Category: Philippine Star

The Philippines reaffirmed its commitment to work closely with World Trade Organization (WTO) members in ensuring the effective implementation of the agreement on fisheries subsidies.

The landmark agreement represents a historic step forward in curbing harmful subsidies that contribute to overfishing and the depletion of marine resources.

Recalling the deposit of its instrument of acceptance at the sidelines of the 13th WTO Ministerial Conference in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates on Feb. 27, 2024, the Philippines recently joined fellow WTO members in celebrating the entry into force of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies.

As an archipelagic nation of more than 115 million people, with millions depending on fisheries for their food and livelihood, the Philippines attaches great importance to this milestone. The agreement strengthens global efforts to safeguard marine biodiversity, ensure food security and protect the livelihoods of fisherfolk, particularly those in small coastal communities.

To support implementation, the WTO has established a Fisheries Subsidies Fund to provide technical assistance and capacity-building support to developing members such as the Philippines. This includes Category 1 Grant Projects of up to $50,000 and Category 2 Grant Projects of up to $300,000. Through this mechanism, the Philippines will be better equipped to implement the agreement effectively, enhance sustainable coastal management, and deliver tangible benefits to rural fishing communities across the archipelago.

The Philippines said the effective implementation of the Agreement will strengthen the country’s capacity to manage its ocean resources sustainably, secure the future of coastal communities, and uphold its responsibility as steward of one of the world’s richest marine ecosystems.

Ambassador Manuel A.J. Teehankee, Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the WTO, welcomed the entry into force of the Agreement.

‘The entry into force of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies marks a collective victory for global sustainability and for millions of fisherfolk whose lives and livelihoods depend on healthy oceans,’ Teehankee said.

As the WTO’s first sustainability-focused agreement, it demonstrates that trade rules can serve as powerful tools for environmental protection and development.

‘For the Philippines, this Agreement is not only about protecting our marine biodiversity, but also about ensuring food security and building resilient coastal communities,’ he added.

The Philippines also welcomed the establishment of the Fisheries Fund, which will help developing countries translate commitments into concrete action.

‘The Philippines stands ready to work with WTO members and partners to ensure that this Agreement delivers real and lasting benefits for our people and our planet,’ he said.

Argentina stands ready to provide critical expertise and technology to ensure the Philippines safely launches its first operational nuclear power plant, according to its embassy.

In a statement to The STAR, the Argentine embassy reaffirmed Buenos Aires’ commitment to supporting Manila’s nuclear energy program, including the potential revival of the long-dormant Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP).

‘By working together, our countries can lay the groundwork for a Philippine nuclear program that is not only technically sound but also socially beneficial, economically inclusive and aligned with the highest international safety standards,’ it said.

Argentina, one of the leading nuclear players in Latin America, is set to take center stage – alongside eight other countries – at the second Philippine International Nuclear Supply Chain Forum (PINSCF) this week.

Through this participation, the embassy said, Argentina is expected to offer over five decades of nuclear expertise, providing a practical roadmap to help the Philippines advance its nuclear energy goals.

Currently, Argentina has three operating nuclear plants: the 340-megawatt Atucha 1, the 693-MW Atucha 2 and the 608-MW Embalse facility, latest data from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) showed.

According to the Argentine embassy, the completion of the Atucha 2 facility, whose construction was halted for over 12 years, presents a compelling parallel to the issues the Philippines faces in the possible BNPP rehabilitation.

‘The Philippine case with Bataan is comparable: it involves the challenge of assessing a long-stalled nuclear project, updating it to current international safety standards and rebuilding confidence in its viability,’ it said.

Last year, Argentina’s engineering and technology development firm INVAP was said to have presented a number of initiatives to the Department of Energy to support the Philippines’ nuclear push.

This included support in reviewing proposals for the BNPP revival, technical cooperation for required licensing activities and assistance in establishing a dedicated nuclear regulatory body.

‘Looking ahead, Argentina’s participation in the PINSCF signals a new chapter in bilateral nuclear dialogue, one rooted in trust, mutual learning and shared vision,’ the embassy said.

‘Ultimately, this partnership demonstrates the power of international collaboration in shaping emerging nuclear energy landscapes and ensuring that nuclear power contributes to development in the 21st century,’ it said.

