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World, the biometric identity verification network co-founded by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, is pushing back against a cease-and-desist order issued by the Philippines’s National Privacy Commission (NPC), calling the decision a ‘setback for responsible digital innovation and a surprising reversal’ after completing regulatory compliance procedures.

The NPC issued the order against Tools for Humanity (TFH), the company behind World, following what the firm describes as a ‘year-long compliance process’ that included participation in government sandbox programs and consultations with privacy experts.

World claimed that the decision could prevent millions of Filipinos from accessing technology designed to combat scams, identity theft, and AI-driven fraud-concerns that have intensified as AI becomes more sophisticated.

‘This sudden change in interpretation undermines the certainty that legitimate investors rely on when working with Philippine regulators. All these steps were done transparently and in accordance with the Data Privacy Act of 2012,’ said Ryuji Wolf, a local operator representing World in the Philippines.

The company pointed to what it called a ‘sudden shift’ in the NPC’s position following a supposed change in the commission’s leadership. It described the move as ‘alarming’ given World’s ongoing collaboration with agencies including DICT and the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) on AI-related security issues.

At the center of the dispute is World’s biometric verification system, which the company says verifies users are human without collecting personally identifiable information such as names, addresses, birth dates, or phone numbers.

‘Our system does not identify individuals. It simply verifies that they are unique humans, not bots or AI accounts,’ Wolf said. ‘We don’t store, sell, or purchase biometric data.’

The system has attracted ‘millions’ of Filipino users since launching in February, according to the company, which also employs more than a thousand Filipinos across operations, technology, and community outreach roles.

World said it will file a motion for reconsideration with the NPC and pursue all available legal remedies to challenge the order.

‘World remains committed to working transparently with regulators to clarify the system’s design and demonstrate its full adherence to Philippine law,’ Wolf said.

To enhance access to essential medicine in isolated parts of the country, the government has allowed the use of ‘telemedicine’ to provide for the manpower needs of more pharmacies without compromising public safety.

President Ferdinand Marcos witnessed the ceremonial signing of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the Regulatory Sandbox Pilot Program for Flexible Supervision of Pharmacies of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), and nine pharmacy chains.

The initiative allows licensed pharmacists to remotely supervise multiple community pharmacies.

‘The program aims to address the gap in the availability of registered pharmacists through flexible supervision mechanisms, including telepharmacy and video supervision,’ the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said in a statement.

Based on data from the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC), the country has a shortage of 27,500 registered pharmacists.

Under Republic Act No. 10918 or the Philippine Pharmacy Act, the government is required to have one registered pharmacist for every pharmacy.

The program is expected to be piloted in Caloocan, Manila, Abra, Ilocos, La Union, Camarines Sur, Quezon, Iloilo, Negros, and Misamis and will last until 2027.

The initiative will run from 2025 to 2027, with potential pilot areas including Caloocan, Manila, Abra, Ilocos, La Union, Camarines Sur, Quezon, Iloilo, Negros, and Misamis.

The nine pharmacy chains and community-based establishments which will participate in the program are Carlos Drugs – Lucena, Inc.; Z.C. Ramthel Corporation (Cecile’s Pharmacy); Actimed, Inc. (Generika Drugstore); Medford RX Solutions, Inc. (MedExpress Drugstore); Mercury Drug Corporation; Rose Pharmacy, Inc.; Southstar Drugstore, Inc.; Joleco Resources, Inc. (St. Joseph Drug); TGP Pharma, Inc.; and Watsons Personal Care Stores (Philippines) Inc.

THE Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) will soon issue its own guidelines covering Energy Storage Systems (ESS).

‘The ERC is currently deliberating on the draft rules on ESS, which will define the playing field for the next decade,’ ERC chairman Francis Saturnino Juan said.

ESS captures energy and store it for later use. ESS technologies include battery energy storage systems, flywheel and compressed air, among others.

