Category: Business Mirror

THE National Police (PNP) will deploy 5,000 personnel as authorities intensify efforts to ensure the peaceful and orderly conduct of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Parliamentary Elections on September 14.

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said preparations are 98 percent complete, confident that the efforts to ensure a peaceful election will prevail.

‘Just a very little bit more, it’s just fine-tuning now. We’ll make sure that nothing happens again, but [we are] 98 percent [ready]. All the polling precincts are there, all the contingencies are there,’ Remulla said following a command conference at the Police Regional Office-BARMM.

Remulla went to Camp Brig. Gen. Salipada K. Pendatun in Parang, Maguindanao del Norte, to assess preparations for the coming elections. He was joined by the National Police chief, Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. and other key officials.

The DILG chief also called on the Bangsamoro electorate to carefully choose the leaders who will help shape the future of the region.

‘Choose your leader wisely; your future depends on them.’

Remulla said all hands are on deck to ensure that the Bangsamoro electorate can exercise their right to vote in a peaceful and orderly environment. He added that 5,000 police officers and additional personnel will be deployed in the region for the elections.

‘The peace and order situation [is vigilantly attended to]… 5,000 policemen, and additional personnel will be sent here, so we are confident in what will happen here,’ he said.

The BARMM Parliamentary Elections were initially scheduled earlier this year but were postponed due to the lack of time for preparations, as announced by the Commission on Elections in January 2026.

Remulla said the historic elections are also an opportunity to demonstrate to the international community that ‘a Muslim nation can exist in a Christian republic.’

Addressing police officers who will be deployed for the BARMM Parliamentary Elections, Remulla issued a stern reminder that they will be held accountable for maintaining peace and order throughout the electoral exercise.

‘I will hold every police officer here accountable; that if any violence happens in this coming elections, you will be accountable to me and to the Chief PNP. Peace must prevail.’

THE Philippines and Singapore are looking to strengthen labor cooperation on artificial intelligence (AI), care work and social protection as emerging technologies and cross-border employment reshape the region’s workforce.

Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Francis N. Tolentino and Singapore Acting Minister for Manpower Jasmin Lau discussed possible areas of cooperation during a bilateral meeting in Bangkok on Wednesday.

AI emerged as a key area of discussion, with both countries focusing on how technological advances can support more productive, inclusive and future-ready workplaces.

Manila and Singapore also discussed the portability of social protection benefits for migrant workers, an issue that has gained importance as workers move across Asean.

Care work was another focus of the meeting as both countries considered its growing importance amid changing labor and demographic conditions in the region.

The countries highlighted the need for policies that promote decent work, skills development and adequate protection for workers in the care economy.

Lau also recognized the contribution of Filipino workers in Singapore, particularly those engaged in health and allied services.

Meanwhile, Tolentino also thanked Singapore for supporting Philippine-led labor initiatives during the country’s Asean Chairship.

The meeting was held alongside the 29th Asean Labour Ministers’ Meeting and Related Meetings, where labor officials from the region are advancing the Asean Labour Ministers’ Work Programme 2026-2030.

Both leaders affirmed their commitment to expand Philippines-Singapore labor cooperation in AI, care work and social protection.

The two countries said cooperation in these areas should ensure that technological and economic development translates into inclusive opportunities and stronger protection for workers.

TWO wonderful, original Filipino theatrical productions will be re-staged on the first weekend of September outside Metro Manila.

The first is Ibarra…Ngayon, which had a limited performance last June at the GSIS Theater. Directed by Frannie Zamora, the historical musical is based on the character created by Philippine National Hero Jose Rizal in his 1887 novel Noli Me Tangere. Joed Balsamo composed the music from the libretto of Jomar Fleras.

Ibarra…Ngayon will have four performances on September 4, 5 and 6 at the Ilocandia Cultural Center in Batac City with basically the same cast that performed in Manila.

Ilocos Norte governor Cecilia Araneta-Marcos is elated that the province’s cultural center is emerging as a very visible hub for the province’s many programs for the arts, culture and tourism.

‘This confirms that the Ilocandia Cultural Center is becoming exactly what we have envisioned it to be-an active space for culture and artistic excellence where every Ilocano can watch shows and witness performances without ever having to leave the province,’ the governor said, adding, ‘We welcome the production and artistic teams of the historical musical Ibarra…Ngayon to Ilocos, and I’m very positive that this is just the beginning of many original Filipino theatrical and dramatic productions that will be made readily available for the student population and Ilocanos of all ages to enjoy, be entertained, and learn from.’

Sparkle artist Derrick Monasterio will lead the cast as Crisostomo Ibarra and he told us that he is bursting with excitement.

