Manila Standard - 2022 March 16 - Wednesday

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Palace moves amid oil crisis Rody eyes Congress special session to amend Oil Deregulation Law

By Vito Barcelo and Maricel V. Cruz

T

HE Palace on Tuesday said it is time to call Congress to an emergency session to look at amending the oil deregulation law, as President Rodrigo Duterte met his Cabinet last night on the issue following the sharp increases in the prices of fuel, aggravated by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Earlier in the day, Acting Cabinet Secretary Melvin Matibag said the President would meet his Cabinet members to decide on the oil subsidy for the public trans-

VOL. XXXVI • NO. 31 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P18 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 2022 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

port sector.

“The President mentioned that they might call for an emergency session for Next page Congress.

Crude costs drop $20/bbl, price rollback seen

Next page

By Alena Mae S. Flores and Maricel V. Cruz PEDAL POWER. A family riding on a tricycle passes protesters holding placards as they stage a rally in front of a gas station in Manila on March 15. Inset shows the billboards of the new adjusted prices of Petron in Visayas Avenue, Caltex and Shell on G. Araneta Avenue, all in Quezon City.

AFP with Ben Briones

Tuesday, after crude dropped by $20 a barrel amid reports of ceasefire talks between Russia and Ukraine and COVID-19 lockdowns in China that could FUEL prices could fall by as much as dampen demand for oil.

P10 a liter next week if world prices Reuters reported Monday that Brent continue to slide, industry sources said crude dropped to $100.95 per barrel,

while the US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude slid below $100 for the first time since March 1.

"There is good news. There will be a price rollback," one source told the Standard, but adding that the trading numbers Next page

NCR, 47 areas Alert Level 1 on March 16-31

Jeepney strike turns into quiet protest in MM

By Willie Casas

By Jimbo Gulle THE expected jeepney and public utility vehicle strike in Metro Manila and its suburbs on Tuesday morphed into a silent protest as more groups, including those in the provinces, vowed to prolong their condemnation of the government’s seeming inaction on controlling the spikes in oil prices.

One group warned that it may reach the point where even truck drivers and delivery riders, mostly on motorcycles, would join in their Next page

METRO Manila will remain under Alert Level 1, while 47 areas have also shifted to the lowest COVID-19 alert level until the end of March, Malacañang said on Tuesday.

Acting Palace spokesperson and Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said the COVID-19 task force approved placing the 48 areas under Alert Level 1 from March 16 until March 31.

"The areas not in the list shall be under Alert Level 2 beginning March 16, 2022 until March 31," Andanar said.

This developed as the Department of

AT THE READY. Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairman Romano Artes inspects the agency’s vehicles to be used to ferry passengers that would be stranded by a declared strike by public transport groups on Tuesday, which fizzled out. MMDA photo

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Schools mandated to admit all learners with disabilities PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has signed laws on education, including one mandating all schools nationwide to ensure inclusive education for learners with disabilities, Malacanang said Tuesday.

SCRIBES LAUD HIDILYN DIAZ, OTHER PINOY SPORTSMEN SPORTS / C1

The 77-year-old Duterte, who is stepping down from the presidency after a six-year term on June 30, signed Republic Act 11560 on March 11, which provides that no learner shall be denied admission based on their disability.

The new law provides that all schools, whether public or private, shall ensure equitable access to quality education to every learner with disability. Next page

NBI SEIZES P12B SHABU IN 3 VANS IN QUEZON NEWS / A2

EU sends 3 prime ministers to Ukraine to show solidarity THE Polish, Czech and Slovenian prime ministers were travelling to Kyiv by train Tuesday in the first visit by foreign leaders to Ukraine's besieged capital since Russia invaded last month.

The visit coincided with an announcement from the Department of Foreign Affairs that 370 Filipinos were

assisted by the Philippine government in departing Ukraine, invaded on February 24 by Russia.

Foreign Undersecretary for Migrant Workers' Affairs Sarah Lou Arriola said at least 286 Filipinos were repatriated, while 84 Filipinos were evacuated or out of Ukraine.

Arriola said at least 24 Filipinos were

expected to arrive on Tuesday.

The prime ministers' visit comes as Russia pummels targets across Ukraine including Kyiv, which has nearly been encircled by Moscow troops, and as Russia and Ukraine are due to resume talks to end the nearly three-week war.

Next page

Marcos, Duterte capture voters’ imagination, says Pulse Asia exec PRESIDENTIAL candidate Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and his running mate Sara Duterte-Carpio kept their lead in the latest Pulse Asia survey on preferred presidential candidates after capturing "the imagination of a good percentage of our voters" in the February survey of Pulse Asia.

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BBM IN ECIJA. UniTeam Presidential Candidate Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (2nd from left) talks to Nueva Ecija Governor Aurelio Umali (left) while Lakas-CMD President and House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez (2nd from right) and GP Party List Rep. GP Padiernos listen during the campaign rally at Barangay Soledad, Sta Rosa. Nueva Ecija on Tuesday. Ver Noveno

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News

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 2022

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Jabs for elderly extended to Friday T Vaccination of the general population for first doses and booster shots was also extended until Tuesday morning, said Health Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje, head of the National Vaccination Operations Center.

The fourth run of the Bayanihan Bakunahan Program was originally scheduled

from March 10 to 12 only.

The government has administered 1.4 million doses out of its target 1.8 million jabs for the fourth Bayanihan Bakunahan, as of Monday, Cabotaje said.

Based on the National COVID-19 Vaccination Dashboard, as of March 9, some 6.48 million people aged 60 and above have

been fully vaccinated against the respiratory disease, while more than 5.15 million others have received their first dose.

More than 1.87 million booster doses have also been administered to the sector.

Rajendra Yadav, acting WHO Representative to the Philippines, recently underscored the need to focus on vaccinating some. 2.4 million older adults who, according to him, have not yet received even a single shot.

"Vaccinating the elderly must be an absolute priority as they are athigh risk of severe disease and death from COVID-19. Other high-risk groups include healthcare workers, other essential frontline workers, immunocom-

Palace...

improve transparency and shield consumers from supply shocks.

"These are long term solutions that will benefit our people," he said.

However, Gatchalian said the fundamental problem still remains—the Philippines imports 100 percent of its fuel requirement, making it very susceptible to global price shocks.

"We need to reduce our dependence on imported oil by aggressively exploring for new oil and gas reserves as well as transitioning to electric vehicles," he said.

"We also need to immediately distribute the Pantawid Pasada to the 337,443 PUV drivers, tricycle drivers, and delivery providers to give them immediate reprieve from high oil prices," Gatchalian said.

In the House, the committee on energy chaired by Pampanga Rep. Juan Miguel Arroyo approved amendments to the law in an online meeting, saying they hoped it would help cushion the impact of rising fuel prices.

“Unbundling the retail price of domestic petroleum product does not run counter to the principle of deregulation, and is, in fact, a tool to ensure its effectivity,” Marikina City Rep. Stella Luz Quimbo,

one of the bill's authors, said during the meeting.

“Thus, the DOE (Department of Energy) must be mandated and capacitated to monitor the unbundled retail prices,” she added.

Among the proposed amendments is to "institutionalize the minimum inventory requirements for petroleum products for purposes of supply security and unbundling the cost of petroleum.

House Deputy Minority leader and Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate lauded the passage of the bill amending the Oil Regulation Law by raising the country’s oil stock requirement and enforcing the unbundling of oil prices.

“This is an initial step in the right direction so that we may at least see the true price of oil and not be hidden by the oil companies," said Zarate, who supports the repeal of the law, which he said was a dismal failure in keeping the price of petroleum products down.

Zarate also welcomed the prospect of a special session of Congress to pass needed measures, such as the suspension of excise taxes on fuel products.

Deputy Majority Leader and Quezon

City Rep. Precious Hipolito Castelo urged the President to suspend the excise tax on fuel.

“The temporary suspension of oil taxes will provide our people instant relief from soaring fuel prices. It will benefit all sectors,” Castelo said.

She said pump prices of oil products could go down by the amount of excise taxes whose collection would be temporarily shelved.

“This means that prices could decrease

by P10 per liter for gasoline, P6 per liter for diesel and P3 per kilogram for liquefied petroleum gas or P33 per 11-kilogram cylinder,” she said.

The reduction in the cost of fuel would have a similar domino effect on prices of goods and services, Castelo added.

The Department of Finance (DOF) is opposed to the proposed suspension of fuel taxes, which it said would cost the government P138 billion a year in lost revenue.

Castelo said she would support a proposal for an automatic taxn suspension mechanism whenever the cost of crude oil in the world market breaches $80 per barrel.

to immediately release subsidies for public utility vehicle drivers and operators as a way to mitigate the effect of runaway fuel prices.

Robes, chairperson of the House committee on people's participation, said the Russian invasion of Ukraine in the past weeks has raised the prices of crude oil to more than US$110 per barrel in the world market.

This has led to an exponential increase of local prices of petroleum products by ₱3.60 on gasoline per liter, ₱5.85/l on diesel, ₱4.10/l on kerosene and P3 per kilogram for liquefied petroleum gas last week, the lawmaker said.

This has dramatically increased gas

prices from P59 to P62 on average per liter of diesel, P68 to P75 average per liter of gasoline, and P1,053 per 11-kg cylinder of LPG. The 2022 General Appropriations Act (GAA) provides for at least P5 billion in automatic fuel subsidy whenever world oil prices breach US$80 per barrel.

Robes said the runaway price in petroleum products is expected to further burden the already long-suffering public utility drivers who have yet to recover from the ill effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The DoTR and the LTFRB are tasked to issue the fuel subsidies. However, it is taking some time to release the assistance

supposedly due to certain requirements needed from drivers,” Robes said in her Resolution.

She said the exponential increase in oil prices has created “an extraordinary situation for our drivers that needs immediate and decisive action from our government offices, particularly in this case, the DOTr and LTFRB.” The two agencies “should be mindful of the exigency of the situation and proceed with dispatch the immediate release of the fuel subsidy in order to give reprieve to our public utility drivers who are still reeling from the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Robes said.

fuel costs.

“Hindi po [ito] tigil-pasada (This is not a transport strike),” NPTC president Ariel Lim said. “Kusa po na talagang hihinto dahil po, gaya ng sinasabi namin hindi na po kaya [We are really stopping because, like we said, we can no longer afford it].”

“Kahit po anong gawin, gustuhin man po namin maglingkod sa ating mga pasahero, sa ating mga kasama sa hanapuhay ay hindi na po namin kakayanin dahil po sa taas nga po ng presyo ng krudo at gasoline,” Lim added.

[Whatever we do, even if we want to serve our passengers, among our workmates and comrades, we agree that we cannot afford the high prices of crude (diesel) and gasoline.]

He also noted that fuel subsidies do not cover truck drivers, only PUVs, and that delivery riders – which flourished during the COVID-19 pandemic – are uncertain as to where they could get cash aid or fuel allowances.

The distribution of the ₱6,500 fuel subsidy for PUV drivers has started, with the next tranche to be given out in April.

But Lim doesn’t see government doleouts as a long-term solution to the fuel crisis, noting that the subsidy money would last most jeepney drivers just a few days, as a 40-liter full tank at current prices would cost well over P2,800. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

NCR,...

City, Marinduque, Puerto Princesa City, Romblon, Naga City, and Catanduanes.

Ten Visayas areas are at Alert Level 1: Aklan, Bacolod City, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo City, Cebu City, Siquijor, Biliran, Ormoc City, and Tacloban City.

Mindanao has five areas under Alert Level 1: Zamboanga City, Cagayan de Oro City, Camiguin, Davao City, and Butuan City.

Vergeire also clarified that the term “Alert Level 0” was a term used internally by the Health Department and that it was not yet final.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority earlier said Metro Manila mayors will recommend the shift to the so-called “Alert Level 0.”

Vergeire on Tuesday said the Deltacron variant, the hybrid of the Delta and Omicron variants, had yet to be detected in the country.

She said this was not considered a variant of concern.

Deltacron has only been detected in France, Denmark, and the Netherlands, Vergeire said.

An infectious disease expert cautioned the government on Tuesday against further loosening COVID-19 restrictions by placing the country or some areas under Alert Level Zero, with the coronavirus still raging in parts of the world. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

Michal Dworczyk said the train crossed into Ukraine at around 0730 GMT (3.30 Tuesday afternoon Manila time).

The trio is accompanied by Jaroslaw Kaczynski, leader of Poland's populist right-wing Law and Justice (PiS) party and will also meet Ukrainian Prime Minister Denis Shmyhal.

"Europe must send a strong signal for peace!" Polish government spokesman Piotr Muller tweeted.

Meanwhile, a series of powerful explosions rocked residential districts of Kyiv early Tuesday, killing two people, just hours before talks between Ukraine and Russia were set to resume.

At least three large blasts were heard from the center of the capital, sending columns of smoke high into the sky.

As dawn broke the damage became clear, with one strike hitting a large 16-story housing block.

There, a fire raged, and smoke billowed from the charred husk of the building, as emergency services and stunned locals navigated an obstacle course of glass, metal and other debris littering the road. AFP (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

Schools...

By Willie Casas and Joel E. Zurbano

HE government will extend until Friday the inoculation of the elderly against COVID-19 under the fourth run of the national vaccination days, a health official said Tuesday.

From A1

There should be some legislation to address this looming problem,” Matibag added.

Earlier, Duterte said a special session may be needed to discuss the recommendations of the National Economic and Development Authority todeal with the economic impact on Russia’s war against Ukraine.

"I think, even if this stops, the fractured economy in Europe would affect us more or less by next year,” the President said.

Lawmakers backed the call for a special session of Congress to tackle a possible declaration of a state of economic emergency.

Under the law, formally known as the Downstream Industry Deregulation Act, government control was removed to help oil companies become more competitive with their supply and pricing of petroleum products.

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian lauded the quick efforts of the House to amend the Downstream Oil Deregulation law to

Crude...

From A1

in the remaining four days would provide a clearer picture of the extent of the rollback.

"Let's hope the downward trend continues," said the source, who asked to remain anonymous.

In March alone, gasoline went up by P11.90 per liter and diesel shot up by P19.80 per liter, reflecting the volatility of oil prices in the world market.

Meanwhile, San Jose del Monte City Rep. Florida Robes urged the government

Jeepney...

From A1

nationwide protest, as motorists simply would not be able to take the roads with gasoline and diesel prices projected to shoot past P80 a liter this week.

"Mayroong nagaganap na pagkilos sa iba't ibang bahagi dito sa NCR (National Capital Region) at sa iba pang mga region, pero hindi siya transport strike (Actions are happening in various parts of the NCR and in other regions, but it is not a transport strike)," Piston President Modesto "Mody" Floranda told CNN Philippines.

Floranda said the different protest actions they took yesterday did not amount to a “tigil-pasada” (transport halt), but their allied groups were one in condemning the runaway oil prices spiked by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority confirmed the lack of “strike” movement in the NCR, as it said there was “no report of any stranded passengers along all major roads and secondary roads” and “no sighting or report of driver strikers grouping anywhere in Metro Manila.”

But the National Public Transport Coalition said they, Piston or the other groups didn’t need to do a transport strike because they were very close to not plying their routes owing to the expensive

EU...

From A1

Mateusz Morawiecki, Petr Fiala and Janez Jansa are visiting as "representatives" of the European Union and are due to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the Polish government said in a statement.

"In such crucial times for the world, it is our duty to be in the place where history is being made," Morawiecki said in a Facebook post.

"Because this is not about us, it is about the future of our children who deserve to live in a world free from tyranny," he said.

The government statement said that the visit had been organized "in agreement" with European Council chief Charles Michel and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen.

"The purpose of the visit is to confirm the unequivocal support of the entire European Union for the sovereignty and independence of Ukraine and to present a broad package of support for the Ukrainian state and society," the statement said.

Top Polish government official

From A1

Health (DOH) said on Tuesday all areas in the Philippines are now at low risk for COVID-19.

“Good news, because all areas in the country, even those under an Alert Level 2, are classified as low risk,” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said in a briefing.

Vergeire said the agency is now increasing vaccination rates in areas that remain under Alert Level 2 as part of the effort to de-escalate them to Alert Level 1.

She said restrictions in Metro Manila and 39 other areas are continually being eased due to high vaccination rates and compliance with minimum public health standards. The Palace said Metro Manila would remain under Alert Level 1 from March 16 to 31.

“We're not seeing an increase in cases in any part of the country,” Vergeire said.

In Luzon, these areas are now under Alert Level 1, said Andanar: Abra, Apayao, Baguio City, Kalinga, Dagupan City, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Batanes, Cagayan, City of Santiago, Isabela, Quirino, Angeles City, Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Olongapo City, Pampanga, Tarlac, Zambales, Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, Lucena

From A1

Senator Win Gatchalian immediately hailed President Duterte’s signing of RA 11560, which would ensure accessible education and related services for learners with disabilities.

