Category: Business Mirror

GREEN means go, red means stop. Trophies or confetti come with good performance, and people who fall behind get nudged to do better.

Those brightly colored engagement tactics long ago jumped from smartphone games to everything from online shopping to sports betting and classrooms. So it should come as no surprise that many nutrition-tracking apps like MyFitnessPal and Noom also use gaming features to keep users coming back.

But as nutrition apps proliferate, some researchers are raising alarms that gamification features may do more harm than good for some people.

Isabella Anderberg, a psychologist researching digital dieting behavior at Flinders University in Adelaide, Australia, said calorie tracking can reinforce behaviors associated with body dysmorphia and disordered eating.

‘We do know that not everyone’s going to experience harm from using the apps, but there are certainly factors that might increase risk,’ Anderberg said. ‘Approach with caution.’

The case for nutrition tracking apps

Anderberg said there is certainly a place for the apps. Health professionals she interviewed during her research reported that apps can be especially helpful as meal-planning tools for people managing chronic conditions such as heart disease and diabetes. And physical activity apps remind people to move their bodies.

Many users report enjoying them, finding tactics like streak notifications to be motivating.

Angela Drury, an English professor in Woodstock, Georgia, began using MyFitnessPal more than 10 years ago to track protein, fat, carbohydrate and calorie intake when she started CrossFit. She has since cycled through several other apps, including Weight Watchers, Lose It and now Nourish, which is paid for by her insurance and includes blood work and weekly meetings with a dietitian.

Drury said the apps have helped her stay on track with fitness goals and have sometimes steered her away from high-calorie foods when she uploaded photos of meals she was considering eating. She feels a little boost when she gets a badge for continuing a streak for logging meals, but a notification that says she hasn’t entered lunch has the opposite effect.

‘Then it felt like it was scolding me,’ she said.

Be wary of what the app tells you

THE way most apps work, users enter height, weight, age and other information, and then set a goal. The app says how many calories or macronutrients are needed to reach that goal, using gamelike elements such as badges, streaks, rewards, points and notifications to encourage user engagement.

Many nutrition tracking apps are free but offer premium versions that users must pay for.

The Centers for Disease Control and others say that how many calories you need depends on factors including your age, sex and level of physical activity. The CDC provides a tool to calculate how many calories an individual needs.

Critics warn that food databases are often inaccurate, with estimated portion sizes and calorie counts that vary widely.

Courtney Simpson, a behavioral psychologist and director of eating disorders at the Evidence-Based Treatment Centers of Seattle, said some apps encourage people to set calorie goals that are far too low for any adult. That’s not only unhealthy but can set people up for failure.

The gaming features keep people coming back to unrealistic goals, creating shame that may contribute to binge eating or other behaviors people are trying to change, Simpson said.

‘It’s not that gamification itself is bad. It’s about what it is promoting,’ she said. ‘Is that actually going to be beneficial?’

MyFitnessPal and Noom did not respond to several requests for comment.

Listen to your body

Anderberg said people who already believe that thinner is better are more likely to misuse the apps. Calorie and macronutrient tracking can then become obsessional, which creates more negative feelings when daily goals aren’t met.

She urged users to be skeptical of what the apps tell them to do and instead rely on their own intuition. If you feel the need to rest, nurse an injury or treat yourself to something delicious, do so.

‘We are sort of losing that ability to read our body cues,’ she said.

Simpson noted that focusing on weight as a measure of overall health, besides being inaccurate, makes it more likely to lose and regain weight. Such cycling is linked to worse health outcomes over time.

‘If you really want lasting change, then you need to be doing behaviors that are feasible and sustainable for you over time,’ she said.

Filipino dive and resort exhibitors secured more than P113 million in booked sales during the recently concluded Malaysia International Dive Expo (Mide) in Kuala Lumpur.

The Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines said the sales were generated by ten Filipino exhibitors whose dive sites are located in Luzon and the Visayas.

‘Generating P113,273,411.00 million in sales leads, the Philippine delegation showcased the country’s award-winning dive destinations and offered special packages from discounted accommodation rates to guided liveaboard adventures,’ it said.

