Category: Business Mirror

THE Department of Justice (DOJ) has indicted a police officer whose issued firearms was used by her 14-year-old nephew during a shooting rampage inside the San Jose National High School (SJNHS) in Tacloban City which killed three students and injured several others.

DOJ Spokesperson Polo Martinez confirmed that the Tacloban City Prosecutor’s Office recommended the filing of reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide and physical injuries against Police Ssgt. Arla Ray Paciencia.

The case will be filed with the Family Court at the Regional Trial Court in Tacloban City.

Martinez said the city prosecutor made the recommendation following the conduct of a preliminary investigation on the complaint filed by parents and students of SJNHS, in connection with the shooting incident involving a child in conflict with the law.

‘The DOJ trusts that the criminal process will proceed in accordance with the rules on due process for all parties concerned,’ Martinez stressed.

A child in conflict with the law refers to a person below 18 years who is alleged as having violated the provisions of the Revised Penal Code.

It may be recalled that on June 22, Pacencia’s nephew together with another minor, a 15-year-old student, were arrested by authorities after they opened fire inside the school, killing three students.

Pacencia later told the Senate during its investigation that her nephew managed to get her gun by breaking into her house and forcibly opening her locker.

Flexible workspace operator Common Ground is expanding its Philippine footprint through a strategic partnership with the billionaire Andrew Tan-led Megaworld Corp. and its real estate investment trust arm, MREIT Inc., as demand for more agile office solutions continues to reshape the workplace.

The partnership is anchored by the opening of Common Ground Digital Park McKinley Hill, the company’s biggest facility in the Philippines and its first location positioned as a ‘Digital Park.’

Located at the Intellectual Property Center in McKinley Hill, Taguig City, the facility offers nearly 2,000 square meters of flexible workspace designed to serve startups, small and medium enterprises, multinational companies and remote teams.

The launch formally marks the start of a long-term strategic partnership between The Flexi Group, the parent company of Common Ground, Megaworld and MREIT.

The alliance combines the real-estate capabilities of Megaworld and MREIT with Common Ground’s expertise in flexible workspace operations and community-building.

Under the arrangement, Megaworld provides Grade-A infrastructure through its integrated township developments, while Common Ground supplies the flexibility, community and operational support required by companies adopting more agile work models.

‘This partnership is a tremendous privilege and a strong validation of Common Ground’s track record in creating beautiful, premium, yet cost-efficient workspaces,’ Chris Edwards, CEO of The Flexi Group, said.

Edwards added that the company is honored by the confidence placed in its vision as it brings its office environments to Megaworld’s developments.

Expanding the flexible-office model

The partnership comes as businesses increasingly adopt hybrid and agile work arrangements, creating demand for office solutions that can adjust to changing workforce requirements.

Common Ground Digital Park McKinley Hill is equipped with hot desks, private offices and conferencing facilities. It has an expandable 16-person boardroom that can accommodate meetings and training sessions for up to 32 people, soundproof call booths for video meetings and an event space that can accommodate up to 80 people.

The facility is also designed to offer more than conventional office space.

Its location puts members within walking distance of Venice Grand Canal Mall, providing access to retail establishments, restaurants and cafés. It is also adjacent to the McKinley Hill transport hub, while nearby residential and leisure developments reinforce the township’s live-work-play environment.

For MREIT, the partnership provides another way of enhancing the use and appeal of its office assets by integrating flexible workspace into Megaworld’s established business ecosystems.

MREIT is the flagship REIT of Megaworld and manages a portfolio of office and commercial assets in key business hubs, including Eastwood City and McKinley Hill. Its properties are occupied by a diversified base of BPO companies and multinational firms.

Platform for expansion

The McKinley Hill facility could also serve as a model for Common Ground’s broader expansion in the country.

The company said its partnership with Megaworld will enable it to be present in business corridors where modern companies need flexible workspace, digital connectivity, community and other services to support their growth.

Common Ground currently has five locations across Greater Manila and is part of The Flexi Group, which operates more than 50 locations across Asia Pacific and Australia through several workspace brands.

The partnership consequently represents more than the opening of another coworking facility. It brings together a flexible-office operator and a major Philippine property platform in a model that could allow flexible workspaces to become a more integrated component of large-scale mixed-use developments.

For Megaworld and MREIT, the alliance adds a flexible-workspace offering to their established office portfolio. For Common Ground, it provides access to strategically located business districts and a platform for further expansion.