At the same time, Duterte signed seven laws establishing several high school extensions, an elementary school, and a senior high school, into independent ones, Malacañang said.

Through RA 11651, for instance, the Balbalan Proper Extension in Kalinga is separated from Balbalan Agricultural and Industrial School and is converted into an independent national high school to be known as Eastern Balbalan National High School.

The new law supporting the Inclusive Education Act provides that all schools, whether public or private, shall ensure equitable access to quality education to every learner with disability.

“The policy of inclusion is hereby instituted in all early and basic education

promised individuals, and people with comorbidities," Yadav and Sangjun Moon, also of WHO Philippines, said in a statement last March 11.

More than 64.5 million people in the country have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, as of March 13, the Department of Health said Monday.

Over 11.1 million booster doses in total have also been administered.

Meanwhile, the Food and Drug Administration recently approved the emergency use authorization (EUA) of the Sinovac vaccine for the COVID-19 vaccination of minors aged 6 and above, the Department of Health said Tuesday. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

schools, both public and private,” the law read.

The implementing rules and regulations of RA 11560 must be included in the admission systems and policies of all schools.

The IRR, according to the law, shall include the provision of assistive devices, facilities and infrastructure in the admission process, and other forms of reasonable accommodation.

Under RA 11560, all learners with disabilities, whether enrolled in public or private schools, shall be accorded services and reasonable accommodation based on the Individualized Education Plan and shall have the right to avail of the appropriate support and related services.

The learning center law also mandates the creation of an Inclusive Learning Resource Center (ILCR) of learners with disabilities.

The ILRC shall be a “physical or virtual center” that will serve as a onestop shop for the delivery of free support services to learners with disabilities and the implementation of inclusive education programs. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

NBI seizes P12b shabu shipment leaving Quezon AUTHORITIES seized a shipment of suspected shabu worth at least P12 billion that was in transit in Infanta, Quezon early Tuesday.

According to a report from the Quezon Provincial Police, National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agents and Infanta police blocked three white vans at a checkpoint along the national highway in Barangay Comon around 4 a.m.

Several blocks of alleged high-value shabu or methamphetamine hydrochloride were recovered in sealed sacks with Chinese markings, while 10 men inside the vans were arrested.

The authorities said 600 Chinese tea bags were used to contain the contraband, which weighed 1.5 metric tons in total.

NBI special agent Omar Orille said the illegal drugs arrived from Alabat Island, Quezon and were transported by a yacht and a boat.

“It started on Alabat Island, then they sailed toward Polilio Island, between Polilio Island and Balesin. That’s where they got the drugs, then they sailed towards Infanta," Orille told reporters in an ABS-CBN report. (See full story online at manil-

astandard.net)

Russian chopper deal expected to proceed—solon DESPITE the decision of several countries to scrap deals with Russia to protest its invasion of Ukraine, the Philippines is expected to go ahead with its purchase of 17 Russian-made Mil Mi-17 heavy-lift helicopters worth P12.7 billion.

Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel, House strategic intelligence committee chairperson, said this on Tuesday as the Philippine government “demonstrated its commitment to the purchase when the first payment was made.”

“We expect the procurement to proceed as planned, considering that it was contracted prior to the Russian invasion, besides the fact that the Philippine government already made the initial up-front payment for the project,” he said in a statement.

“If no down payment had been made, it would have been easier to revisit the project,” Pimentel said.

Presidential deputy spokesperson Michel Ablan earlier told a press briefing that the Department of National Defense “will be reviewing this matter vis-à-vis what is happening now in Eastern Europe.”

The Philippines was among the 141 countries that voted in favor of the United Nations resolution condemning the Russian invasion of Ukraine. With Maricel V. Cruz (See full story online at manil-

astandard.net)

Marcos,...

From A1

This is the "first time" that Pulse Asia has seen a "majoritypercentage selecting one candidate," according to its executive director Ana Tabunda.

In the survey of 2,400 registered voters conducted Feb. 18 to 23, the 64-year-old Marcos got the vote of 60 percent of the adult respondents mostly from economic Class C, while Duterte-Carpio posted a 29-percent lead over Senate President Vicente Sotto, who had 24 percent.

"Obviously he has captured the imagination of a good percentage of our voters.

Also he has more than adequate resources to sustain his presence in social media, his caravans, his campaign," Tabunda told ANC's Headstart.

"Plus, his name of course and the association with his father has definitely benefited him from that," she added of the former senator.

Pulse Asia has never been wrong in predicting the next president, Tabunda said.

Marcos' lead over other candidates was "more than double" President Rodrigo Duterte's lead over Senator Grace Poe in 2016, according to Tabunda.

The highest that Duterte got in a Pulse Asia survey was 39.4 percent over Poe's 21.8 percent in April 2016, she said.

Vice President Leni Robredo was backed by 15 percent of likely voters, placing second in the latest survey, followed by Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso at 10 percent, and Senators Emmanuel Pacquiao and Panfilo Lacson at 8 percent and 2 percent, respectively.

But Lacson remains unbothered by the latest poll survey results showing him lagging behind other candidates.

"Surveys are not elections. Last time I heard, (the) election is on May 9. I’m not bothered at all simply because the numbers I feel on the ground are different from what the surveys indicate," Lacson said in a statement Monday night.

However, Lacson said he was puzzled as to why his figures in surveys were still low despite performing well in the presidential forums and interviews. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

News

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 2022

German 1b-euro aid to benefit PH health workers

EXPENSIVE FLOUR.

Workers load sacks of flour inside a truck to deliver to a bakery shop branch in Sampaloc, Manila on Tuesday.

Bakery owners say flour supplies in the country will be affected if Russia’s invasion of Ukraine continues as both Russia and Ukraine are among the world’s top growers of wheat.

Danny Pata

By Vito Barcelo THE German government will to provide €1 billion, (more than P57 billion) COVID-19 care “bonus” to frontline workers, including Filipino health care workers, who served in various health care institutions in Germany at the height of the pandemic, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said.

Citing a report to Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III from Labor Attaché Delmer Cruz of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Berlin, the DOLE said the German government has allocated the fund for the ‘COVID care bonus,’ which will be split equally between nurses into care homes and nurses in hospitals.

Bello lauded the German government’s initiative.

“The initiative of Germany to reward the frontline workers including our very own for their service during the pandemic is really commendable. This will inspire all the more our healthcare workers in providing the brand of service that the Filipinos are known for even in the midst of crisis,” Bello said.

Health care workers engaged in elderly care will receive an incentive ranging from 60-550 Euros or P3,400-P31,000.

Among those who will benefit are nursing staff who worked in geriatric care for at least three months between November 1, 2020, and June 30, 2022, and are still employed by June 30.

Other beneficiaries include support staff, such as administrators and those in charge of building services, kitchen, cleaning, reception and security services, gardening, and grounds maintenance, and laundry or logistics.

‘New prexy needs int’l support in WPS dispute’ TO BE able to respond more decisively to China’s aggression in the West Philippine Sea, the Philippines must take advantage growing momentum of international support and evolving foreign and security policies toward the Indo-Pacific region, according to think-tank Stratbase ADR Institute.

“States have become more responsive to the changing regional security architecture considering its possible impact on their national security and economic development,” said Professor Victor Andres Manhit, president of Stratbase ADR Institute.

Such a shift is evident in the various Indo-Pacific strategies proposed by various governments and international organizations, anhit added.

For example, there has been greater international support for the Philippines in the West Philippine Sea, with countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, and Australia getting behind the Philippines in upholding the decision of the Permanent Court of Arbitration.

Manhit cited these developments from a book recently launched by Stratbase ADRi titled, “The Strategy of Denial: American Defense in an Age of Great Power Conflict,” authored by Former US Department of Defense Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Strategy and Force Development, Elbridge Colby which stressed the need for the Philippines to work with allies on various strategies to effectively respond to scenarios should China resort to direct force to impose its will in the region.

A3

Attack on Pinay in NY denounced

By Rey E. Requejo

P

HILIPPINE Consul General Elmer Cato denounced as an “unspeakable act” the attack against an elderly Filipino woman living in New York who had been punched and kicked more than 125 times by her assailant.

Cato stressed that the attack on the unnamed victim, aged 67, is already the third incident in less than a week where elderly members of the Filipino community in New York have become victims of random violence.

Reports showed that apart from the physical violence that the victim suffered, the victim was also at the receiving end of racial slurs uttered by the suspect.

“We are outraged by this unspeakable act committed against an elderly

member of the Filipino Community,” Cato said, in a tweet.

“Our kababayan is still in the hospital. We are reaching out to the family,” Cato said.

The Filipino diplomat said the consulate in New York is now in touch with the police to address the attacks, while reports in the United States claimed state that the suspect has been charged with attempted murder.

In March 10, the first racist attack involved a Filipina in her late 1950s who was pushed down the stairs at the 179th Street Station of the F Train in the

SC orders poll body, Rappler to answer plea

VOLUNTARY TURNOVER.

In line with the implementation of this year’s election gun ban, two Taurus 45 and Taurus 9mm pistols were voluntarily turned over to the Makati Police.

Diana B. Noche

Former rebels say Gabriela ‘is a recruiter for Reds’

GABRIELA Women’s Party, a partylist organization claiming to be an advocate of women’s rights, is a recruiter for the Communist Party of the PhilippinesNew People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF), according to three mothers who were former members of the NPA. Meanwhile, the push of retired military officer and former NTF-ELCAC spokesperson Antonio Parlade Jr. for a revolutionary government is part of free speech, Malacañang said Tuesday.

During a press briefing of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) held on Tuesday in observance of International Women’s Month, Arian Jane Ramos

neighborhood of Jamaica in Queens by an unidentified man.

The second one involved a Filipina in her 60s who was pushed at the Long Island Rail Road train platform by an unidentified man, also in the same neighborhood on the same day.

Both incidents resulted in injuries on the victims.

Cato earlier noted that New York is still experiencing a high crime rate with criminal incidents soaring almost 60 percent in February compared to the same month in 2021.

Gen. Antonio Parlade.

Manny Palmero

alias “Ka Marikit” revealed that she was recruited by Gabriela to join the communist movement when she was still a young student.

Ramos was the former secretary of the NPA Guerrilla Front (GF) 55, Sub-Regional Committee 5 (SRC)-Southern Mindanao

Regional Command (SMRC), and former chairperson of Gabriela Youth - University of the Philippines (UP) Mindanao, “I was recruited in 2012 in UP Mindanao because of the many relevant political and social issues they infused in their propaganda to students like us. I joined the Gabriela Youth and soon after became its chairperson. Then I was indoctrinated as a CPP-NPA-NDF party member tasked to expose issues about women in communities. On May 11, 2014, I was in Talaingod teaching the IPs (Indigenous People),” Ramos narrated in Tagalog.

It was during her stint in Talaingod that Ramos became aware of the leadership of Gabriela are members of the CPP-NPA-NDF.

THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) and media outfit Rappler have been asked to file their respective comments on a petition seeking to nullify the two organizations’ voter information campaign agreement.

A GMA News report said the Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday gave the order to the two organizations.

The Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) earlier asked the SC to void the Comelec-Rappler agreement. One of the goals of the agreement is to authorize the news site to provide election-related information for the May 9 elections.

The Comelec, in response, suspended the implementation of the agreement.

“The Court En Banc during its deliberations today ordered the respondents to file their respective comments on the petition and application for a TRO within a non-extendable period of 10 days,” SC spokesperson Brian Hosaka, quoted by GMA News, said.

“Respondents to file their comments via personal service to the Court,” he added.

The petition from Solicitor General Jose Calida came several days after he warned Comelec that it would face a court case if it did not heed the call for the agreement to be rescinded.

Calida has claimed that Rappler is a foreign corporation, and that its participation in the Philippine elections through the agreement was thus considered foreign interference, a violation of the country’s election laws and the 1987 Constitution, the GMA News report said.

Salceda: Lower tax rates for YouTubers, freelancers

By Maricel V. Cruz REP. Joey Salceda of Albay asked the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to study how to apply Philippine tax rates on income earned by Filipinos working for US clients.

“Filipinos working remotely for US clients, including YouTube influencers

and Amazon virtual assistants, are taxed with the Federal Withholding Tax for Foreign Nationals, at a rate of 30 percent.

That’s much higher than the Philippine Final Withholding Tax, which is a maximum of 20 percent,” Salceda said.

“That means, we could be saving these workers as much as a month’s worth of salaries – just like the Personal Income

Tax cut under TRAIN,” Salceda added.

“I have been campaigning all around Bicol, and 20-30-year-olds are engaged in freelance work with foreign clients. One of them showed me an invoice for their services, and indeed the US deducts a 30 percent withholding tax because their clients fear the IRS,” he said.

Lotto ticket sold in Negros wins P98-million jackpot ANTI-RABIES CAMPAIGN. The local government unit of Tabaco City conducts a free anti-rabies vaccination and pet castration at the City Agriculture Office in partnership with the Department of Agriculture and Department of Health. Norman Cruz

A TICKET sold in Negros Occidental won the P98-million jackpot prize of the Grand Lotto 6/55 in Monday night’s draw.

In an advisory on Tuesday, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) said the bettor guessed the winning combination of 09-17-45-39-35-15 with a jackpot of P98,551,582. The ticket was purchased in

La Carlota City, Negros Occidental.

The bettor can claim the check at the PCSO main office in Mandaluyong City upon presentation of the winning ticket and two identification cards.

Lotto winnings of more than P10,000 shall be subject to a 20-percent tax under the Tax Reform for Acceleration

and Inclusion law.

A total of nine other bettors who guessed five out of the six winning combinations won P100,000 each, the PCSO said.

About 668 bettors got P1,500 each for getting four of the winning combinations while 15,489 bettors won P60 each for guessing three right combinations.

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News

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 2022

UNITY ‘BURGER.’ Lakas-CMD vice presidential candidate

Sara Duterte-Carpio and Lakas-CMD President and House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez flash the UniTeam ‘burger’ sign during a sortie in Talavera, Nueva Ecija. Ver Noveno

Pacquiao urges Du30 to call for special session

By Macon Ramos-Araneta PROMDI presidential aspirant Sen. Manny Pacquiao urged President Duterte to immediately call for a special session of Congress to address the soaring prices of oil and petroleum products.

Pacquaio said Congress can legislate a law to suspend the collection of excise tax on petroleum products to bring down the cost of fuel or use the excise tax collections to provide direct subsidies for the public transport sector.

Another option is to suspend the excise tax and at the same time expand the use of the P7 billion service contracting budget allotted under the General Appropriations Act. Pacquiao said the skyrocketing cost of fuel will cause ripple effects on the country’s economy and the government must step up to cushion its impact on ordinary Filipinos.

He said the government cannot simply suspend collection of the excise tax as this would still require legislation, whereas providing direct subsidy can be immediately implemented using funds collected from excise taxes.

Sen. Panfilo Lacson, who is also vying for president under Partido Reporma, said if Duterte calls for a special session of Congress, lawmakers must comply.

“Whether or not I will support the declaration of a state of economic emergency will depend on the proposal to be submitted by Malacañang,” he said.

Lacson earlier called for the immediate suspension of excise taxes on fuel products even on a temporary basis until such time that the international price of oil stabilizes to a manageable level.

Solon to push for recovery bill to help economy

By Maricel V. Cruz SENATORIAL aspirant and Taguig City Rep. former Alan Peter Cayetano has committed to prioritize the passage of a “Relief, Reform, Recovery” bill if elected in the May 9 polls.

“The issues that we are currently facing are complicated. That’s why we also need extraordinary solutions,” Cayetano told a radio interview as he acknowledged the need for concrete solutions to recent fuel price hikes amid the pandemic.

Cayetano said his “Relief, Reform, Recovery” program resembles the United States’ response to the Great Depression, a period that saw a severe economic recession during the 1930s.

He said the relief program aims to distribute direct financial incentives and subsidies to Filipino families, especially those coming from the affected sectors.

“One example of a relief program is the Sampung Libong Ayuda. We were able to implement it during Bayanihan 1, where money was distributed in two segments of P5,000 each.

Now, each government agency just needs to provide five percent of their savings through a directive from the Malacañang for us to allocate P250 billion in aid,” he said.

No endorsement yet from Rody—Palace

By Vito Barcelo

W

ITH under two months before the May 2022 elections, Malacañang said President Duterte is still not endorsing any presidential aspirant and denied he was supporting the presidential bid of Vice President Leni Robredo.

Cabinet Secretary Melvin Matibag made the statement in response to the statement of Duterte during a recent interview that he hopes that his successor is a lawyer.

A top official of the ruling party PDPLaban said that based on President Duterte’s criteria, Robredo met the qualifications set by the President for his successor.

Eastern Samar Governor Ben Evardone, who also serves as PDP-Laban vice president for the Visayas, believes

that Duterte “virtually” endorsed Robredo’s presidential bid when he said that the next chief executive should be a compassionate and decisive lawyer.