The TPB led the 10 Philippine dive outfits in the June 5-7 event held at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Center (Mitec). The exhibitors were the Aldive Corp., Buceo Anilao Beach and Dive Resort, Dauin Silver Reef Dive Resort, Garden of Eden Dive Resort, Kasai Village Dive Resort, Lalaguna Villas Luxury Dive Resort and Spa, Logon Fish Buddies Dive Center, M/Y Resolute (Liveaboards), Slam’s Garden Dive Resort-Ocean Passion, and Umali Dive Center Corp.

Dive enthusiasts, mainly from Malaysia, visited the 72-square meter Philippine country pavilion, which was designed with colorful underwater images shot from the country’s renowned dive locations, the TPB said.

The Philippine dive delegation recorded strong interest in destinations such as Palawan, Negros Oriental, Batangas, Cebu, and Mindoro, with visitors also expressing enthusiasm for specialized experiences including pelagic and wreck diving, said TPB Chief Operating Officer Maria Margarita Montemayor Nograles.

‘Mide provided an excellent opportunity for the Philippines to promote its world-class dive destinations to the Malaysian market and beyond,’ she said.

She said the Philippine delegation this year not only showed the beauty of the country’s underwater treasures ‘but also strengthened our continued support for the Malaysian and Philippine dive stakeholders as evidenced by the Longstanding Appreciation Award we received for our participation for the last 13 years.’

‘And with a strong contingent covering the various segments of the Philippine dive industry, we were able to achieve an impressive sales lead figure, solidifying the country’s position as a premier global diving destination,’ she added.

Though Mide is a consumer-based event, the TPB said it organized business-to-business (B2B) meetings through its market representative in Malaysia. A total of 142 meetings were scheduled, allowing Philippine dive stakeholders to establish stronger partnerships with Malaysian dive agents and further increase sales.

In addition to promoting key Philippine dive destinations, Philippine dive companies highlighted improved accessibility through carriers including Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, and Malaysian-based airlines such as AirAsia and Firefly, the TPB said. Both airlines operate direct flights from Kuala Lumpur to Cebu, already a key gateway to major dive sites in central Philippines.

Aside from managing the B2B, the TPB said it also organized marketing and promotional activities for the general public including provision of free promotional items for answering market surveys and booking Philippine dive packages.

The TPB Philippines is an attached agency of the Department of Tourism mandated to market and promote the country both domestically and internationally as a world-class tourism and MICE destination.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is heading to India for a three-day trip starting Wednesday to bolster economic ties and align on security cooperation with counterpart Narendra Modi as the two Asian powers seek to wean off dependence on China.

Discussions are set to span semiconductors, critical minerals, and energy – crucial areas as the global race to dominate artificial intelligence heats up, rare earths are increasingly weaponized and the war in Iran highlights supply vulnerabilities.

For Modi, the visit is a balancing act: Deepen ties with Tokyo without derailing a cautious effort to repair relations with Beijing. For Takaichi, the prospect of greater cooperation with New Delhi offers a counterbalance to worsening relations with China, which this week further tightened controls on exports to Japan that have both military and civilian use.

‘Cooperation with India-a nation with which we share the same fundamental values and strategic interests-is becoming increasingly important as geopolitical uncertainties deepen,’ Takaichi said on Wednesday in Tokyo, ahead of her flight to New Delhi.

‘During this visit, I hope to work with Prime Minister Modi on furthering concrete cooperation on three areas: deepening strategic cooperation between Japan and India in the context of the broader international situation, furthering cooperation on economic security, and fostering collaboration to ensure businesses can invest and innovate,’ she added.

For India, the visit carries significance on several fronts. Despite the warm personal rapport between Modi and US President Donald Trump, New Delhi’s relationship with Washington has become increasingly unpredictable. That has prompted India to deepen engagement with other advanced economies such as Japan, Germany and France for technology, investment and supply-chain partnerships needed to sustain long-term economic growth.

For Japan, India is a crucial partner in carrying out its foreign policy vision of achieving a ‘Free and Open Indo-Pacific.’ The two nations have existing agreements on the transfer of defense equipment and have held multiple joint foreign and defense minister meetings.

Energy resilience is another area of shared concern for Takaichi and Modi-both leaders of large economies that are reliant on energy imports and susceptible to global supply disruptions. The war in Iran and the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz has hit India’s economy, while Japan’s ample oil reserves gave it more of a buffer.

While tensions between Beijing and New Delhi have eased in recent months as they discuss marking out a disputed border, India still has concerns over China’s expanding naval presence in the Indian Ocean and its dominance of critical minerals exports.

