Happy Monday, June 9!

Let’s kick off the week with sharp eyes and sharper minds. At PesoWeekly, we know our readers are achievers—always hunting for clarity, context, and opportunity. That’s why we go beyond curated news. We're building a solid foundation to bring you explainers, guides, and smart how-tos that actually matter.

While we prep even more value-packed content, here’s a fresh batch of what’s happening on Earth today. Read on and stay sharp.

Got tips, tsismis, or feedback? We’re all ears → [email protected]

Ever wondered how a random idea turns into something that could change the country? Here’s how a law is born in the Philippines — simplified but complete:

1. Propose the Bill

Any senator or congressperson can draft and file a bill — on anything from budget reform to banning ghosting.Once filed, it gets a number and enters First Reading (title only, no debates).Then it’s assigned to a relevant committee.

2. Committee Review + Public Input

The committee studies the bill, holds public hearings, consults experts, and suggests changes. They can rewrite parts, combine similar bills, or even replace it with a substitute.Once ready, the updated version is submitted for Second Reading.

3. Debate, Amend, Vote (Twice)

On Second Reading, lawmakers debate, argue, and propose amendments.
Once all changes are made, they vote. If it passes, the bill goes to Third Reading — a final clean-up and vote, no more edits allowed. Then it heads to the other chamber, where the whole process repeats.

4. Final Reconciliation + Presidential Action

If both chambers pass identical versions, the bill goes straight to the President.
If versions differ, a Bicameral Conference Committee reconciles them, then both chambers approve the final draft.

The President can:

5. It becomes Real — or Not

For a law to take effect, it must be published in the Official Gazette or major newspapers. Then, agencies roll out Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRRs) so people know how it works in real life. Courts can later interpret the law — or strike it down. Congress can monitor, revise, or replace it over time.

TL;DR:
Every law goes through a full gauntlet: proposal → debate → voting → presidential action → real-world execution.It’s long and messy — but that’s how democracy protects your rights.

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Labor group slams Marcos over jobless Pinoys. Unemployment ticked up to 4.1% in April, with 2.06 million Filipinos out of work—and Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) isn’t buying the “skills mismatch” excuse. The group blamed stagnant agriculture and weak industrial policy, noting that over 600,000 agri jobs vanished since March—mostly in rice farming. Meanwhile, the government insists it’s still “on track.”

Quick Take: Farmers lost their jobs, the data looks bad, and Malacañang says, “We’re fine.”

Namaste, Boracay? Starting June 8, Indian tourists can enter the Philippines visa-free—14 days for most, and 30 days if they hold valid US, UK, Schengen, or similar visas (aka the AJACSSUK club). The fine print: no extensions, no conversions, and no shady immigration records, please. Just bring proof of hotel booking, financial muscle, and a return ticket. The DFA is betting on a tourism boost from India’s growing outbound travel market.

Translation: Get ready for more samosas by the sea.

Unemployment ticks up, job quality dips. PH unemployment in April rose to 4.1%, or 2.06 million jobless Filipinos—its highest in three months. But economists are more worried about what kind of jobs people are getting. Underemployment hit 14.6%, with 7 million Pinoys hustling for extra hours just to make ends meet.

The culprit? Fewer election-related gigs, stagnant sectors, and too many temp jobs. Experts want a pivot to high-productivity industries and stronger training programs.

In 2015, Elon Musk quipped that if he cared about subsidies, he’d be in oil and gas. Turns out, he cashed in just fine on space and EVs—racking up at least $38B in U.S. government support.Now, after a fiery fallout with Trump, those lifelines could be on the chopping block.

But experts say Musk’s grip on space, satellites, and EV infrastructure won’t loosen overnight.

Stand up too early in Turkish FLIGHT? That’ll cost you. Turkey’s aviation authority just put a price on impatience: around $70 for passengers who unbuckle or stand before the seatbelt sign turns off after landing. The crackdown follows a “serious increase” in passengers grabbing overhead bags before the plane even parks.

Airlines like Turkish Airlines now warn fliers mid-landing: Sit tight, or you’ll be fined and reported.

