Manila Times

  1. (UPDATE) THE defense lawyer of former president Rodrigo Duterte said that they will no longer file a motion for reconsideration on their request to disqualify the two International Criminal Court (ICC) judges who are hearing the crimes against humanity case against their client.

    In an interview with blogger “Alvin and Tourism” posted on July 3, Nicholas Kaufman said they will no longer challenge the decision of the ICC which dismissed the former leader’s claim that judges Reine Alapini-Gansou and Maria del Socorro Flores Liera were biased, as they affirmed the court’s jurisdiction in an earlier phase in the case.

    The defense stated that the judges’ prior involvement created a possible conflict of interest.

    “No, I’m not going to, as I’ve said, there has been new information which has come to light. I can’t disclose that information, but it does affect whether or not I would want to seek reconsideration of the request to disqualify,” Kaufman said.

    In the ICC decision that junked his request, the ICC said that under the Rome Statute, judges may exercise their functions at different stages of a case without giving rise to bias.

    “No appearance of partiality arises from the ordinary exercise of judicial duties,” it added.

    Meanwhile, Kaufman also denied that Duterte was involved in the destruction of evidence in the drug war amid claims by Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla that some key evidence in the drug war was destroyed, hence the decision to cede jurisdiction to the ICC.

    “My client, Mr. Duterte, had nothing to do with destroying any evidence. Destroying evidence is a criminal offense. It was not done, and it was not done at his request on behalf of him,” Kaufman said.

    He also blasted ICC assistant to counsel Kristina Conti’s assertion that any country agreeing to adopt the former president risks being seen as a “safe haven for a murderer.” “I believe that her comments, if they’re true, I haven’t seen them in the media yet, would be basically interference. And it would be unethical interference with the litigation that’s currently being conducted on the subject of interim release,” Kaufman said.

    He said that the comments made by Conti, as well as the proposals at the House of Representatives to oppose his interim release, are a form of “non-respect in the judicial process.” “Once again, respect the judicial process, respect the judges. We are confident, and we’re working towards bringing the former president home,” Kaufman said.

  2. OVERSEAS Filipinos (OF) Bank is offering zero fees for remittances from overseas Filipinos to the Philippines as part of the government’s efforts to support their families back home.

    During The Chairman’s Report hosted by Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) Secretary Dante Ang II, OFBank President and Chief Executive Secretary Elcid Pangilinan said the bank was committed to making remittances more affordable for overseas Filipinos.

    He said that “the only cost to our kababayan abroad is the foreign exchange from their bank abroad to the OFBank.” “Part of the mandate is to lower the cost of sending money,” Pangilinan said. “The current rate is 10 percent for traditional banks. Money transfer offices are about 6.5 percent. The UN goal is to bring it down to 3 percent. OFBank offers it at zero percent. It will not cost you anything,” he added.

    To further strengthen this drive, the financial institution has partnered with CFO to enhance financial literacy and support for overseas Filipinos.

    As part of this commitment, the CFO runs Peso Sense, a flagship financial literacy campaign designed to equip Filipinos, especially overseas Filipinos and their families, with the tools and knowledge to make informed financial decisions, avoid scams, and build sustainable futures.

    Ang highlighted the CFO’s ongoing efforts to provide comprehensive support for Filipinos overseas, stressing that “financial education and access are essential pillars of long-term reintegration and resilience.” He emphasized the importance of forging robust partnerships with institutions like OFBank to help overseas Filipinos manage their finances wisely and contribute meaningfully to the country’s economic growth.

    OFBank is the first fully digital bank in the Philippines, offering a seamless, branchless banking experience tailored for Filipinos at home and abroad. Clients can open an account anytime, anywhere, without the need for an initial deposit or maintaining balance — removing common barriers to access and making banking more inclusive and convenient for all.

    “We are being challenged to provide services to our kababayan, and we accept this challenge to make it more efficient for our kababayan abroad to be able to send money to their loved ones, in a very secure, very efficient, and very safe manner at no cost,” Pangilinan said.