Tokyo’s relationship with Beijing is far frostier. Relations between the two Asian powers have deteriorated since November, when Takaichi speculated over the potential for military action in relation to Taiwan.

As part of Japan’s most ambitious economic-security push in years, Takaichi’s administration this week launched what’s been billed as the Japanese equivalent to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the US, or CFIUS.

Still, it’s too early to say whether any Tokyo-New Delhi alignment on issues such as semiconductors, critical minerals, and energy can meaningfully impact the regional geo-strategic and economic realities.

India’s industrial ambitions hinge on access to Chinese technology and rare earth magnets in order to meet goals in the electric vehicle, renewable energy and consumer electronics sectors. Japan also remains highly dependent on Beijing for rare earth imports, with China accounting for around 70 percent of its supply as of 2024.

The deepening Japan-India ties extend into the private sector too. Last year, Japan pledged it would encourage private companies to invest in India with a target of reaching 10 trillion yen ($61 billion) over the next 10 years.

Japan is also the largest bilateral donor to India, offering development loans of 439 billion yen in 2024-2025. The funds have been used on projects ranging from a subway in New Delhi to a bullet train under construction linking Mumbai and Ahmedabad using Japan’s ‘Shinkansen’ technology.

The two governments are also considering establishing a local currency settlement mechanism that would allow direct transactions between the yen and rupee, according to a report by the Nikkei newspaper. That would mean transactions wouldn’t have to be made via the dollar, making it cheaper and quicker to send money, the report said.

Such a move would align with the broader direction laid out in a joint vision document issued last year

SAMAHANG B Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Ricky Vargas believes that the men’s national team could pull win on enemy in the third window of International Basketball Federation (FIBA) 2027 World Cup Asia Qualifiers.

Vargas said he believes in how head coach Tim Cone compares the games against New Zealand and Australiua as a ‘Game 7 in a finals series,’

‘Every game is a new game and I do not look at the history of losses,’ Vargas said. ‘There is always a chance that we can beat the team that we have never been able to beat for a long time.’

‘I look at the opportunity that we can win,’ he added.

Vargas arrived in at Auckland on Wednesday, two days ahead of Gilas Pilipinas’ 3 p.m. game against the Tall Blacks at the Spark Arena on Friday, but said he might miss the match against Australia on Monday in Perth.

Gilas has beaten the Kiwis, 93-89, on November 21, 2023, during the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers at the SM Mall of Asia Arena behind Justin Brownlee’s 26 points and 11 rebounds and Kai Sotto’s 19 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists.

The Tall Blacks, however, fought back in the second window last February, 69-66, also in the same Pasay City facility with Brownlee limited to only four points on 2-of-10 shooting.

Sotto won’t be around this time as he preferred to prioritize his dream to play in theNational Basketball Association.

But Vargas remained confident.

‘Every game we play, we play our best … and a chance to win is there,’ he said. ‘I look forward to a team that is going to fight and committed to play for the country, and they will do their best plus their good character.’

‘They are the best team that we will sent to New Zealand,’ he added.

With Brownlee are 6-foot-8 Mike Philips, Troy Rosario, Juan Gomez de Liaño, June Mar Fajardo, Kevin Quiambao, Chris Newsome, Justin Baltazar, Carl Tamayo, Dwight Ramos, AJ Edu and RJ Abarrientos.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping made a case for his ruling party as a force for global progress and prosperity-a role that would be backed by a strong military-signaling his ambition for the nation to stand at the fore of global affairs.

In a speech in Beijing on Wednesday marking the founding of the Communist Party 105 years ago, Xi said the organization was ‘creating a new form of human advancement’ while paving the way for developing nations to modernize.

He said that ‘socialist China, led by the party, is recognized as a builder of world peace, contributor to global development and defender of international order.’ He again touted vaguely defined programs his government has put forward, like the Global Governance Initiative, while also pledging to ‘strengthen the military through reform, science and technology, and personnel training.’

While Xi and other Chinese leaders have long positioned the party – which now has more than 100 million members-as central to China’s development, the speech underscores a mounting ambition for the nation to play a more high-profile role on the international stage. It buttresses Xi’s push to use blocs like BRICS to rally developing countries to act as a counterweight to what he sees as the US’s fading influence.

While Xi didn’t directly mention the US in the roughly 40 minutes of remarks, he did allude to the obstacles his nation faces in its ambitions.