As companies continue to reassess their office requirements in the era of hybrid work, the partnership positions McKinley Hill as a test case for how flexible workspace can be integrated into the broader live-work-play ecosystem.

THE Invitational Confeence kicks off Monday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum with four of the Premier Volleyball League’s (PVL) top clubs taking on powerhouse teams from Thailand and Vietnam in a six-squad sprint that promises little room for error.

Eleven-time league champion Creamline and defending titlist PLDT banner the Philippine side that includes Farm Fresh and Nxled in a six-day, single-round-robin battle against Thailand’s EST Cola and a new Ho Chi Minh City-based club from Vietnam.

Opening day action begins with PLDT’s clashing with EST Cola at 1:30 p.m., Nxled and Creamline squaring off at 4 p.m. and Ho Chi Minh taking on Farm Fresh in the 6:30 p.m. main event.

Duels on September features PLDT against Nxled at 1:30 p.m., Fresh against EST Cola at 4 p.m. and Creamline against Ho Chi Minh at 6:30 p.m.

On September 3, Farm Fresh and Creamline take the court at 1:30 p.m., Ho Chi Minh battles PLDT at 4 p.m. and EST Cola takes on Nxled at 6:30 p.m.

The September 4 triple-header pits PLDT against Farm Fresh at 1:30 p.m., Nxled against Ho Chi Minh at 4 p.m., and Creamline against EST Cola at 6:30 p.m.

The elimination round winds up on September 6 with Farm Fresh and Nxled meeting at 1:30 p.m., EST Cola facing Ho Chi Minh at 4 p.m. and Creamline and PLDT closing out the eliminations at 6:30 p.m.

All matches, including the championship, will be played at the Big Dome.

With three matches scheduled on each playdate and only the top two teams advancing to the championship, every game is expected to carry the weight of a virtual knockout as the field races to the finish.

The Philippine Embassy in Beijing has advised Filipinos to comply with China’s new immigration regulation, State Council Decree No. 841, which will take effect on September 15, 2026.

In its August 24 advisory, the Embassy stressed that the decree does not abolish existing visa categories or restrict legitimate travel.

Instead, it reinforces requirements that visa purposes must match actual activities, that all documents are authentic, and that invitation letter issuers and visa agencies are legally accountable.

A valid visa will not necessarily guarantee admission, as border authorities retain the power to assess whether a traveler meets China’s entry requirements.

Violations could lead to rejection of applications, denial of entry or exit, fines, or bans lasting several years.

China’s State Council Decree No. 841, formally titled the Regulations of the State Council on Exit and Entry Administration, was approved on June 29 and promulgated on July 22, 2026.

It applies to mainland China’s immigration system only. Hong Kong and Macau maintain their own immigration laws, visa categories, and border-control procedures.

This means the decree governs the mainland side of the journey: entry or exit through a mainland airport or land checkpoint is subject to the new rules, while admission into Hong Kong or Macau is decided under those territories’ separate immigration systems.

The regulation introduces clearer grounds for denying foreign nationals’ entry.

Visa or immigration authorities may bar a person for one to five years if false materials are submitted or false statements are made during a visa application abroad or at a Chinese border checkpoint.

The same maximum applies to foreigners punished for obstructing border administration or penalized for fraudulently obtaining documents or crossing illegally.

One of the most consequential provisions is its link to Beijing’s sanctions and economic-security measures.

Under Decree No. 841, foreigners placed on China’s Countermeasure List, Unreliable Entity List or Malicious Entity List-or otherwise subjected to legally authorized countermeasures-may be denied visas or refused entry when the underlying decision calls for such restrictions.

The official explanation says the rule is intended to strengthen China’s legal response to foreign sanctions, interference and what Beijing describes as ‘long-arm jurisdiction.’

The measure does not automatically bar every employee of a listed company.

Instead, it creates a formal link between sanctions designations and immigration controls, potentially exposing designated individuals and relevant personnel to visa denial, entry bans or other immigration consequences.

Officials and legal experts also emphasize that the decree is an enforcement measure, not a wholesale rewrite of China’s visa categories.

It does not abolish visa-free arrangements, create a universal visa requirement, or automatically bar employees of companies targeted by Chinese measures.

Instead, it gives authorities more explicit grounds to scrutinize and reject applications or deny entry where a traveler’s documents, stated purpose, or immigration history raise concerns.