    The CFO said its partnership with the OFBank reflects the core goals of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s Bagong Pilipinas agenda — modernizing public services, expanding financial access, and strengthening support for Filipinos abroad.

    By offering cost-free remittances and fully digital banking, the initiative directly addresses long-standing challenges faced by overseas Filipinos and their families, while helping build a more efficient and responsive government that delivers where it matters most, it said. The CFO, an agency under the Office of the President, is dedicated to the welfare and protection of Filipinos residing abroad long term or permanently. The commission has various initiatives that aim to link Filipinos back to the Philippines in order to facilitate cultural appreciation and provide an avenue for them to contribute to national development.

  3. THE Carl Balita Review Center (CBRC) and The Manila Times have sealed a three-year partnership to organize and hold a nationwide writing contest entitled “Education of the Times” that seeks to draw participants from 300 schools.

    The initiative is envisioned as a platform for educators, students and aspiring writers to reflect on the evolving landscape of Philippine education.

    Blanca Mercado, president and chief operating officer of The Manila Times, expressed pride in partnering with CBRC founder and educator Carl Balita, who played a pivotal role in bringing the project to life.

    “This was a spur-of-the-moment decision, but one we wholeheartedly embraced. I hope all of you will be interested in joining,” Mercado said.

    Balita told the Manila Times that the partnership is anchored on its credibility. “The Manila Times has a very long history of credibility — and we cannot partner with less than that credibility.”

    About 300 schools are expected to participate in the competition. “This is going to be a battle of the writers from different universities. So imagine, the best of the best,” Balita added.

    Anna Marie Ang-Thompson, CEO of The Manila Times, said the winners will receive cash prizes, with P10,000 awarded to the top entry, P5,000 to the second place, and P2,000 to the third.

    Aside from the cash prizes, the winning entries will be published in the newspaper’s “Campus Press” section for wider exposure in both print and digital platforms.

    Coinciding with CBRC’s 18th founding anniversary this July and The Manila Times’ upcoming 127th year in October, the partnership underscores both institutions’ shared commitment to academic excellence, civic engagement, and responsible journalism.

    “We want this to be a milestone that continues not just for this year, but for the next hundred,” Balita said.

  4. THE Girl Scouts of the Philippines (GSP) is launching a revival campaign aimed at reconnecting with the country’s youth, rebuilding membership, and modernizing its identity as it celebrates its 85th founding anniversary this year.

    In an interview with The Manila Times, GSP leaders Alice Panares, Elena Villanueva-Romero and Thet Reyes outlined plans to reintroduce the movement to a new generation of girls through a series of national events and legacy projects.

    One of the flagship projects is the development of Camp Escoda, a 27-hectare site donated by the local government in Palayan, Nueva Ecija.

    It is envisioned to be a premier international campsite that will proudly showcase Filipino identity and serve as a center for cross-cultural exchange and outdoor education.

    The camp is named after Josefa Llanes Escoda, the organization’s founder and a national heroine.

    “Our dream is to create a space where girls from all over the Philippines — and even from other countries — can come together,” said Panares. “We want it to be uniquely Filipino and truly world-class.”

    As part of its nationwide revival, GSP is also preparing for a series of events this September, including a historic “Long Green Line” gathering that aims to stretch across the country — and possibly break a Guinness World Record — and a massive homecoming for former scouts under the theme “Once a Girl Scout, Always a Girl Scout.”

    “We want to reignite the pride and connection that so many women had growing up in the movement,” Romero explained. “This is our way of reminding the country that the Girl Scouts are still here.”

    The GSP currently has 2.9 million members, a drop from its 7 million pre-pandemic peak.

    The challenges of Covid-19, lack of visibility in private schools, and changes in how extracurricular activities are prioritized by schools and families are attributed to the decline in membership.

    “Rebuilding our membership is one of our main goals,” said Reyes.

    “We’re actively reaching out to both public and private schools to reignite our presence in communities nationwide,” Reyes added.

    The group’s modern vision still embraces its classic values — community service, environmental stewardship, leadership, and survival skills — but also integrates new programs like citizen journalism, climate resilience and digital safety.