‘No matter how strong the enemy, how treacherous the path, and how severe the challenges may be, our party has remained dauntless and unyielding and inspired the people of the whole country to achieve one victory after another,’ he said.

Xi repeatedly exhorted the gathering at the Great Hall of the People – and the public watching on national television-to ‘maintain confidence.’ He repeated his goal to bring about ‘national rejuvenation,’ partly by solving the ‘Taiwan problem.’

The status of the chipmaking powerhouse of 23 million people some 160 km (100 miles) off China’s coast is one of the thorniest issues in the relationship with Washington, even after Xi held warm meetings with President Donald Trump in Beijing in May. American arms sales to Taiwan annoy China, which has pledged to bring the democracy under its control eventually, even if force is required.

The government in Taipei has pushed back at Beijing’s claims, saying Taiwan is already independent while stepping up preparations to counter any attack.

In his speech, Xi signaled he’d press on with one of the signature aspects of his roughly 14 years in power: rooting out corrupt officials-a drive that also serves to eliminate political rivals.

‘We are determined to remove all elements that undermine the advanced nature and the purity of the party and eliminate all viruses that erode its health, so that we can forge a strong party through the tempering of revolution,’ he said.

The event on Wednesday marked the first time since 2021 that the 73-year-old has delivered a speech about the party on its anniversary. That time, to mark its centenary, Xi addressed a crowd of some 70,000 party faithful from above the portrait of Mao Zedong in Tiananmen Square. He struck a defiant tone, saying that ‘the time when the Chinese nation could be bullied and abused by others was gone forever.’

He has continued his efforts to cast himself as the ‘people’s leader’ before a party congress next year in which the son of a former vice premier is expected to seek a fourth five-year term-a move made possible by his earlier lifting limits on how long the president can serve.

Most of Xi’s latest speech focused on the accomplishments of the Communist Party since it was founded in Shanghai 105 years ago. Xi’s grip over China is stronger than ever, influencing all aspects of life from classrooms to the office, and it has been bolstered by a purge of key defense and civilian officials.

Yet Xi faces a range of economic challenges at home. China’s government has lowered its official 2026 growth target to between 4.5 percent and 5 percent, its least ambitious goal since 1991. While exports have helped offset a weakening economy, Xi has to contend with a slumping property market, weak consumer spending and a cooling job market.

West Zone concessionaire Maynilad Water Services, Inc. (Maynilad) has strengthened its water supply and risk mitigation measures to better respond to the possible effects of El Niño and lower raw water allocation, even as Angat Dam levels continue to decline.

Water supply in Maynilad’s service area remains stable, and the company continues to work with the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System, National Water Resources Board, PAGASA, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, National Irrigation Administration, and other concerned agencies on a coordinated response to evolving water supply conditions.

‘Maynilad recognizes the concern over the continued decline in Angat Dam levels and the possible effects of El Niño. We have been preparing for these circumstances since previous El Niño episodes, particularly in 2019, when Angat Dam dropped to its historical low level,’ said Maynilad Chief Operating Officer Christopher Jaime T. Lichauco.

‘The Maynilad system today has more buffers than it had in 2019. Angat Dam remains our main raw water source, but we now have more supplemental sources, lower water losses, expanded storage, and improved network management capabilities to help manage tighter raw water conditions,’ Lichauco added.

A key part of this improved readiness is Maynilad’s Laguna Lake treatment capacity, which now totals 450 million liters per day (MLD) through Putatan Water Treatment Plants 1 and 2 and the Poblacion Water Treatment Plant, each with a design capacity of 150 MLD.

Maynilad has also increased its total treatment capacity by 173 MLD since 2019, from 2,700 MLD to 2,873 MLD, supported by additional treatment facilities and supply augmentation projects. These include modular treatment plants, NEW WATER facilities, and deep wells, where appropriate.

Among these is Maynilad’s NEW WATER program, which produces potable water from treated effluent that undergoes advanced treatment processes such as ultrafiltration, reverse osmosis, and disinfection. Maynilad currently has NEW WATER facilities in Parañaque and Valenzuela, and is preparing to commission its 12-million-liter-per-day Pasay NEW WATER facility in 2026 to further expand potable recycled water availability in its service area.

Maynilad has likewise added 88 million liters in reservoir capacity since 2019, from 692 ML to 780 ML. With the expected completion of the 40-ML Parada Reservoir and the 200-ML La Mesa raw water reservoir within 2026, total reservoir capacity is projected to reach 1,020 ML.

