Category: Philippine Star

Chinabank is making car ownership more affordable with its AutoPlus Bundle Promo, offering free first-year comprehensive car insurance, low interest rates, and waived chattel mortgage fees until August 15.

The bundle slashes the steep upfront cash outlays that usually stall Filipino car buyers.

For example, a borrower purchasing a P1.25 million vehicle with a P1 million approved loan saves nearly P29,000 on first-year insurance alone, on top of thousands more from waived chattel fees and reduced interest rates.

Over a term of up to 60 months, these consolidated promotional perks translate to substantial long-term value, allowing a borrower to save up to P300,000 for a P1 million loan.

Meeting the needs of Filipino car buyers

The launch of this promotional campaign comes at a critical time for Filipino consumers, who are increasingly balancing a strong desire for personal mobility against the realities of inflation and elevated costs.

“Purchasing a new car is a major milestone, but the initial out-of-pocket fees can feel overwhelming,” said Chinabank Consumer Lending Group Head Antonio Jose Dominguez.

“With this promo, we took the heavy lifting out of the initial payment phase. These savings extend the magic of owning a new car for our clients.” According to the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. and the Truck Manufacturers Association, vehicle sales fell 15.7% year-on-year in May 2026 as local buyers adjusted their household budgets.

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Despite these headwinds, consumer demand remains resilient, driving a 23.8% month-on-month sales recovery from April as families continue to value vehicle ownership.

Supporting sustainable travel

Data shows that purchasing preferences of local drivers are undergoing a major shift toward sustainable travel. Driven by a desire to lower long-term fuel expenses and reduce environmental impact, Filipino buyers pushed electric and hybrid vehicle sales up by 133.5% during the first five months of the year.

This consumer shift aligns with Chinabank’s strong support for green technology. By making eco-friendly models more accessible, the bank aims to help car buyers lower both their initial acquisition expenses and their long-term environmental footprint.

Terms and eligibility

To qualify, applicants must avail of a minimum AutoPlus Loan amount of P500,000-for the purchase or reimbursement of brand-new vehicles for personal use-bundled with a Chinabank Credit Card and comprehensive insurance through Chinabank Insurance Brokers.

The promo runs until August 15, with a final booking deadline of August 31.

The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) has warned that the worsening infestation of red-striped soft scale insect (RSSI) in Negros Occidental could result in the loss of about 150,000 metric tons of raw sugar – equivalent to approximately eight percent of the country’s annual production – if immediate intervention is not undertaken.

Based on SRA records, at least 30 percent of the province’s 67,000 hectares of sugarcane farms are already infested, with the infestation continuing to spread.

SRA reported that RSSI caused production losses of 40 to 50 percent in both cane tonnage and LKGTC ((LKG of sugar per ton of cane), as reported by farmers in northern Negros Occidental.

SRA administrator Pablo Luis Azcona said that if the current infestation is not contained, Negros Occidental stands to lose around 33,000 hectares of sugar production before harvest.

Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson earlier ruled out of supporting, or financing aerial massive aerial spraying of pesticides to combat RSSI, opting instead for a biological and environmentally friendly approach.

Lacson noted that many sectors have expressed concern over the risks of large-scale aerial spraying, citing effects on public health and the environment. But the provincial government of Negros Occidental has allocated an initial P24.96-million budget to strengthen its biosecurity response against RSSI.

While it has long advocated biological and natural methods to combat RSSI since 2023, the SRA said the mass production of fungi and its distribution free of charge to farmers, remains limited, as its laboratory in Barangay La Granja, La Carlota City, presently produces enough fungi to treat only about four hectares per day.

To expand production capacity, the SRA establishes additional laboratories and has encouraged local government units (LGUs) to include smaller fungal laboratories in their long-term agricultural plans, with the agency providing technical support.

Despite these developments, the SRA stressed that biological control is a long-term solution and could not provide the rapid response needed, with only three months remaining before harvest.

The agency noted that bio-pesticides are four to five times more expensive than conventional pesticides and generally act more slowly.

For the immediate crisis, the SRA is considering large-scale intervention measures, including aerial spraying and drone-assisted application of systemic pesticides.

