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Atong Ang names other e-sabong operators, claims he is singled out OTHER licensees of online cockfighting or “e-sabong” operations are ganging up on Charlie “Atong” Ang, the gaming tycoon said Friday, as he claimed his rivals are conspiring to knock him off his perch as the owner of the top company in the multibillion-

VOL. XXXVI • NO. 22 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P18 • FRIDAY, MARCH 4, 2022 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

peso industry.

In a Senate hearing, Ang also requested for an executive session with the members of the committee led by Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa to reveal “vital information” on the case Next page

Duterte calls Putin ‘suicidal’ Warns of global catastrophe if Ukraine conflict develops into nuke war

FLEEING FOR THEIR LIVES. A refugee woman and child from Ukraine are seen at the Polish-Ukrainian border crossing. More than one million people have fled Ukraine into neighboring countries since Russia launched its full-scale invasion a week ago. (Inset, upper left) An image grab from footage obtained from a livestream from the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Authority on March 4, 2022 shows multiple blasts at key a Ukrainian nuclear plant in Zaporizhzhia from Russian shelling.(Inset, lower left) Refugees warm up around a bonfire outside the Lviv train station, western Ukraine. AFP

By Rey E. Requejo

P

RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte said he found Russian President Vladimir Putin to be “suicidal” hours after Russia attacked Europe’s biggest nuclear power plant in Ukraine.

“You watch out for Putin, he is suicidal. If he loses face, he will run amuck,” Duterte said in his speech during the inauguration of Narvacan Farmers Market in Ilocos Sur on Friday.

An explosion at Zaporizhzhia would

have equaled “six Chernobyls,” Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelensky said, referring to the plant in Ukraine that was the site of the world’s worst nuclear disaster in 1986.

The attack at the six reactors at

PH total debt hits P12T, BSP says ‘no worry’

Zaporizhzhia, which can power enough energy for four million homes, killed three Ukrainian soldiers, according to Kyiv’s nuclear operator Energoatom, and was slammed in Washington, London and other Western capitals as utterly irresponsible.

Duterte said the Philippines must stay “neutral” even as he acknowledged that the country must eventually make a stand in the Russia-Ukraine crisis.

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Attack on Europe’s biggest atomic power plant triggers ‘nuclear horror’ UKRAINE accused the Kremlin of “nuclear terror” on Friday, after Europe’s largest atomic power plant was attacked and taken over by invading forces, sparking Western horror at the threat of Russia’s war contaminating all of Europe.

Blasts lit up the night sky as the plant at Zaporizhzhia came under shell fire, while Russian forces advanced in southern Ukraine and continued their sometimes indiscriminate bombard-

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of water help extinguish a second-alarm fire that hit the Baseco Compound in Manila. Danny Pata

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50,230

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(As of 4 PM, March 4)

Comelec to rule Govt pursues strategic oil reserve amid price spikes ‘soon’ on BBM DQ petitions

By Alena Mae S. Flores, Maricel V. a strategic petroleum reserve (SPR) to able options to make things easier for Cruz and Macon Ramos-Araneta decrease the impact of global supply the consuming public,” Cusi said, as

disruptions. fuel prices have risen sharply for nine “Once again, the government and consecutive weeks.

ENERGY Secretary Alfonso Cusi The move came as the Department of convened an emergency meeting with private sector must band together and downstream oil industry players on make things happen. We are all con- Agriculture (DA) announced fuel subsidies Friday to push for the establishment of sumers, and we must exhaust all availNext page

Immediately Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats vice presidential candidate Davao City Mayor Sara DuterteCarpio welcomed the statement while she was interviewed during political swings in the north of the metropolis.

“I think it is a welcome development for the PDP party and the PDP candidates that their campaign will be given a push. President Duterte is there for them,” Duterte-Carpio said.

In a statement, the PDP-Laban wing

By Vito Barcelo

led by Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said Duterte, the party chairman, would have a more “proactive role” in campaigning for their bets in the elections.

“As chairman of the PDP Laban,

THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) said it would resolve all motions for reconsideration filed in relation to the case of presidential candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. before election day.

Acting Comelec Commissioner Socorro Inting said Friday pending appeals related to Marcos Jr.’s disqualification cases would be decided before May 9, 2022.

She said the appeals have been

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Cusi faction bares Rody to campaign for PDP-Laban bets by March 25 PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte, whose six-year term ends in June, will personally campaign for PDP-Laban candidates in the 2022 national and local elections starting March 25, a faction of the party said Friday.

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BUCKET POWER. Residents armed with buckets

By Julito G. Rada and Othel V. Campos THE Bureau of the Treasury reported Friday that the country’s total outstanding debt as of end-January 2022 increased by P301.12 billion or 2.6 percent to a record P12.03 trillion.

Of the total debt, 30.4 percent or P3.66 trillion came from foreign sources while 69.6 percent or P8.37 trillion were domestic borrowings.

The Treasury Department said the external obligations rose 2.9 percent from the previous month as the government took out P94.88 billion in foreign loans and as the peso depreciated against the US dollar, adding P11.23 billion to the debt.

Domestic debt, on the other hand, rose 2.4 percent from the end-December 2021 level to P9.37 trillion for the month.

The Philippines borrowed heavily in the last two years to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic.

ment of several cities elsewhere.

Ukrainian firefighters said they were prevented from accessing the site initially, before the attack was paused and they were able to douse a blaze at a training facility on the site.

The six reactors at Zaporizhzhia, which can power enough energy for four million homes, were apparently undamaged and international monitors reported no spike in radiation.

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News

FRIDAY, MARCH 4, 2022

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Rody signs Foreign Investment Act

By Othel V. Campos, Maricel V. Cruz and Julito Rada

P

RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has signed into law a measure amending the Foreign Investment Act (FIA) to make the Philippines more accessible to foreign investors.

experts in, and teach Filipinos and improve conditions in lagging sectors of the economy,” Salceda said.

Salceda said the law could be complemented by the establishment of special investors and experts’ visas for tech startups of the size that the FIA amendments now allow in the country.

“The current special investors’ resident visa allows foreigners who seek to invest $75,000 or more in the country. I strongly suggest that we alter that a bit to also allow startup founders who may not have met that investment criterion yet, but are willing to locate their desirable startups in the country,” he said.

He said the effect of a tech startup founders’ visa in the country is that while they may not necessarily be investors themselves, they may potentially attract investors with capital to

invest in their own startups, which will be Philippine-based.

Salceda also said the FIA amendments pave the way for “expert and highly technical personnel visas,” similar to the EB-1 or Einstein Visas granted by the United States for people who are highly acclaimed in their field as well as respected academic researchers and multinational executives.

“Encouraging the world’s best to live and work in the Philippines could only mean well for knowledge transfer in the country. And the FIA amendments pave the way for that by liberalizing the practice of professions not governed by special laws,” he said.

AAMBIS-Owa Party-list Rep. Sharon Garin, meanwhile, said the country needs more foreign investments to come in and help supplement Filipino capital.”

Signed by Duterte on March 2 and released Friday, Republic Act No. 11647 amends the Foreign Investments Act of 1991.

The new law allows qualified nonPhilippine nationals to do business in the country or invest in a domestic enterprise up to 100 percent of its capital and liberalizes the practice of professions not governed by existing special laws.

The law also allows foreign investors to set up 100 percent ownership of all small- and medium-sized enterprises.

Albay Rep. Joey Salceda, who was a

principal author of the House version, said the law could boost the country’s bid to be “a leading startup hub in Southeast Asia,” especially for technology and other companies seeking to solve long-standing problems in financial inclusion, agricultural productivity, health delivery, and other key services.

“The fact of the matter is that disruptions in the global economy now come from small, tech-driven startups. Under the FIA amendments, tech startups would be able to locate in the Philippines with less friction, move their professionals and

PH...

From A1

4th dose eyed for seniors, immunocompromised

The borrowings pushed the country’s debt-to-GDP (gross domestic product) to over 60 percent in 2021, but Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin Diokno said this was not a cause for concern, because most of the country’s pandemic loans have long and medium-term repayment schemes with low interest rates.

The country’s debt-to-GDP ratio was at 40 percent before the COVID-19 pandemic but it shot up over the past two years as the country borrowed about $10 billion to fund its pandemic response, Diokno told the ANC news channel.

Remarking on the ballooning debt, Micahel Ricafort, chief economist at the Rizal Commercial Banking Corp., said the government needs to exert efforts to increase tax collections to maintain the country’s debt and budget deficit at manageable levels.

In 2021, the government posted a budget deficit of P1.67 trillion, 21.78 percent higher than the P1.37 trillion deficit in 2020, as the 10.60 percent expansion in expenditures outpaced the 5.24 percent increase in revenues.

Ricafort said the government could increase tax revenues by intensifying its collection efforts, instituting tax and fiscal reforms, and cracking down on corruption to reduce government losses.

He added that the country’s high debt-to-GDP ratio was largely brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, which reduced GDP by -9.6 percent in 2020 and increased government spending, especially on various COVID-19 programs.

Ricafort said the country’s debtto-GDP ratio is still expected to be around the internationally acceptable threshold of 60 percent of GDP, especially if GDP continues to recover in the coming months, thereby giving the government greater leeway to increase spending, budget deficits, and overall debt to pumpprime the economy.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) said I was optimistic that the country’s credit rating would not be affected by its debt standing.

“I think our credit rating will be stable. This means we can still put out loans at reasonable interest rates, especially for businesses in dire need of financial help,” said PCCI Chairman George Barcelon.

By Willie Casas

Atong Ang...

From A1 of the 31 missing cockfight enthusiasts or “sabungeros” which the panel was investigating.

Ang cried foul over the alleged “trial by publicity” against him as his firm,

Cusi...

From A1 President Duterte will be taking a more proactive role to promote its 6,592 national and local candidates these coming weeks of the campaign period,” Cusi said.

The PDP-Laban Cusi faction has no presidential and vice presidential candidates for the upcoming polls.

On the other hand, the PDP-Laban Pacquiao faction has fielded Senator Manny Pacquiao and party-list Rep. Lito Atienza as presidential and vice presidential candidates.

While Duterte has not declared support for any of the presidential aspir-

8 suspected ISIS members killed in Lanao clash EIGHT suspected members of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) were killed in a firefight with government troops in Maguing, Lanao del Sur, the military said a day after confirming that a leader of the terrorist Maute Group had taken over as the new commander of ISIS-Southeast Asia.

The encounter happened on March 1 and 2 at an ISIS camp, near a camp of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

The military had been carrying out operations in the area for the past three days.

One soldier was killed while five others were wounded in the clash. It is unclear whether ISIS regional leader Abu Zacariah was among those killed in the firefight.

Authorities recovered 40 high-caliber guns and explosives following the encounter. They also found 7 kilos of suspected shabu and 1 kilo of marijuana in a house occupied by IS members belonging to the former mayor of Kauswagan town, the military said.

Zacariah has standing arrest warrants for kidnapping, arson, murder and frustrated murder, said Brig. Gen. Jose Maria Cuerpo II, commander of the Army’s 103rd Brigade.

“We received information that Abu Zacariah had been designated as emir of ISIS Southeast Asia. We have evidence on that,” he said, adding “he was among those who joined the Marawi siege but got out during the early stage of the fighting.”

The Maute group laid siege on Marawi City in May 2017 which lasted five months that claimed the lives of 168 soldiers and policemen, 47 civilians and 1,000 terrorists including then ISISSoutheast Asia emir Isnilon Hapilon.

el has a recommendation for a fourth dose or second booster dose for senior citizens and immunocompromised,” he said in a televised press briefing.

“It’s been submitted to the technical advisory group and all-experts group.

We’re just awaiting if the IATF will approve it and implement it,” he said.

Herbosa said the fourth Bayanihan, Bakunahan program scheduled next week aims to inoculate some 2 million more senior citizens.

“We’re targeting the A2 or senior citizens who have yet to get vaccinated.

We estimate there are 2 million more of them. Secondly, we’re also targeting another dose so we can strengthen their immunity,” he said.

“Many think that they don’t want to get a booster dose because we’ve deescalated to Alert Level 1. They still need a booster dose so their immunity against COVID-19 can be boosted and we don’t reach another wave of infections,” he said.

Assembly meeting that adopted a nonbinding resolution demanding Russia to immediately leave Ukraine.

In voting for the adoption of the UN resolution, the Philippines cited the principle of sovereignty and the “sovereign equality of States, (which) is enshrined in the United Nations Charter.”

Manila called for the protection of civilians and public infrastructures but asserted the need for a ceasefire for both countries.

“We especially condemn the use of separatism and secession as a weapon of diplomacy for inviting and inflicting terrible cruelties and indiscriminate killings far in excess of that of any other kind of conflict. We saw this in the Balkans and in Africa,” the Philippines said.

Meanwhile, an official of the Department of Foreign Affairs said that 116 land-based Filipinos were still in Ukraine, and some 200 Pinoy seafarers

were stranded in the Black Sea. Foreign Undersecretary Sarah Lou Arriola said 27 Filipinos, including 21 seafarers, had moved to Moldova and had crossed to Bucharest in Romania for a flight to the Philippines.

Fifteen Filipinos are still in Hungary, nine in Austria, and four in Romania.

Arriolasaid 19 Filipinos had been repatriated to the Philippines, but others opted to stay with their Ukrainian spouses despite the conflict.

Citing information from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, Arriola said around 200 Filipino seafarers were stranded in the Black Sea and nearby ports.

“Their estimate is that there are more seafarers who are stranded around 200.

But they are not in the crossfire. They are really stranded in the Black Sea in Odessa, and other areas,” the DFA official added.

According to Arriola, ships were being

But the attack was slammed in Washington, London and other Western capitals as utterly irresponsible.

“We survived a night that could have stopped the story, the history of Ukraine, the history of Europe,” Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelensky said.

An explosion at Zaporizhzhia would have equalled “six Chernobyls,” he said, referring to the plant in Ukraine that was the site of the world’s worst nuclear disaster in 1986.

“Russian tank commanders knew what they were firing at,” Zelensky alleged, adding: “The terrorist state now resorted to nuclear terror.”

NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg on Friday decried Russia’s “recklessness”

over the shelling of a nuclear power plant in Ukraine and demanded Moscow stop the war against its neighbour.

“Overnight we have also seen reports about the attack against the nuclear power plant. This just demonstrates the recklessness of this war and the importance of ending it and the importance of Russia withdrawing all its troops and engaging good faith in diplomatic efforts,” Stoltenberg said ahead of a meeting with Western foreign ministers.

More than 1.2 million people have already fled Ukraine into neighboring countries since Russia launched its fullscale invasion on February 24, United Nations figures showed Friday.

The UN children’s agency UNICEF estimates that around half a million of them are youngsters.

The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has projected that more than four mil-

lion Ukrainian refugees may eventually need protection and assistance.

“The rate of this exodus is quite phenomenal,” said UNCHR communications chief Joung-ah Ghedini-Williams.

After phoning Zelensky during the night, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson demanded an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council.

He accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of “reckless actions” that “could now directly threaten the safety of all of Europe,” and pressed for a ceasefire.

Putin, however, has been unrepentant about an offensive that has cast Russia into the economic, sporting and cultural equivalent of exile to Siberia.

He said Thursday that the invasion was going “strictly according to schedule, according to plan” in its aims of driving out the “neo-Nazis” in Kyiv led

by Zelensky – who is Jewish. AFP

Lucky 8 Star Quest Inc., was supposedly being singled out by the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs.

“It’s like you are saying Lucky 8 is guilty. Trial by publicity. I will prove to you that there’s a conspiracy here. We have nothing to do with that (sabungeros’ disappearance), and I will prove

the conspiracy to you,” he said during the panel’s second hearing Ang said the conspirators includes a former national police chief and former and incumbent congressmen, who combined only have a 10-percent share of the estimated P50-billion industry.

“Who owns Lucky 8? I do. Who owns another company there? The biggest, the

longest (tenured) gaming or gambling lord in the Philippines. You all know who that is. He’s been around for more than 30 years. In fact, he says he always has the President in hand,” he added.

