Category: Business Mirror

The National Transmission Corp. (TransCo) and the Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines, Inc. (IEMOP) signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) to establish a structured system to administer the feed-in-tariff allowance (FIT-All) and Green Energy Auction Allowance (GEA-All) funds.

The MOA basically reinforces TransCo’s role as the administrator for both funds, specifically handling the collection and remittance of Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) proceeds. IEMOP is the WESM operator.

At the same time, the MOA boosts coordination and data sharing between TransCo and IEMOP to ensure transparency and accuracy in national renewable energy (RE) programs.

‘The agreement establishes a comprehensive operational framework for the administration of both the FIT-All Fund and the GEA-All Fund, particularly in the collection and remittance of WESM proceeds. It reinforces TransCo’s mandate… while clearly defining the roles and responsibilities of both organizations in ensuring the efficient implementation of these RE support mechanisms,’ the state firm said.

The MOA aligns with the Renewable Energy Market (REM) Rules, which require TransCo to provide data necessary for FIT allocation and support the issuance and verification of Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs).

The MOA was signed by TransCo President and CEO Joseph Omar A. Castillo and IEMOP President and CEO Robinson P. Descanzo.

‘The partnership underscores the shared commitment of TransCo and IEMOP to strengthening institutional collaboration, promoting transparency and accountability in the administration of RE funds, and ensuring the effective implementation of the country’s renewable energy policies,’ they said.

The FIT-All is a uniform charge billed to all on-grid electricity consumers, reflected as a separate component in monthly electricity bills, to cover payments to RE developers who are assured of a fixed rate per kilowatt hour for electricity generated by their projects over 20 years.

Meanwhile, GEA-All is a uniform charge collected from electricity consumers to fund payments to RE developers participating in the government’s Green Energy Auction Program, supporting the country’s transition toward a cleaner and more sustainable energy future.

Last month, the ERC announced that it extended the temporary suspension of the collection of the GEA-All for the July and August billing months as part of its efforts to help ease electricity costs for Filipino consumers amid prevailing economic challenges.

National Artist BenCab, Charlie Co, and Mark Justiniani, three celebrated Filipino artists known for layering their canvases with symbolic iconography and social history, break away from the usual confines of their artistic boundaries to explore an unexpected material for the first time: Bronze.

‘Forging Ahead: The Productive Unknown’ at Gajah Gallery Manila, a group exhibition of established Southeast Asian artists, presents the culmination of their artistic explorations at Yogya Art Lab (YAL), the gallery’s foundry and production house based in Yogyakarta, Indonesia.

Gajah Gallery Manila, which opened in September last year, is the fourth and newest space of Gajah Gallery. Its other locations are Singapore, Jakarta, and Yogyakarta.

According to James Page, YAL Foundry Director: ‘We have a long history of working with Philippine artists and representing Indonesian and Southeast Asian artists. And so, we thought, it’s about time we opened a gallery in Manila.

‘The intention is not only to show the Philippine artists whom we’ve worked with but also to show other artists from the region and showcase the Southeast Asian culture ‘

Co-founded by Gajah Gallery Director Jasdeep Sandhu and Indonesian artist Yunizar, YAL was conceived as a space where artists could work with new media while being supported with access to technical expertise and quality casting techniques and materials.

‘Very often, these works start with a preliminary idea. And we help test and develop them into a material that they’re not familiar with-whether it be bronze, glass, aluminum, stainless steel fabrication, or wood so that the artists can elevate their own use of the material and explore a wide range of subjects with the guided hand of the artisans and us,’ stated Page.

The richness and permanence of bronze

Known for its versatility and high tensile strength, bronze is a premier material from the time of the ancient Greeks and Romans to the present.

Page reflected, ‘Bronze is a rich material. In every culture, there are incredibly deep roots in bronze, and not only that, but there’s this idea of creating something that will outlive many generations. You can do a painting, but a painting survives for 500 years unless it’s really well cared for. ‘But with bronze, you can put it in the ground and a thousand years from now, you can dig it up, clean it up, and it’s going to be quite close to what it was originally.’

