Category: Business Mirror

Alexandra Eala’s seven-match streak ended at the National Bank Open, but the Filipina’s Toronto debut offered a fuller measure of her rise: two hard-fought wins, a community that made every match feel like a final and a clearer view of the demands waiting in Cincinnati and New York.

TORONTO – Alexandra Eala did not leave Centre Court looking defeated.

After Belinda Bencic closed out a 6-4, 6-0 win in one hour and 13 minutes, Eala stopped, looked around the stadium and smiled at the crowd. It was a small moment, but it said plenty about how she viewed the week. The loss hurt. It did not erase what she had done in Toronto.

Bencic, the 12th seed and 2015 champion, ended Eala’s seven-match winning streak by breaking serve in the ninth game of the opening set, then running through the second without dropping a game.

Speaking in her post-match news conference, Eala said Bencic had repeatedly put her under pressure and that she struggled to change the emotional direction of the match. Even so, she regarded her Toronto run as a positive and said she would recover before returning to competition.

Eala was not looking for an explanation outside the match. She had been through enough tight contests over the past two weeks to know what it feels like when she can slow things down, settle herself and work back into the contest. Against Bencic, she never got there.

The first set was the key. Eala was still in it at 4-5, but Bencic broke to take the set and changed the direction of the match. Bencic kept the pressure on after taking the opener, and Eala found herself pressing to make things happen. The second set went quickly.

That was different from Eala’s win over Caty McNally two days earlier. Against McNally, Eala lost the second set but found a way to regroup and take the third, 6-4. Afterward, she said her approach in difficult stretches was to stay with what she could control: recognize the quality of the opponent’s play, acknowledge her own errors and try to improve on the next point.

It is a practical approach, and it had worked. But Bencic gave her less room to use it. She turned a close first set into a match Eala could no longer manage point by point.

The loss also came after a lot of tennis. Eala had won her first WTA title in Washington, then arrived in Toronto and beat Alycia Parks and McNally to reach the round of 16. The McNally match lasted two hours and 39 minutes.

Eala rolled her ankle during that match and required attention from the physio, though she later said there was no serious issue. She also acknowledged that the run of matches had left her deeply fatigued, while making clear that recovery was part of the work.

A first title changes the calendar around a player. It brings confidence, ranking points and new expectations. It also means carrying momentum from one tournament to the next while opponents arrive better prepared and less surprised. Washington showed what Eala can do when her game catches fire. Toronto showed that she can keep winning after that. Bencic showed the level of control Eala will keep encountering as she moves through bigger draws.

The next layer of Eala’s development is likely to begin with the serve. Her left-handed delivery can create awkward angles and variation, particularly with the slice, but she still does not get enough easy points from it against the game’s best returners. That puts greater pressure on her to win longer exchanges and makes it harder to recover when an opponent such as Bencic takes control. The priority is not simply adding speed; it is improving first-serve placement, giving the second serve more weight and building clearer patterns for the first ball after serve.

That attention was impossible to miss in Toronto. Eala’s matches felt less like routine early-round sessions and more like finals nights for the Filipino community that came out for her. Families arrived together. Philippine flags appeared in the stands. Fans wore Filipino colors, carried signs and filled the concourses with Tagalog conversations before moving toward Centre Court.

There were parents bringing their children to see a Filipina player compete on one of tennis’s biggest stages. There were groups of friends planning around her match times. There were fans who had followed her matches overnight from the Philippines and now had the chance to watch her in person.

The noise was there from the first ball, but the bigger thing was the patience. The crowd stayed with Eala through long rallies, tense games and the moments when she had to fight back. Against McNally, it rose with her in the third set. By the time she played Bencic, there was already the feeling that an Eala match had become an event, something people arranged their day around.

For a community more often visible in the stands than represented at the center of a major tennis draw, Eala’s run carried added weight. The Philippine flags and the families in the building showed that this was not simply a fan section. It was a community watching one of its own become one of the central stories of the week.

That did not make the support only symbolic. Fans were invested in the tennis itself: the left-handed forehands, the defensive runs, the missed chances and the way Eala kept fighting through difficult matches. Each appearance carried the intensity of a finals game, even when it was a third-round or round-of-16 match.