Dela Rosa denied the Senate panel was singling out Lucky 8 Star Quest Inc., then pressed Ang to name the other e-sabong stakeholders he was referring to.

to farmers and fishermen under a P500 million program would begin this month.

Cusi also cited the P2.5 billion in fuel subsidies for public utility operators and drivers.

During the meeting, Cusi emphasized the need for industry players to comply with the minimum inventory requirement.

Executive Order No. 134 provides that oil companies and bulk suppliers need to maintain at least 15 days supply of petroleum products and a minimum stock equivalent to seven days for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

Refiners, on the other hand, must secure a minimum inventory of crude oil and refined petroleum products equivalent to 30 days.

According to the DOE-Oil Industry Management Bureau, inventory data as of Feb. 28 indicate sufficient supply levels (diesel: 44.5 days’ worth, gasoline: 85.4 days, kerosene: 80.2 days, LPG: 27.7 days, jet fuel: 69.9 days, and fuel oil:44.4 days).

He also proposed a partnership between the oil companies and the Philippine National Oil Company that would grant the government access to the former’s available storage capacities to speed the development of a strategic petroleum reserve.

For their part, the industry players assured Cusi that they do not foresee any supply problems despite the war in Ukraine.

The industry also assured Cusi regarding his concerns of potential hoarding because it is “highly improbable” due to the “elasticity of fuel demand and pre-programed product deliveries.”

The meeting included representatives from the Philippine Institute of Petroleum, Pilipinas Shell, UniOil, Petron, Chevron Philippines, FilOil, Phoenix Petroleum, SeaOil, Apex Petroleum, Jetti, and Liquigaz.

The petitioners in the said cases have appealed the decisions, adding they are ready to take their cases against Marcos all the way to the Supreme Court.

A petitioner, Ray Paolo Santiago, counsel for the Pudno Nga Ilocano, said the disqualification case filed in December last year had been languishing at the Comelec’s Second Division.

“The resolution of cases raffled to the First Division has been released but it is taking a long time for the Second Division to release the decision of cases.

From the time we filed our memorandum last January 17, it has already been 46 days and there is still no resolution,” he added.

At the same time, the Comelec asserted its independence as a Consti-

tutional body after Solicitor General Jose Calida demanded the termination of the poll body’s deal with news website Rappler.

“With respect to Rappler, we received an advisory from the Solicitor General and we are still studying our options because I would like to emphasize that the Comelec is a Constitutional body and an independent body,” Inting said.

Comelec last week signed a memorandum of agreement with Rappler for a series of projects heading up to Halalan 2022.

But Calida questioned the pact and demanded that Comelec unilaterally withdraw from the agreement on or before March 4.

THE Philippine government’s Vaccine Expert Panel recommended that a fourth dose or a second booster shot be given to the elderly and immunocompromised, a pandemic task force adviser said Friday.

Dr. Ted Herbosa said only 10.5 million of 63 million fully vaccinated individuals had received their third dose.

“As of now, the vaccine expert pan-

Duterte...

From A1 “I just pray to God that this will not really go out of control. If this is not controlled, the whole world is in danger,” he said.

“Once they start to push the button of nuclear warheads or nuclear bomb, well, as one commentator said, it will melt the world. They have 1,000 nuclear warheads -- the one in Hiroshima, that was a primitive bomb, the one in Nagasaki too that flattened to the ground.

How much more if they release 1,000?”

Duterte added.

On Wednesday, the Philippines called for an immediate cessation of violence in Ukraine under Russia’s invasion, and called on the parties involved to forge a peace accord.

The country voted in the affirmative during a United Nations General

Attack...

From A1

ants, he had previously said he would back his daughter’s bid for the vice presidency.

In the same statement, Cusi said the PDP-Laban would formally launch its “11-point Agenda for Continuity” in a proclamation rally, the date and place not disclosed.

The 11-point agenda would include the fight against corruption; eradication of poverty; advancement of peace and order; ending the pandemic; defeating communist terrorism in the country; sustaining economic growth; generation of jobs; strengthening national defense and foreign relations; educational reforms; decentralization and local government empowerment; and charter change and federalism.

Comelec...

From A1 raff led off to a ponente, or the member-in-charge of the case, adding “we’ll just have to await the release of the resolutions of these motions for reconsideration, and we will be deciding soon.”

The Comelec First Division on Feb. 10 dismissed for lack of merit the petitions of Bonifacio Ilagan, Akbayan and Abubakar Mangelen seeking to disqualify Marcos Jr. On Jan. 17, the Comelec Second Division also junked the petition of Fr. Christian Buenafe et al. seeking to cancel Marcos’ certificate of candidacy.

Govt...

From A1

News IN BRIEF Agents arrest Taiwanese wanted for swindling Immigration agents arrested a Taiwanese woman wanted by authorities in Taipei for swindling a compatriot of more than $7 million two years ago.

BI Commissioner Jaime Morente identified the fugitive as 31-year-old Li You-Ci, who was arrested in Camp Crame, Quezon City.

Li was earlier reported to have been rescued by policemen from kidnappers in Parañaque City. However, upon a check of her records, it was discovered that Li is an alien fugitive wanted in Taiwan.

A team of BI-FSU operatives arrested Li on the strength of a mission order that Morente issued at the request of the Taiwanese authorities.

According to BI-FSU acting chief Rendel Ryan Sy, Li is the subject of an outstanding arrest warrant issued in April last year by the Kinmen District Prosecutor’s Office in Taiwan.

Sy said the woman was charged with fraud before the said court for allegedly defrauding a victim of more than 200 new Taiwan dollars, or more about $7.1 million, in an investment scam.

Li reportedly enticed the victim to invest in a business that turned out to be fake after which she absconded with the money and fled to the Philippines.

A check of the BI’s travel database revealed that Li is already overstaying for more than two years as she had hidden in the country since August 2019 when she last arrived in Manila as a tourist.

She will thus be charged with a deportation case for being an overstaying and undesirable alien, Sy added. Vito Barcelo

Cops nab 6 suspects, seize P3m shabu in Taguig POLICE arrested six suspected drug dealers and seized shabu worth more than P3 million in a raid late Thursday night at an alleged drug den in Taguig City.

Southern Police District director P/Brig.

Gen. Jimili Macaraeg identified the suspects as Menandro Martin, 46; Emerito Eusebio Jr., 53; Paul John Miranda, 29; Neil Corpuz, 52; Paul Santos, 34, and Nicanor Radores, 40.

Macaraeg said his men from the SPD District Drug Enforcement Unit led by P/Maj. Cecilio Tomas Jr. raided the suspects’ alleged drug den situated at 198 Amihan Street in Barangay Ususan around 10 p.m.

The police operation was conducted successfully with the help of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Unit, members of the Taguig City Police Sub-Station 4, and other operating units from SPD. Seized from the suspects were 450 grams of shabu worth P3,060,000; a .45-cal pistol, one magazine and seven live ammunition, a sling bag, drug paraphernalia, and the cash and boodle money used in the police operation.

The suspects and the evidences were brought to the SPD-DDEU Office for documentation and disposition.

Criminal charges are set to be filed against the suspects before the city prosecutors office for violation of Republic Act 9165 and RA 10591 (gun ban) in relation with the Omnibus Election Code. Joel E. Zurbano

Manila

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES Standard

COMMISSION ON APPOINTMENTS TODAY ANNOUNCEMENT

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has submitted to the Commission on Appointments (CA), for confirmation of the ad interim appointments of the following General/Flag Officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), to the rank opposite their names, to wit: 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

WILLIAM N. GONZALES ALBERTO B. CARLOS ROMMEL ANTHONY SD REYES CHARLTON SEAN M. GAERLAN ARAUS ROBERT F. MUSICO GLENN JUN C. CALAMBUHAY

to the rank of LIEUTENANT GENERAL to the rank of VICE ADMIRAL to the rank of VICE ADMIRAL to the rank of MAJOR GENERAL to the rank of MAJOR GENERAL to the rank of BRIGADIER GENERAL

AMING regulator Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) said it has “reservations” on the call of lawmakers to suspend the licenses of “e-sabong” firms, saying that it might result to billions of pesos of lost revenues.

Senators made the call to suspend the licenses, following the recent disappearance of more than 30 cockfighting enthusiasts.

Facing a hearing at the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs on the missing “sabungeros,” PAGCOR chair Andrea Domingo said the suspension of e-sabong licenses is “not easy” because of its effect on revenues.

Domingo said the PAGCOR also wants to resolve the case of the

missing persons.

The PAGCOR chief said monthly revenue from e-sabong, on average, from May to December 2021 is about aP400 million, which grew to P640 million a month since January.

Domingo said PAGCOR “stands” to pay the P640 million a month, if the regulator suspends the e-sabong operations.

She further said there might legal charges that the PAGCOR could face if it heeds the Senate’s calls.

In a GMAnews report, Domingo cited a

SENATOR Imee Marcos is encouraging the government to find new suppliers of wheat and develop the production of non-wheat flours to prevent sudden spikes in the prices of bread and noodles that are staples of the Filipino diet.

Marcos, who chairs the Senate committee on economic affairs, said bread and noodle prices will reflect the volatility of wheat prices caused by the war between Russia and Ukraine, the world’s main wheat exporters.

“Since local flour millers import all their wheat requirements, their production costs will swing with higher wheat prices and be passed on to bread producers and on to consumers,” Marcos explained.

“The U.S. is our main supplier of wheat. But more banking and transport sanctions by Western nations against FIRST FRIDAY MASS. Churchgoers hear mass at the Plaza Miranda fronting the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene in Russia could reduce global wheat supQuiapo, Manila on the first Friday of March. More devotees, including children, are allowed to attend religious gatherings ply and push up market prices, more so following the implementation of Alert Level 1 or the “new normal” in Metro Manila and 38 other provinces. Norman Cruz if Russia retaliates,” she added.

The Philippines is also among the top 10 importers of wheat from Ukraine, where farming and shipping have stalled due to the ongoing war in Eastern Europe.

“Add to that the high cost of LPG (liqTHE Overseas Workers Welfare AdCiting Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas world,” Defensor said. uefied petroleum gas) and you can exministration (OWWA) should extend (BSP) statistics, Defensor said FiliMeanwhile, Defensor said the Philpect the price of pan de sal made in comfinancial aid to the families here at pino workers in Russia sent home via ippine government should be prepared munity bakeries to go up. Baka mawala home of Filipino workers in Russia the banking system a total of P115.8 to bring home Filipino workers in Rusna ang pamerye-meryenda (Snack time who might face cash remittance diffi- million ($2.3 million) in 2021. sia who may wish to be repatriated. may have to go),” Marcos said. culties due to harsh international sancThe Philippine embassy in Rus“The prospect that some of our The price of wheat has surged by tions against that country, Rep. Mi- sia estimates that 95 percent of the workers there might lose their jobs more than 73% in Friday morning chael Defensor (Anakalusugan) said Filipinos in Russia are employed as is very real, considering the projectrade at $13.50 per bushel from $7.80 on Friday. household service workers, cleaners, tions that the Russian economy might at the start of the year, and by almost “The global sanctions are bound cooks, drivers, and nannies, mostly in plunge into a depression due to the 43% since YELLOW the February 24 high of BLACK to hit Russia’s banking system very Moscow. global sanctions,” Defensor said. CYAN MAGENTA $9.47 when Russia attacked Ukraine. hard, possibly obstructing the monThe international community has “We are not that worried about the The senator pointed out that the Philey transfers of the more than 10,000 imposed severe economic and finan- less than 400 Filipinos in Ukraine beippines now has an alternative source of Filipino workers there,” Defensor cial sanctions against Russia as pun- cause they are already undergoing rewheat nearby after China lifted its restrictions on Russian exports last week. said, adding that “we are counting on ishment for invading of Ukraine. patriation,” Defensor said.

“Let’s break bread with China and the OWWA to reach out to the families “The financial sanctions in parFilipinos in Ukraine sent home a toget a better deal on wheat prices while here at home of our workers in Russia, ticular would effectively block Rus- tal of P6.2 million ($121,000) in cash maintaining reliable trade with the and to provide them temporary finan- sian banks from corresponding with remittances via the banking system in U.S. and Australia,” she explained. cial relief.” virtually all major banks around the 2021.

OWWA urged to help 10K OFWs in Russia

Surigao cops face murder raps

(MS-MAR. 5, 2022)

Manila

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES Standard

COMMISSION ON APPOINTMENTS TODAY ANNOUNCEMENT

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has submitted to the Commission on Appointments (CA), for confirmation of the ad interim appointments of the following General/Flag and Senior Officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), to the rank opposite their names, to wit:

3 March 2022.

HECTOR A. VILLACORTA Secretary (MS-MAR. 5, 2022)

During the preliminary investigation of the complaint, the three police officers THE Department of Justice (DOJ) has ap- claimed that Lafuente was an illegal drugs proved the filing of murder and planting of personality in the Caraga Region and that evidence charges before the court against they were forced to defend themselves three police officers for the 2020 killing when he drew a firearm during an anti-illeof Diego Lafuente, a Spanish national, in gal drugs operation on Jan. 8, 2020.

They also claimed that BLACK a .45 caliber pisSiargao Islands, Surigao del Norte. CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW The DOJ’s Office of the Prosecutor General tol and cocaine weighing 8.3326 grams identified those to be charged as PCapt. Wise were recovered from Lafuente.

“However, after the evaluation of the Vicente B. Panuelos, PSgt. Ronel A. Pazo, and PSgt. Nido Boy E. Cantos – all members of evidence submitted by the National Bureau of Investigation, the Panel of Prosethe Gen. Luna municipal police station.

“The information (criminal charge cutors found that there is sufficient ground sheet) for Murder and Planting of Evi- to charge respondents with Murder and dence will be filed before the Regional Planting of Evidence under the CompreTrial Court, 13th Judicial Region, Surigao hensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act of 2013,” the OPG said. del Norte,” the OPG said.

“Although there were no eyewitnesses The OPG said it released last Thursday, March 3, the prosecutors’ resolution in the killing of Diego Lafuente, the recthat contained the court indictment of the ommendations of the panel of prosecutors three police officers after the termination were based on the SOCO (Scene of the of the preliminary investigation on the Crime Office) report and forensic results complaint filed by the National Bureau of that disproved the claim of respondents of a shootout,” it added.

Investigation (NBI) on Sept. 17, 2021.

By Rey E. Requejo

HECTOR A. VILLACORTA Secretary

For the schedule of the public hearings, the CA Secretariat can be reached through telephone numbers 8834-2713, 8831-1824, 8831-0527, 8832-9830, 8834-2706 and 85511989.

authority that the law enforcement agencies have. Neither do we have the authority to conduct criminal investigation nor the capability to do so,” Domingo, in the report, said, adding that “and this is a very important matter, that it could yield P7 billion in a year, this year. That could help government with its health problems and economic problems that we, on our own, can decide.”

President Rodrigo Duterte denied he is in favor of suspending online cockfighting or e-sabong operations, according to Domingo, citing Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, In the Senate hearing, Senator Ronald dela Rosa, chair of the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs, said if he is in charge of PAGCOR, he would go straight to Malacañang to raise his concerns.

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

2 March 2022.

The public may submit any information, written report, or sworn/notarized complaints or oppositions to the above ad interim appointments in seven (7) copies to the CA Secretariat, 6th Floor, PNB Financial Center, D. Macapagal Blvd., Pasay City, Metro Manila.

case of former Immigration commissioners who were directed by the Commission on Audit (COA) “to return billions of peosos because they followed one of the former Philippine president’s directive to reduce the cost of the I-Card being levied against foreigners in the country.”

Aside from possible liabilities, She said the PAGCOR could face “legal charges for violating their contracts with the e-sabong licensees.”

The GMAnew report quoted Domingo as saying that under their agreement with the e-sabong licensees, “operators would need to pay P2.5 million for the license, P75 million cash performance bond, and P75 minimum guarantee every month.”