As for the Filipino artists working with YAL and Gajah Gallery, Page noted, ‘It is exciting for them and even for me, just watching an artist create something so permanent.’

For artist Charlie Co, working with bronze is a full-circle moment for his practice.

‘I was already doing sculptures since 1996, but with terra cotta. Imagine, it took 40 years before I could meet Jasdeep and James. Working with bronze for the first time is both challenging and exciting for me as an artist,’ he said.

Cabrera explores humanity in the context of Filipino identity in his three bronze pieces: a life-sized sculpture, ‘Mother’s Love,’ and two smaller pieces, ‘Lovers’ and ‘Three Muses.’

The three artists are likewise joined by Jigger Cruz, Leslie de Chavez, and Marina Cruz from the Philippines; Ashley Bickerton, Dzikra Afifah, Handiwirman Saputra, Uji ‘Hahan’ Handoko Eko Saputro, and Yunizar from Indonesia; Jane Lee and Suzann Victor from Singapore; and Wei Ligang from China.

Collectively, the sculptures are the results of the artists’ work with materials like bronze, aluminum, and glass.

Suzann Victor’s ‘Lens-scape of Unlearning,’ for instance, consists of Fresnel lenses and photographs of Asian ancestors. The massive work delivers a prismatic effect that inspires viewers to question perception as the one gazed at also gazes back at the viewer.

Leslie de Chavez’s ‘La Paz Supper (The Last Feast),’ a large-sized painting with a bronze frame with two hands seemingly supporting it, questions faith and sacrifice in a culture that sanctifies excess.

Yunizar’s acrylic painting, ‘Dua Ikan Emas (Two Goldfish),’ celebrates the everyday fisherman-the day’s fresh catch in each hand-portrayed with a naif style that also conveys quiet dignity. His ‘Predator,’ cast in aluminum, presents a giant yellow fish appearing to have emerged from an ethereal world.

‘Forging Ahead: The Productive Unknown’ offers the realization that when artists are given access to space, time, and support to work with uncertain materials, the process becomes a creative catalyst-empowering them to scale up and deliver exciting breakthroughs in their practice.

Artists’ talk

On Saturday, July 18, from 2:30 to 4 p.m. at the gallery, artists Mark Justiniani, Charlie Co, Leslie de Chavez, and YAL Foundry Director James Page will speak at an artists’ talk and panel discussion moderated by Angel Velasco Shaw.

‘Forging Ahead: The Productive Unknown’ opened on July 5 and runs till August 9 at Gajah Gallery Manila. Unit 1B-!E, Pioneer Street, Mandaluyong City. All photos by Francine M. Marquez

THEY looked so good together, but it was not meant to be. Or was it just for a promo?

The young, beautiful starlet and the handsome hunk are a couple no more, and we heard it’s because his own network wants the latter to be a leading man in his own right, without a permanent partner. As for the beautiful starlet, it seems that she’s now aware of the guy’s true character. People have warned her against him even before, but love blinded her. She’s a very sincere girl, and she thought he was as well. Now she knows better.

VANISHED

MANY people are wondering why the lovely mestiza quit showbiz when her career was doing relatively well. She was even on a long-running show, which showcased her acting talent and looks. One day, she just disappeared, and people thought she went back to school or something like that. What really happened, sources say, is that she became the girlfriend of a rich old man who has a liking for beautiful young girls. The old man is very rich and currently has a partner, with whom he has kids. The beautiful starlet is no longer in the picture.

CHANGED WOMAN

THE actress used to be difficult to work with. That was when she was with her former boyfriend. Now that she’s with another guy, who seems to be the love of her life, the actress’s attitude has improved immensely. She’s nicer and more amiable. She seems to enjoy not having to keep up with a boyfriend who’s into parties. Her current love is a low-key and likable guy who has kept her grounded. The actress has also made peace with people she’s had rifts with.

