Category: Philippine Star

There’s no other way to describe what China Daily did when it depicted us Filipinos as monkeys. It is what it is – racist and uncalled for.

As one of its readers, I am heartbroken for our country and our people. It’s also sad because I read China Daily, which is an English newspaper, when I travel to China via Chinese airlines. Some of their articles are interesting and varied, although expectedly pro-China.

But its depiction of Filipinos was very wrong and based on my experience as a newspaper journalist in the Philippines, newspapers or media organizations should not be racist against anyone, any race or any country for that matter. We don’t live in the dark ages anymore. Societies and the world are supposed to be evolving.

The Department of Foreign Affairs is right in demanding that China Daily take down the video depicting Filipinos as monkeys, part of the news outlet’s material on the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award.

‘It was blatantly demeaning, dehumanizing and racist,’ the DFA said.

‘We draw a firm line at the depiction of Filipinos as monkeys in the 10 July 2026 video, which is deeply offensive, distressing and unacceptable. Disagreement over legal and political issues does not justify resorting to disturbing imagery, which has no place in the civil public discourse of a responsible state,’ the DFA said.

Phl embassy in Beijing issues statement, too

I also received a statement from the Philippine embassy in Beijing led by Ambassador Jaime FlorCruz.

Below is the Philippine embassy’s statement:

‘The Philippine embassy in Beijing reiterates the strong condemnation of the China Daily’s publication of AI-generated videos and editorial cartoons concerning the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award, including the video posted on its Facebook account on July 10, 2026.

‘As a Chinese state-run media outlet, China Daily’s conduct goes beyond legitimate political debate and employs blatantly demeaning, dehumanizing and racist depictions of Filipinos.

‘The Philippines has consistently rejected false narratives and distortions regarding the Arbitral Award and the Philippines’ lawful positions in the South China Sea. But we draw a firm line at the depiction of Filipinos as monkeys in the July 10, 2026 video, which is deeply offensive, distressing and unacceptable.

‘Disagreement over legal and political issues does not justify resorting to disturbing imagery, which has no place in the civil public discourse of a responsible state.

‘Such imagery and misinformation breach editorial norms and principles. They only serve to widen the distrust between the Philippines and China. The Philippine embassy demands that the offensive material be taken down, calls for the immediate cessation of such irresponsible content and urges China Daily to uphold dignity, respect and truth in public discourse.’

I agree with the embassy’s statement that disagreement over political issues does not justify such depiction of Filipinos.

As I said, there’s no other way to put it. It’s racist and demeaning. Even China should call out the state-owned media.

It is also lamentable that Sen. Robin Padilla passed the blame to Jay Tarriela, the spokesman of the Philippine Coast Guard for the West Philippine Sea, saying Tarriela drew the first blood but Tarriela said they did not create the incidents.

Each and every Filipino should take a stand against this.

There is no place for racism in a world that is supposedly striving to become better for today’s generation and the succeeding ones.

From the inbox: The Association of Foundations

After I wrote a column on the scandal hounding the College of Mass Communications Foundation Inc. (UPCMCFI) involving the theft of P4.4 million in funds, I received a letter from the Association of Foundations (AF).

In its letter, AF said it absolutely supports calling out misdeeds in the sector.

‘But at the same time, we fervently hope that the efforts of the many nameless development workers are not diminished by the offenses of the unscrupulous few,’ it said.

AF is a 54-year-old network of NGOs and foundations in the Philippines, with 271 member organizations working in various development programs – from education to environment.

UPCMCFI is not a member of AF but in its letter, AF underscored that good governance and integrity are at the core of the work of many Philippine NGOs and foundations.

‘Building and strengthening systems for transparency and accountability are essential to earning and sustaining the trust of our communities, partners, donors and the broader public we serve,’ it said.

‘Within the AF network, we reinforce these principles by requiring our members to comply with applicable regulatory requirements and by providing regular learning opportunities on how to strengthen their governance and operational systems,’ it added.

