BALITANG MARINO DAILY NEWS for May 29, 2026
Oil prices bounce higher after new US strikes on Iran
Japan to switch to revamped weather warning system
How Strait of Hormuz Disruptions Impact Global Maritime Logistics, Law and Policy
RISK4SEA launches Global PSC Intelligence Layer for live port intelligence and PSC hotspot monitoring
Seafarers caught between crime, criminalization and conflict
Marcos courts Japanese investors, secures P210-billion commitments
Plunder, graft cases filed vs Estrada, Bonoan
Angeles building collapse death toll rises to 5
TS Domeng unlikely to directly affect PH
Kanlaon Volcano spews 1.2-kilometer ash plume
Navy christens PH’s 2nd offshore patrol vessel
GCash taps TransferGo for Europe remittances
ICC trial: Up to 70 witnesses eyed vs Duterte
Alex Eala, Zack Tabudlo among Filipinos in new Forbes 30 Under 30 list
Ian Veneracion ‘not interested in political personalities’
Ice Seguerra returns to ‘Eat Bulaga’ as show director
Ailing Sinner falls to Cerundolo in French Open second-round shock
MPBL: Are shines as Zamboanga halts Pasig’s winning run
Onic dispatches M7 champ Aurora; Omega Esports dominates Twisted Minds
10 Business Ideas for the Summer Season in the Philippines
FULL NEWSPAPER
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Oil prices bounce higher after new US strikes on Iran
May 29 —— Oil prices bounced higher after new US strikes on Iran, the latest test of a shaky ceasefire as diplomatic efforts to end the war persist.
Brent North Sea crude, the main international benchmark, rose by nearly two percent to $96.13 a barrel, while the main US contract, WTI, increased by 1.75 percent to $90.23 a barrel. The higher prices followed Wednesday’s declines on the hopes of an imminent deal to avoid further hostilities in the Mideast war, which has halted shipping through the crucial Strait of Hormuz for months.
An American official said Thursday morning Hong Kong time that the US military had shot down four Iranian drones and struck a control center in the southern city of Bandar Abbas. On Wednesday, an Iranian Revolutionary Guards official had said that renewed war with the United States was unlikely but warned that Iran stood ready against any attack.
Source: news.abs-cbn.com
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Japan to switch to revamped weather warning system
TOKYO, May 29 —— Japan will switch to a revamped weather warning system Thursday, ahead of the country’s rainy and typhoon seasons.
The Japan Meteorological Agency and the land ministry will introduce the improved system featuring five alert levels for flooding, heavy rain, landslides, and storm surges. An emergency warning will be issued for a natural disaster that may have already occurred and will lead municipalities to declare a Level 5 situation and issue an order urging residents to take emergency action to protect themselves.
A danger warning, which is a newly established category, will be announced for a Level 4 situation, and will prompt municipalities to instruct residents to evacuate. A regular warning will be issued for a Level 3 situation, when an evacuation order for elderly and other vulnerable people will be announced.
An advisory will be issued for a Level 2 situation and early warning information, or an alert over a possible disaster that may happen over the next five days, will be announced for a Level 1 situation. Flooding alerts will cover 400 large rivers across Japan, with an urgent warning newly added to the list of warnings and alerts.
Heavy rain alerts will cover the flooding of smaller rivers, while landslide alerts will warn people about landslides on steep slopes and debris flows. Storm surges are defined as rises in sea level caused by a decrease in atmospheric pressure and by tides crashing against coasts due to strong winds from typhoons. They are not, however, tsunamis, which are triggered by earthquakes.
Such storm surges can result in prolonged flooding in coastal areas, with high tides delivering further blows. While the alerts will be based on tide levels, they will also reflect wave run-up heights in the future. Run-up height will first be reflected in alerts covering the city of Kurobe, and the towns of Nyuzen and Asahi in the central Japan prefecture of Toyama, or the municipalities hit especially hard by a 2008 tsunami, and will then be expanded to cover other areas of the country. Disaster risk is heightened by a linear precipitation zone. In addition to its 12-hour forecast, the agency will also start providing two- to three-hour forecasts covering smaller areas.
Source: pna.gov.ph
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MARITIME NEWS
How Strait of Hormuz Disruptions Impact Global Maritime Logistics, Law and Policy
May 29 —— Since the Iranian Revolution and overthrow of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi in 1979, the Strait of Hormuz has been a geographic constant as a choke point for which closure has been threatened from time to time but never truly closed. The longstanding assumption of the continued openness of the strait collapsed on February 28, 2026.
In the weeks since Iran effectively shut the strait to commercial shipping in response to U.S. and Israeli military strikes and the U.S. established its own blockade, the global maritime transportation system has been forced into a rerouting effort of historic proportions. The consequences have rippled far beyond just oil and gas markets, exposing vulnerabilities in global supply chains and potentially threatening important aspects of the customary international law of the sea that are centuries upon centuries old.
The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow waterway—a little under 18 nautical miles wide at its narrowest point—that connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the wider Arabian Sea. Before the current crisis, roughly 25 percent of the world’s seaborne crude oil trade and roughly 20 percent of global liquefied natural gas (LNG) transited the passage daily. Previously, on an average day well over 100 vessels moved through the strait carrying millions of barrels of oil, vast volumes of LNG, and significant quantities of petrochemicals and fertilizers. Asian economies—China, India, Japan, and South Korea—received the bulk of the crude oil transiting the strait, making it an arterial lifeline for the world’s most dynamic manufacturing economies.
Closure of the strait has made clear an uncomfortable truth: the $123 trillion global economy can be held hostage across a stretch of water just a few miles wide. The crisis in the strait escalated rapidly after U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran beginning on February 28, 2026. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) issued warnings forbidding commercial passage, boarded and attacked merchant ships, and laid mines throughout the strait. Within days, major ocean carriers suspended all transits. The IRGC confirmed the formal closure on March 2, 2026.
