Category: Business Mirror

THE National Student Athletes Championship (NSAC) World Invitational presented by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) will bring together eight teams from the Philippines, Japan, Taiwan and Australia for a three-day competition beginning Friday at the PhilSports Arena.

University of Santo Tomas (UST), San Beda, Jose Rizal University (JRU) and Far Eastern University (FEU) will vie against the Fighting Eagles Nagoya and Tenri University from Japan, National Formosa University from Taiwan and Elite Stacks AUS from Australia in the tournament organized by Asiabasket.

PSC chairman Patrick ‘Pato’ Gregorio welcomed the staging of the international tournament and the opportunities it creates for Filipino student-athletes.

‘The NSAC World Invitational gives our student-athletes an opportunity to compete against international opposition here at home and gain valuable experience that can contribute to their development,’ Gregorio said.’ The PSC is pleased to support initiatives that create more meaningful competitive opportunities for Filipino athletes.’

Asiabasket Founder and CEO Jai Reyes said the tournament reflects the organization’s goal of creating more opportunities for Philippine basketball to engage with international competition.

‘The NSAC World Invitational is a reflection of our vision to elevate Philippine collegiate basketball beyond our borders,’ Reyes said. ‘We want to provide our student-athletes with the opportunity to compete against quality international programs while showcasing the talent, passion, and competitiveness of Philippine basketball on a larger stage.’

The eight-team tournament will follow a knockout format with classification games, ensuring each participating team plays three games.

JRU faces Elite Stacks AUS, San Beda takes on National Formosa University, UST meets Tenri University,and FEU battles Fighting Eagles Nagoya on opening day.

Mobile services provider Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) underscored its commitment to advancing the Philippine gaming industry as the main presenter of the recent Philippine GameDev Expo (PGDX) 2026, where it showcased its partnership with Blacknut, bringing the country’s first cloud gaming platform to Smart and TNT subscribers.

Held last July 24 to 26 at the SMX Convention Center Manila in Pasay City, the country’s premier game development and gaming event brought together developers, publishers, creators, and gaming enthusiasts. As the event’s main presenter, Smart highlighted how its partnership with Blacknut, value-packed Power All offers, and world-class mobile network are enabling the next generation of digital entertainment.

Through its partnership with Blacknut, Smart and TNT subscribers can conveniently access Blacknut Cloud Gaming at blacknut.com/p/smart and instantly play more than 1,000 premium console- and PC-quality games on their smartphones-without the need for expensive gaming hardware or lengthy downloads. Weekly subscriptions start at just Php145 and can be conveniently charged to prepaid load following a simple OTP verification process.

‘Gaming continues to be one of the fastest-growing passions among Filipinos, and Smart is committed to enabling richer digital experiences through reliable connectivity and meaningful partnerships like Blacknut,’ said Lloyd R. Manaloto, FVP and OIC of Smart.

‘Our participation at PGDX reflects our commitment to supporting the local gaming community while making innovative gaming experiences more accessible to more Filipinos,’ he added.

Throughout the three-day expo, visitors experienced Blacknut Cloud Gaming firsthand at the Smart booth, instantly playing premium console- and PC-quality games on their smartphones. The booth also featured interactive activities where attendees had the chance to win exclusive prizes, including gaming skin codes.

During the event, Smart also highlighted its value-packed Power All offers, which provide generous open-access data for today’s digital lifestyles – from cloud and mobile gaming to streaming, content sharing, and staying productive for work or school.

Smart’s participation in PGDX strengthens its thrust to build a more complete gaming ecosystem by combining reliable connectivity with innovative entertainment services that bring premium gaming experiences within reach of more Filipinos. Smart continues to empower Filipino gaming enthusiasts to level up their gaming experiences anytime, anywhere powered by its award-winning mobile network, which was recently recognized for Best Mobile Video Experience and Best Mobile Latency in the Philippines.

Senator Mark A. Villar is pushing to remove the 12-percent Value-Added Tax (VAT) imposed on system loss charges in electricity bills, saying consumers should not be taxed for electricity they did not actually consume.

Villar filed Senate Bill No. 2392, which seeks to exempt the system loss component charged by distribution utilities and electric cooperatives from VAT by amending Section 109 of the National Internal Revenue Code. The measure covers recoverable technical and non-technical system losses allowed by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) under the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001.

