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Malacañang said the government still has over P10 billion available funds from the pooled savings of government agencies to be used to help sectors, which are affected by the resumption of Middle East (ME) war.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro issued the statement with the resumption of the conflict in the Middle East following the collapse of the peace talks of the United States (US) and Iran, which resulted in the escalation of attacks between the two factions in the region.

She said the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) was able to collect P22.79 billion of savings from the National Budget Circular (NBC) 602 and 603.

‘These savings will be used for UPLIFT interventions involving the DMW [Department of Migrant Workers,] DOTr [Department of Transportation], and DOE [Departer of Energy] programs. Most likely, these will be allocated to those affected by the crisis in the Middle East,’ Castro said.

DBM issued NBC 602 last April instructing government agencies for the reduction of Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE) by 20 percent and the guidelines for deferring capital outlays.

NBC 603 was released last May, providing the guidelines for offering and declaration of savings from programs, activity, and projects from unobligated allotments from fiscal year 2025 General Appropriations Act and Continuing Appropriations.

Of the said savings, P12.37 billion were allocated for the expanded United Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT), which was announced by President Ferdinand Marcos last week.

The expanded UPLIFT will provide cash aid to 37.5 million Filipinos.

With the remaining savings, Castro said the government currently has sufficient funds to assist those who may be affected by the Middle East conflict.

‘As of now, this represents the savings, and we haven’t yet received information indicating a budget shortfall. So, at this stage, we cannot say that the budget is insufficient,’ Castro said.

West Zone concessionaire Maynilad Water Services, Inc. (Maynilad) has begun its 2026 Plant for Life program, setting its highest annual planting target to date: 230,225 indigenous tree seedlings across 450 hectares of priority restoration areas within the Ipo Watershed.

The 2026 planting sites cover areas in Norzagaray, Bulacan, and Mt. Balagbag in Rizal, both of which form part of the Ipo Watershed. The sites were identified in coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) as priority areas for forest restoration.

The Ipo Watershed is a critical part of the Angat-Ipo raw water system, which supplies water to Metro Manila. Reforesting denuded portions of the watershed helps reduce soil erosion and sedimentation, improve water infiltration, support biodiversity, and strengthen the long-term sustainability of this vital water source.

Unlike one-day planting activities, Plant for Life provides for three years of site maintenance through partnerships with local people’s organizations. Their work includes regular monitoring, protection of planted areas, vegetation management, and replacement planting when necessary to improve seedling survival and support long-term forest restoration.

The program has maintained a seedling survival rate of more than 85% over the past seven years. In 2025, a 450-hectare restoration site covering Mt. Balagbag and Norzagaray recorded an overall seedling survival rate of 92.1%, as validated by the DENR.

‘Watershed restoration is measured not only by how many seedlings are planted, but by how many are able to survive and become part of a functioning forest,’ said Maynilad Chief Sustainability Officer Atty. Roel S. Espiritu. ‘By combining indigenous tree planting with sustained site care and community stewardship, we help strengthen the natural systems that support water quality, water availability, and the resilience of nearby communities.’

Indigenous species such as narra, kupang, and kalumpit will be planted under this year’s program to help restore biodiversity and establish vegetation suited to local watershed conditions.

Since Plant for Life was established in 2007, Maynilad has planted more than 1.64 million seedlings and supported the restoration of nearly 2,420 hectares of watershed and other environmentally critical areas.

The 2026 Plant for Life kickoff brought together Maynilad employee volunteers and representatives from TELUS, Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation, GHD, Makati Medical Center, Light Rail Manila Corporation, and World Vision.

IN the second episode of ‘Europe Insights,’ a four-part series of the Philippine Council of Associations and Association Executives (PCAAE) podcast ‘Association Matters,’ I had the privilege of speaking with Stylianos ‘Stelios’ Filopoulos, founder and managing director of Association by Design.

Our conversation focused on ‘Leadership in a Multicultural Association Environment,’ and it offered timely lessons not only for European associations, but also for organizations in the Philippines and across Asia that increasingly operate in multicultural and multi-generational environments.

One of the takeaways from our discussion was Stelios’s reminder that there is no single model for association leadership. European associations vary widely, from small trade groups focused on advocacy to large professional societies composed of scientists, doctors, and technical experts. Due to this diversity, leadership competencies also differ. Some leaders must become industry spokespersons and policy advocates while others must focus on strategic thinking, community engagement, and organizational growth.

Yet despite these differences, Stelios emphasized one universal leadership competency: the ability to ‘create space.’ In multicultural organizations, leaders must create an environment where people from different cultures, communication styles, and perspectives feel heard and respected. This resonated deeply with me as associations, by nature, bring together individuals with varied experiences and viewpoints. Effective leaders do not erase diversity in pursuit of uniformity. Instead, they create alignment while preserving differences.

His reflections on European culture were equally insightful. Europe, after all, is composed of countries with distinct histories, languages, and social norms. Stelios described Brussels, the hub of many European associations, as a ‘melting pot’ where people develop a shared culture while still maintaining their identities. He warned, however, against leaders becoming too attached to their own cultural norms, as this can unintentionally alienate others.

