Category: Business Mirror

From around P30 billion in 2022, the Department of Education (DepEd) said that direct funding for public schools nationwide has more than doubled to a proposed P61.02 billion under the 2027 National Expenditure Program (NEP).

The increase in school-level Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE) is included in the Department of Education’s (DepEd) proposed P975.96-billion budget for 2027 under the NEP, which recently passed plenary deliberations in the House of Representatives.

Education Secretary Juan Edgardo ‘Sonny’ Angara emphasized that direct school funding through the MOOE remains a cornerstone of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s commitment to revitalize basic education.

‘Malinaw ang bilin ni Pangulong Bongbong Marcos: siguraduhing ramdam at napapakinabangan ng ating mga guro at mag-aaral sa bawat paaralan ang bawat piso ng ating pondo…By simplifying our funding formulas and steadily expanding per-learner operational support, we are removing unnecessary bottlenecks so our school administrators and teachers can focus on teaching rather than worrying about basic school upkeep,’ Angara said.

This trajectory is reflected in steady multi-year increases in per-learner MOOE allocations across all grade levels.

Under the proposed 2027 DepEd budget, per learner MOOE allocations for elementary schools (Kindergarten to Grade 6) will reach P2,982, up from P2,792 in 2026, P2,140 in 2025, and P1,389 in 2024.

Junior High Schools (Grades 7 to 10) will receive P2,744 per learner under the proposed 2027 budget, up from P2,631 in 2026, P2,201 in 2025, and P1,844 in 2024.

Meanwhile, Senior High Schools (Grades 11 to 12) will see per-learner operational support rise to PHP 3,558 under the proposed 2027 budget, compared to P3,264 in 2026, P2,784 in 2025, and P2,306 in 2024.

In total, school operating budgets under the proposed FY 2027 NEP reach P61.02 billion, up from P60.89 billion allocated under the 2026 General Appropriations Act (GAA).

To make budget distribution faster and more equitable, DepEd is fully implementing the Simplified Normative Funding Formula (SNFF). The new system replaces the former rigid allocation formula which relied on fixed allocations based on multiple parameters that made computations detailed yet overly complex.

Rather than focusing purely on fixed per capita unit costs, the normative approach uses enrollment and baseline school data to ensure every school receives the operational funding needed to maintain basic service standards.

DepEd reiterated that the sustained increase in school-level MOOE, alongside the adoption of the SNFF, underscores its long-term commitment to keeping all public schools safe, functional, and well-resourced.

Communications failures that snarled hundreds of flights across the Northeast on Monday have put the spotlight back on the aging systems that air traffic controllers rely on in the US.

Congress already handed the Federal Aviation Administration $12.5 billion last year to overhaul technology after the deadliest US plane crash in more than two decades killed 67 people when an American Airlines flight collided with an Army Black Hawk helicopter over the Potomac River and a series of radar outages later that spring led to widespread cancellations at Newark Liberty International Airport.

The same Philadelphia facility that had the radar outages in the spring of 2025 lost both its primary and backup data lines at the same time on Monday. But that regional air traffic control center isn’t alone; similar communications outages have also disrupted flights in Minneapolis and Dallas over the past year.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy quickly turned Monday’s disruption that hit every major airport in the New York area into the latest example of why he’s asking Congress for $20 billion more to pay for the next phase of the air traffic control overhaul. Airlines were working to recover from the outage on Tuesday, but FlightAware.com showed nearly 100 flights had been canceled by midday because a number of planes and crews were out of position after Monday’s cancellations.

‘I have money for some of the telecom replacing old copper wires. Bringing in new fiber so it’s faster. The problem is this is a 40-year-old architecture or design,’ Duffy said on Fox News Tuesday. ‘I need new money to do a whole new design-a new architecture of telecom so it will never go down.’

The aviation industry’s Modern Skies Coalition backed Duffy’s plan again and urged Congress to approve the money because the latest disruptions ‘demonstrate how critical it is to replace the antiquated technology and outdated systems that underpin our nation’s air traffic control infrastructure.’

Both the primary and backup lines failed on Monday

A switch on the primary communications line at the regional FAA air traffic control facility in Philadelphia failed Monday morning, but when it turned to the backup fiber optic line authorities discovered that it had been inadvertently severed by railroad construction workers. The failures left controllers without radar or communications for hours. The switch is part of the equipment scheduled to be replaced.

