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Transparency and accountability should be demanded not from her alone, Vice President Sara Duterte said yesterday, as she bewailed Malacañang’s making an official announcement of her supposed personal six-day trip to Japan, which she eventually canceled.

In a statement Tuesday night, Duterte noted that the Office of the President issues travel authorities to numerous government offices, including its own officials and employees.

‘In this light, the public would surely appreciate full information on the travel expenses incurred by these offices and officials, including the public funds used for such trips,’ Duterte said.

Duterte added that she expects that all travel authorities issued by the Palace, together with the corresponding travel expenses and public funds involved, be made available to the public. Based on her travel request, Duterte was supposed to have left yesterday.

Duterte said she resented the Office of the President’s public disclosure of her supposed trip.

She added that her plans have changed with an updated information formally submitted to the Office of the President.

‘I once again remind media organizations and news outlets of the importance of verifying information before publication. The rush to generate public attention or sensationalize a story should never take precedence over the responsibility to report truthfully and accurately,’ Duterte said.

Speaking from Zamboanga City, Duterte asked the Senate impeachment court to expedite her trial.

‘We just want the process to be expedited because our process cannot take long. People are thinking, ‘is it true that someone did something wrong, are the accusations not true.’ So the process should be quick because in our Constitution there is speedy administration,’ Duterte said.

‘Boxing match’ over

House prosecutors earlier said the so-called boxing match in the Senate is basically over, after former Office of the Vice President (OVP) special disbursement officer Gina Acosta testified that Duterte authorized the release of P500 million in confidential funds.

‘I give my full trust to our defense team,’ Duterte added.

She contradicted the argument that her presence will hasten the impeachment trial.

‘That’s not true because I was fully represented by our defense team and it’s sufficient that you have lawyers there who participate in the process, that’s like the presence of the respondent in the impeachment. Because I’m not a lawyer for the impeachment there, I can’t help anyone in the process of presenting witnesses, cross-examining witnesses, that’s all work. And that’s my participation and appearance there,’ Duterte added.

Acosta, who took the stand Monday, testified that she gave the money to Duterte’s chief security Col. Raymund Dante Lachica upon her orders.

Meanwhile, her camp maintained that she never worked with Ramil Madriaga, who claims to be her former aide.

‘Her interactions with Madriaga were limited to routine campaign interactions,’ Duterte’s lawyer Paolo Panelo told ‘Storycon’ on One News.

‘It doesn’t mean that she knows him personally or that they had a professional relationship. Madriaga has never worked for the Vice President in any capacity,’ he added.

Duterte on Tuesday personally filed a second perjury complaint against Madriaga before the Taguig City Prosecutor’s Office.

It was based on Madriaga’s supplemental affidavit, where he claimed to have served as Duterte’s ‘bagman.’

Panelo said Duterte filed a motion for the consolidation of the two perjury complaints against Madriaga.

‘That’s why we are hoping for a consolidation so that it will be resolved together. Instead of doing separate proceedings, just one proceeding because the allegation is related, the proof of Vice President Sara against Madriaga is related, we will be asking the city prosecutors of Taguig to consolidate and resolve together,’ he added.

Duterte’s first perjury complaint against Madriaga stemmed from the latter’s claim that drug lords and Chinese-sponsored Philippine offshore gaming operators bankrolled her campaign for vice president.

Panelo said they are confident with the evidence they gathered against him.

‘No matter what he says, no matter how he answers our counter-allegations against him, we are confident that he will not be able to prove the things he is saying,’ the lawyer said.

‘We also wanted to tell the people that this is the kind of witness, this is the kind of evidence being used by those pushing for impeachment against the Vice President,’ he added.

Although Madriaga is listed as a common witness, the prosecution panel in Duterte’s impeachment said they have not yet decided if they would present Madriaga as a witness at the trial.

Trojan Horse

At a press conference, Panelo maintained that Madriaga could be a Trojan Horse for the defense even if he was lying when he read his sworn supplemental affidavit during the hearing of the House committee on justice on April 14 during which he claimed that Duterte’s P125-million confidential funds were spent in less than 24 hours, not 11 days as previously reported.

