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June 24, 2025
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INTERNATIONAL NEWS
June 24 ------ Goldman Sachs flagged risks to global energy supply amid concerns over a potential disruption in the Strait of Hormuz that would lead to significant spikes in oil and natural gas prices, the bank said in a note. The bank estimated Brent crude could briefly peak at $110 per barrel if oil flows through the critical waterway were halved for a month and remained down by 10% for the following 11 months.
Prices would then moderate, with Brent averaging around $95 per barrel in the fourth quarter of 2025, it said in a note. Oil prices jumped on Monday to their highest since January after Washington joined Israel over the weekend in attacking Iran's nuclear facilities. Goldman highlighted that prediction markets, despite limited liquidity, now reflect a 52% probability of Iran closing the Strait of Hormuz in 2025, citing data from Polymarket. Additionally, it noted that a drop in Iranian supply by 1.75 million barrels per day could push Brent to a peak of around $90 per barrel.
In one scenario, the bank said a 1.75 million barrels per day (bpd) drop in Iranian oil supply for six months, followed by gradual recovery, could push Brent crude to peak at $90 per barrel before falling to the $60s by 2026.
In the second sub-scenario, where Iranian production remains persistently lower, Brent could still peak at $90 but stabilize between $70-80 in 2026 due to reduced inventories and global spare capacity, Goldman Sachs said. "While the events in the Middle East remain fluid, we think that the economic incentives, including for the U.S. and China, to try to prevent a sustained and very large disruption of the Strait of Hormuz would be strong," Goldman Sachs said.
Iran's Supreme National Security Council must make the final decision on whether to close the Strait of Hormuz following U.S. bombing raids, Iran's Press TV said, after parliament was reported to have backed the measure.
Goldman Sachs also projected European natural gas markets, including the TTF benchmark, to price in a higher probability of disruption, with TTF potentially rising closer to 74 euros per megawatt-hour ($25/MMBtu). However, the bank noted that U.S. natural gas prices would face limited impacts due to structural factors such as strong export capacity and minimal domestic LNG import needs.
Source: reuters.com
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US Congress certifies Trump election victory for Jan. 20 inauguration
WASHINGTON, January 9 ------ The U.S. Congress formally certified Republican President-elect Donald Trump's November election victory over Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris, clearing the way for him to be sworn in on Jan. 20. The certification of the election results on Monday in the 50 states and the District of Columbia was accomplished in a brief, formal ceremony during a joint session of the House of Representatives and Senate. It was presided over by Harris, acting in her vice-presidential role as president of the Senate.
The quadrennial ritual stood in sharp contrast to four years ago when a mob of Trump supporters stormed the Capitol in a failed bid to block the certification of then-President Trump's 2020 loss to Democratic President Joe Biden. Trump continues to falsely claim that his 2020 defeat was the result of widespread fraud, and had warned throughout his 2024 campaign that he harbored similar concerns until his Nov. 5 defeat of Harris. "Congress certifies our great election victory today - a big moment in history. MAGA!" Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social on Monday. The joint session of Congress proceeded even as a winter storm hovered over the nation's capital, dropping about 6 inches (15 cm) of snow and snarling travel. The final certification backed up preliminary findings that Trump won 312 Electoral College votes to Harris's 226.
Republicans control White House, Congress
Republicans also captured a majority in the U.S. Senate and held a narrow edge in the House in November's election, which will give Trump the party support he needs to implement his planned agenda of tax cuts and a crackdown on immigrants living in the country illegally. Democrats did not try to block certification of Trump's victory on Monday. "We must renew our commitment to safeguarding American democracy," No. 2 House Democrat Katherine Clark said in a statement earlier in the day. "As elected leaders, our loyalty must be to the Constitution, first and always. We are here to honor the will of the people and the rule of law."
Security inside and outside the Capitol was heightened in preparation for the certification and was expected to remain in place through Trump's swearing-in. The Capitol grounds were ringed by metal fences hundreds of yards from the U.S. Capitol, and accessible only via checkpoints guarded by uniformed police officers. Convoys of black police vehicles were on hand, led by a 10-wheel Baltimore police mobile command center. New York Police Department reinforcements were also patrolling the area.
Inside, extra teams of uniformed U.S. Capitol Police officers were checking IDs at entrance sites including doors and underground tunnels leading to the House and Senate chambers. Trump has said he plans to pardon some of the more than 1,500 people charged with taking part in the Jan. 6, 2021, assault on the Capitol, when a mob fought with police, smashing its way in through windows and doors and chanting, "Hang Mike Pence," referring to Trump's then-vice president, in a failed bid to stop Congress from certifying Biden's victory. In the 2021 melee at the Capitol, rioters surged past police barricades, assaulting about 140 officers and causing more than $2.8 million in damage. Multiple police officers who battled protesters died in the weeks that followed, some by suicide. As a result of that day's violence, Congress passed legislation late in 2022 bolstering guardrails to ensure that the certification process is administered in a legal manner. Many of these changes were directly in response to Trump's actions leading up to and including Jan. 6, 2021. For example, the new law asserts that the vice president's role is largely ceremonial.
Source: gmanetwork.com
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MARITIME NEWS
Shipping’s new net zero framework: Where to next?
June 24 ------ Real momentum is building behind the global shipping industry’s transition towards a zero-emission future. Over the last couple of years, the industry has been undertaking preparatory work to meet the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) 2023 Revised GHG Strategy. The IMO reached another milestone this April, agreeing to a Net Zero Framework that outlines the regulations that will drive the industry’s decarbonization efforts globally. While the framework still needs refining, it is likely to completely transform the sector.
Here’s what the new regulations aim to do
At the 83rd meeting of its Marine Environment Protection Committee, the IMO agreed on foundational elements that will drive a shift to lower-carbon shipping fuels, and, eventually, zero-emission shipping that can help deliver on the global community’s climate ambitions.