The situation devolved further when, following the collapse of diplomatic talks in Islamabad, Pakistan, the U.S. Navy imposed its own blockade of Iranian ports beginning April 13, 2026, creating what analysts came to call a “dual blockade.” Iran also began charging vessels tolls exceeding $1 million per ship for limited passage through Iranian-controlled corridors, further distorting normal commercial operations.
With both the Strait of Hormuz closed and the Bab al Mandeb Strait in and out of the Red Sea vulnerable to Houthi attacks, carriers have been left with only one alternative for Asia-Europe transit: the Cape of Good Hope route around southern Africa.
The Cape route adds 10 to 14 days to a typical Asia-Europe transit and significantly increases fuel consumption and other operating costs per voyage. Container shipping rates surged during the 2024 Red Sea crisis when the Cape route was last pressed into wide use, and the current disruption is far more severe. Traffic around the Cape has remained consistently elevated, with daily transits well above historical norms as operators commit to the longer but safer route.
The increased costs and transit times pose obvious supply chain challenges, but the real problem is capacity, particularly in the case of crude oil. All feasible bypass alternatives to the Strait of Hormuz combined, including the Cape route and Middle Eastern pipelines, can handle at most approximately 10 million barrels per day. Normal Hormuz throughput before the closure was estimated at 20 million barrels per day. Even if every bypass runs at maximum capacity simultaneously, a gap of at least 10 million barrels per day remains with no short-term solution.
Specific pipeline bypass routes do exist but are limited.
This is somewhat surprising given the fact that the Strait of Hormuz has loomed as a choke point over Western Persian Gulf countries’ economies since 1979. The UAE’s Abu Dhabi Crude Oil Pipeline (ADCOP) from Habshan to the port city of Fujairah was specifically built to bypass the strait, but at full capacity it can move roughly less than one-tenth of normal strait crude oil throughput. Saudi Arabia’s East-West Pipeline connects Persian Gulf production to Yanbu on the Red Sea, providing an alternative crude export route. It was severely degraded in an attack in early April, but quickly restored to its full capacity of 7 million barrels per day. Iraq reportedly will reopen a long-dormant crude oil pipeline running from Kirkuk to Turkey’s port of Ceyhan. It is thought to have a potential full capacity of 1.5 million barrels per day, but currently is said to have capacity to move only a quarter to a half million barrels per day.
On top of, and even more important than, the logistics challenges posed, the current Strait of Hormuz situation could have serious negative repercussions for what is well-settled customary international law regarding freedom of navigation and right of innocent passage.
The international law of the sea provides us with the rules that govern relationships between countries regarding the use and control of the sea and its resources. Until the 17th century, it was assumed that political control and even national sovereignty could be asserted over the sea. Particularly in ancient times, the Rhodians, Carthaginians, and Romans all actively sought to control the seas as far out from their shores as possible. For the Romans, at the height of their empire this amounted to attempted control over the entire Mediterranean Sea.
It was not until Dutch jurist and philosopher Hugo De Groot wrote a book called Mare Liberum (the “Free Sea” or “Open Sea”) in 1608 that the seeds were sewn for what would become the legal doctrine of freedom of the seas. De Groot asserted that the seas are common property owned by all mankind and that ships of every nation have the freedom to navigate them. Others, most notably Englishman John Selden, argued that nations should establish sea frontiers, and that foreign vessels be allowed to sail in sovereign waters as a privilege rather than a right (“mare clausum”). Ultimately, De Groot’s freedom of the seas prevailed and became established doctrine under customary international law.
Because there is no lawgiver or true law enforcer at the international level, the international law of the sea really has one true source, which is the common will of countries. Most countries of the world have acceded to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), with two notable exceptions being the United States and Iran. UNCLOS amounts to an affirmative restatement of customary international law and U.S. courts recognize much of it as such. Articles 37 and 38 of UNCLOS provide that in straits used for international navigation like the Strait of Hormuz, all ships enjoy a right of transit passage, which means the exercise of freedom of navigation solely for the purpose of continuous and expeditious transit through the strait.
If, in our negotiations for the cessation of our attacks on Iran and an ultimate return to peace, we concede some authority or right of Iran to charge a toll to transit the Strait of Hormuz, the United States and the rest of the world will have lost a navigation right all nations have enjoyed for hundreds of years. Even worse is the precedential value of such a concession. What action might China take in the Strait of Taiwan? What action might Russia attempt in the Bering Strait? What of the Turkish Straits, the Strait of Malacca, the Bab al-Mandeb? The geopolitical, national security, and distortive economic and logistics implications are quite serious.
Let us hope that the United States and other nations of the world will reject such an idea outright if it is raised.
Source: marinelink.com
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RISK4SEA launches Global PSC Intelligence Layer for live port intelligence and PSC hotspot monitoring
May 29 —— RISK4SEA has launched ports.risk4sea.com, a dedicated intelligence environment designed to provide the maritime industry with live Port State Control (PSC) intelligence, predictive operational insights and global port-level benchmarking across the evolving PSC landscape.
The new intelligence layer provides free access to live PSC intelligence for Bulkers, Tankers, Containers and General Cargo vessels, transforming PSC inspection and detention data into actionable intelligence through dynamic Port Intelligence Snapshots, PSC Hotspots and live intelligence filtering capabilities.
Built on RISK4SEA’s PSC Intelligence Platform and proprietary methodologies, the subdomain enables maritime stakeholders to monitor how PSC behavior evolves globally and how inspection patterns, detention exposure and deficiency trends differ from port to port and segment to segment. “Every port leaves a PSC fingerprint,” said Apo Belokas, CEO of RISK4SEA. “The objective of ports.risk4sea.com is to provide the industry with live visibility into PSC behavior worldwide and convert PSC signals into actionable intelligence. We wanted to establish a global PSC intelligence layer allowing operators to monitor, predict and prepare for PSC conditions before arrival.”
