Category: Business Mirror

Families in Central Luzon whose children need specialized medical care will soon have an option closer to home as the Jose B. Lingad (JBL) Children’s Medical Center in this free port begins accepting patients on August 1.

The 120-bed hospital, inaugurated on Friday by President Marcos, is the first facility to open under the Clark Multi-Specialty Medical Center project.

Designed to serve patients from Regions I, II and III, as well as nearby provinces, the center forms part of the government’s effort to expand specialized healthcare beyond Metro Manila.

The Department of Health (DOH) said the hospital is equipped with pediatric intensive care and neonatal intensive care units, operating rooms, outpatient clinics, laboratory and radiology services, and artificial intelligence-assisted diagnostic technology intended to support the evaluation of complex pediatric conditions.

DOH will oversee hospital operations.

‘In 2020, only half of Filipinos could access primary healthcare within 30 minutes,’ Marcos said during the inauguration.

The President said the government is establishing regional specialty hospitals to address longstanding gaps in healthcare access.

Marcos said the hospital will continue implementing the government’s Zero Balance Billing program for eligible patients and is scheduled to begin operations next week.

The JBL Children’s Medical Center is the first regional specialty hospital established under Republic Act 11959, or the Regional Specialty Centers Act, which seeks to expand access to specialized healthcare through regional medical centers across the country.

Clark Development Corporation President and Chief Executive Officer Agnes Devanadera said the children’s hospital is the first component of the larger Clark Multi-Specialty Medical Center, which is planned to include specialty facilities for cardiovascular, cancer and other advanced medical services.

‘Today we are not just inaugurating a project, we are inaugurating a legacy project. It is a generational legacy project because this was part of then-President Ferdinand Marcos Sr.’ plan,’ Devanadera said.

CDC donated the nearly five-hectare property where the medical complex now stands and plans to build a medical arts building to support the campus, she said. The project was financed through a partnership between the government and private sector.

Bloomberry Cultural Foundation Incorporated provided P1 billion in seed funding for construction and another P50 million for a generator set, while the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) allocated P360 million for the project.

Bloomberry Resorts Corporation Chairman and Chief Executive Office Enrique Razon Jr. said the company viewed the hospital as a public investment rather than a commercial undertaking. ‘This is not a business venture; it is a contribution to a nation’s development and, more importantly, a worthwhile investment in the future,’ Razon said.

The children’s hospital is expected to become the first completed facility within what government officials envision as a broader healthcare campus in Clark, intended to expand access to specialty care in Central Luzon and reduce the need for some patients to seek treatment in Metro Manila.

Separately, the Pampanga provincial government distributed financial assistance to 63 children undergoing chemotherapy and liver transplant treatment during Friday’s event. Each child received P25,000 in assistance which includes P15,000 from the provincial government and P10,000 from the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

THREE major water systems-the Angat-La Mesa Water System, the Laguna Lake Water System, and the Antipolo Water System-continue to provide reliable water service to its water customers in the East Zone, Manila Water Company Inc. Said.

Manila Water said company’s long-term investments in these water sources have strengthened supply reliability despite challenges brought by El Niño, declining water levels in Angat Dam, and increasing demand in its service area.

‘As we experience the full effects of a strong El Niño and the pressures it places on traditional water sources, our diversified supply systems provide greater resilience and flexibility in meeting the needs of our customers. These strategic investments help ensure that communities across the East Zone continue to have access to safe and dependable water services today and in the years ahead,’ said Dittie Galang, Manila Water Corporate Communications Group Head.

The Angat-La Mesa Water System remains a critical source of water for Metro Manila. To improve supply reliability, Manila Water, in partnership with the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System, invested in projects that help ensure sufficient inflows to Angat Reservoir, including the Sumag River Diversion Project and the rehabilitation of the Umiray-Angat Transbasin Project.