‘Our opinion that Ramil Madriaga will be the star witness of the defense, that’s always been our opinion from the very beginning of all of these. Ramil Madriaga is like a Trojan Horse, because of that, the prosecution’s case will crumble,’ Panelo said.

On Tuesday after filing the second perjury case, Duterte told her lawyers of potential difficulties in seeking legal redress from an office controlled by her political opponents.

‘She knows that. That’s why we’ve put together a strong case. For whatever it is, the Vice President is aware that we’ve made it very difficult for the Department of Justice to dismiss this complaint,’ Panelo said. But she gave no specific instructions to her lawyer after filing the case.

‘After filing, we just shared a meal with her. She just thanked the legal team and witnesses for their efforts. She is in good spirits so there are no specific instructions,’ Panelo said.

Madriaga’s supplemental affidavit offered a more compressed timeline, alleging that the funds were moved and delivered within hours through a series of coordinated cash transactions involving multiple locations and recipients.

He described in detail a December 2022 operation in which bags of cash, each allegedly containing between P30 million and P35 million, were taken from the Department of Education central office in Pasig and delivered to various destinations, including the Office of the Ombudsman in Quezon City and Laguna.

Madriaga said the deliveries were allegedly carried out under direct instructions from Duterte and involved members of the Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group, including Colonels Dennis Nolasco and Raymond Lachica.

Acoustic artists form the lineup of a benefit show in Mandaluyong.

The “All For Q” will be held at 123Block in Mandaluyong on August 28. It is a fundraiser for Qoheleth Maximus Miguel or Baby Q, who was born extremely premature after his mother Van’s amniotic sac ruptured at just 22 weeks of pregnancy.

Baby Q was delivered last July 5, at 24 weeks and 3 days gestation, via Caesarean section at 625 grams and was immediately admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of a Quezon City hospital. Organizers are hoping the baby stays healthy and survives until his intended full term in late October.

Van is a stay-at-home mom to three home-schooled kids with her husband Xley, a full-time local church pastor of Christ’s Heritage Church in Quezon City.

Organizers had already done a string of events, including a garage sale, badminton tournament, bake sale, Filipino langugage webinar, and pop-up and busking at San Juan City’s The Cornerhouse.

The “All For Q” benefit show and another garage sale will be the culmination of the fundraisers featuring Ebe Dancel, Noel Cabangon, Over October, Munimuni, The Ridleys, and a special secret guest.

This is the third week of daily clouds and rain in Metro Manila and many provinces in the country. Economic and infrastructure damage must have been high as many businesses were forced to shut down on days with heavy rains and flooding, and a ‘classless society’ of frequent class cancellations have been issued.

Philippine monsoon

The Philippines and other tropical East Asian countries have two monsoon seasons every year. The southwest monsoon or ‘habagat’ wet season runs from June to October, and the northeast monsoon or ‘amihan’ is a dry but cold season that runs from November to early March. Cold winds from Siberia and China blow to Luzon and other parts of the archipelago.

Habagat 2025 was terrible. I counted 12 days straight in July last year of almost no sun in Metro Manila, only clouds and rain. There were also typhoons before, during and after those 12 days. The flood-control scandal exploded that month.

Habagat 2026 started weak last June to early July. The sustained daily rains started last July 31 until this week except last Saturday (light showers) and a sunny Sunday. Then, the strong rains fell that night and worsened last Monday, August 17, flooding so many places in Metro Manila and many provinces in Luzon.

So far, we have had 20 days of daily rain. I checked the 10-day rain/precipitation forecasts for Metro Manila from Google’s Gemini and AccuWeather. Both see rain with some thunderstorms until at least August 28. This means we have four weeks of clouds and rain, and this would make habagat 2026 probably the longest sustained period of daily rain in the last 10 or 20 years, despite the current big El Niño.

Global cyclones

I checked the Climate Atlas’ Accumulated Cyclone Energy (ACE) data, https://climatlas.com/tropical/. From AI, ACE is a US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) index ‘measuring the total kinetic energy and lifetime activity of tropical storms, calculated every six hours by squaring a storm’s maximum sustained wind speed (in knots) while at or above 34 knots, summing those values, and dividing by 10,000.’

