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Dole: Minimal disruptions over P85 pay hike in Metro

Labor Secretary Francisco Tolentino on Wednesday allayed fears the P85 daily wage increase in Metro Manila would spark ‘unintended consequences,’ saying it will benefit more than it will disrupt the employment of workers.

Tolentino said the overall impact of the wage increase-whose first tranche of P60 will take effect on Saturday while the balance will be implemented in January next year-‘is much greater’ since it will benefit over 1.1 million workers.

‘The disruptions are very minimal but the overall impact is greater. [A total of] 1.1 million (workers) will benefit immediately starting July 25. The disruptions are only about 12,000,’ the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) told the Kapihan sa Manila Hotel press forum, apparently referring to workers who will face dislocation.

The Foundation for Economic Freedom has called for the suspension of the wage order, describing its issuance as ‘abrupt’ and warning it could ‘trigger severe unintended consequences.’

Suspension sought

Tolentino said wage distortion is more worrisome, explaining that adjustment of salaries will be negotiated between the manager and the worker earning above the minimum wage.

According to him, the wage increase seeks to provide immediate relief to real wage earners and boost their purchasing power.

‘Inflation is not only caused by the labor cost, but there are also many factors. What this wage hike would provide is the immediate cushion and impact on real wages and the purchasing power of the worker to provide for [their] family,’ Tolentino said.

He added that struggling employers can apply for the Adjustment Measures Program, which provides financial aid for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, labor groups and displaced workers

PAL on jet-buying spree, orders more A350-1000s

Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) is placing aircraft orders one after the other, setting out to buy another nine of its flagship A350-1000 from aerospace giant Airbus.

PAL yesterday signed a memorandum of understanding with Airbus for the procurement of nine A350-1000s, with purchase rights for five more, in yet another boost to its long-range fleet.

The order was placed a day after PAL submitted its initial commitment to buy 15 Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner, with purchase rights also for five more, to expand its widebody fleet.

The new Airbus order will also double PAL’s A350-1000 fleet to 18 once completed. PAL signed an order for nine A350-1000s in 2023, and two have arrived since, with the other seven expected before 2028.

PAL deploys the A350-1000 to some of its longest destinations in North America such as New York and Toronto. It plans to do the same for the second batch of A350-1000s, which are set for delivery from 2034 to 2036.

PAL configures the A350-1000 in three classes: business class, premium economy and economy cabin, totaling 382 seats.

The layout includes 42 suites in business class with privacy doors and fully flat beds, 24 seats in a separate premium economy cabin, and 316 seats in economy class, and PAL equipped all of the cabins with in-flight entertainment and internet access.

The A350-1000 is considered as one of the most cost-efficient long-range aircraft at present, as it is able to fly up to 16,700 kilometers with 25 percent less fuel burn.

PAL Holdings Inc. president and chief operating officer Lucio Tan III said the airline takes pride in being the first Southeast Asian carrier with an A350-1000. He trusts the aircraft would define PAL’s competency for international flights.

‘As the first and currently the only airline in Southeast Asia to operate the A350-1000, PAL has experienced firsthand the aircraft’s exceptional range, fuel efficiency, reliability and its passenger comfort. It has expanded our reach across North America, while delivering the world-class travel experience our customers deserve,’ Tan said.

To ensure its A350-1000 longevity, PAL also signed a memorandum of understanding to buy 18 Trent XWB-97 engines from Rolls-Royce to power up the aircraft.

The airline owned by taipan Lucio Tan also struck a deal with Rolls-Royce for its TotalCare program that covers the health and maintenance of the fleet.

CARIBBEAN-AVIATION – Sunrise Airways launches Antigua-Barbados route to boost regional travel

Regional carrier, Sunrise Airways has officially launched a new direct service between Antigua and Barbuda and Barbados, with tourism and aviation officials describing the route as a major step towards improving regional connectivity and strengthening economic ties across the Caribbean.

The inaugural flight arrived at Grantley Adams International Airport shortly after noon on Wednesday, marking the start of the airline’s twice-weekly service between the two destinations.