The outage brought commercial air traffic to a near-standstill at Newark for much of the day, with no commercial flights landing at the airport from about 9:40 a.m. to just after 5:20 p.m. local time, according to flight tracking site Flightradar24.

More than 200 flights into and out of Philadelphia International Airport were also canceled, while disruptions hit LaGuardia and Kennedy airports in New York. Flights had resumed by Monday evening.

Technical problems that affect Newark Liberty Airport tend to get outsized attention because it’s a key hub for United Airlines. During the spring of 2025, controllers in Philadelphia briefly lost radar several times and then staffing shortages at the facility prompted the FAA to restrict traffic. The Dallas outage last September disrupted American Airlines’ key hub, and last month’s communications failure at a regional air traffic control facility in Minneapolis halted flights across several Midwestern states and led to numerous diversions and delays.

Problems at key regional control facilities affect flights nationwide

Sheldon Jacobson, whose research contributed to the design of the TSA PreCheck system, said the FAA needs to make sure that its backup systems are independent of the primary line to reduce the chance that both will fail at the same time. And he said maybe the agency should look at adding a third line to have an additional backup system.

‘When any one of these systems goes down, it doesn’t just affect that airport. Because these are major hubs, it affects literally dozens of other airports and literally thousands of passengers,’ said Jacobson, who is an engineering professor at the University of Illinois.

The National Air Traffic Controllers Association said the controllers who were on duty Monday did an exceptional job making sure everyone remained safe even when they lost their radios and radar.

‘No controller starts their shift with the expectation that the equipment will fail them, but when it does, they display professionalism and skill,’ the union said in a statement.

Ongoing upgrades can help make the system more reliable

The FAA says it has already replaced 3,346 communications lines and 190 voice switches across the country since the agency received what Duffy called a $12.5 billion down payment on the overhaul. But the plan also calls for redesigning the computer system that air traffic controllers rely on, shifting computing online to the cloud and adding a new AI-based system to help predict problems. Duffy says he doesn’t have enough money for those projects yet.

Robert Poole, who leads transportation research at the Reason Foundation think tank he founded in the late 1970s, said the FAA needs reliable long-term funding to complete all the needed upgrades, and that is hard to get from Congress. He has long argued for spinning off air traffic control from the FAA and creating an independent agency that would be funded by ticket fees the airlines charge.

‘We know what kind of technology is really needed to do that, but you can’t do that on drips and drabs of annual appropriations,’ Poole said.

SOMETHING is revealing about trying on clothes outside the usual rush of a shopping trip.

Without the pressure to pick a size, line up at the cashier, or move on to the next rack, the question becomes less about what looks good on the hanger and more about what actually works when worn.

That was the idea behind UNIQLO Philippines’ exclusive early try-on experience for the latest UNIQLO U Collection, held September 10 at its BGC High Street store. This marked the 10th anniversary of UNIQLO U, the line shaped by artistic director Christophe Lemaire and designer Sarah-Linh Tran.

Rather than treating the anniversary as simply a milestone, the setup gave guests time to interact with the clothes-trying on pieces, examining their materials and details, and seeing how the silhouettes translated from display to actual wear.

The selection available during the event was relatively small, occupying only part of the store, but the presentation was organized. Dedicated fitting rooms also allowed guests to try the new pieces without the usual feel of squeezing a collection into a regular shopping run.

Designed for more than one season

THE collection itself stays close to the visual language UNIQLO U has developed over the years: understated silhouettes, muted tones and functional pieces that can be mixed and matched.

At first glance, some of the designs can feel familiar, especially for shoppers already acquainted with UNIQLO’s other collections. The differences become more apparent in the materials and construction of individual pieces rather than in radically new shapes.

That makes the Fall/Winter 2026 collection easier to place in everyday wardrobes. The heavier fabrics and layered pieces suit colder destinations, but they can also work for Filipinos heading to cooler places such as Baguio-or simply navigating rainy days when a little extra layering makes sense.

Many of the pieces are unisex, reinforcing the collection’s emphasis on versatility.

One of the more noticeable pieces was the coated cotton shoulder bag. Compared with the more familiar UNIQLO bag styles, its finish gave it a different texture and made it an easy contrast against knitted clothing.

The overall appeal, then, is less about having a completely new wardrobe and more about having pieces that can move between different settings and seasons.