From January to August 2026, here are the data on (a) current ACE, (b) normal ACE for the 30-year climatological normal for the same months and (c) percent of normal, respectively.

Northwest Pacific (including the Philippines and East Asia): 195, 98, 199 percent, well above normal.

Northeast Pacific: 62, 59, 106 percent, near normal.

South Pacific: 55, 54, 103 percent, near normal.

South Indian: 107, 111, 96 percent, near normal.

North Indian is at 0, while North Atlantic is at 16 percent.

Global average: 422, 351, 120 percent, well above normal. Cyclone energy and storm strength this year so far are high.

I also checked the global ACE from 1972 to June 2026, a chart made by Dr. Ryan Maue from the same website.

ACE readings above 1,600 were recorded in 1973, 1991-1999, 2003-2007, 2015-2017 and 2019-2020, or 20 of 55 years. ACE readings below 1,600 were recorded in 1972, the years in between those periods and 2021-2026, but the second half of 2026 might pull up the overall ACE to above 1,600.

The above numbers show natural climate cycles: the warming-cooling cycle, the strong-weak ACE cycle and the stormy-less stormy years. These are consistent with the El Niño-La Niña cycle that happens every three years on average, or the annual wet-dry season cycle in the tropics, the winter-spring-summer-fall cycle in the Northern and Southern hemispheres, the water evaporation-condensation cycle, carbon emission-absorption cycle, nitrogen fixation-assimilation cycle and so on. These are natural or nature-made cycles with many precedents, not man-made ‘unprecedented’ global warming.

Lessons on regular and annual flooding

One, our ‘problem’ in the Philippines and the tropics yearly is lots of rain and water, not a lack of water. What we lack are lakes, both natural and man-made, dams, weirs and other water storage structures to minimize flash flooding.

Two, flooding just follows gravity. Water just wants to go down to the sea as quickly as possible. If its pathway is narrow, shallow and restricted, street flooding will happen.

Three, we need flood facilitation, not flood control structures that in some cases cause more flooding. For example, a five-meter-wide creek became four meters wide because half-meter-thick cement embankments were built on both sides. Even if there was zero corruption in building the embankment, making the creek narrow will contribute more to street flooding.

Public policy implications

Energy: have more hydroelectric plants, fewer solar plants. Have more coal and gas plants too, plus nuclear, that can produce electricity 24/7 even if the Sun is not shining, even if the wind is not blowing.

Discontinue additional solar Green Energy Auction (GEA) projects beyond what has been granted. Many upland and midland forests and fruit orchards have already been cleared and converted to solar farms, which contribute to more flash flooding.

Infrastructure: Have more flood facilitation projects. Make the creeks and rivers wider and deeper to allow the flood waters to drain to the sea as quickly as possible and protect roads and houses from flooding.

Environment: have more man-made lakes, more dams, weirs and other water storage structures, or make existing lakes and ponds wider and deeper.

Mining: amend the mining law to leave mined-out areas as open artificial lakes. Do not cover them with soil then reforest.

Public finance: cut or stop funding for climate agencies, junkets and bureaucracies. Divert public funds to more regular, annual, large-scale dredging of creeks, rivers and lakes.

In the Budget of Expenditures and Sources of Financing (BESF) 2027, Climate Change Expenditures (Table B.21), actual spending (Adaptation plus Mitigation) in 2025 was P1,045 billion, the General Appropriations Act (GAA) 2026 is P614 billion and the proposed 2027 budget is P669 billion. About 85 percent of these expenditures are for the DPWH alone, likely for the various flood control projects. DPWH and LGUs should realign their projects toward flood facilitation, allowing water to flow to the sea as quickly as possible.

Negros Electric and Power Corp. of tycoon Enrique Razon Jr. is moving ahead with plans to spend roughly P2.1 billion to modernize the power network in Negros Occidental.

Negros Power, a joint venture between Razon-owned Primelectric Holdings and Central Negros Electric Cooperative, took over the distribution network in Bacolod City and five localities in the province in August 2024.