    Recent awardees of the Chief Girl Scout Medal have initiated projects, such as mangrove planting, toilet construction in underserved areas, and sustainable community gardening.

    The Girl Scouts may have been operating under the radar, but they remain active, Romero said.

    “You may not hear about us often, but we never stopped working,” she said.

    With its roots deep in service and its sights set on innovation, the Girl Scouts of the Philippines hopes to reclaim its place in the hearts of the Filipino youth.

  5. AIMING to reduce the financial burden on households and businesses, Sen. Rodante Marcoleta has filed a bill to eliminate the 12 percent value-added tax (VAT) on electricity sales across all stages — generation, transmission and distribution. Saying the Philippines has among the highest electricity costs in Southeast Asia, Marcoleta said his measure could lower power rates significantly.

    In his explanatory note, Marcoleta pointed out that removing VAT could lead to reduced operational costs for electricity providers, ultimately resulting in lower consumer prices. “This would further stimulate economic activity and enhance domestic consumption,” he said, emphasizing that such a change would contribute to a more sustainable economic growth trajectory for the nation.

    The senator, who campaigned on a promise to lower electricity rates, highlighted various factors contributing to the high costs, including deregulation issues, distribution losses, and reliance on imported fuel. “These factors result in elevated operating expenses that deter investments, leading to high electricity costs that burden consumers,” Marcoleta said.

    Echoing these sentiments, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry previously urged Congress to consider removing the VAT on electricity sales, underscoring that the high cost of electricity remains a significant concern for investors.

    Marcoleta said the increase in power rates in 2024 stemmed from higher prices in the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market and costly power supply agreements, which he has termed “sweetheart deals.” Rate adjustments have been significant, with WESM rates climbing by P0.2531 per kWh and power supply agreements observing a P0.1050 per kWh increase due to currency fluctuation.

    “As the costs associated with power generation continue to rise, consumers may need to adjust their budgeting for electricity expenses and consider energy-saving measures,” Marcoleta said.

    “We owe it to the people to make electricity affordable, as it is the declared objective of the law itself,” Marcoleta said.

  6. CHINESE Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian expressed optimism for enhanced bilateral relations following the appointment of Theresa Lazaro as the new secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

    “Congratulations, Secretary Lazaro, on your assumption of office as secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines. Wishing you every success and standing ready to continue working with you to promote a healthy and stable bilateral relationship for the benefit of our two peoples,” Huang said on social media.

    Lazaro takes over the position from Enrique Manalo, who has been appointed as the Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations. As only the second female career diplomat to assume the role, following Ambassador Delia Domingo Albert in 2003, Lazaro brings significant experience to her new position.

    Lazaro is well known for her role in navigating sensitive negotiations with China, including key discussions aimed at finalizing a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea. Her efforts also facilitated the delivery of supplies to Filipino troops stationed at Ayungin Shoal, addressing tensions between the Philippine and Chinese coast guards that had previously led to non-lethal incidents.

  7. THE Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) will visit various establishments in Metro Manila to check their compliance with the P50 wage increase for minimum wage earners, which takes effect on July 18.

    “(Labor) Secretary Benne Laguesma has given instructions to regional and field offices in NCR (National Capital Region) to conduct labor inspections to ensure the compliance of establishments with the new minimum wage and other labor standards,” Maria Criselda Sy, executive director of the National Wages and Productivity Commission, said in an interview at the Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon briefing on Friday.

    Sy noted that companies employing 10 workers or fewer and establishments severely affected by typhoons or man-made disasters were exempted from the wage increase.

    “We have an existing mechanism to apply for exemption,” she said.

    Sy urged the public to visit their website for the process on how to apply for the exemption.

    Early this week, the NCR wage board approved a P50 daily minimum wage increase in Metro Manila, which will benefit about 1.2 million workers.

    The new minimum wage in Metro Manila now stands at P695, up from P645.

  8. A RECENT hearing at the House of Representatives revealed that several provisions of Republic Act 10687, which established the Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education (UniFAST) in 2015, remain unimplemented.

    An inquiry by the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EdCom 2) found that the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) failed to implement key elements of UniFAST.