Another memorable point was his description of consensus building. In Europe, consensus is highly valued, especially within the European Union environment. But Stelios humorously compared excessive consensus to a ‘tasteless soup’: safe, but lacking in flavor. The lesson here is important: leadership is not about pleasing everyone all the time. Rather, it is about ensuring that people still recognize themselves in the organization and feel comfortable contributing to its mission.

Trust, according to Stelios, is the true ‘currency of engagement.’ Members participate more actively when they feel respected, included, and confident that their voices matter. But engagement does not happen automatically. Associations must intentionally mobilize their communities, communicate clearly, and align organizational rhythms with members’ available time and attention. In today’s busy world, people are not merely investing membership fees, they are investing energy, participation, and attention.

Our conversation also touched on language and inclusivity. Even when English is the common working language, every culture expresses itself differently. Stelios noted that language is not merely a communication tool; it is part of identity. This is why associations should provide common frameworks and shared goals while allowing flexibility for local adaptation.

Finally, we discussed leadership succession, an issue many associations struggle with. Stelios advocated for more intentional succession planning, including term limits and leadership transition models such as ‘president-elect’ systems. Importantly, he highlighted that succession planning should not apply only to volunteer leaders, but also to CEOs and secretaries-general. Renewal, he argued, keeps organizations dynamic, creative, and future-ready.

As associations in the Philippines continue to grow in scale and influence, these insights from Europe are worth reflecting upon. In a rapidly changing and interconnected world, perhaps the future of association leadership is less about authority and control and more about facilitation, inclusion, trust, and shared purpose.

Octavio Peralta is the founder and volunteer CEO of the Philippine Council of Associations and Association Executives (PCAAE), the ‘association of associations.’ The PCAAE will hold its 14th Annual Associations Summit (AS14) on November 24, 2026, at the Asian Institute of Management. The views he expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of the BusinessMirror. E mail: bobby@pcaae.org.

THE House prosecution panel has rejected calls for neutrality in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Z. Duterte, stressing that its constitutional role is to advocate for the case, while ‘impartiality rests with the senator judges.’

Lead prosecutor Gerville Luistro made the clarification after Senator-Judge Robinhood Padilla remarked that the prosecution appeared ‘one-sided.’

‘With all due respect to Senator-Judge Robin Padilla, apparently this impeachment trial is adversarial,’ Luistro said.

Luistro, who represents Batangas, explained that impeachment proceedings are inherently adversarial. In such a process, the prosecution is tasked with establishing the case and presenting evidence, while the defense is responsible for protecting the respondent and challenging the claims.

She emphasized that it would be unusual for prosecutors to act neutrally or defend the respondent, adding that neutrality is expected only from the judges. Senator-judges, she said, must remain impartial as they evaluate arguments from both sides before reaching a decision.

Deputy Speaker Janette Garin echoed this view, noting that the House acts as prosecutor after determining that an impeachment complaint meets legal requirements and is backed by probable cause. She added that more than 250 lawmakers voted to impeach Duterte before the Articles of Impeachment were transmitted to the Senate.

Garin, who represents Iloilo, stressed that neutrality lies with the senator-judges, who must carefully hear, analyze, and deliberate on all aspects of the case before deciding.

Private prosecutor Lorna Kapunan also expressed respect for the senator-judges, saying there was no intention to offend Padilla and acknowledging his active participation during proceedings.

‘We’re very appreciative that Senator Robin always brings color and surprise and excitement,’ Kapunan said.

‘There was really no intent to disrespect him,’ she added.

Prosecutors Terry Ridon and Kaka Bag-ao, meanwhile, reiterated that presenting and proving the Articles of Impeachment is their defined role and should not be confused with the impartial duty of the court.

They explained that the prosecution and defense naturally take opposing positions in a trial. They emphasized that this does not undermine fairness, as both sides are given the opportunity to present their arguments before an impartial tribunal.

They clarified that while the prosecution advocates for accountability, the defense is equally free to contest the evidence. Meanwhile, senator-judges are responsible for weighing both sides and deciding based on the record.

The panel also dismissed claims that Padilla’s questions had discouraged them, saying differences in legal interpretation are expected in open proceedings. They maintained that their responses would remain respectful and grounded in the rules of the impeachment court.

Bag-ao, who represents Dinagat Island, added that such exchanges could help the public better understand the roles of the parties and the importance of accountability in the process.

Meanwhile, Luistro also voiced confidence that senator-judges would uphold their constitutional duty of impartiality despite intense public scrutiny. She said questions raised during proceedings-even those that may seem favorable to one side-should be seen as part of efforts to fully understand the evidence.

‘Well, we wish to believe that they remain conscious of their constitutional duty, especially when it comes to maintaining political neutrality. Let’s consider their statements and questions as expressions of curiosity rather than bias,’ Luistro said.

She underscored that Senate rules require decisions to be based on the evidence presented and constitutional standards governing impeachment trials.

Kapunan, for her part, noted that not only the vice president but also the senator-judges are effectively under public scrutiny. She urged Filipinos to carefully evaluate the evidence, testimonies, and conduct of all participants in the trial.

She also reminded the public not to be swayed by perceived bias and instead focus on the facts presented in court, emphasizing that the truth should ultimately prevail.