Category: Philippine Star

Four rights activists based in Negros Occidental have been granted temporary protection by the Supreme Court (SC) against alleged red-tagging and surveillance activities by the military and other law enforcement agencies.

The SC yesterday said it issued writs of amparo and habeas data in favor of lawyer Rey Gorgonio, Joselito Macapobre, Analyn Mirano and Ma. Anabelle Ilustrisimo.

Gorgonio is chairman of the National Union of People’s Lawyers (NUPL)-Negros chapter.

Macapobre is a community organizer of local progressive group Paghidaet sa Kauswagan Development Group (PDG).

Gorgonio and Macapobre have accused the military and other law enforcement agents of conducting surveillance on them and their works.

In their petition, the rights workers cited what they described as a pattern of vilification and red-tagging directed against the PDG and those associated with the group including Gorgonio.

The NUPL denounced attempts by state forces to recruit their members to become intelligence operatives, surveillance of their offices and residences and intimidation in communities.

The group accused the military of threats and attempting to kidnap Macapobre in January.

Gorgonio said the kidnapping attempt occurred as the PDG was building a case against a plantation owner in the town of Candoni.

He said he received messages that he would be ‘silenced for being too brave.’

The high tribunal directed Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Lt. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete and other military officers to observe a one-kilometer distance from the petitioners and their immediate relatives.

The SC directed the Court of Appeals (CA) to conduct a summary hearing and determine if the petitioners are entitled to the privileges of the writs.

The CA is expected to receive the military’s reply containing their defenses and other relevant information as well as their comments on the petition.

The appellate court was given 10 days to resolve the issue.

Foreign travel requests from local officials may move faster under a new order allowing the Interior secretary to delegate approval authority to designated representatives.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. issued Administrative Order 47, amending a 1992 directive that placed the approval of such requests solely with the secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

The change gives the DILG chief, currently Secretary Jonvic Remulla, the option to authorize designated officials to act on travel applications, widening the approval chain as the government contends with a growing volume of requests and regional coordination demands.

Malacañang said in a news release Thursday, August 6 that the measure seeks to shorten processing time while preserving oversight over local governments.

“Considering the volume of travel requests and the increasing demands of regional coordination, there is a need to refine approval processes to ensure responsiveness amid contemporary government realities, strengthen government systems and improve bureaucratic efficiency, while also maintaining sufficient oversight and supervision over local governments,” the order said.

Under the Local Government Code, local officials must secure permission from the Office of the President when traveling abroad for more than three months, during an emergency or crisis, or when the trip involves public funds.

Administrative Order 267, issued in 1992, delegated the President’s authority to approve those requests to the DILG secretary.

The new order allows the secretary to pass that authority to designated representatives to facilitate faster processing.

Health advocates urged the Office of the Ombudsman to investigate Health Secretary Jose Pujalte Jr. over an alleged freeze on P3.225 billion in tuberculosis medicine purchases, warning that delays could leave the country short of critical drugs.

The Concerned Health Advocates for the Prevention and Control of Tuberculosis filed the complaint Wednesday, August 6 seeking Pujalte’s preventive suspension while the allegations are investigated.

The group alleged that Pujalte issued a directive on July 24 halting all 2026 tuberculosis commodity procurements, including the purchase of adult anti-TB medicines.

Pujalte denied deliberately delaying the procurement, describing the process as an ongoing review. He said he was prepared to submit relevant documents to authorities investigating the complaint.

Shortages, violations

The health advocates said the procurement and delivery of anti-TB medicines normally take six to nine months, raising the risk of supply gaps if the bidding process is delayed.

Whistleblower accounts alleged that the procurement was intentionally stalled to push back the bidding timeline and favor a private supplier, according to the complaint.

The group asked the Ombudsman to investigate Pujalte for alleged grave misconduct, grave abuse of authority and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.

It also accused him of violating Sections 3(e) and 3(f) of Republic Act 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, for alleged partiality, injury to the public and refusal to perform official duties.

The complainants argued that Pujalte had no authority to unilaterally place the Congress-approved procurement funds on hold.