In an earlier statement, Azcona criticized what he described as unfounded opposition to aerial spraying, saying government agencies responsible for pest management, environmental protection, aviation and drone regulation should be consulted before conclusions are drawn on the safety and effectiveness of proposed interventions.

Azcona also denied allegations that aerial spraying is a money-making venture for the SRA, explaining that the agency provides systemic pesticides and fertilizers free of charge while LGUs, through their calamity funds, would shoulder operational costs.

He added that existing regulations do not allow the SRA to provide financial assistance directly to farmers.

The SRA also expressed concern over what it described as the lack of coordination with the Negros Occidental provincial government regarding its RSSI response.

Azcona said the agency was not consulted on either the short-term or long-term plans and only learned about them through media reports.

In the meantime, the SRA said it would continue responding to requests from local chief executives, particularly in Negros Oriental, where officials have expressed greater openness to immediate intervention measures.

Earlier, the Department of Agriculture said it was looking to deploy biological control agents against RSSI infestation in the country’s sugarcane farms.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. has ordered the SRA to accelerate the production of a naturally occurring fungus that can suppress the pest outbreak.

He added that the SRA must produce enough biocontrol agents to cover at least 75,000 hectares of sugarcane land.

‘I told SRA to address the RSSI infestation head on. We have the technology and the capability to produce the biocontrol agent to do so,’ Tiu Laurel said.

This year, the United States of America celebrates a very important milestone as a nation. It marks 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence. There is no shortage of commemorations from every corner of the country and rightfully so. Since its inception up until today, this country has been a living experiment of democracy, individual freedom, civil rights, capitalism, and moral ascendancy in its place in the community of nations.

Two-hundred fifty years is no easy feat. However, anniversaries are not only mirrors upon which we look back. They are also windows into the future and what a country we shall become. At America’s semiquincentennial, one of the clearest windows into the nation’s future is immigration.

America has never been a finished monument. It has been a continuing experiment, renewed by people who arrived with little more than determination, faith, skill, and hope. From the earliest settlers and enslaved Africans, to Irish laborers, Jewish and Vietnamese refugees, Mexican farmworkers, Filipino healthcare workers, Indian engineers, Afghan and Iraqi interpreters, and countless others, newcomers have redefined and expanded the meaning of ‘We the People.’

Immigration can be a double-edged sword. It can bring out the best and worst in us. The same country that opened its doors in Ellis Island also passed expulsion and exclusion laws, imposed country specific quotas, enhanced and rapid mass deportations, and questioned whether we really need more immigrants in the first place Even within immigrant communities, there is a division of opinion on how and what immigration policies should be.

Let it be clear that immigration contributes more good than bad in this pluralistic society. The United States is home to tens of millions of foreign-born residents, living in every corner of this vast country. They are vital in our agriculture industry and take care of the sick and dying in our hospitals, nursing homes, and rehab centers. They are entrepreneurs who launch small mom-and-pop stores or those who dream big and build their own companies from scratch, conduct research in pioneering fields, defend our country in civil and military uniforms and contribute to the economy by paying taxes. They also enrich the country in quieter ways: by revitalizing neighborhoods, reviving empty churches and schools, practicing and adopting American values into their homes, and valuing the gift of the opportunity to live the American dream as a matter of privilege and not a right.

However, challenges still exist and cannot be ignored. Immigrant communities face extreme pressures and hurdles like never before and can never be ignored. Structural, institutional and cultural reforms need to be instituted. Legal pathways must be credible, orderly, and humane. Immigrant workers need protection from exploitation. Access to better education, comprehensive healthcare and fair housing laws must be guaranteed. Immigrants are not pawns that easily be traded with during an election cycle.

The Declaration of Independence did not make America perfect in 1776. It gave Americans standards and values by which to act and measure themselves against. For 250 years, immigrants have helped shape this nation unmistakably, toward those ideals. Immigrants are one of the many thousand threads woven into this American tapestry.

So as we celebrate America’s 250th birthday, let us continue to reflect and ponder who we are, what we are and how we ought to become if we are still a true United States of America in the next 250 years or more.

A manhunt was launched against a Somali who assaulted a policeman in Quezon City on Friday.

Police said Mohamed Ahmed Hussein, 26, struck the master sergeant who was trying to pacify an argument at a gasoline station in Barangay Katipunan at 4 a.m.

