Category: Business Mirror

THE Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has established the BIR Audit Program to consolidate various audit programs into a single, uniform framework to standardize tax investigations across all its offices.

Internal Revenue Commissioner Charlito Martin R. Mendoza issued Revenue Memorandum Order No. 22-2026 to prescribe the BIR Audit Program and institutionalize and integrate existing and updated audit policies and procedures into one coherent framework.

‘These enhanced guidelines institutionalize the BIR’s modernization initiatives and strengthen its risk-based audit and governance framework, while ensuring a fair, efficient, and transparent enforcement of internal revenue laws and the proper assessment and collection of taxes due to the government,’ Mendoza said.

The order will cover all audits conducted by Revenue District Offices, Regional Office Audit Sections, the Large Taxpayer Service Audit Divisions, the National/Regional Investigation Divisions and specialized technical working groups.

All taxpayers, including those subject to mandatory audits, selected via risk analytics, involved in One-Time Transactions, applying for tax clearances, or claiming tax credits/refunds, would be considered potential candidates for audit or verification to determine the correctness of their tax liabilities.

However, the BIR said it would initiate audits only upon issuance of a valid electronic Letter of Authority (eLA), Tax Verification Notice, or Mission Order (MO). Any audit or verification undertaken without such authority shall be deemed unauthorized, the BIR said.

Audit selection is driven by a system-assisted, risk-based process using defined criteria, verifiable data and risk indicators derived from filed tax returns, third-party information and other relevant data available within BIR systems.

To prevent duplication or fragmentation of audit authority, taxpayers would only be subject to one eLA per taxable year, covering all applicable internal revenue tax types.

Audit cases are split into mandatory cases, which are covered by eLAs or TVNs and do not require prior approval from the commissioner, and priority cases, which are electronically selected by risk-based digital criteria and require centralized approval by the commissioner.

All audit activities, findings and case developments shall be properly documented in near real-time in the prescribed BIR systems or platforms to ensure transparency, traceability and effective monitoring.

The memo said all Revenue Officials/Officers shall also observe the highest standards of integrity, objectivity and professionalism, and shall be accountable for the proper, timely and accurate conduct of audit.

All audit investigation reports and assessment issuances may also be subject to a Revalida or ‘audit of auditors’ to reinforce accountability, promote uniformity and uphold quality standards in tax examinations, the memo read.

‘The Revalida shall serve as a quality assurance and compliance review mechanism to ensure that audit findings are factually and legally supported, due process requirements are observed, and assessments are free from material error or procedural defect,’ the order said.

The BIR was previously under fire for the reported misuse of LOAs that has allegedly become a long-running ‘money-making scheme.’

Since then, the agency has cleaned up its office by temporarily suspending all field audits and the issuance of LOAs and MOs.

The BIR said this Audit Program is to reinforce structural reforms, including the Single Instance Audit Framework, system-assisted and risk-based audit selection, anonymized assignment of cases to Group Supervisors and Revenue Officers, mandatory labeling of audit instruments, standardized documentary requirements and strengthened safeguards in the conduct of audit.

With a view to boosting assistance to more senior citizens, Senator Bam Aquino wants to expand the coverage of the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010 and increase the monthly social pension for qualified senior citizens to P1,000.

Aquino’s Senate Bill No. 269 seeks to provide a P1,000 monthly social pension to senior citizens who do not receive a social pension or who receive a pension of no more than P3,000, giving them a regular and predictable source of income they can use for everyday expenses, medical needs, and emergencies.

‘As we grow older, it becomes more difficult to generate income. Many of our Lolos and Lolas face barriers to staying employed after the age of 60 due to physical limitations, age-based discrimination, or the lack of opportunities tailored to their skills,’ he explained.

‘Unlike irregular or informal sources of support, a pension allows recipients to manage their resources with more certainty. This reduces stress, promotes better well-being, and allows older people to make personal choices about how their money is spent,’ he added.

Aquino pointed out that a reliable social pension can also ease the financial burden on families who may already be struggling with their own everyday expenses, such as food, medicine, and educational needs.

‘A pension can help cover food, medicine, utility bills, or transportation costs, easing the financial pressure on younger relatives who may already be juggling their own expenses,’ he explained.