Complementing Angat is the Laguna Lake Water System, which taps Laguna de Bay as an additional water source. The system includes the 100-million-liter-per-day (MLD) Cardona Water Treatment Plant, which draws water from the central portion of the lake and serves around 800,000 customers in Rizal and nearby areas. On the eastern side of the lake, the P16.5-billion East Bay Water Supply Project is being developed. Its first phase, the 50-MLD East Bay Water Treatment Plant, is designed to serve up to 390,000 customers and currently supplies communities in eastern Rizal. The 200-MLD East Bay Phase 2 Water Treatment Plant, which is set for completion this year, will serve approximately two million customers in Pasig, Pateros, Taguig, and portions of Rizal province.

Meanwhile, the Antipolo Water System supports the growing water requirements of Rizal through the Wawa-Calawis System, which is anchored on the recently acquired 710-MLD Upper Wawa Dam. Its 80-MLD Calawis Water Treatment Plant, designed to serve about 900,000 customers, already provides water service to communities in Antipolo City and nearby areas. The 220-MLD Kaysakat Water Treatment Plant is expected to be completed later this year and will source water from Upper Wawa Dam. It will further boost water supply for approximately one million customers in Antipolo and neighboring Rizal municipalities.

Together, these three major water systems form a resilient and diversified supply network that enables Manila Water to continuously deliver safe, reliable, and sustainable water services to its more than 7.9 million customers in the East Zone.

THESE days, it would take a lot to get me excited about new beauty releases. I have, after all, been writing about beauty for decades and some of the new releases are just repackaged or rehashed versions of old favorites.

But Givenchy Prisme Libre Skin and Color Serum Primer, a hybrid formula that pairs instant correction with skincare, is something that’s very intriguing and I am not even a primer enthusiast. Do you mean the primer has color correcting properties?

Remember that in 1989, Givenchy launched Le Prisme, its very first 4-color powder and the foundation of its chromatic expertise. I never tried the foundation but loved the powder’s old formula. Givenchy Prisme Libre Skin and Color Serum Primer comes in Pink (enhances radiance for a healthy, luminous glow), Purple (helps refine the appearance of pores for a smoother-looking finish), and Green (neutralizes visible redness for a more even skin tone).

Prisme Libre Skin and Color Serum Primers combine the benefits of skincare with subtle color correction to visibly enhance and balance the skin. The lightweight, serum-infused formula instantly corrects, smooths, and blurs pores while claiming to provide 24-hour hydration and all-day plump. It can be worn alone or under makeup. Also new from Givenchy are the Glow Duo-the Prisme Libre Highlighter Powder and Perfecto Serum Lip Oil-two new creations that extend Givenchy Beauty’s expertise in both skincare and makeup.

The Prisme Libre Highlighter Powder is a marbled highlighter powder in two shades that provide a multidimensional, pearlescent glow. Meanwhile, Perfecto Serum Lip Oil is a serum for the lips that combines rose oil and squalane.

Givenchy Beauty is exclusively distributed by Rustan Marketing Corp. and is available in-store at Rustans Makati and Rustans Shangri-La Plaza.

POP MART OPENS DIMOO X PIXAR POP-UP

IF you love collectibles, Pop Mart has brought the Dimoo World × Pixar Pop-up Store to Glorietta. Fans will now have the chance to immerse themselves in the whimsical world of one of the brand’s most beloved characters until September 23. Open until September 23, the pop-up combines collectible shopping with playful installations and interactive spaces inspired by Dimoo’s dreamlike adventures.

Created by artist Ayan Deng, Dimoo has a gentle personality, oversized eyes, and a signature cloud companion. Dimoo’s stories revolve around imagination, curiosity, and finding wonder in everyday moments.

At the pop-up (located at the walkway outside Rustans outside Glorietta), guests can look through the merchandise, take photos against themed displays, and enjoy the whimsical and playful atmosphere. The opening also marks another milestone for Pop Mart as it prepares to launch its permanent Glorietta store later this year. This is after the success of its permanent locations at SM Megamall, SM Aura Premier, and SM North Edsa, as well as, more recent pop-up stores in Cebu and Davao.

EVERY generation inherits a different version of nature, shaped by the choices of those who came before. Progress drives development, but its environmental impacts often emerge gradually: trees disappear, paved spaces grow hotter, floods linger longer, and green areas give way to concrete. Individually, these changes may seem insignificant. Taken together, however, they reveal a profound shift in the relationship between people and the natural world.

