Manila Standard - 2024 April 20 - Saturday

TEHRAN—Iran’s state media reported explosions in central Isfahan Friday.

Air defense systems over several Iranian cities were activated, state media reported, after the country’s official broadcaster said explosions were heard near the central city of Isfahan.

Israel had previously warned it would hit back after Iran fired hundreds of missiles and drones at Israel over the weekend. Most of them were intercepted.

Iran—a key backer the Palestinian militant group Hamas and Lebanon’s Hezbollah -- launched the attack in retaliation for an April 1 strike on its consulate in Damascus that was widely blamed on Israel.

By Rey E. Requejo

THE United States has deployed its Army’s Mid-Range Capability missile system (MRCS) in Northern Luzon as part of Exercise Salaknib 24.

The missile system is capable of reaching more than a 500-kilometer range -- a lot more than the estimated 370kilometer distance between the southern tip of Taiwan and the northernmost tip of the Philippines. Lin Jian, China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson,

prices rise, stocks slide over

tensions

By Alena Mae Flores

OIL prices rallied and equities fell Friday as reports said explosions had been heard in Iran and Syria, fueling fears of an escalation of the Middle East crisis after last weekend’s missile attack on Israel by Tehran.

In Manila, the Department of Energy said oil prices may have a mixed price movement next week due the volatility in world oil prices.

DOE director for the oil industry management bureau Rodela Romero confirmed a possible increase in gasoline prices and a rollback for diesel and kerosene.

She said gasoline may go up by P0.40 to P0.60 per liter while diesel may have a rollback of P0.60 to P0.85 per liter and kerosene by P0.60 to “These domestic pump-flict in the Middle East -

By Charles Dantes

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos ordered the graduating Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) Layag-Diwa Class of 2024 to utilize the power of digital and information technology (IT) in combating crime, serving the public, and fostering innovation within their respective fields.

Addressing the graduates at Camp Gen. Mariano Castañeda in Silang, Cavite, Mr. Marcos emphasized the importance of integrating technology into law enforcement efforts, particularly in addressing cybercrime.

“I challenge you to leverage that technology that you are familiar with as aids in protecting and serving our people, especially in battling cybercrime,” the President said in his address.

He encouraged the graduates to embrace the concept of smart policing, emphasizing that while technology plays a crucial role, traditional policing methods remain essential in maintaining public safety.

“The fight against crime is now a potent mix of

New Zealand backs WPS ruling

NEW Zealand has reaffirmed its position on the validity of the 2016 arbitral ruling rendered by the United Nations-backed Permanent Court of Arbitration that invalidated the nine-dash-line massive claims of China over the South China Sea and instead upheld the West Philippine Sea as part of the country’s exclusive economic zone.

In a joint statement, the Philippines and New Zealand also reaffirmed the need for all states to pursue peaceful resolution of disputes and reiterated that the UNCLOS sets out the legal framework within which all activities in the oceans and seas must be carried out.

New Zealand recognized the 2016 arbitral award, which is final and binding, just like the Philippines.

“The two leaders reaffirmed that all parties must fully implement the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, and reiterated their support for ASEAN-led efforts

for the early conclusion of an effective and substantive Code of Conduct for the South China Sea that upholds the legitimate rights and interests of all parties and is consistent with UNCLOS,” President Marcos and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon declared on Thursday.

This developed as the Philippines and New Zealand have started the process of soon having joint military training exchanges as the two governments are already expediting the forging of their Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA).

The two leaders on Thursday agreed to step up both nations’ defense partnership as they envision the need to ensure peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.

Marcos and Luxon agreed there must be a SOVFA—an agreement concerning the status of visiting forces between two nations—before their troops could have exchanges.

They also committed to sign by 2024 the Mutual Logistics Supporting Agreement (MLSA), which will provide a solid framework for both parties’ defense organizations to enhance interoperability.

These moves came as both expressed serious concern over what is happening in the South China Sea. They also stressed the need to uphold international law and the freedom of navigation and overflight.

Meanwhile, the Philippines and New Zealand are considering increasing their trade in the coming years by 50 percent as leaders of both nations noted

the potential in expanding their economic partnership.

Marcos and the Luxon said they were determined to increase the economic growth of their countries when they met Thursday, April 19.

“And it’s great to see bilateral trade between New Zealand and the Philippines able to recover to pre-pandemic level and continue to increase,” Luxon said.

This came as both nations agreed to expand their ties into comprehensive partnership by 2026.

Luxon also noted the increasing interest of New Zealand businesses in the Philippine local information and technology sector, manufacturing, renewable energy, and food processing.

In 2023, New Zealand ranked as the Philippines’ 28th trading partner, with total trade amounting to 495.37 million US Dollars. New Zealand is also the Philippines’ 38th export destination and 24th import source.

Army’s deployment of its midrange capability missile system to Luzon.

“China strongly opposes the US deploying medium-range ballistic missiles in the Asia-Pacific and strengthening forward deployment at China’s doorstep to seek unilateral military advantage,” Lin said.

The MRCS missile system is designed to provide US forces the ability to launch Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles (TLAMs) and the Standard Missile 6. Balikatan spokesperson Col. Mike Logico, however, assured the public that the weapons system will not be fired during the exercises.

“We are testing the feasibility of bringing this weapon system by air and offloading it into a secure and established place,” Logico explained.

“However, analysts say that the volatility in the energy markets is expected to continue,” she said.

On April 16, oil players raised the price of diesel by P0.95 per liter, kerosene by P0.85 per liter and P0.40 per liter for gasoline.

Leaders in Tehran said the strike was a legitimate response to a deadly attack on an Iranian embassy building in Damascus that it blames on Israel.

Year-to-date adjustment of gasoline, diesel and kerosene stood at a per liter net increase of P9.70, P7 and P2.20, respectively.

The news sent shivers through markets, with crude briefly surging as much as four percent on worries about supplies from the oil-rich region, while fears of a regional conflict saw equities tumble.

Traders have been on edge since Saturday’s barrage by Iran, which Israel’s army chief General Herzi Halevi warned would be met with a response.

DOE data showed gasoline sells from P61.25 to P87.77 per liter, diesel from P54.30 to P82.90 per liter and kerosene from P74.29 to P86.04 per liter in the National Capital Region.

#ANONGBALITA

First Lady: No plans to run for senator in 2025

FIRST Lady Liza Marcos has this advice to those fanning speculations that she run for senator next year: Please extend your brain for just a little bit.

In an interview on Tune-in Kay Tunying aired yesterday, Mrs. Marcos said she was not even a registered voter until 2022 when her husband ran for the presidency -- proof that she has no political ambitions.

“I teach election law. Alam mo kayo, hindi ako registered voter. Mag-isip naman kayo ng konti ‘di ba?” she said.

“Extend your brain just a little bit.

If I’m not a registered voter, how can I run? So this one is chicken feed,” she added.

She said there were insinuations that her “LAB for All Project” medical outreach program was in preparation for a future senatorial run.

Mrs. Marcos said she is not cut out to be a politician as she even gets people’s names wrong at times.

“I get the mayor’s name wrong,” she said as she laughed off the rumors. She said her husband even jokingly describes her as an “ambassador of bad will.”

Solo parent? May libreng sakay sa LRT-2, MRT-3 today

SINGLE parents may enjoy free train rides at LRT-2 and MRT-3 today, April 20, as the country marks National Solo Parents’ Day.

They can enjoy the free train rides from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act has declared the third Saturday of April as National Solo Parents’ Day.

“Ayon sa pamunuan ng LRTA, ang libreng sakay sa LRT-2 ay para makapagbigay ng inspirasyon sa mga solo parent na mag-isang itinataguyod ang kanilang pamilya,” the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) said in a Facebook post. Solo parents need only to present their Solo Parent’s Identification Card or Solo Parent Certificate of Eligibility.

Japanese AI tool predicts when recruits will quit

BOSSES worried about turnover or wondering how long a new hire will stick around can now turn to AI for a heads-up on who might be next out the door.

The artificial intelligence tool was developed by Japanese researchers to try and help managers provide targeted support to staff to stop them from quitting.

It crunches data on employees at a company, from their attendance record to personal information such as age and gender, and was created by Tokyo City University professor Naruhiko Shiratori with a start-up based in the Japanese capital.

The tool also analyzes data on employees who left the company, or took a leave of absence, to create a turnover model for each firm.

Then when fed data on new recruits, it predicts who is at risk of quitting “in percentage points,” Shiratori, a media education expert, told Agence France Presse (AFP) on Friday.

“We are currently testing the AI tool with several companies, creat-

ing a model for each one.”

Bosses could use the results to “suggest to the high-risk employee—without showing a raw figure, which could be shocking to him or her—that the company is ready to offer support, because AI suggested they may be facing difficulties,” Shiratori said.

To create the tool, the researchers built on a previous study using AI to predict the characteristics of university students likely to drop out.

Now they are planning an upgrade so that the AI tool can suggest suitable assignments for new employees by analyzing information from job interviews, as well as their characteristics and personal histories.

Japanese businesses traditionally all hire graduates at the same time each year, but about one in 10 recruits fresh from college quit their jobs within a year, government data shows.

Around 30 percent leave their company within three years, according to the labor ministry. AFP

“It is now clear that the escalating shadow warfare between Israel and Iran... has finally ignited the powder keg in the Middle East, and we have moved decisively out of the shadows and into the glaring light of open conflict,” said Stephen Innes of SPI Asset Management.

Cops...

gadgets and war rooms, and old-fashioned grunt work, by gritty police officers,’ he stated.

Addressing those destined for the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), President Marcos emphasized the importance of maximizing IT to enhance service delivery and efficiency while reducing costs.

“We should not be content with current fire response time, but instead strive

Israel...

From A1

Iran’s Fars news agency reported “three explosions” were heard near the Shekari army airbase in the northwest of Isfahan province, while Iran’s space agency spokesman Hossein Dalirian said “several” drones had been “successfully shot down.”

“There are no reports of a missile attack for now,” Dalirian said on social media platform X.

Nuclear facilities in Isfahan were reported to be “completely secure,” Iran’s Tasnim news agency reported, citing “reliable sources.”

On Thursday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres painted a dark picture

“It should be noted that this is not a staged response to an Iranian drone attack but rather an indication that we have entered a new phase of this conflict, one that is likely to have significant and far-reaching consequences for Middle East peace and least of all risk markets.” Alena Mae Flores with AFP

to make it faster,” the President said “We should not crow about jail improvements, but we should push the envelope further, lessening congestion. And most of those in uniform have kept the values and principles that define who public servants truly are,” he added.

Congratulating the members of the 2024 “Layag-Diwa” Class, President Marcos urged them to let the PNPA’s core values of Justice, Integrity, and Service guide their actions.

He underscored the importance of prioritizing the nation’s welfare over personal interests, stating that such values are fundamental to true public service.

of the situation in the Middle East, warning that spiralling tensions over the war in Gaza and Iran’s attack on Israel could devolve into a “full-scale regional conflict.”

“The Middle East is on a precipice.

Recent days have seen a perilous escalation—in words and deeds,” Guterres told the Security Council.

“One miscalculation, one miscommunication, one mistake, could lead to the unthinkable—a full-scale regional conflict that would be devastating for all involved,” he said, calling on all parties to exercise “maximum restraint.”

As this developed, Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir came under severe criticism for harming Israel’s strategy against Iran after he suggested Israel was behind blasts that rocked Iran on Friday.

whose stay in the country and help boost the economy,” he said.

the BI who shall monitor their visa compliance. The CHED shall ensure compliance with education-related policies, and the NICA will conduct investigations on suspicious activities,” he said.

In 2023, a total of 1,516 Chinese nationals were granted student visas in Cagayan as endorsed by a Philippine university. However, reports showed that more than 400 Chinese nationals are on-site, as the school is said to be implementing distance learning.

“The rise in students may be attributed to post-pandemic rebound, as well as the aggressive marketing of schools and government agencies to boost the country’s educational tourism,” he added.

Foreign students might be investigated by government intelligence agencies because it is part of the government to ensure the country’s security.

Meanwhile, Senator Ronald Dela Rosa on Friday underscored the need for a “whole of government approach” to determine any underlying motives in the influx of Chinese students in the Philippines.

“The government ‘should not sleep’ and immediately act on this report,” said the former Philippine National Police chief during a phone interview.

This early, he said all concerned government agencies and law enforcers and not only the Bureau of Immigration (BI) which should conduct a probe.

“For all we know, we might later see that these Chinese students are already Philippine passport holders,” he added He recalled a recent Senate investigation on Chinese nationals carrying Philippine passports. “So it is necessary that the investigation should start now,” he said.

“Indeed, this should not be simply ignored,” Dela Rosa said.

“The purpose of an armed forces – why we exist – is really to prepare for war. There’s no sugarcoating it. That’s absolutely true. With or without China, let’s say for example in a parallel universe China did not exist, we would still be doing these exercises.” Maritime expert Jay Batongbacal said that any show of capability to respond to threats serves as a deterrence to anyone attempting to destabilize the region, thus it is crucial that the country prepares for it.

China had repeatedly lambasted the US for its actions in the region, including its strengthening of defense partnership with the Philippines, Japan, and other allied countries, saying Washington is making its partners as pawns.

“We urge the US to earnestly respect other countries’ security concerns, stop stoking military confrontation, stop undermining peace and stability in the region, and take concrete actions to reduce strategic risks,” Lin said. The Chinese official also called on the Philippines to “be mindful of what the US is truly after and the consequence of going along with the US on deploying” its missile system.

“The Philippines needs to think twice about being a cat’s paw for the US at the expense of its own security interests, and stop sliding down the wrong path,” he said.

Ben Gvir, a member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s ruling coalition, wrote “Scarecrow!” on X, meaning feeble in Hebrew slang, a suggestion Israel was behind the blasts but its action was weak.

His comment swiftly sparked reactions on social media and television channels.

“Never before a minister has done such a heavy damage to the country’s security, its image, and its international status,” opposition leader Yair Lapid wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

“In an unforgivable tweet of one word, Ben Gvir managed to sneer and shame Israel from Tehran to Washington.”

Shaiel Ben-Ephraim, an academic and host of a podcast on geopolitics, said that Ben Gvir “confirms the Israeli operation and ridicules it.” AFP

Power...

From A1

Lotilla also asked for cooperation so that new power plants can be built without delays.

“We must encourage construction of new power plant sand everyone can help. Some power plants are facing delays because of permits. Oftentimes, there has also been opposition even to RE plants, and also in finishing the transmission lines,” Lotilla said.