“While we do really want to solve this problem of missing persons, PAGCOR is a civilian government corporation that is not empowered and does not have the

‘New sources of wheat can curb price hikes’

For the schedule of the public hearings, the CA Secretariat can be reached through telephone numbers 8834-2713, 88311824, 8831-0527, 8832-9830, 8834-2706 and 8551-1989.

to the rank of MAJOR GENERAL to the rank of COMMODORE to the rank of BRIGADIER GENERAL to the rank of BRIGADIER GENERAL to the rank of COLONEL, PAF to the rank of COLONEL, PAF to the rank of COLONEL, PAF to the rank of COLONEL, PAF to the rank of COLONEL, PAF to the rank of COLONEL, PAF to the rank of COLONEL, PAF to the rank of COLONEL, PAF to the rank of COLONEL, PAF(Res.) to the rank of CAPTAIN, PN to the rank of CAPTAIN, PN

A3

PAGCOR unsure on e-sabong halt G

The public may submit any information, written report, or sworn/notarized complaints or oppositions to the above ad interim appointments in seven (7) copies to the CA Secretariat, 6th Floor, PNB Financial Center, D. Macapagal Blvd., Pasay City, Metro Manila.

1. IGNATIUS N. PATRIMONIO 2. FRANCISCO G. TAGAMOLILA JR. 3. CONSOLITO P. YECLA 4. MARVIN L. LICUDINE 5. JOSELITO C. MUNAR 6. ALFREDO C. ANTONIO 7. MARVIN D. SUFICIENCIA 8. RUMEL D. FLOJO 9. GREGORIO M. BUGARIN 10. LEE M. SARPAMONES 11. MAYNARD P. MARIANO 12. NOMAR B. ALINSANGAN 13. JERRY C. PANEDA 14. NOLI S. IBAÑEZ 15. ARNOLD C. BARCELON

SATURDAY, MARCH 5, 2022 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

DRIVE-THRU BOOSTER SHOTS IN SAN JUAN. San Juan City Mayor Francis M. Zamora led the launch of the city’s booster shot vaccination drivethru at the City Hall Parking, in San Juan City. The program specifically intends to give residents easier access to booster shots and to cater to more people who are willing to get the booster shot but could not find time to register and wait for the schedule. Manny Palmero

More housing unveiled for Mindanao’s indigenous peoples

By Rio N. Araja THE Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) on Friday rolled out more housing projects for the indigenous peoples in Mindanao.

DHSUD Secretary Eduardo del Rosario led the signing of a memorandum of agreement and groundbreaking ceremonies for five housing projects for members of the Higaonon tribes in Re-

gions 10 and 13.

He said the housing construction and land development are within their mandate of providing Filipino families, especially the underserved, such as the tribes folk, with access to decent, sustainable, resilient, and more affordable housing communities nationwide under the government’s BALAI housing program to be funded using developers’ incentivized compliance to balanced housing.

Under the scheme, 250 housing

units would be established in Barangay Kibanban, Balingasag town and Barangay Minalwang, Claveria in Misamis Oriental, and in Barangay Kamagong in Nasipit and Barangay Bokbokan in Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte, and Barangay Sinakungan in Esperanza, Agusan del Sur. “These projects are in compliance with President Rodrigo Duterte’s directive of prioritizing IPs in the provision of safe, resilient and affordable housing commu-

nities,” Del Rosario said.

He said the undertakings are part of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict’s initiatives to insulate IP villages in the farflung communities from communist influence to discourage them from joining the terrorist groups.

“Also, these projects will ensure the safety of our IPs, keep them away from harm both natural and man-made,” he added.

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SATURDAY, MARCH 5, 2022

News

SARA IN NAVOTAS. Vice presidential candidate Sara Duterte met with fisherfolk of Alamangan, Dulong Tangos in Navotas on Friday, where she heard issues confronting them firsthand. The President’s daughter vowed to prioritize the sector once elected into office. Ver Noveno

Leni shrugs off recent surveys; Nurses, AIM alumni support her

By Rio N. Araja VICE President Leni Robredo is not at all bothered by the election surveys for President showing her way behind ex-senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. She said she is “not all discouraged by surveys,” saying “this is a fight down to the finish line.”

“I get inspired more because I can feel the energy on the ground,” Robredo added.

Meanwhile, healthcare workers and alumni of the Asian Institute of Management in Cavite are supporting Robredo’s presidential bid.

More than 700 doctors, nurses and other frontliners on Friday came forward and signed a manifesto of support for Robredo and her running mate Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan.

They expressed disappointment over the loss of their fellow healthcare workers in their fight against COVID-19.

Results of latest surveys conducted by major polling firms showed the Vice President at second place to Marcos.

“Not at all, not at all,” Robredo replied when asked if the results had dis-

Caloocan, Navotas vow majority of votes for BBM-Sara UniTeam

By Maricel V. Cruz

T

HE UniTeam tandem of former Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte will get at least 70 percent of the votes in Caloocan City in the May 9 elections.

Thus said Caloocan City Rep. Dale Gonzalo Malapitan, who made this commitment Friday during the inauguration of the local UniTeam headquarters at Marianne Building, Captain F. S. Semano in the populous Camarin district.

“We will work hard to deliver 70 percent of Caloocan votes to BBM-Sara UniTeam,” Malapitan, who is running for mayor, said in an ambush interview.

Navoteños will also support presidential bet Marcos Jr. and vice-presidential candidate Duterte-Carpio on

Rody OKs move to retain BTA officials, keep BARMM order PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has approved the recommendation to maintain the status quo on the current composition of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA), according to the Security, Justice and Peace Cabinet Cluster (SJPCC).

The SJPCC said the retention of the current BTA is crucial to addressing concerns of massive changes once the next administration takes over.

“By keeping the status quo in the BTA, we are not only building on and sustaining the gains of the Bangsamoro peace process. We are laying the foundations where genuine development and long-lasting peace can take root and flourish, and where our Moro brothers and sisters can look ahead to a better and brighter future,” the SJPCC said in a statement on Friday.

Duterte also approved the nomination of the 41 Moro Islamic Liberation Front for the BTA, submitted

by BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim.

“Although the SJPCC recommended maintaining the status quo in the BTA, it must be noted that the President has the authority to replace those members who may be elected into office during the 2022 national elections,” the statement read.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon, Jr., Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., and Interior Government Secretary Eduardo Año signed the statement.

The BTA acts as the interim government with executive and legislative power over the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, created following the abolition of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao through the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law in 2019.

The BTA was tasked to oversee the three-year transition period from 2019, followed by an election of Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) officials. With Nash Maulana

May 9, their mayor said Friday.

“Our Partido Navoteño has declared support for Bongbong Marcos and Inday Sara,” Mayor Tobias Tiangco told reporters in an ambush interview during the Sara Para sa Barangay event in Navotas.

Lakas CMD chairperson Duterte also lobbied for the establishment of satellite offices in every region to bring government services closer to the people if she is elected Vice President.

“If I win vice president, that is one of

my priorities: to create satellite offices in all regions,” Duterte said at a news conference.

“Nakaplano na ako kung ako manalo ng vice president, and that is to create satellite offices sa lahat ng regions,” she said at the conclusion of the Mahalin natin ang Pilipinas Ride (MNPR) on Monday.

In her speech, Duterte thanked the Malapitans and their constituents for supporting the UniTeam candidates. “ I am grateful for the support that Caloocan City express for the UniTeam,” Duterte said.

The event was also attended by incumbent Mayor Oscar Malapitan, who is running for congressman, Valenzuela City Mayor Rex Gatchalian, and House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco.

Rep. Malapitan told his constituents there is broad support for the UniTeam tandem because Caloocan City has

been getting the attention and resources it deserves from the national government under the administration of Mayor Sara’s father, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte. “ We believe that the BBM-Sara tandem has won. And all we are waiting for is the official tally,” Rep. Malapitan said.

He said Marcos and Duterte are hugely popular not only in Caloocan City but across Metro Manila and throughout the country as well, as shown by their high survey, popularity, and trust ratings.

Caloocan residents and many Filipinos are likewise inspired by the UniTeam candidates’ message of hope, patriotism, and unity, which the nation will need to hasten its recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact of the Russia-Ukraine crisis, he said.

Isko touts tourism in Quirino, vows to boost sector

By Rey E. Requejo AKSYON Demokratiko standard bearer Isko Moreno Domagoso has vowed that if elected, he will support and promote the tourism industry in Quirino province to spread growth and progress in the countryside and speed up the country’s recovery from the impact of the two-year Covid-19 pandemic.

“I want to make them feel that right now, I’m studying, I’m trying to know their status. For example, Mayor (Nieverose) Meneses, said they need tourists, just a little help with the fund. They already have a plan, they already have an idea. They just need a little help with

the funds, they need a little support from the national government,” Moreno told reporters after a town hall meeting in Nagtipunan town.

“If these things can create jobs and opportunities, then it is in line with our goals and aspirations. Me and Doc Willie (Ong), in our first two years, will give priority to life and livelihood. And this will be supported as a matter of compromise and promise and commitment to the Quirino people especially here in the area where we are,” Moreno said.

During the town hall meeting, Moreno was warmly welcomed by Mayor Nieverose Meneses, where the 47-yearold presidential candidate was treated

to modern and native dances and video presentations of the town and the province’s many tourist attractions.

“When Yorme sees our proud Landingan Viewpoint, he will be amazed and he will definitely help Quirino when it comes to tourism,” said Meneses, who is also a member of the Bugkalot tribe of the said town.

Also found in Nagtipunan are the 50-meter high Mactol Falls, the “Bimmapor,” a rock formation similar to a sunken ship, of which only the upper decks are protruding from the ground, and the Pusuac cave and watershed, among others. Even the town’s municipal hall is listed as a tourist spot.

couraged her.

She said when she ran for vice president in 2016, surveys showed people also had less preference for her over other bets, but she rose to No. 3 by March that year and even topped other surveys in April.

“We are a group that usually stays silent about politics, but we realized that a lot of illnesses and plagues that affect not only personal health, but are also rooted in poverty, and a lack of education and right information,” their statement read.

“Choosing a wrong and fake candidate is like choosing the wrong medicine. And the wrong medicine will not lead to healing. Like a patient, the country cannot heal under the wrong care and caregiver,” it stated.

The group urged Caviteños to carefully discern for the elections, saying the election is “the most important battle of our country.”

“Let us not make a mistake, this is the most important battle of our country — the battle for the spirit of all of what our heroes and revolutionaries fought for and the revolutions that we have faced which our province of Cavite was witness to,” it emphasized.

Ping, Tito push return to onsite work for Pinoys

By Macon Ramos-Araneta Partido Reporma presidential candidate Panfilo Lacson and running mate Vicente Sotto III favor bringing Filipinos back to onsite or faceto-face work and school because it would be good for the country’s sagging economy.

They also pushed for enhanced internet services across the country to make telecommuting, which became the norm during the COVID-19 pandemic, possible for the industries and businesses that wish to continue their existing work-from-home (WFH) arrangements.

Meanwhile, showing he is an action man first, Lacson moved to immediately help farmers in Camarines Norte who had problems with their broken solar-powered water pump that is supposed to help irrigate their fields during a campaign sortie there this week.

Lacson promised he would use his remaining time as a senator to hold accountable agencies and officials responsible for purchasing defective farm machinery and equipment, which also underscores his advocacy that local government units should be buying these implements for farmers instead of the national government.

He and Sotto said the country missed a chance to build a stronger internet “highway” during the Arroyo administration when the government botched a deal for the national broadband network, and said it was time for the country to fully invest in information and communications technology (ICT).

Lacson said the economy will be hurt if we insist on work-from-home (setups).

Chiz: ‘Bonget’ poised for runaway victory

ISKO IN ISABELA. Presidential aspirant Isko Moreno Domagoso greets Mrs.

Amethyst Mayo Cantor and her 4-year-old son Rimmuel ‘Toytoy’ Bucaling at the lobby of a hotel in Santiago, Isabela on Friday. Manila Mayor Domagoso sponsored the young Bucaling’s liver transplant operation in India back in 2018. Norman Cruz

SENATORIAL candidate and incumbent Sorsogon Governor Chiz Escudero on Thursday declared that presidential bet Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. will most likely win in the May 2022 national polls if he maintains his huge lead in the surveys by next month.

“If numbers in surveys will not change by next month, chances are Bonget (BBM) will win it,” Escudero said, referring to all the formal and informal surveys where Marcos was leading by huge margins from his rivals.

Escudero issued the statement during an interview at his residence, a day before the caravan and grand rally of Marcos’ UniTeam in Sorsogon, which he will be hosting.

This developed as Escudero reiterated his earlier statement that Marcos should not be disqualified in the presidential

race by virtue of several disqualification cases filed against him by critics before the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

“I don’t know BBM’s case in the disqualification case, but I prefer the 64 million voters to decide than the seven Comelec justices and 15 Supreme Court justices,” Escudero said, adding that Marcos’ case must be decided by the people in the May 9 elections.

Going back to survey results, Escudero has advised the BBM camp to double its efforts in sending its message to the people and not just rely on survey numbers because “it is not over until the fat lady sings.”

“Don’t stop because it’s just a survey.

That is just a snapshot of the opinion of our people on who they will vote for when the survey is taken. It is possible and still possible to change,” Escudero stressed. Rey E. Requejo

Anakalusugan, 2 labor groups forge alliance ANAKALUSUGAN Party-list has forged a strategic alliance agreement with two major labor groups to push for health initiatives that will benefit workers and farmers, among others, especially amid the economic pressures brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Our workers are economic frontliners, too.

We need to ensure they get the health benefits due them,” said Anakalusugan nominee Ray Reyes.

Reyes, along with fellow Anakalusugan nominee Ray Roquero, signed the strategic alliance accord with the Workers and Peasants Party (Labor Party of the Philippines), represented by its president Manny Lopez and vicepresident Ibrahim Albano, and the Angat Ahon Magsasaka Inc., represented by its president Carlo Batalla.

“We need to provide health services to our workers, especially to our farmers. If we can ensure their health, we can ensure food security for the entire country,” Reyes added.

Roquero, for his part, said Anakalusugan has been very active in pushing for pieces of legislation that will promote and protect the health of all Filipinos, especially laborers.

“Anakalusugan has proven itself in Congress, having pushed for over 80 bills, including those for pandemic responses Bayanihan 1 and 2,” he said.

“We will continue pushing for measures that we have spearheaded in Congress, including free medical checkups and the removal of value added tax on maintenance medicines. These health expenses are something that our workers can ill-afford,” Roquero added.

PARTY-LIST PACT. Anakalusugan Party-list forges a strategic alliance agreement with two major labor groups on Friday. Showing the signed memorandum are (from left) Anakalusugan nominee Ray Florence Reyes, Sharif senatorial aspirant Sharif Ibrahim Albani, Angat Ahon Magsasaka President Carlo Magno Batalla, Workers Peasants Party nominee Manny Lopez, and Anakalusugan nominee Ray Roquero.

Opinion DSWP turns 35 YEARLY, March 8 is celebrated as the International Women’s Day (IWD). In the Philippines, the whole month of March is Women’s Month. My organization, the Democratic Socialist Women of the Philippines (DSWP), was founded on March 8, 1987, just over a year after the February 1986 EDSA People Power Revolt that toppled the Marcos dictatorship.

DSWP turns 35 years old this year, coinciding with the IWD celebrations. I write about my organization for posterity and also because what it has achieved so far are worth sharing.

Somehow, these make me proud.

After the dictator Marcos was ousted and Cory Aquino assumed the presidency, Filipinos immediately felt the opening of the democratic space. Various anti-Marcos groups that were forced to go underground because they were hunted down started to surface. Leaders of some groups who went on exile to other countries came back to help in the work of rebuilding the country.

Because of the democratic space, non-government and mass-based organizations mushroomed. Everyone was ready to go to work and help the country. The same was true with women activists. However, the women also saw the need to organize as women because while they were actively involved in their mixed organizations, they also felt that there was no, or little effort to address women’s issues. Thus, feminist organizations were born.

One was the DSWP. Our organization was founded by women activists who were also active in the Philippine Democratic Socialist Party (PDSP). The DSWP was an organization of individual women but was not destined to remain as such. Eventually, because of the hard work of community women leaders in different provinces, it has evolved into a national federation of community-based and grassroots women’s organizations. To date, the federation has more than 200 chapter organizations scattered in many parts of the country.

