Category: Business Mirror

The Philippines has long been hailed as a country blessed with a significant demographic dividend-a youthful population that, if properly nurtured, could drive economic growth and social progress for decades. Yet, this optimistic narrative is now under serious threat. Recent reports from the Philippine Business for Education (PBEd) and international assessments reveal a disturbing truth: the country’s education system is failing to equip its young population with the skills they need to thrive, potentially turning the nation’s greatest asset into its biggest liability.

PBEd Executive Director Hanibal Camua’s warnings are clear and sobering. Without urgent and comprehensive reforms in basic education, the Philippines risks transforming its demographic dividend into a demographic deficiency within just five years. Instead of becoming productive contributors to the economy, many young Filipinos may end up unemployed or trapped in low-quality jobs, reliant on government assistance programs rather than driving the nation’s progress.

The data paints a grim picture. The Philippines ranked 64th out of 69 economies in the 2025 IMD World Talent Report, far behind Asean neighbors like Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia. Filipino students performed near the bottom in the 2022 PISA assessments, showing little improvement from previous years. Most alarmingly, a World Bank study indicates that nine out of 10 Filipino children cannot read and comprehend a simple text by age 10-a fundamental measure of learning poverty that should be unthinkable in a country aspiring to develop its human capital.

Functional literacy statistics echo these concerns: while most Filipinos can read and write, only about 70 percent can truly understand and apply information effectively. This gap underscores a critical weakness in the education system-one that threatens not only individual futures but the nation’s competitiveness in a rapidly evolving global economy.

The problem is not new, nor is it the fault of any single administration. Instead, it reflects decades of systemic underinvestment and neglect in education. The Philippines, once a regional education leader, has been overtaken by its neighbors, who have invested more heavily in talent development and education reforms.

It would do well for policymakers, educators, and stakeholders to recognize the urgency of the crisis. Addressing learning poverty must be a national priority, with increased funding, improved teacher training, updated curricula, and stronger accountability measures. The government should also foster partnerships with the private sector and civil society to innovate and scale effective educational interventions.

Failure to act decisively risks squandering one of the country’s most precious resources-its youth. The demographic dividend can only be realized through a competent, well-educated workforce ready to meet the demands of the 21st century. Without this, the country will face not just economic stagnation but a deepening social divide, as a growing population of under-skilled workers struggles to find meaningful employment.

The Philippines has a window of opportunity to avert this looming crisis. By acknowledging the severity of the problem and enacting comprehensive reforms, the country can still harness the potential of its demographic dividend. Failure to act decisively risks squandering this opportunity, potentially trapping a generation of Filipinos in a cycle of poverty, and transforming a potential strength into a devastating weakness.

FENDI recently announced that, from October 1st, Silvia Venturini Fendi is taking on the role of Honorary President of the Italian luxury brand, following her distinguished creative tenure, which included her direction of the women’s collections during the brand’s centennial year.

In her new capacity, she will focus on supporting Fendi’s heritage while continuing to champion the brand worldwide and promoting the house’s rich history, exceptional craftsmanship, and the world of Fendi Casa.

Silvia Venturini Fendi represents the third generation of the Fendi family. From 1992 until 2019, she seconded the late Karl Lagerfeld in the Artistic Direction. Since 1994, she was responsible for the Accessories and Menswear lines and lately, the Women’s collection.

‘These have been truly exciting years, a journey I have walked also in the name of my grandmother Adele, my mother Anna, and her sisters. My heart turns to Karl, an extraordinary master who granted me the honor of working by his side, teaching me the art of sharing, a defining quality in my family’s history of women, while guiding me to nurture and protect my own creative vision so that I could then fly on my own,’ says Silvia. ‘What a wonderful journey it has been, not only creatively but also from a human perspective: first through my bond with Karl Lagerfeld, then with Kim Jones and with my fantastic team, who over the years has become part of my family.’

‘Since 1992, Silvia has greatly contributed to shape Fendi’s creative direction and has been pivotal to the brand’s international success,’ says Ramon Rose, chairman and CEO of Fendi.