Apart from Argentina, nuclear experts from China, Finland, France, Hungary, Japan, Russia, United Arab Emirates and United States are also set to participate in this year’s PINSCF.

Recently, the Philippines’ nuclear ambitions gained further momentum after President Marcos signed a landmark measure establishing the country’s first independent nuclear regulatory body.

This bodes well for the country’s target of unlocking at least 1,200 MW of nuclear power into the energy mix by 2032 and scaling this up to 4,800 MW by 2040.

The Philippines has also returned to the 35-member Board of Governors, one of the IAEA’s two policy-making bodies, after being elected for the term 2025 to 2027. Its previous stint was from 2015 to 2017.

Cebuano beauty queens Beatrice Luigi Gomez and Gazini Ganados and Cebu-based actress Kaye Abad called for prayers and assistance after the province was struck by a 6.9 magnitude earthquake last night.

Kaye, who is married to fellow celebrity and Cebuano Paul Jake Castillo, updated her fans that her family is safe from the earthquake.

‘To my friends who are asking kung kamusta kami, we are ok. Me and the kids are in Manila. My family in Cebu are ok,’ she said.

Kim Chiu shared a post with a groufie taken from a shooting in Cebu City.

‘Medyo blurred lang, may aftershock pa ata ‘tong phone ko sa lindol,’ Kim said.

Miss Universe Philippines 2019 Gazini Ganados and Miss Universe Philippines 2021 Beatrice Luigi Gomez also shared their experience from the quake.

‘Watch out for aftershocks. Pag-amping intawn sa mga naa sa Cebu karon,” Beatrice said, reminding people to take care.

The Miss Universe Philippines Organization also extended its deepest sympathy and solidarity to the people of Cebu and the entire Visayas region affected by the earthquake.

‘Our hearts are with the communities, especially our Cebuano partners, delegates, and their families, who are navigating the aftermath of this natural disaster,’ the group said.

When Malian center Mo Diassana went down with an ACL injury in NU’s first game, it became difficult for the Bulldogs to stay competitive the rest of the last UAAP season. NU battled without a Foreign Student Athlete (FSA) until the end and finished seventh of eight.

To address a similar situation handicapping any team in the future, the UAAP Board of Trustees asked for a solution from the Board of Managing Directors and the proposal that was made is to allow two alternating FSAs so that in case one goes down, the other can still hold the fort. Unfortunately, the proposal is the wrong solution to the problem. If the idea is to keep a level playing field, the right solution is to eliminate FSAs all together because they undermine the integrity of college sport. The NCAA saw the light, bit the bullet and did it in 2021.

The reality is FSAs are simply imports who are peddled from school to school with agents bowing to the highest bidder. They come with signing bonuses, big salaries and fat bonuses, turning UAAP into a virtual commercial league. This leads to local players demanding more from their schools and the spiraling effect is dangerously inimical to the purity of college sport.

Is it discriminatory or racist to ban FSAs? Of course not. Foreigners are free to enroll as students but it’s a school’s prerogative whether or not to allow them to join varsity sport. UAAP bans FSAs to vie for MVP honors. Is it discriminatory? The PBA excludes imports in the Philippine Cup. Is it discriminatory? Dissenters argue that schools abroad don’t ban Filipinos or foreigners from joining varsity teams. But how many schools are there in UAAP? Eight. How many schools are there in the US NCAA D-1? More than 350. Then, there are about 300 D-2 and some 450 D-3 schools. If a Filipino player is good enough to play D-1 basketball, the door will always be open for him. US schools couldn’t care less if UAAP bans FSAs.

In UAAP, a dominant FSA can tilt the balance of competition so the challenge is to recruit the best possible import. That comes with a price. Schools with big budgets will bring in the best talents while schools with lean budgets will suffer. That’s not levelling the playing field. The standard of competition becomes a function of how much a school can afford to pay an import. With the proposal of two FSAs, imagine at what cost they’ll come.

Varsity sport is supposed to engender loyalty to the school. But except for Ange Kouame, no FSA has shown identity with his school. Not even Ben Mbala who ended up playing as an import in Mexico, Korea, Spain, Turkey and France. After finishing their UAAP eligibility, FSAs are gone with the wind. It›s not a good example to local players and surely, not something UAAP would like to foster.