Because the federation’s membership is very significantly dominated by ordinary poor women, the DSWP has always prioritized their rights and welfare. The National Congress has adopted a “Women’s Agenda” that contains action points on its priority issues namely: Violence Against Women (VAW) and Gender-Based Violence (GBV), Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), feminization of poverty, and women’s participation in decision-making and politics.

Through the years, the federation has successfully implemented various projects and initiatives that helped community women.

Livelihood initiatives were supported, a lot of seminars and training were conducted that helped women realize that they have rights equal to anyone, and also manage their organizations. Numerous forums and learning sessions were held on DSWP’s various advocacies and laws that are supposed to benefit women were discussed and studied.

Community women leaders were also trained in politics. Eventually, some ran for local positions and many won. These women have proven that while they were not schooled

in the traditional sense, they could become leaders respected by their communities.

At the national level, the DSWP, together with its allied networks have successfully advocated for laws that would address women’s issues and help realize their human and women’s rights. These include the Anti-Sexual Harassment, Anti-Rape, Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children, Anti-Trafficking in Persons, Magna Carta of Women, Reproductive Health, Expanded Maternity Leave, Safe Spaces, and Prohibition of Child Marriage Laws. A good part of the DSWP’s work is on making sure that these laws are properly and efficiently implemented. After all, a law is only a piece of paper if it does not benefit those for whom it was passed.

This makes me proud.

Throughout the many years of advocating for these laws, community women DSWP members have always been actively involved.

They were ready to go out to the streets when necessary, talk with their local officials and Representatives, gather signatures for the advocacy, and conduct local education activities for other women in their communities.

But not everything was a bed of roses. The organization had to hurdle major challenges.

After the United Nations Decade for Women, support for initiatives on women’s rights significantly dwindled. Strategies and priorities of development organizations also changed because of world events. “Gender mainstreaming” became the major strategy but sadly, this has resulted in the deprioritization of women’s issues. Geographic priorities also evolved and this affected the work for women’s rights in the Philippines.

Admittedly, these and other changes have adversely affected women’s groups in the country. Many organizations significantly weakened and there were those that closed shop. A good number of groups has downsized operations including the DSWP. It became very difficult to the point that there we were thinking of already dissolving the federation.

What saved the DSWP was not only the resilience of community women but their commitment and passion to continue the work. It was because of these women that we regrouped, re-strategized, and persevered.

Eventually and slowly, we are able to do more things again.

Thus, there is much to celebrate. For an organization of ordinary women to last 35 years is not easy. The DSWP faces new challenges especially since we have been hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of our members have lost their livelihood and family members, their jobs. As they said in many of our focus group discussions, life is much harder these days.

Still, more than 200 women leaders from DSWP chapters will come together on March 8 to celebrate, pay tribute to our colleagues who have gone ahead, reminisce about our herstory, and draw strength from each other to face the challenges we now have.

As DSWP turns 35, we celebrate the Filipino women’s resilience and power. We renew our commitment to continue working for the attainment of women’s rights. @bethangsioco on Twitter Elizabeth Angsioco on Facebook

support you, lest you dash your foot against a stone.” But Jesus finally rebuffed him, “It also says, you shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test.”

The Gospel reading tells us that Jesus, although the Son of God, was both divine and human. This event demonstrates the dual nature of Our Savior. He is God but also human subject to all human weakness except sin. Yet despite his susceptibilities because of his human nature, Jesus teaches us that temptations and weaknesses are no excuse to give in to the lures of the world and the devil.

The first temptation is about the allure of money, metaphorically represented by bread in the reading. Seldom do we meet an individual who will not be tempted by the glitter of gold and money together with all the things that it can bestow on the possessor. It is said that love of money is the root of all evil. This is so true. Corruption, thievery, and so many other crimes and sins are rooted in a person’s inordinate love for money. Many problems in the world, committed by individuals and even nations are caused by too much love for the glitter of money, which is why nations go against nations, families against other relatives, and individuals against their neighbor because the temptation of money is almost irresistible. Yet wealth makes one arrogant, proud and deceitful. Money often empowers and if one is not mindful he will be led to

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EDITORIAL

Temptations during pestilence and war

WE ARE now on the first Sunday of Lent. The Gospel of Luke for this Sunday tells us about the temptation of Jesus in the desert. After 40 days and 40 nights of prayer and fasting, Jesus was hungry, weak and exhausted. The devil takes this as an opportunity to tempt Our Lord.

The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.”

Jesus answered him, “It is written, one does not live on bread alone.” And then again the tempter next showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a single instant, saying to the Lord, “I shall give to you all this power and glory; for it has been handed over to me, and I may give it to whomever I wish. All this will be yours, if you worship me.” Jesus replied, “It is written: You shall worship the Lord, your God, and him alone shall you serve.” And finally, the devil led him to Jerusalem, made him stand on the parapet of the temple, and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written: He will command his angels concerning you, to guard you, and with their hands they will

SATURDAY, MARCH 5, 2022

Hazing conviction expected

O

VERJOYED.

That is the sentiment of the family of the late 22-year-old University of Santo Tomas law student Horacio “Atio” Castillo III after a Manila court denied the bid of 10 Aegis Juris fraternity members linked to the case purportedly due to insufficiency of evidence.

We can understand the sense of relief by the family members who have agonized for nearly five years – the victim died in September 2017 – and two years after the defendants filed for bail, which petition was denied, and then a demurrer which was dismissed by the court.

A demurrer is a defense asserting that even if all the factual allegations in a complaint are true, they are insufficient to establish a valid cause of action, the precise basis can vary from a failure to state a claim to an allegedly unconstitutional statute.

The victim’s parents noted that the court, having appreciated all the pieces

Of course, this does not bring their son back. of evidence presented by the prosecution and by the defense, is convinced that Atio died of hazing “and not of any other medical condition.”

Some of the respondents, represented by name legal firms, have sought to create skepticism that Castillo had died not from hazing but hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or from conditions affecting the heart muscle where the person may experience fatigue, shortness of breath or heart palpitations and, over time, can make the heart enlarged or thickened.

But the court gave more weight to the testimony of the medico-legal officer who conducted the autopsy on Castillo and on the pathologist who examined his internal organs who separately concluded that “severe blunt traumatic physical injuries” were the cause of Castillo’s death.

Under existing laws, all officers and members of a fraternity who actually participated in the infliction of physical harm shall be liable as principals.

Under the Anti-Hazing Act of 2018, the penalty of reclusion perpetua is meted out if death results from hazing. Unlike life imprisonment, the length of a sentence for reclusión perpetua is fixed at 40 years and cannot be altered during sentencing.

Reclusión perpetua does not allow pardon or parole until after the first 30 years of the sentence have been served, and, after 40 years without pardon or parole, the sentence expires.

Nearly five years from the start of the arraignment, the family outrage and anguish had been dotted by the coronavirus 2019 pandemic.

But the parents are satisfied thus far with the pace in the litigation process, expecting it to be smooth and punctuated, as the parents hope, by “conviction for the hazing case.”

We hope this has served as a lesson and a wake up call to those who still believe this barbaric practice has any place in our society.

Open defiance IT WAS a complete betrayal of public trust when the Commission on Election signed an agreement with Rappler relegating its most delicate duty of safeguarding the votes to a foreign-operated agency known to specialize in defrauding the mandate of the people.

To quote Rigoberto Tiglao, a columnist of the Manila Times: “the agreement gives the US-funded website anomalous authority during the elections such access to data on all the voters and where they could vote, and for the agents it appoints (as MovePH “volunteers”).

Sources said the agreement wasn’t even discussed nor approved by the Comelec.”

The basic question is not really about the violation resulting from the signing of the agreement but the complete abnegation of duty entrusted to the Comelec by the Constitution.

The duties of the Comelec are enumerated in Section 2, subsections 1 to 9, Article XI-C of the Constitution. Unfortunately, the now jailed senator coming to the defense of Rappler that was once branded by President Duterte as a front of the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), instantly came to the rescue of Rappler to pre-empt any investigation to scrap the agreement by insisting that the Comelec is an independent body.

For the knowledge of Senator De Lima, everybody knows the Comelec is an independent constitutional body. But it does not detract that Rappler is a foreign-funded organization and has no license to operate business pursuant to its avowed claim as mass media, and that its principal stockholder has been convicted by the regional trial court.

The fact that Rappler has been declared as operating without a license by the SEC but continues to violate the Constitution is more than enough to forewarn the Comelec of the illegality of the agreement it entered into. What Rappler is doing constitutes an open travesty and mockery of our constitution. In the case of its CEO named Maria Ressa, the claim of her supporters that her conviction is pending appeal is non sequitur. It does not give her the the delusion that worldly possession alone will bring happiness, that he can live and exist without God. This is but a delusion, a mirage that is not true. Only God can give lasting happiness.

We need not despair because God is our staff and our fortress.

The second temptation is about power.

The devil, by showing him all the kingdoms, tempted Jesus to worship the devil so that he will possess all the kingdoms. This is but a trap.

The lust for power is but a trap that will ensnare the unbeliever to the embrace of worldliness.

So many wars, genocides, killings of fellow human beings emanate in the mindless pursuit for power. Political dynasties, who keep on running for public offices, do so not because they want to serve their constituencies but because they want to accumulate power and the perks and privileges, albeit immoral and unbe-

Former Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno Anita F. Grefal Baldwin R. Felipe Edgar M. Valmorida

Board Member & Chief Legal Adviser Treasury Manager Head—Ad Solutions Circulation Manager

right to commit additional violation of the law.

Rather, she should set herself as an example, being a Nobel Peace Prize awardee.

On top of it, she is not a natural born Filipino citizen but a dual citizen, indicating that the privilege is not due to patriotism or law of country. It was economic convenience that goaded her to her desire to be granted permission to locally work which she is not allowed to operate.

The Comelec should know what the Constitution prohibits.

Setting aside the anomalous and questionable agreement, it would seem that the peace prize awardee is a habitual delinquent, and acts as if she is above the law. The cases pending against her for which she was convicted are just pending in court. Only after the court after the court concluded her appeal either affirmation or acquitted can she erase the narrative that she is a convicted felon.

By concluding an agreement with the Comelec, ipso facto makes that agreement illegal. For that Ressa appears to be defiant of the prohibition she should be punished heavily for that.

The mere fact that the Comelec is declared by the Constitution to be an independent body, the supporters of electoral fraud consider the status of Rappler as an inviolable privilege.

This has become the modus operandi of USoperated fronts to wreak havoc to an otherwise peaceful, free and honest election.

The current war now raging in Ukraine was started by the same front funded by the National Endowment for Democracy which is banned in most countries. NED was responsible for initiating the civil unrest until it developed into what Ukrainians called “orange” revolution to oust the duly elected president Viktor Yanukovych in February 2014.

After the coup, the neo-Nazis waged false accusation of a rigged to justify the oustes.

They then proceeded to wage an intense anticoming of their stature in life that go with it.

The result is arrogance, unbounded pride and selfishness. Putin of Russia invaded Ukraine for instance, slaughtering hundreds of innocent civilians, threatening the free world with nuclear catastrophe, is impelled by no other that but the belief that by subjugating other peoples he will be great in the eyes of the world. North Korea’s Kim Jong Un is another example. He remains mindless and indifferent to the suffering and privations of his people because of the lust for power. But the power hungry are so mistaken. God and God alone can determine everyone’s destiny. He alone is eternal. All things in the world will come to pass.

And finally, the temptation of pride - the test to throw Himself from the precipice because after all God’s angels will save him. The devil is tempting Jesus to use his divine power in obedience to the devil. Jesus tells him not to tempt God. As human beings, we maintain our respect, reverence and worshipful obedience to God, pour maker. There is no room for pride and disobedience in the heart of the faithful.

In these tests, Jesus has taught us how to

Russian campaign to eject the Russians living in the eastern portion of Ukraine. Of course there were other closely related issues liked the eastward movement of NATO, the openended policy of recruiting former members of the Warsaw Pact to join the alliance until Russia finally invade Ukraine, accusing it of unprovoked and unjustifiable attacked telling the world how they ousted the duly elected president.

Prominent American meddlers openly intervened to destroy an otherwise peaceful electoral process that today has metamorphose into a full-scale civil war. I guess, Ressa and her cohorts want to start a civil war in this country if their puppet fails to make it this coming election.

According to Ressa, Rappler will mobilize its own network of #FactsFirstPH initiative, which is a collaboration of 14 news groups and over 100 civil society organizations. It says, the top digital-only news organization will alert the Comelec on false and misleading election-related claims in social media. The poll body may also refer to Rappler’s electionrelated post for fact-checking purposes.

Ressa said she is thrilled to be working with the Comelec to ensure the integrity of the elections, saying it will be in three broad ways: voter engagement, access to critical information at the right time, and fact-checking.

This is unprecedented for never before had a foreign organization been organized to oversee the election particularly that most poll survey indicate that BBM is leading. According to Tiglao, if the result shows that Bongbong Marcos and Saha Duterte-Carpio appear to be winning, their so-called fact-checkers could easily fabricate failure of election. The greatest danger is once their finding is made that cannot be reversed by appeal to the Comelec.

In that the duty of the Comelec has completely been relegated to Rappler which is not even registered and authorized to hold an election in addition to being prohibited to operate as mass media. rpkapunan@gmail.com Full version on www.manilastandard.net overcome and prevail over the snares of the evil one. The world is full of these temptations of money, power, and pride and especially during these times of war and pestilence. Jesus tells us that it is by detaching ourselves from the world, by being humble, selfless to others, and ultimately loving God above all else that we can transcend and rise above our weaknesses and the mirage of the world, and the snares of the flesh and the devil.

The world has been buffeted for so long by COVID-19 and economic, social dislocation happened because of it. Now we are facing war and its impact even on us who are far away from Europe. And yes, we have the uncertainty of the outcome of our coming elections.

Yet in our weakness and despair, as Jesus tells us in the Gospel reading, we find strength in him, and from him alone. We need not despair because God is our staff and our fortress from the storms and the towering waves that continuously batter our ships. This Lent, let us experience Jesus as the oasis of the desert that we as people of God have found ourselves in. No devil and his temptations can overcome the love and power of the Messiah.

Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher Chin Wong/Ray S. Eñano Joyce Pangco Pañares Jimbo Owen Gulle

Associate Editors News Editor City Editor

Honor Blanco Cabie Night Editor Lino M. Santos Chief Photographer

Emil P. Jurado Chairman Emeritus, Editorial Board

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TODAY SATURDAY, MARCH 5, 2022 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

EU agrees to offer temporary protection to Ukraine refugees THE EU on Thursday agreed to approve temporary protection for refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine – so far numbered at one million – while also setting up a humanitarian hub in Romania.

The moves by the European Union came in parallel to its sanctions on Russia imposed in successive waves over the course of the invasion, now in its eighth day.

In Washington, the administration of President Joe Biden announced a similar move, granting temporary protected status to Ukrainians already in the country.

That means they can remain in the US and the threat of deportation is lifted.

EU interior ministers agreed in a Brussels meeting to activate a tempo-

DESTRUCTION EVERYWHERE.

rary protection mechanism drawn up two decades ago – in response to the wars in the former Yugoslavia – but never used.

European home affairs commissioner Ylva Johansson, who attended the meeting, tweeted that it was a “historic decision.”

French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said: “The European Union will accord temporary protection to all those fleeing the war in Ukraine.”

Both later told a media conference that the decision was unanimously taken by the ministers representing the EU’s 27 nations.

Darmanin said the temporary protection would apply to Ukrainians and their family members crossing into the EU, as well as anyone who had prior refugee status in Ukraine. AFP

A view of a damaged building after the shelling by Russian forces in Ukraine’s second-biggest city of Kharkiv. Ukraine and Russia agreed to create humanitarian corridors to evacuate civilians on March 3, in a second round of talks since Moscow invaded last week, negotiators on both sides said. AFP

POMPEO CALLS ON US GOVERNMENT:

Recognize diplomatically ‘free’ Taiwan Journalist gets six-year jail T term for rape, espionage case

MOROCCAN journalist and rights activist Omar Radi has been sentenced on appeal to six years in prison on espionage and rape charges.