They cited Article VI, Section 29(1) of the Constitution and Section 74 of the fiscal year 2026 National Expenditure Program due to the official’s alleged lack of required authorization in halting the procurement.

Japan is extending a loan of $187.92 million (P11.54 billion) to address key reforms in the universal health care (UHC) program, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs.

DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro and Japanese Ambassador Endo Kazuya on Tuesday signed diplomatic notes pertaining to the Japanese government’s loan, through the Japan International Cooperation Agency, for the Build Universal Health Care Program (subprogram 3).

The Japanese loan for the BUHC3 is targeted to address key reforms on sustainable financing and strategic purchasing, integrated delivery of quality health services and information management and performance accountability.

The Japanese embassy in Manila said ‘this program will provide financial support to the Philippines to improve and formulate policies related to achieving universal health care and to mitigate the impact on the health sector caused by the escalating tensions in the Middle East.’

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives on Tuesday adopted Resolution 1274 commemorating the 70th anniversary of normalized diplomatic relations after World War II between the Philippines and Japan.

The House also adopted a resolution commending outgoing South Korean Ambassador Lee Sang-hwa for strengthening relations between Manila and Seoul.

In another development, the Philippines is looking to expand cooperation with Lesotho, the Dominican Republic, Gambia and Gabon in key sectors, including trade and tourism.

President Marcos welcomed the countries’ non-resident ambassadors on Tuesday at Malacañang.

She arrives like rain on parched land. She is a blessing for a people clinging to the last shreds of hope.

Alex Eala won the tough Washington DC tournament last Monday, rolling over an impressive list of champions. Because of the tyranny of time zones, many of her most avid admirers are sleep-deprived. But that is small inconvenience for the joy of reflecting on her brilliance. And sharing in her glory.

Eala has become a phenomenon in the sport she loves. She turned her weak serve into a potent weapon. She chases down balls like her life depended on it. Her focus is amazing. Her grit is beyond compare.

Everywhere she plays, Filipino crowds turn up to cheer her. She is adored like no other player in the sport.

Organizers of the Washington tournament say 80 percent of tickets sold were to Eala fans. Organizers of the Toronto tournament now under way had to move her matches to center court. The stadium has a capacity of 2,800. Eala fans had bought 5,000 tickets even before the tournament began.

The tickets for these tournaments are not cheap. Filipino migrants are giving up a lot to afford these tickets. They think nothing of what they had to give up for the chance to cheer the Filipina athlete. They turn up whatever the weather to wave the flag of a homeland that gave them little to be proud about.

The Alex Eala phenomenon is as much about her as it is about the Filipino diaspora. There is a specific sociology and political economy to the ardent crowds that turn up at the stands.

Wherever all the major tournaments are held, there is bound to be a significant Filipino community residing around the venue. These are communities as conscious of their roots as they are of the reasons they had to flee the homeland.

There is nothing to be proud about those reasons. The nation has failed their dreams. Government, which is supposed to protect its citizens, has become a hazard to them. Ours is a country that has been looted to death by an irresponsible political elite. A country where so many opportunities passed us by because we were led incompetently and robbed ruthlessly.

Even as Eala was winning her games on foreign courts, the news at home is drearier by the day. A sinister impeachment effort is underway. The economy is failing. The poor are poorer. Infra is crumbling. Our agriculture could not feed the nation. Those who lead us are distrusted by most.

It is as if the whole nation is failing.

Natural calamities loom as we await a ‘super’ El Niño and expect it to bring even more extreme weather events. Our dams are running dry. The water is in our streets. Government neglect has gone from bad to worse.

To top it all, we had to listen to a State of the Nation Address last week that showed no coherent path to redemption. The solutions offered were grossly understudied. The small numbers were magnified while the big numbers were ignored. It was a speech meant to lull a disillusioned nation.

The speech did have its moment of unintended comic relief. The President announced we are joining the space race by building a launchpad in Cagayan. Those wading in the flood could only laugh.