At the heart of the agreement is a Global Fuel Standard (GFS), which will be the first globally binding regulation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from any industry. The agreed GFS requires successive reductions in the GHG intensity of shipping fuels, designed to deliver on the IMO’s goals of:
• a 20% (striving for 30%) reduction in emission by 2030.
• a 70% (striving for 80%) reduction by 2040.
• a net-zero sector by or around 2050.
While the requirements to shift fuels (starting in 2028) are initially modest, by 2040 they will have driven a massive transformation of the global shipping fleet of 30,000 large ocean-going vessels and the more than 200 million tons of fuel that they use today.
So how do we get there?
To achieve the large reductions in greenhouse gas intensity required by 2040, the sector will need many fuels. Initially, biofuels such as bio-MGO and bio-LNG may be blended into the existing fleet and the bunkering infrastructure that supplies it. Over time, though, biofuels are likely to be constrained by their limited “scalability” – producing biofuels at the very large scales shipping needs would likely have negative environmental impacts, and other sectors such as aviation and chemicals will be competing for these molecules.
So, to achieve its goals, the industry will need large volumes of e-fuels, like e-ammonia or e-methanol, that can be synthesized from hydrogen produced by renewable electricity. The IMO’s GHG strategy implicitly recognized this need, setting an ambition of 5% (striving for 10%) zero- or near-zero emission fuel use by 2030, which would help bring these currently unavailable fuels and the vessels that can use them to commercial maturity in time for their widespread global adoption in the decade to follow. However, where the GFS sets a clear pathway for emissions reduction, the agreed Net Zero Framework will still need to be refined to ensure that e-fuels are introduced in good time.
Incentivizing uptake of the fuels that need it most
One of the most important tools for driving e-fuel uptake will be clarifying the rewards for zero- and near-zero fuels (ZNZs). The new agreement includes provisions for giving such rewards as an incentive, but how exactly this will happen remains to be defined.
Fundamentally, ZNZs are designed to be paid out of a centrally managed fund. The IMO will collect penalties for ships that fail to fully comply with the GFS, and a share of the collected penalties will be paid out as rewards to shipowners who use ZNZs – but the devil, as always, is in the details. As it stands, the agreement only defines ZNZs in terms of their low greenhouse gas footprint. However, it is possible that other fuels (such as some biofuels, for example) would also meet the defined greenhouse gas threshold. If these biofuels – which are cheaper and more widely available today than e-fuels – can access the rewards, then the new rules will likely fail to stimulate investment in e-fuel production.
Given that many biofuels will already be competitive options for meeting the GFS requirement, such an additional subsidy risks spending scarce revenues on support for fuels that don’t need it, with no benefit for the sector’s long-term transition.
The next crucial challenge for the IMO
There are a few ways to avoid this outcome, and these will need to be carefully considered as the IMO negotiates its ‘guidelines’ for implementing the net-zero framework. The simplest solution would be to target the rewards to specific fuel options, namely those based on scalable electrolytic hydrogen. To date, however, the IMO has been determined to maintain technology neutrality, which hinders its ability to provide the necessary ‘push’ for emerging technologies.
One alternative is to ensure that the full-life cycle environmental impact of fuels is considered, so that the scalability limitations of biofuels are partially reflected in the eligibility for rewards. Another option is to provide different rewards to different fuels, reflecting the different costs they face – rewards that fully close the gap between a fuel’s cost and an appropriate benchmark would help create a more level playing field for ZNZs. Both of these options should be prioritized as the IMO negotiates the guidelines for implementation.
That workplan is currently under development, with guidelines for Life Cycle Assessment an ongoing effort and work on the rewards mechanism presumably a next priority. The formal adoption of April’s agreement will be voted on in October, but discussions on these essential refinements will continue thereafter, potentially all the way up to implementation at the end of 2027.
Time, however, is short.
The industry’s transition to net zero must start now: companies need to make large investments in fuel production and bunkering infrastructure that will hinge, in part, on today’s decisions about how to stimulate the future fuel mix. While the agreed framework provides a solid foundation for decarbonization, only an implementation that sets the right incentives from the start can ensure that the industry has the tools it needs for a smooth transition to a truly zero-emission future.
Source: offshore-energy.biz
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Gas Power is Making China Dependent on LNG Shipping
June 24 ------ In many ways, China’s energy sector follows the path of “slowly, then suddenly all at once.” More gas-fired power capacity was installed there in 2024 than in any other country, according to Global Energy Monitor (GEM). The addition of 19.5 gigawatts (GW) of gas power, although far less than of coal (30.5 GW) or renewables (355 GW), is more than the new capacity of the next seven countries combined. The United States continues to operate the largest overall fleet of gas power plants (556 GW), but China is catching up quickly (152.8 GW).
The industry tries to promote gas power as a clean alternative to coal and a helpful partner to renewable energy. However, gas has struggled to find a solid footing in these roles due to high costs and supply uncertainties. As it is difficult to imagine these obstacles disappearing, gas power is an unnecessary detour in China’s energy transition.
An ambiguous role in the energy transition
Unlike many other countries, gas plays a minor role in China’s power mix. It accounts for just 3.2% of total generation, compared to 43% in the United States. As the Chinese government pursues its “dual carbon goals” (to peak carbon emissions before 2030 and reach carbon neutrality before 2060), the positioning of gas power in a supporting role is both unclear and sometimes contradictory.
Gas is considered a “clean” energy in China, where more than half of its electricity is generated by coal. However, gas is a fossil fuel that emits greenhouse gases during its extraction, transportation and combustion. Gas does have some advantages over coal power generation. It is more efficient, generates fewer carbon emissions per kilowatt-hour (if methane leakage is not factored in), and its power stations require half the land. But gas power is unable to meaningfully replace coal due to its higher cost and uncertain supply, as explored in a report last year by the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis.