Another key component of Maynilad’s El Niño readiness is its intensified Non-Revenue Water reduction program. As of the first quarter of 2026, Maynilad brought its average NRW down to 32.0%, while its period-end NRW stood at 30.7%. In 2025 alone, Maynilad recovered 256 million liters per day of water through NRW reduction-roughly equivalent to the output of more than one and a half major water treatment plants.

Maynilad said these gains were achieved through leak detection and repair, pipe replacement, meter management, pressure regulation, and network efficiency measures, which help reduce water losses and improve the distribution of available supply across its service area.

The company also continues to implement pressure management and network optimization measures to help move available supply more efficiently across its network. In the event of localized low pressure or temporary service interruption, Maynilad has standby support measures such as mobile water tankers and stationary water tanks for deployment to affected communities.

‘Maynilad’s investments in additional sources, NRW reduction, storage, treatment upgrades, and network management give us more tools to reduce the risk and extent of service disruption under tighter raw water conditions. While the severity and duration of El Niño will ultimately depend on weather patterns and raw water availability, we will continue to implement appropriate measures to protect service reliability as conditions evolve,’ Lichauco said.

Maynilad also encouraged customers to use water responsibly, avoid wastage, fix household leaks, and report street leaks or illegal connections.

Maynilad operates the largest water concession by population served within a single concession area in the Philippines. It is a concessionaire of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) for the West Zone of the Greater Manila Area, which is composed of the cities of Manila (certain portions), Quezon City (certain portions), Makati (west of South Super Highway), Caloocan, Pasay, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Muntinlupa, Valenzuela, Navotas and Malabon, all in Metro Manila; the cities of Cavite, Bacoor and Imus, and the municipalities of Kawit, Noveleta and Rosario, all in Cavite Province.

GOVERNMENT employees and pensioners can now receive up to 6-months’ worth of loan payments as the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) expanded its loan moratorium refund program.

The state-run pension fund said last Wednesday that it broadened the scope of the program to allow members and pensioners to receive refunds equivalent to up to six months of loan amortizations, up from the previous limit of three months.

The program will cover loan payments made from December 2025 to May 2026. Applications will be accepted from July 1 to October 31 through the GSIS Touch mobile application.

According to the GSIS, active loan accounts, including housing loans, will be covered, except those under the pension fund manager’s ‘Ginhawa Green Loans’ program, namely the ‘Ginhawa Solar Energy Loan’ and the ‘Ginhawa Bike and E-Mobility Loan.’

GSIS President and General Manager Jose Arnulfo A. Veloso was quoted in a statement as saying the loan moratorium program, dubbed ‘Balik Ginhawa 2, ‘was designed to give our members and pensioners additional financial breathing room.’

Any refunds previously received under the first phase of the ‘Balik Ginhawa’ program will be deducted from the maximum amount that members may claim, read the statement issued by the GSIS.

Members who received less than the full three-month refund under the original program may still claim the remaining eligible amount, along with the three additional months under the enhanced program, up to a maximum of six months of loan amortizations.

Refunded loan payments will not be treated as loan arrears, GSIS clarified. While the refunded months will appear as unpaid, they are covered by the loan moratorium and will not result in penalties.

Approved refunds will be credited directly to the member’s designated GSIS bank account upon approval of their application.

The expanded program excludes loan accounts already classified as due and demandable, or those with unpaid amortizations equivalent to more than six months.

Also ineligible are fully paid or renewed loan accounts, members with pending or processed retirement or separation benefit claims at the time of availment, members without a designated GSIS bank account and advance payments made before a loan’s first due date.

The Department of Education (DepEd) reported that the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) is now cleared to create 10,000 School Counselor Associate I positions, following the approval of the Qualification Standards (QS) under Republic Act (RA) No. 12080, or the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act. These new roles are expected to be rolled out to public schools in School Year 2026-2027.

Education Secretary Juan Edgardo Angara welcomed the approval by the Civil Service Commission (CSC), stressing that this development highlights the government’s continued commitment to strengthening mental health awareness, prevention, and support services for learners through comprehensive school-based programs.

Through CSC Resolution No. 2600920, the Commission approved the Qualification Standards for the positions of Schools Division Counselor (SDC), School Counselor I-IV, and School Counselor Associate (SCA) I-V positions.

