Category: Business Mirror

THE Sandiganbayan’s Fifth Division has allowed detained Senator Jinggoy Estrada to undergo a knee X-ray at Cardinal Santos Medical Center (CSMC) in San Juan City on August 26 despite objections from the prosecution.

In a four-page resolution, the anti-graft court granted Estrada’s motion for leave, filed via electronic mail, seeking permission to undergo the procedure after experiencing persistent pain in both knees that has made it difficult for him to walk.

The Sandiganbayan said Estrada will be allowed to leave his detention cell at the New Quezon City Jail at around 11 a.m. for his scheduled 1 p.m. X-ray.

The court directed his security escorts to return him to the Quezon City jail no later than 3 p.m. on the same day.

Aside from his security escorts, Estrada may be accompanied only by immediate family members, legal counsel and attending medical personnel during the procedure.

‘Photography, video recording, and any social media postings regarding the accused’s procedure are strictly prohibited,’ the court said.

All hospital, medical, transportation and incidental expenses will be shouldered by Estrada.

In his motion, Estrada said that even before his detention on June 1, 2026, he had been suffering from joint effusion and intermittent pain in both knees.

He was previously diagnosed with osteoarthritis, a degenerative condition affecting his mobility. His orthopedic doctor, Dr. Jose Fernando Syquia, recommended an X-ray to determine whether his condition has worsened.

The prosecution opposed Estrada’s request, suggesting that the procedure instead be conducted at the New Quezon City Jail using a portable X-ray machine or mobile X-ray clinic.

It also proposed that the court tap government hospitals or other public medical facilities to conduct the examination.

Estrada is facing trial before the Sandiganbayan for plunder and graft over allegations that he received more than P573 million in kickbacks from government flood-control projects from 2024 to 2025.

The Office of the Ombudsman alleged that Estrada, former Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan and several others were involved in an ‘intricate mechanism involving illegal budgetary insertions and project allocations’ within the Department of Public Works and Highways’ infrastructure portfolio.

The Ombudsman said its evaluation of the records showed that ‘substantial public funds were deliberately funneled into designated infrastructure projects in exchange for pre-determined commission fees or kickbacks.’

Estrada has maintained that there is no strong evidence showing that he demanded or solicited kickbacks or ‘commitments’ from former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo or his aide in connection with flood-control or other infrastructure projects.

A SUPREME Court challenge is likely whichever way the Senate Impeachment Court ultimately resolves the number of votes needed to convict Vice President Sara Z. Duterte, a House of Representatives prosecutor said.

Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon of Bicol Saro, a member of the House prosecution team, said the issue surrounding the conviction threshold remains unresolved despite previous statements from Impeachment Court officials.

He explained that whichever interpretation the Senate adopts-whether requiring 16 votes or a lower number-there is a possibility that the matter will eventually be brought before the Supreme Court.

‘Realistically, whatever decision may be reached, there will likely be someone who will go to the Supreme Court, whether we are talking about 16 votes or a lower number,’ Ridon said during a news forum.

He added that either side involved in the impeachment proceedings may seek judicial clarification depending on the final decision of the Senate Impeachment Court.

Ridon made the statement in response to a hypothetical situation where the Impeachment Court changes its interpretation of the constitutional requirement for a two-thirds vote and convicts Duterte with fewer than 16 votes.

However, he declined to speculate on how such a scenario would unfold, saying that the issue would only be addressed if it actually happens.

The Constitution provides that no person shall be convicted in an impeachment trial ‘without the concurrence of two-thirds of all the Members of the Senate.’ The Senate Impeachment Court had previously maintained that 16 votes are required to convict Duterte. Senators who have been affected by cases include Sen. Ronald dela Rosa, Sen. Jose Pimenel Ejercito alias Jinggoy Estrada and Sen. Rodante Marcoleta.

Ridon emphasized that the prosecution is not seeking a specific interpretation of the voting requirement and that the decision ultimately belongs to the senator-judges. He said the role of the prosecution is only to present its arguments and allow the impeachment court to determine the proper application of the constitutional provision.