Radi, a 35-year-old freelance journalist known as a known vocal critic of the authorities, has insisted on his innocence throughout his two-yearlong trial.

“My only fault is to have demanded independent justice,” Radi said before the judge’s verdict on Thursday, to applause from supporters in the courtroom.

Accused of undermining state security with “foreign financing” and of rape, Radi was initially sentenced last July.

His trial began in 2020 just days after human rights group Amnesty International said Moroccan authorities had planted Pegasus spyware on his cellphone – a claim denied by Morocco.

Radi’s arrest and detention was protested by rights activists, intellectuals and politicians both inside the country and abroad.

Earlier this week, the prosecution had called for “the maximum sentence” against him. Rape is punishable by up to ten years imprisonment.

After the original sentence was upheld, defense lawyer Miloud Kandil called it “a very hard judgment.”

“We have exposed all the elements proving the innocence of Omar Radi before the court but sadly nothing has been taken into account,” he told AFP. In the same case, fellow journalist Imad Stitou was sentenced to one year in prison.

Stitou, who was initially presented as the sole witness for the prosecution, was said to have been present with Radi when he allegedly raped a woman. AFP Manila

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC Standard Notice is hereby given that Stock

TODAY

Certificate No. 458 – 5,000 shares, Stock Certificate No. 21 – 1,250 shares and Stock Certificate No. 2251 – 62 shares of 2GO Group, Inc. issued in the name of Liza G. Acab has been reported lost and the holder of the said shares have applied to the Company to issue duplicate share certificates.

Any person who has a claim in respect of said shares should lodge the claims or inform the Company at its registered address within one (1) year from the last publication of this notice. If no claims/ objections are received during this period, the Company shall be free to issue duplicate share certificate.

(MS-Feb 19, 26 & Mar 5, 2022)

HE United States should diplomatically recognise Taiwan as “a free and sovereign country,” former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a speech while visiting the island.

Pompeo, one of former president Donald Trump’s most hawkish advisors on China, arrived on Wednesday for a visit at a time of rising tensions between Washington and Beijing over the selfruled island as well as the crisis sparked

by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

While Washington should continue to engage with Beijing as a sovereign government, offering Taipei diplomatic recognition “can no longer be ignored,

Taiwan as part of its territory to be retaken one day, by force if necessary.

Beijing considers a formal declaration of independence as something that would cross its self-declared “red line” and has warned that such a step could trigger war.

Taiwan’s current leader Tsai Ing-wen, who has won elections twice, hails from a party that historically favours independence.

But her stance is deliberately nuanced.

She says there is no need to declare independence because Taiwan is already a sovereign nation called the Republic of China (Taiwan).

Pompeo’s speech advocated the same position.

“As many of your past and present leaders have made clear, there’s no need for Taiwan to declare independence be-

cause it’s already an independent nation.

Its name is the Republic of China (Taiwan),” he said.

“The people and government of the United States should simply accept this fundamentally decent, morally right thing. This is easy. The Taiwanese people deserve the world’s respect for continuing down this free, democratic and sovereign path.”

President Tsai met Pompeo on Thursday, conferring on him an honorary medal and praising him for facilitating “multiple breakthroughs” in Taiwan-US relations.

On his way out of office, Pompeo announced that Washington was ending restrictions on official contacts with Taipei in a move that angered Beijing.

President Joe Biden has continued most of the Trump era’s policies towards Taiwan. AFP

Melinda Gates hits ex-husband over Epstein

OUCH!

A boy undergoes a nucleic acid test for COVID-19 in Wuhan in China’s central Hubei province on March 4, 2022. AFP

MELINDA French Gates on Thursday criticized her ex-husband Bill Gates for having met multiple times with Jeffrey Epstein, the financier accused of child sex crimes who committed suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial.

In her first televised interview since the couple announced their divorce in May, French Gates also acknowledged that she had once met Epstein, saying that afterward she “had nightmares.”

“I wanted to see who this man was, and I regretted it from the second I stepped in the door,” she said, without clarifying when the meeting occurred.

She described Epstein in the meeting as “abhorrent,” and “evil personified,” but declined to say if she requested her husband to stop meeting with him.

“Any of the questions remaining about what Bill’s relationship there was, those are for Bill to answer, but dren.

I made it very clear how I felt about For now, the animals will be cared for him,” said French Gates. at the Poznan zoo.

When asked by the CBS journalZoo director Ewa Zgrabczynska, who ist if her husband’s relationship with helped arrange the evacuation, said she Epstein played a role in their diCYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK is already in contact with several westvorce, the philanthropist, reportedly ern organizations that want to take in the worth $6 billion, said that it was one animals. of “many things” that contributed.

The Wall Street Journal revealed She also launched a fundraising drive that Bill Gates’s March 2020 deparas the city of Poznan, which runs the ture from Microsoft occurred during zoo, lacks a budget for the evacuated an investigation into an affair he had animals. AFP with an employee in 2000. AFP

Lions, tigers evacuated from Ukraine to Poland

SIX lions and six tigers evacuated from near Kyiv arrived at a zoo in Poland following a two-day odyssey skirting battle frontlines and coming face to face with Russian tanks, a zoo spokesman said.

A Ukrainian truck drove the aniEXTRA-JUDICIAL mals, along with two wild cats and SETTLEMENT of ESTATE a wild dog, nearly 1,000 kilometers Notice is hereby given (600 miles) to the Polish border that the estate of the late RIGOBERTO MARCIANO while avoiding the Zhytomyr reSALAMANCA has been extra-judicially settled among gion, which the invading Russian his heirs WITH DEED OF ASSIGNMENT consisting of cash deposits in: • BPI New Farmers Branch QC SA No. 4273-0173-78 As per Doc. No. 346; Page No. 71; Book No. 23; Series of 2022 before Notary Public ATTY. ROQUE O. ROSALES.

(MS-FEB. 19/26/MAR. 5, 2022)

N OTICE Notice is hereby given that AXEIA DEVELOPMENT CORP. (FORMERLY: ASIATIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION), with office address at 5th & 6th Floor, Westar Building, 611 Shaw Blvd., Brgy. Kapitolyo, Pasig City, is applying for registration with the Board of Investments (BOI) as New Developer of Economic and Low-Cost Housing Project (White Plains PoracECONOMIC) with 1,105 house and lot units under R.A. 11534 (CREATE ACT) and the Preferred List-Mass Housing of the 2020 IPP with project site located at Brgy.

Salu, Porac, Pampanga.

Any person with valid objection/s on the abovementioned project may file his/her objection in writing, under oath, with the BOI within three (3) days from the date of this publication.

(MS-MAR. 5, 2022)

avoided or treated as secondary,” Pompeo said in a speech hosted by a local think-tank.

“It is my view that the United States government should immediately take necessary and long-overdue steps to do the right and obvious thing, that is to offer the Republic of China (Taiwan) America’s diplomatic recognition as a free and sovereign country.”

The Republic of China is Taiwan’s official name.

Washington has remained Taipei’s most important ally and leading arms supplier despite switching diplomatic recognition to Beijing in 1979.

But Pompeo said the move “isn’t about Taiwan’s future independence, it’s about recognition of an unmistakable, already existing reality.”

China claims self-ruled democratic

(SGD.) MARY ANN E. RAGANIT Acting Director Infrastructure and Services Industries Service

forces have bombarded, spokeswoman Malgorzata Chodyla told AFP. At one point, the truck had to stop overnight opposite Russian tanks.

The driver rested under his vehicle while the owner of the Ukrainian shelter fed the animals because the transport crew did not know how to, the spokeswoman said.

At the border, the animals were transferred to a Polish truck while the Ukrainian driver returned home to his chil-

Republic of the Philippines Department of Transportation CIVIL AERONAUTICS BOARD

ERRATUM Please be advised that in page C2 of the Manila Standard published on 04 March 2022, the title of the Civil Aeronautics Board’s Resolution contained an editorial error. The corrected title should read as follows: CAB Resolution No. 81 (BM 11-11-29-2021) Revised Rules of Practice and Procedure before the Civil Aeronautics Board CAPS FOR RIDE. A worker poses with used bottle caps collected in exchange for city bus tickets in Surabaya before being resold to plastic recycling factories. AFP CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Business

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China-backed bank suspends business deals with Moscow

PSEi March 4, 2022

TOP GAINERS

1 PHR

LAST % PRICE CHANGE CHANGE 1.35 0.13 10.66%

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

OV WIN FOOD OPMB OPM WPI ARA DFNN

0.011 0.3 0.63 0.013 0.013 0.49 1.09 2.44

0.001 0.025 0.05 0.001 0.001 0.03 0.06 0.12

10.00% 9.09% 8.62% 8.33% 8.33% 6.52% 5.83% 5.17%

10

AT

7.75

0.37

5.01%

TOP LOSERS

1 DIZ

LAST % PRICE CHANGE CHANGE 4.68 -0.65 -12.20%

2 3 4

PHA MG EMP

0.64 0.15 18.3

-0.06 -0.009 -1.06

-8.57% -5.66% -5.48%

5 6 7 8 9 10

IMP PSE TUGS PXP ABA MARC

1.4 213 0.79 6.2 0.83 1.95

-0.08 -11 -0.04 -0.31 -0.04 -0.09

-5.41% -4.91% -4.82% -4.76% -4.60% -4.41%

MOST ACTIVE

VOLUME

VALUE (PHP)

1 2 3 4 5 6

TEL ICT MONDE BDO SCC SM

224,690 1,726,190 17,246,300 1,828,670 6,941,000 228,960

419,364,870 399,605,826 254,731,190 237,902,215 220,926,180 214,133,495

7 8 9 10

NIKL DMC BPI MBT

24,927,900 20,391,700 1,622,730 2,676,910

209,438,262 189,760,461 159,784,298 155,350,344

AGRI FAIR. France’s Economy and Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire strokes a cow as he visits the 58th International Agriculture Fair (Salon de l’Agriculture) at the Porte de Versailles exhibition center in Paris, on March 4, 2022. AFP

Stocks decline; Semirara and SM Investments drop T HE stock market fell Friday along with the rest of Asia and oil rose as news that Europe’s biggest nuclear power plant had been hit by Russian shelling fueled a flight to safety and ramped up fears about the Ukraine war.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index fell 46.08 points, or 0.6 percent, to 7,342.01 on a value turnover of P5.2 billion. Losers beat gainers, 102 to 89, with 44 issues unchanged.

SM Investments Corp. of the Sy Group declined 2.6 percent to P932, while Semirara Mining and Power Corp., the biggest coal miner, was down 2.4 percent to P31.90.

Nickel Asia Corp., the largest coal miner, however, rose 1.8 percent to P8.30, while PLDT Inc., the biggest telecommunications firm, added 1.1 percent to P1,850.

The rest of Asian markets tumbled Friday.

As Vladimir Putin’s forces stepped up their invasion, Ukraine’s foreign minister demanded an immediate ceasefire to avoid disaster at the Zaporizhzhia plant after its power unit was hit.

While Ukrainian authorities said a fire that broke out had been extinguished and no radiation leak had been detected, traders remain on edge.

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia of “nuclear terror.”

Moscow has been pressing ahead with its incursion into its neighbor that has sent global markets spiraling and commodities such as wheat, metals and particularly oil soaring. That has, in turn, fueled concerns the global recovery from COVID-19 will be derailed.

Tokyo and Hong Kong led losses across Asia while Sydney, Shanghai, Seoul, Singapore, Mumbai, Taipei, Bangkok and Wellington were also well down.

The dollar dipped against the safe-haven yen though it rose against most other currencies, including sitting at its highest

level against the euro since mid-2020.

Gold―a go-to asset in times of uncertainty―was also up.

At the same time, both main crude contracts rose, having retreated Thursday partly on hopes for an Iran nuclear deal that would allow Tehran to restart exports to the world market. However, they were off their earlier highs in afternoon Asian trade.

While world governments have not included Russian oil in their wideranging sanctions on Moscow owing to concerns about the impact on prices and consumers, trade has become increasingly tough as banks pull financing and shipping costs rise.

On Friday, the China-backed Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) said it will suspend business related to Russia and its neighbor Belarus, saying it was “in the best interests of the bank.”

“The headlines about the Russian shelling of that nuclear plant are clearly driving a flight to quality trade,” Chamath de Silva at BetaShares Holdings in Sydney said. “It’s classic risk off right now.” With AFP

Turkey’s inflation woes pit tenants against landlords

By Remi Banet ISTANBUL, Turkey—Kicked out in the middle of a harsh Turkish winter, 30-yearold Erdem Yilmaz calculated that he spent two and a half months’ salary to urgently relocate to a new home in Istanbul.

The father of a two-year-old is not the only Turk in this situation after last year’s currency crisis.

Disputes between homeowners and tenants have risen sharply in recent months in Turkey after annual inflation reached 54.4 percent in February, the highest since April 2002.

In the same period, rents have exploded by 85 percent in Istanbul and by 69 percent at the national level, according to analysis by Bahcesehir University.

But salaries have not risen at the same pace, with most increasing by between 30 and 50 percent on average in January.

“We shouldn’t have had to leave,” lamented Yilmaz, who works as a recep- People look at exchange rates outside an exchange office in Ankara, Turkey, on February 23, 2022. tionist, upset at his former landlord who Turkey’s annual inflation rate officially reached 54.4 percent in February, the highest since April 2002. claimed he wanted the property back for Workers have struggled to keep up with the sky-rocketing cost of living. AFP his son.

The Turkish lira lost 44 percent of its value mists who say inflation reached over 110 per“He harassed us. My family had no against the dollar last year. cent in January. peace,” he added.

AFP spoke to 12 tenants who described “We live in a period in which owning a Yilmaz is even angrier because he said the being forced to leave their apartments in home or renting cheap accommodation is a landlord’s son did not move into the apartthe same way as Yilmaz, or who have sufluxury,” said Mehmet Bulent Deniz, head of ment. fered rent increases of over 100 percent, the Turkish Consumers Union Federation.

“I saw an advert (for the flat) on the interHowever, some landlords try to find a balnet a week after we left,” he said, showing a five times higher than the legal limit in Turkey. ance. photo of the advert.

Turkish law stipulates that, under a ten“We have agreed to 35-percent increases.

The rent is now 2,600 Turkish liras ($190, ant’s contract renewed in February, a landThere needs to be a happy medium,” said about 170 euros), compared with the 1,100 lord cannot increase the monthly rent above Hakan Yildiz, who owns three properties in liras ($80) paid by Yilmaz.

22.6 percent, a figure calculated using base Istanbul.

Rising legal disputes Some tenants, such as Emrullah Comran, To add insult to injury, Yilmaz’s new home inflation.

The law also restricts evictions, but ten- refuse to accept, on a matter of principle. will cost him 2,000 liras ($146), half of his In January, Comran’s landlord wanted to salary, and is located in “a remote corner, in ants said they gave in to pushy or threatening increase his rent by 58 percent. an old building that is hard to heat and with- landlords.

In January, an Istanbul man in his 90s was “I’m in a good financial situation, I could out a lift,” he said.

Yilmaz’s dispute has not hit the courts but filmed by a neighbor using an axe to break have paid but I refused because they did this legal cases between tenants and property down his tenants’ door after they refused in an illegal and opportunistic manner,” said owners are now the biggest single issue pro- to pay their rent, which suddenly rose from the 30-year-old, who runs a small metalworkcessed by Turkish courts.

1,200 to 4,000 liras. ing business in Antalya, southern Turkey.

