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Philippine Peso revisits record low on Mideast flare-up

A renewed bout of turmoil in the Middle East propped up the US dollar and sent the Philippine peso back to its record low level on Wednesday, with further depreciation seen amid extreme market volatility.

The local currency ended the trading session at 61.75 against the greenback, 0.5 centavos weaker than its previous finish, data from the Bankers Association of the Philippines showed.

Yesterday’s closing matched the peso’s record low finish of 61.75 seen on May 18, 2026.

Market activity was brisk, with total volume rising to $1.27 billion from $752.5 million in the prior session.

‘The peso fell after the greenback strengthened further on elevated crude oil prices as US and Iranian attacks escalated, renewing inflation concerns,’ said Jonathan Ravelas, senior adviser at Reyes Tacandong and Co.

‘Expect the currency to range 61.6 to 61.9 levels in the near-term,’ Ravelas added.

The peso’s decline is producing winners and losers across the Philippine economy.

For millions of families, money sent home by overseas Filipino workers now converts into more pesos, giving households greater spending power. Exporters also stand to benefit as a cheaper currency makes Philippine goods more competitive abroad.

But those gains come with costs: Imported goods become more expensive, while companies and the government face higher peso costs in repaying foreign-currency debt.

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Eli Remolona Jr. has acknowledged the trade-offs. A weaker peso could lift exports and help shrink the country’s trade deficit, he said, even as it risks pushing up prices. He has repeatedly stressed that the central bank does not defend a particular exchange rate, preferring to let market forces determine the peso’s value while stepping in only to curb excessive volatility.

The BSP last month raised its benchmark interest rate by a quarter percentage point to 4.75 percent. The move brought total rate increases since April to 50 basis points, underscoring the central bank’s effort to tame inflation as external risks mount.

In a note to clients, Fitch Group unit BMI Research said it expects the peso to trade between 61 and 63 per dollar this year, leaving it among Asia’s weakest-performing currencies as higher oil prices and external risks continue to undermine sentiment.

Why I’m needed by everyone – Eniola Badmus

Actress Eniola Badmus has described loyalty as her defining trait, saying she does not fake relationships.

In a post shared on her Instagram page, the actress said loyalty is her ‘superpower’ and that she remains fully committed to those in her circle.

Badmus stated that she does not play games or pretend in relationships.

‘Loyalty is my superpower. When I’m for you, I’m for you 100%, no games, no pretence. I don’t fake relationships or loyalty. My circle knows: if you’re in my corner, I’ve got you for real. Everybody needs an Eniola Badmus in their corner. Loyalty isn’t just what I do; it’s who I am’, she wrote.

The post comes hours after Badmus rekindled her friendship with singer Davido, her former close friend.

The actress shared photos of them together at a recent event with the caption, ‘Baddoo X Baddest’.

US issues fresh global travel warning over rising security risks

The United States has issued a fresh global travel advisory, urging its citizens to exercise heightened caution amid rising security concerns linked to escalating tensions in the Middle East.

In a statement released by the U.S. Department of State, officials described the current security environment as volatile and unpredictable, warning of possible sudden developments that could impact travellers and U.S. interests worldwide.

Americans currently in the Middle East were advised to remain vigilant and prepare for potential travel disruptions, including flight cancellations and intermittent airspace closures. The department noted that while some airlines have delayed resuming suspended operations, others have cancelled select routes.

The advisory also called on U.S. citizens outside the region to reconsider non-essential travel to and through the Middle East. Travellers who choose to proceed were urged to monitor airline schedules and airport operations closely before departure.

According to the department, U.S. diplomatic missions – including those outside the Middle East – have been targets in the past. It warned that Iran and its allied groups could potentially target additional U.S. interests abroad, including businesses, institutions and locations linked to American citizens.

To minimise risks, travellers were advised to confirm flight details directly with airlines and seek timely updates in the event of disruptions. They were also encouraged to monitor alerts from U.S. embassies and consulates, comply with local authorities, and stay informed through official channels.

The State Department further urged Americans travelling overseas to enrol in the Smart Traveller Enrolment Program (STEP) to receive real-time security updates and emergency notifications, and to review destination-specific advisories before making travel plans.

PNP: 2 nabbed over pro-Marcos vlogger slay

Two suspects were arrested Thursday morning in connection with the killing of vlogger Alicia ‘Mima Alicia’ Lipata, reportedly a supporter of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the Philippine National Police (PNP) said.

Lipata was gunned down by the motorcycle-riding tandem in Caloocan City on July 17.

The suspects were tracked to Mabalacat City, Pampanga, PNP public information chief Col. Allen Rae Co told reporters in a briefing at Camp Crame.

