Category: Business Mirror

AT this time next month, the collegiate basketball season shall have already begun.

The University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) opens September 12 while the National Collegiate Athletic Association of the Philippines (NCAA) follows suit on September 13 both at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

Finals predictions for the two leagues have been running wild for over a month now, taking note of how the different teams performed in the pre-season, here or in other parts of the globe.

The NCAA buzz has been strongest for the Jose Rizal Heavy Bombers who showed their explosive might during the Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup. They did not just win the championship, they swept and overpowered the San Beda Red Lions, flexing a retooled roster with a one-two punch in dynamic scorer Lawrence Mangubat and versatile forward Chris Hubilla.

In Season 102, JRU boasts a more experienced sophomore core in Sean Salvador, Allan Laurenaria and Ivan Panapanaan, trusty role players in Jahmir Eligado and Stephen Garupil. And hey, they got even more steady with the addition of championship-steeped EJ Gollena and Rhyle Melencio who both transferred from La Salle.

Underneath all that, the mentorship of former JRU MVP Nani Epondulan has brought a whole new culture and fighting style for the Heavy Bombers. Nobody but nobody can sleep on Jose Rizal U this season. Ibang JRU talaga ito.

Of course, the mighty Lions will still be the team to beat. And the charging Saint Benilde Blazers with veterans Allen Liwag and Justine Sanchez will definitely be in the mix.

Colegio San Juan de Letran, the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA and Arellano University know their way around the challenges, so expect them to be jockeying for spots come the final countdown. It’s going to be an interesting Season 102.

As for the UAAP, many still expect a University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons-De La Salle Green Archers ‘quadrilogy’ for Season 89. But the road to this final match-up is not as smooth and clear as before.

Changes in the line-ups of both squads have made them almost unrecognizable from seasons past. According to talk on Reddit, UP still holds most of the marbles. They have ‘size, depth and a guard-driven system built on size.’

The frontcourt is really deep: Gani Stevens, Sean Alter, Migs Palanca, Francis Nnoruka, 7-footer Dieonte Miles plus Veejay Pre are all big and ready to be rotated.

UP’s wings-Jacob Bayla, Miguel Yñiguez, James Payosing-are strong and long and can rotate as well. The guards, led by Noy Remogat and Arvie Poyos, run the offense and drop stealthy points in the paint.

But how will this post-Maroon 5 UP team actually swim in UAAP waters? Their checkered performance in pre-season leagues, local and international, show diminished dominance. UP had a hard time defending three-point shooting teams in their Canadian, AUBL and Korean sorties.

As for La Salle, it will always draw on its defending champion pedigree. Two excellent guards-Jacob Cortez and Joaquin Tovera-now run their engine, while old reliables Mason Amos, Earl Abadam and JCee Macalalag steady the ship. Shiny new additions like Jason Cibull, TJ Adams and Joaquin Ludovice will put Coach Topex Robinson’s game out there. This team still knows how to win.

Mike Philips’w graduation has left a big hole in the Archers’ front court, however. That, Luis Pablo and Seven Gagate must adequately fill. Gollena’s departure also removed the instinctive glue guy and facilitator in the team. That’s a significant loss that can’t be measured by stats.

And here’s the thing. Hungry Tigers are on the prowl, ready to crash the party. The University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigers are at their scariest this season, with a dominant center in Collins Akowe and an intact core hell-bent on finishing what they didn’t accomplish last year.

UST is legit enough to stop the quadrilogy from even taking shape.

As for the Adamson Soaring Falcons, they showed the stern stuff that they’re made of when they defeated La Salle in the Roxas City Invitational Tournament 2026 recently.

The NU Bulldogs? They seem locked in for a Final Four slot. The Ateneo Blue Eagles, with zero external expectations, will fly under the radar and catch prey sans pressure.

Far Eastern U Coach Sean Chambers said: ‘Aside from UP and La Salle, FEU’s gonna be a problem.’ We believe him. With MVP Janrey Pasaol, Jorick Bautista, Mo Konateh and Kirby Mongcopa leading the charge along with new recruits, the Tams will be brave and true this year.