A new creative organization for Fendi will be announced in due course.

THE Makabayan bloc in the House of Representatives has criticized Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano’s call for snap elections, calling it a ‘typical obfuscation’ of the issue of corruption in government.

‘Cateyano is trying to divert the focus from corruption accountability to snap elections, giving the illusion that corruption can be addressed simply through the electoral process that is still dominated by political dynasties and corrupt politicians. How will holding snap elections address the issue of accountability? The proposal is a distraction and a way to douse cold water on the people’s protests,’ the bloc said in a statement.

The bloc added that a snap election, without systemic reforms, would only result in a change of personalities and would not tackle the root causes of corruption.

Cayetano, in a statement posted on his official social media accounts on Sunday, urged all sitting government officials-from Malacañang to Congress-to resign to pave the way for snap elections and a completely new set of leaders.

He said the country’s political institutions have been shaken by a series of corruption scandals that ‘eroded the very foundation of our people’s faith in leadership.’ According to Cayetano, genuine accountability requires more than mere words from public officials.

The senator, who serves as the minority leader of the upper chamber, described his proposal as both symbolic and practical-a ‘national reset button’ to emphasize that public service is about stewardship, not self-preservation.

Cayetano’s statement comes amid renewed public outrage over high-profile corruption allegations involving infrastructure projects and the misuse of discretionary funds.

Wishful thinking

MALACAÑANG on Monday brushed aside Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano’s call for a snap election involving all elected officials in the executive and legislative branches, calling it ‘wishful thinking’ and irrelevant to the country’s pressing concerns.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said President Marcos remains focused on governance and disaster response, particularly assisting those affected by the recent disasters.

‘It is just his wishful thinking. We do not have time to talk about one’s personal desires. Abala ang Pangulo na magtrabaho para sa bayan at tulungan ang mga naapektuhan ng lindol at bagyo. Wala po siyang oras sa mga ganitong klaseng pamumulitika [The President is busy working for the country and helping those affected by the earthquake and typhoon. He has no time for this kind of politicking],’ Castro said.

She urged public officials to set aside political maneuvering and prioritize the people’s welfare.

‘Mag-focus po tayong lahat sa pangangailangan ng mamamayan, hindi sa mga pansariling interes lang [Let us all focus on the needs of the people, not on personal interests],’ she added.

Law needed

THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Monday clarified that holding snap elections is not possible unless a law explicitly allows it, following renewed calls in the Senate to elect a new set of national leaders.

Comelec Chairman George Erwin M. Garcia explained that the terms of elected officials are fixed under the 1987 Philippine Constitution, which means the poll body cannot simply hold another election without legal authority.

‘On the part of the Comelec, we cannot conduct any kind of election-whether special or snap-without a law mandating it. Our duty is to implement election laws, and without such a mandate, we have no basis to proceed,’ Garcia said in an interview.

The clarification came after Senator Alan Peter Cayetano over the weekend urged all sitting government officials-from Congress to Malacañang-to resign and pave the way for a snap election to install a new set of leaders.

Garcia, however, cautioned that the Comelec has no power to hold such an election on its own.

‘That kind of mechanism exists in a parliamentary government. When there is a loss of confidence, the government itself can immediately call for an election,’ he explained.

‘But here in our system, there’s no such provision. Whether this would require a constitutional amendment or simply a new law, I cannot say.’

When asked how snap elections were made possible during the Marcos Sr. administration, Garcia pointed out that the Batasang Pambansa at the time gave the President both executive and legislative powers.

Under the 1987 Constitution, however, the principle of separation of powers and a system of checks and balances were clearly established.

‘The terms of elected officials are fixed,’ Garcia said. ‘The president cannot be re-elected, and the vice president may only serve two consecutive terms. These provisions were put in place to prevent abuse of power.’

Still, if public pressure for snap elections gains momentum and lawmakers find a legal remedy, Garcia said the Comelec will be ready to carry it out.