Since then, the power utility has allocated more than P1.2 billion for major infrastructure upgrades across its franchise area, with further investments in the pipeline.

Negros Power intends to replace more aging lines, upgrade substations, install modern meters and undertake projects to improve power reliability and reduce system losses.

Among the utility’s flagship initiatives is the P79-million underground distribution system project in Bacolod, shifting overhead power lines underground along one of the city’s main thoroughfares.

Negros Power has also earmarked around P250 million for sitio energization projects covering 232 underserved rural communities.

The modernization program in Negros Occidental, the company said, is already delivering early results, citing improvements in system reliability.

Negros Power president and CEO Roel Castro has committed to complete the rehabilitation and modernization of electricity networks by 2029.

‘We owe it to our consumers to deliver reliable, accessible and affordable electricity for years to come,’ Castro said.

Currently, the utility provides electric service to more than 220,000 active accounts across Bacolod, Bago, Talisay, Silay, Murcia and Don Salvador Benedicto.

At least a third of its power supply comes from indigenous geothermal resources, further strengthening Negros’ position as a major renewable energy hub.

STAR / File

MANILA, Philippines – Even with Kai Sotto back, Gilas Pilipinas still recognizes the need to widen its depth chart ahead of the next battles in the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers.

For this, the Nationals brought in 6-foot-10 PBA rookie slotman Geo Chiu and WC veteran guard-small forward RR Pogoy to their training pool for the vital fourth-window matches against Jordan on Aug. 28 and Iran on Aug. 30.

Chiu and Pogoy are the new faces in the initial 20-man list submitted to the FIBA.

They join the holdovers from the Window 3 games – naturalized player Justin Brownlee, RJ Abarrientos, AJ Edu, June Mar Fajardo, Chris Newsome, Kevin Quiambao, Dwight Ramos, Carl Tamayo, Juan Gomez de Liaño, Troy Rosario and Justine Baltazar – as well as the comebacking Sotto, Scottie Thompson, Calvin Oftana and CJ Perez.

The 7-foot-3 Sotto is back in the fold after a nearly two-year absence due to an ACL injury and his NBA pursuit. Thompson, Oftana and Perez were out on injuries during the previous away gig against New Zealand and Australia.

Also in the pool but not expected to suit up are backup naturalized player Ange Kouame, Quentin Millora-Brown and Mike Phillips.

The entry of Chiu, who posted 13 double-digit rebounding outputs for Terrafirma so far, is seen as part of the transition with Fajardo set to retire from Gilas duties soon.

In 2019 and 2023 World Cupper Pogoy, Gilas got a dependable two-way player who’s known for both his elite perimeter shooting and tenacious shutdown defense.

Meanwhile, Gilas Women, coming off its 58-61 opening loss to host Mexico, looks for a quick rebound today against Canada in the FIBA Women’s Olympic Pre-Qualifying Tournament in Guadalajara.

Gilas Youth shoot for a Last-8 berth in the FIBA U18 Asia Cup against Syria today in India. A win will set the Philippine U18s up for a tiff against China.

Exactly one month before the 2026 Asian Games, Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham ‘Bambol’ Tolentino declared Team Philippines ready to chase glory and set new milestones in the continental quadrennial meet.

Philippine sports is on a historic high with great breakthroughs in the last two Olympics, and Tolentino is confident that momentum will carry over to the Nagoya Asiad, which opens on Sept. 19.

With a contingent of over 400 athletes, Tolentino expects the Philippines to surpass its four-gold medal hauls in Jakarta-Palembang 2018 and Hangzhou 2023.

‘I have high hopes we will have a bountiful harvest,’ Tolentino said, citing gold medal prospects across multiple disciplines.

He identified gymnast Carlos Yulo, tennis ace Alex Eala, pole vaulter EJ Obiena, swimmer Kayla Sanchez, the jiu-jitsu team and the weightlifters as among the country’s brightest hopes.

‘Yung basketball natin, defending champion, lalaban yan, although ang dami nilang hindi pinayagan,’ Tolentino said.

‘The boxers are always there. Sa athletics, meron pang mga nakatago dyan. At marami pang iba,’ he added.

