MALACAÑANG on Monday confirmed the appointment of Special Prosecutor Justice Mariflor P. Punzalan-Castillo, as officer-in-charge of the Office of the Ombudsman.
Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin told Palace reporters in a Viber group chat that she will act as the Ombudsman following the expiration of Ombudsman Samuel R. Martires’ seven-year term on July 27.
According to Mr. Bersamin, there is no shortlist yet from the Judicial Bar and Council (JBC).
“Interviews of the aspirants by the JBC are yet to begin after the SONA (State of the Nation Address),” he added, noting President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s speech on July 28.
Ms. Punzalan-Castillo was also a Court of Appeals Justice, appointed by Mr. Marcos in November 2023.
The President’s pick for the position comes as he delivered his midterm SONA in the House of Representatives, outlining his legislative agenda for the remainder of his six-year term. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana
THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Monday said tourism in the Philippines rose by almost 8% in the first half of 2025, compared to the same period last year.
In a statement, Commissioner Joel Anthony M. Viado said the bureau processed over 7.84 million arrivals from January to June 2025, compared to over 7.27 million in the first half of 2024.
Travelers from the US topped the list of arrivals (753,544), followed by those from South Korea (745,623), Japan (256,776), China (229,915), and Australia (188,082).
“This steady growth is proof that the Philippines remains a top destination in the region,” Mr. Viado said.
The government will continue to improve its programs to attract more visitors to the country, the BI noted. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana
THE National Housing Authority (NHA) has granted a one-month moratorium on amortization and lease payments, providing relief for housing beneficiaries affected by recent storms and the southwest monsoon.
Under NHA Memorandum Circular No. 2025-141, amortization and lease payments will be suspended from Aug. 1 to 31. This moratorium applies to all housing beneficiaries nationwide, the agency said in a statement.
Delinquency interest or penalties will not be imposed during the 30-day period, NHA said.
The agency will resume its collection of amortization and lease payments, as well as the addition of delinquency and other interest charges, on Sept. 1.
Any payments made during the moratorium will be applied following the existing hierarchy of payments, NHA added.
According to the NHA, the moratorium seeks to provide relief to beneficiaries affected by the southwest monsoon (Habagat), as well as storms Wipha (local name: Crising), Francisco (Dante), and Co-may (Emong).
The brief suspension would allow NHA beneficiaries to focus on rebuilding their homes and lives without the burden of payment obligations, NHA General Manager Joeben A. Tai said.
“The moratorium aims to offer relief for families residing in NHA project sites, many of whom are still recovering from the physical and economic aftermath of the typhoons,” according to the agency.
The NHA, an attached agency of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), is mandated to address the housing needs of the lowest 30% of income earners.
Other housing agencies, such as the Social Housing Finance Corp. and the National Home Mortgage Finance Corporation, each imposed a month-long payment moratorium for its beneficiaries.
More than 600,000 families are expected to benefit from the payments moratorium implemented by DHSUD’s attached agencies. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz
THE Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has approved the guidelines and policies for implementing Phase II of the revised staffing standards for state universities and colleges (SUCs).
In a statement on Monday, the DBM said it greenlit the issuance of National Budget Circular No. 598, which seeks to improve the performance and reach of public higher education institutions to make government services more responsive and inclusive.
“We are strengthening the standards for hiring personnel in our State Universities and Colleges. We are following President Bongbong Marcos’ directive to ensure that there is an adequate and appropriate workforce for research and development, as well as support for our students,” Budget Secretary Amenah. F. Pangandaman said.
Issued on July 15, the circular provides the guidelines and policies for the implementation of the second phase of the Revised Organization and Staffing Standards for SUCs.
“Phase II now strengthens the institutional capacity of SUCs in research, extension, and auxiliary services, recognizing their increasingly important role in national development, innovation, and community engagement,” the DBM said. — Aubrey Rose A. Inosante
Top executives from SSS and Robinsons Land Corporation, together with local government officials, inaugurated the new SSS Sta. Rosa Branch at Robinsons Sta. Rosa.
THE Social Security System (SSS) has launched a new branch in Sta. Rosa, Laguna to cater to residents of nearby cities Cabuyao, Calamba, Biñan, San Pedro, and Carmona.
