Category: Business Mirror

On March 31, 1917, a Danish government representative in Washington accepted a treasury warrant for $25 million in gold coin and handed over three Caribbean islands the Danish crown had held since the 17th century. Copenhagen framed the sale as tidying up a colonial holding nobody at home wanted anymore. The United States called it a purchase.

It was a strategy: German submarines operated in the Atlantic, and Washington decided a Danish colony near American shipping lanes could not be left to chance. Denmark agreed.

Here is the ironic kicker. The sale came with a side letter. In 1916 Secretary of State Robert Lansing wrote that Washington would not object if Denmark extended its political and economic claims over the whole of Greenland, the same island the U.S. now wants locked down.

On September 18, 2026, President Donald Trump said that an agreement had been reached with Denmark regarding Greenland. Trump announced a deal giving the US what he called permanent control over security and all other needs in Greenland, without annexation this time and no money changing hands. Copenhagen keeps the flag while Washington keeps the military access, and a de facto say over who gets close to Greenland’s strategic minerals. China and Russia are the powers explicitly targeted for exclusion. The framework agreement, which now goes to the legislatures of Denmark and Greenland, was signed during the United Nations General Assembly on September 22.

The logic behind the transaction looks familiar even if the paperwork has changed. A larger power identifies a smaller ally sitting on ground it now needs, names a rival circling the same ground, lets the pressure build until refusal seems reckless rather than sovereign, and signs a document both governments can call a partnership. Denmark called 1917 a negotiation as it calls 2026 a negotiation. The word lets both governments file the transfer as consent instead of pressure.

The Philippines has already lived a version of this. In 1898, Spain transferred sovereignty over the Philippines to the US for $20 million without Filipino participation in the treaty. There was not a Filipino protest that changed anything, just a signature in Paris by men who had never lived in the islands. Manila was a line item in a war settlement over Cuba. Greenland, by comparison, was negotiated.

Greenland is inventory before it is a country. That is the analogy that does the work. It sits on the GIUK (Greenland, Iceland, and the United Kingdom) gap, on missile-warning geography, and on rare earths that China wants to control. The Philippines sits on Asia’s first island chain, on sea lanes that carry other people’s oil and chips, and on nickel that Washington put in a February memorandum after the Arctic option looked messy.

The modern Philippine equivalent has a name and a decade of history behind it. The Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) was signed in 2014, stalled through the Duterte government’s flirtation with Beijing, and reached the scale that matters, forces, equipment, and rotational access, after 2022. It now covers nine sites, including Basa Air Base and Fort Magsaysay. Washington’s line was that no other nation in the region should read a signal from the EDCA. Beijing read one anyway, the same way Moscow will read one from Greenland.

Manila chose this position. No warship came up the Pasig to extract it. The 2016 arbitral ruling, the 2023 base expansion, the repeated preference for American security guarantees over more generous-looking Chinese financing, were decisions made by Philippine governments that judged one dependency safer than the other. That judgment may hold up. It has not yet been tested the way Denmark’s was in 1917, or Greenland’s is now.

The US-Philippines minerals memorandum, a non-binding framework signed last February to diversify critical-mineral supply chains and push domestic processing instead of shipping raw ore, is Plan B dressed as industrial policy. Nickel is the Philippine card even as Washington looks to Greenland for another source of critical minerals, provided they can keep Chinese companies out of the supply chain.

Inventory gets appraised, not consulted, and the appraisal changes when a rival evaluator shows up. Denmark’s islands were useful against Germany in 1917 and useful again in 2026, different acreage, same idea. The Philippines has spent a century being useful first against Spain, then Japan and now China. The greatest benefit has always gone to the United States.

Usefulness renews on its own schedule. The language changes, the agreements get rewritten, and the same strategic ground gets a new label: negotiation, partnership, cooperation. The inventory remains. Only the price and the label change.

As the countdown to Christmas begins, taxpayers covered by the mandatory electronic invoicing requirement should now prepare for the December 31, 2026 electronic invoicing compliance deadline. The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) is now moving ahead with the mandatory implementation for covered taxpayers by year-end, following the recent issuance of Revenue Memorandum Circular (RMC) 98-2026 prescribing the policies and guidelines for the issuance of electronic invoices under Revenue Regulations No. 8-2022 and RR No. 11-2025, as amended by RR No. 26-2025.