“These are all important elements. If there are delays in these, it is ourselves who suffer. It is important that power plant constructions are facilitated. We have seen opposition in the LNG (liquefied natural gas) plants, needed to increase the RE,” Lotilla said.

Lotilla said Department is also coordinating with participants of the interruptible load program and the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) to ensure that they have adequate fuel supply. The ILPs deloaded from the grid to reduce demand thus helping Meralco avoid outages in its franchise area. duction of fuel demand in big economies like China and US,” Romero said.

“The government is actively promoting the country as an education hub in Asia and we hope that these concerns will not scare away legitimate students

Asked if this is a national security concern, Dela Rosa stressed we should be always one step ahead in establishing their purpose and presence in the country.

2 Negros Occ. LGU under state of calamity

DOJ starts preliminary probe on 990-kg drug bust

By Rey E. Requejo

is-

Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said on Friday that with their respective actions, the two LGUs can use certain funds to respond to the needs of their localities.

“I suppose the two LGUs have the intention of helping their affected constituents,” he said.

Kabankalan City Vice Mayor Miguel Zayco said the City Council unanimously approved the declaration of state of calamity due to El Niño on Thursday afternoon.

In a radio interview, Zayco said Mayor Benjie Miranda will determine what kind or how much assistance will be provided to the affected farmers.

Based on the report of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) dated April 17, Kabankalan City has incurred damage to rice crops amounting to PHP41.91 million.

Affected are 1,214 farmers tilling almost 979 hectares of rice land.

San Enrique reported PHP3.581 million in crop damage, affecting 96 farmers planting 117 hectares of rice crops in six barangays.

For his part, Lacson said there is still no need for the provincial government to declare a state of calamity, pointing out that the province has funds to extend assistance to affected farmers.

On Friday afternoon, Manuel Lamata, president of the United Sugar Producers Federation (UNIFED), the country’s largest independent sugar planters’ group, appealed to Lacson, Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer and the members of the Provincial Board to declare a state of calamity in Negros Occidental.

THE Department of Justice (DOJ) started on Friday its preliminary investigation on the complaints relative to the controversy-marred anti-illegal drugs operation which yielded 990 kilograms of shabu in Tondo, Manila two years ago.

In a statement, the DOJ said its preliminary investigation aimed to formally furnish the 74 respondents copies of the complaints filed against them and give them an opportunity to file their counter-affidavits.

The two complaints were filed by the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) and the Philippine National Police - Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNPCIDG).

The complaints stemmed from the findings submitted to the DOJ by the NAPOLCOM in their fact-finding inquiry report.

Of the 74 respondents, only 59 appeared to personally receive the complaints, and were given until May 30, 2024 to file their counteraffidavits.

A preliminary investigation was set on May 2, 2024 to give chance to those who failed to appear to per-

sonally receive the complaint sheets against them.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla vowed that the DOJ will exhaust all means necessary to find the truth about the issue.

“The department is relentless in getting into the bottom of this case. We are giving all the parties equal opportunities to ensure that there will be no let-up and that airtight cases will be filed and will not just go to waste,” he said.

“ Nobody will be spared from this investigation,” Remulla added.

NAPOLCOM Commissioners

Edilberto DC Leonardo and Ricardo Bernabe III swore on the veracity and truthfulness of the factfinding report submitted by the NAPOLCOM.

By Vince Lopez

TWO suspected communist terrorists were captured while another was reported wounded in a 30-minute exchange of gunfire with a combined team of Army soldiers, intelligence agents, and policemen Thursday in Barangay Magogon, Camalig, Albay. There was no casualty on the government side, the report stated. The firefight erupted as the law enforcers were responding to a report by a concerned citizen about the presence of a group of heavily armed men having entered their community.

The team consisted of elements from the Camalig police station, soldiers from the Army’s 31st Infantry Battalion, and operatives of the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency Region 5. The shootout ended as the insurgents withdrew into the hinterlands. The operating troops conducted hot pursuit operations, but no result has been reported yet. Those arrested were identified as “Marsi/Masi”, 42, a construction worker with standing warrant of arrest for attempted murder and arson; and alias Ka Yeng, 44, farmer, also with an arrest warrant for murder. Police said Ka Yeng confessed while under custody about a firearms cache stashed at Purok 3, Brgy. Panoypoy in Camalig. Follow-up operation resulted in the retrieval of numerous

By Joel E. Zurbano

with President Marcos’ directive, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will use the one-month grace period to inform the people about the ban on electric vehicles (e-bikes and e-trikes) and other light transport units on major streets in the metropolis MMDA acting chairman Romando Artes said they received the President’s directive Thursday morning to partially suspend the implementation of the MMDA Regulation 24-002 Series of 2024.

IN BRIEF

Ilocos

the Sola Hotel, Laoag City.

The training was spearheaded by the provincial government of Ilocos Norte’s Communication and Media Office in collaboration with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA)-Ilocos Norte, meant to equip information officers with essential strategies for news writing, media relations, social media branding, and editing.

Assistant Secretary Michael Kristian Ablan of the Department of Trade and Industry, served as keynote speaker.

“Our jobs as government communicators are very difficult, it is because bad news is very attractive. Bad news is visible and good news

PCG seizes fishing vessel off Hilongos

THE Philippine Coast Guard’s BRP Capones, while on a joint maritime patrol with Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Fisheries Protection and Law Enforcement Group, has apprehended a fishing vessel allegedly engaged in illegal activities on the waters off Hilongos, Leyte last April 15.

The seized vessel, marked F/V Rodjard, was found to be using the banned “purse seine”, without vessel monitoring measure (VMS) installed, and with seven unlicensed crew onboard.

According to the PCG, the confiscated fish catch has an estimated market value of P 6,300.

Following the issuance of a certificate of orderly inspection by the PCG, the fishing vessel together with its owner and crew were released. Vince Lopez

Solon sad over death of 3 OFWs in Dubai

A PARTY-LIST congresswoman on Friday expressed sadness over the fate of three overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), who reportedly perished in the floods in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). “Ikinalulungkot natin ang pagkasawi ng ating tatlong OFWs dahil sa malakas na pagbaha sa United Arab Emirates. Nakikiramay tayo sa kanilang naiwang pamilyang. (We are saddened by the death of our three OFWs because of the strong floods in the United Arab Emirates. We condole with the families they left behind),” said Rep. Marissa Magsino of OFW party-list group, a member of the minority bloc in the House of Representatives.

“We also pray for our other countrymen who went through this calamity,” she said.

Citing a report from the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), Magsino noted that two female OFWs died after they ran out of air in the vehicles that was trapped by the floodwaters. Maricel V. Cruz

PH joins disaster risk workshop in Thailand

“Our President is a compassionate leader, and he is sensitive to the sentiments of the public, as some of the violators claimed that they were not aware of the regulation, do not know the alternative routes, and have not yet adjusted their routine in the use of their electric bikes,” said Artes during a press briefing at the MMDA head office in Pasig City on Friday.

Artes said the agency will also study how to go about the cancellation of citation tickets issued to 290 violators and the return of 69 impounded vehicles from April 17 until the suspension of the issuance of tickets yesterday morning. We will find a way to make the directive of the President retroactive.” Under the grace period, the MMDA will continue flagging down violators of the ban, but will not issue tickets and the vehicles will not be impounded. Instead, they will be informed of the regulation and advised about alternate roads they can use.

AS THE Philippines continues to explore the disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) best practices of other countries, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) participated in a learning visit organized by the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC) on April 3 to 4, 2024 in Bangkok, Thailand. During the two-day seminar, lectures on the ADPC’s technical and analytical capacities, its large scale of information, tools, and data, as well as networks in governments, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector; and Thailand’s disaster management system focusing on DRR mainstreaming, integrated emergency management, disaster reconstruction and recovery with “Build Back Better” approach, its international cooperation, and the guidelines for early warning systems were provided to the delegation led by Civil Defense administrator, Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno.

FINANCIAL AID MARCHES ON. Tingog party-list Reps. Yedda Marie Romualdez and Jude Acidre, in partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), spearhead the distribution of Sustainable Livelihood Program assistance to 20 members of Sitio Lapawon Farmers Association and 15 members of Brgy. Sta. Cruz Kalambuan Vendors Association, held at Alagang Tingog Center in Baybay City, Leyte on Thursday.

IN BRIEF

Abalos: Buy cheaper rice at Kadiwa stores

INTERIOR Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. on Friday urged residents of the National Capital Region to visit “Super Kadiwa” centers to be able to buy rice at P39 per kilo and other affordable highquality produce.

“This would help our kababayans in Metro Manila save money because they can buy one kilo of rice for P39 only. I am calling on everyone to support the ‘Super Kadiwa’ and help our farmers,” he said in a statement.

Super Kadiwa, a limited offering of the Kadiwa ng Pangulo program, started in April this year and will be open until the end of June in various local government units in the region. Abalos said the program serves as a platform where local farmers can market their products.

The Kadiwa ng Pangulo is a market linkage facilitation program aimed at making agri-products and other basic commodities accessible and affordable to the poor. It also seeks to establish an additional market for farmers and fisherfolk to directly sell their products and increase their income, while also bringing down the prices of food commodities in the market as the concept eliminates the role of middlemen.

Next-generation breast cancer testing launched DETOXICARE Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory forged a partnership deal with a global patient-focused biopharmaceutical company AstraZeneca for next-generation sequencing for breast cancer. The partnership marked a significant step forward in the fight against the debilitating disease.

“Detoxicare’s commitment to making advanced diagnostics affordable and within reach has been a driving force in reshaping the landscape of healthcare accessibility,” said Gjay Ordinal, president of Detoxicare Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory.

“By combining the pharmaceutical expertise of AstraZeneca with Detoxicare’s proficiency in molecular diagnostics, we are poised to usher in a new era of personalized medicine,” Ordinal said. Integrating advanced technologies into clinical practice will be instrumental in personalizing treatment approaches, optimizing therapeutic efficacy, and ultimately improving patient survival and quality of life, especially in the Philippines where breast and ovarian cancer are two of the most prevalent types afflicting Filipinos.

Cebu Pacific restoring operations in Dubai

CEBU Pacific Air (CEB) started restoring normal operations in Dubai following heavy rains, flooding, and thunderstorms that affected all carriers and hundreds of flights.

In a statement on Friday, CEB management advised its passengers that it is currently working hard to restore its operations in Dubai in the aftermath of the bad weather conditions.

“The adverse weather condition has caused widespread disruption to flights throughout the United Arab Emirates, which has subsequently resulted in significant congestion at the Dubai International Airport.”

Over the past few days, Dubai airport authorities have implemented multiple necessary restrictions to try to ease congestion and facilitate a gradual recovery process.

CEB said this has an ongoing impact on its operations.

“We anticipate that the situation may persist for a while,” the airline said. Joel

E. Zurbano

Coast Guard staff undergo FOI training

STAFF of the Philippine Coast Guard received comprehensive training from the Presidential Communications Office on Freedom of Information (FOI) to boost the uniformed group’s information transparency.

The PCG said the trainees were newly appointed FOI focal officers and nonofficers of different PCG districts and units and will help the public exercise their right to access government information.

“Coast Guardians also had an intensive learning session on navigating the electronic FOI Portal that is necessary for upholding transparency in government information and managing information requests to ensure prompt responses,” it said.

The comprehensive training was administered by the PCO’s FOI – Program Management Office with help from the PCG Public Affairs Service.

In January, over a dozen bills on FOI were filed in the 19th Congress to create an enabling law on access to information.

LIFESTYLE CHECK SET

PNP eyes cops in anti-colorum ops

COPS who are found to be involved in colorum or unregistered vehicles operations or have allowed these to continue will undergo a lifestyle check, the Philippine National Police said.

PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil said he has directed the Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group (IMEG) to intensify monitoring of cops’ activities as he vowed zero tolerance for police officers involved in illegal operations.

“If there are really cases like that, we have IMEG to check the lifestyle of the police,” Marbil said during Wednes-

VAWC covers lesbian couples, says High Court

By Rey E. Requejo

THE Supreme Court ruled the law on violence against women and their children (VAWC) also applies to lesbian relationships.

In a decision penned by Senior Associate Justice Marvic Leonen, the High Court denied a petition filed by an individual who was accused of slapping and stabbing her former female partner.

The petitioner was charged with violation of Republic Act 9262 or the AntiViolence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004.

But the petitioner moved to quash the information against her.

She argued that a woman cannot be charged with violating the law since it was intended to protect women and children against the abusive acts of men.

However, the regional trial court denied the motion, which was affirmed by the Court of Appeals.

This prompted the petitioner to file an appeal before the Supreme Court.

In ruling against the petitioner, the SC cited the case of Jacinto v. Fouts, where it ruled that the law applies to lesbian relationships.

The high court held that VAWC may be committed by “any person” against a woman or her child and that the law uses a gender-neutral term when referring to offenders.

day’s signing of the memorandum of agreement among the Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Transportation and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority for the creation of a task force against colorum public utility vehicles.

Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. said they are also checking the in-

volvement of other officials in colorum operations. He, however, declined to give more details.

Abalos said that during the period of March 12 to April 15, the composite team of MMDA and the DILG registered 56 colorum apprehensions; 44 out-of-line apprehensions; 100 colorum units impounded; four terminals operated; and three persons arrested.

“This is an effective collaboration with the DILG, MMDA, DOTr, and the PNP. Given the number of apprehensions for just a period of one month, we can probably yield more than 1,000

colorum vehicle apprehensions for a year,” Abalos said. He warned colorum drivers and operators of fines ranging from P6,000 to P1 million, depending on the vehicle. Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said the Joint Task Force is one of the solutions to help legitimate operators and drivers supporting the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP).

“Through this partnership, we can help those who are operating legally who claim to lose 35 percent of their revenues due to colorum vehicles,” Bautista said.

By Maricel V. Cruz

HOUSE Deputy Minority Leader and ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro on Friday raised concerns over the Department of Education’s guidelines for the alternate uniform for teaching and education support personnel during the dry season. Reacting to the colors specified in the guidelines, Castro pointed out the potential political implications of using the colors red and green.

“It seems that there is a political meaning to that color -- red and green resembles campaign colors during the 2022 polls,” Castro said. DepEd spokesman Michael Poa earlier clarified that no particular color is prescribed for the alternate uniforms of teachers and non-teaching staff in all public schools nationwide.

“Any existing DepEd collared shirt may be worn,” Poa said. Castro underscored the importance of allowing teachers and education support personnel to choose the colors they feel comfortable wearing during the dry season, without being tied to any political connotations from past elections.