    Among the core unimplemented provisions were: a qualifying examination system for scoring students for merit and talent-based scholarships; impact evaluation studies to determine which student financial assistance programs should be adopted, continued or terminated; a long-term plan for a self-sustaining National Student Loan Program; and the development and maintenance of a website for accredited public and private tertiary education institutions.

    During the hearing, it was discovered that only the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education (UAQTE) was implemented.

    “The main goal of UniFAST was to harmonize all existing student financial assistance programs of the government across different agencies to ensure improved efficiency and efficacy,” said EdCom 2 Executive Director Karol Yee. “However, ten years later, many of the intentions of the law are still unfulfilled.” UniFAST Executive Director Ryan Estevez said that the passage of the UAQTE law, which institutionalized free tuition, prompted the UniFAST board to prioritize the implementation of the free higher education program.

    EdCom 2 Co-Chairman and Pasig Rep. Roman Romulo questioned the dismal implementation of the student loan program.

    “Under the UniFAST law, you can approach the Development Bank of the Philippines and LandBank — they have their own scholarships already, and they give ‘study now pay later’ programs. They are also government agencies, so I don’t understand why you don’t want to coordinate with them,” Romulo said.

    CHED Executive Director Cinderella Jaro explained that the agency was tasked with implementing numerous laws, including UniFAST, but manpower issues proved to be a challenge.

    CHED Chairman Shirley Agrupis noted that the increase in CHED’s budget was primarily earmarked for the implementation of the free higher education law, affecting other grants or quality improvement initiatives, particularly for private institutions.

  9. PARTIDO Demokratiko Pilipino spokesman Ferdinand Topacio called Sen. Risa Hontiveros a “prima donna” after the senator criticized impeachment court spokesman Reginald Tongol for commenting on the proceeding.

    Tongol had stated that the impeachment court, which would hear the complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte, cannot be convened until the 20th Congress formally opens on July 28. He explained that senator-judges’ oaths must be taken before the Senate president, who has yet to be chosen.

    “While it may be true that Tongol cannot speak for Sen[ator] Hontiveros, it nonetheless cannot be denied that what Tongol says is correct: under the Senate’s own rules, it shall next convene on July 28, 2025. At that time, its new composition will decide whether Senate President Francis Escudero shall continue as such, or a new [Senate President] will be chosen,” Topacio said.

    “She must end her prima donna attitude because the Senate, as she very well knows, is a collegial body. Either one plays with the team or leaves the team. It’s as simple as that,” Topacio added.

    Topacio also countered the statement of Mamamayang Liberal Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima, who claimed the Senate was going beyond its mandate.

    The Senate impeachment court has an additional requirement: a certification from the House of the 20th Congress, set to convene in July, confirming its intent to pursue the prosecution.

    The articles of impeachment were remanded after attempts to dismiss the case completely. The House, which has maintained that it fulfilled its duty by endorsing and transmitting the articles to the Senate, adopted this resolution on June 11.

    “If de Lima is truly convinced that what the Senate is demanding is outside the scope of its powers as an impeachment court, then she should test her theory before the Supreme Court. But then again, it seems she also has a problem with obeying the orders of the High Tribunal when she contumaciously and arrogantly disregarded the TRO (temporary restraining order) the Supreme Court issued in the case of Rep. Gloria Arroyo in 2011. It must be remembered that she ultimately lost that case,” Topacio said

  10. (UPDATE) THE Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) announced on Saturday the return of 13 more overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from Israel, part of the government’s efforts to repatriate nationals from conflict zones in the Middle East.

    The DMW said the OFWs arrived at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 from Tel Aviv, with a stopover in Bangkok, Thailand.

    A medical team was present to assist those with health issues.

    The returning OFWs also received financial assistance.

    “What you went through over there, especially during the [Middle East] conflict, was not easy. That’s why we will make sure you receive adequate assistance and support for your reintegration into the country,” Migrant Workers Undersecretary Dominique Rubia-Tutay told the OFWs in Filipino.

    The voluntary repatriation was facilitated by the DMW and its partner agencies.

Digital Monkey 2