They represent 20 percent of cases, com“The rise in rents is pushing property own“We have 12 employees and we gave them pared to 10 percent a year ago, according to ers to seek the recovery of their homes to put a pay rise of 45 percent on average this year. financial daily Dunya. them back on the market” at distinctly higher But no one has received a 58-percent raise.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s unorth- prices, according to lawyer Hanife Emine Nobody,” he insisted. odox policies, as well as the weakening lira Kara, a specialist in real-estate law who has In response to his landlord, Comran sent are contributing to inflation. seen the number of cases rise. his rent by wire transfer with an increase he Central banks normally raise rates to ‘Illegal and opportunistic’ set himself. tame inflation but Erdogan vehemently opProperty owners pushing for three-figure “The official rate is 22.6 percent, so I went poses high interest rates, claiming they are rent increases argue that official inflation a little above that, to 23 percent,” he said. the “mother and father of all evil” and cause data does not reflect the reality, a claim sup“I have not heard back from them yet.” high inflation. ported by some independent Turkish econoAFP

BEIJING, China—The Chinabacked Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank said it will suspend business related to Russia and Belarus in a sign of the two countries’ deepening pariah status over the war in Ukraine.

In a statement issued Thursday, the AIIB said that “in the best interests of the bank, management has decided that all activities relating to Russia and Belarus are on hold and under review.”

China, whose bilateral relationship with Russia has strengthened in recent years, has thus far avoided criticizing Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine.

Beijing is the largest stakeholder in the multilateral institution—the brainchild of Chinese President Xi Jinping—with almost 27-percent voting power.

The bank was launched in 2016 to counter the West’s dominance of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.

Russia is also among the AIIB’s founding members and holds around a six percent vote in its operations, the third-biggest after China and India.

It also holds a seat on the bank’s board of directors.

The AIIB said it was “actively monitoring the situation” in Ukraine and that management would do the “utmost to safeguard the financial integrity” of the group.

The Shanghai-based New Development Bank, established around the same time and with similar goals to the AIIB, also said it has “put new transactions in Russia on hold.”

Financial institutions and businesses around the world are scrambling to distance themselves from Russia and Belarus—from which some of the forces involved in the Ukraine invasion were launched— over the conflict.

Disclosures on the AIIB website showed that it has so far approved two Russia projects with financing of $800 million, but only a small portion of its loan portfolio is in the country. AFP

Iran ready to raise oil output once US sanctions are lifted TEHRAN, Iran—Oil-rich Iran says it is ready to step up its crude exports once US sanctions are lifted if talks to revive the 2015 nuclear deal succeed, official media reported Thursday.

The comments came as global oil prices have surged following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, with West Texas Intermediate Thursday crude topping $115 per barrel, the highest since 2008.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran is ready to increase its production and exports to the pre-November 2018 level,” Iranian Oil Minister Javad Owji was quoted as saying by the official IRNA agency.

Owji was referring to November 5, 2018 when the US under then president Donald Trump reimposed sanctions against Iran’s oil sector, following its withdrawal in May that year from the 2015 Iran nuclear agreement.

“It is up to the major consuming countries to take the necessary steps to maintain stability and calm in the oil market,” Owji had said Wednesday after an OPEC meeting, according to Shana, the ministry’s official agency.

In that meeting, the oil-rich Gulf states had failed to respond to Western pressure to increase crude output, prioritizing their own strategic and economic interests.

“I promise to reach the highest oil export capacity within one to two months as soon as the green light from Vienna is given,” Owji said.

The minister had, in comments on February 6, estimated his country’s export capacity at 2.5 million barrels per day, out of total production of about 4 million bpd, according to the Shana agency.

“Iran is technically and operationally capable of stabilizing its export share in the world market after the lifting of sanctions,” he said. AFP

Sri Lanka raises rates to avoid collapse COLOMBO, Sri Lanka—Sri Lanka’s central bank hiked interest rates by one percentage point on Friday and urged the government to increase taxes as the country skirts economic collapse.

The troubled South Asian island nation is in the grip of a severe foreign exchange crisis that has led to acute shortages of food, fuel, medicines and industrial raw materials, sending inflation soaring.

Food inflation hit a record 25 percent in January while overall price increases reached 16.8 percent, a fourth consecutive monthly record.

Public transport has been crippled since Wednesday with no diesel for buses and large parts of the country of 21 million people hit by lengthy power cuts.

On Thursday, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa sacked the energy and industry ministers after they both criticized the government’s

efforts to deal with the crisis.

Another senior minister Vasudeva Nanayakkara expressed solidarity Friday with the sacked ministers and said he would not attend cabinet meetings.

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka hiked the benchmark deposit and lending rates by 100 basis points each to 6.5 percent and 7.5 percent respectively.

The move follows a January decision to lift borrowing costs by 50 basis points.

The increases “will dampen the possible build-up of underlying demand pressures on the economy, which would, in turn, help ease pressures in the external sector,” the bank said in a statement.

It also urged the government to increase fuel prices and electricity tariffs immediately as well as raise taxes to shore up government revenue. That came after a similar call by the International Monetary Fund. AFP

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com

B4

SATURDAY, MARCH 5, 2022

IN BRIEF

Business

Philex wins gold in 57th Anvil Awards

PHILEX Mining Corp. was again recognized in the recent 57th Anvil Awards Gabi ng Parangal with a gold for its 2020 annual and sustainability report. This is the 8th year that the mining company received the honor.

Themed ‘A Brave New Day,’ the report assured stakeholders that Philex Mining remains a viable and sustainable business with the mine life of Padcal Mine extended up to December 2024, with studies under way for additional mineable reserves, and the new Silangan Copper and Gold Project getting ready for development and commercial operations, according to Philex president and chief executive Eulalio Austin Jr. “The report communicated to its investors how the company is gearing up for the development of the Silangan Copper and Gold Project in Surigao del Norte, which has the potential as one of the big mining projects to propel the Philippines as a major regional copper and gold producer,” he said.

The report also highlighted the mining industry’s unique role in the country’s recovery from the pandemic.

HAUS TALK PROJECT.

Haus Talk Inc. breaks ground for the construction of midmarket housing development Celestis 1 in Antipolo City.

The project rests on a 5,258-square-meter property in Barangay Bayugo and will showcase 40 residential units.

Attending the ceremony are (from left) Haus Talk directors Joey Madlambayan, assistant vice president of construction; Albert Madlambayan, assistant vice president; Noemi Madlambayan, corporate secretary and vice president for purchasing; Terence Madlambayan, chairman and vice president for business development; Luis Pio Madlambayan, construction council for Bataan Project; and Edward Madlambayan, vice president of construction. Also scheduled for groundbreaking soon is Celestis 2 at the adjacent 7,963-square-meter site with an allotment for 60 family homes.

Meralco obtains nod on 180-MW auction

THE Department of Energy approved the request of power retailer Manila Electric Co. to hold another bidding on the contract to supply 180 megawatts of baseload capacity.

“We have also gotten the approval of the DOE for the 180-MW baseload that is supposed to replace the higher price of fuel of First Gas plants,” Meralco first vice president and head of regulatory affairs Jose Ronald Valles said.

“If we are able to do the CSP [competitive selection process] and implement the PSA, the 180 MW will hopefully mitigate the prices of our PSAs or power generation costs for the summer months,” Valles said.

Valles said Meralco received the DOE’s reply on Feb. 22 on the proposed terms of reference for the 180-MW capacity. “After which, Meralco is enjoined to proceed with the publication of invitation to bid with TOR table in the bid requirements.

The TOR and schedule of CSP activities are being finalized,” Valles said.

Meralco filed the application in December for baseload requirement from Feb. 26, 2022 until July 25, 2022. Alena Mae S. Flores

February inflation unchanged at 3%

By Julito G. Rada

I

NFLATION remained at 3 percent in February, the same rate in January, as food, beverage and tobacco registered slower price increases, the Philippine Statistics Authority said Friday.

The PSA said the February inflation was slower than 4.2 percent registered in the same month last year. The figure brought inflation in the first two months to 3 percent, representing the midpoint of the target range of 2 percent to 4 percent for the year.

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin Diokno said the February inflation was within the BSP’s forecast range

of 2.8 to 3.6 percent for the month.

“Inflation is seen to accelerate over the near term due to higher oil prices as well as the impact of positive base effects. Nonetheless, the BSP’s full-year inflation forecasts continue to show that inflation would average within the 2-4 percent target range for 2022-2023 as government direct measures help address the supply constraints,” Diokno said.

“However, the recent uptick in global crude oil prices due to geopolitical tensions have raised global and domestic macroeconomic uncertainty over the near term,” he said.

Diokno said that under these circumstances, the BSP would continue to closely monitor the emerging risks to the outlook for inflation and remain vigilant against possible second-round effects from supply-side pressures or any shifts in the public’s inflation expectations.

“The BSP supports the implementation of non-monetary measures by the national government to help mitigate the impact of higher oil prices and avoid the broadening of price pressures. On the part of the BSP, it continues to have a wide arsenal of policy instruments to respond to possible adverse impact of this external shock,” he said.

The Monetary Board will review its assessment of the inflation outlook along with the latest global and domestic developments in its monetary policy meeting on March 24, he said.

Meanwhile, the government stands ready to help Filipinos from the economic impact of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, according to the National Economic and Development Authority.

Data showed that food inflation decreased to 1.1 percent in February from 1.6 percent in January. This was driven by slower inflation rates for meat, at 1.4

PLDT and Smart migrating into paperless billing

percent from 4.3 percent, and fish, at 2.9 percent from 6.2 percent. However, corn inflation significantly increased to 31.3 percent from an already elevated 27.7 percent.

Non-food inflation increased to 4.1 percent in February from 3.8 percent in January, mostly due to rising oil prices. Specifically, electricity, gas, and other fuels for household inflation accelerated to 12.8 percent, and private transport inflation increased to 29.8 percent.

Public transport inflation remained muted at 0.9 percent as fares are regulated.

Despite the stable inflation rate, Economic Planning Secretary Karl Kendrick Chua said commodity prices were increasing amid the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. To address this, Chua said the government would use its available resources to provide targeted subsidies to the affected sectors.

PSE INDEX CLOSING Friday, March 4, 2022

-46.08 PTS.

TOTAL VOLUME TOTAL TRADES TOTAL VALUE (IN PHP)

7,342.01

1,326,856,706 80,129 5,222,047,508.96

ADVANCES

89

DECLINES

102

UNCHANGED

44

F oreign E xchange R ate

By Darwin G. Amojelar PLDT Inc. and wireless unit Smart Communications Inc. are migrating into paperless billing to further improve their customer service.

“We enjoin our customers to embrace the move towards default paperless billing. This shift is part of our unrelenting focus on improving our Enterprise customer’s experience that ensures easier access, a more timely delivery of their statements of account, as well as safeguarding data privacy,” PLDT and Smart president and chief executive Alfredo Panlilio said.

“This is also aligned with our groupwide sustainability efforts at PLDT, as a steward of this planet for the next generation,” he said.

Paperless billing allows customers to immediately access their monthly statement as soon as they become available, giving them more time to settle their bill before the due date.

Sending statements directly to customers’ inbox also avoids accidental misdelivery and prevents customer data from falling into the wrong hands.

Storing them will also be more convenient and space-saving as they can be viewed readily online. With PLDT and Smart’s robust cybersecurity infrastructure, customers are assured that their personal information are wellprotected.

Together with paperless billing, PLDT and Smart are also expanding digital payment channels, enabling customers to save time and money as they can settle their bill in the comfort of their homes.

As the world continues to adapt to disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, digital bill deliveries are safer as they eliminate personal interaction.

“Paperless or digital billing provides a more secure and efficient bill access to our enterprise customers. Across industries where our clients operate, we have seen how digitalization has contributed significantly to our customers’ operations and profits. We foresee that our shift to digital billing will further elevate the quality of the service we provide to them,” said Joseph Ian Gendrano, first vice president and head of enterprise and international at PLDT and Smart.

SM, BDO take home sustainability awards

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • FRIDAY, MARCH 4, 2022

BIG MUNTINLUPA TAXPAYER. Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines Inc.–the

exclusive manufacturer of PepsiCo beverages in the country—is recognized by the city government of Muntinlupa as one of its 10 biggest corporate taxpayers during the 27th anniversary of its cityhood. Representing the award on behalf of PCPPI is Carina Bayon (second from left), chief legal and government affairs officer. With her are (from left) Muntinlupa administrator Allan Cachuela, Mayor Jaime Fresnedi and Rep. Ruffy Biazon.

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

51.4700

Japan

Yen

0.008661

0.4458

UK

Pound

1.335400

68.7330

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.127946

6.5854

Switzerland

Franc

1.090394

56.1226

Canada

Dollar

0.788644

40.5915

Singapore

Dollar

0.737354

37.9516

Australia

Dollar

0.732900

37.7224

Bahrain

Dinar

2.652661

136.5325

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266539

13.7188

Brunei

Dollar

0.734646

37.8122

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000070

0.0036

Thailand

Baht

0.030684

1.5793

UAE

Dirham

0.272287

14.0146

Euro

Euro

1.106800

56.9670

Korea

Won

0.000830

0.0427

China

Yuan

0.158208

8.1430

India

Rupee

0.013168

0.6778

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.238977

12.3001

New Zealand

Dollar

0.680000

34.9996

Taiwan

Dollar

0.035638

1.8343 Source: BSP

Gatchalian asks DOE to bare results of study on nuclear technology

By Alena Mae S. Flores SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian on Friday asked the Department of Energy to make public the results of its study on nuclear power to ensure transparency.

“The Senate has funded the Department of Energy’s nuclear research and feasibility study amounting to P266 million since 2018. This study should be made public in order for the Filipino people to understand the risks and benefits of nuclear power injected into our energy mix,” Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate committee on energy, said.

The DOE, in coordination with the

Social Weather Stations, conducted a public perception survey on the use of nuclear energy in the country from April 27 to May 12, 2019. The survey was meant to provide a scientificallyestablished basis on the acceptability of nuclear energy for power generation.

The survey involved interviews with 4,250 Filipino adults aged 18 and above nationwide and covered 17 study regions.

It said the survey results indicated that nuclear energy should be entrenched in the energy mix and showed positive or favorable perception with 79 percent approval/acceptability for possible use (and rehabilitation) of the Bataan Nu-

clear Power Plant and 65 percent approval/acceptability of building a new nuclear power plant.

Gatchalian said “transparency” is the most important factor in any discussions on nuclear power.

“Transparency is key in building the confidence of the public on the use of this complex source of power,” Gatchalian said.

He said establishing nuclear power from the ground up would entail numerous pieces of legislation and policies to ensure the safety of the public. With 6 session days left in the 18th Congress, there is no ample time to enact any nuclear power-related laws, he said.

SM INVESTMENTS Corp. and BDO Unibank Inc. received the highest honors for their performance on sustainability initiatives from multimedia company Asset Publishing and Research Ltd. based in Hong Kong.

SM Investments won the coveted Platinum Award during the recent The Asset ESG Corporate Awards 2021 for the 13th consecutive year. BDO similarly received the Platinum Award for the 12th consecutive year. The awarding ceremony was concluded in February.

The award recognizes companies in Asia for their performance in metrics including financial management, corporate governance; and social and environmental responsibility. SM Investments was also recognized as the Best Investor Relations Team, the 4th time the company received the award from The Asset.

“We are grateful for this recognition that reflects our commitment towards the Environment, our Social responsibilities and the highest standards of Corporate Governance. These awards affirm our efforts towards ensuring that the needs of all our stakeholders are met,” said SM Investments consultant for investor relations and sustainability Timothy Daniels.

GSIS reported 5.2% rise in investments to P846.4b in 2021 STATE-RUN Government Service Insurance System said Friday its investment portfolio expanded by 5.2 percent in 2021 to P890.59 billion from P846.4 billion in 2020.

“The growth came primarily from the GSIS’s well-positioned foreign currency denominated investments, particularly in the equities market and the infrastructure sector,” GSIS president and general manager Rolando Macasaet said in report to Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III. Macasaet said while the pension fund’s peso-denominated investments fell 4.38 percent last year to P633.31 billion from P662.3 billion in 2020, its foreign currency-denominated assets rose to P257.26 billion from P184.1 billion.

Foreign currency-denominated equity investments grew 345 percent from P15.62 billion in 2020 to P69.58 billion in 2021. Investments in foreign-currency denominated cash and short-term time deposits also jumped 236 percent to P22.17 billion from P6.6 billion balance in 2020.