Sunrise Airways Chief Executive Officer Gary Stone said the new route reflects the airline’s ‘One Caribbean’ vision of creating stronger links between islands while expanding opportunities for tourism, trade, business and family travel.

‘We are strengthening commercial, tourism and cultural ties while promoting economic growth and deeper integration as a Caribbean community,’ Stone said.

Founded in 2010 by Haitian former pilot Philippe Bayard, Sunrise Airways began operations in 2012 and has expanded its regional network, offering scheduled passenger and charter services across the Caribbean, North America and Central America.

Stone said the airline now serves 20 destinations and has transported millions of passengers, highlighting its continued commitment to regional aviation.

Barbados’ Minister of Tourism and International Transport Ian Gooding-Edghill welcomed the new service, saying it would provide a boost to intra-regional tourism.

‘The Caribbean remains Barbados’ third largest source market,’ he said, noting that the island welcomed more than 102,000 Caribbean visitors last year.

Gooding-Edghill said the new route represents more than an additional flight, describing it as ‘a vital step forward in deepening the bonds of our Caribbean family and strengthening intra-regional travel connectivity.’

He said improved air links are critical to supporting tourism businesses, encouraging investment and keeping Caribbean families connected.

The minister also highlighted the wider benefits of Sunrise Airways’ expanding network, noting that passengers from Barbados will gain easier access to destinations including Haiti, the British Virgin Islands, Dominica, the Dominican Republic, St Kitts, St Lucia, St Martin, St Vincent and the Grenadines, and the Turks and Caicos Islands.

He added that the airline’s connections to US cities, including Boston, Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Newark, could create additional opportunities to strengthen Barbados’ international connectivity.

Sunrise Airways operates a fleet that includes turboprop aircraft, regional jets and Airbus A320 aircraft, allowing the airline to serve both short regional routes and longer international connections.

President reviews fisheries projects, priorities for 2027 Budget

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake this week eviewed the implementation of projects funded under the 2026 Budget for the Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources Ministry and discussed priorities for next year’s Budget, with a focus on strengthening fisheries infrastructure, increasing production and supporting fishing communities.

The discussion, held at the Presidential Secretariat, examined the progress of recurrent and capital expenditure undertaken this year by institutions operating under the Ministry, as part of the Government’s preparations for the 2027 Budget.

The review covered the performance of the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DFAR), National Aquaculture Development Authority (NAQDA), National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA), Ceylon Fishery Harbours Corporation (CFHC), Ceylon Fisheries Corporation (CFC), Cey-Nor Foundation Ltd., and the Central Fish Market Complex.

Extensive discussions were held on programs aimed at increasing fish production and exports, ensuring an adequate supply of fish to meet the country’s nutritional requirements and improving the livelihoods of fishing communities, while also outlining priorities for 2027.

The President also reviewed the progress of several key infrastructure projects, including the Myliddy Fishery Harbour Development Project, development work at Gandara Fishery Harbour, the construction of the Rekawa Fishery Anchorage, and the modernisation and rehabilitation of the Karainagar Boat Yard.

The meeting further assessed the progress of research and development initiatives undertaken by the Ministry and considered funding requirements for these programmes under the 2027 Budget.

Attention was also given to the reconstruction of fishery harbours damaged by Cyclone Ditwah and ongoing efforts to restore the livelihoods of affected fishing communities.

The President reviewed the implementation of a Rs. 189 million program to provide boats, fishing nets and other equipment to fishermen affected by the disaster, with the aim of accelerating the recovery of the fisheries sector.

The discussion also examined progress under the ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ initiative to recycle decommissioned fishing boats and other fibreglass waste, supporting environmental sustainability within the fisheries industry.

2027: APC uploads 13 gov candidates, moves to heal rifts

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has submitted the nomination details of 13 governorship candidates to the Independent National Electoral Commission ahead of the August 8 deadline.

A senior APC official disclosed that the documents of five additional candidates were being processed by the party’s ICT department.

The official expressed confidence that the party would submit the details of all its 28 governorship candidates and their running mates before the deadline.