These positions represent the first phase of implementing the school counseling workforce established under RA No. 12080.

The establishment of these positions represents a critical step toward expanding school-based counseling services and strengthening learner support mechanisms throughout the basic education system.

This marks a significant milestone in implementing RA 12080 and institutionalizing mental health and psychosocial support services across public schools.

Angara emphasized the importance of the CSC approval in advancing DepEd’s learner mental health and well-being agenda.

‘The approval of the Qualification Standards is a major milestone in the implementation of RA 12080. It establishes the professional standards for our school counseling workforce and brings us closer to ensuring that learners across the country have greater access to quality mental health and psychosocial support services in our schools,’ Angara said.

‘By rolling out this dedicated workforce of counselors and counselor associates, we are taking a concrete step toward fulfilling the directive of President Bongbong Marcos to transform our schools into centers of genuine care, protection, and well-being,’ he added.

Following the creation of the positions, DepEd shall prepare the necessary implementation guidelines to begin recruitment, appointment, and deployment of qualified School Counselor Associates in accordance with civil service laws, rules, and regulations.

As DepEd continues to prioritize learner well-being, Angara said the Department remains committed to working closely with partner agencies to ensure the timely staffing and operationalization of these crucial mental health positions.

These efforts reinforce DepEd’s mission to provide safe, inclusive, supportive, and learner-centered environments for every Filipino learner.

VICE President Sara Z. Duterte cannot invoke freedom of expression as a defense against the impeachment article accusing her of issuing threats, as such statements go beyond protected speech, a House of Representatives trial spokesperson said on Wednesday.

House trial spokesperson Zia Alonto Adiong stressed that freedom of expression is not absolute and does not cover statements that constitute threats, particularly those classified as grave threats under the law.

‘Well, you know, the legal community is unanimous in saying that the freedom of expression is not absolute. It has certain limitations,’ Adiong said.

He underscored that political opinion and alleged grave threats cannot be placed on the same legal footing, emphasizing that threats are distinct from expressions of sentiment.

‘And one of the limitations actually is not to use this as a way to threaten, make threats or grave threats against anyone, right? It’s not an opinion, it’s a threat,’ Adiong, who represents Lanao del Sur, explained.

The Vice President has invoked freedom of expression in response to the threats allegation, which is expected to be among the first issues to be tackled when the Senate Impeachment Court opens trial on July 6.

Adiong maintained that the prosecution’s case is not about suppressing criticism of the government, but determining whether Duterte’s public statements crossed the line into serious threats against President Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former Speaker Martin G. Romualdez.

‘It’s two separate issues. It’s not of the same type, and it should not also be taken on the same footing,’ Adiong pointed out.

‘Grave threat is a grave threat. It is not an expression of opinion,’ Adiong stressed.

He added that the allegation is serious, as Duterte herself allegedly mentioned contacting an individual who could carry out an instruction if something were to happen to her.

‘Just to be specific about the allegation of grave threats, in fact, the Vice President herself said that she had contacted or at the very least, reached out to a possible assassin where she enumerated these names if something happens to her. This is now over words,’ Adiong said.

Adiong added that it will be up to the defense to convince the Senate Impeachment Court to interpret the statements differently, but maintained that the prosecution believes the Vice President’s remarks are clear enough to be tested during trial.

‘As far as we are concerned, it’s very clear what the Vice President has said during the Zoom with the media. And it’s very clear that she had already made some understanding arrangement with the person that would be, that will carry out,’ Adiong said.

Show up

THE House prosecution panel said Duterte should personally appear before the Senate impeachment court if she intends to answer the charges in the proper forum.

Adiong said Duterte’s attendance would send a strong message to the public that she is ready to confront the allegations against her.

‘It’s important because we’re talking about the impeachment trial, which the whole country will be watching. And that’s the strongest message, a clear message that the Vice President can actually deliver to the people by way of, you know, answering these charges and be physically present during the trial by which she is actually being tried,’ said Adiong.

He noted that appearing before the court would reinforce earlier statements from Duterte’s camp that she is willing to face the allegations.

‘There’s no clearer message that would actually reinforce their claim in the previous months that they are willing now to answer these allegations in the proper forum, that they are ready, than to appear before the court. But then again, we would anticipate, probably, that the vice president may or may not appear in the trial,’ Adiong noted.

