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At his playful homecoming presscon, the new Mister International 2025 Kirk Bondad was still reeling from his victory.

‘Honestly, the feeling that I’m getting from being Mister International right now, it’s like when you walk in the park and suddenly a fresh breeze hits you and it goes like, I’m still catching up to the feeling. I have nothing but love in my heart,’ the Filipino-German supermodel, fitness enthusiast and businessman said.

Held at Holiday Inn Express Manila Newport City in Pasay on September 29, Kirk expressed his gratitude to all his supporters, mentors and fellow kings.

He also dove deep into his budding friendship – and kilig chemistry – with Mister Korea Choi Seung-ho, who emerged second runner-up at the pageant’s finals in Bangkok on September 25.

‘We have been always very near to each other at the pacing of rehearsals or anything else because P and K are close to each other in alphabetical order. So, it was just naturally inclined that we will just spend more time together,’ explained a smiling Kirk.

‘But also, we are gym bros so there were not many people who were bonding in the gym but he was one of the people that I always saw in the gym so naturally we bond there, too,’ he added.

The duo made several videos together that fanned the flames of a possible bromance.

‘And then shoutout to my roommate Oliver [Prasetyo, who placed in the top 20], Mister Indonesia. One day out of nowhere in the live stream, he creates F4, which I at that time, I didn’t know what it means. But it meant a lot because that video also got viral and it was Oliver, Mr. Thailand Scott [Kanapol Treesongkiat, who was part of the Top 11], Seung-ho, Mr. Korea and me. So, automatically with that we were also doing additional content so we were just naturally organically building chemistry more,’ shared Kirk.

New F4 version

F4 (Flower Four), formed in 2001, is the now legendary Taiwanese boy group consisting of Jerry Yan, Vanness Wu, Ken Chu, and Vic Chou.

Kirk has another plan to further his ‘partnership” with Seung Ho.

‘I’m really pushing and pushing hard that [lifestyle brand] Bench will get him here because Bench is the official sponsor for Mister Korea International. So, I want him to bring Seung-ho here and do some shooting with me because I know there’s a lot of demand and we want to please [the fans].’ .

Mister Korea has also said that he’s hoping to do a project with you, a Boys’ Love (BL) series.

‘Yeah, we’ll figure out the details later about that,’ replied a hopeful and impish Kirk.

The Philippine manufacturing sector contracted in September due to weak demand and lower output amid weather disruptions.

In a statement yesterday, S and P Global said the Philippines’ manufacturing purchasing managers’ index (PMI) dipped to 49.9 in September from 50.8 in August.

This is the first time the PMI reading fell below the 50 no-change threshold after being in expansion mode since April.

A PMI reading of over 50 indicates an increase from the previous month, while below 50 denotes a decline.

Generated from a survey of around 400 manufacturers, the PMI covers the following: new orders, output, employment, suppliers’ delivery times and stocks of purchases.

S and P Global Market Intelligence senior economist David Owen said the PMI reading at the end of the third quarter is highly unusual in the sector’s post-pandemic history.

‘New orders and output decreased slightly as firms mentioned a fall in client numbers and a modest drop in production from the suspension of rice imports,’ he said.

While new orders dipped slightly, S and P Global said orders from foreign clients continued to improve, suggesting that the weak demand is mainly from the domestic market.

Poor weather conditions also affected manufacturing firms’ output.

Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. chief economist Michael Ricafort said in an email that the series of storms and floods that hit the country reduced working days for some manufacturers.

He said the ghost month and the tariffs imposed by the United States also led some manufacturers to take a more cautious stance.

The US tariffs on goods entering the US took effect on Aug. 7.

Despite the dip in orders, S and P Global said manufacturers continued to increase their purchases of raw materials.

While input costs went up, manufacturers only implemented marginal increases in selling prices.

‘With overall sentiment in the year-ahead remaining upbeat in September and purchasing quantities increasing, manufacturers appear hopeful that the dip in sector performance is temporary,’ Owen said.

S and P Global said manufacturers are optimistic of posting improved sales and higher output in the next 12 months.

As the country reels from back-to-back disasters -several destructive cyclones and a deadly earthquake – the Senate chose this week to pass a resolution urging the International Criminal Court (ICC) to place former president Rodrigo Duterte under house arrest for ‘humanitarian’ reasons.

The measure was approved by a slim majority, with15 votes in favor, three against, and two abstentions.