The party has, however, been unable to begin uploading the details of its state House of Assembly candidates because of technical difficulties with INEC’s nomination portal.

‘Our ICT team has already scanned and prepared the documents for immediate upload once the issues are resolved,’ the official said.

Among the candidates whose details have reportedly been processed are Obafemi Hamzat of Lagos, Solomon Adeola of Ogun, Umar Bago of Niger, Ahmed Wadada of Nasarawa and Yakubu Danladi of Kwara.

Others are Hyacinth Alia of Benue, Ahmed Galadima of Adamawa and Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau.

APC Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, said the party had begun moves to reconcile members aggrieved by the emergence of some candidates.

Ibrahim expressed confidence that the reconciliation committee would resolve the disagreements and unite the affected members ahead of the 2027 general elections.

‘As for the disaffection that the emergence of some of these candidates may have caused, the reconciliation committee is working,’ he said.

‘We are hoping that, at the end of the day, all grievances will be resolved. All the aggrieved parties will come together and forge ahead.’

He also urged the candidates to remain loyal to the APC’s policies and campaign on President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda.

INEC opened its portal for the submission of governorship and state House of Assembly nominations on July 18. The exercise will close at 6 p.m. on August 8.

The commission will publish the candidates’ personal details on August 29, while the deadline for withdrawal or substitution is September 19.

GMA shows and personalities triumph at inaugural FAMAS Broadcast Awards

GMA Network once again affirmed its excellence in broadcast, entertainment, and public service as its programs and personalities emerged among the biggest winners at the first-ever FAMAS Broadcast Awards.

Multi-awarded broadcast journalist Kara David led the network’s roster of winners during the awarding ceremony held on July 20 at The Manila Hotel. She earned three major accolades: Best Documentary for I-Witness’ ‘Embalsamador De Motor,’ Best Public Affairs Talk Show for I-Listen, and Best Host for Public Service for I-Listen. GMA Public Affairs continued its strong showing with Born to Be Wild winning Best Educational Show and Biyahe ni Drew taking home the award for Best Lifestyle Show.

These recognitions further underscore GMA Public Affairs’ enduring commitment to producing thought-provoking documentaries, informative programs, and meaningful stories that inspire, educate, and create a positive impact. GMA Entertainment likewise extended its winning streak, proving its ability to deliver programs that not only captivate audiences, but also create lasting connections with Filipino viewers.

Family Feud was named Best Show for Game, Reality and Competition, while Fast Talk with Boy Abunda received the award for Best Entertainment Talk Show.

Sparkle star Kelvin Miranda brought home the Best Performer for Series and Anthology award for his role in the epic series Sanggre: Encantadia Chronicles.

Meanwhile, the country’s top-rating noontime program It’s Showtime was recognized as Best Variety Show, with Vice Ganda taking home the award for Best Host for Entertainment.

Robin Padilla: ‘One-sided’ remark was a call for ‘fairness’

Sen. Robinhood Padilla clarified that his call for prosecutors not to be ‘one-sided’ was a call for fairness, particularly in allowing senator-judges facing cases but not convicted to participate in Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial.

He explained that his remark stemmed from a discussion on whether a previous conviction automatically disqualifies a witness from testifying, which he then related to the possibility of allowing senators facing cases to participate in the Duterte trial.

‘That was my point when I said not to be one-sided. This is not about favoring a witness or a senator-judge. What I am calling for is fairness,’ Padilla said in Filipino in a statement released Wednesday night.

During Wednesday’s proceedings, Padilla asked the prosecution whether a person convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude could still serve as a witness.

He also asked the prosecution to avoid presenting witnesses with perjury cases, such as National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Regional Director Jeremy Lotoc and Senior Agent John Mark Calilung.

Rep. Gerville Luistro, the lead prosecutor, replied that they were able to verify that there are no pending cases against their witnesses, and a previous conviction is not a ground for disqualifying a witness, to which Padilla replied in Filipino: ‘You know, your answer was very good. I hope our prosecution will not be one-sided.’