By the way, the UE Warriors won’t be pushovers either in Season 89. They’ll be the wild card, the spirited, unpredictable guest at the party.

Only 17 days left before the adrenaline flows again. Bring out those drums!

Two Manila brokerage houses have placed a strong buy on Globe Telecom Inc., arguing that the country’s second-largest telecommunications operator is trading between 45 percent and 107 percent below its intrinsic value even as its operating metrics hit record highs.

In separate stock updates, B.A. Securities Inc. and H.E. Bennett Securities Inc. said the market has penalized Globe for its leveraged balance sheet while assigning close to zero value to its 33.84-percent stake in Mynt, the parent firm of e-wallet GCash, which has filed for an initial public offering (IPO).

Globe closed at P1,748 apiece as of August 18, near the middle of a 52-week range of P1,401 to P1,964, giving it a market capitalization of about P251.7 billion.

Jofer Gaite, vice president for sales at B.A. Securities, said the disconnect is rooted in how the market reads Globe’s capital structure rather than its cash generation. Intrinsic multiples-based valuation points to a target of P3,620.80 a share, while a discounted cash flow (DCF) model yields P2,544.27. Analyst consensus sits at P2,242.22, or 28.3 percent above the current price.

Globe posted record consolidated gross service revenues of P85.4 billion in the first half, up 6 percent from about P80.6 billion in the same period last year. Full-year 2025 gross service revenue reached an all-time high of P165.1 billion.

Mobile revenues reached P60.4 billion, up 6 percent, while corporate data grew 15 percent to P11 billion and broadband rose 6 percent to P12.4 billion. Enterprise demand for cloud services, cybersecurity and data centers is now the company’s fastest-growing segment.

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (Ebitda) margin settled at 52.6 percent in the first semester, ahead of management’s roughly 50-percent guidance, translating to P44.9 billion in first-half Ebitda, or an annualized P89.8 billion.

Net income, however, fell 11 percent to P11 billion from about P12.4 billion, dragging net margin to 12.9 percent from 14.1 percent in 2025.

Joel de la Peña, market strategist and chief trader at H.E. Bennett Securities, said the contraction is not an operational failure but the result of non-cash and below-the-line items-smaller one-time dilution gains from Mynt, heavier depreciation on network assets, and higher financing charges.

Capital expenditures reached P26.3 billion in the first half, equivalent to 31 percent of revenues, down sharply from the 64.2-percent peak in 2022. Free cash flow stood at a positive P15.3 billion, reversing the negative P36.2 billion recorded four years ago. Net debt-to-EBITDA closed the semester at 2.48 times.

Both houses lean on a sum-of-the-parts (SOTP) reading to make their case. Based on preliminary prospectus filings, Mynt is targeting an offer price of up to P10 per share. At an assumed $8-billion valuation, Globe’s retained 33.84-percent stake is worth $2.71 billion, or P157.36 billion-about P125.89 billion after a standard 20-percent holding company discount.

Valuing the core telecom business separately at 5.5 times enterprise value to Ebitda and netting out roughly P232 billion in debt yields a core equity value of P261.90 billion, or P1,810.83 a share-already above the prevailing market price.

Even in the bear case of a 5.0-times multiple and a 25-percent holding discount, the SOTP fair value lands at P2,316.39, or 32.5 percent above current levels.

Globe trades at 12.67 times earnings against a 10-year median of 13.22 times and an industry average of 17.6 times, on earnings per share of P136.90. Its forward multiple is 11.81 times and price-to-book is 1.44 times. The stock carries a P25 quarterly dividend, with an ex-date of August 17, for a yield of about 5.76 percent.

The company serves 67.7 million mobile subscribers and 2.4 million broadband users, holds an estimated 44 percent to 47 percent subscriber share, and operates over 100,000 kilometers of fiber. Management has guided for low- to mid-single-digit revenue growth this year.

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY-The United States Embassy’s Fish Right Project has inaugurated the Community Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing Reporting Center together with the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development.

The new facility strengthens Philippine-led efforts to combat IUU fishing-a shared economic and security threat for both the US and the Philippines.