The branch, located at the Robinsons Land Corporations (RLC) Lingkod Pinoy Center in Robinsons Sta. Rosa, can cater to around 1,500 walk-in members and process over 7,000 transactions daily. It is open from Mondays to Fridays, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Services include the processing of Death, Disability and Funeral Claims, Pension Loan Program, annual confirmation of pensioner, UMID ID capture and releasing, submission and release of E-1 and E-4 and releasing of Educational and Calamity Loan Checks.
Employers may also avail services involving posting, contribution payments, loan payments, data amendments and request assistance.
The inauguration was led by SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Robert Joseph M. De Claro, alongside top SSS executives and local government leaders represented by Sta. Rosa Mayor Arlene B. Arcillas and Laguna Vice-Governor Atty. JM Carait III.
Representing Robinsons Land Corporation were Vice-President for Operations and Marketing Joel Lumanlan and External Affairs Director Irving Wu.
Robinsons’ Lingkod Center also houses other government agencies, such as the Philippine Health Insurance Corp., Pag-IBIG, Land Transportation Office, Philippine Postal Corp., Professional Regulation Commission, and the Government Service Insurance System. — CAT
A TEACHER assists students at a school in Manila where face-to-face classes resumed on Feb. 9, 2022. — PHILIPPINE STAR/MICHAEL VARCAS
PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., joined by re-elected Senate President Francis G. Escudero and Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, delivered his fourth State of the Nation Address in the House of Representatives on Monday. — PRESIDENTIAL COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE
by Almira Louise S. Martinez, Reporter
Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., during his fourth State of the Nation Address, underscored the importance of teachers and vowed to compensate public school teachers for their excess hours and additional workload this school year.
“Ang pinakamahalaga sa sistema ng edukasyon ay ang ating mga mahal na guro [Our beloved teachers are the most important part of the education system],” Mr. Marcos said.
In 2024, Mr. Marcos already spoke about prioritizing teachers’ wellbeing and, in line with this, the Department of Education (DepEd) issued Memorandum No. 053, s. 2024, wherein teachers are only required to teach for six hours per day.
In cases of overtime, teachers may only claim pay for up to two extra hours daily.
“At ngayong school year na ito, makakatanggap na kayo ng kabayaran para sa inyong teaching overload at para sa inyong overtime [This school year, you will receive compensation for your teaching overload and overtime],” Mr. Marcos said.
In addition to overtime and overload pay, the Education department on Monday said it doubled the teaching supplies allowance to P10,000, along with the first-ever medical allowance for teachers.
“Teachers in private schools will now receive a ₱24,000 salary subsidy, a ₱6,000 increase,” the DepEd said in its press release.
Source: DepEd
“Mula sa simula, malinaw ang layunin natin na makinig, ayusin ang kailangang ayusin, at itayo ang mga kulang [From the beginning, it was clear that our goal was to listen, fix what needs to be fixed, and build what we’re lacking],” Education Secretary Juan Edgardo “Sonny” M. Angara said in a press release.
“This is the result of listening to our teachers, parents, and actual students in schools,” Mr. Angara said in Filipino.
Reduced paperwork
To highlight the government’s support in easing the daily burden of teaching professionals, unnecessary paperwork has been removed from their responsibilities.
“Hindi tayo tumitigil maghanap ng mga paraan upang pagaanin kahit paano ang inyong pasanin sa araw-araw [We have not stopped in finding ways to ease the burden you carry each day],” Mr. Marcos said.
“Tinanggal na natin ang halos isandaang dokumentong kailangan niyong atupagin noon na wala namang kinalaman sa inyong pagtuturo [We have removed nearly a hundred documents you used to deal with that had nothing to do with your actual teaching],” he added.
PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO
In June, the Department of Education (DepEd) trimmed down 57% of the paperwork requirements for public school teachers to create more time for classroom teaching.
Under DepEd Order No. 06, s. 2025, the number of forms required from teachers was reduced from 174 to five regularly accomplished forms.
Meanwhile, 31 forms for teacher ancillary tasks and 39 forms for teaching-related assignments can still be completed depending on the “agreed designations of teachers by virtue of their rationalized workload.”
Mr. Marcos also noted that the remaining documents will be processed digitally on the government-issued laptops.
“We’re going to make the remaining paperwork digital so you can work on it online with your new laptops,” he said in Filipino.
Skepticism from teachers
Despite these pledges, some educators remain unconvinced.