When asked about concerns that Senate Impeachment Court Presiding Officer Senator Francis Escudero would continue to uphold the 16-vote requirement, Ridon said that different positions on the issue have already been expressed.

‘There have already been statements from various officials. The presiding officer has his position, and the spokesperson of the court has also provided clarification,’ Ridon said.

However, he noted that the matter may still be subject to further discussion, saying that the question of the proper interpretation of the requirement has not yet been completely settled.

Quorum

RIDON said that the absence of some senator-judges should not affect the impeachment proceedings as long as the Senate Impeachment Court maintains a quorum.

He explained that the trial can continue even if some senator-judges are not physically present on the Senate floor, provided they remain within the Senate premises and the required number of members is present to conduct official proceedings.

Ridon added that the greater concern involves senator-judges who are completely outside the Senate premises, including those who are abroad.

Despite these concerns, Ridon stressed that the most important consideration is whether the Senate impeachment court has enough members present to establish a quorum.

‘As long as there is a quorum to proceed, that shouldn’t have any impact on the proceedings itself,’ Ridon said.

Ridon also clarified that the prosecution is not asking the Senate to reduce or adjust the number of votes required for conviction because determining the threshold is a matter for the senator-judges.

‘It is not for the prosecution or defense to determine the threshold. It is for the Senate judges to make that determination,’ Ridon said.

He reiterated that the Constitution does not specifically mention an absolute number of 16 votes but instead states that conviction requires the concurrence of two-thirds of all senators.

‘The Constitution does not state an absolute number of 16. It states two-thirds of all senators. Whatever that provision means will be decided by the Senate judges,’ Ridon explained.

The Senate Impeachment Court previously ruled that 16 votes are required to convict Duterte.

DAMAGE to public and private infrastructure and farms during the onslaught of the recent storms Luis and Maymay, and Neneng, and aggravated by excessive rainfall from the prevailing southwest monsoon, have reached P6.6 billion, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported.

Of these, P4.9 billion damages was in public and private infrastructure, mainly to the 2,300 houses that were damaged by floods and landslides, and P1.7 billion was in agriculture.

The NDRRMC noted that the combined effect of storms Luis, Maymay and Neneng, and the southwest monsoon has severely affected almost the entire Luzon, with 89 cities and towns having been declared under a state of calamity.

Over 2.1 million families or 7.4 million persons were affected, with 11,900 families or 40,600 persons still being provided care in 549 different evacuation centers, the NDRRMC said.

According to the NDRRMC, the inclement weather that triggered flashfloods, severe flooding, and landslides claimed the lives of 29 people as of August 22.

Search and rescue operations are still ongoing for 3 other persons reported missing in Quezon, Manila, and Batangas City.

The government said it continues to assist affected families and has so far spent P1.1 billion.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said that it is currently tracking Typhoon Saudel, which is now moving west-northwest over the Philippine Sea off extreme northern Luzon.

The typhoon was estimated to be some 2,085 kilometers east of extreme northern Luzon, packing maximum sustained winds of 165 kilometers per hour near the center, and gustiness of up to 206 kph.

The state weather bureau also said the southeast monsoon or habagat continued to affect Luzon on Sunday as two tropical systems outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) are being tracked.

In its 4 a.m. bulletin, Pagasa said Batanes will experience occasional rains while

Metro Manila, Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Central Luzon, Rizal, Cavite, Batangas, Occidental Mindoro and the rest of Cagayan Valley will have cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms.

The rest of Luzon will experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms due to habagat while the rest of the country will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms due to localized thunderstorms.

Meanwhile, Pagasa continues to monitor Typhoon Saudel and Tropical Depression Gaenari, which are both outside of the PAR.

As of 3 a.m., Saudel was located 2,245 kilometers east of extreme northern Luzon packing maximum sustained winds of 175 kilometers per hour (kph) with gustiness of up to 215 kph, and moving west northwestward at 25 kph.

Gaenari, on the other hand, was located 565 km north of Itbayat, Batanes packing maximum sustained winds of 55 kph with gustiness of up to 70 kph, and moving westward at 10 kph.

