MANILA – Sisimulan na ng Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) sa susunod na linggo ang pamamahagi ng pinalawak na Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT) Assistance na magbibigay ng ₱2,000 cash aid sa 7.5 milyong mahihirap, near-poor, at low-income na kabahayan sa buong bansa bilang tugon sa epekto ng tumataas na presyo ng langis at ng idineklarang energy emergency.
Ayon kay DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian, ang programa ay inilunsad upang matulungan ang mga pamilyang pinakaapektado ng pagtaas ng presyo ng petrolyo at iba pang pangunahing bilihin bunsod ng nagpapatuloy na tensyon sa Gitnang Silangan, at maiwasang tuluyang malubog sa kahirapan ang tinatayang 1.2 milyong Pilipino, karamihan ay mula sa sektor ng near-poor.
Hinati ng DSWD ang mga benepisyaryo sa tatlong grupo upang mapabilis ang distribusyon ng ayuda.
Ang Group 1 ay binubuo ng humigit-kumulang 3.5 milyong kabahayan na kasalukuyang benepisyaryo ng Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) at Walang Gutom Program (WGP). Direktang ipapasok ang ayuda sa kanilang umiiral na LandBank accounts o food credit cards. Ang grupong ito ay makatatanggap ng isang beses na ₱2,000.
Ang Group 2 naman ay binubuo ng 2.5 milyong poor at near-poor households na hindi kabilang sa 4Ps ngunit natukoy sa pamamagitan ng 2024 Community-Based Monitoring System (CBMS) ng Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). Para sa kanila, magsisimula sa susunod na linggo ang validation, manual payout, at enrollment sa digital payment system.
Samantala, ang Group 3 ay kinabibilangan ng 1.5 milyong low-income workers at kanilang mga pamilya na may rekord sa Social Security System (SSS). Tulad ng Group 1, ididiretso rin sa kanilang mga account ang cash assistance.
Nilinaw ng DSWD na ang mga benepisyaryo ng 4Ps at Walang Gutom Program ay tatanggap ng isang beses na ₱2,000, habang ang mga kwalipikadong near-poor at low-income households sa ilalim ng pinalawak na UPLIFT Assistance ay nakatakdang makatanggap ng ₱2,000 bawat buwan mula Hulyo hanggang Disyembre, alinsunod sa ipinalabas na mga alituntunin ng programa.
Nauna nang inihayag ni Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ang pagpapalawak ng UPLIFT Assistance upang mapagaan ang epekto ng pandaigdigang pagtaas ng presyo ng langis at maprotektahan ang kabuhayan ng tinatayang 7.5 milyong kabahayan o humigit-kumulang 37.5 milyong Pilipino. Ayon sa Malacañang, naglaan ang pamahalaan ng ₱12.375 bilyon para sa pagpapatupad ng programa.
Sinabi rin ni Gatchalian na ang pagpili ng mga benepisyaryo ay ibinatay sa umiiral na mga pambansang database tulad ng 4Ps, Walang Gutom Program, CBMS ng PSA, at talaan ng SSS upang maging mas mabilis at mas maayos ang pamamahagi ng ayuda, sa halip na umasa sa mga listahang isusumite ng mga lokal na pamahalaan.
Ayon sa pag-aaral ng Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS), tinatayang nasa 14 milyong Pilipino ang nabibilang sa mahihirap, dahilan upang palawakin ng pamahalaan ang social protection program para sa mga sektor na higit na naaapektuhan ng pagtaas ng gastusin sa enerhiya at mga pangunahing pangangailangan.
Canadian authorities are preparing to evacuate the remote First Nations community of Fort Hope in northwestern Ontario as hundreds of active wildfires continue to burn across the country, sending thick smoke into large parts of the United States and prompting criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump over Canada’s wildfire management. According to Reuters and The Associated Press, the escalating wildfire crisis has triggered widespread air quality alerts, disrupted daily life, and heightened political tensions between the neighboring countries.
Officials in Ontario said military aircraft are being mobilized to assist in evacuating residents of Fort Hope, a fly-in community facing increasing wildfire threats. The community is among several in northern Ontario that have been placed on alert as firefighters continue efforts to contain rapidly spreading blazes in remote and difficult-to-access areas.