He identified the gunman by the alias ‘M.S.,’ a 58-year-old man from Caloocan City, and the motorcycle rider by the alias ‘J.A.,’ a 48-year-old man from Cavite.

Co also said M.S. has multiple prior cases but did not elaborate.

Operatives recovered two hand grenades, a caliber .45 pistol and a 9mm pistol from the arrested suspects, according to the PNP.

‘We believe that the caliber .45 pistol is the same firearm used in the killing of the vlogger,’ Co explained.

The two suspects were taken into police custody and are awaiting charges for murder and violations of Republic Act No. 10591, or the Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, and RA No. 9516, which pertains to the illegal possession of explosives.

Co said investigators were still looking into whether the motive behind Lipata’s killing was related to her political statements or personal life.

‘We have received information that we cannot disclose yet as of now so as not to compromise our ongoing operations… But, all I could say is based on that information, there are some other people involved,’ Co explained.

‘Around 15 or 20 minutes before Lipata arrived at her home, these two suspects entered. It points to the fact that some other people were looking or surveilling the victim’s movements,’ he added.

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla previously said police investigators were looking into the suspects’ alleged connection to a criminal syndicate ‘based in the south

PNP: Three groups approved to stage rally during Sona

Three groups have been granted permission by the Quezon City local government to stage a rally along Commonwealth Avenue on Monday, July 27, during the fifth State of the Nation Address (Sona) of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., according to the Philippine National Police (PNP).

The three multi-sectoral groups are the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, Sanlakas, and Better Brighter, PNP public information chief Col. Allen Rae Co said during a press briefing on Thursday.

He added that, aside from the three groups, applications from other groups to hold public demonstrations on Monday are still pending approval.

Earlier, the National Capital Region Police Office said that four groups had sought permits from the Quezon City local government.

‘We will be deploying an appropriate number of personnel to assist in the traffic situation, of course to ensure the safety of all participants and the general public,’ Co stated.

Co reiterated that it will deploy more than 20,000 personnel for security and public safety measures during the Sona.

‘And we are right now in the process of coordinating with the MMDA (Metropolitan Manila Development Authority) and other agencies to fix the traffic,’ he said.

Meanwhile, Co said that the PNP is continuously coordinating with church leaders of the Iglesia Ni Cristo on their expected 112th founding anniversary celebration, also on Monday.

‘As of this time, we’re still coordinating, continuing ang ating coordination with the church leaders as to where they will hold their anniversary,’ Co said.

Hontiveros seeks NBI help over online death threats against her

Senator Risa Hontiveros was not spared from what she described as the ‘wave of death threats’ and ‘pro-killing’ remarks that erupted online following the July 17 killing of vlogger Alicia Lipata, known as Mima Alicia.

Condemning the wave of death threats online, Hontiveros noted that she herself had become a target.

‘Sa halip na makiramay, may mga nagdiriwang sa gitna ng kamatayan at nag-uudyok pa ng karahasan. Ngayon naman, marami rin ang tahasang nagbabanta na ako daw ‘ang susunod,” Hontiveros said in a statement on Thursday.

(‘Instead of expressing sympathy, some people are celebrating someone’s death and even inciting violence. Now, many are also openly threatening that I will be ‘next.”)

‘We are taking these threats seriously,’ she stressed, noting that they had already sought the help of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to identify those threatening to kill her online.

‘My staff has routinely deleted and reported these disturbing comments on Facebook, and we have submitted to the NBI the names and screenshots of hundreds of Facebook users who have threatened to kill me,’ Hontiveros said.

Sen. Risa Hontiveros said she received death threats and was targeted by ‘pro-killing’ remarks online following the July 17 killing of vlogger Mima Alicia.

The senator also called on social media platforms and law enforcement ‘to act decisively against this culture of impunity online.’

‘Hindi dapat maging normal sa atin ang pagbabanta sa buhay ng ating kapwa. Kahit gaano kalalim ang pagkakaiba natin sa pulitika, may hangganan ang ating mga pagtatalo. We cannot allow such hatred to cost another life. We are better than this,’ she said.

(‘We should never normalize threats against another person’s life. No matter how deep our political differences may be, there must be limits to our disagreements. We cannot allow such hatred to cost another life. We are better than this.’)

Lipata, who was said to be a supporter of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., was gunned down by a motorcycle-riding tandem outside her home in Caloocan City.

Police said they have already identified two suspects behind the killing of the victim, and one of them has multiple prior cases.

’Adeleke’s performance made me dump APC’

A former Osun West senatorial aspirant under the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Peter Ogundeji, has defected to the Accord Party to support Governor Ademola Adeleke’s re-election bid, citing the governor’s strong leadership and welfare initiatives.

