Category: Business Mirror

Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa vowed to expand the benefits provided by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) following the order of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of an additional P60 billion in the 2026 proposed budget of the agency.

On Wednesday ‘s budget hearing of the Senate Committee on Finance Subcommittee on Health chaired by Pia Cayetano, Herbosa said that they will increase PhilHealth’s benefits for those suffering from heart disease, diabetes, high blood, and cancer.

‘Gusto ng ating Pangulo na pataasin pa ang sinasagot ng PhilHealth sa ating mga gastusing pangkalusugan. Pati dental benefits at para sa mental health, ating dadagdagan,’ Herbosa said as the agency proposes for

P320.52 billion for the Department of Health (DOH) and its attached agencies and corporations.

Likewise, he also assured of the continuity of the Zero Balance Billing, seen to cover even bigger public hospitals in the provinces and cities.

‘May panukala ang DOH na magkaroon ng panibagong line item sa GAA, na tatawagin nating ‘Zero Balance Billing support for Level 2 and Level 3 LGU hospitals.’ Ito ay para sana hindi lamang sa DOH hospitals. Kung popondohan ito ay labis na makakatulong,’ Herbosa explained.

The hearing highlighted the nation’s ongoing efforts to fulfill Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3) and bring the Universal Health Care (UHC) Law to life.

The proposed 2026 budget of DOH has increased from P303.86 billion in the 2025 National Expenditure Program (NEP) and P259.42 billion in the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA).

The Office of the Secretary is set to receive P263.96 billion, while attached specialty hospitals and agencies, including the Lung Center, Kidney Institute, Heart Center, and Children’s Medical Center, maintain steady funding. Meanwhile, the PhilHealth is set to receive P53.3 billion in 2026 from an entire year with zero subsidy.

As for the senators, they assured that the 2026 budget reflects both national legal mandates and global health goals.

They also urged all stakeholders to uphold the integrity of the UHC Law and accelerate progress toward SDG 3 by ensuring transparent, accountable, and health-focused budgeting.

IN my September 3 column, I wrote about the excessive greed for money that fuels misconduct such as fraud and corruption-the most pressing, interconnected issue in the country right now and labeled as the largest corruption scandal in history.

The Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) has asked the Court of Appeals (CA) to freeze assets of individuals and entities linked to anomalous flood control projects. These assets cover more than 700 bank accounts, insurance policies, luxury vehicles and real estate properties.

A freeze order is valid for 20 days, during which it will be determined whether to lift or extend it for up to 6 months if the CA finds probable cause that the frozen accounts are related to illicit activities. If the court does not file a case within this period, the freeze order is automatically lifted.

Why issuing freeze order of bank accounts suspected of graft and plunder a crucial first step? It is an important action to prevent movement or disposal of funds and other assets believed to come from unlawful activities. Criminals and plunderers typically move illegal wealth quickly into shell companies, foreign bank accounts, expensive purchases, gambling, or cryptocurrencies.

A freeze order stops them from transferring or liquidating assets while investigations are ongoing. Without it, assets will be very difficult for authorities to trace and recover.

Banks of accounts under investigation are legally required to act on a freeze order immediately and lock these bank accounts to prevent any access or movement. Funds stay locked until the freeze order expires or gets lifted. Banks also preserve transaction history of frozen accounts and provide the AMLC with records and related documents that can be used for the investigation.

The ongoing Senate probe on the issue is becoming more and more complex by the day. Filipinos want to know the truth and see more names exposed, but most importantly, we want these investigations to bring justice-prosecution of parties involved and real reforms to curb systemic corruption in government.

Loud and clear, beyond recovery of stolen public funds, people want restitution. It is taxpayers’ money stolen, and assets recovered should be returned to the people. Can the government give us a tax break or holiday, or reduction in income tax and VAT for a period? In other jurisdictions, however, governments will go after prosecution and asset recovery, then use recovered assets for social services and programs, rather than tax holiday or offsetting tax collections.

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) collected Php2.85 trillion tax in 2024, with income taxes accounted for 53.75 percent of the collection. If only our taxes are put to good use or intended purpose such as the government’s flagship projects and social services, the country can improve its climate resilience, disaster risk prevention and management, support sustainable economic growth and we will not be in this predicament now.

In a recent interview, BSP Governor Eli M. Remolona Jr. assured the public that the banking sector remains strong and liquid. Banks, on the other hand, will continue to act as gatekeepers to detect suspicious transactions, and support additional reforms such as strengthening checks and balances, stricter measures to make it more difficult for illegal funds to enter and exit the financial system.