ANOTHER big oil price increase awaits motorists and consumers this week.

The Department of Energy (DOE) said Monday that diesel prices will increase by as much as P2.31 per liter, gasoline by P1.08 per liter, and kerosene by P0.95 per liter. The estimated oil price adjustments were announced ahead of the oil firms’ official announcements.

The new pump prices will take effect on Tuesday, August 25.

‘This is what we call the permitted price adjustment. The adjustments of gasoline retailers tomorrow must not exceed these amounts,’ said Energy Undersecretary Mario Marasigan during a news conference.

Seaoil’s price movements are aligned with the DOE’s numbers except for kerosene which will increase by only P0.91 per liter. Other oil companies have yet to announce their fuel price adjustments.

Oil companies adjust their prices every week to reflect movements in the world oil market.

During a press briefing, the DOE also said that the country’s fuel inventory as of August 21 stood at 47 days. Of which, gasoline supply will last for 44 days; diesel, 47; kerosene, 121; jet fuel, 75; fuel oil, 54; and LPG, 34.

The government has implemented a P12-per-liter fuel discount for public utility vehicles (PUVs). The subsidy was increased from P10 per liter amid rising petroleum prices, allowing eligible public utility jeepney and UV Express drivers to claim their fuel benefits at more stations.

‘As of August 19, compared to August 12, the total budget for our fuel subsidy program has increased to P537 million. On average, the government is dispensing around P52 million in subsidies per week. This is being received by an increasing number of public utility drivers. We added around 2,000 drivers in just one week, bringing us to around 98,000 beneficiaries.

THE latest inflation numbers revealed the vulnerability of a number of provinces to oil shocks, according to a deputy governor of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

While headline inflation has come down to 6.2 percent in July, Zeno Ronald R. Abenoja, the Deputy Governor for the Monetary and Economics Sector of the BSP, emphasized that there is ‘unfortunately’ a wide distribution of inflation in the regions.

In Manila, Abenoja said inflation was around 5.5 percent in the past few months. However, in Central Visayas, he said the average inflation over the last three months spiked to over 10 percent.

Meanwhile, in the Mindanao region, the BSP deputy governor said inflation has been hovering around 8 to 9 percent in the past few months.

‘So there’s a lot of heterogeneity that we are observing,’ Abenoja said, adding the central bank’s observation that because transportation cost has increased ‘quite dramatically,’ that has affected some prices for food supply.

‘And this is something that the national government is looking at very carefully, making sure that the supply for food items remains adequate moving forward,’ added Abenoja.

The BSP official explained that some regions are performing ‘not as well’ as other regions because some are more oil-intensive than others, hence they suffer from faster increase in the prices of goods.

‘We’ve looked at, for example, Central Visayas. It’s a net importer of food and a lot of the commodities are either shipped or flown in from other islands,’ said Abenoja.

‘And because that’s an oil-intensive portion, or there’s a lot of oil and transport components in those commodities, then they get the adverse impact coming from that,’ the BSP deputy governor explained further.

As the central bank scrutinized the Mindanao region, Abenoja said the BSP found out that vegetables, meat, and cereals are what he described as ‘outliers,’ or commodities that posted ‘extraordinarily high’ inflation in the region.

‘So we ourselves are asking, what is really happening on the ground? Some of the feedback is that perhaps this is a food-producing region, but still it’s hit hard by oil prices,’ he said.

No control over anti-supply shocks measures

As he explained the central bank’s mandate, Abenoja stressed anew: ‘We do not do policies concerning directly such supply shocks.’

However, he said he heard from his colleagues in the government that they are bracing for the impact of oil shock, climate change, and the weather disturbance he dubbed as ‘Godzilla El Niño,’ which he said may be experienced for the remaining part of 2026 until early next year.

‘So if you can just recall the models, the models have recently updated their forecast and they seem to say that there’s a very good chance, at least 80 percent, that we will have a strong El Niño and the peak will be in the fourth quarter of this year and first quarter of next year. So again, that’s something that our government is looking at very carefully and has already started preparations [for]. So that hopefully can help mitigate the inflation pressures across regions, across the country,’ Abenoja said.