Padilla’s remark drew criticism and prompted Luistro to explain in a press conference after the trial on Wednesday that the impeachment proceedings are adversarial in nature, so the prosecution is expected to establish its case while the defense is tasked with defending the respondent.

Padilla then wrote in Filipino in a Facebook post on Thursday that ‘the prosecution’s role is not to win, but to pursue the truth and protect the innocent.’

In his statement on Wednesday, Padilla cited a previous interview in which Rep. Leila de Lima, a House prosecutor, discussed the possible application of the principle in Avelino v. Cuenco in determining the Senate’s ‘functional base’ for computing the two-thirds vote required for conviction.

Padilla quoted de Lima as saying, ‘Why include in the number… the senator-judges who don’t function because they are not present?’

According to him, de Lima explained that the two-thirds conviction threshold would change from 16 to 15 or 14 votes since not all 24 senator-judges are present and part of the ‘functional base.’

Padilla clarified that he was not saying that the same legal rules should apply to witnesses and senator-judges, but maintained his call for ‘fairness.’

‘If a witness is not automatically disqualified despite having a conviction, why is the possibility being discussed that senator-judges who have cases but have not been convicted may be unable to participate and eventually be excluded from the functional base?’ he said in Filipino.

Sens. Rodante Marcoleta and Jinggoy Estrada are both detained after being separately arrested on plunder charges. Another ally, Sen. Ronald ‘Bato’ dela Rosa, remains in hiding over an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court in connection with the case alleging former President Rodrigo Duterte’s crimes against humanity.

All three have so far been unable to participate in the impeachment trial against the vice president.

Padilla, a self-proclaimed ally of the Duterte family, maintained that all available legal and procedural avenues should first be exhausted to allow senator-judges to participate before considering their exclusion from the conviction threshold.

‘If court permission is needed, then let us seek it. If the Senate needs to deliberate on it, then let us deliberate. But before discussing who should be excluded from the count, let us first exhaust all legal means to give everyone the opportunity to perform their duty,’ Padilla said in Filipino.

Meanwhile, presiding officer Sen. Francis Escudero previously ruled that 16 votes remain the threshold for conviction, with the two-thirds computed based on all 24 members of the Senate, regardless of who is physically present

Asiri Surgical Hospital performs Sri Lanka’s first Robot-assisted surgery

Asiri Surgical Hospital successfully performed Sri Lanka’s first Robot-assisted surgery, marking a historical milestone in the country’s healthcare sector.

The first procedure was successfully completed on 13 July 2026, enabling patients to access advanced surgical technology locally rather than travelling overseas.

The technology is utilised by experienced consultant surgeons at Asiri Surgical Hospital across a range of surgical specialties, combining advanced surgical tools with established clinical expertise.

As Sri Lanka’s largest healthcare conglomerate, Asiri has consistently invested in medical technologies, specialist expertise and modern infrastructure to expand access to advanced treatment options. The introduction of Robot-assisted surgery represents a further investment in improving surgical capabilities and offering patients with internationally accepted standards of care within Sri Lanka.

The robotic surgical platform, currently used in over 60 countries, supports consultant surgeons in performing Robot-assisted surgery with crystal clear imaging, greater precision and enhanced control through its advanced 3D high-definition vision. Smaller incisions, reduced trauma to surrounding tissue and enhanced surgical accuracy contribute to less post-operative pain, reduced blood loss, shorter hospital stays and quicker recovery for patients.

Asiri Surgical Hospital Director Operations Dr. Harry Prasad said: ‘Asiri has always believed that progress in healthcare comes through continuous investment in clinical capability, technology and people. Successfully performing Sri Lanka’s first Robot-assisted surgery reflects that philosophy -about giving our consultants better technology to perform complex procedures while improving the overall surgical experience for patients. We are pleased to introduce this pioneering technology, which adheres to European regulatory standards, to Sri Lanka, allowing more patients to benefit from advanced surgical care closer to home. As with every new clinical advancement we introduce, our priority remains patient safety, clinical excellence and measurable outcomes.’

