TYPHOON DANTE AND POTENTIAL TYPHOON EMONG TO STRENGTHEN THE #HABAGAT

Typhoon Dante and the potential Typhoon “Emong” will work together to pull and intensify the southwest monsoon (#Habagat), bringing heavier rains and stronger storms across different parts of the country.

Stay alert and follow warnings from PAGASA and local authorities for your safety.

#TyphoonDante #TyphoonEmong #PHWeather #FloodAlert #PAGASA

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Trump lowers PH tariffs from 20% to 19%; senators express disappointment

 

President Marcos Jr. (left) meets with President Trump at the White House (July 22, 2025) to strengthen the enduring PH-US partnership. (Photo courtesy of PCO)

Following a meeting with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Tuesday at the White House, U.S. President Donald Trump said that the U.S. would impose a 19 percent tariff rate on the Philippines, down from a 20 percent tariff. In return, the Philippines would have an open market and the U.S. would not pay tariffs. Read more

Some senators on Wednesday, July 23 are disappointed over the Philippines’ failure to get a much lower tariff with the United States. Read more

On the other hand, private-sector economists said that the tariff reduction is still a step forward. Read more

 

Manila and other areas placed under state of calamity

Motorists and commuters wade through floodwaters along España Boulevard in Manila following heavy rains on Tuesday, July 22, 2025.

Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso declared a state of calamity in Manila due to persistent flooding on Tuesday, July 22, caused by continuous southwest monsoon (habagat) rains. Read more

The Malabon City government has declared a state of calamity following continuous heavy rains and severe flooding, worsened by high tide and damage to the Malabon-Navotas River Navigational Gate. Read more

The Quezon City government also declared a state of calamity during a special session of the 23rd City Council, to expedite the release of emergency funds and allow for faster and more coordinated disaster response across the city. Read more

Mayor Lem Faustino on Tuesday, July 22, declared a state of calamity in Calumpit, Bulacan, due to widespread flooding brought about by the monsoon rains, dam discharges, and high tide. Read more

Padilla bill seeks to institutionalize civil partnerships for same-sex couples

by Dhel Nazario

Published Jul 21, 2025 02:25 pm

At A Glance

Senator Robinhood Padilla filed a bill seeking to institutionalize civil partnerships for same-sex couples in the Philippines, granting them rights and protections similar to marriage while exempting religious groups from solemnizing such unions.

Senator Robinhood "Robin" Padilla has filed a bill seeking to institutionalize the civil partnership of same sex couples.

Once enacted, the unnumbered bill shall be known as the Civil Partnership Act.

Under its Declaration of Policy, it says that the State shall recognize the need to protect its citizens who are in a relationship with the same sex, accord the same rights and obligations similar to married couples and ensure that they are not discriminated against.

It states that any person who complies with the requirements provided shall be allowed to register and enter into a civil partnership, and shall be bound by the obligations and responsibilities and enjoy protections and benefits afforded by this Act.

Under it, the following are the requisites for civil partnership:

Legal capacity of the contracting parties:

At least 18 years of age;

Not prohibited to enter into civil union by reason of public policy;

Free from any previous bond of marriage or civil partnership.

Consent freely given in the presence of the administering officer;

Authority of the administering officer;

A valid license to contract or enter into a civil partnership issued by and obtained from the local civil registrar of the city or municipality where either party habitually resides; and

A civil partnership ceremony which takes place with the personal appearance of the contracting parties before the administering officer and their personal declaration, that they take each other as legal partners in the presence of not less than two witnesses of legal age.

According to the bill, no specific religious rite or form shall be required for purposes of this requirement.

It also enumerates the benefits, protections, and responsibilities of civil partnerships:

All benefits and protections as are granted to spouses in a marriage under existing laws, administrative orders, court rulings, or those derived as a matter of public policy, or any other source of civil law;

Laws on marital relations, including donations by reason of marriage, legal separation, adoption, child custody and support, property division and maintenance, and spousal support;

Rights of civil partnership couples with respect to a child of whom both become the parents of during the terms of the civil partnership, shall be the same as those of a married couples with respect to their child;

All contracts made between persons in contemplation of a civil partnership shall remain in full force after such civil partnership takes place;

A certified true copy of the record of the civil partnership from the local civil registrar having custody of the record shall be presumptive evidence of the civil partnership for all legal purposes;

Laws relating to intestate succession, survivorship, or other incidents of the acquisition, ownership or transfer, inter vivos or at death, of real or personal property, as affecting parties to a marriage, shall likewise be applicable;