Then there was the blue dinosaur.

The costumed fan became one of the lighter recurring images of Eala’s week, a reminder that the support around her had room for humor as well as nerves and national pride. Asked after the McNally match about the dinosaur, Eala said she had not spotted the fan that night but had heard he was back in the crowd.

‘What a legend,’ she said, describing him as a funny and distinctive expression of the support around her.

It would not be surprising if the dinosaur turns up again in New York during the US Open, where Eala’s following is likely to be even larger.

Eala said the Toronto atmosphere was difficult to convey to people who had not been inside the stadium. She described the city as passionate and multicultural, noting the way Filipino supporters, Turkish fans and local Canadian backers turned out for players they identified with.

Asked about carrying Filipino culture onto the tour, Eala said she was proud to represent the Philippines but saw herself as only one part of a much wider culture of Filipino pride and mutual support.

Now comes recovery. Eala said she would take a day or two away from the court in Toronto, attend to ordinary errands, see friends in Cincinnati and return to training. She said she was healthy, grateful for that and focused on applying the lessons of Washington and Toronto during the next stops in Cincinnati and New York.

‘I’m counting my blessings,’ she said.

I have followed and photographed Eala at the U.S. Open since 2019, when the Filipino presence around her matches was small enough to count with your fingers. The crowds have grown, the noise has changed, and the expectations are now national.

After Eala’s title-winning performance in Washington, Dr. Tony Aizer, a New York cardiac electrophysiologist and longtime follower of her career, told me that the fan phenomenon around her could change how players think about promoting themselves on social media.

Aizer said the important thing was not simply the scale of Eala’s online following, but what that following did once she arrived in a city. Her supporters were translating their enthusiasm into travel, ticket purchases, homemade signs, family outings and a genuine presence inside stadiums. That kind of fan connection, he said, could push other players to think beyond posting results and toward building relationships that give people a reason to show up.

Sports is a business, and fans are central to the model. They buy tickets, arrive early, spend on food and merchandise, create social-media traffic and give sponsors a reason to pay attention. Eala’s pull in Toronto was not theoretical. Tournament director Karl Hale said her Wednesday session sold out in 30 minutes. He also said the event moved her scheduled opening match from the 2,800-seat Grandstand to Centre Court because she had ‘probably sold upwards of 5,000 tickets.’

Eala is becoming a meaningful commercial draw, not only for herself but for the events that schedule her. The smart tournaments will not simply move her to a larger court once demand spikes. They will plan ahead: Filipino community outreach, suitable merchandise, food partnerships, fan activations, sponsor programming and scheduling that recognizes the audience she brings.

The point is not to commodify Filipino support or treat it as a gimmick. It is to recognize that Eala has created an audience that acts on its enthusiasm. Toronto showed what happens when online visibility translates into ticket demand, full stands and a charged in-person atmosphere.

The Eala caravan is likely to keep growing. Cincinnati and New York are next, and it would not be surprising if supporters follow her from venue to venue, turning each appearance into the kind of occasion that the tour will want to plan around.

The municipal government of Consolacion, Cebu is turning to schoolchildren to help build a culture of waste reduction, distributing reusable water tumblers to nearly 3,000 Grade 6 pupils across 20 public elementary schools.

The initiative, led through the town’s Tumbler Ordinance, aims to reduce students’ reliance on single-use plastic bottles while encouraging waste-reduction habits that they can carry beyond the classroom.

‘The tumbler is just the tool. The real objective is behavioral change,’ said Councilor Fred Herrera, chairman of the Municipal Council’s Environment Committee and author of the ordinance.

Herrera sponsored the P900,000 program through his Community Assistance Fund (CAF).

Town officials said the program was prompted by observations that students frequently purchase drinking water from dispensers that provide single-use plastic containers.

By giving students a reusable alternative, the municipal government hopes to make waste reduction part of their everyday school routine.

Vice Mayor Joannes ‘Joyjoy’ Alegado, who joined the recent school-to-school distribution caravan, said developing environmentally responsible communities requires sustained investment and the active participation of young people.