“The OT (overtime) pay boasted by President Marcos today, although included in the Department of Education (DepEd) Order, seems unrealistic because there are no funding,” Alliance of Concerned Teachers – NCR Union President Ruby Bernardo said in Filipino on a Facebook message.
“Thank you pa rin ang OT ni teacher [Teachers still only receive a “thank you” for their OT],” she added.
Aside from the overtime compensation, Ms. Bernardo also expressed concern over the continued failure to respond to teachers’ calls for a salary increase.
“No mention of salary increase for teachers and government employees, wage hike for workers in the private sector in BBM’s 4th SONA,” she said.
On June 30, House Bill 203, which seeks to adjust the entry-level salary of public school teachers, was refiled in the House of Representatives. It aims to increase the salary of teachers from Salary Grade 11, or around P30,000, to P50,000.
PRESIDENT FERDINAND R. MARCOS, JR. — PHILIPPINE STAR/KJ ROSALES
by Edg Adrian A. Eva, Reporter
Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday lambasted the conspirators behind graft-ridden flood control projects, saying they should be ashamed for pocketing public funds while Filipinos lost their homes, and warned that they would face legal charges.
“Sa mga nakikipagsabwatan upang kunin ang pondo ng bayan at nakawin ang kinabukasan ng ating mamamayan—mahiya naman kayo sa inyong kapwa Pilipino [To those who conspired in seizing the nation’s funds and steal the future of our people—have the decency to feel ashamed before your fellow Filipinos],” Mr. Marcos said during the fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) at the House of Representatives in Quezon City.
Mr. Marcos admitted that many of these flood control projects are flawed, substandard, or even ghost projects. These findings came after his inspection of areas affected by the recent tropical cyclones Crising, Dante, and Emong.
“Huwag na po tayong magkunwari. Alam naman ng madla na may raket sa mga proyekto [Let’s stop pretending. The public knows there are shady dealings behind these projects],” Mr. Marcos said.
To prevent the corrupt practice from happening again, the chief executive ordered the immediate submission of a list of all flood control projects from all regions of the country that were completed in the last three years.
Once the lists have been received, the Regional Project Monitoring Committee, a multi-sectoral body that oversees government development projects, will examine the projects and flag anomalies such as unfinished and ghost projects.
Mr. Marcos added that the audit and performance review of the flood projects will be made publicly available for transparency.
“Sa mga susunod na buwan, makakasuhan ang lahat ng lalabas na may sala mula sa imbestigasyon, pati na ang mga kasabwat na kontratista sa buong bansa [In the coming months, everyone found guilty through the investigation—including accomplice contractors across the country—will face charges.],” Mr. Marcos said.
SENATE.GOV.PH
A day before Mr. Marcos’ fourth SONA, Senator Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson flagged the government’s flood control projects, alleging that roughly ₱1 trillion of the nearly ₱2 trillion allocated since 2011 may have been lost to corruption.
Other senators—Juan Miguel F. Zubiri and Joseph Victor G. Ejercito—likewise criticized the program for lacking an integrated flood master plan. Senator Paolo Benigno “Bam” A. Aquino IV has urged the Senate to initiate an investigation into the government’s flood control efforts.
A warning to lawmakers?
Filipino lawyer and Senior Research Fellow at the Ateneo Policy Center Michael Henry Ll. Yusingco said Mr. Marcos’ remarks appeared to address lawmakers profiteering from flood control projects.
“This warning seems to be directly addressed to lawmakers, specifically dynastic lawmakers who profit from these flood control projects,” Mr. Yusingco told BusinessWorld via Messenger.
“But to stay true to his commitment to prosecute everyone behind the corruption, the President must appoint the right person as the new Ombudsman—someone who will not be afraid to go after political dynasties, someone who has the wherewithal to overcome partisan politics,” he added.
If the President appoints someone who does not meet these standards, the SONA is just an empty threat, and Gen Z and Millennial voters will make him pay in 2028, he added.
BANGKO SENTRAL ng Pilipinas Governor Eli M. Remolona, Jr. — COURTESY OF BANGKO SENTRAL NG PILIPINAS
MANILA — The Philippine central bank is committed to maintaining its easing bias and is on course to cut policy rates twice this year, its governor said on Monday, though the timing will depend on economic growth and inflation.
“We’re still on that same easing cycle,” Governor Eli M. Remolona Jr. told Reuters. “We’re doing baby steps. That’s a good sign, that means we’re on track.”