AF also agreed with me that strong regulatory oversight is needed to maintain public trust in foundations. At the same time, it said that nonprofits also voluntarily undergo certification with the Philippine Council for NGO Certification, the sector’s independent self-regulatory mechanism that assesses organizations using standards of governance, financial management, transparency and program effectiveness.

‘Together, these mechanisms encourage organizations to go beyond minimum regulatory requirements and adopt higher standards of accountability and good governance.’

Thank you to Cecile Dominguez-Yujuico, president of AF, for taking time to share the work that AF does.

AF basically said that the case of UPCMCFI is more of an exception rather than the rule.

It’s good to know that foundations and nonprofits have self-regulatory mechanisms to maintain their integrity.

This way, we can prevent thievery as what happened to the UPCMCFI.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has given assistance to the family of motorcycle taxi rider Fabio Norberte Jr., who was stabbed to death by his passenger in Caloocan on July 14.

‘We learned that he was a solo parent and he has a child with autism spectrum disorder,’ DSWD spokesperson Irene Dumlao said.

Aside from funeral assistance through a guarantee letter, the DSWD gave P10,000 and a food pack to the victim’s sister.

Norberte was attacked with an ice pick by his passenger. His motorcycle was also taken by the suspect.

Sen. Erwin Tulfo said the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee may launch an investigation into alleged irregularities in flood control projects in Taguig City, following reports that a family member of Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano has called for a probe into the matter.

In an interview with DZBB on Sunday, July 19, Tulfo, citing a news report, said that Cayetano’s younger brother, former Taguig Mayor Lino, is willing to testify and is calling for an investigation into flood control projects in Taguig spanning from 2022 to 2025, which reportedly amount to P6 billion.

“Siguro dapat mag-ready siya doon dahil kapatid niya mismo ang humihingi ng imbestigasyon dahil may nakita yata yung kanyang kapatid,” Tulfo said.

(Perhaps they should prepare for that because their own sibling is the one requesting an investigation, likely because that sibling discovered something.)

Tulfo said he was previously unaware of the P6-billion allocation for flood control projects in Taguig, noting that he is a newcomer in the Senate.

However, he said the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee would look into the matter and invite Lino to shed light on the issue.

Aside from Lino, Tulfo said he plans to invite other individuals to the hearing on the flood control projects, including detained former lawmaker Mike Defensor, Levito Baligod and several former bodyguards.

Tulfo said the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee is scheduled to formalize its membership on the morning of July 27, the day of the State of the Nation Address.

Meanwhile, Sen. Panfilo Lacson said he is gathering informants and witnesses who could provide evidence against Cayetano.

‘My integrity is my first and last line of defense and I will fight to defend it with all my might. Sen Cayetano has crossed the line by attacking it,’ Lacson said in a social media post.

‘As of this morning, I’m still counting informants and witnesses, directly or through intermediaries, willing to provide information and evidence to put him in his proper place – the Payatas, QC jail,’ he added.

The statements by Lacson and Tulfo came after Cayetano called Tulfo a “lapdog” of Lacson. Cayetano, who is allied with two senators facing plunder charges, also questioned the integrity of the Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth of the two lawmakers.

Consumers can expect prices of basic goods to remain steady for now despite a looming fuel price hike due to renewed tensions in the Middle East.

Trade Secretary Cristina Roque told reporters on the sidelines of the Go Negosyo MSME (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises) Summit yesterday that the agency has not received petitions from manufacturers of basic necessities and prime commodities (BNPCs) for price hikes.

If tensions between the United States and Iran continue to escalate, Roque said the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) would hold meetings with BNPC manufacturers.

Earlier, the Department of Energy said fuel prices could see an ‘extra-large’ adjustment on July 21, amid renewed conflict in the Middle East.

The price increase could reach over P10 per liter for diesel.

Roque said the DTI approved increases of less than 10 percent in the suggested retail prices (SRP) of canned sardines and candles last May due to high fuel prices. The SRP for 155-gram of canned sardines currently ranges from P18 to P24.75.

Meanwhile, the SRP for candles ranges from P48.50 to P121.50 (four pieces per pack) and P59.41 to P220 (two pieces per pack).