‘There would be no problem. We’re open to such proposals, but of course, all actions, especially those by the Comelec, must be based on existing laws, particularly when it comes to elections,’ he said.

SEN. Bam Aquino is asking the DTI to review and reconsider the mandatory ‘Trustmark’ requirement for online traders, calling it an unnecessary burden on micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

The Philippine Trustmark is a digital badge that serves as government recognition for online merchants and platforms that commit to trustworthiness, safety, and fair e-commerce practices.

Under its Department Administrative Order (DAO) 25-12, the DTI has given them until December 31 to comply with the Trustmark requirement.

‘We call on the DTI to revisit the requirement for online businesses to have a Trustmark. Let’s not give them an additional burden and let them thrive instead,’ Aquino said in Filipino, warning that the policy may discourage MSMEs from bringing their businesses online to digital marketplaces and other platforms.

Sought for reaction, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said it is set to release an updated set of rules regarding Trustmark.

‘We are finalizing a Department Administrative Order that will formalize how we addressed the concerns. We received the comments to the DAO last October 3, and we hope to release the final DAO within the week,’ Trade and Industry Secretary Cristina A. Roque told the BusinessMirror in a Viber message on Monday.

She added: ‘Rest assured that the policy is conducive to elevating the business practices of micro and small enterprises without compromising on protecting our consumers against online scams and frauds.’

‘Contradicts’ existing laws

Aside from imposing an added burden on MSMEs, Aquino said DAO 25-12 ‘contradicts’ existing laws, such as the Internet Transactions Act and Ease of Doing Business Act.

DTI’s Department Administrative Order (DAO) No. 25-12 explained that the Trustmark shall be the ‘permit for e-marketplaces, online merchants, e-retailers, digital platforms, and third-party platforms to use the internet for conducting e-commerce.’

‘Issuance of the Trustmark shall signify that the products, goods, or services sold online by the holder comply with applicable standards and good e-commerce practices,’ the Order also noted.

It is worth noting that DAO No. 25-12 made the registration for the digital badge mandatory. Under the previously issued DAO No. 25-07, application for the Trustmark was only voluntary.

Roque earlier explained that the growing number of consumer complaints prompted the Trade department to make the registration for the digital badge mandatory.

‘The complaints are actually growing, so we need to establish certain rules to at least control, or at least minimize the selling of substandard products in the E-commerce platform,’ the Trade chief noted.

Last month, DTI announced it is extending the deadline of application for the Trustmark digital badge for online merchants until December 31,2025.

‘Indicatively, it’s going to be up to the end of the year so we can better explain, better campaign and better promote natin why this is mandatory,’ Eryl Royce R. Nagtalon, Officer-in-Charge for DTI’s E-Commerce Bureau told reporters on the sidelines of the media briefing for Trustmark compliance on Friday in Makati City.

An earlier story published by the BusinessMirror noted that more than 12,000 online merchants have sought the government’s e-commerce Trustmark, but only 300 have so far been granted the seal.

Aquimo clarified that he does not object to efforts to boost consumer protection, but such effort must be according to law and existing policy.

Aquino likewise flagged the annual P1,130 Trustmark registration fee, which comes on top of existing business registration costs and further strains MSMEs, particularly those just starting out.

‘What this amounts to a a form of tax that online traders must pay yearly. This is not timely, especially now that people are concerned about anomalies in the use of taxpayer money,’ he added, partly in Filipino.

If the government really wants to help online MSMEs thrive, Aquino said the DTI should integrate the Trustmark into the business registration or renewal process and make it free of charge to ease their financial burden and encourage more entrepreneurs to go digital.

Aquino was the author and principal sponsor of the Go Negosyo Act (Republic Act 10644) during his tenure as chairperson of the Senate Committee on Trade, Commerce, and Entrepreneurship.

The law provides MSMEs greater access to markets and financing, offers training and capacity-building programs, and simplifies the business registration process for entrepreneurs starting or expanding their ventures.