Nature has never demanded recognition for the role it plays in our lives. It has simply been there, cooling our cities, filtering the water we drink, protecting coastlines, enriching soils, supporting food production, and sustaining livelihoods. Because these benefits are woven so seamlessly into daily life, they are easy to take for granted. We often view nature and progress as separate pursuits, when in reality, nature has always been one of the foundations upon which human progress depends.

This is why World Nature Conservation Day, observed every 28 July, remains relevant. More than an annual observance, it serves as a reminder that the health of our economies, businesses, and communities is inseparable from the health of the natural systems that sustain them. Nature is not merely an environment to protect. It is a vital asset that supports resilience, prosperity, and long-term growth. As nature has quietly supported generations of progress, the question is no longer whether it matters, but whether we are doing enough today to ensure it can continue doing so for generations to come.

Perhaps one of the greatest misconceptions about nature is that its value begins and ends with the environment. In reality, nature is also a critical foundation of economic activity. Scientists refer to its many contributions as ecosystem services; the benefits that healthy ecosystems provide to people and society, including clean water, fertile soils, pollination, climate regulation, and natural protection from floods and storms. These services rarely appear on financial statements or balance sheets, yet they underpin decisions made by households, communities, governments, and businesses every day. Without them, economies would be less productive, less resilient, and far more vulnerable to disruption.

For generations, nature has quietly sustained communities and enabled economic growth. This is perhaps nature’s greatest paradox: the more reliably it supports us, the easier it becomes to overlook its value. For much of history, this value was understood through experience rather than measurement. We knew forests protected watersheds because rivers continued to flow, and fertile soils mattered because they sustained harvests and livelihoods. Today, however, as the relationship between business and the natural world continues to evolve, that intuitive understanding is increasingly being reinforced by data. Governments, investors, and scientists are developing ways to quantify nature’s contributions, revealing in economic terms what communities have long understood through lived experience: that nature is not merely an environmental asset, but a fundamental driver of prosperity, resilience, and long-term value creation.

That changing perspective is written clearly in economic data. Globally, the World Economic Forum (WEF) estimates that over half of the world’s gross domestic product (GDP) amounting to $44 trillion relies heavily on nature. Locally, a 2024 United Nations Development Programme Biodiversity Finance Initiative brief revealed that 56 percent of Philippine GDP comes from sectors directly linked to the environment. These numbers strip away the illusion that businesses exist independently of the biosphere, reinforcing that protecting nature is an absolute economic imperative. This realization is reshaping how government and businesses prepare for the future.

As the WEF’s ‘Global Risks Report 2026’ highlights, biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse remain among the world’s most severe long-term threats. Despite shifting geopolitical and economic priorities, the underlying message is consistent: the resilience of our businesses and communities depends entirely on the health of the natural systems that support them.

Recognizing nature’s value is only the beginning. The greater challenge is ensuring that our decisions and investments reflect what we already know. Despite growing awareness of nature’s importance, the United Nations Environment Programme ‘State of Finance for Nature 2026’ reports that for every US dollar invested in protecting or restoring nature, approximately $30 continues to finance activities that degrade it. This gap highlights a growing reality: understanding nature’s value is no longer enough. Organizations are increasingly expected to translate that understanding into meaningful action through the way they govern, invest, manage risk, and create long-term value.

Closing that gap will require more than increased investment. It will also require organizations to better understand how nature influences the way they create long-term value. This shift is already taking shape. As of November 2025, more than 733 organizations across 56 countries had committed to reporting in line with the recommendations of the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD). Building on this momentum, the International Sustainability Standards Board agreed in April to move forward with developing nature-related disclosure requirements informed by the TNFD framework. These developments demonstrate that understanding nature-related dependencies, impacts, risks, and opportunities is becoming an increasingly important part of how organizations build resilience and create long-term value.

As the relationship between business and nature evolves, organizations must move beyond compliance and recognize nature as a strategic business consideration by understanding their dependencies, impacts, risks, and opportunities. At R.G. Manabat and Co., our Nature and Biodiversity Solutions support organizations through capacity building, baselining, impact and dependency assessments, nature-related reporting, risk assessment, transition planning, natural capital valuation, and assurance. Through these services, we help integrate nature into strategy and decision-making, strengthen transparency, and build long-term resilience.