Aquino said the proposed increase is also a way of recognizing the contributions of senior citizens to the country.

‘Our senior citizens have broadly contributed to the development of our nation. It is time for us to return their sacrifices by ensuring that they are cared for in their old age,’ he emphasized.

Senate Bill No. 269 is part of Aquino’s 10 ‘Panukalang Batas para sa Abot-Kayang Pamumuhay,’ which seek to provide immediate relief and support to ordinary citizens burdened by high prices, costly health services, low wages, and inadequate government support.

Aquino, likewise, filed Senate Bill No. 2386, or the National Disability Support Act, providing qualified persons with disabilities (PWDs) a P2,000 monthly disability support allowance) to help cover disability-related costs and other essential expenses.

NATIONAL University (NU) avenged last season’s heartbreak by dethroning De La Salle University, 2-1, to capture the 2026 University Athletic Association of the Philippines Esports Mobile Legends: Bang Bang crown on Wednesday at the MVP Studios in Mandaluyong City.

De La Salle appeared to still have NU’s number earlier in the tournament, sweeping the Bulldogs, 2-0, in the group stage, but turned the tables when it mattered most, beating the Green Archers in the finals to capture its first UAAP ML: BB championship.

NU head coach Ernest Del Rosario described the championship as a sentimental triumph for a team that used the pain of last season’s finals defeat and its group-stage loss to De La Salle as motivation to complete its redemption.

‘This championship holds great sentimental value for the team,’ Del Rosario said. ‘As a coach who had just joined the squad, I witnessed how hard they worked-especially after their loss last season.’

‘We also suffered a defeat in the series prior to the semi-finals, now, the difference is like night and day as we became focused, truly locked in to secure the championship,’ he added.

The Bulldogs seized control of Game 1 from the get-go, building a commanding 9-1 kill advantage by the eighth minute behind Johann Estacio’s four kills and five assists.

Not even Joshua Tating’s Lord steal in the ninth minute could halt NU’s charge, as the Bulldogs cruised to a 14-minute victory after Estacio secured a Savage in the final team fight.

De La Salle, however, showed its championship poise in Game 2, pulling off a dominant draft and building an advantage of as much as 8,000 gold before forcing a series decider with a 17-minute victory.

Estacio suffered an early setback in Game 3, dying in the opening minute as Tating secured a double kill during a top-lane ambush.

The NU star quickly bounced back, though, going on a rampage and finishing with eight kills, three assists, and just one death as the Bulldogs overcame their previous struggles against La Salle to clinch the title in 13 minutes.

Estacio was named grand finals MVP after a near-perfect performance in the championship series.

‘For me, the MVP award isn’t really a big deal since we’ve been teammates for a long time, so I view our victory as a true team effort,’ Estacio said. ‘Still, I am grateful for this award-something my parents didn’t expect either.’

NU dispatched the University of the Philippines (UP) in a dominant 2-0 semifinal sweep, while De La Salle rallied from a game down to stun Adamson University, 2-1, and set up a rematch of last season’s championship series.

Adamson University and UP were co-bronze medalists.

The VALORANT Tournament resumes on Monday at the NAOS Arena in DoubleDragon Plaza in Pasay City.

The Cebu Provincial Health Office (PHO) has dispatched a team to Dumanjug to conduct its own investigation into the death of a baby whose family raised concerns about a possible link to a measles-rubella (MR) vaccination received earlier this month.

Dr. Sheila Faciol, chief of the Cebu PHO, said on Thursday, Aug. 27, that the team was sent to Dumanjug immediately after the provincial office received the report on Wednesday.

‘We received the report yesterday, and right away today, our team is already in Dumanjug investigating the case,’ Faciol said during the Hisgutan Ta! Media Forum.

The investigation includes information gathering at the Dumanjug Rural Health Unit (RHU) and Barili District Hospital, where the child was brought.

Faciol said the team was expected to complete its initial report by Thursday afternoon.

She stressed that the investigation is intended to establish the circumstances surrounding the child’s death and determine whether there is any connection to the vaccination.

The Dumanjug Municipal Health Office, in an official announcement, said the child died on Aug. 24. The child had received the MR vaccine on Aug. 10, prompting the family to raise concerns about a possible connection between the vaccination and the death.