FENDI recently announced that, from October 1st, Silvia Venturini Fendi is taking on the role of Honorary President of the Italian luxury brand, following her distinguished creative tenure, which included her direction of the women’s collections during the brand’s centennial year.

In her new capacity, she will focus on supporting Fendi’s heritage while continuing to champion the brand worldwide and promoting the house’s rich history, exceptional craftsmanship, and the world of Fendi Casa.

Silvia Venturini Fendi represents the third generation of the Fendi family. From 1992 until 2019, she seconded the late Karl Lagerfeld in the Artistic Direction. Since 1994, she was responsible for the Accessories and Menswear lines and lately, the Women’s collection.

‘These have been truly exciting years, a journey I have walked also in the name of my grandmother Adele, my mother Anna, and her sisters. My heart turns to Karl, an extraordinary master who granted me the honor of working by his side, teaching me the art of sharing, a defining quality in my family’s history of women, while guiding me to nurture and protect my own creative vision so that I could then fly on my own,’ says Silvia. ‘What a wonderful journey it has been, not only creatively but also from a human perspective: first through my bond with Karl Lagerfeld, then with Kim Jones and with my fantastic team, who over the years has become part of my family.’

‘Since 1992, Silvia has greatly contributed to shape Fendi’s creative direction and has been pivotal to the brand’s international success,’ says Ramon Rose, chairman and CEO of Fendi.

A new creative organization for Fendi will be announced in due course.

There is a crying need to rewrite the script of this nation’s fractured soul-a people coming to grips with a story of insatiable greed now surfacing in the flood-control projects. Many of these were ghosts from the start; others, though completed, collapsed into substandard ruin. What is unfolding is not just corruption but its industrial-scale perfection-a naked grab for treasury money by DPWH engineers, contractors, and lawmakers who treated public funds as private quarry. The emerging tally-close to a trillion pesos-is a ledger of betrayal written in concrete and mud.

That staggering sum could have built classrooms for the 18 million 10-year-olds trapped in functional illiteracy. It could have financed cold-storage chains for farmers, laid down a steel industry for true industrialization, or paved the roads and bridges that connect forgotten communities. Instead, we find ourselves drowning in debt-P16 trillion and rising, nearly triple the national budget-while the floodwaters of neglect lap at our doors.

Something is profoundly amiss. Citizens, stunned by the audacity of it all, now demand less talk and more reckoning-the swift filing of cases against those already unmasked in the Senate and House hearings. Just last Friday, a business leader called me at dawn, asking the question that now hums across coffee tables and construction sites alike: Why do the hearings go on when the evidence already screams?

After all, each crack that let the floodwaters in was a line from an old ledger of deceit: overpriced contracts, ghost projects certified ‘completed,’ signatures of men who mistook public trust for private spoil. Families clung to rooftops while the waters climbed, wondering why the wall that was meant to protect them surrendered after a single season. The answer, as always, was not in the rain-it was in the rot.

We have reached the point where corruption is no longer an accounting error; it is an engineering flaw in the nation’s design. The flood-control scandal is not just about missing billions-it is the story of a Republic rebuilding its defenses on sand. What has been washed away is not merely infrastructure but confidence itself-the belief that government can still be trusted to do something as elemental as keeping its people dry.

Yet the flood did not begin with the rain. It began the day we allowed blacklisted contractors to find their way back into the game-rebranded, renamed, often with the same engineers and the same ghosts signing new papers. We built walls with recycled deceit. The absence of vetting is not a clerical lapse; it is the architecture of impunity. Our flood-control program mirrors our politics: patchwork repairs over unexamined foundations. From the post-Edsa promise of cleansing to today’s ghost projects, the pattern remains-a Republic that cannot remember its past mistakes keeps rebuilding them.