Reuters reported that Canada had 955 active wildfires as of Friday, including 69 new fires recorded in a single day. Nearly 11,000 square miles (about 28,500 square kilometers) have burned nationwide this year. While the total area burned remains below Canada’s five-year average, emergency officials warned that dry conditions and persistent heat continue to fuel fire activity across several provinces.
Smoke from the fires has spread far beyond Canada’s borders, creating hazardous air quality across portions of the U.S. Midwest, Northeast, and Mid-Atlantic. According to the Associated Press, air quality alerts were issued in Washington, D.C., Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Illinois, Michigan, and other states as smoke reduced visibility and increased health risks, particularly for children, older adults, and people with respiratory or cardiovascular conditions.
President Trump blamed Canada for the deteriorating air quality in the United States, criticizing what he described as inadequate forest management and saying Americans should not bear the consequences of Canadian wildfires. Reuters reported that Trump also threatened to impose additional tariffs on Canadian goods as compensation for the economic and public health impacts caused by the drifting smoke.
Canadian officials rejected the criticism and defended the country’s wildfire response. Emergency Management Minister Eleanor Olszewski said the federal government has invested approximately C$12 billion in forest sustainability and wildfire prevention initiatives since 2020. Ontario Premier Doug Ford also emphasized the need for continued cooperation between Canada and the United States to address increasingly severe wildfire seasons rather than escalating political disputes.
Wildfire experts say prolonged drought, unusually warm temperatures, and dry vegetation have created conditions favorable for large and fast-moving fires across Canada. Many of the blazes are burning in remote forests, making suppression efforts more difficult and allowing smoke to travel thousands of kilometers under prevailing weather patterns.
Canada has experienced several record-breaking wildfire seasons in recent years, with smoke repeatedly affecting millions of people across North America. Scientists have linked the increasing frequency and intensity of wildfires to changing climate conditions, including higher temperatures and longer periods of drought.
Authorities in both Canada and the United States continue to monitor fire activity and air quality as emergency crews work to protect threatened communities. Officials have warned that additional evacuations may become necessary if weather conditions worsen or new fires emerge in vulnerable regions.
DUBAI – Iran widened its military retaliation against the United States on Saturday by launching missile and drone attacks on Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan after a seventh consecutive night of U.S. airstrikes inside Iranian territory, marking one of the most serious regional escalations since hostilities resumed.
According to Reuters and The Associated Press, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it targeted facilities supporting U.S. military operations, including military sites in Kuwait and Jordan and bases in Bahrain. The attacks prompted air raid sirens and the activation of air defense systems across several Gulf countries, with authorities reporting that many incoming missiles and drones were intercepted.
Kuwait appeared to sustain the most significant damage. Reuters reported that a desalination plant supplying drinking water was struck, disrupting water services in parts of the country. Kuwait International Airport temporarily suspended operations, while damage was also reported at oil-related facilities. Several emergency responders and workers were injured during the attacks.
The latest Iranian strikes followed another night of U.S. attacks targeting military infrastructure, transportation networks, power facilities, and other strategic sites across Iran. Iranian authorities said the continuing U.S. campaign had killed at least 50 people and injured more than 500 during the latest phase of the conflict, although those figures could not be independently verified.
The escalating conflict has also heightened concerns over global energy security. Military activity around the Strait of Hormuz has continued to disrupt maritime traffic, while renewed attacks on critical infrastructure contributed to another increase in international oil prices amid fears of prolonged supply disruptions.
Diplomatic efforts also suffered another setback after Iran announced it was suspending its commitments under an interim agreement with the United States, accusing Washington of violating the arrangement through its continued military operations. The United States has maintained that its strikes are intended to degrade Iran’s military capabilities and protect freedom of navigation in the Gulf.
The latest exchange underscores the widening regional impact of the conflict, with countries hosting U.S. military installations increasingly drawn into the confrontation despite not being direct combatants. Analysts warn that further attacks on Gulf energy infrastructure or shipping lanes could have significant economic consequences beyond the Middle East.