‘Being part of a touring musical theater production is something that I haven’t experienced and this opportunity to perform in Ilocos Norte and to share this musical with our Ilokano kababayans is very special. I was told that the audience will be mostly students and I am thankful for this chance to perform for them. This project is certainly a gift that keeps on giving.’

‘ATANG’ IN BULACAN

AS the historic province of Bulacan winds up its celebration of the Singkaban Festival, with festivities to commemorate the province’s 448th founding anniversary, there is a special place reserved for outstanding theatrical productions that were successfully staged in the past.

Bulacan governor Daniel Fernando is more than glad to support arts, culture and traditions, and he shared that the province’s premier theater group Dulaang Filipino Sining Bulakenyo will be mounting Floy Quintos’s Atang at the Hiyas ng Bulacan Cultural Center during the first two weekends of September.

‘We have a very rich history that we need to appreciate and cherish, and amazing traditions that we need to nurture and pass on. We also have extraordinary talents in Bulacan that we continue to discover and rediscover, that is why we make sure to provide them with platforms and venues to showcase their God-given gifts and talents,’ Fernando said.

Shamaine Centenera-Buencamino, a multiawarded actress for theater, television and film, will give life to the renowned zarzuela queen Atang de la Rama, a very colorful artist filled with truth, talent and tenacity, and one whose brand of art continues to shape and stir the minds and hearts of people up to this day.

‘Every chance to perform a character written by the great Floy Quintos is a big honor for me, especially now that he is no longer with us. I am more than fortunate to have had several collaborations with a genius like Floy during his very colorful lifetime. He gave actors like me not just complex, rich and interesting characters, but the projects he entrusted to me certainly touched my core as a Filipino, especially when he used our history as the source for his materials as a playwright and director. Floy is a league all his own, a visionary, and this chance to give life anew to the character of Atang and share it with a new generation of audience in Bulacan is truly invaluable,’ shared Shamaine.

Interestingly, this production that will surely charm the Bulakeños is directed by Nonie Buencamino, himself a highly-touted thespian, with musical arrangement by Nonie’s older brother Nonong Buencamino and choreography by Delphine Buencamino-Abesamis, the eldest daughter of the Buencamino couple. Sharing stellar billing is promising actress Jeanna Maurice Lapada.

A PAUSE FOR HEALTH. Local transport partners trading the driver’s seat for a well-deserved wellness check during the SM Foundation Health and Wellness Caravan at SM North EDSA last July. The initiative provided free medical check-ups and essential medicines to transport partners who help keep communities moving. In July 2026 alone, SM Foundation’s nationwide medical missions reached more than 11,500 beneficiaries, continuing its commitment to bring quality healthcare closer to communities across the country.

THE Supreme Court (SC) has affirmed with finality its 2025 decision which abandoned the ‘second placer rule’ that previously allowed the candidate who received the second highest number of votes to assume office if the winning candidate is later found disqualified or ineligible.

The Court made the decision during its regular en banc session on Wednesday where it acted on the motion for reconsideration filed by Datu Pax Ali S. Mangudadatu which sought the reversal of the 2025 ruling that also upheld the cancellation of his certificate of candidacy for governor of Sultan Kudarat.

However, the Court clarified that its ruling is limited to local elective positions covered by the Local Government Code.

‘The case did not address the application or non-application of the second placer rule or succession rules for national elective positions, as these issues were not raised before the Court,’ the SC said.

On the other hand, the Court noted that succession for national elective positions such as President and Vice President is governed exclusively by Article VII , Section 7 and 8 of the Constitution.

Section 7 provides that in case of death, permanent disability, removal from office, or resignation of the President, the Vice-President shall become the President to serve the unexpired term.

Section 8, on the other hand, states that ‘in case of death, permanent disability, removal from office, or resignation of both the President and Vice-President, the President of the Senate or, in case of his inability, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, shall then act as President until the President or Vice-President shall have been elected and qualified’

Likewise, the SC clarified that its ruling applies to other similar pending cases, stressing that second placers ‘have no inherent right or entitlement to be declared the winner.’

In its 2025 ruling, the SC stressed that there is no legal basis for proclaiming the second placer in elections since there is no law authorizing the proclamation of the second placer.

The rule on succession under Sections 44 (Permanent Vacancies in the Offices of the Governor, Vice-Governor, Mayor, and Vice-Mayor) and 45 (Permanent Vacancies in the Sanggunian) of the Republic Act 7160 or the Local Government Code (LGC) should apply instead.