Apart from canned sardines and candles, other BNPCs under the DTI’s jurisdiction include

processed milk, bread, coffee, locally-manufactured instant noodles, bottled water, laundry soap, salt, canned meat, condiments and toilet soap.

Bills shocks

Congress should amend the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 or EPIRA to address widespread complaints of bill shocks or sudden spike in electricity bills, according to consumer group Partners for Affordable and Reliable Energy (PARE).

‘The framers of that law solved the problem [of electricity] in the years 2000 and 2001. It’s already 2026,’ PARE chief advocate officer Nic Satur Jr. told radio dzBB yesterday.

Satur said the 50 percent allowable supply cap for distribution firms to source their supply from affiliated generation companies reeks of conflict of interest.

‘Under the anti-competition law, it should have been prohibited, but under EPIRA, 50 percent is allowed… Why do electricity firms not complain about a lot of taxes, only consumers? Because it’s only the consumers that pay all of that,’ he said.

Satur slammed electricity players for being ‘relaxed’ and in ‘chill mode,’ lamenting that they pass all these charges to consumers.

He also criticized distribution firms for charging system loss to consumers, which allows companies to recover losses when power traveling from plants to homes is lost. Electricity can dissipate either through technical reasons, such as heat, or non-technical reasons such as illegal connections or jumpers.

The government caps system loss at 8.5 percent which could be brought down to five percent, according to Satur.

Still, this is not enough to bring down electricity costs which, for Satur, has three primary challenges.

First is the price increase in energy products like coal and diesel used by the plants.

‘Once the price of imported raw materials goes up, the charges automatically pass on to the production of electricity,’ he stressed.

Second is the power supply agreements being entered into between generation and distribution firms.

‘If our electric cooperatives or our distribution utilities made a mistake in choosing a supplier, that’s one of the reasons why the price of electricity will go up,’ he said.

And third is the ‘inefficiency’ of the power sector as a whole.

‘The inefficiency is that many plants are shut down and our regulators are weak in implementing laws,’ Satur argued.

PARE also wants the government to look into whether the simultaneous shutdown of power plants is merely coincidental or deliberate.

‘There are unscheduled shutdowns. The price increase is happening at the same time. And there are also problems in the transmission grid,’ Satur said.

‘We’re not saying that they’re all done on purpose. What we’re saying is, why is it happening? So, we should investigate so that if it’s proven that it’s all on purpose, someone should be held accountable,’ he added.

Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano and Sen. Erwin Tulfo traded barbs over the need to resume the Blue Ribbon committee’s flood control probe while Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial is ongoing.

Cayetano took to his usual Facebook Live sessions to hit back at Tulfo, the Blue Ribbon chairman, for saying that Cayetano should keep his cool instead of going hysterical over the flood control mess.

Cayetano said it’s the public which could not keep its cool after billions – if not trillions – of public funds were allegedly lost to corruption.

‘Sen. Erwin Tulfo said I should relax when I’m not the one who is not relaxed,’ Cayetano said on Friday.

‘It’s our countrymen. Every single Filipino has asked for an accounting of the biggest corruption scandal in our country’s history,’ he added.

Cayetano said he won’t take the criticism lightly coming from Tulfo, a prominent news anchor also known for his hard-hitting radio program.

Cayetano claimed Tulfo has stated that there are no more new witnesses in the flood control probe.

This was a misleading take on Tulfo’s actual dzMM interview on Thursday about the resumption of the flood control probe.

Tulfo took over the flood control probe from Sen. Panfilo Lacson after he was elected as new Blue Ribbon chairman. Tulfo designated vice chairman Sen. Francis Pangilinan to continue the investigation on alleged public works corruption.

Tulfo called Cayetano ‘Boy Banat” and criticized him for being impatient with the resumption of the flood control probe amid their duties as senator-judges in the impeachment court.

‘Just relax. We’ll get there,’ Tulfo said.

Tulfo said the Blue Ribbon committee will need to officially convene first when session resumes after the July 27 joint session for President Marcos’ State of the Nation Address.