Tolentino is confident Team Philippines will better its Hangzhou performance, which was highlighted by gold medals from Gilas Pilipinas, Obiena, and jiu-jitsu standouts Meggie Ochoa and Annie Ramirez.

Surely among the lead guns in Nagoya will be Yulo, an Olympic and world champion out to complete his golden collection.

Yulo owns two golds from the 2024 Paris Olympics, three World Championship titles, 12 Asian Championship golds and nine SEA Games golds. The Asian Games gold, however, has eluded him.

He heads to Nagoya with unfinished business, spearheading the 14-strong Philippine gymnastics team that includes his younger brother Karl Eldrew, who is set for an Asian Games debut.

Joining them are artistic gymnasts Juancho Miguel Besana, Justine Ace de Leon, Zachary Cortins Nuñez, Levi Ruivivar, Kylee Kvamme, Chiara Dawn Andrew, Lauren Supnet and Haylee Garcia, rhythmic gymnasts Breanna Labadan and Jasmine Althea Ramilo, and trampoline specialists Jerry Ilano Jr. and Luvicar Janine Padilla.

Alex Eala is all set to embark on her quest for more milestones at the US Open in style.

As she brings her act to the season’s final Grand Slam in Flushing Meadows, Eala is poised to come rocking in a royal blue Nike kit.

The cool new outfit the WTA No. 20 Eala is sporting for the Aug. 30 to Sept 13 showpiece in New York was unveiled by Nike yesterday, quickly receiving raves from fans online.

The official uniforms feature a blue and white women’s dress colorway – like the Philippine national teams in basketball, football and volleyball.

It’s worth $140 or P8,600.

As tribute to her stellar rise, the renowned sneaker brand will also release a customized ‘Alex Eala’ shirt with a flower design.

The shirt, priced at $42 (P2,600), is similar to Nike’s previous campaigns with Eala in the Wimbledon last year and this year, giving her a Sampaguita-inspired hair accessory and visor, respectively.

The brand – which also has the Filipina star’s portrait in its legendary gallery at the Nike World Headquarters in Oregon, USA – printed the Eala kits with Filipino words ‘Kung may itinanim, may aanihin’ and ‘Kapag lumago, hindi na hihinto.’

And Eala has been embodying those roots so far with a solid run in the WTA Tour, which she hopes to carry over to her second US Open main draw stint.

Last year, Eala, then WTA No. 75, debuted in the US Open main draw and became the first Filipina match winner ever after a 6-3, 2-6, 7-6(13-11) victoryover then No. 15 Clara Tauson of Denmark.

The 21-year-old Pinay went on to fold to then world No. 95 Cristina Bucsa of Spain in Round 2 but Eala is an entirely different player this time around.

On Aug. 21, 1983, 43 years ago today, Benigno ‘Ninoy’ S. Aquino, Jr. was assassinated upon his arrival at the Manila (now Ninoy Aquino) International Airport. This act elevated him from a national hero to a national martyr. He had a prepared speech for his arrival which he was never able to deliver.

Here is his undelivered speech, which every Filipino should read:

I have returned on my free will to join the ranks of those struggling to restore our rights and freedoms through nonviolence.

I seek no confrontation. I only pray and will strive for a genuine national reconciliation founded on justice.

I am prepared for the worst, and have decided against the advice of my mother, my spiritual adviser, many of my tested friends and a few of my most valued political mentors.

A death sentence awaits me. Two more subversion charges, both calling for death penalties, have been filed since I left three years ago and are now pending with the courts.

I could have opted to seek political asylum in America, but I feel it is my duty, as it is the duty of every Filipino, to suffer with his people, especially in time of crisis.

I never sought nor have I been given assurances or promise of leniency by the regime. I return voluntarily, armed only with a clear conscience and fortified in the faith that in the end, justice will emerge triumphant.

According to Gandhi, the willing sacrifice of the innocent is the most powerful answer to insolent tyranny that has yet been conceived by God and man.

Three years ago, when I left for an emergency heart bypass operation, I hoped and prayed that the rights and freedoms of our people would soon be restored, that living conditions would improve and that blood-letting would stop.