Even if we are all angry and dismayed, we must keep our faith in the integrity of our institutions, judicial process and law enforcement. We should continue to press for transparency and accountability in governance. We deserve a government that’s credible, honest, just and truly serves the people.

Why spend ?12 billion a year on foreign servers when we can build our own for ?2.5 billion?

This was the central question raised during the House deliberations on the DICT’s 2026 budget, as lawmakers pressed for investments in local data centers to reduce dependence on costly and risky foreign cloud storage.

Rep. Presley De Jesus asked the sponsor how much government would need to establish its own facilities.

Rep. Brian Poe, sponsoring the budget, replied:

‘Mr. Speaker, it will cost us ?2.5 billion pesos. However, what I wasn’t able to clarify. is that the ?2.5 billion is not all in one go. In fact, based on the absorptive capacity of DICT, we will have to spread out this ?2.5 billion across the remaining three years of the administration to build these data centers.’

Rep. Robert Nazal then raised funding options, suggesting the Spectrum Users Fund (SUF) as a possible source:

‘Since we’re already requesting for the ?2.5 billion and we intend to get it from the GAA, why not get it from the SUF?’

Poe acknowledged the proposal but explained DICT’s immediate priorities:

‘Mr. Speaker, DICT is prioritizing the connectivity, the internet connection, as well as the continuing appropriation for maintenance and operation of these Free Wi-Fi sites. Now, to my colleague’s point, I understand where he’s coming from. If there’s ?21 billion sitting in this fund and there is a bad need for these data centers, why not consider the data centers? And that’s something that we can take up. But before we go into that, I think the DICT has a pressing commitment by October to deliver these Free Wi-Fi sites to the Filipino people.’

Both interpellators and Poe agreed that local data centers are vital – not only to save billions in recurring cloud rental costs but also to safeguard sensitive government information. Poe closed by emphasizing that DICT has steadily improved its absorptive capacity – from 87% utilization in 2024 to a projected 93% in 2025 – making it ready to roll out phased investments in data centers while ensuring the timely delivery of Free Wi-Fi commitments to the Filipino public.

Seven years after the launch of the Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, and Exhibitions Roadmap 2030, the Philippines’ performance in attracting international MICE delegates remains shockingly low. Senator Loren Legarda’s incredulous reaction to the Department of Tourism’s (DOT) budget presentation, where it was revealed that a mere one percent of tourist arrivals are for conventions and conferences, underscores the gravity of the situation. With only 60,000 MICE delegates out of nearly six million international travelers in 2024, it’s clear the country is missing out on a significant economic opportunity.

The Tourism Promotions Board acknowledges the need for improvement, citing safety and security concerns as major challenges. While these are legitimate issues, they are not insurmountable, nor are they solely the responsibility of the DOT and TPB to solve. As Senator Legarda pointed out, MICE is a ‘low-hanging fruit’-an area where the Philippines should be excelling.

The lack of comprehensive data on MICE arrivals, particularly pre-pandemic, is a major impediment. The TPB’s admission that gathering this data is a priority for next year is concerning, given that the MICE Roadmap 2030 was launched in 2018. Without a clear baseline, it’s impossible to effectively measure progress and identify areas for improvement.

Even more troubling is the revelation that the DOT has yet to finalize a Strategic Action Plan for the MICE Roadmap 2030. Industry sources claim that they have not been presented with any concrete plans, and that the DOT has only launched a MICE slogan. This lack of action is unacceptable and suggests a lack of commitment to developing the MICE industry.

Compared to its Southeast Asian neighbors, the Philippines lags far behind. Singapore, Thailand, and Malaysia all attract significantly more MICE delegates. While the TPB points to Malaysia’s landlocked status as a factor in its success, Singapore’s dominance in the region demonstrates that strategic planning, infrastructure, and effective marketing are key to attracting MICE events.

The Philippines has the potential to be a major MICE destination. With its beautiful scenery, warm hospitality, and strategic location, the country has much to offer. MICE delegates spend a considerable amount of money and tend to stay longer, making them valuable tourists. To unlock this potential, the DOT and TPB must prioritize the development of a comprehensive and actionable MICE strategy. This includes addressing safety and security concerns, gathering comprehensive data, finalizing the Strategic Action Plan, and working closely with industry stakeholders.