Those of a certain age recall that time when Marcos Sr. announced our entry into the world of rocketry. Two rockets – named Bongbong I and Bongbong II – were launched. Both failed. This had to be prophesy.

Our space program since then went into deep hibernation.

Against this backdrop, Eala’s achievement in a sport few Filipino play is such brilliant counterpoint. It is an achievement based entirely on competence supplemented by indomitable will. It is an achievement laced by so much grace and enlightened by so much love of country. She is eloquent as she is superb.

Eala assures us we are not a nation of losers. We can win if we dare to try.

We can even triumph as a people if we are not pulled down by our politicians and betrayed by our own government. We can triumph if we think our way through rather than waste our energies in fruitless infighting. We will win if we put in the hard work needed.

Eala did not get to where she is now without the hard work. She trains everyday. She studies her weak points and strives to be better. She disciplined her mind so that she can lock in on the game. She closely observes her opponent’s game and attacks their weak points.

If only we, as a nation, can be as disciplined. We were not. That is why there is a Filipino diaspora.

There is no such thing as an Indonesian diaspora or a Thai diaspora. We inherited the same post-colonial realities. But they worked hard on becoming better nations. We spent the time tolerating failed regimes.

Many of those who turn up for Eala’s games are not tennis players themselves. They turn up to watch a Filipina win. They are there to reflect the glory that is so rare in our history.

There are large Filipino communities abroad because our nation failed to give them their chance for achievement. They willingly give up lunch to afford the tickets to be part of shared greatness.

Semirara Mining and Power Corp. (SMPC) delivered slightly higher earnings in the first half, fueled by strong power business that countered weaker results from its coal segment.

Tycoon Isidro Consunji’s integrated energy company saw its net income inch up by two percent to P8.58 billion during the period from P8.42 billion a year ago.

Revenue rose by nine percent to P34 billion from P31.33 billion, as higher coal and electricity selling prices outweighed declines in coal shipments and power sales volumes.

SMPC bounced back in the second quarter, with improved operating performance lifting its first-half earnings despite softer results in the opening three months.

For the second quarter, the company recorded a 17-percent growth in net income to P4.8 billion from P4.1 billion a year earlier.

The power business took the lead, contributing P4.6 billion or 96 percent of total earnings during the quarter.

Power sales sizzled by nine percent to an all-time high of 1,563 gigawatt-hours from 1,435 GWh, thanks to improved plant performance across the company’s portfolio.

Of the electricity sold, 53 percent was traded in the spot market, while the remaining 47 percent was delivered through bilateral contracts.

The overall average selling price surged by 29 percent to P5.81 per kilowatt-hour from P4.51 per kWh, supported by higher spot market prices during the quarter.

By the end of June, 52 percent of SMPC’s 860-megawatt dependable capacity was contracted, with 339.8 MW available for spot market sales after accounting for station service requirements.

The coal segment, however, faced a more challenging quarter, generating only P191 million in earnings as lower output and shipments, coupled with higher fuel costs, offset the recovery in selling prices.

Coal production plunged by 55 percent to 2.5 million metric tons from 5.6 millionMT, while shipments declined by 13 percent to four million MT from 4.6 million MT.

‘Operations were affected by stripping activities in the new Narra block and limited production at the Acacia mine,’ the company said.

Stronger global coal benchmarks pushed Semirara coal’s average selling price to P2,833 per MT, up by 27 percent from P2,223 per MT.

SMPC is the country’s leading coal producer, accounting for more than 90 percent of domestic output. It also exports coal to China, South Korea, Brunei and other nearby markets.

As someone who has been in the power industry for close to 40 years, lived through the worst power crises with blackouts lasting up to 12 hours, witnessed the reforms that reshaped the industry, and saw the birth of the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) in 2001, I firmly believe the current conversation on system loss deserves a deeper understanding.

Electricity is perhaps the only product we use every single day without ever seeing the very complex system that delivers it. We turn on a switch and expect that we get light. We rely on our refrigerators, air conditioners and gadgets to run without interruption. Only a few would even think about the massive and interconnected system that makes all this possible: the power plants that generate electricity, the transmission lines that carry it across the country, the substations, transformers and lines that bring it to our homes and offices. Not to mention the thousands of workers who keep everything running day and night. We rarely see any of them. What most consumers see is the monthly electric bill and understandably, that is where much of the attention goes.

