BALITANG MARINO DAILY NEWS for June 15, 2026
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US-Iran peace deal announced with ‘permanent’ end to military action
Elon Musk becomes world’s first trillionaire on paper after SpaceX IPO
U.S. and Iran Agree to 60-Day Ceasefire Deal to End Hormuz Crisis
Supply vessel sinks after collision in Singapore, three crew dead
Petition Against Animal Transport to War Zones Submitted to EU Commission
Quake deaths hit 61; magnitude 4.9 aftershock jolts Sarangani
Floating structure shifts, renewing concerns over Chinese activities in WPS
Philippine vessels sail to Hawaii for joint maritime exercises
Villanueva ready to attend Congress special session
PH, Canada defense cooperation boosted with MLSA
Malampaya to undergo monthlong maintenance shutdown
Easterlies to drench parts of Visayas, Mindanao on Monday
Pope Leo XIV prays for Mindanao quake victims
Vice Ganda, Donny Pangilinan, John Arcilla among awardees at SPEEd’s The Eddys
SB19 to hold ‘I WaS There’ Thanksgiving fan meet in US, Japan
At 71, Edgar Mortiz stages his first concert
Brunson leads Knicks to first NBA title in 53 years
PBA: McCullough fires 53 to power TNT past Ginebra, sends Finals to Game 7
Gilas Youth sweeps Seaba qualifiers, books Fiba U18 Asia Cup spot
Building the regional highway for Asean SMEs
FULL NEWSPAPER
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
US-Iran peace deal announced with ‘permanent’ end to military action
June 15 —— The United States and Iran agreed to a peace deal and an “immediate and permanent” end to military operations on all fronts including Lebanon, signaling the apparent end to more than three months of war in Middle East.
The initial announcement from mediator Pakistan was quickly confirmed by Washington and Tehran, and an official signing ceremony was scheduled for June 19 in Switzerland. “The Deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran is now complete,” US President Donald Trump posted Sunday on social media as he marked his 80th birthday. “I hereby fully authorize the toll free opening of the Strait of Hormuz, and, simultaneously herewith, authorize the immediate removal of the United States Naval blockade. “Ships of the World, start your engines. Let the oil flow!”
Soon after, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said in televised comments that the deal put an “immediate end” to the countries’ war and that they would hold talks within two months to seek a “final agreement.” Just hours earlier, Tehran had vowed to retaliate against a strike by Israel against Iranian ally Hezbollah in the suburbs of Beirut which threatened to push back an agreement. But later in the day, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif made the announcement: “Both sides have declared the immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon.” He added thanks to leaders of Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Turkey for their support in the mediation effort.
DETAILS REMAIN UNCLEAR
The content of the agreement, which follows weeks of fraught negotiations and periodic threats from Trump of fresh hostilities unless Iran reached a deal, remained unclear. Iran’s Mehr news agency reported that the US will release $12 billion in frozen assets to Iran before the start of negotiations.
It quoted a 14-point “memorandum of understanding” between the two nations, which it said stipulated “the release of 24 billion dollars in frozen Iranian assets during the 60‑day negotiation period” that begins after the MoU is signed. The Trump administration did immediately comment on the details of the agreement, which may prove contentious as the US presses its effort to end Tehran’s nuclear ambitions and deal with its stockpile of highly enriched uranium — believed to have been buried by US strikes last year.
‘SEIZE THE MOMENT’
The announcement of the deal was greeted with international relief and hope for an enduring end to the conflict. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said it was a “critical step” toward resolving the war in the Middle East. The United Kingdom, France, Germany and Italy said they were prepared to lift sanctions imposed on Iran and will work “with the US, Iran and regional partners to seize this moment, maintain momentum and achieve a long-term diplomatic settlement.”
The announcement also brought relief at market opening on Monday. Oil prices plunged more than four percent in Tokyo, and Japan’s Nikkei stock index jumped three percent. The blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has had a worldwide economic impact, from inflated gas prices that have fueled inflation in the US and many other countries and congested supply chains for goods like fertilizer key to food production in areas far beyond the Middle East. “What we’re going to be able to do is drive down the cost of energy, not just now but for the long term, and create a real engine of prosperity in the Middle East,” US Vice President JD Vance told Fox News. He said that he planned to attend the signing of the peace deal, which was slated to take place in Geneva, and that it was possible Trump could also go.
Source: news.abs-cbn.com
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Elon Musk becomes world’s first trillionaire on paper after SpaceX IPO
ISTANBUL, June 15 —— Elon Musk has become the world’s first trillionaire on paper after SpaceX priced its record initial public offering at $135 per share, according to calculations based on company and Tesla filings. Space Exploration Technologies Corp., better known as SpaceX, priced 555.6 million Class A shares at USD135 each, raising about USD75 billion in the largest IPO in history.
The offering values the company at about USD1.77 trillion and is expected to make SpaceX one of the world’s most valuable publicly traded companies when its shares begin trading on Nasdaq under the ticker “SPCX.” According to SpaceX’s IPO prospectus, Musk is set to hold about 849.5 million Class A shares and 5.57 billion Class B shares after the offering, giving him 84.4 percent of the company’s combined voting power. At the IPO price, Musk’s disclosed SpaceX holdings are worth about USD866.5 billion on paper.
Musk also beneficially owns about 717.1 million Tesla shares, according to Tesla securities filings. Based on Tesla’s recent share price of USD399.15, that stake is worth roughly USD286.2 billion. Combined, Musk’s SpaceX and Tesla holdings are valued at about USD1.1 trillion on paper. However, the figure is largely theoretical and depends heavily on SpaceX’s market valuation after trading begins and Tesla’s share price. It also includes performance-based SpaceX stock awards that are tied to ambitious milestones, including market capitalization targets, the establishment of a permanent human colony on Mars with at least 1 million inhabitants, and the completion of non-Earth-based data centers capable of delivering large-scale computing capacity.
Without those contingent SpaceX awards, Musk would be below the trillion-dollar threshold based only on his current Tesla stake and non-contingent SpaceX holdings. SpaceX’s prospectus showed the company remains loss-making despite rapid revenue growth. The company posted revenue of USD18.7 billion in 2025, up from USD14 billion in 2024, while its net loss widened to USD4.9 billion from a profit of USD791 million a year earlier.