‘Implement

THE government should implement the position of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources that its 2017 contract of the Masungi Georeserve Foundation Inc. (MGFI) was void ab initio, an activist based in Rizal province said.

“In the recent Senate hearings, issues have emerged regarding the conduct of Masungi Georeserve Foundation, Inc. (MGFI), raising serious concerns about the foundation’s adherence to legal and environmental standards,” said activist Bernadette Torres in a statement. Torres said the 2017 memorandum of agreement covering the Greater Masungi Karst Area in Rizal has raised many serious questions.

“One particular concern is the inclusion of a ‘perpetual land trust’ clause in the MOA, which grants MGFI indefi-

Green has always been the campaign color of Vice President and DepEd Secretary Sara Duterte, even when she was still mayor of Davao City. President Marcos, on the other hand, was seen wearing red-colored shirts most of the time during the campaign period for the 2022 polls.

nite control over the designated area,” Torres said.

She noted that in a position paper submitted to the House of Representatives in 2023, the DENR under Environment Secretary Toni Yulo-Loyzaga reiterated that a “perpetual land trust” is not recognized by the Philippine Constitution. The DENR said agreements over inalienable natural resources are limited to periods of 25 years, renewable for the same period.

Yulo-Loyzaga earlier said the deal was void ab initio or void from the beginning.

“The legal grounds for the [recommendation of] cancellation are what we’re calling [void] ab initio, given the advice of the Department of Justice,” Loyzaga earlier this month said in a Senate hearing.

INDOOR FUN. Teenagers enjoy the giant bears at SM City Dasmariñas in Cavite City for a fun and safe way to mark summer without being exposed to the oppressive heat outdoors. Norman Cruz

FILIPINO CULTURAL LANDSCAPE. The Philippine Pavilion at the 60th International Art Exhibition - La Biennale di Venezi in Italy explores the cultural and spiritual significance of Mount Banahaw—a protected natural and sacred site in the Philippines, in shaping Filipino consciousness and cultural landscape. Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda, in her opening remarks said the exhibition delves into the intricate relationship between mysticism and modernity, exploring the themes of tradition, faith, and resilience.

‘Lutong Hapon’: On competitive integrity

EXPLORING Japanese cuisine reveals how just a few condiments—dashi, mirin, soy sauce, and vinegar—can elevate a meal from simple to sublime.

These ingredients are pivotal; for instance, combining soy sauce with mirin can transform chicken into teriyaki, while using dashi instead of soy sauce with mirin turns it into oyakodon.

This culinary finesse, where the choice and balance of ingredients are key, serves as a fitting metaphor for understanding competitive dynamics in business environments.

In the business realm, particularly in public bidding processes, the strategy of selective inclusion mirrors the culinary practice of Lutong Hapon (literally, “Japanese Cooking”). The case of SUNFU SOLUTIONS, INC. vs. FUJIFILM PHILIPPINES, INC. is a prime example.

It showcases how manipulating the ‘ingredients’—in this case, the qualifications of participants in a bid—can distort the outcomes much like how a chef uses specific condiments to achieve a desired flavor profile.

In this case, Fujifilm issued First Tier Certifications to Sunfu and another bidder. This is not an industry practice, and the dubious conduct clearly points to Fujifilm’s plan to back two horses and guarantee that its product ends up as the choice of the government procuring agency.

Indications of anti-competitive behavior are strong because without informing Sunfu, Fujifilm issued another First Tier Distributor to another bidder, and Fujifilm conveniently disowned their own First Tier Certification issued to Sunfu when the time came for the latter to undergo post-qualification.

Fujifilm led by Ryo Nagaoka, Evan Reyes, and Anil Jacob John therefore gamed the bidding process and decided who should win the bid.

The stratagem made a mockery of the bidding intended to provide the public with the best choice of a product, decided through a fair and competitive process, and not through a machination which virtually ensured that a particular bidder and a particular product would secure the inevitable win.

This manipulative practice must be stopped, punished severely, like a suspension of the privilege to sell in government tenders.

Only such drastic penalty would deter further gaming of our already very complicated procurement system that is susceptible to underhanded tactics and maneuvers.

To be sure, the Philippine Competition Act is a step in the right direction and the Philippine Competition Commission has

been expanding time and resources in reviewing mergers and acquisitions. But anti-competitive practices are not limited to agreements among industry players.

While collusion and conspiracy are features of anti-competitive practices, the concept actually involves wide set of activities including unilateral actions.

Such is the case with Fujifilm’s shady bidding stratagem. There is no better case to test the PCC’s resolve than to make this Japanese company take heed.

As summarized in the pleading of the lawyers for Sunfu Solutions, the PCC must, in the interest of the public, examine the process at which Fujifilm misled and manipulated the bidding process.

—“—

What Fujifilm concocted is poison disguised as a dish. It should not be allowed in the Filipino buffet table

Fujifilm issued and revoked certifications which like the Japanese money issued during the war, is called Mickey Mouse money, seemingly with nothing or no authority to back up such useless pieces of paper.

The PCC has initially refused to conduct the requested full administrative investigation, opining that the complained conduct of Fujifilm fall short of the prohibited anti-competitive practices.

This begs the question, because only a comprehensive review would reveal the magnitude and extent of the manipulative practice. Sunfu has elevated the case to the Court of Appeals, where the matter could be looked into with fresh eyes.

The horrific scenario demonstrates the strategic implications of legal compliance and the risks of engaging in or falling victim to “Lutong Hapon” in bidding processes. The grave harm done is hardly limited to the bidders though, as the government agency and the Filipino pubic ultimately pay the steep price of a rigged bid with pre-determined options of products and suppliers.

The SUNFU vs. FUJIFILM dispute illustrates how the manipulation of bidding processes—“Lutong Hapon” in public tenders—can undermine competitive integrity, much like how the absence or presence of certain condiments can define a dish.

What Fujifilm concocted is poison disguised as a dish. It should not be allowed in the Filipino buffet table.

Threatened by Russia, will the EU do enough to fund defense?

BRUSSELS – As Russian forces push back outgunned Ukrainian troops and conflict rocks the Middle East, calls are growing from panicked EU leaders for Europe to finally get serious about funding its own defense.

“It is time for the European awakening on defence and security,” EU chief Ursula von der Leyen told an industry summit in Brussels this week.

“There is so much at stake here -- our freedom and our prosperity depend on our security, and we have to bring our actions in line with this changing security environment.”

More than two years after full-scale war returned to the continent, such soaring rhetoric is not new.

Days after Moscow’s invasion German Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced a historic “turning point”, and several months later French President Emmanuel Macron called for a “war economy”.

Some key steps have been taken to plug the gaps after decades of underinvestment following the end of the Cold War.

More of NATO’s European members -- including heavyweights France and Germany -- have increased their defence spending to meet the alliance’s two percent target of GDP.

The European Union has launched a raft of initiatives aimed at ramping up its defense industries -- bolstering their capacity to make the artillery shells desperately needed by Ukraine.

But while Moscow has put its economy on a war-footing, the EU is still strug-

gling to meet Ukraine’s needs and build up its own forces.

“I think that there has been a change in mindsets,” Michael Johansson, CEO of Swedish defence firm Saab, told the Brussels conference.

“But there’s much more to do.”

Last month Brussels put forward a 1.5 billion euro ($1.6 billion) strategy to step up defense production, but officials say this is nowhere near sufficient.

—“—

More than two years after full-scale war returned to the continent, such soaring rhetoric is not new

Some EU countries have pitched the need for joint borrowing similar to COVID recovery funds to finance a much larger program, with figures floating around putting the need at over 100 billion euros.

So far that push has got short shrift from so-called frugal nations led by Germany. Brussels is set to come up with more proposals for financing the defense push by a summit of EU leaders in June.

Those spearheading the calls for Europe to step up insist there is no time to

Ensuring economic security for PH

Scollaboration in strengthening the Maharlika Investment Fund and improving digitalization efforts in revenue generation.

This, following the five-day working visit from April 10 to 14 to Washington, DC of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for the inaugural Trilateral United States-Japan-Philippine Leaders Summit aimed, from our point of view, at ensuring economic security for the country’s 114 million population.

Finance Secretary Ralph Recto himself said the President’s visit underscored a historic partnership between the world’s economic powerhouses – the US and Japan – that will not only advance economic growth, peace, and security in the Indo-Pacific region but the entire world.

“This synergy will go a long way in ensuring economic security for the Filipino people — which is a cornerstone of national security. The limits of what we can achieve through this heightened collaboration are countless,” Recto said.

On April 11, President Marcos joined US President Joseph Biden and Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in the inaugural Trilateral U.S.-Japan-Philippines Leaders Summit at the White House to advance the countries’ shared agenda of prosperity and peace.

We watched as President Marcos explored ways to advance cooperation in areas of critical infrastructure, semiconductors, digitalization and cybersecurity, critical minerals, renewable energy, as well as defense and maritime cooperation.

—“—

We welcome the firms’ eagerness to assist the government in its digitization initiatives and in ensuring that the MIF fulfills its extensive objectives

Apart from defense and maritime cooperation, both leaders expressed their support for advancing efforts to address climate change and boost the Philippine economy to allow industries to flourish and generate more quality jobs for Filipinos. In a joint statement, the three countries announced the first Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment corridor in the Indo-Pacific, which will

IN A world already overrun with indignities and injustices, we find ourselves facing yet another affront to basic human decency.

Raffy Tulfo, a man once hailed as a champion of the people, appears to have fallen from grace, revealing himself to be nothing more than a petty tyrant wielding his media platform as a cudgel against those who dare oppose him.

An undated 14-page manifesto, which includes the names of 561 non-commissioned officers as well as active and retired senior military officers, sheds light on Tulfo’s reprehensible treatment of both civilians and military personnel.

We quote from the Manifesto: “The incident involving PFC CANLOG serves as a stark example of Mr. Tulfo’s insensitivity and disregard for the duties and responsibilities of a soldier.

“It is unacceptable for an individual to trivialize the service of a soldier for personal gain and media attention, especially when the soldier has valid reasons for excusing themselves from participation while on an important mission.

“PFC Canlog of the 57th IB, PA, whom Mr. Tulfo insulted and called ‘DUWAG.’ would later be killed in action in Barangay Penditen, Datu Salibo, Maguindanao, on July 29, 2020.

“Like any good soldier, he willingly offered his life so that our freedom, including Mr. Tulfo’s, is preserved and protected.”

Tulfo’s actions, particularly his callous dismissal of PFC Raymond Canlog, a fallen soldier who gave his life in service to our nation, are nothing short of despicable.

squander -- as fears swirl that a wider war could engulf the continent if the Kremlin triumphs in Ukraine.

“There are various estimates of how soon Russia will reconstitute and be in a position to attack again,” Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas warned.

“The number, three five or 10 years, does not really matter -- everyone agrees that they will be ready and willing for the next war.”

The struggles of one of the EU’s flagship initiatives highlight some of the problems facing the bloc.

As Ukraine pleaded desperately for artillery shells in the spring of 2023, EU officials agreed a plan to get Kyiv one

bring more jobs for people across the entire region, and more investments in sectors critical to the future, ports, railroads, and agriculture.

Through this partnership, the Luzon Economic Corridor in the Philippines will be launched to support connectivity between Subic Bay, Clark, Manila, and Batangas.

Recto joined the President in a meeting with Ultra Safe Nuclear Corporation top executives to discuss potential collaboration in the energy sector.

President Marcos welcomed USNC’s commitment to investing in micro modular reactors and power generation projects in the Philippines, underscoring its alignment with his administration’s goal of providing a reliable and clean energy solution for the country.

“This initiative ensures greater energy security, reduced reliance on fossil fuels, and holds the promise of substantial economic gains for the Filipino people,” the President said.

Recto also engaged with top executives of Washington-based international strategic advisory firms and took part in a high-level meeting between President Marcos and the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry on April 11 to strengthen the investment cooperation between the Philippines and Japan.

Like the finance chief, we welcome the firms’ eagerness to assist the government in its digitization initiatives and in ensuring that the MIF fulfills its extensive objectives, drawing from their extensive practical experiences in various countries over the years.

Tulfo and Canlog: A study in contrast

Canlog, a dedicated member of the armed forces, was unjustly maligned by Tulfo, labeled a coward for an issue that was purely personal.

Despite Tulfo’s accusations and slander, Canlog stood tall, ultimately making the ultimate sacrifice in defense of the freedoms we hold dear.

—“—

Let us honor the memory of those who have fallen by ensuring that their sacrifices were not in vain

And what did Tulfo offer in return? Mockery and scorn.

But this isn’t just about one soldier or one incident.

It’s about a pattern of behavior that reveals Tulfo’s true nature—a nature devoid of empathy, compassion, or respect for the sacrifices of others.

His radio broadcasts serve as a pulpit for his brand of self-righteous indignation, a platform from which he preaches judgment without mercy, condemnation without context.

What’s most disturbing is not just Tulfo’s actions, but the fact that he now holds a position of power as a senator.

A man who has shown such blatant disregard for the principles of fairness and decency has no place in our halls of government.

Yet here he sits, a testament to the

million rounds in the space of a year.

Part one involved subsidizing EU countries to raid their stockpiles for any shells they could spare.

The second part saw the bloc’s defense agency told to negotiate framework contracts with EU producers to help member states club together to buy more.

By last September -- lightning speed for the Brussels bureaucracy -- a raft of those contracts were on the table.

Then it was up to the member states to put in their money.

But that never quite happened. Instead of a rush of deals, only a trickle of firm orders followed.

moral bankruptcy of our political system.

But amidst the darkness, there is light.

The more than 500 who signed the manifesto have bravely come forward to denounce Tulfo’s actions and have become beacons of hope in a sea of despair.

Their courage in the face of adversity serves as a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there are those who will stand up for what is right.

It is time for us to put an end to this madness.

We cannot allow individuals like Tulfo to continue to poison our discourse with their toxic rhetoric and flagrant disregard for the rule of law.

We must hold our leaders to account, demand transparency, and reject anyone who seeks to sow division and discord for their own selfish ends.

But most importantly, we must honor the sacrifices of men like PFC Raymond Canlog by standing up for what is right, by speaking out against injustice, and by refusing to be complicit in the face of tyranny. Only then can we hope to build a future worthy of the brave men and women who have given their all in defense of our freedoms.

So let us rise up, united in our condemnation of Raffy Tulfo and all who would seek to emulate his shameful behavior.

Let us reclaim the values of decency and respect that have been so callously cast aside.