Colombian candidate shot mid-speech, in critical condition. Presidential hopeful Miguel Uribe Turbay is fighting for his life after being shot three times—twice in the head—at a campaign rally in Bogotá. The 39-year-old senator was airlifted to a hospital where he underwent emergency surgery.A 15-year-old suspect was arrested with a Glock-style weapon, shot in the leg during pursuit. Authorities are probing whether the teen acted alone.

The attack rocked Colombia’s political scene, with leaders from all sides condemning it as an assault on democracy.

Trump sends troops to LA as ICE protests erupt. President Trump ordered 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles after ICE raids sparked mass protests, tear gas, and arrests across the city. California Gov. Gavin Newsom slammed the move as “purposefully inflammatory,” accusing the feds of staging chaos for political gain.

Trump invoked Title 10 to federalize California’s National Guard—effectively taking it out of Newsom’s control. Activists decried the mass deportation efforts as cruel and chaotic, with 118 immigrants arrested so far.

Study confirms: “K” is the most toxic text. Forget ghosting—just one letter is enough to ruin your day. A new study in the International Journal of Mobile Communications found that “K” is the most negatively received reply in texting. Yes, worse than “sure” or even getting left on read.

Researchers say “K” signals disinterest, passive-aggression, or flat-out contempt. Even adding an extra “k” (“kk”) softens the blow. Meanwhile, phrases like “idk” or “lol” serve as emotional disclaimers Gen Z has weaponized.

Peso take: “K” is no longer just a letter—it’s a full-on conversation ender.

Plague’s secret weapon? One tiny gene. Scientists just uncovered how a single gene—pla—helped Yersinia pestis, the bacterium behind the bubonic plague, shift from apocalyptic killer to sneaky survivor. A new study in Science reveals that when pla levels dropped, the plague killed slower, keeping hosts alive longer—and spreading the disease farther.

That genetic tweak may have prolonged pandemics for centuries, from the Black Death to outbreaks still seen in parts of Africa today.

Peso take: History’s deadliest bacterium knew how to play the long game.

Cats can smell you—and they know you’re not a stranger. A new study out of Tokyo suggests cats can sniff out their owners from a lineup. Researchers found that felines spent more time investigating the body odor of unfamiliar humans than that of their owners, showing they can tell the difference.

But before you get too flattered, it’s unclear if cats truly recognize us by smell—or just find new whiffs more interesting. Still, it’s another win for Team Cat in the eternal "Do they care?" debate.

Peso take: Your cat knows your scent. Whether it likes you is still TBD.

Grab Philippines has officially launched GrabTaxi Electric, rolling out fully electric taxis across Metro Manila. The beta phase covers Makati, Taguig, Pasig, Mandaluyong, Parañaque, and Pasay—with more cities like Davao and CDO on deck.

Partnering with EV Taxi Corp., the pilot is part of a broader push to replace gas-guzzlers with greener alternatives. Users can also opt-in for small in-app environmental donations with each ride.

Translation: Your commute just got cleaner—assuming you’re one of the lucky few in the beta.

Pinoys still picking pantry staples, says Kantar

Filipinos made 10.5 billion shopping trips in 2024—but they’re getting pickier. According to Kantar’s 2025 Brand Footprint Report, food and drink brands still rule, with Lucky Me, Nescafé, and Kopiko topping the charts. Why? Class D drives the economy, and affordable basics still win.

Fastest riser? Nestea, up 28% in consumer reach points (CRP). But competition’s brutal: more stores, more choices, fewer brands actually being bought.

Translation: If your brand isn’t everywhere, it’s nowhere.

Apple tops $1.3T as ChatGPT cracks top 100 in global brand ranking

Kantar’s 2025 BrandZ report just dropped, and Apple remains the GOAT—holding the No. 1 spot with a $1.3 trillion brand value. Amazon jumped 50% to $866B, while ChatGPT debuted at #60, the highest new entry since NVIDIA in 2021.

US brands now make up 82% of the Top 100, but China’s catching up fast. Social media flexed hard too—Instagram surged 101%, TikTok rose 25%. Meanwhile, alcohol, apparel, and personal care brands stumbled.

Translation: In brand value, tech rules, vibes matter, and “meaningful difference” is the new market moat.

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