“She’s the only one who can hurdle President Duterte’s standard for his successor,” Evardone added.

However, Matibag insisted that there’s no endorsement coming from the President.

“Duterte was merely setting up standards that presidential candidates

must meet,” Matibag said, adding “he mentioned general standards of what the next president should have. It so happened that only two of the presidential aspirants are lawyers and they are Robredo and Jose Montemayor Jr.” Matibag said most of the presidential candidates have approached the ruling PDP-Laban for an endorsement, including Senator Manny Pacquiao, who heads one of two factions in the ruling party.

PDP-Laban so far has backed only Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, who is not even a party member.

Meanwhile, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said more than 49 million official ballots have already been printed at the National Printing Office, representing 74 percent of the more than 67 million ballots needed.

PINK WAVE. Kidapawan and its neighboring towns show their energy at the people’s rally for presidential candidate Leni Robredo on

Ex-AFP officials, Medal of Valor awardees back Bongbong, Sara

By Rey E. Requejo A GROUP of high-ranking former military and police have come out to express their full support behind the candidacy of presidential frontrunner Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. Among those who came out were seven retired chiefs of the Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine Coast Guard, nine Medal of Valor awardees, seven former service commanders and at least 100 retired generals and senior officers.

In a manifesto of support signed by the officials, the group expressed their strong belief that Marcos will initiate true reforms in their respective institutions, particularly in the police and military.

The former military and police officials also called on the public to be vigilant in protecting their votes as they urged for peaceful and honest elections as reports surfaced that the New People’s Army could be out to sabotage the elections.

“For the future of our country, of our children and our children’s children, it is incumbent upon all sectors of our society to rally behind and support whoever is chosen by our people through free, fair and honest elections,” the group said.

“It is our Constitutional duty as citizens of the Republic to resist any and all efforts to subvert the democratic will of our people,” they added in their manifesto.

Lacson seeks regular, higher pay for BHWs

By Macon Ramos-Araneta PARTIDO Reporma standard-bearer Panfilo “Ping” Lacson expressed his commitment to push for a legislation that would institutionalize higher compensation and benefit packages for barangay healthcare workers (BHW) nationwide under his administration.

Lacson announced this during a town hall meeting with residents and sectoral organization leaders in Cauayan City, Isabela together with his running mate, Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III. The veteran lawmakers already introduced this measure under Senate Bill No. 2498, otherwise known as the “Magna Carta of Barangay Health Workers,” which they filed in January.

“We filed the bill for the benefit of our barangay health workers. And for the barangay officials, we also proposed measures to gradually lift their status in our society in recognition of their sacrifices,” he said.

The proposed Magna of Barangay Health Workers aims to declare it a state policy to “protect and promote the right to health of people and adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to health development.”

Tuesday, March 15, 2022. VP Leni Media Bureau

Robredo unfazed by attacks, Pangilinan hits red-tagging, harassment

By Rio N. Araja and Macon Ramos-Araneta AMID tirades from her political opponents, Vice President Leni Robredo on Tuesday said she remained unfazed as she is already battle-scarred.

“I am already battle-scarred. So, for me, if their intent is to derail our efforts, they are just wasting their time,” the in-

dependent presidential candidate said.

“The attacks failed to derail my job in the last six years, what more now during campaign as I see how energized my supporters are? These give us the inspiration to keep going on,” she added.

Robredo’s running mate, Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, bewailed the “red tagging” and other harassment on their allies and supporters.

He also appealed to the Philippine National Police not to allow themselves to be used by politicians.

Pangilinan said he and Robredo are bracing for more dirty tricks and black propaganda as the May 9 polls draw near.

Alex Lacson, a senatorial bet under the Robredo-Pangilinan ticket, said other political groups are “feeling the heat that’s why they are going full throt-

tle with propaganda to counter the vice president’s advance.”

“They failed to find something on the character and track record to demolish VP Leni so they’re using this issue linking her to communist rebels,” he said.

Lacson said that “from the very beginning,” Robredo has rejected violence as a political tool and the communist ideology.

Roco’s son believes Mayor Isko most qualified among prexy bets

By Rey E. Requejo

PING’S ECO-WARRIORS. Partido Reporma standard-bearer Panfilo ‘Ping’ Lacson greets his supporters who are biking enthusiasts and collectively call themselves ‘Bikers4Ping.’ He reminded them to always be alert to avoid getting themselves into biking accidents while on the road.

PRESIDENTIAL candidate Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso said he is honored and grateful to be associated with Aksyon Demokratiko founded by the late Senator Raul Roco as he thanked the political party’s leadership for the support they have shown to him in his presidential campaign.

“It is a great honor for us to use and help Aksyon Demokratiko as a party so I’m really honored and grateful to the Roco family to be with them,” Domagoso said in a press conference in Sorsogon City shortly after a town hall meeting at the Sorsogon Provincial Gymnasium.

“And I guarantee you this, Bo Roco and other members of Aksyon Demokratiko here in Bicol are really supporting us,” he added.

Roco’s son Bo was present during the town hall meeting which was also attended by Aksyon Demokratiko vice presidential candidate Doc Willie Ong and senatorial bets Dr. Carl Balita, Samira Ong and Jopet Sison, and guest candidate John Castriciones.

Roco said Domagoso is very much qualified to run the affairs of the country.

He said the 47-year-old city mayor can replicate across the whole country what he has done in Manila in the less than three years that he was local chief executive.

Opinion Troll fatigue: ‘For whom the bell trolls’

IN Scandinavian folklore, a troll is one of a class of supernatural creatures that dwell in caves or mountains and are depicted either as dwarfs or as giants. Since the late 1980s, the term has been adopted by Internet users to refer to those who intentionally antagonize others online by posting inflammatory, irrelevant, or offensive comments or other disruptive content.

Internet trolls have apparently been mobilized in big numbers—and recruited presumably at high cost—to manipulate public perception during the campaign for the May general elections.

We see this in the ongoing attempt on cyberspace to revise and distort history, especially the dark epoch known as the years of martial law, and paint it as the years of glory and an era of freedom and plenty.

Such revisionism unfortunately has caught the fancy of pandemic-weary Filipinos, some of whom have started to believe in the lies and are now championing the Dark Side.

In the last six years, troll operators have been bombarding the Internet with millions of fake news about the golden age that was martial law and the almost God-like benevolence of the family that was in power during those days of disquiet.

But like any fool-proof plan, troll-driven propaganda cannot continue forever. Troll fatigue will soon develop, if it’s not already being felt.

Even Nazi spin master Joseph Goebbels could not keep up with the propaganda war after years of basking on success as he repeated lie after lie, hoping it will morph as the truth.

But his propaganda machine conked out as early as two or three years before the end of World War II in 1945.

No Nazi lie could hide the inevitability of Germany’s collapse after sustaining back-toback defeats toward the last quarter of the war.

This dark period in world history should serve as a warning for those running a campaign of lies, particularly during this election season.

Lies peddled by Internet trolls, of course, have a certain shelf life. They are only as good as to the willingness or blind subservience of the target audience — until they themselves lose interest and start to resist.

Counterfeit truths can achieve a degree of credibility for a while but like their proponents are limited by an expiry date. Internet propaganda is akin to our favorite canned goods that carry the “best before” label.

Truth defenders on the internet are now very aggressive in quickly exposing paid trolls trying to manipulate or poison a discussion, especially on election-related issues.

The social media troll productions that are running like a Netflix series are now about to have a “grand finale.” Season 2 will most likely be cancelled.

It is now apparent that more people are wak-

ing up from the spell that was cast by the troll army.

A quick scan of social media platforms shows that trolls are being outmaneuvered by legitimate netizens who are outraged and fed up with the toxic lies being propagated as truths online.

As vigilantism rises on the Internet to counter the purveyors of lies, the troll war is being won.

Academics, the media, people’s organizations, religious groups, and even the martial law victims, are coming forward to counter the falsehoods.

Lies peddled by Internet trolls, of course, have a certain shelf life.

An internet movement is taking back cyberspace from the troll invaders to restore order and ultimately stop the return of the dark forces that ruled the country for more than two decades.

No amount of lies can conceal the inevitability of the beginning of the end of the troll regime.

Our Internet trolls during this election period are not intellectual giants, to be sure, but dwarfs with craniums too puny to grasp the reality that they are taking part in demolishing the very ramparts of democracy in this country.

Unquiet polls It was the Catholic Church, if we remember right, that launched sometime back a campaign they called HOPE, which stood for honest, orderly, peaceful elections.

For the coming May 9 political exercise, honest, orderly and peaceful elections remains a goal devoutly to be wished.

Particularly the last part.

No less than Rodrigo Duterte, the Chief Executive and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, said late last week that he could not assure peaceful polls this May. “I cannot guarantee you that it will be peaceful. There will be one or two or three,” Duterte said, apparently referring to places where intense political rivalry could escalate into bloodshed.

He warned that he will go to areas where violence is reported.

“I will go to areas ruled by so-called warlords. Believe me, I’ll go there.”

He cited the case of Mindanao, such as Cotabato province, where there are warring factions.

“I told them: I will not allow terrorism in the election. I will not allow violence.”

But will his promised physical presence in violence-prone areas deter power-hungry politicians from imposing their will on their opponents and voters through violence?

Or is this gung-ho attitude merely a repeat of his campaign promise in 2016 to ride a jetski to the nearest islet in the South China Sea we claim as part of our Exclusive Economic Zone and plant the Philippine flag there, a promise that he later admitted to be nothing more than a PR stunt that only the hopelessly naive and stupid would believe?

(Email: ernhil@yahoo.com)

German WWII ghosts loom large in Ukraine crisis

By Deborah Cole THE war weighs heavy on Ilse Thiele’s mind these days as she sits in the floral print armchair in her Berlin living room, the television constantly tuned to the news from Ukraine.

“Of course all the memories come flooding back,” the 85-year-old retired manager of an East German post office says, as she watches the streams of exhausted refugees meeting armies of volunteers just minutes away at Berlin’s main train station.

“I feel so sorry for all those people, especially the children.”

Thiele recalls the biting cold and ache of hunger on her own trek from Lower Silesia in today’s Poland in the winter of 1944-45, when she and her mother fled the Russian advance on foot for Thuringia in central Germany.

World War II still looms large in Germans’ living memory and public discourse, shaping the perception of the Ukraine invasion and the political debate over how to face the moment.

Germans, proud of their robust democracy, have reacted with outrage at Vladimir Putin’s attempts to frame the war as a struggle against “neo-Nazi” aggressors plotting “genocide” on Russia’s doorstep.

The Russian president argued in a speech last month that Ukrainian forces aimed “to kill innocent people, just as members of the punitive units of Ukrainian nationalists and Hitler’s accomplices did during the Great Patriotic War”.

‘Epitome of evil’ In a Twitter exchange that went viral earlier this month, Russia’s South African embassy claimed Moscow “like 80 years ago, is fighting Nazism in Ukraine!”.

The German mission in South Africa quickly stepped in, saying it couldn’t remain “silent” in the face of such a “cynical” statement while Russia was “slaughtering innocent children, women and men for its own gain”.

“It’s definitely not ‘fighting Nazism’. Shame on anyone who’s falling for this. (Sadly we’re kinda experts on Nazism.),” the mission added in a tweet that drew 160,000 “likes”.

Hedwig Richter, modern history professor at the Bundeswehr University in Munich, told AFP that Putin was perverting the “overwhelming international consensus” that the Nazis were the “epitome of evil” to make his case.

“It is absolutely absurd, particularly given the Jewish president of Ukraine” Volodymyr Zelensky, she said, noting that many Holocaust survivors associated Ukrainian town names now in the news with atrocities committed by the Germans.

“As a German, I am deeply offended that Putin would abuse the memory of the Germans’ crimes in the Nazi period to legitimise his rule,” she told AFP. “What we’re observing is how important historical remembrance is, particularly when you see how Russia, by forgetting its Stalinist crimes, is feeding an aggressive nationalism.”

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EDITORIAL

R

No room for jokes

EMEMBER the promise of then-candidate Rodrigo Duterte that he would hop on a jet ski to assert the Philippines’ claim on the West Philippine Sea?

In the same year that Mr. Duterte clinched the presidency, the Permanent Court of Arbitration, where the Philippines logged a formal complaint against China three years before, ruled in our favor, discrediting China’s claims of a socalled nine-dash line.

The succeeding years, however, were a disappointment, as Mr. Duterte effected a pivot to China in an attempt at an “independent foreign policy.” In turn, China pledged financial assistance to fund the administration’s infrastructure projects.

And even as he acknowledged China’s frequent incursions on our territory, and even as diplomatic protests were sporadically filed over this or that incident, the President always said that going to war with our giant neighbor would be futile and disastrous, given our disparity in military might.

A leader should inspire confidence among the people, and assure them that they will not be left to their own faculties in securing what is rightfully theirs.

Last year, Mr. Duterte finally said what we had suspected all along – the image of him boarding a jet ski on our waters and planting the Philippine flag on our territory was just a joke, and woe to those who believed he would even do it in the first place.

These days as we deliberate on whom to vote for as our next leaders, making

sure to consider expertise, experience and integrity most of all, and as we look at the candidates’ concrete plans on how to manage our complex domestic issues, let us also look at how they intend to defend us against bullies and aggressors.

A leader should inspire confidence among the people, and assure them that they will not be left to their own faculties in securing what is rightfully theirs.

A good and sincere person, after all, will not try to take advantage of a friend’s trust and good faith, especially if that friend is somehow more vulnerable or less equipped to protect himself.

Certainly, that person would not take offense, much less retaliate, if he or she is called out for some wrongdoing.

Let us look to the international community for support and assurance, believing that a common code of decency should govern our actions between and among each other.

In the meantime, let us sift through the rhetoric and the vague motherhood statements – and never take a joke seriously when we hear one, no matter how much we want it to be true.

Military for BBM A FIRST in Philippine history, more than 123 ranking former officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine National Police, and nearly all the country’s 14 living Medal of Valor awardees yesterday issued a manifesto expressing their “full support for the candidacy of former Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as President of the Republic of the Philippines.”

In backing Bongbong Marcos Jr. (BBM) as their 17th president and commander-in-chief (CIC), the officers said: “We invite everyone to rally around Senator Marcos as the best candidate to initiate true and genuine reforms in the institutions of our country, foster national healing and unity, and most of all, provide the support for the vast majority of our people who are most dependent on the service of the National Government. We believe Senator Marcos will care for the people, the military, the police and their families and can rally a sense of patriotism towards the national interest in light of the escalating concerns affecting the peace and security of our people.”

Citing the Constitution in issuing their declaration, the officers urged: “At the same time, steeped as we are in our Constitutional duty to be protectors of our people, we call on all sectors of our society, irrespective of partisan preference—to preserve and respect the sovereign will of the Filipino people in the upcoming 2022 national elections. For the future of our country, of our children and our children’s children, it is incumbent upon all sectors of our society to rally behind and support whoever is chosen by our people through free, fair and honest elections. It is our Constitutional duty as citizens of the Republic to resist any and all efforts to subvert the democratic will of our people.”

They added: “Should our people choose Senator Marcos as our next President in the elections on May 9th, we commit to him our full support for unity, peace progress—and we call on all to do the same sop that he can fulfill the sovereign will of the Filipino people, and of God.” The manifesto is an amazing race to elect the 17th president of the Philippines.

In effect, the military wants as their next CIC the son of Ferdinand Edralin Marcos, who was ousted in 1986 in the first ever coup against a

War still looms large in Germans’ living memory and public discourse.

She said Germany had been forced to learn that the lesson of its own dark history was “not only a yearning for peace but also, in a crisis, active military defense of human rights.”

Anti-war protests across Europe and throughout Germany have deployed a caricature of Putin with a toothbrush moustache in a reference to the Nazi dictator.

Historian Heinrich August Winkler stressed, in a recent essay, the singularity of Hitler’s brutal military campaigns and the slaughter of six million Jews in the Holocaust -- a point of consen-

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

sitting president despite his having served as their commander-in-chief for 20 years.

The manifesto is a warning shot for those concerned to do these things: do not mess up the elections, do not cheat (Marcos), do not destabilize, and please count BBM’s votes. The battle line has been drawn.

The military’s declaration of support for Marcos was triggered by two things.

The military’s declaration of support for BBM was triggered by two things: one, the Left’s attempt to disqualify before the Comelec, Marcos Jr as candidate for president; and two, Vice President Leni Robredo reportedly seeking the support of the Communist Party of the Philippines, and its military arm, the New People’s Army which could provide warm bodies for her rallies and the crucial votes on election day.

Citing his sources, Bobi Tiglao wrote in his Manila Times column on March 14: “The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) is supporting and has mobilized its forces to support the presidential bid of Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo.”

Tiglao, a former communist leader himself, said “The CPP is also demanding that the Robredo camp issue a formal statement that it commits to opening peace talks with the communists, immediately when it assumes power.”