Over the past decade, the share of gas in China’s power mix has remained almost unchanged, while that of renewables has risen rapidly. As renewables develop, China is increasingly aiming to find a foothold for gas in the energy transition. Proponents argue gas power’s ability to quickly start and stop production makes it well-placed to deliver power when demand peaks, if the sun is not shining nor the wind blowing.
The “Natural Gas Utilization Management Measures” issued by the Chinese government in June 2024 encourage the use of gas power for this kind of “peak-valley” load management. However, GEM data finds that almost all the gas power units installed in recent years are combined-cycle gas turbines, often with large power capacity. This technology is highly efficient and can be used for meeting peak demand, but is actually better suited to generating baseload power.
Moreover, two-thirds of combined-cycle plants built in China over the past four years have been designed not only to generate electricity, but also to supply heat. To ensure reliable heat delivery, these units must run continuously and steadily, further constraining their operational flexibility. Being less able to ramp up or down quickly, they are poorly suited to supporting variable wind and solar. Other countries, such as Australia, primarily use open-cycle gas turbines for meeting peak demand. These can start up within minutes and provide high operational flexibility. They are clearly positioned as a backup for the intermittency of renewable energy.
Supply challenges hinder gas power
Although China ranks fourth globally in gas production (after the United States, Russia and Iran), it is struggling to meet fast-growing demand for gas. Over the past two decades, the country has experienced gas supply shortages on a few occasions.
The most notable was in 2017, when China launched a bold campaign to switch from coal to gas in household heating. Meanwhile, new gas power installations doubled compared to 2016. The consequent demand surge caused a supply shortage and left many families without heating in winter, especially in rural areas. Gas supply for industry was also heavily impacted. In Chongqing, a subsidiary of the German chemicals maker BASF had to break delivery contracts, citing the gas shortage as a force majeure (a serious, unexpected event). Households, industry and power plants – China’s three biggest gas consumers – have continuously competed for gas supply in subsequent years.
China currently imports around 40% of its gas, either through pipelines or on ships as liquified natural gas (LNG). Insufficient supply and dependence on imports push up prices: power generated from gas in China tends to cost USD 30-40 per megawatt-hour more than coal. As a result, gas power strongly relies on government subsidies. It is therefore highly concentrated in coastal and economically advanced regions, where governments can afford to subsidize it to reduce local pollution and land-use pressure.
A potential exception is Sichuan, a landlocked province in south-west China that is rich in gas sources and produces a quarter of China’s gas. In 2024, Sichuan’s gas power increased to 2.88 GW from just 0.7 GW after two gas power projects were commissioned. Seven other gas power plants, totaling 8.33 GW, are currently under construction and expected to begin operating in 2025. Within two years, the province’s gas power capacity will increase 15-fold from its 2023 level.
This explosive increase is the result of a surge in gas power permits after 2021, when Sichuan experienced blackouts during an extreme heatwave and severe drought that significantly reduced hydropower generation. As a stress response, an unprecedented amount of gas power was proposed and quickly entered construction. These plants are designed to meet peak load when hydropower is reduced. They will inevitably compete for gas supply with gas exports to other provinces.
Sichuan currently exports 12 billion cubic meters (bcm) of gas to other provinces every year through a 2,000-kilometre pipeline. From 2027, it plans to export an additional 20 bcm every year through a new pipeline. Though its average annual gas production growth is 4 bcm, the new gas power capacity is estimated to consume 8.4 bcm of gas every year. With both the gas plants and the pipeline commissioned at a similar time, this gas-rich province may be facing a shortage.
Energy security concerns with an economic price
While China’s overall power consumption is still growing rapidly, gas power may yet manage to find space to grow. But if power demand slows or stagnates, it will be hit first. This is especially the case for Guangdong, which operates the biggest fleet of gas power plants in the country. The province accounts for more than a third of China’s operating gas power capacity, based on GEM’s data; in 2024 alone, it commissioned more new capacity than the rest of the country combined.
This rapid growth was boosted by the quick build-up of LNG terminals along Guangdong’s coast. Currently, 70% of Guangdong’s gas power plants rely on imported LNG. Such dependence presents a potential risk, as the global gas price is vulnerable to geopolitical turbulence. For example, when Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, soaring LNG prices caused many gas power units in Guangdong to stop running. That year, gas power generation dropped 7% and only two out of 37 gas power companies in the province saw profits.
In response to the impacts from the war in Ukraine and a widespread power supply shortage during the previous year, the provincial authority approved 10 coal power units in late 2022. Much of the related documentation cites unreliable gas supply caused by geopolitical risks as one of the key reasons to build additional coal power.
But these energy security concerns did not pause the gas power build-up. In fact, Guangdong’s gas power capacity increased by 70% between 2022 and 2024. This increase was motivated in part by sunk costs: a number of projects had advanced through planning and permitting stages, while others had already broken ground. In addition, the province continued to experience power shortages. But probably most importantly, large investment projects like gas plants were one way to kick-start the sagging local economy as it re-emerged from its Covid-19 downturn.
In the coming two years, 23 GW of coal and 13.5 GW of gas power capacity will be commissioned in Guangdong. According to GEM, that’s the equivalent to around one-third of its current coal capacity and a quarter of its gas. A nuclear power unit will begin operating as well, expected to generate three times more electricity than Guangdong’s 2024 consumption increase. An overcapacity is looming. On top of this issue, a new wild card surfaced in April when the Trump administration began its tariff war on the world, targeting China specifically.
The tariff war will hit Guangdong especially hard. Its export value accounts for a fifth of China’s total exports, and 16% of its exports go directly to the American market. If power demand declines due to slowed exports, the province will need even longer to absorb the overcapacity – and gas power will be the first to feel the pain of financial losses, being the most expensive and vulnerable power type. Jiangsu and Zhejiang are facing a similarly uncertain future. These provinces have the most gas power capacity after Guangdong and are also heavily reliant on exporting to the American market.