Building on the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development’s coordination mechanisms with local and national agencies, ‘Fish Right’ will integrate American technologies, such as Starlink and data visualization software EarthRanger, to strengthen connectivity, improve the collection and organization of community reports, and support timely information-sharing with Philippine authorities.

The center will serve as a community hub for receiving and organizing real-time reports from fishermen on suspected IUU fishing, unusual vessel activity, and other illegal maritime activities. With support from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, the National Maritime Center, and the provincial government of Palawan, the center will forward reports to appropriate Philippine government agencies for validation, follow-up action, and feedback to local fishing communities.

‘Illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing is both an economic and a national security challenge,’ said US Embassy Officer Taylor Fincher. ‘It depletes fish stocks, disrupts supply chains, distorts markets, threatens food security, and places responsible fishers and legitimate businesses at a disadvantage. Addressing illegal fishing and related maritime concerns is an important area of cooperation between [both countries].’

‘By providing fisherfolk with a safe and accessible way to report suspected illegal fishing and other unlawful maritime activities, this Community IUU Fishing Reporting Center empowers coastal communities to become active partners in protecting our fisheries,’ said Undersecretary for Fisheries Drusila Esther Bayate of the Department of Agriculture.

The launch of the Community IUU Fishing Reporting Center coincides with the 80th anniversary of U.S.-Philippines diplomatic relations and the two countries’ 75th anniversary of their Mutual Defense Treaty, underscoring the two nations’ enduring partnership in upholding international law, promoting lawful activity at sea, and advancing a free and open Indo-Pacific.

The Fish Right Project supports Philippine-led efforts to address illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing in the Philippine exclusive economic zone bordering the South China Sea. It strengthens community reporting by connecting fisherfolks’ observations with Philippine government systems, supports marine scientific research to inform decision-making, and promotes better market access for safe, legal, and sustainably sourced seafood.

For Denver Carranza, undergoing surgery as a child was a turning point in his life-but it was not the end of his journey.

Born with bilateral cleft lip and cleft palate, Carranza underwent his first operation with the help of the Philippine Band of Mercy, Smile Train and his grandmother. Yet as he grew older, he encountered challenges that could not be addressed in an operating room.

When he entered school, he experienced bullying and sometimes struggled to speak clearly. There were moments when he lost hope. What helped him overcome those challenges was the love and emotional support of his grandmother.

‘A child with cleft lip does not just need an operation,’ Carranza said. ‘They need true acceptance from their parents. Love, emotional support, and long patience.’

Today, Carranza works as a support staff member at the Philippine Band of Mercy, helping families of newborns with cleft conditions find the information and treatment they need. For him, the work is more than a job; it is a way of helping children have a better start and a brighter future.

His experience underscores a message highlighted during Smile Train Philippines’ Beyond the Smile community fair: cleft care goes far beyond surgery.

A journey that begins at birth

Cleft lip and palate are among the most common birth differences worldwide and are highly treatable. However, many families continue to face barriers to timely and comprehensive care, according to the information presented at the event.

For Dr. Gene Gerald Dr. Tiongco, a Smile Train volunteer surgeon who has performed cleft operations for two decades, the journey begins the moment a child is born.

The first concerns may not even involve surgery. Pediatricians can help parents understand how to feed a baby with a cleft and ensure that the child receives adequate nutrition. Other specialists, including dentists and orthodontic professionals, may become involved as the child grows.

Surgery itself also depends on the child’s condition and nutritional status. Dr. Tiongco said cleft lip surgery generally requires the baby to be at least three months old, while cleft palate repair is typically performed before the child begins speaking, with timing depending on the individual patient.

But even after an operation, care continues.

‘It’s not just the surgeon’s responsibility,’ Dr. Tiongco said. ‘When we say we, it’s all about a team.’

That team can include nutrition experts, dentists, orthodontic specialists, psychologists or psychiatrists, nurses and speech therapists. The goal is to follow the patient beyond the operating room and address the different needs that may arise throughout the child’s development.