The price of familiar

THAT versatility, however, comes with a price.

For shoppers who already own several UNIQLO pieces, some of the collection may feel expensive relative to how familiar the designs look.

The materials and construction provide part of the justification, but whether they are worth the premium ultimately depends on how often a piece will be used.

For a Philippine buyer, that distinction matters. A Fall/Winter collection is not necessarily an everyday necessity in a tropical climate, so the more practical purchases are arguably the ones that can be worn beyond cold-weather trips.

The collection also leaves room for improvement. Smaller sizes could make some pieces more accessible to petite shoppers, even if those sizes were offered only in limited quantities.

Additional color choices would likewise give buyers more room to personalize otherwise restrained silhouettes.

Bringing LifeWear closer

THE event also came as UNIQLO expanded its Philippine footprint for Fall/Winter 2026, with new stores planned in Zamboanga, NAIA Terminal 3 and Nuvali, alongside expanded or refreshed locations in Marikina, Cabanatuan, Cebu and General Santos.

The rollout includes the introduction of Modest Wear in Zamboanga and forms part of the brand’s activities marking the 70th anniversary of Philippines-Japan friendship. With reports from Julian Michael Gulles

First Gen Corp. is adding 13.5 megawatts (MW) to the capacity of its more than four-decade-old Palinpinon-1 geothermal power plant in Negros Oriental as it moves to modernize its renewable-energy portfolio and extract more electricity from its existing geothermal resource.

The company’s geothermal arm, Energy Development Corp. (EDC), is replacing the plant’s three 37.5-MW turbine-generators with three new 42-MW units, raising Palinpinon-1’s installed capacity to 126 MW from 112.5 MW.

This upgrade will allow the plant to generate more power using the same volume of geothermal steam, according to EDC, effectively increasing generation without requiring additional steam extraction.

The project is also expected to extend the operating life of the facility, which supplies renewable electricity to the Visayas grid.

‘This modernization project reflects our commitment to continuous innovation and environmental stewardship,’ Noel Tan, head of EDC’s Southern Negros Geothermal Project (SNGP), said in a statement.

‘By upgrading our existing infrastructure to generate more electricity without needing additional steam extraction, we are maximizing our natural resources while helping accelerate the Philippines’ transition toward a decarbonized energy future,’ he added.

The Palinpinon-1 rehabilitation is part of First Gen’s broader effort to modernize its renewable-energy assets and maintain dependable low-carbon generation.

EDC said the sustainable operation of the Southern Negros geothermal steamfield has enabled it to operate well beyond the average 25-year lifespan typically associated with geothermal steamfields.

The SNGP has a combined capacity of 222.5 MW.

In 2025, its generation avoided more than 1.035 million metric tons of carbon-dioxide-equivalent emissions, according to the company.

EDC said the figure represents emissions that would have been associated with supplying an equivalent amount of electricity from carbon-intensive coal-fired power plants.

The Palinpinon-1 upgrade will allow First Gen to increase renewable generation from an existing facility rather than relying on additional steam extraction, while extending the useful life of the plant.

For the Visayas grid, the additional 13.5 MW represents incremental renewable capacity from an established geothermal facility, supporting the availability of round-the-clock power as the country works to expand its renewable-energy base.

Makati Medical Center (MakatiMed) and De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) have formalized a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to facilitate students’ access to behavioral, psychological, and psychiatric care. The ceremonial signing marks a step toward strengthening mental health support within the academic community.

Through the agreement, MakatiMed will facilitate access to mental health services through its Mind Wellness and Holistic Care Center at the WellnessHub. These services include mental health assessments and therapy, as well as referrals to the Hospital’s Neuropsychiatry Department for further specialized evaluation and care, when needed.

MakatiMed will implement a streamlined referral system designed to simplify the process for DLS-CSB and help students receive professional care in a timely manner. Once a student is referred, MakatiMed will manage the care coordination process, including appointment scheduling and follow-through. Referred students will also be prioritized for scheduling whenever possible, supporting timely assessment, appropriate intervention, and continuity of care.