The decisions made today will shape the natural systems inherited by future generations, which is why World Nature Conservation Day remains an important reminder to protect what has quietly sustained life, livelihoods, and progress before it becomes irreplaceable. Recognizing nature’s value is only the beginning; acting on that understanding is what will help preserve it for generations to come.

Days before the P-pop kings fly to Chicago for their highly anticipated historic appearance at the Lollapalooza Music Festival, SB19 has been named by the Department of Tourism (DOT) as the Philippines’ newest tourism ambassador.

The announcement was preceded by a soft digital activation over the weekend that got A’TIN, SB19’s global fanbase, excited for what was going to come.

On July 23, a DOT social media post showing five goat emojis sparked widespread speculation about the partnership.

On July 25, Saturday, on its official social platforms @TourismPhilippines, the DOT posted a photo of a ‘Galingbayan’ (balikbayan) box with the name SB-19 printed on it. The box was set before the monument of Dr. Jose Rizal in Rizal Park.

(‘Hey, we’re sending off some GOATS. This Galingbayan box is off to the US for a historic performance.’)

According to a DOT news release, ‘A corrugated care package traditionally sent home by overseas Filipinos to their families, the balikbayan box is one of the most powerful cultural symbols in the Philippines as it represents love expressed through sacrifice and connection across distances.’

On Sunday, July 26, the members acknowledged the gesture on their social media accounts, confirming their ambassadorship.

Earlier, on July 3, the DOT named all-female group BINI as the first P-pop tourism ambassador, following their milestone performance at the Coachella Music Festival and in the middle of their Signals World Tour 2026.

Engaging the strong fandom

In a statement, Secretary Angara-Mathay lauded SB19 as one of the country’s best ambassadors for promoting Philippine tourism.

‘SB19’s talent is undeniable-their music is powerful, and so is their influence. They have the reach to connect with fans across the United States, Europe, ASEAN, and beyond,’ she said.

‘And in the U.S., we’re seeing that influence become something real: Filipino-Americans who grew up watching SB19 online are now booking flights home, some for the first time in years, just to see them perform on their home turf.’

‘We’re seeing the same thing across ASEAN, where SB19’s fandom is just as strong, and where a short flight makes that pull even easier to act on. Whether it’s a Filipino-American flying halfway across the world or a fan in Taiwan or Bangkok just a few hours away, SB19 is giving people real reasons to visit the Philippines. That’s the kind of reach we want to build on,’ Secretary Angara-Mathay commented.

As Tourism Ambassadors, SB19 pledges to partner with the DOT in inviting A’TIN worldwide to visit the Philippines and experience the country’s beautiful destinations and rich culture.

A’TIN chapters are not only from the Philippines but across ASEAN, the United States, Germany, and the United Arab Emirates, among other countries, with international fans regularly flying to the archipelago for the group’s concerts.

Some A’TIN groups have also organized tribute projects such as fan-funded billboards abroad to celebrate the members. The DOT is looking into this growing international fanbase as a promising market for tourism.

Pride in Filipino identity

The five-member group consisting of Pablo, Josh, Stell, Ken, and Justin is known for creating their own songs that reflect Filipino values, such as love for family, hard work, and resilience.

Their global breakout hit, ‘Gento,’ is about the grit and toughness needed to refine raw talent into gold.

‘Nyebe’ is about the isolation and sacrifices one has to confront away from loved ones, such as OFWs.

‘Mapa’ is a tribute to the love and sacrifices of parents, while ‘What?’ and ‘Visa’ are about pride in Filipino identity and a direct commentary on the bureaucratic system, respectively.

Global milestones

On July 29, SB19 will become the first Filipino group to throw the ceremonial first pitch at a Major League Baseball game, ahead of the Chicago White Sox vs. New York Yankees matchup.

On July 30, they will be the first Filipino act to perform at Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Chicago, one of the largest global music festivals.

In August, the group will perform at the Summer Sonic 2026 in Osaka and Tokyo, Japan, alongside Filipino act ena mori and fellow tourism ambassador BINI.