More than a surgical outcome

John Manuel Flores, Smile Train’s Area Director for Southeast Asia, said the first surgery can be a life-changing milestone, but it is only the first step in a much longer journey.

Children with clefts may face difficulties with feeding and nutrition in infancy and may later require speech therapy, orthodontic care, hearing support and psychosocial counseling. Comprehensive cleft care means accompanying the child and family through these different stages, from infancy into adulthood.

This broader approach also changes the way success is measured.

For Dr. Tiongco, the impact of surgery can be dramatic. He recalled how parents may become emotional when they see their child after an operation-not simply because of the physical change, but because they begin to imagine a future in which the child can face less stigma and pursue opportunities with greater confidence.

‘It’s not just an operative success,’ Dr. Tiongco said. ‘It’s a success and contentment of the whole community.’

Breaking the cycle of misinformation

Providing medical care is only one part of the challenge. Awareness is equally important.

Dr. Tiongco said some parents blame themselves when their child is born with a cleft, asking what they might have done during pregnancy to cause the condition. He emphasized the need for healthcare professionals to reassure parents that it is not their fault.

Misconceptions can also persist within communities, including beliefs that cleft

conditions are caused by traumatic events or other unfounded explanations. Such misinformation can contribute to stigma and discourage families from seeking care.

For Smile Train, addressing these misconceptions requires bringing accurate information beyond hospitals and clinics.

The organization has partnered with the REX Education Foundation Inc. to expand cleft education through literacy and community-based initiatives. The partnership seeks to help children, schools and communities understand cleft conditions while encouraging empathy and inclusion.

Dominic Leandre D. Buhain, Vice Chairman of REX Education Foundation Inc., said education can influence not only what children know but also how they treat others.

The partnership is also exploring educational materials that can give children with clefts greater representation while helping other children understand experiences different from their own.

Bringing care closer to families

Access remains another major challenge, particularly for families who live far from major medical centers.

Smile Train said it has been operating in the Philippines since 2001 and currently works with more than 60 partner hospitals across the country. Through these partnerships, the organization provides funding, training and other support to local healthcare professionals so patients can receive free cleft care closer to their communities.

Flores described the approach as a sustainable, local-first model. Rather than depending on short-term medical missions, Smile Train works with local doctors, hospitals and healthcare workers, providing resources and training to support year-round care.

The support extends beyond surgery to services such as speech therapy, orthodontic treatment and nutritional care, depending on the patient’s needs.

For families, bringing these services closer can mean less travel, fewer barriers and a greater chance of receiving care when it is needed.

EUMIR FELIX MARCIAL has gotten extra motivated in going 8-0 won-lost as a pro when he faces American Omar Ulises Huerta on September 19-their fight will be shown live on US television.

‘This is going to be the most important fight in his eighth professional career bouts as he was never seen in USA television before,’ MP Promotions head Sean Gibbons told the BusinessMirror on Wednesday. ‘Everybody will be watching him closely so he must look absolutely good.’

‘It’s going to be a big moment, it’s an opportunity he will not waste for sure,’ Gibbons stressed adding DAZN Worldwide and TNT will air his wards fight for the first time in the US.

Marcial has declared himself that he’ll be stronger, quicker and smarter against Huerta.

‘I’m going for 8-0 on September 19 and I will make everyone knows who exactly I am,’ he said. ‘I will not waste this one.’

They’ll be squaring off in a middleweight 10-rounder in the undercard that pits World Boxing Council (WBC) super lightweight interim champion Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz against Nestor Bravo at the Pechanga Arena in San Diego, California.

Gibbons said that the WBC middleweight international belt and another vacant regional title-most likely the World Boxing Organization international crown-are at stake in the Marcial-Huerta fight.

DAZN Worldwide and TNT will air for the first time Marcial ‘s eighth bout in the United States followed by main event between Cruz and Bravo fight for the WBC super lightweight championship that makes the cards promoted by Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) exciting.

Marcial knocked out four of his seven opponents but is coming off a controversial majority decision victory against Eddy Colmenares last October in the ‘Thrilla in Manila II’ at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Huerta-fighting out of San Diego, California-holds a 15-1-1 win-loss-draw record with 13 knockouts.