‘The second placer rule undermines the people’s choice in every election and is repugnant to the people’s constitutional right to suffrage. The Court cannot impose upon the electorate to accept as their representative the candidate whom they did not choose in the elections,’ the ruling stated.

The case stemmed from the petition for certiorari filed by Datu Pax before the SC against the Commission on Elections and Sharifa Akeel Mangudadatu, his opponent in the 2022 gubernatorial elections in Sultan Kudarat.

Pax Ali won the 2022 gubernatorial race with a total of 301,404 votes, over Sharifa Akeel, who received 47,348 votes.

Prior to the election, Sharifa Akel filed a petition to deny or cancel the certificate of candidacy of Pax Ali for not meeting the residency requirement.

The Comelec ruled in favor of Sharifa Akeel and canceled Datu Pax Ali’s certificate of candidacy.

This prompted Pax Ali to elevate the case before the Supreme Court, which ruled in favor of the Comelec and declared that the vice governor of Sultan Kudarat should assume the position of governor for the remainder of the term.

The second placer rule was established in the 2012 Jalosjos Jr. v Comelec ruling of the SC.

It refers to the practice of declaring the candidate who received the second highest number of votes as the winner after the winning candidate is disqualified.

But, the SC said this doctrine has no legal basis.

‘No law authorizes the proclamation of the second placer in the elections in case the candidate who received the most votes is disqualified or turned out to be ineligible,’ it declared.

THE House Committee on Appropriations has formally filed the proposed P7.2-trillion national budget for 2027 as the General Appropriations Bill (GAB).

House Committee on Appropriations Chairperson Mikaela Angela Suansing filed House Bill No. 10858-the House version of the 2027 National Expenditure Program (NEP), the spending plan originally submitted by the executive branch to Congress.

‘We have also formally filed the House General Appropriations Bill [HB 10858] this Wednesday. Your public servant remains committed to ensuring a thorough review of the national budget for the year 2027,’ said Suansing.

The filing comes as the House Committee on Appropriations enters the second week of its budget deliberations. Committee-level hearings are scheduled to continue through September 8, after which the proposed budget is expected to be elevated to the House plenary for further debates and amendments.

At P7.2 trillion, the proposed 2027 national budget is about 6 percent higher than the P6.793-trillion national budget for 2026 and is equivalent to approximately 21.7 percent of the country’s gross domestic product.

Education remains the biggest recipient of the proposed spending program, with the Department of Education allocated P976 billion. The allocation accounts for 13.55 percent of the proposed national budget and covers basic education programs under DepEd.

The education sector’s proposed funding also includes P61.1 billion for universal access to quality tertiary education, P38.1 billion for government assistance and subsidies, P30.6 billion for basic education facilities, and P12.1 billion for the Expanded Career Progression System.

The proposed budget also provides for the continued expansion of career opportunities for teachers and the creation of additional teaching and non-teaching positions, including school guidance associates.

Higher education, meanwhile, is allocated a combined P176.5 billion for the Commission on Higher Education and state universities and colleges.

The Department of Public Works and Highways ranks second among the largest recipients at P644 billion, followed by the health sector at P353.8 billion. The health allocation covers the Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corp. and specialty hospitals.

Among the proposed health expenditures are P133.3 billion for health facility operations, P25.4 billion for the National Health Workforce Support System, and P24.2 billion for medical assistance to indigent and financially incapacitated patients. The Zero-Balance Billing Program for national and local government hospitals is also allotted P19 billion.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government is next with P332.5 billion, followed by the Department of National Defense with P328.8 billion.

The transportation sector is allocated P302.2 billion, while agriculture agencies will receive a combined P261.7 billion. The Department of Social Welfare and Development is allotted P241.6 billion, including P99.1 billion for the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program and P51.6 billion for the Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens.

By sector, social services continue to receive the largest share of the proposed budget at P2.456 trillion, or 34.1 percent of the total expenditure program. Economic services account for P1.833 trillion, followed by general public services at P1.317 trillion, debt burden at P1.143 trillion, and defense at P452.4 billion.

The government said the 2027 spending plan will prioritize the completion of ongoing programs and projects rather than simply starting new initiatives.

The proposed budget also contains P111.984 billion in unprogrammed appropriations, equivalent to about 1.5 percent of the expenditure program. The government expects a budget deficit of P1.7 trillion, which will be financed through borrowing.

With the filing of HB No. 10858, the 2027 budget now formally enters the House legislative process. Lawmakers will continue examining agency allocations, proposed programs and spending priorities before the measure is brought to the plenary.