China has just five years to reach the goal of peaking its carbon emissions. The country needs to focus on its commendable renewable energy build-up and improve the grid for better management of these intermittent sources. Given the jaw-dropping speed of China’s renewable energy growth, the time for its great leap into gas-power generation may have passed before it has arrived.
Source: maritime-executive.com
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Embracing green fuels, UECC cuts CO2 emissions by 107,000t+ in 2024
June 24 ------ Norway-based RoRo transportation provider United European Car Carriers (UECC) said it achieved a ‘massive’ reduction in well-to-wake CO2 emissions in 2024 mainly through bunkering liquefied biomethane (LBM) on LNG-fueled vessels.
The company’s latest annual environmental data shows its emissions fell by more than 107,000 tons of CO2 last year, a significant 70% increase on a reduction of over 63,000 tons achieved in 2023. UECC said it aims to boost emissions cuts by a further 50% this year to nearly 155,000 tons towards its goal of a 187,000-tonne reduction in 2030 as the company is ramping up the use of alternative fuels across its eco-friendly fleet.
“We continue to make major strides towards realizing our sustainability ambitions, supported by pioneering investments in green fuels and sustainable technologies, as well as energy efficiency measures in operations,” Glenn Edvardsen, UECC’s CEO, commented. “These efforts have enabled us to provide our customers with progressively sustainable ship transport amid increasing demand for low-carbon logistics due to the imperative of decarbonisation, driven by expanding green regulation with carbon pricing and increasing penalties for pollutive operations.”
Edvardsen added that UECC is on track with GHG intensity reductions exceeding regulations, enabling it to run a compliance surplus concerning FuelEU Maritime, while also cutting costs significantly under the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS).
UECC’s environmental performance has been enhanced by wider adoption of alternative fuels – including biofuels, low-carbon LNG and LBM, or bioLNG – that last year accounted for around 42% of fuel consumption on its 16-vessel fleet of owned and chartered/operated pure car and truck carriers (PCTCs), up from 34% in 2023.
The company has set a revised target of 58% for alternative use by 2030 due to the relatively high impact of bioLNG in cutting emissions versus other alternative fuels, allowing carbon-neutral cargo transport for customers.
According to UECC’s Senior Manager of Business Planning & Sustainability, Masanori Nagashima, bioLNG is now seen by the company as the key fuel to achieve its target of a 45% reduction in carbon intensity by 2030 versus a 2014 baseline and net zero by 2040 – ahead of the 2050 deadline set by both the IMO and EU.
The fuel is being bunkered on UECC’s dual and multi-fuel LNG pure car and truck carriers (PCTCs) – three of which have battery hybrid capability. The company also has on order two multi-fuel LNG battery hybrid newbuild PCTCs due for delivery in 2028.
Source: offshore-energy.biz
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PHILIPPINE NEWS
Alert Level 3 raised in Israel, Iran; Filipinos urged to return home
MANILA, Philippines, June 24 ------ The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has raised the crisis alert level in both Israel and Iran to Alert Level 3, calling for the voluntary repatriation of overseas Filipinos amid rising tensions between the two nations.
In a situation bulletin dated June 20, the DFA said the new alert level was enforced “effective immediately” as it warned against non-essential travel to the conflict-stricken areas. “All overseas Filipino workers (OFs) in Iran and Israel are enjoined tp return to the Philippines,” the DFA said. “Travel by Filipinos to both these countries is highly discouraged due to the ongoing crisis and the actual closure of their air space and seaports,” it added.
There are an estimated 30,742 Filipinos currently residing in Israel and 1,180 in Iran, according to government data. Those who wish to avail themselves of government-assisted repatriation are advised to coordinate with the Philippine embassies in their respective host countries. The DFA has yet to announce the specific repatriation arrangements or flights as air travel remains uncertain due to regional security concerns.
The following are the 24/7 emergency hotlines:
- Israel: +972 54 466 1188
- Tehran embassy in Iran: +989 12 213 6621
Assistance may also be requested through email at telaviv.pe@dfa.gov.ph or tehran.pe@dfa.govh. The DFA said it will continue to review the alert levels based on developments on the ground and expressed hope that “parties will cease hostilities soon.”
The raising of alert levels comes amid fears of escalating conflict in the Middle East, prompting the Philippine government to take precautionary measures to ensure the safety of its nationals abroad. Israel's war with Iran entered its second week with the Israeli military chief warning of a "prolonged campaign" and Tehran ruling out further nuclear talks with the United States until Israel halts its attacks.
Source: philstar.com
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Oil companies agree to implement pump price hike on staggered basis
June 24 ------ Philippine fuel retailers have agreed to implement scheduled pump price hikes for this week on a staggered basis in a bid to ease the burden of potential major adjustments, the Department of Energy (DOE) said.
According to the DOE, the staggered implementation will be made after an agreement during a meeting between officer-in-charge Sharon Garin, undersecretary Alessandro Sales, and representatives of the downstream oil industry on Monday morning. “Our dialogue with industry players today reflects our shared commitment to balance economic realities with the need to shield our people from sudden price shocks, and we are pleased to report that they have responded positively to our request,” Garin said in a statement.
Garin is also set to meet with officials of the Departments of Transportation (DOTr) and Agriculture (DA) on Tuesday, June 24, to discuss the rollout of subsidies for public drivers and farmers should the average price of crude oil breach $80 per barrel. It is currently at $75.16 per barrel.
To recall, the DOE’s Oil Industry Management Bureau (DOE-OIMB) earlier projected big-time increases this week, citing the conflict between Israel and Iran that threatens critical global shipping passage. “We are closely monitoring global oil price benchmarks and foreign exchange trends, but we also urge them to exercise prudence in passing on cost changes to consumers,” Undersecretary Sales said. “Much of the recent price volatility is being driven not by actual supply disruptions, but by speculative trading due to geopolitical uncertainties,” he added.