Causes of action related to or depended upon spousal status, including torts or actions under contracts reciting, related to, or dependent upon spousal status may be availed of;

Couples shall automatically have insurable interest over their respective partners and may avail of benefits relating to insurance, health and pension benefits provided to married couples;

Labor standard benefits, privileges, restriction and prohibition accorded to employees based on marital status shall likewise be accorded;

Benefits under tax laws relating to marital status shall be applicable;

Coverage of laws relating to immunity from being compelled to testify against the other and bound by the marital communication privilege;

Hospital visitation rights and the authority to give consent to any medical treatment in behalf of his/her civil partner whenever required;

Visitation rights in detention facilities; and

Decision making in burial arrangements.

It also penalizes those who knowingly or willfully refuse to issue civil partnership licenses or certificates despite being authorized to do so; denies rights and benefits entitled to civil partnership couples; commits unlawful, discriminatory employment practices or commits discriminatory practices to children of civil partnership couples.

These offenses are punishable by a fine of not less than P500,000 but not more than P1 million, or imprisonment for 10 years.

"This proposed measure therefore seeks to recognize the civil partnership between two (2) persons of the same or opposite sex to be able to enjoy the rights, protection, and privileges afforded in this bill while respecting the religious sensibilities abound in our society," Padilla said in the bill's explanatory note.

"Under this proposed measure, religious organizations shall not be compelled to solemnize same-sex unions and such will only have legal effect when solemnized by the administering officers identified in this Act," he added.

Padilla stated it's "high time" that the Philippines provides equal rights and recognition for couples of the same sex.

He added that providing equal rights and privileges for same-sex couples will in no way diminish or trample on the rights granted to religiously solemnized married couples.

Social media links now top scam method in Philippines—Whoscall

 

By Dexter Barro II

Published Jul 22, 2025 05:27 pm

Filipinos are increasingly being targeted on social media platforms and messaging apps as scammers move away from traditional text and call scams, according to anti-fraud app Whoscall.

In its latest scam report, Whoscall said reports of suspicious links have surged 28 percent in the second quarter to 18,735 from 13,602 in the first quarter.

These links often lead to malicious websites that pose a potential threat to users’ security, privacy, or finances when clicked or visited.

The majority of these are circulated on social media sites like Facebook and messaging platforms such as Viber and Telegram.

Links related to online gambling recorded a 76 percent jump to 4,303 reports in the second quarter, as scammers capitalize on its growing popularity.

Similarly, links related to promotions, rewards, and incentives saw a 57 percent surge to 4,497, exploiting Filipinos’ desire to earn quick money.

Loan-related links rose, meanwhile, rose by 20 percent to 9,930, with scammers alluring victims through attractive loan deals.

Mel Migriño, country head and general manager of Whoscall developer Gogolook, said the increase of scams in social media was driven by the ongoing crackdown against text- and call-based scams.

“The joint effort of the government and private sectors minimized scam calls and SMS scams,” she said. “However, scam actors are now shifting to other platforms, such as social media and messaging apps, to continue their operations.”

Based on Whoscall’s report, the number of text scam incidents dropped by 95 percent year-on-year.

From 1.28 million reports in the second quarter last year, only 65,035 cases were recorded this year.

The number of scam calls also saw a steep decline, from 135,535 reports in the same period last year, it fell 74 percent to 34,964 this year.

With the rise of scams in social media, Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) said the challenge for the government is to crack down on deceptive content embedded in apps where Filipinos spend most of their screen time.

The price of flood control failure

 

By Manila Bulletin

Published Jul 23, 2025 12:05 am

Once again, the rains have come—and once again, our cities, towns, and provinces are submerged in flood. The latest floodings triggered by the southwest monsoon or “habagat” have laid bare not just our vulnerability to nature, but our failure to prepare for it.

The calamity is no longer simply a natural disaster, but the cumulative result of decades of mismanagement and underinvestment. This is further aggravated by climate change.

Each monsoon season follows the same tragic script: families evacuated, lives lost, roads rendered impassable, homes destroyed. The difference lies not in the severity of the floods, but in the silence that follows the deluge. It is a silence that must now be broken.

Year after year, flood control and disaster risk reduction programs are allotted billions of pesos from the national budget. And yet, the same communities get flooded in the same way, often with worse consequences. True, climate change is a contributing factor in overwhelming whatever efforts the government has taken. But the troubling question is: Was the budget fully utilized for flood mitigation?

