Category: Philippine Star

Shinichi Suzuki turned what had appeared to be a tight, long-drawn battle into a coronation walk, while Grace Quintanilla survived a late scare in a thrilling duel as the two emerged as contrasting champions of the NGAP Match Play Championship at Luisita Golf and Country Club in Tarlac on Saturday.

Suzuki broke away from top seed Rolando Bregente early and never looked back, cruising to an emphatic 8and7 victory in the men’s final and completing a dominant title run in the 36-hole finale.

Quintanilla, meanwhile, had to summon all her poise and resolve before escaping with a hard-earned 1-up victory over Precious Zaragosa in the ladies’ final, which went down to the final hole of the marathon showdown.

The contrasting finishes provided a fitting climax to a championship that tested the players’ endurance, shot-making and ability to handle pressure in the match-play format.

For Suzuki, the final became increasingly one-sided after a closely fought start. For Quintanilla, it remained a fight until the very end, with Zaragosa mounting a spirited late charge that nearly turned the match on its head.

The victory marked another major milestone for Quintanilla, an ace Cebuana who has quickly established herself as one of the country’s leading amateur players. It was her second major title after her breakthrough triumph in the Singapore Amateur Open last month, further strengthening her claim at the top of the national amateur ranks.

Suzuki yielded the opening hole of the scheduled 36-hole duel after a bogey but quickly erased the deficit, forcing the match back to all square on No. 5.

After they traded holes over the next two, Suzuki seized control with a birdie on No. 8 and a par on No. 9 to move two holes ahead.

The Manila Southwoods standout then turned the match into a rout, winning Nos. 11 and 12 to stretch his lead to four before stringing together three straight victories from No. 15.

Bregente managed to stem the bleeding by parring the tough par-3 17th, trimming the deficit to six, but Suzuki answered by birdieing No. 18 to take a commanding seven-hole advantage into the break.

Any hopes of a Bregente comeback briefly flickered when the top seed won Nos. 1 and 4 at the resumption of play.

But Suzuki immediately restored order, winning No. 4 and then Nos. 7 and 8 to storm eight holes ahead and put the championship virtually beyond reach.

With victory within sight, Suzuki wisely traded holes over the next three, refusing to give Bregente any opening as he closed out the lopsided triumph.

The ladies’ final was an entirely different story.

Quintanilla appeared headed for a relatively comfortable finish after building a three-hole cushion with only three holes remaining. But Zaragosa refused to concede and produced a dramatic late surge that forced the Cebuana to close out the match under intense pressure.

Quintanilla started strongly, taking two of the first three holes, but Zaragosa quickly answered by winning Nos. 4 and 6.

Quintanilla regained the upper hand with a par on No. 8 and then tried to pull away heading into the break after winning Nos. 11 and 13.

Zaragosa, however, continued to hang around.

The Davaoeña won Nos. 15 and 17 to cut the deficit to just one hole at intermission, ensuring that the second 18 would remain a wide-open contest.

Quintanilla regained the initiative early in the afternoon when Zaragosa stumbled to a bogey on the opening hole, but the latter countered by taking No. 7.

That only prompted another response from Quintanilla, who won Nos. 8 and 10 to rebuild a three-hole cushion.

Zaragosa again refused to go away, taking the 11th hole, but Quintanilla delivered one of the crucial blows of the match on the 31st hole, the par-3 13th, where she made birdie to restore her three-hole advantage with just five holes left.

With the match apparently slipping away, Zaragosa produced one last remarkable charge.

She won the par-5 16th with a par, then followed with a birdie on the 17th to win back-to-back holes and suddenly move within one with only the final hole remaining.

The comeback, however, stopped there.

Quintanilla kept her composure and matched Zaragosa’s par on the last hole, doing exactly what she needed to do to preserve her slender lead and escape with the championship.

Meanwhile, Ralph Batican secured third place in the men’s division with a 2and1 victory over Emilio Hernandez, while Lisa Sarines likewise claimed the ladies’ bronze after beating Nicole Gan by the same 2and1 scoreline.

The Philippine economy grew at its slowest pace in five years to 2.3 percent in the second quarter as the Middle East conflict kept household consumption subdued while an infrastructure scandal curbed investments and public construction, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said.

In a press conference yesterday, National Statistician Dennis Mapa said the latest gross domestic product (GDP) growth figure was slower than the 2.8 percent recorded in the first quarter and the 5.4- percent growth posted in the second quarter a year ago.