LOW PROFILE

THE beautiful actress is in love, but having experienced high-profile romances has taught her the value of keeping quiet and treasuring what she loves the most. First, she’s afraid that a meddling relative will see peso signs once he has confirmed that she’s with the guy. Second, all her relationships have been well-publicized. So she’d like to keep this one close to her heart. It’s also a very risky relationship, so she really is being very careful.

Floral arrangements of students and graduates of Ikebana classes at Sunshine Place are among the artworks in a fundraising exhibit titled Coloring Lives scheduled from July 21-26, 2026 at the Podium, Mandaluyong City.

This is the 9th Coloring Lives exhibit mounted to raise funds for a chosen beneficiary institution. Proceeds of this exhibit will benefit the Nazareth Bahay ng Pag-ibig, a home for abandoned elderly women.

The Nazareth Bahay Pag-ibig was founded by Fr Madeo C. Reyes and started its operation in 1991 in San Pablo City, Laguna. Its mission is to help the abandoned and homeless elderly. Its apostolate extends to those in need of food, clothing, and medicine and to those who are affected by natural disasters like typhoons, floods, earthquakes, and fire. It also gives temporary shelter for the displaced person or family.

Aside from Ikebana, the Coloring Lives exhibit will also feature works of Sunshine Place’s students in Intermediate and Advance Art class, Kids and Beginners Art class, Water Color, Porcelain Painting, and Decoupage.

‘Coloring Lives is nine years of a community that chose to create and to give,’ said Sunshine Place President Ms. Lizanne Uychaco. ‘Our students come to learn art. What they find is a second home – a place where they are seen, where their work is taken seriously, and where showing up every week means something. This exhibit is an invitation to see what our students have made and to support the cause they believe in.’

Since the first Coloring Lives fundraising exhibit in 2018, it has raised funds for elderly care institutions including the San Lorenzo Ruiz Home for the Elderly, Kanlungan ni Maria Home for the Aged in Antipolo, the National Center for Mental Health, and the Josefheim Elderly Care Community in Rizal.

The exhibit is open to the public from 10 am-10 pm, July 22-26, 2026.

From dream gowns to dream homes, Opulence Design Concept mounted a seamless presentation on Tuesday, July 14, at its Greenbelt 5 branch.

Titled ‘Una Storia D’Amore E Passion (A Story of Love and Passion),’ the event presented a collaboration between Opulence Design Concept, interior decorator Jenice Yeung, and fashion designer Julianne Syjuco.

As owners Gerry and Jinky Sy warmly welcomed guests, the mood and tone for an afternoon of style and charm were set as the guests entered the spacious store, viewing vignettes of elegant settings by Yeung.

The spotlight was on the latest Versace Home Collection- in toned-down palettes, a surprisingly refreshing diversion from the bold and loud colors that have become part of the global brand’s signature aesthetics.

Emanating glamor and luxury, the pieces carry gold accents and the iconic Medusa logo on the home accent pieces.

Among the coveted items in the collection are throw pillows bearing the Medusa logo in mint green, soft blue, and dusty rose; a Medusa-studded round pink vase; and The Versace La Scala del Palazzo plate collection made from fine porcelain in green and pastel pink. The design is inspired by the scenic marble staircase of the Versace Milanese palazzo.

Ramping up the afternoon’s romantic mood was a mini-fashion show featuring the bridal gown creations of designer Julianne Syjuco.

Maxene Magalona, Elisse Joson, Daniela Lagman, Sam Corales, Ashley Romero, Kim Gosiaco, and Aimee Abaya modelled the designer’s fairytale-like wedding gowns.

Matching the opulence of the home store’s atmosphere were Syjuco’s feminine creations in rich fabrics like French lace and tulle, embellished by pearls and crystals.

‘Fashion design and interior design are sisters because they both create beautiful things, turning the ordinary into something magical,’ noted Jinky Sy.

Opening its first showroom in Greenhills in 2019, the store, catering to European luxury brands, has grown to three branches. The latest branch, which opened in Greenbelt last December, hints at a steady but thriving business.