Initial investigation showed that the policeman, who was on routine patrol in the area, approached Hussein who was arguing with another man at the gas station.

The victim introduced himself as a police officer and tried to pacify the two.

Hussein allegedly did not comply, picked up a stone and hit the officer several times in the face.

Responders brought the police officer to the Quezon City General Hospital for treatment.

Hussein, whose last known address is Barangay 132 in Pasay, escaped on board a taxi.

The Mandaue City government aims to launch a mental health hotline in September, coinciding with the observance of Suicide Prevention Month, to provide assistance to residents experiencing mental health concerns.

The planned rollout was discussed during a meeting on Friday, July 17, between Mayor Thadeo Ouano and trainers from the National Center for Mental Health (NCMH), namely Gretchen Abejuela, Marc Neil Francilo, and Justine Fernandez.

During the meeting, NCMH representatives said that if the hotline is launched as scheduled, Mandaue City would become the first local government unit in the Visayas to implement such a mental health hotline.

Ouano said the initiative aims to address the growing number of people facing mental health challenges by providing an accessible channel for those seeking help.

He said personnel assigned to answer hotline calls must first undergo training and be qualified to assess callers before the service becomes operational.

The mayor also said the city will ensure that the necessary equipment is in place before the hotline is launched to allow responders to properly receive and assess calls.

Nino Dargantes, a representative of the Mandaue City Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Office (MCSAMHSO), said psychometricians who will handle the hotline have already undergone training on responding to mental health distress calls.

Following the meeting, Ouano presented certificates of appreciation to the NCMH trainers for their support in preparing the city for the implementation of the program

of Santo Tomas hacked out a gusty 25-19, 25-23, 23-25, 18-25, 19-17 win over St. John’s Institute of Bacolod to reign supreme in the 2026 Shakey’s Juniors National Invitationals over the weekend at the Playtime FilOil Arena in San Juan.

The Junior Golden Tigresses displayed immense composure after squandering a 2-0 set lead and flipping a 7-12 deficit to complete a perfect campaign in the first-ever foreign-spiced Shakey’s high school tourney.

Nicole Pelaez was named the Tournament MVP, hammering 27 points on 24 hits, two blocks and an ace as UST doubled it up after also winning the Shakey’s Girls Volleyball Invitational League (SGVIL) Rising Stars Cup Division 1 earlier this year.

Jyrah Romias (17), Anneli Manzanillo (14) and Eliz Menchavez (13) provided ample support for the España-based spikers in ushering a new era after the collegiate jump of MVP Kim Rubin, also to UST.

‘Ang turning point ay nu’ng trailing kami sa fifth set. Nag-iba ang body language ng mga players namin. Pero ‘yun talaga sa fifth set kung sino ang mas gustong manalo at lalaban sa kanya mapupunta ang panalo,’ said mentor Yani Fernandez.

And UST did flaunt that winning desire, surviving multiple deuces with Pelaez dropping a kill followed by an attack error of Kristel Mirasol for the Falcons to cap a thrilling match in almost three hours.

The Junior Golden Tigresses were actually headed to a sweep with a 22-20 lead in the third only for the Falcons to unload a 4-1 finishing kick to extend the duel to fourth, where they ran away to set the stage for a decider.

The final set was good as advertised with multiple ties until Pelaez proved her readiness to inherit the mantle of leadership from Rubin for the fancied UST high school program even in the presence of overseas squads Pacific Volleyball Academy from Guam and the Perfect Set Dream Makers from California in the United States.

Caera Celis (27), Edz Escultura (14) and Mirasol (13) led the gallant stand of the Bacolod spikers for a silver medal against the favored Manila and foreign teams.

Meanwhile, Cassandra Paralejas sizzled with 22 points as Arellano scored a 19-25, 25-15, 25-20, 25-19 victory over One La Salle to clinch the bronze medal.

Antonella Jayobo (16), Aislinn Alemana (15) and Kylie Celada (12) led One La Salle, made up of select players under the La Salle school system in Greenhills, Zobel and Dasmariñas.

Charly Suarez went into his super featherweight duel with Mexican Manuel Avila wanting to send a message to reigning WBO titlist Emanuel Navarrete – he is coming for the Mexican champion.