Some self-minded local players – who must be reminded to think league first, not think me – contend that FSAs make them better and prepare them for international competition. But FSAs also take away opportunities for coaches and players to improve. With a dominant FSA, the easiest thing to create a winning program is to focus the offense and defense on him, leaving the locals to play second fiddle. The place to learn from imports is the pro league not UAAP and the recipe is certainly not to make UAAP a de facto commercial league.

UAAP has to put a stop to turning players into pros with some earning allowances bigger than the average PBA player. The first step is to eliminate FSAs or imports who provide imbalance, not balance, to the league and are mostly a poor example of players who enroll not to study but to play for pay.

Tycoons Jaime Augusto and Fernando Zobel de Ayala recently had a chance encounter with Vice President Sara Duterte in Davao.

A video of the Ayala Corp. chairman and the vice president exchanging pleasantries has since circulated on social media.

Duterte led the ribbon-cutting event for the opening of Matcha Tokyo’s first branch in Mindanao at the Azuela High Street, which is located at the 25-hectare Azuela Estate, a joint venture development of Ayala Land Inc. and the Alcantara Group.

Azuela High Street last Friday marked a milestone with a ceremonial opening and Christmas lighting, gathering valued merchants alongside key members of the Zobel, Alcantara and Floirendo families.

The event welcomed new shops that add to Davao’s lifestyle scene, which included Matcha Tokyo.

‘Azuela High Street represents our commitment to creating vibrant community destinations in Davao, where commerce, culture and everyday living come together. With every new shop and experience, we bring people closer to the vision of Azuela Cove as Davao’s premier seaside lifestyle estate,’ Ayala Land head for Central Luzon and Vismin estates Yeng Tupaz said.

‘For the Alcantara Group, Azuela is about building on our family’s legacy in Davao while looking ahead to the city’s bright future. This milestone is not just about new shops or festivities, but about creating spaces where families and communities thrive,’ Alsons Land president and CEO Edith Alcantara said.

More than 60 people were reported dead following the 6.9-magnitude earthquake in Cebu, with the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) warning that the toll could still rise as search and rescue operations continue.

At a press briefing on Wednesday morning, October 1, OCD Officer-in-Charge Asec. Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV said the death toll from the deadly quake had climbed to ‘as high as 60,’ with many of the fatalities reported from a hospital in Bogo City.

He said the country remains in the ‘golden hour’ of the earthquake’s aftermath – a critical period when swift response can still save lives.

With red alert status raised and full staffing deployed, authorities have prioritized search and rescue operations as many remain trapped beneath the rubble of collapsed buildings.

Cebu Gov. Pam Baricuatro earlier confirmed that most of the casualties were from Bogo, the area closest to the quake’s epicenter, where roughly 90,000 people reside.

As of 9:30 a.m., the Joint Operation Center in Bogo City, led by Baricuatro, reported 53 deaths and 154 injuries, which include 30 in Bogo, 10 in Medellin, 11 in San Remigio, and one each in Sogod and Tabuelan.

Authorities are still assessing the extent of the destruction, but the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) earlier reported damage to at least 22 structures, six roads and bridges.

Several homes, establishments and even churches were reduced to ruins due to the earthquake.

Cebu has been placed under a state of calamity, allowing the province to tap 30% of its local quick response fund for rehabilitation efforts.

The 6.9-magnitude earthquake struck north of Bogo late Tuesday night, September 30, at a shallow depth, registering its strongest shaking at Intensity VII.

The quake’s strength is close to the anticipated ‘Big One,’ a 7.2-magnitude quake projected along the West Valley Fault in Metro Manila.

Stanley 1913 partners with global superstar Jennie of chart-topping K-pop group Blackpink to launch the new Stanley 1913 x Jennie collection.

The limited-edition capsule features the Quencher Luxe Tumbler and All Day Slim Luxe Bottle in Midnight Ruby. It blends fashion, functionality and Jennie’s signature style across the brand’s most coveted hydration silhouettes.

The collection also follows successful launches with global artists such as Olivia Rodrigo and Tyla, among others.

Jennie brings her authenticity, bold style and creative energy to Stanley 1913’s renowned quality and performance. The collaboration celebrates self-expression, fashion and individuality-values championed by Stanley 1913 and Jennie and shared with fans around the world.