‘The luxury home market has slowed down a bit compared to the time of the pandemic, when buyers just stayed home. But now that everyone’s back to traveling, I would say that the homeware market, in general, slowed down a bit,’ she told BusinessMirror.

‘But we revolve around our home every day. We go home, and we want to be in a beautiful space; that’s why, I would say, luxury homeware is here to stay.’

On designing one’s space, she also advised, ‘Your home embodies yourself, who you are, and your beliefs and preferences. So, don’t be afraid to express yourself through your home decor. Don’t let yourself be dictated by others or by trends. At the end of the day, home should be a place where you can relax and be yourself.’

Located on the third floor of the mall, the store occupies an expansive 380 square-meter space and carries high-end global brands such as Fornasetti, Versace Home, Jonathan Adler, and Polspotten.

It also has an in-house Opulence Café where shoppers can relax, sip drinks, and have scrumptious European pastries while enjoying the luxury of sweet time.

THE government raised P1 billion from the sale of a 3,500-square-meter idle floor at the Brutalist-style Atrium of Makati to the building’s master developer to unlock value from dormant state assets.

The Privatization Management Office (PMO), an attached agency of the Department of Finance (DOF), sold the entire fifth floor, covering 24 condominium units, as well as 21 parking lots, to Sanpiro Realty Development Corp. (SRDC).

The sale bodes well for the government as the DOF aims to collect P101 billion in privatization revenues this year, said PMO Chief Privatization Officer and Undersecretary Michael Peter A. Alejandro during the signing of the deed of sale last Thursday.

‘It’s [the target is] quite ambitious. This will go a long way in helping fund other projects, roads, classrooms and other projects all around the country,’ Alejandro said.

The government secured a ‘very competitive’ price for the property, double the initial offer of around P400 million, the official told reporters on the sidelines after the signing.

Sanpiro Realty, currently engaged in leasing real properties, could potentially lease out the newly acquired units, said SRDC President James Roy N. Villareal.

‘This is really a great opportunity for us. Sanpiro, as the master developer, holds several units [at the Atrium of Makati] already and a certain percentage of the building,’ Villareal added.

The company also holds a right of first refusal on unit sales as the master developer of the building.

‘Since the asset is now up for sale by the government, it is an opportunity for us and part of our long-term strategy to consolidate the ownership,’ Villareal said.

The entire fifth floor was previously occupied by staff of Revenue District Offices of the Bureau of Internal Revenue.

However, according to Alejandro, the building has been idle since 2020 and requires retrofitting.

The Atrium of Makati is a nine-story, wedge-shaped building located along Makati Avenue corner Paseo de Roxas, housing offices and various stores.

THE Senate Impeachment Ccourt on Tuesday welcomed the House of Representatives prosecution team’s decision to streamline its presentation of evidence on Impeachment Article 4 against Vice President Sara Duterte, citing the need to speed up proceedings.

The prosecutors dropped two planned witnesses-Office of the Vice President chief of staff Zuleika Lopez and House Legislative Security Bureau official Belinda Bello-saying their testimonies would only corroborate evidence already presented.

Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian noted that based on pre-trial submissions, the court could hear as many as 102 witnesses, warning that at the current pace of two witnesses per day, the trial could stretch to about 17 months.

‘At the rate we are going-two witnesses per day-we will finish in 17 months. That’s a year and a half or a year and five months to be exact,’ he said.

‘So any chance of shortening the proceedings will be highly appreciated,’ he said.

Impeachment Court Presiding Officer Francis Escudero echoed the sentiment, thanking the prosecution for dispensing with additional witnesses.

Article 4 charges the Vice President with grave threats and inciting sedition in relation to the assassination threats she made against President Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos and former Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez.

The prosecution informed the Impeachment Court of its decision on the fourth day of the trial, when the defense ended its two-day cross-examination of NBI Regional Director Jeremy Lotoc.

Lotoc and NBI Agent John Mark Calilung are witnesses on Article of Impeachment 4, on which the impeachment court has given the prosecution 11 trial days to present its evidence against the Vice President.

