News & Stories

THE PHILIPPINE government can harness the United Nations’ (UN) anti-corruption treaty to track down a former congressman linked to the multibillion-peso flood control scandal, a senator said. In

a statement on Sunday, Senator Panfilo M. La

cson said that the government can utilize the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) to locate and arrest ex-Party-list Rep. El

izaldy “Zaldy” S. Co. “O

ne o

ption the Philippine government may explore is to tap the UNCAC, where we are a signatory,” he added. “If we tap

the resources of 191 other countries, you can imagine how our efforts to locate and arrest Co will be easier.” Mr. Co’s legal

cou

nsel did not immediately reply to a Viber message seeking comment. Mr. Co, a former

Hou

THE LEGAL counsel for Senator Ronald “Bato” M. Dela

Rosa said they have had no recent communication with the lawmaker, whose month-long absence from the Senate coincides with reports of an alleged International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant. Isra

elito P. Torr

eon, a Davao-based lawyer speaking on behalf of the senator’s legal interests, gave a brief “No” when asked whether Mr. Dela Rosa

had been in contact with him recently. The admiss

ion comes amid reports the senator has not attended plenary sessions or committee hearings since Nov. 11, when word came out that the ICC had allegedly issued an arrest warrant against him. The Depart

ment of the Interior and Local Government said on Friday that it has tapped local authorities to monitor the senator’s movements, saying it is “trying to be steps ahead” in anticipation of a possible warrant. However, Mr. Tor

reon said any

potential enforcement of an ICC warrant is “legally premature and constitutionally infirm.” “Any action premised

on a supposed ICC arrest warrant remains legally premature and constitutionally infirm,” Mr. Torreon told BusinessWor

THE PHILIPPINES is set for generally stable weather this week, with no tropical cyclone expected to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility, according to the state weather bureau on Sunday.

In a 5 a.m. report, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said three weather systems will drive conditions nationwide: a shear line affecting eastern Luzon, the northeast monsoon, locally known as amihan, affecting the rest of Luzon; and easterlies influencing much of the country.

Luzon will see the most unsettled conditions early in the week.

The shear line is forecasted to trigger periods of rain over Aurora and Quezon provinces, with cloudy skies and light showers likely across Metro Manila and much of Calabarzon.

Northern and Central Luzon will otherwise experience mostly fair weather, punctuated by isolated light rains.

In the Visayas, skies will be partly cloudy to cloudy, with localized rain showers and thunderstorms developing intermittently, particularly in Eastern Visayas and nearby areas.

Across Mindanao, easterlies will bring more frequent rainfall to the Caraga and Davao regions, while the rest of the island will experience localized thunderstorms, mainly in the afternoon and evening.

PAGASA warned of rough to very rough seas in Northern Luzon as the northeast monsoon strengthens.

A gale warning remains in effect over Batanes, the Babuyan Islands, and the northern coasts of Ilocos Norte and Cagayan, where small sea vessels are advised to remain in port.

Looking ahead to midweek, the shear line may shift northward, raising the risk of heavier rainfall over parts of Cagayan and Isabela from Wednesday to Thursday.

COTABATO CITY — Plainclothes policemen seized P13.6 million worth of crystal meth (shabu) from a male dealer entrapped in Barangay Gusa in Cagayan de Oro (CdO) City early on Saturday. Lo

cal executives and officials of the Police Regional Office 10 (PRO-10) separately told reporters on Sunday that the suspect was arrested by combined operatives from the City Drug Enforcement Unit of the Cagayan de Oro Police Office, led by Major Aldren Estrada Baculio, and anti-narcotics agents from different units of PRO-10 after selling two kilos of shabu during a tradeoff in Purok 4 in Barangay Gusa. Se

nior officials of PRO-10 and ranking members of the multisector Cagayan de Oro City Peace and Order Council said the operation that led to the detention of the 41-year-old suspect was premised on reports by confidential informants about his large-scale peddling of shabu and marijuana in Barangay Gusa and in nearby areas. Th

e suspect is now locked in one of the detention facilities of PRO-10, awaiting prosecution for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. — John Felix M. Unso

n var

bwDfp = (function() { var _adTypes = { billboard: [970,250], leaderboard: [728, 90], halfpage: [300, 600], medium_rectangle: [300, 250], rectangle: [180, 150], wide_skyscraper: [160, 600] } var _identifyAd = function(adSizes) { var length = adSizes.length; for(var prop in _adTypes) { if(_adTypes.hasOwnProperty(prop)) { if(_compareAd(adSizes, _adTypes[prop])) return prop; } } }; var _compareAd = function(adSizes, adType) { for(var i = length; i--;) { if(adSizes[i] !== a

dType[i]) return false; } return true; }; return { identifyAd: function(adSizes) { return _identifyAd(adSizes); } } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start': new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0], j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='da

taLayer'?'&l='