It was framed by its backers as a gesture of fairness. Senate Minority Leader Allan Cayetano, Duterte’s former foreign affairs chief, refused to discuss Duterte’s deadly war on drugs, saying the resolution was not about vengeance on Duterte, but justice.

But lawyers say the resolution has no real effect on Duterte’s fate at The Hague.

No legal weight

‘The resolution carries no weight at all, as far as the ICC is concerned,’ ICC-accredited lawyer Joel Butuyan told Philstar.com. ‘I think it was just passed to deflect public attention from the flood control scandal.’

Human rights lawyer Kristina Conti, who serves as assistant counsel at the ICC, agreed that the court will consider only mattes of fact and law.

‘The Senate as an institution is not in any way involved in the ICC process, and it is unclear how the resolution will be communicated to the international court,’ Conti said.

‘Unless the Senate has direct knowledge of Rodrigo Duterte’s physical and mental health and their report is transmitted to the ICC through the proper channels, then the resolution will be mere political noise,’ she added.

A show of Duterte’s power

Instead of heeding the resolution, both lawyers said the ICC is more likely to see it as a reminder of Duterte’s continuing political clout.

‘It shows to the ICC that Duterte is still powerful in the Philippines, that he still has very powerful allies, he can even have an overwhelming majority of the Senate to advocate his personal interest. All of these show that if he is released, it will endanger victims and witnesses,’ Butuyan said.

Apart from Duterte’s family members still exercising influence in their bailiwick of Davao, having support in the Senate would show how this influence extends nationwide, Conti said.

Butuyan agrees. “It shows to the ICC that Duterte is still powerful in the Philippines, that he still has very powerful allies, he can even have an overwhelming majority of the Senate to advocate his personal interest. All of these show that if he is released, it will endanger victims and witnesses.”

She believes that the court may also be aware that among the senators who passed the resolution could have had a hand in the drug war.

Tony La Viña, the former dean of Ateneo de Manila University’s School of Government, told Philstar.com that the Senate’s resolution does not help in Duterte’s bid for interim release.

“This is bad for Duterte’s petition for interim release as this shows he has power and influence that can be used against victims,” La Viña said.

Noise, distraction

For Butuyan, the resolution also looked like an attempt to divert attention from the ongoing corruption probes into flood control projects. Several senators close to the Dutertes have been tagged in the schemes, including former Senate president Chiz Escudero.

‘If the Senate really cares for the people they serve, they should first pass a resolution commiserating with the families of victims of the war on drugs and set aside a fund to help the thousands of children orphaned by it,’ Butuyan said.

The ICC is prosecuting Duterte over his war on drugs, which is estimated to have killed as many as 30,000 people. Duterte was turned over to the court in March this year, but his allies continue to push for his release.

With former Most Valuable Player Clint Escamis hounded by foul trouble, his teammates stepped up and towed the Mapua Cardinals over the Lyceum Pirates in their NCAA Season 101 men’s basketball matchup Wednesday evening.

Mapua escaped Lyceum, 90-89, in a double overtime thriller.

There, Escamis played just 21 minutes and 19 seconds before fouling out in the first overtime. He finished with eight points, four rebounds and two assets to go with two steals as he struggled from the floor on a 4-of-15 clip.

After the game, the guard said he is happy with the way the other Cardinals picked up the slack in the grind-it-out win.

‘Sobrang saya ko kasi syempre, hindi lang naman ako yung Mapua e. One to 15-man lineup kami, pwede maglaro, pwede mag-bench, pwede mag-start,’ he said.

‘Kahit sino sa amin, maaasahan yun. Yun lang yung gusto ko, gusto ko [i-emphasize] sa kanila. Yung just be ready all the time when your number’s called. No emotions, pag pinasok ka, ready ka,’ he added.

Escamis was called for three early fouls in the first quarter of the game.

He was able to keep himself from committing his fourth foul until the 5:17 mark of the fourth, and he was finally whistled for his final foul with 3:27 remaining in overtime.

Still, his teammates stepped up, led by JC Recto, who finished with 16 points, nine rebounds, five steals and three assists. EJ Sapasap also had 16 markers and four boards for the Cardinals.

But the hero of the night was Marc Cuenco, who tallied 14 points, including a split from the line with 6.8 seconds remaining in the second overtime to push Mapua ahead for good.

