{"id":1506,"date":"2026-05-20T14:51:21","date_gmt":"2026-05-20T06:51:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mbm.com.ph\/?p=1506"},"modified":"2026-05-20T14:51:21","modified_gmt":"2026-05-20T06:51:21","slug":"balitang-marino-daily-news-for-may-20-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mbm.com.ph\/index.php\/2026\/05\/20\/balitang-marino-daily-news-for-may-20-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"BALITANG MARINO DAILY NEWS for May 20, 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

HEADLINES<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

WHO worried about ‘scale and speed’ of deadly Ebola outbreak<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stocks fall as US bond yields rise, oil eases after latest Iran war headlines<\/p>\n\n\n\n

European countries reportedly in talks with Iran for Hormuz transits<\/p>\n\n\n\n

US Charges Executives and Firms Over Container Cartel<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kitada Explains Gender Mainstreaming<\/p>\n\n\n\n

PCG drives off Chinese ship found 48 nautical miles off Zambales<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Japan defense export shift boosts AFP modernization efforts \u2013 Marcos<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prosecution forms teams for VP impeach trial<\/p>\n\n\n\n

DA to set P53\/kilo SRP for local rice<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Philippines rejects US diplomatic immunity at planned AI hub<\/p>\n\n\n\n

LTFRB ends service contracting, launches PUV fuel discount nationwide<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Easterlies to bring warm, humid weather across PH<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Over 5.1 million apply for BSKE as voter registration ends<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bea Millan-Windorski hopes Miss U journey can unite Filipinos<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Liza Soberano credited as executive producer of thriller film \u2018Imprint\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kim Atienza\u2019s daughter Eliana graduates summa cum laude<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NBA: Wembanyama dazzles as Spurs top Thunder in double-OT thriller<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Carlos Yulo captures gold in French club championship<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ronaldo, 41, leads Portugal into his sixth World Cup<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mothering in the digital age<\/p>\n\n\n\n

FULL NEWSPAPER<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

INTERNATIONAL NEWS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

WHO worried about ‘scale and speed’ of deadly Ebola outbreak<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

KINSHASA, DR Kongo, May 20 —— The World Health Organization voiced concern about the “scale and speed” of an Ebola outbreak that has killed more than 130 people in the Democratic Republic of Congo and warned it could be lengthy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The UN health agency has declared the surge of the highly contagious hemorrhagic fever in the east of the country an international health emergency. No vaccine or therapeutic treatment exists for the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, which is responsible for the outbreak. Ebola has killed more than 15,000 people in Africa in the past half-century. Workers with shovels were seen digging to clear an abandoned Ebola treatment center in the eastern city of Goma.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“We are currently spreading sand and preparing the site to help care for people affected by Ebola virus disease,” said Philippe Jamaica, who was supervising the work. Tons of emergency medical supplies, including infection prevention kits and tents, as well as experts, have arrived in recent days, local WHO footage showed. With the recent cases largely concentrated in difficult-to-access areas hit by long-running conflicts, few samples have been laboratory-tested, and figures are based mostly on suspected cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Congolese Health Minister Samuel Roger Kamba told reporters on Tuesday that there had been 136 deaths suspected to be linked to Ebola and about 543 suspected cases, calling for international aid to help combat the spread. WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said he was “deeply concerned about the scale and speed of the epidemic,” while the agency’s representative in the DRC said a vaccine candidate called Ervebo was being considered. But Anne Ancia said it would likely take at least two months to be available, adding: “I don’t think that in two months we will be done with this outbreak”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conflict<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the hospital in Rwampara in northeastern Ituri province, the epicenter of the outbreak near the border with Uganda and South Sudan, the response was slow, despite the surge in cases. A simple strip of plastic marked off the site reserved for receiving patients. “We dig graves and bury people who died without gloves or any protection. We’re so exposed,” Salama Bamunoba, from a local youth organization, told AFP. “We’re already at about 100 cases. We didn’t have an appropriate place to do triage and isolate suspected cases” until Monday, said one local hospital official. Kamba told reporters that equipment was being delivered. “We have everything healthcare providers will need,” he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The DRC’s deadliest Ebola outbreak, between 2018 and 2020, claimed nearly 2,300 lives from 3,500 cases. The east is a gold-mining hub with people regularly crisscrossing the region, and it has been plagued by clashes between local militias for years. The virus has already spread into neighboring provinces, as well as beyond the DRC’s borders into Uganda. The Ebola outbreak is the 17th in the vast central African country of more than 100 million people. Vaccines are only available for the Zaire strain of the disease, which has caused the biggest recorded outbreaks. The Bundibugyo strain has previously been responsible for outbreaks in Uganda in 2007 and in the DRC in 2012. The mortality rate was 30 to 50 percent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi on Tuesday urged citizens to keep “calm” and take precautions, the presidency said on X. Suspected cases have been reported in the commercial hub of Butembo in North Kivu province, some 200 kilometers (125 miles) from the epidemic’s ground zero, Kamba said. Another case has been recorded in Goma, the North Kivu provincial capital, which was seized by M23 fighters in January last year. Congolese doctor Denis Mukwege, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2018, appealed to the Rwanda-backed group to reopen the city’s airport to help combat the outbreak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The front line dividing the anti-governmental group and government forces runs through the provinces of North Kivu and neighboring South Kivu. “Humanitarian access and coordination between the various stakeholders, particularly the parties to the conflict, could be one of the challenges for the response,” Francois Moreillon, of the International Committee of the Red Cross in the DRC, told AFP on Monday. He called on the armed groups to guarantee effective access, cooperation, and humanitarian coordination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