‘To create a culture among members of society takes a lot of effort, time, and financial investment,’ Alegado said.

‘We want our students to have a voice, take action, and be at the forefront of preserving our environment,’ he added.

Cansaga Elementary School was the latest recipient of the reusable tumblers during the distribution on July 27, 2026.

Other schools that received their tumblers since June were the elementary schools in Polog, Cabangahan, Lanipga, Panas, Garing, Tayud, Tugbongan, and Casili.

The initiative also complements the Department of Education’s learning competencies on the ‘5Rs’ of waste management: reduce, reuse, recycle, recover, and repair.

Municipal officials said the program is intended to go beyond simply providing students with reusable containers.

By encouraging children to reduce their use of disposable plastics and practice waste-conscious habits, the local government hopes they will influence their families and communities to adopt more sustainable practices.

BingoPlus VIP Club continues to redefine premium club membership in the Philippines as it expands beyond exclusive rewards into a world of curated luxury experiences, global travel, and privileged access designed exclusively for its most valued members.

The Club’s transformation was officially unveiled during ‘The New Code of Nobility,’ an exclusive gathering attended by BingoPlus VIP Club members, partners, and distinguished guests. More than a brand launch, the event introduced a new vision: one where loyalty is rewarded not only through rewards via the app, but through unforgettable lifestyle experiences that extend far beyond the platform.

Among the evening’s highlights was the awarding of four brand-new BMW Hybrid SUVs, including one BMW X5 M-Sport Hybrid, celebrating the success and loyalty of the Club’s elite members. Three of the vehicles were presented through an exclusive gamified raffle for invited attendees, while another was awarded to the Race to the Top – June Round Champion, recognizing the top-performing VIP player.

The BMW awarding represents just one part of BingoPlus VIP Club’s broader lifestyle vision.

Today, members enjoy access to experiences thoughtfully designed around luxury, exclusivity, and personal fulfillment. From curated local and international journeys, premium accommodations, luxury shopping experiences, fine dining, golf activities, celebrity engagements, and exclusive member-only events, every experience is carefully crafted to celebrate the achievements of the Club’s most loyal members.

Following its successful launch, BingoPlus VIP Club has continued to deliver on its promise of an elevated lifestyle through VIP journeys to Australia and Bali, with Spain and France among its upcoming destinations. These experiences are complemented by a growing lineup of exclusive events, premium partnerships, and member privileges throughout the year.

Complementing these experiences is the Race to the Top monthly leaderboard, where the country’s highest-performing VIP players compete for premium lifestyle rewards. Each month, the champion drives home a BMW X1 Hybrid, while other top achievers enjoy international travel, luxury shopping, and other exclusive privileges.

More than a rewards program, BingoPlus VIP Club has evolved into a premium lifestyle community, offering members access to world-class brands, exclusive events, and exceptional experiences.

As the Club continues to grow, members can look forward to even more luxury travel, exclusive events, premium brand partnerships, fine dining, golf experiences, luxury shopping, and once-in-a-lifetime rewards, bringing The New Code of Nobility to life.

THE growing threat of cyberattacks against financial platforms, government databases, power systems, transportation networks, and healthcare services has intensified the push in Congress to establish a permanent National Cybersecurity Agency.

House Committee on Information and Communications Technology Chairman Migz Villafuerte said the proposed agency would strengthen the country’s ability to prevent and respond to cyberattacks, which now pose risks not only to computers but also to the economy, public services, and the safety of Filipinos.

The proposal gained urgency after GCash reported blocking approximately 6,700 fraudulent merchant accounts connected to ‘quishing’ scams in July. During the same month, the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group conducted 6,845 cyber patrol operations and at least 220 digital forensic examinations.

Villafuerte expressed optimism about the proposed establishment of the NCSA under the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), following the House of Representatives’ recent approval on second reading of House Bill 423, or the ‘National Cybersecurity and Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Act of 2026.’

The substitute measure was consolidated by a technical working group from 26 cybersecurity- and

critical information infrastructure protection-related bills discussed by the committee during the First Regular Session.