For the first phase of implementation, taxpayers required to issue electronic invoices by December 31 include 1) small, medium and large taxpayers engaged in e-commerce or internet transactions; 2) taxpayers under the Large Taxpayers Service (LTS); 3) taxpayers classified as Large under the Ease of Paying Taxes (EOPT) Act and RR No. 8-2024; and 4) taxpayers using a computerized accounting system (CAS) or computerized books of accounts (CBA) with accounting records involving electronic invoicing, or other invoicing software.

The mandatory requirement by December 31, 2026 is limited to electronic invoicing. I understand that electronic sales reporting requirement will be implemented separately, pursuant to rules and procedures to be subsequently issued by the BIR.

Pursuant to RMC No. 98-2026, for an invoice to be considered an electronic invoice, it must be generated by a duly registered, approved or accredited accounting or invoicing software or system and must contain invoice data in a structured electronic format. An electronic invoice must also be capable of being electronically generated and transmitted to the buyer through email, online viewing, QR code, mobile application, web-based platform or other electronic means. The invoice data must be capable of being electronically extracted, processed and transmitted to the BIR for electronic sales reporting purposes.

Taxpayers have the option to use an in-house or commercially acquired invoicing solution, or avail themselves of the services offered by an Electronic Invoicing Service Provider (ESP) that is organized or licensed to do business in the Philippines. So, covered taxpayers who do not have their own electronic invoicing capabilities should now consider looking for the assistance of an ESP duly accredited by the BIR. As of this writing though, the BIR is yet to issue policies and guidelines governing ESPs.

What happens when the system goes down? RMC No. 98-2026 recognizes that systems can fail. So, in cases of downtime, connectivity problems, power interruptions, cybersecurity incidents or other circumstances that prevent electronic invoicing, a duly authorized manual invoice may be issued. Once the system is restored, the manual invoice must be replaced with the corresponding electronic invoice, bearing the reference number of the manual invoice.

So, therefore, covered taxpayers should not completely do away with their authorized manual invoices even after shifting to electronic invoicing. They should continue to maintain an adequate supply of duly registered or authorized manual invoices for use as a contingency measure in case their electronic invoicing system becomes unavailable. This will help ensure that sales transactions can still be properly documented during system downtime.

What happens if a taxpayer is not ready and fails to meet the December 31, 2026 deadline? RR No. 11-2025 provides that violations or non-compliance with the electronic invoicing requirements are subject to the penalties under Sections 264 and 264-A of the Tax Code. Therefore, penalties may include fines and imprisonment. Of course, the potential exposure may depend on the particular violation and the circumstances of the taxpayer.

To recall, the shift to electronic invoicing and electronic sales reporting can be traced back to the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law in 2018. The law contemplated the eventual transition from manual to electronic receipts and invoices, upon the establishment of a system capable of storing and processing the required data.

The BIR subsequently issued RR No. 8-2022 establishing the Electronic Invoicing/Receipting System framework, followed by RR No. 11-2025 implementing the electronic invoicing and electronic sales reporting provisions of the Tax Code. RR No. 26-2025 later extended the compliance period for the first group of covered taxpayers to December 31, 2026.

Thus, almost eight years after TRAIN took effect, the electronic invoicing framework now appears to be moving toward broader mandatory implementation. With the BIR targeting the December 2026 deadline, taxpayers should now prepare for compliance, even as many still continue to seek more time for compliance due to cost and difficulty in compliance.

But whether an extension for compliance is forthcoming or not, taxpayers should determine whether they are covered, review their existing invoicing and accounting systems, and assess their readiness for compliance. Those that have already started preparing should review their implementation timetable, test their systems, and address any remaining gaps. Those that have not yet started preparing have no choice but to begin now.

Covered taxpayers should assess their internal capability to comply or whether they need an electronic invoicing service provider. In either case, proper tax advice is essential to ensure compliance.

The author is a partner of Du-Baladad and Associates Law Offices (BDB Law) (www.bdblaw.com.ph).

The article is for general information only and is not intended, nor should be construed as a substitute for tax, legal, or financial advice on any specific matter. Applicability of this article to any actual or particular tax or legal issue should be supported, therefore, by a professional study or advice. If you have any comments or questions concerning the article, you may e-mail the author at rodel.unciano@bdblaw.com.ph or call 8403-2001 local 380.

