Security Bank Economic Forum 2025: Navigating Tariffs, trade, and ASEAN’s Next Moves

Makati, Philippines, October 16, 2025—Now in its 15th year, the Security Bank Economic Forum continues to be a premier platform for business and investors to understand trends driving growth and opportunity across ASEAN. This year’s theme, “Trump, trade, and the impact on ASEAN,” zeroes in on how shifting US trade and tariff policies are reshaping the region’s economic outlook and influencing strategies for resilience and growth.

“Global shifts—from US trade policies to geopolitical tensions—continue to reshape the flow of goods, capital, and talent. For Philippine businesses, these translate into real challenges such as supply chain disruptions and investment uncertainties,” said Cirilo P. Noel, Security Bank Chairman.  “At Security Bank, our BetterBanking promise means going beyond financial services to empower clients with insights that help them navigate complexity, adapt with resilience, and seize opportunities,” he added.

The forum featured thought leaders offering timely perspectives on the evolving global landscape. 

Curtis S. Chin, former U.S. Ambassador to the Asian Development Bank and Senior Advisor for Global Markets at the Milken Institute, explored how US trade and tariff policies under President Donald Trump are influencing ASEAN economies, and redefining partnerships.

“As geopolitical tensions rise, businesses must understand both the risks and opportunities of this new era. Tariffs and trade are not just economic issues—they shape the future of cooperation and competition in the region,” said Chin. “However, we should never forget that progress in any nation is ultimately up to its own leaders, its own citizens, its own businesses, its own communities, its civil society. Whoever is president of the United States or any other outside nation should be no excuse for not moving forward.”

Dr. Cielito F. Habito, former Socioeconomic Planning Secretary, unpacked the implications of shifting global policies on the Philippine economy—emphasizing strategies for resilience and inclusive growth.

“Many see opportunities for the Philippines along with the clear threats from tectonic shifts in the global financial and economic landscape, but in the end, we could well be our own worst enemy in navigating through all the changes happening,” Dr. Habito said. “We need fundamental policy and institutional reforms to avoid the real threats to the nation’s future arising from self-inflicted weaknesses, especially in our most basic assets: our people and our land.”

“Uncertainty is not an excuse to stand still. It’s a call for clarity, agility, and purpose.,” said Sanjiv Vohra, Security Bank President and CEO. “Forums like this embody our BetterBanking promise—bringing together ideas, connections, and strategies that help clients thrive amid change.”

The 15th Security Bank Economic Forum reaffirms the Bank’s commitment to fostering dialogue that drives informed decision-making. By convening global and local experts, the Bank continues to provide actionable insights that equip businesses to navigate volatility with confidence and purpose.

BetterBanking means being ready for what’s next. Learn more at www.securitybank.com.

Mober Bolsters Philippines' ASEAN Commercial EV Leadership at 2nd World EV Day Forum

09 September 2025 Manila, Philippines — Mober, a frontrunner in green logistics services in the Philippines, strengthened the country’s push for commercial EV leadership in Southeast Asia (SEA) when it hosted the second edition of World Electric Vehicle (EV) Day Forum Philippines at the EDSA Shangri-La Manila.

Themed “Powering Up the Philippines to ASEAN Leadership Through Commercial EV,” the forum convened leading government agencies and industry leaders to explore the opportunities in positioning the Philippines as an important player in the ASEAN commercial EV landscape.

Dennis Ng, Founder and CEO of Mober, underscored the company’s commitment to advancing the commercial EV ecosystem through its initiatives on innovation, infrastructure, and workforce development. “From lady drivers to autonomous EVs, from battery swapping to renewable hubs, Mober is not just adapting to the future. We are building it,” said Ng.

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, principal author of the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (EVIDA, expressed his support for the sector through a special video message during the forum.

“Sustainable transportation for Filipinos has always been close to my heart. This was the driving force behind EVIDA, which was passed into law in 2022. Rest assured that as its principal author, I remain committed to strengthening policies that support the growth of the EV industry,” Gatchalian said.