There is an urgent need for transparency, oversight, and accountability. Infrastructure designed to mitigate flooding must not become an avenue for corruption or inefficiency. Projects must be completed, not just commenced. Drainage systems must function, not merely exist on paper. Too often, flood control budgets become victims of misuse or poor planning, with no one held responsible.

This must end. The Filipino people deserve not only answers, but concrete, sustained action.

In 1989, Republic Act 6716 was enacted, mandating the construction of rainwater collectors and water wells in every barangay. This law was forward-thinking: it sought to provide a decentralized, community-based approach to water management—a measure that could have significantly mitigated flooding and water shortages if fully implemented.

Yet decades later, implementation remains spotty at best. In many barangays, rainwater collectors are either nonexistent, poorly maintained, or entirely forgotten.

Implementing and properly enforcing RA 6716 is both a legal and moral obligation. It represents one of the many underutilized tools we already possess to address our flood crisis.

And it doesn’t help that certain flood control allocations have been rejected in the past. But in a country where a single hour of rain can paralyze entire cities, any decision to reduce or delay flood-related funding must be examined with utmost scrutiny.

Was the rationale grounded in data and long-term planning, or was it a reflexive act of austerity? Cutting crucial infrastructure allocations without clear alternatives or replacement measures is not prudence. We cannot afford to balance budgets at the expense of Filipino lives and livelihoods.

Flood mitigation is not the sole responsibility of the government, though it must lead the charge. There must be a national realignment of priorities. Greater resources must be directed—and protected—for sustainable, science-driven flood control measures. Climate-resilient infrastructure must be non-negotiable. Rainwater harvesting, river desilting, wetlands rehabilitation, and proper zoning regulations must be vigorously implemented.

The private sector must also be held accountable. Commercial developments must no longer obstruct natural waterways or compromise drainage systems. Corporate social responsibility must extend beyond relief drives and into long-term investments in urban planning, environmental sustainability, and disaster preparedness.

And we, as citizens, must also take our share of responsibility. We must remain informed, demand transparency, and insist on competent governance. We must report corruption and support policies and leaders committed to environmental resilience.

The floods we endure are not just the result of rain brought about by climate change, but of long-standing systemic failure. We cannot change the monsoon,

Rainy day ramblings

By Punch Liwanag

Published Jul 21, 2025 07:21 am

IV of Spades' official artwork for Aura

The month of July should be declared National Lugaw Month.

The National Capital Region, including Manila, Quezon City, and the outlying metro, along with a significant part of the rest of the country, is currently drenched. This is due to a combination of seasonal rains, Tropical depression ‘Crising’ from the Pacific, and the lingering ‘habagat.’ Waters have risen, some billboard structures are down, triggering car-maggedon levels of traffic. Everywhere, simply everything is just wet.

It’s depressing, not to mention cold.

Days like these, we want to be cooped up at home and stay dry. You can’t get out anyway, as the surrounding areas are flooded. So, what to do? Fire up Netflix, curl up with a good book, or visit your record collection and take out an album or three and give it a spin and some much-needed dusting. Tons to do and totally up to you!

But what goes well with all this activity? Why food of course! But not just any food, no we’re not talking about fast food deliveries (kawawa naman kasi sila Kuya aGrab driver). We’re talking about the underrated lugaw.

Matt Wilson (Facebook)

Lugaw or ‘arroz caldo’ (which means ‘rice soup’) is the perfect soul food to nourish the spirit on wet, forlorn days. Whatever your emotional disposition, a bowl of piping hot lugaw– generously garnished with fried garlic, scallions, and a touch of chili oil–can instantly uplift and satisfy those hunger pangs. Add a crispy lumpiang togue, destined to be drenched in vinegar, with diced onions alongside some fried Tokwa’t baboy (fried tofu and pork cubes), and you have quintessential rainy-day fare to keep your belly full and your heart warm.

So maybe ask nanay or aunty to teach you their recipe on how to cook lugaw. Then get your culinary game on and don’t skimp on the chicken, ginger, egg, and other ingredients. Or, if possible, get out of the house, just make that trip to the local lugaw joint because they’re all over the place! Indeed, when this kind of weather persists, you can look forward to having a wholesome time with this perennial Pinoy favorite dish that deserves proper recognition.   