A Buddhist monk I met during my international studies in China in the late 1980s told me about the significance of the number 9. He said that 9 is a highly spiritual number, a symbol of transition and transformation through inner work or through learning from the material realm. It is often associated with the closing of a cycle, the completion of a pattern, or the culmination of repeated actions.

The well-loved musical group Ben and Ben has reached its ninth year in the business, where it has progressed from a promising Filipino folk-pop collective into one of the country’s most accomplished musical acts. With a phenomenal following on different music and social media platforms, major milestones and filled-to-the-rafter concerts on both local and international arenas, this nine-member band has built a catalog of unforgettable songs that resonate deeply with its multitude of fans and followers.

With heartfelt gratitude, the band will have a special anniversary concert at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on October 2, and tickets are almost sold-out at this time. Billed as Saranggola: The Concert, the title is inspired by an original Ben and Ben song that continues to enjoy airplay months after it was first released. The song explores themes of solid friendships that defies time, distance and challenges. It also talks about connections and inevitable changes.

The band is also proud of the release of its anniversary album Nine, an anthology collection that looks back on the music, memories and milestones that defined Ben and Ben and shaped them into what it has become.

The nine-track album serves as a musical time capsule of Ben and Ben’s glorious nine years. Gathering nine tracks that convey key moments in their narrative, the songs dabble between nostalgia and discovery, comforting enough for the group’s longtime fanbase Liwanag to recognize the impact of every reworked part, yet fresh enough to offer new listeners an entry point into the band’s expansive musical universe.

‘We celebrate the love we have for one another and the bond we have built through the years,’ said violinist Keifer Cabugao. ‘We’re just deeply grateful, not only for everything the past has taught us, but also for the gift of being present with one another today.’

Also interesting is how the album serves as an act of revisiting-or, for simpler context, reimagining. The anthology features some of Ben and Ben’s most important songs through the perspective of musicians who have taken the journey with them for years. ‘Reimagined, for us, is letting the songs grow up with us,’ explained lead vocalist and acoustic guitar player Paolo Benjamin. ‘The members, our most loyal fans included, were shaped by life a lot during the past nine years. We’ve gone through so much-the ups and the downs and all that was in between-and inspired us to update the songs with a deeper, more nuanced perspective of the present.’ I’ve observed that this evolution is evident in the album’s production and musical direction.

‘The influences and inspiration we truly channeled in producing Nine were literally our nine years of experience in doing what we do-from the countless live performances we had all these years, and with our fanbase Liwanag, to the close relationships and solid friendships we’ve formed with each other in the band,’ shared lead guitarist and backing vocalist Poch Barretto.

The album’s focus track ‘Maybe the Night [Reimagined]’ played an important role in the band’s history, as it was the first song the members worked on from beginning to end as a nine-piece band. Reimagined nearly a decade later, ‘Maybe the Night’ becomes both a return to the beginning and a reflection of how far the nine musicians have grown since then.

Like a saranggola that is tossed into the wind to get it airborne and allow it to dance with the wind so it could fly so high, so will the songs of Ben and Ben when it takes centerstage for its anniversary concert this weekend, a fitting reminder of the beautiful journey the group enjoyed immensely for the past nine years.

For Ben and Ben, the number 9 represents a new chapter that also symbolizes enlightenment and awakening, the beginning and the end of a cycle, a closure for a period that has reached its full development, and the commencement of a transformation that will lead to the rediscovering of how its music will affect human life with a much deeper sense of universal love, truth and oneness.

The Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. (Campi) said the double-digit decline in vehicle sales last August is a ‘temporary setback’ and that the auto industry’s performance will return to positive territory in the succeeding months.

Data from Campi and the Truck Manufacturers Association (TMA) showed that their member brands sold 29,611 vehicles in August, down from 37,319 units in July and from the 36,714 units recorded a year ago.

In January to August, Campi-TMA member brands sold 271,336 vehicles lower than the 305,381 units in the same period last year.

For the entire industry, estimated year-to-date sales reached 300,550 units as of August, Campi said.

‘We’re still optimistic that vehicle sales will bounce back over the next few months through yearend,’ Campi President Jose Maria Atienza said, noting that demand should recover as operating conditions normalize.