Private prosecutor Lorna Kapunan told the Impeachment Court that the statements of Lopez and Bello that would potentially corroborate the testimonies of Lotoc and Calilung have already been covered by declarations and evidence presented by the two NBI officers during the first four days of trial.

She said, in the interest of time, the prosecution was therefore no longer calling Lopez and Bello to the witness stand.

She urged the defense to make a similar gesture.

Calilung authenticated the video recording of the Nov. 23, 2024 online press conference of the Vice President, during which she threatened to have President Marcos, his wife and then Speaker Romualdez assassinated if she herself were killed.

She claimed she had talked to a person to carry out her threats and that the unidentified individual said yes.

Lotoc, who headed a team that investigated the threats, told senator-judges they were ‘serious, real and actual’ and that the Vice President was capable of carrying them out.

The prosecution intends to strengthen its evidence on Impeachment Article 4 with the testimony on Monday of NBI Director Melvin Matibag.

A HOUSE of Representatives prosecutor on Wednesday told the Senate Impeachment Court that the confidentiality provisions of the Anti-Money Laundering Act (Amla) should not prevent the court from obtaining Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) records that may be relevant to the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte.

During oral arguments on the prosecution’s motion to issue subpoenae, House prosecutor Jose Manuel Diokno argued that AMLA’s confidentiality rules were intended to protect ongoing money laundering investigations and not to restrict a constitutionally mandated Impeachment Court from performing its duty.

‘While the law does contain a confidentiality clause, it was designed to prevent AMLC officials from leaking information to persons who are the subject of CTRs [Covered Transaction Reports] and STRs [Suspicious Transaction Reports] and preserve the integrity of investigations,’ he said.

According to Diokno, these constitutional powers cannot be limited by an interpretation of an ordinary law that would defeat the purpose of impeachment proceedings

‘Because this power comes directly from the Constitution, no one-no person, no law, and no administrative rule-can limit or supersede it,’ he said.

The prosecutor added the request for AMLC records is part of the panel’s effort to allow the court to decide the case based on a complete set of facts.

‘The prosecution’s request is to uncover the entire truth so that this Honorable Court may decide the case based on the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth,’ he said.

He added that impeachment is ultimately about ensuring accountability to the Filipino people, which he said outweighs the personal interests of any public official facing charges.

Diokno said the AMLC reports, along with other documents being sought through subpoenas, would help the court fulfill its constitutional responsibility to decide the case based on all relevant evidence.

He told the court that financial records covering Duterte’s tenure as Davao City vice mayor and mayor are relevant to the allegations under Article II of the Articles of Impeachment.

Diokno cited figures from an AMLC report submitted to the House Committee on Justice, which he said showed a significant increase in Duterte’s financial activity beginning in 2007.

‘According to the report of the Anti-Money Laundering Council submitted to the House Committee on Justice, the financial activity of Vice President Sara Z. Duterte increased significantly starting in 2007, when transaction values surged to P208.15 million,’ Diokno said.

He added that the AMLC report showed continued growth in financial transactions in succeeding years, with activity between 2009 and 2013 consistently exceeding P400 million.

The report, he said, recorded notable peaks in 2009 at P704.93 million, 2010 at P648.58 million, and 2011 at P597.15 million.

Diokno pointed out that the period covered by the AMLC figures coincided with Duterte’s service as a local government official in Davao City.

‘Vice President Sara served as Davao City vice mayor from 2007 to 2010 and as mayor from 2010 to 2013. From 2007 to 2013, according to AMLC records, her financial activity exceeded P3 billion, totaling P3,020,460,347.20,’ he said.

The prosecutor said the figures underscore the need for the court to obtain financial records from the period before Duterte became Vice President.

He said the records are relevant to Article II, which alleges that Duterte betrayed public trust and culpably violated the Constitution by allegedly accumulating unexplained wealth disproportionate to her lawful income.

He answered that the prosecution believes the connection is clear.

Diokno stressed that the prosecution was not asking the impeachment court to reach conclusions based solely on AMLC figures.