The MHO said it immediately reported the incident to the Department of Health Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (DOH-RESU) and coordinated with the DOH and PHO for a proper review.

‘At present, there is no conclusion that vaccination was related to the death of the child,’ the MHO said, noting that determining a possible link would require a careful review of the child’s medical history, health condition, and other relevant information.

Faciol’s statement comes as Cebu continues its MR vaccination campaign targeting children aged six months to 59 months. The campaign, which started on Aug. 10, was initially scheduled to end Aug. 28 but is expected to be extended.

As of Thursday, Faciol said Cebu Province had recorded only a 19.7% accomplishment rate for the MR campaign, which she described as ‘very, very low.’

She attributed part of the challenge to vaccine hesitancy, including the spread of negative and false information on social media that may influence parents and caregivers.

Despite the Dumanjug case, Faciol said the PHO would continue encouraging parents to have their eligible children vaccinated.

‘We will not back down. We continue to encourage our mothers to have their children vaccinated,’ she said.

Faciol also cited efforts by local governments and the PHO to bring vaccines closer to communities and encourage parents to participate in the campaign.

At a recent Cebu Caravan in Tabuelan, she said 10 children received MR vaccinations.

The Dumanjug MHO, meanwhile, urged the public to refrain from drawing conclusions or spreading unverified information while the investigation is ongoing, and appealed for respect for the privacy and grief of the bereaved family.

Authorities said verified information from the investigation will be made public once available.

THERE won’t be the usual go-to Justin Brownlee around when the push comes to shove as the Philippines plays Jordan without its injured naturalized player on Friday night in the fourth window of the FIBA 2027 World Cup Asia Qualifiers at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

But head coach Tim Cone isn’t treating Brownlee’s absence as a liability but a motivation.

‘I think all of us are excited to be playing this window as an All-Filipino unit,’ Cone said. ‘The challenge will be great, but the winning will be sweeter.’

‘Everybody is really motivated to play and Kai certainly gives us a chance,’ he added.

Sotto, the Philippines tallest agile player thus far at 7-foot-3 with now plenty of international experience, will be around to man the shade, thus complimenting the tough tasks on Cone’s big men against the physical Jordanese.

Jordan, for sure, is out for vengeance, too-Cone’s Gilas beat the Jordanians, 70-60, in the final of the Hangzhou 19th Asian Games three years ago, giving the continental back to the Philippines after 61 years.

That mission to get back at the Philippines was reiterated by Her Royal Highness, Princess Ayah bint Faisal-president of Jordan’s volleyball federation and a board member and representative to the Asian Volleyball Confederation and the FIVB.

‘You beat us for the gold medal in Hangzhou-but remember, we defeated your team in the FIBA World Cup qualifiers,’ Faisal told the BusinessMirror at the sides of the AVC Gala in Bangkok earlier this month. ‘We’ll make sure we beat you again.’

Jordan edged the Philippines, 91-90, in the FIBA World Cup qualifiers on February 27, 2023, at the Philippine Arena.

What could keep Cone and the rest of the team at the edge is Jordan’s naturalized player, Jalen Harris, who played for the Toronto Raptors in the 2020-2021 season of the National Basketball Association.

‘Jordan is playing at a general level and their naturalized player, Jalen Harris, is incredibly good,’ Cone said. ‘He’s a game changer.’

The 6-foot-4 Harris is averaging 27 points, 4.2 rebound and 2.7 assists in the qualifiers that gave Jordan a 5-1 win-loss record in Group E, where the Philippines is at the bottom with a 2-4 record.

The Jordan game is set at 8:30 p.m. and up next for the Philippines is Iran on Sunday at 8 p.m. in the same venue.

Gilas’s final 12 are Sotto, Dwight Ramos, Juan Gomez de Liaño, CJ Perez, Chris Newsome, Justine Baltazar, June Mar Fajardo, Scottie Thompson, Troy Rosario, Kevin Quiambao, Carl Tamayo and AJ Edu.

Ramos said he expect a highly-motivated Jordan side.

‘We played Jordan before many times and has fine individual players,’ he said, adding that the 28-year-old Harris is a threat they need to muster.