The ERC chief stressed that these rules will enable fair market access for storage, whether as a generation asset, a transmission asset, a distribution asset, or simply an asset or device. The rules aim to establish clear guidelines on ownership models, connection agreements, and safety standards.

Juan shared this during the recent Energy Storage Summit Asia 2025, organized by the Philippine Solar and Storage Energy Alliance (Pssea). The ERC chief emphasized the vital role of ESS in efficiently and reliably integrating renewable energy (RE) in the generation mix and unlocking a resilient, decarbonized future.

In his keynote address, Juan underscored the rising demand for electricity as the Philippine economy expands, industries modernize and people gain greater access to cutting edge technologies such as electric vehicles (EVs) and data centers. Simultaneously, the Philippines has amplified its efforts towards renewable energy transition.

‘We have targeted to achieve a renewable energy share of 35% by 2030 and 50% by 2040. These ambitious yet essential goals are crucial for securing a low-carbon, inclusive, and competitive future. However, the challenge we face is no longer about generating clean power. Instead, it lies in how we store, balance, and deliver it reliably – day and night, during calm seas or typhoons, and across more than 7,000 islands,’ Juan noted.

The ERC is, likewise, reviewing existing market and technical regulations – including the Philippine Grid Code (PGC), Philippine Distribution Code (PDC), and Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) rules-to integrate grid-forming inverters and synthetic inertia into system planning; specify dispatch and scheduling protocols for ESS within the WESM; establish distribution-level interconnection and smart-metering requirements; and strengthen data exchange, cybersecurity, and safety standards for ESS operations.

Juan noted that the Philippines has made significant progress in adopting energy storage, from the long-operating Kalayaan Pumped Storage Power Plant to the most recent Green Energy Auction Program, where many RE projects now integrate storage components.

‘The era of passive consumption is over. We are now in the age of active, intelligent energy management. The ESS is no longer a piece of hardware; it is the beating heart of the new grid,’ the ERC chief emphasized.

SECURITIES and Exchange Commission chairman Francis E. Lim on Thursday said he made a mistake when he said the corruption issue have wiped out about P1.7 trillion in market value of publicly listed companies.

Lim said the information was ‘based on what I believed at the time to be a credible industry report. I have since learned that the report was fictitious. I deeply regret any confusion or concern that my statement may have caused.’

‘My sole intent was to underscore the vital importance of integrity in our markets and the devastating impact corruption can have on investor confidence,’ Lim said.

The P1.7-trillion market loss figure was denied by Frederick D. Go, Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs.

Data from the Philippine Stock Exchange showed market capitalization fell to P19.12 trillion at the end of third quarter in September, down by 1.4 percent, from August’s P19.4 trillion.

Go said Lim’s statement was based on a ‘confirmed fake news socmed [social media] post designed to catch attention and falsely sensationalize.’

Go said he was able to personally talk to Lim on the matter, who also said that the statement was indeed based on misinformation.

The spurious information was wrongfully attributed to S and P Global Market Intelligence, which disowned it.

‘So, unfortunately, it happened, but it was confirmed by multiple sources that it was fake news, including the attributed source of the Socmed post. So, hopefully, let’s not be fooled by fake news,’ he said in a press briefing in Malacañang on Thursday.

Go did not comment when asked about the possible consequence Lim may face for the mistake.

The economic aide, however, admitted that the country will face a ‘short-term challenge’ from the government’s ongoing crackdown on anomalous flood control projects and other public works, which is currently being led by the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI).

While there was no steep 12-percent drop in the Philippine Stock Exchange Index as stated in the false report, Go said there was a minimal decline in the index in August, when President Ferdinand Marcos initiated reforms in the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

‘For the period mentioned, which is August 11 to 29, the named PSE drop was only 1.6 percent, as a matter of fact, it was 1.58 percent. And the All Shares Index in our Philippine stock market of 282 companies, the drop was only 1.5 percent. And in terms of the market cap which is the click bait number of that fake socmed post, the drop po is only 1.4 percent,’ Go said.