Instead, he said the panel is seeking access to the underlying bank records, AMLC reports, and tax documents so that the court can independently determine the facts before deciding the case.

Fishing expedition?

Diokno also cited a Supreme Court ruling that rejected the argument that seeking bank records in an unexplained wealth case constitutes a ‘fishing expedition.’

Diokno invoked the 2022 Supreme Court decision in Republic v Rabusa to counter the defense’s objections to the release of bank records, tax documents, and AMLC reports involving the Vice President and her husband, lawyer Manases Carpio.

‘They have repeatedly claimed that what the prosecution is doing is a ‘fishing expedition.’ Actually, the Supreme Court has already issued a decision that squarely addresses this point,’ Diokno stressed.

The case involved a government forfeiture proceeding seeking the recovery of assets allegedly acquired by former military comptroller George Rabusa beyond his lawful income. The Supreme Court ruled that evidence obtained from the examination of bank accounts could be considered in proceedings involving unexplained wealth.

‘Just like here, the prosecution in that case requested subpoenas for the production of bank records. Just like here, the argument was raised that this is a mere fishing expedition,’ Diokno pointed out.

Citing the ruling, Diokno explained that while lower courts initially viewed the request to examine bank accounts as an improper search for evidence, the Supreme Court held that unexplained wealth proceedings fall under exceptions to bank secrecy laws.

He quoted the court’s finding that proceedings involving unexplained wealth are covered by the exceptions under Republic Act 1405, allowing court orders that enable the examination of bank accounts in appropriate cases.

Diokno also rejected the defense’s argument that issuing subpoenas would violate VP Duterte’s right to due process, stressing that the prosecution is only seeking the production of documents that may later be presented as evidence.

Early access

FOR his part, prosecution legal spokesman lawyer Jay Tolosa said the prosecution is seeking early access to Duterte’s tax returns and bank records to prevent possible delays when it begins presenting evidence on the allegation of unexplained wealth.

Tolosa said the panel requested subpoenas for the documents at this stage of the impeachment trial even though Article of Impeachment No. 2 is scheduled to be presented last among the four charges.

Tolosa added prosecutors anticipated that the defense would challenge the release of the documents, prompting them to secure the subpoenas ahead of time.

‘Because we have already anticipated it…they will probably try to block it,’ he said, adding that the move would allow the prosecution to proceed with its evidence presentation without interruption once the trial reaches the unexplained wealth charge.

Prosecution spokesman Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong said obtaining the records early would also give senator-judges sufficient time to review the documents, which he described as both technical and voluminous.

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto came to office pledging an uncompromising fight against corruption, repeatedly warning officials to ‘clean themselves up’ before law-enforcement agencies did it for them.

Less than two years later, that promise is facing one of its most sensitive tests.

The corruption investigation into Febrie Adriansyah-until last week the nation’s deputy attorney general for special crimes and its most powerful anti-corruption prosecutor-has exposed a thorny question: how law-enforcement agencies investigate one of their own.

For many legal experts, the most controversial aspect of the case is not the allegations themselves or Febrie’s continued freedom during the probe, but the police decision to transfer three related cases to the Attorney General’s Office, where he spent much of his career.

A week after police seized $26 million in cash and gold bars from a house Febrie owns and named him a suspect in cases involving alleged money laundering, the former prosecutor remains free-even as another suspect in the case was arrested Friday.

Police haven’t publicly explained why Febrie hasn’t been detained. Although police have transferred the three related cases to the Attorney General’s Office, saying the move was intended to strengthen coordination between the two institutions, officers remain involved in evidence verification and the staged handover of case materials.

That includes testing the seized gold bars and seeking assistance from the FBI, the US Secret Service, and the US and Singapore embassies to authenticate foreign currency seized in the raids.

But criticism of the transfer has mounted, adding to scrutiny of a case already complicated by Febrie’s long career at the Attorney General’s Office.

