Context Dispatch

Leandro Legarda Leviste, a 32-year-old billionaire, renewable energy advocate, and founder of the Philippines’ largest solar energy company—recently acquired by the Metro Pacific Group—clinched a historic landslide victory in Batangas’ 1st District, defeating incumbent Eric Buhain with 75% of the vote. This marks the largest margin of victory against any sitting congressman in the 2025 elections. The son of Senator Loren Legarda, Legarda Leviste left the business world after a P34-billion Solar Philippines deal with Meralco to pursue public service. His platform focuses on education, infrastructure, and job creation for Western Batangas.

Microsoft is laying off around 6,000 employees—nearlyw 3 percent of its global workforce—in its biggest job reduction since 2023, as the Washington-based tech giant continues to streamline operations in response to shifting market conditions.

The Bureau of Customs at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (BOC-NAIA) today (13 May 2025) confiscated six parcels containing Ecstasy and heroin valued at approximately PhP4.43 million.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. lauded the Bureau of Customs (BOC) for its instrumental role in the Philippines’ successful removal from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Grey List, ending a three-year effort to meet global anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing standards. The President cited BOC’s enhanced monitoring of cross-border cash movement as a major contributor to the country’s compliance with FATF action items. He recalled issuing a directive in October 2023 instructing key government agencies—including the BOC—to implement reforms aligned with the FATF’s recommendations.

A moderately explosive eruption occurred at Kanlaon Volcano early Tuesday, sending a 4.5-kilometer-high ash plume southwest and triggering pyroclastic materials down its southern slopes, PhilVolcs reported. Audible rumbling and light ashfall were reported in nearby towns, while ballistic fragments ignited vegetation near the summit. The eruption lasted five minutes, with thermal and visual monitoring confirming localized impacts. With Alert Level 3 still in effect, magmatic unrest continues, raising the risk of further short-lived eruptions that could pose serious hazards to communities within the danger zone. Damage caused by this latest Kanloan eruption has yet to be reporter.