And let us honor the memory of those who have fallen by ensuring that their sacrifices were not in vain.

Now, more than eight months later, orders worth just 350 million euros -- a little over 70,000 shells -- have been signed by 12 EU countries. Stocks worth over one billion euros remain untapped.

“I feel we are talking too much, we really have to act now,” Andre Denk, deputy chief executive of the European Defence Agency, told a gathering in Brussels. “Where’s the political will? Where is the financial contribution, the financial willing to really invest?”

Defense firms complain the reluctance of countries to cooperate together and commit to long-term contracts are holding back Europe’s industry. AFP

Olympic movement divided by Coe’s prize money move

PARIS—World Athletics president Sebastian Coe’s decision to award prize money to Olympic gold medallists may have been welcomed by athletes but the move has upset some of his fellow federation bosses and surprised seasoned observers of the Games.

Coe put the cat among the pigeons when he announced last week that track and field gold medallists at the Paris Games this year will receive $50,000 (47,000 euros), a first for a federation at an Olympics.

The total prize fund of $2.4 million will come from the International Olympic Committee’s revenue share allocation that World Athletics receives every four years.

Archers score 5-game sweep,

makes semis

REIGNING champion EcoOil-La Salle defeated Marinerong PilipinoSan Beda, 82-71, on Thursday night and advanced to the semifinals of the 2024 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

The Green Archers, who swept the Red Lions in last year’s finals, led from start to finish to complete a five-game sweep in the six-team, single-round classification phase and clinch top seeding.

“The first thing we told our players heading into this game was we have to respect San Beda. They’re not the NCAA champions for nothing and they’re coming off a tough loss against CEU so we expected a physical battle,” said La Salle assistant coach Gian Nazario. Centro Escolar University became the biggest beneficiary of EcoOil-La Salle’s victory as it claimed the other outright semis seat up for grabs. CEU subdued CCI-Yengskivel,96-78, in the second game to finish the round with a 4-1 record.

pear for athletes all over the world,” the Frenchman said.

“We really believe that this is not the Olympic spirit. The proposal was not discussed.”

It was not just the offering of prize money that annoyed Coe’s fellow federation chiefs and the IOC.

It was a tough loss for the Red Lions, who absorbed their second defeat in a span of three days. They finished with 3-2 mark and have been relegated to the quarterfinals, although with a twice-to-beat advantage against Keanzel Basketball which lost to GoTorakku-St. Clare, 124-90, in the first match.

The other quarterfinal pairing pits Go Torakku-St. Clare (2-3) and CCIYengskivel (1-4) with the former also enjoying a win-once bonus.

The quarterfinals start Monday.

We will never know what Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the modern Olympics, would have made of Coe making reality his great fear that a “spirit of gain and professionalism” would invade the Games, but it went down badly with some of the Briton’s peers. David Lappartient, president of the International Cycling Union (UCI), made clear his displeasure.

“What surprised everybody is that Coe took the decision unilaterally with one hour’s warning to the IOC and zero hours warning to other federations,”

“If we concentrate money on top athletes, a lot of opportunities will disap-

NBA bans Raptors’ Porter for life over gambling violations

NEW YORK—The NBA banned Toronto Raptors forward Jontay Porter for life on Wednesday after a bombshell probe found he bet on league matches—dubbed a “cardinal sin” by NBA commissioner Adam Silver.

The league said that Porter, who spent part of his season in the NBA and part of it in the developmental G League, also shared private information on his fitness with a sports bettor and removed himself from a game to influence wagers on his own play.

“There is nothing more important than protecting the integrity of NBA competition for our fans, our teams and everyone associated with our sport, which is why Jontay Porter’s blatant violations of our gaming rules are being met with the most severe punishment,” Silver said in a statement announcing the ban.

The league said its investigation remains open and it is sharing information with federal prosecutors regarding the matter.

The league launched an investigation into Porter, younger brother of Denver Nuggets star Michael Porter Jr., in March following reports of suspicious betting patterns in games he was involved in.

The 24-year-old has not played since March 22, shortly before an ESPN report gave details of alleged irregularities in games in which he played.

The league said it found that prior to the Raptors’ March 20 game, Porter disclosed confidential information about his own health status “to an individual he knew to be an NBA bettor”.

The league continued: “Another individual with whom Porter associated and knew to be an NBA bettor subsequently placed an $80,000 parlay proposition bet with an online sports book, to win $1.1 million, wagering that Porter would underperform in the March 20 game.”

In that same game, Porter played just three minutes before saying that he felt ill. “Due to the unusual betting activity and actions of the player, the $80,000 proposition bet was frozen and was not paid out.”

In addition, the league said, Porter placed at least 13 bets on NBA games from January through March of this year while traveling with either the Raptors or their G League affiliate Raptors 905.

LA Salle-Zobel and Canossa Academy-Lipa caught the last quarterfinal buses with big wins at the end of the 2024 Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) Under-18 Championship elimination rounds on Friday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

Both squads carved out gritty three-set victories to get in with La Salle-Zobel earning a 25-20, 22-25, 25-19 win over Maryhill College Lucena (1-4) and Canossa Academy grinding out a 25-21, 23-25, 25-20 win over Parañaque City (0-5).

La Salle-Zobel finished at 2-3 for the No. 4 seed in Pool A as Canossa Academy clinched the last spot with a similar record in Pool B of the girls’ division. Canossa Academy got a lift from La Salle-Lipa, which elim-

Michael Payne, a former IOC marketing director who retains close links to the body, claimed to AFP. “The view of the federations, not unreasonably, is that they have been thrown under a bus. What are you going to do only three months before Paris?,” Payne said. AFP

inated Colegio de Los Baños (1-4) with a 25-5, 25-10 win to ensure no playoff complications for the last ticket in Pool B. La Salle-Lipa, for its part, secured the second seed in Pool B with a 4-1 slate just behind unbeaten National University (5-0). San Juan Institute of Technology-Batangas placed at No. 3 with a 3-2 record.

In Pool A, La Salle-Zobel joined fellow quarterfinalists University of Santo Tomas (5-0), Kings’ Montessori School (4-1) and Gracel Christian College (32), respectively. But with little to no break, La Salle-Zobel and Canossa Academy face a daunting task against the unbeaten squads in the quarterfinals Saturday at the same venue. La Salle-Zobel will have its

hands full against fellow UAAP bet NU at 3 p.m. while Canossa Academy is drawn against another UAAP powerhouse in UST at 10 a.m.

Other pairings feature Kings’ Montessori School against San Juan Institute of Technology Batangas at 12:30 p.m., and La Salle-Lipa versus Gracel Chris tian College at 5:30 p.m.

Final rankings in the boys’ play are still being determined at press time as a regular five-setter for mat will be implemented starting in the quarterfinals from a short three-set duel in the elims.

The quarterfinals will be played in a knockout format, as well as the semifinals and the finals for the prestigious title of the first youth tourney of the PNVF headed by President Ramon “Tats” Suzara.

PARA ÑAQUE’S outside gunners clicked in the fourth quarter as the Patriots subdued the Iloilo United Royals, 72-66, on Thursday and shared the lead in the MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Sixth Season at the Caloocan Sports Complex. Getting a triple each from JR Villanueva, JP Sarao, Keith Pido and Jielo Razon, the Patriots surged ahead, 70-69, with only 2 minutes and 17 seconds left en route to their third win in as many starts in the elimination round of the country’s top regional league.

Villanueva fiinished with 19 points, including seven in the last ten minutes, followed by Pido with 17 as Parañaque matched the 3-0 slates of Zamboanga and Negros.

Razon contributed 10 points plus 7 boards, while veteran Mark Yee wound up with 9 points plus a game-high 13 rebounds. Sarao came up with 9 points plus 4 rebounds while Philip Manalang ably orchestrated the Patriots’ plays with 10 assists to go with 6 rebounds and 3 points.

Iloilo staged its final rally behind CJ Cansino and Mark Nonoy in the last 2 minutes, but could only make the gap closer.

Cansino tallied 21 points, 8 rebounds and 2 steals, while Nonoy posted 21 points, 4 steals and 2 rebounds for Iloilo, which fell to 1-2.

Earlier, AC Soberano powered debuting San Juan to a 101-73 rout of Marikina.

The former NCAA three-point king started San Juan’s fourth quarter blitz with a halfcourt heave then drilled in four more triples in a 16-point run that pushed the Knights beyond reach of the Shoemasters, 94-61, with only 5 minutes and 42 seconds to go.

Raven Cortez (left) of EcoOil-La Salle barrels his way inside against Marinerong PilipinoSan Beda defenders in the 2024 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

Jontay Porter (AFP)

Gabrielle Angela Agonia of Canossa Academy in action

Keith Pido delivers for the Parañaque Patriots.

Sebastian Coe

PSC conducts IP Games, Salcedo town thankful

THE Indigenous People’s Games formally opened in Salcedo town Ilocos Sur as the Philippine Sports Commission received a warm welcome from 271 participants across 14 towns with a festive opening ceremony.

Salcedo Municipal Mayor Ninya Grazielle Gironella-Itchon expressed her gratitude to PSC commissioner Matthew ‘Fritz’ Gaston, the oversight commissioner for the project, for bringing the games in their town and ensured it brings positive outcomes for the IP communities.

“Nagpapasalamat ako sa PSC. Hindi ko akalain na mapili ang Salcedo na mag-host ng kauna-unahang IP Games ngayong taon. Sa pamamagitan po nito, mapo-promote pa namin lalo ang aming bayan,” Gironella-Itchon said. The total number of participants are a balanced mix of elderly and young IPs, which according to the town leader, is a testament of achieving harmony and unification of generations that the project truly aims for. “Hindi lang ‘yung mga elderly ang kailangang isali dito. Kailangan din iinvolve ang mga bata. Sila ‘yung mga exposed na sa gadgets. Kailangan nating tawagin sila at ipakilala ang traditional games na kailangang i-preserve natin,” Gironella-Itchon said.

Commissioner Gaston agreed and stressed that the important victory the games can achieve is the possibility of gathering all IPs across generations performing the traditional games they have been proud of since then.

“Sa bawat hakbang, ngiti, pagkapanalo at pagkabigo, nais kong tandaan niyo na hindi lamang simpleng paglalaro ang nais nating maipakita rito, bagkus ay ‘yung mapahalagahan natin ang karapatan at kultura ng ating Indigenous People,” Gaston said.

The festivities opened in a parade of participants, including members of the PSC - technical working group for IP Games, members of the Provincial Council of Ilocos Sur and Municipality of Salcedo, and representatives from the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples in Ilocos Sur.

Yulo reaches finals of 2 events, Malabuyo remains in contention

By Peter Atencio

FILIPINO gymnast

Carlos Yulo reached the finals of two events, while Emma Malabuyo missed her target but still remained in contention for an Olympic qualification spot on Thursday night in the fourth and final leg of the FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Cup Series in Doha, Qatar.

The 24-year-old Yulo joined three other rivals, Uzbekistan’s Milad Karimi and Rasulijon Abdurakhimov, together with Yuan-Hsi Hung of Taipei

in the main draw of the men’s parallel bars. Yulo also made it to the vault finals, with Armenia’s veteran gymnast Artur Davtyan, a bronze medallist in the Tokyo Olympics, in the lead. Meanwhile, the 21-year-old Malabuyo stayed hopeful for a slot to the Paris Olympics with her high ranking scores after the first three other legs as she tallied 12.533 for 10th place, missing the finals by a fraction of a point in the women’s floor exercises. Their fortunes became known a day after Lee Jung-Ruivivar barged into women’s uneven bars finals on

Duplantis to unleash ‘inner’ pole vault contest

PARIS—Armand ‘Mondo’ Duplantis

kicks off his outdoor season at the Xiamen Diamond League meet on Saturday confident that his “inner” competition will keep pushing him to new heights.

The US-born Swede has dominated men’s pole vaulting over the last three seasons, setting seven world records and packing out his trophy case as opponents fail to keep pace.

In an interview with AFP, Duplantis fired out a warning shot to any potential rivals, stating with his trademark confidence that now was the time to aim for some big heights with the Olympics approaching.

“My form is good,” the 24-year-old said. “It’s about that time to start having to get into really good form for Paris.”

Duplantis has already won the World Indoor Championships in Glasgow this year, his second global under-cover title. It added to a vast medal haul that in-

cludes Olympic gold from Tokyo, two world outdoor titles and two European golds. A third European title, in Rome in June, is also firmly in his crosshairs.

“The Euros are very big and come before the Olympics,” he said. “So it’s something that I have a lot of focus on in the moment when it comes and it’s another title that you want to add to the collection.

“It would be great to get a third there.”

Duplantis is a rare entity in the world of track and field, often sealing victory when most of the field have dropped out.

Having seen off the opponent who gets closest on the day, he then enters another phase of the competition, more often than not ending with a tilt at yet another world record.

He insisted that the pressure of performing all alone had become the norm.

“For the most part you get pretty used to it,” he said. AFP

IRONMAN 70.3 Lapu-Lapu gears up for fast race; IRONKIDS up

The event, sponsored by RLC Residences, not only showcases budding talent in the sport but also serves as a precursor to the highly anticipated IRONMAN 70.3 LapuLapu presented by Megaworld and the Mactan Newtown.

Race officials are ensuring not only a test of physical endurance but also a journey of personal triumph in the challenging 1.9km swim, 90km bike and 21k run race.

various agegroup categories, ranging from 6-8 to 13-15 years old, in both individual and mixed relay divisions.

The 6-8 age group will complete a 100m swim followed by a 1km run, while older participants in the 13-15 category will face a 250m swim and a 2km run. Relay events will also feature shorter distances suited to each age group.

Departing from previous setups, the swim leg will now feature colorcoded buoys for improved navigation – yellow for outbound, orange for return, and red for key turns, accurately ascertaining one’s position and planning. The bike route, including the 8.9km CCLEX (Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway) bridge, guarantees a fast yet demanding course, reminiscent of the 2022 efent. The closing run stage, on the other hand, offers a vibrant, festive atmosphere, boosting the spirits of the triathletes as they

Wednesday.

Malabuyo’s high execution score of 7.933 was not enough for her to advance, after her rival, Italy’s Chiara Barzasi scored high in the difficulty level, and got qualified with her 12.733 tally. “Not like we hoped for, missed making the finals by 0.2. Now we have to wait to see how the finals plays out, if the athlete that was trailing Emma doesn’t finish in the top two at finals, Emma will win the spot. So we have to wait until Saturday for the outcome,” said Malabuyo’s coach Cliff Parks in an interview with the Manila Standard. Yulo, now coached by Aldrin Castaneda, landed second behind Abdurakhimov with 14.633 points, off an 8.633 in execution to go with six points in difficulty in the parallel bars. Abdurakhimov, who is among those tipped to get a podium finish here, was in front of Yulo with 14.9 points.