For DLS-CSB, the partnership provides an opportunity to further strengthen its support for student well-being. El Anelio R. Barnachea, RGC, DLS-CSB’s Benilde Well-Being Center’s Director, shared the College’s perspective on the partnership: ‘ While our Benilde Well-Being Center provides primary counseling, and initial support, this timely collaboration [with MakatiMed] bridges the gap between campus care and immediate specialized professional intervention. Ultimately, it strengthens our holistic safety net, giving our community the reassurance that comprehensive medical and mental health support is readily accessible when needed most.’

The initiative reflects MakatiMed’s commitment to accessible, patient-centered mental health services, and its role in supporting individuals through different stages of life. By providing a coordinated pathway to professional care, the Hospital aims to help students access the support they need to navigate personal and academic challenges.

The collaboration also underscores the importance of integrating mental health care into student support systems, helping foster an environment where well-being is recognized as an essential part of student development.

Members of the Agrarian Reform Cooperative of Agpudlos (ARCA), 30 Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs), completed the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Farm Business School (FBS) Program.

DAR Provincial Office – Romblon held the graduation ceremony on September 3, 2026, at the San Andres Covered Court in Poblacion, San Andres, Romblon, recognizing the competition of the training.

The FBS is part of the DAR’s continuing efforts to strengthen the entrepreneurial skills and business capabilities of ARBs and help them transform their farms into sustainable and profitable enterprises.

Since August, the 30 ARCA members have undergone the FBS Program, which provided them with practical knowledge and skills essential to managing their farms as viable businesses. The participants completed learning modules covering business planning, financial management, marketing, and sustainable farming practices.

The FBS Program aims to equip ARBs with practical entrepreneurial knowledge and strengthen their capacity to manage their farms as sustainable enterprises, contributing to the long-term economic well-being of their families and communities.

Through the knowledge and skills gained from the program, the graduates are expected to apply improved business and farm management practices that can contribute to the growth of their cooperative and increase the profitability of their agricultural ventures.

DAR Romblon Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II Engr. Rogelio D. Madarcos, CESO V, served as the guest of honor. He emphasized the value of hard work, perseverance, and hope in achieving success in farming.

‘Every seed we plant is a reminder of our hard work, and every harvest is proof that we can succeed. We are here to help you further improve your knowledge and increase your income from farming,’ he said.

He also reminded the graduates that the journey of an agri-entrepreneur will always involve challenges, but they should meet them with resilience and optimism.

‘Always remember that there will be challenges, there will be opportunities to rise again, and there will always be hope and progress,’ he added.

The event was attended by representatives and participants from the Agrarian Reform Cooperative of Agpudlos (ARCA), the Local Government Unit (LGU) of San Andres, the Provincial Agrarian Reform Coordinating Committee (PARCCOM), and the Department of Agriculture, who gathered to celebrate ARCA’s achievement toward becoming capable and competitive agri-entrepreneurs.

THE House of Representatives prosecution said on Thursday that a final Senate impeachment verdict acquitting or convicting Vice President Sara Z. Duterte is not subject to ordinary appeal.

‘The decision of the Senate Impeachment Court is not appealable. That is basic. It is not subject to review,’ House lead prosecutor and Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro said in a news conference.

Luistro was responding to questions on whether Duterte could seek reconsideration or run for President in 2028 if convicted and perpetually disqualified from public office.

The Constitution grants the Senate the sole power to try and decide impeachment cases. An impeachment judgment is limited to removal from office and disqualification from holding any public office, without foreclosing separate criminal liability under ordinary law, she said.

‘Whatever the decision of the Honorable Impeachment Court may be, whether for conviction or acquittal, there is no remedy for appeal or review,’ Luistro said.

She distinguished this from the Supreme Court’s narrow authority to examine acts involving grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction. That standard does not allow the court to substitute its assessment of the evidence for that of the senator-judges.

Luistro cited the court’s careful handling of the voting-threshold dispute as an example of due process. The court invited amici curiae, heard oral arguments from both sides, allowed questions from senator-judges, and deliberated before voting 13-1 on the controlling formula.

‘If they exercised such caution on the threshold vote, I anticipate that will be doubled or even tripled when they reach their verdict,’ she said. ‘The decision of the impeachment court on acquittal or conviction is never appealable.’

On the threshold itself, Luistro welcomed the ruling that clarified how the constitutional two-thirds requirement will be computed.

‘We welcome the development yesterday [Wednesday]. At last, there is clarity,’ she said.