‘Simple lang ang prinsipyo natin: kung hindi naman nakonsumo ng consumer ang kuryente, hindi siya dapat singilin ng buwis para rito. Mataas na nga ang binabayaran ng ating mga kababayan sa kuryente, may systems loss pa na hindi naman nila kasalanan. Kaya dapat nating alisin agad ang mga dagdag na singil na maaari namang bawasan,’ Villar said.

System loss refers to electricity that is lost before reaching consumers. This includes technical losses that naturally occur as power travels through the distribution system, as well as non-technical losses caused by factors such as electricity pilferage, inaccurate metering, unmetered consumption, and human error. Allowable system losses may currently be passed on to consumers and typically account for around five to six percent of an electricity bill, according to the explanatory note of Villar’s bill.

The proposal comes amid renewed efforts to bring down electricity costs in the country. The ERC has similarly recommended removing VAT on system loss charges, arguing that the tax should apply to electricity actually consumed by customers rather than power lost within the distribution system.

Senator Villar adds that the proposal is particularly timely as Filipino households continue to contend with high electricity costs. He also cites alarming data that the Philippines is among the highest electricity rates in ASEAN as of June 2026 and as well as among the highest in Asia.

‘Hindi makatarungan na ang consumer na nga ang sumasagot sa system loss, papatawan pa ito ng VAT. We have to make electricity charges fairer and ensure that every peso paid by Filipino families corresponds as much as possible to the electricity and services they actually receive,’ Villar stressed.

The senator added that even modest reductions in monthly electricity bills can provide meaningful relief when accumulated across millions of households, particularly for low- and middle-income families whose budgets are already stretched by everyday expenses.

‘Sa bawat bawas sa singil sa kuryente, may dagdag na puwedeng ilaan ang pamilya para sa pagkain, pamasahe, gamot, at edukasyon. This is a practical reform that can translate directly into savings for our consumers,’ Villar said.

A milestone is unfolding for Alas Pilipinas at the FIVB Volleyball Girls U17 World Championship, a remarkable feat from a team still in its development stage, built on barely a week of training and limited resources.

Caera Celis, Xyz Rayco, Jhaynna Bulandres, Sharina Lleses, Princess Manzano, Nadeth Herbon, Resty Olaguir and the rest of the squad have pushed through adversity as Alas Girls marched on to the Round of 16, the best-ever finish by any Philippine volleyball team at a world championship.

The Alas Pilipinas Girls thus surpassed the Bryan Bagunas-led squad that fell just short of that stage at 19th spot in the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship last year in the Philippines, and the team which placed 18th in the 1974 FIVB Women’s Volleyball World Championship in Mexico.

On the strength of two huge victories over world No. 8 Mexico and No. 20 Tunisia, plus a gritty stand in a 19-25, 16-25, 25-22, 25-19, 11-15 loss to world No. 12 Venezuela on Tuesday at the Liceo Mixto San Felipe, Alas Pilipinas Girls marched into the knockout phase alongside powerhouse teams China, USA, Korea and Poland.

Team manager Karl Chan noted that the challenges for youth players are much tougher than for elite squads due to scarce resources and limited scouting information, among others.

‘These are teens, playing at this high level for the first time, they face a lot of unknowns. You have to learn every step of the way, facing teams you don’t know,’ Chan said. ‘Unlike at the seniors level, more or less you’ve seen them play somewhere.’

Captained by Megan Hernandez and also featuring Irish Mahinay, Taj Teves, Jello Mauricio, Madele Gale, Frances Ramos and Jhenica Sadia, Alas U17 cam still achieve more, with several days of competition left.

They seek a place in the last eight when they take on South Korea on Wednesday in Los Andes.

The coaching staff said it’s an unexpected feat, noting that after securing the World Championship berth with a fifth-place finish in the Asian Volleyball Confederation U16 Women’s Championship in November last year, plans for a long training camp were dashed by leadership changes and management woes in the Philippine National Volleyball Federation.

‘It’s fulfilling to see these kids succeed and achieve more, because it’s the start of their journey in international volleyball,’ Chan said. ‘We’re looking forward to seeing these 14 players be future national team players in the senior level.’

Head coach Edwin Leyva credited the players for adapting quickly, from coping with chilly 4-degree temperatures to learning on the fly against teams they have previously seen only on video.