First-semester growth averaged 2.6 percent, which could make the already downgraded 3.5 to 4.5 percent annual government target unachievable.

This also marked the lowest growth since the 3.8-percent contraction in the first quarter of 2021 during the pandemic. Excluding the pandemic, the figure was the slowest expansion since the fourth quarter of 2009.

Despite the slower growth reflecting challenges faced by the country, Malacañang is confident that the economy would rebound in the second half.

‘Domestic demand remained subdued, mainly because of total investment, and continued to contract as public construction declined. Household consumption growth also moderated amid higher inflation, job losses and lower remittance receipts arising from the Middle East conflict,’ Department of Economy, Planning and Development Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said.

‘However, government final consumption spending accelerated as social assistance was expanded to cushion vulnerable household sectors,’ Balisacan added.

On the demand side, gross capital formation contracted by 9.2 percent in the second quarter, worsening from the 3.1-percent decline in the first quarter and a reversal of the 0.9-percent growth in the second quarter of 2025.

General government construction contracted sharply by 32.4 percent in the second quarter, primarily driven by ‘continuous cautiousness of the infrastructure-related agencies,’ particularly the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), which is now implementing stricter validation measures for its civil works projects.

Household consumption grew at a slower pace of 2.8 percent year-on-year from 5.2 percent a year ago. This was the lowest print since the 4.8-percent decline in the first quarter of 2021. Outside the pandemic, this was the weakest since the third quarter of 2010 at 2.6 percent.

Government spending picked up to 8.3 percent in the second quarter from 4.8 percent in the previous quarter, but it was lower than the 8.7-percent expansion in the second quarter of 2025.

Balisacan said there are also ‘clear areas of strength,’ with agricultural output recovering due to the help of favorable weather conditions.

Main contributors to the growth were wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles, education and manufacturing.

Among the major economic sectors, agriculture, forestry and fishing expanded by 2.7 percent, while services grew by 4.5 percent in the second quarter of 2026. Meanwhile, industry declined year-on-year by 2.4 percent.

Gross national income, which includes net earnings from abroad, decelerated to 2.2 percent in the second quarter, a slowdown from the 2.9 percent in the previous quarter and 8.1-percent growth recorded in the second quarter last year.

The Department of Budget and Management has started mobilizing funds for 2026 infrastructure projects to the DPWH in late June, with contracts awarded in June and July.

To meet the lowered 2026 growth target of 3.5 to 4.5 percent, Balisacan said the economy must expand by at least 4.4 percent in the second half.

‘This will be demanding, but the target remains within reach if we act with urgency, discipline and close coordination across government,’ he said, citing plans to accelerate the implementation of high-impact infrastructure projects.

Palace press officer Claire Castro attributed the slowdown in the second quarter to ‘unusual events,’ especially the impact of the Middle East conflict that affected inflation, fuel prices, jobs and remittances, along with the temporary slowdown in public construction.

‘This result (2.3 percent) was lower than we had hoped. The numbers show the challenges we have faced, but they do not determine the country’s long-term direction. This slowdown is only temporary,’ Castro said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Balisacan said easing price pressures could give the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) less reason to tighten further, although monetary authorities would still have to consider other domestic and external factors.

The BSP has raised its benchmark interest rate by a cumulative 50 basis points this year, bringing the policy rate to 4.75 percent after back-to-back 25-basis-point increases in April and June.

Ser Percival Peña-Reyes, director of the Ateneo Center for Economic Research, also said that the weak second-quarter performance substantially reduces the likelihood that the BSP would deliver another rate increase at its Aug. 27 policy meeting.

But Peña-Reyes said the central bank is confronted with competing considerations. Economic activity has weakened sharply while inflation risks remain.

If the central bank decides further tightening is necessary, Peña-Reyes said another 25-basis-point hike would be more proportionate, while a 50-basis-point increase would be difficult to justify without significant new upside risks to inflation.

Chinabank Research likewise expects the deteriorating growth picture to limit the BSP’s room for additional tightening, forecasting at most one final 25-basis-point increase in August as inflation remains above target.

A typhoon with international name Dolphin will enhance the southwest monsoon in the coming days, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said.

As of 4 p.m. yesterday, Dolphin was located 915 kilometers northeast of extreme Northern Luzon, packing winds of 155 kilometers per hour with gusts of 190 kph while moving west-southwest at 15 kph.