+l:'';j.async=true;j.src= 'https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='

+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f); })(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-5XLHTV6'); (function(w, d) { var s = d.createElement('script'); s.src = '//cdn.adpushup.com/46079/adpushup.js'; s.crossOrigin='anonymous'; s.type = 'text/javascript'; s.async = true; (d.getElementsByTagName('head')[0] || d.getElementsByTagName('body')[0]).appendChild(s); w.adpushup = w.adpushup || {que:[]}; })(window, document); { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "item": { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://www.bworldonline.com/", "name": "Home" } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "item": { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://www.bworldonline.com/the-nation/", "name": "The Nation" } } ,{ "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "item": { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://www.bworldonline.com/the-nation/2025/12/14/718585/cops-seize-p13-6-m-drugs-in-cdo/", "name": "Cops seize P13.6-M drugs in CdO" } } ] } /* custom css - generated by TagDiv Composer */ .easeload { opacity: 0; -webkit-transition: all 1s ease; -moz-transition: all 1s ease; -ms-transition: all 1s ease; -o-transition: all 1s ease; } .page-id-628125 .adsbygoogle, .page-id-587966 .adsbygoogle, .page-id-530663 .adsbygoogle, .page-id-508080 .adsbygoogle, .page-id-507328 .adsbygoogle, .page-id-477155 .adsbygoogle, .page-id-463171 .adsbygoogle, .page-id-483254 .adsbygoogle, .page-id-513034 .adsbygoogle, .page-id-565269 .adsbygoogle, .page-id-579198 .adsbygoogle, .page-id-585112 .adsbygoogle, .page-id-591829 .adsbygoogle, .page-id-594885 .adsbygoogle, .page-id-666018 .adsbygoogle, .page-id-704740 .adsbygoogle { display: none !impo

The 12th Globe Media Excellence Awards (GMEA@12) recognized 15 journalists and digital storytellers whose work brought important community issues to wider public attention and showed how technology and local initiatives influence daily life across the regions.

Guided by the theme “#DigitallyForward: One Barangay at a Time,” this year’s program centered on the role of regional media in amplifying stories on expanding access to technology, helping families reach their aspirations, and contributing to national development. “We ho

nor journalists and creators who capture how digital tools open doors for families, workers, and communities,” said Yoly Crisanto, Globe Group Chief Sustainability and Corporate Communications Officer. “The rapid

move into digital spaces shows how ready Filipinos are to embrace change. Through GMEA

@12, we reaffirm our commitment to bringing technology closer to every home so people can pursue new paths and strengthen the bonds that drive progress.” Radio News Rep

ort of the Year First place went to John Paul Hervas of Radyo Pilipinas Iloilo, who reported on DTI’s assistance to the online businesses of Guimaras MSMEs. Rowena Capistran

o of DYRF 1215 Cebu placed second for a story on barangay service delivery. Sheila Gravinez

of DYMR Radyo Pilipinas Cebu took the third spot for a feature on farmers shifting to digital selling. TV News Report o

f the Year Jaira Mae Mondez-Alis of PTV Davao won first and second place for a feature on a DICT livelihood beneficiary and a report on Davao City’s aerial patrol effort, respectively. Queenie Grace Joli

gon of MyTV Cebu placed third for covering an invention developed from waste materials. Online News Report

Philippine lawmakers were urged to pass a measure that would institutionalize the delivery of telepsychiatry services for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), a group of researchers funded by the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD) said on Thursday.

A proposed law would mandate various government agencies to implement comprehensive national telepsychiatry services for OFWs, as recommended by a study led by the Davao Medical School Foundation Inc.

(DMSFI).