“The communist support would likely backfire against Robredo, with most Filipinos knowing the bloody track record of the communist insurgency in the country,” Tiglao predicted.

True enough, the military has been agitated by the possibility of their CIC being in bed with the communists.

The former chiefs of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the PNP and the Philippine Coast Guard who signed the pro-BBM manifesto: General Roy A. Cimatu, AFP Ret.; General Benjamin P. Defensor Jr., AFP Ret.; General Dionisio R. Santiago, AFP Ret.; General Avelino I. Razon Jr., PNP Ret.; Admiral Damian L. Carlos, PCG Ret.; Admiral Danilo A. Abinoja, PCG Ret.; and General Felimon T. Santos, AFP Ret. The Medal of Valor Awardees who signed: sus in mainstream German thought.

Nevertheless he argued in the weekly Die Zeit in an article titled “What Links Putin with Hitler” that the Russian leader’s obsession with a perceived “stab in the back” by the West and ultranationalist rhetoric were important parallels worthy of examination.

“Putin is now confronting Western democracies with the question of how seriously they take their much-espoused values,” Winkler said, much like the initially reluctant Allies of World War II. ‘Nasty pig’ Historian Gundula Bavendamm told AFP Germans had a visceral response to the invasion of Ukraine due to atrocities against civilians committed by the Nazis, and because every living generation had seen waves of refugees -- after World War II, from Yugoslavia in the 1990s and most recently from Syria.

But she said she found the incessant referenc-

Ariel O. Querubin, Noel S. Buan, Roberto Salvador, Hilario Estrella, Bienvenido Fajemolin, Leopoldo Diokno, Lucio Curig, Roy Cuenca, and Francisco Granpil.

The other generals and top officers: Former Service/Area Commanders: Lieutenants general Raul S. Urgelio, Jaime S. delos Santos, Eugenio V. Cedo, Emmanuel R. Carta, PNP Ret.; Ireneo C. Espino, John S. Bonafos, and Vice Admiral Rene V. Medina.

Majors general Alphonsus P. Crucero, Prospero C. Noble Jr., PNP Ret.; Rear Admiral Amable B. Tolentino; Oscar F. Valenzuela, PNP Ret.; Benito T. Ramos Sr.,.; Andres G. Caro II, PNP Ret.; and Pete S. Soria II; Rolando B. Tenefrancia, Romeo V. Calizo, Charles T. Calima Jr., PNP Ret.; Dan M. Servando, Francisco Don Montenegro, Cipriano E. Querol Jr., PNP Ret.; Getulio P. Napeñas Jr., PNP Ret.; Lysander A. Suerte, Rear Admiral Aurelio A. Rabusa Jr., MNSA, CESE Ret.; Alexander F. Balutan, Remigio C. Valdez, AFP Ret.; Major General Raul M. Farnacio, Eduardo S. Garado Jr., PNP Ret.; Arnel B. Escobal, PNP Ret.; Tyne T. Bañas, Ariel R. Caculitan, Edgard A. Arevalo, William L. Ilagan, Brigadiers General Edgardo L. Maristela, PNP Ret.; Godofredo D. Rabara, Carlito F. Gamit, Wilfredo V. Garcia, PNP Ret.; Errol T. Pan, PNP Ret.; Brigadier General Rodulfo D. Diaz, and Commodore Rafael V. Dacanay.

Brigadiers General Felizardo M. Simoy, Arnolfo B. Palmea, Commodore Raul B. Leyritana, Mariano R. Veloria, Pedro P. Biasbas, Guillermo C. Paguio, PNP Ret.; Brigadiers general Ernesto R. Aradanas, Ricardo B. Butalid Jr., Romeo F. Fajardo, Arthur P. Ang, Inocencio M. Mayangao, Jose Ernesto E. Fernandez Jr., PNP Ret.; Capiña, Rodrigo T. Diapana, Allan F. Martin, Ronald N. Albano, Diosdado G. Ramos, PNP Ret.; Rafael A. Sera Jose, Jesse A. Alvarez, Pedro A. Sumayo Jr., Joselito E. Kakilala, Robert E. Ganzon, PNP Ret.; Franklin R. Mabanag, PNP Ret.; Johnny L. Macanas, Ricardo L. Nepomuceno, Rolando C. Manalo, Virgilio B. Bartolome, Commodore Alberto A. Cruz, Antonio Lastimado, Romeo Ver, PNP Ret.; and Brigadier General Ralph L. Mamauag. biznewsasia@gmail.com es to Hitler problematic, not least because they obscured recent historical failings by Germany, including energy reliance on Russia, meagre military spending and “our closeness to Putin -seeing too late what kind of man this is”.

“Constantly invoking our responsibility for World War II may have kept us from important self-criticism in the last 10-15 years,” said Bavendamm, who runs Berlin’s Displacement, Expulsion, Reconciliation museum.

For Thiele, the Berlin pensioner, the failure to learn from the past rips open old wounds.

“My parents lived through two world wars and I lived through one thanks to that nasty pig Hitler,” she said, recalling that her late husband’s communist family had been prisoners at the Nazi concentration camp Sachsenhausen.

“Do they want to start a third world war? I just can’t understand how, if you know anything about war, you could start one again.” AFP

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

Associate Editors News Editor City Editor

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TODAY WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 2022 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Australian court strikes down landmark climate change ruling SYDNEY—An Australian court on Tuesday threw out a landmark legal ruling that the country’s environment minister had a duty to protect children from climate change.

Last year’s legal win by a group of high school children had been hailed by environmental groups as a potential legal weapon to fight fossil fuel projects.

But the federal court found in favor of an appeal by Environment Minister Sussan Ley, deciding she did not have to weigh the harm climate change would inflict on children when assessing the approval of new fossil fuel projects.

The judgement overturned a July 2021 ruling by a lower court that found the minister had a duty to “avoid causing personal injury or death” to under 18s due to “emissions of carbon dioxide into the Earth’s atmosphere”.

Anjali Sharma, 17, who launched the legal action in 2020, said the minister’s

KILLED IN SHELLING.

A man holds his dead cat in a blanket as he stands outside a destroyed apartment building after it was shelled in the northwestern Obolon district of Kyiv on March 14. Two people were killed as various neighborhoods of the Ukraine capital came under shelling and missile attacks, city officials said. AFP

successful appeal had left the students “devastated”.

“Two years ago, Australia was on fire; today, it’s underwater. Burning coal makes bushfires and floods more catastrophic and more deadly. Something needs to change,” she said.

Izzy Raj-Seppings, 15, said the court had accepted that young people would “bear the brunt of the impacts of the climate crisis”, which she described as an important step in climate litigation.

However, the federal court found emissions from the mine at the centre of the case -- Whitehaven’s Vickery coal mine -- posed only a “tiny increase in risk” to the students.

Minister Ley welcomed the verdict.

“The minister always takes her role as the environment minister seriously,” a spokesperson said in a statement.

Lawyer George Newhouse of Macquarie University said the Sharma decision reflected Australia’s lack of a bill of rights. AFP

NZ visas for 4k Ukraine war refugees

W

ELLINGTON—New Zealand will offer 4,000 special visas to refugees fleeing the Russian invasion of Ukraine if they have family in the southern hemisphere nation, its government said Tuesday.

Immigration Minister Kris Faafoi said it was New Zealand’s largest special visa category in decades in support of an international aid effort.

Over 2.8 million people have fled Ukraine since Russia invaded on February 24, according to UN estimates.

“It’s a two-year visa to help people escape the current conflict and to shelter

here in the hope they can return home when the war ends,” Faafoi said.

For one year, the estimated 1,600 Ukrainian-born citizens and residents in New Zealand will be allowed to sponsor family members for the special visa, under which they will be allowed to work.

Relatives included in the scheme

include parents, grandparents and their adult siblings or adult children and their immediate family who have fled Ukraine.

“New Zealand has moved quickly to condemn the brutal and intolerable invasion of Ukraine,” the minister said.

New Zealand also announced an extra NZ$4 million (US$2.7 million) in humanitarian funding.

“Alongside other diplomatic measures, we have acted urgently to respond to Russia’s hostility by instituting travel bans, export controls, passing the Russia Sanctions Act 2022, and providing aid

COMMONWEALTH RITES. Britain’s Prime

Minister Boris Johnson (rear left) speaks in front of (front, from left) Britain’s Prince Charles, Prince of Wales; Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall; Prince William, Duke of Cambridge; and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, during the Commonwealth Day service ceremony at Westminster Abbey, in London, on March 14. AFP

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NOTICE OF LOSS This is to declare that the stock certificate no. 740675, no. of shares 90 issued 27 July 2015 by MERALCO under the name Caezar P. Evangelista is missing and no longer retrievable.

The abovementioned certificate was never endorsed, negotiated, sold, mortgage, pledged, or in any manner transferred or encumbered, nor cancelled, attached, or levied the same.

The said certificate was not the subject of any claim, or legal action or proceeding, directly or collaterally.

(MS-MAR. 16,23 & 30, 2022)

INVITATION FOR PREQUALIFICATION Project Name: Design and Build of East Bay 200MLD Water Treatment Plant & Associated Systems Project Manila Water Company, Inc. (MWCI) intends to prequalify contractors for the Design and Build of East Bay 200MLD Water Treatment Plant & Associated Systems Project [“Works”] located in Pakil, Laguna.

Design, supply, construction, installation, testing and commissioning of the complete fully functional and operational Water Treatment Plant, Pump Station and Reservoir. The Project when completed shall be capable of treating raw water, from Laguna Lake, and serve the client network for Taguig, Pasig, Pateros, and the neighboring towns of Rizal.

funding to support crucial humanitarian work,” the minister said.

Meanwhile, the Ukrainian government on Monday launched a website in partnership with crypto-firms FTX and Everstake that will funnel donations to Ukraine’s central bank as it combats a devastating invasion by Russia.

On the “Aid for Ukraine” website, users can currently offer donations in 10 cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, ether, tether and dogecoin.

“Cryptocurrencies play a significant role in Ukraine’s defense,” Oleksandre Borniakov, Ukraine’s deputy minister

Britain’s Privy Council upholds gay marriage ban in Bermuda LONDON—A British tribunal upheld a ban on gay marriage in Bermuda Monday, in a departure from Western trends towards equality and a blow to campaigners in one of the colonial power’s few remaining overseas territories.

The Privy Council in London, which is the last court of appeal for some British territories, sided with the Bermuda government, which has been fighting to keep its Supreme Court from enshrining marriage equality in the self-governing archipelago.

“To my fellow LGBTQ+ Bermudians, I wish to say to you what I also need to hear at this moment: you matter. Your hurt matters. You deserve better than this,” said Roderick Ferguson,

30m under China lockdown as COVID surges BEIJING—Nearly 30 million people were under lockdown across China on Tuesday, as surging virus cases prompted the return of mass tests and hazmat-suited health officials to city streets on a scale not seen since the start of the pandemic.

China reported 5,280 new Covid-19 cases on Tuesday, more than double the previous day’s tally, as the highly transmissible Omicron variant spreads across a country that has tethered tightly to a “zero-Covid” strategy.

That approach, which pivots on hard localized lockdowns and has left China virtually cut off from the outside world for two years, appears to be on the line as Omicron finds its way into communities.

At least 13 cities nationwide were fully locked down on Tuesday, and several other cities had partial lockdowns.

The northeastern province of Jilin was the worsthit -- with over 3,000 new cases on Tuesday, according to the National Health Commission.

Residents of several cities there including the provincial capital of Changchun—home to

nine million people—are under stay-at-home orders.

Shenzhen—the southern tech hub of 17.5 million people—is three days into a lockdown with many factories closed and supermarket shelves emptying, while China’s largest city Shanghai is under a lattice of restrictions that fall short of a citywide shutdown.

Scenes of closed neighborhoods, panic buying, and police cordons cast back to the early phase of the pandemic, which first emerged in China in late 2019 but has eased in much of the rest of the world.

As lockdowns edge closer to Beijing, public venues have tightened their scrutiny of the ubiquitous health QR codes.

From a 21-day home quarantine with her mother and three-year-old child, project manager Mary Yue said she was forced to isolate after virus cases were linked to a playground they had visited.

“I panicked when the health officials called...

I was afraid they’d take us to a quarantine hotel,” the 34-year-old told AFP. AFP

The LOI shall be submitted in portable document format (PDF) via e-mail on or before 23 March 2022.

Manila Water Company, Inc. MWSS Administrative Building, 489 Katipunan Road, Balara, Quezon City 1105, Philippines Website: www.manilawater.com Attention: Alexander “Vanny” P. Bañas North Grid CAPEX Senior Procurement Manager E-mail: eastbaywtp@arcadis.com and alexander.banas@manilawater.com Cc: miguel.delatorre@manilawater.com

M. Standard – March 16, 2022

the lead co-plaintiff in the case.

“The Bermuda Government’s crusade against same-sex marriage was waged to convince you that there’s something shameful about your sexuality. Don’t believe that tired old lie.”

Marriage equality was legalised in Britain in 2014, and self-governing Bermuda’s Supreme Court followed three years later.

But months afterward, the governing Progressive Labour Party voted to overturn that ruling, in an unusual turnabout against prevailing Western norms legalizing marriage equality.

Instead, it approved the Domestic Partnership Act, which replaced the right to marriage with the ability to form same-sex partnerships. AFP

IN BRIEF Suez Canal redux: Ship runs aground

WASHINGTON -- A massive container ship, owned by the same company whose vessel last year blocked the Suez Canal, has run aground near the US port of Baltimore, US officials said Monday.

The Ever Forward, a 1,096-foot (334-meter) vessel ran aground in the Chesapeake Bay shortly after leaving a Baltimore port Sunday night, said the executive director of the Maryland Port Administration, William Doyle, in a statement.

“There have been no injuries or spills,” Doyle clarified.

“The ship’s grounding is not preventing other ships from transiting to the Port of Baltimore,” he added, noting that efforts had been underway since Sunday night to free the stranded vessel.

The accident came almost exactly a year after the 200,000-ton container ship MV Ever Given became wedged in the Suez Canal during a sandstorm, blocking the key waterway for six days. AFP

Big cruise ship hits Dominican coast

Interested applicants shall submit Letter of Intent (LOI) and may obtain further information to the Email addresses below. Complete set of Prequalification Document shall be issued upon receipt of LOI.

JHOANA R. TAMAYOR Group Head Supply Chain Management Group

of Digital Transformation, said in a statement.

“Cryptocurrency assets have proven to be extremely valuable in facilitating the flow of funding to Ukrainian citizens and soldiers and in raising awareness and interest among the global public,” he added.

The crypto firm Everstake, one of the largest in Ukraine, will allow users be able to make donations in other cryptocurrencies than those listed on the site.

The site also plans to add the ability to donate non-fungible tokens (NFTs) in the future. AFP

COVID SURGE. Workers are seen wearing protective clothes next to some lockdown areas after the detection of new cases of COVID-19 in Shanghai on March 14. AFP

SANTO DOMINGO—Officials in the Dominican Republic confirmed Monday that a large cruise ship had run aground off the Caribbean Island nation’s north coast after leaving the port of Puerto Plata.

According to local media, the ship is the Norwegian Escape, which carries 3,000 tourists and 1,600 crew members.

“For the moment, there is no risk for passengers or crew members,” said Vice Admiral Ramon Gustavo Betances Hernandez, who added that the ship had run aground due to “strong 30 knot winds.”

“The tide in this area rises about 1 meter (3 feet) at four in the morning (0800 GMT). We think that with the high tide, we can get the boat out of its current position,” the vice admiral said, noting that tugs had already been working in vain to free the vessel. AFP

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Stocks rally; BDO, Ayala Land advance

T

HE stock market bounced back Tuesday on bargain hunting after the index plunged to a six-and-a-half month low Monday.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index surged 202.97 points, or 3 percent, to 7,019.92 on a value turnover of P9.6 billion. Losers, however, outnumbered gainers, 138 to 76, wit 36 issues unchanged.

BDO Unibank Inc. of the Sy Group, the biggest lender in terms of assets, advanced 4.5 percent to P129.70, while sister unit SM Prime Holdings Inc. climbed 4.1 percent to P39.

Major property developer Ayala Land Inc. of the Ayala Group rose 4 percent to P35.40, while parent Ayala Corp.

gained 3.9 percent at P 789.

The rest of Asian equity markets fell Tuesday, with Hong Kong tech firms leading another collapse in the city’s Hang Seng Index following the COVID-19 shutdown of tech hub Shenzhen and worries over Russia’s military outreach to China.

The Hang Seng Index dived more than six percent on Tuesday as the tech index around eight percent.

Afternoon selling wiped out a minor bounce from data out of China suggesting the economy started 2022 on a positive note.