The decline was broad-based across vehicle categories, based on industry data. Passenger-car sales fell 10.3 percent to 55,030 units from 61,358 units a year earlier, giving the segment a 20.09-percent share of total industry sales.

Commercial vehicles, which accounted for 79.91 percent of the market, declined 11.4 percent to 216,306 units from 244,023 units.

Asian utility vehicles and multipurpose vehicles, both within the commercial-vehicle segment, fell 10.6 percent to 48,515 units from 54,292 units.

Light commercial vehicles slid by 11.3 percent to 161,676 units from 182,240 units. Campi-TMA figures also showed that light-duty trucks and buses declined by 16.4 percent to 3,765 units from 4,503 units, while medium-duty trucks and buses dropped 14.4 percent to 1,967 units from 2,298 units.

Heavy-duty trucks and buses recorded the steepest decline, with sales plunging 44.5 percent to 383 units from 690 units a year earlier.

Among Campi-TMA member brands, Toyota Motor Philippines Corp. led the pack in August with 14,594 units, followed by Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. with 3,570 units and Suzuki Phils. Inc. with 1,350 units.

EV sales

Data from Campi-TMA also showed that electric vehicles (xEVs) accounted for 34.5 percent of the market in August, bigger than their share in the same month last year and second only to April’s 37.2-percent peak.

Sales of electric vehicles, covering battery electric vehicles (BEVs), hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), reached 45,403 units during the eigh-month period, up 146.2 percent from 18,439 units a year earlier.

Their share of total industry sales more than doubled to 16.73 percent from 6.04 percent.

In August alone, 7,066 xEVs were sold or 214.9 percent higher than last year’s 2,244. However, this was 0.3 percent below July’s 7,089 units.

‘The continued growth in xEV adoption highlights the strong potential of the market,’ Atienza said.

HEVs remained the largest xEV segment in the eight-month period, with sales rising 62.9 percent to 23,764 units from 14,585 units. BEV sales jumped 293 percent to 12,883 units from 3,278 units, while PHEV sales soared to 8,756 units from just 576 units.

In August, HEVs accounted for 42.46 percent of xEV sales, followed by BEVs at 34.66 percent and PHEVs at 22.88 percent.

The figures cover BEVs, HEVs and PHEVs recognized by the Department of Energy as of September 8.

SEEDING the Maharlika Investment Corp. (MIC) came at the expense of capital from two state-run banks that could otherwise have generated higher dividends for the government, boosted bank earnings and expanded their lending capacity, according to an analysis by Geronimo Law.

Russell Stanley Q. Geronimo, founder of the financial consulting firm, said through an article that the Land Bank of the Philippines (LandBank) and the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) could have contributed a combined P17.84 billion in dividends to the National Treasury in 2022 had they not provided capital to the sovereign investment vehicle.

The banks were reprieved from their mandated dividend contributions to the government to protect their capital positions and comply with capital adequacy rules after their combined P75-billion capital contribution to the MIC.

Under Republic Act 7656, government-owned banks must remit at least 50 percent of their net earnings to the National Treasury as dividends.

LandBank earned P30.06 billion in 2022, which would have resulted in a P15.03-billion dividend under the 50 percent rule. DBP earned P5.61 billion, implying a dividend of P2.81 billion.

Had the banks retained the P75 billion and invested in Treasury bills (T-bills), Geronimo estimated it would have earned about P4.5 billion in 2024 and P3.75 billion in 2025, as key policy rates were high at that time and the 364-day yield was roughly 5 to 6 percent.

The MIC, however, earned only P2.68 billion in 2024 and P2.36 billion in 2025 from the funds. Geronimo said this was about P1.82 billion less than what the P75 billion could have earned in T-bills in 2024 and P1.39 billion less in 2025, for a total gap of about P3.2 billion over the two years.

‘Maharlika kept most of its money in bank deposits, so it took on almost no investment risk,’ he said. ‘If a fund taking no real risk earns less than [T-bills], the government would have done better simply holding its own securities, or borrowing less, since it was issuing [T-bills] at those same rates during the period.’

The P75 billion capital could have likewise generated about P9.5 billion in annual net income for the two banks, Geronimo said.