PAGASA weather specialist John Manalo said the rainy weather may persist until next week and will only reduce in occurrence.

From Aug. 6 to 7, five areas logged more than 100 millimeters of rain, with Iba, Zambales recording the highest at 158.6 mm. It was followed by Baguio City at 158 mm, La Trinidad, Benguet at 154.4 mm, Olongapo City at 112.4 mm and Dagupan City, Pangasinan at 111.4 mm.

La Union, Benguet, Pangasinan, Zambales and Bataan also logged nearly 100 mm of rain in a day.

Orange heavy rainfall warning, or 100 to 200 mm of rain, due to the monsoon is in effect in Ilocos Sur, La Union, Abra, Benguet, Zambales, Bataan and Occidental Mindoro until this afternoon.

Yellow heavy rainfall warning, or 50 to 100 mm of rain, is in effect in Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Abra, Benguet, Tarlac, Pampanga, Bulacan, Metro Manila, Rizal, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Oriental Mindoro and Antique until this afternoon.

From today until tomorrow afternoon, an orange heavy rainfall warning is in effect in Ilocos Sur, La Union, Abra, Benguet and Zambales, while a yellow heavy rainfall warning is in effect in Ilocos Norte, Pangasinan, Apayao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Nueva Vizcaya, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Bataan, Pampanga and Occidental Mindoro.

The continuing rains have affected thousands of families across Luzon, with at least 27,728 people in Central Luzon affected by rains brought by the monsoon, Tropical Depression Luis and Tropical Storm Maymay, according to the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.

Nueva Ecija recorded the highest number at 24,162 people, followed by Aurora with 3,560 and Zambales with six.

Of the total, 2,815 were forced to evacuate to government centers or to their relatives due to flooding.

In La Union, around P11.1 million worth of agricultural crops were destroyed by Luis and Maymay, according to the provincial information office.

Initial damage included P947,846 in rice, P2.03 million in fruits, P7.55 million in vegetables, P2,600 in root crops, P295,110 in fisheries and P300,000 in irrigation facilities.

A total of 411 farmers covering 472.37 hectares were affected, while 15 houses were destroyed and 13 were partially damaged.

In Baguio City, authorities recorded at least 35 storm-related incidents, including 19 fallen or leaning trees, eight incidents involving landslides, soil erosion and rockfalls, two flooding incidents and six cases of damaged power, water and telecommunications lines.

Seven families or 45 people in Barangay San Luis were displaced. One family was housed at the San Luis Evacuation Center while six others sought temporary shelter outside the designated evacuation facility.

The rains from Maymay and the southwest monsoon also caused upstream river swellings in four dams managed by the National Irrigation Administration in the Bulacan-Pampanga area, prompting them to release excess water into downstream river systems.

The affected facilities were the Angat Dam Afterbay Regulatory Dam, also known as Bustos Dam, the Upper Maasim Dam, Lower Maasim Dam 1 and Lower Maasim Dam 2.

NIA Bulacan irrigation management office manager Enrique Carlos said the water releases are only being made ‘when there is a large amount of incoming water.’

The water level of Angat Dam stood at 158.34 meters as of 2 p.m. yesterday, up from 157.58 meters on Thursday. It remained 1.66 meters below its critical level of 160 meters.

The weather also disrupted air travel, with Cebu Pacific canceling flights 5J 5054 and 5J 5055 between Manila and Narita on Friday due to unfavorable weather at the destination, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines announced.

PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. ordered police commanders to intensify patrols and assist local government units in disaster response operations.

The directive came after two people were killed and another injured when a landslide buried the kitchen of a restaurant in Barangay Shilan in La Trinidad, Benguet on Thursday.

‘Our personnel will remain on the ground to help protect lives, secure affected areas and support search, rescue and relief operations,’ said Nartatez.

Police officers vowed to continue assisting in evacuations, maintaining order and delivering humanitarian assistance until conditions in affected communities improve.

The PUMA Philippine Half Marathon Series 2026 continues its nationwide run as RUNRIO and PUMA Philippines bring the country’s premier six-city half marathon series to Clark on August 23.

Thousands of runners are expected to take part in the fourth stop of the series, with 21K, 10K, and 5K categories giving both seasoned racers and recreational runners a chance to experience the Clark leg.

RUNRIO and PUMA Philippines officially launched the Clark staging on Friday, with the race coming at an important point in the six-city series following successful legs in Iloilo, Davao, and Cebu.