In his sponsorship speech on August 3, Villafuerte told the House that cybersecurity is no longer solely an information and communications technology concern. The country’s growing dependence on digital systems across government, the economy, finance, transportation, healthcare, and energy has transformed cybersecurity into a national security issue.

The proposed NCSA aims to establish a whole-of-government approach to cybersecurity, strengthen the country’s response to cyberattacks, set minimum standards for protecting critical information infrastructure, and provide mechanisms for congressional oversight, judicial review, and legal accountability.

‘The question is no longer whether our country will experience another major cyber attack; the question is whether we are prepared for it when that happens,’ Villafuerte said. ‘And because such a threat has become permanent, our institutional response must also be a permanent one.’

He added that the proposed agency would strengthen national coordination, improve incident response, and establish minimum cybersecurity standards for critical information infrastructure.

‘The question now is no longer whether we will experience another major cyberattack. The question is whether our country will be ready when it happens,’ Villafuerte said.

‘This proposed law will provide a permanent institutional framework to protect our critical systems, strengthen national resilience, and preserve the public’s trust in the digital economy,’ he said.

According to Villafuerte, cybersecurity is no longer merely a technological issue. It has become a matter of national security, saying, ‘If the threat is permanent, then our institutional response must also be permanent.’

Villafuerte noted that the country’s economy, financial system, power supply, transportation network, healthcare services, and government service delivery now rely heavily on digital systems.

‘When these systems are compromised by a cyberattack, it is not only computers that are affected. The economy, public services, and the safety of every Filipino are also placed at risk,’ he said.

Camarines Sur Rep. Luigi Villafuerte, another author of the bill, said the passage of the cybersecurity measure had become more urgent following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s issuance of Executive Order No. 119. The order updated the government’s data classification framework, which had been in place since 1964, to accelerate the country’s digital transformation while protecting Filipinos from cybersecurity risks.

Executive Order No. 119 allows government agencies to adopt cloud technologies and introduces a modern data security framework. It also establishes standardized cybersecurity practices for protecting government information and strengthens the country’s resilience against cyberthreats.

The proposal is among the 48 priority measures identified by Marcos for urgent legislative action in coordination with the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council.

The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) has turned over a P1.5-million mechanical rice transplanter to the San Fernando Agrarian Reform Community Cooperative (SFARCC), enabling agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) to plant rice more efficiently, reduce production costs, and boost rice productivity.

The assistance was provided under DAR’s Climate Resilient Farm Productivity Support Program (CRFPSP) through its Major Crop-Based Block Farm Productivity Enhancement component, which promotes the adoption of modern farm technologies to improve agricultural efficiency and strengthen food production.

DAR formalized the turnover through the signing of a memorandum of agreement (MOA) between the agency, represented by Chief Agrarian Reform Program Officer Cosme Jaime Mendoza, and SFARCC, represented by its general manager Ramonito Gubaton.

To ensure the efficient and safe use of the equipment, GreenGround Rapid Agri-Business Machineries Corp. Parts and Service Supervisor Michael Sandoval conducted an orientation on the proper operation, maintenance, and handling of the mechanical transplanter.

Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II Rogelio Madarcos said the new farm machine will help farmers embrace modern farming practices while reducing the time, labor, and costs required for rice production.

‘This mechanical transplanter is more than just a piece of equipment. It is an investment in our farmers’ future. By reducing production costs and speeding up planting operations, our ARBs can become more productive, more competitive, and better prepared to meet the growing demand for food,’ Madarcos said.

The mechanical transplanter is expected to accelerate rice planting, improve planting precision, and increase crop yields, helping ARBs boost their incomes and sustain rice production.

The assistance forms part of DAR’s continuing commitment to modernize Philippine agriculture by equipping ARBs with climate-resilient technologies and farm support services.

‘The initiative also supports the directive of Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado M. Estrella III to enhance farmers’ productivity through mechanization and innovative agricultural interventions that contribute to food security and rural development.’

Last week

Share prices went up, snapping two successive weeks of losses, despite a disappointing second-quarter GDP print.