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is closely monitoring economic indicators to guide its decisions, including whether to implement a rate cut at its upcoming August 28 policy meeting. He emphasised that weaker-than-expected growth and better-than-projected inflation would be key triggers for further easing.
“If the data on growth is worse than we thought, and inflation is better, that would be a good time for another rate cut,” Mr. Remolona said. “We have to look at the data twice, three times.”
In June, the central bank lowered its key rate by 25 basis points to 5.25%, its lowest in two-and-a-half years, a second consecutive cut to support the economy.
Annual inflation has stayed below 2% since March, and the central bank expects the pace of price increases to remain at that level, including in July. Inflation was 1.4% in June.
The governor was optimistic growth in the second quarter would be better than the 5.4% expansion in the first three months of the year.
The Philippines’ trade deal with the United States has reduced uncertainty, and that should bode well for growth, Mr. Remolona said.
Last week, US President Donald Trump announced new import duties of 19% for goods from the Philippines, slightly below the rate of 20% he threatened earlier this month.
“Growth will not slow down as much as before, but there’s still residual uncertainty,” Mr. Remolona said.
Still, there are risks that could cloud the country’s growth outlook, including tensions in the Middle East, especially surrounding oil prices and regional conflict, he said.
In shaping its decisions, the BSP also considers global monetary policy conditions, including the US Federal Reserve’s outlook, though the governor said the Fed’s influence on BSP’s actions has waned in recent years.
“It will carry some weight, not a lot of weight, not as much as before,” he said, citing a more sophisticated market and the peso’s relative strength even without closely matching the Fed’s rate path.
Mr. Remolona also flagged threats to central bank independence as a significant concern, warning of long-term implications.
“Wherever the central bank loses its independence, regardless of fiscal policy, it leads to high inflation,” he said, adding central banks view what is happening in the United States with “concern”.
Despite external uncertainties, Mr. Remolona highlighted the Philippines’ solid domestic fundamentals, including ample reserves, stable remittances and slowing inflation.
“Domestically, we’re in very good shape,” he said. — Reuters
UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES dominates pre-season tournament. — UPMBT FACEBOOK PAGE/STEVEMARIONFIRE
REIGNING champion University of the Philippines (UP) clobbered National University (NU) in a lopsided finale, 79-65, to clinch its third straight title in the PlayTime Cares Filoil EcoOil 18th Preseason Cup over the weekend at the Playtime Cares Filoil Centre in San Juan.
The Fighting Maroons dominated right off the bat and just went on cruise control the rest of the way for a three-peat in the country’s staple pre-season tourney featuring squads from the UAAP and NCAA.
UP became the first three-peat champion in Filoil history to take home the ECJ Perpetual Trophy, tying San Beda University for the second-most titles just behind De La Salle University with four championships.
Nigerian center Francis Nnoruka, the team’s new foreign student-athlete, collared 15 points, 12 rebounds, two assists and a block to lead the way for UP ahead of its title defense bid in the UAAP Season 88 in September.
Gerry Abadiano and Gani Stevens added 13 points each, Rey Remogat had eight while Reyland Torres and Harold Alarcon chipped in seven points apiece in the Fighting Maroons’ scattered onslaught.
Mr. Abadiano was named Finals MVP. He was joined by NU’s Jake Figueroa, La Salle’s Kean Baclaan, Santo Tomas’ Gelo Crisostomo and Letran’s Titing Manalili in the Mythical Team.
UP seized a 48-37 lead at the half, limited NU to just 12 points and led by as many as 21 points in the third to further prove its stature as the best collegiate team in the country today.
Mr. Figueroa (12) and Kenshin Padrones (10) served as the lone bright spots for the Bulldogs, who were the last Filoil champion in 2022 before UP emerged as the new dynasty.
Meanwhile, ace sniper Reinhard Jumamoy got a consolation prize for the Bulldogs by ruling the Hanes 3-Point Shootout with 14 points over La Salle’s Mason Amos and St. Benilde’s Ernest Daja for a P10,000 cash prize and gift pack. — John Bryan Ulanday
CHRISTIAN GIAN KARLO ARCA — FACEBOOK.COM/NCFPCHESS
CHRISTIAN GIAN KARLO ARCA accomplished what he had failed to accomplish in the ASEAN Age Group Chess Championships in Penang, Malaysia a few weeks ago, striking gold in the 9th Eastern Asia Youth Championships on Monday in Zhuhai, China.