Details of the DOT and SB19 partnership are still being finalized, with announcements to follow.

Catch SB19 and the rest of Lollapalooza 2026 festival LIVE from the comfort of your home, streaming exclusively on Disney+ from July 31 to August 3, 2026, with the stream starting at 3:45 AM daily.

MALACAÑANG downplayed the decision of the Senate minority bloc to skip the fifth State of the Nation Address (Sona) of President Marcos in protest of the criminal prosecution of its members.

Several members of the Senate minority bloc including Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter S. Cayetano, Senators Pilar S. Cayetano, Imelda Josefa Remedios R. Marcos, Robinhood C. Padilla, and Lorna B. Legarda did not attend the event.

Senator Marcos said they are protesting the prosecution and imprisonment of some of their members.

Among the Senate minority bloc members, who are detained on plunder charges, are Jose Pimentel Ejercito alias Jinggoy Estrada and Rodante D. Marcoleta.

Ejercito was arrested for P573-million worth of alleged illicit payouts from flood control projects, while Marcoleta was detained on plunder charges, which involved his acceptance of P75 million campaign funds.

Sen. Ronald dela Rosa is a fugitive as he tries to avoid arrest for his pending crimes against humanity case at the International Criminal Court for his involvement in the illegal drug war of the Duterte administration.

‘There are people interested in listening to the President’s message. As for those who have no interest – or perhaps simply do not wish to hear the President – their absence is not a loss,’ Presidential Communications Officer Claire Castro said.

Castro said even without those senators, the Sona still pushed through.

‘What matters here is the President’s report. Even if they [minority bloc senators] are absent or go on vacation, or travel abroad, the important thing is that the people will listen to the President,’ Castro said.

SEN. Panfilo M. Lacson on Sunday revealed fresh evidence pointing to double billing and collection involving infrastructure projects in Taguig City, the political bailiwick of Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano, with whom he has had a raging word war.

Lacson said one case involved two supposedly different projects that shared the same photo for billing purposes, while another involved a single slope protection project that received two separate budget appropriations.

In a post on X, referring to the first case, he said:

‘TAGUIG GHOST INFRA PROJECTS UPDATE #4: Two different projects, two distinct appropriations, two different technical descriptions and locations, two different contractors, but sharing the same photo for billing purposes. Status: both billed and collected.’

‘[The second case involves] One slope protection project, one location, one technical description, two separate budget appropriations. Status: both billed and collected,’ he added.

He then asked aloud, ‘Are these not criminal acts?’

Lacson said the latest findings add to the growing body of evidence he and his team gathered on allegedly anomalous infrastructure projects in Taguig City.

‘The full details and pieces of evidence will be turned over to the Ombudsman or presented during the Blue-Ribbon committee hearings when called,’ Lacson said.

Earlier in the weekend, he said the anomalous infrastructure projects investigation will have a ‘logical conclusion,’ referring toi the slope protection and drainage projects in Taguig City that they are looking into.

Lacson said they continue to exert efforts to uncover the truth, as they seek to bring the investigation to its ‘logical conclusion’ and hold those responsible accountable.

Their efforts, he stressed, are driven not by personal motives but by the need to exact accountability.

In a post on X, Lacson, a veteran investigator before becoming National Police chief and later senator, said: ‘WORKING ON A WEEKEND: today, a Saturday, we haven’t slowed down in following up the leads to maintain the momentum gained since we started investigating the anomalous slope protection and drainage projects in Taguig. Our goal is to reach its logical conclusion.’

On Friday, Lacson said that with the plot thickening and the case strengthening, the investigation has reached the point where it can be described as ‘SHOOT SA KALDERO.’ It was a reference to the recent move to revive investigation into alleged fund anomalies in the 2019 Philippines’ hosting of the 2019 Southeast Asian Games, topped by a controversial construction of a cauldron-shaped tower where the Games’ light was lodged.

In a radio interview on Friday evening, Lacson said plunder-a non-bailable offense-may be among the charges that could be filed against those found responsible.