He said the Lacson-led probe exhausted all measures, resulting in the filing of charges against those involved, including Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, a known Cayetano ally.

Attack dogs

Lacson took to X yesterday to deny Cayetano’s remarks about Lacson’s net worth, and exposed alleged ghost projects in Taguig, where Cayetano’s wife Lani Cayetano is mayor.

Cayetano branded Lacson and Tulfo as Malacañang ‘attack dogs.’

‘Who let the dogs out?’ Cayetano said.

Lacson brushed off Cayetano’s allegations that his net worth had doubled since 2022, saying these are ‘wild insinuations and black propaganda against me.’

Malacañang has declared special non-working days in five areas in the country to allow residents to participate in local anniversaries and festivities.

Proclamation 1349 declared July 20 a special non-working day in Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur for the town’s 77th founding anniversary.

Proclamation 1350 declared July 20 a special non-working day in Digos, Davao del Sur for the Padigosan Festival, in lieu of July 19, which falls on a Sunday.

July 21 is a special non-working day in General Nakar, Quezon under Proclamation 1351 for the celebration of the town’s founding anniversary.

Proclamation 1346 declared July 22 a holiday in Mutia, Zamboanga del Norte for the 66th Araw ng Mutia.

The Palace also declared July 22 a special non-working day in Pililla, Rizal through Proclamation 1352 for the celebration of the town’s fiesta and founding anniversary.

WBO No. 1 superfeatherweight Charly Suarez is heavily favored to win over unranked Manuel Avila in their 10-round bout for the WBO International crown at the National Orange Show Event Center in San Bernardino, California, this morning (Manila time) but what makes the fight an intriguing battle is the underdog has nothing to lose and everything to gain.

Suarez, 37, hasn’t fought in over a year and the layoff may be a damper. He’s been training with coach Delfin Boholst in Las Vegas the last three months, realizing a loss to Avila will quash his hopes for a rematch with WBO/IBF champion Emanuel Navarrete. Avila, 34, stands in the way of Suarez securing a second crack at Navarrete who should’ve lost to the King’s Warrior by TKO in their first meeting but escaped with a no-decision.

‘Si Avila, sa mga laban niya halos nag-lalaro sa long distance at alam na namin saan siya mahina,’ said Boholst. ‘Napag-aralan namin ang galaw niya. Big risk ito kay Charly dahil mawawala siya sa mandatory ng WBO pag-natalo kay Avila. Tinanggap namin itong laban kasi mahirap pag-sumampa sa laban lalo na big fight na walang activity.’

Navarrete avoided an immediate rematch with Suarez by taking on IBF titlist Eduardo Nunez last February and is now in talks to face WBC ruler O’Shaquie Foster. Boholst said Suarez is focused only on Avila at the moment. Suarez’ new promoter Sampson Lewkowicz, who once managed JohnRiel Casimero, is making sure the road is open for a second title shot.

Boholst said he’s been asked by US media if Navarrete is deliberately evading Suarez. ‘Mayroon mga media nagtatanong sa akin niyan pero sa ngayon, tapusin muna ang laban kay Avila,’ he said. ‘Three months na kami sa US kaya walang jet lag at handang-handa na si Charly.’ In Suarez’ corner for the fight will be Boholst, cutman Bobby Jalnaiz and SPLIT-T Boxing Gym owner Eric Belanger.

The kids are home on weekends. So how do you keep them busy and happy at home so they won’t keep wanting to go out with their playmates in the neighborhood too often?

One way to keep them productive at home is to assign certain easy household chores or tasks and then reward them with a good snack or lunch afterwards. Or, better yet, why not collab with them and prepare an easy dish together so that it comes off as a task and a reward in one?

One dish you can make perfectly together is Chicken Lollipops. Just buy already prepped up chicken lollipops from the market or butcher shop, pre-marinate them in the ref, and then when it is time to cook, you can just have your kids coat the chicken lollipops with breading and you can fry them in hot oil until golden.