The issue of Duterte’s attendance resurfaced after she skipped previous House proceedings on the impeachment complaints, despite her camp’s insistence that the proper venue for addressing the allegations is the Senate.

Adiong, however, maintained that the prosecution’s position is clear.

‘But our position really is that she should attend. Because this is her trial,’ Adiong stressed.

He pointed out that the proceedings will openly tackle the charges against Duterte, including allegations involving threats, confidential funds, bribery, and unexplained wealth.

Adiong also said that earlier hearings could have provided Duterte an opportunity to present her side, but she chose not to attend.

With the Senate trial set to begin, Adiong said there should be no further reason for Duterte to skip the proceedings.

Regional translators

THE House prosecution panel is still considering the use of translators in major Philippine languages to make the impeachment proceedings more accessible to the public.

Impeachment adviser Robert Ace Barbers said the initiative aims to clearly and accurately explain the trial to Filipinos who are more comfortable in their native languages.

‘The impeachment process is broad in scope. It involves legal, procedural, and public information aspects. It cannot be explained by just one person. We need a team delivering a unified message,’ Barbers said.

He noted that while lawyer-spokespersons handle legal and procedural matters, efforts are underway to strengthen public communication.

‘We plan to explain the process in different languages so more Filipinos can understand it and avoid misinformation,’ he added.

Barbers emphasized that impeachment is a constitutional accountability mechanism that applies even to the highest officials and that the public must understand the process before forming conclusions.

He also urged Filipinos to watch the proceedings directly rather than rely solely on social media.

Barbers added that the prosecution’s goal is not only to present its case but also to ensure that the public understands the process based on facts, evidence, and the rule of law.

EXECUTIVES of the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) are set to meet with their counterparts in Valar Atomics LLC following technological developments in positive small modular reactors (SMR).

Meralco Chief Operating Officer Ronnie L. Aperocho confirmed they will be meeting Valar Atomics ‘in the next few days because of very positive developments in the SMR technology’ of the nuclear reactor startup.

‘But of course, we’re open to discuss other SMR technologies,’ added Aperocho who stressed that Meralco is exploring multiple SMR technology providers rather than limiting itself to one.

SMRs are designed to generate electricity at a lower capacity than traditional nuclear plants. One SMR produces about 300 megawatts (MW) to 450MW.

The Meralco official said the Pangilinan-led firm will not allow the country to serve as a testing ground for unproven technologies.

‘We are monitoring the progress of SMR deployments and the proven operating experience. We don’t want the Philippines to become a guinea pig when it comes to SMR. So we have to look into, I would say, the track record of our potential partners in terms of SMR adoption,’ he said.

Aperocho cited key considerations for SMR adoption. These are regulatory and policy readiness; safety and acceptance; life cycle cost; and technology track record.

‘We will be aligning with the Philippine nuclear policy in terms of licensing and, of course, the institutional capability. We will definitely adhere to international safety standards, and we have to build public confidence in nuclear technologies,’ he said.

‘We have to look into life cycle costs relative to other base load and renewable options,’ said the Meralco official, adding that technology maturity and global track record should be considered.

Meralco’s ‘Filipino Scholars and Interns on Nuclear Engineering’ program, Aperocho added, is designed to build a highly skilled local workforce ahead of the country’s transition to nuclear power.

‘As we look forward to the graduation of the rest of our scholars in Canada, France, Korea, and China, we are already preparing for their reintegration into our nuclear adoption program as we monitor the exciting developments in the SMR technology happening nowadays,’ he added.

Meanwhile, the Department of Energy (DOE) announced that the ‘World Nuclear Supply Chain Conference 2026’ and the ‘Philippine International Nuclear Supply Chain Forum 2026’ will convene into a single event in Manila on October 20 to October 21, 2026.

The conference will focus on scaling regional nuclear projects into full programs by addressing delivery risks, financing, supply chain readiness, and international business collaboration.

‘The Philippines is pleased to partner with World Nuclear Association to convene this integrated event in Manila. As Asean [Association of Southeast Asian Nations] countries explore sustainable pathways to meet growing energy demand, cooperation on policy, skills, investment and supply chain capability will be essential,’ Energy Secretary Sharon S. Garin said.

‘This forum will support constructive dialogue and practical partnerships that can help unlock opportunities for nuclear energy development in the Philippines, across Asean and beyond,’ Garin added.