7:11 p.m. April 6, 2026

The Commission on Audit (COA) has been appointed as the new External Auditor of the World Trade Organization, reflecting its credibility and strong reputation in international auditing and growing influence in advancing good governance around the world. 

The Philippines’ audit body, an independent constitutional commission, succeeds France’s supreme audit institution, the Cour des Comptes, and will serve a non-renewable term of six years. 

In its role, COA will oversee the audit of the WTO’s financial statements, pension plan, and operations in line with the Organization’s financial regulations. 

The audit body was selected by the WTO General Council on the recommendation of its Committee on Budget, Finance and Administration (CBFA). The committee cited how COA’s proven track record in auditing international organizations will help strengthen financial accountability and reinforce trust in the WTO’s governance framework. 

“COA’s appointment as the WTO’s new external auditor demonstrates how the world views our capabilities as an independent audit body– reliable, trustworthy, and world-class. We are committed to upholding the highest standards of independence and professionalism in our work with the WTO, continuing our mission to promote transparency and accountability in international institutions,” said COA Chairperson Gamaliel A. Cordoba. 

He said the WTO appointment represents a significant milestone for COA, illustrating its expanding influence and growing force in advancing transparency, accountability, and good governance not just in the Philippines, but around the world.

COA earlier served as External Auditor for several major specialized United Nations agencies, including the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Labor Organization (ILO), the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). 

In these assignments, COA was commended for its rigorous standards and contribution to strengthening transparency and accountability in global governance. #

7:45 p.m. April 1, 2026

Meralco PowerGen Corporation (MGEN),  through its affiliate Terra Solar Philippines Inc. (MTerra Solar), has successfully energized  the first 250-megawatts (MW) of its solar capacity – now operating as a generator and  marking the start of its contribution to the country’s growing demand for reliable and clean  energy.  

This milestone represents a critical step in the project’s phased development and comes  at a pivotal time for the Philippines, as global fuel market volatility driven in part by the  current situation in the Middle East, continues to highlight the urgency of strengthening  domestic and renewable energy sources. The early delivery of capacity from MTerra Solar  reinforces efforts to enhance the country’s energy self-sufficiency and reduce exposure  to imported fuel risks.  

“Reaching this milestone reflects the strong execution, collaboration, and dedication of  our teams and partners. More importantly, it underscores the role of projects like MTerra  Solar in helping secure the country’s energy future at a time when reliability and 

affordability are under increasing pressure,” said MGEN Renewables and MTerra Solar  President and CEO Dennis B. Jordan. 

MTerra Solar was initially authorized to export up to 85 MW of firm power to the grid as  part of testing and commissioning activities. With the continued support from the  Department of Energy (DOE) and the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines  (NGCP), the facility is now exporting up to 250MW — providing additional capacity to help  stabilize supply during a period of heightened system demand.  

During a previous MTerra Solar event, DOE Secretary Sharon Garin emphasized the  project’s significance in strengthening the country’s renewable energy pipeline and  addressing immediate supply challenges.  

“The initial grid synchronization of MTerra Solar – led by MGEN and Actis – represents a  meaningful step towards our transition to a cleaner and more energy-resilient Philippines.  Developments of this scale are critical as we navigate current global uncertainties while  ensuring long-term energy security,” Secretary Garin said.  

“Beyond its contribution to the renewable energy transition, MTerra Solar plays an  important role in supporting the country’s near-term energy requirements. The project’s  phased energization enables earlier delivery of capacity to the grid, helping ease supply  constraints and supporting efforts to maintain stable electricity prices amid evolving global  conditions,” MGEN President and CEO Emmanuel V. Rubio shared. 

In addition, MTerra Solar has also energized the first tranche of its battery energy storage  system (BESS). Through energy generated from its solar output, the plant has been able  to deliver up to 450 MWh of energy to the grid at night. This tranche now represents the  largest operational BESS available in the Philippines.  

Following these milestones, the facility will still undergo a series of comprehensive  activities in the coming weeks to ensure the safe, efficient, and reliable integration of  battery storage with the solar facility. Once fully operational, the integrated BESS will  enhance grid stability and enable the dispatch of renewable energy beyond daylight  hours, strengthening system reliability while maximizing the value of solar power  generation. 

MTerra Solar underscores MGEN’s commitment to advancing a diverse energy portfolio  that addresses the energy trilemma – ensuring that supply remains sustainable, reliable,  and affordable. At full capacity, the project is expected to generate up to 3,500 MWp of  solar power, supported by a 4,500 MWh battery energy storage system – delivering clean  energy to approximately 2.4 million households. 

The project will also avoid an estimated 4.3 million tons of carbon emissions annually,  equivalent to removing more than 3 million gasoline-powered vehicles from the road. With 

Phase 1 on track for completion this year and Phase 2 already under construction, MTerra  Solar will continue to scale up its capacity, contributing meaningfully to the Philippines’  renewable energy targets of 35% by 2030 and 50% by 2040. 

2:25 a.m. March 30. 2026

TAGAYTAY City— Patrick Gerard Lee put the Philippines on the medals board with his bronze medal in men C5 scratch race of para cycling in the Asian Cycling Confederation Track and Para Track Cycling championships on Sunday at the Tagaytay CT Velodrome.

It was the first medal for the Philippines in the annual championships hosted this year by the PhilCycling and Tagaytay City—and the first continental exposure of the national para cycling team.

As importantly, Lee earned points for qualification to the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympics.

But before Lee turned the crowd inside the Tagaytay CT Velodrome into a frenzy, a Panda Food delivery bike rider—Zedrick Ivan Honorica—set a new Philippine record in men elite sprint using the same bike he uses in plying his trade.

Honorica’s bike? A Brain frame that costs P2,500 and a wheel set worth P12,000 which he raised from delivering food—a bicycle that astronomically pales to the equipment used by the elite countries’ riders, some breaching P7 million.

“I pushed and pushed myself, it’s a very tough race,” said Lee, 21, who lost his right forearm from under the elbow in a meat grinder at his aunt’s stall at Marilao Market when he was five years old.

“I’m really very happy because it’s for our country,” added Lee, who’s set to race again on the last day Wednesday of the championships supported by Tagaytay City Mayor Brent Tolentino and supported by the Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, MVP Sports Foundation, Sports Plus PH, Toyota and Peak.

Uzbekistan’s Azimbek Abdullaev won the gold medal and Japan’s Ruito Kameda secured the silver but with a tough challenge from Lee—the result went down to the photo finish.
Another Filipino, Joel Inn Tacutaco, finished fifth in the 14-rider race.
Honorica? He’s not your ordinary elite cyclist—literally, he came out of nowhere.

“I race in ‘bente-bente, nothing more,” said the 21-year-old who broke the national record his fellow Marikeño and many-time tour champion Jan Paul Morales set in the Doha 2006 Asian Games.”

“I wasn’t aware of the national record, but I know Kuya JPM [Morales], him being a champion … he doesn’t know me, though,” he added.

Honorica said he’s an accidental member of the national team in the Asian championships.

“I saw a post on Facebook by national coach Gil [Virgilio Espirutu) on an invitation for a power test [informal tryouts], and I was second best … that was only last January,” he said.

Honorica clocked 10.865 seconds, beating Morales’s 20-year-old record of 11.42 seconds.

The effort landed him in 21^st out of 22 riders in the event won by Japan’s Kaiya Ota in 9.348 seconds, also shaving a fraction from his previous best of 9.350.