At the center of the new environment are the Port Intelligence Snapshots, providing consolidated operational visibility into each port’s PSC environment including Port State Control inspections, detentions, deficiency exposure, PSC conditions, PSC alerts, stress indicators, KPI benchmarking and top deficiency trends.
Users can explore PSC Hotspots worldwide through a live global intelligence map and apply multiple intelligence filters related to detention activity, PSC conditions, PSC alerts, PSC stress levels and evolving port risk signals.
The platform incorporates RISK4SEA’s proprietary KPI framework including:
• Deficiency Per Inspection (DPI)
• Detention Rate (DER)
• SMS Deficiency Rate (SDR)
• Human Factors & Crewing (HFC mDPI)
• Regulatory & Operational Compliance (ROC mDPI)
• Ship Structure & Equipment (SSE mDPI)
• Predicted Deficiency Index (PDI)
According to RISK4SEA, the objective of the initiative is not merely to display historical PSC data but to provide the industry with a live intelligence environment capable of identifying changing PSC conditions, emerging hotspots and evolving deficiency behavior before operational consequences materialize. “PSC preparation can no longer rely on static checklists and generic benchmarking,” added Apo Belokas. “PSC behavior is dynamic, port-specific and segment-specific. The industry increasingly requires live intelligence capable of identifying emerging PSC hotspots, recurring deficiency patterns and deteriorating PSC conditions in near-real-time.”
Among the key benefits for maritime stakeholders are:
• Live Port Intelligence Visibility: Monitor how PSC conditions, detention activity and deficiency exposure evolve globally across ports and vessel segments.
• Early Identification of PSC Hotspots: Identify ports with elevated detention exposure, recurring deficiencies, rising PSC stress levels and active alert signals before arrival.
• Better Operational Preparation: Support ship operators, superintendents and crews with actionable intelligence helping improve PSC preparedness and reduce operational exposure.
The launch of ports.risk4sea.com forms part of RISK4SEA’s broader strategy to establish a Global PSC Intelligence Layer combining predictive PSC intelligence, benchmarking, alerts, PSC climate monitoring and end-to-end PSC preparation automation.
RISK4SEA is a PSC Intelligence Platform delivering predictive PSC intelligence, benchmarking and PSC automation solutions to the maritime industry. The platform supports ship managers, operators and maritime stakeholders in monitoring PSC behavior, reducing detention exposure and improving operational preparedness worldwide through live intelligence, alerts, benchmarking, port-specific PSC analytics and closed-loop end-to-end PSC automation currently supporting more than 6,500 ships globally.
Source: safety4sea.com
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Seafarers caught between crime, criminalization and conflict
May 29 —— Out at sea, conditions can appear calm and routine. But for the men and women who keep global trade moving, that calm can quickly give way to danger, BIMCO highlights in its latest campaign film.
BIMCO’s ongoing “Seafarers Deserve Fair Seas” campaign, seeks to highlight the risks faced by crews at sea and promote fairer treatment and stronger protections. The initiative focuses on raising awareness of issues ranging from unjust imprisonment to exposure to conflict-related violence.
As global trade continues to depend on maritime transport, industry voices say greater attention to seafarer welfare will be essential to ensuring a safer and more sustainable future at sea.
Seafarers transport nearly 12.5 billion tons of goods each year, including oil, iron ore, grain, and other commodities essential to daily life. Global shipping trade was valued at an estimated $16.8 trillion in 2023, underscoring just how critical maritime transport is to the world economy.
Yet behind those figures lies a profession exposed to a wide range of risks, from severe weather and collisions to piracy, armed conflict, and even criminal prosecution.
One of those seafarers is Andre Lasota, who began his career in 1969 at just 14 years old and later became a ship captain. In 2019, a routine voyage from Colombia to Mexico ended in crisis when suspicious cargo was discovered on board without the crew’s knowledge.
Mexican authorities later confirmed the shipment contained 240 kilograms of cocaine. Shortly after arriving in port, the vessel was raided by armed forces, and the entire crew was detained.
Lasota was held responsible as shipmaster for the illegal cargo. He spent nearly two years in prison without trial, describing overcrowded conditions and severe hardship.
After 20 months, a judge ultimately dismissed all charges, finding him not guilty. He retired following the ordeal. His case is not isolated. One maritime source estimates that at least 96 seafarers have faced criminalization since 2020.
Beyond legal risks, seafarers are also increasingly exposed to geopolitical conflict. During the 2026 Middle East conflict, more than 20,000 seafarers were reportedly stranded in the Persian Gulf, with at least 10 killed as a result of hostilities.
Jakob Larsen, Chief Safety and Security Officer at BIMCO, says these risks are becoming harder to separate from everyday commercial operations at sea. “Seafarers are a vital part of underpinning our way of life. Around 80% of the world’s goods are transported by sea. They face risks ranging from bad weather, collisions and groundings, to political risks such as armed conflict.” Jakob Larsen highlighted.
In 2022, a cargo vessel bound for Italy was caught in crossfire during the war in Ukraine while waiting to load cargo at the port of Olvia. A missile strike damaged the ship and killed one of its engineers.
Calls are now growing for stronger protections for seafarers and improved coordination between governments and maritime authorities.
Larsen argues that responsibility lies primarily with states to reduce exposure to risk and improve safeguards for crews operating in conflict-affected waters. He also points to gaps in communication between authorities that can leave seafarers vulnerable in crisis situations. “Communication between different authorities and governments could probably improve quite a lot,” he said.
He added that the human element of global trade is often overlooked. “When people see big ships passing by, they don’t necessarily think about the people working hard to keep that ship going. It’s actually people that are involved here, and people matter.” said Larsen.