Rather than move forward, we have moved backward. The killings have increased, the economy has taken a turn for the worse and the human rights situation has deteriorated.

During the martial law period, the Supreme Court heard petitions for habeas corpus. It is most ironic, after martial law has allegedly been lifted, that the Supreme Court last April ruled it can no longer entertain petitions for habeas corpus for persons detained under a Presidential Commitment Order, which covers all so-called national security cases and which, under present circumstances, can cover almost anything.

The country is far advanced in her times of trouble. Economic, social and political problems bedevil the Filipino. These problems may be surmounted if we are united. But we can be united only if all the rights and freedoms enjoyed before Sept. 21, 1972 are fully restored.

The Filipino asks for nothing more, but will surely accept nothing less, than all the rights and freedoms guaranteed by the 1935 Constitution – the most sacred legacies from the Founding Fathers.

Yes, the Filipino is patient, but there is a limit to his patience. Must we wait until that patience snaps? The nationwide rebellion is escalating and threatens to explode into a bloody revolution.

There is a growing cadre of young Filipinos who have finally come to realize that freedom is never granted, it is taken. Must we relive the agonies and the blood-letting of the past that brought forth our Republic or can we sit down as brothers and sisters and discuss our differences with reason and goodwill?

I have often wondered how many disputes could have been settled easily had the disputants only dared to define their terms.

So as to leave no room for misunderstanding, I shall define my terms:

1. Six years ago, I was sentenced to die before a firing squad by a Military Tribunal whose jurisdiction I steadfastly refused to recognize. It is now time for the regime to decide: order my immediate execution or set me free.

I was sentenced to die for allegedly being the leading communist leader. I am not a communist, never was and never will be.

2. National reconciliation and unity can be achieved but only with justice, including justice for our Muslim and Ifugao brothers. There can be no deal with a dictator. No compromise with dictatorship.

3. In a revolution there can really be no victors, only victims. We do not have to destroy in order to build.

4. Subversion stems from economic, social and political causes and will not be solved by purely military solutions; it can be curbed not with ever-increasing repression but with a more equitable distribution of wealth, more democracy and more freedom; and

5. For the economy to get going once again, the workingman must be given his just and rightful share of his labor, and to the owners and managers must be restored the hope where there is so much uncertainty if not despair.

On one of the long corridors of Harvard University are carved in granite the words of Archibald MacLeish:

How shall freedom be defended? By arms when it is attacked by arms; by truth when it is attacked by lies; by democratic faith when it is attacked by authoritarian dogma. Always, and in the final act, by determination and faith.

I return from exile and to an uncertain future with only determination and faith to offer – faith in our people and faith in God.

Basketball legends Jason Kidd and Lauren Jackson will headline the first-ever NBA House Philippines event next weekend.

The NBA House, a free, immersive basketball experience and fan event, will be held at SPACE at One Ayala in Makati on August 29 to 30.

The event will feature 2,700 square meters of interactive basketball and pop culture activities, and in the center of it all will be Kidd and Jackson.

Aside from meet-and-greets and appearances from the NBA and WNBA champion, the NBA House will also have live musical performances and authentic NBA entertainment featuring the Sacramento Kings Dancers.

Kidd is one of the best point guards in NBA history. The two-time Hall of Famer won a championship in 201, and is included in the NBA’s 75th anniversary team.

He earned 10 NBA All-Star selections, six All-NBA Team selections, nine NBA All-Defensive Team selections and five assist titles.

Kidd served as a head coach for 10 seasons, having coached the Brooklyn Nets, Milwaukee Bucks and Dallas Mavericks.

Jackson, for her part, won two championships with the Seattle Storm.

During her 12-year WNBA career, she earned a WNBA Finals MVP Award, three WNBA MVP Awards, eight All-WNBA Team selections, five All-WNBA Defensive Team selections, seven WNBA All-Star selections, three scoring titles and one rebounding title.

She was a WNBA Defensive Player of the Year and was part of the WNBA’s 10th, 15th, 20th and 25th anniversary teams.

Basketball skills challenges, merchandise giveaways, photo installations will also be experienced during the weekend. Fans could also try playing NBA 2k27 in a game zone.

An NBA memorabilia display featuring the Larry O’Brien Trophy and autographed NBA jerseys and basketballs will likewise be featured, as well as an official pop-up NBA Store with limited edition NBA House Philippines merchandise and exclusive product releases from official NBA licensing partners.

Jr. NBA and Jr. WNBA basketball clinics will also be held on August 29, as well as an invitation-only five kilometer fun run the next day.

A WNBA segment on August 30 featuring a series of on-court activities, including open-court access for the local women’s basketball community followed by a Her Time to Play clinic will be held, and a 5-on-5 exhibition game on August 30 featuring two teams comprising local professional players.

‘NBA House Philippines presented by Gatorade will be a celebration of basketball, entertainment and music, featuring an exciting lineup of NBA and WNBA legends, local artists and authentic NBA experiences,’ said NBA Head of Southeast Asia and Asia Marketing Sheila Rasu.

‘We’re grateful to our partners for helping bring the NBA closer to one of the world’s most passionate basketball communities and look forward to delivering an unforgettable weekend that celebrates the vibrant culture that surrounds our game.’

Just four years after entering the Philippine market, Skyro, an SEC-registered financial lending company, has reached two million product loan transactions.

The milestone comes as the company continues to rapidly expand its merchant network, now working with more than 10,000 partner stores and over 3,000 online and offline merchant partners.

Today, Skyro powers financing for many of the country’s most trusted retail brands such as Abenson, Robinsons Appliances and EMCOR, as well as leading global smartphone brands such as Honor, Tecno and Infinix. Alongside these partners, thousands of SMEs contribute more than 60% of Skyro’s sales volume, reflecting their important role in the company’s continued growth.

By offering Skyro’s financing solutions at the point of purchase, partner merchants have improved sales conversion and reached consumers who may not have sufficient cash on hand for immediate purchases. In its early years, the company has supported thousands of businesses, increasing partner store sales by at least 30% and reinforcing financing as a key driver of merchant growth.

For Skyro Co-Founder and Co-CEO Nasim Aliev, the two-million product loan transaction milestone reflects a broader shift in how Filipinos access financial services.

As more consumers use financing for everyday purchases, Skyro sees an opportunity to bring more people into the formal financial system through transparent, responsible and technology-driven credit solutions.

“Two million product loan transactions represent more than a milestone. They reflect the trust our customers and merchant partners have placed in Skyro. That trust inspires us to keep innovating, and as the financial landscape continues to evolve, we’ll continue building financial solutions that meet the changing needs of Filipinos,” Aliev said.

Beyond supporting SMEs, Skyro has also strengthened long-term partnerships with many of the country’s leading retailers, expanding access to financing across both physical stores and digital channels.

Through competitive financing offers, including zero down payment, 0% interest promotions and flexible payment options, Skyro helps more Filipinos access the products they need while creating value for merchant partners.

Aliev said the milestone also reinforces Skyro’s mission of expanding financial inclusion. As many customers are first-time borrowers, each approved loan gives more Filipinos an opportunity to enter the formal financial system, build a credit history, and develop responsible borrowing habits.

He also credited Skyro’s employees for making the milestone possible.

“Behind every one of these two million product loan transactions is a team that believes in making financial opportunities more accessible for Filipinos. This achievement reflects the passion, resilience, and customer-first mindset of every Skyro employee, whose dedication continues to earn the trust of our merchant partners and customers,” Aliev added.

Looking ahead, Skyro aims to continue transforming the consumer lending landscape by making credit more accessible, secure and seamlessly integrated into everyday life.

The company will continue investing in technology, data capabilities, and product innovation while expanding its merchant ecosystem and bringing responsible financing to more underserved communities across the Philippines.

‘Our ambition goes beyond growth. We want to redefine how Filipinos experience credit by making financial products simpler, more accessible, and easier to use. At the same time, we will continue investing in technology, security, and operational excellence to deliver one of the safest and most trusted financing experiences in the market. As we continue to grow, our commitment to responsible lending and customer trust will remain at the center of everything we do,” Arsen Lyametov, co-founder and co-CEO of Skyro, added.