‘If it’s a series of acts and then P50 million [is involved], the only way it could go is plunder there’s no other way to go but to file plunder charges,’ he said in a radio interview, speaking partly in Filipino.

Lacson also reiterated that the investigation is not about personal conflicts, but about accountability.

‘This is not about friendship or personal fights, this is about accountability. If there is no accountability, why would I push through with the investigation)’ he said, partly in Filipino.

No ‘ghosts’ in Taguig

IN a livestream on Facebook, Cayetano addressed the allegations of ghost infrastructure projects in Taguig.

‘The allegations are general,’ he said. ‘I continue to wait kung ano ang specific allegation, and haharapin ko iyon.’

Earlier, Lacson posted ‘Update No. 3’ claiming that his team had found ‘damning evidence’ on alleged ‘ghost infra projects’ in Taguig, although the X post itself did not identify the particular project or evidence involved.

Cayetano maintained that preliminary checks by barangay and city officials, as well as inspections by national government personnel, found no ghost projects in Taguig, especially any involving him.

‘In our preliminary investigations, we did not see any ghost projects. The ones we earlier found problematic, we reported it earlier. No less than the top DPWH [Department of Public Works and Highways] officials from the regional to the national level have inspected some of the projects with problems and we were never amiss in pointing them out to them,’ he said.

He reiterated his openness to an investigation but called for an examination of infrastructure projects nationwide instead of singling out Taguig in his usual ‘spread the blame’ tactic.

The Philippine Franchise Association (PFA) is proud to announce the return of its biggest regional franchise show – a premier event designed to empower aspiring entrepreneurs and grow franchise opportunities across the Visayas Region. The two-day expo will take place on July 31 to August 1, 2026 (Friday and Saturday), at the Mountain Wing Atrium, SM Seaside City Cebu.

Franchise Negosyo Visayas Expo will bring together over 60 participating exhibitors, showcasing a diverse range of successful franchise brands from various industries and supported by allied suppliers for a complete business set-up. This all-in franchising event offers a unique platform for attendees to explore legitimate investment opportunities, learn the basics of franchising, and connect directly with established franchisors and service providers – all free and open to the public.

Beyond the expo, visitors can join an enriching line-up of seminars and forums, including:

5 Ways to Grow Your Profit: a practical, free session with Coach Camille Conanan, Business Coach at ActionCOACH Philippines, on proven strategies to strengthen and scale a business. (Day 1, July 31)

How to Invest in the Right Franchise: a free seminar with Ms. Noemi Ruiz, Operations Consultant at Francorp Philippines, paired with presentations of various franchise investment packages to help would-be franchisees make informed investment decisions. (Both event days)

How to Franchise Your Business: a paid seminar for thriving homegrown businesses ready to expand their brand through franchising, to be held at the Summit Galleria Cebu on August 1, 2026.

‘Franchising remains one of the most accessible and proven pathways to business ownership, and through Franchise Negosyo Visayas Expo, we hope to open more doors for Filipinos who dream of building their own enterprise.’ said Mr. Steve Benitez, President of the Philippine Franchise Association

Franchise Negosyo Visayas Expo is FREE and open to the public, and is an ideal opportunity for individuals looking to start their own business, diversify their investments, or simply learn more about the booming franchise sector in the Philippines.

The government’s willingness to once again suspend excise taxes on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and kerosene offers immediate relief to millions of struggling households-and reveals just how precarious their economic security truly is. (Read the BusinessMirror story: PHL mulls over halting tax on cooking gas, kerosene, July 25, 2026).

Finance Secretary Frederick D. Go’s announcement that another tax suspension is ‘possible’ if Dubai crude remains above $80 per barrel for 30 days is the right short-term response to an untenable situation. With kerosene prices already jumping by nearly P12 per liter last week alone, and further increases of P3 to P7 per liter expected across all fuel types, poor families can no longer afford to tighten their belts. For millions of households that rely on LPG and kerosene for basic daily needs, the P2.5 billion in foregone government revenue is a small price to pay for keeping the lights on and stoves burning.

But let us be clear about what this represents: triage, not treatment.