Shanghai was also in trouble, losing five, while Sydney, Seoul, Mumbai, Taipei, Jakarta, Bangkok and Wellington were also well down, though Tokyo and Singapore rose.

Concerns about China’s economic outlook saw oil prices suffer fresh selling pressure, with WTI falling back below $100 a week after it hit a 14-year high on the back of Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.

Hopes for progress in talks to bring an end to the war in eastern Europe were also putting pressure on the black gold.

Global markets have been in a spiral since Russian troops marched into the neighboring country, leading international powers to impose crippling sanctions on the country and numerous companies to pull out.

The measures have fanned concerns about the supply of commodities from the region, particularly oil, sending prices through the roof and ramping up fears that already high inflation would run out of control and shoot a hole through a fragile economic recovery.

Among the hardest-hit markets has been Hong Kong, which was already under pressure from China’s regulatory crackdown on technology firms as part of the government’s move to tighten its grip on the economy.

News that US authorities were also looking to crack the whip over Chinese firms listed in New York sparked a rout last week. And the selling continued Monday after news emerged of the Shenzhen lockdown. With AFP

Unemployment in China jumps as COVID surge rattles business BEIJING, China—Unemployment in China rose and youth unemployment spiked in the first months of the year, data showed Tuesday, as a surge of coronavirus cases rattled businesses and forced closures.

The unemployment rate in cities edged up to 5.5 percent by the end of February, compared with 5.1 percent in December, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said Tuesday.

Job seekers aged 16-24 were struggling with a 15.3-percent increase in unemployment.

But Beijing reported better-than-expected retail sales and industrial output in January and February, according to the statistics agency.

Retail sales for the first two months rose 6.7 percent on-year, it said. This was well above the 3 percent forecast

by Bloomberg analysts.

Petroleum products and gold, silver and jewelry saw the biggest price jumps.

“Overall, the momentum of JanuaryFebruary recovery remained relatively healthy, though we must acknowledge that the external environment is still complicated and severe, and the Chinese economy faces many risks and challenges,” NBS spokesman Fu Linghui said.

China releases combined data for January and February to avoid distortions from the Lunar new year holiday, which can fall in either month depending on the year.

Industrial production was up 7.5 percent for the first two months, beating analysts’ expectations of a 3.9 percent growth.

Fixed asset investments grew by 12.2 percent, with investment in the high-tech manufacturing sector growing by 42.7 percent.

Infrastructure investment grew at a modest 8.1 percent and investment in real estate also picked up despite a drop in home prices over the past two months. AFP

TOP GAINERS

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LAST PRICE CHANGE 1.65 0.2 1.33 0.15 2.05 0.22

% CHANGE 13.79% 12.71% 12.02%

4 5 6 7

RCI PA RFM SUN

0.61 2.99 4.59 1.02

0.06 0.29 0.39 0.08

10.91% 10.74% 9.29% 8.51%

8 9 10

MONDE JGS CLI

15.5 58.75 2.98

1.1 3.75 0.19

7.64% 6.82% 6.81%

TOP LOSERS

1 ATN 2 MJIC 3 SPNEC

LAST PRICE CHANGE 0.56 -0.07 1 -0.12 1.52 -0.17

% CHANGE -11.11% -10.71% -10.06%

4

ANS

8.2

-0.9

-9.89%

5 6 7 8

T APL ACEX MAHB

0.77 0.041 21 1

-0.08 -0.004 -1.95 -0.09

-9.41% -8.89% -8.50% -8.26%

9 10

IMI X

7.82 0.315

-0.65 -0.025

-7.67% -7.35%

MOST ACTIVE

Producers gather to protest near Roldan, Santa Fe province, Argentina, on March 14, 2022, after the government suspended exports of soyabean flour and oil amid rumors it is planning to hike taxes due to soaring primary material costs blamed on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. AFP

Argentina suspends soyabean exports as prices climb

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina—Argentina’s government announced on Monday it had suspended exports of soyabean flour and oil amid rumors it is planning to hike taxes due to soaring primary material costs blamed on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

One expert told AFP the export freeze was likely a measure to prevent firms registering future exports before the tax rise comes into effect.

The South American country is the world’s largest exporter of soyabean flour and oil. Soyabean products made up 30 percent of Argentina’s exports in 2021, worth nine billion dollars to the government.

The agricultural markets undersecre-

tary, a division of the agriculture ministry, said in a statement that these exports were suspended “until further notice.”

In 2021, soyabean flour was Argentina’s largest export (14.2 percent) with soybean oil its third biggest (6.9 percent).

Industry sources claim the government is analyzing the possibility of increasing export tariffs on those two products to 33 percent from 31 percent.

That could be worth $450 million to the government, which needs all the money it can get to pay off a $44-billion debt with the International Monetary Fund.

“The closure of exports is done to prevent businesses from registering (sales) before the tax modification,”

analyst Dante Romano told AFP. “But it should last just a short time and should not affect the international market.”

Romano said the move is merely aimed at maximizing government revenue and should not limit exports.

It comes as the cost of primary materials around the world has increased as a consequence of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and sanctions imposed on Russia by many Western nations.

There are worries this could provoke an increase in food prices in Argentina which would send inflation soaring in a country that already has one of the highest rates in the world (over 50 percent in 2021.) AFP

Sparkling pools, empty taps: Cape Town’s stark water divide

By JACK DUTTON CAPE TOWN, South Africa—On Cape Town’s beaches, swimmers shower off sand from their feet. Irrigation pipes water the region’s famed vineyards. And Shadrack Mogress fumes as he fills a barrel with water so he can flush his toilet.

It’s been four years since South Africa’s tourist capital nearly ran dry, during a drought that left the city limping towards a “Day Zero” when all the pipes would empty.

Now water flows liberally—but not for everyone.

South Africa is the most unequal country in the world, with race playing a determining factor, a World Bank report said last week.

The taps at Mogress’s house in the township of Khayelitsha run only intermittently, and rarely with full pressure.

So at 56 years old, he wakes up early to fill up a barrel while the water is running, so that his household of six can drink and wash all day.

“We also need to take from that water to use the toilet, which is an insult at the end of the day,” Mogress said.

“We have toilets here. We have showers here. We cannot use those,” he said. “Our children go to school in the morning at about 6:00 a.m. Sometimes there’s no water at that time.”

Mogress said he contacted city officials several times about the issues but has not heard back.

“We’re sitting within the middle of

PSEi March 15, 2022

A woman carries a bucket of water which she filled at a local tap in Zwelitsha, an informal settlement in Khayelitsha that is home to millions of people in mostly impoverished circumstances, near Cape Town on February 24, 2022. It’s been four years since South Africa’s tourist capital nearly ran dry, during a drought that left the city limping towards a ‘Day Zero’ when all the pipes would empty. AFP

a pandemic here, and we do not even have water to wash our hands,” he said.

City trucks that deliver water to the community are unreliable, Sandile Zatu, a 45-year-old resident said.

“We have no choice but to wake up in the morning and try to fill our bucket as much as possible,” he added.

Worse than ‘Day Zero’ During the drought, city-wide efforts to save water created a sense of shared purpose. Everyone avoided flushing toi-

lets, gave up on watering plants, and let their cars sit dirty for months.

“At that time, we knew that we were sitting with a problem,” Mogress said.

“But it is actually worse, because we do have water and we know that.”

Swimming pools in Cape Town’s posh suburbs do have water, but the city estimates that about 31 neighborhoods have no access to clean water.

That includes sprawling districts filled with shacks, but also working-

class neighborhoods.

Ironically, COVID brought better water supplies to some areas.

The state of disaster that empowered lockdown measures also allowed authorities to deliver more water to encourage better washing.

If the state of disaster is called off, the city will lose funding to deliver water, city water official Zahid Badroodien said.

Future droughts Badroodien said the city was investing millions of rand in the aging water infrastructure, adding that a Day Zero was “inevitable.”

But it is harder for the city to provide reliable water services in some areas due to “funding being tied up in existing projects to try and establish services in existing communities.”

“At the same time, the safety of our officials becomes an issue in these areas, where I know for a fact that our tankers have been hijacked, our officials have been hijacked, they’ve been held up at gunpoint,” he said.

Jo Barnes, a water expert at Stellenbosch University, said the city has shown poor planning for future droughts.

“To not plan for the next drought— which may be around the corner— sounds like managerial suicide to me,” she said.

“We’re getting more and more people, and we have the same volume of water. So, unless we do something magic, we’re going to run into the same problem again.” AFP

1 ALI

VOLUME 16,740,600

VALUE (PHP) 580,656,280

2 3 4

SMPH ICT TEL

13,971,600 2,328,550 280,875

526,594,795 490,962,088 467,732,465

5

SM

504,280

442,685,670

6

BDO

3,462,970

442,089,825

7 8 9 10

SPNEC AC GLO GTCAP

264,240,000 517,830 156,370 643,630

405,119,740 402,416,030 352,816,080 317,355,609

EU urged to ban all imports linked to deforestation RIO JANEIRO, Brazil—Brazilian environmental groups urged the European Union on Monday to pass aggressive legislation banning all imports linked to deforestation, criticizing “gaps” in a draft bill.

The letter from the 34 organizations comes as EU environment ministers prepare to meet Thursday in Brussels on a proposal to ban products that fuel deforestation, which would slap controls on imports including beef, soy, palm oil, cocoa and coffee.

The groups said the draft proposal is “necessary and positive,” but needs “improvements” to truly fight deforestation in exporting countries such as Brazil, home to 60 percent of the Amazon rainforest and a leading exporter of many of those products.

“Deforestation and conversion of natural ecosystems must be eradicated if humanity is to stand a chance of stabilizing global warming,” said the letter, signed by groups including the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Brazil office, the Climate Observatory and The Nature Conservancy.

They said the draft plan, presented in November, defines “forests” too narrowly. It excludes the majority of several key ecosystems in Brazil, including the Pantanal wetlands, the Cerrado savannah and the Pampa lowlands, they said.

They also urged EU officials to add more products to the controlled list, such as cotton, corn and canned meat, and to ensure due diligence measures apply to entire farms, not just part of them.

“On large farms, an owner may maintain a deforestation-free production area for export to Europe and another area for deforestation,” they said.

They also called for “firm assurances” on human rights, particularly to ensure that agribusiness is not pushing indigenous peoples from their lands. AFP

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

B4

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 2022

Business

IN BRIEF FIRB grants incentives to new vessel operator

THE Fiscal Incentives Review Board chaired by Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III approved the tax incentives for the operations of a P1.5-billion Cebu City-based shipping vessel specializing in roll-on rolloff passenger and cargo operations.

Dominguez identified the owner of the vessel as Trans Asia Shipping Lines Inc. The grant includes four years of income tax holiday, five years of enhanced deductions and 11 years of duty exemption on importations.

The new shipping vessel sails the CebuCagayan de Oro route on a reduced travel time with still comparable rate, setting itself apart in the market as a convenient, costfriendly and competitive inter-island vessel in the country.

Dominguez said the tax incentive approval for the transportation player “aligns with the national government’s aim to modernize transportation and to increase competition in the shipping industry in the Philippines.”

Julito G. Rada

AEV raises capex by 155% to P69b

NCIP issues CDO against Ayala’s El Nido projects

By Othel V. Campos THE National Commission on Indigenous Peoples said Tuesday it issued a cease-and-desist order against Lio Airport and Tourism Estate, which are owned and operated by Ten Knots Philippines Inc., a subsidiary of Ayala Land Inc., in El Nido, Palawan.

NCPI said in a statement it issued the CDO due to TKPI’s refusal to undergo the process of the Free and Prior Informed Consent with the Tagbanuwa Tandulanen IP community, as mandared under Republic Act No. 8371 or the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act. The CDO ordered the temporary halt of the projects in Barangays Villa Libertad and Pasadena in El Nido, Legal action/s maybe filed for violation of the provisions of IPRA. NCIP Mimaropa regional director Dr. Marie Grace Pascua signed the CDO. The CDO asked for support from the provincial government to implement the order with the assistance of authorities or other government agencies if necessary.

NCIP issued a show cause order on Feb. 13, 2022 to TKPI addressed to legal counsel Angara Abello Concepcion Regala Cruz. Before this, four notices to comply were also issued

by NCIP dated Sept. 20, Oct. 21, Dec. 30, 2021 and Jan. 21, 2022.

NCIP said TKPI refused to abide by the FPIC. The Lio Tourism Estate is a 325-hectare master planned beach residential village with 4.2-kilometer white sand beach front.

Lio Airport is a private airport owned and operated by TKPI for the exclusive use for its aircraft, Airwift Philippines which flies to and from El Nido, Manila, Cebu, Boracay and Bohol.

TKPI also owns and operates four island resorts of Apulit, Miniloc, Lagen and Pangulasian in Palawan.

The locations of the resorts are also claimed by the Tagbanuwa Tandulanen IP community as part of their ancestral domain.

SHORING UP TUBBATAHA. Metro Pacific Investments Foundation Inc. chairman Manuel Pangilinan (top center) and president Melody Del Rosario (top left) sign a memorandum of agreement with the Tubbataha Protected Area Management Board, represented by Palawan Governor Jose Alvarez (bottom right) and Department of Environment and Natural Resources MIMAROPA officer-in-charge regional director Lormelyn Claudio (bottom center). The event is witnessed by MPIF trustee and MPIC chief finance, risk and sustainability officer Chaye Cabal-Revilla (top right) and Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park Protected Area superintendent Angelique Songco (bottom left). Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park is the country’s largest marine protected area.

Economy on track to meeting ‘22 growth goal of at least 7%

By Julito G. Rada

E

CONOMIC Planning Secretary Karl Kendrick Chua said Tuesday the Philippine economy is on track to meeting the growth target of 7 percent to 9 percent in 2022 despite the global health crisis and the war between Russia and Ukraine.

Chua, who is also the director-general of the National Economic and Development Authority, said in a briefing the full reopening of the economy would be crucial to achieving this goal.

“Most of the country is not yet in

Alert Level 1 and schools are not fully reopened. There is a lot more to be done to cushion any risk from the global side, that is the priority,” Chua said.

“We can increase our real income if there are more sectors reopened,” Chua said. “Big part of our economic growth will come from the domestic side, and we have lots of potential [but]] we have not gone back to our normal way of living,” he said.

When asked to quantify the impact to economic growth of the geopolitical crisis, Chua said the magnitude would depend on how long the crisis would last.

“But this is temporary,” he said, adding that the conflict would impact commodity prices, financial markets, trade and overall confidence.

“We have a strong potential to grow domestically... I think we are very much on track on our projected GDP growth this year,” Chua said.

The interagency Development Budget Coordinating Committee earlier said the economy would grow between 7 percent and 9 percent this year, stronger than the actual 5.6-percent expansion last year, which as a reversal of the 9.6-percent contraction in 2020 amid the pandemic.

Chua said the government should support the transport and agriculture/ fishery sectors to ensure the economic recovery.

The DBCC said P3 billion would be released by the government to assist workers in the transport sector and farmers and fisherfolk who were affected by rising oil prices and exacerbated by the crisis between Russia and Ukraine.

Meanwhile, the NEDA is pursuing innovation and regional equity in infrastructure to sustain growth and recovery in 2022 and beyond.

Tan sees PAL recovery this year amid reopening of economy

By Darwin G. Amojelar PHILIPPINE Airlines said Tuesday it expects a rebound amid the reopening of domestic and some international travel, and following the exit from US Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

“We look forward to a comeback year for Philippine Airlines and for our country,” PAL chairman and chief executive Dr. Lucio Tan said.

Having recently emerged from a successful restructuring with fresh capital, lower debt and a streamlined fleet, PAL unveiled a youthful 21st century outlook along with plans for network expansion, digital innovation and a more cargo-driven strategy during its 81st anniversary celebration.

“Our 81st birthday marks a day of rebirth for PAL. We will make good use of our new life by delivering a

stronger, more reliable and dynamic airline that our customers will love and appreciate,” Tan said.

“You have my assurance that we will stay true to our mission of serving the Filipino people through a network that keeps the Philippines connected to the global economy,” he said.

PAL plans to further expand its network for the upcoming summer season, covering 39 international and 27 domestic destinations.

The airline also expanding its partnerships with other airlines, building on alliances and interline arrangements that allow passengers to reach over 1,000 destinations PAL said it would also deploy more all-cargo flights to develop key international cargo markets, especially between Asia and the US, Canada and Australia.

“Philippine Airlines will continue to

be a full-service network airline that offers unique nonstop routes and a choice of business and economy products for our customers,” said Captain Stanley Ng, PAL president and chief operating officer.

“Innovation and a youthful spirit will motivate us in our efforts to grow back the air travel market. Above all, safety will be at the core of everything we do, from the airworthiness of our planes to the professionalism of our crew and all support teams,” he said.

PAL director Lucio Tan 3rd said: “We are grateful to our partners and stakeholders for the solid support that PAL received throughout the pandemic.”