‘This is going to be a war as both fighters are known for their high knockout prowess, but I believe Eumir will treat this fight seriously as we are planning to give him another fight by December once he wins this one before heading for a world title next year,’ Gibbons said.

THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) is ruling out a postponement of the first ever parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), saying a single election-related incident will not derail months of preparations for the historic polls.

Comelec Chairman George Erwin M. Garcia, along with the Comelec en banc, attended the conference to talk about coordination and security preparations.

Secretary of Interior and Local Government Jonvic Remulla, the new Armed Forces chief, the Philippine National Police chief, the Philippine Coast Guard and senior security officials were also present.

‘We are in full control of the situation in the Bangsamoro,’ Garcia said.

He stressed that authorities remain confident in the security situation ahead of polls despite the recent attack against Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua.

Garcia said election materials for the parliamentary elections have already been deployed across the different provinces and will soon be distributed to 105 municipalities and two cities.

The poll body’s presence in Bangsamoro also comes after the successful selection of two representatives of the region’s non-Muslim indigenous peoples through an inter-tribal convention held a day earlier.

Garcia described the selection as the first of its kind in the history of BARMM, noting that the process was peaceful and settled through discussions among six indigenous tribes.

‘Successful, peaceful and acceptable to all our indigenous peoples throughout the Bangsamoro,’ Garcia said.

Garcia said authorities have so far monitored only one election-related incident in the entire region, despite its history of election-related violence.

‘First time in the history of the Bangsamoro, our checkpoints have one election-related incident,’ he said.

Comelec is also preparing for faster transmission of election results through Starlink technology, which was used during the 2025 elections.

The poll chief said the commission is targeting a fast count, with results expected to be known on election night and winning candidates proclaimed the following day.

‘On the night of the election, you will know who won,’ he said, adding that the proclamation of winners could follow on September 15.

Beyond security and logistics, Garcia urged voters to participate in the polls after several postponements of the parliamentary elections.

‘The problem now is not when the voting will be held, nor whether the voting will push through, because it will push through,’ Garcia said.

Garcia said a low voter turnout would undermine the significance of an election that follows decades of conflict and is intended to give Bangsamoro voters greater control over the region’s future.

SAYING the ‘archaic’ policy behind the imposition of a travel tax-when overseas travel was viewed largely as a ‘privile ge’-no longer reflects present realities, Sen. Mark A. Villar is prodding his peers on the swift passage of Senate Bill (SB) 1870, or the proposed ‘Travel Tax Abolition Act.’

The measure seeks to remove the decades-old travel tax imposed on Filipinos leaving the country.

‘Hindi dapat maging dagdag na pasanin ang pag-alis ng bansa, lalo na para sa mga Pilipinong bumibiyahe upang magtrabaho, mag-aral, magpagamot, magnegosyo, o makasama ang kanilang pamilya. Panahon nang alisin ang travel tax at ibalik sa ating mga kababayan ang perang maaari nilang magamit sa mas mahalagang pangangailangan,’ Villar said.

[Leaving the country should not impose a burden on Filipinos, especially those traveling for work, schooling., medical treatment, do business or simply reunite with relatives. It’s time to end the travel tax requirement and allow citizens to enjoy and use the funds for more essential needs].

Introduced in 1977 under Presidential Decree 1183, the travel tax was imposed at a time when overseas travel was widely viewed as a privilege. Villar said this ‘archaic’ policy no longer reflects present realities, as Filipino travelers currently pay a full travel tax of P1,620 for economy-class passage and P2,700 for first-class passage. A family of four traveling in economy class must therefore spend an additional P6,480 before leaving the country.

‘The amount of P6,480 is a big deal to a family. They can use this for food, transportation, rentals, medicine or other expenses when they travel. Amid the steady rise in prices of goods, it’s only right that we remove taxes that pose additional burdens and don’t reflect current realities,’ Villar said, speaking in Filipino.

Under SB 1870, government agencies and private entities will be prohibited from collecting travel tax once the measure takes effect. Passengers who have already paid the tax for flights scheduled on or after the law’s effectivity will also be entitled to an immediate refund.