Former Constitutional Court Chief Justice Mahfud MD has questioned whether Indonesia’s criminal procedure code provides any legal basis for transferring an active police investigation to prosecutors, warning that the move could expose the case to a pretrial challenge. Lawmakers have also formed a working group to monitor the case, and some have called on the Attorney General’s Office to create an independent team to handle it.

Zaenur Rohman, an anti-corruption scholar at Gadjah Mada University, described the transfer as ‘a political settlement aimed at easing tensions’ between the police and the Attorney General’s Office. ‘But it is not a settlement grounded in the law.’

Allowing prosecutors to investigate one of their former leaders creates an inherent conflict of interest, he said, adding that the country’s Corruption Eradication Commission, a state agency operating within the executive branch, would be better placed to handle the case.

Police and prosecutors have rejected suggestions that the case reflects institutional conflict, saying coordination between the agencies remains intact.

Yusril Ihza Mahendra, the coordinating minister for law, human rights, immigration and corrections, defended the transfer on Monday, saying in a statement that it could make the investigation more efficient. But he also acknowledged public concerns that it could amount to ‘oranges eating oranges’-an Indonesian expression roughly meaning one institution protecting its own.

Speaking separately to reporters, Yusril was quoted by news outlet Detik as saying Prabowo had met both the police chief and the attorney general to give them directions on handling the transfer.

Still, the police and the Attorney General’s Office have long had overlapping roles in corruption investigations, creating periodic competition for influence, visibility and control over politically sensitive cases.

The sensitivity of the case is heightened by Febrie’s stature. Few prosecutors wielded greater influence. As head of the Attorney General’s Office’s Special Crimes Division, he oversaw some of Indonesia’s biggest corruption investigations, including probes involving Pertamina, Timah, Garuda Indonesia, Prabowo’s signature free-meals program and former Education Minister Nadiem Makarim.

As of Wednesday, Febrie’s whereabouts had not been publicly disclosed. Immigration authorities said he had been banned from leaving Indonesia for 20 days at the request of the police. In remarks before his resignation last week, Febrie acknowledged owning one of the houses raided by police but said the cash and gold bars found there did not belong to him.

Public signs of tension have eased since last week, when armed soldiers were deployed around Febrie’s residence in South Jakarta during the police raids. Prabowo over the weekend called for ‘introspection’ from all sides, and the National Police chief appeared publicly with the attorney general Monday to deny any rift.

The Attorney General’s Office this week also ordered regional prosecutors to stop collecting data and information related to the country’s $15 billion free-meals program, saying the initial collection period had ended and cautioning against abuse of authority in the field. The move came after its investigation into the program earlier this month named an active police brigadier general a suspect in the case.

‘The events don’t explicitly prove institutional conflict, but the sequence tells a story,’ said Aditya Perdana, a political lecturer at the University of Indonesia.

The raids came as Prabowo, a former army general, has intensified his anti-corruption campaign through a series of high-profile investigations involving state-owned companies, former ministers and his flagship meals program. Authorities have repeatedly showcased seized cash, gold bars and luxury assets during televised press conferences.

The case has also drawn attention to shifting power balances among Indonesia’s law-enforcement institutions. The police, the Attorney General’s Office and the Corruption Eradication Commission have overlapping roles in corruption cases, while the military has taken on a more visible role around prosecutors following legal changes in 2025.

‘The powers of criminal investigation, particularly in corruption cases, are jealously fought over by law-enforcement agencies because they lie at the core of their political and economic power,’ said Jacqui Baker, a senior lecturer in Southeast Asian politics at Murdoch University.

Successive presidents have sought to balance the influence of the police, prosecutors and military, rather than allowing any one institution to dominate, she said.

That balancing act has continued under Prabowo, albeit with several changes. A 2025 revision to Indonesia’s military law added the Attorney General’s Office to the list of civilian institutions where active-duty military officers can serve without first retiring or resigning from the armed forces. A separate change that year broadened the legal basis for the Attorney General’s Office to seek military protection for prosecutors, a function previously handled solely by police.