Source: safety4sea.com
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PHILIPPINE NEWS
Marcos courts Japanese investors, secures P210-billion commitments
TOKYO, Japan, May 29 —— President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. secured around $3.4 billion or roughly P210 billion in investment commitments from Japanese companies during a high-level business roundtable meeting in Tokyo.
The commitments were announced during the President’s meeting with top Japanese business executives at the Imperial Hotel as part of his four-day state visit to Japan. According to the Presidential Communications Office, the investments are expected to generate thousands of jobs, strengthen local industries, improve tourism infrastructure, and support technology transfer across key sectors.
In his remarks, Marcos highlighted the importance of deeper economic cooperation between the Philippines and Japan amid global economic uncertainties. “We are entering a new chapter defined not only by friendship, but by deeper integration, shared growth, and a common belief in the future,” the President said.
The chief executive also thanked Japanese companies operating in the Philippines, including All Nippon Airways, Toyota, Mitsubishi Corporation, Marubeni, Panasonic and Fast Retailing, for their continued confidence in the Philippine economy. The business roundtable was part of Marcos’ state visit to Japan, aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation in trade, investments, defense and regional security.
Source: philstar.com
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Plunder, graft cases filed vs Estrada, Bonoan
MANILA, Philippines, May 29 —— Sen. Jinggoy Estrada is facing a new charge of plunder, his third, and another case for graft over his alleged involvement in the multibillion-peso flood control scandal. The Office of the Ombudsman charged Estrada, along with former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) secretary Manuel Bonoan, before the Sandiganbayan over the alleged P573 million worth of kickbacks from various flood control projects.
Others named in the charges were former DPWH-National Capital Region assistant district engineer Denryl Caesar Cortuna as well as district engineers Manny Bulusan and Arturo Gonzales Jr. Estrada in a statement denied the allegations, citing a Senate Legislative Budget Research and Monitoring Office letter, which states that he did not insert any project for funding in the 2025 General Appropriations Act that became the source of flood control kickbacks. “We will exhaust all legal remedies. My lawyers are preparing the necessary steps to show the irregularities in the process and the pieces of
evidence that were not weighed and considered,” Estrada said in mixed English.
He claimed that the cases were filed against him after he aligned himself with the new majority, led by Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano. “Kapanasin-pansin din na, mula nang magpalit ng liderato sa Senado, naging mabilis ang pag-usad ng mga kasong kinasasangkutan ng ilang miyembro ng majority bloc,” Estrada said. “As I have said before, if this is the price that I have to pay for standing by my principles and for what I believe in, then so be it. I will continue to seek the truth and defend my name in the right forum and according to law,” he added.
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said he has coordinated with Estrada about the impending arrest and laid out options for a surrender. “I talked to him already. I gave him options and he said he will think about it,” Remulla said in a message on Viber. Remulla did not give details on his conversation with Estrada and whether they apply the same template for former senator Ramon Revilla Jr.
The Sandiganbayan raffled to the Second and Fifth Divisions the graft cases and the plunder case to the Fifth Division. Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said anti-graft prosecutors have recommended no bail in the cases, adding that they would seek a hold departure order against the respondents to “preserve the integrity of the case in court.”
Source: philstar.com
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Angeles building collapse death toll rises to 5
MANILA, Philippines, May 29 —— Authorities retrieved another dead body from the rubble of the collapsed building in Angeles City, raising the death toll to five.
The victim was transported to the City Health Office in Angeles for identification, according to the Angeles City Public Information Office. A cellular phone recovered near the body, which authorities believe belongs to the victim, was also turned over to the Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) for investigation. “As of this posting, Search and Rescue, Retrieval and Clearing Operations, as well as the management of the dead and missing, remain ongoing under the Unified Command Management Option,” the city’s public information office said.
Authorities shifted to search and retrieval operations on May 27 after announcing that no signs of life were detected at the incident site. However, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla said on May 28 that search and rescue operations will continue to look for missing victims. “It is still a search and rescue operation. Hindi pa po tayo nawawalan ng pag-asa na may buhay pa sa loob”, Remulla said.
As of Thursday, 15 remain missing and 26 have been rescued. It was earlier reported that workers were asleep inside the nine-story under-construction building when it collapsed at 3 a.m. on May 24. The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) flagged the presence of sleeping quarters inside the construction site as one of several possible violations of occupational safety and health standards connected to the incident. A work stoppage order had previously been issued by the DOLE Region 3 office against the construction of the building, according to Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino. Tolentino has already suspended Region 3 Director Geraldine Panlilio as part of the ongoing investigation into the incident.
Source: philstar.com
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TS Domeng unlikely to directly affect PH
MANILA, May 29 —— Tropical Storm (TS) Jangmi entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) early Friday and was given the local name Domeng. It is packing maximum sustained winds of 75 km. per hour (kph) near the center, and gustiness of up to 90 kph.
The TS was located 1,345 km. east of southeastern Luzon, moving northwestward at 20 kph. No wind signal is hoisted on any part of the country. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Domeng is less likely to directly affect the country’s weather condition in the next 24 hours.
Domeng, however, enhances the southwesterly windflow, which is forecast to bring heavy rains over the western portion of the country beginning Sunday. The enhanced southwesterly windflow will also cause strong to gale-force gusts over many parts of the country beginning Saturday, PAGASA said.
Source: pna.gov.ph
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Kanlaon Volcano spews 1.2-kilometer ash plume
May 29 —— An ash plume rose from Kanlaon Volcano as the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) reported an ongoing ash emission event that began yesterday.
Phivolcs said the activity generated grayish ash plumes rising about 1,200 meters above the summit crater before drifting southwest, based on images captured by the IP camera at the Kanlaon Volcano Observatory in Canlaon City. The agency also recorded 18 volcanic earthquakes over the past 24 hours, including one volcanic tremor that lasted four minutes.