In the long-run he said the anti-corruption of the President including creating the ICI and naming Jesus Crispin ‘Boying’ C. Remulla as the new Ombudsman will help boost the business confidence in the Philippines as a reliable investment destination.

He said it will address the two main concerns of local and foreign business chambers when conducting transactions in the country-corruption and red tape-by ensuring government funds are not spent on substandard or non-existent public works.

‘I believe the negativity is overblown. This investigation will be good for the country long-term because it will address and correct the wrong practices,’ Go said.

‘Better deployment of the budget will result in projects with greater multiplier effect, bringing about better effects on the economy and jobs created. So while this may be a short-term issue, it definitely will have long-term benefits,’ he added.

Strong interests

Go said the anti-corruption probe on public works has not made a significant dent on the business pledges received by the country, as the government was able to put in place pro-investor measures such as the Republic Act (RA) No. 12066 or the CREATE MORE Act, RA No. 11966 or the Public-Private Partnership Code, and the green lane for strategic investments under Executive Order No. 18.

‘We’re quite confident that when this is all resolved, they will all come back. So, they have not pulled out. They will continue rather, that they will continue with their project,’ he said.

‘By enhancing the effectiveness of public spending, we are turning a short-term challenge into an opportunity to reallocate funds to projects with a far greater growth and employment multiplier effect. This is the clearest signal that the Philippines is building a future-ready economy, anchored on trust and sustainable growth,’ he added.

In fact, he said they will soon be transmitting to the Office of the President their approval of the first beneficiary of the CREATE MORE Act.

The beneficiary is a Korean semiconductor and electronics company, which will make an over US$1-billion dollars investment in the country.

‘The FIRB (Foreign Investment Review Board) will be transmitting this to the Office of the President this week. So, I don’t think we have lost any investment pledges because of this ongoing issue,’ Go said.

‘Let me assure the public that the SEC remains firmly committed to promoting transparency, good governance, and investor protection. Corruption is indeed a weapon of mass wealth destruction,’ Lim said.

Weak integrity, not weak fundamentals

Lim told the Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines on Tuesday that investors in the Philippines are not fleeing because of weak fundamentals of the country, but because of weak integrity of its leaders.

‘When trust breaks down, capital dries up, and everyone-the government, business and the public-pays the price,’ Lim said.

‘Let’s face the hard truth. Our stock market is a laggard. Sadly, this reflects something deeper-a crisis of confidence,’ Lim said.

‘Too many firms still hesitate to go public, while others who have chosen to go public are leaving the stock market. This is not just a market issue. It’s a trust issue. And rebuilding that trust is one of the SEC’s most urgent missions,’ he said.

At the moment, there is only one initial public offering-Top Line Business Development Corp.- and possibly another one by Maynilad Water Services Inc. by next month.

The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index fell on Thursday by 41.34 points to close at 6,057.40 points.

Lim said the agency sees compliance not as a bureaucratic hurdle, but as a leadership advantage, a way to strengthen the very foundation of markets and enterprise.

‘Because when markets are trusted, capital flows. And when capital flows, the economy grows,’ Lim said.

‘That’s why we’re moving boldly by strengthening the independent director system, making REITs (real estate investment trust) more inclusive, pushing PERA (Personal Equity and Retirement Account) reforms and championing financial literacy as a mandatory subject for our students. Because each reform we make is a promise that trust will again be our strongest currency, and that every Filipino, not just a few, will share in the nation’s growth,’ Lim said.

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Manufacturers are asking the government to raise the safeguard duty on imported cement to P600 per metric ton (MT) to make the local industry competitive.

‘We had been hoping for [safeguard duty] of P600 per ton. This is higher than the provisional [duty] of P400,’ Cement Manufacturers Association of the Philippines (CEMAP) Executive Director Renato Baja told reporters in an interview on Thursday.

As to the P349 per MT safeguard duty recommended by the Tariff Commission in its final report, Baja said this is ‘not enough.’