The Philippine Cocktail Fiesta returns in 2026, naming Cebu as its first host city outside Metro Manila under a new rotating host-city program that will bring the festival to a different Philippine destination each year. This year’s edition takes place November 13 to 15, 2026, with industry-only events on November 12 and 16.

The announcement comes alongside the launch of Fiesta Exchange, a new Asia-wide guest shift program connecting Filipino bartenders with leading bars across the region.

The Philippine Cocktail Fiesta, launched in 2025 through a partnership between DrinkCollectiv and Drinks Be With You (DBWY), has grown into one of the country’s largest cocktail festivals. Its inaugural edition brought together nearly 100 participating bars across 10 cities in Metro Manila, with over 40 guest shifts and cocktail events featuring bartenders from around Asia as well as locally from Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Dumaguete, Iloilo, La Union, Palawan, and Siargao.

Among them were 38 award-winning bars from across Asia, alongside international media and hospitality professionals, helping position the Philippines as a growing destination for cocktail culture, culinary tourism, and hospitality.

For its first host city outside Metro Manila, The Fiesta chose a destination where history, food, tourism, and hospitality meet an emerging cocktail scene ready to be discovered by the region.

Cebu’s appeal lies in both the range of experiences it already offers and the possibilities still ahead. Its mix of food, nightlife, heritage, tourism, and island hospitality gives the destination the potential to become an important cocktail hub in Asia. A single visit can include a hidden cocktail bar in Cebu City, a neighborhood pub or live-music venue, locally brewed beer at a casual taproom, dinner at a Michelin-recognized restaurant, drinks at a rooftop hotel bar, and a beachfront cocktail in Mactan, alongside lechon, grilled seafood, and pusô at a local institution.

This range, with food and drink running through Cebu’s heritage and island life, makes it the right destination to open the festival’s next chapter. The 2026 Fiesta will unfold across Cebu City, Mandaue City, and Mactan, bringing together urban nightlife, local communities, and island hospitality. ‘Cebu is the natural next step for the festival,’ says festival director Tatum Ancheta. ‘The Fiesta has always been about celebrating talent across the country.’

‘Moving the festival allows us to introduce international bars, media, and hospitality professionals from across Asia to different destinations in the Philippines, giving them the opportunity to experience each city’s food, drink, and culture firsthand,’ Ancheta further noted.

‘It also strengthens connections between local bar communities and creates opportunities that extend beyond Metro Manila. Manila will continue to play a major role, with its bartenders, bars, brands, and hospitality community joining delegates from Cebu, Davao, La Union, Siargao, and other parts of the country.’

The 2026 edition will also introduce a Bar Congress, a dedicated industry program featuring masterclasses, panel discussions, and roundtable conversations for bartenders, bar owners, hospitality professionals, and brand partners. Dates and the full schedule will be announced in the coming months.

Fiesta Exchange Takes Filipino Cocktail Culture Across Asia

Fiesta Exchange builds on the festival’s regional foundation. The program sends Filipino bartenders to leading bars across Asia and invites host venues to participate in The Philippine Cocktail Fiesta in return, creating a two-way exchange between local and international bar communities.

The first Fiesta Exchange took place on May 13 at Sidecar in New Delhi, bringing together Cedric Mendoza of ReCraft, Lemuel Calma of Southbank Café + Lounge, and Icy Mariñas, co-founder of DrinkCollectiv and Program Manager of The Philippine Cocktail Fiesta.

The program continued on July 7 at Moga in Singapore, featuring Kenneth Bandivas of The Grasshopper, Rian Asiddao of Bar by East and The Jury, and Aaron Aw of The Philippine Cocktail Fiesta and Drinks Be With You (DBWY).

The next shift lands in Hong Kong on July 26, ahead of Asia’s 50 Best Bars celebration, with A Night in Manila at Filipino bar and restaurant Dara. Guest bartenders Billy Ranchez of Analog, Ian Libang of Malagihay Cocktail Club, Richard Palabasan of Opal Bar, and Sed Figueroa of BRB will join Dara’s Jon Bunoan and Jay Brodit behind the bar.