SAN PABLO CITY, Laguna – Every artist remembers the moment when art first found its way into the heart. For painter Jowell Legaspi Bantoto, it began not inside a museum or an art school, but at home, watching his aunt draw. He was fascinated as a few simple, curved lines slowly transformed into a human figure. To a child, it felt like magic. That sense of wonder never left him.
Today, Bantoto is an in-house artist of Paraiso de Avedad, one of San Pablo City’s growing centers for art and culture. His paintings are rooted in classical traditions yet carry a contemporary sensibility, often weaving together the beauty of the human figure and the quiet elegance of nature. Every canvas reflects not only years of discipline, but also a lifelong pursuit of meaning.
Long before he ever held a paintbrush with confidence, Bantoto immersed himself in books filled with Renaissance masterpieces and the works of history’s greatest painters. While others admired the finished artwork, he found himself wondering how those artists breathed life into an empty canvas. That curiosity became the foundation of his artistic journey.
“I’ve always loved the classical and traditional style of painting,” he said. “Those paintings taught me to appreciate beauty, balance and storytelling.”His own style has evolved into what he describes as traditional, but not overly academic, enriched by subtle modern influences. It is a style that respects the past while remaining open to new ways of seeing the world.
?Inspiration, he says, is never difficult to find. It comes from the things around me.” Trees, skies, light, people, emotions and everyday encounters often find their way into his work. Rather than treating nature as a backdrop, he allows it to become part of the story, blending landscapes with human figures to express harmony between people and the world they inhabit.
Like many oil painters, Bantoto follows a disciplined process before the first vibrant colors appear on the canvas. He begins by covering the white surface with a thin wash of burnt sienna, establishing the mood of the painting before carefully composing the subject. He works patiently from the larger forms toward the smallest details, allowing each layer to guide the next.
The process itself has also evolved. For years, the strong odor of traditional painting mediums made long hours in the studio challenging. Four years ago, he switched to odorless mineral spirits, making it possible to paint comfortably outdoors, where changing light and the natural environment continue to influence his work.
Ask him which painting is his favorite, and he smiles. He cannot choose.
Every painting carries a memory. Every finished canvas tells a different story. Each one reminds him of a particular season in life, a lesson learned or an emotion that words could never fully explain.
For Bantoto, however, the greatest gift of being an artist has little to do with exhibitions or recognition.
“It changed my life in a more spiritual way,” he shared. “Creating art, for me, is a form of meditation.” He believes that painting requires more than technical skill. It also demands humility.
“A wise person once told me that you don’t create art by yourself. There is a higher power where artistic ideas come from. They simply flow through us, and we place them on the canvas.” The thought stayed with him through the years.
It also explains why artists sometimes step back from their own work and quietly ask themselves, Did I really paint this?
For Bantoto, art is not something to possess. It is something entrusted to the artist for a greater purpose.
That same philosophy shapes the advice he now shares with young people who dream of becoming artists. “There is nothing wrong with being inspired by other artists,” he said. “But eventually, you have to find your own style.”
He encourages aspiring painters to draw every chance they get, reminding them that mastery is not built overnight but through countless sketches, mistakes, and quiet hours of practice.”If you feel that you have a calling, go for it,” he said. “Start sketching. Draw every day. You’ll be surprised how much you improve.”
Bantoto also considers himself fortunate to have found a creative home at Paraiso de Avedad, where artists are given opportunities to exhibit their work and continue growing. He believes that supporting artists means strengthening an entire community.
He has witnessed how San Pablo City’s art scene has flourished in recent years through the collective efforts of gallery owners, artists, patrons and cultural advocates. The San Pablo Art Circuit continues to attract collectors, visitors and creatives from different parts of the country, while events such as Colores de la Vida International Art and Bonsai Exhibit have transformed the city into a destination where culture, creativity and tourism meet.
Paraiso de Avedad continues to contribute to that movement through a series of exhibitions that celebrate both established and emerging artists. Its ongoing exhibit features the works of Tom Alvarado and Ameer Catandihan. A Marian Exhibit showcasing various images of the Blessed Virgin Mary is scheduled for August, followed by an exhibition in September featuring a well-known family of artists from Angono. October will bring the SAPAC Artstravaganza, while December will once again host Colores de la Vida, gathering artists from the Philippines and abroad in a celebration of artistic excellence and cultural exchange.