Moody’s is keeping the Philippines at a solid ‘Baa2’ investment grade, but the agency is raising red flags over political drama. It warned that impeachment proceedings against VP Sara Duterte and premature 2028 campaign maneuvering could undermine economic stability. (Read the BusinessMirror story: ‘Political noise could stall fiscal reforms,’ August 25, 2026).

The message from Moody’s is unambiguous: political noise is not merely an inconvenience-it is an economic risk factor with measurable consequences. When a ratings agency explicitly warns that ‘political developments weighing on policymaking’ could put ‘downward pressure on the rating,’ it is signaling that the theater of Philippine politics is beginning to obstruct the work of governance. And in the world of sovereign credit, perception is reality. Investors do not wait for a downgrade to flee; they move at the first whisper of institutional decay.

The timing of this warning is particularly consequential. The Marcos administration has staked its economic legacy on fiscal consolidation-promising to narrow deficits, manage debt, and implement structural reforms that previous administrations postponed. Yet the government’s announced tax package remains unlegislated, and Moody’s correctly identifies that any delay or dilution of these revenue measures would slow the path to fiscal health.

What makes Moody’s warning especially noteworthy is its specificity. The agency is not issuing vague platitudes about ‘political risk’ in the abstract. It is pointing to concrete developments-the impeachment of the Vice President and the premature 2028 campaign dynamics-as potential disruptors to reform implementation. This is a distinction with a difference. It suggests that international observers see the same thing many domestic analysts do: a political system increasingly unable to separate governance from grudges, and policy from personality.

Finance Secretary Frederick Go and National Treasurer Sharon Almanza are correct that the affirmation reflects strong macroeconomic fundamentals-robust access to funding markets, adequate foreign reserves, and proactive debt management. The BSP has maintained its credibility on inflation targeting and financial stability. These are genuine strengths that provide buffer against external shocks.

But economic fundamentals do not exist in a vacuum. They require political stewardship. The very institutions that Moody’s cites as strengths-fiscal discipline, reform implementation, governance quality-are precisely what political instability threatens to erode.

The path to an ‘A’ rating-the stated ambition of our economic planners-runs through political stability, not around it. Moody’s has laid out the conditions for an upgrade: sustained fiscal consolidation that puts debt on a ‘firm downward trajectory,’ stronger growth through higher private investment, and productivity gains. These are achievable goals, but they require a political environment where capital formation is encouraged rather than deterred by policy uncertainty.

There is an irony here that our politicians would do well to contemplate. The impeachment proceedings and early election maneuvering are presumably being pursued to secure political advantage. Yet if they trigger the downgrade that Moody’s warns is possible, the economic consequences-higher borrowing costs, reduced investment, currency pressure-will harm every Filipino, including the very politicians engineering these dramas and the constituencies they claim to represent.

The Marcos administration finds itself in a delicate position. It must defend its policy agenda against opponents while avoiding the perception that political vendettas are distracting from economic priorities. The affirmation of the credit rating provides temporary cover, but the stable outlook is conditional. Moody’s has effectively placed Philippine politics on watch.

For a nation that has worked diligently to escape the ‘sick man of Asia’ label and achieve investment-grade status, the stakes could not be clearer. The Philippines can keep building toward the coveted ‘A’ rating, or it can fall into the trap of perpetual campaigning. It can’t do both. Moody’s has made its position clear. The issue now is whether political leaders are prepared to listen.

After leading Southeast Asia’s boxy NEV segment for several consecutive months, the premium NEV brand iCAUR has officially announced its entry into the Philippines. Its flagship model, the iCAUR V23, has topped the segment month after month, driven by a fusion of classic design and intelligent technology-helping the brand surpass 100,000 global sales. Looking ahead, iCAUR is poised to offer Filipino consumers a distinct and refreshing mobility alternative-backed by proven quality, trusted by hundreds of thousands of users, and crafted to withstand the test of time and close scrutiny.

The ‘i’ in iCAUR embodies ‘Inner Self,’ ‘Intellect,’ ‘Imagine,’ and ‘Interactive’-reflecting a vision of building a deeper connection with every driver. iCAUR is for those who refuse to settle for ordinary. While the automotive industry relentlessly chases the next big thing, iCAUR believes in the power of time: great design endures. ‘CLASSIC NEVER FADES’ captures this belief perfectly. A classic, to us, is not a throwback or a trend-chaser-it is staying power that outlasts fads, and a trust that grows stronger with every journey.