Ogundeji, who spoke at the Government House open field yesterday while leading thousands of supporters into the Accord Party, said he was previously ‘blind’ to good governance while in the APC.

‘Some time ago, when I was in APC, I was blind and not well enlightened on good governance. But today, I have seen light in the Accord Party of Governor Adeleke,’ he said.

The Ejigbo-born politician praised Adeleke’s welfare programmes for civil servants, retirees and workers across the state, and withdrew earlier criticisms he made against the governor while in the APC.

‘Any statement made against your government was political and just mere fallacy. You have done well, Mr Governor,’ he said.

Ogundeji also alleged that the APC senatorial primary in his zone was not properly conducted, claiming that party elders ‘hand-picked’ the candidate. He said one of the aspirants later told him that even the President had endorsed Adeleke for a second term because of his performance.

‘I am sure the President has seen the good works of Adeleke’s government. I urge all other members in that party to join Adeleke to win his re-election,’ he concluded.

People living longer but sicker – Lancet

FOR decades, longer life expectancy has been celebrated as one of humanity’s greatest achievements. But a new global study has found that millions of people are surviving longer only to spend more years living with chronic illness, pain and disability.

The study, published in The Lancet Public Health, found that although life expectancy has risen dramatically over the past three decades, healthy life expectancy has failed to keep pace, leaving people around the world spending an increasing share of their lives in poor health.

Based on data from 204 countries and territories, the study shows that the average morbidity gap-the number of years people live in poor health before they die-has widened from 8.8 years in 1990 to 10.7 years in 2023.

According to the findings, people today spend an average of 14.5% of their lives living with disease or disability, compared with 13.6% just over three decades ago. Researchers also found that this growing burden is no longer confined to old age but now stretches across much of adulthood.

‘The challenge is no longer simply helping people live longer. It is helping them stay healthy for longer,’ the study’s authors said.

The findings expose one of modern healthcare’s biggest contradictions. Between 1990 and 2023, global life expectancy increased from 64.6 years to 73.8 years, while healthy life expectancy rose from 55.9 years to 63.1 years.

Although these gains are undeniable, they remain uneven. Medical advances have helped people survive heart disease, cancer and infectious diseases, but millions are now living for years with arthritis, depression, hearing loss, diabetes and other chronic conditions that rarely cause death but steadily erode quality of life.

Rather than compressing illness into the final months of life, healthcare systems are increasingly prolonging it. As a result, the countries with the longest life expectancy are also among those with the longest periods of ill health.

The United States recorded the world’s widest morbidity gap in 2023 at 14 years, narrowly ahead of Australia (13.9 years) and Canada (13.7 years).

Researchers said this reflects a paradox of development: wealthier countries have become exceptionally good at keeping people alive but far less successful at preventing or delaying chronic disease.

Across high-income regions, people are living longer than previous generations, yet many of those additional years are marked by disability, pain, or declining physical and mental health.

The study also highlights a persistent gender divide. Women continue to outlive men in almost every part of the world, but they spend significantly more of those extra years in poor health. Globally, women live an average of 12.1 years in poor health, compared with 9.3 years for men.

The findings suggest that longevity alone is an incomplete measure of progress, particularly if those added years are accompanied by increasing disability.

Lower back pain and other musculoskeletal disorders remain the leading contributors to years lived in poor health, followed by depression, anxiety, age-related hearing loss, falls and other non-communicable diseases.

Unlike infectious diseases, these conditions often persist for decades, requiring continuous care rather than one-time treatment.

The researchers said extending life expectancy can no longer be the sole benchmark of successful healthcare. Instead, governments should focus on reducing the number of years people spend living with illness by investing in prevention, rehabilitation and long-term management of chronic diseases.

High blood sugar, obesity, tobacco use and malnutrition remain among the leading preventable drivers of poor health worldwide, although their impact varies across regions.

The researchers warned that without stronger action, ageing populations could place unprecedented pressure on healthcare systems, while millions of people spend longer lives increasingly shaped by disability rather than wellbeing.

Taiwan extends microfinancing to garlic growers, processors in Laoag

Garlic growers and processors benefit from a microfinancing program supported by Taiwan, providing farmers and agricultural entrepreneurs greater access to capital.

This situation is expected to improve productivity, expand operations, and enhance the competitiveness of the local garlic industry.

Eric Pin Yu Chen, representative for the Taiwan Technical Mission in the Philippines, said that at least 10 garlic incubatees (startup companies) have been selected so far this year for the grant.

‘Each incubatee received P240,000. The amount can be used to start their business or to improve it,’ he said in an interview at the Garlic Incubation Center.

The center is located at the Tabacalera compound in front of Museo Iloco in this city.