MIC, meanwhile, generated an average of about P2.5 billion a year during 2024 and 2025, implying an opportunity cost of P7 billion a year, or P14 billion over two years, he noted.

Furthermore, the banks’ capital infusion to MIC reduced their Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) and shrank the maximum volume of loans they can extend.

Geronimo said the P75-billion reduction in the banks’ capital translated into P470 billion and P535 billion less in potential risk-weighted-asset capacity, based on the capital ratios at which the two banks operate.

The amounts are estimates of how much additional risk-weighted assets the banks could potentially have supported if they had retained the capital.

‘Bank rules limit how much a bank can lend based on how much capital it holds. Because the Maharlika investment is deducted from the banks’ capital under [Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas] rules, it lowers the maximum amount the banks can lend,’ Geronimo said.

MIC was established in 2023 to mobilize and manage the Maharlika Investment Fund, the sovereign wealth fund of the Philippines.

The fund’s cumulative deployed capital reached P24.7 billion as of end-June, channeled into infrastructure, energy and logistics, among others.

Deployed investments generated P2.09 billion in total portfolio returns from January to June this year through dividends, loan interest, realized gains and equity holdings.

Tech leaders and gig workers are calling for the resignation of Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Henry Aguda and Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) Executive Director Renato Paraiso over the government’s brief blocking of Discord, which critics described as ‘indiscriminate’ and ‘poorly executed.’

The block, imposed after the deadly shooting at a school in Banga, South Cotabato, drew fire from the IT and freelance sectors, where virtual assistants, developers and gig workers rely on Discord for day-to-day work. Initial reports suggested the suspect had been groomed on the platform.

The government reversed the ban within hours, with CICC Director Aya Macalma admitting that authorities were unaware of the app’s broader professional uses.

Scam Watch Philippines Co-Founder Art Samaniego Jr. said the episode had damaged the standing of the agencies involved.

‘The most damaging consequence of the Discord block is the blow to the credibility of both the DICT and the CICC,’ Samaniego said. ‘The fatal flaw was underestimating the users.’

Former DICT Undersecretary Jeffrey Ian Dy is preparing to bring the issue to the Supreme Court, questioning the executive branch’s power to block digital platforms on its own.

Working with civil society and tech advocacy groups, including BetterGov.PH and Democracy.Net.PH, Dy said demand letters had been sent to the DICT, the CICC and the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) seeking an end to arbitrary platform blocking.

‘This drama has to stop, especially when the economic and civil rights of people are being violated,’ he said. ‘This is no longer about Discord. This is already about our freedom on the internet, which, for some of us, brings food to the table.’

Aguda, in a video message, acknowledged the outcry but defended the government’s decision, saying access to Discord was restored only after the platform committed to concrete child-safety measures.

‘I saw the comments. I saw the memes. And I understand why people are asking: why restrict access to Discord only to restore it shortly after? To those who were inconvenienced, we hear you,’ Aguda said, speaking partly in Filipino.

‘These concrete commitments gave government the basis to restore access to Discord because the restriction itself was never the end goal. Accountability and cooperation were,’ he added.

Aguda said Discord and Reddit have committed to closer coordination with Philippine authorities and stronger safety measures for young Filipino users.

These include a dedicated ‘green lane’ that gives authorities a direct channel to flag serious threats and expedite the review of illegal and harmful content, ‘including grooming networks and activities that exploit or endanger children.’

He said government agencies had been pressing for stronger accountability, faster coordination and clearer mechanisms against online threats to minors even before the restriction was imposed.

‘Responsible governance means knowing when government must act and knowing when access should be restored once the concerns that prompted that action are being addressed,’ Aguda said.

The DICT chief said the government’s focus now shifts to implementation, and that it will closely watch whether the platforms’ pledges lead to faster action and real protection for children.

‘Your access matters, and we recognize the disruption this caused,’ he said. ‘We have restored access, but accountability does not end there. Our children deserve to enjoy everything technology makes possible with the protection they need and deserve.’

The CICC, an attached agency of the DICT, earlier gave Discord and Reddit 24 hours to establish a Philippine presence following the shooting at Banga National High School. The agency cited a Nihilistic Violent Extremism (NVE) group allegedly recruiting and grooming teenagers on the platforms, which is suspected to have links to the September 18 shooting that killed three students.