The company’s results include the historical figures of xAI and X Holdings following transactions among entities under Musk’s control. SpaceX, founded by Musk in 2002, has grown from a launch provider into a broader space, satellite internet and artificial intelligence group. Its operations include rocket launches, Starlink satellite internet services, AI infrastructure and long-term projects tied to space-based computing and Mars settlement.
The IPO surpasses Saudi Aramco’s 2019 listing, which had previously been the largest public offering in history. Musk was already ranked as the world’s richest person before the SpaceX listing, largely because of his holdings in Tesla and other companies. The IPO lifts the notional value of his assets to a level no individual has previously reached in public wealth rankings, although most of the fortune remains tied to volatile equity valuations rather than cash.
Source: pna.gov.ph
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MARITIME NEWS
U.S. and Iran Agree to 60-Day Ceasefire Deal to End Hormuz Crisis
June 15 —— The U.S. and Iran have completed a long-awaited agreement to bring an end to the Strait of Hormuz standoff and restart traffic. The new 60-day ceasefire deal was delayed at the last minute after an Israeli strike on Beirut prompted Iran to suspend a much-anticipated signing on Sunday and prepare a counterstrike on Israeli territory instead; the White House offered additional concessions to Iran to ward off that strike, according to Iranian sources, and the deal was done.
“The armed forces were prepared to carry out a decisive response. This contributed to the completion of the agreement’s wording and advanced several issues that had remained unresolved in the negotiations,” said Iranian deputy foreign minister Kazem Gharibabadi in a statement.
It will be signed next Friday in Geneva, Switzerland, with (likely) U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance in attendance. Vance said Sunday that President Donald Trump could also attend.
The White House announced that the agreement will immediately suspend both Strait of Hormuz blockades on signing next Friday – a new concession, according to Iranian sources. Iran’s media suggest that the initial deal called for a phase-out of the U.S. blockade over 60 days, stepwise in accordance with Iranian compliance. To get the deal across the line on Sunday and forestall an Iranian attack on Israel, the White House agreed to suspend the blockade right away, according to Fars – providing the regime fast access to new revenue from oil export sales.
The White House has not released other details of the agreement, and the Iranian description of its contents cannot be easily verified, but the general outline appears to contain many of Iran’s demands. The hardline IRGC is now firmly in charge in Tehran; in its account of the details, the agreement would give Iran access to $25 billion in its own frozen overseas funds, suspend US sanctions on Iran’s oil sales, and allow Iran to rebuild its ballistic missile stockpile. It reportedly allows Iran to keep its high-enriched uranium and down-blend it locally to lower concentrations – contrary to initial U.S. insistence that the HEU be removed to the United States – and, further, leaves the details of that program for 60 days of further debate.
The Trump administration insists that Iran will not get “cash” from the deal, and that Iran will pledge not to develop a nuclear weapon (a longstanding Iranian promise that predates the current conflict). Early glimpses have not been received well in Israel, where commentators suggest it will provide economic concessions for Iran without meaningfully curtailing Iranian military capabilities. “The Americans give the Iranians plenty — and get nothing in return. The most absurd thing is that this war ends with sanctions relief for oil sales. Something that didn’t exist before the war,” said i24 commentator Amichai Stein. “What do the Americans get? Nothing. No nuclear, no ballistic, no proxy,” meaning no limits on Iran’s nuclear program, ballistic missile inventory or proxy groups (Hezbollah, the Houthis and Iraq’s Shiite militias).
Iran’s Mehr News quickly claimed that the deal would provide Iran with $12 billion in frozen funds up front, before the start of the next 60 days of negotiations. White House officials have quietly told CBS that this is incorrect and that the deal contains pay-for-performance clauses: Iran will only receive billions of dollars in frozen funds once it demonstrates that it is keeping its end of the bargain – not before, as Iranian state media suggested. “Many presidents have tried to make peace with Iran, and all have failed before me. The leaders of the region have, for the first time, found a president who can help them achieve real peace,” said President Donald Trump in a social media statement late Sunday. “Ships of the World, start your engines. Let the oil flow!”
Last-minute Israeli strikes endangered impending deal
Hope appeared to ebb early Sunday after Israeli forces conducted a large-scale counterstrike on Beirut, responding to missile attacks by Hezbollah. Iran’s IRGC signaled that it would launch retaliatory strikes on Israel imminently. “This is a clear attempt by Israel to sabotage the president’s deal and drag the United States back into war,” a diplomat close to the talks told Fox News.
President Donald Trump disapproved of the Israeli strike operation. “It is so bad I couldn’t believe it. An hour before we are supposed to sign the deal,” Trump told Axios’ Barak Ravid. “Why did [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu] have to do a attack? I was so pissed off. I let him know. He has no judgement. I let him know that.”
Iran reacted to the strike on Beirut – home of its Lebanese proxy force, the terrorist organization Hezbollah – with announcement of a counterattack. “The Zionist aggression on Dahiya [southern Beirut] has once again shown that America either does not have the will or the ability to fulfill its obligations,” said Iran’s top negotiator, speaker of the parliament Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf. “If you do not have the will and ability to fulfill your obligations, it is not possible to talk about continuing on the path.”
Multiple analysts and Israeli officials have noted that the terms of the deal – as leaked by Iran and the U.S. – might not be in Israel’s best interests. “Nobody is happy with this. We understand it is not good for us, and that it harms Israeli interests. What is troubling is that Israel cannot influence it,” one senior Israeli official told reporter Shaiel Ben-Ephraim. “Iran has smelled that it can achieve things by force, and it will use that against its neighbors and against us.”
Source: maritime-executive.com
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Supply vessel sinks after collision in Singapore, three crew dead
June 15 —— A supply boat sank off Pasir Panjang Terminal in Singapore on the morning of 12 June 2026 following a collision with a landing craft, according to the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA).
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), the Police Coast Guard (PCG), and the Singapore Civil Defense Force (SCDF) Marine Division were swiftly activated to the scene, launching coordinated search and rescue operations shortly after the incident was reported.
The landing craft involved in the collision remains stable, with no injuries reported among its crew. However, in the aftermath of the sinking, the Police Coast Guard recovered three bodies from the waters. The deceased are believed to be crew members of the sunken supply boat.
Search and rescue efforts are continuing, with diving teams deployed to determine whether any additional crew members remain missing. Despite the incident, port operations have not been disrupted. Navigational safety broadcasts have been issued, advising vessels to steer clear of the affected area while recovery and investigation efforts are ongoing.