The court ruled that ‘all the Members of the Senate’ refers to senators who remain legally and factually capable of participating in the proceedings. Six senator-judges did not take part in the 13-1 vote.

‘The Senate or the impeachment court has the power to clarify the threshold vote under its exclusive power to try and decide all impeachment cases,’ Luistro said. ‘Nothing was changed in the two-thirds. Two-thirds remains two-thirds.’

What was clarified, she added, is the denominator: whether all 24 seats must always be counted or only those senators legally and factually capable of participating when judgment is rendered.

‘The threshold remains two-thirds of all the members who are legally and factually present or qualified,’ Luistro said. She commended the court for the due process it observed.

The new formula affects both sides. Using 20 capable senator-judges as an example, 14 votes would be needed to convict while seven could prevent conviction. Under the full 24-member count, the figures were 16 and nine, respectively.

‘What is lowered is not only the number for conviction but also the number for acquittal. It is a two-way consequence,’ Luistro said. ‘It is wrong to say only the conviction vote went down, because the acquittal vote went down at the same time.’

The actual denominator will be fixed only at the time of the final vote.

Luistro stressed that the ruling should not be treated as a forecast of conviction. ‘The prosecution is not in a position to say that the clarification or ruling of the impeachment court points toward conviction. Our commitment remains the same-to present the evidence for the prosecution.’

Meanwhile, House prosecutor and Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon of Bicol Saro said the witness list and presentation of evidence remain unchanged.

‘The laying out of the evidence will not change. The witness list will not change either,’ Ridon said.

Previously subpoenaed witnesses, including Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte, PhilHealth Region XI and the Philippine National Police unit handling firearms records, will still be presented.

‘The burden continues for the prosecution to deliver on the evidence. We will do that until the very end, irrespective of the changing of the threshold by the Senate impeachment court,’ he said.

Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr. noted that the documentary evidence, including Duterte’s 2025 declared net worth of P98.66 million and corporate records on business interests and directorships, also remains the same.

‘The evidence does not change,’ Abante said.

The trial is scheduled to resume on Monday, with the continuation of the PhilGEPS witness cross-examination and the presentation of succeeding witnesses.

As the United Nations General Assembly meets in New York, Taiwanese experts remain excluded from participating in vital discussions on public health, aviation safety, climate change, disaster response, and sustainable development, leaving a serious gap in the international system.

For the Philippines, supporting Taiwan’s meaningful participation is not only an act of friendship, but also serves Philippine interests by promoting regional peace, respect for international law, secure supply chains, and economic growth.

What Resolution 2758 actually says

Beijing often cites UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 to claim that Taiwan is part of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and that the PRC has the right to represent Taiwan at the UN. But the truth is that the resolution says no such thing.

Adopted in 1971, Resolution 2758 decided who would represent ‘China’ at the United Nations. It gave China’s seat to the PRC. It did not mention Taiwan, determine Taiwan’s political status, or authorize Beijing to represent the people of Taiwan. The PRC has never governed Taiwan, not for a single day. Beijing’s distortion of Resolution 2758 follows a familiar strategy: repeat a disputed claim, present it as accepted law, and pressure others into silence. If this succeeds against Taiwan, the same tactic could be used to weaken the rights and sovereignty of other countries. International law must be based on what documents actually say, not on what one government wants them to mean.

One China policy is not Beijing’s One China principle

The Philippines’ position is based on the precise wording of the 1975 Joint Communiqué:

‘The Philippine Government recognizes the Government of the People’s Republic of China as the sole legal government of China, fully understands and respects the position of the Chinese Government that there is but one China and that Taiwan is an integral part of Chinese territory.’

Beijing, however, goes further. Under its One China principle, it claims that Taiwan is part of the PRC and misleadingly seeks to extend its own interpretation to the One China Policies of other countries.

The distinction is clear: the Philippines recognizes the PRC government as the sole legal government of China, but only understands and respects Beijing’s position on Taiwan. The communiqué does not state that the Philippines recognizes or accepts Beijing’s claim that Taiwan is part of the PRC.

This should concern every country. If a powerful state can reinterpret another country’s policy to support its own territorial claims, the same tactic could be used elsewhere.

The Philippines has the sovereign right to define its own foreign policy. Supporting Taiwan’s meaningful international participation is fully consistent with the Philippines’ One China policy.