“Most of all, we thank our dedicated PAL personnel for their team spirit and resourcefulness and our passengers who kept their faith in their flag carrier over the past two challenging years,” he said.

PetroEnergy reallocates proceeds from rights offer

By Alena Mae S. Flores PETROENERGY Resources Corp. said Tuesday its board approved the realignment of the use of P168-million proceeds from its stock rights offering to other renewable energy projects.

PetroEnergy said in a disclosure to the stock exchange it would reallocate the P167,669,788 SRO proceeds “for the funding of various prospective renewable energy power projects in the pipeline.”

The company did not disclose the RE projects, but company officials said they include solar projects in Luzon and the Visayas.

The balance of the SRO proceeds were initially allocated for the 20-megawatt Tarlac Solar Power Project Phase 2, 14-MW Phase 2 of the Nabas Wind Power Project and the 10-MW to 20MW Puerto Princesa Solar Power Project.

“The reallocation will allow flexibil-

ity in funding multiple projects in the pipeline, including the NWPP-2 and the PPSPP,” PetroEnergy said.

PetroEnergy vice president Francisco Delfin Jr. earlier said they were looking at an expansion target of 100 MW of new solar projects in the near term, and about 300 MW to 400 MW in the next three to four years.

“We never declared or claimed wanting to be the biggest energy company in the Philippines. We have always been driven by our goal of making sure that each project will become very profitable at the level of risk and capital that our principals are willing to bear,” Delfin said.

Delfin said that over the long-term, PERC is betting on offshore wind to scale up renewable energy generation.

“Obviously, they don’t have the limitations on size and accessibility that large-scale solar do. They also have more areas available for development unlike geothermal,” he said.

ZUKI MOBILE APP. SB Finance Corp. launches the zukì mobile app, a fullydigital lending platform that allows Filipinos to apply for various loan products offered by the consumer financing company. Through zukì, SB Finance aims to improve customers’ financial literacy and help them make the journey from the traditionally complicated financial service roadmap to an easy-to-understand, needs-based, digital consumer experience. Explaining the zuki mobile app to celebrity host Mitzi Borromeo is Lovely Galang, SB Finance head of sales and distribution for unsecured loans.

CONGLOMERATE Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc. earmarked P69 billion in 2022 capital expenditures, a 155-percent increase from P27 billion it spent in 2021.

AEV said in a presentation during a recent analysts briefing it expects 2022 to be a growth year with new businesses ramping up operations.

It said of the P69-billion programmed spending, P28 billion was allotted for its power generation business under Aboitiz Power Corp. The remaining P41 billion will be spent by non-power businesses including banking, real estate, infrastructure, water and agriculture businesses.

“We approach the coming year with balance optimism, as short term inflationary headwinds are exacerbated by the ongoing Ukraine conflict, and can only be partially mitigated by risk management,” AEV said.

“We look forward to working closely with the new administration in keeping our country on the steady path of economic development as our new strategic partnership with JERA kicks in, our Citibank acquisition is completed, and as we double-down on investments to transform and modernize our business,” it said. Jenniffer B. Austria

MedaDhana offers help in regulating e-games

LOCAL metaverse and non-fungible token game developer MetaDhana Studios said it is willing to help the government regulate the e-gaming industry and provide insights on how to subject game developers and the community that benefits from e0gaming, to taxes.

MetaDhana chief executive Mikhail Jon Peñalosa noted that the industry is very unregulated. Game developers, like MetaDhana, are faced with questions on which part of the operation is taxable or what can be considered as taxable events.

“Until now the regulations are not clear.

As developers, we’re trying to find out if the conversion of the token to Philippine peso is a taxable event or should it be the actual gaining of tokens from playing the game?

We would like to work with the government and with the regulatory agencies on how we can derive the proper taxes that should be remitted to the government,” he said Tuesday at the regular Pandesal Forum at Kamuning Bakery in Quezon City.

MetaDhana chief technical officer Michael John Peña said regulation is vital to support a sustainable ecosystem for an emerging gaming industry. Othel V. Campos

BPI starts work on P16.3-b new Makati building BANK of the Philippine Islands, the country’s third-largest lender in terms of assets, on Tuesday broke ground on the construction of its 45-story, P13.6billion new headquarters in the Makati City central business district.

Ayala Corp. chairman Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala said in a virtual ceremony the project would further stimulate business activity and provide more employment in the area.

Some 1,800 new jobs are expected to be generated directly from the construction project.

Ayala said the project pushed through despite the challenging times, highlighted by the continuing COVID-19 pandemic and the war in between Russia and Ukraine that many feared might impact the domestic economy.

“We aim to equip these [headquarters] with facilities that will provide convenience to Filipinos,” Ayala said.

The building will house BPI’s headquarters and main branch. It will be a mixed-use property with retail spaces, event venues, landscaped spaces and seven basement parking levels.

The start of the excavation for the project is scheduled in the first quarter this year, and construction will commence in the third quarter of 2023.

It is expected to be completed by the fourth quarter of 2029, with the opening of the complex targetted in 2030.

The building can house around 6,500 occupants.

Ayala Land Inc. president and chief executive Bernard Vincent Dy said the new BPI building would not only house the bank’s headquarters but woud also attract both local and global institutions.

BPI president and chief executive Jose Teodoro Limcaoco said the bank would transform its headquarters into a bigger, better, more sustainable and inclusive building “as we pursue bold moves to become the undisputed banking leader that is responsible and sustainable at the same time.”

Julito G. Rada

Sports

Patrombon takes on qualifier in net opener TOP seed Jeson Patrombon faces qualifier Jarell Edangga today (Wednesday) while No. 2 Jed Olivarez slugs it out with Joel Atienza in two of the 16 matches kicking off a busy opener of the PPS-PEPP Olivarez Cup Open Tennis Championship at the Olivarez Sports Center in Sucat.

Hostilities fire off a 9 a.m. with the winners heading back to the court at 1 p.m. for the second round action of the event marking the return of pro tennis after a two-year hiatus due to global health crisis and following the relaxing of Covid restrictions throughout the country.

Edangga hurdled four matches in the two-day qualifier to clinch the fourth and last berth in the main 32-man draw, capping his run with an 8-3 victory over Marc Jarata yesterday. But he will be hard-pressed to dish out his very best against the many-time national team mainstay Patrombon, who reached the quarterfinals of the Australian Open Juniors in 2011.

Others who survived the elims were Aljon Talatayod, who trounced Diego Dayrit, 8-4; John Tomacruz, who blasted Keno Enriquez, 8-2; and Reymart Sabas, who repulsed Emmanuel Fuellas, 8-4.

Meanwhile, third seed Johnny Arcilla tests wildcard Axi Gonzaga, No. 4 Vicente Anasta clashes with Rusell Arcilla, Jr.; fifth-ranked Josshua Kinaadman tangles with Rollie Anasta; No. 6 Mark Alcoseba trades shot with qualifier Tomacruz; seventh seed Norman Enriquez battles Sabas; and No. 8 Noel Damian, Jr. collides with Talatayod.

Meanwhile, the organizing Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala said strict protocols will be enforced to guarantee the safety of all players and personnel involved in the staging of the country’s longest-running circuit, which also features competitions in various age-group divisions.

Also on tap is the men’s doubles, headed by the Anasta-Patrombon, and Arcilla-Kyle Dandan tandems, and the Legends 30s, 40s and 50s divisions with Dunlop, Rep, Eric Olivarez and the Olivarez Sports Center backing the event.

For details, contact event organizer and PPS-PEPP sports program development director Bobby Mangunay at 0915-4046464.

Prizes galore up for aces in Southwoods Invitational golf A BRAND new car and a cruise package will be up for grabs for holein-one feats as the Southwoods Invitational fires off Wednesday with 200 teams from a full-packed roster of 400 clashing for top honors at the Legends and Masters courses in Carmona, Cavite.

Mitsubishi Motors/Alpine Motors is putting up a 2022 Mirage G4 GLS CVT A/T Sedan as prize for an ace on Nos. 16 of Legends and No. 5 of Masters while Royal Caribbean/Baron Travel is staking a four-night Southeast Asian cruise for two, inclusive of two economy class tickets (ManilaSingapore-Manila) for a hole-in-one on Legends’ No. 7 and Masters’ No. 3.

Sojitz Fuso Phils. Corp., meanwhile, is offering P100,000 for an ace on No. 3 of Legends and Masters. If no player scores a hole-in-one, all three prizes will be raffled off.

Other hole-in-one sponsors are The Turf Company (Club Car Tempo 2-seater electric on No. 13 of Masters), Kart Plaza Manufacturing Corp.

(Yamaha Golf Cart on Legends No. 3 and Masters No. 17), Gran Sportivo (Gran Sportivo Golf Cart on No. 12 of Legends) and Auto Nation Group, Inc. (Mercedes-Benz A-Class on No. 13 of Masters).

The four-day event, the Manila Southwoods’ annual member-guest bash with The Turf Company as title sponsor, marks the return of club tournaments in one of the country’s most prestigious golf courses after a two-year hiatus due to pandemic.

Backing the event are Platinum sponsors Mitsubishi Motors Phil.

Corp./Alpine Motors Corp., Royal Caribbean/Baron Travel, Agrexplore Corp., Abomar Equipment Sales Corp., Sojitz Fuso Phil. Corp., Kilo International Marketing Corp. and HBW Enterprises while The Manor & The Forest Lodge at Camp John Hay and Leads Agricultural Products Corp. head the Gold backers list and Le Chef, Inc., Metro Rail Transit Dev’t. Corp., PGA Clubshares and PNOEZ are the Silver sponsors.

Riera U. Mallari, Editor; Randy M. Caluag, Assistant Editor WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 2022

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PSC chairman Butch Ramirez, coach Julius Naranjo, weightlifter and Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz, Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas president Monico Puentevella, POC president Bambol Tolentino, and PSA president Rey C. Lachica are shown at the PSA Awards Night.

Ramirez: Let’s sustain Olympic momentum for country, youth D

OWNPLAYING their own respective contributions, the country’s top two sports officials on Monday night paid tribute instead to the outstanding athletes, led by weightlifter Tokyo Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz, who made 2021 a glorious golden year in Philippine sports.

Co-architects in the nation’s most successful campaign in last year’s Olympiad, Philippine Sports Commission chairman William ‘Butch’ Ramirez and Philippine Olympic Committee president Rep. Abraham ‘Bambol’ Tolentino felt humbled by the recognition in Manila since 2020.

“Let’s sustain the Philippine sports momentum para sa ating bayan. Para sa ating kabataan. Let’s work together for the better and successful Philippine sports,” he emphasized.

“Together we were a part of Philippine sports history. I share this award with all of you. For I cannot claim this one (award) alone. This award is not mine,” said Ramirez after receiving the PSA’s Leadership in Excellence Award in his speech, while sharing the stage with commissioners Ramon Fernandez, Celia Kiram, Charles Maxey, and Eng. Arnold Agustin.

“One of the reasons that this night is extra special is that we are all celebrat-

ing the greatest sports achievement of the Filipino people, our first Olympic gold in Hidilyn Diaz. Coupled with the biggest Olympic medal haul in recent years,” the PSC chief pointed out.

He was referring to the silver medals of boxers Nesty Petecio and Carlo Paalam, plus the bronze of fellow ring warrior Eumir Felix Marcial that capped the country’s epic drive in the Land of the Rising Sun. “I am blessed to be given a chance to witness this milestone as one of the elders of these excellent Filipino athletes. Taospusong pasasalamat po,” said Ramirez of the fruitful and bountiful legacy he is leaving behind as the head of the government sports agency.

Ramirez’s sentiments were shared by Tolentino, who was bestowed the PSA’s Executive of the Year Award, saying: “This is not for me. This is for the 19 Tokyo Olympians.

Para sa kanila ang award na ito, led by our gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz. Para sa kanila

ito at hindi para sa kin.

“Ito ay para sa mga atleta, coaches, and officials. Nagsi-simula pa lang po tayo. Mahaba pa po ang ating tatahakin.

We will move on. Maraming, maraming salamat sa inyong lahat.”

Of course, the star of the night was Diaz, who honored by the country’s oldest media group composed of sports editors and writers, both print and online, for the third time in five years in the grand affair presented by the PSC, POC, and Cignal TV. The Zamboanga City pride was earlier cited in 2017 for winning the silver medal in the 2016 Rio Olympics and in 2019 for her gold in the 2018 Asian Games in the illustrious company of golfers Yuka Saso, Bianca Pagdanganan, and Loise Kay Go and street skateboarder Margielyn Arda Didal.

Radiant in her golden gown and accompanied by coach and fiancé Julius Naranjo, Diaz pinched herself in being in the spotlight once again of the PSA’s gala affair also backed by MILO (official choco milk), 1Pacman, Philippine Basketball Association, Philracom, Rain or Shine, ICTSI, Chooks To Go, MVP Sports Foundation, and Smart.

“Naaala ko noon pangarap ko lang na makapunta dito sa PSA Awards. Nakikita ko sina Ate Marestella Torres (long jumper and former PSA Athlete of the

Year Awardee). Little did I know… wala talagang impossible no?” she gushed.

“Ibig sabihin lang ito na walang imposible at kaya nating mga Pilipino na manalo ulit ng ginto sa Olympics. Kung nagawa ko, kaya ng iba pang Filipino athletes,” stressed Diaz, who acknowledged that her accomplishment all began with a dream that she said was impossible.

“Sabi nila dati napakataas kong mangarap. Bakit hindi? Isa kaya na magandang bagay na libreng gawin ang mangarap.

Kaya kung ikaw at tayong lahat patuloy lang mangarap,” said the petite and pretty athlete, who felt emotional all over again as the tape of her great feat was replayed on the wide screen.

The four-time Olympic veteran cited Chinese coach Gao Kaiwen, Naranjo. and other members of her support team in making the dream a reality, while acknowledging the adversities and challenges that came along the way in pursuing her golden Olympic goal.

“Hindi puwedeng walang pagsubok kasi ‘yun ang nagpapatibay sa atin. Okay lang ilang beses mag-kamali, ilang beses na matalo . Ang mahalaga ay natututo tayo at makabangon. Kayang-kaya natin ito na mas marami pang Pilipino na mananalo sa Olympics at makakuha ng ginto,” she said.

“Laban atletang Pilipino, laban Pilipinas! Maraming salamat po.”

Oranza is King of Mountain, new leader

By Peter Atencio TAGAYTAY City--Ronald Oranza was in pain as he battled cramps, totally exhausted but victorious on three fronts when he emerged from the steep and tough mountainous route of the 603-meter high Tagaytay-Talisay Road in Sampaloc, Talisay, Batangas.

The 29-year-old Oranza was bothered by leg muscle pain as he reached the crowded finish line and claimed Stage 6 honors, the King of the Mountain accolade and the red jersey at the close of the 148.3-km odyssey from Lucena City to Tagaytay City in the 11th LBC Ronda Pilipinas on Tuesday.

His fellow Philippine Navy-Standard Insurance teammate El Joshua Carino was the only one left chasing Oranza, who was carried away by two security men when he collapsed on the pavement as soon as he crossed the Praying Hands Monument finish line area in Kaybagal South, with a time of three hours, 40 minutes and 45 seconds.

Carino only had mild cramps when he made it in second place, some 1:54 behind Morales.

Excellent Noodles bet Jan Paul Morales was in far third, behind by 1:56, with Navyman Jeremy Lizardo and Excellent Noodles’ Joshua Pascual in fourth and fifth, both trailing by 5:22.

Coach Reinhart Gorrantes gave Oranza a victory

hug and helped lift him to the team tent. Oranza had taken the overall individual classification lead away from fifth stage winner Jonel Carcueva of Team Go For Gold.

Carcueva ended up in sixth spot, 5:24 behind Oranza and dropped to third overall.

“Tiis-tiis na lang, bawas na lang ng takbo,” said Oranza, who added the KOM honors to his list of achievements for day, as he and Carino made a 1-2 finish during the climb, with Morales in third.

With their 1-2 placing, the Navymen gained the overall team lead with a total time of 53 hours, 41 minutes and 47 seconds, with Excellent Noodles trailing behind by 8:31 and Team Go For Gold in third.

Pamisa settles for Asian boxing silver

By Randy Caluag

Eljay Pamisa (second from left) receives his silver medal during the awarding ceremony, along with other winners in the Men’s Youth 54kg category. (Photo from Asian Boxing Confederation)

ELJAY Pamisa of the Philippines dropped a close 3-2 decision to Abduvali Buriboev of Uzbekistan on Monday night to settle for the silver medal in the Asian Boxing Confederation Junior and Youth Championships at the Al Hossein Sports City in Amman, Jordan.

Pamisa, 17, was earlier booked to face India’s Anand Yadav, but a protest launched

by Buriboev’s camp was upheld, sending the Uzbek instead against the Filipino fighter from the other semifinal pair in the Men’s Youth 54-kg category.