There are about 12,000 Filipinos living in mainland cities such as Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai and Xiamen, while 140,000 Filipinos reside in Hong Kong and 30,000 in Macau, mostly employed in domestic work, hospitality and construction.

Tourism flows are also significant, with more than 1.19 million Filipino tourists visiting Hong Kong and 1.16 million traveling to Macau in 2024.

The Embassy assured that legitimate travel remains permitted but urged Filipinos to keep their visa category, invitation letters and actual activities consistent, and to consult the Embassy or China’s National Immigration Administration hotline (12367) for guidance.

For millions of Filipinos navigating EDSA, the daily commute could soon become safe, more seamless, and more convenient. As SM continues its transformation journey beyond its retail and shared spaces, its malls are also evolving to make getting to and from key transport hubs easier for commuters.

In the coming months, mallgoers can look forward to improved connections through the SM Megamall EDSA Busway Concourse and Pedestrian Bridge and SM North EDSA MRT-7 link. The projects aim to shorten long walks to transportation hubs while giving commuters familiar, well-lit, and ventilated access and departure points. The completion of the SM Megamall EDSA Busway link, which connects SM Megamall to the Ortigas station of the EDSA Bus Carousel, provides an accessible entrance and exit point for commuters.

Prior to the completion of the elevated walkway, commuters had to pass through the congested MRT-3 footbridge to reach the EDSA Carousel. The new pedestrian bridge significantly shortens the long, inconvenient walk, allowing easier access and smoother commuter flow in the busy transportation hub.

The elevated walkway is fully covered, protecting commuters from rough weather conditions. The vast space has ramps and an elevator to ensure easy access for commuters, including persons with disabilities, senior citizens, and pregnant women.

The SM Megamall EDSA Busway Link provides commuters with easier access to the bus carousel platform, which offers northbound trips to Monumento and southbound trips to the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange.

Meanwhile, the ongoing construction of the SM North EDSA-MRT 7 Link will provide commuters with seamless access to the Common Station linking MRT-3, LRT-1, the soon-to-be-operational MRT-7, and nearby establishments. Pedestrians can safely walk from hub to hub as the walkway will be fully covered to protect them from harsh weather conditions.

These pedestrian walkways, done in coordination with the Department of Transportation, the Department of Public Works and Highways, and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, are part of SM Supermalls’ broader initiative to create commuter-friendly facilities around their most-loved SM Supermalls.

Under the MY SM Transportation e, the mall operator is reimagining the daily commute-not simply by improving access to transportation, but by creating safer, more comfortable, and more convenient journeys for everyone. By putting everyday commuter needs at the heart of these improvements, SM aims to make getting from one place to another a more seamless part of everyday life.

National University (NU)-led by Johann Estacio and Gold laner Kirk Herrero and head coach Ernest Del Rosario-share the early lead with University of the Philippines (UP) in University Athletic Association of the Philippines Mobile Legends: Bang Bang opening-day action on Monday at the MVP Studios in Mandaluyong City. NU leads Group A with 3 points (1-0-0) while UP paces Group B with 4 points (1-1-0).

THE Office of the Ombudsman’s tougher evidentiary standard under its 2026 Revised Rules of Procedure is being tested in the case involving a former Speaker.

In a 25-page Supplemental Counter-Affidavit Ex Abundanti Ad Cautelam filed on Thursday, former Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez asked the agency to determine whether the evidence against him can meet the new threshold before filing a criminal case.

The filing said the evidentiary record has changed significantly, citing 32 sworn statements that include three recantations, 25 new affidavits denying knowledge or participation, the earlier sworn statement of Allan Colesio, a former aide of former Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co of Ako Bicol, and the recantation of Orly Guteza.

The statements, according to Romualdez, raise questions about the personal knowledge and credibility of witnesses who sought to connect him to alleged deliveries of cash-filled suitcases.

At the center of the filing is Section 3, Rule V of the 2026 Ombudsman Rules of Procedure, which requires prosecutors to determine whether the evidence establishes a prima facie case with reasonable certainty of conviction.

‘The evidentiary standard of prima facie evidence with reasonable certainty of conviction was deliberately designed to elevate, and not merely restate, the former standard of probable cause,’ the filing stated.

The supplemental counter-affidavit also cited the rule’s requirement that the entirety of the evidence presented by the parties be admissible, credible and capable of being preserved and presented to establish the elements of the offense and the identity of those responsible.

Romualdez argued that this requirement means the Ombudsman must address evidentiary weaknesses at the preliminary investigation stage.