Source: safety4sea.com
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Petition Against Animal Transport to War Zones Submitted to EU Commission
June 15 —— While bombs are falling in the Middle East, EU Member States continue to export live animals to the region, with the European Commission (EC) refusing to be held accountable, says the Eurogroup for Animals, the French animal welfare organization Welfarm and the German NGO Animal Welfare Foundation (AWF).
The organizations have submitted a joint petition to the EC calling for an immediate halt to these transports. Almost 50,000 signatories are calling on the EU to instruct its Member States to no longer authorize animal transports to war and crisis zones in the Middle East.
EU Member States continue to export live animals regularly to countries such as Israel or Lebanon—that is, precisely to those regions directly or indirectly affected by the war. “Anyone who transports animals to a war zone exposes them to incalculable risks. Yet the EU Animal Transport Regulation clearly states that animals must not be transported if they could be injured or suffer unnecessary distress in the process,” says Stéphane Boissavy, advocacy and campaign director at Welfarm.
The EC claimed that current EU law does not provide for the possibility of suspending exports in general. Instead, the Commission has even asked Member States to support exporters by issuing replacement certificates in exceptional cases so that transports can continue despite “difficulties”.
The case of an Indian-registered livestock carrier that recently sank off the coast of Oman shows that these risks are by no means hypothetical. According to media reports, the ship was struck by a bomb or a missile and sank with approximately 4,000 sheep and goats on board. Even though it was not a European vessel, the incident highlights the dangers to which European livestock transport vessels, their crews, and the animals on board are exposed in the region.
Since February 2026, more than 50 shipments of live animals have departed from European ports bound for destinations in the conflict zone (Eastern Mediterranean or Red Sea). The overwhelming majority were destined for Israel, while additional shipments were directed to Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Somalia.
Romania’s port of Midia was by far the principal departure point for these shipments. Other exporting ports are mainly Raša (Croatia) and Sines (Portugal) but also Setúbal (Portugal), Koper (Slovenia), and Greenore (Ireland).
A total of 20 livestock vessels carried out these voyages. Some of them operated multiple rotations within a short timeframe (e.g. Finola M, Jersey, Julia L.S., Tuleen, Uranus II, Uranus III), indicating an ongoing and repeated trade pattern rather than isolated shipments. Overall, despite the evolving conflict situation, the data suggests that live animal exports from the EU to the Middle East have continued at a steady pace during this period, including to high-risk destinations.
Source: marinelink.com
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PHILIPPINE NEWS
Quake deaths hit 61; magnitude 4.9 aftershock jolts Sarangani
MANILA, Philippines, June 15 —— The death toll from the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck Southern and Central Mindanao on June 8 has risen to 61, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.
The NDRRMC said 54 deaths were reported in Region 12 and seven in Region 11 as of 6 a.m. yesterday. At least 40 people remain missing while 1,403 have been injured. The quake affected 724,000 people, with around 10,000 staying in evacuation centers.
Initial damage to infrastructure is estimated at P1 billion. A state of calamity was declared in 13 municipalities. Initial reports indicated widespread damage to 609 buildings, schools, hospitals and other structures comprising Region 12’s South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and General Santos City (Soccsksargen).
Power outages and telecommunications blackouts were reported in several affected areas, while damaged roads and bridges have hindered access to some communities. Relief support and post calamity mitigation interventions are being provided by the Department of Social Welfare and Development 12, the Police Regional Office 12, the Bureau of Fire Protection 12 and soldiers from the Army’s 6th and 10th Infantry Divisions.
The NDRRMC said P67.6 million in assistance were provided to affected families. The earthquake struck at 7:37 a.m., about 32 kilometers offshore west of Maasim in Sarangani province. It was the first day of the new school year for millions of students. More than 3.2 million learners have been affected, with classes suspended in over 6,200 public and private schools pending safety inspections and structural assessments.
The United Nations Children’s Fund said it was concerned about the impact on children. A magnitude 4.9 aftershock hit Sarangani anew yesterday, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said. Meanwhile, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office yeserday sent another major batch of food packs and emergency assets to Southern Mindanao targeted for delivery to previously isolated areas.
The Department of Public Works and Highways has mobilized 24/7 clearing and restoration operations across Mindanao. The General Santos International Airport will resume commercial flight operations starting today, the Department of Transportation and Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines said. The Commission on Higher Education distributed tertiary education subsidies to 786 students studying in schools located at the quake-affected province of South Cotabato.
Source: philstar.com
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Floating structure shifts, renewing concerns over Chinese activities in WPS
MANILA, June 15 —— The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said the floating structure detected inside Bajo de Masinloc in the West Philippine Sea had shifted to the northern part of the shoal. “So for an update, ‘yong platform na ipinakita namin noong Wednesday na namataan natin sa may kalagitnaan ng loob ng Bajo de Masinloc Shoal ay umangat na sa ibabaw meaning they are on the northern most part of Bajo de Masinloc,” said PCG Rear Admiral Jay Tarriela, spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea in a media forum.
Meanwhile, maritime law expert Atty. Jay Batongbacal warned that history has shown similar floating structures are often followed by the construction of larger permanent installations. “Sa ngayon ang sinasabi raw nila ay scientific research daw ang dahilan pero ang naalala po natin agad ay kapag sinabi nila yun eh ‘yon din ang sinabi nila bago nila kunin ang Fiery Cross Reef at tayuan ng mga permanenteng istruktura at ngayon ay malaking artificial island na.”
The floating structures were first detected through satellite imagery on May 25. Maritime forces also discovered an antenna structure in the vicinity of the shoal. In an earlier statement, the Chinese embassy in Manila reiterated its claim that Bajo de Masinloc is part of China’s territory and maintained that conducting scientific research in the area falls within its sovereign rights. “(Bajo de Masinloc) is China’s inherent territory, and China has indisputable sovereignty over its adjacent waters. China’s activities, including scientific research, in the relevant waters are normal actions within the scope of its sovereignty, which are beyond reproach.”
The AFP said it remains vigilant as the situation develops. “We have learned our history kung paano nag-ooperate ng Chinese Communist Party. We are keeping close eye on the development sa Bajo de Masinloc. ‘Yon ang sa larangan ng DND and AFP.”
The PCG also said the government continues to conduct maritime domain awareness flights, monitor activities in the area, and challenge two Chinese research vessels operating inside Bajo de Masinloc. “On the part of the government, we are still conducting continuous maritime domain awareness flight, monitoring and also challenging these two Chinese research vessels na nasa loob din ng Bajo de Masinloc.”