Looking ahead, Bantoto hopes his own journey will encourage others, especially the younger generation, to believe that creativity has the power to change lives.
His dream is simple. He wants people to feel joy whenever they stand before one of his paintings.
And if, somewhere in the crowd, a young child sees one of his works and decides to pick up a pencil for the very first time, then perhaps another artist’s journey has already begun.
Before ending the conversation, Bantoto offered one final thought that continues to guide his own life as an artist. “Keep challenging yourself. Remember that you don’t own your art. You were chosen to show the beauty of the world that remains invisible to many.”
Perhaps that is what every great artist ultimately does.
They help us see what has always been there, waiting quietly to be discovered.
For Bantoto, art is not something to possess. It is something entrusted to the artist for a greater purpose.
Looking ahead, Bantoto hopes his own journey will encourage others, especially the younger generation, to believe that creativity has the power to change lives.
After nearly four decades of being classified as a lower-middle-income economy, the Philippines is finally elevated by the World Bank to upper-middle-income country (UMIC) status. The country’s Gross National Income (GNI) per capita reached $4,850, surpassing the established threshold of $4,636. On the surface, this news appears to be a sweet victory worthy of celebration in major newspapers and press releases of government economic managers.
But within the context of development communication—a discipline that looks beyond mere figures to focus on tangible changes in people’s lives—this news presents a significant communication challenge. How do we report a macroeconomic achievement without appearing insensitive to the hardships experienced by the ordinary Filipino? “Lugmok na kami, ganyan pa iuulat ninyo?” the disadvantaged Filipinos may continue to complain.
We must therefore reconcile three distinct analytical perspectives in a bid to craft a meaningful narrative: the Marcos Jr. administration’s optimism, the critical analysis of academics, and the strategic warnings of think tanks and independent researchers.
Let us begin with the official stance as articulated by NEDA Director-General and DEPDev Secretary Arsenio Balisacan. He hails this development as proof of the national economy’s resilience and broad-based expansion, even in the wake of past adversities and the current learning crisis. From this perspective, the elevation to UMIC status serves as a crucial economic benchmark that sends a positive signal to foreign investors and boosts market confidence. Such a message is significant in terms of national morale, demonstrating that the country’s economic policies have a clear direction.
But there is wisdom in not resting on our laurels as I fully agree with economist Dr. Cielito Habito when he said that the country’s UMIC hinges solely on the numbers. If the government fails to address its internal problems, this “wealth” could simply cause the country’s economy to collapse again.
The youthful economist Dr. JC Punongbayan offers a much-needed reality check. As a critical voice, he consistently reminds us that GNI or Gross Domestic Product (GDP) does not automatically translate to a bountiful table for everyone. GNI per capita is a simple arithmetic calculation, dividing the country’s total income by its total population. It fails to account for the vast wealth gap between the rich and the poor in the country.
If we have unbridled enthusiasm reporting this news without mentioning stagnant real wages, insufficient education and health investments, and the almost always unabated burden of inflation on basic commodities, public trust in key agencies will suffer a serious rift.
And bridging that gap is the role of the Philippine Institute for Development Studies.
PIDS research shows that while the overall poverty rate is declining, a significant number of Filipinos remain in the “vulnerable” category. These are families who, in an instant—due to a severe typhoon, the illness of a breadwinner, or job loss—could easily fall back below the poverty line. Furthermore, PIDS warns of the risk of the so-called “middle-income trap” where a country reaches a middle-income level but fails to advance to high-income status due to low productivity and lack of innovation which, according to former Bangko Sentral Deputy Governor for the Monetary and Economics Sector Diwa Guinigundo, is the peak of development.
This is where the role of communicators, many of whom are development advocates too, becomes crucial, especially when they naturally and professionally collaborate with economists. The “language of ivory towers” prevails time and again, with economists providing us with their narrative in the language of graphs, coefficients, and econometric models that the public often fails to understand. On the other hand, the communications field tends to rush or oversimplify complex data, leading to misinterpretation or false hope at times.