‘China is clearly on a different level. But against the rest of the pool, I believed we had a chance, if only we had more time to train and gel,’ Leyva said. ‘Still, they’ve matured a lot playing matches at this level. You see them crying out of frustration one night and then coming back to fight hard the next afternoon. Assistant coach Oliver Balse agreed, saying that the team that will enter the Round of 16 will be a much different squad.

‘What we aimed for was one set at a time, and we will continue to do so as the tournament progresses,’ Balse said.

The team, supported by the Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee and Asics, went from tears to cheers as they pushed Venezuela hard a day after a heartbreaking four-set loss to No. 6 Peru.

Celis had 24 points from 22 attacks and two aces, while Xyz Rayco delivered 19 from 17 attacks, a block and an ace as the Philippines closed pool play with a 2-3 win-loss record.

Bulandres, a starter in the previous matches, proved effective off the bench as she came up with timely hits in the third and fourth sets, scoring eight on six attacks and two blocks.

Venezuela, which finished pool play with a 3-2 record, got 27 points from Colina Lezama Yalesca Lileagne, and 15 from Amanda Estefania Pacheco Gonzalez. They face Chinese Taipei in the Round of 16.

THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) said a further delay in the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE) beyond the second quarter of 2027 could disrupt preparations for the 2028 polls.

Comelec Chairman George Erwin M. Garcia said the poll body could still handle a reset to around May 2027, but pushing the elections further would leave too little time for preparations for the 2028 polls.

‘If it goes beyond May 2027, it appears that we really can no longer do it because preparations for the 2028 elections may already be compromised,’ Garcia said.

Comelec hopes the Congress can decide by September whether the BSKE scheduled for November 2 will proceed.

Garcia said lawmakers are expected to hold hearings this month on several measures seeking to move the elections, giving the poll body little room to wait as preparations continue.

‘If they finish the hearings in August, we hope that by around September there will already be some news for us,’ he said.

He clarified that the Comelec was not setting a deadline for Congress, but was flagging the point at which another postponement would begin to affect preparations for the next national elections.

‘If the elections really will not push through, we hope it will be very clear by September,’ Garcia said.

For now, Comelec is pushing ahead with preparations for the polls and is already about 90 percent to 95 percent ready.

Garcia said suspending preparations while the postponement bills remain pending would be impractical since most materials and equipment could still be used even if the polls are moved.

Some costs, however, would be difficult to recover, particularly overtime expenses for Comelec personnel and supplies with limited shelf lives.

Ballots already printed for the November 2 elections may still be used under a new Comelec resolution if the polls are reset, while other election forms and materials may likewise be carried over.

Garcia said a one-year postponement could also require at least P3 billion in additional funding as voter registration would have to reopen and the number of registered voters continues to increase.

GETTING feedback at work can be a mixed bag, with 23 percent of Filipino professionals saying their latest performance review made them feel less positive about their roles.

This was according to global talent solutions firm Robert Walters’ Salary Survey Guide Philippines, which found that while 43 percent of professionals felt more motivated after their latest review, another 34 percent said the process had no impact on their engagement.

‘Performance reviews are becoming increasingly important management moments, particularly as organizations look to balance worker needs while managing tight budgets,’ Robert Walters Chief Commercial Officer Andrew Powell said.

‘Employees want to know how their skills are valued, where they can progress, and whether the business is investing in their long-term development,’ he added.

Salary reviews also remain an important concern among Filipino professionals. More than half, or 53 percent, expect to receive a salary review this year, while 35 percent said they were unlikely to receive one.

Another 10 percent were unsure, while only 2 percent had already received a salary review. However, compensation is not the only factor workers consider when assessing their jobs.

Excellent compensation and benefits ranked highest among the factors professionals value from an employer, cited by 73 percent of respondents. This was followed by flexible working conditions at 47 percent and job security and stability at 29 percent.

Career growth and advancement opportunities, flexibility in working hours and location, and a positive and inclusive company culture were also identified as key factors influencing professionals’ decisions to stay with their current employers.

Leadership style, likewise emerged as a factor in workplace engagement. A majority, or 56 percent, preferred transformational leaders who inspire and motivate change, while 34 percent favored a laissez-faire approach that gives employees greater autonomy.