The proposal likewise supports the objectives of the Asean Tourism Agreement, which seeks to facilitate travel and promote stronger connectivity among Asean member states.

Allaying concerns of possible disruptions to government programs, Senator Villar noted that the bill has safeguards for the continued funding through the annual General Appropriations Act for projects previously supported by travel tax collections.

At present, 50 percent of the collections goes to the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority for tourism development, 40 percent to the Commission on Higher Education for tourism-related educational programs, and 10 percent to the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.

‘We will continue to support tourism education and culture, but the funds should not come from additional burdens on traveling Filipinos. These are national programs that must be funded out of the national budget,’ Villar stressed.

‘Our objective is simple:reduce the costs, make travel easier and allow each Filipino at bigyan ng mas malaking kalayaathe freedom to seek opportunity in any part of the world,’ he added.

MPower, the local retail electricity supplier (RES) of the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), has partnered with Big Ben Group to provide reliable and competitive power to its manufacturing plants in Pulilan, Bulacan.

This collaboration aims to support Big Ben Group’s ready-mix concrete production and sustainability goals.

‘Sustainability has to be embedded in how we operate and plan for the future. Partnering with MPower enables us to improve our energy management while supporting our long-term business and sustainability goals. It reinforces our belief that responsible business decisions and operational excellence go hand in hand,’ Big Ben Group Director Benjamin Eusebio said.

The Big Ben Group is a manufacturer and supplier of ready-mix concrete, delivering support for construction developments ranging from residential projects to major and commercial infrastructure.

‘Energy reliability and cost efficiency are fundamental to how we operate and compete. We cannot promise excellence to our clients if we do not secure excellence in our own operations. Partnering with a trusted provider like MPower strengthens the foundation of our business and supports our long-term vision for growth and resilience,’ Big Ben Group Chairman Eusebio Pacifico Garcia said.

He added that the collaboration with MPower further strengthens the operational continuity across Big Ben Group’s facilities by helping ensure efficient production and timely delivery of projects that support the communities it serves.

‘Our commitment extends beyond delivering power. We support Big Ben Group’s growth by providing the energy solutions and expertise needed to strengthen operational performance and long-term resilience.

By ensuring a stable and reliable power supply, we help create the conditions for businesses to focus on what they do best and continue creating value for their customers and communities,’ MPower Head Redel Domingo, for his part, said.

Meralco recently reported that its net income went up by 11 percent year-on-year to P26.3 billion in the first half, buoyed by the strong performance of its distribution, generation, and retail electricity businesses.

Consolidated core net income (CCNI) at end-June also improved by 3.8 percent to P26.5 billion from P25.5 billion, driven by a 48-percent contribution from the distribution utility (DU) and growing power generation earnings.

The company said it maintained stability through a ‘diversified earnings mix and prudent cost management’ amid global fuel pressures.

THE Senate Impeachment Court on Wednesday prohibited senator-judges, prosecutors, defense lawyers, witnesses, and other involved individuals from publicly commenting on the merits of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment case.

Presiding Officer Sen. Francis Escudero said the directive is based on Rule 18 of the Rules on Impeachment, which requires those involved in the proceedings to refrain from making public statements that could affect the integrity of the trial.

Escudero warned against ‘trial by publicity,’ saying public commentary could undermine the dignity of the Impeachment Court and influence public opinion before evidence is properly evaluated. He stressed that the rule seeks to balance the public’s right to information with the need to protect the proceedings from prejudgment.

The ruling came after House prosecution counsel Amando Virgil Ligutan defended a Facebook post stating that misleading questions are not allowed even during cross-examination. Ligutan maintained that his post merely clarified a procedural rule and did not discuss the strength of the evidence, legal arguments, or merits of the impeachment case.

The controversy began during an August 12 exchange between prosecution counsel Lorna Kapunan and defense counsel Kristine Ferrer while Commission on Audit auditor Xylene Mae del Campo was being cross-examined. Kapunan said misleading questions were not allowed, while Ferrer responded that they were.