The record is damning. As far back as 2009, firms once debarred quietly resurfaced. The hearings have now unmasked a familiar cast: Wawao Builders, St. Timothy Construction Corp., Syms Trading, and others that siphoned funds for phantom or substandard projects. Preceding them were companies once blacklisted-Val Engineering and Construction, MEP Construction, Benjosh Construction and Supply, DVH Construction Services, NKU Construction and Supply, Cheina Construction, Syndite Construction Corp., M.R. Vargas Construction, R. Semilla Construction and Marketing, JTA Builders, UBAS Construction, MLU Construction, L.M. Baltonado Construction, Audric Construction and Supply, JLP Construction and Supply, and Rex E. Morales Construction. The carousel spins on the taxpayers’ coin.

But a breach, once named, can also be repaired. This scandal must not end in cynicism; it can be the blueprint for reform if we rebuild not only the walls but the way we build them. Begin by reclaiming procurement from the shadows-publish every contract, map every project, invite citizen engineers to audit the sites, and file swift cases against those already caught. This is not radical; it is simply doing in daylight what has long been done in the dark. It will tell a weary middle class and the flood-soaked poor that the carousel is being dismantled at last.

Beyond systems lies the deeper engineering of trust. We must treat corruption not as an occasional scandal but as a flaw in our national foundation-one we are all obliged to repair. Every case filed, every contractor banned for good, every appointee properly vetted becomes a new brick in a stronger civic levee. And if we pour that mix with integrity and vigilance, the next generation may yet stand on banks that hold-not because the rains are kinder, but because we finally learned how to build together.

Last week

Share prices rebounded, with the main index returning to the 6,100-point level, mainly on bargain hunting.

The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) gained 81.74 points to close at 6,108.86 points.

The main index was down during the early part of the week, closing at the 5,900-point level during the Monday and Tuesday trading sessions.

‘The local market managed to partially recover some lost grounds in last week’s trading as investors hunted for bargains. However, trading activity was thin implying that market confidence remains weak amid lingering uncertainties,’ Japhet Louis O. Tantiangco, senior research analyst at Philstocks Financials Inc., said.

The average volume of trade reached P5.2 billion, thanks to Tuesday’s P7.49 billion worth of trade, mainly on window dressing of companies.

Foreign investors, who cornered 57 percent of the trades, were net sellers at P4.28 billion.

Other indices posted gains, except for the Property index that shed 30.45 points to close at 2,294.59 points. The broader All Shares index rose 41.05 to 3,685.85, the Financials index inched up by 10.55 to 2,083.19, the Industrial index surged 280.35 to 9,016.39, the Holding Firms index added 52.41 to 4,968.79, the Services index climbed 58.32 to 2,270.26 and the Mining and Oil index soared 1,244.87 to 13,259.22.

For the week, gainers edged gainers 121 to 112, and 28 shares were unchanged.

Top gainers were Nickel Asia Corp., Atok-Big Wedge Co. Inc., Manila Mining Corp. A and B shares, OceanaGold (Philippines) Inc., Global Ferronickel Holdings Inc., NiHAO Mineral Resources International Inc. and Alliance Select Foods International Inc.

Top losers, meanwhile, were Metro Alliance Holdings and Equities Corp. A, Republic Glass Holdings Corp., Citystate Savings Bank Inc., Coal Asia Holdings Inc., Pacific Online Systems Corp., Jackstones Inc. and Pacifica Holdings Inc.

This week

Share prices may decline on news of faster inflation, which could pose a threat to the easing cycle of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) if the rate hits the top-end of its target range.

Tantiangco said investors will watch out for the Philippines’s September inflation data and the BSP policy decision.

‘An inflation rate within the BSP’s 1.5 percent to 2.3 percent projection, especially one biased towards the lower end, may give sentiment a boost. Meanwhile, a rate cut and signals of further policy easing in the near term are expected to help lift sentiment too,’ he said.

‘Investors are also expected to take cues from the movement of other financial markets. A further improvement in the Peso’s position and a further decline in yields are expected to help the market,’ he said.

Meanwhile, 2TradeAsia said global slowdown signals and domestic lethargy suggest a cautious approach, but undervaluation in the local equity mart offers selective upside for nimble investors.