As for the other initiatives of the government, Abenoja said he heard that the government may be ‘looking at shifting the calendar for planting season, supporting water resources like irrigation, looking at drought-tolerant varieties of food, of crops, so that the food industry can maintain its productivity even in these adverse weather conditions.’

‘Risk factors’

During the Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) briefing held last week, Abenoja said upcoming inflation forecasts of the central bank would have to take into account the recent ‘risk factors’ such as the recent global oil prices and the potential impact of El Niño, which may peak in the final quarter of 2026 until the first half of 2027.

BSP Governor Eli M. Remolona Jr. said during the same briefing last week: ‘We worry about inflation because it diminishes the purchasing power of Filipino families.’

While the central bank chief reported that inflation has eased somewhat over the last three months, he said inflation remains well above its target of 3 percent.

The Philippines’s fight against tuberculosis should not stop with humans, a veterinarian said, urging the government to establish the country’s first national bovine tuberculosis eradication program to prevent the disease from spreading between cattle and people.

‘Cattle TB is not just an animal disease. It is a One Health issue affecting food safety, livestock productivity, and public health,’ Dr. Philip John S. Sajol, a veterinarian and researcher at Central Mindanao University said.

According to Sajol, existing policies and regulations, primarily implemented by the Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Animal Industry (DA-BAI) in coordination with the Department of Health, classify bovine TB as a locally important animal disease but do not provide clear measures for controlling it, particularly at the local-government level. During the 3-Minute Pitch to Policymakers competition at the 19th Philippine National Health Research System (PNHRS) Week on Wednesday, Sajol proposed a national bovine or cattle tuberculosis eradication program to be led by the DA-BAI in coordination with the DOH, DOST and other research agencies. The program would align with the DOST’s Harmonized National Research and Development Agenda (HNRDA) and the National Unified Health Research Agenda (NUHRA).

He also called for stronger surveillance in slaughterhouses through rapid and reliable diagnostic tools, standardized post-mortem examinations and mandatory disease reporting.

Sajol further recommended stronger occupational health measures and proper personal protective equipment for slaughterhouse workers and other high-risk groups, as well as closer coordination among veterinarians, physicians, researchers, local governments and farming communities to improve disease monitoring, reporting and public awareness.

The proposed measures are based partly on Sajol’s study of 275 slaughtered cattle in Bukidnon, one of the country’s major cattle-producing provinces. Of the animals examined, 126, or nearly half, tested positive for bovine TB.

The study also found abnormal lesions or damaged areas in the lungs and other tissues that were consistent with TB during the post-mortem examinations. These were found in cattle of different ages, sexes and physical conditions, suggesting that some cases may be going unnoticed.

‘While these findings come from only one province, they actually signify a pressing concern. If we are not actively detecting bovine TB, we may be underestimating its impact both on animal and human health,’ he emphasized.

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed that the country had 2.52 million cattle as of March 31, 2026, down 1.5 percent from the 2.56 million recorded during the same period in 2025.

Smallholder farms accounted for 86.4 percent of the country’s cattle inventory, while semi-commercial and commercial farms accounted for 10.9 percent and 2.7 percent, respectively, with Northern Mindanao and Calabarzon among the leading cattle-producing regions.

‘If, for example, we are not testing for this disease, imagine in these high cattle-producing provinces, the disease may spread. And then again, this is zoonotic. It may transmit to humans, which then will lead to human TB cases,’ he said.

‘So in the national context, this may actually help us bridge the gap and to hopefully eradicate also even human tuberculosis nationwide,’ he added.

According to Sajol, human TB is commonly caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis and spreads through the air, while bovine TB is caused by Mycobacterium bovis. The latter can spread among cattle through close contact with infected animals or exposure to contaminated feed and water.

Humans can also contract M. bovis by inhaling the bacteria or consuming contaminated animal products, especially raw or undercooked meat and unpasteurized milk. Proper cooking and pasteurization, however, can kill the bacteria.