That is why discussions about system loss are often prone to misunderstanding. The term ‘loss’ by itself naturally creates frustration among many consumers. It is as if consumers are being made to pay for somebody else’s responsibility. The reality is actually more complex.

System loss comes in two forms: technical and non-technical. Technical losses are unavoidable and occur because of the laws of physics. Whenever electricity flows through power lines, transformers or other electrical equipment, a portion of that energy dissipates as heat. No electricity system in the world is completely free from technical losses. No matter where the utility operates, some amount of electricity is lost in the process of delivery.

Non-technical losses are different. These arise from electricity theft, illegal connections and operational issues. These can be minimized through stronger enforcement and better technology.

To understand why we are currently in this situation, we need to go back to 2001 when EPIRA was passed. The power sector was then grappling with shortages, financial challenges and the need for new investments. EPIRA reorganized the industry, encouraged private participation and introduced reforms that helped strengthen the country’s power supply.

But even before EPIRA, the country’s policy on system loss management had already been established under Republic Act 7832, which recognized that while some system loss is unavoidable in delivering electricity, only a limited portion should be recoverable from consumers through capped pass-through rates that gradually declined from 14.5 percent to 9.5 percent. EPIRA retained this policy but authorized the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to adjust the allowable caps based on prevailing industry conditions and technical parameters set by law. That’s why the ERC subsequently reduced the cap for private distribution utilities first to 8.5 percent and later to the current 5.5 percent of feeder energy.

Over the years, these reforms helped move the country beyond the era of regular blackouts that many Filipinos like me grew up with and still remember.

Like many reform laws, EPIRA sought to balance consumer protection with a functioning power system. One provision allowed the regulated recovery of system losses – an issue that has become an important part of today’s conversation on power costs.

But what is often missing from today’s discussion is the significant progress the distribution sector has made in reducing system loss. In 2003, about two years after EPIRA was enacted, the national average system loss was nearly 13 percent. By 2025, it had fallen to about eight percent, owing to sustained investments in modernizing networks, improving operational efficiency and efforts against electricity theft. While there is always room for further improvement, this steady decline over the past two decades shows that if the concern is rising electricity prices, system loss is clearly not the driver.

The President’s call during his SONA sparked an important conversation about fairness in electricity pricing. It brings forward the idea that consumers deserve both reliable service and continued efforts to reduce costs arising from inefficiencies that can be addressed through better management, investments and regulation. There are now several measures in Congress that seek this outcome.

According to statements and reports, electric cooperatives and related industry groups generally support efforts to reduce avoidable losses and protect consumers from paying for theft and inefficiency. However, technical losses remain unavoidable operating realities. In many rural areas, electricity must travel long distances through difficult terrain, across islands, mountains and remote communities. The longer the line, the greater the technical loss.

Stakeholders have likewise stated that as reforms move forward, a clear and sustainable approach to managing unavoidable costs is important, particularly for electric cooperatives serving far-flung communities. After all, lowering costs and maintaining reliable service should go hand in hand.

The discussions reflect the many realities that policymakers must weigh as reforms move forward. Everyone agrees on the need to ease the burden on consumers. The challenge lies in designing solutions that are both fair and sustainable.

While system loss receives significant attention, it is not the only component of our electricity bill that deserves a closer look.

For example, Filipinos pay 12 percent value-added tax on several components of the electric bill. For many households, this can amount to thousands of pesos each year. Consumers also shoulder various policy-driven charges and subsidies embedded in the bill. Even some industry organizations have argued that if the goal is meaningful electricity relief, policymakers should undertake a comprehensive review of all bill components.