One of the highlights of the forum was the interactive session, “Myth Busters with the EV Guy,” which engaged participants in breaking down misconceptions about commercial EVs. The segment featured Ng and Liveable Cities Philippines Chairman Bill Luz addressing common concerns, such as battery efficiency and safety, range anxiety, charging infrastructure, and the vehicles' performance during weather calamities like flooding.

Panel tracks also anchored the forum, featuring thought leaders from the government and business sectors.

The first panel, “Building the Commercial EV Ecosystem: Exploring Renewable Energy and Workforce Development in Powering the Philippines’ Sustainable Logistics,” was moderated by Luz and featured Engr. Andresito Ulgado, Officer-in-Charge Chief Science Research Specialist under the Electric Vehicle Industry Management Division of the Department of Energy (DOE); Nelly Dillera, Deputy Director General for Partnerships and Community-Based Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) at the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA); Elvin Garcia, Acting Chief of the Heavy Industries Division, Manufacturing Industries Service, under Board of Investments from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI); Morris Zhou, Group CEO and Co-Founder of Berde Renewables Inc.; Marie Torres, Director of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) and Impact at Sarona Asset Management; and Miguel Bermundo, Vice President for People and Sustainability at Mober.

Discussions underscored the crucial role of government-private sector collaboration in developing the renewable energy infrastructure, supportive policies, and skilled workforce needed to sustain the transition to green mobility.

The second panel, “Building Resilient and Responsible Supply Chains,” moderated by Bong Marcelo, Vice President for Operations and Sales at Mober, gathered experts from leading corporations. Panelists featured Jade Hugo, Co-Founder and Chief Business Officer of Mober; Severino De Robles, Fulfillment Business Developer at IKEA Philippines; Ernie Carlos, Chief Sustainability Officer at Ajinomoto; and CJ Garcia, Vendor Management Lead at Monde Nissin.

Business leaders emphasized that the shift to green mobility is no longer optional but a business imperative, noting that companies that integrate EV logistics into their operations are better positioned to meet global sustainability standards while remaining cost-competitive in the long term.

"This year's forum showcased that the transition to electric mobility is more than the presence of EVs on the roads, but it's about building the ecosystem that supports its viability in the country. We are optimistic that by gathering some of the most influential enablers in the industry, we have laid the groundwork for stronger collaboration and a clearer roadmap to position the Philippines as a key player in the ASEAN commercial EV landscape,” Ng added.

Mober inaugurated the forum last year as a testament to its vision to lead the country's green logistics. It was held in partnership with media outlets, including Manila Bulletin, BusinessMirror, The Manila Times, Manila Standard, and Malaya Business Insight.

To learn more about how Mober is leading the charge toward a cleaner, more sustainable future, you may visit https://www.moberdelivery.com.

PH joins World Investment Forum 2018, Calls for Improved Focus on Sustainable Development

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THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), through Undersecretary for Trade and Investments Promotion Group (TIPG) Nora Kakilala Terrado, participated in the World Investment Forum (WIF) 2018 and joined the universal call to address global investment-related issues and advance sustainable development for all.

Anchored on the theme: “Investing in Sustainable Development,” the WIF 2018 was held from October 22-26 and served as an avenue for world leaders to unite and devise policies, strategies, and solutions that can solve challenges in attaining the Sustainable Development Goals or SDGs.

Organized by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the forum was opened by Swiss President Alain Berset at the United Nations’ European hub Palais de Nations. The biennial forum gathered 6,000 participants from 160 countries composed of heads of states, high-level government executives, UN officials, and investment stakeholders in the private sector.

Joining the Philippine delegation to the WIF 2018, Undersecretary Terrado represented the country in various discussions and shared with other delegates the initiatives and plans of the Philippines for its digital economy transition as well as the continuous developments of its special economic zones (SEZs). On behalf of the Philippine government, Terrado discussed the importance of improved policies and reforms in areas of trade and investments.

The delegation was composed of Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno, Commission on Audit Director Luzvi Chatto and Assistant Commissioner Lourdes Castillo, Helen Alcantara of the Department of Finance, and Leonard Flores and Roya Malaluan of the City Government of General Santos.