US screening<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The government in neighboring Uganda said two Ebola cases — one infection and one death — had been recorded there, involving Congolese nationals who crossed the border. Germany, meanwhile, said on Tuesday it was ready to receive and treat a US citizen who has contracted the virus — a doctor from an American Christian NGO. The United States announced it was screening air passengers from outbreak-hit areas and temporarily suspending visa services. It also urged citizens to avoid travel to the DRC, South Sudan, and Uganda, and to reconsider travel to Rwanda.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Source: manilatimes.net <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Stocks fall as US bond yields rise, oil eases after latest Iran war headlines<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

NEW YORK\/LONDON, May 20 —— A global stock index fell with 30-year U.S. Treasury yields rising to their highest levels since 2007 and oil prices eased as investors digested the latest headlines on U.S. talks with Iran to end the war.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that the United States may need to strike Iran again and that he had been an hour away from ordering an attack before postponing it. Trump on Monday said he had paused a planned resumption of hostilities following a new proposal by Tehran to end the U.S.-Israeli war. U.S. Vice President JD Vance said the United States and Iran have made a lot of progress in their talks, and neither side wants to see a resumption of the military campaign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oil prices settled lower on the day, with Brent futures down 82 cents at $111.28 a barrel and the U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude contract for June delivery, which expired on Tuesday, down 89 cents at $107.77. Mounting inflation fears continued to drive up U.S. Treasury yields. The 30-year Treasury bond’s yield hit its highest in 19 years. It was last at around 5.18 per cent. U.S. 10-year yields rose to their highest levels in more than a year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Investors are closely watching rising yields, said Peter Cardillo, chief market economist at Spartan Capital Securities in New York. “We’re seeing the long end of the market continues to rise,” he said. “That is the reason why we’re seeing (stocks) on the defensive.” Rising yields push up borrowing costs and mean a higher discount for future company earnings, challenging stock valuations. The all-important AI trade will be tested by earnings from chipmaker Nvidia due on Wednesday, with expectations sky-high for the world’s most valuable company. Results from Walmart and other retailers are also still to come this week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 322.24 points, or 0.65 per cent, to 49,363.88, the S&P 500 fell 49.44 points, or 0.67 per cent, to 7,353.61, and the Nasdaq Composite fell 220.02 points, or 0.84 per cent, to 25,870.71. MSCI’s gauge of stocks across the globe fell 6.44 points, or 0.59 per cent, to 1,091.79. European stocks were higher, however, further recovering ground lost on Friday when they dropped 1.5 per cent as bond market jitters spread to equities. Stocks in Europe, which is a net importer of energy and has fewer major tech firms, remain below pre-war levels and have lagged far behind their U.S. peers. The pan-European STOXX 600 index rose 0.19 per cent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

U.S. YIELDS UP AGAIN<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Worries remain about a lasting inflationary shock from the Iran war, particularly from sharply higher energy prices. The yield on benchmark U.S. 10-year notes rose 4.4 basis points to 4.667 per cent, from 4.623 per cent late on Monday. Yields move inversely to prices. British bond yields fell after news reports said the most likely challenger to Prime Minister Keir Starmer will not overhaul the country’s borrowing rules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The U.S. dollar was up in part because of the higher U.S. yields, driven by inflation fears and uncertainty over how new Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh will respond if price pressures continue to accelerate. Global rate hike expectations have been changing, and traders have started to price in higher probabilities for rate hikes from the Fed. Expectations have increased that policymakers will have to tighten policy to combat a resurgence in inflation driven by higher-for-longer energy prices. The dollar index, which measures the greenback against a basket of currencies including the yen and the euro, rose 0.34 per cent to 99.33, with the euro down 0.45 per cent at $1.1602. Against the Japanese yen, the dollar strengthened 0.14 per cent to 159.05.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Data on Tuesday showed that Japan’s economy grew by an annualized 2.1 per cent in the first quarter, supporting expectations for a Bank of Japan rate increase in June. Investors are also awaiting details of the government’s supplementary budget plan, which could further strain Japan’s already deteriorating public finances and weigh on the yen. Gold eased as the dollar firmed. U.S. gold futures for June delivery settled 1 per cent lower at $4,511.20.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Source: channelnewsasia.com <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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MARITIME NEWS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

European countries reportedly in talks with Iran for Hormuz transits<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

May 20 —— Iranian state television reported that several European countries were in discussions with Tehran regarding ship transit through the Strait of Hormuz.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the report, negotiations with the navy of Iran\u2019s Revolutionary Guards began after vessels from East Asian nations including China, Japan and Pakistan were granted passage through the strategic waterway. However, the broadcaster did not identify the European countries involved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Iran has largely restricted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz since the war involving the United States and Israel erupted on 28 February. Although a fragile ceasefire has been in effect since 8 April, Tehran\u2019s control over the vital maritime route has continued to unsettle global markets and strengthen its strategic leverage. At the same time, the United States has maintained its own naval blockade on Iranian ports.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To remind, on 16 May, Ebrahim Azizi, head of the Iranian parliament\u2019s national security commission, said Iran \u201chas prepared a professional mechanism to manage traffic\u201d through the strait, adding that it will be unveiled soon. \u201cIn this process, only commercial vessels and parties cooperating with Iran will benefit from it,\u201d he noted, adding that the necessary fees will be collected for specialized services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Source: safety4sea.com<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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US Charges Executives and Firms Over Container Cartel<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