After Clark, the series will head to Cagayan de Oro before culminating in Manila.

More than just a series of road races, the PUMA Philippine Half Marathon Series aims to combine running with the experience of discovering different destinations across the country. Each leg gives runners an opportunity to compete in a new environment while experiencing the local culture, tourism, hospitality, and attractions of the host city.

That combination of running and tourism is particularly fitting for Clark, which has continued to establish itself as a major destination for sports events, leisure and tourism in Central Luzon.

Adding another layer of excitement to the series is the return of the All-City Legacy Medal, which will be awarded to runners who complete all six official cities in the 21K category.

The challenge also remains open to participants who began their journey during the previous edition of the series. Runners who have already completed some of the cities can continue collecting their destinations this year, giving them a chance to complete the six-city journey and secure the coveted Legacy Medal.

For those taking part in the Clark race, race-kit claiming will be held from August 19-21 at participating PUMA stores, including PUMA Caltex MegaStation and PUMA SM City Clark, as well as Sports Central at SM City Pampanga.

The race also gives PUMA Philippines an opportunity to showcase its latest performance-running innovations to the country’s growing running community. Among the products being highlighted are the PUMA Deviate Nitro 4 and PUMA Deviate Pure, designed to help runners maximize their training and racing performance.

The partnership between PUMA Philippines and RUNRIO also goes beyond the race course, with the series bringing together local governments, tourism offices, running clubs, and private organizations in an effort to promote active lifestyles and strengthen sports tourism initiatives around the country.

For runners, however, the focus remains on the road ahead.

With Clark now serving as the fourth destination in the 2026 series, runners have another chance to chase a personal best, experience a new race environment, or continue their pursuit of the All-City Legacy Medal.

The remaining legs in Cagayan de Oro and Manila will give participants two more opportunities to complete their six-city journey as the series builds toward its finale later this year.

Registration for the remaining legs of the PUMA Philippine Half Marathon Series 2026 remains open through the official Race Roster registration platform.

For those looking for their next challenge, Clark is ready to provide another 21K test – and another destination to discover – as the PUMA Philippine Half Marathon Series continues its run across the country.

Officials on Saturday, August 8, urged the non-Moro indigenous groups in the Bangsamoro region to choose only the most qualified representatives, as nominees, for their 80-member parliament, during an inter-tribal selection process prior to the September 14 regional parliamentary polls.

Councils of at least six non-Muslim indigenous tribes in the Bangsamoro region are to converge for the activity, shortly before the September 14 regional elections, during which they are to choose two representatives from their communities to the regional lawmaking body.

The identities of their favored representatives to the parliament, chosen via nomination and not through a regular election process administered by the Commission on Elections, shall be made public on the election day, according to BARMM regional officials.

There are two seats in the 80-member parliament intended for representatives of the indigenous peoples, or IPs, in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Three members of the Bangsamoro parliament, Ishak Mastura of Maguindanao del Norte, Naguib Sinarimbo of Cotabato City, who are both lawyers, and the physician ophthalmologist, Kadil Sinolinding Jr., who is also functioning as regional health minister, had separately called on leaders of the IPs in BARMM to carefully choose whom they would want to represent them in the region’s law-making body.

The three lawmakers separately told reporters on Saturday that the BARMM parliament is the proper forum where the region’s IP communities can best present recommendations and propose plans on how the regional government can best serve their constituents in their ancestral domains.

The Comelec, the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region and the military’s Western Mindanao Command are now all set for the first-ever September 14 parliamentary polls in BARMM’s five provinces, Maguindanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Basilan and Tawi-Tawi, and in its three cities, Lamitan, Marawi and Cotabato.

Cotabato City is the regional capital of BARMM, where there are non-Moro ethnic Teduray residents.

Lanao del Sur Gov. Mamintal Adiong Jr., a senior official of the Serbisyong Inklusibo, Alyansang Progresibo Party, was quoted in radio reports on Saturday as saying that the non-Muslim IPs ought to have a strong representation in the 80-seat Bangsamoro parliament, which is essential in the crafting of laws needed to foster peace and sustainable development in their ancestral domains.

‘There would be no Muslim communities in the Bangsamoro region to talk about today if not for the non-Muslim indigenous communities in Mindanao that existed long before Islamic missionaries from what are now independent states in Asia and in the Middle East came in, many centuries ago, to spread Islam in what is now the Bangsamoro region,’ Adiong said

Lanao del Sur, covering 39 towns and 101 barangays in its capital, Marawi City, has an indigenous non-Muslim Higaonon community.