‘While the PSEl’s range-bound struggle and global risks keep sentiment muted, these levels present a strategic entry for long-term capital. Keep focused, pick your spots, and let value guide your moves,’ it said.

It sees immediate support at 6,000 points, secondary at 5,800 points, resistance at 6,200 points.

Stock picks

Maybank Securities gave a buy rating on Converge Information and Communications Technology Solutions Inc.

‘We recently hosted a meeting with CNVRG’s management, engaging a select group of local investors. The discussion provided valuable insights, reinforcing our confidence in the sustained demand for broadband services,’ it said.

‘The recent downward revision in guidance appears to be a temporary setback, primarily attributable to manpower constraints and adverse weather conditions.’

It gave a target price of P20 a piece on the stock. Converge shares, meanwhile, were last traded at P12.38 apiece.

Meanwhile, it retained a buy advise on the stock of International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI), mainly on the positive outlook on the country’s ports sector, where the Razon-owned firm has a dominant position.

It noted the strong momentum of the country’s port sector in the first half of the year. The sector is expected to accelerate in the second half.

‘Growth is anchored by resilient consumption and trade, with foreignbcontainers making up the bulk of traffic. ICT, through MICT [Manila International Container Terminal] port’s dominant gateway role, remains best positioned to capture this momentum.’

ICTSI’s shares closed last week at P512 apiece.

THE Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) raised the possibility that banks and their employees may be complicit in the release of funds from accounts linked to the anomalous flood control projects.

In a radio interview, AMLC Executive Director Matthew M. David said if this were the case, the AMLC can initiate an examination or compliance checking against the banks, including their employees.

David said AMLC can also file criminal cases of money laundering against banks and their employees who are complicit in the current corruption controversy.

‘Pwede pong mangyari na kasabwat ang mga bangko [It’s possible that some banks are complicit]. Unang una [First among them are], supervisors [of] covered persons, we can initiate examination or compliance checking against the banks, including their employees,’ David said.

‘[This form of] money laundering that a bank employee can do is called facilitating-money laundering offense through facilitating of the transaction,’ he added.

David said banks should file suspicious transaction reports to the AMLC if there are withdrawals that are suspicious, as provided under the law.

He said if the bank, compliance officer or bank manager thinks a withdrawal is possibly related to corruption, they should file a suspicious transaction report. If they do not do that, AMLC will never know.

‘Ang tawag natin sa mga [We call the] banks and covered persons [the] first line of defense. Because the banks are the first that can see this, not the AMLC. They’re the first that can see, detect or even prevent these unlawful activities,’ he added, partly in Filipino.

Meanwhile, David said AMLC included in its investigation foreign assets of the respondents. This includes offshore bank accounts, real properties or properties acquired by respondents in other countries.

Through mutual legal assistance (MLAT), David said AMLC can request foreign entities to file a civil forfeiture abroad in order to return these to the national government.

‘We are coordinating with our foreign counterparts to determine if they are respondents in financial transactions abroad; they share that with us. And they share whatever properties these people may have overseas,’ David said.

To date, AMLC has immobilized P4.2 billion worth of assets linked to the alleged irregularities in flood control spending.

This was after AMLC secured its fourth freeze order from the Court of Appeals on Friday. The latest order covered 57 bank accounts, 10 real properties, and nine motor vehicles.

AMLC expects the latest valuation of frozen assets will increase as the flood control inquiry progresses.

The Court of Appeals has frozen a total of 1,620 bank accounts, 54 insurance policies, 163 motor vehicles, 40 real properties and 12 e-wallet accounts.

AMLC said the assets seized include high-value holdings such as a luxury compound in a prime urban district, multiple high-end vehicles, virtual currencies and unit investment trust funds.

The Council said it remains committed to tracing financial links to public sector anomalies.

A DEPUTY minority leader of the House of Representatives on Monday expressed disappointment over the exclusion of a bill that institutionalizes an Independent Commission Against Infrastructure Corruption (Icaic) from the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council’s (Ledac) legislative agenda.