May 20 —— The United States has charged seven Chinese executives and four of the world’s largest shipping container companies with conspiring to restrict supply, raising the price of containers during the COVID pandemic, Department of Justice officials said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The companies together manufacture about 95% of the world’s standard dry shipping containers and conspired to restrict output and fix prices between November 2019 and January 2024, the DOJ said. Prosecutors allege the scheme resulted in U.S. consumers paying more, and waiting longer, for goods during the pandemic. “Around the start of the global pandemic, these manufacturers exploited the crisis and their market power to squeeze the supply chain for profit,” Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward said while announcing the case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the executives, Vick Ma, 54, a marketing director Singamas Container Holdings Ltd, was arrested in France in April, the DOJ said. Singamas did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the allegations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Source: marinelink.com<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Kitada Explains Gender Mainstreaming<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

May 20 —— The IMO and World Maritime University (WMU) have released a new Handbook on Gender Mainstreaming in the Maritime Sector, calling for action to address persistent gender inequality across the global maritime industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The handbook, authored by WMU Professor Momoko Kitada, was launched on the International Day for Women in Maritime on May 18. Kitada is also the recipient of the 2026 IMO Gender Equality Award. The publication is the first of its kind, aimed at closing the gender gap in the maritime sector, where women account for just 1% of the world\u2019s seafaring workforce and hold only 19% of ministerial roles responsible for maritime affairs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The handbook provides practical guidance for maritime administrations, shipping companies, ports, shipyards and maritime education institutions on how to integrate gender considerations into policies, recruitment, training, workplace safety and leadership development. It includes tools tailored to maritime organizations for gender analysis, the development of gender equality action plans, and monitoring and evaluation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The handbook states: In the wake of gender equality initiatives in the maritime sector, there may be a misunderstanding that gender equality benefits women only. At its core, gender mainstreaming allows us to move beyond seeing women and men as a homogeneous group, and instead acknowledging the diversity among them and ensuring that all policies and actions benefit everyone equitably. This approach aims to transform the systemic structures and practices that sustain gender inequality rather than simply adding a \u201cwomen\u2019s component\u201d to existing activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the context of the maritime sector, gender mainstreaming helps ensure that policies and practices related to maritime education, employment conditions, safety standards, infrastructure development, and environmental protection, are scrutinized for their differential impact on people of all genders working in or affected by the industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gender mainstreaming transforms organizational culture by establishing systemic change through a lens of gender equality as a core value. Systemic change enables maritime organizations to move beyond simply increasing the number of women and fundamentally changing the systems, policies, and informal norms that perpetuate inequality. This leads to a safer, more respectful environment for everyone, including men, who may also be constrained by rigid gender roles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Presenting the handbook, Professor Kitada emphasized that gender mainstreaming is an effective strategy, process and methodology which works for everyone\u2019s benefit: \u201cGender mainstreaming requires leadership to implement. No matter our role or level in an organization, we can exercise gender mainstreaming in both large and small capacities.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the foreword, IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez said the industry must move \u201cbeyond rhetoric and toward measurable action,\u201d adding that a more diverse maritime workforce is more competent, safer and more sustainable. He stated: \u201cGender mainstreaming is the strategic tool we must employ to bridge this gap. It is not a secondary objective or a ‘women\u2019s issue\u2019; it is a globally recognized methodology used to ensure that every policy, every regulation, and every operational practice is scrutinized through a gender lens.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

WMU President Maximo Q. Mejia, Jr. said in the preface that the handbook was designed to serve as \u201ca roadmap to definitive change,\u201d helping organizations implement practical measures to create more equitable workplaces. He noted that WMU itself had reached gender parity in its Malm\u00f6 MSc intake for 2025 after decades of targeted efforts to increase opportunities for women in maritime education.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Source: marinelink.com<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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PHILIPPINE NEWS      <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

PCG drives off Chinese ship found 48 nautical miles off Zambales<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

MANILA, Philippines, May 20 —— The Philippine Coast Guard deployed an aircraft and a patrol vessel to challenge a China Coast Guard ship found “drifting” roughly 48 nautical miles west of Pandaquit, Zambales.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a statement today, the PCG said tracking by Canada’s dark vessel detection program first flagged the unauthorized presence of CCG vessel 4305. This prompted PCG Commandant Adm. Ronnie Gil Gavan earlier this morning to send aerial and surface assets “to challenge and drive away the Chinese vessel from Philippine maritime jurisdiction.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

PCG’s patrol aircraft Piper Navajo 302 took off from La Union Airport early Tuesday and at 8:40 a.m. visually confirmed CCG 4305 lying-to at 50.1 nautical miles west of Pandaquit, according to the statement. The aircrew issued repeated radio challenges, which the Chinese vessel did not acknowledge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The plane “conducted multiple passes to document the unlawful incursion before returning to the airport,” the PCG said. At sea, the Parola-class patrol vessel BRP Cape San Agustin sailed to the location and issued radio challenges throughout the day, according to the PCG.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CCG vessel 4305 briefly responded to the first challenge in the morning, then went silent. The PCG said the Chinese vessel “provided no lawful basis for its presence within the Philippines’ EEZ.” At a reported 48 nautical miles off Pandaquit, CCG vessel 4305 was operating well within the Philippines’ 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone, where Manila holds sovereign rights over fisheries, energy and other resources under UNCLOS. “The PCG remains resolute in defending the Philippines’ sovereign rights and jurisdiction through sustained MDA flights, vessel deployments, and lawful enforcement operations across the West Philippine Sea,” Gavan said in the statement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The PCG said it would not allow China’s coast guard to normalize its patrols off Zambales and condemned these as violations of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, the Philippine Maritime Zones Act and the final and binding 2016 Arbitral Award.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Continued swarming. The incident comes three days after Chinese research ship Xiang Yang Hong 33 was flagged by the PCG for operating inside the waters of Pag-asa Island on May 16. The PCG also documented 20 Chinese maritime militia vessels scattered around Sandy Cay 3 and 4 that day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chinese deployments across the West Philippine Sea have held at near-record levels through 2026. The Armed Forces of the Philippines tracked 15 People’s Liberation Army Navy warships and 20 CCG vessels at four features from May 4 to 11, most of them near Scarborough Shoal. The closest approach by a CCG vessel to the Philippine coast was in April 2025, when the PCG said it saw a Chinese vessel 23 nautical miles off Dasol, Pangasinan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Source: philstar.com<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Japan defense export shift boosts AFP modernization efforts \u2013 Marcos<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