Although the two kinds of bacteria belong to the same complex and can cause similar disease and tissue damage, cattle may not show obvious symptoms of bovine TB.

Sajol explained that cattle typically have a lifespan of only two to three years before slaughter, so the disease may not have enough time to progress to its clinical stage. This differs from humans, who generally live much longer, giving TB more time to develop and show symptoms.

‘Typically, medications for human tuberculosis are also applied to cattle tuberculosis. However, from an economic standpoint, what I’m saying is it’s actually better to cull the cattle than to treat because, again, it’s costly,’ he said.

Studies have estimated that bovine TB accounted for about 30 percent of human TB cases in some settings, with the burden concentrated in developing countries where cattle disease is more common and access to pasteurized milk is limited.

In the United States, however, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that Mycobacterium bovis, the bacterium that causes bovine TB, accounts for less than 2 percent of human TB cases. The lower incidence has been associated with long-standing cattle disease-control programs and widespread milk pasteurization.

‘The purpose of the research is not to extend fear among farmers, consumers and slaughterhouse workers. It’s actually to keep them well informed of the status of bovine tuberculosis,’ he told BusinessMirror during a press conference.

He noted that the country currently lacks a comprehensive database on bovine TB, making it difficult to determine the extent of the disease.

At the community level, he said greater awareness could help farmers manage their cattle more effectively while protecting their livelihoods.

‘Having your cattle killed because of this disease would create devastating economic losses to their families,’ Sajol said.

Sajol’s proposed bovine TB policy won first place in the PNHRS 3-Minute Pitch to Policymakers competition, which featured nine finalists.

Dr. Angelica Faye O. Reguindin of Jose B. Lingad Memorial General Hospital in Central Luzon placed second for her proposal, ‘A Small Dose Today Can Prevent Days in the Hospital Tomorrow: Making Rotavirus Vaccine Accessible for Every Filipino Child.’

Zwiesel Gaile L. Cantuba of Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center in the Cordillera Administrative Region placed third for ‘Project IYAMAN: Institutionalizing an Evidence-Informed, Multitiered Suicide Prevention System in Baguio City.’

Angel’s Pizza, one of the country’s leading pizza brands under Figaro Culinary Group (FCG), has partnered with GCash to give customers more value and convenience through an exclusive Buy 1, Take 1 Angel’s Pizza promotion for GCash users nationwide.

The partnership was formally sealed during a contract signing ceremony held on August 10, 2026, at Angel’s Pizza McKinley Branch, marking another milestone in Angel’s Pizza’s commitment to creating rewarding dining experiences while embracing the growing use of digital payments in the Philippines.

Under the promotion, customers can enjoy Buy 1, Take 1 on Angel’s Pizza Family and Big Family pizzas when they pay using GCash. The offer is valid for dine-in and takeout transactions only and will be available at all Angel’s Pizza outlets nationwide from August 15 to November 15, 2026.

‘At Angel’s Pizza, we always look for ways to give our customers more reasons to enjoy their favorite pizzas with family and friends. Our partnership with GCash allows us to combine the value that Angel’s Pizza is known for with the convenience of cashless payment. With this Buy 1, Take 1 offer available across all our stores, we hope to make every GCash transaction an even more rewarding Angel’s Pizza experience,’ said Ianni Klarisse Conde, Brand Manager of Angel’s Pizza.

For GCash, the collaboration reflects its continuing effort to make digital payments an integral and rewarding part of consumers’ everyday experiences.

‘GCash is committed to making everyday transactions easier, more accessible, and more rewarding for Filipinos. Through our partnership with Angel’s Pizza, our users can enjoy greater value simply by choosing GCash as their mode of payment. We’re excited to work with Angel’s Pizza in bringing together the convenience of digital payments and an offer that families and friends can enjoy together,’ said Paul Vincent E. Albano, General Manager, B2B of GCash.

Present during the contract signing were Ace Azarraga, Brand and Partnership Director of Figaro Culinary Group; Ianni Klarisse Conde, Brand Manager of Angel’s Pizza; Rosanell Kim V. Pineda, Head of Strategic Enterprise of GCash; Shyla Escueta, Industry Head for Food of GCash; and Evanne Quilisado, Account Manager for Food of GCash.