This conviction materializes in a product identity that speaks for itself. iCAUR shuns flashy styling in favor of restrained proportions and timeless lines, resulting in design with lasting presence. Technology here is no spectacle; it’s a seamless companion, quietly integrated into every journey. Safety, design, and innovation are principles iCAUR builds into every model from the very first sketch. For iCAUR, technology is never about complexity-it’s about making every journey simpler and more effortless. From city streets to the great outdoors, iCAUR delivers a driving experience rooted in confidence and composure.

iCAUR has had a distinct purpose from day one: to inspire users to personalize their vehicles as expressions of their identity and lifestyle-turning a car into a true companion. Around the world, the i-CLUB community brings together like-minded souls who share a love for design and life-a space where connections are made and friendships begin.

This October, iCAUR will officially launch in the Philippines with two models: the all-electric boxy SUV V23 and the all-round hybrid SUV V27, featuring iCAUR’s Golden REEV (range-extended electric vehicle) system. Together, they bring the brand’s distinctive design philosophy to Filipino consumers.

NEARLY all vape brands monitored in the local market are operating without registration, according to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), which said 292 out of 313 brands-or 93 percent-remain unregistered.

Trade Assistant Secretary Marcus Valdez II disclosed the figures during the August 25 House of Representatives Committee on Ways and Means hearing on tobacco and vapor excise taxes, where lawmakers and government agencies examined the growing illicit market and proposals to simplify the tax structure for vapor products.

‘From our survey, there are 313 vape brands in the market; about 292 are not registered. So, it’s at 93 percent,’ Valdez said.

He said the number of compliant brands could shrink further. Of the 18 registered vape brands he previously cited, two-Shift and Chillax-are now subject to cancellation, consistent with findings submitted by the Bureau of Customs (BOC) to the committee.

The DTI official said companies had been given an opportunity to comply with registration requirements, but some continued to sell their products without doing so. He stressed that the agency filed charges and imposed penalties against violators.

Valdez also drew a distinction between legitimate retailers and illicit or noncompliant sellers as the committee examined concerns over vapor products being sold to minors.

‘I don’t think legitimate traders would be selling to minors. During our monitoring we would see retailers in the malls where they have explicit signs saying that minors are not allowed to enter. I know for a fact that in the big malls they are refusing to cater to minors. But for the establishments outside malls, here you find them [illicit sellers] in the strip malls or in the streets,’ Valdez said.

‘It’s been our experience that when we monitor during daytime these establishments are closed, they open at night when most of the government workers are already at home,’ he added.

The scale of unregistered products prompted lawmakers to examine whether the existing tax structure itself has contributed to noncompliance.

Marikina Rep. Romero Federico Quimbo of Marikina said the significant tax disparity between nicotine salt and freebase products has been a key reason why few nicotine salt brands have registered with the DTI.

‘They will not register because the tax is too high. It’s not because of the preferred chemical composition,’ Quimbo said.

The DTI supported proposals to unify excise tax rates for nicotine salt and traditional freebase vapor products. The Department of Finance (DOF), Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), and BOC similarly backed replacing the current two-tier system with a unified rate to strengthen enforcement, while leaving the specific rate for further discussion.

Party-list Rep. Roberto Nazal of Bagong Henerasyon said committee members had already found common ground on the role of the two-tier structure in creating opportunities for revenue leakage.

‘Based on earlier manifestations by our committee members, we’ve established that the current two-tier system enabled or allowed a tax leakage. Some are in agreement that a single tier will plug that loophole,’ Nazal said.

Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez also cited BIR records showing no payments under nicotine salt despite the separate tax category. He called for a unified P15-per-milliliter rate that would generate collections while reducing incentives for consumers to move toward illicit products.

At the same time, lawmakers raised the need to consider how the eventual rate would compare with the tax treatment of cigarettes.

Quezon City Rep. Jesus Manuel Angel Suntay cited mature markets where cigarettes and vapor products are subject to different tax burdens and urged fiscal agencies to consider the reasoning behind those policies.