MANILA, May 20 —— President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. welcomed Japan\u2019s expanded defense export policy, saying it would further strengthen security cooperation and military modernization efforts between Manila and Tokyo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Responding to questions on Japan\u2019s reported easing of restrictions on defense exports, Marcos said Manila and Tokyo have existing arrangements under their Official Security Assistance (OSA) framework involving military and defense-related equipment. \u201cWell, this is exactly the change in posture that Japan has undertaken \u2014 the new policy of being able to export military material,\u201d Marcos told Japanese media in press conference in Malaca\u00f1ang.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The President clarified that cooperation goes beyond weapons systems and includes radar systems, aircraft, vessels, support systems, training and technology-sharing arrangements. \u201cAnd already under that agreement, there have been many exchanges in terms of not necessarily military equipment, but these are radar systems, these are support systems, there are aircraft, there are vessels that we have been discussing,\u201d he said. Marcos said Japan\u2019s continued support has significantly contributed to the Armed Forces of the Philippines\u2019 (AFP) modernization efforts. \u201cSo that has been to the advantage certainly of the Philippines. And we are very grateful for Japan\u2019s continuing help and support in terms of our modernization of our military,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The President said the evolving defense partnership marks a \u201cnew phase\u201d in Philippines-Japan relations, which had traditionally focused on trade and development assistance. Prior to the expanded security cooperation, Marcos noted that Japan\u2019s role in the Philippines was largely centered on official development assistance (ODA) through agencies such as Japan International Cooperation Agency and financing support from institutions like the Asian Development Bank. \u201cThis gives us a continuing strengthening and deepening of relationships between our two countries,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Philippines and Japan have increasingly strengthened security ties amid growing concerns over regional tensions in the Indo-Pacific, particularly in the South China Sea and East China Sea. In 2024, Manila and Tokyo signed the Reciprocal Access Agreement, allowing increased military cooperation, joint exercises and easier deployment of troops between the two countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Marcos stressed that partnerships and alliances among regional stakeholders have become increasingly necessary to preserve peace and stability. \u201cIt is becoming very, very clear to all the stakeholders around the Indo-Pacific region that these are necessary partnerships and alliances,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The President added that cooperation between the Philippines and Japan now extends to information-sharing, technology transfers and military training exchanges. \u201cI\u2019m not talking necessarily only about large military exercises, but also about the sharing of information, the sharing of technology, the training that the Japanese military can have here in the Philippines and the Philippines in Japan,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Marcos is set to embark on a four-day state visit to Japan from May 26 to mark the two countries\u2019 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations. The President said he hopes to further discuss security cooperation with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi during their scheduled meeting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Source: pna.gov.ph<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Prosecution forms teams for VP impeach trial<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

MANILA, Philippines, May 20 —— The 11 members of the House of Representatives prosecution team in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte have each been given specific articles to handle, with justice committee chairperson Rep. Gerville Luistro taking charge of the issue of confidential funds or Article 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Luistro said Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon will lead in the prosecution of Article II on unexplained wealth while Manila Rep. Joel Chua will handle Article III on bribery and Iloilo Rep. Lorenz Defensor on death threats on President Marcos or Article IV.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Luistro named Kabataan Party-list Rep. Renee Co and House Assistant Majority Leader Zia Alonto Adiong of Lanao del Sur as the House trial spokespersons. While Luistro commended the action of the Senate in convening the impeachment court on Monday, she stressed that \u201cwhat is mandated to be forthwith is not only the convening but also the trial.\u201d \u201cWe therefore look forward that after the pre-trial, we will immediately proceed to the presentation of witnesses and evidence, and consequently to the judgment,\u201d she said, as she assured the public that the prosecution team is ready for the start of the trial.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Source: philstar.com<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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DA to set P53\/kilo SRP for local rice<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

MANILA, Philippines, May 20 —— A suggested retail price of P53 per kilo of rice will be imposed by the Department of Agriculture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said they have reached a deal with rice industry stakeholders, striking a balance between farmers\u2019 profits and consumers\u2019 budgets. \u201cThis is not a price ceiling. It\u2019s just a guide for consumers on fair local rice prices,\u201d Tiu Laurel said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The SRP positions local rice slightly above imported five-percent broken rice, capped at P50 per kilo for 30 days starting May 15. The price cap of P50 was calibrated using landed import costs of P37 to P38 per kilo, leaving enough room for logistics, shrinkage and reasonable markups from importer to trader to retailer, Tiu Laurel asserted. \u201cFor the entire value chain \u2013 from importer to trader to retailer \u2013 the markup should only be around P10. If the landed cost is P38, retail should be about P48. We set it at P50 to allow for hidden costs like logistics and possible spoilage. At P50, everyone in the chain should still earn,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Full enforcement of the imported rice price cap of P50 will start next week, giving retailers and consumers time to adjust, Tiu Laurel said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Source: philstar.com<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Philippines rejects US diplomatic immunity at planned AI hub<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