Escamis admitted that it was ‘very frustrating’ for him to watch from the sidelines and be unable to help his teammates when the game went into deep waters, but he emphasized that he trusts his fellow Cardinals.

‘I just cheered them on, kinausap ko sila, like veteran advice, and they pulled out the win.’

And with this, Escamis underscored that it is a ‘good experience’ for them to have such a game to start their title defense bid.

”Di na kami magsha-shy away sa mga ganito moments. Especially yung mga rookies, mga bagong pasok. Ano lang agad sila, mga honed na agad sila sa mga ganitong sitwasyon,’ he said.

‘Pero kailangan namin mag-improve para sa defense kasi we were grateful na panalo kami, pero dapat yung margin of panalo dapat di umabot sa ganiyan.’

Mapua will be back in action next Wednesday, taking on Perpetual Help at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.

As the PBA met the media to launch its 50th season yesterday, the pro league brought in tow the newest member of the family – Pureblends Corp..

Officially on board after the completion of its purchase of NorthPort, Pureblends is carrying the Titan Ultra Giant Risers banner to start its PBA journey.

Their designated representative to the board, Emilio Tiu, attended the team’s first public function with much excitement.

‘We’re very happy we are formally accepted by the PBA,’ Tiu said as he joined his peers in the PBA board and commissioner Willie Marcial in the event that served as curtain raiser for the golden season that starts Sunday.

‘Since last year, we’ve already had the intention of joining the PBA because of the product exposure and the quality of the players. But we waited for this year because we feel this is the right timing, being the 50th year of PBA,’ he added.

He explained Pureblends decided to use Titan Ultra, a male dietary supplement the company is rolling out soon, for it felt it would be ‘an impact product.’

With a squad led by veterans Calvin Abueva, Joshua Munzon, Aljun Melecio, Von Pessumal and young guns Fran Yu, Chris Koon and Mario Barasi and coached by John Cardel, Tiu promised a competitive Giant Risers crew.

‘I have to admit we’re still young but we have a complete lineup and we have four or five veterans who can guide the young ones. We’ll give the strong teams a fight,’ said the Pureblends exec.

Titan’s arrival is one of many exciting changes on tap for the season.

Four new coaches are making their debut in Magnolia’s LA Tenorio, Phoenix’ Willy Wilson, Terrafirma’s Ronald Tubid and Pampanga Vice Gov. Dennis Pineda of Converge while Cardel, formerly with the Dyip, is on a comeback with the Pureblends franchise.

Aside from Tiu, there are two other fresh faces on the board in Jason Webb of Magnolia and former NorthPort coach Pido Jarencio of Terrafirma.

The PBA has lined up a loaded opening weekend.

On Saturday, the 12 teams engage with fans in a meet-and-greet at the Smart Araneta Coliseum then join the stars and personalities of yesteryears in a homecoming event at the Meralco Theater.

On Sunday, the Leo Awards for Season 49 at Novotel Manila precedes the formal opening ceremony at the Big Dome before Manila Clasico rivals Barangay Ginebra and Magnolia, with Tenorio on the other side this time, fire the first salvo in the Philippine Cup.

‘At 50, we are healthy, we are strong and ready to face the next 50 years, for the next generation of players will emerge, where fans can interact with them in a digital and social media space. The PBA remains solid now at 50 and look forward to the next 50 with much enthusiasm,’ PBA chairman Ricky Vargas said in a video message from overseas.

As Tropical Storm ‘Paolo’ slightly intensifies over Philippine waters, PAGASA has placed parts of Isabela, Quirino and Aurora under Wind Signal No. 2.

In its 11 a.m. bulletin on Thursday, October 2, the state weather bureau last spotted Paolo inching its way towards northern Luzon, about 575 kilometers east of Infanta, Quezon.

The tropical storm is moving west northwestward at 20 kilometers per hour (kph), packing maximum sustained winds of 75 kph and gusts up to 90 kph.

Wind signals

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signals No. 1 and 2 now prevail over most of Luzon. No wind signals were raised in Visayas or Mindanao as of 11 a.m.