Source: news.abs-cbn.com
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Philippine vessels sail to Hawaii for joint maritime exercises
MANILA, Philippines, June 15 —— The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)’s BRP Gabriela Silang joined a multinational group sail with a Philippine Navy (PN) vessel and ships from four other countries, as they traveled from Guam to Hawaii to participate in the world’s largest maritime warfare exercise Rim of the Pacific Exercise 2026 (RIMPAC 2026).
BRP Gabriela Silang was joined by the PN’s BRP Miguel Malvar, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force’s JS Kongo, Italian Navy’s ITS Giovanni Delle Bande Nere, South Korean Navy’s ROKS Cheon Ja Bong and Singapore Navy’s RSS Steadfast. Together, the six ships departed Guam last Friday to start their voyage to Hawaii for RIMPAC 2026 taking place from June 24 to July 31.
The vessels are expected to arrive in Hawaii on June 21. “The activity underscored the participating nations’ shared commitment to promoting maritime security, ensuring freedom of navigation, and advancing cooperation in support of a rules-based international order. Through coordinated maneuvers and professional engagements at sea, the participating forces enhanced mutual understanding, strengthened operational readiness, and improved their collective ability to address common maritime challenges,” the PCG said.
Led by its commanding officer Capt. Jomark Angue, the BRP Gabriela Silang carries 98 PCG personnel from their Special Operations Force, Cyber Security Command, Search and Rescue, humanitarian team, information team and medical team that would be participating in different exercises. Around 30 countries are expected to participate in RIMPAC 2026. Meanwhile, the Philippines reaffirmed its economic partnership with Japan, underscoring Tokyo as a constructive supporter of transparent, non-discriminatory and rules-based multilateral trading system.
Source: philstar.com
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Villanueva ready to attend Congress special session
MANILA, Philippines, June 15 —— Amid the leadership dispute in the Senate, Sen. Joel Villanueva yesterday vowed to attend a special session if called by President Marcos, to address issues such as disaster relief for Mindanao and the stalled promotion of military officers.
Delivering a message during the healing service of the Jesus Is Lord (JIL) Church, Villanueva broke his silence on the political turmoil, saying that his mandate is above factional bickering. “In case there will be a special session, we will fulfill our sacred mandate under the Constitution. We will be there,” Villanueva said in a recorded message.
He emphasized that with the country facing overlapping economic and environmental challenges, lawmakers can no longer afford to be paralyzed by political alignments. “When there are Filipinos in need, it is our duty to respond and serve,” he said. “More than politics, my accountability is to God and the nation.”
Should Marcos call a special session, Villanueva said he would file a resolution for sufficient funding for Mindanao earthquake relief and prioritize the passage of pending bills and the long-delayed Commission on Appointments (CA) confirmations for government officials, particularly high-ranking officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Amid reports that the bloc of acting Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian has secured enough numbers for a decisive control over the chamber, Villanueva has been among those reported to be jumping over from the faction of Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano. Without addressing such reports, Villanueva lamented that the Senate’s internal chaos is harming public service. “The Senate staff must not be caught in the middle of this political fight,” he said.
All senators must attend
Sen. Panfilo Lacson lauded Villanueva for publicly declaring his attendance to the possible special session, but stressed that all senators must attend to resolve urgent national business that has been derailed by the chamber’s leadership crisis. “I admire Senator Joel, he considers attending the (Senate) session sacred. Hopefully the others follow suit,” Lacson told radio dzBB. Lacson deferred to Villanueva on the matter of his political alignment, reiterating that the primary focus should be the chamber’s constitutional duties. As of yesterday, lawmakers are still waiting for official word from the executive branch.
Hostile floor maneuvers
Meanwhile, Lacson said Gatchalian’s bloc is bracing for a hostile confrontation on the plenary floor, laying out contingency plans to prevent Cayetano from hijacking the podium during the anticipated special legislative session. Lacson said among their top concerns is the possibility that Cayetano might attempt to physically commandeer the rostrum to assert his disputed leadership.
Drawing parallels to Cayetano’s previous bitter leadership standoff in the House of Representatives, Lacson warned that the ousted leader has a history of extreme parliamentary maneuvers. “In the House, he locked down Congress so he would not be replaced (as Speaker). He is capable of doing anything, hopefully not because it wouldn’t look good if two people are up there standing in the podium,” he said.
Lacson pointed out that Cayetano’s faction is growing increasingly isolated as major national institutions have already recognized Gatchalian’s leadership. “His other colleagues have become silent. They realized the reality that the fight is over, he (Cayetano) is no longer SP (Senate president),” he added.
Source: philstar.com
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PH, Canada defense cooperation boosted with MLSA
MANILA, June 15 —— The security relations between the Philippines and Canada got a boost as defense chiefs of the two nations on Thursday (Canadian time) signed a Mutual Logistics Support Arrangement (MLSA). “I’m pleased to announce that today, (Philippine Defense) Secretary (Gilbert) Teodoro and I have just signed a Statement of Intent to strengthen defense cooperation between Canada and the Philippines. And as part of that commitment, we also signed a MLSA which will allow our countries to provide logistical support to one another during important military exercises, training activities, and operations,” Canadian Defense Minister David McGuinty said at an online press briefing conducted in Ottawa.
McGuinty said the agreements build on the Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA) that he and Teodoro signed in Manila in November 2025. “And as Canada’s first such agreement in the Indo-Pacific, the SOVFA will allow our armed forces to train, exercise and operate together more effectively once it enters into force,” McGuinty said. He added that such agreements reflect the momentum of a growing and important defense partnership. “Last October, members of the Royal Canadian Navy participated in Exercise Sama Sama alongside the Philippines and other international partners. Earlier this year, Canada also participated in Exercise Balikatan for the first time, with some 450 members of the Canadian Armed Forces participating,” McGuinty said.
It was Teodoro’s on his first official visit to Canada as Philippine defense chief. “I had the honor of visiting Secretary Teodoro in Manila last year and today it is my privilege to welcome him to Ottawa for his first official visit to Canada. Canada and the Philippines share an enduring friendship spanning more than 75 years,” McGuinty said.
He said the Philippines and Canada are connected not only through strong diplomatic ties, but through the people, families and communities who help strengthen the bond. “As outlined, Mr. Secretary, in our Indo-Pacific strategy, Canada remains committed to supporting peace, security, and stability throughout the region. That includes support for a maritime order grounded in international law, where disputes are resolved peacefully and the rights of all states are respected. As we approach the 10th anniversary of the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Tribunal ruling, Canada will continue working alongside the Philippines and ASEAN partners to promote respect for the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS),” McGuinty said.