Kanlaon Volcano remains under Alert Level 2, or moderate level of unrest, a status that has been in effect since July 29, 2025.
Phivolcs said Alert Level 2 signifies increased unrest and the possibility of sudden explosive eruptions. The agency reiterated that entry into the volcano’s four-kilometer permanent danger zone remains strictly prohibited due to hazards such as ashfall, ballistic fragments, pyroclastic density currents, and volcanic gases.
Communities near rivers and streams draining the volcano were also advised to remain vigilant, particularly during heavy rainfall, due to the risk of lahars. Phivolcs also warned civil aviation authorities against flying close to the volcano’s summit because of possible ash emissions.
Source: mb.com.ph
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Navy christens PH’s 2nd offshore patrol vessel
MANILA, May 29 —— The Philippine Navy (PN) on Thursday said it has formally christened the country’s second offshore patrol vessel, BRP Rajah Lakandula (PS-21), during simple ceremonies held at the Naval Operating Base–Subic in Zambales last May 26.
PN public affairs office chief Captain Marie Angelica DC Sisican, in a message to the Philippine News Agency, said the “christening symbolizes the formal blessing of the vessel and the official unveiling of its name before it enters active service with the Philippine Fleet (PF).” The christening is “rooted in naval tradition, (with) the ceremony also (signifying) deep aspiration for the safety and success of the ship and its crew,” she added.
The PN’s christening ceremonies for the ship was held at Quay 7, Naval Operating Base–Subic with PF commander Rear Admiral Joe Anthony Orbe as keynote speaker. Orbe said the unveiling of the ship’s name and bow number reflects the “continuing modernization of the PN and our resolve to build a force that is more capable, responsive, and prepared to protect our maritime domain.” “As we formally (christened) BRP Rajah Lakandula, may she sail with honor, strength, and purpose. May she serve as a symbol of courage, dedication, and national pride for generations of Filipino sailors to come,” the PF commander said.
BRP Rajah Lakandula is the sister ship of the first OPV, BRP Rajah Sulayman (PS-20), which was placed in active service on Feb. 24 this year. BRP Rajah Lakandula and the BRP Rajah Sulayman are part of the six OPV contract from South Korean shipbuilder HD Hyundai Heavy Industries worth PHP30 billion, signed on June 27, 2022.
Four more OPVs are scheduled to be delivered until 2028. BRP Rajah Lakandula left South Korea last May 4 and arrived at Subic Bay on May 8, These OPVs measure 94.4 meters long and 14.3 meters wide, with a displacement of 2,400 tons, maximum speed of 22 knots, cruising speed of 15 knots and 5,500 nautical miles range.
Commissioning ceremonies, or the placing of BRP Rajah Lakandula into active service, was initially scheduled for May 29, the PN’s celebration of its 128th founding anniversary but this was moved to a later date due to conflict in schedule as President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. was supposed to be the guest-of-honor and speaker.
The Chief Executive left for Japan last Tuesday for a four-day state visit and is expected to return to the country by Friday.
Source: pna.gov.ph
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GCash taps TransferGo for Europe remittances
MANILA, Philippines, May 29 —— E-wallet giant GCash is partnering with TransferGo to offer secure and affordable remittance services to Filipinos in Europe.
The partnership addresses the challenges encountered by overseas Filipino workers in sending money, such as slow transfer times, hidden fees, or limited payout options. GCash said its collaboration with TransferGo enables instant and secure fund transfers to the Philippines, giving families easier access to financial support for everyday needs.
TransferGo users in the United Kingdom and across Europe can now send money straight to GCash wallets. Recipients can immediately use the funds for bills, online payments, cash withdrawals, or other financial needs, all within the GCash ecosystem. “This partnership strengthens GCash’s international remittance network and ensures that Filipino families get their funds quickly, safely and conveniently. We are committed to financial inclusion and empowering every Filipino to manage their money, whether they are here at home or abroad,” GCash International general manager Arjun Varma said.
For TransferGo, a leading international money transfer service across Europe, the partnership expands payout options in Southeast Asia. “We remain steadfast in our commitment to providing our customers with more opportunities to stay connected with family and friends. We do this by delivering more affordable, fast and reliable money transfer solutions for the Filipino diaspora,” TransferGo CEO and co-founder Daumantas Dvilinskas said.
In line with its vision of finance for all, GCash, the country’s leading finance superapp, ensures that every Filipino can access essential financial services and support their families with ease and security wherever they are.
Source: philstar.com
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ICC trial: Up to 70 witnesses eyed vs Duterte
MANILA, Philippines, May 29 —— As many as 70 witnesses against former president Rodrigo Duterte may be presented during his coming trial for crimes against humanity before the International Criminal Court.
ICC senior trial lawyer Julian Nicholls confirmed this during the first status conference on the case held by the ICC Trial Chamber III at the tribunal’s Courtroom 1 in The Hague. In its earlier filing, the ICC Office of the Prosecutor said that it intends to rely on the evidence from approximately 60 to 70 witnesses at trial, subject to further investigations and potential addition of witnesses. These include 31 “insider witnesses,” 17 crime-based witnesses and 12 witnesses “who are relevant to explain the background and the contextual elements of the crimes charged.”
The prosecutor intends to call 25 to 30 of these witnesses to give viva voce or verbal testimony during the trial. The rest of the witnesses would be presented under ICC’s Rule 68, which allows “the introduction of previously recorded audio or video testimony of a witness, or the transcript or other documented evidence of such testimony.” “The prosecution intends to call as many of its witnesses as possible to testify in person at the seat of the Court,” ICC deputy prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang said in his May 15 filing. “However, the prosecution anticipates that some witnesses may need to testify via audio/video link where the witness is unable to travel to the seat of the Court,” he added.