Signal No. 2 (gale-force winds in 24 hours)

the southeastern portion of Isabela (San Mariano, Dinapigue, San Guillermo, Echague, Jones, San Agustin, Benito Soliven, Angadanan, City of Cauayan, Naguilian)

the northern portion of Quirino (Maddela)

the northern portion of Aurora (Dilasag, Casiguran, Dinalungan)

Signal No. 1 (strong winds in 36 hours)

Cagayan

the rest of Isabela

the rest of Quirino

Nueva Vizcaya

Apayao

Abra

Kalinga

Mountain Province

Ifugao

Benguet

Ilocos Norte

Ilocos Sur

La Union

Pangasinan

the northern portion of Zambales (Palauig, Masinloc, Candelaria, Santa Cruz)

Tarlac

Nueva Ecija

the rest of Aurora

the northern portion of Bulacan (Doña Remedios Trinidad, San Miguel, San Ildefonso, Norzagaray, San Rafael)

the northern portion of Pampanga (Magalang, Arayat, Candaba, Mabalacat City)

the northern portion of Quezon (General Nakar, Infanta) including Polillo Islands

the northern portion of Camarines Norte (Capalonga, Jose Panganiban, Paracale, Vinzons, Talisay, Daet, Mercedes, Basud)

the northern portion of Camarines Sur (Siruma, Tinambac, Lagonoy, Garchitorena, Caramoan)

and the northern portion of Catanduanes (Pandan, Bagamanoc, Panganiban, Viga, Caramoran)

Light to moderate damage is expected for high-risk and medium-risk structures under Signal No. 2, while light to no damage is projected for areas under Signal No. 1.

The state weather bureau also predicted heavy rains over some of these provinces starting Friday, October 3.

Sea conditions

PAGASA has warned provinces near coastal waters of rough to very rough seas reaching as high as 3 to 6 meters, mainly in Isabela, Cagayan, Aurora, Babuyan Islands, Polillo Islands, Catanduanes, Quezon, Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur.

Mariners are advised to seek shelter and avoid venturing out to sea under these conditions.

Forecast track

Paolo is anticipated to hit land over southern Isabela or northern Aurora on Friday morning as it continues to move west northwestward.

The tropical storm may intensify further into a severe tropical storm and raise Wind Signal No. 3.

The possibility of it reaching typhoon strength before landfall has not been ruled out, but current forecasts show a high chance of Paolo becoming a typhoon once it emerges over the West Philippine Sea.

Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto and actor Manny Jacinto made it to Time Magazine’s 100 most influential rising stars.

Officially titled Time100 Next, the news magazine recognized people who are ‘younger than the century they are shaping,’ acknowledging that true influence is not bound by age.

Time commended Sotto for fighting corruption, even if it feels like the crusade is a ‘death by a thousand cuts.’

Sotto, according to Time, has exemplified courage and ethical leadership in his six years as mayor.

Jacinto, a Filipino-born Canadian actor, has proven that talent and kindness ‘are not mutually exclusive.’

‘He has incredible range as an actor,’ Emmy-winning producer Alan Yang said. ‘But more importantly, Manny is fundamentally, elementally, constitutionally good.’

Jacinto recently starred in ‘Freakiest Friday,’ the sequel to the 2003 fantasy-comedy ‘Freaky Friday.’

The Commission on Elections will start from scratch in preparing for the first Bangsamoro parliamentary elections after the Supreme Court struck down two laws that redrew the region’s parliamentary districts.

Comelec Chairman George Garcia said Thursday, October 2, the body must reprint ballots and reconfigure its automated election system following the high court’s decision declaring two Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) laws unconstitutional.

In a September 30 ruling, the Supreme Court nullified Bangsamoro Autonomy Act (BAA) 77 and 58, which redistributed the elective posts originally assigned to Sulu and created the parliamentary districts in the region. This means that there is now no actual law to enforce for the Bangsamoro polls, which had been initially set for October 13.

“The truth is the Comelec is now back to zero,” Garcia said in an interview on Radyo DZBB. “Bakit po back to zero? We will surely reprint ballots and have to redo our other activities.”

Garcia said, however, the ruling validated the Comelec’s decision to suspend election preparations when the court earlier issued a temporary restraining order.

The Supreme Court ruling means the Bangsamoro parliament must pass a new districting law. The Comelec also has until March 31, 2026, to hold the elections.

What Comelec had prepared

Comelec had based its preparations on BAA 58, the original districting law that included Sulu. The Supreme Court previously ruled Sulu was not part of BARMM, reducing the parliament from 80 to 73 members. The latest ruling says the parliament should have 80 members, not 73.