The CICC extended the deadline only for Reddit, leading to the Discord ban, which took effect Wednesday evening and was lifted the following day after Discord representatives met online with CICC and DICT officials.

For now, the Senate has decided to exclude incumbent senators who are detained, in hiding, or medically incapacitated from the voting process. As a result, these senators are not counted in determining what constitutes two-thirds of all members of the Senate. Even before and immediately after the resolution, some legal pundits transformed themselves into constitutionalists.

Legal discussion is healthy, but lawyers should distinguish analysis from advocacy. Some have been quick to declare that the conviction of Vice President Sara Duterte is practically secured because the number of votes supposedly needed has been reduced. Others have been quicker to say that the votes have already been predetermined along political lines. But one thing remains beyond debate: the Senate has the sole power to try and decide impeachment cases.

Armed with this constitutional authority, the Senate may resolve procedural matters as part of its impeachment function. It may make its own rules. But that authority does not give it license to interpret the Constitution with reckless abandon. This is why the impeachment court resorted to amicus curiae, or friends of the court who offered different interpretations, although some appeared more persuasive than others. Except for Justice Adolfo Azcuna, these former Supreme Court Justices opined that ‘all members of the Senate’ refers only to those who can actually participate in the impeachment trial. They applied the spirit and purpose of the provision rather than relying solely on the literal meaning of ‘all members.’ I can only anticipate that the sitting Supreme Court justices may themselves have differing opinions as well.

For every law that is written, there is an intent that serves as its backbone. Words tell us the what; intent tells us the why. Words may appear to mean one thing, yet the purpose behind them may not always be completely captured by their literal language. And that is where division and confusion begin.

The same thing has happened with a simple Gospel message which has been interpreted in different parts of the world by different ‘experts.’ There is only one Gospel message but it has been explained, qualified, expanded, and sometimes distorted through the centuries. Three fundamental words: died, buried, resurrected. And why did He do it? The Bible provides the answer: ‘For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.’ (John 3:16) The reason for saving sinners is love. Yet some have overlooked that reason and have required additional conditions before salvation can be accepted. The apostle Paul himself encountered such distortion: ‘I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel-which is really no gospel at all.’ (Galatians 1:6-7) Whether in the laws of man or the law of God, the distortion of words can arise from convenience, self-interest, or a desire to achieve a predetermined result.

Whether the framers of the Constitution intended ‘all members’ to mean every incumbent senator regardless, remains for the Supreme Court to determine. Likewise, whether salvation is a gift of grace or something that must be earned continues to be debated in some religious circles. We should not lose sight of the underlying reason behind each law.

The constitutional provisions on the accountability of public officers were written to provide a mechanism for addressing serious violations of public trust. Impeachment is both legal and political in character, but its constitutional purpose is straightforward: public officials who breach the public trust may be subjected to a process for their removal. The Gospel speaks of something far greater. It speaks of salvation. The Christian message is that God is both just and merciful. Sin carries the penalty of death, yet God, because of His love, provided salvation through Jesus Christ. Salvation is not a reward earned through prayers, alms, good deeds, or religious performance. It is a gift received through faith. The Gospel is not complicated: Christ died. He was buried. He was resurrected. Those who believe are called not merely to recite those words but to live them and allow that belief to manifest itself in their words and actions.

People may attempt to control outcomes by interpreting words according to their interests. Lawyers may argue over what ‘all members of the Senate’ truly means. Religious people may add requirements to a Gospel that was meant to proclaim grace. But words should not become servants of our desired conclusions. We may choose what words to believe. And when we do, we act on such belief. The Constitution must be interpreted according to its text and ultimate purpose of justice. The Gospel must be understood according to its message of grace and love. The real question is what happens to those who presume that sovereignty and destiny are theirs to control.

Siegfred has a diversified set of education and experiences which has made him a game changer and a servant leader in organizations. His professional degrees came from the United States Military Academy at West Point in New York, Ateneo Law School, and University of Southern California, Los Angeles, USA. His corporate experiences include stints as general counsel for the country’s flag carrier, a food exporter with manufacturing plants in Davao and in Laguna, and a sports distributor company. Siegfred is a former soldier and a lawyer by profession, a teacher and inspirational speaker by passion, and a book author and a writer with a mission.