‘First of all, there’s a comparison between the landed cost of imported cement versus the gate price of local cement,’ he added.

In February 2025, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) issued Department of Administrative Order (DAO) No. 25-01 (series of 2025) imposing a provisional safeguard measure, in the form of a cash bond, of P400 per MT or equivalent to P16 per 40-kilogram bag, on imported cement.

The provisional measure is effective for 200 days from the date of effectivity.

As the period of the said provisional measure has now lapsed, the Tariff Commission (TC), after its formal investigation, has recommended the application of the ‘appropriate definitive general safeguard measure, in the form of a duty, on importations of cement to redress the serious injury directly attributed to the same by providing temporary relief and giving the local cement industry a reasonable period to adjust to increased import competition.’

‘The Commission recommends a specific duty of P349/MT [or P14/40 kg bag] as the definitive safeguard measure to be imposed on importations of cement [Ordinary Portland Cement Type 1 and Blended Cement],’ TC said in its report.

The Tariff Commission’s safeguard measure recommendation against imported cement intends to be extended for three years.

The final decision, however, should be made by Trade and Industry Secretary Cristina A. Roque.

Rule 13.2 of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 8800 or the Safeguard Measures Act states that ‘within 15 calendar days from receipt of the Report of the Commission, the Secretary shall make a decision, taking into consideration the measures recommended by the Commission.’

On the sidelines of the Federation of Philippine Industries Inc.’s (FPI) Business Summit 2025 on Wednesday, Roque told reporters that she will come up with the decision on the appropriate safeguard measure before October 14.

Consumer group United Filipino Consumers and Commuters (UFCC) pointed out that extending the period of imposition of the P16 tariff per 40-kilo bag on imported blended cement will only jack up prices of local cement, which could undermine competition and burden Filipino consumers.

‘The Department Order 25-01 was signed by the Secretary on February 20, 2025. It will take effect for 200 days, so if we count the 200 days, any moment now the 6-7 months or 200 days period will end. So now, we hear that the cartels have an appeal to continue this,’ UFCC President Rodolfo B. Javellana Jr. told reporters in Filipino during the consumer group’s protest in front of the building of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Makati City last September 29.

‘What will happen to these cartels? Of course, prices will increase. They will dictate the price more. This was the situation in 2016 when cement in the country was really expensive,’ he added.

In response to the consumer group’s protest, Baja assured the public that there will be on price increases once the safeguard measures are extended for three years.

‘Proven and tested for how many months. Hindi kami nagtaas,’ he said.

THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) collected P80.102 billion in revenues in September, higher than last year’s level but still below the target for the month, a matter experts view as reflecting the impact of issues clutching global trade.

Preliminary data from the BOC showed collections grew by 5 percent to P80.102 billion in September from P76.282 billion during the same month a year ago.

The BOC said the revenue growth was driven by the higher valuation of non-oil imports, which cushioned the adverse effects of weaker import volumes and drop in oil price index.

Higher collections came even as several ports experienced operational challenges during the month due to suspensions of work caused by inclement weather, the BOC added.

Despite the revenue growth, the BOC fell short by 4.18 percent, or P3.494 billion, of the P83.596 billion goal.

‘[The collection] reflects resilience despite weak volumes and lower oil prices. However, falling short of its target signals underlying vulnerabilities tied to trade deceleration and global tariff disruptions,’ John Paolo R. Rivera, senior research fellow at state-run think tank Philippine Institute for Development Studies, told the BusinessMirror.

The tariff wars, expectations of dumping and the extension of rice import ban pose as significant threats to the BOC in meeting its full-year target of P958.714 billion, according to Ateneo de Manila University Economist Leonardo A. Lanzona.

This year’s target is 4.5 percent higher than the BOC’s actual collection of P916.674 billion in 2024.

Lanzona told the BusinessMirror that the expected dumping of goods to the Philippines by various countries due to tariff wars will create massive uncertainty in global trade flows.