The foreign-currency denominated infrastructure assets of the GSIS also contributed to the growth in the pension fund’s investment portfolio, rising by 50.9 percent from P17.45 billion in 2020 to P26.34 billion in 2021.

Foreign currency-denominated fixed income assets decreased from P144.43 billion in 2020 to P139.17 billion in 2021 because of maturities and market valuation.

The fund was also able to grow its peso-denominated cash assets from P59.34 billion in 2020 to P74.81 billion in 2021. Peso-denominated investments in the equities market grew from P194.08 billion in 2020 to P212.18 billion last year.

Julito G. Rada

PEZA posted over P4-t worth of investments, $933-b exports and 1.78m jobs in 27 years

By Othel V. Campos THE Philippine Economic Zone Authority highlighted its accomplishments in the last 27 years that culminated in P4.036 trillion in cumulative investments and $933.83 billion in exports.

PEZA director-general Charito Plaza said during the agency’s founding day that full-time economic zone employees reached 1,782,913 million as of December 2021.

“Marking our 27th charter year is no

ordinary feat. With the authority’s relentless efforts fueled by its mandate to promote investments, generate exports and create employment our registered economic zones in 1995 grew from 16 to 415 special economic zones managing 4,665 locator companies this 2022,” she said.

Investments during Plaza’s tenure amounted to P807.83 billion, with 88 proclaimed special economic zones under the current administration.

PEZA said exports from economic

zones were resilient during the pandemic.

In 2021, total merchandise exports rose 14 percent to $63.06 billion from $55.3 billion in 2020. Employment at economic zones was also brisk, increasing 13.9 percent to over 1.7 million from 1.5 million workers in 2020.

Plaza said PEZA was one of the investment promotion agencies that managed to keep exports and employment going when almost every sector came to a standstill during the pandemic.

“PEZA together with the national gov-

ernment, locators, foreign chambers and partner investors have become more resilient, more innovative, and more flexible in this ‘new normal’,” Plaza said.

“On the part of PEZA, as we relentlessly pursue to attract more foreign direct investments to the Philippines, we are also continuously implementing our ‘balancing acts’ to protect and maintain the jobs of millions of Filipino workers,” she said.

PEZA celebrated its 27th anniversary on Feb. 24.

Sports

Riera U. Mallari, Editor; Randy M. Caluag, Assistant Editor SATURDAY, MARCH 5, 2022

Tropang Giga keep Bossings winless

TNT’s Ryan Reyes drives to the basket against Blackwater’s Rey Suerte in a PBA Governors’ Cup game won by the Tropang Giga, 106-93.

Yulo seeks his best showing at Liverpool World Gymnastics

By Peter Atencio

R

EDEEMING himself in his pet event in the coming FIG World Championships in Liverpool is one of the goals of Olympian Carlos Yulo.

And he will have seven months to prepare for it as he joins two big international meets to get his acts together.

The 22-year-old Yulo said this on Friday, three days after returning home to Manila to visit his family and inaugurate a new gymnastics facility in Intramuros on Saturday, a day before he goes back to Japan.

“Gusto kong ibigay ang best ko. Binibigyan ko ng oras ang world championships sa October, sa darating na mga practices at competition. Ayoko matalo ulit dahil sa sarili ko,” said Yulo following an online huddle on Sports Radio.

Last November, Yulo finished with a gold and a silver medal at the end of his routines at the Japanet Artistic Gymnastics World Championships.

Yulo grabbed a gold in the vault exercises and a silver in the parallel bars back

then. But he did not finish in the podium in his favorite event, the men’s floor exercise, where he was expected to bag a medal.

He was still recovering from a left elbow injury sustained during practice three months at that time before the competition, but Yulo still remained focused.

Yulo, who is also getting ready for the Southeast Asian Games and the Asian Games, said he managed to train in the new gymnasium on Thursday.

“Nakapag-practice na po ako. Overall, OK naman po siya,” added Yulo, following his session with coach Munehiro Kugimiya.

Yulo has not returned home for more than two years due to COVID-19 lockdowns in Japan and travel restrictions in the Philippines.

FIG president Moranari Watanabe will join Yulo and Gymnastics Association of the Philippines president Cynthia Carrion-

Norton in opening the new facility in Basco st., Intramuros.

Since last year, the GAP has been looking for a place where national athletes in gymnastics will be able to train, aside from what they have at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Vito Cruz, Manila.

Carrion-Norton said Club Gymnastica in Pasig City has hosted the ongoing physical activities of the national pool since last year.

A new venue was needed by the GAP after the government tapped facilities that are under the care of the Philippine Sports Commission as quarantine areas for COVID-19 patients since March, 2020.

With government restrictions easing this month, many places inside the RMSC in the City of Manila, the Philsports Complex in Pasig City have been utilized by a limited number of athletes for training.

Carlos Yulo

Adiwang: Folayang must bring his striking power WHILE Lito “Thunder Kid” Adiwang is ramping up the training for his fight against Jeremy “The Jaguar” Miado at ONE X, he’s also noticed how former ONE Lightweight World Champion Eduard “Landslide” Folayang has been preparing for his match.

The 38-year-old Filipino mixed martial arts legend will face Australia’s John Wayne “The Gunslinger” Parr for the latter’s retirement fight. However, their contest on March 16 at the Singapore Indoor Stadium will fall under Muay Thai rules.

Though Adiwang is aware that the fight will present something new for his fellow Team Lakay mainstay, he believes

Folayang will still showcase their gym’s core strengths.

“Yes, it’s a big adjustment for him.

But I believe he will be able to overcome his opponent,” the two-time Philippine National Wushu Champion said.

“After all, Team Lakay is one of the elite strikers in Asia.”

But a victory for Folayang is easier said than done, given his opponent’s extensive list of accomplishments. Parr is a 10time kickboxing and Muay Thai World Champion who has defeated established competitors like Dzhabar Askerov, Lamsongkram Chuwattana, and Yodsanklai Fairtex.

On the other hand, Folayang’s resume

is not far behind. He has won 11 major medals in wushu competitions, including three Southeast Asian Games gold medallions. That devastating striking power made him a three-time ONE Lightweight World Champion.

“This is the time to prove his power because he will be going up against a legend who has several belts under his name,” Adiwang shared. “This is a great time to show our base, which is wushu striking. He will bring out the best version of ‘Landslide.’”

When asked whether Folayang will pursue more fights in “the art of eight limbs” or return to MMA, Adiwang leaves the icon to decide

his own future.

“I think he will return to MMA. But given a chance to fight again in Muay Thai, I think he will accept,” the 13-4 Adiwang revealed.

Adiwang and Folayang are just two competitors on the stacked fight card celebrating ONE Championship’s tenth anniversary. Four world championships will be on the line, and fellow Filipino Denice “Lycan Queen” Zamboanga will also get her rematch against South Korea’s Ham Seo Hee. Download the ONE Super App to stay updated on the latest news about ONE: LIGHTS OUT, happening on 11 March, and ONE X on March 26.

Belatrix tops BPI Busuanga Cup 2022 WITH fierce racing amidst the picturesque coasts of northern Palawan, the Belatrix yacht of Jun Villanueva outpaced competition to

grab top honors in the recent 6th BPI An award-winning Ice 52 boat, BelaBusuanga Cup 2022, organized by trix captured line honors in 2020 before the Philippine Inter-Island Sailing Covid-19 pandemic struck.

Foundation.

Subic-based Selma Star, helmed by veteran yachtsman Jun Avecilla, came in at second place and also ruled the two inshore races in Busuanga Bay. Completing the winners’ circle are Isabelle helmed by Tere Marcial and Poco Loco of David Sutton, who ruled the Cruising and Ocean Multihull classes, respectively.

The regatta competition included the 135-nautical mile Nasugbu to Busuanga Race and the Doni Altura Memorial Cup inshore races at Busuanga Bay. Seventeen entries competed in three classes—Cruising, Ocean Multihull, and the International Rating Certificate (IRC), which saw a close competition between the event’s two past champions.

The races were followed by a 20-boat rallye, which cruised around the CalaHurricane Hunter, Belatrix and Selma Star at Busuanga Cup

C1

manian Island Group for three nights of fun sailing and camaraderie. Now on its second year, the post-race rallye is a recreational cruise to discover remote islands and beach coves.

“As a trusted leader in trust operations and investment management, recognizes our role in promoting sustainability within the investment space and even beyond it. This is why we are utilizing our resources, network, and capabilities to be an advocate of organizations that inspire environmental stewardship and encourage activities that work with nature,” said Sheila Marie Tan, president of event presentor BPI Asset Management and Trust Corp.

The yachting event was hosted by Punta Fuego Yacht Club and Marina del Sol Yacht Club, and supported

by Broadwater Marine, Rayomarine, Teresa Marble Corp., and Asia Yachting.

THE TNT Tropang Giga almost paid dearly for lowering its guard against winless Blackwater Elite Bossings.

After squandering a 20-point lead in the fourth quarter, the Tropang Giga banked on timely baskets from Michael Williams and Ryan Reyes to get things under control and bury the Bossings, 106-93, in the 46th Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup Friday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Williams went on to finish with 23 points to lead the Tropang Giga to their third straight win.

“We relaxed. We almost paid for it.

We go up by 18 to 20 points, we had a chance to blow the game wide open, we relax, then Blackwater just came back,” said Tropang Giga coach Chot Reyes.

The 6’2” Williams returned after being rested halfway in the fourth and scored seven points.

After the Bossings threatened by 11, Williams took charge for TNT with a layup in the 4:59 mark and in the last 2:24.

This helped the Tropang Giga move ahead with a final scoring surge that saw them taking a 15-point spread, 103-88.

Aaron Fuller tallied 16 points and controlled the boards with 22 rebounds, while Reyes and Roger Pogoy contributed 16.

Williams capped a 10-2 run in the first quarter with a layup off Kelly Williams’ pass in the final 8:07 as they went on to cruise to a 24-16 advantage at the end of the first period.

Fuller and J-Jay Alejandro combined for 11 points in the second period as TNT established a 49-36 halftime lead.

Shawn Glover fired 26 points, while JVee Casio shot 21 for the Bossings, who are winless after 10 outings. Peter Atencio

POC names Suzara as broadcast chair for SEAG THE Philippine Olympic Committee appointed on Thursday Ramon “Tats” Suzara as head of the POC Broadcast Committee for the 31st Southeast Asian Games that Vietnam is hosting from May 12 to 23.

POC president Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino said Suzara will supervise bidding procedures, primarily on contents and the right to air replays of the competitions for at least the next whole year after the Games.

“Mr. Suzara has the experience to handle the task, especially that we are fresh off our hosting of the 30th edition of the SEA Games in 2019,” Tolentino said. “Broadcasting the campaign of our athletes overseas especially in major international competitions like the SEA Games, Asian Games or Olympics is a priority of the POC.” Suzara was the president and CEO of the Philippine 30th SEA Games Organizing Committee, which successfully organized the biennial multi-sport competitions in 2019.

His portfolio includes holding sensitive organizational tasks in the Doha 2006 Asian Games and the Oman 2010 Asian Beach Games.

He is also the president of the Philippine National Volleyball Federation and a juror, marketing development executive and currently secretary of the Volleyball Empowerment Commission of the International Volleyball Federation or FIVB. “It’s a privilege to be appointed to the task, considering the fact that it very important for Filipinos to witness on television the exploits of our athletes in the SEA Games,” Suzara said.

At least four networks have either expressed their intention or will be invited to bid for the broadcasting rights for the Vietnam SEA Games.

These are the government-ownerd PTV 4, GMA Network, TV5 and Tap Sports, a pay television network of sports channels.

C2

SATURDAY, MARCH 3, 2022

Joel D. Lacsamana, Editor E-mail: jdlacsamana@gmail.com

Home/Design

Living it up in Malate T ORRE Lorenzo Development Corporation (TLDC) recently announced that the 45-storey Torre Lorenzo Malate residences are now ready for occupancy.

Located along Malvar Street in the bustling district of Malate., the premium residential units offer three distinct experiences: signature residential condominium units under the Residences at TLM; serviced residences at The Suites, and lyf at TLM managed by international

lodging operator, Ascott Ltd. “We have earned a reputation for offering quality residential developments that respond to the needs of our evolving residents who understand what quality living is all about,” said TLDC CEO Tomas P. Lorenzo.

Added design partner Cynthia Almario of Atelier Almario: “The interior architecture of Torre Lorenzo Malate evokes a regional colonial appeal infused with a modern take on the selection of furniture and finishes.

Each multi-purpose space was designed with both the younger and older generations in mind both in function and design style.

It is hip yet nostalgic, traditional yet contemporary.”

Innovations fire up online platform in 2022 CAROUSELL Philippines, an online buy-and-sell platform which closed 2021 with a USD 100M investment from STIC Investments, a leading Korean private equity that invests across Asia, is bullish about 2022 with the expansion of the e-commerce and online classified ads landscape, The company, whose stock received an added boost with the acquisition of Ox Street, one of the leading endto-end marketplaces for authenticated sneakers and streetwear in Southeast Asia, is poised to create innovations to strengthen its business in the country in 2022.

“The pandemic provided customers with access to a significant variety of products from the convenience and safety of their homes,” said Carousell Philippines’ general manager Djon Nacario, who recently laid out the plans of his company in an online media event.

“We see this shift as an opportunity and inspiration not only to make Carousell even better but most importantly, to serve Filipino customers better,” he explained.

Carousell served as a helpline for a number of Filipinos when users set up community pantries funded by items sold on the Carousell app to aid those left most vulnerable by the pandemic, Nacario said.

During Typhoon Odette, sellers initiated a donation drive by selling secondhand items and donating the proceeds to families and communities that were heavily affected by the typhoon. Listing views and monthly active users also increased in 2021 as more users turn to Carousell to buy medical supplies and secondhand clothing, while some users started selling on the platform to supplement their income.

Property 24 merger with Carousell Up ahead is the merger of Property24 with Carousell, set to happen on March 8. According to Nacario, this will provide an effective online platform for leading real estate developers, agencies, and brokers to help them showcase their property listings to a wider audience of qualified prospective buyers, including the 4.62 million monthly visitors on Carousell.

Carousell is also working on initiatives to improve the user’s experience on its platform to ensure that customers are able to find every kind of home for every kind of family.

“This is something that we’ve been planning forever since OLX merged with Carousell Philippines, Nacario said. “ Excellence in the property industry Carousell will also bring together

the country’s real estate developers and their developments in the Carousell Property Awards to be launched in March. Among the nominees are some of the most celebrated real estate brands in the Philippines including Suntrust, Camella, Crown Asia, and Lumina, among others.

Recognition for entrepreneurs Many Carousell users are micro-, small- and medium-size entrepreneurs.

The company is set to launch the Caroupreneur Awards that will recognize the outstanding achievements of Filipino entrepreneurs over the past year. This will range from entrepreneurs who started or scaled their businesses online, to brick-and-mortar SMEs who digitalized their businesses, and everyday Filipinos who gave away good quality preloved items for free.

Caroupreneur Awards will also have sustainability-themed categories such as Heroes of Green, and other categories including Best in Carousell – Autos (Used Cars), Autos Workshop and

Services, Property, Home Services, and others. Winners will be announced later in the year.

Recommerce market The event also highlighted the insights from the Recommerce Index 2021 Report, which is Carousell’s green initiative to highlight the importance of sustainability in the gSoutheast Asia region.

According to the report, the Philippines is the most receptive Southeast Asian market for recommerce, or the practice of buying and selling brand new and previously owned items.

The report also shows how consumer behaviors have changed especially during the pandemic.

Carousell Recommerce Index is covers findings from four Carousell Group brands namely Carousell, Chợ Tốt, Mudah.my, and OneKyat, across eight markets - Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, and Vietnam, involving over 3,000 buyers and sellers.

Have bike, will travel METRO Pacific Investments Foundation Inc. (MPIF), the corporate social responsibility arm of infrastructure conglomerate Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC), recently partnered with organizers of the 1st Philippine Cycling Festival, to strengthen its Puhunang Pangkabuhayan program for alternative livelihood.