‘Admissibility and credibility are thus not concerns reserved for the trial court; they are integral to this Honorable Office’s own determination of whether a case should be filed at all,’ the filing said.

According to the filing, no contractor has stated that money was paid to Romualdez, no Department of Public Works and Highways official has said he demanded or received a kickback, no identified project has been traced to a payment to him, and no financial record has traced alleged unlawful proceeds to his assets.

The filing further argued that the witness record now includes alleged delivery companions who deny taking part, former aides who deny knowledge of cash deliveries, and witnesses who have withdrawn or disowned earlier statements.

He asked the Ombudsman to identify what admissible, credible and preservable evidence remains after the recantations and direct denials and to dismiss the complaints if the remaining evidence fails to meet the standard under the 2026 rules.

SEN. Francis Escudero’s proposal to fix the tenure of barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials to five years to ensure long-term stability in grassroots governance has received multisectoral support.

At Monday’s public hearing of the Senate Sub-Committee on Local Government presided by Escudero, representatives from the Liga ng mga Barangay, the National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections, the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting, and the National Youth Commission (NYC) expressed their strong support for the bill aimed at institutionalizing the five-year term and breaking the cycle of frequent postponement of barangay and SK polls.

‘My bill does not extend. My bill fixes,’ Escudero told the public hearing which was also attended by officials of the Commission on Elections and relevant government agencies, and members of civil society groups. ‘The natural effect will, of course, be to postpone the upcoming election, but the subject matter of this bill is fixing the term, not just postponement.’

Escudero emphasized that barangay governments, as the frontline of public service, need longer terms to sustain community development, disaster response, and peace and order programs without election disruptions.

According to NYC representative Eriven Nepomuceno, the proposed measure is a ‘strategic progression to ensure that local officials have sufficient time to implement meaningful community programs and improve public service delivery.’

Councilor Jose Maria Rodriguez, who represented the Liga ng mga Barangay, said they ‘respectfully manifests its position in favor of a consolidated measure fixing the term of office of elected barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan at five years and establishing a definite election schedule corresponding to that term.’

Senate Bill 2387 reiterates existing termlimit rules: barangay officials may serve up to three consecutive terms, while SK officials are restricted to only one term. Those already on their third consecutive term cannot run in the November 2028 elections.

According to Escudero, counting existing terms ensures fairness, preventing incumbents from benefiting from an outright extension.

The hearing agenda also included SB 2067 filed by Sen. Imelda Josefa Remedios Marcos, which seeks to postpone the November 2026 Barangay and SK elections to October 2027, citing economic and logistical constraints.

Escudero directed the committee secretariat to draft a report reflecting the amendments and resource persons’ inputs, which is expected to be completed this week for deliberation in the plenary.

‘Subject to the amendments proposed by the parties which we shall consider-including the decoupling, the Comelec’s points on appropriations and the election date, as well as the position of PPCRV and Namfrel that elections proceed as scheduled with the fiveyear term to begin thereafter-we shall reflect these in the committee report,’ he also said.

Basketball fans in the Philippines will have the chance to meet two of the sport’s biggest names, as vivo Philippines brings NBA and WNBA legends Jason Kidd and Lauren Jackson to Manila for an exclusive fan meet-and-greet on August 28, 2026.

Set to take place from 5 PM to 6 PM at the vivo Concept Store in SM Megamall Building B, the event will feature on-stage conversations, fan interactions, and an opportunity for selected fans to meet Kidd and Jackson in person.

Only 15 fans will be selected to attend the meet-and-greet, with each selected fan receiving an official photo opportunity and a signed poster. How to join

To get a chance to be part of the event, fans simply need to:

Follow vivo Philippines on Facebook.

Comment ‘vivo Meet and Greet with Jason and Lauren’ on the designated Facebook post

Use the hashtags #vivoxNBA and #vivoX300Ultra

The event will be hosted by KC Montero, who will lead conversations with the two basketball icons and give fans an opportunity to hear about their experiences in the game.

Jackson is a three-time WNBA MVP, two-time WNBA champion, five-time Olympic medalist, FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup champion, and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer. She also made her return to the Paris 2024 Olympics after an eight-year break from basketball.

Kidd, meanwhile, is an NBA champion, 10-time NBA All-Star, two-time Olympic gold medalist, and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer. A celebrated point guard known for his court vision and playmaking, he later continued his career as an NBA coach.