Suansing has said the House intends to approve the 2027 GAB on the third and final reading by October 9. The House has also committed to transparency in the budget process, with hearings of the Committee on Appropriations and the Budget Amendments Review Subcommittee scheduled to be livestreamed.

After House approval, the GAB will undergo deliberations in the Senate before the two chambers reconcile their respective versions through the bicameral conference committee.

Grassroots basketball in the Philippines is getting a high-caliber upgrade. On October 04, 2026, HTG Sports will officially launch its platform with the HTG Sports Showcase Game, hosted at the MRB QC District 2 Gymnasium in Quezon City from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Designed to combine competitive youth sports with professional, broadcast-quality event production, the launch event offers fans, parents, and young athletes a fresh vision for how youth basketball tournaments should be conducted.

Elevating the Grassroots Game

HTG Sports founder Miggy Al-Alawy said in a press statement, ‘The core purpose of the Showcase Game is to demonstrate HTG Sports’ commitment to raising operational and production standards in local youth sports. The event provides a platform where young players can compete, develop, and showcase their skills under professional conditions, while acknowledging everyone involved in the ecosystem-from coaches and referees to event staff and families.’

Built around the core value ‘Honor The Gift,’ the event aims to create a platform where athlete’s potential and community contribution are both recognized and elevated.

A Full Day of High-Stakes Action

The showcase features four competitive matchups across four age divisions (12U, 13U, 14U, and 15U), bringing together top youth programs from across Metro Manila, including San Beda, Diligent Basketball, R3R, and Jubilee Christian Academy.

The action kicks off with the 12U Division at 10:00 a.m., featuring Diligent Basketball, followed immediately by the 13U Division at 11:30 a.m. featuring R3R. Afternoon action ramps up with the 14U Division at 1:00 p.m., highlighting San Beda, and concludes with the 15U Division at 2:30 p.m., featuring the Jubilee Christian Academy.

Professional Event Production for Fans and Players

To deliver a high-energy experience for both in-person spectators and digital audiences, HTG Sports is introducing production standards typically reserved for major leagues. MPBL referees will officiate games to maintain high-quality, professional standards on the court, complemented by full media coverage, including professional sports photography, digital content creation, and dedicated media spotlights for participating teams.

Furthermore, every game will be streamed via a multi-camera broadcast setup, allowing fans, scouts, and families to follow the action live. Spectators can also look forward to halftime shows across all four games, sponsor activations, and dedicated branding integration to deliver a complete game-day atmosphere.

Long-Term Vision for Philippine Sports

Al-Alawy stressed that beyond the launch event, the Showcase Game serves as the foundation for future HTG Sports leagues, regional tournaments, and athlete showcases. ‘By bringing athletes, coaches, brand partners, and local communities together, HTG Sports aims to build a sustainable, trusted platform for sporting events across the Philippines,’ he added.

The HTG Sports Showcase Game will take place on October 04, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the MRB QC District 2 Gymnasium in Quezon City

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro blamed US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for sowing distrust in vaccines as the state confronts a widening measles outbreak that has killed two people and infected hundreds of others.

Shapiro said Kennedy’s rhetoric and efforts to reshape federal public health policy had contributed to confusion about vaccines at a time when immunization rates are falling. The governor said Kennedy called him to offer federal assistance, which he declined.

‘There’s real life consequences to spreading misinformation,’ Shapiro said at a news conference on Tuesday.

Kennedy disputed Shapiro’s claims that he had disseminated misleading information about vaccines in a social-media post, saying the Trump administration was ‘working to restore public trust.’

The Pennsylvania Department of Health said this week that two unvaccinated people had died of measles in Lancaster County amid an outbreak that has infected more than 400 people, including 94 new cases in the past seven days. The deaths were the first related to measles in Pennsylvania in more than 35 years, and first US deaths linked to the disease this year.

Vaccination rates in Pennsylvania have slipped below levels that public health experts say are needed to reliably prevent outbreaks. About 92.7 percent of kindergartners in the state received the required two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine during the 2025-2026 school year, short of the threshold associated with community immunity. In Lancaster County, the kindergartner rate was about 86 percent.

Shapiro, who is seen as a potential contender for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2028, escalated his criticism of Kennedy in a social-media post on Wednesday, accusing him of going down ‘a rabbit hole of conspiracy theories and false claims’ during their phone call.

‘Secretary Kennedy’s actions to dismantle public health agencies and his language that undermines confidence in vetted medical guidance are contributing to these kinds of outbreaks,’ Shapiro wrote.

Kennedy rejected the suggestion that he was responsible for Pennsylvania’s declining vaccination rate, arguing that much of the drop predated his tenure and that distrust stemming from government actions during the Covid-19 pandemic had damaged confidence in vaccines.