The collaboration brings together two brands that have become part of Filipinos’ everyday lives-Angel’s Pizza for sharing meals and celebrations, and GCash for convenient digital transactions. With the campaign, customers can turn a simple cashless payment into an opportunity to share more pizza with the people who matter.

Buy 1, Take 1 with GCash

From August 15 to November 15, 2026, customers simply need to visit any participating Angel’s Pizza outlet, order eligible Family or Big Family pizzas for dine-in or takeout, and pay using GCash to avail of the Buy 1, Take 1 offer, subject to the promo’s full terms and conditions.

Promo Period: August 15 – November 15, 2026

Available at: All Angel’s Pizza outlets

Transaction: Dine-in and Takeout only

Payment Method: GCash

Offer: Buy 1, Take 1 on eligible Family and Big Family pizzas

DTI Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB-264417, Series of 2026

Angel’s Pizza x GCash: Pay with GCash. Get more pizza. Share more moments.

Chinese humanoid robots broke records set by humans, including beating Usain Bolt’s 100-meter sprint world record, on the opening day of the Olympics-like World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing on Saturday.

More than 2,000 humanoid robots were participating in the event, the organizer said.

The five-day games, now in its second year, are a spectacle demonstrating China’s rapid progress in advanced robotics as the technology race with the U.S. heats up, with 51 events and more than 1,000 competitions taking place including running, table tennis and soccer.

The games, which are taking place in the National Speed Skating Oval built for the 2022 Winter Olympics, opened the same week as Beijing held the 2026 World Robot Conference, where companies showcased around 3,000 products, including humanoid robots.

China makes the majority of the world’s humanoid robots. The U.S. has stepped up scrutiny of robots from the country.

Last month, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission announced a ban on imports of new foreign-made humanoid robots. The FCC cited national security reasons in a move that targeted China. The Pentagon recently also added Unitree, one of China’s leading humanoid robot makers, to its list of companies that it deemed have ties with the Chinese military. Beijing has hit back at the accusations.

At Saturday’s opening of the robot games, the organizer and robot makers said that Chinese humanoid robots defeated human world records, as hundreds of humanoid robots marched in formation onto the field in a massive display of synchronized coordination.

At a 100-meter sprint, a humanoid robot achieved a result of 9.39 seconds, beating the human record of 9.58 seconds set by Jamaican athlete Bolt in 2009.

In a standing high jump, a humanoid robot was able to reach 2.88 meters, well above the 0.95 meters best result by a humanoid in last year’s first edition of the games. It surpassed the human high jump record of 2.45 meters set by Cuba’s Javier Sotomayor in 1993.

Both robots were from Beijing-based X-Humanoid.

Before the opening, a humanoid robot from Chinese smartphone company Honor completed a 100-meter sprint in a record of 9.32 seconds during a trial of the games, the company said, at a peak speed of 14.5 meters per second.

Still, experts say humanoid robots are still mostly used for demonstrations, performances and research – at least for now – and it will still take time to achieve mass real-world deployment.

Some spectators at the robot games said they were excited about the humanoid robots’ quickly improving abilities.

Humanoid robots are ‘evolving rapidly,’ said Li Yanfeng, an education worker and a Beijing resident.

‘At first, I wasn’t very accepting of artificial intelligence. I was even a bit resistant to it, because of the possibility that it might replace or displace humans,’ she said. ‘But now that I see this development is unstoppable, I decided to come and take a look.’

‘These sports are perfectly normal for humans, but now robots can do them. I find it amazing,’ said Yang Shangzheng, another spectator.

Liu Tao, who was watching the games with his son, said that he was hoping to see ‘the best robots China currently has to offer.’

This year’s robot games – which the organizer said has 16 countries participating, among them Germany, Japan and the U.S. – also include other events such as weightlifting and tug of war.

University of Perpetual Help will count on 6-foot-5 Filipino-British Max Maurice and UK-based 6-foot-3 wingman Daniel Okeowo as it eyes a strong run in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) juniors basketball tournament later this year.