Lady Knights nail 4th volley win, grab share of NCAA lead

Games Saturday (Filoil EcoOil Arena)

LETRAN continued its Cinderella story as it claimed its fourth win in a row at the expense of Jose Rizal University, 25-16, 2519, 25-19, on Friday and a place on top alongside powerhouse College of St. Benilde in NCAA Season 99 women’s volleyball at the Filoil EcoOil Arena.

Power-hitting duo Marie Judiel Nitura and Gia Maquilang were the Lady Knight’s battering rams, who unleashed 16 and 15 points, respectively, as they stayed unscathed and unflappable in four starts.

But Letran coach Oliver Almadro knew games would get tougher. “I’m really happy nandito kami ngayon, but the job is not yet done and the NCAA is still far from over,” said Almadro. “I guess naka-buwelo lang ng konti but we have to continue working hard and we need to seek to improve.”

It was also a win that gave them confidence entering a much-anticipated showdown with equally unbeaten and three-peat-seeking CSB, which is on a 33-win juggernaut dating back four years ago.

“We have to taper our expectations

dahil palakas ng palakas kalaban, ditto kami mate-test,” he said. The Lady Bombers slumbered to 1-3.

In the other game, Arellano U downed San Beda, 25-19, 25-19, 2518, to improve to 2-2. The Red Spikers limped to 1-3.

members from Ilocos Sur enjoy playing their traditional game ‘patalunton’ which has a similar concept with

Carlos Yulo

Emma Malabuyo

Armand ‘Mondo’ Duplantis (AFP)

BUSINESS

BOP posted $1.2-b surplus in March; GIR rose to $104b

By Darwin G. Amojelar

CATHAY Pacific’s budget carrier, HK Express, said Friday it will launch a new route connecting Hong Kong and Clark Freeport in Pampanga province with fourweekly flights starting June 6, 2024. This marks HK Express’ expansion in the Philippines, following Manila, catering to the rising demand for travel options to these dynamic destinations.

THE Philippines posted a balance of payments (BOP) surplus of $1.2 billion in March 2024, bringing the tally in the first quarter to a positive position.

“The BOP surplus in March 2024 reflected inflows arising mainly from the national government’s (NG) net foreign currency deposits with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and net income from the BSP’s investments abroad,” the BSP said in a statement Friday.

in three months reflected mainly the improvement in the balance of trade alongside the net inflows from personal remittances, net foreign borrowings by the national government, foreign direct investments and foreign portfolio investments.

of imports of goods and payments of services and primary income,” the BSP said.

It was also about 5.9 times the country’s short-term external debt based on original maturity and 3.7 times based on residual maturity, it said.

The BSP earlier raised the projected 2024 BOP surplus to $700 million on positive inflows of remittances, outsourcing revenues and tourism receipts.

The actual surplus reached $3.7 billion in 2023, a reversal of the $7.3-billion deficit in 2022.

Gross international reserves HK Express set to launch flights between Clark and Hong Kong

“We’re thrilled to welcome HK Express and expand our range of travel options, providing passengers with convenient access to one of Asia’s vibrant hubs,” said Noel Manankil, president and chief executive of Luzon International Premiere Airport Development Corp. (LIPAD), manager and operator of Clark International Airport.

HK Express will be the 14th airline operating from Clark International Airport. This expands CRK’s network to seven domestic destinations with 73x weekly frequency and 10 international destinations with 84x weekly frequency.

Jetstar Asia, a Singapore-based budget airline, earlier said it would resume direct flights between Singapore and Clark on June 16, 2024.

Jetstar Asia will offer four weekly return services between Singapore and Clark. This will increase to five weekly services starting Oct. 18, 2024.

The route will be operated on Jetstar Asia’s growing fleet of Airbus A320s and supported by Jetstar Asia’s significant recruitment drive aimed at meeting the growing demand for travel within the region.

CRK recorded a remarkable growth in 2023, with nearly 2 million passengers choosing the ease and convenience that CRK offers, marking a substantial increase of 158 percent recovery based on 2022 numbers.

It said the BOP surplus in March also brought the year-to-date BOP level to $238-million surplus, lower than the $3.5-billion surplus recorded in the same period last year.

Preliminary data from the BSP showed that the cumulative surplus

The BOP position also reflected an increase in the gross international reserves (GIR) level to $104.1 billion as of end-March 2024 from $102.0 billion as of end-February.

“The latest GIR level represents a more than adequate external liquidity buffer equivalent to 7.7 months’ worth

The BSP also expects a lower current account deficit of $6.1 billion this year, compared to the previous forecast of $9.5 billion. In 2023, the actual current account deficit reached $11.2 billion, lower than $18.3 billion in 2022.

Cavite transmission project hits roadblock, affecting new power plants

By Alena Mae S. Flores

NATIONAL Grid Corp. of the Philippines said Friday the implementation of the Tuy-Dasmarinas 500-kiloVolt (kV) Transmission Line Project hit a major legal roadblock that may hamper the entry of new generation projects totaling over 5,000 megawatts if not immediately resolved.

“The project will enable the entry of big power generation from Batan-

gas. Any delay in the project’s implementation will also impede the entry of additional power supply from new power plants,” NGCP said.

NGCP filed expropriation cases against E. M. Ramos and Sons Inc. and other defendants at the Dasmarinas, Cavite Regional Trial Court who claimed interest over the properties affected by 16 of the 135 towers to be constructed for the project.

$1.2 billion $238 million $104.1 billion BOP surplus in March BOP surplus in first quarter

NGCP said the project might be delayed over the recall of the writ of possession (WOP) in one of the expropriation cases. It said the expropriation court issued a WOP for three properties covering six tower sites as early as 2020.

The court, however, issued an order recalling the WOP and directing the relocation of one of the towers on Nov. 10, 2023.

NGCP filed a motion for reconsideration, saying that the relocation of public infrastructure for which an expropriation case was filed is beyond the powers of an expropriation court absent a finding of fraud, bad faith or abuse of discretion.

DTI poised to issue supplemental guidelines on Vape Law

By Othel V. Campos

THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said Friday it is poised to issue supplemental guidelines on the implementation of the Vape Law, following the mandatory registration and certification of vape products by June 2024.

DTI consumer protection group assistant secretary Amanda Nograles met with industry stakeholders Friday for a public consultation on the supplemental guidelines. “We will collate comments and publish them next month. By June 2024, we will be more strict in observing the presence of PS [Philippine standard] mark and ICC [im-

port commodity clearance] on every imported vape products and even on locally-manufactured devices and consumables,” she said.

Amending the original guidelines released in 2022, the supplemental guidelines will be contained in a

circular (MC) on

of

regulations

underscored the significance of

regulations, especially in certification of

products, to strengthen the law. She said the government continues to contend with recurring problems arising from the vape importation and retailing. These include smuggling, non-payment of proper taxes and concompliance to restrictions vape retail-

ing as enforced by the DITI. CPG asked the Bureau Customs (BOC) to hold vape product ship

tors and graphic warning to minors, among others,” Nograles said.

The hardware or devices will be subject to product testing at the Bureau of Product Standards (BPS) testing laboratory in Cavite, while the DTI is open to accepting certification of consumables

St. Francis Square Realty Corp., another respondent in the expropriation case, also filed a motion for partial reconsideration requesting the relocation of another tower. NGCP said both issues remain pending resolution by the expropriation court five months after.

OF COLORS. In an effort to revive the Tikog weaving industry and stimulate economic growth in Loreto, Dinagat Islands, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) teams up with the local government unit (LGU) of Loreto to organize a three-day enhancement training on Tikog and Buri products from April 15 to 17, 2024 at the Negosyo Center in Sta. Cruz, Loreto.

PH stocks fall on renewed ME tension

By Jenniffer B. Austria

THE main composite index of the Philippine Stock Exchange closed lower Friday, falling below the 6,500 level again, on renewed tension between Israel and Iran.

The PSE index closed at 6,443.00, down 80.19 points, or 1.23 percent, while the broader all-shares index lost 34.77 points, or 1.01 percent, to end at 3,421.55.

Regina Capital Development Corp.

head of sales Luis Limlingan said investor sentiment turned sour in the early trading session on reports that Israel retaliated by carrying out airstrikes against Iran.

Philstocks Financial Inc research analyst Claire Alviar said investors were forced to sell ahead of the weekend to avoid uncertainties, after two days of rebound.

All major sub-indices ended in the red, led by property (-2.55 percent), industrial (-1.55 percent) and holdings firms (-0.88 percent) except for the mining and oil index.

Net value turnover totaled P4.83 billion.

Meanwhile, oil prices rallied and Asian equities fell Friday as reports said explosions had been heard in Iran and Syria, fueling fears of an escalation of the Middle East crisis after last weekend’s missile attack on Israel by Tehran.

The reports followed another batch of data indicating the US economy remained in rude health and compounded concerns that the Federal Reserve will hold off cutting interest rates this year or even hike them again.

Traders have been on edge since Saturday’s barrage by Iran, which Israel’s army chief General Herzi Halevi warned would be met with a response.

Leaders in Tehran said the strike was a legitimate response to a deadly attack on an Iranian embassy building in Damascus that it blames on Israel.

Iran’s Fars news agency reported “three explosions” were heard near Qahjavarestan, near Isfahan airport and the 8th Shekari army airbase, while space agency spokesman Hossein Dalirian said “several” drones had been “successfully shot down”.

BDO increases cash dividends to P1 per share in 2nd quarter

Manila Water subsidiary buys 70% of Laguna’s Equipacific

MANILA Water Philippine Ventures, a subsidiary of Manila Water Co. Inc. catering to cities and municipalities outside the east zone, said Friday it signed a share purchase agreement (SPA) with EquiParco Holdings Corp. (EPHC), Metropac Water Investments Corp. (MWIC), and TwinPeak Hydro Resources Corp. (THRC) for the sale and purchase of 70 percent shares in Equipacific HoldCo Inc. (EHI). BDO Unibank Inc., the country’s largest lender, said Friday it will increase the regular cash dividends of common shares to P1 per share starting the second quarter of 2024.

BDO president Nestor Tan said in a news briefing the board approved this new dividend policy going forward. Prior to this, the bank declared regular cash dividend of common shares amounting to P0.75 per share.

Tan said the bank is cautiously optimistic about the business outlook this year amid continued risks.

He said, however, the bank is expected to sustain loan growth despite higher-for-longer interest rates, while net income margin will remain stable supported by current account and saving account (CASA) growth.

Non-performing loans will also remain under control while the bank’s provisioning and earnings capacity will be adequate to cover potential losses, he said.

Tan said the bank is prepared for potential increase in loan demand as interest rates are expected to eventually go down. He said the bank has enough capital for lending activities.

BDO delivered a net income of P18.5 billion in the first three months of 2024, a 12-percent increase from the same quarter last year on sustained performance of its core businesses. This translated into an annualized return on common equity of 14.3 percent for the first quarter.

Net interest income increased 13 percent, while gross customer loans expanded 13 percent. Deposits also went up 13 percent, supported by low-cost CASA. Jenniffer B. Austria

EHI is an investment company which holds 90 percent of the outstanding shares of Laguna Water District Aquatech Resources Corp. (LARC), a jointventure company formed for the reha-

bilitation, improvement, expansion, operation and maintenance of the water supply system of the Laguna Water District (LWD) in the municipalities of Los Baños, Bay, Calauan, Victoria and

Nagcarlan in Laguna. “The acquisition will provide MWPV with the opportunity to optimize operational synergies with Laguna Water for the benefit of the customers in the province of Laguna,” said Manila Water new business development head Barny Kim.

MWPV’s service coverage in Laguna is expected to increase from 21 percent to 27 percent with the acquisition.

Laguna Water, a joint venture between MWPV and the provincial government of Laguna, provides water, wastewater and environmental services to municipalities of Santa Rosa,

Cabuyao, Binan, Pagsanjan and several areas in Sta. Cruz, Pakil, Victoria and Calauan.

Laguna Water also provides water and wastewater services in various real estate developments in Laguna, which includes BellaVita (in Pila, Alaminos and San Pablo), Amaia (in Calamba and San Pablo) and Ayala Greenfield Estates-Calamba.

“The acquisition will provide MWPV with the opportunity to optimize operational synergies with Laguna Water for the benefit of the customers in the province of Laguna,” said Manila Water new business development head Barny Kim.

Megaworld raises P500m from sale of 40.6m shares in REIT unit

By Jenniffer B. Austria

MEGAWORLD Corp. said Friday it raised P500 million from the sale of 40.65 million common shares in real estate investment trust company MREIT Inc. MREIT said in a disclosure to the stock exchange Megaworld sold 40.65 million shares, or about 15 percent of the company’s outstanding shares at P12.30 apiece. The selling price of P12.30 apiece represents a 4-percent discount to MREIT’s closing price of

P12.80 on Thursday.

MREIT president and chief executive Kevin Tan said Megaworld would use the proceeds to enhance its development pipeline, which will further expand the opportunities for MREIT.

“This investment underscores the confidence in MREIT’s potential as an attractive and valuable long-term investment opportunity,” said Tan.

BDO Securities acted as the broker for the transaction.

Megaworld said it would con -

tinue to own a majority stake in MREIT with 54.2-percent stake, post-transaction. MREIT’s public float will increase to 44 percent, providing further headroom for the upcoming property-for-share swap deal.

MREIT signed an agreement to acquire seven grade A office assets from Megaworld with a total gross leasable area (GLA) of 150,500 square meters in 2023.

Once completed, MREIT’s portfolio will grow to 475,500 sqm, an increase of 46 percent from the

current 325,000 sqm.

MREIT’s portfolio covers 18 office properties located in four Megaworld premier townships with an average occupancy rate of 96 percent. MREIT’s registered a distributable income of P2.8 billion in 2023, up by 13 percent from the P2.5 billion in 2022.

Revenues also grew 14 percent year-on- year to P4.2-billion, fueled by the full-year contribution of the additional four Grade-A office towers from January 2023.