Dr.

Maria Angelica C.

Plata, a research faculty member at DMSFI, said some recommendations from the study include the designation by the Department of Health (DOH) of a national telepsychiatric referral system.

Under this system, repatriated OFWs could continue their sessions at OFW hospitals, the National Center for Mental Health, or regional facilities near their hometowns after completing initial sessions in the resource centers abroad.

“When they arrive here, hopefully there will already be a list showing where they can continue—ideally at a primary care center, especially for those from Mindanao and Visayas, where they can follow up,” Ms. Plata

told BusinessWorld in Filipino at the sidelines of PCHRD’s Talakayang HeaRT Beat press conference. Institut

ionalizing the program could also provide clearer guidelines on where OFWs can call or connect and how they can be referred to the appropriate facilities, Roston R. Plata, D

In the world of high-stakes business, real success goes beyond numbers.

It’s measured by enduring trust built over years, handshakes that turn into strategic partnerships, and a shared vision for national inclusive progress. Th

at distinct spirit took center stage at GDay 2025, Globe Business’ tenth-year celebration, where they convened the country’s foremost decision-makers for two exclusive appreciation events designed to strengthen the bonds and honor the exceptional leadership that drives industries forward. The qu

arter-long GDay 2025 celebration, dedicated to long-standing partners and clients, culminated in two flagship executive gatherings: the Executive Night: Weavers of Connection on Sept. 23, and The Executive Open 2025 Golf Tournament on Oct. 8. The

fe

stivities commenced with the Executive Night, an exclusive experience that elevated appreciation into an art form. Guests

were treated to “The Culinary Weave,” a five-course dining journey symbolizing how every business partnership threads into a larger, coherent narrative of mutual growth and shared success. “Business

is built on trust, and trust comes from genuine connection,” said KD Dizon, VP and Head of Globe Business. “GDay is our w

ay of saying thank you to the leaders who continue to journey with us as we empower the Filipino enterprise and collectively champion the nation’s digital future. This evening is de

dicated to celebrating the vision and commitment you bring every day.” Following the intima

THE BANGKO SENTRAL ng Pilipinas (BSP) may cut benchmark rates by another 25 basis points (bp) next year to end its current easing cycle, its chief said on Friday, but ruled out an off-cycle or jumbo move.

Asked how many cuts the central bank has room for next year, BSP Governor Eli M.

Remolona, Jr. said: “Isa lang (Just one). De

pends on the data.” He h

owever ruled out an aggressive action as this could send the wrong signal to markets. “The

cut is because the economy is weak, and demand has also weakened. So, on

the demand side, we can help,” Mr. Remolona

told reporters on the sidelines of the 4th Digital Financial Inclusion Awards. “But if

we (deliver a) 50-bp or (an) off-cycle (cut), it will worsen the loss of confidence because they would say, ‘the BSP is desperate.’ That’s usually

how it goes.” “It is likely that

The Asia Pacific Enterprise Awards (APEA) Philippines 2025 celebrated the nation’s most forward-thinking business leaders and high-performing enterprises, recognizing their pivotal role in shaping the Philippines’ next era of growth through innovation, resilience, and sustainable leadership. Orga

nized by Enterprise Asia, the region’s leading NGO for entrepreneurship, the prestigious awards ceremony was held on 10 December 2025 at Shangri-La The Fort, Manila. Anchor

ed on the theme ‘Showcasing Future-Ready Enterprises’, the APEA 2025 Philippines honored entrepreneurs and organizations that have demonstrated agility, strategic foresight, and the ability to thrive amid economic shifts and technological transformation, while creating meaningful impact for their industries and communities. A distingu

ished panel of judges assessed over 100 nominations through a rigorous and transparent evaluation process, carefully reviewing each nominee’s leadership, operational excellence, financial performance, innovation capabilities, and long-term sustainability. Following th

is comprehensive assessment, outstanding award recipients were selected across four categories: Master Entrepreneur, Inspirational Brand, Fast Enterprise, and Corporate Excellence. Since 2007,