Pamisa reached the final following a spectacular win over Iran’s Nima Beygi Thursday, using effective counterattacks and deft footwork, en route to the golden showdown against Buriboev.

A nephew of Southeast Asian Games veteran Elmer, Pamisa used to fight in the 46-kg class, where he also bagged a silver medal in the 2019 Asian Junior Championships in Al Fujaira, United Arab Emirates.

Buriboev looked headed to an easy coast to the final as he blanked Chirring Wardi Sherpa, 5-0, in the elimination round, disposed of Mohammad

Ali Baddo of Syria via RefereeStopped-Contest in the third round, before facing a more difficult hurdle in Yadav.

Meanwhile, Pamisa faced his most difficult task right in his first outing, barely hurdling Chomonov Askatbek of Kyrgyzstan (3-2).

The next two opponents who followed were relatively an easy breeze as Pamisa blanked Habeeblibzo of Jordan (5-0) and Nima Beygi of Iran (5-0) in the quarters and semifinals, respectively, to assure himself of a silver finish in the tournament that drew 355 participants from 21 nations.

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Sports

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 2022

Cargo Movers eye strong start in PVL Games today (March 16) 3 p.m. – Army vs F2 Logistics 6 p.m. – Chery Tiggo vs Cignal

VOLLEYBALL fans brace for a fourweek treat of power and class from the country’s leading players and rising stars as the Premier Volleyball League unveils its second pro season today (March 16) at the Paco Arena Events and Sports Center in Manila.

F2 Logistics makes its keenly awaited debut in the country’s premier league, ready and eager to display its brand of game that netted the Cargo Movers various championships, the last in the PNVF Champions League which they swept, capping their romp with a victory over the reigning champion Chery Tiggo.

They kick off their campaign against a veteran Black Mamba Army side at 3 p.m. with the Crossovers launching their own bid for a second straight championship against the Cignal HD side at 6 p.m.

Both matches will be aired live on One Sports and One Sports Plus and socmed platforms Cignal Play, Gigaplay, KUMU and pvl.ph.

“We’re excited in our first PVL stint,” said F2 Logistics top middle blocker Aby Maraño, who actually had played for Army in the 2014 Reinforced Conference.

“This is very special since this is my first time to compete here after so many years. But what makes it extra special is that I am with F2,” added the former La Salle star. “For the longest time, we played in a different league. But at least, all the teams are now in one league and we get to compete against players with varying talent and skills.”

Against the Lady Troopers, Maraño and the Cargo Movers are wary of their rivals’ experience with Aiko Urdas, Mich Morente, Necole Ebuen and Ivy Perez boosting the Army roster sans Jove Gonzaga, who has focused on beach volley for the coming SEA Games with another former Army ace Nene Bautista.

“F2 is a strong team but we really worked hard and prepared for this conference,” said veteran Army hitter Honey Royse Tubino. “Our new players have adjusted pretty well to our system and for sure, we’ll give them a good fight.”

M

ANAMA, Bahrain (AFP) —The 2022 Formula One season is about more than just the renewed battle between reigning champion Max Verstappen and the man he dethroned, Lewis Hamilton.

It will be a heavily-revised version of F1’s high-speed soap opera, featuring new race management, all-new cars designed to create closer racing, and a reshuffled cast that will launch into the unknown at this weekend’s seasonopening Bahrain Grand Prix.

Fourteen weeks after the sour, contrived and controversial last-lap drama in Abu Dhabi that ended Hamilton’s four-year reign as champion and ushered Verstappen to a first title crown, the curtain rises on a ‘revolutionary’ new show featuring the most sweeping technical rule changes in 40 years.

The return of ‘ground effect’ aerodynamics for the first time since 1983 with much bigger wheels and fatter tyres, a freeze on power unit development and a tighter budget cap, down to 140 mil-

Verstappen vs Hamilton as F1 soap opera returns lion dollars (127.4 million euros) excluding drivers’ salaries, may throw up arguments and shocks.

But below the surface, away from the gleaming visible alterations and the uncertainties brought by the Covid-19 pandemic, mounting inflation and a European war, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the human drama will remain unchanged—at least for now.

Wounded Hamilton returns Bitterly disillusioned, but now repaired, Hamilton, 37, returns from a hermetic offseason to resume his quest for a record eighth title 750 kilometres up the coast from the Yas Marina Circuit where his hopes of winning last season’s title battle with Vestappen were dashed.

As Hamilton’s Mercedes team and Red Bull swapped heated claims and counterclaims, the architect of F1’s greatest furore, Race Director Michael Masi, was muzzled and later removed from his role by the International Motoring Federation (FIA), which

itself underwent an upheaval.

Masi had delivered an improvised interpretation of the rules to avoid the race ending behind a safety car. That handed Verstappen, on new tyres, a clear advantage for the last-lap showdown and not only gifted him the title, but also “tarnished the image of F1”, according to the FIA. Within days, the FIA had a new president in Dubai-born Mohammed Ben Sulayem, who promised a review that came with a restructuring of race direction under two men, German Niels Wittich and Eduardo Freitas from Portugal, aided by the return from retirement of the vastly experienced Briton Herbie Blash as a permanent advisor.

‘Thrown under a bus’ Hamilton and Mercedes welcomed the changes—without which the Briton might have retired—but as pre-season testing began Verstappen declared that Masi had been “thrown under a bus” by the FIA. Maintaining his characteristically pug-

Medvedev, Tsitsipas out as upsets rock ATP tilt

Mercedes’ British driver Lewis Hamilton (center) walks past Red Bull’s Dutch driver Max Verstappen (right) during the first day of Formula One pre-season testing at the Bahrain International Circuit in the city of Sakhir. AFP

Smith’s birdie blitz clinches weather-hit Players win MIAMI—Australia’s Cameron Smith charged to victory at the PGA Tour’s weather-disrupted Players Championship on Monday, carding a closing sixunder-par 66 to win by one shot.

The 28-year-old Queenslander roared into contention on a congested final day at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida with five birdies in his opening six holes.

It was Smith’s second victory of 2022 following victory at the Tournament of Champions in Hawaii in January, and was made even sweeter by the presence of his mother Sharon and sister Mel to witness the victory.

Smith said he had not seen his family for more than two years until recently due to Covid-19 travel restrictions.

“It’s really cool to have them here,” Smith said, his voice cracking with emotion. “My main priority was just to hang out with them.

“Golf was second for these few weeks, so it’s nice to see them and nice to get a win for them.”

Smith’s final round 66 left him on 13 under 265, one ahead of India’s Anirban Lahiri, who shot a closing 69. England’s Paul Casey was third on 11 under while Kevin Kisner was fourth on 10 under.

nacious style, the Dutchman last week mocked claims from his rival that he would be to slow to challenge for race wins in his new Mercedes. “It’s always like that isn’t it?” he said.

After spending most of the winter in retreat in Colorado, Hamilton re-emerged burning with “righteous fire”, according to his team. “You can turn these emotions into power and strength and that’s what I am doing,” he explained.

“If you think what you saw at the end of last year was my best, wait till you see this year.”

At 37, Hamilton remains young and fit enough to compete again if he is motivated, but unlike Verstappen, he will have a new team-mate in fellow-Briton George Russell at Mercedes and, after early testing, a car that is “a handful to drive”.

“There is potential within our car to get us there,” said Hamilton. “We just have to learn to extract it – there are some hurdles to overcome.” AFP

Weather disruption that wiped out swathes of play on Thursday and Friday meant the final round was only completed early Monday, with Smith two adrift of Lahiri, the 54-hole leader on nine under.

Smith’s final round got off to a flying start, with a 38-foot birdie putt on the first to move to within one of the lead.

Another birdie on the second gave him a share of the lead, before he took sole possession of the top of the leaderboard with a third straight birdie on the third.

Sensational start He went two clear with his fourth birdie on the fourth.

Another birdie putt from 10 feet on the sixth hole preserved his two-shot advantage before three straight bogeys on the seventh, eighth and ninth holes allowed England’s Paul Casey and Keegan Bradley to join him at the top of the leaderboard.

But Smith then responded with a sensational start to the back nine which mirrored the start of his round, making four straight birdies on the 10th, 11th, 12th and 13th to regain a two-shot lead.

There was a wobble on the par-five 16th when his tee-shot flew into the trees flanking the left hand edge of the fairway. But he recovered bril-

Cameron Smith of Australia lines up a putt for a bogey five on the par 4, 18th hole during the final round of THE PLAYERS Championship at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. AFP

liantly to make par.

Then on the iconic par-three 17th, Smith bravely blasted a nine iron to four feet for a birdie which left him three shots clear heading to the 18th.

Yet there threatened to be a plot twist at the last, when another wayward tee shot

left him in the rough amongst the trees.

An attempt to chip safely onto the fairway ended in disaster when the Australian’s ball rolled into the water forcing him to drop.

But once again Smith’s iron play came to the rescue. AFP

INDIAN WELLS—Daniil Medvedev was sent crashing out of the ATP/WTA Indian Wells Masters in a stunning defeat to Gael Monfils on Monday that ended the Russian’s three-week reign as world number one.

On a day of upsets in the California desert, Medvedev was the highest profile casualty to be sent packing, outfoxed 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 by veteran Frenchman Monfils.

The shocks continued in the evening session as Greek fifth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas tumbled out to 21-year-old American Jenson Brooksby.

Brooksby, ranked 43rd in the world, advanced to the last 16 with a 1-6, 6-3, 6-2 win.

Earlier, the 35-year-old Monfils scored his first victory over a world number one since 2009 with a superb display to dispose of US Open champion Medvedev.

The defeat means Novak Djokovic will on Monday return to the top of the world rankings, three weeks after Medvedev became number one.

Monfils sealed victory in 2hr 6min after converting his sixth match point.

“I’m in my zone and I’m a tough opponent for anyone,” Monfils said. “It’s been a long time since I’ve beaten a world number one, so I’m pretty happy.”

Reigning US Open champion Medvedev had looked to be in control after taking the first set immediately after breaking Monfils for a 5-4 lead.

But after Monfils took the second set -- clinching with a cheeky underarm serve -- Medvedev’s composure evaporated in the decider.

The Russian earned a code violation for smashing his racket in frustration after being broken in the first game, and Monfils raced through the gears to seal a deserved victory.

Medvedev said he would aim to reclaim his number one ranking at the Miami Open next week.

“Now I know I’m going to lose it (the ranking), so I have Miami to try to get it back,” Medvedev said.

“Usually feeling a little bit better in Miami in terms of tennis, so we’ll try to play good there. AFP

Towns scores season-high 60 points as Wolves maul Spurs

Anthony Edwards pours water on Karl-Anthony Towns of the Minnesota Timberwolves after the game against the San Antonio Spurs at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. AFP

LOS ANGELES—Karl-Anthony Towns erupted for a career-high 60 points as the Minnesota Timberwolves ran riot against the San Antonio Spurs in a night of high scoring across the NBA on Monday.

Towns’ franchise-record masterclass was the highest individual score in a single NBA game this season and laid the foundation for a 149-139 victory on the road in Texas.

Thirty-two of Towns’ points haul came in the third quarter. The 26-yearold drained seven-of-11 attempts from three-point range and was 19-of-31 from the field overall.

“I wish I could give you all more energy but I’m tired as hell,” a weary Towns told reporters after a win that sees Minnesota improve to 40-30 to remain firmly in the hunt for an automatic playoff berth in the West.

“Great game, great team win. I told everyone in the locker room -– this happens

because of y’all,” Towns said. “None of this happens without my team-mates saying, ‘We want you to have a chance at history’.

“They have to pass me the ball. For them to all be on the same page speaks volumes about the chemistry of this team.”

Minnesota coach Chris Finch echoed Towns’ comments, praising the Timberwolves “team dynamic.”

“Our guys all root for their teammates’ success,” Finch said. “People see how incredibly talented KAT is and what he’s able to do.

“They know he’s the guy and he can take us to these types of performances when we need him the most.”

Green boosts Warriors Steph Curry bagged his seventh 40-point game of the season as the Golden State Warriors marked the return of Draymond Green with a 126112 win over the Washington Wizards

in San Francisco.

Curry finished with 47 points as the Warriors bagged their fourth straight win. Significantly, Monday’s game marked the first time since 2019 that Curry, Green and Klay Thompson -- three pillars of the club’s success over the past decade -- appeared on court together.

Warriors coach Steve Kerr was delighted by the successful return of Green.

“The chessboard changes when Draymond is out there,” Kerr said.

“We have a pretty unique group of stars. They really make each other better.

That’s the beauty of our team.”

Curry’s scoring was backed by 20-point hauls from Thompson and Jordan Poole.

In other games, Nikola Jokic won his duel with potential MVP successor Joel Embiid as the Denver Nuggets came from behind to score a 114-110 road victory over the Philadelphia 76ers. AFP

Entertainment

Nickie Wang,, Editor Patricia Taculao, Editorial Assistant E-mail: lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 2022

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GMA kicks off 2022 on high note, pushes on with more top-notch content AMIDST the risk and limitations brought about by the pandemic, the country’s leading broadcast network continues to produce quality programs for its viewers here and abroad.

Following the first slew of Kapuso shows and election special successfully unveiled during the first two months of the year – beginning with Mano Po Legacy: The Family Fortune, I Can See You: AlterNate, Little Princess, Prima Donnas Book 2, First Lady, Widows’ Web, The Best Ka!, Agimat ng Agila Book 2, My Husband in Law, The Penthouse Season 3, and The Jessica Soho Presidential Interviews – GMA keeps the ball rolling with more exciting shows in the pipeline.

GMA Entertainment Group recently launched the riveting legal drama Artikulo 247. Top-billed by Rhian Ramos, Kris Bernal, Benjamin Alves, and Mark Herras, the series powerfully portrays a woman’s journey as she fearfully moves on from the consequences of her past entanglement with her boss and his wife.

After the highly-successful run of Mano Po Legacy: The Family Fortune, viewers are now looking forward to the next installment of GMA Network and Regal Entertainment’s hit Mano Po Legacy franchise featuring Ken Chan, Bianca Umali, and Kelvin Miranda in Mano Po Legacy: Her Big Boss. This rom-com series tells the story of a coldhearted Chinese-Filipino businessman and his street-smart secretary.

The network also promises to deliver fun with the world’s favorite game show and best family bonding experience

with the Filipino franchise of Family Feud hosted by Dingdong Dantes.

GMA is soon to bring an inspiring new addition to its Afternoon Prime block with the family drama Raising Mamay. This offering is about a teenager who takes care of her mother, who is stricken with brain regression after an unfortunate shooting incident.

However, she soon discovers her identity that led to her mother’s assassin. It stars Aiai Delas Alas and Sparkle Loveteam Shayne Sava and Abdul Raman.

Another world-class drama awaits viewers with Bolera. This original series serves as the much-awaited TV comeback of Kylie Padilla. Joining her are Rayver Cruz and Jak Roberto.

Cameras are also rolling for GMA Public Affairs’ primetime programs Love You Stranger and Lolong.

Top-billed by Gabbi Garcia and Khalil Ramos, the mystery romance series Love You Stranger is set to air this May. Lolong, on the other hand, is bannered by Ruru Madrid. The series is inspired by the world’s largest crocodile in captivity of the same name.

Joining Ruru in the series are Arra San Agustin, Shaira Diaz, and some of the biggest names in the local entertainment industry.

Also happening this March is the much-awaited return of live collegiate sports events as the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) kicks off its 97th Season on March 20 with GMA Synergy’s six-episode daily show Game On! that’s sure to prime us up for the Season 97 Opening Ceremony and the start of Men’s Basketball Games on

Jose Mari R. Abacan, GMA first vice president for program management department

Lilybeth G. Rasonable, senior vice president for entertainment group

Ianessa S. Valdellon, GMA first vice president for public affairs

March 26.

More shows for Kapuso viewers GMA recently announced that it is producing a local adaptation of the hit Korean drama series Start-Up. In partnership with leading entertainment company CJ ENM, the remake is headlined by Alden Richards and Bea Alonzo in her first soap project as a Kapuso.

Xian Lim joins Glaiza De Castro in the primetime series False Positive. The romance-comedy showcases a neglected wife, who is made to feel inferior by her husband’s utter disregard of her feelings and sense of value as an expectant mother.

In her frustration, she malevolently

wishes in front of a magical fountain, resulting in the husband developing a fetus in his tummy.

Preparing to volt in is the muchawaited live-action adaptation of the hit Japanese anime series Voltes V: Legacy.

The groundbreaking project stars Miguel Tanfelix as Steve Armstrong, Ysabel Ortega as Jamie Robinson, Radson Flores as Mark Gordon, Matt Lozano as Big Bert, Raphael Landicho as Little John, and Martin del Rosario as the Boazanian Prince Zardoz.