We are all in one strategic theater

Taiwan and the Philippines face common challenges in the same strategic theater. Across the Indo-Pacific, authoritarian pressure takes many forms: military intimidation, cyberattacks, economic coercion, disinformation, and attempts to rewrite international rules. Such tactics may target one country today and another tomorrow. No country faces them alone.

Peace in the Taiwan Strait is not only a matter for Taiwan. The Strait lies along major sea and air routes connecting the Indo-Pacific. Any conflict would disrupt shipping, energy supplies, air travel, semiconductor production, and regional trade. The consequences would quickly reach the Philippines and place Filipino workers and families across the region at risk. Taiwan remains committed to preserving the status quo and resolving differences peacefully. A peaceful Taiwan Strait and a stable Indo-Pacific serve the same goal: a region where every country can make its own decisions without coercion. We are all in this together.

When one democracy is isolated or intimidated, others become less secure.

Economic resilience is possible for the Philippines

Security also means protecting the economy from political pressure.

China was once the main destination for Taiwanese overseas investment. While this brought commercial benefits, it also created the risk that economic dependence could be used as political leverage. Taiwan therefore began to diversify.

According to statistics from Taiwan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs, China’s share of Taiwan’s total outward investment fell from 83.8 percent in 2010 to just 2.7 percent in the first quarter of 2025.Taiwanese companies are now expanding across Southeast Asia, the United States, Japan, Europe, and other trusted markets. Taiwan has shown that reducing overdependence on China is possible. The Philippines can do it too.

According to Executive Secretary Ralph Recto, the Philippines aims to increase its semiconductor and electronics exports to US$110 billion by 2030, bringing more investment and higher-paying jobs for Filipinos. Taiwan could be a valuable partner in achieving this goal.

Taiwanese technology leaders are promoting a new model: not only ‘made in Taiwan,’ but ‘made with Taiwan.’ Taiwan could integrate its technology, manufacturing experience, and global networks with the Philippines’ talented workforce and strong electronics sector. Together, we can build trusted supply chains in semiconductors, artificial intelligence, electronics, renewable energy, and other strategic industries.

Taiwan’s participation benefits the Philippines and the international community

Taiwan’s cooperation with the Philippines has already benefited farmers, students, medical professionals, and local communities. By supporting Taiwan’s meaningful participation in the United Nations and related organizations, the Philippines would help build a stronger international system, a safer Indo-Pacific, and a more resilient regional economy.

This is not only support for Taiwan. It is an investment in the Philippines’ own security, prosperity, and sovereign right to shape its future free from coercion and intimidation.

The author is the Representative of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the Philippines.

For years, artificial intelligence researchers have warned of ways the technology could wipe out humanity: AI bots could design an unstoppable disease, unleash a nuclear war, or transform all of Earth into paper clip factories, as one thought experiment goes.

Debates inside the AI industry and beyond over the plausibility of these doomsday scenarios have heated up since several executives endorsed slowing the technology’s development for safety reasons.

Despite warnings of the potential for humans to lose their grip on the technology, some suspect the worst-case scenarios described by the AI companies themselves have more to do with validating the importance of their work than reality.

‘These arguments just don’t really hold water. I think they’re sci-fi and they’re enticing to a certain childish style of thinking and it’s very tempting for the frontier labs because it helps them recruit certain types of folks,’ said Juan Andrés Guerrero-Saade, a researcher at cybersecurity firm SentinelOne and a member of OpenAI’s Frontier Risk Council.

Still, more people are beginning to worry about the risks of the technology that has dazzled the world with its astounding capabilities.

Jacob Coxon, the Anthropic researcher who resigned from the company over concerns that it and its competitors are not acting responsibly in AI development, said on X recently that he needs to ‘work on’ communicating to people more effectively exactly how AI would end humanity. ‘Unfortunately, it is very difficult to convey specific scenarios,’ he wrote earlier this month.

Here are some of the more widely discussed doomsday scenarios.

Nuclear winter

Researchers have long speculated that AI systems could trigger a nuclear war by getting countries to fire warhead-tipped missiles at each other. The nuclear blasts, and ensuing lingering radioactive atmospheric fallout resulting in a ‘nuclear winter,’ could devastate life on Earth.

In a report last year, RAND Corp. researchers concluded that ‘at present’ it wouldn’t be possible for AI to cause the use of nuclear weapons ‘because of strict safeguards built into the command-and-control systems.’ However, the report said this could change if AI models are integrated into the nuclear weapon ‘decision chain’ or gain unauthorized access to these systems.