‘While dumping could theoretically increase import volumes, it often leads to trade defense measures (like anti-dumping duties) and market chaos that can disrupt predictable trade patterns, making forecasting and collection volatile,’ he explained.

As the United States imposed higher tariffs on other countries, Lanzona said global trade could be rerouted, with diverted goods flowing into the Philippines, boosting supply, driving down prices and affecting import valuations.

‘Alternatively, it could disrupt supply chains for Philippine manufacturers, reducing their need to import raw materials,’ noted the economist.

Moreover, the extension of the rice import ban is a ‘direct hit’ to the BOC’s collections, since rice imports are a crucial source of the tariff revenues.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. has said the government will extend the ban on rice importation until the end of 2025 and allow imports only in January 2026 to stabilize supply in time for the dry season harvest.

‘Extending the ban removes a reliable revenue stream, especially during the crucial fourth quarter period,’ Lanzona told the BusinessMirror. From January to September, the BOC has collected P701.489 billion. This, however, is also short of the P711.820 billion target by 1.45 percent or P10.331 billion.

With this performance, PIDS’s Rivera said hitting the full-year target remains feasible for the BOC, but could be challenging.

However, Lanzona said the BOC will likely fall short of the target, but it may still post a respectable year-on-year growth figure.

‘They might end the year in the range of P940 – P950 billion. This would still be a significant achievement given the circumstances, but it would officially be a miss against their stated goal,’ he added.

To have any chance, Lanzona said the BOC would need to see a year-end surge in high-value imports and intensify its anti-smuggling and correct valuation campaigns to their maximum potential. ‘The odds, however, are stacked against them.’

‘To stay on track, the BOC must optimize valuation systems, strengthen post-clearance audits, and enhance anti-smuggling operations to offset volume-related declines,’ Rivera said.

THE Department of Energy (DOE) will seek bids for 335 megawatt (MW) capacity to be generated from waste-to-energy (WTE) power facilities in January next year.

The agency said on Thursday it will conduct a special auction round specifically designed for WTE projects that will source their waste feedstock within Metro Manila and Highly Urbanized Cities (HUCs) areas, and with target completion date by the fourth quarter 2027.

Energy Undersecretary Mylene Capongocol said the 335MW capacity is an initial estimate that was based on 2024 Solid Waste Generation data of the National Solid Waste Management Commission (NSWMC), which said that Metro Manila and HUCs generate an estimated 6.12 million metric tons of municipal solid waste, equivalent to 335 MW base load.

The notice of auction and terms of reference are scheduled for issuance within the month.

Interested parties will be given sufficient time to comply with the green energy auction (GEA) registration requirements prior to the auction proper in January next year.

In addition, the DOE announced that there will be a succeeding auction round for biomass and WTE technologies targeted by second quarter of next year which will cover biomass and WTE projects to be located all over the country.

As an emerging renewable energy technology, WTE project development is one of the country’s strategies to address solid waste management, serve as flood control mitigation, and provide additional clean energy.

This initiative is aligned with the objectives of the Philippine Energy Plan (PEP) and the government’s renewable energy targets of 35 percent in the energy mix by 2030 and 50 percent by 2040.

‘The integration of WTE projects into the GEA framework underscores the DOE’s commitment to ensuring energy security, environmental protection, and private sector participation in the country’s transitioning to clean and sustainable energy,’ the agency said.

JOY ASEO took over in the absence of Shaina Nitura to propel Adamson University to the second round with a quick sweep of Arellano University, 25-21, 25-17, 25-19, in the Shakey’s Super League (SSL) Preseason Unity Cup on Thursday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

Aseo whipped up 12 points in the Lady Falcons’ second straight victory in as many games as they joined playoffs-bound and also unbeaten Far Eastern University at the top of Pool B.

Adamson University, which rested Nitura, was in full control of the match and booted out the Lady Chiefs in just 77 minutes.