What is encouraging is that more people are now taking a closer look at how electricity is priced and delivered. That conversation can only be good for consumers. I write this not only as an employee of a distribution utility, but as a senior Filipino who has lived through the blackouts, the reforms and the many debates that have shaped our power sector over the years. My only aim is to help bring a little more context to the conversation so that we have a better chance of creating reforms that will genuinely benefit Filipino consumers.

Unemployment rose to 2.59 million in June as the expansion of the labor force outpaced job growth, pushing the jobless rate to 4.9% despite an increase in employed Filipinos.

The unemployment rate edged up from 4.8% in May and 3.7% in June 2025, the Philippine Statistics Authority said Thursday, August 6.

The labor force grew to 53.25 million from 52.13 million in May and 52.42 million a year earlier. The labor force participation rate climbed to 65.1% from 63.8% in May.

Employment also rises

The number of employed Filipinos increased to 50.66 million from 49.63 million in May and 50.47 million in June 2025.

Services accounted for 62.7% of employment, followed by agriculture at 20% and industry at 17.3%.

Wage and salary workers made up 64.1% of employed Filipinos, while 26.9% were self-employed without paid workers. Unpaid family workers accounted for 7.4%, while employers in family-operated farms or businesses comprised 1.6%.

Underemployment eases. Underemployment eased to 12.1% from 12.2% in May but remained above the 11.4% recorded a year earlier.

This meant 6.11 million employed Filipinos wanted additional work or longer hours. Workers logged an average of 40.6 hours a week in June, according to the state data agency.

National junior team standout Eve Bejasa advanced to the Round of 16 of the girls’ under-19 singles after sweeping compatriot Nica Gulpany, 21-11, 21-11, on the second day of the inaugural Philippine Junior International Series, presented by the Philippine Sports Commission, yesterday at Gameville Central Park in Mandaluyong.

Fresh off her strong showing in the Philippine National Badminton Open, the 17-year-old from Cebu City dominated from the opening rally, needing just 21 minutes to secure her place in the next round of the tournament backed by Yonex, Sunrise, Smart, Gameville Central Park, Cignal, mWell, MVP Sports Foundation, Maynilad, Jollibee, Milksha, Metro Pacific Tollways Corp., PLDT, TELESCOOP, and Uratex.

Bejasa will next face Canada’s Althia Bedi for a place in the quarterfinals. Bedi outlasted the Philippines’ Imari Dawn Jimenez in three games, 21-16, 17-21, 21-19.

Joining Bejasa in the quarterfinal hunt are Christel Fuentespina and Ma. Nicole Notorio, who both registered impressive victories.

Fuentespina, another national junior team standout, overwhelmed compatriot Zoe Driz, 21-5, 21-4, while Notorio defeated Thailand’s Montra Sae Jiew, 21-14, 21-17.

In the girls’ under-15 division, Alexzandria Gail Noceja also booked her place in the Round of 16 after a commanding 21-7, 21-11 victory over compatriot Alyzha Marabulas.

Noceja will face India’s Kyra Raina, who defeated the Philippines’ Kathlyn Ocampo, 21-4, 21-11.

My boss and compadre, Manny V. Pangilinan, has railed against the plan of the Marcos Jr. administration to totally do away with system loss charges in a bid to lower the cost of electricity delivered to consumers – homes, offices and industries.

MVP warns that electricity companies will not survive if they are made to absorb system losses instead of being allowed to pass them on as regular business costs to consumers.

Indeed, MVP’s Meralco, the biggest electricity retailer, will incur losses the moment system loss charges in bills are disallowed by government.

The need to reduce electricity cost has become more urgent after the Philippines achieved an upper-middle income country (UMIC) status this year with a per capita income of $4,850.

‘Electricity will be central to the Philippines’ next phase of growth,’ says the World Bank in a recent paper.

‘As the economy becomes more urban, digital and industrial, reliable and affordable power will increasingly shape productivity, investment, jobs and household welfare. Rising demand from households, firms, transport and data centers creates both a challenge and an opportunity,’ the lender points out.

Says the bank: ‘If the power system expands efficiently and sustainably, electricity can become a driver of competitiveness and resilience rather than a constraint.’