For his part, Teodoro said the signing of the Statement of Intent on Strengthening Defense Cooperation and the MLSA puts teeth into the SOVFA. “As Minister McGuinty had just said, that this SOVFA is an expression and an exercise of interoperability, of building trust and confidence between our defense systems and our armed forces, because we need to underpin our strong and robust ties for more economic activities, for more secure people-to-people exchanges, for more interaction between both our countries. And we need this in order to uphold, being maritime countries, the all-ever-important UNCLOS,” he said, referring to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
Teodoro said this is significant for the Philippines as the country will soon be observing the 10th anniversary of the Arbitral Award which the Philippines won, and which shows that UNCLOS reigns supreme when it comes to determining maritime rights. “We see this as a microcosm of the whole Canada-Philippines relationship, where we will be entering into partnerships for critical infrastructure, for critical minerals, for energy, for businesses to thrive, for industry to thrive, for telecommunications. And we are here as Defense Secretary and Minister to underpin the mutuality of activities, exchange of goods, services freely and safely in the maritime domain and in other domains under a cladding of security of which is a sine qua non in today’s volatile world. Although we must stress that we work together, propounding international norms for a free and open Indo-Pacific and under the basis of the rule of law, particularly, as we said, UNCLOS,” Teodoro said.
Source: pna.gov.ph
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Malampaya to undergo monthlong maintenance shutdown
MANILA, June 15 —— The Malampaya Deep Water Gas-to-Power Project will undergo a scheduled maintenance shutdown for a month starting next week, the Department of Energy (DOE) said.
The DOE said the scheduled maintenance from June 15 to July 15 will cover key facilities at the Shallow Water Platform in offshore northwest Palawan and the Onshore Gas Plant in Tabangao, Batangas City. It will include integrity inspections, servicing of mechanical and control systems, and safety-critical maintenance works to help ensure the long-term reliability of Malampaya operations.
The DOE assured the public that the regular activity has been closely coordinated with relevant stakeholders. “During the maintenance period, the supply of natural gas from Malampaya will be temporarily halted, requiring power plants to switch to alternate fuel sources,” the DOE said in a statement. Aside from the routine maintenance, the DOE said the tie-in of the Malampaya East-1R1 (MAE-1R1) and Camago-3S3 (CA-3S3) wells will be undertaken. “This integration of newly discovered wells into the existing infrastructure will bolster the nation’s indigenous natural gas supply and extend the project’s operational life,” the DOE said.
The Malampaya Deep Water Gas-to-Power Project, located off the coast of Palawan, is the country’s only indigenous source of natural gas and powers up to 20 percent of Luzon’s electricity needs.
Source: pna.gov.ph
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Easterlies to drench parts of Visayas, Mindanao on Monday
MANILA, June 15 —— Several areas in the Visayas and Mindanao will experience rains caused by the prevailing easterlies, the weather bureau said.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said isolated rain showers or thunderstorms are forecast across Eastern Visayas, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, and Davao Oriental. The rest of the country will get isolated rain showers caused by localized thunderstorms.
Flash floods or landslides are possible during severe thunderstorms. The whole archipelago will experience light to moderate winds and slight to moderate seas. Meanwhile, no low pressure area is being monitored for possible tropical cyclone formation, PAGASA said.
Source: pna.gov.ph
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Pope Leo XIV prays for Mindanao quake victims
MANILA, Philippines, June 15 —— Pope Leo XIV has expressed solidarity with Filipinos affected by the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck Mindanao.
Speaking after the Angelus at St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City on Sunday, June 14, the pontiff said he was praying for those killed, injured and affected by the disaster. “I assure the people of the Philippines, struck a few days ago by a powerful earthquake, of my closeness,” the pope said, according to the official English translation released by the Vatican. “I pray for the deceased and their families, for the wounded and for all those suffering because of this disaster,” he added.
Vatican News also reported that Leo prayed for the victims of the earthquake, which struck off the coast of the Philippines on June 8 and triggered tsunami warnings across several countries. Prior to becoming a bishop, Leo, then superior general of the Augustinian Order, visited the Philippines several times. As of June 14, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported 61 deaths, 1,403 injured individuals and 40 missing persons following the earthquake.
Source: philstar.com
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ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
Vice Ganda, Donny Pangilinan, John Arcilla among awardees at SPEEd’s The Eddys
June 15 —— For the ninth edition of the Society of Philippine Entertainment Editors’ (SPEEd) The Eddys, veteran actors John Arcilla, Edgar Mortiz, Rio Locsin and Janice de Belen will receive the 2026 Movie Icon Award for their “enduring commitment to their craft and their contributions to raising the standard of Filipino films.”
The awards ceremony will be held on July 5 at the Ceremonial Hall of Newport World Resorts in Pasay City. On the other hand, the recipients of the Isah V. Red Award are corporate leader and philanthropist Chaye Cabal Revilla and actor Donny Pangilinan. According to the media release, they are recognized for “inspiring and assisting fellow Filipinos through meaningful initiatives.”
Revilla, executive director and chief finance, risk and sustainability officer of Metro Pacific Investments Corporation, is also the founding chair of Gabay Guro, one of the country’s largest and longest-running education advocacy programs for teachers. Gabay Guro is a flagship initiative of the PLDT-Smart Foundation, through which Revilla has inspired numerous showbiz personalities to support and participate in the advocacy program.
Pangilinan is given the recognition after offering diesel discounts at his family-owned gas station in Cavite during the oil crisis in March. The initiative “helped motorists cope with rising fuel prices amid global supply disruptions.” Meanwhile, director and songwriter Joven Tan will be presented with the Joe Quirino Award, while television reporter Lhar Santiago will be honored with the Manny Pichel Award.
After starting in entertainment journalism, Tan found success in filmmaking and has since helmed several movies, while Santiago was recognized for his “decades-long contribution to entertainment journalism.” The latter previously served as editor of the tabloid Masa in the 1980s and also wrote an entertainment column for The Manila Times. Vice Ganda will also be honored with the Box Office Heroes Award for “Call Me Mother,” which grossed P392 million.