The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index gained 53.91 points to close at 6,290.35 points.

Investors may have been encouraged by the July inflation print as both headline and core inflation rose at a slower pace. However, Japhet Louis O. Tantiangco, senior research analyst at Philstocks Financials Inc., noted that they remain elevated.

‘June employment figures, in real terms, have posted an increase both month-on-month and year-on-year. However, our second quarter GDP data has posted slower expansion implying that the local economy continues to lose growth momentum.’

Average daily trading reached P5.23 billion, with foreign investors, who cornered 53 percent of the trades, were net sellers at P910.9 million.

Other sub-indices ended mixed. The broader All Shares index gained 23.35 points to close at 3,418.40 points, the Financials index lost 14.90 to 1,893.64, the Industrial index rose 80.71 to 8,130.14, the Holding Firms index was down 9.25 to 4,464.63, the Property index fell 19.49 to 1,915.54, the Services index climbed 94.62 to 3,475.23 and the Mining and Oil index soared 1,441.30 to 18,305.30.

For the week, losers outnumbered gainers 110 to 103 and 28 shares were unchanged.

Top gainers were Dominion Holdings Inc., Ferronoux Holdings Inc., Anglo Philippine Holdings Corp., Paxys Inc., Makati Finance Corp., Atlas Consolidated Mining and Development Corp. and East Coast Vulcan Mining Corp.

Top losers, meanwhile, were ENEX Energy Corp., Medco Holdings Inc., Boulevard Holdings Inc., NiHAO Mineral Resources International Inc., Suntrust Resort Holdings Inc., Metro Alliance Holdings and Equities Corp. B shares and MRC Allied Inc.

This week

Share prices may fall this week as investor sentiment is seen to remain cautious moving forward amid the latest developments between the US and Iran.

Tantiangco said the situation between the United States and Iran remains uncertain as the two declare ‘contradicting narratives.’

‘The peso has been improving its position against the US dollar but remains weak. Meanwhile, local treasury yields have been easing but still elevated. If both continue in their current direction, then it may give the market a boost.’

Broker 2TradeAsia said it expects another rate hike by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas in August, though growth concerns have shifted the balance more toward the status quo.

‘We expect this tension to show up less as a skipped hike and more as a shorter overall tightening cycle, with BSP moving closer to done after August rather than extending hikes through the fourth quarter as some desks still project.’

Tantiangco said chartwise, the local market is currently testing the 10-day exponential moving average and is having a hard time securing position above the said line.

Trading range is still seen from 6,150 points to 6,400 points.

Stock picks

Philstocks said shares of Century Pacific Food Inc. have reached its initial price target, delivering a return of more than 7 percent.

Its technical readings showed momentum is not yet aggressive and the short-term moving average has crossed above both medium and long-term averages, a potential golden zone might materialize in the near term if the long term finally penetrates below the 50-day moving average, the broker said.

‘A successful breakout from the P32.50 trading range suggests the stock may have room for further upside, with P33.65 and P35.04 as the next resistance levels to watch,’ it said.

Century Pacific shares closed last week at P32.60 apiece.

Meanwhile, it advised to trade shares of Jollibee Foods Corp. (JFC), as the stock has rebounded 25 percent from its June 22 low, reflecting improving investor sentiment amid the easing of geopolitical tensions.

The company delivered a solid first-quarter performance, with revenues increasing 9 percent year-on-year to P76.5 billion and systemwide sales growing 10.3 percent, supported by an 8-percent growth in the Philippines and 13.5-percent growth in its international business.

‘JFC also continued to execute its long-term expansion strategy, opening 181 new stores, including 149 international locations, further strengthening its global presence,’ the broker said.

Jollibee shares closed last week at P150.60 apiece.

A traffic aide directs motorists through knee-deep floodwaters along Felix Avenue in Pasig City on Sunday as heavy rains from the enhanced southwest monsoon, or habagat, inundate parts of Metro Manila.

PAGASA placed Metro Manila under an Orange Rainfall Warning at 2 p.m., warning that flooding remains a threat. The monsoon has brought continued rains across the capital and nearby areas.