The successful completion of Sri Lanka’s first Robot-assisted surgery, marks an important step in Asiri Surgical Hospital’s ongoing efforts to enhance surgical care and provide patients with greater access to world-class treatment options in Sri Lanka.

Legal 500 named Home Credit Philippines’ CLO as Southeast Asia’s In-house Legal Leader of the Year

Home Credit Philippines (HCPH) achieved a distinguished international recognition as its Chief Legal Officer, Atty. Alicia Juliet ‘Alice’ Salita, got recognized as In-house Legal Leader of the Year at the prestigious Legal 500 Southeast Asia Awards 2026.

The annual regional award, organized by international legal research and ranking directory, The Legal 500, honors operational excellence, innovation, and standout achievements across corporate counsel and private practice in the Southeast Asian market. Atty. Salita’s recognition highlights her strategic leadership in transforming HCPH’s legal operations into an agile business engine.

As the head of HCPH’s Legal, Compliance, and External Affairs (LCEA) department, Atty. Salita masterfully oversees the critical pillars of Corporate Legal, Litigation, Compliance, and External Affairs. Under her leadership, the Corporate Legal division has successfully executed major high-value acquisitions, while the Compliance function has safeguarded the organization’s digital integrity amid evolving market dynamics. Her balanced execution of defensive legal structures and proactive regulatory strategies has successfully turned the LCEA team into a key driver of growth for Home Credit.

‘Receiving this regional honor from The Legal 500 is a testament to the high-performance culture we have collectively built at Home Credit Philippines,’ Atty. Salita said. ‘I deeply value the trust placed in me by the company’s leadership and their continuous encouragement to strive for excellence. Home Credit’s dynamic environment has empowered our team to challenge conventional institutional barriers and implement forward-thinking legal strategies that safeguard both the company and millions of consumers.’

Driven by a commitment to corporate modernization, Atty. Salita has successfully spearheaded key digital transformations at HCPH. Her notable achievements include fully digitizing the company’s legal workflow and launching a pioneering Digital Legal Library. This legal library centralizes and indexes over ten years of corporate contracts and regulatory archives for streamlined operations.

Beyond leadership in Home Credit Philippines, in 2025, Atty, Salita was re-elected as President of the Legal Management Council of the Philippines (LMCP), the country’s oldest organization for corporate counsel. In this role, she actively collaborates with the Supreme Court of the Philippines to institutionalize specialized Mandatory Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) programs tailored specifically to the shifting regulatory demands of modern in-house corporate practices.

For the latest updates from Home Credit Philippines, visit its official website, www.homecredit.ph, or follow its official Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok accounts. Customers may likewise download the Home Credit App to get pre-approved, available on Google Play, the App Store, and HUAWEI AppGallery.

Home Credit Philippines is a financing company duly licensed and supervised by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

New PSE trading engine goes live by November

The Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE)’s new trading engine is set to go live by November as part of a broader effort to modernize and improve the local stock market.

The PSE has invested P241.03 million for the new trading engine and another P45.83 million for its back office.

The PSE is upgrading its trading engine to ensure that the infrastructure is in place for efficient, expanded trading.

In terms of capacity and capabilities, the new trading engine is more than equipped to handle the potential growth in transactions of the local market.

The system can facilitate five million orders and 450,000 trades and run an 11-hour trading session.

Further, it has the capacity for a maximum of 10,000 securities, 15 million client trading accounts, 1,000 brokers and 1,200 market data connections.

In May last year, the PSE announced the official execution of an agreement to adopt Nasdaq Eqlipse, a strategic move aimed at significantly enhancing its market infrastructure and integrating advanced technology in its new trading platform.

The PSE’s adoption of Nasdaq Eqlipse Trading was part of a significant expansion of its technology partnership with Nasdaq.

The transition is designed to future-proof the PSE’s current capabilities and facilitate the introduction of new financial instruments, such as derivatives.

To promote greater market efficiency and liquidity, the trading platform is engineered to standardize order execution by implementing a single lot size.

It likewise allows PSE to develop and launch new market data products, offering investors improved investment insights and enhancing market transparency.