House Deputy Minority Leader Leila M. de Lima noted the urgency of House Bill 4453 amid challenges in ongoing investigations.

As Executive Order 94 ‘falls short of providing the powers,’ a group of lawmakers is urging Congress to fast-track the passage of House Bill 4453, which seeks to establish a truly independent commission against corruption in infrastructure projects, amid growing public outrage over alleged anomalies in flood control and other public works.

EO 94 issued by President Marcos created the Independent Commission on Infrastructure that is mandated to investigate corruption in flood control and other public works projects.

‘As much as we welcome the inclusion of some of our priority bills in Ledac, we are disappointed that a very crucial measure is missing-our proposed bill to create a stronger, transparent, and truly independent commission to probe the anomalous flood control and other infrastructure projects and hold accountable all those involved,’ de Lima, the nominee of the party-list group Mamamayang Liberal, said.

De Lima noted that with the suspension of the House Infrastructure Committee’s joint inquiry, the Independent Commission for Infrastructure’s (ICI) reluctance to livestream its hearings despite its limited powers, and the uncertainty surrounding the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee’s investigation owing to the impending resignation of Sen. Panfilo Lacson as chairman, the swift passage of House Bill 4453 should be fast-tracked.

‘If the President is truly serious about holding accountable those responsible for the biggest corruption scandal in our country’s history, he should certify this proposed law as urgent. If he delays or simply ignores it, it casts doubt on his sincerity in pursuing accountability for corrupt officials and government syndicates,’ she added.

In a recent meeting, the Ledac adopted a new Common Legislative Agenda (CLA) that includes 44 priority bills.

De Lima and her co-authors of HB 4453 are hopeful for the swift passage of HB 4453, as House Speaker Faustino ‘Bojie’ Dy III was ‘very open and receptive’ about the bill.

‘I actually brought it up already with the new Speaker. And he’s very open and very receptive about it, that he will push for its speedy enactment and that he would even try to convince the President to certify it as urgent,’ De Lima earlier said.

De Lima also expressed concern over efforts to mislead or distract public attention from the corruption issue.

‘Many cases of corruption and collusion have already been exposed. But there are also those who cause confusion and muddy the waters-people who spread fake news, those who attack the very individuals pursuing the corrupt and exposing government wrongdoing, and some who make grandstanding suggestions without basis. For what purpose? For their own personal agendas, to distract us and divert attention from our real goal-which is to uncover the full truth,’ she said.

Growth retardant

PRESIDENT Marcos warned that systemic corruption in flood control projects could derail the country’s growth and deny Filipinos access to basic services, stressing that accountability and reforms are crucial to national progress.

In Episode 5 of his ‘Bagong Pilipinas Podcast’ released on Monday, Marcos said his decision to raise the issue in his fourth State of the Nation Address in July was driven by the magnitude of the problem.

‘The reason I brought it up and made it part of the national discourse was quite simply because this could not go on,’ Marcos said.

He said the impact of corruption is not only financial but also life-threatening.

‘There is a great deal of damage that has been caused, not only financial damage or economic damage, but damage, actual damage to people’s lives,’ Marcos said.

‘A lousy flood control project that collapsed during the flood that killed a family-I mean, how can you live with that? I can’t live with it.’

At the same time, Marcos said resigning from government service will not clear officials linked to the alleged irregularities in flood control projects, but stressed that accountability must be established through due process.

‘No, that’s not enough. That’s not enough,’ Marcos said in his latest podcast episode when asked if resigning allows officials to be free of culpability.

‘There is a great deal of damage that has been caused, not only financial damage or economic damage, but damage, actual damage to people’s lives,’ he added.

Marcos also said cases related to anomalies in government projects must be backed by strong evidence to ensure only those truly guilty are punished.

‘You don’t want to go after people who are innocent. Now, we know many of these people are not innocent. But if you’re going to bring them to court, you must have a very strong case,’ he said.

He cautioned against rushing prosecutions.