Also copping the gold was Jemaicah Mendoza, who scored 8.5 points out of nine to claim the girls’ Under-14 mint in the standard event.
The Filipino FIDE Master (FM) from Panabo, Davao del Norte, blew away the competition as he scored eight points out of the possible nine including a last round victory over China’s Song Yihang.
Another Philippine bet in Ivan Travis Cu went for a final round and an outright medal but managed just a draw with Chinese Chen Kailin and wound up in a three-way tie for third with six points.
Mr. Cu settled for fourth after tiebreaks were applied.
Taking the silver was Mongolian FM Khishigbat Ulziikhishig with 6.5 points while Vietnamese Do An Hoa snatched the bronze after edging Mr. Cu via tiebreak.
Ruelle Canino, a World Cup and Olympiad veteran, settled for the bronze in the girls U18. — Joey Villar
ALEXANDRA “ALEX” EALA fell to former Grand Slam champion Marketa Vondrousova of the Czech Republic in Round 1, 6-3, 1-6, 2-6, for a quick exit in the 2025 National Bank Open on Monday in Montreal, Canada.
The 20-year-old Filipina waxed hot early with an easy first-set win only to be outclassed the rest of the way by the Czech standout, WTA No. 63, for a flat start in her US Open build-up.
Ms. Vondrousova, the 2023 Wimbledon champion, punished Ms. Eala with seven aces, connecting on 62% of her first serves and limiting the Pinay ace to just three games won in the second and third set combined.
Ms. Eala, fresh off a month-long vacation in the Philippines, proved rusty especially in her usually crisp return game with multiple errors including six double faults, most of which came in the last two sets.
Up next for the 26-year-old Ms. Vondrousova is WTA No. 28 Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine in the stacked WTA 1000 tourney, in the second round.
Ms. Kostyuk, who also beat Ms. Eala in the Italian Open last summer, gained a bye in the first round as the No. 24 seed in the 96-player tourney.
After the grass and clay campaigns in Europe, it’s the first hardcourt tournament for Ms. Eala since the Miami Open, where she became the first WTA semifinalist in history and barged into the Top 100 rankings, as part of her preparations for the US Open on Aug. 24 to Sept. 7 in New York.
Ms. Eala, who climbed to No. 65 in the WTA rankings from No. 69 despite the loss, will have two more tournaments in North America albeit it’s still to be announced before her third Grand Slam main draw stint in the Big Apple.
She’s hoping to finally score a breakthrough main draw win in the US Open, where she was a former junior singles champion, after foiled attempts in the French Open and the Wimbledon. — John Bryan Ulanday
Games on Tuesday (Candon City Arena, Ilocos Sur) 4 p.m. – Chery Tiggo vs. ZUS Coffee 6:30 p.m. – Choco Mucho vs. Petro Gazz
CHERY TIGGO shoots for an outright quarterfinal berth while ZUS Coffee plays the spoiler’s role as the two collide on Tuesday in the final pool stage play date of the Premier Volleyball League on Tour at the Candon City Arena in Ilocos Sur.
A win for the Crossovers (3-1) in their 4 p.m. showdown with the Thunderbelles (2-2) would propel the former straight to No. 2 in Pool B and the knockout quarters alongside early entrants Cignal, PLDT and Nxled.
A loss though would hand that spot to Creamline (3-2) on a silver platter.
If it happens, Chery Tiggo would have to go through the backdoor to make it to the quarters.
Meanwhile, Petro Gazz (1-3) and Choco Mucho (1-3) face off in the other offering.
Under the tournament format, the top two teams from each pool gain automatic quarters entry, while teams ranked third to sixth in each group will engage in crossover knockout matches for the remaining four slots.
The knockout duels would pit Pool A No. 3 vs. Pool B No. 6, Pool A No. 4 vs. Pool B No. 5, Pool B No. 3 vs. Pool A No. 6, and Pool B No. 4 vs. Pool A No. 5 on Saturday at the Filoil EcoOil Arena.
The quarterfinals, another set of do-or-die showdowns, will set No. 1 vs. No. 8, No. 2 vs. No. 7, No. 3 vs. No. 6, and No. 4 vs. No. 5. — Joey Villar