Ahead of the announcement of the nominees, SPEEd rigorously evaluated and deliberated on this year’s selections at the Luxent Hotel in Quezon City, the official screening venue partner of The Eddys. “The Eddys has always been about honoring the people whose passion and dedication have helped shape Philippine cinema. This year’s Movie Icon Award recipients have spent decades bringing memorable stories and characters to life,” SPEEd president Tessa Mauricio-Arriola remarked. “Our special awardees, on the other hand, have made meaningful contributions both within and beyond the entertainment industry. Through these recognitions, we celebrate excellence, service and the enduring impact of individuals who continue to inspire Filipinos,” she added.
Aside from the special citations, The Eddys will present 14 acting and technical awards selected from films screened in cinemas and on digital platforms during the eligibility period, the organization said. Held annually, The Eddys “recognizes the achievements and contributions of filmmakers, actors, writers, directors and producers in the Philippine film industry.”
Last year, “Green Bones” garnered the most awards at the 8th Eddy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director for Zig Dulay, Best Actor for Dennis Trillo and Best Supporting Actor for Ruru Madrid, among others. Aga Muhlach shared the Best Supporting Actor award with Madrid for his role in “Uninvited.”
Marian Rivera was named Best Actress for her performance in “Balota,” while Lorna Tolentino was declared Best Supporting Actress for “Espantaho.” Joshua Garcia and Julia Barretto (“Un/happy For You”), Kathryn Bernardo and Alden Richards (“Hello, Love, Again”) and Vice Ganda (“And The Breadwinner Is…”) took home the Box Office Hero award. Established in 2015, SPEEd is a nonprofit organization composed of entertainment editors from national broadsheets, leading tabloids and major online news portals.
Source: philstar.com
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SB19 to hold ‘I WaS There’ Thanksgiving fan meet in US, Japan
June 15 —— As part of its international activities, SB19 is set to hold a Thanksgiving fan meet titled “I WaS There” in the United States and Japan.
The five-member group—Pablo, Josh, Stell, Ken, and Justin—announced the special fan event through a Facebook post. The first stop of the “I WaS There Thanksgiving Fanmeet” will be held in Sacramento, USA on August 8, followed by another gathering in Yokohama, Japan on August 18.
Ahead of the fan meet, the group is set to make history as the first Filipino act to perform at Lollapalooza on July 30, followed by an appearance at Summer Sonic in Japan on August 15. SB19 recently unveiled the “Wakas At Simula Global Version CD,” which offers fans a new way to experience their music beyond live performances.
They also recently sparked speculation online after teasing a new announcement scheduled for July 1, posting “MAY BAGONG ATIN,” which hinted at another possible upcoming release. SB19 is also set to headline the “OPM Con Generations” concert on July 11, joining other OPM acts including Ben&Ben, Alamat, Flow G, Skusta Clee, SunKissed Lola, G22, KAIA, and XONARA.
Source: inquirer.net
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At 71, Edgar Mortiz stages his first concert
MANILA, Philippines, June 15 —— Nothing is never late in life as long as you pursue it. Having a concert at 71 happened for actor-turned-TV director Edgar “Bobot” Mortiz last June 13 at the full-house Proscenium Theater.
Edgar made it happen, no matter how belatedly. Two years ago, he launched his eight-track debut album, “Goin’ Standard,” when he turned 70. This time, he took the stage for the first time and did a solo concert. The Manila Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO) backed him up with Maestro Rodel Colmenares wielding the baton and also being the musical director.
It was not a tall order to make Edgar sing onstage and revisit the soundtrack of his stellar career. He was only 13 years old when he started singing professionally and joined “Tawag ng Tanghalan” in 1967. Nora Aunor came after him, and they were first paired onstage before the Vilma-Edgar became known. He started singing standard songs ever since.
When he sauntered onstage, Edgar instructed the orchestra not to play any intro. He immediately greeted the packed theater. “I’m Edgar Mortiz,” he humbly told the audience. “Please just ask any senior seatmate beside you, they will know me.” His erstwhile love team partner, Vilma Santos, was not around, but she sent a video greeting, congratulated him, and promised to join him next time onstage if ever the concert stages a repeat.
The crowd hardly had Gen Zs in the audience. But the seniors around undoubtedly made Edgar’s heart swell. “I know you are here not to hear me sing,” he smilingly said. “You’re not here for my music. I just know you all love me.” He started by crooning Frank Sinatra originals — Somewhere In Your Heart, followed by For Once In My Life, Let Me Try Again (written by Paul Anka) and The Lady Is a Tramp. He also delivered Tony Bennett’s Yesterday I Heard the Rain, James Ingram’s How Do You Keep the Music Playing? and the “saddest love song written” that was really beautiful, You and Me (We Wanted It All), popularized by Frank Sinatra.
Edgar reminded everyone that his “Goin’ Standard” album was being sold at the theater lobby in vinyl form. The album was released by Curve Entertainment. Klarisse de Guzman was the first guest who emerged onstage, and Edgar did a duet with her of What Now My Love. His former “Goin’ Bulilit” star Alexa Ilacad did Tony’s If I Ruled the World with him. “I’ve known you all my life,” said Alexa, who started as a child star in ‘Goin’ Bulilit.”
With Julie Anne San Jose, Edgar carried out Something Stupid, then the singer-actress was left onstage to belt out Etta James’ At Last. Edgar’s daughter, Calin Mortiz, did Who Can I Turn To with him. The powerhouse guests that night were Edgar’s longtime friends, veteran actors Christopher de Leon and Tirso Cruz III, who rendered Come Fly With Me (Let’s Fly Away) with him.
Edgar left the two onstage, and Boyet and Pip, as they were fondly called, gave the audience Fly Me To the Moon, Night and Day, Our Day Will Come, That Sweet Little Thing To Me, Bring Back the Pieces and I Love You More Today Than Yesterday. Their numbers were much anticipated and well applauded. “We are not rich, but we are not poor, either,” Edgar shared with the audience. “We owned passenger jeeps, which my father and I drove around. My father gave me P500 to record my first song that started my career.” Then he crooned My Pledge of Love. “When I sang My Pledge of Love before, the crowd would instantly scream just when the first line of the song was played,” Edgar reminded everyone and requested the orchestra to stop playing. “My pledge of love cannot be broken,” his first line went, and the crowd went wild, as if reminding him about the early days of his movies with Vilma.