The country finds itself at the mercy of geopolitical forces it cannot control. The escalating conflict in the Middle East-now expanding from the Strait of Hormuz to the Red Sea with Houthi attacks on commercial shipping-has injected a volatile risk premium into global oil markets. When President Donald Trump threatens ‘major military punishment’ and contemplates ‘massive attacks’ on Iran, Filipino families thousands of miles away brace for higher jeepney fares, and more expensive goods, including LPG and kerosene.

This is not sustainable energy policy. It is crisis management masquerading as governance.

Executive Order No. 114, which provides the mechanism for these tax suspensions, was designed precisely because policymakers recognized this vulnerability. But the fact that we are already contemplating a second suspension within months-after the first three-month reprieve ended on July 8-should alarm us. The ‘when’ of these suspensions has become not a matter of if, but how often.

The fundamental problem remains unchanged: the Philippines remains heavily dependent on imported fossil fuels, with domestic prices tethered to the violent fluctuations of global markets and the petrodollar machinations of distant powers. Every Middle East flare-up becomes a tax on Filipino kitchens. Every Strait of Hormuz skirmish translates to higher prices at the sari-sari store.

What is needed is not merely a suspension of taxes when prices spike, but a serious reckoning with energy security. Renewable energy investments, strategic petroleum reserves, mass transit infrastructure that reduces fuel dependence, and targeted subsidies that reach the truly needy without bankrupting the treasury-these are the conversations that should dominate policy discussions, not just emergency meetings when Dubai crude breaches arbitrary thresholds.

For now, the DBCC should absolutely recommend suspension. The alternative-allowing poor households to absorb the full brunt of an P87 per barrel oil price while regional tensions escalate-is unconscionable. But when the immediate crisis passes and prices inevitably retreat, as they always do, the government must resist the temptation to declare mission accomplished.

The next suspension, whenever it comes, should be the last. Not because oil prices will never rise again-they will-but because by then, we should have built something more resilient than a tax code that changes with the headlines from the Persian Gulf.

Filipino families deserve energy security, not energy charity.

THE Sandiganbayan Third Division on Monday ordered the arrest of two congressmen for their alleged involvement in government public works projects, an act prohibited by the Constitution.

Separate arrest warrants were issued against Party-list Rep. James Ang Jr. of Uswag Ilonggo, former Sultan Kudarat Rep. Arnulfo Go.

Ang is facing 14 counts of graft charges filed against him for allegedly operating a construction company while sitting in Congress.

In addition, the antigraft court issued a hold departure order (HDO) against Ang to prevent him from leaving the country pending the resolution of his case.

‘Accordingly, let a warrant of arrest be ISSUED against accused James Jr. Let a Hold Departure Order [HDO] be ISSUED against the accused,’ the order read.

The Ombudsman specifically charged Ang for violation of Section 3(h) of the Antigraft and Corrupt Practices Act, which prohibits public officials from having a direct or indirect financial or pecuniary interest in any business, contract or transaction that they intervene or participate in under their official capacity.

Based on the complaint, Ang holds a stake in a construction company that won P214 million in Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) contracts and was paid nearly P199 million for them while serving in Congress.

The Ombudsman said Ang violated the provisions in the Constitution that prohibits members of Congress from holding any financial interest in government contracts while serving their terms.

‘Conflict of interest is not a gray area. It does not require proof that a deal was rigged or that cash changed hands-only that a public official profited, or stood to profit, from a government contract while in office,’ Assistant Ombudsman Jose Dominic Clavano IV earlier said.

‘Here, and in many cases, the clear and thick constitutional line is constantly and blatantly being crossed,’ he added.

Likewise, the anti-graft court issued a separate arrest warrant and HDO against Go and three Lebak, Sultan Kudarat, municipal officials identified as Dionesio Besana, Allan Bayani and Mario Labrador owing to alleged conflict of interest linked to government infrastructure projects.

Go and his co-accused were charged by the Ombudsman last week before the Sandiganbayan for two counts of graft for alleged violation of Section 3(e) of Republic Act 3019 and two counts of malversation of public funds under Article 217 of the Revised Penal Code.

Section 3(e) penalizes officials for playing favorites or acting with reckless negligence, ultimately harming the government or giving unwarranted benefits to private individuals.