Philippines setting up a campus here. Evia pulses with artistic vitality whereas NOMO, despite providing a cosmopolitan lifestyle, offers a lush, garden-centric community.
Just minutes from Brittany’s premier enclaves, an 18-hole championship course by Curley-Wagner Golf Design offers world-class leisure close to home.
Premier residential developments
Within Villar City, premium leisure and residential developer Brittany curates developments that offer investors not only safe and exquisite communities, but also smart investment opportunities.
Its neighborhoods, such as Portofino and Forresta, epitomize elegance, exclusivity, and sustainable living, which make these Brittany communities valuable assets in an evolving megacity. These also benefit from Villar City’s continued infrastructure buildup, connectivity, and holistic urban planning—further making it appealing to discerning investors.
The heart of Tuscany
Portofino invites discerning investors and homeowners to embrace an exclusive Italian-inspired sanctuary.
At 300 hectares, Portofino is Brittany’s flagship development that brings residents to the timeless charm of Italy. Its authentic Mediterranean aesthetics—cobblestone streets, grand archways, and lush landscapes—create a distinctive ambiance.
Within its exclusive enclaves—Portofino Heights, Portofino South, Amore, and The Estates at Portofino—homeowners experience refinement, privacy, and exceptional urban connectivity. These neighborhoods, while providing serene and upscale ambiance, also place residents in a strategic location, ensuring effortless access to Alabang’s premier business districts, top tier schools, and central business districts.
Fortunately, discerning investors and prospective homebuyers still have an opportunity to snap up premium parcels in these neighborhoods.
The Estates at Portofino, with its private pocket gardens, offers 21 generously sized lots of 400 sqm to 800 sqm. Portofino South’s Vimercate Lane, meanwhile, has just unveiled 25 new lots, with sizes ranging from 360 sqm to 446 sqm–providing spaces ideal for crafting bespoke dream houses.
Oasis of luxury and nature
Forresta is an exclusive residential enclave, offering a limited collection of premium lots reserved for the discerning few who seek refined living amidst natural tranquility.
The up-and-coming Forresta emerges as a sanctuary within Villar City, offering 26 exclusive prime residential lots, ranging from 800 to 1,400 sqm. Forresta ensures sustainable luxury, with its tree-lined streets, lush pocket gardens, and dedicated jogging and bike paths, among its features.
While designed to foster connection to nature and community, Forresta is located minutes away from world-class facilities, including an 18-hole golf course and a stadium, ensuring a harmonious lifestyle within a modern, exclusive yet nature-rich enclave.
Modernity and dynamism
One Crescent Tower epitomizes the “15-minute city” with thoughtfully integrated schools, parks, offices, and cafés within a vibrant, walkable community.
Located within Emporia’s vibrant Crescent Grove, One Crescent Tower embodies Brittany’s commitment to innovative vertical living. This high-rise residential landmark promises residents a lifestyle at the pulse of urban rhythm, offering boutique retail, curated dining experiences, and dynamic workspaces within a convenient “15-minute city” framework.
With diverse unit options—from studios to spacious three-bedroom units—One Crescent Tower provides modern luxury within a vibrant community, placing residents at the heart of Villar City’s dynamic commercial core.
Sound investment in your future
Indeed, Brittany’s developments within Villar City present opportunities to be part of an evolving vision poised to shape urban living for generations. Beyond assuring investors of long-term value appreciation, residents are also accorded an enviable lifestyle in a city designed to lead the future.
As Villar City continues to rise, the best time to become part of this ambitious vision is no doubt now.
For more information on Brittany’s collection of luxury properties, visit www.brittany.com.ph. You may also follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
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Coffee isn’t just a drink anymore — it’s the spark behind great conversations and hangouts. This July 15 to 31, 2025, SM Supermalls brings you Coffee Fest: Coffee & Friends Hangout at SM, turning every mall into one big, vibrant café where every visit brews a new story and every cup makes moments with friends even better.
With 80% of Filipinos drinking 2.5 cups a day and the Philippines being the second-largest coffee consumer in Asia, Coffee Fest comes at the perfect time. Every corner of your fave SM mall will become your café of choice where coffee and connection go hand in hand!
Discover your brew with your crew
Choose from a variety of coffee spots such as (L-R) ZUS Coffee, PICKUP COFFEE, Sunnies Coffee, and many more!