The MICE industry holds immense potential for economic growth and job creation. With a daily expenditure of P6,000 per delegate and an average stay of 11 days, MICE tourists contribute significantly to local economies. We can develop our MICE industry by shifting from mere slogans to effective stewardship. This involves gathering reliable data, creating actionable plans, fostering collaboration across government, and empowering the industry to compete. If the next seven years repeat the past, the country risks missing out on a straightforward opportunity for higher-value tourism. However, if we take action now, the Philippines can still harvest the ‘low-hanging fruit’ outlined in its own roadmap.

THE Philippines’ failure to address learning poverty in basic education could turn the country’s much-touted demographic dividend into a liability within the next five years, according to the Philippine Business for Education (PBEd).

PBEd Executive Director Hanibal Camua warned that unless urgent reforms are made, the country’s young workforce may end up unemployed or stuck in poor-quality jobs.

‘What we are actually confident about.the demographic dividend, within five years, it becomes a demographic deficiency. It becomes a liability,’ he said. ‘They will become the next beneficiaries of your 4Ps, AKAP, AICS, TUPAD because they will find themselves unemployed.If they are employed, they will be.in bad jobs.’

International benchmarks reflect the scale of the problem. The 2025 IMD World Talent Report ranked the Philippines 64th out of 69 economies, trailing Asean peers like Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia.

The report measures how countries develop, attract, and retain talent, and Camua said the Philippines’ low standing is rooted in weak foundations at the primary level.

Meanwhile, in the 2022 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), Filipino students ranked third lowest in science with an average score of 356, and sixth lowest in both mathematics and reading with 355 and 347, respectively, among 81 countries.

These scores showed little improvement from 2018, when the country scored 357 in science, 350 in mathematics, and 340 in reading.

A World Bank study also found that as of 2021, nine out of 10 children in the Philippines could not read and understand a simple text by age 10, a benchmark indicator of learning poverty.

Camua said this collapse in early learning is carried forward through the education system.

‘If we are not doing very well in basic education, then basically those that will proceed to senior high school and eventually to college will have low competencies. And it shows,’ he said.

Government data also reinforce the concern.

Earlier this year, the Philippine Statistics Authority’s Functional Literacy, Education and Mass Media Survey (FLEMMS) showed that while 90 percent of Filipinos aged 10 to 64 could read and write, only 70.8 percent were considered functionally literate-or able to comprehend and apply information.

This means that for every nine individuals who can read and write, two still struggle with comprehension.

Camua stressed that the problem is not attributable to a single administration, but to decades of underinvestment that weakened the country’s education pipeline.

‘It’s been a systemic negligence, I would say. It’s not attributable to this administration or the previous administration,’ he said.

The Philippines, once seen as a model for education in Southeast Asia, has already been overtaken by its neighbors.

In the latest IMD rankings, Malaysia rose to 25th, climbing eight spots, while Thailand ranked 43rd and Indonesia 53rd.

All three countries placed well above the Philippines, which continues to lag near the bottom.

Pag-IBIG Fund, the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) turned over new housing units on Monday, 29 September, to graduating qualified beneficiaries of the government’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) who are also active Pag-IBIG Fund members.

The turnover ceremony, held at the Abuab Housing Project in San Mateo, Rizal, also marked the kick-off of National Shelter Month 2025, reinforcing President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to provide safe, decent, and affordable shelter for all Filipinos. The event showcased the result of strong collaboration among national government agencies and local government units, working together to expand access to dignified housing under the Expanded Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino Program (4PH).

DHSUD Secretary Jose Ramon P. Aliling highlighted the importance of inter-agency cooperation in fulfilling the administration’s housing goals.

‘President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has directed all government agencies to help one another in making homeownership more accessible to Filipinos, especially our 4Ps beneficiaries. Today’s turnover is a fulfillment of that directive. This is the first Expanded 4PH pilot project in Region IV-A. In close coordination with DSWD, we are matching the housing needs of 4Ps families in our collective effort to uplift lives,’ said Secretary Aliling.

Meanwhile, DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian emphasized the long-term impact of the initiative on social development.

‘DSWD’s mandate is not only to provide relief during times of crisis but to help our fellow Filipinos break free from poverty. This is the first time we have partnered with DHSUD on a project like this, and we are grateful that our 4Ps beneficiaries now have the chance to own a home through the expanded 4PH program. Hindi na kayo uupa. May sarili na kayong tahanan,’ said Secretary Gatchalian.