Before the suspension of preparations, Garcia said, the Comelec still needed to conduct voter education campaigns to explain which districts people would vote in and train electoral board members – the teachers who will staff polling places on election day. The poll body also had yet to deploy election equipment and train technical staff for the automated elections.

Garcia said voter registration will resume in the third week of October nationwide for the May 2026 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections.

But those who registered from August 1 to 10 and those who register starting in October will not be able to vote in the Bangsamoro parliamentary elections if held before March 31, 2026.

“Why? Because the Bangsamoro parliamentary elections are a continuation of our national and local elections last May,” Garcia said.

The Bangsamoro parliamentary elections were supposed to be the region’s first since BARMM replaced the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao in 2019.

The Bangsamoro Organic Law set the first elections in 2022, but this was postponed to May 2025, and then to October 2025, and is now put off again pending a new law.

The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) plans to summon former speaker Martin Romualdez, resigned congressman Zaldy Co, as well as Senator and former public works chief Mark Villar as part of its ongoing investigation on corruption in infrastructure projects.

Brian Keith Hosaka, ICI executive director, said Romualdez ‘has been invited already,’ but did not specify when the subpoena was issued.

It remains unclear whether Co, who stepped down from his post on Monday and is currently abroad, has also received an invitation.

Romualdez and Co are key figures in the investigation on anomalies in flood control projects, being the speaker and the chairman of the House appropriations committee, respectively.

Romualdez, a cousin of the President, relinquished his speakership on Sept. 17. During a hearing by the Senate Blue Ribbon committee, retired Marine sergeant Orly Guteza testified delivering 46 suitcases of ‘basura (trash)’ – code for kickback money – to Romualdez’s residence. Co had also received several suitcases containing cash, according to Guteza.

On Sept.24, former public works undersecretary Roberto Bernardo appeared before the ICI. He did not speak to the media.

Senior Undersecretary Emil Sadain of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) also visited the ICI’s office in Taguig to face the three-member fact-finding body.

Hosaka announced that starting next week, ICI hearings would be held every Tuesday and Wednesday.

Waste of time

For former finance chief Benjamin Diokno, lawmakers should drop their ongoing investigations on the alleged corruption in flood control projects and instead prove their integrity by passing a national budget without congressional insertions for next year.

Calling the ongoing investigation a waste of time, Diokno said passing an insertion-free budget for 2026 would be a litmus test of politicians’ sincerity as well as their act of contrition that could prove that they aredifferent from lawmakers from previous congresses.

‘This is just publicity, they are just taking advantage of the airtime. There is no point here,’ he said. ‘Cut the drama, cut the telenovela, focus on the 2026 budget.’

Over P142 billion, primarily allocated for infrastructure projects, was reportedly inserted into the 2025 national budget during the bicameral conference committee deliberations held in the latter part of 2024.

Senate Blue Ribbon committee chairman Sen. Ping Lacson said the committee is set to release a report detailing insertions by ‘almost all’ senators of the 19th Congress of at least P100 billion worth of projects into the 2025 national budget.

Diokno, who sits as a member on the country’s Monetary Board, said that congressional hearings would lead nowhere and further erode the confidence of foreign investors in the country ‘since their only output is to recommend to the Department of Justice or the Office of the Ombudsman to go after some people.’

P220 million earnings

Meanwhile, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) said it expects to earn P220 million if the 13 luxury vehicles owned by the contractor couple Curlee and Sarah Discaya, would be auctioned off.

Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno yesterday said there were sufficient grounds for the government to seize and offer for auction 13 of the 30 luxury vehicles of the Discaya couple, as there are irregularities in their importation and documentation. Of the 13 vehicles, seven were said to have no Import Entry or Certificate of Payment.

Nepomuceno said they have issued warrants of seizure of detention on the 13 cars, and would give the Discayas 15 days to present the proper documents or face forfeiture of their ownership of the vehicles in favor of the government.

The first hearing on the status of the vehicles has been set for Oct. 9.

The vehicles consist of Toyota Tundra, Toyota Sequoia, Mercedes-Benz AMG SUV, Mercedes-Benz G 500, Lincoln Navigator 2021, Bentley Bentayga, Lincoln Navigator 2024, GMC Yukon Denali, Cadillac Escalade 2021, Maserati Levante Modena, GMC Yukon Denali, Cadillac Escalade ESV and Rolls Royce Cullinan.

The 17 other cars were found with correct payment and certification and would be returned to the Discaya family.