Effectively conveying this information to the public requires a dynamic, two-way relationship. A communicator is not merely a translator but a strategist. They must help the economist find the human face behind the numbers. For instance, when Balisacan speaks of “broad-based expansion,” the communicator needs to ask: “How does this translate into the number of new regular jobs outside Metro Manila?” Similarly, when PIDS warns of “vulnerability,” it is the communicator’s role to craft stories and visual anchors that illustrate how a middle-income family could fall back into poverty due to a serious illness.
Moreover, economists must learn to listen to communicators to understand the pulse, emotions, and culture of the masses. Economics is not merely the science of financial wealth; it is the science of human behavior. If economists do not engage with communication experts, their excellent policy recommendations will remain confined to books, never embraced or supported by the public as their own advocacy. This is also in view of the Declaration of Principles and State Policies of the 1987 Philippine Constitution which provides that the State “shall free the people from poverty” and, of course, the United Nations’ “(ending) poverty in all its forms everywhere” by 2030 as part the Sustainable Development Goals mandate.
Effective communication in this regard requires radical transparency. Acknowledging shortcomings, such as the findings of PIDS or the critiques raised by Habito and Punongbayan, does not signal government weakness; rather, it demonstrates maturity.
When reports openly reveal that many sectors still require assistance, it creates space for the participation of the private sector, civil society organizations, and local communities.
Reporting on the current state of the Philippine economy should not devolve into a debate over whether we are developed or still poor. The reality is that both conditions coexist. The country is progressing as a whole, yet many individuals are still being left behind.
The challenge for us—through the collaboration of economists and communicators—is to craft a narrative that celebrates the nation’s achievements while boldly highlighting the gaps that need to be filled. We should not treat the upper-middle-income status as our destiny. We need to journey over land and seas together and have clear views of Mt. Apo and Mayon Volcano; meaning, we are willing and able to climb them, thrusting upon the greatness of our race.
COMMUNICATION IN THE IMPEACHMENT TRIAL
“Everybody should understand that ‘grave threats’ is a crime of communication and not a crime of physical action. The actus reus is the oral statement and the mens rea is the criminal intent. Hence no need to prove that there was an assassin that was actually engaged. That is a distraction.”
So says former law dean and TV personality Mel Sta. Maria.
He continues: “Basta binantaan mo ang isang tao: ‘Papatayin kita ng palakol na nasa cabinet ko’. Hindi pwedeng sabihing walang banta kasi hindi napatunayang yung palakol ay nasa cabinet.”
MANILA – Malapit nang magsampa ng kasong plunder ang Office of the Ombudsman laban kay dating House Speaker Martin Romualdez kaugnay ng umano’y mga iregularidad sa pambansang budget, ayon kay Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla.
Sinabi ni Remulla na nasa huling yugto na ang paghahanda ng reklamo, bagama’t isinasailalim pa ito sa masusing pagsusuri bago ihain para sa preliminary investigation.
“We’re very close to filing the plunder charges, but we still have to cross the t’s and dot the i’s. Ganoon na kalapit ‘yan. The cases are just about ready for preliminary investigation,” ani Remulla.
Ayon sa Ombudsman, nakalap na ng mga imbestigador ang sapat na ebidensiya upang suportahan ang kaso sa kabila ng inaasahang matinding legal na depensa mula sa kampo ng dating House Speaker.
Inihayag din ni Remulla na nakipagtulungan ang House of Representatives sa isinasagawang imbestigasyon.
“Basically, they have cooperated. Many have cooperated,” aniya.
Gayunman, sinabi niyang may ilang dating mambabatas ang hindi nakipagtulungan dahil umano sa posibilidad na sila ay may kaugnayan sa isinasagawang imbestigasyon.
Noong Mayo, inihayag ng Office of the Ombudsman na nakaranas ito ng pagkaantala sa pagkuha ng ilang dokumento mula sa Kamara matapos umanong tumanggi ang committee secretariat na magbigay ng mga hinihinging rekord. Sa kabila nito, tiniyak ni Remulla na hindi natigil ang imbestigasyon.
Nauna ring kinumpirma ng Ombudsman na tinanggap bilang state witness si dating Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan. Inaasahang magiging mahalaga ang kanyang testimonya sa pagpapatibay ng kasong inihahanda laban kay Romualdez.