THE House of Representatives impeachment prosecution panel is set to seek an investigation by the Office of the Ombudsman into allegations that Vice President Sara Duterte received more than P2 billion in cash-filled suitcases

Impeachment trial spokesperson and adviser Ace Barbers said the allegations should be examined by the proper government agency, even if they may no longer be included as part of the ongoing impeachment trial against Duterte.

‘We will probably seek the intervention of the appropriate agency. In this case, this is the Ombudsman, who has to conduct the investigation and file the charges if it merits the filing of such charges against the respondent,’ Barbers said in an interview over the weekend.

The House prosecution panel official said the allegations require serious scrutiny and that an investigation would also provide an opportunity for those accused to respond and clear their names.

‘This should not be ignored. It should be thoroughly investigated so that the truth will come out,’ Barbers said.

The allegation was raised by police Cpl. Rodulfo Gracioso Jr., who claimed that he served as the former security head of then-Speaker Lord Allan Velasco. Gracioso alleged that he delivered cash-filled suitcases to Duterte more than 20 times on Velasco’s orders, with the total amount exceeding P2 billion.

Gracioso also claimed that he delivered money to former President Rodrigo Duterte and Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte. The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is currently reviewing his sworn affidavit and other information submitted to investigators.

Vice President Duterte has denied knowing Gracioso or receiving money from him. Her lawyers said they are waiting for an official copy of his affidavit from the NBI before pursuing possible legal action.

Barbers said Gracioso’s claim that he had ties to a former House leader known to be close to the Duterte family was among the reasons the allegation should be investigated.

‘The information came from someone who was reportedly trusted by the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, who is known by the public to have been very close to the Duterte family,’ Barbers said.

He also denied that the House prosecution panel had any involvement in Gracioso’s disclosure, saying the information would have been included earlier in the impeachment proceedings if it had been available.

‘We have nothing to do with this. If we had known about this earlier, it should have already been released and included among the Articles of Impeachment or among the issues being pursued,’ Barbers said.

He added that the allegation only surfaced recently because a witness may have decided to come forward and request an investigation.

Barbers acknowledged that the allegation may no longer be introduced as evidence in the impeachment trial because the issues to be discussed were already defined during the pre-trial conference and included in the impeachment court’s trial order.

‘The impeachment court is discussing the matters agreed upon during the pre-trial conference, and the trial order issued by the clerk of court guides the proceedings,’ Barbers said.

Despite this, Barbers maintained that government agencies should still investigate the allegation because of its significance.

Barbers rejected claims from Duterte’s allies that the timing of Gracioso’s disclosure was meant to influence the impeachment proceedings, saying witnesses should be allowed to come forward when they decide to reveal information.

PRESIDENT Marcos has directed government agencies to immediately provide assistance to the victims and families affected by the shooting incident at Banga National High School in South Cotabato.

In a statement, the Palace said the directive covers the release of financial assistance for individuals who were injured and the families of those who lost their lives in the attack as part of the government’s response to the incident.

Marcos ordered acting Executive Secretary Ralph G. Recto to ensure that the necessary support reaches the victims and their families without delay.

Following the President’s order, Recto directed the Office of the Deputy Executive Secretary for Finance and Administration to facilitate the immediate processing and release of financial assistance in accordance with existing laws and government regulations.

Recto also ordered the office to submit an initial progress report within five days from receipt of the directive and provide succeeding updates every five days until the assistance has been fully delivered.

The government’s action came after the shooting incident at Banga National High School in South Cotabato, which resulted in fatalities and injuries among members of the school community.

Earlier, Marcos ordered a thorough investigation into the incident to determine the circumstances surrounding the shooting and ensure that appropriate actions are taken.

The President also directed authorities to provide medical assistance to those injured in the attack and extend support to affected individuals.

Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) provided immediate assistance to the families affected by the incident and extended psychological first aid to teachers of the school.

The government said the continuing response aims to support the victims, address their immediate needs, and ensure coordinated assistance from concerned agencies following the South Cotabato school shooting.

JCB International Co.,Ltd (JCBI), the international operations subsidiary of JCB, Japan’s only international payment brand, announced the launch of ‘JCB Japan Fiesta’ as a celebration JCB’s 30th Anniversary in the Philippines.