Really? I see floods primarily as an engineering challenge. The courses of mighty rivers have been diverted with dams; why can’t we fix this flood problem? Perhaps we need more engineers than politicians. My heart goes out to everyone affected by floods year after year. Especially my buddy Kiko Pineda, who loves lugaw and his ever-growing collection of ’80s movies and new wave records, which he has to move to his upstairs space every time the waters rise in Meycauayan.

Listen to new music by the reunited IV of Spades with “Aura.” Unannounced, the band reunited and just released a new song, their first together since their nasty break-up. Here’s hoping that the band’s songwriting credits are in order this time around. Also check out new songs by rhodessa (“ano na?”), Lola Amour x KOKORO (“The Moment”), Ron David (“Di Mo Sigurado”), and “Tahan Na, Tahanan” by Matt Wilson. All this and more on the Pinoy Pop Playlist 2025 on Spotify.

Cebu Pacific Advisory Cancelled Flights Due to Heavy Rains and Flooding As of July 22, 2025; 10:00 AM

Due to the forecasted impact of heavy rains and flooding, Cebu Pacific has cancelled the following flights scheduled on July 22, 2025:

• DG 6118: Naga – Manila

• 5J 323/324: Manila – Legazpi – Manila

• 5J 391/392: Manila – Cagayan De Oro – Manila

• 5J 455/456: Manila – Iloilo – Manila

• 5J 487/488: Manila – Bacolod – Manila

• 5J 508/509: Manila – Tuguegarao – Manila

• 5J 565/566: Manila – Cebu – Manila

• 5J 659/660: Manila – Tacloban – Manila

• 5J 744/745: Manila – Hanoi – Manila

• 5J 747: Hanoi – Manila

• 5J 901/902: Manila – Caticlan – Manila

• 5J 993/994: Manila – General Santos – Manila

• 5J 971/970: Manila – Davao – Manila

Affected passengers have been informed via email and provided with the following options through the Manage Booking portal on the Cebu Pacific website https://www.cebupacificair.com/manage-booking:

1. Free Rebooking

Rebook without fare difference for travel up to thirty (30) days from original flight date. The fare difference will apply if the travel period is beyond thirty (30) days from the original flight date.

2. Travel Fund

Store the amount in a virtual CEB wallet and use this to either book a new flight or pay for add-ons (example: baggage allowance, seat selection, etc.)

3. Refund

Full refund of your ticket.

Passengers are advised that further delays and cancellations may occur in the coming days depending on the weather conditions. We are working closely with airport authorities and operational teams to mitigate the impact as much as possible.

CEB is also offering flexible options to passengers who wish to postpone their flights to and from Manila scheduled from July 22 to 25. Passengers may avail of a free rebooking and travel fund up to two (2) hours before their scheduled time of departure.

CEB strongly advises its passengers not to proceed to the airport unless they have confirmed bookings for flights which are currently still planned to operate. Please monitor the status of your flights via https://www.cebupacificair.com/flight-status or on the CEB mobile app and update your contact details via the Manage Booking portal https://www.cebupacificair.com/manage-booking to receive email and SMS notifications on flight reminders.

For other questions or concerns, passengers may send a message via Charlie the virtual assistant on the Cebu Pacific website, or through CEB’s official social media accounts.

We will provide updates, as necessary.

Fuel prices spike on Tuesday

 

By Gabriell Christel Galang

Published Jul 21, 2025 11:07 am

Motorists are about to brace for the inclement weather and higher prices at the gas pumps.

Effective Tuesday, July 22, gasoline prices will be raised by ₱0.40 per liter, diesel by ₱1.10 per liter, and kerosene by ₱0.70 per liter.

Shell, Seaoil, and PetroGazz are among the few oil companies that have announced these price adjustments.

Last week, analysts speculated that this week’s price movements are caused by the United States’ (US) tariff policies, direct sanctions on Russia, and supply disruption concerns following attacks in the Red Sea, which is a key global shipping route.

ING Economics reported that despite the European Union (EU) imposing another round of sanction package over Russia, it has yet to yield with the decline of oil price caps. According to ING, the “tough sanctions” would mean lowering the Russian crude oil price limit to $47.60 per barrel (bbl) by September.

However, Russia has doubted the impact of these limitations, as ING Economics stated that the country has built a shadow fleet of oil tankers to work their way around the sanctions.

“The EU has also sanctioned another 105 vessels, leaving a total of 444 vessels in Russia’s shadow fleet affected. The lack of reaction shows that the market is not convinced by the effectiveness of these sanctions,” ING said.