Sa ilalim ng batas ng Pilipinas, ang plunder ay isang non-bailable offense kapag matibay ang ebidensiya ng pagkakasala at may kaugnayan sa umano’y iligal na pagkamal ng yaman ng isang pampublikong opisyal na lumalampas sa itinakdang halaga sa batas.
Samantala, wala pang inilalabas na opisyal na pahayag ang kampo ni Romualdez kaugnay ng pinakahuling pahayag ng Ombudsman.
Sa hiwalay na pahayag, kinumpirma ni Remulla na nagpapatuloy ang imbestigasyon ng Office of the Ombudsman laban kina Senators Francis “Chiz” Escudero at Joel Villanueva kaugnay ng umano’y kickback sa mga proyektong flood control.
Ginawa ni Remulla ang paglilinaw matapos lumabas ang alegasyong pinipili lamang ng kanyang tanggapan ang mga kasong kinasasangkutan ng mga miyembro ng minorya sa Senado.
Ayon sa Ombudsman, walang katotohanan ang naturang paratang at iginiit niyang walang kinikilingan ang kanilang mga imbestigasyon.
Si Villanueva ay isinangkot ni dating Bulacan First District Engineer Henry Alcantara, na nagsabing umano’y tumanggap ang senador ng P150 milyon mula sa P600 milyong multi-purpose building project sa Bulacan. Samantala, si Escudero ay iniuugnay rin sa umano’y kickback mula sa mga kuwestiyonableng flood control projects ng pamahalaan.
Mariing itinanggi nina Escudero at Villanueva ang lahat ng alegasyon laban sa kanila.
Binigyang-diin ni Remulla na ang mga kaso ay nakabatay sa ebidensiya at hindi sa partidong kinabibilangan ng mga taong iniimbestigahan. Dagdag pa niya, mayroon ding mga indibidwal na kaalyado ng kanyang tanggapan na nahaharap sa mga kasong isinampa ng Ombudsman.
Nauna ring umusbong ang mga haka-hakang maaaring hindi na umusad ang mga reklamo laban kina Escudero at Villanueva matapos silang maiugnay sa mayorya ng Senado sa ilalim ng pamumuno ni Senate President Win Gatchalian. Gayunman, iginiit ng Ombudsman na nagpapatuloy ang mga kaukulang imbestigasyon alinsunod sa umiiral na proseso ng batas.
MANILA – The Philippine government has lodged a formal diplomatic protest against China over an editorial video published by Chinese state-owned media outlet China Daily that allegedly portrayed Filipinos as monkeys, calling the material “demeaning, dehumanizing, and racist” and demanding its immediate removal.
In a statement issued Friday, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said it formally conveyed its “firm objection” to Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan during a meeting in Manila on Thursday. The protest centered on an animated opinion video posted on China Daily’s Facebook page on July 10, along with related editorial cartoons criticizing the 2016 South China Sea arbitral ruling. According to the DFA, the content crossed the line from political commentary to racial discrimination.
The video reportedly depicts a monkey wearing clothing resembling traditional Filipino attire while holding a paper labeled “South China Sea Arbitration Award.” During the animation, hands marked “USA” and “Japan” throw the monkey into the sea, where it is blasted by a water cannon resembling that of a Chinese Coast Guard vessel. The accompanying narration and caption argue that the arbitration ruling has become “a source of confrontation dressed up as law” and accuse Philippine leaders of allowing the country to become a pawn of foreign powers.
Philippine Foreign Undersecretary Leo Herrera-Lim demanded that the offensive materials be taken down, emphasizing that they are “inconsistent with the mutual respect expected between states.” The DFA said the Philippines also instructed its embassy in Beijing to send a formal letter to China Daily’s editor-in-chief reiterating Manila’s request for the immediate removal of the video and related content.
“The China Daily materials went beyond legitimate political debate by resorting to demeaning, dehumanizing, and racist depictions of Filipinos,” the DFA said in its protest. It added that disagreements over legal and political issues should never justify imagery that has no place in responsible public discourse between nations.
Responding in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said the video “does not represent the official position” of the Chinese government and declined to comment further on the content. However, he reiterated Beijing’s long-standing position that the 2016 South China Sea arbitration was “a political farce disguised as a legal proceeding,” maintaining that the ruling is “illegal, null and void” and has no binding effect on China.