For many AI researchers, that’s where the danger lies-not in AI agents suddenly deciding to end humanity, but people, nations or groups using it to wipe out their adversaries.

Bioweapons

One of AI’s greatest promises is that it could help humans develop treatments and cures for diseases.

The flip side of curing diseases is creating or advancing them to harm humanity. Earlier this month, Anthropic said it has blocked efforts by bad actors to use its AI for a host of malicious activities such as cyberattacks, surveillance, and research that could have led to biological weapons.

In one instance, Anthropic said its systems blocked a request for assistance from its Claude tool for a research proposal seeking to enhance mutations to make the mosquito-borne chikungunya virus progressively more harmful. While such research could be used to develop better vaccines and treatments, Anthropic said, ‘it could also be used to make the pathogen more dangerous.’

Along the same lines, the RAND report noted recent progress in AI development ‘has the potential to transform the design of synthetic pathogens.’

Outlining a bioweapon doomsday scenario, the report said novel pathogens could be created in a lab, delivered to target locations, and spread to infect large populations of people in multiple places. But it still envisioned humans-and not autonomous AI-as overseeing and carrying out such an attack.

Runaway AI

Some AI researchers fear a human extinction event could result from ‘misalignment’-that is, when AI models act without human authorization, coordinate with other models or evade oversight. It would develop not from malicious intent-AI is not human, nor is it good or evil, after all-but simply because humans might get in the way of the model accomplishing its goal.

Take the decades-old ‘paper clip maximizer’ thought experiment by the Oxford philosopher Nick Bostrom, which states that if advanced AI was told to produce as many paper clips as possible, it could eventually transform all of Earth, and then increasing portions of space, into paper clip factories.

This is to illustrate how superintelligent AI-often referred to as artificial general intelligence, or AGI-could advance a goal humans may see as desirable but ‘which in fact turns out to be a false utopia, in which things essential to human flourishing have been irreversibly lost,’ Bostrom wrote in 2003.

‘We need to be careful about what we wish for from a superintelligence, because we might get it,’ he wrote.

AI internet takeover

Given the rate of AI’s development, Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei warned this month that within months a swarm of AI agents could be capable of ‘taking over’ the internet with a botnet (a network of bots linked together with malware), potentially causing billions of dollars in damage. This could mean hacks into electrical grids, water or transportation systems and financial institutions-attacks that might not spell the end of humanity but could cause chaos and lives lost.

Disruptions from software glitches in the past have highlighted the fragility of a digitized world dependent on just a few providers for key computing services, and more powerful AI models have raised concerns about vulnerabilities to cyber-attacks. But some experts say the notion of bots overtaking the entire extremely bifurcated internet is far-fetched.

THE special elections in Batanes will cost the government some P8.7 million, estimates prepared by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) indicate.

At the same time, the poll body is also looking at the possibility of ‘borrowing election supplies that have already been delivered for the Barangay and SK Elections (BSKE) if the polls do not proceed as scheduled.

‘What is also good about this is that if the Barangay and SK Elections do not push through, supplies have already been delivered to us, such as indelible ink, ballpens and thumbprint tape,’ Comelec Chairman George Erwin M. Garcia said.

‘We can borrow those first. We can use them here in [the] Batanes [special elections]. If the Comelec’s budget is insufficient, we can borrow these so that we have something to use,’ he added.

Such an arrangement would leave the Comelec with major expenses including the honoraria of teachers, mobilization of election personnel, and the printing of ballots and other election paraphernalia.

The proposed date for the Batanes special elections is December 19, 2026, although the schedule remains subject to approval by the Comelec en banc.

‘The proposal on when to hold the special election in the Lone Congressional District of Batanes will be elevated to the Comelec en banc by next week,’ Garcia said.

The initial date falls on a Saturday, which Comelec is considering as a way to allow more voters to participate despite the absence of regular work or school schedules.

‘December 19 is a Saturday. And although there is no work on that day, at least there is a chance that all of the voters can cast their votes,’ the poll body chief said.

As of June 1, the province has 13,138 registered voters who will be eligible to vote in the special election.

The special election will be conducted to fill the congressional seat that was vacated by the death of Rep. Ciriaco Gato on September 21.