‘It’s unfortunately true that the government lockdowns, deceptions, manipulation, and overreach during Covid severely damaged public faith in the vaccine program,’ Kennedy wrote. ‘Governor Shapiro’s press conference was an example of the same species of gaslighting.’

A spokesperson for the US Department of Health and Human Services didn’t respond to a request for comment.

Measles is a highly infectious respiratory disease that causes flu-like symptoms and red splotches on the body. Severe cases can lead to pneumonia or death, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Between one and three people out of 1,000 die from an infection.

This year, the US has been grappling with a nationwide outbreak of the disease that has infected 2,777 people across 45 states, a level not seen in more than three decades, according to the CDC.

US vaccine policy has been upended by Kennedy and President Donald Trump. Earlier this month, Trump signed an executive order asking for the combined vaccine for measles, mumps and rubella to be split into three separate shots. Health experts say there is no benefit to splitting up the shot, and that it could lead to more people skipping it.

During a 2025 outbreak in Texas, Kennedy touted unproven remedies including vitamin A and cod liver oil to treat a measles infection. Two unvaccinated children died of measles last year, the first US deaths from the disease in a decade.

Kennedy wrote in his post Tuesday that the rubella component of the MMR shot contained aborted fetal cells, a common anti-vaccine talking point. Some people who reject inoculations use the claim to obtain religious exemptions from getting vaccinated.

Some vaccines developed in the 1960s used human cell cultures from two aborted fetuses, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. A purification process filtered the shots in production and no fetal tissue remains in the final product.

‘At a time when the global public health goal is to reduce measles deaths, it is unacceptable that federal public health leaders have failed to meet this moment with the urgency, visibility, and leadership it requires,’ said James Campbell, chair of the AAP’s committee on infectious diseases.

While no vaccine is perfect, the MMR shot is one of the most effective on the market. The vaccine is 97 percent effective after two doses. Pennsylvania’s health department said it has administered 3,100 MMR vaccines since the outbreak began in late April, and 4,600 total in 2026.

Britain’s Matthew Brennan captures his second win at the Vuelta a Espana in a sprint finish in Stage 5 on Wednesday-a 173.3km route finishing in Roquetes Terres de l’Ebre as Tadej Pogacar finishes with the main bunch to retain his general classification lead as he’s out on a mission to sweep all three Grand Tours.

ONE in three young people in Asia Pacific now interacts with artificial intelligence (AI) the way they would with a friend, according to new research from cybersecurity firm Kaspersky.

The study found that 32 percent of Gen Z respondents in Asia Pacific (APAC) say they use AI as a friend-a higher proportion than any other generation. The behavior held across markets, led by Indonesia at 39 percent, followed by Vietnam at 35 percent, Thailand at 34 percent, Malaysia at 33 percent and India at 32 percent.

Some 34 percent of Gen Z respondents said they use AI to discuss personal issues they would rather not share with other people, with Vietnam recording the highest share at 42 percent, followed by India at 37 percent and Indonesia at 36 percent.

Gen Z remains the most active generation of AI users in the region. Half use the technology every day or almost every day-the highest share across all demographic groups-with 57 percent using it to search for information, 54 percent for studying and 50 percent for generating ideas.

The research, however, also flagged a gap between reliance and safe use. While 45 percent of Gen Z respondents in APAC said they consistently take protective measures when interacting with AI services, 51 percent apply precautions only occasionally.

The inconsistency was most pronounced in Malaysia, where 54 percent said they take precautions only occasionally-the second-highest proportion after China at 60 percent-while Indonesia recorded the lowest at 43 percent.

Kaspersky warned that conversations that feel private carry real risks, cautioning that anything entered into an AI service should be treated as non-confidential. The firm advised users to verify important information-particularly on educational, financial, legal or medical matters-and to avoid sharing passwords, payment details, identity documents and private correspondence with AI platforms.

‘An interaction that feels personal should not be mistaken for a private or fully reliable conversation,’ said Vladislav Tushkanov, Group Manager at Kaspersky AI Technology Research Centre. ‘Young users need to combine their confidence and curiosity with habits such as checking information, protecting personal data and thinking critically about the responses they receive.’

Adrian Hia, Managing Director for Asia Pacific at Kaspersky, said the findings underscored how deeply the technology has embedded itself in young people’s routines.

‘When one in three Gen Z users in APAC already sees AI as a friend, it is clearly becoming more than just a tool,’ he said. ‘As that relationship becomes more personal, knowing what to trust, what to share and where to draw the line will be key to using AI safely and responsibly.’