RHI expects to complete sale of bioethanol business in 2024

ROXAS Holdings Inc. (RHI), an integrated sugar and bioethanol company, said Friday it plans to complete the sale of its bioethanol business under San Carlos Bioenergy Inc. (SBCI) by the second or third quarter of 2024 to raise capital for debt refinancing. RHI said in a reply to the stock exchange’s inquiry it was also planning to dispose of its non-core assets, aside from SCBI assets, to provide liquidity to the group. “RHI is presently in earnest discussion with a prospective buyer of SCBI. However, the discussion is ongoing, and no definitive agreement has yet been reached pertinent to the sale at this time. The expected timetable to complete the sale of SCBI is within the second or third quarter of 2024,” the company said. RHI

Executives of Basic Energy and Renova Inc. show the signed joint development and shareholder’s agreement (JDSHA) to advance the 50-megawatt Mabini wind power project in Batangas province.

BUSINESS

DTI resumes free trade talks with EU, eyes 2027 conclusion

By Othel V. Campos

THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said it is looking forward to finalizing negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA) with the European Union by 2027.

The DTI said the resumption of the Philippines-EU FTA discussions is a commitment to resilience and cooperation to fortify economic ties and benefit millions. Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual expressed his appreciation towards the

PH joins UN global initiative to create more jobs

THE inter-ministerial Social Development Committee (SDC), chaired by the secretary of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), expressed its commitment to the UN’s Global Accelerator initiative to facilitate just transitions towards the achievement of the sustainable development goals (SDGs).

The UN’s Global Accelerator initiative fosters a job-rich economic recovery and extends social protection, to which the Philippines is joining as one of 15 pathfinder countries.

The interest from the Philippines highlights the alignment of the Global Accelerator objectives with the country’s development frameworks, particularly the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) and the Philippine Labor and Employment Plan (PLEP) for 2023-2028, said Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma.

These frameworks have been reinforced by the Trabaho Para sa Bayan (TPB) Plan whose inter-agency council shall be the national steering committee in implementing the roadmap/s under the Global Accelerator.

“These underscore as a priority the creation of employment opportunities and that is where support from the new initiative will be crucial,” he said on behalf of the SDC.

The Global Accelerator will support pathfinder countries like the Philippines to align national policies, close gaps and channel investments for social impact.

EU for its renewed confidence in the Philippines.

He said this development aligns with the Marcos administration’s clear trade and investment strategy, positioning the Philippines as a prime destination of foreign investments, particularly those

focused on combating climate change and adhering to environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards.

The Philippines has benefitted from the EU’s Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) since 2014. The trading scheme allows more than 6,000 tariff lines from the Philippines to enter the EU tariff-free.

Based on a policy study conducted by the International Trade Center under the ARISE+ program, the Philippines saved P57.4 billion in tariffs through the GSP scheme between 2015 and 2021. Exports to the EU also doubled fromP320 billion to P629 billion since

the inception of the GSP+. EU executive vice-president and commissioner for trade Valdis Dombrovskis said the EU anticipates a “prosperous new partnership” with the Philippines. According to an EU-commissioned sustainability impact assessment, the Philippines stands to gain significant economic benefits from the partnership.

The study forecasts an increase in the nation’s overall welfare by up to P78.1 billion, with a potential GDP growth ranging between P88.9 billion and P119.8 billion, underscoring the economic advantages of continued collaboration.

DOE using AI, data analytics to stop collusion in power market

By Alena Mae S. Flores

The Department of Energy (DOE) said Friday it is deploying artificial intelligence and big data to ensure there is no market collusion when power plants simultaneously go offline.

“If you are concerned about the possibilities of collusion to drive prices up, this administration started to commission study using AI and big data analytics to identify such behavior,” Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla said.

“If the study showed correlation, that is going to be brought to the attention of the Energy Regulatory Commission and the Philippine Competition Commission. The power plants are aware that we are doing that,” Lotilla said. The energy chief made the statement in the wake of fours day of consecutive red and yellow alerts in the Luzon and Visayas grid due to insufficient generating capacity. The system operator National Grid Corp. of the Philippines placed the Luzon grid on red alert from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m., 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. and yellow alerts from 12 noon to 3 p.m., 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. to 11 p.m.

NGCP said 19 power plants were on forced outage, while three are running on derated capacities for a total of 2,284.3 megawatts unavailable to the grid. A red alert status is issued when power supply is insufficient to meet consumer demand and the transmission grid’s regulating requirement. A yellow alert is issued when the operating margin is insufficient to meet the transmission grid’s contingency requirement.

New Zealand commits $25m for ADB’s energy transition mechanism

New Zealand committed $25 million to the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) Energy Transition Mechanism Partnership Trust Fund (ETMPTF) to support the shift toward clean, sustainable energy in Southeast Asia.

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon highlighted the commitment during the meetings at ADB’s headquarters in Manila Friday.

“We are grateful for this support from the Government of New

SK hynix, Taiwan’s TSMC to collaborate on next-gen high-bandwidth chips for

SEOUL—South Korea’s SK hynix, the world’s second-largest memory chipmaker, said Friday it will collaborate with Taiwanese semiconductor giant TSMC to make next-generation high-bandwidth memory (HBM) chips used in AI technology. SK hynix dominates the market for HBM chips -- crucial components to power artificial intelligence -- and is a top supplier to US-based chip titan Nvidia. TSMC also supplies Nvidia.

The South Korean company “recently signed a memorandum of understanding with TSMC for collaboration to produce nextgeneration HBM”, SK hynix said in a statement on Friday. SK hynix “plans to proceed with the development of HBM4, or the

AI

sixth generation of the HBM family, slated to be mass produced from 2026, through this initiative”, it added.

To develop HBM4, TSMC’s “advanced logic process” will be adopted to produce “customized HBM that meets a wide range of customer demand for performance and power efficiency”, SK hynix said.

The two firms will also collaborate to optimize the integration of SK hynix’s HBM and TSMC’s packaging process, called CoWoS technology, the South Korean company said.

Nvidia’s singular role in the AI revolution has taken the world by storm since the introduction of OpenAI’s ChatGPT in late 2022.

Zealand for the ETMPTF, which is an important driver of the Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM) program,” said ADB President Masatsugu Asakawa.

“As the climate bank for Asia and the Pacific, we believe ETM has the potential to be one of the largest carbon reduction programs in the world and a vital tool in the battle against climate change. Support from partners such as New Zealand is critical as we expand ETM across our region,”

he said. The ETMPTF pools concessional funds from financing partners to finance critical groundwork such as feasibility studies for projects that align with ETM’s objectives, including the early retirement or repurposing of coal and other fossil fuel plants and clean energy ventures. New Zealand’s grant is the third contribution to the ETMPTF, following support from Japan and Germany.

“New Zealand’s contribution to the ETM supports Southeast Asia’s ambition for an accelerated transition from fossil fuels to clean energy, while ensuring this transformation is fair and equitable,” said Luxon. ETM is a regional, transformative program that seeks to use concessional and market-based funds to retire or repurpose existing coal and other fossil fuel power plants on an accelerated schedule and replace them with clean power.

Southeast Asia top growth market for APAC region—FedEx

FEDEX Express (FedEx), a subsidiary of FedEx Corp. and one of the world’s largest express transportation companies, on Friday released findings from its latest research report showing that 68 percent of respondents see the greatest potential for growth in Southeast Asian countries such as Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia.

The survey was conducted in partnership with Forbes Insights, which aimed to identify key international growth trends for small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Asia Pacific region over the next three years.

It identified growth opportunities for small businesses as well as

challenges to international crossborder commerce. It polled 250 small and mid-sized business leaders, including founders and C-suite executives, across a range of industry sectors in the Asia Pacific region.

Economic growth, cultural affinities and improving regional trade deals are fueling optimism around ASEAN markets, according to the report. Around 88 percent of those surveyed said that they were planning customer base expansions globally over the next three years, APAC business leaders find it harder to do business with partners, suppliers, and customers in markets

like Europe and North and South America.

Challenges remain for truly realizing cross-border opportunities even within the APAC region. Half of the respondents cited complex customs requirements and documentation as their primary hurdles ahead of finding new customers (45 percent) and finding partners or suppliers in global markets (42 percent), when asked about barriers to international expansion. Those surveyed said that with limited in-house trade compliance expertise, navigating different customs regulations across markets remains complicated.

Recto: US investors express interest in expanding in PH

By Darwin G. Amojelar

SEVERAL American investors expressed interest in expanding to the Philippines after Finance Secretary Ralph Recto pitched the country as a prime investment destination.

Recto said several American investors who have ongoing investments in the Philippines came forward to express their desire to expand their operations in the country and gave support to the government’s plans to further improve the ease of doing business.

“We currently have 12 hotels across six brands, but we’re expanding rapidly in the Philippines. And in our current signed pipeline, we have 16 new hotels. We’re planning to more than double our presence currently, which is just a very exciting time,” a Marriott International executive said.

education authority, and we’d like to see the government continue to focus on that area so we can continue to expand technology jobs in the Philippines,” the executive said.

Peso dives to new 17-month low of 57.65 a dollar

THE Philippine peso tumbled to a new 17-month low amid concerns over widening conflict in the Middle East.

Asian stocks also fell across the board, with Tokyo’s Nikkei index seeing its largest decline in more than three years.

“Asian shares are falling across the board. Semiconductor shares are being sold,” said Chihiro Ota of SMBC Nikko Securities. Tensions in the Middle East weighed on the market, after Iran’s state media reported explosions were heard in the central province of Isfahan, as the world braced for what might happen next between Israel and the Islamic republic.

World Bank aims to expand health services to 1.5b people

THE World Bank Group announced an ambitious plan to support countries in delivering quality, affordable health services to 1.5 billion people by 2030.

This is part of a larger global effort to provide a basic standard of care through every stage of a person’s life—infancy, childhood, adolescence and adulthood.

For decades, the World Bank Group has helped provide health services for women and children in more than 100 countries. A focused effort to become faster, work better with partners, and bring in the private sector has enabled the 80-year-old institution to pursue greater scale and impact.

The strategy to reach 1.5 billion people is focused on three core elements including expanding focus from maternal and child health to include coverage throughout a person’s lifetime, including non-communicable diseases; expanding operations to hard-to-reach areas, including remote villages, cities, and countries; and working with governments to cut unnecessary fees and other financial barriers to health care.

“Providing a basic standard of care for people throughout their lives is critical for development,” said World Bank Group President Ajay Banga.

“This ambition won’t be realized with a solo effort. It will require partners, a coalition of public and private sector, working together to expand access to health care services,” he said.

The bank said around 2 billion people face severe financial hardship when paying for health services. Intertwined challenges, such as climate change, pandemics, conflicts, societal aging and a projected shortfall of 10 million health-care workers by 2030, exacerbate the cycle of poverty and inequality.

The World Bank Group said it would combine financing, knowledge and partnerships to address this challenge.

“Things are still very murky. What the market hates the most is uncertainty,” Ota said.

“When things are uncertain and murky, the first reaction of the market is to reduce your position,” he added.

The US dollar also pushed higher than most currencies behind a series of comments from Federal Reserve officials, dimming hopes for imminent interest rate cuts. Statements over the last day or so from New York Federal Reserve Bank President John Williams and Fed Governor Michelle Bowman

DA plans to enhance promotion to attract younger farmers, fishers

By Othel V. Campos

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) is revamping its image to

The aging agricultural workforce raises concerns on how they remained

poor despite hard work, forcing them to dissuade their children from going into farming and fishing. Tiu Laurel said farmers deserve to profit from their hard work. The DA recognized that profitability is key to attracting young people and investors. A stronger agricultural sector would not only create jobs but also boost the Philippines economy, which currently relies on agriculture for one in four jobs but only eight percent of total output. The recently-crafted four-year agriculture plan, presented to a separate forum with the Federation of Free Farmers (FFF), aims to empower the farming and fisheries sectors as “profitable industries.”

The department’s plan for modernization includes investments in mechanization, improved post-harvest systems, wider irrigation and better resource allocation.

An efficient logistics network is also crucial to ensure affordable food reaches consumers, it said.

“The Department of Agriculture continues to redouble its efforts in increasing the Philippines’ agricultural production. While instilling a vision aimed at modernizing the sector, we at the Department are also working hard on the price of agricultural commodities so that it will become affordable for stakeholders across the agricultural value chain,” the DA secretary said.

GS1 shows latest technologies, calls for PH shift from barcode to QR code

GS1 Philippines, the leading organization on local barcode standards, is joining industry experts and stakeholders for a global discussion on the latest barcode technology and the push for the transition from the traditional linear barcode to the 2D QR code. It made the call ahead of the GS1 Standards Week 2024, which will take place from April 23 to 26, 2024. This threeday virtual gathering will welcome

helped lift US Treasury yields as investors bet that the Fed will cut interest rates fewer times, if at all, in 2024, than was initially expected.

Boris Kovacevic, global macro strategist at Convera, said it has become “a perfect environment for the Greenback to shine,” according to a post on X, the former Twitter.

Besides the shift in Fed policy, Kovacevic said the greenback is benefiting as a “haven” investment amid geopolitical worries and by other central banks signaling they will soon cut interest rates. With AFP

QR PAYMENTS. The City of Antipolo in Rizal province launches the Paleng-QR Ph Plus program on April 12, 2024 to boost digital payments in its public

TECH

ThinkPad T16 Gen 2: Power, productivity for pros on the go

By Peter Paul Duran

AH, the ThinkPad T series. Remember those days when a laptop meant getting things done? A sturdy build, a no-nonsense keyboard, and enough power to crunch numbers like nobody’s business? The ThinkPad T16 Gen 2 proudly carries that torch.

got the muscle (up to 13th Gen Intel processors with Intel vPro!), the stamina (epic battery life with two battery size options and Rapid Charge), and the security features (fingerprint reader, facial recognition, dTPM) to keep you going strong all day and night. Built to Endure, Designed to Impress Let’s be honest, looks aren’t everything (but they do count for something). The T16 Gen 2 isn’t the slimmest or sexiest laptop out there, but it weighs in at a manageable 1.8kg. But it is one of the toughest. Built with military-grade durability (MIL-STD 810H standards), it can handle whatever you throw at it, from accidental spills to extreme temperatures. And those optional recycled materials and plastic-free packaging? That’s a win for both your productivity and the planet. The display? It’s a 16-inch feast for your eyes, with options for a stunning 4K OLED panel or lowerresolution choices with touchscreens and various color gamuts. The mas-

sive 16″ display on the ThinkPad T16 Gen 2 helps to prevent eye strain by offering panels with Eyesafe® certification for low blue light.