MANILA, Philippines, May 20 —— The Philippines has denied the United States\u2019 request for diplomatic immunity for its personnel in the planned AI industrial hub inside New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac. \u201cNo special arrangement to be accorded to the US government,\u201d Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) president and CEO Joshua Bingcang told reporters during the unveiling of the marker for the planned AI hub. That\u2019s their request. But we did not agree to that,\u201d he said. \u201cThere are two laws that will gov- ern the transaction here \u2013 the Inves- tors\u2019 Lease Act and then the BCDA Law, as just confirmed by the Department of Justice, so it will be treated as a regular business development contract,\u201d Bingcang added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He was replying to a question about a Wall Street Journal report that US personnel of the proposed AI hub will have diplomatic immunity. The development of the country\u2019s critical minerals into \u201cgreen-tech\u201d technology is also expected under the Pax Silica initiative, with the government rejecting claims that this will turn the Philippines into a war production hub.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Undersecretary of State for Economic Affairs Jacob Helberg led Monday the unveiling of the proposed 4,000-acre AI hub to be established under the US-led multilateral Pax Silica Initiative. The State Department said the zone is intended to be a first-of-its-kind industrial hub designed to boost production of inputs vital to global supply chains and to provide a significant contribution to advancing the vision of the Luzon Economic Corridor. \u201cFor years, American firms have come to Asia in search of speed and scale. They found both, and the bedrock of the modern AI economy was built on that bargain. But the bargain has changed: today\u2019s status quo supply chains have become predictably unreliable,\u201d Helberg said. \u201cAmerican firms are now grappling with a need they were not forced to weigh a decade ago \u2013 the need for predictability, reliability and certainty alongside the speed and scale that brought them to this region in the first place,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said the build-out of AI is creating a surge in demand at every level of the chain \u2013 chips, metals, magnets, motors, packaging, test capacity, actuators and energy. \u201cGrowth on that scale requires certainty of supply. The present arrangement is already failing today. And it is entirely ill-equipped for the future bearing down on us,\u201d he said. Helberg brought US investors during his visit to the proposed site Monday. \u201cAs the agreement that we signed makes clear, we now have a two-year window we\u2019re going to negotiate terms. At the end of the day we both share the goal of ensuring investors\u2019 protection,\u201d Helberg said. \u201cAnd so now we\u2019re going to begin negotiations and having a discussion about the best way to advance investment protections in the hub.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Source: philstar.com<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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LTFRB ends service contracting, launches PUV fuel discount nationwide<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

MANILA, May 20 —— The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) announced the end of the Service Contracting Program (SCP) for land-based public utility vehicles (PUV) at 11:59 p.m. on May 22.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a statement, LTFRB Chair Vigor Mendoza II said PUV operators and drivers nationwide will instead enjoy a PHP10 per liter fuel discount after a successful dry run in Metro Manila. A total of 141,724 units of passenger jeepneys and UV express have so far been approved and uploaded to the fuel discount subsidy program, allowing them to purchase discounted diesel at participating gas stations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Under the program\u2019s approved guidelines, participating gas stations will be connected to the national government’s database via a mobile app that lists the program’s qualified beneficiaries. \u201cOnly PUVs with existing and valid franchises will be included in the database for a 150-liter ceiling every week for each of the PUV units,\u201d Mendoza said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once the license plate of a PUV is confirmed, the fuel discount will automatically apply, and the driver will just pay the discounted price. He also instructed all LTFRB regional directors to conduct information drives to inform jeepney and UV Express drivers about the 4,299 participating gas stations in the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the other hand, he also released a memorandum advising all LTFRB personnel about the end of the land-based SCP. \u201cYou are directed to inform all onboarded beneficiaries under the LBSCP to cease and discontinue all activities related to the implementation of the program upon the expiration of the aforementioned date and time,\u201d the memorandum read.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The order includes the cessation of QR code and manual scanning, the additional fare discount for passengers, and the display, installation, or hanging of official land-based SCP tarpaulins, signage, and other promotional or identification materials of the program. He also ordered the LTFRB communications team to hold an information drive about the end of the program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Under the land-based SCP, regular passengers are entitled to a 20 percent discount while students, senior citizens, and persons with disability are entitled to a 40 percent discount. In return, PUV operators and drivers are paid by the government based on the type of service contract and their performance. The program, as well as the fuel discount, is part of the government\u2019s multi-pronged assistance to the PUV sector amidst high fuel prices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Source: pna.gov.ph<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Easterlies to bring warm, humid weather across PH<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

MANILA, May 20 —— The prevailing easterlies will bring warm and humid weather with only isolated rain across the country, the weather bureau said. This, as the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) is no longer affecting the country, particularly Mindanao, according to Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) weather specialist Chenel Dominguez.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Visayas, Mimaropa, and Bicol Region will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms due to the easterlies. Localized thunderstorms will continue to prevail, bringing isolated rains over Metro Manila and the rest of the country, particularly in the afternoon and evening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Domiguez said Metro Manila is forecast to again experience a 39\u00b0C to 41\u00b0C heat index, while the highest heat index of 45\u00b0C is expected in San Ildefonso, Bulacan. Light to moderate winds and slight to moderate coastal waters will prevail across the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Source: pna.gov.ph<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Over 5.1 million apply for BSKE as voter registration ends<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