The dispute stems from a landmark decision issued on July 12, 2016, by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The tribunal ruled overwhelmingly in favor of the Philippines, finding that China’s sweeping “nine-dash line” claim over most of the South China Sea had no legal basis under international law. China refused to participate in the arbitration proceedings and has consistently rejected the award.
The Philippine government recently marked the ninth anniversary of the arbitral ruling, describing it as a landmark affirmation of international law and the rules-based order. The ruling has since been reaffirmed by the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, and several other countries that have called on all parties to comply with international law and maintain freedom of navigation in the South China Sea.
Tensions between Manila and Beijing have remained high in recent years due to repeated confrontations between their coast guards and fishing vessels in disputed areas of the South China Sea, particularly around Second Thomas Shoal, Scarborough Shoal, and other contested maritime features. The strategic waterway is one of the world’s busiest shipping routes and is also claimed in part by Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan.
DUBAI – Fears of a broader regional conflict intensified Friday after the United States expanded its strikes on key transport infrastructure in Iran and Tehran retaliated by attacking a power generation and desalination plant in Kuwait, marking another sharp escalation in hostilities that is rattling global energy markets and raising concerns over civilian infrastructure.
According to Reuters, U.S. forces struck five bridges in southern Iran as well as an airport, targeting infrastructure Washington says is linked to Iranian military logistics. Iranian authorities said the attacks killed at least seven people and damaged transport facilities in Bandar Khamir and Iranshahr.
Iran responded by launching attacks against strategic infrastructure in Kuwait, including a power and desalination plant that supplies a significant portion of the country’s freshwater. The strike caused fires and disrupted power generation, highlighting the vulnerability of critical civilian infrastructure across the Gulf region.
Tehran also claimed responsibility for attacks on U.S. military installations in Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait, as well as a U.S. radar facility in Oman. Those claims had not been independently verified by U.S. officials at the time of reporting.
The latest exchange comes after a ceasefire agreement between Washington and Tehran collapsed earlier this month, triggering days of retaliatory military operations that have steadily widened the scope of the conflict. Analysts warn that attacks on transport links, energy facilities and water infrastructure increase the risk of drawing more countries into the crisis.
The strike on Kuwait’s desalination plant has drawn particular concern because desalination provides about 90 percent of the country’s drinking water. Experts say any sustained disruption could quickly affect millions of residents in one of the world’s most water-scarce regions. Similar facilities across the Gulf are considered highly vulnerable because many are located along the coastline and are closely integrated with power generation systems.
The fighting has also heightened concerns over the security of maritime trade routes. Shipping activity near the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea remains under close watch as military operations continue, with analysts warning that any disruption to these strategic waterways could further affect global energy supplies.
Financial markets reacted swiftly to the renewed violence. Oil prices climbed sharply on Friday as traders priced in the growing risk of supply disruptions from the Middle East, one of the world’s most important energy-producing regions. Brent crude rose above $86 per barrel while U.S. benchmark West Texas Intermediate traded above $80, extending weekly gains.
Diplomatic efforts to halt the fighting have so far shown little progress, with both Washington and Tehran continuing military operations while warning of further retaliation. Regional governments and international observers have urged restraint amid fears that continued attacks on civilian and strategic infrastructure could deepen the humanitarian and economic consequences of the conflict.
MANILA – Maglalaan ang pamahalaan ng panibagong cash assistance para sa humigit-kumulang 7.5 milyong mahihirap at low-income na kabahayan sa buong bansa bilang tugon sa epekto ng pagtaas ng presyo ng langis na dulot ng panibagong tensyon sa Middle East, ayon kay Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Inanunsiyo ng Pangulo nitong Huwebes ang pagpapalawak ng Uplift Assistance Program, isang ayuda na ipatutupad ng Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) upang matulungan ang mga pamilyang higit na naaapektuhan ng tumataas na halaga ng mga pangunahing bilihin at gastusin.
“Sa ilalim ng programang ito, agad na makatatanggap ng tulong ang 7.5 milyong kabahayan, o katumbas ng 37.5 milyong Pilipino sa buong bansa,” pahayag ni Marcos.