Edgar’s wife, Millet, was in the audience. He acknowledged her, as they have been married for 49 years. They tied the knot when Millet was only 17, had four children and by the time she was 21, she was already “ligated,” as he disclosed. He dedicated the song, Happy Anniversary, to her. Mikko Angeles worked at the helm of “Goin’ Standard” which had a star-studded audience starting with direk Edgar’s family. His sisters-in-law, Charo and Malou Santos, showed their support by being there. Sen. Robin Padilla came with brother Rommel. Showbiz stars close to the family were also around — Lorna Tolentino, Sandy Andolong and Gina Alajar.
Directors Olive Lamasan and Al Tantay, Malou Choa-Fagar, Bibeth Orteza, Lyn Ynchausti, Ali Sotto, Darius Razon, comedians Jason Gainza and Empoy Marquez, Ali Forbes, Ana Marin were in the audience. Newport World Resorts executive Kevin Tan, lawyer Ferdie Topacio, concert impresario Renen de Guia, recording executive Rudy Tee and “Goin’ Standard” concert producer Narciso Chan were in the house, too.
Source: philstar.com
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SPORTS NEWS
Brunson leads Knicks to first NBA title in 53 years
LOS ANGELES, June 15 —— The New York Knicks, fueled by a sensational 45 points from Jalen Brunson, rallied again to beat the San Antonio Spurs 94-90 and win their first NBA title in 53 years. The Knicks won the best-of-seven championship series 4-1, denying Victor Wembanyama and his young Spurs teammates on their home floor to lift the trophy for the first time since 1973.
The Knicks, who recovered from 29 points down in game four in the biggest comeback win in Finals history, erased a double-digit deficit to win for the fourth time in the series. Brunson scored eight of the Knicks’ meagre 13 first-quarter points. They trailed by 16 in the second quarter and were down by 10 early in the fourth, but Brunson wouldn’t let them lose. “I’ve got no words,” Brunson said after setting a Knicks record for points in a Finals game, surpassing Willis Reed’s 38 in game three of the team’s 1970 triumph over the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Knicks needed every bit of his contribution on a night when they connected on just 35.6 percent of their shots from the field. “I don’t know what I’m feeling,” added Brunson, who was named Finals Most Valuable Player. “I’m in awe. Whenever someone counts us out, we find a way to come back and do something about it.”
French star Wembanyama scored 19 points, pulled down 14 rebounds and blocked five shots and rookie Dylan Harper scored 25 points off the bench for San Antonio. But once again the Spurs team that vanquished the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference finals were unable to hold off the crafty and determined Knicks. “The margin of error is very thin,” Wembanyama said. “Our domination stints are absolute. We absolutely dominated for most of the series. “But our errors, our mistakes, are punished so hard that we can’t have ups and downs like this.”
The win marked the final chapter of a dramatic playoff run which had captivated New York, with tens of thousands of long-suffering fans packing neighborhood watch parties throughout the Big Apple as the team inched towards a first title in more than half a century. Within moments of clinching victory on Saturday, the Empire State Building was lit up in the Knicks’ signature orange and blue colors, as raucous celebrations erupted outside the team’s Madison Square Garden home.
US President Donald Trump, who attended game three at Madison Square Garden, sent a message of congratulations. “Congratulations to (owner) Jim Dolan and the New York Knicks!!!,” Trump posted on Truth Social. “What a year it has been but, even more so, what incredible playoff wins we have all witnessed, especially the last four – Maybe the greatest in the history of basketball. “Also, tonight, a superstar was born. His name is Jalen Brunson,” Trump said, hailing a litany of other Knicks players as well.
There was a boisterous blue and orange-clad contingent cheering the Knicks on at the Spurs’ Frost Bank Center as well, where the celebrities on the sidelines included not only well-known Knicks fans but also Britain’s Prince Harry, who sat with NBA commissioner Adam Silver. Mikal Bridges scored 14 points and Josh Hart added 13 points and 11 rebounds for the Knicks.
Karl-Anthony Towns scored just two points before fouling out in the fourth quarter but pulled down 10 rebounds and came up with three steals and a blocked shot. Fouled on a three-pointer, Brunson made all three free-throws to put the Knicks up 86-85 with 3:40 left to play. It was their first lead since the opening minutes and they would not trail again. Game four hero OG Anunoby drove for a dunk that made it 88-85 and after the Spurs knotted it at 88-88 Brunson put New York back in front with a driving basket and the Knicks held on. Wembanyama missed a last-gasp three-pointer with two seconds left and when Anunoby corralled the rebound it was over. “It’s painful,” Wembanyama said. “It’s painful. But I’m not running away from that. I’m using it to fuel me.”
Source: news.abs-cbn.com
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PBA: McCullough fires 53 to power TNT past Ginebra, sends Finals to Game 7
MANILA, June 15 —— It was Chris McCullough’s turn to deliver a monster performance, keeping TNT Tropang 5G alive in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup Finals while also spoiling yet another masterpiece from Justin Brownlee. McCullough erupted for a career-high 53 points as TNT defeated Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, 98-90, in Game 6 before 22,731 fans at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao. “I just wanted to come out and be aggressive,” said McCullough, who also tied his career high of 22 rebounds while scoring 16 of his points in the crucial fourth quarter.
TNT and Ginebra will clash one final time in the winner-take-all Game 7 on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay. There, the Tropang 5G will hope for McCullough to replicate his late-game heroics. Trailing 78-80, McCullough scored five straight points before Kelly Williams extended TNT’s lead to 85-80 with a basket at the 3:35 mark.
Brownlee kept Ginebra within striking distance, converting a two-pointer with 2:47 remaining to cut the deficit to 86-90. But McCullough answered with a four-pointer to restore an eight-point cushion, an advantage that proved enough to seal the victory. Aside from McCullough, Jordan Heading stepped up with 19 points and nine assists as TNT missed the services of Calvin Oftana and Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser, who are both game-time decisions for Wednesday as they continue to deal with their respective injuries.
Roger Pogoy also played a crucial role, finishing with 13 points and three assists. On the other hand, Brownlee followed up his 54-point outburst in Game 5 with 52 points, five rebounds, and three assists. However, no other Ginebra player scored in double figures.
Their next leading scorer was Troy Rosario, who finished with nine points, while Japeth Aguilar added eight. RJ Abarrientos also had an off night with six points, while Scottie Thompson managed just three. Excluding Brownlee’s output, Ginebra shot just 14-of-52 (26.9 %) from the field, with Abarrientos and Thompson combining to go 2-of-18.
The Scores:
TNT 98 – McCullough 53, Heading 19, Pogoy 13, Castro 3, Nambatac 3, Khobuntin 3, Williams 2, Galinato 2, Aurin 0.