MANILA, Philippines, May 20 —— More than 5.1 million Filipinos have applied to vote in this year\u2019s barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections as the voter registration closed, according to the Commission on Elections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Comelec said a total of 5,142,336 voter registration applications were processed nationwide from Oct. 20, 2025 to May 16, covering all regions and field offices across the country. Of the applicants, 2,655,147 are women. The figure reflected a 100-percent submission rate from all regional offices and field teams involved in the voter registration process ahead of the conduct of the twin elections on Nov. 2.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the registration categories, applications involving transfers from other cities or municipalities accounted for 1,324,232 transactions, while the new voter registration reached 1,328,613. Applications for reactivation of voter records was at 319,783, indicating that many deactivated voters now want to restore their voting status before the elections. Among regions, Calabarzon posted the highest number of applications with 838,520 followed by the National Capital Region (NCR) with 562,879 and Central Luzon with 574,223.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Calabarzon also recorded some of the largest figures such as in new registration and voter transfer categories. In the NCR, applications for transfer of voter records reached 172,919, reflecting continued population mobility within urban centers. Meanwhile, the Cordilleras registered the lowest number of registrants with 70,390 applications. The Comelec said the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao recorded 160,352 applications, noting the registration in the BARMM ended early, on March 31.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Source: inquirer.net<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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ENTERTAINMENT NEWS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bea Millan-Windorski hopes Miss U journey can unite Filipinos<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

May 20 —— For newly crowned Miss Universe Philippines (MUPH) 2026, Bea Millan-Windorski, being Filipino means remaining authentic and grounded in her values.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cA Filipina is really defined by staying true to herself and her values. I am so happy that I grew up in a devoutly Catholic environment,\u201d Bea shared during her victory presscon at the City of Dreams Manila. \u201cBecause my family always taught me to serve the poor, serve the underprivileged first, and live the way Jesus would in that regard. I really feel that a lot of Filipinas, regardless of religion or creed, feel at home. Because we\u2019re so defined by our bayanihan spirit and by uplifting one another regardless of the struggles we go through. And to me, that is a Filipina. And I\u2019m excited to let the universe know what a Filipino woman is like.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Filipino-American stunner was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Her mother is a Filipina from La Union, while her father is of German and Polish descent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to her MUPH feat, she was crowned Miss Earth Water 2024 after representing the United States. A self-confessed beach babe, Bea enjoys surfing the waves in La Union. \u201cBea without makeup is someone who really enjoys time and relaxation in nature. I really feel most at ease in the ocean. Partially growing up on the beaches of San Juan, La Union, I grew up loving to surf, loving to swim. I am so excited to take out my extensions, take off my makeup, and have a homecoming soon in Elyu.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bea is also proud of her Ilocano roots and takes pride in being pragmatic, a trait she shares with her mother. \u201cSo when I first joined the competition, she (mom) wasn\u2019t the most enthused. She was asking me, \u2018When are you going to go back to law school? Is it really the right time to join another pageant?\u2019 But I think by winning the crown, I\u2019ve finally made her believe that this is the right path for me. And she\u2019s so excited to see me again in Puerto Rico, along with my dad.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In November this year, Bea will aim to bring home the Philippines\u2019 fifth crown at the 75th edition of the Miss Universe in San Juan, Puerto Rico. \u201cIt\u2019s really an honor, and it\u2019s indicative of how much of a powerhouse the Philippines is,\u201d Bea replied when asked about being \u201cconsidered a frontrunner\u201d for the international pageant. \u201cAnd I\u2019m so excited to meet some of my sister queens, especially the Latin American queens. Because in my previous pageant journey, I was actually friends with a lot of the Latinas. So I would say maybe stop calling me \u2018Latina slayer\u2019 because I want to be friends with everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the reigning MUPH titleholder, Bea feels she has \u201cthe biggest privilege\u201d to use her platform to \u201cpush for change.\u201d \u201cThrough this media tour I\u2019ve been able to communicate to the entire Philippines and the entire universe that I intend to use this platform as a public servant to promote the rights and dignity of our overseas Filipino workers, to push for the SOGIE (Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression) bill and ensure that our trans brothers and sisters have proper documentation and also to protect our environment,\u201d she expressed. She also thanked her supporters for encouraging her throughout her pageant journey. \u201cI really wouldn\u2019t be able to make it this far without so much public support, and those kind messages are really what drives me forward.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bea told The STAR that one of her favorite memories from her MUPH journey was their Misamis Occidental motorcade. \u201cI saw so many women and young Filipinos wearing sashes that said La Union and carried my name. The fact that I could feel that overwhelming level of support, as an Ilocano woman in Mindanao, really shows the capacity and potential of pageantry to unite the entire country and to be a force of what our country could be,\u201d she said. \u201cSo I hope that I could use this crown to really rally and unite all Filipinos and to make them proud by showing why the Philippines is a force to be reckoned with, not only with pageantry but in all aspects of what our country has to offer.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Source: philstar.com <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Liza Soberano credited as executive producer of thriller film \u2018Imprint\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

May 20 —— Liza Soberano is continuing to expand her filmography after she was announced as the executive producer of the upcoming film \u201cImprint.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Soberano\u2019s new film project was reported by Rolling Stone on Friday, May 15, although it remains unknown if she will be the lead star. Said to be a thriller, \u201cImprint\u201d tells the story of a Filipino-American woman with psychic powers who tracks down a serial killer. The film is directed by Marie Jamora, who has since been pursuing her filmmaking work in the US. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Soberano has been busy with her rising career in Hollywood, where she has been dabbling in film production on the side. Her upcoming film, \u201cForgotten Island,\u201d in which she voices Raissa, is set to hit cinemas in September 2026. The animated film also stars H.E.R., Dave Franco, Manny Jacinto, Jenny Slate, Lea Salonga, Jo Koy, and Dolly de Leon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The \u201cDolce Amore\u201d star recently appeared in the 2026 Gold Gala, where she and H.E.R. served as presenters in one of its segments. The gala honors celebrities of Asian descent who made a mark in the entertainment industry and other fields.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The actress was also confirmed to star in the animated series \u201cSun Chaser\u201d and will reportedly appear in the film \u201cPatron Saints of Nothing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Source: inquirer.net <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Kim Atienza\u2019s daughter Eliana graduates summa cum laude<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