The prosecution estimated that its direct examination of the witnesses will take approximately 175 to 200 hours. During the status conference, Presiding Judge Joanna Korner urged the prosecution to “consider very carefully” the 197 speeches identified as part of its evidence.
Nicholls assured the judges that they would narrow down the list and would not play all of these speeches, presumably by Duterte and other officials, during trial. Korner immediately set the tone for Duterte’s upcoming trial at the start of the status conference, the first to be conducted by the ICC Trial Chamber III constituted to handle the case. “In respect of trials, efficiency and effectiveness is dependent on actions taken by all parties to a trial,” Korner said.
She stressed that presentation of evidence “must take place in the shortest and clearest way” and reminded parties to avoid unnecessary and lengthy legal arguments. Duterte, who was allowed to skip the proceedings, was represented by his new lead defense counsel Peter Haynes and associate counsel Kate Gibson. Joining Korner were Judges Keebong Paek and Nicolas Guillou, while the victims were represented by Filipino lawyer Joel Butuyan and Paolina Massidda of the ICC Office of Public Counsel for the Victims.
Korner deferred ruling on the start of the trial date pending a re-examination of Duterte’s fitness to stand trial. She said the independent panel of medical experts that previously examined the 81-year-old former president would again be instructed to assess his medical condition. “As regards having them brought for any questioning, I rather think we’ll wait and see what the reports say before we make such a decision,” she said.
Haynes, whom Duterte tapped for the trial, earlier raised the need for the Trial Chamber to rule on the former president’s fitness before setting a trial date. He said during the status conference that they would be ready for whatever date the judges would eventually set.
The ICC prosecutor wants Duterte’s trial to begin on Nov. 30, while lawyers representing the victims said it would be feasible to start as early as September. Massidda said the victims would be amenable to a later trial date this year, but not to the January 2027 proposal of the ICC Registry.
Source: philstar.com
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ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
Alex Eala, Zack Tabudlo among Filipinos in new Forbes 30 Under 30 list
MANILA, Philippines, May 29 —— Young rising tennis star Alex Eala and singer-songwriter Zack Tabudlo lead the contingent of Filipinos included in the Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia 2026 list.
The annual regional list by Forbes magazine recognized exceptional young individuals across various industries in Asia and Oceania under the age of 30. Eala was front and center of the Entertainment and Sports category with her photo wearing a striped ensemble over a white tank.
A write-up by staff members Rana Wehbe Watson and Ian Sayson noted the athlete’s achievements in the last year, as well as the flock of Filipinos who witness them each time. “The support has been incredible,” Eala told the magazine. “Tennis can sometimes feel quiet and serious, so having that energy makes it special.”
A representative for the tennis player told Forbes Eala became the highest-earning Filipino tennis player of all time last year because of prize money totaling $876,000 (P54 million), while endorsements from the likes of Nike and NutriAsia are expected to rise to $3 million (P185 million) this year. Bookending the Entertainment and Sports write-up was an excerpt for Tabudlo, noting his viral and streaming records as well as his “The Voice Kids” connections. Notable figures in this category were K-pop groups I-dle, Nmixx, and Cortis, golfer Minjee Lee, track star Gout Gout, choreographer Leejung Lee, Indonesian girl group Na Na, and singer Regina Song. Last year’s list featured the P-pop girl group BINI and chess wunderkind Daniel Quizon.
Other Filipinos
Three Filipinos were included in the list’s Social Impact category: Saje Miguel Molato, Steph Naval and Emmanuel Mirus Ponon. Molato is the founder of the consulting firm which for the past decade has helped young people become more globally competitive, working with different partners on education, skills development and climate programs.
Software engineer and psychologist-in-training Naval is the founder of social enterprise Empath which provides online counseling, psychotherapy and psychiatric consultations to schools, workplaces, and non-profit groups. Ponon founded ASEAN Youth Advocates Network or AYAN, an organization that encourages young people in Southeast Asia to participate in policy making, peacebuilding and sustainable development.
Source: philstar.com
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Ian Veneracion ‘not interested in political personalities’
May 29 —— Ian Veneracion made it clear that his latest project “Drug War: A Conspiracy of Silence,” produced by Rein Entertainment’s Lino Cayetano, was not approached through the prism of politics or political figures.
Veneracion said the limited series focuses on individuals, history, and the different ways Filipinos remember the Duterte administration’s drug campaign from 2016 to 2019. “I’m not associated with any political side because I’m not interested talaga in political personalities. I’m interested in telling stories,” Veneracion shared.
Acknowledging that there were scheduling issues, Veneracion added, “And it’s such a nice story. When I read the script, hindi ko alam [kung] paano ko gagawin ‘yon because of schedule problems. Pero I felt compelled because I have to tell the story. I feel it is a story of my people. It’s part of our history. It’s our story.”
He went on to say that instead of using outside references, preparation for the role required digging within. “Anong preparation ko parati? Inwards. Towards tackling a character, kasi ‘yung panlabas, ‘yun nga, feeling ko, mas madali ‘yun. It’s just information. Pero inwards is manonood din kami. Ganoon,” he said. He used both his own experiences and those of those around him as inspiration for his own method. “They (director and team) did their research here. Pero ako, for my character, ang basis ko, siyempre, personal na kuwento,” he stated. “Marami tayong mga kaibigan. Lahat tayo [ay] may kuwento. Lahat ng kaibigan natin [ay] may kuwento about during that time. Kaya lang, natabunan din ng pandemic ‘yun, ‘di ba? Nagka-pandemic, tapos nawala na. Nawala na rin ‘yung information about doon sa nangyari — ‘yung part of our history. So we just have to tell that story,” he added.