the Awards has been organized across the region, with past recipients including Thailand’s Supaluck Umpujh of The Mall Group, China’s Xu RongMao of Shimao Group, Hong Kong’s Francis Lui of Galaxy Entertainment Group, TTC Vietnam’s Dang Van Thanh, Indonesia’s Hary Tanoesoedibjo of MNC Group, India’s Adi Godrej of Godrej Group, the Philippines’ Manuel Villar of Vista Land, and Cuckoo Malaysia’s Hoe Kian Choon. “In a rapidly evolving econo

mic landscape, the true leaders of tomorrow are those who remain resilient, innovate with purpose, and build organizations that generate value not only for shareholders, but for society at large. These future-ready enterprises

understand that long-term success lies in adaptability, integrity, and inclusive growth,” said Tan Sri Dr. Fong Chan Onn, Chairman of Enter

prise Asia, during his welcome address. Award recipients under the Maste

r Entrepreneur category include Diane Isabel M. Chua, Managing Director of Triba

Puregold Price Club, Inc.

President Vincent Co is steering the retailer toward experience-led and community-driven initiatives that strengthen the brand’s relevance beyond routine grocery shopping. Pu

regold’s recent initiative, the Hakot Relay Run, drew more than 8,000 participants, adapted the Filipino hakot practice into a team relay activity and featured direct product exposure for partner brands. A co

ncert capped the program, extending foot traffic and engagement beyond the usual store environment. Pure

gold President Vincent Co said the initiative forms part of a wider strategy to embed the retailer more deeply into community and cultural spaces. “Whe

n consumers feel connected to the brand, loyalty and business growth follow,” he stated. The comp

any said its experiential portfolio, which includes Puregold CinePanalo and OPM CON, supports its goal of building recurring touchpoints with consumers, especially younger demographics. It has a

lso expanded its digital content offerings through the Puregold Channel and collaborations under the Nasa Atin ang Panalo banner campaign. “To us,

innovation matters because of the value it delivers to our communities,” Vincent added. Under Vincen

t’s leadership, Puregold aims to offer value not only through products and pricing, but through experiences that highlight Filipino culture. The company re

Global cybersecurity firm Fortinet warned that cyberattacks in 2026 may be executed by autonomous artificial intelligence (AI) systems capable of infiltrating networks, stealing data, and deploying ransomware without human oversight.

In its 2026 Cyberthreat Predictions Report, the firm said these AI-powered systems will extend far beyond the early FraudGPT, WormGPT, and similar models observed on underground forums in 2025.

“Velocity now defines risk. At

tackers are no longer limited by human capability. Au

tomation allows them to operate on a scale and speed that defenders cannot match,” the report said. It a

lso warned that purpose-built AI cybercrime agents will emerge as the defining threat in 2026. Thes

e agents can perform major stages of intrusion, including credential theft, phishing, reconnaissance, and lateral movement entirely on their own, allowing even low-skilled attackers to run sophisticated campaigns. Expe

rienced threat actors, meanwhile, are likely to scale their operations across thousands of targets simultaneously. Sect

ors that rely heavily on interconnected systems, such as healthcare, manufacturing, utilities, and cloud-dependent industries, are seen as the most vulnerable. The

report noted that ransomware groups have already begun extending operations into operational technology environments, where data theft, disruption, and extortion increasingly converge. In h

Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) has officially launched the all-new bZ4X BEV with the release of units to the first customers.

The all-new bZ4X is TMP’s first Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) under the Toyota brand, further boosting its full electric lineup which was previously comprised of the Lexus RZ and the Lexus UX. Gu

ided by its multi-pathway approach to carbon neutral mobility, TMP has been laying the groundwork for electrified mobility in the country since introducing the Prius Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) in 2009. To

day, the mobility company has the widest range of electrified vehicles (xEVs) in the country, with 22 electrified models under its Toyota and Lexus brands, providing various options for customers with different needs. Th

e all-wheel drive bZ4X is powered by a 73.11 kWh Lithium-ion battery and dual motors with a front output of 227 PS and rear output of 120 PS, and a front torque of 269 Nm and rear torque of 170 Nm. It

records up to 570 km of EV range (Based on United Nations Regulations101. Ac

tual consumption and range will vary based on conditions and driving habits). Dr

ive modes include Eco and X-Mode. Th

e bZ4X features an angular exterior design, LED headlights, 20-inch alloy wheels, and a panoramic moonroof. It

has a ground clearance of 200mm and seats up to five people. Th