Pag-IBIG Fund, represented by Deputy Chief Executive Officer Alexander Hilario G. Aguilar, affirmed that qualified members can avail of their own homes at Abuab Towers, which will offer a total of 4,330 condominium units. For a 24-square-meter unit, the monthly amortization is as low as ?6,201.81 and can be further reduced to ?4,849.38 with DHSUD’s subsidy.

More than 100 4Ps beneficiaries have already received Notices of Approval for their Pag-IBIG housing loans, with several formally receiving their units during the ceremony. Pag-IBIG Fund continues to serve members nationwide through a wide range of benefits, including savings programs, multi-purpose loans for urgent needs, and other housing modalities under the Expanded 4PH Program.

To bring services closer to the community, Pag-IBIG Fund deployed its Lingkod Pag-IBIG on Wheels (LPOW) during the event. The mobile service unit provided on-the-spot assistance for membership registration, housing loan inquiries, and other programs. The San Mateo turnover stands as a milestone in the joint efforts of DHSUD, DSWD, Pag-IBIG Fund, and the Local Government of San Mateo to realize the government’s vision of providing every Filipino family with a decent and affordable home.

An undefeated run to the ATP Finals trophy later this year will result in a paycheck of more than $5 million – slightly more than what Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka earned for their US Open titles this month.

The exact amount for an undefeated run at the year-ending event for the top-eight players is $5,071,000, the ATP announced. That’s an increase on the $4,881,100 that Jannik Sinner earned when he went undefeated at last year’s ATP Finals.

Alcaraz and Sabalenka each earned exactly $5 million at the US Open.

Total prize money for the ATP Finals – Nov. 9-16 in Turin – is $15.5 million.

Top-ranked Alcaraz and No. 2 Sinner, who each won two Grand Slam titles this season, are the only two singles players to have qualified for the finals so far.

An undefeated doubles team will earn $959,300.

St. Luke’s Medical Center-Global City launched last September 24, 2025 the Blood Cancer Care Service, a specialized program designed to deliver comprehensive, world-class treatment for patients battling blood cancers such as leukemia, lymphoma and multiple myeloma.

According to Dr. Francis Lopez, Head of the Blood Cancer Care Service, hematologic malignancies remain a significant health challenge in the Philippines. He pointed out that current data indicate that approximately 33 Filipinos are diagnosed with blood cancer very day. This translates to thousands of new cases every year.

‘These are not just numbers; these represent lives and families profoundly affected by these diseases. This is precisely why St. Luke’s has take the step to establish a dedicated blood cancer care service,’ he said.

‘We recognize that to provide the highest quality of care, we must move toward further specialization where our physicians, nurses and staff can focus on specific diseases, deepen their expertise and stay at the forefront of the latest diagnostics and treatment,’ he added.

Beneficial to patients

The opening of the services ensures that patients benefit from the care that is ‘comprehensive, precise and compassionate.’

‘Our ultimate goal this year is clear: to serve our patients better, to give them the best chance at recovery, the best quality of life and the hope they deserve,’ Dr. Lopez said.

The opening of the new service coincided with the accreditation of St. Luke’s Cancer Institute as a Cancer Specialty Center by the Department of Health.

‘This means that the care we provide really meets the national standards that’s evidence-based, multidisciplinary and centered on the needs of every patient who comes through our doors and entrusts their care to us,’ said Dr. Marie Belle Francia, head of the Cancer Institute at St. Luke’s Medical Center-Global City.

Benchmark

For his part, Dr. Dennis Serrano, President and CEO of St. Luke’s Medical Center, said with the opening of the Blood Cancer Care Service, St. Luke’s will become the benchmark for many hospitals.

‘It is really inherent upon us to keep pushing the envelope in terms of finding out how much more we can do for the patients, what newer and more innovative things and more groundbreaking outcomes we can offer our patients,’ he said.

He added that everything that the hospital does is for the benefit of their patients.

‘As we grow from one to two hospitals and eventually to three hospitals in our one healthcare system, we should never lose sight of the fact that really the main objective of all of this growth, all of these advances, is patient outcomes. And the opening of this service is a testament to that commitment, to that objective that we are always looking out for patient outcomes,’ Dr. Serrano said.

Multidisciplinary team

At the core of the new service is a multidisciplinary team of subspecialized hematologists working alongside oncologists, pathologists, geneticists, and supportive care professionals. This collaborative model ensures that every patient benefits from a treatment plan that is coordinated, individualized, and comprehensive.

St. Luke’s-Global City’s Blood Cancer Care Service offers advanced hematologic, genetic, and molecular testing. These tools enable timely and accurate diagnosis, allowing doctors to design treatment strategies that are precisely tailored to each patient’s cancer type and genetic profile.