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. earlier said fuel subsidies would be given amid the anticipated pump price hike. The average pump price of gasoline stood at P55.90 per liter, diesel at P53.40 per liter, and kerosene at P70.22 per liter as of June 23, 2025. Firms last week hiked prices per liter of gasoline by P1.80 each, and kerosene by P1.50.
Source: gmanetwork.com
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US, Canada condemn Chinese vessels dangerous acts vs BFAR ships
June 24 ------ The United States and Canada expressed concern over the latest aggressive actions of China Coast Guard ships against Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessels which were conducting legitimate maritime patrols near Bajo de Masinloc.
The United States, through its embassy in Manila, condemned China Coast Guard for hitting BFAR vessels with water cannons, saying it disrupted a lawful Philippine mission within the country's exclusive economic zone (EZZ). “The United States stands with the Philippines in upholding freedom of navigation and condemning the China Coast Guard’s dangerous actions that disrupted a lawful Philippine mission to provide supplies to fisherfolk within the Philippine EEZ,” the US Embassy in Manila said.
Canada has also expressed concern over the latest dangerous actions of China against Filipino vessels, which also included shadowing the BFAR ships. “Canada is concerned by another unprovoked incident involving Chinese vessels using water cannons against civilian BFAR Region 6 vessels supporting traditional fishing communities in the South China Sea,” the Embassy of Canada in the Philippines said on Monday. “Coercion and intimidation have no place in a stable, peaceful, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region,” it added.
On June 20, BRP Datu Matanam Taradapit (MMOV 3006) was hit with a water cannon by CCG vessel 4203 while delivering essential supplies to Filipino fisherfolk. It was allegedly followed by shadowing and unsafe maneuvers by Chinese militia vessels and PLA Navy ships within the Philippines' EEZ. The National Maritime Council (NMC) on Sunday called on China to stop their unlawful actions to maintain regional peace and stability.
Source: mb.com.ph
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BI warns anew vs overseas job offers thru social media
June 24 ------ The Bureau of Immigration (BI) warned anew Filipino job seekers against entertaining offers abroad through social media.
Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said job seekers must consult official government agencies before accepting any overseas job placements. Viado reiterated the warning and his advice after the BI intercepted last June 18 two Filipino women who were to fly to Singapore for jobs offers in Albania.
In a statement, the BI said the two women, after interrogation, revealed that their actual destination is Albania and they were contracted by a recruiter through a Facebook job posting to work as household service workers with a monthly salary of 500 euros or P38,000. “We are witnessing yet another case of online illegal recruitment, a deceptive tactic where workers are deceived by generous offers, but often end up working under exploitative conditions,” Viado lamented.
The BI said the two women have been turned over to the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) for further investigation and for the filing of charges against their illegal recruiter.
Source: mb.com.ph
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Philippines eyes better typhoon tracking, agri planning via Japan space tech
MANILA, Philippines, June 24 ------ President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) will work with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) to use space technology in improving disaster response, agricultural planning and community safety across the country. “Katuwang natin ang Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) at ang sarili nating Philippine Space Agency (PhilSa) para magamit ang space technology sa pagprotekta at pagpapaganda ng buhay ng bawat Pilipino,” Marcos said in a Facebook post. “Sa tulong ng mas makabagong satellites, mas mabilis nating matutukoy ang bagyo at makakatugon sa sakuna, matutulungan ang mga magsasaka sa mas maayos na pagpaplano, at mas mapapanatiling ligtas ang ating mga komunidad,” he added.
The president made the remarks after meeting with JAXA executives in Osaka, Japan as part of his four-day working visit from June 19 to 22. The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said JAXA has long served as a key partner of the Philippines in developing space science and technology, particularly through collaborations with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).
Among the results of this partnership are the successful launches of the country’s first microsatellites, DIWATA-1 and DIWATA-2, as well as nanosatellites such as MAYA-1 and MAYA-2, including the first university-built nanosatellites in the Philippines. Established in 2003, JAXA is Japan’s national space agency in charge of research, development and the use of space and aeronautics. It became a national research and development agency in 2015 and continues to promote international cooperation and partnerships with academic and private institutions in the field of aerospace innovation.
Source: philstar.com
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PBBM eyes 50% train discount for seniors
June 24 ------ President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. wants to raise the train fare discount for those aged 60 years old and above from 20 percent to 50 percent, matching the discount rate given to students.
In the latest podcast interview, President Marcos said other countries give fare discounts to senior citizens and students. “These are the sectors of the society na hirap sa cash. Walang pera ang estudyante usually. ‘Yung mga matatanda, kakaunti lang ang hawak nilang pera. So, bakit pa natin pababayarin? They already served the country, na nagtrabaho sila ng buong buhay nila eh dapat naman bigyan natin ng kaunting benepisyo ‘yun ‘di ba?” the President said.
Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro however said the President’s desire to increase the senior discount to 50 percent is still “being studied.” ‘’As much as possible, the President wishes to make it free for everyone. But, we will study that and we cannot implement that immediately,’’ she said during a press briefing.
Upon the directive of President Marcos, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) yesterday increased the discount for all students from 20 percent to 50 percent for LRT-1, LRT-2, and MRT-3. The increased student discount is available to all students, including those enrolled in postgraduate studies and law school programs, according to the DOTR. They only need to show their identification cards for the current school year. The discount is applicable every day, including weekends and holidays.
Under the Expanded Senior Citizens Act, Student Fare Discount Act, and Magna Carta for Persons with Disability, senior citizens, students, and persons with disabilities are entitled to a 20% discount in public transportation fares. But the promo is valid for Single Journey Ticket only and not applicable for Beep Cards or Stored Value Tickets. Students must buy the ticket at the ticket counter to avail of the promo. It was not clear whether the new discount rate for students would only be for single journey tickets.