The tournament opens on September 13 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

Coach Joph Cleopas, who led the team to the championship in Season 100, is hoping for a stronger finish this time after the Altas exited at the quarterfinal stage, at the hands of eventual champions Letran Squires, last year.

Joining the 16-year-old Maurice and Okeowo, 17, is former Batang Gilas player Sizco Roquid, 18, 6-foot-2, from Biñan.

Other new additions are Keith Sabuco, 18, a 6-foot-4 player from Eastern Samar; Brian Orca Jr. 17, from Olongapo, from Olongapo City; Kevin Castro, 16, from Binmaley, Pangasinan; and Adrian Faustino, 16, from Austria.

The new players are filling up the posts vacated by Jim Corpuz, Kurt Velasquez and Renzo Zanoria-who are now in the seniors’ team pool-as well as Hanz Llupar, Lance Nitura, Pertjude Binagatan and Cristito Ferrer, all of whom have completed the high school program.

The eight holdovers are Louie Rosales, Kurt Patalinghug, Ezekiel Zamoras, Lord Dulanas, Arkin Cristobal, Sam Villaruel, John Restificar Francis Rosales and Josh Saga.

Media professionals and communicators from different faiths came together in prayer during the Global Prayer Assembly for Peace (GPAP) on August 13, highlighting the media’s important role in promoting truth, understanding, human rights, and peace amid conflicts and social divisions.

The weekly interfaith gathering, which brings together people from different faiths and sectors to pray for peace, was led this week by members of the media community.

‘As members of the media, we have a crucial role in times of conflict and crisis. Often, journalists and media workers are among the first to witness and report what is happening on the ground-wars, violence, displacement, discrimination, and other situations that affect communities,’ said Aida Gonzales, program host of DZME Radyo TV and Compass Media, said in her message of support.

She said the media’s responsibility extends beyond reporting conflict, noting that ‘media can also become a bridge for peace through responsible storytelling.’

Media prays for truth and peace

The interfaith prayers were led by Tu Alfonso, Chairman of Bangsamoro Multimedia Network Inc., representing the Muslim community; Martin Racza of the University of the Philippines Manila and the Knights of Columbus, representing the Roman Catholic community; and Pastor Manny Tabingo, program host of ‘Beyond Sundays’ at BIG 101.5 FM, representing the Christian and Protestant community.

Alfonso prayed for the protection of media workers, and for ‘their work to help promote understanding, peace, reconciliation and unity among our communities.’

He also prayed for communities affected by the typhoon, and those involved in relief and rescue efforts.

‘Oh Allah, bring peace where there is conflict, truth where there is confusion, justice where there is injustice and compassion where there is suffering.’

Racza prayed that media workers ‘may be protected as they report on events in areas with or without conflict, and that they will always put truth over lies and propagate the seeds of peace instead of fanning the flames of war.’

The prayers ncluded an appeal for the health, well-being, and safe release of 95-year-old Chairman Lee Man-hee, who is currently detained in South Korea while awaiting trial.

‘We pray for the good health, well-being, and the safe release of Chairman Lee Man-hee, a man of peace, and that he be accorded due process, and with the utmost respect for his rights, not just as a human, but as someone who nurtures peace in this world,’ Racza said.

The prayer echoed concerns raised during an international press conference held on August 7 at the Seoul Foreign Correspondents’ Club in South Korea, where human rights and religious freedom experts called for greater attention to due process, proportionality, and humanitarian considerations in cases involving religious minorities and elderly religious leaders.

The Seoul conference, organized by Human Rights Without Frontiers with the participation of CAP Liberté de Conscience, Forum for Religious Freedom Europe, the Center for Studies on New Religions, and Bitter Winter, raised concerns over Lee’s continued detention and emphasized the importance of the protection of freedom of religion or belief and freedom of expression.

The GPAP provides a weekly platform for people from different faiths and sectors to come together in prayer and solidarity. GPAP is held every Thursday at 8 p.m.; it is open to individuals from all faiths and communities who wish to pray and work together for peace.