Leaders of Lanao del Sur’s Higaonon tribe held a tribal assembly last June 27 in Wao, a highland town in the province and there discussed who from among their tribe can be nominated to represent the IPs in the region to the regional parliament.

Leaders of the Higaonon tribe are to participate in the BARMM inter-tribal conclave before the September 14 elections for them and counterparts in other IP groups to choose potential representatives who can best represent them in the 80-member parliament.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) warned 9,085 barangays across the country of possible landslides and flooding as the southwest monsoon or habagat continues to bring rains.

As of 8 a.m. on Friday, August 7, state weather bureau PAGASA said low pressure area Maymay had dissipated but issued a heavy rainfall outlook for the next three days in several areas.

Due to this, the environment agency, through its Mines and Geosciences Bureau, urged thousands of barangays to check if their areas are vulnerable to landslides and floods.

The full list of barangays with potential flood and landslide risks has been provided.

The agency said the warning is valid until 8 p.m. on August 9.

They also urged the public to consistently check flood levels, immediately report signs of landslides, and inform authorities should they notice any cracks in their houses, especially those who live near the sea or in sloping areas.

They also advised people to check the hazards in their areas through the MGB Geohazard Portal and Hazard Hunter.

A first for Philippine golf and a boost to sports tourism.

That, in a nutshell, is Golaman, the official online booking platform that covers 79 golf courses spread over the country, including Manila, Tagaytay, Clark and Subic, Batangas, Cebu and Davao.

After almost a year of development by the Korean-led company PGRR (Philippine Golf Resort Reservations), the breakthrough app is downloadable on the Google Play Store.

It is expected to be fully online by September 15, according to PGRR CEO Aaron Kim, who graced the app’s well-attended media launch Friday at the swanky Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) House.

Kim filled the air with optimism that the online booking app will help install the Philippines as another major golfing destination in Asia and in the ranks of Vietnam, Thailand, Japan, South Korea and Singapore.

The launch gathered major stakeholders led by PSC Chairman Patrick Gregorio, National Golf Association of the Philippines (NGAP) President Al Panlilio and Secretary-General Bones Floro, Department of Agriculture Undersecretary Arrey Perez and Tourism Promotions Board COO Marga Nograles.

‘I think this program will click. We’ve been talking about this for the last 12 months and now it’s here. It’s a perfect collaboration,’ said Gregorio, confident that more golf courses, among the 120-plus in the country, will step forward.

‘I’m sure they will,’ added the PSC chief, who is leading the way as chairman of the Philippine Sports Tourism-Inter Agency Committee.

‘If we push sports tourism, we push sports development,’ he said.

Also in attendance were representatives of golf courses Lakewood, Pradera, Subic International, Mimosa Plus, South Pacific, Philippine Navy, Villamor and Mt, Malarayat; and Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, Sunlight Air, Jeju Air, Singapore Airlines, Korean Air and Hana Tour.

‘Golaman is not simply a booking platform but a launch of the national golf tourism initiative,’ said Panlilio.

‘And this will reposition our country as a premiere golf destination. This is a national effort that is designed to showcase the Philippines to the rest of the world. Golf tourism creates jobs and creates business. This will attract more tourists to our country,’ he said.

Panlilio added that the project will also boost Philippine golf and the development of local players.

‘We have a lot of (tennis superstar) Alex Ealas in golf,’ he said.

On the tourism aspect, Nograles said ‘golf is more than just a sport but a gateway for people to discover our culture and our world-class golf courses.’

‘This is a milestone initiative.’

PGRR, for its part, pledged a share of the revenue to PSC and NGAP for grassroots golf.

The inaugural Reina Filipinas Grand International showed that pageantry is back in top shape again – from production and staging to choreography.

The actual competition started promptly on time at 7 p.m. and the entire show just clocked close to four hours.

At the culmination of the competition, Palawan delegate Angelica Lopez bested 20 other aspirants to be crowned the inaugural title winner.

Angelica – who won Best in Swimsuit, Miss Urban Smile, and Reina Pasarela awards – was crowned by reigning Miss Grand International (MGI) Emma Mary Tiglao, together with country license holder Jojo Bragais and MGI president and founder Nawat Itsaragrisil.