‘Mr. Chair, I’m trying to rationalize why in a lot of European countries, the tax rates are different between traditional cigarettes and vape products. There should be a reason. They have more advanced studies. They are more mature when it comes to taxation [of these products]. But here, why do we want to equalize the two categories? They should have a reason. I believe that when the wheel is not broken, we should not reinvent it,’ Suntay said.

Economist Bienvenido Oplas reinforced the point with international examples, citing excise differentials between cigarettes and e-cigarettes of 45 percent in Indonesia, 96 percent in the UK, and 100 percent in New Zealand.

Government enforcement data presented at the hearing meanwhile showed the extent of continuing operations against illicit tobacco and vapor products.

BIR figures showed 6,196 enforcement activities in 2026 involving tobacco and vape products, with P1.7 billion in excise taxes due. This compared with 2,318 activities and P122 million recorded in 2025.

BOC data showed 253 tobacco seizure cases valued at P10 billion in 2026, compared with 317 cases worth P1.87 billion in 2025. For vapor products, the agency recorded 18 seizure cases valued at P1.6 billion in 2026, versus 37 cases worth P649 million the previous year.

Lawyer Dondanon Galera, Head Revenue Executive Assistant of the BIR, said the agency’s enforcement experience points to a continuing increase in illicit products being detected.

‘Base doon sa experience namin, padami nang padami ang huli namin ng illicit products,’ Galera said.

Nazal said this enforcement environment must be considered when Congress determines the appropriate tax rate, warning that setting it too high could undermine both revenue objectives and efforts against illicit trade.

‘As mentioned by the Chairman, we do not want to overtax to the point that we will promote further smuggling and discourage investors from investing in our country,’ Nazal said.

‘That beyond a certain rate, we may not be raising more revenue at all but simply pushing consumers in volume to the illicit market,’ he added.

The Executive-generated list of priority measures for the next 12 months has been flagged for including several items that are nowhere near the early stages of lawmaking, while the bill adopting the blockchain for the national budget-touted to boost transparency and cut corruption-is omitted, even though it was passed on third reading by the Senate seven months ago.

The glaring absence of the so-called blockchain-the-budget-bill was raised by its main author, Sen. Bam Aquino, before Secretary Arsenio Balisacan of DepDev at the briefing by the Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) held at the Senate Thursday.

‘In our legislative agenda, there is a [section on] Governance and Anti-Corruption Reforms. I would like to ask Secretary Balisacan, parang kulang po ata [it seems to be missing something]. There is a Ledac [Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council] measure which I championed and which we passed in the Senate. In 2025, it was listed as a priority measure; in 2026 it was still a priority measure. But now it seems the Cadena or Blockchain the Budget Bill was dropped. What’s the reason why it’s not on this list? Are you not supporting this bill, Secretary?’ Aquino asked Balisacan.

Balisacan explained that ‘in the longer list of the Ledac priorities, it’s still there, except when the Ledac met recently, the heads, the leadership of both Congress and Executive, they decided to shorten it at least for the next 12 months, to ensure that we get the measures that are so critical.’

Aquino reminded him, ‘this has passed already on third reading here in the Senate. [Legislative Liaison] Secretary Joey [Salceda] is also here. This has been passed on the Senate. If you want it passed in 12 months, this is one of the measures that can be passed right away. So, I am surprised, was it de-prioritized? This was a priority measure in 2025, number 3 even on the Ledac list in 2025. Now, in 2026, it’s already in the long list.’

Referring to newly installed budget chief de Leon, Aquino added, ‘Secretary Kim here was our consultant, we consulted with him on this bill before he became DBM Secretary.’

Aquino stressed that ‘this bill…will put the budget on blockchain, even the contractors, even the price of cement, of nails, of all purchases of government…it has been discussed in 2025 as very important. I want to understand: why is it not in the priority measure of the DBCC?’

Balisacan explained, ‘No, the way we understand this prioritization measure, Mr. Chair, is that the-all the other measures that are in the priority list can be advanced, with the efforts of all members of Congress and our leadership, the Executive branch. When we shortened the list, Mr. Chair, we know that those on the final ends, have finished Bicam, or are just for signing, we don’t need to emphasize…’

To this, Aquino noted that ‘many measures on this list are not even in a committee report yet. Philippine Budgeting Code, is there a committee report on that already? None yet. The Right to Information, that one has. But [the bill on] Political Dynasty, is still for interpellation here in the Senate. The Party-List [reform bill] is still up for discussion. But Cadena has been passed since-for seven months already in the Senate.’