Ligutan later posted on Facebook that misleading questions are prohibited even on cross-examination. Defense lawyers subsequently raised the matter before the Impeachment Court, arguing that Ferrer may have been referring to leading questions rather than misleading questions.

Duty to clarify legal issues

LIGUTAN insisted that his post was not directed at any specific defense lawyer and was intended only to correct what he believed was an inaccurate statement about courtroom procedure. He also cited his experience as a lawyer and educator, saying he considered it his responsibility to clarify legal rules for the public.

Escudero, however, reminded Ligutan that being an educator did not remove his obligations as counsel before the Impeachment Court. He also noted that the transcript of the August 12 exchange could not fully reflect overlapping statements and that Ferrer may have been responding to the reference to leading questions.

The Impeachment Court later issued broader guidelines enforcing Rule 18.

Previous statements were effectively set aside, but Escudero ordered stricter compliance moving forward and warned all parties against making public comments that could affect the pending impeachment trial.

Escudero explained that the court will implement a two-strike policy for violators.

On the first violation, the offender will receive a serious public reprimand and a firm warning delivered in open court. This sanction will also become a permanent part of the official record and will serve as the individual’s final notice.

If the same offense is committed a second time, the violator will face a P30,000 fine, according to Escudero.

All parties

THE House prosecution team said that it respects and will comply with the Senate impeachment court’s strict enforcement of Rule 18, or the sub judice rule, while expecting the same standard to apply to all parties, including Vice President Sara Duterte.

House impeachment team spokesperson Robert Ace Barbers said the prosecution will follow the court’s directives but stressed that the rule should be applied equally to the prosecution, defense, and respondent.

Deputy Speaker Jefferson Khonghun said the implementation of Rule 18 will test whether the impeachment court applies its order fairly. He said both the prosecution and defense should be held accountable for statements that may violate the rule.

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AMBASSADOR of India to the Philippines Shri Harsh Kumar Jain handed over a newly constructed working and training hall to the local government of Barangay Aliputos, Municipality of Numancia, Aklan.

Municipal Mayor Rogelio M. Enero II formally received the hall at a ceremony on August 10, with Governor Jose Enrique M. Miraflores of Aklan, Assistant Secretary Francisco R. Cruz, CESO III, MMG of the Department of the Interior and Local Government, representatives from the agency and community, as well as barangay leaders, in attendance.

Expressing their appreciation to the Indian government for the project and its contribution to Numancia’s development, they welcomed the facility’s potential to boost skills, livelihoods, and the municipality’s agri-tourism initiatives. They thanked India for its continued community-focused development partnership with the Philippines.

The project was implemented under the India-Philippines Quick Impact Projects framework, which supports community-level initiatives for socioeconomic development. It is the fourth of six projects under the first cycle of QIPs being implemented through Indian Grant Assistance under the bilateral ‘Agreement on the Implementation of Quick Impact Projects’ signed in February 2023.

The facility forms part of Numancia’s efforts to strengthen its agri-tourism sector, providing a venue for skills development, training, meetings and community activities. The facility is expected to benefit some 5,500 farmers and fisherfolk.

Ambassador Jain highlighted in his speech that the project reflects the enduring friendship and Strategic Partnership between India and the Philippines, founded on mutual respect, close cooperation and a shared commitment to inclusive and sustainable development.

The project joins three other QIPs completed earlier this year: a livelihood training center in Bobon, Northern Samar; a primary care hub in Bacolod, Lanao del Norte; and a barangay health station in Cervantes, Ilocos Sur. They reflect India’s commitment to the Philippines’ regional grassroots development, its embassy said.

Jain also welcomed the resolution adopted by the Numancia LGU declaring August 10 as ‘Numancia-India Friendship Day.’ He expressed his deep appreciation, noting that the initiative symbolizes the warmth and enduring bonds of friendship between the LGUs’ residents and his country.

The QIP initiative is aligned with the Plan of Action for the India-Philippines’

Strategic Partnership for 2025-2029 signed during President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s state visit to India in August 2025.

India looks forward to further strengthening its development partnership through the next cycle of 10 QIPs, currently under consideration by the two sides.