‘What will happen? We brought it. Our evidence is incomplete. Our evidence is vague. But we forced it. The case was passed. Can you imagine? I think that would be much, much, much worse,’ he said.

Marcos acknowledged public anger over corruption but said due process is necessary.

‘It’s understandable. Because it’s the sins committed-and I call them sins, it’s no longer mistakes or corruption. The sins they committed, it’s hard to swallow. But if we.we are a nation of laws, we have to follow the law. Otherwise, whatever we do is not legitimate,’ he said.

The President earlier called out irregularities in flood control projects, triggering a broad review of public works spending.

Some groups have called for immediate arrests, but Malacañang has stressed the importance of careful evidence-gathering.

IN her book, The Creativity Choice: The Science of Making Decisions to Turn Ideas into Action, Dr. Zorana Ivcevic Pringle writes about how to use emotional intelligence to manage the creative process, regardless of industry or job role.

As communicators, we certainly can appreciate her thoughts on this. After all, she is a senior researcher at the Yale Center of Emotional Life.

After all, ‘creativity is the powerhouse that differentiates good organizations from great ones. It goes beyond generating ideas. It is about the long process of developing ideas for more effective performance and the process of building abstract notions into concrete products.’

Fast Company recently interviewed Dr. Pringle, and here she shares one of her top tips for fueling creativity.

Noticing emotions to identify opportunities

‘Entrepreneurs are skilled at identifying opportunities by reading their own and others’ feelings,’ says Dr. Pringle.

She cites Apoorva Mehta who hated everything about the grocery shopping experience, and used this feeling to found Instacart. With this, he created a way to shop for groceries from one’s phone.

Likewise, Melissa Butler founded Lip Bar to counter her frustration with the beauty industry. Its products are vegan and cruelty- free, and offer a wide variety of vibrant lip colors and complexion products.

She encourages innovators inside organizations to do the same. For example, ‘when a supervisor in a food service unit of a major hospital realizes his workers are exhausted, he’s identifying a problem in need of a creative solution.’

As a result, the hospital redesigned the workflow, reducing worker burnout and improving their accuracy on the job.

Taking advantage of thinking/feeling connections

Emotion scientists have discovered moods boost different kinds of thinking.

When we feel positive, energized, and enthusiastic, these are the best times for brainstorming and charting new ideas.

When we are feeling subdued or even sullen, these are times best for critical thinking.

‘To optimize creative work, it takes skill to match different moods and tasks which benefit from them, ‘says Dr. Pringle. Feeling playful? Come up with new ideas for a project. Feeling down? Review and revise.

Generating emotions

Remember we have more power over emotions than we realize. You can create the mood that is more helpful at the moment. Recall a past win. Put on a song that inspires you.

Another skill is generating emotions to communicate and inspire. ‘Leaders skilled at communicating their passion to inspire others end up having workers who are clear about their responsibilities and goals,’ says Dr. Pringle.

Using emotional intelligence to build a climate for creativity and innovation

A Yale study including more than 14,000 people across industries in thee US asked workers to describe how their supervisors act in emotionally fraught situations. It shows that emotionally intelligent supervisors do four specific things.

1. They are skilled at reading emotions and acknowledge them. They realize when people are upset or worried about organizational or industry changes

2. They inspire enthusiasm and model decision-making that takes into account more optimistic and cautious voices.

3. Emotionally intelligent supervisors understand how their decisions or other events affect other people.

4. They are able to successfully manage their own emotions, and also help their team members when they are upset or frustrated.

‘If the goal is creativity and innovation, leaders should develop emotional intelligence skills,’ says Dr. Pringle.

When leaders develop these skills, ‘they notice how their team members feel, demonstrate understanding of how their decisions impact others, and help people deal with challenges at work. Investment in leadership development will pay off in capacity for innovation.’

PR Matters is a roundtable column by members of the local chapter of the United Kingdom-based International Public Relations Association (IPRA), the world’s premier association for senior professionals around the world. Millie Dizon, the Senior Vice President for Marketing and Communications of SM, is the former local chair.