Bringing the experience closer with the vivo X300 Ultra

The event will also spotlight the vivo X300 Ultra, vivo’s flagship smartphone equipped with Triple ZEISS Master Lenses, including an 85mm ZEISS Gimbal-Grade APO Telephoto Camera.

Designed to bring distant subjects closer, the X300 Ultra’s imaging capabilities make it well-suited for capturing moments from sporting events and other experiences where getting closer to the action isn’t always possible.

For fans who can’t make it to the vivo Concept Store on August 28, the experience will continue online through the vivo Philippines Facebook page on August 29, from 5 PM to 6 PM with the action captured using the vivo X300 Ultra.

Click ‘Going’ on the Facebook Event and turn on notifications to get alerted once the livestream goes LIVE.

Viewers can also join a separate online giveaway by commenting ‘vivo Meet and Greet with Jason and Lauren’ and using #vivoxNBA and #vivoX300Ultra for a chance to win NBA merchandise for free.

A MEMBER of the House Committee on Economic Affairs is pushing Congress to permanently ban goods made through forced labor, saying the Philippines should not wait for trade penalties from the United States to act against what he called ‘modern-day slavery.’

Albay Rep. Raymond Adrian E. Salceda is seeking the immediate passage of House Bill 10848, or the Act Prohibiting the Trade of Goods Produced Wholly or in Part with Forced Labor and Providing Penalties Therefor, which would establish a permanent statutory ban on the entry and trade of forced-labor goods in the Philippines.

‘This is not simply about avoiding tariffs or protecting our exports. There is a moral issue when we allow products made through forced labor and exploitation to enter our market. When we buy and trade these products, the suffering of other people becomes part of our supply chain,’ Salceda said.

His call comes after the Office of the United States Trade Representative determined on June 2, 2026, that the Philippines, along with other economies, had failed to impose and effectively enforce a prohibition on the importation of goods produced through forced labor.

The United States subsequently imposed an additional 12.5 percent tariff on Philippine products, subject to specified exemptions. The additional duties took effect on July 24.

Salceda, however, stressed that the proposed legislation should not be viewed simply as a measure to address the US tariff.

‘Even if there were no tariff, this is still a law worth passing. We should prohibit products made through forced labor because we believe exploitation is wrong, not merely because another country is asking us to,’ he said.

The Executive Branch has already established an inter-agency mechanism to investigate imported goods suspected of being produced through forced labor.

Salceda said, however, that administrative action must be reinforced by legislation that provides a clear and permanent legal framework.

‘Fair trade requires fair labor. Otherwise, responsible businesses and workers are effectively being penalized for doing the right thing,’ he said.

Under HB 10848, the importation of goods produced wholly or partly through forced labor would be expressly prohibited. The measure would also authorize the Bureau of Customs to exclude and forfeit such goods, impose corresponding penalties, and institutionalize permanent inter-agency coordination for implementation and enforcement.

Salceda said the proposed ban would also protect Filipino businesses and workers from unfair competition.

He noted that companies that pay fair wages and comply with labor standards should not be forced to compete with cheaper products whose low costs are driven by the exploitation of workers.

Salceda said forced labor is not merely a Philippine-US trade issue but a global problem affecting supply chains across industries.

The US Department of Labor’s latest published list identifies 204 goods from 82 countries and areas that it has reason to believe are produced using child labor or forced labor. These include agricultural products such as sugarcane, cotton, coffee, rice and fish, as well as manufactured goods such as garments, textiles and footwear.

The International Labor Organization estimates that 27.6 million people were living in forced labor on any given day in 2021, an increase of 2.7 million from 2016.

Forced labor in the private economy generates an estimated $236 billion in illegal profits each year, with traffickers and other perpetrators earning close to $10,000 per victim annually, according to the ILO.

While Salceda acknowledged the economic impact of the additional US tariff, he said protecting Philippine exporters and jobs should be pursued alongside stronger labor protections.

‘Of course, we want to protect Philippine exporters, Filipino jobs, and our competitiveness in the US market. A 12.5 percent additional tariff has real consequences for our industries,’ Salceda said.

But he maintained that the tariff should not be the primary justification for the legislation.

The law, he said, would send a broader message that Philippine trade policy will not tolerate exploitation and that economic growth should not come at the expense

of workers’ rights.

‘Trade should create prosperity without sacrificing human dignity. No cheaper product, higher profit, or commercial advantage can justify forced labor. The Philippines should be unequivocal on that principle, and our laws should be equally clear,’ Salceda said.