Yet, despite the generally positive impact of performance reviews, more than 80 percent of Filipino professionals remain open to exploring new job opportunities, the survey found.

Robert Walters Southeast Asia Chief Executive Officer Kimberlyn Lu said the finding suggests that employers face a broader retention challenge even when employees have positive views of their current roles.

‘Even though performance reviews positively impact employee attitudes toward their current roles, our research reveals that over 80 percent of Filipino professionals remain open to exploring new opportunities,’ Lu said.

Lu said the figure reflects the competitiveness of the Philippine talent market, where professionals continue to assess opportunities beyond their current employment.

‘The fact that over 80 percent of professionals in the Philippines remain open to new opportunities highlights just how competitive today’s talent market has become,’ she said.

She added that employers need to maintain open and transparent communication with workers, particularly on career development and what they value from their organizations.

‘It’s no longer just about offering competitive salaries; it’s about driving a sense of purpose and creating an environment where employees feel genuinely valued,’ Lu said.

Meanwhile, Philippine Statistics Authority data released last week showed that underemployment rose to 6.11 million in June, up from 5.76 million a year earlier, while employment also increased to 50.66 million from 50.47 million in June 2025.

The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has proposed a draft resolution to remove the 12-percent value-added tax (VAT) on system loss charges, aiming to lower electricity bills for consumers.

System Loss refers to electricity that is generated and paid for but is physically dissipated or lost in the course of transmission and distribution before it ever reaches consumers. Under existing rules, consumers are charged for this lost electricity, and on top of that, they are also made to pay VAT on the charge.

The proposal follows the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in his State of the Nation Address (SONA), where he called for the reduction of electricity costs and the elimination of charges that do not reflect actual services rendered to consumers. The VAT on system loss has long been identified as a charge that consumers pay on electricity that was never actually delivered to them – a burden the President expressly sought to address.

The draft resolution, once finalized and confirmed by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), will effectively remove the VAT on the system loss charge, delivering direct and immediate relief to household and commercial electricity users nationwide.

‘System loss is electricity that consumers pay for but never receive,’ ERC Chairperson Francis Saturnino Juan said. ‘Imposing VAT on top of a charge for electricity that was never delivered to consumers is fundamentally at odds with the nature of VAT as a tax on the value of goods and services actually rendered. This proposed resolution addresses that and gives consumers the relief they rightly deserve.’

The proposed resolution amends pertinent provisions of ERC Resolution No. 20, Series of 2005, and ERC Resolution No. 14, Series of 2022, to align the existing regulatory framework with this policy position.

‘This is a concrete and immediate step as directed by the President toward making electricity more affordable. Working within our existing regulatory authority and in close coordination with the BIR, we are seeking to remove a layer of taxation that consumers have been shouldering for far too long,’ he added.

The ERC will conduct public consultations on the proposed resolution this month. ‘We invite all stakeholders to participate in the public consultation process,’ Juan said.

Should Congress amend the EPIRA law to remove the system loss charge, Juan said his office will abide. ‘We continue to coordinate with the DOE and Congress on how they want the removal of the system loss charge to happen. The policy direction from President is clear ,and we fully support it,’ the ERC chief added.

The ERC has required all distribution utilities to submit their system loss data from 2021 to 2025 and every year thereafter. In particular, the data required for submission include the generation purchased cost, transmission cost, energy output, energy input, sub-transmission and substation, feeder technical loss, non-technical loss, and kilowatt hour (kWh) shouldered by the DU in excess of the feeder loss cap, if any.

The Department of Energy (DOE), ERC, National Electrification Administration (NEA), electric cooperatives (ECs) , distribution utilities (DUs), and Congress are now working on the technical, regulatory and legislative reforms needed to address system-loss charges and their corresponding VAT.

The DOE has already created a joint task force to move this work forward across the distribution sector.

For an average household-specifically residential customer consuming 200 kilowatt-hours in July-the system-loss charge was P0.8751 per kWh. Removing the VAT corresponding to that system-loss charge alone would translate to approximately P21 in potential savings for that household.

‘It may be one component of the electricity bill, but it reflects a larger principle: consumers should not be made to shoulder costs that can and should be addressed through greater efficiency and accountability.