‘High electricity costs reflect more than just underlying fuel and capital costs. They also stem from structural features of the power system, including long-term procurement arrangements, generation concentration, grid constraints and limited market depth. Regional peers also offer broad consumer subsidies to help lower prices, but these come at high fiscal costs and are regressive,’ notes the World Bank.

System loss is the electricity lost as it is delivered from the source to the end user. It ranges from five percent (in the case of Meralco) to as high as 20 percent in the case of electric cooperatives, many of which have decrepit equipment and are in hand-to-mouth profitability mode.

There are two causes: one, technical, due to factors like such distance, wiring and inadequate equipment, and two, theft.

Electricity being a business, system loss is passed on by the electricity producer and retailer to the consumer of course. The government thinks it’s okay. It makes money on the system loss by adding value added tax, usually 12 percent of the system loss amount charged by the electricity utility.

The best solution is a burden sharing – divide system loss by three – among the electricity utilities, the government and the consumer. This will immediately reduce system loss charges by at least 66 percent, probably more if the VAT is also removed.

Meanwhile, the Federation of Philippine Industries (FPI) supports the President’s call to reduce electricity costs for Filipino consumers and businesses through meaningful reforms in the electric power sector.

‘Affordable, reliable and competitively priced electricity is indispensable to strengthening Philippine manufacturing, attracting investments, expanding exports, creating quality employment and enhancing the country’s overall economic competitiveness,’ says the country’s largest industrial association. FPI is headed by Elizabeth H. Lee.

FPI supports a comprehensive review of the recovery of system loss charges, including its VAT. Any amendment to the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA), however, should be supported by a comprehensive technical, regulatory and economic assessment by the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to ensure that any policy reform is transparent, equitable and sustainable.

FPI points out that system losses, both technical losses inherent in the transmission and distribution of electricity and non-technical losses arising from electricity theft, illegal connections, meter tampering and other unauthorized consumption, are recognized realities of electric power systems worldwide.

FPI likewise recognizes that consumers should not bear the cost of operational inefficiencies. The current regulatory framework already incorporates accountability measures through ERC-prescribed caps on recoverable losses, with losses beyond allowable thresholds being absorbed by distribution utilities and electric cooperatives.

This provides a continuing incentive for utilities to improve operational efficiency and reduce avoidable losses. Going forward, reforms should continue to encourage investments that reduce technical losses while simultaneously strengthening measures to eliminate non-technical losses through more effective anti-electricity theft enforcement and improved governance.

Also, says FPI, any reform should preserve the long-term financial viability and stability of the electric power sector.

Reliable electricity infrastructure requires sustained investments in the maintenance, modernization, expansion and resilience of the country’s transmission and distribution networks. Policy reforms should therefore be implemented through a carefully designed transition framework that provides meaningful relief to consumers without discouraging continued investments that are essential to ensuring energy security, business continuity and economic growth.

FPI encourages the government to intensify efforts to address the root causes of non-technical system losses, particularly electricity theft, illegal connections and meter tampering.

Stronger enforcement of existing laws, together with more effective anti-pilferage measures and public-private cooperation, will help reduce avoidable losses, promote fairness among consumers and improve the overall efficiency of the power sector.

FPI encourages policymakers to adopt a comprehensive approach to electricity affordability. While the review of system loss charges is an important step, other significant cost drivers – including generation costs, taxes, transmission charges, universal charges and other policy-driven components of electricity bills – should likewise be examined to ensure that reforms collectively improve the competitiveness of Philippine industry while maintaining a secure, reliable and financially sustainable power sector.

FPI stands ready to work with Congress, the DOE, the ERC and all stakeholders in developing balanced, evidence-based and forward-looking reforms that will strengthen the country’s energy sector, enhance Philippine industrial competitiveness and promote sustainable and inclusive economic growth.

Says Beth Lee: ‘Affordable and reliable electricity is indispensable to Philippine manufacturing and economic competitiveness. We need to strike a deliberate balance – providing relief while at the same time preserving the sector’s financial viability to ensure long-term energy security, modern infrastructure and sustainable industrial growth.’