The easy task to the kids and the ‘frying in hot oil’ part to yourself. This way, you keep them safe as well – and happily fed afterwards. To make things even easier, you can have the kids coat your Chicken Lollipops in ready-to-use breading mix instead of dredging in flour, dipping in beaten egg, and coating with breadcrumbs. The easiest thing to cook!

This recipe from Mama Sita’s Homestyle Recipes made easy for the home cook should come in handy.

Chicken Lollipops

Ingredients:

1 kg. chicken lollipops

1 pouch (50 grams) Mama Sita’s Breading Mix

1 cup cooking oil for frying

Procedure:

1. The chicken part used for making Chicken Lollipops is the drummette of the wing. It is usually pre-fabricated at the chicken station in major supermarkets, but, if not, you can prepare the lollipops on your own. Simply cut each wing on the joint and scrape the meat from one end to the other to form a “lollipop.” Push all the meat to one end to form a ball. You can chill in the refrigerator or freezer for a few minutes to make the meat set and hold its shape.

2. Coat the lollipops in Mama Sita’s Breading Mix.

3. Heat oil in a wok or pan.

4. Fry chicken over medium heat until golden brown and crispy.

5. Drain off excess oil on paper towel and serve with Mama Sita’s Labuyo Hot Pepper Sauce (if you like it spicy) or Sweet Chili Sauce or simple catsup (if you don’t like it spicy).

The National Tobacco Administration (NTA) is tightening its production strategy to avoid the overproduction of tobacco leaves during the upcoming 2026-2027 planting season.

The NTA said that farmers should prevent future production expansion without corresponding marker demands, following a glut in tobacco production which occurred during the previous planting season.

NTA administrator Belinda Sanchez said the agency would focus on economic stability for tobacco farmers, amid a highly volatile global buyers market.

‘By focusing on strict market anchors and premium quality, we are safeguarding our farmers from the financial risks of overproduction and rejection,’ she said following a recent information campaign across tobacco producing provinces.

‘Compliance is no longer just a regulatory requirement, but it is our strongest shield against market instability,’ Sanchez said.

Part of the agency’s Strategic Tobacco Production Information Campaign is to inform private stakeholders, municipal agriculturists and agricultural technicians about the ongoing global tobacco oversupply.

The agency is also pushing uncontracted farmers to register to the NTA’s Tobacco Contract Growing System and coordinate with planting strategies based on market demand.

About 35,000 out of the country’s 45,000 registered tobacco farmers remain outside of formal contract growing agreements, according to the NTA.

The regulator earlier reported an overproduction of flue-cured Virginia tobacco leaves in the provinces of Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte, Abra and La Union, amounting to five million kilos.

The surplus was about 27 percent more than the 18.05-million-kilo purchase commitment of Virginia tobacco leaves by the trading companies and cigarette manufacturers for the previous planting season.

Participants were also encouraged to implement the agency’s Virginia Improved Flavor Tobacco Production soil-area matching criteria, which requires the planting of tobacco in suitable soil areas.

This would minimize discrepancies between tobacco production and buyer requirements, as well as improve tobacco quality.

University of Santo Tomas dug deep before turning back St. John’s Institute-Bacolod, 25-19, 25-23, 23-25, 18-25, 19-17 to rule the 2026 Shakey’s Juniors National Invitationals last night at the Playtime FilOil Arena.

The Junior Tigresses squandered a two-set lead and even found themselves facing a five-point deficit in the deciding frame but recovered and outdueled their rivals in a thrilling finish.

Most Valuable Player Nicole Pelaez unloaded 27 points on 24 kills, two kill blocks and an ace as UST finished the tournament backed by Shakey’s Pizza Parlor, Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, Potato Corner, and R and B Milk Tea unbeaten in eight games.

UST completed a season sweep after its breakthrough 2026 Shakey’s Girls Volleyball Invitational League (SGVIL) Rising Stars Cup Division 1 crown last May.

Meanwhile, reigning NCAA champion Letran tests Southern Storm Melbourne as the Shakey’s Collegiate National invitationals fires off today at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

The Letran-SSM tiff is set at 1 p.m.