Iloilo delegate Alexie Caimoso Brooks won one of the two Reina Filipinas MGI All Stars titles and was crowned by reigning MGI All Stars titleholder Vanessa Pulgarin of Colombia.

Alexie, who last year became the Philippines’ third-ever Miss Eco International, also won the Best in Evening Gown and Best Seller Award for Dandy Glow and Jojo Bragais.

Lone transgender delegate Anne Patricia Lorenzo of Manila was the other recipient of the Reina Filipinas MGI All Stars crown. She was crowned by MGI All Stars runner-up Huong Giang Nguyen of Vietnam.

Related: Miss Supranational 2026: Katrina Llegado wins the Philippines’ 2nd crown

Miss Phitogenic Cleopatra Barrera (Zambales), Isabella Ortega (Camarines Sur), Zeah Nestle Pala (Mandaluyong), and Luisa Lorin Buenavides (Caloocan) were declared runners-up in descending order.

Buenavides did not qualify for the Top 11, however she won the Popular Vote and was brought back to the competition for winning an automatic placement in the final round.

The other lucky delegates who made it to the semifinal round (Top 11) were:

Bianca Mae Bautista (Bulacan Province), fast tracked as Best Seller of Dandy Glow

Jesiree Aguilar (Nueva Ecija)

Jade Isabel Candilado (Rizal)

Hannah Michaela Amistad (San Mateo, Rizal)

Scarlett de Mesa (Muntinlupa), Miss Beauty Vault

This year’s selection committee was comprised of Nguyen, Pulgarin, MGI first runner-up Sarunrat “Gotchabelle” Puagpipa, MGI 2024 CJ Opiaza, Michael Cinco, and Dr. Ralph delas Alas.

Hosted by Joy “Jusa” Barcoma and Sean Kyle Ortega, the Reina Filipinas 2026 coronation night unfolded at the Newport Performing Arts Theater.

Fresh hopes for a US-Iran deal could bring relief to motorists next week, with pump prices expected to go down by as much as P5 per liter.

After four trading days in the Mean of Platts Singapore, industry estimates point to a rollback of P4.50 to P5 per liter for gasoline and diesel prices on Aug. 11.

With one trading day remaining, the final adjustment could still change.

Jetti Petroleum president Leo Bellas told reporters yesterday that oil prices pulled back this week as renewed optimism over a possible breakthrough in US-Iran talks helped ease market concerns.

The development brought down the risk premium in the oil market, although concerns over ongoing uncertainty and Red Sea shipping disruptions remain.

‘The stronger peso this week against the US dollar helped put more downward pressure on domestic prices,’ Bellas said.

Still, oil prices remain supported by strong demand and tighter supply, with ongoing disruptions to Middle East exports limiting crude availability for Asian refiners.

‘Continued supply disruptions and conflicting political statements from the US and Iran are keeping prices volatile, with increasing upside risk,’ Bellas said.

The Philippines primarily imports refined petroleum products from other Asian countries. However, refineries in these markets also rely on crude oil supplies from various producing countries, including those in the Middle East.

This week, the Department of Energy announced minimum price cuts of P0.60, P0.73 and P2.09 per liter for diesel, gasoline and kerosene, respectively.

While the rollback was modest compared with previous price hikes, Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said the positive takeaway was that fuel prices were still moving downward.

‘Until we see a more permanent agreement among the parties concerned, specifically the US, Iran and Israel, we cannot be complacent yet, and we still have to remain vigilant,’ Garin said.

The Philippine Navy clarified yesterday that the sailor being investigated for alleged drug use ‘is not and was not’ assigned to the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal at the time the offense was reported.

‘At this stage, the Philippine Navy is conducting a thorough and impartial investigation to establish all relevant facts and circumstances,’ Navy spokesperson Capt. Marissa Martinez told reporters yesterday.

Martinez said the sailor cited in a report by the South China Morning Post ‘was, in fact, assigned to a different unit during that period.’

‘We are committed to ensuring that the process is completed in accordance with existing laws, military regulations and due process. We are still establishing the facts and it would be inappropriate to confirm the allegations while the investigation is ongoing,’ she added.

If the investigation would show that the sailor committed a violation, the Navy would file the proper administrative and legal actions, Martinez said.

‘The Navy maintains a zero-tolerance policy against the use, possession and distribution of illegal drugs, in adherence with our national laws. It is a grave violation of military discipline,’ Martinez said.