Source: manilastandard.net
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19K free Wi-Fi sites established – DICT
June 24 ------ THE Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) has so far rolled out almost 19,000 free WiFi sites and laid over 3,000 kilometers (km) of fiber under the National Broadband Program, in line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s order to fix the country's connectivity problems.
During the Infrastructure Forum of the Economic Journalists Association of the Philippines (EJAP) in Makati City on Monday, DICT Secretary Henry Aguda said these projects under the Marcos administration are "proof of the government's will that has translated into citizen benefit." "When the president gave the order, we didn't debate. We delivered. We went straight to work — because every Filipino, whether in Batanes or Tawi-Tawi, deserves to be connected," he said.
Aguda said there are now 18,849 free Wi-Fi sites placed in 6,183 geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs) and 3,026 km of National Fiber Backbone infrastructure that can deliver high-speed internet for the government to 20 provinces and over 1,000 agencies. By 2028, the DICT is looking to connect all 10,875 underserved villages throughout the country by holding telecommunications companies more accountable and ensuring that households have access to cheaper and more secure digital access.
He also highlighted the passage of two landmark laws —the Konektadong Pinoy Act and the E-Governance Act, which establish a more affordable, inclusive and responsive digital ecosystem. "These are not ceremonial accomplishments; they are deliberate, people-first responses to the president's call for action — and the people are already feeling the impact," he added.
In celebration of the National ICT Month this June, the DICT intensified field deployments by installing 153 new access points in the Batanes Islands and 53 access points in Tawi-Tawi to connect the country's most remote locations. "We are not building just fiber or satellites. We're building a more just, informed and inclusive republic," he said.
Source: manilatimes.net
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Filipino concern over online disinformation hits record high, report finds
MANILA, Philippines, June 24 ------ Concern over online mis- and disinformation in the Philippines climbed to a record 67% in early 2025 amid a politically charged midterm election season that saw Vice President Sara Duterte impeached on corruption charges and former president Rodrigo Duterte arrested by the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity tied to his brutal drug war.
This was the highest level recorded since the country was included in the Reuters Institute Digital News Report (DNR) in 2020. The latest edition, which polled 97,055 respondents across 48 markets in six continents online from mid-January to late February, including 2,014 adult Filipinos, was released on June 17. This year’s report also highlights how Filipinos have been increasingly turning to podcasts and AI chatbots for news while remaining cautious about fully automated journalism. It also documents rising verification habits, shifting platform preferences, and evolving trust dynamics.
Who spreads disinformation?
The four-point rise in concern about mis- and disinformation from 2024 (63%) and 10-point leap from 2020 (57%) place the Philippines nine points above this year’s global average of 58% and seven points above the average for the Asia Pacific region (60%). The steady climb in these concerns over six years underscores a growing sense of public anxiety about the spread of false or misleading content online.
Concern was notably higher among Filipino women (70%), those aged 55 and above (76%) followed by 18- to 24-year-olds (70%), as well as among those with higher income (78%), higher education (74%), and those residing in the Visayas (73%). Unlike the global sample, which identified both politicians and online influencers as playing the biggest role (47% each) in the spread of false or misleading information, Filipinos viewed political actors (55%) as a greater threat than online influencers (48%), activists (38%), journalists (37%), foreign governments (34%), celebrities (33%), and ordinary people (29%). Concern about journalists as a source of false information was five points higher than the global average of 32%.
Filipinos most commonly encountered disinformation on social media, more than on messaging apps, search engines, or through face-to-face conversations. Facebook topped the list at 68%, well above the global average of 49%, followed by TikTok (48%), YouTube (39%), X (27%), and news websites (22%). Across all markets, however, X and Instagram were perceived as bigger disinformation threats than YouTube, a contrast to the Philippine experience.
Concerns about content moderation on social media and video-sharing platforms also persisted. While a third of Filipinos considered current moderation levels sufficient, more than one in four (27%) believed platforms did too little to remove misleading or harmful content, reflecting a public preference for stronger accountability from digital platforms.
Source: philstar.com
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ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
Wellness from within: Anne Curtis shares importance of gut health
MANILA, Philippines, June 24 ------ Anne Curtis wears many hats. No doubt about it. Actress, host, celebrity endorser, entrepreneur, wife to foodie and restaurateur Erwan Heussaff, and hands-on mom to five-year-old Dahlia Amelie. Sometimes her roles in life extend to being an occasional concert artist, too. Having embraced life on the go, Anne is always busy, and her schedule rarely slows down and she has come to realize that feeling good inside is key to showing up fully — for work, for her family, and for herself.
She needs to be healthy, to keep herself in tiptop shape, so that she will be able to respond to all these roles that she needs to play in life. These days, it is not just bout heart health anymore. Wellness is also about gut health. “Sometimes, you don’t realize how important it is to take care of your gut,” Anne said. “Feeling good inside your gut will make you feel and look better on the outside as well.”
As a self-confessed foodie and thrill-seeker at heart, Anne has always been open to trying new things, from sampling street food abroad to experimenting with recipes at home. But with that spirit of adventure comes the occasional tummy hiccup — those “oops” moments that can throw off your day. This is why she has learned how important it is to keep her tummy in check. Whether she is at home, on the set, or across the globe, Anne believes that feeling good starts from within.
Staying balanced and healthy
Off-camera, Anne is a lot like many moms who are juggling family life, spontaneous travel plans, and her love for cooking. With this active lifestyle, she has learned how important it is to stay balanced, especially when it comes to gut health. “As a mom, when you travel, you learn to pack everything you could possibly need,” Anne shared with a laugh. “Then you realize what really matters — her comfort toy, any medicines, probiotics… and yes, that includes mine, too!”
Taking care of your gut is part of the much bigger picture. It’s about balance, energy, and being able to give your all — whether that means powering through work, chasing after a toddler, or savoring the joys of everyday life. “All of us moms are figuring it out,” she said. “We want to take care of our families, but also ourselves. And it starts with the little things — like making sure your gut is taken care of.”