May 20 —— Kim Atienza could not help but show off the recent achievement of his daughter Eliana Atienza, who graduated summa cum laude with a degree in environmental studies from the University of Pennsylvania.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The TV host, his wife Felicia Hung, and their son Jose Atienza were in attendance at Eliana\u2019s graduation ceremony in the United States, as seen on Kim\u2019s Instagram page on Monday, May 18. \u201cCan I make yabang? Our Eliana is now a University of Pennsylvania graduate with Summa cum laude honors! Kim exclaimed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He added that his daughter also received an award for social justice and contribution to the community of Pennsylvania. \u201cEliana\u2019s 4 years in UPenn were not without challenges. It was a trial for her and the family. Her passion, persistence, and resilience prevailed,\u201d the celebrity father said. Addressing Eliana, he added, \u201cWe are mighty proud of you, and we love you so much, Eliana!\u201d \u201cSSD! Salamat sa Diyos!\u201d he concluded. Eliana\u2019s academic achievement wowed Kim\u2019s fellow celebrities, including Dingdong Dantes, Ogie Alcasid, Korina Sanchez, Bianca Gonzalez, and Ruffa Gutierrez, who sent their congratulatory greetings via the comments section.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eliana has been vocal about her stance on societal issues. It can be recalled in 2024 that she was suspended from campus after she joined a pro-Palestine encampment. Eliana is also part of W.E.B. Du Bois Movement School for Abolition & Reconstruction, which, as per its website, is a \u201cpolitical education program for aspiring revolutionaries and movement leaders from those communities most impacted by poverty, policing, and mass incarceration.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Source: inquirer.net <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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SPORTS NEWS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

NBA: Wembanyama dazzles as Spurs top Thunder in double-OT thriller<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

LOS ANGELES, May 20 —— Victor Wembanyama outdueled Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to lead the San Antonio Spurs to an epic 122-115 double-overtime triumph over the Oklahoma City Thunder in game one of the NBA Western Conference finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wembanyama scored 41 points and pulled down 24 rebounds, forcing the second overtime with a dazzling three-pointer and delivering nine of the Spurs’ 14 points in the second overtime as San Antonio handed the defending champion Thunder their first defeat of these playoffs. “It was, like, sheer willpower,” 22-year-old Wembanyama told broadcaster NBC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The French star played 49 minutes, producing a pair of dunks and a crucial block late in the second overtime to seal the victory. With the triumph at Oklahoma City’s Paycom Center, the Spurs stole homecourt advantage in the best-of-seven series that will send the winner to the NBA Finals. Wembanyama admitted the sight of Thunder star Gilgeous-Alexander receiving his second straight Most Valuable Player trophy before the game made the clash more personal “for sure”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He earned Defensive Player of the Year honors but finished third in the MVP voting announced on Sunday. Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said the sight of Gilgeous-Alexander lifting the MVP award “100%” motivated his star. “He’s competitive,” Johnson said. “If you’re a competitor and you see another competitor get rewarded with what you want…” But “Wemby” said the main message of the night was that the young Spurs “are ready to go in any environment, in any place, against anybody. “And even though we’ve still got a lot to learn, our effort should be over anybody else’s and tonight we were relentless.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rookie Dylan Harper, starting in place of injured De’Aaron Fox, scored 24 points and snagged seven steals for San Antonio. Stephon Castle added 17 points and 11 assists as the Spurs extended their season dominance of the Thunder. Oklahoma City, trying to become the first team to repeat as champions since Golden State in 2017 and 2018, piled up a league-best 64 regular-season wins but dropped four of five contests against the Spurs — who won 62 regular-season games to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gilgeous-Alexander was limited to 24 points, shaking off a sluggish start to key the Thunder’s bid to rally from a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit. Alex Caruso scored 31 points to lead the Thunder and Jalen Williams returned from a six-game injury absence to score 26. Oklahoma City trailed by 10 in the fourth quarter, but the Thunder clawed back and it was knotted at 99-99 with 33.2 seconds left when Wembanyama spun in for a basket that put San Antonio up 101-99. Gilgeous-Alexander then tied it up with a layup and Chet Holmgren blocked Wembanyama’s potential game-winner at the buzzer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The winner of the series will face either the New York Knicks or Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Source: news.abs-cbn.com<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Carlos Yulo captures gold in French club championship<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

May 20 —— Carlos Yulo is back in a familiar place and his return culminated in a gold medal, helping Olympique Antibes-Juan-les-Pins (OAJLP) Gymnastique win the French Men’s Artistic Gymnastics championship Top 12 Final in Amiens, France.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Filipino star competed with OAJLP Gymnastique, a club based in Antibes, France. The Top 12 series, meanwhile, is France’s premier club competition, featuring the 12 best teams in a head-to-head format. Yulo, who captured a pair of gold medals in the same place during the 2024 Paris Olympics, showed off his brilliance anew to help steer the French squad to the throne. And by doing so, OAJLP Gymnastique dethroned ASVG Vallauris.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yulo scored 14.250 on a high-difficulty parallel bars routine and collected an impressive 15.050 points in his floor exercise on the way to steer the team to the gold medal. “So proud of what we all did last night! Everyone gave their all and it really showed on the competition floor. A lot of stressful moments and pressure behind this win, which makes it even more special,” Yulo said in an Instagram post. “Really grateful for this team and everything we experienced together.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