According to Chen, the financial assistance, locally known as ‘Sagut ti Bawang,’ an Ilokano term meaning ‘a gift from garlic,’ aims to provide incubation support to qualified beneficiaries.

The fund will be used by the local entrepreneurs during the start-up phase of their proposed product or until it is ready for commercialization.

Some of the products are now being showcased at the center, including pickled garlic, garlic seasoning, garlic candy and chips, among others.

He announced plans to extend the assistance to 10 garlic incubatees each year or until the garlic project being assisted by Taiwan is completed by the end of 2029.

After a year, the beneficiaries are expected to return the investment, not the exact amount borrowed, but in kind or through their developed and improved products.

The market-ready products will then be connected with prospective buyers to expand their market niche.

Chen hopes that innovation and partnership with agencies like the Ilocos Norte provincial government will strengthen the garlic value chain by helping farmers and processors adopt better practices, cut post-harvest losses, and boost product value.

Improved access to financing is also expected to encourage the adoption of modern technologies and support the expansion of small agricultural enterprises.

Judy Viernes, a farmer and garlic processor from Sarrat town, said he is grateful for the assistance.

He said it was a blessing in disguise that he met the Taiwan group during a garlic meeting with farmers at the Ilocos Norte Agriculture and Fisheries Extension Council in this city.

He said easier access to credit and expert guidance in product development boosted his confidence to venture into pickled garlic as a value-added product.

These factors enabled him to improve his garlic-based products through assessment, safety, packaging, labeling and regulations,

Like fellow beneficiaries who participated in the business pitching program and business plan preparation training, Viernes hopes his value-added product will increase his income and create more opportunities for growth.

The partnership also underscores ongoing agricultural cooperation between the Philippines and Taiwan, particularly in advancing rural development, supporting smallholder farmers, and improving food production.

Ceylon Energy hosts ‘Energize 2026’; launches Apollo Energy, Delaware USA investment platform

Reaffirming its commitment to driving innovation in the energy sector, Ceylon Energy successfully hosted ‘Energize 2026,’ a premier knowledge-sharing forum that brought together global industry experts, engineers, investors, business leaders, and energy professionals to explore the latest developments shaping the future of energy.

Held under the theme ‘Latest Industrial Developments in the Energy Sector,’ the event served as a platform for knowledge sharing, collaboration, and discussions on global innovations transforming the energy industry. Through a series of technical presentations and an engaging panel discussion, participants gained valuable insights into emerging technologies, modern engineering practices, and future opportunities within the sector.

The workshop featured distinguished resource personnel representing Ceylon Energy’s strategic global alliances, including Hubbell Power Systems, CTC Global, and Aclara Technologies. The experts shared their knowledge on advanced transmission and distribution technologies, smart grid solutions, digital infrastructure, and innovations that are shaping energy systems across the world.

The event attracted a diverse audience comprising engineers, utility professionals, investors, financial institutions, business leaders, and other stakeholders from across the energy sector.

A key highlight of ‘Energize 2026’ was the insightful panel discussion titled ‘Shaping the Future of Energy,’ which brought together renowned global industry experts to discuss the opportunities and challenges in building resilient and technology-driven energy systems.

The panel featured Hubbell Power Systems USA International HPS Sales Vice President Fabio C. Faria, Aclara Technologies USA Product Management Vice President Julian Roteta, Hubbell Power Systems Southeast Asia Territory Manager Dr. Timothy See Thoe, Hubbell Power Systems USA Transmission Principal Engineer Jeff Butler, and CTC Global South Asia Vice President Hitesh Mundhada.

The panellists shared valuable perspectives on technological advancements, innovation, investment opportunities, and the importance of adopting global best practices to transform the energy sector.

A defining highlight of ‘Energize 2026’ was the official launch of Apollo Energy, Delaware USA, an innovative investment platform introduced by Ceylon Energy Chairman and Founder Madu Fernando. The platform has been developed to connect investors with carefully curated high-yield energy and infrastructure projects across Sri Lanka and the wider region, creating a transparent marketplace for investment in sustainable energy developments.

Apollo Energy enables participation from investors of all scales, from individual investors to corporate and institutional investment groups, opening access to opportunities that have traditionally been limited to large-scale investors. By bridging the gap between project developers and investors, the platform is expected to unlock new sources of funding for renewable energy and infrastructure projects while creating attractive long-term investment opportunities and stronger returns for investors.

Speaking at the launch, Fernando said: ‘All our initiatives are focused on our vision of ‘Lighting People’s Lives.’ Apollo Energy is one such initiative, and Energize by Ceylon Energy is another platform built with the same purpose, to empower the industry through knowledge, innovation, collaboration, and opportunity.’