The ThinkPad T16 Gen 2 isn’t meant to be chained to your desk. With blazing-fast WiFi and optional WWAN connectivity, you can stay online wherever your work takes you. Plus, those two battery size options and rapid charging tech mean you won’t be scrambling for an outlet anytime soon. A reliable battery life of around 4 hours is to be expected depending on usage and configuration, with moderate work, multiple tabs browsing, and apps open.

Perfect for Professionals on the Go

The ThinkPad T16 Gen 2 hits the sweet spot for professionals. It’s powerful enough to handle demanding applications, secure enough to keep your data safe, and with its long battery life, you can work from anywhere without

worry. While not a dedicated gaming laptop, it can handle casual gaming and even some heavier browsing thanks to its capable integrated graphics.

The ThinkPad T16 Gen 2 offers a variety of ports for connecting your peripherals, including:

Optional smart card reader

USB-C Thunderbolt™ 4 (multiple)

USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 (multiple)

HDMI 2.1 supporting resolution up to 4K@60Hz

Kensington Nano Security Slot™

Headphone / mic combo

USB-C Thunderbolt™ 4 (power in)

Optional SIM slot

Reviewers consistently rave about the ThinkPad T16 Gen 2’s overall build quality and user experience. They particularly commend the “solidly built chassis” and the satisfying “crisp, not mushy” key clicks that make typing a joy. The ThinkPad T16 Gen 2 also receives praise for its

audio quality, with reviewers highlighting the noticeable improvement provided by the Dolby audio feature.

However, some reviewers do mention that the screen brightness could be improved on some configurations, and the design leans towards a more practical aesthetic.

Overall, the ThinkPad T16 Gen 2 seems like a solid choice for business users who need a powerful, durable, and secure laptop that can also handle some everyday entertainment.

Tech Specs of our unit

Processor: 13th Gen Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-1360P, 2200 Mhz, 12 Core(s), 16 Logical

Processor(s)

Operating System: Windows 11 Pro

Graphics: Integrated Intel® UHD Graphics

Installed Physical Memory (RAM): 16.0 GB

Storage: 1TB PCIe SSD Gen 4 Performance

Smooth beyond belief: OnePlus 12R launches in PH

GLOBAL technology brand OnePlus announced today the launch and arrival of the OnePlus 12R in the Philippines which is set to deliver its users a seamless combination of speed and performance as well a flagship experience like no other.

The OnePlus 12R redefines “Smooth Beyond Belief” and promises to bring an unparalleled user experience with nothing but the best features at your fingertips.

Extreme Fast and Smooth Technology

The OnePlus 12R features a cutting edge screen – a fourth generation LTPO 120Hz ProXDR display that is definitely an upgrade on the phone screen’s brightness and color levels compared to its predecessor. It also has an improved responsiveness and an intelligent dynamic refresh rate system which allows the OnePlus 12R to switch anywhere between 1Hz and 120Hz refresh rates quicker and smarter than ever, saving you battery life and giving you a smoother overall experience.

It is equipped with groundbreaking battery technology with the largest battery in OnePlus history - a massive 5,500mAh designed to deliver extended usage without compromising the size or weight of the device. This is paired with the lightning-fast 100W SUPERVOOC™ charging, allowing the OnePlus 12R to go from 1-100% in just 26 minutes.

At the core of the OnePlus 12R is the OxygenOS that carries the Trinity Engine, a revolutionary platform created by OnePlus designed to optimize every aspect of the phone’s performance.

The Trinity Engine includes advancements like RAMVita, which comes with AI RAM acceleration that lets your phone choose, release, and reallocate RAM quicker

so apps can open faster; CPU-Vita which works with the Snapdragon CPU to ensure it constantly strikes a balance between high performance and high system stress, reducing power when it can during high intensity tasks like gaming, shooting, and editing video; and ROM-Vita which uses industry leading technology and algorithms to reduce fragmentation and always keep your phone running smoothly by constantly deleting unneeded data like cache and temporary and duplicate files.

Flagship Worthy Camera

The OnePlus 12R is equipped with the Sony IMX890,

a 50-megapixel flagship sensor renowned for its consistency and image quality. Enhanced with advanced software optimizations, this sensor ensures every shot you take is bursting with vibrancy and clarity. It also has Optical Image Stabilization and lightning-fast processing speeds, which won’t dampen the brilliance of your photos even in low-light environments. Meanwhile, the front camera of OnePlus 12R is a 16 megapixel front-facing camera that takes vibrancy shots ideal for video calls and super selfies.

OnePlus Flagship Worthy Experience

The OnePlus 12R is powered by the Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 8 Gen 2 chipset which gives it up to 35% better CPU and GPU performance compared to the OnePlus 11. It also has storage configurations offering up to 16GB RAM and 256GB which lets you run and keep more than 40 apps, photos, videos, and more in the device.

Despite the powerful software of the OnePlus 12R, it continues to remain cool under pressure thanks to its Cryo-Velocity cooling system which ensures smooth and continuous functionality that doesn’t compromise the temperature of the device and its battery life.

The OnePlus 12R is also equipped with an improved screen that’s brighter, has more color levels, and is more responsive for an immersive viewing experience. It boasts Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protection and an IP64 rating for water and dust resistance, which allows it to withstand the rigors of daily use or even during a heavy rain.

Unlock future of connectivity with Mercusys

AS the digital landscape continues to evolve, staying connected has never been more ingrained in the lives of Filipinos. To make everyday life more convenient and accessible to most, Mercusys introduces a range of innovative networking solutions designed with the average Filipino user in mind. From high-speed routers that cater to the demands of online gaming and streaming to portable devices known as mobile Wi-Fi hotspots, or simply MiFi, Mercusys ensures that every Filipino can find a product that suits their personal and financial preferences.

The availability of Mercusys products through physical and online stores, like Lazada and Shopee, makes owning these both convenient and accessible. Regardless if you’re in the bustling streets of Manila or living in the provinces outside the Metro, staying connected has never been easier or more affordable.

To help get you started on the journey towards seamless connectivity, we’ve curated a list of Mercusys’s latest networking solutions designed to bring highspeed, reliable internet into your home or office.

MB110-4G (300 Mbps

Wireless N 4G LTE Router) Looking for a powerhouse LTE router that’s also budget-friendly?

The MB110-4G might be the perfect option for you! Offering WiFi speeds of up to 300 Mbps, this product allows you to efficiently share your network and connect up to 32 devices, making it ideal for your home or office.

Advanced LTE antennas ensure efficient and stable connections for every device. The Power Amplifier and Low Noise Amplifier boost sending and receiving capabilities, creating a wide-coverage Wi-Fi network for your home. With a built-in WAN/LAN port, the MB110-4G can also function as a router, compatible with cable, fiber, and DSL modems. Unlock smooth streaming, efficient multitasking, and a powerful Wi-Fi experience – all for a surprisingly affordable price! Grab your MB110-4G on Lazada or Shopee for only ₱2,490 SRP.

SEOUL—LG Electronics (LG) continues to receive recognition for its steadfast commitment to sustainability and eco-conscious practices.

LG 2024 OLED evo TVs achieved Reducing CO21 and Measured CO22 certifications from the Carbon Trust3 and Environmentally Evaluated Mark4 from Société Générale de Surveillance SA (SGS), marking the fourth consecutive year of consistent acknowledgement for LG’s ESG initiatives.

LG’s newest OLED TVs have also earned their second successive Recycled Content certification, further demonstrating LG’s sense of environmental responsibility. The Carbon Trust works to usher the globe into a future of zero carbon emission by assessing the environmental impact of a product’s entire life cycle, from production and distribution to use and disposal.

SGS certification focuses on resource efficiency and the presence of hazardous substances, while Intertek measures the percentage of recycled materials used.

The organizations’ respective approaches promote responsible consumption practices across diverse industries and contribute to the broader goal of sustainability worldwide.

Notably, the self-lit nature of LG OLED TVs garners significant attention in stringent sustainability evaluations. Unlike LCD TVs, LG OLED TVs do not require a backlight, meaning a simpler structure and fewer necessary components.

For instance, LG’s 65-inch OLED evo, made of ultra-light composite fiber, requires only 40 percent of the plastic typically used in an LCD TV of the same size screen and weighs 20 percent less.

Based on the estimated sales of LG OLED TVs this year, the total amount of plastic used in LG OLED TVs from 2022 to 2024 is expected to be 45,000 tons lower than that of LCD TVs sold during the same period.

The reduction in plastic usage will lead to a decrease in carbon emissions of approximately 234,000 tons a

With its blend of power, portability, and durability, the ThinkPad T16 Gen 2 might just be your new favorite productivity powerhouse.

STARTING a business venture is a rewarding journey, but it is not without its challenges.

From raising funds, to scaling operations efficiently to navigating market competition––the list of obstacles a startup faces is endless. Fortunately, starting a business in 2024 may not be as daunting as it was a decade ago when the Philippine startup ecosystem was young and startups lacked support.

This was the key takeaway in a panel discussion organized by PayMongo, a Philippine-based digital financial services solutions provider, as part of the BUILD Startup Festival held recently at Six/NEO in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. The event was moderated by PayMongo CEO Jojo Malolos, with PayMongo Co-Founder and Chairperson Luis Sia, Growsari CEO and Co-Founder Ed Rollan, Great Deals E-Commerce Corporation Founder and CEO Steve Sy, and Managing Partner of Foxmont Capital Partners Franco Varona serving as panelists.

To grow the Philippine digital economy by helping aspiring Filipino entrepreneurs survive the ever-growing startup ecosystem, here are the top 4 tips shared by the panelists during the event:

1. Know how much time it takes to build your business and stick it out.

This is the advice that Sia, who cofounded PayMongo at the age of 23, would give to his younger self. A startup’s journey to success is a long and bumpy road; hence, founders need to be patient when dealing with obstacles that are bound to come along. Sia encouraged entrepreneurs to have the persistence to see through these roadblocks and turn them into opportunities for success.

“A lot of great problems are solved over a long time,” he added.

2. Choose what you invest in wisely to generate more returns in the long run.

the right processes for your business to grow and then eventually be able to scale,” Sy underscored.

4. Before you gain and grow, think rationally about whether you need another investor.

Varona, who engaged a number of entrepreneurs at Foxmont Capital Partners, emphasized that as business owners, you need to have a reality check and ensure that you have a specific intention to raise capital rather than for vanity or increasing your business’ worth.

“Raising money should always be accompanied by very specific reasons, like growing or scaling,” he said.

Aside from these valuable tips, the trailblazers also highlighted the importance of establishing support systems such as mentorships to ensure a productive and encouraging environment for the development of local startups.

“The evolution of the Philippine startup ecosystem over the years has unlocked tremendous opportunities for local entrepreneurs. Support systems and mentorship programs have been critical components in helping these businesses succeed, especially at the early stages,” Malolos said, “hopefully, through events like BUILD, we can continue to foster collaboration and innovation, driving the continued growth of the startup community,” he added.

Rollan, coming from his experience with Growsari, explained the importance of understanding your investments, whether in warehousing, logistics, or staff hiring. He further expounds that startups, especially in their early stages, will always be bound with questions and challenges, but knowing which to focus on and your expertise as an owner will be vital to making your business thrive.

CONCEPCION Industrial Corporation, the country’s leading provider of consumer lifestyle and building & industrial solutions participated in Asia’s biggest franchise show and the country’s most awaited business opportunities event, the Franchise Asia Philippines 2024 International Franchise Expo, held from April 12-14 at the SMX Convention Center Manila. The event, organized by the Philippine Franchise, served as a platform for CIC to present its esteemed brands’ diverse array of reliable solutions tailored for businesses.

At the Expo, CIC highlighted its flagship brands, each offering innovative and dependable solutions:

- Carrier: Renowned for setting the gold standard in home and commercial cooling solutions, Carrier continues to be the trusted choice for superior performance and reliability.

- Condura: Symbolizing Filipino pride, Condura offers products designed for local conditions, embodying quality craftsmanship and innovation.

- Midea: With a range of well-designed home appliances, Midea combines functionality and style to enhance everyday living.

- Toshiba: Trusted for quality Jaanese technology; Toshiba’s premium products are inspired by a relentless pursuit of perfection, delivering cutting-edge solutions.

- Otis: As a trusted leader in vertical transport solutions, Otis prioritizes safety and innovation, ensuring seamless mobility experiences.

- SharkNinja: Serving as the go-to brand for everyday needs, SharkNinja provides real solutions for real life, offering savvy products to meet diverse consumer demands.

“Our business mindset is always, if I do this on my own, I should be the best person to do this in the industry otherwise, it’s better that someone else do it,” Rollan stressed.

3. Know when to grow and scale your business. Growing and scaling your business are two different matters but both are important in business development, Sy, who steers the business direction of Great Deals E-Commerce Corporation, highlighted. Growing a business is when revenue increases as a result of expanding the organization through new hires, investing

in new equipment, and so on. Meanwhile, scaling is when businesses manage their existing resources to efficiently sustain growth. Understanding the difference between these two concepts can help founders determine what they need to raise funds for and get to the next level. “When you focus too much on growth, you tend to overlook important steps to be able to scale, so it’s important to know

SUMMER is one of the most exciting seasons because it’s the perfect time to visit some of the Philippines’ tourist destinations. There’s something for everybody: beaches in Boracay and Siargao, dive sites in Coron, surf spots in La Union, hiking trails in Mount Batulao, and many more. Wherever the destination is this summer, there is a need for the perfect companion for adventures under the sun. Look no further than the realme 12 5G, a versatile smartphone that can elevate the vibes and make this summer one for the books. Here are some reasons why the realme 12 5G is the ultimate summer must-have: Turn up the heat or cool down with playful colors

Summer is about embracing the vibrant energy of the season, where every hue seems to burst with life under the sun. Step into the season with colorful clothes and eye-catching prints that reflect the essence of summer. Whether it’s strolling along sandy beaches, exploring bustling city streets, or enjoying a leisurely picnic in the park, let the style speak volumes with the colors of the realme 12 5G. These playful colors in Woodland Green and Twilight Purple evoke refreshing tones that mirror nature after a glorious sunset.

Conquer outdoor activities without the fear of dust and water exposure

BUILD, organized by Esquire Philippines and Sinigang Valley Association with support by PayMongo this year, is an annual one-day event convening startup founders, executives, investors, incubators, and government regulators, showcasing the Philippines’ thriving startup networks. This year’s festival concluded with a strong call for entrepreneurship and innovation, encouraging Filipinos to continue solving old problems with new takes through their startups.

and immersive entertainment experiences, no matter how intense the sunlight. Featuring an expansive 6.7-inch Sunlight Display, this smartphone offers clarity and visibility with up to 950 Nits of brightness, even under the glare of a bright afternoon. On top of that, the realme 12 5G takes viewing experiences to the next level with its impressive 120Hz refresh rate, guaranteeing supersmooth scrolling and seamless streaming of any content. Plus, with the innovative 6-level Dynamic Refresh Rate technology, the realme 12 5G adapts to usage patterns, automatically adjusting the refresh rate to optimize performance and preserve battery life.