It was crystal clear in the 37-year-old Filipino’s first-round demolition of Avila Sunday that rang loud and deafening at the National Orange Show Event Center in San Bernardino, California.

It didn’t take Suarez that much time in finishing off the 34-year-old Avila, whom the former drilled with a jarring right straight to the face that sent the latter on his right knee.

Avila tried to get up but his wobbling knees betrayed him, forcing the referee Ray Corona to stop the fight with 29 seconds left in the opening round.

That sealed Olympian pug from San Isidro, Davao del Norte the WBO International crown, his unblemished slate of 19 wins, including 13 via knockouts and, most importantly, preserved his status as the mandatory challenger to the one foe Suarez has sought the most – Navarrete.

Suarez’s camp felt they were robbed in that controversial duel with Navarrete in May last year in San Diego, California, wherein the ringside physician stopped the bout due to a deep cut over the latter’s left eye that was officially initially perceived as caused by an accidental head butt.

That resulted in an eight-round technical unanimous decision triumph for Navarrete, which was eventually declared a no-contest after WBO declared it was caused by a clean punch and ordered a rematch.

Navarrete wisely opted to elude Suarez and instead fought a unification bout versus then IBF king Eduardo Nunez, whom the former beat with an 11th round technical knockout victory in Glendale, Arizona last February.

For Suarez, this was his first match since that fateful fight with Navarrete and he made sure not to waste time in getting the win.

Vice President Sara Duterte’s defense team is ready to cross-examine National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag, the last prosecution witness for Article IV in the ongoing impeachment trial against Duterte.

In an interview with One News, defense spokesman Michael Poa said that while they are already preparing for Article I, which pertains to the VP’s alleged misuse of confidential funds, they are also anticipating the prosecution’s presentation of Matibag.

‘We watched his testimony before the (House) committee on justice. Of course, we are not discounting the possibility that there will be more to be added to what has already been said in the committee on justice. So, we will pay attention to his testimony and we will ensure that we will be able to effectively cross-examine Director Matibag,’ Poa said.

Matibag is scheduled to take the witness stand on July 21.

‘We are ready to test the credibility of the witness and not only the credibility but of course the testimony and what he will be saying at this time,’ Poa added.

Presiding officer Sen. Francis Escudero has granted the prosecution’s request to subpoena two Land Bank of the Philippines employees and a House of Representatives official in preparation for deliberations on Article I.

To be issued subpoena are Legislative Archives and Museum Management Service chief Marivic Pareja; Violeta Constantino and Nenita Camposano, managers of Landbank Shaw Blvd. and Department of Education branches, respectively.

Meanwhile, Poa claimed that the defense’s series of objections during the trial is not a delaying tactic.

‘We understand the sentiments of our countrymen even though they’re saying that this is a delaying tactic of the defense. Of course, we would like to assure the public that it is not. We will know if it’s a delaying tactic if there’s no basis for the objection… we object because that’s our job. And if we don’t do that, we will be waiving basically… it’s our right to object to such a question,’ Poa noted.

‘Just doing my job’

Meanwhile, Matibag hopes reopening the investigation on the 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games spending won’t affect his appearance before the Senate impeachment court on Tuesday, asserting that he is just doing his job.

Matibag stands ready to testify about the NBI’s probe into Vice President Sara Duterte’s alleged grave threats against President Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and former speaker Martin Romualdez.

But rekindling the issues hounding the 2019 SEA Games has already earned the ire of Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, who headed the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee, and his allies, claiming that this smacks of intimidation.

‘It also bothers me why they are saying that I’m threatening the senator-judges, and if they feel threatened, what will they do to me?’ Matibag told ‘On Point’ on Bilyonaryo News Channel on Friday.

‘Of course, I’m hoping and I’m expecting that we will all go there to fulfill our mandate, and that we will all act professionally and as adults. I hope that non-issues will not be tackled there,’ he added.

Matibag asserted that his job as NBI chief should not stop because of his scheduled appearance at the Senate.

‘Doing my job should not be an issue,’ he said. ‘I’m praying that the senator-judges will be fair. Whatever it is, I am ready to be there. We have a presiding officer and other senator-judges.’

House prosecutor and Bicol Saro party-list Terry Ridon said the public can expect an explosive testimony from Matibag on Tuesday.