The BOC chief also said 10 Custom employees, including examiners, appraisers and deputy collectors, have been issued show cause orders requiring them to explain why they should not be sanctioned for allowing the release of the 13 vehicles.

Nepomuceno said they have requested a meeting with the ICI so they can share information related to the flood control anomaly.

Meanwhile, the ex-wife of controversial Bulacan district engineer Brice Hernandez resigned as OIC of the DPWH Bureau of Research and Standards Technical Services Division last Sept. 22 or just more than a month after her appointment on Aug. 11.

Hernandez earlier drew flak for mentioning in his Senate testimony that he is married to an employee of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) and not to Mel Clarisse Sto. Domingo of DPWH.

It was Hernandez’s lawyer Ernest Levanza who clarified that Sto. Domingo is no longer the wife of his client, who is now married to a certain Rica of GSIS.

‘Brice and Rica got married in 2023 and remain together to this day. We hope this clears the air and puts an end to the confusion,’ Levanza said.

Next year, the Philippines is going to host the ASEAN Conference and the President is going to chair this meeting of the heads of state of the ASEAN members. This is a critical time in the history of our region. The US-China competition has become more intense, complex and dangerous than even the US-Soviet rivalry during the Cold War.

China is a much more formidable competitor than the old Soviet Union. There are also many potential flash points in Asia, including in the Korean Peninsula and the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea. As this rivalry becomes more intense, each superpower will try to get as many countries on its side. There are some countries in the region, like the Philippines, that already has strong alliance treaties with the United States. The Philippines believes that it has very little choice except to maintain security ties with the United States because of the aggressive claim of China of territories that belong to the Philippines.

There are countries in the ASEAN who believe that the presence of US military power in the region results in a balance of power that is conducive to peace and stability.

Most countries in the region have not yet chosen between Beijing and Washington and would prefer to stay neutral. The usual view is that Southeast Asian countries look to the United States for security and to China for trade and investments.

These different attitudes over relations with China and the United States have tested ASEAN’s solidarity in the past and will do so again in the future.

Two Singapore-based professors at the National University of Singapore and the Nanyang University of Singapore developed an index which shows where each ASEAN country is aligned – China or the United States. They call it ‘The Anatomy of Choice Alignment Index.’

Again, according to them, the index offers two major findings. Their findings show that four countries have remained relatively neutral. These are Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand. Three countries are clearly aligned with China: Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia. Brunei is trying to be neutral but is leaning towards China. The Philippines is clearly aligned with the United States. Vietnam is expected to become more neutral in the near future.

Trump’s return to the White House has led to anxiety about US military commitment to the region.

The ASEAN countries have even now expressed concern about Trump’s announcement that it would reduce US overseas commitments. Last April, Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong stated that ASEAN must be prepared for a world in which ‘America is stepping back from its traditional role as the guarantor of order and the world’s policeman.’

If the United States seriously disengages economically and militarily from the region, the 10 ASEAN countries will increasingly have to rely on one another. For the Philippines, one clear option is to form a mutual defense agreement with Australia, Japan and South Korea. These three countries share the same security concerns and Chinese aggression in their territory.

The Philippines has also witnessed changes in its foreign policy towards China in the last two decades. Under president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo from 2002 to 2010, the Philippines leaned towards China. Her successor, Benigno ‘Noynoy’ Aquino Jr. who ruled from 2010 to 2016, pulled the country back towards the United States. Rodrigo Duterte, who followed Aquino, actually formed an alliance with China. However, his successor, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., has brought back the alliance with the United States.

Even as China rises, polls reveal that Southeast Asians have considerable reservations about how China might use its power. According to the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute’s 2024 poll, when asked whom they trust, elites from the various sectors of society rank Japan first, United States second, the European Union third and China, a distant fourth.

The annual ASEAN meeting next year will be very crucial for Southeast Asian nations.

The recently organized Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) has just begun its work. At this early stage, it has generated some controversy. I would like to join the debate on whether the commission hearings should be livestreamed or not.

I definitely support the idea of conducting the hearings open to the public. If the hearings are kept secret or away from the public eye, this will generate suspicion as to whether the commission itself is keeping anything secret or confidential. This will lessen trust in the hearings. Right now, the ICI is the only public institution left that has the support and the confidence of the Filipino people. The commissioners must take every step to maintain this trust so that the results of the hearings will be believed by the whole nation.