Ayon sa Pangulo, mahahati sa tatlong pangunahing grupo ang mga benepisyaryo ng programa.
Una, nasa 1.5 milyong low-income earners na beripikado ng Social Security System (SSS) ang makatatanggap ng P2,000 kada buwan mula Hulyo hanggang Disyembre 2026, o kabuuang P12,000 bawat benepisyaryo sa loob ng anim na buwan.
Pangalawa, 3.5 milyong benepisyaryo ng Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) at Walang Gutom Program ang tatanggap ng one-time cash grant na P2,000.
Samantala, makikinabang din ang 2.5 milyong mahihirap at near-poor households na natukoy sa pamamagitan ng 2024 Community-Based Monitoring System (CBMS).
Ayon kay Marcos, layunin ng Uplift Assistance Program na matiyak na patuloy na matutugunan ng mga pamilyang Pilipino ang kanilang pang-araw-araw na pangangailangan sa kabila ng tumitinding hamon sa ekonomiya.
“Pinalawak natin ang saklaw ng programa upang mas marami ang makinabang,” ayon sa pangulo.
Sinabi rin niya na isasagawa ang distribusyon ng ayuda sa pamamagitan ng digital payment systems upang mapabilis ang pagpapadala ng pondo at mabawasan ang abala sa mga benepisyaryo.
Naglaan ang Department of Budget and Management (DBM) ng P12.375 bilyon upang pondohan ang implementasyon ng programa.
Ang karagdagang ayuda ay inanunsiyo kasabay ng pagtaas ng presyo ng langis sa pandaigdigang merkado, na iniuugnay sa panibagong paglala ng tensyon sa Gitnang Silangan. Ang pagtaas ng presyo ng krudo ay nagdudulot ng domino effect sa transportasyon, pagkain, at iba pang pangunahing bilihin, kaya’t inaasahang magsisilbing pansamantalang suporta ang Uplift Assistance Program para sa mga pinakaapektadong sektor.
Ayon sa Malacañang, layunin ng programa na matiyak na walang maiiwang Pilipino habang patuloy na hinaharap ng bansa ang epekto ng pandaigdigang krisis sa ekonomiya at enerhiya.
MAJAYJAY, Laguna – Art lovers and visitors are invited to experience the creativity and cultural heritage of Majayjay through the Daloy Art Exhibit, a month-long showcase of works by local artists hosted by MokaDrip from July 15 to August 15.
The exhibition brings together paintings and other visual artworks created by Majayjay-based artists, offering residents and tourists an opportunity to discover, appreciate and purchase original pieces while supporting the town’s growing creative community.
Organizers said the exhibit celebrates the artistic talent of local creatives and highlights the role of art in preserving culture, telling stories and strengthening community identity.
The opening of the exhibit also marks a collaborative effort between MokaDrip and Majayjay’s local artists to provide an accessible venue where emerging and established artists can present their work to a wider audience.
“Daloy,” the Filipino word for “flow,” reflects the continuous movement of creativity, ideas and cultural expression. The exhibit encourages visitors to experience how art can connect people, inspire conversations and celebrate the unique character of Majayjay.
Beyond serving as a gallery, MokaDrip transforms its café space into a creative hub where visitors can enjoy local art in a relaxed setting. Similar café galleries have become increasingly popular in the Philippines, providing artists with alternative exhibition spaces while making art more accessible to the public. Art spaces integrated into cafés have also helped cultivate local tourism and support creative entrepreneurship by connecting artists directly with potential collectors and patrons.
The exhibit reflects a broader movement across the country to promote community-based art initiatives that encourage cultural participation outside traditional museums and galleries. Cultural organizations have emphasized that local exhibitions play an important role in nurturing emerging artists, preserving local heritage and stimulating creative economies through public engagement.
Visitors have until August 15 to explore the collection and support Majayjay’s artists by purchasing original works on display.
The Daloy Art Exhibit is open to the public during MokaDrip’s regular business hours.
The exhibit was highlighted by artist Tom Alvarado, who captivated visitors with his live quick portrait sessions.
Organizers said the exhibit celebrates the artistic talent of local creatives and highlights the role of art in preserving culture, telling stories and strengthening community identity.
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