Probiotics as daily essential
Anne’s wellness routine has evolved over the years, but one thing has stayed constant: probiotics. Whenever she is preparing for a shoot, enjoying a weekend getaway, or recovering from a food-filled adventure, she relies on probiotics to keep her digestion in check and her energy steady. “Probiotics have always been part of my routine, as someone who has always been on the go and open to trying new food,” she shared. “Even back when I was single and even more so now that I’m a mom. It’s about being ready for anything — especially when you're constantly on the go.”
After discovering the benefits of probiotics for her digestive health, energy, and immunity, Anne made them a must-have in her daily routine. She feels more ready to take on whatever comes her way — whether it is a spontaneous food trip, a travel adventure, or a busy day with the family. So she teamed up with Erceflora, a brand that fits right in with her wellness goals and what she stands for. “It’s something I trust — not just for me, but for my family too,” Anne said.
Anne’s wellness journey has shown her just how important gut health is to overall well-being. “I hope more Filipinos, especially fellow moms, realize how essential it is,” she shared. “When your gut’s off, it can throw off your whole day. You can’t show up fully if you’re not feeling your best — and taking care of your gut is one thing you can control.” “As someone who champions wellness, embraces adventure, and inspires countless Filipinos with her authenticity, Anne truly embodies everything we stand for. She understands that life isn’t always perfect — there are food trips, sudden travel plans, and unexpected ‘oops’ moments — but staying ready makes all the difference. Together, we hope to empower more families to take simple steps toward better digestive health, starting from within," said Rica Mateo, Erceflora ASEA Zone Brand Lead.
As Anne reminds her fans, feeling good starts from within. Whatever role you’re playing or whatever activity you’re enjoying, taking care of your gut means you’re ready for anything the rainy season throws your way. Probiotics plus proper diet and exercise should keep your gut healthy and happy all the time.
Source: philstar.com
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Jolina reveals secret of 14-year relationship with husband Mark
June 24 ------ Isa sa itinuturing na pinakamatatag na pagsasama sa showbiz industry ay sa mag-asawang Jolina Magdangal at Mark Escueta. Halos fourteen years nang kasal ang TV host/actress/singer at ang Rivermaya drummer na si Mark Escueta. Biniyayaan sila ng dalawang anak, sina Pele at Vika.
Sa kabila ng pagiging isang asawa at ina, abala pa rin si Jolina sa kanyang showbiz career kung saan nae-enjoy niya pareho ang acting at hosting. Sa presscon ng Idol Kids Philippines nsa Dolphy Theater noong June 19, 2025, tinanong ng PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) si Jolina kung ano ang maibabahagi niyang sikreto kung paano tumagal at manatiling matibay ang relasyon ng isang mag-asawa?
Pahayag ni Jolina: "Siguro pag ang center niyo ay si God talaga, from your husband hanggang sa kung sinuman ang miyembro mo sa bahay, yung mga kasama sa bahay, yung mga tumutulong sa akin sa bahay, kumbaga, nandun yung prayers. "Very grateful, thankful sa mga nangyayari. I mean, mapagtutulung-tulungan kung ano ang magiging problema. "Kung ang No. 1 ay ang pagiging grateful, yun ang secret ng isang relasyon." Happy at contented sa buhay maypamilya, ganito rin sa kanyang showbiz career si Jolina.
Source: pep.ph
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Mikee Quintos graduates from college after 10 years
June 24 ------ Mikee Quintos declared she is “one degree hotter” after finishing her architecture degree at the University of Santo Tomas (UST) after 10 years.
Quintos took to her Instagram to make the announcement, while striking poses in her black graduation dress. The video then shifted to the actress flashing a big smile while wearing her toga. “Guess who just got one degree hotter,” she captioned her post, along with the hashtag “#USTArchitectureBatch2025.”
The Varsitarian, UST’s flagship publication, also shared a photo of Quintos, who was all smiles while receiving her diploma and posing for photos during the graduation ceremony. “Congratulations, Mikee! After 10 years in college, actress Mikee Quintos marches inside the Quadricentennial Pavilion as one of the 318 graduates of the College of Architecture.
The actress’ achievement received messages of support from her followers in the comments of her Instagram post, including from fellow celebrities Barbie Forteza, Rocco Nacino, Sofia Pablo, Krissha Viaje, Coney Reyes, Jo Berry, Jason Abalos, and Arlene Muhlach.
Quintos announced that she will graduate from college last April after successfully defending her undergraduate thesis. The Kapuso star, who has been juggling her entertainment career and her studies, said she has been taking up Architecture since entering showbiz. However, she had to take a break from school in 2019 and went back to school a year later
Source: inquirer.net
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SPORTS NEWS
Gilas to face Macau Black Bears in send-off for FIBA Asia Cup
June 24 ------ GILAS Pilipinas will be going up against Macau Black Bears in a friendly game that will serve as a sendoff before they compete in the FIBA Asia Cup 2025. National coach Tim Cone said they plan to hold the game at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum so that fans can watch it ahead of the FIBA Asia Cup to be held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia from August 5 to 17.
“I’m not sure if it’s the 28th or 29th. I think we are trying to get the Araneta Coliseum. That’s kind of a send-off for the fans before we leave,” said Cone on Saturday during the Power and Play program on True FM. Initially, Cone said the plan was to play Guam where San Miguel player Jericho Cruz is part of. “We tried to invite a couple of teams to come here to play us. We had Guam originally coming in but something happened and it turned out that they can only meet in Jeddah. We weren’t able to bring them here. They were going to come here and then go to Jeddah, but they couldn’t do it,” Cone said. “We moved our attention to a club team and now, looks like we are going to play the Macau Bears."
The Macau Black Bears have been competing in the East Asia Super League and The Asian Tournament, and pose as a test for Gilas Pilipinas with the imports that the club team has. “They beat up on the Chinese national team. They are really strong, they’ve got three imports, one of which might be Jeremy Lin, could be a very, very interesting friendly for us,” Cone said.