As part of her engagements in the week-long forum, Terrado on October 23 joined the session on “Investment and the Digital Economy,” where leading investors ranging from infrastructure providers, financial backers and digital firms such as Alibaba, Huawei, Vertex, Intel, and Groupe Speciale Mobile Association (GSMA) participated.

During the session, Terrado discussed investments in the digital economy, along with innovative practices and policies that have facilitated investors in channelling contributions that help close the digital divide. Her special remarks also highlighted the Philippines’ Inclusive Innovation Industrial Strategy or i3s.

The i3s, according to Terrado, complements the government’s thrust to promote an innovation ecosystem in the country—with different sectors partnering to generate more jobs and improved business opportunities.

“The I3S is aimed at growing innovative and globally competitive manufacturing, agriculture, and services, while strengthening their linkages into domestic and global value chains,” Terrado said.

Meanwhile, at the “Ministerial Roundtable on 21st Century Global Investment Policymaking,” which was conducted on October 25 with 15 ministers and other high-level capital officials, the undersecretary shared the Philippines’ experiences in coming up with modern and sustainable development-oriented investment policies.  

Terrado stated that while there is a need for collective action to achieve the SDGs, “policymaking is much slower than the pace of technology.”

“These challenges require more operative engagements with different local institutions involved in the SDG, not only in the government but also in the business sector, civil society groups, the academe, and even in the media,” she said. 

Also, the undersecretary served as a panellist at the session on “Challenges and Opportunities in Special Economic Zones” held on October 26, which highlighted the important role of SEZs as incubators to support SDG initiatives.

At the caucus, she joined Investment Promotion Authority (IPA) officials from China, India, UAE, Brazil, Nigeria, and India, who shared lessons in designing the right infrastructure, facilitation services, and incentives—creating economies of scale and promoting transfer of technology in the zones—to develop zone models that can solve each country’s needs.

Terrado also took the opportunity to cite the high-quality service of the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) by operating “non-stop” shops all over the country, enabling the agency to offer red-carpet treatments to investors.

The WIF 2018 consisted of more than 50 parallel events including the Global Leaders Investment Summit, Global Investment Game Changers Summit, private sector-led sessions, “TED-style” presentations, high-profile stakeholder roundtables, networking events, and awarding ceremonies, among others. UNCTAD also organised an “Investment Village,” which featured more than 50 investment promotion agencies around the world including the Philippines.

On the sidelines of the WIF 2018, Terrado also met with UNCTAD officials and discussed technical assistance and capacity building projects for the Philippines in areas of e-commerce and trade facilitation.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the forum whose previous editions took place in Accra in 2008; Xiamen, 2010; Doha, 2012; and Nairobi in 2016.

Possible Return of Stolen Balangiga Church Bells is Victory of Philippine Independent Foreign Policy & Struggles, not American Benevolence

Speakers at Kamuning Bakery Café’s non-partisan Pandesal Forum in Quezon City on August 14 were Balangiga Battle hero Capt. Eugenio Daza’s grandson and president of Kaanak 1896 (association of descendants of the Philippine Revolution and Phil-American War era) Eugenio Roy Daza, “Balangiga: Howling Wilderness” film director & co-writer Khavn de la Cruz and producer/co-writer Achinette Villamor, geopolitics analysts Butch Valdes and George Siy of Integrated Development Studies Institute (IDSI). Moderator is writer Wilson Lee Flores.

The Pandesal Forum agrees that the possible and long overdue return of the Balangiga bells is a victory of Philippines’ independent foreign policy and struggles, not American benevolence
Return Balangiga church bells, other loot, issue official apology
University of the Philippines (U.P.) Prof. Bobby Tuazon of the Center for People Empowerment in Governance (CenPEG) gave this message to the Pandesal Forum: “The return of the Balangiga Bells is long overdue and a historical injustice of American colonizers. The return should not be seen as American benevolence, but rather as a victory of the Filipino people who have fought hard and long for their return.”
Prof. Tuazon added: “Much of our history, by the way, was looted by the American aggressors during the Philippine-American War---relics, archives, treasures, etc. remain in the U.S. until today---are in museums such as the Smithsonian, collectors, etc. These should also be returned.”
Tuazon said: “No apology has been given for the 1 million Filipinos---revolutionaries and civilians---who died during the Philippine-American War. If the U.S. really cares for ‘friendship’, they should at least apologize.”