Ginebra 90 – Brownlee 52, Rosario 9, J.Aguilar 8, Abarrientos 6, Holt 5, Pinto 5, Thompson 3, Abis 2, Gray 0, Cu 0.
Quartersores: 17-16, 45-43, 75-67, 98-90.
Source: news.abs-cbn.com
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Gilas Youth sweeps Seaba qualifiers, books Fiba U18 Asia Cup spot
MANILA, Philippines, June 15 —— Gilas Pilipinas Youth men’s team completed a sweep of the Seaba qualifiers and officially qualified for the Fiba U18 Asia Cup in August.
Gilas defeated home team Thailand, 85-70, in the gold medal game at Chan Ka Pho Gymnasium in Thailand. Virtually, the Philippines had already secured its ticket to the continental competition when it defeated Malaysia in the semifinals.
The top two teams in the Seaba qualifiers have an outright berth to the Fiba U18 Asia Cup in India. Gilas defeated Thailand for the second time in the Southeast Asian tilt, replicating its 98-63 win over the Thais in the group play. In the final, Joaquin Tovera paced Gilas with 21 points in the victory. Patrick Pasinos and Ethan Aguas also chipped in 13 points each. In the road to the sweep, the Philippines also routed Vietnam, Singapore and Malaysia for an immaculate 5-0 record.
Source: inquirer.net
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FEATURED ARTICLE
Building the regional highway for Asean SMEs
Why is it that most micro and small entrepreneurs (MSEs) rarely seem to scale up? Successful MSEs – those who eventually grow into medium or large enterprises – have shown that scaling is possible. Yet, for many entrepreneurs, it remains the exception rather than the rule. The question is not whether scaling can happen. It’s why it so often doesn’t.
One explanation offered – especially in the Philippine context – is that many MSE owners are simply content as long as they are earning. If the business is stable and able to cover day-to-day needs, then the motivation to expand can be low. From their perspective, scaling up may feel unnecessary. Why add layers of complexity when everything is already chugging along at a manageable pace? Why “rock the boat” when the boat, however small, is still afloat?
That mindset is understandable and rational. Scaling up means taking on higher fixed costs, managing bigger inventories, hiring more people, dealing with stricter compliance requirements and sustaining performance in markets that may be less forgiving than the ones currently served. It also means confronting uncertainty.
Still, I believe this is precisely the gap that mentorship should address. When a seasoned entrepreneurship mentor looks at a small business operation, the mentor doesn’t only celebrate what is already working. The mentor helps the entrepreneur see the growth potential more clearly. More importantly, the mentor helps identify the barriers that keep the business from expanding – whether those barriers are financial, operational, managerial or market-related – and then discusses realistic solutions to overcome them.
This is exactly what we experienced whenever Go Negosyo deployed our free entrepreneurship mentoring events across the Philippines. The specifics varied from one group of entrepreneurs to the next, but the unifying thread was consistent: the MSMEs who came to our events believed that scaling was possible. That belief mattered. It signaled that many entrepreneurs were not truly “satisfied” in a passive sense. Deep down, there was a desire to improve, to get better and to move beyond merely surviving.
Maybe that desire is part of what makes entrepreneurs, entrepreneurs. After all, they already took that first leap of opening a small business. Surely, the dream did not stop there. Perhaps they just need the conditions that make the next step less intimidating, and find the motivation and confidence to take the larger leap.
I continue thinking about these questions because I believe we may be on the cusp of a game-changing development for MSMEs. In 2017, when I first became chair of the ASEAN Business Advisory Council, we decided to establish the ASEAN Mentorship for Entrepreneurs Network (AMEN) as our legacy project. We wanted this initiative to serve as a meaningful contribution to the Philippines’ chairmanship – one that could help upscale the small and medium businesses of the ASEAN region by building on what we had already learned through our own Kapatid Mentor ME program (KMME), which we successfully implemented in collaboration with the Department of Trade and Industry. It is widely described as the MBA for entrepreneurship: a structured, formal training program designed to help small and medium entrepreneurs scale their businesses.
Thousands of Filipino entrepreneurs benefited from KMME. And when AMEN launched, hundreds of entrepreneurs across ASEAN also gained access to the same spirit of capacity-building and practical guidance. AMEN helped entrepreneurs make better decisions, while recognizing that scaling requires access to money, markets and mentorship.
AMEN becomes even more relevant now, because the ASEAN region may yet see a world’s first in the final quarter of 2026: a region-wide, legally binding digital economy pact. If realized, this pact would harmonize rules across critical areas – e-commerce, digital payments, cybersecurity and cross-border data flows. In other words, it would reduce the fragmentation that often makes cross-border trade difficult, costly and risky for smaller businesses.
Just last month, we concluded negotiations for the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA). We resolved outstanding issues and marked a major shift away from disconnected, inconsistent digital policies toward a unified, rules-based regional framework. We are much closer to building the actual mechanisms that will see DEFA come online.
We are now closer to the prize of regional economic integration, made far more possible by digital technology. When private sector partners in ASEAN came together decades ago to form the ASEAN-BAC, we already believed that integration could bring benefits to our economies. But today, technology has turned that belief into something more immediate and urgent. Global economic conditions are placing stronger pressure to get the details right – and right away.
This is where AMEN fits naturally. With AMEN in place, it becomes easier for SMEs to navigate life in DEFA. As cross-border data flows open up, as expectations for AI compliance become clearer and as digital payment interoperability improves across borders, SMEs will need mentoring on what to do differently and what to prepare for. AMEN can become a capacity-building mechanism for entrepreneurs to get the practical support to capitalize on DEFA.
Imagine a small business in Bulacan trading with a retailer in Jakarta. Under a more connected and harmonized digital environment, the business could face lower costs, fewer barriers and less administrative friction. What used to be difficult – or nearly impossible to contemplate because of regulatory and technological obstacles – is becoming more feasible as those obstacles come down one by one. Once this works, it can become that “giant leap” that makes ASEAN more attractive to investors who are looking for a stable, unified region where growth can be scalable to modern systems.
SMEs are especially well-positioned to take advantage of these developments. Across ASEAN, governments recognize their role in sustainable and inclusive development. Given this, SMEs must be prepared – given the right infrastructure, the right skills and the right mentorship – to plug into cross-border commerce confidently. With their sheer numbers and entrepreneurial energy, they can drive a revolution of digitally enabled business throughout the region.
Source: Go Negosyo – www.philstar.com
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