Whether you’re hunting for a specialty brew or pairing your coffee with a sweet bite, SM has so many options to choose from! Enjoy artisanal cafés and popular spots like PICKUP COFFEE, ZUS Coffee, and Sunnies Coffee with your friends.
Choose from a variety of coffee spots such as (L-R) ZUS Coffee, PICKUP COFFEE, Sunnies Coffee, and many more!
Relax at coffee hangout areas
Enjoy a cup of coffee with friends and loved ones at SM Seaside City Cebu’s Sky Park, SM City Baguio’s Sky Garden, or your favorite SM mall’s coffee hangout spots!
Imagine sipping your coffee in a stylish lounge as acoustic music fills the air, or enjoying a cozy catch-up with friends under the soft glow of the sunset at the SM malls’ sky parks. During Coffee Fest, SM transforms its malls into the ultimate coffee hangout spots — featuring modern lounges, coffee booths, live performances, and interactive activities. From outdoor parks to common-area pods, these spaces are designed to help coffee lovers connect, unwind, and make every sip more special.
Join special events and make coffee moments unforgettable
Enjoy a cup of coffee with friends and loved ones at SM Seaside City Cebu’s Sky Park, SM City Baguio’s Sky Garden, or your favorite SM mall’s coffee hangout spots!
Throughout Coffee Fest, coffee shops and designated hangout areas will host special activities designed to bring people together. Enjoy art classes, cup sleeve events, acoustic performances, and live DJ sets that turn ordinary coffee breaks into memorable shared experiences. Every event is a chance to celebrate community and creativity over a perfect cup of joe.
Make every coffee moment count at Coffee Fest!
This July, SM Supermalls invites you to see coffee not just as a drink but as a way to connect and create lasting memories. With this year’s Coffee Fest, the entire mall becomes one big café — where stories are shared, friendships are strengthened, and life’s simple joys are savored one cup at a time.
So come, hang out with friends, and make your coffee moments unforgettable at SM Supermalls! Visit www.smsupermalls.com or follow @SMSupermalls to know more about Coffee Fest.
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MANILA – The Philippines’ overall balance of payments (BOP) position was a surplus of $226 million in June after a deficit of $298 million in May, the central bank said on Friday.
The cumulative BOP level for the first six months was a deficit of $5.6 billion. The central bank has forecast a $6.3 billion deficit for 2025. – Reuters
PRESIDENT FERDINAND R. MARCOS, JR. — PHILIPPINE STAR/NOEL PABALATE
MANILA – Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr will visit the United States next week with a clear message to President Donald Trump that the Philippines must become economically stronger if it is to serve as a truly robust partner, an official said on Friday.
The visit, the first by an ASEAN head of state since Mr. Trump took office in January, will focus on economic cooperation, with Marcos expected to discuss concerns over proposed U.S. tariffs on Philippine exports.
“The President’s official visit also aims to address the U.S. tariff proposed to be levied on Philippine exports,” Department of Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Raquel Solano told a media briefing.
Mr. Trump raised reciprocal tariffs on Philippine exports to 20% this month from the 17% threatened in April.
Talks between Philippine trade officials and their U.S. counterparts are ongoing in Washington to hopefully seal a reciprocal deal that is “mutually acceptable and mutually beneficial” for both countries, Solano said.
During the visit, the two leaders will also discuss closer cooperation in defense and security matters, including issues in the South China Sea where Manila and Beijing have had a series of maritime confrontations.
Relations between Manila and Beijing have soured under Mr. Marcos, who has pivoted closer to the United States, granting it expanded access to Philippine military bases as both countries aim to counter what they have described as China’s assertiveness in the South China Sea and towards Taiwan.
“The purpose of this visit is to further strengthen the Philippines-United States Alliance, to proactively engage the U.S. in all aspects of the relations and seize opportunities for greater security and economic cooperation,” Ms. Solano said.
The United States and the Philippines have a seven-decade old mutual defense treaty and hold dozens of annual exercises, which have included training with U.S. Typhon missile system, and more recently with the NMESIS anti-ship missile system, angering China.