Retelling history from viewpoint of the defeated… Balangiga: Howling Wilderness

In the Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino organized by the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) from August 15 to 21, the Pandesal Forum highly recommends that the public watch watch the award-winning “Balangiga: Howling Wilderness” which had won 3 times as best film at the QCinema 2017, the Urian and Famas.

The artists behind “Balangiga: Howling Wilderness” are director and co-scriptwriter Khavn de la Cruz, co-writers Achinette Villamor and Jerry B. Gracio. There are no celebrity stars in the cast led by Justine Samson, Pio Del Rio, Warren Tuaño.
Producer and co-scriptwriter Achinette Villamor said the injustice that happened in Balangiga is “part of the numerous national wounds in the consciousness of the Philippines”. She said: “History is usually written by the victors, such as many accounts of the Philippine-American War whoch were mostly authored by the colonizers, the white men, there is a need to tell history from the points of view of those who were defeated and conquered, like us Filipinos. The Balangiga film project is one such attempt.”

It is unique that this movie stands out for its good attempt at artistry, its uncommon courage and its seeking to retell a sad, controversial and violent episode in Philippine history from the refreshing, innocent perspectives of little children.

This well-crafted movie is set in 1901 in seaside town of Balangiga in the Philippines’ third largest island of Samar. Eight-year-old Kulas flees the town with his grandfather and their carabao to escape U.S. General Jacob Smith’s controversial “Kill & Burn” military order. He finds an infant amid a sea of corpses and together, the two boys struggle to survive the American military occupation.

Remembering history, to create a better future… Read this U.S. account of the past

J. P. Lawrence wrote last year in the “New York Review of Books” on this sad episode of Philippine history which followed local Filipino rebels decisive military victory in Balangiga over U.S. occupation troops:
“US troops returned to Balangiga in force. They bombarded the town with cannons, and set it ablaze. The three bells remained in the ruins of the church. But the retribution did not end there. General Jacob Smith told his troops he wanted a ‘howling wilderness’ and ordered any male over the age of ten killed. ‘I want no prisoners,’ he said. ‘I wish you to kill and burn; the more you kill and burn the better it will please me.’ Theodore Roosevelt, who was responsible for the conduct of the war in the Philippines for part of 1902, had earlier reflected on the justification for such harsh tactics. ‘In a fight with savages, where the savages themselves perform deeds of hideous cruelty, a certain proportion of whites are sure to do the same thing,’ he said. In the reprisals for Balangiga, US troops are said to have killed as many as 50,000 Filipinos.”

Lawrence also wrote: “Forty-eight US soldiers died at Balangiga, America’s worst military defeat since the Battle of Little Bighorn in 1876. To commemorate their lost men—or perhaps to avenge them—American troops brought the three bells of Balangiga home with them. Over the next century, the bells passed through various military bases. Two are now in Wyoming, and one is on an army base in South Korea, displayed to memorialize the battle.”

History---whether sad, happy, tragic or triumphant---is part of our present and influences our future. May these two indie movies on our history not just entertain, but hopefully educate, awaken, conscienticize and inspire us to help create a better and more just future.

Pandesal Forum, background & purpose

The non-partisan, liberal and tertulia-inspired Pandesal Forum hopes to help elevate the quality of public discourse on national and global issues by having leaders and newsmakers dialogue with media and intellectuals over simple pandesal meals and coffee or tea.

Pandesal Forum’s Moderator is writer Wilson Lee Flores of Quezon City’s pioneer 79-year-old Kamuning Bakery Café. KBC burned down on Feb. 6, 2018, but it is still baking and selling outside burnt ruins and plans to someday fully reopen.