This is one of the first steps toward carrying out the President’s call. We are working with Congress and the Senate to move the necessary reforms forward as quickly as possible,’ said DOE secretary Sharon Garin.

‘If electricity is stolen, the cost should not simply be transferred to those who pay their bills honestly,’ she added.

DUs and ECs are not in favor of shouldering the cost related to system loss charges.

The Manila Electric Company (Meralco) had warned that completely removing system loss charges would cost tens of billions of pesos, creating a financial burden that private power firms cannot survive.

‘It’s a big bill for the industry because it cuts across generation, transmission, and distribution. The bill is too big for the industry to absorb all of it. So, there’s got to be that discussion. It’s going to impact the entire power industry in this country.

‘It is not a small matter to simply [cut it] just because you can raise the bill, but the system loss is still there. It’s not going to disappear. So, who’s going to pay for that? The industry? It’s going to cost tens of billions of pesos. We will not survive,’ said Meralco chairman Manuel Pangilinan.

Scrapping the charge, he added, would severely disrupt the generation, transmission, and distribution sectors. Meralco’s current system loss rate sits at six percent, keeping it safely below the ERC’s 6.5 percent regulatory cap.

According to the NEA, if 25 percent of the non-technical systems loss is prohibited, 62 ECs will be affected or will suffer financial losses. If 50 percent will be removed, 71 ECs will experience financial losses. If 100 percent is removed, 89 out of the 121 ECs will surely experience financial losses.

With these figures, we have formulated some programs of the NEA-whose mandate includes the extension of loans for sustainable capex [capital expenditures] to ECs.

If the 25 percent will be implemented, we will be needing about P3.5 billion to cushion the effect to the ECs. If 50 percent of the non-technical loss will be implemented, we will be needing a loan equity fund to extend to ECs in the amount of P5.5 billion.

‘If there would be an outright implementation of 100 percent removal, NEA will be needing additional loan equity fund of P10 billion to extend loans to ECs,’ said NEA administrator Antonio Mariano Almeda.

The biggest competition in Philippine hospitality today is not for guests. It is for brands. Across Metro Manila and major tourism destinations, developers are scrambling to secure partnerships with internationally recognized hotel operators, convinced that the right global flag can unlock a property’s long-term value and competitiveness.

Latest hospitality investment trends indicate that global hotel operators are making a major vote of confidence in the Philippine hospitality market. Rising tourist arrivals, the return of Chinese travelers, expanding visa-free programs, and the surge in MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions) demand are encouraging international brands to aggressively expand across Metro Manila and key areas outside of the capital region.

Foreign brands betting big on PH hospitality

Latest Colliers Philippines data reveal that foreign hotel operators are significantly increasing their presence across Metro Manila and major provincial destinations, accounting for nearly half of the new hotel supply expected from 2026 to 2029. International brands such as Hilton, Mandarin Oriental, Banyan Tree, Citadines, Radisson, Dusit, Sofitel, Pullman, and Moxy are among those strengthening their footprint in the country.

The expansion comes as the country’s tourism sector continues to gain momentum. Foreign visitor arrivals reached 3.16 million in the first half of 2026, up 5.4 percent year-on-year. One of the most notable developments is the resurgence of the Chinese market, with arrivals from China surging by 64.5 percent annually, helping offset softer arrivals from South Korea.

Global brands are not investing based solely on current demand. They are positioning themselves for the next wave of growth driven by tourism recovery, expanding air connectivity, visa liberalization, and the country’s rising prominence as a business and events destination.

Colliers noted that Metro Manila alone is expected to deliver 2,486 new hotel rooms in 2026, a 236% increase from the previous year’s completion level. From 2026 to 2029, annual hotel completions are projected to average about 1,880 rooms, bringing a fresh wave of internationally branded accommodations into the market.

Strategic expansion outside Metro Manila

Beyond leisure travel, the emergence of large-scale MICE facilities is also poised to drive hotel demand. More than 522,000 square meters of new exhibition space are expected to be added nationwide, including major developments in Metro Manila, Clark, Cebu, and Cavite. These projects are expected to support higher room demand from business travelers, convention delegates, and event organizers.

Colliers believes that the combination of rising tourist arrivals, expanding MICE infrastructure, and aggressive international brand expansion supports a positive long-term outlook for the Philippine hospitality market. The consultancy forecasts hotel occupancy to return to pre-pandemic levels of 72 percent by 2028, supported by an estimated 7.5 million foreign arrivals.