‘We were patient and played as a team,’ said Aseo, who had eight kills and four aces. ‘Win or lose, we always keep pushing ourselves.’

Red Bascon finished with eight points while Abegail Segui and Frances Mordi added six points each for Adamson University, which annexed the National Invitationals Cebu Leg two months ago.

Jazmine Palalon and Jayde Dela Cruz scored seven and six points, respectively, to pace Arellano University, which ended its campaign with a 1-2 win-loss record.

College of Saint Benilde, meanwhile, rallied from a set down and survived an extended fourth frame in an 18-25, 25-13, 25-23, 33-31, victory over Ateneo de Manila University to complete a three-game sweep of Pool D.

The Lady Blazers turned to veteran Zam Nolasco for the finishing blows in the furious fourth set race to the finish to emerge unscathed in the group stage.

Saint Benilde squandered three match point advantages and had to fight through five set point deficits.

Nolasco tied the fourth frame one last time at 31 with a booming kill before shutting the door on Zey Pacia to push the Lady Blazers to match point.

The two-hour, two-minute encounter ended when Pacia smashed her spike attempt straight to the net.

Nolasco had 19 points from 15 kills and four kill blocks, Shahanna Lleses added 12 markers while Rhea Densing scored 11 for the four-time National Collegiate Athletic Association champion Saint Benilde.

Ateneo slid to a 1-1 card despite the 19-point effort of Ana Hermosura and 17 markers by Pacia. Faye Nisperos chipped in 14 points in a lost cause.

The Blue Eagles are in a must-win situation in their second round bid when they face also-ran San Sebastian College-Recoletos (0-2) on Friday.

Games in the SSL Preseason Unity Cup are available live and on demand via PusoP.com and Solar Sports.

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) wants to amend the decade-old Sugarcane Industry Development Act (Sida) to bolster farm productivity and eventually stamp out importation.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. called on lawmakers to revise the existing sugar law to cater to other projects that would boost the country’s output of the sweetener, particularly zeroing in on irrigation.

‘We have to amend the Sida law [.] that would allow for more flexibility,’ Tiu Laurel said during a Senate hearing on the proposed budget of the DA on Wednesday.

‘What we clearly need in our sugar industry is irrigation. If we irrigate all our sugar lands, it will only cost P8.8 billion. Then there’s a chance we won’t need to import anymore because we’ll be producing [more].’

He also stressed the importance of liming because much of the soil planted for sugarcane is acidic, which could be detrimental to plant growth.

Liming is a process that increases the pH level in soil, thus reducing the acidity and enhancing soil health.

‘So, we have to put lime for maximum production. We also have to invest in research and development to get new planting materials,’ Tiu Laurel said.

The Sida earmarks an annual P2 billion budget for the sugar industry, half of which should bankroll infrastructure support programs, including farm-to-mill roads.

The remaining amount will be shared by four projects: 15 percent for grants to block farms; 15 percent for socialized credit; 15 percent for research and development, capability building, and technology transfer activities; and 5 percent for scholarship grants.

Budget documents, however, showed that the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) has only received P1 billion since 2023, and even less than that since 2019.

For SRA Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona, the funding allocated to Sida should be augmented.

‘We suggest increasing the funding to maybe P5 billion,’ Azcona said during the Senate hearing.

He noted that half of the budget would still be allotted to farm-to-mill roads, while the remaining should cover modernization initiatives for the industry.

‘There are still quite a few roads that need to be built, and we would also like to include the modernization of sugar mills and farm mechanization.’

The House of Representatives recently allocated an additional P1.4 billion to the SRA, which puts the agency’s proposed budget at P2.4 billion for 2026.

This figure is a fraction of the realigned P255 billion funding by the House, which was originally allotted for flood control projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways.

Sida or Republic Act 10659 was signed into law in 2015 to promote the competitiveness of the sugarcane industry and maximize the utilization of sugarcane resources.