France holds a special place in the heart of Yulo, as it was where he produced a historic showing on the Olympic stage by ruling both the floor exercise and vault events to become the Philippines\u2019 first-ever two-time Olympic gold medalist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Source: gmanetwork.com<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Ronaldo, 41, leads Portugal into his sixth World Cup<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

LISBON, Portugal, May 20 —— Veteran Portugal striker Cristiano Ronaldo will lead his country into the 2026 World Cup this summer after coach Roberto Martinez named the 41-year-old in his squad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The former Real Madrid and Manchester United star, now at Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr, is set to appear at a record sixth World Cup. Portugal and Ronaldo, the all-time leading men’s international goal scorer with 143 goals, have never won the competition. Ronaldo could face former Barcelona rival Lionel Messi, who is also set to play at a sixth World Cup after leading Argentina to glory four years ago in Qatar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Portuguese forward avoided a three-match ban despite being sent off against the Republic of Ireland in their last qualifying match for an elbow. Spanish coach Martinez selected a 26-man squad with no major surprises, including Ronaldo’s Al Nassr team-mate Joao Felix, and also named goalkeeper Ricardo Velho as an extra player in the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Paris Saint-Germain stars Vitinha, Joao Neves, Nuno Mendes and Goncalo Ramos are also included in a strong squad, along with Manchester United playmaker Bruno Fernandes and a contingent from Manchester City, including Bernardo Silva. Martinez said he would not need to manage five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo in a special way because of his age. “In my experience, at a World Cup, a player doesn’t follow the pattern of club form, age-related performance or anything like that,” Martinez told reporters. “The focus is our group. All of them are focused, they’re prepared for the demands of a World Cup and we just need to manage day by day.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ronaldo said last year that this World Cup would be his last. He was left in tears last weekend after defeat by Gamba Osaka in the AFC Champions League Two final, but Martinez said an emotionally draining season would not affect him this summer. “I think that coming into the national team setup brings new energy and allows you to completely switch off from what happened during the season,” said the coach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Martinez confirmed Velho was the fourth goalkeeper and he would only be involved if another stopper was injured and could be replaced in the squad. The coach also said late striker Diogo Jota, who died in a car crash in July 2025, was with the squad in spirit. “The spirit, strength and example of Diogo Jota is our plus one,” Martinez added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the run-up to the tournament, Portugal will face Chile and Nigeria in friendlies, before their World Cup campaign begins against DR Congo on June 17. Portugal will also face Uzbekistan and Colombia in Group K on June 23 and 27, respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Source: philstar.com<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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FEATURED ARTICLE<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mothering in the digital age<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As we celebrate moms and nurturers today, I am reminded that motherhood has always come with its share of challenges. Raising children in today\u2019s digital world simply adds another layer, one that hums quietly in the background of daily life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Young children used to spend long hours outdoors, stretching their imagination through play and interaction with others. These days, playtime feels more contained, with glowing screens often replacing the storybooks and toys that once captivated a child\u2019s attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Everything moves quickly, with opinions shifting faster than we can process them. Our modern world has become so advanced that it now fits into the palm of a small hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And yet, despite all the technology surrounding us, the heart of mothering remains unchanged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At its core, raising children has never been about controlling, but about shaping the world within them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At a time when young people are encouraged to become fiercely independent at an earlier age, the challenge is not to discourage this, but to anchor them deeply enough so they can move through life with clarity and strength.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Communication remains one of the most powerful tools, not the kind that lectures or corrects at every turn, but the kind that truly listens. When a child feels heard, they are more likely to stay open. Casual conversations at the dinner table, quiet chats before bedtime, or light exchanges during car rides can become sacred spaces where trust is built over time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kindness, too, is absorbed through example. Children notice how we speak about others, how we treat helpers and the less fortunate and how we respond to inconveniences. A patient reply, a generous spirit, a soft tone\u2014these small daily acts quietly shape kind hearts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Honesty grows best in safe spaces. When children know they can tell the truth without fear of harsh judgment, they learn that integrity is not something to hide behind, but something to stand on. Discipline still matters, but so does guidance that corrects without shaming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Faith in God is another steadying rhythm. It need not be grand or complicated. A simple prayer before meals or bedtime, a whispered thank you for blessings at the end of the day, or a quiet prayer in the morning can gently root children in something greater than themselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then there is the value of hard work, increasingly at odds with a culture that celebrates speed and ease. Many young adults expect success to come instantly. It is up to us to show our children the beauty of patience, the dignity of effort and the quiet pride that comes from doing something well. Let them see us try, fail and try again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There will be days when our kids would rather spend time with screens or others than with us, when tempers run short and words meant to guide come out wrong. But children do not need perfect mothers. They need present ones, mothers who apologize when necessary, who try again and who choose connection over control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The digital age will continue to evolve, bringing with it new ideas, pressures and ways of thinking. We cannot shield our children from all of it, but we can prepare them to be resilient and wise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let us strive to raise sons and daughters who are not easily swayed because they know who they are\u2014young people who are kind because they have seen kindness lived out, honest because truth has always been welcomed, prayerful because they see us pause and listen for God\u2019s voice and hardworking because they understand that meaningful things take time and effort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And perhaps most importantly, children who, even as they grow and find their own way, will always know that home is not a place they outgrow, but a place they carry within them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because in the end, mothering in this digital age is not about competing for our children\u2019s attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is about quietly becoming the voice\u2014and the gentle presence\u2014they can always return to, whether the noise of everyday life grows loud or slowly fades away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Source: www.philstar.com<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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