‘I love how the products turned out, and I think fans will notice the ‘Jennie’ touches that represent me,’ Jennie expressed. ‘I hope they feel the personality and energy we poured into every detail.’

The Stanley 1913 x Jennie Collection in Midnight Ruby

At the heart of the collection are two inaugural Luxe products from the brand, delivering a premium experience for those who want to elevate their hydration accessories.

The new 30oz Quencher Luxe Tumbler is a fitting debut for the artist’s bold, fashion-forward style.

Each tumbler features a silicone base plus translucent Tritan handle and etched logo for an elevated look. Collectible charms with Jennie’s personal touches-including a “Ninibara,” an exclusive capybara design created by Jennie; a bear; and a “JENNIE” name plate-adorn the Quencher Luxe.

Also featured is the 12oz All Day Slim Luxe Bottle-lightweight, portable and effortlessly chic. Silver floral accents, a heart-shaped graphic, etched logo and the artist’s signature are featured on both elevated, limited-edition products.

In the Philippines, the collection is now available exclusively at the Stanley Pop-Up Store in SM Mall of Asia until October 1 only, so hurry!

A dynamic creative campaign brings the collection to life with bold blacks, deep reds and metallic silvers reflecting Jennie’s powerful aesthetic. Imagery and video highlight her signature boots, sunglasses and hydration accessories, capturing the energy and personality of the collection.

Consumer activations in Seoul, Shanghai, Jakarta, Bangkok, Manila, Taipei and Los Angeles provide fans with a ‘backstage’ look into the artist’s world while celebrating her music, style and individuality.

‘Our brand lives at the intersection of culture, lifestyle and entertainment. We aim to surprise and delight customers around the world through authentic partnerships, and we found an ideal one in Jennie,’ said Matt Navarro, global president, PMI WW Brands, LLC.

‘Her global presence, musical prowess, and ability to energize her global fan base make her a cultural powerhouse, and we are excited to partner with her to bring a truly one-of-a-kind, special collection to our consumers.’

Now that the 2025 FIVB Men’s World Championship is over, it’s time to assess if hosting the shebang was worth the estimated cost of over P2 billion, of which nearly P700 million came from government coffers. Bashing PNVF and Asian Volleyball Confederation president Tats Suzara during the recent competition served no purpose except to illustrate to the visiting 31 nations that participated in the games how disunited and fragmented the host country is. The brickbats should’ve come even before anyone thought of Manila staging the event so it could’ve been stopped. But once the bid was accepted, the only recourse was to throw support to the organizers in laying out the red carpet for the visitors, hoping their presence would redound to a positive impact on tourism.

But that’s not the end of the story. The time of reckoning has come. Suzara must be given a chance to explain if hosting justified the expense. There are quantifiable elements to consider but also qualitative factors that must be looked into. Private sponsors coughed up quite a sum to contribute to footing the bill. They don’t expect cash in return but surely, deserve some kind of compensation in terms of advertising mileage, goodwill or image-building. For the government, the return has to be measured in terms of economic impact and promoting the development of sport at the elite and grassroots levels. In the course of the competition, ticket prices were slashed first by 30% then by 50%. Tickets were also given away to stakeholders to fill up the venue.

Organizers should’ve anticipated the resistance to high ticket prices particularly as the men’s game isn’t as popular as the women’s. Fortunately, the Philippine men’s team created more than a ripple in the tournament, picking up its first-ever win at the world stage and falling a hairline short of crashing the Round of 16. Alas Pilipinas blew six match points in losing a five-setter to World No. 16 Iran, signifying its ascendancy. Iran went on to reach the quarterfinals. The Philippines finished No. 19 in the standings, outranking Asian powerhouses Japan, South Korea and China. Suzara called it ‘a first and historic (achievement) for us”. This wouldn’t have happened if the Philippines hadn’t taken an automatic slot to play as host.

When the Philippines hosted part of the group stage and the entire playoff phase of the 2023 FIBA World Cup, the cost was over P2 billion, including $32 million that was paid to FIBA as a rights fee. But in the post-mortem, SBP president Al Panlilio said it created an economic impact of P17.8 billion, reeled in 1.5 billion cumulative viewers on TV and livestreams and delivered P1.9 billion worth of media value for Manila as host city. The event welcomed at least 10,000 tourists, 70% of whom mentioned they would recommend visiting the country to others and 77% remarked they would return. Additionally, fans were treated to a high level of basketball and witnessed some of the world’s greatest stars perform.