The theme of “Drug War” is expected to elicit strong reactions from viewers. At the same time, he admitted that people will most certainly react differently to the series based on their personal experiences. “I don’t know if we’ll ever find an objective perspective. Baka hindi,” he expressed. He went on to say that he knows people whose perspectives have been molded by personal experiences with violence and grief as a result of drug abuse. “‘Yung experience mo with the movie or the series is dependent on your life experience — kung saan ka bias, saan ka galit, ‘yung ganun,” he said. “So depende sa experience mo, depende sa life experience mo, kaya mo masasabi na galit na galit ka sa pulis, o galit na galit ka sa drug addict, o galit na galit ka sa kung ano man. Ako, I want to be true to my character. So ‘yung perspective niya lang ang tinitingnan ko the whole time na ginagawa natin ’to,” he emphasized.
Veneracion just hopes that “Drug War: A Conspiracy of Silence” will not further divide viewers, but rather encourage them to confront and discuss challenging issues. “Basta hopefully, it starts a huge, complex conversation sa atin,” he ended. “Drug War: A Conspiracy of Silence,” directed by Shugo Praico and produced by Rein Entertainment in partnership with KC Global Media, also features Jane Oineza, Harvey Bautista, John Arcilla, Lotlot de Leon, Romnick Sarmenta, Yayo Aguila, Joem Bascon, Ryan Eigenmann, and Gabby Padilla.
Source: news.abs-cbn.com
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Ice Seguerra returns to ‘Eat Bulaga’ as show director
MANILA, Philippines, May 29 —— Singer-director Ice Seguerra came full circle by going back to “Eat Bulaga,” this time as a director on the noontime variety show.
Ice broke out by joining a pageant on the show back when he was three years old, later becoming a child co-host on “Eat Bulaga” for the next decade and often co-starring with fellow host Vic Sotto in the latter’s movies. Since departing the show, Ice has made a career as a singer-songwriter. He then created Fire and Ice Entertainment with his wife Liza Diño to kickstart directing and producing different creative ventures.
The latest of these is becoming a director on “Eat Bulaga” earlier this week as the show shared photos of Ice manning the computers. “Balik kung saan nagsimula. But this time, as director of my home — Eat Bulaga. Waaah!! Grabe ‘yung kaba ko,” Ice wrote in one Facebook post as he remembered his late mother Caring. “Mama naalala ko, ikaw talaga nagmanifest nito dati. I hope I make you proud today.”
Ice reflected more on his comeback in another Facebook post, admitting he had trouble sleeping the past few days because of overwhelming thoughts. “While I’m used to directing concerts, live TV is a totally different animal,” Ice also said. “I have more to learn but I think today was a good day.”
The singer-director expressed gratitude to several individuals, including TVJ Productions’ chief operating officer Jeny Ferre, fellow “Eat Bulaga” director Poochie Rivera, camera technical director Paul Gozon and his controlmates. He ended his post thanking Liza and another tribute for his mother, “Ilang beses kang nag manifest noong nabubuhay ka pa. Eto na, mama! Nagkatotoo na!”
Source: philstar.com
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SPORTS NEWS
Ailing Sinner falls to Cerundolo in French Open second-round shock
PARIS, May 29 —— Jannik Sinner’s bid for a maiden French Open title and career Grand Slam went up in smoke as he experienced physical issues in his second-round match against Juan Manuel Cerundolo and fell to a 3-6 2-6 7-5 6-1 6-1 defeat on a scorching.
Sinner arrived in Paris as the favorite for the title having lifted clay court titles in Monte Carlo, Madrid and Rome, with his main rival and defending champion Carlos Alcaraz ruled out with injury and Novak Djokovic searching for his best form. But Cerundolo tore up the script in a dramatic clash where he held his nerve even as last year’s runner-up Sinner crumbled while on the verge of a big win, sending shockwaves through Roland Garros. “It’s tough for him. He was winning the match. I couldn’t win more than three games [in any of the first two sets],” said Cerundolo. “I think I was a little bit lucky, I feel sorry for him … he was serving to win this match, but then I don’t know what happened. I think he was cramping maybe, or maybe it was the pressure of the match, I don’t know. “But of course I feel sorry for him and I hope he recovers. I’m super happy. I’m going to keep trying to play my best… I hope to be ready for the next match.”
As the temperature climbed over the 30 degrees Celsius mark for the first time in the afternoon, Sinner had already breezed through the first set on the back of a solitary break, and the 24-year-old Italian looked to be in cruise mode. Cerundolo offered resistance towards the end of the second set, but the 56th-ranked Argentine was left with a mountain to climb after Sinner unleashed a huge forehand winner to double his lead in the match for the loss of only five games.
The four-times Grand Slam champion cooled off with an ice towel in the break and turned up the intensity on his unseeded opponent in the third set to go 5-1 ahead, before he began to struggle and halted play when serving at 5-4. “In the third set I felt dizzy and I wanted to vomit but I couldn’t,” the Italian was heard saying to an official, before he stepped off the court for a medical timeout.
Sinner returned five minutes later and was immediately broken for 5-5, and dropped the next two games to hand the set to his Argentine opponent, who sensed the chance to pull off a major upset. Hitting heavier to quicken the points and also serving and volleying frequently, Sinner looked desperate to avoid the exit but his troubles only increased as he began to clutch his right thigh in the fourth set, which he surrendered tamely. Quickly losing control, Sinner was broken early in the decider, as Cerundolo took full advantage to leave the Paris Grand Slam without its title favorite and Djokovic with a golden opportunity to win a standalone 25th major.
Source: gmanetwork.com
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MPBL: Are shines as Zamboanga halts Pasig’s winning run
MANILA, Philippines, May 29 —— Zamboanga SiKat banked on Paeng Are to nip Pasig, 91-89 in the SportsPlus MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) 2026 Season at the Malolos Convention Center in Bulacan.