FUEL pump prices and electricity rates are going down.

Oil companies on Monday announced they will reduce gasoline prices by P0.70 per liter, diesel by P4.30 per liter, and kerosene by P4.88 per liter. The oil price rollback takes effect on Tuesday.

Oil companies implement weekly price adjustments to reflect movements in the world oil market.

Meanwhile, the Manila Electric Company (Meralco) announced a decrease of P0.0428 per kilowatt hour (kWh) in the August electricity rate, bringing down the overall rate for a typical household to P14.7833 from P14.8261 per kWh in July.

For residential customers of Meralco who are consuming 200 kWh, this adjustment translates to a reduction of around P9 in the total electricity bill.

Meralco Vice President and Head of Corporate Communications Joe Zaldarriaga said during a briefing that this month’s overall electricity rate reduction is largely due to the P9.5 billion refund-equivalent to P0.5861 per kWh for residential customers-that the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) authorized Meralco to implement over a six-month period beginning this August.

The latest refund covers the difference between Meralco’s Actual Weighted Average Tariff (AWAT) and its approved distribution tariff for the period January to December 2025. Customers will see this refund as ‘AWAT Refund/(Collect) 2’ in the distribution portion of their bills starting this month. This refund is on top of the ongoing refund of P0.4278 per kWh that also pertains Meralco’s AWAT for residential customers.

‘As earlier explained by the regulator, this refund stems from the delay in rate reset process of distribution utilities in the country that includes Meralco. We submitted the refund application in accordance with the rules. We hope that this will help provide relief to our customers and assure them that this will be implemented in a transparent manner,’ Zaldarriaga said.

This month’s rate reduction would have been bigger if not for the upward movement of other bill components, particularly charges from the National Grid Corporation (NGCP) which posted an increase of P0.3024 per kWh due to higher ancillary service (AS) charges from the Reserve Market (RM).

Costs from the RM accounted for about 60 percent of NGCP charges this billing month. Starting this August, the AS charge will appear as a separate line item from the transmission charge, as directed by the ERC.

SPECIAL Disbursing Officers Gina Acosta and Edward Fajarda should not bear full responsibility for confidential fund transactions conducted under the authority and supervision of Vice President Sara Z. Duterte, the House of Representtives prosecution panel said on Monday.

House trial spokesperson Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong raised the concern after questions before the Senate Impeachment Court appeared to focus accountability on the disbursing officers rather than the agency head.

‘With all due respect to Senator Imee Marcos, as I listened to her line of questioning, it appeared to me that they were trying to throw someone under the bus,’ Adiong, who represents Lanao del Sur, said.

‘It seems that someone is being made a scapegoat or a sacrificial lamb,’ he added.

Acosta served as Special Disbursing Officer of the Office of the Vice President (OVP), while Fajarda handled confidential fund disbursements for the Department of Education (DepEd) during Duterte’s tenure as Education Secretary.

Adiong cited documents bearing Duterte’s signature, including the physical and financial plan, disbursement records, liquidation report, and accomplishment report.

‘Do you honestly believe that Ms. Gina Acosta can do whatever she wants with that money without the supervision and approval of her principal? I mean, that would be absurd,’ he said.

Adiong clarified that he was not accusing the senator-judge of attempting to absolve Duterte, but said the questioning suggested that ‘somebody has to be thrown under the bus just to save the respondent.’

Prosecution spokesperson Benjamin Tolosa Jr. said the panel may seek a show-cause order if Acosta and Fajarda fail to testify. If they ignore the subpoenas without sufficient justification, the court may cite them for contempt and compel their attendance.

Meanwhile, the prosecution will continue presenting Commission on Audit Supervising Auditor Xylene Mae del Campo before calling Acosta and Fajarda, who encashed confidential fund checks totaling P612.5 million.

The Senate Impeachment Court canceled Monday’s trial because of inclement weather and flooding.

‘Ms. del Campo will continue her direct examination,’ Tolosa said.