Patients will have access to a full range of evidence-based therapies, including chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and stem cell transplantation. Each treatment plan is tailored to optimize outcomes while minimizing side effects and ensuring care that is both effective and compassionate.

Recognizing that cancer care extends beyond medical treatment, the program also provides integrated supportive services, including transfusion support, infection control, and nutritional guidance. These services are crucial for enhancing overall well-being, managing complications, and supporting patients throughout their recovery journey.

SECRETARY of Foreign Affairs Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro co-chaired a foreign ministerial meeting on ‘Reinforcing Cooperation to Achieve a Secure and Stable Maritime Domain’ during the United Nations (UN) General Assembly’s 80th Session.

On September 24, 40 countries actively participated in the meeting, which was co-hosted by the Philippines with Australia, Estonia, Greece, Japan, the Netherlands, Romania, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Acknowledging the current challenges in ensuring a secure and stable maritime domain, there was renewed commitment to multilateralism and the shared stewardship of the world’s oceans.

In particular, emphasis was placed on international law, cooperation across shared maritime issues such as the protection of the marine environment, ensuring freedom of navigation and commerce, facilitating global connectivity, and securing critical underwater infrastructure.

‘As a growing coalition across regions, we reaffirmed international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea [or UNCLOS as the constitution for the oceans,] and the legal framework in addressing global challenges to security and stability at sea.’ Lazaro said at the meeting.

THE Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Muntinlupa City has granted the plea of the Department of Justice (DOJ) to withdraw the motion for reconsideration that was filed by its prosecutors in connection with the acquittal of former Senator and now Mamamayang Liberal party-list Representative Leila de Lima in the conspiracy to commit illegal drug trading charges filed against her.

In a two-page order, Muntinlupa RTC Branch 204 Presiding Judge Abraham Alcantara said with the withdrawal of the motion for reconsiderations, the last remaining drug case filed against De Lima by the Duterte administration is now deemed ‘closed and terminated.’

‘Considering that this case already involves an acquittal, the Court shall exercise sound discretion and allow withdrawal of the prosecution’s motion for reconsideration,’ Judge Alcantara said.

‘Indeed, the directive of the Honorable Prosecutor General upon the panel of the prosecutors to withdraw the motion is impressed with merit,’ he added. De Lima was acquitted by the Muntinlupa RTC last May 12, 2023 but this decision was declared null and void by the Court of Appeals (CA) in a ruling issued last May.

The CA held that Alcantara committed grave abuse of discretion when it acquitted De Lima and his former bodyguard Ronnie Dayan mainly due the recantation of the prosecution’s principal witness, former Bureau of Corrections officer-in-charge Rafael Ragos.

It ruled that Alcantara violated the Constitution and the Rules of Court which mandates ‘transparency and reasonableness of the decision making-process.’

The CA said the judge failed to state the specific facts retracted by Ragos and its effects to the facts proven by the prosecution and failed to identify the specific factual statements that were purportedly retracted by the witness.

Thus, the CA ordered that the case be remanded to the trial court for it to decide the case in accordance with the rules stated in the decision.

Acting on the CA’s directive, the trial court issued another ruling last June 27, 2025 which maintained its May 12, 2023 decision in favor of De Lima and Dayan.

This prompted the prosecution panel led by Provincial Prosecutor Ramoncito Bienvenido Ocampo to file an MR seeking the reversal of the trial court’s June 27 decision.

The panel insisted that despite the recantation of Ragos, there are other pieces of evidence which are sufficient to prove de Lima’s guilt.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, however, ordered the withdrawal of the motion on the ground of double jeopardy.

Double jeopardy is a legal principle that an accused cannot be tried twice for the same offense based on the same conduct.

Its purpose is to protect the accused from harassment, oppression, and abuse of power by the state.

De Lima earlier accused the DOJ prosecution panel of having a political agenda in pursuing the drug charges despite her acquittal.

Alcantara also stressed that granting the motion for reconsideration of the prosecutors would be tantamount to violation of the double jeopardy rule.

‘To reiterate and emphasize, every acquittal becomes final and immediately upon promulgation and cannot be recalled for correction or amendment,’ Alcantara said.

‘With the acquittal being immediately final, granting the State’s motion for reconsideration in this case would violate the Constitutional prohibition against double jeopardy because it would effectively reopen the prosecution and subject the accused to a second jeopardy despite their acquittal,’ he added.