The partnership includes MPIF, Neo Zigma Cycle Corporation and Interval Gear Events Management (IGEM).

“Through our Puhunang Pangkabuhayan program, we aim to invest in small businesses and kickstart local economies – a feat that we will continue to achieve through this partnership with IGEM and Neo Zigma,” explained MPIF president Melody del Rosario.

Puhunang Pangkabuhayan provided over 110 alternative livelihood tools such as bicycles, sewing & edging machines, pocket Wi-Fi units, and load retailer kits to areas in Batangas, Oriental Mindoro, Surigao del Norte, and Pangasinan.

Neo Zigma, the exclusive distributor of SHIMANO in the Philippines and sports event organizing company IGEM are organizing the 1st Philippine Cycling Festival and Adventure Expo to be held on June 3-5 at the Clark Parade Grounds.

Exploring return-to-work setups HYDRATION solutions provider Waterlogic recently launched Aqua SmartGuard, a high-grade purifying technology that can be used by companies preparing for a hybrid working set-up in 2022, including strategizing COVID-19 risk mitigation plans for employees reporting in-office.

Management teams must be mindful of highly communal areas in their offices, such as breakrooms and pantries. Equipping these areas with technology that makes

them virus-free, from air filters and contactless dispensers, brings a more well-adapted approach to office safety.

Aqua SmartGuard is equipped with Waterlogic’s patented FirewallTM UVC technology which purifies water with precisely targeted UVC light.

Aqua SmartGuard offers unit installation, regular replacement of filters and UVC lamps, and maintenance, all included in the monthly price of P1,490.

Motoring

SATURDAY, MARCH 5, 2022

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MILO RIVERA, Sub-editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

By Milo Rivera

W

ITH the Japanese manufacturer continuously expanding both their Hybrid vehicle lineup and their Gazoo Racing brand in the country, another vehicle addition has been made to blend both breeds. Toyota Motor Philippines just recently revealed that a new Corolla Cross HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle) model is now available in the market. Yet this time, it is revealed to be a GR Sport variant as well - becoming the fourth addition to TMP’s progressively growing sport line.

The crossover SUV emulates the styling ideas from the Thailandspec Corolla Cross GR Sport, which debuted in December. New bumpers, side skirts, and a gloss black front grille are among the cosmetic changes, along with a sporty black top and transparent LED tail lights.

Rounding up the exterior changes are 18-inch alloy wheels that are encased in 225/50/R18 tires.

The interior of the Corolla Cross GRS is also given a makeover, with black leather upholstery. For a more refined design, the front headrests for this model have the embossed GR insignia in black rather than the customary Gazoo Racing colors.

In addition, this Hybrid Electric Vehicle adds the sporty touch to

The New Toyota Corolla Cross GR Sport: Giving the term ‘hybrid’ a sporty meaning its driving sense as well. As with the Thai version, the Corolla Cross GR Sport gets upgraded coil springs and shock absorbers to improve vehicle handling.

The same 1.8-liter hybrid engine

mounted on the previous Corolla Cross model, which produces 98 PS and 142 Nm of torque from its internal combustion engine, is found under the hood. Back it up with its electric motor and you’d be given a total power production of 122

PS and 305 Nm of torque. Moreover, it is mated to an E-CVT transmission with three driving modes to choose from: EV, Sport, and Eco. The new Corolla Cross GR Sport will cost PHP 1,774,000, which is

significantly more than the previous yet still available - top-of-the-line 1.8V Hybrid model, which sells for PHP 1,665,000. Will the GR Sport boost live up to its premium price tag? I think it’s up to the consumers to decide.

Makati reinstates number coding to full effect; no more carpooling

THE ALL-NEW FORD EVEREST. Ford has recently revealed its next-generation model of the popular SUV, the Everest.

Resembling its pick-up counterpart, the Ford Ranger, the Everest now possesses a more brute and bulky appearance that would surely captivate the motoring community. Now equipped with more technology and features, this New Ford model promises to tackle any road conditions or terrains tougher than ever before - all whilst ensuring a “sanctuary-type” experience for its driver and passengers. To be made available in both a 2.0L Bi-Turbo Diesel and a 3.0L V6 turbo variant, this fierce SUV’s official arrival on local shores has yet to be announced.

STARTING March 16, the City of Makati shall be fully reimposing its number coding policy in which a vehicle is banned off the road once a week based on the license plate’s last number. The notification was made last Tuesday through the city government’s verified social media pages, ahead of the decision made by the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

Despite the suspension of the policy in the rest of Metro Manila while mobility restrictions were in effect owing to the coronavirus epidemic, the central and business hub has retained a modified coding scheme throughout the last two years wherein vehicles

with two or more occupants were allowed to traverse the city.

As the metro returned to its most lenient lockdown level last March 1, the MMDA said earlier this week that it is evaluating when to completely reimplement the coding scheme throughout the region.

The coding scheme, which was reimposed Dec. 1 last year but only from 5 to 8 p.m., was designed to reduce traffic congestion by decreasing the number of private vehicles allowed on roads.

Once the full coding scheme takes effect, a 7AM to 8PM prohibition on specified automobiles shall be imposed during weekdays, with occasional exceptions made by municipal governments during specific hours.

Editor’s Review: MS Weekend Drive with the MINI Cooper Countryman S I LOVE how the Countryman can be deceiving to the senses - you initially set high expectations yet the car just exceeds them overwhelmingly.

From how precise and planted it handles to how peppy its power delivery can be, each drive becomes a worthwhile adventure - regardless of your route or destination. This Countryman just subtly gives you the complete driving experience.

In addition to it being

deceiving, the Countryman may seem very compact from the outside - which is good - yet step into the vehicle and the word “space” is put into great essence. Even for a carpool of as much as five, each trip is still taken with comfort and elegance; not to mention a boot that can fit your luggages of all purposes.

The magnificent interior and exterior aesthetics and finishes, on the other hand, is already a given.

Milo Rivera

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SATURDAY, MARCH 5, 2022 rumallari@thestandard.com.ph

3M reveals take on top trends thru 3M Futures 3M has announced its latest project 3M Futures, a new platform showcasing five global science and technology trends shaping the world today—and the future of tomorrow.

The platform explores each topic alongside commentary and perspectives from 3M experts, scientists, engineers, and designers at the forefront of their fields. 3M Futures also features data from global, third-party research conducted across 11 countries to understand perceptions of these top science, technology, and design trends.

3M Futures As science and technological innovations continue to advance rapidly, 3M explores the top five global trends for 2022: • Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR): Mixed reality is already changing the way we live, work and entertain—the metaverse is poised to change our perceptions of reality.

• Artificial Intelligence (AI): How artificial intelligence and machine learning are revolutionizing everything from entertainment to business but require conversations about broader implications and ethics.

• Sustainable Materials: The circular economy is introducing innovation in material science and design while disrupting industry, ushering in a more sustainable future.

• The New Paradigm—A Pandemic Aware World: The pandemic has created a paradigm shift in how we interact. From telemedicine and health-conscious design to remote work, the new abnormal is here to stay.

• Equity—Through Science and Technology: The greatest innovation comes from diverse thinkers. Equity, representation and equal access to science and technology learning, like minority representation and STEM in youth, are paramount to solving the challenges of both the present and the future.

“Every day, 3Mers around the world are unlocking the next phase of what’s possible and exploring the latest trends in science and technology,” said Kevin Gilboe, Head of 3M Design, International. “3M Futures is a great opportunity for us to showcase the broad ways 3M is helping to shape the future—developing, designing, and engineering cutting-edge solutions within the most relevant global trends, while profiling the incredible talent across our company who are experts in their fields.”

“3M is committed to leveraging science and technology to innovate solutions that will address the world’s biggest challenges,” said Reggie Pulumbarit, Country Leader of 3M Philippines. “In a developing country like the Philippines, it is important that we create innovations that help improve lives, open up possibilities for talent, and address struggles in new ways.

Through platforms such as 3M Futures, we hope to deepen our investment in making science more relevant and engaging, as well as highlighting how science and technological innovations continue to impact daily life.”

ONLY over a month after softlaunching the country’s first and only licensed Online Traditional Bingo (OTB) services under BingoPlus’ Remote Gaming Platform, it now has eight individuals winning more than a million each in jackpot prizes in quick succession.

Starting February 3, nearly16 million pesos in cash has been collectively won from playing BingoPlus online traditional bingo. The innovative game transforms the way traditional bingo is played by combining the fun and familiarity of traditional bingo with the excitement and convenience of technology and online access. The new game format was created by AB Leisure Exponent Inc., a subsidiary of Leisure and Resorts World Corporation (LRWC), to provide more playing opportunities to customers during the pandemic and is in line with its digital expansion plans.

The first winner took home P3,171,259 on February 3, followed by another winner (P1,364,302) on February 4. Since then, six more winners received P2,274,498 on February 7,

Tech & Gadgets Is 5G truly green, or will it burn up more resources?

A 5G hotspot sign is displayed at the MWC (Mobile World Congress) in Barcelona. The Mobile World Congress, where smartphone and telecoms companies show off their latest products and reveal their strategic visions, is expected to welcome more than 40,000 guests over its four-day run. AFP

B

ARCELONA—The tech industry has long tried to align with the green movement, though its leaders are often accused of spouting nebulous slogans and making hard-to-test pledges.

The Mobile World Congress, an industry get-together in Barcelona, certainly saw some sloganeering. But Huawei, Orange and industry body GSMA attempted to flesh out some of the green claims made about 5G. The next-generation mobile network is being rolled out across the globe, with promises of super-fast internet going hand-in-hand with claims of massive benefits for the environment.

Laurence Williams of Sussex university in the UK recently led research assessing the available evidence on the supposed green gains of 5G. He told AFP how the industry’s claims stack up.

Will 5G be more energy efficient?

Jean-Marie Chaufray of Orange hailed power-saving features such as “sleep modes”, whereby components are switched off when they are not being used, and more energy efficient anten-

nae and other hardware.

He told the MWC that 5G would be “10 times more efficient” than 4G by 2025.

Laurence Williams: “Energy efficiency is only half of the equation. The total amount of data traffic being transmitted across mobile networks clearly matters too.

“Mobile data traffic is set to continue growing dramatically in the coming years. It is increasingly acknowledged that 5G will at least in part be the cause of this data traffic growth.

“Various estimates have been put out by the industry—some suggest network energy consumption will fall, others that it can remain flat, at least one estimate suggests that network energy consumption will rise due to 5G. “A recent study from Finland estimated that electricity consumption of the main mobile networks in 2017

was roughly 10 percent higher than in 2010. The authors argue that this was due to rapidly increasing data usage and new functionalities, especially video streaming.

“Whilst this study relates to the period just before 5G started to be rolled out across the world, it nonetheless demonstrates that improvements in the energy efficiency of networks do not guarantee reductions in the energy consumption of networks.”

Will 5G help achieve zero-carbon goals?

GSMA’s Emanuel Kolta boasted that telecoms companies were “among the leading private sector companies” for committing to net-zero goals.

And he marked out the path to achieving those aims through uptake of renewable energy, more efficient batteries and “low-hanging fruit” like using artificial intelligence to enable component shutdowns in less busy periods.

Laurence Williams: “Encouragingly telcos are increasingly signing up to climate targets and committing to use renewable energy to power their networks.

“While some operators already power

their networks with 100 percent renewable energy, a 2021 benchmarking study from GSMA suggested that looking across 31 networks in 28 diverse countries an average of 46 percent of energy consumption was supplied by renewable sources with significant variation between countries.

“The operational energy required to power mobile networks is important, but so is the ‘embodied energy’ required to produce network infrastructure.

“A lot of research looking at the energy use implications of 5G only looks at operational energy.

“At the very least, we should be sceptical about the claimed energy saving potential of strategies that require the large-scale introduction of new infrastructure based on assessments that fail to consider the embodied energy costs of that infrastructure.”

Does 5G bring wider energy savings?

Duan Hao from Huawei flagged up the importance of the so-called enablement effect, which he said would “accelerate digitisation and decarbonisation across industries”.

The idea is that better connectivity will allow more services and activities to move online, reducing energy consumption from transport and other industries.

Some industry estimates suggest energy saving at a ratio of 10-to-one —every unit of energy invested in 5G will save 10 more.

Laurence Williams: “A University of Zurich study puts this ratio closer to three-to-one, primarily from flexible work, smart grids and precision farming.

“However, others have cautioned that 5G-enabled efficiency improvements may simply lead to the greater consumption of particular goods or services or may only partially substitute for older goods or services -- people may still attend in person meetings and buy physical music alongside teleconferencing and music streaming.

“Even if 5G does produce enablement effects that exceed its own emissions, it doesn’t necessarily follow that network operators could be allowed to achieve lower levels of emissions reductions.

“Enablement effects are difficult to estimate or measure and clear accounting mechanisms and principles would have to be established to ensure consistency with carbon budgets and climate policy.”

Nokia 6310: Old-school phone, with a modern feel

By Rommel Bong R. Fuertes Jr. WITH flagship phones and brands applying their oneupmanship against each other in the smart phone market, customers may be surprised to see what Nokia has released recently—a Next Gen iteration of the wildly popular Nokia 6310— a nod to the model’s humble beginnings.

Nokia has delivered again by showcasing an old-school phone with a modern feel. While it strays from the usual smart phone releases, the 6310 brags simplicity in an age where touch pad screens are the new normal.

The model adds a dual sim feature for more accessibility in contacting friends and family members without having to install much applications, as messaging is the main task of the 6310.

With that being said, the camera isn’t flashy, because it does not need to be.

Its 0.8 megapixel-camera is an absolute rarity nowadays, but when you put it on a classic phone with numerical keys, it isn’t a big issue.

What is amazing, however, is it’s 8MB of RAM that will ease the users from deleting text messages if they ever pile up.

Again, the phone’s strength is for texting and calls, so having that small of a RAM is quite the fit.

Despite being a classic phone, gone are the days of past chargers as the 6310 reinforces a microUSB for its charging port.

And where there is an innovative charging unit, there is good battery life.

The brand’s revival of a classic includes a 1,150mAh removable battery, with a Dual SIM Standby time up to 21.7 days and talk time up to: 19.45 hours!

By no means is 6310 a contender in the smartphone wars, as it is small and compact and arguably a product that deals with one’s emotions because it is an old favorite.

Nokia has proven once again that it caters to different sets of people in different age brackets by releasing a phone that would be highly useful for senior citizen phone users, who are unfamiliar with the new age of technology, or even the younger ones who prefer the convenience of simplicity. It is also works best as a second phone, to complement Nokia 6310 a user’s smartphone.

The Nokia 6310 is available for only P2,690.

Online traditional bingo BingoPlus nets 8 jackpot millionaire winners after just one month P2,131,704 on February 11, P3,096,612 on February 16, P1,073,315 on February 17, P1,293, 739 on February 20 and P1,497, 924 on February 22 for a total of P15,903,353. This does not yet include winnings from non-jackpot games.

The first four jackpot winners were already awarded their prizes at the Bingo Bonanza Store at SM Megamall. The other winners are scheduled for another awarding ceremony.

One of the players who received over 2 million pesos said he will invest some of his prize money in a business and help his family pay their bills. He also plans to donate money to the church being built in their area and help some relatives. “I’m inviting everyone to play this game. I was able to prove this is really a legit game,” he said.

LRWC President Andy Tsui said, “The pandemic ushered in a new

BingoPlus jackpot winners with LRWC and BingoPlus officials and staff

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“Our goal is to be the best one-stop online entertainment platform in the country,” added Jasper Vicencio, president of ABLE, the country’s bingo gaming pioneer and first licensed OTB operator of BingoPlus. “BingoPlus will provide a wide variety of online games besides traditional bingo: slot machines, card games, and many more to come.

2022 is going to be a thrilling and busy year with an amazing jackpot pool.”

To play Online Traditional Bingo, no special equipment is needed besides a smartphone and internet access. There is no membership fee, the game can be accessed from anywhere in the Philippines, but players have to be at least 21 years old to play, Vicencio added.