Since entering the Philippine market in 1996, JCB has grown alongside the strengthening ties between Japan and the Philippines, creating more opportunities for Filipinos to experience the best of Japan through travel, dining, shopping, entertainment, and everyday experiences.

For many Filipinos, Japan is more than a dream destination. From its rich culture and world-renowned cuisine to its pop culture, entertainment, shopping, and breathtaking destinations, Japan continues to capture the imagination of Filipino travelers and enthusiasts.

Now, as JCB celebrates its 30th Anniversary in the Philippines, the brand is bringing the spirit of Japan closer to Filipinos through JCB Japan Fiesta on September 25 to 27 at the SM Megamall Mega Fashion Hall Mandaluyong City.

The three-day celebration will immerse visitors in the culture, lifestyle, traditions, and modern experiences of Japan, while also commemorating the 70th anniversary of Japan-Philippines friendship.

The festivities will officially open with a ceremony on September 25 at 11:00AM, followed by a weekend of interactive activities, entertainment, merchant experiences, and exclusive JCB offerings for the public.

Experience Japan and Win Exciting Prizes

JCB Japan Fiesta

The celebration goes beyond the festival floor, with exciting activities and prizes lined up throughout the weekend. The festivities will culminate in the much-awaited Grand Raffle, where one (1) lucky winner will receive an exclusive trip to Japan

Best of Japan 4.0 Promo

JCB will also unveil the Best of Japan 4.0 Promo, offering:

·Five (5) unforgettable Japan-inspired experiences

·One (1) guaranteed winner from each participating bank partner

For those dreaming of an extraordinary getaway, the grand prize includes:

·Ultimate Luxury Trip to Japan worth ?1,000,000 An exceptional travel experience designed around comfort, exclusivity, and the best of Japanese hospitality

In addition, participants will have more chances to win:

·Thirty (30) lucky winners will each receive ?10,000 worth of shopping credits,

This provides even more opportunities for cardmembers to discover and enjoy Japan.

Adding to the excitement is a lineup of distinguished partner and merchant booths, where visitors can discover Japanese brands, products, travel experiences, and special JCB offers.

Participating brands include ANA, Bandai Gashapon, B.League, Fujifilm, Gindaco Takoyaki, ItoEn, Japan Airlines, JNTO, Muji, Nitori, Uniqlo, VFS Global, Warabimochi Kamakura and 10 Yen King.

A Playful Journey Through Japan

Designed as a vibrant Japanese-inspired cityscape and countryside, JCB Japan Fiesta invites guests to embark on a playful journey through different destinations and experiences-all under one roof.

At Tokyo Tower, guests can test their luck and strategy through an exciting dice game. At the Express Train, visitors can put their aim and throwing skills to the test, while the Sakura Garden offers an immersive blizzard machine experience that brings a touch of winter magic to the celebration. Meanwhile, Mount Fuji serves as another interactive stop where guests can share their thoughts and experiences through the survey wall.

Beyond the activities, the festival creates opportunities for visitors to explore the sights, flavors, products, and experiences that make Japan a favorite destination among Filipinos.

Celebrating 30 Years of Connection

More than a corporate milestone, JCB’s 30th Anniversary in the Philippines celebrates 30 years of meaningful connections, trusted partnerships, and shared experiences with Filipino consumers, financial institutions, merchants, and business partners.

Over the years, JCB has continued to strengthen its role in connecting Filipinos to Japan-not only as a travel destination, but as a culture and lifestyle that can be experienced through food, shopping, entertainment, hospitality, and everyday moments.

This milestone also reflects the enduring relationship between Japan and the Philippines, built on decades of friendship, cultural exchange, tourism, and people-to-people connections.

Through JCB Japan Fiesta, JCB transforms its 30th Anniversary into a celebration that everyone can enjoy-bringing the sights, sounds, flavors, and excitement of Japan to the heart of Manila, while looking ahead to many more years of connection between Japan and the Philippines.

JCB Japan Fiesta is open to the public from September 25 to 27 at the SM Megamall Mega Fashion Hall. Admission is FREE, and visitors do not need to be JCB Cardholders to join the celebration.

For more information about JCB’s 30th Anniversary promotions, participating merchant offers, and complete promo mechanics, visit the JCB Philippines website(https://www.specialoffers.jcb/ph/) or follow JCB Philippines on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates.