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Although they have won stages in the PETRONAS Le Tour de Langkawi (PLTdL) before or enjoyed great success on the highest Grand Tour circuits, no rider dares to predict whether they will achieve success at the 29th edition of PLTdL25, which starts in Langkawi tomorrow.

?During the riders press conference attended by this year’s PLTdL ‘favourite’ riders today, many admitted that past records or experience are not factors that can guarantee victory, whether for a stage or the general classification.

?ProTeam Uno-X Mobility, Alexander Kristoff, 38, who has collected 98 career wins including 13 Grand Tour appearances and 41 classic races, admitted it will be difficult for him to add to his collection of victories at PLTdL25.

?’The goal of coming here is indeed to win, but I realise every race has its difficulties. But I love competing in the final sprint and with several stages considered flat, I also have a chance and want to seize it,’ said Kristoff, who is racing in Malaysia for the first time but will retire after the end of this racing season.

?Moreover, the winner of the Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS) King of Sprint orange jersey in 2024 from winning 3 stages, Matteo Malucelli, 31, who now represents the elite WorldTeam, XDS-Astana, admitted it will be difficult for him to repeat the brilliance he showed with JCL UKYO last year.

?’It’s hard to predict who will win the GC or the stages. Any rider can win, especially since many are currently in good form after just finishing the Vuelta. There are some flat routes that might favour the sprinters, while the climbs are tough even though they are not long. There will also certainly be many small groups making breakaways.

‘So PLTdL25 is an open race and anyone can win. My personal goal is also to win again while adding UCI ranking points for Astana,’ he said, admitting that being with a WorldTeam this time provides motivation to deliver the best sprints while hoping his teammate, Nicholas Vinoukurov, 23, chases the GC and the Best Asian Rider jersey.

Malucelli’s main rival is Tudor Cycling Team rider, Arvid Kleijn, who was the King of Sprint in 2023 but had to concede to Malucelli’s brilliance last year.

?’I personally asked the team to come here again despite facing a difficult and challenging season early this year due to a 12-week break after a broken collarbone in a crash during the Tour of UAE race last February.

?’The goal of coming here is to win again. I have sweet memories of winning here and I’m happy to return with a good level of fitness and can’t wait to compete in the final sprints again,’ said the Swiss rider nicknamed ‘Little Gorilla’.

?For Burgos-Burpellet BH rider who was also the King of the Mountains jersey winner last year, Mario Aparicio, the memory is still fresh and he appears with a bigger goal of chasing the overall individual green jersey sponsored by PETRONAS.

‘The opportunity to race in the Vuelta a Espana this year also gave me a lot of new experience, even though I fell ill at that time, but I have fully recovered. In fact, I’m back with the same goal and might be able to challenge for the green jersey (GC),’ said the 25-year-old rider who has been with Burgos since 2021.

?The opportunity to race in PLTdL is a new and bigger chapter in a rider’s career, and this was acknowledged by Yukiya Arashiro himself who makes a come-back after 18 years.

?Appearing in the ProTeam Solution Tech-Vini Fantini jersey, Arashiro, who first appeared in 2007 with the Nippo Corporation team, still remembers PLTdL as the top race in Asia.?’I’m happy to be back here again because I still remember it’s always filled with the warmth of the fans and fellow riders – moreover, I admit it’s a smooth and well-managed race.

‘As a team, Vini Fantini is also enthusiastic because we won at the Tour of Shanghai and most of the riders were retained and came here. Although it’s difficult, we hope to win a stage,’ said Arashiro who was courted by several world-class teams like Bbox Bouygues Telecom and Lampre-Merida (now Bahrain-Victorious) and gained experience racing in 16 GT-level races.

?PLTdL fans can also place their faith in the chances of local riders, and the double national champion representing the Terengganu Cycling Team, Muhammad Nur Aiman Rosli, 26, considered as one of the contenders.

‘I serve as a helper for our two sprinters (Harrif Saleh and Wan Abdul Rahman Hamdan), but I’m also looking for my own opportunities,’ said the national road race and individual time trial champion, who is considered capable of causing an upset through a solo breakaway.

A total of 129 riders from 22 teams will start Stage 1 of PLTdL25, the Langkawi Round Island with a distance of 96.7km at 8am tomorrow and finish at the same location at Jalan Padang Matsirat, Pekan Kuah involving three sprint zones and one Category 4 climb zone.?PLTdL25, which has 2.ProSeries status on the UCI Asia calendar, starts in Langkawi and will end in front of the PETRONAS Twin Towers on October 5th, involving a total distance of 1,244.2km.

It is organized by the Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS) through the National Sports Council (MSN) and is supported by the Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF).

THE Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Tuesday said that it has taken into custody an alleged underwater Chinese drone recovered by local fishermen in Palawan waters over the weekend.

‘On Sept. 28, 2025, fishermen from Sitio Tapic, Brgy. New Colaylayan, Linapacan, discovered the approximately 12-foot-long device during routine fishing operations. Later that evening, they turned the AUV [autonomous underwater vehicle] over to Coast Guard personnel,’ it added.

The maritime law enforcement agency also stressed that this alleged UAV had been safely transported and secured at PCG Station Linapacan for further verification, technical examination, and investigation, in coordination with relevant national security agencies.

‘This incident highlights ongoing illegal marine scientific research in Philippine waters, amid a pattern of similar events involving foreign-origin autonomous AUVs,’ it added.

Preliminary observations show that the device features a Conductivity-Temperature-Depth (CTD) sensor-a compact probe designed to measure seawater salinity, temperature, and depth, which are key parameters for oceanographic profiling.

The sensor includes Chinese labeling (”) and a serial number (CTD-20090334), along with visible corrosion from prolonged saltwater exposure. It is mounted on a rugged metal frame, typical of components in autonomous underwater vehicles commonly known as ‘underwater drones.’

This recovery fits into a series of similar incidents in Philippine waters dating back to July 2022, including devices found in Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte (July 2022); off the Zambales coast (September 2022); Calayan Island, Cagayan (August 2024); Initao, Misamis Oriental (October 2024); and San Pascual, Masbate (December 2024).

At least three of those prior recoveries have been linked to Chinese deployment, based on evidence such as China Telecom SIM cards, iridium transceivers connected to Beijing-based HWA Create (a defense contractor), and battery packs marked by China Electronics Technology Group Corporation.

Previous forensic analyses of similar recovered AUVs have identified them as tools for advanced underwater surveillance and seafloor mapping.

The integrated CTD sensor allows for the collection of data on salinity, temperature gradients, depth, and acoustic propagation-essential for bathymetric charting and environmental monitoring. Recovered units have shown capabilities for autonomous data processing, storage, and satellite transmission, with one case revealing encrypted communications to mainland China during operations.

‘The PCG remains vigilant in safeguarding our maritime domain and protecting the livelihoods of our fisherfolk,’ PCG commandant, Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan, said.

‘We commend the quick action of the local fishermen for reporting this find. This incident highlights the need for continued community awareness and a whole-of-nation approach to deter unauthorized activities in our waters,’ he added.

The device is undergoing detailed forensic examination to determine its exact origin, operational history, and potential security risks.

The public is urged to report any suspicious maritime objects to the nearest Coast Guard station.

Florante at Laura, a cutting-edge ballet version of this still relevant and timely story about love, heroism, and patriotism, returns for a second run at the Aliw Theater stage on October 3 to 5, 2025 with live orchestral music performed by the Orchestra of the Filipino Youth (OFY).

Presented in celebration of Ballet Manila’s 30th Anniversary, this restaging of National Artist Ryan Cayabyab’s original composition offers a powerful collaboration of classical music, ballet, and timeless Filipino literature set to music by the OFY, composed of 60 musicians under the baton of conductor Toma Cayabyab.

This landmark production first premiered in 2024 with thechoreography of Gerardo Francisco Jr. and Martin Lawrance and the artistic direction of Lisa Macuja Elizalde. to sold-outaudiences and wide critical acclaim. Inspired by Francisco Balagtas’ epic poem, Ryan Cayabyab gifted his original music for Florante at Laura to the OFY, a testament to his continued support of Filipino youth and excellence in music.

It was composed with OFY in mind as its premiere orchestra, making the young musicians not just performers, but the very heart of the musical journey. This 2025, audiences will once again witness Ballet Manila’s choreography matched by the live performance of the OFY.

More than its restaging, this season also marks the digital releaseof the official music of Florante at Laura. It was professionally recorded by the OFY under the baton of Maestro Gerard Salonga at Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez (CCP Black Box Theater). The album will be available on Spotify, Apple Music, and other major streaming platforms starting October 1, 2025, bringing the spirit of the stage to listeners around the world.

For all he had already accomplished in life, San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama realized he truly had not done much.

Lying in a hospital bed awaiting surgery that could potentially save his life, much less an NBA career, Wembanyama waited for relief from a deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder.

It led the 21-year-old from France to take a two-week excursion to China to train his mind and body this summer. It spurred him to visit the NASA Space Center and broaden his imagination and his understanding of space exploration.

‘I mean, life isn’t forever and there are some experiences we’re going to miss on, it is inevitable, but I’m going to miss on the least that I can,’ Wembanyama said Monday. ‘I want to experience the most and this is something that I wanted to do and just because I’m in the NBA, I’m not going to keep myself from doing it. I want to experience those things.’

The health scare has led to a healthier, happier and even taller Wembanyama.

After being listed as 7-foot-3 in his first two seasons, Wembanyama is officially 7-4 and 240 pounds after another summer spent bulking up.

Wembanyama’s health, along with the return of De’Aaron Fox and the additions of Luke Kornet and No. 2 pick Dylan Harper, have fueled hopes the Spurs will end a six-year playoff drought.

‘You see how hard he works and how motivated he is,’ Spurs forward Jeremy Sochan said. ‘I think he’s super excited to see, and I think he’s ready. I think you guys are going to see a lot that’s going to shock you, and I think everyone’s excited and can’t wait to see him on the actual NBA court.’

Coming off winning Rookie of the Year in 2024, Wembanyama was literally towering over the world in the opening months of his second season in the NBA. In January he played in Paris as an NBA player for the first time, debuted in the All-Star Game in February, was on course to win Defensive Player of the Year for a time and his popularity was growing faster than he did as a youth.

All of it halted when Wembanyama was diagnosed with a deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder shortly after the All-Star break, ending his season on Feb. 20.

‘So, I don’t know where you heard it is thoracic on the thrombosis, but it was definitely a DVT,’ Wembanyama said, clarifying speculation.

More concerning than not playing basketball, the blood clot in his right shoulder potentially could have traveled to his lungs and led to a life-threatening pulmonary embolism.

That led to Wembanyama to many doctor’s appointments and an urgent surgery.

‘Yeah, of course, I mean it is life-changing,’ Wembanyama said. ‘I mean, spending so much time in hospitals and around doctors and hearing more bad news than I wish I heard. Of course, as you said, it is traumatic, but in the long run I think it’s going to be very beneficial, because even though I don’t wish it on nobody, it makes you understand lessons that nothing else could have made you understand.’

Not that Wembanyama was living an unrestrained life before his health scare. Since joining the league as an 18-year-old, Wembanyama goes to bed at 9 p.m., spends his days getting lost in the writings of science fiction and fantasy author Brandon Sanderson and constructing Lego models.

But Wembanyama wanted more from his life.

‘It’s a pretty unique rabbit hole you can get down for someone of his age,’ Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said. ‘He is so intentional on the variety of ways that he tries to improve as a player and a person. It’s really something I’ve never witnessed or experienced in my time. It’s quite curious. It’s quite constantly trying to push himself out his comfort zone and learn new things.’

So, Wembanyama followed through on his desire to explore the NASA Space Center in Houston and to visit the Shaolin Temple in China and study Buddhism, meditation and physical training with its monks.

‘Training with the monks was an incredible experience,’ Wembanyama said. ‘Very much out of my comfort zone. It was my intent from the start, but that’s probably as far a physical activity as I’m used to doing. So it really paid off in terms of training and as a life experience as a curious person. It’s just great.’

It led to Wembanyama to deliver his first ‘real kicks’ during karate training and to increase his range of motion.

‘This is my best summer so far,’ Wembanyama said. ‘I can tell the progress is just incredible. I feel better, I look stronger and the scale says I’m heavier. So everything is a green light.’

Tudor Cycling Team rider Arvid de Kleijn won Stage 2 of the PETRONAS Le Tour de Langkawi 2025 (PLTdL25) from Padang Besar, Perlis, to Kepala Batas, Penang in a bunch sprint finish today.

After finishing third in Stage 1 in Langkawi yesterday, de Kleijn skillfully navigated the middle lane to pass Stage 1 winner, Matteo Malucelli of XDS-Astana while VF Group Bardiani CSF-Faizane rider, Enrico Zanoncello, took third place.

However, Malucelli still retains the PETRONAS Green Jersey for the overall General Classification (GC) leader with an accumulated time of 5 hours 30 minutes 50 seconds, just 2 seconds ahead of de Kleijn.

The gap for the Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS) Orange Jersey for the Sprint King is even tighter, at only 3 points.

The Best Local Rider for Stage 2 was Wan Abdul Rahman Hamdan of Terengganu Cycling Team (TSG) who finished in sixth place, improving on his 12th place finish in Stage1. His teammate, Muhammad Nur Aiman Rosli, successfully defended the Rakan Muda White Jersey for the Best Asian Rider.

With no climbing zones today, St George Continental Cycling Team rider, Ben Carman, still holds the BubblesO2 Polka Dot Jersey as the King of the Mountains.

Meanwhile, Cedric Bakke Christophersen of Unibet Tietema Rocket, who attempted a solo breakaway before the finish line, was awarded the Most Combative Rider.

The healthy rivalry between the two Sprint Kings of 2024 (Malucelli) and 2023 (De Kleijn) promises a more intense battle on the remaining flat stages, with both determined to add to their collection of PLTdL stage wins.

‘It’s a great feeling. My teammates, Changizi (Sebastian), did a great job – making sure we were in the middle of the front group, and I’m happy everything worked out for us. PLTdL is a special race in my heart, but personally, I hope the weather is better for the next stages,’ said De Kleijn.

This victory marks his personal fifth stage win, following victories in Stage 1 and 6 in 2023, and Stage 4 and 5 last year.

Regarding the expected tougher rivalry with Malucelli, he said that personally, they have no issues. They are professional and they challenge each other to increase their stage-win tally.

The Swiss rider explained that although the race started in heavy rain and with slick roads, which added an almost 3km neutral zone, his team remained calm and relaxed despite attempts by some riders to break away.

He noted that Tudor only began their work at the front of the peloton in the final few kilometers before entering Kepala Batas town under blazing heat, which then culminated in a bunch sprint.

‘It was actually a tough race and I hope the weather changes for the better after this,’ said De Kleijn.

Meanwhile, Malucelli was clearly disappointed with his tactical execution in the final sprint. ‘My teammates (Astana) worked hard to pull us to the front and find a comfortable space, but perhaps I made a small mistake by sprinting too early and ran out of energy at the last moment,’ said Malucelli who won 3 stages last year with the Japanese Continental team, JCL UKYO.

Regarding the leader’s and Sprint King’s jerseys, which he has worn for two consecutive stages, the Italian rider stated he will try to defend them, even though he is aware that Stage 3 from Gerik to Pasir Puteh involves some challenging climbs.

‘I know this route because I raced it in 2018 (with Androni Giocattoli-Sidermec). We will see how the situation is tomorrow. But we will try to control the race, although we know it will be difficult since we only have six riders,’said Malucelli who has collected four PLTdL stage victories so far. Stage 3 from Gerik,Perak to Pasir Puteh, Kelantan tomorrow with a distance of 198.2km, featuring three climbing zones – Gerik (Category 3), Sri Banding (Category 2) and Puncak Titiwangsa (Category 1).

Riders will then face a flat route with three sprint zones in Jeli (km117.3), Bukit Bunga (km134.1) and Machang (km179.1) before finishing in front of the Pasir Puteh Land and District Office.

JUSTICE Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla yesterday said the Department of Justice will seek the cancellation of the passport of former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) general manager Royina Garma following the issuance of an arrest warrant against in relation to the killing of PCSO board secretary Wesley Barayuga in 2020.

At a press briefing, Remulla also said he would be meeting with National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Jaime Santiago on the possibility of requesting a red notice from the Interpol to hasten Garma’s return to the country.

He said Garma and her co-accused will be considered as fugitives if they will not surrender to authorities despite the issuance of the arrest warrant against them.

‘Well, if you don’t surrender, that’s what will happen,’ Remulla said when asked if the respondents can now be considered as fugitives.

The DOJ chief added that the Philippine National Police (ONP) and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) should already implement the arrest warrant against the accused.

Remulla also the DOJ will file a petition for the cancellation of Garma’s passport to force her to return to the country.

However, Remulla said Garma would likely return to the country since she has no other place to go following her deportation from the US.

‘I think she will come home, she has no nowhere else to go. She was refused asylum already in the US’ Remulla said.

It can be recalled that Garma was allowed to leave for Malaysia a day after returning to the country from Los Angeles, California, last September 6 following the denial of her application for political asylum.

Garma left as a tourist for Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, according to the Bureau of Immigration, on September 7.

Garma was allowed to leave the country after the BI was able to verify that there was no hold departure order (HDO) or warrant of arrest issued against her.

Remulla later on disclosed that Garma has agreed to testify for the prosecution in connection with the crimes against humanity filed in the International Criminal Court against former President Rodrigo Duterte for his bloody anti-illegal drug war.

The DOJ secretary said that the denial of Garma’s bid for political asylum in the United States prompted her to agree to become one of the ICC prosecution’s witnesses against Duterte.

Remulla pointed to former senator Antonio Trillanes IV as the one who facilitated Garma’s inclusion as a prosecution witness against Duterte, who is currently detained at the ICC headquarters in The Hague, the Netherlands, awaiting proceedings in connection with his case.

He said Garma left for Malaysia to meet with ICC representatives to prepare for her testimony in Duterte’s crimes against humanity case.

Aside from Garma, the arrest warrant issued by the Mandaluyong Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 279 also covers former National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) commissioner Edilberto Leonardo, and police officials Jeremy Causapin, Santie Mendoza, and Nelson Mariano,

They are facing trial for murder and frustrated murder charges.

Barayuga was gunned down by a motorcycle-riding man shortly while on his way home from the PCSO central office in Mandaluyong City on July 30, 2020.

His driver survived the incident, thus filing of frustrated murder complaint against the respondents.

THE prolonged temporary import ban on rice will have only a minimal impact on the government’s tariff take, according to the Bureau of Customs (BOC).

Customs Assistant Commissioner Vincent Philip C. Maronilla said the rice import ban extension will have an impact, but the revenue shortfall the BOC will suffer will be ‘very minimal.’

‘Based on our analysis, we can make do. We’re talking about a three-month sacrifice for better stabilization of the prices and helping out our farmers,’ Maronilla told reporters on the sidelines of a convention last week organized by the Philippine Tax Academy (PTA).

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has ordered the extension of the rice import ban, which began on September 1 and is supposed to end on November 2, to support Filipino farmers and stabilize rice pricesMaronilla said the BOC will put in additional work to search for other sources of revenue to cover any deficiencies in its collections caused by the rice import ban.

This year, the BOC is tasked to collect P958.7 billion, which makes up 21.20 percent of the government’s full-year revenue target of P4.520 trillion.

‘We look into tightening our assessment procedures so that certain loopholes can be plugged and maybe help out in the deficiencies that we will experience because of the rice importation ban,’ he said.

The BOC is also anticipating collections to improve during the ‘ber months,’ when demand for food, not only rice but also alternatives such as corn and bread, typically rises, Maronilla added.

‘Every time you plug one item, an alternative item comes up,’ she said, explaining that it may lead to increased consumption or importation of alternatives, offsetting the impact on revenues.

Finance Secretary Ralph G. Recto said earlier that collections on rice tariffs are going down because world market prices are also declining.

Theoretically, Recto said the government suffers a loss of about P2 billion every month from the rice importation ban.

‘Last year, we reduced the tariff, but the volume of imports went up. So we almost had no losses last year,’ Recto said.

To recall, President Marcos signed Executive Order 62 in June 2024, reducing the rice tariffs from 35 percent to 15 percent starting July 2024.

The lowering of the rice tariff rate has already resulted in around P14 billion in revenue loss for the BOC as of July this year.

Customs Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno said earlier that excise taxes on petroleum products and pick-up trucks will drive the BOC’s collections this year to meet its revenue target.

Gokongwei-led Robinsons Land Corp. (RLC) said it will spend the P7.66 billion in net proceeds from the sale of shares of its real estate investment trust RL Commercial REIT Inc. (RCR) to its ongoing projects.

RLC said the bulk of the money will go to the Forum redevelopment in Mandaluyong at P1.82 billion. The said development involves a mall and an office tower, which is 43 percent complete. It has torn down the original structure to build a modern, high-end lifestyle center and mixed-use development, which will include a new six-storey mall and four office towers, collectively known as The Jewel.

About P282 million will be spent for Cebu Hotels, which include Nustar Hotel and Grand Summit in Cebu; P288 million for Robinsons Bacolod; P238 million for Robinsons Manila; P834 million for Malolos Bayan Park in Bulacan; P260 million for Robinsons Antipolo; P562 million for Robinsons Tanay; P638 for Robinsons Pangasinan; P56 million for BF Homes Paranaque; P148 million for the Tower 2 of GBF Center in Bridgetown in Quezon City, which is already 90 percent complete; P362 million for Cybergate Apo 1 in Davao; P327 million for Fili Hotel in Bridgetowne; P4 million for Grand Summit Pangasinan; and P302 million for Grand Summit Panglao in Bohol.

The company also listed P1.65 billion in land acquisition in the Visayas and Mindanao and P6 billion to buy properties in Luzon, which will also be disbursed by its wholly-owned subsidiary Bonifacio Property Ventures Inc.

‘Pending the disbursement of such proceeds, RLC may invest the net proceeds in short-term liquid investments including but not limited to short-term government securities, bank deposits and money market placements which are expected to earn interest at prevailing market rates, withdrawable on demand and without holding restrictions prior to any fund withdrawals.’

The said money came from the sale of 1 billion RCR shares at P7.75 per share.

Robinsons Offices, a unit of Robinsons Land Corp., meanwhile, has inaugurated GBF Center 2 in Bridgetowne.

The said opening came two years after the completion of the adjacent GBF Center 1.

The new 30-storey building has a gross leasable area of 60,000 square meters, 20 percent more than the 50,000 square meter-GBF Center 1. Both have 21 office floors, eight parking floors, plus basement parking and the ground floor, which has the lobby and some retail outlets.

‘Although they have the same height, GBF Center Two has larger floor plates, which results in more usable space,’ RLC Senior Vice President and Robinsons Offices general manager Jericho P. Go said.

Each floor in GBF Center 2 offers 2,800 square meters of flexible office space, compared with GBF Center 1’s 2,500-square meter of office space per floor.

THE Department of Trade and Industry-Export Marketing Bureau (DTI-EMB) has unveiled the list of non-tariff measures imposed by the European Union that Philippine agriculture exporters must comply with even with a EU-Philippines Free Trade Agreement (EU-PH FTA) in place.

In a Viber message sent to the BusinessMirror, DTI-EMB Director Bianca Pearl R. Sykimte underscored: ‘Even with a future EU-Philippines FTA, these NTMs will remain in place because they protect health and safety.’

However, she noted that the FTA can ‘ease compliance by eliminating tariffs, fostering regulatory cooperation, and enabling recognition of Philippine certifications-helping exporters reduce costs and speed up market access.’

To access the EU market, Sykimte said Philippine agriculture exporters to the 27-member bloc must comply with these NTMs:

Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) requirements such as: Phytosanitary and veterinary certificates, inspections for pests and diseases, pesticide residue limits, quarantine checks and health certifications.

Meanwhile, the ‘Technical Barriers to Trade [TBT]’ that Philippine exporters would have to comply with are: Accurate labeling, proper packaging, compliance with product standards and ‘robust’ traceability systems.

Sykimte revealed these non-tariff measures after the Tariff Commission held last week the Public Consultation on Philippine Participation in the Philippines-European Union (PH-EU FTA).