Viewers should also watch out for The Fake Life, Apoy sa Langit, Abot Kamay na Pangarap, Frozen Love, Return to Paradise, Heaven In My Heart,

Underage, Nakarehas Na Puso, The Witness, Love Before Sunrise, What a Joy, and Sang’gre The much-awaited Philippine franchise of the SBS Korea Original Running Man Philippines also airs this 2022. A new breed of talented artists who can make beautiful music together is also set to be discovered in the innovative singing contest Sing for Hearts.

The Kapuso Network is likewise keeping it good with new shows in its second free-to-air channel, GTV: Sweet Sixteen, Heart of an Angel, and One Knife Only. Read full story on manilastandard.net

Catriona Gray defends Harnaaz Sandhu from body shamers; talks about women empowerment

Catriona Gray is a strong advocate of women empowerment and body positivity

(From left) Paolo Pineda, Catriona Gray, Erickson Raymundo, and Jeff Vadillo

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ATRIONA Gray did not mince her words when she talked about current Miss Universe Harnaaz Sandhu who continues to face negative comments about her weight from social media trolls and pageant fanatics.

In an interview with select members of the entertainment press, the Miss Universe 2018 winner came to the defense of the reigning queen after the latter was criticized by netizens for supposedly gaining weight.

“I think it’s really unfortunate that the public still finds the need to tear women down in that way. We’re campaigning so hard that beauty queen or titles or Miss Universe should be more than an image,” Gray said during an interview where she was introduced as the host of Top Class, a P-pop reality show produced by Kumu, Cignal Entertainment, TV5, and Cornerstone Entertainment.

Gray added that the Indian beauty queen is not limited to her body shape since, as Miss Universe, she is working as a spokesperson, and “she’s been effective doing her role.”

“I feel that she should be celebrated.

What message do we send to other young girls or young people in the public or social media when they read those comments

and perhaps compare their bodies? There’s nothing that comes nicely out of it. Let’s not use derogatory terms in that way. Let’s celebrate women for what they give to the table,” she added.

The 28-year-old model and singer also shared encouraging words with women who are still struggling to realize their dreams.

“I really sympathize with young women everywhere because this pandemic has not been kind to everyone. It’s placed challenges on path to dreams that I don’t think any of us foresaw, but I would encourage those women to remember what their dream was. Your time has not passed, your time is still here, and it’s up to you to keep going towards your dream,” she stated.

Her advice to young women who have already found their niche, on the other hand, is to explore more and never stop taking on new challenges. And in doing so, she also reminds them to “stop and smell the roses once in a while to enjoy your accomplishments.”

“There’s always something next. We always look towards a certain goal but it never stops there. Even I can attest to that. My dream was the Miss Universe crown and after that, it became something else. It became an upward climb,” she related.

Meanwhile, the beauty queen, youth advocate, arts ambassador, and international personality has been introduced as the host of Top Class, The Rise To P-Pop Miss Universe 2021 Harnaaz Sandhu

Stardom – which is set to become the Philippines’ Premier P-Pop reality show competition.

With the help and guidance of fellow world-class personalities and very special guests, Gray will be overseeing the arduous but exciting journey and transformation of thirty talented male aspirants from being “students” to becoming one of the five “graduates” who will ultimately make up the next Filipino boy idol group.

“We believe Catriona is the perfect host for our show. We all know her strength and determination in reaching her goals. She also knows the value of preparation and excellence especially in making a mark on the world stage.

Not only will she be able to weave the show together but she will also be able to impart important life lessons to the students and to all our viewers.” said Jeff Vadillo, Vice President of Cornerstone Entertainment.

Top Class is the result of a gamechanging partnership between Philippine entertainment giants, namely: Kumu, Cignal Entertainment, TV5, and Cornerstone Entertainment.

“I’m very excited to be the host of this show because I love being a part of someone’s journey as they realize their dreams. And Top Class is the first of its kind, developing and discovering the next P-pop stardom,” Gray shared.

With the unique combination of expertise coming from each entertainment powerhouse, Top Class is poised to be the ultimate P-Pop reality show that will surely revolutionize the Philippine reality TV genre as we know it.

Catch the thrilling and dramatic new reality series this 2022 only on the Kapatid Network, TV5, Kumu, and on select digital platforms.

First Filipino filmmaker at European producers workshop to produce Afghan docu FOR the first time in history, a Filipino film producer has been accepted into the prestigious European Audiovisual Entrepreneurs (EAVE) Producers Workshop 2022.

Multi-awarded film producer Alemberg “Alem” Ang, the third Southeast Asian to be accepted into the EAVE workshop, has been selected as a participant focusing on developing a project entitled Dream of Grape Gardens to be directed by noted Afghan documentarist Sahra Mani.

Dream of Grape Gardens is an autobiographical documentary of Sahra’s own wartime memories as an Afghan refugee in Iran and her family’s 30-year search for her lost brother.

As part of the workshop, Alem will participate in three sessions to be held in various areas of Europe.

The first workshop was held in Luxembourg from March 4 to 11, while the next will happen in Pärnu, Estonia from June 10 to 17. The third and last workshop will be held in Barcelona, Spain from October 17 to 24.

“As the world is getting more and more connected, filmmakers from different countries are getting more connected as well. We are finding ourselves helping each other in our projects. The possibilities are just endless,” says Alem who is thrilled with this cross-cultural collaboration.

With conflict still prevailing in several parts of the world, the production of Dream of Grape Gardens is a timely, if not urgent endeavor.

“Even if the subject is about Afghan refugees in the 1980s, history is repeating itself as Afghans are forced to flee their country once more with the Taliban in power. Women and children, and artists—like Sahra—are among those who are forced to leave their home country and seek safe havens. Their experiences need to be told so that the world does not forget especially now in light of what’s happening in Ukraine.

I was especially drawn to Sahra’s personal story and its universality,” Alem elaborates.

Alem first made his mark when his first feature—Alvin Yapan’s The Rapture of Fe in 2009—won Special Jury Prize at

Cinemalaya and Best Digital Feature at the Cairo International Film Festival.

The film started a string of successes for Alem, whose films Ang Sayaw ng Dalawang Kaliwang Paa bagged the Best Picture trophy at the 2011 Gawad Urian, while the TV series Titser won Best Drama at the Catholic Mass Media Awards, Outstanding Achievement in the Broadcast Media Award from the Hildegarde Awards for Women in Media and Communication, and NHK’s Japan Prize in 2013.

Among his notable works are 2 Cool 2 Be 4gotten, Ang Larawan, and Liway.

Alem has participated in other international programs like the Rotterdam Lab, Berlinale Talents, SEAFIC, Locarno’s Open Doors, Tribeca Film Institute Network, Cannes Docs, and UNESCO’s Meeting of Independent Producers.

Alem is currently working on several projects, such as Divine Factory, Some Nights I Feel Like Walking, Dancing the Tides, and Ninja from Manila.

Alemberg “Alem” Ang at the European Audiovisual Entrepreneurs (EAVE) Producers Workshop

Ang with the other participants of the 2022 EAVE workshop

Life

Nickie Wang, Editor Patricia Taculao, Editorial Assistant E-mail: lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com

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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 2022

Kristine Lim talks about His love in huge artwork MEMBERS of ABS-CBN Fellowship have turned over the painting titled Let’s Talk About His Love, to the network’s executives as part of its 22nd anniversary celebration.

The huge artwork, a masterpiece by “Artist on a Mission” Kristine Lim, is a visual interpretation of a song by

ABS-CBN Music’s Creative Director, Jonathan Manalo. The effort was with the cooperation of Art Lounge Manila, AOR Global, and Art Plus.

The song was composed specifically to be the official theme song of Real Talk: The Heart of the Matter, a Christian talk show by women and for women hosted by Mikee

The artist posing with ABS-CBN executives in front of the newly installed art piece

Cojuangco-Jaworski, Pastora Monique Lopez-Ong, and Dyan Castillejo.

Lim’s artwork is now installed at the lobby of ABS-CBN where the formal turnover was attended by Mark L. Lopez (Chairman of ABS-CBN Corporation), Carlo D. Katigbak (President and CEO of ABS-CBN Corporation), Cory V. Vidanes (COO of Broadcast & Head of CPI Inc. of ABS-CBN Corporation), Susanne Tiausas (Managing Director of Art Lounge Manila), together with Real Talk Volunteers and members of ABSCBN Fellowship; Chit A. Guerrero, Linggit Tan-Marasigan, Lita Teodosio, Castillejo, and Lopez-Ong. “Gracing the lobby of the corporation is meant to serve as a testament that God’s blessing is not hindered by any shutdown or lockdown. His love knows no boundaries and hope is alive in Jesus Christ,” the artist stated.

ABS-CBN (Active Believers Serving Christ Blessing Nations) began in December 2000. It was a group of Christian employees that banded together, dedicated to spreading the word of God to other co-employees while being in other ministries that help spread the good news to the marginalized communities.

In spite of the lockdown and the ABS-CBN shutdown, the members remained ever-committed to continue the fellowship.

The group continued on its weekly ministering to “Kapamilyas” and also to those in need, all the Kristine Lim’s painting, ‘Let’s Talk About His Love,’ is a while fervently praying for visual interpretation of a song by Jonathan Manalo ABS-CBN up to now. The fellowship is also behind the show Real project that the two are currently working on to celebrate the music producer’s 20 Talk. years in the music industry.

The painting born out of the collaboration of the duo, Jonathan Manalo Music producer Jonathan Manalo and Kristine Lim will (left) with artist Kristine Lim also be part of the

A ‘Confidential’ book on stars and Philippine movies

Celebrating female creativity

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HEN I was still working for another newspaper in Intramuros, I would often see into Nestor Cuartero, who was the entertainment editor of Tempo, a tabloid newspaper affiliated with Manila Bulletin Publishing Corporation, back then.

Whenever we saw each other at the editorial office, I would always say a shy hello to him, which he’d acknowledge with a sincere smile.

Back then, I was too shy to approach him, not because he’s unapproachable. It’s not him, it’s me.

In fact, he’s one of the kindest editors I know. Even when I moved to the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), he has extended his kindness to this neophyte public relations employee who would often invite him to our events and send him press releases.

Recently, Cuartero launched his book, titled “PH Movie Confidential”, a slim volume of 130 glossy pages featuring a humble collection of essays about trends, practices, beliefs, quirks, and movements that helped shape the Philippine movie industry.

The launch happened at the Film Development Center of the Philippines (FDCP) Cinematheque in Manila, in cooperation with the Society of Philippine Entertainment Editors (SPEED), where Cuartero is one of its esteemed founding members.

The book is partially the result of the veteran journalist’s experiences in covering and writing about the entertainment beat for Tempo and Manila Bulletin, as well as his being an avid moviegoer for the past six decades.

“Let’s just say a good chunk of those years had been spent as a close, first-hand observer of the industry as a working journalist

Boots Anson Roa Rodrigo holding a copy of ‘PH Movie Confidential’during the book’s launch at FDCP Cinemateque in Manila

The cover of ‘PH Movie Confidential’ by author and entertainment journalist Nestor Cuartero

covering the entertainment beat,” he said.

In his book, Cuartero tackled why certain actors are typecast, whether fan mentality is an illness or not, why some actors don’t want to take on gay roles, and the behind-the-scenes ganap (From left) Pep’s Jerry Olea, People’s Journal’s Ian Farinas, after an intimate scene, among FDCP chair Liza Dino, Cuartero, Manila Times’ Tessa Mauricio Arriola, and Manila Standard’s Nickie Wang others.

Published by Ultimate Learning Series by Carl Balita who’s who and the latest happenings in Review Center, in cooperation with the showbizlandia.

FDCP, the book also touches on the evolution While entertainment stories may seem of Tagalog film titles, from Nabasag ang trivial, Cuartero strongly believes that Banga to Pag-ibig sa Kapirasong Banig to entertainment journalism is a serious The Panti Sisters. business.

Contained in 14 chapters are wellHe shared that it is “a craft with its researched topics that could interest and own seriousness of purpose, a historical maybe inspire fans, students, lovers, and perspective, a sense of responsibility — researchers of Philippine movies, written in a all achievable without robbing the stories conversational yet insightful manner. of their natural grasp, look and feel of the You’ll love how he interspersed historical beautiful, the humorous, the vibrant, and truths with tidbits of gossip and trivia. well, yes, the entertaining.”

When it comes down to it, entertainment Through his book, he hopes to “transform stories sell like hotcakes. It is one of the and elevate entertainment writing far beyond newspaper sections that is often most read the level of gossip and trash commonly and peruse to a T. associated with it.”

In all honesty, we really slurp up the The book, which sells at a promotional juiciest scandals and gossip. We turn into price of P400 (excluding shipping), can be analysts, digging through every little detail sourced at over 100 CBRC schools all over and even making our own conspiracy the Philippines. Orders are also welcome theories. More than news and financial through nescuar@yahoo.com or via mobile articles, we take time diving into the phone 0917-800-5986.

(From left) Jomari Yllana, Liza Diño, Cuartero, Priscilla Almeda, and Sheryl Cruz

(From left) Columnist Wilson Flores, Cuartero, and ABS-CBN corp comm head Kane Choa

Cuartero (second from left) with Unilab’s External Affairs team led by Claire de Leon Papa (center)

AS we highlight the contributions of women to the world and bring focus on issues that affect their daily life, career, and safety, Shangri-La Plaza is showcasing art and design that capture her unique vision, creativity, and aspirations.

Shang kicked off the celebration by gathering the country’s female talents in fashion and design for the Bonjour Manille! bazaar on March 6 at the Grand Atrium where fashion designer Ana Casas and her iconic contemporary terno boleros that combine drama and convenience in a single statement piece were on display.

See the world Through Her Eyes Art Circle Gallery’s Through Her Eyes featured seven inspiring women artists who exhibited their works from March 7 to 13 at the Grand Atrium. This all-female exhibit showcased images and narratives that exemplify the inspiring identity and character of the contemporary, empowered woman.

On display were works by visual artists Tish Alcantara who creates elegantly illustrated women that combine art nouveau and shin-hanga art, Jovan Benito who’s known for her brightly colored hues and cartoonish figures with wide and rounded eyes that present Filipino culture, and Caroline Cainto who has a flair in turning abstracting landscapes and objects of nature into something lyrical and expressive.

Joining them were fellow visual artists Mylene Quito who creates striking, vibrant, and often whimsical paintings, and Mercedes Paez-Layog who is among the pioneers of the acrylic pouring technique in the country. Rounding out the exhibit are artists who create not only paintings but also unique sculptures: Ella Hipolito who expresses herself by breathing new life into real coffee beans and Valen Valero who transforms vintage electric meters into sculptures that fire up the minds and hearts of the viewers.

More enthralling, inspiring art Home of the young, emerging, and mid-career contemporary artists, The Artologist, presents Commune on March 21 to 27 at the Grand Atrium. This two-person exhibition features Julmard Vicente and Eric Madrigal Masangkay.

Vicente is known for his emotive photorealistic portraits of human figures wrapped in plastic sheets or dipped in water, while Masangkay is associated with his dreamy mixed media sculptures depicting women and showcasing the wonders of human kinetics.

Uplifting women artists and designers today paves the way for a new generation of female creatives. Because when women create, they bring ripples of positive changes and deliver hope and light to where they’re needed most. This Women’s Month, celebrate her creativity and success, strength and aspirations at Shang.

The ‘Commune’ exhibit runs from March 21 to 21 at the Grand Atrium of Shangri-La Plaza

CCP holds exhibit featuring works of 2021 Thirteen Artists

Chairperson Margarita Moran-Floirendo welcomes attendees during her speech at the opening of Thirteen Artists exhibit and awarding ceremony at the CCP

THE Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) presents the awarding ceremony and exhibition opening of the 2021 Thirteen Artists this month, featuring the works of Allan Balisi, Nice Buenaventura, Gino Bueza, Mars Bugaoan, Rocky Cajigan, Geloy Concepcion, Patrick Cruz, Ian Carlo Jaucian, KoloWn, Czar Kristoff, Lou Lim, Ryan

Villamael, and Catherine Sarah Young.

The awarding and exhibition opening was held on March 10 at the CCP Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo Lobby (CCP Main Theater lobby) and was live via the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ and CCP Visual Arts and Museum Division’s Facebook pages. Attendees were given the

first look at the specially designed 2021 Thirteen Artists trophy by Mac Valdezco.

The 13 Artists awarding ceremony and exhibit opening marked the first exhibition of the year for the CCP Visual Arts and Museum Division. Curated by Shireen Seno, the exhibition runs until June 5 at the CCP Bulwagang Juan Luna (Main Gallery), Pasilyo

Juan Luna (Main Gallery Hallway), and Pasilyo Guillermo Tolentino (Third Floor Hallway).

Public programs will be held throughout the exhibit duration to allow guests to learn more about the latest batch of awardees and their works.

To see the full roster of Thirteen Artists since 1970, visit thirteenartists. culturalcenter.gov.ph.