As more global brands plant their flags across the country, the Philippines is steadily strengthening its position as one of Southeast Asia’s most compelling hospitality investment destinations,’ Bondoc added. ‘The message from international operators is simple: they’re betting big on Philippine tourism.

Bringing in more international brands

Increasingly, local developers see affiliation with global operators as a competitive advantage rather than a marketing exercise. In a market where travelers are becoming more brand-conscious and investors are prioritizing institutional-grade assets, securing an international flag can enhance project value, improve financing prospects, and drive stronger long-term occupancy. This helps explain why developers are aggressively pursuing partnerships with established hotel groups across both Metro Manila and key tourism destinations.

The growing scramble among Philippine developers to secure global hotel brands signals more than just confidence in tourism, it reflects a broader recognition that hospitality is becoming a strategic real estate play. Colliers Philippines believes that in an increasingly competitive market, internationally recognized operators bring not only brand prestige but also global distribution networks, operational expertise, and access to high-value travelers. As foreign arrivals rebound, MICE activity accelerates, and infrastructure upgrades improve connectivity, developers are racing to align with brands that can capture future demand.

By aggressively pursuing these partnerships, Philippine developers are making a major bet on local tourism. If current trends in hospitality, infrastructure, and business travel continue, we see a greater comeback story for major hospitality players in the country.

Financial institution Chinabank brings Apple Pay to its cardholders in the Philippines. Apple Pay is an easy, secure, and private way to pay in-store, in-app, and online.

To pay in-store, customers simply double-click the side button, authenticate, and hold their iPhone or Apple Watch near a payment terminal to make a contactless payment. Every Apple Pay purchase is secure because it is authenticated with Face ID, Touch ID, or device passcode, as well as a one-time unique dynamic security code. Apple Pay is accepted in grocery stores, pharmacies, restaurants, coffee shops, retail stores, and many more places that accept contactless payments.

‘At Chinabank, we continuously enhance the way our customers pay by providing secure and convenient experiences that are aligned with our customers’ evolving needs. With Apple Pay, our cardholders can enjoy a seamless way to make purchases in stores, in apps, and online using the Apple devices they use every day. This reflects our focus on delivering best-in-class payment experiences all while enabling our customers to continue enjoying the rewards and benefits of their Chinabank cards,’ said Jose Julian E. Baduria Jr., payment solutions head of Chinabank.

Customers can also use Apple Pay on their iPhone, iPad, and Mac to make faster and more convenient purchases in apps or on the web without having to create accounts or repeatedly type in contact information, card details, or shipping and billing information.

Security and privacy are at the core of Apple Pay. When customers use a credit or debit card with Apple Pay, the actual card numbers are not stored on the device, nor on Apple servers. Instead, a unique Device Account Number is assigned, encrypted, and securely stored in the Secure Element, an industry-standard, certified chip designed to store the payment information safely on the device.

Apple Pay is easy to set up. On an iPhone, simply open the Wallet app, tap the ‘+’, and follow the steps to add Chinabank credit or debit cards. Once a customer adds a card to iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad, and Mac, they can start using Apple Pay on that device right away. Customers will continue to receive all of the rewards and benefits offered by Chinabank cards.

Former Ateneo men’s basketball coach Tab Baldwin and Ateneo de Manila University were ordered to jointly and solidarily pay P4.9 million for his failure to secure the required certificate of exemption while working for the university.

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) also imposed separate P10,000 fines on Baldwin for working without a valid Alien Employment Permit (AEP) and on Ateneo for employing him without the required permit.

The P4.9-million penalty covered 490 days from Feb. 10, 2025 until Baldwin’s resignation on June 15, 2026, with DOLE imposing P10,000 for each day he rendered services without the required certificate of exemption under Department Order No. 248-25.

The separate AEP violations covered Baldwin’s employment with Ateneo from Dec. 1, 2015 to Sept. 28, 2016, when he worked for at least nine months without a valid permit.

Labor Secretary Francis N. Tolentino also referred Baldwin’s case to the Bureau of Immigration for summary deportation proceedings, without prejudice to civil, administrative or criminal complaints pending before other investigative agencies or the courts.