The 5-foot-9 Are, former star of the San Sebastian Golden Stags, poured in 16 of his points in the fourth quarter as Pasig halted a 5-game skid and improve to 2-7 in the round-robin elimination phase of the two-division, 28-team tournament. The game was tied at 81, until Joshua Lazaro scored on a jumper and Are converted five straight free throws that enabled Zamboanga to cut loose, 88-81, with 1 minute and 24 seconds left.
Are also tallied 8 assists, 5 rebounds and 3 steals to clinch the SportsPlus best player honors over Reggz Gabat, who notched 19 points, spiced by five triples, 5 rebounds and 3 assists. John Arthur Calisay contributed 11 points, 2 assists and 2 rebounds for Zamboanga, which dominated the boards, 50-32, mainly through Lazaro’s 12 rebounds. Pasig saw its four-win run broken and fell to 6-2 despite Jacob Galicia’s 19 points, 9 rebounds and 2 steals, Jerome Garcia’s 18 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists, and Warlo Batac’s 16 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals. Gabat buried back-to-back triples to push Zamboanga on top, 41-38, before Galicia scored on a follow-up for the halftime count.
The MPBL returns to the Paco Arena in Manila on Friday, featuring games between Paranaque and Valenzuela at 4 p.m., Gensan and Cebu at 6 p.m., and Manila and Abra at 8 p.m.
Source: manilatimes.net
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Onic dispatches M7 champ Aurora; Omega Esports dominates Twisted Minds
May 29 —— Onic Philippines delivered when it mattered the most and scored a thrilling 3-2 comeback over Aurora Gaming while Omega Esports dominated Twisted Minds, 3-1, to both reach the final four of the MPL Philippines Season 17 playoffs at the FilOil Center in San Juan.
The Super Family trailed in the series, 1-2, but recovered just in time to turn things around and eliminate the M7 world champions. Onic PH rode on a dominant Game 4 win that saw it run roughshod against Aurora with a 10-4 kill tally in just a little over 14 minutes of play. Cyric “K1ngkong” Perez seized control of the jungle battle and reached his power spike on the Leomord pick to compile a 5-1-4KDA.
Indonesian import Clayton Adrielo “Savero” Kuswanto provided support with a clean 4-0-4 tally on Claude. Aurora, however, came out strong in Game 5 to try and close out the series but Onic held them off, enough to reach the late game where Savero’s Karie was the most effective. Savera shredded the tanky frontline of Aurora in the late game as his team completed a 21-minute wipeout to take down the enemy base and march into the upper bracket against second seed Team Falcons PH.
Meanwhile, save for a first game hiccup, it was all Omega in their own bracket against Twisted Minds. Dean Christian “Raizen” Sumagui ran wild on his Leomord pick, tallying an impressive 8-1-4 line to spearhead Omega to a 14-7 Game 3 win and take the 2-1 series lead. Omega never looked back from there as they only needed 14 mins in Game 4 to complete the victory and arrange an upper bracket clash against defending champion Team Liquid PH.
Source: mb.com.ph
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FEATURED ARTICLE
10 Business Ideas for the Summer Season in the Philippines
The summer months in the Philippines, typically from March to May, bring higher temperatures, school vacations, and increased travel. These seasonal changes create opportunities for entrepreneurs to launch small businesses that cater to outdoor activities, cooling needs, and tourism demand. Here are 10 practical business ideas that can perform well during the summer season.
1. Halo-Halo and Cold Dessert Stall
Selling popular Filipino cold desserts can be profitable during hot weather. Classic treats like Halo-halo, Mais con yelo, and Sago’t gulaman attract customers looking for refreshing snacks. A small roadside stall or cart can easily draw steady foot traffic in busy areas.
2. Fresh Fruit Shake Stand
Fruit shakes are popular in the summer, especially those made from Mango, Watermelon, and Avocado. This business requires a blender, fresh fruit supply, and a strategic location such as near schools, markets, or tourist spots.
3. Ice Candy Production
Homemade Ice candy remains one of the easiest summer businesses to start. Flavors such as chocolate, mango, and buko are widely enjoyed. Production costs are low, making it a common home-based business for many Filipino families.
4. Beachwear and Summer Clothing Retail
Demand increases for items like swimsuits, rash guards, and flip-flops as people head to beach destinations. Selling affordable beachwear can attract tourists and vacationers traveling to popular spots such as Boracay, Siargao, and El Nido.
5. Cold Beverage Cart
A mobile beverage cart selling iced coffee, milk tea, or lemonade can attract customers in busy public areas. Refreshing drinks provide quick relief from the heat and can generate consistent sales throughout the day.
6. Portable Pool Rental
Portable swimming pools are increasingly popular in urban communities where access to resorts may be limited. Renting inflatable pools for backyard use allows families to enjoy summer activities at home.
7. Tour Guide or Local Travel Services
Domestic travel usually increases during summer. Offering guided tours, travel assistance, or itinerary planning can be profitable, especially in tourism hubs like Palawan, Bohol, and Cebu.
8. Barbecue and Street Food Stand
Outdoor gatherings and late-night hangouts become more common during warm evenings. Selling grilled favorites such as Chicken barbecue, Isaw, and Pork barbecue can attract steady customers in residential neighborhoods.
9. Ice Supply Business
Restaurants, sari-sari stores, and drink vendors often require large quantities of ice during hot weather. Supplying ice to small vendors or selling block ice can be a reliable seasonal business.
10. Summer Camp or Kids Activity Program
With students on school break, parents often look for productive activities for their children. Organizing summer workshops such as art classes, sports clinics, or music lessons can attract families looking for structured programs.
Final Thoughts
The summer season in the Philippines creates a strong market for products and services related to cooling, recreation, and travel. Many of these business ideas require minimal startup capital and can be launched quickly to take advantage of seasonal demand. With the right location and consistent quality, entrepreneurs can generate significant income during the hottest months of the year.
Source: www.newspress.ph