And, he added, ‘we know that if the Executive and the DBCC and the people here push it, we know it will get passed. So we’re asking for your support, Secretary. Let’s get this passed.’

The senator said that so many groups ‘from inside the government, outside the government,’ have said they want this measure passed. I am wondering why there seems to be no hurry on this one? At the height of the flood control scandal, we all agreed we would push for this, and push for full transparency.

‘So, I’m just very-I’m bothered, Mr. Secretary, that it’s not among the top priority measures, considering it’s almost near the finish line. It also passed already the Committee on Science and Technology in the House.

Passing the Cadena, he said, ‘can be a legacy of this administration and this Senate and Congress. That finally, we put all of the-all of these measures on the blockchain.’

Balisacan promised, ‘we’ll make the representation, Mr. Chair, we’ll bring that issue, that concern to the leadership of Ledac.’

When pressed further, Balisacan told reporters he would recommend including the Cadena bill in the list of priority measures to be passed before June 2027.

The chief economist, however, stressed that its inclusion would ultimately depend on the decision of the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (Ledac).

Ledac, established under Republic Act 7640, serves as the President’s advisory body on priority policy and legislative matters supporting long-term national development.

The Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DepDev) has served as its principal secretariat since 1992.

Balisacan also said the inclusion of the blockchain bill in the reprioritized list would depend on whether lawmakers have enough time to tackle the measure.

‘The only problem is whether they will have enough time, because they have an impeachment court, right?’ he said.

Nevertheless, Balisacan said he could ‘recommend and see it through.’

Globe Telecom Inc. is targeting the completion of its Starlink-powered satellite service rollout to iPhones by yearend, an executive said.

In an interview, Globe VP Eric Tan said the telco is currently testing the service with Apple Inc., with connectivity expected to be enabled through an upcoming iOS software update rather than new hardware.

‘Our target rollout is the end of the year. We are already at the testing phase, so it’s really in collaboration with Apple to deploy it in their next iOS release,’ Tan told reporters.

Globe’s satellite service currently runs on compatible Android and iOS smartphones, covering about 70 percent of its addressable base.

Tan said extending support to iPhones-which account for an estimated 20 percent to 30 percent of that market-would lift coverage to roughly 90 percent.

He noted that demand has been climbing nearly two months after the service’s commercial launch.

‘We’re very happy with the take-up so far. So, as I mentioned, I think today we are on our seventh or eighth week in the market, and our paying customers continue to grow week-on-week.’ The company is also broadening satellite connectivity beyond the Philippines through reciprocal roaming arrangements with telcos partnered with Starlink. Tan said Globe is ready to launch a reciprocal roaming tie-up in Japan, while similar arrangements in the United States and Canada remain under testing, with a possible rollout by yearend.

The satellite update was among the developments Globe unveiled at The Blueprint, the company’s event series centered on connectivity that delivers greater convenience and personalized value.

‘Connectivity means different things at different moments for every customer. Sometimes it’s about being able to reach someone when it matters, while other times it’s about making everyday tasks easier or simply enjoying more of what they love,’ said KD Dizon, Globe chief marketing officer.

‘Our goal is to understand those moments and make the Globe experience work around them, strengthening the systems and applications customers use, making them more dependable and reliable.’

Among the announcements, Globe introduced Globe Circle, which rewards customers who rely on the telco for both mobile and home connectivity with added benefits and experiences. It also confirmed the return of 917 GDay 2026, its annual customer celebration.

The company unveiled fresh offers spanning roaming, home internet and digital lifestyle partnerships, including tie-ups with short-form entertainment platform ReelShort, fitness app Strava and Meta AI. It also launched Green GSM, an all-electric ride-hailing service using VinFast electric vehicles, giving customers a greener mobility option while opening earning opportunities for drivers.

Globe’s prepaid brand TM, meanwhile, marked its 25th anniversary with a year-long celebration featuring nationwide TeaM Fair caravans, culminating in the TeaM Fair Concert on September 12 with Dionela and SB19.