Del Campo is expected to testify about audit actions taken after she succeeded former Intelligence and Confidential Funds Audit Office State Auditor Roderick Wamil. After her testimony, the prosecution will call Acosta and Fajarda to explain what happened to the money after it was withdrawn.

Retired Land Bank of the Philippines’ officials earlier testified that Acosta encashed four OVP checks worth P125 million each, totaling P500 million. Fajarda encashed three DepEd checks worth P37.5 million each, totaling P112.5 million.

Their testimony will form part of the prosecution’s evidence under Article I, which accuses Duterte of misusing, misappropriating, and irregularly liquidating OVP and DepEd confidential funds.

Loopholes

ADIONG said the impeachment trial had exposed weaknesses in confidential fund rules that Congress should address through stricter legislation.

‘While this trial is ongoing, I have personally observed several loopholes that could be addressed through legislation,’ he said.

He argued that civilian agencies such as the OVP and DepEd should face stricter requirements than institutions whose mandates involve intelligence, national security, and law enforcement.

‘If a civilian agency requests confidential funds, the requirements should be stricter than those imposed on agencies in the security sector,’ Adiong said.

Tolosa, meanwhile, warned that attacking the integrity of the Senate Impeachment Court could undermine public confidence and may violate the sub judice rule or constitute contempt.

His statement followed Duterte’s description of the proceedings as being marred by the ‘bending of the law.’

‘Yes, litigants can criticize the courts, but they can never attack its integrity,’ Tolosa said.

He stressed that this was only his legal assessment and not a ruling by the Impeachment Court.

‘If you say something that attacks the integrity of the court, that is very dangerous, especially in a case of this magnitude,’ he said.

Tolosa warned that such statements could lead to prejudgment and weaken public confidence in the proceedings. However, he said the presiding officer and senator-judges should determine whether Duterte’s statement violated any rules.

AMID heavy rains that caused widespread flooding in many areas of Luzon, an agrarian reform beneficiaries organization (Arbo) based in Magallanes, Cavite, celebrated its Harvest Festival, highlighting a successful harvest.

The Pacheco Agrarian Reform Cooperative (PAR-C), a program beneficiary of the Climate Resilient Farm Productivity Support Program Major Crop-Based Block Farm Productivity Enhancement Area (CRFPSP – MCBFPEA), held the activity on August 5, 2026, at barangay Pacheco, Magallanes, Cavite, to celebrate a successful harvest this season.

The activity, led by Director III and Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer (Parpo) II James Arthur T. Dubongco, gathered agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARB), cooperative members, and representatives from the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), local governments, and partner agencies to celebrate the season’s harvest and recognize the gains of climate-resilient farming technologies and interventions.

Despite the heavy rainfall, participants remained steadfast throughout the program, symbolizing the resilience and determination of Filipino farmers in the face of increasingly unpredictable weather conditions.

The event also highlighted the importance of climate-smart agriculture for food security, farm productivity, and the livelihoods of agrarian reform beneficiaries.

In his message, Dubongco emphasized the significance of equipping farmers with climate-resilient technologies and strengthening partnerships to ensure sustainable agricultural production.

‘The Climate Resilient Farm Productivity Support Program is crucial in helping our farmers learn appropriate technologies and farming practices, especially in the face of changing weather conditions.

Through the collaborative efforts of the DAR, LGUs, and various government agencies, we strengthen the capacity of our farmers and promote more resilient and sustainable agricultural production,’ Dubongco said.

‘I am deeply grateful to Secretary Conrado Estrella III because he is one of the reasons why we were given this opportunity. I am also thankful for DAR’s assistance because they provide us with various projects and continuously support us. This has been a tremendous help to us farmers,’ Roselyn Iyaya, a member of the PAR-C Board of Directors, said.

PAR-C Chairperson Ernie S. Somogod recognized the government’s continued efforts to strengthen the capacities of agrarian reform beneficiaries through agricultural support services and programs focused on climate resilience.

‘I am grateful to DAR and all the government agencies that are helping us. We, farmers, are very happy with these programs because we were not only given a tractor, but also various forms of support that truly help us in our farming and livelihood,’ Somogod said.