Marcos will also meet separately with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, as well as U.S. business leaders who are investing in the Philippines. – Reuters
Cocolife Agapay and Kalinga offers enhanced options for safeguarding health and finances
In the quest for a fulfilling future, one should plan ahead, work hard, and save earnestly towards turning their dreams for themselves and their loved ones into a reality. But, for many, times of uncertainty and spontaneity often occur, where piled-up expenditures and sudden ailments can hinder one from achieving that fulfilling future.
In a research study commissioned by Cocolife, health and finances lead the top concerns of Filipinos, both at 61%. Developing illnesses and health emergencies carry the stress of financial strain, especially without prompt support and adequate protection.
Furthermore, among top healthcare priorities of the Filipinos surveyed in the study, hospitalization is placed first by the majority, comprising 30%, followed by emergency medical services (21%), and medicine expenses (13%) — areas where financial difficulties are mostly felt.
Preemptive measures such as exercise and proper diet, coupled with financial discipline, can definitely help individuals remain productive and stay afloat, but what would one do in a sudden twist of fate where self-care alone cannot suffice? How does one still make sure that everything goes well according to plan?
Recognizing the need for more meaningful protection among Filipinos, Cocolife, the first ISO-certified Filipino-owned stock life insurance company in the Philippines, aims to make sure individuals and families are well taken care of no matter what life throws in one’s way with its Alagang Cocolife brand of care.
“For Cocolife, it is our duty to serve our clients with the best insurance products, life and healthcare insurance, together with the 24/7 customer servicing to cater our clients’ needs, especially during these most trying times,” President and Chief Executive Officer Atty. Martin Loon stated, emphasizing the company’s commitment to taking care of fellow Filipinos in times of need.
Such commitment is shown by its pioneering Cocolife Aruga plan, which offers results-oriented health coverage beyond usual lists of defined illnesses.
Taking financial and health protection further, Cocolife has also introduced its enhanced Critical Illness Benefit and Hospitalization Income Benefit Riders as well as its newest health insurance products, Cocolife Agapay and Cocolife Kalinga.
Most of the time, preparing for the future entails having plans A, B, and C to implement regardless of the situation. One can now have a solid plan in their suite with Cocolife Agapay, an investment-linked life and health insurance plan that promises to help individuals look out for themselves and their loved ones.
With its affordable premiums, Cocolife Agapay helps clients save for uncertainties for just P67 a day. In case the client’s condition becomes critical and medical costs consequently surge, Cocolife Agapay gives Critical Illness Coverage, where the client will be a recipient of a lump-sum payout for any of 36 covered critical illnesses, which includes cancer and stroke. If the client is unable to pay premiums out of disability and inability to continue work, Agapay still ensures they are still covered.
Agapay also provides an optional savings path where one can accumulate their funds to either support their hospital aftercare or their long-term ambitions.
Furthermore, if the client stays loyal to their policy, they will receive a loyalty bonus starting at the 10th year and every five years thereafter, adding value to the client’s long-term plan.
Cocolife Kalinga, meanwhile, aims to make insurance plans much more affordable for Filipinos. For just P20 a day, Cocolife Kalinga guarantees the client a simple term insurance plan that is certain to provide financial support when the client needs it the most.
The plan includes hospitalization income benefit, wherein the client is entitled to a daily cash assistance for each day of confinement due to illness, critical disease, or injury. The plan also offers flexibility, making it possible for the client to match their budget and goals with package options providing coverage for 10 years, 20 years, or until the age of 65. Similarly, it provides the client efficient renewal as there are no additional complicated steps required.
The plan also guarantees life insurance protection, which is 100% equal to the plan’s face amount in case of a client’s untimely passing. Cocolife Kalinga also has critical illness coverage and waiver of premium due to disability.
Carrying a vision of building a better nation through empowering Filipinos to achieve a more financially secure future, Cocolife pledges to guide clients towards a more improved and secured future through diverse options, like Cocolife Agapay and Cocolife Kalinga, that aptly match Filipino’s pressing needs and immediate resources.
“We assure you that Cocolife will provide you with only the highest quality of service,” Atty. Loon reiterates. “It is a commitment that made us the first ISO-certified life insurance company in the Philippines.”
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This July, SM Supermalls invites you to see coffee not just as a drink but as a way to connect and create lasting memories. With this year’s Coffee Fest, the entire mall becomes one big café — where stories are shared, friendships are strengthened, and life’s simple joys are savored one cup at a time.
Discover more about Cocolife Agapay at