Tension from questions

The fresh face of the government’s premier communications arm is known to be as fierce as she is unflinching, welcoming all manner of questions thrown her way.

She has been incredibly vocal in the fight against fake news, making it a key point in her public engagements.

At first glance, she may come off as combative, but those who talk to her find her direct and engaging.

Interacting with the diverse personalities in the press room, she has become familiar with the tone and slant of each question which often reflect the stance of the media organization behind it.

During the daily press briefings, one journalist in particular consistently gets under the Palace official’s skin.

Recently, this reporter’s questions sparked friction, partly because the media outlet he represents is affiliated with a religious group whose leader initially supported the administration but has since turned against it following his detention on several charges.

Still, the questions directed at the spokesperson were all valid, even if they appeared to be confrontational.

On Thursday, the two — who often engage in a verbal sparring — were at it again.

One question was whether the Chief Executive would be willing to undergo a formal test to dispel damaging allegations against him.

The Palace official defended her boss, challenging the journalist to reveal the source of the question.

Tensions lingered even after the heated exchange was quickly defused and frayed nerves calmed.

Similar incidents had occurred in the past, particularly during the previous administration.

Still, this time it may have gone too far — especially over a fundamental question that had been quickly dismissed before.

UBS under green pressure

Pressure is mounting on international financiers to stop funding dirty fuel in the country, particularly near the ecological heritage site known as the Verde Island Passage (VIP).

A global alliance of environmental and human rights organizations urged Swiss bank UBS to withdraw its support from fossil fuel projects in the VIP during the bank’s annual general meeting held in Lucerne, Switzerland, on 10 April.

Local group Protect VIP led by Filipino Catholic priest Father Edwin Gariguez that is part of an international network was able to send a clear message to the bank’s shareholders.

The bank is the second-largest European investor in a power subsidiary of a local giant conglomerate, with exposure totaling $16.3 million, making it the sixth-largest institutional investor in the company worldwide.

The conglomerate is planning to build eight gas power plants and a liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal, positioning itself as the most significant gas expansionist in the country and all of Southeast Asia.

Three of the projects are set to be built in the Verde Island Passage, one of the most biodiverse marine ecosystems in the world.

“This very ecosystem is now under threat, and the decisions made in this room directly contribute to this peril, impacting the lives and livelihoods of our people. This is not the first time we have contacted you about Verde Island Passage, but despite the discussions you have continued your investments. Now you’re also complicit in the dirty deals,” Garriguez said in a speech in front of the UBS shareholders.

UBS also served as the conglomerate’s financial advisor in the acquisition of the LNG import terminal and two key power plants.

These power contracts entered into by the power plants are now being challenged by consumer groups in the Philippines as an anti-competitive practice violative of national law.

These gas expansion plans block energy transition goals as harnessing energy from fossil gas despite its “vast potential to transform its power sector to nearly 100 percent renewable energy,” according to a Climate Analytics study commissioned by the Center for Energy, Ecology, and Development.

“We ask the board and shareholders: how can you justify your continued investments in fossil gas when renewable energy is most viable, rapidly expanding, and is a transformative alternative for the people and the climate?” the UBS shareholders were asked.

In February, the Philippines, as a party to the ESCR covenant, was subjected to a review session at the 77th Session of the United Nations Committee on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (CESCR).

During the session, the committee recommended measures to protect the VIP as part of efforts to uphold human rights.

“UBS is a huge, powerful, and formidable financial institution. But it is still accountable to international standards that align with global climate goals and the advancement of human rights. The suffering of our communities and the disruption of our marine ecosystems in the Philippines must never be at the price of your pursuit of greater profit,” Gariguez said.