Cone also mentioned another friendly game in Jeddah with a team that is already there when they arrive possibly on August 2. The Philippines opens the FIBA Asia Cup against Chinese Taipei on August 6, and goes up against New Zealand on August 8, and Iraq on August 10.
Source: spin.ph
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NBA: Suns to send Kevin Durant to Rockets in blockbuster trade
WASHINGTON, June 24 ------ Two-time NBA champion forward Kevin Durant has been traded from the Phoenix Suns to the Houston Rockets for eight players in a blockbuster deal he confirmed. The swap, which can be completed when the league begins the 2025-26 year in two weeks, would send the 36-year-old American to Houston in exchange for guard Jalen Green and swingman Dillon Brooks as well as the 10th pick in Wednesday's NBA Draft and five future second-round picks, according to the report, citing unnamed sources.
The move unites Durant, a four-time Olympic champion with the US squad and the 2014 NBA MVP, with a rising young Houston squad guided by coach Ime Udoka that finished 52-30, second in the Western Conference behind overall NBA leader Oklahoma City. Durant was appearing on a panel at Fanatics Fest in New York when the news broke and told reporter Kay Adams he was happy with the move. "Being part of the Houston Rockets, I'm looking forward to it," Durant said. "Crazy, crazy last couple weeks, but I'm glad it's over with."
The Suns had the highest payroll in NBA history but stumbled to a 36-46 season, finishing 11th in the West, with Durant averaging 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.2 blocked shots a game. Terms can be agreed for NBA moves but cannot be finalized until the moratorium ahead of the new league season ends in July.
Durant has an expiring $54.7 million contract but would be eligible for a two-year extension after a trade, which narrowed likely suitors to the teams where he would sign a longer-term deal. Durant had sought a trade to Miami, Houston or San Antonio and got a club on his wish list.
The second-round picks in the deal coming to Phoenix include Wednesday's 59th overall selection, two choices in 2026, a 2030 pick and a 2032 selection, ESPN reported. Durant will fit into a Rockets lineup boasting Turkish big man Alperen Sengun and guard Fred VanVleet. Durant has a good relationship with Udoka, who signed a long-term deal last week to remain as Houston's coach. Durant and Udoka worked together with the Brooklyn Nets and on the US Olympic squad. "They had a great season last year," Durant said. "Love their leadership. I felt like I would be a good addition."
The Suns will add Green, who averaged 21.0 points, 4.6 rebounds and 3.4 assists this season to their backcourt alongside NBA All-Star Devin Booker, who had 25.6 points, 7.1 assists and 4.1 rebounds a game for Phoenix. Brooks was one of the NBA's top defenders last season. Durant joined Phoenix in February 2023 in a trade with Brooklyn that cost the Suns three players and four first-round draft picks. "Always remember my time there, but we're on to something else," Durant said.
With Durant, the Suns won only one playoff series in three seasons before the swap with the Rockets, who missed the playoffs four years in a row before falling to Golden State in this year's first round. "Being able to kind of dictate what you want to do and being with a team that values you, I'm looking forward to it," Durant said.
Source: news.abs-cbn.com
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Pagdanganan finishes 52nd in KPMG Women's PGA Championship
June 24 ------ Bianca Pagdanganan shot a closing even-par 72 to finish tied for 52nd in the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship in Frisco, Texas. The two-time Olympian struggled at the back nine but kept it steady on her last nine holes to finish with a four-round total of 301, 17 strokes behind eventual champion Minjee Lee.
Pagdanganan strugled with a first-round 74 and barely made the cut with a second-round 77. She continued her woes with a 78 on the third round, but held her composure for a decent finish. Her performance earned her $33,648 (around P1.9 million). Pagdanganan opened the final round with a birdie on No. 3 before bogeying the par-4 fifth hole. She briefly picked up her game with another birdie on the seventh, but tumbled with a double bogey on the par-3 eighth hole.
She held par in the succeeding holes before firing a birdie 3 on the 15th. Fil-Japanese Yuka Saso, meanwhile, finished two shots behind Pagdanganan with a 303 after fumbling with a fourth-round 76 that consisted of four birdies, four bogeys and two double bogeys. Lee, who pocketed the $1.8 million top purse that went along with the crown, actually tumbled with a last-round 74, but it was enough to give her a three-shot victory over closest pursuers Chanettee Wannasaen and Auston Kim, who fired under-par with similar 68s.
Source: mb.com.ph
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FEATURED ARTICLE
When is it safe to drive through flooded areas?
How do you know if it’s safe to drive your vehicle through a flooded area? The MMDA FLOOD GAUGE indicates water depth, flood measurement in inches, and road accessibility for various cars and other vehicles.
According to the guide, floodwaters that are eight to 10 inches in depth or gutter level to half knee level are still passable to all types of vehicles. When the water depth reaches 13 to 19 inches or knee level or half tire level, a road is classified as not passable to light vehicles.
Meanwhile, floodwaters reaching 26 to 45 inches or from the waist and chest level are considered not passable to all types of vehicles.
• 8 inches: Gutter deep – Passable to all types of vehicles
• 10 inches: Half-knee deep – Passable to all types of vehicles
• 13 inches: Half tire deep – Not passable to light vehicles
• 19 inches: Knee deep – Not passable to light vehicles
• 26 inches: Tire deep – Not passable to all types of vehicles
• 37 inches: Waist deep – Not passable to all types of vehicles
• 45 inches: Chest deep – Not passable to all types of vehicles
Of course, different models and vehicle classes usually come with different ride heights. SUVs and pickup trucks will obviously have differing capabilities to deal with floods compared to sedans and motorcycles, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. Be sure to follow the guide so you can avoid flood damage and costly repairs to your vehicle.
Source: www.topgear.com.ph
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