In the consultation, Philippine agriculture groups expressed concern on the non-tariff measures that may prevent exporters from utilizing the free trade deal with EU, given the 27-member bloc’s stringent requirements.

Imelda J. Madarang, CEO of Fisherfarms Inc., an aquaculture processor and a pioneer innovation of farm-raised seafood products in the Philippines, pressed DTI on whether the agency is monitoring the non-tariff measures which the local industry is currently experiencing.

‘We’re very happy that we are still with the GSP [EU GSP+], although we are a little bit afraid that we might graduate but again, we have to be prepared for that. But at the moment, we’re very happy. As far as tariff is concerned. I was just wondering if you are also focusing or really monitoring the non-tariff measures which we are actually experiencing, because it’s very, very steep,’ Madarang, who also chairs the Philippine Export Development Council-Networking Committee on Agri-Policy (NCAP) said during the hearing.

‘We are just wondering because these were the issues raised by the industry, but we didn’t know where to go-whether it’s the Tariff Commission or somewhere else because it’s really, really steep,’ added the representative from the aquaculture industry.

The industry representative aired the concern during the tariff hearing as she shared that Indonesia and India complained at the Shrimp Global Forum about the new regulations being imposed by the 27-member bloc European Union.

‘It says that all animal-based food products will be covered, and that will include us. I suppose they are now requiring a list of antibiotics that we do not use. And again, a guarantee from the Philippine government or from the governments about the compliance and the control system which is very, very steep,’ Madarang explained.

She also cited issues on packaging certifications, ingredients in terms of color, additives, among others.

Through the lens of the local sugar industry, Philippine Sugar Millers Association (PSMA) executive director Jesus ‘Cocoy’ Barrera said during the hearing: ‘I echo the statement of Ms. Madarang regarding the availability of NTMs being imposed by the EU, particularly in agricultural imports.’

Barrera underscored that since the negotiation focuses on tariffs, ‘We may get market access, or we may appear to get market access because of the reduced tariff, the presence of NTMs may prevent us from having that market access.’

Data obtained by the BusinessMirror from DTI-EMB showed that the top Philippine food exports to EU in 2024 were: Coconut (copra), coconut oil and its fractions, prepared or preserved fish, caviar and caviar substitutes prepared from fish eggs; Desiccated coconuts; Fruit, nuts and other edible parts of plants, otherwise prepared or preserved; Bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and other bakers’ wares; Pineapple juice; Flours, meals and pellets of meat or meat offal, of fish or of crustaceans, molluscs or other aquatic invertebrates.

The top 10 food exports of the Philippines to the EU amounted to $1.45 billion in 2024.

THE Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) received a new freeze order from the Court of Appeals (CA) bringing the total value of the frozen assets to P2.9 billion.

In a statement, the new freeze order covered a total of 836 bank accounts, 12 e-wallet accounts, 24 insurance policies, 81 motor vehicles and 12 real estate properties.

With the latest freeze order, the AMLC through the CA has frozen a total of 1,563 bank account; 54 insurance policies; 154 motor vehicles; and 30 real estate properties. The latest freeze order is the first time the AMLC included electronic wallets.

‘By freezing a wide range of assets-such as bank accounts, e-wallets, vehicles, and properties-the AMLC is disrupting the financial channels used in corrupt activities,’ said AMLC Executive Director Atty. Matthew M. David.

‘Our goal is straightforward: prevent stolen public funds from being dissipated and misused, recover them for the National Government, and ensure that those involved in money laundering are held accountable,’ he added.

The AMLC said it remains committed to transparency and accountability and is working closely with other government agencies to ensure that public funds are protected and properly used.

Earlier, David said AMLC’s petition cited corruption-related offenses, such as violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and malversation, according to David.

Under the freeze order, banks will now look into their systems and determine the amounts stored in the bank accounts, which will then be reported to the AMLC, David said.

Moreover, the freeze order is a step toward the filing of appropriate civil and criminal cases, including the retrieval of any funds moved before the freeze, against those found to have laundered illicit proceeds, David added.

The freeze order will only be lifted if the owners of the bank accounts will file a motion to lift the effects of the freeze order over their accounts or assets.