‘Our focus is to let him speak his truth, particularly on the entirety of the comprehensive investigation the NBI did on the matter,’ Ridon said at a news forum in Quezon City yesterday.

The Lapu-Lapu City government formally opened the Balay Silangan Drug Reformation Center on Olango Island on Saturday, July 18, marking the establishment of a facility that will provide community-based rehabilitation services for individuals recovering from illegal drug use.

The inauguration was attended by Mayor Ma. Cynthia King-Chan, Lapu-Lapu City Lone District Rep. Junard Chan, city councilors Emilio Galaroza Jr. and Annabeth Cuizon, Lapu-Lapu City Police Office Director Col. Agosto Daskeo, City of Lapu-Lapu Office for Substance Abuse Prevention (CLOSAP) head Garry Lao, officials from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), members of the City Anti-Drug Abuse Council (CADAC), and barangay captains from Olango Island.

According to the city government, the facility will cater to qualified plea bargainers and individuals eligible for community-based rehabilitation under existing anti-drug programs.

The center will provide counseling, values formation, psychosocial support, skills training, and livelihood programs aimed at helping participants recover from drug dependence and reintegrate into their communities.

In her speech, King-Chan said the effectiveness of the program would be measured by its long-term impact on the lives of those who undergo rehabilitation.

‘Public service is measured not only by the programs we begin, but by the lives we are able to influence over time. I hope that Balay Silangan becomes a place where individuals are encouraged to accept responsibility, restore their confidence, strengthen family relationships, and prepare for meaningful participation in society,’ she said.

The opening of the facility follows the turnover of a P5-million grant from the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) to the Lapu-Lapu City government on June 30.

The financial assistance was turned over by DDB Chairperson and Secretary Oscar Valenzuela to support the establishment, expansion, and operation of the Balay Silangan Drug Reformation Center.

Balay Silangan is a community-based drug reformation program that aims to help low-risk drug offenders and qualified participants through rehabilitation, counseling, and skills development as part of the government’s campaign against illegal drugs.

Delta Air Lines, a major airline in the United States, announced that it will launch nonstop flights between Manila and Los Angeles next year.

“We have an update,” it wrote in an Instagram post.

“You asked. We listened. Now book it starting 7/18,” the carrier added, announcing that bookings for the route are now open. Jeff Arinder, Delta’s Vice President of Network Planning, said the addition of Manila “builds on the world-class travel experience our customers have come to expect from Delta while strengthening our position as LAX’s leading global carrier and premier West Coast hub.”

The New Ninoy Aquino International Airport Infra Corp. said Delta will resume its MNL-LAX flight beginning March 28, 2027, operating three times a week before expanding to daily service on June 7.

The airline will operate the route using the Airbus A350-900.

According to New NAIA Infra Corp., Delta will be the only U.S. airline operating nonstop flights between Manila and Los Angeles.

The airport then welcomed the airline’s return that adds to the growing number of international carriers expanding services to Manila.

“Welcome back to NAIA, Delta!” it said.

The Department of Tourism also welcomed Delta’s announcement of the new route.

“More flights and more choices are good for travelers. Greater competition can help make air travel more accessible and affordable for Filipinos,” Tourism Secretary Dita Angara-Mathay said.

“The goal is to grow the overall market,” she added.

“We want our airlines to grow and succeed. At the same time, we welcome more airlines and more routes because a bigger market benefits everyone-travelers, airlines, airports, tourism enterprises, and the economy.”

According to eTravel data cited by the DOT, the United States remains the Philippines’ leading source market, with 707,394 recorded visitor arrivals as of July 18 this year.

Apart from tourism and business exchanges, the agency said the new route is expected to make homecomings easier for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and the Filipino-American community while providing another gateway for American travelers to visit the Philippines.

“For many Filipino-Americans, coming to the Philippines is more than a vacation. It is a journey home,” Angara-Mathay said.

She added that the DOT will continue working with international and Philippine carriers to expand connectivity, open new markets, and make it easier for more people to experience the Philippines.

The DOT also said it is working to curate travel experiences for balikbayans and second- and third-generation Filipino-Americans seeking to reconnect with their heritage.

Delta previously served Manila through its former hub at Tokyo Narita International Airport (NRT), but discontinued the service in 2020.