Suzara won’t shirk from the responsibility of accountability. He’s been involved in staging numerous big-time sporting events in the past, both here and abroad. Let’s wait for him to explain what went on at the FIVB Men’s World Championships and if hosting was worth the cost. In 2029, the Philippines will host the FIVB Women’s World Championships. Will that be worth the cost, too?

Acting Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. has ordered an investigation into allegations of abuse by Manila Police District (MPD) personnel against protesters arrested during the Sept. 21 anti-corruption demonstrations.

The Internal Affairs Service and the Human Rights Affairs Office were tasked to look into the complaints raised by rights group Karapatan, PNP public information office chief Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño said yesterday.

‘The PNP will never tolerate torture, physical abuse or extortion. That is the directive of our chief,’ Tuaño said at a briefing at Camp Crame.

Authorities had reported that 242 protesters, including 152 adults and 60 minors, were apprehended. Thirty minors aged 14 and below were turned over to social welfare officers and their parents.

Of those arrested, 212 were charged, according to police.

Tuaño said human rights lawyers were present when the cases were processed.

‘There were 18 lawyers representing the 212 people. That’s why the MPD said it was impossible for them to be harmed in the course of the proceedings,’ he said.

Those arrested were charged for violating the Public Assembly Act, direct assault and resistance as well as disobedience to persons in authority.

Tuaño said the PNP could easily verify the allegations of police abuse since all detainees underwent medical examinations before charges were filed.

He confirmed one fatality during the unrest, but clarified that it was not directly linked to the protest actions in Mendiola.

The victim, a 15-year-old student, died from a stab wound at the Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center.

‘There was no shooting connected to the protest. Based on the report, it was a stabbing incident, not a case of police firing,’ Tuaño said.

The Kilusang Mayo Uno, however, said construction worker Eric Saber died from a gunshot to the body.

Saber was crossing Recto Avenue when he was shot by police during the riot, the militant group said.

The government is reviewing the country’s rice tariffs and may raise these to as much as 35 percent after the current import ban ends, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said yesterday.

Tiu Laurel said the review is being carried out with Finance Secretary Ralph Recto and Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs Frederick Go, following President Marcos’ directive.

‘We’re running the numbers now, from 20 percent, 25 percent or 35 percent. Hopefully, we can make a decision before the closure of the ban,’ Tiu Laurel told reporters in an interview at the House of Representatives in Quezon City.

The move comes as farmers’ groups press for stronger safeguards against cheap rice imports that have dragged down farmgate palay prices to below P10 per kilogram.

In a petition filed with the Department of Agriculture (DA) yesterday, the Federation of Free Farmers (FFF) and the Magsasaka Party List urged the government to impose provisional safeguard duties under the Safeguard Measures Act.

The two organizations said the 60-day import ban that began in September was not enough to stabilize prices.

‘By itself, the import ban will not prop up palay prices significantly because traders anticipate that cheap imports will flood the market again when the ban is lifted in November,’ FFF national manager Raul Montemayor said.

He added that raising tariffs is the fastest way to compel traders to pay higher prices to farmers while remaining competitive with imports.

Magsasaka chair Argel Joseph Cabatbat, for his part, said the government’s proposed floor price for palay may not work if market prices remain low because of imports.

‘The low prices that rice producers have been receiving for their labor represent not just an economic problem. They threaten the very survival of rice farmers and the long-term security of our entire agricultural sector,’ Cabatbat said.

The two groups warned that the country’s 2.5 million rice farmers could lose as much as P43 billion this year due to the surge in imports.

They traced the surge to the government’s tariff cut from 35 percent to 15 percent in July 2024, as well as a 40-percent drop in world rice prices from early 2024 levels.

Under Republic Act 8800 or the Safeguard Measures Act, the DA secretary can impose safeguard duties on rice imports that cause or threaten to cause serious harm to local producers.

Duties can last up to 200 days while the Tariff Commission investigates and issues a final ruling. Importers must also post a bond equivalent to the safeguard duty on top of the current tariff.