For those who thrive on the adrenaline rush of summer adventures, the season presents an opportunity to dive into high-powered activities that get the heart racing. Whether it’s conquering rugged trails on a thrilling hike, carving through the waves on a surfboard, or going deep into the mysteries of hidden caves, the realme 12 5G is the ideal companion. Engineered with IP54 Dust and Water Resistance, this smartphone ensures protection for users going on summer adventures. From dusty trails to unexpected water splashes, rest assured that the realme 12 5G is built to withstand any particles, allowing focus on capturing every exhilarating moment without compromise. Stream and be entertained even under the bright sunlight

AI PCs for hybrid work

Even while the summer sun beats down, entertainment shouldn’t be compromised. The realme 12 5G ensures that users can enjoy uninterrupted streaming

The neural processing unit (NPU)–equipped AI PC will grow from nearly 50 million units in 2024 to more than 167 million in 2027, representing nearly 60% of all PC shipments worldwide. The NPU adds an AI acceleration engine that can take on more dedicated AI tasks, freeing up the CPU and GPU to do other things. This creates a more responsive experience and enhances performance, security, battery life and productivity.

workloads on workstations to using day-to-day AI-powered applications on laptops, the AI PC will be an important investment that pays dividends in productivity and paves the way to a smarter, more efficient future. Dell’s advantage starts with offering more AI PCs across the commercial portfolio from day one, giving customers the ability to start future proofing for AI today.”

Stream the launch of the new realme 12 5G live on Facebook and TikTok Designed to enhance every aspect of one’s summer adventure, realme’s newest smartphone aims to elevate user experience. Don’t miss the chance to see the unveiling of the latest addition to the realme 12 Series 5G lineup. Tune in to the exclusive online launch event streaming live on realme’s official Facebook and TikTok on April 25, 2024, at 6 PM, and be among the first to discover the features and innovations that will redefine summer tech. To learn more about realme’s latest updates, visit the realme official website and follow realme on Facebook.

New AI PCs help organizations implement AI strategies and prepare for the future like the Latitude 9450.

Dell’s new line-up of Latitude laptops and Precision mobile workstations offers customers a broad option of commercial AI PCs, from entry-level to ultra-premium laptops and workstation options. Powered by Intel Core Ultra processors with

applications for

For example, Dell is working with CrowdStrike and Intel to offload security functions onto the device via the NPU. This provides more comprehensive threat detection, helping customers swiftly detect malicious sites and security vulnerabilities with reduced latency compared to cloud-based solutions.

Stay in the flow of work. The portfolio features Windows 11 and a Copilot key to make it even easier to get things done and stay in the flow of work. With the press of a key, you can have faster access to your everyday AI companion.

Panelists are shown following the end of the PayMongo-organized panel discussion at the 2024 BUILD Startup Festival. They are (from left) BUILD 2024 Host Joey Tekiko, Steve Sy (Founder & CEO, Great Deals E-Commerce Corporation), Luis Sia (Co-founder & Chairman, PayMongo), Ed Rollan (Co-founder & CEO, Growsari), Franco Varona (Managing Partner, Foxmont Capital Partners), and Jojo Malolos (CEO, PayMongo)

Experience an unforgettable summer with realme’s newest smartphone

THE lead cast members of G! LU, a summer film hitting theaters on April 24, are thrilled that after nearly five years, it will finally be seen by moviegoers.

The film was made in 2019, but due to the pandemic, the producers decided to shelve the project. Continuous lockdowns restricted people from going out, making a theatrical release impractical.

David Licauco, one of the lead cast members, admitted they constantly communicated with the other stars and producers to see if the movie would still be screened commercially. They all believed it was a story worth sharing with a wider audience.

“We always talked about our film, and we’re just happy that finally, people will get to see it,” David said during the film’s press conference held on April 17 at Kao Manila at Newport World Resorts in Pasay City. Joining David are Teejay Marquez, Derrick Monasterio, Kiko Estrada, Enzo Pineda, and Ruru Madrid. The cast is rounded out by Pinky Amador, Michelle Dee, Katarina Rodriguez, Chanel Morales, Maureen Montagne, Sophia Senoron, Kimi Mugford, Ali Forbes, Carl Guevara, Ken Anderson, Denver Hernandez, and many others. G! LU revolves around the adventures and misadventures of a group of friends ready to showcase their toned physiques on screen. With La Union’s breathtaking beaches and rustic scenery as its backdrop, G! LU also serves as a travelogue, promoting environmental awareness and ecotourism.

The Valley Boys Crew is a barkada comprised of wealthy teenagers. Their friendship began as neighbors in an exclusive subdivision and continued through their third year of college at a private university. Together, they face the challenges of young adulthood, heightened by their privileged upbringing. Their world is turned upside down when a bar altercation prompts their parents to send

IMELDA Papin’s

them to different parts of the world for their final year of college. Facing separation, they embark on a last hurrah to La Union, where their friendship transforms into a true brotherhood.

“We are six men here dealing with different challenges in life. We decided to go to La Union one last time to resolve issues with our barkada and family, and of course, to have fun,” said Enzo.

“This movie sparked my desire to act,” said Katarina.

Licauco mentioned that the movie will address “love for family, gender issues, and mental health. I think Gen Z and millennials nowadays can relate to this movie.”

Barkada movies are a staple in Filipino cinema, spanning comedy, horror, and romance. But Monasterio believes their movie will stand out for one reason.

“Perhaps the difference with ‘G! LU’ is that we’re genuinely close friends, not just acquaintances. So, most of our lines are ad-libs, not strictly following a script. This movie reflects how Gen Zs are,” said Derrick.

With the familiar view of San Juan La Union beach as the movie’s backdrop, all six actors had to maintain their beach bodies. “During filming, we worked out together in the mornings. We did a five-kilometer run, and then lifted weights afterward. I think it was a balanced, healthy lifestyle,” said Enzo.

Directed by Philip King, G! LU is ALV Films’ latest movie project, in partnership with Benchingko Films and Rein Entertainment.

Feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive, with viewers expressing emotional reactions including tears and laughter. Fans who attended the screenings described the film as “deeply inspirational.” Papin, whose character was portrayed by Claudine Barretto in the movie, shared her thoughts on the production and casting process. “It was Mafi (Papin) who suggested Claudine, and she was approved by our director. I’ve seen her several times in teleseryes and movies, and Claudine was fantastic,” Papin remarked.

Regarding the change in the film’s title, Papin explained, “The Queenstar production team had a meeting and decided to modify the title

embrace each other, after all, we are all Filipinos. This isn’t about politics. I don’t want to create division or animosity among non-allies,” Papin, who is vocal about being a big supporter of the current administration, emphasized.

Acknowledging her supporters, Papin added, “You’ve placed me at the peak of success. Without God, my family, my supporters, including the media, I am nothing.

PUBLIC affairs program Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho (KMJS) maintains its position as the number 1 program nationwide for the first quarter of the year.

Based on Nielsen TV Audience Measurement data for Q1 2024, KMJS is the leading program nationwide with a combined GMA/GTV/Pinoy Hits people rating of 14.5 percent. Considering individual program ratings per channel for Q1 2024 in Total Phils., KMJS (GMA) ranked 1st across all programs charting a people rating of 13.1 percent.

Likewise, KMJS remains the most watched program in Urban Phils. with a combined GMA/GTV/Pinoy Hits people rating of 15.9 percent. Based on individual program ratings per channel, KMJS (GMA) is the highest-rated program in Urban Phils. for Q1 2024, with a people rating of 14.2 percent.

The program’s highest-rating episode for the period is its March 17 episode, which featured the controversial resort constructed in Bohol’s iconic Chocolate Hills. It recorded a 17.5 percent aggregated rating in Urban Phils.

Impressive online performance

Currently, KMJS boasts more than 41 million followers across various social media platforms – 30.6m on Facebook, 7.4m on TikTok, 2.16m on Instagram, and 1.1m on X.

In the first quarter of 2024, KMJS amassed 914.3 million views across various popular social media platforms.

Overall, KMJS livestream episodes have gathered over 17 million views on Facebook and YouTube in the first quarter of 2024.

Last March 24, KMJS achieved a milestone with over 212,000 people watching its livestream simultaneously, marking the highest peak concurrent viewership to date.

From 2010 to March 2024, KMJS videos recorded 25 billion views across all platforms.

“It’s humbling to know that KMJS still is the most watched TV program in Philippine television and also the most followed on Facebook. Thank you to our viewers and followers and to the most creative and most hardworking KMJS staff and crew,” KMJS host Jessica Soho expressed her gratitude to the loyal supporters of her show.

“We are as committed as ever to continue producing stories that not only enlighten and inspire our audiences and hopefully, change their lives for the better too. We thank especially our heroic OFWs who follow us online and who donate their hard-earned funds to our kababayans in need, as featured regularly in our stories. Mabuhay po kayo at maraming, maraming salamat!” she added.

Over the years, KMJS has been consistently producing stories that inspire and make lasting marks on the lives, not only of Filipinos, but the rest of the world. Beyond storytelling, the public affairs program has been actively extending help to those who are in need.

With its remarkable stories that inspire, it is no surprise that KMJS continues to be recognized by different award-giving organizations. It has already won three awards this year.

At the 6th Gawad Lasallianeta Awards last January, KMJS was hailed as the Most Outstanding Magazine Show, while program host Jessica Soho was named as the Most Outstanding Magazine Show Host. Furthermore, the show was recognized as Best Magazine Program in the 2024 Platinum Stallion National Media Awards last February.

KMJS also won the Best Public Affairs Program award, with Jessica Soho earning the Best Female News Personality award in the 1st Perpetualites Choice Awards last March.

This November, the Filipinos’ Sunday viewing habit will celebrate its 20th anniversary with a mission to continuously inspire and touch the lives of viewers all around the world.

KMJS airs every Sunday night on GMA, GTV, and Pinoy Hits channels. Viewers can also watch the livestream via KMJS’ Facebook Page and GMA Public Affairs’ YouTube channel. Global Pinoys can catch it via GMA Pinoy TV.

latest film, Imelda Papin, The Untold Story, drew significant crowds last weekend at Mall of Asia (MOA), with all four theaters fully packed for the block screening event. The screening featured two showings, both filled with enthusiastic moviegoers.

HUNKS OF SUMMER. The lead cast of ‘G! LU’ (from left) Teejay Marquez, Ruru Madrid, David Licauco, Derrick Monasterio, Enzo Pineda and Kiko Estrada

By Abigail Adriatico

LIVING in the metro is often synonymous with the inescapable noise of bustling cities and the poor air quality caused by pollution. With increased remote work opportunities following the pandemic, many are prioritizing a more comfortable life with their families, seeking homes with a serene and peaceful ambiance.

this growing need for a

developer HOOGAH. Homes has announced the creation of Brook House, a structure merging the Scandinavian concept of hygge which pertains to coziness and comfort with the Filipino quality of maaliwalas

Imbibing the two concepts, the Brook House will feature a home with comfortability and serenity in mind at the Barrington Place Town & Country Estates in Antipolo City.

The Brook House serves as the inaugural project of HOOGAH. Homes, which was established and co-founded by Nikki Boncan-Buensalido as well as Thess Palomo Marquez in partnership with Barchan + Architecture, the project’s designer, and Evermount Construction Corporation, its builder. In an interview with Manila Standard Life, Barchan + Architecture Principal Chief Architect and Chief Design Ambassador Jason Buensalido said that what made Brook House unique was the way it combined both Scandinavian and Filipino qualities into one structure. Sa office namin we really believe in what we call… cross-polinatory design. So yes, we are in architecture pero what if we ask a musician to design a house? What will it look like? What if we ask an artist to design a house?... the cross-pollination idea is a practice that we do in the design

office and therefore, the creation of this particular product [is the] cross-pollination of Scandinavian qualities and the Filipino qualities,” said Buensalido.

Filled with big spaces to comfortably accommodate families, the Brook House will have four bedrooms with balconies, five bathrooms, a family hall, a multipurpose room, and a garden. Its design maximizes open spaces which provides a cool and refreshing breeze as well as access to the stunning views of Antipolo, while also being close to areas such as hospitals, malls, and schools.

The idea behind the home was born from an encounter the Buensalidos’ had while traveling in Europe.

“We were observing how people lived like you know, sometimes you can somewhat say ‘ anong meron sa kanila ? What do we see in them that makes them have [a] higher regard for the quality of living?” said Nikki, noting that Denmark and Sweden were one of the countries that scored the highest on the quality of life and happiness index which made them wonder why.

“We were looking around and … there were a lot of magnets that said [hygge]... this Danish person said it’s like a philosophy that they developed over time… it’s a concept that they train their children, the next generations, that there is such a thing

as a quality of life and you have to fight for that and you have to enjoy it because it’s a right that’s given to the citizens,” added Nikki.

President and CEO of Evermount Construction Corporation Mike Marquez said that the Brook House is set to start construction by May 2024 and its target completion date will be in April 2025.

TAP dancing is a fun, energetic workout that tones muscles, sharpens the mind, and boosts memory retention. It’s not just for adults – it’s a great activity for kids, too.

Maximize your kids’ summer break with Sunshine Place’s Tap Dance course designed specifically for children. Not only will they have a blast learning new moves and fundamentals of footwork, they’ll

After shopping, indulge in culinary delights at Jayj’s Inasal for savory grilled flavors, Comida de Lola for Filipino-Spanish fusion, or Shabway for unlimited Shabu-Shabu. End your day with friends and family at Something Korean for unlimited samgyupsal

From Metro Manila, reaching Paseo Outlets is straightforward: take the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) and exit in Santa Rosa. Follow the road straight until you arrive at the Paseo Outlets.

OOGAH. Homes founders Nikki Boncan-Buensalido (second from left) and Thess Palomo Marquez (second from right) with Barchan + Architecture Principal Chief Architect and Chief Design Ambassador Jason Buensalido (leftmost) and Evermount Construction Corporation President and CEO Mike Marquez (rightmost)

Shoppers can browse through the stores in Paseo Outlets to add new pieces to their summer wardrobe